Packaging

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a packaging material comprises laminating together at least two layers of materials to form a laminated packaging material having an inner laminate structure ( 20 ) and an outer laminate structure ( 22 ), one of which ( 22 ) is translucent or transparent and the other ( 20 ) opaque. The method includes forming a score line ( 28 ) in the opaque laminate structure to define a section ( 26 ) within the opaque laminate structure which can be wholly or partially removed. The score line ( 28 ) can encircle the section to allow its removal after lamination to form a window ( 14 , FIG. 1 ) in the packaging. Alternatively, the score line ( 328 , FIG. 7 ) may only partially encircle the section ( 326 , FIG. 7 ) such that it remains attached to the remainder of the opaque laminate structure along a line ( 332 , FIG. 5 ) about which section of opaque laminate structure can be folded in the manner of a flap.

1 . A method of manufacturing a packaging material for use in forming a package to enclose one or more items, the method comprising:
 a. laminating together at least two layers of materials to form a laminated packaging material having an inner laminate structure and an outer laminate structure, one of the inner and outer laminate structures being translucent or transparent and the other being opaque;   b. forming a score line in the opaque laminate structure to define a section within the opaque laminate structure which can be wholly or partially removed.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the score line in the opaque layer is formed so as to completely encircle the section, such that the section can be completely removed from the material. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the method comprises subsequently removing the section of the opaque laminate structure after lamination of the at least two layers. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising forming the score line so that it only partially encircles the section such that the section remains attached to the remainder of the opaque laminate structure along a line about which the opaque laminate structure can be folded. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4 , the method comprising forming a line of weakness in the opaque laminate structure along which the opaque laminate structure may be torn to completely remove the section. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising bonding the inner and outer laminate structures together over substantially the whole of their opposed surface areas except for an area which is, or is to be, bounded by the score line. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , the method comprising applying a permanent laminating adhesive to substantially the whole of the lamination face of at least one of the inner and outer laminate structures except for an area which is, or is to be, bounded by the score line and bringing the lamination faces of the inner and outer laminate structures into contact. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , the method comprising leaving the lamination faces of the inner and outer laminate structures in the area which is, or is to be, bounded by the score line free of any adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , the method comprising applying a peelable adhesive to the lamination face of at least one of the inner and outer laminate structures within the area which is, or is to be, bounded by the score line. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , the method comprising applying a peelable, and more particularly a re-sealable, adhesive to the lamination face of at least one of the inner and outer laminate structures within an outer peripheral region of the area which is, or is to be. bounded by the score line. 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising forming a continuous length of laminated packaging material defining a plurality of package forming portions along its length, and forming at least one said score line in the opaque laminate structure within each of the package forming portions. 
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the material is a flexible material and the method comprises forming the continuous length of flexible packaging material into a roll. 
     
     
         13 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises forming the laminated material so that the inner laminate structure is opaque and the outer laminate structure is translucent or transparent. 
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises forming the laminated material so that the outer laminate structure is opaque and the inner laminate structure is translucent or transparent. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises printing on the opaque laminate structure so that the printing is visible on the inner surface of the section of the opaque laminate structure. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a packaging assembly comprising at least one item and a package enclosing the at least one item using a packaging material manufactured in accordance with  claim 1 , the method comprising: folding the material about the at least one item so as to enclose the item, with the inner laminate structure proximal to the at least one item and the outer laminate structure distal from the at least one item. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , in which the packaging material is formed as a continuous length of flexible laminated packaging material having a plurality of packaging wrappers defined along its length, the method comprising folding each wrapper about the at least one item and securing the wrapper in position. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , the method comprising flow-wrapping each wrapper about the at least one item, more particularly using a form fill seam machine. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18 , the method comprising removing the section of the opaque laminate structure prior to forming the wrapper about the at least one item. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A package assembly comprising at least one item and a package enclosing the at least one item, in which the package is formed using a packaging material manufactured in accordance with  claim 1 . 
     
     
         22 . A package assembly comprising at least one item and a package enclosing the at least one item, the package being formed from a laminated material having an inner laminate structure and an outer laminate structure, one of the inner and outer laminate structures being translucent or transparent, the other of the inner and outer laminate structures being opaque, in which the opaque laminate structure has an opening through which the contents of the package can be at least partially viewed through the translucent or transparent laminate structure. 
     
     
         23 . A package assembly as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the outer laminate structure is translucent or transparent and the inner laminate structure is opaque. 
     
     
         24 . A package assembly as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the inner laminate structure is translucent or transparent and the outer laminate structure is opaque. 
     
     
         25 . A package assembly comprising at least one item and a package enclosing the at least one item, the package being formed from a laminated material having an inner and an outer laminate structure, the inner laminate structure being translucent or transparent and the outer laminate structure being opaque, in which a section of the opaque outer laminate structure is movable relative to the inner laminate structure about a fold line between a closed position in which it overlies a corresponding section of the inner laminate structure and an open position in which it is displaced from the inner laminate structure to enable the contents of the package to be at least partially seen through the inner laminate structure. 
     
     
         26 . A package assembly as claimed in  claim 25 , in which a line of weakness is provided in the outer laminate structure by means of which the section can be fully removed after opening. 
     
     
         27 . A package assembly as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the section of the outer laminate structure is bonded to the inner laminate structure by means of a peelable and preferably a re-sealable adhesive. 
     
     
         28 . A package assembly as claimed in  claim 27 , in which the peelable/re-sealable adhesive is provided about a peripheral edge region of the section of the outer laminate structure and/or a peripheral edge region of the corresponding section of the inner laminate structure. 
     
     
         29 . A package assembly as claimed in  claim 25 , in which printing is applied to the outer laminate structure within the section so as to be visible from the inner surface of the section when the section is moved to the open position. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)