Stick pack pouch packaging

Abstract

A stick pack pouch package comprising a foil sheet having side edges and first and second edges extending transversely between the side edges, a fin having a longitudinal sealing joint extending between the side edges to form the foil sheet into a tube, wherein the tube has a front side and a back side, and wherein the fin is on the back side, first and second transverse sealing joints sealing the first and second edges, respectively, a weakened pattern which extends over/across at least a portion of the fin, the back side of the tube, and the front side of the tube, wherein the weakened pattern enables the package to be opened along the pattern and wherein the weakened pattern includes nonlinear portions on the front side, back side, or front and back sides of the tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stick pack pouch package comprising:
 a foil sheet having side edges and first and second edges extending transversely between the side edges,   a fin that has a longitudinal sealing joint extending between the side edges to form the foil sheet into a tube, wherein the tube has a front side and a back side, and wherein the fin is on the back side,   first and second transverse sealing joints sealing the first and second edges, respectively,   a weakened pattern which extends over/across at least a portion of the fin, the back side of the tube, and the front side of the tube,   
       wherein the weakened pattern enables the package to be opened along the pattern and wherein the weakened pattern includes nonlinear portions on the front side, back side, or front and back sides of the tube. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened pattern is in the shape of a spout. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the spout aids the pouring of product out of the package. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is opened from the longitudinal sealing joint or fin. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is opened from a left side of the tube, a right side of the tube, a front side of the tube, or a back side of the tube. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened pattern forms a “V” shape on the front, back, or front and back sides of the package. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the “V” shape is inverted. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened pattern is formed by light energy or mechanical means. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the weakened pattern is formed by microperforations or laser perforations. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened pattern is continuous or noncontinuous. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened pattern includes continuous portions and noncontinuous portions. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, or first and second traverse sealing joints have rounded interior corners. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional weakened pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the fin covers from about 20% to about 50% of either the front face or back face of the package. 
     
     
         15 . A stick pack pouch package comprising:
 a foil sheet having two side edges and first and second edges extending transversely between the side edges,   a fin having a longitudinal sealing joint extending between the side edges to form the foil sheet into a tube, wherein the tube has a front side and a back side, and wherein the fin is on the back side,   first and second transverse sealing joints sealing the first and second edges,   an opening aid identifying a fold line that is (a) horizontal to the first and second edges or (b) at about a 30° to about a 60° angle relative to the first and second edges,   a weakened pattern at least partially exposed upon folding the package along the fold line, and   wherein the package is opened by tearing along the weakened pattern.   
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein a portion of the weakened pattern is in the shape of a spout. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the spout aids the pouring of product out of the package. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the package is opened from the longitudinal sealing joint or fin. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the package is opened from a left side of the tube, a right side of the tube, a front side of the tube, or a back side of the tube. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the weakened pattern forms a “V” shape on the front, back, or front and back sides of the package. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the “V” shape is inverted. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the weakened pattern is formed by light energy or mechanical means. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 22 , wherein the weakened pattern is formed by microperforations or laser perforations. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the weakened pattern is continuous or noncontinuous. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the weakened pattern includes continuous portions and noncontinuous portions. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the first, second, or first and second traverse sealing joints have rounded interior corners. 
     
     
         27 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the fin covers from about 20% to about 50% of either the front face or back face of the package. 
     
     
         28 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the weakened pattern is perpendicular to the fold line.