U.S. patent application number 10/631646 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for shipping and display system.
Invention is credited to Marnocha, Craig M..
Application Number | 20050023168 10/631646 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34395788 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050023168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marnocha, Craig M. |
February 3, 2005 |
Shipping and display system
Abstract
A light-weight, disposable and re-cycleable base for shipping
and displaying multiple product packaging units, and which may be
capable of supporting relatively heavy product loads. Several
corrugated fiberboard support units having an internal brace
element may be secured to each other to create a base. The base is
placed upon a pallet and one or more layers of product cases
containing the product to be shipped and displayed are placed on
top of the base. Advertising graphics advertising the product to be
displayed and sold may be placed on the exterior of the base or on
a sleeve or wrap secured to the base for that purpose. The base and
products may be secured together by for shipping. The entire system
may be loaded by forklift into a standard trailer and a second unit
may be loaded directly on top of the first unit. The units may be
shipped to the end user, unloaded and placed directly on a sales
floor display and sale of the products.
Inventors: |
Marnocha, Craig M.; (DePere,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
P.O. BOX 10395
CHICAGO
IL
60610
US
|
Family ID: |
34395788 |
Appl. No.: |
10/631646 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/386 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/48024 20130101;
B65D 2571/00037 20130101; B65D 71/0096 20130101; B65D 5/445
20130101; B65D 2571/00018 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/386 |
International
Class: |
B65D 069/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A light-weight, disposable base for use in a product shipping
and display system, said base comprising at least two corrugated
fiberboard support units each having at least one corrugated
fiberboard internal brace element, where the total compression
strength of the base is at least about 1500 lbs, and the
compression strength of the base is at least 100 lbs per square
foot of top surface area of the base.
2. The base of claim 1 where the total compression strength of the
base is at least about 2000 lbs.
3. The base of claim 2 where the total compression strength of the
base is at least about 3000 lbs.
4. The base of claim 1 wherein the compression strength of the base
is at least 150 per square foot of top surface area of the
base.
5. The base of claim 4 wherein the compression strength of the base
is at least 200 per square foot of top surface area of the
base.
6. The base of claim 1 where the compression strength of each
support unit is at least about 100 lbs per square foot of top
surface area of the support unit.
7. The base of claim 6 where the compression strength of each
support unit is at least about 200 lbs per square foot of top
surface area of the support unit.
8. The base of claim 7 where the compression strength of each
support unit is at least about 300 lbs per square foot of top
surface area of the support unit.
9. The base of claim 1 where the total compression strength of the
brace element is from about 100 lbs to about 1200 lbs.
10. The base of claim 1 wherein the base comprises four corrugated
fiberboard support units of substantially identical dimensions.
11. The base of claim 1 where the corrugated fiberboard has an ECT
of at least 32.
12. The base of claim 1 where the corrugated fiberboard has an ECT
of at least 40.
13. The base of claim 1 where the corrugated fiberboard has an ECT
of at least 44.
14. The support unit of claim 1 where the internal brace element
comprises a plurality of brace members.
15. The support unit of claim 14 where internal brace element
comprises at least one brace member that is co-extensive with at
least one support unit side wall.
16. The support structure of claim 15 where the internal brace
element further comprises at least one brace member that divides
the interior of the support unit.
17. The support unit of claim 16 wherein the internal brace element
comprises four members that are each co-extensive with an internal
side wall of the support unit and at least one member that divides
the interior of the support unit into at least two
compartments.
18. The base of claim 11 where the support units comprise
corrugated fiberboard selected from the group consisting of A, B,
C, E or F-fluted corrugated fiberboard and combinations
thereof.
19. The base of claim 18 where the support units comprise
corrugated fiberboard selected from the group consisting of
single-wall, double-wall or triple wall corrugated fiberboard and
combinations thereof.
20. The base of claim 18 where the support units comprise C-fluted,
single-wall corrugated fiberboard.
21. A system for shipping and displaying products comprising: a) a
pallet, b) a base, and c) at least one product container secured to
the base, d) where the base comprises at least two adjacent
non-product containing corrugated fiberboard support units, each
support unit having an internal brace element within the support
unit and a compression strength of at least 150 lbs per square foot
of top surface area the support unit.
22. The system of claim 21 where the base has a total compression
strength of at least 2000 lbs.
23. The system of claim 21 where the base has a total compression
strength of at least 3000 lbs
24. A light-weight, disposable structure for use in a product
shipping and display system, said structure comprising four
non-product containing corrugated fiberboard support units each
having at least one corrugated fiberboard internal brace element,
where the support units have been secured to one another to form
the structure, and where the structure will support at least 3000
lbs without collapsing.
25. The structure of claim 24 where the structure will support at
least 4000 lbs without collapsing.
26. The structure of claim 24 where the structure will support at
least 5000 lbs without collapsing.
27. The structure of claim 24 where the structure will support
about 6000 lbs without collapsing.
28. A product shipping and display system comprising: a) a first
shipping and display unit comprising: i) a first pallet, ii) a
first corrugated corrugated fiberboard base placed on the pallet,
iii) a plurality of product containers placed on and secured to a
top surface of the base, and b) a second shipping and display unit
comprising: i) a second pallet placed on the product containers,
ii) a second corrugated corrugated fiberboard base placed on the
second pallet, and iii) a second plurality of product containers
placed on and secured to a top surface of the second base, c)
wherein the first and second bases comprise a plurality of
substantially empty corrugated fiberboard support units each having
an internal brace element and a compression strength of at least
150 lbs per square foot of the top surface of each support unit,
and where the first shipping and display unit supports the second
shipping and display unit during transit of the units without
collapsing.
29. A method of shipping consumer products comprising: a) securing
at least two substantially empty corrugated corrugated fiberboard
support units each having an internal brace element to one another
to form a base; b) placing the base onto a pallet; c) placing at
least one layer of product containing units onto the base; d)
securing the product containing units to the base to form a
combined pallet, base and product container shipping unit; and e)
shipping the shipping unit to a merchandiser.
30. The method of claim 29 comprising placing a second shipping
unit on top of the first shipping unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field.
[0002] This application relates to a product shipping display
system. In particular, the present invention relates to a
light-weight, disposable and re-cycleable shipping and display
stand support structure for the shipping and displaying of
products.
[0003] 2. Related Art.
[0004] The expenses associated with shipping and displaying retail
products that are typically sold in grocery stores, drug stores,
and other similar retail operations are a large part of the overall
cost of merchandising such products.
[0005] Shipping and display stands formed of foldable sheet
material, such as paperboard or corrugated board, are known for use
in the shipping and display of merchandise items for sale in retail
outlets. Shipping and display stands include pallet based units
upon which multiple cases of products are stacked and secured to
the pallet by various methods, including shrink wrapping,
corrugated pallet wraps and the like. These shipping and display
units utilize the actual product containing boxes to support and
display products. The product cases are shipped on the pallet to
the end user and placed on the sales floor as a display unit.
[0006] In use, the top boxes are cut open to permit customers to
access the products therein. As the products in the uppermost layer
of boxes are depleted, the empty boxes are removed and the next
layer of boxes is opened. As product box layers are removed from
the unit, the height of the unit correspondingly decreases. Unless
product cases are continually replenished, to obtain products from
the bottommost layers of the unit, consumers must bend over and
reach into the product boxes for the product. Replenishment of
empty cases in the topmost layers requires the added effort of
rotating older products on the bottommost layers to the top so as
to avoid the risk of newer products being sold first, thus
increasing the expense of using such units. This is particularly
important in the case of perishable or dated items. Those items
that are not rotated to the top layers of the unit may expire or
spoil and, thus, become unsuitable for sale to consumers and have
to been thrown out, resulting in product waste.
[0007] Other product support and display units are constructed of
metal, plastic, or other material and may be bulky, heavy or
difficult to dispose of when no longer needed. Further product
support and display units have included corrugated units for the
support and display of products. These units may be light-weight
and disposable, however, these units are not capable of supporting
the shipment of one or more pallets of product cases, or are
limited in the amount of weight the unit can hold before
collapsing, either in transit or at the end retail location.
Further, these product support and display units require
complicated assembly or disassembly by the retail outlet using such
units.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a light-weight, reusable, and
re-cycleable product shipping and product display system that can
is capable of supporting relatively heavy loads through multiple
shipping and display cycles.
SUMMARY
[0009] This invention relates to a re-usable support base for a
combination product shipping and retail product display system. In
particular, the invention relates to a light-weight, disposable and
re-cycleable base for shipping and displaying multiple product
packaging units, and which may be capable of supporting relatively
heavy product loads. The shipping and display system may be
re-usable through multiple shipping and displaying cycles of the
same or different products.
[0010] In a first aspect, the invention is a light-weight,
disposable base for use in a product shipping and display system,
said base comprising at least two corrugated fiberboard support
units each having at least one corrugated fiberboard internal brace
element, where the total compression strength of the base is at
least about 1500 lbs, and the compression strength of the base is
at least 100 lbs per square foot of top surface area of the
base.
[0011] In a second aspect, the invention is a system for shipping
and displaying products comprising a pallet, a base, and at least
one product container secured to the base, where the base comprises
at least two adjacent non-product containing corrugated fiberboard
support units, each support unit having an internal brace element
within the support unit and a compression strength of at least 150
lbs per square foot of top surface area the support unit.
[0012] In a third aspect, the invention is a light-weight,
disposable structure for use in a product shipping and display
system, said structure comprising four non-product containing
corrugated fiberboard support units each having at least one
corrugated fiberboard internal brace element, where the support
units have been secured to one another to form the structure, and
where the structure will support at least 3000 lbs without
collapsing.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the invention is a product shipping
and display system comprising (a) a first shipping and display unit
including a first pallet, a first corrugated corrugated fiberboard
base placed on the pallet, a plurality of product containers placed
on and secured to a top surface of the base, and (b) a second
shipping and display unit including a second pallet placed on the
product containers, a second corrugated corrugated fiberboard base
placed on the second pallet, and a second plurality of product
containers placed on and secured to a top surface of the second
base, where the first and second bases comprise a plurality of
substantially empty corrugated fiberboard support units each having
an internal brace element and a compression strength of at least
150 lbs per square foot of the top surface of each support unit,
and where the first shipping and display unit supports the second
shipping and display unit during transit of the units without
collapsing.
[0014] In still another aspect, the invention is a method of
shipping consumer products comprising securing at least two
substantially empty corrugated corrugated fiberboard support units
each having an internal brace element to one another to form a
base; placing the base onto a pallet; placing at least one layer of
product containing units onto the base; securing the product
containing units to the base to form a combined pallet, base and
product container shipping unit; and shipping the shipping unit to
a merchandiser.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, several corrugated fiberboard
support units having an internal weight bearing support structure
are secured to each other to create the base. The base is placed
upon a pallet and one or more layers of product cases containing
the product to be shipped and displayed are placed on top of the
base. Advertising graphics advertising the product to be displayed
and sold may be placed on the exterior of the base or on a sleeve
or wrap secured to the base for that purpose. At least the base and
products may be secured together by, for example stretch or shrink
wrap, for shipping. The entire unit may be loaded by forklift into
a standard trailer and a second unit may be loaded directly on top
of the first unit. The units may be shipped to the end user,
unloaded and placed directly on a sales floor display and sale of
the products.
[0016] Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the
invention will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected
by the following claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following drawings and description. The components in the figures
are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the
figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts
throughout the different views.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shipping and display
system according to the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base on a pallet used in
the shipping and display system of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base secured by a securing
wrap used in the shipping and display system of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top view of a support unit, shown with top flaps
opened, used in the shipping and display system of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 5A is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating one embodiment of an internal brace element used in
the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0023] FIG. 5B is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
second embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 5C is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
third embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 5D is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
fourth embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0026] FIG. 5E is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
fifth embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 5F is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
sixth embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0028] FIG. 5G is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
seventh embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0029] FIG. 5H is a schematic drawing of a support unit with a
eighth embodiment of an internal brace element used in the support
unit of FIG. 4.
[0030] FIG. 5I is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating a ninth embodiment of an internal brace element used
in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 5J is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating a tenth embodiment of an internal brace element used
in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0032] FIG. 5K is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating an eleventh embodiment of an internal brace element
used in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0033] FIG. 5L is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating a twelfth embodiment of an internal brace element used
in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0034] FIG. 5M is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating a thirteenth embodiment of an internal brace element
used in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0035] FIG. 5N is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating a fourteenth embodiment of an internal brace element
used in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0036] FIG. 5O is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating an fifteenth embodiment of an internal brace element
used in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0037] FIG. 5P is a schematic drawing of a support unit
illustrating a sixteenth embodiment of an internal brace element
used in the support unit of FIG. 4.
[0038] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a single wall corrugated
medium used for the support unit and the internal brace elements of
FIGS. 5A-5P.
[0039] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of a double wall corrugated
medium used for the support unit and the internal brace elements of
FIGS. 5A-5P.
[0040] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of a triple wall corrugated
medium used for the support unit and the internal brace elements of
FIGS. 5A-5P.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0041] The preferred shipping and display system 10, as shown in
FIG. 1, includes a base 12, a pallet 14, and an advertising element
16, such as a sleeve or decals. Product containers 18, for example
boxes containing products to be shipped and sold to a retailer, may
be stacked in single or multiple layers on top of base 12 and
secured to base 12 for shipping to the retailer. The product
containers 18 may be secured to the base 12 by any means known to
those of skill in the art. For example, the product containers 18
may be secured to the base 12 by means of shrink wrap, stretch wrap
or other like material. The shipping and display system 10 then may
be loaded onto a vehicle and shipped to the retailer for display
and sale of the products.
[0042] Base 12 may include a plurality of corrugated fiberboard
support units 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Base 12 includes at least two
and preferably four support units 20. The support units 20 may be
secured together to form base 12. Support units 20 may be secured
to each other by any means including adhesive, ultrasonic bonding,
staples, tape or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, support units 20 may
be secured to form base 12 by a securing wrap 22 that is placed at
least around the outer perimeter of the support units 20. The
securing wrap 22 also may be placed over at least the top edges 24
of the base 12 as shown in FIG. 3. The securing wrap 22 also may be
placed over at least the bottom edges of base 12 or may merely
surround the perimeter of base 12. The securing wrap 22 may be
sealed or attached to the base 12 by adhesive, or other known means
of securement such as staples, ultrasonic bonds, tape, or the like.
The securing wrap 22 may also be shrink-wrap, stretch wrap, or a
pre-made sleeve of material constructed to the dimensions of the
combined support units. If the support units 20 are secured by
alternative means, securing wrap 22 may not be necessary.
[0043] Support units 20 may be corrugated fiberboard boxes of
identical dimensions. Differently sized support units are also
contemplated. As shown in FIG. 2, support units 20 may be sized
such that the surface area covered by the combined units is
substantially equal to the surface area of a standard sized pallet
of about 48 inches by 40 inches. For example, the outside
dimensions of each of the units 20 may be from about 15 to about 30
inches in length, from about 15 to about 30 inches in width, and
from about 20 to about 25 inches in height. In another example, the
units may be from about 20 to about 25 inches in width, from about
20 to about 25 inches in length, and from about 20 to about 25
inches in height. The support units 20 are not intended to contain
any product or other saleable item. As shown in FIG. 2, the support
units 20 may be sealed empty, as shown in FIG. 4, and then secured
together to form base 12.
[0044] The support units 20 may be of any geometric shape. For
example, support units 20 may be square or rectangular, though
other geometric shapes such as triangles may be used to form bases
of unique shapes. For example, five triangular support units could
be used to form a pentagonally shaped base, six triangular support
units could be combined to form a hexagon or other desired
configuration.
[0045] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the support units 20 may
include a floor 26, cover flaps 28, side walls 30, and at least one
internal brace element 32. Internal brace element 32 may be of any
configuration and positioned in the interior of each support unit
20. The internal brace element 32 may include one or more walls
along the interior perimeter of the unit 20 and/or walls dividing
the interior of the support unit 20 into one or more compartments.
For example, a single wall may comprise the internal brace element
32 and may bisect the interior of the support unit 20 into two
separate compartments. As shown in FIG. 5N, a single diagonal
element may bisect support unit 20 into two triangular
compartments. Alternatively, a single horizontal or vertical
element may bisect the interior of the support unit into two square
or rectangular components. As shown in FIGS. 5B, 5C, 5J, 5K, 5M, 5O
and 5P, internal brace elements 32 comprising multiple members may
divide the interior of the unit into several interior compartments.
Other configurations are also contemplated.
[0046] Internal brace element 32 may include one or more members
that are co-extensive with the internal perimeter of the support
unit 20. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5E, 5F, 5G, 5H, 5I, 5L
and 5P, the internal brace element 32 may include one or more
members that are each co-extensive with an internal side wall 30 of
the support unit 20. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5H, 5L and
5P, the internal brace element 32 may include four members that are
co-extensive with the four internal side walls 30 of a support unit
20. Additional members, as shown throughout the Figures, may divide
the interior of the support unit 20 into compartments. The walls of
the internal brace element 32 may be a single piece of corrugated
fiberboard that is folded into the desired configuration, or the
internal brace element may be separate pieces. For example, as
shown in FIGS. 5E and 5I, the internal brace element may be a
single sheet of corrugated fiberboard folded into the shape of the
letter "Z." As shown in FIG. 4, the internal brace element may be a
single corrugated fiberboard sheet folded into a rectangle with a
central divider separating the rectangle into two equal smaller
rectangles. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5P, various configurations for the
internal brace element are contemplated.
[0047] Side walls 30 and internal brace element 32 of the support
units 20 may distribute the weight of product cases 18 and
additional shipping and display systems 10 placed upon base 12 to
prevent collapsing of the shipping and display system 10 in transit
or while in use as a display unit. In this way, multiple layers of
product cases can be placed on top of base 12 and additional
shipping and display systems may be placed on top of each
other.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, support units 20 may include one or more
cover flaps 28. For example, each unit 20 may include at least one
or more cover flaps that are adjacent a top edge 34 of side wall 30
of the support unit 20. Cover flaps 28 may be folded at 90.degree.
relative to an external side wall 30 over the top opening of the
support unit 20 and sealed. In one example, the cover may comprise
a single flap. Alternatively, the cover may comprise a separate lid
for each individual support unit 20 or for the entire base 12.
[0049] Support units 20 may be made of any suitable material.
Support units 20 may be made of corrugated fiberboard having a
top-to-bottom crush resistance, as measured by the Edge Crush Test
(ECT value), in the range of from about 23 ECT to about 82 ECT, and
for example from about 32 ECT to about 61 ECT. Preferably, support
units 20 may be made of corrugated fiberboard having a
top-to-bottom crush resistance, as measured by the Edge Crush Test
(ECT value), in the range of from about 40 ECT to about 55 ECT, for
example 44 ECT.
[0050] The Edge Crust Test provides a measure of the compression
resistance (the stacking strength) of corrugated fiberboard, and is
expressed in terms of pounds of force required to cause a dynamic
failure in fiberboard. ECT is the edgewise compressive strength,
parallel to the flutes of a short column of corrugated fiberboard.
Test results are reported as the pound-force per inch required to
cause compressive failure. As used herein, ECT correlates directly
to support unit compression strength.
[0051] The compression strength of a corrugated fiberboard unit may
be predicted by the McKee formula:
C=5.87 Pm.multidot.{square root}{square root over (h)}{square
root}{square root over (z)}
[0052] where C is the top to bottom compression strength,
[0053] Pm is the ECT value,
[0054] h is the fiberboard caliper, and
[0055] z is the unit perimeter (2L.times.2W).
[0056] In one embodiment, the support units 20 according to the
present invention are made of corrugated fiberboard having an ECT
value of 32 or greater, and more preferably of 40 or greater. The
support unit side walls 30 and the internal brace element 32 may be
constructed of corrugated fiberboard having the same ECT value or
the ECT values may be different as long as the ECT value for each
is at least 23.
[0057] The corrugated fiberboard may be or single, double or triple
wall fiberboard, and may be A, B, C, E or F-fluted or any
combination thereof. The type of fiberboard is defined by its
corrugated medium and how many layers are present. The corrugated
medium is the paperboard that is used in forming the fluted portion
of the fiberboard. A "flute" is one of the "waves" or "arch" shapes
formed in the corrugated medium. The letters of the fluted
corrugated medium define the type of material, in terms of the
number of corrugations per unit length and height.
[0058] A-fluted corrugated medium has the highest flute size and 36
flutes to the foot. B-fluted corrugated medium has lower arch
heights than A-fluted corrugated medium and 50 flutes to the foot.
C-fluted corrugated medium is thinner than A-fluted corrugated
medium, but thicker than B-fluted corrugated medium, and has 42
flutes to the foot. E-fluted corrugated medium has the greatest
number of flutes per foot at 94 and is thinner than C-fluted
corrugated medium. F-fluted corrugated medium has half the
thickness of E-fluted corrugated medium.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 6A, single wall fiberboard consists of a
corrugated medium with a linerboard facing adhered to both sides.
As shown in FIG. 6B, double wall fiberboard consists of two
corrugated mediums with a linerboard facing adhered between them
and to both sides. As shown in FIG. 6C, triple wall corrugated
fiberboard consists of three corrugated mediums and four linerboard
facings.
[0060] Suitable corrugated medium for construction of the
corrugated fiberboards include A, B, C, E and F-fluted corrugated
medium, and any combination thereof, and may be single wall, double
wall, triple wall, and combinations thereof. Suitable corrugated
fiberboard constructions are shown at FIGS. 6A-C.
[0061] The thickness of corrugated fiberboard is described as its
caliper and is the thickness of the linerboard and the corrugated
medium expressed in terms of thousandths of an inch. A "point" of
caliper is one-thousandth of an inch. The caliper of the corrugated
fiberboard suitable for use with the support units 20 ranges from
about 0.06 inches to about 0.45 inches, preferably from about 0.12
to about 0.26 inches, and more preferably about 0.15 to about 0.20
inches. For example, the caliper of the fiberboard is from about
0.16 to 0.18 inches. In one embodiment, the corrugated fiberboard
is single wall, C-flute corrugated fiberboard and has a caliper of
about 0.17 inches. Suitable corrugated fiberboard is commercially
available from Green Bay Packaging, Green Bay, Wis.
[0062] The support units 20 each may have a total compression
strength of from about 500 lbs to greater than 3000 lbs. For
example, the support units 20 each may have a compression strength
of at least 750 lbs. In one embodiment, the support units 20 each
have a total compression strength of at least 1000 lbs, and
preferably of at least 1500 lbs, and more preferably of at least
2000 lbs. In a preferred embodiment, the support unit 20 may have a
total compression strength greater than about 3000 lbs. A support
unit 20 may support from about 100 lbs to greater than about 1200
lbs per square foot of top surface area of the support unit. For
example, a support unit 20 may support at least 150 lbs per square
foot of top surface area of the support unit 20 without collapsing
and, preferably at least 200 lbs per square foot of top surface
area of the support unit 20 without collapsing. In one embodiment,
the support unit 20 may support at least 300 lbs per square foot of
top surface area of the support unit 20 without collapsing, and for
example, at least 400 lbs per square foot of top surface area of
the support unit 20 without collapsing.
[0063] The internal brace element 32 may have a total compression
strength of from about 100 lbs to about 1200 lbs. For example, the
internal brace element may have a total compression strength of at
least 150 lbs, and preferably of at least 200 lbs. In another
example, the internal brace element 32 may have a total compression
strength of at least 250 lbs. In a preferred embodiment, the
internal brace element 32 may have a total compression strength of
at least 300 lbs. In yet another embodiment, the total compression
strength of the internal brace 32 may be at least 400 lbs.
[0064] Base 12 may have a total compression strength of at least
about 1500 lbs and preferably at least 2000 lbs. In one embodiment,
the base 12 may have a total compression strength of at least 3000
lbs, and preferably at least 4000 lbs. In one embodiment, the base
12 may have a total compression strength of greater than 6000 lbs.
In a preferred embodiment, base 12 may support at least 750 lbs of
product containers, and a second palleted base supporting an
additional at least 750 lbs of product containers without
collapsing. Base 12 may have a compression strength at least 100
lbs per square foot of top surface area of the base 12, for
example, base 12 a compression strength at least 150 lbs per square
foot of top surface area of the base 12. In one embodiment, base 12
may have a compression strength at least 200 lbs per square foot of
top surface area of the base 12.
[0065] The support structure of the present invention may include,
in addition to the securing wrap 22, an advertising element 16,
such as an additional wrap or sleeve, as shown in FIG. 1, upon
which advertising material may be placed. Alternatively, the
securing wrap 22 may constitute the advertising element by having
advertising material printed directly thereon. The advertising
element 16 may fully or only partially surround the base 12. The
advertising element 16 may be secured to the base 12 by any known
means, including by adhesive, staples, shrink wrap, stretch wrap,
tape or the like. Alternatively, advertising element 16 may slide
over the support boxes in a replaceable sleeve-like manner. In this
way, base 12 can be re-used for different products or products from
different vendors.
[0066] In use, base 12, once assembled, is placed upon a pallet 14
and one or more layers of product cases containing the product to
be shipped and displayed may be placed on top of base 12 and
secured thereto by shrink wrap, stretch wrap, corrugated wrap or
other known material. The completed shipping and display system 10
then may be loaded unto a delivery vehicle and delivered to a
retailer. Upon arrival, the unit may be placed directly on the
sales floor, unwrapped and product cases opened for sale.
[0067] As the product supply from the cases placed on the base 12
is depleted, further cases of product can be placed on the unit. In
this way, packages of product are easily accessible to the customer
and additional products are easily stocked atop the support base by
the retailer once the original product cases are depleted of
product. As a result, this display prevents the problem of older,
dated products remaining at the bottom of the display while newer
products are placed on top and sold first.
[0068] The support base may be used multiple times for the same or
different products to be displayed and sold. When the base is no
longer needed or is to be replaced by a new base, the base can
easily be dismantled, flattened and disposed of.
EXAMPLE 1
[0069] An internal brace element, as shown in FIG. 5A, comprising
single wall, C-fluted, 44 ECT fiber board and having four side
walls and a central divider were tested for compression strength by
the Compression Test Procedure by ASTM Standard D 642. The side
walls of the internal brace element had dimensions of 22-3/8"
L.times.18-1/2" W.times.23-1/4" H. The divider was 18-{fraction
(5/16)}" in length. The internal brace element was placed between
upper and lower platens of the test machine. The lower platen was
raised to bring both platens in contact with the specimen and an
initial pressure or pre-load 50 lbs/ft was applied. Pressure was
increased in a continuous manner until failure of the structure
(collapse) occurred. The maximum load was recorded at 1150 lbs.
EXAMPLE 2
[0070] A support unit having an internal brace element, as shown in
FIG. 4, comprising single wall, c-fluted, 44 ECT fiber board was
tested for compression strength by the Compression Test Procedure
by ASTM Standard D 642. The support unit had dimensions of
23-{fraction (1/16)}" L.times.19-1/8" W.times.23-7/8" H. The
internal brace element had four side walls co-extensive with the
internal perimeter of the unit and a central divider separating the
interior of the unit into two equal compartments. The side walls of
the internal brace element had dimensions of 22-3/8"
L.times.18-1/2" W.times.23-1/4" H. The divider was 18-{fraction
(5/16)}" in length. The support unit was placed between upper and
lower platens of the test machine. The lower platen was raised to
bring both platens in contact with the specimen and an initial
pressure or pre-load 50 lbs/ft was applied. Pressure was increased
in a continuous manner until failure of the unit (collapse)
occurred. The maximum load was recorded at 2010 lbs.
EXAMPLE 3
[0071] A base comprising four support units as described in Example
2 above, and as shown in FIG. 3, was tested for compression
strength by the Compression Test Procedure by ASTM Standard D 642
as described above. The base included a securing wrap secured to
the outer perimeter of the base. The base had dimensions of 46-3/8"
L.times.38-{fraction (9/16)}" W.times.23-3/4" H. The maximum load
was recorded at 6000 lbs.
[0072] The above examples are exemplary and presented for purposes
of illustration only. These examples are not intended in any
limiting sense.
[0073] While various embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible
within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is
not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and
their equivalents.
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