U.S. patent application number 10/636648 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-17 for tamper evident packaging labels.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mars, Incorporated. Invention is credited to Pitko, Catherine, Richards, William R., Willcocks, Neil A..
Application Number | 20040112010 10/636648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31715835 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040112010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Richards, William R. ; et
al. |
June 17, 2004 |
Tamper evident packaging labels
Abstract
A bunch wrapped wrapper has a label affixed to it with a die cut
portion provided within its perimeter, such that the die cut
portion is at least partially torn away from the label when the
label is removed to open the package to provide evidence of
tampering. The packaging may be used to wrap confectionery pieces,
where the edges of the wrapper are gathered at a flat side of the
confectionery piece and the label is applied over the gathered
edges of the wrapper on the flat side of the piece.
Inventors: |
Richards, William R.;
(Pluckemin, NJ) ; Willcocks, Neil A.; (Fullerton,
CA) ; Pitko, Catherine; (Boonton, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Assignee: |
Mars, Incorporated
McLean
VA
|
Family ID: |
31715835 |
Appl. No.: |
10/636648 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60402316 |
Aug 8, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/415 ;
53/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/18 20130101;
B65D 75/66 20130101; G09F 3/0292 20130101; B65D 75/54 20130101;
B65D 2401/00 20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/415 ;
053/461 |
International
Class: |
B65B 011/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A packaging comprising a wrapper having a label affixed thereto,
wherein the label has a perimeter and is provided with an at least
partly removable portion within the perimeter, such that the label
provides evidence of tampering when the package is opened.
2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the wrapper is bunch
wrapped around a confectionery product.
3. The packaging according to claim 2, wherein the wrapper is foil
or paper laminated foil.
4. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein said at least partly
removable portion is defined by a pattern of perforations.
5. The packaging according to claim 4, wherein said perforations
are formed with a platen die, rotary die or laser cutter.
6. A packaging according to claim 4, wherein the die cut
perforations are provided in a substantially closed shape.
7. A packaging according to claim 1, wherein the foil wrapper is a
single sheet having edges gathered on a surface of a bunch wrapped
piece, and the label is applied over the edges of the wrapper.
8. A packaging according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is bunch
wrapped around a confection having a substantially flat rear
surface, and the edges of the wrapper are gathered at the rear
surface, and the label is applied over the edges of the
wrapper.
9. A tamper evident bunch wrap package comprising: a wrapper
material conforming to a surface of an object and having edges
gathered on a side of the object, and a label applied over said
gathered edges and having a pattern of perforations.
10. The tamper evident bunch wrap package of claim 9, wherein the
object has a flat side having a perimeter and the wrapper material
edges are gathered on the flat side, the label has a label
perimeter approximately the same shape as the perimeter of the
object, and the pattern of perforations comprises a plurality of
concentric shapes conforming to the label perimeter.
11. The tamper evident bunch wrap package according to claim 9,
wherein said object is confectionery.
12. The tamper evident bunch wrap package of claim 9, wherein said
object is a molded piece of chocolate having a substantially flat
side.
13. A tamper evident bunch wrap package comprising: a wrapper
material conforming to a surface of an object and having edges
gathered on a flat side of the object, and a label applied over
said gathered edges having a label perimeter with a plurality of
angled tear propagation points.
14. A method for providing evidence of tampering to confectionery
packaging when the packaging is opened or attempted to be opened,
comprising the steps of: conforming a wrapper to a surface of a
confectionery piece, gathering edges of the wrapper on a side of
the confectionery piece, applying a label having a perimeter and
provided with an at least partly removable portion within the
perimeter over the edges on said side of the confectionery piece,
such that the label provides visible indication when the packaging
is opened or attempted to be opened.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of conforming a
wrapper comprises providing a wrapper of foil or paper laminated
foil.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of applying a label
includes a step of providing a pattern of perforations defining
said at least partly removable portion.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein said side is flat and has a
perimeter.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said pattern of perforations is
a closed shape conforming to the perimeter of said side of said
confectionery piece.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of applying a label
includes a step of providing a label having a plurality of layers
and said at least partly removable portion comprises all or part of
one of said plurality of layers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/402,316, filed Aug. 8, 2002, and
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention is directed to packaging that will provide
evidence of tampering to packaging of a type typically associated
with confectionery products, particularly, bunch wrap
packaging.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] Tamper evident packaging utilizing breakable seals is known.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,096, for example, is directed to packaging for
confectionery having a reclosable adhesive opening strip. The
packaging is provided with a supplementary strip which is
adhesively attached to the packaging and to the opening strip. The
supplementary strip is also provided with pre-cut transverse lines,
such that the strip breaks upon opening, which provides evidence of
tampering if the package is subsequently reclosed.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,850 discloses a process for applying a
revenue seal to a cigarette pack. The seal is applied directly to
the packaging, applying a laser beam to a smooth coating in the
area where the seal is to be applied so that the seal will adhere
better to that area. The seal is applied across a dividing line
where the package is opened such that the seal will rupture on
opening the cigarette pack.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,828 B1 is directed to a tamper evident
packaging for a wound dressing in which two packaging layers are
sealed to each other at their perimeter for example by heat
sealing, adhesive sealing, RF sealing, or ultrasonic sealing. The
layers may be sheets of medical grade paper, plastic, foil or the
like. Perforations are provided in one or both packaging layers
within the sealing region on the perimeter such that when the
package is opened the layer tears along the perforation, leaving a
portion of the layers attached, thus providing evidence that the
package has been fully or partly opened.
[0006] Confectionery products are handled by a large number of
people at the point of sale prior to being finally purchased and
consumed. This raises a particular concern that these products are
more likely to be subjected to tampering. Thus, it is particularly
desirable and an object of the invention to provide evidence of
tampering to packaging associated with confectionery, such as a
bunch wrap package for a molded piece of confectionery.
[0007] While various labels have been developed for placing on
packaging, there continues to be a need in the art for labels which
will provide evidence of tampering. None of the above-described
prior art addresses the problems associated with providing tamper
evident bunch wrap packaging in an attractive and economical
format.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect, the invention is a package comprising a
wrapper having a label affixed to a surface thereof, wherein the
label has a perimeter and is provided with an at least partly
removable portion within the perimeter, such that the label
provides evidence of tampering when the package is opened.
Preferably, the confection is a molded confection, such as a molded
piece of chocolate having a flat side, the wrapper is bunch wrapped
around the molded confection, and the label is applied over creases
and edges of the wrapper gathered on the flat side of the piece.
The label has a pattern of perforations, which may be die cut or
formed by another method, laid out in a pattern to increase the
likelihood of tearing when tampered with. In some embodiments the
label has die cut perforations in a closed shape, such that an
attempt to remove the label results in the die cut portion tearing
away, providing evidence of tampering.
[0009] In another aspect, a label may be provided according to the
invention which provides evidence of tampering but which does not
have a region defined by perforations. For example, a multilayer
structure may be used such that all or a portion of a top layer is
removed by tearing or other means to reveal a layer underneath
which may have a different color or other visible indication which
provides evidence that the label has been tampered with.
[0010] In yet another aspect, a plurality of angles on the
perimeter of a label facing away from the center of the label may
provide evidence of tampering by providing tear propagation points,
such that the label would be virtually impossible to remove without
leaving evidence of tampering.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method
for providing evidence of tampering to confectionery packaging when
the packaging is opened or attempted to be opened, comprising the
steps of: conforming a wrapper to a surface of a confectionery
piece, gathering edges of the wrapper on a side of the
confectionery piece, and applying a label with an at least partly
removable portion within the label perimeter on the side of the
confectionery piece over the edges of the wrapper such that the
label provides visible indication when the packaging is opened or
attempted to be opened.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a foil bunch wrap having a tamper-evident die
cut label affixed to it.
[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a preferred configuration of die cut
perforations on a tamper evident label.
[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a foil bunch wrap having a tamper-evident die
cut label affixed to it according to another embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] A detailed description of the invention will be provided
with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, which is not to
be considered limiting. FIG. 1 shows a confectionery piece (2)
having a flat side (4) with a perimeter (6). A foil wrapper (8) is
shown with creases (16) where its bunched edges have been gathered
on the flat side (4) of the confectionery piece. A label (10)
having a label perimeter (12) conforming to the perimeter of the
flat side of the piece is shown placed on the flat side of the
piece over the creases and bunched edges, in effect over the
"opening" of the package. Within the perimeter (12) are die cut
perforations (14), which partially tear away when the label (10) is
removed or tampered with.
[0016] "Tamper evident" as used herein means providing any visible
indication that a packaging has been opened or that an attempt has
been made to open it. "Bunch wrapping," as used herein, means
wrapping an object with a sheet of material; conforming the
material to the outside shape of the object; and bunching the edges
of the sheet of material against a surface of the object. This
definition is consistent with the usage in the art. The "Glossary
of Packaging Terms," published by the Packaging Institute
International, for example, defines bunch wrap as "a method of
wrapping with the packaging material gathered on the
underside."
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the edible piece is a molded
chocolate confection which has a flat side owing to the molding
process. The flat side makes it easier to bunch the edges of the
wrapper against that side, and also makes it easier to place the
label securely over the edges of the wrapper to form the package
opening.
[0018] Bunch wrapping may be accomplished by methods known in the
art, such as by pushing the confectionery piece into a sheet of
wrapper material through an orifice with brushing members
conforming the wrapper material to the piece. Members then push the
trailing ends against the piece. These and other methods, being
known in the art, will not be elaborated upon herein, expect as
pertains to the invention.
[0019] A bunch wrap package according to the prior art is
relatively easily opened and tampered with by taking an exposed
edge of the wrapped sheet and peeling it away from the
confectionery piece. According to the present invention, to prevent
a person from unwrapping the packaging, tampering with the
confectionery, and then replacing the wrapper, a label is placed
over the exposed edges. The bunch wrap and label are provided with
an additional tamper evident feature by using a pattern of
perforations on the label which tear when the label is opened or
tampered with.
[0020] Any wrapper material can be used as a substitute for foil
wrapper (8) to wrap the piece, provided it has sufficient "dead
fold" properties to permit the wrapper to conform to the shape of
the piece. Dead fold is defined in the Glossary of Packaging Terms
as "a hand or machine made fold which will remain in position
without sealing, such as a soft foil." Preferred wrapper materials
are foils and laminated foils such as a 10 to 20 micron thickness
soft temper foil.
[0021] The label (10) has a label perimeter (12) die cut from label
stock, and a pattern of perforations (14) which are also formed by
die cutting. Any label stock known in the art may be used. Such
stock typically comprises an adhesive-backed label material of
paper, laminated paper, plastic, or the like on a non-adhesive
liner. Typically, the label material bears instructions or
regulatory information printed before the label is die cut. Of
course, if the label is printed, the die cutting operation must be
done in registration with the printing. It has been found, however,
that the pattern of perforations (14) formed in the label (10)
according to the invention do not interfere with the legibility of
the label information.
[0022] Die cutting can be by any means known in the art, such as
with a platen die cutter, rotary die cutter, laser cutter, or any
other system known in the art or hereafter developed. The die
includes a definition of the label perimeter shape and cuts through
the label material to the liner and the excess label material is
stripped away from the liner.
[0023] The perforations (14) are provided in a pattern on the
label, and may be cut at the same time as the label perimeter or in
a different die cutting step. Preferably, the perforations are cut
at the same time that the perimeter of the label is cut, and thus
the same die is used. The perforations are provided in a pattern to
increase the likelihood that the label will tear upon opening. This
will provide a tamper evident feature to the bunch wrap/label
combination. The perforation pattern is preferably not plainly
visible, and during manufacture of the packaging combination, the
label is handled as a single piece such that the perforations do
not tear away. Accordingly, some lands (spaces between the cut
portions) in the perforation design are necessary so that portions
of the label do not tear away during handling of the label and
during the process of affixing the label to the bunch wrapped
piece. Likewise, although perforations extending to the perimeter
of the label are possible, this configuration is less preferred
because it would be expected to cause tearing of the label when the
label is removed from the liner.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the perforations
(24) follow the shape of the perimeter (26) of a flat side of the
piece being wrapped. Several concentric shapes following the
perimeter shape may increase the tendency of the label to tear
during tampering.
[0025] A series of points or near points as shown in FIG. 1 may
provide better tamper evidence than a smooth shape, because tearing
appears to propagate most easily at a sharp point in the
perforation pattern. Of course, the ability to have a die
economically prepared may impose constraints on the design that is
used. It is preferred, but not necessary, that the die cut
perforations (14, 24) define a closed shape. Thus, when a person
pulls the label off, an entire portion tears away from the rest of
the label.
[0026] In another embodiment, the label is made tamper evident by
die cutting a label perimeter having numerous relatively sharp
angles (18) as shown in FIG. 3. The label perimeter is thus
provided with a plurality of tear propagation points (20). A label
having this configuration is extremely difficult to remove without
leaving evidence of tampering. However, with existing technology,
such a label presents significant challenges in terms of handling,
and it would be difficult to reliably and rapidly remove such a
label from the liner and apply it to the bunch wrap. Configurations
according to any of the foregoing embodiments prevent
tampering.
[0027] The foregoing description is for the purposes of
illustration and is not to be deemed to limit the invention, which
is defined by the following claims.
* * * * *