U.S. patent application number 17/701493 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-07 for shelf-ready wrap-around shipper display system.
The applicant listed for this patent is WestRock Shared Services, LLC. Invention is credited to Jeffrey H. CHAPMAN, Kenneth C. SMITH.
Application Number | 20220212832 17/701493 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220212832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SMITH; Kenneth C. ; et
al. |
July 7, 2022 |
SHELF-READY WRAP-AROUND SHIPPER DISPLAY SYSTEM
Abstract
A display system for containing and displaying product includes
a tray portion and a hood portion. The tray portion includes a
bottom panel, and the hood portion includes a top panel and at
least one glue flap panel disposed adjacent to the top panel. The
display system is convertible from a shipping configuration in
which the tray and hood portions cooperate to form an enclosed
carton, into a display configuration in which the hood portion is
separated completely from the tray portion. The display system is
configured to be transitioned from the shipping configuration to
the display configuration by breaking an adhesive connection
between the at least one glue flap panel and the tray portion and
lifting the hood portion away from the tray portion.
Inventors: |
SMITH; Kenneth C.;
(Marietta, GA) ; CHAPMAN; Jeffrey H.; (Villa
Hills, KY) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WestRock Shared Services, LLC |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/701493 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16478274 |
Jul 16, 2019 |
11312527 |
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PCT/US17/64802 |
Dec 6, 2017 |
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17701493 |
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62431855 |
Dec 9, 2016 |
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International
Class: |
B65D 5/32 20060101
B65D005/32; B65D 5/54 20060101 B65D005/54 |
Claims
1. A display system for containing and displaying product, the
display system comprising: a tray portion comprising a bottom
panel; a hood portion comprising a top panel, at least one glue
flap panel disposed adjacent to said top panel, a front panel and
first and second notches extending partially into said front panel
from respective first and second front side panels; wherein the
display system is convertible from a shipping configuration to a
display configuration; wherein when the display system is in the
shipping configuration, the tray portion and hood portion cooperate
to form an enclosed carton; and wherein when the display system is
in the display configuration, the hood portion is separated
completely from the tray portion.
2. The display system of claim 1, wherein said display system in
said shipping configuration includes a second adhesive connection
between a bottom front panel of said tray portion and the front
panel of said hood portion, and wherein said second adhesive
connection is configured so as to be broken when said hood portion
is lifted away from said tray portion to transition the display
system to said display configuration.
3. The display system of claim 1, wherein said tray portion further
comprises a back panel, a bottom front panel, and first and second
bottom side panels.
4. The display system of claim 3, wherein said tray portion further
comprises first and second rear side panels, wherein said first and
second rear side panels extend vertically between said bottom panel
and said top panel when said display system is in the shipping
configuration.
5. The display system of claim 4, wherein said front panel is
disposed opposite said back panel when the display system is in the
shipping configuration.
6. The display system of claim 5, wherein said first and second
front side panels extend vertically between said bottom panel and
said top panel when said display system is in the shipping
configuration, wherein said first front side panel and said first
rear side panel together form a first side wall of the display
system in the shipping configuration, and wherein said second front
side panel and said second rear side panel together form a second
side wall of the display system in the shipping configuration.
7. The display system of claim 6, wherein said at least one glue
flap comprises first and second top side glue flaps, wherein said
first top side glue flap is secured to said first side wall when
said display system is in the shipping configuration, wherein said
second top side glue flap is secured to said second side wall when
said display system is in the shipping configuration.
8. The display system of claim 6, wherein said at least one glue
flap comprises a top rear glue flap, wherein said top rear glue
flap is secured to said back panel when said display system is in
the shipping configuration.
9. The display system of claim 6, wherein said first and second
front side panels define at least in part the respective first and
second notches, wherein said first and second notches are sized and
configured so as to overlie said respective first and second front
corner flaps when the display system is in said shipping
configuration.
10. The display system of claim 1 wherein the first and second
notches extend into the front panel a distance equal to an
approximate thickness of one of the tray portion and the hood
portion.
11. A set of blanks for forming a display system, the set of blanks
comprising: a first blank configured to form a tray portion of a
set-up display system, the first blank comprising a bottom panel;
and a second blank configured to form a hood portion of the set-up
display system, the second blank comprising a top panel, at least
one glue flap panel hingedly connected to said top panel, a front
panel and first and second notches extending partially into said
front panel from respective first and second front side panels;
wherein the set-up display system is convertible from a shipping
configuration to a display configuration; wherein when the set-up
display system is in the shipping configuration, the tray portion
and hood portion cooperate to form an enclosed carton; and wherein
when the set-up display system is in the display configuration, the
hood portion is separated completely from the tray portion.
12. The set of blanks of claim 11, wherein said set-up display
system in said shipping configuration includes a second adhesive
connection between a bottom front panel of said tray portion and
the front panel of said hood portion, and wherein said second
adhesive connection is configured so as to be broken when said hood
portion is lifted away from said tray portion to transition the
set-up display system to said display configuration.
13. The set of blanks of claim 11, wherein said first blank further
comprises a back panel, a bottom front panel, and first and second
bottom side panels.
14. The set of blanks of claim 13, wherein said first blank further
comprises first and second rear side panels, wherein said first and
second rear side panels are configured to extend vertically between
said bottom panel and said top panel when said set-up display
system is in the shipping configuration.
15. The set of blanks of claim 14, wherein said front panel is
disposed opposite said back panel when the set-up display system is
in the shipping configuration.
16. The set of blanks of claim 15, wherein said second blank
further comprises first and second front side panels, wherein said
first and second front side panels extend vertically between said
bottom panel and said top panel when said set-up display system is
in the shipping configuration, wherein said first front side panel
and said first rear side panel together form a first side wall of
the display system in the shipping configuration, and wherein said
second front side panel and said second rear side panel together
form a second side wall of the set-up display system in the
shipping configuration.
17. The set of blanks of claim 16, wherein said at least one glue
flap comprises first and second top side glue flaps, wherein said
first top side glue flap is secured to said first side wall when
said set-up display system is in the shipping configuration,
wherein said second top side glue flap is secured to said second
side wall when said set-up display system is in the shipping
configuration.
18. The set of blanks of claim 16, wherein said at least one glue
flap comprises a top rear glue flap, wherein said top rear glue
flap is secured to said back panel when said set-up display system
is in the shipping configuration.
19. The set of blanks of claim 16, wherein said first and second
front side panels define at least in part the respective first and
second notches, wherein said first and second notches are sized and
configured so as to overlie said respective first and second front
corner flaps when the set-up display system is in said shipping
configuration.
20. The set of blanks of claim 1 wherein the first and second
notches extend into the front panel a distance equal to an
approximate thickness of one of the first blank and the second
blank.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/478,274, filed on Jul. 16, 2019, which is a
National Phase application of PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/64802,
filed Dec. 6, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/431,855 filed on Dec. 9,
2016, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to shelf-ready
wrap-around packaging systems having a shipping configuration and a
display configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Retail product sales are driven by many factors. Product
demand, quality, and pricing are some factors that contribute to
retail product sales. Other factors may include product advertising
and product location in the retail environment. Many product
display devices are designed to take advantage of valuable retail
space. Display devices may also be designed to utilize advertising
space creatively to include product graphics, indicia, and
trademarks.
[0004] Display devices and their products ideally should be easy to
assemble, easy to ship, easy to set up, and require minimal time
and effort from retail employees. Some retail establishments
require that displays meet particular size specifications to
maximize the advertising and display space for the product. Some
retail establishments also require that the display be easy to
identify, easy to open, easy to replenish, and easy to break down
for disposal of the display. Moreover, the display ideally should
be configured so that product housed in the display be readily
aligned for sale, and be easy for a consumer to identify, handle,
and remove from the display. In other words, many retail
establishments are moving toward a display that is "shelf-ready."
Many retail establishments are also moving toward displays that use
less material and are therefore more environmentally friendly.
[0005] It is thus desirable to provide a display that can be
produced, assembled and filled on existing equipment, is easy and
inexpensive to ship, is easy to set up at the retail location, and
that provides efficient delivery of product to the
end-consumer.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided a display system for containing and displaying product
that includes a tray portion including a bottom panel and a hood
portion including a top panel and at least one glue flap panel
disposed adjacent to the top panel. The display system is
convertible from a shipping configuration to a display
configuration. When the display system is in the shipping
configuration, the tray portion and hood portion cooperate to form
an enclosed carton. When the display system is in the display
configuration, the hood portion is separated completely from the
tray portion. The display system is configured to be transitioned
from the shipping configuration to the display configuration by
breaking an adhesive connection between the at least one glue flap
panel and the tray portion and lifting the hood portion away from
the tray portion.
[0007] Optionally, the display system in the shipping configuration
includes a second adhesive connection between a bottom front panel
of the tray portion and a front panel of the hood portion. The
second adhesive connection is configured so as to be broken when
the hood portion is lifted away from the tray portion to transition
the display system to the display configuration.
[0008] Optionally, the tray portion further includes a back panel,
a bottom front panel, and first and second bottom side panels.
[0009] Optionally, the tray portion further includes first and
second rear side panels, wherein the first and second rear side
panels extend vertically between the bottom panel and the top panel
when the display system is in the shipping configuration.
[0010] Optionally, the hood portion further includes a front panel
that is disposed opposite the back panel when the display system is
in the shipping configuration.
[0011] Optionally, the hood portion further includes first and
second front side panels, wherein the first and second front side
panels extend vertically between the bottom panel and the top panel
when the display system is in the shipping configuration, wherein
the first front side panel and the first rear side panel together
form a first side wall of the display system in the shipping
configuration, and wherein the second front side panel and the
second rear side panel together form a second side wall of the
display system in the shipping configuration.
[0012] Optionally, the at least one glue flap includes first and
second top side glue flaps, wherein the first top side glue flap is
secured to the first side wall when the display system is in the
shipping configuration, wherein the second top side glue flap is
secured to the second side wall when the display system is in the
shipping configuration.
[0013] Optionally, the at least one glue flap includes a top rear
glue flap, wherein the top rear glue flap is secured to the back
panel when the display system is in the shipping configuration.
[0014] Optionally, the first and second front side panels define at
least in part respective first and second notches, wherein the
first and second notches are sized and configured so as to overlie
the respective first and second front corner flaps when the display
system is in the shipping configuration.
[0015] Optionally, the first and second notches extend partially
into the front panel.
[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a set of blanks for forming a display system. The set of
blanks include a first blank and a second blank. The first blank
includes a bottom panel and is configured to form a tray portion of
a set-up display system. The second blank is configured to form a
hood portion of the set-up display system. The second blank
includes a top panel and at least one glue flap panel hingedly
connected to the top panel. The set-up display system is
convertible from a shipping configuration to a display
configuration. When the set-up display system is in the shipping
configuration, the tray portion and hood portion cooperate to form
an enclosed carton. When the set-up display system is in the
display configuration, the hood portion is separated completely
from the tray portion. The set-up display system is configured to
be transitioned from the shipping configuration to the display
configuration by breaking an adhesive connection between the at
least one glue flap panel and the tray portion and lifting the hood
portion away from the tray portion.
[0017] Optionally the set-up display system in the shipping
configuration includes a second adhesive connection between a
bottom front panel of the tray portion and a front panel of the
hood portion. The second adhesive connection is configured so as to
be broken when the hood portion is lifted away from the tray
portion to transition the set-up display system to the display
configuration.
[0018] Optionally, the first blank further includes a back panel, a
bottom front panel, and first and second bottom side panels.
[0019] Optionally, the first blank further includes first and
second rear side panels, wherein the first and second rear side
panels are configured to extend vertically between the bottom panel
and the top panel when the set-up display system is in the shipping
configuration.
[0020] Optionally, the second blank further includes a front panel
that is disposed opposite the back panel when the set-up display
system is in the shipping configuration.
[0021] Optionally, the second blank further includes first and
second front side panels, wherein the first and second front side
panels extend vertically between the bottom panel and the top panel
when the set-up display system is in the shipping configuration,
wherein the first front side panel and the first rear side panel
together form a first side wall of the display system in the
shipping configuration, and wherein the second front side panel and
the second rear side panel together form a second side wall of the
set-up display system in the shipping configuration.
[0022] Optionally, the at least one glue flap includes first and
second top side glue flaps, wherein the first top side glue flap is
secured to the first side wall when the set-up display system is in
the shipping configuration, wherein the second top side glue flap
is secured to the second side wall when the set-up display system
is in the shipping configuration.
[0023] Optionally, the at least one glue flap includes a top rear
glue flap, wherein the top rear glue flap is secured to the back
panel when the set-up display system is in the shipping
configuration.
[0024] Optionally, the first and second front side panels define at
least in part respective first and second notches, wherein the
first and second notches are sized and configured so as to overlie
the respective first and second front corner flaps when the set-up
display system is in the shipping configuration.
[0025] Optionally, the first and second notches extend partially
into the front panel.
[0026] According to a third aspect of the invention, a composite
blank is provided. The composite blank is formed by joining a
bottom front panel of the tray blank to a lowermost portion of a
front panel of the hood blank.
[0027] Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that
the various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and
alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and
in the following description and drawings may be taken
independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features
described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all
embodiments unless there is incompatibility of features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a tray
portion of a shipper display system according to one embodiment of
the invention.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a hood
portion of a shipper display system according to one embodiment of
the invention.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
formed from the blanks of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, shown in the shipping
configuration.
[0031] FIGS. 4-10 are various perspective views showing the
construction of the shipper display system of FIG. 3 from the
blanks of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
of FIG. 3 as it is being converted from the shipping configuration
to the display configuration by removing the hood portion from the
tray portion.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
of FIG. 3, shown in the display configuration in which the hood
portion has been completely removed from the tray portion.
[0034] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
of FIG. 3, showing the tray portion in the display configuration
and containing a plurality of articles.
[0035] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a tray
portion of a shipper display system according to a second
embodiment of the invention, in which the tray portion includes a
removable dispensing panel.
[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
formed from the blanks of FIGS. 14 and 2, shown in the shipping
configuration with the dispensing panel intact.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
of FIG. 15 with the dispensing panel removed.
[0038] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a tray
portion of a shipper display system according to a third embodiment
of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a blank used to form a hood
portion of a shipper display system according to a third embodiment
of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 19 is a first perspective view of the shipper display
system formed from the blanks of FIGS. 17 and 18, shown in the
shipping configuration.
[0041] FIG. 20 is a second perspective view of the shipper display
system of FIG. 19, shown in the shipping configuration.
[0042] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the shipper display system
of FIG. 19, shown in the display configuration in which the hood
portion has been completely removed from the tray portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Detailed description of specific embodiments of blanks and a
shipper display system are disclosed herein. It will be understood
that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in
which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented, and do
not represent an exhaustive list of all the ways the invention may
be embodied. As used herein, the word "exemplary" is used
expansively to refer to embodiments that serve as illustrations,
specimens, models, or patterns. Indeed, it will be understood that
the shipper display systems, tray and hood portions, and blanks
described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms.
The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be
exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components.
Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily
described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely
as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the
invention.
[0044] A shipper display system 90 is disclosed that includes a
tray portion 92 as well as a removable hood portion 94. The tray
portion 92 and hood portion 94 are configured so that they may be
separated from one another when the system 90 is converted from its
shipper configuration (shown in FIG. 3), into a display
configuration (shown in FIGS. 12 and 13). The shipper display 90 in
its display configuration may form a fully- or
substantially-enclosed six-sided carton as shown in FIG. 3. The
tray portion 92 and hood portion 94 are generally complementary in
shape and configured to fit together as shown to form the enclosed
carton with a relatively minimal amount of overlap.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a tray blank 12 for
forming the tray portion 92 (see FIG. 13) of the shipper display
system 90. Tray blank 12 includes a plurality of panels. A back
panel 18 is hinged to a bottom panel 20 by a transverse fold line
11. The bottom panel 20 is hinged to a bottom front panel 22 by a
transverse fold line 13. First and second rear side panels 24a, 24b
are hingedly connected at opposite first and second sides of back
panel 18 via respective longitudinal fold lines 15a, 15b. First and
second bottom side panels 26a, 26b are hingedly connected at
opposite first and second sides of bottom panel 20 via respective
longitudinal fold lines 17a, 17b. First and second front corner
flaps 28a, 28b are hingedly connected at opposite first and second
sides of bottom front panel 22 via respective longitudinal fold
lines 19a, 19b. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, fold lines
15a, 17a, 19a (and fold lines 15b, 17b, 19b) may be substantially
or completely aligned with one another so as to comprise a single
fold line. Back panel 18 has a width W3 (as measured between fold
line 11 and fold line 13). First and second rear side panels 24a,
24b each have a width W4 (as measured between respective fold lines
15a, 15b and a free edge of respective first and second rear side
panels 24a, 24b). First and second front corner flaps 28a, 28b each
have a width W2 and a length L1.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a hood blank 14 for
forming hood portion 94 of shipper display system 90. Hood blank 14
includes a plurality of panels. A front panel 30 is hinged to a top
panel 32 by a transverse fold line 21. The top panel 32 is hinged
to a top rear glue flap 34 by a transverse fold line 23. First and
second front side panels 36a and 36b are hingedly connected at
opposite first and second sides of front panel 30 via respective
longitudinal fold lines 25a, 25b. First and second top side glue
flaps 38a, 38b are hingedly connected at opposite first and second
sides of top panel 32 via respective longitudinal fold lines 27a,
27b. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, fold lines 25a, 27a
(and fold lines 25b, 25b) may be substantially or completely
aligned with one another so as to comprise a single fold line. Top
panel 32 has a width W5 (as measured between fold line 21 and fold
line 23) that is preferably equal or substantially equal to the
width W3 of bottom panel 20. First and second front side panels
36a, 36b each have a width W6 (as measured between respective fold
lines 25a, 25b and a free edge of respective first and second front
side panels 36a, 36b). Width W6 is preferably equal or
substantially equal to width W4 of first and second rear side
panels 24a, 24b. Width W6 and width W4 are preferably equal or
substantially equal to about one-half the widths W3, W5 of bottom
panel 20 and top panel 32.
[0047] Hood blank 14 includes first and second notches 40a, 40b
that are struck primarily from a bottom edge of respective first
and second front side panels 36a, 36b. As shown in the illustrated
embodiment, first and second notches 40a, 40b also extend slightly
into front panel 30. In a preferred embodiment, first and second
notches 40a, 40b extend into front panel 30 a distance equal to
about the thickness of blank 12 and/or blank 14. Notches 40a, 40b
have a width W1 that is preferably equal to about or slightly
larger than the length L1 of first and second front corner flaps
28a, 28b, and a height H1 that is preferably equal to about or
slightly larger than the width W2 of first and second front corner
flaps 28a, 28b. Notches 40a, 40b are configured to overlie
respective first and second front corner flaps 28a, 28b when the
shipper display 90 is in its shipping configuration, thereby
preventing the formation of a three-ply thickness section of the
shipper display 90 where the first and second front corner flaps
28a, 28b overlie the respective first and second bottom side panels
26a, 26b.
[0048] Blanks 12 and 14 are formed from a sheet of suitable
substrate. It is to be understood that, as used herein, the term
"suitable substrate" includes all manner of foldable sheet material
such as paperboard, corrugated board, cardboard, plastic,
combinations thereof, and the like.
[0049] Turning to the construction of the shipper display system 90
as illustrated in FIG. 3, it is envisaged that shipper display
system 90 can be formed using standard wrap-around case packing
equipment. The forming process is not limited to that described
below and may be altered according to particular manufacturing
requirements.
[0050] Tray blank 12 and hood blank 14 are positioned with their
interior surface facing up and aligned in the partially-overlapping
configuration shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, front panel 30 of
hood blank 14 is positioned such that its lowermost portion
overlies bottom front panel 22 of tray blank 12. Bottom free edge
31 of front panel 30 is generally aligned with and overlaps fold
line 13 of tray blank 14. Notches 40a, 40b are positioned so as to
overlie respective first and second front corner flaps 28a, 28b.
Hot-melt adhesive or other appropriate adhesive can be used to
secure an exterior surface of the lowermost portion of front panel
30 to an interior surface of bottom front panel 22, thereby joining
tray blank 12 and hood blank 14 together to form composite blank
16. Preferably, tray blank 12 and hood blank 14 can be joined
together in the described configuration by two-piece joiner
equipment or a Bobst poly joiner.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, composite blank 16 (comprising
tray blank 12 and hood blank 14) is folded inwardly about fold line
11 until back panel 18 and first and second rear side panels 24a,
24b are oriented in a substantially vertical orientation (as shown
in FIG. 6). Composite blank 16 is also folded inwardly about fold
line 13 until the panels making up hood blank 14 (including, e.g.,
front panel 30) are oriented in a substantially vertical
orientation (as shown in FIG. 6).
[0052] Referring to FIG. 7, first front side panel 36a and first
front corner flap 28a are folded inwardly about respective fold
lines 25a and 19a until they are substantially perpendicular to
front panel 30. First rear side panel 24a is folded inwardly about
fold line 15a until it is substantially perpendicular to back panel
18. First front side panel 36a, first rear side panel 24a, and
first front corner flap 28a together define a first side wall of
the shipper display system 90. Referring to FIG. 8, second front
side panel 36b and second front corner flap 28b are folded inwardly
about respective fold lines 25b and 19b until they are
substantially perpendicular to front panel 30. Second rear side
panel 24b is folded inwardly about fold line 15b until it is
substantially perpendicular to back panel 18. Second front side
panel 36b, second rear side panel 24b, and second front corner flap
28b together define a second side wall of the shipper display
system 90.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 9, top panel 32 is folded inwardly about
fold line 21 until it is an orientation substantially perpendicular
to front panel 30 and parallel to bottom panel 20. Referring to
FIG. 10, glue or other adhesive treatment is applied to the
interior surfaces of first and second bottom side panels 26a, 26b
or, alternatively, to corresponding portions of the exterior
surfaces of first and second front corner flaps 28a, 28b and first
and second rear side panels 24a, 24b. Preferably, glue or adhesive
treatment is not applied to the portions of first and second bottom
side panels 26a, 26b that overlie first and second front side
panels 36a, 36b so as to facilitate the removal of the hood portion
94 during the transition of the shipper display system 90 to its
display configuration. First and second bottom side panels 26a and
26b are then folded inwardly about respective fold lines 17a, 17b,
bringing their interior surfaces into contact with the exterior
surfaces of 28a and first rear side panel 24a (and 28b and second
rear side panel 24b) and securing them thereto. Glue or other
adhesive treatment is applied to the interior surfaces of first and
second top side glue flaps 38a, 38b and top rear glue flap 34 or,
alternatively, to corresponding portions of the exterior surfaces
of first front side panel 36a, first rear side panel 24a, second
front side panel 36b, second rear side panel 24b, and back panel
18. First and second top side glue flaps 38a, 38b are then folded
inwardly about respective fold lines 27a, 27b, bringing their
interior surfaces into contact with the exterior surfaces of first
front side panel 36a and first rear side panel 24a (and second
front side panel 36b and second rear side panel 24b) and securing
them thereto. Top rear glue flap 34 is folded inwardly about fold
line 23, bringing its interior surface into contact with the
exterior surface of back panel 18 and securing it thereto. This
completes the construction of the shipper display system 90 into
its shipping configuration as shown in FIG. 3.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 11, the shipper display 90 can be
converted from its shipping configuration to its display
configuration by separating the hood portion 94 from the tray
portion 92. This can be achieved by pulling the glue flaps 38a,
38b, and 34 away from the shipper display 90 so as to break the
adhesive seal between these flaps and first and second rear side
panels 24a, 24b and back panel 18 of tray portion 92. The hood
portion 94 can then be lifted up and away from the tray portion 92
by breaking the adhesive connection between the lowermost portion
of front panel 30 and bottom front panel 22 that was used to join
the two blanks. Preferably the adhesive connection between front
panel 30 and bottom front panel 22 is configured such that it can
be broken relatively easily, e.g., by simply pulling the hood
portion 94 and tray portion 92 firmly apart. Advantageously, in the
preferred embodiment there are no other adhesive connections
between the tray portion 92 and the lower section of the hood
portion 94, thereby facilitating a quick and clean separation of
the hood portion 94 from the tray portion 92.
[0055] Once the hood portion 94 is removed, product housed within
the tray portion 92, such as articles 95 in the illustrated
embodiment, is exposed and ready for merchandising by a consumer,
as shown in FIG. 13. Thus, the shipper display 90 in its display
configuration is "shelf ready" or "retail ready."
[0056] As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art,
there are various modifications that may be made to blank 12 and/or
blank 14 without departing from the spirit of the invention. The
following is a non-exhaustive list of the types of modifications
that are considered to be within the scope of the invention: the
dimensions of the overall blanks (and thus the overall dimensions
of the shipper display) may be modified based on customer
preferences; the placement of certain flaps and/or panels relative
to other flaps and/or panels may be moved to accommodate different
types of equipment for forming the blanks and/or packing the
shipper display; the placement of the glue areas may be altered
(for example, more glue areas or larger glue areas may be required
as the dimensions of the shipper display increase); the shape
and/or configuration of various panels may be modified as desired;
various fold lines may be modified or added as appropriate; and/or
the shipper display may optionally include a variety of cutouts,
apertures, or tabs to assist with the conversion of the shipper
display.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 14 there is shown a second embodiment of a
tray blank 112 that, together with hood blank 14, forms a second
embodiment of a shipper display 190 (shown in FIGS. 15 and 16).
Blank 112 and the corresponding shipper display 190 can be
generally similar to the blank 12 and shipper display 90 discussed
above, and like or similar reference numbers in the figures
indicate like or similar elements. Blank 112 includes a back panel
118 that can be generally similar to back panel 18 of blank 12. A
primary difference between back panel 18 and back panel 118 is that
back panel 118 includes a removable dispenser panel 176 defined by
tear lines 179a, 179b, 111, and 178. In the illustrated embodiment,
dispenser panel 176 is generally rectangular in shape and is
disposed along a lowermost portion of back panel 118. In other
embodiments, however, a dispenser panel may form a different shape
and/or be situated in a different location. Top tear line 178
extends across back panel 118 between fold lines 115a and 115b.
Bottom tear line 111 is disposed along a lowermost edge of back
panel 118 that separates back panel 118 from bottom panel 120.
First and second side tear lines 179a, 179b are aligned with
respective fold lines 115a, 115b and connect outermost portions of
top and bottom tear lines 178, 111. In the constructed display 190,
dispenser panel 176 is configured to be removable by a user to form
a dispenser opening 185 (as shown in FIG. 16) from which articles
can be removed from the shipper display 190. A first semi-circular
access cutout 182 is formed in back panel 118 and disposed adjacent
to and above a central portion of top tear line 182. A second
semi-circular access cutout 180 is formed in bottom panel 120 and
disposed adjacent to and below a central portion of bottom tear
line 111. Removal of the dispenser panel 176 may be initiated by
inserting a finger or tool into the shipper display 190 through
first and/or second access cutouts 182, 180 and pulling the
dispenser panel 176 away from the shipper display 190, causing
dispenser panel 176 to tear free from shipper display 190 along
tear lines 178, 111, 179a, 179b. In certain applications, articles
may be dispensed from the shipper display 190 without ever
separating the hood portion from the tray portion. Instead,
dispenser opening 185 will provide the sole access to the display's
contents. Alternatively, dispenser panel 176 may not be removed for
certain applications and the display's contents can instead be
accessed by separating the hood portion from the tray portion. In
still other applications, both means of access may be employed
simultaneously.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 17 there is shown a tray blank 212 that,
together with hood blank 214 (shown in FIG. 18), forms a third
embodiment of a shipper display 290 (shown in FIGS. 19-21). Blanks
212, 214 and the corresponding shipper display 290 can be generally
similar to the blanks 12, 14 and shipper display 90 discussed
above, and like or similar reference numbers in the figures
indicate like or similar elements.
[0059] The primary difference between shipper display 290 and
shipper display 90 is that shipper display 290 includes mitered
corner walls as shown. The mitered corner walls are provided by a
plurality of corner panels. Tray blank 212 includes a first rear
corner panel 270a disposed between first rear side panel 224a and
back panel 18 and hingedly connected thereto along respective
longitudinal fold lines 251a, 215a. Tray blank 212 also includes a
second rear corner panel 270b disposed between second rear side
panel 224b and back panel 18 and hingedly connected thereto along
respective longitudinal fold lines 251a, 215b. A first bottom front
corner panel 272a is disposed between first front corner flap 228a
and bottom front panel 222 and hingedly connected thereto along
respective longitudinal fold lines 253a, 219a. A second bottom
front corner panel 272b is disposed between second front corner
flap 228b and bottom front panel 222 and hingedly connected thereto
along respective longitudinal fold lines 253b, 219b. Bottom panel
220 includes angled corner edges 271a, 271b, 273a, 273b that are
sized and disposed so as to abut the adjacent edge of respective
corner panels 270a, 270b, 272a, 272b when the shipper display 290
is constructed.
[0060] Hood blank 214 includes a first front corner panel 274a
disposed between first front side panel 236a and front panel 230
and hingedly connected thereto along respective longitudinal fold
lines 255a, 225a. Hood blank 214 also includes a second front
corner panel 274b disposed between second front side panel 236b and
front panel 230 and hingedly connected thereto along respective
longitudinal fold lines 255b, 225b. Top panel 232 includes angled
corner edges 275a, 275b, 281a, 281b that are sized and disposed so
as to abut the adjacent edge of respective corner panels 274a,
274b, 270a, 270b when the shipper display 290 is constructed.
[0061] Hood blank 214 includes first and second notches 240a, 240b
that are struck primarily from a bottom edge of respective first
and second front side panels 236a, 236b and respective first and
second front corner panels 274a, 274b. As shown, first and second
notches 240a, 240b also extend slightly into front panel 230.
Notches 240a, 240b are configured to overlie respective first and
second front corner flaps 228a, 228b as well as respective first
and second bottom front corner panels 272a, 272b when the shipper
display 290 is in its shipping configuration.
[0062] In the illustrated third embodiment, back panel 218 of tray
blank 212 includes two access apertures 277, and front panel 230 of
hood blank 214 includes a single access aperture 279. As shown in
FIG. 20, access apertures 277 are disposed so as to be partially
overlapped by the outermost edge of top rear glue flap 234 when the
shipper display 290 is in the shipping configuration. Access
apertures 277 can be used, e.g., by insertion of a finger or tool
therein, to facilitate the separation of top rear glue flap 234
from back panel 218 when transitioning the shipper display 290 from
the shipping to the display configuration. As shown in FIG. 19,
access aperture 279 is disposed so as to be partially overlapped by
the outermost edge of bottom front panel 222 when the shipper
display 290 is in the shipping configuration. Access aperture 279
can be used, e.g., by insertion of a finger or tool therein, to
facilitate the separation of front panel 230 from bottom front
panel 222 when transitioning the shipper display 290 from the
shipping to the display configuration.
[0063] Also disclosed are methods of using standard equipment to
create the blanks described above for forming the shelf-ready
shipper display systems described above. The configuration of the
shipper displays described above is such that the blanks used in
their formation can be manufactured and formed by conventional
machinery standard in the industry. Specifically, the shipper
displays may be formed from two die-cut blanks that are pre-joined
via two-piece joiner equipment or a Bobst poly joiner to form a
composite blank. The composite blank may be formed into an
assembled shipper display via a standard wrap-around case packing
machine. The ability to manufacture and form the shipper display
using standard equipment can result in both cost and time
savings.
[0064] Moreover, the shipper displays of the present invention may
require less material than conventional shipper displays and may
therefore be less expensive to manufacture. The shipper displays
may also be dimensioned to eliminate empty space on the retail
shelf.
[0065] Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be
made to the structures and methods recited above and shown in the
drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention and the following claims.
* * * * *