Flow-wrapper package with reclosure

Abstract

A flowwrapper package with a reclosure is provided. The reclosure typically includes a double profile zipper, with upper and lower flanges. Additionally, a pre-activated peel seal is provided between the lower flanges to provide hermeticity. The double zipper allows the user to reclose the package. The absence of hermetic end seals allows for increased production rates.

1 . A zipper for reclosable package including:
 a first profile assembly;   a second profile assembly, wherein end seals of the first and second profile assemblies are free of hermetic closure; and   a peel seal between the first profile assembly and the second profile assembly thereby providing hermetic closure.   
   
   
       2 . The zipper of  claim 1  wherein the first profile assembly includes a first upper interlocking profile and a first lower interlocking profile and wherein the second profile assembly includes a second upper interlocking profile and a second lower interlocking profile. 
   
   
       3 . The zipper of  claim 2  further including a first lower flange below the first lower interlocking profile and a second lower flange below the second lower interlocking profile. 
   
   
       4 . The zipper of  claim 3  wherein the first lower flange is joined to the second lower flange by the peel seal. 
   
   
       5 . The zipper of  claim 4  wherein the peel seal extends to ends of the first and second profile assemblies whereby side seals subsequently formed in package production overlap the peel seal. 
   
   
       6 . The zipper of  claim 3  further including a first upper flange above the first upper interlocking profile and a second upper flange above the second upper interlocking profile. 
   
   
       7 . The zipper of  claim 6  wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first shape and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second shape, wherein the first shape and the second shape can interlock with each other. 
   
   
       8 . The zipper of  claim 6  wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first gender and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second gender, wherein the first gender and the second gender can interlock with each other. 
   
   
       9 . The zipper of  claim 6  wherein the first upper interlocking profile, the first lower interlocking profile, the second upper interlocking profile, the second lower interlocking profile and the peel seal are parallel with each other. 
   
   
       10 . The zipper of  claim 6  wherein the first and second upper flanges are configured and arranged to be oriented toward an opening of a package and wherein the peel seal is configured and arranged to be oriented toward contents of a package. 
   
   
       11 . A reclosable package including:
 a front face and a rear face, forming a mouth between an edge thereof;   a zipper positioned with the mouth for opening and closing the package, the zipper including:
 a first profile assembly with a first upper interlocking profile and a first lower interlocking profile; 
 a second profile assembly with a second upper interlocking profile and a second lower interlocking profile, wherein end seals of the first and second profile assemblies are free of hermetic closure; and 
 a peel seal between the first profile assembly and the second profile assembly thereby providing hermetic closure. 
   
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the first profile assembly includes a first upper interlocking profile and a first lower interlocking profile and wherein the second profile assembly includes a second upper interlocking profile and a second lower interlocking profile. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12  further including a first lower flange below the first lower interlocking profile and a second lower flange below the second lower interlocking profile. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the first lower flange is joined to the second lower flange by the peel seal. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 14  further including side seals formed between edges of the front and rear faces and wherein the side seals overlap ends of the peel seal. 
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 13  further including a first upper flange above the first upper interlocking profile and a second upper flange above the second upper interlocking profile. 
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first shape and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second shape, wherein the first shape and the second shape can interlock with each other. 
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 16  wherein the first upper interlocking profile and the first lower interlocking profile have a first gender and the second upper interlocking profile and the second lower interlocking profile have a second gender, wherein the first gender and the second gender can interlock with each other. 
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 16  wherein the first upper interlocking profile, the first lower interlocking profile, the second upper interlocking profile, the second lower interlocking profile and the peel seal are parallel with each other. 
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 16  wherein the first and second upper flanges are oriented toward an opening of a package and wherein the peel seal is oriented toward contents of the package.