Reclosable bag having side seals

Abstract

A reclosable bag includes a container configured to retain one or more items. The container includes a front panel coupled to a rear panel at a first side and a second side. A zipper is coupled to the front panel and the rear panel. The zipper is separated from the first side by a first gap, and the zipper is separated from the second side by a second gap. One or more side seals are between the first side and at least a first portion of the zipper and the second side and at least a second portion of the zipper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reclosable bag, comprising:
 a container configured to retain one or more items, wherein the container comprises a front panel coupled to a rear panel at a first side and a second side;   a zipper coupled to the front panel and the rear panel, wherein the zipper is separated from the first side by a first gap, and wherein the zipper is separated from the second side by a second gap; and   one or more side seals between the first side and at least a first portion of the zipper and the second side and at least a second portion of the zipper.   
     
     
         2 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more side seals extend along a width of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The recloseable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more side seals comprise:
 a first lateral sealing prong proximate to the first side of the container;   a second lateral sealing prong proximate to the second side of the container; and   one or more span beams that connect the first lateral sealing prong to the second lateral sealing prong.   
     
     
         4 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more side seals overlap at least a portion of the zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more side seals are disposed above one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         6 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the one or more side seals is disposed within one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         7 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more side seals are disposed below one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         8 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more side seals extend above, through, and below one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         9 . The reclosable bag of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper comprises one or more side crushings. 
     
     
         10 . A method of forming a reclosable bag, the method comprising:
 coupling a zipper to a front panel and a rear panel of a container, wherein the front panel is coupled to the rear panel at a first side and a second side, wherein the zipper is separated from the first side by a first gap, and wherein the zipper is separated from the second side by a second gap; and   providing one or more side seals between the first side and at least a first portion of the zipper and the second side and at least a second portion of the zipper.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing comprises extending the one or more side seals along a width of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more side seals comprise:
 a first lateral sealing prong proximate to the first side of the container;   a second lateral sealing prong proximate to the second side of the container; and   one or more span beams that connect the first lateral sealing prong to the second lateral sealing prong.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising overlapping at least a portion of the zipper with at least a portion of the one or more side seals. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing comprises disposing the one or more side seals above one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing comprises disposing at least a portion of the one or more side seals within one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing comprises disposing the one or more side seals below one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said providing comprises extending the one or more side seals above, through, and below one or both the first gap or the second gap. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising forming one or more side crushings on the zipper. 
     
     
         19 . A reclosable bag, comprising:
 a container configured to retain one or more items, wherein the container comprises a front panel coupled to a rear panel at a first side and a second side;   a zipper coupled to the front panel and the rear panel, wherein the zipper further comprises one or more side crushings, wherein the zipper is separated from the first side by a first gap, and wherein the zipper is separated from the second side by a second gap; and   one or more side seals between the first side and at least a first portion of the zipper and the second side and at least a second portion of the zipper, wherein the one or more side seals are disposed above and within at least a portion of one or both of the first gap or the second gap.   
     
     
         20 . The reclosable bag of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more side seals comprise:
 a first lateral sealing prong proximate to the first side of the container;   a second lateral sealing prong proximate to the second side of the container; and   one or more span beams that connect the first lateral sealing prong to the second lateral sealing prong.