U.S. patent application number 14/507334 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-07 for display container and method of forming same.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Pictsweet Company. Invention is credited to Alex HALL.
Application Number | 20160096649 14/507334 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55632277 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160096649 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HALL; Alex |
April 7, 2016 |
DISPLAY CONTAINER AND METHOD OF FORMING SAME
Abstract
A display container and a method of forming the same from a
blank, including front and back walls, first and second side walls,
and a bottom wall, at least one first projection having a first
portion extending from the first side wall and a second portion
extending from the bottom wall and at least one second projection
having a first portion extending from the second side wall and a
second portion extending from the bottom wall. The first projection
having a portion extending from the first side wall extends towards
the second side wall, and the second projection having a portion
extending from the second side wall extends towards the first side
wall. The projections are configured and aligned to maintain an
item upright within the container
Inventors: |
HALL; Alex; (Bells,
TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Pictsweet Company |
Bells |
TN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55632277 |
Appl. No.: |
14/507334 |
Filed: |
October 6, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/5.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/5021
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/42 20060101
B65D005/42 |
Claims
1. A display container, comprising: front and back walls, first and
second side walls, and a bottom wall; at least one first projection
having a first portion extending from the first side wall and a
second portion extending from the bottom wall; at least one second
projection having a first portion extending from the second side
wall and a second portion extending from the bottom wall; and
wherein the first projection having a portion extending from the
first side wall extends towards the second side wall, and the
second projection having a portion extending from the second side
wall extends towards the first side wall, and wherein the
projections are configured and aligned to maintain an item in the
container in an upright position between the first side wall and
the second side wall.
2. The display container according to claim 1, wherein the front
wall has a height less than a height of the back wall.
3. The display container according to claim 1, wherein the front
wall includes an opening providing access to an interior of the
display container.
4. The display container according to claim 1, further comprising
at least one third projection having a first portion extending from
the back wall and a second portion extending from the bottom
wall;
5. The display container according to claim 1, further comprising
multiple projections each having a first portion extending from the
first side wall and a second portion extending from the bottom wall
and multiple projections each having a first portion extending from
the second side wall and a second portion extending from the bottom
wall.
6. The display container according to claim 1, wherein the item is
a package of frozen vegetables and/or fruits.
7. A method of forming a display container from a sheet of
material, comprising: forming a first side wall, a second side
wall, a front wall, and a back wall relative to a bottom wall such
that each of the first wall, the second wall, the front wall and
the back wall extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom
wall, such that when the first side wall and the second side wall
are folded relative to the bottom wall, a plurality of projections
are formed from the side walls, wherein each of the plurality of
projections includes a portion that extends substantially
perpendicular from the bottom wall.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising forming the
plurality of projections such that each have a first portion
extending from the first side wall and a second portion extending
from the bottom wall and face another plurality of projections each
having a first portion extending from the second wall and a second
portion extending from the bottom wall.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein when the back wall is
folded relative to the bottom wall, at least one projection is
formed from the back wall, the at least one projection including a
first portion extending from the back wall and a second portion
extending substantially perpendicular from the bottom wall.
10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising forming an
opening in the front wall such that when the front wall is folded
relative to the bottom wall, the opening provides access to an
interior of the display container.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of
projections form a plurality of pairs of facing projections.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising causing
the plurality of pairs of facing projections to cooperate to
maintain a plurality of packages in an upright position in the
display container.
13. A blank for forming a display container, comprising: areas
forming a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall
opposite the first side wall, a front wall and a back wall, wherein
the first and second side walls and the front and back walls each
extend from the bottom wall along a respective score line; and a
plurality of pairs of slits cut therein wherein at least one of the
plurality of pairs of slits extends from a point in the bottom wall
to a point in the first side wall, and at least one of the
plurality of pairs of slits extends from a point in the bottom wall
to a point in the second side wall, such that when the first side
wall, the second side wall, and the back wall are folded relative
to the bottom wall, a plurality of cooperating projections are
formed.
14. The blank according to claim 13, further comprising at least
one opening in the bottom wall that is configured to engage with a
tab formed on an edge of a top portion of the front wall.
15. The blank according to claim 13, further comprising at least
one opening in the first side wall and at least one opening in the
second side wall, wherein the openings are configured to engage
with respective tabs that are formed on edges of a top portion of
the back wall.
16. The blank according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the
plurality of pairs of slits extends from a point in the bottom wall
to a point in the back wall.
17. An assemblage, comprising: a display container according to
claim 1, and one or more packages maintained upright in the
container.
18. An assemblage according to claim 17, wherein the packages
contain frozen vegetables and/or fruits.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to box blanks that
form containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates
to box blanks that form containers for displaying items. The
containers may each include walls and features that maintain
packages in an upright position between the walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Merchants typically use a variety of displays for consumer
goods. One type of display includes containers formed of a sheet of
material, such as a box blank. In addition to being a low-cost
option for organizing products on shelves, display containers
formed from box blanks are easily stored when not in use.
[0003] Display containers formed from box blanks are commonly used
in many markets, and particularly by merchants selling food. For
example, a grocery store may choose to arrange packages of frozen
food in a display container in a freezer to confine the food to a
specific area of shelf space. It is therefore desirable to maintain
products arranged in the display containers in a suitable position
to provide consumers with the ability to visually identify the
products and to easily purchase the products.
[0004] While display containers made from box blanks currently
exist, one problem is that the display containers do not contain a
structure for maintaining packages within the containers in an
upright position. For example, a merchant may place multiple
products, one behind the other, in an upright position in a display
container, but as consumers remove each individual product from the
container, the packages slide within the container, preventing the
consumer from viewing the remaining product's or their
packaging.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the container industry to
provide a low cost, easily stored box blank that both forms a
display container and includes features for maintaining each
package in the container in an upright position, regardless of the
number of packages arranged in the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
display container for packages. It is another object of the present
invention to provide a display container that includes front and
back walls, first and second side walls, and a bottom wall, at
least one first projection having a first portion extending from
the first side wall and a second portion extending from the bottom
wall and at least one second projection having a first portion
extending from the second side wall and a second portion extending
from the bottom wall. The first projection has a portion extending
from the first side wall extends towards the second side wall, and
the second projection has a portion extending from the second side
wall extends towards the first side wall. The projections are
configured and aligned to maintain an item in the container in an
upright position between the first side wall and the second side
wall without sliding.
[0007] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The display container may comprise at least
one third projection having a first portion extending from the back
wall and a second portion extending from the bottom wall. The front
wall may have a height less than a height of the back wall. The
front wall may include an opening providing access to an interior
of the display container. The display container may include
multiple projections each having a first portion extending from the
first side wall and a second portion extending from the bottom wall
and multiple projections each having a first portion extending from
the second side wall and a second portion extending from the bottom
wall. The item may be a package including, but not limited to,
frozen vegetables and/or fruits.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
method of forming a display container from a sheet of material. The
method includes forming a first side wall, a second side wall, a
front wall, and a back wall relative to a bottom wall such that
each of the first wall, the second wall, the front wall and the
back wall extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall.
When the first side wall and the second side wall are folded
relative to the bottom wall, a plurality of projections are formed
from the side walls, and each of the plurality of projections
includes a portion that extends substantially perpendicular from
the bottom wall.
[0009] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. The method may include forming the
plurality of projections such that each have a first portion
extending from the first side wall and a second portion extending
from the bottom wall and face another plurality of projections each
having a first portion extending from the second wall and a second
portion extending from the bottom wall. The method may include when
the back wall is folded relative to the bottom wall, at least one
projection may be formed from the back wall, the at least one
projection may include a first portion extending from the back wall
and a second portion extending substantially perpendicular from the
bottom wall. The method may include forming an opening in the front
wall such that when the front wall is folded relative to the bottom
wall, the opening provides access to an interior of the display
container. The plurality of projections may form a plurality of
pairs of facing cooperating projections. The method may include
causing the plurality of pairs of facing cooperating projections to
maintain a plurality of packages in an upright position in the
display container.
[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
blank for forming a display container including areas forming a
bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the
first side wall, a front wall and a back wall, wherein the first
and second side walls and the front and back walls each extend from
the bottom wall along a respective score line, and a plurality of
pairs of slits cut therein. At least one of the plurality of pairs
of slits extends from a point in the bottom wall to a point in the
first side wall, at least one of the plurality of pairs of slits
extends from a point in the bottom wall to a point in the second
side wall, such that when the first side wall, the second side
wall, and the back wall are folded relative to the bottom wall, a
plurality of cooperating projections are formed.
[0011] The container of the invention is particularly useful for
displaying and selling packages of frozen vegetables, such as
spinach. The projections cause the remaining packages to stand
upright and not slide when some packages are removed and
purchased.
[0012] Implementations of the invention may include one or more of
the following features. At least one of the plurality of pairs of
slits may extend from a point in the bottom wall to a point in the
back wall. The blank may include at least one opening in the bottom
wall that is configured to engage with a tab formed on an edge of a
top portion of the front wall. The blank may include at least one
opening in the first side wall and at least one opening in the
second side wall, wherein the openings are configured to engage
with respective tabs that are formed on edges of a top portion of
the back wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The features and advantages of the present disclosure can be
more readily understood from the following detailed description
with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a plane view of a box blank according to an
exemplary embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a display container
formed from the box blank of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary
embodiment; and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the display container
of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a right side perspective view of the display
container of FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view of the display
container of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The present disclosure generally relates to box blanks and
methods of forming box blanks into containers. More particularly,
the present disclosure relates to box blanks that, when folded,
form containers configured to display items, such as packages of
frozen food. Packages of frozen food, including, but not limited
to, frozen vegetables and/or fruits, are displayed advantageously
using the container and method of the invention. The packages of
frozen food also may be shipped to retail stores in the containers,
which are "shelf-ready." It should be emphasized, however, that
embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to display
containers for particular products, and may also be utilized
whenever storage or retention of an item in a desired location is
necessary.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a box blank 10 according to an exemplary
embodiment. Box blank 10 may be a sheet of material having areas
which may be configured to form a container. The sheet of material
may be any flexible material known to those skilled in the art that
may be configured to be folded. The sheet of material may also be
of a suitable strength such that when the box blank 10 is formed
into a container, the container may be configured to hold a package
therein. In one embodiment, for example, the sheet of material may
include cardboard or box board.
[0021] Box blank 10 may further include areas defining a front wall
12, a back wall 14, a bottom wall 20, a first side wall 16, and a
second side wall 18. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the front wall 12,
the back wall 14, the first side wall 16, and the second side wall
18 may each extend outwardly from the bottom wall 20. In addition,
a respective score line (shown by dashed lines in FIG. 1) may
separate the front wall 12, the back wall 14, the first side wall
16, and the second side wall 18 from the bottom wall 20.
[0022] Front wall 12 and back wall 14 may each extend any suitable
distance from the bottom wall 20 such that when box blank 10 is
folded to form a container, access may be provided into an interior
of the container. In some embodiments, the front wall 12 and the
back wall 14 may each extend the same distance outwardly from the
bottom wall 20. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the front wall
12 may extend a distance from the bottom wall 20 that may be
different from the distance that the back wall 14 extends from the
bottom wall 20. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the front
wall 12 may extend the distance from bottom wall 20 that is less
than the distance that the back wall 14 extends from the bottom
wall 20, such that when the box blank 10 is formed into a
container, the front wall 12 has a height that is less than the
height of the back wall 14. (see FIGS. 2 and 3).
[0023] In some embodiments, front wall 12 may include a top portion
12a and a bottom portion 12b. The top portion 12a of the front wall
12 may be configured to be folded over the bottom portion 12b.
Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the back wall
14 may include a top portion 14a and a bottom portion 14b. The top
portion 14a of the back wall 14 may be configure to be folded over
the bottom portion 14b. As may be apparent during discussion in the
latter part of the present disclosure about formation of the
container, in some embodiments, the top portions 12a, 14a of the
respective front and back walls 12, 14 may be folded over the
respective bottom portions 12b, 14b, such that when the box blank
10 may be folded to form a container, the front and back walls 12,
14 may be configured to aid in maintaining the size, shape, and/or
configuration of the container.
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates that the first side wall 16 and the
second side wall 18 may each include respective front flaps 16a,
18a and rear flaps 16b, 18b. The front flaps 16a, 18a and the rear
flaps 16b, 18b may each extend from an end of the first and second
side walls 16, 18. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a respective score
line (dashed line) may be configured to separate each flap 16a,
16b, 18a, 18b from each respective side wall 16, 18. The front
flaps 16a, 18a may be any desired size, shape, and/or configuration
known to those skilled in the art. For example, each front flap
16a, 18a can include any desired number of edges to form any
polygonal shape. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1,
each front flap 16a, 18a may substantially form an L-shape. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when a container 100 is formed from the box
blank 10, the L-shape of each front flap 16a, 18a may allow for an
opening 40 to be formed in the front wall 12 of the container 100.
The opening 40 may be configured to provide access to an interior
of the container 100. The rear flaps 16b, 18b may also be any
desired size, shape, and/or configuration known to those skilled in
the art. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear flaps 16b,
18b may be substantially rectangular shaped.
[0025] The front flaps 16a, 18a may each include an edge 17, 19
extending along a side 13, 15 of the bottom portion 12b of the
front wall 12. FIG. 1 shows that a respective slit may separate the
edges 17, 19 of the front flaps 16a, 18a from each respective side
13, 15 of the bottom portion 12b of the front wall 12. The front
flaps 16a, 18a may be configured to fold relative to each of the
front wall 12 and the side walls 16, 18 such that when the front
flaps 16a, 18a are folded along their respective score lines, the
edges 17, 19 of the front flaps 16a, 18a are no longer along the
same axis as the sides 13, 15 of the bottom portion 12b of the
front wall 12.
[0026] Similar to the front flaps 16a, 18a, the rear flaps 16b, 18b
may each include an edge 21, 23 extending along a respective side
25, 27 of the bottom portion 14b of the back wall 14. FIG. 1 shows
that a respective slit may separate the edges 21, 23 of the rear
flaps 16b, 18b from each respective side 25, 27 of the bottom
portion 14b of the back wall 14. When the rear flaps 16b, 18b are
folded along their respective score lines (e.g., dashed lines) and
relative to both the side walls 16, 18 and the bottom wall 20, the
edges 21, 23 of the rear flaps 16b, 18b may no longer be along the
same axis as the sides 25, 27 of the bottom portion 14b of the back
wall 14.
[0027] FIG. 1 further illustrates that the box blank 10 may include
a plurality of slits 42, 44, 46 cut therein. As illustrated in FIG.
1, in some embodiments, the plurality of slits 42, 44, 46 may be
positioned in pairs along a surface of the box blank 10. The
plurality of slits 42, 44, 46 may be any suitable size, shape
and/or configuration. In some embodiments, each pair of slits 42,
44, 46 may be sized and positioned such that each slit extends from
a point on the bottom wall to a point on an adjacent wall (e.g.,
front wall 12, back wall 14, first side wall 16, second side wall
18). For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, each pair of slits
42, 44, 46 extends from a point on the bottom wall 20 to a point on
one of the respective back wall 14, first side wall 16, and second
side wall 18.
[0028] The pairs of slits 42, 44, 46 may be positioned such that
when the front, back, and/or side walls 12, 14, 16, 18 are folded
relative to the bottom wall 20 to a position where the front, back,
and/or side walls 12, 4, 16, 18 extend orthogonal from the bottom
wall 20, a plurality of projections 22, 24, 26 may be formed in the
interior portion of the container (see FIGS. 2-5). The plurality of
projections 22, 24, 26 may be formed such that each pair of slits
42, 44, 46 may be configured to form outer edges of a respective
projection 22, 24, 26.
[0029] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate that the plurality of projections 22,
24, 26 may further be formed such that a first portion of each
projection 22a, 24a, 26a may extend substantially perpendicular to
the bottom wall 20 and a second portion of each projection 22b,
24b, 26b may extend substantially perpendicular to the wall into
which the respective pair of slits 42, 44, 46 extends. FIGS. 1-5
further illustrate that in some embodiments, each of the plurality
of pairs of slits 42, 44 extending into the first and second walls
16, 18 may be positioned such that the plurality of projections 22
extending from the first side wall 16 form a plurality of
cooperating pairs of facing projections with the plurality of
projections 24 extending from the second side wall 18. In some
embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, the
projections 22, 24 in each of the plurality of pairs may be
directly opposite to one another. Each of the plurality of pairs of
facing projections 22, 24 may be configured to maintain an item in
an upright position within an interior of the container formed from
the box blank 10.
[0030] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate that in some embodiments, at least one
of the projections 26 may be configured to extend from the back
wall 14. Similar to the pairs of facing projections 22, 24, the
projection extending from the back wall 26 may be configured to aid
in maintaining items in an upright position within the interior of
the container formed by the box blank 10. For example, in some
embodiments, the projection extending from the back wall 26 may be
configured to support a back side of an item positioned in the
container such that the item being supported by the projection
extending from the back wall 26 may substantially be prevented from
sliding within the container 100 and/or leaning against the back
wall 14 of the container 100. It is noted that in some embodiments,
such as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, there may be two
pairs of slits 42, 44 forming two projections 22, 24 extending from
each of the side walls 16, 18 and one pair of slits 46 forming one
projection 26 extending from the back wall 14. In other
embodiments, any desired number of pairs of slits may extend from
the bottom wall 20 into any of the adjacent walls forming any
desired number of projections.
[0031] FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a front view, a back view, a right side
perspective view, and a left side perspective view of a container
100 formed from the box blank 10 of FIG. 1, according to an
exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, the box blank 10 may
include components that may be configured to aid in the formation
of the container 100. For example, in some embodiments, surfaces of
the box blank 10 may include suitable adhesive material that may be
configured to aid in maintaining the shape of the container 100.
Alternatively, or in addition, in some embodiments, the box blank
10 may be configured such that the container 100 may be formed
without the aid of adhesive materials.
[0032] For example, FIG. 1 illustrates that the box blank 10 may
include non-adhesive portions 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 for
maintaining the side walls 16, 18 and the front and back walls 12,
14 in a position substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 20.
FIG. 1 illustrates that the box blank 10 may include at least one
bottom wall opening 32. The at least one bottom wall opening 32 may
be positioned such that when the top portion 12a of the front wall
12 is folded over the bottom portion 12b of the front wall a tab 34
extending from an edge of the top portion 12a of the front wall 12
may be configured to engage with the bottom wall opening 32. For
example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the at least one bottom
wall opening may be positioned adjacent to the score line extending
between the bottom wall 20 and the bottom portion 12b of the front
wall 12.
[0033] FIG. 1 further illustrates that box blank 10 may include at
least one first side wall opening 28 and at least one second side
wall opening 30. The at least one first and second side wall
openings 28, 30 may be positioned such that when the top portion
14a of the back wall 14 is folded over the bottom portion 14b of
the back wall, first and second tabs 36, 38 extending from
respective side edges of the top portion 14a of the back wall 14
may be configured to engage with the respective first and second
side wall openings 28, 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the
first and second side wall openings 28, 30 may be positioned
adjacent to the score line extending between the rear flaps 16b,
18b.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the container 100 may be formed by
folding the first side wall 16, the second side wall 18, the front
wall 12, and the back wall 14 relative to the bottom wall 20 such
that each of the walls may extend substantially perpendicular to
the bottom wall 20. Formation of the container 100 may also include
folding the front flaps 16a, 18a along their respective score lines
such that each front flap 16a, 18a may be substantially
perpendicular to its respective side wall 16, 18 and such that a
portion of each front flap 16a, 18a may be configured to contact a
surface of the front wall 12. The front flaps 16a, 18a may be
positioned relative to the front wall 12 such that when the top
portion 12a of the front wall 12 is folded over the bottom portion
12b of the front wall 12 and the tab 34 is engaged with the bottom
wall opening 32, the position of the side walls 16, 18 and the
position of the front wall 12 may be maintained relative to one
another.
[0035] Formation of the container 100 may additionally include
folding the rear flaps 16b, 18b along their respective score lines
such that each rear flap 16b, 18b may be substantially
perpendicular to its respective side wall 16, 18 and such that a
portion of each front flap 16b, 18b may be configured to contact a
surface of the back wall 14. The rear flaps 16b, 18b may be
positioned relative to the back wall 14 such that when the top
portion 14a of the back wall 14 is folded over the bottom portion
14b of the back wall 14 and each tab 36, 38 extending from the top
portion 14b of the back wall is engaged with a respective side wall
opening 28, 30, the position of the side walls 16, 18 and the
position of the back wall 14 may be maintained relative to one
another. In some embodiments, the walls of the container 100 may be
configured to maintain their position relative to one another via
additional suitable connection means known to those skilled in the
art including, but not limited to, staples and adhesives.
[0036] Formation of the container 100 may further include folding
the side walls 16, 18 and the back wall 14 relative to the bottom
wall 20 of the box blank 10 such that the plurality of projections
22, 24, 26 may be formed adjacent to an interior bottom surface of
the container 100. After the container 100 is formed from the box
blank 10, the plurality of pairs of projections 22, 24, 26 may be
used to maintain a plurality of items in an upright position within
the container 100. In some embodiments, for example, the plurality
of items may include a plurality of packages. The packages may be
configured to hold any object known to one skilled in the art,
including, but not limited to, frozen foods, such as frozen
vegetables and/or fruits.
[0037] The embodiments and examples above are illustrative, and
many variations can be introduced to them without departing from
the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended
clams. For example, elements and/or features of different
embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with each other and/or
substituted with each other within the scope of this disclosure.
The objects of the invention, along with various features of
novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of
this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its
operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and
descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
* * * * *