U.S. patent application number 11/425658 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for packaging assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Timely Inventions, LLC.. Invention is credited to Jeffrie Green, Ron S. Kaufman.
Application Number | 20070295639 11/425658 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38830260 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070295639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Jeffrie ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
PACKAGING ASSEMBLY
Abstract
The present invention provides a packaging assembly for
displaying and shipping a packaged product, the packaging assembly
comprising a display pack having one or more product chambers for
containing the packaged product and a box that houses the display
pack, the box including a front panel having a product window
disposed therein for revealing the packaged products contained
within the display pack, wherein the front panel includes a lip
around a perimeter of the product window that prevents the display
pack from being removed from the box through the product
window.
Inventors: |
Green; Jeffrie; (Beverly
Hills, CA) ; Kaufman; Ron S.; (Beverly Hills,
C) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP
333 SOUTH HOPE STREET, 48TH FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90071-1448
US
|
Assignee: |
Timely Inventions, LLC.
|
Family ID: |
38830260 |
Appl. No.: |
11/425658 |
Filed: |
June 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/777 ;
206/503 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/5038 20130101;
B65D 5/4204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/777 ;
206/503 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54; B65D 21/00 20060101 B65D021/00 |
Claims
1. A packaging assembly for displaying and shipping a packaged
product, the packaging assembly comprising: a display pack having
one or more product chambers for containing the packaged product;
and a box that houses the display pack, the box including a front
panel having a product window disposed therein for revealing the
packaged products contained within the display pack; wherein the
front panel includes a lip around a perimeter of the product window
that prevents the display pack from being removed from the box
through the product window.
2. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the display pack
comprises a transparent, two-part blister pack assembly carried
within the box, but visible through the product window in the front
panel.
3. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein each product chamber
of the display pack comprises a convex portion that protrudes from
the packaging assembly such that the convex portion is disposed
substantially in front of the front panel of the box.
4. The packaging assembly of claim 3, wherein each product chamber
of the display pack further comprises a concave portion disposed
substantially within the box.
5. The packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the convex and
concave portions are mated to form the one or more product
chambers.
6. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the product window
comprises a single opening that is large enough to receive each of
the one or more product chambers.
7. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the product window
comprises a plurality of openings, each opening dimensioned to
receive a single product chamber.
8. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the display pack
comprises a front portion containing one or more convex portions of
the one or more product chambers, and a rear portion containing one
or more concave portions of the one or more product chambers.
9. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the front portion of
the display pack comprises a substantially planar sheet of
transparent plastic having the convex portions projecting
therefrom, and a side wall around a perimeter of the front portion
that is disposed substantially normal to the planar sheet.
10. The packaging assembly of claim 9, wherein the rear portion
comprises a substantially planar sheet of transparent plastic
having the concave portions forming recesses therein, and a side
wall around a perimeter of the rear portion that is disposed
substantially normal to the planar sheet.
11. The packaging assembly of claim 8, wherein the front and rear
portions of the display pack are adjoined such that the convex and
concave portions align to create the one or more product
chambers.
12. The packaging assembly of claim 8, further comprising a
substantially planar product display card disposed between the
front and rear portions of the display pack such that the display
card is visible through the product window in the front panel of
the box.
13. The packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the display card
includes one or more cutouts that correspond with dimensions and
locations of the one or more product chambers.
14. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the
product window is smaller than a perimeter of the display pack.
15. The packaging assembly of claim 1, further comprising a product
insert area disposed within the cardboard box, the product insert
area containing packaged product parts that are not displayed
through the product window.
16. The packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein a rear panel of the
box comprises one or more concave recesses dimensioned to receive
one or more convex portions of a display pack of another packaging
assembly.
17. A multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies for displaying and
shipping packaged products, the stack comprising: a first layer of
packaging assemblies; and a second layer of packaging assemblies
disposed on top of the first layer of packaging assemblies; wherein
each packaging assembly comprises: a display pack having one or
more product chambers for containing the packaged product, and a
box that houses the display pack, the box including a front panel
having a product window disposed therein for revealing the packaged
products contained within the display pack, wherein the front panel
includes a lip around a perimeter of the product window that
prevents the display pack from being removed from the box through
the product window, wherein a rear panel of the box comprises one
or more concave recesses dimensioned to receive one or more convex
portions of a display pack of another packaging assembly.
18. The multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies of claim 17,
wherein the display pack comprises a transparent, two-part blister
pack assembly carried within the box, but visible through the
product window in the front panel.
19. The multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies of claim 17,
wherein each product chamber of the display pack comprises: a
convex portion that protrudes from the packaging assembly such that
the convex portion is disposed substantially in front of the front
panel of the box; and a concave portion disposed substantially
within the box; wherein the convex and concave portions are mated
to form the one or more product chambers.
20. The multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies of claim 17,
wherein: the display pack comprises a front portion containing one
or more convex portions of the one or more product chambers, and a
rear portion containing one or more concave portions of the one or
more product chambers; the front portion of the display pack
comprises a substantially planar sheet of transparent plastic
having the convex portions projecting therefrom, and a side wall
around a perimeter of the front portion that is disposed
substantially normal to the planar sheet; and wherein the rear
portion comprises a substantially planar sheet of transparent
plastic having the concave portions forming recesses therein, and a
side wall around a perimeter of the rear portion that is disposed
substantially normal to the planar sheet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to bulk packaging
for shipping and display and, more particularly, to a packaging
assembly for economically and safely shipping and displaying one or
more products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Traditionally, products have been shipped in bulk from a
manufacturer to a retailer in cartons containing protective packing
material. Individual products were then removed from the cartons to
be individually placed on a shelf or rack for display. For small,
expensive and easily stolen products, the shelf or rack might be
located within a secured display case to minimize the risk of
theft.
[0003] This system of shipping and display is both costly and time
consuming. The manufacturer must often pay relatively expensive
initial packaging costs, particularly for items that are easily
damaged by rough handling. The retailer must pay employees to
individually place each product item on display in a manner that is
both appearing to the customer and safe for the product.
Furthermore, for small, expensive and easily stolen products, which
are kept in secured display cases, the retailer must pay a sales
person to attend to each customer wishing to inspect the products.
These costs are typically passed along to the consumer, who
receives little benefit from them other than to receive a product
that has safely survived the rigors of shipping. Accordingly, there
is a continuing need for more economical means of safely and
efficiently shipping and displaying products for sale.
[0004] It is known that small products may be packaged in
comparatively large containers to deter theft. However, these
containers require the use of large amounts of retail space, and
the containers must be decorated and otherwise configured to appeal
to consumers, adding to the total product packaging cost.
Therefore, some manufacturers have used smaller packaging, with an
optional, transparent display pack, such as a blister pack,
available at a retailer's request.
[0005] The display pack, which contains the product within its
smaller packaging, typically is significantly larger than the small
packaging, providing for increased deterrence of theft. Typically,
display packs are configured with an appealing appearance to the
customer, and provide added safety in shipping. Display packs are
usually made from two vacuum-formed sheets of clear plastic, sealed
around the edges, forming a chamber for holding the product. Such
display packs are relatively inexpensive, and benefit from the
appealing appearance of the small packaging, which is visible
through the display packs. U.S. Design Pat. No. D 353,092, to
Green, entitled "Blister Pack" discloses a transparent display pack
assembly having several cavities for containing products.
[0006] Warehouse shopping clubs such as Sam's Club and Costco
require manufacturers to ship products according to strict
guidelines that ensure the products are adequately protected during
shipment and ready to be displayed on the warehouse floor. A
challenge for manufacturers is in striking an appropriate balance
between adequately protecting the products and minimizing the
amount of handling necessary to display the products on the store
floor. Internal plastic packaging is preferred because it allows
the product to be viewed by consumers. However, such packaging is
more susceptible to damage during shipment and is difficult to
display in bulk form. Consequently, warehouse clubs and
manufacturers have a long felt need for external packaging that is
sufficiently strong to protect the internal plastic packaging, yet
that permits easy handling and display of the packaged products on
the store floor.
[0007] It should, therefore, be appreciated that there exists a
need for a packaging assembly that overcomes the drawbacks of prior
packaging assemblies, as described above, and that includes a box
and a product display pack housed within the box, wherein the box
is sufficiently strong to protect the product display pack, yet
permits easy handling and display of the packaged product. The
present invention fulfills this need and provides further related
advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a packaging assembly including a box and a
product display pack housed within the box, wherein the box
includes a front panel having a lip that prevents the display pack
from being removed through a product window in the front panel,
thereby discouraging theft of the product.
[0009] The present invention provides a packaging assembly for
shipping and displaying a plurality of products. It provides for
economy and safety by protecting the products from shipping damage,
providing for fast and efficient display, and offering significant
protection against theft without requiring the attention of a
salesperson.
[0010] One aspect of the present invention involves a packaging
assembly for displaying and shipping a packaged product, the
packaging assembly comprising a display pack having one or more
product chambers for containing the packaged product and a box that
houses the display pack, the box including a front panel having a
product window disposed therein for revealing the packaged products
contained within the display pack, wherein the front panel includes
a lip around a perimeter of the product window that prevents the
display pack from being removed from the box through the product
window. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the display
pack comprises a transparent, two-part blister pack assembly
carried within the box, but visible through the product window in
the front panel. Each product chamber of the display pack comprises
a convex portion that protrudes from the packaging assembly such
that the convex portion is disposed substantially in front of the
front panel of the box. Additionally, each product chamber of the
display pack further comprises a concave portion disposed
substantially within the box, wherein the convex and concave
portions are mated to form the one or more product chambers.
[0011] According to the invention, the display pack comprises a
front portion containing one or more convex portions of the one or
more product chambers, and a rear portion containing one or more
concave portions of the one or more product chambers. The front
portion of the display pack comprises a substantially planar sheet
of transparent plastic having the convex portions projecting
therefrom, and a side wall around a perimeter of the front portion
that is disposed substantially normal to the planar sheet. In
addition, the rear portion comprises a substantially planar sheet
of transparent plastic having the concave portions forming recesses
therein, and a side wall around a perimeter of the rear portion
that is disposed substantially normal to the planar sheet. The
front and rear portions of the display pack are adjoined such that
the convex and concave portions align to create the one or more
product chambers.
[0012] According to some embodiments of the invention the packaging
assembly may further comprise a substantially planar product
display card disposed between the front and rear portions of the
display pack such that the display card is visible through the
product window in the front panel of the box. The display card
preferably includes one or more cutouts that correspond with
dimensions and locations of the one or more product chambers.
According to additional embodiments, the packaging assembly may
further comprise a product insert area disposed within the
cardboard box, the product insert area containing packaged product
parts that are not displayed through the product window. According
to further embodiments, a rear panel of the box may comprise one or
more concave recesses dimensioned to receive one or more convex
portions of a display pack of another packaging assembly.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention involves a
multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies for displaying and
shipping packaged products, the stack comprising a first layer of
packaging assemblies and a second layer of packaging assemblies
disposed on top of the first layer of packaging assemblies, wherein
each packaging assembly comprises a display pack having one or more
product chambers for containing the packaged product and a box that
houses the display pack. The box includes a front panel having a
product window disposed therein for revealing the packaged products
contained within the display pack, wherein the front panel includes
a lip around a perimeter of the product window that prevents the
display pack from being removed from the box through the product
window. In addition, a rear panel of the box comprises one or more
concave recesses dimensioned to receive one or more convex portions
of a display pack of another packaging assembly.
[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention
should become apparent from the following description of the
preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings,
in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 a is a side view of a preferred packaging assembly,
in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 1b is a bottom view of the preferred packaging assembly
of FIG. 1a;
[0018] FIG. 2a is a bottom view of the display pack of the
preferred packaging assembly, in accordance with the principles of
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2b is an exploded view of the display pack of FIG.
2a;
[0020] FIG. 3a is a top view of the preferred packaging assembly of
FIG. 1a, wherein the cardboard box is provided with concave
recesses dimensioned to receive the convex portions of another
packaging assembly; and
[0021] FIG. 3b is a top view of a layer of packaging assemblies
formed by positioning a plurality of the packaging assemblies of
FIG. 3a in a side-by-side orientation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] The present invention is directed to a packaging assembly
for displaying and shipping one or more packaged products. In
particular, the packaging assembly includes a box having a front
panel with an opening or product window for revealing a packaged
product disposed within the box. The packaging assembly further
comprises a two-part, transparent plastic display pack carried
within the box, but visible through the product window in the front
panel. The box includes a lip around an edge of the product window
that prevents the two-part plastic display pack from being removed
from the box. The preferred packaging assembly of the invention
includes a box made of corrugated cardboard to provide adequate
strength for shipping and handling. It should be understood to
those of ordinary skill in the art that the box may comprise any
number of materials having a high strength to weight ratio without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a preferred packaging assembly
100 for displaying and shipping one or more packaged products in
accordance with the principles of the invention will now be
described. Specifically, the packaging assembly 100 comprises a
cardboard box 110 that houses a display pack 140 having one or more
product chambers 145 for containing the packaged product. The
cardboard box 110 comprises a front panel 115, a rear panel 118, a
top panel 120, a bottom panel 124, a left side panel 126, and a
right side panel 128, wherein the front panel 115 includes a
product window 130 comprising an opening or cutout in the front
panel 115 for revealing one or more packaged products disposed
within the display pack 140. In accordance with the principles of
the invention, the front panel 115 of the cardboard box 110
includes a lip 150 around a perimeter 155 of the product window
130, such that the perimeter 155 of the product window is smaller
than a perimeter of the display pack 140. In other words, the lip
150 is the portion of the front panel 115 that fits over the
display pack 140 and prevents the display pack 140 from being
removed from the cardboard box 110 through the product window 130.
The packaging assembly 100 may further comprise a product insert
area 135 disposed within the cardboard box 110. Particularly, the
product insert area 135 may contain additional product parts,
accessories, instructions and other materials related to the
product that are not displayed through the product window 130.
[0024] The display pack 140 of the preferred packaging assembly 100
of the invention may comprise a transparent, two-part blister pack
assembly carried within the cardboard box 110, but visible through
the product window 130 in the front panel 115. As illustrated in
FIG. 1b, each product chamber 145 of the display pack 140 includes
a convex portion 146 that protrudes from the packaging assembly 100
such that it is disposed substantially in front of the front panel
115. Additionally, each product chamber 145 further includes a
concave portion 148 disposed substantially within the cardboard box
110. The convex portions 146 and concave portions 148 are mated to
form the product chambers 145 for the packaged products. In the
illustrated embodiment, the product window 130 comprises a single
opening that is large enough to receive all of the product chambers
145. According to other embodiments, the front panel 115 may
comprise a plurality of product windows, each product window
dimensioned to receive a single product chamber. According to some
embodiments of the invention, the display pack 140 may be vacuum
sealed around its periphery.
[0025] With further reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the bottom panel
124 of the cardboard box 110 preferably includes a surface area
that is sufficiently large to allow the packaging assembly 100 to
stand on its own while being transported or displayed. In addition,
the cardboard box 110 should be strong enough to support a
significant amount of weight placed on top of the packaging
assembly 100 in the form of additional stacked packaging
assemblies. In this regard, the preferred packaging assembly 100 of
the invention includes a box 110 made of corrugated cardboard to
provide adequate strength for stacking layers of packaging
assemblies on too of one another.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the two-part display pack 140
of the invention is depicted after being removed from the cardboard
box 110. Specifically, the display pack 140 comprises a front
portion 160 containing the convex portions 146 of the product
chambers 145 and a rear portion 165 containing the concave portions
148 of the product chambers 145. More particularly, the front
portion 160 of the display pack 140 comprises a substantially
planar sheet 180 of transparent plastic having the convex portions
146 projecting therefrom, and a side wall 185 around the perimeter
of the planar sheet 180 that is disposed substantially normal to
the planar sheet 180. Similarly, the rear portion 165 comprises a
substantially planar sheet 190 of transparent plastic having the
concave portions 148 forming recesses therein, and a side wall 195
around the perimeter of the planar sheet 190 that is disposed
substantially normal to the planar sheet 190. The planar sheet 180
of the front portion 160 preferably is slightly larger in length
and width than the planar sheet 190 of the rear portion 165 such
that the side wall 185 of the first portion 160 may be slipped into
place over the side wall 195 of the rear portion, as depicted in
FIG. 2a.
[0027] When the front and rear portions 160, 165 are adjoined, the
convex and concave portions 146, 148 align to create the product
chambers 145. Each product chamber 145 is configured to hold a
packaged product (or a portion of a packaged product), and is
dimensioned to conform to the shape of the packaged product to
accommodate both display and shipping requirements. Since the front
and rear portions 160, 165 are formed using a transparent material,
the product chambers 145 allow the one or more packaged products to
be visible to potential buyers. As depicted in FIG. 2b, a
substantially planar product display card 170 may be disposed
between the front and rear portions 160, 165 of the display pack
140 such that the display card 170 is visible through the product
window 130 in the front panel 115 of the cardboard box 110. The
display card 170 preferably includes cutouts 175 that correspond
with the dimensions and locations of the product chambers 145, so
as to accommodate the one or more packaged products within the
product chambers 145.
[0028] With farther reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, in the
illustrated embodiment the front and rear portions 160, 165 are
readily separable from each other. According to some embodiments of
the invention, the front and rear portions 160, 165 may be provided
with interlocking indents such that an interference or friction fit
is established therebetween. Alternatively, the front and rear
portions 160, 165 may be sealed together by fusing the side wall
185 of the front portion 160 to the side wall 195 of the rear
portion 165. In this manner, the display pack may be vacuum sealed
around its periphery.
[0029] In the packaging assembly 100, the packaged products are
suspended in the product chambers 145, thereby protecting the
packaged products from damage during shipping and handling. The
display pack 140 internally provides vertical and lateral support
to the rest of the packaging assembly 100. The display pack 140,
while having an appealing shape, and optionally having a display
card 170 to augment its appearance, displays the packaged products
in full view, allowing the aesthetics of the packaged products and
information on the display card 170 to encourage consumers to
purchase the products. In this regard, the outer periphery of the
entire cardboard box 110 may be employed to display printing such
as text and/or images associated with the packaged products. The
lip 150 of the front panel 115 provides further surface area for
displaying additional printing such as text and/or images
associated with the packaged products.
[0030] According to the invention, the packaging assembly 100
described herein acts as a theft deterrent because the cardboard
box 110 makes the overall assembly too large to easily conceal, for
example underneath an article of clothing. Additionally, the
cardboard box 110 gives the packaging assembly 100 added strength
to avoid being crushed during shipping and handling, especially
when layers, or tiers, of packaging assemblies are stacked on top
of one another, as described below. Unlike conventional blister
packs that require a slotted display stand for proper support, the
packaging assembly 100 of the invention is self-supporting and may
be employed to transport and display much larger products.
[0031] The display pack 140 preferably is sized to extend fully
from the bottom panel 124 to the top panel 120 of the cardboard box
110. The display pack, thereby, can assist the cardboard box in
supporting the weight of any overlaying layers, or tiers, of
packaging assemblies 100. This supplemental support optionally
allows the cardboard box to be formed of panels that are thinner,
and thus less costly, than would be required if the overlaying
tiers were to be supported by the cardboard boxes, alone.
[0032] FIG. 3a is a top view of the packaging assembly 100 of FIG.
1, wherein the rear panel 118 of the cardboard box 110 comprises
one or more concave recesses 200 dimensioned to receive the convex
portions 146 of the display pack 140 of another packaging assembly
100. As illustrated in FIG. 3b, a layer 210 of packaging assemblies
may be formed by positioning a plurality of packaging assemblies
100, 100', 100'' side-by-side such that the convex portions 146''
of the rearmost packaging assembly 100'' nest within the
corresponding concave recesses 200' of the packaging assembly 100'
that is immediately in front of the rearmost packaging assembly
100''. Similarly, the convex portions 146' of packaging assembly
100' nest within the corresponding concave recesses 200 of the
leading packaging assembly 100 disposed immediately in front of
packaging assembly 100'. Although the illustrated embodiment
depicts a layer 210 having three side-by-side packaging assemblies
100, 100', 100'', it should be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that any number of packaging assemblies may be
employed to form a layer without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0033] With further reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, additional layers
210 of packaging assemblies 100 may be stacked on top of each other
to form a multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies 100. In
particular, by nesting the convex portions 146 of a packaging
assembly 100 within the corresponding concave recesses 200 of an
adjacent packaging assembly 100, the resultant formation includes
enhanced structural rigidity that allows layers of packaging
assemblies 100 to be stacked on top of one another without crushing
the bottom layer. In addition, the cargo space necessary for
shipping a multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies 100 is
significantly reduced when the packaging assemblies 100 are nested
in this manner. The multi-layer stack of packaging assemblies 100
may be wrapped in shrink-wrap or otherwise contained during
shipment. After shipment, the stack is then unwrapped such that the
packaging assemblies 100 may be displayed for sale on the store
floor.
[0034] The present invention has been described above in terms of
presently preferred embodiments so that an understanding of the
present invention can be conveyed. However, there are other
embodiments not specifically described herein for which the present
invention is applicable. Therefore, the present invention should
not to be seen as limited to the forms shown, which is to be
considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
* * * * *