Flexible food packaging with a resealable flap

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to food packaging. More particularly, although not

exclusively, it discloses an improved form of pouch for the marketing and consumption of snack foods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many forms of snack foods such as potato chips/crisps, nuts and the like are

commonly sold in plastic film or foil pouches which are heat sealed at each

end. Because such pouches are designed primarily for economy of

production they are ill-adapted for presenting the food for consumption after

purchase. Typically a consumer must hold the pouch upright with one hand and then fish out the contents by inserting his/her fingers into a narrow

opening torn through the upper end. If the food is to be shared then the opened poach is normally passed around and handled by each consumer in turn as once opened it cannot be left out on a table for group consumption

without falling over and spilling the contents. This tends to be unhygienic

and messy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned

disadvantages and accordingly a food packaging such as that used for snack foods or the like is disclosed, said packaging having at least one flexible

panel which at least in part defines a closed interior food holding volume

and said panel including a displaceable flap to enable access to said food holding volume whereby said packaging can function in the manner of a food serving vessel when disposed in a stable position.

Preferably said food packaging comprises a pouch formed by co-extensive panels with ends which are sealed together to define said food holding

volume, a gusset closing the bottom end and at least one of said panels including said displaceable flap.

It is further preferred that said flap is removable and is defined by a rapturable seal in at least one of said panels.

It is further preferred that said seal is formed by perforations or scoring to a

face of said panel.

It is further preferred that said scoring is by operation of a laser or

mechanical means.

It is further preferred that the flap comprises a substantial area of panel.

It is further preferred that said flap is displaceable from the panel without the

aid of a cutting tool.

It is further preferred that said packaging is formed from 2 - 6 layered film.

It is further preferred although not essential that said packaging is formed from Metallised OPP or Biaxiaϊly OPP, PE Polyethylene, PP Polyethylene, OPP Oriented Polypropylene, OPET Oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate.

Currently preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the attached drawings in which:-

figure 1 is a perspective view of a snack food pouch constructed in accordance with this invention,

figure 2 is a perspective view of the pouch of figure 1 with the flap peeled back for access to the contents, figure 3 is a perspective view of the pouch of figure 1 with the flap

completely removed, and figure 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention where the flap is formed by laser scoring,

Referring first to figure 1 there is a "wrap" style sealed pouch or sachet of a

type commonly used for potato crisps or the like. The pouch comprises a

generally rectangular foil sheet that is folded twice along its length to form a

front panel 1 and back panel (not shown). The edges of the sheet are sealed

together along the back panel and each of the ends 2, 3 are fused, crimped or

otherwise sealed together to define an airtight compartment therebetween.

The sheet material from which the pouch is constructed is typically

composed of an unprintable substrate which is substantially airtight,

moisture proof and is also well adapted for presenting advertising and

information relating to the packaged product.

In accordance with this invention the front panel 1 is formed with a pinch

and pull back and removable flap 4 which comprises a substantial portion of

the panel surface. The flap is preferably defined by a tear line 5 in the form

of a series of perforations or other line of structural weakness which may be

easily ruytured by a consumer without the aid of a cutting instrument With

the flap peeled back or completely removed the pouch can be placed on a

horizontal surface as shown in figures 2 and 3 so that it functions as a tray or

"pouch bowl" with the contents 6 freely accessible for individual or group

consumption.

In accordance with another form of the invention as shown in figure 4 the

line of structural weakness 7 which defines the flap 8 may be oval shaped and formed by laser scoring of the packaging panel 9 using the following

apparatus and method.

Winding Maschine: Rollendoktor KRD 08/085

Laser

Laser: SCx30 LP 10,25, DC 85%

Scanner: RSG P 30 3A -SIC-M/25G

Galvo position speed: 20 rad/s

Beam Expansion: 1.3x

Mirrors: 2 x

Software: LaserCAD 2.34.2 21.03.2007 rd

Download: 2.34.2 21.03.2007 eg

Karte: 2.34.3B 22.06.2007 tu

Material: BOPP / BOPP

Sample 1:

Laser parameters:

Scanner speed: 8000 mm/sec

Laser power: 300 parts time for one circle: 0,031 sec

Galvo waiting times: 0/-0,4/0,2/0/0,1/O field: 300 x 300 mm

Winder Parameters:

Web speed: 10 m/min

Web Tension: 45 N/m

Although not shown in the drawings the tear lines 5 and 7 may with further development be adapted for resealing of the flap to preserve any

unconsumed food remaining in the pouch.

It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed comprises a novel and improved form of packaging

for snack or other convenience foods. Clearly however the example described is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide

variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a person skilled in the art. For example the type of packaging used, the shape and configuration of the flap, the design and means of forming the tear line and

the materials used for constructing said packaging may all change according to application or design preference.