Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Discrete Strip and Die-Cut Web

Abstract

An easy-open and reclosable package includes a pouch including a discrete strip, between first and second side panels, including a sealing segment, a backing segment, and an intermediate layer including a pressure sensitive adhesive; a first portion of the strip anchored to the first panel at a first location, and a second portion of the strip anchored to the first panel at a second location; a die cut in the first panel defining a die cut segment, so arranged that when the package is opened, the sealing segment is partially removed from the discrete strip, the intermediate layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive is partially exposed, and the package can be reclosed by adhering at least one of the first and second panels to the adhesive; and a product in the pouch.

1 . An easy-open and reclosable package comprising:
 a) a pouch comprising
 i) a first and second side panel each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the first and second side panels joined together along their respective first and second side edges; 
 ii) a first end defined by the first end of at least one of the first and second side panels; 
 iii) a second end defined by the second ends of the first and second side panels respectively; 
 iv) a discrete strip, disposed between the first and second side panels, comprising a first and second surface, a first and second end, a first and second side edge, a sealing segment, a backing segment, and an intermediate layer disposed between the sealing and backing segments and comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, the discrete strip spaced apart from at least one of the first end of the pouch, and the second end of the pouch, 
 v) a first anchor seal whereby a first portion of the first surface of the discrete strip is anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel at a first location on the first side panel, and a second anchor seal whereby a second portion of the first surface of the discrete strip is anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel at a second location on the first side panel; and 
 vi) a die cut disposed in the first side panel, the die cut defining a die cut segment, the die cut segment so arranged with respect to the discrete strip that when the package is opened, the sealing segment is partially removed from the discrete strip, the intermediate layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive is partially exposed, and the package can thereafter be reclosed by adhering one of the first and second panels to the pressure sensitive adhesive; and 
 vii) the first end of the first side panel joined to the second side panel; and 
   b) a product disposed in the pouch.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the discrete strip is spaced apart from the first end of the pouch, and spaced apart from the second end of the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the die cut segment is partially underlain by the discrete strip. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the discrete strip is spaced apart from the first and second side edges of the first and second side panels. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the die cut segment includes a first portion wherein the die cut extends partially through the first side panel, and a second portion wherein the die cut extends entirely through the first side panel. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the sealing segment comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the backing segment comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         8 . A method of making an easy-open and reclosable package in a horizontal form/fill/seal process comprising:
 a) providing a lay-flat web, the lay-flat web having a first and second longitudinal edge, and a die cut;   b) providing a discrete strip comprising a first and second surface, a first and second end, a first and second side edge, a sealing segment, a backing segment, and an intermediate layer disposed between the sealing and backing segments and comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive;   c) advancing the lay-flat web to a forming device to convert the lay-flat web to a folded web having an interior surface;   d) advancing the discrete strip such that when the package is made, the discrete strip is disposed between a first and second side panel of the package;   e) making side seals in the folded web to produce an open pouch comprising
 i) the first and second side panels each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the first and second side panels joined together along their respective first and second side edges by a seal, 
 ii) a first end defined by the first end of at least one of the first and second side panels, 
 iii) a second end defined by the second ends of the first and second side panels respectively, 
 iv) the first and second side panels joined together along their respective second ends, and 
 v) the discrete strip disposed between the first and second side panels, and spaced apart from at least one of the first end of the pouch, and second end of the pouch; 
   f) putting a product in the open pouch; and   g) sealing the first end of the first side panel to the second side panel to close the pouch;   wherein   the die cut is disposed in the first side panel, the die cut defining a die cut segment, the die cut segment so arranged with respect to the discrete strip that when the package is opened, the sealing segment is partially removed from the discrete strip, the intermediate layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive is partially exposed, and the package can thereafter be reclosed by adhering the first or second panel to the pressure sensitive adhesive;   at any time before cutting the web to produce an open pouch, anchoring a first portion of the first surface of the discrete strip to the lay-flat web or the folded web at a first location to form a first anchor seal;   at any time before or during the step of making side seals in the folded web, anchoring a second portion of the first surface of the discrete strip to the lay-flat web, the interior surface of the folded web, or the inner surface of the first side panel at a second location to form a second anchor seal; and   cutting the web at the side seals during the step of making side seals in the folded web, or before, during or after any subsequent steps.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the discrete strip is spaced apart from the first end of the pouch, and spaced apart from the second end of the pouch. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the die cut segment is partially underlain by the discrete strip. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the discrete strip is spaced apart from the first and second side edges of the first and second side panels. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the die cut segment includes a first portion wherein the die cut extends partially through the first side panel, and a second portion wherein the die cut extends entirely through the first side panel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the sealing segment comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the backing segment comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an easy-open and reclosable package in a continuous horizontal packaging process comprising:
 a) providing a lay-flat web, the lay-flat web comprising a die cut;   b) providing a discrete strip comprising a discrete strip comprising a first and second surface, a first and second end, a first and second side edge, a sealing segment, a backing segment, and an intermediate layer disposed between the sealing and backing segments and comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive;   c) advancing the lay-flat web to a forming device to convert the lay-flat web into a folded web having an interior surface;   d) advancing the discrete strip such that when the package is made, the discrete strip is disposed between a first and second side panel of the package;   e) advancing a product to the forming device such that the folded web envelopes the product;   f) longitudinally sealing the folded web to make a longitudinal seal;   g) transversely sealing the folded web, with the product therein, to produce a leading transverse seal to define a first pouch;   h) advancing the folded web, with the leading transverse seal, forward a predetermined distance;   i) transversely sealing the folded web to produce a trailing transverse seal in the first pouch, and a leading transverse seal in a second pouch, the second pouch disposed upstream of the first pouch; and   j) cutting the folded web to separate the first pouch from the second pouch to form an individual package comprising the first and second side panel;   wherein   the die cut is disposed in the package, the die cut defining a die cut segment, the die cut segment so arranged with respect to the discrete strip that when the package is opened, the sealing segment is partially removed from the discrete strip, the intermediate layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive is partially exposed, and the package can thereafter be reclosed by adhering the folded web to the pressure sensitive adhesive;   at any time before or during the step of longitudinally sealing the folded web, anchoring the first portion of the first surface of the discrete strip to the lay-flat web or the folded web at a first location to form a first anchor seal; and   at any time before or during the step of making a longitudinal seal in the folded web, anchoring a second portion of the first surface of the discrete strip to the lay-flat web, the folded web, or the first side panel at a second location to form a second anchor seal.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the sealing segment comprises a single layer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the die cut segment is partially underlain by the discrete strip. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the discrete strip is spaced apart from first and second side edges of the first and second side panels. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the die cut segment includes a first portion wherein the die cut extends partially through the first side panel, and a second portion wherein the die cut extends entirely through the first side panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the backing segment comprises a single layer.