Packaging and method of opening

Abstract

A confectionery packaging is provided comprising a first part formed from a preformed shell that is substantially rigid so that the part maintains it shape. The first part holds the product to be packaged, which in the Figures is shown as a confectionery egg. Main surfaces of the first part are shaped so as to substantially conform to the shape of the confectionery egg. Consequently an open mouth to the part is provided. The egg is accessible through the open mouth. A flange is formed about the perimeter of the open mouth. The flange extends away from the main surfaces and continuously about the perimeter of the mouth and extends a substantial distance therefrom in order to provide a surface against which a second part. The confectionery packaging forms a sealed enclosure about the egg by sealing a second part to the flange. To open the packaging, the film is separated from the first part, for instance by peeling back the film. There is therefore provided a packaging which provides an improved protection to the egg and to which graphics can be more reliably applied and reproduced. The preformed part also provides a convenient holder for the egg to allow the user to consume the egg without having to touch the egg itself.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A packaging assembly comprising:
 a confectionery packaging and a secondary packaging,   wherein the confectionery packaging includes main surfaces that substantially correspond to the shape of the confectionery being packaged;   a flange extending outwardly from the confectionery packaging;   at least one aperture in a surface of the secondary packaging,   wherein the secondary packaging provides a support to the confectionery packaging by abutment between the flange and surface.   
     
     
         2 . The packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging is multiple confectionery packages, and the at least one aperture in the surface of the secondary packaging is a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         3 . The packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging is prevented from falling through the at least one aperture in the surface by abutment between the flange and the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging is prevented from falling through the at least one aperture in the surface only by abutment between the flange and the surface. 
     
     
         5 . The packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging is suspended within the at least one aperture in the secondary packaging by abutment between the flange and the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging is suspended within the at least one aperture in the secondary packaging, such that a first part of the confectionery packaging extends above the secondary packaging, allowing it to be gripped by a user, and a second part of the confectionery packaging is located within the aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging comprises a first preformed part and a second preformed part, wherein the first and second parts are sealed together about the ovoid confectionery at flanges that extend away from main surfaces of each part. 
     
     
         8 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are arranged to provide a distinct gripping portion that allows a consumer to grip the packaging in order to apply a separating force to separate one part from the other through the seal between the flanges. 
     
     
         9 . The packaging assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the separation is by peeling the first and second parts away from one another along the seal. 
     
     
         10 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein a first gripping portion is provided to allow a user to apply a separating force to one part and a second gripping portion is provided to allow a user to apply a separating force to the other part. 
     
     
         11 . The packaging assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second gripping portions are arranged adjacent each other. 
     
     
         12 . The packaging assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the or each gripping portion is provided by at least a portion of one flange overlying at least a portion of the other flange, and the portion of the flange that overlies the other flange forms the gripping portion. 
     
     
         13 . The packaging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein a plurality of portions of said one flange overlay a corresponding plurality of portions of said other flange to provide multiple gripping portions. 
     
     
         14 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein one of the flanges includes a first fracture zone that is arranged to fracture said flange into a main part and a distal end part when a force is applied to the fracture zone, the or each gripping portion being formed by a portion of one flange and the distal end part of said other flange. 
     
     
         15 . The packaging assembly of  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of fracture zones are provided in said flange in order to form multiple gripping portions. 
     
     
         16 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are joined at a plane and the plane is substantially planar. 
     
     
         17 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are joined at a plane and the plane is arcuate in at least one axis. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are joined at a plane and the plane is wavy in at least one axis. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the planes are arcuate or wavy in both axes. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are joined at a plane and the plane extends parallel to a major, tip to tip, axis of the confectionery. 
     
     
         21 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are joined at a plane and the plane extends parallel to a minor, waist, axis of the confectionery. 
     
     
         22 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the flanges are joined at a plane and the plane extends at an angle between a major and minor axis of the confectionery. 
     
     
         23 . The packaging assembly of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of the flanges is arranged to extend so that, in use, a portion of at least one of the flanges is arranged to contact a linear plane that extends in first and second orthogonal directions when a portion of the main surface of one of the parts also contacts the linear plane. 
     
     
         24 . The packaging assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the packaging is arranged such that the centre of gravity of the packaging acts between the contact between the plane and flange and the contact between the plane and main surface in one direction, or through such contact. 
     
     
         25 . The packaging assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the flange or main surface is adapted to provide two spaced contacts either side of the centre of gravity in a second direction, different to the first direction. 
     
     
         26 . The packaging assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the portion of the flange that extends to contact the linear plane includes a gripping portion. 
     
     
         27 . The packaging assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the flanges are adapted to provide the two spaced contacts in the second direction, and one of the spaced contacts forms a gripping portion to apply a separating force to one of the parts and the other of the spaced contacts forms a gripping portion to apply a separating force to the other of the parts. 
     
     
         28 . The confectionery packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery packaging has a non-stable shape. 
     
     
         29 . The confectionery packaging of  claim 1 , wherein the confectionery has a non-stable shape. 
     
     
         30 . The confectionery packaging of  claim 1 , wherein, the confectionery packaging is egg or ovoid in shape. 
     
     
         31 . The confectionery packaging of  claim 1 , wherein, the confectionery is egg or ovoid in shape. 
     
     
         32 . A method of packaging a confectionery package, wherein the method comprises supporting a flange of the confectionery package in a secondary packaging by abutment between the flange and a surface surrounding an aperture of the secondary package.