Patent Application
20060065570
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The invention relates generally to the field of merchandise packaging, and more particularly, to a merchandise package including multiple channels for retail display of individual battery packages.
By universal agreement, a number of battery types have been defined in terms of voltage, current, and dimensional criteria. Most common among these defined battery types are the round cells, readily available sources of direct current packaged in cylindrical canisters. These round cells have been given letter designations and range, in physical size, from AAAA, AAA, AA, C to D.
Although the battery chemistries, available power, and recharging options may vary, the dimensions and electrical properties are confined within agreed-upon tolerances. These standardized battery properties allow consumers to replenish the battery compartments of their electronic devices from the stocks of thousands of convenience stores, hardware stores, and electronic shops throughout the world.
Advancements in microcircuitry, optics, and micro-machinery, have resulted in a proliferation of portable electronic devices which rely on standard round cells for power. Whereas a hundred years ago a consumer might possess only one or two lanterns or flashlights calling for batteries, the modern household, in addition to flashlights, may have portable radios, CD and tape players, intercoms, cellular phones, computers, musical devices, camcorders, interactive toys, remote control cars, calculators, or any of a multitude of home electronic devices.
To anticipate the immediate need for replacement batteries, the modem consumer is called on to maintain a stockpile of batteries of various sizes ready at hand. To address this need, manufacturers package multiple batteries in a single container, usually offering a reduced unit price for quantity purchases. Multiple batteries have been offered on blister cards, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 408,732; in front-to-back plastic clamshell packages, and in paperboard containers, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,350.
Smaller vendors often purchase battery packages in bulk from distributors or certain large retail outlets, such as warehouse stores. The bulk products are broken down by the retailer into smaller units for resale at the smaller retail outlets. Typically, store displays for vending battery packages include multiple peg hooks for various battery types and package sizes. Individual battery packages are hung on the peg hooks and individually removed by consumers. Such displays often consume a significant amount of display space area, and may be impractical for smaller retail outlets.
What is needed is a larger package that can display smaller individual battery packages inside the larger package.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
One aspect of the present invention is seen in a merchandise package including a back panel and a front panel coupled to the back panel. At least one of the back panel and front panel defines a first channel for retaining a plurality of items. A window defined in the front panel communicates with the first channel.
Another aspect of the present invention is seen in a merchandise package including a back panel, a front panel mounted to the back panel and a partition member. The partition member extends from the front panel to define a plurality of channels between the front and back panels for retaining a plurality of items. A window defined in the front panel communicates with at least one of the channels.
The merchandise package may be used to contain a quantity of items, such as battery packages, for sale as a collective unit. Subsequently, the window may be exposed, and the individual items or packages contained therein may be sold individually. Hence, the merchandise package functions as both a bulk package and a retail display.
The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While the present invention may be embodied in any of several different forms, the present invention is described here with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as setting forth an exemplification of the present invention that is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment(s) illustrated. Nothing in this application is considered critical or essential to the present invention unless explicitly indicated as being “critical” or “essential”.
Referring now to the drawings,
The front panel 12 may be formed to define channels 16 of the appropriate dimensions for retaining various types or sizes of battery packages 20, including individual batteries. Also, the packages 20 may be one or more layers deep, such that two or more columns of packages 20 are disposed in each channel 16, one column being in front of another column. In the embodiment illustrated in
The merchandise package 10 serves a two-fold purpose, both as a product and as a display. First, the merchandise package 10 may be sold by a bulk or wholesale retailer. Multiple merchandise packages 10 may be conveniently displayed on a peg hook or tray in a large or wholesale retailer for purchase by a small retailer. Second, when used as a display, the small retailer may expose the window 22 and display the merchandise package 10 for individual sale of the packages 20 contained therein.
In one embodiment, the back panel 14 is formed of a paperboard or corrugated material and the front panel 12 is a thermoformed thermoplastic material that is adhesively or frictionally (e.g., interference fit or snap-fit) mounted to the back panel 14. The partition members 18 may be sealed to the back panel 14, or they may extend to be in near contact or direct contact with the back panel 14 without being fixed thereto. In a single-sheet thermoforming process, a single sheet of thermoplastic material is heated and then brought into contact with a molding tool having a plurality of ports through which air is drawn to cause the semi-molten plastic to conform to the shape of the molding tool. The front panel 12 may be formed of PVC plastic, or alternatively of polyethylene, polyurethane, polypropylene, PET, RPET, or other suitable thermoplastic materials. The sheet is a thin sheet of thermoplastic, for example about 0.5 mm thick.
In another embodiment, the back panel 14 may also be formed of a thermoplastic material. The front and back panels 12, 14 may be formed separately and pressed or welded together, or alternatively, they may be formed using a single sheet of thermoplastic material using a hinged clamshell design. In an embodiment where the front and back panels 12, 14 are both formed using a thermoforming process, the partition members 18 may be defined in either panel 12, 14 or both panels 12, 14.
The window 22 may be formed using a scored or perforated tear strip 26 that may be removed prior to displaying the merchandise package 10 for retail use. Tabs 28 may be defined in the front panel 12 on a top edge 30 of the window 22 for retaining the packages 20 in place during display. A lip 32 may also be defined in the front panel 12 proximate a bottom edge 34 of the window 22 and extending from the support member 24 for retaining the packages 20 in the channels 16. Of course, other arrangements may be used for supporting the packages 20 proximate the window 22. For example, tabs may be provided on top and bottom edges of the window 22. Also, the dimensions of the window may be slightly smaller than those of the packages 20 so as to form upper and lower lip surfaces that retain the packages 20 in place.
The partition members 18 may include a first portion 36 extending a majority of the length of the channel 16 and a second portion 38 proximate the window 22 so that they do not interfere with removal of the tear strip 26. In another embodiment, the window 22 may already be exposed (i.e., no tear strip 26) and the bottom packages 20 may be secured in place with tape or a shrink band that may be removed prior to using the merchandise package 10 to vend the packages 20.
Turning now to
Returning to
In yet another embodiment, only one channel 16 may be defined by sidewalls 46 defined in the top portion 12. A single column of packages 20 or individual items may be contained in the channel 16 and accessible through the window 22.
Although the channels 16 and window 22 are arranged to create a gravity feed for the packages 20, the invention is not so limited. The channels 16 may extend in a different direction, such as horizontal, and the window 22 may be oriented differently depending on the channel 16 arrangement.
The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below.
