U.S. patent application number 13/675282 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-15 for package handles.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP. The applicant listed for this patent is GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP. Invention is credited to Darryl T. Rathbun.
Application Number | 20140131242 13/675282 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50680652 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140131242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rathbun; Darryl T. |
May 15, 2014 |
Package Handles
Abstract
A product package includes a shrink wrap cover at least
partially enveloping a product, the shrink wrap cover having a
first portion that compressively conforms at least partially to an
outer three-dimensional profile of the product, and a second
portion that does not compressively conform to the outer
three-dimensional profile of the product, and a handle portion
formed from the second portion of the shrink wrap cover, wherein
the handle portion extends outward beyond the outer
three-dimensional profile of the product.
Inventors: |
Rathbun; Darryl T.;
(Atlanta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS LP |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GEORGIA-PACIFIC CONSUMER PRODUCTS
LP
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
50680652 |
Appl. No.: |
13/675282 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/497 ;
53/413 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 53/02 20130101;
B65D 75/563 20130101; B65D 71/08 20130101; B65D 75/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/497 ;
53/413 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00; B65B 53/02 20060101 B65B053/02 |
Claims
1. A product package comprising: a shrink wrap cover at least
partially enveloping a product; the shrink wrap cover having a
first portion that compressively conforms at least partially to an
outer three-dimensional profile of the product, and a second
portion that does not compressively conform to the outer
three-dimensional profile of the product; a handle portion formed
from the second portion of the shrink wrap cover, wherein the
handle portion extends outward beyond the outer three-dimensional
profile of the product.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein an edge of the shrink wrap cover
defines a first orifice.
3. The package of claim 2, wherein the first orifice is partially
defined by the handle portion.
4. The package of claim 2, wherein the shrink wrap cover defines a
second orifice that is partially defined by a second handle
portion.
5. The package of claim 4, wherein the first orifice and the second
orifice are arranged on opposing sides of the product.
6. The package of claim 1, wherein the shrink wrap cover includes
an inner surface with portions of the inner surface substantially
in contact with the product, and an outer surface.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein the handle portion has a convex
profile that includes a portion of the inner surface of the shrink
wrap cover.
8. The package of claim 2, wherein a portion of the edge of the
shrink wrap cover partially defines the handle portion.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein the shrink wrap cover includes a
cylindrical portion connected proximate to an edge of the shrink
wrap cover.
10. The package of claim 1, wherein the shrink wrap cover includes
a loop of shrink wrap cover material connected proximate to an edge
of the shrink wrap cover.
11. The package of claim 1, wherein the shrink wrap cover includes
a strip of material connected proximate to an edge of the shrink
wrap cover.
12. The package of claim 1, wherein the shrink wrap cover includes
a strip of shrink wrap cover material securing a member connected
proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover.
13. The package of claim 1, wherein the shrink wrap cover has a
first thickness proximate to an edge of the shrink wrap cover and a
second thickness proximate to a medial portion of the shrink wrap
cover, wherein the first thickness is greater than the second
thickness.
14. A method for fabricating a product package, the method
comprising: forming a shrink wrap cover having an inner surface and
an opposing outer surface around a product, the shrink wrap cover
defining a first orifice and a second orifice, portions of the
inner surface of the shrink wrap cover contacting portions of the
product; inserting a first portion of a handle forming member into
the first orifice; engaging a portion of the inner surface of the
shrink wrap cover with the first portion of the handle forming
member, and engaging an opposing portion of the outer surface of
the shrink wrap cover with a second portion of the handle forming
member; applying a compressive force to the shrink wrap cover with
the first portion of the handle forming member and the second
portion of the handle forming member; applying heat to the shrink
wrap cover that is operative to reduce the surface area of the
shrink wrap cover such that the shrink wrap cover substantially
conforms to the product; and disengaging the first portion and the
second portion of the handle forming member from the shrink wrap
cover.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the shrink wrap
cover around the product comprises: joining a distal end of a first
roll of shrink wrap material to a distal end of a second roll of
shrink wrap material to join a portion of the first roll of shrink
wrap material to a portion of the second roll of shrink wrap
material; wrapping a portion of the first roll of shrink wrap
material and a portion of the second roll of shrink wrap material
around the product; joining a portion of the first roll of shrink
wrap material to a portion of the second roll of shrink wrap
material to form a continuous layer of shrink wrap material around
the product; and severing the continuous layer of shrink wrap
material about the product from the first roll of shrink wrap
material and the second roll of shrink wrap material.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the first portion of the handle
forming member includes a concave surface that is operative to
engage the inner surface of the shrink wrap material.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein the second portion of the
handle forming member includes a convex surface that is operative
to engage the outer surface of the shrink wrap material.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises
changing the relative position of the first portion and the second
portion of the handle forming member to the product prior to
applying the heat.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the changing the relative
position of the first portion and the second portion of the handle
forming member to the product includes reducing a distance between
the first portion and the second portion of the handle forming
member relative to the product.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein prior to applying the heat, the
method further comprises: inserting a first portion of a second
handle forming member into the second orifice; engaging a portion
of the inner surface of the shrink wrap cover with the first
portion of the second handle forming member and an opposing portion
of the outer surface of the shrink wrap cover with a second portion
of the second handle forming member; and applying a compressive
force to the shrink wrap cover with the first portion of the second
handle forming member and the second portion of the second handle
forming member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to product
packaging and packaging handles.
[0002] Packaging for products often includes a shrink wrapped cover
that envelopes or partially envelopes the product or a plurality of
products. The shrink wrapped cover often includes a plastic or
polymer film that is exposed to heat to shrink the cover to conform
to the product disposed therein. Some previous packaging included
handles formed from a cardboard sheet product that pass through the
shrink wrapped cover.
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates prior art example of a product 100 that
is wrapped in a shrink wrap cover 102. The shrink wrap cover 102
defines orifice regions 104 that are defined by edges 106 of the
shrink wrap cover 102.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
product package includes a shrink wrap cover at least partially
enveloping a product, the shrink wrap cover having a first portion
that compressively conforms at least partially to an outer
three-dimensional profile of the product, and a second portion that
does not compressively conform to the outer three-dimensional
profile of the product, and a handle portion formed from the second
portion of the shrink wrap cover, wherein the handle portion
extends outward beyond the outer three-dimensional profile of the
product.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method for fabricating a product package includes forming a shrink
wrap cover having an inner surface and an opposing outer surface
around a product, the shrink wrap cover defining a first orifice
and a second orifice, portions of the inner surface of the shrink
wrap cover contacting portions of the product, inserting a first
portion of a handle forming member into the first orifice, engaging
a portion of the inner surface of the shrink wrap cover with the
first portion of the handle forming member, and engaging an
opposing portion of the outer surface of the shrink wrap cover with
a second portion of the handle forming member, applying a
compressive force to the shrink wrap cover with the first portion
of the handle forming member and the second portion of the handle
forming member, applying heat to the shrink wrap cover that is
operative to reduce the surface area of the shrink wrap cover such
that the shrink wrap cover substantially conforms to the product,
and disengaging the first portion and the second portion of the
handle forming member from the shrink wrap cover.
[0006] These and other advantages and features will become more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0007] The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates prior art example of a product 100 that
is wrapped in a shrink wrap cover.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a product that is wrapped in a cover.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the product of FIG. 2 that
includes the cover and the handle portion.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of the product along the
line 4 of FIG. 3.
[0012] FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed view of the region 5 of FIG.
4.
[0013] FIG. 5B illustrates another detailed view of the region 5 of
FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate arrangement of the
cover.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a product.
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed view of the region 8 of FIG.
7.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a product.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed view of the region 10 of FIG.
9.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates another alternate embodiment of a
product that includes a handle portion.
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates another alternate embodiment of a
product that includes a handle portion.
[0021] FIG. 13A illustrates a portion of a wrapping machine.
[0022] FIG. 13B illustrates a cover loosely formed around the
product.
[0023] FIG. 13C illustrates a handle form apparatus.
[0024] FIGS. 14A-14F illustrate a side view of an exemplary method
and apparatus for fabricating some of the embodiments described
herein.
[0025] FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of a wrapping machine.
[0026] FIG. 16A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a straight
edge of the cover.
[0027] FIG. 16B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge that
includes an edge member.
[0028] FIG. 16C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge that
includes a loop.
[0029] FIG. 16D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge that
includes layer or strip of material.
[0030] FIG. 16E illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge that
includes layer or strip of material that is formed over an edge
member.
[0031] FIG. 16F illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge that
includes a cover having a greater thickness in a region proximate
to the edge.
[0032] FIG. 16G illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an
edge.
[0033] FIG. 16H illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of an
edge.
[0034] FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed frontal view of region 17 of
FIG. 15 of an alternate embodiment of an edge of the cover.
[0035] FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a product that is wrapped in a cover.
[0036] FIG. 19 illustrates another detailed frontal view of region
17 of FIG. 15 of another alternate embodiment of an edge of the
cover.
[0037] The detailed description explains embodiments of the
invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example
with reference to the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0038] Product packaging may include a shrink wrapped cover that
envelopes or partially envelopes a product or a plurality of
products. In many instances, the products may be grouped as a
plurality of products that are enveloped in the shrink wrap. Shrink
wrap may include, for example, any type of plastic or polymer
material that is placed around a product or plurality of products.
The shrink wrap may be exposed to heat to shrink the shrink wrap
material such that the material conforms to the shape of the
product or plurality of products disposed therein. Often the shrink
wrap material is formed in a tubular fashion such that the product
may be inserted into an end of the tube of sheet product. The term
"tubular" is not limited to having a cylindrical cross section, but
may include any hollow elongated shape. Once the product is
disposed in the tube of shrink wrap the shrink wrap may be exposed
to heat, which shrinks the shrink wrap about the product and
reduces the size of the openings of the tube.
[0039] In many instances, the packaged products are intended to be
carried by, for example, a consumer or retail employee. Due to the
weight, size, and shape of the packaged products, one or more
carrying handles may be desired to ease the lifting and carrying of
the packaged products. Previous packaged products that included
shrink wrap may have open ends defined by the shrink wrap that
result from the use of a tubular arrangement of shrink wrap. The
open ends, or orifices are defined by edges of the tube of sheet
product. The orifices' edges have a relatively small surface area,
and are often uncomfortable when used to lift a packaged
product.
[0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a product 200 that is wrapped in a cover 202. For the
purposes of describing the embodiments disclosed herein, the
product 200 and other products described herein may include
portions of the packaging of a product as well as the product or
products themselves. For example, a product may include a plurality
of packages of sheet products that are disposed in a corrugated
sheet material that is formed into a carton. The cover 202 defines
orifices 204 that are defined by edges 206 of the cover 202.
Portions of the cover 202 form a handle portion 208. The handle
portion 208 has a curved or up-turned shape such that a portion of
the edge 206 of the shrink wrap cover 202 extends outwardly from
the product 200. The cover 202 and handle portion 208 are formed
from a shrink wrap or shrink film material that may include, for
example, a polyolefin or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer plastic
film.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the product 200 that
includes the cover 202 and the handle portion 208.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away view of the product 200 along
the line 4 (of FIG. 3).
[0043] FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed view of the region 5 (of FIG.
4) that includes the handle portion 208. The handle portion 208
partially defines a portion of the orifices 204. The edge 206 of
the cover 202 has a curved profile. The cover 202 has an inner
surface 501 and an outer surface 503. The cover 202 conforms to the
shape of the product 200 such that portions of the inner surface
501 of the cover 202 are in contact with the outer surface 201 of
the product 200. The handle portion 208 extends outwardly from the
outer surface 201 of the product 200 such that a portion of the
inner surface 501 of the cover 202 is exposed and defines a convex
contact portion or surface 502 of the handle portion 208. The
outward extension of the handle portion 208 results in a concave
contact portion or surface 504 of the handle portion that includes
the outer surface 503 of the shrink wrap cover that opposes the
contact portion or surface 502. In the illustrated embodiment, the
edge 206 of the cover 202 that partially defines the handle portion
208 defines a substantially arcuate, curved, or parabolic shape.
The shape of the handle portion may vary in alternate embodiments
due to any number of factors including, for example, the shape and
size of the product 200, the shape of the tubular cover 202 (prior
to the shrinking of the cover 202) the profile of the edge of the
cover 202, and the fabrication process that will be described in
further detail below.
[0044] FIG. 5B illustrates another detailed view of the region 5
(of FIG. 4) that shows a person's hand 550 engaging the handle
portion 208. In this regard, the fingers 554 of the hand 550
contact the convex portion of the inner surface 501 of the cover
202 that partially defines the handle portion 208. The thumb 552
may contact the concave outer surface 503 of the cover 202. Though
a portion of the hand 550 may contact a portion of the edge 206 of
the cover 202, the fingers 554 of the hand 550 in contact with the
substantially smooth inner surface 501 of the cover 202 bear the
load of the product 200, which is supported by the cover 202. The
large surface area of the exposed portion of the inner surface 501
of the cover 202 spreads the load of the product 200 more evenly
across the supporting portions of the hand 550 as opposed to the
relatively small surface area of the edge 206, thus providing a
comfortable lifting arrangement for a user. The line 530
illustrates the direction of the lifting force that is applied to
the handle portion 208.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate arrangement of the cover 202
with a handle portion 208 that partially envelopes a plurality of
products 602. In alternate embodiments, a support member or
members, such as, for example, a corrugated sheet product, or
tensioned bands (not shown) may be arranged with or around the
plurality of products 602 to provide rigidity or support to the
plurality of products 602.
[0046] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a product 700
that may be wrapped in a cover 702. The edges 706 of the cover 702
define an orifice 701 that exposes portions of the product 700. The
product 700 includes a carton 704 having a lid portion 708 and a
lower portion 709. FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed view of the region
8 (of FIG. 7). In this regard, a portion of the lid portion 708 is
cut and bent inwardly to form a folded edge 710 that is exposed by
the orifice 701. The folded edge 710 provides a greater surface
area as opposed to the relatively smaller surface area of an
exposed edge of the lid portion 708. The orifice 701 allows a user
to access the handle portion 712 defined by the folded edge 710 and
bear the load of the product 700 more comfortably.
[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a product 900
that may be wrapped in a cover 702. The edges 706 of the cover 702
define an orifice 701 that exposes portions of the product 900. The
product 900 includes a carton 904 having a lid portion 908 and a
lower portion 909. FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed view of the
region 10 (of FIG. 9). A portion of the lid portion 908 is cut and
bent outwardly to form a folded edge 910 that is exposed by the
orifice 701. The folded edge 910 provides a greater surface area as
opposed to the relatively smaller surface area of an exposed edge
of the lid portion 908 or the edge 706 of the cover 702. The
orifice 701 allows a user to access the handle portion 912 defined
by the folded edge 910 and bear the load of the product 900 more
comfortably. The handle portion may be formed substantially around
the edge 706 of the cover 702 so the cover 702 bears the load of
the product 900 directly, or if the handle portion is substantially
separated from the edge 706, the load may be borne indirectly from
the lid portion 908 which is substantially bound by the cover 702
which in turn bears the load of the product 900. FIG. 11
illustrates another alternate embodiment of a product 1100 that
includes a handle portion 1150. The edges 706 of the cover 702
define an orifice 701 that exposes the handle portion 1150. The
handle portion 1150 is formed from a substantially planar body
portion 1152 that is in contact with side portions 1102 and a
bottom portion 1104 of the product 1100. In alternate embodiments,
the body portion 1152 may be connected to the product 1100 with an
adhesive, or a mechanical connection arrangement to the side
portions 1102 and/or the bottom portion 1104. In yet another
alternate embodiment, the body portion 1152 may only be attached to
and in contact with the side portions 1102. In an embodiment, the
planar body portion 1152 is in the form of an uninterrupted
continuous strip of material that extends from an orifice 701 on
one end of the product 1100, passing under the product 1100, to an
opposing orifice 701 (not illustrated in FIG. 11, but understood
with reference to FIG. 4) on an opposing end of the product 1100.
The line 1130 illustrates the direction of the lifting force that
is applied to the handle portion 1150.
[0048] FIG. 12 illustrates another alternate embodiment of a
product 1200 that includes a handle portion 1250. The edges 706 of
the cover 702 define an orifice 701 that exposes the handle portion
1250. The handle portion 1250 is formed from a substantially planar
body portion 1252 that is in contact with side portions 1202 and a
top portion 1206 of the product 1200. In alternate embodiments, the
body portion 1252 may be connected to the product 1200 with an
adhesive, or a mechanical connection arrangement to the side
portions 1202 and/or the top portion 1206. In yet another alternate
embodiment, the body portion 1252 may only be attached to and in
contact with the side portions 1202. In an embodiment, the planar
body portion 1252 is in the form of an uninterrupted continuous
strip of material that extends from an orifice 701 on one end of
the product 1200, passing over the product 1200, to an opposing
orifice 701 (not illustrated in FIG. 12, but understood with
reference to FIG. 4) on an opposing end of the product 1200. The
line 1230 illustrates the direction of the lifting force that is
applied to the handle portion 1250.
[0049] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary
method and apparatus for fabricating some of the embodiments
described herein. In this regard, FIG. 13A illustrates a portion of
a wrapping machine 1350 that includes a first roll of cover
material 1352 and a second roll of cover material 1354. The cover
material of the first roll of cover material 1352 is bonded,
joined, or connected to the cover material of the second roll of
cover material 1354 to form a first seam portion 1303. The first
seam portion 1303 may be formed by a compressive, thermal,
vibratory, acoustic, or adhesive joining process. The product 200
may be moved relative to the first seam portion 1303 such that the
first seam portion 1303 or portions of the material proximate to
the first seam portion 1303 contact portions of the product 200.
Referring to FIG. 13B, a cover 202 is loosely formed around the
product 200, joined at a second seam portion 1305, and severed from
the first roll of cover material 1352 and the second roll of cover
material 1354. The a second seam portion 1305 may remain connected
to the first roll of cover material 1352 and the second roll of
cover material 1354, thus becoming a first seam portion for the
next product 200 (not shown) that will be packaged subsequently.
The cover 202 is substantially tubular, though the shape of the
cover 202 may depend on the shape of the product 200, and is not
limited to a cylindrical shape, but rather forms a continuous
elongated hollow arrangement of cover 202 material having open
opposing orifices 1304 defined by the edges 206. The edges 206 of
the cover 202 are shown prior to forming an orifice 204 (of FIG.
2).
[0050] FIG. 13C illustrates a handle form apparatus 1380 that
includes a concave engagement surface 1382 and a convex engagement
surface 1384. In operation, a portion of the cover 202 is disposed
between the concave engagement surface 1382 and the convex
engagement surface 1384 by passing a portion of the edge 206 of the
cover 202 between the concave engagement surface 1382 and the
convex engagement surface 1384. Though the illustrated embodiment
includes a handle form apparatus 1380 that includes a concave
engagement surface 1382 and a convex engagement surface 1384, the
engagement surfaces of the handle form apparatus 1380 may have
alternate shapes arranged in any alternate orientation relative to
the product 200. Thus, the use of the terms concave engagement
surface and convex engagement surface is a non-limiting exemplary
embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 14 illustrates a side view of an exemplary method and
apparatus for fabricating some of the embodiments described herein.
In this regard, referring to FIG. 14A, a portion of the cover 202
is disposed between the concave engagement surface 1382 and the
convex engagement surface 1384 in a similar manner as described
above in FIG. 13C. FIG. 14B illustrates the relative motion of the
concave engagement surface 1382 and the convex engagement surface
1384 that are operative to engage and apply a compressive force on
a portion of the cover 202 disposed therebetween.
[0052] FIG. 14C illustrates the positioning of the concave
engagement surface 1382 and the convex engagement surface 1384
prior to shrinking of the cover 202 by the application of heat that
is operative to reduce the surface area of the cover 202 such that
the cover 202 substantially conforms to the outer surface of the
product 202. The compressive force of the concave engagement
surface 1382 and the convex engagement surface 1384 is operative to
begin the formation of the handle portion 208 (of FIG. 2). The
engaged concave engagement surface 1382 and the convex engagement
surface 1384 may be moved relative to the product 200 to be
positioned in substantially the location where the resulting
orifice 701 of FIG. 9 will be located after the heating process. In
an alternate embodiment, the engaged concave engagement surface
1382 and the convex engagement surface 1384 may be moved relative
to the product 200 during the heating process in a direction and at
a rate of motion that corresponds to the shrinking of the cover
202. FIG. 14D illustrates the position of the concave engagement
surface 1382 and the convex engagement surface 1384 and the
formation of the handle portion 208 in the cover 202 during the
heating process. Once the handle portion 208 has been formed, and
the cover 202 is shrunk a desired amount, the cover 202 may be
allowed to cool.
[0053] FIG. 14E illustrates the relative motion of the concave
engagement surface 1382 and the convex engagement surface 1384 as
the concave engagement surface 1382 and the convex engagement
surface 1384 disengage from the handle portions 208 of the cover
202. FIG. 14F illustrates the resultant product 200, cover 202 and
handle portions 208.
[0054] Instead of using a handle form apparatus 1380, a similar end
result may be achieved by changing the composition of the material
used to wrap the product. FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of a
wrapping machine 1350 that includes a first roll of cover material
1352 and a second roll of cover material 1354 as shown above in
FIG. 13. The edges of the first roll of cover material 1352 and the
second roll of cover material 1354 may be formed into a variety of
exemplary profiles that may facilitate different edges 206 of the
cover 202.
[0055] In this regard, FIG. 16 illustrates cut away views along the
line 16 (of FIG. 15) of exemplary profiles of the edges 206 (of
FIG. 2) of the first roll of cover material 1352 (and/or the second
roll of cover material 1354) that may be incorporated into any of
the embodiments described herein and partially define the orifice
204 and a portion of the handle portion 208. FIG. 16A illustrates
an exemplary embodiment of a straight edge 206 of the cover 202.
FIG. 16B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge 206 that
includes a member 1602 that contacts the cover 202 and may include
a different material than the cover 202 material. The member 1602
may be formed from, for example, a plastic, or pulp product and may
be connected to the cover 202 with for example a joining or bonding
process that may include a mechanical connection, a welded, or
bonded connection, or an adhesive connection. FIG. 16C illustrates
an exemplary embodiment of an edge 206 that includes a loop 1604
that is formed by the connection of an end of the cover 202 to a
surface of the cover 202 in a region 1606 using, for example,
mechanical connection, a welded, or bonded connection, or an
adhesive connection. In one exemplary embodiment, air that is
trapped within the loop 1604 forms a cushioned handle when the
surrounding cover material 202 shrinks during the heating process.
FIG. 16D illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge 206 that
includes a layer or strip of material 1608 that is formed by the
connection of the strip of material 1608 to a surface of the cover
202 in a region 1610 using, for example, mechanical connection, a
welded, or bonded connection, or an adhesive connection. FIG. 16E
illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an edge 206 that includes
layer or strip of material 1614 that is formed over a member 1612
and is connected to the cover 202 in regions 1616 using a suitable
connection process. Member 1612 may include a different material
than the cover 202 and may be formed from, for example, a plastic,
pulp, or fiber product such as string. FIG. 16F illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of an edge 206 that includes a cover 202
having a greater thickness (t.sub.1) in a region 1618 proximate to
the edge 206 and a relatively lesser thickness (t.sub.2) in
interior regions of the cover 202. FIG. 16G illustrates an
exemplary embodiment of an edge 206 that is formed by combining a
material 1622 that may include, for example, a plastic, polymer,
composite, paper, or pulp product while maintaining the same
thickness as the rest of cover 202. The material 1622 may be bonded
with the of the cover 202 by using, for example, co-extrusion of
different raw materials, or mechanically bonding or welding
abutting edges. It is also understood that the different
embodiments presented herein may be combined.
[0056] FIG. 16H illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment that
includes the layering of a strip of material 1626 represented with
a filler strip 1624 of a similar material as the cover 202 such
that the final cover 202 has a substantially uniform thickness.
Alternatively, the strip of material 1608 in FIG. 16D or the
material 1614 and member 1612 of FIG. 16E may be compressed to a
similar thickness as the rest of the cover 202 by using, for
example, the application of a set of rollers to compress the
material into a substantially uniform thickness.
[0057] The alternative embodiments represented by FIG. 16A-H above
may be used to form a handle portion 208 around the entire length
of edge 206 of the orifice 204 (of FIG. 2). These methods could be
modified, by for example, staggering the arrangement of the
features on the edge, or removing portions of the edge features
following the wrapping of the product 200, to create a handle at an
upper or top of the orifice 204.
[0058] FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary detailed frontal view of
region 17 (of FIG. 15) of an alternate embodiment of an edge 206 of
the cover 202. In this regard, the material 1702 applied at or
proximate to the edge 206 of the cover 202 provides a region of the
cover 202 that when indexed to a portion of the product 200 is
arranged as a handle portion on the product 202.
[0059] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the material
1702 applied to cover 202 arranged on the product 200 that includes
a handle portion 1802 partially defined by the material 1702.
[0060] FIG. 19 illustrates an alternate exemplary embodiment of a
cover 202 similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, where the
material 1902 is applied as a continuous strip of material having
an undulating or scalloped profile that provides a handle portion
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 18.
[0061] The material 1702 may be used alone or in conjunction with
any of the embodiments described above including the embodiments
illustrated in FIG. 16. Though the illustrated embodiment of FIG.
17 shows the material 1702 proximate to the edge 206, alternate
embodiments may include any alternative profile. In an alternative
embodiment, the embodiments represented by FIG. 16A-G above may be
applied to the first roll of cover material 1352 of FIG. 13A,
thereby creating a handle portion 208 on the top half of the edge
206 of orifice 204.
[0062] The technical effects and benefits of the embodiments
described above include the formation of a handle portion in the
cover of a product package that offers a greater surface area to
more evenly distribute the weight of a product to provide a more
comfortable lifting means for a user.
[0063] While the invention has been described in detail in
connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be
readily understood that the invention is not limited to such
disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to
incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or
equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are
commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention.
Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may
include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the
invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing
description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended
claims.
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