US3540179A - Package making method - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 17, 1970 wAT s, JR 3,540,179

PACKAGE MAKING METHOD Filed March 20, 1968 '5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1J- {1m fl R1, 1 I

F; i i

I 1 I L p i .FIG. 5

-33 mvENTbR.

RIDLEY WATTS JR.

BY waits, l-(oqmannjfiskmal l-{ei nka/ AT TOR N E Y5.

NOV. 17, 1970 -rs, JR 3,540,179

PACKAGE MAKING METHOD Filed March 20, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 (PRIOR ART) INVENTOR. RIDLEY WATTS JR.

BY Waits, lr-{ofimannl ishmi Hein km ATTORNEYS.

NOV. 17, 1970 -rs, JR 3,540,179

PACKAGE MAKING METHOD Filed March 20, 1968 3 'SheetsSheet 3 INVENTOR. RIDLEY WATTS JR.

United States Patent 3,540,179 PACKAGE MAKING METHOD Ridley Watts, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The American Packaging Corporation Filed Mar. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 714,670 Int. Cl. 1365b 43/32 US. Cl. 53-30 16 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container and method of packaging articles wherein display card type container having a plastic window is subjected to heat to form the window material about a product being packaged without the use of dies or vacuum equipment. Product manufacturers can utilize standard sized containers for a variety of articles without the necessity of specialized packaging equipment. The Window portions are of a plastic material which permits the windows to be preformed by the container manufacturer to desired dimensions. The window material will, where required, simultaneously stretch and shrink during packaging of an article.

A flap-like closure is provided on the container to permit closing and subsequent opening and reclosing of the package.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED PATENTS The following patents issued to Ridley Watts, Jr.:

(1) 3,053,023, Package and Method of Making Same, Sept. 11, 1962; (2) 3,298,515, Package, Ian. 17, 1967; (3) 3,334,804, Dispenser Package, Aug. 8, 1967.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to packaging articles and more particularly to a display package and a method of making such package.

In present-day merchandising retail products are often packaged in separate units in order to display each product in a clear plastic pocket against an attractive background. The background often includes artwork, illustrations of use, trademark, and price. Such packaging facilitates self-service and so-called impulse sales, provides protection in shipment, and permits ready visual examination and identification of the product.

Packages which accomplish this type of display each have an article or articles to be sold mounted on an individual display card. Each article is covered with a trans parent plastic material which fixes it to its display card.

THE PRIOR ART The packages of this general class which are in current commercial use are:

(l) Blister packages;

(2) Skin Packages;

( 3) So-called shrink packages; and

(4) Packages made in acordance with the teachings of the referenced Watts patents.

In blister or bubble packaging, a cup contoured to the shape of the product, is molded from relatively heavy and rigid plastic. This cup, known as a bubble or blister, provides a cavity of suflicient size to receive the product to be displayed. The bubble is formed with a peripheral flange so that it can be attached to a display card, either by heat sealing to the face of an adhesive-treated card, or by being held within a folding card having an aperture through which the bubble protrudes while the card grips its flange.

Bubble packaging is costly for several reasons. One of these is that a rather heavy-guage transparent plastic mate- 3,540,179 Patented Nov. 17, 1970 "ice rial is required because the bubble must be relatively rigid. Another reason is that bubbles are bulky and expensive to ship and store because of the excessive space required. In addition, the processes of packaging a product in a bubble package is relatively slow and time consuming.

The more recently developed skin packaging is more economical than bubble packaging for many products; but it, too, has certain limitations. With the most common form of skin packaging, an adhesive is applied to the front of the card. The adhesive, after it has dried, is perforated. The article to be packaged is then positioned on the card. Film is then heat-softened and vacuum drawn down over the article and onto the card to simultaneously form a protective covering for the article and bond the plastic sheet to the face of the display card. Among other limitations, skin packaging tends to curl the card and the finished card is not as attractive as other forms of retail display packaging.

The typical shrink package has a card with a fold line along the center. Each half of the card has an aperture. A plastic film is adhered to the back of the card. The card is then placed on the mold and the film is drawn through each of the apertures to over form it to a size larger than the product. The product is then positioned between the card halves and the card is folded along the centerline to bring the apertures into registration and encase the product between them. The card halves are sealed together. Then, relying on the inherent shrink characteristics of the film-typically biaxially oriented polyvinyl chloridethe film is shrunk back to snugly encase the product.

Shrink packaging relies on a film with very strong memory characteristics. That is, on a film which has a strong tendency to return to its unformed condition. Because of this strong memory there are limitations on the size and shape of the products which can be packaged without puncturing of the film. In addition, because in time these films return to their original shape even at room temperatures, it is necessary that the product be loaded into the container immediately after formation. Because of this the product manufacturer must have relatively large and intricate forming and loading machines.

The packages made in accordance with the Watts patents have the characteristic of being inexpensively formed by a package manufacturer, economically transported to the product manufacturer and thereafter loaded and sealed with relatively inexpensive sealing equipment. For example, it is possible to place a small sealing machine at the end of a light-bulb manufacturing assembly line and package the bulb immediately after its inspection. The bulb thereafter is protected by the package and further handling for storage, shipment, display, and the like is facilitated by its being retained in the package.

While the cards made in accordance with the Watts et a1. patents have enjoyed good commercial success, they too have certain limitations. Notably, the mold for preforming the pockets to be packaged must be very carefully formed, usually by a trial-and-error procedure, with a resultant relatively high mold cost. While the films used for this package such as polyethylene and surlyn are relatively inexpensive and produce good quality packages, they have relatively weak memory characteristics. Accordingly, if the film is heated after the product has been packaged to tauten the film and improve its appearance, the film, due to its relatively weak memory, has difficulty in overcoming the resistance to the shrinking of the pockets. This resistance is caused by air trapped within the package. The relatively weak memory characteristics of the shrinking force of these films is often not adequate to force the air from between the two card halves even when escape paths such as scores are provided along one or both of the adjacent card surfaces. In addition, as the film is heated to shrink it, the entrapped air expands, further compounding the problem.

An early proposal for a retail display package of this general class utilized a thermoplastic film which covered apertures in a foldable card. The film was heat softened, the product positioned between the cards and the card then folded so that the product itself deformed the film. This proposed technique, if commercial at any time, is not in current commercial use. It has several inherent drawbacks. Among these are the difliculties in registering the product relative to the aperture and then folding the card so as to envelope the product. Another is that the product acts as a heat sink and once it contacts the film it absorbs sufiicient energy to cool and almost instantaneously freeze that portion of the film which has been contacted by the product. The result is that only relatively small products can be packaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the described and other drawbacks of the prior art packages and in addition has a number of material advantages. With the preferred form of the present invention two card portions are provided. At least one portion has an aperture. The card portions each have parallel scores or slits extending from the aperture through a loading section of the card portion to one end. The two card portions are sealed together along the sides but the loading section is left unsealed so that a product may be inserted through it. The end of the card remote from the score lines is closed, as by a fold or seal in some applications, in others it is left open.

The container when shipped to the customer, has film which, in the area of the aperture, is selectively either unformed, partially formed, or overformed for the product to be packaged. The container itself, then may take the form of the container disclosed in the above referenced Pat. 3,334,804.

When the product is to be loaded into the container, the customer urges the two sealed sides of the card toward one another to flex the loading section into an open condition. The product is then inserted through the opening. The film in the apertures is heated and the loading section is then closed. As it is closed, the heated film assumes the contour of the product to be packaged. Thus:

(1) In that situation where the film has not been preformed it will be distended as it closes, while heated, over the product.

(2) In that situation where the film is partially formed the relatively thick parts of a product being packaged will distend the film to stretch it while in those locations where the product is thinner, the film will shrink down into engagement with the product. For the first time, the film closing an aperture is simultaneously stretched and heat shrunk.

(3) In that situation Where the pocket is overformed relative to the size of the product being packaged the film will shrink down onto the proudct. The loading section of the package will not naturally fully close after it has once been opened Without the application of closing force. Because of this there is a free open pasasge for air to be expelled from the space between the cards as the film shrinks. Films having a very Weak memory will readily shrink down over a product, expelling the air and forming a neat finished package.

The problems of registration of the product relative to the aperture and premautre freezing of the film experienced in prior attempts at forming the film with the product itself in packages of this class are completely overcome. The inherent springing action of the card tending to return to its unflexed condition tensions the film over the product retaining the product in place until the pocket is formed. Since the product is in the package when the pocket is formed it is warmed sufiiciently to permit the film forma ion. Without pr m ture f e zi g- In the preferred form, one card portion has a foldable flap which, once the package is loaded, is folded over the other card portion envelope fashion. Bands of adhesive of the type which will adhere only to itself may be on the face of the other card portion and the flap so that once the flap is folded over it is immediately sealed.

Alternately the flap may be stapled or a heat-softenable cement may be used and an effective heat seal may had by simply passing the card between two parallel heat jaws. Unlike prior packages of this class, specialized heat sealing dies contoured to the configuration of the aperture which in turn is contoured to the configuration of the product are completely obviated and very inexpensive heat sealing equipment may be used when the card is heat sealed.

In the preferred form of the invention, the flap is equipped with a tab which facilitates opening of a closed package. The flap can subsequently be used in re-closing the package. Thus, the package may be used as a dispenser package of the type disclosed in the referenced Pat. No. 3,334,804 for dispensing some, but not all, of the products contained within the package. The tab may also be used for the initial closing eliminating the need for adhesive or staples.

The flexibility of the package and method of this invention permits a relatively small number of package sizes to effectively package a wide variety of products. The apertures can be formed in one machilne simultaneously with the sealing of the sides of the card, or in that situation where the card is side folded, the sealing of one side of the card. Since cards are standard the sealing is effected for a wide variety of cards with a single sealing die. With a given over-all package dimension formation of film in a variety of aperture sizes is accomplished by the simple expedient of sealing die or mold inserts having appropriately sized pocket forming cavities or projections.

The package of this invention is not only readily adapted for retail display, but is also readily adaptable for packaging items purchased at retail. The sales person simply presses the edges of the package to open it, drops the product in, and folds the flap over to close the package. The flap is then maintained in a closed position by any of the procedures discussed previously. The package has the advantage of a plastic bag in that the product can be seen and the advantage of a paper bag in that information can be written on the card. It also can be readily used for a re-order system by providing a flap which is readily torn off. The flap can bear such information as the part number of the product which had been packaged, and the suppliers name and address. With this system the user of the product has an automatic and ready reminder for re- 1 ordering parts used from a given package. The package also has the characteristic of being hangable for display storage.

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved container and packaging method of the character referred to wherein wide varieties of articles can be attractively packaged in standard size packages.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and Wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the inner face of a foldable card With a pair of registerable plastic covered, apertures;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 1 in a folded condition;

FIG. 3 is an end view on a reduced scale, of the container of FIG. 2 having end portions spread for reception of articles to be packaged in the device;

position Of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a package formed from the container of FIGS. 1-4;

FIGS. 6 and 6A are fragmentary views of a package constructed in accordance with the present invention including structure for reclosing an open end;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary View of an alternate construction of a package constructed according to the invention with a reclosable end;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view of a prior card construction used in conjunction with the method and package embodying this invention;

FIGS. 9-12 are sectional views of various embodiments of a device embodying the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-l2A are elevational views of packaging devices embodying various forms of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a package in one stage of production; and

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a further form of package embodying the present invention.

Referring to the drawings and to FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, a container blank is shown generally at 10. The container shown includes a rectangular card having an outer surface or face 12 and an inner surface 14. The card member is provided with a transversely extending score or fold line 15 which partitions the member into panel portions 16, 17.

The panel portions 16, 17 define apertures 20, 21 respectively which are preferably of identical shape and size which are formed equidistant from the bend line so that when the panels are folded into facing relation along the bend line 15 the apertures 20, 21 are in registry.

The inner surface 14 of the card member carries a rectangular piece of plastic film 22 which is suitably adhered to the surface 14. The film 22 extends across the apertures 20, 21 to provide windows 22a, 2212. Alternatively, as is known in the art, the apertures may be closed by patches of film. The plastic material is transparent and is preferably surlyn. It, like all films, has a memory characteristic, although relatively weak, as is referred to more specifically presently. The member 16 additionally includes a transversely extending score or fold line 23 near the end of the panel 17 and longitudinally extending scores or bend lines 24-27 the purposes of which are described presently.

After the panel portions 16, 17 are formed and the film 22 has been adhered to the surface 14, the card is folded along the line 15 as shown in FIG. 2. When the container 10 is so folded end'30 of the panel 16 is disposed parallel to the fold line 23 of the panel 17 and spaced a slight distance away from the line 23 in the direction of the aperture 20.

The panel 17 defines a flap 31 which extends from the line 23 and is adapted to be folded along the line 23 into engagement with the face 12 of the panel 16. Narrow bands adjacent side edges 32, 33 respectively are then secured together as by heat sealing to fix the panels 16, 17 together between the edges 32, 33 and the lines 24, 27 respectively. Thus, the container 10 illustrated in FIG. 2 is sealed along its side edges and the adjacent flap 31 is open and unsealed.

In its FIG. 2 condition the container 10 can be shipped to a product manufacturer for use in packaging articles on the product manufacturers premises. It should be appreciated that while the container 10, illustrated in FIG. 2 is not printed, the faces of such containers can be and usually are provided with suitable printed images.

FIG. 3 illustrates the container 10 in its flexed condition for receiving articles to be packaged. The unsealed portions adjacent the end 30 and flap 31 are spread apart by the application of forces (illustrated by the vertical arrows in FIG. 3) exerted toward each other on the side edges 32, 33. Application of these forces causes the card material forming the portions 16, 17 to bend along the scores 25, 26 and move, respectively, in the directions of the horizontal arrows of FIG. 3. Bending also occurs along the scores 24, 27 so that the unsealed end portions of the container 10 are distended to a generally square or parallelogram shaped area as seen in FIG. 3. Since there are no actual score or bend lines between the apertures 20, 21 and the fold line 15, portions of the card adjacent the fold line 15 remain in engagement with one another. Further even if these portions are scored, the closed end along the score 15 inhibits opening of the lower part of the container so as products are dropped in they are brought into registry with the apertures. This results in an article receiving volume or pouch between the aperture windows 22a, 22b.

FIG. 4 illustrates the open container of FIG. 3, having articles A dropped into the pouch. The articles are supported for viewing by the window portions 22a, 2212. When the package has been filled as desired the pressure exerted on the side edges 32, 33 is released resulting in a tendency of the package to return to its fiat position due to the inherent resilency of the card material. The flap 31 is then folded over the end edge to close the end of the package. The particular construction of the flap 31 is described in considerable detail presently and the flap can take different form as is seen in the drawings.

The window portions 22a, 22b may be preformed pockets which provide an article receiving volume greater than the volume of the articles deposited in the package. This and the alternate arrangements of formation of the pockets subsequent to loading and partial preforming followed by subsequent formation will be described presently.

The flap 31 may be maintained in its reclosed position by suitable structures such as those illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6A, and 7. FIGS. 6 and 6A illustrate a flap 31' having a tab 40 and ears 41, 42 formed continuously with a flap 31. The ears are readily bent out of the plane of the flap 31' along score or fold lines 43, 44. The panel 16 is provided with elongate slots 45, 46 having their longitudinal axes converging toward each other (proceeding downwardly as viewed in the drawings) at an obtuse angle so that when the flap 31 is folded to its FIG. 6A position to close the package, the fold lines 43, 44 lie along the longitudinal axes of the slots 45, 46 respectively. The ears 41, 42 are manually bent toward the panel 16 as the flap 31 is folded so that the ears are received by the slots 45, 46. The slots 45, 46 each have an arcuately curved lower edge 45a, 46a to facilitate reception of the ears 41, 42. The curved edges 45a, 46a permit the slots to freely receive the ears 41, 42 but the slots are sufiiciently small to provide firm frictional engagement of the ears 41, 42 by the slots 45, 46 and prevent the flap 31' from opening when not desired.

In the illustrated embodiment the upper sides of the slots are defined by tabs 45b, 46b which are bent inwardly of the container when the ears 41, 42 are pushed into the slots These tabs 45b, 46b guide the cars into the slots to prevent the ears from being deformed when urged into the slots.

The end 30' of the panel 16 is provided with a notch 47 and the panel 17 and flap 31 each includes apertures 50, 51 having centers spaced equal distance from the fold lines 23'. When the flap 31 is in its folded condition the notch 47 and apertures 50, 51 are aligned to receive a pin or rod so that the package may be hung from such a rod for display or storage purposes.

The flat construction illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A provides a package constructien with a wide variety of applications. These include:

1) The flap 31' may be folded over and closed by any suitable technique such as heat sealing, stapling, or contact cement as described in greater detail presently in connection with FIG. 7. When the container is closed by one of these techniques the tabs 41, 42 are not utilized for the initial closing. The purchaser may open the package by simply grasping the tab 40 and pulling upwardly to separate the closure used. Some of the articles can then be dispensed and the package reclosed through the use of the tabs 41, 42 and the coacting notches.

(2) In that situation where the container is used in the manner of a plastic bag, as for example when a wholesaler of electrical parts wishes to package small components such as switches and resistors, the tabs may be used for the initial closing. The part number may be written on the flap 31. The flap 31 can subsequently be torn from the balance of the container and used for a reorder reminder.

Referring to FIG. 7 wherein the flap 31 is provided with a pair of spaced adhesive surfaces 55a, 55b which are fixed to the flap 31. Each of the surfaces 55a, 5512 are rectangular and at a location extending from the fold line toward the free edge of the flap 31. The panel is provided with adhesive surfaces 56a, 56b which are fixed to the material of the panel and extend from a location adjacent the end of the panel toward the article receiving pouch. The adhesive surfaces a-b and 56a-b are the same size and shape so that when the flap 31 is folded to close the package the surface 55a-b and 56a-b register with one another and cause the flap 31 to be releasably secured in its folded condition.

The adhesive material forming the noted surfaces is of the type which will adhere only to itself so that the package 10 is immediately sealed as soon as the flap 31 is folded. The tab 40 permits facile opening of the package. The flap and panels are provided with apertures 57 which permit hanging of the container for display purposes as noted in reference to the opening 50, 5.1 in the container of FIG. 6.

Packages constructed in accordance with the present invention may also be closed according to methods employed by the container in the referenced patent 3,334,804 as illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8 the package 10 is devoid of a flap and the end edge 30 of the panel 16 overlies and co-extends with an end edge 60 of the panel 17. The panels 16, 17 are additionally provided with a transverse perforations 61, 62 parallel to the ends 30, 60 and spaced slightly from them. After the package has been filled the ends 30, 60 are exposed to heat and the end of the package is sealed closed in a hand between the ends 30, 60 and the perforations 61, 62. When the package is opened this sealed band is torn off along the perforations 61, 62.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate container 10 of the type described with the window portions 22a-b having various preformed dimensions. Articles of various sizes and shapes may be packaged in a container of the type referred to having one particular standard size. Said another way, such containers can be produced in large numbers and in a relatively few standard sizes so that one standard size container can be used to accommodate a number of different products. Therefore the basic container, i.e. the panels 16, 17, apertures '20, 21 and various fold lines, as 'well as the material 22, can 'be produced Without regard to the particular product to be packaged and accordingly a low unit cost package is provided.

When the product is thin it can be inserted in the package as depicted in FIG. 9 Where the film is in its original flat condition. The film is subsequently formed over the product in the manner described presently.

In order to accommodate thicker articles or oddly configured articles in a standard container one or both of the window portions 22a-b are preformed by the package manufacturer. The article manufacturer, after inserting the article or articles, closes the package and stretches and/or shrinks the film 22 about the article to tightly maintain the article in place. This procedure is performed by the use of simple and inexpensive equipment which can be conveniently located on the manufacturers premises. A significant aspect of this type of packaging is that the manufacturer needs no dies or vacuum equipment to effect the packaging step as is more particularly pointed out presentlly.

FIG. 9 illustrates a container wherein the window portions are unformed, i.e. the film is disposed generally in the planes of the panel portions 16, 17. A container thus constructed is utilized for packaging parts having relatively small dimensions, such as electrical components, razor blade dispensers, etc. Such parts are readily dropped into the open end of the package 10 and are received between the window portions with a little difiiculty.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a container 10 with one of the window portions 22a-b being preformed and the other window portion unformed. The preformed window portion sags outwardly of the package and cooperates with the unformed window portion to produce a pouchlike article receiving volume.

Containers such as those illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 are utilized for somewhat bulkier items than the package of FIG. 9 might contain and the preformed film permits these larger items to be disposed in the window portion of the package without unduly stressing the film 22 or the material of the package itself.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 the window portions 22a-n are both preformed. Such a package is adapted to receive articles of substantially greater volume than the articles received in the packages of FIGS. 9-11. The package of FIG. 12 might be used to contain light bulbs which are relatively large as compared to the package itself (see FIG. 12A). The window portions may be preformed to produce an article receiving volume Which is greater than the articles to be received by the package and as such are referred to as being over formed. Thus the size of articles to be received by the package 10 of FIG. 12 is limited essentially by the size of the opening in the package through which the articles are inserted as well as the geometry of the package when it is open. When the package 10 has been filled the flap 3-1 of the package is folded to close the open end and the package is ready for a heat shrinking operation.

As illustrated in FIG. 13 the package and the article or articles are exposed to radiant and convective heat sources which have been schematically illustrated and which simultaneously heat the film 22 and the article disposed within the package. Since the plastic film material is essentially transparent to radiant heat the radiant heat sources R elevate the temperature of the article in the package while the convective heat sources direct heated air along the film to heat it. The convective heat sources are shown only as nozzles N for the purposes of illustration.

Once the temperature of the film and article are elevated appropriately the package is closed and the flap 31 folded over and sealed or otherwise closed. As this happens the window portions are formed closely about the article. Since the article is heated no substantial heat is transferred from the film to the article so that the article does not freeze the film on contact. This permits the film to stretch and shrink unrestrictedly about the article.

In FIGS. 9 and 9A, they show an example of a package in which the pockets are formed by distention of the heated film as the container is closed over the product. The depicted product A is a thin product such as a tin of aspirin. The closing of the container over the product while the film and product are both warmed, distends the film so that a tight neat, package is produced.

In FIG. 12, it shows a package in which the fit of the pockets about the product is achieved by shrinking. There, the pockets 22a and b have Ibeen formed to a size larger than the product. The pockets and the product are heated and then the container is closed. As the container is closed, the film is simultaneously shrunk until it snugly encases the product. In this arrangement, the film may actually overshrink and subsequently be distended outwardly as the package is closed.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of simultaneous stretching and shrinking of the pocket material as the package is closed and formed about a product in the form of a toy auto. The pocket 2212 has been distended some to facilitate insertion of the top auto into the package. The member 22a has not been distended but is deformed by the wheels of the auto as the package is closed so that it is deformed somewhat outwardly from its original, flattened condition. If the pocket 22]) is formed just large enough to permit insertion of the auto, parts of the auto such as the fenders will distend the pocket 22b as the package is closed in those regions adjacent the fenders. Other parts of the pocket will shrink. Thus, it is only necessary to contour the product to a very rough estimation of the general shape of the product to be packaged and the shrinking and stretching of the pockets which can occur simultaneously with this novel process permits the film to fully contour itself to a tight, smooth, neat-appearing finished configuration.

As noted the film material is preferably polyethylene or surlyn having a relatively weak memory characteristic. Accordingly, air trapped in the package 10 tends to inhibit shrinking of the plastic about the article due to the combined effects of film shrinkage and thermal expansion of the trapped air. In the construction of this invention once the container is opened as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 it will not fully close until forced to a closed position. Thus, there is an open space between the panels 16, 17 so that air is readily expelled as the plastic material readily shrinks about the article to maintain the article in a relatively stationary position within the package after the film has shrunk.

FIG. 14 illustrates a modified container 90 including panels 91, 92 separated by a fold line 93 which permits the panels 91, '92 to be folded into facing relationship to define a package which is open at both of its ends. The container 90 is particularly adapted for receiving articles of diametrical sizes which are relatively large, or where it is desirable to insert articles into both ends of the package. The panels 91, 92 define openings 94, 95 respectively and which openings are covered by a film of transparent plastic material 96 which is of the same composition and attached to the panels in the same way as described in reference to the film 22 of FIGS. 1-4.

The panel 92 is defined by a side edge 100, and edges 101, 102, and with its remaining side formed by the fold line 93. Additionally the panel 92 includes longitudinally extending fold lines 103-105 disposed parallel to each other and to the fold line 93 and side edge 100. The fold line 104 intersects edges of the opening 96.

The panel 91 is defined by a side edge 110, end portion 111, end edge 112, and the fold line 93 defining a side of the panel 91 opposite the side edge 110. Fold lines 113- 115 extend longitudinally of the panel 91 parallel to the sides of the panel 91 with the fold line 114 intersecting the opening 94.

The end portion v111 of the panel 91 includes a flaplike portion 120 connected to the panel 91 along a fold line 121. When the container 90 is assembled the panel 92 is folded into facing relation with the panel 91 along the fold line 93. The side edges 110, 100 of the panels 91, 82 are registered with each other and fold lines 113-115 of the panel 91 registering with the fold lines 103405 of the panel 92 respectively.

With the panels folded as described the portions of the panels between the fold line 93 and the fold line 103, .115 are sealed together and the portions of the panels between the end edges 100, 110 and fold lines 105, 113 are similarly sealed to produce the package assembled as illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 14. The package in its assembled form is then shipped to an article manufacturer.

The construction of the container 90 of FIG. 14 is such that when the side edges of the package are pressed toward each other the container is opened at both ends.

The package thus opened produces a generally square tubular structure so that articles can be inserted into the unsealed package which could not be inserted in a package having one end sealed.

When such article or articles have been inserted into the container the film material is heated and then formed around the material in the manner described previously as the package is closed. The end edges 112, 102 are heat sealed together and the rflap is closed over the end edge 101 of the panel 92. It is to be appreciated that the flap .120 of the package 90 can be constructed for reclosing as described previously, or may be omitted as in the container of FIG. 8 if desired. Accordingly the flap 120 is only generally shown.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of these preferred forms has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of packaging articles in a card-like package having a window portion formed by plastic film comprising the steps of:

(a) forming two container portions from card stock;

(b) forming an aperture in one of said container portions;

(c) fixing said plastic film to said one container portion and over said aperture to form said window portion;

((1) connecting said container portions together along at least one side to define a package having at least one open side;

(e) inserting an article into said package and registering it with said aperture;

(f) heating said window portion and said article;

(g) simultaneously stretching and shrinking the film forming said window portion so that said article is tightly held in said package by said film; and

(h) closing said package.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 and further including the step of preforming said film at said Window portion to define an article receiving volume approximately the same size as said article.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said forming steps includes the steps of forming a flap-like portion at one side of one container portions and providing flap engaging structure on the other container portion.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said stepof closing sides of said package includes the step of removably securing said flap-like member to said flap engaglng structure.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of forming said container portion includes the step of scoring said card stock to define a plurality of bend lines.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 wherein said heating step includes the step of venting atmospheric air from about said article through an open side of said package.

7. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of closing open sides of said package includes the steps of releasably closing at least one side of said package, and heat sealing at least another side closed.

8. A method of packaging an article comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a card-like member comprised of coextending panel portions attached at at least two edges and plastic material in film form connected to said member;

(b) flexing unattached end edges of said panels apart;

(c) inserting at least one article between said end edges and to a location wherein said article is supported by said plastic material;

(d) heating said plastic material and said article to effect shrinking of said material;

(e) urging said end edges toward each other while said article and material are heated for providing engagement between said article and material;

(f) venting atmospheric air from about said article to minimize resistance to shrinking of said material; and

(g) releasably securing end edges of said panel portions together.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said step of inserting said article includes the further step of spreading unattached end edges of said panel portions at an end of the member remote from the end edges between which the article is inserted.

10. A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said plastic material lies substantially in the plane of said member prior to insertion of said article wherein said step of heating said material includes the step of stretching said plastic material at locations thereon while shrinking said material.

11. A method as defined in claim 8 wherein said step of providing a card-like member includes the step of forming said rfilm of plastic material to define a volume which is greater than the volume of said article.

112. A method as defined in claim 11 and further including the step of spreading end edges of said portions apart at an end opposite the end edges through which said article is inserted to provide a maximum volume for reception of said article.

13. A method as defined in claim 12 and further including the step of fixing edges of said portions together at one of said ends of said member. p

14. The method of packaging an article comprising the steps of:

(a) forming two container portions each with a load opening area;

(b) forming an aperture in one portion positioned such that the load opening area of the one portion is between the aperture and one end thereof;

(0) adhering a plastic film to said one portion to close said aperture;

( d) weakening selected parts of said load opening areas;

(e) bringing the portions into registration and connecting them together along at least one edge thereof so that the portions are connected along two edges and the load opening areas are unconnected;

(f) flexing the card such that the portions are bent along the weakened parts and the areas are brought into spaced relationship to define a load opening;

(g) inserting the article through the opening and bringing it into registration with the aperture;

(h) heating the film; and,

(i) thereafter closing saidopening and securing the areas together as the film is simultaneously formed about the article to produce a pocket contoured in part to the shape of the article and securing the article in place in the finished package.

15. The method as defined in claim .14 and further including the step of heating the article while heating said film.

- 16. The method defined in claim 14 wherein said container portions are continuous and the step of bringing the portions into registration includes folding the portions at their juncture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1967 Watts 20645.31 X 6/1969 Hurtle 53184 X

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