Recloseable side-gusseted package

Abstract

A recloseable package comprises a package body having a front package panel and a rear package panel, and a pair of inwardly extending, full-length side gussets which join the front and rear package panels. The present package further includes a recloseable fastener assembly, comprising first and second mating components, wherein the fastener assembly is joined to the rear package panel by the first mating component of the assembly. By this arrangement, the contents can be placed in the package through the open mouth, which is facilitated by the provision of full-length gussets. Thereafter, the package can be closed and sealed, by which the second mating component of the fastener assembly is joined to the front package panel in a region between the inwardly extending side gussets of the package, and to the surfaces of the side gussets adjacent the rear package panel. The package includes an upper, removable portion for accessing the fastener assembly and package contents. The removable portion defines a plurality of openings in the inwardly extending side gussets to facilitate heat-sealing of the front package panel to the rear package panel through the plurality of openings. Heat-sealing in this fashion enhances the aesthetics of the package and creates a finger-grip region at the top of each of the side gussets.

1 . A recloseable side-gusseted package ( 10 ), comprising:
 a package body having a front package panel ( 12 ) and a rear package panel ( 14 ), and a pair of inwardly extending side gussets ( 16 ) joining respective lateral edges of said front and rear package panels, and   a recloseable fastener assembly ( 20 ) comprising first and second mating components, wherein said recloseable fastener assembly ( 20 ) is joined to said rear package ( 14 ) panel by said first mating component,   said package body including a removal portion ( 24 ) extending above said fastener assembly ( 20 ) to define an open mouth for placing contents in said package,   so that after contents have been placed in said package ( 10 ) through said open mouth, said second mating component of said fastener assembly ( 20 ) can be joined to said front package panel ( 12 ) in a region between said inwardly extending side gussets ( 16 ), and to said inwardly extending gussets ( 16 ), so that by removal of said upper removable portion of said package body, the package can be opened by separation of said first and second mating components, and reclosed by joining said first and second mating components.   
     
     
         2 . A recloseable side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said removable portion of said package body defines a plurality of openings ( 26 ) in said inwardly extending side gussets to facilitate heat sealing of said front package panel to said rear package panel through said plurality of openings. 
     
     
         3 . A recloseable side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein
 said plurality of openings are provided at upper edge portions of said inwardly extending gussets.   
     
     
         4 . A recloseable side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said package body defines a frangible portion beneath said upper, removable portion. 
     
     
         5 . A recloseable side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said frangible portion comprises laser scoring, and at least one tear notch adjacent said laser scoring. 
     
     
         6 . A recloseable side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein
 said second mating component of said fastener assembly includes a sealant to facilitate heat-sealing of said second mating component to said front package panel and said inwardly extending side gussets   
     
     
         7 . A method of filling a side-gusseted package configured in accordance with  claim 2 , comprising steps of:
 filling the package through the open mouth defined by the package body;   joining the second mating component of the fastener assembly to the front package panel, in a region between the inwardly extending side gussets, and to the inwardly extending gussets, at a first seal region, and   heat-sealing the package at the open mouth to close and seal the package, including, heat-sealing the front package panel to the rear package panel through said plurality of openings at a second seal region,   so that the package can be opened by removal of the upper removable portion of the package body, followed by separation of the first and second mating components of the fastener assembly, and can be reclosed by joining the first and second mating components of the fastener assembly.   
     
     
         8 . A method of filling a side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 7 , including
 forming said first and second seal regions simultaneously.   
     
     
         9 . A method of filling a side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 7 , including
 providing said second mating component of said fastener assembly with a sealant to facilitate joining said second mating component to said front package panel and said inwardly extending side gussets at said second seal region.   
     
     
         10 . A recloseable side-gusseted package ( 10 ), comprising:
 a package body having a front package panel ( 12 ) and a rear package panel ( 14 ), and a pair of inwardly extending side gussets ( 16 ) joining respective lateral edges of said front and rear package panels, and   a recloseable fastener assembly ( 20 ) comprising first and second mating components, wherein said recloseable fastener assembly ( 20 ) is joined to said rear package ( 14 ) panel by said first mating component at a first seal region,   said package body including a removable portion ( 24 ) extending above said fastener assembly ( 20 ) to define an open mouth for placing contents in said package, said removable portion defining a plurality of openings ( 26 ) provided at upper edge portions of said inwardly extending gussets to facilitate heat-sealing of said front package panel to said rear package panel through said plurality of openings at a second seal region, to create finger-grip regions within said gussets beneath said openings,   so that after contents have been placed in said package ( 10 ) through said open mouth, said second mating component of said fastener assembly ( 20 ) can be joined by heat-sealing to said front package panel ( 12 ) in a region between said inwardly extending side gussets ( 16 ), and to said inwardly extending gussets ( 16 ), so that by removal of said upper removable portion of said package body, the package can be opened by separation of said first and second mating components, and reclosed by joining said first and second mating components.   
     
     
         11 . A recloseable side-gusseted package in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein
 said second mating component of said fastener assembly comprises a sealant to facilitate joining said second mating component to said front package panel and to said inwardly extending side gussets at said second seal region.