Packaging

Abstract

Packaging ( 1 ) in which first and second layers ( 11, 12 ) are coupled to one another and arranged with a built-in areas of weakness ( 21 ) on part of the first layer ( 11 ) exposed outside of the packaging ( 1 ). The built-in areas of weakness ( 21 ) is arranged such that breaking the first layer ( 11 ) at the built-in area of weakness ( 21 ) thereof enables the first layer ( 11 ) to act on the second layer ( 12 ) to unfold the second layer ( 12 ) to thereby open the packaging ( 1 ).

1 - 48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . Packaging comprising first and second layers coupled to one another,
 arranged with a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer and exposed outside of the packaging, wherein the built-in areas of weakness is arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold part of the second layer to thereby open the packaging.   
     
     
         50 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the built-in area of weakness comprises a discontinuity in the packaging 
     
     
         51 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the built-in area of weakness comprises a discontinuity in the first layer of the packaging. 
     
     
         52 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the built-in area of weakness comprises a discontinuity in coupling between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         53 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the built-in area of weakness comprises one or more of: a laser score, a die cut, a scored area or a perforated area. 
     
     
         54 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the first layer is arranged to partially separate from the second layer on breaking of the first layer at the built-in area of weakness to form a tail, such that the tail that can be used to pull open and unfold the second layer to thereby open the packaging. 
     
     
         55 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the built-in area of weakness is arranged to cooperate with a coupling area over which the first and second layers are coupled to one another, such that partially separating the first layer from the second layer on breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness forms a tail from the separated portion of the first layer. 
     
     
         56 . The packaging of  claim 49 , comprising an end wall and a side wall, wherein the side wall is folded over itself to form the end wall. 
     
     
         57 . The packaging of  claim 56 , wherein the built-in area of weakness of the first layer runs around the outside of the packaging on the side wall, and extends on the outside of the packaging from the side wall to the intersection of the side wall and the end wall. 
     
     
         58 . The packaging of  claim 56 , wherein the built-in area of weakness of the first layer does not extend beyond the front and side walls on the outside of the packaging. 
     
     
         59 . The packaging of  claim 56 , wherein the built-in area of weakness of the first layer is folded into an end wall with material from the first and second layers. 
     
     
         60 . The packaging of  claim 56 , wherein first and second ends of the built-in area of weakness of the first layer outside the packaging terminate at the intersection of a side wall and an end wall. 
     
     
         61 . The packaging of  claim 49 , comprising a front face and a back face, side faces, and end faces, wherein a side wall forms the front, back and side faces and at least one end face is provided by folded portions of the side wall. 
     
     
         62 . The packaging of  claim 61 , wherein the built-in area of weakness of the first layer extends from the front face onto the side faces. 
     
     
         63 . The packaging of  claim 61 , wherein a first, and optionally a second end of the built-in area of weakness outside the packaging terminate(s) at the intersection of three faces, at a corner where the side, end and back faces meet. 
     
     
         64 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness forms a separable portion of the packaging. 
     
     
         65 . The packaging of  claim 49 , arranged to enclose a stack of products in side-by-side arrangement. 
     
     
         66 . The packaging of  49 , comprising an end wall corresponding to dimensions of individual products stacked therein, and comprising one or more side walls corresponding to the length of the stack. 
     
     
         67 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein the built-in area of weakness of the first layer and an area at which the first and second layers are not coupled to one another together form a frangible portion of the packaging exterior. 
     
     
         68 . The packaging of  claim 67 , wherein the frangible portion is arranged to be broken by application of a pressing force to the outside of the packaging that provides friction along the side wall, by pressing into and along the side wall. 
     
     
         69 . The packaging of  claim 67 , wherein the frangible portion is arranged such that the first layer, at the area where the first and second layers are not coupled to one another, can bundle up and/or turn inside out by continued application of the pressing force after breaking of the built-in area of weakness. 
     
     
         70 . The packaging of  claim 49 , wherein part of the first layer, or of the first and second layers are arranged, on opening of the packaging, to form a chute by which product from within the packaging may be dispensed. 
     
     
         71 . A method of opening packaging, the packaging comprising first and second layers coupled to one another, arranged with a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer and exposed outside of the packaging, the method comprising breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness, then causing the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold part of the second layer to thereby open the packaging. 
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 71 , comprising forming a tail and pulling thereon to pull open and unfold the second layer, thereby opening the packaging. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 71 , performed with packaging comprising first and second layers coupled to one another, arranged with a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer and exposed outside of the packaging, wherein the built-in areas of weakness is arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold part of the second layer to thereby open the packaging. 
     
     
         74 . A packaging blank comprising first and second layers coupled to one another, arranged with a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer, wherein when formed as packaging around a product the built-in area of weakness lies in part of the first layer exposed outside of the packaging and the second layer within the packaging, such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold the second layer to open the packaging. 
     
     
         75 . The packaging blank of  claim 74 , wherein the built-in area of weakness of the first layer runs across the packaging blank from one corner region thereof to another corner region thereof, the another corner region being non-diagonally opposed to the one corner region. 
     
     
         76 . The packaging blank according to  claim 74 , in combination with an item or arrangement of items to be packaged. 
     
     
         77 . A method of packaging, comprising:
 providing a packaging blank comprising first and second layers;   providing a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer; and   forming the packaging blank around an item or arrangement of items to be packaged;   
       wherein the forming positions part of the first layer comprising the built-in area of weakness so as to be exposed outside of the packaging and the built-in area of weakness of the second layer within the packaging, with the built-in areas of weakness arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold the second layer to open the packaging. 
     
     
         78 . A package, packaging blank or method substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying  FIGS. 2-16 .