Array of packages sealed with a tape having a line of weakness

Abstract

An array of packages, wherein each package in the array has at least two opposable shortened or “shied” flaps that are sealed with tape.

1 . An array of sealed packages comprising:
 a first package having two opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to form a gap having a width between their nearest edges and a first horizontal surface having a first horizontal surface area;   a second package having two opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to form a gap having a width between their nearest edges and a second horizontal surface having a second horizontal surface area;   wherein the width of the gap from the first package and width of the gap from the second package is substantially similar, and the first horizontal surface area is greater than the second horizontal surface area;   tape having a width, two or more adhesive strips, a non-adhesive area, and a line of weakness, applied to the pair of opposed flaps of the first and second package with an adhesive strip adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap of the first and second package; and   wherein the tape applied to the first and second packages is from the same tape source.   
     
     
         2 . The array of  claim 1 , where the width of the gap of from the first and second package is from about 1 cm to about 8 cm. 
     
     
         3 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the flaps are a pair of major flaps. 
     
     
         4 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the tape has a width of about 8 cm to about 16 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness comprises at least one of depressions or perforations. 
     
     
         6 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the line of weakness extends along the length of tape. 
     
     
         7 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the non-adhesive area is at least as wide as the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps. 
     
     
         8 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the non-adhesive area is substantially equal to the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps. 
     
     
         9 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the tape is adhered to the package along a portion of the pair of opposed flaps. 
     
     
         10 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the tape is positioned such that an adhesive strip is provided to each opposing flap and the non-adhesive area extends across the gap. 
     
     
         11 . An array of sealed packages comprising:
 a first package having four vertical side surfaces each having a vertical side surface area, wherein two of the vertical side surfaces are opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to form a gap having a width between their nearest edges;   a second package having four vertical side surfaces each having a vertical side surface area, wherein two of the vertical side surfaces are opposing vertical side surfaces, each connected to a separate and opposing flap folded toward each other to form a gap having a width between their nearest edges;   wherein the total surface area of the four vertical side surface areas from the first package is greater than the total surface area of the four vertical side surface areas of the second package, and the width of the gap from the first package and width of the gap from the second package is substantially similar;   tape having a width, two or more adhesive strips, a non-adhesive area, and a line of weakness, applied to the pair of opposed flaps of the first and second package with an adhesive strip adhered to each flap and the non-adhesive area covering at least a portion of the gap of the first and second package; and   wherein the tape applied to the first and second packages is from the same tape source.   
     
     
         12 . The array of  claim 11 , where the width of the gap of from the first and second package is from about 1 cm to about 8 cm. 
     
     
         13 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the flaps are a pair of major flaps. 
     
     
         14 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the tape has a width of about 8 cm to about 16 cm. 
     
     
         15 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the line of weakness comprises at least one of depressions or perforations. 
     
     
         16 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the line of weakness extends along the length of tape. 
     
     
         17 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the non-adhesive area is at least as wide as the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps. 
     
     
         18 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the non-adhesive area is substantially equal to the gap between the nearest edges of the pair of opposed flaps. 
     
     
         19 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the tape is adhered to the package along a portion of the pair of opposed flaps. 
     
     
         20 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein the tape is positioned such that an adhesive strip is provided to each opposing flap and the non-adhesive area extends across the gap.