Packages and methods for use with stored items

Abstract

An at least partially flexible sealed package comprises an opening assembly that includes a sliding component and a lifetime indicator for indicating an expiry status of a product within a storage compartment of the package. Movement of said sliding component relative to the lifetime indicator serving to open a seal of said package and activate the lifetime indicator.

1 . A package, comprising:
 an at least partially flexible and sealable storage compartment; and   a lifetime indicator for indicating condition of a product within said storage compartment, or its environment, from a time of opening onward, wherein said indicator is activated during opening of said storage compartment.   
   
   
       2 . A package according to  claim 1  further comprising an opening assembly that includes said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
       3 . A package according to  claim 2  wherein said opening assembly further comprises an actuator operative to open a seal of the package and activate said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
       4 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein said lifetime indicator indicates an expiry status of said product from the time of opening onwards. 
   
   
       5 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein, during operation, said actuator moves to open said seal and activate said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
       6 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein said storage compartment comprises a plastic bag. 
   
   
       7 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein said indicator is attached directly to said storage compartment. 
   
   
       8 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein said package includes said product. 
   
   
       9 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein said lifetime indicator comprises a liquid filled blister and a scale for indicating elapsed time since activation of said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
       10 . A package according to  claim 9  wherein said actuator comprises a slider that is movable between a pre-opening position and a post-opening position, said slider operative to depress said blister. 
   
   
       11 . A package according to  claim 10  wherein said slider is operative to depress said blister as it travels from the pre-opening position toward the post-opening position. 
   
   
       12 . A package according to  claim 10  wherein said slider comprises at least one protrusion for depressing said blister. 
   
   
       13 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein said actuator comprises a slider that is movable between a pre-opening position and post-opening position, said slider operative to open said seal and activate said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
       14 . A package according to  claim 13  wherein said slider is operative to activate said lifetime indicator as it travels from the pre-opening position towards the post-opening position. 
   
   
       15 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein said actuator comprises a slider assembly. 
   
   
       16 . A package according to  claim 15  wherein said lifetime indicator is located on said slider assembly. 
   
   
       17 . A package according to  claim 16  wherein said slider assembly comprises a base and a jockey movably mounted to said base. 
   
   
       18 . A package according to  claim 17  wherein said base includes an elevated surface for depressing said blister. 
   
   
       19 . A package according to  claim 15  wherein said slider assembly comprises a base and a jockey movably mounted to said base. 
   
   
       20 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein said opening assembly further comprises a removable strip and a permanent strip, and wherein said actuator comprise a sliding blade. 
   
   
       21 . A package according to  claim 20  wherein said storage compartment comprises a container that is provided with a flexible foil closure having a sealing portion welded around a flange of said container, and a flap for opening said container. 
   
   
       22 . A package according to  claim 21  wherein said flap is inaccessible for opening said container until actuation of said sliding blade. 
   
   
       23 . A package according to  claim 1  wherein said storage compartment is pre-formed to accommodate the product and includes a backing. 
   
   
       24 . A package according to  claim 3  wherein said lifetime indicator comprises an indicator body having an indication region, and a removable portion that is movable relative to said body to activate said lifetime indicator between a pre-activation position and a post-activation position. 
   
   
       25 . A package according to  claim 24  wherein said actuator comprises a slider that is movable between a pre-opening position and post-opening position, whereby said slider is operative to cause said removable portion to move relative to said body between the pre-activation position and a post-activation position, thereby to activate said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
       26 . A package according to  claim 25  wherein said slider is operative to cause said removable portion to move relative to said body as said slider moves from the pre-opening position toward the post-opening position. 
   
   
       27 . A package according to  claim 25  wherein said actuator comprises a slider, said lifetime indicator integrated into said slider. 
   
   
       28 . A package, comprising:
 an at least partially flexible storage compartment; and   an opening assembly comprising:
 a lifetime indicator for indicating elapsed time from a time of opening said storage compartment onwards; and 
 an actuator that is movable to open the package and activate said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
   
       29 . A package, comprising:
 an at least partially flexible and sealable storage compartment; and   an opening assembly comprising:
 a lifetime indicator for indicating an expiry status of a product within said storage compartment from a time of opening onwards; and 
 an actuator movable between a first position which prevents access to said opening assembly and a second position which facilitates access to said opening assembly, said actuator operative to activate said lifetime indicator. 
   
   
   
       30 . A package according to  claim 29  wherein said actuator is operative to activate said lifetime indicator as said actuator moves from the first position toward the second position. 
   
   
       31 . A method of indicating expiry status of product within a package comprising,
 with an at least partially flexible and sealable storage compartment having an opening assembly that comprises a lifetime indicator for providing an indication of an expiry status of the product and an actuator, moving said actuator relative to said lifetime indicator to open a seal of the package and activate said lifetime indicator.   
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 31  comprising sliding said actuator relative to said lifetime indicator.