Reclosable flexible package and method for making the same

Abstract

A flexible package with a snap type reclosure. The reclosure has a male part and a female part affixed to the package near the package opening. When the male part and female part are pressed together by the user they interlock with each other and cause the package opening to be substantially held closed. If desired, the snap reclosure may have a locking feature to deter unauthorized opening of the package. If desired, the snap reclosure may also serve as a vent, allowing air to exchange between the inside and outside of the package.

1 . In combination a package and a snap-closure therefor, said package having an interior for holding material therein and an openable mouth communicating with said interior, said package being formed of a flexible material and comprising first and second panels connected to each other, each of said panels having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said mouth being openable to provide access to the interior of said package, said snap closure being arranged for closing and sealing said mouth and comprising a male closure element and a female closure element, said male closure element comprising a generally planar base member and a wall projecting upward from said base member of said male closure element defining a enclosed space bounded by the periphery of said wall of said male closure element, said female closure element comprising a generally planar base member and a wall projecting upward from said base member defining a enclosed space bounded by the periphery of said wall of said female closure element, said male closure element being secured to said first panel adjacent said mouth, said female closure element being secured to said second panel adjacent said mouth, said wall of said male closure element being arranged to snap-fit into engagement with said wall of said female closure element to hold portions of said first panel in a confronting relationship with portions of said second panel to close said mouth to impede the ingress of air into the package through said mouth.  
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said male closure element and said female closure element are secured to respective ones of said panels, with the walls of said male and female closure elements projecting upward from respective ones of the interior surface of said panels.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein said male and female closure elements are secured to the interior wall of respective ones of said panels.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein one of said male and female closure elements is secured to one of said panels so that the wall of said one closure element projects upward from said exterior surface of one of said panels and the other of said male and female closure elements is secured to the other of said panels so that the wall of other closure element projects upward from said interior surface of the other of said panels.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4  wherein at least one of said panels includes an aperture therein through which a portion of the wall of one of said closure elements can extend when said closure elements are secured to each other.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein one of said male and female closure elements is secured to the interior surface of one of said panels and the other of said male and female closure elements is secured to the exterior surface of the other of said panels.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein said aperture is located in a portion of said at least one of said panels that is arranged to be folded over to interpose that portion of the at least one panel between said closure elements.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 1  wherein both of said male and female closure elements are secured to one of said panels, with the walls of said male and female closure elements projecting upward from the exterior surface of said one of said panels.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8  wherein at each of said panels includes an aperture therein through which a portion of the wall of said closure elements can extend when said closure elements are secured to each other.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9  wherein said aperture is located in a portion of each of said panels that is arranged to be folded over to interpose that portion of said panels between said closure elements.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said snap-closure additionally comprises a locking mechanism arranged to releasably lock said male and female closure elements together.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein said locking mechanism comprises a movable member arranged to be moved from a first position wherein said male and female closure members are secured together, but can be separated by the application of a force thereto, to a second position wherein said members are secured together but are resistant to separation by the application of the force thereto.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said snap-closure additionally comprises an opening in the base member of at least one of said closure elements.  
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13  wherein said base member of each of said closure elements includes an opening therein.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14  wherein a valve element is located to releasably close said opening in one of said closure elements.  
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 1  additionally comprising a handle for said package.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  wherein said handle is located in at least one of said panels.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 17  wherein said handle is located in both of said panels.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 1  wherein said male and female closure elements are secured to each other by a bridge section located between said base members of said closure elements.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 19  wherein said bridge section is arranged to be bent.  
   
   
       21 . A method of making a flexible package having an interior for holding material therein and an openable mouth communicating with the interior of the package, said package being formed of a flexible material and comprising first and second panels connected to each other, each of said panels having an exterior surface and an interior surface, said mouth being openable to provide access to the interior of said package, said method comprising: 
 (A) providing a snap closure for closing and sealing said mouth, said snap closure comprising a male closure element and a female closure element, said male closure element comprising a generally planar base member and a wall projecting upward from said base member of said male closure element defining a enclosed space bounded by the periphery of said wall of said male closure element, said female closure element comprising a generally planar base member and a wall projecting upward from said base member defining a enclosed space bounded by the periphery of said wall of said female closure element, said wall of said male closure element being arranged to snap-fit into engagement with said wall of said female closure element to hold portions of said first panel in a confronting relationship with portions of said second panel to close said mouth to impede the ingress of air into the package through said mouth; and    (B) securing said male closure element to said first panel adjacent said mouth and securing said female closure element to said second panel adjacent said mouth.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said male and female closure elements are secured to the interior wall of respective ones of said panels.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein one of said male and female closure elements is secured to one of said panels so that the wall of said one closure element projects upward from said exterior surface of one of said panels and the other of said male and female closure elements is secured to the other of said panels so that the wall of other closure element projects upward from said interior surface of the other of said panels.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein at least one of said panels includes an aperture therein through which a portion of the wall of one of said closure elements can extend when said closure elements are secured to each other.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein one of said male and female closure elements is secured to the interior surface of one of said panels and the other of said male and female closure elements is secured to the exterior surface of the other of said panels.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said aperture is located in a portion of said at least one of said panels that is arranged to be folded over to interpose that portion of the at least one panel between said closure elements.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein both of said male and female closure elements are secured to one of said panels, with the walls of said male and female closure elements projecting upward from the exterior surface of said one of said panels.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein at each of said panels includes an aperture therein through which a portion of the wall of said closure elements can extend when said closure elements are secured to each other.  
   
   
       29 . The package of  claim 28  wherein said aperture is located in a portion of each of said panels that is arranged to be folded over to interpose that portion of said panels between said closure elements.