Flexible film plate-mat bag

Abstract

A method for forming a plate-mat bag using a form, fill, and seal machine and the resultant bag. The film used to form the bag is oriented so that the product side layer is not a critical barrier layer. The top most portion of the bag is unsealed forming a tab. Below the top most portion, a peelable upper seal is utilized so that a consumer can destroy the upper seal using the tab and tear open the bag along slits made in the product side layer. This results in an easy open package which when opened can serve as a plate.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The present invention relates to an easy to open package, designed in a plate-mat bag configuration, and a method for making same. When the package of the present invention is opened it forms a plate which the consumer can set on a surface and consume the packaged contents. Several features of one end of the package provide for easy opening of the package by a consumer.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Snack foods and other items are often packaged in bags formed from thin, flexible packaging films. These thin films are formed primarily of plastics, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, but can also contain metalized films, foil, paper, or oriented films. These packaging films can have numerous layers directed to achieving specific needs, but are generally formed at least in part by extrusion of a plastic layer, co-extrusion of multiple layers simultaneously, extrusion coating of another material (such as paper), and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]A flexible easy to open package that also serves as a plate for storing and eating food and method for making same is provided. The package comprises two seals: a lower seal and an upper peelable seal. The upper seal has geometry so that as the seal is pulled downward, the force gets distributed downward and outward. There is a portion of unsealed film above the upper seal which forms a tab. This allows a consumer to easily grip the tab and pull downward, breaking the upper seal and opening the package. The inner layer of the package has score lines. Consequently, as the consumer breaks the upper seal, the package continues to tear along the direction of the score lines. Once opened, the package resembles a plate. Further, the torn top portion of the package can be used as a place-mat upon which cups or drinks or other items may be placed.

Problems solved by technology

The form, fill, and seal machines are quite expensive, in the range of $250,000 each, but pay for themselves easily when compared to the cost of pre-formed bags and the machinery to fill them.

This can become more difficult as a consumer gets older.

For example, some consumers have arthritis or have lost strength in their hands.

Grasping the sides of a flexible bag and opening it as previously described may be a difficult task for them.

However, even these traditional pillow containers have a downside in that when opened the package falls on its side and consequently must be balanced to keep product from spilling.

However, these vertical stand-up packages still only offer a small cross-sectional area from which product can be retrieved.

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