Package handle

Abstract

A package having a handle portion is disclosed. The package generally includes opposing panel portions that at least partially define an interior cavity therebetween accessible through an access opening. The handle is generally formed by two or more openings or apertures punched or cut into a portion of the package. The handle can be further defined by a cut or slit line extending between and in communication with the apertures to provide a hingeable flap.

1 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a plurality of flexible panel portions defining an interior portion of the flexible package adapted to hold material contents;   a handle portion defined in at least one of the flexible panel portions, the handle portion defined by;
 a first aperture defined in the at least one flexible panel portion; 
 a second aperture defined in the at least one flexible panel portion, proximate the first aperture; and 
 a slit portion extending between and in operable communication with the first and second apertures such that a hingeable flap is defined extending between the first and second apertures. 
   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the slit portion is a perforated and detachable slit. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of flexible panel portions includes at least a front panel portion and a back panel portion. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible panel portions includes a re-closeable access device. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the re-closeable access device is a re-closeable zipper device. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the slit portion is a laser-scored perforation. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second apertures are substantially the same size. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second apertures are different sizes. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of at least one of the first and second apertures is selected from a group consisting of: circular, oval, square, semi-circular and rectangular. 
   
   
       10 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a plurality of flexible panel portions defining an interior portion of the flexible package adapted to hold material contents;   a handle portion defined in at least one of the flexible panel portions, the handle portion defined by;
 a first generally circular aperture defined in the at least one flexible panel portion and including an inner radius portion; 
 a second generally circular aperture defined in the at least one flexible panel portion and including an inner radius portion; and 
 a slit portion extending between and in operable communication with the inner radius portions of the first and second generally circular apertures such that a hingeable flap is defined extending between the first and second generally circular apertures. 
   
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the slit portion is a perforated and detachable slit. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of flexible panel portions includes at least a front panel portion and a back panel portion. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of flexible panel portions includes a re-closeable access device. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the re-closeable access device is a re-closeable zipper device. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second apertures are substantially the same size. 
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second apertures are different sizes. 
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein each of the first and second generally circular apertures include an outer radius portion opposite the inner radius portion to facilitate distribution of the forces exerted on the handle portion during use. 
   
   
       18 . A method of forming a package with a handle, comprising:
 providing a plurality of flexible panel portions defining an interior portion of the flexible package adapted to hold material contents;   forming a first opening in at least one of the flexible panel portions;   forming a second opening in the at least one flexible panel portion proximate the first opening; and   forming a slit portion extending between and in operable communication with the first and second openings such that a hingeable flap is defined extending between the first and second opening.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first and second openings is formed to a shape selected from a group consisting of: circular, oval, square, semi-circular, and rectangular. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further including providing a re-closeable access device to at least one of the flexible panel portions. 
   
   
       21 . A flexible package, comprising:
 a plurality of flexible panel portions defining an interior portion of the flexible package adapted to hold material contents;   a handle portion defined in at least one of the flexible panel portions, the handle portion defined by;
 a first opening defined in the at least one flexible panel portion; 
 a second opening defined in the at least one flexible panel portion, proximate the first opening; and 
 a slit portion extending between and in operable communication with the first and second openings such that a hingeable flap is defined extending between the first and second openings. 
   
   
   
       21 . The flexible package of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second openings is a radiused breach in the at least one flexible panel portion. 
   
   
       22 . The flexible package of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second openings is generally semi-circular in shape. 
   
   
       23 . The flexible package of  claim 20 , wherein at least one of the first and second openings is generally circular in shape.