Autoclavable reclosable package

Abstract

A reclosable package that seals an enclosed product and allows the product to be subjected to a retort procedure to cook the product while the product is in the package. The reclosable package is formed from a polypropylene film and includes a zipper closure including a pair of mating closure profiles both formed from a polypropylene material. One of the male or female closure profiles includes a sealing flange having a layer of sealant such that the sealing flange provides a seal for the package below the interaction between the closure profiles. This seal prevents the product from migrating through the profile member during the retort procedure and prior to the package being opened for the first time.

1 . A flexible, reclosable package for containing product such that the product can be subjected to a retort process while within the reclosable package, comprising: 
 a pair of side panels joined along a first side edge and a second side edge, the panels defining a mouth providing access to a package interior, the side panels being formed from polypropylene; and    a reclosable zipper positioned along the mouth of the package for selectively opening and closing the package mouth, the reclosable zipper including a first closure profile attached to the first side panel and a second closure profile attached to the second side panel, wherein the first and second closure profiles are each constructed and arranged to interlock each other to hold the mouth in a closed position, wherein the reclosable zipper is formed from polypropylene,    wherein the first closure profile includes a first connecting flange and the second closure profile includes a second connecting flange, wherein the first and second connecting flanges are joined to each other during the retort process to prevent product from entering between the first and second closure profiles.    
   
   
       2 . The reclosable package of  claim 1  wherein the first and second connecting flanges are integrally formed with each other and include a line of weakness such that the first and second connecting flanges separate from each other along the line of weakness upon initial opening of the product package.  
   
   
       3 . The reclosable package of  claim 2  wherein the line of weakness is formed in an apex formed by the first and second connecting flanges.  
   
   
       4 . The reclosable package of  claim 2  wherein said first and second connecting flanges are integrally formed with each other along a curved center section of said first and second connecting flanges and said line of weakness is formed along the length of said center section of said first and second connecting flanges.  
   
   
       5 . The reclosable package of  claim 1  wherein the first and second connecting flanges are formed from a membrane, wherein the membrane is formed from a first material and the first and second closure profiles are formed from a second, different material.  
   
   
       6 . The reclosable package of  claim 1  wherein the first connecting flange includes a first sealant and the second connecting flange includes a second sealant, wherein the first and second sealants engage each other to attach the first connecting flange to the second connecting flange.  
   
   
       7 . The reclosable package of  claim 6  wherein the sealant is a releasable sealant.