Openable food packaging

Abstract

A packaging for a food product that is configured to be easily openable includes a film substantially surrounding a food product and formed from a sheet having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side, and a seam formed by the first longitudinal side overlapping and bonding to the second longitudinal side. The film may be formed to have directional tear properties generally perpendicular to the seam, the directional tear properties defining at least one tear path in the film.

1 . A packaging for a food product that is configured to be easily openable, the packaging comprising:
 a film substantially surrounding the food product and formed from a sheet having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side;   a seam formed by the first longitudinal side overlapping and bonding to the second longitudinal side;   wherein the film is formed to have directional tear properties generally perpendicular to the seam, the directional tear properties defining at least one tear path in the film.   
   
   
       2 . The packaging of  claim 1  further comprising a tab extending from one of the longitudinal sides beyond the seam. 
   
   
       3 . The packaging of  claim 2  further comprising at least one notch provided in the film. 
   
   
       4 . The packaging of  claim 2  wherein the sheet comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein portions of the first surface and the second surface that are adjacent to the longitudinal sides are bonded to form the seam. 
   
   
       5 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein film is configured to provide two or more generally parallel tear paths that are orientated generally perpendicular to the seam. 
   
   
       6 . The packaging of  claim 1  wherein the tear properties are formed in the film when the film is manufactured. 
   
   
       7 . The packaging of  claim 6  wherein the tear properties comprise perforations in the film. 
   
   
       8 . The packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the tear properties define a plurality of tear paths each extending around at least a portion of the food product. 
   
   
       9 . The packaging of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of tear paths includes a first set of tear paths having a first distance between adjacent tear paths and a second set of tear paths having a second distance between adjacent tear paths. 
   
   
       10 . A packaging for a generally cylindrical food product having a longitudinal axis, the packaging comprising:
 a film substantially surrounding the packaged food product and formed from a sheet having a pair of longitudinal sides;   a seam formed by the longitudinal sides overlapping and bonding to each other;   a tab extending from one of the longitudinal sides beyond the seam;   at least one notch formed in the film;   wherein the film is formed to have directional tear properties so that a first tear path and a second tear path are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the packaged food product when the packaging is opened by pulling on the tab.   
   
   
       11 . The packaging of  claim 10  wherein the first tear path begins at the at least one notch and extends substantially around the packaged food product. 
   
   
       12 . The packaging of  claim 10 , wherein the film comprises a removeable portion provided between the first and second tear paths that is bonded to the remainder of the film along the first and second tear paths with an adhesive. 
   
   
       13 . The packaging of  claim 10 , wherein the directional tear properties define a third tear path extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       14 . The packaging of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first, second, and third tear paths is defined by perforations. 
   
   
       15 . The packaging of  claim 10 , wherein the tab is integrally formed with one of the longitudinal sides. 
   
   
       16 . A packaging for a food product that is configured to be easily openable, the packaging comprising:
 a film at least partially surrounding the food product and formed from a sheet;   a packaging opening system configured to provide quick and easy access to the food product, the packaging opening system comprising a pair of tear paths extending from an edge of the film, a tab located between the tear paths, and directional tear properties formed into the film to allow pair of generally parallel tears to progress along the tear paths through the film upon pulling of the tab.   
   
   
       17 . The packaging of  claim 16  wherein the tab is bonded to the film. 
   
   
       18 . The packaging of  claim 16  wherein at least a portion of the film conforms to the food product in a cylindrical manner. 
   
   
       19 . The packaging of  claim 16  wherein the directional tear properties comprise perforations formed in the film that define the tear paths, the tears progressing perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the food product. 
   
   
       20 . The packaging of  claim 16  wherein the directional tear properties define a third tear path extending along the seam and generally perpendicular to the pair of tear paths. 
   
   
       21 . A packaging for a food product, the packaging comprising:
 a film configured to substantially surround a generally cylindrical food product; and   means for facilitating the opening of the packaging such that at least one tear path is formed in the film that extends generally perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the food product.   
   
   
       22 . The packaging of  claim 21 , wherein the means for facilitating the opening of the packaging is selected from the group comprising a notch, a perforation, a tab, a pull ribbon, a cutting device, a removable portion, or a combination thereof.