Easy open pouches

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved easy-open packages for packaging beverages and wet food products for use with form-fill-seal machines, especially vertical form-fill-seal machines, and/or under hot fill or retort sterilization conditions. The packages comprise a frangible first seal connecting the first side of the web to the second side of the web and defining a tube member having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first package wall, a second package wall, opposing first and second package edges, a first package end and an opposing second package end; wherein the frangible first seal exposes a cross-sectional edge of the multilayer film inside the product receiving chamber. The packages further include a protective strip having a frangible fourth seal provided through the strip and the inner surface of the tube member; wherein the protective strip covers the exposed cross-sectional edge of the multilayer film

1 .) A package for a beverage or wet foodstuff and formed from a web of a multilayer film; the web having a first side, an opposing second side; the package comprising:
 a frangible first seal connecting the first side of the web to the second side of the web and defining a tube member having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first package wall, a second package wall, opposing first and second package edges, a first package end and an opposing second package end; wherein the frangible first seal exposes a cross-sectional edge of the multilayer film inside the product receiving chamber; wherein the multilayer film comprises an oxygen barrier layer;   a second seal provided through the first and second package walls and extending laterally across the width of both the first and second package walls at a position proximate the first package end;   a third seal provided through the first and second package walls and extending laterally across the width of both the first and second package walls at a position proximate the second package end, whereby a product receiving chamber is defined by the first package wall, the second package wall, the second seal and the third seal; and   a protective strip having a frangible fourth seal provided through the strip and the inner surface of the tube member; wherein the protective strip covers the exposed cross-sectional edge of the multilayer film.)   
     
     
         2 .) The package according to claim , wherein the multilayer film is a non-heat shrinkable film. 
     
     
         3 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxygen barrier layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers, polyacrylonitriles, polyamides, polyvinylidene chloride copolymers, metal foils and barrier coatings. 
     
     
         4 .) The package according to  claim 3 , wherein the multilayer film comprises a first adhesive layer positioned in contact with the oxygen barrier layer.) 
     
     
         5 .) The package according to  claim 4 , wherein the multilayer film comprises a second adhesive layer positioned in contact with the oxygen barrier layer.) 
     
     
         6 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film comprises a first heat-sealing layer. 
     
     
         7 .) The package according to  claim 6 , wherein the multilayer film comprises a layer in contact with the first heat-sealing layer. 
     
     
         8 .) The package according to  claim 7 , wherein the first heat-sealing layer or the layer in contact with the first heat-sealing layer is peelable and/or fracturable.) 
     
     
         9 .) The package according to  claim 7 , wherein both the first heat-sealing layer and the layer positioned in contact with the first heat-sealing layer are peelable and/or fracturable. 
     
     
         10 .) The package according to  claim 9 , wherein the first heat-sealing layer or the layer in contact with the first heat-sealing layer comprises a blend of at least two resins selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene butene copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, propylene ethylene copolymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene n-butyl acrylate, acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylic acid copolymer, and ethylene methylacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
         11 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the multilayer film comprises an second heat-sealing layer.) 
     
     
         12 .) The package according to  claim 11 , wherein the second heat-sealing layer comprises a resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, propylene ethylene copolymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene n-butyl acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylic acid copolymer, and ethylene methylacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
         13 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the frangible first seal is a lap seal or a butt-seal tape positioned on the outer surface of the tube member. 
     
     
         14 .) The package according to  claim 13 , wherein the frangible first seal is a lap seal. 
     
     
         15 .) The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a beverage or wet foodstuff which exhibits an acidic pH. 
     
     
         16 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective strip comprises a first heat-sealing layer. 
     
     
         17 .) The package according to  claim 16 , wherein the protective strip comprises a second heat-sealing layer. 
     
     
         18 .) The package according to  claim 17 , wherein the protective strip comprises a third layer positioned between the first and second heat-sealing layers. 
     
     
         19 .) The package according to  claim 16 , wherein the first heat-sealing layer comprises a blend of at least two resins selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene butene copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, propylene ethylene copolymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene n-butyl acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylic acid copolymer, and ethylene methylacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
         20 .) The package according to  claim 17 , wherein the second heat-sealing layer comprises a resin selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, propylene ethylene copolymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene n-butyl acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylic acid copolymer, and ethylene methylacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
         21 .) The package according to  claim 18 , wherein the third layer comprises a blend of at least two resins selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, ethylene butene copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, propylene ethylene copolymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer. ethylene n-butyl acrylate, ethylene methyl acrylic acid copolymer, and ethylene methylacrylate copolymer. 
     
     
         22 .) The package according to  claim 1  wherein both the second seal and the third seal are each an end seal. 
     
     
         23 .) The package according to claim herein the multilayer film has a shrinkage value of less than 10% at 90° C. 
     
     
         24 .) The package according to  claim 1 , further comprising a beverage or wet foodstuff wherein there is substantially zero head space inside the package between the third seal and the beverage or wet foodstuff. 
     
     
         25 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the frangible first seal does not delaminate after the package is cooked under pressure in water or steam at a temperature of 121° C. (250° F.) for 30 minutes. 
     
     
         26 .) The package according to  claim 1 , wherein the package is a vertical form-fill-seal pouch. 
     
     
         27 .) The package according to  claim 26 , wherein the package is a retortable vertical form-fill-seal pouch.