EP1165379B1

EP1165379B1 - Packaging for paper napkins and napkin holder

Info

Publication number: EP1165379B1
Application number: EP00901269A
Authority: EP
Inventors: G. Anastasios Fotopoulos
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-03
Filing date: 2000-02-03
Publication date: 2006-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-03
Also published as: GR990100041A; DE60031382D1; ATE342841T1; WO2000046107A2; WO2000046107A3; CA2394793A1; ZA200107177B; EP1165379A2; AU2122300A

Abstract

Reference is made to the usual plastic packet (of thin, plastic foil or film) of common paper napkins of one or more plies. The invention with appropriate perforation (5) on the packet, the addition of a re-adhesive tape (3) and with various adaptations of the paper napkins succeeds in opening and re-closing the packet, in using the packet as a paper napkin holder at will and in facilitating withdrawal of the paper napkins one by one or many at a time, without touching the ones underneath.

Description

The invention refers to usual plastic packets (of thin, pliable plastic foil or film) of common paper napkins of one or more plies, (FIG. 1 and 2) and to similar items packaged in identical or similar packaging.
The usual plastic packets (of thin, pliable plastic foil or film) of common paper napkins after opening either do not protect the paper napkins or they do not facilitate their withdrawal. The consumers are therefore obligated to take them off the packet, which is inconvenient and also insanitary since the paper napkins are exposed to impurities, moisture etc.
The present invention, with proper perforation on the packet, succeeds in using the packet as a holder. Further with the addition of a re-adhesive tape, it succeeds in opening and re-closing the packet, and in using the packet as a holder at will.
Until now no one has thought to use the usual plastic packet of common paper napkins as a paper napkin holder. The feeling was that it has no adequate stability and that the common paper napkins were inappropriate for this purpose.
Certain efforts had been made in the past with cartons that contained tissues, folded in complicated ways. In the letter patents that follow exists certain seeming similarities with the application of the present invention, where the part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the packet opening, is fully detachable, (FIG. 7, 8).

1. US - A - 2 529 853 (D. C. Taggart - 14 November 1950).

Refers to sturdy packaging (compact - column 1, lines 16 - 17) that stands disfigurement. Besides, the way the tissues are folded and the possibility of hanging the packet onto the wall require a sturdy packaging. For the same reason the opening is reinforced with flaps that join the packet walls (8), (FIG. 2).
The opening for withdrawal of the tissues is applied at the top wall (f) and at one of the end walls (c,d) where gluing is applied for closing the packet. These walls cannot be perforated in the usual plastic packaging of common paper napkins, nor the cuts (15, 16, 17) are needed for opening the packet.
The shape and size of the opening are adapted so that they facilitate withdrawal of the tissues, folded in unusual and complicated ways, one at a time.

2. US - A - 3 012 692 (B. B. Petersen - 12 December 1961).

The application of B. B. Petersen is subsequent to that of D. C. Taggart and it was made acceptable by the same office.
It refers to compact and sufficiently sturdy packaging - column 2, line 2 and from relatively sturdy but bendable paperboard- column 2, lines 35 - 36 (a paperboard container as he finally describes it in the claims).
He recommends two very specific and peculiar openings that protect the flexible foils (tissues) and are of specific dimensions so that the flexible foils (tissues) folded in an unusual and complicated manner, are withdrawn at least partial automatic unfolding, one at a time. Besides, the recommended openings cannot be applied in the usual plastic packaging of common paper napkins since same lacks adequate stability [the lower margin (2) does not exist], nor the cuts (21 or 21') are needed.
Some Letters Patents relating to plastic packaging are the following:

1. DE 90 10 670 U (Hobema Maschinenfabrik - 20.09.1990).

The perforation is applied on the upper wall and on a specific side wall only comprising two portions glued to each other, the outer portion having perforated lines defining an opening.

2. DE 90 14 065 U (Focke - 28.02.1991).

It recommends a specific opening applied on the upper wall and on a specific side wall only, which facilitates mainly the withdrawal of paper handkerchiefs and it is more suitable for small packets held in the hand. Said side wall presents two pieces fitted together in a specific way (with three separate joins). Finally, the part of the packet corresponding to the opening is not fully detachable.
The advantages of the present invention as claimed, when it is applied on the usual plastic packets of common paper napkins, are that, (i) it protects the paper napkins, (ii) facilitates their withdrawal in hygienic conditions, (iii) increases paper napkins consumption spectacularly.

FIG. 1 Shows indicatively a usual, prior art, plastic packaging (of thin, pliable plastic foil or film) of common paper napkins of one or more plies, where all its walls are named.
FIG. 2 Shows indicatively a common folded paper napkin with a border (p), in which are embodied extra one pressure point (r) for one finger and a small notch or slight crease (s).
FIG. 3 Shows indicatively the perforation corresponding to the opening of a usual plastic packet of common paper napkins when accompanied by re-adhesive tape, with the side (t) of the opening not perforated.
FIG. 4 Shows indicatively a half-empty usual plastic packet of common paper napkins, closed.
FIG. 5 Shows indicatively the perforation corresponding to the opening of a usual plastic packet of common paper napkins when accompanied by a re-adhesive tape, with the side (t) of the opening not perforated.
FIG. 6 Shows indicatively a usual plastic packet of common paper napkins open, with the part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the opening folded over to the back and four points of pressure (v) for four fingers (except for the thumb), embodied in the paper napkins.
FIG. 7 Shows indicatively the perforation corresponding to the opening of a usual plastic packet of common paper napkins when it is not accompanied by a re-adhesive tape.
FIG. 8 Shows indicatively a usual plastic packet of common paper napkins, open, with the part of the plastic corresponding to the opening, fully removed. Here the vertical margins (1) taper as they ascend and the upper part (II) of the opening is semi-circular in shape.

The description directs to the usual plastic packets (of thin, pliable plastic foil or film) of common paper napkins but the invention may also be applied on similar items packaged in identical or similar packaging.
In the process are described various ways of application of the invention on the usual plastic packets of common paper napkins, with reference to the drawings.
The usual plastic packets of common paper napkins have the disadvantage that they have no satisfactory stability and are disfigured easily (usually they regain almost full shape with a little straightening at the corners).
Still, on the other hand their pliability gives the possibility of withdrawing the paper napkins with one hand, without holding the packet with the other and without creasing the paper napkins. Further, pliability of the part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the opening, forces it to follow the shape of the packet or of the paper napkins and thus the opening and re-closing of the packet, as well as its transportation when it is closed (FIG. 4) are facilitated.
On a usual plastic packet of common paper napkins (FIG. 1) the perforation corresponding to the opening of the packet extends to two adjacent walls each of them is whole (in one piece), without any joining (without any gluing), (FIG. 3), on the upper wall (f) and on the side wall (a). Perforation is made in the usual way. In the drawings the dashes (4) correspond to the solid part of the perforation.
Side (t) of the opening is left without perforation so that the part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the opening may re-close the packet if we wish (FIG. 4). When we want to double the packet as napkin holder, the opening is folded over to the back, and usually it stays there by itself, by its weight (FIG. 6).
The part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the opening may be equipped with a re-adhesive tape (3) to hold it in place when the packet re-closes (FIG. 4). Further, when the need be, it may hold in place the part of the plastic (6) when it is folded over to the back, sticking in reverse on the packet (FIG. 6). The re-adhesive tape comes in various appropriate shapes, sizes and pliability (more or less flexible), (FIG. 3, 4, 5) and it can even reach underneath the packet bottom (3), (FIG. 5).
In order the packet re-closes at the same point each time, we care to put some appropriate design or drawing (e.g. an arrow), so that the consumer is guided where to re-stick the tape on closing the packet.
To facilitate the initial opening of the packet, all corners formed by perforation could be rounded (FIG. 7) or some of them (5) or even the opening could take arched (or other appropriate) shape (8) at the region of re-adhesive tape or the whole lower portion of the side part (I) of the opening to take an arched shape (9).
The margins (1, 2) have various appropriate widths (depending on the specific packaging and the paper napkins each time). They are useful for holding and protecting the paper napkins, without obstructing their withdrawal and also for stability of the pliable packaging while emptying.
The upper part (II) of the opening serves for withdrawal of the paper napkins without touching the packet walls (as far as possible). Its size depends on the size and the material of the packet, the size, shape and material of the re-adhesive tape etc. It may as well go beyond the middle of the upper wall (f), (FIG. 4).
The part of the pliable plastic (6) corresponding to the opening (and consequently the opening itself) has appropriate shape so that while emptying the pliable packet to re-close it without difficulty. It may be rectangular or isosceles trapezium [with the basis (t) slightly smaller than the big basis] or even to have some other appropriate shape.
Transportation of the packet when closed may be made with one hand holding the packet from the opening, since the part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the opening is pliable and follows the shape of the paper napkins (7), (FIG. 4).
The packets having the parts of the end walls (c,d) well glued on their entire surface, are more stable. The stability of the packet is also assisted by good gluing at the side wall (b), (FIG. 1). Surely, of importance is also the kind of the thin, pliable plastic foil or film used.
The perforation may be made, possibly with some difficulty in the initial opening of the packet, on the upper wall (f) and on the side wall (b), which has only one joining (only one gluing) that fits together the two pieces of it (FIG. 1).
The side (t) can be perforated appropriately so that the consumer may, at will, detach the part of the plastic (6) corresponding to the opening and the usual plastic packaging of common paper napkins be used as napkin holder only [for instance, the beginning and the end of side (t) are left without perforation], (FIG. 5).
When we do not wish to re-close the packet, but used it as napkin holder only, no re-adhesive tape is attached and because the plastic is pliable and the plastic part which corresponds to the opening is easily detachable, the perforation is made uniformly on all four sides of the opening (i.e. without cuts and other gaps), (FIG. 7, 8).
The margins (1, 2) are of various appropriate shapes and widths and may be equal or unequal between them. The upper part (II) of the opening has appropriate shapes and sizes (FIG. 7, 8).
In the case the first 3 - 5 paper napkins come off the packet with difficulty (e.g. when the packet is packed full or/and the paper napkins are very rigid or/and very thin and fragile) the vertical margins (1) (both or one of them) may be tapered on the ascent (FIG. 8).

WITHDRAWAL OF PAPER NAPKINS

Common paper napkins, either of one, two or more plies are folded in four equal parts, (FIG. 2).
Each of the paper napkin sides may be placed to the opening of the packet depending on what we are trying to achieve. Most of the time it is sufficient to place the paper napkin with the side (n) at the opening and the side (k) on the left side of the packet exactly as is placed in FIG. 2.
The best way to withdraw the paper napkins (one by one or many at a time) without touching the rest underneath or the packaging waiis (as far as possible), is to press the paper napkins with one or more fingers of the one hand, so that, because of their elasticity, the first (or more than one) paper napkin is elevated and be withdrawn easily with the fingers of the same hand.
In most of the cases, the best way to elevate the paper napkins is to press them with four fingers (except for the thumb). In the process the pressure is exercised with three, two or one finger until the first paper napkin (or the first paper napkins) is elevated to the point you wish. Then you withdraw the paper napkin (or the paper napkins) usually with your index and thumb.
Usually it is enough for the user to press the paper napkins at the middle of the opening and at the point where the fingers reach easily. The upper part (II) of the opening may guide his exertion of pressure through its appropriate shape and size, (FIG. 8).
For the consumer's convenience the points or the area (zone) where pressure with the fingers must be exerted may be marked discreetly (e.g. with geometrical patterns, flowers etc. embossed or printed). Therefore the position of the four fingers may be marked (v), (FIG. 6) or of one finger (e.g. of the little finger) (r), (FIG. 2) and the rest of the fingers to take their appropriate position, if needed. The pressure points may be replaced with a pressure area (zone) where pressure is exercised with two or more fingers (e.g. a semicircle).
In all cases a small text may be printed on the packaging or drawings or combination of the two, explaining how the paper napkins are to be withdrawn.
When the paper napkins are soft they are easily elevated with the elasticity they acquire from their embossed surface.
When the paper napkins are of limited elasticity, like the case is with the paper napkins of luxury type (of two or more plies) or when they are very hard, we emboss parts or the whole of their surface with various borders, flowers etc. that give them volume and elasticity.
We can, at the point where we wish the paper napkin to bend for its elevation, make appropriate patterns or grooves, so that its elevation is facilitated.
In certain cases, to secure elevation of the paper napkins, at the point where we wish the paper napkin to bend for its elevation, we apply a small notch or slight crease (s), (FIG. 2) on the folded paper napkin [e.g. on the side (k)] in an appropriate manner.
The adaptations of the package and also the techniques for elevation of common paper napkins could also be applied on similar items packaged in identical or similar packaging to the usual plastic packaging of common paper napkins e.g. other kinds of paper, plastic foils etc.

Claims

A plastic package of thin, pliable foil or film, for paper napkins and similar items that doubles as a dispenser, comprising an upper wall (f), lower wall (e) side walls (a, b) and end walls (c, d), said package being also provided with a continuous perforation (4) which corresponds to the opening of it, said perforation (4) extends on said upper wall (f) and on an adjacent said side wall (a), which are continuous, said opening of said package comprises an upper part (II) on said upper wall (f) and a side part (I) on said side wall (a), wherein around said perforation (4) there is a continuous margin (1, 2), and further the part (6) of said package corresponding to said opening is equipped with a re-adhesive tape (3) on said side wall (a).
The plastic package of thin, pliable foil or film, for paper napkins and similar items that doubles as a dispenser of claim 1 wherein a side (t) of said opening of said package located on said upper wall (f) is without perforation.
The plastic package of thin, pliable foil or film, for paper napkins and similar items that doubles as a dispenser of claim 1 wherein said opening is appropriately perforated on all its sides so that the consumer may, at will, be able to detach said part (6).
A plastic package of thin, pliable foil or film, for paper napkins and similar items that doubles as a dispenser, comprising an upper wall (f), lower wall (e) side walls (a, b) and end walls (c, d), said package being also provided with a continuous perforation (4) which corresponds to the opening of it, said perforation (4) extends on said upper wall (f) and on an adjacent said side wall (a), which are continuous, said opening of said package comprises an upper part (II) on said upper wall (f) and a side part (I) on said side wall (a), wherein around said perforation (4) there is a continuous margin (1, 2), and further said perforation (4) is made uniformly on all sides of the opening so that the part (6) of said package corresponding to said opening is fully detachable.
A plastic package of thin, pliable foil or film, for paper napkins and similar items that doubles as a dispenser, comprising an upper wall (f), lower wall (e) side walls (a, b) and end walls (c, d), said package being also provided with a continuous perforation which corresponds to the opening of it, said perforation extends on said upper wall (f) and on an adjacent said side wall (b), which have a joining that fits together the two pieces of one of them, said opening of said package comprises an upper part on said upper-wall (f) and a side part on said side wall (b), wherein around said perforation there is a continuous margin, and further said perforation is made uniformly on all sides of the opening so that the part of said package corresponding to the opening is fully detachable.