Flexible package

Abstract

A package for retaining consumable products is formed by a planar sheet or web of a flexible material that is folded about a plurality of aligned products. The fold of the sheet defines one side edge of the package. The other three side edges of the package are formed by sealing the front and back panel portions of the sheet to one another. An opening mechanism is provided for exposing at least a portion of the products retained within the package. The opening mechanism may be provided along the folded side edge of the package, at a corner of the package, adjacent to one of the sealed side edges. Other forms of opening means may also be formed along one of the seal edges along with means for resealing the opened package.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package for retaining a product comprising:
 a planar sheet folded along a first edge and defining front and back panels about the products, the folded first edge of the sheet defining one side edge of the package,   three side edges formed by sealing the front and back panels to one another, the folded edge and the three sealed side edges defining an interior package volume for storing product therein, and   opening means formed on at least one of the side edges, the opening means for selectively exposing a portion of the product retained within the package volume.   
     
     
         2 . The package as in  claim 1  wherein the opening means is provided along the folded first edge. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 2  wherein the opening means is provided inwardly on the side edge from a package corner defined by the folded first edge and one of the sealed side edges. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 3  further comprising means for resealing the opened package, the resealing means provided adjacent the opening means. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 3  wherein the opening means comprises a score line within the planer sheet, the score line formed for separation of a flap portion of the folded first edge, the separation of the flap portion creating a notch in a portion of the folded first edge for discharge of product from the package volume. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the score line is curved and wraps over the folded first edge. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the score line is formed such that the flap portion remains attached to the package after Separation along the score line. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 7  further comprising means for resealing the flap portion after separation along the score line 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 8  wherein the resealing means is provided adjacent the opening means and inwardly of the package corner. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the opening means is formed along one of the sealed side edges. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the opening means is formed by a sealing void that is surrounded by the sealed portion of the one sealed side edge, and wherein the sealed portion is defined by a peelable seal. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11  wherein the peelable seal is formed by one of the following:
 heat sealing and pressure sensitive adhesive. 
 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 11  further comprising means for resealing the opened package, the resealing means provided adjacent the opening means. 
     
     
         14 . A package for retaining a plurality of individual products in an aligned formation, the package comprising:
 a body portion formed from
 a planar sheet folded along a first edge and defining front and back panels, the folded first edge of the sheet defining one side edge of the body, and 
 three side edges formed by sealing the periphery of the front and back panels to one another, the folded edge and the three sealed side edges defining a package volume for storing the aligned products therein, and 
   an opening mechanism formed along the folded first edge for selectively exposing at least a portion of the aligned products retained within the package volume, the opening mechanism provided inwardly from a package corner defined by the folded first edge and one of the sealed side edges.   
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the opening mechanism comprises a score line provided within the planer sheet, the score line extending over the folded first edge and along a portion within each of the front and back panels, the score line providing for the separation of a flap portion on the folded first edge, the separation of the flap portion creating a notch in a portion of the folded first edge for discharge of one of the aligned products from within the package volume. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 15  wherein at least a portion of the score line is curved. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 15  wherein the score line is formed such that the flap portion remains attached to the package after separation along the score line. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 17  further comprising means for resealing the flap portion after separation along the score line. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 18  wherein the resealing means is provided adjacent the flap portion, adjacent the package corner.