Recloseable package with pull-tab member

Abstract

A recloseable package, such as formed from polymeric film material, includes a package body including front and rear package panels joined to each other at side edges thereof. A recloseable fastener assembly is provided on the inside surface of the front package panel, with a preferentially weakened region of the front package panel operatively associated with the fastener assembly. In order to facilitate convenient opening of the front package panel, and access to and manipulation of the fastener assembly, the package includes a pull-tab member secured to the exterior of the front package panel, with a pull-tab member including an articulable gripping portion which can be readily articulated and manipulated by consumers, so that it can be grasped to facilitate manipulation and opening of the package.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates generally to recloseable film packaging configured to facilitate reclosing of a package after initial opening, and more particularly to a package having a recloseable access feature in a front package panel thereof, with a pull-tab member provided to facilitate access to an opening of the recloseable feature.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Recloseable film packaging has found widespread application in the marketplace for all manner of consumer goods, particularly food products where it can be desirable to initially open a package, reclose it, and then reopen it at a later time to further access the contents of the package. Various recloseable package constructions are known in the prior art, with U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,845, hereby incorporated by reference, illustrating such a recloseable package arrangement, including a profile strip fastener assembly to facilitate reclosing of the package after initial opening.[0003]It is, of course...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In accordance with the present invention, a recloseable package, typically formed from polymeric film materials, is disclosed, including a recloseable fastener assembly on the inside surface of a front package panel, which permits the package to be conveniently reclosed after it is initially opened. Notably, the present invention contemplates the provision of a pull-tab member having an articulable gripping portion, which can be readily articulated and manipulated by consumers and conveniently gripped for opening the package, including the recloseable fastener assembly thereof. Convenient use of a recloseable package is thus facilitated, including convenient opening of a package having a laser score, or like region of weakness, which maintains the gas barrier properties of the package.

[0010]The front package panel of the package defines a preferentially weakened region operatively associated with the fastener assembly, so that opening of the weakened region permits separation of the first and second fastener elements, to thereby permit the contents of the package to be accessed through the opened weakened region, and through the fastener assembly. This so-called front panel fastener assembly permits the contents of the package to be readily accessed through the front panel of the package after initial opening, and after reclosing, and reopening, of the recloseable fastener assembly.

[0011]In accordance with the present invention, a pull-tab member is secured to the exterior of the front package panel at the weaken region thereof. The pull-tab member includes an articulable gripping portion which can be hingedly manipulated generally out of the plane of the front package panel to facilitate opening of the weakened region of the front package panel. By the provision of the pull-tab member, opening of the weakened region of the front package panel is greatly facilitated, whether provided in the form of perforations or slits, or a laser score. Moreover, the pull-tab member facilitates convenient manipulation and opening of the recloseable fastener assembly positioned on the inside surface of the front package panel.

Problems solved by technology

The breaking of the film can be difficult, depending upon the chemical composition of the packaging film, and its orientation in the package.

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