Package having a child-restrictive opening feature

Abstract

A package is provided to make it more resistant to access by individuals, such as small children, while remaining simple enough for an adult to open. A feature, such as a top gusset or a breachable flange or flap, can be provided to promote the child resistance attributes of the package.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A package reclosure device system, comprising:
 a first panel portion including a first interior surface;   a second panel portion including a second interior surface, wherein at least the first panel portion and the second panel portion define a package end access opening providing access to an inner package volume configured to contain package contents;   a film element including at least one reclosure end element and a fixed end element, wherein the fixed end element is operatively sealed to the second panel portion such that the fixed end element is operatively affixed to the second interior surface below the package end access opening, and wherein the at least one reclosure end element is configured to selectively mate with a panel reclosure device element operatively affixed to the first interior surface; and   a hingeable flap extension, without a reclosure device element or a locking member element, including a free end extendable past the at least one reclosure end portion of the film element and the panel reclosure device element, between the film element and the second panel portion.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the panel reclosure device element is a portion of a recloseable zipper device. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one reclosure end element includes a first locking member and the panel reclosure device element includes a second locking member. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a bottom panel portion opposite the package end access opening. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the bottom panel portion is gusseted to define a stand-up package configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the film element is a zipper flange. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the free end of the hingeable flap extension is movable toward the package end access opening to facilitate access to the package contents in an opening position. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one reclosure end element is disengaged from the panel reclosure device element in the opening position. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , further including a removable top seal portion above the package end access opening. 
     
     
         30 . A pouch reclosure device system, comprising:
 a first panel portion including a first interior surface;   a second panel portion including a second interior surface, wherein at least the first panel portion and the second panel portion define a pouch end access opening providing access to an inner pouch volume configured to contain pouch contents;   a bottom panel portion, wherein the pouch end access opening is defined opposite the bottom panel portion;   a film element including at least one reclosure end element and a fixed end element, wherein the fixed end element is operatively sealed to the second panel portion such that the fixed end element is affixed to the second interior surface below the pouch end access opening, and wherein the at least one reclosure end element is configured to selectively mate with a panel reclosure device element operatively provided at the first interior surface; and   a cantilevered and hingeable flap, without a reclosure device element or a locking member element, having a free end extendable past the at least one reclosure end portion of the film element and the panel reclosure device element, between the film element and the second panel portion.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the panel reclosure device element is a portion of a recloseable zipper device. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one reclosure end element includes a locking member and the panel reclosure device element includes a panel locking member. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the bottom panel portion is gusseted to define a stand-up pouch configuration. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 30 , further including a removable top seal portion above the pouch end access opening. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the panel reclosure device element includes a hinged locking member. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the free end of the cantilevered and hingeable flap is movable toward the pouch end access opening to facilitate access to the pouch contents in an opening position. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 36 , wherein the at least one reclosure end element is disengaged from the panel reclosure device in the opening position. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the reclosure end portion is a recloseable zipper flange.