Opening features for heat-shrunk packaging

Abstract

A packaging system includes an object, a heat-shrinkable package, and a protective film. The heat-shrinkable package is formed from heat-shrinkable film around the object and the heat-shrinkable film includes a weakened portion. The protective film is coupled to the heat-shrinkable film and positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film. The heat-shrinkable package is configured to shrink and form a package of heat-shrunk film around the object in response to being exposed to a heat-shrink environment. The protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film after exposing to package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to the heat-shrink environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package comprising:
 an object;   a heat-shrinkable package formed from heat-shrinkable film around the object, the heat-shrinkable film including a weakened portion; and   a protective film coupled to the heat-shrinkable film and positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrinkable film;   wherein the heat-shrinkable package is configured to shrink and form a package of heat-shrunk film around the object in response to being exposed to a heat-shrink environment; and   wherein the protective film is positioned to cover the weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film after exposing to package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film to the heat-shrink environment;   wherein the package of heat-shrinkable film and the protective film are formed from a Z-folded film having a major fold and a minor fold, wherein the package of heat-shrinkable film is formed from a first portion of the Z-folded film between a first end of the Z-folded film and the major fold and a second portion of the Z-folded film between the major fold and the minor fold, and wherein the protective film is formed from a third portion of the Z-folded film between the minor fold and a second end of the Z-folded film.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrunk film is substantially opaque. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the heat-shrinkable film and the protective film are formed from substantially the same material. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the protective film is made from a material that shrinks less than the shrinkage of the heat-shrinkable film during exposure to the heat-shrink environment. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package of heat-shrinkable film is formed from a first film, wherein the protective film is formed from a second film, and wherein the first and second films are coupled to each other at transverse seals located on opposite sides of the object. 
     
     
         6 . A package, comprising:
 a package formed from a heat-shrunk film, the package surrounding an object; and   an adhesive backing adhered to an inner side of the package, the adhesive backing comprising:
 a film substrate, 
 a first adhesive section applied longitudinally along the film substrate, wherein the first adhesive section is adhered to the heat-shrunk film such that removal of the first adhesive section from the heat-shrunk film deforms the heat-shrunk film, and 
 a second adhesive section applied longitudinally along the film substrate and transversely spaced apart from the first adhesive, wherein the second adhesive section is adhered to heat-shrunk film such that removal of the second adhesive section from the heat-shrunk film does not substantially deform the heat-shrunk film. 
   
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a removable liner applied longitudinally along the second adhesive section and located between the second adhesive section and the inner side of the heat-shrunk package, wherein the removable liner is narrower in a transverse direction than the second adhesive section.   
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a pull tab longitudinally applied to the film substrate between the first adhesive section and the second adhesive section, wherein the pull tab is configured to aid in breaking the heat-shrunk film when it is pulled from the film substrate.   
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a weakened portion in the heat-shrunk film, wherein the weakened portion is located in the heat-shrunk film longitudinally between a location where the first adhesive section is adhered to the heat-shrunk film and a location where the second adhesive section is adhered to the heat-shrunk film.   
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the weakened portion includes at least one of a perforation, a score, or a slit. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 6 , wherein the heat-shrunk film and the film substrate are made from substantially the same material.