U.S. patent application number 10/705338 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for display package and shipping system.
Invention is credited to Agakanian, Armik.
Application Number | 20050098469 10/705338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34552339 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Agakanian, Armik |
May 12, 2005 |
Display package and shipping system
Abstract
A display package for merchandising an article of commerce. The
display package has a first portion with at least one first outside
wall with at least one first engagement element, and a first
interface region, and a second portion with at least one second
outside wall with at least one second engagement element, and a
second interface region. The first and second portions of the
display package fit together along their first and second interface
regions to form a space between the first portion and the second
portion. The at least one first engagement element of one display
package is adapted to engage with the at least one second
engagement element of another display package when a plurality of
display packages are placed with the first outside wall of one
display package next to the second outside wall of another display
package.
Inventors: |
Agakanian, Armik; (La
Crescenta, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Family ID: |
34552339 |
Appl. No.: |
10/705338 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/503 ;
206/509; 206/557 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00101
20130101; B65D 21/0204 20130101; B65D 21/0223 20130101; B65D
2543/00296 20130101; B65D 43/0222 20130101; B65D 2543/00351
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/503 ;
206/509; 206/557 |
International
Class: |
B65D 021/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display package for merchandising an article of commerce
comprising: a first portion of the display package having at least
one first outside wall with at least one first engagement element,
and a first interface region; a second portion of the display
package having at least one second outside wall with at least one
second engagement element, and a second interface region, the first
portion of the display package and the second portion of the
display package fitting together along their first and second
interface regions to form a space between the first portion and the
second portion, wherein the at least one first engagement element
of one display package is adapted to engage with the at least one
second engagement element of another display package when a
plurality of display packages are placed with the first outside
wall of one display package next to the second outside wall of
another display package.
2. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first portion
further comprises a top side and a bottom side and the second
portion further comprises a top side and a bottom side, the display
package further comprising at least one stabilizing foot portion on
a bottom side of at least one of the first and second portions.
3. The display package of claim 1, wherein the at least one first
outside wall is planar and is joined to the first interface region
by a first perimeter wall, and the second at least one outside wall
is planar and is joined to the second interface region by a second
perimeter wall.
4. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first display
package has one first outside wall and a plurality of first
engagement elements are formed thereon, and the second display
package has one second outside wall and a plurality of second
engagement elements formed thereon.
5. The display package of claim 3, further comprising at least one
stabilizing foot portion that is formed on the first perimeter wall
and at least one stabilizing foot portion that is formed on the
second perimeter wall.
6. The display package of claim 2, wherein the at least one
stabilizing foot portion extends from the first interface region
and beyond the first outside wall.
7. The display package of claim 1, wherein the at least one first
engagement element comprises one of a protrusion and recess, and
the second engagement element comprises the other of a protrusion
and recess, the protrusions and recesses being complementary
dimensioned so that the protrusion interference fits into the
recess.
8. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first interface
region comprises one of a ridge and a channel and the second
interface region comprises the other of a ridge and a channel, the
ridge being dimensioned to fit within the channel.
9. The display package of claim 1, wherein a plurality of display
packages can be joined together when their first and second
engagement elements, respectively, fit together.
10. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first portion and
the second portion are separate pieces.
11. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first portion and
the second portion are hingeably joined together.
12. The display package of claim 1, wherein the first engagement
element is integrally formed with the first portion of the display
package and the second engagement element is integrally formed with
the second portion of the display package.
13. A display package for merchandising an article of commerce
comprising: a first portion of the display package having a first
outside wall with a, plurality of first engagement elements
attached thereto, a first interface region, and a first perimeter
wall joining the first outside wall to the first interface region;
a second portion of the display package having a second outside
wall with a plurality of second engagement elements attached
thereto, a second interface region, and a second perimeter wall
joining the second outside wall to the second interface region, the
first portion of the display package and the second portion of the
display package fitting together along their first and second
interface regions to form a space between the first portion and the
second portion, wherein the plurality of first engagement elements
of one display package are adapted to engage with the plurality of
engagement elements of another display package when a plurality of
display packages are placed with the first outside wall of one
display package next to the second outside wall of another display
package.
14. The display package of claim 13, further comprising at least
one stabilizing foot portion that is formed on the first perimeter
wall and at least one stabilizing foot portion that is formed on
the second perimeter wall.
15. The display package of claim 13, wherein the at least one
stabilizing foot portion extends from the first interface region to
beyond the first outside wall.
16. The display package of claim 13, wherein the first engagement
element is integrally formed with the first portion of the display
package and the second engagement element is integrally formed with
the second portion of the display package.
17. The display package of claim 13, wherein the first interface
region comprises one of a ridge and a channel and the second
interface region comprises the other of a ridge and a channel, the
ridge being dimensioned to fit within the channel.
18. The display package of claim 13, wherein the at least one first
engagement element comprises one of a protrusion and recess, and
the second engagement element comprises the other of a protrusion
and recess, the protrusions and recesses being complementary
dimensioned so that the protrusion interference fits into the
recess.
19. A display package for merchandising an article of commerce
comprising: a first portion of the display package having a
plurality of uprising portions with first engagement elements on at
least some of the uprising portions, and a first interface region;
a second portion of the display package having a plurality of
uprising portions with second engagement elements on at least some
of the uprising portions, and a second interface region, the first
portion of the display package and the second portion of the
display package fitting together along their first and second
interface regions to form a cavity between the first portion and
the second portion, wherein the plurality of first engagement
elements of one display package are adapted to engage with the
plurality of engagement elements of another display package when a
plurality of display packages are placed with the first portion of
one display package next to the second portion of another display
package.
20. The display package of claim 19, wherein the first engagement
element is integrally formed with the first portion of the display
package and the second engagement element is integrally formed with
the second portion of the display package.
21. The display package of claim 19, wherein the first engagement
elements comprise one of a protrusion and recess, and the second
engagement elements comprise the other of a protrusion and recess,
the protrusions and recesses being complementary dimensioned so
that the protrusions fit into the recesses.
22. The display package of claim 19, wherein the first engagement
elements comprise protrusions and the second engagement elements
comprise slots, and the protrusions slideably fit into the
slots.
23. The display package of claim 19, further comprising at least
one stabilizing foot portion that is formed on the bottom side of
the first perimeter wall and at least one stabilizing foot portion
that is formed on the bottom side of the second perimeter wall.
24. The display package of claim 19, wherein the first portion of
the display package further comprises a first perimeter wall that
joins the plurality of first uprising portions, and wherein the
second portion of the display package further comprises a second
perimeter wall that joins the plurality of second uprising
portions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a display package for
displaying merchandise in a commercial setting, and to a system for
interconnecting a plurality of packages together for making the
packages suitable for shipment from manufacturer to retailer and
equally suited for immediate display on pallets and the like in the
same configuration. The invention also relates to a system for
shipping and displaying products that are packaged in display
packages according to the present invention in a blister pack or
clamshell package form.
[0002] Many products are sold in blister packages or clamshell
packages. In blister packages, the article is placed on a piece of
cardboard and then covered by a plastic bubble that is sized to
retain and reveal the item attached to the cardboard. Some blister
packages use a plastic back rather than cardboard. Clamshell
packages are similar to blister packages but instead of having a
plastic bubble affixed to a cardboard or other backing, clamshell
packages have two portions that are designed to hold the
merchandise, literature, etc. within a cavity or cavities therein.
The clamshell packages can be formed into a single unit with a
hinge, or they can have two separate halves which are attached
together, such as by heat welding, staples, RF sealing, UV sealing,
etc. Typically, groups of blister packages and clamshell packages
are shipped to the point of sale in corrugated trays that are in
turn placed in larger shipping containers or on pallets. When
received at retail outlets, the blister packages or clamshells
packages are removed from the shipping configuration and displayed
for sale in their trays and pallets or on shelves, counters,
tables, racks and hanging brackets.
[0003] Many retail stores are now selling articles directly from
their shipping containers or pallets. This permits retailers to
reduce their labor costs because they no longer need to remove the
products from the shipping container, and then place them on
display racks. A preferred practice is to simply cut away a portion
of the shipping container, leaving the product to be displayed in
the remaining portion of the shipping container. Preferably, a
sufficient part of the shipping container is cut away so that the
products can easily be seen by the passing customer.
[0004] However, because of their shape and the location of their
center of gravity, most blister packages and clamshell packages
have a tendency to fall over when placed in an upright position.
Consequently, in order for blister packages to be displayed in a
shipping container or on a pallet, it is desirable to provide some
form of support structure, to hold the blister packages in an
upright display position. A number of systems have been utilized,
most of which require some form of plastic or corrugated tray into
which display packages are placed in one or more rows. The tray has
slots into which the opposite edges of the blister pack or
clamshell pack are fitted. It would be desirable to have display
packages and a system that does not rely on such trays. A display
package which is sufficiently stabilized to stand alone on one of
its sides is also desirable.
[0005] Moreover, while it is desirable that the interconnection
between adjacent displayed packages be maintained during shipping
and store display, it is important for a purchaser to be able to
easily remove a desired number of display packages from the group
of interconnected display packages without disrupting the group of
interconnected display packages remaining at the display
location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a display package for
merchandising articles which comprises a package having a front
portion and a rear portion. The front and rear portions fit
together to define a space therein for holding the merchandised
articles. In a preferred form, the front portion has a surface with
a plurality of protrusions located thereon and the rear portion has
a surface with a plurality of recesses formed thereon, or vice
versa. When two or more display packages are placed adjacent to
each other, the protrusions on the front portion of one display
package will align with and fit into the recesses on the back
portion of an adjacent display package to hold the display packages
together. The display packages can also have stabilizing feet
formed thereon to further stabilize the display packages to help
prevent them from tipping over, either individually or when grouped
together.
[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided a display package for merchandising an article of commerce
comprising:
[0008] a first portion of the display package having at least one
first outside wall with at least one first engagement element, and
a first interface region;
[0009] a second portion of the display package having at least one
second outside wall with at least one second engagement element,
and a second interface region, the first portion of the display
package and the second portion of the display package fitting
together along their first and second interface regions to form a
space between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the
at least one first engagement element of one display package is
adapted to engage with the at least one second engagement element
of another display package when a plurality of display packages are
placed with the first outside wall of one display package next to
the second outside wall of another display package.
[0010] In another embodiment, there is provided a display package
for merchandising an article of commerce comprising:
[0011] a first portion of the display package having a first
outside wall with a plurality of first engagement elements attached
thereto, a first interface region, and a first perimeter wall
joining the first outside wall to the first interface region;
[0012] a second portion of the display package having a second
outside wall with a plurality of second engagement elements
attached thereto, a second interface region, and a second perimeter
wall joining the second outside wall to the second interface
region, the first portion of the display package and the second
portion of the display package fitting together along their first
and second interface regions to form a space between the first
portion and the second portion, wherein the plurality of first
engagement elements of one display package are adapted to engage
with the plurality of engagement elements of another display
package when a plurality of display packages are placed with the
first outside wall of one display package next to the second
outside wall of another display package.
[0013] In a further embodiment, there is provided a display package
for merchandising an article of commerce comprising:
[0014] a first portion of the display package having a plurality of
uprising portions with first engagement elements on at least some
of the uprising portions, and a first interface region;
[0015] a second portion of the display package having a plurality
of uprising portions with second engagement elements on at least
some of the uprising portions, and a second interface region, the
first portion of the display package and the second portion of the
display package fitting together along their first and second
interface regions to form a cavity between the first portion and
the second portion, wherein the plurality of first engagement
elements of one display package are adapted to engage with the
plurality of engagement elements of another display package when a
plurality of display packages are placed with the first portion of
one display package next to the second portion of another display
package.
[0016] In a yet further embodiment, there is provided a display
package for merchandising an article of commerce comprising:
[0017] a first portion of the display package having a plurality of
uprising portions with engagement elements attached thereto, and a
first interface region;
[0018] a second portion of the display package having an extending
cavity portion, and a second interface region, the first portion of
the display package and the second portion of the display package
fitting together along their first and second interface regions,
wherein the plurality of engagement elements of one display package
are adapted to engage with the cavity portion of another display
package when a plurality of display packages are placed with the
first portion of one display package next to the second portion of
another display package.
[0019] The configuration of the display package is such that a
plurality of packages can be thus engaged in a self-supporting row.
To further augment the system, two or more rows of display packages
can be placed side by side, next to each other, and comprise a
first layer of display packages which is then placed on a pallet.
Second, third and more layers can be stacked on top of the first
layer, separated by a sheet of cardboard or the like. When a pallet
wrap covering or other material is placed around the entire
assembly, or enclosed by a corrugated shipping shroud including the
pallet, the package is ready for shipment. When received at a
commercial or retail outlet, the pallet borne assembly can be
placed directly on the floor of the outlet, a warehouse store,
etc., and the pallet wrap or corrugated shipping shroud is removed
from the assembly. The display packages are then immediately
available and ready for display to customers. Removal of the first
pack from the top layer and first row leaves the other packages in
the row intact so that the packages can be removed one by one,
while the remaining display packages remain in self supporting
nested relationship maintaining the integrity of the display
packages and pallet display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The invention may be more readily understood by referring to
the accompanying drawings, as follows:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary display package
according to the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the exemplary
display package of FIG. 1 showing the front and rear portions.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the exterior surface of the rear
(second) portion of the exemplary display package of FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the interior side of the front
(first) portion of the exemplary display package of FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the exemplary display package
of FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary display package of
FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a side view of two display packages of FIG. 6
joined together.
[0028] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a plurality of packages on a
pallet ready for display.
[0029] FIG. 9 is an exploded, isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a display package according to the present invention
showing front and rear portions thereof.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a side view of the exemplary display package of
FIG. 9 showing the front and rear portions joined together.
[0031] FIG. 11 is a side elevation of two display packages of FIG.
10 joined together.
[0032] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
display package of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 13 is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary
embodiment of a display package according to the present invention
showing front and rear portions-thereof.
[0034] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a bottom portion of the
exemplary embodiment of the display package of FIG. 13 flipped over
to show its uprising portions with slots formed therein.
[0035] FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing the first engagement
means on an uprising portion of the bottom portion.
[0036] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view along view lines 16-16 of
FIG. 15.
[0037] FIG. 17 is a front view of the uprising portion of FIG.
15.
[0038] FIG. 18 is a top plan view showing the second engagement
means on an uprising portion of the top portion.
[0039] FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view along view lines 19-19 of
FIG. 18.
[0040] FIG. 20 is a front view of the uprising portion of FIG.
18.
[0041] FIG. 21 is a side view showing a display package according
to FIG. 13 just before being slid into connection with a front
portion of another display package.
[0042] FIG. 22 is a side view showing a display package according
to FIG. 13 after being slid together with a front portion of
another display package.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an exemplary display package 10 of
the invention is shown. Display package 10 has a first portion 12
with a first outside wall 14 with a plurality of first engagement
elements 16 and 18 formed thereon, a first interface region 20, and
a first perimeter wall 21 joining the first outside wall 14 to the
first interface region 20. The first portion has a top side 22 and
a bottom side 24. The engagement elements can be integrally formed
into the packaging or may be attached to the package by using glue
or other fastening means. The first engagement elements 16 and 18
can be different in shape and size (as shown) or can be identical
(not shown.) Also, while only four of each first engagement
elements 16 and 18 are shown, a greater or lesser number can be
utilized, and placed at different locations anywhere on first
outside wall 14. An optional stabilizing foot portion 26 can be
formed at bottom side 24, the purpose of which will be discussed
below. While a single stabilizing foot portion 26 is shown, two or
more foot portions could be provided. A rim 28 of material can be
formed at least partially around first interface region 20 if
desired.
[0044] Display package 10 has a second portion 30 with a second
outside wall 32 with a plurality of second engagement elements 34
and 36 formed thereon, a second interface region 38, and a second
perimeter wall 40 joining second outside wall 32 to second
interface region 38. Second portion 30 has a top side 42 and a
bottom side 44. Second engagement elements 34 and 36 can be
different in shape and size (as shown) or can be identical. Also,
while four of each of the second engagement elements 34 and 36 are
shown, a greater or lesser number can be utilized, and placed at
different locations anywhere on second outside wall 32. Engagement
elements 34 and 36 are shown as recesses that extend inwardly below
the surface of second outside wall 32. First engagement elements 16
and 18, respectively, are sized and shaped to fit together with
second engagement elements 34 and 36, respectively, as will be
described further below. Optional stabilizing feet portions 46 can
be formed at bottom side 44, the purpose of which will be discussed
below. While two stabilizing foot portions 46 are shown, a single
or plurality of foot portions can be provided. Stabilizing foot
portions 46 can, if desired, be made to extend from the first
interface region 38 to beyond the second outside wall 32. In such
cases, stabilizing feet portions 26 are preferably sized and shaped
not to interfere with stabilizing foot portion 46. A rim 48 of
material can be formed at least partially around second interface
region 38 if desired. First interface region 20 can comprise a
channel and second interface region 38 can comprise a ridge which
is sized to fit within channel 20, or vice-versa. Other types of
interfaces can be used to hold first portion 12 and second portion
30 together. Articles (not shown) can be retained and displayed
within a cavity 50 formed by the connection of first portion and
second portion 12 and 30, respectively, and can be securely stored
therein by pressure sealing, gluing, heat sealing, stapling, RF
sealing, UV sealing, etc. first interface region 20 shut with
second interface region 36. The optional rims 28 and 48 can also be
used for this purpose and/or the sealing can take place along the
interface regions 20 and 36. Although FIGS. 1-7 show a generally
box-shaped cavity 50 formed by the space created by joining first
portion 12 and second portion 30, other cavity shapes and sizes
could be formed as desired in first outside wall 14 and/or second
outside wall 32 that might better conform to the articles' shape
and size.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary display package 10
and shows the first portion 12 and second portion 30 placed
together. First engagement elements 16 and 18 are shown extending
above first outside wall 14, and second engagement elements 34 and
36, are shown extending inwardly of second outside wall 32. As can
be seen, first engagement elements 16 and 18 are aligned with
second engagement elements 34 and 36, respectively, such that when,
as is shown in FIG. 7, two display packages 10A and 10B are placed
adjacent to each other, first engagement elements 16 and 18 of
display package 10A will fit into second engagement elements 34 and
36, respectively, of second display package 10B, to hold the two
display packages 110A and 10B together. First engagement elements
16 and 18 can preferably have interference fits with second
engagement elements 34 and 36, respectively, so that a slight
pulling force is required to separate display packages joined in
this way. This helps prevent tipping over of individual display
packages in a plurality of display packages in a pallet and the
like and also helps better display their contents. Optional
stabilizing feet portions 26 and 46 further help stabilize the
display packages when stood up as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0046] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a plurality of display
packages 10 on a pallet 60 ready for display. This view shows two
columns 62A and 62B of display packages forming layers 64A, 64B and
64C on pallet 60. The layers 64A, 64B and 64C can be separated by
sheet material 66 (e.g. corrugated cardboard.) Goods shipped on
pallets are often wrapped with plastic film or enclosed by a
corrugated shroud for shipment. With the present invention, the
plastic wrapping or shroud (not shown) can be easily removed, which
immediately readies the pallet of display packed articles to be
displayed and sold. Because of the engagement feature and the
optional stabilizing feet feature, the display packages will remain
in their upright position without additional supports such as a
corrugated tray.
[0047] FIGS. 9-11 show another exemplary embodiment of a display
package 80 according to the present invention, and show a first,
front portion 82 and a second, rear portion 84 thereof. First,
front portion 82 has a plurality of first uprising portions 86 with
first engagement elements 88 formed thereon. First engagement
elements 88 can comprise protrusions having a predetermined size
and shape. A first cavity portion 90 is formed in first portion 82
and extends above a back wall 92. First uprising portions 86 also
extend above back wall portion 92. Optional stabilizing legs 94 can
be formed at a bottom side 96 of front portion 82, opposite a top
side 98. First engagement elements 88 can be formed on top surfaces
100 of first uprising portions 86. First portion 82 has a first
interface region 102, which can be formed around a perimeter first
portion 82. Second portion 84 has a plurality of second uprising
portions 110 with second engagement elements 112 formed thereon.
Second engagement elements 112 can comprise recesses having a
predetermined size and shape that is complementary to first
engagement elements 88. Second engagement elements 112 can be
formed on a top surface 114 of second uprising portions 110. A
second cavity portion 116 is formed in second portion 84 and
extends below a back wall 118. Second uprising portions 110 also
extend above back wall portion 118. Optional stabilizing legs 120
are formed at a bottom side 122 of second, rear portion 84,
opposite a top side 124. Second portion 84 has a second interface
region 126, which can be formed around a perimeter of second
portion 84. First interface region 102 can comprise a channel and
second interface region 126 can comprise a ridge which is sized to
fit within channel 102, or vice-versa.
[0048] Other types of interfaces can be used to hold first portion
82 and second portion 84 together, and it is also possible to
eliminate interfitting interfaces and instead simply rely on
correct alignment of the first and second portions prior to joining
them together. Articles (not shown) can be retained and displayed
within the cavity formed by the connection of first portion 82 and
second portion 84 and can be securely stored therein by pressure
sealing, gluing, heat welding, stapling, etc. first interface
region 102 with second interface region 126 and/or on optional rims
127 and 128 on first and second portions 82 and 84,
respectively.
[0049] FIG. 11 is a side-elevation of two display packages 80A and
80B joined together by placing display packages 80A and 80B with
uprising portions 86 of display package 80A abutting uprising
portions 110 of display package 80B, such that first engagement
elements 88 are placed within second engagement elements 112. First
engagement elements 88 can preferably have interference fits with
second engagement elements 112, respectively, so that a slight
pulling force is required to separate display packages joined in
this way. This helps prevent tipping over of individual display
packages in a plurality of display packages on a pallet and the
like and also helps better display their contents. The optional
stabilizing feet 94 and 120 will help stabilize individual display
packages and groups of display packages on a supporting surface. As
can be seen, spaces 129 are formed between the two display packages
80A and 80B. These spaces 129 serve a useful function in that they
provide a convenient location for a shopper to slide his or her
fingers to pull off one or more of the display packages from other
display packages. Additionally, the spaces 129 can provide a
convenient visual indicator to a store checkout clerk and/or
shopper in determining whether a single unit is being purchased, or
a plurality of units are being purchased.
[0050] Although the first engagement elements and second engagement
elements have been described as protrusions and recesses,
respectively, other types of engagement elements can be used, and
their locations on the first and second package portions can be
switched.
[0051] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
display package 130 of the invention, wherein a first portion 132
and a second portion 134 are joined together by a living hinge 126
in a clamshell-like manner. First engagement elements 138 are
formed on first portion 132 and second engagement elements 140 are
formed on second portion 134. Optional stabilizing feet 142 can be
formed on first portion 132 and optional stabilizing feet 144 are
formed on second portion 134.
[0052] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of another exemplary
embodiment of a display package 150 according to the present
invention showing front and rear portions, 152 and 154,
respectively and FIG. 14 is a perspective view of rear portion 154
flipped over to show its uprising portions 162. Display package 150
is similar to the exemplary embodiment of a display package 80 of
FIG. 9, except that its first engagement means 156 formed on first
uprising portions 158 and extending above a top face 164 thereof,
are designed to slidingly engage with second engagement means 160
formed on second uprising portions 162 and extending below a top
face 166 thereof. First engagement means 156 can comprise a
protrusion, and second engagement means 160 can comprise a slot,
with protrusion 156 being sized and shaped to slideably engage with
slot 160 to be retained therein. Other features of display package
150 can be as shown and describe with respect to the exemplary
embodiment of FIGS. 9-11, and bear the same reference numerals.
[0053] FIGS. 15-17 are views of second engagement means 160 formed
as a slot formed into top face 166 of second uprising portion 162
of bottom portion (not shown). FIG. 15 is a top plan view showing
slot 160 formed into top face 166 of second uprising portion 162 of
bottom portion 154. FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view along view
lines 16-16 of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 15. Slot
160 preferably has outwardly slanting side walls 170 and optionally
a backwardly slanting rear wall 172, and a bottom wall 174. Slot
160 thus has a shape which is adapted to capture a complementary
protrusion and only allows such a protrusion to enter from its open
end 176 and be withdrawn therefrom.
[0054] FIGS. 18-20 are views of first engagement means 156 formed
as a protrusion formed to extend above top face 164 of first
uprising portion 158 of top portion 152. FIG. 18 is a top plan view
showing protrusion 156 formed to extend above top face 164 of first
uprising portion 158 of top portion 152. As shown in FIG. 19, which
is a side view along view lines 19-19 of FIG. 18, and FIG. 20,
which is a front view of same, protrusion 156 can have inwardly
slanting side walls 180 and a flat top surface 182, and an
optionally frontwardly slanting rear wall 184. Protrusions 156 thus
has a shape which is adapted to be captured in the complementary
slot 160 formed on first uprising portions 162 in a sliding action
by sliding slanting front 184 of protrusion into open end 176 of
slot 160 on second uprising portions 162. Although first and second
engagement means 156 and 160, respectively, are shown as a slot and
protrusions and as having generally rectangular shapes with slanted
walls, which when slid together form a type of "dovetail" joint,
other shapes can be used, such as semi-circular, triangular,
trapezoidal, etc. slots and protrusions which permit a sliding and
locking engagement. Although the top 182 of protrusion 156 can be
flat and the bottom 174 of slot can both be flat, it is possible
for these surfaces to be curved if desired. Also, other types of
sliding engagements can be provided to hold the display packages
together, such as tunnels and pins which fit therein (not
shown).
[0055] FIG. 21 is a side view showing two display packages 150A and
150B according to FIG. 13 just prior to their being engaged
together by sliding protrusions 156 on uprising portions 158 of
front portion 152 of display package 150A into slots 160 on
uprising portion 162 of rear portion 154 of display package
15B.
[0056] FIG. 22 is a side view showing the two display packages 150A
and 150B engaged together, with protrusions 156 on uprising
portions 158 of front portion 152 of display package 150A
completely slid into slots 160 on uprising portion 162 of rear
portion 154 of display package 150B. In this orientation, display
packages 150A and 150B will remain engaged together, and display
package 150B can be taken off of another single display package
150A (as shown), or a row of display packages (not shown) by
lifting up display package 150B relative to display package 150A.
Since a plurality of display packages are held together, they tend
to stabilize each other in an upright display position. As with the
embodiment of the display packages of FIGS. 10 and 11, the optional
stabilizing feet 94 and 120 of the present embodiment will further
assist in stabilizing individual display packages and groups of
display packages on a supporting surface. As can be seen, spaces
129 are formed between the two display packages 150A and 150B.
These spaces 129 serve a useful function in that they provide a
convenient location for a user to slide his or her fingers to pull
off one or more of the display packages from other display
packages. Additionally, the spaces 129 can provide a convenient
visual indicator to a store checkout clerk and shopper which can
help them determine whether a single unit is being purchased, or a
plurality of units are being purchased.
[0057] While the first and second engagement means have been
described as being on first and second portions of the display
packages, the placement of the first and second engagement means
can be switched if desired.
[0058] Although the invention has been shown and presented herein
by means of certain embodiments of the display packages and
shipping and display systems, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied
within the spirit and scope of the invention. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will be able to identify various modifications
which still remain within the ambit of the claims which follow.
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