Sealed package containing a squeezable product

Abstract

There is provided a pack (10) for a product (12) which is sealingly retained in a volume defined by first and second films (13, 14) sealingly secured about a periphery. The pack has an openable portion through which a liquid contained in the product (12) can be dispensed. One of the films (14) has a pre-formed hinge (20) across at least part of the volume to assist folding of, and liquid extraction from, the product (12). The pre-formed hinge (20) may be in the form of a pre-formed fold line.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A pack comprising a sealed package containing a squeezable product, the package having a first openable portion and being at least partially flexible to enable squeezing of the package to facilitate dispensing of a liquid or particulate material emanating from the product via the first openable portion once opened, wherein the pack has at least one formation for improving the dispensing of the liquid or particulate material and wherein the package comprises one or more films which are fluid-tight and which fully enclose a volume in which the product is sealingly retained, wherein said one or more films comprises a flexible first film and a second film, which films are sealingly joined to each other about a periphery thereby fully enclosing said volume in which the product is sealingly retained and wherein said at least one formation comprises an extended tongue projecting from the second film adjacent the first openable portion, the extended tongue being formed with a depression for collecting liquid or particulate material dispensed after opening the pack. 
     
     
         18 . The pack as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the second film is flexible but less flexible than the first film and has sufficient structural integrity to hold the shape of the depression formed in the extended tongue. 
     
     
         19 . The pack as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the first openable portion comprises at least one of the films having a grippable tab which can be manipulated to break the joint between the films at a predetermined location. 
     
     
         20 . The pack as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the joint between the films has different strengths along said periphery and the joint includes a first seal portion in the region of the first openable portion which is relatively weak compared to second seal portions on each side of the first seal portion, whereby the stronger second seal portions resist separation of the films beyond a predetermined amount so as to limit the first openable portion to a size which prevents removal of the product. 
     
     
         21 . The pack as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the package has a second openable portion at a position spaced from the first openable portion, the second openable portion comprising at least one of the films having a further grippable tab which can be manipulated to break the joint between the films at a second predetermined location. 
     
     
         22 . The pack as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the joint between the films has a third seal portion in the region of the second openable portion which is relatively weak compared to fourth seal portions on each side of the third seal portion, whereby the stronger fourth seal portions resist separation of the films beyond a second predetermined amount which is greater than said first predetermined amount so as to limit the size of the second openable portion. 
     
     
         23 . The pack as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the first film extends and seals over the depression prior to opening of the first openable portion. 
     
     
         24 . The pack as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the squeezable product comprises an absorbent substrate in which the liquid is contained. 
     
     
         25 . The pack as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the pack contains the liquid without an absorbent substrate. 
     
     
         26 . The pack as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the absorbent substrate is a non-memory foam. 
     
     
         27 . The pack as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the absorbent substrate is a memory foam. 
     
     
         28 . The pack as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the second film includes a pre-formed fold line extending from the first openable portion across at least part of said volume enclosed by the package. 
     
     
         29 . The pack as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the product is substantially disc shaped and the preformed fold line extends at least partly across a diameter of the package. 
     
     
         30 . The pack as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the package has a second openable portion at a position spaced from the first openable portion, the second openable portion comprising at least one of the films having a further grippable tab which can be manipulated to break the joint between the films at a second predetermined location. 
     
     
         31 . The pack as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the joint between the films has a third seal portion in the region of the second openable portion which is relatively weak compared to fourth seal portions on each side of the third seal portion, whereby the stronger fourth seal portions resist separation of the films beyond a second predetermined amount which is greater than said first predetermined amount so as to limit the size of the second openable portion. 
     
     
         32 . The pack as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the first film extends and seals over the depression prior to opening of the first openable portion. 
     
     
         33 . The pack as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the first film extends and seals over the depression prior to opening of the first openable portion. 
     
     
         34 . The pack as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the squeezable product comprises an absorbent substrate in which the liquid is contained. 
     
     
         35 . The pack as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the absorbent substrate is a non-memory foam. 
     
     
         36 . The pack as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the second film includes a pre-formed fold line extending from the first openable portion across at least part of said volume enclosed by the package.