Recloseable package with pull-tab member

Abstract

A recloseable package, such as formed from polymeric film material, includes a package body including front and rear package panels joined to each other at side edges thereof. A recloseable fastener assembly is provided on the inside surface of the front package panel, with a preferentially weakened region of the front package panel operatively associated with the fastener assembly. In order to facilitate convenient opening of the front package panel, and access to and manipulation of the fastener assembly, the package includes a pull-tab member secured to the exterior of the front package panel, with a pull-tab member including an articulable gripping portion which can be readily articulated and manipulated by consumers, so that it can be grasped to facilitate manipulation and opening of the package.

1 . A recloseable package, comprising:
 a package body comprising a front package panel and a rear package panel joined to each other at respective side edges thereof;   a recloseable fastener assembly positioned within said package body transversely of a longitudinal axis of the body, said fastener assembly including first and second fastener elements each joined to an inside surface of said front package panel,   said front package panel defining a preferentially weakened region operatively associated with said fastener assembly, so that opening of said weakened region permits separation of said first and second fastener elements to permit the contents of the package to be accessed through the opened weakened region and through the fastener assembly; and   a pull-tab member secured to the exterior of the front package panel at said weakened region thereof, said pull-tab member including an articulable gripping portion which can be hingedly manipulated generally out of the plane of said front package panel to facilitate opening of said weakened region of said front package panel.   
     
     
         2 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said pull-tab member includes a substrate layer secured to said front package panel, and a gripping layer partially secured to said substrate layer so that an unsecured portion of said gripping layer defines said articulable gripping portion.   
     
     
         3 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said pull-tab member includes a gripping layer partially secured directly to said front package panel so that an unsecured portion of said gripping layer defines said articulable gripping portion.   
     
     
         4 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said gripping portion is downwardly articulable about a generally horizontal hinge.   
     
     
         5 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said gripping portion is upwardly articulable about a generally horizontal hinge.   
     
     
         6 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said gripping portion is articulable about a generally vertical hinge.   
     
     
         7 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said weakened region comprises perforations.   
     
     
         8 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said weakened region comprises a scored region.   
     
     
         9 . A recloseable package in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein
 said gripping layer extends beyond said substrate layer to provide said gripping portion with finger lift region.