Perforated easy opening pouch

Abstract

A perforated large-size easy opening pouch is formed from a single sheet containing at least one layer of a film material, and the sheet forms a volume. The pouch also contains a seal containing a perforation. The perforation is completely surrounded by the seal. When a tear is initiated along the perforation, the tear propagates to a non-sealed portion of the pouch. A sealing jaw and a method for forming such a pouch is also described.

1 . A perforated large-size easy opening pouch comprising:
 A. a sheet comprising at least one layer of a film material, the sheet forming a volume; and   B. a seal comprising a perforation therein,   wherein the perforation is completely surrounded by the seal, wherein the pouch is formed from a single sheet, and wherein when a tear is initiated along the perforation, the tear propagates to a non-sealed portion of the pouch.   
   
   
       2 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch is formed by an autopacking machine. 
   
   
       3 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , comprising a granular detergent therein. 
   
   
       4 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the film material is from about 15μ to about 220μ thick. 
   
   
       5 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises a volume of at least 500 mL. 
   
   
       6 . The pouch according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch comprises a perforation distance and a tear distance, and wherein the ratio of the perforation distance:tear distance is more than about 1:10. 
   
   
       7 . A sealing jaw comprising:
 A. a sealing arm comprising a profiled sealing area, the profiled sealing area comprising a cut blade, wherein the cut blade is completely surrounded by the profiled sealing area; and   B. a receiving arm comprising a profiled sealing area, the profiled sealing area comprising a cut channel for receiving the cut blade.   
   
   
       8 . The sealing jaw of  claim 7  wherein the sealing arm comprises a heating element. 
   
   
       9 . The sealing jaw of  claim 7  wherein the receiving arm comprises a heating element. 
   
   
       10 . An autopacking machine comprising the sealing jaw according to  claim 7 . 
   
   
       11 . A method for sealing a pouch comprising the steps of:
 A. providing a sheet;   B. forming a tube having a leading edge;   C. sealing the leading edge to form a first seal;   D. filling the tube with a predetermined amount of a product;   E. sealing the tube to form a second seal; and   F. cutting the tube to form a pouch filled with the product,   wherein at least one of the first seal or the second seal comprises a perforation, wherein the perforation is completely surrounded by the first or second seal, and wherein when a tear is formed along the perforation, the tear propagates to a non-sealed portion of the pouch.