U.S. patent application number 11/853970 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for pouch opening feature.
Invention is credited to Stuart N. Bernard, Arne H. Brauner, George A. Tuszkiewicz.
Application Number | 20080063324 11/853970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39184546 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080063324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bernard; Stuart N. ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
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.
Inventors: |
Bernard; Stuart N.; (Cedar,
MN) ; Brauner; Arne H.; (Hopkins, MN) ;
Tuszkiewicz; George A.; (Plymouth, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GENERAL MILLS, INC.
P.O. BOX 1113
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440
US
|
Family ID: |
39184546 |
Appl. No.: |
11/853970 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60825303 |
Sep 12, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/200 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5811
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/200 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/00 20060101
B65D033/00 |
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.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] 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
[0002] 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
[0003] 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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
[0013] 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
[0014] 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:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a film pouch incorporating the
opening feature of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the film pouch in a partially
opened position.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of a
film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a front view of another alternative embodiment
of a film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present
invention,
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a narrow spout film pouch
incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of a front view of a
narrow spout film pouch incorporating the opening feature of the
present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a wide spout film pouch
incorporating the opening feature of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 shows a front view of a film pouch incorporating a
dual pull ring opening feature of the present invention.
[0023] 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.
[0024] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of a carton or square bottom
pouch incorporating the opening feature of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 11 shows an isometric view of a carton incorporating
the opening feature of the present invention in an opened
position.
[0026] FIG. 12 shows an isometric view of a tray incorporating the
dual pull ring opening feature of the present invention.
[0027] 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
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] 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.
[0033] 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.
[0034] 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.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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.
[0052] 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.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
* * * * *