Improved Shrink Wrap Packaging

Abstract

The present invention provides a shrink wrap sleeve for unitizing two or more items, the sleeve comprising a first film region and a second film region, the first film region having an area less than that of the second film region. The shrink wrap sleeve may be used to package multiple products (such as beverage containers) with a reduction in the amount of shrink wrap packaging material used. Also provided are methods for packaging multiple products.

1 . A shrink wrap sleeve for unitizing two or more items, the sleeve comprising a first film region and a second film region, the first film region having an area less than that of the second film region. 
     
     
         2 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the area of the first film region is less than about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% of that of the second film region. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the area is of the first film region is about 50% of that of the second film region. 
     
     
         5 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the first and second film regions are discrete films bonded along at least one edge. 
     
     
         6 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the first and second film regions are discrete films bonded along two edges. 
     
     
         7 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 6  wherein the two edges are opposite each other and/or substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the width of the first film region is less than about 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% or 10% of that of the second film region. 
     
     
         11 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the width of the first film region is less than about 60% of that of the second film region. 
     
     
         12 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1  wherein the width of the first film region is about 50% of that of the second film region. 
     
     
         13 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein when superimposed, the first film region is substantially central with respect to the second film region. 
     
     
         14 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first film region (when shrunk) has a greater resistance to mechanical deformation than the second film region (when shrunk). 
     
     
         15 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first film region has a thickness greater than that of the second film region. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first film region has a thickness of greater than about 60 μm and/or the second film region has a thickness of less than about 60 μm. 
     
     
         18 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 17 , wherein the first film region has a thickness of between about 60 μm to 80 μm, and the second film region has a thickness of between about 40 μm to 60 μm. 
     
     
         19 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 1 , wherein the first film region has a thickness of greater than about 80 μm and/or the second film region has a thickness of less than about 80 μm. 
     
     
         20 . The shrink wrap sleeve of  claim 17 , wherein the first film region has a thickness of between about 80 μm to 100 μm, and the second film region has a thickness of between about 60 μm to 80 μm. 
     
     
         21 . A method for unitizing two or more products, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing two or more products;   providing a first length of film;   providing a second length of film, the second length of film being wider than the first length of film;   disposing the two or more products between the first and second lengths of film;   bonding the edges of the first and second lengths of film to form a sleeve; and   heating the first and second lengths of film such that the lengths of film contract about the two or more products.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the two or more products are disposed between the first and second lengths of film before the step of bonding. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The method of any one of  claim 21  comprising the step of cutting the first and second lengths of film to form an isolated sleeve, the cutting step being performed before, or contemporaneously with, the heating step. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A shrink wrapped product produced the method of  claim 21 .