Package making – Methods – Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-09
2001-05-01
Gerrity, Stephen F. (Department: 3721)
Package making
Methods
Forming a cover adjunct or application of a cover adjunct to...
C053S133800, C053S442000, C053S557000, C053S559000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223501
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a tear open system for a package, particularly a perforated tear open system for plastic film packages that combines a cardboard form and a plastic window. More particularly, the tear open system relates to a system for providing easy access to the contents of a shrink film package.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The method and apparatus for forming shrink filmed display packages has been disclosed in a variety of patents and other publications. It is known to seal articles in pockets that are formed and sealed in plastic windows of paperboard blanks. These blanks have one or more openings that are covered, on one surface, by a heat-deformable and heat-sealable plastic sheet. The pockets are formed by heating the plastic material extending across the windows and deforming this plastic material to form a pocket. After the article is placed in the pocket, the pocket is closed, for example by folding the blank about a fold line and then heat sealing the plastic material. As the plastic sheet or film which is used is generally transparent, the article is provided in a decorative package in which it is sealed but nevertheless is fully visible. The teachings are best described, however, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,047,358, Method for Forming Article-Holding Display Packages, to Heffeman et al. The disclosures of this patents is incorporated herein by reference, as though recited in full.
As popular as these packages are, there have always been problems regarding the difficulty in opening the packages. The weight of cardboard required to maintain the integrity of the package makes opening the package by tearing the cardboard difficult. Separating the adhesive to pull open the package is also a problem as the adhesive is intended to maintain the two halves of the package adjacent one another.
The disclosed method and apparatus provides an easy opening mechanism in these popular paperboard packages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A perforating apparatus for use in the formation of shrink film packages is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bottom seal tool with a plurality of peninsula regions forming a plurality of window areas. Each pair of window areas has a knife receiving area to receive a knife retaining block. The retaining block contains a perforation knife that extends beyond the surface of the sealing tool a sufficient distance to perforate the packages. At least one screw member extends through the peninsula, contacting the retaining block and securing the retaining block within the retaining channel. A change plate, having slots dimensioned and located to receive the knife blades is placed over the sealing tool surface. The packages are placed on the change plate and sealed by contacting the package with the upper platen. The upper platen is provided with a nonconductive material positioned to receive the knife blade. The resulting package has a perforation through the paperboard extending from one edge to the plastic window. The terms paperboard and press board are used herein to include any form of self-supporting paper that is used in packaging. This perforation enables the package to be easily opened.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3660962 (1972-05-01), Bliss et al.
patent: 3912079 (1975-10-01), Selchow, Jr.
patent: 4047358 (1977-09-01), Heffernan et al.
patent: 4757900 (1988-07-01), Misset et al.
patent: 4958735 (1990-09-01), Odabashian
patent: 4969309 (1990-11-01), Schwarz et al.
patent: 5177931 (1993-01-01), Latter
patent: 5408807 (1995-04-01), Lane, Jr. et al.
patent: 5671589 (1997-09-01), Irvine et al.
patent: 2247666 (1992-03-01), None
patent: 4-72162 (1992-03-01), None
Gerrity Stephen F.
Parker Sheldon H.
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