Package having a fill and seal feature

Abstract

A flexible package having a fill opening or feature is provided. The fill opening can be included in one or more of the package panels, with an internal fill patch provided proximate or about the fill opening. The patch can be initially sealed at one or more edge or portions to the internal surface of the respective package panel or panels, with a generally free edge or portion remaining unsealed. Upon filling the package with material contents through the fill opening, the free edge can be finally sealed by the filler or customer to close off the fill opening, without losing other features or the integrity of the package.

1 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a first panel portion having an interior surface and a slit opening defined in a portion of the first panel portion;   a second panel portion having an interior surface, wherein at least the first and second panel portions define an interior package cavity adapted to hold material contents; and   a fill patch having a first edge portion and a free end portion, the first edge portion sealed to the interior surface of the first panel proximate a first side of the slit opening such that the free end portion is positioned proximate a second side of the slit opening within the interior package cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further including a bottom panel portion. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further including at least one side panel portion. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further including a free seal to seal the free end portion of the fill patch to the interior surface of the first panel proximate the second side of the slit opening. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the slit opening generally extends from a first longitudinal package seal to a second longitudinal package seal. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the slit opening is defined by a perforation line in the first panel portion. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel portion is a back panel portion of the package. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel portion is a front panel portion of the package. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further including a gusseted panel portion. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , further including an access device to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the fill patch includes a weakened portion adapted to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package via the fill patch. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible package of  claim 1 , wherein the fill patch is defined as a re-closeable access device. 
     
     
         13 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a first panel portion having an interior surface and a slit opening defined in a portion of the first panel portion;   a second panel portion having an interior surface;   first and second side panel portions, wherein at least the first and second panel portions and the first and second side panel portions define an interior package cavity adapted to hold material contents; and   a fill patch having a first edge portion and a free end portion, the first edge portion sealed to the interior surface of the first panel and at least one of the first and second side panel portions proximate a first side of the slit opening such that the free end portion is positioned proximate a second side of the slit opening within the interior package cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , further including a bottom panel portion. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second side panel portions is gusseted. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , further including a seal to seal the free end portion of the fill patch to the interior surface of the first panel proximate the second side of the slit opening. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , wherein the slit opening is defined by a perforation line in the first panel portion. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , further including an access device provided proximate the slit opening to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible package of  claim 18 , wherein the access device is a re-closeable zipper device. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , wherein the fill patch includes a weakened portion adapted to facilitate access into the interior cavity of the package via the fill patch. 
     
     
         21 . The flexible package of  claim 13 , further including a top package seal. 
     
     
         22 . The flexible package of  claim 21 , wherein the top package seal includes a tear-away portion adapted to facilitate selective access into the package. 
     
     
         23 . The flexible package of  claim 21 , further including an access device provided proximate the top package seal.