Package with releasable film access opening

Abstract

A flexible package having a releasable film access device is described and depicted. The access device can include a first peel seal film overlapping and sealed (e.g., temporary peel seal) to a second peel seal film. This formation of the sealed films can be provided in predetermined patches or strips that are, in turn, sealed to a sealant surface of a package panel proximate a main access opening. The overlapping peel seal film configuration provides a proper barrier for the package opening while simultaneously providing easy access into the package through separation of the overlapping peel seal films.

1 . A package for holding contents, comprising:
 a first main panel portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface;   a second main panel portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, such that at least the first and second main panel portions define a package interior;   an opening defined in at least the first main panel portion; and   a releasable film access device including a first film and a second film, with a main seal portion of the first film operably sealed to the interior surface of the first main panel portion above the opening, a main seal portion of the second film operably sealed to the interior surface of the first main panel portion below the opening, and a portion of the first film and second film operably joined at an overlap seal to provide selective access into package interior via the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the operable sealing of the main seal portion of the first film and the main seal portion of the second film to the interior surface of the first main panel portion includes a generally permanent seal. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the overlap seal is a generally temporary seal. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a tab included with one of the first or second films of the access device to facilitate separation of the overlap seal. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a score line included along at least a portion of the overlap seal to facilitate separation of the overlap seal. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second main panel portions are constructed of a generally flexible polymer material. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first main panel portion includes a gusset, with the first and second films of the access device extending across the gusset. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second films of the access device are constructed of a polymer material having protective barrier properties. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a slit region provided along a portion of the first main panel portion to define the opening upon separation of the first main panel portion at the slit region. 
     
     
         10 . A package for holding contents, comprising:
 a first main panel portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface;   a second main panel portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, such that at least the first and second main panel portions define a package interior;   an opening defined in at least the first main panel portion;   a carrier patch adapted for operable attachment to the interior surface of at least the first main panel portion; and   a film access device including a first film and a second film, with a main seal portion of the first film operably sealed to a first seal surface of the carrier patch, a main seal portion of the second film operably sealed to the first seal surface of the carrier patch, and a portion of the first film and second film operably joined at an overlap seal, such that providing the carrier patch to the interior surface of the first main panel generally aligns the overlap seal with the opening in the first main panel portion to provide selective access into the package interior.   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein sealing of the main seal portion of the first film and the main seal portion of the second film to the first seal surface of the carrier patch includes a generally permanent seal. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the overlap seal is a generally temporary seal. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 10 , further including a tab included with one of the first or second films of the access device to facilitate separation of the overlap seal. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 10 , further including a score line included along at least a portion of the overlap seal to facilitate separation of the overlap seal. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second main panel portions are constructed of a generally flexible polymer material. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first main panel portion includes a gusset, with the carrier patch extending across the gusset. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 10 , further including an opening defined along a portion of the carrier patch proximate the overlap seal of the first and second films. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the overlap seal is further operably sealed to a portion of the carrier patch. 
     
     
         19 . A package for holding contents, comprising:
 a first main panel portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface;   a second main panel portion having an exterior surface and an interior surface, such that at least the first and second main panel portions define a package interior;   an opening region defined in at least the first main panel portion; and   a film seal access device including a film portion, with a first seal portion of the film portion sealed to the interior surface of the first main panel portion above the opening, and a second seal portion of the first film portion sealed to the interior surface of the first main panel portion below the opening, with a score region provided with the film portion intermediate the first and second seal portions and proximate the opening region of the first main panel portion to provide selective access to the package interior.   
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the sealing of the first and second film portions to the interior surface of the first main panel portion includes a generally permanent seal. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 19 , further including a tab provided with the film portion to facilitate separation of the film portion at the score region. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second main panel portions are constructed of a generally flexible polymer material.