Package with unique opening device and method for opening package

Abstract

A package and method for opening the package are disclosed. The package includes a first film ( 11 ) and a second film ( 12 ) forming an enclosure and at least one tab area ( 16 ) and defining a package periphery ( 18 ), the enclosure defining an interior volume configured to receive a product. The package further includes first and second breachable bubbles ( 20, 22 ) formed within first and second tab portions ( 24, 26 ) of the at least one tab area ( 16 ). Upon application of pressure by a user, the first and second breachable bubbles ( 20, 22 ) breach. The package may be alternated between a first position, wherein the first tab portion ( 24 ) and the second tab portion ( 26 ) are substantially sealed from each other to facilitate breaching, and a second position, wherein the first tab portion ( 24 ) and the second tab portion ( 26 ) are in fluid communication with each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A package comprising:
 a first film and a second film, the first film and the second film forming an enclosure and at least one tab area and defining a package periphery, the enclosure defining an interior volume configured to receive a product;   a first breachable bubble formed within a first tab portion of the at least one tab area; and   a second breachable bubble formed within a second tab portion of the at least one tab area, the first breachable bubble and the second breachable bubble being portions of a singular breachable bubble,   wherein sufficient fluid is trapped within the first breachable bubble and the second breachable bubble such that, upon application of pressure by a user to the at least one tab area, the first breachable bubble breaches, separating a first sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a first breach passage between the enclosure and the first tab portion, and the second breachable bubble breaches, separating a second sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a second breach passage between the second tab portion and the package periphery.   
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein in a first folded position, the first tab portion and the second tab portion are substantially sealed from each other to facilitate breaching, and in a second unfolded position, the first tab portion and the second tab portion are in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein in a first position, the first film and the second film are folded such that the first breachable bubble is separated from the second breachable bubble along a fold line. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein upon application of pressure by a user to the at least one tab area, the first breachable bubble and the second breachable bubble breach substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         25 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the first sealed portion of the first film and the second film includes a first breach point and the second sealed portion of the first film and the second film includes a second breach point, and wherein when the first breachable bubble breaches, the first film and the second film separate at the first breach point, and when the second breachable bubble breaches, the first film and the second film separate at the second breach point. 
     
     
         26 . The package of  claim 21 , wherein the enclosure contains a product and wherein the enclosure is separate from the tab area. 
     
     
         27 . A package comprising:
 a first film and a second film, the first film and the second film forming an enclosure and at least one tab area and defining a package periphery, the enclosure defining an interior volume configured to receive a product;   a first breachable bubble formed within a first tab portion of the at least one tab area; and   a second breachable bubble formed within a second tab portion of the at least one tab area, the first and second breathable bubbles being separated by a fold line,   wherein sufficient fluid is trapped within the first breachable bubble and the second breachable bubble such that, upon application of pressure by a user to the at least one tab area, the first breachable bubble breaches, separating a first sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a first breach passage between the enclosure and the first tab portion, and the second breachable bubble breaches, separating a second sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a second breach passage between the second tab portion and the package periphery.   
     
     
         28 . The package of  claim 27 , wherein the first breachable bubble and the second breachable bubble are portions of a singular breachable bubble. 
     
     
         29 . A method for opening a package comprising:
 applying pressure to at least one tab area of the package, the at least one tab area including a first tab portion and a second tab portion, the first tab portion and the second tab portion being disposed in a first position substantially sealed from each other by a fold line;   breaching a first breachable bubble, the first breachable bubble being formed within the first tab portion;   breaching a second breachable bubble, the second breachable bubble being formed within the second tab portion; and   causing the first tab portion and the second tab portion to shift from the first position to a second position in fluid communication with each other,   wherein the package comprises a first film and a second film, the first film and the second film forming an enclosure and the at least one tab area and defining a package periphery, the enclosure defining an interior volume configured to receive a product.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the steps of breaching the first breachable bubble and breaching the second breachable bubble occur substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein breaching the first breachable bubble comprises separating a first sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a first breach passage between the enclosure and the first tab portion, and wherein breaching the second breachable bubble comprises separating a second sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a second breach passage between the second tab portion and the package periphery. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein in the first position, the first film and the second film are folded such that the portion of the second film defined by the second tab portion is disposed adjacent and releasably secured to the portion of the second film defined by the first tab portion, and wherein in the second position, the portion of the second film defined by the second tab portion is released from the portion of the second film defined by the first tab portion. 
     
     
         33 . A process for forming a package, comprising:
 providing a first film;   forming an enclosure and at least one tab area in the first film, the enclosure defining an interior volume configured to receive a product;   introducing a fluid into the at least one tab area;   providing a second film adjacent the first film; and   sealing the first film and the second film together to define a package periphery and form at least one breachable bubble in the at least one tab area, wherein sufficient fluid is trapped within the at least one breachable bubble such that, upon application of pressure by a user to the at least one tab area, the breachable bubble breaches, separating a sealed portion of the first film from the second film.   
     
     
         34 . The process of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one tab area includes a first tab portion and a second tab portion. 
     
     
         35 . The process of  claim 34 , wherein sealing the first film and the second film together forms a first breachable bubble within the first tab portion of the at least one tab area and a second breachable bubble within the second tab portion of the at least one tab area, wherein sufficient fluid is trapped within the first breachable bubble and the second breachable bubble such that, upon application of pressure by a user to the at least one tab area, the first breachable bubble breaches, separating a first sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a first breach passage between the enclosure and the first tab portion, and the second breachable bubble breaches, separating a second sealed portion of the first film and the second film to form a second breach passage between the second tab portion and the package periphery.