Packet for long articles and the related packaging method

• US 6,209,290 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 04/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GD SPA (Is Company SRL)
• Original Assignee: GD SPA (Is Company SRL)
• Inventors: Cocchi, Lorenzo, Minarelli, Alessandro, Colo', Chiara, Boriani, Silvano
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESAI, HEMANT
• Application Number:
  US09/333,952
• Time in Patent Office: 657 Days
• Field of Search: 53/449, 53/461, 53/444, 53/148, 53/131.2, 53/135.1, 53/415, 493/375, 493/376, 493/382
• US Class Current: 53/445
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2211/00 Anti-theft means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/10 for cigarettes

Abstract

A packet for long articles comprises a first inner wrap around a group of articles and a second outer wrap around the first wrap which, together with the inner frame, envisaged when the packet is of the rigid type with hinged lid, constitute specific packaging components of the packet. The packet is equipped with a length of magnetic strip for data storage which is applied directly to a specified part of at least one of the specific packaging components in a hidden position not visible from the outside of the packet. If the packet has a revenue stamp or an insert, constituting additional components, the length of magnetic strip may be applied to at least one of said additional components, again in a hidden position.

Claims

1. A method of making at least one packet for holding a group of elongated articles, wherein each packet having at least one first inner wrap surrounding the group of articles and a second outer wrap surrounding the first inner wrap, the first inner wrap and the second outer wrap constituting specific packaging components of the packet, wherein the method comprises:

feeding a wrapping material, along a first given path in a first given direction to an applicator unit;

feeding a magnetic data storage medium along a second given path in a second given direction to the applicator unit;

applying the magnetic data storage medium to at least one specified part of the wrapping material at the applicator unit;

feeding the wrapping material with the magnetic data storage medium attached thereto along a third given path in a third given direction to a packaging station;

supplying a first inner wrap material to the packaging station;

supplying a second outer wrap material to the packaging station;

assembling the first inner wrap material, the second outer wrap material and the wrapping material containing the magnetic data storage medium such that the magnetic data storage medium is disposed between the first inner wrap material and the second outer wrap material and is not visible when the first inner wrap material and the second outer wrap material are in an assembled configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

feeding a continuous tape of said wrapping material along the first path in the first direction to the applicator unit;

feeding the magnetic data storage medium from a continuous strip unwound from a bobbin, along the second path in the second direction to the applicator unit;

cutting said tape of wrapping material, with the magnetic data storage strip attached to it, into specified lengths; and

feeding each length of wrapping material, with the magnetic data storage strip attached to it, to a packaging station.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the feeding the magnetic data storage medium comprises:

feeding a continuous magnetic data storage strip along the second path in the second direction;

cutting the magnetic data storage strip into lengths, then feeding each single length of strip to the applicator unit; and

applying each length of magnetic data storage strip to the wrapping material.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic data storage medium consists of a layer of plastic having a series of separate magnetic elements secured thereto to form a preset code designed to provide a given piece of information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the magnetic data storage medium is fed to the applicator unit with a pre-recorded code on it.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising, magnetically recording a preset code on the magnetic storage medium after attaching the magnetic data storage medium to the wrapping material.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping material containing the magnetic data storage strip is positioned between the first inner wrap material and the second outer wrap material when in an assembled configuration.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the wrapping material containing the magnetic data storage strip is secured to the first inner wrap material.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the wrapping material containing the magnetic data storage strip is secured to the second outer wrap material.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping material is the first inner wrap material.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping material is the second outer wrap material.