PACKAGING

Abstract

 The present invention is in the technical field of packaging. It has been identified that a packaging (1) that can be effectively resealed after it has been opened is useful when packaging foodstuffs. There is therefore provided a bag (6) for containing and dispensing foodstuff, a panel (4) extending adjacent to and along the height of the bag, and a base (10) on which the bag is positioned. At least a portion of the panel is rotatable over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to packaging and in particular to packaging for containing and dispensing foodstuff.

Background

[0002] Foodstuffs such as cereals, grains etc. that have a long shelf life (compared to fresh fruit or vegetables for example) can be sold in large quantities that a user would not consume in a single sitting. Such large quantities of foodstuff are therefore typically sold in packaging that can be reclosed once it has been opened. A user can thereby dispense the desired amount of foodstuff from the packaging and then re-close the packaging thereby keeping the remaining foodstuff for consumption on a subsequent occasion.

[0003] However some foodstuffs, for example cereals, are moisture sensitive and can degrade over time through exposure to moisture. If the packaging is not provided with an adequate seal upon reclosing the packaging after first use, the foodstuff may be exposed to moisture in the air. This can have a detrimental effect on the freshness of the product and in some instances can result in the foodstuff spoiling before it can be consumed.

[0004] Conventionally a clip or zip is used to seal cereal packaging e.g. a bag once it has been opened. However this requires the use of an additional object (in the case of a clip) in order to seal the bag and/or increases the cost of manufacturing the packaging (in the case of a zip).

[0005] The inventors have therefore developed an improved and superior packaging over known products.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a packaging that addresses this issue, or to at least provide a useful alternative to known products.

Summary

[0007] Aspects of the invention are defined in the accompanying claims.

[0008] In accordance with some embodiments described herein, there is provided a packaging including a bag for containing and dispensing foodstuff; a panel extending adjacent to and along the height of the bag; and a base on which the bag is positioned. At least a portion of the panel is rotatable over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base. In this manner a packaging that can be efficiently and effectively resealed once it has been opened is provided. This assists in ensuring the freshness of the foodstuff contained in the packaging. In addition the arrangement of the bag and sleeve within the packaging provides an integral sealing mechanism that enables the packaging to be easily resealed without using additional products to seal the packaging. The particular arrangement of the packaging requires minimal action by the user to reseal the packaging thereby facilitating use. Thus, a convenient means of packaging foodstuff whilst being cost effective to manufacture is provided.

[0009] The panel may be provided with a coupling permitting the panel to be coupled to a front or rear of the packaging in a position where the portion of the panel is rotated over the bag. In providing such a coupling, the packaging can be retained in a re-sealed position in which the portion of the panel is rotated over the bag until the packaging is reopened. Thus the freshness of foodstuff contained within the packaging can be ensured.

[0010] The panel may be provided with a crease line or elongate recess extending across its width creating a line at which a fold may be repeatedly formed. By providing a crease or score line on the panel, folding of the panel can be facilitated. In particular the panel can be consistently and repeatedly folded at the required location thereby rendering the packaging easier to use.

[0011] The panel may be provided with a plurality of crease lines or elongate recesses extending across its width creating a plurality of lines at which a fold may be repeatedly formed, wherein the plurality of crease lines or elongate recesses are spaced from one another along the height of the panel. In providing a plurality of crease or score lines, the packaging can be folded at different locations depending on how much food stuff is in the bag. When very little foodstuff is located within the packaging it is therefore possible to fold the packaging to a smaller size resulting in a smaller storage space being required. In addition, it is possible to reduce the amount of air and therefore moisture exposed to the foodstuff thereby improving the freshness of the product and increasing its shelf life.

[0012] The portion of the panel may be configured to be repeatedly rotated between an original position and a position where the portion of the panel is rotated over the bag thereby re-opening and re-sealing the packaging. In this manner the packaging may be opened and resealed multiple times until the foodstuff is used up. Thus separate containers for storing the foodstuff once the packaging has been opened are not required.

[0013] The packaging may further include first and second side walls extending away from either side of the panel wherein the side walls extend perpendicular to the panel along only part of the height of the panel as measured from the base; and wherein the bag is located between the side panels. By providing side walls, the rigidity of the packaging is increased.

[0014] Alternatively the packaging may include a first wall located opposite the panel, the panel forming a second wall; wherein the first and second walls are arranged to receive the bag therebetween, and wherein the base extends between the first and second walls thereby connecting the first and second walls. This packaging may further include side walls extending between the first and second walls defining sides to the packaging, wherein the side walls extend along only part of the height of the first and second walls as measured from the base. In providing front, rear and side walls the rigidity of the packaging is increased. In addition by locating the bag within the walls, the bag is protected from damage for example during storage or transportation.

[0015] A portion of each side wall proximate to the panel may define a line therebetween about which the portion of the panel rotates over the bag. The provision of this line enables an efficient and effective seal to be formed.

[0016] The side walls may be tapered from a first width proximate the base to a second smaller width at which the side walls terminate. The tapered side walls facilitate folding of the packaging since taper of the side walls results in the front and rear walls being provided adjacent to each other at an upper portion of the packaging. This facilitates folding of the packaging and in particular of the front panel, bag and rear panel can be easily folded together.

[0017] The coupling may be in the form of a flap positioned on the second wall and an aperture formed in the first wall. By providing a flap positioned on the second wall and an aperture formed in the first wall, an integral coupling is provided. In providing an integral coupling, the number of components of the packaging is reduced thereby facilitating manufacture and reducing its cost.

[0018] The panel and/or the first wall may include an aperture permitting the bag to be viewed through the aperture. In this manner a user can inspect the bag through the aperture for damage. In addition the user may be able to touch the bag in order to ascertain the consistency of the foodstuff contained therein.

[0019] The bag may be attached to the panel and/or base. In attaching the panel and/or base to the bag, it is ensure that the two components of the packaging are not separated and are permanently located relative to one another. This avoids any repositioning of the bag relative to the panel that could result in a less efficient seal being formed. Additionally by attaching the panel to the bag, one component cannot be lost.

[0020] A material from which the panel is formed may have a greater rigidity than a material from which the bag is formed. By forming the panel from a material having a greater rigidity than the bag, an efficient seal can be formed along the crease line. Additionally the more rigid panel provides support to the packaging and protects the bag from damage.

[0021] There is further provided a method of opening and resealing a packaging of the type described wherein the packaging contains foodstuff, the method including opening the bag; dispensing foodstuff from the bag; resealing the bag by rotating at least a portion of the panel adjacent the bag over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base. Thus a packaging is provided that is convenient to open and efficiently reseal thereby increasing the ease of use to the user and increasing the shelf life of the product contained therein

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] The present teachings will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following figures in which like parts are depicted by like reference numerals:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example packaging;

Figure 2 is a front view of the packaging in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is rear view of the packaging in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side view of the packaging in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of the packaging in Figure 1 in a resealed position.

[0023] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description of the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the invention covers all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

[0024] As used in this specification, the words "comprises", "comprising", and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to".

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example packaging 1. The packaging 1 is formed of an outer sleeve or box 2 within which a bag 6 is located.

[0026] The outer sleeve 2 is typically formed of cardboard, laminated card, micro-flute material or composite material for example. In some examples the outer sleeve is formed from recycled materials. The bag 6 is typically formed of co-extruded or laminate plastic including, for example, high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), oriented polypropylene (OPP), cast polypropylene (CPP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or polylactic acid or polylactide (PA). The bag can also be formed of paper or metal foil. The outer sleeve 2 is usually formed of a more rigid material than the interior bag 6 to provide support to the packaging 1. Put another way the interior bag is usually formed of a more flexible material than the outer sleeve.

[0027] The outer sleeve 2 is formed of opposing front 3 and rear 4 panels or walls which are connected to each other at an upper portion. The front panel 3 may be considered as a first panel or wall 3 and the rear panel 4 may be considered as a second panel or wall 4. In the illustrated example the front 3 and rear 4 panels are the same size however in alternative examples the front panel 3 may be shorter than the rear panel 4 or vice versa. Side panels or walls 8 are provided between the front 3 and rear 4 panels at a lower portion of the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 therefore has a substantially triangular cross section due to provision of side walls at a lower portion but not at an upper portion.

[0028] In the illustrated example the side panels 8 extend between edges of the front 3 and rear 4 panels. However the edges of the front 3 and rear 4 panels may extend past the side walls 8 such that the side walls 8 abut the front 3 and rear 4 panels rather than extending between the edges of the front 3 and rear 4 panels. Put another way the side walls 8 may contact the front panel 3 at a location proximate to the edge of the front panel 3 and may contact the rear panel 4 at an area proximate to the rear panel 4. A base 10 is provided at the bottom of the sleeve 2. Each of the front 3, rear 4 and side 8 panels is connected to the base 10 at a respective outer edge. The base 10, front 3, rear 4 and side 8 panels thereby form a box or cavity within which the bag 6 is located.

[0029] The bag 6 is sized to fit within the cavity defined by the sleeve 2 and extends from the base 10 of the sleeve 2 to the top of the cavity. In some examples an upper portion of the bag 6 is located between the front 3 and rear 4 panels such that the front panel 3, bag 6 and rear panel 4 are connected together at an upper portion of the packaging. In other examples the bag 6 is simply located within the sleeve 2 and the upper portion of the bag 6 is not connected to the front 3 or rear 4 panels.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the packaging 1 and specifically illustrates the front panel 3. Front panel 3 is substantially rectangular in shape and extends from the base 10 to an upper portion 3a connected to the rear panel 4. The upper portion 3a of the front panel 3 is attached to an upper portion 4a of the rear panel 4 by an adhesive for example.

[0031] The upper portion 3a of the front panel includes an aperture 12 that is shaped to form a handle thereby allowing the packaging 1 to be hung on a hook for display or allowing a user to easily carry the packaging 1.

[0032] A tab or flap 14 is formed on one interior edge of the aperture 12. The flap 14 is used to reseal the packaging 1 after it has been opened as will be described in more detail below.

[0033] A tear-off strip 16 is provided at the base of the upper portion 3a. By removing the tear-off strip 16, the front 3 and rear 4 panels are separated and a user can access the bag 6 located within the sleeve 2.

[0034] A second aperture 22 is provided at a lower portion 3b of the front panel 3. This second aperture 22 allows the bag 6 to be viewed or touched by a user without opening the packaging. A user can thereby see whether the bag 6 is damaged or not and can feel the product inside the bag 6 without directly contacting the product itself. In some examples the bag 6 is formed of a transparent or translucent material. In these examples the aperture 22 allows the user to view the foodstuff located in the bag 6. The aperture 22 may be of any convenient size although it is appreciated that when a larger aperture 22 is provided the front panel 3 is more flexible. In some examples the aperture 22 may be covered by a transparent film. This allows the user to view the bag 6 inside the packaging whilst protecting the bag 6 from damage.

[0035] A narrow slot (or small aperture) 20 is provided below the aperture 22. The narrow slot 20 is sized such that it is engagable with the flap 14 as will be described in more detail below.

[0036] A crease line 18 is formed across the width of the front panel 3 between the upper portion 3a and the lower portion 3b. The crease line 18 may be in the form of a score line, an embossed line, or an elongate recess or indentation in which a portion of (but not all) the panel material is removed. In some examples the crease line 18 is continuous and in other examples the crease line may be discontinuous or perforated. The crease line 18 facilitates the folding or bending of the front panel 3 during resealing of the packaging by providing a line of reduced resistance to folding. Typically this line of reduced resistance may be formed by removing some material from the panel 3 at the location of the crease line 18. This is discussed in further detail with respect to Figure 5 below.

[0037] Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of the packaging 1 and specifically illustrates the rear panel 4. Similar to front panel 3, rear panel 4 is substantially rectangular in shape and extends from the base 10 to an upper portion 4a connected to the front panel 3. As discussed above, the upper portion 4a of the rear panel 4 is attached to an upper portion 3a of the front panel 3 by an adhesive for example.

[0038] As can be seen from Figure 3, aperture 12 formed in the upper portion 3a of the front panel 3 also extends through the upper portion 4a of the rear panel 4. Thus flap 14 can also be seen in the rear view of the packaging illustrated in Figure 3.

[0039] In this example, rear panel 4 includes two crease lines 18 in the form of fold lines extending across the width of the rear panel 4. These crease lines 18 are located substantially at a height corresponding to the height at which the side panels 8 are attached to the rear panel 4. This enables an effective seal to be achieved when the packaging is resealed. Similar to crease lines 18 on front panel 3, these crease lines 18 on the rear panel 4 facilitate the folding or bending of the rear panel 4 during resealing of the packaging 1 as discussed in further detail below.

[0040] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of packaging 1 and specifically illustrates a side panel 8. It is understood that the opposite side panel on the other side of the packaging is a mirror image of the side panel illustrated.

[0041] Side panel 8 extends from the base 10, between front 3 and rear 4 panels to a point partway up the packaging 1. The maximum height of side panel 8 corresponds substantially to the height of the foodstuff contained in the bag 6 when the bag 6 is first purchased i.e. the maximum height of foodstuff in the bag 6.

[0042] The region of the side panel 8 adjacent to the rear panel 4 extends further from the base 10 than the region of the side panel 8 adjacent to the front panel 3. Put another way the side panel 8 is tapered from a wide base at the base of the packaging to a point at which the side panel 8 terminates. In the illustrated example, this taper results in an upper edge 8a of side panel 8 is provided at an angle to front panel 3 and rear panel 4. The angle α between the upper edge 8a of side panel 8 and rear panel 4 is generally dependent upon the density of foodstuff contained in the packaging and the depth of the sleeve 2. The angle α between the upper edge 8a of the side panel 8 and the rear panel 4 can be between 0 and 180 degrees. In one example the angle α between the upper edge 8a of side panel 8 and rear panel 4 is between 30 and 70 degrees. This allows the packaging 1 to provide an effective seal when the packaging 1 is resealed after opening.

[0043] Side panel 8 also includes two crease or fold lines 24 extending from each bottom corner of side panel 8 to a midpoint of upper edge 8a. These crease lines 24 facilitate folding or bending of the packaging 1 when it is resealed.

[0044] Figure 5 is a side view of packaging 1 once it has been opened and resealed. For ease of understanding the bag 6 is not shown inside the sleeve 2.

[0045] Once the sleeve 2 and bag 6 of the packaging 1 have been opened and a user has dispensed the required amount from the packaging 1, an upper portion of the bag 6 and an upper portion of the sleeve 2 are folded together or simultaneously rotated forwards over the front of the packaging along the crease lines 18. Thus the crease lines 18 are located at the fulcrum or point of rotation of the packaging 1. As can be seen in the illustrated example, the folded upper portions of the bag 6 and sleeve are located adjacent the upper edge of the side panel 8. Thus when the upper portions of the bag and sleeve are folded over the packaging they follow the shape of the upper edge of the side panel.

[0046] Once the packaging 1 has been folded over, the flap 14 is engaged with the slot 20 thereby retaining the packaging in the resealed position illustrated in Figure 5. By folding the bag 6 and outer sleeve 2 over together in one action, the folds formed in the front 3 and rear 4 panels along the crease lines 18 (identified as regions A and B in Figure 5) pinch the bag 6 closed thereby sealing the bag 6. Put another way, the bag 6 is sealed because the tight folds of the front 3 and rear 4 panels compress the walls of the bag 6 together thereby creating a seal. In this manner the bag is efficiently sealed in a single motion by the user.

[0047] When a user desires to re-open the packaging the flap 14 is removed from the slot 20 and the packaging 1 is unfolded back to its pre-folded or unfolded state. The user can then dispense more foodstuff as required and reseal the packaging by refolding the upper part of the packaging and re-engaging flap 14 in slot 20. In this manner the packaging 1 may be repeatedly opened and closed until the entire foodstuff contained therein has been dispensed.

[0048] Whilst the packaging is designed such that the flap 14 is enageable with slot 20, the user may alternatively engage flap 14 in aperture 22.

[0049] Although in the exemplary embodiment described the packaging is folded forwards over the front of the packaging, in an alternative example the packaging is folded backwards so that the front of the packaging is still visible when the packaging has been resealed. In such an example the slot 20 is relocated to the rear panel 4 so as to engage with the flap 14.

[0050] In the above described example a single crease or fold line 18 is provided on the front panel 3 and two crease or score lines are provided on the rear panel 4 however in some examples a plurality of crease or fold lines are provided at different locations along the height of both the front 3 and rear 4 panel such that the packaging 1 may be folded at different heights depending on the amount of foodstuff remaining in the bag 6. In this manner a flexible packaging is provided that remains compact regardless of the amount of foodstuff stored within it. This advantageously allows the bag to be folded to minimise the amount of air (and therefore moisture) held in the bag, therefore reducing the amount of moisture to which the foodstuff is exposed. Additionally this arrangement allows storage space in a cupboard for example, to be efficiently utilised. Alternatively a single crease or fold line may be provided on each of the front 3 and rear 4 panels. In a further example in which the sleeve 2 is formed of a material that folds easily, no crease or fold line 18 may be provided on either the front 3 or the rear 4 panel.

[0051] In a further example, in which the distance between the front and rear walls is very large or where the packaging is tall, two crease or fold lines may be provided spaced apart on the front and/or rear panels. In this example the two crease lines form two rotation points about which the packaging is folded. Thus the upper portion of the sleeve and bag may be folded at a first location in order to rotate the upper portion of the packaging over the top of the bag and then folded a second time at a second location spaced from the first location to cause the upper portion of the packaging to locate adjacent to the lower portion of the packaging. In this manner the upper portion of the packaging can be folded flat against a lower portion of the packaging thereby allowing the flap to be coupled to the slot.

[0052] In the present examples, the crease line is used to facilitate the folding of the panels. It can be continuous or perforated as necessary depending on the particular requirements and the material from which the panel is formed. As discussed above, the crease line may be in the form of a score line, an embossed line, or a partial cut or indentation.

[0053] Although in the above described example crease or fold lines are provided on the side panels, in an alternative example, no crease or fold lines are provided on the side panels.

[0054] In the example described, the upper edge of side panels is angled such that the side panels taper from a first width adjacent the base to a second width distal from the base, in other examples the upper edge of side panels is perpendicular to the front and rear panels and the side panels have the same width along their entire height.

[0055] In the above described example the region of the side panel adjacent to the rear panel extends further from the base than the region of the side panel adjacent to the front panel. However in an alternative example the region of the side panel adjacent the front panel extends further from the base than the region of the side panel adjacent the rear panel. Although side panels are present in the above described example, to provide rigidity to the sleeve, in other examples, no side walls are present and only front and rear panels are provided.

[0056] In other alternative examples no front panel is provided and instead the packaging is resealed by a fold in the rear panel pinching the bag closed (instead of a fold in the rear panel and a fold in the front panel as described above). In such an example the slot that is engagable with the flap may be provided on the base. Where no front panel is provided, the sleeve may include side panels or alternatively may only include a rear panel and a base.

[0057] Although a coupling in the form of a flap and slot has been described in the example, other coupling means may instead be used, for example a strip of adhesive material may be provided on the front panel or bag to which the rear panel may adhere when it is folded over. Alternatively an adhesive tab may be provided at the top of the rear panel for fixing to the front panel or bag when the packaging is in the resealed position.

[0058] In some examples the bag and sleeve are attached together for example by adhesive. In other example the bag is simply located in the sleeve and no separate attachment is provided.

[0059] In the above described examples panels of a rectangular shape have been described. However it will be appreciate that other suitable shaped panels can also be used.

[0060] Thus a packaging for containing and dispensing foodstuff that provides an effective seal upon reclosing the packaging after it has been opened has been described. This assists in ensuring the freshness of the foodstuff contained in the packaging. The packaging additionally provides support and protection for a bag containing foodstuff thereby reducing the likelihood of damage during transportation for example. The particular arrangement of the bag and sleeve provides an integral sealing mechanism that enables the life of the foodstuff located in the packaging to be prolonged. The particular arrangement removes the need for additional products to be used to seal the packaging and provides a convenient means of packaging foodstuff whilst being cost effective to manufacture.

[0061] In some examples the packaging includes a bag for containing and dispensing foodstuff, a panel extending adjacent to and along the height of the bag, and a base on which the bag is positioned, wherein at least a portion of the panel is rotatable over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base thereby defining a rotatable panel.

[0062] Additionally a method of opening and resealing the packaging described above has been described. In some examples the method includes opening the bag, dispensing foodstuff from the bag, and resealing the bag by rotating at least a portion of the panel adjacent the bag over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base.

[0063] The various embodiments described herein are presented only to assist in understanding and teaching the claimed features. These embodiments are provided as a representative sample of embodiments only, and are not exhaustive and/or exclusive. It is to be understood that advantages, embodiments, examples, functions, features, structures, and/or other aspects described herein are not to be considered limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims or limitations on equivalents to the claims, and that other embodiments may be utilised and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. Various embodiments of the invention may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, appropriate combinations of the disclosed elements, components, features, parts, steps, means, etc., other than those specifically described herein. In addition, this disclosure may include other inventions not presently claimed, but which may be claimed in future.

Claims

1. Packaging comprising:

a bag for containing and dispensing foodstuff;

a panel extending adjacent to and along the height of the bag; and

a base on which the bag is positioned;

wherein at least a portion of the panel is rotatable over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base.

2. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein the panel is provided with a coupling permitting the panel to be coupled to a front or rear of the packaging in a position where the portion of the panel is rotated over the bag.

3. Packaging according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the panel is provided with a crease line or elongate recess extending across its width creating a line at which a fold may be repeatedly formed.

4. Packaging according to any preceding claim wherein the panel is provided with a plurality of crease lines or elongate recesses extending across its width creating a plurality of lines at which a fold may be repeatedly formed, wherein the plurality of crease lines or elongate recesses are spaced from one another along the height of the panel.

5. Packaging according to any preceding claim wherein the portion of the panel is configured to be repeatedly rotated between an original position and a position where the portion of the panel is rotated over the bag thereby re-opening and re-sealing the packaging.

6. Packaging according to any preceding claim wherein the packaging further comprises first and second side walls extending away from either side of the panel wherein the side walls extend perpendicular to the panel along only part of the height of the panel as measured from the base; and wherein the bag is located between the side panels.

7. Packaging according to any one of claims 1-5 comprising a first wall located opposite the panel, the panel forming a second wall; wherein the first and second walls are arranged to receive the bag therebetween, and wherein the base extends between the first and second walls thereby connecting the first and second walls.

8. Packaging according to claim 7 wherein the packaging further comprises side walls extending between the first and second walls defining sides to the packaging, wherein the side walls extend along only part of the height of the first and second walls as measured from the base.

9. Packaging according to claim 6 or claim 8 wherein a portion of each side wall proximate to the panel defines a line therebetween about which the portion of the panel rotates over the bag.

10. Packaging according to any one of claims 6, 8 and 9 wherein the side walls are tapered from a first width proximate the base to a second smaller width at which the side walls terminate.

11. Packaging according to any of claims 7-10 when dependent upon claim 2, wherein the coupling is in the form of a flap positioned on the second wall and an aperture formed in the first wall.

12. Packaging according to any preceding claim wherein the panel and/or the first wall comprises an aperture permitting the bag to be viewed through the aperture.

13. Packaging according to any preceding claim wherein the bag is attached to the panel and/or base.

14. Packaging according to any preceding claim wherein a material from which the panel is formed has a greater rigidity than a material from which the bag is formed.

15. A method of opening and resealing a packaging according to any preceding claim wherein the packaging contains foodstuff, the method comprising:

opening the bag;

dispensing foodstuff from the bag;

resealing the bag by rotating at least a portion of the panel adjacent the bag over the bag to cause a distal portion of the bag to fold over a portion of the bag closer to the base.

Drawing