Product dispensing packaging with a window for dispensing

Abstract

A dispensing package for consumable products may include a container configured to house a plurality of consumable products. The container may include a front surface. The dispensing package may include an opening disposed on the front surface of the container and a flexible membrane covering the opening. The flexible membrane may include a slit or perforation disposed over the opening. The flexible membrane may include a food-safe material and may be affixed to an interior surface of the container. The slit or perforation may be configured with abutting or overlapping portions of the flexible membrane. The container may be configured to gravity feed the consumable products toward the opening. In a first configuration, the flexible membrane may permit dispensing of the consumable products, and in a second configuration, the flexible membrane may not permit dispensing of the consumable products.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1PRODUCT DISPENSING PACKAGING WITH A WINDOW FOR DISPENSINGCROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 735,100, filed on December 17, 2024, the entireties of which are incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to product packaging. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to product packaging for dispensing products including food items, such as individually wrapped confections or other consumable products, through a resealable, transparent, membrane layer of the packaging.BACKGROUND

[0003] The storage and dispensing of consumable products, particularly individually portioned or loose items, such as mints, chocolates, candies, and pet treats, presents unique challenges in both household and commercial settings. Consumers increasingly seek efficient, hygienic, and convenient solutions for organizing pantry items while maintaining product freshness. This demand is particularly pronounced in households that prioritize streamlined access to frequently consumed goods, such as confectionery products and snacks for both humans and pets. Additionally, commercial environments, such as retail stores, pet supply stores, and cafes, have distinct needs for dispensing systems that are both consumerfriendly, ensuring ease of use and minimal waste, and operationally efficient, reducing maintenance and refill time.

[0004] Many products, such as individually wrapped confections, loose candies, and pet treats, are packaged with portability and convenience in mind. While such packaging formats are suitable for retail environments and for immediate consumption, these formats are often impractical for storage and everyday use, regardless of the quantity.

[0005] For example, smaller packages containing snacking products may still face challenges in maintaining product freshness and organization after being opened. Boxes in a pantry may be unsightly with their tops open, and if tipped over, such boxes may spill their contents, creating clutter and waste. Additionally, an open box of pet treats may be easily accessed by a curious pet, thereby leading to overconsumption or contamination of the remaining treats. Individually wrappedAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 items can generate excess waste and require continual handling, while unwrapped items are vulnerable to contamination and staleness if improperly stored or dispensed. Pet treats, for instance, may emit strong odors, become stale quickly, or crumble when exposed to air for extended periods, creating additional challenges for both storage and dispensing.

[0006] While household users may focus on aesthetics and convenience, commercial users must balance these concerns with high-volume usage and hygiene requirements. In a commercial setting, the need for hygienic and efficient dispensing solutions becomes more critical. For example, retail stores offering packaged goods in smaller counts or self-serve stations, including pet supply stores with bulk dog treat bins, face challenges in maintaining the cleanliness and organization of products while ensuring ease of use for customers. Traditional bins or jars often require customers to scoop or pour products, which can lead to spillage, cross-contamination, and frustration. Furthermore, these systems demand frequent maintenance by store staff to ensure cleanliness and restocking.

[0007] Additionally, the unique properties of these consumables introduce further challenges that existing solutions fail to adequately address. Mints often contain oils and flavorings that can degrade traditional adhesives or interact negatively with certain materials. Chocolates, whether in smaller or larger packages, may release oils that compromise packaging integrity, while hard candies with glossy coatings can stick to dispensing surfaces if materials are not carefully selected. Dog treats and other snacks, on the other hand, may vary widely in shape, size, and texture, requiring a dispensing system that accommodates irregularities while maintaining freshness and accessibility.

[0008] Despite the growing popularity of packaged goods in a range of sizes and self-serve systems, there remains a significant unmet need for a versatile dispensing solution. Such a solution may address the challenges of efficient storage, hygienic and user-friendly dispensing, and compatibility with the diverse properties of confectionery products, human snacks, and pet treats, regardless of packaging size. A versatile dispensing package should be adaptable to meet the organizational demands of household pantries, while also providing commercial establishments with a robust, refillable system that enhances the customer experience and minimizes maintenance requirements. Aspects of resealable product packaging disclosed herein may eliminate the lack re-close functionality or difficulty of zipperAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 alignment in existing packaging designs. An effective solution may not only enhance the usability of household and commercial storage systems but also allow for hygienic and versatile dispensing across a wide range of product categories (including variety packaging) and packaging sizes.

[0009] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section.SUMMARY

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems, devices, and methods of dispensing packaging that allows users to remove a desired amount of contents, such as confections, snacks, and pet treats.

[0011] It may be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

[0012] According to an example, a dispensing package for consumable products may include a container configured to house a plurality of consumable products. The container may include a front surface. The dispensing package may include an opening disposed on the front surface of the container and a flexible membrane covering the opening. The flexible membrane may include a slit or perforation disposed over the opening. The flexible membrane may include a foodsafe adhesive material affixed to an interior surface of at least a portion of the flexible membrane. The slit or perforation may be configured with abutting or overlapping portions of the flexible membrane configured to engage the adhesive material. The container may be configured to gravity feed the consumable products toward the opening. In a first configuration, the flexible membrane may permit dispensing of the consumable products, and in a second configuration, the flexible membrane may prevent or minimize dispensing of the consumable products.

[0013] Any of the systems, devices, and methods described herein may include any of the following features. The dispensing package may further include a removable barrier. The removable barrier may include a portion corresponding to and covering the opening and the flexible membrane and a tab affixed to the portion corresponding to the opening. The removable barrier may be configured to beAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 removed from the container via force applied to the tab. The removable barrier and the container may include a same material. The removable barrier and the container may include different materials. The first configuration may include the portions of the flexible membrane abutting or overlapping.

[0014] The second configuration may include the portions of the flexible membrane not abutting or overlapping. The flexible membrane may include a transparent or translucent polymer. The portions of the flexible membrane may releasably affix to one another without an adhesive coating. Alternatively, one or both of the portions of the flexible membrane may include an adhesive coating configured to affix the portions of the flexible membrane together in the second configuration. The container may include a box, a pouch, a bag, or any other type of closable rigid or flexible container. The flexible membrane may include a material resistant to oils or flavoring agents present in the consumable products. The flexible membrane may include a compostable or biodegradable material. The slit may include one or more tactile features. Each of the consumable products may be individually wrapped.

[0015] According to another example, a dispensing package for products may include a container. The container may be configured to house a plurality of products. The dispensing package may include an opening in the container. The dispensing package may include a flexible membrane covering the opening and the flexible membrane may include a slit or perforation positioned on the opening. The slit or perforation may be configured to permit dispensing of one or more products in a first configuration, and in a second configuration, may be configured to prevent dispensing of the one or more products. The dispensing package may include a resealable adhesive disposed along one or both sides of the slit and the resealable adhesive may be configured to enable the slit to reseal after dispensing in the first configuration. Resealing the slit may transition the dispensing package from the first configuration to the second configuration; and the flexible membrane may include a food-safe material.

[0016] Any of the systems, devices, and methods described herein may include any of the following features. The dispensing package may further include a removable barrier. The removable barrier may include a portion corresponding to and covering the opening and the flexible membrane and a tab affixed to the portion corresponding to the opening. The removable barrier may be configured to beAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 removed from the container via force applied to the tab. The removable barrier and the container may include a same material or different materials.

[0017] In yet another example, a dispensing package for products may include a container configured to house a plurality of products, an opening disposed on the container, and a membrane covering the opening. The membrane may include a slit or perforation disposed on the opening. The membrane may be affixed to an interior surface of the container. The slit or perforation may be configured with abutting or overlapping portions of the membrane. The container may be configured to gravity feed the products toward the opening. In a first configuration, the membrane may permit dispensing of the products, and in a second configuration, the membrane may not permit dispensing of the products.

[0018] Any of the systems, devices, and methods described herein may include any of the following features. The dispensing package may further include a removable barrier. The removable barrier may include a portion corresponding to and covering the opening and the membrane and a tab affixed to the portion corresponding to the opening. The removable barrier may be configured to be removed from the container via force applied to the tab.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary container, according to a first aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 2A depicts an exemplary container, according to a second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2B depicts the exemplary container of FIG. 2A with a windowcovering portion removed, according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 2C depicts the exemplary container of FIG. 2A with the windowcovering portion being removed by a user and a user reaching into a slit in the window to access products therein, according to the second aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary container, according to a third aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,”Attorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1“having,” “includes,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, unless stated otherwise, relative terms, such as, for example, “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately” are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% in the stated value. In this disclosure, unless stated otherwise, any numeric value may include a possible variation of ±10% in the stated value.

[0025] The terminology used below may be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the present disclosure. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

[0026] Aspects of the present disclosure provide a versatile storage and dispensing solution designed to address the challenges associated with organizing, preserving, and dispensing consumable products, such as confectionery items, snacks, and pet treats in both household and commercial settings. Aspects of the disclosure include a dispensing box, bag, or other container with an integrated opening covered by a flexible surface, such as a membrane, that may include a slit or perforation, thereby enabling the controlled dispensing of items while securely holding the remaining contents in place.

[0027] The exemplary dispensing box, bag, or other container may be configured to accommodate a wide range of products, including individually wrapped items, loose candies, chocolates, and irregularly shaped pet treats, regardless of packaging size. Aspects of the disclosure may be particularly effective in maintaining product freshness, minimizing contamination, and preventing spillage or waste. A gravity-fed design may enable consistent alignment of the items with the dispensing mechanism, while the flexible membrane and adhesive(s) may comprise materials that resist interaction with oils, flavorings, and coatings found in consumables such as mints and chocolates, such as a plastic film, a pliable barrier, or a conforming protective layer and the like.

[0028] For household use, aspects of the present disclosure offer an aesthetically pleasing and organized storage solution, eliminating the need forAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304 Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 unsightly open boxes or bags in the pantry. For commercial settings, the dispensing box provides a hygienic, refillable system that reduces maintenance and enhances customer convenience. Additionally, a removable protective covering over the flexible membrane ensures freshness during storage and transport, and the dispensing mechanism is designed to prevent unauthorized access, such as by children or pets. The exemplary embodiments may also improve accessibility by allowing for single-handed opening of the dispensing package.

[0029] Aspects of the disclosure may be suitable for traditional packaging formats while also addressing a need for efficient, hygienic, and user-friendly storage and dispensing systems, and may be applied across a wide range of applications and product types.

[0030] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to containers that may be embodied as a durable, refillable container including an openable membrane.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing package 100, according to a first aspect of the disclosure. Dispensing package 100 may be suitable for housing and dispensing consumable products, such as chocolates, mints, or other confectionaries, or pet foods / treats. In one embodiment, dispensing package 100 may be a flexible pouch or bag. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that reference to confectionaries is only exemplary, and various other individually wrapped product(s) may be dispensed from dispensing package 100. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the products housed within dispensing package 100 need not be individually wrapped, however. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings of the disclosure may be applicable to a wide variety of consumer products and items, such as detergent pods, nuts / bolts (and other hardware), beads (and other craft supplies), office supplies, such as paperclips, and gardening materials, such as seeds.

[0032] Dispensing package 100, depicted in FIG. 1 as a box, pouch, or bag, comprises a container 110 with a generally rectangular shape, constructed from a durable material such as paper, cardboard, plastic, composite, or metal, suitable for storing consumable products. Container 110 may be dimensioned to accommodate a plurality of individually wrapped products 120 arranged in a loosely organized configuration. It should be understood that product 120 need not be individuallyAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 wrapped to be compatible with dispensing package 100. For example, dispensing package 100 may be compatible with unwrapped pet treats, such as dog biscuits.

[0033] A transparent or translucent, windowed opening 130 may be located on or otherwise disposed on the front portion of container 110. Opening 130 may be covered by a transparent or translucent flexible membrane 140, such as a plastic film, made from a food-safe (including direct and indirect contact) material of suitable strength to maintain products 120 within package 100, sufficient to hold products 120 pressing against flexible membrane 140, so as to preserve product freshness, and maintain hygienic conditions inside of container 110. In one embodiment, flexible membrane 140 may include a first side 140A and a second side 1406. In some aspects, additional openings may be utilized. For example, a second opening may be positioned on a rear portion of container 110. In another example, one or more partitions may divide the internal volume of container 110 into one or more subvolumes. Each sub-volume may correspond to an opening (including a flexible membrane, slit, and / or resealable and / or reclosable adhesive). In such an embodiment, different products (such as mints, chocolates, and other candies) may be housed within each sub-volume and dispensed through the various corresponding openings.

[0034] While two sides (140A and 1406) are described herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that flexible membrane 140 may be apportioned into any number of portions for opening and closing. For example, flexible membrane 140 may include a single portion (e.g., side). In such an embodiment, flexible membrane 140 may open and close (e.g., reseal) against a side of opening 130 (e.g., the surface of container 110) via resealable adhesive 160. Such a singleportion embodiment may be opened and closed like a door or window. In another example, flexible membrane 140 may be apportioned into three or more portions (e.g., sides) using two or more slits. Flexible membrane 140 may be affixed to an inner portion or an inner surface of container 110.

[0035] In one embodiment, flexible membrane 140 may include a slit 150, perforation, access point, or dispensing aperture, positioned centrally over opening 130. Slit 150 may be configured to allow the dispensing of individual products 120 or a handful of products , depending on a user’s preference. In one embodiment, slit 150 may comprise two abutting pieces of film (for example of first side 150A and second side 1508), and in another embodiment, the pieces of film (e.g., first sideAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304 Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 150A and second side 150B) may slightly overlap. In one embodiment, a resealable adhesive 160 may be positioned on one or both pieces of film along slit 150, enabling slit 150 to reseal after dispensing, thereby maintaining the freshness and integrity of the remaining products 120 within container 110. In some embodiments, slit 150 (and / or the corresponding portions of first side 150A and second side 150B) may include one or more tactile features, such as ridges, bumps, protrusions, and the like to enable easier grasping by a user.

[0036] Resealable adhesive 160 may include food-safe adhesive materials suitable for repeated sealing and unsealing operations. Examples of suitable adhesives include pressure-sensitive adhesives such as acrylic-based adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, or rubber-based adhesives that maintain their tackiness over time. These adhesives may be formulated to resist degradation from oils and flavorings commonly found in products 120, ensuring consistent performance over the life of dispensing package 100.

[0037] Resealable adhesive 160 may allow slit 150 to function both as an access point and a barrier. After a user dispenses a product 120, the user can press slit 150 closed, and adhesive 160 reseals flexible membrane 140. Alternatively, when the user completes dispensing one or more products 120, the tension in flexible membrane 140 and orientation of the first and second slides 150A and 150B causes slit 150 to reseal. This feature prevents air, moisture, or contaminants from entering container 110, extending the freshness and useable lifespan of products 120. Additionally, the tackiness of the resealable adhesive may be strong enough to secure slit 150 but gentle enough to allow for repeated openings without damage to flexible membrane 140. In some aspects, resealable adhesive 160 may not be present, or may be present along only one side and / or along certain portions of the flexible membrane 140. In such aspects, flexible membrane 140 may be resealed by pressing first side 140A and second side 1406 together, creating an electrostatic seal which may releasably affix the two sides together.

[0038] This resealable feature distinguishes the exemplary aspects from conventional dispensing systems by providing an added layer of functionality. It addresses the common problem of staleness and contamination in open or partially open containers, enhancing usability and product longevity.

[0039] Flexible membrane 140 may be securely adhered to the interior surface of the front cover, ensuring stability during dispensing. Slit 150 may be sizedAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 and positioned to prevent the products 120 from falling out unintentionally while allowing for easy extraction of the product. The gravity-fed design of container 110 ensures that as products 120 are dispensed, the remaining products naturally align with opening 130, ready for subsequent dispensing. In an example, a user may open slit 150 by separating resealable adhesive 160 joining first side 140A and second side 1406 of flexible membrane 140. A user may take one or more products 120 from opening 130. Due to the upright orientation of dispensing package 100, the one or more remaining products 120 may move, slide, fall, or otherwise reoccupy the volume left behind by the products 120 that the user removed. Accordingly, the remaining products 120 may remain visible through flexible membrane 140 (e.g., allowing a user to roughly determine how many products 120 are remaining in dispensing package 100). The user may then reseal dispensing package 100 by pressing first side 140A against second side 1406, which engage one another via resealable adhesive 160. Dispensing package 100 may then be used again at a future time via a substantially similar sequence as described above.

[0040] A user may transition dispensing package 100 and / or container 110 from a first (e.g, open) state with slit 150 open to a second (e.g., closed state) by pressing first side 140A against second side 1408 to close slit 150. In some aspects, flexible membrane 140 may comprise a food-safe compostable or biodegradable material.

[0041] To protect the contents prior to initial use, flexible membrane 140 may be further covered by a removable protective barrier which may be part of container 110. This removable protective barrier may be easily removed by the consumer by pulling on (e.g., applying force to) a designated tab located at one end. The removable protective barrier may be of a substantially similar shape as opening 130. A user may grasp a tab, or may pull or grasp a perforation or indent to remove the removable protective barrier. The removable protective barrier may comprise a same material as container 110, or may be a different material. In a first example, both container 110 and the removable protective barrier may comprise a paperboard material. In a second example, container 110 may comprise a paperboard material and the removable protective barrier may be a metallic foil. In the second example the user may peel away the metallic foil comprising the removable protective barrier to reveal flexible membrane 140 beneath. In another example, the removableAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 protective barrier may be a plastic, such as a transparent or translucent plastic film overlaying flexible membrane 140.

[0042] The removable protective barrier may include graphics and other ornamental decoration. In an example, the removable protective barrier may include graphics that are continuous with the graphics surrounding it on container 110 (e.g., an enlarged image of a mint may be spread across both non-removable and removable portions of container 110). In another example, the removable protective barrier may include graphics or markings explicitly indicating to the consumer that the protective barrier is removable, such as text instructions and / or graphical indications.

[0043] Dispensing package 100 may be suitable for both household and commercial applications, by providing a convenient and hygienic way to access products 120 without opening the top of dispensing package 100 and reaching within dispensing package 100. The structural features of container 110, coupled with the functional design of flexible membrane 140 and slit 150, may ensure that products 120 are dispensed efficiently while preventing spillage or contamination.

[0044] FIG. 2A illustrates a second embodiment of the exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2A depicts a dispensing package 200, shown as a flexible bag. Dispensing package 200 may be suitable to house and dispense consumable products, such as individually wrapped products 220, and may include an opening 230 located on one surface of the flexible bag. Covering opening 230 is a flexible membrane 240 (including a first portion 240A and a second portion 240B), which features a centrally positioned slit 250 or perforation to facilitate the dispensing of items. Flexible membrane 240 may comprise one or more transparent or translucent plastics or polymers suitable for human use in food packaging. Slit 250 may comprise abutting or overlapping film segments, allowing for controlled product dispensing while preventing spillage or contamination. A protective barrier 260 may cover flexible membrane 240, which may maintain freshness and hygiene prior to use. Protective barrier 260 may be removably attached to the package 200 and may include a tab or indent for easy removal by the consumer.

[0045] FIG. 2B depicts the dispensing package after protective barrier 260 has been removed, revealing flexible membrane 240 and slit 250. As shown, protective barrier 260 is no longer attached to package 200 but remains visible to indicate itsAttorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 prior position. This step demonstrates the ease of preparing the package for dispensing while maintaining product integrity before first use.

[0046] FIG. 2C illustrates a user’s hand 270 reaching into slit 250 of dispensing package 200 to retrieve a product, such as an individually wrapped confectionary, snack, or treat. In this example, the product may be a piece of individually wrapped chocolate or candy. Flexible membrane 240 securely holds the remaining products in place, while slit 250 allows for smooth extraction of the desired item without damaging the packaging or spilling additional contents. Dispensing package 200 ensures ease of use and convenience, making it suitable for household or on-the-go applications (for example, in a user’s vehicle).

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a third aspect of the exemplary aspects. FIG. 3 depicts a dispensing package 300, shown as a rigid or otherwise solid container with a lid 305. Dispensing package 300 may be suitable to store and dispense consumable products, such as snacks or confections, which may be unwrapped or wrapped. Lid 330 may include an opening covered by a flexible membrane 340 (including a first portion 340A and a second portion 340B), which may include a centrally positioned slit 350 or perforation. Slit 350 facilitates the dispensing of individual items or a handful of items while preventing spillage of the remaining contents. Dispensing package may comprise a solid (e.g., relatively inflexible) material, such as plastic, metal, glass, or ceramic.

[0048] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other implementations, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. While various implementations of the disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more implementations and implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1CLAIMSWe claim:1 . A dispensing package for consumable products, comprising: a container configured to house a plurality of consumable products, the container including a front surface; an opening disposed on the front surface of the container; a flexible membrane covering the opening, the flexible membrane including a slit or perforation disposed over the opening; wherein the flexible membrane comprises a food-safe material and is affixed to an interior surface of the container; wherein the slit or perforation is configured with abutting or overlapping portions of the flexible membrane; and wherein the container is configured to gravity feed the consumable products toward the opening, wherein in a first configuration, the flexible membrane permits dispensing of the consumable products, and in a second configuration, the flexible membrane does not permit dispensing of the consumable products.

2. The dispensing package of claim 1 , further comprising: a removable barrier comprising: a portion corresponding to and covering the opening and the flexible membrane; and a tab affixed to the portion corresponding to the opening.

3. The dispensing package of claim 2, wherein the removable barrier is configured to be removed from the container via force applied to the tab.

4. The dispensing package of claim 2, wherein the removable barrier and the container comprise a same material.

5. The dispensing package of claim 2, wherein the removable barrier and the container comprise different materials.Attorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 16. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the first configuration comprises the portions of the flexible membrane abutting or overlapping.

7. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the second configuration comprises the portions of the flexible membrane not abutting or overlapping.

8. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises a transparent or translucent polymer.

9. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the portions of the flexible membrane releasably affix to one another without an adhesive coating.

10. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the portions of the flexible membrane include an adhesive coating configured to affix the portions of the flexible membrane together in the second configuration.11 . The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the container comprises a pouch, a bag, or a solid container.

12. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises a material resistant to oils or flavoring agents present in the consumable products.

13. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the flexible membrane comprises a compostable or biodegradable material.

14. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein the slit includes one or more tactile features.

15. The dispensing package of claim 1 , wherein each of the consumable products are individually wrapped.

16. A dispensing package for products, comprising: a container configured to house a plurality of products; an opening in the container;Attorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304 Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 1 a flexible membrane covering the opening, the flexible membrane including a slit or perforation positioned on the opening, the slit or perforation configured to permit dispensing of one or more products in a first configuration, and in a second configuration, prevent dispensing of the one or more products; and a resealable adhesive disposed along the slit, the resealable adhesive configured to enable the slit to reseal after dispensing in the first configuration, wherein resealing the slit transitions the dispensing package from the first configuration to the second configuration; and wherein the flexible membrane comprises a food-safe material.

17. The dispensing package of claim 16, further comprising: a removable barrier comprising: a portion corresponding to and covering the opening and the flexible membrane; and a tab affixed to the portion corresponding to the opening, wherein the removable barrier is configured to be removed from the container via force applied to the tab.

18. The dispensing package of claim 17, wherein the removable barrier and the container comprise a same material.

19. A dispensing package for products, comprising: a container configured to house a plurality of products; an opening disposed on the container; and a membrane covering the opening, the membrane including a slit or perforation disposed on the opening; wherein the membrane is affixed to an interior surface of the container; wherein the slit or perforation is configured with abutting or overlapping portions of the membrane; and wherein the container is configured to gravity feed the products toward the opening, wherein in a first configuration, the membrane permits dispensing of the products, and in a second configuration, the membrane does not permit dispensing of the products.Attorney Docket No.: 00307-0152-00304Mars Ref.: MARS / P / 393186 / WO / SEC / 120. The dispensing package of claim 19, further comprising: a removable barrier comprising: a portion corresponding to and covering the opening and the membrane; and a tab affixed to the portion corresponding to the opening, wherein the removable barrier is configured to be removed from the container via force applied to the tab.

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