Packaging for confectionery products

Abstract

A package for a confectionery item, said package comprising a film or wrap which encases the confectionery item and wherein opening means are provided in said package, the opening means comprising at least one transverse and one substantially perpendicular score lines defining a removable portion or releasable flap, and wherein the opening means are positioned such that opening thereof exposes a bite size portion of the confectionery item. Methods for constructing the packaging and products incorporating it form further aspects of the invention.

1 . A package for a confectionery item, said package comprising a film or wrap which encases the confectionary item and wherein opening means are provided in said package, the opening means comprising score lines defining a removable portion or releasable flap, and wherein the opening means are positioned such that opening thereof exposes a bite size portion of the confectionery item; wherein the opening means comprises a first transverse score line extending transversely around the package, and a second score line extending substantially perpendicularly from the transverse score line to an end of the package in the area of a seam of the package. 
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package is elongate and the second score line extends longitudinally along the package. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the opening means are provided from 2.5-6 cm from an end of the package. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery item is castellated or segmented, and the transverse score line of the opening means is suitably arranged directly opposite or just above any first castellation or segmentation from one end of the confectionery item. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , comprising a laminated film including a metal layer. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , comprising a 2-ply film including a metal layer. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a tear initiation feature is provided to facilitate tearing along the transverse score line. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7 , wherein the tear initiation feature is a tear nick or strip. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the opening means comprises a removable portion. 
     
     
         10 . A method for packaging a confectionery item comprising wrapping a film to forma package around multiple confectionery items, sealing the film to form a package around individual confectionery items, and cutting or crimping the packages to separate the packaged confectionery items wherein the film has been pre-scored with score lines that define a removable portion once the film is formed into a package, the score lines comprising a first transverse score line extending transversely around the package, and a second score line extending substantially perpendicularly from the transverse score line to an end of the package in the area of a seam of the package. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the package is prepared by a cold sealing process in which adhesive is applied to the film in the areas required to be sealed, and these areas are brought together to form a seam that closes the package around the confectionery item. 
     
     
         12 . A confectionery product comprising a confectionery item contained within a package the package comprising a film or wrap which encases the confectionery item and wherein opening means are provided in said package, the opening means comprising score lines defining a removable portion or releasable flap, and wherein the opening means are positioned such that opening thereof exposes a bite size portion of the confectionery item; wherein the opening means comprises a first transverse score line extending transversely around the package, and a second score line extending substantially perpendicularly from the transverse score line to an end of the package in the area of a seam of the package.