PACKAGE HAVING SHORTENED FLAPS SEALED WITH A TAPE HAVING A LINE OF WEAKNESS

Abstract

A package having shied flaps, wherein at least two of its flaps are sealed with a tape; the tape comprises two or more lateral adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area having a line of weakness positioned there between.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to packages sealed using adhesive tape having lateral adhesive zones and a non-adhesive area with a line of weakness positioned there between.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] For transport from one location to another, products are often placed in packages. Each package may accommodate either a single product or multiple products, depending on the application. Although many types of packages and package materials are readily available on the market, one of the most common packages is a corrugated cardboard container or package.

[0003] A package is generally rectangular and comprises four contiguous vertical side surfaces and two pair of flaps, commonly known as the major and minor pairs of flaps, on both the top and bottom of the package. Each of the flaps is connected to one of the vertical side surfaces, such that when the pairs of major and minor flaps are folded toward each other and toward the center of the package, the edges of at least the major flaps meet near the center of the top or bottom of the package, effectively creating the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the package and closing the package. The flaps on the package are typically sealed in place by glue or by pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The tape is often applied in a "C-clip" configuration.

[0004] The C-clip is so named because a cross-section of the tape along the length of the tape as it is applied to a package is in the shape of the letter "C". Specifically, a C-clip of tape is a continuous length of adhesive tape that is applied to a portion of one vertical side of a package, across the center of one of the horizontal surfaces of the package to seal the abutting major flaps together and finally to a portion of the opposite vertical side of the package. Moreover, the tape for a C-clip is typically wide enough to be applied along the abutting flaps such that both flaps of the outermost or major pairs of flaps on the top and bottom of the package are sealed by a single piece of tape. When the package is closed and sealed with a C-clip of adhesive tape, there are no substantial gaps to allow contaminants to reach the product or products enclosed in the package.

[0005] One problem associated with a package sealed with C-clips is that the person opening the package typically needs a sharp instrument to penetrate the tape and access the objects inside the package. In addition, a package may provide more protection than the manufacturer or supplier requires for their products. Moreover, because the price of a package is directly related to the quantity of raw materials (for example, corrugated cardboard) used in manufacturing the package, the cost of using a package may be unnecessarily high for those users who do not need as complete a protection for their products.

[0006] In response to these concerns, package makers produce a second type of package with shortened or "shied" pairs of major and minor flaps that do not meet each other when the package is in a closed condition. Instead, when the package is closed, there is a gap between both the major and minor pairs of flaps. Packages of this type use substantially less raw materials, which correspondingly reduces both the costs to produce the packages and ultimately reduces the amount of waste generated when disposing of the packages.

[0007] An alternative method of sealing packages with shied flaps is to apply two C-clips of package sealing tape to the major pair of flaps, with one C-clip applied on each flap of the pair. For example, it is known to apply two C-clips of tape on opposite sides of a gap between the major flaps from two separate tape sources, each mounted on a separate taping head provided on a package sealing machine. However, because the two C-clips of tape are not applied to cover the gap between the shied flaps, the products enclosed in the package are not protected from contaminants.

[0008] Another alternative method of sealing packages is to apply tape having lateral adhesive zones and a non-adhesive area positioned there between to the major pair of flaps. However, this tape is no easier to remove than standard tape having adhesive across the entire width, as the tape is flush with the vertical package surface, forcing a worker to open the package using a sharp instrument, which could potentially damage the products contained therein. In certain forms, tabs have been placed in the non-adhesive areas of the tapes, but tabs do not ensure separating the tape along its length, as the tab could tear off or run into one of the adhesive zones.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for easy opening packages having a sealing tape that can be applied across gaps formed by shortened or "shied" pairs of major and minor flaps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A package is provided that comprises two opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; a tape having two or more adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area, the tape is applied to the pair of opposed flaps with an adhesive strip adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap; and wherein the tape comprises a line of weakness.

[0011] A package is provided that comprises two opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; a tape having two or more adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area, the tape is applied to the pair of opposed flaps with an adhesive strip adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap; and wherein the tape comprises two lines of weakness that are substantially parallel along the tape length.

[0012] A package is provided that comprises four contiguous vertical side surfaces, wherein the four contiguous vertical side surfaces comprise a first pair of opposing vertical side surfaces and a second pair of opposing vertical side surfaces; each vertical side surface of the first pair of opposing vertical side surfaces is connected to a separate minor flap, with each minor flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; each vertical side surface of the second pair of opposing vertical side surfaces is connected to a separate major flap, with each major flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; a tape having two or more adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area, the tape is applied to the pair of opposed major flaps with an adhesive strip adhered to each major flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap formed by the pair of opposed major flaps; and wherein the tape comprises a line of weakness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a package of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a package of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a tape of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a tape of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The present invention relates to a package having flaps wherein at least two of its flaps are sealed with a tape. The flaps being sealed do not meet (the flaps are shied), forming a gap at the top or bottom of the package. The tape used to seal the package comprises two or more lateral adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area having a line of weakness positioned there between, wherein the non-adhesive area substantially spans the gap between the flaps.

[0022] As used herein, the term "line of weakness" refers to one or more weakness points arranged in any pattern suitable to facilitate the separation of a tape by providing a weakened tear point in a tape. The pattern can extend in one or more directions, for example the pattern can be straight, bent, angled, curved, irregular or combinations thereof. One or more of the individual weakness points can overlap to form a line of weakness. In addition, or alternatively, one or more of the individual weakness points can be spaced apart from one another to form a line of weakness. A line of weakness can be formed in any suitable manner, such as mechanically, thermally, using a laser, chemically, or combinations thereof.

[0023] As used herein, the term "weakness point" refers to a region of the tape where the thickness of the tape is substantially less than the thickness of the tape surrounding the region. In certain embodiments, an individual weakness point can be weaker than the surrounding area, for example about 50% weaker, about 75% weaker, or about 100% weaker. Weakness points can be formed in any suitable manner, such as by depressions or perforations.

[0024] As used herein, the term "depression" refers to a weakness point having a thickness less than the thickness of the surrounding tape but greater than zero. The depressions can extend into the tape from either the adhesive or non-adhesive surface or both of the tape. In certain embodiments, individual depressions can overlap each other when forming a line of weakness, so that a substantially continuous line of weakness formed by depressions is generated, such as a score line or groove.

[0025] As used herein, the term "perforation" refers to one or more weakness points, wherein at least a portion of the region of a tape forming the weakness point can have a thickness of about zero.

[0026] As used herein, the term "tape" includes pressure-sensitive adhesive package sealing tapes used in package sealing applications. However, other web materials that can be applied to packages are included. Tapes comprise a backing layer with a layer of adhesive coated to one side of the backing layer, which forms a tape having two surfaces--an underside adhesive surface and a top non-adhesive surface.

[0027] A package may be square in shape, but as shown in FIG. 1, a package 10 may be generally rectangular and comprise four contiguous vertical side surfaces 11, 12, 13, 14 and two pair of flaps, commonly known as the major 15A, 15B and minor pairs of flaps 16A, 16B on both the top and bottom of the package 10. Each of the flaps 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B is connected to one of the vertical side surfaces 11, 12, 13, 14 such that when the pairs of major 15A, 15B and minor flaps 16A, 16B are folded toward each other and toward the center of the package 10, the major flaps 15A, 15B form the top or bottom of the package 10 when folded down, effectively creating the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the package 10 and closing the package 10.

[0028] The present invention is directed to a package or packages having shortened or "shied" flaps. As shown in FIG. 2, this type of package 10 is designed and manufactured such that when the pairs of flaps 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B are folded toward each other, there is a substantial gap 20 intentionally provided between the nearest edges of each of the major 15A, 15B and minor pairs 16A, 16B of opposed flaps. Alternatively, it may be said that the pairs of flaps 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B are "shy" of contacting each other when the package 10 is in a closed position. The flaps 15A, 15B, 16A, 16B are therefore considered "shortened" or "shied" as compared to the flaps of other packages. The present invention includes packages having shortened flaps along with packages that use a combination of pairs of flaps that are shortened with pairs of flaps that are not shortened.

[0029] In order to close the top of the package (to go from FIG. 1 to FIG. 2), for example, a first pair of flaps, hereinafter the minor pair of flaps 16A, 16B, are typically folded toward each other. Next, a second pair of flaps, hereinafter the major pair of flaps 15A, 15B, are folded toward each other. In certain embodiments, the major pair of flaps effectively comprises the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the package. Although the typical package is described above, other package configurations are contemplated to be used in connection with the present invention, such as packages with more or less than four sides and packages with only one pair of flaps on the top and bottom of the package and the like.

[0030] A package can be any suitable size or shape. In certain embodiments, the package can be made of inflexible materials, such as, for example, cardboard, paperboard, cartonboard, chipboard, plywood, SBS, metal, plastic, paper, card stock, fabric, ceramic, polymer, natural or synthetic fibers, webs, mesh, screen, wood, composite, mixtures or combinations thereof, or any other suitable material. Alternatively, or in addition, the package can be made of a flexible material, such as, blown or cast film in a blend of low density polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene, metallocenes, ethylene vinyl acetate, surlyn, polyethylene terephthalate, biaxally oriented polypropylene, nylon, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material.

[0031] The tape 30, as shown in FIG. 3, used to seal a package of the present invention, comprises laterally spaced longitudinal adhesive strips 31A and 31B, where in certain embodiments, each of the adhesive strips 31A and 31B are on opposite edges of the tape 30 width 32, and the area between and adjacent to the adhesive strips 31A and 31B is a non-adhesive area 33 including one or more lines of weakness 40 that extend along the length 36 of the tape 30. In certain embodiments an adhesive strip may have a width of from about 2 cm to about 5 cm. In certain embodiments a non-adhesive area can have a width of from about 2 cm to about 8 cm. In certain embodiments a tape can have a width of from about 5 cm to about 18 cm; in other embodiments a tape can have a width of from about 8 cm to about 16 cm. The width of each of the adhesive strips 31A and 31B may be the same, or there may be a difference between the width of the adhesive strip 31A and the width of the adhesive strip 31B.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a package 10 sealed with a C-clip of tape 30. In this embodiment, the package 10, as in FIG. 2, comprises a pair of major flaps 15A, 15B that are shortened, a gap 20 defined as the distance between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B and a tape 30 having a line of weakness 40. The tape 30, as applied to the package 10, comprises a non-adhesive area 33 that may be substantially equal in width to the width of the gap 20 between the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B; such that the distance between the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 31A, 31B on the tape 30 is substantially equal to the distance between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B. Further, when the tape 30 is adhered to the package 10, the longitudinal centerline of the tape 30 may correspond with the centerline of the gap between the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B. Therefore, when the tape 30 is applied to the package 10, the adhesive strips 31A, 31B are adhered to the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B in a position where the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 31A, 31B correspond with, or nearly correspond with, the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B, so the product inside the package 10 is not exposed to adhesive and therefore cannot adhere to the tape 30. However, in certain other embodiments a tape 30 could be provided offset so that the centerline of the gap 20 between the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B does not correspond with the longitudinal centerline of the tape 30. In still other embodiments, the tape 30 may be applied to a package 10 with shortened flaps where the distance between the adhesive strips 31A, 31B is either larger or smaller than the gap 20 between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B. If the gap between the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 31A, 31B is smaller than the gap 20 between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B, a portion of the adhesive strips 31A, 31B may be adhered to the pair of major flaps 15A, 15B and to the exposed portion of a pair of minor flaps 16A, 16B of the package 10.

[0033] The tape used in the present invention can have one or more lines of weakness. A line of weakness can be located at any suitable location on the tape. In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4 a line of weakness 40 is positioned in the non-adhesive area 33 of the tape and extends along the length 36 of the tape 30, which in this instance begins on one of the vertical side surfaces 11, continues across the major flaps 15A, 15B and down the opposite vertical side surface 13. Further, in certain embodiments a line of weakness 40, as shown in FIG. 4, may be centrally located on the tape 30, being a substantially equal distance from either edge of the tape 30. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, a line of weakness 40 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to one or both edges of the tape 30. While in FIG. 4 the line of weakness 40 is shown as a straight line, a line of weakness can be provided in any suitable pattern, for example a line of weakness can extend in a direction substantially parallel one or both edges of the tape in a bent, angled, curved, irregular, or interlocking, pattern or combinations thereof.

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a package 10 of the present invention having a tape 30 with two lines of weakness 40A, 40B extending substantially parallel to each other along the length 36 of the tape 30. The substantially parallel lines of weakness 40A, 40B can form an easy open strip system that a user could access by first separating a section of tape 41 located between the substantially parallel lines of weakness 40A, 40B along an edge of the tape 30. Unlike prior art tabs having no guidance to prevent the tab from ending before the tape was completely or substantially separated along its length, the strip opening formed by the substantially parallel lines of weakness 40A, 40B is guided along the length 36 of the tape 30 by the substantially parallel lines of weakness 40A, 40B. Further the strip opening system frees a user from having to place their finger between the underside of the tape and the package to tear a line of weakness; allowing a user to tear a line of weakness from a position elevated above the package, thereby increasing leverage and ease of opening.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows a package 10 of the present invention having a tape 30 comprising a line of weakness 40. When a tape is applied to a package the tape becomes flush with the vertical side of the package. The closeness of the tape to the side of the package provides little to no room for a user to position a finger or an implement between the package vertical side and the underside adhesive surface of the tape to remove the tape and allow the package to be opened. Even with the absence of adhesive in the center of the tape, the pressure created by the adhesive on either side of the non-adhesive area prevents easy access to the underside adhesive surface of the tape. As shown in FIG. 5, the line of weakness 40 on the tape 30 of the present invention allows a user to separate the tape 30 along the length 36 of the tape 30 without first having to insert a finger under the tape 30. Further, as the line of weakness 40 runs along the length 36 of the tape 30 substantially the entire length 36 of tape 30 present on the package 10 can be separated allowing the package 10 to be opened, without having to use cutting tools which may damage the products contained therein.

[0036] In certain embodiments the tape may comprise more than two adhesive strips, more than one non-adhesive area, or both, laterally spaced across the width of the tape. For example, the tape may comprise a non-adhesive area in the central area of a tape length, one longitudinal adhesive strip on each side of the non-adhesive area, and two additional longitudinal non-adhesive strips, each located on one of the edges of the tape and adjacent to one of the longitudinal adhesive strips. Other combinations of adjacent alternating adhesive and non-adhesive strips are also contemplated by the present invention.

[0037] The tape used in the present invention may comprise a backing layer with a layer of adhesive coated to one side of the backing layer. The backing layer may be comprised of paper, web reinforced paper, film, or combinations thereof. If the backing layer comprises film, the backing layer film in certain embodiments may include a tape backing layer comprising one or more of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester (such as polyethylene terepthalate (PET)), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and copolymers of ethylene and olefins having four or more carbon atoms.

[0038] Examples of adhesives that may be used with the tape of the present invention include compositions such as polyvinyl ether; diene-containing rubber such as natural rubber, polyisoprene, and polybutadiene; styrene-butadiene rubber; polychloroprene; butyl rubber; butadiene-acrylonitrile polymer; thermoplastic elastomer block copolymers such as styrene-isoprene (SI) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers, styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene-butadiene-styrene polymers (SBS), and ethylene/propylene and ethylene-butylene-diene polymers such as styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene (SEPS) and styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS); poly-alpha-olefin; amorphous polyolefin; silicone; ethylene-containing copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate, ethyl ethyl acrylate, and ethyl methacrylate; polyurethane; polyarnide; epoxy; polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinylpyrrolidone copolymers; polyesters; and mixtures of the above. The use of many of these compositions to give specific characteristics to the adhesives may require cross-linking or curing by methods well known in the art. Additionally, the adhesives can contain additives such as tackifiers, plasticizers, antioxidants, stabilizers, curatives, and solvents.

[0039] In addition, in certain embodiments, a low adhesion top non-adhesive surface is provided on the other side of the backing layer so that the tape separates more easily when unwound from a tape roll. Such coatings and treatments are well known, and any can be used in accordance with the present invention if they are otherwise suitable for use in the desired tape construction.

[0040] FIG. 7, which is a cross-sectional view from section line 6-6 of FIG. 3, shows in certain embodiments, the tape 30 used in the present invention comprises a backing layer 35, with two adhesive strips 31A, 31B coated along the opposite side portions of the underside adhesive surface of the backing layer 35. The backing layer 35 may be paper, film, or other known web materials suitable for use as a backing layer. Further, the adhesive strips 31A, 31B may be equal widths and may be in the form of an adhesive transfer tape, a hot melt adhesive, or the like. Strip coating techniques are well-known and suitable for making adhesive strips. The result is a tape construction wherein the non-adhesive intermediate area is made by simply not coating adhesive over that area of the tape. In certain embodiments, the adhesive strips can have unequal widths.

[0041] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a tape 30 that can be used in the present invention in a view similar to that of FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the tape 30 comprises a backing layer 35 coated across its width with a layer of adhesive 37. The central area of the tape 30 is further coated with a deadening layer 38, which substantially decreases or "deadens" the adhesive strength of the central area of the tape 30 adhesive layer 37, forming the non-adhesive area 33. Suitable materials for this deadening layer 38 include web or sheet materials such as films, papers, foils or treatments applied to the adhesive that render it non-adhesive.

[0042] In certain embodiments, a tape of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, comprises a transparent tape material that allows viewing of the products enclosed in a package. However, in certain instances it may be undesirable to allow light into the package or to allow viewing of the products in the package; in these instances an opaque tape material may be used. In order for the transparent tape material to be rendered transparent, both the backing layer and the coatings applied to the backing layer must be transparent. However, in order for the opaque tape material to be opaque, only one of the backing layer or coatings applied to the backing tape need be opaque.

[0043] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

[0044] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

[0045] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A package comprising: two opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; a tape having two or more adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area, the tape is applied to the pair of opposed flaps with an adhesive strip adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap; and wherein the tape comprises a line of weakness.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the line of weakness comprises at least one of depressions or perforations.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the line of weakness extends along the length of tape.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the non-adhesive area is at least as wide as the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the non-adhesive area is substantially equal to the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the adhesive tape is adhered to the package along a portion of the pair of opposed flaps.

7. The package of claim 1, wherein the adhesive tape is positioned such that an adhesive strip is provided to each opposing flap and the non-adhesive area extends across the gap.

8. A package comprising: two opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; a tape having two or more adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area, the tape is applied to the pair of opposed flaps with an adhesive strip adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap; and wherein the tape comprises two lines of weakness that are substantially parallel along the tape length.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the lines of weakness comprises at least one of depressions or perforations.

10. The package of claim 8, wherein the lines of weakness extend along the length of tape.

11. The package of claim 8, wherein the non-adhesive area is at least as wide as the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps.

12. The package of claim 8, wherein the non-adhesive area is substantially equal to the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps.

13. The package of claim 8, wherein the adhesive tape is adhered to the package along a portion of the pair of opposed flaps.

14. The package of claim 8, wherein the adhesive tape is positioned such that an adhesive strip is provided to each opposing flap and the non-adhesive area extends across the gap.

15. A package comprising: four contiguous vertical side surfaces, wherein the four contiguous vertical side surfaces comprise a first pair of opposing vertical side surfaces and a second pair of opposing vertical side surfaces; each vertical side surface of the first pair of opposing vertical side surfaces is connected to a separate minor flap, with each minor flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; each vertical side surface of the second pair of opposing vertical side surfaces is connected to a separate major flap, with each major flap folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; a tape having two or more adhesive strips and a non-adhesive area, the tape is applied to the pair of opposed major flaps with an adhesive strip adhered to each major flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap formed by the pair of opposed major flaps; and wherein the tape comprises a line of weakness.

16. The package of claim 15, wherein the line of weakness comprises at least one of depressions or perforations.

17. The package of claim 15, wherein the line of weakness extends along the length of tape.

18. The package of claim 15, wherein the non-adhesive area is at least as wide as the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed major flaps.

19. The package of claim 15, wherein the non-adhesive area is substantially equal to the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed major flaps.

20. The package of claim 15, wherein the adhesive tape is adhered to the package along a portion of the pair of opposed major flaps.