Improved recloseable package for pinch-grip opening

Abstract

A recloseable package including a recloseable fastener assembly is configured to facilitate pinch-grip opening of the package by gripping and separation of front and rear panels of the package. In order to facilitate opening in this manner, the recloseable fastener assembly is configured to open and separate during pinch-grip opening, without separation of the fastener assembly from the body of the package and/or delamination of the package body. To this end, elements of the recloseable fastener assembly are partially separated from each other, intermediate the ends thereof, to facilitate opening of the fastener assembly without separation of the assembly from the body. Alternatively, the fastener assembly can be configured such that one of the elements has a pair of flange portions for attachment to the package body, while the other fastener element has a single flange portion. The fastener elements are configured to preferentially separate in a direction generally away from that direction in which the single flange portion extends. The present recloseable package can be configured for efficient formation on a vertical form, fill, and seal filling apparatus.

1 . An improved recloseable package, comprising:
 a package body including a front panel and a rear panel joined to each other, and   a recloseable fastener assembly joined to the front and rear panels of said package body for gaining access to the interior of the package body, said fastener assembly including first and second fastener elements which can releasably secured to each other for closing the package body after said fastener elements have been separated from each other,   said first and second fastener elements being partially separated from each other, intermediate the ends of said fastener assembly, to facilitate initial separation of said first and second fastener elements.   
     
     
         2 . An improved recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first and second fastener elements each respectively define at least one of a groove and a projection which cooperate with each other to releasable secure said fastener elements to each other.   
     
     
         3 . An improved recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein:
 said first fastener element has a pair of first flange portions respectively extending in generally opposite directions thereof to facilitate joining of said fastener assembly to said package body,   said second fastener element having a single second flange portion extending from only one side thereof to facilitate joining of said second fastener element to the interior of the package body after said package body is formed generally about said fastener assembly.   
     
     
         4 . An improved recloseable package, comprising:
 a package body including a front panel and a rear panel joined to each other, and   a recloseable fastener assembly joined to the front and rear panels of said package body for gaining access to the interior of the package body, said fastened assembly including first and second fastener elements which can releasably secured to each other for closing the package body after said fastener elements have been separated from each other,   said fastener first element having a pair of first flange portions respectively extending in generally opposite directions thereof to facilitate joining of said fastener assembly to said package body,   said second fastener element having a single second flange portion extending from only one side thereof to facilitate joining of said second fastener element to the interior of the package body after said package body is formed generally about said fastener assembly,   said fastener assembly being configured to facilitate pinch-grip opening of said package by gripping and separating said front and rear panels, without separation of said second fastener element from the interior of said package body, or delamination of said package body.   
     
     
         5 . An improved recloseable package in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein:
 said first and second fastener elements are partially separated from each other, intermediate the ends of said fastener assembly, to facilitate separation of said first and second fastener elements without separation of said second fastener element from the interior of said package body, or delamination of said package body.   
     
     
         6 . An improved recloseable package in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein:
 said first and second fastener elements are configured to be separated from each other with less force than is required to separate said second fastener element from said package body, or to permanently deform said package body, including by delamination thereof.   
     
     
         7 . An improved recloseable package in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein:
 said fastener elements are configured to facilitate separation from each other by movement of said first fastener element in a direction, relative to said second fastener element, which is generally away from the direction in which said second flange portion extends from said second fastener element.