Claims
- 1. A combination shipping and display container for packaged products, said container comprising a substantially open tray having a high back panel, a low front panel providing a substantially open front wall, substantially open side panels connecting said low front panel and said high back panel, a pair of integral divider flaps extending between said back panel and said front panel and having a height substantially equal to that of said back panel, and a top panel extending forwardly from the upper edge of said back panel to the front of said container, said top panel having a top panel extension which folds downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall of said container and which includes means for establishing locking engagement with said divider flaps adjacent the upper front portion of such divider flaps.
- 2. The container of claim 1 wherein said means for establishing locking engagement of said front portion of said top flap with said container comprises at least one slot formed in said front flap portion for locking engagement with corresponding locking edges formed on the upper front portion of each of said divider flaps.
- 3. The container of claim 1, wherein said top panel further comprises a re-entrant portion attached to its distal edge which folds downwardly and inwardly into said container and includes means for establishing locking engagment with said divider flaps of said container.
- 4. A combination shipping and display container for packaged products, said container comprising a substantially open tray having a high back panel, a low front panel providing a substantially open front wall, substantially open side panels connecting said low front panel and said high back panel, a pair of integral divider flaps extending between said back panel and said front panel and having a height substantially equal to that of said back panel, and a top panel extending forwardly from the upper edge of said back panel to the front of said container, said top panel having a top panel extension which folds downwardly to form a upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall of said container, and having a re-entrant portion attached to its distal edge which folds downwardly and inwardly into said container and includes means for establishing locking engagement with said divider flaps adjacent the upper front portion of such divider flaps.
- 5. The container of claim 4, wherein said re-entrant portion further comprises one or more cutouts formed in its distal edge, said cutouts having a shape substantially complementary to the upper portions of at least one of said packaged products to be contained therein.
- 6. The container of claims 4 or 5, wherein said container is formed from a unitary blank of material; said blank further comprising a pair of left and right inner rear wall panels, and a pair of left and right divider flaps hingedly affixed to corresponding inner rear wall panels.
- 7. The container of claim 6, wherein said means for establishing locking engagement of said re-entrant portion comprises at least one slot formed in said re-entrant and extending inwardly from its distal edge for frictional locking engagement with said divider flaps within said container.
- 8. The container of claim 5, wherein said cutouts serve as said means for establishing locking engagement of said re-entrant portion, said cutouts lockingly engaging the upper portions of at least one of said packaged products, thereby locking said reentrant within said container.
- 9. A combination shipping and display container adapted to adequately protect a plurality of packaged products while providing substantial open display area in its front and side panels, said container being formed from a unitary blank comprising:
- (a) front, bottom, outer rear, and top panels foldably connected together in serial relation;
- (b) a pair of right and left outer side panels integrally connected to respective opposite sides of said bottom panel along a pair of first score lines;
- (c) a pair of right and left inner side panels integrally connected to the distal edge of the corresponding outer side panel along first and second sets of double score lines, respectively;
- (d) a pair of right and left intermediate front flaps, each being integrally connected along a second score line to the front edge of the corresponding outer side panel;
- (e) a pair of right and left inner rear panels, each being integrally connected along a third score line to the rear edge of the corresponding outer side panel, and each having a divider flap integrally connected along a fourth score line to its distal rear edge;
- (f) front panel being divided into inner and outer panel sections by a third set of double score lines, with said inner front panel section having at least one slot formed therein for locking engagement with the upper front portion of said divider flaps;
- (g) said inner and outer front and side panels having dimensions which provide said container with substantially open front and side walls for display purposes; and
- (h) said top panel having a top panel extension integrally connected to its distal edge along a fifth score line, said top panel extension further having a re-entrant retainer flap portion integrally connected to its distal edge along a sixth score line; said top panel extension folding downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall, said retainer flap having a least one slot formed therein for locking engagement with said divider flaps within said container, and having a plurality of cutouts in its distal edge adapted to substantially conform to the upper portions of at least some of said packaged products packed within said container for support thereof.
- 10. The container of claims 1, 4 or 9, wherein said divider flaps are in face to face relation thereby forming a double walled partition therein.
- 11. The container of claims 1, 4 or 9, wherein said divider flaps are laterally spaced from one another thereby dividing said container into three substantially open compartments.
- 12. A combination shipping and display container adapted to adequately protect a plurality of packaged products while providing substantial open display area in its front and side panels, said container being formed from a unitary blank comprising:
- (a) front, bottom, outer rear, and top panels foldably connected together in serial relation;
- (b) a pair of right and left outer side panels integrally connected to respective opposite sides of said bottom panel along a pair of first score lines;
- (c) a pair of right and left inner side panels integrally connected to the distal edge of the corresponding outer side panel along first and second perforated score lines, respectively;
- (d) a pair of right and left intermediate front flaps, each being integrally connected along a second score line to the front edge of the corresponding outer side panel;
- (e) a pair of right and left inner rear panels, each being integrally connected along a third score line to the rear edge of the corresponding outer side panel, and each having a divider flap integrally connected along a fourth score line to its distal rear edge;
- (f) said front panel being divided into inner and outer panel sections by a set of double score lines, with said inner front panel section having at least one slot formed therein for locking engagement with the upper front portion of said divider flaps;
- (g) said inner and outer front and side panels having dimensions which provide said container with substantially open front and side walls for display purposes; and
- (h) said top panel having a top panel extension integrally connected to its distal edge along a fifth score line, said top panel extension folding downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall and having a re-entrant retainer flap portion integrally connected to its distal edge along a sixth score line; said retainer flap having a least one slot formed therein for locking engagement with said divider flaps within said container, and having a plurality of cutouts in its distal edge adapted to substantially conform to the upper portions of at least some of said packaged products packed within said container for support thereof.
- 13. A combination shipping and display container adapted to adequately protect a plurality of packaged products while providing substantial open display area in its front and side panels, said container being formed from a unitary blank comprising:
- (a) front, bottom, outer rear, and top panels foldably connected together in serial relation;
- (b) a pair of right and left side panels integrally connected to respective opposite sides of said bottom panel along a pair of first score lines;
- (c) a pair of right and left intermediate front flaps, each being integrally connected along a second score line to the front edge of the corresponding side panel;
- (d) a pair of right and left inner rear panels, each being integrally connected along a third score line to the rear edge of the corresponding side panel, and each having a divider flap integrally connected along a fourth score line to its distal rear edge;
- (e) said front panel being divided into inner and outer panel sections by a set of double score lines, with said inner front panel section having at least one slot formed therein for locking engagement with said divider flaps;
- (f) said inner and outer front panels and said side panels having dimensions which provide said container with substantialy open front and side walls for display purposes; and
- (g) said top panel having a top panel extension integrally connected to its distal edge along a fifth score line, said top panel extension folding downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall and having a re-entrant retainer flap portion integrally connected to its distal edge along a sixth score line; said retainer flap having at least one slot formed therein for locking engagement with the upper front portion of said divider flaps within said container, and having a plurality of cutouts in its distal edge adapted to substantially conform to the upper portions of at least some of said packaged products packed within said container for support thereof.
- 14. The shipping and display container of claims 1, 4, 9, 12 or 13, further comprising means for dividing said container into two subcontainers.
- 15. A combination shipping and display container adapted to adequately protect a plurality of packaged products while providing substantial open display area in its front and side panels, said container being further dividable into two subcontainers in use and formed form a unitary blank having an outer surface and an inner surface and comprising:
- (a) front, bottom, outer rear, and top panels foldably connected together in serial relation;
- (b) a pair of right and left side panels integrally connected to respective opposite sides of said bottom panel along a pair of first score lines;
- (c) a pair of right and left intermediate front flaps, each being integrally connected along a second score line to the front edge of the corresponding side panel;
- (d) a pair of right and left inner rear panels, each being integrally connected along a third score line to the rear edge of the corresponding side panel, and each having a divider flap integrally connected along a fourth score line to its distal rear edge, said divider flaps each having a securing tab located on its lower distal edge;
- (e) said front panel being divided into inner and outer panel sections by a set of double score lines, with said inner front panel section having a slot formed therein through which said securing tabs of said divider flaps extend, said securing tabs being folded outwardly and the inner surface portion thereof adhesively united with the outer surface portion of said inner front panel section;
- (f) said inner and outer front panels and said side panels having dimensions which provide said container with substantially open front and side walls for display purposes;
- (g) said top panel having a top panel extension integrally connected to its distal edge along a fifth score line, said top panel extension folding downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall and having a re-entrant retainer flap portion integrally connected to its distal edge along a sixth score line; said retainer flap having a slot formed therein for locking engagement with the upper front portion of said divider flaps within said container, and having a plurality of cutouts in its distal edge adapted to substantialy conform to the upper portions of at least some of said packaged products packed within said container for support thereof; and
- (h) a line of severance in alignment with said slot in said inner front panel section and said slot in said retainer flap and traversing said outer front, bottom, rear and top panels, as well as said top panel extension and re-entrant retainer flap, said line of severance being adapted to facilitate separation of portions of the container lying on opposite sides of said line.
- 16. The shipping and display container of claim 15, wherein said line of severance further comprises a perforated line of weakness formed in said unitary blank.
- 17. The shipping and display container of claim 15, wherein said line of severance is a perforated tear tape formed in said unitary blank.
- 18. The shipping and display container of claim 17, wherein said line of severance includes a tear tab section to further facilitate removal of said perforated tear tape.
- 19. The shipping and display container of claim 15, wherein said line severance includes slits traversing a substantial portion of said bottom and rear panels, a perforated line of weakness traversing said outer front panel, and printed lines of indicia traversing said top, top panel extension, and re-entrant retainer flap panels.
- 20. A combination shipping and display container adapted to adequately protect a plurality of packaged products while providing substantial open display are in its front and side panels, said container being formed from a unitary blank comprising:
- (a) front, bottom, outer rear, and top panels foldably connected together in serial relation;
- (b) a pair of right and left side panels integrally connected to respective opposite sides of said bottom panel along a pair of first score lines;
- (c) a pair of right and left inner front flaps, each being integrally connected along a second score line to the front edge of the corresponding side panel:
- (d) a pair of right and left inner rear panels, each being integrally connected along a third score line to the rear edge of the corresponding side panel, and each having a divider flap integrally connected along a fourth score line to its distal rear edge;
- (e) said front and side panels having dimensions which provide said container with substantially open front and side walls for display purposes; and
- (f) said top panel having a top panel extension integrally connected to its distal edge along a fifth score line, said top panel extension folding downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall and having top flap locking means formed therein for locking engagement with corresponding locking means on the upper front portion of said divider flaps.
- 21. The container of claim 20, wherein said top flap locking means further comprises at least one slot formed in said top panel extension for locking engagement with corresponding locking means on said divider flaps.
- 22. The container of claim 21, wherein said top panel further comprises a pair of right and left top flap sidewall extensions integrally connected along score lines at the lateral edges thereof adjacent said front flap portion.
- 23. The container of claim 22, wherein at least the rear portion of said right and left side panels have dimensions substantially equal to the height of said outer rear panel and thereby providing added support to said top panel when said container is in fully erected and closed condition.
- 24. The container of claim 20, wherein said divider flaps are in face to face relation thereby forming a double walled partition therein.
- 25. The container of claim 20, wherein said divider flaps are laterally spaced from one another thereby dividing said container into three substantially open compartments.
- 26. A combination shipping and display container adapted to adequately protect a plurality of packaged products while providing substantial open display are in its front and side panels, said container being further dividable into two subcontainers in use and formed from a unitary blank having an outer surface and an inner surface and comprising:
- (a) front, bottom, outer rear, and top panels foldably connected together in serial relation;
- (b) a pair of right and left side panels integrally connected to respective opposite sides of said bottom panel along a pair of first score lines;
- (c) a pair of right and left inner front flaps, each being integrally connected along a second score line to the front edge of the corresponding side panel;
- (d) a pair of right and left inner rear panels, each being integrally connected along a third score line to the rear edge of the corresponding side panel, and each having a divider flap integrally connected along a fourth score line to its distal rear edge, said divider flaps each having a securing tab located on its lower distal edge;
- (e) said front panel and said side panels having dimensions which provide said container with substantially open front and side walls for display purposes;
- (f) said top panel having a top panel extension integrally connected to its distal edge along a fifth score line, said top panel extension folding downwardly to form an upper front flap portion which does not substantially close said substantially open front wall and having a centrally located slot formed therein for locking engagement with corresponding locking emans on the upper front portion of said divider flaps; and
- (g) a line of severance in alignment with said slot in said top panel extension and traversing said top panel extension, as well as the front, bottom, rear and top panels, said line of severance being adapted to facilitate separation of portions of the container lying on opposite sides of said line.
- 27. The shipping and display container of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of said line of severance further comprises a perforated line of weakness formed in said unitary blank.
- 28. The shipping and display container of claims 26 or 27, wherein said divider flaps each further comprise an integral locking tab which can be folded upwardly following division of said container into two subcontainers for locking engagement with a corresponding tab locking slot formed in said top panel to retain the respective top panels of the two resulting subcontainers in closed condition.
- 29. The shipping and display container of claim 28 wherein the locking tabs are cut into the respective divider panels and further comprise a base tab with an enlarged locking tip formed at its distal end, and wherein said tab locking slots comprise a pair of slits formed in said top panel and juxtaposed adjacent to and on opposite sides of said line of severance.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part of prior co-pending application entitled "Tray-Type Shipping and Display Container", Ser. No. 630,312, filed July 12, 1984, now abandoned, in the name of the present applicants.
US Referenced Citations (31)
Foreign Referenced Citations (4)
Number |
Date |
Country |
829134 |
Dec 1969 |
CAX |
382645 |
Dec 1964 |
CHX |
1000243 |
Aug 1965 |
GBX |
1212854 |
Nov 1970 |
GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
630312 |
Jul 1984 |
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