U.S. patent application number 09/728697 was filed with the patent office on 2001-04-26 for plastic film packaging with tearable tape strip.
This patent application is currently assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company. Invention is credited to Miner, Dean A., Sheehan, Richard L. JR., Stagg, Timothy V..
Application Number | 20010000480 09/728697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24927934 |
Filed Date | 2001-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010000480 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stagg, Timothy V. ; et
al. |
April 26, 2001 |
Plastic film packaging with tearable tape strip
Abstract
Plastic film packaging for containing an article. The packaging
includes a continuous, tear-resistant film and a tearable tape
strip. The film is formable to define an enclosed region for
containing an article. The tearable tape strip is secured to the
film. In this regard, the tearable tape strip is configured to
controllably tear an opening through the film for accessing the
enclosed region upon tearing of the tearable tape strip. By
providing a continuous, tear-resistant film, the packaging is
available to safely contain a wide variety of different articles,
while withstanding the rigors of most shipping and handling
environments. Further, the tearable tape strip allows an end user
to easily open the packaging. In one preferred embodiment, a single
tearable tape strip is provided and is formed as an internally
tearable, reinforced strapping tape adhered to an inner surface of
the film.
Inventors: |
Stagg, Timothy V.;
(Woodbury, MN) ; Sheehan, Richard L. JR.;
(Stillwater, MN) ; Miner, Dean A.; (Prescott,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attention: James J. Trussell
Office of Intellectual Property Counsel
3M Innovative Properties Company
P.O. Box 33427
St. Paul
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Assignee: |
3M Innovative Properties
Company
|
Family ID: |
24927934 |
Appl. No.: |
09/728697 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09728697 |
Dec 1, 2000 |
|
|
|
09315249 |
May 20, 1999 |
|
|
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09315249 |
May 20, 1999 |
|
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09086317 |
May 28, 1998 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
428/43 ; 206/326;
206/497; 383/205; 383/84; 383/89; 426/106; 426/123; 426/127;
426/410; 426/415; 53/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20130101;
B65D 33/24 20130101; Y10T 428/15 20150115; B65D 75/66 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
428/43 ; 53/461;
383/89; 206/326; 206/497; 383/84; 383/205; 426/106; 426/123;
426/127; 426/410; 426/415 |
International
Class: |
B65B 011/00; B65B
011/06; B65D 033/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Packaging for containing an article, the packaging comprising: a
continuous, tear-resistant film formable to define an enclosed
region for containing an article; and a tearable tape strip secured
to the film; wherein the tearable tape strip is configured to tear
an opening through the film for accessing the enclosed region upon
tearing of the tearable tape strip.
2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the film is not otherwise
cleanly tearable.
3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the film is characterized by a
puncture-propagation tear resistant greater than 20 N/ply.
4. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the film is tough and exhibits
stretching before tearing in response to a tearing force imparted
at a nick formed in the film.
5. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the film includes a material
selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, linear
low-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, Surlyn.RTM.
ionomer film, Kraton/polypropylene blends, copolymers of propylene
and ethylene, blends of polypropylene and polyethylene, nylon,
polyvinyl chloride, and polyvinylidene chloride.
6. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the film includes multiple
layers.
7. The packaging of claim 6, wherein the film includes a first
layer of polyethylene and a second layer of polypropylene.
8. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the film defines an inner
surface and an outer surface, and further wherein the tearable tape
strip is secured to the inner surface.
9. The packaging of claim 8, wherein the film further includes
indicia disposed on the outer surface opposite the tearable tape
strip, the tearable tape strip being located so as to not obstruct
viewing of the indicia.
10. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the tearable tape strip is
selected from the group consisting of reinforced strapping tape,
tensilized polypropylene, and filament reinforced tape.
11. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the tearable tape strip is
reinforced strapping tape having a width of at least 8 mm.
12. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the tearable tape strip is
defined by a opposing, longitudinal edges and a central section,
the central section being tearable relative to the opposing,
longitudinal edges such that the tearable tape strip is internally
tearable.
13. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the tearable tape strip is
defined by a body and a tab, and further wherein the film is
unweakened in the area of interface with the body.
14. The packaging of claim 1, wherein only a single tearable tape
strip is provided.
15. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the tearable tape strip is a
first tearable tape strip configured to be internally tearable and
is secured to an inner surface of the film, the packaging further
comprising: a second, internally tearable tape strip secured to an
outer surface of the film substantially opposite the first tearable
tape strip; wherein at least a portion of a width of the first
tearable tape strip overlaps at least a portion of a width of the
second tearable tape strip such that a single band of material can
be unitarily torn from both of the tearable tape strips.
16. The packaging of claim 1, further comprising: a cover tape
secured to a surface of the film opposite the tearable tape
strip.
17. A packaged good article comprising: an article; and a package
comprising: a continuous, tear-resistant film forming an enclosed
region within which the article is contained, a tearable tape strip
secured the film; wherein the tearable tape strip is configured to
tear an opening through the film for accessing the article upon
tearing of the tearable tape strip.
18. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the film is not
otherwise cleanly tearable.
19. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the film is
characterized by a puncture-propagation tear resistance greater
than 20 N/ply.
20. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the film is
tough and exhibits stretching before tearing in response to a
tearing force imparted at a nick formed in the film.
21. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the film
includes a material selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, low-density
polyethylene, Surlyn.RTM. ionomer film, Kraton/polypropylene
blends, copolymers of propylene and ethylene, blends of
polypropylene and polyethylene, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, and
polyvinylidene chloride.
22. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the film
includes multiple layers.
23. The packaged good article of claim 22, wherein the film
includes a first layer of polyethylene and a second layer of
polypropylene.
24. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the film defines
an inner surface and an outer surface, and further wherein the
tearable tape strip is secured to the inner surface.
25. The packaged good article of claim 24, wherein the film further
includes indicia disposed on the outer surface opposite the
tearable tape strip, the tearable tape strip being located so as to
not obstruct viewing of the indicia.
26. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the tearable
tape strip is selected from the group consisting of reinforced
strapping tape, tensilized polypropylene, and filament reinforced
tape.
27. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the tearable
tape strip is reinforced strapping tape having a width of at least
8 mm.
28. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the tearable
tape strip is defined by a opposing, longitudinal edges and a
central section, the central section being tearable relative to the
opposing, longitudinal edges such that the tearable tape strip is
internally tearable.
29. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the tearable
tape strip is defined by a body and a tab, and further wherein the
film is unweakened in the area of interface with the body.
30. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein only a single
tearable tape strip is provided.
31. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the tearable
tape strip is a first tearable tape strip configured to be
internally tearable and is secured to an inner surface of the film,
the packaging further comprising: a second, internally tearable
tape strip secured to an outer surface of the film substantially
opposite the first tearable tape strip; wherein at least a portion
of a width of the first tearable tape strip overlaps at least a
portion of a width of the second tearable tape strip such that a
single band of material can be unitarily torn from both of the
tearable tape strips.
32. The packaged good article of claim 17, further comprising: a
cover tape secured to a surface of the film opposite the tearable
tape strip.
33. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the article
includes a food product.
34. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the article
includes a plurality of products.
35. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the
tear-resistant film is wrapped about the article.
36. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the package
substantially conforms to a shape of the article.
37. The packaged good article of claim 17, wherein the article
includes a base supporting at least one product, at least a portion
of the package conforming to a shape of the base.
38. A method of packaging an article, the method comprising:
providing an article; providing a continuous, tear-resistant film;
securing a tearable tape strip to a surface of the film; and
forming the film to define an enclosed region containing the
article; wherein the tearable tape strip is configured to tear an
opening through the film for accessing the article upon tearing of
the tearable tape strip.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein providing an article includes
providing a food product.
40. The method of claim 38, wherein providing an article includes
providing an article having an irregular shape.
41. The method of claim 38, wherein providing an article includes
providing a base supporting at least one product.
42. The method of claim 38, wherein providing a tear-resistant film
includes providing a film that is not otherwise cleanly
tearable.
43. The method of claim 38, wherein providing a tear-resistant film
includes providing a film that is characterized by a
puncture-propagation tear resistance greater than 20 N/ply.
44. The method of claim 38, wherein providing a tear-resistant film
includes providing a tough film that exhibits stretching before
tearing in response to a tearing force imparted at a nick formed in
the film.
45. The method of claim 38, wherein providing a tear-resistant film
includes providing a film that includes a material selected from
the group consisting of polyethylene, linear low-density
polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, Surlyn.RTM. ionomer film,
Kraton/polypropylene blends, copolymers of propylene and ethylene,
blends of polypropylene and polyethylene, nylon, polyvinyl
chloride, and polyvinylidene chloride.
46. The method of claim 38, wherein providing a tear-resistant film
includes providing a multi-layer film including a first layer of
polyethylene and a second layer of polypropylene.
47. The method of claim 38, wherein a single, tearable tape strip
is secured to a surface of the film.
48. The method of claim 38, wherein the film defines an inner
surface and an outer surface, and further wherein the tearable tape
strip is secured to an inner surface of the film.
49. The method of claim 38, wherein forming the film to define an
enclosed region includes shrink-wrapping the film about the
article.
50. The method of claim 38, wherein forming the film to define an
enclosed region includes skin packaging the film about the
article.
51. The method of claim 38, wherein forming the film to define an
enclosed region includes wrapping the film about the article such
that the film conforms with a shape of the article.
52. The method of claim 38, wherein the tearable tape strip is
defined by a body and a tab, and further wherein securing a
tearable tape strip to a surface of the film includes locating the
body along an unweakened area of the film.
53. A method of opening a packaged good article comprising:
providing a packaged good article including an article contained
within an enclosed region formed by a continuous, tear-resistant
film having a tearable tape strip secured to a surface thereof; and
controllably tearing an opening through the film by tearing the
tearable tape strip.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein providing a packaged good
article includes providing a continuous, tear-resistant film
wrapped about an article such that the film substantially
corresponds to a shape of the article.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein controllably tearing an opening
through the film includes internally tearing a single tearable tape
strip.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
1. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/315,249, entitled "Tear Control Tape and
Container with Tear Control Closing Tape" filed May 20, 1999, which
is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/086,317, entitled "Tear Control Tape for Closing Containers"
filed May 28, 1998, now abandoned.
TECHNICAL FIELD
2. The present invention relates to plastic film packaging and
tearable tape strips. More particularly, the present invention
relates to packaging formed with a continuous, tear-resistant film
having a tearable tape strip that facilitates opening thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
3. Containers or packaging, such as bags and other packages, must
be securely closed to contain their contents. The packaging must
remain closed during storage and shipping, and must withstand
vibrations and shocks of rough handling. When distribution is
complete, the consumer or end-user needs to open the package to
remove the contents. Ideally, the package can be opened without
tools or special skills. Achieving both secure closure and easy
opening is difficult. Many packages can be secure for shipment, but
are often times difficult to open. For example, multiple wall paper
bags of dog food or fertilizer often have sewn tops which remain
closed during shipping, but are difficult for the end-user to open
without tools or without damaging the bag and spilling unused
contents. Alternatively, plastic films can be used as the packaging
material, for example to contain water softener pellets. Again,
however, especially where a tear-resistant film is employed, these
packages are difficult for the end-user to open.
4. With respect to corrugated or paperboard packaging, a
conventional, narrow-width tear strip can be used to facilitate
opening thereof. In this regard, the Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company (3M) has sold conventional tear strips for
many years. One version of a conventional, narrow-width tear strip
(3M #8612 Tape) has a polyethylene terephthlate (PET) backing and a
reinforcing filament of polyester yarn or fiberglass coated with a
pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). This tear strip is applied to
the inside of a corrugated box or to the inside of a paperboard
mailing envelope. The corrugated board or paperboard is nicked on
the outside of tear strip to provide a tab which the end-user can
pull. During opening, the tear strip remains in tact and is not
split. The tear strip pulls and tears through the corrugated board
or paperboard. This conventional, narrow-width tear strip can only
be used in lightweight situations because the force required to
tear the material is relatively low. Other versions use a
tensilized polypropylene tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive
and, optionally, a reinforced strapping tape. These types of
tearable tape strips can also be applied to the adhesive side of a
wider film tape such as a box sealing tape or a heat shrinkable
tape. Again, the wide tape is nicked to provide a tab and to
initiate tearing. The distance between the nicks is wider than the
tape strip. This is only used for lightweight packages because the
nicks tend to propagate prematurely during shipping, if used on a
heavier shipping container. Using this kind of conventional,
narrow-width tear strip on a linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE) tape backing would not function because the tear strength
and the elongation of the LLDPE are too high.
5. Efforts have been made to improve upon these paper-based
envelopes, as well as to render them more easily openable with the
above-described, conventional, narrow-width tear strips. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,296 discloses making a Tyvek.RTM.
spun-bonded olefin envelope openable. It improves upon the common
paperboard envelopes which are relatively easy to open using
conventional narrow-width tear strip products. This highly
tear-resistant envelope material can be fused by ultrasonic
sealing, creating lines of weakness. European Patent No. 447209
discloses an improved opening for Tyvek.RTM. envelopes. It uses
reinforced strapping tape (or similar tape) which is nicked on the
ends to control the direction of the tear through the envelope. It
also includes cutting through the Tyvek.RTM. material, rather than
just weakening it. These patents describe opening devices for
lightweight mailing envelopes; they function well in this
lightweight application, but are not readily useable to resist
splitting when used on a heavier package because the tape is
relatively easy to tear.
6. European Patent No. 755868 discloses a paperboard envelope using
a single tape to close and open the envelope. A uniaxially-oriented
plastic film is adhesive-coated on both sides, allowing it to
function as a closing tape, as well as an opening tape. The tape is
nicked to control the direction of tear. In addition to providing
packaging strength, the paperboard material provides requisite tear
resistance.
7. The above applications of conventional, narrow-width tear strips
to paperboard or Tyvek.RTM. envelopes are quite viable.
Unfortunately, however, the same techniques are not readily
adaptable to plastic film-type packaging. Plastic-based film
packaging material has become increasingly popular. Plastic films
are relatively inexpensive, and highly amenable to packaging on a
mass production basis. Even further, plastic films can be tightly
wrapped about the article in question, such as with a shrink wrap
or skin packaging technique. As with paperboard or Tyvek.RTM.
packaging, plastic film packaging presents certain concerns
relating to opening by the end-user, especially where a
tear-resistant film (i.e., exhibiting a puncture-propagation tear
resistance in excess of 20 Newtons (N) per ply) is used. Typically,
the end-user is forced to use a cutting tool to open the film
packaging. This can undesirably lead to injury and/or product
damage.
8. Alternatively, conventional, narrow-width tear strips (with a
PSA or with a heat-activated adhesive) have been employed with
lightweight low tear strength packaging films. One example of such
an application is with a biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP)
film overwrap applied about a pack of cigarettes. With low tear
strength-type films (and/or plastic films that exhibit little, if
any, stretching with tearing), conventional, narrow-width tear
strips are workable opening devices. However, many plastic films
useful for product packaging are tough and tear-resistant. For
example, polyethylene film is widely used to package or contain a
variety of products, such as beverage containers, food, etc.
Unfortunately, due to the tear strength associated with a
tear-resistant film such as polyethylene, conventional,
narrow-width strips are essentially useless. A conventional tear
strip cannot tear a "clean" opening through the tear-resistant
film. Instead, the tear-resistant film will resist the tearing
force, likely stretching or elongating at the point the tear force
is applied. Either the film will simply not tear and the tear strip
releases from the film, or the film will continually stretch so
that the resulting opening, if any, is insufficient to access the
contained article. While it may be possible to weaken the film in
the area of the convention, narrow-width tear strip (e.g.,
imparting perforations) to promote tearing as is done with
Tyvek.RTM. envelopes, these imperfections often times lead to
premature failure of the packaging material prior to delivery to
the end-user.
9. Plastic films continue to be highly popular packaging materials.
However, where the plastic film is tear-resistant and not otherwise
cleanly tearable, conventional, narrow-width tear strips cannot be
used to satisfactorily open the package. Instead, when presented
with a tear-resistant film packaging, an end-user is typically
required to use a cutting tool to open the package, possibly
leading to injury and product damage. Therefore, a need exists for
packaging utilizing a tear-resistant film in combination with an
applicable tearable tape strip for tearing an opening in the
film.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
10. One aspect of the present invention relates to packaging for
containing an article. The packaging includes a continuous,
tear-resistant film and a tearable tape strip. The film is formable
to define an enclosed region for containing an article. The
tearable tape strip is secured to the film. In this regard, the
tearable tape strip is configured to controllably tear an opening
through the film for accessing the enclosed region upon tearing of
the tearable tape strip. By providing a continuous, tear-resistant
film, the packaging is available to safely contain a wide variety
of different articles, while withstanding the rigors of most
shipping and handling environments. Further, the tearable tape
strip allows an end-user to easily open the packaging. In one
preferred embodiment, a single tearable tape strip is provided and
is formed as an internally tearable, reinforced strapping tape
adhered to an inner surface of the film.
11. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a packaged
good article including an article and a package. The package
includes a continuous, tear-resistant film and a tearable tape
strip. The film forms an enclosed region within which the article
is contained. Further, the tearable tape strip is secured to a
surface of the film. In this regard, the tearable tape strip is
configured to controllably tear an opening through the film for
accessing the article upon tearing of the tearable tape strip. In a
preferred embodiment, the tear-resistant film is wrapped about the
article, and the article can assume a wide variety of forms such as
a food product, a plurality of products, etc.
12. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method
of a packaging article. The method includes providing an article,
and providing a continuous, tear-resistant film. A tearable tape
strip is secured to a surface of the film. The film is then formed
to define an enclosed region containing the article. Upon final
assembly, the tearable tape strip is configured to controllably
tear an opening through the film for accessing the article upon
tearing of the tearable tape strip. In one preferred embodiment,
the method of the present invention requires securing only a single
tearable tape strip. Further, the film is preferably wrapped about
the article, as opposed to sliding the article within a pre-formed
envelope. Thus, because the film can be formed as something other
than an envelope, the article need not be relatively flat, but
instead can have an irregular shape, such as commonly found with
food products, groupings of beverage containers, etc.
13. Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method
of opening a packaged good article. The method includes providing a
packaged good article including an article contained within an
enclosed region formed by a continuous, tear-resistant film having
a tearable tape strip secured to a surface thereof. The tearable
tape strip is then torn to controllably tear an opening through the
film. Unlike some previous opening methodologies associated with
tear-resistant film packaging, a separate cutting tool is not
required.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
14. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a tape of the present
invention.
15. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tape of FIG. 1 applied to a
container.
16. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of
the tape applied to a container.
17. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tape according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
18. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a tape according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
19. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a container according to
another embodiment of the present invention.
20. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 6.
21. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a packaged good article
according to another embodiment of the present invention in a
closed state.
22. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the packaged good article of
FIG. 8A in an opened state.
23. FIG. 9A is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of
the packaged good article of FIG. 8A.
24. FIG. 9B is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of an
alternative packaged good article.
25. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative packaged good
article according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
26. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative packaged good
article according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
27. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative packaged good
article according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
28. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative packaged good
article according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
29. One aspect of this invention is a tape which functions both to
close a container 9 and also to provide a mechanism to easily open
the container. Although the container 9 can be any container such
as envelopes and boxes, one aspect of the invention works
particularly well on flexible containers such as bags like multiple
wall paper bags for storing granular material. As shown in FIG. 1,
the tear strip tape 10 combines a base layer 12 which is a
tear-resistant tape, with a tearable tape strip 14. The base layer
12 includes a tear-resistant backing 16 having a first side 18 and
a second side 20, and an adhesive 22 which in the illustrated
embodiments is located on the first side 18 of the backing 16. The
adhesive 22 can be applied to the backing 16 by any known method
such as knife coating.
30. The tearable tape strip 14 can be attached to either the first
side 18 or the second side 20 of the backing of the base layer. In
several of the illustrated embodiments, the tearable tape strip 14
is adhered to the first side 18 of the backing 16 using the
adhesive 22. In use, the tearable tape strip 14 is located on the
container 9 between the container and the base layer 12, without
adhering to the container. In several of the illustrated
embodiments, the tearable tape strip 14 includes a base layer 24
and its own adhesive 26 on one side of the base layer to assist
adherence to the base layer 12 of the tear strip tape 10. In
another embodiment, the adhesive 26 is on the other side of the
tearable tape strip base layer 24 to adhere to the container 9. In
another embodiment, the tearable tape strip 14 need not include an
adhesive.
31. The backing 16 can be a linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), cast polypropylene,
Kraton/polypropylene blends, or other tear resistant film. The
tearable tape strip 14 can be tearable filament reinforced tape or
a reinforced strapping tape (RST) having filaments or ribs 28.
Suitable RSTs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,066 and
5,080,957. The tearable tape strip 14 could also be tensilized
polypropylene or other oriented or non-oriented films which tear
preferentially in the longitudinal direction. The ribs 28 constrain
the tears in the tearable tape strip 14 to control the direction of
tear. Nicks 30 in the tearable tape strip 14 form an end tab 32 and
initiate points of tear. Stress from handling the container 9 is
concentrated at these points. The tear resistant base layer 12
prevents the tear from propagating prematurely, yet allows a person
to pull the end tab 32 to easily open the container 9. A wide
variety of tear-resistant tapes 12 are available. By balancing the
strength, premature splitting, and ease of opening, a tape 10 with
the desired overall characteristics can be achieved. Containers 9
have been closed with this invention and have been subjected to
severe rough handling tests. They have successfully withstood these
stresses yet have allowed easy opening. This tape 10 uses a
weakness of the tearable tape strip 14, such as RST, (its tendency
to split in the longitudinal or machine direction) coupled with an
inability to tear cleanly through the tear resistant backing to
form a very functional opening feature for containers. "Tear
cleanly" means to tear open consistently, with a relatively uniform
tearing force, without excessive distortion of the torn film (i.e.,
there are not extended stretched-out or jagged edges).
32. One embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 2. A backing
16 made of tear resistant film such as LLDPE and an adhesive 22
such as PSA functions as the base layer 12 which closes the
container 9. A narrower filament reinforced tape or reinforced
strapping tape is the tearable tape strip 14 and is laminated to
the tear resistant base layer 12, adhesive to adhesive. Nicks 30
through the tape 10 initiate points of tear. The nicks 30 are
located through both the base layer 12 and the tearable tape strip
14 of the tape 10. The tape 10 is applied to the container 9. The
end tabs 32 formed at the end of the tape assist opening the
container 9.
33. In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the end tabs 32
can lay flat against the container 9 during shipping and
distribution. In this version, the nicks 30 start from the end of
the tape 10 at a location such that they pass through only the base
layer 12. The distance between the nicks 30 is greater than the
width of the end tab 32. As shown, the nicks are then directed to
pass through part of the tearable tape strip 14 as well as the base
layer. This direction change is shown as a smooth curve, but any
shape can be used. The key to this feature is that at the end of
the tape, the end tab 32 includes part of the tape 10 with adhesive
22 to allow adhesive of the closure tape to hold lightly onto the
bag, while the end tab 32 has at least a portion that extends
through the tearable tape strip 14.
34. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 4, tape 40 includes a tape
layer 42 that is a strip of film tape, such as a box sealing tape
made of biaxially oriented polypropylene. The tape layer 42
includes a backing 44 and an adhesive 46. This tape layer 42 is not
tear-resistant when nicked but provides good closure strength at a
low cost. The narrower tearable tape strip 14 is laminated to a
tear resistant tape 12 of a similar width, such as a 3M #8883 tape.
The tearable tape strip 14 includes a base layer 24 and an adhesive
26 and the tear-resistant tape 12 includes a base layer 16' and an
adhesive 22' although the adhesive is not required. The tear
resistant tape 12 is located only in the area where its function is
required, the area straddling the two portions of the container 9
that are adhered to each other to close the container. (Note that
if a box sealing tape was used with RST without a tear resistant
film, nicks in the RST would propagate too easily.) This
embodiment, like that of FIG. 1, prevents a tear from propagating
prematurely, yet allows a person to pull the end tab 32 to easily
open the container 9.
35. This structure could be formed in several ways. One way is that
the tear-resistant tape 12, such as #8883 tape, made by 3M, St.
Paul, Minn., could be laminated between the box sealing tape layer
42 and the tearable tape strip 14 at the point of application. In
another method, an RST tape could be used as the tearable tape
strip 14 and could be laminated to tear-resistant tape 12 (3M #8883
tape) and provided to a customer in roll form. This would be
applied to the box sealing tape layer 42 at the point of
application. Yet another method involves putting all of the layers
together during manufacturing. A tear resistant tape 12 is coated
or laminated to a tearable tape strip 14. This multiple layer
configuration is then attached to a tape layer 42 which includes a
backing 44 and an adhesive 46. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment where
there is no adhesive on the tear resistant layer. The tear
resistant base layer 16 only is located between the tape layer 42
and the tearable tape strip 14 to form tape 50.
36. In one example, a 20 kg (44 lb) bag of dog food was closed with
a 40.6 cm (16 in) long strip of 48 mm wide tear resistant adhesive
base layer 12, such as 3M #8883 tape, having a 0.008 cm (3 mil)
LLDPE backing 16 and a PSA adhesive 22. (The 3M #8883 tape is a
"stretchable tape" which is used here for its tear resistant
properties.) A 12 mm wide strip of tearable tape strip 14 (3M #864
RST tape) was applied and nicks 30 were formed in the ends to
create end tabs 32. This bag was subjected to drop tests according
to ASTM D5276 standards. Drops of 76 cm (30 in) were made on the
front, back, two sides, and two ends of the bag. The bag completed
the six drops without opening. The bags were then lifted up several
times by its "ears," the notches formed by the gussets, without
opening and without the nicks propagating. The bag was easily
opened by pulling the tab.
37. A similar bag of dog food was closed with the tape having 48 mm
wide box sealing tape (3M #372 tape) laminated to 12 mm wide 3M
#8883 tape and 12 mm wide 3M #864 tape. Some bags were also closed
with a structure of 48 mm wide box sealing tape and a 12 mm wide
lamination of 3M #864 tape and a 0.008 cm (3 mil) LLDPE film, and
other bags were closed with a 0.010 cm (4 mil) LDPE film. This
structure also completed the drop tests and lifting tests well,
followed by being easily opened.
38. To measure the forces required to open the tape or base
structures, tests were conducted on a ZPE 1000 High Rate Peel Test
System, by Instrumentors, Inc. Tests were conducted at 0.5 m/s
(which is representative of the actual speed used by end-users) and
the force required to pull a tab (with two tears through the tape)
was measured by Newtons. The following tables summarizes the
results. Tests at other speeds were also conducted. The results at
these speeds were predictable; lower speeds yielded increased
forces and higher speeds yielded decreased forces. At all speeds,
there were similar force differences among the various tape
samples.
1TABLE 1 Tearable Example No. Base Layer Tape Strip Force (N)
Comparative # 1 #864 RST #864 RST 2.5 Comparative # 2 #372 Box
Sealing Tape #864 RST 1.8 Comparative # 3 #372 Box Sealing Tape
#8612 (nicks 0.2 along sides) 1 #8883 Stretchable Tape #864 RST
12.8 2* #8883 Stretchable Tape #864 RST 9.1 3* 4 mil LDPE #864 RST
5.1 *Includes #372 Box Sealing Tape overlying the Base Layer
39. Table 1 illustrates that using a tear resistant film (3M #8883
tape in the examples) in the structure significantly increases the
force required to tear and thus decreases the chance of premature
opening of the container. If a standard tear strip tape such as 3M
#8612 (with nicks along the sides) is used with #8883, the LLDPE
backing deforms and elongates but it does not provide a functional
tear. However, an example using a single tape construction of #8883
Stretchable Tape did not work. The tape broke without tearing along
its length.
40. In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a container 60
includes a tape for sealing the container. The container 60 can be
flexible and can be a bag. The tape can be a tearable tape strip 62
and can be part of the container 60 in a way to simplify the tape.
For example, the container 60 can have a flap 64 for closing the
container. The flap 64 has first and second major surfaces and is
formed of a tear resistant film. Film is defined as being
continuous and made from material other than sheetstock.
(Sheetstock is defined as material that is made of fibers. The
fibers can be felted, matted, beaten, or refined, and can be made
of cellulose, as with traditional paper, or of other materials,
including synthetic and plastic materials that can be bonded
together.)
41. The flap 64 can be weakened (such as by slits, perforations, or
score lines) along subsequent tear lines. As shown, the flap 64 is
unweakened. Unweakened means that there are not slits,
perforations, or score lines in the flap, and the flap is untreated
in any way intended to weaken it. The tearable tape strip 62 and
the flap 64 can have nicks 70 at their ends to facilitate beginning
the opening process. These nicks 70 can form a tab and do not
weaken the flap 64 because the flap is made of a tear-resistant
plastic. The flap 64 need not be weakened because the tearable tape
strip 62 makes the otherwise tear-resistant film relatively easy to
tear to open the container. This is a significant difference from
the known sheetstock envelopes and containers which require
weakening in order to function well. Weakening involves extra
manufacturing steps and increased costs.
42. The container 60 includes a mechanism, such as glue or adhesive
66, that adheres the first major surface of the flap to the
container to close the container. The adhesive 66 can be coated on
at least part of the first major side of the flap 64, or on the
other part of the container 60, or on both. The adhesive 66 can
optionally be protected by a release liner before the container 60
is closed. The tearable tape strip 62 is located on either or both
of the first and second major surfaces of the flap 64. The tearable
tape strip 62 permits tearing of itself and the flap 64 with a
given force notwithstanding that the tear resistant film flap 64 is
otherwise not cleanly tearable.
43. If the tearable tape strip 62 is located on the first major
surface of the flap 64, tearing the tearable tape strip tears
through the flap. In this version, an optional cover tape 68 can be
located on the second major surface of the flap 64, opposite the
tearable tape strip, as shown in FIG. 6. The cover tape 68 improves
the ability to tear cleanly through the flap 64, perhaps by
constraining the elongation of the flap during tearing. This is
shown by the decreased force required for Example 2, which uses a
box sealing tape, as compared with Example 1, which does not.
Various tapes can be used as a cover tape 68 including #371
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) Box Sealing Tape, #355 PET
Box Sealing Tape, #821 Acetate Tape, and #600 Polyvinyl Chloride
(PVC) Tape, all made by 3M, St. Paul, Minn. These tapes all have
lower elongation than the film used for the flap 64.
44. The flap 64 can be made of LLDPE, LDPE, cast polypropylene, and
blends of Kraton and polypropylene. The tearable tape strip 62 can
be RST, tensilized polypropylene, and filament reinforced tape.
Also, the tearable tape strip 62 can include filaments, ribs, or
both, formed on either or both of its first and second sides.
45. An alternative embodiment of the present invention relates to
tear-resistant film packaging having an easy-open feature. For
example, FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a packaged good article 100 in
accordance with the present invention in both a closed state (FIG.
8A) and an opened state (FIG. 8B). The packaged good article 100
includes packaging 102 and an article 104. As described in greater
detail below, the article 104 can include a plurality of objects
(as with the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B), or a single object. In
general terms, the packaging 102 forms an enclosed region 106
within which the article 104 is contained.
46. The packaging 102 includes a continuous, tear-resistant film
108 and a tearable tape strip 110. The tear-resistant film 108
forms the enclosed region 106 and contains the article 104. The
tearable tape strip 110 is secured to a surface of the film 108 and
facilitates opening of the film 108 via tearing of the tearable
tape strip 110.
47. The continuous, tear-resistant film 108 can assume a wide
variety of forms, and is a plastic material. More particularly, the
film 108 is highly durable, satisfying the constraints associated
with most shipping and handling environments. As described below,
the film 108 is characterized as being "continuous" and
"tear-resistant". In a preferred embodiment, the film 108 is
further characterized as being "tough".
48. First, by being "continuous", the film 108 is made from
material other than sheetstock. Sheetstock is defined as material
that is made of fibers. The fibers can be felted, matted, beaten,
or refined, and can be made of cellulose, as with traditional
paper, or of other materials, including synthetic and plastic
materials that can be bonded together, as with Tyvek.RTM..
49. Second, the film 108 is characterized as being "tear-resistant"
by exhibiting a relatively high puncture-propagation tear
resistance. In this regard, films having a puncture-propagation
tear resistance equal to or greater than 20 N/ply; more preferably
30 N/ply; most preferably 40 N/ply are considered to be
"tear-resistant". As described in greater detail below, the
puncture-propagation tear resistance of a film is preferably
determined in accordance with ASTM D2582-93, a standard test method
for determining puncture-propagation tear resistance of plastic
film and thin sheeting.
50. Finally, the film 108 is preferably characterized as being
"tough". "Toughness" is with reference to the energy required to
tear the film 108 a certain distance, and thus is related to tear
strength. Further, however, a "tough" film has an elongation
attribute whereby an imparted tear will not readily propagate along
the film. In other words, a "tough" film stretches before tearing
in response to a tearing force. Thus, in a preferred embodiment,
the film 108 will not, in and of itself, cleanly tear, where
"cleanly tear" means to tear open consistently, with a relatively
uniform tearing force, without excessive distortion of the torn
film. (There are no extended, stretched-out or jagged edges).
51. With the above-described characteristics of the film 108 in
mind, a number of plastic films are acceptable. Examples of
available continuous, tear-resistant films include polyethylene,
linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), low-density polyethylene
(LDPE), Surlyn.RTM. ionomer film (available from DuPont),
Kraton/polypropylene blends, copolymers of propylene and ethylene,
blends of polypropylene and polyethylene, nylon, polyvinyl
chloride, and polyvinylidene chloride to name but a few. It will be
understood that each of the above-listed films (as well as other
materials not specifically designated) must have a certain
thickness and certain processing to qualify as "tear-resistant" as
defined herein. In other words, "tear-resistant" is a function of
the material type, the material thickness, and material processing.
For most packaging applications, however, each of the
above-identified materials are currently provided with a thickness
sufficient to qualify as "tear-resistant". Further, the film 108
can have either a single layer or multi-player construction. With a
multiple layer film, the layers can be identical or different. For
example, in one preferred embodiment, the film 108 includes a first
layer of polyethylene and a second layer of polypropylene. By way
of example, materials specifically excluded from use as the film
108 include Tyvek.RTM., cellophane, cellulose acetate, BOPP,
etc.
52. The tearable tape strip 110 is similar to that previously
described, and is configured to controllably tear an opening
through the film 108 upon tearing of the tearable tape strip 110.
The phrase "controllably tear" is in reference to a substantially
uniform or clean tear through the film 108, with the tear in the
film 108 corresponding in length and width with the tear in the
tearable tape strip 110. The edges of the tear in the film 108 are
not relatively jagged or otherwise relatively stretched. In this
regard, due to the tear-resistant attribute of the film 108, the
tearable tape strip 110 is preferably formed to be internally
tearable. More particularly, and with additional reference to FIG.
9A, the tearable tape strip 110 is preferably an elongated body
defined by a longitudinal central section 120 and opposing,
longitudinal sides 122. The central section 120 is tearable
relative to the opposing sides 122, such as by forming the tearable
tape strip 110 to include a plurality of ribs 124 extending from a
base 126. With this configuration, then, a pulling force applied to
the central section 120, such as at a pre-formed tab 128 (shown
most clearly in FIG. 8A), causes the central section 120 to cleanly
or uniformly tear from the opposing sides 122 between respective
ones of the ribs 124. Thus, because the central section 120 tears
relative to the sides 122, the tearable tape strip 110 is
"internally tearable". Notably, a size of the tab 128 defines a
width of the central section 120, such that a width of the central
section 120 and each of the sides 122 can be varied for a
particular application. With this preferred configuration, the
opposing sides 122 effectively support or reinforce materials
secured to the tearable tape strip 110 (such as the film 108),
thereby allowing the central section 120 to perform a controlled
tear through the contacted material. Alternatively, the tearable
tape strip 110 can have something other than an internally tearable
configuration, such as a two-section, side-by-side tearing
design.
53. As previously described, the tearable tape strip 110 can assume
a variety of forms, including a reinforced strapping tape, tearable
filament reinforced tape, tensilized polypropylene, or other
oriented or non-oriented films which tear preferentially in the
longitudinal direction. In a most preferred embodiment, the
tearable tape strip 110 is a reinforced strapping tape having a
width of at least 8 mm, available, for example, under the tradename
864 Scotch.RTM. Reinforced Strapping Tape from 3M. Unlike
conventional tear strips that are not internally tearable and have
widths less than 8 mm, the tearable tape strip 110 can effectuate a
controlled tear through the continuous, tear-resistant film
108.
54. Several exemplary films were tested to identify usefulness of
the tearable tape strip 108 as compared to a conventional,
narrow-width tear strip. In particular, each of the films listed in
Table 2 below was subjected to a puncture-propagation tear
resistance test in accordance with ASTM D2582-93 using a carriage
weight of 1195 grams and a carriage height of 17.3 cm. Further, the
films were also tested by hand tearing to evaluate the ability of a
conventional, narrow-width tear strip to tear through the film. The
conventional, narrow-width tear strip was a tear strip available
from 3M Company under the trade designation "3M 8621 Tear Strip
Tape", having a width of 0.125 inch (3.2 mm).
55. In some cases, the samples were obtained as commercially
available envelopes including a flap. In other cases, the samples
were not pre-formed into envelopes, but instead were
commercially-available as films. Regardless, the conventional,
narrow-width tear strip was affixed to each of the listed film or
envelopes samples, and attempted tearing carried out through the
respective film or envelope flap at a speed of approximately 0.3
meters/second. Tearing tests were performed in both the machine
direction ("MD") and in the crossweb direction ("CD") for each
sample. With respect to the envelope samples, the machine and
crossweb directions were unknown. Thus, for the envelope samples,
"MD" is in reference to an attempted tear along a length or "long
side" of the envelope flap, whereas "CD" is in reference to an
attempted tear perpendicular to a length of the envelope flap.
Finally, the tearability of each sample was rated according to the
following criteria: a sample was assigned a "1" where the sample
tore easily and cleanly; a sample was assigned a "2" where the
sample tore but not cleanly; and a sample was assigned a "3" where
the sample did not tear. With the above explanations in mind, the
following results were obtained:
2TABLE 2 Narrow- Puncture-Propagation Approximate width Tear Tear
Resistance Sample Tear Film gauge Strip Tear (N/Ply) (ASTM Film
Type Direction (microns) Rating D2582-93) PET Film MD 38 1 7.6 SAC
Select .RTM. Envelope MD 102 2 22.1 SAC Select .RTM. Envelope CD
102 3 62.8 SAC ShurTuff .RTM. Envelope MD 71 3 69.5 SAC ShurTuff
.TM. Envelope CD 71 3 69.1 Tyco 8754 Film MD 51 3 51.0 Tyco 8754
Film CD 51 3 51.6 Tyco 2304-B Film MD 76 3 58.4 Tyco 2304-B Film CD
76 3 60.2 Tyco 3904 Film CD 38 3 50.7 Tyco 3904 Film MD 38 2 42.7
Tyco 2215-G Film CD 51 3 51.0 Tyco 2215-G Film MD 51 2 41.1
56. As a point of reference, the samples designated as "SAC" are
available from Sealed Air Corporation of East Saddle Brook, N.J.,
and the samples designated as "Tyco" are low-density polyethylene
film available from Tyco International Inc. of Exeter, N.H.
57. Based upon the above test results, a conventional, narrow-width
tear strip is unable to controllably tear an opening through a
tear-resistant film exhibiting a puncture-propagation tear
resistance greater than 20 N/ply. In contrast, the tearable tape
strip 110 associated with the present invention was surprisingly
found to controllably tear each of the above-listed films, such
that the packaging 102 can desirably employ the tear-resistant film
108. This highly beneficial packaging is unavailable with prior art
configurations in that either a weak, highly tearable film (e.g.,
BOPP) is employed, a separate cutting tool is required to open the
packaging, or the film is weakened (e.g. perforations) in the area
of the tear strip.
58. The above-described packaging 102 (including the tear-resistant
film 108) is available to contain a wide variety of different
articles. In one embodiment, the article 104 includes a plurality
of books 130 and a corrugated pad 132, as depicted in FIGS. 8A and
8B. The plurality of books 130 are stacked on top of the corrugated
pad 132, as is commonly done in the shipping and handling industry.
The plurality of books 130 can be differently sized and shaped as
shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, or can be identical. The pad 132 is
preferably a corrugated paper material, and is provided to support
the plurality of books 130 during shipment thereof. Alternatively,
however, the pad 132 can be formed of different materials, can
assume other shapes and sizes, or can be eliminated entirely.
59. In one preferred embodiment, the packaged good article 100 is
assembled by first securing the tearable tape strip 110 to a
surface of the film 108. With specific reference to FIG. 9A, the
film 108 generally defines an interior surface 140 and an exterior
surface 142 (with the exterior surface 142 being "exposed" in FIGS.
8A and 8B). With this orientation in mind, the tearable tape strip
110 is preferably secured to the interior surface 140, such as with
an adhesive 144 (shown generally in FIG. 9A). The adhesive 144 can
assume a wide variety of forms, but is preferably a pressure
sensitive adhesive known in the art. Regardless, the tearable tape
strip 110 is applied to an area of the film 108 that is otherwise
unweakened. That is to say, unlike other heavy-duty packaging
applications in which the packaging material in question is
perforated or weakened as previously described in the region of the
tearable tape strip or tear strip, the film 108 is intact opposite
the tearable tape strip 110. With this configuration, the packaging
102 is not susceptible to failures otherwise associated with prior
art, weakened packaging materials.
60. In one preferred embodiment, only a single one of the tearable
tape strip 110 is required. As previously described, the internal
tear characteristic of the tearable tape strip 110 is sufficient to
controllably tear the film 108. Alternatively, and with reference
to FIG. 9B, a second tearable tape strip 146 can be secured to the
film 108 substantially opposite the tearable tape strip 110 (i.e.,
on the exterior surface 142). Preferably, the tearable tape strips
110, 146 are aligned. Alternatively, however, the tearable tape
strips 110, 146 can be offset from one another, as shown in FIG.
9B. More particularly, the tearable tape strips 110, 146 are both
internally tearable, and each defines a width. At least a portion
of the width of the tearable tape strip 110 overlaps at least a
potion of the width of the second tearable tape strip 146. With
this orientation, a single band of material (identified as "B" in
FIG. 9B) can simultaneously be internally torn from both of the
tearable tape strips 110, 146. Alternatively, a cover tape, such as
373 Scotch.RTM. High Performance Box Sealing Tape (available from
3M), can replace of the second tearable tape strip 146.
61. Returning to FIGS. 8A and 8B, following the application of the
tearable tape strip 110, nicks 150 are formed through the tearable
tape strip 110 and the film 108 to define the tab 128 at a leading
end 154 of the tearable tape strip 110. In a preferred embodiment,
the nicks 150 are formed via a die-cut, although other cutting
techniques are equally applicable. While FIG. 8A depicts three of
the nicks 150, any other number, either greater or lesser, is
equally acceptable. Regardless, the tab 128 is available for
grasping by an end-user (not shown) to initiate tearing of the
tearable tape strip 110.
62. The film 108 is then formed to define the enclosed region 106
within which the article 104 is contained. In one preferred
embodiment, a shrink-wrap process, as known in the art, is
employed. For example, the film 108 is wrapped about the article
104 (including the books 130 and the pad 132) and opposite ends
sealed together. The packaged good article 100 is then passed
through a heat tunnel (not shown), causing the film 108 to shrink
tightly about the article 104. For example, where the film 108 is a
polyethylene material, heat shrinking of the film 108 may be done
in approximately six seconds at 250.degree. C., such as in a heat
shrinking, forced air oven. Alternatively, the heat shrinking
process can be carried out at other temperatures and/or times. With
the preferred heat shrink technique, the film 108 substantially
conforms with a shape of the article 104, and prevents undesirable
shifting or movement of the article 104 (e.g., movement of one or
more of the books 130 relative to the pad 132) during shipping.
63. The packaging 102 is opened (i.e., transititioned from the
closed state of FIG. 8A to the open state of FIG. 8B) by simply
grasping the tearable tape strip 110 at the tab 128 and pulling
outwardly, away from the packaging 102. This tearing action
controllably tears an opening 160 through the film 108. For
example, the tab 128 is formed to define an initial point of
separation between the central section 120 and the opposing sides
122. As the central section 120 is torn from the opposing sides
122, a portion of the film 108 otherwise secured to the central
section 120 tears relative to portions of the film 108 otherwise
secured to the opposing sides 122. This preferred "internal tear"
characteristic of the tearable tape strip 110 thus provides for a
controlled tearing of the film 108, with the opposing sides 122
preventing undesired tear propagation away from the central section
120, and reinforcing the film 108 at the point of tear so that a
highly confined tearing force (overcoming a tear strength of the
film 108) can be generated via a relatively small pulling force on
the tab 128. Further, the internal tear characteristic of the
tearable tape strip 110 overcomes the inherent propensity of the
film 108 to stretch. That is to say, by securing or bonding the
film 108 to each of the central section 120 and the opposing sides
122, a stretch of the film 108 is constrained by the tearable tape
strip 110.
64. Once formed, the opening 160 allows the end-user to access the
article 104 contained by the film 108. In this regard, tearing of
the tearable tape strip 110 continues until the opening 160 is
sufficiently sized to allow removal of at least a portion of the
article 104, such as one of the books 130.
65. As previously described, and in a preferred embodiment, the
single, tearable tape strip 110 is secured to the interior surface
140 (FIG. 9A) of the film 108. With this orientation, an outward
pulling force applied to the tab 128 more easily tears the film
108. Further, and with additional reference to FIG. 8A, because
only a single one of the tearable tape strip 110 is required with
the one preferred embodiment, indicia 162 can be formed on the
exterior surface 142 opposite the tearable tape strip 110. The
indicia 162 can assume a wide variety of forms (e.g., alphanumeric,
images, logos, bar codes, etc.), and is preferably printed onto the
exterior surface 142 using known techniques. As shown in FIG. 8A,
the single, tearable tape strip 110 does not obstruct viewing of
the indicia 162. It will be understood, however, that the indicia
162 can be omitted, and therefore is not a required element.
66. As previously described, the article 104 can assume a wide
variety of forms other than the one depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B.
For example, FIG. 10 depicts an alternative embodiment packaged
good article 170 including packaging 172 and an article 174. The
packaging 172 defines an enclosed region 176 within which the
article 174 is contained.
67. The packaging 172 is highly similar to the packaging 102 (FIG.
8A) previously described, and includes a continuous, tear-resistant
film 178 and a tearable tape strip 180. The tearable tape strip 180
is preferably secured to an interior surface (hidden in FIG. 10) of
the film 178, and is configured to controllably tear the film 178
upon tearing of the tearable tape strip 180. As shown in FIG. 10, a
series of nicks 182 are formed through the tearable tape strip 180
and the film 178 so as to define first and second tabs 184a, 184b.
Alternatively, a single one of the tabs 184a, 184b can be formed,
and can be positioned at a location other than that shown.
68. The article 174 includes a plurality of canisters 190 and a
tray 192. The plurality of canisters 190 can assume a wide variety
of forms, such as beverage cans, and may or may not be identical.
The tray 192 is preferably formed of a corrugated paper material
and supports the plurality of canisters 190. Alternatively, the
tray 192 can assume other forms, and can be eliminated
entirely.
69. As with the packaged good article 100 (FIG. 8A) previously
described, the film 178 is preferably shrink wrapped about the
article 174 such that the film 178 substantially conforms with a
shape of the article 174. As part of the shrink-wrapping process,
openings 194 (one of which is shown in FIG. 10) are typically
formed by the film 178 at opposite sides. Thus, the film 178 need
not necessarily entirely encompass the article 174. However, with
the preferred shrink-wrap technique, the packaging 172 secures the
plurality of canisters 190 within the tray 192. Further, by
employing a tear-resistant material for the film 178, the packaged
good article 170 can withstand the rigors associated with normal
shipping and handling.
70. The packaging 172 is easily openable by an end-user without
requiring use of a separate cutting tool. A user simply grabs one
or both of the tabs 184a, 184b and pulls outwardly. Once again, the
tabs 184a, 184b are configured to initiate an internal tear within
the tearable tape strip 180. The tearing action, in turn,
controllably tears an opening (not shown) through the film 178,
affording access to the article 174, such as one of the plurality
of canisters 190. A portion or entirety of the article 174 can then
be removed from the packaging 172 of the opening.
71. Yet another alternative embodiment packaged good article 200 is
illustrated in FIG. 11. As with previous embodiments, the packaged
good article 200 includes packaging 202 and an article 204. The
packaging 202 defines an enclosed region 206 within the which the
article 204 is contained.
72. The packaging 202 is similar to that previously described, and
includes a continuous, tear-resistant film 208 and a tearable tape
strip 210. The tearable tape strip 210 is preferably secured to an
interior surface (hidden in FIG. 11) of the film 208. Further, a
series of nicks 212 are formed through the tearable tape strip 210
and the film 208 to define first and second tabs 214a, 214b.
Alternatively, a single one of the tabs 214a, 214b can be formed,
and may be located at a position other than that illustrated in
FIG. 11.
73. The article 204 includes a chair 220 and a tray 222. The tray
222 is preferably formed from a corrugated paper material and
maintains the chair 220.
74. As with previous embodiments, the film 208 is preferably shrink
wrapped about the article 204, such that the film 208 substantially
conforms with a shape of the article 204. With this one preferred
configuration, the packaging 202 tightly binds the chair 220 to the
tray 222, such that the article 204 is more easily handled.
75. The packaged good article 200 is opened by simply grasping one
or both of the tabs 214a, 214b and imparting a pulling force
thereon. Once again, this pulling force causes the tearable tape
strip 210 to internally tear, in turn tearing an opening (not
shown) through the film 208. The tearable tape strip 210 is torn to
an extent necessary to effectuate removal of the chair 220 from the
packaging 202.
76. Yet another alternative embodiment packaged good article 230 is
shown in FIG. 12. As with previous embodiments, the packaged good
article 230 includes packaging 232 and an article 234. The
packaging 232 defines an enclosed region 236 within which the
article 234 is contained.
77. The packaging 232 includes a continuous, tear-resistant film
238 and a tearable tape strip 240. The tearable tape strip 240 is
preferably secured to an interior surface (hidden in FIG. 12) of
the film 238. Further, a series of nicks 242 are formed through the
tearable tape strip 240 and the film 238 to define a tab 244
forming an initial point of internal tearing through the tearable
tape strip 240. Alternatively, a plurality of tabs 244 can be
provided, and/or located at other positions along the tearable tape
strip 240.
78. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the article 234 includes a
mechanical part 250 (shown in simplified, block form) and a pad
252. As is known in the art, the pad 252 supports the part 250
during shipment. Alternatively, a plurality of parts 250 can be
provided and/or a different item(s) substituted for the part
250.
79. The film 238 is preferably skin packaged about the article 234.
Skin packaging techniques are known in the art and causes the film
238 to adhere to the pad 252 while generally conforming a shape of
the part 250.
80. The packaging 232 is opened by first grasping the tab 244 and
then pulling outwardly. This action generates an internal tear
within the tearable tape strip 240, and in turn tearing an opening
(not shown) through the film 238.
81. Tearing of the tearable tape strip 240 on the film 238
continues until the opening (not shown) is sufficiently sized to
facilitate removal of the part 250 therethrough. Notably, a
conventional, narrow-width tear strip can be employed to tear
through the corrugated or paperboard pad 252. However, such a
design results in defacement or destruction of the pad 252, and
thus of any indicia carried thereon. In contrast, the packaging 232
of the present invention only tears the film 238, leaving the pad
252 intact.
82. Yet another alternative embodiment packaged good article 260 is
illustrated in FIG. 13. The packaged good article 260 includes
packaging 262 and an article 264. The packaging 262 defines an
enclosed region 266 within which the article 264 is contained.
83. The packaging 262 is similar to previous embodiments, and
includes a continuous, tear-resistant film 268 and a tearable tape
strip 270. The tearable tape strip 270 is preferably secured to an
interior surface (hidden in FIG. 13) of the film 268. Further, a
series of nicks 272 are formed through the tearable tape strip 270
and the film 268 and define a tab 274. Alternatively, a plurality
of tabs 274 can be provided and/or located at positions other than
illustrated. Once again, the tab 274 generates an initial point of
internal tear within the tearable tape strip 270 and provides a
surface for a user to grasp.
84. The article 264 includes a food product 280. In the one
embodiment of FIG. 13, the food product 280 is a half ham.
Alternatively, a wide variety of other food products are equally
acceptable, including other meats (e.g., ground hamburger, poultry,
etc.), seafood (e.g., fish, shrimp, etc.), dairy products (e.g.,
cheese, butter sticks, etc.), baked goods (e.g., cakes, breads,
etc.), to name but a few. While the food product 280 depicted in
FIG. 13 is a unitary item, a plurality of food products, either
identical or different, can be provided and/or placed within a
supporting tray. Further, although not shown, a lightweight,
readily tearable barrier film approved for contact with food, such
as cellophane, may be wrapped about the food product 280 (i.e.,
between the food product 280 and the film 268) to maintain
freshness. Alternatively or in addition, a cover tape or tab can be
placed exteriorly over the nicks 272 to prevent moisture and/or air
from contacting the food product 280.
85. As with previous embodiments, the film 268 is preferably
tightly wrapped about the article 264. The food product 280 can be
removed from the packaging 262 by tearing the tearable tape strip
27, and thus the film 268, as previously described.
86. The packaging and packaged good article of the present
invention provides a marked improvement over previous designs.
First, a continuous, tear-resistant film is employed to protect and
secure the contained article during shipment thereof. The
tear-resistant nature of the film minimizes package failure.
Further, the tearable tape strip facilitates easy opening of the
packaging without requiring use of a separate cutting tool. Thus,
the packaging eliminates the inconvenience, safety, and product
damage concerns typically encountered when using a cutting tool to
open tear-resistant film packaging. Finally, the packaging provides
an end-user with evidence of possible tampering.
87. Although the present invention has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will
recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For
example, only a few possible articles useful with the packaging of
the present invention have been described. A virtually infinite
number of articles including one or a plurality of products that
are regular or irregular in shape can be packaged.
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