Packaged article with improved wrapper

Abstract

The invention provides a packaged article having an improved wrapper for consumer goods comprises a film packaging material provided with a tear tape and at least one barrier strip adjacent to the tear tape. In use, the barrier strip creates a predictable, predefined path for the tear tape upon opening of the wrapper. It is particularly advantageous if the barrier strip and tear tape are provided on opposite sides of the film packaging material. A pull tab and corresponding cut-out may be provided in the film packaging material at opposite ends of the tear tape.

1 . A packaged article having a wrapper wherein the wrapper comprises a film packaging material provided with a tear tape, characterized in that the film packaging material is further provided with at least one barrier strip adjacent to the tear tape.  
   
   
       2 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the film packaging material is provided with two barrier strips, one on either side of the tear tape.  
   
   
       3 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the tear tape and the at least one barrier strip are affixed to the surface of the film packaging material.  
   
   
       4 . The packaged article according to  claim 3  wherein the tear tape and the at least one barrier strip are adhered to the surface of the film packaging material by a pressure sensitive self-adhesive composition.  
   
   
       5 . The packaged article according to  claim 3  wherein the tear tape and the at least one barrier strip are affixed to opposite sides of the film packaging material.  
   
   
       6 . The packaged article according to  claim 5  wherein the tear tape is affixed to the inner surface of the wrapper.  
   
   
       7 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the wrapper further comprises a single pull tab at one end of the tear tape.  
   
   
       8 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the tear tape is a different color to the at least one barrier strip.  
   
   
       9 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the film packaging material is substantially the same color as the at least one barrier strip.  
   
   
       10 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the tear tape and the at least one barrier strip are made from substantially the same material.  
   
   
       11 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the tear tape and barrier strip(s) are substantially parallel.  
   
   
       12 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  wherein the spacing between the tear tape and the at least one barrier strip is between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.  
   
   
       13 . The packaged article according to  claim 1  which is a cigarette pack or a carton comprising a plurality of cigarette packs according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . The cigarette pack according to  claim 13  wherein a leaflet or coupon is provided on the outer surface of the pack, beneath the wrapper.  
   
   
       15 . The cigarette pack according to  claim 14  wherein the leaflet or coupon is affixed to the film packaging material.  
   
   
       16 . A film comprising a tear tape characterized in that it further comprises at least one barrier strip adjacent to the tear tape.  
   
   
       17 . The film according to  claim 16  comprising two barrier strips adjacent to the tear tape, one on either side thereof.  
   
   
       18 . A process for manufacturing a wrapper for an article comprising: 
 affixing a tear tape to a film packaging material; and    affixing a first barrier strip to the film packaging material adjacent to the tear tape.    
   
   
       19 . The process according to  claim 18  further comprising: 
 affixing a second barrier strip to the film packaging material adjacent to the tear tape, on the opposite side of the tear tape to the first barrier strip.    
   
   
       20 . The process according to  claim 18  comprising: 
 affixing the tear tape and the barrier strip(s) to opposite sides of the film packaging material.