U.S. patent application number 13/760690 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-07 for shipping and display container foldable into display trays with anti-tip features.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY. Invention is credited to Wayne H. Kuhn.
Application Number | 20140216981 13/760690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49955894 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140216981 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kuhn; Wayne H. |
August 7, 2014 |
SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER FOLDABLE INTO DISPLAY TRAYS WITH
ANTI-TIP FEATURES
Abstract
A shipping and display container convertible into a display
configuration comprises a plurality of primary packages contained
therein. The container comprises a bottom wall having one score
line formed therein. Two side walls wherein each of which is
foldably joined from the bottom wall. One of the side walls
includes a pair of diagonal corner walls each of which foldably
extend from lateral edge thereof The diagonal corner walls are
configured to prevent the plurality of primary packages from
tipping forward when the container is in the display position. A
top wall is foldably joined from one of the side wall. Two opposed
end walls each of which is formed from a plurality of flaps
foldably extend from the bottom, side, and top walls in an
overlapped relationship with one another. A perforated section is
defined by two perforated lines of weakness wherein upon removal of
the perforated section and folding container along the score line,
the shipping and display container is converted into two display
trays.
Inventors: |
Kuhn; Wayne H.; (Palos Park,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY |
Memphis |
TN |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY
Memphis
TN
|
Family ID: |
49955894 |
Appl. No.: |
13/760690 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/736 ;
229/123.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/542 20130101;
B65D 5/5273 20130101; B65D 5/4266 20130101; B65D 5/5253
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/736 ;
229/123.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/42 20060101
B65D005/42 |
Claims
1. A shipping and display container having a plurality of primary
packages contained therein, the shipping and display container
convertible into a display configuration at the point of sale,
comprising: a bottom wall having at least one score line formed
therein, the bottom wall includes a width, two respective
longitudinal edges, and two respective lateral edges; two opposed
side walls each of which being foldably joined from the respective
longitudinal edge of the bottom wall, only one of the two opposed
side walls includes a pair of diagonal corner walls each of which
foldably extends from respective lateral edge thereof and wherein
each of the diagonal corner walls being configured to prevent the
plurality of primary packages from tipping forward when the
container being in the display configuration; a top wall being
foldably joined from one of the two respective longitudinal edge of
the side walls; two opposed end walls being formed from a plurality
of flaps foldably extend from the bottom wall, the two opposed side
walls, and a top wall in an overlapped relationship with one
another; and a perforated section being defined by two perforated
lines of weakness that are formed across respective widths of the
top wall and the two opposed side walls wherein upon removal of the
perforated section and folding the shipping and display container
along the at least one score line, the shipping and display
container is converted into two display trays and wherein each of
the two display trays has a back panel formed from one of the two
side walls when the perforated section is removed and wherein the
removal of the perforated section reduces the height of the back
panel which causes the top of the primary packages to lean back or
to recline for display position and wherein each of the two display
trays has a respective base formed from the respective opposed end
walls defined by respective first, second, third, and fourth flaps
(28a), (28b), (36a), (36b), (38a), (38b), (42a), (42b).
2. The shipping and display container of claim 1 wherein the at
least one score line includes two substantially parallel score
lines that are formed on a midsection of the bottom wall.
3. The shipping and display container of claim 1 wherein the
plurality of flaps defined by respective pair of first, second,
third, and fourth flaps and wherein the first pair of the flaps
foldably extend from respective diagonal corner walls, the second
pair of the flaps foldably extend from the respective lateral edge
of the side wall, the third pair of the flaps foldably extend from
the respective lateral edge of the bottom wall, and the fourth pair
of the flaps foldably extend from the respective lateral edge of
the top wall.
4. The shipping and display container of claim 1 wherein the top
wall further includes a glue flap foldably extend from longitudinal
edge thereof.
5. The shipping and display container of claim 1 wherein the
perforated section includes a tear out panel and a tear out window
panel.
6. The shipping and display container of claim 5 wherein the tear
out window panel includes an access hole used to remove the
perforated section by a retailer.
7. The shipping and display container of claim 5 wherein the tear
out panel includes a tab that extends from free edge thereof
8. The shipping and display container of claim 1 wherein the two
display trays are separated along the at least one score line.
9. (canceled)
10. The shipping and display container of claim 1 wherein each of
the two display trays has a tapered side wall formed from the top
wall when the perforated section is removed.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. A shipping and display container having a plurality of primary
packages contained therein, the shipping and display container
convertible into a display configuration at the point of sale,
comprising: a bottom wall having at least one score line formed on
a midsection thereof, the bottom wall includes a width, two
respective longitudinal edges, and two respective lateral edges;
two opposed side walls each of which being, foldably joined from
the respective longitudinal edge of the bottom wall, only one of
the two opposed side walls includes a pair of diagonal corner walls
each of which foldably extends from respective lateral edge thereof
and wherein each of the diagonal corner walls being configured to
prevent the plurality of primary packages from tipping forward when
the container being in the display configuration; a top wall being
foldably joined from one of the two respective longitudinal edge of
the side wall; two opposed end walls being formed from a plurality
of flaps foldably extend from the bottom wall, the two opposed side
walls, and a top wall in an overlapped relationship with one
another wherein the plurality of flaps defined by respective pair
of first, second, third, and fourth flaps and wherein the first
pair of the flaps foldably extend from respective diagonal corner
walls, the second pair of the flaps foldably extend from the
respective lateral edge of the side wall, the third pair of the
flaps foldably extend from the respective lateral edge of the
bottom wall, and the fourth pair of the flaps foldably extend from
the respective lateral edge of the top wall; and a perforated
section being defined by two perforated lines of weakness that are
formed across respective widths of the top wall and the two opposed
side walls wherein upon removal of the perforated section and
folding the shipping and display container along the at least one
score line, the shipping and display container is converted into
two display trays and wherein each of the two display trays has a
back panel formed from one of the two opposed side walls when the
perforated section is removed and wherein the removal of the
perforated section reduces the height of the back panel which
causes the top of the primary packages to lean back or to recline
for display position and wherein each of the two display trays has
a respective base formed from the respective opposed end walls
defined by respective first, second, third, and fourth flaps (28a),
(28b), (36a), (36b), (38a), (38b), (42a), (42b).
14. The shipping and display container of claim 13 wherein the
perforated section includes a tear out panel having a tab and a
tear out window panel.
15. The shipping and display container of claim 14 wherein upon
removal of the tear out panel, the tab leaves a first U-shaped foot
print on one of the side wall which assist in converting the
shipping container into two display trays.
16. The shipping and display container of claim 14 wherein upon
removal of the tear out window panel, a second U-shaped foot print
is formed on the other side wall which assist in converting the
shipping container into two display trays.
17. The shipping and display container of claim 13 wherein the two
display trays are separated along the at least one score line.
18. (canceled)
19. A blank for making a shipping and display container convertible
into a display configuration at the point of sale, the blank
comprising: a bottom wall panel, two side wall panels and top wall
panel foldably joined to one another by three transverse parallel
fold lines (50, 52, 54), the bottom wall panel includes a
respective third flaps that foldably extend from a respective
lateral edge of the bottom wall panel; a pair of parallel score
lines being formed on the bottom wall panel which being used when
converting the shipping and display container into the display
configuration; one of the two side wall panels (18') includes a
tear out window panel that is defined by the two perforated lines
of weakness, the other side wall panel (16') includes respective
diagonal corner panels being defined by respective fold lines
(26a', 30a', 26b', 30b'), wherein only the side wall panel (16')
has the respective diagonal corner panels, the other side wall
panel (16') further includes a respective first flaps that foldably
extend from respective diagonal corner walls and being defined by
respective fold lines (30a, 30b), one of the two side wall panels
(18') includes a respective second flaps that foldably extend from
respective lateral edge of the side wall panel (18') and being
defined by respective fold lines (56a, 56b), the top wall panel
includes a respective fourth flaps that foldably extend from
respective lateral edges and being defined by respective fold lines
(58a', 58b'), a glue flap panel foldably extends from a
longitudinal edge of the top wall and being defined by fold line
(60), and the other side wall panels (16') further includes the
access hole cut out on one longitudinal edge thereof that forms the
access hole when the blank B is fully constructed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to containers for shipping
and display products at points of sale. More particularly, the
invention is a shipping and display container foldable into
side-by-side display trays with anti-tip features at the point of
sale.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is common practice to load a quantity of individual
packages of consumer products into corrugated paperboard shipping
containers for bulk shipment of the packages to a point of sale. At
the point of sale the individual packages are removed from the
shipping container and placed on a shelf for display and sale to
the consumer.
[0003] In many instances, especially in the so-called big box
stores or club stores, the product packages are left in the
shipping container which then also serves to support and display
the packages for sale. If the shipping container is a conventional
container the retailer must cut away a portion of the container in
order to expose the product packages and provide access to them by
the consumer. In order to provide a more attractive display and
facilitate ease of use by the retailer, combination shipping and
display containers have been developed which have sections that may
be removed along weakened lines to expose the product packages and
provide access to them.
[0004] Some conventional shipping and display containers require
multiple pieces of corrugated material in their construction and/or
are not easily produced on standard box plant converting equipment.
Conventional designs also may not provide a container that retains
its integrity during shipping and handling, and/or the retailer may
be required to use a knife to open the shipping container to
convert it to a display configuration. Additionally, removal of a
section of conventional shipping and display containers frequently
leaves a jagged edge that is unattractive.
[0005] Of additional concern with conventional shipping and display
containers is their inability to ship bagged, pouched or carded
products in a flat or horizontal position and then display them at
the point of sale in an upright position. When displayed upright,
the pouched or carded products have a small footprint and cannot
stand without support, and therefore, for proper display in the
retail market it is important to present the product in an upright
position with minimal restrictions so that the consumers can easily
see and access the product. Prior shipping and display containers
do not provide a way to control the presentation of the primary
packages and it is generally common for the primary packages to tip
forward when the first few packages or carton are removed. Tipping
forward reduces the display effect and can negatively impact sales.
Previous solutions to such problems have used multiple pieces or
complex folding structures to ensure upright presentation of the
product.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a shipping and
display container that uses only a single piece of corrugated
material in its construction, that can be easily produced on
standard box plant converting equipment, that retains its integrity
during shipping and handling, that does not require the use of a
knife or other tool to convert it from a shipping to a display
configuration, that leaves a clean smooth edge when opened, and
that enables the product packages to be loaded into the container
and shipped in a horizontal position and displayed in an upright
position when the container is opened at the point of sale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to shipping and display
container that contains therein a plurality of primary packages or
cartons for sale by retailers. When the plurality of primary
packages are in the display position, the shipping and display
container is configured in a manner that causes the primary
packages to lean back toward the back of the container for a
preferred presentation position. In the present invention, each
primary package is arranged on its side in two rows. For example,
for a twelve primary packages or cartons, there are two rows of six
cartons on their sides with the tops of one row facing the tops of
the other row. This arrangement allows the primary packages or
cartons to end up upright when the packages or cartons are ready
for display. The shipping and display container requires a single
piece blank made of corrugated material in its construction and can
be produced on standard box plant converting equipment. The
shipping and display container retains its integrity during
shipping and handling and does not require the use of a knife or
other tool to convert it from a shipping configuration to a display
configuration. The unassembled blank has major and minor flaps on
each end. One minor flap on each end has extra score lines which
permits the minor flap to be folded to create a diagonal corner
inside the container. This diagonal corner effectively reduces the
available space for the primary packages and by increasing the size
of the container to compensate for the reduction of the space, the
two rows of primary packages are accommodated in a chevron
configuration. It should be noted that this arrangement has an
additional advantage of utilizing all the primary packages so as to
provide stacking strength and thereby reducing the strength
requirements from the shipping and display container. Moreover, the
diagonal corner with its extra score lines further increases the
stacking strength.
[0008] When the shipping and display container is at the retail
outlet or club store, a perforated section of the container is
removed. The perforated section of the container is defined by a
tear out panel and a removable window panel. The container is then
broken backward on a score line in the bottom panel. This places
the primary packages in an upright position in two joined display
trays. The two joined trays have an open face which is determined
by the shape of the perforated section. The shape of this
perforated section can be altered in design to provide more or less
exposure of the primary packages facing. The diagonal corners end
up at the bottom rear of each tray and effectively force the bottom
of the primary packages toward the front of the shipping and
display container. The removal of the perforated panel reduces the
height of the back panel of each tray. This causes the top of the
primary packages to lean back or recline in a preferred display
position.
[0009] For automatic, machine, assembly, a flat blank for making
the shipping and display container comprises of four panels, and a
glue flap. At each end of the blank there are major flaps which
fully overlap each other when folded, and minor flaps. One minor
flap on each end has an extra score and an offset score that allow
the flap to form a diagonal corner protruding into the interior
space of the container. The blank has a perforated section that can
be removed at the point of sale to prepare the primary packages for
display. There is a perforated score line in the bottom panel that
is used to break the container into two display trays. When left
adjoined, these trays are displayed in a side by side position. The
perforated score line provides the user with the option of breaking
the trays apart for a front to back single facing arrangement. This
arrangement is often preferred by the retailer so they can have a
front pack that is shopped while back pack is held in reserve.
[0010] One alternative embodiment would be to provide a very
similar blank as a joined container. Another variation of
embodiment would be to provide the same function in a container
that had self locking features such as tucks or locking tabs.
[0011] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed
to a shipping and display container having a plurality of primary
packages contained therein. The shipping and display container is
convertible into a display configuration at the point of sale and
comprises a bottom wall having at least one score line formed on a
midsection of the bottom wall. The bottom wall includes a width,
two respective longitudinal edges, and two respective lateral
edges. Two opposed side walls, are provided, each of which is
foldably joined from the respective longitudinal edge of the bottom
wall. One of the opposed side walls includes a pair of diagonal
corner walls each of which foldably extends from respective lateral
edge thereof Each of the diagonal corner walls is configured to
prevent the plurality of primary packages from tipping forward when
the container is in the display configuration. A top wall is
foldably joined from one of the respective longitudinal edge of the
side wall. The top wall further includes a glue flap foldably
extend from longitudinal edge thereof Two opposed end walls are
formed from a plurality of flaps foldably extending from the bottom
wall, side walls, and top walls in an overlapped relationship with
one another. The plurality of flaps is defined by respective pair
of first, second, third, and fourth flaps. The first pair of the
flaps foldably extend from respective diagonal corner walls, the
second pair of the flaps foldably extend from the respective
lateral edge of the side wall, the third pair of the flaps foldably
extend from the respective lateral edge of the bottom wall, and the
fourth pair of the flaps foldably extend from the respective
lateral edge of the top wall.
[0012] A perforated section is defined by two perforated lines of
weakness that are formed across respective widths of the top wall
and side walls. The perforated section includes a tear out panel
and a tear out window panel which the tear out window panel
includes an access hole used to remove the perforated section by a
retailer. The tear out panel includes a tab that extends from free
edge thereof Upon removal of the perforated section and folding the
shipping and display container along the at least one score line,
the shipping and display container is converted into two display
trays. The two display trays are separated along the at least one
score line.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a
shipping and display container convertible into two display trays
at the point of sale. Each of the display trays comprises a
plurality of primary packages contained therein and comprises a
base, a back wall, two opposed side walls and an L-shaped front
wall foldably joined to one another. A diagonal wall configured to
be foldably joined between the base, back wall, and two opposed
side walls wherein the diagonal wall causes bottoms of the
plurality of primary packages lean toward the L-shaped front wall
to thereby prevent the plurality of primary packages from tipping
forward toward the L-shaped front wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of
the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts
throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front top perspective view of a shipping and
display container contains therein a plurality of primary packages
according to the invention, shown in its partially open shipping
configuration.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the shipping and display
container of the invention shown in its shipping configuration.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the shipping and display
container showing the container of the invention in the process of
being opened.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the shipping and display
container showing the perforated section of the container is
removed to expose the primary packages contain therein.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the container in FIG. 4
illustrating the manner in which the shipping container is
convertible into a side-by-side display trays with an anti-tip
features.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the container in FIG. 5
showing the side-by-side display trays in their operative
position.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion of the side-by-side
display trays taken along line 7-7. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the
blank used in making the shipping and display container of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated. In the present invention the use of prime
character in the numeral references in the drawings directed to the
different embodiment indicate that those elements are either the
same or at least function the same. In addition, the phrase
"Anti-tip feature" generally means that due to the structure of the
shipping and display container, the shipping and display container
when converted to tow display trays, each of the display trays is
configured in a manner that causes the primary packages to lean
back toward the back of the tray for a preferred presentation
position.
[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 is a top perspective view of a shipping and
display container 10 that contains therein a plurality of primary
packages P in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention. The shipping and display container 10 comprises a bottom
wall 12, top wall 14, opposite parallel side walls 16, 18, and
opposite parallel end walls 20, 22. The respective end walls 20, 22
are formed from a plurality of flaps foldably extend from the
bottom, top, and side walls. Two diagonal corner walls 24a, 24b are
foldably joined from lateral side of the side wall 16 and they are
defined by fold lines 26a, 26b. The side wall 16 further includes a
respective first flaps 28a, 28b that foldably extend from
respective diagonal corner walls 24a, 24b and are defined by
respective fold lines 30a, and 30b. The side wall 18 includes a
respective second flaps 36a, 36b that foldably extend from the
respective lateral edge of the side wall 18. The bottom wall 12
includes a respective third flaps 38a, 38b that foldably extend
from the respective lateral edge of the bottom wall 12. A pair of
parallel score lines 40 are formed in the mid section of the bottom
wall 12 which is used to convert the shipping and display container
10 into a side-by-side display trays (either joined trays or
separated trays) as will be discussed in greater detail
hereinafter. The top wall 14 includes a respective fourth flaps
42a, 42b that foldably extend from the respective lateral edges
thereof and a glue flap 44 foldably extend from the longitudinal
edge of the top wall 14. It should be noted that when the
respective first, second, third, and fourth flaps 28a, 28b, 36a,
36b, 38a, 38b, 42a, 42b are in overlapped relationship with one
another, they form the respective end walls 20, 22. For example,
the respective first, second, third and fourth flaps 28a, 36a, 38a,
42a form the end wall 20 and the respective first, second, third,
and fourth flaps 28b, 36b, 38b, 42b form the end wall 22. The
perforated section of the shipping and display container 10 is
defined by two perforated lines of weakness 32a, 32b that are
formed on the top wall 14 and side walls 16, 18 as depicted in FIG.
2. The perforated section includes a tear out panel 46 and a tear
out window panel 48. The tear out panel 46 and the tear out window
panel 48 are defined by the two perforated lines of weakness 32a,
32b that extend across side wall 16, the top wall 14, and side wall
18. The tear out window panel 48 includes an access hole 34 used to
remove the perforated section by a retailer. After the primary
packages P are loaded into the container 10, the container is then
shipped in the orientation shown in FIG. 2. In the present
invention, the primary packages P are arranged on its side in two
rows. For example, for a ten or twelve primary packages P, there
are two rows of five or six cartons on their sides with the tops of
one row facing the tops of the other row. This is an important
arrangement that allows the primary packages P to end up upright
when the packages P are prepared for display. The respective
diagonal corner 24a, 24b effectively reduces the available space
for the primary packages P and by increasing the size of the
shipping and display container 10 to compensate for the reduction
of the space; the two rows of primary packages P are accommodated
in a chevron configuration as seen best in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7. It
should be noted that this arrangement has an additional advantage
of utilizing all the primary packages P so as to provide stacking
strength and thereby reducing the strength requirements from the
shipping and display container 10.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 3-7, at the point of sale, a retailer
inserts a finger into the access hole 34 in the side wall 16 and
pulls outwardly to break the lines of perforations 32a, 32b. This
enables the perforated section that includes tear out panel 46 and
the tear out window panel 48 to be removed from the container as
seen best in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, the retailer is left with the two
rows of primary packages P nested in the container. It should be
noted that the contour of the lines of perforations 32a, 32b are
formed such that the shipping configuration of the container can be
easily converted into a display configuration. For example, the
tear out panel 46 includes a tab 47 that formed in proximity of the
score lines 40. In the preferred embodiment, when the tear out
panel 46 is removed, the tab 47 leaves a first U-shaped foot print
49 on the side wall 18 which significantly assist in converting the
shipping configuration of the container into a display
configuration. Similarly, when the tear out window panel 48 is
removed, a second U-shaped foot print 52 is formed which
significantly assist in converting the shipping configuration of
the container into a display configuration. Then, the container 10
is folded outwardly along the pair of parallel score lines 40 to
convert the shipping container 10 into a side-by side display trays
T1 and T2. This places the primary packages P in an upright
position in two joined display trays. The two joined display trays
T1 and T2 have an open face which is determined by the shape or
contour of the perforated section. As one of the ordinary skilled
in the art would appreciate, the shape or contour of this
perforated section can be altered to provide more or less exposure
of the primary packages P facing. The perforated score line 40
provides the user with the option of breaking the display trays T1
and T2 apart for a front to back single facing arrangement. This
arrangement is often preferred by the retailer so they can have a
front pack that is shopped while back pack is held in reserve. Each
of the display trays T1 and T2 has a respective base 20', 22'
formed from the respective first, second, third, and fourth flaps
28a, 28b, 36a, 36b, 38a, 38b, 42a, 42b that in shipping
configuration these flaps formed the respective end walls 20, 22.
For example, flaps 28a, 36a, 38a, and 42a forms the base 20' for
display tray T1 and flaps 28b, 36a, 38a, and 42a forms the base 22'
for display tray T2. Similarly, the respective tapered side walls
14'of each respective trays T1 and T2 is formed from the top wall
14 when folded along the score lines 40. In addition, each of the
respective display trays T1 and T2 has respective side walls 12'
that are formed from the bottom wall 12 before they are folded
along the score lines 40. Furthermore, each of the respective
display trays T1 and T2 has respective back walls 16' that are
formed from the side wall 16 after they are folded along the score
lines 40. The L-shaped front wall 18' of the each display trays T1
and T2 is formed from the side wall 18 after the tear out panel 46
is removed. Each of the diagonal corner walls 24a', 24b' ends up at
the bottom rear of each respective display trays T1 and T2 and
effectively force the bottom of the primary packages P toward the
front of the respective display trays T1 and T2 as seen best in
FIG. 7. The removal of the tear out panel 46 and the tear out
window panel 48 reduce the height of the back panel 16' of each
display trays. This causes the top of the primary packages P to
lean back or recline in a preferred display position.
[0025] A blank B for making the shipping and display container 10
is shown in FIG. 8. The blank B is substantially flat symmetrical
with respect to its longitudinal axis thereof The blank B is
preferably an integral piece of a material such as continuous sheet
of conventional corrugated paperboard. The blank B is cut along its
outer margins to form its specific shape. The blank B is divided
into bottom wall panel 12', side wall panels 16', 18' and top wall
panel 14' by three transverse parallel fold lines 50, 52, and 54.
The blank B is further divided by two substantially longitudinal
parallel fold lines 56, 58. The pair of parallel score lines 40'
are formed on the bottom wall panel 12' which are used as fold
lines 40' when converting the shipping container 10 into the
side-by side display trays T1 and T2. The bottom wall panel 12'
includes the respective third flaps 38a', 38b' that foldably extend
from the respective lateral edge of the bottom wall panel 12. The
side wall panel 16' includes the tear out window panel 48' that is
defined by the two perforated lines of weakness 32a, 32b. Moreover,
the side wall panel 16' includes respective diagonal corner panels
24a', 24b' that are defined by respective fold lines 26a', 30a'and
26b', 30b'. The side wall panel 16' further includes a respective
first flaps 28a', 28b' that foldably extend from respective
diagonal corner walls 24a', 24b' and are defined by respective fold
lines 30a, and 30b. The side wall panel 18' includes a respective
second flaps 36a', 36b' that foldably extend from the respective
lateral edge of the side wall panel 18' and are defined by
respective fold lines 56a, 56b. The top wall panel 14' includes a
respective fourth flaps 42a', 42b' that foldably extend from the
respective lateral edges and are defined by respective fold lines
58a', 58b'. A glue flap panel 44' foldably extends from the
longitudinal edge of the top wall 14 and is defined by fold line
60. The side wall 16 further includes the access hole cut out 34'
on one of the longitudinal edges that forms the access hole when
the blank B is fully constructed. Although the blank B is
characterized as having side wall panels and end wall panels, but
one of the ordinary skilled in the art would appreciate that the
end wall panels can be defined as side wall panels as well and the
characterization of the side wall panels and end wall panels have
no effect on the function or utility of the blank 10.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, manual set-up of the shipping and
display container 10 is easily accomplished. However, one of
ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that generally a folding
machine alternatively performs the forming operations. The blank B
is laid horizontally so that the side wall panels 16' and 18' are
folded upright along the respective fold lines 50 and 54. The
respective side wall panels 16', 18' forms a right angle with
respect to the bottom panel 12'. Next, respective second flaps
36a', 36b'are folded toward the bottom wall panel 12' at right
angles along the fold lines 56a and 56b, respectively. Next, the
diagonal corner panels 24a', 24b' and the respective first flaps
28a', 28b' are folded toward the bottom wall panel 12'. The
respective diagonal corner panels 24a', 24b' forms an obtuse-angled
with respect to the bottom wall panel 12'. Next, the respective
second flaps 36a', 36b' are folded upright along the respective
fold lines 56a, 56b and glued to the respective first flaps 28a',
28b' and respective second flaps 36a', 36b'. Finally, the primary
packages P are loaded into the interior space of the shipping and
display container 10 and then the top wall panel 14 folds over
interior space and the respective fourth flaps 42a', 42b' and the
glue flap 44 are glued to the side wall panels 16', and the
respective end walls 20, 22. The loaded and closed shipping and
display container 10 is then shipped in the orientation shown in
FIG. 2. Other alternative embodiment would be to provide a very
similar blank B as a joined container. Another variation of
embodiment would be to provide the same function in a container
that had self locking features such as tucks or locking tabs.
[0027] In use, When the shipping and display container 10 is at the
retail outlet or club store, the perforated section of the
container is removed. The perforated section of the container is
defined by a tear out panel 46 and a tear out window panel 48. The
container 10 is then broken backward on a score line 40 in the
bottom panel 12. This places the primary packages P in an upright
position in two joined display trays T1, T2. The two joined display
trays T1, T2 have an open face which is determined by the shape of
the perforated section. As one of the ordinary skilled in the art
would appreciate, the shape or contour of this perforated section
can be altered to provide more or less exposure of the primary
packages P to be displayed. The diagonal corners panels 24a, 24b
end up at the bottom rear of each display tray T1, T2 and
effectively force the bottom of the primary packages toward the
front of the container. The removal of the tear out panel 46 and
the tear out window panel 48 reduce the height of the back panel 18
of each display tray T1 and T2. This causes the top of the primary
packages P to lean back or recline in a preferred display
position.
[0028] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood
that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention
without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
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