Packaging

Abstract

A package has a flexible top wall ( 3 ) joined in its periphery ( 6 ) to flexible side walls ( 4, 5 ) to form an enclosure, the top wall ( 3 ) being formed with a line of weakness ( 7 ) which is adapted to be torn to create an opening, the tear being confined between the peripheral join ( 6 ), The side walls ( 4, 5 ) may have transverse seals ( 1, 2 ), and top and bottom walls ( 3 ) folded inwards as gussets, and the line of weakness ( 7 ) with a thumb on each side of the line of weakness ( 7 ) with a thumb on each side to press downwards and create a tear along the line of weakness. Preferably, the upper edges of the side walls ( 4, 5 ) are sealed to the adjoining edges of the top wall ( 3 ) to form a peripheral upstanding rim ( 6 ).

1 . A package having a flexible top wall joined at its periphery to flexible side walls to form an enclosure, the top wall being formed with a line of weakness which is adapted to be torn to create an opening in the top wall, the tear being confined between the peripheral join of the top wall with the side walls. 
     
     
         2 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  in which the line of weakness is adapted to be forn by a manual force applied to the top wall to leave a torn portion or portinos of the top wall that are displaceable into the package against the side walls to clear the opening. 
     
     
         3 . A package as claimed in  claim 2  in which the line of weakness divides the top wall into portions either side, which fold inwards against the side walls when the package is opened by a/n inwards force applied either side of the line of weakness. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  in which the top and bottom walls are formed as inwardly extending gussets which fold flat with the package, the line of weakness extending along or substantially parallel to a fold line of the gusset in the top wall. 
     
     
         6 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  in which the line of weakness is formed by perforations or a cut or a thinned portion of the outer layer. 
     
     
         10 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A package having a side wall with a line of weakness which is adopted to be readily torn by an inwards force which serves to fold the resulting torn portion or portions of the side wall inwards of the package. 
     
     
         14 . A package having a side wall formed with a line of weakness which is adapted to be readily torn from an intermediate point along its length by a manually applied force. 
     
     
         15 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A package as claimed in  claim 9  in which the opening formation is within the confines of the side wall. 
     
     
         18 . A package as claimed in  claim 1  in which the opening formation extends generally parallel to the fold line of the gusset. 
     
     
         19 . A package as claimed in  claim 9  in which the opening formation comprises a line of weakness. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled)