GB2567217A

GB2567217A - Improvements in or relating to transit packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2567217A
Application number: GB1716404.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lowe Zarak
Original assignee: Euro Packaging UK Ltd
Current assignee: Euro Packaging UK Ltd
Priority date: 2017-10-06
Filing date: 2017-10-06
Publication date: 2019-04-10
Also published as: GB201716404D0; WO2019068705A1

Abstract

The application discloses a resealable container 101 suitable for returning items or goods. The container comprises a first 124 and second flap 134, each comprising a seal wherein the second flap is formed when the first seal of the first flap is broken. A preferred embodiment is disclosed wherein two sheets 110, 120 are welded along three edges forming a receptacle wherein one of the sheets is large than the other such as to form a flap that can fold over the opening to the receptacle forming a seal. The flap is construed as comprising first and second flap portions about a tear-line 122 located in the flap. The first seal of the first flap is located on to the second sheet and sealed thereto using an adhesive. To open the container, the first flap is removed by tearing the tear-line on the flap and a second tear-line 112 of the second sheet. The second flap now comprises an unbounded edge that can fold over the second sheet. Also preferably included is a sealable pouch 133 suitable for receiving an address sheet. The container may be a bag or envelope. Ideally the container comprises handles 140 and a folded base. The flaps may be formed into a single sheet or be located separately on the first and second sheets.

Description

[001] The present invention relates to an improved flexible container primarily for the use in delivery and collection applications.

[002] On-line/mail order shopping is a growing retail trend as consumers strive towards convenience. In addition to home delivery, 'Click & Collect' is also being used whereby the customer places an order on-line and then collects in-store/on-site for their added convenience. Currently there are multiple packaging solutions that are utilised for these applications, but there are none which offer significant added value (to both the customer and retailer).

[003] A way of enhancing the experience for both retailer and customer has been sought.

[004] According to the invention, there is provided a container for use in the transportation of one or more consumer goods wherein the container has a first flap for forming a first sealed container for use in a first transportation; a second flap for sealing the container for use in a second transportation wherein the second flap is formed when the first sealed container is opened.

[005] Advantages of the invention include that the pre-described features allow the flexible container to transform from a fully enclosed sealed pack or envelope (with no protruding features), to be easily opened at point of collection with no damage to the container, into a fully functioning return pack or envelope.

[006] In some embodiments, the container may comprise one or more internal handles such that the container is suitable for use as a reusable carrier bag when in a second unsealed configuration.

[007] In some embodiments, the container may comprise an asymmetric removable portion for opening the container wherein the asymmetric removable portion forms the second flap on removal from the container. In some embodiments, the container may have two or more walls and the asymmetric removable portion is formed by a tear line formed in each wall. In some embodiments, the removable portion may have two or more walls wherein at least one wall has a different length such that the removable portion is asymmetric. In some embodiments, the asymmetric removable portion may extend from an edge of the container.

[008] In some embodiments, the asymmetric removable portion may include a pouch for receiving an address or transit information sheet for the direction of the container by a courier or postal service. In some embodiments, the pouch may include a seal for closing the pouch.

[009] In some embodiments, the first and/or second flaps may have an adhesive strip for sealing the container; optionally one or both of the adhesive strips may have a removable liner strip. In some embodiments, the container may be formed by two walls and one wall forms the first and second flaps. An advantage of this construction is that the container is easier to manufacture, particularly where the first and second flaps have adhesive strips. In some embodiments, the container may be formed by two walls and one wall forms the first flap and the other wall forms the second flap.

[0010] In some embodiments, the container may be in the form of a bag or envelope (for example a protective envelope or a tear-proof envelope).

[0011] In some embodiments, the flexible container may be formed with vertical walls and an integral folded base which expands between the vertical walls to provide additional depth and fill capacity to the container. This feature is commonly referred to as a bottom gusset.

[0012] In some embodiments, the container may be suitable for packaging documents (such as letters, brochures or marketing information), medical items (for example creams and ointments), apparel (for example shoes, shirts, t-shirts, jumpers and trousers), luxury items (for example watches or jewellery), cosmetics (for example make-up or toiletries), electronics (for example mobile telephones, cameras, headphones), home-wares (for example soft furnishings) and /or food items (for example pre-packed biscuits, confectionery or chocolates).

[0013] The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention:

Figure 1 shows a schematic front plan view of a flexible container according to the invention in an open position such that the container is in a first unsealed configuration;

Figure 2 shows a schematic rear plan view of the flexible container according to the invention in a first unsealed configuration;

Figure 3 shows a schematic front plan view of the flexible container according to the invention in a first sealed configuration;

Figure 4 shows a schematic front plan view of the flexible container according to the invention in a second unsealed configuration where the flap has been removed;

Figure 5 shows a schematic front plan view of the flexible container according to the invention in a second sealed configuration;

Figure 6 shows a schematic front perspective view of the flexible container according to the invention with its flap in a first unsealed configuration;

Figure 7 shows a schematic front perspective view of the flexible container according to the invention with its flap in a sealed configuration;

Figure 8 shows a schematic front perspective first view of a partially opened flexible container according to the invention;

Figure 9 shows a schematic front perspective second view of a partially opened flexible container according to the invention;

Figure 10 shows a schematic front perspective of a flexible container according to the invention in a second sealed position.

[0014] A container according to a first embodiment the invention is indicated generally at 101 on Figures 1, 2, and 6.

[0015] Flexible container 101 is a bag-like structure formed from a plastics material with a front wall 110, a rear wall 120, a base 130, a top 131, and a cavity having cavity opening 160. Rear wall 120 extends above cavity opening 160 to form a first flap indicated at 124. On its front side, first flap 124 has an adhesive strip running horizontally from edge to edge at 126. Walls 110,120 are joined at their sides and at the base 130 to form the container 101. Wall 110 has a length C from base 130 to cavity opening 160. Wall 120 has a length D from base 130 to top 131. Length D of wall 120 is greater than length C of wall 110 as wall 120 forms the flap 124.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the container 101 may be formed from any flexible film material generally known to a person of skill in the art for use in packaging such as a paper, a paper laminate structure, paperboard, cardboard, woven paper and/or plastics material (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, a starch based film, polyvinyl alcohol, and/or polymer laminate structures). In an alternative embodiment, flexible container 101 may be in the form of an envelope such as a protective envelope optionally having a lining formed from protective material such as bubble wrap or cardboard, or a tear proof envelope (for example formed from Tyvek (registered trade mark)). In an alternative embodiment, adhesive strip 126 may have a removable liner sheet (not shown) to protect the adhesive. In an alternative embodiment, flexible container 101 may have a sidewall between the front wall 110 and rear wall 120 on one or both sides of the container 101.

[0017] Tear lines 112,122 are formed in walls 110,120 by perforations such that a removable upper portion 170 is formed by the parts of the walls 110,120 from tear lines 112,122 to the top 131 of the container 101. The tear lines are shown at 112 and 122. U-shaped tear line 112 is incorporated into wall 110 and tear line 122 is incorporated into wall 120.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, preformed cuts may be formed in walls 110,120 instead of perforations to form tear lines 112,122. In an alternative embodiment, tear lines 112,122 may be formed as a pair of tear lines 112,122 forming a tear off strip; such a tear off strip may optionally have a tag for ease of use. In an alternative embodiment, where the container 101 is a protective envelope having a lining, corresponding tear lines 112,122 are also formed in the lining.

[0019] The locations of tear lines 112,122 in relation to base 130 are shown by lengths A and B. Length A is the distance of tear line 112 from base 130 on front wall 110 and length B is the distance of tear line 122 from base 130 on rear wall 120. Length B is longer than length A such that removable upper portion 170 is an asymmetric removable portion which has offset lower edges formed by tear lines 112,122 and such that a second flap 134 is formed on rear wall 120 of container 101 when the asymmetric removable portion 170 is removed. On removal of asymmetric removable portion 170, a second reusable flexible container 105 is formed as shown in Figure 4. Second flap 134 has an adhesive strip 136 running horizontally from edge to edge. In an alternative embodiment, adhesive strip 136 may have a removable liner sheet (not shown) to protect the adhesive. Rear wall 120 has two adhesive strips 126,136 which may be used to seal flaps 124,134 wherein both flaps 124,134 are formed by rear wall 120. In an alternative embodiment, length A may be longer than length B such that the second flap 134 is formed on front wall 110 of container 101 such that rear wall 120 has adhesive strip 126 and front wall 110 has adhesive strip 136.

[0020] Asymmetric removable portion 170 has a fold line 132 to form the first flap 124. On its rear side, first flap 124 has a pouch 133 for receiving transit documentation. Pouch 133 has an opening (not shown) and an adhesive strip 135 for sealing pouch 133. The advantage of having the transit documentation pouch 133 on the asymmetric removable portion 170 is that the container 101 may be reused as a carrier bag by a customer without them showing their home address. In an alternative embodiment, pouch 133 may be provided on a part of wall 110 or wall 120 which forms part of second reusable flexible container 105. An advantage of providing the pouch on a wall 110,120 which forms part of container 105 is that the asymmetric removable portion 170 may be smaller as it does not have to have a length suitable to accommodate the pouch 133.

[0021] The asymmetric upper portion for removal from the container is shown at 170. On the removal of upper portion 170, tear line 112 creates U-shaped edge 150 for front wall 110 and tear line 122 creates edge 152 for rear wall 120 such that second flap 134 is formed. Asymmetric upper portion 170 is formed from first flap 124, an upper part of front wall 110 from tear line 112 to cavity opening 160 having a first length and an upper part of rear wall 120 from tear line 122 to the top 131 having a second length where the second length is longer than the first length. When container 101 is in its first sealed configuration 103 shown in Figures 3 and 7 when flap 124 is closed, asymmetric removable upper portion 170 extends from the fold line 132 and forms an asymmetric removable top 170 for conveniently opening container 101,103 and for forming a second flap 134 for resealing the container 101,103 on its reuse.

[0022] On each wall 110,120, a handle 140 is provided which is attached to its respective wall by a weld patch 142 at the upper end of cavity 160. In an alternative embodiment, a single handle 140 may be used which may be mounted at each side of the upper end of cavity 160 where the walls 110,120 join.

[0023] In use in a warehouse, an item (not shown) can be placed in cavity 160 of container 101 and then first flap 124 may be sealed with adhesive strip 126 to form first sealed container 103 shown in Figures 3 and 7. Transit information for directing the container to a consumer can be placed in pouch 133 which may then be sealed by adhesive strip 135. The container 101 can then be transported to the consumer, for example by a postal service or by a courier.

[0024] On receipt of the container 101 by a consumer, the consumer can open the package by tearing off asymmetric removable portion 170 along tear lines 112,122 as shown for partially open container 104 illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 such that the item(s) in the cavity may be removed. Handles 140 can be manipulated to extend upwards from cavity opening 160 such that second unsealed container 105 may be used as a carrier bag as shown in Figure

4. If for any reason, the consumer is unhappy with the item(s), container 101 may be used to 5 return the item(s). The consumer needs to replace the item(s) in the cavity, fold in handles

140 and then use second flap 134 to close cavity 160 by means of adhesive strip 136 to form a second closed container 107 as shown in Figures 5 and 10.

Claims

1. A container for use in the transportation of one or more consumer goods wherein the container has a first flap for forming a first sealed container for use in a first transportation; a second flap for sealing the container for use in a second transportation wherein the second flap is formed when the first sealed container is opened.

2. A container as defined in Claim 1 which comprises one or more internal handles such that the container is suitable for use as a carrier bag.

3. A container as defined in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the container comprises an asymmetric removable portion for opening the container wherein the asymmetric removable portion forms the second flap on removal from the container.

4. A container as defined in Claim 3 wherein the container has two or more walls and the asymmetric removable portion is formed by a tear line formed in each wall.

5. A container as defined in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the removable portion has two or more walls wherein at least one wall has a different length such that the removable portion is asymmetric.

6. A container as defined in any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the asymmetric removable portion extends from an edge of the container.

7. A container as defined in any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein the asymmetric removable portion includes a pouch for receiving an address sheet.

8. A container as defined in Claim 7 wherein the pouch includes a seal for closing the pouch.

9. A container as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the first and/or second flaps each has an adhesive strip which optionally has a removable liner strip.

10. A container as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is in the form of a bag, envelope.

11. A container as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is formed with an integral folded base.

12. A container as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is formed by two walls wherein one wall forms the first and second flaps.

13. A container as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 11 which is formed by two walls wherein one wall forms the first flap and the other wall forms the second flap.