Fold and pull easy open paperboard package

Abstract

A package is disclosed which includes hingedly connected front, back, and side panels, the package being held securely closed by a pair of sealing panels. The package is opened by a folding and pulling action.

1 . A packaging structure comprising:
 a first package panel and a second package panel comprised of sheet material;   a first sealing panel attached to a distal edge of the first package panel;   a second sealing panel attached to a distal edge of the second package panel; and   at least portions of the first and second sealing panels being sealed together to define a multi-ply sealing structure that hingedly connects together the first package panel and second package panels at their distal edges;   a pull tab formed from the first or second sealing panel and hingedly connected to the associated package panel;   wherein, a flexing of said multi-ply sealing structure relative to said first and/or second package panel results in the pull tab separating from the plane of said first or second sealing panel from which said pull tab is formed.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein a pulling force on said pull tab initiates an opening of the package. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the pull tab formed from the first or second sealing panel is not sealed to the other of the first and second sealing panels. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the pull tab is connected by perforations to the sealing panel from which it is formed. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a perforation between the sealing panel on which the pull tab is formed, and the associated first or second package panel. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5 , wherein the at least a portion of a connection directly between the pull tab and the associated first or second package panel is not perforated. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second package panels comprises a first aperture opening to the interior of the package. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second package panels comprises a second aperture opening to the interior of the package. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a hang hole. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutout in said first or second sealing panel and located adjacent said pull tab. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said package opens from a closed configuration to an open configuration by a pivoting motion of said first and second package panels relative to one another about a pivot point or pivot line. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 11 , wherein the pivot point or pivot line is along a proximal edge of the first or second package panel, the proximal edge of said package panel being an opposite edge from the distal edge of said package panel. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one intermediate panel between the proximal edges of the first and second package panels, the proximal edges of said package panels being opposite from their distal edges. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 11 , further comprising at least two intermediate panels between the proximal edges of the first and second package panels, the proximal edges of said package panels being opposite from their distal edges, wherein the pivot point or pivot line is between the two intermediate panels.