Abstract:
A reclosable package having a zipper closure, and optionally a slider device to open and close the zipper closure, and a one-way valve. The package can include an internal seal, which can be a peal seal. In use, the valve is used to remove air from the interior of the package, and the sealant strip, in combination with the zipper closure, provides a better seal than the zipper alone.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/737,872, filed on Nov. 17, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This disclosure generally relates to polymeric packages, and, in particular, to a resealable closure arrangement having a zipper closure and an internal seal, and methods of manufacturing polymeric packages.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Flexible polymeric packages are used to hold a variety of products. Such products may be edible food products such as cheese, meat, crackers, granulated sugar, powdered sugar, flour, salt, and baking soda, or non-food products such as laundry detergent, sand, medical supplies, and other products. Resealable packages are convenient because they can be closed and resealed after opening to contain the enclosed contents. Resealable packages are also advantageous in that they extend the life of food products because they can be opened and closed (resealed) multiple times.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0004]     The present disclosure is directed to reclosable packages from which air or other gas within the interior of the package can be removed through a feature of the package other than the mouth of the package. The packages have a zipper closure and a one-way fluid valve which allows gas (e.g., air) or other fluid to be removed from the interior of the package while the zipper closure is sealed. Prior to use by the consumer, the packages have a hermetically sealed interior volume, in which an item is contained. Upon use by a consumer, the zipper closure is opened, the hermetic seal is breached, and access is gained to the interior of the package. After the zipper is closed, the valve can be used to evacuate gas or other fluid from the interior of the package. The hermetic seal may have been formed by a peal seal, which could be resealed after evacuation of the gas or other fluid. A slider device may be used to open and close the zipper closure.  
         [0005]     Various methods for using the packages, and of making the packages, are described.  
         [0006]     These and various other features which characterize the packages of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims. For a better understanding of the packages of the disclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention of this disclosure.  
         [0007]      
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a resealable package according to the disclosure;  
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of the package taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the package taken along line B-B of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 1C  is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternate package embodiment, similar to  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a front plan view illustrating the package of  FIG. 1  inverted with the bottom open for filling with items;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of the package of  FIG. 1  illustrated with an item inside the package, and with the tamper evident header being removed by a user;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded cross-sectional view of an alternate package embodiment, similar to  FIG. 1A ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the package of  FIGS. 1 and 3  illustrated lying on a side, having the tamper evident header removed, and with a hand held vacuum pump shown in close proximity to the valve;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the valve of  FIG. 5  disassembled;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of alternate valve components;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the hand held vacuum pump of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective plan view of another embodiment of a package according to the present disclosure;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a package portion having a zipper profile with adhesive present in the profile members;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 10 , showing a package portion having a multi-layered side panel;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 9  being evacuated manually by a user;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a plan view of another package according to the disclosure, similar to  FIG. 1 , but having no slider device;  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of a package according to the present disclosure;  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the package of  FIG. 1  having the tamper evident header removed and with an item retained therein;  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is an enlarged cross-sectional view, similar to  FIG. 10 , showing a package portion having a multi-layered seal;  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is a front plan view of a package according to the disclosure, similar to  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a process for making packages according to the disclosure using a horizontal form fill seal machine;  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an alternate process for making packages according to the disclosure using a horizontal form fill seal machine; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of a portion of the process of  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     The present disclosure is directed to a variety of packaging arrangements (e.g., packages), particularly, resealable packaging arrangements, and methods of making and using those packaging arrangements.  
         [0032]     Referring now to the figures, various packages according to the present disclosure are illustrated.  FIGS. 1, 1A ,  1 B,  2 ,  3 ,  5  and  15  illustrate package  10  in various orientations;  FIGS. 9 and 12  illustrate package  10 ′;  FIGS. 13 and 17  illustrate package  10 ″; and  FIG. 14  illustrates package  10 ′″. It is understood that features illustrated and/or described in respect to any one of packages  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ are suitable for and may be used in any of the other packages  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″. Like reference numerals are used throughout the various embodiments to designate the same or similar elements or features.  
         [0033]     Referring now in particular to  FIGS. 1, 1A , and  1 B, package  10  has a first side panel  12  and an opposite side panel  14  that are connected by side edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 . For clarity herein, side edge  17  can be referred to as a bottom edge  17 . Side panels  12 ,  14  and side edges  16 ,  17 ,  18  define a surrounding wall  11  with a storage interior  15  therebetween. Various other configurations of surrounding walls  11  are known and are suitable for packages in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. Storage interior  15  is configured for receiving an item, such as a foodstuff item or other item(s), for storage within package  10 .  
         [0034]     Package  10  has a sealed top end  19 , which is the side of package  10  opposite bottom edge  17 . Sealed top end  19  is defined by tamper evident header  70 , which is described below. Close to top end  19 , a resealable zipper closure  20  is present.  
         [0035]     Zipper closure  20  is present across a mouth of package  10  that provides access to interior  15 . Zipper closure  20  usually extends from side edge  16  to side edge  18 , and includes a first zipper profile  22  having a first profile member and a second zipper profile  24  having a second profile member; first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are configured to engage and disengage with each other. In other words, first and second zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are selectively sealable and resealable.  
         [0036]     First zipper profile  22  is connected to first side panel  12 , and second zipper profile  24  is connected to second side panel  14 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are integral with their respective side panel  12 ,  14 . Alternately, zipper profiles  22 ,  24  could be attached to side panels  12 ,  14 , for example, by a heat seal or adhesive; see for example,  FIG. 1C . Zipper closures  20 , zipper profiles  22 ,  24  and profile members are well known, and a variety of configurations are useable in accordance with the principles of this disclosure; see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,002; 6,152,600; 5,839,831, and 5,252,281, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0037]     Opening and closing of zipper closure  20  of package  10  is facilitated by slider device  25 , which is operably mounted on zipper profiles  22 ,  24  in a manner to mate and unmate, engage and disengage, etc., profiles  22 ,  24 . Examples of suitable slider devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,679,027; Des. 480,988; Des. 479,467, and 6,450,686, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0038]     In the embodiment illustrated, zipper closure  20 , at each side edge  16 ,  18 , includes an area  26 ,  28 , respectively, where zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are sealed together and may be partially crushed, melted or deformed.  
         [0039]     At top edge  19 , package  10  has a header  70 , which extends from side panel  12  to side panel  14  and envelopes zipper closure  20  and slider device  25 . Header  70  extends the width of package  10  from side edge  16  to side edge  18 . In this particular embodiment, header  70  is detachable from package  10  via weakness  75 . Weakness  75  may be a perforation, a tear-strip, string or thread, a laser score, a die line, a thinner area, or other configuration that allows header  70  to be readily removed or disconnected from at least one of side panels  12 ,  14 , preferably from both side panels  12 ,  14 , to gain access to zipper closure  20  and slider device  25 . Header  70  is an element that provides a quick indication whether or not access has been gained to zipper closure  20 . That is, access is not readily gained to interior  15  ( FIG. 1A ) of surrounding wall  11 , without breaching header  70  or side panels  12 ,  14 .  
         [0040]     Package  10  also includes seal  40 , which is positioned between bottom edge  17  and zipper closure  20 . Seal  40  is present on the interior of at least one of side panels  12 ,  14  and allows panels  12 ,  14  to be sealed together, preferably with a fluid-impermeable or hermetic seal. Seal  40  may be a repeatably reclosable seal, often referred to as a peal seal, or a one-time seal, such as an adhesive seal or a mechanical seal. Illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , seal  40  is composed of a material on each of panels  12 ,  14 . Additional details regarding seal  40  are provided below.  
         [0041]     Package  10  also includes a valve  60 , positioned in one of side panels  12 ,  14  to allow escape of air, gas or other fluid from storage interior  15  to the exterior of package  10 . In  FIG. 1B , valve  60  is illustrated in side panel  12 . Valve  60  is preferably a one-way evacuation valve, allowing fluid flow therethrough in only one direction; preferably, that direction is from storage interior  15  of package  10  to the exterior of package  10 . The fluid to pass through valve  60  can be either or both gaseous or liquid. In most uses of package  10 , the fluid passing through valve  60  will be air, and the following description will refer to “air”, although it is understood other fluids may pass through valve  60 . Valve  60  may be a manually activated valve or may be configured for use with an external device, such as a vacuum pump, as will be described below. In package  10 , valve  60  is positioned between bottom edge  17  and seal  40 ; also, seal  40  is positioned between valve  60  and zipper closure  20 . An alternate embodiment, package  10 ″ in  FIG. 13 , has valve  60  positioned between seal  40  and zipper closure  20 .  
         [0042]     Referring still to  FIG. 1 , present on at least one of side panels  12 ,  14  is preferably a textured standoff material  50 , in locations where it is desired to maintain a slight distance, gap or spacing, between side panel(s)  12 ,  14  and, for example, an item within interior  15  of package  10 , or, from valve  60 . Textured standoff material  50  may extend the width of package  10  between side edges  16 ,  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or may stop short of edges  16 ,  18 . Additionally or alternatively, textured standoff material  50  may extend from bottom edge  17  to seal  40 , or stop short of either. Textured standoff material  50  may be integral with side panel(s)  12 ,  14  (e.g., standoff material  50  is side panel(s)  12 ,  14 ) or may be attached to an interior surface of side panel(s)  12 ,  14 .  
         [0043]     Returning to package  10 , in detail, various specific details of package  10  will now be described. It is understood however, that the following descriptions are not limiting to features of package  10 ; alternate materials, elements, configurations, constructions, and the like could be used to provide a package according to the present invention.  
         [0044]     Package  10  has side panels  12 ,  14 , which form the overall package  10 . Side panels  12 ,  14  are flexible sheets, typically polymeric film. Examples of suitable films for use as panels  12 ,  14  are well known, and include polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Multi-layered or laminated materials may also be used, which can include, but are not limited to, low density polyethylene (LDPE) and nylon or LDPE and polypropylene.  FIG. 11  illustrates a portion of side panel  12  that has a first layer  45  (e.g., polyethylene) and a second layer  55  (e.g., polyester). In this embodiment, first layer  45  is an interior layer of package  10  and second layer  55  is an outer or exterior layer of package  10 .  
         [0045]     As provided above, side panels  12 ,  14  meet at bottom edge  17 , side edges  16 ,  18  and top edge  19 . Any or all of edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  may be seals or may be folds. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 1A  and  1 B, bottom edge  17  is a seal between side panel  12  and side panel  14  and top edge  19  is a seal between side panel  12  and side panel  14  within header  70 . In alternate embodiments, for example, bottom edge  17  could be a fold. Side edges  16 ,  18  could be either seals or folds. For example, one piece of material could be folded to form panels  12 ,  14 , thus forming one folded side edge (e.g., side edge  16 ) and one sealed side edge (e.g., side edge  18 ). In an alternate configuration, a tube of material can be used, thus forming two folded side edges (side edges  16 ,  18 ). Still further, package  10  could have each of edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  being sealed. These various edge configurations are known in the art and any of these are suitable for package  10 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 17  illustrates package  10 ″ with each of edges  16 ,  17 ,  18  having a fairly wide (e.g., at least 1 mm wide, e.g., at least 2 mm wide) seals  85 ,  105 ,  95 , respectively. Such wide seals  85 ,  105 ,  95  generally increase the strength of edges  16 ,  17 ,  18  and further inhibit leakage or seepage. Seals  85 ,  105 ,  95  can be made by the application of heat and pressure.  
         [0047]     As provided above, zipper closure  20  has first zipper profile  22  and second zipper profile  24 , which engage and disengage from each other to provide access to storage interior  15  of package  10 . Profiles  22 ,  24  are constructed to be repeatedly sealed (e.g., closed, engaged, mated, etc.) and unsealed (e.g., opened, disengaged, unmated, etc.), for example, by pressure exerted by the user&#39;s fingers. In some embodiments, zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are configured to provide an indication, for example by color change, when they are sealed.  FIGS. 10, 11  and  16  show an embodiment of zipper profile  22 ′ having an area of adhesive  30  present between its profile members. Adhesive  30  may increase the sealing strength between profiles  22 ,  24  and inhibit air leakage through zipper closure  20 .  
         [0048]     In package  10 , and in packages  10 ′ and  10 ′″, zipper closure  20  is configured to be opened and closed by slider device  25 , whereas in package  10 ″, zipper closure  20  is opened and closed without the aid of a slider device. Optional areas  26 ,  28  are present at edges  16 ,  18 , for example, to strengthen the ends of zipper closure  20  and/or to inhibit slider device  25  from traveling too far along zipper closure  20 .  
         [0049]     As provided above, seal  40  is present on the interior of at least one of panels  12 ,  14 . Seal  40  allows panels  12 ,  14  to be sealed together, preferably with a fluid-impermeable or hermetic seal. Seal  40  preferably extends from side edge  16  to side edge  18 , and may be any suitable width (taken in the direction from bottom edge  17  to zipper closure  20 ). Seal  40  can be a material, e.g., adhesive, applied to a surface of panel(s)  12 ,  14  or seal  40  may be integral with or formed by panel(s)  12 ,  14 .  
         [0050]     Seal  40  may be a repeatably reclosable seal or a one-time seal, such as an adhesive seal or a mechanical seal that is not reclosable. For example, seal  40  may be an adhesive peal seal, which can be sealed, readily opened, and resealed. Examples of peal seals include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,290,393; 6,210,038, and 6,131,248, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Seal  40  may alternately be a non-resealable adhesive peal, that is, a seal that, once broken, cannot be resealed. Still further, seal  40  may be a mechanical connection between panels  12 ,  14  formed, for example, by a melting and joining of their materials, due to the application of heat and pressure in the area. Seal  40  could alternately be a physical or mechanical interaction, such as a seal formed by material that separates or delaminates between layers, and that cannot be resealed.  FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment having seal  40  as a reclosable peel seal  43 , which has multiple layers of adhesive film, which when the package is opened and seal  40  is broken, one adhesive strip stays with one side of the package, and when closed again, a fresh adhesive strip adheres to the opposite side. Examples of non-resealable seals include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,032, which is incorporated herein by reference. Various configurations of seals  40  are further described below.  
         [0051]     Valve  60  is preferably a one-way evacuation valve, allowing fluid flow therethrough in only one direction; preferably, that direction is from storage interior  15  of package  10  to the exterior of package  10 . Valve  60  can be any suitable valve, including those known as “Goglio” type or “Raackmann” type. Goglio-type valves are available, for example, from Bosch, Wipf and Wico; Raackmann-type valves are available, for example, from Amcor. Other examples of suitable valves  40  include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,913,803; 6,733,803; 6,607,764, and 6,539,691, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0052]     Various parts of a specific type of valve  60  are illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Valve  60  includes a valve body  62 , a valve membrane  63 , and a valve containment cap  64 . Membrane  63  preferably inhibits the passage of particulate (e.g., solid) items through valve  60 . In some embodiments, membrane  63  may be configured to allow air and other gases therethrough but not allow liquids therethrough; PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is an example of such a material.  
         [0053]     An alternate embodiment of a suitable valve is illustrated in  FIG. 7 ; this valve uses two components, body  170  having apertures therethrough and adhesive-backed component  172 . This valve would be installed on one of side panel  12 ,  14  via adhesive-backed component  172 . Valve  60 , which includes the valve construction of  FIG. 7 , may be a manually activated valve or may be configured for use with an external device, such as a vacuum pump, as will be described below.  
         [0054]     Package  10  preferably includes textured standoff material  50  in locations where it is desired to maintain a slight distance, gap or spacing, between side panels  12 ,  14  and, for example, an item within interior  15  of package  10 . Textured standoff material  50  may additionally or alternatively be positioned to inhibit, for example, side panel  14 , from interfering with the functioning of valve  60 . Material  50  interfaces with evacuation valve  60  to inhibit the possibility of the vacuum process being hindered or closed off, which could occur with a with flat or smooth film for panel  14 .  
         [0055]     Textured standoff material  50  is a textured material having, for example, protrusions, dots, bumps, detents, grooves, etc., or other structures that provide a surface that is not smooth. Generally, the textured features of standoff material  50  are at least 0.01 mm high, often at least 0.05 mm high, for example, about 0.1 mm high, or more, such as about 0.5 mm high or even 1 mm high. Such a textured standoff material  50  is desirable in package constructions to maintain a slight air gap or spacing between side panels  12 ,  14  and any item present within interior  15 .  
         [0056]     Standoff material  50  can be present on or occupy generally any portion of one or both of side panels  12 ,  14 . Textured standoff material  50  may extend the width of package  10  from side edges  16 ,  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , or may stop short of edges  16 ,  18 . In the other direction, standoff material  50  may extend, from bottom edge  17  and extend close to seal  40 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , package  10  has standoff material  50  present in the general area where valve  60  is present. Other configurations for standoff material  50  are suitable. For example,  FIG. 9  illustrates package  10 ′ with standoff material  50  extending from a region short of bottom edge  17  to close to valve  60 , but not in the area where valve  60  is present. Yet another example is in  FIG. 13 , where package  10 ″ has standoff material  50  extending from bottom edge  17  to a region short of seal  40 ; material  50  is not in the area where seal  40  or valve  60  is present.  
         [0057]     Package  10  preferably also includes tamper evident header  70 , which encases or envelopes zipper closure  20 . To gain access to zipper closure  20 , header  70  is at least partially detached from package  10  via weakness or weaknesses  75 . Header  70  provides a quick indication whether or not access has been gained to zipper closure  20 .  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate header  70  formed from a material (e.g., a polymeric web) covering zipper closure  20  and slider device  25  and attached to side panels  12 ,  14 ; in this embodiment, zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are integral with side panels  12 ,  14  and header  70  is a separate piece.  FIG. 1C  illustrates alternate header  70 ′ formed from a material (e.g., a polymeric web) covering zipper closure  20  and slider device  25  and integral with side panels  12 ,  14 ; in this embodiment, header  70 ′ is integral with side panels  12 ,  14  and zipper profiles  22 ,  24  are separate. These and other tamper evident headers are well known; see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,524,002; 5,492,411, and 5,893,645, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0058]     An example of another tamper evident feature is illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which shows elements of a package unassembled.  FIG. 4  shows side panels  12 ,  14  with zipper profiles  22 ,  24 , respectively, with slider device  25 , seal  40 , valve  60 , and header  70 . Also shown is a second tamper evident feature, web  27 , which extends from side panel  12  to side panel  14  below zipper closure  20 . Web  27  provides a barrier between zipper closure  20  and the interior of the package. To gain access to the interior of the package and items retained therein, after opening zipper closure  20 , web  27  is breached. Similar to header  70 , web  27  can include a weakness to breach web  27 .  
         [0059]     For ease of description, package  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 1A  and  1 B is a sealed, unopened package. No item is shown within interior  15 , although in most configurations, package  10 , when in the configuration illustrated in these figures, will have an item therein.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , package  10  is illustrated being filled through its bottom end  17  via hopper  120 . Prior to and during the filling, side panels  12 ,  14  are not sealed to each other at edge  17 , but rather, define an opening  110  therebetween to allow access to interior  15 . Item(s) to be sealed within interior  15  pass from hopper  120  through opening  110  between side panels  12 ,  14  and into the interior of package  10 . Side panels  12 ,  14  are then sealed together to form a seal at bottom end  17 . Typically during the filling process, zipper closure  20  is closed and seal  40  is sealed.  
         [0061]     Package  10 , in many embodiments, is produced by processes often referred to as “form fill and seal” processes. In these processes, the package, particularly storage interior  15 , is manufactured (i.e., formed), the item is placed within storage interior  15  (i.e., filled), and then any last seals, such as at bottom edge  17 , are made (i.e., sealed). “Form fill and seal” will be referred to as “FFS” hereinafter. Package  10  may be made by a horizontal FFS process (e.g., where the film forming side panels  12 ,  14  and zipper closure  20 , and slider device  25  if present, move in a generally horizontal direction) or a vertical FFS process (e.g., where the film forming side panels  12 ,  14  and zipper closure  20 , and slider device  25  if present, move in a generally vertical direction). It is understood that hybrid processes may include movement of these parts in various orientations. Typically, with horizontal FFS processes, the unfilled package  10  progresses through the process up-side-down, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . That is, bottom edge  17  is positioned above top edge  19 . With vertical FFS process, the unfilled package progresses either up-side-down or sideways. Additional details regarding methods of making package  10 , and packages  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″, are described below.  
         [0062]      FIG. 3  illustrates items  130  within package  10 . Items  130  can be a collection of small food items, such as shredded cheese, meats, fruits, or vegetables.  FIG. 15  illustrates item  130 ′, a chicken leg, within package  10 . It is understood that other items, food or not, may be sealed within package  10  or the other packages of this disclosure. To gain access to items  130 , header  70  is removed at weakness  75 , thus providing access to slider device  25  and zipper closure  20 .  FIG. 3  illustrates header  70  being removed by a user.  
         [0063]     After header  70  has been removed, the user can move slider device  25  from side edge  16  toward side edge  18  and thus open zipper closure  20 . If sealed, seal  40  is opened, unsealed, or broken. Access is thus provided to interior  15  and to item  130 . After removing a desired amount of item  130 , package  10  is resealed, typically by first resealing seal  40  (if seal  40  is configured for resealing) and then closing zipper closure  20  by moving slider device  25  toward side edge  16 . It is understood that zipper closure  20  could be closed prior to seal  40  being resealed.  
         [0064]     To extend the freshness of item  130  remaining in package  10 , air present within interior  15  can be removed through valve  60 .  FIG. 5  illustrates a hand held vacuum pump  150  poised for attachment to valve  60 , to remove air from inside package  10 ;  FIG. 15  illustrates vacuum pump  150  poised for attachment to valve  60  to remove air from package  10  having item  130 ′, a chicken leg, therein. Vacuum pump  150  is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 12  illustrates a user&#39;s hand pushing on package  10 ′ to urge air from package  10 ′ through valve  60 .  
         [0065]      FIG. 13  illustrates package  10 ″, which does not have a slider device. To gain access to items within package  10 ″, header  70  is removed at weakness  75 , thus providing access to zipper closure  20 . Header  70  would be removed in the same manner as illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0066]     After header  70  has been removed, the user can open zipper closure  20  by unmating closure profiles  22 ,  24 . If sealed, seal  40  is opened, unsealed, or broken. Access is thus provided to interior  15  and to the item therein. Package  10 ″ is resealed, typically by first resealing seal  40  (if seal  40  is configured for resealing) and then closing zipper closure  20  or by closing zipper closure  20  and then resealing seal  40 , if so configured. To extend the freshness of items remaining in package  10 ″, air can be removed through valve  60 , for example by vacuum pump  150  or by a user&#39;s hand.  
         [0067]     As mentioned above, package  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ is produced by “form fill and seal” processes, either horizontal FFS or vertical FFS. Package  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ may be made by a horizontal FFS process (e.g., where the film forming side panels  12 ,  14  and zipper closure  20  and slider device  25 , if present, move in a generally horizontal direction) or a vertical FFS process (e.g., where the film forming side panels  12 ,  14  and zipper closure  20  and slider device  25 , if present, move in a generally vertical direction).  
         [0068]     In one general embodiment of a horizontal FFS process, two extended lengths of the film, each forming a side panel  12 ,  14 , move in a generally horizontal direction. An extended length of zipper closure  20  may be attached to side panels  12 ,  14  or may already be integral with the panel film. Slider device  25 , if present, could be located on zipper closure  20  prior to being attached to side panels  12 ,  14 . Standoff material  50  can be attached to side panel(s)  12 ,  14  or may be side panels(s)  12 ,  14 . Valve  60  is typically installed into one of the extended lengths of film at predetermined intervals, to correspond to one valve  60  per package  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″. Seal  40  can be formed between side panels  12 ,  14  before, after, or concurrently with zipper closure  20  being attached. Material for header  70  may be attached to side panels  12 ,  14  at any step during the process.  
         [0069]     After the various elements have been joined to form an extended length, seals, which will result in side edges  16 ,  18 , are made. Areas  26 ,  28  are usually made (e.g., crushed) simultaneously with the side edge seals, but could be made in a separate step. After storage interior  15  has been formed (i.e., between side panels  12 , 14  having side edges  16 ,  18 ), item  130 ,  130 ′ is placed, e.g., dropped, into storage interior  15 , and then bottom edge  17 , which is positioned above the rest of package  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″, is sealed.  
         [0070]     In an alternate embodiment of a horizontal FFS process, one extended length of film moves in a generally horizontal direction. This film is folded to form both panels  12 ,  14  with header  70  and folded edge  19  therebetween. Any order of applying zipper closure  20  and optional slider device  25 , standoff material  50 , valve  60 , seal  40  and weakness  75  can be used. Similar to the first embodiment, after the various elements have been joined to form an extended length, side edges  16 ,  18  and areas  26 ,  28  may be made. Item  130 ,  130 ′ is placed into storage interior  15 , and then bottom edge  17  is sealed.  
         [0071]      FIG. 18  illustrates a configuration for a form fill seal machine in horizontal configuration that uses a single web of film to form package  10 ; this configuration could also be suitable in vertical form. The process of  FIG. 18  has an extended length of film  400  with a textured surface (suitable for textured standoff material  50 ), a punching mechanism  420 , valve applicator  430 , film scoring mechanism  440 , extended length of reclosable zipper  520 , ultrasonic crushing unit  540 , notch punch  500 , dancer take up rolls  490 , slider applicator system  460 , reclosable zipper closure applicator  550 , package side seal bars  530 , product loading system  420 , package bottom sealing system  310 , and package cut off system  300 .  
         [0072]      FIG. 19  illustrates a process similar to that of  FIG. 18 , except that an extended length of textured material is provided as material  53 , which is attached to web  400 . The resulting package  10 ′ has standoff material  50  present in only a portion of side panel(s)  12 ,  14 .  
         [0073]     In one embodiment of a vertical FFS process, two extended lengths of film, each forming a side panel  12 ,  14 , move in a generally vertically downward direction. Similar to above, an extended length of zipper closure  20  may be attached to side panels  12 ,  14 , before, after, or concurrently with the film being sealed together to form top edge  19 . Standoff material  50  can be side panels  12 ,  14  (as in the process of  FIG. 18 ) or can be attached to side panels  12 ,  14  (as in the process of  FIG. 19 ). Valve  60  is typically installed into one of the extended lengths of film at predetermined intervals, to correspond to one valve  60  per package  10 . Seal  40  can be formed between side panels  12 ,  14  before, after, or concurrently with edge  19  being formed or with zipper closure  20  being attached. Weakness  75  may be formed at any stage. Bottom seal  17  can also be formed at any stage in this process.  
         [0074]     After the various elements have been joined to form an extended length, a seal, which results in, for example, side edge  18  and area  28 , is made. After this step, storage interior  15  has been made between side panels  12 ,  14 , edge  17 , seal  40  and side edge  18 . Item  130 ,  130 ′ is placed, e.g.,, dropped, into storage interior  15 , and then side edge  16 , which is positioned above the rest of package  10 , is sealed. Such a FFS process moves in a generally downward vertical direction.  
         [0075]     In an alternate embodiment of a vertical FFS process, one extended length of film moves in a generally horizontal direction. This film is folded to form both panels  12 ,  14  with folded edge  19  or edge  17  therebetween. Any order of applying zipper closure  20 , standoff material  50 , valve  60 , seal  40  and weakness  75  can be used. Similar to the first embodiment, after the various elements have been joined to form an extended length, side edge  18  and area  28  are made. Item  130 ,  130 ′ is placed into storage interior  15 , and then side edge  16  is sealed.  
         [0076]     The above specification and examples are believed to provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of the invention. It is understood by those skilled in the art of packaging that package  10  and any other embodiments may be made by generally any suitable process, not just those described herein. As mentioned above, any or all of edges  16 ,  17 ,  18 ,  19  may be folds or seals between side panels  12 ,  14 . A slider device  25  (if present), may be applied to zipper profiles  22 ,  24  before or after incorporation with side panels  12 ,  14 . Package  10  may include side gussets or gussets in panels  12 ,  14  to provide increased volume for interior  15 . Various other configurations and methods of making package  10 ,  10 ′,  10 ″,  10 ′″ are suitable.  
         [0077]     Because many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope and spirit of the invention reside in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafter appended.