Apparatus and method of producing flexible packages having an automatic closure feature

(19)

(11)

EP 2 243 707 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	19.09.2012 Bulletin 2012/38

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	27.10.2010 Bulletin 2010/43

(21)	Application number: 10250813.2

(22)	Date of filing: 22.04.2010

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

B65B 9/04^(2006.01)
B65B 61/18^(2006.01)
B65D 33/25^(2006.01)
B65B 7/16^(2006.01)

B65B 9/08^(2012.01)
B65B 9/20^(2012.01)
B65B 47/04^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA ME RS

(30)

Priority:

24.04.2009 US 429855

(71)	Applicant: Kraft Foods Global Brands LLC
	Northfield, IL 60093 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Zerfas, Paul Anthony Verona, Wisconsin 53593 (US) Jones, Robert C Aurora, Illinois 60504 (US)

(74)	Representative: Bucks, Teresa Anne
	Boult Wade Tennant Verulam Gardens 70 Gray's Inn Road London WC1X 8BT London WC1X 8BT (GB)

(54)	Apparatus and method of producing flexible packages having an automatic closure feature

(57) A reclosable flexible package (10) is suitable for retail sale of food products and is comprised of a film material. The reclosable flexible packages (10) are suitable for mass production on high-speed form-fill-seal equipment. The flexible package includes a pair of semi-rigid strips (14,16) attached to the walls of the flexible pouch and positioned parallel to the package opening. The semi-rigid strips (14,16) are configured and arranged to nest together and bias toward one another. Upon opening of the package, the semi-rigid strips (14,16) are moveable between a closed position and an open position. Further, the semi-rigid strips (14,16) are configured such that they automatically reclose the package when the strips are released from the open position.

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