Patent ID: 8807834

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; iii) a second end defined by the second end of the first and second side panels respectively; iv) a panel section comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the inner surface comprising an easy-open sealant, wherein the first end of the panel section is joined to the second side panel with an easy-open seal, the panel section and the second side panel are joined together along their respective first and second side edges with an easy-open seal, and the panel section is anchored to the first side panel; v) a reclosure mechanism, disposed between the panel section and the second side panel, comprising (a) a first interlocking strip comprising a first and second side edge, a first and second end, and an interlocking segment having a base surface and an interlocking surface, the first interlocking strip anchored to at least one of the panel section and first side panel such that the interlocking surface faces the inner surface of the panel section, and (b) a second interlocking strip comprising a first and second side edge, a first and second end, and an interlocking segment having a base surface and an interlocking surface, the second interlocking strip anchored to the inner surface of the second side panel such that the interlocking surface faces the inner surface of the panel section; and wherein when the panel section is displaced, and the package is opened, (a) the product can be accessed between the first and second interlocking strips, (b) the interlocking surface of each of the first and second interlocking strips is at least partially exposed, and (c) the package can thereafter be reclosed by folding the package such that the interlocking surface of the first interlocking strip is interlocked with the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip; and b) a product disposed in the pouch; wherein the package is configured such that (i) the interlocking surfaces of the first and second interlocking strips are not exposed until the package is initially opened, (ii) the interlocking surfaces of the first and second interlocking strips are not interlocked with one another until the package is initially opened and then reclosed, and (iii) the interlocking surface of the first interlocking strip is farther from the first end of the package than the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip.