U.S. patent application number 10/295257 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-20 for packaging system for display and distribution of products.
Invention is credited to Dailey, Robert W. III.
Application Number | 20040094437 10/295257 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32297144 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040094437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dailey, Robert W. III |
May 20, 2004 |
Packaging system for display and distribution of products
Abstract
A packaging system for display and distribution of products is
disclosed in which a container with an interior has a window
capable of displaying the products in the interior and a dispenser
through which the products may be selectively removed from the
container. The container also has one or more angled surfaces
positioned in the interior to direct the movement of products
within the container toward the window or the dispenser upon
removal of some of the products from within the container.
Inventors: |
Dailey, Robert W. III;
(Mentor, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CALFEE HALTER & GRISWOLD, LLP
800 SUPERIOR AVENUE
SUITE 1400
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
32297144 |
Appl. No.: |
10/295257 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/205 ;
206/494; 206/775; 206/812 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4204 20130101;
B65D 83/0805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/205 ;
206/775; 206/812; 206/494 |
International
Class: |
B65D 081/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A packaging system for display and distribution of products,
comprising, a. a container having a top, a bottom, and at least one
side defining an interior; b. a window, capable of displaying the
products in the interior, disposed in the at least one side; c. a
dispenser, through which products may be selectively removed from
the container, disposed in the at least one side at a selected
location removed from the window; d. at least one inclined surface
positioned in the interior; e. wherein the products are visible
through the window and available for removal through the dispenser
and as products are removed, gravity forces the remaining products
to displace downwardly along the inclined surface toward the window
and the dispenser.
2. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container has four
sides, and is in the form of a rectangular prism.
3. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the at least one
inclined surface is on an insert positioned in the interior.
4. The packaging system of claim 3, wherein the insert is comprised
of cardboard.
5. The packaging system of claim 3, wherein the insert has a form
of an inverted vee, a triangular prism, or a rectangular
pyramid.
6. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
top, bottom, and side have an openable and closeable portion to
provide an opening through which products may be placed in the
interior of the container.
7. The packaging system of claim 1, where in the products are cloth
wipers.
8. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container is
cylindrical.
9. The packaging system of claim 8, wherein the at least one
inclined surface is provided on a conical insert.
10. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the window is an
opening in the side in which a transparent or semi-transparent pane
is secured.
11. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the pane is acetate,
mylar, or plastic.
12. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the dispenser
comprises a removable portion of the container.
13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein the removable portion
is an area of the container that is perforated for removal.
14. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the products may be
viewed through the window while removing products from the
container.
15. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the inclined surface
is configured such that gravity causes movement of the products
substantially only toward a single side upon selective partial
removal of products from the container.
16. The packaging system of claim 15, wherein the window and the
dispenser are disposed on the single side.
17. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the inclined surface
is integrally formed as part of the container.
18. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container is
comprised of cardboard.
19. A packaging system for display and distribution of cloth wipers
comprising, a. a cardboard box having an openable and closable top,
a bottom, and four sides; b. a plastic window, capable of
displaying the cloth wipers, disposed in a first side; c. a
dispenser, through which the cloth wipers may be selectively
removed from the box, disposed in a second side; d. a tent-shaped
insert positioned inside the box, the insert having one edge
disposed toward the top; e. wherein the cloth wipers are visible in
the window and available for removal through the dispenser and, as
wipers are removed, gravity forces the remaining wipers to displace
downwardly toward the window or the dispenser.
20. A packaging system for display and distribution of products
comprising: a. a container having a top, a bottom, and at least one
side; b. means for viewing the products through the at least one
side; c. means for selectively removing products from the
container; and d. means for automatically directing products
remaining in the container toward the viewing means or the removal
means as the products are selectively removed.
21. A container having a window through which products in the
container may be viewed and a dispenser through which the products
may be selectively withdrawn, the container further comprising an
angled portion therein to direct the movement of products therein
after partial withdrawal of the products through the dispenser.
22. A box for containing and displaying products, the box
comprising: a. A bottom panel, a first side panel, a second side
panel, a front panel, and a back panel, the side panels attached to
the front panel and the back panel defining an interior space of
the box; b. A transparent or semi-transparent window disposed in
the front panel for viewing the products in the interior space; and
c. A dispenser disposed in the back panel, the first side panel,
the second side panel, or the front panel for selectively removing
products from the interior space.
23. The box of claim 22, further comprising at least one angled
portion in the interior space configured to automatically move the
products toward the window or the dispenser as products are
selectively removed through the dispenser.
24. The box of claim 23, wherein the bottom panel comprises the at
least one angled portion.
25. The box of claim 22, further comprising an angled insert
resting on the bottom panel in the interior space, the angled
insert configured to move products remaining in the interior toward
the window or the dispenser as products are selectively removed
through the dispenser.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of containers
and, more specifically, to containers that provide for dispensing
and viewing the contents therein.
[0002] Typically, systems for packaging products such as cloth rags
or wipers include a cardboard box or other container with an
openable and closeable top panel. Products are placed into the box
via the top panel and the top panel is closed. The products may be
discrete pieces, such as cloth rags or wipers, that an end user or
purchaser may desire to remove from the box one at a time, either
for purchase or for use. To inspect or remove such products from
the container, the user or purchaser must open the top panel of the
container.
[0003] Some packaging systems include a container with an aperture
or other dispensing mechanism to enable a user or purchaser to
remove one or more products from the box without opening the top
panel. Other packaging systems include a container having a
transparent or semi-transparent window enabling the user or
purchaser to visually inspect the products prior to removing one or
more products.
[0004] As individual products are removed from the container, the
remaining products do not automatically move to a location nearer
the aperture or the window to enable the user to easily inspect or
remove products from the container. Thus, pockets of products may
form within the container such that products are not easily
accessible from the dispensing mechanism or visible through the
window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a packaging system for
display and distribution of contents, such as cloth rags and wipers
or other discrete products, in which there is a container having a
top, bottom, and at least one side. The container includes a
window, capable of displaying the products therein, disposed in at
least one side of the container, and a dispenser, through which the
products may be selectively removed from the container, disposed in
the bottom or the at least one side at a selected location removed
from the window.
[0006] An insert having at least one inclined surface is positioned
inside the container, the insert having a broad portion that rests
on the bottom of the container and being tapered from that broad
portion upwardly to a narrow portion. Alternatively, the container
itself may have an angled portion formed integrally therewith which
provides one or more inclined or angled surfaces within the
container.
[0007] The products within the container are visible through the
window and available for removal through the dispenser. When
individual products are removed from the container through the
dispenser, the remaining products are automatically forced downward
by gravity, because the insert or integral angled portion provides
at least one inclined surface on which the remaining products slide
downwards. In this manner, the products are made available for
viewing through the window and for removal through the dispenser
without causing pockets of products to form in the box removed from
the window or the dispenser. The degree of visibility and
availability of the products for removal may depend on the location
of the dispenser and window in the at least one side of the
container and the geometric configuration of the insert or integral
angled portion.
[0008] The invention also includes a method of displaying products,
in which a container as described is positioned such that the
window is viewable by a user or purchaser and the dispenser is
reachable by the user or purchaser. Thus, a user or a purchaser may
simultaneously inspect the products within the container and remove
individual products from the container. When the container no
longer contains products, then the container is disposed of
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in accordance
with the present invention, illustrating a cubical container with a
window in the front, a dispenser in the back, and a tent-shaped or
vee-shaped surface therein;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a cylindrical container having a
window, a dispenser, and a conical surface therein;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention illustrating a cubical container having a window,
a dispenser on an adjacent side, and an angled aurface therein;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention in which the window and the dispenser are located
on the same side of a cubical container with an angled or ramp-like
surface therein; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention in which the inclined surfaces are part of a
rectangular pyramid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present invention is directed to a packaging system in
which products within a container are visible to a user or
purchaser and may be individually selectively removed from the
container by the user or purchaser. While the invention is
applicable to any discrete products placed within a container, it
is particularly applicable to and will be described in an exemplary
manner as it relates to wipers, particularly cloth wipers.
[0015] Use of the terms "inclined" or "angled" surface or face
indicate a surface that is disposed at a positive angle relative to
a horizontal base or bottom of the container. The surface need not
be of regular geometry and may include portions having varying
curvatures. At least one portion must provide a positive angle. Use
of the term "or" herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive
use. See BRYAN A. GARNER, A DICTIONARY OF MODERN LEGAL USAGE, p.
624. (2d Ed. 1995).
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a packaging system 10 of
the present invention, in which a container 12 has a top panel 14,
a front panel 16, a back panel 18, opposing side panels 20, and a
bottom panel 22. These panels define an interior to the container
12. Products, such as cloth wipers, may be placed in within the
interior of the container 12.
[0017] The container 12 also provides for an opening (not shown)
through which products may be placed into the container 12 prior to
removal of products through the dispenser 26. Preferably, this is
by providing top panel 14 as an openable and closeable panel, but
may also be provided by having front panel 16, back panel 18,
opposing side panels 20, or bottom panel 22 to be openable and
closeable, or to have an openable and closeable portion thereof, or
by some other manner providing an opening into the interior of the
container 12 through which products may be inserted. Provision for
placement of products into the interior of the container 12 may be
completed in any conventional manner without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention.
[0018] A window 24 is disposed in the front panel 16 such that the
products in the interior of the container 12 may be viewed through
the window 24 by the user or purchaser. The back panel 18 has a
dispenser 26 disposed thereon through which products in the
interior of the container 12 may be selectively removed.
[0019] An insert 28 is disposed in the interior of the container 12
to provide one or more inclined surfaces or faces 30 on which some
of the products will rest after being placed in the container 12.
In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1, the insert 28 is
tent-shaped or inverted vee-shaped with a peak aligned parallel to
the front panel 16 and the back panel 18. The faces 30 of the
tent-shaped insert 28 are disposed at an angle relative to the
planes of the front panel 16 and the back panel 18 such that, as
products are selectively removed through the dispenser 26, the
remaining products slide down the faces 30 of the tent-shaped
insert 28 toward the window 24 and the dispenser 26.
[0020] The present invention is not limited to containers having a
top panel 14, a front panel 16, a back panel 18, opposing side
panels 20, and a bottom panel 22, but includes containers of any
shape. Likewise, the insert 28 may be of any suitable geometric
configuration to provide one or more angled or inclined faces to
automatically direct the movement of products toward the window 24
or the dispenser 26 upon selective, partial removal of products
through the dispenser 26. The insert 28 could be of irregular
geometric configuration or include surfaces having varying
curvature.
[0021] The geometric shape and placement of the insert 28 within
the container 12 will depend upon the geometric shape of the
container 12 and the placement of the window 24 and the dispenser
26 and may be selected without departing from the spirit or scope
of the invention, so long as there is at least one inclined surface
30 that directs the products toward the window 24 or the dispenser
26 upon selective removal of some products from the interior of the
container 12. The window 24 and the dispenser 26 may be located on
any panel of the container, and are not limited to the front panel
16 and the back panel 18.
[0022] One of ordinary skill in the art may determine the placement
and geometric configuration of the insert 28 to accommodate
selectively directing product movement toward the window 24 or the
dispenser 26 or both for any geometrical configuration of the
container 12 without undue experimentation. The insert 28 may be of
a solid geometric configuration, such as a solid triangular prism,
or of a hollow configuration to provide only the angled surface 30,
such as a tent-shaped configuration.
[0023] Also, insert 28 need not have a bottom surface, and it
doesn't have to rest on the bottom of the container. For example,
in FIG. 1, the insert 28 may be a rectangular piece of cardboard or
other material folded to provide two faces 30. This is also an
inverted vee shape. The folded cardboard is then inserted into the
interior of the container 12 such that it rests upon the bottom
panel 22 of the container 12 with the insert 28 upwardly tapered
from the broad portion of the insert resting on the bottom and the
inclined faces 30 providing the surfaces down which the products
will slide.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the packaging
system 10 of the present invention wherein the container 12 is
cylindrical and the top panel 14 and the bottom panel 22 are
circular. In this embodiment, there is a single side panel 20 that
constitutes the side of the cylinder. The window 24 and the
dispenser 26 are disposed in the side panel 20 at locations removed
from each other. The window 24 and the dispenser 26 may be located
on opposite sides of the cylindrical container 12 or may be located
closely together on the side panel 20. In an embodiment in which
the window 24 and the dispenser 26 are located substantially
opposite each other on the side panel 20, the insert 28 is
preferably conical. The insert may be provided in a tent-shaped
configuration similar to the embodiment described with respect to
FIG. 1, but with a circular bottom to match bottom panel 22 or with
any geometry that enables the insert to present at least one
inclined surface 30 to automatically direct the movement of
products after selective removal of products through the dispenser
26.
[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in which the container 12 is a rectangular prism, similar
to the container 12 in FIG. 1, with the window 24 and the dispenser
26 disposed on adjacent panels. In such a configuration, it would
be advantageous if the insert 28 is configured with a planar
triangular configuration to provide an angled surface or face 30 to
direct movement of the products within the container 12 toward both
the window 24 and the dispenser 26 upon selective removal of
products through the dispenser 26.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in which the container 12 is a rectangular prism, similar
to the container 12 in FIG. 1, and the window 24 and the dispenser
26 are disposed on the same panel. This panel could be the front
panel 16, the back panel 18, or the side panel 20. In this
embodiment it is preferable to provide an insert 28 having a
substantially rectangular planar configuration, or ramp-like
configuration such that the angled surface or face 30 directs the
movement of the products within the container 12 toward both the
window 24 and the dispenser 26 upon selective removal of products
through the dispenser 26.
[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present
invention in which the container 12 is a rectangular prism, and the
insert 28 is a rectangular pyramid, providing faces 30 to direct
the movement of products toward the window 24 and the dispenser 26
upon selective removal of the products through the dispenser
26.
[0028] The present invention includes a method of displaying
products in which the container 12 as described above is placed in
a location and positioned such that the user or purchaser may
simultaneously view the products within the container 12 through
the window 24 and remove products from the container 12 through the
dispenser 26. Thus, a user may simultaneously inspect the products,
allowing validation of the quality of the products, and remove
individual products from the container. When the products have been
completely removed from the container 12, the container 12 may be
disposed of in any conventional manner.
[0029] The container 12 and the insert 28 may be made of any
suitable material, and, preferably, the insert 28 is made from the
same material as the container 12. In a preferred embodiment, the
material of container 12 and insert 28 is cardboard, but any
conventional material is suitable, including cardboard, paperboard,
boxboard, wood, particle board, plastic, metal, or the like. It is
advantageous that the insert 28 has sufficient load bearing
capability to support the weight of the products to be placed in
the interior of the container 12. For example, insert 28 may be
made of sturdy corrugate cardboard to support the weight of the
products in the interior of the container 12.
[0030] The window 24 may be of any design and material suitable to
allow a user or purchaser to see the products within the container
12, and is either transparent or semi-transparent. Preferably, the
window 24 is an opening in a panel of the container 12 in which a
transparent or semi-transparent pane is secured. Preferably the
pane is plastic, and may be acetate, mylar, polypropylene,
polyvinyl chloride, or any other material that provides a
transparent or semi-transparent medium through which the products
in the interior of the container 12 may be viewed. The pane may be
secured in the panel in any conventional manner. The window 24 may
be any shape without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention. The window 24 illustrated in the Figures is
rectangular.
[0031] The dispenser 26 may be of any configuration and design
allowing for selective removal of products from the interior of the
container 12. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser 26 is a
removable portion of the area of the panel of the container 12.
Most preferably, this removable area is defined by perforations,
which allow the separation and removal of the removable portion to
enable access to the products in the interior of the container 12.
In another embodiment, the dispenser 26 is a hinged flap through
which the products may be selectively removed from the interior of
the container 12.
[0032] With a suitably configured dispenser, such as having an
elastic opening that provides for insertion of a user's hand into
the interior, but closes upon removal of the hand to prevent
products from unintentionally leaving the interior of the container
12, the dispenser 26 even could be located on the bottom panel
22.
[0033] The dispenser 26 may be of any desired geometry without
departing from the sprit or scope of the invention. As illustrated
in the Figures, the dispenser 26 is circular. The geometry may be
selected based upon cost, materials, convenience, or any other
criteria without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention.
[0034] Another embodiment of the present invention is the integral
formation of the insert 28 with the container 12 such that when the
container 12 is configured for receipt of products therein, at
least one inclined surface 30 is in place and attached to or part
of portions of the interior of container 12. Thus, it is
unnecessary to provide a separate insert 28 to place in the
interior of the container 12 to provide a surface or surfaces 30 to
direct the movement of the products within the container 12 upon
selective partial removal of products through the dispenser 26
because the surface or surfaces 30 are integral with the container
12.
[0035] Other embodiments of the present invention include
containers having more than one window 24 or more than one
dispenser 26. Inserts 28 of pyramidal configuration, such as
illustrated in FIG. 5, would be particularly suitable for
containers having windows 24 on two adjacent panels or dispensers
26 on two adjacent panels. The window 24 or the dispenser 26 may
also be located at a corner of two panels such that a portion of
the window 24 or the dispenser 26 is disposed on both panels. In
such a case, an inclined surface 30 similar to that illustrated in
FIG. 3 would be suitable to direct the remaining products toward
the corner of the container 12.
[0036] While the present invention has been illustrated by the
above description of embodiments, and while the embodiments have
been described in some detail, it is not the intention of the
applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the
invention to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications
will readily appear to those skilled in the art, for example, use
of an alternate geometry for the container 12 or the insert 28.
Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to
the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and
illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures
may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or
scope of the applicant's general or inventive concept.
* * * * *