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  Resealable package with tamper-evident structure and method for making sameUSPTO Application #: 20080050055Title: Resealable package with tamper-evident structure and method for making same Abstract: A resealable package with a tamper-evident structure and methods for making the same are disclosed. The resealable package includes a front panel joined at respective opposite side edges to a rear panel to form a package having an exterior; a reclosable fastener assembly joined to the exterior of the package and including a first fastening member and a second fastening member respectively joined to the rear panel and the front panel, so that at least one marginal portion of the rear panel can be folded over in the direction of said front panel and the first fastening member can be releasably connected to the second fastening member; and a tamper-evident structure joined to the front panel and a folded over marginal portion of the rear panel. (end of abstract) Agent: Duane Morris, LLPIPDepartment - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventors: Andrew Austreng, Cori K. Kohl, Michael R. Nowak USPTO Applicaton #: 20080050055 - Class: 383210000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Flexible Bags, Bag Closure Secured By A Releasable Or Frangible Bond (e.g., Peel Seal) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080050055. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/467,705, filed Aug. 18, 2006. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to reclosable packages. More specifically, the present invention relates to a resealable package with a tamper-evident structure and methods of making the same. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Conventional packaging traditionally did not allow for repeated openings and closings. Where packaging is not provided with a reclosable fastener assembly or other resealing means, once the packaging is opened from its manufactured state, the seal is broken and the package cannot be resealed in a fashion equivalent to its original seal. In view of this problem with conventional packaging, reclosable bags and other resealable packages have become increasingly popular for the convenience such packaging offers consumers. Being able to reseal packaging once the original seal is broken is desired for a number of reasons, including to maintain freshness of the product contents, to prevent the contents from spilling out of the packaging, to keep environmental hazards such as, e.g., insects and moisture, from penetrating the packaging and spoiling the contents, and to provide easy access to the contents. [0004] Packages of this nature typically include a reclosable fastener assembly, which may comprise suitable interlocking profile strips, cooperating adhesive strips, cooperating hook-and-loop fasteners, or like mateable or cooperating elements. After initial opening of the package, and partial removal of its contents, the reclosable fastener assembly permits the package to be suitably manipulated and maintained in a closed state until access to the package's contents is again desired. [0005] To be acceptable as primary packaging for many products, especially foodstuffs, it is also necessary that the packaging include a tamper-evident structure associated with the original seal to ensure the quality of the product and safeguard the consumer's expectations. From the consumer's perspective, it is desirable to incorporate a tamper-evident structure that is commercially attractive, intuitive and easy to use, and that clearly indicates, without close inspection, that the original seal is either intact or has been broken. From a manufacturer's perspective, it is desirable to incorporate a tamper-evident structure that minimizes any extra production costs and that requires little or no modification of manufacturing and packaging equipment. [0006] Many types of reclosable packaging materials are provided in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,196 provides a bag having a first portion of a reclosable sealer extending from a first wall of a tube body of a bag and capable of sealing the bag via adhesive layers upon contact with a second portion of the reclosable sealer. Also provided is a tamper indicator wherein a bonding material extends to peripheral portions of the first wall and the reclosable sealer does not extend the entire width of the bag, such that peripheral portions of the reclosable sealer remain unsealed after initial opening of the bag when the reclosable sealer is in a close seal position. The unsealed portion on the edges of the reclosable sealer thus indicates that initial opening has occurred. [0007] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0223665 discloses a reclosable bag with a reclosable fastener assembly joined to the exterior of the bag, and no tamper-evident structure is provided. [0008] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0008908 provides a gusseted bag of disposable packaging material that has a roll-top closure comprising two releasably engageable fastener components. Also disclosed as a tamper evidence feature is a closure strip with a tear rib situated between two mateable fasteners such that when the tear rib is grasped and pulled across the face of the bag, the substrate of the closure is severed into two parallel portions, each carrying an associated one of the mateable fasteners. [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,372 provides a resealable package having a slider-operated zipper wherein the contents of the package are accessed through the front wall of the package. A tearable header enclosing the zipper is also provided to indicate previous tampering with the contents of the package. [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,442 provides a reclosable package with a closed plastic zipper installed in a gusset, the gusset comprising first and second panels connected at a fold line and the package being reclosable when opposing sides of the mouth of the bag are pressed together. A tamper-evident peel seal is placed between the zipper portions and above interlocked profiled closure elements of the zipper, giving a positive indication of having been broken when the package is first opened. [0011] In many prior art constructions, the reclosable fastener assembly or resealing means has been positioned on inside surfaces of the package, so as to permit an opening in a front wall of the package to be reclosed, or for permitting a top opening of a package to be reclosed by joining front and rear walls of the package. In other prior art constructions, a reclosable fastener assembly or resealing means is provided on the exterior of the package. This exterior configuration has been recognized as promoting versatile positioning on the package, allowing convenient use by consumers, and affording the opportunity to provide printing indicia or the like on the reclosable fastener assembly (e.g., instructions for use of the assembly, information about the contents of the package, etc.). Positioning of the reclosable fastener assembly on the exterior of the package also largely avoids package contents (e.g., powdered or granulated contents) from interfering with the functioning of the reclosable fastener assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The present invention is directed to a resealable package with a tamper-evident structure and methods for making the same. One aspect of the invention includes a resealable package including a front panel joined at respective opposite side edges to a rear panel to form a package having an exterior. The package includes a reclosable fastener assembly joined to the exterior of the package. The fastener assembly includes a first fastening member and a second fastening member respectively joined to the rear panel and the front panel so that at least one marginal portion of the rear panel can be folded over in the direction of said front panel and the first fastening member can be releasably connected or connectable to the second fastening member, i.e., the fastening members may be either in a connected state or a "pre-connected" state. The package also includes a tamper-evident structure joined to the front panel and a folded over marginal portion of the rear panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein: [0014] FIG. 1 is a side isometric view of a resealable package with tamper-evident structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is a side isometric view of the package of FIG. 1 with an unfolded top portion and without a tamper-evident structure; [0016] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 2 with a portion of the package in an unfolded, open position; [0017] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 3 after a first fold has been made; [0018] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 4 after a second fold has been made with first and second fastening members engaged and a tamper-evident structure applied transversely across a top portion of the package; [0019] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the package of FIG. 5 after a tear strip of a tamper-evident structure has been pulled transversely across part of the package. 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