Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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Packaging
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to packaging, packaging blanks and related
methods
Background to the Invention
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. Figure 1 is a
perspective view of a
packaging 10 containing a stack of chewing gum pellets 12. The dashed lines
indicate the
positions of the chewing gum pellets 12 within the packaging 10. A packaging
blank 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 of 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.
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, including both hard and soft
candy.
The terms gum and chewing gum as used herein include bubble gum.
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
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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.
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 can be grasped and
pulled by a
consumer to tear 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 so that
it circumscribes the
packet at or close to one end. A conventional tear strip arrangement is shown
at 20 in Figure
1, with the dashed lines of the tear strip 20 indicating the position of the
tear strip on the inside
of the packaging.
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.
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.
There is a need for an alternative packaging arrangement which overcomes or at
least
mitigates the disadvantages of one or more of the prior art arrangements.
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 of the Invention
In an example embodiment, the present invention provides 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, wherein the built-in
areas of weakness is
arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-in area of weakness
thereof enables the
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first layer to act on the second layer to unfold part of the second layer to
thereby open the
packaging.
Enabling the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold of the second
layer facilitates
the unfolding process, making it easier to open the packaging.
The first layer may partially separate from the second layer on breaking of
the first layer
at the built-in area of weakness to form a tail. The second layer and the
first layer may be
coupled to one another at the folded area of the second layer, such that the
partially separated
portion of the first layer forms a tail that can be used to pull open and
unfold the second layer
to thereby open the packaging.
The packaging may comprise a layer of a metallic foil, for example as the
first layer.
The packaging may comprise a layer of paper, for example as the second layer.
The metallic
foil may be an aluminium foil. The packaging may comprise a layer of polymeric
material, for
example a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The
layer of
polymeric material may comprise 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.
The first and second layers may be coupled to one another with a bond across
part of
their respective areas. The first and second layer layers may be glue
laminated. The first and
second layers may be coupled to one another at a coupling area. The coupling
area may be
partially bounded by the built-in area of weakness of the first layer. The
packaging may
comprise an area in which the first and second layers are not bonded to one
another, where
partial separation of the first and second layer may occur on breaking of the
first layer at the
built-in area of weakness. The area in which the first and second layers are
not bonded to one
another may include some, or all of the built-in area of weakness of the first
layer. The built-in
area of weakness and the coupling area may be arranged to cooperate with one
another such
that partially separating the first layer from the second layer on breaking
the first layer at the
built-in area of weakness forms a tail from the separated portion of the first
layer.
The built-in area of weakness may comprise a discontinuity in the packaging.
The built-
in area of weakness may comprise a discontinuity in the first layer of the
packaging only, or a
discontinuity in coupling between the first layer and the second layer. The
built-in area of
weakness may comprise a laser score, for example a single or double laser
score line. The
built-in area of weakness may comprise a die cut, for example a single or
double die cut line.
The built-in area of weakness may comprise a scored and/or perforated area.
The built-in
area of weakness may comprise a thinned area or an area which is weakened
relative to the
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rest of the packaging by means of being worked, physically, thermally,
optically, chemically or
otherwise.
The packaging may comprise one or more end walls and one or more side walls.
The
packaging may comprise end walls, with the one or more side walls running
between the end
walls. The side wall may be folded over itself, for example folded inwardly on
itself to form
one, or each end wall. The side wall(s) and end wall(s) may meet at an
intersection, for
example at an edge or at a corner. The end walls may be of generally equal
size, and be
arranged opposed to one another in generally parallel alignment. The packaging
may
comprise a front face and a back face, side faces, and end faces. The side
wall may form the
front, back and side faces. The end faces may be provided by folded portions
of the side wall.
The package may be tubular, or prismatic. The package may comprise generally
planar, for
example rectangular faces arranged at right angles to one another.
The packaging may be arranged such that the built-in area of weakness of the
first layer
runs around the outside of the packaging on the side wall, and may extend on
the outside of
the packaging from the side wall to the intersection of the side wall and the
end wall. The
packaging may be arranged such that the built-in area of weakness of the first
layer extends
from the front face onto the side faces. The packaging may be arranged such
that the built-in
area of weakness of the first layer does not extend beyond the front and side
walls on the
outside of the packaging. The packaging may be arranged such that the built-in
area of
weakness of the first layer is folded into an end wall with material from the
first and second
layers. The packaging may be arranged such that a first end of the built-in
area of weakness
of the first layer outside the packaging terminates at the intersection of a
side wall and an end
wall, for example at the intersection of a side face and an end face. The
packaging may be
arranged such that a second end of the built-in area of weakness of the first
layer outside the
packaging terminates at the intersection of the side wall and the end wall.
The packaging may
be arranged such that first, and/or second end of the built-in area of
weakness outside the
packaging terminate(s) at the intersection of three faces, for example at a
corner where the
side, end and back faces meet.
The area in which the first and second layers are not bonded to one another
may extend
from the side wall to end wall of the packaging, for example across a front
face to side faces of
the packaging, and may further extend from a front face to an end face of the
packaging.
The packaging may be arranged such that breaking the first layer at the built-
in area of
weakness forms a separable portion of the packaging. The packaging may be
arranged such
that the first layer is peelable or tearable from the second layer after
breaking the built-in area
of weakness, to form a separable portion. The packaging may be arranged such
that a tail
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produced by partially separating the first layer from the second layer on
breaking of the first
layer at the built-in area of weakness forms the separable portion.
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 comprise end walls corresponding to dimensions of individual
products
stacked therein, and may comprise one or more side walls corresponding to the
length of the
stack. The products may each comprise characteristic dimensions of 5mm by 10mm
by
20mm, for example within a generally cuboidal envelope.
The unfolded part of the second layer may define an opening area of the
packaging,
corresponding to a cross-sectional area of one of the product or products
within the packaging.
The opening may be defined by a generally uninterrupted web of material from
the second
layer. The opening area may be slightly larger than dimensions of the product
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.
The unfolded part of the second layer may extend beyond the original
dimensions of the
packaging. The unfolded part of the second layer may fold outward from a
folded position,
folding away from, for example beyond the plane of an end wall of the unopened
packaging,
on opening thereof.
The built-in area of weakness of the first layer and the area at which the
first and second
layers are not coupled to one another may together form a frangible portion of
the packaging
exterior. The frangible portion may lie within the first layer, without
extensions, tabs, or any
other graspable projection. The frangible portion may be broken by application
of a pressing
force to the outside of the packaging. The frangible portion may be broken by
application of a
pressing force that provides friction along the side wall, by pressing into
and along the side
wall. The pressing force may be into and along a front face of the packaging.
The built-in area
of weakness may be arranged such that application of a pressing force into and
along the front
face causes breaking of the built-in area of weakness across its length. The
built-in area of
weakness may be arranged such that application of a pressing force into and
along the front
face causes initial breaking of the built-in area of weakness across its
length, and may be
further arranged such that continued application of the pressing force
produces tearing more
along its length, as the built-in area of weakness is of different orientation
along its length. The
frangible portion may be arranged such that the first layer, at the area where
the first and
second layers are not coupled to one another, can bundle up and/or turn inside
out by
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continued application of the pressing force after breaking of the built-in
area of weakness. The
frangible portion may be arranged to provide a tail for the packaging, as the
first layer turns
inside out.
Part of the first layer, or of the first and second layers may be arranged, on
opening of
the packaging, to form a chute by which product from within the packaging may
be dispensed.
The packaging may be formed with a strong coupling between the first and
second layers at
their edge, where the opening is formed in the package. The strong coupling
may comprise a
bond which is resistant to manual peeling or tearing. The first layer may be
coupled to the
second layer in a way that enables the tail to remain in place on the open
packaging, for
example as an inverted, inside-out portion of the first layer. The open
package may, on
opening provides a region formed as a chute from which product can be
dispensed. A part of
the first layer including the chute formed in the open packaging may be
arranged to be rolled
up as a means of re-closure of the packaging.
In an example embodiment, the present invention provides a method of opening
packaging, the 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,
the method comprising breaking the first layer at the built-in area of
weakness, then causing
the first layer to act on the second layer to unfold part of the second layer
to thereby open the
packaging.
The method may comprise partially separating the first layer from the second
layer on
breaking of the first layer at the built-in area of weakness, to form a tail.
The method may
comprise forming a tail and pulling thereon to pull open and unfold the second
layer, thereby
opening the packaging.
The method may comprise breaking the first layer at the built-in area of
weakness and
forming a separable portion of the packaging by peeling or tearing the
separable portion from
the second layer after breaking the built-in area of weakness.
The method may comprise breaking the built-in area of weakness by application
of a
pressing force to the outside of the packaging. The method may comprise
application of a
pressing force that provides friction along a side wall of the packaging in
which the built-in area
of weakness is formed, by pressing into and along the side wall to break the
built-in area of
weakness. The method may comprise providing a pressing force may be into and
along a
front face of the packaging. The method may comprise providing a pressing
force into and
along the front face to causes breaking of the built-in area of weakness
across its length. The
method may comprise application of a pressing force into and along the front
face to cause
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initial breaking of the built-in area of weakness across its length, and may
further comprise
continued application of the pressing force to produces tearing more along the
length of the
built-in area of weakness, as the built-in area of weakness is of different
orientation along its
length. The method may comprise bundling up, or turning inside out of the
first layer at an
area where the first and second layers are not coupled to one another after
breaking of the
built-in area of weakness.
The method may comprise breaking the first layer at the built-in area of
weakness and
forming a chute from a portion of the first layer, or a portion of the first
and second layers, and
dispensing product from the chute. The method may comprise forming an inside
out part of
the first layer into a chute.
The packaging may comprise that as set out in more detail in the description
of example
embodiments above.
In an example embodiment, the present invention provides 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, wherein when formed as packaging around a
product the
built-in area of weakness lies in part of the first layer exposed outside of
the packaging and 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 unfold
the second layer
to open the packaging.
The packaging blank may comprise a layer of a metallic foil, for example as
the first
layer. The packaging may comprise a layer of paper, for example as the second
layer. The
metallic foil may be an aluminium foil. The packaging may comprise 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, and the outermost layer of the packaging.
The built-in area of weakness may comprise a laser score. The built-in area of
weakness may comprise a die cut. The built-in area of weakness may comprise a
scored
and/or perforated area.
The first and second layers may be coupled to one another with a bond across
part of
their respective areas. The first and second layer layers may be glue
laminated. The first and
second layers may be coupled to one another at a coupling area. The coupling
area may
extend around the edges of the packaging blank. The coupling area may comprise
a portion
proximate to each edge of the packaging blank. The coupling area may form a
perimeter, for
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example an uninterrupted perimeter around the packaging blank. The built-in
area of
weakness may lie in an area of the packaging blank at which the first and
second layers are
not coupled to one another. The built-in area of weakness may lie entirely in
an area of the
packaging blank at which the first and second layers are not coupled to one
another. The
packaging blank may comprise 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 comprise a boundary that runs alongside 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 extend
across the built-in area of weakness from one side thereof to another, for
example transverse
to the length of the built-in area of weakness. The packaging blank may be
arranged such that
the area in which the first and second layers are not bonded to one another
comprises a
border region which runs alongside, for example generally parallel to the
built-in area of
weakness.
The packaging blank may be generally rectangular.
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. 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 non-linear fashion. 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 corner
region thereof
to another corner region thereof. 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
corner region
thereof to another corner region thereof, the another corner region being non-
diagonally
opposed to the one corner region. The packaging blank may be arranged such
that the built-in
area of weakness of the first layer runs across the packaging blank from a
generally central
region, which is arranged to form the front face of packaging formed from the
packaging blank,
toward a portion, or portions of the packaging blank that are arranged to form
side faces,
edges, corners or intersections with an end wall region of packaging formed
from the
packaging blank.
The packaging blank may be provided with adhesive on at least a portion of 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 on only one
layer, for
example the first layer. The adhesive may comprise hot melt adhesive regions.
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The packaging blank may comprise a cut-out region, arranged to reduce the
material
present in an end wall region, or in another folded region, when the blank is
formed around a
product.
The present invention 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 comprise a stack
of
confectionery items, or a stack of gum pellets.
In an example embodiment, the present invention provides method of packaging,
comprising:
providing a packaging blank comprising first and second layers;
providing a built-in area of weakness at part of the first layer; and
forming the packaging blank around an item or arrangement of items to be
packaged;
wherein the forming positions part of the first layer comprising the built-in
area of weakness so
as to be 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 unfold the second layer to open the packaging.
The first and second layers may be provided as coupled to one another. The
step of
providing the built-in area 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 a part of the built-in area of
weakness before the
forming step, and providing a further part of the built-in area of weakness
after the forming
step. The step of providing the built-in area 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 comprise a laser scoring step. The step of providing a built-in area of
weakness may
comprise a die cutting step. The step of providing a built-in area of weakness
may comprises
scoring and/or perforating operations.
The packaging blank may be that according to any of the example embodiments
described above.
Brief Introduction to the Figures
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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:
Figure 2 shows a front view of packaging according to an example embodiment of
the
invention;
Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the packaging of Figure 2 with a
consumers hand
in place to start opening the packaging;
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the packaging of Figure 2 with a
consumers hand
in the process of opening the packaging, with a built-in area of weakness in a
first layer thereof
partially broken;
Figures 5A and 5B show an end perspective view and a front view of the
packaging of
Figure 2 with the built-in area of weakness in the first layer thereof broken;
Figures 6A and 6B show an end perspective view and a front view of the a
packaging of
Figure 2 with the built-in area of weakness in the first layer thereof broken,
and the end of the
second layer unfolded and open;
Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the packaging of Figure 2 with the open
end re-
closed by partially rolling up;
Figure 8 shows a plan view of the packaging of Figure 2 with the open end
fully rolled
up;
Figure 9 shows a schematic plan view of a packaging blank, illustrating an
area over
which the first and second layers are coupled to one another;
Figure 10 shows a schematic plan view of the packaging blank of Figure 9,
illustrating
an area over which adhesive is provided to enable closure of the packaging
formed from the
packaging blank;
Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of the packaging blank of Figure 9,
illustrating
both the area over which the first and second layers are coupled to one
another and the area
over which adhesive is provided to enable closure of the packaging formed from
the packaging
blank;
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Figure 12 show a schematic plan view of a packaging blank according to another
example embodiment;
Figure 13 shows a schematic plan view of a packaging blank according to yet
another
example embodiment; and
Figures 14 through 16 show an end, perspective and side views of packaging
according
to another example embodiment of the invention, with the built-in area of
weakness in the first
layer thereof broken, and the end of the second layer unfolded and open so as
to dispense a
product from within the packaing.
Detailed Description of Example Embodiments
Figures 2-8 show a package 1 in accordance with an example embodiment of the
invention. The package 1 comprises a generally tubular packet which encases a
stack of
products (not shown in Figure 2 but seen as 100 in Figure 6A). The tubular
packet is formed
from a packaging blank of flexible material which is folded about the stack
and sealed to itself
with adhesive. 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 4A, 4B
constructed from folded flaps (41 in Figure 5A). 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, with the end
wall regions
4A, 4B forming rectangular end faces. Between intersecting faces are right-
angle corners.
The package 1 is formed by wrapping a packaging blank around the stack of
products to
be packaged 100, to form the side wall region 3 into the front and rear faces
32, 34, with the
side faces 36, 38 therebetween. The end faces provided by the end wall regions
4A, 4B are
formed by folding the side wall 3 in on itself.
Figures 9-13 illustrate suitable packaging blanks, in accordance with example
embodiments of the invention. A packaging blank 2 is shown in Figure 9 as a
generally
rectangular two-layered blank. The packaging blank 2 comprises an outer, first
layer 11 and
an inner, second layer 12. Here, "inner" and "outer" describe the arrangement
of the layers
when the blank is formed into the package 1, or other related packages. The
first and second
layers 11, 12 are a laminated construction, and in example embodiments
comprise 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
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blank during wrapping the products in the packaging. The areas of the blanks
2, 2 that are to
form front, side and end faces of the packaging are indicated using chain-
dashed lines.
Figure 9 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. The area in which the first and second layers 11, 12
are not adhered
to one another is indicated by the boundary 22. The first and second layers
11, 12 are
coupled to one another apart from at a single part of their areas.
Figures 9-13 show as the crosshatched area, the portions of first layer 11
which are
provided with adhesive to hold the package together when it is formed around
the product. In
the un-crosshatched areas no adhesive or additional means for holding the
package together
are provided. The crosshatched area on the first layer represents hot melt
adhesive regions
35A, 35B used when the packaging blank 2, 2' is formed around the stack of
products 100,
and used to hold the packaging together.
Figures 2-8, 11 and 12 each show a built-in area of weakness 21 in the first
layer 11.
The built-in area of weakness 21 is 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, 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 breakable section on the side wall 3 of the packaging 1
across the front
32 and side faces 36, 38. Breaking the packaging 1 along the built-in area of
weakness 21 in
the first layer 11 can be initiated by pressing on the front face 32, pushing
the first layer 11
toward the end wall region 4A, as shown in Figure 3. Breaking the built-in
area of weakness
21 on the front face 32 and side faces 36, 38 causes the first layer 11 to
separate from the
second layer over the un-laminated region. The separated first layer 11 turns
inside out to
form a tail for the packaging, as shown in Figure 5A and in 5B.
The end wall region 4A is provided with a portion adjacent to the back face 34
in which
the first and second layers are laminated. The end wall region 4A is also
provided with
portions of the adhesive regions 35A, 35B so that the folded flaps hold
together while the first
layer is intact with the second, but which allows the tail to be removed from
the package by
delaminating the first and second layers at their edge. Before the first and
second layers are
delaminated, pulling of the first layer causes the previously folded, joined
edge sections of first
and second layers to unfold. Figures 12 and 13 include rectangular regions C
on the surface
of the blank 2, 2'. The regions C comprise photomarks, which are machine-
recognisable
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markings, useful in determining alignment of the blank 2 as it is processed by
machinery to
form a package. In other embodiments (not shown), a cut-out region may be
provided on the
blank, to reduce the amount of material needed for the packaging. Providing a
cut-out region
can reduce bulk in the end wall region 4A when the side wall is formed into
flaps and folded in
on itself.
The delaminated portion of the first layer is torn off, leaving the unfolded
end wall region
as shown in Figures 6A and 6B.
With the built-in area of weakness 21 of the first layer 11 broken, the torn
portion of the
first layer can be removed by pulling thereon, for example in the direction of
the arrow A in
Figure 5B. Pulling on the first layer 11 causes the first layer 11 at the end
wall region 4A to act
on the second layer to enable delamination of the layers. Removal of the torn
portion from the
rest of the packaging 1 uncovers an unfolded opening extensive over the whole
end wall
region 4A.
The side wall 3 the of open packaging 1 extends beyond its original, pre-
opening length
when the end wall region 4A 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
Figure 6B. The
region 3a corresponds to the unfolded portion of the second layer 12.
After opening of the packaging 1 and dispensing of the product 100 positioned
at the
open end of the packaging 1 the region 3a can be rolled over to close the
packaging 1, which
is useful to retain the rest of the stack of products 100 in the packaging 1.
Figures 7 and 8
show partial and fully rolled up 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.
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 20mm wide by 10mm high by 5mm 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 Figure 6A the packaging 1 as opened
at the end
wall 4A 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
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14
manufacturing tolerance of the products 100. The opening in the packaging 1 is
slightly larger
than 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.
Dispensing of products 100 is shown in Figures 14 through 16, which show a
package 1'
according to another example embodiment. The package 1 is formed with layers
and a built in
area of weakness 21 in the side wall 3 that are broadly similar to those of
the embodiment of
Figures 2 through 8. However, whereas the earlier embodiment is designed with
the
possibility of removal of the tail from the package by delaminating the first
and second layers
at their edge, the package 1' is formed with a strong coupling between the
first and second
layers at their edge, where the opening is formed in the package by unfolding.
The strong
coupling, for example a bond which is resistant to manual peeling or tearing,
enables the tail
to remain in place on the open packaging 1, as an inverted, inside-out portion
of the first layer.
The open package 1' therefore provides a region 3a corresponding to the
unfolded portion of
the second layer 12 and a further region 3b formed as a chute from which
products100 can be
dispensed. The presence of the chute can help products 100 to be accurately
delivered from
the opening, for example into the hand of a consumer. Furthermore the region
3a, 3b
including the chute can be rolled up to provide a means of re-closure of the
packaging
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 area of weakness is formed in the outer layer. 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 comprise PE/OPP or OPP/OPP
laminate
structures.
The built-in area 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 foil
layer and reflected by
another layer, e.g. a paper layer within, so that the built-in area of
weakness is formed in the
outer layer only. In embodiments produced in this way the formation of the
built-in area of
weakness comprises ablation of parts of the foil layer. 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 layers means
that scoring of
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the first layer 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.
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 indicate figuratively, or in
writing, the method of
applying a pressing force to the outside of the packaging to produce friction
at a side wall of
the packaging in which the built-in area of weakness is formed, and the
possibility of pressing
into and along the side wall to break the built-in area of weakness. Figure 2
shows printing P
giving such an indication.
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. In the example embodiments shown in the Figures,
the portion of
the second layer which is uncovered by breaking the built-in area of weakness,
and the facing
area on the surface of the tail formed from the first layer after the built-in
area of weakness are
not marked or printed to appear visibly different to other parts of the
layers. However, in other
example embodiments the area of the first, or indeed both first and second
layers that
becomes visible after opening of the packaging by breaking of the built-in
area of weakness
may be marked or printed with information. Such information would only become
visible to a
purchaser of the packaged product, and may include promotional information,
codes,
vouchers, collectable or game information, or the like.
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 of the invention and the outer profile of the
side wall region can
vary depending on the shape of the products being packaged.
It will be appreciated that the packaging in the described examples is made
from a
laminated material, with the line of weakness formed in only one of the layers
at any given
position on the packaging. This means that the integrity of the packaging is
maintained until it
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16
is first opened. The packaging in the embodiments shown in Figures 1-8 can be
constructed
using any of the materials and methods shown and described in relation to
Figures 9-13.
It can be seen that the packaging in accordance with the invention provides a
simple
and cost effective packaging that is easy to open and which can be effectively
re-closed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
