Collapsible Package and Method

Abstract

A package having one or more collapsible regions or portions is provided. A distinct crease, fold line, material section or separate material can be included with a portion of the package to facilitate collapsibility of a portion of a relatively large package onto or over itself to permit easier access to the interior contents while still allowing for operable use of any access device (e.g., zipper device) provided with the package.

1 . A package adapted to contain material contents, comprising:
 a first panel portion having first and second end portions;   a second panel portion having first and second end portions, wherein at least the first and second panel portions define an interior cavity adapted to hold material contents, and the first and second panel portions have an initial panel length; and   a collapsibility portion generally narrower than the longitudinal length of and defined in the first and second panel portions such that the first end portions of the first and second panel portions are collapsible about the collapsibility portion to define a reduced panel length for the first and second panel portions.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second panel portions are constructed of a generally flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsibility portion includes one or more folds. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more folds includes two or more folds adapted to define an accordion-like construct. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsibility portion is provided centrally located relative to the longitudinal length of the first and second panel portions. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second end portions of the first and second panel portions includes an access device. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the access device is a re-closeable zipper device. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsibility portion includes at least one rigid transverse member adapted to facilitate collapsibility. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsibility portion includes at least one generally rigid transverse member adapted to facilitate collapsibility. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , further including a bottom panel portion to provide a stand-up package configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , further including at least one side panel portion. 
     
     
         12 . A package adapted to contain material contents, comprising:
 a first generally rigid panel portion having first and second end portions;   a second generally rigid panel portion having first and second end portions, wherein at least the first and second generally rigid panel portions define an interior cavity adapted to hold material contents, and the first and second generally rigid panel portions have an initial panel length; and   a generally flexible collapsibility portion generally narrower than the longitudinal length of the first and second generally rigid panel portions such that the first end portions of the first and second generally rigid panel portions are collapsible about the collapsibility portion to define a reduced panel length for the package.   
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the collapsibility portion includes one or more folds. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more folds includes two or more folds adapted to define an accordion-like construct. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the collapsibility portion is provided centrally located relative to the longitudinal length of the first and second generally rigid panel portions. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second end portions of the first and second generally rigid panel portions includes an access device. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 16 , wherein the access device is a re-closeable zipper device. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the collapsibility portion includes at least one generally rigid transverse member adapted to facilitate collapsibility. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 12 , further including a bottom panel portion to provide a stand-up package configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 12 , further including at least one side panel portion.