Patent Application
20070138035
The present invention relates generally to packaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to packaging for storing and dispensing comestible products.
The packaging for comestible products is very important to the look, marketing and storage of the product. Very often, in addition to text on the packaging, the packaging also attempts to visually convey a message about the type of product, the taste of the product or the purpose of the product. For example, packages for cinnamon or cherry tasting products are often red, packages for grape tasting products are often purple, etc. Once the consumer has identified a desired brand, the consumer can typically choose a product based solely on the color of the packaging.
In marketing the product, packaging can convey other information besides taste whereby the consumer can thereby associate the product with its effect by simply viewing the packaging.
There are also practical facets to packaging comestible products, namely, keeping the products from being damaged during shipping, keeping the products fresh, and in certain instances providing a reusable package. Some comestible products do not require that the packaging be robust, sturdy or reusable.
Other comestible products are packaged in pieces and may or may not be provided in a reusable package, as desired by the manufacturer. If it is felt that only a portion of the products may be consumed in one sitting, the manufacturer may wish to provide a box having a hingedly connected lid.
With certain comestible products, the consumer tears open a package and removes a product or piece of the product. One problem with this type of packaging is that the remaining product tends to fall out of the package after the consumer removes a number of pieces from the package. Another problem with these packages is that it becomes difficult, especially with a newly opened package, to remove a piece without ripping open a significant portion of the package.
Attempting to provide a package that holds the product even after the removal of multiple pieces can make removing the comestible product more difficult. Tightly packing the product may aid in holding the product at the expense of gaining access to the product.
It is therefore desirable to provide a comestible product package that maintains the organization of the products even after a number of the products have been removed from the package.
It is also desirable to provide comestible products in a package, wherein the products are readily accessible and removable.
Furthermore, it is desirable for a comestible product package to be flexible so that it may be sized to hold different desired amounts of product.
The present invention provides an improved package for comestible products. The package includes a plurality of walls defining a package interior and a flexible slot on one of the walls. The slot is flexible to permit insertion of a flap into the slot to enclose a package interior. The package encourages a two-directional closing motion to prevent accidental opening of the package. The comestible product package also maintains the comestible products secured and locked within the package interior.
The present invention also provides improved product holding and dispensing apparatuses and improved methods for manufacturing, holding and storing products, especially comestible products. The packages or dispensers are made of, e.g., paper, paperboard, plastic, or combinations thereof as desired. The packages or dispensers disclosed herein are generally wider and thinner than known comestible product packages, making the packages or dispensers of the present invention more user friendly and more easily stored, for example, in a consumer's pants or shirt pockets.
The products stored in the packages disclosed herein are more freely exposed than in known comestible product packages, so that the consumer can grab products from multiple areas of the package. Even so, the embodiments described below are generally able to hold the products firmly in place so that the consumer can handle and transport the package without fear of dropping or losing products.
Certain embodiments described herein include packages that are resealable or recloseable. In one embodiment, the packages are made of plastic and snap fit or press fit together in a closed position after use. When closed, the plastic packages tend to prevent ambient air from entering the packages. Other dispensers are provided that are made of paper or paperboard, which are recloseable, robust and tend not to degrade over multiple uses.
The packages described herein are also flexible and capable of being configured to house different quantities of comestible sticks, so that a line of products can be consistent between, for example, a five-stick pack and a fifteen-stick pack of comestible products.
The dispensers described herein include or provide ample space for the display of branding and product information. Moreover, each embodiment may include an outer wrapping or other type of tamper evident device so that a consumer can view readily whether or not someone has tampered with the package or the products stored therein.
In an embodiment, a package is provided having a first wall and a second wall which define a package interior. The first wall includes a slot that defines a first slot portion and a second slot portion. The first wall also includes a cut-out area extending across both the first and second slot portions. The second wall includes a movable flap which is inserted into the slot to enclose the package interior. The cut-out area is so constructed and arranged to allow the flap to move between the first and second slot portions.
In an embodiment, the first slot portion and the second slot portion define a shape such as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid or egg shape, or a polygon.
In an embodiment, the cut-out area has a shape selected from the group consisting of a lens, an ellipse, a circle, and a polygon.
In an embodiment, the first slot portion is embossed to place the first slot portion above the second slot portion.
In an embodiment, the second slot portion is debossed to place the second slot portion below the first slot portion.
In an embodiment, the second slot portion includes a slit. The slit permits the second slot portion to extend away from the first slot portion.
In an embodiment, the slot includes a slot end. The slot end may include a lip that permits the second slot portion to extend away from the first slot portion.
In an embodiment, the gap has a width between about 2 to about 8 millimeters.
In a further embodiment, the package includes a first wall and a second wall which define a package interior. The first wall includes a slot and a cut-out area. The slot includes a lip. The second wall includes a protruding member which is inserted into the slot. The protruding member has a locking edge engaging the lip to secure the protruding member in the slot.
In an embodiment, the locking edge defines a notch. The notch cooperatively engages the lip.
In an embodiment, the slot defines a first slot portion and a second slot portion. The second slot portion includes a slit which permits the second slot portion to extend away from the first slot portion.
In an embodiment, the cut-out area extends across the first and second slot portions.
In an embodiment, the first slot portion is embossed to place the first slot portion above the second slot portion.
In an embodiment, the second slot portion is debossed to place the second slot portion below the first slot portion.
In a further embodiment, a method for closing a package is provided. The method includes providing a package comprising a first wall, a second wall and opposing sidewalls, all of which define a package interior. The first wall includes an offset slot and the second wall includes both a moveable flap and a protruding member. The method also includes: (i) moving the flap in a first direction to cover at least a portion of the package interior, (ii) inserting the protruding member into the slot in a second direction, the second direction being different from the first direction, and (iii) enclosing the package interior.
In an embodiment, the second direction is selected from the group consisting of a horizontal direction, an angular direction, an arcuate direction, and combinations thereof.
In an embodiment, the slot defines a first slot portion and a second slot portion. The method further includes: (a) providing a cut-out area extending across the first and second slot portions, (b) maneuvering the protruding member through the cut-out area, and (c) inserting the protruding member into the slot.
In an embodiment, the method also includes forming a gap between the first slot portion and the second slot portion and inserting the protruding member into the gap.
In an embodiment, the method also includes providing in the second slot portion a slit and utilizing the slit to extend the second slot portion away from the first slot portion.
In an embodiment, the method also includes providing the protruding member with a locking edge, an end of the slot with a lip, and engaging the locking edge with the lip to enclose the package interior.
In a further embodiment a comestible product dispenser is provided that includes (i) a multi-sided housing with an open side, the open side bounded by multiple edges; (ii) a product compartment hingedly attached to one of the edges; and (iii) wherein the compartment includes a catch and at least one of the sides includes a stop, the stop located to abut the catch when the compartment is rotated about the hinge to a desired product dispensing location.
In an embodiment, the compartment is sized to hold a stack or stacks of comestible product sticks.
In an embodiment, the dispenser is folded together from a single piece.
In an embodiment, the dispenser is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: paper, paperboard, plastic, a polymer and any combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the compartment includes a front wall that is substantially the shape of the open side.
In an embodiment, the compartment includes at least one side wall connected to the front wall, at least one of the front wall and the side wall defining an opening that aids a consumer in removing products from the compartment.
In an embodiment, the compartment and the housing employ a tongue and slot arrangement to aid in holding the compartment in a closed position with respect to the housing when desired.
In another embodiment, the slot arrangement is multi-segmented.
In an embodiment, the tongue and slot arrangement includes notches to prevent tearing of the tongue.
In an embodiment, the compartment in a closed position is disposed inside the housing.
In an embodiment, the dispenser includes an outer wrapper and a tear strip.
In another embodiment, a comestible product dispenser is provided that includes (i) a top portion including a top wall and side walls; (ii) a base portion hingedly attached to the top portion; and (iii) a plurality of comestible products releasably attached along a side of the products to the base portion so that when the top portion is rotated away from the base multiple sides of at least some of the products are exposed.
In an embodiment, the products are attached in a row to the base.
In an embodiment, the products are each wrapped individually in a wrapping.
In an embodiment, the products are adhered to the base.
In an embodiment, the adhesion is caused using hot glue, cold glue or both.
In an embodiment, the base includes at least one glue strip and the products are adhered to the glue strip.
In an embodiment, the dispenser is folded together from a single piece.
In an embodiment, the comestible products are releasably attached to the base portion so that when the top portion is rotated away from the base three sides of at least some of the products are exposed.
In an embodiment, the dispenser includes an outer wrapper and a tear strip.
In a further embodiment, a comestible product dispenser is provided that includes (i) a top portion including a top wall and side walls; (ii) a bottom portion hingedly attached to the top portion; and (iii) wherein the top portion and the bottom portion include mating press-fitted sides that hold the top portion and the bottom portion together when it is desired, at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion including press-fitting structures spaced apart so that at least one comestible product can be press-fitted by the structures.
In an embodiment, each of the top and bottom portions includes the press-fitting structures, the structures cooperating to form a pair.
In an embodiment, at least one of the top and bottom portions includes multiple press-fitting structures spaced apart so that at least one comestible product can be press-fitted in multiple locations on the portion.
In an embodiment, each of the top and bottom portions includes press-fitting structures, the structures sized to collectively hold a desired amount of the products.
In an embodiment, the press-fitting structures of the top portion are sized to hold a different quantity of products than are the press-fitting structures of the bottom portion.
In an embodiment, only one of the top and bottom portions includes the press-fitting structures.
In an embodiment, at least one of the top portion and bottom portions includes access apertures that aid a consumer in removing one of the products press-fitted therein.
In an embodiment, at least one of the top portion and bottom portions includes access apertures in multiple orientations that aid a consumer in removing one of the products press-fitted therein.
In an embodiment, the top and bottom portions include mating press-fitting perimeters enabling the portions to be press-fitted together completely around the products.
In yet another embodiment, a comestible product dispenser is provided that includes (a) a first portion connected hingedly to a second portion; and (b) wherein the first and second portions are mated on a shared front side along a profile that varies to (i) hold comestible products within each of the portions and (ii) provide a consumer access to the products.
In an embodiment, the profile is a sinusoidal profile.
In an embodiment, the dispenser is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: paper, paperboard, plastic, a polymer and any combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the dispenser includes a flap hingedly attached to one of the first and second portions, the flap covering the shared front side to help prevent products from being removed inadvertently from the portions.
In an embodiment, the first portion holds a different number products than the second portion.
In an embodiment, the products are adhesively secured in at least one of the first and second portions.
In an embodiment, the profile includes snap-fitting apparatus that releasably mates the portions when the portions are closed.
In an embodiment, the profile is perforated initially, and wherein the consumer breaks the perforations to gain access to the products.
In an embodiment, the profile is perforated along multiple walls of each of the first and second portions.
In yet a further embodiment, a comestible product dispenser is provided that includes (i) a tray holding at least three stacks of comestible products; and (ii) a sleeve slidingly engaging the tray, the sleeve open on two ends and defining an aperture sized so that a consumer can reach through the aperture of the sleeve to the tray and move the tray relative to the sleeve to extend at least one middle stack past one of the open ends of the sleeve.
In an embodiment, the dispenser is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: paper, paperboard, plastic, a polymer and any combination thereof.
In an embodiment, the stacks include individual wrappers holding the products, the wrappers banded together so that the product is removed from the wrapper while the wrapper remains banded.
In an embodiment, a band banding the wrappers is adhered to the tray.
In an embodiment, the stacks include individual wrappers holding the products, the wrappers adhered together so that the product is removed from the wrapper while the wrappers remain adhered together.
In an embodiment, the dispenser includes an outer wrapper and a tear strip.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser or package includes a front wall having a slot, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and opposing sidewalls. The walls define a package interior and the rear wall includes a movable flap extending therefrom. The flap includes a protruding portion adapted to engage the slot on the front wall and enclose the package interior. The package may include a debossed area and an embossed area adjacent to and surrounding the slot on the front wall. The package may also include notches adjacent to the slot and or the flap.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for packaging a comestible product. The method includes providing a substrate having a plurality of integral panels and folding the panels to form a package having a front wall with a slot, a rear wall having a moveable flap, the flap having a protruding member, a bottom wall and opposing side walls to define a package interior. The method further includes engaging the protruding member with the slot to enclose the package interior. The protruding member may be disengaged from the slot in order to open the package and remove product from the container interior.
It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a flexible comestible product package which permits easy opening and closing.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a comestible product package that reduces accidental opening of the package.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a comestible product package that maintains the comestible products in secured positions within the product interior to prevent the products from falling out.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a comestible product package with an improved locking mechanism.
It is also an advantage of the present invention to provide improved comestible product packages or dispensers.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide comestible product packages or dispensers that more readily expose the products therein to consumers for removal.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide improved methods for dispensing comestible products.
It is still a further advantage of the present invention to provide improved methods for manufacturing comestible product dispensers and apparatuses.
Furthermore, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide packages or dispensers for comestible products that better withstand multiple uses.
It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide comestible product packages or dispensers that are resealable or recloseable.
It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide packages or dispensers that are easily opened.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide comestible product packages or dispensers that are tear-resistant upon opening and closing the package or dispenser.
Moreover, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide packages or dispensers for comestible products that can be made of a variety of different materials.
Further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide comestible product packages or dispensers that are flexible to be sized to hold varying amounts of products.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.
FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate multiple different views of one embodiment of a comestible product dispenser and package of the present invention.
FIGS. 7 to 11 illustrate multiple different views of another embodiment of the comestible product package and dispenser of the present invention.
FIGS. 12 to 22 illustrate multiple views of a further embodiment of the comestible product package and dispenser of the present invention, wherein
FIGS. 25 to 37 illustrate multiple views of yet another embodiment of the package and dispenser of the present invention, wherein
FIGS. 40 to 46 illustrate different views of still another embodiment of the package and dispenser of the present invention.
The present invention includes multiple embodiments for a comestible product package and dispenser. In the embodiments described, the comestible products are illustrated as sticks of products, such as flat, rectangular pieces of comestible product. Alternatively, the products discussed herein can have any suitable types of shapes, such as a block shape, a pillow shape, a round shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape and any combination of same.
As discussed below, certain embodiments are illustrated as being made of a paper, cardboard or paperboard material, while other embodiments are disclosed as being made of a plastic material. The present invention expressly includes any of the embodiments being made of any of the materials disclosed herein, as well as any suitable paper, foil, plastic, composite or other type of material. Furthermore, while the packages and dispensers discussed herein are sized to be transported readily by a person, for example in a person's pocket, purse, backpack or the like, the embodiments described are expressly not limited to any particular size and shape.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 to 6, one embodiment of a comestible product package or dispenser is illustrated by dispenser 10. Dispenser 10 includes two main sections, namely, a housing 12 and a compartment 14 connected to housing 12.
Housing 12 in the illustrated embodiment is generally a five-sided structure having a top wall 16, sidewalls 18 and 20, a back wall 22 (referring collectively to back wall portions 22a and 22b) and a bottom wall 24 (referring collectively to bottom wall portions 24a and 24b). Hinged compartment 14 includes a front wall 26 and sidewalls 28 and 30.
Front wall 26 of compartment 14 and top wall 16 of housing 12 include cooperating apparatus in one embodiment to help hold compartment 14 in a closed position when desired. Optional apparatus 58a and 58c shown in phantom in
In the illustrated embodiment, the single-piece package or dispenser 10 is glued or otherwise mated together at bottom portions 24a and 24b via adhesive or glue 34. Glue or adhesive 34 shown in solid on bottom portion 24a is received on the side of portion 24a facing out of the page in
The embodiment for stopping compartment 14 shown in
Sidewalls 28 and 30 are provided with or define cutouts 52 that aid consumer 40 in readily removing any one or more exposed comestible product 36 from compartment 14 and package 10. As illustrated in
Although the pieces of comestible product are shown as being dispensed laying in a plane substantially parallel to that of the bottom wall 24, the pieces of comestible product may alternatively be disposed laying in a plane substantially perpendicular to bottom wall 24.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 11, a second embodiment of the package or dispenser of the present invention is illustrated by package or dispenser 60. Dispenser 60 includes a top portion 62 and a bottom portion 64, which is connected hingedly to top portion 62. Top portion 62 includes a top wall 66, a front wall 68, sidewalls 70 and 72, and a back wall 74 (
Bottom portion 64 includes a bottom wall 78 and a front wall 80. The walls of top portion 62 and bottom portion 64 are bent as illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10 so that when top 62 is opened or closed along hingeline 82 (seen best in
As seen in
The glue used as glue strips 84 holds sticks 36 firmly in place. The glue is preferably not strong enough, however, to tear the foil wrapper of sticks 36. Alternatively, the sticks 36 may each be provided with a wrapper, and the wrappers each glued to the bottom wall 38 in a manner which allows the consumer to take the stick 36 out of its respective wrapper, with the wrapper remaining adhered to the bottom wall 78.
In one embodiment, one of the glue strips 84 is a hot-melt or hot-tack type strip, while the other strip 84 is a cold pressed glue strip. The hot-tack strip 84 is advantageous for manufacturing purposes because comestible sticks 36 or their wrappings can be placed on and adhered to the hot glue without mechanical pressing and potential deformation of sticks 36. When the hot glue or hot-tack cools, sticks 36 are held firmly in place. It has been found that mentholated comestible products are not compatible over time with the hot glue or hot melt adhesion. It is believed that the menthol migrates into the hot glue, tending to dissolve it. Over time, the dissolved or damaged hot glue attachment deteriorates, causing comestible sticks 36 to come loose undesirably from strips 84 and bottom wall 78.
Cold strip 84 requires that sticks 36 be mechanically pressed onto that strip. The cold glue, however, does not appear to have the same problem with mentholated products as seen with hot glue. The combination of hot and cold glue strips enables the comestible sticks 36 to be temporarily adhered to bottom wall 78 during the manufacturing process so that sticks 36 are held in a proper position for cold pressing. The cold strip thereafter secures the comestible sticks 36 over the duration of time needed to consume the products.
Package or dispenser 60 includes a number of alternatives not illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 11. First, dispenser 60 can have any suitable desirable number of glue strips 84, using any combination or arrangement of hot and cold glue, which are positioned and oriented in any desirable fashion on bottom 78 or perhaps even on the underside of top wall 66. In another alternative embodiment, one or more glue strips 84 is placed on a separate piece of paper, paperboard, or other suitable substrate. Comestible sticks 36 are adhered to the separate substrate. That subassembly is then hot tacked and/or cold pressed to bottom wall 78 of bottom portion 64 of dispenser 60.
As seen in FIGS. 9 to 11, package 60 includes suitable indicia such as branding indicia, barcoding, ingredient information, and nutrition information, for example. Front wall 68 of top portion 62 defines or includes a cutout 86 to aid consumer 40 in hingedly opening top portion 62 from bottom portion 64. Dispenser 60 in one embodiment is wrapped ultimately with a suitable wrapping, such as a cellophane wrapping. The wrapping operates with a tear strip as discussed above in connection with dispenser 10.
FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate a larger or fifteen stick version of dispenser 60.
Packages 10 and 60 both expose consumer 40 to multiple pieces of product at one time and enable the consumer to select any or more of the exposed products. The pieces may all be essentially the same, or a variety of different pieces (e.g., different flavors, sizes, textures, types, styles, etc.) may be provided. The packaging of the present invention allows the consumer access to the piece(s) of his or her choice, regardless of its position in the package. The packages are both recloseable after each use and may be provided with frictional devices, adhesive or other means to maintain the packaging 10 and/or 60 in its closed position until intentionally opened and can be made of any of the materials discussed above. As indicated by
Referring now to FIGS. 12 to 22, a further alternative embodiment of the comestible product package and dispenser of the present invention is illustrated by package or dispenser 90. Package or dispenser 90 includes or defines a lid 92 that is connected hingedly to a base 94. Dispenser 90 in one embodiment is made primarily of a plastic or polymer injection mold or thermoform. The inner structure of lid 92 and base 94 can thereby be made as a single hinged piece (see below including product holders 98 and 114 connected by hinge 112). The outer structure of lid 92 and base 94 is an outer wall or shell 96 attached to the single injection molded piece.
Outer wall or shell 96 in one embodiment is a foil, paper or paperboard outer shell that is glued to or otherwise adhered to upper and lower injection-molded product holders 98 and 114. Injection molded product holders 98 and 114 as best seen in FIGS. 18 to 20 each define three product compartments. Holder 98 defines compartments 100, 102 and 104.
Product carrying compartments 100, 102 and 104 each include peripheral sides 106 and a bottom 108, which in one embodiment are defined or formed integrally with upper product holder 98. Sides 106 extend from bottoms 108 a desired distance to hold a desired number of comestible sticks 36. As seen in
Top injection molded holder 98 also defines sidewalls 110 that each project slightly outwardly to fill some of the open space otherwise defined by compartments 100, 102 and 104. Projecting walls 110 place a slight compressive force on comestible products 36 when the products are loaded between walls 110. Projecting walls 110 have one or more extensions or radii 111 (see
While compartments 100, 102 and 104 are illustrated as holding two sticks of comestible products 36 each, those compartments can alternatively be sized to hold any suitable and desirable number of such products. Furthermore, while each of the compartments is shown holding the same number of products 36, the compartments can alternatively hold differing amounts of products 36, and the products in the respective compartments may be substantially the same, or may be different (e.g., different flavors in some compartment than others).
As seen best in
FIGS. 18 to 22 illustrate that top product holder 98, hinge portion 112 and bottom holder 114 in one embodiment are all made as a single injected molded or thermoformed piece. Alternatively, product holders 98 and 114 are made separately and are assembled to create package 90, for example, by being adhered in proper registry onto cover or shell 96. Forming holders 98 and 114 integrally with hinge section 112 simplifies assembly and provides a robust overall package in which the material used for plastic hinge 112 enables package 90 to be opened and closed multiple times without degrading or coming apart.
Bottom product holder 114 in many respects is a mirror image of top holder 98 and defines a mating or matching compartment 116, 118 and 120 for each compartment 100, 102 and 104 of top product holder 98. Compartments 116, 118 and 120 of holder 114 each include a bottom 108, peripheral sidewalls 106 and product holding projection walls 110 as described above for compartments 100, 102 and 104.
While compartments 100, 102, 104, 116, 118 and 120 are illustrated as running in the same direction as hinge 112, the product compartments of dispenser 90 can alternatively run in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of hinge 112 or further alternatively at any desired angle with respect to the direction of hinge 112 e.g., to hold and dispense products 36 of different lengths or different shapes.
Sidewalls 106 forming the perimeter of holders 98 and 114 are formed in mating male and female pairs so that lid 92 and base 94 press fit or snap fit together to create a pseudo-airtight seal for product freshness and protection. Indeed,
As noted, package 90 in one embodiment is made of a plastic piece that defines the product holders and the hinge. In one preferred embodiment, the plastic is injection molded or thermoformed. The cover 96 in one embodiment is a pressure sensitive label made of paper or paperboard. Cover 96 is adhered to the plastic piece(s). Alternatively, cover 96 is made integrally with the plastic piece and the indicia is printed directly on the plastic.
Referring now to
As with dispenser 90, dispenser 140 includes in one embodiment an outer skin or shell 146, which in one embodiment is paper or a pressure sensitive label. Label 146 is wrapped using one or more pieces around the outside of a piece of injection molded or thermoformed plastic. The plastic piece includes in one embodiment a plastic lid portion 148, plastic base portion 150 and a hinge portion 152 that hingedly connects plastic lid portion 148 to plastic base portion 150 and consequently lid 142 to base 144. In an alternative embodiment, lid portion 148 and base portion 150 can be thermoformed or injected molded separately and connected together hingedly via skin or shell 146.
In illustrated embodiment, each compartment 154, 156 and 158 holds five sticks 36, totaling 15 desired sticks. The compartment alternatively, individually and/or collectively hold more or less than five and fifteen sticks respectively. It should also be appreciated that the alternative configuration of dispenser 140 can be molded to have only a single compartment, e.g., a five stick dispenser, or sized to hold any suitable amount of products 36.
Like with package 90, plastic base portion 150 forms multiple product holding compartments 154, 156 and 158. Each of those compartments uses the same type of apparatuses described above for removably holding products 36. In particular, each compartment includes or defines peripheral sidewalls 106 that separate the compartments and projecting walls 110 that frictionally and removably hold products 36 in place. Compartments 154, 156 and 158 also include or define openings 122 that enable consumer 40 to readily remove a desired product(s) 36 from a desired compartment 154, 156 or 158.
Package or dispenser 140, like dispenser 90, forms a snap fit or press fit pseudo-airtight seal around the perimeter of compartments 154, 156 and 158. Package 140 provides an alternative male projection portion 160 and an alternative notch 162 that mate to form the snap fit or press fit seal. Projection portion 160 includes rounded projections 164 that mate with rounded notches 166 of notch 162. The rounded notches 166 also extend into and through sidewalls 106 to help consumer 40 to remove products 36 from plastic base portion 150. That is, consumer 40 in removing products by grasping the long sides of the products via openings 122 or grasping the short sides of the products via notch 166. Projections 164 and notches 166 can also be provided with projection perimeter 124 and notch perimeter 126 of dispenser 90.
Alternative package 140 can have approximately the same overall size and shape as product 90. To that end, product 140, like product 90, is sized and shaped to fit readily into a consumer's pants or shirt pocket. Package 140 is also relatively airtight, rugged and can store products 36 unwrapped or wrapped individually in foil.
Referring now to FIGS. 25 to 31, still a further alternative embodiment for the comestible product package and dispenser of the present invention is illustrated by package 170. Package 170, in one preferred embodiment, is made of plastic or other type of relatively rigid composite material.
Package 170 in the illustrated embodiment, includes first and second portions or halves 172 and 174. Portions 172 and 174 in one embodiment each define about half the total volume of package 170. Alternatively, the volume defined by portions 172 and 174 is different or disproportionate. Portions 172 and 174 are held together via living hinge 176, which can be formed integrally or separately from portions 172 and 174. For example, portions 172 and 174 can be formed as separate pieces and taped or otherwise hingedly connected together via a paper or paperboard pressure sensitive label that adheres to the back of both portions 172 and 174. FIGS. 29 to 36, however, illustrate that in one preferred embodiment, package 170 is an integrally formed injection molded or thermoformed plastic or polymer structure.
FIGS. 29 to 31 illustrate package 170 in an open position. FIGS. 33 to 37 illustrate package 170 in a closed position. Both sets of drawings, as well as FIGS. 25 to 28, illustrate that portions 172 and 174 define at their openings mating sinusoidal shaped edges 186 and 188, respectively. Both edges 186 and 188 include a tab or projection portion 186a, 188a, which mates with a corresponding open or notched portion 188b, 186b of the corresponding portion 172 or 174. The notches or dugout portions 186b, 188b of edges 186 and 188 enable the consumer 40 to reach and remove readily on or more product 36 from the corresponding portion 172 or 174.
Plastic package or dispenser 170 snap or press fits together after the product 36 is removed therefrom in one embodiment. The snap-fitting or press-fitting tends to provide an airtight seal that protects product freshness and also holds portions 172 and 174 together so that package 170 does not open and dispense product inadvertently.
Projection portions 186a and 188a each include or define snap-fitting apparatuses 190 and 192, respectively, that mate with the corresponding notched portions 188b and 186b. For example, apparatus 190 of projection portion 186a, as seen in
Edges 186 and 188 form a continuous and consistent seam when mated, as seen from the outside of package 170 in
Package 170 provides a convenient and reusable comestible product holding and dispensing device.
As seen in
Although not illustrated, sticks 36 could be tacked or glued to spacers 178 and 180 or other parts of portions 172 and 174, respectively. Such gluing or tacking would tend to minimize the possibility of sticks 36 coming free from package 170 upon its opening, or while opened, especially when some or a majority of the comestible products 36 have already been consumed.
Referring now to
As illustrated, package 200 includes a front wall 202, a rear wall 204, a bottom wall 206, a top wall 208, sidewalls 210 and 212, and a cover or flap 214. Top wall 208 refers collectively to top, wall portions 208a and 208b. Bottom wall 206 refers collectively to bottom wall portions 206a and 206b.
As illustrated in
Products 36 can be loaded into package 200 in either the orientations illustrated in
Package 200 is sized to hold fifteen sticks of comestible product 36 in one embodiment (e.g., seven sticks on one side of line 216 and eight on the other). Alternatively, package 200 can be sized to hold a lesser or greater amount. In one embodiment, sticks 36 are tacked or glued to top wall 208 and bottom wall 206 to help hold the products in place. Glue strips, such as strips 84 (
When initially packaged, package 200 can be wrapped by a suitable wrapper, such as a cellophane wrapper. That cellophane wrapper in one embodiment includes a tear strip that also serves as a tamper evident device. As seen in
Referring now to FIGS. 40 to 46, a still another embodiment of the package and dispenser of the present invention is illustrated by package or dispenser 220. Package or dispenser 220 includes a cover 222 and a tray 224. Cover 222 as illustrated moves slidingly along tray 224 to expose one or more stack of comestible products 36. Cover 222 is generally a four-sided structure with a top 226, bottom 228 and sidewalls 230 and 232. Sidewall 232 refers collectively to sidewall portions 232a and 232b shown in
Tray 224 is generally a three- or five-sided structure as seen respectively in
As seen in
The relative sizes of sleeve 222 and tray 224 are selected so that consumer 40 can slide tray 224 in either direction against sleeve 222 to expose two product stacks and slide tray 224 from sleeve 222 in the opposite direction to expose the other stack of products 36. Sleeve 222 completely covers products 36 when the sleeve and tray are in registry. Nevertheless, products in the middle or center stack(s) are readily obtained. Package 220, like the other dispensers, exposes multiple stacks of products and enables consumer 40 to remove one or more products, selectively, from a desired and exposed stack. Further, dispenser 220 provides product access selectively from one or multiple open sides of the package.
Belly band 252 is tightly wrapped about single strip wrappers 250 such that when consumer 40 pulls on one of the foil products 36, the product 36 is removed from single stick wrapper 250 as opposed to single stick wrapper 250 coming free from belly band 252. Additionally, a suitable adhesive or wax can be applied between single strip wrappers 250 and/or between one of more of the outer single strip wrappers 250 and an inner surface of belly band 252.
Product sticks 36 are arranged as illustrated in
As illustrated, package 220 includes any of the above-described indicia. Further, the package 220 is finally wrapped (not illustrated) by a suitable outer wrapper, such as cellophane. The outer wrapper in turn includes a tear strip which also serves as a tamper evident device.
In an embodiment, package 300 may be made from a substrate 320 as shown in
Comestible product 36 may be loaded into package 300 in any of the orientations A (vertical), B (horizontal), or C (stacked) as shown in
Front wall 302 includes a slot 336 and flap 314 includes a protruding member 338. Slot 336 and protruding member 338 are adapted for cooperative engagement with each other. Slot 336 may be disposed on front wall 302 in any suitable orientation to cooperatively receive protruding member 338. In an embodiment, slot 336 is a diagonally disposed or is otherwise offset on front wall 302 as shown in
To close container 300, flap 314 is moved to overlap front wall 302. The length of flap 314 may be adapted so that when flap 314 overlaps front wall 302, protruding member 338 is at substantially the same position as slot 336. Protruding member 338 is then slid along front wall 302 in a direction to enter slot 336. The sliding of flap 314 continues along front wall 302 until protruding member 338 is inserted into and matingly engages slot 336. The mated engagement between slot 336 and protruding member 338 securely retains the contents of package 300 within the package interior. In an embodiment, a slit 340 disposed between flap 314 and protruding member 338 provides a friction fit between the protruding member, a slot edge 342 and the flap to hold the protruding member within slot 336 and keep package 300 closed.
Package 300 may subsequently be opened by disengaging protruding member 338 from slot 336. This may be accomplished by sliding flap 314 along front wall 302 to move protruding member 338 away from slot 336. Once protruding member 338 is no longer in contact with slot 336, flap 314 may then be moved to expose the product to the consumer. The engagement and disengagement between the protruding member and the slot may be performed by a single hand of a user with relative ease.
In an embodiment, at least one slot 336 may be disposed between a debossed area 344 and an embossed area 346. Alternatively, slot 336 may be disposed adjacent to either one of debossed or embossed areas 344 and 346. The surface of debossed area 344 is lower than the surface of front wall 302 while the surface of embossed area 346 is raised above the surface of front wall 302 as shown in
Embossed area 346 provides a space in which protruding member may reside when inserted into slot 336. Provision of embossed area 346 thereby reduces the chance that the protruding member may interfere with the product and/or the wrapping of the product contained within package interior 312. The debossment-slot-embossment arrangement further contributes to the durability of the slot opening. The combination of the raised embossed area and the lowered debossed area provides a slot that endures repeated entry and exit of the protruding member without substantial degradation or reduction of the slot opening size. This enhances the integrity of the slot opening making package 300 well-suited for repeated use.
In an embodiment, the outline or outer perimeter 348 of areas 344 and 346 may define a geometric shape as shown in
As discussed above, slot 336 may be disposed on the body in any suitable orientation to cooperatively receive first portion 410. Consequently, slot 336 may or may not be perpendicular to the bottom edge of the body. In an embodiment, as shown in
In an embodiment, the flap 413 may be integral with or otherwise be an extension of the rear wall 417. The package 401 may be made of any foldable material as discussed above. The package 401 may be made from a unitary piece or may be made from a plurality of panels that are connected to one another. In an embodiment, the package 401 may be made from paperboard or the like.
As discussed above, the slot 532 may be disposed on the front wall 412 in any suitable orientation to cooperatively receive the protruding member 338. For example, the slot 532 can be diagonally disposed on the front wall 412 so that it is non-parallel to a bottom edge 414 of the front wall 412. In another example, the slot may be disposed on the front wall 412 so that it may be parallel to an edge of the side walls 408, 411. In an embodiment, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
In an embodiment, the first slot portion 509 extends across the front wall 412 towards at an outer perimeter 511. In another embodiment, the second slot portion 510 extends across the front wall 412 towards an outer perimeter 512. In a further embodiment, the first and second slot portions are adjacent to each other and cooperate to define a single region surrounding the slot. This region may form a common or continuous outline. The outline may define any shape including such non-limiting examples as a circle, an ellipse, an ovoid or egg shape, and a polygon such as a triangle, square, or rectangle. As shown in
In another embodiment, the first slot portion 509 can partially house a portion of the protruding member 420 beneath it when the package 401 is closed. The protruding member 420 may also lay substantially flat beneath the first slot portion 509. The protruding member 420 may enter the slot 532 under the first slot portion 509 and over the second slot portion 510. The protruding member 420 may be inserted into the slot 532 to enclose the package interior. In another embodiment, the protruding member 420 may include a tip 416 on an outer edge. A portion of the outer edge may correspond with the shape of the outer perimeter 511 of the first slot portion 509.
As illustrated in
In an embodiment best illustrated in
The cut-out area 530, alone or in combination with the gap 545, is constructed and arranged to facilitate entry of the protruding member 420 within the slot 532. In other words, the cut-out area 530 creates a space for a tip 416 of the protruding member 420 to enter or weave between the first and second slot portions 509, 510. Inside the cut-out area 530 and within the gap 545, the tip 416 may penetrate the front wall 412 and slide underneath the first slot portion 509. Therefore, the cut-out area 530 and the gap 545 may act in concert with one another to furnish an opening for the protruding member to ease between the first slot portion 509 and the second slot portion 510.
The region of cut-out area 530 extending across (i.e. cut into) the second slot portion 510 provides enough space for the tip 416 to penetrate the front wall 412. In other words, the tip 416 is afforded enough space within this region to dive beneath or dip under a plane of the second slot portion 510 ahead of the first slot portion 509. Thus, extending the cut-out area 530 across the second slot portion 510 permits the protruding member 420 to maneuver between the first and second slot portions by penetrating the front wall 412.
The region of the cut-out area 530 extending across (i.e. cut into) the first slot portion 510 permits the protruding member 420 to skim underneath the first slot portion 510. In other words, this region permits varying edges of the first slot portion 510 to progressively glide or float over an exterior side of the protruding member 420 as the protruding member 420 enters the slot 532. This way, the protruding member 420 may slide underneath the first slot portion 509 little by little and may not directly collide with the first slot portion 509.
In an embodiment, the first slot portion 509 may extend in an outward direction away from the package interior. As this occurs, the length of the gap 545 may increase as the first slot portion 509 extends away from the plane of the front wall 412. In other words, the length of the gap 545 may extend or increase in an outward direction with the first slot portion 509.
In another embodiment, the second slot portion 510 may extend in an inward direction towards the package interior. As this occurs, the length of the gap 545 may increase as the second slot portion 510 extends away from the plane of the front wall 412. In other words, the length of the gap 545 may extend or increase in an inward direction with the second slot portion 510.
In a further embodiment, both the first and second slot portions may extend away from the plane of the front wall 412 simultaneously. When this occurs, the length of the gap 545 may increase with both the first and second slot portions 509, 510 by distances 546 and 548 as shown in
In an embodiment, the first slot portion 509 may outwardly extend from the front wall 412 to form an embossed surface “E”. The embossed surface “E” extends from a side 516 of the slot 532 along the front wall 412. In an embodiment, the embossed surface “E” may be coextensive with the first slot portion 509. As shown in
In yet another embodiment, the second slot portion 510 may inwardly extend from the front wall 412 to form a debossed surface “D”. The debossed surface “D” extends from a side 518 of the slot 532 along the front wall 412. In an embodiment, the debossed surface “D” may be coextensive with the second slot portion 510. As shown in
It should also be understood that the front wall 412 may include both an embossed surface “E” and a debossed surface “D”, as shown in
In an embodiment, the embossed surface “E” may be raised, bulged, molded, stretched, ridged, creased, shaped, elevated, or otherwise treated or formed from a portion of the front wall 412 in a way to place the embossed surface “E” above the second slot portion 510 and/or above the front wall 412. In another embodiment, the debossed surface “D” may be lowered, molded, stretched, shaped, indented, creased, pushed, or otherwise treated or formed from a portion of the front wall 412 in a way to place the debossed surface “D” below the first slot portion 510 and/or above the front wall 412.
In an embodiment, the second slot portion 510 may also include a slit 540 extending from the slot 532. The slit 540 permits the second slot portion 510 to extend away from the plane of the front wall 412 when the second slot portion is pressed inward towards the package interior. Thus, the slit 540 may permit the length of the gap 545 to further increase with the second slot portion 510. In an embodiment, the slit 540 enables a debossed second slot portion 510 to extend away from the front wall 412 and from an embossed surface “E” when the flap 413 enters the slot 532 (shown in phantom in
The slot 532 may include a first slot end (near 534) and a second slot end (near 538). In an embodiment, a lip 534 may extend from a first slot end as shown in
The protruding member 420 may include a locking edge 440 on its perimeter as shown in
As shown in
In another embodiment, a second lip 538 may extend from a second end of the slot. The second lip 538 may be bent similarly to the first lip 534. In an embodiment, both lips 534, 538 may be bent to form a U-shape with the slot 532. This U-shape enables the second slot portion 510 to be pressed inward towards the package interior, increasing the length of the gap 545. Thus, the lips 534, 538 may cooperatively permit the length of the gap 545 to further increase by a distance 548 as the second slot portion 510 is pressed inward, as shown in
As previously discussed, the comestible product 36 may be placed into the package 401 of
In yet another embodiment (not shown), the product may be arranged in a stack that is at least two products deep and wrapped in such an arrangement to retain the products against lateral movement within the package. The stack may be wrapped in a sheet as disclosed in commonly-owned co-pending patent application entitled “Package for Elongate Comestible Products and Methods of Making and Using Same”, Attorney Docket No. 0112703-01092, concurrently filed herewith and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
A method of closing a package is also disclosed, as shown in
As the next step in the method, the consumer may align the flap 413 with the slot 532 by moving the flap 413 in a second direction “B” as shown in
In another embodiment, a method of closing a package may also include providing a package 401 with a cut-out area 530. The cut-out area 530 may assist the consumer in inserting the flap into the slot 532 as discussed above. The consumer may then utilize the cut-out area 530 and/or the gap 545 to insert a tip 416 of the protruding member 420 into the slot 532, as discussed above.
In another embodiment, a method of closing a package may also include providing a package 401 with a slit 540. In this embodiment, a consumer may utilize the slit 540 to extend a length of the gap 545 in an inward direction as the second slot portion 510 is pressed inwards towards the package interior. In other words, after moving the protruding member 420 in a second direction “B”, a consumer may depress the protruding member 420 against the second slot portion 510, thereby permitting the slit 540 to increase the length of the gap 545. In an embodiment, the slit 540 permits the length of the gap 545 to increase by a distance 548.
After aligning the flap with the slot, a consumer may then move the flap 413 in a third direction “C” to insert the flap 413 into the slot 532 as shown in
A method of closing a package may also include providing a package 401 with a slot 532 where the slot includes a lip 534 extending from a first edge of the slot. In an embodiment, the lip 534 may be bent or curved as previously discussed. The method may also include providing a locking edge 440 on the perimeter of the protruding member 420. In this embodiment, the consumer may move the protruding member 420 in a third direction “C” to engage the locking edge 440 with the lip 534 and to enclose the package interior. In another embodiment, a notch 430 may provide a stopping point for the locking edge 440. The top wall 415 may untwist and the movable flap 413 may enclose the package interior. At the end of this step, the package 401 may be in a closed position.
It should also be understood that a consumer can move the flap in an arcuate motion or in any combination of vertical, horizontal, angular or arcuate motions to enter the slot. Furthermore, such movements can also include sliding, swinging or rotating the protruding member into the slot. In an embodiment, the package is configured to permit a consumer to move the flap using a single hand.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/301,964, filed on Dec. 12, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/935,044, filed on Sep. 7, 2004 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/560,306 filed Apr. 6, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60560306 | Apr 2004 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11301964 | Dec 2005 | US |
| Child | 11609455 | Dec 2006 | US |
| Parent | 10935044 | Sep 2004 | US |
| Child | 11301964 | Dec 2005 | US |
