Easy open pouch with energy activation

Abstract

The present invention includes a sheet of flexible packaging material that includes one or more films having an inner side and an outer side. On the outer side of at least one film is a pattern of activation particles, preferably metal flakes or the like. The pattern of particles is energy activated causing the pattern to heat and penetrate or weaken at least a portion of the film, creating a tear line in the wall of a package formed from the sheet. A method for creating a tear line in a sheet of flexible packaging material and the formation of the material into a package with a tear line in the side wall or the like is also defined.

1 . A sheet of flexible packaging material comprising: 
 a first film layer, the film comprising an inner side and an outer side; and    a tear line on the outer side of the film, the tear line comprising an energy dosed pattern of particles penetrated into the outer side of the film.    
   
   
       2 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  wherein the sheet further comprises an inner side of a second film joined to the outer side of the first film.  
   
   
       3 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 2  wherein the second film and the first film are co-extruded.  
   
   
       4 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1 , wherein the film comprises a polyolefin.  
   
   
       5 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 4  wherein the film is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene.  
   
   
       6 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  wherein the particles are made of a metal material.  
   
   
       7 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 6  wherein the metal particles are from about 5 microns to about 30 microns in size.  
   
   
       8 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 6  wherein the metal particles comprise aluminum flakes.  
   
   
       9 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  wherein the particles are formed in a non-linear pattern.  
   
   
       10 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  wherein the particles of the tear line are dispersed in an ink.  
   
   
       11 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  wherein the particles are activated by radio frequency energy.  
   
   
       12 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 11  wherein the radio frequency is from about 30 gigahertz to about 300 gigahertz.  
   
   
       13 . A sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  wherein the particles are exposed to an ultrasound energy source.  
   
   
       14 . A flexible package comprising: 
 a sheet of flexible packaging material according to  claim 1  formed into a tubular structure with a bottom end and a top end;    a seam formed along the bottom end, a seam along the top end, and a longitudinal seam along a length of the package, wherein the seams enclose the package.    
   
   
       15 . A method for making a sheet of flexible packaging material with a tear line, the method comprising: 
 providing a first film, the film comprising an inner side and an outer side;    applying a pattern of activation particles on the outer side of the film; and    exposing the pattern of activation particles to an energy source, causing the particles to heat and weaken the film adjacent the particle pattern and to create the tear line.    
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the particles are exposed to radio frequency energy.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein the radio frequency is from about 30 gigahertz to about 300 gigahertz.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the particles comprise metal flakes.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the particles comprise aluminum.  
   
   
       20 . A method for forming a package with a tear line, the method comprising: 
 providing at least one sheet of flexible packaging material produced according to the method of  claim 15;     forming the sheet into a tubular structure with a bottom end and a top end;    sealing a seam along the bottom end and sealing a longitudinal seam along a length of the tubular structure;    filling the package with a product from the top end, the product contacting the inner side of the sheet; and    sealing the top end to enclose the product.    
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the seams are sealed by a cold seal cohesive.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 20  wherein the seams are sealed with a hot melt adhesive.