Flexible wrap kit and methods

Abstract

Flexible wrap kits comprise a flexible film and an adhesive component wherein the adhesive component is adapted for application to the flexible film or an article for adhering the flexible film and the article upon contact therebetween, and wherein the kits are suitable for use in methods for adhering an article with the flexible film. In specific embodiments, the flexible film comprises plastic films, wax papers or metallic foil wraps.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/343,282, filed Oct. 26, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to flexible wrap kits and methods for adhering an article with the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to flexible wrap kits comprising a flexible film and an adhesive component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Over a number of years, flexible plastic film wrappings have become increasingly popular with many consumers, particularly for preserving and storing food-related products. A substantial part of this popularity can be attributed to the desirable properties associated with the wrappings. More particularly, most flexible plastic film wrappings allow consumers to preserve or store products for extended periods of time while exhibiting low levels of water vapor transmission, high levels of oxygen permeability, and resistance to chemical and mechanical deterioration and temperature fluctuation. However, despite the above advantages, formulating flexible plastic film wrappings having superior adherence, clinging and/or sealing properties has been difficult.

[0004] Accordingly, there is a desire for providing an improved adherence and/or seal between flexible plastic film wrappings and storage articles. Additionally, it is desirable for these improvements to be applicable to the safe storage of food.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to plastic wrap kits comprising: (a) a flexible plastic film; and (b) an adhesive component; wherein the adhesive component is adapted for application to the flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween.

[0006] In a further embodiment, the invention is directed to kits comprising: (a) an adhesive component; and (b) instructions for applying the adhesive component to a flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween.

[0007] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to plastic wrap kits comprising (a) a flexible plastic film; and (b) instructions for applying an adhesive component to the flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and an article upon contact therebetween.

[0008] In still further embodiments, the invention is directed to methods for adhering an article with the plastic wrap kits described herein, the methods comprising coating an area of at least one of the article and the flexible plastic film with an adhesive component; and contacting the article with the flexible plastic film at the coated area to form an adherence between the flexible plastic film and the article.

[0009] Accordingly, the present invention provides novel plastic wrap kits and methods for adhering an article with such plastic wrap kits which overcome one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] These and additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which is simply, by way of illustration, various modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and specification are illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be further understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic view of a first embodiment of a packaged kit according to the invention and comprising a roll of flexible plastic film and an adhesive component stored within the core of the roll;

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of the roll and the adhesive component stored therein, as shown in FIG. 1, removed from the package shown in FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of an adhesive component provided in stick form according to the invention and provided with a first embodiment of an application guiding device in the form of a v-notch guide;

[0015] FIG. 4a depicts a schematic view of a tube of an adhesive component according to the invention and provided with a second embodiment of an application guiding device in the form of an edge guide;

[0016] FIG. 4b depicts a schematic view of a tube of an adhesive component according to the invention and provided with a third embodiment of an application guiding device in the form of a flexible tip grip guide;

[0017] FIG. 5a depicts a schematic view of a stack of individually packaged adhesive wipes according to the invention;

[0018] FIG. 5b depicts a schematic view of a packaged adhesive wipe removed from a stack as shown in FIG. 5a; and

[0019] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic view of a packaged press-on adhesive according to the invention and comprising a peelable backing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present invention is directed to plastic wrap kits and methods of using such kits. More particularly, the plastic wrap kits comprise a flexible plastic film, an adhesive component and optionally instructions for use of the kit. In one embodiment, the kits are used for the storage of food products.

[0021] As used herein, “comprising” means that other steps and ingredients can be added. This term encompasses the terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”. The phrase “consisting essentially of” means that the kits may include additional ingredients, but only if the additional ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed kits or methods.

[0022] As used herein, “kit” refers generally to a set of articles or implements which may be used in conjunction with one another to achieve a specific purpose. The kits according to the present invention are directed specifically to plastic wrap kits. In one embodiment, the plastic wrap kits comprise the combination of one or more of a variety of conventional plastic wrap products and one or more of a variety of adhesives wherein an improved adherence is desired between the flexible plastic film and an article to be adhered by such films. As will be described in further detail below, in one embodiment, the plastic wrap kits of the invention comprise a flexible plastic film and an adhesive component wherein the adhesive component is adapted for application to the flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween. In an alternate embodiment, the plastic wrap kits of the invention comprise a flexible plastic film arranged on a roll; a food safe adhesive component provided in stick form; and instructions for use of the kit. These embodiments are described in further detail below.

[0023] Flexible Plastic Film

[0024] The plastic wrap kits of the present invention comprise a flexible plastic film. As used herein, “flexible plastic film” refers generally to a bendable, wrappable plastic sheet of material which is comparatively thin in relation to its breadth and width and is used primarily for packaging, preserving and/or storing articles in solid, semi-solid and/or liquid form.

[0025] Various materials and compositions, particularly polymeric compounds, are useful for the manufacture of the flexible plastic films according to the present invention. As used herein, “polymer” refers generally to naturally occurring or synthetic based compounds consisting of large molecules made up of a linked series of repeated simple monomers. Furthermore, it should be understood that “polymer” is intended to encompass any homopolymers and/or copolymers of the indicated monomers or compositions, and/or blends of such polymers. Specific polymers capable of forming the flexible plastic films include, but are not limited to, polymers selected from the group consisting of polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP), polystyrenes (PS), polyvinyl chlorides (PVC), polyvinylidene chlorides (PVDC), polyvinyl acetates (PVAC), polyamides, including nylons, polyesters and mixtures thereof. In a specific embodiment, the plastic wrap is formed, at least in part, of a vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer.

[0026] The flexible plastic films according to the present invention may further comprise one or more additional components to enhance the characteristics of the product. For instance, in a specific embodiment the flexible plastic film further comprises an additional component selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons, olefinic hydrocarbons, plasticizers, antioxidants, mold release agents, processing aids, ultraviolet light stabilizers, additives, colorants, heat stabilizers, gel scrubbing agents, organic fillers, inorganic fillers and mixtures thereof.

[0027] Additionally, the flexible plastic films of the present invention may comprise a cling additive. There are numerous cling additives well known in the art to provide the cling characteristic of polymeric films. Some of these cling additives include, but are not limited to, glycerol, mono- or di-oleate, glycerol isostearate, polyisobutylene, polyethylene oil, low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight ethylene vinyl acetate, polypropylene glycol, fatty esters and vegetable oils.

[0028] The flexible plastic films will typically have an average thickness of from about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil, although one skilled in the art will appreciate that flexible plastic films having a thickness outside of this range may also be suitable for providing the desired plastic wrap kits. In a more specific embodiment, the flexible plastic films have a thickness of from about 0.2 mil to about 3 mil, preferably from about 0.2 mil to about 2 mil, more preferably from about 0.3 mil to about 2 mil.

[0029] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the flexible plastic wraps of the present invention may comprise a monolayer, or, alternatively, may comprise multiple layers. Thus, for example, a first flexible plastic film layer comprising one or more polymers may be used together with a second flexible plastic film containing one or more polymers. Furthermore, these films can be prepared by any conventional process, and their properties designed to accommodate any particular end use. Typically, the plastic films are provided in roll form on a cardboard tube. However, the plastic wraps may easily be provided in any of a variety of other forms, including precut sheet form or the like. Additionally, it should be understood that the flexible plastic films as described are exemplary only and those skilled in the art will recognize other films and materials are suitable for manufacturing the kits of the present invention. For instance, one skilled in the art will appreciate that similar food wrap materials including, but not limited to, wax papers, metallic foil wraps (such as aluminum foil) and other food wrap materials may be formulated according to the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0030] Adhesive Component

[0031] The plastic wrap kits of the present invention also comprise an adhesive component in addition to the flexible plastic film. As used herein, “adhesive component” refers generally to a sticky, tenacious substance that unites, bonds or adheres two surfaces together. It should be understood that the adhesive components of the present invention may comprise natural or synthetic adhesives and may be prepackaged either together or independently from the flexible plastic film.

[0032] Adhesive components suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to animal glue, casein glue, blood albumen glue, starch, dextrin, natural gum or a mixture thereof. Other useful adhesive components include, but are not limited to contact cement, structural adhesive, hot-melt adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, ultraviolet-cured adhesive, permanent adhesive, temporary adhesive, semi-permanent adhesive, solvent-based adhesive, water-based adhesive, waterborne adhesive, electronic beam (e-beam) adhesive, two-part adhesive, two-part reactive adhesive, peelable adhesive, refastenable adhesive, resealable adhesive or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, in specific embodiments, the adhesive components may be provided in the form of a food safe adhesive component, particularly wherein the kit is a food storage wrap product.

[0033] The adhesive components of the present invention are intended to be compatible with both the flexible plastic film as well as the article desired to be adhered by the film. Accordingly, the adhesive components are not intended to be limited to any given adhering situation. For instance, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present adhesive components may create either a temporary, permanent or semi-permanent adherence and that they may adhere to a variety of materials. Some of the materials appropriate for adherence according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, glass, wood, plastic, metal, ceramic, paper and any other materials commonly used around the kitchen and/or home. Furthermore, the adhesive components are intended to be applicable to a variety of environmental conditions and/or temperatures. For instance, the adhesive components are not limited to any given wet, dry, hot or cold application. Similarly, two or more adhesive components may also be applied together to accommodate varying conditions.

[0034] In one specific embodiment, an adhesive component comprises a flexible plastic film, a first adhesive and a second adhesive. According to a further embodiment, the first adhesive is adapted for adhering under a first specific condition, and the second adhesive is adapted for adhering under a second specific condition. In one exemplary embodiment, for instance, the first adhesive is adapted for adhering under a hot condition and the second adhesive is adapted for adhering under a cold condition. In another exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive is adapted for adhering under a moist condition and the second adhesive is adapted for adhering under a dry condition. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the first adhesive is aqueous based and adapted for adhering under conditions wherein an aqueous based adhesive is effective, while the second adhesive is oil based and adapted for adhering under conditions wherein an oil-based adhesive is effective. According to the present embodiments, the first adhesive and the second adhesive may be provided in a single composition, for example to form a heterogeneous mixture. As used herein, “single composition” is intended to encompass any combination of necessary parts or elements which together provide a whole substance and which may exist in a form such as, but not limited to, a mixture, a layering of components, an intermixing of ingredients and the like. Alternatively, the first adhesive and the second adhesive may be packaged apart from one another. Additionally, it is envisioned that color coding of the first adhesive and the second adhesive may be desired when more than one adhesive component is utilized according to the present invention. For instance, it may be desirable to individually assign the first and second adhesive component, and/or their respective packages, a specific color designation which the user can identify prior to using such component. According to this embodiment, the user will be able to easily identify which given adhesive is appropriate for the specific adhering activity by matching the color of the component and/or package with a predetermined color coding instruction guide or other similar identification device.

[0035] In one embodiment, the adhesive component is adapted to provide the flexible plastic film with a semi-permanent adherence and/or bond to a surface. In this embodiment, the adhesive component is adapted to adhere the flexible plastic film to, for example, a glass surface such as the rim of a glass bowl, with a bond sufficiently strong to resist unsealing of the flexible plastic film and to prevent the contents of the bowl from breaking the adherence if the bowl is tipped or overturned, yet sufficiently weak to allow removal of the flexible plastic film from the surface by firm pulling by the consumer when so desired. More particularly, the flexible plastic films of the present invention are designed to exhibit an adhesion property sufficient to survive the likely degree of handling the adhered article or enclosed container is likely to encounter in use while maintaining the desired level of adherence with the item, with itself, or with the accompanying semi-permanently enclosed container such that preservation or storage of the targeted item is ensured.

[0036] One way to measure or quantify this adhesion property is in terms of an adhesion peel force value which is preferably measured by Pressure Sensitive Tape Council Method PSTC-1. According to this method, a 12-inch (30.5 cm) by 1-inch (2.5 cm) strip of film is rolled once against a smooth stainless steel surface at a rate of 12 inches (30.5 cm) per minute using a 4.5 pound (2.04 kg) roller and then tested as having a peak adhesion peel force value ranging from about 1 to about 50 ounces/inch (0.012 to 0.600 kg/cm), more preferably from about 1 to about 2.5 ounces/inch (0.012 to 0.027 kg/cm) of strip width. In general, minimum adhesion which maintains an adherence is desired for a flexible plastic wrap, so that the wrap is easily peeled open for access to the stored item(s).

[0037] In one embodiment, at least one of the flexible plastic film and the adhesive component comprises a colorant adapted to provide a visible color expression upon adhering the flexible plastic film to an article. As used herein, “colorant” generally refers to a substance that colors or modifies the hue of another substance. According to this embodiment, a color expression is provided by the adhesive component once the flexible plastic film is adhered to an article thereby confirming to the user whether a sufficient adherence has been established. Moreover, in further embodiments, the flexible plastic film and the adhesive component may each individually comprise a color component which together are adapted to provide a color expression upon adhering the flexible plastic wrap to an article.

[0038] In another embodiment, the adhesive component comprises an encapsulated pigment adapted to provide a visible color expression upon application of pressure to the adhesive component. As used herein, “encapsulated pigment” generally refers to an encased or enclosed substance of color. More particularly, it is envisioned that upon applying pressure to the adhesive component, the casing or enclosure is ruptured or otherwise altered and a visible color expression will be provided thereby confirming the sufficiency of the adherence between the article and the flexible plastic film. After such application, the user can visually identify which portions, if any, of the resultant adherence are lacking sufficient bondage by comparing the areas exemplifying a positive color expression to the areas lacking such a color expression. As used herein, “application of pressure” refers generally to the exertion of force to the desired material.

[0039] Depending on the desired use, the adhesive components of the present invention may be dispensed from a variety of devices. These devices include, but are not limited to, sticks, tubes, spray devices, bottles, pens, brushes, sponges and combinations thereof.

[0040] In another embodiment, the plastic wrap kits further comprise instructions for use of the kit, for example, for achieving an adherence between the flexible plastic film and an article. The instructions may comprise written instructions and/or one or more illustrated nonverbal cues. As used herein, “nonverbal cue” generally refers to a communication signal without the use of vocabulary. Furthermore, it should be understood that the instructions are not limited to uses associated with adhering the flexible plastic film and the article. Alternatively, the instructions may provide optional uses for the plastic film and/or the adhesive component in other embodiments. It should be understood that use of the plastic wrap kits disclosed herein are not limited to any one application. For instance, an adhesive component may be applied to only a portion of an article desired to be covered. Alternatively, a complete application of adhesive may be necessary. In still other embodiments, the application of an adhesive component may be unnecessary altogether. As a result, it should be understood that the plastic wrap kits according to the present invention are intended to be flexible in their nature of application, wherein the individual user will decide the exact method of application necessary for each given situation.

[0041] In one specific embodiment, the plastic wrap kit comprises (a) a flexible plastic film arranged on a roll; (b) a food safe adhesive component provided in stick form; and (c) instructions for use of the kit. This embodiment provides for consumer convenience. In those embodiments wherein the adhesive component and the flexible plastic film are prepackaged together, the packaging can be of any conventional arrangement. For instance, the adhesive component could be independently placed within the container housing the flexible plastic film. Similarly, the adhesive component could be located within the core of a roll type product or placed within any other void space surrounding or within the roll. For instance, the flexible plastic film and adhesive component can be packaged together in a kit such as depicted by FIGS. 1 and 2. In accordance with these embodiments, a container 10 made of any suitable packaging material, for example cardboard, includes a roll 15 wrapped with a flexible plastic film 40 (not shown in FIG. 1). A core 35 of the roll 15 is adapted to house a stick 20 of an adhesive component. The stick 20 is arranged within the core 35 by a holding piece 25. The container 10 may optionally be provided with instructions 30 to explain the use of the components. Furthermore, as depicted in FIG. 2, the adhesive component stick 20, together with the holding piece 25, may be easily inserted into and removed from the core 35 of the roll 15.

[0042] One skilled in the art, however, will appreciate that other arrangements of the plastic wrap kit in accordance with the present invention may be formulated, as FIGS. 1 and 2 are not intended to be limiting thereof. For instance, the adhesive component may be attached to the outside of a container housing the flexible plastic film or, alternatively, independently packaged altogether. Additionally, the individual components of the plastic wrap kits according to the present invention may also exist in a variety of product forms. For instance, in one exemplary embodiment, the adhesive component is in the form of a ribbon or chain-like structure which may be stored or located within the core of the plastic wrap roll. The ribbon or chain may, for example, comprise a plurality of individually packaged adhesive portions. In yet another embodiment, a heterogeneous adhesive bar, or an adhesive bar comprising one or more adhesive strips, is located within the plastic wrap kit in a position such that removal of the flexible plastic film causes the film to be coated with the adhesive component. In further embodiments, a reservoir of an adhesive component, or a mixture of one or more adhesive components, is provided and may, for example, be located within the lid of the kit such that the adhesive component is sprayed upon the desired surface of the flexible plastic film upon dispensing. As a result, the physical arrangement, as well as the product form of the components, namely the flexible plastic film, adhesive component and optionally instructions, according to the invention, can exist in any arrangement within the kit.

[0043] In still other embodiments, the food wrap kit comprises a flexible food wrap material arranged on a roll, a container housing the flexible food wrap material, and an adhesive component located on a surface of the container. For instance, in one specific embodiment, the adhesive component may be located under a removable opening tab located on the surface of the container. Upon a user removing the opening tab during the initial opening of the container, the adhesive component will be exposed and thereby available for application onto flexible food wrap materials. According to this embodiment, the user may drape the flexible food wrap material over the adhesive component and subsequently apply pressure (such as with the user's finger) to the wrap material such that the material comes into contact with the adhesive component and is coated with such adhesive.

[0044] In similar embodiments, it is envisioned that one or more adhesive component may be positioned at various locations upon the surface of the container such that during the dispensing of the flexible food wrap material, the one or more adhesive component is applied to predetermined and specifically targeted locations of the wrap material. For instance, in one specific embodiment, at least two adhesive components may be positioned parallel to each other and at opposite ends of the container. Upon dispensing the flexible food wrap material from the container, the adhesive components will independently come into contact with the wrap material at the corresponding locations positioned adjacent to such components so that the surface of the wrap material is coated with adhesive. Further according to this embodiment, the application of the one or more adhesive component may be applied either uniformly or intermittently to the wrap material during the coating stages, as it should be understood that the physical arrangement of the adhesives on the surface of the container is not intended to be limiting herein. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will appreciate that these arrangements are exemplary and other arrangements may be formulated and utilized while still keeping with the spirit of the present invention.

[0045] Moreover, the device for dispensing the adhesive component may further comprise an application guiding device, such as depicted by FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b, for allowing easy and/or controlled application of adhesive to a surface. According to FIG. 3, for instance, a dispensing device for an adhesive component provided in stick form may comprise a notch application guiding device to assist the user in placing the adhesive component on the article to be adhered or on the flexible plastic film. More particularly, an adhesive stick 50 comprises an adhesive component 45 together with an application guiding device 55 in the form of a v-notch located in a rim of the stick container. The v-notch application guiding device 55 is adapted to provide easy application of the adhesive component onto a desired surface of an article to be adhered or onto the flexible plastic film. According to this embodiment, a user can adjust the amount of adhesive component 45 to be applied to the desired surface by turning a dispenser dial 60 and then placing the v-notch shaped application guiding device 55 against the surface of the desired article to be adhered or the flexible plastic film and subsequently guiding the application guiding device 55 along such.

[0046] Similarly, FIGS. 4a and 4b depict tubes 65a, 65b of an adhesive component comprising differing types of application guiding devices 70a, 70b attached to a dispensing tip 75a, 75b. Upon applying pressure to the tube, the adhesive component will exit a dispensing hole 80a, 80b in the dispensing tip such that the application guiding device 70a, 70b can be placed against the article to be adhered or the flexible plastic film for assisting and guiding application of the adhesive component. In the embodiment of FIG. 4a, application guiding device 70a comprises a protrusion on the dispensing tip 75a, which protrusion will act as a guide for contacting the tip along a surface to be coated. In the embodiment of FIG. 4b, the application guiding device 70b comprises a pair of flexible tips which form a grip adapted to grip an edge to which the adhesive is to be applied. The application guiding devices of FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b, respectively, may exist in various forms, as the figures are not intended to be limiting thereof. Suitable application guiding devices include, but are not limited to, edge guides, v-notches, tracking devices, ball devices, flexible tip gripping devices and other guiding devices adapted to provide easy application of an adhesive component.

[0047] In another embodiment, the adhesive component is provided in the form of a plurality of single use portions. Without being limited by theory herein, it is envisioned that during some adhesion applications it may be possible to contaminate the adhesive component with bacteria and/or other similar pathogenic material. For instance, during the adhering of meat-related products, it is envisioned that the meat may come into contact with the surface and/or rim of the container or article to be adhered thereby contaminating the item's surface with bacteria. During the application of the adhesive component to the now contaminated surface and/or rim, the bacteria or similar pathogenic material may transfer onto the adhesive component thereby placing subsequent adhesion applications at risk of also becoming contaminated. As a result, it may be desirable to use single use portions of the adhesive component during these or similar applications. According to this embodiment, the single use portions may comprise a separated layer portion or an individually wrapped portion.

[0048] As depicted by FIG. 5a, for instance, stacked adhesive wipes 85 are provided. The stack may be positioned inside or attached to a container comprising the flexible plastic wrap for individual application of an adhesive component according to the invention. As can be seen from FIG. 5b, an individual packaged adhesive wipe 90 may be removed from the stack 85 and an adhesive component layer 100 can be exposed by peeling away a backing material 95. Once the adhesive layer is exposed, the adhesive component may be wiped upon the desired surface of the article to be adhered or the flexible plastic film thereby layering the item with the adhesive component 100 for easy adhesion.

[0049] In still other embodiments, a press-on adhesive pack, such as a blister pack, may be included with the plastic wrap kits of the present invention. For instance, FIG. 6 depicts an individually packaged press-on adhesive in accordance with the present invention. An adhesive component 110 is housed within an adhesive pocket 105 and may be exposed upon peeling away a backing material 115 attached to the adhesive pack. Upon removing such backing material 115, the adhesive component 110 is available to apply to a desired article to be adhered or the flexible plastic film by applying pressure or force to the back of the adhesive pocket 105 and thereby forcing the adhesive component 110 to exit the adhesive pack and onto the desired item.

[0050] The invention is further directed to additional kits. For instance, in one embodiment the plastic wrap kits comprise (a) a flexible plastic film, and (b) instructions for applying an adhesive component to the flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween. In another embodiment, a kit comprises (a) an adhesive component, and (b) instructions for applying the adhesive component to a flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween. Still other embodiments comprise a food wrap kit comprising (a) a flexible food wrap material; and (b) an adhesive component wherein the adhesive component is adapted for application to the flexible food wrap material or an article for adhering the flexible food wrap material and the article upon contact therebetween. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting thereof.

[0051] Methods for Adhering an Article with a Flexible Plastic Film

[0052] The present invention also relates to methods for adhering an article with a flexible plastic film. As used herein, “article” refers generally to any substrate to which is desirable to adhere or seal a flexible film, and can include a portion of the flexible film itself. In one specific embodiment, article refers to a container suitable for storage. As used herein, “adhere” refers generally to the formation of a temporary, semi-permanent or permanent barrier, seal and/or barricade that combines or otherwise attaches the surfaces of two respective objects. It should be understood, however, that the kits according to the present invention can be used to form devices such as pouches, envelops, or bags.

[0053] In one embodiment, methods for adhering an article with a flexible plastic film comprise: (a) coating an area of at least one of the article and the flexible plastic film with an adhesive component; and (b) contacting the article with the flexible plastic film at the coated area to form an adherence between the flexible plastic film and the article. According to this embodiment, the flexible plastic film and the adhesive component are prepackaged together in a kit.

[0054] The examples and specific embodiments set forth herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the methods and kits of the invention. Additional methods and kits within the scope of the claimed invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein.

Claims

1. A plastic wrap kit comprising:

(a) a flexible plastic film; and

(b) an adhesive component;

wherein the adhesive component is adapted for application to the flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween.

2. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the flexible plastic film has a thickness in the range of from about 0.1 mil to about 10 mil.

3. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive component comprises a first adhesive and a second adhesive.

4. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 3 wherein the first adhesive is adapted for adhering under a hot condition and the second adhesive is adapted for adhering under a cold condition.

5. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 3 wherein the first adhesive is adapted for adhering under a moist condition and the second adhesive is adapted for adhering under a dry condition.

6. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 3 wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive are provided in a single composition.

7. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 3 wherein the first adhesive and the second adhesive are packaged apart from one another.

8. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the flexible plastic film and the adhesive component comprises a colorant adapted to provide a visible color expression upon adhering the flexible plastic film to an article.

9. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the flexible plastic film and the adhesive component each individually comprise a color component which together are adapted to provide a color expression upon adhering the flexible plastic film to an article.

10. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive component further comprises an application guiding device.

11. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive component is in the form of a plurality of single use portions.

12. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive component is dispensable from a device selected from the group consisting of sticks, tubes, spray devices, bottles, pens, brushes, sponges and combinations thereof.

13. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 wherein the kit is a food storage wrap product and wherein the adhesive component is a food safe adhesive component.

14. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 13 wherein the flexible plastic film is arranged on a roll and wherein the food safe adhesive component is provided in stick form.

15. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 1 further comprising instructions for use of the kit, wherein the instructions comprise an illustrated nonverbal cue.

16. A kit comprising:

(a) an adhesive component; and

(b) instructions for applying the adhesive component to a flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween.

17. A plastic wrap kit comprising:

(a) a flexible plastic film; and

(b) instructions for applying an adhesive component to the flexible plastic film or an article for adhering the flexible plastic film and the article upon contact therebetween.

18. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 17 wherein the kit further comprises a container housing the flexible plastic film.

19. A plastic wrap kit according to claim 18 wherein the kit further comprises an adhesive component and wherein the flexible plastic film is arranged on a roll and the adhesive component is located on a surface of the container.

20. A method for adhering an article with the plastic wrap kit of claim 1, comprising the steps of:

(a) coating an area of at least one of the article and the flexible plastic film with the adhesive component; and

(b) contacting the article with the flexible plastic film at the coated area to form an adherence between the flexible plastic film and the article.