U.S. patent application number 11/540424 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-03 for efficient tissue roll configurations.
Invention is credited to Francis Freer, Baback Nelson, Ryan M. Patterson, Kevin B. Sartain, Erik J. Seidel, Christoph Zickler.
Application Number | 20080078685 11/540424 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39272862 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080078685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patterson; Ryan M. ; et
al. |
April 3, 2008 |
Efficient tissue roll configurations
Abstract
Presented is a package of tissue rolls, the package including
two package sides, a package bottom, a package back, and a package
top; a package front in a generally vertical orientation, the
package front spaced apart from and generally parallel to the
package back, wherein the package front and the package back are
coupled to and generally orthogonal to the package bottom, the
package front including a primary package logo having a logo axis;
and a plurality of tissue rolls, each tissue roll having a roll
height, a roll diameter, and a longitudinal axis, wherein each of
the longitudinal axes are generally horizontal when the logo axis
is generally vertical.
Inventors: |
Patterson; Ryan M.; (New
Castle, DE) ; Sartain; Kevin B.; (Broken Arrow,
OK) ; Freer; Francis; (Aiken, SC) ; Seidel;
Erik J.; (Appleton, WI) ; Nelson; Baback;
(Appleton, WI) ; Zickler; Christoph; (Neenah,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.;Catherine E. Wolf
401 NORTH LAKE STREET
NEENAH
WI
54956
US
|
Family ID: |
39272862 |
Appl. No.: |
11/540424 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/391 ;
206/459.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4204 20130101;
B65D 85/672 20130101; B65D 2203/00 20130101; B65D 85/07
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/391 ;
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/00 20060101
B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A package of tissue rolls, the package comprising: two package
sides, a package bottom, a package back, and a package top; a
package front in a generally vertical orientation, the package
front spaced apart from and generally parallel to the package back,
wherein the package front and the package back are coupled to and
generally orthogonal to the package bottom, the package front
including a primary package logo having a logo axis; and a
plurality of tissue rolls, each tissue roll having a roll height, a
roll diameter, and a longitudinal axis, wherein each of the
longitudinal axes are generally horizontal when the logo axis is
generally vertical.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axes are
generally parallel to both the package front and the package
bottom.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axes are
generally parallel to the package bottom and generally
perpendicular to the package front.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein the package includes a package
front width, a package front height, and a package bottom depth,
and wherein the plurality of tissue rolls are oriented in an array
such that the package front width is equivalent to three roll
heights, the package front height is equivalent to four roll
diameters, and the package bottom depth is equivalent to two roll
diameters.
5. The package of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the
package front is translucent.
6. A package of tissue rolls, the package comprising: two package
sides, a package bottom, a package back, and a package top; a
package front in a generally vertical orientation, the package
front spaced apart from and generally parallel to the package back,
wherein the package front and the package back are coupled to and
generally orthogonal to the package bottom, the package front
including a primary package logo having a logo axis; and a
plurality of tissue rolls, each tissue roll having a longitudinal
axis and a roll end surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
wherein each of the longitudinal axes are generally horizontal and
perpendicular to the package front when the logo axis is generally
vertical, and wherein at least a portion of the package front is
translucent such that at least a portion of one roll end surface is
visible through the package front.
7. The package of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of a roll end
surface of each tissue roll is visible through the package
front.
8. A case of tissue rolls, the case comprising: two case long faces
in parallel orientation, two case short faces connecting and
perpendicular to the two case long faces, a case bottom, and a case
top; a removable panel including a portion of one of the case long
faces and a portion of one of the case short faces, at least a
portion of the removable panel bordered by a frangible line; a
package including a plurality of tissue rolls, two package sides, a
package bottom, a package back, and a package top; a package front
in a generally vertical orientation, the package front spaced apart
from and generally parallel to the package back, wherein the
package front and the package back are coupled to and generally
orthogonal to the package bottom, the package front including a
primary package logo having a logo axis, wherein the package is
oriented in the case such that the logo axis is parallel to the
case short faces and perpendicular to the case long faces.
9. The case of claim 8, wherein each tissue roll of the plurality
of tissue rolls has a longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the
longitudinal axes are generally vertical.
10. The case of claim 8, wherein the case includes six packages in
a two-by-three array such that six package tops are in a
face-to-face arrangement with one case long face, two package
fronts are in a face-to-face arrangement with one case short face,
and two package backs are in a face-to-face arrangement with the
other case short face.
11. A method for providing tissue rolls, the method comprising:
packaging a plurality of tissue rolls in a package including a
package front defining a package front plane, a package bottom
defining a package bottom plane, and a primary logo having a logo
axis, wherein each tissue roll has a longitudinal axis, and wherein
the tissue rolls are oriented in the package such that each
longitudinal axis is parallel to the package bottom plane; and
shipping the tissue rolls such that each longitudinal axis is
generally vertical.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising displaying the
package such that the logo axis is vertical and each longitudinal
axis is horizontal.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the logo axis is parallel to
the package front plane and perpendicular to the package bottom
plane.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein each longitudinal axis is
parallel to the package front plane.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein each longitudinal axis is
perpendicular to the package front plane.
16. A method for improving the volume efficiency for shipping rolls
of tissue, the method comprising: packaging a plurality of tissue
rolls in a plurality of packages each including a package front
defining a package front plane, a package bottom defining a package
bottom plane, and a primary logo having a logo axis, wherein each
tissue roll has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the tissue rolls
are oriented in the plurality of packages such that each
longitudinal axis is parallel to the package bottom plane; and
assembling the plurality of packages in a case.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the plurality of tissue rolls
in a package is twenty-four, and wherein the plurality of packages
in a case is six.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein assembling the plurality of
packages in a case includes orienting the plurality of packages
such that each longitudinal axis is generally vertical.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein each longitudinal axis is
parallel to the package front plane.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein each longitudinal axis is
perpendicular to the package front plane.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to tissue roll configurations that
improve efficiencies in material use, product handling, and product
stocking and display.
[0002] Because of tradition and the larger compressive strength of
a tissue roll along its longitudinal axis, tissue rolls are always
packaged such that the longitudinal axis of each roll is parallel
to the front of the package but perpendicular to the bottom of the
package. This essentially vertical orientation of the tissue rolls
allows multiple rolls, multiple packages, and multiple cases to be
stacked with less risk of crushing the tissue rolls on the bottom.
For example, a package of twenty-four tissue rolls is packed either
as a brick (four tissue roll diameters wide by two tissue roll
heights high by three tissue roll diameters deep) or as a tower
(three tissue roll diameters wide by four tissue roll heights high
by two tissue roll diameters deep). Such restrictions in
orientation, however, lead to inefficiencies in the amount of
packaging material required and in the number of tissue rolls that
can be shipped and handled.
[0003] In addition, tissue sales categories are undergoing
transformation as manufacturers and retail outlets offer double
rolls, triple rolls, extended life rolls, and other variations of a
standard roll. Markings on such rolls are often confusing to
consumers who don't know what they are getting unless they pull a
package off a retail shelf to examine the rolls themselves. This
wastes time for the consumer and, once they do this, there is no
guarantee that they will replace the package in an orderly or
properly-oriented manner.
[0004] In an increasingly demanding and competitive retail
environment, there is a need for unique package and merchandising
solutions critical to delivering on key customer desires,
leveraging consumer insights, and delivering on the overall
objectives of a business, while also delivering improved
environmental sustainability.
[0005] While particular aspects and/or individual features of the
present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be
obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Further, it should be apparent that all
combinations of such aspects and features are possible and can
result in preferred executions of the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Current packaging solutions require more resources in terms
of materials and handling time than they need to. Excessive
packaging and inefficient shipping and stocking methods add to the
cost of products. In addition, consumers seek simplified
communication aids to understand what tissue products are in the
packages on a retail shelf.
[0007] A unique packaging, distribution, and merchandising solution
supports new business ventures with key retailers/customers and
provides an increased level of environmental sustainability that is
a key initiative in the marketplace.
[0008] The present invention relates to improved configurations for
shipping and handling that reduce the time necessary for shipping
and handling and also reduce the amount of packaging materials
used, thus reducing the cost to put a product on a retail
shelf.
[0009] For example, in one aspect of the present invention, the
invention includes a package of tissue rolls, the package including
two package sides, a package bottom, a package back, and a package
top; a package front in a generally vertical orientation, the
package front spaced apart from and generally parallel to the
package back, wherein the package front and the package back are
coupled to and generally orthogonal to the package bottom, the
package front including a primary package logo having a logo axis;
and a plurality of tissue rolls, each tissue roll having a roll
height, a roll diameter, and a longitudinal axis, wherein each of
the longitudinal axes are generally horizontal when the logo axis
is generally vertical.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, the invention
includes a package of tissue rolls, the package including two
package sides, a package bottom, a package back, and a package top;
a package front in a generally vertical orientation, the package
front spaced apart from and generally parallel to the package back,
wherein the package front and the package back are coupled to and
generally orthogonal to the package bottom, the package front
including a primary package logo having a logo axis; and a
plurality of tissue rolls, each tissue roll having a longitudinal
axis and a roll end surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
wherein each of the longitudinal axes are generally horizontal and
perpendicular to the package front when the logo axis is generally
vertical, and wherein at least a portion of the package front is
translucent such that at least a portion of one roll end surface is
visible through the package front.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention, the invention
includes a case of tissue rolls, the case including two case long
faces in parallel orientation, two case short faces connecting and
perpendicular to the two case long faces, a case bottom, and a case
top; a removable panel including a portion of one of the case long
faces and a portion of one of the case short faces, at least a
portion of the removable panel bordered by a frangible line. The
case also includes a package including a plurality of tissue rolls,
two package sides, a package bottom, a package back, and a package
top; a package front in a generally vertical orientation, the
package front spaced apart from and generally parallel to the
package back, wherein the package front and the package back are
coupled to and generally orthogonal to the package bottom, the
package front including a primary package logo having a logo axis,
wherein the package is oriented in the case such that the logo axis
is parallel to the case short faces and perpendicular to the case
long faces.
[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the invention
includes a method for providing tissue rolls, the method including
packaging a plurality of tissue rolls in a package including a
package front defining a package front plane, a package bottom
defining a package bottom plane, and a primary logo having a logo
axis, wherein each tissue roll has a longitudinal axis, and wherein
the tissue rolls are oriented in the package such that each
longitudinal axis is parallel to the package bottom plane; and
shipping the tissue rolls such that each longitudinal axis is
generally vertical.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, the invention
includes a method for improving the volume efficiency for shipping
rolls of tissue, the method including packaging a plurality of
tissue rolls in a plurality of packages each including a package
front defining a package front plane, a package bottom defining a
package bottom plane, and a primary logo having a logo axis,
wherein each tissue roll has a longitudinal axis, and wherein the
tissue rolls are oriented in the plurality of packages such that
each longitudinal axis is parallel to the package bottom plane; and
assembling the plurality of packages in a case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing and other features and aspects of the present
invention and the manner of attaining them will become more
apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description, appended claims and
accompanying drawings, where:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tissue roll of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package of the present
invention including the tissue rolls of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate aspect of a
package of the present invention including the tissue rolls of FIG.
1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a case of the present
invention including the packages of either FIG. 2 or FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a unit of the present
invention including the case of FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a trailer of the present
invention including the unit of FIG. 5.
[0021] Repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or
analogous features or elements of the present invention. The
drawings are representational and are not necessarily drawn to
scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others
may be minimized.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present discussion is a description of exemplary aspects
of the present invention only, and is not intended as limiting the
broader aspects of the present invention.
[0023] The invention relates to improved configurations for
shipping and handling that reduce the time necessary for shipping
and handling and also reduce the amount of packaging materials
used, thus reducing the cost to put a product on a retail
shelf.
[0024] As used herein and unless otherwise described, the term
"width" generally refers to the longest horizontal dimension of a
structure, the term "height" generally refers to the vertical
dimension of a structure, and the term "depth" refers to the
shortest horizontal dimension of a structure.
[0025] The consumer-oriented tissue rolls 10 of the present
invention are illustrated in FIG. 1 and include paper towels and
bath tissue, also known as toilet paper and by other names. Each
tissue roll 10 is generally cylindrical in shape with a roll height
12 and a roll diameter 14. The tissue roll 10 has a central
longitudinal axis 20 therethrough, and an outer surface 22 that is
generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 20. The tissue roll 10
also has two opposing end surfaces 24 generally perpendicular to
the outer surface 22 and the longitudinal axis 20. An exemplary
tissue roll 10 of bath tissue has an as-packaged roll height 12 of
approximately 4 5/16 inches and an as-packaged roll diameter 14 of
approximately 3.9 inches. In various aspects of the present
invention, the tissue roll dimensions may be of any suitable size.
An exemplary tissue roll 10 of paper towels has an as-packaged roll
height 12 of approximately 11 inches and an as-packaged roll
diameter 14 of approximately 4.6-6.0 inches.
[0026] Each tissue roll 10 is formed by winding a continuous web of
tissue 26 around the longitudinal axis 20 to form an empty central
bore 30 centered on the longitudinal axis 20. The tissue 26 in the
tissue roll 10 has an inner end 32 adjacent the central bore 30 and
an outer end 34 at the outer surface 22 of the tissue roll 10. The
tissue 26 may be wound around a tubular core 36, or the tissue roll
10 may be formed without a core 36. If the tissue roll 10 has a
core 36, the inner end 32 of the tissue 26 may be attached to the
core 36 using adhesive or other suitable means. The outer end 34 of
the tissue 26 may be attached to the outer surface 22 of the tissue
roll 10. The tissue 26 may include score lines 40 at regular
intervals that define a sheet 42 between two successive score lines
40. In use, a tissue roll 10 is unwound by rotating the tissue roll
10 about its longitudinal axis 20 and drawing tissue 26 from the
outer surface 22.
[0027] Due to the structure of the tissue roll 10, the tissue roll
10 has greater compressive strength in a direction along the
longitudinal axis 20 than it does in a direction perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 20. A force in a direction perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis 20 tends to have a crushing effect on the
tissue roll 10 and can cause the central bore 30 to collapse or
become partially or completely flattened.
[0028] While tissue rolls 10 may be packaged and sold individually,
the present invention relates to packaging a plurality of tissue
rolls 10 in one package 50. In one aspect of the present invention,
a package 50 for a plurality of tissue rolls 10 is generally
rectilinear with a package front 52, a package back 54, two package
sides 56, a package top 58, and a package bottom 60. The package
front 52 includes a package front width 62 and a package front
height 64. The package bottom 60 includes a package bottom depth
66. The package 50 may be constructed from a poly film or any other
suitable material. Individual tissue rolls 10 or groups of tissue
rolls 10 are typically packaged in smaller units prior to assembly
into the package 50, yielding two layers of packaging material for
each tissue roll 10. In one aspect of the present invention, the
plurality of tissue rolls 10 are positioned in the package 50
without additional inner packaging materials.
[0029] In prior art practice, tissue rolls 10 are always stacked
such that their longitudinal axes 20 are vertical because of the
strength profile of a typical tissue roll 10 described above. To
minimize the volume occupied by a given number of tissue rolls 10,
tissue rolls 10 are usually stacked such that their longitudinal
axes 20 are collinear. Tissue rolls 10, whether individually
wrapped or multiply packed, are transported, stored, and displayed
on a retail shelf with their longitudinal axes 20 in a vertical
orientation.
[0030] Although the package 50 may hold any suitable number of
tissue rolls 10, in one particular example the package 50 includes
twenty-four tissue rolls 10 in an array of three tissue rolls 10 by
four tissue rolls 10 by two tissues rolls 10. In the as-displayed
orientation illustrated in FIG. 2, the package 50 generally has
dimensions of three roll heights 12 wide, four roll diameters 14
high, and two roll diameters 14 deep. Using the tissue roll
exemplary dimensions described above, an exemplary package 50 has
the outer dimensions of 12.938 inches wide, 15.625 inches high, and
7.813 inches deep.
[0031] The package 50 also includes at least one primary package
logo 70 or other identifying feature on the package front 52. The
primary package logo 70 is properly oriented in an upright,
readable orientation as illustrated in FIG. 2 when the package 50
is displayed on a retail shelf. The primary package logo 70 has a
logo axis 74 that is vertical when the primary package logo 70 is
properly oriented in an upright, readable orientation. The package
50 may also include a secondary package logo 78 or other
identifying feature on another side of the package 50, such as on
the package bottom 60 as illustrated in FIG. 2, to allow a retailer
some flexibility in displaying the package 50 on a retail shelf.
The package 50 may include additional logos and other information
as desired by the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or other
interested party.
[0032] The package 50 illustrated in FIG. 2 is designed to be
displayed on a retail shelf with the longitudinal axes 20 of the
tissue rolls 10 in a horizontal orientation and parallel to a front
edge of the retail shelf such that the package front 52 is visible
to a consumer. The tissue rolls 10 are resistant to crushing while
on the retail shelf because the maximum weight to be borne by a
tissue roll 10, that of the three tissue rolls 10 above it, does
not easily crush a tissue roll 10.
[0033] Another aspect of the present invention illustrated in FIG.
3 provides a response to the consumer behavior of purchasing by
roll count and, to a lesser degree, roll size or diameter. Using
prior packaging methods and then displaying the packages 50 on
their sides provides such information to a consumer but eliminates
the display of a logo and other information.
[0034] In this aspect, the primary package logo 70 is still
displayed on the package front 52 but the tissue rolls 10 are
oriented in the package 50 such that their longitudinal axes 20 are
perpendicular to the package front 52 rather than parallel to the
package front 52 in the previous aspect. When the package 50 in
this aspect is displayed on the retail shelf with the longitudinal
axes 20 of the tissue rolls 10 still horizontal but perpendicular
to the front edge of the retail shelf, one end surface 24 of each
tissue roll 10 can be visible to a consumer. In this orientation,
the consumer may immediately evaluate the diameter of each tissue
roll 10 in the package 50 and generally the number of rolls in the
package 50 without removing the package 50 from the retail
shelf.
[0035] To add further value to this aspect of the present
invention, at least a portion of the package front 52 is
translucent such that at least a portion of an end surface 24 of at
least one tissue roll 10 is visible through the package front 52.
In another aspect of the present invention, all of an end surface
24 of one tissue roll 10 is visible through the package front 52.
In another aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of
an end surface 24 of a plurality of tissue rolls 10 is visible
through the package front 52. In another aspect of the present
invention, all of an end surface 24 of a plurality of tissue rolls
10 is visible through the package front 52. In another aspect of
the present invention, at least a portion of an end surface 24 of
each tissue roll 10 is visible through the package front 52. In
another aspect, an end surface 24 of each tissue roll 10 is visible
through the package front 52, although the primary package logo 70
may occlude a portion of the view of the end surfaces 24.
[0036] As used herein, the term "translucent" generally refers to
permitting the passage of light, both in the sense of being
transparent, in which objects may be seen clearly therethrough, and
in the sense that light may be transmitted and diffused such that
objects are not seen clearly therethrough.
[0037] Unlike prior products, the package 50 of the present
invention is not transported and stored in the same orientation as
it is displayed on a retail shelf, as will be described further
below. In the as-transported orientation illustrated in FIG. 4, the
package 50 generally has dimensions of four roll diameters 14 wide,
three roll heights 12 high, and two roll diameters 14 deep. This
aspect of the present invention allows the tissue rolls 10 to be
transported and stored with their longitudinal axes 20 in a
vertical orientation, but displayed on a retail shelf with their
longitudinal axes 20 in a horizontal orientation.
[0038] While packages 50 of tissue rolls 10 may be cased and sold
individually, the present invention relates to casing a plurality
of packages 50 of tissue rolls 10 in one case 80. In one aspect of
the present invention, a case 80 for a plurality of packages 50 is
generally rectilinear with two case long faces 82, two case short
faces 84, a case top 85, and a case bottom 86. The case 80 also
includes a case width 87, a case height 88, and a case depth 89.
The case 80 may be constructed from corrugated board or any other
suitable material. The case 80 provides structural strength to
protect the tissue rolls 10 from damage as well as a covering to
protect the tissue rolls 10 and packages 50 from dust and dirt
during storage, handling, and shipment.
[0039] Packages 50 of tissue rolls 10 are always stacked such that
the longitudinal axes 20 of the tissue rolls 10 are vertical
because of the strength profile of a typical tissue roll 10
described above. To minimize the volume occupied by a given number
of tissue rolls 10, tissue rolls 10 are usually stacked such that
their longitudinal axes 20 are collinear. Tissue rolls 10 are
therefore transported and stored with their longitudinal axes 20 in
a vertical orientation.
[0040] Although the case 80 may hold any suitable number of
packages 50 of tissue rolls 10, in one particular example the case
80 includes six packages 50 of twenty-four tissue rolls 10 each in
an array of three packages 50 by two packages 50. In this example,
the case 80 includes six packages 50 in a two-by-three array such
that six package tops 58 are in a face-to-face arrangement with one
case long face 82, two package fronts 52 are in a face-to-face
arrangement with one case short face 84, and two package backs 54
are in a face-to-face arrangement with the other case short face
84. In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4, the case 80 generally
has dimensions of three package bottom depths 66 wide, two package
front widths 62 high, and one package front height 64 deep. This
translates to an array of tissue rolls 10 that, absent packaging,
is six roll diameters 14 wide by six roll heights 12 high by four
roll diameters 14 deep for a total of 144 tissue rolls 10 in the
case 80. Using the tissue roll and package exemplary dimensions
described above, such an exemplary case 80 has the outer dimensions
of 23.375 inches wide, 26.625 inches high, and 15.563 inches
deep.
[0041] The case 80 may include at least one primary case logo (not
shown) or other identifying feature on at least one of the case
long faces 82, case short faces 84, case top 85, and case bottom
86. The case 80 may also include a secondary case logo (not shown)
or other identifying feature on at least one of the case long faces
82, case short faces 84, case top 85, and case bottom 86. The case
80 may include additional logos and other information as desired by
the manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or other interested
party.
[0042] The case 80 also includes a perforated display feature in
the form of a removable panel 94 of the case 80. The removable
panel 94 is defined by lines 96 of perforations or other frangible
features in one case long face 82 and one case short face 84. As a
result, the removable panel 94 includes part of that case long face
82 and part of that case short face 84. Removal of the removable
panel 94 exposes packages 50; once the removable panel 94 is
removed and the case 80 is positioned on a retail shelf as
described above, two packages 50 are immediately viewable and in
their proper orientation, with four more packages 50 behind
them.
[0043] The case 80 illustrated in FIG. 4 is designed to be
positioned on a retail shelf with the case top 85 to the left of a
viewing consumer, the case bottom 86 to the right of a viewing
consumer, a case short face 84 in a vertical orientation facing the
consumer, and a case long face 82 in horizontal orientation above
the packages 50 of tissue rolls 10. In this orientation,
longitudinal axes 20 of the tissue rolls 10 are in a horizontal
orientation and parallel to a front edge of the retail shelf such
that package fronts 52 are visible to a consumer.
[0044] The removable panel 94 allows for a quick transition from
storeroom to shelf; a stocker simply removes the removable panel 94
by hand or using tools and places the case 80 on the retail shelf
in the proper orientation. Packages 50 of tissue rolls 10 are then
immediately viewable and obtainable by a consumer. The display on
the shelf is six roll heights 12 wide and four roll diameters 14
high, with a depth of six roll diameters 14 while the case 80 is
still full. The resulting presentation or display allows for two
package facings and provides for a substantially larger package
graphics billboard than on comparative configurations and/or
display strategies.
[0045] Another aspect of the present invention uses the packages 50
illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the primary package logo 70 is still
displayed on the package front 52 but the tissue rolls 10 are
oriented in the package 50 such that their longitudinal axes 20 are
perpendicular to the package front 52 rather than parallel to the
package front 52. In this example, the case 80 includes six
packages 50 still in a two-by-three array such that six package
tops 58 are in a face-to-face arrangement with one case long face
82, two package fronts 52 are in a face-to-face arrangement with
one case short face 84, and two package backs 54 are in a
face-to-face arrangement with the other case short face 84.
Similarly to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4, the case 80
generally has dimensions of three package bottom depths 66 wide,
two package front widths 62 high, and one package front height 64
deep. This translates to an array of tissue rolls 10 that, absent
packaging, is six roll heights 12 wide by six roll diameters 14
high by four roll diameters 14 deep for a total of 144 tissue rolls
10 in the case 80.
[0046] Similarly to that described above for FIG. 4, the case 80 in
this aspect is designed to be positioned on a retail shelf with the
case top 85 to the left of a viewing consumer, the case bottom 86
to the right of a viewing consumer, a case short face 84 in a
vertical orientation facing the consumer, and a case long face 82
in horizontal orientation above the packages 50 of tissue rolls 10.
In this orientation, longitudinal axes 20 of the tissue rolls 10
are in a horizontal orientation and perpendicular to a front edge
of the retail shelf such that package fronts 52 and at least one
roll end surface 24 are visible to a consumer upon removal of the
removable panel 94. Once the removable panel 94 is removed and the
case 80 is positioned on a retail shelf as described above, two
packages 50 are immediately viewable and in their proper
orientation, with four more packages 50 behind them. Packages 50 of
tissue rolls 10 are immediately viewable and obtainable by a
consumer. The display on the shelf in this aspect will be six roll
diameters 14 wide and four roll diameters 14 high, with a depth of
six roll heights 12 while the case 80 is still full.
[0047] While cases 80 of packages 50 may be shipped and sold
individually, the present invention relates to assembling a
plurality of cases 80 in one unit 100. In one aspect of the present
invention, a unit 100 is the primary arrangement for shipping
purposes, and is generally rectilinear with two unit wide faces
102, two unit narrow faces 104, a unit bottom 105, and a unit top
106. The unit 100 also includes a unit width 107, a unit height
108, and a unit depth 109. The unit 100 is typically an assembly
and not constructed from packaging materials, although the unit 100
may be wrapped with poly film, corrugated board, or any other
suitable material to protect the unit 100 from damage or
disassembly during shipping.
[0048] Cases 80 of packages 50 are always stacked such that the
longitudinal axes 20 of the tissue rolls 10 are vertical because of
the strength profile of a typical tissue roll 10 described above.
Tissue rolls 10 are therefore transported and stored with their
longitudinal axes 20 in a vertical orientation.
[0049] Although the unit 100 may hold any suitable number of cases
80, in one particular example illustrated in FIG. 5 the unit 100
includes twenty cases 80 of six packages 50 each in an array of
four tiers 110 with five cases 80 in each tier 110. In this
example, each tier 110 of five cases 80 has three cases 80 in case
long face 82 to case long face 82 alignment. Two cases 80 are added
such that the additional cases 80 are in case short face 84 to case
short face 84 orientation with each other, and in an orientation of
case long face 82 of the additional cases 80 to case short face 84
of the original three cases 80. Adjacent tiers 110 may have
alternating arrangements with respect to which side of a given tier
110 the first three cases 80 in case long face 82 to case long face
82 alignment are positioned.
[0050] In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, the unit 100
generally has dimensions of three case depths 89 or two case widths
87 wide, four case heights 88 high, and one case width 87 plus one
case depth 89 deep. This translates to an array of tissue rolls 10
that, absent packaging, is twelve roll diameters 14 wide by
twenty-four roll heights 12 high by ten roll diameters 14 deep for
a total of 2880 tissue rolls 10 in the unit 100. Using the tissue
roll, package, and case exemplary dimensions described above, such
an exemplary unit 100 has the outer dimensions of 46.75 inches
wide, 106.5 inches high, and 38.94 inches deep.
[0051] This arrangement of the unit 100 yields a volume efficiency
of 94.4 percent. 100 percent volume utilization or efficiency for a
unit is defined as a volume that is 48 inches wide, 107 inches
high, and 40 inches deep for a total of 205,440 cubic inches or
118.88 cubic feet. The closer to the standard of 48 inches by 107
inches by 40 inches a shippable unit is, the more economical it is
to store, handle, and transport it. Typical previous tissue unit
volume efficiencies are 83 to 90 percent.
[0052] The unit 100 may also include one or more logos or other
identifying features and other information as desired by the
manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or other interested party.
[0053] Another aspect of the present invention uses the packages 50
illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the primary package logo 70 is still
displayed on the package front 52 but the tissue rolls 10 are
oriented in the package 50 such that their longitudinal axes 20 are
perpendicular to the package front 52 rather than parallel to the
package front 52. In this example, the unit 100 still includes
twenty cases 80 of six packages 50 each in an array of four tiers
110 with five cases 80 in each tier 110. Similarly to the
arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5, the unit 100 generally has
dimensions of three case depths 89 or two case widths 87 wide, four
case heights 88 high, and one case width 87 plus one case depth 89
deep. This translates to an array of tissue rolls 10 that, absent
packaging, is twelve roll heights 12 wide by twenty-four roll
diameters 14 high by six roll heights 12 plus four roll diameters
14 deep for a total of 2880 tissue rolls 10 in the unit 100.
[0054] While units 100 of cases 80 may be shipped and sold
individually, the present invention includes assembling a plurality
of units 100 in one trailer 120. In one aspect of the present
invention, a trailer 120 is the primary arrangement for shipping
purposes, and is generally rectilinear.
[0055] Although the trailer 120 may hold any suitable number of
units 100, in one particular example illustrated in FIG. 6 the
trailer 120 includes thirty-two units 100 of twenty cases 80 each
in an array of two rows of sixteen units 100 each, where the units
100 within a row are in unit wide face 102 to unit wide face 102
orientation, and wherein the units 100 between rows are in a unit
narrow face 104 to unit narrow face 104 orientation.
[0056] In the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 6, the trailer 120
generally has dimensions of sixteen unit depths 109 wide, one unit
height 108 high, and two unit widths 107 deep. This translates to
an array of tissue rolls 10 that, absent packaging, is 160 roll
diameters 14 wide by twenty-four roll heights 12 high by
twenty-four roll diameters 14 deep for a total of 92,160 tissue
rolls 10 in the trailer 120. Using the tissue roll, package, case,
and unit exemplary dimensions described above, such an exemplary
trailer 120 has the outer dimensions of 623.0 inches wide, 106.5
inches high, and 93.5 inches deep.
[0057] This arrangement of the trailer 120 yields a volume
efficiency increase of 22 percent to a volume efficiency of 92
percent. The trailer fill efficiency of the present invention
allows for an increase in capacity use in a standard 53-foot dry
goods trailer that nominally measures 53 feet long (wide in the
present description) by 98 inches wide (deep in the present
description) by 110 inches tall. The accepted capacity of a
standard dry goods trailer in the United States is 3300 cubic feet.
The present invention allows for thirty-two units to be placed
within that space, which is an almost perfect trailer fill
situation. Previous attempts typically allow fewer tissue rolls per
case 80 and unit 100, and only thirty units 100 per trailer
120.
[0058] Another aspect of the present invention uses the packages 50
illustrated in FIG. 3 in which the primary package logo 70 is still
displayed on the package front 52 but the tissue rolls 10 are
oriented in the package 50 such that their longitudinal axes 20 are
perpendicular to the package front 52 rather than parallel to the
package front 52. In this example, the trailer 120 still includes
thirty-two units 100 of twenty cases 80 each in an array of two
rows of sixteen units 100 each. Similarly to the arrangement
illustrated in FIG. 6, the trailer 120 generally has dimensions of
sixteen unit depths 109 wide, one unit height 108 high, and two
unit widths 107 deep. This translates to an array of tissue rolls
10 that, absent packaging, is ninety-six roll heights 12 plus
sixty-four roll diameters 14 wide by twenty-four roll diameters 14
high by twenty-four roll heights 12 deep for a total of 92,160
tissue rolls 10 in the trailer 120.
[0059] The present invention provides the advantages of a unique
manufacturing and merchandising solution. The unique case count,
configuration, orientation, and presentation provide an entire
at-retail-shelf solution. A case count of six packages 50 of
twenty-four tissue rolls 10 each provides a unique quantity over
the typical case of four twenty-four-packs for shipment and retail
shelf pack-out. Pack-out, or stocking retail shelves, using cases
80 of six packages 50 each and wherein the cases 80 have removable
panels 94 provides efficiency for retailers to stock shelves and
leads to fewer out-of-stock situations. The case configurations and
orientations of the present invention allow for a unique display of
the packages 50. Due to the solution provided by the present
invention, each case 80 will be oriented on its side during retail
shelf presentation. In addition, environmental sustainability is
improved due in part to the elimination of individually-wrapped
packages. Environmental sustainability is also improved due in part
to the case quantity of six twenty-four-packs instead of four or
fewer twenty-four-packs in a case. The present invention
accomplishes at least an 11 percent reduction in packaging
materials. Finally, the case quantity, configuration, and
orientation improvements allow for increased efficiency in
distribution strategy.
[0060] These and other modifications and variations to the present
invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended
claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the
various aspects of the present invention may be interchanged either
in whole or in part. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of
example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further
described in such appended claims.
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