Easy opening packaging for food products

Abstract

The present invention proposes a flow wrapped packaging ( 1 ) for a food product ( 10 ), said packaging ( 1 ) being of a flexible material and having a substantially rectangular shape, the packaging ( 1 ) being folded around the food product ( 10 ) and being sealed on at least three side portions (L 1, B 1, B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ), wherein a longitudinal sealed side portion (L 1 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) extends two free adjacent flap portions ( 5 a, 5 b ) extending freely from the sealed portion ( 2 b ).

1 . A flow wrapped packaging ( 1 ) for a food product ( 10 ) such as a performance bar,
 said packaging ( 1 ) being of a flexible material and preferably having a substantially rectangular shape,   the packaging ( 1 ) being folded around the food product ( 10 ) at one side (L 2 ) and being sealed on the remaining side portions (L 1 ,B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ),   wherein   two adjacent flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) extend at at least one of the side portions (L 1 ) of the packaging ( 1 ),   the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) are connected at their end adjacent to the associated sealed side portion (L 1 ), and   the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) extend freely and linearly thereof essentially in the main plane of the food product, and   wherein lateral side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging are not sealed to their full length such that the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) are not joined together at said lateral side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ); and   wherein the two adjacent flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) comprise grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) provided at an inner or outer surface ( 7   a , 7   b ) of the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ).   
     
     
         2 . A packaging according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the two adjacent flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) extend to different extents.   
     
     
         3 . A packaging according to  claim 1  or  2 ,
 wherein seals ( 4   a ) formed at the side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ) perpendicular to the longitudinal side portions (L 1 , L 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) are designed such that they do not extend over the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ). 
 
     
     
         4 . A packaging according to any of  claims 1  to  3 ,
 wherein the grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) are formed as an integral part of the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) of the packaging ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
         5 . A packaging according to any of  claims 1  to  3 ,
 wherein the grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) are formed as additional means connected to the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ) of the packaging ( 1 ). 
 
     
     
         6 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,
 wherein the grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) comprise a surface modulation such as e.g. embossments.   
     
     
         7 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,
 wherein the grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) comprise a pattern of holes or apertures.   
     
     
         8 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,
 wherein the grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) comprise material adhered onto the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ).   
     
     
         9 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,
 wherein the grip elements ( 6   a , 6   b ) are designed differently for each of the flap portions ( 5   a , 5   b ).   
     
     
         10 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,
 wherein the seal ( 4 ) of the packaging comprises a heat-sealable peelable film, a heat-sealable coating or a cold seal adhesive.   
     
     
         11 . A method for packing a food product by means of a packaging according to any of  claims 1  to  10 , said method comprising the steps of:
 placing the food product ( 10 ) on an inner surface ( 1   a ) of the packaging ( 1 ), 
 folding the packaging ( 1 ) around a longitudinal edge ( 10   b ) of the food product ( 10 ) to enclose the food product such that two overlapping flaps ( 5   a , 5   b ) are formed at an opposite longitudinal edge ( 10   b ) of the food product, wherein the overlapping flaps ( 5   a , 5   b ) extend linearly from said opposite longitudinal edge preferably to different extents, and 
 sealing side portions (L 1 ,B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) such that the flaps ( 5   a , 5   b ) formed at the longitudinal side portion (L 1 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) are sealed together at an axis parallel to a longitudinal edge ( 10   b ) of the food product ( 10 ) and are extend freely therefrom, and 
 wherein the packaging ( 1 ) is applied to the food product ( 10 ) by means of flow wrapping. 
 
     
     
         12 . A method for packing a food product according to  claim 11 ,
 comprising the step of sealing two opposite lateral side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) at an axis parallel to a lateral edge ( 10   a ) of the food product ( 10 ) such that flaps ( 5   a , 5   b ) formed at the longitudinal edge (L 1 ) of the food product ( 10 ) are not joined together.   
     
     
         13 . A food product contained within a packaging according to any of  claims 1  to  10 , the food product being a bar such as a energy bar, a nutritional bar or a performance bar.