Flexible Packages

Abstract

A flexible package includes a tubular portion having panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends. A gusset panel is connected by a corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel. The gusset panel is configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package. A resealable cover can be configured for opening and reclosing the access opening. The gusset panel, the corner seal, and at least one tear line can be cooperatively configured to at least partially define the access opening. A handle can be associated with the package, resealable cover, or seals of the package.

1 . A flexible package comprising:
 a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite first and second ends;   a gusset panel connected by at least one corner seal to the first end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the first end of the tubular portion, and the corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the gusset panel, wherein the gusset panel is configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package; and   a resealable cover configured for opening and reclosing the access opening.   
     
     
         2 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the resealable cover comprises:
 a first portion of the gusset panel that obstructs the access opening; and   a label mounted to both the first portion of the gusset panel and a second portion of the gusset panel that is adjacent the first portion of the gusset panel.   
     
     
         3 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the access opening extends through the gusset panel; and   the resealable cover comprises a label mounted to the gusset panel and configured for at least partially opening the access opening and at least partially closing the access opening.   
     
     
         4 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the package comprises a strip portion;   the corner seal comprises the strip portion sealed to a marginal portion of a panel of the plurality of panels; and   the strip portion is connected to, and extends crosswise to, the gusset panel.   
     
     
         5 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the corner seal is an upper corner seal,   the gusset panel is an upper gusset panel, and   the package further comprises a lower gusset panel connected to the second end of the tubular portion at least partially by way of a lower corner seal, so that the lower corner seal extends at least partially around the lower gusset panel, and at least a portion of the lower gusset panel is inwardly recessed relative to an outer edge of the lower corner seal.   
     
     
         6 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the resealable cover comprises a handle. 
     
     
         7 . The package according to  claim 6 , wherein the handle comprises a handle hole defined in the label. 
     
     
         8 . The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle strap having an intermediate section positioned between opposite first and second end sections, wherein:
 the intermediate section of the handle strap is positioned above the gusset panel;   the plurality of panels comprises opposite first and second panels;   the first end section of the handle strap is mounted to the first panel; and   the second end section of the handle strap is mounted to the second panel.   
     
     
         9 . The package according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the corner seal is a first corner seal that comprises a marginal portion of the first panel;   the first end section of the handle strap is mounted to the marginal portion of the first panel, whereby the first end section of the handle strap is mounted to the first corner seal;   a marginal portion of the second panel is part of a second corner seal; and   the second end section of the handle strap is mounted to the marginal portion of the second panel, whereby the second end section of the handle strap is mounted to the second corner seal.   
     
     
         10 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tubular portion comprises a seal connecting panels of the plurality of panels, and   the seal extends along a length of the tubular portion.   
     
     
         11 . The package according to  claim 10 , wherein the seal comprises a handle, and the handle comprises a handle hole defined in the seal. 
     
     
         12 . The package according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the package comprises a strip portion;   the corner seal comprises a face-to-face connection between the strip portion and a margin of a panel of the plurality of panels; and   the strip portion has opposite edges respectively connected to an edge of the panel and an edge of the gusset panel.   
     
     
         13 . The package according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the tubular portion is part of a sheet of flexible material,   the gusset panel is part of the sheet of flexible material, and   the strip portion is part of the sheet of flexible material.   
     
     
         14 . A flexible package comprising:
 a tubular portion comprising a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package, wherein the tubular portion includes opposite upper and lower ends;   an lower gusset panel connected by at least one lower corner seal to the lower end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the lower gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the lower end of the tubular portion, and the lower corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the lower gusset panel;   an upper gusset panel connected by at least one upper corner seal to the upper end of the tubular portion so that at least a peripheral portion of the upper gusset panel is inwardly recessed from the upper end of the tubular portion, and the upper corner seal extends outwardly from the peripheral portion of the upper gusset panel, wherein the upper gusset panel is configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package; and   a resealable cover configured for opening and reclosing the access opening, wherein the resealable cover comprises:
 a first portion of the upper gusset panel that obstructs the access opening, and 
 a label mounted to both the first portion of the upper gusset panel and a second portion of the upper gusset panel that is adjacent the first portion of the gusset panel, wherein the label comprises a handle. 
   
     
     
         15 . The package according to  claim 14 , wherein the handle comprises an elongated handle hole in the label. 
     
     
         16 . A flexible package comprising:
 a plurality of panels extending around an interior of the package;   at least one panel of the plurality of panels being configured to at least partially define an access opening to the interior of the package; and   a resealable cover configured for opening and reclosing the access opening,   wherein the resealable cover comprises a handle.   
     
     
         17 . The package according to  claim 16 , wherein the handle comprises a handle hole in an outer layer of the resealable cover. 
     
     
         18 . The package according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the at least one panel is a gusset panel; and   the outer layer of the resealable cover is a label that is mounted to the gusset panel.   
     
     
         19 . The package according to  claim 17 , wherein the resealable cover further comprises an inner layer. 
     
     
         20 . The package according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 the inner layer of the resealable cover is part of the at least one panel; and   the outer layer of the resealable cover is a label that is mounted to the at least one panel.