Vertical stand-up pouch with integrated reclose strip

A vertical flexible reclosable stand-up package formed by a method comprising the steps of:

• a) advancing a continuous sheet of packaging film towards said vertical form, fill, and seal machine, wherein said packaging film has lettering oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of said film;
• b) attaching a length of reclose strip to a surface of said advancing sheet of packaging film along the longitudinal axis of said sheet of packaging film, said reclose strip having an adhesive layer facing away from said surface;
• c) feeding said packaging film into said vertical form, fill, and seal machine;
• d) forming said packaging film into a tube on said vertical form, fill, and seal machine and forming a longitudinal seal, wherein said surface of packaging film having said reclose strip attached thereto is situated on the exterior of said tube;
• e) forming a vertical crease in said tube of packaging film prior to sealing said tube traversely;
• f) forming a first traverse seal on said tube, said first traverse seal sealing all layers of said tube together, wherein said first traverse seal includes a portion of said vertical crease;
• g) dropping a product into the partially formed package created by steps a) through f);
• h) forming a second traverse seal on said tube, said second traverse seal sealing all layers of said tube together, wherein said second traverse seal includes a portion of said vertical crease;
• and
• i) severing said package from said tube at said second traverse seal;
• wherein said vertical crease is heat-sealed only at said first and second traverse seals.

A vertical form, fill, and seal machine for making a flexible stand-up package having a reclose strip incorporated therein, comprising:

• a) a mechanism for supplying and advancing a continuous sheet of packaging film towards said vertical form, fill, and seal machine, wherein said packaging film has graphics oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of said film;
• b) an apparatus for attaching a length of reclose strip to a surface of said advancing sheet of packaging film along a longitudinal axis of said sheet of packaging film;
• c) a former section for receiving and forming said sheet of packaging film into a tubular shape about a forming/fill tube such that said surface to which the reclose strip is attached is on the exterior of said tubular shape, said forming/fill tube having an entrance portion above said former section and an exit portion below said former section;
• d) a heat seal mechanism for forming a back seal on said tubular shape thereby creating a film tube;
• e) an apparatus for imparting a crease in said film tube;
• and
• f) a pair of heat sealing jaws for imparting a traverse seal on said film tube, wherein said sealing jaws include a cutting mechanism for severing said package from said tube.