WRAPPING PAPER

Abstract

Wrapping paper includes a sheet of paper having at least one edge portion delineated by a first line of weakness. Adhesive is applied to the edge portion. A gift item is wrapped by detaching at least one edge portion from the sheet along the first line of weakness, wrapping the sheet around the gift item, and using the adhesive edge portion to secure the sheet. The wrapping paper can formed of an edible paper with a non-toxic adhesive, such that the gift item can be unwrapped by consuming the wrapping paper.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61,041,620, filed on Apr. 2, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wrapping paper, and more particularly, to edible wrapping paper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is traditional to wrap gifts prior to exchanging them. Typically, the gift, or a box or other container holding the gift, is covered with wrapping paper. The wrapping paper is secured by several pieces of tape. While effective, this process requires a prospective gift giver to have both wrapping paper and tape. Ordinarily, tape is offered in quantities far greater than are needed to wrap a given gift, and the gradual accumulation of unwanted tape rolls is a common occurrence.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide wrapping paper that does not require a separate roll of tape. According an embodiment of the present invention, wrapping paper includes a sheet of paper having at least one edge portion delineated by a first line of weakness. Adhesive is applied to the edge portion.

According to a method aspect of the present invention, a method of wrapping a gift item includes detaching at least one edge portion from the sheet along the first line of weakness, wrapping the sheet around the gift item, and using the edge portion to secure the sheet.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the wrapping paper is formed of an edible paper and the adhesive is non-toxic. The wrapping paper is used to wrap a gift item, such that the gift item can be unwrapped by consuming the wrapping paper.

These and other embodiments, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the drawings and the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of wrapping paper, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wrapping paper of FIG. 1 being used to wrap a gift item;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of wrapping paper, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of wrapping paper, according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of wrapping paper, according to an additional embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention, wrapping paper 10 includes a sheet of paper 11 having an edge portion 12. A first line of weakness 14 is formed in the paper 10 between the edge portion 12 and the rest of the sheet 11. A plurality of second lines of weakness 16 are formed in the edge portion 12, subdividing the edge portion 12 into a plurality of connector portions 18. An adhesive 20 is applied to the edge portion 12 over the connector portions 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in operation, the edge portion 12 is removed from the sheet 11 along the first line of weakness 14. The sheet 11 is wrapped around a gift item. Connector portions 18 are separated along the second lines of weakness 16 and adhered to the sheet 11 to secure the sheet 11 in wrapped form.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to another embodiment of the present invention, wrapping paper 100 is rolled, with an unrolling direction 102. The wrapping paper 100 includes a plurality of sheets 110. The sheets 110 each include an edge portion 112. First lines of weakness 114 delineate each the edge portion 112 from the rest of the corresponding sheet 110, as well as delineating each sheet 110 from the next. Second lines of weakness 116 are formed on the edge portions 112, dividing the edge portions 112 into a plurality connector portions 118. Adhesive 120 is applied to the edge portions 112 over the connector portions 118.

In operation, the wrapping paper 100 is unrolled to allow access to at least one sheet 110. The at least one sheet 110 is separated from the roll 100 along the first line of weakness 114 such that at least one edge portion 112 is also separated from the roll. The at least one sheet 110 and edge portion 112 are then used to wrap a gift item substantially as described above in connection with the wrapping paper 10.

In the preceding embodiment, the edge portions 112 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the unrolling direction 102. Referring to FIG. 4, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, wrapping paper 200, with an unrolling direction 202, includes a plurality of sheets 210. The sheets 210 include a plurality of edge portions 212 that are arranged substantially parallel with the unrolling direction 202. The edge portions 212 are delineated from the sheets 210 by first lines of weakness 214.

The edge portions 212 are otherwise substantially similar to the edge portions 12 and 112, including second lines of weakness, connector portions and adhesive. Third lines of weakness 222 separate the wrapping paper portions 210 substantially perpendicular to the rolling direction 202. In operation, a desired number of sheets 210 are separated from the wrapping paper 200 along a third line of weakness 222 and wrapping proceeds substantially as described above in connection with the wrapping paper 10.

The present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiments herein shown and described. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, and adaptations to particular circumstances, are possible within the scope of the present invention.

For example, any suitable dimensions can be selected for the wrapping paper. Any desired design can be printed thereon. Any suitable paper material can be used for the wrapping paper. In addition to rolling, the wrapping paper can also be stored in folded form. Adhesive can be applied to both sides of the edge portion, giving the connector portions a “two-sided” adhesive capability.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an edible paper is selected, such as rice paper or wafer paper. Preferably, the edible paper selected is able to be folded and creased as needed for a wrapping application. A food safe ink, such as a soy-based ink, is used for the printing of a desired design and a non-toxic adhesive is selected, such as a moisture activated envelope adhesive. The paper can also be flavored and/or scented.

Wrapping papers or rolls according to this aspect of the present invention are particularly suitable for wrapping gift items for pets, as the pet can consume the wrapping paper to unwrap the gift item. The present invention is especially suitable for use with edible paper, as the need for tape or other, non-edible, adhesive materials is eliminated.

Edge portions can be divided into any number of connector portions or not divided at all, with a user able to cut connector portions of desired lengths. Any suitable adhesive can be chosen for the edge portion. If a pressure sensitive adhesive is selected, a quick release backing can be applied to prevent the adhesive from premature adherence. For example, referring to FIG. 5, wrapping paper 300 includes at least one sheet 310 having an edge portion 312 delineated by a line of weakness 314. The edge portion 312 is not subdivided and has a pressure sensitive adhesive 320 applied thereto. A releasable backing 330 covers the adhesive 320. In operation, the edge portion 312 is removed from the sheet 310, suitable size connector portions are cut off as needed, and the releasable backing 330 is removed from the cut connector portions prior to securing to the sheet 310 during wrapping.

Any suitable weakening can be used to form the first, second and third lines of weakness. For example, perforation, scoring or creasing can be employed to form lines of weakness. In connection with the embodiment including the wrapping paper 200, third lines of weakness 222 can be omitted, with a user cutting the roll 200 to separate a sheet of desired length.

The foregoing is illustrative of some modifications and adaptations that can fall within the scope of the present invention, and is not a comprehensive list. Instead, those skilled in the art will understand that these and other modifications, and adaptations to particular circumstances, fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Wrapping paper comprising:

at least one sheet of paper having at least one edge portion delineated by at least one first line of weakness proximate to a corresponding edge of the at least one sheet; and

an adhesive applied to the at least one edge portion.

2. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the first line of weakness is substantially parallel to and coextensive with the corresponding edge.

3. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the at least one edge portion has a plurality of connector portions delineated by at least one second line of weakness intersecting the first line of weakness.

4. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet of paper is an edible paper.

5. The wrapping paper of claim 4, further comprising a food safe ink printed on the at least one sheet.

6. The wrapping paper of claim 5, wherein the food safe ink is printed on a side of the at least one sheet without the adhesive.

7. The wrapping paper of claim 1, further comprising another sheet of paper delineated from the at least one sheet by a third line of weakness and having another edge portion delineated by another first line of weakness.

8. The wrapping paper of claim 7, wherein the third line of weakness is substantially perpendicular to the first lines of weakness.

9. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet is folded.

10. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the at least one sheet is rolled.

11. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

12. The wrapping paper of claim 11, further comprising a releasable backing applied over the pressure sensitive adhesive.

13. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is moisture activated.

14. The wrapping paper of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is non-toxic.

15. A gift wrapping method comprising:

detaching an edge portion from a sheet of paper along a line of weakness therebetween;

wrapping a gift using the sheet;

securing the sheet using an adhesive surface of the edge portion.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein securing the sheet using an adhesive surface of the edge portion includes removing a releasable backing from the edge portion to expose a pressure sensitive adhesive.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein securing the sheet using an adhesive surface of the edge portion further includes separating a connector portion from the edge portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein separating the connector portion from the edge portion includes cutting the connector portion from the edge portion.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein separating the connector portion from the edge portion includes detaching the connector portion along another line of weakness.

20. Wrapping paper comprising:

an edible sheet of paper with a line of weakness defined therein delineating a detachable edge portion;

a food safe ink printed on the edible sheet of paper;

a non-toxic, pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the detachable edge portion; and

a releasable backing covering the non-toxic, pressure sensitive adhesive.