Two Side Cut Reseal With Pressure Sensitive Adhesive and the Method for Making Same

Abstract

Two side cut reseal with pressure sensitive adhesive. A flexible package having a reseal integrated within the opposite layers of its film is constructed using existing vertical form fill and seal packaging machines. The invention involves a single sheet of flexible packaging film web having at least three layers. In a preferred embodiment, the reseal is comprised of two offsetting score lines on interior and exterior sides of the film and spaced apart by 0.5 to 1 inch. The scoring creates lines of weakness, which define an opening in the package. Upon opening, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, which is pattern applied in between the offsetting score lines, is exposed from an interior side of the film. The adhesive releasably adheres the inner and outer layers of the film back together once separated by a consumer.

1 . A flexible bag formed on a vertical form, fill and seal machine having a top seal, said bag containing a product and further comprising:
 an outer film layer;   an inner film layer;   an adhesive layer between said outer film layer and said inner film layer;   a first horizontal score line through said outer film layer to the adhesive layer, wherein said first horizontal score line is parallel to and less than two inches from the bottom of said top seal;   a second horizontal score line through said inner film layer to said  10  adhesive layer, wherein said second horizontal score line is below and parallel to said first horizontal score line; and   wherein the first and said second score lines define a resealable opening on said bag.   
   
   
       2 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said first horizontal score line comprises a tear tab. 
   
   
       3 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said adhesive layer comprises a peelable side. 
   
   
       4 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said first and second horizontal score lines each comprise a tear stop on both ends. 
   
   
       5 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein the length of said resealable opening is approximately 91% to 98% of the width of said bag. 
   
   
       6 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein the length of said resealable opening is approximately 25% to 68% of the length of said bag. 
   
   
       7 . A method for making a flexible reclosable package on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine, wherein the reclosable package is comprised of a flexible packaging film of a continuous web having at an outer film layer, an inner film layer, and an adhesive layer applied in between said outer and inner film layers, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) scoring a plurality of lines through the outer film layer of said continuous web, wherein said lines are perpendicular to the side edges of the web, thereby forming an outer score line;   b) scoring a plurality of lines through the inner layer within 0.5 to 1 inch from and parallel to the plurality of outer layer score lines, thereby forming a an inner score line;   c) feeding the web into said vertical form, fill and seal machine; and   d) forming said flexible reclosable package wherein said outer score line is less than two inches from a top seal of said formed package.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein step a) further comprises the step of scoring a tear tab into the center of the outer score line. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein steps a) and b) further comprise the step of forming tear stops at the ends of the outer and inner layer score lines. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of applying a pressure sensitive adhesive in between the outer score line and the inner score line, said adhesive having at peelable side. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein steps a) and b) define an opening formed in between said outer score line and said inner score line, said opening having a length that is 91%-98% of the wvidth of said flexible recloseable package. 
   
   
       12 . A vertical flexible reclosable package formed by the method of  claim 7 .