GB2506200A

GB2506200A - Sealed package with multiple lines of weakness

Info

Publication number: GB2506200A
Application number: GB1217102.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Andrews
Original assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc USA
Current assignee: Kraft Foods R&D Inc USA
Priority date: 2012-09-25
Filing date: 2012-09-25
Publication date: 2014-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-25
Also published as: EP2900566A1; EP2900566B1; PL2900566T3; GB201217102D0; AU2013322404A1; BR112015006585A2; CA2879009A1; CN104684818A; RU2594864C1; AR092650A1; GB2506200B; WO2014049336A1; NZ704046A; AU2013322404B2; US20150225160A1

Abstract

A sealed package 100 comprises a storage volume 110 for contents and at least one sealed region to be opened 120, the sealed region being bordered on at least one side by an outer edge 121 of the package and having first and second ends; wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a first line of weakness 123 which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward from the second end; and wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness 125, 126. The sealed region to be opened may optionally include a through hole 124 for hanging the package. Also claimed is a method of packaging an article and a method of opening said sealed package.

Description

Sealed Package The present invention relates to a sealed package and a method of packaging an article.

Packages designed to contain crisps or nuts or confectionery products are commonly constructed from film, of thin, flexible, suitably impermeable wrapping materials. The film may be provided by a single sheet of wrapping material, for example by providing the film as a tube, or by folding or shaping a single sheet of wrapping material to form a package. Alternatively, the film may be provided by two separate sheets of wrapping material. The film is arranged to define a storage volume for storing the contents of the package and to have at least one sealed region at an edge of the package. The film provides the walls of the storage volume, and the sealed region is a laminate of two edge portions of the film. Once the sealed region is delaminated, it provides an opening into the storage volume of the package. The sealed region may be delaminated by pulling the walls of the package apart. Generally such a package has more than one sealed region, but a single sealed region is presented by way of visual cues as the sealed region to be opened. Such a sealed region is called herein a sealed region to be opened'. In some embodiments the package may be formed from a single sheet of substantially rectangular wrapping material by folding and then forming three sealed regions. In some embodiments the package may be formed from two sheets of substantially rectangular wrapping material by forming four sealed regions.

Packaging for confectionery commonly comprises a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened which allows the package to be hung on a rail and displayed for sale. Because the through-hole is in the sealed region to be opened the sealed package is not breached by the through-hole, and the contents of the package in the main body of the package inward from the sealed region to be opened are not exposed to the external environment. An example of such a through-hole is a Euroslot'. The presence of a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened can cause a problem when the package is opened in the manner described above.

During opening, the through-hole interrupts the delamination process and can lead to an incomplete opening of the package or the formation of an irregular opening. Also, the interruption of the delamination process may cause the consumer to apply more force to the package which may lead to tearing of the package and spillage of the contents.

EP 2360104 A2 describes a sealed package comprising a Euroslot' hanging slot and a single line of weakness positioned between the inside edge of the sealed region and the Euroslot.

This is a good arrangement providing benefit described in EP 2360104A2 but we have now devised valuable improvements.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a sealed package which comprises a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened and which may be opened efficiently despite the presence of the through-hole in the sealed region to be opened.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealed package comprising a storage volume for contents and at least one sealed region to be opened, the sealed region being bordered on at least one side by an edge of the package and having first and second ends; wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward from the second end; and wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness.

In embodiments of the present invention the first line of weakness is located centrally within the sealed region to be opened.

The package of the first aspect of the present invention may be formed from film of wrapping material known in the art. In some embodiments the film may be provided by one sheet of wrapping material. In alternative embodiments the film may be provided by more than one sheet of wrapping material. The film of wrapping material may be a laminate of more than one layer of wrapping material, for example a laminate of two layers of wrapping material or a laminate of three layers of wrapping material. Suitable wrapping materials include paper, foil, polymer-based wrappers, or a mixture thereof. Suitable polymer-based wrappers may comprise polymers derived from natural sources and may comprise polymers derived from petroleum. Suitable polymer-based wrappers comprising polymers derived from natural sources include cellophane. Film of wrapping material can be said to comprise two faces and a thickness. In some embodiments the wrapping material is a single substantially rectangular sheet.

The package may be formed by any suitable wrapping technique known in the art. Suitable wrapping techniques include form, fill and seal techniques. Suitably the package is formed by a vertical form, fill and seal technique. In alternative embodiments the package may be formed by a horizontal form, fill and seal technique. The package may be one of a plurality of packages progressively formed from a continuous sheet of wrapping material, for example in the form of a tube. In an alternative embodiment the package may be formed from a continuous sheet of wrapping material which is brought together edge-to-edge and sealed, to form a tube.

The package of the first aspect comprises a storage volume. The storage volume is a space within the package which can accommodate contents. Suitable contents are food products.

The storage volume is enclosed by the film of wrapping material and the at least one sealed region to be opened. Suitably the storage volume is substantially sealed from ambient conditions so that moisture or air, for example, cannot enter the storage volume.

The package of the first aspect comprises at least one sealed region to be opened. By sealed region to be opened we mean a portion of the package where two films of wrapping material are bound together in a face-to-face seal to provide a laminate of the two films of wrapping material. The two films of wrapping material that form the sealed region to be opened are suitably part of a single sheet of wrapping material. Such a face-to-face seal may be achieved by crimping or pressing together the two films of wrapping material. An adhesive and I or heat may be used to assist with the process. The sealed region to be opened is substantially flat and can be said to comprise two faces and a thickness, made up of two film thicknesses. The sealed region to be opened has an outside edge and an inside edge. By outside edge we mean to refer to an edge that is the edge of the package. By inside edge we mean to refer to an edge that forms the boundary between the storage volume and the sealed region to be opened.

In some embodiments in which the package is substantially cuboid, the sealed region to be opened is suitably rectangular and extends substantially across one edge of the package and partially along two edges of the package perpendicular to the one edge of the package. In some embodiments in which the package is not substantially rectangular, the sealed region to be opened is suitably a complimentary shape to an edge of the package and extends at least partially across an edge of the package.

The package may comprise other sealed regions in addition to the at least one sealed region to be opened. The package may comprise one or more sealed region which is not intended to be opened. The package may comprise more than one sealed region to be opened.

The sealed region to be opened generally has a centre-point. By centre-point we mean to refer to a point on the surface of the sealed region to be opened that is approximately at the centre of the sealed region to be opened. The centre-point is approximately equidistant from the inside and outside edges of the sealed region to be opened and approximately equidistant from the first and second ends of the sealed region to be opened.

In some embodiments the centre-point is contained in a portion of the sealed region to be opened bounded by the first line of weakness and the edge of the package.

The sealed region to be opened may comprise a through-hole. Suitably the through-hole is located on the sealed region to be opened inward from the edges of the sealed region to be opened. Suitably the through-hole is located approximately at the centre-point of the sealed region to be opened. Suitably the through-hole is adapted to enable the package to be hung on a rail, rack or hook. A suitable through-hole may be a hanging slot, for example a Euroslot.

In some embodiments the sealed region to be opened comprises a through-hole for hanging the package and the first line of weakness extends across a portion of the sealed region to be opened which is between the through-hole and the storage volume. In these embodiments the through-hole is contained in a portion of the sealed region to be opened bounded by the first line of weakness and the edge of the package.

The sealed region to be opened comprises a first line of weakness. By first line of weakness we mean to refer to a weakening of the wrapping material which extends substantially in a line from said first point to said second point. The first line of weakness may be continuous or discontinuous. Suitably the first line of weakness comprises a continuous cut which does not go completely through the two films of wrapping material which form the sealed region to be opened, for example a score or incomplete cut into one of the films of wrapping material or a complete cut into one of the films of wrapping material. In alternative embodiments the first line of weakness comprises a discontinuous cut. The discontinuous cut may be a cut which does not go completely through the two films of wrapping material which form the sealed region to be opened, for example a score or incomplete cut into one of the films of wrapping material or a complete cut into one of the films of wrapping material. In alternative embodiments the discontinuous cut may be a cut which does go completely through both films of wrapping material, for example a through-cut. A suitable method of obtaining a weakening of the wrapping material may include mechanical scoring, mechanical cutting, heat cutting, air knife cutting, stamping, laser scoring or laser cutting.

The first line of weakness extends from a first point on the sealed region to be opened inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region to be opened inward from the second end. Suitably the first and second points are nearer to the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened than the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened. In embodiments wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a through-hole, the first and second points are suitably nearer to the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened than the through-hole is to the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened. The first and second points may be substantially on the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened. In some embodiments the first line of weakness is a curve which terminates at the outside edge of the sealed region and whose apex is adjacent to, but does not reach, the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened.

A suitable curved first line of weakness may comprise an arc. The apex of the arc is suitably adjacent to, but does not reach, the inside edge of the sealed region.

Suitable curved first lines of weakness may comprise generally U-shaped curves. A generally U-shaped curve may comprise a curved web region between two limbs which are substantially parallel to each other, or between two limbs which are splayed apart.

In some embodiments the first line of weakness may be of a generally V-shape. The apex of the V is suitably adjacent to, but does not reach, the inside edge of the sealed region.

The first line of weakness may be entirely within the sealed region to be opened.

In some embodiments the first line of weakness may extend outside of the sealed region to be opened. For example the first line of weakness may extend across a portion of the film of wrapping material which forms a wall of the storage volume. Suitably a first line of weakness which extends across the wall of the storage volume is a continuous or discontinuous incomplete cut or score into the films of wrapping material. In embodiments wherein the films of wrapping material are laminates of more than one layer of wrapping material, the first line of weakness which extends across the wall of the storage volume may be a complete cut through at least one layer of the laminate but not through all of the layers of the laminate. By such means the sealing of the storage volume is not compromised.

In some embodiments the sealed region to be opened comprises a first line of weakness on only one film or face. However in other embodiments the sealed region to be opened may comprise a first line of weakness on both films or faces.

The films which form the package have an outer face and inner face. The inner face provides the inside surface of the finished package. The outer face provides the outer surface of the finished package. The first line of weakness may be provided on either the inner or the outer face of the film or films.

In some embodiments the package does not comprise any lines of weakness which are not entirely within the sealed region to be opened.

The sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness. By additional line of weakness we mean to refer to a weakening of the wrapping material in addition to said first line of weakening. The at least one additional line of weakness may be continuous or discontinuous. Suitably the at least one additional line of weakness comprises a continuous cut which does not go completely through the two films of wrapping material which form the sealed region to be opened, for example a score or incomplete cut into one of the films of wrapping material or a complete cut into one of the films of wrapping material. In alternative embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness comprises a discontinuous cut. The discontinuous cut may be a cut which does not go completely through the two films of wrapping material which form the sealed region to be opened, for example a score or incomplete cut into one of the films of wrapping material or a complete cut into one of the films of wrapping material. In alternative embodiments the discontinuous cut may be a cut which does go completely through both films of wrapping material, for example a through-cut.

A suitable method of obtaining a weakening of the wrapping material may include mechanical scoring, mechanical cutting, heat cutting, air knife cutting, stamping, laser scoring or laser cutting.

In some embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness does not intersect the first line of weakness. The at least one additional line of weakness may have substantially the same shape and orientation on the sealed region to be opened as the first line of weakness.

The at least one additional line of weakness may be generally parallel to the first line of weakness. Suitably the at least one additional line of weakness with substantially the same shape and orientation on the sealed region to be opened as the first line of weakness may be offset or spaced from the first line of weakness towards the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened. Suitably the first line of weakness and the at least one additional line of weakness are generally parallel or concentric arcs. In alternative embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness with substantially the same shape and orientation as the first line of weakness may be offset or spaced from the first line of weakness towards the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened. The at least one additional line of weakness may be substantially the same length as the first line of weakness. In alternative embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness may have a shorter length than the first line of weakness.

In some embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness extends from a point substantially at the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened. The at least one additional line of weakness may extend from a first point on the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened to a second point on the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened. In alternative embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness extends from a first point which is between the outside and inside edges of the sealed region to be opened to a second point which is between the outside and inside edges of the sealed region to be opened. The at least one additional line of weakness may be entirely within the sealed region to be opened. In alternative embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness may extend across a portion of the film of wrapping material which forms a wall of the storage volume.

In some embodiments the at least one additional line of weakness intersects the first line of weakness. Suitably the at least one additional line of weakness extends from a first point on the first line of weakness to a second point on the sealed region to be opened. The second point on the sealed region to be opened may be nearer to the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened than the first point on the first line of weakness. The second point on the sealed region to be opened may be on the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened.

Suitably the at least one additional line of weakness is shorter in length than the first line of weakness.

Suitably the sealed region to be opened comprises more than one additional line of weakness.

In embodiments wherein there is a plurality of additional lines of weakness each line may be as described above for the at least one additional line.

The opening of a sealed package according to the first aspect of the present invention will now be described. It is intended that the sealed package is opened by gripping opposite walls of the storage volume of the package and pulling the walls apart. Pulling apart the walls in this way may begin to delaminate the films of wrapping material in the sealed region to be opened from the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened towards the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened. When the delamination reaches the first line of weakness it is intended that at least one of the films of wrapping material of the sealed region to be opened begins to tear along the first line of weakness. This tearing action occurs simultaneously with the continuing delamination of the sealed region to be opened. As the first line of weakness extends from a first point inward of the first end of the sealed region to be opened and a second point inward of the second end of the sealed region to be opened, the tear effectively allows the delamination process to by-pass a portion of the sealed region to be opened. Once the delamination of the sealed region to be opened has reached the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened, the portion of the sealed region to be opened between the first line of tearing and the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened will have been delaminated; the portion of the sealed region to be opened between the line of tearing and the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened will remain laminated; and the sealed package will have an opening along the tear line and the outside edge of the sealed region to be opened. The tearing of the first line of weakness during opening of the package, allowing the delamination process to by-pass a portion of the sealed region to be opened, may thereby by-pass a through-hole, if present. Therefore the first line of weakness may function to prevent a through-hole, if present, from adversely affecting the opening of the sealed package.

However, in some instances the tear may deviate from the first line of weakness towards the through-hole. It is intended that a deviating tear intersects an additional line of weakness and is directed along this additional line of weakness to give the desired efficient and controlled opening of the sealed package. In effect the additional line of weakness intercepts an errant tear and directs the tear along a pre-determined path to provide the desired opening process.

If an additional line of weakness was not present to intercept the errant tear then the deviation of the tear may adversely affect the controlled opening of the sealed package.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the sealed package may comprise more than one sealed region to be opened. Furthermore the sealed package may comprise more than one sealed region to be opened comprising a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward from the second end; and wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness.

In some embodiments the sealed package may comprise more than sealed region to be opened comprising a through-hole for hanging the package and a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region to be opened to a second point on the sealed region to be opened and extends across a portion of the sealed region to be opened which is between the through-hole and the storage volume; and wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness. The additional line of weakness is suitably downstream of the first line of weakness and upstream of the through-hole (downstream and upstream being with reference to the direction in which the sealed region to be opened separates.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of packaging an article, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing film of wrapping material; (2) forming the film of wrapping material into a package able to receive the article, by forming at least one sealed region, the sealed region providing an edge of the package and having first and second ends; (3) introducing the article into the package; (4) sealing the package by forming at least one sealed region, the sealed region providing an edge of the package and having first and second ends; (5) forming in at least one of the sealed regions a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward of the second end; and forming at least one additional line of weakness; and (6) optionally forming a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened.

Step (1) involves providing film of wrapping material. The suitable wrapping materials referred to in relation to the first aspect are also referred to in relation to this second aspect. Suitably the film of wrapping material may be provided as a single sheet. The film of wrapping material may be provided as a continuous sheet of wrapping material which may provide wrapping material for the formation of a plurality of packages in sequence, for example a roll of wrapping material. Suitably the film of wrapping material may be cut from the continuous sheet of wrapping material. In some embodiments the film of wrapping material is provided as more than one sheet.

Step (2) involves forming the film of wrapping material into a package to receive the article.

Steps (2) and (3) can be carried out together. Suitably the film of wrapping material is formed into a package around an article placed on the film of wrapping material. In some embodiments the films of wrapping material are formed into a package with an opening in the absence of an article and the article is subsequently introduced to the package through the opening. The article may be a single article or may be a plurality of articles. Suitable articles include food products. Suitable food products include confectionery products.

Step (3) involves introducing the article into the package. There any many facile ways this can be done, depending on the physical state of the article. For example it could be poured, injected or blown or lifted and placed into the package.

Step (4) involves sealing the package by forming at least one sealed region to be opened.

The suitable features of the sealed region to be opened referred to in relation to the first aspect are also applicable to this second aspect.

Step (5) involves forming a first line of weakness in at least one sealed region and forming at least one additional line of weakness. In embodiments wherein the lines of weakness are formed in only one of the sealed regions, that sealed region may be referred to as the sealed region to be opened.

In some embodiments the lines of weakness are formed in the sealed region formed in step (2). Suitably the sealed region formed in step (2) is the sealed region to be opened. In some embodiments they are formed within step (2) itself In some embodiments the lines of weakness are formed in the sealed region formed in step (4). Suitably the sealed region formed in step (4) is the sealed region to be opened. In some embodiments they are formed within step (4) itself The provision of the lines of weakness within the film as providing in step (1) is not excluded.

The preferred features of the first and additional lines of weakness referred to in relation to the first aspect are also referred to in relation to this second aspect.

Step (6) involves optionally forming a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened. The suitable features of the through-hole referred to in relation to the first aspect are referred to in relation to this second aspect. The through-hole may be formed by any suitable method known in the art. For example the through-hole may be formed by stamping, cutting or burning.

Steps (4), (5) and (6) may be carried out in any order. As the operation of forming a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened is optional, the other two operations (5) and (6) may be carried out in either order, without performing step (6).

In some embodiments the three operations referred to in steps (4), (5) and (6) may be carried out simultaneously. As the operation of forming a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened is optional, the other two operations may be carried out simultaneously without performing this operation.

In some embodiments steps (5) or (6) may be followed by a step (7) of cutting the wrapping material to separate the package from a continuous sheet of wrapping material. Step (7) may be carried out simultaneously with steps (4), (5) and optionally (6).

The method of this second aspect may be a horizontal form, fill and seal method. The method of this second aspect may be carried out on a horizontal form fill and seal apparatus.

The method of this second aspect may be a vertical form, fill and seal method. The method of this second aspect may be carried out on a vertical form fill and seal apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of opening a sealed package according to the first aspect, the method comprising the steps of: (1) gripping two opposite portions of wrapping material which form walls of the storage volume and which are laminated together at the sealed region to be opened; (2) pulling the portions of wrapping material apart with sufficient force to initiate delamination of the sealed region to be opened; and (3) continuing to apply sufficient force to progressively delaminate the sealed region to be opened and to tear the wrapping material along one or more of the lines of weakness until the sealed package has been opened.

A sealed package according to the first aspect of the invention may be used in the method of this third aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealed package comprising a storage volume for contents and at least one sealed region to be opened bordered on at least one side by an edge of the package and having first and second ends; wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward from the second end; wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness; and wherein the first line of weakness and the at least one additional line of weakness are entirely within the sealed region.

Suitable additional features of the sealed package of this fourth aspect are any of the features referred to in relation to the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a sealed package comprising a storage volume for contents and at least one sealed region to be opened bordered on at least one side by an edge of the package and having first and second ends; wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a through-hole for hanging the package and a first line of weakness which extends across a portion of the sealed region to be opened which is between the through-hole and the storage volume; and wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness.

Suitable features of the sealed package of this fifth aspect are any of the features referred to in relation to the first aspect.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a horizontal form fill and seal apparatus for forming and filling a package according to the first aspect of the present invention and for carrying out a method according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Suitable features of the apparatus of this sixth aspect are any of the aforementioned features of the package of the first aspect or the method of the second aspect.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a vertical form fill and seal apparatus for forming and filling a package according to the first aspect of the present invention and for carrying out a method according to the second aspect of the present invention.

Suitable features of the apparatus of this seventh aspect are any of the aforementioned features of the package of the first aspect or the method of the second aspect.

Suitably the apparatus of the sixth and seventh aspects comprises a means for forming the first line of weakness and at least one additional line of weakness in the sealed region to be opened.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a sealed package according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of a second embodiment of a sealed package according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front view of a third embodiment of a sealed package according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a sealed package according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of a sealed package according to the present invention.

In Figure 1 the sealed package (100) comprises a storage volume (110) and a sealed region to be opened (120). The sealed region to be opened comprises an outer edge (121), an inner edge (122), a first line of weakness (123), a through-hole in the form of a Euroslot (124) and additional lines of weakness (125 and 126). The first line of weakness (123) and the additional lines of weakness (125 and 126) are parallel arcs and are formed as continuous score lines.

The line of weakness (123) extends from a first point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (127) to a second point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (128) in an arc towards (but not up to) the inner edge of the sealed region to be opened (122) and around the Euroslot (124). The additional lines of weakness (125 and 126) have substantially the same shape and orientation as the first line of weakness (123). The additional lines of weakness extend from a first point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened to a second point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened and are spaced from the line of weakness (123) towards the Euroslot (124); that is, they are within the arc of the first line of weakness.

In use the sealed package is opened by pulling apart two opposing walls of the storage volume in a manner such as to cause delamination of the sealed region to be opened (the sealed region to be opened being suggested by visual cues on the package, for example the orientation of the branding and I or writing on the package). The portion of the sealed region to be opened between the inner edge (122) and the line of weakness (123) is thereby delaminated. Then, at least one of the two layers of wrapping material of the sealed region to be opened tears along the line of weakness (123) and therefore the portion of the sealed region to be opened between the line of weakness (123) and the outer edge (121) remains laminated. This process results in a package with an opening along pad of the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened and the entirety of the line of weakness. However, there is a risk that the tearing of the first line of weakness (123) may deviate from the first line of weakness. The additional lines of weakness (125 and 126) may then intercept the deviating tear and induce further tearing to progress along one of these additional lines of weakness.

This process would result in a package with an opening along part of the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (121), at least pad of the line of weakness (123) and at least part of at least one of the additional lines of weakness.

In Figure 2 the sealed package (200) comprises a storage volume (210) and a sealed region to be opened (220). The sealed region to be opened comprises an outer edge (221), an inner edge (222), a first line of weakness (223), a Euroslot (224) and additional lines of weakness (225, 226, 227 and 228). The line of weakness (223) extends from a first point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (229) to a second point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (230) in an arc towards the inner edge of the sealed region to be opened (222) and around the Euroslot (224). The additional lines of weakness (225, 226, 227 and 228) are shorter in length than the line of weakness (223). The additional lines of weakness extend from a point on the inner edge of the sealed region to be opened to a point on the sealed region to be opened and extend parallel to the line of weakness (223). In use when the sealed package is being opened according to the process described in relation to Figure 1, the tearing begins at the additional lines of weakness closest to the inner edge of the sealed region to be opened (226 and 228). This tearing may deviate from the additional lines of weakness (226 and 228) and may be intercepted by the adjacent additional lines of weakness (225 and/or 227). Further deviation of the tear may be intercepted by the first line of weakness (223).

In Figure 3 the sealed package (300) comprises a storage volume (310) and a sealed region to be opened (320). The sealed region to be opened comprises an outer edge (321), an inner edge (322), a first line of weakness (323), a Euroslot (324) and additional lines of weakness (325 and 326). The first line of weakness (323) extends from a first point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (327) to a second point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened (328) towards the inner edge of the sealed region to be opened (322) and around the Euroslot (324). The additional lines of weakness (325, and 326) are shorter in length than the first line of weakness (323). The additional lines of weakness extend from points on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened and intersect the first line of weakness (323) at two different points. In use when the sealed package is being opened according to the process described in relation to Figure 1, a tear deviating from the first line of weakness (323) may be intercepted by the additional lines of weakness as described in relation to Figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a sealed package (400) which is similar to the sealed package (400) shown in Figure 1. However the first line of weakness (423) and the additional lines of weakness (425 and 426) are discontinuous score lines (i.e. they do not pierce through the entire thickness of the wrapping material).

FigureS shows a sealed package (500) which is similar to the sealed package (500) shown in Figure 1, however the first line of weakness (523) is a continuous score line and the additional lines of weakness (525 and 526) are discontinuous score lines.

Claims

Claims 1. A sealed package comprising a storage volume for contents and at least one sealed region to be opened, the sealed region being bordered on at least one side by an edge of the package and having first and second ends; wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward from the second end; and wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises at least one additional line of weakness.
2. A sealed package according to claim 1 wherein the first line of weakness and the at least one additional line of weakness are entirely within the sealed region to be opened.
3. A sealed package according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the sealed region to be opened comprises a through-hole for hanging the package and wherein the first line of weakness extends across a portion of the sealed region to be opened which is between the through-hole and the storage volume.
4. A sealed package according to claim 3 wherein the through-hole is a hanging slot.
5. A sealed package according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first line of weakness and the at least one additional line of weakness are continuous lines.
6. A sealed package according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first line of weakness and the at least one additional line of weakness are discontinuous lines.
7. A sealed package according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first line of weakness and the at least one additional line of weakness comprise continuous and discontinuous lines.
8. A sealed package according to any preceding claim wherein the first line of weakness extends from a first point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened to a second point on the outer edge of the sealed region to be opened.
9. A sealed package according to any preceding claim wherein the first line of weakness is curved towards the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened.
10. A sealed package according to any preceding claim wherein the first line of weakness is an arc.
11. A sealed package according to any of claims I to 9 wherein the first line of weakness is generally U-shaped.
12. A sealed package according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the first line of weakness is generally V-shaped.
13. A sealed package according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one additional line of weakness has substantially the same shape and orientation on the sealed region to be opened as the first line of weakness and is spaced from the first line of weakness towards the inside edge of the sealed region to be opened.
14. A sealed package according to any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the at least one additional line of weakness intersects the first line of weakness.
15. A sealed package according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one additional line of weakness has a shorter length than the first line of weakness.
16. A method of packaging an article, the method comprising the steps of: (1) providing film of wrapping material; (2) forming the film of wrapping material into a package able to receive the article, by forming at least one sealed region, the sealed region providing an edge of the package and having first and second ends; (3) introducing the article into the package; (4) sealing the package by forming at least one sealed region, the sealed region providing an edge of the package and having first and second ends; (5) forming in at least one of the sealed regions a first line of weakness which extends from a first point on the sealed region inward of the first end to a second point on the sealed region inward of the second end; and forming at least one additional line of weakness; and (6) optionally forming a through-hole in the sealed region to be opened.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein steps (2) and (3) involve forming film of wrapping material into a package around the article.
18. A method according to claim 17 wherein the article or articles are placed in the storage volume through the opening.
19. A method according to any of claims 16 to 18 wherein the lines of weakness are formed in the sealed region which is formed in step (4), during step (4).
20. A method according to any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the film of wrapping material is provided as a continuous sheet of wrapping material.
21. A method according to claim 20 wherein step (5) or optional step (6) when carried out is followed by a step (7) of cutting the wrapping material to separate the package from a continuous sheet of wrapping material.
22. A method according to any of claims 16 to 21 wherein the method is carried out on a horizontal form fill and seal apparatus.
23. A method according to any of claims 16 to 21 wherein the method is carried out on a vertical form fill and seal apparatus.
24. A method of opening a sealed package according to any of claims ito 15, the method comprising the steps of: (1) gripping two opposite portions of wrapping material which form walls of the storage volume and which are laminated together at the sealed region to be opened; (2) pulling the portions of wrapping material apart with sufficient force to initiate delamination of the sealed region to be opened; and (3) continuing to apply sufficient force to progressively delaminate the sealed region to be opened and to tear the wrapping material along one or more of the lines of weakness until the sealed package has been opened.
25. A horizontal form fill and seal apparatus for forming and filling a package according to any of claims ito 15 and for carrying out a method according to any of claims 16 to 22.
26. A vertical form fill and seal apparatus for forming and filling a package according to any of claims i to iS and for carrying out a method according to any of claims 16 to 2i or 23.