Semi-rigid tissue package

Abstract

The present package for rolled tissue products is formed from a semi-rigid film having a bending stiffness greater than about 20.0 mgf that when folded and sealed provides the package with distinct, planar walls that provide a clear view of the tissue products and may be printed with brand indicia. The package can be provided with a resealable flap that provides easy and convenient repeated access to the tissue products. Also, after products have been dispensed, the package maintains its form and integrity, which is not only visually pleasing, but also permits the package to be stacked even after it has been opened and tissue products have been dispensed. The package rigidity is provided by the material and package configuration and does not require a container or the like to retain the product and provide stability to the package.

1 . A semi-rigid package and plurality of rolled tissue products disposed within the package, said package comprising a single sheet of semi-rigid material having a bending stiffness greater than about 20.0 mgf folded to form six substantially rectangular walls consisting of a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite sidewalls, and opposite end walls, a line of weakness disposed along the top wall and an end wall to define a flap resealably secured to a portion of an end wall and attached to the top wall by a living hinge, and wherein each of the plurality of rolled tissue products contact the top wall, bottom wall, and at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         2 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  wherein the flap is entirely disposed on the top wall. 
     
     
         3 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  wherein the flap comprises at least about 50 percent of the surface area of the top wall. 
     
     
         4 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  wherein the flap is disposed on the top wall and an end wall. 
     
     
         5 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing label permanently affixed to the flap and resealably attached to a portion of an end wall. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein the sealing label comprises a tab and wherein the tab is not attached to an end wall. 
     
     
         7 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  wherein the semi-rigid material has a caliper greater than about 70 microns. 
     
     
         8 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  wherein the semi-rigid material has a secant modulus greater than about 450 MPa. 
     
     
         9 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 1  wherein the semi-rigid material comprises two or more coextruded polymer layers wherein one of the extruded polymer layers comprises oriented polyethylene terephthalate, the material having a caliper from about 70 to about 100 microns and a secant modulus from about 450 to about 750 MPa. 
     
     
         10 . A semi-rigid package of tissue products having a longitudinal and transverse direction, the package comprising:
 a. a unitary semi-rigid film having a stiffness from about 20 to about 60 mgf folded into a package having a bottom wall, a top wall, opposite sidewalls, and opposite end walls, the walls defining an interior space;   b. first and second permanent transverse end seals sealing opposite end walls;   c. a first pair of longitudinal edge seals sealing top wall and opposite sidewalls;   d. a second pair of longitudinal edge seals sealing bottom wall and opposite sidewalls;   e. a flap disposed on the top wall and attached thereto by a living hinge; and   f. a plurality of tissue products disposed in the interior space of the package.   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the unitary semi-rigid film comprises first and second longitudinal edges that are folded together and sealed to form one of the first pair of longitudinal edge seals sealing top wall and opposite sidewalls. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 10  further comprising a line of weakness disposed along the top wall and an end wall to define the flap 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12  wherein the flap is resealably secured to a portion of an end wall. 
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 10  further comprising a sealing label permanently affixed to the flap and resealably attached to a portion of the top wall or an end wall. 
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14  wherein the sealing label comprises a tab and wherein the tab is not attached to an end wall. 
     
     
         16 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 10  wherein the semi-rigid material has a caliper from about 70 to about 100 microns. 
     
     
         17 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 10  wherein the semi-rigid material has a secant modulus from about 450 to about 750 MPa. 
     
     
         18 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 10  wherein the semi-rigid material comprises two or more coextruded polymer layers wherein one of the extruded polymer layers comprises oriented polyethylene terephthalate, the material having a caliper from about 70 to about 100 microns and a secant modulus from about 450 to about 750 MPa. 
     
     
         19 . The semi-rigid package of  claim 10  wherein the bottom wall, top wall and sidewalls are substantially planar and do not comprise a transverse seal. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the tissue products comprise rolled tissue products consisting of a web of tissue spirally around a core having a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal core axis arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the package and wherein each of the plurality of tissue products contacts the top wall and bottom wall and at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)