WO2024173794A1

WO2024173794A1 - Package with unique location specific opening device

Info

Publication number: WO2024173794A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/016151
Authority: WO
Inventors: William S. Perell; Leif B. Sorensen
Original assignee: Poppack Llc
Priority date: 2023-02-17
Filing date: 2024-02-16
Publication date: 2024-08-22

Abstract

A package is disclosed defining an interior compartment formed by pressing together two laminae. A breachable bubble is formed between the two opposing laminae. The breachable bubble contains a breaching fluid within the breachable bubble. The breachable bubble is defined by a bubble seal having a width, and wherein the bubble seal includes a weakened portion where the width of the seal has been narrowed by removal of a portion of the seal. When pressure is applied to the bubble, the bubble breaches along the weakened portion, to facilitate opening of the package to expose the interior.

Description

Package with Unique Location Specific Opening Device

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/446,408, filed on February 17, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many products, especially consumer products, are packaged in flexible bags made from a plastic or polymer film. Packages made from polymer films can offer various advantages. For instance, the polymer films can be made for all sizes and shapes. The polymer films can also be translucent, allowing a purchaser to view the contents prior to making the purchase. In addition, the polymer films can be printed with decorative graphics to make the product more attractive.

[0003] Although packages made from polymer films can provide various advantages, opening such packages can be quite difficult. For example, the polymer films must have sufficient strength to prevent against rupture during the packaging process and during subsequent transportation and handling. Increasing the strength of the film or the seals that surround the content of the package, however, may increase the difficulty in opening the package. For example, many such packages, such as packages that contain cereals, potato chips, and the like, usually do not include an easy opening feature. Thus, brute force or scissors or a sharp instrument may need to be used in order to open the package.

[0004] Additionally, many processes known in the art for forming packages made from polymer films are not suitable for forming packages with easy opening features. For example, many known processes, such as shrink wrap processes, thermoforming and form, fill and seal processes, provide tightly wrapped packages made from strong materials that are intended to eliminate voided space and protect the product contained therein from outside influences such as puncturing. These packaging processes, and the resulting tightly wrapped packages, prevent consumers from easily opening the packages. In addition, it may be necessary' form a package using metalized film where processes utilizing heat might melt the film. Metalized films are often very hard to form into a bubble or in any third dimension beyond length and width, more specifically not depth.

[0005] Another problem with such previously made containers is that it is typically difficult to control the location where the package opens. These containers, for instance, are opened by tearing the top off the container, tearing a comer or inserting a straw into the container. Since the packages are flexible, the containers are prone to spill some or all their contents, especially when any force is applied to the container or its film when opening it. [0006] In view of the above, a need currently exists for an improved package that is relatively easy to open and allows the user to easily control the location in which the package opens and also allows for no tearing of the film. Although the teachings of the present disclosure are well suited for flexible containers, it should be understood that the present disclosure is also directed to the construction of rigid containers and semi-rigid containers.

SUMMARY

[0007] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a container for holding and dispensing products such as food stuffs examples of which are snacks, potato chips, com chips, nuts, and dried fruits. The container, for instance, can hold liquid products, solid products such as powders or granules, or semi-solid products such as gels and pastes. [0008] In one embodiment, a package is provided. The package may include a first flexible polymer film and a second flexible polymer film. The first film and the second film may form an enclosure and at least one tab area. The enclosure may define an interior compartment configured to receive a consumer product. The package’s films may further include an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer providing a seal between the first film and the second film. The adhesive layer may have a chemical composition such that it can bond to itself without the application of elevated temperatures.

[0009] In accordance with the present disclosure, the package further includes a breachable bubble formed within a discrete portion of the tab area. The breachable bubble is surrounded by a bubble seal. The bubble seal prevents the contents of the package from exiting the container. Sufficient fluid may be trapped within the breachable bubble that the bubble breaches upon application of minimal pressure by a user, separating a sealed portion of the first film from the second film. For instance, a user can breach the bubble by squeezing the bubble between one’s fingers or fingertips, or against an adjacent surface. [0010] The package made in accordance with the present disclosure can be a rigid package, can be a semi-rigid package or can be a flexible package, such as a pouch. When a flexible package, for instance, the container can be made from a polymer film. In one particular embodiment, the breachable bubble can be integral with the package. [0011] As described above, the breachable bubble is surrounded by a bubble seal. In one particular embodiment, a portion of the bubble seal has been removed by a cutting tool, creating a narrowed portion of the bubble seal. When the bubble is squeezed, air moves through the bubble seal, separating the films. Thus, the breachable bubble will breach at a narrowed portion of the seal, creating a weakened portion of the bubble seal. Therefore, the weakened portion biases the bubble to breach at a specific location to facilitate opening of the package.

[0012] In one embodiment, when the bubble is breached the separated first film and second film may form peel tabs to facilitate opening of the package. The peel tabs provide access to a user to the interior of the compartment and thus to the consumer product. In another embodiment, a straw is provided to pierce the end opposite the weakened portion of the bubble, to allow a user to gain access to the interior compartment and thus to the consumer product.

[0013] The container may be regular in shape, such as a triangle or a quadrangle or other polygon. Alternatively, the container may be irregular in shape, or contoured to allow easy grasping and access to the breachable bubble.

[0014] The breachable bubble may be regular in shape, such as a triangle or a quadrangle or other polygon. Altemativley, the bubble may be irregular in shape, such as a heart or star.

[0015] The breachable bubble may be at any location along one edge of a package. For instance, the breachable bubble may be located in one comer of a package or may be located mid-center alongside an edge of a package. In addition, a package may contain more than one breachable bubble in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0016] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art. is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in whish: [0018] FIG. 1 provides a top view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 2 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, before the breachable bubble has been formed;

[0020] FIG. 3 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, after the breachable bubble has been formed;

[0021] FIG. 4 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, where a portion of the bubble seal has been removed;

[0022] FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional view, along the line 2 — 2, of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 6 provides a cross-sectional view, along the line 2 — 2, of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the breachable bubble has been breached;

[0024] FIG. 7 provides a top view of another embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 8 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, before a portion of the bubble seal has been removed;

[0026] FIG. 9 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, after a portion of the bubble seal has been removed; [0027] FIG. 10 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, before a portion of the bubble seal has been removed;

[0028] FIG. 11 provides a zoomed in view of one embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure, after a portion of the bubble seal has been removed; [0029] FIGS. 12A and 12B provide a side view of one embodiment of a process for forming and sealing packages in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0030] FIGS. 13A and 13B provide a side view of one embodiment of a process for forming and sealing packages in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 14 is a top view of another embodiment of a package in accordance with the present disclosure; [0032] FIG. 15 is a partial view of the package illustrated in FIG. 14 prior to creating a narrowed portion along a bubble seal;

[0033] FIG. 16 is a partial view of the package illustrated in FIG. 14, where a portion of the bubble seal has been removed; and

[0034] FIG. 17 is one embodiment of a process for producing packages in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0036] In general, the present invention is directed to a package that includes a location specific opening device for opening a package. The package, in one embodiment, can be made from one or more layers of a polymer film. The walls of the package, for example, can be flexible. In the past, such packages have been relatively difficult to open. In accordance with the present disclosure, however, the package includes a breachable bubble formed within a discrete portion of a tab area of the package. The breachable bubble is surrounded by a bubble seal that contains a weakened portion creating by narrowing the bubble seal. Sufficient fluid may be trapped within the breachable bubble that the bubble may breach upon application of pressure by a user. Breaching of the bubble can cause a sealed portion of the layers of polymer film to separate in the direction of the weakened bubble seal portion. The layers of polymer film can then be peeled away from each other until the package is opened and the contents accessible.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a package in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The package 10 may include a first flexible polymer film 11 and a second flexible polymer film 12 (see FIG. 5). In one embodiment of the present invention, the first film 1 1 and the second film 12 are portions of a singular sheet of flexible polymer film. In another embodiment, the first film 11 and the second film 12 are separate sheets of flexible polymer film. It should be understood that the package 10 can have any suitable shape depending upon various factors including the type of product contained in or to be received in the package.

[0038] The first flexible polymer film 11 and the second flexible polymer film 12 can be made from any suitable polymer. Polymers that may be used to form the package include, for instance, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters, polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, mixtures thereof, copolymers thereof, terpolymers thereof, and the like. In addition, the package can also be made from any suitable elastomeric polymer.

[0039] The first flexible polymer film 1 1 and the second flexible polymer film 12 can each comprise a single layer of material or can comprise multiple layers. For instance, the first film 11 and the second film 12 can each include a core layer of polymeric material coated on one or both sides with other functional polymeric layers. The other functional polymeric layers may include, for instance, an oxygen barrier layer, an ultraviolet filter layer, an anti-slip layer, a printed layer, and the like. It should also be understood that the first flexible polymer film 11 can comprise different material than the second flexible polymer film 12 and vice versa. For instance, the first flexible polymer film 11 can comprise a printed layer and an anti-slip layer, while the second flexible polymer film 12 can comprise only a printed layer.

[0040] The first flexible polymer film 11 and the second flexible polymer film 12 can each be translucent or transparent. If translucent or transparent, for instance, the contents of the package 10 can be viewed from the outside. In another embodiment, however, the first flexible polymer film 11 and the second flexible polymer film 12 can each be opaque. For instance, in one embodiment, the package 10 can display various graphics that identify, for instance, the brand and the description of the product inside. In other embodiments, the first flexible polymer film 11 can be translucent or transparent while the second flexible polymer film 12 is opaque, and the first flexible polymer film 1 1 can be opaque while the second flexible polymer film 12 is translucent or transparent.

[0041] In accordance with the present disclosure, the first film 11 and the second film 12 may be sealed together to form an enclosure 14 and at least one tab area 16. The enclosure 14 may define an interior volume 15 configured to receive a consumer product 50. In one embodiment, a consumer product 50 may be situated in the interior volume 15. The consumer product 50 may be, for example, a food product. In one embodiment, the consumer product 50 may be a cold food product. For example, in one embodiment, the consumer product 50 may be a snack food, such as potato chips which is usually maintained at room temperature.

[0042] In one embodiment, the tab area 16 may be located near the periphery of the first film 11 and the second film 12. In another embodiment, the tab area 16 may be a plurality of tab areas. The tab area 16 may include a breachable bubble 17. The breachable bubble 17 may be formed in a discrete portion of the tab area 16. Sufficient fluid may be trapped within the breachable bubble 17 such that the bubble 17 breaches upon application of minimal pressure by a user, separating a sealed portion of the first film 1 1 from the second film 12. A bubble seal surrounds the breachable bubble 17, and is defined by a first seam 21, second seam 22, and third seam 23. The fluid may be, for example, a liquid or a gas. In one embodiment, the fluid may be air. In one embodiment, the tab area 16 may include a breach point 18 that is generally oriented towards the periphery of the package, as shown in FIG. 4. The breach point 18 represents a sealed portion of the first film 11 and the second film 12 that more easily separates than the remainder of the sealed first film 11 and second film 12 when the breachable bubble 17 is breached.

[0043] In one embodiment, the breachable bubble 17 is triangular in shape, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4. It should be understood that the breachable bubble can be any shape, such as a circle, heart, or other polygon. The breachable bubble 17 is surrounded by a bubble seal comprising a first seal 21, second seal 22, and third seal 23. In order to control the direction in which the breachable bubble 17 breaches, a portion of the second seal 22 is removed to create a narrowed portion 25 of the bubble seal to define a breaching point 18. When pressure is applied to the breachable bubble 17, the atmosphere within the bubble applies pressure to the bubble seal which causes the bubble to breach at the weakest portion. Therefore, the breachable bubble will breach along the breaching point 18.

[0044] It should be understood that the narrowed portion 25 of the bubble seal, breaching point 18, is not confined to being along the second seal 22 but is only representative of the narrow ed portion 25. The breaching point 18 can also be along the third seal 23. A depiction of the bubble seal before the narrowed portion 25 is created is shown in FIG. 3. The narrowed portion 25 is depicted in FIG. 4, the dotted lines representing the outline of the second seal 22. In addition, the narrowed portion 25 does not necessarily have to be a straight line. The narrowed portion 25 can be a circumferential line, a zigzag line, or a curved line.

[0045] The narrowed portion 25 is created by a cut to the bubble seal once the bubble seal is formed. Any cutting tools or means can be used to cut the bubble seal to create the narrowed portion 25. For instance, the cutting tool can be a knife, blade, scissors, or a laser. The embodiments illustrated in FIG. 3, 8, and 10 depict varations of a cutting line 19.

[0046] In one embodiment, when the breachable bubble 17 is breached the separated first film 11 and second film 12 may form peel flaps to facilitate opening of the package. The peel tabs provide access to a user to the interior of the compartment and thus to the consumer product. In another embodiment, a straw is provided to pierce the end opposite the weakened portion of the bubble, to allow a user to gain access to the interior compartment and thus to the consumer product.

[0047] The breachable bubble 17 may provide a distinct breaching sound when the bubble 17 is breached. The breaching sound may be caused by the trapped fluid escaping from the discrete portion of the tab area 16 when the bubble 17 is breached. For example, in one embodiment, the breachable bubble 17 may provide a popping sound, similar to a small balloon popping, when the bubble 17 is breached. In other embodiments, the breachable bubble 17 may provide, for example, a peeping sound, a snapping sound, or a whistling sound.

[0048] The breachable bubble 17 is filled with a gas, such as air. The breachable bubble 17 is expandable to open the package 10 by external pressure applied by a consumer. For small bubbles, the consumer can simply pinch a bubble or bubbles between his thumb and forefinger. Slightly larger bubbles may require thumb-to-thumb pressure. Pressure can also be applied to the bubble by placing the bubble against a flat surface and applying pressure with one’s fingers, palm, elbow, or other solid item such as a salt or pepper shaker.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, an adhesive layer 13 may provide a seal between the first film 11 and the second film 12. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layer 13 may have a chemical composition such that the adhesive layer 13 possesses the capability to form a strong bond with itself under the application of pressure. Further, the adhesive layer 13 may have the capability to form a strong bond without the need for the application of elevated temperatures. [0050] In one embodiment, the adhesive layer 13 may comprise a cold seal adhesive (also known as a cohesive, contact adhesive, or self-seal adhesive). For example, the adhesive layer 13 may be a natural rubber-based cold seal adhesive, a synthetic polymer- based cold seal adhesive, or a natural rubber- and synthetic polymer-based cold seal adhesive. Natural rubber-based cold seal adhesives generally contain a natural rubber elastomer, such as a latex, as the predominant ingredient. Other ingredients such as tackifying resins, plasticizers, extenders, stabilizers, antioxidants, or other ingredients may be added to the natural rubber elastomer to modify the adhesive characteristics of the adhesive. Synthetic polymer-based cold seal adhesives generally contain both cohesive components, such as synthetic elastomers, and adhesive components. For instance, a wide variety of synthetic polymers, copolymers, and polymer mixtures may be included in the synthetic polymer-based cold seal adhesive composition, such as acrylic copolymers and styrene butadiene rubbers as base polymers and styrene-acrylic copolymers as secondary polymers, aqueous based polyurethanes and polyurethane isomers, and copolymers of vinyl acetate and ethylene.

[0051] Natural rubber-based and synthetic polymer-based cold seal adhesive generally include a combination of natural rubber elastomers and synthetic polymers as the predominant ingredient. For instance, copolymers of vinyl acetate and ethylene may be combined with natural rubbers to formulate cold seal adhesives.

[0052] It should be understood that the adhesive layer 13 is not limited to natural rubber-based cold seal adhesives, synthetic polymer-based cold seal adhesives, or natural rubber-based and synthetic polymer-based cold seal adhesives, but may comprise any cold seal adhesive or any adhesive that possesses the capability to form a strong bond with itself under the application of pressure and without the need for the application of elevated temperatures. Further, it should be understood that adhesive layer 13 is not limited to cold seal adhesives. For example, the adhesive layer 13 may comprise a heat seal adhesive, a drying adhesive, an emulsion adhesive, a light curing adhesive, or any other adhesive configured to seal a first flexible polymer film 11 and a second flexible polymer film 12 together.

[0053] The present invention is further directed to a process for forming a package that includes a unique location specific opening device for opening the package. In one embodiment, the package of the present invention is formed by providing a first flexible polymer film 11 and a second flexible polymer film 12, sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together to form an enclosure 14 and at least one tab area 16, and trapping fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area 16 to form a breachable bubble 17.

[0054] In accordance with the present disclosure, a surface of the first film 11 may be coated with an adhesive layer 13, and a surface of the second film 12 may be coated with an adhesive layer 13. In one embodiment, the adhesive layer 13 may have a chemical composition such that it seals to itself under the application of pressure. For example, the adhesive layer 13 coated on a surface of the first film 11 may have the same chemical composition as the adhesive layer 13 coated on a surface of the second film 12. Further, the adhesive layer 13 may have the capability to form a strong bond without the need for the application of elevated temperatures. For instance, in one embodiment, the adhesive may be a cold seal adhesive as described above. As discussed above, it should be understood that the adhesive layer 13 is not limited to cold seal adhesives.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layer 13 may coat only the portion of the surface of the first film 1 1 and second film 12 to be sealed. It should be understood, however, that the adhesive layer 13 is not limited to coating specific portions of the first film 11 and second film 12 to be sealed, and may coat any portion of the first film 11 and the second film 12. For example, in another embodiment, the adhesive layer 13 may coat the entire surface of the first film 11 and the second film 12.

[0056] In accordance with the present disclosure, the first film 11 and the second film 12 may be sealed together to form an enclosure 14 and at least one tab area 16. As discussed above, the enclosure 14 may define an interior volume 15 configured to receive a consumer product 50. In one embodiment, a consumer product 50 may be situated in the interior volume 15. As discussed above, in one embodiment, the tab area 16 may be located near the periphery of the first film 11 and the second film 12. In another embodiment, the tab area 16 may be a plurality of tab areas.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 13 A, the step of sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together may include applying pressure to portions of the first film 11 and the second film 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12 to urge the first film 11 and the second film 12 together. In one embodiment, adhesive layer 13 of first film 11 and adhesive layer 13 of second film 12 may seal to each other under the application of pressure, forming a singular adhesive layer 13. [0058] In one embodiment, the step of sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together may include operating a sealing means 30 to seal the first film 11 and the second film 12 together. For example, the sealing means 30 may include at least one sealing device 31. The sealing device 31 may be, for example, a roller, a cam, a seal bar, or a seal plate. Further, the sealing means 30 may include any combination of rollers, cams, seal bars, and seal plates. It should be understood that the sealing device 31 is not limited to rollers, cams, seal bars, and seal plates, and may be any sealing mechanism that is operable to seal the first film 11 and the second film 12 together.

[0059] For example, in one embodiment as shown in FIG. 12A. the sealing means 30 may be operated such that the sealing devices 31a and 31b apply pressure to portions of the first film 11 and the second film 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12 to urge the first film 11 and the second film 12 together. Subsequently, heat is applied to the first film 11 and second film 12 in order to seal the first film 11 and the second film 12 together.

[0060] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 13A, the sealing means 30 may be operated such that the sealing devices 31a and 31b are rotatable about a central axis to apply pressure to portions of the first film 11 and the second film 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 1 1 and the second film 12 to urge the first film 11 and the second film 12 together, thus sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together.

[0061] In accordance with the present disclosure, a breachable bubble 17 may be formed by trapping fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area 16. As discussed above, sufficient fluid may be trapped within the breachable bubble 17 such that the bubble 17 breaches upon application of minimal pressure by a user, separating a sealed portion of the first film 11 from the second film 12.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 12B and 13B, the step of trapping fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area 16 to form breachable bubble 17 may include advancing the application of pressure that is provided during sealing of the first film 11 and the second film 12 together in a direction substantially parallel to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12.

[0063] In one embodiment, the step of trapping fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area 16 to form a breachable bubble 17 may include operating a sealing means 30 to trap fluid. For example, the sealing means 30 may include at least one sealing device 31, as described above.

[0064] For example, in one embodiment, the sealing means 30 may first be operated such that the sealing devices 31a and 31b apply pressure to portions of the first film 11 and the second film 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12 to urge the first film 11 and the second film 12 together, as shown in FIG. 12A, thus sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together. The sealing means 30 may then be operated such that the sealing device 31a advances this application of pressure in a direction substantially parallel to the surfaces of the first film 1 1 and the second film 12, as shown in FIG. 12B, thereby trapping fluid within a discrete portion of tab area 16 to form a breachable bubble 17.

[0065] In yet another embodiment, the sealing means 30 may first be operated such that the sealing devices 31a and 3 lb are rotatable about a central axis to apply pressure to portions of the first film 11 and the second film 12 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12 to urge the first film 11 and the second film 12 together, as show n in FIG. 13 A, thus sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together. The sealing means 30 may then be operated such that the sealing devices 31a and 31b are rotatable about the central axis to advance this application of pressure in a direction substantially parallel to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12, as shown in FIG. 13B, thereby trapping fluid within a discrete portion of tab area 16 to form a breachable bubble 17. Rotation of the sealing devices 31 about the central axis may occur intermittently, or may occur continuously.

[0066] It should be understood that the sealing means 30 may include any number of sealing devices 31. Further, it should be understood that the sealing means 30 may include both movable sealing devices 31 and stationary' sealing devices 31. For example, in one embodiment, sealing means 30 may be operated such that sealing device 3 la is movable in directions substantially parallel to and substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12, and sealing devices 31b, 31c, and 3 Id may be stationary. In another embodiment, sealing means 30 may be operated such that sealing devices 31a and 31c are movable in directions substantially parallel to and substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12, and sealing devices 3 lb and 3 Id may be stationary. In other embodiments, sealing means 30 may include any combination of movable sealing devices 31 and stationary sealing devices 31. In other embodiments, sealing means 30 may include sealing devices 31 that are movable only in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12 and sealing devices 31 that are movable only in a direction substantially parallel to the surfaces of the first film 11 and the second film 12.

[0067] It should be understood that the breachable bubble 17 can be formed so as to only rise above the plane parallel to tab area 1 , only project below the plane parallel to tab area 16, or both rise above and project below the plane parallel to tab area 16.

[0068] In accordance with the present disclosure as shown in FIG. 1, sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together may include forming at least one seam. In one embodiment, sealing the first film 1 1 and the second film 12 together may include forming a first seam 21, a second seam 22, and a third seam 23. In one embodiment, the first seam 21 may be formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second seam 22 and third seam 23. In one embodiment, forming the first seam 21 may form a fin seal. In other embodiments, forming any of the first seam 21, second seam 22, and third seam 23 may form a fin seal.

[0069] In one embodiment, forming the second seam 22 and the third seam 23 may form the tab area 16. Further, in one embodiment, forming the third seam 23 may trap fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area 16 to form a breachable bubble 17. In another embodiment, forming the second seam 22 and the third seam 23 may trap fluid within a discrete portion of the tab area 16 to form a breachable bubble 17.

[0070] It should be understood that the first seam 21, second seam 22, and third seam 23 may be formed in any order. Further, it should be understood that any of the first seam 21, second seam 22, and third seam 23 may be formed sequentially or simultaneously. [0071] It should further be understood that sealing the first film 11 and the second film 12 together is not limited to forming any specific number of seams, or to forming seams in any specific direction. For example, any number of seams may be formed in any direction to seal the first film 11 and the second film 12 together to form an enclosure 14 and at least one tab area 16. Further, forming any seam in any direction may form a fin seal.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 14-17, another embodiment of a package made in accordance with the present disclosure is shown including one embodiment of a process for producing the package. Like reference numerals have been used to indicate similar elements. [0073] The package 10 in FIG. 14 is similar to the package illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 14, however, the package does not include a tab area where the breachable bubble 17 is located. Instead, the breachable bubble 17 is formed directly into an enclosure area 14 of the package 10.

[0074] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the product 50 may first be placed in the interior volume 15 of the enclosure 14 and sealed by the first seam 21. In this manner, in one embodiment, a completed package can be formed prior to creating and forming a breachable bubble into the package. For example, prior to forming the breachable bubble 17 into the package, the package may represent any conventional package that is currently marketed and sold.

[0075] In order to form the breachable bubble 17 as shown in FIG. 14, as described above with respect to FIGS. 12A-13B, the air contained in the package can be trapped using any suitable sealing means or sealing devices such as those shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. In particular, air contained within the interior volume 15 of the package 10 can be simultaneously trapped within the comer of the package while a second seam 22 and a third seam 23 are formed into the package as shown in FIG. 15. In FIG. 15, the breachable bubble 17 is triangular in shape. Similar to the other embodiments described above, however, the breachable bubble 17 can have any suitable shape such as a circle, heart or other polygon.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 16, a portion of the second seal 22 is removed in order to create a narrowed portion 25 of the bubble seal so that the second seam 22 will breach when pressure is applied to the bubble 17. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the second seam 22 is narrowed. It should be understood, however, that in other embodiments, only the first seam 21 may be narrowed to create a narrowed portion or, alternatively, both the first seam 21 and the second seam 22 may be narrow ed to both form narrow ed portions. [0077] The first seam 21, second seam 22. and third seam 23 may be formed using any suitable method or technique. In one embodiment, all of the seams may be formed by thermally bonding or ultrasonically bonding the different layers of polymer film together. Alternatively, the seams may comprise peel seals such as cold seals.

[0078] In one embodiment, the breachable bubble 17 may be constructed such that both the first seam 21 and the second seam 22 breach when pressure is applied to the bubble. In this manner, both film layers that comprise the package delaminate over the entire comer producing peel tabs that can be easily grasped for opening the package. In order to design a package where both the first seam 21 and the second seam 22 breach, both seams can include a narrowed portion. Both seams may also comprise peel seals. In an alternative embodiment, the second seam 22 may include a narrowed portion and may comprise a thermally or ultrasonically bonded seam, while the first seam may comprise a peel seal. The strength of the narrowed portion and the strength of the peel seal can be matched such that both seams will breach simultaneously when pressure is applied to the bubble.

[0079] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14 can provide numerous benefits and advantages. For instance, existing packaging lines can be easily modified to produce the package in FIG. 14. In one embodiment, for instance, a packaging line can be modified at the end so that beachable bubble 17 can be formed into the package. As described above, the bubble can be formed into a completed package. Consequently, an existing processing line will only need suitable sealing means to form the bubble by trapping air already contained within the package.

[0080] In an alternative embodiment, formed packages may be taken from one processing line and fed to a new processing line. One embodiment for a process for forming packages in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 17, sealed packages 54 containing a product 50 are fed into the process. The packages include a first seam 21 that forms the top of the package. The first seam 21, in one embodiment, may comprise a peel seal, such as a cold seal. The packages come in contact with a sealing means 60 which may comprise one or more sealing devices. The sealing means 60 may include cams or rollers as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The sealing means 60 pushes a sufficient amount of air contained within the package into a comer of the package while sealing bars form the second seam 22 and the third seam 23. In this manner, air is trapped within the comer of the package to form a breachable bubble 17. Once the bubble 17 is formed, the package is fed to a cutting device 62 which forms at least one nanowed portion 25.

[0081] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the packages are fed into the process in an attached state. Consequently, a second cutting device 64 can separate the packages for forming an individual package 10 made in accordance with the present disclosure. [0082] The process illustrated in FIG. 17, in one embodiment, may have a faster throughput than a conventional packaging line. Consequently, multiple packaging lines may feed packages 54 into the process. [0083] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A package defining an interior compartment comprising: two opposing laminae, wherein the laminae are selectively pressed together; a breachable bubble formed between the two opposing laminae, the breachable bubble containing a breaching fluid within the breachable bubble, the breachable bubble being defined by a bubble seal having a width, and where the bubble seal includes a weakened portion, where the width of the seal has been narrowed by removal of a portion of the seal; and wherein when pressure is applied to the bubble, the bubble breaches along the weakened portion, to facilitate opening of the package to expose the interior.

2. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the breaching fluid is a gas.

3. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the breachable bubble is formed by trapping a gas present between the two opposing laminae.

4. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the breachable bubble is formed by moving an existing gas inside the package to another point in the package.

5. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the breachable bubble is integral with the package housing.

6. A package as defined in claim 5, wherein the package housing and the breachable bubble are formed from a polymer film.

7. A package as defined in claim 6, wherein the breachable bubble is formed by a fold along one end of the package housing.

8. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the breachable bubble is located at a comer of the package housing.

9. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the package housing includes a first end and a second and opposite end, the breachable bubble being located approximately midcenter of the first end of the package housing.

10. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the package housing includes a perimeter, the breachable bubble interrupting the perimeter.

11. A package as defined in claim 1 , wherein the package housing contains a composition and wherein the breachable bubble is in communication with ambient when breached, the container further including a gas being present in between the composition contained in the container housing and the breachable bubble.

12. A package as defined in claim 1, further comprising opposed peel flaps provided by the separated opposed laminae proximate the weakened portion after the breach of the breachable bubble, which tabs may be peeled apart by a user to further separate the opposing laminae.

13. A package as defined in claim 1, wherein the removal of a portion of the seal has been completed by a cutting tool.

14. A package as defined in claim 13, wherein the cutting tool is a knife.

15. A package as defined in claim 13, wherein the cutting tool is a blade.

16. A package as defined in claim 13, wherein the cutting tool is a laser.

17. A package as defined in claim 8, wherein the bubble breaches along two sides of the comer when pressure is applied.

18. A package as defined in claim 1, further comprising opposed peel flaps provided by the separated opposed laminae proximate the weakened location after the breach of the breachable bubble, which tabs may be peeled apart by the user to further separate the opposing laminae.

19. A process for forming a package comprising: forming a breachable bubble in a discrete portion of a package, wherein the breachable bubble is defined by a bubble seal; and cutting a portion of the bubble seal.

20. A process as defined in claim 19, wherein the portion of the bubble seal is cut with a knife.

21. A process as defined in claim 19. wherein the portion of the bubble seal is cut with a blade.

22. A process as defined in claim 19, wherein the portion of the bubble seal is cut with a laser.

23. A process as defined in claim 19, wherein the portion of the bubble seal is cut with a pair of scissors.

24. A process as defined in claim 19, wherein the bubble is formed into a sealed package containing a product.