AMENDED CLAI MS

received by the International Bureau on 18 March 2016 (18.03.2016)

CLAIMS

1. Packaging, or an insert for use in packaging, the packaging or insert being configurable for reception of contents to be packaged; the packaging or insert comprising a blank formed from foldable sheet material and a length of elastic tape having ends attached to the blank;

characterised in that the packaging or insert prior to receiving the contents to be packaged has a first configuration in which the attached length of elastic tape is bent whereby it does not lie along a straight line and in which the attached length of elastic tape is twisted whereby the angular orientation of its transverse cross-section changes along its length; the packaging or insert being foldable to a second configuration in which in use it receives the contents to be packaged and in which the length of elastic tape is not twisted whereby the angular orientation of its transverse cross-section does not change along its length and the length of elastic tape in this position can be stretched to extend behind the contents within the packaging or insert, for biasing the contents towards one side of the packaging or insert in use.

2. The packaging or insert of claim 1, in which the ends of the length of elastic tape attached to the blank run generally parallel to each other when the blank is in the first configuration.

3. The packaging or insert of claim 1 or 2, in which the ends of the length of elastic tape attached to the blank are substantially co-planar when the blank is in the first configuration.

4. The packaging or insert of claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the elastic tape comprises knitted or woven elastic.

5. The packaging or insert of any preceding claim in which the foldable sheet material is at least partly erectable to form at least a part of a container having an opening through which contents may be loaded into the container, the opening being spanned by the length of elastic tape. 55

6. The packaging or insert of claim 4 in which the opening is closable to retain the contents when the foldable sheet material has been fully erected. 7. The packaging or insert of any preceding claim in which folding the blank from the first configuration to the second configuration eliminates slack or increases tension in the length of elastic tape.

8. The packaging or insert of any preceding claim in which in the first configuration the length of elastic tape is at least partly under tension.

9. The packaging or insert of claim 8 in which the length of elastic tape biases at least a part of the blank towards the second configuration. 10. The packaging or insert of any preceding claim in which the foldable sheet material comprises a base panel at opposite edges of which a pair of side panels are hingedly attached; a front panel hingedly attached along a third edge of the base panel; a front securing flap hingedly attached to a front edge of each side panel and securable to form a part of the front panel and thereby hold the front and side panels erect; a respective end of the length of elastic tape being secured to a respective one of the front securing flaps, each end extending in a direction transversely of and across the corresponding side panel front edge.

11. The packaging or insert of claim 10 in which in the first configuration of the blank the front securing flaps lie substantially in a common plane.

12. The packaging or insert of claim 10 in which in the first configuration of the blank the front securing flaps, side and base panels are all co-planar. 13. The packaging or insert of claim 10, 11 or 12, in which the length of elastic tape comprises a strip or tape and when the side panels are folded to the second configuration of the blank the strip or tape untwists and deploys to a position spanning the opening between the side panels.

14. The packaging or insert of claim 10, 11 or 12, in which a portion of each front securing flap is doubled over and secured to a remaining portion of the front securing flap so as to sandwich the corresponding end of the length of elastic tape.

15. The packaging or insert of any of claims 10-14 in which the front securing flaps may be folded inwardly and the front panel folded and secured to the front securing flaps.

16. The packaging or insert of any of claims 10-15 in which at least a portion of the length of elastic tape is held under tension when the blank is in the first configuration.

17. The packaging or insert of any of claims 1-9 in which the foldable sheet material comprises a base panel at opposite side edges of which a pair of side panels are hingedly attached; a front panel hingedly attached along a third edge of the base panel; front securing flaps being hingedly attached to side edges of the front panel and the side panels comprising respective fold lines extending from front to rear of the packaging or insert.

18. The packaging or insert of claim 17 in which in the first configuration of the blank the side panels are folded inwardly about the base panel side edges and their outer ends are folded outwardly about the front to rear extending fold lines.

19. The packaging or insert of claim 18 in which the ends of the length of elastic tape are secured to the outer ends of the side panels at or near the side panel front ends and in the first configuration of the blank the length of elastic tape is bent and twisted into a generally U- shape.

20. The packaging or insert of any of claims 17-19 in which the front panel may be folded erect, and the front securing flaps folded so that they may be secured to the outside of the side panels.

21. The packaging or insert of any of claims 17-19 comprising a return flap foldably attached to a font edge of a said side panel, and to which a said end of the elastic tape is attached. 22. The packaging or insert of any of claims 10-15 in which the base panel has a fold line allowing opposing portions of the base panel to be folded so as to lie near to each other.

23. The packaging or insert of claim 22 in which the side panels may be folded to lie in a common plane when the blank is in the first configuration.

24. The packaging or insert of claim 22 or 23 in which the base panel is unfolded about the base panel fold line to move the front securing flaps apart and change the blank from the first configuration to the second configuration, thereby reducing slackness of the elastic tape. 25. The packaging or insert of any of claims 1-9 in which the foldable sheet material comprises a base panel at opposite side edges of which a pair of side panels are hingedly attached, and a front panel hingedly attached along a third edge of the base panel; front securing flaps being hingedly attached to side edges of the front panel, the side panels being folded inwardly about the base side edges so as to lie close to the base panel in the first configuration of the blank.

26. The packaging or insert of claim 25 in which the length of elastic tape is bent and twisted into a generally U-shape when the blank is in the first configuration. 27. The packaging or insert of claim 26 in which the ends of the length of elastic tape are attached to the blank near the front edges of respective ones of the side panels.

28. The packaging or insert of claim 26 or 27 in which the ends extend in the front-rear direction of the blank.

29. The packaging or insert of claims 26 to 28 in which the end of the length of elastic tape points towards a middle region of the side panel to which it is attached. 58

30. The packaging or insert of any of claims 25-29 in which the front securing flaps are securable to or over ends of the length of elastic tape which are attached to the side panels. 31. An insert according to any of claims 1-9, the insert having a base panel at opposite side edges of which a pair of side panels are hingedly attached; the side panels being folded inwardly about the base panel side edges so as to lie close to the base panel in the first configuration of the blank. 32. The insert of claim 31 wherein contents are loadable into the insert before it is inserted into the container.

33. The insert of claim 31 wherein contents are loadable into the insert with the insert in place in the container.

34. A method of forming packaging or of forming an insert for use in packaging, the packaging or insert being configurable for reception of contents to be packaged, the method comprising the steps of:

forming a blank of foldable sheet material which is erectable to form the packaging or insert; characterised by:

bending a length of elastic tape whereby it does not lie along a straight line and twisting the length of elastic tape whereby the angular orientation of its transverse cross-section changes along its length;

securing the bent and twisted elastic tape to the packaging or insert when the packaging or insert is in a first configuration,

whereby the packaging or insert can be folded to a second configuration for receiving contents to be packaged; the length of elastic tape not being twisted when the blank is in the second configuration, whereby the angular orientation of the elastic tape's transverse cross- section does not change along the length of the elastic tape. 59

35. The method of claim 34 in which the length of elastic tape spans an opening in the packaging or in the insert in the second configuration and the method comprises inserting into the opening contents to be packaged. 36. The method of claim 35 in which the opening is at least partly closed to retain the contents which are biased towards the opening by the length of elastic tape.

37. The method of any of claims 34-36 in which the length of elastic tape is attached to the blank in a slack or non-tensioned state.

38. The method of claim 37 in which changing the blank from the first configuration to the second configuration after attachment of the elastic tape stretches or eliminates slack from the length of elastic tape. 39. The method of any of claims 34-36 in which the length of elastic tape is attached to the blank at least partly in a tensioned state.

40. The method of claim 39 in which the attached length of elastic tape assists in pulling the blank towards the second configuration.

41. Automated apparatus for applying lengths of elastic tape to foldable sheet material used for packaging, the apparatus comprising a pair of holding heads which engage and hold respective ends of a length of elastic tape, the holding heads being relatively movable to:

(i) bend a portion of the length of elastic tape extending between them whereby the portion does not lie along a straight line;

characterised in that the relative movement:

(ii) twists the portion whereby the angular orientation of its transverse cross-section changes along its length;

the holding heads then applying the length of elastic tape to the foldable sheet material.

42. The automated apparatus of claim 41 in which the holding heads comprise grippers or hold the length of elastic tape by suction. 60

43. The automated apparatus of claim 41 or 42 in which the holding heads engage the length of elastic tape in a common plane and are relatively rotatable in that plane to bend and twist the length of elastic tape.

44. The automated apparatus of claim 43 in which the holding heads are movable towards and/or away from each other between engagement of the length of elastic tape and applying it to the foldable sheet material. 45. The automated apparatus of any of claims 41-44 in which the holding heads transfer the length of elastic tape from a dispensing station to an application station in a processing line for forming the packaging.

46. The automated apparatus of any of claims 41-45 in which at least one of the holding heads is carried by a rotatable arm.

47. The automated apparatus of claim 46 in which the rotatable arm is rotatable about an axis normal to a plane in which the holding head holds the length of elastic tape. 48. The automated apparatus claim 45 or 46 in which each holding head is carried by such a rotatable arm.

49. A merchandise pusher for incorporation into packaging and comprising a length of elastic material having opposed ends attached to respective anchors of foldable sheet material formed separately from the packaging, each anchor comprising a first panel to which the respective end is attached and a second panel foldable transversely to the first, and past which the elastic runs in use of the pusher.

50. The merchandise pusher of claim 49 in which the second panel comprises inner and outer leaves of the foldable sheet material between which the length of elastic material runs. 61

51. The merchandise pusher of claim 49 or 50 in which the first panel comprises inner and outer leaves of the foldable sheet material between which the end is attached.

52. The merchandise pusher of claim 51 in which the end of the length of elastic material is attached to one or both leaves of the first panel.

53. The merchandise pusher of any of claims 49-52 in which the anchors are separable from each other for securement within the packaging. 54. The merchandise pusher of any of claims 49-52, in which the anchors and a merchandise pusher pad are formed from a unitary blank; the blank comprising lines of weakness which can be ruptured to separate the anchors from the foldable sheet material of the merchandise pusher pad. 55. The merchandise pusher of claim 54 in which the pusher pad enfolds the length of elastic.

56. The merchandise pusher of claim 54 in which the unitary blank is folded to enfold the length of elastic.

57. Packaging formed from foldable sheet material, the packaging comprising:

an opposed pair of side panels between which an end closure is formed by securing a plurality of flaps and/or panels together; and

a length of elastic material having two opposed end portions;

characterised in that the opposed end portions are respectively secured one each to surfaces of:

(i) the opposed side panels, or

(ii) a pair of flaps or panels forming the end closure and each foldably attached directly to a different one of the opposed side panels;

the surfaces to which the ends of the length of elastic are secured comprising an interior surface bounding the space within the packaging when the end closure has been formed. 62

58. The packaging of claim 57 in which, in case (i) the free ends of the secured end portions point towards the end closure.

59. The packaging of claim 57 in which, in case (ii) the free ends of the secured end portions point towards each other when the end closure has been formed.

60. Automated apparatus for attaching a length of elastic material to a panel of foldable sheet material, the apparatus comprising at least one holding head for holding the elastic material to form a freely projecting end portion;

characterised in that the panel and holding head are relatively movable so that the holding head and panel approach one another with a component of motion along the plane of the panel;

so that the projecting end portion and panel contact one another and the projecting end portion is bent to lie between the face of the panel and the holding head.

61. The automated apparatus of claim 60, in which the panel presents an edge or corner which faces towards the holding head as they approach each other;

the projecting end portion lying in the path of approachment so that the projecting end portion and edge or corner contact one another so as to bend the projecting end portion to lie between the face of the panel and the holding head.

62. The automated apparatus of claim 60 or 61, in which the holding head is movable towards the bent projecting end portion of the elastic so as to press it against the panel. 63. The automated apparatus of claim 62, comprising a support disposed opposite to the holding head so that the panel and bent projecting end portion of the elastic are clamped between the support and the holding head when the bent projecting end portion of the elastic is pressed against the panel. 64. The automated apparatus of any of claims 60-63, comprising a cutter for separating the length of elastic material from a feedstock. 63

65. The automated apparatus of any of claims 60-64, in which the length of the separated elastic material is selectively adjustable.

66. The automated apparatus of any of claims 60-65, comprising a dispenser for dispensing fasteners or fastening material in the region of contact between the bent projecting end portion of the elastic and the panel.

67. The automated apparatus of claim 66, wherein the fasteners or fastening material comprises an adhesive, adhesive tape, stitching or staples.

68. The automated apparatus of any of claims 60 to 67 in which the holding head comprises grippers or holds the length of elastic material by suction.

69. The automated apparatus of any of claims 60 to 68, wherein the panel is held non- horizontally during attachment of the length of elastic material.

70. The automated apparatus of any of claims 60 to 69 comprising a pair of said holding heads. 71. The automated apparatus of claim 70 in which the distance between the holding heads when they initially take hold of the length of elastic material is selectively adjustable.

72. The automated apparatus of claim 70 or claim 71 in which the holding heads hold the elastic material in a predetermined position at which each projecting end portion lies in a path of approachment so that the projecting end portions and respective edges or corners of respective said panels contact one another and each projecting end portion is bent to lie between the face of its respective panel and its respective holding head.

73. The automated apparatus of claim 72 in which the distance between the holding heads in the predetermined position is selectively adjustable. 64

74. The automated apparatus of any of claims 70-73 as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 62, in which the spacing between the pair of holding heads when they are pressed against their respective panels is selectively adjustable. 75. An automated process for attaching a length of elastic material to a panel of foldable sheet material, comprising the steps of:

(i) holding the length of elastic material with at least one holding head to form a freely projecting end portion,

characterised by the step of:

(ii) moving the holding head and the panel of foldable sheet material relatively closer to each other with a component of motion along the plane of the panel; so that the projecting end portion bends on contact with the panel.

76. The automated process of claim 75, in which the panel presents an edge or corner which faces towards the holding head as they approach each other;

the projecting end portion lying in the path of approachment so that the projecting end portion and edge or corner contact one another so as to bend the projecting end portion to lie between the face of the panel and the holding head. 77. The automated process of claim 75 or 76 comprising moving the holding head and the panel relatively closer to each other so as to press the bent projecting end portion of the elastic against the panel.

78. The automated process of claim 77, further comprising the step of disposing a support opposite to the holding head so that the panel and bent projecting end portion of the elastic are clamped between the support and the holding head when the bent projecting end portion of the elastic is pressed against the panel.

79. The automated process of any of claims 75-78, comprising the step of dispensing fasteners or fastening material in the region of contact between the bent projecting end portion of the elastic and the panel. 65

80. The automated process of claim 79, wherein the fasteners or fastening material comprise an adhesive, adhesive tape, stitching or staples.

81. The automated process of any of claims 75 to 80, comprising the step of separating the length of elastic material from a feedstock with a cutter.

82. The automated process of claim 81, wherein the separated length of the elastic material is selectively adjustable. 83. The automated process of any of claims 75 to 83, in which a pair of said holding heads are used so that projecting end portions at both ends of the length of elastic material are bent on contact with respective panels.

84. The automated process of claim 83, wherein the distance between the pair holding heads when they initially take hold of the length of elastic material is selectively adjustable.

85. The automated process of claim 83 or 84, in which the holding heads hold of the length of elastic material in a predetermined position at which each projecting end portion of the elastic material lies in a path of approachment so that the projecting end portions and respective edges or corners of respective said panels contact one another and each projecting end portion is bent to lie between the face of its respective panel and its respective holding head.

86. The automated process of any of claims 83-85 as dependent directly or indirectly on claim 77, in which the spacing between the pair of holding heads when they are pressed against their respective panels is selectively adjustable.

87. The automated process of any of claims 75 to 86, wherein the panel is held non- horizontally during the attachment of the length of elastic material.