Package having an outward extending reclosure device

Abstract

A package or pouch comprising one or more panel portions and a reclosure device. The reclosure device is provided to extend outward from a panel portion of the package to facilitate the use of the package to store and dispense wet wipes and like products.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package, comprising:
 a first panel portion, a second panel portion, and an interior package cavity;   an access opening provided along a portion of the first panel portion and having first and second opening end portions; and   a reclosure device including:
 a body portion having first and second edge lengths; and 
 first and second shoulder portions extending out transverse from the body portion to define a shoulder width larger than a width of the body portion, wherein the first edge length is affixed to the first opening end portion, the second edge length is affixed to the second opening end portion, and end portions of the first and second shoulder portions are affixed to the interior surface to define a perimeter seal around the access opening, with a portion of the body portion extending transverse from and outside of the first panel portion at the access opening. 
   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a first extending flange member and a second extending flange member, the first extending flange member constructed of a thinner material than, and extending from, the first shoulder portion and the second extending flange member constructed of a thinner material than, and extending from, the second shoulder portion. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a fin or lap seal, wherein the access opening is provided in the same direction as the fin or lap seal. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a fin or lap seal, wherein the access opening is provided transverse to the direction of the fin or lap seal. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device includes a female locking member and a male locking member. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device is a press-to-close zipper device or a slider zipper device. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the access opening is defined by a slit. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the access opening is defined by a removable slug of material. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device is generally T-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device includes opposing gap features to facilitate hinging of the first and second shoulder portions. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the body portion of the reclosure device extending transverse from and outside of the first panel portion includes a removable end portion. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the removable end portion includes a tear slit. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device includes a frangible seal. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device includes a peel seal. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device includes a weakened pathway. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the reclosure device includes a plurality of locking members. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of locking members includes a plurality of hook members and a plurality of loop members. 
     
     
         18 . A pouch, comprising:
 a first panel portion, a second panel portion, and an interior pouch cavity, wherein the first panel portion includes an interior surface;   an access opening provided along a portion of the first panel portion and having first and second opening end portions defined in the first panel portion; and   a reclosure device including:
 a body portion having first and second edge lengths; and 
 a shoulder portion having first and second sealing elements extending out transverse from the body portion, with the shoulder portion having a shoulder width greater than a width of the body portion, wherein the first sealing element is positioned at a first portion of the interior surface adjacent the access opening and the second sealing element is positioned at a second portion of the interior surface adjacent the access opening, and wherein the first edge length is sealed to the first opening end portion, the second edge length is sealed to the second opening end portion, and end portions of the first and second sealing elements are sealed to the interior surface to define a perimeter seal around the access opening, with a portion of the body portion extending transverse from and outside of the first panel portion at the access opening. 
   
     
     
         19 . The pouch of  claim 18 , wherein the access opening is defined by a slit or a removable slug of material. 
     
     
         20 . The pouch of  claim 18 , wherein the reclosure device is a zipper device or includes a plurality of locking members.