U.S. patent application number 13/880101 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-09 for magnetically closable product accommodating package.
This patent application is currently assigned to KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Allen Sydney Aldridge, Alejandra Buitrago, Kerri Clark, Christopher J. Feltman, Simon Richard Gainey, Brian Hawthorne, Maximiliano Rodriguez. Invention is credited to Allen Sydney Aldridge, Alejandra Buitrago, Kerri Clark, Christopher J. Feltman, Simon Richard Gainey, Brian Hawthorne, Maximiliano Rodriguez.
Application Number | 20140008425 13/880101 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44936547 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140008425 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clark; Kerri ; et
al. |
January 9, 2014 |
MAGNETICALLY CLOSABLE PRODUCT ACCOMMODATING PACKAGE
Abstract
A package for containing and dispensing contents includes a
magnetic closure. The package defines a package interior for
accommodating the contents. A pair of package portions defines an
opening for accessing the package interior. The magnetic closure
includes magnetic material which is placed on at least one of the
packaging portions for permitting reopenable closure of the
packaging portions.
Inventors: |
Clark; Kerri; (Morristown,
NJ) ; Hawthorne; Brian; (Bloomington, IN) ;
Rodriguez; Maximiliano; (Bridgewater, NJ) ; Aldridge;
Allen Sydney; (South Orange, NJ) ; Feltman;
Christopher J.; (Mason City, IA) ; Buitrago;
Alejandra; (Little Falls, NJ) ; Gainey; Simon
Richard; (Media, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clark; Kerri
Hawthorne; Brian
Rodriguez; Maximiliano
Aldridge; Allen Sydney
Feltman; Christopher J.
Buitrago; Alejandra
Gainey; Simon Richard |
Morristown
Bloomington
Bridgewater
South Orange
Mason City
Little Falls
Media |
NJ
IN
NJ
NJ
IA
NJ
PA |
US
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
KRAFT FOODS GLOBAL BRANDS
LLC
Northfield
IL
|
Family ID: |
44936547 |
Appl. No.: |
13/880101 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
October 27, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/58063 |
371 Date: |
September 23, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61408091 |
Oct 29, 2010 |
|
|
|
61408112 |
Oct 29, 2010 |
|
|
|
61407385 |
Oct 27, 2010 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/247 ;
493/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/643 20130101;
B65D 5/427 20130101; B65D 5/0085 20130101; B65D 77/006 20130101;
B65D 2313/04 20130101; B65D 85/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/247 ;
493/162 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/64 20060101
B65D005/64 |
Claims
1.-31. (canceled)
32. A blank used in the formation of a package for consumable items
comprising: a substrate defining a back wall, and a foldable front
extent said substrate being foldable to form a product containing
pocket; a magnetizable material applied to said foldable front
extent, said magnetizable material including ferrites within a
polymer carrier, said magnetizable material being subject to
subsequent magnetization on said substrate.
33. A blank of claim 32 wherein said magnetizable material has a
maximum magnetic field strength of no greater than about 50
gauss.
34. A blank of claim 32 wherein said foldable extent forms a front
wall of said pocket.
35. A blank of claim 32 wherein said foldable extent including said
applied magnetizable material is flexible.
36. A blank of claim 32 wherein said substrate is formed of
paperboard.
37. A blank of claim 31 wherein said magnetic material is
adhesively applied to said substrate.
38. In a consumable product package having a first product
accommodating compartment and a second product accommodating
compartment separated by a hinge, wherein each said product
accommodating compartment has a back wall, a front wall and an open
face and being foldable about said hinge between an open and closed
position, a method of providing a magnetic closure for said package
comprising the steps of: determining the center of gravity of
product contained in each said compartment; determining the
distance of said hinge from said center of gravity; determining the
distance of each said front wall from said hinge; and depositing a
mutually attractive magnetic material on said front walls having
mass sufficient to maintain said package in said closed position
under gravitational forces and allow manual opening of said package
by a container.
39. A package for containing a plurality of consumable products
comprising: a pair of package housing portions defining an interior
therebetween for accommodating said consumable products; a closure
applied to each package housing portion for permitting re-openable
closure of said pair of package housing portions; said closure
including an adhesive material for adhesively closing said package
housing portions and a magnetic material for magnetically closing
said package housing portions.
40. A package of claim 39 wherein said adhesive material includes
said magnetic material.
41. A package assembly for accommodating and dispensing a plurality
of elongate consumable products comprising: a first product
accommodating compartment, a second product accommodating
compartment and a hinge for connecting said product accommodating
compartments; each said product accommodating compartment having an
open end adjacent said hinge, said product accommodating
compartments being foldable about said hinge in a book-like fashion
to open and close thereabout; and a generally elongate planar
magnetic strip including elongate magnetizable particles aligned in
a carrier said particles being magnetizable to define positive and
negative charges on opposite surfaces of said strip, said positive
and negative charges being alternately arranged in spaced apart
alternating columns along said opposite surfaces of said planar
strip, one said magnetic strip being positioned on each said
compartment such that upon foldably closing said compartments, a
positively charged column of one surface of one planar strip is in
juxtaposition with a negatively charged column of the other surface
of the other planar strip so that the planar strips becomes aligned
under magnetic attraction.
42. A package assembly of claim 41 wherein each said planar strip
includes one charged column positioned adjacent a longitudinal edge
of said strip such that upon foldably closing said compartments,
the edges of said strips are aligned.
43. A package assembly of claim 42 wherein said planar strips are
placed on said compartments such that the compartments are aligned
in closed condition.
44. A package assembly of claim 41 wherein said magnetic attachment
of said strips is maximized by said juxtaposition of said charged
columns.
45. A package assembly of claim 41 wherein said magnetizable
particles are ferrites.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/407,385 filed on Oct. 27, 2010; U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/408,091 filed on Oct. 29, 2010; U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/408,112 filed on Oct. 29,
2010; and PCT International Application No. PCT/US2011/054119,
filed Sep. 30, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a package for
accommodating and dispensing product. More particularly, the
present invention relates to a package closure using magnetic
material.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various packaging devices exist for accommodating and
dispensing consumable products. Such packages may be designed to
permit repeated opening and closing to access the product contained
therein. One type of reopenable package includes a package having a
product accommodating compartment and a foldable flap cover.
[0004] An example of one such package for accommodating and
dispensing sticks or slabs of gum is shown in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,717 where the package includes two compartments
separated by a hinge where the two compartments may be foldably
closed over one another to arrange the package between an open
position permitting dispensing of the chewing gum slabs therefrom
to a closed position.
[0005] In order to maintain the folded package in a closed
position, the package shown in the '717 patent includes a foldable
flap which is folded over the two compartments and tucked into a
slot. To open the package, the flap must be removed from the slot
and hingedly lifted to permit opening of the package
compartments.
[0006] Another example of a package for gum sticks or slabs is
shown in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,533,773. In this
embodiment, a cover overlies a packet. The cover has an openable
flap which also opens the packet. As with the embodiment of the
'717 packet, the flap is closed by tucking the flap into a slot on
the front wall of the cover.
[0007] Other examples of gum packages are known which use a
foldable flap to cover a dispensing opening.
[0008] It is desirable to provide a package for accommodating and
dispensing consumable products such as chewing gum which provides a
further closure mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a package for containing and
dispensing contents. The package includes a housing having package
interior for accommodating the contents. A pair of package portions
define an opening for accessing the package interior. A closure is
formed of magnetic material. The magnetic material is placed on at
least one of said package portions for permitting re-openable
closure of the packaging portions. The magnetic closure has a
magnetic field strength of about 50-400 gauss measured at a
distance of no greater than 1 mm.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a package is
provided for containing a plurality of products. The package
includes a package housing having a first portion including a first
product accommodating pocket having an open end for dispensing the
product. A second portion is connected to the first portion by a
hinge member. The first and second portions are mutually foldable
at the hinge member to arrange the package housing between an open
position providing access to the pocket and a closed position
whereby the second portion overlies the first portion preventing
access to the pocket. The first and second portions each include a
mutually magnetically attractable material applied directly thereon
and disposed in aligned facing relationship. The magnetic material
provides for mutual magnetic engagement in the closed position to
releasably maintain the package housing in the closed position.
[0011] Preferably, the second portion of the package housing also
includes a second open ended product accommodating pocket.
[0012] The present invention further provides a package assembly
for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of elongate consumable
products. The package assembly includes a package housing for
supporting the products. The package housing includes a first
product accommodating compartment and a second product
accommodating compartment separated by a hinge. Each product
accommodating compartment has an open face facing the hinge. The
product accommodating compartments are foldable about the hinge in
a book-like fashion. A flexible magnetic material is applied to
each compartment and positioned to be in mutual magnetic engagement
upon closably folding the compartments about the hinge.
[0013] The present invention additionally provides a package
assembly for accommodating and dispensing a plurality of elongate
consumable products. The package assembly includes a first product
accommodating compartment, a second product accommodating
compartment and a hinge for connecting the product accommodating
compartments. Each product accommodating compartment has an open
end adjacent the hinge and is foldable about the hinge in a
book-like fashion to an open and closed position. A generally
elongate magnetic strip includes elongate magnetic particles
aligned in a carrier. The particles are magnetizable to define
positive and negative charges on opposite surfaces of the strip.
The positive and negative charges are alternately arranged in
spaced apart alternating columns along the opposite surfaces of the
planar strip. One magnetic strip is applied to each compartment
such that upon foldably closing the compartments a positively
charged column of one surface of one magnetizable strip is placed
in juxtaposition with a negatively charged column of the other
surface of the other strip so that the strips become aligned under
magnetic attraction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of one embodiment of a
package of the present invention, for accommodating gum slabs,
shown in the opened condition.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective showing of the package of FIG. 1 in
the closed condition.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an end elevational showing of the package of FIG.
1 in the closed condition.
[0017] FIGS. 4 and 5 are opposite end views of the package of FIG.
1 shown in the closed condition.
[0018] FIG. 5A is an enlarged schematic representation of the
magnetic engagement between magnetic closures of the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-5.
[0019] FIGS. 6-9 show further examples of other configurations and
arrangements of the magnetic material on a package.
[0020] FIG. 10 shows further locations for applying magnetic
material to a package.
[0021] FIGS. 11-18 show further embodiments of packages employing
magnetic materials as a closure.
[0022] FIGS. 19-23 show flat paperboard blanks used to form
packages of the present invention, depicting various techniques for
depositing magnetic materials used as closures in accordance with
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 24 shows a flat paperboard blank used to form the
package of FIGS. 1-5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] The present invention employs magnetic material as a closure
for packaging. It is contemplated that the magnetic material may be
applied and used to permit the reopenable closure of a package. In
its broad aspect, the present invention employs magnetic material
to hold two packaging components closed. When these packaging
components are opened, they provide access to the contents of the
package.
[0025] As used herein throughout, the term magnetic material may
refer to any of a wide variety of magnetic and/or magnetizable
materials. Such materials may include conventional magnets which
may be magnetically attractive to certain non-magnetized metallic
materials such as steel, metalized foils and the like.
[0026] In another preferred aspect, the magnetic materials may be
materials which are magnetizable so as to be magnetically attracted
to one another.
[0027] More specifically, in the present invention, the magnetic
material may include any materials having magnetic and/or
magnetizable properties, including but not limited to,
ferromagnetic materials which may include magnetic or magnetizable
elements such as ferrite members which are placed, incorporated,
deposited, suspended, embedded or otherwise carried by a binding
material or carrier. The carrier permits placement of the magnetic
material on the package. The ferrite material may be arranged to
have mobility within the carrier for magnetizable purposes.
[0028] The carrier material may include and/or have the
characteristics of, for example, adhesive, laminates, paints, inks,
other printing materials, hot melts and combinations thereof. The
carrier permits the magnetic material to be deposited on the
packaging substrate or into the packaging substrate in a manner
which adheres the material to the substrate. Polymers and/or waxes
are examples of materials that may be used as carrier materials and
which also may function as an adhesive carrier. As used herein, the
binder or carrier is referred to as an adhesive as it is applied so
as to adhere to the substrate. For example, polyolefin and EVA may
be used as an adhesive carrier.
[0029] Various methods of placing the magnetic material onto the
substrate (which by way of examples as shown herein, include
paperboard blanks for forming packages) are within the
contemplation of the present invention. For example, such methods
may include but not be limited to direct coating via ferrite
polymer extrusion, calendaring, and/or magnetic strip lamination
(FIG. 19); direct transfer using a coating composition in wet form
(FIG. 20), pressure sensitive label application using commercial
label equipment (FIG. 21); and hot melt deposition (FIG. 22) using,
for example, a hot melt gun or other equipment. Such deposition or
coating may be placed onto the substrate in single or multiple
layers. Additionally, the magnetic material may be applied as an
ink to the substrate. Various different shapes, locations,
configurations and arrangements of the magnetic material 910, 920,
930, 940, 950 on the paperboard blanks 915, 925, 935, 945, 955,
respectively are contemplated as shown in FIGS. 19-23 by way of
example. Other arrangements and locations are within the
contemplation of the present invention.
[0030] It is further contemplated that the magnetic material may be
magnetized, either prior to placement or after placement on the
packaging substrate.
[0031] It is further contemplated that the magnetic material, with
or without a carrier, may be placed directly on the package
substrate. In the alternative, the magnetic materials may be placed
on a separate layer which is then placed on the packaging
substrate. For example, a rigid magnetic disk could be formed by
known forming techniques such as compaction molding, extrusion
molding and injection molding (FIG. 23). The disks can be arranged
in a feeding magazine. The disks can be coated with an adhesive and
then placed on the packaging substrate using conventional equipment
such as vibratory bowl feeders and/or a pick and place
machines.
[0032] Non-limiting examples of materials which may be used and
techniques for applying such materials are shown and described in
the following U.S. patents, each of which are incorporated by
reference herein for all purposes: U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,288, issued
Jul. 29, 1975; U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,481, issued Jan. 24, 1984; U.S.
Pat. No. 4,693,775, issued Sep. 15, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,624,
issued May 30, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,263, issued Jun. 9, 1998;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,002, issued Oct. 3, 2000; U.S. Pat. No.
6,774,171, issued Aug. 10, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,378, issued
Sep. 14, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,798, issued Oct. 31, 2006; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,338,573, issued Mar. 4, 2008; and U.S. Pat. No.
7,501,921, issued Mar. 10, 2009.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, one embodiment employing
concepts of the present invention includes a package for
accommodating and dispensing a plurality of consumable products. In
the present embodiment, the products may include gum slabs which
optionally may include individual wrappers thereover. The package
includes a pair of compartments arranged in a book-like
configuration where the package may be opened and closed about
either side of a hinge member. The package is releasably maintained
in the closed position by use of a magnetic material applied to the
compartments on both sides of the hinge member.
[0034] Package 10 may also be provided with an overwrap (not shown)
to environmentally seal the contents of the package. If desired,
the overwrap may employ a tamper evident strip.
[0035] Package 10, includes a package housing 11, and is generally
formed of paperboard material folded from a flat flexible blank.
While paperboard is the preferred material, other well known
materials and combinations thereof may also be employed. Such
materials may include paperboard, cardboard, laminates, foils,
plastics and combinations thereof. The package 10 of the present
invention may be formed from a single flat paperboard blank or a
pair of paperboard blanks secured to one another.
[0036] The paperboard blank or blanks are arranged into the
configuration shown in FIG. 1 to form a pair of compartments 12 and
14. Each of compartments 12 and 14 forms, respectively, product
accommodating pockets 16 and 18. The pockets 16 and 18 support a
plurality of gum slabs 20 in a side-by-side upright array. While
such an arrangement of gum slabs is shown, other arrangements of
the gum slabs in the pockets are contemplated. Each of pockets 16
and 18 is defined by respective back walls 22 and 24 and respective
front walls 26 and 28. While the back walls extend fully upwards
over the supported gum slabs, the front walls extend only partially
upwards to provide an open end 30 and 32, respectively, for
providing dispensing access to the gum slabs 20. The open ends 30
and 32 each provide an open top extent 30a, 32a and an open face
30b, 32b. The extent of the open area defined by the open ends is
substantial to allow for easy removal of the slabs 20. While easy
removal of the gum slabs 20 from the open pockets of 16 and 18 is
contemplated, the slabs 20 may be optionally removably retained in
the pocket by, for example, a releasable adhesive (not shown), such
as a low temperature hot melt glue applied to a location inside
pockets 16 and 18. End walls 32 and 34, as well respective side
walls 36, 38 and 40, 42, bound the open ended pockets 16 and 18.
Each of the back walls 22 and 24 of the compartments 12 and 14 has
an upwardly extending edge 50 and 52. As particularly shown in
FIGS. 1-3, the edges 50 and 52 may be overlapped and secured
together in the situation where the compartments are formed by
separate blanks to form the assembled package housing 11. As is
shown in FIG. 1, in the open condition, the open ends 30 and 32 of
packets 16 and 18 are preferably in facing relationship.
[0037] As will be described in further detail hereinbelow, the
location where edges 50 and 52 overlap, forms a hinge member 55 for
providing foldable closure of the package housing 11 in book-like
fashion from an opened condition shown in FIG. 1 to a closed
condition shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The hinge member 55 is defined by
a hinge spine 56 and a pair of hinge joints 57 and 58 on either
side thereof. As can be appreciated from FIGS. 1-3, the package
housing 11 may be opened in book-like fashion about hinge member 55
to render accessible the gum slabs 20 and to dispense the gum slabs
from the open pockets 16 and 18. The package housing 11 may be
moved to a foldably closed position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to
prevent access to the open pockets 16 and 18 and prevent removal of
the gum slabs 20 therefrom. Thus, in typical use, the consumer will
maintain the package housing 11 in a closed condition as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 until such time as it is desired to remove one or
more gum slabs therefrom. At that time, the consumer would open the
package housing 11 about hinge member 55 to the opened condition
shown in FIG. 1. The desired number of gum slabs 20 can be removed
from pockets 16 and 18 and then the consumer can reclose the
package housing 11 to a condition shown in FIG. 3. The package is
designed to be repeatedly opened and closed as required by the
needs of the consumer.
[0038] While the package of the present invention is opened about a
hinge, other types of openable movement between these compartments
are contemplated. Such other types of structure may include, for
example, a slide cover.
[0039] In order to maintain the package housing 11 in a closed
condition, the present invention employs magnetic material applied
to the compartments 12 and 14. Preferably, in the present
embodiment, the magnetic material is a flexible magnetic material
having ferrite material in an adhesive carrier which is more fully
shown and described in the above incorporated U.S. Pat. Nos.
7,128,798 and 7,338,573. The magnetic material used is a
magnetizable material which is subsequently magnetized to be
mutually magnetically attractive. As particularly shown in FIG. 1,
the front walls 26 and 28 of compartments 12 and 14, respectively,
include the magnetic adhesive preferably disposed completely
thereover. The magnetic material is preferably directly applied as
strips 60 and 62 which adhere on the entire outer surface of front
walls 26 and 28. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the closed
condition, the strips 60 and 62 of magnetic adhesive are positioned
in aligned facing relationship.
[0040] As noted above, in one preferred embodiment, the magnetic
material may include ferrite material arranged in a binder or
carrier for mobility within the carrier for magnetizable purposes.
Also, it is contemplated that the magnetic material may be placed
on the package substrate such that the ferrites are aligned in the
carrier and which is subsequently more fully magnetized on the
substrate.
[0041] FIG. 24 shows a flat paperboard blank used to form the
package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5. While a single blank is shown, it
may be appreciated that in one embodiment two identical blanks are
used to form package 10.
[0042] The blank 80 is used to form one of the components 12, 14
shown in FIG. 1. The blank 80 includes a foldable front wall 86 and
foldable side walls 87 and 89. The blank 10' includes edge 50'
which forms a hinge with the mating blank. The side walls and front
wall are folded to form one of the pockets 16, 18.
[0043] The magnetic material forming, for example, strips 60, 62 is
placed on the foldable front wall 86. Upon placement of the
magnetic material on the substrate, the ferrites in the binder
become aligned providing a weak magnetic field. The magnetic
material in this condition is subject to subsequent magnetization
so that the magnetic material becomes more fully magnetized having
a magnetic field strength as discussed hereinbelow. It is
contemplated that the weak magnetic field prior to full
magnetization would have a maximum field strength of less than 50
gauss. This weak magnetic field strength allows ease of handling of
the substrate during processing.
[0044] An example of a technique used to apply a magnetic adhesive
to a package and a method of magnetizing the material is generally
described in above incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 7,501,921.
[0045] Referring again to the package 10 shown in FIGS. 1-5, in the
final fully magnetized condition, the strips 60 and 62 formed from
the magnetic material are magnetically attractable to each other
such that when the package housing 11 is placed in a closed
condition, the package housing will be releasably retained in that
condition by the magnetic attraction of the strips. However, this
magnetic attraction is such that, while maintaining the package
housing 11 in a closed condition, it can be easily released by the
consumer and the package housing can be articulated from the closed
condition to the open condition.
[0046] It is contemplated that the closure of the present invention
provides a package more easily opened and closed by the consumer
and presents one or more of a tactile, visual and audible ("click")
indication of closure.
[0047] The holding characteristic of the magnetic material may
depend, for example, on the strength of the magnetizing field for
the strips 60, 62, (field strength), the magnetic properties of the
ferrite material, the mobility of the ferrite materials within the
carrier material, the magnetizability of the domains within the
ferrite materials, the arrangement of the magnetic field in poles
per linear inch, the amount of the magnetic material in the
carrier, the thickness of the strips, the amount of magnetic
material on opposing closure surfaces, the overlap and alignment of
the magnetic material on opposing surfaces when the package is
closed. Such arrangements can determine the desired holding
strength when the package is closed, i.e., the minimum or maximum
force desired to open the package.
[0048] The magnetic field strength of the fully magnetized magnetic
material is influenced by the mass, shape, location, magnetizing
pole arrangement, which in the present invention is 22 alternating
poles per linear inch, magnetic saturation efficiency, magnetic
alignment efficiency, size and type of magnetic material employed.
In the present embodiment, a magnetic field strength of no less
than about 50 gauss is provided. The magnetic field strength is
measured at a distance of no greater than 1 mm from the surface of
the magnetic material. A standard gauss meter, known in the art, is
used to effect such measurements. While a magnetic field strength
of about 50 gauss or greater is contemplated, a more preferable
range is between 50-400 gauss, with a most preferable range of
100-200 gauss being contemplated. This magnetic field strength is
generated by strips 60 and 62 being, for example, 8 mils thick,
21.5 mm wide and 85 mm long. The magnetic field strength is
desirably sufficient to maintain the package in closed condition
during handling. For example, the magnetic field strength should be
sufficient so that if the package is grabbed by one of the
compartments 12 or 14 and the other compartment is placed in a
downward direction, the compartments will not open under
gravitational forces.
[0049] The magnetic field strength employed, however, must be such
that the package may be easily opened by the consumer by manual
manipulation of the compartments 12 and 14 about the hinge member
55. The structure, arrangement and magnetic field strength of the
strips 60 and 62 is such that it is contemplated that the
compartments 12 and 14 may be opened by convenient one-hand
operation. The compartments 12 and 14 may be, for example, opened
by the consumer by using a thumb in sliding fashion or fingernail
between the closed compartments to effect opening thereof about
hinge member 55.
[0050] In the presently preferred embodiment, the holding force
between the two strips 60 and 62, which can also be expressed as
the force required to separate the magnetic strips 60 and 62, is
selected to be no less than 10 mg/mm.sup.2. Such a holding force
maintains the package in closed condition under gravitational
forces and during normal handling yet still may be opened
conveniently by the consumer. In calculating such required holding
forces, certain factors are considered. These factors include the
distance of the magnetic strips from the hinge, the distance of the
products contained in the package from the hinge, the weight of the
filled package, and the surface area of the magnetic strips.
[0051] In addition, while the magnetic field strength of the
magnetic strips 60 and 62 in the closed condition should be
sufficient to maintain adequate closure, the magnetic field
strength at a distance therefrom should rapidly dissipate. The
present invention selects the magnetic field strength for the
magnetic strips 60 and 62 to be such that when measured at a
distance of about 5 mm from the surface of the magnetic material,
the magnetic field strength is no greater than 10 gauss.
[0052] A preferred upper limit of the magnetic field strength is
selected so that it does not exceed 400 gauss. By providing a
magnetic field strength at an upper limit of 400 gauss and more
preferably an upper limit of 300 gauss, it assures that at short
distance away from the strips the field strength rapidly
dissipates. For instance, the package will not attract unwanted
magnetically attractable materials thereto. In addition, the
magnetic material will not adversely impact items that may come in
direct (or nearly direct) contact with the magnetic material. Such
items include, but are not limited to, credit cards, subway cards,
hotel cards, and other items having magnetic strips. Also, as the
field strength dissipates to no greater than about 10 gauss at 5
mm, it will also not adversely impact certain devices which are
susceptible to magnetic interference at close proximity.
[0053] As noted above, the package of the present invention is
preferably used with gum slabs having paper wrappers thereover.
Non-magnetically attractive wrappers are preferred as there is no
magnetic interference between the wrappers and the magnetic
adhesive used as the closure. However, it is contemplated that a
magnetically attractive wrapper may be employed. The magnetic
attraction between the wrappers can be selected such that a slight
holding force is provided so as to releasably retain the wrapped
slabs in the pockets under light magnetic attraction.
[0054] While strips 60 and 62 of the magnetic adhesive material are
shown preferably covering the entire front walls 26 and 28 of
compartments 12 and 14, other arrangements of the magnetic adhesive
material are within the contemplation of the present invention,
examples of which are described below.
[0055] As above described, the magnetic strips 60 and 62 are
generally elongate planar members which include elongate
magnetizable particles in the form of ferrites 63 which are
arranged in a carrier 65. Upon magnetization of the strips, the
strips will exhibit a magnetic charge as schematically depicted in
FIG. 5A. Each strip includes an upper surface 67 and an opposed
lower surface 69. Upon magnetization of the strips, the strips will
exhibit alternating positive and negative charges on the opposite
surfaces in alternating columns along the length L thereof.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5A, magnetic strip 60 includes a first
charged column 60a where the charge on the upper surface 67 is
positive along the column while the charge on the opposite lower
surface is negative along the column. The next column 60b which is
spaced from column 60a, is arranged so that the charge is opposite
that of 60a, i.e., negative on upper surface 67 and positive on
lower surface 69. Such spaced apart alternating columns continue
such that in the preferred embodiment there are 22 poles or columns
per liner inch across the width of the strips. Thus, positive and
negative poles are presented in alternating spaced apart columns on
the opposite surfaces of the magnetic strip 60. Magnetic strip 62
is formed to be identical to strip 60.
[0057] With additional reference to FIGS. 1-5, the strips 60 and 62
are positioned on the front walls 26 and 28 of package housing 11.
One charged column is positioned along a longitudinal edge 60c of
strip 60 as shown in FIG. 5A. When the package is folded to a
closed condition, the magnetized strips magnetically adhere to one
another in that the positively charged columns on one surface 67,
69 of one magnetic strip will align with the negatively charged
columns on the other surface 67, 69 of the other magnetic strip.
Since the two magnetic strips are identically formed, column 60a
along edge 60c of strips 60 and 62 align. This assures that the
edges of the magnetic strips are aligned when in the closed
position.
[0058] It is further contemplated that the magnetic strips 60 and
62 are placed on the front walls 26 and 28 of the package housing
11 in such a manner that when the package is closed and the
magnetic strips become magnetically aligned, the edges of the
closed package are also aligned. Thus, upon closure, there is no
offsetting overlap between the closed compartments 12 and 14. The
edge alignment of the closed package housing achieved by the
arrangement of the magnetic strips of the present invention is
particularly shown in FIGS. 2-5.
[0059] In addition, the arrangement of the magnetically charged
strips where negatively charged columns are placed in juxtaposition
with the positively charged columns serves to maximize the magnetic
attraction between the two magnetic strips.
[0060] It is additionally contemplated that the magnetic closure of
the present invention may be used in combination with a resealable
adhesive which is applied to the package. For example, with respect
to the packages shown in the figures herein, the locations for the
magnetic material may include discrete locations. Such locations
may include magnetic materials and separate locations which include
resealable adhesives. These resealable adhesives are of the type
which are well known in the packaging art and which may include low
tack adhesive which includes cohesive properties. The resealable
adhesives may provide a relatively weak re-openable adhesive
engagement between the package portions. This engagement can be
assisted by the use of the magnetic material described herein, such
as magnetic materials having a lower magnetic field strength. The
tack of the adhesive employed may be one of several variables that
may be used to obtain the desired holding capability for the
package.
[0061] Moreover, it is contemplated that the magnetic material
described above, in addition to adhering to the substrate, may
itself also provide resealable adhesive properties so that to the
applied magnetic material serves both as a weak adhesive closure
and a magnetic closure. It is contemplated that in either situation
the combination of the adhesive closure and the magnetic closure
provides the desirable re-openable closability of the package of
the present invention.
[0062] Referring to FIGS. 6-9, various non-limiting examples of
other arrangements of the magnetic material are shown applied to
front walls 26 and 28 of compartments 12 and 14 of package 10. With
respect to the packages shown therein, the location and arrangement
of the magnetic material can be identical with respect to the front
walls 26 and 28 such as shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 or can be different
as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the present examples, the arrangement
of the magnetic material need only be located so as to be mutually
engageable as the front walls 26 and 28 close. In that regard, the
arrangements of the magnetic material on the front walls 26 and 28
of compartments 12 and 14 in FIGS. 6-9 is shown only by way of
example. Other configurations and arrangements are also
contemplated.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 6, various line patterns 15 in any
arrangement may be used. In FIG. 9, dots 19 or the like are
employed. Also, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the use of a strip 62a, which
does not fully encompass front wall 26 is shown. Moreover, as shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pattern and arrangement of the magnetic
material need not match as between front wall 26 and front wall
28.
[0064] A further example of arrangement of the magnetic materials
on the packaging housing is shown in FIG. 10. Package 10' includes
a packaging housing 11' which is substantially similar to the
packaging housing described above. The packaging housing 11' is
folded from one or more flat blanks into a configuration forming
compartments 12' and 14'. The blank(s) from which the packaging
housing 11 is formed includes foldable side flaps 21', 23' and 25',
27'. These flaps are folded inwardly and the front walls 26' and
28' are folded thereover. As is known in conventional package
forming, a conventional adhesive is used to secure the inside of
the front walls 26' and 28' to the respective flaps of the
compartments.
[0065] The present invention contemplates use of magnetic adhesive
applied to the side flaps to both serve as the adhesive binding the
front walls to the flaps as well as providing the magnetic
attraction necessary to provide for magnetic closure of the package
housing 11'. Magnetic adhesive areas 29' may be applied to the
faces of the side flaps in such a manner and location that when
folded thereover, front walls 26' and 28' are adhered thereto and
thus form compartments 12' and 14'. It is contemplated that the
magnetic adhesive is selected to have sufficient magnetic
characteristics and/or thickness so that even when it is covered by
the front walls 26' and 28', the magnetic field strength will be
such that sufficient magnetic attraction will be provided between
the compartments 12' and 14' to maintain the package housing 11' in
closed condition.
[0066] It is further contemplated that the magnetic material may be
applied to the inside of front walls 26' and 28'. The magnetic
material in this instance would be sufficient to hold the package
closed even with two layers of paperboard therebetween.
[0067] Other placements and locations of the magnetic materials
and/or magnetic adhesives are contemplated by the present invention
such that the adhesives used to form the package housing can also
be used to provide the magnetic closure.
[0068] While the embodiments described above depict one example of
a package employing magnetic material as a closure, the present
invention is not limited thereto. With reference to FIGS. 11-13,
other embodiments of packages may employ magnetic closures of the
type described herein to close a foldable flap over a dispensing
opening.
[0069] With reference to FIG. 11, a package 110 includes a package
housing 111 for accommodating a plurality of gum slabs 113 which
are arranged in face-to-face fashion. The package 110 includes a
packet 114 which supports the gum slabs and which may be formed of
metalized foil, paper or the like. The packet is enclosed by a
cover 116 which wraps around the packet 114. The cover which is
formed of paperboard defines a front wall 118 and an openable flap
120. As is shown and described in the above-referenced U.S. Pat.
No. 7,533,773, the flap 120 is used to open the packet 114 upon
lifting of the flap. In order to reclose the cover shown herein,
magnetic materials may be employed. In one example, the cover 112
may include, on the inside surface thereof, a disk or dot 130 (or a
plurality of dots), of magnetic material. The magnetic material,
however, may be included in any configuration and arrangement as
above described. The dot 130 is engageable with a similar dot 132
to permit magnetic closure of the flap 120 over the front wall 118
of cover 116.
[0070] A further packaging embodiment is shown with respect to FIG.
12. In this embodiment, a package 210 supports a plurality of gum
slabs 213 in side-by-side fashion. A flat blank is formed into a
package housing 211 defining a lower compartment 214 and an
upwardly extending foldable flap 216. The flap may be folded over
the open end of the compartment to enclose the gum slabs therein. A
package housing of this configuration is shown and described in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,325,686 and 7,811,614. In order
to maintain flap 216 in a closed condition over lower compartment
214, magnetic materials as above described are employed. The
magnetic materials may be applied and arranged in any configuration
described above. By way of example, the magnetic material may
include a strip 230 of magnetic material on the inside wall of flap
216 and a corresponding strip 232 of magnetic material on the front
wall 226 of lower compartment 214. The strip 230 of flap 216 is
engageable with strip 232 of front wall 226 to permit magnetic
closure of the flap.
[0071] In FIG. 13, a packaging embodiment such as that shown and
described in the above referenced '717 patent is shown. The package
310 of this embodiment includes a package housing 311 having a pair
of compartments 312 and 314 which are mutually foldable (arrow A).
As described in the '717 patent, the compartments 312 and 314 are
also separable from one another. Each compartment supports a
plurality of gum slabs 315 in side-by-side fashion. Magnetic
material may be used to form a closure which allows for closing of
foldable flap 316 with respect to folded compartments 312 and 314
and for closing of compartment 312 when compartment 314 is removed
therefrom.
[0072] Again, any configuration and arrangement of magnetic
material as described above may be employed. As an example, the
inside wall of flap 316 may include a magnetic adhesive dot 330.
The dot 330 would be engageable with a similar dot 332 on the front
wall 336 of upper compartment 312 to close the flap over upper
compartment 336 with compartment 314 removed. With compartments 312
and 314 attached and in a folded condition, the back surface of
compartment 314 (not shown) may also include an aligned adhesive
dot (not shown) for engagement with adhesive dot 330 of flap 316 to
close the flap over the folded compartments. Other arrangements of
the locations of the magnetic material may be provided so as to
permit various arrangements of closing the compartments singly or
together.
[0073] Referring to now to FIG. 14, a package 410, which is
substantially similar to package 210 described with respect to FIG.
12, is shown. In the present embodiment, package 410 supports a
plurality of gum slabs 413 in side-by-side fashion. A flat blank is
formed into a packaging housing 411 defining a lower compartment
414 in an upwardly extending foldable flap 416. The flap may be
folded over the open end of the compartment to enclose the gum
slabs therein. In order to maintain the flap 416 in closed
condition over the lower compartment 414, magnetic materials are
employed.
[0074] In the present illustrative embodiment, a strip 430 of
magnetic material may be placed on the outside of wall flap 416 to
engage a corresponding strip 432 of magnetic material on the front
wall 426 of lower compartment 414. The strips are formed of
magnetic material as above described. In order to provide such
engagement, the distal edge 416a of flap 416 is folded inwardly
prior to folding the flap 416 over the lower compartment. This
places the strip 430 in engagement with the strip 432. This
provides re-openable closure in a manner described above. The
embodiment described with respect to FIG. 14 allows placement of
the strips 430 and 432 on the same surface of the flat paperboard
blank which forms packaging housing 411.
[0075] Referring now to FIG. 15, a flip-type package carton is
shown. The carton 510 includes a lower box like container 514 and
upper flip-type closure 516. The closure 516 is hingedly connected
to the container 514 at an open end 513 thereof. The upper end of a
front wall 515 of container 514 includes a strip 530 of magnetic
material. Likewise, the inside of the front wall of the flip-type
closure 516 includes a strip 532 of magnetic material. The strips
are formed of magnetic material as described above. The strips 530
and 532 are mutually engageable to provide reopenable closure of
the flip-type closure with the container 514 in a manner described
above.
[0076] Referring now to FIG. 16, a hinged blister package 600 is
shown. The hinged blister package includes a pair of blister
sleeves 610 and 612, which accommodate conventional blister trays
611 and 613. The sleeves are hingedly attached at a perforated
hinge line 620, which may also permit separation of the blister
sleeves. The adjacent surfaces of the blister sleeve may include
strips 630 of magnetic material. The strips are formed of magnetic
material as above described. The strips are arranged that when the
blister sleeves are folded inwardly along the perforated hinge
line, the blister sleeves may be retained in a folded condition by
the strips. It is further contemplated that the blister sleeves may
be attached to one another even after separation at the perforated
hinge line by use of the strips. The blister package of the present
embodiment is of the type generally shown and described, and
commonly assigned U.S. Patent Application Publications Nos.
2008/0053858 A1 and 2008/0053863 A1, the disclosures of which are
incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
[0077] Turning now to FIG. 17, the carton 700 is shown. The carton
700 has the basic configuration of a box 711 having an open upper
end 712 which is closed with flaps 714 in conventional fashion. In
the present embodiment, two of the flaps, which are designed for
overlapping, may include strips 730 of magnetic material, as above
described. The strips are positioned for engagement when the
overlapping flaps are folded, as shown by arrows B, to provide a
reopenable closure as above described.
[0078] Turning now to FIG. 18, the package 800, in the form of a
pouch, includes a lower body 810 for retaining product and an upper
extending foldable flap 812. The flap 812 is folded down (arrow C)
to cover an upper opening 814 in the pouch. The present invention
contemplates placing strips 820 of magnetic material as above
described, on both the flap and the pouch to permit reopenable
closure of the open end in a manner as described above.
[0079] The above-referenced embodiments are shown by way of
non-limiting example. The present invention can be employed with a
wide variety of package housings to permit magnetic closure of the
packages. As described herein, the present invention is
particularly useful with respect to gum packages. Various other
configurations of gum packages may also employ the magnetic closure
of the present invention. Non-limiting examples of gum packages
which could employ the magnetic closure of the present invention
are as follows: U.S. Pat. No. D484,046, issued Dec. 23, 2003; U.S.
Pat. No. D516,422, issued Mar. 7, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. D521,862,
issued May 30, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. D531,498, issued Nov. 7, 2006;
U.S. Pat. No. D545,188, issued Jun. 26, 2007; U.S. Pat. No.
D619,454, issued Jul. 13, 2010, U.S. Patent Publication No.
2003/0080020, published May 1, 2003; and U.S. Patent Publication
No. 2005/0218201, published Oct. 6, 2005.
[0080] In addition to the gum packages described hereinabove by way
of example, the magnetic closure of the present invention may be
used in a wide variety of other packaging configurations such as
bags, where the open portion of the bag can be closed using
magnetic material.
[0081] Also, an openable "fin" closure may be constructed using
magnetic material as a closure mechanism.
ITEMS:
[0082] Item 1. A package for containing and dispensing contents
comprising:
[0083] a housing having a package interior for accommodating said
contents;
[0084] a pair of package housing portions defining an opening for
accessing said package interior;
[0085] a closure formed of magnetic material applied to at least
one of said packaging portions for permitting re-openable closure
of said package portions, said closure having a magnetic field
strength of between about 50-400 gauss, measured at a distance of
no greater than 1 mm.
Item 2. A package of item 1 wherein said magnetic field strength is
no greater than about 10 gauss measured at a distance of about 5
mm. Item 3. A package of item 1 wherein said magnetic field
strength has an upper limit of about 300 gauss. Item 4. A package
of items 1-3 wherein said magnetic field strength is between about
100-200 gauss. Item 5. A package of items 1-4 wherein said magnetic
material is a magnetic adhesive deposited on said at least one
package portion. Item 6. A package of items 1-5 wherein said
magnetic material is flexible. Item 7. A package of items 1-6
wherein each of said pair of package portions including said
magnetic material is flexible. Item 8. A package of items 1-7
wherein said package housing includes:
[0086] a first compartment for containing said product and a second
compartment containing said product, said first and second
compartments being foldably joined by a hinge for movement between
an open and closed position;
[0087] said first and second compartments each including said
flexible magnet positioned for magnetic engagement in said closed
condition.
Item 9. A package of items 1-6 wherein said package housing
includes a compartment defining said package interior, said
compartment having an opening and a foldable flap, said flap being
foldable to cover said opening of said compartment, said magnetic
material providing openable closure of said flap with said
compartment. Item 10. A package for containing a plurality of
products comprising:
[0088] a package housing having a first portion including a first
product accommodating pocket having an open end for dispensing said
product, and a second portion connected to said first portion by a
hinge member;
[0089] said first and said second portions being mutually movable
about said hinge member to permit articulation of said package
housing between an open position providing access to said pocket
and a closed position wherein said second portion overlies said
first portion preventing access to said pocket;
[0090] said first and said second portions each including a
mutually magnetically attractable magnetic material applied
directly thereon and disposed in aligned facing relationship for
mutual magnetic engagement in said closed position to releasably
maintain said package housing in said closed condition.
Item 11. A package of item 10 wherein said second portion of said
package housing includes a second open ended product accommodating
pocket. Item 12. A package of items 10-11 wherein said package
housing is formed from at least one flat blank. Item 13. A package
of item 12 wherein said flat blank is formed of paperboard. Item
14. A package of items 10-13 wherein said open ends of said pockets
of said compartments are in facing orientation in said open
condition. Item 15. A package of items 10-11 wherein said package
housing is formed from a pair of flat blanks Item 16. A package of
item 15 wherein each of said flat blanks forms one of said first
and second compartments. Item 17. A package of items 11-16 wherein
each of said first and second compartments includes a front wall
and wherein said magnetic material is disposed on said front wall.
Item 18. A package of item 17 wherein said magnetic material covers
said front wall. Item 19. A package assembly for accommodating and
dispensing a plurality of elongate consumable products
comprising:
[0091] a package housing for supporting said products;
[0092] said package housing including a first product accommodating
compartment and a second product accommodating compartment
separated by a hinge;
[0093] each said product accommodating compartment having an open
end adjacent said hinge, said product accommodating compartments
being foldable about said hinge in a book-like fashion; and
[0094] a flexible magnetic material adhesively applied to each
compartment and positioned to be in mutual magnetic engagement upon
closably folding said compartments about said hinge.
Item 20. A package assembly of item 19 wherein said flexible
magnetic material has a magnetic field strength of no less than
about 50 gauss, measured at a distance of no greater than 1 mm.
Item 21. A package assembly of item 19 wherein said magnetic field
strength is between about 50-400 gauss. Item 22. A package assembly
of item 19 wherein said magnetic field strength is between about
100-200 gauss. Item 23. A package assembly of item 19 wherein said
magnetic field strength is no greater than about 10 gauss at a
distance of about 5 mm. Item 24. A package assembly of item 19
wherein said magnetic field strength has an upper limit of about
300 gauss. Item 25. A package assembly of items 19-24 wherein said
package housing is openable with one-handed manipulation. Item 26.
A package assembly of items 19-25 wherein said magnetic material
has a magnetic field strength sufficient to maintain said housing
closed under gravitational forces. Item 27. A package assembly of
items 19-26 wherein said mutual magnetic engagement of flexible
magnetic material causes an audible indication. Item 28. A package
assembly of items 19-28 wherein each said product compartment
includes an open area defined by said open end and a closed area,
and wherein said open area is greater than said closed area. Item
29. A package assembly of item 28 wherein said closed area is
defined by a front wall. Item 30. A package assembly of item 29
wherein said front wall includes said magnetic material applied
thereto. Item 31. A package assembly of item 29 wherein said
magnetic material is applied to the entire front wall. Item 32. A
blank used in the formation of a package for consumable items
comprising:
[0095] a substrate defining a back wall, and a foldable front
extent said substrate being foldable to form a product containing
pocket;
[0096] a magnetizable material applied to said foldable front
extent, said magnetizable material including ferrites within a
polymer carrier, said magnetizable material being subject to
subsequent magnetization on said substrate.
Item 33. A blank of item 32 wherein said magnetizable material has
a maximum magnetic field strength of no greater than about 50
gauss. Item 34. A blank of item 32 wherein said foldable extent
forms a front wall of said pocket. Item 35. A blank of item 32
wherein said foldable extent including said applied magnetizable
material is flexible. Item 36. A blank of item 32 wherein said
substrate is formed of paperboard. Item 37. A blank of claim 31
wherein said magnetic material is adhesively applied to said
substrate. Item 38. In a consumable product package having a first
product accommodating compartment and a second product
accommodating compartment separated by a hinge, wherein each said
product accommodating compartment has a back wall, a front wall and
an open face and being foldable about said hinge between an open
and closed position, a method of providing a magnetic closure for
said package comprising the steps of:
[0097] determining the center of gravity of product contained in
each said compartment;
[0098] determining the distance of said hinge from said center of
gravity;
[0099] determining the distance of each said front wall from said
hinge; and
[0100] depositing a mutually attractive magnetic material on said
front walls having mass sufficient to maintain said package in said
closed position under gravitational forces and allow manual opening
of said package by a container.
Item 39. A package for containing a plurality of consumable
products comprising:
[0101] a pair of package housing portions defining an interior
therebetween for accommodating said consumable products;
[0102] a closure applied to each package housing portion for
permitting re-openable closure of said pair of package housing
portions;
[0103] said closure including an adhesive material for adhesively
closing said package housing portions and a magnetic material for
magnetically closing said package housing portions.
Item 40. A package of item 39 wherein said adhesive material
includes said magnetic material. Item 41. A package assembly for
accommodating and dispensing a plurality of elongate consumable
products comprising:
[0104] a first product accommodating compartment, a second product
accommodating compartment and a hinge for connecting said product
accommodating compartments;
[0105] each said product accommodating compartment having an open
end adjacent said hinge, said product accommodating compartments
being foldable about said hinge in a book-like fashion to open and
close thereabout; and
[0106] a generally elongate planar magnetic strip including
elongate magnetizable particles aligned in a carrier said particles
being magnetizable to define positive and negative charges on
opposite surfaces of said strip, said positive and negative charges
being alternately arranged in spaced apart alternating columns
along said opposite surfaces of said planar strip, one said
magnetic strip being positioned on each said compartment such that
upon foldably closing said compartments, a positively charged
column of one surface of one planar strip is in juxtaposition with
a negatively charged column of the other surface of the other
planar strip so that the planar strips becomes aligned under
magnetic attraction.
Item 42. A package assembly of item 41 wherein each said planar
strip includes one charged column positioned adjacent a
longitudinal edge of said strip such that upon foldably closing
said compartments, the edges of said strips are aligned. Item 43. A
package assembly of item 42 wherein said planar strips are placed
on said compartments such that the compartments are aligned in
closed condition. Item 44. A package assembly of item 41 wherein
said magnetic attachment of said strips is maximized by said
juxtaposition of said charged columns. Item 45. A package assembly
of items 41-44 wherein said magnetizable particles are
ferrites.
[0107] Various changes to the foregoing described and shown
structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is
set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *