Patent ID: 7137523

Claim:
Opening device for a package comprising a removable membrane and a pulling device connected to the membrane, wherein the pulling device extends at least over a portion of the membrane and wherein the pulling device at its opposing end portions is fixedly connected to a portion of the membrane for the formation of a pulling loop in order to make removal of the membrane possible, and wherein means for facilitating the initial tearing off of the membrane is provided at said end portions, said means comprising a pair of weakening lines in the membrane, which each extend inwardly away from a periphery of the membrane, each weakening line extending from adjacent the portion of the membrane at which one of the end portions of the pulling device is fixedly connected to the membrane, the weakening lines acting as initial points of break when a pulling force is applied to the pulling loop, wherein the membrane extends across an opening in the container to prevent fluid communication between an environment inside the container and an environment outside the container when the membrane is attached, and upon pulling of the pulling device the membrane tears thereby allowing fluid communication between the environment inside the container and the environment outside the container.