US1997257A - Transparent wrapper and method of making the same - Google Patents

Description

April 9, 1935. c. s. HAMERSLEY TRANSPARENT WRAPPER AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed March 21, 1933 1v VEN TOR (1'14! JlHa/nwzalg;

Patented Apr 9,. 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRANSPARENT WRAPPER. AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAltIE Claims.

My present invention relates generally to the wrapping art, and has particular reference to a new and improved type of transparent wrapper for a bread loaf or the like, and, coordinately, to

6 a method of making the same.

While I have herein illustrated, and shall hereinafter describe a transparent wrapper of the character which is designed primarily for use in wrapping an article such as a bread loaf,

10 nevertheless it will be understood that certain phases of my invention are not necessarily restricted to this particular use.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a novel means for associating certain desired printed indicia with a transparent wrapper which eiiiciently wraps and encloses the article in question, protecting the same against exposure to the air, and which is moisture-proof, sufiiciently strong, and economical to manufacture and use.

A more particular object of my invention is to provide an integral wrapper whose major portion is transparent and devoid of any printing or other markings which would impair the transparency, while a predetermined limited portion thereof is of lesser transparency and against which certain desired printing is adapted to stand out clearly.

A preferred method of wrapping an article, such as a bread loaf, consists in arranging the printed legend along a medial band or strip which encircles the loaf, the balance of the loaf being visible through an unprinted and unornamented range of transparent wrapping material. Where I have attempted to associate a separate printed strip or band with the loaf, I have found that the wrapping procedure must besomewhat modified to provide for its insertion, and that the printed indicia is not as clearly and constantly visible asis desirable. Furthermore, a separate band is apt to shift in positional relationship to the loaf and to the wrapper, even where special means are provided to seal it or fix it in predetermined position.

One of the features of my present invention, as hereinbefore alluded to, resides in the provision of an integral wrapper which requires no special precautions or modified constructions of ordinary wrapping procedures or machines.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wrapper whose application around a commodity, such as a bread loaf or the like, is facilitated and rendered more secure.

More particularly, I aim to provide an improved Wrapper of the waxed paper type, whose opposite lateral margins are adapted to be folded and sealed, under heat and pressure, when the wrapper is applied to the article. In accordance with my invention, these opposite lateral edges or margins are caused to incorporate greater amounts of wax, whereby the efficiency of this sealing 5 procedure is improved.

From certain aspects, the phase of my invention relating to the increased waxing at the marginal edges of the wrapper is independent of the other phases of the invention relating to the display of certain desired indicia; and, by the same token, the latter features of my invention are not in every case necessarily incorporated in a wrapper of improved sealing qualities. It is important to note, however, that these two phases of my in-,

vention bear a definite cooperative relation, as will be pointed out hereinafter, whereby a wrapper incorporating all of the features of my present invention is of. greatly improved and highly eflicient characteristics.

One feature of my invention consists in associating a main sheet of transparent wrapping material with an auxiliary printed strip or band in a manner whereby the two are integrally united in a uniquely efficient manner. More particularly, I print certain desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper or the like, and I associate the strip with the main transparent wrapper, along a predetermined area of the latter, by bonding the strip to the sheet with the printed face down, and in a manner whereby the printing shows clearly through the main transparent sheet and against an apparent background of lesser transparency.

I have found that where the printed surface of the strip is bonded to the main transparent sheet by means of a homogeneous transparent layer of suitable adhesive, such as wax or paraffin, the association of the two elements being accomplished under proper conditions, an integral 40 wrapper of the present improved and desirable characteristics may be efliciently and economically produced.

Another feature of my invention lies in arranging the printed strip along the midportion of a substantially rectangular wrapper, to reinforce and increase the thickness of the latter along a medial band; and in providing layers of wax, of increased thickness, at the opposite marginal edges of the wrapper, parallel to the medial printed strip. The uneven waxing which is thus involved would ordinarily be utterly unfeasible because of the inability to wind 2. continuous sheet into a stable rolled form, but by purposely making the thickness of the wrapper, at the marginal tion of the rollers operation. As viewed in Figure 1,

edges, no greater than the increased thickness at the midpo'rtion of the wrapper, this difliculty is efiiciently obviated.

In a preferredmanner of carrying out the invention, a main sheet of waxed paper is associated with a narrower strip of waxed paper, the latter bearing the desired indicia on one surface thereof, by bonding the strip, printed face down, with a predetermined portion of the rear surface of the larger sheet, by means of a homogeneous transparent layer of the wax with which the sheets are impregnated and coated. Where this procedure is properly carried out, the printing shows through the larger sheet in an unusually clear manner, and against an apparent background of lesser transparency arising from the superposition of the strip and the sheet,

I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view ofa waxing bath, showing one manner of carryingout my present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a section of a continuous strip of wrapping material embodying the features of my present invention;

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged, longitudinal, fragmentary cross-section through an edge por- I3 and 13' of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a wrapped bread loaf or the like, constituting a new and improved article resulting from my present invention.

Where the invention is carried out in connection with waxed paper, I provide for the simultaneous passage through a bath of molten wax III of a main sheet II and a narrower printed strip I2, as indicated in Figure 1. The main strip II is of any suitable width, depending upon the nature of the articles ultimatelyto be wrapped, and is composed of a relatively thin, substantially transparent paper of the character which is adapted to be rendered almost completely transparent by a waxing thereof. The strip I2 is relatively narrow, having a width of only about two or three inches, and is printed with desired indicia on one surface thereof prior to the waxing the undersurface of the strip I2 is the printed face.

The two strips are simultaneously caused to emerge from the bath of wax and to pass, in superposed relationship, between a pair of squeezing rollers I3 and I3, which expel excess wax and which embed the printed face of the strip 12 into the layer of wax between the two papers. When the assembly leaves the rollers I3 and 13, it is transported to suitable apparatus for effecting proper cooling and consequent hardening of the wax. Other procedures, such as calendering, may also be carried out, if desired.

During the waxing procedure, or at any other suitable stage of the process, the marginal edges of the paper II are coated with bands or layers of wax of increased thickness. This may be accomplished in any of a number of ways, and I have illustratively shown one manner in which this result may be achieved. In Figure 3, for

example, I have shown one edge portion of the a greatly enlarged scale, that the surfaces of the rollers I3 and I3 on and it is to be noted rollers are slightly recessed or cut away at the ends thereof, as indicated at IT, so that the space between the rollers at this region is slightly greater than the normal spacing. Accordingly, the paper passing between the rollers is not squeezed as completely at these areas as it is elsewhere along the rollers. The result is that a greater amount of wax is permitted to remain in association with the paper along the portion which passes between the recesses II.

For the purpose of explaining my invention in its simplest form, it may be assumed that the opposite end portions of the rollers I3 and I3 are each recessed as indicated in Figure 3. This results in producing a resultant article as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, which consists in an integral strip of wrapping material having certain unique characteristics. The main strip II is almost completely transparent throughout its major portion. Only at the rnidportion thereof, where the strip I2 is bonded thereto, and at the margins I8, parallel to the strip I2, is the transparency of lesser degree. The increased capacity at the margins is due to the fact that greater amounts .-'of wax are incorporated with the sheet along these areas, these being the portions of the sheet which have passed through the rollers at the recesses IT. The increased capacity along the medial band defined by the strip I2 is,

strangely enough, coupled with a remarkable clarity of the printing itself. This is due to the fact that the printing is embedded in the layer of wax on the rear surfaceof the sheet II, and that this layer of wax is properly homogeneous and transparent. At the same time, however, this layer of wax, sandwiched between two webs of paper, produces an increased capacity across the entire width of the strip I2 and alongside of the printed matter. The printing thus appears in clearly visible form upon an apparent background of lesser transparency than that of the major portion of the wrapper.

More particularly, upon viewing Figure 4, it will be noted that the sheet II carries a thin layer of wax I4 on its upper or outer surface, and a similar layer I5 on its under-surface. Ernbedded in the latter layer at the midportion of the sheet II is the printed strip I2, with the printed face closely adjacent to the rear surface of the sheet II. While the printing ink, or similar material used for printing, is of negligible thickness, I have shown it at I6 to illustrate the manner in which it is embedded in the wax layer I5. By virtue of the treatment here nbefore described, the strip I2 is coated on its rear surface with a layer of wax I5 which forms a virtual continuation of the layer I 5. It is also to be noted that the layers of wax I4 and I5 are of greater thickness at the margins of the sheet II, as shown at I8.

In accordance with my invention, the total thickness of the waxed sheet at the marginal edges is no greater than the total thickness at the midportion. This permits the sheet to be wound in a rolled form, on a suitable mandrel or drum, without any danger of telescoping or misalignment. If the sheet were not thickened at the midportion by means of the strip I2, it would be utterly unfeasible to roll the sheet eflicicntly, since the increased thickness at the lateral edges would leave the roll loose at the center; and by virtue of the slippery character of waxed paper, an unstable winding would result. The present sheet, however, may be efficiently and safely wound in the usual manner because the increased thickness at the midportion leaves the ends of the roll loose, and this does not preclude an eificient winding operation.

It will be understood that the showing of Figure 3 is on an extremely exaggerated scale.

It will also be understood that in actual 'practice the width of the sheet H, during manufacture, is substantially greater than the width of a single wrapper, as shown in Figure 2. Usually, it is preferable to make the sheet II a convenient multiple of the width of the desired ultimate wrapper, whereby the procedure of Figure 1 will obviously be carried out with a plurality of strips 12, these strips being bonded to the sheet I along spaced areas. At the opposite ends of the rollers I 3 and I3 recesses I! would be provided, in the manner illustrated; but in addition, further recesses I! would be provided at spaced areas, be tween the strips l2, to provide for increased thicknesses of wax along bands substantially parallel to the strips l2. Ultimately, the resultant wound material is severed through the bands of increased waxing, to provide a plurality of continuous strips of the character illustrated in Figure 2. Whether the device of Figure 2 is manufactured singly, or in multiple, as hereinbefore referred to, is, of course, a matter of mere mechanical expedience and has no direct bearing upon my present process or article.

When the wrapper is used, the outer wax layer I4 is exposed, and the printing [6 shows constantly and clearly through the sheet H as though it were printed on the outside of the sheet instead of being embedded in the rear layer of wax. At the same time, the apparent background of the printing is of relative opacity, due to the superposition of the sheets H and I2 and the three layers of wax entering into this superposed assembly. Of course, this relatively opaque background can be enhanced by using a more opaque paper for the strip l2.

In use, the continuous strip of Figure 2 is cut transversely into sections to provide individual wrappers of suitable shape and size, usually substantially rectangular. These blanks may be used in the ordinary wrapping machines in exactly the same manner as ordinary waxed paper blanks have heretofore been used, and no special equipment or modification of procedures need be resorted to. The finished article, when wrapped, appears as in Figure 4, in which I have illustratively shown a loaf of sliced bread in a wrapper of the present type. The major portion of the wrapped article is visible through the major portion of the transparent sheet H, and at the midportion there is an encircling band of lesser transparency upon which certain desired printing is superimposed. This printing is constantly visible from the exterior, in an unusually clear manner. In fact, it is only upon close examination that it is found that the printing is not actually on the outer surface of the wrapper.

To accomplish this result with a single sheet of wrapping material would ordinarily be commercially unfeasible. It would not only have to be printed at only a predetermined area thereof, but the portions adjacent to the printing, and constituting a background therefor, would have to be rendered relatively less transparent by means which would be expensive, if at all feasible. By

the same token, the accomplishment of the present result by means of a separate insert would be subject to the disadvantages hereinbefore referred to. Thus, it would be necessary to modify the ordinary wrapping machines, and, in any event, a poor and faulty visibility of the printed matter would result.

The increased waxing at the opposite lateral margins of each wrapper increases the efficiency with which the ordinary wrapping machine and the ordinary wrapping and sealing procedure may be carried out. It is customary to tuck in the ends of the wrapper, as shown at E9 in Figure 5, and to seal the device by applying heat and pressure, so that the wax is softened. With the slightly increased amount of wax available along the marginal edges, this procedure is simplified and rendered more reliable. Furthermore, since the sealing is thus taken care of by a greater amount of wax at the marginal edges, the body portion of the sheet may be coated with a lesser amount of wax than would otherwise be necessary; and this in turn increases the desired transparency of the body portion of the sheet.

Another advantage of the present type of wrapper lies in the fact that the midportion thereof is substantially reinforced and strengthened by the bonded strip of printed paper. This is particularly useful in the wrapping of an article such as a sliced bread loaf, wherein added strength at the midportion serves to hold the separate slices in proper relationship during the handling and shipping of the article. A loose insert would have no such reinforcing effect.

It will be understood that where I have used the term paper herein and in the appended claims I mean to include materials, generally, having substantially the same qualities for the present purpose; and that the term printing is intended to include any of the conventional modes of impressing certain desired indicia or markings on a surface of a sheet. Similarly, the term waxing, as the same is used herein and in the appended claims is intended to include such materials as paraifin or the like, which are conventionally used for producing what is known in the trade as waxed paper.

In general, it will be understood that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is, therefore, intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A wrapper for a bread loaf or the like, comprising a sheet of transparent material, and a narrower strip of sheet material bearing desired printed indicia on one surface thereof, said strip being bonded, along its entire surface and printed face down, to a predetermined portion of the rear surface of said sheet by a transparent layer of adhesive material, whereby the printing will show clearly through said sheet against an apparent background of less transparency.

2. A wrapper for a bread loaf or the like, comprising a sheet of transparentmaterial, and a narrower strip of sheet material bearing desired printed indicia on one surface thereof, said strip being bonded, along its entire surface and printed face down, to a predetermined portion of the rear surface of said sheet by a transparent homogeneous layer of wax, whereby the printing-will show clearly through said sheet against an apparent background of less transparency.

3. A wrapper for a bread loaf or the like, comprising a sheet of transparent waxed paper, and a narrower strip of waxed paper bearing desired printed indicia on one surface thereof, said strip being bonded, along its entire surface and printed face down, to a predetermined portion of the rear surface of said sheet by a transparent homogeneous layer of wax, whereby the printing will show clearly throughsaid sheet against an apparent background of less transparency.

4. In combination with a bread loaf or the like, a wrapper comprising a substantially rectangular sheet of transparent waxed paper, and a relatively narrow strip of paper bearing desired printed indicia on one surface thereof, said strip being bonded along the midportion of the rear surface of said sheet by a transparent homogeneous layer of wax so as to encircle said loaf at the midportion of the latter, and the printed face of said strip being embedded in said wax layer so that the printing shows clearly through said sheet against an apparent background of less transparency.

5. The method of making a wrapper ofthe character described, which consists in printing desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper, and bonding said strip, along its entire surface and printed face down, by molten transparent wax, under heat and pressure, to the rear surface of a relatively larger sheet of transparent material.

6. The method of making a wrapper of the character described, which consists in printing desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper, waxing said strip, and bonding said strip, along its entire surface and printed face down, by a layer of homogeneous transparent wax,- to a predetermined portion of the rear surface of a relatively larger sheet of transparent waxed paper.

7. The 'method of making a wrapper of the character described, which consists in printing desired indicia on one surface of a strip of paper, then simultaneously subjecting said strip and a larger sheet of transparent paper to a bath of molten transparent wax, superimposing said strip, printed face down, onto a predetermined portion of the larger sheet, squeezing said superposed papers to expel excess wax and to embed the printed face of the strip in the transparent wax layer between said papers, and finally cooling the assembly.

its entire surface to' 8. A continuous sheet material adapted to be severed into a plurality of wrappers of the character described, comprising an elongated continuous .web of waxedpaper, the opposite lateral margins of the web ,being coated with a heavier layer of wax than the body portion of the web, the longitudinal midportion of the web being associated with an additional continuous narrower strip of paper which renders said midportion thicker than said margins, thereby enabling the web to be wound into a roll in which the pressure between the layers is concentrated along said thickened midportion and the pressure along the more heavily waxed margins is correspondingly relieved.

9. A continuous sheet material adapted to be severed into a plurality of wrappers of the character described, comprising an elongated continuous web of waxed paper, the opposite lateral margins of the web being coated with a heavier layer of wax than the body portion of the web, and a narrower continuous strip of waxed paper bonded by said wax along its entire surface to the longitudinal midportion of the web, said nara resultant thickness to rower strip imparting said midportion greater than that of said margins, thereby enabling the web to be wound into a roll in which the pressure between the layers is concentrated along said thickened midportion and the pressure along margins is correspondingly relieved.

10. A continuous sheet material adapted to be severed into a plurality of wrappers of the character described, comprising an elongated continuous web of waxed paper, the opposite lateral margins of the web being coated with a heavier layer of wax than the body portion of the web, and a narrower continuous strip of paper bearing desired printed indicia and bonded, face down, along its entire surface by a transparent layer of adhesive material to the longitudinal midportion of the web, said printed strip imparting a resultant thickness to said midportion greater than that of said margins, thereby enabling the web to be wound into a roll in which the pressure between the layers is concentrated along said thickened midportion and the pressure along the more heavily waxed margins is correspondingly relieved.

CARL S. HAMERSLEY.

the more heavily waxed f

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