NZ527797A - Pouch - Google Patents

Abstract

A pouch is disclosed which comprises: a base layer; an outer layer engaged with the base layer so as to form an enclosed space and providing an access means to allow a portion of the outer layer to be removed or severed allowing access to the enclosed space; and an intermediate layer mounted between the base layer and the outer layer and having the first end secured between the base layer and the outer layer, and a second end extendable over at least a part of the outer layer in use to at least partially close the enclosed space. Also disclosed is a method of forming the said pouch, wherein the method includes the steps of: providing a base layer and an outer layer; securing an intermediate layer between the base layer and the outer layer by at least a first end, wherein the intermediate layer includes a second end; engaging the outer layer to the base layer to form an enclosed space between the base layer and the outer layer, the outer layer providing an access means which in use allows a portion of said outer layer to be removed or severed to access the enclosed space, such that the second end of the intermediate layer is extendable over at least a part of the outer layer in use to at least partially close the enclosed space.

Description

527797 Patents Form No. 5 Our Ref: MK504439 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 Complete After Provisional No. 527797 Filed: 22 August 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION POUCH We, PHILSTIC LABELS LIMITED, a New Zealand company of c/-Fraser Powrie, Solicitor, 5 Fenton St, Eden Terrace, Auckland, New Zealand hereby declare the invention, for which We pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PT054116895 300286859J 300286617: MK504439 2 POUCH Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. 2 0 AUG 2004 .received Technical Field of the Invention This invention relates to a pouch or envelope and in particular a pouch adapted to at least partially close once the pouch is opened. The invention also provides a method for making the same.

The pouch has particular application to securing documents and other articles on the 10 outside of a product or object and will be described hereafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may have application to other fields.

Background of the Invention Pouches and envelopes have a wide variety of applications. In recent years, pouches affixed to the outside of objects have been used to contain documents or other articles relating to the object. For example, documents including technical information, consumer information, directions on the application and use of a product, or information on the 20 content of the product can all be stored in such pouches. Pouches have particular use on the outside of boxes or bottles.

The advantage of these pouches is that the documents they contain are protected from the surrounding environment. For example, the pouch may assist in preventing a set of 25 instructions from becoming wet if the product to which the pouch is attached is exposed to water for example. They can also be transparent allowing a user to see what is contained within the pouch before opening.

A disadvantage of existing pouch arrangements is that, once the pouch has been opened 30 to provide access to documents contained within the pouch, the ability of the pouch to provide continued protection of the documents is substantially limited.

Object of the invention It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages and/or to at least provide the public with a useful choice. 300286617:MK504439 3 It is a further or alternative object of the present invention to provide a pouch or a method for making a pouch which will obviate or minimise one or more of the disadvantages associated with existing pouch constructions or manufacturing methods.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a pouch including: - a base layer; - an outer layer engaged with said base layer so as to form an enclosed space and providing an access means to allow a portion of the outer layer to be removed or severed allowing access to said enclosed space; and - an intermediate layer mounted between said base layer and said outer layer and having a first end secured between said base layer and said outer layer, and a second end extendable over at least a part of said outer layer in use to at least partially close said enclosed space.

Preferably, said access means is adapted to allow a portion of the outer layer to be removed to define an opening to said enclosed space and said second end is extendable from said opening to lie over a part of said outer layer.

Preferably, said opening is adapted to allow access to said enclosed space allowing retrieval of articles contained within said enclosed space.

Preferably, said intermediate layer includes two peripheral or side edges extending between said first and second ends, and a selected portion of said peripheral edges adjacent to said first end are engaged to said base layer.

Preferably, said outer layer is engaged with said base layer by peripheral edges to form said enclosed space.

Preferably, said intermediate layer is adapted to provide a weather strip or cover flap at or adjacent said second end, and said second end is adapted to be drawn through the 300286617: M K504439 4 opening and disposed so that said cover flap extends over a part of said outer layer adjacent to said opening to at least partially close said enclosed space.

Preferably, said access means includes a weakened or frangible portion of said outer 5 layer.

Preferably, said access means includes an optional extending tab which is adapted to be grasped by a user to remove said access means. io Preferably, said access means includes two substantially parallel lines of perforation.

Preferably, said base layer includes two faces, a first face providing an outwardly directed adhesive surface to engage said pouch to an object, and a second face forming surfaces of the enclosed space.

Preferably, said first face is releasably engageable with a backing layer.

Preferably, said base layer is provided as self-adhesive stock engaged with a backing layer.

Preferably, said outer and intermediate layers are formed from a sheet material.

Preferably, said sheet material is selected from waterproof or weatherproof materials such as polyolefins.

Preferably, said sheet material includes polyethylene or polyester.

Preferably, said sheet material includes paper based materials.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a pouch, said method including the steps of: - providing a base layer; - engaging an intermediate layer to said base layer by at least a first end, said intermediate layer including a second end; 300286617.MK504439 - engaging said outer layer to said base layer to form said enclosed space between said base layer and said outer layer, said outer layer providing an access means which in use allows a portion of said outer layer to be removed or severed 5 to access the enclosed space, such that said second end of said intermediate layer is extendable over at least a part of said outer layer in use to at least partially close said enclosed space.

Preferably, said method includes selecting said intermediate and outer layers from sheet 10 materials including polyolefins, polyesters or polyethylenes.

Preferably, said intermediate layer includes two peripheral or side edges extending between said first and second ends, and said method includes engaging a selected portion of said peripheral edges adjacent to said first end to said base layer.

Preferably, said method includes engaging said outer layers to said base layer by peripheral edges to form said enclosed space.

Preferably, said method includes using said access means to provide an elongated 20 opening to said enclosed space for which a weather strip or cover flap defined by the second end of said intermediate layer can be drawn through the opening and disposed so that said flap extends over a part of said outer layer.

Preferably, said access means includes a weakened or frangible portion of said outer 25 layer.

Preferably, said access means includes an optional extending tab which is adapted to be grasped by a user to remove said access means.

Preferably, said access means includes two substantially parallel lines of perforation to provide the weakened or frangible portion.

Preferably, an adhesive layer is provided on an outwardly directed first face of the base layer which allows said pouch to be adhered to another object.

Preferably, said method includes selecting an intermediate and outer layer of sheet 300286617:MK504439 6 materials from plastics materials including polyolefins, polyesters or polyethylenes.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a pouch substantially as here described with reference to the Figure.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming a pouch substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures.

Drawing Description The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which: Figure 1: illustrates a side elevation in cross-section of a pouch of the preferred 15 embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2: illustrates a front elevation of the pouch of Figure 1.

Detailed Description Referring to Figure 1, a pouch is shown generally referenced 1. The pouch 1 is illustrated in cross section to identify the layers used to construct the pouch 1. The pouch 1 may be provided in a variety of rigidities depending on the particular use for the pouch 1. In a preferred embodiment, the pouch 1 is flexible and composed from sheet material to 25 optimise the use of the pouch 1. A flexible pouch has the advantage that it may be secured to a variety of objects in use, for example cylindrical bottles, cartons, boxes and the like.

The pouch 1 includes a base layer 2, an outer layer 9 engaged to the base layer 2 to form 30 an enclosed space 11, and an intermediate layer 6 secured between the outer layer 9 and the base layer 2. It will be appreciated that the pouch 1 could include additional layers where, for example, it is important that the pouch 1 has increased strength to support a predetermined article enclosed in the enclosed space 11, or where it is essential an article contained within the enclosed space 11 remains completely isolated from liquid until use.

The base layer 2 is preferably provided as flexible sheet material and includes two faces. 300286617:MK504439 7 A first face 3 provides an outwardly directed adhesive surface to engage the pouch 1 to an object, such as a carton or a bottle. The first face 3 is preferably releasably engaged with a backing layer 3a when the pouch is not attached to an object. Backing layers 3a are well known in the art for supporting a sticker prior to use. It is envisaged that a variety 5 of different backing layers could be engaged with the first face 3. In a preferred embodiment the backing layer 3a may be made of a paper based material. The advantage of paper based backing layers is that they are cheap and readily sourced.

It should be appreciated that it is not essential that the first face 3 provides an adhesive io surface. Where the pouch 1 is adapted to simply act as an envelope, the adhesive surface may be excluded.

A second face 5 of the base layer 2 provides peripheral edges 12 which engage with peripheral edges of the intermediate layer 6 and the outer layer 9. Portions of the second 15 face 5 form surfaces of the enclosed space 11 provided by the pouch 1.

As the base layer 2 has at least two faces, it will be appreciated that the base layer 2 may be provided as a contiguous layer of various materials. For example, the first face 3 could be provided as a paper material base and the second face 5 could be provided in a 20 plastics material. The base layer 2 could be provided from self-adhesive stock releasably engaged to a backing layer 3a.

The intermediate layer 6 is also ideally formed from flexible sheet material to allow flexibility of the pouch 1. The intermediate layer 6 has a first end 7 and a second end 8. 25 The first end 7 secures the intermediate layer 6 between the outer layer 9 and base layer 2. In the preferred embodiment, the first end 7 is engaged to base layer 2 by use of an adhesive to engage appropriate peripheral portions to each other. Other attachment methods may be used to form an appropriate engagement between the base layer 2 and intermediate layer 6. Other attachments could, for example, include plastics welding.

The second end 8 is extendable over parts of the outer layer in use to at least partially close the enclosed space 11. A weather strip or cover flap 8a at or adjacent the second end 8 is adapted to be withdrawn in use from the enclosed space 11 as will be described below.

The intermediate layer 6 includes two peripheral or side edges extending between the first 300285617: M K504439 8 and second ends (obscured in Figure 1). Selected portions of the peripheral edges (obscured) adjacent the first end are also secured to peripheral edges 12 of the base layer 2.

The outer layer 9 is engaged to the base layer 2, over the intermediate layer 6, by engaging peripheral edges 10 to peripheral edges 12 of the base layer 2 and the intermediate layer 6.

The outer layer 9 is preferably a flexible sheet material and extends over the second face 5 of the base layer 2 to engage with the base layer 2 defining the enclosed space 11. The outer layer 9 is adapted to provide a waterproof outwardly directed surface of the pouch 1 when the pouch 1 is secured to an object.

The outer layer 9 provides an access means 15 to allow a portion of the outer layer to be removed or severed when required to allow access to an enclosed space 11 formed between the base layer 2 and outer layer 9. In a preferred embodiment, the access means 15 extends across the outer layer 9 to define an opening when removed or severed. The access means 15 is obscured in Figure 1, but will be described in further detail with reference to Figure 2 below.

The outer layer 9 is engaged with the base layer 2, substantially sandwiching the intermediate layer 6 by adhesive or the like around periphery edges so as to provide the pouch 1 for appropriate articles such as a document or the like.

The enclosed space 11 may, in use, provide an almost negligible volume. However, the particular volume of the enclosed space 11 may be varied in accordance with the particular use or requirement for the pouch 1.

The construction of the preferred pouch 1 will now be described in further detail with reference to Figure 2.

In Figure 2, the drawing assumes that at least the outer layer 9 is formed from a transparent material such as a plastics material. In reality, this is a desirable property of the invention as it allows documents and other articles to be seen through the outer layer 9 when the pouch 1 is mounted to an object. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential and the outer layer 9 could be, for example, coloured. 300286617: MK504439 9 The shape and size of the pouch 1 is defined by the outer layer 9 and base layer 2 engaged to each other about peripheral edges to form the pouch 1. Although the pouch is shown as square, the pouch 1 could alternatively be any shape or any size required 5 depending on the application.

Depending upon the nature of the adhesive or other affixing method used, regions 14 of edges 12 may either be left free of adhesive, or be provided with a lower strength adhesive to facilitate use of the invention. Therefore, for example in region 14, there may io be a lack of adhesive provided between edge 10 of the outer layer 9 and edge 12 of the base layer 2 adjacent the second end 8. This allows the second end 8 defining the cover flap 8a to be withdrawn once the access means 15 is removed to define an opening (not shown).

The access means 15 allows and defines the opening (not shown) to be formed across outer layer 9. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, two lines of perforation 16 are provided through outer layer 9 to define the access means. The access means 15 is a weak or frangible portion. An optional extending tab 17 extends from the access means 15 between the two lines of perforation 16 which may conveniently be 20 grasped by user, for example between a user's fingers, and pulled so as to tear the outer layer 9 along the lines of perforation to thus define the opening into the enclosed space 11. In Figure 2, the tab 17 extends outwardly from the edge of the pouch 1. However, it will be appreciated that this is not essential. Furthermore, the tab 17 is not itself essential to removal of the access means 15.

In Figure 2, the opening (not shown) formed by removing the access means 15 is an elongated opening across outer layer 9 substantially from one edge 10 to the opposite edge. The opening allows the user to access the enclosed space 11. It will be appreciated for example that the access means 15 may not necessarily provide an 30 elongated opening. For example, the access means 15 may be adapted to remove or sever an extended portion of the outer layer 9 to define a substantially large opening.

Alternatively, a single line of perforation 16 could be provided which a user severs by forcibly separating the material for example using a fingernail or blade.

It will be appreciated that the access means 15 may take a variety of forms. For example, 300286617: MK504439 the access means 15 may be provided as a string or reinforced tape attached to an inner surface of the outer layer 9 which may be pulled by a user to tear through layer 9 to provide the opening.

In use, once an opening has been formed by tearing along lines 16 of the access means 15, the second end 8 defining the cover flap 8a of the intermediate layer 6 may be withdrawn by a user through the opening created. The second end 8 defines the cover flap 8a which extends or protrudes from the opening to at least partially close the enclosed space 11 after the pouch 1 has been opened. The invention is made easier for 10 a user by the reduced adhesion or lack of adhesion in areas 14 so that second end 8 of the outer layer 9 is sufficiently free from the adjacent layers in order for it to be pulled through the opening and lay over a part of outer layer 9 which is adjacent to the opening.

The second end 8 of the intermediate layer 6 could in an alternative embodiment be 15 secured to the access means 15 so that when the access means 15 is removed from the outer layer 9, the second end 8 is immediately withdrawn through the opening formed.

Those skilled in the art will see that the adhesive which is used to join the layers together may be chosen so as to be sufficiently strong to provide a serviceable pouch 1, while also 20 being sufficiently weak to enable a user to free the second edge 8 of the intermediate layer 6 to enable it to be drawn through the opening.

A method of forming the pouch 1 of the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2 will now be described.

Firstly, the base layer 2 is provided. The base layer 2 will normally be provided as a very long strip of material, for example being provided in a roll. This base layer 2, as described above is preferably provided with first and second faces. The first face 3 includes an adhesive surface in the preferred embodiment which is preferably engaged with a backing 30 layer (as described above). The backing layer 3a is releasably engageable with the adhesive surface until the material is ready for use, for example, ready to be adhered to an object. The backing layer 3a may be printed or plain, depending upon user requirements. The backing layer 3a may be used to display trade marks or other consumer information on the pouch 1.

The intermediate layer 6 may also be provided as a roll of material, but will be narrower 300286617:MK504439 11 than the base layer 2 as is evident from Figures 1 and 2. Known machinery, which does not need to be described herein, since those skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be familiar therewith, is used to engage or adhere the intermediate layer 6 to appropriate parts of the base layer 2, so that the intermediate layer 6 is adhered at the 5 first end 7 and by adjacent sides to the peripheral edge 12 of base layer 2.

In this preferred embodiment, the second end 8 of the intermediate layer 6 and cover flap 8a are not adhered to the base layer 2. This means that the second end 8 and cover flap 8a may be withdrawn with ease from the opening formed by removal of the access 10 means 15.

The outer layer 9 may also be provided as a roll of material and is laid over the intermediate layer 6 and the base layer 2 as shown in the Figures, being adhered along all four edges 10 to the base layer 2 to form the enclosed space 11. Again, it is desirable to 15 avoid adhering the outer layer 9 to the base layer 2 at region 14 to ensure the second end 8 defining the cover flap 8a may be withdrawn from the opening formed in use.

Prior to engaging the outer layer 9 to the base layer 2 documents and other articles may be placed on the second faces 5 of the base layer 2. As mentioned, the second face 5 20 forms surfaces of the enclosed space 11. However, articles may also be enclosed within the enclosed space 11 following enclosed space 11 formation as is described below.

The multiple layers thus formed then proceed to a die cutting machine (which is again well known in the art to which the invention relates) which cuts them into single pieces 25 attached to the backing layer 3a. It also adds the parallel perforations 16 which define the preferred access means 15 which end in the optional tab 17.

The die cut for the optional tab 17 cuts through all layers of stock. The perforations only go through layer 9.

The pouches 1 may move to a second die cutting machine where two cuts are made in base layer 2. The first cut 20 is made in a longitudinal direction across the base layer 2. It is preferably made across the full width of the enclosed space 11 and this is to facilitate the inclusion of a document or other articles, into the enclosed space 11. The location of 35 the first cut 20 can be varied depending on the size of the articles or documents to be placed within enclosed space 11. The second cut 21 is made in the base layer 2 in a 300286617:MK504439 12 vertical direction to assist release the optional tab 17 from the backing sheet 3.

The next step is removal of the waist matrix from about the pouch 1 product. This allows for the pouch 1 to be applied automatically to a product if required.

As mentioned, the most preferred materials for layers 2, 6 and 9, and at least layers 6 and 9, are polyolefins, since these make the product substantially weatherproof. Although less desirable, polyethylene or polyester materials may be used. io The advantage of the present invention is provided by the weather strip or cover flap 8a defined by the second end 8 of the intermediate layer 6 that allows the product to provide a pouch 1 which can continue to protect an object such as a document within the pouch 1, after the pouch 1 has been opened. The second end 8 defining the cover flap 8a acts to at least partially close the opening once the access means 15 is removed or severed. 15 This means the pouch 1 remains at least partially waterproof. The invention in particular provides a simple pouch 1 which is very easy to manufacture and inexpensive. Not only does the invention provide an at least partially weatherproof pouch 1, but the pouch 1 may also provide protection from other agents such as acidic or caustic substances, or other harmful or damaging compositions.

Significant to the present invention is that the second end 8 defining the cover flap 8a of the intermediate layer 6 (or flap) is protected within the enclosed space 11 until use.

Once the enclosed space 11 is opened by removal of the access means 15 defining the opening, the second end 8 and cover flap 8a may be withdrawn to at least partially close 25 the opening and at provide at least partial waterproofing to the enclosed space 11.

The word "close" is used in this specification to describe the second end 8 of the intermediate layer 6 extending from the opening end over a part of the outer layer 9. It will be appreciated that the cover flap 8a defined by the second end 8 resting against the 30 outer layer 9 does not make the enclosed space 11 airtight or completely waterproof, but rather reduces the likelihood of fluid and other material entering the enclosed space 11 once the access means 15 has been removed.

Of course, the cover flap 8a could be adapted to engage with the outer layer 9 in such a 35 way, once the access means 15 has been removed to seal the enclosed space 11 if desirable. 300286617:MK504439 13 Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

300286617:MK504439 14 What We Claim Is

1. A pouch including: - a base layer; - an outer layer engaged with said base layer so as to form an enclosed space and providing an access means to allow a portion of the outer layer to be removed or severed allowing access to said enclosed space; and - an intermediate layer mounted between said base layer and said outer layer and having a first end secured between said base layer and said outer layer, and a second end extendable over at least a part of said outer layer in use to at least partially close said enclosed space.

2. A pouch according to claim 1 wherein the access means adapted to allow a portion of the outer layer to be removed to define an opening to said enclosed space and said second end being extendable from said opening to lie over a part of said outer layer.

3. A pouch according claim 2 wherein the opening is adapted to allow access to said enclosed space allowing retrieval of articles contained within said enclosed space.

4. A pouch according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said intermediate layer includes two peripheral or side edges extending between said first and second ends, and a selected portion of said peripheral edges adjacent to said first end are engaged to said base layer.

5. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said outer layer is engaged with said base layer by peripheral edges to form said enclosed space.

6. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said intermediate layer is adapted to provide a weather strip or cover flap at or adjacent said second end, and said second end is adapted to be drawn through the opening and disposed so that said cover flap extends over a part of said outer layer adjacent to said opening to at least partially close said enclosed space. 300286617:MK504439 15

7. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said access means includes a weakened or frangible portion of said outer layer. 5

8. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said access means includes an optional extending tab which is adapted to be grasped by a user to remove said access portion.

9. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said access means 10 includes two substantially parallel lines of perforation.

10. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said base layer includes two faces, a first face providing an outwardly directed adhesive surface to engage said pouch to an object, and a second face forming portions of the 15 enclosed space.

11. A pouch according to claim 10 wherein said first face is releasably engageable with a backing layer. 20

12. A pouch according to claims 10 or 11 wherein said base layer is provided as self- adhesive stock engaged with a backing layer.

13. A pouch according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said outer and intermediate layers are formed from a sheet material. 25

14. A pouch according to claim 13 wherein said sheet material is selected from waterproof or weatherproof materials such as polyolefins.

15. A pouch according to any one of claims 13 wherein said sheet material includes 30 polyethylene or polyester.

16. A pouch according to any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein said sheet material includes paper based materials. 35

17. A method of forming a pouch, said method including the steps of: 300476192:MK504439 16 10

18. 15

19. 20

20. 25 21. 30 22. 23. 35 - providing a base layer and an outer layer; - securing an intermediate layer between said base layer and said outer layer by at least a first end, said intermediate layer including a second end; - engaging said outer layer to said base layer to form an enclosed space between said base layer and said outer layer, said outer layer providing an access means which in use allows a portion of said outer layer to be removed or severed to access the enclosed space, such that said second end is extendable over at least a part of said outer layer in use to at least partially close said enclosed space. A method according to claim 17 wherein said method includes selecting said intermediate and outer layers from sheet materials including polyolefins, polyesters or polyethylenes. A method according to claims 17 or 18 wherein said intermediate layer includes two peripheral side edges extending between said first and second ends, and said method includes engaging a selected portion of said peripheral edges adjacent to said first end to said base layer. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein said method includes engaging said outer layer to said base layer by peripheral edges to form said enclosed space. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein said method includes using said access means to provide an elongated opening to said enclosed space for which a weather strip or cover flap defined by the second end of said intermediate layer can be drawn through the opening and disposed so that the flap extends over a part of the second layer. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 21 wherein said access means includes a weakened or frangible portion of said outer layer. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein said access means includes an extending tab which is adapted to be grasped by a user to remove said access. 300476192_1 300286617: M K504439 17 5 25. 10 26. 27. 15 28. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 23 wherein said access means includes two substantially parallel lines of perforation to provide the weakened or frangible portion. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 24 wherein an adhesive layer is provided on an outwardly directed first face of the base layer which allows said pouch to be adhered to another object. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 25 wherein said method includes selecting an intermediate and outer layer of sheet materials from plastics materials including polyolefins, polyesters or polyethylenes. A pouch substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures. A method of forming a pouch substantially as herein described with reference to the Figures. 20 END OF CLAIMS PHILSTIC LABELS LIMITED By its Attorneys BALDWINS 25