Reclosable flexible packaging and methods for manufacturing same

A flexible film package comprising:

• a flexible film having two opposing edge portions forming a longitudinal seal extending from a first end seal to a second end seal;
• an opening score in the flexible film that defines a package opening upon initial opening;
• an elongated closure layer extending within the edge portions from the first end seal to the second end seal and over the opening score;
• a pressure sensitive adhesive being between the flexible film and the elongated closure layer;
• the elongated closure layer having a tack free gripping portion to remove at least a portion of the elongated closure layer from the flexible film to form the package opening;
• and
• a plurality of tab scores formed into the flexible film including a tab perimeter score having a first portion disposed within the first end seal and second portions extending outwardly of the first end seal into free ends of the package and an at least one tab line of weakness having a pair of tab line ends disposed in an area defined by the tab perimeter score and a package leading edge.

A package comprising:

• a flexible film defining an interior contents cavity and having a first pair of opposing portions forming a first end seal, a second pair of opposing portions forming a second end seal, and a third pair of opposing portions forming a longitudinal seal extending from the first end seal to the second end seal;
• a first score in the flexible film defining an opening to the contents cavity upon initial opening;
• an elongated closure layer extending within the third pair of opposing portions from the first end seal to the second end seal and over the first score;
• a pressure sensitive adhesive being between the flexible film and the elongated closure layer, the pressure sensitive adhesive having a peel force less than an end seal peel force;
• a portion of the first pair of opposing portions extending beyond the first end seal to form a laminate pull tab of the elongated closure layer and the flexible film;
• a second score in the flexible film at least partially within the first end seal to define at least a portion of a the perimeter of the laminate pull tab.

A package comprising:

• a flexible film defining an interior contents cavity and having a first pair of opposing edge portions forming a first end seal, a second pair of opposing edge portions forming a second end seal, and a third pair of opposing edge portions forming a longitudinal seal extending from the first end seal to the second end seal;
• a tab perimeter score in the flexible film, a first portion of the tab perimeter score disposed within a portion of the first end seal and a second portion of the tab perimeter score disposed outside of the end seal and extending toward the first edge portions;
• a closure layer extending over the tab perimeter score;
• and
• a pressure sensitive adhesive being between the flexible film and the closure layer, the pressure sensitive adhesive having a peel force less than the end seals.