Patent ID: 7442156

Claim:
A method of forming a package with a reclosable pour spout, comprising the steps of: providing a web of material having a longitudinal axis; applying a plurality of fastener strips to said web of material at intervals corresponding to a length of each said package being formed, said fastener strips each extending transversely off center of said longitudinal axis and each consisting of a single fastening strip being detachably connectable to itself by folding and pressing against itself; folding said web of material, and sealing the material to itself to form a tube; transversely sealing said tube to form a series of packages in end-to-end relationship, with each said package including a front package panel and a rear package panel, with a respective one of said fastener strips extending from the front panel to the rear panel of the respective package to form a reclosable pour spout, and forming a pair of inwardly extending side gussets in said tube, said web of material with attached fastener strips being guided with respect to suitable plows which form said side gussets parallel to said longitudinal axis prior to said transversely sealing of the tube, each said fastener strip extending from the front panel to the rear panel of the respective package along an inside surface of a respective one of said side gussets to form a W-shaped fastener strip arrangement by being unattached to itself whereby the product being packaged can free flow through said tube without interference from said fastener strip, wherein said W-shaped fastener strip has a pair of leg portions respectively extending along said front and rear panels inwardly beyond said one of said inwardly extending side gussets.