U.S. patent application number 11/680457 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for curvilinear product package.
This patent application is currently assigned to Diamond Packaging. Invention is credited to Stephan Bestehorn, Lesley Bethune-Bates.
Application Number | 20070295794 11/680457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38872659 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070295794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bestehorn; Stephan ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
CURVILINEAR PRODUCT PACKAGE
Abstract
A package assembly comprising a single piece blank folded to
define a freestanding package having at least four panels, a set of
bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least two of
the four panels form an inner package at least partially closed by
the bottom forming flaps and the top flap and wherein at least two
of the four panels form an outer package encompassing the inner
package, the at least two panels forming an outer package being
substantially curvilinear. The top flap may include tabs and a
curvilinear periphery corresponding to a periphery of the outer
package wherein the tabs and curvilinear periphery urges the
periphery of the inner walls of the outer package to help maintain
the package shape.
Inventors: |
Bestehorn; Stephan;
(Hannover, DE) ; Bethune-Bates; Lesley;
(Rochester, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stephen B. Salai, Esq.;Harter, Secrest & Emery LLP
1600 Bausch & Lomb Place
Rochester
NY
14604-2711
US
|
Assignee: |
Diamond Packaging
Rochester
NY
Rob. Leunis & Chapman Group
30169 Hannover
|
Family ID: |
38872659 |
Appl. No.: |
11/680457 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/125.19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/10 20130101; B65D
5/5002 20130101; B65D 5/4204 20130101; B65D 5/0209 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/125.19 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/08 20060101
B65D043/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 21, 2006 |
DE |
10 2006 028 824.6 |
Claims
1. A package assembly comprising: a single piece blank folded to
define a freestanding package having at least four panels, a set of
bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least two of
the four panels form an inner package at least partially closed by
the bottom forming flaps and the top flap and wherein at least two
of the four panels form an outer package encompassing the inner
package, the at least two panels forming an outer package being
substantially curvilinear.
2. The package assembly of claim 1, further having an extending
panel connecting the inner package and the outer package.
3. The package assembly of claim 2 wherein one panel of the outer
package is adhered to the extending panel.
4. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two of the
four panels forming the outer package are longer than the at least
two of the four panels forming the inner package.
5. The package assembly of claim 1 wherein the panels forming the
outer package are disposed along the same plane, and wherein the
panels forming the inner package are at a recessed plane from the
plane of the panels forming the outer package.
6. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the set of bottom
forming flaps are automatic bottom end closures and include a first
flap having a first tab and a second flap having a second tab,
wherein at least a portion of the first flap overlaps with the
second tab and wherein at least a portion of the second flap
overlaps with the first tab.
7. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner package
includes at least two tabs connected to each of the at least two of
the four panels forming the inner package.
8. A blank for a package having free-standing ends comprising: a
first portion having fold lines forming at least two panels, the
two panels foldable to form an inner package having a front wall
and a back wall; and a second portion having fold lines forming a
third and fourth panel, the third panel overlapping the front wall
and the forth panel overlapping the back wall to form an outer
package.
9. The blank of claim 8 further having a third portion having fold
lines forming a fifth panel, the fifth panel connecting the first
and second portions together.
10. The blank of claim 8, wherein the first portion further
includes a first top flap having a tab and a curvilinear periphery
corresponding to a periphery of the outer package and is connected
to one of the at least two panels foldable to form an inner
package.
11. The blank of claim 8 wherein the first portion further includes
a top flap having four glue-tabs, each glue-tab is connected to one
of the four panels.
12. The blank of claim 8 wherein the inner package further includes
a set of bottom forming flaps automatically locking to form a
bottom end upon the forming of the curvilinear shaped package.
13. A package assembly comprising: an inner package having a first
front wall and a first back wall, the first front wall including a
fold line and the first back wall including two panels wherein the
fold line and two panels allow for the forming of the elliptical
package, the inner package further having a top flap and a set of
bottom flaps; and an outer package adhesively secured to the inner
package and further having a second front wall and a second back
wall.
14. The package assembly of claim 13, wherein the set of bottom
flaps automatically form an interlocking bottom end when the
elliptical shaped package is formed.
15. The package assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second
front walls include a first and a second corresponding
aperture.
16. A package assembly comprising: a single piece blank folded to
define a free-standing package having at least six panels, a set of
bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least four of
the six panels form an inner package at least partially closed by
the bottom forming flaps and the top flap, and wherein at least two
of the six panels form an outer package encompassing the at least
four panels, the at least two panels being substantially
curvilinear.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of German Patent
Application Number 10 2006 028 824.6, filed Jun. 21, 2006, which is
hereby incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING"
[0003] Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The present invention relates generally to a container for
receiving a plurality of product types and more particularly to a
blank for forming a curvilinear package capable of standing on at
least one of its curvilinear ends.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Packages for holding products to be distributed and sold in
the marketplace are well known in the art. It is desired to have a
package that is attractive to a consumer so that one is more likely
to notice and purchase the product. One type of attractive product
package is a pillow shaped package. While aesthetically pleasing,
pillow shaped packages do not stand upright, and therefore, are
inconvenient for manufacturers and store owners because such
packages are difficult to ship and display.
[0006] Therefore, the need exists for a product package that is
attractive and interesting to the consumer but can stand upright so
that the package is easy to ship and display on the shelves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention broadly comprises a single piece blank
folded to define a freestanding package having at least four
panels, a set of bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein
at least two of the four panels form an inner package at least
partially closed by the bottom forming flaps and the top flap and
wherein at least two of the four panels form an outer package
encompassing the inner package, the at least two panels forming an
outer package being substantially curvilinear.
[0008] A general object of the invention is to provide a
curvilinear package that is attractive to the consumer.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a curvilinear
package which is freestanding
[0010] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become readily apparent to those having
ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed
description of the invention in view of the several drawing
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank of an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a package formed from the blank
of the embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the package formed from the
blank of the embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of the blank of another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of the blank of another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 6A-6E are various views of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 7A-7D are various views of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 8A-8C are various views of another embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1-3 are views of a blank 50
of an embodiment of a freestanding package 51 (as shown in FIG. 3).
The blank 50 is a single piece and comprises panels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8 and 9. The blank 50 forms an inner package 52 by folding
panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 inwardly. The inner package 52 may be adhered
together by the glue flap 6, which assists in securing the inner
package 52 together. It should be appreciated that by "folding
panels inwardly," it is meant that panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 are folded
in a direction toward panels 7, 8 and 9 allowing the glue flap 6 to
be adhesively secured to the panel 5. The panels 2, 3, 4 and 5
further have top glue-tabs 16 and bottom flaps 13 and 14. It should
be appreciated that top glue-tabs 16 and bottom flaps 13 and 14 can
partially close or fully close the top and bottom ends of the
package 51, respectively, and these modifications are intended to
be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
Further, it should be appreciated that FIG. 1 shows a generic
automatic bottom end closure for purposes of locating bottom flaps
13 and 14, and are described in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5
[0021] The panels 8 and 9 form a substantially curvilinear outer
package 54 by encompassing inner package 52. That is, the panels 7,
8 and 9 are folded around the entire perimeter of the inner package
52 wherein a portion of the panel 9 overlaps the panel 7. By
"substantially curvilinear," it is meant that portions of the outer
package 54 may be curved or straight.
[0022] The panel 7 is an extending panel connecting the inner
package 52 and the outer package 54 together. The panel 9 may be
adhered to the panel 7. In a preferred embodiment, two glue strips
(not shown) are placed on the panel 7 and the panel 9 is adhered
thereto. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary
skill in the art that other means for fixedly securing the outer
package 54 to the inner package 52 are possible such as adhesive
tape, staples, etc. and these means are intended to be within the
spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
[0023] The panels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 have a width extending
left to right in the figure and a height extending along a
transverse direction. The extending panel 7 is slightly wider than
the width of each panel 2, 3, 4 and 5, all having approximately the
same width, to allow the panels 8 and 9 to extend slightly beyond
the width of the inner package 52. Therefore, the outer package 54
is wider than the inner package 52 and is capable of accommodating
the circumference of the inner package 52. In addition, the panels
7, 8 and 9 have a common height and are all disposed in the same
plane. The panels 2, 3, 4 and 5 are all in a same plane and have a
different common height from panels 7, 8 and 9. That is, panels 2,
3, 4 and 5 are recessed with respect to the plane of panels 7, 8
and 9. Therefore, the package 51 stands along the plane of the
panels 7, 8 and 9 forming the outer package 54 while the panels 2,
3, 4 and 5, forming the inner package 52, are recessed therein.
This feature allows the package 51 to be freestanding while having
a curvilinear cross-sectional shape.
[0024] When the blank 50 is assembled, the glue-tabs 16 can be
folded inwardly or outwardly. By "folded inwardly," it is meant
that the glue-tabs 16 are folded toward an opening 56 of the
package 51. By "folded outwardly," it is meant that the glue-tabs
16 are folded away from the opening 56 of the package 51 and
thereby urge against an inside surface of the panels 8 and 9. As
described in more detail infra, a cover (for example, a cover 67
similar to that shown in FIG. 7D) can be adhered to the glue-tabs
16 to provide a top end closure of the package 51. It should be
appreciated that the glue-tabs 16 are omitted from FIGS. 2 and 3
for purposes of clarity. The opening 56 is formed by the inner
package 52 and receives product 1. The fold line 10, between the
panels 7 and 8, aligns with the fold line 58 between the panels 2
and 3. Similarly, the fold line 11 aligns with the fold line 60
between the panels 4 and 5.
[0025] The glue flap 6 has a fold line 62 which aligns with the
fold line 64 between the panels 5 and 7. It should be appreciated
by those having ordinary skill in the art that the package 51 may
be any curvilinear shape. For example, in FIGS. 2 and 3, the
embodiment shown is cylindrical, while the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 6 and 8 is elliptical. Adjustments to at least the diameter
of the package 51 and the length of the panels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
and 9 can be made to obtain a plurality of curvilinear shapes.
[0026] FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial top plan views of the blank 50 of
a second embodiment showing the bottom locking flaps 13 and 14.
More specifically, FIG. 4 shows the typical bottom locking flaps 13
and 14 for an oval shaped package 51 and FIG. 5 shows the typical
bottom locking flaps 13 and 14 for a more cylindrical shaped
package 51. The bottom locking flaps 13 comprise arched perforated
sections 15 and fold lines 12, which allow for the formation of
bottom inner wall contacting tabs 21. The flaps 13 also comprise an
interlocking portion 17 and 19, and inner wall contacting tabs 23
having a periphery 22. A perforation 26 is formed between a fold
line 25 which allows the contacting tabs 23 to be folded more
easily. By "inner wall contacting tabs," it is meant that the tabs
21 and 23 urge against the inner surface of the outer package 54
when the blank 50 is assembled, and the bottom locking flaps 17,
18, 19 and 20 are closed. More specifically, when the blank 50 is
assembled, the tab 23 of the panel 2 is adhered to the flap 18 such
that the tabs 21 and 23 extend outwardly from the inner package 52.
Similarly, the tab 23 of the panel 4 is adhered to the flap 20 such
that the tabs 21 and 23 extend outwardly from the inner package 52.
To form a closed bottom of the package 51, the tabs 23 are actuated
over the flaps 18 and 20. Then the interlocking portions 17 and 19
are overlapped to automatically form a bottom end 66 (as shown in
FIG. 6C) of the package 51. For the cylindrical shaped
configuration as shown in FIG. 5, the interlocking portions 17 and
19 are overlapped until the set of perimeter sections 24 on tab 23
of the panel 2 are substantially parallel with respect to the set
of perimeter sections 24 on tab 23 of the panel 4. This type of
package end closure is known in the art as a himes lock, automatic
bottom or quick lock. It should be appreciated by those having
ordinary skill in the art that this type of package end closure is
typically limited in use to square or rectangular packages.
However, it was found that an automatic bottom can be used for
non-square or rectangular shaped packages as well. To obtain the
automatic bottom 66 as shown in FIG. 6C, the desired angle (x) of
each parallelogram side was determined and then divided in half
(x/2). The value of the angle divided in half (x/2) was then used
as the angle for the placement of the fold line 25 measured from
the fold line 12. For example, for an oval shaped package 51, such
as that shown in FIGS. 6A-6E, the interlocking portions 17 and 19
have the fold line 25 that is disposed at an approximately
30.degree. angle from the fold line 12. For a more cylindrical
shaped package 51, such as that shown in FIGS. 7A-7E, the
interlocking portions 17 and 19 have the fold line 25 that is
disposed at an approximately 45.degree. angle from the fold line
12. It should also be appreciated that the panels in other
embodiments may or may not have perforated sections to form inner
wall contacting tabs. For example as shown in FIG. 1, each panel is
shown having a perforated section and a corresponding inner wall
connecting tab. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, every other panel has a
perforated section 15 and a corresponding inner wall connecting tab
21.
[0027] FIGS. 6A-6E are various views of another embodiment of the
present invention. This embodiment comprises the top glue-tabs 16
which fold inwardly to provide partial closure for the package 51.
The bottom interlocking flaps 17, 18, 19, 20, when folded as
described supra, form the inner wall connecting tabs 21 and 23
which urge against the inner surface of the outer package 54. This
embodiment further comprises notches 28 disposed along the same
plane as the panels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. The notches 28 receive the
tabs 27 of a cover 67 as shown in FIG. 6A to provide complete
closure for the package 51. The cover 67 can be glued to the
surface of the top glue-tabs 16. To remove the cover 67, one can
pull the tabs 27 upwardly, thereby breaking the adhesive bonding
between the glue-tabs 16 and the cover 67. Alternatively, the cover
67 can have a removeable inner perforated section (not shown).
Although the cover 67 can be used in any curvilinear shaped package
51, the cover 67 is especially useful in closing a more cylindrical
shaped package 51. It should be appreciated that FIG. 6E is shown
having a first window 68 on the panels 3 and 4 and a second window
70 on the panel 8, wherein the window 70 overlaps the window 68
when the package 51 is assembled.
[0028] FIGS. 7A-7E show a third embodiment of the present invention
showing the package 51 having a cylindrical shape. This embodiment
includes a support tab 29 protruding from a fold line 72 between
the panels 3 and 4. The support tab 29 is cut along a perforation
line 30 and helps maintain the cylindrical shape of the package 51
by urging the inner surface of the panel 8.
[0029] FIGS. 8A-8C show various views of another embodiment of the
present invention comprising the blank 50 forming the package 51
(shown in FIG. 6A) having a first portion 74 having fold lines 76,
78, 80 and 82 forming the panels 2, 3, 4 and 5. The panels 2, 3, 4
and 5 are foldable to form the inner package 52 having a front wail
84 and a back wall 86. The blank 50 further comprises a second
portion 88 having fold lines 90 and 92 forming the panels 7 and 8
respectively. The panel 7 overlaps the front wall 84 and the panel
8 overlaps the back wall 86 forming the outer package 54. The outer
panels 7 and 8 forming the outer package 54 further include at
least two spaced edges 55 and 57 which may be urged toward each
other as discussed in more detail infra. The blank 50 may also have
a third portion 94 having fold lines 90 and 96 forming the panel 6.
The panel 6 connects the first portion 74 and the second portion 88
together and may further have an adhesive for the panel 8 to be
secured thereto. The first portion 74 also includes a top flap 98
having inner wall contacting tabs 100 and a curvilinear periphery
101 which corresponds to an outer package periphery 102. The top
flap 98 includes perforated edges 104 and parallel fold lines 106.
When a closure tab 108, also known in the art as a tuck flap, is
folded downwardly along the fold line 106 and the top flap 98 is
actuated to close the package, the tabs 100 and the curvilinear
periphery 101 have multiple points of contact with the inner
surface of the outer package 54 along the outer package periphery
102. More specifically, the tabs 100 are curved to correspond with
the shape of the outer package periphery 102 such that the entire
perimeter of the tabs 100 directly contacts a portion of the outer
package periphery 102. This design is advantageous because the tabs
100 help urge the panels 7 and 8 to a curvilinear profile which
provides a stronger package that is more likely to maintain its
form during shipping, handling and displaying. Furthermore, the
perforated edge 104 and the fold line 106 connecting the top flap
98 to panel 4 allow the top flap 98 to close along a straight fold
line rather than a curved fold line. The perforated edge 104 and
the fold line 106 allow the closure tab 108 to be folded along a
straight fold line as well. This is an important design feature as
it allows the package 51 (shown in FIG. 6A) to be assembled easily.
However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in
the art that fold lines 106 may be arched to correspond with the
shape of the outer package periphery 102 and this modification is
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as
claimed. The inner package 52 further includes bottom interlocking
flaps 13 and 14 automatically forming a bottom 110 upon the forming
of the package as discussed supra.
[0030] In use, the blank 50 is cut, glued, folded and compressed to
a generally flattened configuration. In the flattened
configuration, the panels 7 and 8 forming the outer package 54 are
generally planar. The flattened package is transported to the
location of the product to be packaged.
[0031] By urging the spaced edges 55 and 57 of the outer panels 7
and 8 toward each other, the package 51 transforms from the
flattened configuration to an assembled, freestanding
configuration, wherein the bottom flaps 13 and 14 engage to form
the bottom 110 of the inner package 52. The product is then
disposed within the inner package 52, and the top flap 98 is
closed. Upon closing the top flap 98, the top flap 98 is urged
against the inner surface of the outer package 54, thereby urging
the panels 7 and 8 into the curvilinear configuration. It should be
appreciated that the top flap 98 can be any shape that corresponds
with the desired shape of the package. The top tabs 112, also known
as dust flaps, are connected to the panels 3 and 5 and partially
close an opening (not shown) of the inner package 52. The top tabs
112 frictionally engage closure tab 108 and further assist the
panel 2 in frictionally engaging the closure tab 108 by urging the
closure tab 108 against the inner surface of the panel 2.
[0032] Although the present invention is shown in the figures with
the inner package 52 having four panels 2, 3, 4 and 5, it should be
appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the
inner package 52 can comprise any number of panels including as few
as two panels. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, blank 50 can
comprise panels 2 and 3 which form an inner package 52. Rather than
the automatic bottom flaps shown in the previous figures, the inner
package 52 includes bottom flaps 13 and 14 to close the bottom
package 51. Panels 4 and 5 encompass the inner package 52 and form
outer package 54. Furthermore, the outer package 54 can comprise
any number of panels. However, it is preferable that the outer
package 54 comprises only two panels to provide a more seamless
package.
[0033] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of particular embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments.
Alternative embodiments, configurations or modifications which will
be encompassed by the invention can be made by those skilled in the
embodiments, configurations, modifications or equivalents may be
included in the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *