POUCH OPENING FEATURE

Abstract

A pouch having a distal edge and a proximal edge. A tear notch is located adjacent to the proximal edge. A first pull ring is defined within an edge panel of the proximal end. The first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/825,303 filed Sep. 12, 2006, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to dispensing packages and, more particularly, to peripherally sealed dispensing packages that incorporate an aperture to facilitate the opening of such packages without the use of an additional tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When designing packaging for various consumer products, it is important to consider the manner in which the packaging may be opened by the end user of the product. For example, steel and aluminum cans have long been used to contain individual servings of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. Initially, such cans required the use of an additional tool, the can opener, to pierce an opening or openings in the lid portion of the can to remove the beverage. A significant disadvantage associated with this type of packaging was that can openers were not always readily available when a person wished to open the can.

Package designers recognized this disadvantage and subsequently developed the “flip-top” can, which now enjoys widespread use in individual serving sized cans, as well as some bulk containers. The flip-top employs the physical principles of leverage and isolation of stressed material to eliminate the need for an additional tool such as the can opener, because a leveraging means and a weakened region of the lid are provided on each can. Consumer reaction to this and other improvements, however slight, in package opening convenience has been so positive that it is presently difficult to find cans or boxes requiring additional tools to open them.

The use of flexible packaging for consumer products has become increasingly popular in recent years. For example, the use of moderately thick thermoplastic film as heat sealable packaging material and the use of materials such as polymeric bags or linear low density polyethylene, high-strength polyester and nylons in the preparation of heat sealable laminates has resulted in packages having improved sealing and barrier characteristics. However, these materials which often provide beneficial packaging characteristics also increase the manual tear-open resistance of such packages. This tear-open resistance is accentuated when the hands and particularly, the fingers, are wet or oily, or become weakened with advanced age. Accordingly, one often finds that opening the package requires a separate or additional tool such as a pair of scissors, a knife, or one of numerous tools sold for the express purpose of performing the package opening function. While most flexible packaging for consumer goods is ostensibly designed to be opened with normal manual effort, in reality many of these packages require considerable effort or motor control to open the package, and many consumers thus resort to the use of an opening tool.

Numerous approaches have been taken to alleviate the problem of opening bag-type flexible packaging without the need for an additional tool. Slits or v-notches have been provided on the edges of packages in order to provide a tear initiation site, which overcomes one problem associated with the opening of flexible packaging. Some packaging designs have employed a weakened line of material extending through the package through various laser or mechanical scoring and perferation techniques. This concept is somewhat similar to scoring the lid of a flip-top can because the weakened line provides a “path of least resistance” for tear propagation, and tends to concentrate tearing stresses in that region. It should be readily apparent that employing weakened lines in the packaging material has the disadvantage that the package might be inadvertently opened in the transportation or handling of the packages prior to reaching the end user.

Heretofore, tear resistant packaging was provided with a starter tear tab and tear propagation feature. The user is expected to start the tear at the tear notch and tear the pouch in a direction parallel to the edge of the container, removing only the top end of the pouch. Because the tear notch feature is often added to the pouch as part of the package filling operation, it is often poorly made, poorly registered to the seal geometrically and fabricated with inconsistent quality. Moreover, if starter tear tab is produced with a hot knife or blade, the resulting slot or notch has a tendency to re-seal itself. In addition, the utility of the starter cut as a tear-open mechanism is limited by the width of the peripheral seal which determines the depth of the cut. In any case, the starter tear cut often does not substantially improve the tear-open capability of such packages. Especially when the fingers are wet, oily, or when the user is older or has reduced motor control.

Tear strips or tear strings have also been employed in flexible packaging to avoid the necessity of an opening tool. The use of tear strips or tear strings often increases the quantity of waste material. It also complicates the packaging operation itself, thereby increasing the product manufacturing cost that is ultimately passed on to the consumer. Finger or hand grasping means have previously been employed in attempts to facilitate the opening of flexible packaging. The grasping means previously employed have generally been integral extensions of the packaging material itself, or exposed extensions of tear strips or tear strings. Such grasping means, while improving the ability to apply tearing forces to the package, have not provided any substantial force magnification or stress concentration which would ease the opening of the package. Success is often based on the force of grip strength between the index finger and thumb.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a low cost, low waste system and method of opening flexible packages that does not reduce the integrity of the package and is not adversely affected by wet or oily fingers, age, or motor strength and is less dependent on finger grip strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the shortcomings set forth above, it is an object of the invention to simplify the experience of opening a pouch, particularly for a person who may have reduced grip strength and pulling control. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a pouch that can be pre-made or fabricated in a package manufacturing facility. During the fabrication process, the packaging film is printed, sealed and die-cut into the preferred pouch sizes. The pouches are made with a pull-ring opening feature located in the top corner of the pouch, which incorporates a tear notch.

The invention also incorporates, but is not limited to the use of a highly oriented packaging film, of either a monolayer, laminated or co-extruded construction. The pull ring, tear notch and oriented film all contribute to an opening feature that is intuitive to use and requires less grip-strength for an individual with diminished motor control, such as senior citizens or young children. In an alternative embodiment, the tear notch may be in proximity to a tear line that is fabricated by various laser scoring techniques to create a predictable opening pattern.

In view of the foregoing, the invention includes a pouch having a distal edge and a proximal edge. A tear notch is located adjacent to the proximal edge. A first pull ring is defined within an edge panel of the proximal end. The first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

In an alternative embodiment, the invention includes a method of preparing a food product for subsequent sale. The method includes the steps of providing a pouch defining an interior and an exterior. The pouch includes a distal edge and a proximal edge, a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge and, a first pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end. The first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge. The method also includes the steps of dispensing the food product in the interior of the pouch and sealing the food product in the interior of the pouch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the film pouch in a partially opened position.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of a film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of another alternative embodiment of a film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention,

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a narrow spout film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a front view of a narrow spout film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of a wide spout film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of a film pouch incorporating a dual pull ring opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of a film pouch incorporating a dual pull ring opening feature of the present invention with a narrow neck spout.

FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a carton or square bottom pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a carton incorporating the opening feature of the present invention in an opened position.

FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a tray incorporating the dual pull ring opening feature of the present invention.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A pouch 10 in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Pouch 10 relatively flat in profile, and is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14, a proximal edge 18, and a distal edge 20. A seal line 28 separates the interior of pouch 10 from the exterior of pouch 10 to form edge panel 30 and edge panel 32, and top edge panel 34, respectively.

In one embodiment, pouch 10 is fabricated from an integrally thermoformed plastic material, such as polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene), blends of polyolefins, polystyrene—HIPS, or polyester resin-based materials—CPET, foamed polypropylene, polyethylene), blends of polyolefin's polystyrene—HIPS, or polyester resin-based materials—CPET, paper and paper laminations with polypropylene, polyester, etc. In an alternative embodiment, pouch 10 may be fabricated using known injection molding, compression molding, and/or thermoforming techniques.

Tear notch 16 is disposed on pouch 10, between top end 12 and bottom end 14 along proximal edge 18. To facilitate the opening of the pouch 10, tear propagation line 22 extends from tear notch 16 near proximal edge 18 to distal edge 20. Tear propagation line 22 can be formed by a mechanical score, thermal score, or laser score, although a wide variety of scoring techniques can be used while remaining within the scope of the invention. Starter tab 24 is located between top end 12 and tear notch 16. Starter tab 24 provides a natural break in proximal edge 18, and enables a user to open pouch 10 by pulling starter tab 24 in a opposite direction from proximal edge 18 at tear notch 16.

Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12. Pull ring 26 allows a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a finger through pull ring 26 and pulls the pull ring away from the origin of tear notch, or toward distal edge 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, top end 12 separates from bottom end 14 at tear notch 16. Pouch 10 is tom along tear propagation line 22 as the user continues to separate top end 12 from bottom end 14. Once the tear passes seal line 40, the contents can be removed from pouch 10 through opening 42.

An alternative embodiment of pouch 10 is shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, pull ring 26 is formed when the user displaces flap 27 by putting a finger through pull ring 26. In this embodiment, less scrap is created during the manufacturing process because flap 27 remains with the package throughout its life cycle. As shown in FIG. 3, pouch 10 is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14, a proximal edge 18, and a distal edge 20. A seal line 28 separates the interior of pouch 10 from the exterior of pouch 10 to form edge panel 30 and edge panel 32, and top edge panel 34, respectively.

Tear notch 16 is disposed on pouch 10, between top end 12 and bottom end 14 along proximal edge 18. To facilitate the opening of the pouch 10, tear propagation line 22 extends from tear notch 16 near proximal edge 18 to distal edge 20. Tear propagation line 22 can be formed by a mechanical score, or thermal score, or laser score, although a wide variety of scoring techniques can be used while remaining within the scope of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, pouch 10 may be fabricated from highly oriented packaging film, of either a monolayer, laminated or co-extruded construction. Accordingly, when a user pulls on starter tab 24 or pull ring 26, the package will tear in a controlled manner from tear notch 16. If the film is oriented in a manner that is parallel to top end 12, the tear will form along a tear propagation line that originates at tear notch 16 and is parallel to top end 12. It is important to recognize that when oriented film is used, the pouch 10 can be opened in a controlled manner with or without the use of scoring techniques.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, starter tab 24 is located between top end 12 and tear notch 16. Starter tab 24 provides a natural break in proximal edge 18, and enables a user to open pouch 10 by pulling starter tab 24 in a opposite direction from proximal edge 18 at tear notch 16 as discussed above. Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12. Pull ring 26 is formed when the user displaces flap 27 with a finger and allows a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a finger through pull ring 26 and pulls the pull ling away from the origin of tear notch, or toward distal edge 20.

With reference to FIG. 4, another alternative embodiment of pouch 10 is shown. In this embodiment, pull ring is formed of a generally “C” shaped cut in top edge panel 34. Pull ring 26 is formed when the user displaces flap 27 by putting a finger through pull ring 26. Again, less waste and no scrap is created during the manufacturing process because flap 27 remains with the package throughout its life cycle.

As shown in FIG. 4, pouch 10 is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14, a proximal edge 18, and a distal edge 20. A seal line 28 separates the interior of pouch 10 from the exterior of pouch 10 to form edge panel 30 and edge panel 32, and top edge panel 34, respectively.

Tear notch 16 is disposed on pouch 10, at the termination of side cut 46 between top end 12 and bottom end 14 along proximal edge 18. To facilitate the opening of the pouch 10, tear propagation line 22 extends from tear notch 16 near proximal edge 18 to distal edge 20. Tear propagation line 22 can be formed by a mechanical score, or thermal score, or laser score. although a wide variety of scoring techniques can be used while remaining within the scope of the invention.

In an alternative embodiment, pouch 10 may be fabricated from highly oriented packaging film, of either a monolayer, laminated or co-extruded construction as discussed above. Accordingly, when a user pulls on starter tab 24 or pull ring 26, the package will tear in a controlled manner from tear notch 16. If the film is oriented in a manner that is parallel to top end 12, the tear will form along a tear propagation line that originates at tear notch 16 and is parallel to top end 12. It is important to recognize that when oriented film is used, the pouch 10 can be opened in a controlled manner with or without the use of scoring techniques.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, starter tab 24 is located between top end 12 and tear notch 16. Starter tab 24 provides a natural break in proximal edge 18, and enables a user to open pouch 10 by pulling starter tab 24 in a opposite direction from proximal edge 18 at tear notch 16 as discussed above. Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12.

With reference to FIG. 5, yet another alternative embodiment of pouch 10 will be discussed. In this embodiment, the combination of edge panels 30, 32, and 34 combine to create spout 36. Spout 36 is a somewhat narrow opening in which a food product can be removed from pouch 10. Narrow openings are desirable for a variety of food products including viscous, semi viscous, and thixotrophic products, i.e. frosting and various condiments like ketchup and mustard.

To facilitate the opening of the pouch 10, tear propagation line 22 extends from tear notch 16 near proximal edge 18 to distal edge 20. Starter tab 24 is located between top end 12 and tear notch 16. Starter tab 24 provides a natural break in proximal edge 18, and enables a user to open pouch 10 by pulling starter tab 24 in a opposite direction from proximal edge 18 at tear notch 16 as discussed above. Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12. Pull ring 26 is formed when the user displaces flap 27 with a finger and allows a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a finger through pull ring 26 and pulls the pull ring away from the origin of tear notch, or toward distal edge 20.

FIG. 6 shows yet another alternative embodiment of pouch 10 with a narrow spout 36. In this embodiment, the combination of edge panels 30, 32, and 34 combine to create spout 36. This configuration can be used to form a narrow opening on the distal edge of pouch 10. In some applications, the pouch embodiment shown in FIG. 6 may be more desirable than the pouch embodiment shown in FIG. 5 because the embodiment of FIG. 6 generates less waste and scrap during the manufacturing process.

With reference to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of pouch 10 with a wide spout 36 will now be discussed. In this embodiment, the combination of edge panels 30, 32, and 34 combine to create spout 36 that can be used to form a wide opening on the distal edge of pouch 10. In some applications, the pouch 10 with wide spout 36 of FIG. 7 may be desirable for some food products like vegetable soups.

An alternative embodiment of pouch 10 that incorporates a upper pull ring 26 and a lower pull ring 25 is shown in FIG. 8. Pouch 10 is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14, a proximal edge 18, and a distal edge 20. A seal line 28 separates the interior of pouch 10 from the exterior of pouch 10 to form edge panel 30 and edge panel 32, and top edge panel 34, respectively.

Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12. Similarly, pull ring 25 is disposed in pouch 10 on the opposite side of tear notch 16 from pull ring 26. Pull rings 25 and 26 allow a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a first finger through pull ring 25 and a second finger through pull ring 26. Next, the user pulls ring 25 away from ring 26. This process opens pouch 10 by tearing it at tear propagation line 22 in a direction from tear notch 16 to distal edge 20.

FIG. 9 shows an alternative embodiment of pouch 10. This embodiment incorporates a upper pull ring 26 and a lower pull ring 25. Pouch 10 is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14, a proximal edge 18, and a distal edge 20. A seal line 28 separates the interior of pouch 10 from the exterior of pouch 10 to form edge panel 30 and edge panel 32, and top edge panel 34, respectively. However, a narrow spout 36 is formed by the configuration of edge panels 30, 32, and 34.

Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12. Similarly, pull ring 25 is disposed in pouch 10 on the opposite side of tear notch 16 from pull ring 26. Pull rings 25 and 26 allow a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a first finger through pull ring 25 and a second finger- through pull ring 26. Next, the user pulls ring 25 away from ring 26. This process opens pouch 10 by tearing it in a direction from tear notch 16 to distal edge 20.

The present invention can be used with a variety of packaging materials, in addition to the pouches shown in FIG's 1-9. For example, FIG. 10 shows pouch 10 in a general carton configuration. In this embodiment, pouch 10 is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14. A seal line 28 separates the interior of pouch 10 from the exterior of pouch 10 to form edge panel 30 and edge panel 32, and top edge panel 34, respectively.

In this embodiment, it is especially important to recognize that pouch 10 can be fabricated from an integrally thermoformed plastic material, such as polyolefins (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene), blends of polyolefins, polystyrene—HIPS, or polyester resin-based materials—CPET, foamed polypropylene, polyethylene), blends of polyolefin's polystyrene—HIPS, or polyester resin-based materials—CPET, paper and paper laminations with polypropylene, polyester, and nylon etc.

Tear notch 16 is disposed on pouch 10, between top end 12 and bottom end 14. To facilitate the opening of the pouch 10, tear propagation line 22 extends from tear notch 16 to distal edge 20. Tear propagation line 22 can be formed by a mechanical score, or thermal score, or laser score, although a wide variety of scoring techniques can be used while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Starter tab 24 is located between top end 12 and tear notch 16. Starter tab 24 enables a user to open pouch 10 by pulling starter tab 24 from tear notch 16 in a direction toward distal edge 20.

Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 between tear propagation line 22 and top end 12. Pull ring 26 allows a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a finger through pull ring 26 and pulls the pull ring away from the origin of tear notch, or toward distal edge 20.

FIG. 11 shows the pouch of FIG. 10 in an opened position. In this embodiment, top end 12 completely separates from bottom end 14 at tear notch 16. Pouch 10 is torn along tear propagation line 22 as the user continues to separate top end 12 from bottom end 14. Once the tear passes edge panel 32, the contents can be removed from pouch 10 through opening 42. FIG. 12 shows pouch 10 in a general tray configuration. In this embodiment, pouch 10 is generally defined by a top end 12, a bottom end 14. Pull ring 26 is disposed in pouch 10 adjacent and allows a user to obtain additional leverage to open pouch 10 when it is wet, or otherwise difficult to grasp. To open pouch 10, the user puts a finger through pull ring 26 and pulls the pull ring away from the origin of tear notch, or toward distal edge 20.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers of ordinary skill will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A pouch comprising:

a distal edge and a proximal edge;

an inner pouch defined by an edge panel;

a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge; and

a first pull ring defined within the edge panel;

wherein the first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

2. The pouch of claim l, further comprising a tear propagation line extending from the tear notch to the distal edge.

3. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the tear propagation line is formed by mechanical scoring techniques.

4. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the tear propagation line is formed by thermal scoring techniques.

5. The pouch of claim 2, wherein the tear propagation line includes perforations.

6. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the edge panel comprises a weld.

7. The pouch of claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises a flexible material.

8. The pouch of claim 7, wherein the flexible material comprises highly oriented packaging film.

9. The pouch of claim 8, wherein the highly oriented packaging film comprises a monolayer construction.

10. The pouch of claim 9, wherein the highly oriented packaging film comprises a laminated construction.

11. The pouch of claim 10, wherein the highly oriented packaging film comprises a co-extruded construction.

12. The pouch of claim 1, further comprising a second pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end, wherein the second pull ring is disposed on an opposite side of the tear notch from the first pull ring.

13. The pouch of claim 12, wherein the pouch is opened by pulling the first pull ring away from the second pull ring to propagate a tear from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

14. A food package kit comprising:

a pouch containing a food product, the pouch including:

a distal edge and a proximal edge;

a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge; and

a first pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end;

wherein the first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the food product comprises soup.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein the pouch further comprises a second pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end, wherein the second pull ring is disposed on an opposite side of the tear notch from the first pull ring.

17. The pouch of claim 16, wherein the pouch is opened by pulling the first pull ring away from the second pull ring to propagate a tear from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

18. A method of preparing a food product for subsequent sale, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pouch defining an interior and an exterior, the pouch including; a distal edge and a proximal edge; a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge; and a first pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end; wherein the first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

dispensing the food product in the interior of the pouch;

sealing the food product in the interior of the pouch.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of printing marketing indicia on the pouch.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of packing a plurality of sealed pouches in a case box for distribution and sale.