Patent ID: 8668082

Claim:
A flexible package for articles of footwear, comprising: a front panel and a rear panel; a bottom panel joining the front and rear panels along a first bottom edge and a second bottom edge; two side panels joining the front and rear panels along a first side edge and a second side edge; a top closure structure joining the front and rear panels along a first top edge and a second top edge, the top closure structure including: a front flap extending from the front panel; two side flaps; and a rear flap extending from the rear panel and across a void formed by the flexible package when in a closed configuration; wherein the front flap, two side flaps and rear flap are configured to fold inward to enclose the void formed by the flexible package, wherein the rear flap includes a first portion of a closure mechanism configured to fasten the top closure structure in the closed configuration, and wherein the front panel, the rear panel, the two side panels, the front flap, the two side flaps, and the rear flap are formed from a plastic film material or a textile material; and a removable stiffening insert provided in the void, wherein the removable stiffening insert includes a z-shaped portion having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a diagonal wall connecting the top wall and the bottom wall, and wherein the removable stiffening insert includes a first panel folded from the top wall and extending toward the bottom wall and a second panel folded from the bottom wall and extending toward the top wall.