Patent Application
20180127142
Example embodiments relate to a cartridge display package, blanks for forming the cartridge display package, and a method of manufacturing the same.
A cartridge for an electronic vapor (“e-vapor”) device should periodically be replaced to ensure optimal efficiency of the e-vapor device. Thus, multiple cartridges are typically packaged together in a display package. From an advertising perspective, it is desirable that the cartridge display package be a platform that conveys a look and feel associated with a brand. It is desirable that the cartridge display package promote interest in the brand from adult vapers, while being a platform for brand graphics. These factors may be taken into consideration when manufacturing the cartridge display package for an e-vapor device.
Example embodiments provide a cartridge display package, a blank for forming the cartridge display package and/or a method of manufacturing the same.
According to some example embodiments, a blank for forming a cartridge display package includes a back panel connected along a first fold line to a first side edge of a first side panel, a first angular panel connected along a second fold line to a second side edge of the first side panel, and a second angular panel connected along a third fold line to the second side edge of the first side panel and along a fourth fold line to a bottom edge of the first angular panel, and a front panel connected along a fifth fold line to the first angular panel and along a sixth fold line to the second angular panel. The first angular panel is sloped toward the second angular panel when the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth fold lines are folded.
The blank may further include an inner upper flap connected along a seventh fold line to a top edge of the back panel, and an outer upper flap connected along an eighth fold line to a top edge of the front panel. The inner and outer upper flaps are configured to collectively form a top panel of the cartridge display package.
The blank may further include an inner bottom flap connected along a ninth fold line to a bottom edge of the back panel, and an outer bottom flap connected along a tenth fold line to a bottom edge of the front panel. The inner and outer bottom flaps are configured to collectively form a bottom panel of the cartridge display package.
The blank may include an inner side flap connected along an eleventh fold line to a first side edge of the back panel, and an outer side flap connected along a twelfth fold line to a side edge of the front panel. The inner and outer side flaps are configured to collectively form a second side panel of the cartridge display package.
The first, eleventh and twelfth fold lines may (i) be parallel or substantially parallel to each other, and (ii) extend in a straight line from the top edge of a respective one of the front and back panels to the bottom edge of the respective one of the front and back panels.
The blank may further include at least two first cut lines along the seventh fold line. The at least two first cut lines may be spaced apart from each other. The blank may further include a plurality of second cut lines near the top edge of the back panel. The second cut lines may be collectively arranged in a semicircular shape.
The first angular panel may be at a first angle to the second angular panel when the fourth fold line is folded. The first angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.
The first angular panel and the second angular panel are configured to incline inwardly toward the back panel when the fourth fold line is folded and the cartridge display package is erected from the blank.
A surface area of the first angular panel may be substantially equal to a surface area of the second angular panel.
First ends of the second, third and fourth fold lines are at a first point, and a second end of the fourth fold line and first ends of the fifth and sixth fold lines are at a second point. According to some example embodiments, no additional fold lines are at the first and second points.
The cartridge display package to be formed may be substantially rectangular.
According to some example embodiments, a method of manufacturing a cartridge display package includes providing a semi-erected blank including, a back panel connected along a first fold line to a first side panel, a first angular panel connected along a second fold line to the first side panel, a second angular panel connected along a third fold line to the first side panel and along a fourth fold line to a bottom edge of the first angular panel, a front panel connected along a fifth fold line to the first angular panel and along a sixth fold line to the second angular panel, and a second side panel including an inner side flap adhered to an outer side flap. The inner side flap is connected along a seventh fold line to the back panel, and the outer side flap is connected along an eighth fold line to the front panel. The method further includes forming a bottom panel by adhering an inner bottom flap to an outer bottom flap. The inner bottom flap is connected along a ninth fold line to a bottom edge of the back panel, and the outer bottom flap is connected along a tenth fold line to a bottom edge of the front panel. The method further includes placing cartridges within the semi-erected blank, and forming a top panel by adhering an inner upper flap to an outer upper flap. The inner upper flap is connected along an eleventh fold line to a top edge of the back panel, and the outer upper flap is connected along a twelfth fold line to a top edge of the front panel.
According to some example embodiments, the method further includes folding the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth fold lines such that the first angular panel is sloped toward the second angular panel, prior to the forming a top panel, wherein the providing a semi-erected blank may include the folding the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth fold lines.
The folding the fourth fold line may include inclining the first angular panel and the second angular panel inwardly toward the back panel. The folding the fourth fold line may include folding the first angular panel to an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the second angular panel.
The second, third and fourth fold lines are folded such that first ends of the second, third and fourth fold lines are at a first point, and the fourth, fifth and sixth fold lines are folded such that a second end of the sixth fold line and first ends of the fifth and sixth fold lines are at a second point. According to some example embodiments, no additional fold lines are at the first and second points.
The providing a semi-erected blank may further include applying an adhesive to a varnish-free area on a front surface of the inner side flap, folding the inner side flap toward a back surface of the back panel along the seventh fold line, folding the back panel toward a back surface of the first side panel along the first fold line, folding the outer side flap toward a back surface of the front panel along the eighth fold line, and adhering the front surface of the inner side flap to a back surface of the outer side flap using the adhesive.
The providing a semi-erected blank may include forming a tab near the top edge of the back panel. The tab includes (i) two first cut lines along the seventh fold line. The first cut lines are spaced apart from each other. The tab includes a plurality of second cut lines collectively arranged in a semicircular shape between adjacent ends of the first cut lines. The tab is configured to separate from a remainder of the back panel when the first and second cut lines are broken. The tab is configured to remain attach to the top panel when the first and second cut lines are broken.
Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some example embodiments are shown. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Thus, the invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only example embodiments set forth herein. Therefore, it should be understood that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope.
In the drawings, the thicknesses of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity, and like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.
Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that, if an element is referred to as being ‘connected’ or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected, or coupled, to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, if an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” if used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or a relationship between a feature and another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, for example, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation that is above, as well as, below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or viewed or referenced at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
Although corresponding plan views and/or perspective views of some cross-sectional view(s) may not be shown, the cross-sectional view(s) of device structures illustrated herein provide support for a plurality of device structures that extend along two different directions as would be illustrated in a plan view, and/or in three different directions as would be illustrated in a perspective view. The two different directions may or may not be orthogonal to each other. The three different directions may include a third direction that may be orthogonal to the two different directions.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In accordance with example embodiments, a fold line can be a substantially linear, although not necessarily straight, form that allows for folding. A fold line may include a score line, such as lines created with a sharp object that cause an indentation in a material, or a perforated line.
In order to more specifically describe example embodiments, various features will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, example embodiments described are not limited thereto.
Example embodiments provide a cartridge display package, a blank for forming the cartridge display package and/or a method of manufacturing the same.
Referring to
The front panel 102 and the back panel 110 may each have a length of about 40.00 mm and a height of about 106.8 mm. The first and second angular panels 106a and 106b may have a maximum length of about 12.27 mm. The first side panel 104 may have a length of about 14.00 mm and a height of about 106.8 mm.
As shown in
The first angular panel 106a is at a first angle, θ1, with respect to the second angular panel 106b when the fold line 1006 is folded. The first angle θ1 may be greater than 0 degrees and less than about 90 degrees. The first angular panel 106a and the second angular panel 106b are configured to incline inwardly toward the back panel 110 when the fold line 1006 is folded. A surface area of the first angular panel 106a is substantially equal to a surface area of the second angular panel 106b.
According to some example embodiments, the first and second angular panels 106a and 106b create a unique visual look and a tactile feel associated with a brand. Surfaces of the first and second angular panels 106a and 106b can be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with, for example, cartridge flavor(s), the quantity of cartridges within the cartridge display package 100, a stockkeeping unit (SKU), and/or the brands' logos, trademarks, or slogans. The surfaces of the first and second angular panels 106a and 106b can include a printable clay coat. The print can identify cartridges that are within the cartridge display package 100.
According to some example embodiments, the cartridge display package 100 may include only the first angular panel 106a, and the second angular panel 106b may be omitted.
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Although the cartridge display package 100 is depicted as having a substantially rectangular shape, example embodiments are not limited thereto.
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If any of the at least two first cut lines 118a and 118b or the second cut lines 116 are broken, it is evident that the cartridge display package 100 has been tampered with. Thus, the tab 118 has a tamper-evident feature.
The cartridge display package 100 may have a length of about 40.0 mm, a width of about 14.0 mm, and a height of about 106.7 mm.
The cartridge display package 100 can formed of any materials generally used for the packaging of e-vapor cartridges. For example, the cartridge display package 100 can be formed of paper, cardboard, plastic, plastic film, plastic laminate or one of the named materials with an additional metal or metal-oxide coating, or metal. Paper or cardboard are preferably used. Short-grain paper or short-grain cardboard are particularly preferred as a foldable material for the cartridge display package 100.
In accordance with some example embodiments, the cartridge display package 100 can be made from a plastic material, such as polyethylene, or a thermoplastic material. The cartridge display package 100 can be formed of at least one selected from PVC, PVdC, PP, PET and PE. According to some example embodiments, a clear, poly-chloro-tri-fluoro-ethylene (PCTFE) film can be applied to the PVC, PVdC, PP, PET and PE.
According to some example embodiments, surfaces of the cartridge display package 100 can be printed, embossed, debossed or otherwise embellished with manufacturer or brand logos, trademarks, slogans and other consumer information and indicia. For example, the surfaces can include a printable clay coat. The print can identify cartridges that are within the cartridge display package 100.
According to some example embodiments, the cartridge display package 100 can hold one or more blister cartridge packs. According to some example embodiments, the cartridge display package 100 holds two blister cartridge packs. The term “blister cartridge pack” as used herein refers to a pre-formed plastic packaging having at least one cavity for holding an item. The blister packs can protect cartridge(s) from external factors, such as humidity and contamination, and/or preserve internal qualities, such as aromas and flavors. The blister packs may be an opaque blister pack that protects light-sensitive items from ultra-violet rays. The blister pack may be formed of PVC with a thickness of about 0.010-inches. The blister pack can include a lidding. The lidding can be formed of aluminum, or a similar material.
According to some example embodiments, the cartridge display package 100 is formed from a single blank, more particularly, a single paper board blank. By forming the cartridge display package 100 from a single blank, a minimal amount of material is used to form the cartridge display package 100 having one or more angular panels conveying a look and feel associated with a brand. By using a minimal amount of material, costs associated with manufacturing the cartridge display package 100 having one or more angular panels is reduced.
In
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A surface area of the first angular panel 206a may be substantially equal to a surface area of the second angular panel 206b. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto. The surface area of the first angular panel 206a may be greater, or less than, the surface area of the second angular panel 206b.
As shown in
The inner upper flap 220 and the inner bottom flap 240 may have varnish-free areas VF. The varnish-free areas may be about 3.00 mm from the edges of the inner upper flap 220 and the inner bottom flap 240. Side ends of the inner upper flap 220 and the inner bottom flap 240 may be tapered. The inner upper flap 220 and the inner bottom flap 240 may each have a length of about 39.60 mm, and a height of about 12.00 mm.
The outer upper flap 222 and the outer bottom flap 242 may each have a length of about 40.00 mm, and a height of about 13.00 mm.
As shown in
The inner side flap 282 may have a varnish-free area VF. The varnish-free area may be about 3.00 mm from the edges of the inner side flap 282. Side ends of the inner side flap 282 may be tapered, or at about a 10-degree angle. The inner side flap 282 may have a length of about 12.40 mm, and a maximum height of about 106.8 mm.
The fold lines 2012, 2014 and 2016 are parallel, or substantially parallel to each other. The fold line 2012, 2014 and 2016 extend in a straight line from the top edge of a respective one of the front and back panels 202 and 210 to the bottom edge of the respective one of the front and back panels 202 and 210.
As shown in
When the fold line 2006 is folded, the first angular panel 206a is at a first angle to the second angular panel 206b. The first angle may be greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.
When the fold line 2006 is folded and the display package is erected from the blank 200, the first angular panel 206a and the second angular panel 206b are configured to incline inwardly toward the back panel 210.
The cartridge display package erected from the blank 200 is rectangular, or substantially rectangular, in shape.
The blank 200 may have a length of about 119.0 mm and a height of about 132.80 mm.
The blank 200 can be formed of paper, cardboard, plastic, plastic film, plastic laminate or one of the named materials with an additional metal or metal-oxide coating, or metal. Paper or cardboard are preferably used. Short-grain paper or short-grain cardboard are particularly preferred as a foldable material for the blank 200.
In accordance with some example embodiments, the blank 200 can be made from a plastic material, such as polyethylene, or a thermoplastic material. The cartridge display package 100 can be formed of at least one selected from PVC, PVdC, PP, PET and PE. According to some example embodiments, a clear, poly-chloro-tri-fluoro-ethylene (PCTFE) film can be applied to the PVC, PVdC, PP, PET and PE.
Now, a method of manufacturing a cartridge display package according to some example embodiments will be described.
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According to some example embodiments, the providing a semi-erected blank may include applying an adhesive to a varnish-free area VF on a front surface of the inner side flap 382. The inner side flap 382 is folded toward a back surface of the back 310 panel along the fold line 3014. The back panel 310 is folded toward a back surface of the first side panel 304 along the fold line 3012. The outer side flap 380 is folded toward a back surface of the front panel 302 along the fold line 3016. The front surface of the inner side flap 382 is adhered to a back surface of the outer side flap 380 using the adhesive.
The semi-erected blank 300, supplied from a first manufacturer or a first manufacturing facility, is in partially glued and flat (but not completely flattened) state. The semi-erected blank 300 may be fully erected by a second manufacturer, or in a second manufacturing facility.
The steps for fully erecting the semi-erected blank 300 will now be described.
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According to some example embodiments, the providing a semi-erected blank includes the folding the fold lines 3002, 3003, 3004, 3006 and 3010.
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The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
