. The transverse seam 222 can extend transversely across the top box end 212 from the first end seam 218 to the second end seam 220. The bottom box end 712 can likewise define the first end seam 218, the second end seam 220, and the transverse seam 222 when the pair of bottom flaps 716 are folded to cover the bottom box opening.

Each of the top box end 212 and the bottom box end 712 can be sealed closed by the tape kit 100 in the closed configuration. Specifically, as shown in the present view, the top box end 212 can be sealed closed by a first one of the first end tape strips 112a applied to an outer surface 205 of box 210 at the first end seam 218, a first one of the second end tape strips 114a applied to the outer surface 205 of the box 210 at the second end seam 220, and a first one of the transverse tape strips 116a applied to the outer surface 205 of the box 210 at the transverse seam 222. Similarly, the bottom box end 712 can be sealed closed by a second one of the first end tape strips 112b, a second one of the second end tape strips 114b, and a second one of the transverse tape strips 116b (each of 112b,114b,116b shown in FIG. 7).

In some aspects, a length of the transverse tape strip 116 can be about equal to a length of the transverse seam 222. In some aspects, as shown, the transverse tape strip 116 can be of a suitable length such that opposing ends 230 of the transverse tape strip 116 can extend beyond the transverse seam 222, across the first and second end seams 218,220, and down along the corresponding first and second side panels 214a,b. The transverse tap strip 116 can overlap the first and second end tape strips 112,114, as shown, or the first and second end tape strips 112,114 can overlap the transverse tap strip 116, depending upon the order in which the pre-cut tape strips 110 are applied to the box 210. In other aspects, the transverse tape strip 116 may not extend over the first and second end seams 218,220 and/or may not extend down along the corresponding first and second side panels 214a,b. Additionally, in the present aspect, the first and second end tape strips 112,114 can be of a suitable length to extend substantially along a length of the corresponding first and second end seams 218,220. In other aspects, the length of the first and second end tape strips 112,114 can be greater or lesser than the length of the first and second end seams 218,220.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the tape kit 100 according to another example aspect of the disclosure. FIG. 3 is a front view of the tape kit 100 in the packaged configuration, FIG. 4 is a rear view of the tape kit 100 in the packaged configuration, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the tape kit 100 in the unpackaged configuration. The tape kit 100 of the present aspect can be similar to the tape kit 100 of FIG. 1, but with a few differences. For example, in the packaged configuration, the insert 150 of the present aspect can define a rear insert portion 352 disposed rearward of the pre-cut tape strips 110 and a front insert portion 354 disposed forward of the pre-cut tape strips 110. The insert 150 can be folded at an insert fold line 356 between the rear insert portion 352 and the front insert portion 354 to wrap around the pre-cut tape strips 110 at the lower sleeve end 134. As shown, the indicia 160 (indicated by “text” in the drawings) can be printed on each of the rear insert portion 352 and the front insert portion 354. The indicia 160 on the rear insert portion 352 can be visible through the transparent outer sleeve 130 of the outer packaging 120 when viewing the tape kit 100 from the rear, while the indicia 160 on the front insert portion 354 can be visible through the transparent outer sleeve 130 when viewing the tape kit 100 from the front.

Additionally, the outer packaging 120 of the present tape kit 100 can further comprise a hang tag 360. The hang tag 360 can define a rear hang tag portion 362 (shown in FIG. 4) and a front hang tag portion 364 folded relative to the rear hang tag portion 362 at a tag fold line 366. According to example aspects, the upper sleeve end 132 of the outer sleeve 130 can be disposed between the front hang tag portion 364 and the rear hang tag portion 362, and the hang tag 360 can be fastened to the outer sleeve 130 to seal closed the opening 135 of the outer sleeve 130. The hang tag 360 can be fastened to the outer sleeve 130 by a fastener 370, such as a staple 372, as shown. In some aspects, the staple 372 can also engage the insert 150 and/or some or all of the pre-cut tape strips 110. In other aspects, the hang tag 360 can be fastened to the outer sleeve 130 by any other suitable fastener 370 or fastening technique.

Either or both of the front hang tag portion 364 and the rear hang tag portion 362 can also comprise indicia 160 printed thereon (as indicated by “text” in the drawings) or otherwise applied thereto. In the present aspect, both of the front and rear hang tag portions 364,362 can comprise indicia 160 thereon. Example aspects of the hang tag 360 can also define a hanging hole 368 formed therethrough. The hanging hole 368 can be configured to receive a hanger device to hang the tape kit 100 therefrom. For example, the tape kit 100 may be hung from a hanger device at a post office or another shipping or packaging facility to facilitate locating and retrieving the tape kit 100 for use and/or for displaying the tape kit 100 for sale. Example aspects of the hang tag 360 can comprise a paper material; however, other aspects of the hang tag 360 can comprise any other suitable material known in the art. Other aspects of the tape kit 100 may not comprise the insert 150. Other aspects of the tape kit 100 may not comprise the hang tag 360. Other aspects of the tape kit 100 may not comprise the outer sleeve 130, and the pre-cut tape strips 110 can be attached to the insert 150 and/or the hang tag 360. In other aspects, the indicia 160 can also or alternatively be printed on or otherwise applied to the outer sleeve 130 and/or the pre-cut tape strips 110.

Additionally, in the present aspect, instead of comprising the perforations 144 (shown in FIG. 1A), the cut lines 145 of the peelable layers 140 can each be formed as a continuous cut extending along the length of the pre-cut tape strip 110.

FIG. 6 illustrates the tape kit 100 according to another example aspect. Like the tape kits 100 previously described, the tape kit 100 of the present aspect can comprise the one or more pre-cut tape strips 110 received within the transparent outer sleeve 130 of the outer packaging 120 in the packaged configuration. However, the tape kit 100 of the present aspect does not comprise the insert 150 (shown in FIG. 1A) received in the interior of the outer sleeve 130. Rather, the outer packaging 120 of the tape kit 100 can further comprise an outer card 610 folded about and enveloping the transparent outer sleeve 130 therein, and various indicia 160, such as instructions for using the tape kit 100, can be printed on the outer card 610. Example aspects of the outer card 610 can comprise a paper material, for example and without limitation. In some aspects, a window cut-out 612 can be formed through the outer card 610 to allow for visibility of the transparent outer sleeve 130 and the pre-cut tape strips 110 therein. The window cut-out 612 can be covered with a transparent or translucent material in some aspects, such as plastic for example and without limitation. In other aspects, the window cut-out 612 can be uncovered. In other aspects, the indicia 160 can also or alternatively be printed on or otherwise applied to the outer sleeve 130 and/or the pre-cut tape strips 110.

In the present aspect, the hang tag 360 can be integrally formed with the outer card 610, as shown. The outer card 610 can define a rear card portion 614 and a front card portion 616 folded relative to the rear card portion 614 at a first card fold line 620. The outer card 610 can also define the front hang tag portion 364 folded relative to the rear card portion 614 at a second card fold line 622 opposite the first card fold line 620. The window cut-out 612 can be formed through the front card portion 616 in the present aspect. In other aspects, the window cut-out 612 can be formed through either of rear card portion 614 or the front hang tag portion 364, or the outer card 610 can comprise a plurality of the window cut-outs 612. The front hang tag portion 364 and the rear card portion 614 can define the hanging hole 368 for hanging the tape kit 100 on a hanger device. The front hang tag portion 364 can overlap a free end 618 of the front card portion 616 (or vice versa) proximate to the upper sleeve end 132 of the outer sleeve 130. The fastener 370 can attach the outer sleeve 130 to the outer card 610 and can seal the opening 135 at the upper sleeve end 132. For example, in the present aspect, the fastener 370 can be the staple 372 configured to attach the rear card portion 614 and the overlapping area of the front hang tag portion 364 and the front card portion 616 to the outer sleeve 130 at the upper sleeve end 132. Other aspects of the tape kit 100 may not comprise the outer card 610. Other aspects of the tape kit 100 may not comprise the outer sleeve 130, and the pre-cut tape strips 110 can be attached to the outer card 610. In the right-most image of FIG. 6, an assembly 650 of the outer sleeve 130 and the pre-cut tape strips 110 is enveloped by the outer card 610 and is in indicated by a dashed line.

FIG. 7 illustrates a tape kit system 750, according to an example aspect of the present disclosure. The tape kit system 750 can comprise a plurality of tape kits 100 having varying sizes of the pre-cut tape strips 110 (shown in FIG. 1A), and the tape kit system 750 can be configured to match each tape kit 100 with a box 210 or other package 200 of an appropriate size. For example, larger boxes 210 can be matched with a tape kit 100 have larger pre-cut tape strips 110, while smaller boxes 210 can be matched with a tape kit 100 having smaller pre-cut tape strips 110. According to example aspects, the indicia 160 provided on the tape kit 100 can include size-indicative indicia 752 that can indicate the appropriate size of box 210 for which the tape kit 100 can be used. Matching size-indicative indicia 756 may or may not be provided on the corresponding boxes 210 to further facilitate identifying the appropriate box 210.

In the present aspect, the size-indicative indicia 752 on the tape kits 100 can include size-indicative numbers 754, which can correspond to a matching size-indicative number 758 on the appropriate box 210. For example, small-sized boxes 210 and the corresponding tape kits 100 comprising small pre-cut tape strips 110 can be marked with a “1”, medium-sized boxes 210 and the corresponding tape kits 100 comprising medium pre-cut tape strips 110 can be marked with a “2”, and large-sized boxes 210 and the corresponding tape kits 100 comprising large pre-cut tape strips 110 can be marked with a “3”. Other aspects of the size-indicative indicia 752 can comprise more or fewer size-indicative numbers 754 for matching the tape kits 100 to the appropriate box 210. Furthermore, in other aspects, the size-indicative indicia 752 can include any other suitable indicia 160, including colors (e.g., matching a red, blue, or green colorblock on the tape kit 100 with a red, blue, or green colorblock on the appropriate box 210), text (e.g., matching “small”, “medium”, or “large” text on the tape kit 100 with “small”, “medium”, or “large” text on the appropriate box 210), letters (e.g., matching “A”, “B”, or “C” on the tape kit 100 with “A”, “B”, or “C” on the appropriate box 210), images, or the like.

In some aspect, the boxes 210 may not comprise the matching size-indicative indicia 756, and instead, the size-indicative indicia 752 provided on the tape kits 100 can include the dimensions (or other identifying features) of the appropriate box 210. For example and without limitation, a tape kit 100 having small pre-cut tape strips 110 can be marked as suitable for use with boxes 210 sized between 2″×3″ and 8″×12″, while a tape kit 100 having large pre-cut tape strips 110 can be marked as suitable for use with boxes 210 sized between 8″×12″ and 2′×3′. According to example aspects, the size-indicative indicia 752 can be printed on or otherwise applied at any suitable location on the outer packaging 120 and/or the pre-cut tape strips 110 of the tape kits 100, and the matching size-indicative indicia 756 (if provided) can be printed or otherwise applied at any suitable location on the corresponding boxes 210.

Referring to FIG. 8, in some aspects, the tape kit 100 can be pre-assembled with the appropriate box 210 in the packaged configuration. For example, as shown in the present aspect, the medium-sized box 210 (marked with a “2”) can be provided with a tape kit 100 (also marked with a “2) having medium pre-cut tape strips 110 (shown in FIG. 1A) attached thereto. The tape kit 100 can be attached to the outer surface 205 of the box 210 or to an opposite inner surface of the box 210. The tape kit 100 can be attached to the appropriate box 210 in the packaged configuration by a fastener, such as tape, glue, staples, or any other suitable fastener known in the art. The tape kit 100 can be detached from the box 210, and the box 210 can be reconfigured from a collapsed configuration (shown) to the expanded configuration (shown in FIG. 2). The pre-cut tape strips 110 can then be used to seal the expanded box 210 in the closed configuration. In some aspects, it may not be necessary to provide the tape kit 100 and/or the box 210 with size-indicative indicia 752 and/or matching size-indicative indicia 756 when the tape kit 100 is pre-assembled with the appropriate box 210.

In some aspects, the tape kit 100 can be provided with the box 210 to be used for return shipping. For example, the box 210 can be expanded and sealed in the closed configuration, and the box 210 can be shipped to an ecommerce customer with the tape kit 100 received inside the expanded and sealed box 210. The tape kit 100 can be received loosely within the box 210, or the tape kit 100 can be attached to the inner surface of the box 210 or to contents disposed within the box 210. For example, the tape kit 100 can be attached to the inner surface of the box 210 by staples, glue, or any other suitable fastener. In other aspects, the tape kit 100 for return shipping can be attached to the outer surface 205 of the box 210. Should the ecommerce customer need to return the contents of the box 210, the pre-cut tape strips 110 of the tape kit 100 can be used to re-seal the box 210 in the closed configuration.

In some aspects, a return label may also be provided along with the tape kit 100. For example, the return label can be formed as an adhesive label having a pre-applied adhesive. The customer can adhere the provided pre-cut tape strips 110 and the adhesive return label to the box 210 to easily and securely package the box 210 for return shipping. In other aspects, the return label may not comprise the pre-applied adhesive, and the tape kit 100 can comprise pre-cut tape strips 110 that can be used to adhere the return label to the box 210.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example aspect of one of the pre-cut tape strips 110. The pre-cut tape strip 110 of the present aspect can be an elongated tape strip 910 for use with a considerably large box 210 (box 210 shown in FIG. 2). According to example aspects, pre-cut tape strips 110 that are longer than the outer sleeve 130 (shown in FIG. 1A) can be folded to fit within the interior thereof. For example, in the present aspect, the pre-cut tape strip 110 can be folded accordion-style at one or more strip fold lines 912. When folded, the pre-cut tape strip 110 can be suitably sized to fit inside the outer sleeve 130.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the pre-cut tape strips 110 can be manufactured by any suitably method known in the art. For example, in a particular aspect, the pre-cut tape strips 110 can be manufactured by applying an adhesive to a large base sheet of the material for the base layer 170 (shown in FIG. 1A) and applying a large peelable sheet 910 of the material for the peelable layer 140 to the adhesive to form a large tape sheet 900, as shown. The large tape sheet 900 can then be flat die-cut into the pre-cut tape strips 110. The cut lines 145 formed along the longitudinal centerlines 142 of the peelable layers 140 can be cut prior to or after the large peelable sheet 910 is applied to the adhesive. In other aspects, the large base sheet and/or the large peelable sheet 910 can be flat die-cut into strips prior to applying the adhesive and/or the peelable layers 140/large peelable sheet 910 to the base layers 170/large base sheet. In other aspects, a roll of the large tape sheet 900 can be rotary cut into the pre-cut tape strips 110.

FIG. 11 illustrates the tape kit 100 according to another example aspect of the present disclosure. The tape kit 100 can comprise the outer sleeve 130, and the one or more pre-cut tape strips 110 can be received within the interior of the outer sleeve 130 in the packaged configuration. The outer sleeve 130 can comprise a plastic material in the present aspect. In other aspects, the outer sleeve 130 can comprise any other suitable material. The pre-cut tape strips 110 can comprise the pair of first end tape strips 112, the pair of second end tape strips 114 (shown in FIG. 1A), and the pair of transverse tape strips 116. In some aspects, as shown, the pair of transverse tape 116 can be arranged side-by-side within the interior of the outer sleeve 130. Similarly, the pair of first end tape strips 112 can be arranged side-by-side within the outer sleeve 130 and the pair of second end tape strips 114 (hidden between the first end tape strips 112 and the transverse tape strips 116) can be arranged side-by-side within the outer sleeve 130. In other aspects, the pre-cut tape straps 110 can be arranged in any suitable layout within the interior of the outer sleeve 130.

In the present aspect, the tape kit 100 does not comprise the insert 150 (shown in FIG. 1A), nor does the tape kit 100 comprise the outer card 610 (shown in FIG. 6). Rather, the indicia 160 can be printed directly onto the plastic outer sleeve 130. As previously described, the indicia 160 may include, for example and without limitation, instructions for using the tape kit 100 and/or the size-indicative indicia 752 (shown in FIG. 7) that can indicate the appropriate size of box 210 (shown in FIG. 2) for which the tape kit 100 can be used. In some aspects, the entire outer sleeve 130 can be substantially translucent or transparent, or select portions of the outer sleeve 130 can be translucent or transparent, to allow for visibility of the pre-cut tape strips 110 received therein. In some aspects, the entire outer sleeve 130 or portions thereof can be substantially opaque. For example and without limitation, in a particular example aspect, the outer sleeve 130 can be opaque with a transparent or translucent window portion integrally formed therewith for visibility of the pre-cut strips 110. In other aspects, the window portion can simply be an opaque portion without any indicia 160 printed thereon.

In example aspects, the plastic material of the outer sleeve 130 can be folded over itself at a second side fold line 1112 at the second sleeve side 138 thereof. A first side seam 1110 can be formed at the first sleeve side 136 to enclose the interior of the outer sleeve 130 at the first sleeve side 136. According to example aspects, the first side seam