WO1996037418A1

WO1996037418A1 - Wrapping of food items using sheets having adhesive or cohesive material applied thereto

Info

Publication number: WO1996037418A1
Application number: PCT/US1995/006586
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald E. Weder
Original assignee: Highland Supply Corporation
Priority date: 1995-05-24
Filing date: 1995-05-24
Publication date: 1996-11-28
Also published as: EP0828665A1

Abstract

A wrapping material for wrapping hamburger or other food items is provided, the wrapping material having a bonding material disposed on either an upper surface or a lower surface.

Description

WRAPPING OF FOOD ITEMS USING SHEETS HAVING ADHESIVE OR COHESIVE MATERIAL APPLIED THERETO

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to wrapping material for wrapping hamburgers or other foods and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a wrapping material having a bonding material on one surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a wrapping material for wrapping a food item. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery, with each sheet of material having a bonding material on a surface of the sheet of material, the bonding material on each of the sheets of material being bondingly and releasably connected to a portion of the sheet of material so as to enclose the food item. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of wrapping a food item using the aforementioned wrapping material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention, showing a sheet of material with bonding material disposed on the lower surface in two strips.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of sheets of material with each sheet being constructed as shown in Figure 1 and with the sheets connected together to form a pad. A corner of the top sheet is turned up to show the lower surface.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross sectional partial view of Figure 2 taken along the lines of 5-5 of Figure 2, showing a vertical alignment of bonding material adhesive strips.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of sheets of material with each sheet being constructed as shown in Figure 1 and with the sheets connected together to form a pad of sheets of material, as shown in Figure 2, a hamburger being shown disposed on a portion of the top sheet of material in the pad.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 4, but showing a portion of the top sheet of material in the process of being folded over the hamburger.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 5 with a portion of the top sheet of material folded over the hamburger. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 6, showing a second portion of the top sheet of material in the process of being folded over the first portion of the top sheet of material and the hamburger. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 7, with the second portion of the top sheet of material folded over the first portion of the top sheet of material and the hamburger.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 8, with a third portion of the top sheet of material in the process of being folded over the first portion of the sheet, the second portion of the sheet, and the hamburger.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 9, with the third portion of the top sheet of material folded over the first portion of the sheet of material, the second portion of the sheet of material, and the hamburger.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 10, with a fourth portion of the top sheet of material in the process of being folded over the first portion of the sheet, the second portion of the sheet, the third portion of the sheet, and the hamburger. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 11, with the top sheet of material completely folded about the hamburger.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention, showing a sheet of material with bonding material disposed on the upper surface in three strips.

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a plurality of sheets of material with each sheet being constructed as shown in Figure 13 and with the sheets connected together to form a pad. A hamburger is shown disposed on a portion of the top sheet of material in the pad. A corner of the top sheet is turned up to show the lower surface of the sheet of material.

Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional partial view of Figure 14 taken along the lines of 6-6 of Figure 14, showing a vertical alignment of strips of adhesive.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 14, showing a portion of the top sheet of material in the process of being folded over the hamburger.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 16, with a portion of the top sheet of material folded over the hamburger.

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 17, with another portion of the top sheet of material in the process of being folded over the first portion of the top sheet of material and the hamburger.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the pad of sheets of material shown in Figure 18, with the top sheet of material completely folded about the hamburger.

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a modified sheet of material similar to the sheet of material shown in Figure 1, except that the bonding material is shown in a continuous strip .

Figure 21 is a perspective view of another modified sheet of material similar to the sheet of material shown in Figure 1, except that the bonding material is shown in a series of circle-shaped spots.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of still another modified sheet of material similar to the sheet of material shown in Figure 1, except that the bonding material is shown in a series of heart-shaped spots. Figure 23 is a perspective view of a modified sheet of material similar to the sheet of material shown in Figure 13, except that the bonding material is shown in a continuous strip.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of another modified sheet of material similar to the sheet of material shown in Figure 13, except that the bonding material is shown in a series of circle-shaped spots.

Figure 25 is a perspective view of another modified wrapper. Figure 26 is a perspective view of still another modified wrapper.

Figure 27 is a perspective view of yet another modified wrapper. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figure 1, designated generally by the reference number 10 is a wrapping material, constructed in accordance with the present invention for wrapping an item, the item being a food item. One such food item is shown in Figure 4, and is generally designated by the number 12. "Food item", or "item", as used herein, means animal or vegetable material suitable for consumption for nutritive or physiological benefit or use by animals or humans. Such food may be uncooked, boiled, baked, broiled, cooked, fried, or in some other condition or state of completion. A particular food item shown in the drawings, solely for illustration and not by way of limitation, is a hamburger. In one embodiment, the food item is a prepared food which has been prepared and is suitable for consumption and which is intended to be consumed on the premises where it has been prepared or taken from such premises and consumed at a location remote from such premises.

Referring to Figures 1-2, the wrapping material 10 comprises a sheet of material 18. The sheet of material 18 comprises an upper surface 20, a lower surface 22, and an outer periphery 24. The outer periphery 24 of the sheet of material 18 comprises a first side 26, a second side 28, a third side 30, and a fourth side 32.

In the embodiments of Figures 1-24, the sheet of material 18 is square. It will be appreciated, however, that any shape or size of sheet 18 may be used to wrap a food item 12 as long as it is sufficiently sized and shaped to wrap and encompass a food item 12. For example, the sheet of material 18 may also comprise other shapes, i.e., rectangular, round, oval, octagonal, asymmetrical or any other geometric configuration. Additionally the sheet of material 18 may be cut to represent a particular shape or figure, such as a the figure of a fish or a bull. Multiple sheets of material 18 may also be used. Moreover, when multiple sheets of material 18 are used in combination, the sheets of material 18 need not be uniform in size or shape. Finally, it will be appreciated that each sheet of material 18 shown herein is substantially flat.

The sheet of material 18 may be constructed of a single sheet of material or a plurality of sheets. Any thickness of the sheet of material 18 may be utilized in accordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of material 18 is sufficiently flexible to be wrapped about at least a portion of a food item 12, as described below. The sheet of material 18 preferably has a thickness in a range of less than about 0.2 mils to about 30 mils. Typically the sheet of material 18 has a thickness in a range of less than about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils.

In one preferred embodiment, the sheet of material 18 is constructed from one sheet of man-made organic polymer film having a thickness in a range of from less than about 0.5 mils to about 5.0 mils. Additionally, an insulating material can be utilized in order to provide needed protection for the food item 12 wrapped if desired in a particular application and if the sheet of material 10 is not constructed of a material with sufficient heat insulating qualities. The additional insulating material may be in the form of a separate sheet of material or a material incorporated in the sheet of material 10 or otherwise applied to one or both of the upper and the lower surfaces 20 and 22 of the sheet of material. Such insulating materials are known in the art, and commercially available. The sheet of material 18 is constructed from any suitable material that is capable of being wrapped about a food item 12. Preferably the wrapping material 10 comprises paper (untreated or treated in any manner) , cellophane, foil, man-made organic polymer film, fiber (woven or unwoven or synthetic or natural) , or combinations thereof.

The sheet of material 18 may vary in color. Further, the sheet of material 18 may consist of designs which are printed, etched, and/or embossed; in addition the sheet of material 18 may have various colorings, coatings, flocking and/or metallic finishes, or be characterized totally or partially by pearlescent, translucent, transparent, iridescent, or the like, qualities. Each of the above-named characteristics may occur alone or in combination. Moreover, each surface of the sheet of material 18 may vary in the combination of such characteristics.

Each sheet of material 18 has a width 34 (Figure 1) extending generally between the third and fourth sides 30 and 32 respectively, sufficiently sized whereby each sheet of material 18 can be wrapped about and encompass the food item 12. Each sheet of material 18 has a length 36 (Figure 1) , extending generally between the first and second sides 26 and 28 respectively, sufficiently sized whereby the sheet of material 18 extends over the food item 12 when the sheet of material 18 has been wrapped about the food item 12 in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention contemplates a plurality of sheets of material 18 connected together to form a pad 38 of sheets of material 18 as shown in Figures 2-12. The pad 38 comprises a plurality of sheets of material 18 stacked one on top of the other and positioned so that the periphery 24, that is , the first sides 26, the second sides 28, the third sides 30 and the fourth sides 32 of sheets of material 18 in the pad 38 generally are aligned. Referring to Figure 2, the pad 38 further comprises a top sheet of material 40 and a next sheet of material 42 disposed thereunder, the other sheets of material 18 being disposed under the next sheet of material 42 in the pad 38 of sheets of material 18. The top sheet of material 40 is capable of being disconnected from the pad 38 of sheets of material 18. When the top sheet of material 40 is disconnected, the next sheet of material 42 forms the new top sheet of material 40, and the sheet of material 18 lying under the new top sheet of material 40 forms a new next sheet of material 42.

A bonding material 44 is affixed on the lower surface 22 of the sheet of material 18, as illustrated in Figures 1- 10 and 18-20. In another embodiment, a bonding material 43 is affixed to the upper surface 20b of a sheet of material 18b, as illustrated in Figures 13-19.

The term "bonding material" as used herein means a pressure sensitive adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, or a cohesive. Where the bonding material is a cohesive, a similar cohesive material must be placed on the adjacent surface for bondingly contacting and bondingly engaging with the cohesive material. The term "bonding material" also includes materials which are heat sealable and, in this instance, the adjacent portions of the material must be brought into contact and then heat must be applied to effect the seal. The term "bonding material" as used herein also means a heat sealing lacquer which may be applied to the sheet of material and, in this instance, heat also must be applied to effect the sealing. The term "bonding material" as used herein means any type of material or thing which can be used to effect the bonding or connecting of the two adjacent portions of the material or sheet of material as described herein.

The bonding material 44 is disposed across the lower surface 22 of the sheet of material 18, so as to permit the sheet of material 18 to be folded into a package 16 about a food item 12, as shown in Figures 4-12. Alternately, the bonding material 43 may be disposed across the upper surface 20b of the sheet of material 18b, so as to permit the sheet of material 18b to be folded into a package 16b about the food item 12, as shown in figures 14-19, or to be folded into a package 16 into which a food item 12 may be inserted (not shown) .

The bonding material 44 may be disposed across the lower surface 22 of the sheet of material 18 in strips of bonding material 44 (Figure 1) , a continuous strip of bonding material 44c (Figure 20) , or spots of bonding material 44d or 44e (Figures 21 and 22) . Alternately, the bonding material may be disposed across the upper surface 20b of the sheet of material 18b in strips of bonding material 44b (Figure 13) , a continuous strip of bonding material 44f (Figure 23) , or spots of bonding material 44g (Figure 24) .

Spots of bonding material 44d or 44e or 44g may comprise any geometric form, such as squares, parallelograms, triangles, rectangles, octagonals, or the like, with circle shapes being shown only by way of example (Figures 21 and 24) . Spots of bonding material 44d or 44e or 44g may also comprise nongeometric or fanciful forms, such as hearts (Figure 22) , flowers, lace, slogans, logos, or the like.

The bonding material may be affixed to the surface of the sheet of material by spraying it thereupon, painting it thereupon, rolling it thereupon, or by any other method known to the art which would dispose the bonding material thereupon.

Ink, dye, pigment, or any combination thereof of any color, or combination of colors can be mixed with the bonding material, to create a colored bonding material adhesive (or cohesive) . Spots of colored adhesive or cohesive may provide all, or part of, the surface decoration of the sheet of material.

The bonding material used in strips and spots of bonding material defined herein may be any one or more of those where the pressure sensitive adhesive or cohesive permits an adhesive connection and releasable connection between sheets of material 18. Such adhesives and cohesives are known in the art and commercially available. The deposition of bonding material on each sheet of material 18 bondingly and releasably connects each sheet of material 18 to one other sheet of material 18 to form the pad 38 whereby one of the sheets of material 18 can be releasably disconnected from another sheet of material 18 by pulling the sheets of material 18 apart. The bonding material further imparts sufficient adhesion or bonding to permit the sheet of material 18 to wrap and encompass the food item 12, by bondingly or adhesively connecting one portion of the sheet of material 18 to itself. The bonding material affixed to the lower surface 22 of the sheet of material 18 is in the form of strips of bonding material 44, as shown in Figures 1-4, with one strip of bonding material 44 near the first side 26 of the sheet of material 18 and extending a distance between the third side 30 and the fourth side 32 of the sheet of material 18,and with an additional strip of bonding material 44 near the third side 30 of the sheet of material 18, extending a distance between the first side 26 and the second side 28 of the sheet of material 18. It should be noted that the strips of bonding material 44 may be disposed adjacent to the first side 26 and the third side 30 of the sheet of material 18, rather than spaced a distance from the first side 26 and the third side 30, as shown in Figures 1-4. It is understood that, as the sheet of material 18 is changed in orientation, the strips of adhesive 44 may extend between any two opposite sides of the sheet of material 18.

The modified sheet of material 18c, shown in Figure 20, is constructed exactly like the sheet of material 18 described in detail before, except that the bonding material is disposed in a continuous strip of bonding material 44c, with a portion of the continuous strip of bonding material 44c near the first side 26 of the sheet of material 18, and with a further portion of the continuous strip of bonding material 44c near the third side 30 of the sheet of material 18 .

Shown in Figures 21 and 22 are sheets of material 18d and 18e, respectively, constructed exactly like the sheet of material 18 described in detail before, except that the bonding material is applied in the form of circle-shaped spots of bonding material 44d to sheet of material 18d and in the form of heart-shaped spots of bonding material 44e to sheet of material lSe.

The modified sheet of material 18b (Figure 13-19) has bonding material affixed to the upper surface 20b of the sheet of material 18b in the form of strips of bonding material 44b, as shown in Figure 13. One strip of bonding material 44b is near the fourth side 32b of the sheet of material 18b and extending a distance between the first side 26b and the second side 28b of the sheet of material 18b. There is an additional strip of bonding material 44b near the first side 26b of the sheet of material 18b, extending a distance between the third side 30b and the fourth side 32b of the sheet of material 18b, and yet another strip of bonding material 44b near the third side 30b of the sheet of material 18b and extending a distance between the first side 26b and the second side 28b of the sheet of material 18b. It should be noted that the strips of bonding material 44b may be disposed adjacent to the fourth side 32b, the first side 26b,and the third side 30b of the sheet of material 18b, rather than spaced a distance from the fourth side 32b, the first side 26b and the third side 30b, as shown in Figures 13-19. It is understood that, as the sheet of material 18b is changed in orientation, the strips of bonding material 44b may extend between any two opposite sides of the sheet of material 18b.

Shown in Figure 23 is a sheet of material 18f, constructed exactly like the sheet of material 18b described before, except that the bonding material is disposed in a continuous strip of bonding material 44f, with a portion of the continuous strip of bonding material 44f near the fourth side 32f of the sheet of material 44f and extending a distance between the first side 26f and the second side 28f, with an additional portion of the continuous strip of bonding material 44f near the first side 26f of the sheet of material 18f and extending a distance between the fourth side 32f and the third side 3Of, and with yet another portion of the continuous strip of bonding material 44f near the third side 3Of of the sheet of material 18f and extending a distance between the first side 26f and the second side 28f.

The modified sheet of material 18g shown in Figure 24 is constructed exactly like the sheet of material 18b described before, except the bonding material is disposed on the upper surface 20g of the sheet of material 18g in the form of circle-shaped spots of bonding material 44g.

Figures 4-12 show a specific method of use. A food item 12 is disposed on the upper surface 20 of the top sheet of material 40 in a pad 38 of sheets of material 18 (Figure 4) . The first side 26 of the top sheet of material 40 is folded over the food item 12 (Figure 5) , causing the strip of bonding material 44 on the lower surface 22 of the top sheet of material 40 to be exposed (Figure 6) . The second side 28 of the top sheet of material 40 is folded over the first side 26 and the food item 12 (Figure 7) , the upper surface 20 of the second side 28 bondingly connecting to the strip of bonding material 44 on the lower surface 22 of the first side 26, and exposing a portion of the strip of bonding material 44 on the lower surface 22 of the top sheet of material 40 near the third side 30 (Figure 8) .

The third side 30 is then folded over the overlapping portion of the first side 26 and the second side 28, which, in turn, encompass the food item 12 (Figure 9) , The exposed portion of the bonding material strip 44 bondingly connects with a portion of the top sheet of material 40, and a further portion of the bonding material strip 44 near the third side 30 is exposed (Figure 10) .

The fourth side 32 is then folded over the overlapping portions of the first side 26, the second side 28, and the third side 30 (Figure 11) , connecting bondingly to a portion of the bonding material strip 44 near the third side 30, the above-described folding resulting in the top sheet of material 40 being formed into a package 16 which completely encompasses the food item 12, and exposing the next sheet of material 42 for use (Figure

12) .

Another method of use is shown in Figures 14-19. A food item 12 is disposed on the upper surface 20b of the top sheet of material 40b in a pad 38b of sheets of material 18b (Figure 14) . The second side 28b of the top sheet of material 40b is folded over the food item, causing the second side 28b to overlap a portion of the top sheet of material 40b (Figure 16) , the second side 28b bondingly connecting to the portion of the top sheet of material 40b by the bonding material strips 44b disposed on the upper surface 20b of the top sheet of material 40b near the fourth side 32b and the third side 30b. The first side 26b is then folded over the portion of the second side 26b which covers the food item 12 (Figure 18) . The bonding material strip 44b disposed near the upper surface 20b of the first side bondingly connects with the overlapped portion of the second side 28b, resulting in the top sheet of material 40b being formed into a package 16b which encloses the food item 12, and exposing the next sheet of material 42b for use (Figure 19).

The present invention particularly is adapted to be used in connection with a food preparation center (not shown) such as a McDonald's® or a Wendy's® type of restaurant or other restaurant where food is prepared for consumption at the center or for take-away by the customer for consumption at a location remote from the center. In this application, the food is prepared at the food preparation center. The prepared food item then is wrapped in any of the sheets of material described herein. The sheet of material is wrapped about the food item and then is bondingly connected to provide a wrapper substantially encompassing the food item with the food item being substantially bondingly enclosed within the wrapper by way of the bonding connection between portions of the sheet of material. The food item then is delivered to the customer in the wrapper for consumption at the center or to be taken- away by the customer and consumed at a location remote from the center.

The wrapper of the present invention provides a relatively quick and convenient wrapper for wrapping prepared food items and a wrapper which can be bondingly closed about the food item in a relatively quick and convenient manner for maintaining the food item fresh and for maintaining the food item substantially hot or cold as desired in a particular application.

In each of the instances described before, the sheet of material is bondingly connected to form a wrapper for the food item. Shown in Figure 27 is another modified wrapper 50 which is constructed of a sheet of material like the other sheets of material described herein except the sheet of material already has been connected or sealed and folded to form the wrapper 50 having an opening 52 in one end thereof providing access to a food retaining space 54. A flap 56 is connected to one end of the wrapper 50 and extends a distance from the opening 52 terminating with an end 58. A bonding material 60 is disposed on the flap 56. The flap 56 preferably is integrally formed with the wrapper 50 from a single sheet of material.

In operation, the food item is disposed through the opening 52 into the food retaining space 54. The flap 56 then is folded over the opening 52 and the flap 50 is brought into engagement with a portion of the wrapper near the opening 52 whereby the bonding material 60 bondingly engages a portion of the wrapper 50 to seal the flap in a position extending over and enclosing the opening 52.

It should be noted that the flap 56 may be provided as a separate item with bonding material disposed on each end thereof. In this embodiment, after the food item is disposed in the food retaining space 54, the flap 56 is bondingly connected to the wrapper 50 and then extended or folded over the opening 52 and the opposite end of the flap 56 then is connected to the wrapper 50.

Shown in Figure 26 is a modified wrapper 50h which is constructed exactly like the wrapper 50 shown in Figure 25, except the wrapper 50h has a cohesive bonding material 60h disposed thereon near the end 58h thereof. An additional cohesive bonding material 62 is disposed on another portion of the wrapper.

The wrapper 5Oh will operate exactly like the wrapper 50 shown in Figure 25, except, after the food item has been disposed in the food retaining space 54h, the flap 56h is folded over the opening 52h and the cohesive bonding material 60h is brought into bonding contact with the cohesive bonding material 62 for bondingly connecting the end 58 to the wrapper 5Oh. Shown in Figure 27 is another modified wrapper

50i. The modified wrapper 50i has an opening 64 through one end thereof and another opening 66 through one side thereof with the sides 68 and 70 being either sealed or folded over to form the two openings 64 and 66 in the upper end and side of the wrapper 50i. In this embodiment, a bonding material 70 extends along one side of the upper end and another bonding material 72 extends along one of the sides of the wrapper 50i. The openings 64 and 66 combine to provide an opening wherein the food item can be inserted through the openings 64 and 66 and into a food retaining space 74. After the food item has been disposed in the food retaining space 74, the upper end and the sides of the wrapper 50i are brought into engagement whereby the bonding material 70 bondingly engages another portion of the wrapper 50i to bondingly seal the opening 64 and the bonding material 72 bondingly engages another portion of the wrapper 50i to bondingly seal the opening 66.

The wrappers shown in Figures 25, 26 and 27 also could be provided in a pad of the wrappers with a separate strip of bonding material (not shown) used to connect the wrappers to each other in the pad format.

Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein or in parts or elements of the embodiments described herein or in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wrapping material for wrapping an item, comprising: a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery, with each sheet of material having a bonding material on the lower surface of the sheet of material with the bonding material extending a distance over at least a portion of the lower surface of the sheet of material, the bonding material on each of the sheets of material being bondingly and releasably connected to an adjacent sheet of material to form a pad; and a food item, comprising the item, wherein the food item is placed upon one of the sheets of material in the pad and the sheet of material is wrapped about the food item, with the bonding material on the lower surface of the sheet of material contacting portions of the sheet of material to bondingly connect portions of the sheet of material to itself and to hold the sheet of material completely about the food item.

2. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being wrapped about the item with a portion of the sheet of material being folded over the item so that the portion of the sheet overlaps another portion of the sheet of material with bonding material thereon so that the overlapping portions are bondingly connected.

3. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being wrapped about the item with a portion of the sheet of material with the bonding material thereon being folded over the item so that the portion of the sheet of material with the bonding material thereon overlaps another portion of the sheet of material and the overlapping portions are bondingly connected.

54. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as comprising a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side.

105. The wrapping material of claim 4 wherein the bonding material is disposed in a strip on the lower surface of the sheet of material near the first side of the material and extending a distance between the third and fourth sides, with

15 an additional strip of bonding material disposed on the lower surface of the sheet of material, near the third side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the first and second sides.

20

6. The wrapping material of claim 4 wherein the bonding material is disposed in a strip on the lower surface of the sheet of material, with a portion of the bonding material strip near the

25 first side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the third and fourth sides, and with a further portion of the bonding material strip near the third side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the first and

30 second sides.

7. The wrapping material of claim 4 wherein the bonding material is disposed in at least two spots on the lower surface of the sheet of material,

35 near the first side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the third and fourth aides, and with at least one additional spot of bonding material disposed on the lower surface of the sheet of material, near the third side.

8. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein the bonding material is defined further as comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive or cohesive material.

9. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein each sheet of material is constructed from material selected from the group of materials consisting of paper (treated or untreated) , cellophane, foil, manmade organic polymer film, fiber (woven or unwoven or natural or synthetic) , or combinations thereof.

10. The wrapping material of claim 1 wherein each sheet of material has a thickness in a range from less than about 1 mil to about 30 mils.

11. A wrapping material for wrapping an item, comprising: a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface and an outer periphery, with each sheet having a bonding material on the upper surface of the material and with the bonding material extending a distance over at least a portion of the sheet of material, the bonding material on each of the sheets of material being bondingly and releasably connected to an adjacent sheet of material to form a pad; and a food item, comprising the item, wherein the food item is placed upon one of the sheets of material in the pad and the sheet of material is wrapped about the item, with the bonding material on the lower surface of the sheet of material contacting portions of the sheet of material to bondingly connect portions of the sheet of material to itself and to hold the sheet of material completely about the food item.

12. The wrapping material of claim 11 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being wrapped about the item with a portion of the sheet of material being folded over the item so that the 5 portion of the sheet overlaps another portion of the sheet of material with bonding material thereon so that the overlapping portions are bondingly connected.

1013. The wrapping material of claim 11 wherein the sheet of material is defined further as being wrapped about the item with a portion of the sheet of material with the bonding material thereon being folded over the item so that the portion of

15 the sheet of material with the bonding material thereon overlaps another portion of the sheet of material and the overlapping portions are bondingly connected.

2014. The wrapping material of claim 11 or claim 8 wherein each sheet of material is constructed from material selected from the group of materials consisting of paper (treated or untreated) , cellophane, foil, manmade organic polymer film,

25 fiber (woven or unwoven or natural or synthetic) , or combinations thereof.

15. The wrapping material of claim 14 wherein the bonding material is disposed in a strip across the

30 upper surface of the sheet of material, near the first side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the third and fourth sides, with another strip of bonding material disposed near the third side of the sheet of material and

35 extending a distance between the first and second sides, and with an additional strip of bonding material disposed near the fourth side of the sheet of material, and extending a distance between the first and second sides.

TUTESHEET RULE26

16. The wrapping material of claim 14 wherein the bonding material is disposed in a strip across the upper surface of the sheet of material, with a portion of the strip near the fourth side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the first and second sides, a further portion of the strip near the first side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the third and fourth sides, and an additional portion of the strip near the third side of the sheet of material and extending a distance between the first and second sides.

17. The wrapping material of claim 14 wherein the bonding material is disposed in a least one spot on the upper surface of the sheet of material, near the first side of the sheet of material, with at least one further spot of bonding material disposed near the third side of the sheet of material, and with at least one additional spot of bonding material disposed near the fourth side of the sheet of material.

18. The wrapping material of claim 11 wherein each sheet of material is constructed from material selected from the group of materials consisting of paper (treated or untreated) , cellophane, foil, manmade organic polymer film, fiber (woven or unwoven or natural or synthetic) , or combinations thereof.

19. The wrapping material of claim 11 wherein each sheet of material has a thickness in a range from less than about 0.2 mils to about 30 mils.

20. A method of wrapping an item, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of sheets of material, with each sheet of material having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, an upper surface, and a lower surface, the plurality of sheets of material together comprising a pad of sheets of material, and with each sheet of material having a bonding material disposed on the lower surface and extending at least a distance over a portion of the lower surface of the sheet of material; providing a food item, comprising the item; folding the first side of the sheet of material over the food item, causing the bonding material on the lower surface to be exposed; folding the second side of the sheet of material over the food item and the first sheet of material, causing the second side to overlap the first side, the second side being bondingly connected to the first side by the bonding material disposed on the lower surface of the sheet of material and causing again the bonding material on the lower surface of the second side and near the third side to be exposed; folding the third side of the sheet of material over the item, the first side, and the second side, the third side being bondingly connected to the second side by the exposed bonding material, and causing the bonding material near the third side to be exposed; and folding the fourth side of the sheet of material over the item, the first side, the second side, and the third side of the sheet of material, causing the fourth side to overlap the third side, the fourth side being bondingly connected to the third side by the bonding material disposed on the lower surface of the sheet of material near the third side whereby the food item is completely enclosed within the sheet of material.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the step of providing the sheets of material is defined further as providing the sheets of material with the bonding material on each sheet of material being a pressure sensitive adhesive or cohesive.

522. A method for wrapping an item, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of sheets of material, with each sheet of material having a first side, a second side, a third side, a fourth side, an 0 upper surface, and a lower surface, the plurality of sheets of material together comprising a pad, and with each sheet of material having a bonding material disposed on the upper surface and extending at least a distance over a portion of 5 the upper surface of the sheet of material; providing a food item comprising the item; folding the second side of the sheet of material over the food item, causing the second side to overlap a portion of the sheet of 0 material, the second side being bondingly connected to the portion of the sheet of material by the bonding material disposed on the upper surface of the sheet of material; and folding the first side over the item and the 5 second side, causing the first side to be bondingly connected to the first side by the bonding material disposed on the first side of the upper surface of the sheet of material whereby the food item is completely enclosed within the sheet 0 of material.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing the sheets of material further comprises providing the sheets of material with the bonding 5 material on each sheet of material being a pressure sensitive adhesive or cohesive.

24. A method for wrapping an item at a food preparation center comprising: providing a sheet of material having a bonding material disposed on a portion thereof; providing a food item comprising the item; wrapping the food item in the sheet of material and bondingly connecting portions of the sheet of material to other portions of the sheet of material by way of the bonding material on the sheet of material to substantially enclose the food item in the sheet of material; providing the food item substantially enclosed in the sheet of material to a customer; and taking by the customer the food item substantially enclosed in the sheet of material for consumption by the customer.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of dividing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material constructed of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of paper (treated or untreated) , cellophane, foil, manmade organic polymer film, fiber (woven or unwoven or natural or synthetic) , or combinations thereof.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing the sheet of material having a thickness in a range from less than about 0.2 mils to about 30 mils.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing a plurality of sheets of material with each of the sheets of material being removably connected to form a pad of the sheets of material, and wherein the method is defined further to comprise: removing one of the sheets of material from the pad of material prior to wrapping the sheet of material about the food item.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein the step of providing the sheet of material is defined further as providing a plurality of sheets of material with each of the sheets of material connected to form a pad of sheets of material, and wherein the step of wrapping the sheet of material about the food item further comprises: placing the food item on one of the sheets of material in the pad of material and wrapping the food item with the sheet of material and removing the sheet of material from the pad of sheets of material.

29. A method for packaging a food item provided at a food preparation center comprising: providing a plurality of wrappers with each wrapper constructed of a sheet of material and with each wrapper having an opening providing access to a food retaining space, each wrapper having a bonding material disposed thereon; providing a food item comprising the item; disposing the food item in the food retaining space in the wrapper; and bringing portions of the wrapper with the bonding material thereon into engagement with other portions of the wrapper to substantially close the opening in the wrapper whereby the wrapper substantially encompasses the food item and the bonding material cooperates to substantially seal the food item within the wrapper.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of providing the wrappers is defined further as providing the wrappers with each wrapper constructed of a sheet of material selected from a group of materials consisting of paper (treated or untreated) , cellophane, foil, manmade organic polymer film, fiber (woven or unwoven or natural or synthetic) , or combinations thereof.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the step of providing the wrappers is defined further as providing the wrappers with each wrapper constructed of a sheet of material having a thickness in a range from less than about 0.2 mils to about 30 mils.

32. A method for packaging a food item provided at a food preparation center comprising: providing a wrappers with the wrapper constructed of a sheet of material and with the wrapper having an opening providing access to a food retaining space, the wrapper having a bonding material disposed thereon; providing a food item comprising the item; disposing the food item in the food retaining space in the wrapper; and bringing portions of the wrapper with the bonding material thereon into engagement with other portions of the wrapper to substantially close the opening in the wrapper whereby the wrapper substantially encompasses the food item and the bonding material cooperates to substantially seal the food item within the wrapper.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of providing the wrapper is defined further as providing the wrapper constructed of a sheet of material selected from a group of materials consisting of paper (treated or untreated) , cellophane, foil, manmade organic polymer film, fiber (woven or unwoven or natural or synthetic) , or combinations thereof.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the step of providing the wrapper is defined further as providing the wrapper constructed of a sheet of material having a thickness in a range from less than about 0.2 mils to about 30 mils.