Pack of tissues with an indicia on the reseal tape

Abstract

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

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to packs of tissues and other disposable absorbent products. In certain aspects it relates to providing an indicia in a particular position on the packs of tissues in such a way that the indicia remain invisible from the outside of the pack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tissues are commonly provided in packs comprising a multiplicity of tissues. Such packs are conventionally formed from a flexible film. The film generally also comprises certain information, such as the product description and the brand name, conventionally printed on the film in a way that makes the information visible to the user.

Conventionally, the information is printed on the film material after the production of the film (off-line printing of the film). This is a typical process for printing for example the brand name on the film used to pack tissues. Alternatively, but still conventionally, the information is printed after the formation of the pack (on-line printing of the packs). On-line printing is generally limited to simple information strings such as a code dating or a coding corresponding to producing site. The speed of the packs production line indeed limits such printing when done on-line, while it is conceivable to print detailed indicia after the formation of the pack at low speed or even off-line, post production.

Additional information can be attached to a pack of tissues by the addition of an extraneous material, such as a sticker or a label, after or during the formation of the pack on the pack production line.

In some instances, it may be desired to have the pack bear some information or an indicia that is not externally visible to the user until he/she manipulates the pack. However, the information or indicia must remain easily accessible to the user during the manipulation of the pack.

Conventional options for inclusion of invisible information/indicia includes (a) printing the information on the film and covering it with a sticker, (b) printing the information on the inner side of a detachable sticker and adhering the sticker to the pack surface, (c) using a dual-layer sticker that is adhered permanently to the pack surface while one of the layer can be peeled away to reveal the indicia or information, or (d) including a support (e.g. a piece of paper) having the information/indicia inside the pack.

Thus, it should be readily apparent to one of skill in the art that there is a need to provide alternative solutions for providing an indicia to a pack of tissues in a way that the indicia remains externally invisible to the user until the user manipulates the pack. There is a need for providing this while, however, the indicia remain easily and conveniently available/accessible to the user. Further, there is a need to provide such solutions that would be simple and cost-efficient, and that would allow to change the indicia easily. Also, there is a need to provide such solutions that would not interfere with the conventional manufacturing of the packs. Additionally, there is a need to provide such solutions that would allow for the easy individualization of the indicia provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a pack of tissues. The pack comprises n external envelope, a dispensing orifice, and a reseal tape having a first, a second and a third region. A multiplicity of tissues is enclosed by the external envelope. The external envelope comprises a flap. The flap is configured to at least partially cover the dispensing orifice. The reseal tape is capable of reversibly resealing the flap over the dispensing orifice. The first region of the reseal tape is joined to the flap. The second region of the reseal tape comprises attaching means to facilitate the resealable attachment of the reseal tape to the external envelope. The third region is distal from the first region and is substantially free of the attaching means to facilitate the operation of the reseal tape. The third region has an internal surface facing the external envelope when the second region is attached to the external envelope and has an external surface opposite thereto. One of the internal and the external surfaces comprises an indicia invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing the pack externally while the reseal tape is attached to the external envelope such as to at least partially cover the dispensing orifice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with the reseal tape partially lifted to show the indicia thereon.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pack of the invention with the flap in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pack of the invention with the rub-off material partially removed to show the indicia hereunder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Conventional articles and definitions:

“Tissues” are substantially flat absorbing articles generally comprising cellulosic fibers. Tissues can however comprise other types of fibers such as fibers derived from cellulose or other types of natural fibers or synthetic fibers. Tissues are usually disposable articles but can include article intended to be used a number of times. Typical tissues include paper handkerchiefs, paper towels, toilet paper, bath tissues, wiping and cleaning articles as well as other disposable absorbing articles.

“Packs of tissues” are conventional units in which multiple tissues are provided. Conventional packs comprise typically 5, 10, or 20 tissues (such as paper handkerchiefs) and an external envelope. The tissues are enclosed in the external envelope.

“Film material” is a substantially flat and flexible material conventionally used as packaging material for packs of tissues such as pocket packs of paper handkerchiefs. Typically the film material forms the external envelope, in part or totally. Typical examples of film materials include film made of, or comprising, polypropylene or polyethylene. Film materials are typically provided in rolls. The rolls of film material are typically provided with an indicia (for example a print) that is visible at the surface of the external envelope of the packs once it is formed.

“Dispensing orifice” is the orifice through which the tissues are intended to be dispensed out of the packs. A typical dispensing orifice is formed by a discontinuity in the external envelope. The discontinuity can be present in the external envelope ab-initio or be created during the first use of the pack. In the latter case, a line of preferential rupture (e.g. a line of weakness in the material) can be present to induce the rupture of the external envelope along the line to form a dispensing orifice of a predetermined shape in a predetermined position. For the purpose of the invention, a dispensing orifice is also to be considered as being present when the dispensing orifice is formed after a first manipulation of the pack (for example, when a region of the external envelope must be unfolded or torn-off to reveal the intended dispensing orifice).

“Flap”: In some conventional packs the dispensing orifice can reversibly be covered by a flap, i.e. a piece of the film material that hingedly connects to the external envelope. The flap can cover all of the dispensing orifice or a part of it. In some packs the flap is integral to the external envelope. In other packs the flap is non-integral and can be made of a different material from the film material of the external envelope. In some conventional packs, the flap originally covers the dispensing orifice. A manipulation of the pack can tear a region of the external envelope and can reveal both the flap and the dispensing orifice.

The flap can be secured in a closed position (covering at least partially the dispensing orifice) by a “reseal tape”. The reseal tape is conventionally provided as a separate material from the film material of the external envelope, typically also substantially flat and flexible. Alternatively, the reseal tape can be integral to the external envelope and/or the flap (e.g. formed by a region of the external envelope or a region of the flap). A first region of the reseal tape is joined to the flap, for example by a substantially permanent adhesive. A second region of the reseal tape is usually provided with a resealable adhesive and positioned such as to reversibly reseal by connecting to the external envelope when the flap is in a closed position. A third region of the reseal tape is conventionally provided. The third region, also called gripping end, is substantially free of any adhesive and is conventionally located at an end of the reseal tape, distal from the first region. The third region (gripping end) enables an easy grip and a convenient operation of the reseal tape to open/close and maintain the flap over the dispensing orifice. The third region of the reseal tape has an internal surface facing the external envelope of the pack when the flap is in a closed position, covering the dispensing orifice, and when the second region of the reseal tape affixed to the external envelope. The reseal tape has an external surface opposite to the internal surface.

Pack of Tissues of the Present Invention:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pack (1) of the invention with the flap (6) in a closed position, i.e. covering the dispensing orifice (5). The first region (2) of the reseal tape (15) is positioned and affixed closed to the edge (12) of the flap (6). The second region (3) of the reseal tape (15) extends over the edge (12) of the flap (6) and is in contact with the external envelope (8) of the pack (1). The second region (3) of the reseal tape (15) comprises on its internal surface (9) attaching means to reversibly attach the second region (3) to the external envelope (8). The means can comprise a pressure sensitive adhesive. Other attaching means can be used to reversibly reseal the second region (3) of the reseal tape (15), such as mechanical means (e.g. hook and loops), any other type of chemical adhesives, combinations of mechanical and chemical means, or any other means of attachment known to those of skill in the art.

The reseal tape (15) comprises a third region (4). The third region (4) is distal from the first region (2). The third region (4) is substantially free of any of the attaching means and hence, facilitates the operation of the reseal tape (15) by providing a region that can be easily gripped in order to lift the reseal tape (15) and the flap (6) to uncover the dispensing orifice (5).

As shown in FIG. 3, the flap (6) is depicted in an open position with the dispensing orifice (5) substantially uncovered. The tissue (7) (shown as paper handkerchiefs in FIG. 3) are visible through the dispensing orifice (5) folded into the pack (1). In this particular embodiment, an indicia (13) on the first paper handkerchief is visible through the dispensing orifice (5).

The reseal tape (15) has an internal surface (9) and an external surface (10). The internal surface (9) faces the external envelope (8) when the second region (3) is attached to the external envelope (8) partially covering the dispensing orifice (5). The external surface (10) is opposite to the internal surface (9), i.e. facing outwardly from the external envelope (8). A surface of the reseal tape (9 and/or 10) is provided with an indicia (11). In one embodiment, the internal surface (9) of the reseal tape (15) is provided with the indicia (11), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The indicia (11) can comprise an alphabetical character (as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3), a word, a number, a graphical indicia of any type (e.g. a non alphabetical character, a drawing, a sign, a color, a combination of colors, a picture, a sentence, an animal, a series of figures, a representation of an object, an animated representation, the representation of an animated or inanimate entity), or combinations thereof. The indicia (11) can be directly provided on one surface (9, 10) of the reseal tape (15) or can be provided on a piece of material itself provided one surface (9, 10) of the reseal tape. When provided directly on one surface (9, 10) of the reseal tape (15), the indicia (11) can be printed thereon. Printing can be executed by any conventional printing process known in the art (e.g. roto-gravure) and compatible with the material of the reseal tape (15). Alternatively, the indicia (11) can be engraved, sprayed, attached, glued or provided by any other means or by combination of means.

The indicia (11) is however invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing the pack (1) externally while the reseal tape is attached to the external envelope (8) and consequently the flap (6) is in a closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. It is understood that the observation is made by an observer having a substantially normal vision capability and is performed from a frontal view point (frontal to the flap (6)) at a distance of between 10 cm and 2 m, under usual lighting conditions (substantially day-light spectrum, intensity substantially corresponding to a typical office workplace). For the observation, the pack (1) comprises the tissues (7) enclosed therein.

The mere position of the indicia (11) can provide for the non-visibility of the indicia (11) to the observer, as in FIGS. 2 and 3 where the indicia is provided on the internal surface (9) of the reseal tape. Alternatively or additionally, the indicia can be covered by another material to render it invisible to the observer. A typical example is a opaque or semi-opaque layer of rub-off material that is applied over the indicia (11). For example the layer can be a coating of an opaque material as conventionally used in different technical fields to render a print temporarily invisible but which can easily be rubbed-off. Rubbing off the material by the user of the pack then easily reveals the indicia (11).

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention with the indicia (11) partially revealed under the layer of rub-off material (14) that has been partially removed. In such embodiments, it can be important to ensure that the indicia (11) are more resistant to rubbing than the layer of rub-off material (14). This ensures that the indicia (11) will not be too easily removed while the rub-off material is removed by the user of the pack. Another typical example is an opaque or semi-opaque sticker removably affixed to the surface of the reseal tape having the indicia (11), by a non permanent adhesive. Removing the sticker then easily reveals the indicia (11). The removable sticker can be joined to the external envelope (8) so as to be automatically removed when the reseal tape is lifted from the opening of the flap (6). In another embodiment the indicia (11) is transferred from the reseal tape to the external envelope (8) upon opening of the flap (6). Such transfer reveals it to the observer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the indicia (11) can allow for the selective identification of the pack among other packs having no indicia or different indicia (11). The selective identification can be facilitated by the indicia (11) comprising a specific sign (for example a specific alphabetical character, a specific word a specific number or a combination thereof). The selective identification of a pack among other packs facilitates the identification of the holder of the pack. The holder of the pack is the person who is in legal possession of the pack, preferably having acquired it through purchase or donation. A representative of the holder of the pack, acting on his/her behalf, is to be considered as the holder for the purpose of this invention. In a further embodiment the holder of the pack is provided with a benefit. Such benefit can be in the form of valuable goods, services or anything beneficial to the holder or to persons or entities designated by the holder.

A collection of packs comprising at least one pack (1) of the invention is contemplated as being part of the invention. Such collection can include a high number of packs (e.g. the entire production or a subset of it, of a specific pack of tissues) or can be limited to a small number of packs (for example 2, 5, 10, 20 or 30). At least one pack of the collection is as defined herein. In one embodiment, a collection of packs is enclosed in a packaging unit (such as a bundle). The packaging unit comprises typically 5, 10 or 20 packs, at least one of them being as defined in the claims. The packaging unit (e.g. the bundle) can be formed by a flexible film enclosing the collection of packs. The packaging unit prevents the access to the pack without destructing at least partially the packaging unit.

When more than one pack of the collection is as defined herein, the indicia of at least one pack of the collection is different from the indicia of the other packs. In one embodiment, a small number of packs, for example only one pack has a first indicia while the remaining packs of the collection have an indicia different from the first indicia or no indicia at all. The remaining packs can all have the same indicia or different indicia (or no indicia).

The invention also provides for a process comprising the steps of selecting a specific indicia among all the indicia of a collection of packs, identifying the holder of the pack having the selected indicia and providing the holder with a benefit. The selection step can be a random selection. The identification of the holder can require an active participation of the holder to check whether his/her pack has the selected indicia and can require him/her to execute any action allowing him to be identified (such as calling a phone number, or connecting to the internet, for example with the indicia serving as a code or password). The benefit provided to the holder can include valuable goods, services or anything beneficial to the holder or to persons or entities designated by the holder. For example it can include the authorization, the instructions and a license for downloading and using a musical file from the internet.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.

The dimensions and/or values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact dimension and/or numerical value recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension and/or numerical value is intended to mean both the recited dimension and/or numerical value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that dimension and/or numerical value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A pack of tissues, said pack comprising:

an external envelope, a multiplicity of tissues enclosed by said external envelope,

a dispensing orifice;

a reseal tape having a first, a second and a third region;

said external envelope comprising a flap, said flap being configured to at least partially cover said dispensing orifice;

said reseal tape being capable of reversibly resealing said flap over said dispensing orifice,

said first region of said reseal tape being joined to said flap;

said second region of said reseal tape comprising attaching means to facilitate said resealable attachment of said reseal tape to said external envelope;

said third region being distal from said first region and being substantially free of said attaching means to facilitate the operation of said reseal tape;

said third region having an internal surface facing said external envelope when said second region is attached to said external envelope, and having an external surface opposite thereto; and,

wherein one of said internal and said external surfaces comprises an indicia invisible to the naked eye of an observer observing said pack externally while said reseal tape is attached to said external envelope such as to at least partially cover said dispensing orifice.

2. The pack of claim 1 wherein said internal surface comprises said indicia.

3. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia is printed on said internal or external surface.

4. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia enables the selective identification of the pack.

5. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia is selected from the group consisting of alphabetical characters, numbers, or combinations thereof.

6. The pack of claim 2 wherein said indicia facilitates the identification of the holder of said pack and enables said holder to be provided with a benefit.

7. The pack of claim 1 wherein said third region of said reseal tape further comprises a rub-off material covering said indicia, rendering said indicia invisible to the naked eye of said observer.

8. The pack of claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive.

9. The pack of claim 1 wherein said tissues are paper handkerchiefs.