Reclosable package

Abstract

A flexible package has a reclosing function. The package has a first panel and a second panel sealed to each other along their perimeters to form a sealed perimeter surrounding an interior storage space. The sealed perimeter has an upper seal, a bottom seal, a first side seal, and a second side seal opposite the first side seal. The first side seal and the second side seal both connect to the upper seal and the bottom seal. A spout is formed in the sealed perimeter when the package is open along at least a portion of the upper seal. A discharge channel leads from the spout through the upper seal to the interior storage space. A first recess is along the second side seal; and a second recess is along the upper seal opposite the discharge channel from the first recess. The first recess can engage the second recess such that a fold line is formed that intersects the discharge channel to close the discharge channel.

1 . A reclosable flexible package comprising:
 A. a first panel comprising a perimeter;   B. a second panel comprising a perimeter, the second panel sealed to the first panel along their perimeters to form a sealed perimeter surrounding an interior storage space, the sealed perimeter comprising:
 i. an upper seal, a bottom seal opposite the upper seal, and a first side seal connected to the upper seal and the bottom seal, and 
 ii. a second side seal opposite the first side seal, the second seal connected to the upper seal and the bottom seal; 
   C. a spout formed in the sealed perimeter when the package is open along at least a portion of the upper seal;   D. a discharge channel leading from the spout through the upper seal to the interior storage space;   E. a first recess positioned along the second side seal; and   F. a second recess positioned along the upper seal opposite the discharge channel from the first recess, the first recess being capable of engaging the second recess such that a fold line is formed that intersects the discharge channel.   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1  further comprising a bottom so as to form a self-standing package. 
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 2 , wherein the bottom comprises a material comprising a fold connecting the first panel to the second panel. 
     
     
         4 . The package according to  claim 1  additionally comprising a reinforced area, wherein the reinforced area's position is selected from adjacent to the first recess, adjacent to the second recess, and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The package according to  claim 1  wherein the sealed perimeter further comprises a tearing notch in the sealed perimeter. 
     
     
         6 . The package according to  claim 1  comprising a plurality of second recesses. 
     
     
         7 . The package according to  claim 1  wherein the first recess is formed by a slit in the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         8 . The package according to  claim 1  wherein the package comprises a perforation, and wherein the perforation is torn to form a recess selected from the group consisting of the first recess and the second recess. 
     
     
         9 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a flow enhancing mechanism. 
     
     
         10 . The package according to  claim 9 , wherein the flow enhancing mechanism is selected from a group consisting of an embossment and a rigid material. 
     
     
         11 . The package according to  claim 1  comprising a product in the interior storage space, the product selected from the group consisting of a laundry detergent composition, a fabric softening composition, a hard surface cleaning composition, a shampoo composition, a hair conditioning composition, a skin care composition, a bleach and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The package according to  claim 11  wherein the product comprises a physical form selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a granule, a tablet, a paste, a gel and a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The package according to  claim 1  wherein the first panel and the second panel comprise a single sheet of material. 
     
     
         14 . The package according to  claim 1  wherein the first panel is a different material from the second panel.