MXPA98003574A - Food packing that lents a removi award - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for incorporating an object into a sheet of food packaging material comprising the steps of: (a) feeding an elongated ribbon of a first sheet of material having a first width wider than the object , a length, a first surface with adhesive formed continuously therein to receive the object, which has a periphery, and a second opposing surface to make it connect with the food; (b) apply the object directly to the first surface by means of the adhesive so that the periphery of the object is surrounded with the adhesive; (c) feeding an elongated ribbon of a second sheet of material having a second width substantially greater than the first width, so that the side portions of the second sheet of material it extends beyond the first sheet of material, a length, and a first surface to make contact with the food and to receive the object, where the length of the first sheet of material is at least equal to the length of the second sheet of material; (d) opposing and adhering the first surface of the first sheet of material to the first surface of the second sheet of material with the received object between and making contact with the first surface by the adhesive and the second surface, (e) applying the food to the second surface of the first sheet of material and the first surface of the side portions of the second sheet of material, so that the The first surface of the second sheet of material serves both to receive the object and the food, but avoids mixing the object and the food, (f) sealing at least one longitudinal edge of the second sheet of material, and sealing the cross-sectional areas of the second sheet of material to the corresponding transverse areas of the first sheet of material, and (g) count the cross-sectional areas sealed to form an individual package that includes the food and the obje

Description

f FOOD PACKAGING THAT CLOSES A RE-OVABLE PRIZE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to packaging, and more particularly, to plastic sheet food packaging M enclosing a removable prize, and a related manufacturing method. 2 • Technical Background Currently, food processors who wish to include prizes with food items, such as slices of potatoes or candies: (1) set the prize outside of the package of food with plastic wrap, subjecting the prize to loss or theft; (2) they merely insert the prizes loosely into the packaging of the food manually, which is labor intensive, and which is not hygienic, since the prize is mixed with the food item; or (3) simply refrain from including these items inside the plastic wrap because they want an efficient and / or sterile way to do it. In a more particular way, the food packaging industry has tried to incorporate awards with packaging of food in the following ways. U.S. Patent No. 3,762,628, issued to Saraent, discloses a method for producing a bag with a separate internal compartment for holding a coupon. Each coupon is separated from a roll of origin of coupons, and then placed in a separate relationship between two sheets of flexible transparent thermoplastic material unwound from the rolls, leaving one of the sheets folded on itself. The bag is sealed on three sides, and the food can be placed directly in the bag through the unsealed side, and this side is then sealed. Again, coupons and food can mix, causing an unhygienic condition. Also, this method seems more suitable for flat items only. Finally, the coupon does not become part of the packaging by itself, but is merely placed in a compartment or bag separated from the layers external packaging, which does not lead to the best protection of the coupon. U.S. Patent No. 2,917,164 issued to Kehr, discloses an open food pouch, with a sachet for containing a gift, such like a baseball card. The bag prevents the gift from coming into direct contact with the food inside the bag. The Patent of the United States of North America Number 5,009,518 issued to Faltynek, discloses a bag with an external window style pocket containing a removable coupon.

U.S. Patent No. 5,363,966 issued to Czech et al. Also discloses a series of plastic bags, each with an outer panel containing a removable coupon. U.S. Patent No. 3,443,682, issued to Niemeyer, discloses a box having an internal pocket made of a flexible material to hold a coupon or other printed matter. Again, it seems that the intended prize is only 10 flat objects. U.S. Patent No. 4,306,367, issued to Otto, refers to a laminated food packaging box having a removable outer fold that can be a coupon, an "ironing" article, a commercial stamp, or another type of marketing award. Again, as long as the prize item is placed on the outside of the food package, there is an opportunity for the item to be stolen or otherwise removed. Patents of the United States of America Numbers 3,524,782 and 3,524,271, issued to Buske, disclose coupons attached, by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, to a strip that is wound on a roll. The strip is cut in individual labels that can be attached to the external surface of a container. The labels can be opened by each tearing along the perforations to access the coupons. Again, as with Sargent, described above, it seems that this method is more suitable for 5 flat objects only. Also, since the labels are applied to the outside of the container, the theft is still a _ problem. Moreover, the coupon is not part of the package itself, but is formed as a separate member and merely joins the outside of the package. 10 The Patent of the United States of North America Number 4,060,168, issued to Romagnoli, as the Buske references described above, discloses a strip or mesh of backing material with a series of printed labels configured thereon in serial order. The material The backing includes a punched portion opposite the label, which remains adhered to the label when the label is applied to the exterior of a container. The cut portion may include printing, and serves as a promotional item with better theft resistance. Again, this type of method seems to be related to only enclosing flat items. Also, the label is not incorporated into the packaging by itself. Although the prior art described previously eliminates some of the problems inherent in the packaging of foods with the prize technique, this prior art does not yet disclose or teach packaging or a related method, where a prize, such as a small toy, is incorporated in an efficient way directly into the packaging, thereby that a hygienic condition of the food is maintained. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the foregoing, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a food package with a premium, whose packaging is more sterile than the packaging of the previous technique. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a food package with a prize, wherein the prize is less susceptible to theft or loss than with the prior art packages. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a food package with a prize inside the package, but separated from the food by a plastic sheet, to prevent mixing and contamination of the food with the prize. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an automated method for incorporating a prize into a food package. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a food package, that includes a prize, whose method is more efficient than the methods of the prior art. It is another purpose of the present invention to provide an efficient and sterile method using conventional automated packaging machinery, to incorporate a premium with food products wrapped in plastic, It is another purpose of the present invention to provide a more efficient and sterile method for manufacture a food package with a prize in it. It is still another purpose of the present invention to provide a method that incorporates a prize with food products in plastic wrap, which discourages theft or loss of the prize. Finally, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a manufacturing method that allows a variety of prizes, including non-flat items, to be incorporated between the plastic sheets forming the food package. To achieve the above and other purposes of the present invention, there is provided a food package with a removable prize therein, and a related method for manufacturing this package. Prizes are deposited at a predetermined spacing along a first sheet of plastic wrap coated with adhesive. The surface of the first plastic wrapping sheet with the prizes adhered thereon is covered with a second sheet of plastic wrap, and the opposite surface of the first sheet is still covered with a third sheet of plastic wrap, once the food is placed between the first 5 leaf and the third leaf. Accordingly, prizes may be included in an efficient and sterile manner in the food package having the second and third sheets as the outer walls P of the package. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout their figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated and constitute part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a first sheet of plastic wrap that is unwound and having coated adhesive on a surface thereof, in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a schematic view illustrating the first sheet of plastic wrap having prizes 5 applied to the adhesive coating.

Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating the first sheet of plastic wrap, with prizes attached to it, wound on a roll. Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating the roll being unwound, and combined with second and third sheets of plastic to form the package. Figure 5 is a side view in transverse section ^ F illustrating the package combined with the food and the prize therein. 10 Figure 6 is a top view of the connected food packages. Figure 7 is a side view illustrating the package according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The food packaging and the method for manufacturing the package according to the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The method generally comprises the following steps. As shown in Figure 1, a first plastic sheet material 10 is unwound from a roll 12, and fed along a work station. This first plastic sheet material 10, as well as the second and third plastic sheet materials described below, are preferably polypropylene.

The first plastic sheet material 10 has a first upper surface 14, and a second opposing surface 16. An adhesive layer 18 is formed on the first surface 14 by a known applicator 20 capable of applying the adhesive layer 18, from, for example , a roll supply. The adhesive layer 18 may cover entirely or only partially the first surface 14 of the first sheet material 10, as desired. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive layer 18 is a water-based, two-sided adhesive, approved by the FDA (as opposed to a solvent-based adhesive), to prevent contamination of the food. In the final product that is, the finished package 54 described below, the adhesive 18 would be transparent to allow easy viewing of the prize, and avoid any unpleasant effect for the consumer. It is preferred that the adhesive layer 18 be applied to the first surface 14 of the first sheet material 10 from above, especially if the adhesive is in a liquid form. In this way, sheet material 10 is supported from below through the work station, to facilitate the application and adhesion of the adhesive layer 18. As shown in Figure 2, after the adhesive layer 18 is applied, a plurality of prizes 22 are placed (each designated as 22a, 22b, etc.) in a separate relationship, above the adhesive layer 18.

The term "prize", as used herein, is intended to mean any of a number of novelty, food or printing articles, such as gum, candy, pens, cards, coupons, certificates, small toys, ironed transfers, and so on. . These awards 22 can serve as promotional items in association with the sale of a food product. It is preferred that the prizes 22 be applied to the adhesive layer 10 from above. In this way, the adhesive layer 18 and the sheet material 10 are supported from below by a work station, to facilitate the application and adherence of the prizes 22. The placement of the prizes 22 can be performed, for example, by any known apparatus 24 that can have that function, such as a web feed device, or collector and setter. The separation between the prizes 22 depends on whether transverse junctions will be formed, described below, to create individual packages 20 (cutting at the junctions), and how many prizes 22, if there are more than one, will be on each individual package. As shown in Figure 3, the first sheet material 10, with the separate prizes 22 thereon, can be rolled, which roll is referred to herein as a "roll". plastic prizes "26. This roll of plastic prizes # 11 26 can be removed from the assembly line, and can be stored for a period of time, if desired, before moving to the next assembly step, either on the same line, or on a separate remote line from a food processor. Regardless of whether or not a plastic prize roll 26 is used, as shown in Figure 3 (where the method would be continuous), the next step of the method is described below. As shown in Figure 4, the first plastic sheet material 10 with the prizes 22 thereon is inverted (in relation to Figure 3), and fed throughout a work station. The investment is for the purpose of guiding the 22 prizes opposed to the food 36 that is dosed from above, as described further ahead. A second plastic sheet material 28 or "flow pack" is also fed, which may include advertising and / or other indications thereon, throughout this work station, from a supply 29. The second sheet material 28, also has a first surface 30, and a second opposing surface 32. The first surface 30 of the second sheet material 28, adheres to the first sheet material 10 by means of the adhesive layer 18, with the prizes 22 between them, to form a combination of first and second sheet materials 34.

Accordingly, it is preferred to apply the adhesive 18, the prize 22, and the food 36 from above. To do this, the plastic rewards roll 26 is inverted, so that the second sheet material 28 can be applied from below. Then, food 36 is applied and the third, sheet 40 from above, as shown in Figure 4. De. alternatively, when the second and third sheet materials 28 and 40 are of the same sheet of plastic, as described below, the food 36 is applied to the first sheet material 10 from above, and the second sheet 28 is folded over the food and sealed. The first sheet material 10 may be as wide as, ie, co-term with, the second sheet material 28 (and the third sheet material 40 described below), but it does not have to be that way. That is, the first sheet material 10 only needs to be wide enough to cover the prize 22 and provide lateral edges around it to allow adherence of the first sheet material 10 with the second sheet material 28, in a manner that isolates, the food prize 36, as described later. The combination 34 can be rolled at this point, in a manner very similar to the plastic prize roll 26, removed from the assembly line, and stored. In this way, the combination 34 could be used at a later time in the method, whose option facilitates automated assembly, line flexibility, and changes, and allows for better inventory control. Regardless of whether the combination 34 is rolled and stored at this time or not, the next step of the method is described below. As the combination 34 is fed through a work station, the feed 36 is dosed, in a separate relationship, on the second surface 16 of the first sheet 10 by a known dispenser 38. The feed 36, as the prizes 22 described above, it is separated based on where the transverse junctions and cuts will be made, to form individual food packages, as described below, after the individual is dosed. food 36, preferably a third separate plastic sheet material 40, or flow pack, which may also have advertising and / or other indications thereon, is applied to food 36 from a supply 41. In a further manner, particular, the third sheet material 40 has a first surface 42 and a second surface 44. The first surface 42 is placed on the food 36, on the prizes 22, and makes contact with the second surface 16 of the first sheet material 10. The lateral edges of the third sheet 40 preferably they are co-term with the shores of the second sheet material 28. The overall combination is shown in the cross-sectional side view of Figure 5. Then, as shown in Figure 6, the first, second, and third sheet materials 10, 28, and 40, are sealed on the lateral or longitudinal edges 46, and in the transverse areas 48 thereof, to form a plurality of compartments 50 (each referred to as 50a, 50b, etc.) connected as a continuous mesh. This sealing is done by one of many conventional elements 52 (Figure 4), such as heat sealing or adhesive. More particularly, the two external flow pack sheets (28, 40) are sealed according to currently known techniques: for some currently available packaging equipment, the flow packets sheets, are sealed by heat sealing or adhesive, but in other types of equipment, the flow pack sheets 28, 40 are actually like the sheet 28 that bends over itself, and is sealed in a similar manner. In accordance with the foregoing the present invention contemplates that the flow packets 28, 40 are individual sheets or are the same sheet, folded over the prized roll / dosed food, to form "sheets" 28, 40 along its edge, sealed and cut. Then, the plurality of compartments 50 are cut at 51 in individual packages 54 in the transverse areas joined 48.

As can be seen, the use of a plurality of plastic sheets leads to an efficient method to incorporate the prize into the packaging during its manufacture. Also, along the assembly line, the sheets can be rolled and stored for a period of time, which allows for greater assembly flexibility, inventory control, cost containment, and so on. # In addition, the automated assembly of the method of the present invention, allows to use plastic mesh and equipment sealing, conventional. In accordance with the above, there is no need for a significant capital outlay for new custom designed equipment for the new packaging. Moreover, the present method can be adapted to a variety of awards, flat or non-flat, provided that each one can adhere inside the sheet-like plastic material. In this way, the assembly line is given significant flexibility, since a type of prize can be produced over a period of time, and then the line can be switched without much modification, to use another prize, etcetera. As shown in Figure 7 the final package 54, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, includes the first plastic sheet material 10; the adhesive layer 18 applied to the first sheet material of plastic 10; the prize 22 attached to the adhesive layer 18; the second plastic sheet material 28, whose first surface 30 abuts the prize 22, and whose second surface 32 serves as an outer wall of the package 54; and the third plastic sheet material 40, whose first surface 42 faces the food 36, such as potato slices, and whose second surface 44 serves as another outer wall of the package 54. As can be seen, this food packaging 54 with the prize 22 it is more sterile than the prior art packages, since the prize 22 can be sealed between the first and second plastic sheet materials 10 and 28, which form the package 54 by itself. The prize 22, covered by the first sheet of plastic 10, does not touch the food 36 contained within the second and third sheet materials 28 and 40 of the package 54. In addition, one or more prizes can easily be incorporated into each individual package, as desired. Moreover, since the first sheet material 10 only needs to be wide enough to cover the prize 22, and adhere to the second sheet material 28, and since the adhesive layer 18 only needs to be applied to a part of the first sheet material 10, that is, only enough to adhere the prize and adhere the first surface 14 to the second sheet material 28, this invention offers certain economies of use of raw material over the prior art. Also, since the prize 22 is held internally of the package 54, the prize 22 is less likely to be stolen or to fall, during manufacture, shipping, storage, or retail display, a problem with the packaging combinations / external prize of the prior art. Of course, if desired, the roll of 5 prizes of plastic 26 can also be applied to the outside of a conventional package, the prize 22 being located between an outer sheet of the conventional package and the sheet 10. «J ^ The above is considered illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Also, since the experts in this Fields will easily think of numerous modifications and changes, it is not desired to limit the invention to the construction and exact operation shown and described. For example, although a preferred embodiment is described above as particularly applicable to food packaging, the invention can also be applied to other types of packaging. In accordance with the foregoing, all appropriate modifications and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention and the appended claims may be resorted to.

Claims (18)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the foregoing invention, it is considered that as a novelty, and therefore, property is claimed as contained in the following: CLAIMS 1. A method for manufacturing a package, which comprises the steps of: feeding a first plastic sheet material having a first surface; Apply an adhesive to the first surface; apply a prize to the adhesive; and winding the first plastic sheet material.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: unrolling the first plastic sheet material; feeding a second plastic sheet material having a first surface; and opposing and adhering the first surface of the second sheet material with the first surface of the first sheet material, with the prize between them, to form a combination of sheets.
3. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the step of: incorporating the combination of sheets inside the plastic sheet food package.
4. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises the step of: enclosing the first sheet material, with the prize therein, between the second and third plastic sheet materials; apply food between the first and third sheet materials; and sealing the second and third sheet materials on their edges.
5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of sealing comprises the sub-step of: heat sealing the edges of the second and third sheet materials.
6. 6. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step of sealing comprises the sub-step of: applying adhesive between the second and third sheet materials.
7. 7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that it also comprises the step 15 of; Cut the edges to form an individual package that includes the food and a prize.
8. 8. A method for manufacturing a package, comprising the steps of: coating a surface of a first plastic wrap with a two-sided adhesive; place the 20 awards on the adhesive; and roll up the plastic wrap in a roll of plastic prizes.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: unrolling the plastic prize roll; seal A portion of the plastic prize roll and a food product between two additional plastic sheet materials, to form a plurality of compartments, each of which includes food and at least one prize; and cutting the plurality of compartments into individual packages.
10. 10. A food package, which comprises: a first plastic sheet material having a first surface; adhesive applied to the first surface; and a prize attached to the sticker.
11. 11. The food package according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises: a second plastic sheet material having a first surface; wherein the first surface of the second sheet material of plastic joins and opposes the first surface of the first sheet material, with the prize between them.
12. 12. The food package according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises: a third plastic sheet material having a first surface joined and opposite a second opposite surface of the first sheet material, with the food between them.
13. 13. The food package according to claim 10, characterized in that the adhesive is a two-sided adhesive.
14. 14. The food packaging according to the claim in claim 10, characterized in that the prize is selected from food, novelties, and toys.
15. 15. The food package according to claim 10, characterized in that the prize is a sweet.
16. 16. The food package according to claim 10, characterized in that the prize is a ironed transfer.
17. 17. The food package according to claim 12, characterized in that the first, second, and third plastic sheet materials are polypropylene.
18. 18. The food package according to claim 10, characterized in that the food is of potato slices.