Patent Application
20110180452
The present invention relates to a display structure having a plurality of chambers in which objects, such as toy vehicles, may be packaged, stored, and displayed.
Conventional packaging assemblies, such as corrugated boxes, plastic bags, etc, typically enclose or protect the item being packaged for storage, transport and/or point of purchase display. However, such assemblies are often destroyed and/or unusable after removal of the item from the packaging. There is a need for a unique packaging structure for packaging items that is also useable as a display assembly for the packaged item(s).
The present invention relates to a display assembly including a base and a top spaced from and substantially parallel to the base. An end of the top is offset from a corresponding end of the base, and an end wall extends between and interconnects the end of the top and the end of the base. The first end wall has a thickness. Another end wall extends between and interconnects an opposite end of the top and an opposite end of the base. A plurality of central walls extends between the base and the top. The central walls define at least one chamber intermediate opposing end walls. At least one of the central walls has a thickness greater than the thickness of the end wall. In one embodiment, the thickness of the end wall is approximately one half of the thickness of at least one of the central walls.
In one embodiment, the display assembly includes a plate disposed intermediate and parallel to the base and the top. The plate extends between the opposing end walls. In some embodiments, the plurality of central walls includes a first set of central walls extending between the top and the plate and defining several chambers, and a second set of central walls extending between the plate and the bottom and defining several additional chambers. In some implementations, the first set of central walls is offset from the second set of central walls.
The present invention relates to a display assembly including a base having first and second opposite ends, and a top spaced from the base and having first and second opposite ends. The first end of the top is offset from the first end of the base. In some embodiments, the second end of the top is also offset from the second end of the base. A first end wall extends between and interconnects the first end of the top and the first end of the base. The first end wall has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the top and/or the base. A second end wall extends between and interconnects the second end of the top and the second end of the base.
In one embodiment, the thickness of the first end wall is approximately one half of the thickness of the base. In some embodiments, the second end wall has a thickness substantially the same as the thickness of the first end wall.
In one embodiment, the display assembly includes a plurality of inner walls extending between the base and the top. The inner walls define at least one chamber intermediate the first end wall and the second end wall. In some embodiments, each of the inner walls has a thickness greater than the thickness of the first end wall.
In another embodiment, the first end wall includes a first vertically oriented portion, a second vertically oriented portion offset from the first portion, and a step portion intermediate and coupled to each of the first portion and the second portion. The step portion is horizontally oriented.
In one implementation, one of the base, the top, the first end wall, or the second end wall of the display assembly is configured to be fastened to another display assembly.
The present invention also relates to a packaging structure including a first row of chambers and a second row of chambers. In one embodiment, the first row of chambers is offset from the second row of chambers. The first row of chambers is defined by opposing first and second end walls, opposing first and second plates, and at least one first interior wall extending between the first plate and the second plate. The second row of chambers is defined by opposing third and fourth end walls, the second plate, a third plate, and at least one second interior wall extending between the second plate and the third plate. The third end wall has a thickness, and the at least one second interior wall has a thickness greater than the thickness of the third end wall.
In one embodiment, each of the first and second end walls has a thickness. The first interior wall has a thickness greater than the thickness of each of the first end wall and second end wall. In one implementation, the thickness of the third end wall is approximately one half of the thickness of the first interior wall.
The present invention is also directed to a display set having a first display structure and a second display structure. The first display structure includes a frame defining several chambers in which items can be placed. The frame includes an end wall having a thickness and an interior wall having a thickness different than the thickness of the end wall. The second display structure includes a frame defining several chambers in which items can be placed. The frame of the second display structure includes an end wall having a thickness and an interior wall having a thickness different than the thickness of the end wall of the second display structure. The thickness of the end wall of the first display structure and the thickness of the end wall of the second display structure are collectively substantially the same as the thickness of the interior wall of the first display structure when the end wall of the first display structure is placed proximate to the end wall of the second display structure.
In one embodiment, the thickness of the end wall of the first display structure is approximately one half of the thickness of the interior wall of the first display structure. In some embodiments, the thickness of the end wall of the first display structure is substantially the same as the thickness of the end wall of the second display structure. In some embodiments, the thickness of the end wall of the second display structure is approximately one half of the thickness of the interior wall of the second display structure.
In one embodiment, the first display structure includes a first row of chambers and a second row of chambers, the second row of chambers being offset from the first row of chambers. In some embodiments, the second display structure includes a first row of chambers and a second row of chambers. The second row of chambers of the second display structure is offset from the first row of chambers of the second display structure, such that the first rows of chambers form a continuous row of chambers when the first display structure is placed proximate to the second display structure. In some implementations, the display set includes means for fastening the first display structure and the second display structure together.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
It is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., merely identify one of a number of portions, components and/or points of reference as disclosed herein, and do not limit the present invention to any particular configuration or orientation. The terms “display set,” “display assembly,” “packaging structure,” and “display structure” may be used interchangeably herein to refer to a structure that can be used to package, protect, store, and/or display items or objects, such as toys. Finally, the term “embodiment” is used to describe different embodiments of the present invention.
The base 20 has opposite ends 22, 24 and opposite sides 26, 28. Base 20 has a length L1, a width W1, and a caliper or thickness T1. Similarly, the top 40 has opposite ends 42, 44, and opposite sides 46, 48. Top 40 has a length L2, a width W2 and a thickness T2. In one embodiment, the length L1 of the base 20 is substantially equal to the length L2 of the top 40, and the width W1 of the base 20 is substantially equal to the width W2 of the top 40. In other embodiments, the lengths L1, L2 and/or the widths W1, W2 of the base 20 and the top 40 differ. Further, in some embodiments the thickness T1 of the base 20 is substantially equal to the thickness T2 of the top 40.
The end 22 of the base 20 is offset from the end 42 of the top 40. End wall 60 includes an end portion 62 connected to or partially defined by the end 22 of the base 20, and another end portion 64 connected to or partially defined by the end 42 of the top 40. Thus, the end wall 60 extends between and interconnects the base 20 and the top 40. End wall 60 has a thickness T3 that is less than the thickness T1 of the base 20 and/or less than the thickness T2 of the top 40. In one embodiment, the thickness T3 of the end wall 60 is approximately one half the thickness T1 of the base 20 and/or approximately one half the thickness T2 of the top 40.
In one embodiment, the opposite end 24 of the base 20 is also offset from the end 44 of the top 40. In one implementation, the display assembly 10 has a generally parallelogram configuration. End wall 80 includes an end portion 82 connected to or partially defined by the end 24 of the base 20, and another end portion 84 connected to or partially defined by the end 44 of the top 40. Thus, the end wall 80 extends between and interconnects the base 20 and the top 40. In one embodiment, the end wall 80 has a thickness T4 that is less than the thickness T1 of the base 20 and/or less than the thickness T2 of the top 40. In some embodiments, the thickness T4 of end wall 80 is substantially the same as the thickness T3 of opposing end wall 60. Thus, the thickness T4 of end wall 80 may be approximately one half the thickness T1 of the base 20 and/or approximately one half the thickness T2 of the top 40.
In one embodiment, a rear wall 90 extends between and interconnects the base 20 and the top 40. The rear wall 90 may also extend between and interconnect end wall 60 and end wall 80. The base 20, the top 40, opposing end walls 60, 80, and the rear wall 90 define a cavity 92 in which one or more objects may be placed or housed, such as for packaging, storage and/or display.
In one embodiment, the base 20, the top 40, opposing end walls 60, 80, and/or the rear wall 90 are integrally formed, such as from a plastic material. In other embodiments, the various components of the display assembly 10 are formed from metal, wood, wood composite, corrugated material, or some other appropriate material. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the base 20, the top 40, opposing end walls 60, 80, and/or the rear wall 90 are separately formed components that are connected together via fasteners, pins, adhesive, welding, etc.
A display assembly 100 according to another embodiment is illustrated in
Similar to base 20, base 120 of display assembly 100 has opposite ends 122, 124, and opposite sides 126, 128. Base 120 has a length L1′, a width W1′, and a thickness T1′. Similarly, the top 140 has opposite ends 142, 144, and opposite sides 146, 148. Top 140 has a length L2′, a width W2′ and a thickness T2′. In one embodiment, the length L1′ of the base 120 is substantially equal to the length L2′ of the top 140, the width W1′ of the base 120 is substantially equal to the width W2′ of the top 140, and the thickness T1′ of the base 120 is substantially equal to the thickness T2′ of the top 140.
The end 122 of the base 120 is offset from the end 142 of the top 140. End wall 160 includes a vertically oriented portion 162 having opposite ends 164, 166, another vertically oriented portion 168 having opposite ends 170, 172, and a horizontally oriented step portion 174 having opposite ends 176, 178. Portion 162 of end wall 160 is offset from portion 168. End 176 of step portion 174 is coupled to end 166 of portion 162, and end 178 of step portion 174 is coupled to end 170 of portion 168, so that step portion 174 is intermediate and coupled to portion 162 and to portion 168.
End 164 of portion 162 is connected to the end 122 of the base 120, and end 172 of portion 168 is connected to end 142 of the top 140. Thus, end wall 160 extends between and interconnects the base 120 and the top 140. End wall 160 has a generally stepped configuration, with portions 162, 168 being substantially perpendicular to the base 120 and the top 140, and with the step portion 174 being substantially parallel to the base 120 and the top 140.
End wall 160 has a thickness T3′ that is less than the thickness T1′ of the base 120 and/or less than the thickness T2′ of the top 140. In one embodiment, the thickness T3′ of end wall 160 is approximately one half the thickness T1′ of the base 120 and/or approximately one half the thickness T2′ of the top 140.
In one embodiment, end 124 of the base 120 is also offset from the end 144 of the top 140. End wall 180 includes a vertically oriented portion 182 having opposite ends 184, 186, another vertically oriented portion 188 having opposite ends 190, 192 and offset from portion 182, and a horizontally oriented step portion 194 having opposite ends 196, 198. End 196 of step portion 194 is coupled to end 186 of portion 182, and end 198 of step portion 194 is coupled to end 190 of portion 188, so that step portion 194 is intermediate and coupled to portion 182 and to portion 188.
End 184 of portion 182 is connected to the end 124 of the base 120, and end 192 of portion 188 is connected to end 144 of the top 140. Thus, end wall 180 extends between and interconnects the base 120 and the top 140. End wall 180 also has a generally stepped configuration, with portions 182, 188 being substantially perpendicular to the base 120 and the top 140, and with the step portion 194 being substantially parallel to the base 120 and the top 140.
End wall 180 has a thickness T4′ that is less than the thickness T1′ of the base 120 and/or less than the thickness T2′ of the top 140. In one embodiment, the thickness T4′ of end wall 180 is approximately one half the thickness T1′ of the base 120 and/or approximately one half the thickness T2′ of the top 140. In some embodiments, the thickness T4′ of end wall 180 is substantially the same as the thickness T3′ of opposing end wall 160.
In one embodiment, display assembly 100 includes a rear wall 197 extending between and interconnecting side 126 of the base 120 and side 146 of the top 140. In some embodiments, the rear wall 197 is also connected to and interconnects end wall 160 and end wall 180. The base 120, the top 140, opposing end walls 160, 180, and the rear wall 190 define a cavity 199 in which one or more objects may be placed or housed, such as for packaging, storage and/or display.
Referring to
In addition, display assembly 200 includes a plurality of inner walls or central walls 202, 204 extending between the base 120 and the top 140. Central wall 202 and/or central wall 204 may be substantially perpendicular to the base 120 and the top 140. The central walls 202, 204 define a number of chambers 206, 208, 210 intermediate end wall 160 and end wall 180.
In one embodiment, central wall 202 has a thickness T5 greater than the thickness T3′ of end wall 160 and/or the thickness T4′ of end wall 180. Similarly, central wall 204 may have a thickness T6 greater than the thickness T3′ of end wall 160 and/or the thickness T4′ of end wall 180. In one embodiment, the thickness T3′ of end wall 160 and/or the thickness T4′ of end wall 180 is approximately one half of the thickness T5 of central wall 202 and/or approximately one half of the thickness T6 of central wall 204. In some embodiments, the thickness T5 of central wall 202 is substantially the same as the thickness T6 of central wall 204.
Referring to
The first row R1 of chambers C1-C5 is defined by opposing end walls 302, 304, a top or upper plate 306, an intermediate plate 308, and interior walls 310, 312, 314, and 316 extending between plate 306 and plate 308. End wall 302 has a thickness T7 and end wall 304 has a thickness T8. Each interior wall 310, 312, 314, and 316 has a thickness T9, T10, T11, and T12, respectively. In one embodiment, at least one of the thicknesses T9-T12 of the interior walls 310-316 is greater than the thickness T7 of end wall 302 and/or greater than the thickness T8 of end wall 304. In some embodiments, the thickness T7 of end wall 302 and/or the thickness T8 of end wall 304 is approximately one half of the thickness T9, T10, T11, or T12 of a corresponding interior wall 310, 312, 314, or 316.
The second row R2 of chambers C6-C10 is defined by opposing end walls 318, 320, the intermediate plate 308, a base or lower plate 322, and interior walls 324, 326, 328, and 330 extending between plate 308 and plate 322. End wall 318 has a thickness T13 and end wall 320 has a thickness T14. Each interior wall 324, 326, 328, and 330 has a thickness T15, T16, T17, and T18, respectively. In one embodiment, at least one of the thicknesses T15-T18 of the interior walls 324-330 is greater than the thickness T13 of end wall 318 and/or greater than the thickness T14 of end wall 320. In some embodiments, the thickness 113 of end wall 318 and/or the thickness T14 of end wall 320 is approximately one half of the thickness T15, T16, T17, or T18 of a corresponding interior wall 324, 326, 328, or 330.
In one embodiment, the intermediate plate 308 is spaced from and parallel to plate 306 and to plate 322, and extends between the end wall 304 of the first row R1 and the end wall 318 of the second row R2. In one embodiment, the interior walls 310-316 are offset from the interior walls 324-330. Accordingly, the chambers C1-C5 of the first row R1 are offset from chambers C6-C10 of the second row R2.
The end wall 302 is offset from the end wall 318. An end portion 332 extending outwardly from an end of the intermediate plate 308 extends between and interconnects the end wall 302 and end wall 318. Together, end wall 302, end wall 318, and end portion 332 define a stepped end portion 334 extending between and interconnecting the upper plate 306 and the lower plate 322. End walls 302, 318 are substantially perpendicular to plates 306, 308, 322.
Similarly, the end wall 304 is offset from the end wall 320. An end portion 336 extending outwardly from the opposite end of the intermediate plate 308 extends between and interconnects end wall 304 and end wall 320. Together, end wall 304, end wall 320, and end portion 336 define an opposite stepped end portion 338 extending between and interconnecting the upper plate 306 and the lower plate 322. End walls 304, 320 are substantially perpendicular to plates 306, 308, 322.
Referring to
The specific size and weight of the packaging structure 300 and the interior dimensions of the chambers C1-C10 may vary depending on the weight and dimensions of the particular objects to be received in each of the chambers C1-C10. For example, in one embodiment, the interior dimensions of some or all of the chambers C1-C10 are suitable for receiving a toy vehicle 500 therein, as shown in
Thus, the packaging structure 300 may function as a display assembly or storage container for the user's toy vehicles 500 or other objects. The lower plate 322 has a relatively planar exteriorly disposed surface, which may be placed on a support surface (e.g., a desk top, a shelf, the floor, etc.) for displaying and/or storing the objects.
Alternatively or in addition, the packaging structure 300 may include one or more fastening mechanisms for attaching the rear wall 340 to a support surface (e.g. a wall, a door, etc.). Referring again to
Referring to
In one embodiment, display structure 300A includes an upper row R1a of chambers C1a, C2a, C3a, C4a and C5a, and a lower row R2a of chambers C6a, C7a, C8a, C9a and C10a. The upper row R1a of chambers C1a-C5a are offset from the lower row R2a of chambers C6a-C10a. Similarly, display structure 300B includes an upper row R1b of chambers C1b, C2b, C3b, C4b and C5b, and a lower row R2b of chambers C6b, C7b, C8b, C9b and C10b. The upper row R1b of chambers C1b-C5b are offset from the lower row R2b of chambers C6b-C10b.
In some embodiments, the upper row R1a of the chambers C1a-C5a are aligned with the upper row R1b of chambers C1b-C5b, and form a continuous row of chambers C1a-C5a, C1b-C5B when the display structure 300A is placed proximate to the other display structure 300B. Items may be placed in one or more of the chambers C1a-C10a and/or C1b-C10b, such as for example toy vehicles 500. The specific dimensions of the chambers C1a-C10a and/or C1b-C10b may vary depending on the size and shape of the intended items to be placed therein.
Referring to
The base plate 302a has a thickness T3a and the top plate 304a has a thickness T4a. In some embodiments, the thickness T1a of the end wall 310a is also different than the thickness T3a of the base plate 302a and/or different than the thickness T4a of the top plate 304a. In one embodiment, the thickness T3a of the base plate 302a is substantially the same as the thickness T4a of the top plate 304a, and the thickness T1a of the end wall 310a is about one half of the thickness T3a of the base plate 302a.
The other display structure 300B also includes a base plate 302b, a top plate 304b, an intermediate plate 306b, interior walls 308b, and opposing end walls 310b and 312b (shown in
The base plate 302b has a thickness T3b and the top plate 304b has a thickness T4b. In some embodiments, the thickness T1b of the end wall 310b is also different than the thickness T3b of the base plate 302b and/or different than the thickness T4b of the top plate 304b. In one embodiment, the thickness T3b of the base plate 302b is substantially the same as the thickness T4b of the top plate 304b, and the thickness T1b of the end wall 310b is about one half of the thickness T3b of the base plate 302b.
The thickness T1a of the end wall 310a of one display structure 300A and the thickness T1b of the end wall 310b of the other display structure 300B are collectively substantially the same as the thickness T2a of at least one of the interior walls 308a of display structure 300A when the end wall 310a is placed proximate to and/or abutting the end wall 310b, as shown in
Because the total thickness (i.e. T1a+T1b) of end wall 310a and end wall 310b is substantially equal to the thickness T2a of interior walls 308a, or to the thickness T2b of interior walls 308b, the resulting display set 400 provides a relatively seamless and uniform appearance when the display structures 300A, 300B are aligned and abutting end-to-end. In addition, the stepped configurations of end wall 310a (and/or end wall 312a) and end wall 310b (and/or end wall 312b) provides a stable configuration for the resulting display set 400 with display structures 300A, 300B aligned and abutting end-to-end. Further, the stepped configurations of the end walls 310a, 312a, 310b, 312b provide for a uniformly dimensioned first row R1a, R1b of chambers C1a-C5a, C1b-C5b, which are offset from a uniformly dimensioned second row R2a, R2b of chambers C6a-C10a, C6b-C10b, as shown in
In some embodiments, the display set 400 includes means for fastening display structure 300A and display structure 300B together. For example, one or more openings may extend through end wall 310a of display structure 300A, which align with corresponding openings extending through end wall 310b of display structure 300B. End wall 310a may be secured to end wall 310b via fasteners 600 (e.g. pins, screws, bolts, etc), thereby fastening display structures 300A, 300B together as shown in
Alternatively or in addition, brackets or other fastening mechanisms (such as described above), may be used to fasten the base plate 302a of one display structure 300A to the top plate 304b (or to the base plate 302b) of the other display structure 300B, or vice versa. Further, more than two display structures may be fastened together in a variety of configurations. For example, one display structure 300A may be fastened to a second display structure 300B in an end-to-end arrangement, as described above and as shown in
The components of each of the display structures 300A, 300B and/or 300C (e.g. the base plate, the top plate, the intermediate plate, interior walls, and opposing end walls) may be integrally formed, such as from a plastic material. In other embodiments, the various components of the display structures are formed from metal, wood, wood composite, corrugated material, or some other appropriate material, as noted above. In alternative embodiments, one or more of the components of the display structure(s) are separately formed components that are connected together via fasteners, pins, adhesive, welding, etc.
Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. For example, the display assemblies and/or display structures described and illustrated herein may include more than one intermediate plate, providing for three or more rows of offset or aligned chambers. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.
