FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to a package for a product. More particularly, the invention relates to a package for a food product, such as for example crisps, popcorn, nuts, confectionary or chocolate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional packages of food products, such as for example crisps, popcorn, nuts, confectionary or chocolate, are openable along the top edge. The present inventors have identified that the opening into the package is rather restrictive in size and can cause grease or particles on the inside of the package to come into contact with the user's skin. The present inventors have also identified that due to the restricted access to the food product within the package it is difficult for a user to be able to identify and pick out a specific item of food product or to share the contents easily between a number of people.

There is a need for improvements in packages, in particular in packages for food products such as for example crisps, popcorn, nuts, confectionary or chocolate.

It is an object of this invention to provide a package for food products which provides improved access to the contents compared to conventional packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a package for products, comprising: at least two flexible adjoined layers configured to provide a cavity extending therebetween for containing a product, in which the at least two flexible adjoined layers are moveable between: a first closed configuration in which the flexible adjoined layers are sealed around the entire periphery thereof to isolate the cavity from an external environment; and a second open configuration in which the flexible adjoined layers extend in a substantially cone shaped configuration defining the cavity therebetween, and in which the base of the substantially cone shaped configuration provides an opening extending into the cavity.

The package is preferably a package for food products, such as for example crisps, popcorn, nuts, confectionary or chocolate.

The package, in the first closed configuration, may have a substantially truncated rectangular or square shape. The term "truncated" is used herein to refer to the shape having a missing corner. In the first closed configuration, the package may be a substantially truncated rectangular or square shape having three corners.

The package may comprise any suitable number of flexible adjoined layers. Preferably, the package contains two flexible adjoined layers. The two flexible adjoined layers may be provided by a single flexible member configured to provide a first flexible layer providing a front face of the packet, and a second flexible layer providing a rear face of the packet. The flexible layers provided by the single flexible member are preferably adjoined along at least the bottom end of the package.

The flexible layers preferably provide a front face and an opposed rear face of the packet. Each of the flexible layers comprise a top end and an opposed bottom end. Each of the flexible adjoined layers preferably comprises a first corner provided at the top end, a diagonally opposed second corner provided at an opposed bottom end, and an openable seam extending therebetween.

The term "cone" or "cone shaped" is used here in to refer to a three- dimensional geometric shape that tapers smoothly from a base to a point called the apex. The base may in some embodiments be substantially circular in shape. It is however to be understood that the base may have any suitable shape and is not to be limited to a substantially circular shape. The base may for example be an ovaloid or semi-circular in shape. The term "cone" or "cone shaped" is used herein to also include cones having a polygonal base, which are also known to be referred to as pyramids. Pyramids comprise a polygonal base and triangular shaped sides which meet at the apex.

In one embodiment, each of the flexible adjoined layers comprises a third corner provided at the opposed bottom end and spaced apart from the second corner. The third corner is preferably aligned with the first corner of the flexible layers. In the second open configuration, the third corner preferably forms the apex of the substantially cone shaped configuration.

The length of the package is defined as being measured from the top end to the bottom end of the package in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the top and/or bottom ends of the package. Preferably, the length of the package is measured between the first corner and the third corner of the flexible layers. For example, the length of the package may be measured between the first corner and the apex formed by the flexible layers in the second configuration.

In the second configuration, the opening is offset from the length of the package as measured between the first corner and the apex (or third corner) of the flexible layers. Access through the opening to the cavity provided between the flexible layers is preferably in a direction extending at an angle to the length of the package as measured between the first corner and the apex (or third corner) of the flexible layers.

In one embodiment, the openable seam is resealable.

In the first configuration, the openable seam preferably extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the package.

In the first configuration, the openable seam preferably comprises an arcuate portion extending between the first and second corners.

In the first configuration, the openable seam preferably comprises: a first seam portion extending from the first corner and extending substantially parallel to the bottom end of the packet;

a second seam portion extending from the second corner and extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom end of the packet; and

a third seam portion extending at an angle to the first seam portion and the second seam portion and extending therebetween.

In the first configuration, the third seam portion preferably comprises an arcuate portion extending between the first and second seam portions.

In the first configuration, the third seam portion preferably comprises a linear portion extending between the first and second seam portions.

In the first configuration, the third seam portion may extend at an angle of between 0 degrees and 90 degrees; preferably at an angle of between 10 degrees and 80 degrees; more preferably at an angle of between 20 degrees and 70 degrees; more preferably at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, more preferably at an angle of between 40 degrees and 50 degrees, for example at about 45 degrees relative to the first seam portion.

The openable seam may be openable along a portion of the seam or along the entire length of the seam.

Preferably, at least the third seam portion is openable. Preferably, the third seam portion and at least one of the first and second seam portions are openable.

Preferably, each of the first, second and third seam portions are openable.

In the first configuration, at least a portion of the openable seams preferably extends along the periphery of the package. Preferably, at least the third seam portion extends along the periphery of the package. Preferably, at least the third seam portion and one or both of the first and second seam portions extend along the periphery of the package. Preferably, each of the first, second and third seam portions extend along the periphery of the package. Preferably the openable seam is openable by parting the flexible layers along the seam. The seam may for example be a heat sealed seam or the flexible layers may be adjoined together by adhesive along the seam. The openable seam may be provided by a line of perforations. The openable seam may be provided by a tear off strip.

The at least two flexible layers may be composed of any suitable materials. In one embodiment, the flexible layers are composed from one or more materials selected from: oriented polypropylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, waxed paper, paperboard, cardboard, and/or metal foil.

In one embodiment, the flexible layers of the package are resiliently biased towards the second configuration. For example, the flexible layers are configured such that on opening the openable seam, the package springs towards the second configuration. In particular the package may be configured such that at least the portions of the first and second flexible layers located at or adjacent to the openable seam are resiliently biased to extend away from each other.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a package as herein described, the method comprising:

a. providing at least two flexible layers;

b. adjoining the at least two flexible layers along at least a bottom end; and

c. providing an openable seam configured in the first configuration to extend between a first corner at a top end of the flexible layers and a diagonally opposed second corner at the bottom end of the flexible layers.

The package may be openable along the openable seam to provide improved access to the contents of the package. In the second open configuration, the package provides improved access to the package contents. In particular the size and/or shape of the opening provided by the package in the second configuration enables the user to be able to share the contents of the package more easily when compared to conventional packages. Furthermore, in the second open configuration, the size and shape of the opening enables the user an improved view of the contents of the package. As such, the user may be able to be more selective as to which specific item of food product the user wishes to remove from the package. In some embodiments, the second open configuration the package forms a more sturdy and robust configuration when compared to conventional packages. In the second configuration the package is able to be held more easily and securely by a user. As a result, the user may share the contents of the package more easily.

Whilst the embodiments described herein are related to food package, it is also possible to utilise any of the described technologies or methods in association with any other type of package.

The above and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is given for the sake of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings.

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensions and the relative dimensions do not correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may refer to different embodiments. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practised without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

The invention will now be described by a detailed description of an embodiment of the invention. It is clear that other embodiments of the invention can be configured according to the knowledge of persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit or technical teaching of the invention, the invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the following Figures: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 A is an illustration of a front view of a package according to one embodiment of the present invention when the package is in the first closed position;

Figure IB is an illustration of a rear view of the package of Figure 1A in the first closed configuration;

Figure 2A is an illustration of a front view of a package according to a further embodiment of the present invention when the package is in the first closed position;

Figure 2B is an illustration of a rear view of the package of Figure 2A in the first closed configuration;

Figure 3 is an illustration of a side view of the package of Figures 2A and 2B when in the second open position; Figure 4 is an illustration of a further side view of the package of Figures 2A and 2B when in the second open position;

Figure 5 is a further illustration of a further side view of the package of Figures 2A and 2B when in the second open position; and

Figure 6 is an illustration of a view from above of the package of Figures 2A and 2B when in the second open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns packaging. In particular this invention concerns a package for a product, such as for example a food product. The food product may be for example crisps, popcorn, nuts, confectionary or chocolate. It is however to be understood that the package may be used for containing or storing any suitable product and is not to be limited to food products.

With reference to the figures, the package 10 comprises two flexible adjoined layers 12, 14. A first flexible layer 12 provides the front face of the package 10. A second flexible layer 14 provides the rear face of the package 10.

It is to be understood that the package may comprise any suitable number of flexible adjoined layers in order to form the package 10. In the illustrated embodiment the package contains two flexible adjoined layers 12, 14. The two flexible adjoined layers may be provided by a single flexible member configured to provide a first flexible layer providing a front face of the package, and a second flexible layer providing a rear face of the package. The package may in some embodiments further comprise one or more internal panels, such as for example divider panels, to provide multiple cavities within the package. Each internal panel may be provided by a flexible layer adjoined to the first and second layers. In one embodiment, each internal panel may be provided by a flexible layer adjoined to the internal surface of one of the first or second layers.

In the first closed configuration, each of the flexible layers 12, 14 comprises a top end 16, 16' and an opposed bottom end 18. Each of the flexible adjoined layers 12, 14 comprises a first corner 20 provided at the top end 16, a diagonally opposed second corner 22 provided at an opposed bottom end 18, and an openable seam 24 extending therebetween.

In the first closed configuration, the two flexible layers 12, 14 are joined together along the bottom end 18 of the package 10. The two flexible layers 12, 14 are also joined together along a seam 15 extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom end 18 of the package 10. The seam may be located at any suitable location on the package 10. In the illustrated embodiment the seam 15 is provided along the second flexible layer 14 at the rear of the package 10. It is however also to be understood that the package may comprise a fold in addition to or in place of a seam 15. The fold may extend substantially perpendicular to the bottom end 18 of the package 10.

In the first closed configuration, each of the flexible adjoined layers 12, 14 comprises a third corner 26 provided at the opposed bottom end 18 and spaced apart from the second corner 22. The third corner 26 is aligned with the first corner 20 of the flexible layers 12, 14. In the first closed configuration, the package 10 forms a truncated substantially rectangular shape. It is however to be understood that the package 10 may have any suitable shape. For example, in one embodiment, the package may form a truncated substantially square shape in the first configuration. The terms "truncated rectangular" and "truncated square" are used herein to refer to rectangular or square shapes which are missing a corner.

The length of the package 10 is measured between the first 20 and third 26 corners. The length of the package 10 is measured in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the top 16 and bottom 18 ends of the package 10.

With reference to Figures 1A, IB, 2A and 2B, in the first closed configuration, the openable seam 24 extends along a peripheral portion of the package 10. The entire length of the openable seam 24 extends along the periphery of the package 10.

With reference to Figures 1A and IB, when viewed from the front of the package, as provided by the first flexible layer 12, the openable seam 24 extends along the periphery of the package and extends in an anticlockwise direction from or adjacent the first corner 20 towards the second corner 22 of the package 10.

With reference to Figures 2A and 2B, when viewed from the front of the package, as provided by the first flexible layer 12, the openable seam 24 extends along the periphery of the package and extends in a clockwise direction from or adjacent the first corner 20 towards the second corner 22 of the package 10.

In the first closed position, the openable seam 24 comprises a first seam portion 28 extending along the top end 16 from or adjacent to the first corner 20 in a direction extending substantially parallel to the bottom end 18 of the package 10.

In the first closed position, the openable seam 24 further comprises a second seam portion 30 extending from or adjacent to the second corner 22 in a direction extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom end 18 of the package 10. In the first closed position, the openable seam 24 further comprises a third seam portion 32 extending at an angle to each of the first seam portion 28 and the second seam portion 30 and extending therebetween.

It can be seen from Figures 1A, IB, 2A and 2B that in the first closed position the third seam portion 32 comprises a straight portion extending between the first 28 and second 30 seam portions. It is however to be understood that the third seam portion 32 may have any suitable shape. For example, the third seam portion may comprise one or more arcuate portions extending between the first 28 and second 30 seam portions.

In Figures 1A, IB, 2A and 2B it can be seen that the third seam portion 32 extends at an angle of approximately 45 degrees relative to the first seam portion 28. It is however to be understood that the third seam portion 32 may extend at any suitable angle relative to the first seam portion 28. In the first closed configuration, as shown in Figures 1A, IB, 2A and 2B, the flexible adjoined layers 12, 14 of the package are sealed around the entire periphery of the package to isolate the cavity from the external environment.

The package 10 is moveable between the first closed configuration as shown in Figure 1A, IB, 2A and 2B and a second open configuration as shown in Figures 3 to 6.

In use, the user opens the openable seam 24. The openable seam 24 may be opened by applying a pulling force to separate the first and second flexible layers 12, 14 from each other along the length of the openable seam 24. Alternatively, the openable seam 24 may comprise a slideable opening mechanism which may be slidably opened by the user to separate the adjacent portions of the first and second flexible layers 12, 14 from each other. In one embodiment, the openable seam 24 may be provided by a tear off portion or by a line of perforations. The openable seam may be a heat sealed seam or the flexible layers may be adjoined together by adhesive along the openable seam.

The openable seam 24 opens along the entire length of the seam. In particular, the first 28, second 30, and third 32 seam portions open providing access to the contents of the package 10. It is however to be understood that in some embodiments only a portion of the openable seam 24 may be openable. In one embodiment, the package 10 is configured such that the first and second flexible layers 12, 14 are resiliently biased towards the second open configuration. In particular, the package 10 is configured such that the portions of the first and second flexible layers 12, 14 adjacent to the openable seam 24 are resiliently biased to extend away from each other. In the second open configuration, the package 10 is in a substantially cone-shaped configuration as shown in Figures 4 to 6. The third corner 26 of the package 10 forms the apex of the cone shaped configuration. The base of the cone shaped configuration of the package 10 provides the opening 34 into the cavity provided by the package 10. It can be seen in Figure 4 that the opening 34 is substantially ovaloid in shape. It is however to be understood that the opening may have any suitable shape including for example, but not to be limited to, circular, semi-circular, polygonal, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, and other multi-sided shapes.

It can be seen in Figures 4 to 6 that the opening 34 is offset from the length of the package 10 as measured between the first 20 corner and the apex provided by the third corner 26 of the flexible layers 12, 14. In particular, the opening 34 extends at an angle to the length of the package 10 extending between the first corner 20 and the apex provided by the third corner 26. Access through the opening 34 to the cavity provided between the flexible layers 12, 14 is in a direction extending at an angle to the length of the package extending between the first corner 20 and the apex provided by the or third corner 26 of the flexible layers 12, 14.

It can be seen from Figures 3 to 6, that in the second open configuration the package 10 provides improved and easier access to the contents within the cavity provided between the first and second flexible layers 12, 14. In some embodiments, the package provides a more sturdy and robust open configuration compared to conventional package enabling easy and secure handling. In particular the package provides an apex (corner 26) providing easy handling of the package by the user. The opening provided by the package of the present invention provides for easier access to the contents of the package as well as providing improved visual access to the contents of the package. The user may therefore be able to share and access the contents more easily with a reduced risk of contacting the internal surfaces of the package, thereby reducing the risk of grease and/or food particle transfer onto the hands of a user. The user may also be able to visually assess the contents more easily with a view to selecting the preferred item of food product within the package when compared to conventional package.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.