Patent ID: 8905638

Claim:
An easy-open and reclosable package comprising: a) a pouch comprising i) a first and second side panel each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the first and second side panels joined together along their respective first and second side edges; ii) a first end defined by the first end of at least one of the first and second side panels; iii) a second end defined by the second ends of the first and second side panels respectively; iv) the first and second side panels joined together along their respective second ends; v) a discrete strip, disposed between the first and second side panels, comprising a first and second surface, a first and second end, a first and second side edge, a sealing segment, a backing segment, and an intermediate layer disposed between the sealing and backing segments and comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive, the discrete strip spaced apart from at least one of the first end of the pouch, and the second end of the pouch; vi) a first anchor seal whereby the first surface of the discrete strip is anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel; and vii) a second anchor seal whereby the second surface of the discrete strip is anchored to the inner surface of the second side panel; viii) a closed-loop die cut disposed in the first side panel, the closed-loop die cut defining a primary die cut segment spaced from the first and second ends of the package, wherein the primary die cut segment includes a first portion wherein the die cut extends partially through the first side panel, and a second portion wherein the die cut extends entirely through the first side panel, the primary die cut segment so arranged with respect to the discrete strip and the first anchor seal that when the primary die cut segment is removed, the package is opened, ix) a secondary closed-loop die cut segment disposed between the primary die cut segment and an end of the package, and spaced from the first and second ends of the package, wherein the secondary closed-loop die cut segment includes a first portion wherein the die cut extends partially through the first side panel, and a second portion wherein the die cut extends entirely through the first side panel, the secondary closed-loop die cut segment so arranged with respect to the discrete strip that when the secondary die cut segment is removed at the first anchor seal, the sealing segment is at least partially removed from the discrete strip, and the intermediate layer comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive is at least partially exposed at the first anchor seal, such that the package can thereafter be reclosed by adhering the pressure sensitive adhesive to the first side panel; and x) the first end of the first side panel joined to the second side panel; and b) a product disposed in the pouch.