Abstract: A method of making a paper-based product includes substantially continuously treating a papermaking furnish including from greater than 0% to 100% recycled fibers with a biocide, and forming the furnish into the paper-based product. The furnish has a microorganism level of greater than 5,000 colony forming units per gram, and substantially continuously treating the furnish with the biocide reduces the microorganism level so that the paper-based product has a microorganism level of less than 5,000 colony forming units per gram.

Abstract: A package for retaining consumable products is formed by a planar sheet or web of a flexible material that is folded about a plurality of aligned products. The fold of the sheet defines one side edge of the package. The other three side edges of the package are formed by sealing the front and back panel portions of the sheet to one another. An opening mechanism is provided for exposing at least a portion of the products retained within the package. The opening mechanism may be provided along the folded side edge of the package, at a corner of the package, adjacent to one of the sealed side edges. Other forms of opening means may also be formed along one of the seal edges along with means for resealing the opened package.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate formed by an outer structure joined to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to form a flap that is lifted to open the package. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate. The outer score line includes at least one tab having one end integrally joined to an outer edge of the flap and an opposite end anchored to a portion of the outer structure spaced from the outer edge, the tab being torn through upon initial creation of the opening through the flexible packaging laminate.