CA2196058A1 - Methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using a partially adhesive tape and the packages made by the methods - Google Patents
Methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using a partially adhesive tape and the packages made by the methodsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2196058A1 CA2196058A1 CA 2196058 CA2196058A CA2196058A1 CA 2196058 A1 CA2196058 A1 CA 2196058A1 CA 2196058 CA2196058 CA 2196058 CA 2196058 A CA2196058 A CA 2196058A CA 2196058 A1 CA2196058 A1 CA 2196058A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- adhesive
- tape
- box
- flaps
- adhesive tape
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B51/00—Devices for, or methods of, sealing or securing package folds or closures; Devices for gathering or twisting wrappers, or necks of bags
- B65B51/04—Applying separate sealing or securing members, e.g. clips
- B65B51/06—Applying adhesive tape
- B65B51/067—Applying adhesive tape to the closure flaps of boxes
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Package Closures (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
Package constructions made by methods of sealing boxes of the type having shortened major flaps which form a gap between the flap edges by adhesive tapes are described. A tape of a width sufficient to cover the gap formed between the flaps is utilized in the method and package constructions of the present invention, and the tape is preferably provided with plural adhesive strips with an intermediate non-adhesive longitudinal portion. Various tape constructions are contemplated to be used in accordance with the methods and package constructions of the present invention. According to one package construction, the method of box sealing includes the use of an adhesive tape having plural adhesive strips and an intermediate non-adhesive portion and applying the tape to at least a part of the box surface defined by the box flaps so that an adhesive strip is adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive portion covers at least some of the gap formed between the flap edges. According to another package construction of the present invention, the length of tape applied to a box surface is provided with a tab along its length formed by spaced slits within the non-adhesive portion of the tape length.
Description
W 096/05108 2 1 9 S n 5 8 P~l/u~
Methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using a partially adhesive tape and the packages made by the methods.
Technical Field The present invention relates generally to methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using adhesive tape and the package; U~,L;ull~ formed by such methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to box sealing using adhesive tape having lateral adhesive zones and a non-adhesive area LL~
that is applied to the plural flaps of a box side.
Bacl~ ' of the Invention . r~. .n " ~l, and suppliers of products often package their products in shipping containers before sending products to their customers. Each shipping container may I either a single product or multiple products, depending on the a, . ' Moreover, the container allows for ease in handling, shipping, and storing the products, along with providing protection from damage, theft, and . -Although many types of sbipping containers and container materials are readily available on the market, one of the most cornmon shipping containers is a corrugated cardboard container or box. Boxes are typically both economical and sufflciently strong for most sbipping uses and come in many shapes and sizes.
However, included in the known type of boxes to which the present invention is applied is the regular slotted carton with shortened flaps.
A regulu slotted carton is generally rectangular and comprises four contiguous vertical side surfaces and two pair of flaps, commonly known as the major and minor pairs of flaps, on both the top and bottom of the box. Each of the ~ 'daps is connected to one of the vertical side surfaces, such that when the pairs of major and minor flaps are folded toward each other and toward the center of the box, the edges of at least the major flaps meet near the center of the top or bottom of the box, effectively creating the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the box and closing the box. The flaps on the regular slotted carton are typically sealed in place W096/OS108 ~s~n~8 ~, by glue or by pressure-sensitive adhe'sive tape. The tape is often applied in either a "C-clip" or an "L-clip" ..ollfi~ Lioll, both of which are commonly known in the art and are described below.
The C-clip is so named because a cross-section of the tape is in the shape of the letter "C". More specifically, a C-clip of tape is a continuous length of adhesive tape that is applied to a portion of one vertical side of a box, across the center of one of the horizontal surfaces of the box to seal the abutting major flaps together, and finally to a portion of the opposite vertical side of the box. Moreover, the tape for a C-clip is typicaDy wide enough to be applied along the abutting flaps such that both flaps ofthe outermost, or major, pairs of flaps on the top and bottom ofthe box are sealed by a single piece of tape. When the regular slotted carton is closed and sealed with a C-clip of adhesive tape, there are no substantial gaps to allow to reach the product or products enclosed in the box.
The L-clip is so named because a cross-section of the tape is in the shape of the capital letter "L". More specifically, an L-clip of adhesive tape comprises a length of adhesive tape that is applied to a portion of one vertical side of the box and to an adjacent portion of one of the horizontal surfaces of the box, effectively securing one or both of the abutting flaps of the horizontal surface to the vertical side of the box.
The number of L-clips applied to a single box can vary based on the r ~ ~;p~
or supplier's l ~yuh ~ for the integrity of the box in its sealed condition.
One problem associated with a regular slotted carton sealed with C-clips or L-clips is that the person opening the box typically needs a sharp rnstrument topenetrate the tape and access the objects inside the box. In addition, in many ~h ~ , the regular slotted carton may provide more protection than the r ' t~l or supplier requires for their products. Moreover, because the price of a box is directly related to the quantity of raw materials (e.g., corrugated cardboard) used in r ' ' ~, the box, the cost of using regular slotted cartons may be ~~ high for those box users who do not need as complete a protection for their products.
~ WO 96/05108 ~ 1 ~ 6 0 5 8 I~,-/u,, _.
.i-To address these concerns, container r ~ produce a second type of box also considered pertinent to the present ~ ., ' , a regular slotted carton with shortened or "shied" pairs of major and minor flaps that do not meet each other when the box is in a closed condition, as shown in Figure 1. Instead, when the box is5 closed, there is a gap between both the major and minor pairs of flaps. Boxes of this type use ' "~ less raw materiais, which c~ r ' ~1~ reduces both the costs to produce the boxes and ultimately reduces the amount of waste generated when disposing of the boxes. The reduced box production costs may then be passedon to the r ' ~1 or supplier who is purchasing the boxes, ultimately, these cost10 savings may then be passed on to the consumer of the products that are shipped in these boxes.
Boxes with shied flaps are commoniy sealed with hot glue that is applied at each of the, f '' ' 1;~ of the major and minor flaps as the box is being closed.Aithough hot giue can be adequate to seai the box, hot glue dispensing equipment15 requires greater care in use and the glue nozzles are often subject to high costs. In addition, when a box is seaied in this manner, the contents of the box are subject to, through the open gap between the major and minor flaps.
Another alternative method of sealing boxes with shied flaps is to apply two 20 C-ciips of box seaiing tape to the major pair of flaps, with one C-clip applied on each fiap of the pair. For example, it is known to apply two C-clips of tape on opposite sides of a gap between the major flaps from two separate tape sources (i.e., roiis), each mounted on a separate taping head provided on a box seaiing machine. Again,because the two C-clips of tape are not applied to cover the gap between the shied 25 flaps, the products enclosed in the box are not protected firom, A specific example of the use of adhesive tape for seaiing a box over a gap provided between the folded flaps is described m U.S. Patent No. 5,039,005. The gap is provided for the purpose of forming a window into the box, and a transparent adhesive tape is utilized to cover the window yet perrnit viewing of the box contents.
WO 961051~8 2 ~ ~ 6 ~ 5 8 The general application of lengths ojf box sealing tape to boxes with or without shied flaps in either a C-clip,: I~'clip, or other: 5~, ~L;uu by variousdLUv_~ such as hand-held devices and automatic and semi-automatic box sealing machines is well known. However, there is a continuing need in the packaging 5 industry for improved methods of sealing boxes.
mmarv of the Present Invention The present invention is generally directed to methods of sealing boxes of the type having shortened major flaps which form a gap between the flap edges by 10 adhesive tape and which effectively seals the contents of the box. The present invention is likewise directed to the resultant package ~U~ t~ u~liull~. Such methods and package cu...L- u~,l;u,.., are ad~"L..c.,ou~ in that the box is sealed to protect its contents, yet a savings is realized in the reduction of box material.
A tape of a width sufficient to cover the gap formed between the flaps is 15 utilized in the method and package Cu-li~LI u~,liùas of the present invention, and the tape is preferably provided with plural adhesive strips with an ' non-adhesive I ~ ' ' portion. More preferably, the width of the non-adhesive portion is equal to or greater than the width of the gap so that adhesive is notexposed to the product within the box. Various tape ~U~ lUIliU~I~ are ~
20 to be used in accordance with the methods and package co..vL. u.,liull., of the present invention including tapes coated to leave a non-adhesive portion, tapes including a means for deadening the adhesive to provide the non-adhesive portion, or tapes ~,ml~l- u~ltd of plural ~ r According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of box sealing 25 includes the use of an adhesive tape having plural adhesive strips and an "
non-adhesive portion and applying the tape to at least a part of the box surfacedefined by the box flaps so that an adhesive strip is adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive portion covers at least some of the gap formed between the flap edges.
Preferably, the tape is also provided to a portion of one of the vertical surfaces of the 30 box adjacent to the flap surface.
WO96/0~108 2 1 9 6 0 S 8 ~-~u~ l .~.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a package ~U~all UUIiU~
includes a box of the type having a pair of shortened flaps with a length of tape having plurai adhesive strips and an ~ ' non-adhesive portion adhered to the flaps and covering the gap.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the iength of tape applied to a box surface is provided with a tab aiong its length formed by spaced siits within the non-adhesive portion of the tape length. The method includes the step of siitting the tape to make the tab. Preferably, the siitting occurs between the unwinding of the tape from its source and the applying of the tape to the box surface.
The resultant package uullaLI u~liull exhibits such a tab formed between spaced siits provided within the non-adhesive portion of the tape CU..Jtl U~liU... Plurai tabs are also ~ . ' ', and it is preferred to provide such a tab a both the leading edge and traiiing edge of the tape length as applied to the box.
15 Br~ef Descrintion of the DrawinQs Figure I is a perspective view of a prior art regular slotted carton with shied flaps showing the flaps in their closed position.
Figure 2 is a partiai perspective view of a I ~,. .,.,x...l~ e box seaiing machine in accordance with the present invention further showing the application of a tape in 2û accordance with the present invention to a box with shied 'daps.
Fgure 3 is a perspective view of a tape in accordance with the present invention provided in the form of a tape rûll, the tape having adhesive zones and a non-adhesive area between the adhesive zones.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectionai view of a tape ~ u~lioll, the tape comprising 25 two adhesive strips and an i.~t~.l ' non-adhesive area.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectionai view of an aitemate tape ~,ullall U~liUII, the tape comprising two adhesive areas on the outer edges of the tape and an ' area made non-adhesive by a deadening layer.
WO96/05108 21~6058 r~.".~ l ~
~ r6-Figure 6is a cross-sectional view of an alternate tape CU.~.~.I u~l;u.., the tape comprising two strips of adhesive tape laminated to opposite sides of a non-adhesive central portion.
Figure 7 is an illustration of a method of laminating a non-adhesive web 5 material to an adhesive tape to provide a non-adhesive area before applying the tape material to a box.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of box sealing tape applied to a box with shied 'daps in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a method of providing tabs on a length I û of tape before applying the tape to a box.
Detailed DescriDtion of the Preferred r Referring now to the Figures, wherein the .,u , are labeled with like numerals throughout the several Figures, and initially to Figure 2, a box sealing 15 machine 10 for applying tape lengths to boxes is illustrated which basic, comprise a tape source 12 for supplying tape to be dispensed and a taping head 14 for applying tape lengths to boxes and which is suppûrted relative to a base 16. The taping head 14, as shown, supports the tape source 12. Taping head 14 is preferably of the type available firom Mimnesota Mining and M r ' ;llg Company of 20 St. Paul, Mimnesota, under the trade designation "Accuglide". One specific example is described in U.S. Patent 5,228,943 entitled Low Impact Tape Applying Device, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the complete disclosure of which is ~JUI akid herein by reference. As used throughout this application, theterm tape is preferably meant to include pressure-sensitive adhesive box sealing tapes 25 such as box sealing tapes under the trade designation "Scotch", product numbers 372 and 373, ~ available from Minnesota Mining and 1' ~ ~ ~
Company or other similar adhesive tapes used in box sealing,, ' However, other web materials that are applied in the manner of a box sealing machine 10 are also , ' ~ WO 96/05~08 2 1 9 6 0 5 8 The box seaiing machine 10 comprises the base 16 and an upper support 17 positioned relative to the base 16 by way of a strut mechanism 18. The upper support 17 is preferably verticaily adjustably connected with the base 16 by the strut mechanism 18 which is ~,u.... "~, verticaily adjustable (not shown) to - ' different height boxes. The upper support 17 supports the taping head 14 to which is preferably connected a tape support member 20 The tape support member 20 further supports the tape source 12, which is rotatably mounted by wayof a hub 22, as ~iUII . . ' '1~ icnown In wcordance with the iilustrated .,..li,, ' t, a box guide path is defmed aiong the base 16 by conveyors 24 and 26 which are adapted to move an object over the rollers 28 comprising bed 30 amd past the taping head 14 and, more specif caily, to contwt an appiication roOer 31 and a buffing roller 32 of the taping head 14 The operation of such conveying ' are well understood in the art and it is . ' ' that other conveying means, whether automatic or manuai, could be utiiized as presently icnown or developed Aiso provided are means for defining a tape path, which inciudes guide rolls 33 mounted within tne taping head 14, for guiding the tape from the tape source 12 through the taping head 14 and to the application roller 31 The manner of conneGtion and operation of the application roiier 31 and buffing roller 32 for applying tape is well icnown and fully described in the clfUI ~ " ' U.S. PatGnt No. 5,228,943. The taping head 14 preferably includes the guide roiiers 33 which, with the application roii 31, defne the tape path and which aiso assist in tension control of the tape. In the iiiustrated ~ ' ~ " t, the taping head 14 is positioned directiy above the box guide path for seaiing the top of a box, however, anothertaping head 14 is typicaily provided in the bed 30, as Gu,.v. "~, mounted, to provide tape to the bottom of a box as well In addition, other various .. 1~,, ,u;
and locations of taping heads and roiiers are, . ' ' by the present invention, ~ such as multiple taping heads located above the box guide path, below the box guide path, or both above and below the box guide path.
wo 96/WI08 219 6 0 5 8 r~.,u~
The box sealing machine 10 is typically used for rectangular boxes or cartons of the type comprising a front vertical surface, a rear vertical surface, two vertical side surfaces, and two pair of opposed flaps on both the top and bottom of the box.
In order to close the top of the box, for example, a first pair of flaps, hereinafter the 5 minor pair of flaps, are typically folded toward each other. Next, a second pair of flaps, hereinafter the major pair of flaps, are folded toward each other. In thepreferred bc ' t, the major pair of flaps effectively comprise the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the box. Although the typical box is described above, other box: 5~ Liulla are ~ , ' ' to be used in connection with the present 10 invention, such as boxes with more or less than four sides and boxes with only one pair of flaps on the top and bottom of the box and the like.
The present invention is specif cally directed to the method of sealing of boxes with shortened or "shied" flaps. This type of box is designed and '' ' td such that when the pairs of flaps are folded toward each other, there is15 a substantial gap i '~, provided between the nearest edges of each of the major and minor pairs of opposed flaps. Alternatively, it may be said that the pairs of flaps are "shy" of contacting cach other when the box is in a closed position The flaps are therefore considered "~h~ ,ncd" or "shied" as compared to the flaps of the regular slotted carton. The present invention is particularly adapted for use with 20 regular slotted cartons with shortened flaps along with boxes that use a c.
of pairs of flaps that are shortened with pairs of flaps that are not shortened.Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate preferred CIU~ '' ' ofthe tape source 12 where, in accordance with one aspect of the present mvention, the tape source 12comprises a tape length 34 I..;l~UI~ wound onto the outside surface 38 of a 25 cylindrical core 40. Furthcr, the tape length 34 is provided with laterally spaced adhesive strips 35a and 35b, where each of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b are preferably on opposite edges of the tape length 34, and the area between and adjacent to the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is a non-adhesive area 36. The width of each of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is preferably the same, although there may be a 30 differencebetweenthewidthoftheadhesivestrip35aandthewidthoftheadhesive ~ wo 96f~5l08 219 6 0 S 8 r.~v~
strip 35b. In addition, when the tape length 34 is applied to a closed box with shied flaps, the non-adhesive area 36 is preferably at least as wide as the gap between the major pair of flaps so the product inside the box is not exposed to adhesive andtherefore calmot adhere to the tape.
It is fiurther, . ' ' that the tape length 34 may comprise more than two adhesive strips andlor more than one non-adhesive area lateraily spaced across the width of the tape length 34. For example, the tape length 34 may comprise a non-adhesive portion in the centrai area of a tape length, one l-ngj~ ' ' adhesive strip on each side of the non-adhesive portion, and two additional l ~ ' ' non-adhesive strips, each located on one of the edges of the tape length and adjacent to one of the l ~ ' ' adhesive strips. Other ~ of adjacent alternating adhesive and non-adhesive strips are aiso ~ , ' ' by the present invention.
The box seaiing tape of the present invention is of the type that preferably comprises a bacicing layer film with a layer of adhesive coated to one side of the 15 backing layer. A nu_A.,IU~ . list of uu.,~ iiu~al polyrneric backing layer f,ims foiiows with the I ' ,L~.Ji..g that any could be suitable for use as a tape backing layer: pol~lhjh,l.." pol~J.u~,yh,.._, polyester (such as pol~.lhyl~".e Lt.u~Jti.diaic.
(PET)), biaxiaily oriented polyt,.u ylu,.ci (BOPP), polyvinyl chioride (PVC), copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and copolymers of ethylene and olefins having 20 four or more carbon atoms.
Further, suitable adhesives for use in the box sealing tape of the present invention are generaily based on generai c.r~ of pulya~,lyh.~" polyvinyl ether; diene-containmg rubber such as naturai rubber, pol~;.,v~..c....,, and polyl,uL~i.~"e; styrene-butadiene rubber; pc~ly~,lliulu~ butyl rubber; butadiene-25 a~lylulflLl il~. polymer; I l " " ,~ ;f elastomer block copolymers such as styrene-isoprene (Sl) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers, styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene-l,uL~di~ ,-iityrene polyrners (SBS), and ethyl~"~'plu~"h",~, and ethylene-butylene-diene polymers such as styrene-clhylu~ J-u~Jyh~styrene (SEPS) and styrene-f Lhylu..~uLyl~...c-styrene (SEBS); poly-aipha-olef,n; amorphous 30 polyolefn; silicone; ethylene-containing copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate, WO 96/05108 219 fi ~ S 8 1 r~
-10- .
. s -.;
ethyl ethyl acrylate, and ethyl ~ .,Lc~ yL~Le, pulyuu ' polyamide; epoxy;
polyvh-yl~,~.l, ' ' and ~ !yr.l~ ' ' m,upoly~ a~ polyesters; and mjxtures of the above. The use of many of these ~ .p. ~ . . to give specific uL~ ule~ ;a~;~.a to the adhesives may require cross-linking or curing by methods well known in the art.
5 Additionally, the adhesives can contain additives such as tackifiers, plasticizers, ,.,.I;..~,.l~..l~, stabilizers, curatives, and solvents.
In addition, a low adhesion backsize is preferably provided on the other side of the backing layer so that the tape separates more easily when unwound from a tape roll. Such coatings and/or treatments are well known, and any can be used in 10 accordance with the present invention if they are otherwise suitable for use in the desired tape cullaLlu.,fiol .
Figure 4, which is a cross-sectional view from the section line 4-4 of Figure 3,illustrates one cu....b u~.i;u.. for the tape of the present invention. The tape of Figure 4 preferably comprises a non-adhesive backing layer 44, with two strips of adhesive 15 45 coated along the opposite side portions ofthe non-adhesive backing layer 44. The non-adhesive backing layer 44 may be paper, film, or other known web materials suitable for use as a backing layer. Further, the strips of adhesive 45 are preferably equal widths and may be in the form of an adhesive transfer tape, a hot melt adhesive, or the like. Strip coating techniques are well-known and suitable for making this 20 cùlli,il UULiU... The result is a tape Cu...~tl u~.fiu~ wherein the non-adhesive i...." u.~ ,.e area is made by simply not coating adhesive over that area of the tape. It is also . ' ,d that the strips of adhesive 45 can be applied inward from the edges of the non-adhesive backing layer 44 and/or have unequal widths.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative f '~ '' ' of the tape of the present 25 invention m a view similar to that of Figure 3 . In this l,..lbC " t, the tape preferably comprises a non-adhesive backmg layer 44 coated across its width with a layer of adhesive 45. The central area of the tape is further coated with a deadening layer 46, which I ~ly decreases or "deadens" the adhesive strength of the central area of the tape. Suitable materials for this deadening layer include web or ~ WO 96/05108 2 1 J 6 0 5 8 p~ ""~ .
~, sheet materiais such as fiims, papers, foils and/or treatments applied to the adhesive that render it non-adhesive.
Figure 6 iilustrates another aiternative ~u' - ' of the tape of the present invention again in a view similar to that of Figure 3. In this . ~ - ' t, the tape S preferably comprises a non-adhesive web materiai 47 and two lengths of adhesive tape strips 48 laminated to opposite edges of the non-adhesive web materiai 47. The adhesive tape strips 48 themselves include a uo..~,.,tiu.,..l bacicing iayer and an adhesive layer coated onto this bacicing layer.
It is aiso ~ that the tape of the present invention, illustrated in 10 Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, comprise a transparent tape materiai that allows viewing of the products enclosed in a box. However, in some instances it may be undesirable to aiiow light into the box or to aiiow viewing of the products in the box; in these cases, it is, . ' ' that an opa~iue tape materiai may be used. In order for the transparent tape materiai to be rendered transparent, both the backing layer and the 15 coatings appiied to the backing layer must be transparent. However, in order for the opaque tape materiai to be opa~iue, oniy one of the bacicing layer or coatings appiied to the bacicing tape need be opaque.
Moreover, the tape ~...i o~ illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 may be u~uLI~Ll..cd remote from any box seaiing machines and provided to the box seaiing 20 machine as a prc '' cd roii. However, a schematic of an aiternative procedure is iiiustrated in Figure 7, where the tape l,O..".l u~,liu~. of Figure 5 is made aiong with the box seaiing machine itself 1 1~, before the tape is applied to a box. More specificaily, a roii of non-adhesive web materiai 212 such as any suitable deadening materiai discussed above and at least one roll of adhesive tape 214 such as 25 ~,u~. I box seaiing tape discussed above are preferably rotatably supported from the frame of a bQx seaiing machine (not shown) and guided by ~,u"~. I
guiding means toward a pair of laminating rollers 216, where the adhesive tape and ~ non-adhesive web materiai are laminated together to form one composite tape materiai 218. After iaminatio4 the one composite tape materiai 218 is directed through guide rollers 220 of a taping head 222 toward an application roller 224, 2 19 6 ~ ' ' P~ LV . ~
which applies said one composite tape matenal 218 to a box, as cu~
applied.
The tape cul~tl uvLioll of Figure 4 could a'sso be made at the box sealing machine just prior to application by combining a non-adhesive backing layer 44 with 5 the plural adhesive strips 45, such as provided in the form of a transfer tape.
Similarly, the cul~sll u~lio~l of Figure 6 would require combining two adhesive tape strips 48 with a non-adhesive web materia. 47.
The application of tape to boxes by the box sealing machine 10 in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 2. InitiaDy, 10 the tape source 12, comprising the tape length 34, is rotatably mounted to the hub of the tape support member 20, as shown in Figure 2. The tape length 34 is threadedthrough the taping head 14 along the tape path to the application roller 31, in a manner to present the tape to apply to a box. Preferably, the application rollerassembly 31 comprises a single application roller that is at least as wide as the tape 15 length 34, and the tape path is def ned such that the entire width of the tape length 34 will be in contact with the single application roller. If the application roller assembly 31 comprises two application rollers provided side-by-side, each of the application rollers is spaced axially from one another to correspond with the location of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b of the tape length 34.
In the illustrated ~".1.. ,.1'--.. -~ of Figure 2, a box 50, which is a regular slotted carton with shortened flaps, is supplied to the box sealing machine 10 in the direction of arrow A, in a closed condition. The taping head 14 guides the tape length 34 from the tape source 12 to the application roDer 31, which then presents the adhesive side of tape length 34 toward the front vertical surface of the box 50. As tbe conveyors 24 and 26 move the box 50 over the bed 30 a'ong the box guide path, the front vertical surface of the box 50 contacts the tape length 34. The application roller 31 ~ then presses the leading edge of the tape length 34 against the box 50 wjth the force necessary to adhere both adhesive strips 35a and 35b ofthe tape length 34 to the box 50. While the box 50 continues to move a ong the box guide path, the tape continues to be pulled by the taping head 14 from the tape source 12 and the application roller ~ WO 96/05108 2 1 9 6 ~ S 8 P ~ cl 31 is driven upward by the box S0 along its support guide path within the hping head 14 and vertically along the front verticai surface of the box 50 toward the top horizontal surface of the box. Further, afLer the application roller 31 applies the tape length 34, the buffing roller 32, which is preferably pivotally connected to the taping 5 head 14 and , ' by a link mechanism (not shown) to the appiication roilersupport as .,u..~. ".y known, rolls over the newly applied tape length 34 to smooth the adhesive strips 35a and 35b onto jthe surface of the box 50. The tapelength 34 is typicaily applied to oniy a portion of the firont vertical surface of the box 50.
A~er the tape length 34 is applied to a portion of the front vertical surface ofthe box 50 and the application roller 31 has moved to the corner of the front verticai surface and the top horizontal surface of the box 50, the tape length 34 is thenapplied to the top horizontai surface of the box 50 by way of the application roller 31. A~er the tape length 34 has been applied to at least a portion of the top horizontal surface of the box 50, a . . ~ ;ull~d cutting means (not shown) may sever the tape. If the tape length 34 is severed before the tape is applied to the entire length of the top horizontal surface of the box 50, it is commonly said that an "L-ciip" of tape has been applied to the box, since the cross-sectional shape of the tape section resembles the capitai letter "L".
Alternatively, the tape length 34 may not be severed during application to the top horizontal surface of the box 50. Rather, the application roller 31 may apply a continuous tape length 34 to a portion of the front verticai surface, across the entire top horizontai surface and to a portion of the rear verticai surface of the box 50 before the tape is severed by the cutting means. When lengths of tape are applied m this manner, it is commoniy said that a "C-clip" of tape has been applied to the box, since the cross-sectionai shape of the tape section resembles the letter "C".
Although the above description refers specificaily to , '1~ applying tape to the front vertical surface, the top horizontai surface, and the rear vertical surface of the box 50, it is understood that this description can aiso be useful for operations where tape is appiied to other vertical surfaces of the box 50, to the WO96105108 2196~8 I'~_I/U~_ ~
bottom horizontal surface of the box S0, a~nd/o~ whe}e the tape is applied in a different sequence than that descri~bed 'above. In addition, it is ~ . .. s, r~ ed that the box sealing machine 10 may apply either L-clips, C-clips, a, ' ~ of L-clips and C-clips, or straight sections of tape to only one surface of the box S0 that is made S up of a single section or is made up of folded flaps. It is further ~ d that multiple taping operations may be occurring ~ ---~ y on the same box S0.
Referring now to Figure 8, a perspective view of the box S0 sealed with a C-cbp of tape in accordance with the method of the present invention is illustrated in one ~ ll .o.l;, . -:, with a closed box S0 comprising a pair of major flaps 52 and 54 that are shortened, a gap derdned as the distance between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54, and a tape length 34. In this ~ br ' t, the tape length 34, as applied to the closed box S0, comprises the non-adhesive area 36 that is preferably ' "), equal in width to the width of the gap between the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. In other words, the distance between the nearest edges of the IS adhesive strips 35a and 35b on the tape length 34 j5 - L -' ~ / equal to the distance between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. Further, when the tape length 34 is adhered to the box S0, the l~ lg ' ' centerline ofthe tape length 34 preferably .,u- l 1DrL~ dD with the centerline of the gap between the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. Therefore, when the tape length 34 is applied to the box S0, the adhesive strips 35a and 35b are adhered to the pair of major flaps 52 and 54 in a position where the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 35a and 3 Sb correspond with, or nearly correspond with, the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54.
However, it is also , ' ' that the tape length 34 could be provided offset so that the centerline of the gap between the pair of major flaps 52 and 54 does not correspond with the I ~, " ' centerline of the tape length 34.
Altematively, the tape length 34 may be applied to the box S0 with shortened flaps where the distance between the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is either larger or smaller than the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54.
If the gap between the nearest edges ofthe adhesive strips 35a and 35b is smaller than the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54, a portion ~ WO 96/05108 2 1 9 6 ~ 5 8 of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b may be adhered both to the pair of major flaps 52 and 54 and to the exposed portion of a pair of minor flaps (not shown) of the box 50.
However, if the gap between the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is iarger than the gap behveen the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54, 5 there will be a space between the nearest edge of each of the flaps and the nearest edge of the adhesive strip 35a or 35b adhered to each of the flaps. These variations on placement of the tape length 34 are again based on the condition that the centerline of the tape length 34 correspond with the centerline of the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. However, it is aiso , ' 10 that the tape length 34 as applied to the box 50 can be offset so that the adhesive strip 35a is a different distance from the centerline of the gap than is the adhesive strip 35b.
An additional feature that may be added to the package ~O~oil u~Liull iS to provide one or more tabs 330 along the tape length 34 as applied to a box to provide 15 an easy opening feature. This feature can be provided by using a slitting means, see schematic Figure 9, that is operatively provided between the tape supply and thetapmg head. Speci'dcally, a tape roll 312, which is a tape provided with a non-adhesive area between two adhesive strips, as described above, is preferably rotatably supported from the frame of a box sealing machine (not shown) and guided by co.. v. ' guiding means through guide rollers 314 of a hping head 316 toward an application roiier 318. In addition, a .~,.,;~,.~ ".y moveably mounted slitting mechanism 320 is provided aiong the tape path after the tape roll 312 and before the taping head 316.
In one L L - ' t, a pair of spaced blades 321 are supported on the slittmg 25 mechanism 320 and are oriented so that each blade can cut the tape material for a short distance in the I ag " ' direction of the tape. The slits are preferably relatively short and should at least be shorter than the length of the box surface ~ defined by the major 'daps to which the tape is to be applied. Further, the two blades 321 are spaced laterally from each other and positioned to slit the tape within the 30 non-adhesive area of the tape material. An anvii 322 may aiso be provided against WO 96/05108 2 1 9 ~ 0 5 8 -16-which the tape is slit. Other cutting ." ~ -,; - a~s well Icnown are also C.l ~ ' rr~ ' As also shown in Figure 8, the slits are preferably provided within the non- e adhesive area so as to be applied to a box with the slits positioned at the end of the 5 length of tape. More specifically, Figure 8 shows a box sealed by a C-clip of tape with two slits 330 that form the tab 332. As illustrated, the slits 330 are provided in the non-adhesive area 36, which provides for an area ofthe tape that is not adhered to the box 50 and is therefore easy to grasp. To utilize the easy open feature of the tab 332, a person would grasp the tab 332 and begin pulling the tape in the 10 1~ I direction of the tape so as to tear the tape. The person may tear the tape a desired amount by continuing to pull the tab 332 the desired distance across the box.
It is also ( . ' ' ' that the slits may be located at a position other than the ends of the lengths of tape. For example, the slits may be positioned on the tape 15 so that when the tape is applied to the box, the slits are located on a corner of the box, thereby providing the start of the tab at the corner of the box rather than at the end of the tape length. In addition, it is c " .~ rd that a tab may be provided on one end of the length of tape or on both ends of the length of tape, and that a length of tape with a tab may be provided on the top, bottom, or both top and bottom 20 surfaces of the box.
I~ order to have the tabs positioned on the box as described, it is important that the slitting operation be ~UUI '- ' ' with the application of the tape. That is, the tape should be slit by the slitting mechanism 320 so that when the tape is applied to the box, the tabs are positioned on the box in their desired location. For example, 25 when the tabs are desired to be at the end of the length of tape, the slits are cut into the tape so that when the desired length of tape is applied to the box, the tape is cut laterally at the location of the slits, thereby providing a tab. It is ~ that the lateral cut in the tape may generally bisect the ~ slits, thereby providing a tab on both the trailing edge of one length of tape and the leading edge of the next 30 length of tape. To apply specific lengths of tape, it is necessary to coordinate the wo 96/05108 application of tape and the slitting mechanism so that the tape is cut at points, with the distance between the points equal to the length of tape to be applied to a box. Preferably, the slitting operation is conducted during the rest periods of the demand of tape by the box sealing machine.
In additior~, it is ~ l that a length of tape with a tab may be used to facilitate easy opening of a regular slotted carton that does not have shortened flaps.
The tape would be applied in the manner described above and the method of opening would also be the same as that described above. In either case, the tabbed tape length might be applied to only one of the box surfaces, such as the box surfacedefined by the folded flaps.
Methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using a partially adhesive tape and the packages made by the methods.
Technical Field The present invention relates generally to methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using adhesive tape and the package; U~,L;ull~ formed by such methods. More specifically, the present invention relates to box sealing using adhesive tape having lateral adhesive zones and a non-adhesive area LL~
that is applied to the plural flaps of a box side.
Bacl~ ' of the Invention . r~. .n " ~l, and suppliers of products often package their products in shipping containers before sending products to their customers. Each shipping container may I either a single product or multiple products, depending on the a, . ' Moreover, the container allows for ease in handling, shipping, and storing the products, along with providing protection from damage, theft, and . -Although many types of sbipping containers and container materials are readily available on the market, one of the most cornmon shipping containers is a corrugated cardboard container or box. Boxes are typically both economical and sufflciently strong for most sbipping uses and come in many shapes and sizes.
However, included in the known type of boxes to which the present invention is applied is the regular slotted carton with shortened flaps.
A regulu slotted carton is generally rectangular and comprises four contiguous vertical side surfaces and two pair of flaps, commonly known as the major and minor pairs of flaps, on both the top and bottom of the box. Each of the ~ 'daps is connected to one of the vertical side surfaces, such that when the pairs of major and minor flaps are folded toward each other and toward the center of the box, the edges of at least the major flaps meet near the center of the top or bottom of the box, effectively creating the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the box and closing the box. The flaps on the regular slotted carton are typically sealed in place W096/OS108 ~s~n~8 ~, by glue or by pressure-sensitive adhe'sive tape. The tape is often applied in either a "C-clip" or an "L-clip" ..ollfi~ Lioll, both of which are commonly known in the art and are described below.
The C-clip is so named because a cross-section of the tape is in the shape of the letter "C". More specifically, a C-clip of tape is a continuous length of adhesive tape that is applied to a portion of one vertical side of a box, across the center of one of the horizontal surfaces of the box to seal the abutting major flaps together, and finally to a portion of the opposite vertical side of the box. Moreover, the tape for a C-clip is typicaDy wide enough to be applied along the abutting flaps such that both flaps ofthe outermost, or major, pairs of flaps on the top and bottom ofthe box are sealed by a single piece of tape. When the regular slotted carton is closed and sealed with a C-clip of adhesive tape, there are no substantial gaps to allow to reach the product or products enclosed in the box.
The L-clip is so named because a cross-section of the tape is in the shape of the capital letter "L". More specifically, an L-clip of adhesive tape comprises a length of adhesive tape that is applied to a portion of one vertical side of the box and to an adjacent portion of one of the horizontal surfaces of the box, effectively securing one or both of the abutting flaps of the horizontal surface to the vertical side of the box.
The number of L-clips applied to a single box can vary based on the r ~ ~;p~
or supplier's l ~yuh ~ for the integrity of the box in its sealed condition.
One problem associated with a regular slotted carton sealed with C-clips or L-clips is that the person opening the box typically needs a sharp rnstrument topenetrate the tape and access the objects inside the box. In addition, in many ~h ~ , the regular slotted carton may provide more protection than the r ' t~l or supplier requires for their products. Moreover, because the price of a box is directly related to the quantity of raw materials (e.g., corrugated cardboard) used in r ' ' ~, the box, the cost of using regular slotted cartons may be ~~ high for those box users who do not need as complete a protection for their products.
~ WO 96/05108 ~ 1 ~ 6 0 5 8 I~,-/u,, _.
.i-To address these concerns, container r ~ produce a second type of box also considered pertinent to the present ~ ., ' , a regular slotted carton with shortened or "shied" pairs of major and minor flaps that do not meet each other when the box is in a closed condition, as shown in Figure 1. Instead, when the box is5 closed, there is a gap between both the major and minor pairs of flaps. Boxes of this type use ' "~ less raw materiais, which c~ r ' ~1~ reduces both the costs to produce the boxes and ultimately reduces the amount of waste generated when disposing of the boxes. The reduced box production costs may then be passedon to the r ' ~1 or supplier who is purchasing the boxes, ultimately, these cost10 savings may then be passed on to the consumer of the products that are shipped in these boxes.
Boxes with shied flaps are commoniy sealed with hot glue that is applied at each of the, f '' ' 1;~ of the major and minor flaps as the box is being closed.Aithough hot giue can be adequate to seai the box, hot glue dispensing equipment15 requires greater care in use and the glue nozzles are often subject to high costs. In addition, when a box is seaied in this manner, the contents of the box are subject to, through the open gap between the major and minor flaps.
Another alternative method of sealing boxes with shied flaps is to apply two 20 C-ciips of box seaiing tape to the major pair of flaps, with one C-clip applied on each fiap of the pair. For example, it is known to apply two C-clips of tape on opposite sides of a gap between the major flaps from two separate tape sources (i.e., roiis), each mounted on a separate taping head provided on a box seaiing machine. Again,because the two C-clips of tape are not applied to cover the gap between the shied 25 flaps, the products enclosed in the box are not protected firom, A specific example of the use of adhesive tape for seaiing a box over a gap provided between the folded flaps is described m U.S. Patent No. 5,039,005. The gap is provided for the purpose of forming a window into the box, and a transparent adhesive tape is utilized to cover the window yet perrnit viewing of the box contents.
WO 961051~8 2 ~ ~ 6 ~ 5 8 The general application of lengths ojf box sealing tape to boxes with or without shied flaps in either a C-clip,: I~'clip, or other: 5~, ~L;uu by variousdLUv_~ such as hand-held devices and automatic and semi-automatic box sealing machines is well known. However, there is a continuing need in the packaging 5 industry for improved methods of sealing boxes.
mmarv of the Present Invention The present invention is generally directed to methods of sealing boxes of the type having shortened major flaps which form a gap between the flap edges by 10 adhesive tape and which effectively seals the contents of the box. The present invention is likewise directed to the resultant package ~U~ t~ u~liull~. Such methods and package cu...L- u~,l;u,.., are ad~"L..c.,ou~ in that the box is sealed to protect its contents, yet a savings is realized in the reduction of box material.
A tape of a width sufficient to cover the gap formed between the flaps is 15 utilized in the method and package Cu-li~LI u~,liùas of the present invention, and the tape is preferably provided with plural adhesive strips with an ' non-adhesive I ~ ' ' portion. More preferably, the width of the non-adhesive portion is equal to or greater than the width of the gap so that adhesive is notexposed to the product within the box. Various tape ~U~ lUIliU~I~ are ~
20 to be used in accordance with the methods and package co..vL. u.,liull., of the present invention including tapes coated to leave a non-adhesive portion, tapes including a means for deadening the adhesive to provide the non-adhesive portion, or tapes ~,ml~l- u~ltd of plural ~ r According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of box sealing 25 includes the use of an adhesive tape having plural adhesive strips and an "
non-adhesive portion and applying the tape to at least a part of the box surfacedefined by the box flaps so that an adhesive strip is adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive portion covers at least some of the gap formed between the flap edges.
Preferably, the tape is also provided to a portion of one of the vertical surfaces of the 30 box adjacent to the flap surface.
WO96/0~108 2 1 9 6 0 S 8 ~-~u~ l .~.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a package ~U~all UUIiU~
includes a box of the type having a pair of shortened flaps with a length of tape having plurai adhesive strips and an ~ ' non-adhesive portion adhered to the flaps and covering the gap.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the iength of tape applied to a box surface is provided with a tab aiong its length formed by spaced siits within the non-adhesive portion of the tape length. The method includes the step of siitting the tape to make the tab. Preferably, the siitting occurs between the unwinding of the tape from its source and the applying of the tape to the box surface.
The resultant package uullaLI u~liull exhibits such a tab formed between spaced siits provided within the non-adhesive portion of the tape CU..Jtl U~liU... Plurai tabs are also ~ . ' ', and it is preferred to provide such a tab a both the leading edge and traiiing edge of the tape length as applied to the box.
15 Br~ef Descrintion of the DrawinQs Figure I is a perspective view of a prior art regular slotted carton with shied flaps showing the flaps in their closed position.
Figure 2 is a partiai perspective view of a I ~,. .,.,x...l~ e box seaiing machine in accordance with the present invention further showing the application of a tape in 2û accordance with the present invention to a box with shied 'daps.
Fgure 3 is a perspective view of a tape in accordance with the present invention provided in the form of a tape rûll, the tape having adhesive zones and a non-adhesive area between the adhesive zones.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectionai view of a tape ~ u~lioll, the tape comprising 25 two adhesive strips and an i.~t~.l ' non-adhesive area.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectionai view of an aitemate tape ~,ullall U~liUII, the tape comprising two adhesive areas on the outer edges of the tape and an ' area made non-adhesive by a deadening layer.
WO96/05108 21~6058 r~.".~ l ~
~ r6-Figure 6is a cross-sectional view of an alternate tape CU.~.~.I u~l;u.., the tape comprising two strips of adhesive tape laminated to opposite sides of a non-adhesive central portion.
Figure 7 is an illustration of a method of laminating a non-adhesive web 5 material to an adhesive tape to provide a non-adhesive area before applying the tape material to a box.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of box sealing tape applied to a box with shied 'daps in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of a method of providing tabs on a length I û of tape before applying the tape to a box.
Detailed DescriDtion of the Preferred r Referring now to the Figures, wherein the .,u , are labeled with like numerals throughout the several Figures, and initially to Figure 2, a box sealing 15 machine 10 for applying tape lengths to boxes is illustrated which basic, comprise a tape source 12 for supplying tape to be dispensed and a taping head 14 for applying tape lengths to boxes and which is suppûrted relative to a base 16. The taping head 14, as shown, supports the tape source 12. Taping head 14 is preferably of the type available firom Mimnesota Mining and M r ' ;llg Company of 20 St. Paul, Mimnesota, under the trade designation "Accuglide". One specific example is described in U.S. Patent 5,228,943 entitled Low Impact Tape Applying Device, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, the complete disclosure of which is ~JUI akid herein by reference. As used throughout this application, theterm tape is preferably meant to include pressure-sensitive adhesive box sealing tapes 25 such as box sealing tapes under the trade designation "Scotch", product numbers 372 and 373, ~ available from Minnesota Mining and 1' ~ ~ ~
Company or other similar adhesive tapes used in box sealing,, ' However, other web materials that are applied in the manner of a box sealing machine 10 are also , ' ~ WO 96/05~08 2 1 9 6 0 5 8 The box seaiing machine 10 comprises the base 16 and an upper support 17 positioned relative to the base 16 by way of a strut mechanism 18. The upper support 17 is preferably verticaily adjustably connected with the base 16 by the strut mechanism 18 which is ~,u.... "~, verticaily adjustable (not shown) to - ' different height boxes. The upper support 17 supports the taping head 14 to which is preferably connected a tape support member 20 The tape support member 20 further supports the tape source 12, which is rotatably mounted by wayof a hub 22, as ~iUII . . ' '1~ icnown In wcordance with the iilustrated .,..li,, ' t, a box guide path is defmed aiong the base 16 by conveyors 24 and 26 which are adapted to move an object over the rollers 28 comprising bed 30 amd past the taping head 14 and, more specif caily, to contwt an appiication roOer 31 and a buffing roller 32 of the taping head 14 The operation of such conveying ' are well understood in the art and it is . ' ' that other conveying means, whether automatic or manuai, could be utiiized as presently icnown or developed Aiso provided are means for defining a tape path, which inciudes guide rolls 33 mounted within tne taping head 14, for guiding the tape from the tape source 12 through the taping head 14 and to the application roller 31 The manner of conneGtion and operation of the application roiier 31 and buffing roller 32 for applying tape is well icnown and fully described in the clfUI ~ " ' U.S. PatGnt No. 5,228,943. The taping head 14 preferably includes the guide roiiers 33 which, with the application roii 31, defne the tape path and which aiso assist in tension control of the tape. In the iiiustrated ~ ' ~ " t, the taping head 14 is positioned directiy above the box guide path for seaiing the top of a box, however, anothertaping head 14 is typicaily provided in the bed 30, as Gu,.v. "~, mounted, to provide tape to the bottom of a box as well In addition, other various .. 1~,, ,u;
and locations of taping heads and roiiers are, . ' ' by the present invention, ~ such as multiple taping heads located above the box guide path, below the box guide path, or both above and below the box guide path.
wo 96/WI08 219 6 0 5 8 r~.,u~
The box sealing machine 10 is typically used for rectangular boxes or cartons of the type comprising a front vertical surface, a rear vertical surface, two vertical side surfaces, and two pair of opposed flaps on both the top and bottom of the box.
In order to close the top of the box, for example, a first pair of flaps, hereinafter the 5 minor pair of flaps, are typically folded toward each other. Next, a second pair of flaps, hereinafter the major pair of flaps, are folded toward each other. In thepreferred bc ' t, the major pair of flaps effectively comprise the top and bottom horizontal surfaces of the box. Although the typical box is described above, other box: 5~ Liulla are ~ , ' ' to be used in connection with the present 10 invention, such as boxes with more or less than four sides and boxes with only one pair of flaps on the top and bottom of the box and the like.
The present invention is specif cally directed to the method of sealing of boxes with shortened or "shied" flaps. This type of box is designed and '' ' td such that when the pairs of flaps are folded toward each other, there is15 a substantial gap i '~, provided between the nearest edges of each of the major and minor pairs of opposed flaps. Alternatively, it may be said that the pairs of flaps are "shy" of contacting cach other when the box is in a closed position The flaps are therefore considered "~h~ ,ncd" or "shied" as compared to the flaps of the regular slotted carton. The present invention is particularly adapted for use with 20 regular slotted cartons with shortened flaps along with boxes that use a c.
of pairs of flaps that are shortened with pairs of flaps that are not shortened.Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 illustrate preferred CIU~ '' ' ofthe tape source 12 where, in accordance with one aspect of the present mvention, the tape source 12comprises a tape length 34 I..;l~UI~ wound onto the outside surface 38 of a 25 cylindrical core 40. Furthcr, the tape length 34 is provided with laterally spaced adhesive strips 35a and 35b, where each of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b are preferably on opposite edges of the tape length 34, and the area between and adjacent to the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is a non-adhesive area 36. The width of each of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is preferably the same, although there may be a 30 differencebetweenthewidthoftheadhesivestrip35aandthewidthoftheadhesive ~ wo 96f~5l08 219 6 0 S 8 r.~v~
strip 35b. In addition, when the tape length 34 is applied to a closed box with shied flaps, the non-adhesive area 36 is preferably at least as wide as the gap between the major pair of flaps so the product inside the box is not exposed to adhesive andtherefore calmot adhere to the tape.
It is fiurther, . ' ' that the tape length 34 may comprise more than two adhesive strips andlor more than one non-adhesive area lateraily spaced across the width of the tape length 34. For example, the tape length 34 may comprise a non-adhesive portion in the centrai area of a tape length, one l-ngj~ ' ' adhesive strip on each side of the non-adhesive portion, and two additional l ~ ' ' non-adhesive strips, each located on one of the edges of the tape length and adjacent to one of the l ~ ' ' adhesive strips. Other ~ of adjacent alternating adhesive and non-adhesive strips are aiso ~ , ' ' by the present invention.
The box seaiing tape of the present invention is of the type that preferably comprises a bacicing layer film with a layer of adhesive coated to one side of the 15 backing layer. A nu_A.,IU~ . list of uu.,~ iiu~al polyrneric backing layer f,ims foiiows with the I ' ,L~.Ji..g that any could be suitable for use as a tape backing layer: pol~lhjh,l.." pol~J.u~,yh,.._, polyester (such as pol~.lhyl~".e Lt.u~Jti.diaic.
(PET)), biaxiaily oriented polyt,.u ylu,.ci (BOPP), polyvinyl chioride (PVC), copolymers of propylene and ethylene, and copolymers of ethylene and olefins having 20 four or more carbon atoms.
Further, suitable adhesives for use in the box sealing tape of the present invention are generaily based on generai c.r~ of pulya~,lyh.~" polyvinyl ether; diene-containmg rubber such as naturai rubber, pol~;.,v~..c....,, and polyl,uL~i.~"e; styrene-butadiene rubber; pc~ly~,lliulu~ butyl rubber; butadiene-25 a~lylulflLl il~. polymer; I l " " ,~ ;f elastomer block copolymers such as styrene-isoprene (Sl) and styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) block copolymers, styrene-butadiene (SB) and styrene-l,uL~di~ ,-iityrene polyrners (SBS), and ethyl~"~'plu~"h",~, and ethylene-butylene-diene polymers such as styrene-clhylu~ J-u~Jyh~styrene (SEPS) and styrene-f Lhylu..~uLyl~...c-styrene (SEBS); poly-aipha-olef,n; amorphous 30 polyolefn; silicone; ethylene-containing copolymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate, WO 96/05108 219 fi ~ S 8 1 r~
-10- .
. s -.;
ethyl ethyl acrylate, and ethyl ~ .,Lc~ yL~Le, pulyuu ' polyamide; epoxy;
polyvh-yl~,~.l, ' ' and ~ !yr.l~ ' ' m,upoly~ a~ polyesters; and mjxtures of the above. The use of many of these ~ .p. ~ . . to give specific uL~ ule~ ;a~;~.a to the adhesives may require cross-linking or curing by methods well known in the art.
5 Additionally, the adhesives can contain additives such as tackifiers, plasticizers, ,.,.I;..~,.l~..l~, stabilizers, curatives, and solvents.
In addition, a low adhesion backsize is preferably provided on the other side of the backing layer so that the tape separates more easily when unwound from a tape roll. Such coatings and/or treatments are well known, and any can be used in 10 accordance with the present invention if they are otherwise suitable for use in the desired tape cullaLlu.,fiol .
Figure 4, which is a cross-sectional view from the section line 4-4 of Figure 3,illustrates one cu....b u~.i;u.. for the tape of the present invention. The tape of Figure 4 preferably comprises a non-adhesive backing layer 44, with two strips of adhesive 15 45 coated along the opposite side portions ofthe non-adhesive backing layer 44. The non-adhesive backing layer 44 may be paper, film, or other known web materials suitable for use as a backing layer. Further, the strips of adhesive 45 are preferably equal widths and may be in the form of an adhesive transfer tape, a hot melt adhesive, or the like. Strip coating techniques are well-known and suitable for making this 20 cùlli,il UULiU... The result is a tape Cu...~tl u~.fiu~ wherein the non-adhesive i...." u.~ ,.e area is made by simply not coating adhesive over that area of the tape. It is also . ' ,d that the strips of adhesive 45 can be applied inward from the edges of the non-adhesive backing layer 44 and/or have unequal widths.
Figure 5 illustrates an alternative f '~ '' ' of the tape of the present 25 invention m a view similar to that of Figure 3 . In this l,..lbC " t, the tape preferably comprises a non-adhesive backmg layer 44 coated across its width with a layer of adhesive 45. The central area of the tape is further coated with a deadening layer 46, which I ~ly decreases or "deadens" the adhesive strength of the central area of the tape. Suitable materials for this deadening layer include web or ~ WO 96/05108 2 1 J 6 0 5 8 p~ ""~ .
~, sheet materiais such as fiims, papers, foils and/or treatments applied to the adhesive that render it non-adhesive.
Figure 6 iilustrates another aiternative ~u' - ' of the tape of the present invention again in a view similar to that of Figure 3. In this . ~ - ' t, the tape S preferably comprises a non-adhesive web materiai 47 and two lengths of adhesive tape strips 48 laminated to opposite edges of the non-adhesive web materiai 47. The adhesive tape strips 48 themselves include a uo..~,.,tiu.,..l bacicing iayer and an adhesive layer coated onto this bacicing layer.
It is aiso ~ that the tape of the present invention, illustrated in 10 Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6, comprise a transparent tape materiai that allows viewing of the products enclosed in a box. However, in some instances it may be undesirable to aiiow light into the box or to aiiow viewing of the products in the box; in these cases, it is, . ' ' that an opa~iue tape materiai may be used. In order for the transparent tape materiai to be rendered transparent, both the backing layer and the 15 coatings appiied to the backing layer must be transparent. However, in order for the opaque tape materiai to be opa~iue, oniy one of the bacicing layer or coatings appiied to the bacicing tape need be opaque.
Moreover, the tape ~...i o~ illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 may be u~uLI~Ll..cd remote from any box seaiing machines and provided to the box seaiing 20 machine as a prc '' cd roii. However, a schematic of an aiternative procedure is iiiustrated in Figure 7, where the tape l,O..".l u~,liu~. of Figure 5 is made aiong with the box seaiing machine itself 1 1~, before the tape is applied to a box. More specificaily, a roii of non-adhesive web materiai 212 such as any suitable deadening materiai discussed above and at least one roll of adhesive tape 214 such as 25 ~,u~. I box seaiing tape discussed above are preferably rotatably supported from the frame of a bQx seaiing machine (not shown) and guided by ~,u"~. I
guiding means toward a pair of laminating rollers 216, where the adhesive tape and ~ non-adhesive web materiai are laminated together to form one composite tape materiai 218. After iaminatio4 the one composite tape materiai 218 is directed through guide rollers 220 of a taping head 222 toward an application roller 224, 2 19 6 ~ ' ' P~ LV . ~
which applies said one composite tape matenal 218 to a box, as cu~
applied.
The tape cul~tl uvLioll of Figure 4 could a'sso be made at the box sealing machine just prior to application by combining a non-adhesive backing layer 44 with 5 the plural adhesive strips 45, such as provided in the form of a transfer tape.
Similarly, the cul~sll u~lio~l of Figure 6 would require combining two adhesive tape strips 48 with a non-adhesive web materia. 47.
The application of tape to boxes by the box sealing machine 10 in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 2. InitiaDy, 10 the tape source 12, comprising the tape length 34, is rotatably mounted to the hub of the tape support member 20, as shown in Figure 2. The tape length 34 is threadedthrough the taping head 14 along the tape path to the application roller 31, in a manner to present the tape to apply to a box. Preferably, the application rollerassembly 31 comprises a single application roller that is at least as wide as the tape 15 length 34, and the tape path is def ned such that the entire width of the tape length 34 will be in contact with the single application roller. If the application roller assembly 31 comprises two application rollers provided side-by-side, each of the application rollers is spaced axially from one another to correspond with the location of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b of the tape length 34.
In the illustrated ~".1.. ,.1'--.. -~ of Figure 2, a box 50, which is a regular slotted carton with shortened flaps, is supplied to the box sealing machine 10 in the direction of arrow A, in a closed condition. The taping head 14 guides the tape length 34 from the tape source 12 to the application roDer 31, which then presents the adhesive side of tape length 34 toward the front vertical surface of the box 50. As tbe conveyors 24 and 26 move the box 50 over the bed 30 a'ong the box guide path, the front vertical surface of the box 50 contacts the tape length 34. The application roller 31 ~ then presses the leading edge of the tape length 34 against the box 50 wjth the force necessary to adhere both adhesive strips 35a and 35b ofthe tape length 34 to the box 50. While the box 50 continues to move a ong the box guide path, the tape continues to be pulled by the taping head 14 from the tape source 12 and the application roller ~ WO 96/05108 2 1 9 6 ~ S 8 P ~ cl 31 is driven upward by the box S0 along its support guide path within the hping head 14 and vertically along the front verticai surface of the box 50 toward the top horizontal surface of the box. Further, afLer the application roller 31 applies the tape length 34, the buffing roller 32, which is preferably pivotally connected to the taping 5 head 14 and , ' by a link mechanism (not shown) to the appiication roilersupport as .,u..~. ".y known, rolls over the newly applied tape length 34 to smooth the adhesive strips 35a and 35b onto jthe surface of the box 50. The tapelength 34 is typicaily applied to oniy a portion of the firont vertical surface of the box 50.
A~er the tape length 34 is applied to a portion of the front vertical surface ofthe box 50 and the application roller 31 has moved to the corner of the front verticai surface and the top horizontal surface of the box 50, the tape length 34 is thenapplied to the top horizontai surface of the box 50 by way of the application roller 31. A~er the tape length 34 has been applied to at least a portion of the top horizontal surface of the box 50, a . . ~ ;ull~d cutting means (not shown) may sever the tape. If the tape length 34 is severed before the tape is applied to the entire length of the top horizontal surface of the box 50, it is commonly said that an "L-ciip" of tape has been applied to the box, since the cross-sectional shape of the tape section resembles the capitai letter "L".
Alternatively, the tape length 34 may not be severed during application to the top horizontal surface of the box 50. Rather, the application roller 31 may apply a continuous tape length 34 to a portion of the front verticai surface, across the entire top horizontai surface and to a portion of the rear verticai surface of the box 50 before the tape is severed by the cutting means. When lengths of tape are applied m this manner, it is commoniy said that a "C-clip" of tape has been applied to the box, since the cross-sectionai shape of the tape section resembles the letter "C".
Although the above description refers specificaily to , '1~ applying tape to the front vertical surface, the top horizontai surface, and the rear vertical surface of the box 50, it is understood that this description can aiso be useful for operations where tape is appiied to other vertical surfaces of the box 50, to the WO96105108 2196~8 I'~_I/U~_ ~
bottom horizontal surface of the box S0, a~nd/o~ whe}e the tape is applied in a different sequence than that descri~bed 'above. In addition, it is ~ . .. s, r~ ed that the box sealing machine 10 may apply either L-clips, C-clips, a, ' ~ of L-clips and C-clips, or straight sections of tape to only one surface of the box S0 that is made S up of a single section or is made up of folded flaps. It is further ~ d that multiple taping operations may be occurring ~ ---~ y on the same box S0.
Referring now to Figure 8, a perspective view of the box S0 sealed with a C-cbp of tape in accordance with the method of the present invention is illustrated in one ~ ll .o.l;, . -:, with a closed box S0 comprising a pair of major flaps 52 and 54 that are shortened, a gap derdned as the distance between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54, and a tape length 34. In this ~ br ' t, the tape length 34, as applied to the closed box S0, comprises the non-adhesive area 36 that is preferably ' "), equal in width to the width of the gap between the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. In other words, the distance between the nearest edges of the IS adhesive strips 35a and 35b on the tape length 34 j5 - L -' ~ / equal to the distance between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. Further, when the tape length 34 is adhered to the box S0, the l~ lg ' ' centerline ofthe tape length 34 preferably .,u- l 1DrL~ dD with the centerline of the gap between the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. Therefore, when the tape length 34 is applied to the box S0, the adhesive strips 35a and 35b are adhered to the pair of major flaps 52 and 54 in a position where the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 35a and 3 Sb correspond with, or nearly correspond with, the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54.
However, it is also , ' ' that the tape length 34 could be provided offset so that the centerline of the gap between the pair of major flaps 52 and 54 does not correspond with the I ~, " ' centerline of the tape length 34.
Altematively, the tape length 34 may be applied to the box S0 with shortened flaps where the distance between the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is either larger or smaller than the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54.
If the gap between the nearest edges ofthe adhesive strips 35a and 35b is smaller than the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54, a portion ~ WO 96/05108 2 1 9 6 ~ 5 8 of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b may be adhered both to the pair of major flaps 52 and 54 and to the exposed portion of a pair of minor flaps (not shown) of the box 50.
However, if the gap between the nearest edges of the adhesive strips 35a and 35b is iarger than the gap behveen the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54, 5 there will be a space between the nearest edge of each of the flaps and the nearest edge of the adhesive strip 35a or 35b adhered to each of the flaps. These variations on placement of the tape length 34 are again based on the condition that the centerline of the tape length 34 correspond with the centerline of the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of major flaps 52 and 54. However, it is aiso , ' 10 that the tape length 34 as applied to the box 50 can be offset so that the adhesive strip 35a is a different distance from the centerline of the gap than is the adhesive strip 35b.
An additional feature that may be added to the package ~O~oil u~Liull iS to provide one or more tabs 330 along the tape length 34 as applied to a box to provide 15 an easy opening feature. This feature can be provided by using a slitting means, see schematic Figure 9, that is operatively provided between the tape supply and thetapmg head. Speci'dcally, a tape roll 312, which is a tape provided with a non-adhesive area between two adhesive strips, as described above, is preferably rotatably supported from the frame of a box sealing machine (not shown) and guided by co.. v. ' guiding means through guide rollers 314 of a hping head 316 toward an application roiier 318. In addition, a .~,.,;~,.~ ".y moveably mounted slitting mechanism 320 is provided aiong the tape path after the tape roll 312 and before the taping head 316.
In one L L - ' t, a pair of spaced blades 321 are supported on the slittmg 25 mechanism 320 and are oriented so that each blade can cut the tape material for a short distance in the I ag " ' direction of the tape. The slits are preferably relatively short and should at least be shorter than the length of the box surface ~ defined by the major 'daps to which the tape is to be applied. Further, the two blades 321 are spaced laterally from each other and positioned to slit the tape within the 30 non-adhesive area of the tape material. An anvii 322 may aiso be provided against WO 96/05108 2 1 9 ~ 0 5 8 -16-which the tape is slit. Other cutting ." ~ -,; - a~s well Icnown are also C.l ~ ' rr~ ' As also shown in Figure 8, the slits are preferably provided within the non- e adhesive area so as to be applied to a box with the slits positioned at the end of the 5 length of tape. More specifically, Figure 8 shows a box sealed by a C-clip of tape with two slits 330 that form the tab 332. As illustrated, the slits 330 are provided in the non-adhesive area 36, which provides for an area ofthe tape that is not adhered to the box 50 and is therefore easy to grasp. To utilize the easy open feature of the tab 332, a person would grasp the tab 332 and begin pulling the tape in the 10 1~ I direction of the tape so as to tear the tape. The person may tear the tape a desired amount by continuing to pull the tab 332 the desired distance across the box.
It is also ( . ' ' ' that the slits may be located at a position other than the ends of the lengths of tape. For example, the slits may be positioned on the tape 15 so that when the tape is applied to the box, the slits are located on a corner of the box, thereby providing the start of the tab at the corner of the box rather than at the end of the tape length. In addition, it is c " .~ rd that a tab may be provided on one end of the length of tape or on both ends of the length of tape, and that a length of tape with a tab may be provided on the top, bottom, or both top and bottom 20 surfaces of the box.
I~ order to have the tabs positioned on the box as described, it is important that the slitting operation be ~UUI '- ' ' with the application of the tape. That is, the tape should be slit by the slitting mechanism 320 so that when the tape is applied to the box, the tabs are positioned on the box in their desired location. For example, 25 when the tabs are desired to be at the end of the length of tape, the slits are cut into the tape so that when the desired length of tape is applied to the box, the tape is cut laterally at the location of the slits, thereby providing a tab. It is ~ that the lateral cut in the tape may generally bisect the ~ slits, thereby providing a tab on both the trailing edge of one length of tape and the leading edge of the next 30 length of tape. To apply specific lengths of tape, it is necessary to coordinate the wo 96/05108 application of tape and the slitting mechanism so that the tape is cut at points, with the distance between the points equal to the length of tape to be applied to a box. Preferably, the slitting operation is conducted during the rest periods of the demand of tape by the box sealing machine.
In additior~, it is ~ l that a length of tape with a tab may be used to facilitate easy opening of a regular slotted carton that does not have shortened flaps.
The tape would be applied in the manner described above and the method of opening would also be the same as that described above. In either case, the tabbed tape length might be applied to only one of the box surfaces, such as the box surfacedefined by the folded flaps.
Claims (22)
1. A method for sealing a box with shortened flaps (50) by a box sealing machine (10) having a box guide path, a taping head (14) that is positioned along the box guide path for applying box sealing tape to the box (50), and an application roller (31), wherein the box (50) is of the type comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, and a pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) that when folded toward each other in a closed position provide a gap between their nearest edges, comprising the steps of:
(a) supplying the box (50) with its opposed flaps (52, 54) in the closed position to the taping head (14) of the box sealing machine (10) within the box guide path;
(b) providing adhesive tape (34) to the taping head (14) from a tape source (12), the adhesive tape (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) on one major surface of the tape (34);
(c) initiating relative movement between the box (50) and the taping head (14) along the box guide path; and (d) during the relative movement, applying adhesive tape (34) from the tape source (12) to at least a portion of the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) with a strip of adhesive (35a, 35b) adhered to each flap (52, 54) and the non-adhesive portion (36) covering at least part of the gap.
(a) supplying the box (50) with its opposed flaps (52, 54) in the closed position to the taping head (14) of the box sealing machine (10) within the box guide path;
(b) providing adhesive tape (34) to the taping head (14) from a tape source (12), the adhesive tape (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) on one major surface of the tape (34);
(c) initiating relative movement between the box (50) and the taping head (14) along the box guide path; and (d) during the relative movement, applying adhesive tape (34) from the tape source (12) to at least a portion of the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) with a strip of adhesive (35a, 35b) adhered to each flap (52, 54) and the non-adhesive portion (36) covering at least part of the gap.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the provision of adhesive tape (34) further comprises providing adhesive tape (34) with its intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) at least as wide as the gap formed between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54).
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said application of adhesive tape (34) comprises applying the adhesive tape (34) to the box (50) along a portion of the first and second surfaces and to the flaps extending therebetween.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said application of adhesive tape (34) comprises applying the adhesive tape (34) to the box (50) along a portion of one of the first and second surfaces and to only a portion of the flaps extending therebetween.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said application of adhesive tape (34) comprises positioning the adhesive tape (34) such that a longitudinal strip of adhesive material (35a, 35b) is provided on each side of the gap and the non-adhesive portion (36) extends across the gap.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said provision of adhesive tape (34) further comprises providing adhesive tape (34) with two longitudinal strips of adhesive material (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36), each of the two longitudinal strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) being located on one edge of said adhesive tape (34).
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said provision of adhesive tape (34) further comprises providing a backing layer (44) having an adhesive layer (45) that is partially covered by a deadening layer (46) to provide the non-adhesive portion (36).
8. The method of claim 7, further including the step of providing the deadening layer (46) as a web material and laminating the deadening layer (46) to the adhesive layer (45) of the backing layer (44).
9. The method of claim 6, wherein said provision of adhesive tape (34) further comprises providing a backing layer (44) with an adhesive-free zone intermediate the adhesive strips (45).
10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least the intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) of said adhesive tape (34) is transparent.
11. A sealed package for containing products comprising:
(a) a box (50) of the type comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, and a pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; and (b) a tape length (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36), said tape length (34) applied to the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) with a strip of adhesive (35a, 35b) adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive portion (36) covering at least part of the gap.
(a) a box (50) of the type comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, and a pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) folded toward each other to provide a gap between their nearest edges; and (b) a tape length (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36), said tape length (34) applied to the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) with a strip of adhesive (35a, 35b) adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive portion (36) covering at least part of the gap.
12. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein said non-adhesive portion (36) is at least as wide as the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54).
13. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein said non-adhesive portion (36) is substantially equal to the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54).
14. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein said adhesive tape (34) is adhered to the box (50) along a portion of the first and second surfaces and to the flaps extending therebetween.
15. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein said adhesive tape (34) is adhered to the box (50) along a portion of one of the first and second surfaces and to only a portion of the flaps extending therebetween.
16. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein said adhesive tape (34) is adhered to the box (50) in a position such that a longitudinal strip of adhesivematerial (35a, 35b) is provided on each side of the gap and the non-adhesive portion (36) extends across the gap.
17. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein said adhesive tape (34) comprises two longitudinal strips of adhesive material (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36), each of the two longitudinal strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) being located on one edge of said adhesive tape (34).
18. The sealed package of claim 17, wherein said adhesive tape (34) further comprises a backing layer (44) having an adhesive layer (45) and a deadening layer (46) covering part of said adhesive layer (45) for making said intermediate non-adhesive portion (36).
19. The sealed package of claim 17, wherein said adhesive tape (34) further comprises a backing layer (44) with an adhesive free intermediate non-adhesive portion (36).
20. The sealed package of claim 11, wherein at least the intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) of said adhesive tape (34) is transparent.
21. A method for sealing a box (50) by a box sealing machine (10) having a box guide path, a taping head (14) that is positioned along the box guide path for applying box sealing tape to the box (50), and an application roller (31), wherein the box (50) is of the type comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, and a pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) that when folded toward each other in a closed position provide a box surface between the first and second surfaces, comprising the steps of:
(a) supplying the box (50) with its opposed flaps (52, 54) in the closed position to the taping head (14) of the box sealing machine (10) within the box guide path;
(b) providing adhesive tape (34) to the taping head (14) from a tape source (12), the adhesive tape (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) on one major surface of the tape (34);
(c) slitting the non-adhesive portion (36) of the adhesive tape (34) for a distance shorter in length than the length of the box surface formed by the flaps in the longitudinal direction of the tape (34) at spaced transverse locations;
(d) initiating relative movement between the box (50) and the taping head (14) along the box guide path; and (e) during the relative movement, applying adhesive tape (34) including slits (330) as provided in step (c) from the tape source (12) to at least a portion of the box surface formed by the flaps.
(a) supplying the box (50) with its opposed flaps (52, 54) in the closed position to the taping head (14) of the box sealing machine (10) within the box guide path;
(b) providing adhesive tape (34) to the taping head (14) from a tape source (12), the adhesive tape (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36) on one major surface of the tape (34);
(c) slitting the non-adhesive portion (36) of the adhesive tape (34) for a distance shorter in length than the length of the box surface formed by the flaps in the longitudinal direction of the tape (34) at spaced transverse locations;
(d) initiating relative movement between the box (50) and the taping head (14) along the box guide path; and (e) during the relative movement, applying adhesive tape (34) including slits (330) as provided in step (c) from the tape source (12) to at least a portion of the box surface formed by the flaps.
22. A sealed package for containing products comprising:
(a) a box (50) of the type comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, and a pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) folded toward each other to provide a box surface between said first and second surfaces; and (b) a tape length (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36), said non-adhesive portion (36) further having plural slits (330) extending for a distance shorter than the length of the box surface formed by the flaps in the longitudinal direction of the tape (34) and spaced from one another in the transverse direction of the tape (34), said tape (34) applied to the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) with a strip of adhesive (35a, 35b) adhered to each flap with said slits (330) providing a tab (332) for facilitating opening of the package.
(a) a box (50) of the type comprising a first surface, a second surface spaced from the first surface, and a pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) folded toward each other to provide a box surface between said first and second surfaces; and (b) a tape length (34) having plural strips of adhesive (35a, 35b) and an intermediate non-adhesive portion (36), said non-adhesive portion (36) further having plural slits (330) extending for a distance shorter than the length of the box surface formed by the flaps in the longitudinal direction of the tape (34) and spaced from one another in the transverse direction of the tape (34), said tape (34) applied to the pair of opposed flaps (52, 54) with a strip of adhesive (35a, 35b) adhered to each flap with said slits (330) providing a tab (332) for facilitating opening of the package.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US29117894A | 1994-08-16 | 1994-08-16 | |
| US08/291178 | 1994-08-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2196058A1 true CA2196058A1 (en) | 1996-02-22 |
Family
ID=23119214
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2196058 Abandoned CA2196058A1 (en) | 1994-08-16 | 1995-07-12 | Methods of sealing boxes with shortened flaps using a partially adhesive tape and the packages made by the methods |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0773886A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH10503998A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU690718B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9508593A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2196058A1 (en) |
| MX (1) | MX9701188A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996005108A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DK9500245U3 (en) * | 1995-06-29 | 1995-09-22 | Klimax Etikettering As | sealing label |
| US6117262A (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 2000-09-12 | Jm Industries, Inc. | Method of sealing a package |
| US20110239596A1 (en) * | 2010-04-01 | 2011-10-06 | Jennifer Lynn Thomas | Method for sealing packages |
| NL1038181C2 (en) * | 2010-08-20 | 2012-02-21 | Duoseal Automatics B V | Box and means and method for sealing such box. |
| NL2006206C2 (en) * | 2011-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | Duoseal Automatics B V | Box taper head, press rollers and box tapers provided therewith. |
| NL2006204C2 (en) * | 2011-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | Duoseal Automatics B V | Box taper head, press rollers and box tapers provided therewith. |
| NL2006205C2 (en) * | 2011-02-15 | 2012-08-16 | Duoseal Automatics B V | Box sealing tape and taping head, as well as a box taper and taping method. |
| CN103171784A (en) * | 2013-04-09 | 2013-06-26 | 张家港市德顺机械有限责任公司 | Box sealing and conveying device of automatic stacking box filling machine |
| CN103818588A (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2014-05-28 | 青岛海信电器股份有限公司 | Automatic nailing and case sealing device |
| CN106553796B (en) * | 2015-09-26 | 2018-09-14 | 苏州全新机械配件有限公司 | A kind of cartoning sealing machine and its application method with Automatic-clamping overload carton device |
| CN106542159B (en) * | 2016-11-01 | 2019-04-19 | 黄鸣 | A kind of automation commodity packaging equipment |
| CN112373837A (en) * | 2020-11-19 | 2021-02-19 | 蒋丽 | Automatic packaging equipment for corrugated paper |
| CN113753332B (en) * | 2021-10-08 | 2023-03-21 | 浙江武义张氏包装实业有限公司 | Automatic sealing equipment for packing box |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5039005A (en) * | 1989-12-26 | 1991-08-13 | Maxco Supply, Inc. | Container and method for manufacture thereof |
| IT1244692B (en) * | 1991-01-30 | 1994-08-08 | Domenico Bedoni | PROCESS AND MACHINE FOR CLOSING BOXES BY APPLYING TAPE, IN PARTICULAR FOR CLOSING CARDBOARD BOXES |
-
1995
- 1995-07-12 EP EP95925547A patent/EP0773886A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1995-07-12 MX MX9701188A patent/MX9701188A/en unknown
- 1995-07-12 CA CA 2196058 patent/CA2196058A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-07-12 BR BR9508593A patent/BR9508593A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-07-12 WO PCT/US1995/008522 patent/WO1996005108A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-07-12 JP JP8507309A patent/JPH10503998A/en active Pending
- 1995-07-12 AU AU29643/95A patent/AU690718B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1996005108A1 (en) | 1996-02-22 |
| EP0773886A1 (en) | 1997-05-21 |
| JPH10503998A (en) | 1998-04-14 |
| AU690718B2 (en) | 1998-04-30 |
| MX9701188A (en) | 1997-05-31 |
| AU2964395A (en) | 1996-03-07 |
| BR9508593A (en) | 1997-10-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |