Rigid Snap Fitment For a Flexible Package

Abstract

A closure system for a flexible package is provided, comprising a rigid male fitment and a rigid female fitment. The male fitment comprises an elongated rib-like structure attached to a flat mounting plate. The male mounting plate is adhered to an outer facing surface of the front wall at or near the top end of the package. The female fitment comprises an elongated C-shaped structure tangentially attached to a flat female mounting plate. The female mounting plate is adhered to an outer facing surface of the rear wall a sufficient distance from the top edge to allow a portion of the package carrying the male fitment to be folded over in the direction of the female fitment until the male fitment engages the female fitment.

1 . A closure system for a flexible package having a front wall connected to a rear wall, the closure system comprising:
 a male fitment comprising an elongated rib-like structure attached to a flat mounting plate, the mounting plate adhered to an outer facing surface of the front wall; and   a female fitment comprising an elongated C-shaped structure having a gap and defining an elongated channel configured to receive and engage the rib-like structure, the C-shaped structure tangentially attached to a flat mounting plate located opposite the gap, the mounting plate adhered to an outer facing surface of the rear wall.   
     
     
         2 . The closure system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the flexible package has a width: 
 the male mounting plate has a length; 
 the female mounting plate has a length; and 
 the lengths of the male and female mounting plates, are substantially the same as the width of the package. 
 
     
     
         3 . The closure system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the package has a sealed top end terminating in a top edge; 
 the male mounting plate is adhered to an outer facing surface of the front wall at the sealed top end; and 
 the female mounting plate is adhered to an outer facing surface of the rear wall a sufficient distance (D) from the top edge to allow a portion of the package carrying the male fitment to be folded over in the direction of the female fitment until the male fitment forms a snap fit with the female fitment. 
 
     
     
         4 . The closure system of  claim 1  wherein:
 the package has a sealed top end terminating in a top edge; 
 the female mounting plate is adhered to an outer facing surface of the rear wall at the sealed top end; and 
 the male mounting plate is adhered to an outer facing surface of the front wall a sufficient distance (D) from the top edge to allow a portion of the package carrying the female fitment to be folded over in the direction of the male fitment until the female fitment forms a snap fit with the male fitment. 
 
     
     
         5 . A closure system for a flexible package, the flexible package having a front wall connected to a rear wall by opposing side walls, a top portion and a bottom, the top portion including a sealed top end formed from both the front wall and the rear wall and terminating in a top edge, the closure system comprising:
 a male fitment comprising an elongated rib-like structure attached to a flat mounting plate, the mounting plate adhered to an outer facing surface of the front wall at the top end; and   a female fitment comprising an elongated C-shaped structure having a gap and defining an elongated channel configured to receive and engage the rib-like structure, the C-shaped structure tangentially attached to a flat mounting plate located opposite the gap, the mounting plate adhered to an outer facing surface of the rear wall a sufficient distance (D) from the top edge to allow a portion of the package carrying the male fitment to be folded over in the direction of the female fitment until the male fitment engages the female fitment.   
     
     
         6 . A closure system of  claim 5  wherein:
 the flexible package has a width: 
 the male mounting plate has a length; 
 the female mounting plate has a length; and 
 the lengths of the male and female mounting plates, are substantially the same as the width of the package. 
 
     
     
         7 . A closure system of  claim 5  wherein:
 the male mounting plate has a height (H); and 
 the distance (D) between the female fitment and the top edge of the package is at least twice the height (H) of the male fitment mounting plate. 
 
     
     
         8 . A method of making a recloseable flexible package, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a flexible package having a front wall and a rear wall connected by opposing side walls, a top portion and a bottom, the top portion  38  including a top end formed from both the front wall and rear wall;   providing a male fitment comprising an elongated rib-like structure attached to a flat mounting plate, and adhering the mounting plate to an outer facing surface of the front wall at the top end; and   providing a female fitment comprising an elongated C-shaped structure having a gap and defining an elongated channel configured to receive and engage the rib-like structure, the C-shaped structure tangentially attached to a flat mounting plate located opposite the gap, and adhering the mounting plate to an outer facing surface of the rear wall a sufficient distance (D) from the top end to allow a portion of the flexible package carrying the male fitment to be folded over in the direction of the female fitment until the male fitment engages the female fitment.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  including the step of:
 heat sealing the top ends of the front and rear walls, before the male and female fitments, are adhered to the front and rear walls. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  including the step of:
 heat sealing the top ends of the front and rear walls, after the male and female fitments, are adhered to the front and rear walls. 
 
     
     
         11 . A recloseable container comprising:
 a flexible package comprising a front wall connected to a rear wall by sides, the flexible package having a sealed top end terminating in a top edge; and   a closure system comprising a first fitment and a second fitment; wherein   the first fitment comprises a first snap-fit structure attached to a first mounting plate, the first mounting plate attached to an outer facing surface of the front wall proximate the sealed top end; and   the second fitment comprises a second snap-fit structure configured to form a releasable snap fit with the first snap-fit structure, the second snap-fit structure attached to a second mounting plate, the second mounting plate attached to an outer facing surface of the rear wall sufficiently distant from the top edge to allow a portion of the package carrying the first fitment to be folded over twice until the first snap-fit structure forms a snap fit with the second snap-fit structure.   
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein:
 the first mounting plate has a height (H); and 
 the second mounting plate is spaced from the top edge a distance at least twice the height (H) of the first mounting plate.