Box-shaped package of a flexible and sealable packaging material

Abstract

A box-shaped package of a flexible and sealable, especially heat-sealable, packaging material including a front wall ( 1 ) and a back wall ( 2 ) arranged opposite each another and sealed together along opposed side edges thereof by means transverse side seams ( 5, 6 ). The package further includes two opposed and inwardly folded end walls ( 3, 4 ), a first end wall ( 3 ) being sealed to the front and the back walls ( 1, 2 ) along first longitudinal end seams ( 9,10 ) and along first end side seams ( 11, 12 ) and a second end wall ( 4 ) being sealed to the front and the back walls ( 1, 2 ) along second longitudinal end seams ( 15, 16 ) and along second end side seams ( 17, 18 ). At least one of the side seams is peelable, and at least portions of the front and the back walls ( 1, 2 ) extend beyond the transverse peelable side seam ( 5 ) to form a front wall gripping member ( 19 ) and a back wall gripping member ( 20 ). Furthermore opening means are provided for opening at least a portion of the front wall ( 1 ) in longitudinal direction when the peelable side seam ( 5 ) is peeled.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A box-shaped package of a flexible and sealable, especially heat-sealable, packaging material including: 
 a front wall ( 1 ) and a back wall ( 2 ) arranged opposite each another and sealed together along opposed side edges thereof by means transverse side seams ( 5 ,  6 );    two opposed and inwardly folded end walls ( 3 ,  4 ), a first end wall ( 3 ) being sealed to the front wall ( 1 ) and the back wall ( 2 ) along first longitudinal end seams ( 9 ) and along first end side seams ( 11 ,  12 ) adjacent a respective side seam ( 5 ,  6 ) and a second end wall ( 4 ) being sealed to the front and the back walls ( 1 ,  2 ) along second longitudinal end seams ( 15 ,  16 ) and along second end side seams ( 17 ,  18 ) adjacent a respective side seam ( 5 ,  6 ),    characterized in that at least one of the side seams ( 5 ) is peelable, that at least portions of the front and the back walls ( 1 ,  2 ) extend beyond the transverse peelable side seam ( 5 ) to form a front wall gripping member ( 19 ) and a back wall gripping member ( 20 ), and that opening means are provided for opening at least a portion of the front wall ( 1 ) in longitudinal direction when the peelable sealing seam ( 5 ) is peeled.    
     
     
         2 . A package according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a first and a second end side seam ( 11 ,  17 ) adjacent the peelable side seam ( 5 ) are peelable at least between the front wall ( 1 ) and the first and second end walls ( 3 ,  4 ).  
     
     
         3 . A package according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the opening means include peelable end seams ( 9 ,  15 ) between the front wall ( 1 ) and the first and second end walls ( 3 ,  4 ).  
     
     
         4 . A package according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the opening means include two mutually interspaced incisions or weakening lines in the side edge ( 23 ) of the front wall ( 1 ) at the peelable side seam ( 5 ) or at the peelable end side seams ( 11 ,  17 ).  
     
     
         5 . A package according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the incisions or weakening lines are provided at either of the end seams ( 11 ,  17 ) between the front wall ( 1 ) and the first and the second end walls ( 3 ,  4 ), respectively.  
     
     
         6 . A package according to  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the opening means include two mutually interspaced weakening lines ( 21 ,  22 ) in the front wall ( 1 ) extending from a side edge ( 23 ) thereof and beyond the peelable side seam ( 5 ) or the peelable end side seams ( 11 ,  17 ).  
     
     
         7 . A package according to  claim 6 , characterized in that in the longitudinal direction the weakening lines ( 21 ,  22 ) extend over the majority of the front wall ( 1 ) and preferably at least over two-thirds of the distance to side seam ( 6 ) opposite the peelable side seam ( 5 ).  
     
     
         8 . A package according to  claim 6  or  7 , characterized in that the weakening lines ( 21 ,  22 ) are provided at either of the end seams ( 9 ,  15 ) between the front wall ( 1 ) and the first and the second end walls ( 3 ,  4 ) and extend substantially parallel to the respective end seam ( 9 ,  15 ).  
     
     
         9 . A package according to  claim 6  or  7 , characterized in that the weakening lines ( 25 ,  26 ) are arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal centre line of the front wall ( 1 ) and extend mutually diverging from the front wall gripping member ( 19 ) towards the end seams ( 9 ,  15 ) and then parallel thereto.  
     
     
         10 . A package according any of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the transverse direction the gripping members ( 19 ,  20 ) have an extent less than that of the package and are arranged centrally.