Recloseable Stand-Up Flexible Packages

Abstract

Recloseable, stand-up flexible packages are provided for containing a product therein. The packages ( 10 ) generally include gusseted top and bottom walls ( 16, 18 ) disposed between front and back panels ( 12, 14 ). In embodiments, a line of weakness ( 25 ) may define an opening panel ( 24 ) extending across at least a portion of the gusseted top wall ( 16 ) onto a portion of one or both of the front panel ( 12 ) and back panel ( 14 ). A resealable flexible sealing label ( 26 ) may be disposed over and extend beyond the opening panel ( 24 ) over a portion of one or both of the front panel ( 12 ) and back panel ( 14 ) in an overlapping area. In embodiments, a transverse peelable seam ( 15 ) extends from and is positioned along an edge of the gusseted top wall ( 16 ) and one of the front or back panel ( 12, 14 ), the transverse peelable seam ( 15 ) being formed from a peelable and resealable adhesive.

1 . A recloseable stand-up flexible package for containing a product therein, comprising:
 a package body formed from a flexible film having a front panel and a back panel sealed together along lateral edges thereof by two opposing longitudinal seams and a transverse side seam across either the front panel or back panel;   a gusseted top wall provided between the front panel and back panel between top portions of the front panel and back panel and a gusseted bottom wall provided between the front panel and back panel between bottom portions of the front panel and back panel;   a line of weakness extending across a portion of the package body to define an opening panel of the package body, the opening panel extending across at least a portion of the gusseted top wall onto a portion of the front panel; and   a flexible sealing label disposed over and extending beyond the opening panel over an overlapping area, wherein the flexible sealing label and opening panel are permanently adhered to one another such that pulling the flexible sealing label in a peeling direction separates the opening panel from the package body at the line of weakness and forms an opening in at least the gusseted top wall of the package body, the flexible sealing label further comprising a resealable adhesive extending beyond the opening panel of the package body for forming a resealable closure in the overlapping area.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the transverse side seam comprises a fin seal or a lap seal. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more transverse corner-sealed seams. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the transverse side seam and longitudinal seams are heat sealed or cold sealed. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the longitudinal seams are crimp sealed. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness is selected from the group consisting of a die cut, a mechanical score line, a laser score line, and a perforated line. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the resealable adhesive is a cold seal adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the resealable adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a food product. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of confectionary products, cheese and dairy products, biscuits and crackers, tea, coffee, pet food, and shelf-stable products. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the food product is a shelf-stable product. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the shelf-stable product is a snack-food. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible sealing label includes a tab for grasping the flexible sealing label. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a tamper-evident means. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the tamper-evident means is disposed in the flexible sealing label extending beyond the opening panel of the package body. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the tamper-evident means is disposed in the package body in an area outside the opening panel of the package body that is in contact with the resealable adhesive of the flexible sealing label before the package is initially opened. 
     
     
         17 . A recloseable stand-up flexible package for containing a product therein, comprising:
 a package body formed from a flexible film having a front panel and a back panel sealed together along lateral longitudinal edges thereof by two opposing longitudinal seams;   a gusseted top wall provided between the front panel and back panel between top portions of the front panel and back panel and a gusseted bottom wall provided between the front panel and back panel between bottom portions of the front panel and back panel; and   a transverse peelable seam extending from and positioned along an edge of the gusseted top wall and one of the front or back panel, the transverse peelable seem comprising a resealable adhesive.   
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the transverse peelable seam comprises a fin seal. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 17 , further comprising a first and second transverse seam positioned between the gusseted bottom wall and the front and back panels, respectively, and a third transverse seam positioned between the gusseted top wall and one of the front or back panel opposite the transverse peelable seam. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the transverse seams and longitudinal seams are heat sealed or cold sealed. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein the longitudinal seams are crimp sealed. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the resealable adhesive is a cold seal adhesive. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the resealable adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the product is a food product. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 24 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of confectionary products, cheese and dairy products, biscuits and crackers, tea, coffee, pet food, and shelf-stable products. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 24 , wherein the food product is a shelf-stable product. 
     
     
         27 . The package of  claim 26 , wherein the shelf-stable product is a snack-food. 
     
     
         28 . The package of  claim 17 , further comprising a tamper-evident means.