MX2008003083A

MX2008003083A - Pack of tissues with an indicia on the reseal tape.

Info

Publication number: MX2008003083A
Application number: MX2008003083A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Andre Mellin
Original assignee: Procter & Gamble
Priority date: 2005-09-02
Filing date: 2006-09-01
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Also published as: US20080053861A1; WO2007026333A1; CA2621856A1; EP1760006A1; CA2621856C

Abstract

A pack of tissues such as a pack of paper handkerchiefs or of other disposable absorbing articles is described. The pack (1) comprises a reseal tape (15) facilitating the reversibly closure and opening of the dispensing orifice (11). The reseal tape comprises an indicia (11) that is not visible to an observer when the dispensing orifice is closed.

Description

PACK OF PAPER SCARVES WITH A DISTINCTIVE BRAND ON THE CLOSURE TAPE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to packs of tissues and other disposable absorbent products. In certain aspects it refers to providing a distinctive mark at a particular position on the packages of tissues such that the distinctive mark remains invisible from outside the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Paper handkerchiefs are commonly provided in packages comprising a multiplicity of paper handkerchiefs. Such packages are conventionally formed by a flexible film. The film generally also includes certain information, such as the description of the product and the brand, printed, conventionally, on the film so that the information is visible to the user. Conventionally, the information is printed on the film material after the production of the film (off-line film printing). This is a typical process for printing, for example, the mark on the film used to pack tissues. Alternatively, but still conventionally, the information is printed after the package is formed (printing the packages online). Online printing is generally limited to chains of simple information such as a manufacturing code or a coding corresponding to the place of production. The speed of the production line of the packages clearly limits printing when done online, while it is possible to print detailed distinctive markings after the formation of the package at a lower speed or even outside the line, terminal production. Additional information can be attached to a package of tissues by adding a foreign material, such as a decal or label, after or during the formation of the package in the production line of the package. In some cases, it is desired to make the package carry some information or distinctive mark that is not externally visible by the user until he / she manipulates the package. However, the information or distinctive mark must remain easily accessible to the user during the handling of the package. Conventional options for inclusion of the information / invisible distinguishing mark include (a) printing the information on the film and covering it with a decal, (b) printing the information on the inner side of a removable decal and adhering the decal to the surface of the package , (c) using a double layer decal that permanently adheres to the surface of the package while one of the layers can be peeled off to reveal the distinctive mark or information, or (d) include a backing (eg, a piece of paper) that has the distinctive information / mark inside the package. There is a need to provide alternative solutions to provide a distinctive mark to a package of tissues such that the distinctive mark remains externally invisible to the user until the user manipulates the package. There is a need to provide this while, however, the distinguishing mark remains easily and conveniently available / accessible to the user. There is a need to provide such solutions that would be simple and cost-effective, and that allow changing the distinctive marks easily. There is a need to provide such solutions that do not interfere with the conventional processing of the packages. There is a need to provide such solutions that would allow easy individualization of the distinctive mark provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a package of tissues such as packs of tissue paper or other disposable absorbent articles having an outer wrapper, a multiplicity of paper tissues contained by that outer wrapper, a dispensing orifice and a closure tape having a first, a second and a third region. The outer casing comprises a flap, it is configured at least partially covering the dispensing orifice. The closure strip can again reversibly seal the flap over the dispensing orifice by adhering the closure tape to the outer wrap. The first region of the closure tape joins the fin. The second region comprises fastening means for facilitating the detachable adhesion of the closure tape to the outer wrap. The third region is distal of the first region and is practically free of the fastening means, to facilitate the operation of the closure tape.

The third region has an internal surface that faces the outer envelope when the second region adheres to the outer envelope, and also has an external surface opposite it. The inner or outer surface comprises a distinctive mark invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing the package externally while the closure tape adheres to the outer wrap to at least partially cover the dispensing orifice BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a perspective view of a package of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a package of the invention with the closure tape partially raised to show the distinctive mark thereon. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the package of the invention with the flap in an open position. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a package of the invention with the rubbing material partially removed to show the distinctive mark onwards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Conventional articles and definitions: "Paper handkerchiefs" are practically flat absorbent articles that generally comprise cellulosic fibers. Paper handkerchiefs may, however, comprise other types of fibers such as fibers derived from cellulose or other types of natural or synthetic fibers. Paper handkerchiefs are usually disposable items but may include items that are intended to be used a number of times.

Typical paper handkerchiefs include paper handkerchiefs, paper towels, toilet paper, toilet paper tissues, drying and cleaning articles, as well as other disposable absorbent articles. "Packs of tissues" are conventional units in which multiple tissues are provided. Conventional packages usually consist of 5, 10, or 20 paper tissues (such as paper handkerchiefs) and an outer wrapper. The tissues are contained in the outer wrapper. "Film material" is a practically flat and flexible material conventionally used as a packaging material for paper tissue packages such as pocket packets of paper tissues. Generally, the film material forms the outer shell, in part or in its entirety. Typical examples of film materials include films made of, or comprising, polypropylene or polyethylene. Film materials are usually provided with rollers. The rollers of the film material are generally provided with a distinctive mark (eg, a print) which is visible on the surface of the outer wrapping of the packages once it is formed. The "Dispensing orifice" is the hole through which it is intended to dispense paper tissues out of the packages. A typical dispensing orifice is formed by a discontinuity in the outer shell. The discontinuity may be present at the beginning of the outer envelope or may be created during the first use of the package. In the latter case, a preferential rupture line (eg, a line of weakness in the material) may be present to induce the rupture of the outer wrapper along the line to form a dispensing orifice in a predetermined manner in a predetermined position. For the purpose of the invention, a dispensing orifice is also considered to be present when the dispensing orifice is formed after a first handling of the package (eg, when a region of the outer wrapper must be unwrapped or torn off to reveal the orifice desired dispenser). "Fin": In some conventional packages the dispensing orifice can be covered reversibly by a fin, that is to say, a piece of the film material that is hingedly connected with the outer envelope. The fin can cover the entire dispensing orifice or part of it. In some packages the flap is integral to the outer wrapper. In other packages the flap is not integral and can be made of a different material from the film material of the outer wrap. In some conventional packages, the fin originally covers the dispensing orifice. A manipulation of the package may tear a region of the outer wrapper and may reveal the fin and the dispensing orifice. The flap can be secured in a closed position (covering at least partially the dispensing orifice) with a "closure tape". The closure tape is conventionally provided as a material separated from the film material of the outer envelope, usually also substantially flat and flexible. Alternatively, the closure tape may be integral with the outer shell or the fin (eg, formed by a region of the outer shell or a region of the fin). A first region of the closure tape is attached to the fin, for example, by a practically permanent adhesive. Generally, a second region of the closure tape is provided with a release adhesive and positioned to reseal it reversibly by connecting it to the outer envelope when the flap is in a closed position. A third region of the closure tape is conventionally provided. The third region, also called the grip end, is substantially free of any adhesive and is conventionally located at one end of the closure tape, distal to the first region. The third region (grip end) allows easy adhesion and convenient operation of the closure tape to open / close and hold the flap over the dispensing orifice. The third region of the closure tape has an internal surface facing the outer envelope of the package when the flap is in a closed position, covering the dispensing orifice, and when the second region of the closure strip is attached to the outer envelope . The closure tape has an external surface opposite the inner surface.

Paper tissue package of the invention: Figures 1 and 2 show a package (1) of the invention with the flap (6) in a closed position, that is, covering the dispensing orifice (5). The first region (2) of the closure strip (15) is positioned and fixed near the edge (12) of the fin (6). The second region (3) of the closure tape (15) extends over the edge (12) of the flap (6) and is in contact with the outer envelope (8) of the package (1). The second region (3) of the closure tape (15) comprises on its internal surface (9) fastening means for reversibly adhering the second region (3) to the outer shell (8). The means may comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. Other fastening means may be used to reversibly seal the second region (3) of the closure tape (15), such as mechanical means. (for example, hooks and clips), other types of chemical adhesives, or combination of mechanical and chemical means. The closure tape (15) comprises a third region (4). The third region (4) is a list of the first region (2). The third region (4) is substantially free of any of the fastening means and consequently, facilitates the operation of the closure tape (15) by providing a region that can easily be adhered to lift the closure tape (15) and the fin. (6) to uncover the dispensing orifice (5). In Figure 3, the flap (6) is shown in an open position with the dispensing orifice (5) virtually uncovered. The tissues (7) (shown as paper tissues in Figure 3) are visible through the dispensing orifice (5) folded into the package (1). In this particular embodiment, a distinctive mark (13) on the first paper tissue is visible through the dispensing orifice (5). The closure tape (15) has an internal surface (9) and an external surface (10) The inner surface (9) faces towards the outer shell (8) when the second region (3) adheres to the outer shell (8) that partially covers the dispensing orifice (5).

The external surface (10) is opposite the inner surface (9), that is, it faces outwards from the outer shell (8). A surface of the closure tape (9 or 10) with a distinctive mark (11) is provided. In one embodiment, the inner surface (9) of the closure tape (15) is provided with the distinguishing mark (11), as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The distinguishing mark (11) may comprise an alphabetic character ( as illustrated in the Figures 2 and 3), a word, a number, a graphic distinctive mark of any kind (eg, a non-alphabetic character, a figure, a sign, a color, a combination of colors, a drawing, a sentence, an animal, a series of figures, a representation of an object, an animated representation, the representation of an animate or inanimate entity), or combinations of these. The distinguishing mark (11) can be provided directly on a surface (9, 10) of the closure tape (15) or it can be provided in a piece of its own material that provides a surface (9, 10) of the closure tape. When provided directly on a surface (9, 10) of the closure tape (15), the distinguishing mark (11) can be printed on it. The printing can be executed by any conventional printing process known in the industry (eg rotogravure) and compatibilized with the material of the closure tape (15). Alternatively, the distinguishing mark (11) may be recorded, atomized, adhered, pasted or provided by any other means or by combination of the means. The distinguishing mark (11) is, however, invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing the package (1) externally while the closure tape adheres to the outer wrapper (8) and consequently the fin (6) is in a closed position, as shown in Figure 1. It is understood that the observation is made by an observer who has practically a normal vision ability and is executed from a frontal point of view (frontal to the fin (6)) at a distance between 10 cm and 2 m, under usual luminous conditions (practically spectrum of daylight, intensity that practically corresponds to a typical workplace of office). For observation, the package (1) comprises the tissues (7) contained therein. The same position of the distinguishing mark (11) can provide the non-visibility of the distinctive mark (11) to the observer, as in Figures 2 and 3 where the distinctive mark is provided on the inner surface (9) of the closing.

Alternatively or additionally, the distinctive mark may be covered with other material so that it becomes invisible to the observer. A typical example is a layer of opaque or semi-opaque rubbing material that is applied over the distinguishing mark (11). For example, the layer may be a coating of an opaque material as is conventionally used in different technical fields to make an impression that is temporarily invisible but can easily be rubbed. The rubbing of the material made by the user of the package easily reveals the distinctive mark (11). Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the invention, with the distinguishing mark (11) partially revealed under the layer of the rubbing material (14) that has been partially removed. In such embodiments, it is important to ensure that the distinguishing marks (11) are more resistant to rubbing than the layer of rubbing material (14). This ensures that the distinctive markings (11) will not be easily removed while the rubbing material is removed by the user of the package. Another typical example is an opaque or semi-opaque removable decal fixed to the surface of the closure tape by a non-permanent adhesive, which has the distinctive mark (11). Removing the decal easily reveals the distinctive mark (11). The removable decal can be attached to the outer wrapper (8) to be automatically removed when the closure tape rises towards the opening of the flap (6). In another embodiment, the distinguishing mark (11) is transferred from the closure tape to the outer shell (8) over the opening of the wing (6). The transfer reveals it to the observer. In one embodiment of the invention, the distinguishing mark (11) allows the selective identification of the package among other packages that do not have a distinctive mark or distinctive mark (11) different. The selective identification can be facilitated by the distinguishing mark (11) comprising a specific sign (eg, a specific alphabetic character, a specific word, a specific number or a combination thereof). Selective identification of a packet among other packets facilitates identification of the packet bearer.

The package bearer is the person who has legal ownership of the package, preferably who has acquired it through a purchase or donation. A representative of the package bearer, acting on their behalf, shall be considered as the bearer for the purpose of this invention. In an additional modality a benefit is provided to the package bearer. This benefit may be in the form of items of value, services or something beneficial to the bearer or to persons or entities designated by the bearer. A collection of packages comprising at least one package (1) of the invention is considered as part of the invention. The collection may include a large number of packages (eg, the entire production or a subset thereof, of a specific package of tissues) or may be limited to a small number of packages (eg, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 30). At least one package in the collection is as defined herein. In one embodiment, a packet collection is contained in a packaging unit (such as a bundle). The packaging unit generally comprises 5, 10 or 20 packages, at least one of which is defined in the claims. The packaging unit (eg, the bundle) can be formed by a flexible film that includes the collection of packages. The packaging unit prevents access to the package, without at least partially destroying the packaging unit. When more than one package of the collection is as defined herein, the distinguishing mark of at least one package of the collection is different from the distinguishing mark of the other packages. In one embodiment, a small number of packages, for example, only one package has a distinctive first mark while the remaining packages of the collection have a different distinguishing mark than the first distinctive mark or have no distinctive mark. The remaining packages may have the same or different distinguishing mark (or no distinguishing mark). The invention also includes a process comprising the steps for selecting a specific distinguishing mark among all the distinguishing marks of a package collection, identifying the bearer of the package that has the selected distinguishing mark and providing a benefit to the bearer. The selection step can be a random selection. The identification of the bearer may require an active participation of the bearer to check whether their package has the selected distinguishing mark and may require that he / she perform some action that allows him / her to be identified (such as calling a telephone number, or connecting to the internet, for example). example, with the distinctive mark that serves as a code or password). The benefit provided to the bearer may include items of value, services or something beneficial to the bearer or to persons or entities designated by the bearer. For example, it may include authorization, instructions and a license to download and use a music file from the internet.

Claims

1. A package of paper tissues comprising an outer wrapper, a multiplicity of paper tissues contained by the outer wrap, a dispensing hole and a closure tape having a first, a second and a third region; the outer envelope comprising a fin configured to at least partially cover the dispensing orifice; the closure tape that is capable of reversibly sealing the flap over the dispensing orifice, the first region that is attached to the flap; the second region comprising fastening means for facilitating the detachable adhesion of the closure tape to the outer wrapper; the third region that is distal of the first region and that is practically free of the securing means, in such a way that it facilitates the operation of the closure tape; the third region having an internal surface facing the outer envelope when the second region adheres to the outer envelope, and which has an external surface opposite it; characterized in that one of the internal and external surfaces comprises a distinctive mark invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing the package externally while the closure tape adheres to the outer envelope in such a way that at least partially covers the dispensing orifice.

2. The package according to claim 1, further characterized in that the internal surface comprises the distinctive mark.

3. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the distinctive mark is printed on the internal or external surface. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the third region of the closure tape further comprises a rubbing material that covers the distinctive mark, which makes the distinctive mark invisible to the naked eye of the observer. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the fastening means comprise an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive. 6. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the distinctive mark allows selective identification of the package. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the distinguishing mark comprises an alphabetic character, number or a combination thereof. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the distinguishing mark facilitates identification of the package carrier and allows a benefit to be provided. 9. The package according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the paper handkerchiefs are paper handkerchiefs. 10. A collection of tissue packages comprising at least one package according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distinguishing mark of at least one package is different from the distinguishing mark of the other packages. The collection according to claim 10, further characterized in that the collection is contained in a packaging unit that prevents access to the packages without at least partially destroying the packaging unit. 12. A selection process comprising the steps of selecting a specific distinctive mark between those distinguishing marks of the packet collection of claims 10 or 11, identifying the package bearer and providing a benefit.