U.S. patent application number 11/019787 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for films for envelopment of packages and methods of making thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Philip Morris USA Inc.. Invention is credited to Pham, Xuan M..
Application Number | 20050155877 11/019787 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34748877 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050155877 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pham, Xuan M. |
July 21, 2005 |
Films for envelopment of packages and methods of making thereof
Abstract
Films for enveloping packages include tear-tapes that define
tear-away strips of the films. The tear-tapes help to maintain the
shape of the tear-away strips when removed from the films.
Inventors: |
Pham, Xuan M.; (Glen Allen,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONNOLLY BOVE LODGE & HUTZ, LLP
P O BOX 2207
WILMINGTON
DE
19899
US
|
Assignee: |
Philip Morris USA Inc.
Richmond
VA
|
Family ID: |
34748877 |
Appl. No.: |
11/019787 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60533261 |
Dec 31, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/242 ;
206/571; 206/824; 206/831 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/1018 20130101;
B65D 85/10 20130101; B65D 75/68 20130101; B65D 75/66 20130101; B65D
75/54 20130101; B65D 77/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/242 ;
206/824; 206/831; 206/571 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/10 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of enveloping packages in films, comprising: providing
packages; providing a plurality of individual film sections, the
film sections comprising: a first tear-tape extending along a
length of the film; and a second tear-tape extending along a length
of the film, wherein the first tear-tape is spaced from the second
tear-tape; and wrapping the individual film sections around the
packages.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second tear-tapes
are spaced at least 1/2 inch apart.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein wrapping the film sections
comprises: forming a plurality of heat seals from the film
sections.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of
individual film sections comprises: providing a bobbin of film
material; and separating the film material from the bobbin into the
individual sections.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of
individual film sections comprises: providing a hopper of the
individual film sections.
6. The method of claim 1, comprising: forming perforations in the
individual film sections at a location between the tear-tapes.
7. A roll of stock material for forming films for enveloping
packages, the roll of stock material comprising: a continuous strip
of film material; a first tear-tape strip extending along a length
of the film material; and a second tear-tape strip extending along
a length of the film material, wherein the first tear-tape strip is
spaced from the second tear-tape strip.
8. The roll of stock material of claim 7, wherein the first and
second tear-tapes are spaced at least 1/2 inch apart.
9. In combination, a package enveloped within a film, the film
comprising: a first tear-tape extending along a length of the film
and at least partially around the package; and a second tear-tape
extending along a length of the film and at least partially around
the package, wherein the first tear-tape is spaced from the second
tear-tape.
10. The combination of claim 9, wherein: the package has a base
portion and a lid; and the first and second tear-tapes extend
around the base portion along a width of the package.
11. The combination of claim 9, wherein the first and second
tear-tapes are spaced at least 1/2 inch apart.
12. The combination of claim 9, wherein a tear-tab extends from the
film at an edge of the package.
13. A method of enveloping packages in films, comprising: providing
packages, wherein the packages are substantially paralellepipedal
and have a base and a lid; providing a plurality of individual film
sections, the film sections each comprising a tear tape extending
along a portion of the film; wrapping the film sections around the
packages, wherein when a film is wrapped around a package, a long
dimension of the tear-tape extends along a height of the
package.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the long dimension of the
tear-tapes is at least 1/2 inch long.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein wrapping the film sections
comprises: forming a plurality of heat seals from the film
sections.
16. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a plurality of
individual film sections comprises: providing a bobbin of film
material; and separating the film material from the bobbin into the
individual film sections.
17. The method of claim 13, wherein providing a plurality of
individual film sections comprises: providing a hopper of the
individual film sections.
18. The method of claim 13, comprising: forming perforations in the
individual film sections.
19. A roll of stock material for forming films for enveloping
packages, the roll of stock material comprising: a continuous strip
of film material; a plurality of tear-tapes spaced at a
predetermined spacing along the length of the film, a long
dimension of the tear-tapes being aligned substantially
transversely to a length dimension of the continuous strip of film
material.
20. The roll of stock material of claim 19, wherein the long
dimension of the tear-tapes is at least 1/2 inch long.
21. In combination, a package having a base and a lid enveloped
within a film, the film comprising: a tear-tape having a long
dimension extending along the film material and along a vertical
extent of the package.
22. The combination of claim 21, wherein: the tear-tape is at least
1/2 inch long; and the tear-tape extends along the base
portion.
23. The combination of claim 21, wherein the film comprises: a
tear-tab extending from the film at an edge of the package.
24. A method of enveloping packages in films, comprising: providing
packages; providing a plurality of individual film sections, the
film sections comprising: a tear-tape extending along the film, the
tear-tape being at least 1/2 inch wide; and wrapping the individual
film sections around the packages.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein wrapping the film sections
comprises: forming a plurality of heat seals from the film
sections.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein providing a plurality of
individual film sections comprises: providing a bobbin of film
material; and separating the film material from the bobbin into the
individual film sections.
27. The method of claim 24, wherein providing a plurality of
individual film sections comprises: providing a hopper of the
individual film sections.
28. The method of claim 24, wherein each tear-tape extends at least
partially around a corresponding package when wrapped around the
package, and wherein a width dimension of each tear-tape extends
along a height of the corresponding package.
29. The method of claim 24, comprising: forming perforations in the
individual film sections.
30. A roll of stock material for forming films for enveloping
packages, the roll of stock material comprising: a continuous strip
of film material; a strip of tear-tape material extending along a
long dimension of the strip of film material, the strip of
tear-tape material being at least 1/2 inch wide.
31. The roll of stock material of claim 30, wherein the strip of
tear-tape material is at least 3/4 inch wide.
32. In combination, a package having a base and a lid enveloped
within a film, the film comprising: a tear-tape, the tear-tape
being at least 1/2 inch wide and extending at least partially
around the package.
33. The combination of claim 30, wherein: a width dimension of the
tear-tape extends along a height of the package.
34. The combination of claim 30, wherein the tear-tape is at least
3/4 inch wide.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of provisional
application Ser. No. 60/533,261, filed Dec. 31, 2003, in their
entirety for all useful purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The technical field is film envelopment of packages. More
particularly, the technical field includes films having tear-away
portions.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Film envelopment of packages, such as packages containing
cigarettes, is known. Conventional films used to envelop packages,
however, are easily torn. Therefore, information printed on such
films may be lost when the films are removed from the packages.
[0006] There is therefore a need to provide a film for enveloping
packages that allows sections of the film to be removed while
maintaining an integrity or shape of the removed section.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to a first embodiment, a package is enveloped in a
film. The film comprises two tear-tapes extending across the film
and spaced from one another. The two tear-tapes define a tear-away
strip in the film.
[0008] According to the first embodiment, the two tear-tapes allow
the tear-away strip to be removed while maintaining the shape of
the tear-away strip. Therefore, information may be printed on the
tear-away strip and the information will not be damaged or
truncated when the tear-away strip is removed from the film.
According to one aspect of the first embodiment, the tear-away
strip may have information printed on an interior surface of the
tear-away strip. Information printed on the interior surface is
therefore available only after purchase of a product enveloped in
the film.
[0009] According to a second embodiment, a film comprises a
tear-tape arranged on a film such that when the film is wrapped
around the package, the tear-tape extends along a vertical extent
of the package.
[0010] According to the second embodiment, the tear-tape allows a
tear-away strip to be removed from the film. Therefore, information
may be printed on the tear-away strip and the information will not
be damaged or truncated when the strip is removed from the film.
According to one aspect of the second embodiment, the tear-away
strip may have information printed on an interior surface of the
tear-away strip, allowing access to the information after the
tear-away strip is removed.
[0011] According to a third embodiment, a film comprises a
tear-tape arranged on a film such that when the film is wrapped
around the package, a width of the tear-tape extends along a
vertical extent of the package. The tear-tape is at least 1/2 inch
wide.
[0012] According to the third embodiment, the tear-tape defines a
tear-away strip that may be removed from the film. Therefore,
information may be printed on the tear-away strip and the
information will not be damaged or truncated when the strip is
removed from the film. According to one aspect of the third
embodiment, the tear-away strip may have information printed on an
interior surface of the tear-away strip, allowing access to the
information after the tear-away strip is removed.
[0013] Those skilled in the art will appreciate the above stated
advantages and other advantages and benefits of various embodiments
of the invention upon reading the following detailed description of
the embodiments with reference to the below-listed drawings.
[0014] According to common practice, the various features of the
drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various
features may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the
embodiments of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The detailed description will refer to the following
drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements, and
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a package enclosed in a
first embodiment of a film;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the package
illustrated in FIG. 1 enclosed in the first film embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the film and package
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which a tear-away strip is being
removed;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment to the film
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;
[0020] FIGS. 5-6 illustrate a method of manufacturing a film and
packaging a package in a film;
[0021] FIG. 7 is an isolated view of a tear-tab according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of yet another
alternative embodiment; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the film and package
illustrated in FIG. 8 in which a tear-away strip is being
removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a package 50 enclosed in a film 100.
According to one aspect of the invention, the film 100 includes a
tear-tab 110 that allows a person to tear away a strip 120
(illustrated in FIG. 3), which may be referred to as the "tear-away
strip" 120, of the film 100. The tear-away strip 120 can be pulled
away by the tear-tab 110. Information may be printed, for example,
on the interior and on the exterior of the tear-away strip 120. For
example, the interior of the tear-away strip 120 can include
information such as coupon, contest, product information, or other
information. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a method of making the film 100
and enveloping the film 100 about the package 50.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a package 50 enclosed
in the film 100. The package 50 may be, for example, packaging for
cigarettes or other tobacco products. FIG. 2 is a front perspective
view of the package 50 enclosed in the film 100. FIG. 3 illustrates
removal of the tear-away strip 120. As shown in FIG. 3, the
interior of the tear-away strip 120 can be printed with product
information.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, an edge of the film 100 is sealed at a
side seal 102. The side seal 102 can be, for example, a heat seal.
End folds of the film 100 are sealed at a top seal 104 and at a
bottom seal 106 (the bottom seal 106 is not visible in FIG. 2). The
tear-away strip 120 may include, for example, a perforation 112 to
aid in removal of the tear-away strip 120. Referring to FIG. 3, the
perforation 112 causes tears in the tear-away strip 120 to
propagate away from the center of the tear-away strip 120, thereby
preserving the shape of the tear-away strip 120. The perforation
112 is illustrated as a "zipper type" perforation. Other types of
perforations, however, may be used. The tear-away strip 120 can be
sealed to the rest of the film 100 at a seal 125. The seal 125 can
be, for example, a heat seal.
[0027] According to an aspect of the invention. The shape of the
tear-away strip 120 may be maintained during removal by the
inclusion of first and second tear-tapes 131, 132. The first
tear-tape 131 is spaced from the second tear-tape 132, and the
tear-away strip 120 is bounded by the tear-tapes 131, 132. The
tear-tapes 131, 132 may be applied, for example, on an interior
surface of the film 100. Therefore, the exterior surface of the
film 100 may be printed upon without the tear-tapes 131, 132
interfering with the pattern and/or text printed on the exterior of
the film 100.
[0028] According to the above embodiments, the tear-away strip 120
may provide additional information to the person opening the film
100 to gain access to the package 50. The interior surface of the
strip 120 can include information such as, for example, coupon,
contest, or other product information. The use of first and second
tear-tapes 131, 132 on either side of the tear-away strip 120
serves to maintain the shape of the strip 120, so that the
information printed on the interior of the tear-away strip 120 is
not damaged during removal of the strip 120. In addition, the
exterior surface of the film 100 can be printed with product
information that mimics or supplements product information
contained on the package 50.
[0029] The tear-away strip 120 may have width, as defined by the
spacing between the tear-tapes 131, 132, of at least about, for
example, 1/2 inch. The tear-away strip 120 may have a larger width
dimension, such as at least, for example, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 2
inches, or wider.
[0030] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a method of manufacturing the film 100
and enveloping the package 50 in the film 100. The package 50
includes a base portion 52, and a lid 54 pivotably connected to the
base portion 52. The package 50 may be of generally
parallelepipedal shape and may be made from, for example, paper or
cardboard.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, a roll or "bobbin" of stock film
material 1000 is fed into an over-wrapping machine. The stock film
material 1000 is separated into individual films 100 formed from
the material 1000. The stock film material 1000 may be cut by, for
example, a cutting roller. A large number of packages 50 can be
enveloped in individual films 100 formed from the material 1000.
The over-wrapping machine may be of a type known in the industry.
For example, an over-wrapping machine manufactured by G.D. Package
Machinery, Inc., or Focke and Co. can be used to practice the
overwrapping methods described in this specification. The stock
film material 1000 may be made from materials such as
polypropylene, metalized polypropylene, and laminated
polypropylene, as are known in the packaging art.
[0032] The stock film material 1000 includes first and second
strips of tear-tape 1031, 1032 extending along the length of the
stock film material 1000. The first and second tear-tape strips
1031, 1032 are used to form the individual first and second
tear-tapes 131, 132 in the individual films 100. The first and
second strips of tear-tape 1031, 1032 can be applied to the stock
film material 1000 by, for example, applying pressure to contact
strips of tear-tape material with the stock film material 1000. The
first and second strips of tear-tape 1031, 1032 can be applied to
the stock film material 1000, for example, prior to the stock film
material 1000 being fed into the overwrapping machine.
Alternatively, the overwrapping machine can include a mechanism for
applying the strips 1031, 1032 to the stock film material 1000.
[0033] In one embodiment, the tear-tape strips 1031, 1032 are fed
from a roll or bobbin that is mounted near the bobbin of stock film
material 1000. The tear-tape strips 1031, 1032 are unrolled at the
same speed as the stock film material 1000. The tear-tape strips
1031, 1032 and the stock film material 1000 are downstream fed
through a pair of rollers that press the stock film material 1000
together with the tear-tape strips 1031, 1032. The stock film
material 1000 and the tear-tape strips 1031, 1032 may be cut by,
for example, a cutting roller.
[0034] The tear-tape strips 1031, 1032 are spaced apart a distance
equal to a desired width of the tear-away strip 120 (FIG. 3).
Exemplary spacings for the tear-tape strips 1031, 1032 are at least
1/2 inch, or larger width dimensions, such as at least, for
example, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 2 inches, or wider. The spacing can vary
according to, for example, the amount and/or type of information
that is to be printed on the tear-away strip 120.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the shape of the tear-tabs 110 at one
end of the films 100 correspond in shape to recesses 116 at the
opposite end of the films 100. The stock film material 1000 may
therefore be a continuous sheet.
[0036] The bobbin of stock film material 1000 may include any
number of sections of the individual films 100. The individual
films 100 may be printed on both an interior surface 106 and an
exterior surface 108 of the film material 1000. The films 100 may
be printed with information such as, for example, product names,
product graphics, and other characters or graphics. In one
embodiment, coupon information is printed on the interior surface
of the films 100 at a location corresponding to the tear-away strip
120. The tear-tapes 131, 132 preserve the coupon information during
removal of the tear-away strip 120.
[0037] Perforations 112 may be cut into the films 100 included in
the roll of stock film material 1000 while the stock film material
1000 is being processed in the overwrapping machine. The film
material 1000 may also be perforated prior to rolling the film
material 1000 onto the bobbin.
[0038] The first and second tear-tape strips 1031, 1032 may be of a
type known in the packaging art. The tear-tape strips 1031, 1032
may be applied, for example, by known methods such as pressing the
tear-tape strips against the film material used to form the films
100. Adhesive may be used to attach the film material 1000 to the
strips 1031, 1032.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, an individual film 100 is separated
from the roll of stock film material 1000 and wrapped around a
package 50. The film 100 is sealed along the side of the package 50
at a side seam by application of heat, resulting in the side seal
102 illustrated in FIG. 2. Excess film material at the ends of the
seal 100 is then folded and sealed by heat, forming the top seal
104 and the bottom seal 106 (FIG. 2).
[0040] Referring to FIG. 7, the tear-tab 110 extends past an edge
of the enveloped package 50. The first and second tear-tapes 131,
132 are located at either side of the tear-away strip 120. A heat
seal 125 is formed to extend across the tear-tab 110. The heat seal
125 prevents the tear-away strip 120 from being inadvertently
removed from the film 100.
[0041] Stock film material may also be provided in the form of
individual pre-cut sheets of films 100, rather than as a bobbin of
stock material. In this method, cut sheets of films 100 are
provided in a hopper and delivered to the overwrapping machine for
enveloping around packages 50. Each individual film 100 in the
hopper may have tear-tapes 131, 132 applied as shown in FIG. 3.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a film 200.
In FIG. 4, a package 50 is enveloped in the film 200. The film 200
includes a tear-tab 210 useful for removing a tear-away strip 220
from the film 200. A tear-tape 230 (shown as a hidden line in FIG.
4) has a long dimension that extends across the width of the
tear-away strip 220, and is aligned vertically along the package 50
height. The tear-tape 230 establishes a width of the tear-away
strip 220. In FIG. 4, the tear-tape 230 is located on the interior
of the tear-away strip 220.
[0043] According to the alternative embodiment, when the tear-tab
210 is pulled, the shape of the tear-away strip 220 may be
maintained. The tear-away strip 220 may have a substantial width,
and information may be printed on the exterior and on the interior
of the tear-away strip 220. The tear-tape 230 may have a length of
at least about, for example, 1/2 inch. The tear-away strip 220 will
have a similar width when removed from the film 200. The tear-tape
230 may have a larger length dimension, such as at least, for
example, 3/4 inch, 1 inch, 2 inches, or wider. The longer tear-tape
230 provides a correspondingly wider tear-away strip 220. The
length of the tear-tape 230, and the corresponding width of the
tear-away strip 220, may be varied according to the size of the
information printed on the tear-away strip 220.
[0044] The tear-tape 230 acts to ensure that information printed on
the tear-away strip 220 is not damaged or truncated when the
tear-away strip 220 is removed from the film 200. A seal area 225
can secure the tear-away strip 220 to the film 100. The seal area
225 can be, for example, a heat seal.
[0045] The film 200 may be manufactured in a manner similar to the
film 100. However, a strip of stock film material (not illustrated)
would instead include tear-tapes 230, arranged transversely to the
length of the strip of stock material. One tear-tape 230, for
example, can be provided for each film 200 to be produced from the
stock material.
[0046] Stock material used to form the film 200 can also be
provided in cut sheet form and supplied from a hopper, as discussed
above.
[0047] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of a film 300. In
FIG. 8, a package 50 is enveloped in the film 300. The film 300
includes a tear-tab 310 useful for removing a tear-away strip 320
from the film 300. The film 300 may have a top seal 304, a bottom
seal 306, and a side seal 302. A seal area 325 can be established
to secure the tear-tab 310 to the film 300.
[0048] In FIG. 8, the tear-away strip 320 corresponds to a wide
tear-tape that extends at least partially around the package 50.
The tear-tape establishes a width of the tear-away strip 320. The
wide tear-tape used to form the tear-away strip can be made from,
for example, materials used to form conventional, thin tear-tapes.
The width of the tear-away strip 320 can be at least 1/2 inch. The
width of the tear-away strip 320 extends along a height dimension
of the package 50. Larger dimensions of at least 3/4 inch, 1 inch,
2 inches, or wider may also be used. The width may be selected
according to the information to be printed on the tear-away strip
320.
[0049] Stock material used to form the film 300 can be supplied on
a bobbin or in cut sheet form as discussed above. The stock film
material can be attached to the wide tear-tape by, for example, an
adhesive.
[0050] According to the above embodiments, films for packages can
be used to convey printed information to consumers, or other
persons. The inclusion of tear-tapes on the films allows a
tear-away strip of repeatable shape to be removed from the film.
Therefore, printed information on the strip will be available
without being truncated or otherwise affected.
[0051] The film embodiments discussed above do not impair the
normal operation of conventional vending machines in dispensing
packages. Further, the film embodiments can include transparent
portions to allow visual inspection of, for example, export stamps
on the enveloped packages.
[0052] The foregoing description of the invention illustrates and
describes the present invention. Additionally, the disclosure shows
and describes only the preferred embodiments of the invention, but
it is to be understood that the invention is capable of use in
various other combinations, modifications, and environments and is
capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the
inventive concept as expressed herein, commensurate with the above
teachings, and/or the skill or knowledge of the relevant art.
[0053] The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended
to explain best modes known of practicing the invention and to
enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such,
or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required
by the particular applications or uses of the invention.
Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention
to the form disclosed herein. Also, it is intended that the
appended claims be construed to include alternative
embodiments.
* * * * *