Packaging for Gummy Substratum

Abstract

Implementations of the present invention include methods, devices, and systems that provide effective packaging items with at least one gummy surface. In particular, implementations of the present invention provide a package for items with a gummy surface that does not require a separate liner to be placed on the gummy surface. In example implementations, the package includes inadhesive polymers such that the item can be removeably adhered to a portion of the package.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 276,993, filed Sep. 18, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 319,124, filed Mar. 30, 2010. Both the '993 and the '124 applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure generally relates to packaging, and particularly to packaging of items having a sticky or tacky surface on at least a portion of a surface of the item.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Many items and products that are manufactured today are packaged for shipment to various commercial destinations. In fact, most products sold in today's economy are at one time or another packaged during the various stages of manufacturing, handling or shipping. Although there are various reasons for packaging a product (e.g., customer recognition or marketing) a primary purpose of a package is to protect the contents of the package ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for packaging items with gummy surfaces. The package does not require a separate liner and includes adhesive polymers that allow the item to be easily removed and attached to the package. The technical effect of this invention is that it provides an efficient and effective way to package items with gummy surfaces.

Problems solved by technology

Packaging and shipping expenses may be a costly and resource intensive portion of a manufacturer's production process.

Any improvements in the packaging characteristics of an item that reduces the number of packages, the size of the package, and / or the time associated with packaging the item may greatly decreases the overall production cost of that particular item.

The successful packaging of varying types of items may present a varying set of packaging challenges, depending on the characteristics of the items to be packaged.

Notwithstanding the above general categories, some specialty items are much more difficult to package and ship, which often leads to customized packaging to allow adequate delivery of the specialty items to the end-user.

In particular, gummy or sticky items may adhere to conventional packaging or wrappers and, in most cases, make it nearly impossible to separate the item from the packaging.

One example drawback is that the ease of separating the confection depends on which side of the cellophane the confection releases first.

Often times, however, the fruit laden confection will stay stuck to the body of the roll causing the end-user to have to tediously and carefully peel away the confection.

Furthermore, during the tedious peeling away process, the FRUIT ROLL-UP will often tear, causing the unpacking process to become increasingly more difficult and frustrating for the end-user.

Another disadvantage of a FRUIT ROLL-UP type wrapper is that it requires an additional package to environmentally seal the FRUIT ROLL-UP.

Without the use of an additional package, the no-stick wrapper may fail to seal the FRUIT ROLL-UP, causing the FRUIT ROLL-UP to dry out and / or become contaminated.

One disadvantage to using a release agent like wax is that the wax may release onto the candy and be ingested by the end user.

Another disadvantage to the packaging design of saltwater taffy is that it is not individually environmentally sealed.

One disadvantage to conventional packaging for whitening gels, as described above, is that if whitening gel is packaged without a release liner, then the whitening gel causes a mess and will not arrive to the end-user in a useable form.

On the other hand, by using a release liner, an additional manufacturing step, as well as additional packaging material, is added to the packaging of the whitening gel, causing the cost to package and ship the whitening gel to increase.

Moreover, a release liner does not seal out the sides of the whitening gel, and therefore a second environment package must be used, again causing the cost of packaging and shipping to increase.

Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages in the conventional art of packaging gummy or sticky substances.

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