Patent Application
20250091758
The present invention relates to a product package or packaging (e.g., a hanging container, or carton), and more specifically, to a hanging product package having a hidable and extendable hanging member.
Product packaging is well known in the art. It is seen daily, whether in any retail store, or receiving a package in the mail. In retail settings, it is very common for product packing to be hung by a hook on a store display. Not only does this allow the products to be displayed, but also allows multiples to be stored, displayed, and within a position to be grabbed by potential buyers.
As such, product packaging usually includes a fixed hanging member. In some arrangements, the hanging members comprise a protruding portion of the packaging that includes an aperture, hole, or void, that the hook can be seated within. The hangings members could be comprised of a wire extending from and attached to the product packaging. Sometimes, the product itself, within the product packaging, has a hanging member which protrudes from the packaging and is used to hang the product and product packaging from the hook. Many of these configurations are known in the art.
Product packaging can be comprised of various materials. Common material choices are plastic and/or a paper-like material, such as cardboard, paperboard, cardstock. Although plastic product packaging may be suitable for certain types of products—encouraging security—it necessarily is less recyclable than the paper-like alternatives. In both cases of material choice, the hanging member protruding from the packaging, causes issues when shipping the particular packaging, e.g., the protruding hanging members make packing multiples into shipping boxes more difficult or requires larger than necessary shipping boxes.
Folding cartons, or a product packaging made from paperboard (or other paper-like material), began in the 19th century and dominate the product packaging configuration. The process involves folding a “flat” carton made of paper-like material that is printed, laminated, cut, then folded and/or glued. The cartons are shipped flat to a packager, which folds the “flat” carton into its final shape as a container or packaging for a product. An example of such a carton or packaging is a cereal box. Today, folding cartons (or folding product packaging) represent a $110 billion industry.
Amazon.com, Inc., an American multinational technology company, which focuses on ecommerce, among other things, even publishes product packaging requirements for companies who desire to use the Fulfilled by Amazon® service. Specifically, the company requires product packages to pass “ISTA6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC Type A” requirements, namely, the package must be a rigid six-sided shaped box that does not include windows or cutouts which is also free from protruding hooks outside of the box. Many packages in the prior art do not meet these requirements.
Therefore, it is desirable to have both an environmentally friendly construction of product packaging, e.g., paper-like materials such as cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, corrugated combinations thereof, and the like, while configuring the packaging such that a protruding hanging member isn't fixed in a protruding manner, i.e., the hanging member is collapsible and expandable. It is also desirable to have the product packaging take a folding carton-like form for ease of shipment and assembly, while limiting the need for additional components—saving cost. Further, it is desirable that product packages meet the Amazon “ISTA6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC Type A” requirements,
Generally, the present invention comprises a product package, comprising a carton having four panels, the carton having a top end and a bottom end, the carton further including: a tuck flap extending from one of the panels proximate the top end, the tuck flap having a pair of slots disposed distally from the top end and an elongated aperture disposed proximate the top end; a locking flap extending from one of the panels proximate the top end and opposite of the tuck flap, the locking flap having a locking tab extending therefrom and a substantially central aperture arranged therein; and, a hanging member removably seated within the pair of slots, wherein the locking tab is arranged to be removably seated within said elongated aperture.
In some embodiments, the aforementioned panels may comprise a front panel (or a first panel), a rear panel (or a second panel) arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the front panel, a left panel (or a third panel), adjacent to and connected to the front and rear panels and arranged substantially perpendicularly thereto, and a right panel (or a fourth panel), adjacent to and connected to the front and rear panels and arranged substantially perpendicularly thereto, the right panel arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the left panel.
In other arrangements, the aforementioned tuck flap is connected to one of the panels via a hinge, the tuck flap further comprises a distal section and a proximal section bifurcated via a hinge, wherein the pair of slots transverse the distal section and the proximal section of the tuck flap, where the pair of slots within the distal section comprises a first slot and a second slot extending from the hinge bifurcating the proximal section and the distal section, where the pair of slots within the proximal section comprise a first slot and a second slot extending from the hinge bifurcating the proximal section and the distal section, where the first and second slots of the distal section are enantiomorphs of the first and second slots of the proximal section, where in other arrangements, where each of the pair of slots may be non-linear, where each of the pair of slots may have varying internal widths. It also should be appreciated that in further configurations, the first slot and the second slot of the pair of slots are enantiomorphs about an imaginary substantially center line disposed between the pair of slots.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a product package, which in some arrangements includes a hollow container having a body, a bottom end, and a top end, the container further including: a tuck flap extending from said top end, the tuck flap having a first pair of slots disposed distally from said top end and an elongated aperture disposed proximate the top end; and, a locking flap extending from the top end and arranged opposite of the tuck flap, the locking flap having a locking tab extending therefrom, the locking flap having a substantially central aperture arranged therein; an anchor flap having a second pair of slots arranged therein; and, a hanging member, wherein the hanging member is arranged to be removably seated within each of the first and second pair of slots thereby removably securing the anchor flap to the tuck flap within the container, wherein the locking tab is arranged to be removably seated within the elongated aperture.
In other possible configurations, the product package of the present invention may further include at least one of: a cover removably connected to an internal edge of the substantially central aperture; a cover removably connected to the internal edge of the substantially central aperture where the cover is removably connected to the internal edge via perforations; and, a cover connected to the internal edge of the substantially central aperture via a hinge.
In further embodiments, the hanging member of the aforementioned product package of the present invention may be arranged to be extended through the substantially central aperture of the locking flap.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention, completed assembled, is a hollow cuboid, i.e., having six sides (e.g., four panels or wall members, at least one ceiling panel, and at least one floor panel), however, one having skill in the art would appreciate that alternative configurations are possible and within the scope of the present invention, e.g., cylindrical configurations, prism-like configurations, and the like.
As such, a general object of the present invention is to provide a product package that included a hidable, extendable, and removably attached hanging member, where the product package itself is a folding carton-style package—allowing the product package to be easily printed and pressed, assembled, shipped with a removable hanging member stored therein, and displayed (hung) by extending the hanging member from the package. A further object of one possible embodiment of the present invention, is to provide for a product package that meets the requirements of Fulfilled by Amazon®, requiring product packages to pass “ISTA6-AMAZON.COM-SIOC Type A” requirements, namely the package must be a rigid six-sided shaped box that does not include windows or cutouts which is also free from protruding hooks outside of the box—the structure of the present invention passes the aforementioned requirements.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the invention, in view of the drawings and appended claims.
Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements. It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the disclosed aspects.
Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Those in the art will understand that any suitable material, now known, or hereafter developed, may be used in forming the present invention described herein.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.
It should be noted that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “contains”, and/or “containing”, should be interpreted as being substantially synonymous with the terms “comprising” and/or “comprises”.
It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “approximately” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.
It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.
Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and, a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” or “one of:” is used herein.
Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, a device comprising a second element and a third element.
The terms “distal” or “distally” are intended to be exemplary directional terms and should be interpreted to mean that a first component is arranged away from a second component. Likewise, the terms “proximal” or “proximally” are intended to be exemplary directional terms and should be interpreted to mean that a first component is arranged close to a second component.
Adverting now to the figures,
In reference to
In a preferred embodiment, body 12 includes a plurality of panels or wall portions, panels 18, 20, 22, and 24. Each of panels 18, 20, 22, and 24 are bifurcated by respective folds, folds 28, 30, 32, and 34, such that each panel (28, 30, 32, 34) may pivot along a respective axis of rotation (i.e., folds 28, 30, 32, and 34), thereby allowing each of the respective panels to be rotated to form a cuboid, i.e., a hollow container within panels 28, 30, 32, and 34. Side tuck flap 26 is connected to panel 18 and is bifurcated therebetween via fold 28. It should be appreciated that the term “fold” may be interchangeable with the terms “score” or “hinge”.
In some configurations, upper tuck flap 36 extends from top end 16 of first panel 18 and lower tuck flap 52 extends from bottom end 14 of first panel 18. Upper tuck flap 36 and first panel 18 are hingedly connected via fold 44. Lower tuck flap 52 and first panel 18 are hingedly connected via fold 54. Arranged within fold 44 is upper elongated aperture 46. Arranged within fold 54 is lower elongated aperture 56. In a preferred embodiment, upper tuck flap 36 is formed by two sections, proximal section 48 and distal section 50, where proximal section 48 and distal section 50 are hingedly connected via fold 42. Disposed within upper tuck flap 36 is first slot 38 and second slot 40, slots 38 and 40 transverse proximal section 48 and distal section 50.
In a preferred embodiment, first slot 38 and second slot 40 have a varying width. A greater width of an opening of slots 38 and 40 is arranged proximate fold 42 and proximate folds 28 and 30, in other words, closer to an outer edge of upper tuck flap 36, whereas a lesser width of an opening of 38 and 40 extends distally from the greater width (i.e., distally in relation to fold 42. The transition of the aforementioned widths of slots 38 and 48 is generally marked by an angled portion being arranged in a direction towards a center line positioned between folds 28 and 30. As shown in
The aforementioned arrangements of slots 38 and 40 assists a hanging member (discussed infra) to be inserted therein, i.e., the wider openings of slots 38 and 40 proximate fold 42 makes inserting the hanging member easier. The aforementioned arrangement of slots 38 and 40 also assists in keeping the hanging member within the respective slots, as the narrower opening width—as the slots transverse distally from fold 42—“pinches” or frictionally secures the hanging member therein.
In some embodiments, first upper side flap 58 extends from top end 16 of third panel 22 and first lower side flap 62 extends from bottom end 14 of third panel 22. First upper side flap 58 and third panel 22 are hingedly connected via fold 60. First lower side flap 62 and second panel 22 are hingedly connected via fold 64.
In some arrangements, upper locking flap 66 extends from top end 16 of second panel 20 and lower locking flap 76 extends from bottom end 14 of second panel 20. Upper locking flap 66 and second panel 20 are hingedly connected via fold 72. Lower locking flap 76 and second panel 20 are hingedly connected via fold 80. Upper locking tab 68 extends from upper locking flap 66 and is hingedly connected thereto via fold 74. Locker locking tab 78 extends from lower locking flap 76 and is hingedly connected thereto via fold 82. Aperture 70 is arranged with a substantially central location of upper locking flap 66.
In some configurations, second upper side flap 84 extends from top end 16 of fourth panel 24 and second lower side flap 88 extends from bottom end 14 of fourth panel 24. Second upper side flap 84 and fourth panel 24 are hingedly connected via fold 86. Second lower side flap 88 and fourth panel 24 are hingedly connected via fold 90. It should be noted that first panel 18 is a “front panel”, second panel 20 is a “rear panel”, third panel 22 is a “left panel”, and fourth panel 24 is a “right panel”.
In reference to
The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures and specifically
The following description should be taken in view of the aforementioned figures and specifically
First, upper tuck flap 36 is pivoted approximately 180° about fold 42 (See
It should be noted that the degrees of rotation, expressed above, are merely illustrative of the movements of various components of the present invention, as such, they should not be considered restrictive on the appending claims.
In reference to
In reference to
The following description is in reference to the aforementioned figures and specifically,
In reference to the aforementioned figures, it should be noted that in alternative embodiments, proximal section 48 and distal section 50 of upper tuck flap 36 may be separate components, where each of the sections include a pair of slots. As such, proximal section 48 may be pivotably connected to panel 18 and distal section 50 would function as an anchor flap and would be removably secured to proximal section 48 via one of hanging members 92 and 118 being secured within its respective slots—either above proximal section 48 (in a direction towards top end 16) or below proximal section 48 (in a directions towards bottom end 14). It should be noted that in the aforementioned embodiment, distal section 50 could also include securement apertures 114 and 116.
It should be noted that hanging members 92 and 118 may be comprised of a variety of materials, e.g., ribbon and the like, however, various material choices are contemplated within the scope of the appending claims. Hanging members 92 and 118 could be made of an elastic-like material, thereby encouraging the hangings members to remain substantially within the body of the present invention (until forcibly removed, e.g., by hanging therefrom). Similarly, tipped ends 120 and 122 could be comprised of metal, plastic, or a combination thereof, and the like, however, various material choices are contemplated within the scope of the appending claims.
Further, it should be noted that the construction of the described embodiments is exemplary and various shapes of the carton of the present invention are contemplated, in other words, it is foreseeable that prism-like cartons, and/or cylindrical cartons, may employ the same structures provided by the folds of various components of the present invention to achieve the same removable, hidable, and extendable hanging member, i.e., a cylindrical carton can have a fold disposed at a top end allowing the upper tuck flap described herein to be employed therewith. As such, flaps, tabs, etc., which extend from the body, could take curved shapes so long as a portion thereof is connected via a hinge, score, or fold.
Thusly, the embodiments shown and described are merely exemplary and various alternatives, combinations, omissions, of specific components, or foreseeable alternative components, understood by one having ordinary skill in the art, described in the present disclosure or within the field of the present disclosure, are intended to fall within the scope of the appending claims.
It will be appreciated that various aspects of the invention and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.
