Easy to Open Package and Method of Making Same

Abstract

A package and a process for forming the package are provided. The package includes a breachable bubble located along an edge of the package for facilitating the opening of the package. Fluid under pressure is contained within the bubble and applying pressure to the bubble causes the bubble to breach, separating opposing film layers that can then be used to open the package. The bubble is first formed from an outer seal. An inner seal is then applied within the perimeter of the outer seal for increasing the pressure of a fluid, such as air, within the bubble.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A package comprising:
 a hollow enclosure configured to receive at least one product, the enclosure being sealed from the surrounding environment, the package including at least one tab area, the tab area having been formed by selectively sealing two opposing polymer films;   at least one breachable bubble configured to be breached upon application of pressure by a user, the breachable bubble being defined by an outer seal having a perimeter, and wherein the breachable bubble further comprises an inner seal that is located inside the perimeter of the outer seal, the inner seal extending along at least a portion of the perimeter of the outer seal, the inner seal reducing a volume of the breachable bubble.   
     
     
         2 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the inner seal increases gas pressure within the breachable bubble. 
     
     
         3 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the inner seal extends over only a portion of the perimeter of the outer seal. 
     
     
         4 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the tab area includes an outer edge and wherein the breachable bubble further comprises a seal-breaking region located along the outer seal having a weaker seal strength than the remainder of the outer seal, the seal-breaking region facing the outer edge of the tab area, and wherein the seal-breaking region is configured to breach upon application of pressure to the breachable bubble by a user. 
     
     
         5 . A package as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the inner seal is not located along the seal-breaking region of the outer seal. 
     
     
         6 . A package as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the seal-breaking region comprises a zig-zag or sinusoidal pattern. 
     
     
         7 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the two opposing polymer films comprise a continuous piece of material. 
     
     
         8 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one breachable bubble is formed by trapping a gas present between the two opposing films. 
     
     
         9 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least one breachable bubble protrudes from both sides of a tab. 
     
     
         10 . A package as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the opposing films that form one of the tabs are partially separated upon breaching of the at least one breachable bubble and the partially separated films may be used as flaps for a user to peel apart to further open said sealed tab. 
     
     
         11 . A process for forming a package comprising:
 forming a hollow enclosure between two polymer film layers, wherein the hollow enclosure is configured to receive at least one product;   sealing the polymer film layers by applying heat and pressure to form a package having perimeter edges, wherein the hollow enclosure is sealed from the surrounding environment; and   forming at least one breachable bubble adjacent to a perimeter edge, the breachable bubble being defined by a continuous outer seal formed by attaching the polymer film layers together, the breachable bubble having a volume and containing a gas at a pressure;   forming an inner seal within the outer seal in a manner that reduces the volume of the breachable bubble and increased the gas pressure within the breachable bubble, wherein the breachable bubble is configured to be breached upon application of pressure by a user.   
     
     
         12 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the inner seal extends along at least a portion of a perimeter of the outer seal. 
     
     
         13 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the inner seal increases gas pressure within the breachable bubble. 
     
     
         14 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the inner seal extends over only a portion of the perimeter of the outer seal. 
     
     
         15 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the tab area includes an outer edge and wherein the breachable bubble further comprises a seal-breaking region located along the outer seal having a weaker seal strength than the remainder of the outer seal, the seal-breaking region facing the outer edge of the tab area, and wherein the seal-breaking region is configured to breach upon application of pressure to the breachable bubble by a user. 
     
     
         16 . A process as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the inner seal is not located along the seal-breaking region of the outer seal. 
     
     
         17 . A process as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the seal-breaking region comprises a zig-zag or sinusoidal pattern. 
     
     
         18 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the two opposing polymer films comprise a continuous piece of material. 
     
     
         19 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least one breachable bubble is formed by trapping a gas present between the two opposing films. 
     
     
         20 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein at least one breachable bubble protrudes from both sides of a tab. 
     
     
         21 . A process as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the opposing films that form one of the tabs are partially separated upon breaching of the at least one breachable bubble and the partially separated films may be used as flaps for a user to peel apart to further open said sealed tab.