Side Access Package

Abstract

A flexible package having a side pour portion is provided. Additionally, one or more of the portions can be shaped and/or manufactured substantially as a gusset. Each of the panel portions comprise two longitudinal sides or edges. The access device can be attached to at least one surface of at least one of the side portions. The device can be manually attached to the side portions, or attached with existing and/or specially designed manufacturing machinery. Attachment of the access device to a side portion of the package is achieved using heat bonding techniques, adhesives, and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible package having a package interior, comprising:
 a front panel having a front exterior surface and a front interior surface;   a back panel having a back exterior surface and a back interior surface, at least a portion of the front and back panels defining a top edge seal along a top portion of the package; and   a re-closeable access device sealed directly to and extending from the front interior surface to the back interior surface to define a side spout flaring out from the top edge seal and having an access opening to provide communication to the package interior.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a tear region provided in a portion of the top edge seal. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the front and back panels are constructed at least in part of a flexible polymeric film material. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the front and back panels are formed from a single web material. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein each of the front and back panels are formed from individual web material. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a gusseted panel. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the gusseted panel is a side gusseted panel. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the gusseted panel is a bottom gusseted panel. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a handle aperture defined in the package. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the re-closeable access device is a re-closeable zipper device. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the re-closeable zipper device includes one or more flange portions to facilitate sealing to the package.