WO2025210273A1

WO2025210273A1 - Packaging assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2025210273A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/059374
Authority: WO
Inventors: Warwick EMMETT; Daniel BACHYNSKYJ-BILAS
Original assignee: Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding GmbH
Current assignee: Kraft Foods Schweiz Holding GmbH
Priority date: 2024-04-04
Filing date: 2025-04-04
Publication date: 2025-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-04

Abstract

A packaging assembly has a package containing a foodstuff product and comprises a primary portion, a first cover portion, and a second cover portion The first cover portion overlies the primary portion, and the side portions of the primary portion and the first cover portion are secured to one another to form a pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product. The second cover portion overlies the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion and is secured or sealed together to provide an openable seal extending transverse to the package between first and second side portions at a location between first and second ends of the primary portion.

Description

Packaging Assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to packaging, and in particular, although not exclusively, to a packaging assembly for food and, more specifically, to a packaging assembly for confectionery products such as chocolate.

Background

It is known to package foodstuffs, including confectionery products such as chocolate and other confectionery and snack-type products, in packaging which is formed from a length of flexible, film-like material. The film-like material has an inner surface which is directed to the food product and an outer surface. Typically the outer surface is printed with information for the customer such as branding and nutritional information.

For snacks, chocolate bars and other confectionery it is known to use flow wrapping techniques (also known as ‘fin seal wrapping’ and ‘horizontal bagging’) to provide packaging. Such techniques allow a product to be wrapped in a plastic film which is characterised by crimped end seals and a further seal which extends between the end seals, the three seals securing the product within the package. The further seal is typically located at the intended rear of the product to ensure that the desired branding or other messaging on an intended front surface of the package is visible to a consumer.

For many products, for example a chocolate bar, it is typical to provide a film which is fed in a running direction. The flow wrapping machine secures ends of the film together to form a seal (typically called a fin seal) extending in the running direction to form a tubular structure. The product is then introduced into the tubular structure e.g. for elongate products, the elongate axis of the product preferably extends in the same direction as the seal. Flow wrapping is equally applicable to other shaped products such as square, round or regular-shaped planar products which may have two equal axes (e.g. in the running direction and perpendicular thereto), or non-planar products, such as cylinders or prism-shapes, can also be wrapped in this manner. Transverse seals at either end of the product are then formed in the tubular structure to thereby encapsulate the product within a package. As mentioned above, the seal formed in the running direction is formed on the rear surface of the package so as not to obscure branding or other desired information on the intended front surface. Whilst flow wrapping is very popular, because of the nature of many seals and of the material of the packaging, once the package is opened it cannot be re-sealed. Whilst this may not be a significant problem for individual portion sized comestibles it is not ideal for products which are provided in larger-than-portion sized formats.

Further, when flow wrapped products are opened it is often the case that the package is torn, and sometimes separated into two or more parts. This, together with the presence of the further elongate seam which extends between the crimped ends, has inhibited the use of the inner surface of the package for additional messaging, such as further branding, competition information or other useful and/or required messaging.

Some comestibles, for example chocolate products, are sold in larger-than-portion size formats meaning that the chocolate within the package is not intended for consumption by an individual in a single sitting but is rather intended for eating over multiple sittings and/or is intended to be shared by multiple individuals. For convenience, such chocolate products may be provided as a tablet, separated into rows and columns of individual portions, separable from one another along breakable lines to allow a consumer to separate one or more portions, for example a row or column of portions, from the remainder (these might be considered ‘portion control features’ of the product). For example, a chocolate product may be provided as a tablet in an array of 4 columns and 9 rows to yield 36 individual portions. For example, a consumer may separate a row of four portions from the tablet to consume at a time. With a chocolate product the features may be formed by moulding chocolate.

It is known to package such comestibles using the afore- mentioned flow wrapping technique or to provide packaging where the chocolate is wrapped in a paper or paper/foil laminate sleeve which may be then secured in place with a tubular overwrap. The second method does allow for an element of resealability insofar as the paper sleeve can be folded about the reminder of the product and the inner side of the sleeve can be used for branding and so on. However, the use of two materials (the sleeve and the overwrap) is inefficient and leads to extra processing steps. Further, even when a sleeve is used without the overwrap, the join of the sleeve is at the rear of the product (to allow for the required branding on the intended front face) meaning that the consumer opens the package and sees the rear of the product. This limits the visual impact of the product, which may often bear designs intended to visually excite or inform the consumer.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a packaging which is capable of being resealed whilst also providing a potential site for extra branding or other messaging. Additionally or alternatively, it would be advantageous to have a packaging which allows the consumer to see the intended front of the packaged product upon opening.

It would be especially advantageous to have a packaging which, once opened, exposed a portion or a portion sized amount of the product, especially with a product which has portion control features.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging assembly comprising: a package containing a foodstuff product, the package comprising: a primary portion comprising a first end, a second end, and first and second side portions extending between the first and second ends; a first cover portion; and a second cover portion; wherein the package is configured such that: the first cover portion overlies the primary portion, and the side portions of the primary portion and the facing portions of the first cover portion are secured to one another to form a pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product; and the second cover portion overlies the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are secured or sealed together to provide an openable seal extending across the package between first and second side portions at a location between first and second ends of the primary portion.

Preferably, the first cover portion comprises a first end, second end, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The first and second sides may form the facing portions which are secured to the first and second sides of the primary portion.

Facing portions of the second cover portion may be secured to the first and second sides of the primary portion and/or to the first cover portion. Preferably, the second cover portion comprises a first end, second end, and first and second sides extending between the first and second ends. The first and second sides may be secured to the first and second sides of the primary portion, and/or to the first and second sides of the first cover portion. The primary portion, first cover portion, and second cover portion are preferably formed from a sheet material. The sheet material may be a flexible sheet material.

In a first series of embodiments, the primary portion, first cover portion, and second cover portion are provided as a single continuous sheet of material. The first cover portion may extend from a first end of the primary portion. The second cover portion may extend from a second end of the primary portion. The primary portion may be located centrally between the first and second cover portions. The sheet of material may be folded at the first end of the primary portion such that the first end portion overlies the primary portion. The sheet of material may be folded at the second end of the primary portion such that the second end portion overlies the primary portion and at least part of the first end portion.

In an alternative series of embodiments, the first cover portion and/or the second cover portion may be formed as a separate, discrete portion and secured to the primary portion.

For example, the first cover portion may comprise a separate, discrete portion which is secured to the primary portion. The first and second side portions of the primary portion are secured to the facing portions of the first cover portion (e.g. corresponding first and second sides of the first cover portion). The first cover portion may comprise a first end and a second end. The second end of the first cover portion may be secured to a facing portion of the second end of the primary portion. Such a configuration mimics the folded configuration of embodiments comprising a continuous sheet of material. The second cover portion may be contiguous with the primary portion. The second cover portion may be folded over the primary portion and at least partially overlie the first cover portion e.g. the first end of the first cover portion.

In a series of embodiments, the second cover portion may comprise a separate, discrete portion which is secured to the primary portion. The first and second side portions of the primary portion are secured to the facing portions of the second cover portion (e.g. corresponding first and second sides of the second cover portion). The second cover portion may comprise a first end and a second end. The first end of the second cover portion may be secured to a facing portion of the first end of the primary portion. Such a configuration mimics the folded configuration of embodiments comprising a continuous sheet of material. The first cover portion may be contiguous with the primary portion. The second cover portion may be located over the primary portion and to at least partially overlie the first cover portion (e.g. the first end of the first cover portion) and secured thereto via the openable seal. In a further series of embodiments, both the first and second cover portions comprise separate, discrete portions which are secured to the primary portion. The first and second sides and the second end of the first cover portion may be secured to the facing portions of the primary portion. The first and second sides and the first end of the second cover portion may be secured to facing portions of the primary portion. The second end of the second cover portion is then secured to the first end of the first cover portion via the openable seal.

In some embodiments, the second cover portion may be fully removable from the package. The package may be configured such that when the second cover portion is removed and a portion of the foodstuff product removed, the first end of the primary portion may be foldable over the remaining foodstuff product and securable to the first cover portion to reseal the package.

In a further series of embodiments, the first cover portion may comprise a separate discrete portion which is secured to the primary portion at a position between the first and second ends of the primary portion. For example, the first cover portion may be located in the centre of the primary portion e.g. offset from each end). The second cover portion may be contiguous with or separate to the primary portion, and configured to overlie a first end of the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion. The package may comprise a further cover portion contiguous with or separate to the primary portion, and configured to overlie a second end of the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion. The further cover portion may be secured to the first cover portion with a further openable seal e.g. extending transverse to the package between first and second side portions at a location between first and second ends of the primary portion. In such embodiments, the package can be opened from either end by opening either openable seal securing the second cover portion or the further cover portion.

In a further series of embodiments, the package may comprise a third and fourth cover portion. The third and fourth cover portion may extend from or be secured to the primary portion e.g. from the first and second side portions of the primary portion. The third and fourth cover portions may be configured to overlie the primary portion and the first cover portion to provide the pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product. The second cover portion may then be secured to the first, third and/or fourth cover portions via the openable seal. The primary portion may be rectangular and the first to fourth cover portions may be approximately triangular e.g. to form an envelope-like structure. The first to fourth cover portions form the intended front surface of the package. The first to fourth cover portions may all be secured by openable seals. The first to fourth cover portions may be configured such that sequential segments of the foodstuff product may be revealed by opening each of the cover portions.

In the above embodiments, the second cover portion overlies and is secured to the first cover portion. The second cover portion may thus form an openable flap with respect to the package. The second cover portion may comprise a closure portion for the pocket formed by the primary portion and first cover portion. As discussed above, the closure portion may be integrally formed with the primary portion or may be a separate component which is secured to the rest of the package.

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging assembly comprising a package containing a foodstuff product, the package comprising: a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material, each having first and second ends, and first and second side portions extending between the first and second ends; wherein the foodstuff product is located between the first and second sheets of material; and wherein facing portions of the first and second end and first and second sides are secured to one another via an openable seal.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first sheet and second sheet of material is provided with an openable seal extending across the package from the first to the second side thereof located between the first and second ends of the package.

The first and second sheets of material may be secured to one another around the perimeter of the foodstuff product. The first and second sheets of material may be secured to one another by a single continuous openable seal e.g. extending around the full perimeter of the foodstuff product. The first and second sheets of material may be secured to one another to form a pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product. The first and second sheets may be secured together on four sides around the foodstuff product. Such embodiments typically envisage foodstuff products with approximately rectangular shapes. For example, the first end portion of the first sheet of material is secured to the first end portion of the second sheet of material. The second end portion of the first sheet of material may be secured to the second end portion of the second sheet of material. The first side portion of the first sheet of material may be secured to the first side portion of the second sheet of material. The second side portion of the first sheet of material may be secured to the second side portion of the second sheet of material. In embodiments wherein the foodstuff products have greater or fewer than four sides, the first and second sheet materials may be secured via openable seals on corresponding sides around the foodstuff product (e.g. greater or fewer than four sides). The first and second sides of the first and second sheets of material may be non-linear and extend around the food stuff product. For example, the foodstuff product may be hexagonal, and the first and second sides of the first and second sheets of material may define two straight portions joined at an angle and extending between the first and second ends. Similarly, the first and second end portions and the first and second side portions of the first and second sheets of material may be curved or define portions of a circle or oval in order to conform to the shape of the food stuff product. In some embodiments, the openable seal securing the first and second sheets of material may be circular.

In all of the aspects of the invention, the package may comprise a package axis. Preferably, the package axis corresponds to (i.e. is parallel with) the machine direction and/or running direction of a machine forming the package. The running direction of the machine corresponds to the direction of the conveyors and the products thereon. Where the package is formed from an elongate and/or continuous sheet material (e.g. a roll of material), the running direction corresponds to the elongate axis of the sheet material on the roll. This invention is advantageous since the openable seal extends across and/or transverse to the package axis (e.g. to the machine direction and/or running direction). This provides a clear distinction to packaging assemblies formed via standard flow-wrapping, since flow-wrapping forms a seal running lengthwise i.e. parallel to the package axis and the machine/running direction.

Preferably, the package axis may correspond to the elongate axis of the foodstuff product e.g. the longest dimension of the foodstuff product. In some embodiments, the package axis may correspond to the second longest dimension of the foodstuff product (e.g. the product width), and/or for regular shaped foodstuff products, the length and width may be equal.

The package axis may be parallel with the first and second side portions of the primary portion (and optionally of the side portions of the first and/or second cover portions). The package axis may extend from a first package end to a second package end. The first and second package end may correspond to the first and second ends of the central portion and/or the first and second cover portions. The package may comprise a first package side and a second package side e.g. corresponding to the first and second sides of the central portion and/or the first and second cover portions. The first package side and the second package side may each extend between the first and second package ends. The first and second package sides may be parallel to the package axis.

The first package end and/or the second package end of the package each may be provided by a fold in the sheet of material. The package may comprise a first fold at or adjacent the first package end. The package may comprise a second fold at or adjacent the second package end. The first fold may denote the first end of the packaging assembly. The second fold may denote the second end of the packaging assembly.

The openable seal may be provided on an intended front face of the package. The first cover portion and/or the second cover portion may thus form the intended front face of the package, and the primary portion may form the intended rear face of the package.

In alternative embodiments, the openable seal may be provided on an intended rear face of the package. The primary portion may thus form the intended front face of the package, and the first and second cover portions may form the intended rear face of the package.

In embodiments comprising more than one openable seal, they may all be located on the intended front face of the package, the intended rear face of the package, or on a combination of the front and rear intended faces of the package.

The openable seal may be located between the first package end and the second package end. The openable seal extending transverse to the package may be perpendicular or may be obliquely angled relative to the package axis. The openable seal may be linear, or may be curved or non-linear. The openable seal may extend from the first side to the second side of the package e.g. between the first side portions and the second side portions of the first and second cover portions. The openable seal may extend only partially along the length of the package i.e. in the direction of the package axis. Preferably, the openable seal does not extend the full length of the package in the direction of the package axis from the package first end to the package second end. Preferably, the package does not include a seal extending from the first end to the second end of the package and/or primary portion. Advantageously, this means that the entirety of the internal surface of the package is available for providing indicia, insofar as there is no elongate seal, such as a flow seal, providing a discontinuity in a major surface of the package.

The openable seal may be located at any position between the package first end and the package second end. The openable seal may be located at the mid-point of the package, the mid-point being half the distance between the package first end and the package second end. In some embodiments, the openable seal is offset from a mid-point of the package. For example the openable seal may be located towards the package first end or towards the package second end. For example, the openable seal may be located at a position approximately 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 35%, 40%, or 45% of the distance between the package first end and the package second end. The first cover portion may form the major portion of the intended front surface, and the second cover portion may form a minor portion of the intended front surface of the package. For example, the second cover portion may form a flap which covers less than half of the intend front face of the package.

In an alternative series of embodiments, the openable seal may be located at a position approximately 55%, 60%, 65%, 66%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the distance between the package first end and the package second end. The second cover portion may form the major portion of the intended front surface, and the first cover portion may form a minor portion of the intended front surface of the package. The second cover portion may wholly cover or obscure the first cover portion, and/or form the majority or entirety of the intended front face of the product. Such embodiments form a flap (e.g. formed by the second cover portion) which covers the majority or entirety of the intended front face of the product. Advantageously, this provides a large uninterrupted surface for providing surface decoration and branding etc. while still retaining the desired opening functionality discussed herein.

The openable seal, or a portion thereof, may be resealable. Preferably, the openable seal is secured using an adhesive. For example, the first cover portion and the second cover portion may be sealed together using an adhesive. The adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive, such as a cold seal adhesive, which can be used to at least partially re-seal the openable seal during use. For example, self-adhesive thermoplastic materials can be used which stick to each other upon application of moderate pressure. In some embodiments the adhesive (e.g. the pressure-sensitive adhesive) is a polyurethane or a latex adhesive. One or both of the first cover portion and the second cover portion may bear adhesive.

Advantageously, the feature of the openable and optionally resealable seal, which extends transverse to the product axis, provides a more intuitive opening and closing for the consumer. The openable seal may be opened by a consumer using one hand.

In some embodiments, the primary portion may comprise the resealable adhesive. For example, in embodiments wherein the first and/or second cover portions are removable, the primary portion may be used to seal the package once opened.

The openable seal (e.g. between the first cover portion and the second cover portion, or other configurations as discussed above) is may be secured or sealed together using a fin seal (otherwise known as a ‘fold-over seam’) or a lap seal. In some embodiments, the first cover portion may be folded back on itself to form a return. The uppermost surface of the return may bear adhesive. The return may be secured to a facing portion of the second cover portion respectively. The return, and the adhesive thereon, extend transverse to the package e.g. from the first side to the second side of the package. The internal face of the return (i.e. the facing surface of the first cover portion once folded back to form the return) may be permanently secured back onto the first cover portion. For example, the internal face of the return may bear a permanent or high-strength adhesive or heat seal. By high-strength adhesive, it is meant that the adhesive is stronger than that forming the openable seal connecting the first and second cover portions e.g. such that the openable seal is opened preferentially. The heat seal or high strength adhesive may extend across the return e.g. from the first side portion to the second side portion of the first cover portion. In some embodiments, the openable seal is formed first e.g. as a fin seal, and then the return is formed by securing the fin seal to the surface of the first cover portion. In a further series of embodiments, the return is formed first as described above, and the second cover portion is secured thereto, as with a lap seal.

First and/or second peripheral portions of the return, adjacent to the first and/or second side portions of the package, may be secured to the facing surface of the second cover portion. Additionally, first and/or second peripheral portions of the return, adjacent to the first and/or second side portions of the package, may be secured to the upper surface of the first cover portion. In such embodiments, the second cover portion is retained on the surface of the package.

In alternative embodiments, the openable seal is formed as a lap seal. The first cover portion may comprise an adhesive region on the outermost surface (e.g. the intended front face of the first cover portion) for receiving the adhesive thereon. The adhesive region may be undecorated, unprinted and/or unlacquered. In some arrangements, the presence of a lacquer or print medium may affect the adhesive. The package may be configured such that the adhesive region of the first cover portion is fully obscured by the second cover portion when sealed.

In some embodiments, the package may comprise one or more additional openable seals extending transverse or parallel to the package axis. The additional openable seals may be configured to divide the pocket of the package into multiple segments. The packaging assembly may thus comprise multiple foodstuff products, each contained within a separate segment of the package. The additional openable seals may be formed in the same manner as the openable seal discussed herein. In some embodiments, the openable seal may comprise a permanent seal in addition to a resealable seal. The package may thus require a user to break the permanent seal in order to open the package, thus providing a tamper evident feature. The resealable seal thus allows the product to be resealed as described herein.

The openable seal may comprise a permanent sealing region and a resealable sealing region. The openable seal may comprise a frangible region located between the permanent and resealable sealing regions. The openable seal may comprise a ‘tear-off’ or sacrificial portion or strip located between the permanent and resealable sealing regions. The tear-off portion may comprise a tape or wire configured to break the frangible region. The tear-off portion may comprise one or more handles to aid gripping by a user.

For example, the second cover portion may be secured to the first cover portion via a resealable sealing portion and a permanent sealing portion, and may comprise a wire or tape located therebetween extending transverse to the package e.g. from the first to the second side of the package.

The first and second cover portions have distal ends. The second cover portion distal end may be shaped to provide a gripping flap. The second cover portion distal end may comprise a curved portion or a non-curved portion, for example the second cover portion distal end may extend perpendicularly to the first side portion and/or the second side portion. The distal end of the first and/or second cover portion may extend beyond the openable seal securing the first and second cover portions, or portions thereof may extend beyond the openable seal. The distal end of the first and/or second cover portion may be free from adhesive and/or may extend beyond the adhesive used to secure the first and second cover portions.

In one embodiment, said at least a part of the distal end of the second cover portion which may protrude beyond said at least a part of the distal end of the first cover portion, or a return formed therein, may be formed as a gripping tab, extending only partway along the second cover portion. Alternatively, the entire distal end of the second cover portion may protrude beyond said at least a part of the distal end of the first cover portion. The distal end of the second cover portion may protrude beyond said at least a part of the distal end of the first cover portion by a length of from 2 to 10 mm, for example 2 to one of 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 mm. In an embodiment we have found that a protrusion length of from 2 to 5 mm is adequate. In alternative embodiments comprising a return, the ends of the first and second cover portions may extend beyond the openable seal. Thus the first and second cover portions can be separated easily using the unsecured portions which extend beyond the seal and subsequently used to separate the openable seal. The second cover portion and/or the return may be shaped to provide a gripping flap e.g. in order to easily separate the second cover portion and/or the return.

In embodiments comprising two or more sheets of material, end portions of the first and second sheets may be secured together with the openable seal and one or both may have a distal end which extends beyond the openable seal. Thus the first and second sheets can be separated easily using the unsecured portions which extend beyond the seal and subsequently used to separate the openable seal. One or both distal ends may be shaped to provide a gripping flap e.g. in order to easily separate the first and second sheets of material. The distal ends may be provided along the full width of the end portions, or alternatively, may comprise one or both corner regions of the first and second sheets e.g. at said distal end.

At least a portion of the first cover portion and/or the second cover portion may comprise a frangible portion, for example a portion denoted by a line of weakness. The frangible portion may be arranged to separate from the remainder of the respective cover portion(s) upon opening of the openable seal, thereby providing a tamper-evident feature. The frangible portion may be located towards or about the mid-point of the first cover portion and/or second cover portion. If both the first cover portion and second cover portion comprise frangible portions the frangible portions may not be in registry prior to opening of the openable seal. The or each frangible portion may be formed by a laser or other techniques known to the skilled person.

In one series of embodiments wherein the second cover portion is removable from the package, the second cover portion may be connected to the rest of the package via a frangible portion. For example, on opening the package, the second cover portion is fully removed, and the first cover portion or primary portion may be used to reseal the package.

Preferably, a major part of, for example an entire first and/or second side portion of the first cover portion is in facing relations with a corresponding part, for example an entire first and/or second side portion of the primary portion to form the first and/or second side of the package. The side portions which are in facing relations are preferably secured or sealed together, for example using an adhesive or using a heat seal. One or both of the side portions of the primary portion and first cover portion may bear adhesive. The adhesive may extend along at least a portion of the first side portions. Preferably both the first side portions comprise adhesive.

Preferably, a major part of, for example an entire first and/or second side portion of the second cover portion is in facing relations with a corresponding part, for example an entire first and/or second side portion of the primary portion to form the first and/or second side of the package. The side portions which are in facing relations are preferably secured or sealed together, for example using an adhesive or using a heat seal. One or both of the side portions of the primary portion and first cover portion may bear adhesive. The adhesive may extend along at least a portion of the first side portions. Preferably both the first side portions comprise adhesive. As discussed previously, the second cover portion also extends over a region of the first cover portion. Preferably, at least part of the first and second side portions of the second cover portion are secured to the first and second side portions of the first cover portion in which they are in facing relations.

In embodiments comprising more than one sheet of material (i.e. separate, discrete sheets), an entire first portion (e.g. of the first side portion) of a first sheet of material may be in facing relations with a corresponding portion (e.g. the first side portion of a second (or third) sheet of material) to form the first side of the package. Similarly, an entire second portion, third portion, fourth portion or greater portion (e.g. side portions and/or end portions) of a first sheet of material may be in facing relations with corresponding portions of a second sheet of material. The side portions of the first and second sheets of material which are in facing relations are preferably secured or sealed together, for example using an adhesive or using a heat seal. One or both of the side portions and/or end portions of the first and second sheets of material may bear adhesive. The adhesive may extend along at least a portion of the side portions of the first sheet of material and/or the second sheet of material. Preferably both comprise adhesive.

The adhesive may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive. The adhesive may be usable to at least partially re-seal the package. The adhesive may be usable to open and reseal the package plural times.

The adhesive provided on the first side portion(s) and/or second side portion(s) may have a bond strength which varies along its length, for example it may comprise a first area of higher bond strength and a second area of lower bond strength and/ or it may comprise areas of relatively high bond strength interspersed by areas of relatively low bond strength or vice versa. Advantageously, the provision of areas of high and low bond strength may allow the opening of the packaging assembly to be indexed, for example to correspond to portions of the product.

The adhesive provided on the first side portion(s) and/or the second side portion(s) may be the same or different to the adhesive which is used to seal together the openable seal e.g. the first end portion and the second end portion.

With the packaging assembly sealed or folded around at the first end and the second end and the first side portion and second side portion sealed, or with the sheets of material sealed around the product, the product is securely retained within the package.

In some embodiments, the first and second side portions of the primary portion and first cover may comprise a small region which is permanently secured together e.g. comprising a permanent adhesive and/or a permanent heat seal. The permanently secured region may be located at or adjacent to the second end of the package e.g. where the first cover portion is folded over the foodstuff product to overlie the primary portion. Some flexible materials, once opened out, may have a tendency to curl or fold back up into its original configuration. By providing a small region which is permanently secured, the package may better resist folding or curling back up once opened out. E.g. the permanently secured region may be foldable beneath the foodstuff product and act similar to an over-centre mechanism resisting the package from closing back up.

The package may comprise any suitable shape. Preferably the package conforms to the shape of the foodstuff product being contained within. It will be understood that the first and second side portions of the package, and in some embodiments, the first and/or second ends of the package, will comprise planar strips where the primary portion and the first and/or second cover portions are secured together. References to the approximate shape of the package are intended to refer to the shape of the pocket formed within the package.

For example, the package may be approximately cuboidal. The package may be approximately cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, or approximately an elongate shape having an oval cross-section. The package may be approximately prismatic e.g. the package may be substantially a triangular prism shape, or alternatively, of rectangular, trapezium, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or other polygonal prism shape. Preferably, the package axis corresponds to the central axis of the prism i.e. normal to the polygonal cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the package may be substantially planar, and have an arcuate, circular or polygonal shape (e.g. viewed normal to the plane). The package may be substantially arcuate, circular, triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal shape. Shapes which tesselate are advantageous since they minimise wastage packaging material.

The primary portion may be rectangular, and optionally, square. Alternatively, the primary portion may be arcuate, circular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal shape. In many embodiments, the first and second side portions of the primary portion may be parallel to each other.

The first and/or second cover portion may be rectangular, and optionally, square. Alternatively, the first and/or second cover portion may be arcuate, circular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal shape. In many embodiments, the first and second side portions of the first and/or second cover portion may be parallel to each other.

The foodstuff product may comprise an intended front face and an opposing rear face. Preferably the front face and/or the rear face do not contact a seal that is parallel to the elongate axis of the product e.g. due to the absence of a fin seal from a flow wrapping process. In the embodiments described herein, the seals formed at the sides of the package are not considered to contact the front and/or rear face of the product. Preferably, the foodstuff product is located within the package such that a front face of the foodstuff product is adjacent the openable seal. Advantageously, the packaging assembly may be opened at the openable seal to reveal at least a portion of the product.

Beneficially, when providing the openable seal on the intended front face of the packaging assembly (which intended front face may typically be denoted by the type, form or prominence of branding information), the consumer is, upon opening the openable seal, able to see at least a portion of the intended front face of the product, providing a new and different visual impact upon the consumer.

Moreover, with a foodstuff product and a transverse openable seal, the openable seal may be located to, upon opening, reveal a desired portion of the product. For example, if the product is a chocolate bar, and say the chocolate bar is formed as a tablet comprising a plurality of rows and columns of individual portions, the package may be openable to reveal one or more rows or one or more columns of individual portions. One or more of the individual portions may bear indicia or other markings, or may be arranged to generate a visual impact upon the consumer. For example, the package may be openable to reveal a single portion, or a single row or column of individual portions. This can assist in portion control, thereby providing health benefits to the consumer.

It will be understood that the foodstuff product may comprise segments of any regular or irregular shape. For example, the foodstuff product may comprise a tablet wherein the segments are triangular or wedge shaped. The foodstuff product may comprise a series of defined portions which are joined by a raft. The portions may comprise any shape, including triangular or wedge shaped, wherein the raft forms a base of the series of triangles or wedges e.g. a Toblerone™.

In some embodiments, the package may be configured to be openable to reveal a portion of the foodstuff product intended as a gifting portion e.g. when the foodstuff product is shared between more than one person. The gifting portion of the product may comprise an indicator to identify it as a gifting portion. The indicator may comprise surface decoration, colour, pattern, shape or any other suitable indication.

The foodstuff product may comprise an elongate foodstuff product and/or an approximately planar foodstuff product such as a confectionery product e.g a chocolate bar or chocolate tablet. In some embodiments, the elongate foodstuff product may be rectangular, wherein the product axis conforms to the longest dimension of the rectangular foodstuff product.

Alternatively, the foodstuff product may be square or other regular or irregular polygon, or may be round, oval, and/or circular, wherein the product has a length in the direction of the product axis equal or approximately equal to its width in a direction transverse to the product axis. As used herein, such embodiments are also considered to be ‘elongate’ since they have a nontrivial length in the direction of the product axis.

The product may be in block form, for example the product may be block-shaped. The product may be of substantially cuboid (e.g. a rectangular cuboid) form. In some embodiments, the product may be substantially prismatic e.g. the product may be substantially a triangular prism shape, or alternatively, of rectangular, trapezium, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or other polygonal prism shape. Preferably, the product axis corresponds to the central axis of the prism i.e. normal to the polygonal cross-sectional shape.

The foodstuff product may comprise a plurality of individual foodstuff products. For example, the foodstuff product may comprise a plurality of biscuits or individual chocolate portions. The package may further comprise a support or tray for containing the plurality of foodstuff products within the pocket of the package.

The foodstuff product may be amorphous and/or have an undefined shape. For example, the foodstuff product may comprise multiple small pieces e.g. multiple individual confections such as chocolate buttons, chocolate assortments, Mini Eggs™, nuts, or a powder or granular foodstuff product such as a beverage powder. The package may thus define a pouch structure for containing said amorphous foodstuff product.

The primary portion and first and second cover portions, the continuous sheet of material and/or the first, second, third (or greater) sheets of material may be formed from a flexible material, for example a thin flexible material. The flexible material may be formed from a plastics material or a paper-based material. If the flexible material is a plastics material it may comprise at least a portion of recycled material. For example, the sheet may comprise polypropylene, preferably comprising at least a portion of recycled polypropylene, for example chemically recycled polypropylene. The flexible material may comprise a foil based material. The flexible material may be paper based. The inner and/or outer surface of the sheet may be coated.

Since the package of the invention may be formed from a sustainably sourced material, such as paper or chemically recycled flexible plastic, it enables improved sustainability over existing packaging.

In embodiments comprising multiple sheets of material, a first sheet of material may form an intended rear surface of the package. A second sheet of material may form an intended front face of the package. The first and second sheets of material may be identical, other than surface decoration.

In a further series of embodiments, the primary portion and first and second cover portions, and/or the first and second sheets of material, may be non-identical. For example, the first sheet may comprise a stronger, thicker, denser and/or stiffer material, relative to the second sheet of material. For example, the first sheet of material may comprise a paper, paperboard or cardboard material or laminated material. The second sheet of material may comprise a more flexible material, such as a less dense paper, plastics material, composite or laminate material. In a further series of embodiments, the primary portion, first cover portion, and/or second cover portions may comprise a transparent material or comprise a region of transparent material. For example, in embodiments wherein the primary portion and first and second cover portions are contiguous, the first and/or second cover portion may comprise a transparent region. Alternatively, in embodiments wherein the first and/or second cover portions are separate to the primary portion, one or both may comprise a transparent material or region. Transparent regions or portions may be configured such that the foodstuff product is visible therethrough.

In use the first side portions and the second side portions may be rolled or folded back upon themselves to reveal more of the product. The package may be at least partially flattened or flattenable, for example by folding about the first and/or second fold. Thus the package may partially or fully expose the product and/or be used as a platter for the product. The platter may be completely flat. Alternatively, platter may be non-planarand may comprise one or more edges having a lip. The lip may be formed by the edges of the primary portion, first cover portion and/or second cover portion. E.g. the seals formed by the package sides may be located between the intended front and rear surfaces of the package in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the package e.g. the thickness or depth direction of the package and/or foodstuff product. The plane of the package may be that defined by the package axis and the transverse direction. When opened, the primary portion, first cover portion and/or second cover portion may comprise one or more shallow trays for retaining the foodstuff product.

The package may have an inner surface for facing the product and an outer surface. The inner surface may comprise branding or other written or drawn messaging or indicia.

Advantageously, because the package may be folded flat, the entire inner surface of the package may be useable for graphical or written messaging.

Advantageously, because the packaging assembly is configured as set out above the entire inner surface of the sheet material forming the package is available for the display of written or visual indicia. Accordingly, because there is no elongate seam extended from one end to the other end along the middle of the package, the inner surface provides an uninterrupted canvas for the display of written and visual indicia.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging assembly comprising: a package containing a foodstuff product, the package comprising: a primary portion comprising a first end, a second end, and first and second side portions extending between the first and second ends; a first cover portion; and a second cover portion; wherein the primary portion, first cover portion, and second cover portion are provided as a single continuous sheet of material; and wherein the package is configured such that: the first cover portion is folded over the primary portion, and the side portions of the primary portion and the facing portions of the first cover portion are secured to one another to form a pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product; and the second cover portion is folded over the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are secured or sealed together to provide an openable seal extending across the package between first and second side portions at a location between first and second ends of the primary portion.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a packaging assembly comprising: a package containing a foodstuff product, the package comprising: a primary portion comprising a first end, a second end, and first and second side portions extending between the first and second ends; a first cover portion; and a second cover portion; wherein the first and/or second cover portion is formed as a separate discrete portion and secured to the primary portion; wherein the package is configured such that: the first cover portion overlies the primary portion, and the side portions of the primary portion and the facing portions of the first cover portion are secured to one another to form a pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product; and the second cover portion overlies the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion and is secured thereto, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are secured or sealed together to provide an openable seal extending across the package between first and second side portions at a location between first and second ends of the primary portion.

There is also provided a method of packaging a foodstuff to form a packaging assembly according to any one of the earlier-mentioned aspects, the method comprises locating a foodstuff on a continuous length of packaging material having a longitudinal axis, the foodstuff having a longitudinal axis greater than a transverse axis and conveying the continuous length of material and the foodstuff in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axes and forming a first transverse edge portion and a second transverse edge portion of the packaging material and bringing the first edge portion and the second edge portion together to form a pocket in which the foodstuff is located, the first edge portion and the second edge portion being retained together by an adhesive which allows for opening and closing of the packaging assembly.

Brief Description of the Figures

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with references to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is plan view of a packaging assembly;

Figures 2a to 2c provide plan views of a packaging assembly as it is opened;

Figure 2d indicates various components of an opened packaging assembly;

Figure 3 is a second embodiment of packaging assembly;

Figures 4a to 4c show a further embodiment of a packaging assembly;

Figures 5a to 5c show a further embodiment of a packaging assembly;

Figures 6a and 6c show further embodiments of a packaging assemblies:

Figures 7a to 7c show a further embodiment of a packaging assembly;

Figure 8 shows a further embodiment of a packaging assembly;

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of a packaging assembly;

Figures 10a and 10b show further embodiments of a packaging assembly;

Figures 11a and 11 b shows a further embodiment of a packaging assembly;

Figures 12a and 12b show a further embodiment of a packaging assembly; and Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of a packaging assembly.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 2d, there is shown a packaging assembly 1 comprising a package 2 having a first end 21 , a second end 22 and an elongate package axis E, first package side 23 and a second package side 24 extending therebetween. An openable flap 25 comprising an openable seal is located between the first end 21 and the second end 22. As shown, the openable flap 25 lies transverse the package 2 and is located closer to the first end 21 than to the second end 22, the reasons for which will be explained below. The package 2 contains a foodstuff product 3 having an intended upper surface 3u, in this case a chocolate tablet comprising 36 individual portions P provided as an array of columns C and rows R (4 x 9). The package 2 is formed from a sheet of material 5 having a primary portion 51 , a first cover portion 52 and a second cover portion 53. The sheet of material 5 has an inner surface 5a and an outer surface 5b, the inner surface 5a facing the product 3 and the outer surface 5b providing a decorative surface and indicia such as branding information. The wrapping of the package 2 about the product 3 is such that the first cover portion 52 and the second cover portion 53 of the packaging assembly 1 correspond, respectively, to a first nominal fold 54 and a second nominal fold 55 in the sheet of material 5.

The primary portion 51 has a first side portion 51a and a second side portion 51b. Similarly, first and second cover portions 52, 53 have first and second side portions 52a, 52b, 53a, 53b respectively. The first side 23 of the package 2 is formed by facing portions 51a, 52a, 53a of the sheet of material 5 and the second side 24 of the packaging assembly 1 is formed by facing portions 51b, 52b, 53b of the sheet of material 5.

The first side portion 51a and the second side portion 51 b of the primary portion each have adhesive A applied thereto (indicated by dashed lines). As will be appreciated, the adhesives are located on the inner surface of the part of the sheet material 5 which is intended to form the rearmost surface of the packaging assembly 1 and the adhesive A extends along the respective side portions 51a, 51 b from (or proximate to) the first fold 54 to (or proximate to) the second fold 55.

Additionally, the first and second side portions 52a, 52b of the first cover portion may each have adhesives (not shown) applied thereto, which adhesives may extend from or proximate the first nominal fold 54 to the end of the cover portion 52. Further, the first and second side portions 53a, 53b of the second cover portion 53 may each have adhesives (not shown) applied thereto, extending from the second nominal fold 55 to the end of the second cover portion 53. As shown in Figures 2a and 2b, the primary portion 51 and first cover portion 52, when secure together by the adhesives A, form a pocket for containing the foodstuff product 3.

In the packaging assembly 1 (best seen in Figures 1 and 2a), portions of the adhesives A are covered by side portions 53a, 53b of the second cover portion 53 to complete the package 2 and thereby provide a container which contains the entirety of the product 3.

A first end portion 52c of the first cover portion 52 is folded back on itself to form a return 52r which bears a transverse adhesive B. The return 52r is secured to the facing surface of the first cover portion 52 using an adhesive or heat seal (not shown). The inner surface of the second cover portion 53 is brought into registration with the adhesive B to secure the flap 25 to the first cover portion 52.

Preferably, the second cover portion 53 overlies the adhesive B and has a distal end 53c which extends beyond the adhesive B. In this way the second cover portion 53 provides a gripping portion which may be grasped by a consumer to facilitate opening of the openable flap 25 and the package assembly 1. The second cover portion 53 may extend beyond the adhesive B by a length of 2 to 10 mm, for example 2 to 8mm.

As shown, the distal end 53c of the second cover portion 53 has a curved form. In some cases only a region about the mid-point of the curved form may protrude beyond the adhesive B, thereby providing a gripping tab for manipulation by the consumer to open the openable flap 25. In other cases the entirety of the curved from may protrude beyond the adhesive B.

As can be seen from Figure 2d, for example, the inner surface of the sheet material 5 bears indicia I. It will be appreciated that the inner surface of the sheet material provides a continuous surface for the presentation of indicia (e.g. visual and/or written indicia) which provides a unique and visually pleasing appearance.

The package assembly 1 may be manufactured using a flow wrapping machine in which articles for packaging (e.g. foodstuff package 3) are conveyed in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the article, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis E of the formed packaging assembly 1. For example, the package assembly 1 may be formed by forwarding a continuous length of flexible material having a first edge and a second edge in a machine/running direction and securing the first edge to the second edge to form a tubular structure, wherein the first edge and the second edge together provide the openable seal. The product 3, which is longer than it is wide, is located within the tubular structure such that the front face 3u of the product 3 is adjacent the openable seal and the openable seal extends transversely with respect to the product 3 and the package 2. The product 3 is secured within the tubular structure by sealing facing portions of the flexible material either side of the product 3 to form first and second package sides 23, 24.

In use, the consumer is presented with the packaging assembly 1 , as seen in Figure 1. The consumer is aware of the intended uppermost surface of the packaging assembly 1 by the branding or other indicia as well as the location of the openable flap 25. By pulling on the flap 25, for example using the protruding distal end 53c of the second cover portion 53, the consumer will separate the second cover portion 53 from the return 52r (bearing the transverse adhesive B), and the first and second side portions 53a, 53b from the respective facing regions bearing the adhesive A to reveal a portion of the product 3, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. In particular, a portion of the upper surface 3u of the product 3 is revealed. It will be appreciated that after separation, some adhesive may remain on the second cover portion 53 e.g. at the region overlying the adhesive B and at the first and second side portions 53a, 53b which adjoin the adhesives A on the primary portion 51 .

As can be seen in Figure 2a, the proportions of the packaging assembly 1 can be chosen such that, for a multi-portion chocolate bar a first row R of the chocolate bar (and specifically an upper surface 3u of the first row R of the chocolate bar) is fully revealed with the openable flap 25 in an open condition providing a new and unique revelatory experience. The consumer can break off a first row R for consumption without having to handle the remainder of the chocolate bar, thereby limiting the chance for dirt or other matter coming into contact with the bar.

If a further portion of chocolate is required, the consumer can either manipulate the second end 22 of the packaging assembly 1 to cause more of the chocolate to be exposed or can peel back the first cover portion 52 to expose more of the chocolate, as shown in Figure 2b. Indeed, the consumer can peel back the entirety of the first cover portion 52 to reveal the entire chocolate bar, as shown in Figure 2c. As shown in Figure 2c, the sheet material 5 forms a convenient platter on which the chocolate bar is located and from which portions of the bar (e.g. successive rows R) can be removed, without the bar coming into contact with the underlying surface. As shown in Figures 2c and 2d, the primary portion 51 , first cover portion 52 and second cover portion 53 all have a lip corresponding to the shallow curve of the side portions 51a, 52a, 53a and 51 b, 52b, 53b thereof. Thus, when opened, the platter has a shallow depth which assists retaining the portions of product thereon.

As explained above, the inner surface of the sheet material 5 bears indicia I which can provide extra messaging, competition information, marketing information and so on. In a flow-wrapped product it is not possible to provide such a surface for indicia because of the presence of the elongate seam.

Further, by peeling back the first cover portion 52 to reveal row R after row R of the chocolate the removal of row R after row R can expose sequential steps of portions of a message or other indicia which might be used for entertainment purposes.

Once the consumer has consumed the desired amount of the chocolate, the steps are reversed to reseal the packaging assembly 1. Because the adhesive A, B retains its tack or is otherwise configured to re-seal it can be used to reseal the packaging assembly, thereby facilitating effective storage of the chocolate bar for later consumption.

In order to ensure that the product 3 is securely retained with the package 2 the adhesive A, B used will have the necessary bond strength. The adhesives A, B which may be the same or different, may have the same or different bond strengths, for example the bond strength of adhesive A may be greater than that of transverse adhesive B.

For example, adhesives A may have varying bond strengths along their lengths, in a direction toward the first fold line 54. If the bond strength of the adhesive has peaks and troughs it may encourage the sequential peal back of the upper layer in registration with location of the rows R of chocolate.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 which shows an alternative packaging assembly 101 , with similar integers indicated with the same number and prefix 1.

The packaging assembly of Figure 3 differs from that of Figures 1 and 2.

Firstly, the distal end 153c of the second cover portion 153 extends in a direction perpendicular to the side portions 153a and 153b. The entirety of the distal end 153c will preferably extend beyond the adhesive 1 B to allow manipulation and facilitate ease of opening the flap 125 by the user.

Secondly, the return 152r, which extends a distance D, may be secured to a facing portion of the first side 151a and/or the second side 151b of the primary portion 151. This may be achieved by adhesives, a heat seal or other means.

Thirdly, the return 152r may be provided with a frangible portion 156 defined by a line of weakness. The line of weakness may be provided by a laser or by die cutting. Upon opening the openable flap 125 the bond strength of the adhesive 1 B may be sufficient to cause the line of weakness to break and cause the frangible portion 156 to separate from the remainder of the return 152r and adhere to the inner surface of the openable flap 125. Such a configuration will provide the packaging assembly 101 with a degree of tamper evidence.

Further, where the frangible portion has been removed, it may provide the consumer with a site to aid in the folding or pealing pack of the package to reveal more of the product. Alternatively, a separate tab may be provided on the distal edge of the second end portion. Some or all of the features of the packaging assembly 101 may be used with the first packaging assembly 1.

Although the above description specifically mentions chocolate, the package 2, 102 may be used with products which are not chocolate, such as other confectionery or snack products, especially those which may be portioned such as toffee or sweets. Further, although multiportion tablets are discussed in the above description, the packaging assembly 1 , 101 of the invention may be used with smaller bars of chocolate and other products which are intended for consumption in a single sitting.

Further embodiments will be described with reference to Figures 4a to 12b. The embodiments shown share many similar features and like descriptions will not be repeated.

Turning now to Figures 4a-4c, there is shown a further embodiment of the packaging assembly. The packaging assembly 201 has a primary portion 251 , first cover portion 252 and second cover portion 253. The first cover portion 252 is a separate discrete component which is joined to the primary portion 251 to form the package 202.

To produce the package 202, the first cover portion 252 is laid over the primary portion 251 and the first and second side portions 251a, 251b of the primary portion is secured to the first and second side portions 252a, 252b respectively of the first cover portion 252. The second end 251c of the primary portion 251 and the second end 252c of the first cover portion 252 are secured together. Thus, the primary portion 251 and first cover portion 252 are secured together around three sides as denoted by the dashed lines in Fig 4b to provide a pocket in which a foodstuff product can be contained. The second cover portion 253 is then folded over at the first end 251 d of the primary portion such that it overlies the opening of the pocket, and is secured at the sides and via a transverse adhesive region 2B to form an openable seal.

The packaging assembly 201 thus provides the same advantages as the embodiments of the Figures 1 to 3, but can be achieved via an alternative assembly method.

Turning now to Figures 5a to 5B, there is shown a package 302 for a packaging assembly formed from a primary portion 351 and first cover portion 352 which are contiguous. The first cover portion 352 is folded over the primary portion at the second end 351c of the primary portion 351. The side portions can be secured as discussed previously to form a pocket as shown in Figure 5b. A discrete second cover portion 353 is then located over the opening of the pocket and secured to the primary portion 351 and an end of the first cover portion 352 to form the package 302 in which a foodstuff product can be contained..

The package 302 thus provides the same advantages as the previous embodiments, but can be achieved via an alternative assembly method. Additionally, the second cover portion 353 can be completely removeable from the remainder of the packaging assembly 301 when opening the package 302. Since the adhesives may be resealable, the package can be simply resealed, or alternatively, the second cover portion 353 may be discarded and the open end of the primary portion 351 can be folded over the first cover portion 352 once a portion of the foodstuff product has been removed. The removable second cover portion can also comprise a frangible portion e.g. to act as a tamper-evident feature.

Figures 6a and 6b show a further embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention. The packaging assembly 401 comprises a first sheet of material 410 and a second sheet of material 420. Each sheet has a first end 411 , 421 and a second end 412, 422, and first and second side portions 413, 423, 414, 424 extending therebetween. Facing portions of the first and second sheets 410, 420 are secured together, e.g. via an adhesive or other means as discussed previously, and thus form a pocket therebetween in which a foodstuff product can be contained. The first ends 411 , 421 of the sheets extend beyond the region whereby the two ends are secured together in order to form a grippable portion 402 which can be manipulated by a user to peel the two sheets apart to access the foodstuff product within. Such embodiments are advantageous, since they can provide the same advantages of the other embodiments described herein, plus also provide an intended front and rear surface which is uninterrupted by seals. This provides a continuous print surface for decoration as required and can be used to be especially attractive to consumers.

As shown in Figures 6c, the first sheet of material 410 may be formed in two parts which are secured together i.e. comprising a first cover portion 453 and second cover portion 452 which are secured together via the openable seal. The first sheet of material 410 is then securable to the second sheet or material 420 as described above. In a further series of embodiments, the first and second cover portions 452, 453 are not pre-secured together and are instead secured separately to the primary portion 451 formed by the first sheet of material 420. Such embodiments can be considered equivalent to a combination of the packaging assemblies 201 , 301.

Turning now to Figures 7a to 7c, there is shown a further packaging assembly 501 which is formed of a primary portion 551 , first cover portion 552, second cover portion 553 and a further (third) cover portion 554. The first cover portion 552 is positioned over the centre of the primary portion 551 and the facing side portions thereof are secured together to form a tubular structure as shown in Fig 7b. The second cover portion 553 and third cover portion 554 are contiguous with and located on opposite ends of the primary portion 551 . As shown by the arrows in Fig 7B, the second and third cover portions 553, 554 are folded over the primary portion at the first and second ends thereof and secured to the primary portion and a part of the first cover portion in the same manner as described in previous embodiments. The packaging assembly 501 thus provides the same advantages as the previously described embodiments, but can be achieved via an alternative assembly method. Furthermore, the packaging assembly 501 can be opened from either end.

Turning now to Figure 8, there is shown a further embodiment of packaging assembly 601 wherein an additional transverse openable seal 603 has been provided between the primary portion 651 and the first cover portion 652, and a longitudinal openable seal 604 has been provided between both the first and second cover portions and the primary portion. The two additional seals 603, 604 thus divide the internal pocket of the package 602 into four discrete segments. The packaging assembly 601 thus provides the same advantages as the previously described embodiments, but can be used to contain multiple individual portions of a foodstuff product. It will be understood that any number of additional openable seals 603, 604 may be provided, and that this feature can be combined with any other embodiment.

Turning now to Figure 9, there is shown a packaging assembly 701 which is substantially the same as that shown in Figure 1. However, the dimensions have been changed such that the package first end 721 and package second end 722 are longer than the package first and second sides 723, 724 respectively. It will be understood that the specific dimensions of embodiments of the invention can be varied significantly without diverging from the invention. The packaging assembly 701 forms a pouch and thus may be particularly useful for containing an amorphous foodstuff product such as confectionery pieces.

Turning now to Figure 10a and 10b, there are shown packaging assemblies 801 , 901 containing non-planar foodstuff products (not shown). The packaging assembly 801 is substantially the same as packaging container 1 , other than having an approximately triangular prism shape. The flap 825 extends over two faces 801 a, 801 b of the triangular prism, with face 801c formed by a primary portion (not shown). In other embodiments (not shown), the flap 825 may extend over only a single face of the prism e.g. one of 801a, 801b, 801c. The third face 801c may correspond to a base of the prism e.g. the base of a prism-shaped foodstuff product. In some embodiments (not shown), the flap 825 may extend between the first and second sides 823, 824 on the third face 801c, which may correspond to an upper surface or side of a foodstuff product. In a further series of embodiments, each of the three faces 801 a-c may comprise a separate sheet of material and the package may comprise a third seal (in addition to first and second side seals 823, 824) securing the edge between faces 801a and 801b.

The packaging assembly 901 is configured such that the side potions 923, 924 correspond with the lesser dimensions of the triangular prism, analogous to the embodiment of Figure 9. In each embodiment, the flaps 825, 925 have the same structure and manner of operation as described previously. Such embodiments may be particularly suitable for elongate and/or unusual shaped products, such as Toblerone™. It will be understood that any shape e.g. cross- sectional shape is equally possible. In such embodiments, the machine/running direction is still parallel to the side seal 923, 924 such that the flap 925 and the openable seal extends transverse to the machine/running direction.

Turning now to Figures 11a and 11 b, there is shown a packaging assembly 1001 which has substantially the same structure as packaging assembly 1 , except for the primary portion 1051 having a hexagonal shape. The first and second cover portions 1052, 1053 have corresponding shapes which conform to the hexagonal shape of the package 1001. The packaging assembly 1001 thus provides the same advantages as the previously described embodiments, but provides an interesting experience for the consumer.

Turning now to Figures 12a and 12b, there is shown a further embodiment of packaging assembly 1101. The packaging assembly is formed of a primary portion 1151 , first and second cover portions 1152, 1153, and first and second side portions 1151a, 1151b. The first and second side portions 1151a, 1151 b extend contiguously from the primary portion 1151 and are equivalent to third and fourth cover portions. To form the packaging assembly 1101 , the first and second side portions 1151a, 1151b can be folded over the primary portion 1151 and the foodstuff product 3. The first and second cover portions 1152, 1153 can then be folded over the primary portion 1151 and secured to the first and second side portions 1151a, 1151b and to each other as described previously using e.g. an adhesive to form multiple openable seals. It will be understood that the order of folding and securing the side portions and cover portions can be varied. The packaging assembly 1001 can be particularly useful wherein the foodstuff product 3 has unusual shaped segments e.g. such as triangular or wedge shaped segments. The packaging assembly 1001 thus provides the same advantages as the previously described embodiments, but provides an interesting experience for the consumer, and can be configured to open so as to sequentially reveal segments of the foodstuff product 3. Lastly, turning to Figure 13, there is a further embodiment of package 1202 which is substantially identical to the package 2. The openable seal extending across the package comprises a first seal formed of a first adhesive 12B and a second seal 12D. The second seal 12D is a permanent seal, such as a heat seal or high-strength adhesive. Located between the two seals 12B, 12D is a frangible region which is provided with a tear-off strip 1206. The tear- off strip 1206 comprises a tape secured to the second cover portion 1253, preferably on the underside such that it is not visible to the user. Each end of the tear-off strip 1206 may be grippable by a user such that the tape can be pulled through the frangible region of the second cover portion 1253. This provides a clear tamper indicator to show if the package 1202 has been previously opened. The package 1202 can then be resealed using the first adhesive 12B on the second cover portion as described previously. It will be understood that this tamper indicator is equally applicable to all of the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1 . A packaging assembly comprising: a package containing a foodstuff product, the package comprising: a primary portion comprising a first end, a second end, and first and second side portions extending between the first and second ends; a first cover portion; and a second cover portion; wherein the package is configured such that: the first cover portion overlies the primary portion, and the side portions of the primary portion and the facing portions of the first cover portion are secured to one another to form a pocket for at least partially containing the foodstuff product; and the second cover portion overlies the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion, wherein the first cover portion and the second cover portion are secured or sealed together to provide an openable seal extending across the package between first and second side portions at a location between first and second ends of the primary portion.

2. The packaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a package axis which corresponds to a machine direction and/or running direction of a machine forming the package.

3. The packaging assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the package comprises a package axis which corresponds to the elongate axis of the foodstuff product.

4. The packaging assembly according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the openable seal extends transverse to the package axis.

5. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary portion, first cover portion, and second cover portion are provided as a single continuous sheet of material.

6. The packaging assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first cover portion and/or the second cover portion may be formed as a separate, discrete portion and secured to the primary portion.

7. The packaging assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first cover portion is formed as a separate, discrete portion and secured to the primary portion, and wherein the second cover portion is contiguous with the primary portion and configured to fold over the primary portion and to at least partially overlie the first cover portion.

8. The packaging assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a further cover portion contiguous with the primary portion at an end opposite to the second cover portion, and configured to overlie a second end of the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion.

9. The packaging assembly according to claim 6, wherein the first cover portion is contiguous with the primary portion, and wherein the second cover portion is formed as a separate, discrete portion and configured to be located over the primary portion and at least part of the first cover portion.

10. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second cover portions form an intended front face of the package, and wherein the openable seal is provided on the intended front face of the package.

11. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openable seal is located at a position approximately 10% to 45% of the distance between the package first end and the package second end.

12. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openable seal is located at a position approximately 55% to 95% of the distance between the package first end and the package second end, and optionally, wherein the second cover portion forms the majority or entirety of the intended front face of the product.

13. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the openable seal comprises an adhesive and permits resealing of the openable seal.

14. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the primary portion is circular, triangular, rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or any other polygonal shape.

15. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the package is approximately cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, an elongate shape having an oval cross-section, or prismatic, wherein the approximately prismatic shape comprises a triangular, rectangular, trapezium, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or other polygonal prism shape.

16. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the foodstuff product is approximately cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, an elongate shape having an oval cross-section, or prismatic, wherein the approximately prismatic shape comprises a triangular, rectangular, trapezium, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal or other polygonal prism shape.

17. The packaging assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the package comprises one or more additional openable seals between the primary portion and the first and or second cover portions, extending transverse or parallel to the package axis and configured to divide the pocket of the package into multiple segments.

18. A packaging assembly comprising a package containing a foodstuff product, the package comprising: a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material, each having first and second ends, and first and second side portions extending between the first and second ends; wherein the foodstuff product is located between the first and second sheets of material; and wherein facing portions of the first and second end and first and second sides are secured to one another via an openable seal and wherein at least one of the first sheet and second sheet of material is provided with an openable seal extending across the package from the first to the second side thereof located between the first and second ends of the package.