Easy-open recloseable package

Claim 1

A recloseable package for hermetically sealing a product between two opposing package panels comprising, in combination: a first package panel adapted to receive a preselected amount of a product thereon in a first package panel product area; continuous recloseable fastener means attached to an extension of the first package panel proximate to an access edge of said first package panel, the continuous fastener means including opposed interengaging fastener elements being disposed generally parallel to the access edge of said first package panel and being further disposed near a mouth portion of said package, the opposed interengaging fastener elements being further attached to each other at the ends thereof to define the mouth portion of said package; a second package panel contacting and bonded to said first package panel around a peripheral margin of said first package panel surrounding the first package panel product area to form a package, the second package panel further being attached to said continuous recloseable fastener means so as to form a recloseable seal near said mouth portion of said package, said first and second package panels further being bonded together to form a hermetic peel seal therebetween interior of said interengaging fastener elements; and said first and second package panels including respective first and second package extension portions disposed exterior of said interangaging fastener elements, the first and second package extension portions being disposed generally opposite to each other, said first and second package extensions having means for supporting said package on a display in a vertical display position.

Claim 21

A method of enclosing a product between two package panels, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first package panel and a second package panel; providing a fastener strip assembly of interengaging fastener elements; attaching the interengaging fastener elements to one of the first and second package panels to define a package access end portion and first and second package extensions, the interengaging fastener elements each having a package sealing flange disposed on opposite sides of the fastener strip; placing the product onto said first package panel in a manner such that the product does not contact the package sealing flanges of said fastener strip to form a product-backing assembly; placing said second package panel over the product-backing assembly; sealing said first package panel to said second package panel at a hermetic seal area around the periphery of said product on said product-backing assembly to create a package having a hermetic seal which completely encloses said product on said product-backing assembly wherein said hermetic seal includes at least one peelable bond area generally at the access edge portion of said product backing member and interior of said interengaging fastener elements; and, forming in the package, means for supporting said package on a vertical display in the first and second package extensions.

Claim 24

A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said interengaging fastener elements are adhered to said first and second package extensions by heat sealing means.

Claim 25

A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein said interengaging fastener strip assembly includes interengaging rib and groove elements.

Claim 26

A method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, further including the step of vacuum-packing said product between said first and second package panels.

Claim 27

A method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, further including the step of applying containment means to said first package panel to contain said product in a packaged position.

Claim 28

A method useful for enclosing a product between a first and second package panel to provide a generally flexible package having a product enclosing portion, a recloseable seal portion, a vertical display portion and a tear-off portion, the first and second package panels being readily separable at the recloseable seal when access to the product is desired, the method comprising the steps: applying a continuous recloseable seal member adjacent and generally parallel to an access edge of the first and second package panels, the recloseable seal member including a pair of interengaging fastener elements, each element having a package sealing flange, the continuous recloseable seal member being applied to said first and second package panels along the respective sealing flange of the interengaging fastener elements, said continuous recloseable seal member defining first and second package extensions on said first and second package panels; designating a product location on one of said first and second package panels to define a product enclosing portion; drawing said first and second package panels together to bring said first and second package panels into contact with each other around the periphery of the product enclosing portion and interior of said recloseable seal member; bonding said first and second package panels together around the periphery of the product enclosing portion, whereby a peelable hermetic bond is provided proximate to said product board access edge and a generally secure, yet peelable hermetic bond is provided as to the remainder of the package; attaching said first and second package panels to said respective package sealing flanges of said interengaging fastener elements and defining an opening portion in the first and second package panel extensions; providing a package display opening through the opening portion of said first and second package panel extensions, said opening adapted to receive a package display member therein; permanently sealing a longitudinal extent of said first and second package extensions exterior of said recloseable seal member; and providing a line of weakening on said first and second package panel extensions exterior of said recloseable seal member.