U.S. patent application number 10/438428 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for hangable package structure.
Invention is credited to Casanova, Julio Cesar.
Application Number | 20050051459 10/438428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33476572 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050051459 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Casanova, Julio Cesar |
March 10, 2005 |
Hangable package structure
Abstract
A hangable package structure for use with small, heavy products
that are sold in blister card packages is disclosed. The package
can be suspended from a peg or displayed on a shelf without using a
tray or other holder. The package prevents the occurrence of a
problem known as "hanger hole tear-through" of the blister card and
provides for partial portability of the purchased product.
Inventors: |
Casanova, Julio Cesar; (Avon
Lake, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT W WELSH
EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY INC
25225 DETROIT ROAD
P O BOX 450777
WESTLAKE
OH
44145
|
Family ID: |
33476572 |
Appl. No.: |
10/438428 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/703 ;
206/467; 206/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2575/366 20130101;
B65D 2585/88 20130101; B65D 2575/565 20130101; B65D 75/366
20130101; B65D 75/367 20130101; B65D 75/566 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/703 ;
206/467; 206/471 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A peggable package structure having a partially enclosed
interior region housing at least one compartment, said structure
comprising: a) a folded strip shaped base member having a planar
surface, a first end that defines a first opening through said base
member, a second end that defines a second opening through said
base member and a midsection located between the first and second
ends, wherein said first opening in said base member aligns with
said second opening in said base member to provide an unobstructed
path through a partially enclosed interior region defined on three
sides by said first end, said second end and said midsection; and
b) a first compartment secured to the first end of said base
member's planar surface and housed within the partially enclosed
interior region.
2. The package structure of claim 1, further including an
anti-bowing reinforcing member secured to said base member's planar
surface.
3. The package structure of claim 2, wherein said reinforcing
member is secured to the planar surface of said base member's first
end.
4. The package structure of claim 3, wherein said base member
comprises a longitudinal axis and said reinforcing member comprises
an elongated rib oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis.
5. The package structure of claim 4, wherein said reinforcing
member extends across the longitudinal midpoint of said first
end.
6. The package structure of claim 1, further comprises a second
compartment secured to said second end's planar surface.
7. The package structure of claim 6, further comprises a releasable
interlocking means for preventing movement of said compartments
within said partially enclosed region.
8. The package structure of claim 7, wherein said interlocking
means comprises a protrusion on said first compartment and a recess
on said second compartment, wherein said protrusion engages said
recess, thereby releasably securing one compartment to the other
compartment.
9. The package structure of claim 1, wherein said first end abuts
said midsection at a first flexible connection and said second end
abuts said midsection at a second flexible connection.
10. The package structure of claim 9, wherein said base member
comprises a longitudinal axis and said flexible connections are
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
11. The package structure of claim 9, wherein said first opening is
proximate said first flexible connection and said second opening is
proximate said second flexible connection.
12. The package structure of claim 1, said base member comprises a
locking means in contact with said first end and said second
end.
13. The package structure of claim 12, wherein said locking means
defines a fourth side of said partially enclosed interior
region.
14. A process for manufacturing a package structure, comprising the
steps of: a) providing a strip shaped base member having a planar
surface, a first end that defines a first opening through said base
member, a second end that defines a second opening through said
base member and a midsection located between and separating the
first end from the second end; b) providing a first compartment
having an opening; c) securing the planar surface of said base
member's first end over the opening in said compartment; and d)
folding said base member to align said first opening with said
second opening to provide an unobstructed path through the
partially enclosed interior region defined on three sides by said
first end, said second end and said midsection, wherein said region
houses said first compartment.
15. The process of claim 14, wherein said first end abuts said
midsection at a first axis and said second end abuts said
midsection at a second axis, said first axis and said second axis
located parallel to each other.
16. The process of claim 14, wherein said base member comprises a
longitudinal axis and said base member's two separate axes are
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and parallel to each
other.
17. The process of claim 14, wherein step b further includes
providing a second compartment having an opening and step c further
includes securing the planar surface of said base member's second
end over the opening in said second compartment.
18. The process of claim 17, wherein said first compartment
comprises a protrusion and said second compartment comprises a
recess, said process further includes the step of engaging said
protrusion with said recess to removably secure the compartments to
one another.
19. The process of claim 14, wherein said base member comprises a
locking means in contact with an end of said base and said process
further includes the step of engaging said locking means to
releasably secure said first end to said second end.
20. The process of claim 19, wherein said locking means provides a
fourth side to said partially enclosed region.
21. The process of claim 17, wherein said first compartment
comprises a first protrusion and said second compartment comprises
a second protrusion, said process further includes the step of
engaging said first protrusion with said second protrusion to
removably secure the compartments to one another.
22. A merchandiser, comprising: a hangable package structure and a
support means from which the package structure is removably
suspended, wherein said package structure comprises a folded, strip
shaped base member having a planar surface, a first end that
defines a first opening through said base member, a second end that
defines a second opening through said base member, and a midsection
located between and separating the first end from the second end,
wherein the first opening in said base member aligns with said
second opening in said base member to provide an unobstructed path
through a partially enclosed interior region defined on three sides
by said first end, said second end and said midsection, said
package structure further comprises a first compartment secured to
the planar surface of said base member's first end and located
within said partially enclosed interior region; and said support
means comprises an elongated member simultaneously extending
through said package structure's first opening, unobstructed path
and second opening, said support means contacting and supporting
said first end and said second end thereby suspending said package
from said support means.
23. The merchandiser of claim 22, wherein said support means
comprises a first proximal end secured to a supporting structure
and a second distal end that extends through the package structure.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is directed to hangable packages typically
employed in a self-serve retail environment where consumers can
select individual packages from a shelf or rack. In particular,
this invention is directed to packages that include a card which is
hung from a peg that passes through an opening in the top of the
card.
[0002] Package structures used to display articles for sale come in
a wide array of designs. The ideal package is inexpensive to
manufacture using well known manufacturing equipment and has
several features that are important to the consumer and/or the
retail store's personnel. For example, in order to maximize the
merchant's flexibility for displaying a package at various
locations throughout the store, the package should be both peggable
as well as able to stand without needing a holder or tray. Peggable
packages are packages that can be suspended from a generally
horizontal rod that passes through an opening in the package.
Another desirable feature is partial portability which means that a
portion of the package's contents, including a portion of the
packaging itself, can be removed from the initial package structure
without destroying the integrity and usefulness of the initial
package. Another desirable feature is that the consumer can easily
and reliably verify the package's contents before making the
purchase. A feature that is important to store owners is that the
package enables a sufficiently high level of product density which
means that the amount of wasted space within a single package or
between packages on a display rack is minimized. To counteract the
problem of some consumers stealing a portion of the product from a
package and then returning the partially depleted package to the
store shelf, the package should be sufficiently robust to minimize
pilferage while also providing easy access to the product by
consumers who legally purchase the package. Finally, the ideal
package will provide adequate space on the package's exterior
surface for advertising, logo placement, instructions regarding the
product, etc.
[0003] One of the most popular package structures is generally
referred to as a "blister card." The basic components of the
blister card are a rectangularly shaped card member having a
thickness of approximately 6.6 mm and a thermally formed cup shaped
container made of a transparent plastic material that surrounds the
merchandise to be displayed and sold. The container is secured to
the card member which is hung from a peg that is attached on one
end to a vertical surface such as a display stand. The card is hung
by inserting one end of the peg through an opening in the card that
is located near an edge of the card. Conventional blister cards
perform satisfactorily when the merchandise in the container is not
too heavy. For example, products such as pencils or small
quantities of paper clips are well suited for sale in blister
cards.
[0004] Unfortunately, the use of a blister card package structure
to display and sell heavy products can cause problems for the
retail store owners, customers, and manufacturers of the goods for
sale. Examples of heavy products that are conventionally sold in
blister card package structures include cylindrically shaped
standard alkaline batteries that are used by consumers to power
digital cameras, flashlights, toys, etc. When several batteries,
such as twelve or more AA size batteries or at least six C size or
D size batteries, are housed in a single blister card package, the
weight can exceed three hundred grams. When the merchandise to be
sold is too heavy, some of the blister card packages suffer from a
problem known as "hanger hold tear-through." A blister card with a
torn hanger hole is shown in FIG. 1. This problem occurs when
section 21, located between the hanger hole opening 25 in the card
member and the closest edge 27 of card member 23, tears away
thereby allowing the card to fall from the peg. Because the card
has been torn, store personnel cannot return the blister card to
the peg so that the merchandise can be displayed and sold.
[0005] Another cause of the hanger hole tear-through problem is
rough handling of the blister card package by consumers. When a
blister card package is removed from a peg, the consumer may
inadvertently pull down on the package causing the peg to tear the
card above the hangar hole. If the consumer should then decide not
to purchase that package, it cannot be rehung on the peg because
the card was accidentally torn.
[0006] In addition to occurring within a retail store, the hanger
hole tear through problem can occur during shipment of the blister
carded product from the manufacturer of the merchandise to the
store. This problem is particularly noticeable when a merchandiser
containing blister cards is shipped preloaded. In this situation, a
merchandiser containing pegs, on which blister card packages have
been hung, is shipped from the manufacturer to the retailer. The
retailer can then unpack and use the fully loaded merchandiser
without needing to hang peggable packages on the pegs. During
shipment, which typically takes place via truck, the packages may
be frequently jostled or vibrated on the peg for hours or days.
Because the card is suspended from the peg, the peg works to weaken
the card so that the card tears between the hanger hold and the
edge of the card thereby allowing the package to fall. Despite
knowing that the merchandise contained within the package is not
damaged, most customers elect not to purchase a package with a torn
hanger hole. The torn packages are then returned to the
manufacturer where the product must be repackaged before it can be
sold. This step needlessly increases the manufacturer's cost.
[0007] Another problem with using blister card package structures
is that the package cannot stand by itself in a vertical position.
As shown in FIG. 2, this problem is caused by a lower edge 29 of
the card member 23 projecting beyond the cavity 31 that contains
the merchandise so that the package tilts when allowed to stand by
itself on a horizontal surface. This problem is caused by the
extension of the cavity's lower flange 33 that must be secured to
the card member in order to seal the merchandise into the cavity.
Manufacturers of the product contained in the blister card, as well
as retail store personnel, would benefit from a package that is
capable of hanging from a peg or standing in a vertical position
without the support of a tray or other holder.
[0008] Previous attempts to solve the hanger hole tear-through
problem have included the following concepts. First, as disclosed
in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0170218A1, a piece
of tape may be applied to the top of the card member between the
hanger hole and the edge of the card. The tape reinforces the card
above the hanger hole, thereby strengthening the card so that the
tear-through problem is significantly reduced or eliminated.
Second, as disclosed in U.S. Design Pat. No. 427,523, the top of
the card may be folded over to create a double thickness of card
between the hanger hole and the edge of the card. However, neither
the application of tape to the card nor the folding over at the top
of the card resolve both the hanger hold tear-through problem and
enable the package to stand by itself on a horizontal surface.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention solves problems associated with the
use of conventional blister card package structures that may be
displayed by hanging the package or by standing it on a horizontal
surface. The present invention is capable of holding small heavy
items without the card tearing above the hanger hole and the same
package may be used in a free standing vertical orientation.
[0010] The present invention is a hangable package structure having
a partially enclosed interior region that houses at least one
compartment. The structure includes a folded strip shaped base
member having a planar surface, a first end that defines a first
opening through the base member, and a second end that defines a
second opening through the base member. The base member's
midsection is located between and separates the first end from the
second end. The first opening in the base member aligns with the
second opening in the base member to provide an unobstructed path
through a partially enclosed interior region which is defined on
three sides by the first end, the second end, and the midsection. A
first compartment is secured to the planar surface of the base
member's first end and is located within the partially enclosed
interior region.
[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention is a process
for manufacturing a package structure. The process includes the
following steps. Providing a strip shaped base member having a
planar surface, a first end that defines a first opening through
the base member, a second end that defines a second opening through
the base member, and a midsection that is located between and
separates the first end from the second end. The first end abuts
the midsection at a first axis and the second end abuts the
midsection at a second axis. Providing a first compartment having
an opening. Securing the planar surface of the base member's first
end over the opening in the compartment. Folding the base member to
align the first opening with the second opening to provide an
unobstructed path through the partially enclosed interior region
which is defined on three sides by the first end, the second end,
and the midsection. The compartment is housed within the partially
enclosed region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional peggable
package with a torn hanger hole;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of a conventional peggable package
resting on a horizontal surface;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a base member that is useful
in a package structure of this invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first compartment suitable
for use in a package structure of this invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a side view of the first compartment shown in FIG.
4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second compartment
suitable for use in a package structure of this invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a side view of the second compartment shown in
FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 8A is a side view of the first compartment shown in
FIG. 5 with items loaded into the compartment's cavity;
[0020] FIG. 8B is a side view of the second compartment shown in
FIG. 7 with articles being loaded into the compartment's
cavities;
[0021] FIG. 9 shows the base member being sealed over the openings
in the cavities of the first and second compartments;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partially folded package
structure of this invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side view of a completely folded package
structure of this invention;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a package structure of this
invention hung on a peg;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a folded package
structure of this invention; and
[0026] FIG. 14 is a side view of a folded package structure of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG.
3, there is shown a base member 20. The base member has a first end
22, a second end 24, and a midsection 26. The first end defines
first opening 28 through base member 20. The second end defines
second opening 30 through base member 20. First opening 28 and
second opening 30 are sometimes referred to as hanger holes. First
end 22 abuts midsection 26 at first axis 32. Second end 24 abuts
midsection 26 at second axis 34. First axis 32 and second axis 34
are parallel to one another and function as flexible connections.
One or both of the axes may be perforated to facilitate separating
the base member into two or more sections by tearing the base
member at the perforations. Base member 20 is a rectangularly
shaped strip of paperboard material. The base member includes a
planar surface 36.
[0028] Indicia, such as logos and advertising, may be printed on
the side of the base member opposite the planar surface. Abutting
one edge of first end 22 is an optional first locking tab 38.
Abutting one edge of second end 24 is an optional second locking
tab 40. Base member 20 has a longitudinal axis 42.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of first compartment 50, which
includes a first cavity 52 and two anti-bowing ribs 54 and 56.
Formed along two sides of first cavity 52 are protrusions 58 and
60. Flange area 62 encircles the perimeter of first compartment 50.
FIG. 5 is a side view of first compartment 50.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second compartment 70
having a first cavity 72 and a second cavity 74. Second compartment
70 includes anti-bowing ribs 76 and 78. Locking protrusions 80 and
82 are located on cavities 72 and 74, respectively. Flange area 84
defines the perimeter of second compartment 70. FIG. 7 is a side
view of second compartment 70.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, first compartment 50 and second
compartment 70 may be formed as separate components which are
individually attached to the base member. However, if desired, both
compartments could be formed from a single strip of material so
that a portion of the material bridges the midsection of the base
member. If both compartments are formed from a single strip, then
openings must be created in the strip to align with openings 28 and
30 in base member 20.
[0032] FIG. 8A is a side view of first compartment 50 with four
articles 90 stored in first cavity 52. FIG. 8B is a side view of a
second compartment 70 with a plurality of articles 90 loaded into
first cavity 72. Four additional articles are flowing into cavity
74.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows base member 20 as it is secured over the
cavities in first compartment 50 and second compartment 70. The
distance between the first compartment and the second compartment
is approximately equal to the width of the base member's midsection
26. The base member may be sealed to the compartments using
conventional technologies such as an adhesive, tape, the
application of heat, or various welding techniques such as the use
of ultrasonic energy.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a partially folded package, wherein second end
24 has been rotated about axis 34. To completely fold the package
as shown in FIG. 11, first end 22 (in FIG. 10) is rotated about
axis 32 so that ends 22 and 24 are parallel with one another. The
folding process causes cavity 52 to be inserted between cavities 72
and 74. Protrusions 58 and 60 on cavity 52 are forced past
protrusions 80 and 82 on cavities 72 and 74. The protrusions
prevent the cavities from freely disengaging from one another,
thereby requiring the consumer to exert some force on the free ends
of the compartments in order to force them apart so that the
articles stored therein can be accessed.
[0035] In addition to the protrusions previously described, other
designs can be used to create a means for securing the cavities,
and thus the compartments and ends of the base, into a single
unitary package. In an alternate embodiment, protrusions 58 and 60
on cavity 52 could be made to engage recesses (not shown) instead
of protrusions in cavities 72 and 74. Alternatively, one or more
protrusions on the base of a cavity could be made to engage a
recess in the surface of the opposing compartment. Yet another
alternative is to use protrusions and recesses on the ribs and the
cavities to create a means for interlocking the cavities formed in
one compartment to the ribs formed in the opposing compartment.
[0036] The present invention may also comprise a base member having
more than two ends. For example, a base member in the shape of a
cross, rather than a strip, would have four ends that could be
folded upon one another to create a rectangularly shaped
package.
[0037] Anti-bowing ribs 54, 56, 76 and 78, shown in FIG. 10, are
designed to prevent outward bowing of the package's sides when
folded packages, such as the one shown in FIG. 11, are stacked on
top of each other in a vertical orientation. For example, during
shipment of the folded packages from the manufacturer to the
retailer, the packages may be stacked on top of each other in a
master shipping container. If the packages are stacked so that
midsection 26 of the package at the bottom of the container abuts
locking tab 40 of an adjoining package, then the package at the
bottom of the stack must be able to support the weight of two
packages without bowing and suffering a structural failure. The
anti-bowing ribs are intended to provide sufficient structural
support to prevent bowing of the package that would occur if the
anti-bowing ribs were not present. To be most effective, the
anti-bowing ribs must cross the longitudinal midpoints of the first
end 22 and second end 24 of base member 20. The ribs may be formed
as an integral part of first compartment 50 or second compartment
70. Alternatively, the ribs could be formed as separate elongated
components that are then secured to a compartment.
[0038] The distance between two ribs, such as ribs 76 and 78 in
FIG. 6, should be equal to or slightly greater than the width of
base 53 of cavity 52. Similarly, the distance between ribs 54 and
56 in FIG. 4 should be equal to or slightly greater than the width
of base 73 of cavity 72 and the width of base 75 or cavity 74.
Preferably, the distance between two ribs formed on the same
compartment creates a slight interference fit with the base of the
opposing compartment's cavity thereby enabling the ribs to prevent
undesirable side-to-side movement of the cavities when the package
is folded as in FIG. 11.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 11, the base member's locking tabs 38 and
40 can be secured to one another to create a fourth side which
functions as an optional means for locking the folded base strip
and compartments into a unitary package. In one embodiment, the
tabs may be glued to one another. In another embodiment, the tabs
may be configured so that a portion of tab 38 fits through a slot
in tab 40 thereby enabling the first and second ends of the base
member to be releasably secured to one another.
[0040] Shown in FIG. 12 is a merchandiser having a folded package
structure hung from a support means. The folded package structure
is hung from an elongated horizontal support member 101, such as a
peg, that is secured on its proximate end 106 to a vertical surface
108 such as a wall. The distal end 110 of support member 101 is
inserted through the first opening 28 in first end 22, the
unobstructed path 102 in the partially enclosed region 104 and then
through the second opening 30 in second end 24. The package
structure 100 shown in FIG. 12 is a preferred embodiment of the
claimed invention. Package 100 can be used to display small heavy
objects, such as twelve AA size alkaline batteries, by hanging the
package from a peg or by placing the package on a horizontal
surface in an upright position. Base member 20 includes four
panels, previously identified as first end 22, midsection 26,
second end 24, and locking tabs 38 and 40, that cooperate to define
a partially enclosed region 104 that houses and protects the
merchandise contained in cavities 52, 72 and 74. Because the
package is not enclosed on two sides, a consumer can visually
inspect the merchandise before purchasing the package. However, the
four panels that define the exterior surface of the package provide
a substantial barrier to pilferage of some or all of the
merchandise when the package is on display in the store. Midsection
26 of base member 20 reinforces the area above hanger hole openings
28 and 30 thereby preventing hanger hole tear through. As described
earlier, the base member's axes may be perforated between cavities
52, 72 and 74, thereby allowing individual cavities to be removed
from the package without destroying the remaining portion of the
package and the unused batteries are kept within the original
package until they are needed. Alternatively, perforations 92, as
shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, may be positioned around each cavity to
facilitate removal of the cavity from the compartment after the
package has been purchased and unfolded by the consumer.
Perforations 92 need to extend through both base member 20 and the
compartment in which the cavity is formed. Protrusions 58 and 60 on
cavities 52, 72 and 74 provide a means for releasably securing the
cavities to one another thereby enabling the package to resist
racking during shipment and/or storage by the consumer.
[0041] A cross sectional view of another embodiment of a package of
this invention is shown in FIG. 13 wherein a single compartment 94
is secured to base member 20. A side view of yet another embodiment
of a package of this invention is shown in FIG. 14 wherein a single
strip 86 of material is used to form both compartments, 96 and 98,
as well as a middle portion 88 that abuts midsection 26 of strip
20.
[0042] The above description is considered that of the preferred
embodiments only. Modifications of the invention will occur to
those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the
invention. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown
in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative
purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention
which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according
to the principles of patent law.
* * * * *