Bulk package for confections

Abstract

An improved bulk package for removably containing consumable products is provided. The package includes a container and at least three bands, which may be in the form of pouches, adhered to one another and to the inside of the container, each band adapted to removably contain a plurality of consumable products. Additionally, the container includes a hinged lid insertable into a slot for reclosing the container. The container may be provided to the consumer with the hinged lid outside of the slot and a clear plastic overwrap around the container, holding the hinged lid against the front face of the container in a closed position

1 . A package containing consumable products comprising:
 a container having a plurality of walls including a front wall, a rear wall and left and right side walls, the plurality of walls defining an opening with each of the plurality of walls having an interior surface, and a lid adapted to selectively cover the opening;   a plurality of bands disposed inside the container, including a first band disposed adjacent to one of the walls, a second band disposed adjacent to another of the walls, and at least one intermediate band disposed between the first and second bands, each band having an at least substantially enclosed lateral perimeter; and   a plurality of consumable products contained in each band, the products arrayed in the band so that a consumer can grasp and separately remove each of the consumable products from the each of the bands and from the container.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive to releasably adhere a plurality of consumable products that are contained in a respective band to an inner surface of that respective band. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein each of the consumable products is individually wrapped. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein each band is a pouch. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the container further comprises a slot,   wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the container at a first hinge, the lid configured to articulate about the first hinge between a closed position in which the lid covers the opening and an open position in which the lid does not cover the opening, the lid comprising a tab configured to be inserted into the slot to releasably retain the lid in the closed position.   
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the hinged lid further comprises a second hinge and a third hinge, the first and second hinges defining a top lid segment and the second and third hinges defining a middle lid segment and a tabbed lid segment comprising the tab, and the tabbed lid segment being capable of articulation about the middle lid segment at the third hinge to allow the tab to be inserted into the slot at an oblique angle with respect to the front wall of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the first band is disposed adjacent and adhered to the front wall. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the second band is disposed adjacent and adhered to the rear wall. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1  wherein one intermediate band is disposed between the first and second bands. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1  where at least two intermediate bands are disposed between the first and second bands. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1  wherein each band contains a linear array of consumable products. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the consumable product is chewing gum. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12  wherein at least 5 pieces of chewing gum are in each band. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the plurality of bands is at least four. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 1  wherein a side of each of the bands is adjacent and adhesively secured to the left side wall and the right side wall of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the side of the container is adhered to the first wall with a hot melt adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 7  wherein the side of the container is adhered to the front wall with a hot melt adhesive and a cold adhesive. 
     
     
         18 . The product of  claim 16  wherein the second band is adhered to the rear wall with a cold glue. 
     
     
         19 . A package containing consumable products comprising:
 a container having a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls defining an opening with each of the plurality of walls having an interior surface, and a lid adapted to selectively cover the opening;   a plurality of bands disposed inside the container, including a first band disposed adjacent to one of the walls, a second band disposed adjacent to another of the walls, and at least one intermediate band disposed between the first and second bands, each band having an at least substantially enclosed lateral perimeter; and   a plurality of consumable products contained in each band, the products arrayed in the band so that a consumer can grasp and separately remove each of the consumable products from the each of the bands.   
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 19 , wherein each band is a pouch.