EASY OPENING PACKAGING FOR FOOD PRODUCTS

1 . A flow wrapped packaging ( 1 ) for a food product ( 10 ) such as a performance bar,

said packaging ( 1 ) being of a flexible material and preferably having a substantially rectangular shape,

the packaging ( 1 ) being folded around the food product ( 10 ) at one side (L 2 ) and being sealed on the remaining side portions (L 1 ,B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ),

wherein

two adjacent flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) extend at at least one of the side portions (L 1 ) of the packaging ( 1 ),

the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) are connected at their end adjacent to the associated sealed side portion (L 1 ), and

the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) extend freely and linearly thereof essentially in the main plane of the food product, and

wherein lateral side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging are not sealed to their full length such that the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) are not joined together at said lateral side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ); and

wherein the two adjacent flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) comprise grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) provided at an inner or outer surface ( 7 a , 7 b ) of the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ).

2 . A packaging according to claim 1 ,

wherein the two adjacent flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) extend to different extents.

3 . A packaging according to claim 1 or 2 ,

wherein seals ( 4 a ) formed at the side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ) perpendicular to the longitudinal side portions (L 1 , L 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) are designed such that they do not extend over the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ).

4 . A packaging according to any of claims 1 to 3 ,

wherein the grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) are formed as an integral part of the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) of the packaging ( 1 ).

5 . A packaging according to any of claims 1 to 3 ,

wherein the grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) are formed as additional means connected to the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ) of the packaging ( 1 ).

6 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) comprise a surface modulation such as e.g. embossments.

7 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) comprise a pattern of holes or apertures.

8 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) comprise material adhered onto the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ).

9 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the grip elements ( 6 a , 6 b ) are designed differently for each of the flap portions ( 5 a , 5 b ).

10 . A packaging according to any of the preceding claims,

wherein the seal ( 4 ) of the packaging comprises a heat-sealable peelable film, a heat-sealable coating or a cold seal adhesive.

11 . A method for packing a food product by means of a packaging according to any of claims 1 to 10 , said method comprising the steps of:

placing the food product ( 10 ) on an inner surface ( 1 a ) of the packaging ( 1 ),

folding the packaging ( 1 ) around a longitudinal edge ( 10 b ) of the food product ( 10 ) to enclose the food product such that two overlapping flaps ( 5 a , 5 b ) are formed at an opposite longitudinal edge ( 10 b ) of the food product, wherein the overlapping flaps ( 5 a , 5 b ) extend linearly from said opposite longitudinal edge preferably to different extents, and

sealing side portions (L 1 ,B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) such that the flaps ( 5 a , 5 b ) formed at the longitudinal side portion (L 1 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) are sealed together at an axis parallel to a longitudinal edge ( 10 b ) of the food product ( 10 ) and are extend freely therefrom, and

wherein the packaging ( 1 ) is applied to the food product ( 10 ) by means of flow wrapping.

12 . A method for packing a food product according to claim 11 ,

comprising the step of sealing two opposite lateral side portions (B 1 ,B 2 ) of the packaging ( 1 ) at an axis parallel to a lateral edge ( 10 a ) of the food product ( 10 ) such that flaps ( 5 a , 5 b ) formed at the longitudinal edge (L 1 ) of the food product ( 10 ) are not joined together.

13 . A food product contained within a packaging according to any of claims 1 to 10 , the food product being a bar such as a energy bar, a nutritional bar or a performance bar.