Reclosable package including self-mating fastener and process for making the same

Abstract

A reclosable package and processes for making it are disclosed. The reclosable package includes a front panel, a back panel, an upper seal region adapted to be broken to allow a first opening of the reclosable package, a lower seal opposite the upper seal region, a vertical seal extending between the upper seal region and the lower seal on the back panel between the first side edge and the opposing second side edge; and a self-mating fastener disposed adjacent the upper seal region in an interior of the reclosable package. The self-mating fastener includes first and second fastener members each having fastener elements, an open configuration to allow access to the interior volume of the reclosable package, and a closed configuration in which the fastener elements of the first and second fastener members are engaged. In the closed configuration, the self-mating fastener is up to 800 micrometers thick.

1 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a front panel;   a back panel opposite the front panel;   an upper seal region at a top end of the resealable package, wherein the upper seal extends between a first side edge and an opposing second side edge, and wherein the upper seal region is adapted to be broken to allow a first opening of the reclosable package;   a lower seal at a bottom end of the resealable package, opposite the upper seal region, wherein the lower seal region extends between the first side edge and the opposing second side edge;   a vertical seal perpendicular to and extending between the upper seal region and the lower seal on the back panel, wherein the vertical seal is located between the first side edge and the opposing second side edge; and   a self-mating fastener disposed adjacent the upper seal region in an interior of the reclosable package, wherein the self-mating fastener comprises:   first and second fastener members each having first major surfaces with fastener elements,   an open configuration to allow access to the interior volume of the reclosable package, and   a closed configuration in which the fastener elements of the first and second fastener members are engaged together, wherein in the closed configuration, the self-mating fastener has a thickness of up to 800 micrometers.   
     
     
         2 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastener member or the second fastener member comprises a backing having a length, a width, and a thickness, with rows of rail segments protruding from the backing, 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. 
     
     
         3 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the first fastener member or the second fastener member comprises rows of posts protruding perpendicularly from the backing, wherein the rows of rail segments and rows of posts alternate, 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. 
     
     
         4 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the first fastener member or the second fastener member comprises at least one rib protruding from the backing between at least one row of rail segments and an adjacent row of posts, the rib having at least a continuous base portion attached to the backing. 
     
     
         5 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastener member or the second fastener member comprises a backing having a length, a width, and a thickness, with rails protruding from the backing, wherein each of the rails has a continuous base portion attached to the backing and an engaging portion distal from the backing, wherein the engaging portion has a width that is greater than a width of the base portion, wherein the engaging portion overhangs the base portion on opposing sides. 
     
     
         6 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein in the closed configuration, the self-mating fastener has a thickness of at least 200 micrometers. 
     
     
         7 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein when the first and second fastener members are fastened, they can slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to upper seal region. 
     
     
         8 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first fastener member or the second fastener member comprises adhesive on at least a portion of its first major surface. 
     
     
         9 . A process for making the reclosable package of  claim 1 , the process comprising:
 wrapping a film around a former to provide a tube of film, wherein the film comprises first and second opposing longitudinal edges, a distance between the first and second opposing longitudinal edges, and a row of self-mated fastening strips in a central portion of the film not including the first or second longitudinal edges, wherein each of the self-mated fastening strips extends perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal edges of the film and comprises:
 first and second fastener members each having first major surfaces with fastener elements engaged together, 
 a length up to fifty percent of the distance between the first and second opposing longitudinal edges, and 
 a thickness of up to 800 micrometers, wherein the second major surface of the first fastener member is attached to the film, and the second major surface of the second fastener member is exposed to an interior of the tube of film; 
   bringing the first and second longitudinal edges into contact;   sealing the first and second longitudinal edges together to form a vertical seal; and   attaching the second major surface of the second fastener member to the film over the vertical seal.   
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastener member and the second fastener member are formed from a unitary strip of material, folded over onto itself. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the first fastener member and the second fastener member do not share a unitary backing. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 9 , wherein the reclosable package has a width between opposing first and second side edges, wherein the self-mated fastener has a first end portion adjacent the first side edge and a second end portion adjacent the second side edge, process further comprising:
 sealing the first end portion of the self-mated fastener and any opening between the first end portion and the first side edge of the reclosable package; and   sealing the second end portion of the self-mated fastener and any opening between the second end portion and the second side edge of the reclosable package.   
     
     
         13 . A process for making the reclosable package of  claim 1 , the process comprising:
 wrapping a film around a former to provide a tube of film, wherein the film comprises first and second opposing longitudinal edges, a distance between the first and second opposing longitudinal edges, and a row of fastening strips extending perpendicularly to the first and second longitudinal edges, wherein each of the fastening strips comprises:
 a first major surfaces with fastener elements exposed to an interior of the tube of film, 
 a second major surface attached to the film, 
 a first end portion closer to the first longitudinal edge and a second end portion closer to the second longitudinal edge, and 
 a thickness of up to 800 micrometers; 
   bringing together the first and second longitudinal edges; and   sealing the first and second longitudinal edges together to form a vertical seal.   
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising forming a lower seal perpendicular to the vertical seal to form a bottom edge of the reclosable package. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 13 , further comprising forming an upper seal in the reclosable package perpendicular to the vertical seal such that one of the self-mated fastening strips is between the upper seal and bottom seal and closer to the upper seal. 
     
     
         16 . The reclosable package of  claim 5 , wherein the engaging portion overhangs the continuous base portion at amount of at least 25 micrometers on the opposing sides. 
     
     
         17 . The reclosable package of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one of the first fastener member or the second fastener member comprises at least one rib protruding from the backing, the rib having at least a continuous base portion attached to the backing. 
     
     
         18 . The reclosable package of  claim 17 , wherein the rib has a height that is no greater than a height of the rail segments. 
     
     
         19 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , further comprising a tie layer on a second major surface of at least one of the first and second fastener members opposite the first major surface of the first and second fastener members. 
     
     
         20 . The reclosable package of  claim 19 , wherein the tie layer comprises a polyolefin elastomer.