Patent Application
20070125678
This invention relates generally to a display pack and, more particularly, a display pack configured to hold one or more products within a transparent chamber.
Traditionally, products have been shipped in bulk from a manufacturer to a retailer in cartons containing protective packing material. The container and packing material were configured to provide sufficient structural strength to enable palletizing and shipping in bulk. Once at the retailer, individual products were then removed from the cartons to be individually placed on a shelf or rack for display. For small, expensive, and easily stolen products, the shelf or rack might be located within a secured display case to minimize the risk of theft. All of this was costly and time consuming.
More recently, small products have been packaged in comparatively large containers to deter theft. Some manufacturers have used smaller packaging captured in a transparent display pack, typically significantly larger than the small packaging, to provide for increased deterrence of theft. For example, certain display packs have been made from two vacuum-formed sheets of clear plastic, sealed around the edges, forming a chamber for holding the product.
Although such display packs have been particularly effective in many applications, shortfalls exist. Oftentimes, the entire periphery of such display packs have been sealed, to provide added theft deterrence, which makes access difficult for the ultimate purchaser. Since such display packs typically are formed of durable plastic, access even via scissors can be difficult. Once cut open, portions of the display card typically remain captured within portions of plastic, which can hamper recycling of packaging materials.
Manufacturers expend considerable effort in designing products and related materials to be visually appealing to the consumer. Product packaging can play an important role in attracting consumers. Thus, it is desirable to optimize the visual appeal of display packs, to promote the consumers interest in the product.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there remains need for a display pack that addresses these issues. The present invention fulfills this and other needs.
Briefly, and in general terms, the invention provides a display pack for securing a product. The display pack is configured to withstand the rigors of transport, particularly in palletized assemblies, without requiring excess plastic structure. The display pack includes a support panel, an overlay sheet, a transparent product shell captured between the support panel and the overlay sheet. The support panel is formed of corrugated paper of sufficient strength to aid in load distribution when in a palletized assembly. Once the product is purchased by the consumer, the product shell can be removed relatively easily for recycling.
More specifically, by way of example and not limitation, the display pack includes a planar support panel of corrugated paper having a front surface and a rear surface. A plastic product shell is disposed adjacent to the front surface of the support panel. The shell defines a product portion size to receive a product and a planar portion circumscribing the product portion. A planar overlay sheet is disposed over the product shell, defining an opening such that the product portion of the product shell protrudes therethrough. The support panel can also define an opening such that the product can be viewable from the back. The overlay sheet is configured to extend beyond a peripheral edge of the product shell and couple to the front surface of the support panel, capturing the shell in place.
In an exemplary embodiment, the support panel is formed of E-flute or F-flute corrugated paper, and the overlay sheet is formed of blister-board paper. Adhesive is disposed between the overlay sheet and the support panel, preferably confined to a peripheral region of the overlay sheet. The front surface of the support panel is formed of treated paper to encourage adhesion.
In detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the overlay sheet is formed of paper material having a thickness between about 8 points and about 24 points, and more preferably, between about 21 points and about 24 points.
In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the product shell is formed of material selected from a list including PVC, PET, PETE, PETG, APET, styrene, and PPE.
The invention also resides in a packaging assembly for shipping and displaying a plurality of display packs. The packaging assembly includes a display stand having a rectangular base panel and four sidewalls extending normal to the base panel. The display stand defines a plurality of slots to receive the plurality of display packs.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, two of the side wall oppose each other and define a plurality of paired slots. Each of the paired slots configured to receive at least one of the display packs.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base panel defines a plurality of slots, each slot configured to receive at least one of the display packs.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:
With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to
With reference to
The overlay sheet 16 extends beyond a peripheral edge 26 of the product shell 18 and couples to the first sheet 20 of the support panel 14, thereby capturing the shell in place. The overlay sheet 16 defines a cut-out 28 about a product region 30 of the product shell. The display pack 10 prominently displays the product 12 and packaging artwork 32, while on retail display. Artwork is printed on the overlay sheet 16, providing an enticing presence. Artwork also can be printed on the back surface of the support panel 14. In other embodiments, artwork can be provided by other means known in the art, such as litho-labels.
Referring to
Preferably, the overlay sheet 16 is formed of blister board paper having a paperweight between about 8 points and 24 points, and, more preferably, between about 21 and 24 points, measured as known in the art. In the exemplary embodiment, the overlay sheet is formed of blister board paper having paperweight about 21 points. In other embodiments, various other types of materials can be used for the overlay sheet, such as, card stock, corrugated paper, board stock, and adhesive labels. Various issues can be considered in selecting the paperweight, such as cost, product size, product weight, and desired packaging artwork, to name just a few.
Adhesive material 38 is provided between the overlay sheet 16 and the support panel 14. In the exemplary embodiment, a solvent-based adhesive is pre-coated on the backside of the overlay sheet 16. As shown in
In other embodiments, adhesive can be pre-coated on the support panel 14. Alternatively, adhesive can be applied during assembly to either or both the overlay sheet 16 and support panel 14. Although in the exemplary embodiment solvent-based adhesive is used, various other adhesive materials can be used, such as latex-based or water-based materials.
The product shell 18 includes a peripheral planar portion 36 about the product region 30. The planar portion abuts the support panel 14. The product region conforms to the shape of the product 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the product shell is configured to capture one product; however, in other embodiments, the product shell can define multiple regions for capturing multiple products. Also, multiple, separate product chambers can be provided in a single product display, as needed. The product shell 18 is formed of molded PVC plastic. In other embodiments, other plastics such as PVC, PET, PETE, PETG, APET, styrene, PPE, and corn-based (e.g., PLA), can be used in other embodiments. In selecting the material for the product shell, a number of factors can be considered, e.g., durability, recyclability, visual appeal, and other concerns.
During assembly, the product 12 is positioned in the product region 30 of the product shell 18, and the support panel 14 is disposed against the product shell, capturing the product. The overlay sheet is disposed atop the product shell such that the product region extends through the cut out 28. Adhesive 38 on the backside of the overlay sheet contacts the corresponding surface of the support panel, securing the overlay sheet and product shell to the support panel. Once assembled, the display pack can be loaded for transport.
With reference now to
As shown in
Each display stand 72 includes a rectangular base panel 76 and four side walls (front 78, left 80, right 82, and rear 84), extending normal to the plane of the base panel. The stand provides a plurality of slots 86 for receiving the display packs. In the exemplary embodiment, the slots are provided by the left and the right side walls, in corresponding pairs spaced and prescribed intervals along the display stand. In other embodiments, the display stand can further include slots provided along the base panel. Alternatively, slots can also be limited exclusively to the base panel.
In the exemplary embodiment, the four side walls (78, 80, 82, 84) have a common maximum height that substantially less than the height of the display packs loaded in the stand 70. In other embodiments, the height of the side walls can vary from one another, and all or selected walls can extend above the display pack. For example, a stadium-type tray can be used in which the rear wall defines a maximum height of the display stand, the front wall defines a minimum height of the display stand, and the left and right wall increase in height from the front to the rear wall. In yet another embodiment, the side walls can provide corner posts to aid in load distribution.
The packaging assemblies 74 are stacked in layers 78 on a pallet 90. Each level can further include dividers (not shown) disposed between the packaging assemblies. For example, dividers can be about the same height as the packaging assemblies to aid in supporting the load of the other levels. Interlocking corrugated sheets can be used to for the dividers. In certain applications, the divider can extend above the packaging assemblies to serve as the primary load support.
The palletized assembly can further include planar support (not shown) between the levels to provide a stable base for the level directly above and facilitates even load distribution. For example, sheet of corrugated paper can be disposed between the levels.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference only to the exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.
