# US 5,893,460 A · Shrinkable tubing with integral tear strip

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- Number: US 5,893,460 A
- Document ID: US5893460A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/326,059
- Filed: 1994-10-19
- Granted: 1999-04-13
- Earliest claimed: 1992-06-25
- Assignees: Halpak Plastics, Inc.
- Inventors: Joseph Castro; Seymour Naps
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5893460A

## CPC

- B65D 75/58: Opening or contents-removing devices added or incorporated during package manufacture {(B65D75/36, B65D85/1027 take precedence)}
- B65D 75/002: {in shrink films (B65D71/08 takes precedence)}
- Y10T 156/1056: Perforating lamina
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A packaging sleeve of heat-shrinkable thermoplastic comprising a flattened tube having a first wall and second wall connected along parallel first and second lines of connection; lines of weakness formed in said first and second walls proximate to one of said lines of connection; said lines of weakness and the line of connection defining tear strip zones therebetween; a reinforcing-levering band in said zones formed by welding superimposed portions of said first and second walls; said reinforcing levering band being disposed parallel to said lines of weakness and in combination with said zones and lines of weakness establishing a tear strip for opening the sleeve.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An elongated article having a rupturable sleeve of thermoplastic shrunken thereover, said sleeve comprising
(a) a generally cylindrical tube open at its top and bottom having opposed first wall portions and second wall portions connected along parallel first and second side edges;
(b) juxtaposed lines of weakness formed in said first and second wall portions proximate to one of said side edges;
(c) said juxtaposed lines of weakness and the side edge defining tear strip zones therebetween;
(d) a reinforcing-levering band in said zones in the form of an arcuate rib formed by welding superimposed portions of said first and second wall portions;
(e) said reinforcing levering band being disposed parallel to said lines of weakness and in combination with said zones and lines of weakness establishing a tear strip for opening the sleeve from top-to-bottom along one of said side edges;
(f) said reinforcing-levering band being generally arcuate in cross-section and projecting outwardly from the surface of said article;
(g) whereby said band may be grasped and pulled to sever said lines of weakness and facilitate the removal of said sleeve from said article.