U.S. patent application number 10/190343 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-08 for display container with filler and product units and method of assembly.
Invention is credited to Rawat, Prem.
Application Number | 20040004016 10/190343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29999856 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040004016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rawat, Prem |
January 8, 2004 |
Display container with filler and product units and method of
assembly
Abstract
A display container having a top, a base and two pair of opposed
parallel sides between the top and the base; a plurality of product
units, each having a rectangular perimeter; and at least one filler
unit having a rectangular perimeter, wherein the plurality of
product units and the at least one filler unit are positioned side
by side and together extend between each of the two pair of opposed
parallel sides, and wherein a first side of a first one of the at
least one filler unit is adjacent to first sides of a first
plurality of the product units, such that the first side of the
first one of the at least one filler unit and the first sides of
the first plurality of the product units extend between a first of
the two pair of opposed parallel sides.
Inventors: |
Rawat, Prem; (Malibu,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
P.O. BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
29999856 |
Appl. No.: |
10/190343 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/449 ;
206/499; 206/593; 206/594; 206/814 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/60 20130101;
B65D 5/5028 20130101; B65D 85/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/449 ;
206/499; 206/814; 206/593; 206/594 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/62 |
Claims
1. A display container comprising: a top, a base and two pair of
opposed parallel sides between the top and the base; a plurality of
product units, each having a rectangular perimeter; and at least
one filler unit having a rectangular perimeter, wherein the
plurality of product units and the at least one filler unit are
positioned side by side and together extend between each of the two
pair of opposed parallel sides, and wherein a first side of the
perimeter of a first one of the at least one filler unit is
adjacent to first sides of the perimeter of a first plurality of
the product units, such that the first side of the first one of the
at least one filler unit and the first sides of the first plurality
of the product units extend between a first of the two pair of
opposed parallel sides.
2. The display container of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of
the product units comprises at least one stack of product units
disposed in proximity to the container top and extending towards
the container base.
3. The display container of claim 1, further comprising at least
one base filler unit disposed between the container base and the
first plurality of the product units.
4. The display container of claim 1, wherein a second side of the
perimeter of the first one of the at least one filler unit is
adjacent to second sides of the perimeter of a second plurality of
the product units, such that the second side of the first one of
the at least one filler unit and the second sides of the second
plurality of the product units extend between the first of the two
pair of opposed parallel sides, and wherein the at least one filler
unit is disposed between the first and second plurality of the
product units.
5. The display container of claim 4, wherein the first and second
plurality of the product units each comprise at least one stack of
product units disposed in proximity to the container top and
extending towards the container base.
6. The display container of claim 4, further comprising at least
one base filler unit disposed between the container base and the
first plurality of the product units and at least one other base
filler unit disposed between the container base and the second
plurality of the product units.
7. The display container of claim 1, wherein second sides of the
perimeter of the first plurality of the product units are adjacent
to second sides of the perimeter of a second plurality of the
product units, such that the second sides of the first and second
plurality of the product units extend between the first of the two
pair of opposed parallel sides.
8. The display container of claim 7, wherein the first and second
plurality of the product units each comprise at least one stack of
product units disposed in proximity to the container top and
extending towards the container base.
9. The display container of claim 7, further comprising at least
one base filler unit disposed between the container base and the
first plurality of the product units and at least one other base
filler unit disposed between the container base and the second
plurality of the product units.
10. The display container of claim 1, wherein a second side of the
perimeter of a second one of the at least one filler unit is
adjacent to second sides of the perimeter of the first plurality of
the product units, such that the second side of the second one of
the at least one filler unit and the second sides of the first
plurality of the product units extend between the first of the two
pair of opposed parallel sides and wherein the first plurality of
the product units is disposed between the first and second ones of
the at least one filler unit.
11. The display container of claim 10, wherein the first plurality
of the product units comprises at least one stack of product units
disposed in proximity to the container top and extending towards
the container base.
12. The display container of claim 10, further comprising at least
one base filler unit disposed between the container base and the
first plurality of the product units.
13. The display container of claim 1, wherein a second side of the
perimeter of the first one of the at least one filler unit is
adjacent to a second side of the perimeter of a second one of the
at least one filler unit, such that the second sides of the first
one and the second one of the at least one filler unit extend
between the first of the two pair of opposed parallel sides.
14. The display container of claim 13, wherein the first plurality
of the product units comprises at least one stack of product units
disposed in proximity to the container top and extending towards
the container base.
15. The display container of claim 13, further comprising at least
one base filler unit disposed between the container base and the
first plurality of the product units.
16. The display container of claim 1, further comprising a
protective pad disposed between the container top and the plurality
of product units.
17. The display container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
product units and the at least one filler unit are substantially
flush at a position in proximity to the container top.
18. The display container of claim 1, wherein the container top
comprises a lid, rotatably connected to one of the container sides,
such that the container has an open position and a closed
position.
19. The display container of claim 1, wherein the at least one
filler unit comprises a top surface and two opposed parallel sides
attached to the top surface.
20. The display container of claim 19, wherein the top surface of
the at least one filler unit is disposed in proximity to the
container top and the two opposed parallel sides of the at least
one filler unit extend towards the container base.
21. The display container of claim 19, wherein the top surface of
the at least one filler unit is disposed in proximity to the
container top and the two opposed parallel sides of the at least
one filler unit extend to the container base.
22. The display container of claim 3, wherein the at least one base
filler unit comprises a top surface and two opposed parallel sides
attached to the top surface.
23. A method of assembling a display container comprising:
providing a container comprising a top, a base and two pair of
opposed parallel sides between the top and the base; selecting at
least one filler unit from a supply of filler units, wherein each
filler unit of the supply of filler units has a rectangular
perimeter; selecting a plurality of product units from a supply of
product units, wherein each product unit of the supply of product
units has a rectangular perimeter; and positioning the selected at
least one filler unit and the selected plurality of product units
in the container, such that the at least one filler unit and the
plurality of product units are positioned side by side and together
extend between each of the two pair of opposed parallel sides, and
wherein a first side of the at least one filler unit is adjacent to
first sides of a first plurality of the product units, such that
the first side of the at least one filler unit and the first sides
of the first plurality of the product units extend between a first
of the two pair of opposed parallel sides.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one filler unit is
positioned in the container before the product units are positioned
in the container.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the product units are
positioned in the container before the at least one filler unit is
positioned in the container.
26. The method of claim 23, further comprising selecting at least
one base filler unit from a supply of base filler units;
positioning the selected at least one base filler unit in the
container before the plurality of product units; and positioning
the selected plurality product units on the at least one base
filler unit.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a display
container with filler and product units and to a method of
assembling the display container, filler and product units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Manufacturers of consumer and industrial products selling
multiple units of the same product, multiple units of similar
products, or multiple different products typically use different
sized display boxes depending on the quantity of units being sold.
For example, it is common for a chocolate manufacturer who sells
bite-sized candies to sell the candies in varying quantities, such
as 3, 6, 8, 12, 15, 18, 24, 36 and 48, and to produce a different
sized box for each of the quantities of bite-sized candies sold. In
this case, nine different sized boxes are required. Alternatively,
different sizes and shapes of fillers are needed to fill one size
of box. Producing different sized boxes or fillers for each
quantity of product sold creates considerable expenses in the
individual design, tooling, storage, and handling required for each
different sized box.
[0003] In addition, production of the different sized boxes may
require separate production machines, which can be highly
expensive. Alternatively, production of the different sized boxes
may be accomplished by one production machine that may be modified
to produce the different sized boxes. However, in such a case,
production efficiency is reduced each time the machine is modified
to accommodate a different sized box.
[0004] A uniform sized box, able to accommodate varying quantities
of multiple units of the same product, multiple units of similar
products, or multiple different products with standard sized
fillers, reduces some of the costs of production. In addition, a
uniform sized box with standard sized filler produces a strong
brand development, or a strong source identifier, since consumers
or companies purchasing the uniform sized box may quickly associate
the size, shape or design of the uniform box with the product being
sold or the manufacturer selling the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a
display container having a top, a base and two pair of opposed
parallel sides between the top and the base. A plurality of product
units is included, each having a rectangular perimeter; and at
least one filler unit having a rectangular perimeter, wherein the
plurality of product units and the at least one filler unit are
positioned side by side and together extend between each of the two
pair of opposed parallel sides. A first side of a first one of the
at least one filler unit is adjacent to first sides of a first
plurality of the product units, such that the first side of the
first one of the at least one filler unit and the first sides of
the first plurality of the product units extend between a first of
the two pair of opposed parallel sides.
[0006] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of
assembling a display container. Provided is a container comprising
a top, a base and two pair of opposed parallel sides between the
top and the base. At least one filler unit is selected from a
supply of filler units, wherein each filler unit has a rectangular
perimeter. A plurality of product units is selected from a supply
of product units, wherein each product unit has a rectangular
perimeter. The selected at least one filler unit and the selected
plurality of product units are positioned in the container, such
that the at least one filler unit and the plurality of product
units are positioned side by side and together extend between each
of the two pair of opposed parallel sides, and wherein a first side
of a first one of the at least one filler unit is adjacent to first
sides of a first plurality of the product units, such that the
first side of the first one of the at least one filler unit and the
first sides of the first plurality of the product units extend
between a first of the two pair of opposed parallel sides.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood by reference to the following
detailed description when considered in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a display container
according to the invention having at least one filler unit and a
plurality of product units;
[0009] FIGS. 2-7 show plan views of exemplary display container
arrangements;
[0010] FIGS. 8 and 9 show exploded assembly views of exemplary
display containers according to the invention;
[0011] FIG. 8A is a cross sectional view taken from line 8A of the
display container of FIG. 1, wherein the container is in a closed
position;
[0012] FIGS. 10 and 11 show perspective views of exemplary stacks
of product units according to the invention;
[0013] FIG. 12 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary filler
unit according to the invention;
[0014] FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary second
filler unit according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary base
filler according to the invention;
[0016] FIG. 15 shows a cross sectional view of an exemplary second
base filler according to the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 16 shows a flow chart for a method of assembling a
display container according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a display container 10, embodying the
present invention, has at least one filler unit 12 and a plurality
of product units 14, such as candy units. The at least one filler
unit 12 and the product units 14 may be arranged in the display
container 10 in any one of a variety of arrangements, such that the
display container 10 may accommodate various different display
arrangements, for example see FIGS. 2-7 showing various exemplary
display arrangements. In addition, the display container 10 may
accommodate varying quantities of product units 14, by varying the
display arrangement and/or by varying the number of the at least
one filler units 12 disposed within the display container 10.
[0019] The display container 10 comprises a parallel top 16 and
base 18, and two pair of opposed parallel sides, such as a first
pair of opposed parallel sides 20 and a second pair of opposed
parallel sides 22. The two pair of opposed parallel sides 20 and 22
are disposed between the container top 16 and the container base
18. In one embodiment, the top 16, the base 18 and the two pair of
opposed parallel sides 20 and 22 are arranged in a generally square
configuration.
[0020] The container top 16 may be connected to the display
container 10 such that the display container 10 has an opened
position (as depicted in FIG. 1) and a closed position (not shown).
The container top 16 may be integrally formed with the display
container 10 or the container top 16 may be a separate component of
the display container 10.
[0021] The container top 16 may be connected to the display
container 10 by any one of a variety of methods. For example, the
container top 16 may form a press fit connection with the container
sides 20 and 22, the container top 16 may form a snap fit
connection with at least one of the container sides 20 and 22, or
the container top 16 may be rotatably, hingedly or pivotably
connected to at least one of the container sides 20 and 22, among
other attachment methods.
[0022] In one embodiment, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG.
1, the container top 16 is rotatably connected to one side of the
second pair of opposed parallel sides 22 along a fold line 24. As
is also depicted in FIG. 1, the container top 16 may comprise
flaps, such as a first flap 26 disposed between a pair of opposed
parallel flaps 28, which substantially overlap the container sides
20 and 22 when the display container 10 is in the closed position.
For example, the first flap 26 may substantially overlap one side
of the second pair of opposed parallel sides 22 and the pair of
opposed parallel flaps 28 may each substantially overlap one side
of the first pair of opposed parallel sides 20. The display
container 10 container may be comprised of any one of a variety of
materials, such as paperboard, wood, metal, or injection molded
plastic, among other materials. The disclosed embodiment is
paperboard.
[0023] FIGS. 2-5 are plan views of exemplary display container
arrangements (for clarity the container top 16 is not shown.) As
shown in FIGS. 2-5, the at least one filler unit 12 and the product
units 14 are positioned in the display container 10 between each of
the two pair of opposed parallel container sides 20 and 22. For
example, the at least one filler unit 12 and the product units 14
may be adjacently positioned, such that together the at least one
filler unit 12 and the product units 14 extend between each of the
two pair of opposed parallel container sides 20 and 22, i.e. the at
least one filler unit 12 and the product units 14 fill the display
container 10 between each of the two pair of opposed parallel
container sides 20 and 22.
[0024] In one embodiment, each product unit 14 and each of the at
least one filler unit 12 comprises a rectangular perimeter. For
example, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the display
container 10 comprises the at least one filler unit 12 positioned
such that a first side 30 of the at least one filler unit 12 is
adjacent to first sides 32 of a first plurality 34 of the product
units 14. The first side 30 of the at least one filler unit 12 and
the first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the product units
14 extend between the second pair of opposed parallel container
sides 22. The at least one filler unit 12 may further be positioned
such that a second side 34 of the at least one filler unit 12 is
adjacent to second sides 36 of a second plurality 38 of the product
units 14. The second side 34 of the at least one filler unit 12 and
the second sides 36 of the second plurality 38 of the product units
14 extend between the second pair of opposed parallel container
sides 22. In addition, the at least one filler unit 12 may be
disposed between the first and second pluralities 34 and 38 of the
product units 14.
[0025] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the display container
10 comprises the at least one filler unit 12 positioned such that
the first side 30 of the at least one filler unit 12 is adjacent to
the first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the product units
14. The first side 30 of the at least one filler unit 12 and the
first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the product units 14
extend between the second pair of opposed parallel container sides
22. The first plurality 34 of product units 14 are further
positioned such that second sides 44 of the first plurality 34 of
product units 14 are adjacent to second sides 46 of the second
plurality 38 of product units 14. The second sides 44 of the first
plurality 34 of product units 14 and the second sides 46 of the
second plurality 38 of product units 14 extend between the second
pair of opposed parallel container sides 22. In addition, the first
plurality 34 of product units 14 are disposed between the second
plurality 38 of product units 14 and the at least one filler unit
12.
[0026] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the display container
10 comprises a first one 12F and a second one 12S of the at least
one filler unit 12. A first side 30F of the first one 12F of the at
least one filler unit 12 is positioned adjacent to the first sides
32 of the first plurality 34 of the product units 14. The first
side 30F of the first one 12F of the at least one filler unit 12
and the first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the product
units 14 extend between the second pair of opposed parallel
container sides 22. A second side 48 of the second one 12S of the
at least one filler unit 12 is positioned adjacent to the second
sides 44 of the first plurality 34 of product units 14. The second
side 48 of the second one 12S of the at least one filler unit 12
and the second sides 44 of the first plurality 34 of product units
14 extend between the second pair of opposed parallel container
sides 22. In addition, the first plurality 34 of product units 14
is disposed between the first one 12F and the second one 12S of the
at least one filler unit 12.
[0027] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the display container
10 comprises the first one 12F and the second one 12S of the at
least one filler unit 12. The first side 30F of the first one 12F
of the at least one filler unit 12 is positioned adjacent to the
first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the product units 14.
The first side 30F of the first one 12F of the at least one filler
unit 12 and the first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the
product units 14 extend between the second pair of opposed parallel
container sides 22. A second side 50 of the first one 12F of the at
least one filler unit 12 is adjacent to a second side 52 of the
second one 12S of the at least one filler unit 12. The second sides
50 and 52, respectively, of the first one 12F and the second one
12S of the at least one filler unit 12 extend between the second
pair of opposed parallel container sides 22. In addition, the first
one 12F of the at least one filler unit 12 is disposed between the
second one 12S of the at least one filler unit 12 and the first
plurality 34 of product units 14 depending on the size of the
products units and the size of the display container.
[0028] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2-5, the first and
second pluralities 34 and 38 of the product units 14 each comprise
two adjacently positioned product units 14, however, the first and
second pluralities 34 and 38 of the product units 14 may each
comprise any number of adjacently positioned product units 14.
[0029] FIGS. 6-7 are plan views of other exemplary display
container arrangements, wherein three product units 14 are
positioned in a second orientation (for clarity the container top
16 is not shown.) Due to the second orientation of the product
units 14 being positioned in the same sized display container 10,
at least one second filler unit 54a and at least one second filler
unit 54b are used. The first and second filler units 54a and 54b
are narrower than the at least one filler unit 12. As a result, as
shown in FIGS. 6-7, the display container 10 comprises the at least
one first and second filler units 54a and 54b and the product units
14, such that the at least one first and second filler units 54a
and 54b and the product units 14 are positioned in the display
container 10 between each of the two pair of opposed parallel
container sides 20 and 22. For example, the at least one first and
second filler units 54a and 54b and the product units 14 may be
adjacently positioned, such that together the at least one first
and second filler units 54a and 54b and the product units 14 extend
between each of the two pair of opposed parallel container sides 20
and 22, i.e. the at least one first and second filler units 54a and
54b and the product units 14 fill the display container 10 between
each of the two pair of opposed parallel container sides 20 and
22.
[0030] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, a plurality 56 of
three product units 14 are arranged adjacent to the at least one
first and second filler units 54a and 54b similar to the
description pertaining to FIG. 4. Similarly, in the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 7, the first plurality 56 of three product units
14 are arranged adjacent to the at least one first and second
filler unites 54a and 54b similar to the description pertaining to
FIG. 5.
[0031] Although only the filler unit 12 and the second filler units
54a and 54b have been described, any one of a variety of different
sized filler units are contemplated by the current invention, such
that a single display container can accommodate product units that
are of a different size and/or shape than the product units 14
described above, and such that a single display container can
accommodate different display arrangements of the product
units.
[0032] In addition, although the display container 10 has been
described above as containing multiple units of the same product
units, the display container 10 may comprise multiple units of
different products having similar sizes and shapes. The display
container 10 may also comprise multiple units of different products
having different sizes and shapes, and/or multiple units of the
same product having different sizes and shapes.
[0033] In addition, the display container 10 of FIGS. 1-7 may
comprise at least one base filler. FIG. 8 shows an exploded
assembly view of one embodiment of the display container 10 (for
clarity the container top 16 is not shown). In the embodiment
depicted in FIG. 8, the display container 10 comprises a display
arrangement as described above with respect to FIG. 2. At least one
base filler 40 is disposed between the container base 18 and the
plurality of product units 14. For example, one of the at least one
base fillers 40 may be disposed between the container base 18 and
the first plurality 34 of product units 14. In one embodiment, the
one of the at least one base fillers 40, which is disposed between
the container base 18 and the first plurality 34 of product units
14, has a size and shape substantially similar to the size and
shape of the combined size and shape of a bottom side of the first
plurality 34 of product units 14. In addition, another one of the
at least one base fillers 40 may be disposed between the container
base 18 and the second plurality 38 of product units 14. In one
embodiment, the another one of the at least one base fillers 40,
which is disposed between the container base 18 and the second
plurality 38 of product units 14, has a size and shape
substantially similar to the size and shape of the combined size
and shape of a bottom side of the second plurality 38 of product
units 14.
[0034] FIG. 9 shows of an exploded assembly view of another
embodiment of the display container 10 (for clarity the container
top 16 is not shown.) In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 9, the
display container 10 is arranged as described above with respect to
FIG. 6. In addition, the display container 10 may comprise at least
one second base filler 57. The at least one second base filler 57
may be disposed between the container base 18 and the plurality of
product units 14. For example, one of the at least one second base
fillers 57 may be disposed between the container base 18 and the
first plurality 56 of product units 14. In one embodiment, the one
of the at least one second base fillers 40, which that is disposed
between the container base 18 and the first plurality 56 of product
units 14, has a size and shape substantially similar to the size
and shape of the combined size and shape of a bottom side of the
first plurality 56 of product units 14.
[0035] FIGS. 8 and 9 each show a protective pad 58. In the
embodiments depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the protective pad 58 is
disposed between the container top 16 and both the at least one
filler unit (filler unit 12 or second filler units 54a and 54b) and
the product units 14, such that the protective pad 58 fills the
display container 10 between each of the two pair of opposed
parallel container sides 20 and 22. However, in another embodiment,
the protective pad 58 may be disposed only between the plurality of
product units 14 and the container top 16.
[0036] FIG. 8A shows one embodiment of the display container 10,
wherein the at least one filler unit 12 and the product units 14
are substantially flush at a position in proximity to the container
top 16. Having the at least one filler unit 12 and the product
units 14 substantially flush at a position in proximity to the
container allows the protective pad 58 to be positioned between the
container top 16 and a top side of both the at least one filler
unit 12 and the product units 14. Similarly, in another embodiment
(not shown), the at least one second filler units 54a and 54b and
the product units 14 are substantially flush at a position in
proximity to the container top 16 so as to allow the protective pad
58 to be placed between the container top 16 and a top surface of
both the at least one filler units 54a and 54b and the product
units 14.
[0037] FIGS. 8 and 9 show dimensions, denoted W, L and H, for the
display container 10, the filler unit 12, the product unit 14, the
base filler 40, the second filler units 54a and 54b, the second
base filler 57, and the protective pad 58. Although other
dimensions may be used within the scope of the invention, exemplary
dimensions (in inches) are shown in the table below:
1 TABLE 1 Component W (in.) L (in.) H (in.) Display container 10
5.6 5.6 1.94 Filler unit 12 1.75 5.5 1.88 Product unit 14 1.86 2.73
0.25 Base filler 40 1.86 5.5 0.25 Second filler units 54a and 54b
1.31 5.5 1.88 Second base filler 57 2.73 5.5 0.25 Protective pad 58
5.47 5.47 0.06
[0038] The display container 10 may comprise at least one stack 42
of product units 14 whose upper side is disposed in proximity to
the container top 16 and extending towards the container base 18.
The stack 42 may comprise only product units 14, as is shown in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 10. Alternatively, in order to vary the
quantity of product units 14 that can be accommodated by the same
display container, at least one base filler 40 may be disposed
between the stack 42 and the container base 18 so as to make the
top side of the stack proximate to the container top 16. The top
side of the stack is proximate to the container top 16 for
aesthetic reasons such as to position the top side of the stack
substantially flush with the at least one filler unit 12 and also
to make the display container 10 appear full. Although the
preceding discussed described only the at least one base filler 40,
the preceding discussion also applies to the at least one second
base filler 57 as well.
[0039] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, the stack 42
comprises one product unit 14 and a plurality of the at least one
base filler 40. Each stack 42 may comprise any one of a variety of
combinations of the at least one base filler 40 and product units
14. Although the embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 shows a plurality
of the at least one base fillers 40, wherein each of the at least
one base fillers 40 is substantially equal in shape and size, a
single base filler having a size and shape equal to the combined
size and shape of the plurality of the at least one base fillers 40
could be used as an alternative to the plurality of the at least
one base fillers 40 of FIG. 11. Again, although the preceding
discussed described only the at least one base filler 40, the
preceding discussion also applies to the at least one second base
filler 57 as well.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a display
arrangement having four stacks 42 of product units 14. The
following table shows examples of combinations of filler unit 12
and product units 14 in each stack 42 that can be accommodated in
the display container 10.
2 TABLE 2 Base fillers Number of Product units beneath each Total
product stacks per stack stack units 4 4 4 16 4 5 3 20 4 6 2 24 4 7
1 28 4 8 0 32
[0041] Although table 2 makes reference only to FIG. 2, a similar
table of varying product unit quantities per display container can
be created for each display arrangement shown in FIGS. 3-7 as
well.
[0042] FIG. 12 shows a section of one embodiment of the at least
one filler unit 12. As shown, the at least one filler unit 12
comprises a top surface 60 and two opposed parallel sides 62
attached to the top surface 60.
[0043] FIG. 13 shows a section of one embodiment of the at least
one second filler units 54a and 54b. As shown, each of the at least
one second filler unit 54a and 54b comprises a top surface 64 and
two opposed parallel sides 66 attached to the top surface 64.
[0044] FIG. 14 shows a section of one embodiment of the at least
one base filler 40. As shown, the at least one base filler 40
comprises a top surface 68 and two opposed parallel sides 70
attached to the top surface 68. In one embodiment, the rectangular
outer perimeter of the at least one base filler 40 is the same size
and shape as the rectangular outer perimeter of the product units
14.
[0045] FIG. 15 shows a section of one embodiment of the at least
one second base filler 57. As shown, the at least one second base
filler 57 comprises a top surface 72 and two opposed parallel sides
74 attached to the top surface 72. In one embodiment, the
rectangular outer perimeter of the at least one second base filler
57 is the same size and shape as the rectangular outer perimeter of
the product units 14.
[0046] Although each of the at least one filler units 12, each of
the at least one second filler units 54, each of the at least one
base filler 40 and each of the at least one second base filler 57
have been described as having three sides, any or all of the
preceding components may comprise four sides having two pair of
opposed parallel sides, five sides having two pair of opposed
parallel sides and a top between the sides, or six sides having two
pair of opposed parallel sides, and a top and base between the
sides. In addition, each of these components may be comprised of
any one of a variety of materials, such as paperboard, plastic,
foam or styrofoam, among other materials. Any or all of these
components may also comprise a decorative coating. In the
embodiments shown, the material is paperboard.
[0047] As depicted in the flow chart of FIG. 16, another embodiment
of the present invention is a method of assembling the display
container. As shown, provided is a supply 200 of display
containers, a supply 300 of filler units, a supply 400 of base
fillers and a supply 500 of product units. Steps 600 to 900 show
one embodiment of a method of assembling the display container,
comprising selecting a display container from the supply 200 of
display containers at step 600. At step 700 at least one base
filler is selected from the supply 400 of base fillers and
positioned in the display container. At step 800 a plurality of
product units is selected from the supply 500 of product units and
positioned on the at least one base filler. At step 900, at least
one filler unit is selected from the supply of filler units 300 and
positioned in the display container.
[0048] Steps 1000 to 1300 show another embodiment of a method for
assembling the display container, comprising selecting a display
container from the supply 200 of display containers at step 1000.
At step 1100, at least one filler unit is selected from the supply
of filler units 300 and positioned in the display container. At
step 1200 at least one base filler is selected from the supply 400
of base fillers and positioned in the display container. At step
1300 a plurality of product units is selected from the supply 500
of product units and positioned on the at least one base
filler.
[0049] In either of steps 600 to 900 or step 1000-1300, a container
having filler units, product units, and base fillers is formed as
discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-15. In another embodiment of a
method for assembling the display container, provided is the
container 10 comprising the parallel top 16 and base 18 and two
pair of opposed parallel sides 20 and 22 between the top 16 and the
base 18. At least one filler unit 12 is selected from a supply of
filler units 12, wherein each filler unit 12 has a rectangular
perimeter. A plurality of product units 14 is selected from a
supply of product units 14, wherein each product unit 14 has a
rectangular perimeter. The selected at least one filler unit 12 and
the selected plurality of product units 14 are positioned in the
container, such that the at least one filler unit 12 and the
plurality of product units 14 are positioned side by side and
together extend between each of the two pair of opposed parallel
sides 20 and 22, and wherein the first side 30F of the first one
12F of the at least one filler unit 12 is adjacent to first sides
32 of the first plurality 34 of the product units 12, such that the
first side 30F of the first one 12F of the at least one filler unit
12 and the first sides 32 of the first plurality 34 of the product
units 12 extend between a second of the two pair of opposed
parallel sides 22.
[0050] The preceding description has been presented with references
to presently preferred embodiments of the invention. Persons
skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains
will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described
structures and methods of operation can be practiced without
meaningfully departing from the principle, spirit and scope of this
invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be
read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and
shown in the accompanying drawings, but rather should be read as
consistent with and as support for the following claims, which are
to have their fullest and fairest scope.
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