Self-adhering wrapping paper with selectively removable backing

Abstract

A thin, multi-layer, flexible web of self-adhering wrapping material, typically paper, foil, polymer, or metalized polymer having a first layer having indicia on an outfacing major surface, pressure-sensitive or the like adhesive disposed on an opposing major surface, and a selectively removable protective layer over the adhesive. The protective layer is formed from a plurality of individual small, spaced-apart portions that facilitate their removal. Alignment indicia (e.g., gridlines, rulers, etc.) may be provided on the protective layer. In alternate embodiments, a chemically activatable adhesive may be used to replace a pressure sensitive adhesive. The wrapping material may be provided in sheets of different sizes or in continuous rolls.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Package wrapping material, comprising:
 a) a thin, flexible web having a first layer having an outfacing front major surface and an opposing rear major surface, said outfacing front major surface having indicia disposed upon at least a portion thereof;   b) an adhesive layer substantially uniformly disposed on at least a portion of said opposing rear surface;   c) a protective backing sheet disposed on said adhesive layer, said protective backing sheet comprising a plurality of individual backing sheet portions each separated one from another by a small gap at each periphery thereof, each of said plurality of individual backing sheet portions having an inner, adhesive facing major surface and an opposing outer major surface.   
     
     
         2 . The package wrapping material as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first layer comprises a material selected from the group comprising: paper, foil, polymer, and metalized polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The package wrapping material, comprising a thin, flexible web as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said adhesive layer comprises at least one adhesive selected from the group: an opaque adhesive, a transparent adhesive, and a translucent adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The package wrapping material as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of individual backing sheet portions each separated one from another by a small gap at each periphery are formed from material having a property selected from the group: opaque, transparent, and translucent. 
     
     
         5 . The package wrapping material as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 d) indicia disposed on at least one surface selected from the group: said outer major surface of at least some of said plurality of individual backing sheet portions, and said opposing rear surface of said first layer.   
     
     
         6 . The package wrapping material as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said indicia disposed on said outer major surface of at least some of said plurality of individual backing sheet portions, and said opposing rear surface of said first layer comprises at least one selected from the group: a horizontal line, a vertical line, a diagonal line, a number, a geometric symbol, and text. 
     
     
         7 . A method of wrapping a package, the steps comprising:
 a) providing a piece of wrapping material formed as a thin, flexible, multi-layer web having a first layer having an outfacing front major surface and an opposing rear major surface, said outfacing front major surface having indicia disposed upon at least a portion thereof; an adhesive layer substantially uniformly disposed on at least a portion of said opposing rear surface; a protective backing sheet disposed on said adhesive layer, said protective backing sheet comprising a plurality of individual backing sheet portions each separated one from another by a small gap at each periphery thereof, each of said plurality of individual backing sheet portions having an inner, adhesive facing major surface and an opposing outer major surface;   b) placing said outfacing front major surface of said piece of wrapping material downward on a surface;   c) removing at least one of said plurality of individual backing sheet portions thereby exposing said adhesive layer;   d) orienting an article to be wrapped and placing said article to be wrapped onto said exposed adhesive layer;   e) using remaining regions of said wrapping material to surround all surfaces of said article to be wrapped by folding and creasing said wrapping material; and   f) applying an item selected from the group comprising: transparent tape, and a decorative sticker.