Flexible packages incorporating a twistable polymer reclose material

Abstract

A flexible food package comprises a bottom end, a top end, and a side wall incorporating a twistable portion having increased dead fold characteristics than adjacent portions of the side wall. The twistable portion has at least a first section and a second section each having a maximum width and joined by at least a third section having a minimum width less than the maximum width of each of the first and second sections. The third section is configured to permit the first and second sections to twist about the third section. The twistable portion is configured to twist together with adjacent portions of the side wall to restrict access to an access opening formed after opening of the top end. A method of manufacturing reclosable flexible packages including twistable portions is also provided.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A flexible food storage package comprising a side wall having a closed bottom end and a closed top end separable from the package along at least one score line and including a twistable portion having increased dead fold characteristics than the side wall, wherein the twistable portion is configured to twist about itself and around a cinched portion of the side wall to restrict access to an opening formed after removal of the top end and twistable portion. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion is configured to be partially separated from the package 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion is provided on an interior surface of the side wall. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion is provided on an exterior surface of the side wall. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion is attached by an adhesive to the side wall. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion is integrally formed from the side wall. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion comprises an upper edge and a lower edge opposite the upper edge, the upper and lower edges being parallel to each other. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion continuously extends along a majority of a maximum width of the package. 
     
     
         27 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion is located above the at least one score line. 
     
     
         28 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion twistable portion is configured to twist about itself and around a cinched portion of the side wall to restrict access to an opening formed in the package while the top end and the twistable portion are not fully detached from the package along the score line. 
     
     
         29 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the twistable portion twistable portion is configured to twist about itself and around a cinched portion of the side wall to restrict access to an opening formed in the package after the top end and the twistable portion are fully detached from the package along the score line. 
     
     
         30 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the side wall is formed from at least one material and wherein the twistable portion is formed by a cured material integrally formed in the side wall from the at least one material.