Reclosable package including self-mating fastener

Abstract

Various embodiments of a reclosable package (100) are disclosed. The package (100) includes a pouch (120) that defines an interior volume (122) and an opening (124) providing access to the interior volume, and a self-mating fastener (150) connected to the pouch. The pouch (120) includes a flexible material and a seal region (140) disposed adjacent the opening that is adapted to be broken to allow a first opening of the pouch. Further, the self-mating fastener (150) includes an open configuration and a closed configuration. When in the open configuration the self-mating fastener is adapted to allow access to the interior volume of the pouch through the opening after the seal region has been broken. When in the closed configuration the self-mating fastener is adapted to prevent access to the interior volume of the pouch through the opening.

1 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a pouch defining an interior volume and an opening providing access to the interior volume, wherein the pouch comprises a flexible material and a seal region disposed adjacent the opening that is adapted to be broken to allow a first opening of the pouch; and   a self-mating fastener connected to the pouch, wherein the self-mating fastener comprises first and second fastener members, wherein each of the first and second fastener members comprises:
 a backing having a length, a width, and a thickness; and 
 rows of rail segments and rows of posts protruding perpendicularly from the backing, wherein the rows of rail segments and rows of posts alternate; 
 wherein each of the rail segments has a base portion attached to the backing and a cap portion distal from the backing, wherein the cap portion has a cap width that is greater than a width of the base portion, wherein the cap portion overhangs the base portion on opposing sides, wherein the base portion has a length that is greater than the width of the base portion, and wherein each of the posts has a height that is no greater than a height of the rail segments and a length that is different from the length of the rail segments; 
   wherein the self-mating fastener further comprises an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein when in the open configuration the self-mating fastener is adapted to allow access to the interior volume of the pouch through the opening after the seal region has been broken, and wherein when in the closed configuration the self-mating fastener is adapted to prevent access to the interior volume of the pouch through the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener is disposed adjacent the opening of the pouch. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener is releasably fastenable. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener and the flexible material of the pouch are adapted to provide a maximum stiffness in resistance to bending about a pouch axis perpendicular to a length of the self-mating fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch further comprises front and back panels, wherein the self-mating fastener is connected to the pouch adjacent a top edge of the pouch and extends between the first and second side edges of the pouch. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , further comprising a graphic disposed on the front panel of the pouch, wherein a portion of the graphic is disposed over the self-mating fastener when the fastener is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the opening extends between the first and second side edges of the pouch. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener comprises a force to open of at least about 0.1 Newtons and no greater than 1.0 Newton. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener comprises a force to close of at least about 0.3 Newtons and no greater than 3.0 Newtons. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fastener members can slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the length of the backing when the self-mating fastener is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the backing of each of the first and second fasteners combined with the height of the rail segments of each of the first and second fasteners is up to 3300 micrometers. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener member is disposed on an inner surface of a front panel of the pouch and the second fastener member is disposed on an inner surface of a second portion of a back panel of the pouch. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener is adhered to the pouch. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the self-mating fastener is ultrasonically bonded to the pouch. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the opening of the pouch is defined by a top edge of the pouch. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the first fastener member is disposed on an inner surface of a front panel adjacent the top edge of the pouch and the second fastener member is disposed on an inner surface of a back panel adjacent the top edge of the pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a tie layer disposed between at last one of the first and second fastener members and the pouch. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 17 , wherein the tie layer comprises a polyolefin elastomer. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the posts have a lower bending stiffness than the rail segments. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the backing of each of the first and second fasteners combined with the height of the rail segments of each of the first and second fasteners is up to 800 micrometers.