Flexible packages having reusable pull-tab openers

Abstract

A package comprising a bag having lines of weakness and a pull-tab opener secured to the bag proximate to the lines of weakness, the pull-tab opener having a pull-tab opening integral therewith, wherein the pull-tab opening is designed to be hooked with hooking means. In one embodiment, a sealed container is provided comprising a flexible bag having lines of weakness with at least one product disposed within the bag. In a preferred embodiment, the pull-tab opener is a reusable pull-tab opener.

1 . A package comprising a bag having lines of weakness and a pull-tab opener secured to the bag proximate to the lines of weakness, the pull-tab opener having a pull-tab opening integral therewith, wherein the pull-tab opening is designed to be hooked with hooking means.  
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the pull-tab opener is a reusable pull-tab opener secured to the bag with reusable securing means or a combination of reusable securing means and permanent securing means.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the lines of weakness include two substantially parallel lines of perforations and a slit or third line of perforations located substantially perpendicular to and in between the two substantially parallel lines of perforations at one end.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3  wherein the package is comprised of six panels arranged in a rectangular configuration and the substantially parallel lines of perforations either extend across a portion of two adjacent panels or are contained on a single panel.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the pull-tab opener conceals only a portion or none of the lines of weakness.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the lines of weakness are not substantially parallel.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the lines of weakness include a curved portion.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the lines of weakness form a U-shape having an area of maximum bend and the pull-tab is located in the area of maximum bend.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the lines of weakness are non-intersecting lines having a minimum separation distance.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9  wherein a slit or additional lines of weakness are present at the minimum separation distance to join the non-intersecting lines of weakness and the pull-tab conceals some or all of the minimum separation distance.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the lines of weakness are intersecting lines which form a V-shape having a perforation point and the pull-tab opener conceals the perforation point.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the pull-tab opening is a finger-sized opening and the hooking means comprises one to three fingers or an object having a maximum diameter not greater than about eight (8) cm.  
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the pull-tab opening is larger than a finger-sized opening and the hooking means includes a hand.  
   
   
       14 . A bag, comprising: 
 a plurality of panels;    lines of weakness located on one or more of the plurality of panels, the lines of weakness configured to form one or more flaps when torn; and    one or more reusable pull-tabs secured to the one or more flaps and positioned to tear open the lines of weakness when pulled on with sufficient force, the one or more pull-tabs each having a pull-tab opening on one end, each pull-tab opening designed to be hooked with a hooking means, wherein the one or more reusable pull-tab openers are secured to the bag with reusable securing means or a combination of reusable securing means and permanent securing means, wherein the permanent securing means has a strength greater than a tear force required to separate the lines of weakness.    
   
   
       15 . The bag of  claim 14  wherein the one or more reusable pull-tab openers are laminated.  
   
   
       16 . The bag of  claim 14 , wherein the bag and one or more reusable pull-tab openers are made from a polymeric plastic film, paper or a paper composite.  
   
   
       17 . The bag of  claim 14  further comprising markings to convey instructions on how to use the pull-tab opener to access contents within the bag.  
   
   
       18 . A sealed container comprising: 
 a flexible bag having lines of weakness;    at least one product disposed within the bag; and    a pull-tab opener secured to the bag proximate to the lines of weakness wherein the pull-tab opener has a pull-tab opening configured to allow a user to hook the pull-tab opener through the pull-tab opening.    
   
   
       19 . The sealed container of  claim 18  wherein the bag contains compressed personal care products which can be of different types and sizes.  
   
   
       20 . The sealed container of  claim 19  further comprising a second pull-tab opener secured to the bag, wherein each pull-tab opener provides access to a different type or size of personal care product.