A PACKAGING STRAP FOR STRAPPING ELONGATED ITEMS

Abstract

 A packaging strap for strapping elongated items, made of a segment (1) of a ribbon (2) of material, in particular paper, whose inner surface (4) is suitable to be coated with an adhesive layer (5). The outer surface of the segment (1) of the ribbon (2) is covered with an informative-decorative print, wherein both ends of the segment (1) of the ribbon (2) are connected to each other in particular by gluing, welding or stitching. A tearstrip (3) is mounted to the inner surface (4) of the segment (1) of the ribbon (2) of material, one of the endings of the tearstrip (3) constitutes a flat handle. The strap according to the invention is characterised in that the breaking strength of the tearstrip (3) is similar to or lower than the breaking strength of the ribbon (2) of material.

Description

[0001] The object of the invention is a packaging strap for strapping elongated items, primarily rolled packaging materials, as well as ready-made plastic pouches and bags.

Prior art

[0002] Document PL 68633 presents a strap for strapping elongated items made of a ribbon segment whose inner surface is coated with a layer of dry glue, activated on one of the ends of this segment by moisturisation with water, and the outer surface of the ribbon segment is covered with an informative-decorative print. The strap according to this invention is characterised in that it has a transverse tearstrip made of a material with a considerably higher strength than the material of the ribbon, the use of which tears the strap in a suitable place during its removal. The strong tearstrip is made of a different material, which makes the process of secondary processing of the material more difficult. Transverse mounting is not ergonomic, which makes it more difficult to use the strap.

[0003] There are commonly known packaging straps used for the strapping of products typically packed into coils and rolls. Typically, straps are used for strapping rolls of paper, aluminium foil or plastic wrap, as well as rolled pouches and bags made of these materials. Straps are formed by strapping around the roll a ribbon segment which constitutes a prefabricated element of the strap, and gluing the ends of the ribbon segment. The coiled ribbon is fed to an automatic packaging machine where it is divided into segments and strapped around a product, forming a strap.

[0004] Known straps are made of paper and they are coated from the inner side with dry glue, activated after moisturisation with water, and from the outer side they are covered with an informative-decorative print. After forming the strap by wrapping the ribbon segment around an elongated item, the ends of the ribbon segment overlap each other, facilitating their gluing.

[0005] Straps typically have tearstrips, making it easier to tear a formed strap in order to use the product packed inside it. Tearstrips are made of foils or synthetic fabrics, threads or individual fibres. Such strips have a much higher breaking strength (i.e. tensile strength at break), due to which they tear the formed strap with ease. Unfortunately, due to the different type of material, the packaging strap with a strip with a much higher breaking strength made of a different material cannot be categorised as the same type of waste as the rest of the strap (e.g. paper waste). Due to this, in order for it to be processed again, it is necessary to remove the tearstrip or its remains and process them in separate fractions.

[0006] This is why it is the objective of the invention to provide a strap which lacks the abovementioned disadvantages, in particular the one in which the tearstrip and the rest of the strap can not be processed in the same waste fraction. As a result of the performed research, it unexpectedly turned out that these assumptions are satisfied by straps with a tearstrip whose breaking strength is comparable to or lower than the breaking strength of the strap material. This means that, according to the invention, it is possible to make a strap in which the tearstrip and the rest of the strap are made of the same material (e.g. paper, plastic, metal, etc.), where the tearstrip is "weaker" than the rest of the strap material. The scope of the invention also includes straps provided with a tearstrip made of a material different from the rest of the strap, the tearstrip being "weaker" than the rest of the strap material, and the material of the tearstrip and the strap material being selected so as to enable their processing in the same waste fraction.

[0007] A packaging strap for strapping elongated items, made of a segment of a ribbon of material, in particular paper, whose inner surface is suitable to be coated with an adhesive layer. The outer surface of the segment of the ribbon is covered with an informative-decorative print, wherein both ends of the segment of the ribbon are connected to each other in particular by gluing, welding or stitching. The tearstrip is mounted to the inner surface of the segment of the ribbon of material, one of the endings of the tearstrip constitutes a flat handle. The strap according to the invention is characterised in that the breaking strength of the tearstrip is similar to or lower than the breaking strength of the ribbon of material.

[0008] Preferably, the tearstrip has the shape of a straight line.

[0009] Preferably, the tearstrip extends obliquely relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0010] Preferably, the tearstrip extends at an angle of no more than 85 degrees, preferably no more than 80 degrees relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0011] Preferably, the tearstrip extends perpendicularly relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0012] Preferably, the tearstrip has the shape of a curve, a wavy line or a polygonal chain.

[0013] Preferably, the chord of the tearstrip, meaning a straight line connecting the beginning of one edge of the tearstrip and the end of the same edge of the tearstrip, extends obliquely relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0014] Preferably, the chord extends at an angle of no more than 85 degrees, more preferably no more than 80 degrees relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0015] Preferably, the chord of the tearstrip, meaning a straight line connecting the beginning of one edge of the tearstrip and the end of the same edge of the tearstrip, extends perpendicularly relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0016] Preferably, along the tearstrip, at least on one side thereof, there is at least one weak area in the form of a cut, perforation or embossment.

[0017] Preferably, along the tearstrip, at least on one side thereof, there are at least two weak areas in the form of cuts, perforations or embossments, placed at a distance of 1 to 5 mm from each other, more preferably 2 to 4 mm from each other, wherein one of these weak areas having a length of no more than 2 mm, more preferably about 1 mm, and the combined length of the weak areas on one side of the tearstrip is at least 31 mm.

[0018] Preferably, the tearstrip has the form of an adhesive sticker made of paper, plastic, fabric or metal.

[0019] Preferably, the tearstrip and/or the flat handle protrude beyond the lateral edge of the ribbon, and the surface of the flat handle is smooth, rough, or it constitutes a combination of smooth and rough areas.

[0020] Preferably, the end of the tearstrip and/or the flat handle are placed in an indentation near the lateral edge of the ribbon.

[0021] Preferably, the tearstrip has weakening elements, preferably cuts, perforations, indentations, thinnings, bulges, openings, an irregular structure, an irregular composition.

[0022] The invention will now be presented in more detail in a preferable embodiment, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 presents a cross-section of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items wrapped around an item with a circular cross-section.

Fig. 2 presents a preferable embodiment of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items with an indentation for a handle in the form of an unfolded segment of a ribbon constituting an unfolded packaging strap for strapping elongated items.

Fig. 3 presents another preferable embodiment of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items with a weak area in the form of an unfolded segment of a ribbon constituting an unfolded packaging strap for strapping elongated items.

Fig. 4 presents a detailed view of various preferable embodiments in a version with an indentation for a handle (Fig. 4 a) and with a weak area in the form of a cut (Fig. 4b).

Fig. 5 presents an axonometric view of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items wrapped around an item with a circular cross-section.

Fig. 6 presents another preferable embodiment of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items with an indentation for a handle in the form of an unfolded segment of a ribbon constituting an unfolded packaging strap for strapping elongated items.

Fig. 7 presents a preferable embodiment of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items with a weak area in the form of an unfolded segment of a ribbon constituting an unfolded packaging strap for strapping elongated items.

Fig. 8 presents a further preferable embodiment of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items in the form of an unfolded segment of a ribbon constituting an unfolded packaging strap for strapping elongated items with a strip in the form of a curve.

Fig. 9 presents yet another preferable embodiment of the packaging strap for strapping elongated items with four weak areas on one side of the strip, in the form of an unfolded segment of a ribbon constituting an unfolded packaging strap for strapping elongated items.

[0023] In a preferable embodiment, the packaging strap is made of a single segment 1 of a ribbon 2, from the inner (lower) side 4 completely coated with dry glue 5, preferably containing gum arabic, which is activated after moisturisation of one end of the segment during formation of the strap by wrapping the segment 1 of the ribbon 2 around the item being packed. The outer surface of the segment 1 of the ribbon 2 is covered with an informative-decorative print. Therefore, it is not necessary to precisely fit the ends of the segment 1 of the ribbon 2 during gluing. This enables packaging products with cross-sections different from circular (oval, square, rectangular) as well as products with varying cross-sections, both in terms of their shape and size, e.g. soft foil packages folded into a roll.

[0024] The tearstrip 3 made of a material from the same type group as segment 1 of the ribbon 2, preferably paper or cardboard, is glued to the inner surface of the strap. This allows avoiding considerable costs of separating the tearstrip from the strap in order to sort the waste produced after the use of the packaging strap according to the invention. The breaking strength of the tearstrip 3 is similar to or lower than the breaking strength of the material of the segment 1 of the ribbon 2, while additionally, in order to properly tear the package along the strip on its both sides, one cut has been initially performed per a segment 1 of the ribbon 2. The cut has a length of 3 mm and it is placed 3 mm away from the edge of the ribbon 2 and 3 mm away from the edge of the tearstrip 3 (the example of cuts described here is not shown in the drawing).

[0025] The packaging strap according to the invention has a tearstrip 3 adhered obliquely at an angle of 80 degrees relative to the edges of the ribbon 2 (meaning the edges placed at the top and at the bottom in fig. 3). Therefore, upon formation of the strap, the tearstrip 3 forms a helical line, which reflects the user's hand movement when tearing the package. Therefore, the tearing strength is directed perpendicularly to the surface of the strap and along the tearstrip 3, which additionally enhances the effect involving proper tearing of the strap, and the tearstrip 3 does not crack in spite of its breaking strength being comparable to that of the ribbon.

[0026] Also preferably, tearing in the proper direction is facilitated by using elongated cuts of the segment 1 of the ribbon 2 along the tearstrip 3 on its both sides.

[0027] The inventors have also provided for the alternative or preferable options of a packaging strap according to the present invention as listed below. All of these options fall within the scope of the appended claims:

• the tearstrip 3 may protrude (fig. 9) or not protrude (figs. 1-8) beyond the outline of the strap;
• on one side of the strap there may be an indentation 8 (figs. 2, 4a, 7, 8), but not necessarily (figs. 3, 4b, 5, 6, 9);
• the handle 7 may be placed in the indentation 8 (figs. 2, 4a, 7, 8);
• the number and length of the weak areas 6 do not have to be like in the embodiment presented above;
• the dimensions and shape of the indentation 8 do not have to be like in the embodiment presented above (figs. 2, 4a, 7, 8);
• the dimensions of the tearstrip 3 do not have to be like in the embodiment presented above;
• the handle 7 may have any print and/or colour;
• the handle 7 may have (but does not have to) a slightly rough surface for its easier gripping;
• alternative endings of the tearstrip 3: there may be no indentation 8 at all; or there can be only transverse cuts, and the tearstrip may be glued to the incised part of the strap or it may have an unremoved liner, due to which it will not adhere to fingers when being peeled off (figs. 3, 4b, 6);
• as regards tearstrips positioned obliquely, the tearstrip 3 may be adhered at various angles relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon 2 of the strap, as long as they are considerably smaller than 90 degrees. The research performed by the Applicants indicates that an angle of 80 degrees relative to the edge of the strap is most efficient during production and use (figs. 2, 3, 5).

[0028] In yet another preferable embodiment, the packaging strap according to the invention has a tearstrip 3 adhered perpendicularly at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the edges of the ribbon 2 (meaning the edges placed at the top and at the bottom in fig. 7). Along the strip, on its both sides, there are cuts 6 for facilitating the tearing, which additionally enhances the effect involving proper tearing of the strap, and the tearstrip 3 does not crack in spite of its breaking strength being comparable to that of the ribbon.

[0029] In a preferable embodiment (fig. 9), on both sides of the strip there are eight cuts 6; the combined length of the cuts on one side of the strip 3 is 31 mm and they are placed in a proper arrangement; the second cut has an additional smaller cut with a length of 1 mm, placed at a distance of approx. 3 mm from it.

Claims

1. A packaging strap for strapping elongated items, made of a segment (1) of a ribbon (2) of a material, in particular paper, whose inner surface (4) is suitable for being coated with an adhesive (5) layer ,and the outer surface of the segment (1) of the ribbon (2) is covered with an informative-decorative print, wherein both ends of the segment (1) of the ribbon (2) are connected to each other in particular by gluing, welding or stitching, and a tearstrip (3) is mounted to the inner surface (4) of the segment (1) of the ribbon (2) of material, and one of the endings of the tearstrip (3) constitutes a flat handle, characterised in that the breaking strength of the tearstrip (3) is similar to or lower than the breaking strength of the ribbon (2) of material.

2. The strap according to claim 1, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) has the shape of a straight line.

3. The strap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) extends obliquely relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

4. The strap according to claim 3, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) extends at an angle of no more than 85 degrees, preferably no more than 80 degrees relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

5. The strap according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) extends perpendicularly relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

6. The strap according to claim 1, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) has the shape of a curve, a wavy line or a polygonal chain.

7. The strap according to claim 6, characterised in that the chord (9) of the tearstrip (3), meaning a straight line connecting the beginning of one edge of the tearstrip (3) and the end of the same edge of the tearstrip (3), extends obliquely relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

8. The strap according to claim 7, characterised in that the chord (9) extends at an angle of no more than 85 degrees, preferably no more than 80 degrees relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

9. The strap according to claim 6, characterised in that the chord (9) of the tearstrip (3), meaning a straight line connecting the beginning of one edge of the tearstrip (3) and the end of the same edge of the tearstrip (3), extends perpendicularly relative to the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

10. The strap according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 9, characterised in that, along the tearstrip (3), at least on one side thereof, there is at least one weak area (6) in the form of a cut, perforation or embossment.

11. The strap according to claim 10, characterised in that along the tearstrip (3), on at least one side thereof, there are at least two weak areas (6) in the form of cuts, perforations or embossments, placed at a distance of 1 to 5 mm from each other, preferably 2 to 4 mm from each other, wherein one of these weak areas (6) having a length of no more than 2 mm, preferably about 1 mm, and the combined length of the weak areas (6) on one side of the tearstrip (3) is at least 31 mm.

12. The strap according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 11, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) has the form of an adhesive sticker made of paper, plastic, fabric or metal.

13. The strap according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 12, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) and/or the flat handle (7) protrude beyond the lateral edge of the ribbon (2), and the surface of the flat handle (7) is smooth, rough, or it constitutes a combination of smooth and rough areas.

14. The strap according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 13, characterised in that the end of the tearstrip (3) and/or the flat handle (7) are placed in an indentation (8) near the lateral edge of the ribbon (2).

15. The strap according to any of the preceding claims from 1 to 14, characterised in that the tearstrip (3) has weakening elements, preferably cuts, perforations, indentations, thinnings, bulges, openings, an irregular structure, an irregular composition.

Drawing