Flexible Package with Inside Reclose Strip

Abstract

A flexible package having an integrated reclose strip, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The reclose strip comprises a length of tacky two-sided adhesive tape. The apparatus for applying a reclose strip is incorporated into the mechanism which supplies the continuous sheet of packaging material to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The invention involves producing a pillow pouch or vertical stand-up pouch having an integrated reclose strip from a single sheet of packaging film. In one aspect, the reclose strip comprises a release liner on one side after package formation. In one aspect, the reclose strip comprises no release liner and is attached along the longitudinal axis of the sheet of packaging material such that the reclose strip is disposed in a channel or recess in the fill tube. The reclose strip permits the package to be reclosed after initial opening without folding the package.

1 . A flexible package formed by a form, fill, and seal packaging machine from a sheet of composite polymer film, said package comprising after formation: 
 a single sheet, composite film body, said film comprising a graphics layer;    two vertical transverse seals on opposite vertical edges of said package; and    a reclose strip adhered to said package between said two vertical transverse seals.    
   
   
       2 . The flexible package of  claim 1  further comprising a gusset at the bottom of said package, said gusset being substantially perpendicular to said vertical transverse seals.  
   
   
       3 . The flexible package of  claim 1  further comprising a score line adjacent said reclose strip.  
   
   
       4 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein a first side of said reclose strip comprises a first peel force and said second side of said tape comprises a second peel force, wherein further said first peel force is greater than said second peel force  
   
   
       5 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said reclose strip further comprises a release liner.  
   
   
       6 . The flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said reclose strip comprises no release liner.  
   
   
       7 . An improved vertical form, fill, and seal machine for making reclosable package, said improvement comprising a supply mechanism for dispensing a reclose strip to a packaging film above said forming tube.  
   
   
       8 . The improved machine of  claim 7  further comprising a recessed forming tube.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a pinching mechanism to apply pressure to the reclose strip and the packaging film, wherein said pinching mechanism is below said recessed forming tube.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further comprising: 
 two forming plates attached to and extending below said forming tube; 
 at least one tension bar attached to and extending below said forming tube at a location approximately opposite from said forming plates; and  
 at least one stationary tucker bar positioned between said forming plates.  
   
   
   
       11 . A method for making a flexible reclosable stand-up package on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a) advancing a continuous sheet of packaging film towards said vertical form, fill, and seal machine;    b) attaching a length of reclose strip to a surface of said advancing sheet of packaging film along the longitudinal axis of said sheet of packaging film;    c) feeding said packaging film into said vertical form, fill, and seal machine;    d) forming said packaging film into a tube on said vertical form, fill, and seal machine and forming a longitudinal heat seal, wherein said surface of packaging film having said reclose strip attached thereto is situated on the interior of said tube;    e) forming a first traverse seal on said tube;    f) dropping a product into a partially formed package created by steps a) through e);    g) forming a second traverse seal on said tube; and    h) severing said package from said tube at said second traverse seal.    
   
   
       12 .- 21 . (canceled)