Abstract: A reclosable package comprising a hooded zipper with a pair of off-center lines of perforations that are hermetically sealed by a layer of material. The lines of perforations facilitate tearing off the hood to gain access to the zipper. One method of manufacture involves joining the hooded zipper to respective web portions formed by folding a web and then slitting the folded web in two. Another method of manufacture involves joining the hooded zipper to respective web portions formed by slitting a web in two and then orienting the two web portions into mutually confronting positions. The package may be constructed to have a wicket flap.

Abstract: The reclosable container or bag (100) includes a zipper tape (18) with interlocking profiles (14, 16) of a zipper (12). First and second lines of perforation (28, 30) are formed parallel to and between the interlocking profiles (14, 16). Furthermore, the zipper tape (18) is looped so as to align the first and second lines of perforation (28, 30) with each other thereby forming a perforated cap structure (10). An additional layer of material (24) is formed to cover the first and second lines of perforation (28, 30) to maintain a hermetic seal prior to tearing of the first and second lines of perforation (28, 30). Typically, a notch (120, 122) is formed in at least one of the crush areas (116, 118) on the end of the zipper tape (18) to direct the user's tearing force to the lines of perforation (28, 30) thereby providing access to the zipper (12) and providing subsequent evidence of prior opening of reclosable container or bag (100).