U.S. patent application number 11/515536 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-06 for pack of tissues with an indicia on the reseal tape.
This patent application is currently assigned to The Procter & Gamble Company. Invention is credited to Andre Mellin.
Application Number | 20080053861 11/515536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35506753 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080053861 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mellin; Andre |
March 6, 2008 |
Pack of tissues with an indicia on the reseal tape
Abstract
A pack of tissues, such as a pack of paper handkerchiefs or of
other disposable absorbing articles, is described. The pack
comprises a reseal tape facilitating the reversible closure and
opening of the dispensing orifice. The reseal tape comprises an
indicia that is not visible to an observer when the dispensing
orifice is closed.
Inventors: |
Mellin; Andre; (Dusseldorf,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DIVISION - WEST BLDG.
WINTON HILL BUSINESS CENTER - BOX 412, 6250 CENTER HILL AVENUE
CINCINNATI
OH
45224
US
|
Assignee: |
The Procter & Gamble
Company
Cincinnati
OH
|
Family ID: |
35506753 |
Appl. No.: |
11/515536 |
Filed: |
September 5, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/494 ;
206/459.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5838 20130101;
B65D 2203/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/494 ;
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 2, 2006 |
EP |
05108073.7 |
Claims
1. A pack of tissues, said pack comprising: an external envelope, a
multiplicity of tissues enclosed by said external envelope, a
dispensing orifice; a reseal tape having a first, a second and a
third region; said external envelope comprising a flap, said flap
being configured to at least partially cover said dispensing
orifice; said reseal tape being capable of reversibly resealing
said flap over said dispensing orifice, said first region of said
reseal tape being joined to said flap; said second region of said
reseal tape comprising attaching means to facilitate said
resealable attachment of said reseal tape to said external
envelope; said third region being distal from said first region and
being substantially free of said attaching means to facilitate the
operation of said reseal tape; said third region having an internal
surface facing said external envelope when said second region is
attached to said external envelope, and having an external surface
opposite thereto; and, wherein one of said internal and said
external surfaces comprises an indicia invisible to the naked eye
of an observer observing said pack externally while said reseal
tape is attached to said external envelope such as to at least
partially cover said dispensing orifice.
2. The pack of claim 1 wherein said internal surface comprises said
indicia.
3. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia is printed on said
internal or external surface.
4. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia enables the selective
identification of the pack.
5. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia is selected from the
group consisting of alphabetical characters, numbers, or
combinations thereof.
6. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia facilitates the
identification of the holder of said pack and enables said holder
to be provided with a benefit.
7. The pack of claim 1 wherein said third region of said reseal
tape further comprises a rub-off material covering said indicia,
rendering said indicia invisible to the naked eye of said
observer.
8. The pack of claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises an
adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive.
9. The pack of claim 1 wherein said tissues are paper
handkerchiefs.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to packs of tissues and other
disposable absorbent products. In certain aspects it relates to
providing an indicia in a particular position on the packs of
tissues in such a way that the indicia remain invisible from the
outside of the pack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tissues are commonly provided in packs comprising a
multiplicity of tissues. Such packs are conventionally formed from
a flexible film. The film generally also comprises certain
information, such as the product description and the brand name,
conventionally printed on the film in a way that makes the
information visible to the user.
[0003] Conventionally, the information is printed on the film
material after the production of the film (off-line printing of the
film). This is a typical process for printing for example the brand
name on the film used to pack tissues. Alternatively, but still
conventionally, the information is printed after the formation of
the pack (on-line printing of the packs). On-line printing is
generally limited to simple information strings such as a code
dating or a coding corresponding to producing site. The speed of
the packs production line indeed limits such printing when done
on-line, while it is conceivable to print detailed indicia after
the formation of the pack at low speed or even off-line, post
production.
[0004] Additional information can be attached to a pack of tissues
by the addition of an extraneous material, such as a sticker or a
label, after or during the formation of the pack on the pack
production line.
[0005] In some instances, it may be desired to have the pack bear
some information or an indicia that is not externally visible to
the user until he/she manipulates the pack. However, the
information or indicia must remain easily accessible to the user
during the manipulation of the pack.
[0006] Conventional options for inclusion of invisible
information/indicia includes (a) printing the information on the
film and covering it with a sticker, (b) printing the information
on the inner side of a detachable sticker and adhering the sticker
to the pack surface, (c) using a dual-layer sticker that is adhered
permanently to the pack surface while one of the layer can be
peeled away to reveal the indicia or information, or (d) including
a support (e.g. a piece of paper) having the information/indicia
inside the pack.
[0007] Thus, it should be readily apparent to one of skill in the
art that there is a need to provide alternative solutions for
providing an indicia to a pack of tissues in a way that the indicia
remains externally invisible to the user until the user manipulates
the pack. There is a need for providing this while, however, the
indicia remain easily and conveniently available/accessible to the
user. Further, there is a need to provide such solutions that would
be simple and cost-efficient, and that would allow to change the
indicia easily. Also, there is a need to provide such solutions
that would not interfere with the conventional manufacturing of the
packs. Additionally, there is a need to provide such solutions that
would allow for the easy individualization of the indicia
provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides for a pack of tissues. The
pack comprises n external envelope, a dispensing orifice, and a
reseal tape having a first, a second and a third region. A
multiplicity of tissues is enclosed by the external envelope. The
external envelope comprises a flap. The flap is configured to at
least partially cover the dispensing orifice. The reseal tape is
capable of reversibly resealing the flap over the dispensing
orifice. The first region of the reseal tape is joined to the flap.
The second region of the reseal tape comprises attaching means to
facilitate the resealable attachment of the reseal tape to the
external envelope. The third region is distal from the first region
and is substantially free of the attaching means to facilitate the
operation of the reseal tape. The third region has an internal
surface facing the external envelope when the second region is
attached to the external envelope and has an external surface
opposite thereto. One of the internal and the external surfaces
comprises an indicia invisible to the naked eye of an observer
observing the pack externally while the reseal tape is attached to
the external envelope such as to at least partially cover the
dispensing orifice.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with
the reseal tape partially lifted to show the indicia thereon.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pack of the invention
with the flap in an open position.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with
the rub-off material partially removed to show the indicia
hereunder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Conventional articles and definitions:
[0014] "Tissues" are substantially flat absorbing articles
generally comprising cellulosic fibers. Tissues can however
comprise other types of fibers such as fibers derived from
cellulose or other types of natural fibers or synthetic fibers.
Tissues are usually disposable articles but can include article
intended to be used a number of times. Typical tissues include
paper handkerchiefs, paper towels, toilet paper, bath tissues,
wiping and cleaning articles as well as other disposable absorbing
articles.
[0015] "Packs of tissues" are conventional units in which multiple
tissues are provided. Conventional packs comprise typically 5, 10,
or 20 tissues (such as paper handkerchiefs) and an external
envelope. The tissues are enclosed in the external envelope.
[0016] "Film material" is a substantially flat and flexible
material conventionally used as packaging material for packs of
tissues such as pocket packs of paper handkerchiefs. Typically the
film material forms the external envelope, in part or totally.
Typical examples of film materials include film made of, or
comprising, polypropylene or polyethylene. Film materials are
typically provided in rolls. The rolls of film material are
typically provided with an indicia (for example a print) that is
visible at the surface of the external envelope of the packs once
it is formed.
[0017] "Dispensing orifice" is the orifice through which the
tissues are intended to be dispensed out of the packs. A typical
dispensing orifice is formed by a discontinuity in the external
envelope. The discontinuity can be present in the external envelope
ab-initio or be created during the first use of the pack. In the
latter case, a line of preferential rupture (e.g. a line of
weakness in the material) can be present to induce the rupture of
the external envelope along the line to form a dispensing orifice
of a predetermined shape in a predetermined position. For the
purpose of the invention, a dispensing orifice is also to be
considered as being present when the dispensing orifice is formed
after a first manipulation of the pack (for example, when a region
of the external envelope must be unfolded or torn-off to reveal the
intended dispensing orifice).
[0018] "Flap": In some conventional packs the dispensing orifice
can reversibly be covered by a flap, i.e. a piece of the film
material that hingedly connects to the external envelope. The flap
can cover all of the dispensing orifice or a part of it. In some
packs the flap is integral to the external envelope. In other packs
the flap is non-integral and can be made of a different material
from the film material of the external envelope. In some
conventional packs, the flap originally covers the dispensing
orifice. A manipulation of the pack can tear a region of the
external envelope and can reveal both the flap and the dispensing
orifice.
[0019] The flap can be secured in a closed position (covering at
least partially the dispensing orifice) by a "reseal tape". The
reseal tape is conventionally provided as a separate material from
the film material of the external envelope, typically also
substantially flat and flexible. Alternatively, the reseal tape can
be integral to the external envelope and/or the flap (e.g. formed
by a region of the external envelope or a region of the flap). A
first region of the reseal tape is joined to the flap, for example
by a substantially permanent adhesive. A second region of the
reseal tape is usually provided with a resealable adhesive and
positioned such as to reversibly reseal by connecting to the
external envelope when the flap is in a closed position. A third
region of the reseal tape is conventionally provided. The third
region, also called gripping end, is substantially free of any
adhesive and is conventionally located at an end of the reseal
tape, distal from the first region. The third region (gripping end)
enables an easy grip and a convenient operation of the reseal tape
to open/close and maintain the flap over the dispensing orifice.
The third region of the reseal tape has an internal surface facing
the external envelope of the pack when the flap is in a closed
position, covering the dispensing orifice, and when the second
region of the reseal tape affixed to the external envelope. The
reseal tape has an external surface opposite to the internal
surface.
Pack of Tissues of the Present Invention:
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pack (1) of the invention with the flap
(6) in a closed position, i.e. covering the dispensing orifice (5).
The first region (2) of the reseal tape (15) is positioned and
affixed closed to the edge (12) of the flap (6). The second region
(3) of the reseal tape (15) extends over the edge (12) of the flap
(6) and is in contact with the external envelope (8) of the pack
(1). The second region (3) of the reseal tape (15) comprises on its
internal surface (9) attaching means to reversibly attach the
second region (3) to the external envelope (8). The means can
comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. Other attaching means can
be used to reversibly reseal the second region (3) of the reseal
tape (15), such as mechanical means (e.g. hook and loops), any
other type of chemical adhesives, combinations of mechanical and
chemical means, or any other means of attachment known to those of
skill in the art.
[0021] The reseal tape (15) comprises a third region (4). The third
region (4) is distal from the first region (2). The third region
(4) is substantially free of any of the attaching means and hence,
facilitates the operation of the reseal tape (15) by providing a
region that can be easily gripped in order to lift the reseal tape
(15) and the flap (6) to uncover the dispensing orifice (5).
[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the flap (6) is depicted in an open
position with the dispensing orifice (5) substantially uncovered.
The tissue (7) (shown as paper handkerchiefs in FIG. 3) are visible
through the dispensing orifice (5) folded into the pack (1). In
this particular embodiment, an indicia (13) on the first paper
handkerchief is visible through the dispensing orifice (5).
[0023] The reseal tape (15) has an internal surface (9) and an
external surface (10). The internal surface (9) faces the external
envelope (8) when the second region (3) is attached to the external
envelope (8) partially covering the dispensing orifice (5). The
external surface (10) is opposite to the internal surface (9), i.e.
facing outwardly from the external envelope (8). A surface of the
reseal tape (9 and/or 10) is provided with an indicia (11). In one
embodiment, the internal surface (9) of the reseal tape (15) is
provided with the indicia (11), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The
indicia (11) can comprise an alphabetical character (as illustrated
in FIGS. 2 and 3), a word, a number, a graphical indicia of any
type (e.g. a non alphabetical character, a drawing, a sign, a
color, a combination of colors, a picture, a sentence, an animal, a
series of figures, a representation of an object, an animated
representation, the representation of an animated or inanimate
entity), or combinations thereof. The indicia (11) can be directly
provided on one surface (9, 10) of the reseal tape (15) or can be
provided on a piece of material itself provided one surface (9, 10)
of the reseal tape. When provided directly on one surface (9, 10)
of the reseal tape (15), the indicia (11) can be printed thereon.
Printing can be executed by any conventional printing process known
in the art (e.g. roto-gravure) and compatible with the material of
the reseal tape (15). Alternatively, the indicia (11) can be
engraved, sprayed, attached, glued or provided by any other means
or by combination of means.
[0024] The indicia (11) is however invisible to the naked eye of an
observer observing the pack (1) externally while the reseal tape is
attached to the external envelope (8) and consequently the flap (6)
is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. It is understood that
the observation is made by an observer having a substantially
normal vision capability and is performed from a frontal view point
(frontal to the flap (6)) at a distance of between 10 cm and 2 m,
under usual lighting conditions (substantially day-light spectrum,
intensity substantially corresponding to a typical office
workplace). For the observation, the pack (1) comprises the tissues
(7) enclosed therein.
[0025] The mere position of the indicia (11) can provide for the
non-visibility of the indicia (11) to the observer, as in FIGS. 2
and 3 where the indicia is provided on the internal surface (9) of
the reseal tape. Alternatively or additionally, the indicia can be
covered by another material to render it invisible to the observer.
A typical example is a opaque or semi-opaque layer of rub-off
material that is applied over the indicia (11). For example the
layer can be a coating of an opaque material as conventionally used
in different technical fields to render a print temporarily
invisible but which can easily be rubbed-off. Rubbing off the
material by the user of the pack then easily reveals the indicia
(11).
[0026] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention with the indicia
(11) partially revealed under the layer of rub-off material (14)
that has been partially removed. In such embodiments, it can be
important to ensure that the indicia (11) are more resistant to
rubbing than the layer of rub-off material (14). This ensures that
the indicia (11) will not be too easily removed while the rub-off
material is removed by the user of the pack. Another typical
example is an opaque or semi-opaque sticker removably affixed to
the surface of the reseal tape having the indicia (11), by a non
permanent adhesive. Removing the sticker then easily reveals the
indicia (11). The removable sticker can be joined to the external
envelope (8) so as to be automatically removed when the reseal tape
is lifted from the opening of the flap (6). In another embodiment
the indicia (11) is transferred from the reseal tape to the
external envelope (8) upon opening of the flap (6). Such transfer
reveals it to the observer.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
indicia (11) can allow for the selective identification of the pack
among other packs having no indicia or different indicia (11). The
selective identification can be facilitated by the indicia (11)
comprising a specific sign (for example a specific alphabetical
character, a specific word a specific number or a combination
thereof). The selective identification of a pack among other packs
facilitates the identification of the holder of the pack. The
holder of the pack is the person who is in legal possession of the
pack, preferably having acquired it through purchase or donation. A
representative of the holder of the pack, acting on his/her behalf,
is to be considered as the holder for the purpose of this
invention. In a further embodiment the holder of the pack is
provided with a benefit. Such benefit can be in the form of
valuable goods, services or anything beneficial to the holder or to
persons or entities designated by the holder.
[0028] A collection of packs comprising at least one pack (1) of
the invention is contemplated as being part of the invention. Such
collection can include a high number of packs (e.g. the entire
production or a subset of it, of a specific pack of tissues) or can
be limited to a small number of packs (for example 2, 5, 10, 20 or
30). At least one pack of the collection is as defined herein. In
one embodiment, a collection of packs is enclosed in a packaging
unit (such as a bundle). The packaging unit comprises typically 5,
10 or 20 packs, at least one of them being as defined in the
claims. The packaging unit (e.g. the bundle) can be formed by a
flexible film enclosing the collection of packs. The packaging unit
prevents the access to the pack without destructing at least
partially the packaging unit.
[0029] When more than one pack of the collection is as defined
herein, the indicia of at least one pack of the collection is
different from the indicia of the other packs. In one embodiment, a
small number of packs, for example only one pack has a first
indicia while the remaining packs of the collection have an indicia
different from the first indicia or no indicia at all. The
remaining packs can all have the same indicia or different indicia
(or no indicia).
[0030] The invention also provides for a process comprising the
steps of selecting a specific indicia among all the indicia of a
collection of packs, identifying the holder of the pack having the
selected indicia and providing the holder with a benefit. The
selection step can be a random selection. The identification of the
holder can require an active participation of the holder to check
whether his/her pack has the selected indicia and can require
him/her to execute any action allowing him to be identified (such
as calling a phone number, or connecting to the internet, for
example with the indicia serving as a code or password). The
benefit provided to the holder can include valuable goods, services
or anything beneficial to the holder or to persons or entities
designated by the holder. For example it can include the
authorization, the instructions and a license for downloading and
using a musical file from the internet.
[0031] All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the
Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference;
the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the
extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written
document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a
document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition
assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
[0032] The dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact dimension and/or
numerical value recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each
such dimension and/or numerical value is intended to mean both the
recited dimension and/or numerical value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or numerical value.
For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean
"about 40 mm".
[0033] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *