U.S. patent application number 11/462235 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for upright standing package.
Invention is credited to Richard Mazurek.
Application Number | 20070029223 11/462235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37440643 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070029223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mazurek; Richard |
February 8, 2007 |
Upright Standing Package
Abstract
A package (100), formed from a shell (102) and a card (104),
includes features for maintaining the package (100) in an upright
position. The shell (102) and the card (104) are assembled such
that a foot (106) extends from a portion of the package (100)
relative to an edge (105) of the card (104) such that the foot
(106) and the edge (105) cooperate to provide a base for the
package (100).
Inventors: |
Mazurek; Richard;
(Huntington Valley, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PARKS KNOWLTON LLC
1117 PERIMETER CENTER WEST
SUITE E402
ATLANTA
GA
30338
US
|
Family ID: |
37440643 |
Appl. No.: |
11/462235 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60705514 |
Aug 4, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/463 ;
206/461; 206/462; 206/471 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 73/0092 20130101;
B65D 2207/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/463 ;
206/461; 206/462; 206/471 |
International
Class: |
B65D 73/00 20060101
B65D073/00 |
Claims
1. A package (100) comprising: a substantially planar card (104)
having an edge (105); a shell (102) for containing an object; and
at least one foot (106) extending from a plane defined by said card
(104); wherein said shell (102) is secured to said card (104) and
said at least one foot (106) extends relative to said edge (105) so
as to cooperate to support said package (100) in an upright
position.
2. The package of claim 1, said shell (102) comprising: a main body
(M); and a substantially planar flange (F) extending about at least
a portion of said main body (M); and wherein said at least one foot
(106) is formed from said flange (F).
3. The package of claim 1, wherein said card (104) comprises front
and back panels (114, 116) which are hingedly connected along a
fold line (118) that defines said edge (105).
4. The package of claim 2, wherein said card (104) comprises front
and back panels (114, 116) which are hingedly connected along a
fold line (118) that defines said edge (105).
5. The package of claim 4, wherein said flange (F) is secured
between said front and back panels (114, 116) to secure said flange
(F) to said card (104).
6. The package of claim 3, wherein at least one of said front and
back panels (114, 116) includes at least one port (122) for
receiving said foot (106), said at least one port (122) being
proximal to said edge (105).
7. The package of claim 4, wherein at least one of said front and
back panels (114, 116) includes an aperture (120) through which at
least a portion of the main body (M) of the shell (102)
extends.
8. The package of claim 3, wherein at least one of said front and
back panels (114, 116) includes a detachable portion (134).
9. The package of claim 1, wherein said shell (102) is formed from
an outer structure (111) and an inner structure (112).
10. The package of claim 9, wherein said inner structure (112)
comprises a cavity (C) for receiving an object.
11. The package (100) of claim 1, wherein the package (100)
comprises a plurality of shells (102).
12. A substantially planar card (104) for forming a standing
package (100), comprising: a first panel (114) including a standing
edge (105); a second panel (116) connected to said first panel; a
first section of one of said panels (114, 116) configured to
surround at least a portion of a main body (M) of a shell (102);
and a second section of one of said panels (114, 116) configured to
surround at least a portion of an extended foot (106); wherein said
standing edge (105) is proximate to said second section.
13. The planar card of claim 12, wherein at least one of said
panels (114, 116) includes an at least partially detachable portion
(134).
14. The planar card of claim 12, wherein said first section of one
of said panels (114, 116) includes at least one aperture (120).
15. The planar card of claim 12, wherein said second section of one
of said panels (114, 116) includes at least one port (122).
16. An insert (102) for forming a standing package (100),
comprising: a first shell (111) configured to receive an object and
be attached to a card (104) that defines a standing edge (105); a
second shell (112) located between said first shell (111) and said
card (104); at least one foot (106) extending from one of said
shells (111, 112), which cooperates with said edge (105) to form a
standing package (100).
17. The insert of claim 14, wherein said second shell (112)
comprises a cavity (C).
18. The insert of claim 14, wherein at least one of said shells
(111, 112) comprises a flange (126, 127) from which said at least
one foot (106) extends.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No.
60/705,514, filed Aug. 4, 2005, the entirety of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to packaging and, more
specifically, to a package which stands upright.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] One type of package that is in common use today is the
clamshell package. Clamshell packages are desirable because,
amongst other reasons, they are made of a clear material that makes
their contents easy to view, they are made of tough plastic
material that provides a high degree of security, and they have the
ability to stand upright. The ability to stand upright is a feature
that is useful in stocking and displaying items in a store or
warehouse.
[0004] A clamshell package is typically enabled to stand in one of
two ways. First, one or both sections of the clamshell package may
be designed to include a base structure near the hinged connection
between the sections of the clamshell package, which allows the
clamshell package to stand. A second method for enabling a
clamshell package to stand upright is to provide a separate base
into which the clamshell package is inserted to retain the
clamshell package in an upright position.
[0005] Clamshell packages are constructed from a transparent
plastic material that allows contents of the package to be viewed.
These materials are useful for security and display purposes but
are relatively expensive. A further disadvantage of the known
designs for enabling a package to stand upright is that additional
material is incorporated into the package to form the base
structure, thereby increasing the cost of the package.
[0006] In addition, it is difficult or expensive to print upon
plastic materials. In general, to provide a viewable printed
surface for a clamshell package, printed paperboard is provided
inside the clamshell package. The size of the clamshell package
must be increased to accommodate the printed paperboard, which
results in further expense.
[0007] Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the
industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and
inadequacies. What is needed is a package for containing objects
which provides a high degree of security, permits the consumer to
view the contents, provides for ample printable space, is able to
stand upright, and is cost-effective to produce.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The various embodiments of the present invention overcome
the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a package which
includes a shell for containing an object, which is secured to a
card having an edge. The shell includes a main body for securing
and containing the object, a planar flange surrounding the object,
and a foot that extends from the flange. The shell is secured to
the card such that the foot of the shell extends relative to the
edge of the card so as to cooperate to provide a base to support
the package in an upright position. Thereby, the object in the
shell is viewable and the card can be formed of a relatively
inexpensive material to reduce the cost of the package. In addition
the card can be formed of a material that is easily printed upon to
further reduce the necessary size of the shell.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, the shell is
formed from a thermoplastic material. The shell is assembled from
an inner structure and an outer structure that together define an
interior chamber which is adapted and configured for containing an
object or objects. The outer structure includes a convex portion
and a substantially planar flange that extends about at least part
of the convex portion. At least one foot is formed in the flange of
the outer structure and extends outwardly from the plane defined by
the flange. The inner structure includes a convex portion having a
cavity that is configured to receive an item. The convex portion of
the inner structure is inserted into the concave portion of the
outer structure such that the cavity and the volume between the
inner and outer structures define the interior chamber. The
composite portions of the inner and outer structures define the
main body of the shell. The composite flanges of the inner and
outer structures define the flange of the shell.
[0010] In this same embodiment of the invention, the card has front
and back panels that are hingedly connected along a fold line. The
front panel includes an aperture for receiving the main body of the
shell. The back panel includes ports for receiving the feet of the
shell. The ports are disposed proximal to the fold line such that
the package is capable of being supported in an upright position by
the feet and an edge of the card portion as described immediately
below. The back panel further includes a pattern of severance lines
for accessing the object or objects in the package.
[0011] In alternative embodiments, only a single outer shell is
provided and the item is placed within the concave space created
between the outer shell and card. In still other alternative
embodiments, multiple shells with multiple formed cavities are
nested inside an outer shell to securely display a plurality of
items. In additional alternative embodiments, the exterior
perimeter of the card may take any form or shape, this
configuration being merely a design choice. Specifically, there is
no requirement that the standing edge be straight or uniform as
shown in the illustrated embodiment; rather it may curve, undulate,
or otherwise take any design. In still further embodiments, the
standing edge is formed from only a single edge of one panel.
[0012] In the illustrated embodiment, the package is assembled as
the card is folded along the fold line to define an edge, the main
body of the shell is received in the aperture of the front panel,
and the feet of the shell are received in the respective ports of
the back panel. The flange of the shell is sandwiched between the
folded front and back panels of the card as the panels are folded
to be substantially coplanar and secured to one another. Thereby,
the shell is secured by the card to form a package and the feet of
the shell extend relative to the edge of the card such that lower
surfaces of the feet and at least a portion of the edge are
coplanar.
[0013] In alternative embodiments the shells and panels are
individual parts, that is, they are not joined and folded to form
the package as shown in the illustrated package but are assembled
as individual parts to form the package. In still other alternative
embodiments, the shells and/or the card are formed of a single part
and folded. In additional alternative embodiments there is a single
foot and that foot is formed from any portion of any of the shells,
or parts thereof, and may be formed separately and attached to the
package. In still other alternative embodiments, the feet extend
toward the front of the package while in other embodiments the feet
extend in an opposite or alternate direction.
[0014] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
description. All such additional systems, methods, features, and
advantages are included within the scope of the present teaching
and are protected by the accompanying claims.
[0015] The foregoing has broadly outlined some of the aspects and
features of the present invention, which should be construed to be
merely illustrative of various potential applications of the
invention. Other beneficial results can be obtained by applying the
disclosed information in a different manner or by combining various
aspects of the disclosed embodiments. Accordingly, other aspects
and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention may be
obtained by referring to the detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
addition to the scope of the invention defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a plan view of components of a package including a
card and structures for forming a shell, according to the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the components of FIG. 1
illustrating the assembly of a package, according to the present
invention.
[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of an exemplary package,
the package being assembled from the components of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the package of FIGS. 3
and 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein. It must be understood that the disclosed
embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be
embodied in various and alternative forms, and combinations
thereof. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used expansively
to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations, specimens,
models, or patterns. The figures are not necessarily to scale and
some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of
particular components. In other instances, well-known components,
systems, materials, or methods have not been described in detail in
order to avoid obscuring the present invention. Therefore, specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals
indicate like elements throughout the several views, the drawings
illustrate certain of the various aspects of exemplary embodiments
of a package formed from a shell and a card that includes features
for maintaining the package in an upright position. The shell and
the card are assembled such that a foot, which extends from a
portion of the shell, and an edge of the card cooperate to provide
a base for the package or otherwise support the package in an
upright position.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, a card 104 and outer and inner
structures 111, 112 for forming an exemplary shell 102 (shown in
FIGS. 3-5), which can be assembled to form an exemplary blister
card or package 100 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), are illustrated. The
card 104 can be constructed of a foldable sheet material such as
paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, cardboard or the like. It
should be understood that the card 104 may be formed from a
paper-like material in order to reduce costs. Alternatively, the
card 104 can be formed from a tear-resistant synthetic paper
substrate in order to provide increased theft-resistance or
child-resistance.
[0023] The card 104 includes front and back panels 114, 116 which
are hingedly connected along a fold line 118. The front panel 114
of card 104 includes an aperture 120 for receiving a main body M
portion of the shell 102, as described in further detail below. The
back panel 116 of card 104 includes ports 122 for receiving feet
106 of the shell 102 and severance lines 130 for accessing objects
in the package 100, as described in further detail below. The
illustrated ports 122 are disposed adjacent or relative to the fold
line 118. In alternative embodiments, the ports are eliminated by
virtue of the card design. In further alternative embodiments, the
ports are disposed adjacent or relative to an edge of the card.
[0024] The severance lines 130 define a push tab 132 and an at
least partially detachable portion 134 of back panel 116. In the
exemplary embodiment, the severance lines 130 define a
semi-circular detachable portion 134 with a radius that is at least
as great as the radius of the inner structure 112 such that the
inner structure 112 can pass through an opening defined by the
detachable portion 134. However, these details are design features
that are not restricted to the illustrated embodiments.
[0025] In addition, the panels 114, 116 of the card 104 include
apertures A that cooperate to define an aperture 103 (shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4) in the package 100 for hanging the package, for
example, from a hook.
[0026] As used herein, the phrase "frangible line" or "severance
line" includes, but is not limited to, perforations, a line of
perforations, a line of short slits, a line of half cuts, a single
half cut, any combination of perforations, slits, and half cuts,
short score lines, and the like.
[0027] The outer and inner structures 111, 112 for forming a shell
102 can be formed of a transparent plastic material so as to allow
the contents of the shell 102 to be visible as well as protected.
For example, the outer and inner structures 111, 112 can be formed
from a thermoplastic material using an injection molding or
thermoforming process. The outer structure 111 includes a main body
124 that is surrounded by a flange 126. In the exemplary
embodiment, the main body 124 of the outer structure 111 is a
hemispherical shape with a convex outer surface and a concave inner
surface. The outer structure 111 of the shell 102 further includes
feet 106 that are defined from the flange 126 and that extend
outwardly from a plane defined by the flange 126. The main body 124
and the feet 106 extend in opposite directions relative to the
plane defined by the flange 126. Similarly, the inner structure 112
of the shell 102 includes a main body 125 that is surrounded by a
flange 127. Here, the main body 125 is a hemispherical shape with a
convex outer surface and a concave inner surface. The main body 125
is sized relative to the main body 124 such that the convex outer
surface of the inner structure 112 corresponds to or is otherwise
received by the concave inner surface of the outer structure 111.
Further, a cavity C, which is formed to fit an object, is disposed
in the outer surface of the main body 125 of the inner structure
112. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the cavity C is
sized and shaped such that a small tube of medicine can be received
in the cavity C. In alternative embodiments, the cavity C can be
any suitable shape for receiving an object.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, the convex outside surface of the inner
structure 112 of the shell 102 is dimensioned to fit against the
concave inside surface of the outer structure 111 of the shell 102
such that the cavity C is enclosed by a portion the inside surface
of the outer structure 111. Thereby, the shell 102 is assembled
such that the main body 124 of the outer structure 111 and the main
body 125 of the inner structure 112 form a composite main body M
(shown in FIG. 3) of the shell 102. In addition, the flange 127 of
the inner structure 112 abuts the flange 126 of the outer structure
to form a composite flange F (shown in FIG. 3) of the shell 102.
The flange 127 is dimensioned such that it does not interfere with
the feet 106. In certain embodiments, the flange 127 is omitted
such that the flange 126 defines the flange of the shell 102, and
in other embodiments the feet extend from the flange 127 of the
inner structure 112.
[0029] The package 100 can be assembled according to an exemplary
method as the main body M of the shell 102 is received in the
aperture 120 of the front panel 114 of the card 104 and the card
104 is folded along fold line 118 such that the panels 114, 116 of
the card 104 are brought together with the flange F of the shell
102 disposed therebetween. Further, as the back panel 116 of the
card 104 is folded toward the front panel 114, the feet 106 are
received in and extend through respective ports 122. The flange 126
is dimensioned to be larger than the aperture 120 such that the
shell 102 cannot move through the aperture 120.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, outer edge portions of each of the
panels 114, 116 of the card 104 extend beyond the flange F of the
shell 102 so as to be in a flat face arrangement with one another
when the card 104 is folded along fold line 118. The outer edge
portions of the panels 114, 116 of the card 104 can be secured to
one another to secure the shell 102 in or to the card 104 and
thereby form the package 100, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In other
words, the portions of the panels 114, 116 that directly contact
one another, as opposed to being separated by the flange F of the
shell 102, are secured together, for example, with adhesive. The
sheet material of the card 104 can be secured together by any other
known or yet to be developed means for securing sheet material,
including glue or other adhesives, staples, mechanical fasteners,
Velcro.RTM., and the like.
[0031] The inner structure 112 facilitates supporting an object in
the shell 102. However, in alternative embodiments, the inner
structure 112 can be omitted and the shell can be defined by the
outer structure 111. In such an embodiment, an object is enclosed
between the outer structure 111 and the back panel 116. Further, in
additional alternative embodiments, the front panel 114 can be
omitted and the flange 126 of the outer structure 111 may be
secured to the back panel 116 to form a package that stands
upright. In still other embodiments, three or more shells are
included to support multiple objects.
[0032] When the card 104 is folded along the fold line 118, an edge
105 is defined. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the edge 105 and the feet
106 cooperate to support the package 100 in an upright position,
which facilitates displaying the contents of the shell 102 of the
package 100. At least portions of the edge 105 and at least
portions of the feet 106 are substantially coplanar such that the
substantially coplanar portions of the edge 105 and feet 106 act as
a base for standing the package upright on a substantially flat
supporting surface S. Accordingly, feet 106 may have substantially
flat lower surfaces 110 that are roughly co-planar with one another
and with edge 105.
[0033] The size, shape, position, and number of feet 106 are design
decisions that will depend on the size, shape, and mass of the
contents in the package. For example, it is envisaged that the
package can include a single foot 106 to maintain the package in an
upright condition along with the edge 105, much like a conventional
picture frame. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the feet 106 need not be
significant in size to enable the blister card to stand upright
since the plastic material typically composing the feet 106 is
relatively rigid. Further, the feet 106 can be designed to be as
small as feasible, while still allowing package 100 to stand, in
order to reduce the amount of material required to form the feet
106 and in order to facilitate stacking or closely aligning a
number of packages 100. As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 5, the
package 100 may include at least one foot 136 that protrudes from
the front surface of the package 100.
[0034] Another design decision is the desired angle G (shown in
FIG. 5) that is defined between the card 104 of the package 100 and
the supporting surface S of the package 100. The angle G can also
be defined between a plane that is defined by the flange F and a
plane in which the edge 105 and lower surfaces of the feet 106 are
coplanar. In the exemplary embodiment, the package 100 leans back
to increase the stability of the package 100 in the upright
position or otherwise to prevent the package 100 from falling
forward. This backward leaning configuration increases the
stability of the package 100 in the upright position since the
leaning configuration moves the center of gravity of the package
100, including any contents of the shell 102, over the feet 106.
Other configurations of the feet are also possible, including the
number, and orientation, and in some embodiments the attachment of
separately formed feet directly to the card.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, the package 100 includes a pattern of
severance lines 130 in the back panel 116 of the card 104.
According to an exemplary method of opening the package 100, the
severance lines 130 facilitate removal of a detachable portion 134
of the package 100 so as to access the contents therein. According
to an exemplary method, a push tab 132 that is defined by certain
severance lines 130 is pressed into a space between the shell 102
and the card 104. The detachable portion 134 of the card 104 can
then be grasped and pulled outward to define an opening. The second
section of the shell 102 can be removed through the opening to
access the object within the shell 102.
[0036] The present invention has been illustrated in relation to a
particular embodiment which is intended in all respects to be
illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the present invention is capable of many
modifications and variations without departing from the scope of
the invention. For example, as used herein, directional references
such as "top", "base", "bottom", "end", "side", "inner", "outer",
"upper", "middle", "lower", "front" and "rear" do not limit the
respective walls of the carton to such orientation, but merely
serve to distinguish these walls from one another. Any reference to
hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring
to a junction including a single hinge only; indeed, it is
envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more
potentially disparate means for hingedly connecting materials.
Further, in alternative embodiments, the package may include any
number of shells, at least one of which includes at least one foot.
In additional alternative embodiments, the foot may not be defined
from the flange and may be attached to the card separately from the
shell.
[0037] The law does not require and it is economically prohibitive
to illustrate and teach every possible embodiment of the present
claims. Hence, the above-described embodiments are merely exemplary
illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear
understanding of the principles of the invention. Variations,
modifications, and combinations may be made to the above-described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. All
such variations, modifications, and combinations are included
herein by the scope of this disclosure and the following
claims.
* * * * *