U.S. patent application number 11/676418 was filed with the patent office on 2008-08-21 for container for shipping a product and method of constructing the same.
Invention is credited to Karl M. Ritter.
Application Number | 20080197181 11/676418 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39705775 |
Filed Date | 2008-08-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080197181 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ritter; Karl M. |
August 21, 2008 |
CONTAINER FOR SHIPPING A PRODUCT AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING THE
SAME
Abstract
A container for packaging a product is provided. The container
is formed from a continuous blank of sheet material having an
internal surface and an opposing external surface. The container
includes a top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing
side edges. The container further includes a hinge panel connected
to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first fold line, a rear
panel connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and
connected to the top panel, and a first adhesive coating applied on
the internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing
side edges and the bottom edge defining a perimeter of a
compartment for receiving a product. Moreover, after the product is
placed in the compartment, the top panel and the rear panel are
folded about the hinge panel such that at least a portion of the
internal surfaces of the top and rear panels are attached to one
another. A method of constructing the same is also provided.
Inventors: |
Ritter; Karl M.; (Geneva,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATRICK W. RASCHE;ARMSTRONG TEASDALE LLP
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE, SUITE 2600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63102-2740
US
|
Family ID: |
39705775 |
Appl. No.: |
11/676418 |
Filed: |
February 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/225 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/225 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/00 20060101
B65D017/00 |
Claims
1. A container for packaging a product, the container formed from a
continuous blank of sheet material having an internal surface and
an opposing external surface, the container comprising: a top panel
having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges; a hinge
panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first
fold line; a rear panel connected to the hinge panel along a second
fold line and connected to the top panel; and a first adhesive
coating applied on the internal surface of the rear panel adjacent
to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge defining a perimeter
of a compartment for receiving a product, wherein after the product
is placed in the compartment, the top panel and the rear panel are
folded about the hinge panel such that at least a portion of the
internal surfaces of the top and rear panels are attached to one
another.
2. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein a second adhesive
coating is applied to at least a portion of the internal surface of
the top panel, and wherein at least one of the first adhesive
coating and the second adhesive coating is a co-adhesive
coating.
3. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first
adhesive coating is applied in a U-shape to the internal surface of
the rear panel.
4. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of
the top panel and the rear panel comprises a display window for
viewing the product included within the container.
5. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of
the first and second fold lines is a curved score line.
6. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the blank
comprises continuous flexible paperboard.
7. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the internal
surface is scored.
8. A blank of sheet material for constructing a container used for
shipping a product, the blank having an internal surface and an
opposing external surface, said blank comprising: a top panel
having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges; a hinge
panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a first
fold line; and a rear panel connected to the hinge panel along a
second fold line and connected to the top panel, wherein the rear
panel includes a first adhesive coating applied thereto on the
internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side
edges and the bottom edge to a perimeter of a compartment for
receiving the product.
9. A blank in accordance with claim 8 wherein the top panel
includes a second adhesive coating applied to at least a portion of
the internal surface of the top panel.
10. A blank in accordance with claim 9 wherein at least one of the
first adhesive coating and the second adhesive coating is a
co-adhesive coating.
11. A blank in accordance with claim 8 wherein the first adhesive
coating is applied in a U-shape to the internal surface of the rear
panel.
12. A blank in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least one of the
top panel and the rear panel comprises a display window for viewing
the product included within the container.
13. A blank in accordance with claim 8 wherein at least one of the
first and second fold lines is a curved score line.
14. A blank in accordance with claim 8 further comprising
continuous flexible paperboard.
15. A container in accordance with claim 8 wherein the internal
surface is scored.
16. A method of constructing a container used for shipping a
product, the container is formed from a continuous blank of sheet
material having an internal surface and an opposing external
surface, the blank further includes a top panel having a top edge,
a bottom edge, and opposing side edges, the blank further includes
a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge of the top panel along a
first fold line, and a rear panel connected to the hinge panel
along a second fold line and connected to the top panel, said
method comprising: providing the blank of sheet material; applying
a first adhesive coating to a portion of the internal surface of
the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom
edge defining a perimeter of a compartment for receiving the
product; placing the product within the compartment of the
container; folding the top panel towards the interior surface of
the rear panel along the hinge panel; and applying at least one of
heat and pressure in the area of the coating to seal the
container.
17. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising
applying a second adhesive coating to at least a portion of the
internal surface of the top panel.
18. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising
compressing the first adhesive coating and the second adhesive
coating together using heat seal tooling to close the
container.
19. A method in accordance with claim 16 wherein at least one of
the top panel and the rear panel has a display window, said method
further comprising coupling a transparent plastic material to the
internal surface adjacent at least a portion of the display
window.
20. A method in accordance with claim 16 further comprising folding
the rear panel towards the interior surface of the top panel along
the hinge panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to containers and, more
particularly, to a container for shipping a product stored within
the container, and a method of constructing the container.
[0002] Containers are oftentimes used to store, display, and/or
transport a product or a plurality of products. For example, a
distributor of media products, such as compact discs (CDs) and
digital video discs (DVDs), may have to place their products within
a container for shipment to consumers. At least some known
containers are fabricated from rigid cardboard, filled with a
digital media product, and closed for transportation to a home or
retail store. Some known cardboard containers are constructed such
that the cardboard is wrapped around the contents of the container
and then sealed to retain the contents within the container. The
cost to construct and transport rigid cardboard containers is ever
increasing, particularly when the cardboard container is shipped
through the mail or through a delivery service. Thus, a flexible
container for housing products such as digital media products that
can easily be produced and that facilitates reducing the expense of
transporting the products is needed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one aspect, a container for packaging a product is
provided. The container is formed from a continuous blank of sheet
material having an internal surface and an opposing external
surface. The container includes a top panel having a top edge, a
bottom edge, and opposing side edges. The container further
includes a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge of the top
panel along a first fold line, a rear panel connected to the hinge
panel along a second fold line and connected to the top panel, and
a first adhesive coating applied on the internal surface of the
rear panel adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge
defining a perimeter of a compartment for receiving a product.
Moreover, after the product is placed in the compartment, the top
panel and the rear panel are folded about the hinge panel such that
at least a portion of the internal surfaces of the top and rear
panels are attached to one another.
[0004] In a further aspect, a blank of sheet material for
constructing a container used for shipping a product is provided.
The blank has an internal surface and an opposing external surface.
The blank includes a top panel having a top edge, a bottom edge,
and opposing side edges, a hinge panel connected to the bottom edge
of the top panel along a first fold line, and a rear panel
connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and connected
to the top panel, wherein the rear panel includes a first adhesive
coating applied thereto on the internal surface of the rear panel
adjacent to the opposing side edges and the bottom edge to a
perimeter of a compartment for receiving the product.
[0005] In a further aspect, a method of constructing a container
used for shipping a product is provided. The container is formed
from a continuous blank of sheet material having an internal
surface and an opposing external surface. The blank includes a top
panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges.
The blank further includes a hinge panel connected to the bottom
edge of the top panel along a first fold line, and a rear panel
connected to the hinge panel along a second fold line and connected
to the top panel. The method includes providing the blank of sheet
material, applying a first adhesive coating to a portion of the
internal surface of the rear panel adjacent to the opposing side
edges and the bottom edge defining a perimeter of a compartment for
receiving the product, placing the product within the compartment
of the container, folding the top panel towards the interior
surface of the rear panel along the hinge panel, and applying at
least one of heat and pressure in the area of the coating to seal
the container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank of sheet material for
constructing a container according to one embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container partially
constructed from the blank shown in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a container constructed from
the blank shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is described below in reference to its
application in connection with and operation of a container for
mailing digital media products (e.g., compact discs (CDs), digital
video discs (DVDs), a minidisc, a digital video, a video game, a
record, etc.). However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art and guided by the teachings herein provided that the invention
is likewise applicable to any suitable storage and/or container
including, without limitation, a carton, a tray or a box.
[0010] In one embodiment, the container is fabricated from a
paperboard material. The container, however, may be fabricated
using any suitable material, and therefore is not limited to a
specific type of material. In alternative embodiments, the
container is fabricated using cardboard, corrugated board, plastic
and/or any suitable material known to those skilled in the art and
guided by the teachings herein provided. The container may have any
suitable size, shape and/or configuration, i.e. number of sides,
whether such sizes, shapes and/or configurations are described
and/or illustrated herein. For example, in one embodiment, the
container includes a shape that provides functionality, such as a
shape that facilitates transporting the container and/or a shape
that facilitates stacking and/or arrangement of a plurality of
containers.
[0011] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the construction of one embodiment of a
container. Specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of one
embodiment of a blank of sheet material designated in its entirety
by element reference number 10. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a
container partially constructed designated in its entirety by
element reference numeral 12 constructed from blank 10 shown in
FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of container 12 in the
constructed configuration.
[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, blank 10 is made of flexible paperboard
material including a first corrugated surface or internal surface
14 and an opposing second surface or external surface 16. In one
embodiment, first surface 14 is blank or void of any marking, such
as a graphic and/or other printing, and second surface 16 includes
at least one print screen thereon. The print screen includes any
suitable markings including, without limitation, indicia that
communicates the product, a manufacturer of the product and/or a
seller of the product. In a particular embodiment, the print screen
is positioned on one or more panels (as described in greater detail
below) on second surface 16 of blank 10 and corresponds to a
visible surface, such as an exterior surface or a second surface,
of constructed container 12.
[0013] Blank 10 includes a first edge 30, an opposing second edge,
32, and two substantially parallel edges 34 and 36 extending
therebetween. Blank 10 has a width W.sub.1 defined between edges 30
and 32, and a length L.sub.1 defined between edges 34 and 36.
Moreover, blank 10 includes a first panel or top panel 18, an
opposing second panel or rear panel 20, and a folding panel or
hinge panel 22 extending therebetween. First panel 18 is hingeably
coupled to second panel 20 along a fold line 24 extending partially
between edges 30 and 32. In one embodiment, fold line 24 includes a
hinge line and/or a line of separation, such as a die cut, defined
along a portion of fold line 24. It is apparent to those skilled in
the art and guided by the teachings herein provided that fold line
24, as well as other fold lines described herein, may include any
suitable line or lines of weakening.
[0014] In one embodiment, first and second panels 18 and 20 have a
substantially similar shape. Specifically, first and second panels
18 and 20 have a substantially square shape. Moreover, first panel
18 has a length L.sub.3 defined between edge 34 and fold line 24,
and second panel 20 has a length L.sub.2 defined between edge 36
and fold line 24. In one embodiment, length L.sub.2 and length
L.sub.3 are substantially equal, and are approximately half the
length of L.sub.1. In an alternative embodiment, first and second
panels 18 and 20 may have any suitable shape to facilitate forming
container 12, and length L.sub.2 and length L.sub.3 have different
lengths.
[0015] In one embodiment, folding panel 22 is defined by two
arcuate score lines 26 and 28. Score lines 26 and 28 intersect
forming at least two intersections 38 and 40 defined along fold
line 24. In an alternative embodiment, score lines 26 and 28
intersect forming more than two intersections. In an alternative
embodiment, blank 10 does not include folding panel 22 and score
lines 26 and 28; rather, blank 10 includes a single transverse
score line (not shown) extending between edges 30 and 32.
[0016] Moreover, blank 10 includes a display window 42 defined
within a portion of panel 20. In one embodiment, display window 42
forms an opening within panel 20 and is substantially square in
shape. Specifically, display window 42 includes a first edge 44, an
opposing second edge 46, and two substantially parallel edges 48
and 50 extending therebetween. In an alternative embodiment,
display window 42 has any suitable shape. In a further alternative
embodiment, blank 10 does not include display window 42. In a
further alternative embodiment, both first and second panels 18 and
20 include display window 42. In one embodiment, a substantially
transparent plastic material (not shown) is coupled to surface 14
such that the plastic material is adjacent to at least a portion of
display window 42.
[0017] First surface 14 of first panel 18 includes a coating 54
that is applied to first panel 18, and first surface 14 of second
panel 20 includes a coating 56 that is applied to second panel 20.
Coatings 54 and 56 are configured to facilitate coupling first and
second panels 18 and 20 together. In one embodiment, coatings 54
and 56 are co-adhesive coatings. In an alternative embodiment,
coatings 54 and 56 are heat activated sealants and/or any suitable
coating that facilitates the coupling of first and second panels 18
and 20.
[0018] In one embodiment, coating 54 is applied to the entire first
surface 14 of first panel 18, and coating 56 is applied to first
surface 14 of second panel 20 in a U-shape. Coating 56 includes a
first portion 58, an opposing second portion 60, and a third
portion 62 extending therebetween. Specifically, first portion 58
of coating 56 is applied parallel and adjacent to a portion of edge
30, second portion 60 of coating 56 is applied parallel and
adjacent to a portion of edge 32, and third portion 62 of coating
56 is applied parallel and adjacent to a portion of edge 36
defining a perimeter for a compartment. Moreover, coating 56 is
applied outward of display window 42. In an alternative embodiment,
coating 54 is applied to only a portion of first surface 14 of
first panel 18, and coating 56 is applied to first surface 14 of
second panel 20 in any suitable shape that facilitates coupling
first surface 14 of first panel 18 to first surface of second panel
20 while providing space for a product to be placed between first
panel 18 and second panel 20 for sealing the product within
container 12.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows container 12 in a partially constructed open
configuration 61. Container 12 is constructed from blank 10.
Container 12 is flexible and is configured to receive contents 63,
such as, but not limited to, a compact disc (CD), a digital video
disc or a digital versatile disc (DVD), a minidisc, a digital
video, a video game, and/or a record.
[0020] In use, coatings 54 and 56 are applied to first panels 18
and 20, respectively, and contents 63 are positioned adjacent first
surface 14 of first panel 18. In one embodiment, contents 63 are
positioned such that a portion of contents 63 is adjacent score
line 26 and/or folding panel 22. Moreover, in one embodiment,
contents 63 are positioned adjacent first surface 14 of first panel
18 with a high-speed automatic system.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows container 12 in a fully constructed closed
configuration 64. In use, after contents 63 are positioned adjacent
first panel 18, second panel 20 is folded along score lines 26 and
28 towards first surface 14 forming folding panel 22. Second panel
20 is coupled to first panel 18 by coupling a portion of coating 54
to a portion of coating 56 using a heat sealing tool. Specifically,
the heat sealing tool heats coatings 54 and 56 activating the
adhesive and/or sealant properties of coatings 54 and 56. Once the
adhesive properties are activated, second surfaces 16 of first
panel 18 and second panel 20 are compressed together to
continuously seal first, second, and third portions 58, 60, and 62
of coating 56 to coating 54 closing container 12 and forming the
compartment configured to receive contents 63 therein. As shown in
FIG. 3, an imprint 66 on second surface 16 of second panel 20 is
generally shown in the location of the heat sealing on first
surface 14 of second panel 20. The heat sealing tool provides an
efficient high-speed means to construct container 12 from open
configuration 61 to closed configuration 64.
[0022] In an alternative embodiment, coatings 54 and 56 do not
require heat to activate the adhesive and/or sealant properties of
coatings 54 and 56. Moreover, in the alternative embodiment,
container 12 is rotated from open configuration 61 to closed
configuration 64 using any suitable mechanism, and first panel 18
and second panel 20 are coupled together solely by applying
pressure to the second surfaces 16 of first panel 18 and second
panel 20 to seal first, second, and third portions 58, 60, and
62.
[0023] Once container 12 is in closed configuration 64, coating 54
substantially prevents contents 63 of container 12 from shifting
within container 12, and contents 63 are visible through display
window 42. Moreover, to enhance security against theft, coatings 54
and 56 provide a tamper-resistant measure and a tamper-evident
measure for container 12 in closed configuration 64.
[0024] The above-described container and method of constructing the
container provides a container that is easily constructed from a
flexible unitary blank of paperboard and transports contents such
as digital media. Moreover, the container includes an opening
formed within a portion of the container such that contents of the
container are visible when the container is in a constructed
configuration. As a result, consumers can transport contents within
a flexible container while viewing the contents of the closed
container.
[0025] Exemplary embodiments of a container have been described
above in detail. The apparatus is not limited to the specific
embodiments described herein, but rather, components of the
container and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently
and separately from other components and/or steps described herein.
Further, the described apparatus components and/or method steps can
also be defined in, or used in combination with, other apparatus
and/or methods, and are not limited to practice with only the
apparatus and method as described herein.
[0026] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
* * * * *