Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PACK OF TISSUES WITH AN INDICIA ON THE RESEAL TAPE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to packs of tissues and other disposable absorbent
products.
In certain aspects it relates to providing an indicia in a particular position
on the packs of
tissues in such a way that the indicia remain invisible from the outside of
the pack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tissues are commonly provided in packs comprising a multiplicity of tissues.
Such packs are conventionally formed from a flexible film. The film generally
also
comprises certain information, such as the product description and the brand
name,
conventionally printed on the film in a way that makes the information visible
to the user.
Conventionally, the information is printed on the film material after the
production
of the film (off-line printing of the film). This is a typical process for
printing for
example the brand name on the film used to pack tissues. Alternatively, but
still
conventionally, the information is printed after the formation of the pack (on-
line printing
of the packs). On-line printing is generally limited to simple information
strings such as a
code dating or a coding corresponding to producing site. The speed of the
packs
production line indeed limits such printing when done on-line, while it is
conceivable to
print detailed indicia after the formation of the pack at low speed or even
off-line, post
production.
Additional information can be attached to a pack of tissues by the addition of
an
extraneous material, such as a sticker or a label, after or during the
formation of the pack
on the pack production line.
In some instances, it may be desired to have the pack bear some information or
an
indicia that is not externally visible to the user until he/she manipulates
the pack.
However, the information or indicia must remain easily accessible to the user
during the
manipulation of the pack.
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Conventional options for inclusion of invisible information/indicia includes
(a)
printing the information on the film and covering it with a sticker, (b)
printing the
information on the inner side of a detachable sticker and adhering the sticker
to the pack
surface, (c) using a dual-layer sticker that is adhered permanently to the
pack surface
while one of the layer can be peeled away to reveal the indicia or
information, or (d)
including a support (e.g. a piece of paper) having the information/indicia
inside the pack.
There is a need to provide alternative solutions for providing an indicia to a
pack
of tissues in a way that the indicia remains externally invisible to the user
until the user
manipulates the pack. There is a need for providing this while, however, the
indicia
remain easily and conveniently available / accessible to the user.
There is a need to provide such solutions that would be simple and cost-
efficient,
and that would allow to change the indicia easily.
There is a need to provide such solutions that would not interfere with the
conventional manufacturing of the packs.
There is a need to provide such solutions that would allow for the easy
individualization of the indicia provided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a pack of tissues such as pack of paper handkerchiefs
or of other
disposable absorbing articles having an external envelope, a multiplicity of
tissues
enclosed by said external envelope, a dispensing orifice and a reseal tape
having a first, a
second and a third region.
The external envelope comprises a flap is configured to at least partially
cover the
dispensing orifice. The reseal tape can reversibly reseal the flap over the
dispensing
orifice by attachment of the reseal tape to the external envelope. The first
region of the
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reseal tape is joined to the flap. The second region comprises attaching means
to facilitate
the resealable attachment of the reseal tape to the external envelope. The
third region is
distal from the first region and is substantially free of the attaching means,
such as to
facilitate the operation of the reseal tape. The third region has an internal
surface facing
the external envelope when the second region is attached to the external
envelope, and
also has an external surface opposite thereto. The internal and/or external
surface
comprises an indicia invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing the
pack
externally while the reseal tape is attached to said external envelope so as
to cover at least
partially the dispensing orifice
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with the reseal tape
partially lifted to show the indicia thereon.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pack of the invention with the flap in
an open
position.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with the rub-off
material
partially removed to show the indicia hereunder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Conventional articles and definitions:
"Tissues" are substantially flat absorbing articles generally comprising
cellulosic
fibers.. Tissues can however comprise other types of fibers such as fibers
derived from
cellulose or other types of natural fibers or synthetic fibers. Tissues are
usually disposable
articles but can include article intended to be used a number of times.
Typical tissues
include paper handkerchiefs, paper towels, toilet paper, bath tissues, wiping
and cleaning
articles as well as other disposable absorbing articles.
"Packs of tissues" are conventional units in which multiple tissues are
provided.
Conventional packs comprise typically 5, 10, or 20 tissues (such as paper
handkerchiefs)
and an external envelope. The tissues are enclosed in the external envelope.
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"Film material" is a substantially flat and flexible material conventionally
used as
packaging material for packs of tissues such as pocket packs of paper
handkerchiefs.
Typically the film material forms the external envelope, in part or totally.
Typical
examples of film materials include film made of, or comprising, polypropylene
or
polyethylene. Film materials are typically provided in rolls. The rolls of
film material are
typically provided with an indicia (for example a print) that is visible at
the surface of the
external envelope of the packs once it is formed.
"Dispensing orifice" is the orifice through which the tissues are intended to
be
dispensed out of the packs. A typical dispensing orifice is formed by a
discontinuity in
the external envelope. The discontinuity can be present in the external
envelope ab-initio
or be created during the first use of the pack. In the latter case, a line of
preferential
rupture (e.g. a line of weakness in the material) can be present to induce the
rupture of the
external envelope along the line to form a dispensing orifice of a
predetermined shape in a
predetermined position. For the purpose of the invention, a dispensing orifice
is also to
be considered as being present when the dispensing orifice is formed after a
first
manipulation of the pack (for example, when a region of the external envelope
must be
unfolded or torn-off to reveal the intended dispensing orifice).
"Flap": In some conventional packs the dispensing orifice can reversibly be
covered by a flap, i.e. a piece of the film material that hingily connects to
the external
envelope. The flap can cover all of the dispensing orifice or a part of it. In
some packs the
flap is integral to the external envelope. In other packs the flap is non-
integral and can be
made of a different material from the film material of the external envelope.
In some
conventional packs, the flap originally covers the dispensing orifice. A
manipulation of
the pack can tear a region of the external envelope and can reveal both the
flap and the
dispensing orifice.
The flap can be secured in a closed position (covering at least partially the
dispensing orifice) by a "reseal tape". The reseal tape is conventionally
provided as a
separate material from the film material of the external envelope, typically
also
substantially flat and flexible. Alternatively, the reseal tape can be
integral to the external
envelope and/or the flap (e.g. formed by a region of the external envelope or
a region of
the flap). A first region of the reseal tape is joined to the flap, for
example by a
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substantially permanent adhesive. A second region of the reseal tape is
usually provided
with a resealable adhesive and positioned such as to reversibly reseal by
connecting to the
external envelope when the flap is in a closed position. A third region of the
reseal tape is
conventionally provided. The third region, also called gripping end, is
substantially free of
5 any adhesive and is conventionally located at an end of the reseal tape,
distal from the first
region. The third region (gripping end) enables an easy grip and a convenient
operation of
the reseal tape to open /close and maintain the flap over the dispensing
orifice. The third
region of the reseal tape has an internal surface facing the external envelope
of the pack
when the flap is in a closed position, covering the dispensing orifice, and
when the second
region of the reseal tape affixed to the external envelope. The reseal tape
has an external
surface opposite to the internal surface.
Pack of tissues of the invention:
Figures 1 and 2 show a pack (1) of the invention with the flap (6) in a closed
position, i.e. covering the dispensing orifice (5). The first region (2) of
the reseal tape (15)
is positioned and affixed closed to the edge (12) of the flap (6). The second
region (3) of
the reseal tape (15) extends over the edge (12) of the flap (6) and is in
contact with the
external envelope (8) of the pack (1). The second region (3) of the reseal
tape (15)
comprises on its internal surface (9) attaching means to reversibly attach the
second
region (3) to the external envelope (8). The means can comprise a pressure
sensitive
adhesive. Other attaching means can be used to reversibly reseal the second
region (3) of
the reseal tape (15), such as mechanical means (e.g. hook and loops), other
type of
chemical adhesives, or combination of mechanical and chemical means.
The reseal tape (15) comprises a third region (4). The third region (4) is
distal
from the first region (2). The third region (4) is substantially free of any
of the attaching
means and hence, facilitates the operation of the reseal tape (15) by
providing a region
that can be easily gripped in order to lift the reseal tape (15) and the flap
(6) to uncover
the dispensing orifice (5).
On Figure 3, the flap (6) is shown in an open position with the dispensing
orifice
(5) substantially uncovered. The tissue (7) (shown as paper handkerchiefs on
Figure 3) are
visible through the dispensing orifice (5) folded into the pack (1). In this
particular
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embodiment, an indicia (13) on the first paper handkerchief is visible through
the
dispensing orifice (5).
The reseal tape (15) has an internal surface (9) and an external surface (10).
The
internal surface (9) faces the external envelope (8) when the second region
(3) is attached
to the external envelope (8) partially covering the dispensing orifice (5).
The external
surface (10) is opposite to the internal surface (9), i.e. facing outwardly
from the external
envelope (8). A surface of the reseal tape (9 and/or 10) is provided with an
indicia (11).
In one embodiment, the internal surface (9) of the reseal tape (15) is
provided with the
indicia (11), as shown on Figures 2 and 3. The indicia (11) can comprise an
alphabetical
character (as illustrated on Figures 2 and 3), a word, a number, a graphical
indicia of any
type (e.g. a non alphabetical character, a drawing, a sign, a color, a
combination of colors,
a picture, a sentence, an animal, a series of figures, a representation of an
object, an
animated representation, the representation of an animated or inanimate
entity), or
combinations thereof. The indicia (11) can be directly provided on one surface
(9, 10) of
the reseal tape (15) or can be provided on a piece of material itself provided
one surface
(9, 10) of the reseal tape. When provided directly on one surface (9, 10) of
the reseal tape
(15), the indicia (11) can be printed thereon. Printing can be executed by any
conventional
printing process known in the art (e.g. roto-gravure) and compatible with the
material of
the reseal tape (15). Alternatively, the indicia (11) can be engraved,
sprayed, attached,
glued or provided by any other means or by combination of means.
The indicia (11) is however invisible to the naked eye of an observer
observing the
pack (1) externally while the reseal tape is attached to the external envelope
(8) and
consequently the flap (6) is in a closed position, as show on Figure 1. It is
understood that
the observation is made by an observer having a substantially normal vision
capability and
is performed from a frontal view point (frontal to the flap (6) ) at a
distance of between
10cm and 2m, under usual lighting conditions (substantially day-light
spectrum, intensity
substantially corresponding to a typical office workplace). For the
observation, the pack
(1) comprises the tissues (7) enclosed therein.
The mere position of the indicia (11) can provide for the non-visibility of
the
indicia (11) to the observer, as in Figures 2 and 3 where the indicia is
provided on the
internal surface (9) of the reseal tape. Alternatively or additionally, the
indicia can be
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covered by another material to render it invisible to the observer. A typical
example is a
opaque or semi-opaque layer of rub-off material that is applied over the
indicia (11). For
example the layer can be a coating of an opaque material as conventionally
used in
different technical fields to render a print temporarily invisible but which
can easily be
rubbed-off. Rubbing off the material by the user of the pack then easily
reveals the indicia
(11). Figure 4 shows such an embodiment of the invention, with the indicia
(11) partially
revealed under the layer of rub-off material (14) that has been partially
removed. In such
embodiments, it is important to ensure that the indicia (11) are more
resistant to rubbing
than the layer of rub-off material (14). This ensures that the indicia (11)
will not be too
easily removed while the rub-off material is removed by the user of the pack.
Another
typical example is an opaque or semi-opaque sticker removably affixed to the
surface of
the reseal tape having the indicia (11), by a non permanent adhesive. Removing
the
sticker then easily reveals the indicia (11). The removable sticker can be
joined to the
external envelope (8) such as to automatically being removed when the reseal
tape is
lifted for the opening of the flap (6). In another embodiment the indicia (11)
is transferred
from the reseal tape to the external envelope (8) upon opening of the flap
(6). Such
transfer reveals it to the observer.
In an embodiment of the invention, the indicia (11) allows the selective
identification of the pack among other packs having no indicia or different
indicia (11).
The selective identification can be facilitated by the indicia (11) comprising
a specific
sign (for example a specific alphabetical character, a specific word a
specific number or a
combination thereof). The selective identification of a pack among other packs
facilitates
the identification of the holder of the pack. The holder of the pack is the
person who is in
legal possession of the pack, preferably having acquired it through purchase
or donation.
A representative of the holder of the pack, acting on his/her behalf, is to be
considered as
the holder for the purpose of this invention. In a further embodiment the
holder of the
pack is provided with a benefit. Such benefit can be in the form of valuable
goods,
services or anything beneficial to the holder or to persons or entities
designated by the
holder.
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A collection of packs comprising at least one pack (1) of the invention is
contemplated as being part of the invention. Such collection can include a
high number
of packs (e.g. the entire production or a subset of it, of a specific pack of
tissues) or can be
limited to a small number of packs (for example 2, 5, 10, 20 or 30). At least
one pack of
the collection is as defined herein. In one embodiment, a collection of packs
is enclosed in
a packaging unit (such as a bundle). The packaging unit comprises typically 5,
10 or 20
packs, at least one of them being as defined in the claims. The packaging unit
(e.g. the
bundle) can be formed by a flexible film enclosing the collection of packs.
The packaging
unit prevents the access to the pack without destructing at least partially
the packaging
unit.
When more than one pack of the collection is as defined herein, the indicia of
at
least one pack of the collection is different from the indicia of the other
packs. In one
embodiment, a small number of packs, for example only one pack has a first
indicia while
the remaining packs of the collection have an indicia different from the first
indicia or no
indicia at all. The remaining packs can all have the same indicia or different
indicia (or no
indicia).
The invention also includes a process comprising the steps of selecting a
specific
indicia among all the indicia of a collection of packs, identifying the holder
of the pack
having the selected indicia and providing the holder with a benefit. The
selection step can
be a random selection. The identification of the holder can require an active
participation
of the holder to check whether his/her pack has the selected indicia and can
require
him/her to execute any action allowing him to be identified (such as calling a
phone
number, or connecting to the internet, for example with the indicia serving as
a code or
password). The benefit provided to the holder can include valuable goods,
services or
anything beneficial to the holder or to persons or entities designated by the
holder. For
example it can include the authorization, the instructions and a license for
downloading
and using a musical file from the internet.
