Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6244444
-
Patent Number
6,244,444
-
Date Filed
Monday, January 10, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 12, 200122 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 206 703
- 206 705
- 206 461
- 206 463
- 206 470
- 206 471
- 206 806
- 220 839
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A battery package has a thermoformed thermoplastic clam shell container with a lid which snaps closed on a battery containing body. The lid has peripheral skirt portions defining shoulders which face downwardly. A lower segment of a paperboard card is clasped between the lid and the body, with upper edges which engage with the shoulders of the container lid and support the container and batteries. A connecting segment extends from the lower segment and passes through a gap defined between the two shoulders to join a card upper segment having a hang hole which receives a display peg. Tape extends from the body onto the lid to close the package during display. After purchase, the tape is broken, the card is removed and discarded or recycled, and the lid is reclosable for battery storage. The lid may be hinged to the body along a side or along the bottom.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to specialized containers in general, and more particularly to packages for retail display of batteries.
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. Also commonly used in conventional consumer products is the non-round 9V battery.
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 battery 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 device, 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 modern 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.
Although a consumer may desire to purchase multiple batteries in a single package, often a single replenishment of an electrical device will not fully deplete the multi-battery package. In these cases, the unused batteries will be unconstrained unless the battery package itself serves as a container after the package has been opened. The problem presented by unconstrained batteries is particularly acute with round cells, which will tend to roll along any flat surface.
Thermoformed thermoplastic clamshell packages have been developed which support the batteries in an upright configuration when the package is displayed on a retail shelf, such as the one disclosed in U.S. Des. 413,803. Such a package has a lid which is hinged to a base, and which is reclosable after purchase and initial removal of batteries. However, many retail product displays are comprised of arrays of products supported on frontwardly projecting wires or rods, commonly referred to as “pegs.” A product which is not “peggable,” that is, capable of being supported on pegs, may be relegated to a less visible lower shelf, with attendant reduced visibility to customers.
What is needed is a multi-battery package which can be supported on a retail peg for attractive point of sale display while at the same time restraining a subset of the batteries within the package to serve as a container after it has been opened.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The battery package of this invention has a thermoformed thermoplastic clam shell container with a lid which snaps closed on a battery containing body. The lid has peripheral skirt portions defining shoulders which face downwardly. A paperboard card is clasped between the lid and the body and has a lower segment which extends within the container rearward of the complement of batteries and an upper segment with a hang hole which extends above the container The upper edges of the card lower segment engage with the shoulders of the container lid and support the container and batteries. A connecting segment extends between the card lower segment and the card upper segment and passes through a gap defined between the two shoulders. A strip of adhesive tape may extend from the body onto the rear surface of the lid to close the package during retail display. After purchase, the tape is cut or broken, the card is removed and discarded, and the lid is reclosable on the body to retain unconsumed batteries for later use. Because there is no adhesive connection between the card and the lid, the paper and plastic components of the package are readily separated for purposes of recycling. The lid may be hinged to the base along a side or along the bottom of the container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery package which is capable of being displayed on a peg.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a battery package which displays batteries vertically, yet which stores batteries horizontally.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable battery package which has provision for mounting on a peg within a retail environment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a battery package with plastic and paperboard components which are not adhesively connected and are readily separable for recycling.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a battery package with a hanging card which does not compromise the storage capacity of the package.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a front isometric view of the battery package of this invention, partially broken away in section.
FIG. 2
is an exploded isometric view of the battery container of
FIG. 1
showing the hanging card being removed.
FIG. 3
is an isometric view of the container of
FIG. 2
in a closed configuration.
FIG. 4
is a rear isometric view of an alternative embodiment battery package of this invention having a bottom hinge.
FIG. 5
is an isometric view of the battery container of
FIG. 4
in an open configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring more particularly to
FIGS. 1-5
, wherein like numbers refer to similar parts, a battery package
20
which is configured for hanging from a frontwardly projecting wire or peg is shown in
FIGS. 1-3
. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the package
20
has a thermoformed thermoplastic battery container
22
which is filled with batteries
24
and which is closed upon a paperboard hanging card
26
and sealed with a strip of adhesive tape
28
. The package
20
is capable of being supported on a peg in the retail environment, and it is also capable of serving as a reclosable container after purchase.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the container
22
is formed from a thin sheet of thermoplastic material in the single sheet thermoforming process. In the 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 container
22
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 material, for example about 0.02 inches thick. The relative thicknesses of the card and the plastic of the containers has been exaggerated for clarity in the drawings.
The container
22
has a product containing bubble or body
30
which is connected by an integral hinge
32
to a reclosable lid
34
. The body
30
is preferably substantially transparent to permit the enclosed batteries
24
to be viewed by a customer or purchaser. The body
30
has a display wall
36
which faces frontwardly when the package
20
is hanging from a peg, and which serves as a lower wall when the container is resting on a support surface. Four side walls
38
extend from the display wall
36
to the depth of the batteries
24
to be contained. A peripheral lip
40
extends outwardly from the side walls
38
, and an encircling skirt
42
extends from the lip spaced outwardly from the side walls
38
and extending toward the display wall
36
. The skirt
42
terminates at an outwardly extending flange
44
which surrounds the skirt. The hinge
32
is generally D-shaped, and extends from a peripheral flange
46
on the lid
34
.
A skirt
48
projects from the lid flange
46
and joins the flange to a lid cover wall
50
. When the container
22
is hanging, the uppermost portions of the skirt
48
define two downwardly facing shoulders
52
which are spaced from one another to define a gap
54
that is open upwardly and downwardly. The paperboard card
26
, as shown in
FIGS. 1-2
, has an upper segment
56
with a die-cut hang hole
58
and which is imprinted with indicia
60
to provide point-of-sale information such as the type of product contained, price, and UPC. The card
26
has a lower segment
62
which extends downwardly from the upper segment
56
, and which is received between the container lid
34
and the body
30
. The card
26
has a first slot
64
and a second slot
66
which are positioned between the card upper segment
56
and lower segment
62
, and which are spaced sidewardly from each other by a card connecting segment
68
. The entire card
26
extends in substantially a single plane. The lower segment
62
of the card is received within the skirt
48
of the lid
34
and extends along and lies parallel to the lid cover wall
50
. The lower segment
62
of the card
26
is preferably dimensioned to overlie the body peripheral lip
40
when the lid is closed on the body. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the card connecting segment
68
extends upwardly through the gap
54
defined between the two shoulders
52
of the lid skirt
48
.
It will be noted that, when the package
20
is hanging from a peg, the upper edges
70
of the lower segment
62
of the card
26
engage with the downwardly facing lid shoulders
52
, and transfer the weight of the package onto the card
26
. To stiffen the shoulders
52
and the flange
46
of the lid
34
, sloping gussets
72
extend between the lid cover wall
50
and the lid flange, as shown in FIG.
2
.
The lid
34
is preferably provided with one outwardly extending pull tab
74
which is an extension of the lid flange
46
. When the card
26
is clasped between the lid
34
and the body
30
, undercut protrusions
76
on the body skirt
42
, shown in
FIG. 2
, engage in a snap fit with undercut segments
78
formed in the skirt
48
of the lid. In the closed configuration, the lid flange
46
extends adjacent to the body flange
44
, and the pull tab
74
extends beyond the body flange, permitting a consumer to readily grip the lid and pivot it about the hinge to reveal the interior of the body
30
. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the first slot
64
in the card
26
may be enlarged to provide clearance around the pull tab
74
. When closed, the peripheral lip
40
of the body
30
engages against the card
26
as the card connecting segment
68
extends upwardly between the two gussets
72
and along the lid cover wall
50
through the gap
54
. The card connecting segment
68
is thus clasped between the peripheral lip
40
of the body
30
, and the cover wall
50
of the lid
34
. The lid skirt
48
in the closed position surrounds the body skirt
42
.
To retain the package
20
in a closed configuration during shipping, storage, and retail display, and to restrict pilferage of batteries from the package in the store, a strip of adhesive tape
28
extends from the display wall
36
of the body
30
across the flanges
44
,
46
, to the exterior of the lid cover wall
50
. The tape
28
may be transparent so as not to obstruct the view of the batteries
24
within the container
22
, or the tape may be printed with consumer information or a UPC.
In retail display the package
20
is supported on a projecting peg, not shown, so that the battery filled container
22
hangs downwardly from the card
26
, with the peg extending through the hang hole
58
, and with the card carrying the weight of the package. In the display orientation, the cylindrical batteries
24
extend vertically within the transparent body
30
. This orientation is desirable because the cylindrical surfaces of the individual batteries are typically marked with the manufacturer's name and a product identifier.
When the consumer is ready to use the first batteries from the package
20
, the adhesive tape
28
is removed or cut, the pull tab
74
is engaged and the lid is separated from its snap fit attachment to the body
30
. The lid
34
, once released from the body, is pivoted about the hinge
32
to reveal the card
26
resting on the full complement of batteries
24
within the body
30
. The card
26
is preferably not connected to the lid or the body when the container
22
is opened. Thus, as shown in
FIG. 2
, the paperboard card is readily separated from the plastic container
22
. The convenient separation of the paperboard elements from the plastic elements greatly facilitates recycling of both portions of the packaging. In certain jurisdictions, plastic is required to be fully separated from paper before recycling, which prevents the adhesive attachment of paper to plastic in most cases. The package
20
does not have any adhesive connections between plastic elements and paper elements.
As shown in
FIG. 3
, once the card
26
and the first batteries are removed from the container
22
, the lid
34
may be closed upon the body
30
to retain the remaining batteries, and. to securely hold them in a particular location until additional batteries are required. The package
20
thus has the advantage of being readily peggable for retail display, while at the same time being compact for storage by the user.
An alternative embodiment package
80
of this invention is shown in
FIGS. 4-5
. The package
80
is similar to the package
20
in that it has a single sheet thermoformed thermoplastic clam shell transparent container
82
with a lid
84
which is connected to a body
86
by an integral hinge
88
. However, the hinge
88
in the package
80
extends parallel to the side of the container from which a paperboard card
90
extends. The card
90
has a hang hole
92
defined in an upper segment
94
, and a lower segment
96
which is clasped between the lid and the body and connected to the upper segment by a connecting segment
98
.
The body
86
has a display wall
100
with four side walls
102
which extend away from the display wall and which terminate in a peripheral flange
104
. The flange
104
is trimmed very close to the side walls
102
in two locations to define notches
106
on opposite sides of the package to allow the adhesive tape
108
to extend from the body
86
onto the lid with minimal bridging across the projecting peripheral flange
104
. The hinge
88
extends from the lower side wall
102
and joins the lid cover wall
110
. There is no skirt adjacent the hinge
88
on the lid
84
. Two protrusions
112
are formed on opposite sides of the lid
84
, comprising two L-shaped structures, best shown in FIG.
5
. Each protrusion
112
has an inner skirt
114
which extends away from the lid cover wall
110
, a peripheral lip
116
which extends outwardly from the inner skirt
114
, and an outer skirt
118
which is spaced from the inner skirt by the peripheral lip, and which extends down to a peripheral flange
120
which is continuous with and in substantially the same plane as the lid cover wall
110
. Each protrusion
112
has a downwardly facing shoulder
122
defined by a portion of the inner skirt
114
. Each shoulder is terminated by a gusset
124
which extends between the inner skirt
114
and the outer skirt
118
, and between the peripheral lip
116
and the lid cover wall
110
.
Wedge shaped projections
126
are formed on each of the protrusions
112
which face upwardly and which engage in a snap fit with corresponding recesses
117
formed in the upper side wall
102
of the body
86
. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the card
90
has a first slot
128
and a second slot
130
, such that the connecting segment
98
extends between the gap
132
defined between the two protrusions
112
. The card
90
extends adjacent to the lid cover wall
110
, and, as it exits the container
82
, is clasped between the body flange
104
and the lid cover wall
110
.
A pull tab
134
extends upwardly from the lid cover wall
110
, and provides a position for gripping the lid
84
and opening the package. To stiffen the region adjacent the pull tab
134
, the lid
84
may be provided with reinforcing ribs
136
, as shown in FIG.
4
.
The package
80
may be suspended from a retail display peg when the card is present and the package is sealed. After purchase, the card
90
is removed, as shown in
FIG. 5
, and the thermoformed clamshell container
82
may then be used for product storage.
It should be noted that the adhesive tape which closes the package at retail display may alternatively be wrapped from the flange of the lid around to the flange of the body at about the level of the slots
128
,
130
. Furthermore, as demonstrated by the two illustrated embodiments, the container may be formed such that the lid skirt engages around a body skirt, as in the package
20
, or the lid may have a protruding skirt that is received within portions of the body, as in the package
80
.
It should be noted that the package according to this invention may be produced with the hinge on any of the three sides other than the side through which the card extends.
Furthermore, any conventional press fit or snap fit closure mechanisms may be employed, as well as one or more pull tabs disposed at various locations.
In addition, although the package has been shown with AA batteries, it could also be formed to contain AAAA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries.
It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
- 1. A hanging battery package, comprising:a thermoformed thermoplastic container having a rearwardly opening product body, and a lid connected to the body at a hinge, the lid having a rearward cover wall, the lid being engagable with the body in a snap fit, and wherein the lid has portions which project frontwardly from the cover wall to define two downwardly facing shoulders which are spaced sidewardly by a gap and wherein a flange extends outwardly from each of the two shoulders, and wherein an inclined gusset extends between the flange adjacent each shoulder and the lid cover wall on opposite sides of the gap; and a card having an upper segment, portions of which define a hang hole which is sized to receive a projection therethrough, and a lower segment which is connected to the upper segment by a connecting segment, and which extends downwardly and is received between the lid and the body; the lower segment extending along the lid cover wall, wherein two slots are defined in the card between portions of the upper segment and portions of the lower segment, the card being engaged between the lid and the body, such that the card connecting segment extends upwardly through the gap.
- 2. The battery package of claim 1 wherein the hinge extends generally perpendicularly to the card slots.
- 3. The battery package of claim 1 wherein the hinge extends generally parallel to the card slots.
- 4. The battery package of claim 1 further comprising a strip of adhesive tape which extends from the body onto the lid to releasably seal the container in a closed position about the card.
- 5. The battery package of claim 1 wherein the body has a frontwardly facing display wall, and side walls extend rearwardly from the display wall and terminate in a peripheral lip, and a peripheral skirt extends frontwardly from the lip, and wherein the frontwardly projecting portions of the lid which define the shoulders are portions of a lid skirt which extend rearwardly from a lid flange which is connected to the hinge, the lid skirt being positioned outwardly of the body skirt when the lid is closed upon the body.
- 6. The battery package of claim 1 wherein the body has a frontwardly facing display wall, and side walls extend rearwardly from the display wall and terminate in a peripheral flange, and wherein the frontwardly projecting portions of the lid which define the shoulders are portions of a lid inner skirt which is connected by a peripheral lip to a lid outer skirt, the lid outer skirt extending adjacent to the body side walls when the lid is closed upon the body.
- 7. A battery package comprising:a card having an upper segment and a lower segment connected to the upper segment by a connecting segment, wherein at least one sidewardly opening slot is defined beneath the upper segment and above the lower segment and to the side of the connecting segment, the lower segment having an upper edge adjacent said at least one slot; and a thermoformed thermoplastic container having a body, and a lid which is hinged to the body, the lid being pivotable between a position permitting access to the interior of the container, and a closed position in which the card is clasped between the body and the lid, wherein the lid has a cover wall which extends upwardly, and wherein the card extends approximately adjacent to the cover wall, the lid having a skirt which projects frontwardly from the cover wall, the lid skirt having portions defining at least one downwardly facing shoulder which extends through said at least one slot, each shoulder engaging the card when the card upper segment is supported from a peg.
- 8. The battery package of claim 7 wherein the lid has an outwardly extending flange, and the body has an outwardly extending flange, and wherein the hinge extends between the lid flange and the body flange, the hinge being positioned sidewardly of the body and the lid.
- 9. The battery package of claim 7 wherein the hinge is positioned beneath the body and the lid.
- 10. The battery package of claim 7 further comprising a strip of adhesive tape which extends from the body onto the lid cover wall to releasably seal the container in a closed position about the card.
- 11. The battery package of claim 7 wherein the body has a frontwardly facing display wall, and side walls extend rearwardly from the display wall and terminate in a peripheral lip, and a peripheral body skirt extends frontwardly from the lip, and wherein the lid skirt is positioned outwardly of the body skirt when the lid is closed upon the body.
- 12. The battery package of claim 7 wherein the body has a frontwardly facing display wall, and side walls extend rearwardly from the display wall and terminate in a peripheral flange, and wherein the frontwardly projecting portions of the lid which define the lid skirt are portions of a lid inner skirt which is connected by a peripheral lip to a lid outer skirt, the lid outer skirt extending adjacent to the body side walls when the lid is closed upon the body.
- 13. A battery package comprising:a thermoformed thermoplastic container having a body for containing batteries, the body having a display wall which faces frontwardly, and side walls which extend rearwardly from the display wall, the side walls terminating at a rearwardmost peripheral surface, and a lid hinged to the body and pivotable between an open position which permits access to the batteries within the body, and a closed position which is engaged with the body, the lid having a rearward cover wall, and a skirt which protrudes frontwardly from the cover wall; and a card having an upper segment which extends externally to the lid skirt, and a lower segment which is positioned within the lid skirt, and which extends substantially adjacent the cover wall, wherein the lid skirt has portions defining two downwardly facing shoulders, and further comprising an inclined gusset extending between a flange extending outwardly from each shoulder and the lid cover wall wherein portions of the card are engaged between the rearwardmost peripheral surface of the body and the cover wall.
- 14. The package of claim 13 wherein the card has portions defining a first slot and a second slot spaced sidewardly from the first slot, the first slot and the second slot being positioned vertically at about the same level, and wherein the package lid has two frontwardly projecting shoulders which extend through the card first slot and the card second slot.
- 15. The battery package of claim 13 further comprising a strip of adhesive tape which extends from the body onto the lid to releasably seal the container in a closed position about the card.
- 16. The battery package of claim 13 wherein the body rearwardmost peripheral surface comprises a peripheral lip, and a peripheral skirt extends frontwardly from the lip, and wherein the lid skirt is positioned outwardly of the body skirt when the lid is closed upon the body.
- 17. The battery package of claim 13 wherein the body side rearwardmost peripheral surface comprises a peripheral flange, and wherein the lid inner skirt comprises an inner skirt which is connected by a peripheral lip to a lid outer skirt, the lid outer skirt extending adjacent to the body side walls when the lid is closed upon the body.
US Referenced Citations (17)