U.S. patent application number 14/699332 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-14 for package for storing a product.
The applicant listed for this patent is Braun GmbH. Invention is credited to Manfred NMN Kobbe.
Application Number | 20160200476 14/699332 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50628641 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160200476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kobbe; Manfred NMN |
July 14, 2016 |
PACKAGE FOR STORING A PRODUCT
Abstract
A package unitarily formed from a cardboard blank for storing a
product comprises a back wall, a first hinged lid section and a
second hinged lid section to set the package in an open or a closed
position. The first and the second hinged lid sections are opposite
the back wall when the package is set in the closed position. The
package further comprises a first pair of side walls and a second
pair of side walls. The side walls of the first pair are arranged
opposite each other and extend from the back wall. The first hinged
lid section extends from one of the side walls of the first pair
and the second hinged lid section extends from the other side wall
of the first pair. The side walls of the second pair are arranged
opposite each other and extend from the back wall. A panel
comprising at least one aperture for receiving the product extends
from one of the side walls of the second pair to the other side
wall of the second pair and is arranged between the back wall and
the first and the second hinged lid sections when the package is
set in the closed position. At least one of the side walls of the
second pair comprises an extension that forms a stiffening member.
The stiffening member comprises a first leg, a second leg and a
base extending between the first leg and the second leg. The first
leg extends from the side wall and is attached to the back wall,
and the second leg extends from the base and is attached to the
panel.
Inventors: |
Kobbe; Manfred NMN;
(Frankfurt, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Braun GmbH |
Kronberg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
50628641 |
Appl. No.: |
14/699332 |
Filed: |
April 29, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/63.5 ;
206/525; 229/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/50 20130101; B65D
5/2009 20130101; B65D 5/2057 20130101; B65D 5/6605 20130101; B65D
5/48002 20130101; B65D 5/6602 20130101; B65D 85/70 20130101; B65D
5/443 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/66 20060101
B65D005/66; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00; B65D 5/48 20060101
B65D005/48; B65D 5/50 20060101 B65D005/50; B65D 5/44 20060101
B65D005/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 14, 2015 |
EP |
15151070.8 |
Jan 27, 2015 |
WO |
US2015/013055 |
Claims
1. A package unitarily formed from a cardboard blank for storing a
product, the package comprising: a back wall, a first hinged lid
section and a second hinged lid section to set the package in an
open or a closed position, the first and the second hinged lid
sections being opposite the back wall when the package is set in
the closed position, a first pair of side walls, the side walls of
the first pair being arranged opposite each other and extending
from the back wall, the first hinged lid section extending from one
of the side walls of the first pair and the second hinged lid
section extending from the other side wall of the first pair, a
second pair of side walls, the side walls of the second pair being
arranged opposite each other and extending from the back wall, and
a panel comprising at least one aperture for receiving the product,
wherein the panel extends from one of the side walls of the second
pair to the other side wall of the second pair and is arranged
between the back wall and the first and the second hinged lid
sections when the package is set in the closed position, and
wherein at least one of the side walls of the second pair comprises
an extension that forms a stiffening member, wherein the stiffening
member comprises a first leg, a second leg and a base extending
between the first leg and the second leg, and the first leg extends
from the side wall and is attached to the back wall, and the second
leg extends from the base and is attached to the panel.
2. The package according to claim 1, wherein the first leg and the
base extend substantially along the overall length extension of the
package.
3. The package according to claim 1, wherein the second leg is
split into two or three sections.
4. The package according to claim 1, wherein the first leg and the
second leg are arranged substantially parallel to each other.
5. The package according claim 1, wherein the base is arranged
substantially perpendicular to the first leg and the second
leg.
6. The package according to claim 1, wherein the first leg and the
second leg extend from the base in substantially perpendicularly in
opposite directions.
7. The package according to claim 1, wherein the panel comprises at
least one reinforcing brace extending substantially perpendicular
from the panel towards the back wall.
8. The package according to claim 7, wherein the at least one
reinforcing brace is a hinged reinforcing brace hingeably extending
from the panel.
9. The package according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the
side walls of the first pair is a hinged side wall hingeably
extending from the back wall.
10. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package has a
length extension of from about 150 mm to about 350 mm when the
package is in the closed position.
11. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package has a
width extension of from about 100 mm to about 250 mm when the
package is in the closed position.
12. The package according to claim 1, wherein the package has a
height extension of from about 11 mm to about 40 mm when the
package is in the closed position.
13. A package kit comprising the package according to claim 1 and a
product.
14. The package kit according to claim 13, wherein the product
comprises at least one blister package.
15. The package kit according to claim 13, wherein the product
comprises at least one oral-care implement.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure is concerned with a package unitarily
formed from a cardboard blank for storing a product. The present
disclosure is further concerned with a package kit comprising such
type of package and a product.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Packages made of cardboard material for storing and shipping
products, like oral care products or other personal hygiene
products are well known in the art. Generally, the product is
packed in a first package, which package is then put into a
relatively large cardboard box for shipping. Usually, protective
padding and/or filling material is inserted into the spacing
between the first package and the outer walls of the box to ensure
that the product is delivered in a safe and undamaged manner.
Typically, the box is tied with a wire or tape. These types of
packages are relatively complex and hard to open in a short period
of time. In case the recipient wants to return the product back to
sender after opening the package, he is usually not enabled to
reclose the package in an easy manner. Sometimes, the package gets
irreversibly damaged during an opening process so that the package
cannot be re-used at all.
[0003] While these types of packages provide substantially safe
delivery of the product stored therein, they are not as well suited
to provide convenient handling of the package. In particular, these
types of packages are relatively big and require a relatively large
amount of packaging material.
[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
package which is easy to handle, in particular easy to open and
easy to re-close, and which package protects the stored product
from damages during storage and distribution. Further, it is an
object of the present disclosure to provide a recyclable package
which minimizes packaging material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with one aspect, a package unitarily formed
from a cardboard blank for storing a product is provided that
comprises: [0006] a back wall, [0007] a first hinged lid section
and a second hinged lid section to set the package in an open or a
closed position, the first and the second hinged lid sections being
opposite the back wall when the package is set in the closed
position, [0008] a first pair of side walls, the side walls of the
first pair being arranged opposite each other and extending from
the back wall, [0009] the first hinged lid section extending from
one of the side walls of the first pair and the second hinged lid
section extending from the other side wall of the first pair,
[0010] a second pair of side walls, the side walls of the second
pair being arranged opposite each other and extending from the back
wall, and [0011] a panel comprising at least one aperture for
receiving the product, wherein the panel extends from one of the
side walls of the second pair to the other side wall of the second
pair and is arranged between the back wall and the first and the
second hinged lid sections when the package is set in the closed
position and wherein [0012] at least one of the side walls of the
second pair comprises an extension that forms a stiffening member,
wherein the stiffening member comprises a first leg, a second leg
and a base extending between the first leg and the second leg, and
the first leg extends from the side wall and is attached to the
back wall, and the second leg extends from the base and is attached
to the panel.
[0013] In accordance with one aspect, a package kit is provided
that comprises such package and a product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to various embodiments and figures, wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example
embodiment of a package kit comprising a first example embodiment
of a package in an open position and a product stored therein;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the package kit
of FIG. 1 with a first hinged lid section set in a closed position
and a second hinged lid section set in an open position;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the package of
FIGS. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a second
example embodiment of a package in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] A package in accordance with the present disclosure is
unitarily formed of a cardboard blank, i.e. the package comprises
one piece of cardboard which may be a single or multi layer
cardboard. The package comprises a back wall, a first pair of side
walls, a second pair of side walls, a first hinged lid section and
a second hinged lid section. The side walls are positioned along
the outer edges of the back wall. The side walls of the first pair
and the side walls of the second pair, respectively, are arranged
opposite each other, i.e. at opposite edges of the back wall and
may extend from the back wall in a substantially perpendicular
manner. In order to allow opening and closing of the package, each
of the hinged lid sections extends from one of the side walls of
the first pair in a hingeable manner. In other words, the first and
the second hinged lid sections are hingeably connected to the
respective side walls of the first pair. Such hingeable connection
may be provided by means of a crease, a perforation or a folding
line. When the package is set in its closed position, the first and
the second hinged lid sections are positioned opposite and
substantially parallel to the back wall.
[0020] A panel extends from one of the side walls of the second
pair to the other side wall of the second pair. In other words,
when the package is set in its closed position, the panel is
arranged between the back wall and the first and the second hinged
lid sections. The panel comprises at least one aperture into which
a product is insertable. For example, the panel may comprise two
rows of apertures, wherein each row may comprise three or four
apertures. In other words, the at least one aperture is surrounded
by the cardboard material of the panel which may be called
"bordering of the aperture". The bordering of the at least one
aperture may also be called "transverse and longitudinal
bracings".
[0021] The product which may be stored in the package may comprise
at least one blister package which may be inserted into the at
least one aperture provided in the panel. Said blister package may
comprise an oral care implement, for example a toothbrush head
which may be repeatedly attachable to and detachable from a handle
of a toothbrush, like an electrical toothbrush. For example, eight
or less toothbrush heads may be provided in blister packages and
may be stored in the package for shipment.
[0022] The panel extending from the one side wall to the other side
wall of the second pair may provide the package with sufficient
stiffness properties protecting the product stored in the package
from getting damaged during shipping and distribution. The product
may be delivered in a substantially undamaged manner. As the
package may have sufficient stability to protect the product,
substantially no protective padding and/or filling material and/or
further boxes may be necessary to ensure that the product is
delivered in a safe and undamaged manner resulting in a reduction
of packaging material and costs. A package may be provided that can
be shipped to a recipient without the need of additional packaging.
As the need for a further box may be rendered unnecessary, the
package may be called "shippable in own container" (SIOC).
[0023] As the package may be closed by flapping the first and the
second hinged lid sections in a position substantially parallel to
the back wall, the package may be relatively easy to close, to open
and to re-close in a relatively short period of time. The package
in accordance with the present disclosure may allow easy access to
its content.
[0024] The package may be sealed by means of an adhesive tape or
foil bridging at least a portion of the first hinged lid section
and at least a portion of the second hinged lid section. The
adhesive tape or foil may display information regarding the
distribution of the package and/or the product stored therein by a
printing, for example the printing may provide identification
markings, a barcode, a product description, the address of the
sender/recipient and/or regulatory markings. In order to open the
package, the adhesive tape or foil can be cut in the region in
which the tape/foil bridges the first and the second hinged lid
sections, for example by means of scissors or a knife. Thus, the
package can be opened without substantially damaging the package in
a relatively short period of time, e.g. within 120 seconds. As the
package can be opened in a relatively short period of time in an
easy manner, the so-called "out-of-box" experience for a
user/recipient may be improved. In case the recipient of the
package wants to re-use the package or wants to send the product
back to sender after opening the package, the recipient may be
enabled to re-close the package in an easy manner; a re-shipment of
the product may be possible using the same package.
[0025] At least one of the side walls of the second pair comprises
an extension that forms a stiffening member to provide the package
with increased stiffness. The stiffening member may extend from the
side wall via a crease or a fold and is arranged between the back
wall and the panel.
[0026] The stiffening member comprises a first leg, a second leg
and a base which base extends between the first leg and the second
leg. The first leg and the second leg may be arranged substantially
parallel to each other. The first leg and the second leg may extend
from the base in a substantially perpendicular manner in opposite
directions.
[0027] The first leg extends from the side wall and is attached to
the back wall, for example by means of adhesive tape applications
and/or an adhesive while the second leg extends from the base and
is attached to the panel, for example by means of adhesive tape
applications and/or an adhesive. In other words, the base extends
between the panel and the back wall to act as a support for the
panel and/or back wall if pressure is applied onto the package.
Further, the first leg and the second leg may provide the package
with more stiffness/form stability in a lateral direction. The
stiffening member may enable the package to take up/absorb
compressive forces/loads which may be applied onto the outer
surface of the back wall and/or onto the outer surface of the first
hinged lid section and/or of the second hinged lid section.
[0028] The first leg and the base may each extend substantially
along the overall length extension of the package while the second
leg may be split into two, three or more sections. These sections
may be attached to transverse bracings of the panel. For example,
in case the panel comprises two rows of apertures along the length
extension of the package, the second leg may be divided into three
sections, each of them being attached to a transverse bracing.
[0029] As the package is made of cardboard material which may be
substantially recyclable, an environmentally sustainable package
may be provided. Additionally, the package in accordance with the
present disclosure can be re-used several times. Thus, an
easy-to-open, recyclable cardboard package is provided that may
reduce the overall amount of packaging material while the product
stored in the package may still be protected from damages during
storage and distribution.
[0030] The cardboard blank may have a weight of about 250 g/m.sup.2
to about 600 g/m.sup.2, optionally about 300 g/m.sup.2 to about 500
g/m.sup.2, further optionally about 400 g/m.sup.2. A package having
a cardboard weight of about 400 g/m.sup.2 may provide sufficient
stability of the package while the cardboard can still be easily
flapped or folded along any hinges, creases or folding lines. Any
hinged side walls and/or hinged lid sections may be relatively easy
to flap into their required positions.
[0031] The panel may comprise at least one reinforcing brace which
may extend substantially perpendicular from the panel towards the
back wall to provide the package with even more stability. The at
least one reinforcing brace may extend from the panel to the back
wall, i.e. the reinforcing brace may reach the inner surface of the
back wall which may act as a support for the reinforcing brace. The
at least one reinforcing brace may be arranged substantially
parallel to one of the side walls of the first pair when the
package is set in the closed position. The reinforcing brace may
enable the package to take up/absorb compressive forces/loads which
may be applied onto the outer surface of the back wall and/or onto
the outer surface of the first hinged lid section and/or of the
second hinged lid section.
[0032] The reinforcing brace may be a hinged reinforcing brace
hingeably extending from the panel towards the back wall. A
hingeable connection between the reinforcing brace and the panel
may be provided by means of a crease, a perforation or a folding
line. The hingeable connection may allow the at least one
reinforcing brace to be flapped upwards and to be set in alignment
with the panel to facilitate the package to be folded in a
substantially flat position.
[0033] At least one of the side walls of the first pair may be a
hinged side wall hingeably extending from the back wall. A
hingeable connection between the at least one hinged side wall and
the back wall may be provided by means of a crease, a perforation
or a folding line. The hingeable connection may allow the at least
one hinged side wall to be flapped downwards and to be set in
alignment with the back wall to facilitate insertion and removal of
the product in an easy manner.
[0034] The package may have a length extension of about 150 mm to
about 350 mm, optionally of about 195 mm to about 334 mm when the
package is set in the closed position.
[0035] The package may have a width extension of about 100 mm to
about 250 mm, optionally of about 125 mm to about 234 mm when the
package is set in the closed position.
[0036] The package may have a height extension of about 11 mm to
about 40 mm, optionally of about 18 mm when the package is set in
the closed position.
[0037] A length extension of about 195 mm to about 334 mm, a width
extension of about 125 mm to about 234 mm and a height extension of
about 18 mm may provide a package which may be suitable for
insertion into a regular mailbox. A so-called
"frustration-free-package" may be provided which can be delivered
in the mailbox of a recipient. The package does not have to be
stored at the local post office in case the recipient is not
available to accept delivery of the package.
[0038] The package may be free of any indentations, extrusions,
windows and/or cut-outs to provide a package being optimized for
efficient handling and transportation. Such packages may be
relatively easy to stack for storage, conveyance and shipping.
[0039] The following is a non-limiting discussion of example
embodiments of packages in accordance with the present disclosure,
where reference to the Figures is made.
[0040] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a perspective view of a package kit 10
comprising a package 11 unitarily formed from a cardboard blank 12
and a product 14 stored within the package 11. FIG. 1 shows the
package 11 in an open position. The product 14 may comprise a
plurality of oral care implements 18, like six or eight toothbrush
heads, each of them being repeatedly attachable to and detachable
from a handle of an electrical toothbrush. Each of the oral care
implements 18 may be packed in a blister package 16.
[0041] The package 11 comprises a back wall 20, a first pair of
side walls 22, 24, a second pair of side walls 26, 28, a first
hinged lid section 30 and a second hinged lid section 32. The side
walls 22, 24 of the first pair are arranged opposite each other
along opposite edges of the back wall 20 and may extend from the
back wall 20 in a substantially perpendicular manner. The side
walls 22, 24 of the first pair may be provided as hinged side walls
22, 24 hingeably extending from the back wall 20. The first hinged
lid section 30 extends from one of the side walls 22 of the first
pair and the second hinged lid section 32 extends from the other
side wall 24 of the first pair in a hingeable manner. When the
package 11 is set in its closed position, the first and the second
hinged lid sections 30, 32 are arranged opposite the back wall 20.
FIG. 2 shows the package 11, wherein the first hinged lid section
30 is set in the closed position.
[0042] The side walls 26, 28 of the second pair are arranged
opposite each other along opposite edges of the back wall 20 and
may extend from the back wall 20 in a substantially perpendicular
manner.
[0043] The package 11 further comprises a panel 82 which extends
from one of the side walls 26 of the second pair to the other side
wall 28 of the second pair. The panel 82 may comprise eight
apertures 84 being arranged in two rows with regard to the width
extension 58 of the package 11. Each row may comprise four
apertures 84. In other words, the panel 82 may be divided into a
plurality of transverse bracings 88 and longitudinal bracings 90.
Into each aperture 84 a blister package 16 may be inserted. Each
blister package 16 may be supported at its outer edges by the
transverse and longitudinal bracings 88, 90. When the package 11 is
in the closed position, the panel 82 is arranged between the back
wall 20 and the first and the second hinged lid sections 30,
32.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 at least one of the side walls 26
of the second pair may comprise an extension 34 that may form a
stiffening member 36 to provide the package 11 with more
stability/stiffness. The stiffening member 36 may comprise a first
leg 42, a second leg 44 and a base 40. The first leg 42 may extend
from the side wall 26 of the second pair via a crease in a
substantially perpendicular manner and may be attached to the back
wall 20 by means of adhesive tape applications and/or an adhesive.
The base 40 may extend from the first leg 42 via a crease in a
substantially perpendicular manner and may reach the panel 82. The
second leg 44 may extend from the base 40 via a crease in a
substantially manner and may be attached to the panel 82 via
adhesive tape applications and/or an adhesive. In other words, the
base 40 may be arranged substantially perpendicular with respect to
the first and the second legs 42, 44. The first leg 42 and the
second leg 44 may be arranged substantially parallel to each other
and may extend from the base 40 in opposite directions, i.e. the
second leg 44 may extend in a direction towards the other side wall
28 of the second pair. The stiffening member 36 may extend
substantially along the overall length extension 56 of the package
11.
[0045] In other words, the base 40 may extend substantially along
the overall length extension 56 of the package 11 between the panel
82 and the back wall 20 to act as a support in case pressure is
applied onto the back wall 20 and/or onto the first and/or the
second hinged lid sections 30, 32. The first leg 42 and the second
leg 44 may provide the package 11 with more stiffness/form
stability in a lateral direction.
[0046] The package 11 as shown in FIG. 4 is similar to the package
as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. However, the panel 82 may comprise at
least one reinforcing brace 86 to provide the package 11 with even
more stability/stiffness. The reinforcing brace 86 may extend from
the panel 82 towards the back wall 20 in a substantially
perpendicular manner. The reinforcing brace 86 may reach the back
wall 20 so that the back wall 20 may act as a support for the
reinforcing brace 86. When the package 11 is set in the closed
position, the at least one reinforcing brace 86 may be arranged
substantially parallel the side wall 22 of the first pair.
[0047] In order to allow the at least one reinforcing brace 86 to
be flapped upwards and to be set in alignment with the panel 82 to
facilitate the package to be folded in a substantially flat
position, the reinforcing brace 86 may be a hinged reinforcing
brace 86 extending from the panel 82 in a hingeable manner. In
other words, the reinforcing brace 82 may be hingeably connected to
the panel 82. Such hingeable connection may be provided by means of
a crease, a perforation or a folding line.
[0048] When the package 11 is set in its closed position, the
package 11 may have a length extension 56 of about 150 mm to about
350 mm, optionally of about 195 mm to about 334 mm, a width
extension 58 of about 100 mm to about 250 mm, optionally of about
125 mm to about 234 mm, and a height extension 60 of about 11 mm to
about 40 mm, optionally of about 18 mm.
[0049] In the present context, the term "substantially" refers to
an arrangement of elements or features that, while in theory would
be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may, in
practice embody something slightly less than exact. As such, the
term denotes the degree by which a quantitative value, measurement
or other related representation may vary from a stated reference
without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject
matter at issue.
[0050] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
* * * * *