US20100327046A1 - Packaging of confectionery items - Google Patents
Packaging of confectionery items Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100327046A1 US20100327046A1 US12/440,061 US44006107A US2010327046A1 US 20100327046 A1 US20100327046 A1 US 20100327046A1 US 44006107 A US44006107 A US 44006107A US 2010327046 A1 US2010327046 A1 US 2010327046A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- wrapper
- stack
- packaging
- tear guide
- end cap
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 77
- 235000009508 confectionery Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 31
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 93
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 238000010329 laser etching Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 33
- 235000015218 chewing gum Nutrition 0.000 claims description 15
- 229940112822 chewing gum Drugs 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000005530 etching Methods 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 15
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 15
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000010603 pastilles Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 241001435619 Lile Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000014435 Mentha Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 241001072983 Mentha Species 0.000 description 2
- 244000299461 Theobroma cacao Species 0.000 description 2
- 235000012411 boiled sweets Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000019219 chocolate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 235000014569 mints Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000015149 toffees Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 101000801619 Homo sapiens Long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligase ACSBG1 Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102100033564 Long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligase ACSBG1 Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000010634 bubble gum Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS 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
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/66—Inserted or applied tearing-strings or like flexible elements
- B65D75/68—Inserted or applied tearing-strings or like flexible elements extending through wrapper closure or between wrapper layers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS 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
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/58—Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture
- B65D75/5827—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion
- B65D75/5833—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall
- B65D75/5844—Tear-lines provided in a wall portion for tearing out a portion of the wall the portion of the wall being a narrow strip, e.g. between lines of weakness
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS 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
- B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
- B65D85/60—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for sweets or like confectionery products
Definitions
- the present invention relates to packaging of confectionery items and in particular, but not exclusively, to packaging of confectionary pellets such as chewing gum pellets.
- pellets can be presented in the form of pellets which have a relatively hard outer casing or shell and a soft centre. The pellets are usually shaped somewhat like a small pillow.
- Other confectionery products are also presented in a similar form.
- hard boiled sweets, candies, chocolates, toffee or mints may be provided in the form of pellets or pastilles as can may other types of candy both hard and soft.
- pellet and pellets will be used hereinafter but it should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass other similar arrangements such as pastilles, tablets and the like.
- gum and chewing gum as used herein include bubble gum.
- the completed wrapper comprises a side wall portion which encircles the stack of pellets and end cap portions which overlie the ends of the stack.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stack 10 of chewing gum pellets 12 packaged in a wrapper 14 in a conventional manner to form a side wall portion 16 and end caps 18 .
- the wrapper 14 typically comprises a single or multi-layer sheet of foil to help keep the contents fresh.
- a second, inner wrapper is provided which is folded about the stack of gum pellets in a similar manner to the main or outer wrapper 14 before the outer wrapper is applied. This is referred to as “double wrapped”.
- double wrapped In many cases only a single wrapper is used, which is referred to as “single wrapped”. Many different confectionery products are packaged in this manner.
- tear guide in or on the wrapper which assists a user in tearing the package along a predetermined line in order to open the package.
- tear guide is a tear strip 20 which extends circumferentially around the stack of confectionery items near but spaced from one end. The arrangement is such that a free end of the tear strip can be grasped by a user and pulled to tear the wrapper along the line of the strip to remove an end of the wrapper consisting of the end cap and a significant portion of the side wall. This allows access to the confectionery pellets which can be removed from the packaging one at a time.
- the tear strip 20 is spaced inwardly from the end of the stack by a distance which is roughly equivalent to the thickness of one of the pellets 12 .
- the wrapper cannot be re-closed so that at least the outer face of the second confectionery item 12 b in the stack is exposed with the risk that it may become contaminated or may go soft before it is used. There is also a risk that the pellets remaining in the stack may fall out of the package which will not be effectively closed at the opened end.
- the tear strip is typically formed by attaching a strip of material to the inner surface of the wrapper.
- the strip is made of a material, often a plastic material, which is stronger than the base material of the wrapper.
- One end of the strip is attached to a tab which projects from the overlapping side edge of the wrapper so that it can be grasped by a user and pulled to open the packaging.
- the wrapper tears along at least one edge of the strip.
- the strip usually extends laterally across the wrapper from one side edge to the other so that when the wrapper is folded about the stack, the strip encircles the stack circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. Whilst this type of tear strip is effective in allowing a user to open the packaging, the presence of the additional strip of material can result in an unsightly line or bulges extending about the formed wrapper.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,132,781 to Lile discloses packaging for a stack of chewing gum sticks a comprising an inner wrapper 1 which encases the stack and an outer sleeve 2 which encircles a centre portion of stack.
- a cardboard insert 3 is positioned between an end one of the sticks a and the wrapper and has a flap 3 ′ which overlies one end of the sticks a inside an end cap region of the inner wrapper 1 .
- a user inserts their thumb nail through the inner wrapper between the flap 3 ′ and the ends of the sticks a and lifts the flap upwardly to remove the end cap region of the inner wrapper.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,056 to Mester also discloses packaging for a stack of chewing gum sticks.
- a stack of individually wrapped gum sticks 6 is encased in a wrapper 1 .
- a tear strip is defined at one end of the wrapper 1 by means of spaced lines of perforation 2 , 3 . Whilst the tear strip in this embodiment is located adjacent an end cap region of the wrapper, the tear strip is wide and so a significant portion of the side wall region of the wrapper is removed.
- this document does not consider the very different problems associated with the packaging of unwrapped confectionary pellets.
- a wrapper having lines of perforation 2 , 3 to define a tear strip would be unsuitable for use in single wrapping a stack of confectionary pellets as the wrapper would not seal the contents from the external environment.
- packaging of a stack of confectionery pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack comprising a sheet wrapper that encases the stack, the wrapper being formed into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack, the wrapper further comprising a tear guide to assist a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line, in which said tear guide extends about said longitudinal axis of the stack and is positioned at least partially within one of the end cap regions.
- the packaging can be opened whilst removing none or only a minimum amount of the side wall portion of the wrapper.
- the chances of the outermost pellet in the stack being accidentally lost when the package is opened are reduced.
- the remaining side wall portion of the wrapper will extend beyond the end of the now shortened stack and so can be folded over to enclose the remaining pellets and protect them from exposure.
- the stack may be double wrapped, in which case the inventive wrapper comprises the outer wrapper.
- the wrapper of the inventive packaging is particularly advantageous when used as the only wrapper in a single wrapped arrangement, where the ability to effectively re-seal the package after opening is a major benefit.
- the wrapper may be folded about the stack and, prior to folding, the sheet wrapper may have opposing side edges that are aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stack and opposing longitudinal end portions which project beyond their respective ends of the stack, the wrapper being folded circumferentially about the stack to form the side wall portion which encircles the stack with the opposing side edges overlapping and each of said longitudinal end portions of the wrapper being formed into flaps which are folded to overlie a respective end of the stack to form an end cap of the wrapper.
- the tear guide may comprise a tear strip, in which case, at least an outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the end cap region of the wrapper.
- an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the side wall portion of the wrapper adjacent the end of the stack.
- the tear strip is positioned at the transition between the side wall portion of the wrapper and the end cap. Whilst this results in the removal of a minimal part of the side wall portion of the wrapper, it has the benefit of ensuring that the opening produced is as large as possible.
- the inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip may be located no more than 3 mm from the edge of the end cap region.
- the inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located no more than 2 mm from the edge of the end cap region and especially no more than 1.5 mm from the edge of the end cap region.
- the inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip may also be located in the end cap so that the whole of the tear strip is positioned within the end cap of the wrapper.
- the tear strip may be formed by affixing a strip of a material to an inner surface of the wrapper.
- the material from which the strip is made may be stronger than the material of the remainder of the wrapper.
- the strip may comprise a polymeric material.
- the strip may comprise a plastics material.
- the wrapper may have two spaced lines of weakness which extend across at least part of the width of the wrapper to define a tear strip between them.
- the lines of weakness may be formed on an inner surface of the wrapper by means of etching and in particular laser etching. Use of an etched or otherwise formed line of weakness enables a tear guide to be formed in the wrapper which is substantially invisible to a user, and which therefore does not affect the aesthetic features of the wrapper.
- the wrapper may further comprise a tear strip tab which projects from a first side edge of the wrapper which a user may grasp and pull to initiate tearing of the wrapper.
- the tear strip tab may comprise a protrusion extending from the wrapper.
- the tear strip tab may extend from a side edge of the wrapper and may be formed integrally with the sheet of the wrapper.
- the tear strip may be arranged so as to lie substantially parallel to a first longitudinal edge of the wrapper.
- An outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip may be spaced from a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip may be spaced from the first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm.
- the tear strip may extend laterally across at least part of the width of the wrapper from a first side edge and may follow a curvilinear path.
- the tear guide may comprise a single line of weakness in the wrapper which extends transversely at least part way across the width of the wrapper and which may be formed by etching an inner surface of the wrapper.
- the line of weakness may be formed by laser etching the inner surface of the wrapper.
- the wrapper may further comprise a tab attached to a portion of the wrapper which lies between the line of weakness and a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper. The tab may be arranged so that it can be grasped by a user and pulled to initiate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness.
- a slit may be provided in the wrapper which extends from a side edge of the wrapper towards the line of weakness.
- the tear guide may at least partially encircle at least part of the end cap.
- the tear guide may completely encircle the whole or part of the end cap. This enables the whole or the part of the end cap to be completely removed.
- the tear guide may only partially encircle the whole or part of the end cap. This results in the whole or the part of the end cap that lies within the tear guide remaining attached to the remainder of the wrapper to form a flap opening.
- the wrapper may comprise a sheet of metal foil and may have a single or multiple layers.
- the sheet may be a sheet of a composite material comprising a layer of foil and a layer of a paper or other material.
- the overlapping side edges of the wrapper may be affixed to one another using an adhesive. Some of all of the flaps which form each end cap may be fixed in position by means of adhesive.
- the adhesive may be a pressure or heat activated adhesive and may be pre-applied to the wrapper before it is wrapped around the stack of confectionery items.
- the packaging may also include a second, inner wrapper which is positioned about the stack of pellets before the said wrapper is applied.
- the wrapper may comprise the only wrapper to encase the stack of pellets.
- Each pellet in the stack may be individually wrapped.
- the confectionery pellets may be gum pellets and in particular may be chewing gum pellets.
- the tear guide may completely or partially encircle the longitudinal axis of the stack of confectionery pellets.
- a method of packaging a stack of confectionary pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack comprising:
- the wrapper having a tear guide for assisting a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line;
- wrapper into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack;
- the method further comprises positioning the tear guide so that it extends about the longitudinal axis of the stack and is located at least partially within an end cap region of the wrapper when the wrapper is fully formed.
- the wrapper may have opposing side edges and opposing longitudinal end portions and the method may further comprise:
- the tear guide may comprise a tear strip and the method may further comprise positioning the tear strip so that at least an outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the end cap of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise positioning the tear strip so that an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the side wall portion of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise positioning the tear strip so that an inner longitudinal edge of the strip is no more than 3 mm from the edge of the end cap region.
- the method comprises positing the tear strip so that an inner longitudinal edge of the strip is no more than 2 mm from an edge of the end cap region and especially no more that 1.5 mm from an edge of the end cap region.
- the method may comprise positioning the tear strip so that both the outer and the inner longitudinal edges of the tear strip are positioned within the end cap of the wrapper.
- the method may further comprise forming a tear strip in the wrapper which extends across the full width of the wrapper from one side edge to the other so that in the fully formed wrapper it completely encircles at least part of the end cap.
- the method may comprise forming a tear strip in the wrapper which extends only part way across the width of the wrapper from a first side edge so that in the completed wrapper it only partially encircles at least part of the end cap.
- the method may comprise forming a tear strip in the wrapper by affixing a strip of a material to an inner surface of the wrapper.
- the material from which the strip is made may be stronger than the material of the remainder of the wrapper.
- the strip of material may comprise a polymeric material.
- the strip may comprise a plastics material.
- the method may comprise forming two spaced lines of weakness which extend at least part way across the width of the wrapper to define a tear strip between them.
- the lines of weakness may be formed on an inner surface of the wrapper.
- the lines of weakness may be formed by means of etching the inner surface of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise forming the lines of weakness by laser etching the inner surface of the wrapper.
- the method my further comprise producing a tab which extends outwardly from one side edge of the wrapper at a position between the two lines of weakness, the tab may be formed integrally with the wrapper.
- the method may comprises forming the tear strip in the wrapper so that an outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip is spaced from a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is spaced from the first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm.
- the method may comprise producing a tear guide by forming a single line of weakness in the wrapper which extends at least part way across the width of the wrapper and positioning the line of weakness so that it lies within an end cap region of the fully formed wrapper.
- the method may comprise producing the line of weakness by means of etching, and in particular laser etching, an inner surface of the wrapper.
- the method may also comprise producing a tab which extends from a side edge of a portion of the wrapper between the line of weakness and a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper.
- the method may also comprise forming a slit in the wrapper extending from a side edge of the wrapper towards the line of weakness.
- the method may further comprise forming the line of weakness so that it extends across the full width of the wrapper from one side edge to the other so that in the completed wrapper it completely encircles at least part of the end cap.
- the method may comprise forming the line of weakness in the wrapper so that it extends only part way across the width of the wrapper from a first side edge, so that in the completed wrapper it only partially encircles at least part of the end cap.
- the wrapper may comprise a sheet of metal foil and may have a single or multiple layers.
- the sheet may be a sheet of a composite material comprising a layer of foil and a layer of a paper or other material.
- the method may comprise affixing the overlapping side edges of the wrapper to one another using an adhesive.
- the method may also comprise fixing some of all of the flaps which form each end cap in position by means of adhesive.
- the adhesive may be a pressure or heat activated adhesive and the method may comprise pre-applying the adhesive to the wrapper before it is wrapped around the stack of confectionery pellets.
- the method may comprise wrapping a second, inner wrapper about the stack of pellets before the said wrapper is applied.
- the method may comprise individually wrapping each of the confectionary pellets before they are formed into the stack.
- the method may be specifically adapted for packaging a stack of chewing gum pellets.
- packaging for a stack of confectionery pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack, the packaging comprising a sheet wrapper that encases the stack, the wrapper being formed into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack, the wrapper further comprising a tear guide to assist a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line, in which said tear guide is formed by means of at least one line of weakness in the wrapper.
- a line of weakness enables a tear guide to be formed in the wrapper which is substantially invisible to a user, and which therefore does not affect the aesthetic features of the wrapper. Furthermore, a line of weakness does not produce any bulge which would otherwise be formed by a tear strip comprising a separate strip of plastics or other material, connected to the wrapper.
- Two spaced lines of weakness may be formed in the wrapper defining a tear strip between them.
- the tear guide may be located at least partly within an end cap region of the completed wrapper or in the side wall region of the formed wrapper, no more than 10 mm from the edge of one of the end cap regions.
- the wrapper may further comprise a tear guide tab which projects from a first side edge of the wrapper and which a user may grasp and pull to initiate tearing of the wrapper.
- the tear guide tab may be in the form of a protrusion extending from a side edge of the wrapper and may be integral with the wrapper. Where two lines of weakness are present in the wrapper to define a tear strip, the tear guide tab may be positioned between the two spaced lines of weakness.
- the tear guide may lie substantially parallel to a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper, prior to the wrapper being formed about the stack.
- The, or each, line of weakness may extend laterally across at least part of the width of the wrapper from a first side edge.
- The, or each, line of weakness may follow a path that is curvilinear.
- The, or each, line of weakness may be formed in the wrapper by etching and more specifically by laser etching.
- the, or each, line of weakness may be formed by scoring an inner surface of the wrapper or by any other means which does not penetrate through the wrapper and so does not destroy the integrity of the wrapper.
- a method of packaging a stack of confectionary pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack comprising: positioning a sheet wrapper adjacent a stack of confectionary pellets, the wrapper having a tear guide for assisting a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line; forming the wrapper into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack; in which the method further comprises producing at least one line of weakness in the wrapper to define the tear guide.
- the method may comprise forming two spaced lines of weakness in the wrapper to define a tear strip between them.
- the method may comprise positioning the tear guide so that it is located at least partly within an end cap region of the completed wrapper or in the side wall region of the formed wrapper, no more than 10 mm from the edge of one of the end cap regions.
- the method may comprise forming a tear guide tab on the wrapper so that the tab projects from a first side edge of the wrapper and can be grasped by a user and pulled to initiate tearing of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise forming the tear guide tab as a protrusion extending from a side edge of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise positioning the tear guide tab between the two spaced lines of weakness.
- the method may comprise forming the tear guide so that it lies substantially parallel to a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness so that it extends laterally across at least part of the width of the wrapper from a first side edge.
- the method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness along a path that is curvilinear.
- the method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness by etching, and in particular laser etching, an inner surface of the wrapper.
- the method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness by scoring an inner surface of the wrapper or by any other means which does not penetrate through the wrapper and so does not destroy the integrity of the wrapper.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stack of chewing gum pellets packaged in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of a wrapper forming part of the packaging of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 shows schematically the various stages in the process of single wrapping the stack of gum pellets using the wrapper of FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stack of chewing gum pellets packaged in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but illustrating the packaging of FIG. 5 being opened;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 5 but showing the packaging after it has been opened and illustrating the removal of a pellet;
- FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 but showing the packaging of FIG. 5 being re-closed after opening;
- FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stack of chewing gum pellets packaged in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 but illustrating the packaging of FIG. 9 after is has been opened.
- FIG. 2 shows a stack 22 of chewing gum pellets 24 packaged in an outer wrapper 26 , in a manner similar to that of the prior art stack 10 described above.
- the wrapper 26 in the present embodiment has a tear strip 28 which is arranged so that when the wrapper 26 is folded about the stack, it extends about the longitudinal axis and is positioned at least partially in an end cap region 30 of the wrapper adjacent an outer end face of an outermost one 24 a of the pellets 24 the stack 22 .
- the tear strip 28 is positioned at the intersection between the end cap 30 and the side wall portion 32 of the wrapper.
- an outer longitudinal edge 34 of the tear strip is positioned within the end cap 30
- an inner longitudinal edge 36 is positioned just slightly into the side wall portion 32 of the wrapper substantially in line with the outer end face of the outermost pellet 24 a .
- the tear strip 28 extends across the full width of the wrapper so that it completely encircles the end cap 30 when the wrapper is formed. This means that the end cap 30 is completely removed when the user opens the packaging using the tear strip 28 .
- only a minimal amount of the side wall portion 32 of the wrapper is removed with the end cap 30 .
- no more than 3 mm of the side wall is removed, more preferably no more than 2 mm, and still more preferably no more than 1.5 mm.
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the wrapper 26 which comprises a sheet of paper material or a sheet of metal foil.
- the wrapper 26 may also be made from a sheet of composite material comprising a metal foil on one side, usually the inner side 37 , and a paper or other material on the outer side.
- the outer surface 39 of the wrapper may be printed to provide details of the product such as its name, a list of ingredients and/or a trademark etc. Regions of adhesive 38 are pre-applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the wrapper to hold it in place about the stack of pellets as will be described in more detail later.
- the sheet wrapper 26 has two opposing side edges 40 , 42 and two opposing longitudinal end edges 44 , 46 and is generally rectangular in shape. It will be appreciated, however, that the shape of the wrapper 26 can be varied depending on the dimensions of the pellets 24 and the number of pellets in the stack 22 .
- the tear strip 28 is located near one longitudinal end edge 44 and can be of any suitable type, including any that are presently known in the art.
- the tear strip 28 is in the form of a strip of material which is affixed to the inner surface 37 of the wrapper.
- the tear strip 28 is fixed to the wrapper so that it extends from a first of the side edges 40 to the opposite side edge 42 substantially parallel with the first longitudinal end edge 44 .
- a tab 48 projects from the first side edge 40 and an end of the strip of material 28 is fixed to the tab 48 .
- the tear strip 28 is made of a material, such as a plastic, that is stronger than the rest of the wrapper so that a user is able tear open the packaging by grasping the tab 48 with the tear strip 28 attached and pulling the tear strip in a generally circumferential direction about the stack. Because the strip 28 of material is stronger than the rest of the wrapper, the wrapper tends to shear along at least one of the longitudinal side edges of the strip 28 as the user pulls the tab.
- the tear strip 28 is positioned inwardly from the first longitudinal end edge 44 of the sheet wrapper 26 so that the outer longitudinal edge 34 of the strip lies within the end cap 30 formed at that end of the stack.
- the precise spacing of the tear strip will depend on the dimensions of the pellets and the sheet wrapper.
- the outer longitudinal edge 34 of the tear strip is spaced from the first longitudinal end edge 44 of the wrapper 28 by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and the inner longitudinal edge 36 of the strip is spaced from the first longitudinal end edge 44 of the sheet wrapper by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm.
- the wrapper 26 may be formed as part of a continuous web 50 of wrappers and applied to the stack 22 of pellets using a known wrapping machine such as the Sapal ChewpacTM supplied by SIG Sapal SA of Av. Du Tir Fédéral 44, 1024 Ecublens, Switzerland.
- FIG. 4 illustrates schematically, the sequence of folding steps taken to produce the packaging using the wrapper 26 as described above.
- a stack 22 of gum pellets 24 is fed in a wrapping machine towards a vertically aligned wrapper 26 with the inner surface 37 of the wrapper facing the stack.
- the wrapper 26 is fed into the machine as part of a continuous web 50 and is separated from the web prior to it being folded about the stack 22 .
- the wrapper 26 has a tear strip 28 which is aligned with the outer end face 52 of the outermost pellet 24 a at one end of the stack 22 .
- the second side edge 42 of the wrapper 26 is folded so as to lie partway across the lower surface of the stack 22 whilst the first side edge 40 is folded over the upper surface so as to project outwardly from the side of the stack.
- the longitudinal end edges 44 , 46 of the wrapper project beyond the ends of the stack 22 .
- first side portions 62 of the wrapper 26 that project beyond either end of the stack are tucked inwardly so as to contact the end faces of the stack and the wrapper is creased about fold lines 64 to partly form first and second major end closure flaps 66 , 68 at either end of the stack.
- the first side edge 40 of the wrapper 26 is folded over the now upper surface of the stack so as to overlie the second side edge 42 of the wrapper, as shown at 70 .
- Second side portions 72 of the wrapper 26 that project beyond the ends of the stack 22 are then folded inwardly so as to contact the end faces of the stack and the wrapper is creased about fold lines 74 to complete the first and second major end closure flaps 66 , 68 at either end.
- the second side portions 72 may overlap with the first side portions 62 so that the ends of the stack are completely covered.
- the first major end closure flaps 66 at either end are folded down into contact with the side portions 62 , 72 over the end faces of the stack 22 as shown at 75 .
- the final stage in forming the wrapper is to fold the second major end closure flaps 68 over the first major end closure flaps 66 as shown at 76 .
- the side portions 62 , 72 and the first and second major end closure flaps 66 , 68 combine to form end closures or end caps 30 of the wrapper.
- the over lapping regions of the wrapper are adhered to one another by means of the pre-applied adhesive 38 .
- Any suitable adhesive can used which may be pressure and/or heat sensitive.
- FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of in which the tear strip 28 is positioned so that it lies wholly within an end cap 30 of the fully formed wrapper 26 .
- the wrapper 26 in this embodiment is otherwise formed as described above in relation to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , with this arrangement, none of the side wall portion 32 of the wrapper 26 is removed when the package is opened.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate how the open end of the wrapper can be folded down after one of the pellets 24 a has been removed from the opened packet to enclose and protect the remaining pellets.
- FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a yet further embodiment of a packaging 11 for a stack of pellets.
- a lower portion of the wrapper 26 is shown as being transparent so that the gum pellets 24 can be seen clearly in position.
- the tear strip 28 is created in the wrapper by forming two spaced lines of weakness 80 , 82 on the inner surface of the wrapper 26 .
- the lines of weakness run transversely from a first side edge 40 partway across the width of the wrapper.
- a tab 84 projects from a first side edge 40 of the wrapper at a position between the two lines of weakness for a user to grasp. The arrangement being such that when a user pulls the tab, the wrapper preferentially tears along the two lines of weakness.
- the tear strip 28 is arranged so that it is positioned wholly within an end cap 30 of the fully formed wrapper 26 . Because the tear strip only extends part way across the wrapper, it only partly encircles a central region 86 of the end cap 30 . As a result, the central region 86 is not completely removed from the wrapper 26 when the package is opened but remains attached along one edge 88 to form a flap. This reduces the amount of litter produced as the open end cap region 86 cannot be discarded by a user.
- the flap 86 can also be used to help in re-closing the package. It will be appreciated however, that the tear strip could extend across the whole width of the wrapper 28 so that the end cap 30 , or at least part of it, is removed completely when the package is opened.
- the tear strip 28 can be shaped to provide a more attractive opening and the material within the tear strip can be printed in a different colour to add to the design effect.
- the lines of weakness 80 , 82 can follow a curvilinear path to produce a shaped opening.
- the lines of weakness 80 , 82 can be produced using any suitable method but are preferably produced by laser etching the inner surface of the wrapper. Other methods for producing the lines of weakness include etching by means other than a laser, scoring the inner surface or by forming perforations which extend through at least an inner layer of the wrapper. Preferably, the formation of the lines of weakness should not destroy the integrity of the formed wrapper, particularly where the stack is single wrapped. Thus, for example, if a line of weakness is produced using perforations, these should preferably only extend though one or more inner layers and should not extend completely through the wrapper.
- a tear guide can be formed by producing only a single line of weakness in the wrapper.
- the line of weakness extends at least partway across the width of the wrapper so that in the fully formed wrapper it encircles the whole or part of an end cap region of the wrapper 26 .
- a tab can be formed on the first side edge of the wrapper between the line of weakness and the first longitudinal end edge 44 . When the wrapper is fully formed, the tab can be grasped by a user and pulled to initiate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness to open the package.
- the line of weakness can be formed so as to extend across the full width of the wrapper so that it completely encircles the whole or part of the end cap which is completely separated from the rest of the wrapper when the package is opened.
- the line of weakness may only extend part way across the wrapper 26 so that it only partly encircles the whole or part of an end cap. In this case, the part of the end cap 30 that lies within the line of weakness will remain attached to the rest of the packaging to form a flap when the packaging is opened.
- the line of weakness may follow a curvilinear path to provide a shaped opening.
- an advantageous packaging for confectionary pellets can be provided by forming a tear guide by means of one or more lines of weakness in the wrapper, even where the guide is located in the side wall region of the completed wrapper.
- a laser-etched or otherwise formed line of weakness enables a tear guide to be formed in the wrapper which is substantially invisible to a user, and which therefore does not affect the aesthetic features of the wrapper.
- wrapper and the method of applying the wrapper to the stack of pellets can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.
- a second inner wrapper (not shown) could be provided and which will be positioned about the stack of pellets before the wrapper 26 , which becomes an outer wrapper, is applied.
- each pellet in the stack may be individually wrapped.
- packaging and method in accordance with the invention is not limited for use in packaging gum pellets but can be adapted for use in packaging other confectionery products or items which can be formed into a stack. For example, hard boiled sweets, candies, chocolates, toffee or mints and other similar confectionery products can be packaged in accordance with the invention.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to packaging of confectionery items and in particular, but not exclusively, to packaging of confectionary pellets such as chewing gum pellets.
- It is known to provide individual confectionery items in the form of pellets, pastilles, tablets or the like. For example, chewing gum can be presented in the form of pellets which have a relatively hard outer casing or shell and a soft centre. The pellets are usually shaped somewhat like a small pillow. Other confectionery products are also presented in a similar form. For example, hard boiled sweets, candies, chocolates, toffee or mints may be provided in the form of pellets or pastilles as can may other types of candy both hard and soft. For ease of reference, the terms pellet and pellets will be used hereinafter but it should be understood that these terms are intended to encompass other similar arrangements such as pastilles, tablets and the like.
- The terms gum and chewing gum as used herein include bubble gum.
- When packaging confectionery products in pellet form, it is known to position a number of pellets adjacent each other in a line to form a stack having a longitudinal axis which extends through all the pellets in the stack and to wrap the stack in a sheet wrapper. The wrapper is folded circumferentially about the stack so that one side edge of the wrapper overlaps another side edge and is held in place by means of adhesive to form a seal. In this arrangement, the side edges are aligned generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stack. The wrapper is longer than the stack of confectionery items so that the ends of the wrapper extend beyond the ends of the stack. Each end of the wrapper is folded to provide end closure flaps which overlie their respective end of the stack to form an end cap or end closure of the wrapper. The flaps are usually held in place by means of adhesive so that the wrapper forms a sealed enclosure for the confectionery pellets. Thus the completed wrapper comprises a side wall portion which encircles the stack of pellets and end cap portions which overlie the ends of the stack.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of astack 10 ofchewing gum pellets 12 packaged in awrapper 14 in a conventional manner to form aside wall portion 16 andend caps 18. Thewrapper 14 typically comprises a single or multi-layer sheet of foil to help keep the contents fresh. Sometimes a second, inner wrapper is provided which is folded about the stack of gum pellets in a similar manner to the main orouter wrapper 14 before the outer wrapper is applied. This is referred to as “double wrapped”. However, in many cases only a single wrapper is used, which is referred to as “single wrapped”. Many different confectionery products are packaged in this manner. - To assist a user in gaining access to the confectionery items, it is common practice to provide tear guide in or on the wrapper which assists a user in tearing the package along a predetermined line in order to open the package. One known form of tear guide is a
tear strip 20 which extends circumferentially around the stack of confectionery items near but spaced from one end. The arrangement is such that a free end of the tear strip can be grasped by a user and pulled to tear the wrapper along the line of the strip to remove an end of the wrapper consisting of the end cap and a significant portion of the side wall. This allows access to the confectionery pellets which can be removed from the packaging one at a time. - In known packaging arrangements, the
tear strip 20 is spaced inwardly from the end of the stack by a distance which is roughly equivalent to the thickness of one of thepellets 12. This makes the packaging easier to manufacture and to open but it does result in a number of problems. Firstly, while the wrapper is being opened there is a risk that afirst pellet 12 a at that end of the stack, which is positioned at least partly outboard of thetear strip 20, may be lost as the end of the wrapper is removed. Secondly, once the wrapper is opened and thefirst confectionery item 12 a removed, the torn end of the remaining side wall portion of the wrapper will tend to be level with or close to the outer face of thesecond pellet 12 b in the stack. As a result, the wrapper cannot be re-closed so that at least the outer face of thesecond confectionery item 12 b in the stack is exposed with the risk that it may become contaminated or may go soft before it is used. There is also a risk that the pellets remaining in the stack may fall out of the package which will not be effectively closed at the opened end. These problems particularly arise where the stack is single wrapped, as there is no inner wrapper to help contain and protect the pellets. - In confectionary wrappers of the type described above, the tear strip is typically formed by attaching a strip of material to the inner surface of the wrapper. The strip is made of a material, often a plastic material, which is stronger than the base material of the wrapper. One end of the strip is attached to a tab which projects from the overlapping side edge of the wrapper so that it can be grasped by a user and pulled to open the packaging. Because the material of the strip is stronger than the base wrapper, the wrapper tears along at least one edge of the strip. The strip usually extends laterally across the wrapper from one side edge to the other so that when the wrapper is folded about the stack, the strip encircles the stack circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. Whilst this type of tear strip is effective in allowing a user to open the packaging, the presence of the additional strip of material can result in an unsightly line or bulges extending about the formed wrapper.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,132,781 to Lile discloses packaging for a stack of chewing gum sticks a comprising an inner wrapper 1 which encases the stack and an outer sleeve 2 which encircles a centre portion of stack. A cardboard insert 3 is positioned between an end one of the sticks a and the wrapper and has a flap 3′ which overlies one end of the sticks a inside an end cap region of the inner wrapper 1. To open the packaging, a user inserts their thumb nail through the inner wrapper between the flap 3′ and the ends of the sticks a and lifts the flap upwardly to remove the end cap region of the inner wrapper. Whilst this document discloses the removal of an end cap region of the wrapper 1, the products packaged in this case are all individually wrapped and so the problems associated with the packaging of single wrapped confectionary pellets are not considered. Furthermore, because the sticks a are aligned lengthways in the wrapper 1, this document does not consider the problems associated with the need to re-seal the packaging to prevent the contents from falling out of the opened wrapper 1. In contrast, this document is concerned with ways of making removal of the contents from the wrapper easier.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,329,056 to Mester also discloses packaging for a stack of chewing gum sticks. In the arrangement shown, a stack of individually wrapped gum sticks 6 is encased in a wrapper 1. A tear strip is defined at one end of the wrapper 1 by means of spaced lines of perforation 2, 3. Whilst the tear strip in this embodiment is located adjacent an end cap region of the wrapper, the tear strip is wide and so a significant portion of the side wall region of the wrapper is removed. For similar reasons to those discussed above in relation to the Lile patent, this document does not consider the very different problems associated with the packaging of unwrapped confectionary pellets. In particular, it is noted that a wrapper having lines of perforation 2, 3 to define a tear strip would be unsuitable for use in single wrapping a stack of confectionary pellets as the wrapper would not seal the contents from the external environment.
- There is a need, therefore, for an improved packaging and method of packaging for a stack of confectionery pellets which overcomes, or at least mitigates, the disadvantages of the prior art.
- There is a need in particular for an improved packaging and method of packaging for a stack of confectionery pellets which enables the opened package to be more effectively re-sealed, particularly where the stack is single wrapped.
- There is also a need for an improved packaging and method of packaging for a stack of confectionery pellets which is visually more appealing than the known packaging.
- In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided packaging of a stack of confectionery pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack, the packaging comprising a sheet wrapper that encases the stack, the wrapper being formed into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack, the wrapper further comprising a tear guide to assist a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line, in which said tear guide extends about said longitudinal axis of the stack and is positioned at least partially within one of the end cap regions.
- Although it is accepted practice to position a tear guide inwardly from the end of a stack of pellets, the applicant has found that by positioning the tear guide at least partly within an end cap region, the packaging can be opened whilst removing none or only a minimum amount of the side wall portion of the wrapper. As a result, the chances of the outermost pellet in the stack being accidentally lost when the package is opened are reduced. Furthermore, once the package has been opened and the first pellet at that end of the stack has been removed, the remaining side wall portion of the wrapper will extend beyond the end of the now shortened stack and so can be folded over to enclose the remaining pellets and protect them from exposure. The stack may be double wrapped, in which case the inventive wrapper comprises the outer wrapper. However, the wrapper of the inventive packaging is particularly advantageous when used as the only wrapper in a single wrapped arrangement, where the ability to effectively re-seal the package after opening is a major benefit.
- The wrapper may be folded about the stack and, prior to folding, the sheet wrapper may have opposing side edges that are aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stack and opposing longitudinal end portions which project beyond their respective ends of the stack, the wrapper being folded circumferentially about the stack to form the side wall portion which encircles the stack with the opposing side edges overlapping and each of said longitudinal end portions of the wrapper being formed into flaps which are folded to overlie a respective end of the stack to form an end cap of the wrapper.
- The tear guide may comprise a tear strip, in which case, at least an outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the end cap region of the wrapper. In one arrangement, an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the side wall portion of the wrapper adjacent the end of the stack. In this arrangement, the tear strip is positioned at the transition between the side wall portion of the wrapper and the end cap. Whilst this results in the removal of a minimal part of the side wall portion of the wrapper, it has the benefit of ensuring that the opening produced is as large as possible. In this arrangement, the inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip may be located no more than 3 mm from the edge of the end cap region. Preferably, the inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located no more than 2 mm from the edge of the end cap region and especially no more than 1.5 mm from the edge of the end cap region. Alternatively, the inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip may also be located in the end cap so that the whole of the tear strip is positioned within the end cap of the wrapper.
- The tear strip may be formed by affixing a strip of a material to an inner surface of the wrapper. The material from which the strip is made may be stronger than the material of the remainder of the wrapper. The strip may comprise a polymeric material. The strip may comprise a plastics material. Alternatively, the wrapper may have two spaced lines of weakness which extend across at least part of the width of the wrapper to define a tear strip between them. The lines of weakness may be formed on an inner surface of the wrapper by means of etching and in particular laser etching. Use of an etched or otherwise formed line of weakness enables a tear guide to be formed in the wrapper which is substantially invisible to a user, and which therefore does not affect the aesthetic features of the wrapper.
- The wrapper may further comprise a tear strip tab which projects from a first side edge of the wrapper which a user may grasp and pull to initiate tearing of the wrapper. The tear strip tab may comprise a protrusion extending from the wrapper. The tear strip tab may extend from a side edge of the wrapper and may be formed integrally with the sheet of the wrapper.
- The tear strip may be arranged so as to lie substantially parallel to a first longitudinal edge of the wrapper. An outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip may be spaced from a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip may be spaced from the first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm. The tear strip may extend laterally across at least part of the width of the wrapper from a first side edge and may follow a curvilinear path.
- The tear guide may comprise a single line of weakness in the wrapper which extends transversely at least part way across the width of the wrapper and which may be formed by etching an inner surface of the wrapper. The line of weakness may be formed by laser etching the inner surface of the wrapper. The wrapper may further comprise a tab attached to a portion of the wrapper which lies between the line of weakness and a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper. The tab may be arranged so that it can be grasped by a user and pulled to initiate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness. A slit may be provided in the wrapper which extends from a side edge of the wrapper towards the line of weakness.
- The tear guide may at least partially encircle at least part of the end cap. The tear guide may completely encircle the whole or part of the end cap. This enables the whole or the part of the end cap to be completely removed. Alternatively, the tear guide may only partially encircle the whole or part of the end cap. This results in the whole or the part of the end cap that lies within the tear guide remaining attached to the remainder of the wrapper to form a flap opening.
- The wrapper may comprise a sheet of metal foil and may have a single or multiple layers. The sheet may be a sheet of a composite material comprising a layer of foil and a layer of a paper or other material.
- The overlapping side edges of the wrapper may be affixed to one another using an adhesive. Some of all of the flaps which form each end cap may be fixed in position by means of adhesive. The adhesive may be a pressure or heat activated adhesive and may be pre-applied to the wrapper before it is wrapped around the stack of confectionery items.
- The packaging may also include a second, inner wrapper which is positioned about the stack of pellets before the said wrapper is applied. Alternatively, the wrapper may comprise the only wrapper to encase the stack of pellets.
- Each pellet in the stack may be individually wrapped.
- The confectionery pellets may be gum pellets and in particular may be chewing gum pellets.
- The tear guide may completely or partially encircle the longitudinal axis of the stack of confectionery pellets.
- In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of packaging a stack of confectionary pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack, the method comprising:
- positioning a sheet wrapper adjacent a stack of confectionary pellets, the wrapper having a tear guide for assisting a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line;
- forming the wrapper into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack;
- in which the method further comprises positioning the tear guide so that it extends about the longitudinal axis of the stack and is located at least partially within an end cap region of the wrapper when the wrapper is fully formed.
- The wrapper may have opposing side edges and opposing longitudinal end portions and the method may further comprise:
- positioning the wrapper so that the side edges are aligned substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the stack and so that opposing longitudinal end portions of the wrapper project beyond their respective ends of the stack;
- folding the wrapper circumferentially about the stack to form the side wall portion which encircles the stack with the opposing side edges overlapping and forming each of said longitudinal ends of the wrapper into flaps which are folded so as to overlie a respective end of the stack to form an end cap region of the wrapper;
- The tear guide may comprise a tear strip and the method may further comprise positioning the tear strip so that at least an outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the end cap of the wrapper. The method may comprise positioning the tear strip so that an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is located in the side wall portion of the wrapper. The method may comprise positioning the tear strip so that an inner longitudinal edge of the strip is no more than 3 mm from the edge of the end cap region. Preferably, the method comprises positing the tear strip so that an inner longitudinal edge of the strip is no more than 2 mm from an edge of the end cap region and especially no more that 1.5 mm from an edge of the end cap region. Alternatively, the method may comprise positioning the tear strip so that both the outer and the inner longitudinal edges of the tear strip are positioned within the end cap of the wrapper.
- The method may further comprise forming a tear strip in the wrapper which extends across the full width of the wrapper from one side edge to the other so that in the fully formed wrapper it completely encircles at least part of the end cap. Alternatively, the method may comprise forming a tear strip in the wrapper which extends only part way across the width of the wrapper from a first side edge so that in the completed wrapper it only partially encircles at least part of the end cap.
- The method may comprise forming a tear strip in the wrapper by affixing a strip of a material to an inner surface of the wrapper. The material from which the strip is made may be stronger than the material of the remainder of the wrapper. The strip of material may comprise a polymeric material. The strip may comprise a plastics material.
- Alternatively, the method may comprise forming two spaced lines of weakness which extend at least part way across the width of the wrapper to define a tear strip between them. The lines of weakness may be formed on an inner surface of the wrapper. The lines of weakness may be formed by means of etching the inner surface of the wrapper. In particular, the method may comprise forming the lines of weakness by laser etching the inner surface of the wrapper. The method my further comprise producing a tab which extends outwardly from one side edge of the wrapper at a position between the two lines of weakness, the tab may be formed integrally with the wrapper.
- The method may comprises forming the tear strip in the wrapper so that an outer longitudinal edge of the tear strip is spaced from a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and an inner longitudinal edge of the tear strip is spaced from the first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm.
- The method may comprise producing a tear guide by forming a single line of weakness in the wrapper which extends at least part way across the width of the wrapper and positioning the line of weakness so that it lies within an end cap region of the fully formed wrapper. The method may comprise producing the line of weakness by means of etching, and in particular laser etching, an inner surface of the wrapper. The method may also comprise producing a tab which extends from a side edge of a portion of the wrapper between the line of weakness and a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper. The method may also comprise forming a slit in the wrapper extending from a side edge of the wrapper towards the line of weakness.
- The method may further comprise forming the line of weakness so that it extends across the full width of the wrapper from one side edge to the other so that in the completed wrapper it completely encircles at least part of the end cap. Alternatively, the method may comprise forming the line of weakness in the wrapper so that it extends only part way across the width of the wrapper from a first side edge, so that in the completed wrapper it only partially encircles at least part of the end cap.
- The wrapper may comprise a sheet of metal foil and may have a single or multiple layers. The sheet may be a sheet of a composite material comprising a layer of foil and a layer of a paper or other material.
- The method may comprise affixing the overlapping side edges of the wrapper to one another using an adhesive. The method may also comprise fixing some of all of the flaps which form each end cap in position by means of adhesive. The adhesive may be a pressure or heat activated adhesive and the method may comprise pre-applying the adhesive to the wrapper before it is wrapped around the stack of confectionery pellets.
- The method may comprise wrapping a second, inner wrapper about the stack of pellets before the said wrapper is applied.
- The method may comprise individually wrapping each of the confectionary pellets before they are formed into the stack.
- The method may be specifically adapted for packaging a stack of chewing gum pellets.
- In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided packaging for a stack of confectionery pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack, the packaging comprising a sheet wrapper that encases the stack, the wrapper being formed into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack, the wrapper further comprising a tear guide to assist a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line, in which said tear guide is formed by means of at least one line of weakness in the wrapper.
- Use of a line of weakness enables a tear guide to be formed in the wrapper which is substantially invisible to a user, and which therefore does not affect the aesthetic features of the wrapper. Furthermore, a line of weakness does not produce any bulge which would otherwise be formed by a tear strip comprising a separate strip of plastics or other material, connected to the wrapper.
- Two spaced lines of weakness may be formed in the wrapper defining a tear strip between them.
- The tear guide may be located at least partly within an end cap region of the completed wrapper or in the side wall region of the formed wrapper, no more than 10 mm from the edge of one of the end cap regions.
- The wrapper may further comprise a tear guide tab which projects from a first side edge of the wrapper and which a user may grasp and pull to initiate tearing of the wrapper. The tear guide tab may be in the form of a protrusion extending from a side edge of the wrapper and may be integral with the wrapper. Where two lines of weakness are present in the wrapper to define a tear strip, the tear guide tab may be positioned between the two spaced lines of weakness.
- The tear guide may lie substantially parallel to a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper, prior to the wrapper being formed about the stack.
- The, or each, line of weakness may extend laterally across at least part of the width of the wrapper from a first side edge.
- The, or each, line of weakness may follow a path that is curvilinear.
- The, or each, line of weakness may be formed in the wrapper by etching and more specifically by laser etching. Alternatively the, or each, line of weakness may be formed by scoring an inner surface of the wrapper or by any other means which does not penetrate through the wrapper and so does not destroy the integrity of the wrapper.
- In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of packaging a stack of confectionary pellets having a longitudinal axis extending through all the pellets in the stack, the method comprising: positioning a sheet wrapper adjacent a stack of confectionary pellets, the wrapper having a tear guide for assisting a user in opening the packaging by tearing the wrapper along a line; forming the wrapper into a side wall portion which encircles the stack about the longitudinal axis and two end cap regions, each end cap region enclosing a respective axial end of the stack; in which the method further comprises producing at least one line of weakness in the wrapper to define the tear guide.
- The method may comprise forming two spaced lines of weakness in the wrapper to define a tear strip between them.
- The method may comprise positioning the tear guide so that it is located at least partly within an end cap region of the completed wrapper or in the side wall region of the formed wrapper, no more than 10 mm from the edge of one of the end cap regions.
- The method may comprise forming a tear guide tab on the wrapper so that the tab projects from a first side edge of the wrapper and can be grasped by a user and pulled to initiate tearing of the wrapper. In which case, the method may comprise forming the tear guide tab as a protrusion extending from a side edge of the wrapper. Where the method comprises forming two spaced lines of weakness to define a tear strip, the method may comprise positioning the tear guide tab between the two spaced lines of weakness.
- The method may comprise forming the tear guide so that it lies substantially parallel to a first longitudinal end edge of the wrapper.
- The method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness so that it extends laterally across at least part of the width of the wrapper from a first side edge.
- The method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness along a path that is curvilinear.
- The method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness by etching, and in particular laser etching, an inner surface of the wrapper. Alternatively the method may comprise forming the, or each, line of weakness by scoring an inner surface of the wrapper or by any other means which does not penetrate through the wrapper and so does not destroy the integrity of the wrapper.
- Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the remaining drawings, in which:
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FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stack of chewing gum pellets packaged in accordance with the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a wrapper forming part of the packaging ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 shows schematically the various stages in the process of single wrapping the stack of gum pellets using the wrapper ofFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stack of chewing gum pellets packaged in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 5 but illustrating the packaging ofFIG. 5 being opened; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the packaging ofFIG. 5 but showing the packaging after it has been opened and illustrating the removal of a pellet; -
FIG. 8 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 5 but showing the packaging ofFIG. 5 being re-closed after opening; -
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stack of chewing gum pellets packaged in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and -
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that ofFIG. 8 but illustrating the packaging ofFIG. 9 after is has been opened. - The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or equivalent features in the various embodiments described below.
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FIG. 2 shows astack 22 of chewinggum pellets 24 packaged in anouter wrapper 26, in a manner similar to that of theprior art stack 10 described above. However, unlike the prior art, thewrapper 26 in the present embodiment has atear strip 28 which is arranged so that when thewrapper 26 is folded about the stack, it extends about the longitudinal axis and is positioned at least partially in anend cap region 30 of the wrapper adjacent an outer end face of an outermost one 24 a of thepellets 24 thestack 22. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , thetear strip 28 is positioned at the intersection between theend cap 30 and theside wall portion 32 of the wrapper. Thus an outerlongitudinal edge 34 of the tear strip is positioned within theend cap 30, whilst an innerlongitudinal edge 36 is positioned just slightly into theside wall portion 32 of the wrapper substantially in line with the outer end face of theoutermost pellet 24 a. Thetear strip 28 extends across the full width of the wrapper so that it completely encircles theend cap 30 when the wrapper is formed. This means that theend cap 30 is completely removed when the user opens the packaging using thetear strip 28. However, only a minimal amount of theside wall portion 32 of the wrapper is removed with theend cap 30. In preferred embodiments, no more than 3 mm of the side wall is removed, more preferably no more than 2 mm, and still more preferably no more than 1.5 mm. - By positioning the
tear strip 28 so that it lies at least partly within theend cap 30 at one end of thestack 22, many of the disadvantages of the prior art packaging arrangements are overcome. Because theoutermost end pellet 24 a is effectively inboard of thetear strip 28, there is less chance of it being lost as the user opens the packaging. Furthermore, once theend pellet 24 a has been removed from the stack, there will be sufficient of theside wall portion 32 of the wrapper protruding beyond the outer end face of thenext pellet 24 b in thestack 22 that the open end of the wrapper can be folded over by the user to encase the remainingpellets 24, so protecting them from exposure and preventing them from falling out of the packaging. -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of thewrapper 26 which comprises a sheet of paper material or a sheet of metal foil. Thewrapper 26 may also be made from a sheet of composite material comprising a metal foil on one side, usually theinner side 37, and a paper or other material on the outer side. Theouter surface 39 of the wrapper may be printed to provide details of the product such as its name, a list of ingredients and/or a trademark etc. Regions of adhesive 38 are pre-applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the wrapper to hold it in place about the stack of pellets as will be described in more detail later. - The
sheet wrapper 26 has two opposing side edges 40, 42 and two opposing longitudinal end edges 44, 46 and is generally rectangular in shape. It will be appreciated, however, that the shape of thewrapper 26 can be varied depending on the dimensions of thepellets 24 and the number of pellets in thestack 22. Thetear strip 28 is located near onelongitudinal end edge 44 and can be of any suitable type, including any that are presently known in the art. - In the present embodiment, the
tear strip 28 is in the form of a strip of material which is affixed to theinner surface 37 of the wrapper. Thetear strip 28 is fixed to the wrapper so that it extends from a first of the side edges 40 to theopposite side edge 42 substantially parallel with the firstlongitudinal end edge 44. Atab 48 projects from thefirst side edge 40 and an end of the strip ofmaterial 28 is fixed to thetab 48. When the wrapper is folded about the stack, thefirst side edge 40 of the wrapper overlaps theother side edge 42 and is affixed thereto by means of adhesive 38 but thetab 48 remains free so that it can be grasped by a user. Thetear strip 28 is made of a material, such as a plastic, that is stronger than the rest of the wrapper so that a user is able tear open the packaging by grasping thetab 48 with thetear strip 28 attached and pulling the tear strip in a generally circumferential direction about the stack. Because thestrip 28 of material is stronger than the rest of the wrapper, the wrapper tends to shear along at least one of the longitudinal side edges of thestrip 28 as the user pulls the tab. - The
tear strip 28 is positioned inwardly from the firstlongitudinal end edge 44 of thesheet wrapper 26 so that the outerlongitudinal edge 34 of the strip lies within theend cap 30 formed at that end of the stack. The precise spacing of the tear strip will depend on the dimensions of the pellets and the sheet wrapper. However, in the present embodiment, the outerlongitudinal edge 34 of the tear strip is spaced from the firstlongitudinal end edge 44 of thewrapper 28 by a distance in the range of 5 mm to 10 mm and the innerlongitudinal edge 36 of the strip is spaced from the firstlongitudinal end edge 44 of the sheet wrapper by a distance in the range of 6 mm to 12 mm. - The
wrapper 26 may be formed as part of acontinuous web 50 of wrappers and applied to thestack 22 of pellets using a known wrapping machine such as the Sapal Chewpac™ supplied by SIG Sapal SA of Av.Du Tir Fédéral 44, 1024 Ecublens, Switzerland. - A method of applying the
wrapper 26 to astack 22 of chewinggum pellets 24 will now be described with reference toFIG. 4 , which illustrates schematically, the sequence of folding steps taken to produce the packaging using thewrapper 26 as described above. - A
stack 22 ofgum pellets 24 is fed in a wrapping machine towards a vertically alignedwrapper 26 with theinner surface 37 of the wrapper facing the stack. Thewrapper 26 is fed into the machine as part of acontinuous web 50 and is separated from the web prior to it being folded about thestack 22. Thewrapper 26 has atear strip 28 which is aligned with the outer end face 52 of theoutermost pellet 24 a at one end of thestack 22. - As shown at 54, the
second side edge 42 of thewrapper 26 is folded so as to lie partway across the lower surface of thestack 22 whilst thefirst side edge 40 is folded over the upper surface so as to project outwardly from the side of the stack. The longitudinal end edges 44, 46 of the wrapper project beyond the ends of thestack 22. - The stack of
pellets 22 together with the partly foldedwrapper 26 are then inverted as indicated by thearrow 56. As shown at 58, with thestack 22 inverted, thesecond side edge 42 of thewrapper 26 extends longitudinally about halfway across the now upper surface of thestack 22 generally parallel with alongitudinal axis 60 of thestack 22. At this point, or during the process of inverting the stack,first side portions 62 of thewrapper 26 that project beyond either end of the stack are tucked inwardly so as to contact the end faces of the stack and the wrapper is creased aboutfold lines 64 to partly form first and second major end closure flaps 66, 68 at either end of the stack. - The
first side edge 40 of thewrapper 26 is folded over the now upper surface of the stack so as to overlie thesecond side edge 42 of the wrapper, as shown at 70.Second side portions 72 of thewrapper 26 that project beyond the ends of thestack 22 are then folded inwardly so as to contact the end faces of the stack and the wrapper is creased aboutfold lines 74 to complete the first and second major end closure flaps 66, 68 at either end. Thesecond side portions 72 may overlap with thefirst side portions 62 so that the ends of the stack are completely covered. - The first major end closure flaps 66 at either end are folded down into contact with the
side portions stack 22 as shown at 75. The final stage in forming the wrapper is to fold the second major end closure flaps 68 over the first major end closure flaps 66 as shown at 76. Theside portions caps 30 of the wrapper. - In a manner well known in the art, some or all of the over lapping regions of the wrapper are adhered to one another by means of the
pre-applied adhesive 38. This holds thewrapper 26 in position and can be arranged so that the packaging is sealed to protect the packaged gum pellets. Any suitable adhesive can used which may be pressure and/or heat sensitive. -
FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate an alternative embodiment of in which thetear strip 28 is positioned so that it lies wholly within anend cap 30 of the fully formedwrapper 26. Thewrapper 26 in this embodiment is otherwise formed as described above in relation to the first embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 6 , with this arrangement, none of theside wall portion 32 of thewrapper 26 is removed when the package is opened.FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate how the open end of the wrapper can be folded down after one of thepellets 24 a has been removed from the opened packet to enclose and protect the remaining pellets. -
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a yet further embodiment of a packaging 11 for a stack of pellets. InFIGS. 9 and 10 , a lower portion of thewrapper 26 is shown as being transparent so that thegum pellets 24 can be seen clearly in position. In this embodiment, thetear strip 28 is created in the wrapper by forming two spaced lines ofweakness wrapper 26. The lines of weakness run transversely from afirst side edge 40 partway across the width of the wrapper. Atab 84 projects from afirst side edge 40 of the wrapper at a position between the two lines of weakness for a user to grasp. The arrangement being such that when a user pulls the tab, the wrapper preferentially tears along the two lines of weakness. - The
tear strip 28 is arranged so that it is positioned wholly within anend cap 30 of the fully formedwrapper 26. Because the tear strip only extends part way across the wrapper, it only partly encircles acentral region 86 of theend cap 30. As a result, thecentral region 86 is not completely removed from thewrapper 26 when the package is opened but remains attached along oneedge 88 to form a flap. This reduces the amount of litter produced as the openend cap region 86 cannot be discarded by a user. Theflap 86 can also be used to help in re-closing the package. It will be appreciated however, that the tear strip could extend across the whole width of thewrapper 28 so that theend cap 30, or at least part of it, is removed completely when the package is opened. - By forming tear strip using lines of weakness rather than a strip of material, the
tear strip 28 can be shaped to provide a more attractive opening and the material within the tear strip can be printed in a different colour to add to the design effect. Thus the lines ofweakness - The lines of
weakness tear strip 28, a tear guide can be formed by producing only a single line of weakness in the wrapper. The line of weakness extends at least partway across the width of the wrapper so that in the fully formed wrapper it encircles the whole or part of an end cap region of thewrapper 26. A tab can be formed on the first side edge of the wrapper between the line of weakness and the firstlongitudinal end edge 44. When the wrapper is fully formed, the tab can be grasped by a user and pulled to initiate tearing of the wrapper along the line of weakness to open the package. The line of weakness can be formed so as to extend across the full width of the wrapper so that it completely encircles the whole or part of the end cap which is completely separated from the rest of the wrapper when the package is opened. Alternatively, the line of weakness may only extend part way across thewrapper 26 so that it only partly encircles the whole or part of an end cap. In this case, the part of theend cap 30 that lies within the line of weakness will remain attached to the rest of the packaging to form a flap when the packaging is opened. The line of weakness may follow a curvilinear path to provide a shaped opening. - Whilst it is particularly advantageous that the tear guide is located at least partly in an end cap region of the wrapper, an advantageous packaging for confectionary pellets can be provided by forming a tear guide by means of one or more lines of weakness in the wrapper, even where the guide is located in the side wall region of the completed wrapper. A previously noted, use of a laser-etched or otherwise formed line of weakness enables a tear guide to be formed in the wrapper which is substantially invisible to a user, and which therefore does not affect the aesthetic features of the wrapper.
- It will be appreciated that the precise nature of the wrapper and the method of applying the wrapper to the stack of pellets can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a second inner wrapper (not shown) could be provided and which will be positioned about the stack of pellets before the
wrapper 26, which becomes an outer wrapper, is applied. Furthermore, each pellet in the stack may be individually wrapped. It should also be appreciated that the packaging and method in accordance with the invention is not limited for use in packaging gum pellets but can be adapted for use in packaging other confectionery products or items which can be formed into a stack. For example, hard boiled sweets, candies, chocolates, toffee or mints and other similar confectionery products can be packaged in accordance with the invention. - Whereas the invention has been described in relation to what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed arrangements but rather is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent constructions included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (37)
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
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GB0617684.6 | 2006-09-07 | ||
GBGB0617684.6A GB0617684D0 (en) | 2006-09-07 | 2006-09-07 | Packing of confectionery items |
PCT/GB2007/003343 WO2008029129A2 (en) | 2006-09-07 | 2007-09-06 | Packaging of confectionery items |
Publications (1)
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US20100327046A1 true US20100327046A1 (en) | 2010-12-30 |
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Country Status (10)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100327046A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2064129B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP5059112B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101528560A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE509858T1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2366488T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0617684D0 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2009002491A (en) |
PL (1) | PL2064129T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008029129A2 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110038571A1 (en) * | 2009-08-14 | 2011-02-17 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Discrete Laminate with Die-cut |
US20110036741A1 (en) * | 2009-08-14 | 2011-02-17 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Discrete Laminate Having Panel Section with Easy-Open Sealant |
US20130209000A1 (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-15 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Die-Cut Web and Reclosure Mechanism |
US8646975B2 (en) | 2009-08-14 | 2014-02-11 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with discrete tape and die-cut web |
US8979370B2 (en) | 2011-01-28 | 2015-03-17 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with discrete laminate with die-cut |
US9586724B2 (en) | 2014-06-10 | 2017-03-07 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable gusseted package with die-cut web and reclosure mechanism |
DE102015224627A1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2017-06-08 | Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa | Dispenser for receiving and dispensing tablet-shaped products |
US20190133340A1 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2019-05-09 | Max Packaging | Automated hygienic utensil dispenser |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7681732B2 (en) | 2008-01-11 | 2010-03-23 | Cryovac, Inc. | Laminated lidstock |
BE1018668A5 (en) * | 2009-02-26 | 2011-06-07 | Pralibel Nv | METHOD FOR PRODUCING CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS |
US8814430B2 (en) | 2010-02-23 | 2014-08-26 | Kraft Foods R&D, Inc. | Food package having opening feature |
GB201010080D0 (en) * | 2010-06-16 | 2010-07-21 | Cadbury Adams Usa Llc | Packaging |
GB201113868D0 (en) * | 2011-08-12 | 2011-09-28 | Kraft Foods Global Brands Llc | Packaging |
GB201410386D0 (en) * | 2014-06-11 | 2014-07-23 | Mars Chocolate Uk Ltd | Packaging for confectionary products |
IT201700008772A1 (en) * | 2017-01-27 | 2018-07-27 | Cmfima S R L | PROCESS FOR THE WRAPPING AT LEAST PARTIALLY SEALED OF INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS |
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Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110038571A1 (en) * | 2009-08-14 | 2011-02-17 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Discrete Laminate with Die-cut |
US20110036741A1 (en) * | 2009-08-14 | 2011-02-17 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Discrete Laminate Having Panel Section with Easy-Open Sealant |
US8622618B2 (en) | 2009-08-14 | 2014-01-07 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with discrete laminate having panel section with easy-open sealant |
US8646975B2 (en) | 2009-08-14 | 2014-02-11 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with discrete tape and die-cut web |
US9221591B2 (en) | 2009-08-14 | 2015-12-29 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with discrete laminate with die-cut |
US8979370B2 (en) | 2011-01-28 | 2015-03-17 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with discrete laminate with die-cut |
US20130209000A1 (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-15 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy Open and Reclosable Package with Die-Cut Web and Reclosure Mechanism |
US8727621B2 (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2014-05-20 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable package with die-cut web and reclosure mechanism |
US9586724B2 (en) | 2014-06-10 | 2017-03-07 | Cryovac, Inc. | Easy open and reclosable gusseted package with die-cut web and reclosure mechanism |
US20190133340A1 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2019-05-09 | Max Packaging | Automated hygienic utensil dispenser |
US10660456B2 (en) * | 2014-09-30 | 2020-05-26 | Gadsden Coffee Company | Automated hygienic utensil dispenser |
DE102015224627A1 (en) * | 2015-12-08 | 2017-06-08 | Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa | Dispenser for receiving and dispensing tablet-shaped products |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE509858T1 (en) | 2011-06-15 |
ES2366488T3 (en) | 2011-10-20 |
JP5059112B2 (en) | 2012-10-24 |
PL2064129T3 (en) | 2012-01-31 |
CN101528560A (en) | 2009-09-09 |
EP2064129A2 (en) | 2009-06-03 |
EP2064129B1 (en) | 2011-05-18 |
JP2010502525A (en) | 2010-01-28 |
MX2009002491A (en) | 2009-03-25 |
WO2008029129A2 (en) | 2008-03-13 |
WO2008029129A3 (en) | 2008-05-29 |
GB0617684D0 (en) | 2006-10-18 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CADBURY SCHWEPPES PLC, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MOHDA, ASIT;LINDSAY, ROBERT C;CARON, SOPHIE;REEL/FRAME:022351/0549 Effective date: 20060906 Owner name: CADBURY HOLDINGS LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:CADBURY SCHWEPPES LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:022351/0962 Effective date: 20080507 Owner name: CADBURY SCHWEPPES LIMITED, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION ON RE-REGISTRATION OF A PUBLIC COMPANY AS A PRIVATE COMPANY;ASSIGNOR:CADBURY SCHWEPPES PLC;REEL/FRAME:022351/0828 Effective date: 20080502 Owner name: CADBURY SCHWEPPES PLC, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CADBURY TREBOR BASSETT SERVICES LTD.;CADBURY FRANCE SAS;REEL/FRAME:022351/0602 Effective date: 20060906 Owner name: CADBURY FRANCE SAS, UNITED KINGDOM Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MOHDA, ASIT;LINDSAY, ROBERT C;CARON, SOPHIE;REEL/FRAME:022351/0549 Effective date: 20060906 Owner name: CADBURY TREBOR BASSETT SERVICES LTD., UNITED KINGD Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MOHDA, ASIT;LINDSAY, ROBERT C;CARON, SOPHIE;REEL/FRAME:022351/0549 Effective date: 20060906 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |