U.S. patent application number 10/323250 was filed with the patent office on 2004-06-24 for tamper resistant package.
Invention is credited to Atwell, Gary, Fath, Scott A., Mitten, Robert T., Moore, Pam.
Application Number | 20040118713 10/323250 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32593156 |
Filed Date | 2004-06-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040118713 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fath, Scott A. ; et
al. |
June 24, 2004 |
Tamper resistant package
Abstract
A tamper resistant package comprises a packaging enclosure in
the form of an open-ended sleeve or carton with a plurality of
product packs inside the enclosure engaging the interior surface
thereof. Each of the product packs includes outer wrap material at
least a portion of which is secured to the interior surface of the
enclosure. Upon removal of a product pack from the enclosure at
least a portion of the outer wrap material remains within the
enclosure thereby destroying the integrity of the outer wrap
material which effectively prevents the product packs from being
removed from the package and individually sold. The wrapping
material is disturbed sufficiently so that the pack is not suitable
for sale after being separated from the enclosure.
Inventors: |
Fath, Scott A.; (Richmond,
VA) ; Atwell, Gary; (Mechanicsville, VA) ;
Moore, Pam; (Chesterfield, VA) ; Mitten, Robert
T.; (Glenn Allen, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Connolly Bove Lodge & Hutz LLP
P.O. Box 2207
Wilmington
DE
19899-2207
US
|
Family ID: |
32593156 |
Appl. No.: |
10/323250 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/247 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2401/00 20200501;
B65D 85/1081 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/247 |
International
Class: |
A24F 015/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A package comprising: a packaging enclosure having an interior
surface; a plurality of removable product packs inside the
enclosure engaging the interior surface thereof; and each of the
packs including outer wrap material at least a portion of which is
secured to the interior surface of the enclosure such that upon
removal of a product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of
the outer wrap material remains secured to the enclosure.
2. A package as in claim 1 wherein the packaging enclosure
comprises: an open-ended packaging sleeve having a plurality of
pack-receiving pockets; and at least one product pack in each of
the pockets.
3. A package as in claim 2 wherein the packaging sleeve includes
two pack-receiving pockets with one product pack in each
pocket.
4. A package as in claim 2 wherein the packaging sleeve includes
two pack-receiving pockets with a single product pack in one pocket
and two product packs in the other pocket.
5. A package as in claim 2 wherein the open-ended packaging sleeve
includes an adhesive on the interior surface thereof that secures a
portion of the outer wrap material of each product pack to the
sleeve.
6. A package as in claim 1 wherein the packaging enclosure
comprises: a carton constructed and arranged to receive two rows of
product packs, each row comprising a plurality of packs.
7. A package as in claim 6 wherein each of the two rows comprises
five product packs.
8. A package as in claim 6 wherein the carton includes: opposite
side walls and opposite interconnecting end walls; and dots or a
strip of adhesive extending across an interior surface of each side
wall that secure a portion of the outer wrap material of each
product pack to the carton.
9. A package as in claim 8 wherein the adhesive is hot melt
adhesive.
10. A package as in claim 8 wherein the adhesive is heat-activated
adhesive.
11. A package as in claim 6 wherein the carton includes: opposite
sidewalls, top and bottom walls and interconnected end walls; and
wherein the top wall includes a plurality of spaced apart openings,
one directly above each product pack within the carton providing
access to the packs for individually pushing them out and away from
the carton.
12. A package as in claim 1 wherein the packaging enclosure
comprises: a carton constructed and arranged to receive a single
row of a plurality of product packs.
13. A package as in claim 12 wherein single row comprises five
product packs.
14. A package as in claim 12 wherein the carton includes: opposite
side walls and opposite end walls; and dots or a strip of adhesive
extending across an interior surface of one side wall that secures
a portion of the outer wrap material of each product pack to the
carton.
15. A package as in claim 14 wherein the adhesive is hot melt
adhesive.
16. A package as in claim 14 wherein the adhesive is heat-activated
adhesive.
17. A package as in claim 12 wherein the carton includes: opposite
side walls, top and bottom walls and interconnecting walls; and
wherein the top wall includes a plurality of spaced apart openings,
one directly above each product pack within the carton providing
access to the packs for individually pushing them out and away from
the carton.
18. A package as in claim 1 wherein the outer wrap material of each
product pack includes: a weakened line of separation between top
and bottom portions of the outer wrap; and whereby upon removal of
a product pack from the packaging enclosure the outer wrap
separates at the weakened line thereby leaving a portion of the
outer wrap secured to the interior surface of the enclosure while a
portion of the outer wrap remains with the removed product
pack.
19. A method of producing a tamper resistant package of product
packs each having outer wrap material comprising the steps of:
forming a packaging enclosure; filling the packaging enclosure with
a plurality of product packs; and securing at least a portion of
the outer wrap material of each product pack to the interior
surface of the packaging enclosure such that upon removal of a
product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of the outer
wrap material remains secured to the enclosure.
20. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 19
wherein the step of securing at least a portion of the outer wrap
material of each product pack to the interior surface of the
packaging enclosure includes applying an adhesive to a portion of
the interior surface of the packaging enclosure or to the at least
a portion of the outer wrap material so as to create a bond
therebetween.
21. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 20
wherein the adhesive is a hot melt adhesive.
22. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 20
wherein the adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.
23. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 19
further including the step of: forming a weakened line of
separation between top and bottom portions of the outer wrap
material of each product pack such that upon removal of a product
pack from the packaging enclosure the outer wrap separates at the
weakened line thereby leaving a portion of the outer wrap secured
to the interior surface of the enclosure while a portion of the
outer wrap remains with the removed product pack.
24. A method of producing a tamper resistant package of product
packs each having outer wrap material comprising the steps of:
forming a packaging enclosure blank; applying an adhesive to the
blank; positioning a plurality of product packs on the blank such
that at least a portion of the outer wrap material of each product
pack is adhered to the surface of the packaging enclosure blank;
and folding the packaging enclosure blank around the plurality of
product pack to form an enclosure such that upon removal of a
product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of the outer
wrap material remains secured to an interior surface of the
enclosure.
25. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 24
wherein the adhesive is hot melt adhesive.
26. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 24
wherein the adhesive is heat-activated adhesive.
27. A method of producing a tamper resistant package as in claim 24
further including the step of: forming a weakened line of
separation between top and bottom portions of the outer wrap
material of each product pack such that upon removal of a product
pack from the packaging enclosure the outer wrap separates at the
weakened line thereby leaving a portion of the outer wrap secured
to the interior surface of the enclosure while a portion of the
outer wrap remains with the removed product pack.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to packaging for a plurality
of product packs, each pack having outer wrap material, and more
particularly to a tamper resistant package that effectively
prevents the product packs therein from being removed from the
package and individually sold by destroying the integrity of the
outer wrap upon removal of a pack from the package.
[0002] Product packs such as cigarettes packs are normally sold as
single packs or by the carton. At times it is desirable for
promotional purposes to market multiple product packs with one or
more packs in the package being given away free with the purchase
of the entire package. Such packages may include multiple product
packs less than the number of packs normally included in a carton,
or a carton of packs may be promoted where one or more of the packs
in the carton are free of charge. Promotional activities may
include a buy one get one free approach where a packaging sleeve is
used having two pack-receiving pockets. Other promotions include
buy two packs and get one free where a packaging sleeve is used
having a single pack in one pocket and two packs in another pocket.
Still other promotions include several free packs in the standard
ten pack carton.
[0003] One of the problems associated with such marketing programs
is the temptation to remove the free packs from the packaging and
to sell those packs as individual items at full price thereby
circumventing the promotional objectives of the manufacturer.
Hence, there is a real need for tamper resistant packaging that
functions to strongly discourage the breaking up of multiple
product packs and thereby prevent sale of the packs
individually.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is
tamper resistant packaging that effectively prevents sale of
packaged product packs except as contemplated by the manufacturer
of such packs.
[0005] Another object of the present invention is tamper resistant
packaging that is easy to assemble, but highly effective in
preventing unauthorized disassembly of the package.
[0006] Still another object of the present invention is a tamper
resistant package that destroys the integrity of the outer wrap
material on the product packs when the packs are removed from the
package.
[0007] Still another object of the invention is a method of
producing a highly effective tamper resistant package.
[0008] In accordance with the present invention, a package
comprises a packaging enclosure having an interior surface with a
plurality of removable product packs inside the enclosure engaging
the interior surface thereof. Each of the packs includes outer wrap
material at least a portion of which is secured to the interior
surface of the enclosure. Upon removal of a product pack from the
enclosure at least a portion of the outer wrap material remains
within the packaging enclosure thereby destroying the integrity of
the outer wrap material.
[0009] The packaging enclosure may comprise an open-ended packaging
sleeve having a plurality of pack-receiving pockets with one or
more product packs in each of the pockets. The packing sleeve may
include two pockets with a single pack in each pocket, or a two
pocket arrangement with a single pack in one pocket and two packs
in the other pocket, for example.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, open-ended
packaging sleeves include dots or strips of adhesive on the
interior surface thereof that secure a portion of the outer wrap
material of each product packs to the sleeve. Those portions of the
outer wrap material remain within the sleeve when the packs are
removed.
[0011] The packaging enclosure may also comprise a carton
constructed and arranged to receive two rows of product packs, each
row comprising a plurality of packs. Preferably each of the two
rows comprises five product packs. Moreover, the carton may include
opposite side walls and opposite interconnecting end walls with
dots of adhesive or adhesive strips extending across the interior
surface of each side wall that functions to secure a portion of the
outer wrap material of each product pack to the carton.
Additionally, the carton may include a top wall with a plurality of
spaced apart openings therein, one directly above each product pack
within the carton to thereby provide access to the packs for
individually pushing them out and away from the carton. In an
alternative embodiment the carton is constructed and arranged to
receive one row of five product packs.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer wrap
material of each product pack includes a weakened line of
separation between top and bottom portions of the outer wrap. Upon
removal of a product pack from the packaging enclosure the outer
wrap separates at the weakened line thereby leaving a portion of
the outer wrap secured to the interior surface of the enclosure
while a portion of the outer wrap remains with the removed product
pack. Such destruction of the integrity of the outer wrap material
effectively prevents the packs from being sold as individual
items.
[0013] The present invention also includes a method of producing a
tamper resistant package comprising the steps of forming a
packaging enclosure, filling the enclosure with a plurality of
product packs each of which has outer wrap material, and securing
at least a portion of the outer wrap material of each product pack
to the interior surface of the packaging enclosure such that upon
removal of a product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of
the outer wrap material remains secured to the enclosure. Adhesive
may be used to secure the outer wrap material to the packaging
enclosure. Such adhesive may be applied to the interior of the
enclosure or to the outer wrap of the product packs, but regardless
of where the adhesive is applied the important feature is that the
adhesive is between the outer wrap of the product packs and the
interior surface of the packaging enclosure. Upon removal of a
product pack from the enclosure at least a portion of the outer
wrap material remains within the enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Novel features and advantages of the present invention in
addition to those mentioned above will become apparent to persons
of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following
detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts and in
which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-pack packaging
sleeve with portions thereof broken away to illustrate the tamper
resistant relationship between the packaging sleeve and the
packaged packs therein, according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multi-pack packaging sleeve
and the packaged packs of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the multi-pack
packaging sleeve and the packaged packs of FIG. 1, with portions
thereof broken away to illustrate interior details and one of the
packs removed from the packaging sleeve;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another multi-pack
packaging sleeve with portions thereof broken away to illustrate
the tamper resistant relationship between the packaging sleeve and
the packaged packs therein, according to the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the multi-pack packaging sleeve
and the packaged packs of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 is right side elevational view of the multi-pack
packaging sleeve and the package packs of FIG. 4 with portions
thereof broken away to illustrate interior details and with one of
the packs removed from the packaging sleeve;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another multi-pack package
sleeve and a pair of packaged packs, according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is front elevational view of a ten-pack carton with
portions thereof broken away to illustrate the tamper resistant
relationship between the carton and the packed packs in the carton,
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the carton and packaged packs
of FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a right side elevational view of the carton and
packaged packs of FIG. 8, with portions thereof broken away to
illustrate interior details and one of the packs removed from the
carton;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of another carton, according to
the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 12 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 8, but
illustrating the adhesive in the form of strips applied to portions
of the interior surfaces of the packaging enclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring in particularity to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3
illustrate a multi-pack tamper resistant package 10 comprising a
packaging enclosure 12 having an interior surface 14 with a
plurality of product packs 16 within the enclosure engaging the
interior surface thereof. The product packs may comprise packs of
cigarettes although other such packs are equally suitable for
packaging within the enclosure. Such other product packs may
include candy, over-the-counter drugs as well as other consumer
goods such as toothpaste, dental floss, shaving cream and deodorant
to name a few. The packaging enclosure 12 may be fabricated from a
variety of different materials, such as paperboard, for
example.
[0028] The packaging enclosure 12 of FIGS. 1-3 fundamentally
comprises an open-ended sleeve with two pack-receiving pockets 18,
20. Pack-receiving pocket 18 is dimensioned to receive a single
product pack 16 while the other pocket 20 of the sleeve is
dimensioned to receive two product packs in back-to-back
relationship. Pocket 18 includes opposite side walls 22 and
opposite end walls 24 while pocket 20 includes opposite side walls
26 and opposite end walls 28. Each pocket includes one or two
partial top walls 30 in the form of triangular segments that extend
between the side and end walls, as shown best in FIG. 2.
[0029] Several dots of adhesive 32 extends across one of the side
walls 22 of the single pack-receiving pocket 18, and similar dots
of adhesive 32 extend across the interior of each of the side walls
26 of the pack-receiving pocket 20 holding the two product packs.
Moreover, these adhesive dots are located on an upper portion of
each side approximately within the upper one third of the height of
the packaging sleeve.
[0030] Each product pack 16 includes flexible outer wrap material
34, and in the case of cigarette packs such outer wrap material
normally includes a tax stamp and may include printed indicia
applied by the manufacturer in various forms such as lot numbers
and the like.
[0031] When the tamper resistant package 10 is assembled, the
product packs 16 are inserted into the pack-receiving pockets 18,
20 of packaging enclosure 12 until the upper portions of the packs
engage the triangular shaped top walls 30 of each pocket. The outer
wrap material 34 is secured to interior surface 14 of the
pack-receiving pockets 18, 20 where the dots of adhesive 34 have
been placed beforehand. With this arrangement the upper portion of
the outer wrap material 34 of each product pack 16 is secured to
the interior of the packaging enclosure 12. Accordingly, upon
removal of product packs 16 from the pockets of the enclosure the
upper portion of the outer wrap 34 breaks away from the pack and
remains within the enclosure while the lower unsecured portion of
the outer wrap is removed with the product pack. Assuming certain
indicia and the required tax stamp have been positioned on the
portion of the outer wrap remaining with the packaging sleeve, the
removed product pack has the appearance of being opened due to
destruction of the integrity of the outer wrap material.
[0032] The packaging sleeve of FIGS. 1-3 may be used in promotions
by the manufacturer of the packs such as a buy two get one free
promotion. One of the problems with such marketing programs is the
temptation to remove the free pack from the packaging sleeve and
then sell that pack as an individual item at full price. Obviously,
this process circumvents the promotional goals of the manufacturer.
However, with the tamper resistant package 10 of FIGS. 1-3 such
practices are effectively prevented because any such unauthorized
removal of the product packs 16 from the package destroys the
integrity of the outer wrap material 30 which virtually makes it
very difficult to sell that pack as an individual item.
[0033] Preferably, the outer wrap material 34 of each product pack
16 includes a weakened line of separation 36 between the top and
bottom portions of the outer wrap. In the case of cigarette packs,
the line may be located near the top of the pack at the juncture of
the lid and the bottom portion of the pack. Upon removal of a
product pack from the package, the outer wrap 34 separates at the
weakened line 36 thereby leaving the upper portion secured to the
interior surface 14 of sleeve 12 while the lower portion of the
outer wrap material remains with the removed product pack.
[0034] The outer wrap material comprises a thin transparent film
traditionally used for outer wrap purposes. Moreover, the weakened
line of separation 36 may comprise a perforated or cut line that
extends around each product pack 16. Tear tape may be placed on the
outer wrap material covering the perforated or cut line which tape
acts as a seal.
[0035] An additional feature of package 10 is that the product
packs 16 are automatically opened when the outer wrap material
separates at the weakened line 36. There is no need for the
consumer to pull the tear tape or discard the removed outer wrap
material and tear tape which remains within the packaging enclosure
12.
[0036] Strips of adhesive may be used as an alternative to the
adhesive dots 32. Specifically a strip of adhesive may extend
across one of the side walls 22 of the single pack receiving pocket
18 and similar strips of adhesive may extend across the interior of
each of the side walls 26 of the pack-receiving pocket holding the
two product packs. Moreover, hot melt adhesive may be used to form
the dots or strips just prior to assembly or heat-activated
adhesive may be used with the application of heat to set the
adhesive after assembly of the package. The heat-activated adhesive
may be applied in the form of a coating applied to at least a
portion of the interior of the enclosure. This coating could me
made of any suitable material including by way of non-limiting
example polyethylene. It should be understood that the term
"adhesive" as used herein refers to not only traditional adhesives
such as glues, but also to any other suitable material that will
form a bond between the pack outer wrap and the surrounding
enclosure. However, the important feature is that the adhesive be
positioned between the interior of the pack-receiving enclosure and
the exterior of the outer wrap material. Accordingly, the adhesive
may be directly applied to the outer wrap material as an
alternative to applying adhesive to the interior of the packaging
enclosure.
[0037] FIGS. 4 and 5 also illustrate a multi-pack tamper resistant
package 40 having a configuration similar to that shown in FIGS.
1-3. Accordingly, similar reference characters have been used to
identify similar parts. One difference with respect to package 40
is that the top wall of each pack-receiving pocket is different in
that it comprises rectangular segments 42 instead of the triangular
segments shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, these rectangular segments
only partially cover the top of each pack-receiving pocket. The
single pocket 18 includes one rectangular segment 42 extending
between the opposite end walls 24 and one of the side walls 22
while the two pack pocket 20 includes two spaced apart rectangular
segments 42, each extending between opposite end walls 28 and one
of the side walls 26. Dots of adhesive 32 are applied in the
interior of the top rectangular segments 42 to secure the outer
wrap to these top segments. Otherwise, the tamper resistant package
40 of FIGS. 4 and 5 functions in the same manner as package 10.
Accordingly, upon removal of a product pack 16 from the package the
integrity of the outer wrap is destroyed in that the upper portion
of the outer wrap material remains within the packaging
enclosure.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates another multi-pack package 44 which is
very similar to package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The only significant
difference is that each of the pack-receiving pockets 46, 48 is
dimensioned to receive a single product pack, otherwise the
packages are the same and function in the same manner. Package 44
may be used in a buy one, get one free promotion.
[0039] As described above, strips of adhesive may be used as an
alternative to the adhesive dots 32. Moreover, hot melt or heat
activated adhesive may be used, and the adhesive may be applied to
the outer wrap instead of the interior of the packaging
enclosure.
[0040] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another multi-pack tamper resistant
package 50 comprising an enclosure 52 having an interior surface 54
with a plurality of product packs 16 within the enclosure engaging
the interior surface thereof. The packaging enclosure comprises a
standard ten pack carton with the product packs arranged in two
rows with five packs in each row. Other arrangements may also be
used such as a five pack carton where five product packs are
aligned in a single row, for example. The packaging enclosure may
be fabricated from a variety of different materials, such as
paperboard, for example.
[0041] Packaging enclosure 52 includes opposite side walls 56,
opposite interconnecting end walls 58, and top and bottom walls 60,
62, respectively. Dots of adhesive 64 extends across the interior
of each of the side walls 56 along the upper portions thereof to
secure the outer wrap material 34 of the product packs to the
interior of the carton.
[0042] Fundamentally, the carton of FIGS. 8-10 is used in the same
manner as the other embodiments described above and shown in FIGS.
1-7. Accordingly, upon removal of product packs 16 from the carton
the upper portion of the outer wrap material 34 breaks away from
the packs and remains within the carton while the lower unsecured
portion of the outer wrap is removed with the product packs.
[0043] The weakened line of separation 36 may be the same as
described above with the line at the junction of lid and bottom
portion of the pack.
[0044] Carton 52 also includes another feature in the form of a
plurality of spaced apart perforated cut lines 66 in the top wall
62 with one cut line directly above each product pack in the
carton. When the perforations are broken an opening is provided
into the carton directly above each pack for individually pushing
the packs out and away from the carton. As shown in FIG. 10, the
consumer simply breaks the perforated cut line with a finger and
then pushes the packs out and away from the carton.
[0045] FIG. 11 shows a five pack carton 70 as noted above where
five product packs are aligned in a single row. Otherwise carton 70
functions in the same manner as carton 50 and similar reference
characters have been used to identify similar parts.
[0046] FIG. 12 shows a multi-pack tamper resistant package 80
similar to package 50 of FIGS. 8-10, the only difference being that
adhesive strips 82 extend across the interior of each of the side
walls 56 along upper portions thereof to secure the outer wrap
material 34 of the product packs to the interior of the carton.
[0047] Here again, the cartons 52 and 70 may include adhesive
strips instead of adhesive dots, and the carton 80 may use adhesive
dots in lieu of adhesive strips. Moreover, the adhesive may be hot
melt or heat activated, and the adhesive may be applied to the
outer wrap as an alternative to application of adhesive to the
interior surface of the carton.
[0048] It should be understood that the above detailed description
while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given
by way of illustration only, since various changes and
modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed
description. For example, rather than using dots or strips of
adhesive on the packaging enclosure or on the outer wrap material
of the product packs, adhesive may be applied in the form of double
faced adhesive tape, for example. Although the embodiments depicted
herein show the upper one third of the packaging enclosure as the
location for the adhesive dots or strips, the size and location may
be varied depending on the size of the pack for which the invention
is used. A complete separation of the pack wrapping material is not
required. It is desirable only that the wrapping material be
disturbed sufficiently that the pack is not suitable for sale after
being separated from the enclosure.
* * * * *