U.S. patent application number 14/238317 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for packaging.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Sebastien Bouline, Sophie Caron, Nicolas Gres, Oliver Schembri. Invention is credited to Sebastien Bouline, Sophie Caron, Nicolas Gres, Oliver Schembri.
Application Number | 20140170272 14/238317 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44764374 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140170272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caron; Sophie ; et
al. |
June 19, 2014 |
PACKAGING
Abstract
Packaging (1) in which first and second layers (11, 12) are
coupled to one another and arranged with built-in areas of weakness
(21, 22). Part of the first layer (11) exposed outside of the
packaging (1) has a built-in in area of weakness (21) and part of
the second layer (12) arranged within the packaging (1) has a
built-in area of weakness (22). The built-in areas of weakness (21,
22) are arranged such that breaking the first layer (11) at the
built-in area of weakness thereof (21) enables the first layer (11)
to act on the second layer (12) to break the second layer (12) at
the built-in area of weakness (22) to thereby open the packaging
(1).
Inventors: |
Caron; Sophie; (Eysins,
CH) ; Bouline; Sebastien; (Eysins, CH) ; Gres;
Nicolas; (Eysins, CH) ; Schembri; Oliver;
(Eysins, CH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Caron; Sophie
Bouline; Sebastien
Gres; Nicolas
Schembri; Oliver |
Eysins
Eysins
Eysins
Eysins |
|
CH
CH
CH
CH |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS
LLC
East Hanover
NJ
|
Family ID: |
44764374 |
Appl. No.: |
14/238317 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
August 10, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2012/054091 |
371 Date: |
February 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/122 ;
220/270; 53/461 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5827 20130101;
B65D 75/38 20130101; B65D 75/5844 20130101; B65D 75/5833 20130101;
B65B 67/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/122 ;
220/270; 53/461 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65B 67/08 20060101 B65B067/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 12, 2011 |
GB |
1113868.2 |
Claims
1. Packaging comprising: first and second layers coupled to one
another, arranged with a built-in area of weakness at part of the
first layer and exposed outside of the packaging and a built-in in
area of weakness at part of the second layer arranged within the
packaging, wherein the built-in areas of weakness are arranged such
that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness
thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer to break
the second layer at the built-in area of weakness to thereby open
the packaging and wherein the packaging comprises end walls, with
the one or more side walls running between the end walls, with the
built-in area of weakness of the first layer formed in a side wall
and the built-in area of weakness of the second layer formed in an
end wall.
2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers
are coupled to one another at a first coupling area, the first
coupling area extending to meet the built-in area of weakness of
the first layer, but not the built-in area of weakness of the
second layer.
3. The packaging of claim 1, comprising an area in which the first
and second layers are not bonded to one another so that the first
and second layers are coupled to one another at distinct first and
second bonding areas.
4. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the area in which the first
and second layers are not bonded to one another is partially
bounded by a portion of the built-in area of weakness of the first
layer and partially bounded by a portion of the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer.
5. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the built-in area of weakness
of the first layer runs around the majority of the outside of the
packaging in the form of a partial or complete loop around the
outside of the packaging.
6. The packaging of claim 1, arranged such that the built-in area
of weakness of the second layer forms a closed loop on the end
wall.
7. The packaging of claim 1, arranged such that breaking the first
layer and second layer at the built-in areas of weakness forms a
separable portion of the packaging.
8. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the first and second layers
are coupled in the separable portion.
9. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the first and second layers
are coupled only in the separable portion.
10. The packaging of claim 7, wherein the separable portion
comprises a cap including an end wall of the packaging, and wherein
separating the separable portion opens the packaging by exposing an
opening at an end wall of the packaging.
11. The packaging of claim 10, wherein the cap comprises portions
of the first and second layers from the end wall, and a portion of
the first layer only from the side walls.
12. The packaging of claim 1, enclosing a plurality of products
stacked in side-by-side arrangement and arranged such that the
built-in area of weakness of the first layer lies on a side wall
thereof at a separation from and end wall thereof at a distance
along the packaging corresponding to the dimension of one product
along the length of the stack.
13. A packaging blank comprising: first and second layers coupled
to one another, arranged with a built-in area of weakness at part
of the first layer and a built-in in area of weakness at part of
the second layer, wherein when formed as packaging around a product
to provide a package with end walls and one or more side walls
running between the end walls the built-in areas of weakness lie
with the part of the first layer comprising the built-in area of
weakness exposed outside of the packaging and the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer within the packaging, such that
breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof
enables the first layer to act on the second layer to break the
second layer at the built-in area of weakness to open the
packaging, and the built-in area of weakness of the first layer is
formed in a side wall and the built-in area of weakness of the
second layer is formed in an end wall.
14. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the first and second
are layers laminated, and coupled to one another with a bond across
part of their area.
15. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein first and/or second
built-in area of weakness comprise a scored and/or perforated
area.
16. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the first and/or
second built-in area of weakness comprise a laser score or a die
cut.
17. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the first and second
layers are coupled to one another at a first coupling area, the
first coupling area extending to meet the built-in area of weakness
of the first layer, but not the built-in area of weakness of the
second layer.
18. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the first and second
layers are coupled to one another at distinct first and second
coupling areas.
19. The packaging blank of claim 13, comprising an area in which
the first and second layers are not coupled to one another.
20. The packaging blank of claim 19, wherein the area in which the
first and second layers are not coupled to one another is bounded
by the built-in area of weakness of the first layer, and/or bounded
by the built-in area of weakness of the second layer.
21. The packaging blank of claim 19, wherein the area in which the
first and second layers are not bonded to one another comprises a
strip across the packaging blank that runs across the packaging
blank from one edge to another.
22. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer runs across the packaging blank from
one edge to another.
23. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer is provided as a line of weakness.
24. The packaging blank of claim 23, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer runs across the packaging blank in a
straight line.
25. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer runs across the packaging blank
parallel to an edge of the packaging blank.
26. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer comprises a tear guide.
27. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer runs across the packaging blank from
one edge to another.
28. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer runs across the packaging blank in a
straight line.
29. The packaging blank of claim 28, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer extends as a straight line from one
edge of the packaging blank.
30. The packaging blank of claim 29, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer is provided extending from an edge of
the packaging blank and parallel to the built-in area of weakness
of the first layer.
31. The packaging blank of claim 13, arranged with an area in which
the first and second layers are not bonded to one another bounded
by the built-in area of weakness in the first layer and a parallel
built-in area of weakness in the second layer.
32. The packaging blank of claim 31, wherein width of the strip
across which the first and second layers are not bonded to one
another is less than 10 mm and greater than 2 mm.
33. The packaging blank of claims 32, wherein the width of the
strip across which the first and second layers are not bonded to
one is equal to the separation of the second built-in area of
weakness from the edge of the packaging blank.
34. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer runs across the packaging blanks less
than 10 mm from the edge of the packaging blank.
35. The packaging blank of claim 13, provided with adhesive at its
periphery, to enable edges of the blank to be sealed to one another
during formation of packaging from the packaging blank.
36. The packaging blank of claim 13, wherein the first and second
layers are be coupled by bonding, for example by glue.
37. The packaging blank of claim 13 of generally rectangular
shape.
38. The packaging blank of claim 13 comprising a layer of a
metallic foil, for example as the first layer and comprising a
second layer of paper, for example as the second layer.
39. The packaging blank of claim 38, comprising a layer of
polymeric material laminated to the metallic foil to provide the
first layer.
40. The packaging blank according to claim 13 in combination with
an item or arrangement of items to be packaged.
41. The packaging blank of claim 40, wherein the arrangement of
items to be packaged comprises a stack of gum pellets.
42. A method of packaging, the method comprising: providing a
packaging blank comprising first and second layers coupled to one
another; providing a built-in area of weakness at part of the first
layer and a built-in in area of weakness at part of the second
layer; and forming the packaging blank around an item or
arrangement of items to be packaged to provide a package with end
walls and one or more side walls running between the end walls;
wherein the forming positions part of the first layer comprising
the built-in area of weakness exposed outside of the packaging and
the built-in area of weakness of the second layer within the
packaging, with the built-in areas of weakness arranged such that
breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof
enables the first layer to act on the second layer to break the
second layer at the built-in area of weakness to open the
packaging, wherein and the built-in area of weakness of the first
layer is formed in a side wall and the built-in area of weakness of
the second layer is formed in an end wall.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of providing the
built-in areas of weakness is performed before the forming
step.
44. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of providing the
built-in area of weakness is split into sub-steps of providing one
the built-in areas of weakness before the forming step, and
providing the other of the built-in areas of weakness after the
forming step.
45. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of providing the
built-in areas of weakness is performed partially before and
partially after the forming step, with one or more area of weakness
being expanded after the forming step.
46. The method of claims 42, wherein the step of providing a
built-in area of weakness comprises one or both of: a laser scoring
step and a die cutting step.
47. The method of claim 42, wherein the step of providing a
built-in area of weakness comprises scoring and/or perforating
operations.
48. The method of claim 42, wherein the packaging blank comprises
first and second layers coupled to one another, arranged with a
built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer and a built-in
in area of weakness at part of the second layer, wherein when
formed as packaging around a product to provide a package with end
walls and one or more side walls running between the end walls the
built-in areas of weakness lie with the part of the first layer
comprising the built-in area of weakness exposed outside of the
packaging and the built-in area of weakness of the second layer
within the packaging, such that breaking the first layer at the
built-in area of weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on
the second layer to break the second layer at the built-in area of
weakness to open the packaging, and the built-in area of weakness
of the first layer is formed in a side wall and the built-in area
of weakness of the second layer is formed in an end wall, or the
method produces packaging comprising first and second layers
coupled to one another, arranged with a built-in area of weakness
at part of the first layer and exposed outside of the packaging and
a built-in in area of weakness at part of the second layer arranged
within the packaging, wherein the built-in areas of weakness are
arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of
weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer
to break the second layer at the built-in area of weakness to
thereby open the packaging and wherein the packaging comprises end
walls, with the one or more side walls running between the end
walls, with the built-in area of weakness of the first layer formed
in a side wall and the built-in area of weakness of the second
layer formed in an end wall.
49. (canceled)
Description
FIELD
[0001] The disclosure relates to packaging
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is known to package consumable products by placing a
number of the products side-by-side to form a stack and enclosing
the stack in a tubular packet formed from a wrapper of flexible
material. This type of packaging is used for a variety of
consumable products such as biscuits and confectionery items,
including gum pellets. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging
10 of chewing gum pellets 12. The dashed lines of the chewing gum
pellets 12 indicate the positions of the chewing gum pellets 12
within the packaging 10. A packaging blank 14 is folded
circumferentially about the stack so that one side edge 14a of the
packaging blank overlaps another side edge and is held in place by
means of adhesive or otherwise bonded to form a seal. The packaging
blank is longer than the stack products so that the ends of the
packaging blank extend beyond the ends of the stack. Each end of
the packaging blank is folded to provide end closure flaps which
overlie their respective ends of the stack to form an end wall
region 18. The flaps are usually held in place by means of adhesive
or otherwise bonded so that the packaging blank forms a sealed,
tubular packet for the confectionery pellets. Sometimes a second,
inner wrapper is provided which is folded about the product in a
similar manner to the main or outer packaging blank before the
outer packaging blank is applied. This is referred to as "double
wrapped". However, in many cases only a single packaging blank is
used, which is referred to as "single wrapped". In some cases, each
product in the stack is also individually wrapped.
[0003] Other food and confectionery items are also provided in the
form of pellets, pastilles, tablets or the like and are suitable
for packaging in the manner described above. For example, hard
boiled sweets, candies, chocolates, toffee or mints may be provided
in the form of pellets or pastilles as can many other types of
candy both hard and soft.
[0004] The terms gum and chewing gum as used herein include bubble
gum.
[0005] For use in packaging consumable goods, the packaging blank
is usually fabricated from a sheet of material that is
substantially gas and moisture impervious and overlapping portions
of the packaging blank are adhered to one another so that the
packet is fully sealed. Although for certain food and confectionery
products, a hermetically sealed package is not desirable. Suitable
packaging blanks can be made from a variety of materials including
polymeric materials, metallic foil, and paper. Often the packaging
blank will be formed from a laminated sheet of material having two
or more layers of material.
[0006] To assist a consumer in gaining access to the packaged
products, it is common practice to provide a tear guide in or on
the packaging blank which assists a consumer in tearing the packet
along a predetermined line. One known form of tear guide is a tear
strip which is attached to an inner surface of the packaging blank
and is made of a material which is stronger than the packaging
blank. An end of the tear strip is exposed in the finished packet
so that it can be grasped by a user and pulled to tear the
packaging blank along the line of the strip. Often the tear guide
will be positioned to that it circumscribes the packet at or close
to one end. A conventional tear strip arrangement is shown at 20 in
FIG. 1, with the dashed lines of the tear strip 20 indicating the
position of the tear strip on the inside of the packaging.
[0007] Use of a tear strip is disadvantageous as it requires the
manufacture and storage of an additional component, i.e. the strip,
as well as an additional process step of applying the strip to the
packaging blank. This adds to the overall cost of manufacture. In
addition, due to the nature of the materials used, packaging blanks
that are gas and moisture impervious are often quite tough and can
be difficult to tear in a predictable manner using a tear
strip.
[0008] A further drawback with the conventional packaging
arrangement is that the packet often cannot be re-closed so as to
effectively retain and protect, at least to some degree, the
remaining contents. This is a particular issue where the user will
typically remove only one or a few of the products at a time and
will wish to safely retain the remaining products for later
consumption.
[0009] There is a need for an alternative packaging arrangement
which overcomes or at least mitigates the disadvantages of the
prior art arrangements.
[0010] There is also a need for an improved method of opening a
packaging arrangement which overcomes, or at least mitigates, the
disadvantages of one or more of the known methods.
SUMMARY
[0011] In an example embodiment, the disclosure provides packaging
including first and second layers coupled to one another, arranged
with a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer and
exposed outside of the packaging and a built-in in area of weakness
at part of the second layer arranged within the packaging, wherein
the built-in areas of weakness are arranged such that breaking the
first layer at the built-in area of weakness thereof enables the
first layer to act on the second layer to break the second layer at
the built-in area of weakness to thereby open the packaging.
[0012] The packaging may include a layer of a metallic foil, for
example as the first layer. The packaging may include a second
layer of paper, for example as the second layer. The metallic foil
may be an aluminium foil. The packaging may include a layer of
polymeric material, for example a thermoplastic material such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The layer of polymeric material
may include the outermost layer of the packaging. The layer of
polymeric material may be laminated to the metallic foil, for
example to provide the first layer and the outermost layer of the
packaging.
[0013] The first and second layers may be laminated, with the first
and second layers coupled to one another with a bond across part of
their area. The first and second layer layers may be glue
laminated.
[0014] The first and second layers may be coupled to one another at
a first coupling area, the first coupling area extending to meet
the built-in area of weakness of the first layer, but not the
built-in area of weakness of the second layer. The first and second
layer may be coupled to one another at distinct first and second
bonding areas. The packaging may include an area in which the first
and second layers are not bonded to one another. The area in which
the first and second layers are not bonded to one another may be
partially bounded by a portion of the built-in area of weakness of
the first layer. The area in which the first and second layers are
not bonded to one another may be partially bounded by a portion of
the built-in area of weakness of the second layer.
[0015] The packaging may include end walls and one or more side
walls. The packaging may include end walls, with the one or more
side walls running between the end walls. The end walls may be of
generally equal size, and be arranged opposed to one another in
generally parallel alignment.
[0016] The packaging may be arranged such that the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer runs around the majority of, for
example the entirety of the outside of the packaging, such as in
the form of a partial or complete loop around the outside of the
packaging. The built-in area of weakness of the first layer may lie
on the side wall. The built-in area of weakness of the first layer
may be provided as a line of weakness, or two corresponding lines
of weakness, for example parallel lines of weakness. The built-in
area of weakness of the first layer may include a tear guide.
[0017] The packaging may be arranged such that the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer is defined in an end wall of the
packaging. The built-in area of weakness of the second layer may
lie along one or more edges of the packaging, for example two,
three or four edges of the packaging. The built-in area of weakness
of the second layer may form a closed loop on the end wall, or may
circumscribe the end wall at its perimeter. The built-in area of
weakness of the second layer may form a rectangular shape with
dimensions 7 to 13 mm wide by 15 to 25 mm long, for example.
[0018] The packaging may be arranged such that breaking the first
layer and second layer at the built-in areas of weakness forms a
separable portion of the packaging. The separable portion may
include a cap, for example a cap including an end wall of the
packaging. The packaging may be arranged such that the first and
second layers are coupled in the separable portion, for example
only in the separable portion. The packaging may be arranged such
that separating the separable portion opens the packaging by
exposing an opening at an end wall of the packaging. The opening at
the end wall of the packaging may be formed by removal of the end
wall of the packaging. The cap may include portions of the first
and second layers from the end wall, and a portion of the first
layer only from the side walls. The packaging may enclose a
plurality of products, for example each of corresponding
dimensions. The packaging may enclose a stack of products in
side-by-side arrangement. The packaging may include end walls
corresponding to the dimensions of individual products stacked
therein, and may include one or more side walls corresponding to
the length of the stack. The products may each include
characteristic dimensions of 5 mm by 10 mm by 20 mm, for example
within a generally cuboidal envelope
[0019] The built-in area of weakness of the first layer may lie on
the side wall at a separation from the end wall of at a distance
along the packaging corresponding to the dimension of one product
along the length of the stack. The built-in area of weakness may
lie on the side wall at a separation from the end wall of at a
distance greater than the dimension of one product along the length
of the stack, for example two, three or more times. The built-in
area of weakness may lie on the side wall at a separation from the
end wall of greater than 2mm, for example greater than 5mm. The
built-in area of weakness may lie on the side wall at a separation
from the end wall of less than 15 mm, for example less than 10 mm.
The built-in area of weakness may lie on the side wall at a
separate from the end wall of 7 mm.
[0020] The built-in area of weakness of the second layer may define
an opening area of the packaging, corresponding to the dimensions
of the product or products within the packaging. The opening area
may be slightly larger than a cross-sectional area of one of the
products, where the cross-sectional area is taken in a plane of the
product which aligned generally parallel to the opening area. The
opening area may be dimensioned so that it has an area that is less
than 1.5, or 1.4, or 1.3, or 1.2, or 1.1 times the cross sectional
area of one of the products. The opening area may be dimensioned so
that one product only can pass through at a time.
[0021] The packaging is for example arranged such that the first
built-in area of weakness is defined to lie on the side wall at
least the distance there-along corresponding to the size of one of
the products enclosed in the packaging. For example, the built-in
area of weakness may be defined to lie on the side wall aligned at
the point where the first and second products enclosed in the
packaging meet.
[0022] In an example embodiment, a packaging blank is disclosed,
including first and second layers coupled to one another, arranged
with a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer and a
built-in in area of weakness at part of the second layer, wherein
when formed as packaging around a product the built-in areas of
weakness lie with the part of the first layer comprising the
built-in area of weakness exposed outside of the packaging and the
built-in area of weakness of the second layer within the packaging,
such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness
thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer to break
the second layer at the built-in area of weakness to open the
packaging.
[0023] The packaging blank may include a layer of a metallic foil,
for example as the first layer. The packaging may include a second
layer of paper, for example as the second layer. The metallic foil
may be an aluminium foil. The packaging may include a layer of
polymeric material, for example a thermoplastic material such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The layer of polymeric material
may be laminated to the metallic foil, for example to provide the
first layer and the outermost layer of the packaging.
[0024] The first and second layers may be laminated, with the first
and second layers coupled to one another with a bond across part of
their area. The first and second layer layers may be glue
laminated.
[0025] The first and/or second built-in area of weakness may
include a laser score. The first and/or second built-in area of
weakness may include a die cut. The first and/or second built-in
area of weakness may include a scored and/or perforated area.
[0026] The first and second layers may be coupled to one another at
a first coupling area, the first coupling area extending to meet
the built-in area of weakness of the first layer, but not the
built-in area of weakness of the second layer. The first and second
layers may be coupled to one another at distinct first and second
coupling areas. The packaging blank may include an area in which
the first and second layers are not coupled to one another. The
area in which the first and second layers are not coupled to one
another may be bounded by the built-in area of weakness of the
first layer. The area in which the first and second layers are not
bonded to one another may be bounded by the built-in area of
weakness of the second layer. The area in which the first and
second layers are not bonded to one another may include a strip
across the packaging blank. The strip may run across the packaging
blank from one edge to another. The first and second layers may be
coupled by bonding, for example by glue. The packaging blank may be
arranged such that the area in which the first and second layers
are not bonded to one another is bounded by the built-in area of
weakness in the first layer and a parallel built-in area of
weakness in the second layer.
[0027] The packaging blank may be generally rectangular.
[0028] The packaging blank may be arranged such that the built-in
area of weakness of the first layer runs across the packaging blank
from one edge to another. The built-in area of weakness of the
first layer may be provided as a line of weakness, or two
corresponding lines of weakness, for example parallel lines of
weakness. The packaging blank may be arranged such that the
built-in area of weakness of the first layer runs across the
packaging blank in a straight line. The packaging blank may be
arranged such that the built-in area of weakness of the first layer
runs across the packaging blank parallel to an edge of the
packaging blank. The built-in area of weakness of the first layer
may include a tear guide.
[0029] The packaging blank may be arranged such that the built-in
area of weakness of the second layer runs across the packaging
blank from one edge to another. The packaging blank may be arranged
such that the built-in area of weakness of the second layer runs
across the packaging blank in a straight line. The built-in area of
weakness of the second layer may be provided extending as a
straight line from one edge of the packaging blank. The built-in
area of weakness of the second layer may be provided extending from
an edge of the packaging blank and parallel to the built-in area of
weakness in the first layer of the packaging blank.
[0030] The width of the strip across which the first and second
layers are not bonded to one another is for example less than 15
mm, for example less than 10 mm, for example 5 mm. The width of the
strip across which the first and second layers are not bonded to
one another is for example greater than 2 mm. The built-in area of
weakness of the second layer runs across the packaging blanks for
example less than 15 mm from the edge of the packaging blank, for
example less than 10 mm, for example 5 mm from the edge of the
packaging blank. The width of the strip across which the first and
second layers are not bonded to one another may for example be
equal to the separation of the built-in area of weakness from the
edge of the packaging blank.
[0031] The packaging blank may be provided with adhesive at its
periphery, to enable edges of the blank to be sealed to one another
during formation of packaging from the packaging blank. The
adhesive may be provided at the periphery of only one layer, for
example the first layer.
[0032] The disclosure further provides a packaging blank according
to any of the example embodiments described above, in combination
with an item or arrangement of items to be packaged. The
arrangement of items to be packaged may include a stack of
confectionery items, or a stack of gum pellets.
[0033] In an example embodiment, the disclosure provides method of
packaging, including:
[0034] providing a packaging blank including first and second
layers coupled to one another;
[0035] providing a built-in area of weakness at part of the first
layer and a built-in in area of weakness at part of the second
layer; and
[0036] forming the packaging blank around an item or arrangement of
items to be packaged; wherein the forming positions part of the
first layer including the built-in area of weakness exposed outside
of the packaging and the built-in area of weakness of the second
layer within the packaging, with the built-in areas of weakness
arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of
weakness thereof enables the first layer to act on the second layer
to break the second layer at the built-in area of weakness to open
the packaging.
[0037] The step of providing the built-in areas of weakness may be
performed before the forming step, or alternatively may be
performed there-after. The step of providing the built-in area of
weakness may be split into sub-steps of providing one the built-in
areas of weakness before the forming step, and providing the other
of the built-in areas of weakness after the forming step. The step
of providing the built-in areas of weakness may be performed
partially before and partially after the forming step, for example
with one or more area of weakness being added or expanded after the
forming step. The step of providing a built-in area of weakness may
include a laser scoring step. The step of providing a built-in area
of weakness may include a die cutting step. The step of providing a
built-in area of weakness may includes scoring and/or perforating
operations.
[0038] The packaging blank may be that according to any of the
example embodiments described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0039] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how
example embodiments of the same may be carried into effect,
reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying
diagrammatic drawings in which:
[0040] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a packaging of chewing gum
pellets;
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of packaging according to an
example embodiment;
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 2
with a built-in area of weakness in a first layer thereof partially
broken;
[0043] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 2
with a built-in area of weakness in a first layer thereof
completely broken, and the resultant tear guide removed;
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 2
with a built-in area of weakness in a second layer thereof broken
to open the packaging;
[0045] FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view of the a packaging blank
according to an example embodiment;
[0046] FIG. 7 shows schematic plan view of the packaging blank of
FIG. 6, illustrating an area over which the first and second layers
are coupled to one another; and
[0047] FIG. 8 shows a schematic plan view of the packaging blank of
FIG. 6, illustrating an area over which adhesive is provided to
enable sealing of the packaging formed from the packaging
blank.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0048] FIGS. 2-5 show a package 1 in accordance with an example
embodiment. The package 1 includes generally tubular packet which
encases a stack of products (not shown in FIG. 2 but see 100 in
FIG. 5). The tubular packet is formed from a packaging blank of
flexible material which is folded about the stack and sealed in a
manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and as described above.
Accordingly, the tubular packet has a side wall region 3 which
encircles the stack of products, the ends of the tube being closed
by means of end wall regions 4 constructed from folded flaps (not
shown). In the present embodiment, the products 100 are chewing gum
pellets which are shaped like small pillows having a rectangular
outer periphery. As a result, the side wall region 3 is rectangular
in lateral cross-section, and has opposed front 32 and rear 34
faces and opposed side faces 36, 38.
[0049] The package 1 is formed by folding a packaging blank around
the stack of products to be packaged. FIGS. 6-8 illustrate a
suitable packaging blank 2, in accordance with an example
embodiment. The packaging blank 2 is shown in FIG. 6 as a generally
rectangular two-layered blank, including an outer, first layer 11
and an inner, second layer 12. The first and second layers 11, 12
are a laminated construction, and in example embodiments include a
metallic foil layer and a paper layer respectively. The first and
second layers 11, 12 are coupled to one another, for example by
adhesive. Coupling the layers facilitates handling of the packaging
blank during wrapping the products in the packaging. FIG. 7 shows,
as the hatched area, the portions of first and second layers 11, 12
which are coupled. In the un-hatched area 33 the first and second
layers 11, 12 are not adhered to one another. In both FIGS. 6 and 7
the top left corner of the second layer 12 is schematically shown
as folding up out of the plane of the blank 1, to illustrate the
laminated nature of the blank 2, but it is to be understood that in
the example embodiments of the blank 2 the corner of the first and
second layers 11, 12 are coupled to one another at this region, in
accordance with the hatched area on the second layer 12 shown in
FIG. 7.
[0050] FIGS. 6 and 7 each show a built-in area of weakness in both
first and second layers 11, 12. A built-in area of weakness 21 is
provided in the first layer 11, and a built-in area of weakness 22
is provided in the second layer 12. FIG. 8 shows the first layer,
with hot melt adhesive region 35 used when the packaging blank 2 is
sealed around the stack of products 100 to hold the packaging
together.
[0051] The built-in areas of weakness 21, 22 are provided to
facilitate opening of the package, and to do so in a way which
enables a degree of re-closing of the package after one of the
stack of products 100 has been removed. The built-in area of
weakness 21 in the first layer 11 is exposed on the outside of the
packaging 1 when the packaging blank 2 is formed around a stack of
products 100 to provide the packaging 1. The built-in area of
weakness 21 is arranged to provide a tear guide that runs around
the side wall 3 of the packaging 1 across the front 32 and rear 34
faces, and side faces 36, 38. Tearing the packaging along 1 the
built-in area of weakness 21 in the first layer 11 is initiated by
lifting the edge of the tear guide, as shown in FIG. 3. Breaking
the built-in area of weakness 21 all around the side wall 3 leaves
a strip of the second layer 12 uncovered, as shown in FIG. 4. The
built-in area of weakness 22 of the second layer is positioned so
that when the packaging end flaps are folded over the perimeter of
an end wall 4 of the packaging 1 is circumscribed by the built-in
area of weakness 22. This is illustrated schematically in FIGS.
2-4, where of course the built-in area of weakness 22 of the is
second layer is not visible in the closed packaging 1 due to being
under the first layer and the end flap folds.
[0052] With the built-in area of weakness 21 of the first layer 11
broken, a cap 40 at the end of the packaging 1 can be removed by
pulling thereon, for example in the direction of the arrow A in
FIG. 4. Pulling on the first layer 11 in the region of the cap 40
causes the first layer 11 at the end wall region 4 to act on the
built-in area of weakness 22 in the second layer 12, enabling
breakage of the second layer 12 at the built-in area of weakness
22. Removal of the cap 40 from the rest of the packaging 1 uncovers
an opening extensive over the whole end wall region 4.
[0053] The side wall 3 the of open packaging 1 retains its
original, pre-opening length when the packaging 1 cap 40 is
removed, with the open end of the packaging 1 having a side wall
portion made up of only the second layer 12 at region 3a, as shown
in FIG. 5. The region 3a corresponds to the area at which the first
and second layers 11, 12 in the packaging blank 2 were not adhered
to one another.
[0054] After removal of the cap 40 and dispensing of the product
100 positioned at the open end of the packaging 1 the region 3a can
be rolled over, or folded to close the packaging 1, which is useful
to retain the rest of the stack of products 100 in the packaging 1.
With a conventional tear strip that opens the packaging on its side
wall, closure of the packaging is more difficult until two or more
products have typically been dispensed from the opening. The
embodiments shown herein however retain the tear guide in the same
side-wall position on the packaging as the conventional tear strip,
meaning that consumers perform a familiar first step in opening the
packaging. Following the removal of the tear guide it would be
natural for consumer to attempt to pull off the cap to allow access
to the product in the packaging.
[0055] As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, the products
100 are chewing gum pellets which are shaped like small pillows
having a generally rectangular outer periphery. The typical
dimensions of this product are 20 mm wide by 10 mm high by 5 mm
deep along the packaging. These dimensions may vary by up to one or
two millimetres according to product specification or manufacturing
variation. The packaging 1 may accommodate 10 or 12 gum pellets,
closely wrapped therein. The second layer is in contact with the
products 100 at one or more of their edges. As can be seen in FIG.
5 the packaging 1 as opened at the end wall 4 provides an opening
that generally corresponds to the dimensions of the product 100
within the packaging 1, as the products 100 are aligned in a stack.
Typically, a small amount of clearance is provided around to
prevent excessive friction during dispensing of the products 100
and to take into account a degree of variation in product
dimensions within the manufacturing tolerance of the products 100.
The opening in the packaging 1 is slightly larger then a
cross-sectional area of one of the products 100, where the
cross-sectional area is taken in a plane of the product which
aligned generally parallel to the opening area. In this way the
opening area is set so one product 100 only can pass through at a
time.
[0056] The packaging blank can be made from any suitable foldable
material such as paper, metallic foil and/or one or more polymeric
materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene
(PE) or orientated polypropylene (OPP). As described above, the
packaging blank is made from a laminated material having a first,
outer layer and a second, inner layer. The built-in areas of
weakness formed in the layers are offset from one another. This
arrangement means that there is at least one layer which remains
intact to maintain the integrity of the formed packaging prior to
opening. In one embodiment, the packaging blank has a layer of
aluminium foil and a layer of paper positioned inwardly from the
foil. The packaging may also have a further layer of a polymeric
material, which may be a thermoplastic material such as PET
laminated to the outside of the aluminium foil to provide a
composite first layer. In other embodiments, the packaging may
include PE/OPP or OPP/OPP laminate structures.
[0057] The built-in areas of weakness can be formed using any
suitable method such as by scoring. One method is to produce the
line of weakness by laser etching. The wavelength of the laser can
be selected so that it is absorbed by one layer, e.g. a paper layer
and reflected by another layer, e.g. a metallic foil layer so that
the built-in area of weakness is formed in the paper layer only
within. The built-in area of weakness may be continuous or
discontinuous, using e.g. a pulsed laser or suitable die cutters.
The embodiments of the packaging blank described above may be
prepared before wrapping of products to produce the packaging, but
the ability to laser score inner layers means that scoring of one
or both of the first and second layers may be performed after the
packaging has been formed from the packaging blank. Furthermore,
although a single packaging blank has been described in isolation,
the packaging blank may be provided initially on a roll or sheet
for later separation during formation of the packaging.
[0058] The packaging can be printed on to provide a consumer with
guidance and instructions for opening. For example, the packaging
can be printed on to provide the user with an externally visible
indication of where the opening region and/or the built-in area of
weakness of the first layer are located. The printing may be
applied to the outermost layer. Alternatively, if the packaging has
an outermost layer which is transparent, the printing may be
applied to an adjacent layer so as to be visible through the
outermost layer. As with the step of forming the built-in areas of
weakness, the printing steps may be performed on the blank before
the packaging is formed, or on the formed packaging.
[0059] In the embodiments described so far, the packaging is
designed for use with gum pellets having a generally rectangular
outer profile. As a result, the side wall regions of the tubular
packets also have a generally rectangular outer profile when viewed
in lateral cross section and define two pairs of opposed faces all
of which are generally planar. However, this is not essential in
all embodiments and the outer profile of the side wall region can
vary depending on the shape of the products being packaged.
[0060] It will be appreciated that whilst the position of the
built-in areas of weakness areas indicated in the FIGS. 2, 3, 6 and
7 by means of dashed lines, where the packaging is made from a
laminated material, the lines of weakness are formed in only one of
the layers at any given position on the packaging, so that the
integrity of the packaging is maintained until it is first opened.
The packaging in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5 can be
constructed using any of the materials and methods shown and
described in relation to FIGS. 6-8.
[0061] It can be seen that the packaging provides a simple and cost
effective packaging that is easy to open and which can be
effectively re-closed.
[0062] The packaging, packaging blank, and methods described above
can be applied to the packaging of any suitable products but is
particularly suitable for use with consumable products, including
confectionery products such as gum pellets, when arranged
side-by-side in a stack.
[0063] Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and
described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications might be made without departing
from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended
claims.
[0064] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are
filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in
connection with this application and which are open to public
inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such
papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.
[0065] All of the features disclosed in this specification
(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or
all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be
combined in any combination, except combinations where at least
some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
[0066] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any
accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0067] The invention is not restricted to the details of the
foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or
any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this
specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and
drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the
steps of any method or process so disclosed.
* * * * *