Patent ID: 8727621

Claim:
An easy-open and reclosable package enclosing a product 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, the first end of the first side panel joined to the second side panel; iii) a second end defined by the second ends of the first and second side panels respectively, the first and second side panels joined together along their respective second ends; iv) a reclosure mechanism, disposed between the first and second side panels, 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 the inner surface of the first side panel such that the interlocking surface faces the inner surface of the first side panel, 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 at least one of the first and second side panels such that the interlocking surface faces the inner surface of the first side panel; and v) a die cut disposed in the first side panel, the die cut defining a die cut segment, the die cut segment so arranged with respect to the reclosure mechanism that when the die cut segment 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.