Patent Application
20080217210
The present invention relates generally to containers for retaining, protecting, shipping and displaying goods and methods for using such containers. In particular, the present invention relates to a shipping container that is also a container suitable for use for product display to consumers.
Warehouse stores and warehouse clubs have become increasingly popular in the United States. These types of stores are also sometimes referred to as a “Big Box” or “Price-Impact” store because of the warehouse style of the interior and the low prices of products sold therein.
In an effort to keep costs low, products are sometimes displayed in their shipping boxes, which are oftentimes located on pallets on the store floor. Tightly packed merchandise within such containers tends to maintain an orderly appearance and is therefore attractive for consumer purchase. Other products, however, tend to become disorderly during shipping and therefore require store personnel to locate the items on shelving or to spend time organizing the product within the containers.
It is desirable to provide a combination shipping and display container that may be used to ship product from a manufacturer to a store, such as a warehouse store, and that could be converted into a display container with a minimal amount of effort by store personnel. It is further desirable to provide a means for shipping product that doubles as a product organizer that maintains product in an orderly condition within the container and that assists in dispensing product to an end consumer.
The self-contained rack of the present invention provides the retailer/user a convenient, more appealing display method for hanging products. Due to the self-contained design, hanging products are shipped within a carton and arrive ready for sale. The design also benefits the consumer, as it provides the consumer a convenient means of purchase.
The combination shipping and display box of the invention preferably includes a container provide with a removable cover for covering an opening in the container. The container may be a cardboard box or other suitable structure. The removable cover may be a portion of the container defined by perforations or another type of removable structure. A frame is provided that is sized for locating within the container. The frame is preferably provided with a hanger member suitable for supporting product. The hanger member of the frame is proximate the opening for providing access to the hanging product when the removable cover is removed.
In use, product may be located on the hanger member of the frame and sealed within the container. The loaded container may then be shipped to a destination, where the removable cover may be removed, e.g., a perforated section of the container may be removed, to provide consumer access to the product loaded on said hanger member.
Referring now to
Front face 16 is partially defined by base front edge 26 and top front edge 34. Top face 18 is defined by top front edge 34 and top rear edge 38. Back face 20 is defined by base rear edge 28, top rear edge 38, rear right edge 40 and rear left edge 42. Left face 22 is defined by rear left edge 42 and base left edge 30. Right face 24 is defined by rear right edge 40 and rear left edge 42.
In a preferred embodiment, a removable panel 50 (
Finger opening 56 (
Frame 100, best seen in
Base structure 102 has a right base member 108 having a forward right upturned end 110 and a right rear end 112. Left base member 114 has a forward left upturned end 116 and a left rear end 118.
Vertical structure 104 has a left vertical member 120. Left vertical member 120 has a left upper end 122 and a left lower end that joins left base member 114 at left rear end 118. Vertical structure 104 additionally has right vertical member 126. Right vertical member 126 has a right upper end 128 and a right lower end that joins right base member 108 at right rear end 112. Left diagonal brace bar 127 spans between left vertical member 120 and left base member 114. Right diagonal bar 129 spans between right vertical member 126 and right base member 108. Diagonal brace bars 127 and 129 provide support to vertical structure 104, which assists in allowing vertical structure 104 to remain upright when upper structure 106 is fully loaded.
Upper structure 106 has a right end that joins right vertical member 126 at right upper end 128. Upper structure 132 has a left end that joins left vertical member 120 at left upper end 122. Upper structure 106 additionally defines hanger member 138 that extends forwardly. Hanger member 138 is provided with an upturned forward end 140 for retaining product 142 (
Frame 100 is sized such that left base member 114 locates adjacent to base left edge 30 and right base member 108 locates adjacent to base right edge 32. Left vertical member 120 locates adjacent to rear left edge 42 and right vertical member 126 locates adjacent to rear right edge 40. Upper structure 106 locates adjacent to top rear edge 38 and hanger member 138 locates adjacent to removable panel 50 on top face 18. Therefore, it can be seen that in a preferred embodiment, frame 100 substantially fills container 12 to prevent shifting of frame 100 within container 12 and also to function as a structural support, to prevent crushing or damage to container 12 during shipping.
Hanger member 138 of frame 100 is designed to pass through hanger receiver 144 of product 142. When product 142 is located on hanger member 138, product 142 is retained in an orderly configuration during shipping. Product 142 is also readily accessible by consumers once removable panel 50 is removed from container 12. An example of a suitable product 142 for use with the inventive combination shipping and display box 10 is a thermal carrier bag having a handle that functions as hanger receiver 144. However, many types of merchandise and packaging can be easily adapted for shipping and display within Applicant's combination shipping and display box 10.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.
