Film-to-film skin packaging

Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to film-to-film skin packaging of articles in which plastic films are placed above and below articles to be tightly packaged therein, effecting a sealed enclosure, and wherein said films are subjected to heat and suction in a vacuum forming machine causing adherence to each other. The primary purpose of the invention is to yield a tamper proof, sealed and airtight package, capable of retaining a controlled atmosphere therein. This is achieved by providing a perforate area on one film which marginally and closely surrounds the article to be packaged. Subsequently another film is applied to the article and both films are then subjected to heat and suction. By virtue of the marginal perforate area, evacuation of the enclosure due to suction effect is achieved. A plurality of packages may be made simultaneously by providing a plurality of nonperforate areas on the base film which are substantially congruous to contiguous areas of respective articles placed thereon. A secure film-tofilm adhesion at the perforate areas closely surrounding the articles results; and the film used, if adhesively compatible with the articles packaged, adheres thereto. Thus, the film covering must be destroyed to remove the article. Likewise, where a paper or cardboard wrapper or carton initially encloses the article, e.g., a deck of cards, such wrapper materials can be adhesively compatible with the film so that the film adheres. Accordingly, the package is rendered tamperproof. Where the wrapper or carton is printed, the ink used can be adhesively compatible with the film. Further, by providing an insert in each package permeated with a selected media which volatilizes in the sealed package, a controlled and preserving atmosphere is achieved.

Inventors

• 👤 Lyle W Colburn

Bibliographic Details