ES2591206T3 - Breakable film container wrapping stacked confectionery product pieces - Google Patents

Abstract

A wrapping device (10) for supporting and dispensing a confectionery product comprising: a plurality of adjacent confectionery pieces (18), arranged in a longitudinal configuration; an elongate container (12) that envelops said plurality of adjacent confectionery pieces (18) in said longitudinal configuration; a plurality of weakened locations (20) separated at locations along the length of said container (12), said weakened locations (20) allowing manual cutting of the container with an application of tear force to said weakened region, opening of this way said package for dispensing said confectionery product pieces; characterized in that the weakened locations (20) extend perimeter around the container (12) and are configured differently.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Breakable film container wrapping stacked confectionery product pieces Field of the invention

The present invention relates, in general, to a device for supporting and dispensing product pieces arranged in a stacked formation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a film container formed around a vertically stacked formation of consumable product pieces, which can be broken along the length of the container to dispense product.

Background of the invention

It is usual to package and distribute various pieces of product arranged in a vertically stacked formation. In the confectionery industry, for example, candy pieces are often arranged in a longitudinally stacked formation and covered or wrapped in an outer wrapper that forms an elongated bar-like container. Most of the time, the outer wrap is made of aluminum foil or a material similar to foil. Although a paper or film wrapper can be placed on the foil, aluminum foil is usually used since the foil can be opened and closed again once one or more of the stacked candies have been removed. Aluminum foil is known to have "useless fold" characteristics to the extent that the foil remaining after removing the candy can be folded over the open end of the package to hold the remaining pieces of candy.

Although the outer foil wrapper is suitably used to contain, dispense and close the confectionery arranged in a stacked formation, the use of foil as an outer wrap has certain drawbacks.

A drawback is that the aluminum foil that forms the outer wrap is relatively expensive. In addition, aluminum foil lacks the marketing and advertising potential of other less expensive materials. For example, many candy containers are formed from one or more layers of plastic film. The plastic film, in addition to being less expensive than metal foil, is easier to manufacture. In addition, the plastic film can be easily printed with information about the product, advertising and decorative signs. Even more, the plastic film can include transparent or translucent windows that allow viewing the product contained inside. Features such as these are not easily applicable to foil wrappers. Therefore, with the use of aluminum foil, a second outer wrapper should be applied thereon to include signs or information marks thereon. This also increases the cost of packaging.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide an outer packaging for stacked products that solves many of the inconveniences associated with the use of a metallic foil.

WO 2004 110880 A1 discloses a package that wraps confectionery products in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of the invention

A packaging device is provided as defined in claim 1 for supporting and dispensing a confectionery product.

The elements and characteristics of the present invention can be better understood through a study of the following drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a packaging device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a packaging device of the present invention.

Figure 3 represents a roll from which a sheet can be taken and used with the embodiment as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a roll from which a sheet can be used with the embodiment as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5A depicts an embodiment of a packaging device of the present invention with an adhesive thereon.

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Figure 5B depicts an embodiment of a packaging device of the present invention with a tear strip therein.

Figures 6A to 6D represent a sheet that has weakened portions in various positions, as can be used with the various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a packaging device of the present invention with a weakened portion of points.

Figure 8 is a side perspective view of an exemplary alternative embodiment of a packaging device that does not correspond to the present invention.

Figure 9 represents a roll from which a sheet can be used with the embodiment as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10 represents a roll from which a sheet can be used with the embodiment as shown in Figure 8.

Figures 11A, 11B, 11C and 11D represent various configurations and the most external consumable can be taken once at least one consumable is removed from the packaging device of the present invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

The present invention provides various embodiments directed to a packaging device to support a plurality of consumable product parts in a longitudinal stacked formation, in a sealed arrangement. The packaging device provides a retention support for the plurality of consumable product parts as well as ease in dosing one or more pieces of consumable product from the container 10. Consumable products or product parts, as used herein The document may include, but is not limited to, confectionery products such as chewing gum and caramel, pills, stacked product pieces and the like.

The embodiments of the present invention generally refer to a packaging device for a plurality of pieces of consumable product that are arranged and packaged in a direction longitudinally adjacent to each other. The packaging device of the present invention allows the consumable product parts to be stored and dosed from their longitudinally adjacent configuration. The packaging device of the present invention also allows a user to remove one or more pieces of consumable product from the package in an effective and efficient manner.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the packaging device 10 includes an elongate container 12. The elongate container 12 encloses a plurality of adjacent consumable product pieces 18 in a longitudinal formation. As also shown in Figures 3 and 4, the elongated container 12 can be configured from a sheet 14 or substrate that can be used to cover the plurality of pieces 18 to promote the support and retention of the consumable product parts therein . The elongate container 12 may be made of various types of plastic, as desired. The elongate container 12 may be composed of a sheet 14 of plastic or film wrap. Although a sheet or film formed of resilient plastic is shown and contemplated herein, the present invention contemplates the use of a sheet or film formed of any material that is generally not easily breakable, i.e., that is resistant to breakage and It makes it breakable as described later in this document. Other materials that can be used include polyester (PET), metallized polyester (MPET), polypropylene (OPP), metallized polypropylene (MOPP), polyethylenes (PE, including for example LDPE, MDPE and HDPE) or polyethylene copolymers (including LLDPE, EVA and the ionomer surlyn). Desirable features of the sheet 14 used with the present invention include, for example, quality of barrier material that provides physical properties, sealability and / or cost effectiveness.

The sheet 14 may be opaque, translucent or transparent in one or more areas of the sheet 14 as desired. In addition, in the case of translucent or transparent portions of the sheet 14, the visual aspects of the sheet 14 may be held or have a color code, for example so that they correspond to different pieces 18 flavored or colored inside. Also, the translucent or transparent portion of the sheet 14 can act as a window to allow a user to see the contents of the package. This may be desirable when the contents of the package have an aesthetically pleasing design, including various colors, helical effects and the like. In addition, sheet 14 may correspond to one or more trademarks, trade names or brand architecture, as desired. In such a case, the package 10 can be attached to the products or consumables 18 retained therein through one or more of these visual elements.

As indicated above, sheet 14 and, more particularly, the plastic film generally cannot be easily broken and can be formed from a wide variety of materials such as polyester or polyethylene. In addition, the sheet 14 may be formed of a single layer or a layer composed of various materials. Where the film is a composite material, it can be laminated together or an adhesive can be used.

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After the sheet is wrapped around the plurality of pieces 18 stacked longitudinally, the sheet can be shrunk to fit tightly over the pieces 18, as could be done with the physical characteristics of the sheet 14 or through the application of heat or hot air to a leaf surface 14.

The plastic sheet 14 is more economical to manufacture and apply to the longitudinal stack of pieces 18 to eliminate the added volume associated with folding and redoubling the region of useless folding of the foil in excess of the container. A plastic film can tend to be resilient and elastic, it can be difficult to break such as by tearing to dispense a consumable from a battery held within a plastic wrap. The present invention contemplates using a non-metallic sheet that is generally not easy to tear, and make it tear, as described later in this document.

The packaging device 10 of the present invention allows a user to effectively and effectively remove one or more pieces 18 of the elongated container 12 while, among others, allows the user to remove the residual container with the pieces 18. Thus, the device The packaging of the present invention solves the problem of packaging with useless folds and the volume of waste associated with the useless folding of the foil wrappers. As one or more pieces 18 of the packaging device 10 are removed, the larger portion of the elongated container 12 in which the removed parts 18 are wrapped. Thus, as the pieces 18 can be removed from the device 10 of Packaging of the present invention results in a container with clean edges or a cut end of the packaging device. The present embodiments allow and promote a clean edge of the packaging device 10 after one more pieces 18 can be cut and / or removed therefrom.

With reference to Figures 1-4, preferred embodiments of the packaging device 10 of the present invention include the container 12 having a plurality of longitudinally separated weakened locations. The weakened locations 20 extend perimeter around the container. As shown in Figure 1, weakened locations 20 are located between adjacently stacked pieces. The weakened locations are discontinuous, separate and generally parallel. Weakened locations can be formed by various techniques including, but not limited to, perforations, dotted lines, laser cuts and the like. The weakened locations may be a pattern of generally linear, interrupted, weakened locations that extend straight through the container as shown in Figures 1 and 4 or may have a wavy configuration as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Although the arrangement of the weakened locations 20 shown in Figures 1-4 is a preferred embodiment, other arrangements, locations and shapes are within the contemplation of the present invention. Also, although weakened locations are shown as separate locations, this is not necessarily the case. Examples of other embodiments of the weakened locations and their arrangements are shown and described hereinbelow.

For example, weakened locations 20 can be formed by placing perforations partially through the plastic sheet 14. In the alternative, the weakened location 20 can be formed by a laser cut placed partially through the sheet 14. Similarly, any type of stippling can be used by mechanical means, UV light weakening or electromagnetic radiation or industrial solvent or chemical treatment for form the weakened locations 20 partially through the plastic sheet 14.

The weakened location 20 can take one or more forms, as desired. For example, the weakened location 20 may be interrupted (be discontinuous) or continuous. The interrupted weakened locations 20 on the sheet 14 of the elongated container 12 may be the result of the chemical treatment of the wrapper, UV radiation or other treatment by light, perforation, indentation or a partial cut. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, weakened locations 20 can be produced on sheet 14 before forming around the plurality of consumables 18 such as elongated container 12. Also, weakened locations 20 can be formed on sheet 14 before that this is configured in the elongated container 12 or after mounting the packaging device 10.

The weakened locations 20 may be arranged to be located only partially across the sheet, such as to maintain the environmental and sealing capabilities of the sheet 14 placed on the plurality of consumables 18. The weakened locations 20 are deep enough to allow a tear force tear or detach the sheet 14 after turning or tearing the consumable of the packaging device 10. The depth of the weakened location can be selected such as to regulate the amount of force necessary to tear the sheet 14 to separate the elongate container 12 at a desired location. Although it is preferred that the weakened locations extend only partially through the sheet, in certain cases where environmental sealing may not be necessary, the weakened locations 20 may extend completely through the elongated container 12.

As shown in Figures 6A-6D, the depth of the weakened location 20 can be selected such as to regulate the amount of force necessary to pierce the blade 14 at a desired location or region of tear.

In addition, it may be desirable that a user can tactically align their grip with the elongated container to harmonize with the cut, so that the outer side 32 of the sheet 14 may include the weakened location 20 (Figure 6A). Alternatively, it may be desirable for a user to notice a soft outer side 32 and

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continuous sheet 14, so that the weakened location 20 can be placed inside 34 of sheet 14 (Figure 6B). As can be seen, the weakened location 20 can be placed on both sides, whether aligned or non-aligned, as shown in Figures 6C and 6D.

With the weakened location 20 of the elongated container 12, it is not necessary to detach or tear the packaging device 10 to remove or dispense the product. Rather, a user can apply pressure to the weakened location, for example, by exerting a twisting or angled force on the entire packaging device 10, to remove a portion of the elongated container 12 from the packaging device 10. One or more pieces 18 are included within the removed portion, together with the removed portion of the sheet 14 that was part of the elongated container 12. The user can easily remove a piece 18 from the elongated container 12 while at the same time reducing the size and "useless container" or used residual wrap associated with the packaging device 10. One or more pieces of consumables can be dispensed at the same time. The user simply adjusts their grip portion to the desired area along the packaging device and rotates it accordingly.

Examples of various arrangements of weakened locations are shown in Figures 11A-11B. However, it can be seen that such examples should not be considered limiting.

The weakened location 20 can be aligned where two pieces 18 touch or are adjacent to each other, so that when a user removes one or more consumables from the container 10, a clean edge can be obtained at the edge of the packaging device with the outer edge of a piece 18a. This is represented, for example, in Figure 11A. The weakened location 20 can also be configured so that once one or more consumables are removed from the packaging device 10, the outermost part 18b can be partially seated out of the wrapped container 12, so that it appears slightly out of line. cut sheet 14 as in Figure 11B. As shown in Figure 11C, the weakened region 20 can also be configured such that once one or more pieces are removed from the packaging device 10, the outermost part 18c sits inside the wrapped container 12, so that there is a partial flange or edge created by the torn or cut sheet 14 of the wrapped container 12, which extends beyond the edge of the outermost consumable 18c. Also, as depicted in Figure 11D, a packaging device 10 may have a weakened location that is not parallel, so that removal of one or more pieces 18 from the packaging device 18 may result in the pieces 18 plus outer protrusions partially protrude from an outer edge of the elongate container 12, such that a longer portion of any of the upper or lower part of the piece 18c protrudes from said container. In certain circumstances, it may be desirable for a user to remove at least one piece 18 from the packaging device and have the outermost part 18 partially exposed from said wrapped container 12 to allow a user to grab said piece 18 for future removal, as may be the case in Figures 11B and 11D. It may also be advantageous if the outermost part is more protected by said wrapping container 12, as may be the case with the configurations shown in Figures 11A and 11C.

It may be desirable that the packaging device 10 also includes a joint (not shown). The joint can be used to disengage the end of an open elongated container 12 to prevent unwanted materials from entering the elongated container 12 and / or prevent consumables from leaving the container. The joint may be composed of one or more desired materials. The union can be configured in the elongated container, or otherwise mobile, such as to be reusable, since one or more consumables 18 are continuously removed from the container 12. The union can be non-rigid, semi-rigid or rigid, so that The joint can be knotted, rolled or folded to retain the elongated container in a closed position.

The arrangement of Figure 11D also shows the weakened location 20 so that it is longitudinally continuous along the length of the container 12, rather than discontinuous and separated, as shown in Figures 1-4 and 11A-11C.

It should be noted that, although the weakened region 20 depicted in Figures 11A to 11D can take one or more of the forms, including continuous or discontinuous. In addition, the weakened locations may be parallel, perpendicular or be placed with a design or configuration, as desired, to promote a tear region at a particular site once a predetermined level of force is applied to the packaging device 10.

Likewise, with the removal of the container together with the pieces, there is no useless container that the user must carry with him with the rest of the consumables not consumed. In this way, the user does not need to creak or make noise with the useless folded container to remove future consumables from the container. In this way, the packaging device of the present invention is less noisy than type containers with useless folds.

As shown in Figure 5B, the weakened location 20 may also include one or more tear strips 42. The tear strip 42 may extend longitudinally along the length of the container 12 or may be wrapped perimeter around the container 12, in a manner similar to that shown in Figures 11A to 11D, replacing the weakened location 20 shown therein. In such a case, one or more individual tear strips 42 may be used, as desired.

The tear strip 42 may be accompanied by one or more weakened locations 20, in one or more designs or configurations, as desired. During use, the tear strip may allow a user to tear a portion of the elongated container to remove the piece 18 from the elongated container before consumption. The tear strip 42

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It may be partially torn through the elongate container 12 before or after the manual force that a user can apply to separate one or more pieces 18 of said packaging device 10. In this way, the tear strip 42 can help a user to remove one or more pieces of the wrapped container 12, which otherwise safely encloses the consumable once the main packaging device 10 is cut.

This is particularly beneficial, for example when the pieces 18 are individually wrapped with a wrapper. When the pieces 18 are individually wrapped, each piece 18 can be protected by environmental issues, so that a complete region can be used that extends through the sheet 14 from the inside 34 to the outside 32 of the sheet 14. Like each of the pieces 18 can be individually wrapped with the wrap 16, the user can discard the wrap 16 together with the portion removed from the elongated container 12.

As shown in Figures 7 and 9, one technique for providing weakened locations 20 is to place lines 22 of points or perforations directly at the site where the edges of consumables 18 are adjacent to each other. As analyzed with respect to Figures 11A to 11C, the dotted or perforated lines can be arranged in various positions with respect to the pieces 18.

Other forms of weakened locations may include tear points or other shapes 28 located between each consumable 18 in the elongated container 12. For example, designs and shapes, such as an X-design, dots or letters, may be provided, as shown in the Figures 8 and 10. Of course, other designs can also be used. Similarly, a plurality of parallel or non-parallel lines 26 can be placed on the preformed sheet 14 or on the elongated container 12.

The various embodiments of the packaging device 10 of the present invention may further include a means for retaining the pieces 18 within the elongated container 12. The retention means may include, for example, releasably joining the pieces 18 to the inner surface 34 of sheet 14. Thus, the link can be selected from one or more of adhesives, heat seals and combinations thereof. Various glues or adhesives can be used, as desired. The adhesive may be edible, in the event that the adhesive comes into contact directly with the non-wrapped parts 18. Alternatively, the hot adhesive or seal can be administered to the wrap 16 of the consumable 18 in cases where each consumable 18 is individually wrapped within the elongated wrap 16.

The adhesive or other adherent means can be administered in a line 43 along the length of the inner wall 34 (as shown in Figure 5A) and / or as tabs 38 along the inner wall 34, to secure each one of the plurality of pieces 18 to the container 12. Thus, once the elongated container 12 is cut and at least one consumable 18 is removed therefrom, the rest of the pieces 18 remain retained within the container 12 unless and until the appropriate tear force is applied externally to the container 12 to cut and / or remove additional pieces 18 thereof.

In addition, the technique is full of examples of different configurations, styles and arrangements of perforations that facilitate the perforation, tearing or tearing of various substrates. One, more or a combination of these examples can be employed analogously with the various embodiments of the present invention. Reference is made to the following US patents and publications US-3,583,558; US 5,041,317; US 5,496,605; US 5,616,387; US 6,105,776; US 6,213,132; US 6,277,459; US 6,983,857; US 7,011,226; US-7,138,169; US-7.31 1,649; and patent application publication US-2005/0156018.

As can be seen in the patents and publications referred to above, the configuration, arrangement and location of the perforations can be selected to enhance the ability of the blade to break or tear, or it can be selected for aesthetic or manufacturing requirements.

Claims (11)

10 fifteen 20 2. 3. 25 Four. 30 5. 6. 35 7. 40 8. Four. Five 9. 50 10. eleven. 55 12. 60 13. A wrapping device (10) for supporting and dispensing a confectionery product comprising: a plurality of adjacent confectionery pieces (18), arranged in a longitudinal configuration; an elongate container (12) that envelops said plurality of adjacent confectionery pieces (18) in said longitudinal configuration; a plurality of weakened locations (20) separated at locations along the length of said container (12), said weakened locations (20) allowing manual cutting of the container with a tear force application to said weakened region, opening of this way said container for dispensing said confectionery product pieces; characterized in that the weakened locations (20) extend perimeter around the container (12) and are configured differently. A packaging device (10) of claim 1, wherein said elongated container (12) is also formed of plastic. A packaging device (10) of claim 2, wherein said plastic is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyethylene and combinations thereof. A packaging device (10) of claim 1, wherein said weakened locations (20) are configured from designs selected from the group consisting of lines, points, letters, shapes and combinations thereof. A packaging device (10) of claim 1, wherein said weakened locations (20) are symmetrically located or asymmetrically located at each contact point of at least two pieces of confectionery product. A packaging device (10) of claim 1, wherein said weakened locations (20) are located between adjacent pieces (18) of confectionery product or are positioned to be superimposed on said pieces (18) of confectionery product. A packaging device (10) of claim 1, wherein said confectionery pieces (18) are individually wrapped. A packaging device (10) of claim 1, further comprising a wrapper (16) that wraps each of the plurality of pieces (18) of confectionery product, the wrapper of each piece of confectionery product being adhered to a inner wall (34) of the elongated container (12) by an adherent means (34; 38), said adherent means retaining the plurality of pieces of confectionery product in the container after the package has been cut. A packaging device (10) of claim 1 wherein the weakened locations (20) partially extend through said package (12). A packaging device (10) of claim 1 wherein the weakened locations (20) are generally parallel or not parallel with respect to each other. A packaging device (10) of claim 1 wherein said weakened locations (20) extend around said container (12) generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said container (12). A packaging device (10) of claim 1 wherein said weakened locations (20) are selected from a group consisting of perforations, dotted lines, tear lines and combinations thereof. A packaging device (10) of claim 1 that includes a means for retaining said confectionery pieces (18) within said package (12). A packaging device (10) of claim 13 wherein said retaining means includes the releasable joining of said confectionery pieces (18) to an inner surface (34) of said container (12). 15. A packaging device (10) of claim 14 wherein said link is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, heat seals or combinations thereof. A packaging device (10) of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal configuration of Product parts have a generally rectangular configuration, and said weakened locations (20) extend around all sides thereof.