PACKAGING TRIM SUCH AS RIBBON OR STRING

Abstract

A packaging trim including a first tether having a first loop and a first bridle and a second tether having a second loop and a second bridle. The first and second loops are interlinked. The first loop is drawn around a first portion of a package so that the first portion extends within or adjacent a first space defined by the first loop. The first bridle may be manipulated to draw the first loop around the first portion of the package. The second loop is drawn around a second portion of the package so that the second portion extends within or adjacent a second space defined by the second loop. The second bridle may be manipulated to draw the second loop around the second portion of the package. The first and second bridles are drawn together and secured so that the packaging trim is wrapped around the package.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to packaging and, more particularly, to a packaging trim such as a ribbon or a string.

BACKGROUND

Conventional packages (especially those having the shape of a rectangular prism) are routinely trimmed with a single continuous ribbon wrapped around all sides of the package and tied at the top. However, to one who is uninitiated or out of practice, this process of trimming a package can be painstaking and time consuming. Therefore, what is needed is a packaging trim that is easier and faster to apply to a package than existing packaging trims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a packaging trim, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the packaging trim of FIG. 1 in a first operational state, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the packaging trim of FIG. 2A in the first operation state and having a package placed thereon, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2C is a top perspective view of the packaging trim of FIG. 2B in a second operational state in which the bridles are lifted vertically so that the loops are drawn around opposing edge portions of the package, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2D is top a perspective view of the packaging trim of FIG. 2C in a third operational state in which the bridles are drawn together and tied so that the packaging trim is wrapped around all sides of the package, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2E is a bottom perspective view of the packaging trim of FIG. 2D in the third operational state, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for implementing one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a packaging trim is generally referred to by the reference numeral 10 and includes tethers 12a and 12b. The tether 12a includes a loop 14a and a bridle 16a. Similarly, the tether 12b includes a loop 14b and a bridle 16b. The loop 14a of the tether 12a is interlinked with the loop 14b of the tether 14b to form the packaging trim 10. In several embodiments, the interlinking of the loop 14a of the tether 12a with the loop 14b of the tether 14b prevents the tethers 12a and 12b from being separated from one another. In several embodiments, the tethers 12a and 12b are substantially identical to one another.

In several embodiments, the loop 14a and the bridle 16a of the tether 12a are integrally formed. For example, the bridle 16a may include an end portion 17aa of the tether 12a while the loop 14a includes an end portion 17ab of the tether 12a. The end portion 17ab of the tether 12a may include an eye through which the end portion 17aa of the tether 12a is passed to form the loop 14a and the bridle 16a, in which case the loop 14a and the bridle 16a are adjustable by passing more or less of the tether 12a through the eye. In several embodiments, the eye through which the end portion 17aa of the tether 12a is passed is formed by a slipknot. In addition to, or instead of, the eye being formed at the end portion 17ab of the tether 12a, the end portion 17ab of the tether 12a may be fixed to a medial portion of the tether 12a located between the end portions 17aa and 17ab, in which case the loop 14a and the bridle 16a are not adjustable.

In other embodiments, the loop 14a and the bridle 16a of the tether 12a are separately formed. For example, the bridle 16a may be fixed to the loop 14a, in which case the loop 14a and the bridle 16a of the tether 12a are not adjustable. The loop 14a of the tether 12a may be endless or may include opposing end portions fixed together. For another example, the bridle 16a may include an eye through which the loop is passed to form the tether 12a, in which case the loop 14a and the bridle 16a are adjustable by passing more or less of the loop 14a through the eye.

Similarly, in several embodiments, the loop 14b and the bridle 16b of the tether 12b are integrally formed. For example, the bridle 16b may include an end portion 17ba of the tether 12b while the loop 14b includes an end portion 17bb of the tether 12b. The end portion 17bb of the tether 12b may include an eye through which the end portion 17ba of the tether 12b is passed to form the loop 14b and the bridle 16b, in which case the loop 14b and the bridle 16b are adjustable by passing more or less of the tether 12b through the eye. In several embodiments, the eye through which the end portion 17ba of the tether 12b is passed is formed by a slipknot. In addition to, or instead of, the eye being formed at the end portion 17bb of the tether 12b, the end portion 17bb of the tether 12b may be fixed to a medial portion of the tether 12b located between the end portions 17ba and 17bb, in which case the loop 14b and the bridle 16b are not adjustable.

In other embodiments, the loop 14b and the bridle 16b of the tether 12b are separately formed. For example, the bridle 16b may be fixed to the loop 14b, in which case the loop 14b and the bridle 16b of the tether 12b are not adjustable. The loop 14b of the tether 12b may be endless or may include opposing end portions fixed together. For another example, the bridle 16b may include an eye through which the loop is passed to form the tether 12b, in which case the loop 14b and the bridle 16b are adjustable by passing more or less of the loop 14b through the eye.

In operation, an embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E, the packaging trim 10 is applied to a package 18 having the shape of, for example, a rectangular prism. The packaging trim 10 is positioned so that the interlinked loops 14a and 14b define adjacent spaces 20 and 22, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2A. In several embodiments, the packaging trim 10 may be spread out so that the bridles 16a and 16b extend generally in directions 19a and 19b, respectively. In several embodiments, the directions 19a and 19b are opposing directions.

The package 18 may then be positioned so that a portion 24a of the package extends within or adjacent the space 20 and a portion 24b of the package extends within or adjacent the space 22, as shown in FIG. 2B. In several embodiments, the package 18 is placed on top of the packaging trim 10 so that the portions 24a and 24b of the package 18 extend within or adjacent the spaces 20 and 22, respectively. In several embodiments, as in FIG. 2B, the portion 24a is or includes a corner portion of the package 18. In other embodiments, the portion 24a may be or include a non-corner portion of the package 18. Similarly, in several embodiments, as in FIG. 2B, the portion 24b is or includes a corner portion of the package 18. In other embodiments, the portion 24b may be or include a non-corner portion of the package.

The bridle 16a is manipulated to draw the loop 14a around a portion 26a of the package 18 so that the portion 26a extends within or adjacent the space 20 defined by the loop 14a, as shown in FIG. 2C. In several embodiments, the portion 26a is or includes an edge portion of the package. In other embodiments, the portion 26a may be or include a non-edge portion of the package 18. In several embodiments, the bridle 16a is lifted vertically to draw the loop 14a around the portion 26a of the package 18. Similarly, the bridle 16b is manipulated to draw the loop 14b around a portion 26b of the package 18 so that the portion 26b extends within or adjacent the space 22 defined by the loop 14b, as shown in FIG. 2C. In several embodiments, the portion 26b is or includes an edge portion of the package. In other embodiments, the portion 26b may be or include a non-edge portion of the package 18. In several embodiments, the bridle 16b is lifted vertically to draw the loop 14b around the portion 26b of the package 18.

Once the loops 14a and 14b are drawn around the portions 26a and 26b, respectively, of the package 18, the bridles 16a and 16b are drawn together and secured to one another (e.g., tied in a bow), as shown in FIG. 2D. As a result, the packaging trim 10 is wrapped around the package 18. As shown in FIG. 2E, when the packaging trim 10 is wrapped around the package 18 and the bridles 16a and 16b are secured to one another, the loops 14a and 14b form a twist 28 with one another so that segments 30a and 30b of the loop 14a adjacent the twist 28 are spaced in a nonparallel relation and segments 32a and 32b of the loop 14b adjacent the twist 28 are spaced in a nonparallel relation. As a result, neither the loop 14a nor the loop 14b extends straight across the package 18.

In several embodiments, the packaging trim 10 is easier and faster to apply to the package 18 than existing packaging trims. Moreover, although described herein as having the shape of a rectangular prism, the package 18 may instead take the form of any other three-dimensional shape.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a method of applying the packaging trim 10 to the package 18 is diagrammatically illustrated and generally referred to by the reference numeral 34. The method 34 includes at a step 36, drawing the loop 14a of the tether 12a of the packaging trim 10 around the portion 26a of the package 18 so that the portion 26a extends within or adjacent the space 20 defined by the loop 14a. In some embodiments, the step 36 includes manipulating the bridle 16a coupled to the loop 14a. In some embodiments, the loop 14a and the bridle 16a are integrally formed. At a step 38, the loop 14b of the tether 12b of the packaging trim 10 is drawn around the portion 26b of the package 18 so that the portion 26b extends within or adjacent the space 22 defined by the loop 14b, the loop 14b being interlinked with the loop 14a. In some embodiments, the step 38 includes manipulating the bridle 16b coupled to the loop 14b. In some embodiments, the loop 14b and the bridle 16b are integrally formed. At a step 40, the bridles 16a and 16b are drawn together so that the packaging trim 10 is wrapped around the package 18. Finally, at a step 42, the bridles 16a and 16b are secured to one another. In some embodiments, after the bridles 16a and 16b are drawn together and secured to one another, the loops 14a and 14b form the twist 28 with one another so that: the segments 30a and 30b of the loop 14a adjacent the twist 28 are spaced in a nonparallel relation; and the segments 32a and 32b of the loop 14b adjacent the twist 28 are spaced in a nonparallel relation.

In several embodiments, execution of the method 34 to apply the packaging trim 10 to the package 18 is easier and faster than conventional methods for applying existing packaging trims to packages.

An apparatus has been disclosed. The apparatus generally includes: a first tether including a first loop adapted to be drawn around a first portion of a package so that the first portion extends within or adjacent a first space defined by the first loop; and a second tether including a second loop adapted to be drawn around a second portion of the package so that the second portion extends within or adjacent a second space defined by the second loop, the second loop being interlinked with the first loop.

The foregoing apparatus embodiment may include one or more of the following elements, either alone or in combination with one another:

The first tether further includes a first bridle coupled to the first loop.

The first loop and the first bridle are integrally formed.

The first loop and the first bridle are separately formed.

The first bridle is adapted to be manipulated to draw the first loop around the first portion of the package.

The second tether further includes a second bridle coupled to the second loop.

The first loop and the first bridle are integrally formed.

The first loop and the first bridle are separately formed.

The second bridle is adapted to be manipulated to draw the second loop around the second portion of the package.

The first and second bridles are adapted to be drawn together so that the packaging trim is wrapped around the package.

The first and second bridles are adapted to be secured to one another.

When the packaging trim is wrapped around the package and the first and second bridles are secured to one another, the first and second loops are adapted to form a twist with one another so that first and second segments of the first loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation and third and fourth segments of the second loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation.

A method has also been disclosed. The method generally includes: drawing a first loop of a first tether of a packaging trim around a first portion of a package so that the first portion extends within or adjacent a first space defined by the first loop; and drawing a second loop of a second tether of the packaging trim around a second portion of the package so that the second portion extends within or adjacent a second space defined by the second loop, the second loop being interlinked with the first loop.

The foregoing method embodiment may include one or more of the following elements, either alone or in combination with one another:

Drawing the first loop of the first tether of the packaging trim around the first portion of the package includes manipulating a first bridle coupled to the first loop.

The first loop and the first bridle are integrally formed.

Drawing the second loop of the second tether of the packaging trim around the second portion of the package includes manipulating a second bridle coupled to the second loop.

The second loop and the second bridle are integrally formed.

The method further includes drawing together the first and second bridles so that the packaging trim is wrapped around the package.

The method further includes: securing the first and second bridles to one another.

After the first and second bridles are drawn together and secured to one another, the first and second loops form a twist with one another so that: first and second segments of the first loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation; and third and fourth segments of the second loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In several embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various embodiments.

Any spatial references, such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.

In several embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, and/or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously and/or sequentially. In several embodiments, the steps, processes, and/or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes and/or procedures.

In several embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Moreover, one or more of the above-described embodiments and/or variations may be combined in whole or in part with any one or more of the other above-described embodiments and/or variations.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are illustrative only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes and/or substitutions are possible in the embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.

Claims

1. A method, comprising: drawing a first loop of a first tether of a packaging trim around a first portion of a package so that the first portion extends within or adjacent a first space defined by the first loop; anddrawing a second loop of a second tether of the packaging trim around a second portion of the package so that the second portion extends within or adjacent a second space defined by the second loop, the second loop being interlinked with the first loop.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein drawing the first loop of the first tether of the packaging trim around the first portion of the package comprises manipulating a first bridle coupled to the first loop.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first loop and the first bridle are integrally formed.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein drawing the second loop of the second tether of the packaging trim around the second portion of the package comprises manipulating a second bridle coupled to the second loop.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second loop and the second bridle are integrally formed.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising: drawing together the first and second bridles so that the packaging trim is wrapped around the package.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: securing the first and second bridles to one another.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, after the first and second bridles are drawn together and secured to one another, the first and second loops form a twist with one another so that: first and second segments of the first loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation; andthird and fourth segments of the second loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation.

9. An apparatus, comprising: a first tether including a first loop adapted to be drawn around a first portion of a package so that the first portion extends within or adjacent a first space defined by the first loop; anda second tether including a second loop adapted to be drawn around a second portion of the package so that the second portion extends within or adjacent a second space defined by the second loop, the second loop being interlinked with the first loop.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first tether further includes a first bridle coupled to the first loop.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first loop and the first bridle are integrally formed.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first loop and the first bridle are separately formed.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first bridle is adapted to be manipulated to draw the first loop around the first portion of the package.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second tether further includes a second bridle coupled to the second loop.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second loop and the second bridle are integrally formed.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second loop and the second bridle are separately formed.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second bridle is adapted to be manipulated to draw the second loop around the second portion of the package.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second bridles are adapted to be drawn together so that the packaging trim is wrapped around the package.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first and second bridles are adapted to be secured to one another.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein, when the packaging trim is wrapped around the package and the first and second bridles are secured to one another, the first and second loops are adapted to form a twist with one another so that first and second segments of the first loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation and third and fourth segments of the second loop adjacent the twist are spaced in a nonparallel relation.