WO2008155626A2

WO2008155626A2 - An improved packet with product retaining means

Info

Publication number: WO2008155626A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/001579
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergio Mezzini
Original assignee: Sergio Mezzini
Priority date: 2007-06-18
Filing date: 2008-06-16
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: JP4976547B2; JP2011501719A; WO2008155626A3; EP2162361B1; EP2162361A2; ITBO20070430A1; CN101784455B; CN101784455A; ES2393820T3; US20100187145A1

Abstract

This invention relates to an improved packet containing a group of products, in particular wrapped products, and means for retaining the products inside the packet, which exert a predetermined retaining force on the products. According to particular aspects of the invention, the retaining means (80) are in the form of permanent adhesion means which cause the product to adhere to the packet and which are located on separable parts (81b) of the packet in such a way that they correctly retain the product inside the packet and, at the same time, can be separated by a predetermined force in order to allow the product to be dispensed.

Description

An improved packet with product retaining means

Technical Field

This invention relates to a packet, in particular, a packet used for packaging a food, confectionery, pharmaceutical or other type of product.

The packet according to the invention is preferable for a product in stick, bar, or powder form, in pieces or in any other like form.

Background Art

Packets for chewing gum sticks are known, which comprise a cardboard box for containing the sticks. The sticks are normally placed side by side in such a way that a single stick can be removed from a row while leaving the others inside the packet. The sticks are normally individually wrapped in a primary wrapping.

These packets are of the type that keep their shape even after some of the sticks are removed.

This creates empty spaces inside the packet, allowing the remaining sticks to slip and slide within the packet, moving out of place and generally getting into awkward positions making it difficult for the user to get hold of them or even dropping out when the packet is next opened.

Solutions to this problem are known in prior art, which consist mainly in applying adhesives which hold the sticks non-permanently within the packet or within an intermediate wrapping that is in turn placed inside the packet. These solutions are based on the principle of friction which a non-permanent adhesive such as wax can exert on the product.

These solutions, however, constitute a compromise between the amount of force required to dispense the product and the force required to keep the product inside the packet. Thus, if the amount of adhesive is excessive, the product is correctly retained but is difficult to dispense. If the adhesive is insufficient, the product will tend to move after the product adjacent to it has been removed.

Other prior art solutions comprise frictional containing means inside the packet which apply a force sufficient to retain the product, allowing it to be dispensed easily while at the same time preventing it from moving when the product adjacent to it has been removed.

These solutions, however, not only significantly increase the cost of the packet but also make it it difficult to attain high production speeds.

Moreover, all these solutions have the inherent disadvantage that their operation by friction make it impossible to calibrate the force necessary to dispense the product since the frictional force varies according to materials used, temperature and irregularity of shape.

Disclosure of the Invention

This invention therefore provides a packet for products, where the products are wrapped in a respective wrapping, characterized in that it comprises means for retaining the products inside the packet and capable of exerting a predetermined force.

These means can be embodied by permanent adhesion means for attaching at least one wrapping to at least one part of the packet. These adhesion means are located on parts that can be separated in a predetermined manner from the wrapping or from the packet. The packet thus obtained guarantees a predetermined force for detaching the product from the packet but without significantly increasing the complexity and cost of production.

Brief Description of the Drawings These and other characteristics of the invention may be clearly inferred from the preferred embodiments described below purely by way of example and without limiting the scope of protection.

Figure 1 illustrates the product wrapped according to a first wrapping style. Figure 2 illustrates the product wrapped according to a second wrapping style.

Figure 3 illustrates the product wrapped according to a third wrapping style. Figure 4 illustrates a group of products inside a first form of receptacle. Figure 5 illustrates a group of products inside a second form of receptacle. Figure 6 illustrates a group of products inside a first form of multiple receptacle. Figure 7 illustrates a first embodiment of the separable parts of the receptacle.

Figure 8 illustrates a second embodiment of the separable parts of the receptacle. Figure 9 illustrates a third embodiment of the separable parts of the receptacle.

Figure 10 illustrates a first embodiment of the sheet wrapped around the products.

Figure 11 illustrates a second embodiment of the sheet wrapped around the products.

Figure 12 illustrates a first embodiment of the separable parts of the sheet.

Figure 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the separable parts of the sheet.

Figure 14 illustrates a third embodiment of the separable parts of the sheet. Figure 15 is a cross section of a first embodiment of the packet composed of the wrapped product, one sheet and one outer receptacle.

Figure 16 is a cross section of a second embodiment of the packet composed of two superposed groups of wrapped products, two sheets and one outer receptacle. Figure 17 illustrates a first embodiment of the separable parts of the wrapping;

Figure 18 illustrates a detail of the preceding embodiment where one product has been taken out of the packet.

Figure 19 illustrates a second embodiment of the separable parts of the wrapping.

Figure 20 illustrates a third embodiment of the separable parts of the wrapping.

Figure 21 is a cross section of an embodiment of the packet composed of a series of superposed groups of wrapped products, one sheet and one outer receptacle.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Figures 1 and 2 show two different product wrapping styles (10, 10a) where the wrapping (11) is made from a sheet folded round the product. Other examples of wrapping styles of this type are not illustrated because they are well known to experts in the trade and irrelevant to the invention.

Figure 3 shows a third product wrapping style (10 b), where the wrapping (11) is made from a sheet that is folded and sealed round the product. Other examples of wrapping styles of this type are not illustrated because they are well known to experts in the trade and irrelevant to the invention.

The wrappings may be made of paper, paraffin paper, metallic foil, plastic foil or any combination of these materials..

Figures 4 and 5 are two examples of receptacles (41) which may constitute the outer part of the packet. The outer receptacle is designed to contain the product at least partially and, in a first preferred embodiment of it, comprises a rear side to which are applied the permanent adhesion means (80) which hold the product (10) in position.

In a second preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 4, the outer receptacle comprises 5 sides all around the products and an open side (42) that enables the products to be dispensed.

Other forms of receptacle comprising any number of sides from 1 to 6 are also imaginable. For fully protecting the product inside when it is not being dispensed, the packet has a lid (43) that closes the open side.

The form and closing action of the lid may be embodied in many different ways which are not illustrated since they are irrelevant to the operation of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a third preferred embodiment (60) of the packet, comprising two or more receptacles (41) joined to each other.

Packets of this kind are well known to experts in the trade and are not described in any detail since they are irrelevant to the purpose of the invention.

The receptacles may be made of card, paper, plastic, foil or any combination of these or equivalent materials.

Figure 7 shows a packet where the permanent adhesion means (80) are provided on a separable part (81) of the receptacle (41). In this embodiment, the separable part (81) of the receptacle is attached to the receptacle by separating lines (82) made on the receptacle (41) itself. The separating lines (82) are at least partly in the form of perforated lines made in the material the receptacle (41) is made of.

They might also be non-perforated score lines impressed in the material the receptacle (41) is made of. The separating lines (82) are designed in such a way as to require a predetermined tearing force. By changing their length, depth and direction, it is possible to predetermine the force necessary to tear them in order to dispense the product. hi one particular embodiment, the separable parts of the receptacle are in the form of tabs (81) that protrude from one of the edges of one face of the receptacle. The tabs may have any shape and, in particular, they are substantially circular in shape. hi a second embodiment, shown in Figure 8, the tabs (81a) protrude lengthways past the end of the product allowing the product to be dispensed without being touched. hi a third embodiment, illustrated in Figure 9, the separable parts (81b) of the receptacle are provided on the inside face of one of the sides of the receptacle.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the packet comprises a sheet placed inside the receptacle.

The sheet (110) is designed to support the products (10) and, in a first preferred embodiment of it, comprises a rear face to which are applied the permanent adhesion means (80) which hold the product (10) in position. hi a second preferred embodiment, illustrated in Figure 10, the sheet is shaped like a pocket surrounding the product on 5 sides. hi a third preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 11 , the sheet is shaped like a pocket surrounding the product on 4 sides. hi other preferred embodiments not illustrated, the sheet may be placed round 2 or 3 sides of the wrapped product. hi yet another preferred embodiment, shown in Figure 13, the sheet surrounds the wrapped product completely.

The sheets (110) may be made of paper, paraffin paper, metallic foil, plastic foil or any combination of these materials.

Figure 12 shows a packet where the permanent adhesion means (80) are provided on a separable part (130) of the sheet (110) located along one edge of the sheet.

With reference to Figure 13, where the sheet totally surrounds the wrapped product, the separable part of the sheet extends on several adjacent sides of the sheet, that is, in this specific case, the top, one lateral face and the bottom. In one particular embodiment, the separable part (130) of the sheet is attached to the sheet by separating lines (131) made on the sheet. Other solutions are also possible however, such as, for example, the separation of part of the sheet to a desired "depth", equivalent to detaching a part of the foil layer of a multilayer material. The separating lines (131) are at least partly in the form of perforated lines made in the material the sheet (110) is made of. hi another embodiment, the separating lines might be in the form of non- perforating score lines impressed in the material the sheet (110) is made of.

The separating lines are designed in such a way as to require a predetermined tearing force. By changing their length, depth and direction, it is possible to predetermine the force necessary to tear them in order to dispense the product. hi another preferred embodiment of the packet, shown in cross section in Figure 15, permanent adhesion means (140) are provided between the sheet (110) and the outer receptacle (41). These means keep the sheet securely inside the receptacle while the wrapped product is being dispensed.

In one particular version of this embodiment, the permanent adhesion means are in the form of a permanent two-sided adhesive foil support where the central, separable support constitutes the sheet (110), the adhesive side facing the packet constituting the permanent adhesion means (140) and the adhesive side facing the product wrapping constituting the permanent adhesion means (80). hi a further preferred embodiment of the packet, shown in cross section in Figure 16, where there are two superposed groups of wrapped products enclosed within respective sheets, permanent adhesion means (170) are provided between the sheets (110) located inside the receptacle (41). These means make it possible to retain the sheets even more securely when there are more than 2 layers and it would not be possible to fix the sheets of the central product groups which are not in contact with the outer receptacle. hi yet another particular embodiment of the packet, shown in Figures 18, 19, 20 and 21, the permanent adhesion means are provided on a separable part (170) of the wrapping (11). The separable part (170) of the wrapping is attached to the wrapping by separating lines (171) made on the wrapping itself. The separating lines (171) may be in the form of perforated lines made in the material the wrapping (11) is made of. These separating lines might also be in the form of non-perforated score lines impressed in the material the wrapping (11) is made of.

The separating lines are designed in such a way as to require a predetermined tearing force. By changing their length, depth and direction, it is possible to predetermine the force necessary to tear them in order to dispense the product.

According to one particular embodiment, shown in Figure 20, the separating lines are positioned in such a way that the wrapping (11) remains whole even after being torn since the separating line (171) is located beyond of the sealing line. hi a second embodiment, illustrated in Figure 18, the separating line (171) is positioned on the wrapping in such a way that the action of dispensing a wrapped product uncovers a part (9) of the product large enough to enable the bare product to be pulled out of the rest of the wrapping (l ib) directly with one's mouth and without touching it with one's fingers. To enable this to be done easily, the distance between the separating line and the edge of the product that will be uncovered must be greater than 3 millimetres, that is to say, the part (9) of the product that is uncovered when the product is dispensed from the packet must be at least 3 mm long.

If the product is a stick of chewing gum, to be able to use the part of the wrapping separated from the packet to discard the chewing gum after use, the distance between the separating line and the edge of the product that will be uncovered must not exceed half the length of the product itself; that is to say, the part (9) of the product that is uncovered when the product is dispensed from the packet must be less than half the length of the product itself. hi a yet further embodiment of the packet, shown in cross section in Figure

21, the packet contains a group of superposed products. For retaining the group of products correctly inside the packet, permanent adhesion means (80) are provided between the last wrapping (11) and the sheet (110) and non-permanent adhesion means (210) are provided between the wrappings (11) of the single products. These adhesion means may be provided on at least one of the two main faces, that is to say, one of the two large faces, of the wrapped product, on a lateral face or on an end face of the wrapped product.

According to other particular packet configurations, the products in the packet may be placed side by side in two or more superposed groups, as shown for example in Figure 16, or the products themselves may be superposed and two more groups of superposed products placed side by side, as shown in Figure 5.

In all the embodiments described up to now, the permanent adhesion means may be embodied by permanent adhesives or other permanent mechanical fixing systems. As adhesives, hot-melt glue, cold glue and contact glue may be used.

Generally speaking, the adhesion means are considered permanent when the force necessary to detach them exceeds the force needed to tear a part of the surface they adhere to.

The non-permanent adhesion means may be embodied by wax or detachable adhesives.

The packaging principles of this invention can be applied to a multiplicity of products which may be edible products such as chewing gums, bars of chocolate, biscuits or snacks.

The products that can be packaged according to the invention may also be in granular or powder form or they may be loose or all arranged in the same direction. These include sugar, tea, tobacco and coffee products.

They may be pharmaceuticals, parapharmaceuticals or nutritionals. These include, aspirins, condoms and vitamins.

According to a first preferred method, the packets according to the invention can be made by permanently attaching the wrapped product to a sheet, inserting the sheet into an outer receptacle and then completing the formation of the receptacle in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense a product by tearing the separable part, which may be either part of the sheet or part of the wrapping. According to a second preferred method, a sheet is inserted into the outer receptacle, the wrapped product permanently attached to the sheet, and the formation of the receptacle completed in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense a product by tearing the separable part, which may be either part of the sheet or part of the wrapping. According to a third preferred method, the packets according to the invention can be made by permanently attaching the wrapped product to an outer receptacle completing the formation of the receptacle in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense a product by tearing the separable part, which may be either part of the receptacle or part of the wrapping. According to a fourth preferred method, a weakened or separating line is made in a wrapping material, the product wrapped in the material and a part of the wrapping material then permanently attached inside a packet.

The invention thus provides a packet in which the product can be easily packaged and adequately retained until the moment of use even after the products adjacent to it have been dispensed, thanks to the fact that the retaining force is exerted by a part of the packet or product wrapping that is torn by the user when required. This force is therefore predetermined.

Moreover, all the embodiments of the packet according to the invention are easy to make by machine, with obvious advantages in terms of feasibility and production cost.

The packets illustrated herein are used for descriptive purposes only without limiting the field of application of the invention.

Modifications and extensions may be developed on the basis of the teachings hereof and of the current state of the art and such modifications and extensions are deemed to be within the scope of this present invention.

Claims

1) A packet for products, comprising retaining means, characterized in that such means exert a predetermined force for holding the products inside the packet.

2) The packet according to claim 1 or according to the preamble to claim 1, wherein the products are wrapped in a respective wrapping (11). 3) The packet according to claim 2, wherein the retaining means are permanent adhesion means (80) for attaching at least one part of a wrapping (11) to at least one part of the packet (40).

4) The packet according to claim 3, wherein the permanent adhesion means

(80) constitute a rigid connection. 5) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 4, wherein the packet comprises at least one outer containment receptacle (41).

6) The packet according to claim 5, wherein the retaining means are permanent adhesion means (80) for attaching at least one part of a wrapping (11) to at least one part of the outer receptacle (41). 7) The packet according to claim 6, wherein the outer receptacle (41) has a plurality of sides which at least partly contain the product (10) and at least one open side (42) that enables the product to be dispensed.

8) The packet according to claim 7, wherein the outer receptacle (41) has a lid (43) connected to one of the sides and designed to close the open side through which the product (10) is dispensed.

9) The packet according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the outer receptacle (41) is made of card, paper, plastic, foil or any combination of these materials.

10) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 9, comprising two or more receptacles (41) connected to each other. 11) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 10, wherein the receptacle forms a series of multiple cavities designed to accommodate the product (10).

12) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 11, wherein the permanent adhesion means (80) are provided on a separable part (81) of the receptacle (41). 13) The packet according to claim 12, wherein the separable part (81) of the receptacle is attached to the receptacle by separating lines (82) made on the receptacle (41) itself.

14) The packet according to claim 13, wherein the separating lines (82) are at least partly in the form of perforated lines made in the material the receptacle (41) is made of.

15) The packet according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the separating lines (82) are at least partly in the form of non-perforated score lines impressed in the material the receptacle (41) is made of. 16) The packet according to any of the claims from 13 to 15, wherein the separating lines (82) are designed in such a way as to require a predetermined tearing force.

17) The packet according to any of the claims from 12 to 16, wherein the separable parts of the receptacle are in the form of tabs (81) that protrude from one of the edges of one face of the receptacle.

18) The packet according to claim 17, wherein the tabs (81a) allow the product to be dispensed without being touched.

19) The packet according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the tabs (81a) protrude lengthways past the end of the product. 20) The packet according to any of the claims from 12 to 19, wherein the separable parts (81b) of the receptacle are made on the inside of the sides of the receptacle.

21) The packet according to any of the claims from 12 to 20, wherein the separable parts of the receptacle are substantially circular in shape. 22) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 21, wherein the packet comprises at least one sheet (110) located inside the outer containment receptacle. 23) The packet according to claim 22, wherein the retaining means are permanent adhesion means (80) for attaching at least one part of a wrapping (11) to at least one part of the sheet (110). 24) The packet according to claim 23, wherein the permanent adhesion means (80) are provided on a separable part (130) of the sheet (110). 25) The packet according to claim 24, wherein the separable part (130) of the sheet is attached to the sheet by separating lines (131) made on the sheet. 26) The packet according to claim 25, wherein the separating lines (131) are at least partly in the form of perforated lines made in the material the sheet (110) is made of.

27) The packet according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the separating lines (131) are at least partly in the form of non-perforated score lines impressed in the material the sheet (110) is made of.

28) The packet according to any of the claims from 25 to 27, wherein the separating lines (131) are designed in such a way as to require a predetermined tearing force. 29) The packet according to any of the claims from 22 to 28, comprising permanent adhesion means (140) between the sheet (110) and the receptacle (41). 30) The packet according to any of the claims from 22 to 29, comprising permanent adhesion means (170) between two or more sheets (110) located inside the receptacle (41). 31) The packet according to any of the claims from 22 to 30, wherein the sheet is placed partially round a group of wrapped products.

32) The packet according to any of the claims from 22 to 31, wherein the sheet surrounds a group of wrapped products on at least 5 sides.

33) The packet according to any of the claims from 22 to 31, wherein the sheet totally surrounds a group of wrapped products.

34) The packet according to any of the claims from 22 to 33, wherein the sheet is made of paper, paraffin paper, metallic foil, plastic foil or any combination of these materials.

35) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 34, wherein the permanent adhesion means (80) are provided on a separable part (170) of the wrapping (11).

36) The packet according to claim 35, wherein the separable part (170) of the wrapping is attached to the wrapping by separating lines (171) made on the wrapping. 37) The packet according to claim 36, wherein the separating lines (171) are at least partly in the form of perforated lines made in the material the wrapping (11) is made of.

38) The packet according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the separating lines (171) are at least partly in the form of non-perforated score lines impressed in the material the wrapping (11) is made of. 39) The packet according to any of the claims from 36 to 38, wherein the separating lines (131) are designed in such a way as to require a predetermined tearing force.

40) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 39, wherein the wrapping (11) is in the form of a sheet folded round the product.

41) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 40, wherein the separating line (171) is positioned on the wrapping in such a way that the action of dispensing a wrapped product uncovers a part (9) of the product large enough to enable the bare product to be pulled out of the rest of the wrapping (170b) directly with one's mouth and without touching it with one's fingers.

42) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 41, wherein the separating line (171) on the wrapping is located at a distance of at least 3 millimetres from the edge of the product that will be uncovered.

43) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 42, wherein the position of the separating line (171) on the wrapping is such that the part (9) of the product that is uncovered when the product is dispensed from the packet is be at least 3 mm long.

44) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 43, wherein the distance between the separating line (171) on the wrapping and the edge of the product that is uncovered is not greater than half the length of the product itself.

45) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 44, wherein the wrapping (11) is in the form of a sheet folded and sealed round the product.

46) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 45, wherein the separating line (171) on the wrapping is located beyond the sealing line nearest the edge of the product.

47) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 46, wherein the wrapping (11) is made of paper, paraffin paper, metallic foil, plastic foil or any combination of these materials.

48) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 47, containing a group of products placed side by side.

49) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 48, containing a group of superposed products.

50) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 49, containing two or more superposed groups of products placed side by side. 51) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 50, containing superposed products arranged in two or more groups placed side by side.

52) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 51, comprising non- permanent adhesion means (210) between the individual product wrappings (11). 53) The packet according to claim 52, wherein the non-permanent adhesion means are provided at least on a main face of the wrapped product. 54) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 53, wherein the non- permanent adhesion means are provided at least on a lateral face of the wrapped product. 55) The packet according to any of the claims from 2 to 54, wherein the non- permanent adhesion means are provided at least on an end face of the wrapped product.

56) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 55, wherein the non- permanent adhesion means are embodied by wax. 57) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 56, wherein the permanent adhesion means (80) are in the form of a two-sided adhesive that can be separated to a required "depth".

58) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 57, wherein the permanent adhesion means are embodied by permanent adhesives. 59) The packet according to claim 58, wherein the permanent adhesion means are embodied by cold glue.

60) The packet according to claim 58, wherein the permanent adhesion means are embodied by hot-melt glue.

61) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 60, wherein the product is an edible product.

62) The packet according to claim 61, wherein the product is a chewing gum.

63) The packet according to claim 61, wherein the product comprises chocolate, biscuits, wafers, creams, nuts, dried fruit, moulded products or any combination of these. 64) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 63, wherein the product is in powder form.

65) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 63, wherein the product is in granular form.

66) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 63, wherein the product comprises a group of products in pieces. 67) The packet according to claim 66, wherein the pieces are all arranged in the same direction inside the wrapping.

68) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 60, wherein the product is a condom. 69) The packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 68, comprising a wrapping sealed around the receptacle.

70) A method for packaging products comprising permanently attaching the wrapped product to a sheet, inserting the sheet into a receptacle and completing the formation of the receptacle in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense the product by tearing the separable part.

71) A method for packaging products comprising inserting a sheet into the outer receptacle, permanently attaching the wrapped product to the sheet, and completing the formation of the receptacle in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense the product by tearing the separable part. 72) The packet according to claim 70 or 71, wherein the sheet is permanently connected to the receptacle.

73) A method for packaging products comprising permanently attaching the wrapped product to a receptacle, and completing the formation of the receptacle in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense the product by tearing the separable part.

74) A method for packaging products comprising making a weakened or separating line in a wrapping material, wrapping the product in the material and permanently attaching a part of the wrapping material to the inside of a packet in such a way that the consumer can grip and dispense the product by tearing the separable part.

75) A method for packaging products according to any of the claims from 70 to 74, wherein the product dispensed has an uncovered part that is free of wrapping material so that it can be pulled out directly with one's mouth.

76) A method for packaging products according to any of the claims from 70 to 75, wherein the products are chewing gum sticks.

77) A packet according to any of the claims from 1 to 69 made according to one of the methods described in any of the claims from 70 to 76.