The invention relates to a case for containers. More particularly, the invention relates to a shipping and display case for containers.
The problem of shipping and displaying containers such as, for example, plastic bottles safely and inexpensively has resulted in the use of various containers or cases. For example, simple cardboard boxes having punch out areas that are removed at the point of sale so that the contents of the boxes can be seen by potential customers are commonly used. However, these cardboard boxes have the disadvantage of needing the punch out areas removed at the point of sale, resulting in a display case having reduced strength and the creation of waste material that must be disposed of. In addition, the strength of cardboard boxes can be greatly reduced if they become wet.
The invention provides a shipping and display case that has particular advantages over known display cases. For example, embodiments of the invention provide a strong, light and inexpensive shipping and display case for plastic bottles such as those containing motor oil. Particular embodiments of the invention provide a shipping and display case made from two extruded plastic sheets that interlock using beads formed along the edges of one sheet and grooves formed along the edges of the other sheet.
Particular embodiments of the invention provide a packaging case for containing at least one container. The case has a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet forms a first vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first bead and a second edge with a second bead, the second edge being opposite the first edge, a first horizontal panel of the case having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a second vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first bead and a second edge with a second bead, the second edge being opposite the first edge. The second sheet connects to the first sheet and forms a third vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first groove and a second edge with a second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge, a second horizontal panel of the case having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a fourth vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first groove and a second edge with a second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge. The first bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the fourth vertical panel, the second bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the third vertical panel, the first bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the fourth vertical panel, and the second bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the third vertical panel.
Other embodiments of the invention provide a shipping and display system having a plurality of containers and a case. The case has a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet forms a first vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first bead and a second edge with a second bead, the second edge being opposite the first edge, a first horizontal panel of the case having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a second vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first bead and a second edge with a second bead, the second edge being opposite the first edge. The second sheet connects to the first sheet and forms a third vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first groove and a second edge with a second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge, a second horizontal panel of the case having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a fourth vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first groove and a second edge with a second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge. The first bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the fourth vertical panel, the second bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the third vertical panel, the first bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the fourth vertical panel, and the second bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the third vertical panel. The plurality of containers are contained within the case.
Other embodiments of the invention provide a method of making a packaging case. The case has a first sheet and a second sheet. The first sheet forms a first vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first bead and a second edge with a second bead, the second edge being opposite the first edge, a first horizontal panel of the case having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a second vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first bead and a second edge with a second bead, the second edge being opposite the first edge. The second sheet connects to the first sheet and forms a third vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first groove and a second edge with a second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge, a second horizontal panel of the case having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and a fourth vertical panel of the case having a first edge with a first groove and a second edge with a second groove, the second edge being opposite the first edge. The first bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the fourth vertical panel, the second bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the third vertical panel, the first bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the fourth vertical panel, and the second bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the third vertical panel. The method includes extruding the first sheet from plastic, extruding the second sheet from plastic, and assembling the first and second sheets. The first and second sheets are assembled such that the first bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the fourth vertical panel, the second bead of the first vertical panel connects to the second groove of the third vertical panel, the first bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the fourth vertical panel, and the second bead of the second vertical panel connects to the first groove of the third vertical panel.
The invention is explained below in further detail with the aid of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, wherein:
The invention is explained in the following with the aid of the drawings in which like reference numbers represent like elements.
The Figures show an example of a case in accordance with the invention configured to hold, for example, a plurality of plastic bottles.
As will be discussed below, some or all of beads 113, 114, 213, 214, 223, 224 interact with corresponding grooves in second sheet 20. In the example shown in
The cross section of first sheet 10, as shown in
In this example, second sheet 20 has a plurality, in this case three, ridges 28 for providing improved rigidity of second sheet 20. Also provided are handles in the form of openings 29 in third vertical panel 230 and fourth vertical panel 240.
The invention has been described in detail with respect to preferred embodiments and it will now be apparent from the foregoing to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The invention, therefore, is intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit of the invention.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20040222279 A1 | Nov 2004 | US |