Packages for single-use folded towels which provide for unfolding of the towel upon removal from the package

A flexible package for dispensing a folded sheet, said package comprising:

• (a) at least one folded sheet, said sheet being first folded longitudinally to define a predetermined folded width and a first predetermined folded thickness and then folded laterally to define a predetermined folded length and a second predetermined folded thickness such that said sheet has longitudinal folds generally parallel to its length and lateral folds generally parallel to its width, said longitudinal folds and said lateral folds being generally orthogonal to one another, said second folded thickness being greater than said first folded thickness, said sheet further having a grasping portion for grasping by a consumer, said grasping portion extending lengthwise beyond a remainder of said sheet;
• (b) a package formed of a thin, flexible material, said package entirely surrounding and containing said sheet, said package further having a front side and a back side, said package further having two opposing side edges, a bottom edge, and a dispensing edge opposing said bottom edge, each of said edges joining said front side and said back side, said dispensing edge being adapted to be opened by a consumer for access to said sheet, said dispensing edge and said grasping portion of said sheet being adjacent to one another;
• and
• (c) said dispensing edge being designed such that when said dispensing edge is opened by said consumer, an elongated opening having a length which is shorter than said bottom edge is formed, said elongated opening defining a minor dimension parallel to said first folded thickness and a major dimension parallel to said folded width, said major dimension of said elongated opening having a maximum length which is between about 0.5 and about 0.9 times said folded width at the time of opening said dispensing edge;
• whereby when said consumer opens said dispensing edge and forms said opening, said grasping portion is presented for grasping, and whereby grasping said grasping portion and withdrawing said sheet from said package through said dispensing edge automatically causes said longitudinal folds and said lateral folds of said sheet to substantially unfold.