U.S. patent application number 16/664606 was filed with the patent office on 2021-04-29 for blister pack for elongate symmetric objects.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alltrade Tools, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Alltrade Tools, LLC. Invention is credited to Eric Hennings, Hector R. Hernandez, JR., Greg Livingston.
Application Number | 20210122548 16/664606 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004468532 |
Filed Date | 2021-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210122548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hernandez, JR.; Hector R. ;
et al. |
April 29, 2021 |
BLISTER PACK FOR ELONGATE SYMMETRIC OBJECTS
Abstract
A packaging assembly for displaying a product, the packaging
assembly comprising: a first rectangular board a second rectangular
board; a first transparent clamshell blister having a first
3-dimensional shape; a second transparent clamshell blister having
a second 3-dimensional shape; wherein, the first clamshell blister
extends through the first board and the second clamshell blister
extends through the second board; wherein the first rectangular
board is positioned adjacent the second rectangular board. The
first transparent clamshell blister and the second transparent
clamshell blister form a single transparent cavity wherein, from at
least one view, the single cavity defines a symmetrical shape
having an axis of symmetry, and wherein, the axis of symmetry is
set off by an angle of between 20 degrees and 30 degrees from a
plane containing the first rectangular board and the second
rectangular board.
Inventors: |
Hernandez, JR.; Hector R.;
(Fullerton, CA) ; Livingston; Greg; (Huntington
Beach, CA) ; Hennings; Eric; (Anaheim, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Alltrade Tools, LLC |
Cypress |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Alltrade Tools, LLC
Cypress
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000004468532 |
Appl. No.: |
16/664606 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/322
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/32 20060101
B65D075/32 |
Claims
1. A packaging assembly for displaying a product, the packaging
assembly comprising: a first rectangular board having a left side
and a right side and which defines a first opening and a second
opening; a second rectangular board having a left side and a right
side and which defines a third opening and a fourth opening; a
first clamshell blister that is transparent, having a first
3-dimensional shape and a first planar perimeter; a second
clamshell blister that is transparent, having a second
3-dimensional shape and a second planar perimeter; wherein, the
first clamshell blister extends through the first opening, and the
first planar perimeter abuts the left side of the first rectangular
board; and wherein, the second clamshell blister extends through
the third opening, and the second planar perimeter abuts the right
side of the second rectangular board; wherein the first rectangular
board is positioned adjacent the second rectangular board, such
that the first planar perimeter is in abutting contact with the
second planar perimeter, whereby the first clamshell blister and
the second clamshell blister form a single transparent cavity, and
the second opening and the fourth opening are in alignment with
each other; wherein, from at least one view, the single transparent
cavity defines a symmetrical shape having an axis of symmetry,
wherein, the axis of symmetry is set off by an angle of between 20
degrees and 30 degrees from a plane containing the first
rectangular board and the second rectangular board.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates generally to product packaging
that displays the products contained therein and, specifically, to
product packaging that displays products which have the form of an
elongate item contained therein, such that the consumer is given an
enhanced view of the end of the elongate item.
[0002] Many products are sold in a packaging configuration which
allows a plurality of packages of a product to be suspended from a
single hook extending horizontally from a display board in a store.
This method has evolved into a complex form, allowing the store and
the producer of the product to maximize the visibility of the
product to the customer walking by, and also to maximize the
numbers of the product hanging from the hook. As part of this
process, producers have developed a system for packaging the
product in a tamper resistant manner so that members of the public
cannot separate the product from its identifying packaging, but
while at the same time being able to view the product through a
transparent polymer bubble. One system developed for achieving this
result is to attach a transparent polymer bubble onto a card that
will receive printed information about the product. The product is
located inside the bubble, and the attachment of the bubble to the
card is irreversible, so that any attempt to remove the product
cannot be undone; this provides a warning that tampering with the
product may be complete or in progress.
[0003] This system has proven successful for most products.
However, a problem arises in cases where the product meets each of
two characteristics: 1) where the product is highly elongate, and
2) where it is the end tip of the product that contains the novel
or desirable feature that the producer would like the consumer to
see at a glance and direct his or her attention to immediately as
the reason for distinguishing the superiority of the product. This
problem is exemplified by reference to FIG. 7 which shows a
packaging system 200 that is known in the prior art for containing
and displaying a socket set 206 (fourteen sockets in this example).
The packaging system 200 is typically formed from a cardboard card
202 suitable for printing information about the sockets. A polymer
bubble 204, of known fabrication by heat shaping, may be attached
by an adhesive or staple to the card 202. Here, it is shown how a
set of sockets 206 may be captured between the card 202 and the
bubble 204. To release the sockets from the location of capture,
perforations may be provided on the card 202, so that pressure on
the sockets ruptures the perforations to permit the sockets to pass
through the card. The card includes a hole 224, which permits the
entire packaging system 200 to be suspended from a hook, extending
horizontally from a display board in a store. Furthermore, a
plurality of packaging systems 200 may be suspended from the same
hook. The front-most package and the sockets within are visible to
the consumer. Should the consumer remove the front-most package for
purchase, the package behind it becomes visible to the next
consumer. As may be seen, the fact that the sockets have elongate
axes compels them to be arranged in the bubble, most conveniently,
so that their axes lie parallel with the cardboard. The dominant
view of the sockets to the consumer as they hang from a hook on the
display board is towards a lateral side of the sockets showing
their tubular length.
[0004] However, a problem with the prior art arises when the
feature that the producer of the sockets wishes to promote as the
selling point resides in the tip of the sockets, because, for
example, the tip of the sockets has been cut using a proprietary
method, to produce a highly attractive and advantageous opening for
receiving the sockets. In the systems available in the prior art
(e.g. FIG. 6) the tip is not readily visible to the consumer
because the angle of view by the customer will be 90 degrees out of
perpendicular alignment. If the consumer is aware of the fact that
the tip of the sockets is the distinguishing feature of the
product--most frequently, the consumer is not aware of this
fact--he will have to reach out and twist the assembly on its hook
for a better view. Rearranging the sockets in the package to extend
perpendicular to the card 202, and thus to present the tip of the
sockets for direct viewing by the consumer, will produce a
packaging system that has a much larger horizontal depth, thereby
reducing the number of packages that can be suspended from a single
hook. Furthermore, stacking such packages into a box for shipment
will have the same result, and fewer packages may be received in a
standard shipping box.
[0005] Thus, there is a need in the art for a system and method for
displaying elongate products from a hanging display, where it is
the tip of the products that is the feature that the producer
wishes to promote as the distinguishing and selling point of the
products. The present invention addresses these and other
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a packaging assembly
for displaying a product. The packaging assembly comprises a first
rectangular board having a left side and a right side and which
defines a first opening and a second opening. The packaging
assembly further comprises a second rectangular board having a left
side and a right side and which defines a third opening and a
fourth opening. A first clamshell blister that is transparent, and
having a first 3-dimensional shape and a first planar perimeter is
provided. A second clamshell blister that is transparent, having a
second 3-dimensional shape and a second planar perimeter is
provided. The first clamshell blister extends through the first
opening, and the first planar perimeter abuts the left side of the
first rectangular board. The second clamshell blister extends
through the third opening, and the second planar perimeter abuts
the right side of the second rectangular board. The first
rectangular board is positioned adjacent the second rectangular
board, such that the first planar perimeter is in abutting contact
with the second planar perimeter, whereby the first clamshell
blister and the second clamshell blister form a single transparent
cavity, and the second opening and the fourth opening are in
alignment with each other. From at least one view, the single
transparent cavity defines a symmetrical shape having an axis of
symmetry. The axis of symmetry is set off by an angle of between 20
degrees and 30 degrees from a plane containing the first
rectangular board and the second rectangular board.
[0007] These and other advantages of the invention will appear from
a review of the drawings and the detailed description of some
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the exemplary embodiments, will be better understood
when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the following
figures.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a left side elevational view of an assembled
package having features of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the package shown in
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 bottom view of the package shown in FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of components of the
package shown in FIG. 1 but, for clarity, not showing any product
in relation to the package.
[0013] FIG. 5 an exploded front elevational view of components of
the package shown in FIG. 1, and also showing a product that will
be located inside a cavity in the package.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view of a prior art package showing features of
the known art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] The description of illustrative embodiments according to
principles of the present invention is intended to be read in
connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be
considered part of the entire written description. In the
description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any
reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for
convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit
the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as "lower,"
"upper," "horizontal," "vertical," "above," "below," "up", "down,"
"top" and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g.,
"horizontally," "downwardly," "upwardly," etc.) should be construed
to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the
drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience
of description only and do not require that the apparatus be
constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless
explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as "attached," "affixed,"
"connected," "coupled," "interconnected," and similar refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the
features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference
to the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly
should not be limited to such preferred embodiments illustrating
some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist
alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the
invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.
[0016] The product which will be used in this application to
exemplify the principles and features of the present invention is a
set of sockets 102 resting in a supporting tray 120--collectively
identified by numeral 100 and referred to as a "socket set." In the
case of the socket set 100, that is best shown in FIG. 5, the set
happens to comprise nine sockets arranged alongside each other.
Each socket has an aspect ratio of about 3--where "aspect ratio" is
defined as the ratio of the maximum length to the maximum width of
each socket. However, the socket set shown is only an example of
the type of product that can be used in the invention, and is not
intended to limit the scope of the invention and does not itself
form a part of the invention. As further explained in the
background section, each socket in the set may include a tip that
is the point of commercial distinction which is the object of
display to the passing customer. As explained above, a problem in
the prior art arises in making this tip of the sockets easily
visible to the passing customer.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, a package 10 having features of the
invention is shown. The package 10 is shown in this case to contain
a product 100. The package 10 includes two rectangular boards 12,
14, of equal rectangular outline, best seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
Each board defines a major opening 20, 22 and a minor opening 21a
and 21b respectively. Two transparent clamshell bubbles 16, 18 are
provided. Each clamshell bubble 16, 18 may be formed by heat
pressing a flat sheet of polymer to produce a complex 3-dimensional
shape ("3-d shape") 24, 26. Each 3-d shape 24, 26 has an edge 25,
27 which is surrounded by a flat planar perimeter 28, 30 which,
preferably, is rectangular in exterior outline. The edges 25, 27 of
each 3-d shape 24, 26 may be profiled to fit snugly into the major
openings 20, 22 respectively of cards 12, 14.
[0018] As mentioned, with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the invention is
designed for packaging a product 100 having certain characteristics
shown in those figures, specifically, a product that is elongate,
and has an elongate axis. In some embodiments, the product 100 may
include a collection of a plurality of units comprising the overall
product for sale. In this case, the units are separate sockets 102.
Additionally, the sockets can be arranged to be seated in a tray
120, so that when the product 100 is unpackaged, a useful container
may be available to support the individual socket units neatly on a
work bench.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be understood how
the overall package 10 may be assembled. The 3-d shape 24 of the
right bubble 16 may be inserted, from the left, into the opening 20
in the right card 12. The planar perimeter 28 of the right bubble
cannot pass through the opening 20, but abuts against the left
surface of the right card 12. Conversely, the 3-d shape 26 of the
left bubble 18 may be inserted, from the right, into the opening 22
in the left card 14. The planar perimeter 30 of the left bubble
cannot pass through the opening 22, but abuts against the right
surface of the left card 14. At this point, the product 100 may be
placed in either the 3-d space 24 of the right bubble 16, or the
3-d space 26 of the left bubble 18. The two cards 12, 14 are then
brought into adjacent alignment with each other in a single plane
Q-Q. The result is best exemplified in FIGS. 1 and 3, where it can
be seen that the cards 12, 14 are in rectangular alignment with
each other and the planar portions 28, 30 of the right bubble 16
and the left bubble 18 are in contact with each other and are
sandwiched between the right card 12 and the left card 14. The two
3-d spaces 24, 26 form a cavity 300 (best seen FIG. 3) that
contains the product 100. The cards 12, 14 are attached to each
other by adhesive, staple, or the like. The minor openings 21a and
21b are in alignment with each other, and are ready to receive a
linear suspension hook extending horizontally from a display
board.
[0020] At this point, the configuration of the cavity 300 formed by
the two 3-d shapes 24 and 26 is described when the cards are joined
together. The two 3-d shapes 24, 26 will, when they are joined
together as described herein, produce a cavity 300 that will have a
molded shape configured to efficiently receive the product 100 for
display. By "efficiently" it is meant that, when the cavity 300 is
filled with the product 100, the cavity will not include much
surplus space. In other words, the cavity will itself have a shape
that substantially mimics the shape of the product 100.
[0021] As described above, the product 100 may be a collection of
symmetrical tubular sockets 102-118 which all rest in a symmetrical
tray 120. Thus, seen from at least one view, the product 100 has
one axis of symmetry P-P as exemplified in FIG. 3. Accordingly, as
a consequence of being efficiently molded, the cavity 300 will
share the same axis of symmetry P-P when the package 10 is seen
from the same view.
[0022] In the present invention, with reference to FIG. 3, and in
order to achieve the novel advantages of the invention, the cavity
300 is configured so that the axis of symmetry P-P of the cavity
300 is tilted away from the plane Q-Q of the two boards 12, 14 by
an angle A preferably 20 degrees to 30 degrees. It has been found
that this angle allows three advantageous results: First, a glance
at the package 10 suspended from a hook which is directed
perpendicular to the plane Q-Q of the boards 12, 14 will provide a
view of the top 123 of the cavity that gives a consumer an enhanced
view of the top 122 of the product 100 through the transparent
clamshell bubble 18. Second, the resulting package 10 can still be
packed into shipment boxes without loss of space efficiency. In
other words, there is no reduction in the number of packages 10
that can be packed into a shipment box. Third, a plurality of the
packages 10 can still be hung on a single hook without sacrificing
the maximum number of packages on the hook as compared to packages
configured without the offset angle A between axis and plane.
[0023] Accordingly, there is described a novel system and method
that addresses needs and shortcomings in the art. The present
invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways
than those herein set forth without departing from the essential
characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,
therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the
claims that follow.
* * * * *