Food packaging

Abstract

Disclosed is an edible package comprising: a package body having a package cavity defined by a first package panel, a second package panel opposite the first package panel, a first package end joining the first package panel and the second package panel, and a second package end joining the first package panel and the second package panel; at least one open end of the package body, the at least one open end communicating with the package cavity; and at least one content retaining member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one content retaining member is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member, and the second end of the at least one content retaining member is attached to the package body.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 398,078, filed August 15, 2022, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 509,801, filed June 23, 2023, which applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to edible packages, and more particularly to edible packages having at least one content-retaining member. [Background technology]

[0003] There is consumer interest in gum packages that contain larger amounts of gum, and therefore it is desirable to provide a package that can hold larger amounts of gum in a manner that is convenient for the user. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] According to one embodiment, an edible package includes a package body having a package cavity defined by a first package panel, a second package panel opposite the first package panel, a first package end joining the first package panel and the second package panel, and a second package end joining the first package panel and the second package panel. At least one open end of the package body is in communication with the package cavity. The edible package also includes at least one content retaining member having a first end and a second end, the first end of the at least one content retaining member being removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member. The second end of the at least one content retaining member is attached to the package body.

[0005] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one content retaining member extends across the open end when the first end is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member.

[0006] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the second end is attached to the second package panel, the first end is attached to at least one removable portion of the first package panel, and the at least one content retaining member is removable from the package body upon separation of the removable portion from the first package panel.

[0007] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is affixed to an exterior surface of the second package panel.

[0008] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is affixed to an inner surface of the second package panel.

[0009] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the at least one content retaining member includes an inner surface having an adhesive.

[0010] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one content-retaining member is adhered to the second package panel.

[0011] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the adhesive includes a higher affinity for the material of the second package panel than for the contents disposed within the package cavity.

[0012] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the removable portion of the first packaging panel is connected to the remainder of the first packaging panel via at least one relatively weak line.

[0013] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one removable portion of the first panel is disposed proximate to the at least one open end.

[0014] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above-mentioned features, in further embodiments, the at least one open end is a first open end and a second open end disposed at opposite ends of the package body, the at least one removable portion is a first removable portion disposed proximate the first open end and a second removable portion disposed proximate the second open end, and the at least one content retaining member is a first content retaining member extending across the first open end and attached to the first removable portion, and a second content retaining member extending across the second open end and attached to the second removable portion.

[0015] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, at least one removable portion includes an adhesive on an interior surface that allows it to be resealed to the cavity and any contents within the first package panel.

[0016] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the package cavity is sized to accommodate a plurality of individual packs arranged in a side-by-side array.

[0017] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above-mentioned features, in further embodiments, the package body includes at least one access notch that creates user access to package contents disposed within the package cavity.

[0018] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one line of weakness is a perforation or score in the first package panel.

[0019] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the adhesive is releasable from package contents disposed within the package cavity.

[0020] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the content retaining member is affixed to the second package panel such that removing the content retaining member from the second package panel visibly removes a portion of the second package panel.

[0021] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, further embodiments include an adhesive that allows the at least one content retaining member to be removed from any of the plurality of packs and includes sufficient adhesive strength to support the entire weight of at least one of the plurality of packs.

[0022] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, at least one removable portion of the first package panel is peelable from the remainder of the first package panel.

[0023] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, at least one removable portion of the first package panel is displaceable from the remainder of the first package panel.

[0024] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one content retaining member extends across the open end when in the content retaining position and detaches from the package body at the first end or the second end when in the open position.

[0025] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, at least a first end of the at least one content retaining member includes an adhesive for releasably adhering the first end of the at least one content retaining member to the first panel of the package body.

[0026] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, at least a first end of the at least one content retaining member is peelable from the remainder of the first package panel via a tab.

[0027] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, a first end of the at least one content retaining member is connected to a remainder of the at least one content retaining member via at least one relatively weak line disposed along the at least one content retaining member.

[0028] In addition to or in place of one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one content retaining member is peelable from the remainder of the first package panel via a tab disposed proximate to at least one relatively weak line disposed along the at least one content retaining member.

[0029] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one content retaining member wraps completely around the package body, and a second end of the at least one content retaining member is releasably attached to another region of the at least one content retaining member.

[0030] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the at least one line of weakness is a plurality of lines of weakness disposed in the relative center of the first package panel and in the area where the first package panel borders the first package edge and the second package edge.

[0031] According to another embodiment, an edible package includes a package body having a package cavity defined by a first package panel, a second package panel opposite the first package panel, a first package end joining the first package panel and the second package panel, and a second package end joining the first package panel and the second package panel. At least one food pack is disposed within the package cavity. At least one open end of the package body is in communication with the package cavity. The edible package also includes at least one content retaining member having a first end and a second end, the content retaining member extending across the at least one open end. The first end of the at least one content retaining member is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member, and the second end of the at least one content retaining member is attached to the package body.

[0032] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in further embodiments, the at least one content retaining member extends across the open end when the first end is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member.

[0033] In addition to or in the alternative to one or more of the above features, in a further embodiment, the at least one food pack is a plurality of individual packs arranged in a side-by-side array. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike.

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an edible package having a retained pack according to one embodiment. FIG.

[0036] [Figure 1A] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the edible package of FIG. 1 with an optional tab.

[0037] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the edible package of FIG. 1 without the retained pack.

[0038] [Figure 3] 2 is an elevational view of the first panel of the edible package of FIG. 1. FIG.

[0039] [Figure 4] 2 is an elevational view of the second panel of the edible package of FIG. 1. FIG.

[0040] [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the edible package of FIG. 1.

[0041] [Figure 6] 2 is an elevational view of the edible package of FIG. 1 shown in blank form.

[0042] [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an edible package having a retained pack according to another embodiment.

[0043] [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an edible package having a retained pack according to another embodiment.

[0044] [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an edible package having a retained pack according to another embodiment.

[0045] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an edible package having a retained pack according to another embodiment.

[0046] [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an edible package having a retained pack according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] 1-6, a package 10 for containing multiple edible packs 12a and 12b is shown. As depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the package 10 contains two individual edible packs 12a and 12b arranged side-by-side (or end-to-end) within a package cavity 14 of the edible package 10 (the package cavity is best seen in FIG. 2, which does not include packs 12a and 12b). The edible contents contained within packs 12a and 12b may be any food or food-type item, such as, but not limited to, chewing gum, candy, or other confectionery. For purposes of this disclosure, the term food product shall be defined as any ingestible material, such as, but not limited to, chewing gum, candy, other confectionery, food, or medicine.

[0048] Package 10 may be made from any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, paperboard or plastic. In the exemplary embodiment discussed below, the package is paperboard. Similarly, packs 12a, 12b may be made from any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, paperboard or plastic, although in the exemplary embodiment discussed below, packs 12a, 12b are paperboard or plastic packs wrapped in a barrier film (such as cellophane or plastic).

[0049] The package 10 includes a package body 16 (essentially a sleeve) that defines a package cavity 14 via a first package panel 18, a second package panel 20 disposed opposite the first package panel 18, a first package end 22 that joins the first package panel 18 and the second package panel 20, and a second package end 24 that also joins the first package panel 18 and the second package panel 20. As best shown in the package blank of FIG. 6 (which is an exploded view of the package body 16), the first or top package end 22 is integral with the first and second panels 18, 20, while the second package end 24 is two packaging flaps 24a, 24b that are integral with the first or second panels 18, 20, respectively, and that are glued or otherwise affixed to one another to join the first and second panels 18, 20. To provide convenient user access to (and manipulation of) packs 12a, 12b, package body 16 may include one or more optional notches, such as 25a-e, disposed on one or more edges thereof.

[0050] The package body 16 includes at least one open end, shown in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1-6 as a first open end 26 and a second open end 28. These open ends 26, 28 communicate with the package cavity 14 and are sized to allow the packs 12a, 12b to be removed from the package cavity 14. To prevent undesired removal (such as any time before purchase and opening by a consumer), a first content retention member 30 and a second content retention member 32 extend across the first and second open ends, respectively. These content retention members may be pressure-sensitive labels or tape, or any other type of tape or adhesive that may be desirably used in food packaging. In the exemplary embodiment, content retention members 30, 32 extend across open ends 26, 28 and are affixed or attached to package body 16 at both first package panel 18 at first member ends 37a, 37b and second package panel 20 at second member ends 39a, 39b to retain packs 12a, 12b within package cavity 14. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 , first member ends 37a, 37b are removably attached to first panel 18 of package body 16 via removable portions 34, 36 (the “removable” nature of these portions is discussed in more detail below). These affixed content retention members 30, 32 enable packs 12a, 12b to be secured within cavity 14 against removal through either of open ends 26, 28.

[0051] Of course, at some point, a consumer will desire to remove one or both of the packs 12a, 12b from the package body 16. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 11, removal is accomplished by pulling apart at least one removable portion 34, 36 to which the content-retaining members 30, 32 are affixed at their respective first ends 37a, 37b. As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the removable portions 34, 36 are part of the first package panel 18 and are connected to the remainder of the first package panel 18 via lines of relative weakness 38a, 38b. These lines or areas of the first package panel 18 may be any type of worn or marred area of ​​the paperboard, such as, but not limited to, perforations or nicks. In exemplary embodiments, the lines or areas of relative weakness 38a, 38b are separable from the remainder of the first package panel 18 with sufficiently low pressure (applied by a user's fingers) so as not to damage the packs 12a, 12b and their edible contents. This may be achieved by using a perforation pattern that leads to one or both of the detachable portions 34, 36 being forced outward toward the proximal open ends 26, 28 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0052] Separation may also be achieved by using a perforation pattern or optional tabs 41 a, 41 b that allow a user to grasp the portions 34, 36 (perhaps initially with a finger or nail) and peel the portions 34, 36 from the remainder of the first package panel 18 (see, for example, FIG. 1 ). The removable portions 34, 36 may also be disposed adjacent to or at the defining edges 40, 42 of the open ends 26, 28 to facilitate easier removal of the portions 34, 36 from the first package panel 18. As best shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 , once removed, the portions 34, 36 and content retaining members 30, 32 hang down from the package body 16 and are attached to the second package panel 20 via respective attachment points of the content retaining members 30, 32. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure for removable portions 34, 36 to occupy a much larger surface area of ​​first panel 18, such as limited to that shown in FIG. 11 , where lines of weakness 38a, 38b essentially join at the relative center of first panel 18 and extend its entire height (from notch 25a to the relative bottom of panel 18). The lines of weakness 38a, 38b in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11 also extend across the area where first package panel 18 borders first package end 22 and second package end 24. In addition to physically preventing packs 12a, 12b from being removed from cavity 14 when portions 34, 36 are attached to first package panel 18, content retaining members 30, 32 may also each include inner surfaces 44a, 44b having adhesive (such as when the content retaining member is a pressure-sensitive label as discussed in the exemplary embodiment above). These surfaces 44a, 44b are best seen in Figure 3. Of course, content retaining members 30, 32 may be adhered via this adhesive to the outer surface 46 of second package panel 20 and to the outer surfaces of content retaining members 30, 32 (see Figure 4). Content retaining members 30, 32 may also be releasably adhered by one of packs 12a, 12b when their respective open ends 26, 28 are closed.

[0053] In such exemplary embodiments, the adhesive on the inner surfaces 44a, 44b may generally have a higher affinity for the material of the package body 16, specifically the second package panel 20 and the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18, than for any contents disposed within the package cavity (e.g., packs 12a, 12b). Indeed, in exemplary embodiments, the adhesive may have a higher affinity for the paperboard of the body 16 than for the cellophane or plastic wrapping around the packs 12a, 12b, or, if the pack is plastic, the actual plastic of the pack itself. The adhesive releasably adheres to the wrapping around the packs 12a, 12b (or the plastic packs themselves) such that the content retaining members 30, 32 can adhere to the respective packs 12a, 12b, but can also be removed therefrom without damaging the packs 12a, 12b or the wrapping therearound. The adhesive disposed on the inner surfaces 44a, 44b may not only be releasable as discussed, but may also be strong enough to support the full weight of one of the packs 12a or 12b, which is beneficial for pack retention (particularly when one of the packs 12a, 12b is removed and the other no longer has a pack blocking its path toward the opposing open end). The adhesive may also aid in pulling the adjacent pack 12a or 12b out of the cavity 14 when the respective retention members 30, 32 are moved away from the respective open ends 26, 28.

[0054] The adhesive discussed above may be applied consistently across the inner surfaces 44 a, 44 b of the content retaining members 30, 32, and / or may be applied more strongly (perhaps via stronger adhesive or greater amounts of adhesive) in areas of the surfaces 44 a, 44 b that affix or adhere the content retaining members 30, 32 to the outer surface 46 of the second package panel 20 and the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18. In either case, in exemplary embodiments, the adhesive may have sufficient strength and / or sufficient affinity for the second panel material and the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18 such that removing either of the content retaining members 30, 32 from the second package panel 20 and / or the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18 visibly damages and / or detaches those portions of the package body 16. Such damage and / or removal, along with the pulling apart of the removable portions 34, 36, may enable the content retaining members 30, 32 and the removable portions 34, 36 to act as a package integrity feature alerting the consumer to potential package tampering.

[0055] In addition to the above, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the inner surfaces 44a, 44b of the content retaining members 30, 32 to have no adhesive present anywhere other than at the points where they adhere to the second panel 20, or simply no adhesive at all. If no adhesive is present on the inner surfaces 44a, 44b, the content retaining members 30, 32 may be affixed to the second panel 20 and the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18 via other means, such as, but not limited to, mechanical features, heat sealing, or the use of additional tape or labeling members. Additionally, it is within the scope of this disclosure for the adhesive disposed on the inner surfaces 44a, 44b of the content retaining members 30, 32 to be resealable to any contents contained within the cavity 14, such as the outer packaging of the packs 12a, 12b or other possibly plastic material.

[0056] Additionally, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that instead of being affixed to the outer surface 46 of the second panel 20 and / or the outer surfaces 47 a, 47 b of the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18, the content retaining members 30, 32 may be affixed to the inner surfaces of the second panel 20 and / or the inner surfaces of the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18 (these inner surfaces are not labeled in the figures, but are opposite the outer surface 46 and the outer surfaces 47 a, 47 b, respectively). In such embodiments, the content retaining members 30, 32 may include adhesive on their outer surfaces, perhaps only in the areas that will affix to the inner surfaces of the second panel 20 and the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18. The content retaining members may also be affixed to the inner surfaces of the second package panel 20 and the removable portions 34, 36 of the first panel 18 via other options, such as, but not limited to, mechanical features, heat sealing, or the use of additional tape or labeling members.

[0057] Although one content retaining member is shown on each side of the package body 16, it should be understood that one or more content retaining members 30, 32 and removable portions 34, 36 may be disposed on both sides of the body 16, such that one or more content retaining members 30, 32 may extend across the open ends 26, 28. A content retaining member may also simply be disposed on one open side of the body 16, with the other side being devoid of one or more content retaining members (and one or more removable portions). Such a side lacking one or more content retaining members may simply be closed off via an additional panel on the body 16.

[0058] Regardless of the number of content retaining members 30, 32 or the manner / surface by which the content retaining members 30, 32 are attached to the removable portions 34, 36 of the second package panel 20 and the first panel 18, in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1-6 and 11, the content retaining members 30, 32 are removably attached to the package body 16 at their first ends 37a, 37b via the separability of the removable portions 34, 36 from the remainder of the first panel 18 of the body 16. In the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1-6 and 11, this separability occurs via lines of weakness 38a, 38b, with the content retention members 30, 32 being in a content retention position 60 when the removable portions 34, 36 are attached (removably attached) to the remainder of the first panel 18 at the lines of weakness 38a, 38b, and in an open position 62 when the removable portions 34, 36 are detached / separated from the remainder of the first panel 18 at the lines of weakness 38a, 38b.

[0059] Indeed, when the removable portions 34, 36 are removably attached to the remainder of the first panel 18, the content retaining members 30, 32 extend across the open ends 26, 28 in the retaining position 60 to retain the packs 12a, 12b within the cavity 14. When the removable portions 34, 36 are detached / separated from the remainder of the first panel 18, the content retaining members 30, 32 are in the open position 62 such that the open ends 26, 28 are open for removal of the packs 12a, 12b from the cavity 14.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 7, another exemplary embodiment of a package 100 is shown. The package 100 shown in FIG. 7 differs from the package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-6 and 11 in that the package body 116 of the package 100 does not include removable portions 34, 36. Instead, the retaining members 130, 132 are removably attached to the first panel 118 via adhesive disposed on the inner surfaces (not shown in FIG. 7) of the content retaining members 130, 132. In this exemplary embodiment, the retaining members 130, 132 can simply be peeled from the first panel 118 to move the retaining members 130, 132 to an open position, thereby allowing the packs 12a, 12b to be removed from one or more of the open ends 126, 128.

[0061] Similar to the adhesives discussed above, the adhesive in this exemplary embodiment may be applied consistently across the interior surface of the content retaining members 130, 132 and / or may be applied more strongly (perhaps via stronger adhesive or more adhesive) in areas of the content retaining members 130, 132 that affix or adhere the content retaining members 130, 132 to the second panel 120. In either case, in the exemplary embodiment, the adhesive may be of sufficient strength and / or have sufficient affinity for the second panel 120 such that removing either of the content retaining members 130, 132 from the second package panel 120 visibly damages and / or removes a portion or portions of the second panel 120 or the content retaining members 130, 132 themselves.

[0062] 7, content retaining members 130, 132 may also optionally include tabs 141 a, 141 b at their respective first ends 137 a, 137 b that can be used to assist in peeling the respective first ends 137 a, 137 b from first panel 118.

[0063] 8 and 9, another exemplary embodiment of a package 200 is shown. The package 200 shown in Figures 8 and 9 differs from the package 10 shown in Figures 1-6 and 11 in that the package body 216 of the package 200 does not include removable portions 34, 36. Instead, the retaining members 230, 232 themselves include lines or areas 238a, 238b of relative weakness, which may be any type of worn or marred area in the material of the retaining members 230, 232, such as, but not limited to, perforations or nicks. In this embodiment, the first ends 237a, 237b and second ends (not shown in Figures 8 and 9) of the retaining members 230, 232, respectively, are affixed or attached to the first panel 218 and the second panel 220, enabling the retaining members 230, 232 to retain the pack within the cavity 214 while the retaining members 230, 232 are in this retaining position / configuration 260.

[0064] Here, the retaining members 230, 232 include intermediate portions 270a, 270b that are removably attached to either the first end 237a, 237b or the second end 226, 228 of the retaining members 230, 232, respectively (in FIGS. 8 and 9, the removably attached is by the first end 237a, 237b). This removably attached is achieved by lines of weakness 238a, 238b, whereby the intermediate portions 270a, 270b can separate from the first end 237a, 237b to move the retaining members 230, 232 to an open position and allow removal of the packs 12a, 12b from one or more of the open ends 226, 228. Similar to the adhesives discussed above, the adhesive in this exemplary embodiment may be applied consistently across the interior surfaces of the content retaining members 230, 232 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 ) and / or may be applied more strongly (perhaps via stronger adhesive or more adhesive) in areas of the content retaining members 230, 232 that affix or adhere them to the first panel 218 and second panel 220, respectively. The adhesive may also simply have a higher affinity for the paperboard of the body 216 of the package 200 than for the cellophane or plastic wrapping around the packs 12 a, 12 b, or for the actual plastic of the packs themselves if the packs are plastic. In any event, in exemplary embodiments, the adhesive may be of sufficient strength and / or have sufficient affinity for the body 216 such that removing either of the content retaining members 230, 232 from the first or second package panel 218, 220 visibly damages and / or removes a portion or portions of the package body 216 or the content retaining members 230, 232 themselves.

[0065] 9, content retention members 230, 232 may optionally include tabs 241 a, 241 b at each end of intermediate portions 270 a, 270 b adjacent lines of weakness 238 a, 238 b. These tabs 241 a, 241 b can be used to assist in peeling each intermediate portion 270 a, 270 b from first ends 237 a, 237 b, which remain affixed to first panel 218.

[0066] Referring now to Figure 10, another exemplary embodiment of a package 300 is shown. The package 300 shown in Figure 10 also differs from the package 10 shown in Figures 1-6 and 11 in that the package body 316 of the package 300 again does not include removable portions 34, 36. In this exemplary embodiment, the package 300 also does not include multiple content retaining members 30, 32. Instead, the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 10 includes a single retaining member 330 that wraps entirely around the package body 316 to close both ends 326, 328.

[0067] Here, retaining member 330 is affixed to second panel 320 at a second end (not shown) of retaining member 330 and removably attached to itself at a first end 337. First end 337 is removably attached to an intermediate portion 370 of retaining member 330 and can simply be peeled away from intermediate portion 370 to unwrap retaining member 330 and move retaining member 330 to an open position, thereby allowing packs 12 a, 12 b to be removed from one or more of open ends 326, 328. Similar to the adhesive discussed above, the adhesive in this exemplary embodiment may be applied consistently across the interior surface of content retaining member 330 (not shown in FIG. 10 ) and / or may be applied more strongly (perhaps via stronger adhesive or more adhesive) in areas of content retaining member 330 that affix or adhere content retaining member 330 to second panel 320. The adhesive may also simply have a greater affinity for the paperboard of the second panel 320 than for the material of the retaining member 330 itself. In any event, in exemplary embodiments, the adhesive may be of sufficient strength and / or have sufficient affinity for the body 316 such that removing the retaining member 330 from the second package panel 320 visibly damages and / or removes a portion or portions of the second panel 320 or content retaining member 330 of the package body.

[0068] 10, the content retaining member 330 may again optionally include a tab 341 at its first end 337. This tab 341 may be used to assist in peeling the first end 337 away from the intermediate portion 370 of the retaining member 330 to allow the packs 12a, 12b to be removed from the open ends 326, 328.

[0069] It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, "removably attached" means that an element (such as the removable locations 34, 36 in the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1-6 and 11, or portions of the removable members themselves in Figures 7-10) can be removed from the package body or one or more content retaining members 30, 32, 130, 132, 230, 232, 330, 332 without causing any damage to the package body 16, 116, 216, 316 or to the one or more content retaining members 30, 32, 130, 132, 230, 232, 330, 332 themselves. It should also be noted that while the various packages 10, 100, 200, 300 may be shown and described as having two open ends 26, 28, 126, 128, 226, 228, 326, 328, it should be noted that some or all of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures may simply have one open end and one removable portion and / or content retaining member for closing the single open end. It should further be noted that one or more content retaining members 30, 32, 130, 132, 230, 232, 330, 332 may be disposed anywhere about the height of the packages 10, 100, 200, and 300.

[0070] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode. The examples are also used to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and it should be understood that this may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they contain equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

[0071] All cited patents, patent applications, and other documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a term in this application conflicts or contradicts with an incorporated reference, the term in this application takes precedence over the conflicting term in the incorporated reference.

[0072] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. It is understood that each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or subrange that falls within the disclosed range.

[0073] The use of the terms "a," "an," and "the," and similar referents in the context of describing the present invention (particularly in the context of the claims that follow), shall be construed to encompass both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise stated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. It should further be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier "about," used in connection with a quantity, is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning clearly understood by the context (e.g., the stated amount includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

Claims

1. An edible package comprising: a package body including a package cavity defined by a first package panel, a second package panel opposite the first package panel, a first package edge joining the first package panel and the second package panel, and a second package edge joining the first package panel and the second package panel; at least one open end of the package body, the at least one open end communicating with the package cavity; at least one content retaining member including a first end and a second end; the first end of the at least one content retaining member is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member; The edible package, wherein the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is attached to the package body.

2. 2. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one content retaining member extends across the open end when the first end is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member.

3. 2. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the second end is attached to a second package panel, the first end is attached to at least one removable portion of the first package panel, and the at least one content retaining member is removable from the package body by separating the removable portion from the first package panel.

4. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is affixed to an exterior surface of the second package panel.

5. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is affixed to an inner surface of the second package panel.

6. The edible package of claim 1 , wherein the at least one content retaining member includes an inner surface having an adhesive.

7. 7. The edible package of claim 6, wherein the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is adhered to the second package panel.

8. 7. The edible package of claim 6, wherein the adhesive comprises a higher affinity for the material of the second package panel than for contents disposed within the package cavity.

9. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the removable portion of the first package panel is connected to the remainder of the first package panel via at least one line of relative weakness.

10. The edible package of claim 3 , wherein the at least one removable portion of the first panel is disposed adjacent the at least one open end.

11. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the at least one open end is a first open end and a second open end disposed at opposite ends of the package body, the at least one removable portion is a first removable portion disposed proximate the first open end and a second removable portion disposed proximate the second open end, and the at least one content retaining member is a first content retaining member extending across the first open end and attached to the first removable portion, and a second content retaining member extending across the second open end and attached to the second removable portion.

12. 10. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one removable portion includes an adhesive on an interior surface that allows for resealing to the cavity and any contents within the first package panel.

13. 10. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the package cavity is sized to accommodate a plurality of individual packs arranged in a side-by-side array.

14. 10. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the package body includes at least one access notch that creates user access to package contents disposed within the package cavity.

15. 10. The edible package of claim 9, wherein the at least one line of weakness is a perforation or score in the first package panel.

16. 7. The edible package of claim 6, wherein the adhesive is releasable from package contents disposed within the package cavity.

17. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the content retaining member is affixed to the second package panel such that removing the content retaining member from the second package panel visibly removes a portion of the second package panel.

18. 14. The edible package of claim 13, wherein the at least one content retaining member comprises an adhesive that allows the at least one content retaining member to be removed from any of the plurality of packs and that comprises sufficient adhesive strength to support the entire weight of at least one of the plurality of packs.

19. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the at least one removable portion of the first package panel is peelable from the remainder of the first package panel.

20. 4. The edible package of claim 3, wherein the at least one removable portion of the first package panel is displaceable from the remainder of the first package panel.

21. 2. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one content retaining member extends across the open end when in the content retaining position and detaches from the package body at the first end or the second end when in the open position.

22. 2. The edible package of claim 1, wherein at least the first end of the at least one content retaining member includes an adhesive for releasably adhering the first end of the at least one content retaining member to the first panel of the package body.

23. 23. The edible package of claim 22, wherein at least the first end of the at least one content-retaining member is peelable from the remainder of the first package panel via a tab.

24. 2. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the first end of the at least one content retaining member is connected to the remainder of the at least one content retaining member via at least one relatively weak line disposed along the at least one content retaining member.

25. 25. The edible package of claim 24, wherein the at least one content retaining member is peelable from the remainder of the first package panel via a tab disposed proximate the at least one relative line of weakness disposed along the at least one content retaining member.

26. 2. The edible package of claim 1, wherein the at least one content retaining member wraps completely around the package body and the second end of the at least one content retaining member is releasably attached to another region of the at least one content retaining member.

27. 10. The edible package of claim 9, wherein the at least one line of weakness is a plurality of lines of weakness disposed in the relative center of the first package panel and in areas where the first package panel borders the first package edge and the second package edge.

28. 1. An edible package comprising: a package body including a package cavity defined by a first package panel, a second package panel opposite the first package panel, a first package edge joining the first package panel and the second package panel, and a second package edge joining the first package panel and the second package panel; at least one food pack disposed within the package cavity; at least one open end of the package body, the at least one open end communicating with the package cavity; at least one content retaining member including first and second ends and extending across the at least one open end; the first end of the at least one content retaining member is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member; The edible package, wherein the second end of the at least one content-retaining member is attached to the package body.

29. 29. The edible package of claim 28, wherein the at least one content retaining member extends across the open end when the first end is removably attached to at least one of the package body and the at least one content retaining member.

30. 30. The edible package of claim 28, wherein the at least one edible pack is a plurality of individual packs arranged in a side-by-side array.

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