Package having a pour spout

Abstract

A package having a closure device to define a pour spout is provided. Various zipper, package and/or closure features, constructs, structures and forming methods are provided to reduce or eliminate the air gap that can be present at or proximate the top seal of “pillow” or like packages.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a package having air gap filling features, comprising:
 providing a film having a first panel portion, a second panel portion, a first side edge, and a second side edge;   providing a closure device having first and second end portions and top and bottom flange portions;   applying the closure device to the film, transverse to the first and second side edges of the film generally parallel to a top seal, such that a gap is defined between the closure device and the top seal, the closure device extending from the first panel portion, across the first side edge and to the second panel portion to define a side pour spout; and   applying a first distinct fill material at the first end portion of the closure device such that the first distinct fill material contacts the top flange portion and the first end portion, extends across a first end portion of the gap, and contacts the top seal to close off a first leakage area; and   applying a second distinct fill material, separate from the first distinct fill material, provided at the second end portion of the closure device, such that the second distinct fill material contacts the first flange portion and the second end portion, extends across a second end portion of the gap, and contacts the top seal to close off a second leakage area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first fill material is a cohesive material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first fill material is an adhesive material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second fill material is a cohesive material. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second fill material is an adhesive material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including forming a lap or fin seal. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including a tear portion provided at the top seal to enable removal of a portion of the top seal to expose the side pour spout. 
     
     
         8 . A method of forming a package having air gap filling features, comprising:
 providing a film having a first panel portion, a second panel portion, a top seal portion, a first side edge portion, and a second side edge portion; and   providing a closure device having first and second opposing longitudinal flanges, first and second end portions, and wherein the first longitudinal flange includes a slit portion and the second longitudinal flange includes a first wedge-shaped notch portion generally opposite the slit portion to define a hinging region; and   attaching the closure device such that each of the first and second end portions are provided at the top seal portion such that the closure device angles downward and extends from the first panel portion, across the first side edge portion and to the second panel portion to define a side pour spout, and wherein as the closure device is pivotably hinged at the hinging region, a first angled opening of the first wedge-shaped notch narrows and the slit defines an expanding second wedge-shaped notch having a second angled opening for angled placement of the closure device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further including providing at least a first side gusset portion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further including providing first and second side gusset portions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , further including providing a side extending lip portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the side extending lip portion angles upward away from the closure device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further including providing a tear notch in the top seal portion. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the closure device is a zipper device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second end portions of the closure device are sealed into the top seal portion.