Package closure for withstanding internal forces

Abstract

A reclosable package comprises a first panel having first and second side sections and a second panel having first and second side sections. The first panel opposes the second panel and is joined to the second panel along the first and second side sections. A bottom extends between the first and second side sections of the first and second panels with the first and second panels joined to each other. A mouth is disposed opposite the bottom and extends between the first and second side sections of the first second panels. A closure member extends along the mouth, with the closure member including a first fin joined to the first panel and second fin joined to the second panel. A sealing member having a first and second ends is disposed proximate the mouth. The ends of the sealing member can be attached to the fin or panel such that at least one of the first end or second ends of the sealing member is attached with peelable seal.

1 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a first panel and a second panel opposite the first panel, the first panel and the second panel joined along corresponding first and second side sections thereof, a bottom extending between the first and second panels, and a mouth disposed opposite the bottom; and   a closure member extending along the mouth, the closure member including a first fin and a second fin, the second fin joined to the second panel and the first fin having a first end joined to the first panel at a first location and a second end joined to the second panel, the second end extending downwards from the first location.   
     
     
         2 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin and the second fin each have sealing ribs configured to form a respective seal joining the first fin to the first panel and the second fin to the second panel. 
     
     
         3 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the sealing ribs of the first fin form a lock-up seal joining the first fin to the first panel. 
     
     
         4 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the sealing ribs of the second fin form a lock-up seal joining the second fin to the second panel. 
     
     
         5 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin is attached to an interior surface of the first panel and the second fin is attached to an interior surface of the second panel. 
     
     
         6 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin extends downward toward the bottom further than the second fin. 
     
     
         7 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin includes a bottom portion and the bottom portion of the first fin is formed with co-ex material. 
     
     
         8 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first fin is attached to the second panel with a peelable seal. 
     
     
         9 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the second fin includes an area of weakness. 
     
     
         10 . The reclosable package of  claim 9 , wherein the first fin is attached to the second panel with a peelable seal proximate the area of weakness. 
     
     
         11 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the first panel includes a first bag panel and a first film web joined to the first bag panel opposite the bottom and the second panel includes a second bag panel and a second film web joined to the second bag panel opposite the bottom, the first end of the first fin joined to the first film web and the second fin joined to the second film web. 
     
     
         12 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the first end of the first fin is attached to the first film web and the second end of the first fin is attached to the second film web. 
     
     
         13 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the first film web is joined to an interior surface of the first bag panel and the second film web is joined to an interior surface of the second bag panel. 
     
     
         14 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the first film web is joined to an exterior surface of the first bag panel and the second film web is joined to an exterior surface of the second bag panel. 
     
     
         15 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first fin and the second fin is attached to a corresponding one of the first film web and the second film web with a lock-up seal. 
     
     
         16 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the first fin and the second fin are attached to the first film web and the second film web, respectively, with a lock-up seal. 
     
     
         17 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the first fin extends downward toward the bottom further than the second fin. 
     
     
         18 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the second end of the first fin is attached to the second film web with a peelable seal. 
     
     
         19 . A process for forming, filling, and sealing a package through the top, comprising:
 joining a first panel of web material to a second panel of web material along opposing sides thereof with a bottom therebetween and a mouth opposite the bottom to define a package interior;   attaching a closure assembly to the second panel along the mouth, the closure assembly including a first fin and a second fin, each of the first and second fins having a portion of a reclosable fastener, the first fin including a first end and a second end, wherein attaching the closure assembly includes joining the second fin to the second panel and joining the second end of the first fin to the second panel with the first end extending upward from a location where the second end is attached to the second panel;   inserting a product through the mouth; and   joining the first end of the first fin to the first panel along the mouth to close the product within the package interior.   
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the first fin and the second fin each have sealing ribs configured to form a respective seal joining the first fin to the first panel and the second fin to the second panel. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 20 , wherein joining the first end of the first fin to the first panel includes forming a permanent lock-up seal between the sealing ribs of the first fin and the first panel. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the first fin extends downward toward the bottom further than the second fin. 
     
     
         23 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein attaching the closure assembly includes attaching the second fin and the second end of the first fin to an interior surface of the second panel. 
     
     
         24 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein joining the first end of the first fin to the first panel includes joining the first end of the first fin to an interior surface of the first panel. 
     
     
         25 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the second panel includes a second bag panel and a second film web joined to the second bag panel opposite the bottom, and wherein attaching the closure assembly includes attaching the second fin and the second end of the first fin the second film web. 
     
     
         26 . The process of  claim 25 , wherein the first panel includes a first bag panel and a first film web joined to the first bag panel opposite the bottom, and wherein joining the first end of the first fin to the first panel includes joining the first end of the first fin to the first film web.