U.S. patent application number 09/734792 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for shipping case alternative.
Invention is credited to Chalmers, Richard, Giblin, Edward John, Saso, Corinne.
Application Number | 20020162766 09/734792 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24953088 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020162766 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saso, Corinne ; et
al. |
November 7, 2002 |
Shipping case alternative
Abstract
A new way of shipping cartons and other packages so as to
minimize the cost and the resource used. In one embodiment, the
invention comprises the use of two or more films shrink wrapped
about the packages which are juxtaposed to form a unit. At least
one of the films is opaque and at least one of the films is clear.
The opaque film is sufficiently resistant to the transmission of
light such that UPC bar codes present on the individual packages
cannot be read through the film by bar code reading machines. The
shrink wrap in place about the unit may include one or more
gripping openings.
Inventors: |
Saso, Corinne; (Ridgefield
Park, NJ) ; Chalmers, Richard; (Crystal Lake, MI)
; Giblin, Edward John; (Hopatcong, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
UNILEVER
PATENT DEPARTMENT
45 RIVER ROAD
EDGEWATER
NJ
07020
US
|
Family ID: |
24953088 |
Appl. No.: |
09/734792 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/497 ;
206/770; 206/778 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/08 20130101;
B65D 75/28 20130101; B65D 2203/06 20130101; B65D 2203/08 20130101;
B65D 75/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/497 ;
206/770; 206/778 |
International
Class: |
B65D 065/00; B65D
071/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination of two or more packages juxtaposed to form a unit,
said unit being shrink wrapped in two or more films on opposite
film sides of said unit, wherein at least one of said films is
opaque and at least one of said films is clear.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shrink wrapped films
include a pair of gripping openings, said openings being disposed
at opposite ends of said unit, said ends being other than said film
sides.
3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said films are heat sealed to
each other on at least two opposite heat seal sides of said unit,
said heat seal sides being intermediate said at least two film
sides.
4. The combination of claim 1 further comprising a single line of
zipper perforations extending in at least one of said films at
least along one of said film sides.
5. The combination of claim 4 further comprising gripping openings
on opposite sides of said perforations in said film side.
6. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one said opaque film
is at least 1 mil. thicker than said at least one clear film.
7. The combination according to claim 1 wherein at least one said
opaque film has a thickness of from 1 to 5 mils (thousands of an
inch) and at least one said clear film has a thickness of from 1 to
5 mils.
8. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of said films includes a
tear strip defined by spaced zipper perforations in said film along
two lines at least partially parallel to a longitudinal axis of
said unit.
9. The combination of claim 2 wherein one of said films includes a
tear strip defined by spaced zipper perforations in said film
extending between said gripping openings along two lines extending
partially in one of said film sides parallel to a longitudinal axis
of said unit.
10. The combination of claim 1 comprising zipper perforations in
said shrink wrap on each heat seal side extending parallel to a
longitudinal axis of said unit.
11. The combination of claim 2 further comprising zipper
perforations in said shrink wrap extending from one of said
openings to the other, partially extending through each heat seal
side parallel to a longitudinal axis of said unit.
12. The combination of claim 1 wherein said packages are
cartons.
13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said cartons are comprised
of corrugated fiberboard, said corrugations extending in a
direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said unit and
perpendicular to a plane of one of said film sides.
14. A process for shipping a combination of two or more packages
juxtaposed to form a unit, said unit being shrink wrapped in two or
more films on opposite sides of said unit, comprising shipping said
unit, one of said films being opaque and another not being opaque,
the unit being shipped with the opaque film side as the top side of
the combined packages and shrink wrap.
15. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said unit is not
contained within a shipping case.
16. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said unit
comprises from 2 to 4 packages.
17. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said packages are
cartons.
18. The process according to claim 14 wherein the non-opaque film
includes zipper perforations and the opaque film lacks zipper
perforations.
19. The combination according to claim 2 further comprising a line
of zipper perforations extending from one of said openings to the
other and extending through one of said film sides, and further
comprising opposed gripping apertures on opposite sides of said
line of perforations on said film side.
20. A combination of two or more packages juxtaposed to form a
unit, said unit being shrink wrapped in two or more films on film
sides of said unit, said film sides being on opposite sides of said
unit and including a line of zipper perforations along one of said
film sides, said unit further comprising gripping apertures on
opposite sides of said line of perforations in said film side.
21. The combination of claim 20 wherein said side zipper
perforations are in a film which is clear to a UPC bar code
reader.
22. A combination of two or more packages juxtaposed to form a
unit, said unit being shrink wrapped in two or more films on
opposite sides of said unit, one of said films being non-opaque and
including a tear strip defined by zipper perforations in said film
along two lines spaced in at least one of said film sides parallel
to a longitudinal axis of said unit, the other of said films being
opaque.
23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said shrink wrapped films
include gripping openings at opposite ends of said unit and said
tear strip further extends along two lines perpendicular to said
longitudinal axis from said openings to said film sides.
24. The combination of claim 20 wherein said packages comprise
cartons and said cartons are made of corrugated fiberboard, said
corrugations extending in a direction perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of said unit and perpendicular to a plane of one
of said film sides.
25. The combination of claim 22 wherein said packages comprise
cartons and said cartons comprise corrugated fiberboard, said
corrugations extending in a direction perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis of said unit and perpendicular to a plane of one
of said film sides.
26. The combination of claim 21 wherein said film in which said
perforations are placed is a clear film, clear to UPC bar code
readers.
27. The combination according to claim 1 having at least one line
of perforations as an opening device.
28. The combination of claim 9 wherein said tear strip extends 90%
of the length of said film side.
29. The process according to claim 14 wherein said opaque film side
is not perforated.
30. A process for shrink wrapping a package comprising shrink
wrapping a film having zipper perforations about a package and then
imposing a second set of zipper perforations upon said shrink
wrapped package.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] In the present business environment, there is unremitting
pressure to reduce costs and conserve resources in the manufacture
of products. Not insubstantial is the amount of resource devoted to
packaging and shipping of products such as detergent cartons. Often
such products will be shipped in a shipping case made of corrugated
fiberboard.
[0002] Brown et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,630 discloses a packaged
product which includes a plurality of cartons, a corrugated board
of paperboard carrier wall disposed along a portion of the
periphery, and shrink wrapping. The shrink wrap film has vent holes
that are specifically sized and spaced apart as needed to provide
adequate venting of one or more of the volatiles from the shrink
wrapped multipack. While the Brown et al. invention does not
require a full shipping case, it still utilizes corrugated board or
paperboard as the carrier wall for the multipack.
[0003] Oberle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,782 discloses perforated heat
shrinkable thermoplastic bags wherein slits cut by a knife blade
reduce the splitting when a product such as a meat product is
cooked within the bag. The perforations permit escape of moisture
and prevent ballooning and collection of moisture which could leave
to uneven cooking. The slitting is preferably done by a v-shaped
knife blade. The bag is preferably formed from a seamless tube of
thermoplastic material.
[0004] Limousin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,312 discloses a heat
shrinkable package with a frangible access panel defined by
perforations. A perforation cylinder may be used.
[0005] Truchiya et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,612 discloses a shrink
film package having a perforated folded strip. A perforation wheel
may be used. A notch for tearing off may be provided.
[0006] Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,603 is directed to a shrink wrap
package having vent openings to permit free air flow through the
package and allow the escape of gas. The shrink wrap plastic cover
is shrink wrapped to a container by means of a heat gun.
[0007] Doyle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,593 discloses a method of
wrapping a tray of produce or other articles requiring ventilation.
The method involves use of a sheet of flexible plastic film having
a perforated portion. Micro perforations are arranged in rows and
columns. The prior approach of randomly placing perforating needles
around a cylinder press and applying the cylinder to the film is
said to have resulted in generally ragged perforations which will
cause the film to tear as it is stretched over the tray.
[0008] Britt et al., U.S. Defensive Publn. T900,020 discloses a
shrink wrap package wherein portions of the seam adjacent the ends
of the article form tear tabs.
[0009] Heider, U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,570 discloses an opaque shrink
wrapped packaging having finger slits terminating in semi-circular
cuts.
[0010] Kirby, U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,436 discloses an easy opening
means for a package which comprises a pair of seams curved in a
film like member wherein free ends of the tab means are pulled
relative to the package, the tab means cause the film like member
to tear along the paths.
[0011] Cutrara, U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,237 discloses a firewood
package having a film of plastic material secured around a
generally curved surface of a bundle wherein the plastic material
is perforated to permit air to circulate into and through the
bundle. The portions of the perforations illustrated in the figure
are shown as being in two parallel arcs.
[0012] Becker, U.S. Pat. No. 3,403,779 discloses an opening device
for a package wherein the device is used to sever an elongated
strip from the material.
[0013] Fales, U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,653 discloses a packaging
container for protection of fragile articles during shipping and
storage which includes an outer carton and plurality of inner
packing support panels attached to the contained article by a heat
shrinkable film. The illustrated film appears to have
perforations.
[0014] George, U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,403 discloses a packaging system
using a shrink wrapping material with weakenings.
[0015] Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,572 discloses a package for
shipping and storing articles, such as cut flower arrangements. A
plastic film vented shell is disposed about the flowers and
connected to a container in shrink wrap relation. The package
includes a U-shaped insert. A plurality of openings 60 are present
of a size and a number to permit air flow through the shell in a
shrunk condition.
[0016] Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,235 discloses a package
comprising an article having heat shrinkable material wrapped
therearound. The sheet of heat shrinkable material has at least one
opening. A thickening ridge defines a reinforcement which prevents
tearing. A plurality of articles may be disposed in juxtaposed
position within the package. The openings may be, e.g., for
placement of a tax stamp on cigarettes or for carrying the package
as in FIG. 10.
[0017] Ganz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,397 discloses use a single wrap of
a single sheet of continuous shrinkable and bondable plastic
material to constitute virtually the entire package for a cluster
of plural like containers such as beverage containers. Finger
access openings such as 25-26 are provided in the plastic sheet in
the upper side of the container.
[0018] Worley, U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,197 discloses a shrink wrapped
package with a tear strip.
[0019] Other patents involving shrink wrap packaging or other forms
of packaging include Coons, U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,288, Begnaud, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,589,510, Oglesbee, U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,788, Becker et
al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,338,404, Whittington et al., U.S. Pat. No.
3,764,351, Yamashita et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,111, Forman, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,456,780, Heier, U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,869, Rumsey, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,026,656 and Brown, U.S. Patent No. RE 27212.
[0020] Roth, U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,202 discloses a selectively
rupturable shrink wrapped package.
[0021] Prior to the discovery of the present invention, of the
inventors herein learned a shrink wrapped package of five cartons
of detergent tablets was being sold in Europe wherein the shrink
wrapped cartons were prepared by shrink wrapping a single clear
film about the five cartons and heat sealing the film closed at the
bottom of the cartons. Openings, which were a result of the process
by which the shrink wrap was attained, were present at each end of
the combined cartons/shrink wrap. The cartons were made of
paperboard.
[0022] EDL, can pack brochure received by one of the applicants
herein on Nov. 27, 2000, discloses an "easy open perforated tear
strip option." Film perforations for easy-open packs are mentioned
as an option. Packs can be trayless and can be "bullseye".
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The invention is directed to the discovery of a new way of
shipping cartons and other packages so as to minimize the cost and
the resource used. In one embodiment, the invention comprises the
use of two or more films shrink wrapped about the packages which
are juxtaposed to form a unit. In this aspect of the invention at
least one of the films is opaque and at least one of the films is
clear. The opaque film is sufficiently resistant to the
transmission of light such that UPC bar codes present on the
individual packages cannot be read through the film by bar code
reading machines. Since the unit which comprises the combined
packages will typically have its own bar code, (eg., a separate,
outer label), use of the opaque film prevents the bar code reading
machine from inadvertently reading one of the bar codes for the
individual packages and thereby falsely crediting the manufacturer
with shipment only of an individual package rather than the
multi-package unit. Typically, the two or more films will be heat
sealed to each other.
[0024] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
shrink wrap in place about the unit includes one or more gripping
openings. These openings may be naturally formed during the
shrinking of the films or they may be formed by cutting openings in
the film. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the gripping openings are formed on opposite ends of the
unit, and the unit is shipped with the opaque film on top (eg.,
cartons inverted). Because the opaque film is likely to be the
unperforated of the two films, this will minimize damage to the
integrity of the film when the unit is lifted during shipping.
[0025] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the
invention is directed to a combination of two or more packages
juxtaposed to form a unit wherein the unit is shrink wrapped in two
or more films on opposite sides of the unit and at least one of the
films includes a single line of zipper perforations extending along
one of the film sides and gripping apertures in at least one film
side on opposite sides of the perforations. By "film side" is meant
one of the sides of the unit from which a shrink wrap film is
imposed and which unit side is completely covered by said one film,
except for any perforations or other openings in that film. This
arrangement permits the shrink wrap unit to be readily grasped and
readily opened along the zipping perforations. By zipper
perforations, it is meant that the perforations are arranged in
sufficient proximity to one another linearly and spaced
sufficiently from each other laterally to permit the shrink wrap
film to open along the perforations by creating tears between the
perforations upon application of reasonable manual force. The
pattern of perforations is such that the perforations are opened
like a zipper along the intended line of perforations.
[0026] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
unit comprising two or more juxtaposed packages is shrink wrapped
in two or more films on opposite sides of the unit and at least one
of the films includes zipper perforations in the film in a side
intermediate the film sides and parallel to a longitudinal axis of
the unit. Preferably, the single line of zipper perforations on
each side of the unit extend from a gripping opening on one end of
the unit perpendicularly to the plane of one of the film sides,
across each heat seal side parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
unit and then perpendicularly again to the plane of the film side
until it reaches a second opening on the other end of the unit. By
this arrangement, it is possible readily to tear open the shrink
wrapped unit by application of reasonable manual force. The heat
seal sides are the sides wherein the two films are heat sealed
together.
[0027] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention,
a unit comprising two or more juxtaposed packages is shrink wrapped
in two or more films on opposite sides of the unit, preferably one
opaque and one clear, and at least one of the films includes a tear
strip defined by spaced zipper perforations in the film along two
parallel lines in at least one of the film sides parallel to a
longitudinal axis of the unit. Preferably, the tear strip extends
from a gripper opening on one end of the unit perpendicularly to
the plane of one of the film sides, across the film side parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the unit and then perpendicularly again
in the plane of the film side until it reaches a second opening on
the other end of the unit. By this arrangement, it is possible
readily to tear open the shrink wrapped unit by application of
reasonable manual force.
[0028] For a more complete understanding of the above and other
features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made
to the following description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a unit of juxtaposed
packages having a film positioned for shrink wrapping above one
film side of the unit and a film positioned for shrink wrapping
below another film side of the unit.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a unit of juxtaposed
packages after shrink wrapping in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a unit of a juxtaposed
package which has been shrink wrapped in accordance with a second
embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a unit of juxtaposed cartons
which has been shrink wrapped in accordance with a further aspect
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] In FIG. 1, unit 10 wherein cartons 12 and 14 are juxtaposed
side by side has positioned above it clear shrink wrap film 16 and
positioned below it opaque shrink wrap film 18. Films 16 and 18 are
made of a low density polyethylene or LDPE/HDPE blend and are heat
shrinkable. The thickness of sheet 16 is preferably from 0.001" to
0.005", especially from 0.002" to 0.004". The thickness of sheet 18
is preferably from 0.001" to 0.005", especially from 0.002 to
0.003", most preferably 0.003" for each. Preferably film 18 is made
opaque by adding (TiO.sub.2) titanium dioxide colorant to the
resin.
[0034] Film 16 is shrink wrapped from one side of unit 10, the top
side in FIG. 1. Unit 18 is shrink wrapped from an opposing side,
from the bottom in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 2, shrink wrapping of
the films results in a film side for the unit on each side on which
the film fully covers the side of the unit. In the case of film 16,
film side 30 is created, as seen in FIG. 2. In the case of film 18,
film side 32 is created on the bottom of the unit, as also
indicated in FIG. 2.
[0035] Heat sealing of the two films from opposite directions
results in creation on each of the opposite ends of the unit of a
"bullseye" which may be used as a gripping openings 34 and 36.
Films 16 and 18 are heat sealed along a periphery of unit 10,
excluding the bullseye, along perimeter heat seal 40. Extending
from gripping opening 34 to gripping opening 36 first perpendicular
to film 30 then parallel to a longitudinal axis of unit 10 and then
again perpendicular to film side 30 to bullseye 36 are zipper
perforations 44 (FIG. 2). Zipper perforations are designed such
that reasonable manual force applied to the shrink wrap will split
open the shrink wrap along the perforations as a result of tears
extending from one perforation to the next and so on. On either
side of zipper perforations 44 are gripping openings 50, 52.
[0036] Typically, bottom film 18 will not be provided with
perforations.
[0037] In operation, preferably, unit 10 is shipped with opaque
film 18 (opaque film side 32) as the upper end. In this way when
the unit is gripped at bullseye 34, 36 and force is inherently
extended upwardly, there are no perforations to prematurely open
the shrink wrap. Rather, in accordance with one aspect of the
invention, the unit is shipped with opaque film side 32 as the
upper end, which has no perforations, and the package is inverted
when it is time to open the shrink wrap. The shrink wrap is then
readily opened by applying manual force upwardly at the bullseye
34, 36 and/or at gripping apertures 50, 52.
[0038] In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, zipper
perforations 60, 62 extend on each side of the unit between
bullseyes 34, 36. The zipper perforations preferably extend on the
first bullseye end to and along each heat seal side and then to the
second bullseye end. Again, it is advantageous for the unit 10 to
be shipped with opaque heat seal side 32 as the top of the unit and
to invert the package and apply reasonable manual force e.g., at
the bullseye, to open the zipper perforations when it is time to
display or use the cartons.
[0039] The embodiment of FIG. 4 is similar to the previous
embodiments except that the perforations are present in the form of
tear strip 70 defined by two parallel lines of perforations
extending from gripping opening 34 across the clear heat seal side
30 to gripping opening 36. In this embodiment, as in the others,
the unit 10 is preferably shipped with opaque film 18, opaque heat
seal side 32 as the top of the unit to minimize the chances that
when the unit is lifted during shipping the perforations will
prematurely tear open. When it is desired to open the unit, the
unit is inverted and reasonable manual force is applied at the
gripping openings 34, 36 to tear open package at the tear
strip.
[0040] A particular advantage of one aspect of the present
invention results from the use of the opaque film as the bottom
half of the shrink wrap. The opaque film obscures to a bar code
reader the bar codes which may well be present on the bottoms or
bottom sides of the packages. It is desirable that the bar code
readers read the bar codes for the whole unit e.g., on the outside
of the shrink wrap rather than the individual packages. If a bar
code reader picks up a bar code inadvertently for an individual
package the manufacturer may not receive credit for having supplied
the full multipack unit. Use of the opaque bottom film serves to
minimize the possibility of an errant reading from the bar code
readers.
[0041] Preferably the opaque side includes no perforations since it
preferably serves as the top side of the unit. If perforations were
present in the opaque side, then upward force experienced by the
opaque side during shipping when the bullseye gripping openings are
grasped could result in premature opening of the shrink wrap.
[0042] Preferably, the packages of the unit are cartons and more
preferably, the cartons are corrugated as at 82 of carton 80 of
FIG. 2. This enhances the shrink wrap unit compressive strength,
notwithstanding the absence of a shipping case or a sleeve of
paperboard or corrugated material within the shrink wrap.
[0043] There may be difficulties in applying more than one line of
perforations by the manufacturer of the film. Where such is the
case, a second line of perforations may be applied, for example at
the facilities of the end product manufacturer, with a star wheel
or the like. Where gripping openings are present in the clear heat
seal side, on opposite sides of the perforations, it may be
desirable to include J-shaped cuts to ensure that in the event that
a small tear occurs it does not spread to other parts of the shrink
wrap.
[0044] Where cartons are used as a package, they may be made from
paperboard or, more preferably as indicated above, corrugated
fiberboard. The shrink wrapping films may be applied by
conventional means such as heat sealing the leading edge (in the
cross direction), pushing the cartons against the sealed edge with
the films top and bottom, then sealing the trailing edge (CD), and
then finally passing the bundle through heat tunnel equipment to
form a tight heat-sealed bundle.
[0045] It should be understood of course that the specific forms of
the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be
representative only, as certain changes may be made therein without
departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly,
reference should be made to the following appended claims in
determining the full scope of the invention.
* * * * *