Tear resistant flexible packaging

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a tear resistant flexible packaging for containing material comprising a container formed of a film and having a tear resistant zone disposed adjacent to a seal. A film zone is disposed between the top edge and bottom edge of the container. The tear resistant zone is formed substantially radially around the container. The tear resistant zone has at least one detectable tear resistance that is different from the detectable tear resistance of the film zone. The tear resistant zone directs fears horizontally across the container rather than vertically, eliminating a nuisance tear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Tear resistant flexible packaging for containing material, the flexible packaging having an inside surface and an outside surface, said tear resistant flexible packaging comprising:
 a container formed of a film, said film having an innermost layer, said container having a top edge and a bottom edge and at least one seal formed adjacent to one of said top edge or bottom edge;   a film zone disposed between said top edge and said bottom edge, said film zone having at least one detectable tear resistance; and   a tear resistant zone applied outside of said innermost layer of said film, said tear resistant zone disposed within said film zone and adjacent to said seal, said tear resistant zone formed substantially radially around said container, said tear resistant zone having at least one detectable tear resistance that is different from said film zone detectable tear resistance, said film zone and tear resistance zone having detectable tear resistances selected from the group consisting of tensile strength, elasticity, tear strength, cross sectional thickness, cross sectional shape, and toughness.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said container has an opening, said tear resistant zone disposed within said film zone and adjacent to said opening. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said, tear resistant zone has a reinforcing hem. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said tear resistant zone has a bead. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said tear resistant zone has fibers disposed between layers of film. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said tear resistant zone has a detectable tear resistance pattern, where said detectable tear resistance pattern has a relative low detectable fear resistance and a relative high detectable tear resistance. 
     
     
         7 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein tear resistant zone has a score. 
     
     
         8 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said tear resistant zone has a strip of material bonded to said film. 
     
     
         9 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said strip of material has a plurality of fibers applied thereto. 
     
     
         10 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said, reinforcing hem is bonded to said container. 
     
     
         11 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in.  claim 10 , further comprising at least one fiber in a fold of said reinforcing hem. 
     
     
         12 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a material applied to the outside surface of said container within said tear resistant zone to form a projection. 
     
     
         13 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said seal and tear resistant zone have a cross sectional area that is greater than said film zone. 
     
     
         14 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said seal is adhered to said tear resistant zone to form a reinforcing hem. 
     
     
         15 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 5 , farther comprising strap handles bonded to said tear resistant zone. 
     
     
         16 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising strap handles bonded to said strip of material. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising strap handles bonded to said tear resistant zone. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising ring handles bonded to said tear resistant zone. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising ring handles bonded to said strip of material. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 11 , further comprising ring handles bonded to said tear resistant zone. 
     
     
         21 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said tear resistant zone includes a plurality of non-parallel filaments applied to said material. 
     
     
         22 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said plurality of non-parallel filaments form a Crosshatch pattern. 
     
     
         23 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein said tear resistance pattern is embossed. 
     
     
         24 . The flexible packaging for containing material as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said embossing forms a Crosshatch pattern.