US20020112448A1 - Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap - Google Patents

Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20020112448A1
US20020112448A1 US09/781,003 US78100301A US2002112448A1 US 20020112448 A1 US20020112448 A1 US 20020112448A1 US 78100301 A US78100301 A US 78100301A US 2002112448 A1 US2002112448 A1 US 2002112448A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
wrap
shrink
gift
film
package
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US09/781,003
Inventor
Jeff Fisher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
International Paper Co
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/781,003 priority Critical patent/US20020112448A1/en
Assigned to INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY reassignment INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FISHER, JEFF
Publication of US20020112448A1 publication Critical patent/US20020112448A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B65B61/025—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B53/00—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging
    • B65B53/02—Shrinking wrappers, containers, or container covers during or after packaging by heat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • 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
    • B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
    • B65D75/002—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers in shrink films
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • 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
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to packaging, and more specifically to a packaging wrap which comprises a shrink wrap gift wrap.
  • shrink wrap applied by shrink wrap machinery to wrap and contain merchandise is generally transparent, and in some instances opaque, but the shrink wrap normally is not decorative.
  • conventional decorative wrapping paper is normally a foil or paper product and is not capable of being applied using automated equipment, and especially automated shrink wrapping machinery.
  • a roll of gift wrapping material is divided by lines of perforations into a plurality of bag-forming sections.
  • the bags are placed by hand about a package, and if desired, hot air may be applied to shrink the bag about the package.
  • hot air may be applied to shrink the bag about the package.
  • the ANDERSON patent discloses a shrink wrap gift package in which the wrap is placed about a package by hand, with excess material gathered to form a caricature. Heat may be applied to tightly conform the wrap to the package. There is no suggestion of applying the wrap by using conventional shrink wrapping machinery, nor does it appear that that would be possible.
  • the DECICCO patent discloses a decorative packaging in which a shrinkable film is applied about an article, with light and/or sound emitting devices trapped between the wrap and the article, or between layers of the wrap. It does not appear that this decorative wrap could be applied with shrink wrapping machinery.
  • a system for quickly, easily and inexpensively applying decorative wrapping to packages is provided in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method and system for applying decorative wrapping to packages utilizing existing conventional equipment that is normally used for applying shrink wrap to the packages.
  • the invention comprises a combination gift wrap and shrink wrap that can be applied using conventional machinery for applying conventional shrink wrap.
  • the decorative shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention may comprise any of several suitable materials or compositions of materials.
  • polyolefin and shrink polyethylene are suitable materials.
  • a polyolefin wrap preferably has a thickness in the range of fifty gauge (one-half mil) to two hundred gauge (two mils), and a shrink polyethylene film preferably has a thickness ranging from one-half mil to twenty mils.
  • a preferred material is polyvinylchloride (PC), and a preferred thickness is in the range of from about one-half mil to about three mils.
  • Decorative indicia may be applied to the film using flexographic printing techniques or other known suitable methods, and preferably employs water based inks.
  • the decorative shrink wrap gift wrap film is placed on a roll, or other suitable storage mechanism, for use in conventional shrink wrap machinery.
  • the package is moved through the shrink wrapping machinery and the film is placed around the package and heat sealed just as in a conventional shrink wrapping process.
  • the package may then be shipped to a customer.
  • the shrink wrapped gift wrapped package is placed inside an ordinary cardboard box for shipment.
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a package wrapped with the combination shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic top perspective view of one conventional shrink wrapping machine suitable for use with the shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, schematic, top perspective view showing the shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention being positioned for application to a package.
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded side view in elevation of a package wrapped with the shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention, about to be inserted into a shipping carton.
  • a package P wrapped with the combination shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1.
  • the shrink wrap gift wrap 11 is applied using conventional shrink wrap machinery, such as the machine 12 shown in FIG. 2.
  • This machine is model number EM28TT made by Eastey Enterprises, Inc., of Rogers, Minn. It is to be understood, however, that other machines could be used, such as, for example, Shanklin models F 1 and F 5 , made by Shanklin Corporation of Ayer, Mass., and Eastey models ET1610-36, ET2412, EP2028TK, EM1622T, EM1608, and the manual L-sealer with Reynold's DuoSeal® System heated seal bar.
  • the decorative shrink wrap gift wrap 11 of the invention may comprise any of several suitable materials or compositions of materials, including, but not limited to polyolefin and shrink polyethylene.
  • a polyolefin film preferably has a thickness in the range of fifty gauge (one-half mil) to two hundred gauge (two mils), and a shrink polyethylene film preferably has a thickness ranging from one-half mil to twenty mils.
  • a preferred material is polyvinylchloride (PCV), and a preferred thickness is in the range of from about one-half mil to about three mils.
  • Decorative indicia 15 may be applied to the film using flexographic printing techniques or other known suitable methods (not shown), and preferably employing water based inks.
  • the decorative shrink wrap gift wrap film 11 is placed on a roll 20 , or other suitable storage mechanism, for use in conventional shrink wrap machinery.
  • a roll 20 or other suitable storage mechanism, for use in conventional shrink wrap machinery.
  • the package is moved through the shrink wrapping machinery and the film is placed around the package and heat sealed just as in a conventional shrink wrapping process.
  • heat seals 25 and 26 are made in the film at opposite ends of the package, producing a look very much like that obtained with conventional gift wrap.
  • the package may then be shipped to a customer.
  • the shrink wrapped gift wrapped package 10 is placed inside an ordinary cardboard box 30 for shipment, as represented in FIG. 4, but it is possible to ship the package in the shrink wrap gift wrap without using an additional outer box or carton for shipping.

Abstract

A combined shrink wrap gift wrap in which decorative indicia is applied to a shrink wrap film and the film is shrink wrapped onto a package using conventional shrink wrapping machinery.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention [0001]
  • This invention relates generally to packaging, and more specifically to a packaging wrap which comprises a shrink wrap gift wrap. [0002]
  • 2. Description of the Prior Art [0003]
  • Many companies ship merchandise directly to the consumer, and this method of merchandising is becoming more widespread with the growth of e-commerce, or internet sales. This merchandise is typically shipped in ordinary cardboard boxes or other suitable containers, and in many instances the merchandise is wrapped with shrink wrap. [0004]
  • However, it is sometimes desirable to wrap the merchandise in decorative wrapping, e.g., during Christmas time, or on other special occasions. [0005]
  • Conventional shrink wrap applied by shrink wrap machinery to wrap and contain merchandise is generally transparent, and in some instances opaque, but the shrink wrap normally is not decorative. [0006]
  • On the other hand, conventional decorative wrapping paper is normally a foil or paper product and is not capable of being applied using automated equipment, and especially automated shrink wrapping machinery. [0007]
  • Accordingly, for these special occasions, and especially at Christmas time when a large number of orders may be processed, if the direct mail or mail order company desires to use a decorative wrap, the company must obtain conventional gift wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, etc. and apply them to the packaging by hand before the merchandise is shipped. This labor intensive service usually requires the employment of extra personnel, with the concomitant expense. [0008]
  • Examples of prior art packaging in which a shrinkable decorative wrap is applied to merchandise are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,988 to DIXON, U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,727 to ANDERSON, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,823 to DECICCO. All of these patents disclose a wrap which must be applied by hand. [0009]
  • In the DIXON patent, a roll of gift wrapping material is divided by lines of perforations into a plurality of bag-forming sections. The bags are placed by hand about a package, and if desired, hot air may be applied to shrink the bag about the package. There is no suggestion in this patent that the wrap can be applied by shrink wrapping machinery, nor does it appear that that would be possible. [0010]
  • The ANDERSON patent discloses a shrink wrap gift package in which the wrap is placed about a package by hand, with excess material gathered to form a caricature. Heat may be applied to tightly conform the wrap to the package. There is no suggestion of applying the wrap by using conventional shrink wrapping machinery, nor does it appear that that would be possible. [0011]
  • The DECICCO patent discloses a decorative packaging in which a shrinkable film is applied about an article, with light and/or sound emitting devices trapped between the wrap and the article, or between layers of the wrap. It does not appear that this decorative wrap could be applied with shrink wrapping machinery. [0012]
  • Thus, there is a need for a system for quickly, easily and inexpensively applying decorative wrapping to packages, and especially for combining a shrink wrap with a gift wrap so that the gift wrap can be applied using conventional shrink wrapping machinery. [0013]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • A system for quickly, easily and inexpensively applying decorative wrapping to packages is provided in accordance with the present invention. [0014]
  • More specifically, the present invention provides a method and system for applying decorative wrapping to packages utilizing existing conventional equipment that is normally used for applying shrink wrap to the packages. [0015]
  • In particular, the invention comprises a combination gift wrap and shrink wrap that can be applied using conventional machinery for applying conventional shrink wrap. [0016]
  • The decorative shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention may comprise any of several suitable materials or compositions of materials. For example, polyolefin and shrink polyethylene are suitable materials. A polyolefin wrap preferably has a thickness in the range of fifty gauge (one-half mil) to two hundred gauge (two mils), and a shrink polyethylene film preferably has a thickness ranging from one-half mil to twenty mils. A preferred material is polyvinylchloride (PC), and a preferred thickness is in the range of from about one-half mil to about three mils. [0017]
  • Decorative indicia may be applied to the film using flexographic printing techniques or other known suitable methods, and preferably employs water based inks. [0018]
  • The decorative shrink wrap gift wrap film is placed on a roll, or other suitable storage mechanism, for use in conventional shrink wrap machinery. When it is desired to apply the combination shrink wrap gift wrap to a package, the package is moved through the shrink wrapping machinery and the film is placed around the package and heat sealed just as in a conventional shrink wrapping process. The package may then be shipped to a customer. Generally, the shrink wrapped gift wrapped package is placed inside an ordinary cardboard box for shipment. [0019]
  • Use of the invention can increase production speed seven or eight fold, and presents an acceptable wrapped package. In addition to reduced labor costs, the invention saves a significant amount in material costs. [0020]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: [0021]
  • FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a package wrapped with the combination shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention. [0022]
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic top perspective view of one conventional shrink wrapping machine suitable for use with the shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention. [0023]
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, schematic, top perspective view showing the shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention being positioned for application to a package. [0024]
  • FIG. 4 is an exploded side view in elevation of a package wrapped with the shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention, about to be inserted into a shipping carton.[0025]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • Referring more specifically to the drawings, a package P wrapped with the combination shrink wrap gift wrap of the invention is indicated generally at [0026] 10 in FIG. 1. The shrink wrap gift wrap 11 is applied using conventional shrink wrap machinery, such as the machine 12 shown in FIG. 2. This machine is model number EM28TT made by Eastey Enterprises, Inc., of Rogers, Minn. It is to be understood, however, that other machines could be used, such as, for example, Shanklin models F1 and F5, made by Shanklin Corporation of Ayer, Mass., and Eastey models ET1610-36, ET2412, EP2028TK, EM1622T, EM1608, and the manual L-sealer with Reynold's DuoSeal® System heated seal bar.
  • The decorative shrink wrap gift wrap [0027] 11 of the invention may comprise any of several suitable materials or compositions of materials, including, but not limited to polyolefin and shrink polyethylene. A polyolefin film preferably has a thickness in the range of fifty gauge (one-half mil) to two hundred gauge (two mils), and a shrink polyethylene film preferably has a thickness ranging from one-half mil to twenty mils. A preferred material is polyvinylchloride (PCV), and a preferred thickness is in the range of from about one-half mil to about three mils.
  • [0028] Decorative indicia 15 may be applied to the film using flexographic printing techniques or other known suitable methods (not shown), and preferably employing water based inks.
  • The decorative shrink wrap gift wrap film [0029] 11 is placed on a roll 20, or other suitable storage mechanism, for use in conventional shrink wrap machinery. When it is desired to apply the combination shrink wrap gift wrap to a package, the package is moved through the shrink wrapping machinery and the film is placed around the package and heat sealed just as in a conventional shrink wrapping process. Typically, heat seals 25 and 26 are made in the film at opposite ends of the package, producing a look very much like that obtained with conventional gift wrap. The package may then be shipped to a customer.
  • Generally, the shrink wrapped gift wrapped [0030] package 10 is placed inside an ordinary cardboard box 30 for shipment, as represented in FIG. 4, but it is possible to ship the package in the shrink wrap gift wrap without using an additional outer box or carton for shipping.
  • While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.[0031]

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:
1. A combined shrink wrap gift wrap, comprising:
a film of heat sealable material having decorative indicia thereon forming a shrink wrap gift wrap capable of being shrink wrapped onto a package using conventional shrink wrap machinery.
2. A shrink wrap gift wrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the shrink wrap gift wrap is a polyolefin film having a thickness in the range of from about 50 gauge up to about 200 gauge.
3. A shrink wrap gift wrap as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
the shrink wrap gift wrap is a shrink polyethylene film having a thickness in the range of from about one-half mil up to about twenty mils.
4. A shrink wrap gift wrap as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
the shrink wrap gift wrap is a polyvinylchloride film.
5. A shrink wrap gift wrap as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
the polyvinylchloride film has a thickness in the range of from about one-half up to about three mils.
6. A process of shrink wrapping a gift wrap onto a package, comprising the steps of:
forming a shrink wrap film of heat sealable and shrinkable material capable of being applied to and shrink wrapped onto a package using conventional shrink wrap machinery;
applying decorative indicia to the film to form a shrink wrap gift wrap; and
shrink wrapping the shrink wrap gift wrap to a package using conventional shrink wrap machinery, to form a decorative package having an appearance similar to that of a gift wrapped package that has been hand wrapped.
7. A process as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the shrink wrap gift wrap is a polyolefin film having a thickness in the range of from about 50 gauge up to about 200 gauge.
8. A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
the shrink wrap gift wrap is a shrink polyethylene film having a thickness in the range of from about one-half mil up to about twenty mils.
9. A process as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the shrink wrap gift wrap is a polyvinylchloride film.
10. A process as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
the polyvinylchloride film has a thickness in the range of from about one-half up to about three mils.
US09/781,003 2001-02-09 2001-02-09 Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap Abandoned US20020112448A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/781,003 US20020112448A1 (en) 2001-02-09 2001-02-09 Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/781,003 US20020112448A1 (en) 2001-02-09 2001-02-09 Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20020112448A1 true US20020112448A1 (en) 2002-08-22

Family

ID=25121352

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/781,003 Abandoned US20020112448A1 (en) 2001-02-09 2001-02-09 Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US20020112448A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030075475A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-24 Barbara Isenberg Heat sealable gift wrap
US20060117463A1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2006-06-08 Omnitek Partners Llc Protective and decorative covering for sports helmets
US20060157982A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-07-20 Hsc S.A.L. Pipe connection
US20060283775A1 (en) * 2005-06-01 2006-12-21 Mattel, Inc. Product packaging with collapsible protective lid
EP2311734A1 (en) * 2009-10-16 2011-04-20 Ulma Packaging Technological Center, S. Coop. Packaging machine for wrapping products or batches of products, and packaging process
US20130067864A1 (en) * 2011-09-20 2013-03-21 Michael Scott Dwyer Packaging a Product Bundle
US20160229568A1 (en) * 2015-02-11 2016-08-11 Irene Yapczenski Bartosiewicz Object wrapping assembly

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20030075475A1 (en) * 2001-09-28 2003-04-24 Barbara Isenberg Heat sealable gift wrap
US20060117463A1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2006-06-08 Omnitek Partners Llc Protective and decorative covering for sports helmets
US7854025B2 (en) * 2004-12-03 2010-12-21 Omnitek Partners Llc Protective and decorative covering for sports helmets
US20110088149A1 (en) * 2004-12-03 2011-04-21 Omnitek Partners Llc Method For Applying a Protective and Decorative Covering to Sports Helmets
US20060157982A1 (en) * 2004-12-06 2006-07-20 Hsc S.A.L. Pipe connection
US20060283775A1 (en) * 2005-06-01 2006-12-21 Mattel, Inc. Product packaging with collapsible protective lid
US7650996B2 (en) 2005-06-01 2010-01-26 Mattel, Inc. Product packaging with collapsible protective lid
EP2311734A1 (en) * 2009-10-16 2011-04-20 Ulma Packaging Technological Center, S. Coop. Packaging machine for wrapping products or batches of products, and packaging process
US20110088354A1 (en) * 2009-10-16 2011-04-21 Ulma Packaging Technological Center, S.Coop. Packaging Apparatus and Processes
US20130067864A1 (en) * 2011-09-20 2013-03-21 Michael Scott Dwyer Packaging a Product Bundle
US20160229568A1 (en) * 2015-02-11 2016-08-11 Irene Yapczenski Bartosiewicz Object wrapping assembly

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6706388B2 (en) Self-closing packaging material
US5161895A (en) Gift sack with drawstring or the like and method for making the same
US11866220B2 (en) Identification of shrink-wrapped objects
US5341930A (en) Package having separable overlay
US20060201115A1 (en) Method of wrapping products
NO154828B (en) BRITISH COMPOSED OF TWO SHEETS.
US20020112448A1 (en) Combination shrink wrap and gift wrap
US2671731A (en) Commodity package
US20050199523A1 (en) Methods of making and using a corsage bag
US6978585B2 (en) Flexible packaging film pouch with internal stiffener to create an anti-pilfering package
CA2773785A1 (en) Packing band and packaging for bottles and the like, and process for manufacturing thereof
US20070022716A1 (en) Method of packaging coffee and a packaging machine for packaging coffee
US20030168363A1 (en) Packaging for golf balls
EP1937556B1 (en) Method and apparatus for applying a sleeve to an article
KR200345389Y1 (en) Wrapping film
JP2837060B2 (en) Method of packaging sleeve-shaped sleeve for product in case, and film for packaging sleeve-shaped sleeve
US20020129580A1 (en) Ultra bright materials and methods
KR200262899Y1 (en) Vinyl packing paper for freshness maintenance
JPH04112055U (en) Heat-shrinkable continuous packaging material
TR2021018899U5 (en) A label configuration
JPS638622Y2 (en)
JPS5917812Y2 (en) plastic film packaging
GB2302530A (en) Sleeves for wrapping around trays
JP3496969B2 (en) Packaging method for cased goods and synthetic resin film used therefor
KR200285360Y1 (en) Roll film easiiy attached to open fruit packing box

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY, NEW YORK

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FISHER, JEFF;REEL/FRAME:011543/0921

Effective date: 20010207

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION