US3381884A - Packages - Google Patents

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Publication number
US3381884A
US3381884A US542556A US54255666A US3381884A US 3381884 A US3381884 A US 3381884A US 542556 A US542556 A US 542556A US 54255666 A US54255666 A US 54255666A US 3381884 A US3381884 A US 3381884A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
package
lap
sheet
thermoplastic
closure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US542556A
Inventor
Herritty Michael John
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Monsanto Chemicals Ltd
Original Assignee
Monsanto Chemicals Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Monsanto Chemicals Ltd filed Critical Monsanto Chemicals Ltd
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3381884A publication Critical patent/US3381884A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/10Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D77/20Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
    • B65D77/2024Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
    • B65D77/2028Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab
    • B65D77/2032Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from the container
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D75/00Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/52Details
    • B65D75/58Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/10Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D77/20Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
    • B65D77/2024Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
    • B65D77/2028Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2577/00Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks, bags
    • B65D2577/10Container closures formed after filling
    • B65D2577/20Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers
    • B65D2577/2041Pull tabs
    • B65D2577/205Pull tabs integral with the closure

Definitions

  • This invention relates to packages, and in particular to a new kind of package that can be readily opened when required.
  • thermoplastic sheets especially biaxially orientated resin sheets
  • Thermoplastic sheets are becoming increasingly used in such applications as packaging, where their properties have facilitated the introduction of mass production techniques.
  • Packages made from thermoplastic sheets are in many cases strong, light and durable; however, in some instances their strength can be a disadvantage, since it makes the package difficult to open.
  • a novel type of package which can readily be opened when required has now been developed.
  • the invention comprises a package having a closure made from a sheet of thermoplastic material of which a portion is folded back upon itself twice so as to form a lap defining a line of weakness along which the sheet can be torn so as to open the package when required.
  • FIG. I is a sectional side View of a tray covered by sheet material having a folded overlap.
  • FIG. II is a top plan view of the tray shown in FIG. I.
  • FIG. III illustrates a package completely enclosed with sheet material having a folded overlap.
  • FIG. IV illustrates the use of the present invention in a sachet.
  • a package which comprises a tray 1, which may be a vacuum formed from a plastic such as polystyrene, having heat-sealed to it a transparent lid 2 comprising a sheet material such as biaxially orientated polystyrene, folded in two places 4 and 5 to form a lap 3.
  • the lap is held down at its ends 6 and 7 by the seal in such a manner that a finger can easily be inserted under it near the middle so as to tear the lid away from the tray.
  • FIGS. III and IV Two further examples are shown in FIGS. III and IV.
  • FIG. III shows in perspective a film-wrapped container such as is used for biscuits, etc., which is provided with a lap on all four sides
  • FIG. IV shows a sachet of the type which is often used to contain shampoo, having a lap across one corner.
  • the above description and particularly the draw- "ice ings are set forth for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
  • the invention has been described with reference to a package, which can be empty or already filled with the substance to be packed, but the invention also includes a part or component (of a package) comprising a sheet of thermoplastic material of which a portion is folded back upon itself twice so as to form a lap.
  • a part or component of a package
  • the lap might be part of a lid which is sealed to a container after the latter has been filled.
  • thermoplastic sheet from which the closure is made is a synthetic resin sheet, particularly a transparent sheet of biaxially orientated resin.
  • suitable resins are polyolefins such as polyethylene, or polypropylene; styrene copolymers, for instance styreneacrylonitrile copolymers; polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polycarbonates; polyvinyl chloride; and polyethylene terephthalate.
  • Thermoplastic cellulose derivatives such as for example cellulose acetate or cellulose triacetate can be employed if desired.
  • thermoplastic sheet is normally relatively thin, for instance having a thickness of between 0.0002 and 0.010 inch, particularly between 0.0005 inch and 0.004 inch. A sheet of thickness 0.001 is often convenient to use.
  • the folded lap in the closure can be produced by any suitable means. For instance, blanks can be cut and then folded separately, or the lap can be produced mechanically in a roll of the material using web fed equipment either by intermittent folding and creasing across the web, or by continuous folding and creasing by passing through rollers.
  • the seal can be effected in a variety of ways, for instance by heat-sealing, impulse-sealing or ultrasonic sealing; or by the use of a solvent or an adhesive. Particularly suitable methods are those described in British patent specifications Nos. 922,388, 14,577/62 and 18,560/ 63. A counter-part of the latter British patent specification was filed in the United States Patent Ofiice on Apr. 20, 1964, and was given Ser. No. 361,262.
  • the present invention serves to extend the use of thermoplastic sheets to many packaging applications where strength and easy opening of the package are important.
  • a package comprising a container and a closure for the container made from a sheet of thermoplastic material of which a portion is folded back on itself twice to form a lap, said lap being sealed at its edges to the container so that a finger may be inserted under the lap to initially tear the closure away from the container along the sealed edges of the closure, the surfaces of the folds of the lap within the sealed edges being substantially free of attachment to each other, said lap within its sealed edges extending substantially in the plane of the remainder of the sheet material.
  • thermoplastic material is a transparent sheet of biaxially oriented polystyrene.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Description

y 7, 1968 M. J. HERRITTY 3,381,884
PACKAGES Filed April 14, 1966 3/4 FIG. I x
M/CHAEJL JI'HEEE/TTY INVENTOR BY 92m wi TTO/ENEY United States Patent C) 3,331,884 PACKAGES Michael John Herritty, Haywards Heath, near Lindfield, England, assignor t Monsanto Chemicals Limited, London, England, a British company Filed Apr. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 542,556 Claims priority, application Great Britain, June 16, 1965, 25,421/65 2 Claims. (Cl. 229-51) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package having a closure of sheet thermoplastic which is folded back on itself to form a line of weakness for easy opening.
This invention relates to packages, and in particular to a new kind of package that can be readily opened when required.
Thermoplastic sheets, especially biaxially orientated resin sheets, are becoming increasingly used in such applications as packaging, where their properties have facilitated the introduction of mass production techniques. Packages made from thermoplastic sheets are in many cases strong, light and durable; however, in some instances their strength can be a disadvantage, since it makes the package difficult to open. A novel type of package which can readily be opened when required has now been developed.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a package which can be readily opened.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a package made using thermoplastic sheet which can be readily opened.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide method and means to carry out the above objects.
This invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.
The invention comprises a package having a closure made from a sheet of thermoplastic material of which a portion is folded back upon itself twice so as to form a lap defining a line of weakness along which the sheet can be torn so as to open the package when required.
FIG. I is a sectional side View of a tray covered by sheet material having a folded overlap.
FIG. II is a top plan view of the tray shown in FIG. I.
FIG. III illustrates a package completely enclosed with sheet material having a folded overlap.
FIG. IV illustrates the use of the present invention in a sachet.
Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. I and II, a package which comprises a tray 1, which may be a vacuum formed from a plastic such as polystyrene, having heat-sealed to it a transparent lid 2 comprising a sheet material such as biaxially orientated polystyrene, folded in two places 4 and 5 to form a lap 3. The lap is held down at its ends 6 and 7 by the seal in such a manner that a finger can easily be inserted under it near the middle so as to tear the lid away from the tray.
The invention has been specifically illustrated With reference to a tray container having a sealed-on lid, but many other types of package can be provided with a closure in accordance with the invention. Two further examples are shown in FIGS. III and IV. FIG. III shows in perspective a film-wrapped container such as is used for biscuits, etc., which is provided with a lap on all four sides, while FIG. IV shows a sachet of the type which is often used to contain shampoo, having a lap across one corner. The above description and particularly the draw- "ice ings are set forth for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
Moreover, the invention has been described with reference to a package, which can be empty or already filled with the substance to be packed, but the invention also includes a part or component (of a package) comprising a sheet of thermoplastic material of which a portion is folded back upon itself twice so as to form a lap. Thus for example the lap might be part of a lid which is sealed to a container after the latter has been filled.
Preferably the thermoplastic sheet from which the closure is made is a synthetic resin sheet, particularly a transparent sheet of biaxially orientated resin. Other suitable resins are polyolefins such as polyethylene, or polypropylene; styrene copolymers, for instance styreneacrylonitrile copolymers; polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polycarbonates; polyvinyl chloride; and polyethylene terephthalate. Thermoplastic cellulose derivatives such as for example cellulose acetate or cellulose triacetate can be employed if desired.
The thermoplastic sheet is normally relatively thin, for instance having a thickness of between 0.0002 and 0.010 inch, particularly between 0.0005 inch and 0.004 inch. A sheet of thickness 0.001 is often convenient to use.
The folded lap in the closure can be produced by any suitable means. For instance, blanks can be cut and then folded separately, or the lap can be produced mechanically in a roll of the material using web fed equipment either by intermittent folding and creasing across the web, or by continuous folding and creasing by passing through rollers.
Where the closure is sealed to another part of the container the seal can be effected in a variety of ways, for instance by heat-sealing, impulse-sealing or ultrasonic sealing; or by the use of a solvent or an adhesive. Particularly suitable methods are those described in British patent specifications Nos. 922,388, 14,577/62 and 18,560/ 63. A counter-part of the latter British patent specification was filed in the United States Patent Ofiice on Apr. 20, 1964, and was given Ser. No. 361,262.
The present invention serves to extend the use of thermoplastic sheets to many packaging applications where strength and easy opening of the package are important.
It is obvious that many variations may be made in the products and processes set forth above without departing from the scope of this invention.
What is claimed is:
1. A package comprising a container and a closure for the container made from a sheet of thermoplastic material of which a portion is folded back on itself twice to form a lap, said lap being sealed at its edges to the container so that a finger may be inserted under the lap to initially tear the closure away from the container along the sealed edges of the closure, the surfaces of the folds of the lap within the sealed edges being substantially free of attachment to each other, said lap within its sealed edges extending substantially in the plane of the remainder of the sheet material.
2. A package according to claim 1 in which the thermoplastic material is a transparent sheet of biaxially oriented polystyrene.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,166,234 1/1965 Amberg 22 9-S1 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.
R. PESHOCK, Assistant Examiner.
US542556A 1965-06-16 1966-04-14 Packages Expired - Lifetime US3381884A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB25421/65A GB1086841A (en) 1965-06-16 1965-06-16 Packages

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US3381884A true US3381884A (en) 1968-05-07

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Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3516631A (en) * 1969-07-28 1970-06-23 Kenneth E Santucci Cable clamp
US3580485A (en) * 1968-05-28 1971-05-25 Monsanto Chemicals Containers
US4151916A (en) * 1970-07-15 1979-05-01 Ab Anero Packaging materials
WO1986003474A1 (en) * 1984-12-13 1986-06-19 Metal Box Public Limited Company Containers
WO1990009932A1 (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-09-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Z-tab innerseal for a container and method of application
US5857582A (en) * 1995-03-15 1999-01-12 Danisco A/S Package comprising a tray-shaped bottom part and a cover
US5992674A (en) * 1992-12-21 1999-11-30 Danisco A/S Tray and two part cover for easy opening and handling
US20060083909A1 (en) * 2004-10-19 2006-04-20 Matthews David J Easy-open dough packages and related methods of manufacture
EP3251968A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2017-12-06 Genoveva Serra Caselles Cover for a peel-package made of rigid or flexible foil with a sealed pull tab
ES2678669A1 (en) * 2017-02-14 2018-08-16 Genoveva Serra Caselles Improved "open-easy" lid made of rigid or flexible film with a sealed flap (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3166234A (en) * 1961-04-10 1965-01-19 Lily Tulip Cup Corp Plastic container with plait formed pull tab

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3166234A (en) * 1961-04-10 1965-01-19 Lily Tulip Cup Corp Plastic container with plait formed pull tab

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3580485A (en) * 1968-05-28 1971-05-25 Monsanto Chemicals Containers
US3516631A (en) * 1969-07-28 1970-06-23 Kenneth E Santucci Cable clamp
US4151916A (en) * 1970-07-15 1979-05-01 Ab Anero Packaging materials
WO1986003474A1 (en) * 1984-12-13 1986-06-19 Metal Box Public Limited Company Containers
US4723391A (en) * 1984-12-13 1988-02-09 Metal Box Public Limited Company Containers
US4762246A (en) * 1984-12-13 1988-08-09 Metal Box Public Limited Company Containers
WO1990009932A1 (en) * 1989-02-27 1990-09-07 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Z-tab innerseal for a container and method of application
AU639449B2 (en) * 1989-02-27 1993-07-29 Unipac Corporation Z-tab innerseal for a container and method of application
EP0680890A1 (en) * 1989-02-27 1995-11-08 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Z-tab innerseal for a container
US5992674A (en) * 1992-12-21 1999-11-30 Danisco A/S Tray and two part cover for easy opening and handling
US5857582A (en) * 1995-03-15 1999-01-12 Danisco A/S Package comprising a tray-shaped bottom part and a cover
US20060083909A1 (en) * 2004-10-19 2006-04-20 Matthews David J Easy-open dough packages and related methods of manufacture
EP3251968A1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2017-12-06 Genoveva Serra Caselles Cover for a peel-package made of rigid or flexible foil with a sealed pull tab
ES2664769R1 (en) * 2016-05-31 2018-08-13 Genoveva Serra Caselles Open-easy lid for rigid or flexible film container with sealed flap
ES2678669A1 (en) * 2017-02-14 2018-08-16 Genoveva Serra Caselles Improved "open-easy" lid made of rigid or flexible film with a sealed flap (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

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Publication number Publication date
GB1086841A (en) 1967-10-11

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