PERFORATED, ADHESIVE COATED WRAPPING MATERIAL

Abstract

A wrapping material includes a sheet of flexible material. The sheet is foldable along a first line that defines a first portion of a first side of the sheet and a second portion of the first side of the sheet. The wrapping material further includes an adhesive deposited on the first portion and a release material deposited on the second portion. The strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the release material is less than a strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the flexible material. When the sheet is folded along the first line, the adhesive contacts the release material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/984,534, filed Apr. 25, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This present disclosure is directed to an improved wrapping material that simplifies the process of wrapping packages and eliminates the need for additional tools and supplies that typically need to be used when wrapping a package.

Wrapping materials are commonly used to decorate packages that are to be given as a gift or to wrap packages that are to be transported to other locations, via mail for example. Gift wrapping is typically printed on a lightweight paper with single or multiple colors including various patterns. Postal wrapping paper is generally made of a heavier paper and does not include decorative patterns. Though more base materials, colors, patterns, and decorative designs are available in wrapping materials today, there has been little to no advancement in the ease of use over the history of wrapping packages.

Traditional wrapping materials require multiple tools or materials in addition to the wrapping material in order to wrap a package. Additional items required include scissors or other cutting instruments, tape, and potentially a ruler or other straight edge. Given the need for these tools, the process of wrapping a package is often time consuming and can be difficult if the required items are not readily available to the user. As many people are not comfortable using these tools, the process of wrapping a package can be more difficult than it could be, even if the tools are readily available.

SUMMARY

A first exemplary embodiment of a disclosed wrapping material includes a sheet of flexible material that can be folded along a first line. The first line defines a first portion of a first side of the sheet and a second portion of the first side of the sheet. An adhesive is deposited on the first portion, and a release material is deposited on the second portion. A strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the release material is less than a strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the flexible material. When the sheet is folded along the first line, the adhesive contacts the release material.

A second exemplary embodiment of a disclosed wrapping paper includes a sheet of foldable flexible material. A plurality of microperforations forms a line in the sheet that defines a first portion of a first side of the sheet and a second portion of the first side of the sheet. An adhesive is deposited on the first portion, and a release material is deposited on the second portion. The strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the release material is less than the strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the flexible material. When the sheet is folded along the line, the adhesive contacts the release material when the sheet is folded along the line.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a front side of a wrapping material according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a rear side of the wrapping material of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a detail plan view of the rear side of the wrapping material shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the wrapping material of FIG. 1 partially folded along a perforation;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the wrapping material of FIG. 4 fully folded along the perforation; and

FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the wrapping material of FIG. 5 fully folded along the perforation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This present disclosure is directed to wrapping materials that minimize or eliminate the need for tools, such as scissors, tape, rulers, etc., to wrap a package. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the wrapping material 10 comprises a sheet 12 of 0.003″ thick gloss paper that is sufficiently durable to be folded without ripping, while easily separating along perforations, described below. Alternate embodiments can utilize other known types of paper, such as a 40 lb. or 60 lb. paper that is commonly used for decorative wrapping. It will also be appreciated that the sheet 12 can be made from paper of other types or of any other suitable, preferably flexible, material. Non-limiting examples of alternate materials include cloth, cellophane, foil, polymer films, or combinations thereof. Although the present disclosure makes reference to gift wrapping materials, it will be appreciated that the disclosed wrapping material is not limited to gift wrapping. In this regard, various embodiments of the disclosed wrapping material are suitable for wrapping packages for shipping, i.e., postal paper, packing, storage, or any other situation in which a package is wrapped.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet 12 of the material has a front side 20 upon which a decorative pattern 22 is printed. It will be appreciated that any desired design or combination of designs can be printed on the wrapping material. Further, embodiments having a solid color, i.e., no design, are contemplated. These and other appearances that are decorative or purely functional are contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an adhesive 32 is selectively applied to form a pattern on the back side 30 of the sheet 12. In one exemplary embodiment, the adhesive 32 is a water-based, pressure-sensitive, removable, screen-printable adhesive. The adhesive 32 has sufficient adhesive strength so the wrapping material 10 does not unexpectedly peel way from a package to which it is applied. At the same time, the adhesive strength of the adhesive 32 is preferably sufficiently low that it allows for the wrapping material 10 to be repositioned on a package without damaging the package or causing the wrapping material to tear. The present disclosure is not limited to a particular adhesive, and the use of alternate adhesives having suitable adhesive properties is contemplated.

Printable adhesives are preferred to help control cost and allows to provide greater flexibility in creating the desired bond strength. Such adhesives can be applied to the sheet 12 by a printer, which allows for precisely positioned and sized adhesive deposits. Although printable adhesives are preferred, it will be appreciated that other non-printable adhesives having suitable properties may be utilized.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a release material 34 is selectively applied to form a pattern on the back side 30 of the sheet 12. The release material 34 is preferably a silicone based material such that the adhesive 32 will not adhere to or will have limited adhesion with the release material. In one exemplary embodiment, the release material 34 is a printable coating with a silicone additive so that the release material can be applied to the back side 20 of the sheet 12 by a printer. Other suitable release materials 34 and methods of applying the same to the sheet 12 are contemplated and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the release material 34 and the adhesive 32 are applied to the wrapping material 10 in discreet deposits so that release material 34 deposits and the adhesive 32 deposits form a grid. In the disclosed embodiment, the grid comprises a “checkerboard” pattern, wherein each row of the grid comprises alternating deposits of the adhesive 32 and the release material 34. The deposits are spaced apart so that the distance between the centers of any adjacent deposits along a row is approximately constant.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adhesive deposits are formed of generally round “dots” of adhesive 32 having a diameter of approximately 0.100 inches, and the release material deposits are formed of generally round “dots” of release material 34 have a diameter of approximately 0.150 inches. The distance between the center of any of the adhesive 32 deposits and an adjacent release material 34 deposit is approximately 0.25 inches. The size and spacing of the deposits may vary within the scope of the present disclosure. Nonetheless, as will be explained below, it is preferable but not necessary that the diameter of the release material 34 deposits be greater than the diameter of the adhesive 32 deposits.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a plurality of microperforations 40 form a pattern 42 on the wrapping material 10. More specifically, the microperforations 40 form a plurality of lines, which are arranged to form a grid. In the illustrated embodiment, each line of the microperforations 40 comprises a repeating pattern of cuts having a length of approximately 0.025″ separated by uncut portions of material having a length of approximately 0.015″. The pattern 42 is preferably formed using a micorperforated cutting die; however, any suitable manufacturing process can be utilized. Further, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the various pattern elements can vary within the scope of the present disclosure.

In the illustrated embodiment, the microperforations 40 are spaced to correspond to the adhesive 32 deposits and the release material 34 deposits such that the pattern 42 defines a plurality of squares, wherein the sides of each square are approximately 0.250 inches long, and an adhesive deposit or a release material deposit disposed in the square.

The pattern 42 of microperforations 40 provides for easy removal of the wrapping material 10 to be used by allowing a piece of wrapping paper to be cleanly separated (torn) along a microperforation without the use of cutting tools. In addition, the narrow spacing between each line of microperforations 40 minimizes the excess wrapping material 10 that needs to be used for overlapping during wrapping. The narrow spacing also allows for the wrapping paper 10 to easily contour to most packages that would be wrapped. The use of a very fine or pattern 42 of microperforations 40 minimizes the visual impact to the wrapping material 10 and, ultimately, to the finished wrapped package.

It will be appreciated that the disclosed microperforation pattern 42 having vertical and horizontal microperforation 40 lines is exemplary only and should not be considered limiting. In this regard alternate microperforation patterns, including only parallel lines, lines that form acute or obtuse angles to each other, diamond patterns, diamond patterns superimposed over vertical and/or horizontal lines, or any other suitable pattern are possible and should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

A grid comprising a plurality of lines 36 is optionally printed on the back 16 of the sheet 12. In the illustrated embodiment, each line of the microperforation pattern 42 is marked with a corresponding printed line 36. In addition, indicia 38 are optionally printed at various intervals to provide an indication of the distance between particular lines. In one possible embodiment, a series of increasing numbers is printed at one inch intervals corresponding to the printed lines 36. The printed lines 36 and indicia 38 help a user to separate an appropriate amount of wrapping material 10 for the size of the package that is being wrapped. The spacing of the printed lines 38, as well as the spacing and message of the indicia 38 can vary, and such variations should be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the wrapping material 10 is supplied in a folded form. In this regard, the wrapping material 10 is folded along a line of the microperforation 40 pattern 42 so that a first portion 50 of the rear side 30 contacts an adjacent second portion 52 of the rear side. Folding the wrapping material 10 along a line of the microperforation 40 pattern 42 ensures that the perforated squares from the first portion 50 align with the perforated squares from the second portion 52.

As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, aligning the perforated squares of the first portion 50 with the perforated squares from the second portion 52 results in each adhesive 32 deposit on the first portion 50 aligning with a corresponding release material 34 deposit on the second portion 52. Similarly, each release material 34 deposit on the first portion 50 aligns with a corresponding adhesive 32 deposit on the second portion 52. Thus, each adhesive 32 deposit engages a corresponding release material 34 deposit when the wrapping material 10 is folded in this manner. Because the adhesive 32 does not adhere or does not adhere as strongly to the release material 34, the wrapping material 10 can be easily unfolded without the risk of tearing the wrapping material due to the adhesive 32 adhering portions of the sheet. Longer sheets of wrapping material 10 can be folded multiple times, “accordion” style, to provide long sheets of wrapping material that can easily be unfolded to provide a user with a desired amount of wrapping material for a particular package.

Because the adhesive 32 deposits are preferably smaller than the release material 34 deposits, the adhesive 32 does not contact the wrapping material 10 directly when the wrapping material is folded in the manner shown in FIG. 4, allowing the wrapping material to be easily unfolded. Alternate embodiments are contemplated in which some contact between the adhesive 32 and the sheet occurs, e.g., wherein the adhesive extends beyond the edge of the release material 34, or wherein some of the adhesive deposits do not have corresponding release material deposits.

The presently disclosed wrapping material 10 provides several advantages over known wrapping materials. The pattern of adhesive and release material eliminates the need for a liner, as used in other wrapping papers, thereby reducing cost and materials. Further, by varying the size, type, and spacing of adhesives, the adhesive properties of the wrapping material can be modified to provide a desired level of adhesion. In addition, the wrapping material is foldable, which allows the material to be sold and shipped in folded sheets rather than the rolls or large sheets typically required by current wrapping materials. The ability to ship the material in folded sheets reduces shipping costs and increases the number of possible delivery options.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A wrapping material, comprising:

(a) a sheet of material foldable along a first line, the line defining a first portion of a first side of the sheet and a second portion of the first side of the sheet;

(b) an adhesive deposited on the first portion;

(c) a release material deposited on the second portion, a strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the release material being less than a strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the flexible material, wherein the adhesive contacts the release material when the sheet is folded along the first line.

2. The wrapping material of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of adhesive deposits and release material deposits on the first side of the sheet, the plurality of adhesive deposits and release material deposits being arranged in a second line perpendicular to the first line.

3. The wrapping material of claim 2, wherein the second line comprises alternating adhesive deposits and release material deposits.

4. The wrapping material of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of adhesive deposits in the second line engages one of the plurality of release material deposits in the second line when the sheet is folded along the first line.

5. The wrapping material of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a printable adhesive.

6. The wrapping material of claim 1, wherein the release material is a printable release material.

7. The wrapping material of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of microperforations formed in the sheet, the microperforations forming at least one line.

8. The wrapping material of claim 7, wherein the microperforations form a plurality of squares.

9. The wrapping material of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of squares contains one of the adhesive and the release material located therein.

10. A wrapping material, comprising:

(a) a sheet of material comprising a plurality of microperforations forming a line that defines a first portion of a first side of the sheet and a second portion of the first side of the sheet;

(b) an adhesive deposited on the first portion;

(c) a release material deposited on the second portion, a strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the release material being less than a strength of adhesion between the adhesive and the material, wherein the adhesive contacts the release material when the sheet is folded along the line.

11. The wrapping material of claim 10, wherein the adhesive is a printable adhesive.

12. The wrapping material of claim 10, wherein the release material comprises silicone.

13. The wrapping material of claim 10, further comprising a second plurality of microperforations forming a second line perpendicular to the first line.

14. The wrapping material of claim 13, further comprising: wherein the second adhesive deposit contacts the second release material deposit when the sheet is folded along the second line.

(a) a second adhesive deposit on the sheet, and

(b) a second release material deposit on the sheet, the second line being disposed between the second adhesive deposit and the second release material deposit,

15. The wrapping material of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of adhesive deposits on the second portion and a plurality of release material deposits on the first portion, each of the plurality of adhesive deposits contacting one of the plurality of release material deposits when the sheet is folded along the line.

16. The wrapping material of claim 1, further comprising a second plurality of adhesive deposits on the first portion and a second plurality of release material deposits on the second portion, each of the second plurality of adhesive deposits contacting one of the second plurality of release material deposits when the sheet is folded along the line.