Patent Watch
Mondelez flexible gum packaging allows consumer tailoring
Consumers are able to tailor packs by adjusting separating portions, allowing them to carry the amount of gum needed without pieces losing their freshness by moving around in loose opened packs.
Flexible packaging
Mondelez said in its patent application: “Known gum packaging is relatively inflexible…Often the gum packaging is larger than required and, because of the fixed size at point of sale, users are not able to purchase a quantity based on money they have on them at the time.”
It says that the packaging can also hold gum pieces together after outer packaging is removed to keep pieces fresh.
Preserves freshness
Gum pellets are often stacked within a folded sheet, while individually wrapped slabs are often held together by an outer packaging material.
“When the wrapping to the stacked gum pellets is opened, the stacked pellets not immediately consumed become exposed and may lose freshness/hygiene and may also be spilt,” said Mondelez.
It added that when the outer packaging holding gum slabs together was removed, the slabs could be separated causing consumer discomfort.
“Often the packaging is squashed down after some of the gum has been removed in order to keep the remaining gum in place or to keep dirt out. However, this can be unsightly,” said Mondelez.
Separate pack portions
The invention uses multiple gum packet portions to separate gum pieces. Each packet portion is connected to another with a weakened area separating each product
“Adjacent gum packet portions are therefore able to be separated by severing through the gum packaging along the weakened area. “
“Consequently, the gum packaging size can be tailored to individual requirements and the gum packaging can be reduced in size as the gum is consumed,” said the application.
PCT
Mondelez filed its patent under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), an international patent law treaty that allows a uniform patent to be considered by signatory national or regional authorities. Signatories will now decide whether or not to grant the patent.
For more detailed information on the invention, see Mondelez’s patent application here.