Reclosable Package and Method of Making the Same

Abstract

A reclosable package includes a first side panel and a second side panel. The first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion. The second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion. A first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel. A second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel. A third seam joins the bottom edge portion of the first panel with the bottom edge portion of the second panel. A line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel.

1 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and   a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion, wherein the first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package,
 wherein a first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel, 
 wherein a second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, 
 wherein a third seam joins the bottom edge portion of the first panel with the bottom edge portion of the second panel, 
 wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel. 
   
     
     
         2 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is sealed prior to opening the package at the line of weakness. 
     
     
         3 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the pleated portion comprises a first fold and a second fold that form a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, wherein the first layer is arranged proximate to the exterior of the package and the second layer is arranged proximate to the interior of the package, wherein the first, second, and third layers are integrally formed with the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the pleated portion comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is arranged proximate to the exterior of the package and the second layer is arranged proximate to the interior of the package, wherein the first and second layers are formed from separate materials. 
     
     
         5 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the hooded portion of the second panel comprises a gusset, wherein the gusset forms a top panel of the package. 
     
     
         6 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a plurality of absorbent articles. 
     
     
         7 . The reclosable package of  claim 6 , wherein placement of the absorbent articles into the interior of the package forms a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, wherein the hooded portion defines the top panel and the pleated portion defines a portion of the front panel. 
     
     
         8 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is integrally formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         9 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein upon opening the package at the line of weakness, the hooded portion may be arranged in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the hooded portion is positioned proximate to the pleated portion in the first configuration, wherein the hooded portion is positioned away from the pleated portion in the second configuration to define an opening in the package. 
     
     
         10 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and   a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion, wherein the first and second panels combine to define an interior and an exterior of the package,
 wherein a first seam joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel, 
 wherein a second seam joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, 
 wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel,
 wherein the bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The reclosable package of  claim 10  further comprising a wicket panel connected with the bottom edge portion of the second panel, wherein the wicket panel comprises a wicket aperture. 
     
     
         12 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein a third seam joins the bottom edge portions of the first and second panels. 
     
     
         13 . The reclosable package of  claim 10 , wherein the package is integrally formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         14 . A method of forming a reclosable package, the method comprising the steps of:
 advancing a continuous length of material in a machine direction, wherein the continuous length of material has a first side and a second side and defines a first edge region and a second edge region separated along a cross direction by a third region;   forming a line of weakness along the machine direction of the central region of the continuous length of material;   folding the continuous length of material along the central region to form a first continuous fold that extends in the machine direction;   folding the first continuous panel to form a continuous pleat, wherein the continuous pleat comprises second and third continuous folds that form first, second, and third overlapping continuous pleated portions, wherein the second continuous pleated portion is positioned between the first continuous pleated portion and the second continuous pleated portion, wherein the line of weakness overlaps the second continuous pleated portion, wherein the second and third continuous folds extend in the machine direction;   cutting the continuous length of material in the cross direction to form a discrete package, wherein the discrete package comprises a first panel, wherein the first panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a pleated portion; and a second panel, wherein the second panel defines a right side edge portion, a left side edge portion, a bottom edge portion, and a hooded portion; wherein a line of weakness joins the pleated portion of the first panel with the hooded portion of the second panel;   forming a first seam that joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel; and   forming a second seam that joins the left side edge portion of the first panel with the left side edge portion of the second panel, wherein the bottom edge portion of the first panel and the bottom edge portion of the second panel combine to define an opening in the package.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of forming a gusset along the central region of the continuous length of material, wherein the gusset comprises a fourth continuous fold and a fifth continuous fold that extend in the machine direction. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising the step of forming intermittently spaced wicket apertures in the machine direction along the second edge region of the continuous length of material, wherein the discrete package further comprises a wicket panel extending from the bottom edge portion of the second panel, wherein the wicket panel comprises a wicket aperture. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising the step of inserting a plurality of absorbent articles through the opening in the package. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step of forming a third seam that joins the bottom edge portions of the first and second panels. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of forming a third seam that joins the bottom edge portions of the first and second panels further comprises cutting the wicket panel away from the second panel. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the steps of cutting the continuous length of material in the cross direction to form a discrete package and forming a first seam that joins the right side edge portion of the first panel with the right side edge portion of the second panel occur concurrently. 
     
     
         21 - 40 . (canceled)