Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a pillow or vertical stand-up pouch having an inside reclose strip constructed using a modified vertical form and fill packaging machine, and the method for making same, that provides for a single piece construction of a reclosable vertical stand-up bag suitable for retail snack food distribution. The invention allows for use of existing film converter and packaging technology to produce a package for moisture sensitive food products or the like with minimal increased costs and minimal modification. The resulting package may be opened, a part of the contents removed and the package resealed to prevent premature deterioration of the quality of the contents because of exposure to moisture.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Vertical form, fill, and seal packaging machines are commonly used in the snack food industry for forming, filling, and sealing bags of chips and other like products. Such packaging machines take a packaging film from a sheet roll and forms the film into a vertical tube around a product delivery cylinder. The vertical tube is vertically sealed along its length to form a back seal. The machine applies a pair of heat-sealing jaws or facings against the tube to form a transverse seal. This transverse seal acts as the top seal on the bag below and the bottom seal on the package being filled and formed above. The product to be packaged, such as potato chips, is dropped through the product delivery cylinder and formed tube and is held within the tube above the bottom transverse seal. After the package has been filled, the film tube is pushed downward to draw out another package length. A transverse seal is formed above the product, thus sealing it within the film tube and forming a package of product. The package below said transverse seal is separated from the rest of the film tube by cutting across the sealed area.  
         [0005]     The packaging film used in such process is typically a composite polymer material produced by a film converter. For example, one prior art composite film used for packaging potato chips and like products is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , which is a schematic of a cross-section of the film illustrating each individual substantive layer.  FIG. 1  shows a sealable inside, or product side, layer  16  which typically comprises metalized oriented polypropylene (“OPP”) or metalized polyethylene terephtalate (“PET”). This is followed by a laminate layer  14 , typically a polyethylene extrusion, and an ink or graphics layer  12 . The ink layer  12  is typically used for the presentation of graphics that can be viewed through a transparent outside layer  10 , which layer  10  is typically OPP or PET.  
         [0006]     The prior art film composition shown in  FIG. 1  is ideally suited for use on vertical form and fill machines for the packaging of food products. The metalized inside layer  16 , which is usually metalized with a thin layer of aluminum, provides excellent barrier properties. The use of OPP or PET for the outside layer  10  and the inside layer  16  further makes it possible to heat seal any surface of the film to any other surface in forming either the transverse seals or back seal of a package.  
         [0007]     Typical back seals formed using the film composition shown in  FIG. 1  are illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b .  FIG. 2   a  is a schematic of a “lap seal” embodiment of a back seal being formed on a tube of film.  FIG. 2   b  illustrates a “fin seal” embodiment of a back seal being formed on a tube of film.  
         [0008]     With reference to  FIG. 2   a , a portion of the inside metalized layer  26  is mated with a portion of the outside layer  20  in the area indicated by the arrows to form a lap seal. The seal in this area is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to the film in such area. The lap seal design shown in  FIG. 2   a  insures that the product to be placed inside the formed package will be protected from the ink layer by the metalized inside layer  26 .  
         [0009]     The fin seal variation shown in  FIG. 2   b  also provides that the product to be placed in the formed package will be protected from the ink layer by the metalized inside layer  26 . Again, the outside layer  20  does not contact any product. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2   b , however, the inside layer  26  is folded over and then sealed on itself in the area indicated by the arrows. Again, this seal is accomplished by the application of heat and pressure to the film in the area illustrated.  
         [0010]     Regardless of whether a lap seal or fin seal is used for constructing a standard package using a vertical form, fill, and seal packaging machine, the end result is a package as shown in  FIG. 3  with horizontally oriented top and bottom transverse seals  31 ,  33 . Such package is referred to in the art as a “vertical flex bag” or “pillow pouch,” and is commonly used for packaging snack foods such as potato chips, tortilla chips, and other various sheeted and extruded products. The back seal discussed with reference to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  runs vertically along the bag and is typically centered on the back of the package shown in  FIG. 3 , thus not visible in  FIG. 3 . Because of the narrow, single edge base on the package shown in  FIG. 3  formed by the bottom transverse seal  33 , such prior art packages are not particularly stable when standing on one end.  
         [0011]     One method and apparatus for making a vertical stand up pouch is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,106, assigned to the same assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference. One benefit of a vertical stand-up pouch is that it can function as a bowl. Thus, it can be set on a table in the opened position without fear of spilling product. It would be desirable to add a reclosable feature to a vertical stand up pouch.  
         [0012]     Many of the reclosable packages disclosed in the prior art utilize a mechanical reclosure means such as interlocking mechanical profiles to fasten the interior package walls together to close the package mouth or an adhesive reclosure means whereby at least a portion of the adhesive is adhered to the outside of the package to close the package mouth. Use of interlocking strips, however, such as zippers or sliders is costly, and complicates the manufacture of packaging. For example, a pair of interlocking strips typically requires that a different interlocking strip, one male and one female, be adhered, by a heat seal or by an adhesive, on opposite inner package walls. Even if the interlocking strips are initially fastened together and initially mated to only one inner package wall, the interlocking strips must eventually be adhered to both opposite inner package walls to function as a reclose strip. If the strips are not fastened prior to adherence to an inner package wall, the strips must then be placed in opposite alignment with one another while on the bagmaker so as to properly function as a reclose mechanism.  
         [0013]     Another prior art solution is to use a single sided tape adhered to the outside of a package to close the package. Adhesive adhered to the outside of packages is undesirable because it is difficult to achieve the tight seal desired to keep the contents of an open, rolled-up bag fresh. Further, if the adhesive is strong enough to effect such a bond, it is usually difficult to effect initial release from the outer package wall. Consequently, a need exists for an apparatus and method for making a reclosable pillow pouch in an economical manner that does not use mechanical or interlocking strips and does not require an adhesive on the outside of the package to keep the package closed. Further, use of the reclosable mechanism should be intuitive to a consumer.  
         [0014]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,468, issued on Jul. 27, 1971, discloses an improved opening device for boil-in-the-bag type packages. The &#39;468 patent discloses feeding a “heat-sealable strip or tape  34 ” onto the web face  16  from a supply roll  38 . Placement of the strip  34  is below two terminal ends  58   60  of the package extending between two end seals  46  and uses heat and/or pressure to form a seal between the two inner face portions  54   56  of the package. The &#39;468 patent is not directed towards use in a vertical form, fill and seal machine.  
         [0015]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,874, issued on Oct. 19, 1971, discloses a reclosable package having a tape heat-sealed between facing members of a flexible pouch adjacent a top edge. Immediately below and parallel to the tape  20  is a tear strip  30 . The tear strip  30  extends across the entire front panel of the pillow-pouch type package and around the two side edges and part way across the back panel of the package. Thus, when the tear strip  30  is removed, the front panel above the tear strip is also removed, exposing a pressure sensitive adhesive  7 , or tape on the remaining back panel. The back panel having the tape must then be folded over the exterior of the lower portion containing unconsumed product. The &#39;874 patent requires placement of the adhesive in the transverse direction rather than the machine direction and does not utilize the adhesive to adhere the inner facing package members.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,139, issued on Sep. 24, 1985, assigned to Avery International Corporation, discloses a high adhesion or permanent type first pressure sensitive adhesive  11  adjacent a second low adhesion pressure sensitive adhesive  12 . The adhesive combination  11   12  can then be placed between a first substrate portion  31  and a second substrate portion  32  to resealably hold the portions  31   32  together. The patent teaches that an end user&#39;s action in reopening and reclosing the package gradually and progressively mixes the adhesives  11  and  12  to compensate for the adverse effect of contamination on reseal adhesion at the reseal surface  16 . The patent is directed towards placement on the outside of a package.  
         [0017]     Consequently, a need also exists for a simpler apparatus and method of incorporating an inside reclose strip into a pillow or a vertical stand-up, flat bottom pouch using the vertical form, fill, and seal machine technology. The apparatus and method should allow for ease in size change, and little capital outlay, all while maintaining bag forming speeds typical of vertical form, fill, and seal machine pillow pouch production. Such apparatus and method should ideally produce a pillow pouch or a vertical stand-up pouch having an inside reclose strip, and constructed of material commonly used to form standard vertical flex bags.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     The proposed invention involves producing a pillow pouch or a vertical stand-up pouch or package having an inside reclose strip, and constructed of a single sheet of packaging material using a slightly modified vertical form, fill, and seal machine.  
         [0019]     In a pillow pouch embodiment, the modified machine includes an apparatus for applying a reclose strip to the sheet of material and a recessed fill tube. The apparatus for applying a reclose strip is incorporated into the vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The reclose strip can be attached along the longitudinal axis of the sheet of packaging material prior to forming the sheet into a tube in the conventional manner. Alternatively, the reclose strip can be attached along the longitudinal axis of the sheet after formation into a tube in the conventional manner.  
         [0020]     In a vertical stand-up pouch embodiment, the modified machine includes a crease-forming mechanism, an apparatus for applying a reclose strip to the sheet of material, and a recessed fill tube. The crease-forming mechanism includes a tension bar and forming plates located below the forming tube and a stationary but adjustable tucker mechanism mounted to the frame of the machine which, when positioned between the two forming plates, creates a vertical tuck along the length of the package while it is being formed.  
         [0021]     Further, in the vertical stand-up pouch embodiment, graphics on the packages are oriented 90° from a standard presentation such that the tuck forms the bottom of the package. The reclose strip can be easily added to the manufacture of such a vertical stand-up package since the inside reclose strip, which is attached along the longitudinal axis of the sheet of packaging material, can accompany the single sheet of packaging film through a vertical form, fill, and seal machine in the conventional manner. The transverse seals on the formed package are therefore oriented vertically and the reclose strip is oriented horizontally when the package is placed on display. Thus, when opened, the top of the package can be removed above a scoreline, product can be retrieved, and the package can be reclosed by application of pressure and pressed against the exposed adhesive strip thereby providing a reclosable seal feature. After package formation, the reclosable package rests on a bottom gusset and the sides are bounded by end seals formed from the sealing jaws.  
         [0022]     In one embodiment, the reclosable package has a circumferential score line near the top of the package. Below the circumferential score line, a reclose strip is secured to one or both of the inside walls across the top of the package, from end seal to end seal. In one embodiment, a first side of the reclose strip is adhered on an inside package wall and a release liner is disposed on a second side of the reclose strip. The package is initially opened by tearing the top portion of the package above the circumferential score line off of the package to create two exposed film terminal ends that are joined together by the reclose strip. One exposed film terminal end is from the front of the package and the other exposed terminal end is from the back of the package. The reclose strip comprises a length of tacky two-sided adhesive tape. The reclose strip applied to the inside layer of packaging film is more strongly adhesive on one side and adhesively adheres the two terminal ends together. The reclosable package can then be opened on the consumer side, (above the reclose strip) or on the product side (below the reclose strip) by pinching the flexible film on the front of the package and the back of the package with thumb and index finger of each hand and pulling the two terminal ends apart. The package may then be reclosed by applying pressure to reclose strip across the top of the package. Pressure can be applied in this fashion by pulling each end seal in opposite directions. Alternatively, a pair of fingers can apply pressure across the top of the package between the end seals. The package can then be re-opened and re-closed as desired by the consumer.  
         [0023]     The method disclosed and the package formed as a consequence is a substantial improvement over prior art reclosable packages. The method works on existing vertical form, fill, and seal machines requiring very little modification. There are no substantial moving parts or jaw carriage modifications involved with the crease-forming mechanism. Moreover, the apparatus for applying the reclose strip may be easily incorporated into the supply mechanism that supplies the continuous sheet of packaging material to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine.  
         [0024]     The modified vertical form, fill, and seal machines can also be easily converted back to a conventional pillow pouch configuration by selectively disengaging the crease-forming mechanism and discontinuing the supply of reclose strip. The same metalized or clear laminations used as materials in pillow pouches can also be used with the invention therefore saving in per bag cost. The invention allows for the formation of bags that emulate a horizontal stand-up pouch using a completely different method that takes advantage of the economics of vertical form and fill machine technology.  
         [0025]     The above as well as additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following written detailed description.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-section views of prior art packaging films;  
         [0028]      FIG. 2   a  is a schematic cross-section view of a tube of packaging film illustrating the formation of a prior art lap seal;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2   b  is a schematic cross-section of a tube of packaging film illustrating the formation of a prior art fin seal;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a prior art vertical flex bag;  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a simplified perspective view of a vertical form, fill, and seal machine adapted to manufacture a stand-up package having an integrated reclose strip in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a reclose strip supply mechanism supplying the reclose strip to film the form, fill, and seal machine shown in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6   a  is a bottom perspective view of a vertical stand up pouch having an inside reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 6   b  is a top perspective view of an opened vertical stand up pouch having an inside reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a vertical flex bag having an inside reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0036]     Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.  
         [0037]     All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0038]      FIG. 4  is a simplified perspective view of a vertical form, fill, and seal machine adapted to manufacture a stand-up package having an integrated reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As used herein reclose strip is synonymous with tacky two-sided adhesive tape. The apparatus for supplying and applying the reclose strip  200  is incorporated into the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100  includes a recessed forming/fill tube  91  having a channel  90  and a former section  92  around which a sheet of packaging material  120  is directed and formed into a tubular shape in the conventional manner The recess in the forming tube is only required when the reseal tape liner  142  is removed. While the forming/fill tube  91  illustrated in  FIG. 4  is shown as having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, it is understood that the cross-sectional shape of the forming/fill tube  91  may be any of various other shapes, such as circular, oval, or square.  
         [0040]     As will be subsequently explained in greater detail, the supply mechanism  200  includes an apparatus incorporated therein, which attaches a length of reclose strip  140  to the forming/fill tube  91  side of the sheet of packaging material  120  such that when the sheet of packaging material  120  is supplied to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100  and formed into a tubular shape in the conventional manner, the reclose strip  140  is positioned along a longitudinal axis on the inner surface of the formed tube.  
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a reclose strip supply and application mechanism supplying the reclose strip to film on the form, fill, and seal machine shown in  FIG. 4 . Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an embodiment of the supply reclose strip mechanism  200  depicted in  FIG. 4  is shown that includes an apparatus for applying a length of reclose strip  140  to the sheet of packaging material or film  120  being supplied to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100 . The supply mechanism  200  also includes a mechanism for unrolling the reclose tape  140  and applying it to a sheet of packaging material  120  from a supply spool  220  so as to direct a continuous sheet towards the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100 . The vertical form, fill, and seal machine supply spool  220  unrolls a sheet of packaging material  120  which is fed through the series of rollers  212  in the direction of arrow c.  
         [0042]     Of particular note, the supply mechanism  200  of the present invention also includes an apparatus for applying a length of reclose strip  140  to the sheet of packaging material or film  120 . As shown in the Figures, the apparatus includes a spool unwind  204  onto which a spool  240  of reclose strip  140  is attached, a tensioning roller  210 , tape guide  216 , and a series of rollers  214   a, b.    
         [0043]     In accordance with the present invention, a length of reclose strip  140  is unwound from spool  240  and fed through a series of rollers  210   214  in the direction of the arrows a, b, and c, to the peripheral surface of the sheet of packaging material  120  being advanced from the vertical form, fill, and seal machine supply spool  220 . In one embodiment, the spool unwind  204  comprises a tensioning device to properly tension the tape spool  240 . In one embodiment, as best depicted by  FIG. 4 , the tape spool  240  is several times wider than the width of the reclose strip  140  and reclose strip  140  is dispensed back and forth across the width of the spool  240 . In one embodiment, the reclose strip  140  comprises a release liner  142  to facilitate removal of the reclose strip  140  from the spool  240 . As the reclose strip  140  is dispensed and moves back and forth across the width of the spool  240 , the reclose strip  140  moves about the width of the tension roller  210 . A guide  216  can be used to align the reclose strip with the rollers  214   a,b  for correct positioning as the tape crosses the wide tension roller  210 . In one embodiment, as the reclose strip  140  is dispensed from the wide tension roller  210 , the circle inside the square of the guide  216  uses tension pressure of the reclose strip  140  for alignment.  
         [0044]     Once attached to the sheet of packaging material  120 , the length of reclose strip  140  is, thereafter, continually and automatically unwound from spool  240  and applied to the sheet of packaging material  120  by the periodic advance of the sheet of packaging material  120  from the supply spool  220  of the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the release liner  142  is removed from the reclose strip  140  after the reclose strip  140  has been applied to the packaging material  120 . In an alternative embodiment, the release liner  142  remains on one side of the reclose strip  140  for later removal by the consumer after initially opening the package. To avoid contact with the fill tube  91 , the reclose strip  140  is placed onto the film  120  such that the two-sided adhesive is disposed along a channel  90  in the fill tube  91  when the film tube is created to prevent contact between the fill tube  91  and the reclose strip  140 . In an alternative embodiment, where the release liner  142  is not removed, the channel  90  is not required. The reclose strip  140  is applied to the sheet of packaging material such that when the sheet of packaging material is supplied to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100  and formed into a tubular shape in the conventional manner, the reclose strip  140  is positioned along a longitudinal axis on the inner surface of the formed tube. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the length of reclose strip  140  is attached to the inside tube of the sheet of packaging material  120  such that when the sheet of packaging material  120  is supplied by the vertical form, fill, and seal machine supply mechanism  220  of the present invention to the vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100  and formed into a tubular shape in the conventional manner, the reclose strip  140  is positioned along a longitudinal axis preferably in relatively close proximity to one of the score lines  150  on the inner surface of the formed tube. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the reclose strip is placed directly on the inner surface after the film tube is formed.  
         [0045]     With reference once again to  FIG. 4 , the tubular shaped packaging film  120  is driven downward by an advancing mechanism (e.g., friction against rotating belts  93 ,  94 ), whereupon a heat seal bar  95  contacts the tubular shaped packaging film imparting a vertical back seal  130  and forming a tube. As the formed tube is advanced down the forming/fill tube  91 , the length of reclose strip  140  attached to the interior of the formed tube is also advanced.  
         [0046]     Also shown in  FIG. 4  are a pair of prior art sealing jaws  108  illustrated in elevation. Not shown in  FIG. 4  is the sealing jaw carriage on which such sealing jaws  108  would be mounted below the forming/fill tube  91 .  
         [0047]     At the bottom of the forming/fill tube  91 , in a vertical stand-up pouch embodiment, a crease-forming mechanism comprised of two forming plates  104 , a fixed or stationary tucker mechanism  106 , and a tension bar  102 , is installed which modifies the standard vertical form, fill, and seal machine  100  so as to produce a stand-up packages. The forming plates  104  can swing towards each other by rotating about a hinge, a spring steel, counterweight, etc (not shown). This arrangement allows for the forming plates  104  to rotate towards one another and avoid ripping of the packaging film  120  when transverse seals are being formed below the forming plates  104  by the transverse seal jaws  108  as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0048]     Score lines can be placed on the packaging film  120  shortly after or during film formation before it is rolled into the supply spool. Score lines can be spaced apart on the flexible film such that a resultant circumferential score line  150  is formed when the film is formed into a tube. In a preferred embodiment, a slit score, such as disclosed in European Patent Application 0 596 747 A1, assigned to Curwood, Inc. of Oshkosh, Wis. can be used.  
         [0049]     In the vertical stand-up pouch embodiment, the two forming plates  104  and the tension bar  102  are used to hold the formed tube in tension from inside of the tube. Tension is applied on the exterior surface of the formed tube and in the opposite direction of the tension provided by the forming plates  104  by the tucker mechanism  106 , alternatively referred to herein as a tucker bar  106 , positioned between said forming plates  104 .  
         [0050]     When moved forward into position (i.e., toward the forming plates  104 ), the tucker bar  106  provides a crease or fold in the tube of the packaging film between the two forming plates  104 . This crease is formed prior to formation of the transverse seal by the seal jaws  108 . Consequently, once the transverse seal is formed, the crease becomes an integral feature of one side of the package.  
         [0051]     A pair of heat-sealing jaws  108  are applied against the film tube to form a transverse seal such that two score lines  150 , previously placed onto the package film, are aligned and form a circumferential score line  150 . In one embodiment, after the sealing jaws  108  form each transverse seal, the inner package walls below the circumferential score line  150  are adhered together by the reclose tape  140  and a pinching mechanism  160 . In one embodiment, the pinching mechanism  160  comprises two rollers. As the bag moves downward, the pinching mechanism  160  applies pressure to the reclose strip  140  and the inner film wall opposite the reclose strip  140  to adhere the inner package walls together prior to placement of product into the film tube. In one embodiment, the pinching mechanism  160  remains stationary as the bag is driven downwards between the rollers and then pinching mechanism  160  moves upward after the bag has finished its downward movement to ensure application of pressure has been applied from end seal to end seal. In an alternative embodiment, a release liner  142  remains on a first side of the reclose strip  140  and a pinching mechanism  160  may not be needed if the second side can be securely fastened to the inner package wall without such mechanism  160 . Although a specific pinching mechanism  160  has been described above, such description is provided for purposes of illustration and not limitation. Any pinching mechanism which applies pressure to the reclose strip and the inner film wall can be used.  
         [0052]     The product to be packaged is then dropped through the fill tube  91  and is held within the film tube above a transverse seal. This transverse seal acts as the right side seal (after package formation) on the bag below the sealing Jaws and the left side seal (after package formation) on the bag being filled and formed above the jaws  108 . After the transverse seal has been formed, a cut is made across the sealed area to separate the finished bag below the seal from the partially completed bag above the seal. The film tube is then pushed downward to draw out another package length.  
         [0053]      FIG. 6   a  is a bottom perspective view of a resultant vertical stand up pouch having an inside reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6   b  is a top perspective view of a resultant opened vertical stand up pouch having an inside reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 6   a - 6   b  the construction of the invention&#39;s vertical stand-up pouch shares characteristics with the prior art vertical flex bags shown in  FIG. 3 . However, the transverse seals  131 ,  133  of the vertical stand-up bag of the invention are oriented vertically and the vertical back seal  130  is oriented horizontally once the bag stands up on one end, as shown in  FIG. 6   b . It should be pointed out that although the back seal  130  is depicted as being on the front bottom portion of the package, the back seal  130  can be placed along any horizontal location including on the back, middle portion of the bag.  FIG. 6   a  shows the crease  176  that is formed by the tucker bar  106  and forming plates  104  and a segment length of reclose strip  140  in phantom positioned and applied on the package interior.  
         [0054]     The reclose strip  140  used in the present invention may be of any conventional construction. The reclose strip  140  is a length of two sided tape with a more aggressive adhesive on one side. The pull force to reclose the weaker side of reclose strip  140  is lower than the pull force that would separate any layers of film, or pull the tape from the opposite side wall. The reason for this is simple. It is desired that the reclose strip  140  remain bonded to the internal surface of the packaging material  120 . Therefore, the bonding strength of one side of the tape must be stronger than the release side. Otherwise, the reclose strip  140  would peel off of the package.  
         [0055]     After package formation, the reclosable package rests on a bottom gusset and the sides are bounded by end seals formed from the sealing jaws. The reclosable package has a circumferential score line  150  near the top of the package. Below the circumferential score line  150 , the reclose strip  140  is secured to both of the inside walls across the top of the package, from end seal to end seal. In an alternative embodiment where liner  142  is left on, the reclose strip  140  is secured to one inside wall and both end seal walls.  
         [0056]     In typical use, the resulting vertical stand-up pouch or package having an integrated reclose strip shown in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  is opened by cutting or tearing the top portion  118  of the package to provide two terminal ends  122  that form an opening allowing the user to retrieve the contents of the package or a part thereof. Oftentimes, not all the contents of a package are consumed at one time and thus the desire to close and reseal the package is achieved where the package is manufactured according to the above discussed procedure. The package may be opened to remove part of the contents and resealed to prevent moisture from causing premature deterioration of the contents. The package can then be re-opened and reclosed as desired by the consumer.  
         [0057]     While the reclose strip  140  is functional any place within the headspace of the package, it is desirable that the reclose strip  140  be applied on the upper half of the resulting package and preferably in a position just beneath the scoreline  150 .  
         [0058]     Although one embodiment of the invention is directed towards a vertical stand-up pouch embodiment, it should be noted that the instant invention can be directed towards a pillow pouch embodiment as well. For example, a pillow pouch having an inside reclose strip can be made from the machine depicted in  FIG. 4 , with the omission of the gusseting equipment including the tension bar  102 , forming plates  104  and tucker bar  106 .  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a vertical flex bag or pillow pouch having an inside reclose strip in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Graphics on the package are oriented in the standard presentation and the bag has no gusset. The reclose strip  140 , with or without a release liner, is secured to one or both of the inside walls across the side of the package, from end seal  231  to end seal  233 .  
         [0059]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 7