Pouch opening feature

Abstract

A pouch having a distal edge and a proximal edge. A tear notch is located adjacent to the proximal edge. A first pull ring is defined within an edge panel of the proximal end. The first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.

1 . A pouch comprising: 
 a distal edge and a proximal edge;    an inner pouch defined by an edge panel;    a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge; and    a first pull ring defined within the edge panel;    wherein the first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.    
   
   
       2 . The pouch of claim l, further comprising a tear propagation line extending from the tear notch to the distal edge.  
   
   
       3 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the tear propagation line is formed by mechanical scoring techniques.  
   
   
       4 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the tear propagation line is formed by thermal scoring techniques.  
   
   
       5 . The pouch of  claim 2 , wherein the tear propagation line includes perforations.  
   
   
       6 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the edge panel comprises a weld.  
   
   
       7 . The pouch of  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises a flexible material.  
   
   
       8 . The pouch of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible material comprises highly oriented packaging film.  
   
   
       9 . The pouch of  claim 8 , wherein the highly oriented packaging film comprises a monolayer construction.  
   
   
       10 . The pouch of  claim 9 , wherein the highly oriented packaging film comprises a laminated construction.  
   
   
       11 . The pouch of  claim 10 , wherein the highly oriented packaging film comprises a co-extruded construction.  
   
   
       12 . The pouch of  claim 1 , further comprising a second pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end, wherein the second pull ring is disposed on an opposite side of the tear notch from the first pull ring.  
   
   
       13 . The pouch of  claim 12 , wherein the pouch is opened by pulling the first pull ring away from the second pull ring to propagate a tear from the tear notch toward the distal edge.  
   
   
       14 . A food package kit comprising: 
 a pouch containing a food product, the pouch including:    a distal edge and a proximal edge;    a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge; and    a first pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end;    wherein the first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.    
   
   
       15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the food product comprises soup.  
   
   
       16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein the pouch further comprises a second pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end, wherein the second pull ring is disposed on an opposite side of the tear notch from the first pull ring.  
   
   
       17 . The pouch of  claim 16 , wherein the pouch is opened by pulling the first pull ring away from the second pull ring to propagate a tear from the tear notch toward the distal edge.  
   
   
       18 . A method of preparing a food product for subsequent sale, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a pouch defining an interior and an exterior, the pouch including; 
 a distal edge and a proximal edge;  
 a tear notch adjacent to the proximal edge; and  
 a first pull ring defined within an edge panel of the proximal end;  
 wherein the first pull ring enables a user to open the pouch by moving the first pull ring to propagate a tear in the pouch from the tear notch toward the distal edge.  
   dispensing the food product in the interior of the pouch;    sealing the food product in the interior of the pouch.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of printing marketing indicia on the pouch.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of packing a plurality of sealed pouches in a case box for distribution and sale.