Package For Tumblers And The Like

Abstract

An improved package for storing, transporting, and displaying articles such as tumblers is disclosed. The package has a shaped bottom tray preferably formed of thin plastic sheeting having spaced cups or nests for receiving the bottoms of the tumblers. A vertically extending pedestal forms the central portion of the bottom tray which extends upwardly between the tumblers. An adjustable top preferably formed of molded plastic, has a flat cover and a central downwardly extending toothed spike for adjustably engaging the bottom tray pedestal. The package top includes several vertical tumbler separating members and curved tumbler rim grips which also extend downwardly from the flat top cover to hold the tumblers spaced from one another and firmly positioned on the bottom tray.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved package of the type used for both packaging and for displaying items such as tumblers or similar articles. The package, in accordance with the invention, more particularly provides an attractively shaped plastic package including a lower tray for containing the bottoms of a group of articles and an adjustably attached top or cover which separates the several articles and which holds them firmly in position on the lower tray.

Modern merchandising methods are making increasing use of multiple purpose packages which are efficient and strong enough for storing and shipping articles such as glass tumblers and the like and which at the same time comprise attractive display means which may be placed directly on the retailer's display shelves. A variety of containers or cartons of this type have been produced which have been formed as folded paper board boxes. Such folded cartons, when utilized for this dual purpose, are relatively complex both in their shape and in their method of filling and erection so that they tend to cost appreciably more than normal shipping containers.

The container in accordance with the present invention combines secure storage and shipment capability with an exceptionally attractive display design in a carton which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture as well as to load or fill. A preferred form of the package includes a shaped plastic base formed from a thin plastic sheet preferably by a shaping technique known as thermoforming. The secondary or top portion of the package is also preferably shaped or stylized and is adapted for ready formation by injection or other plastic molding methods.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved display or shipping carton for articles such as tumblers and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strong yet lightweight shipping and display package for glass articles such as tumblers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive and attractive shipping and display container for articles such as tumblers.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved display and storage package for tumblers and the like adapted for at least partial formation from plastic using thermoforming or similar forming techniques.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved display package for tumblers and the like which is of adjustable size for differing tumblers and which may be packed either automatically or by hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved waterproof and moisture resistant package for plastic, glass, or similar articles.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the package in accordance with the present invention illustrating packing tumblers.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a preferred embodiment of the package cover or top.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the package taken along line 4--4 on FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the package taken along line 5--5 on FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the connecting toothed spike portion of the cover and the related package bottom pedestal before assembly; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detailed view of the spike and pedestal of FIG. 6 shown in their attached positions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the package 1 shown holding four plastic or glass tumblers 2. The package 1 holds the tumblers 2 tightly in the position illustrated so that they may be handled as a group using a carry ring 3 and so that they may be shipped as a group within a larger shipping carton and thereafter removed and displayed on the retailer's shelves as a unit.

The preferred package 1 is seen to include a shaped base or tray 4 having four shaped tumbler receiving cups 5 formed in the tray bottom. Intermediate to the four cups 5 and extending upwardly between the supported tumblers 2 is the central cover engaging pedestal 6 formed as an integral portion to the tray 4.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 through 5, a top 7 includes a downwardly extending connecting spike 8 and four vertical downwardly extending separator members 9 extending downwardly from a horizontal cover plate 10 which act to separate the rims 11 of the packed tumblers 2. Outwardly of the separator members 8 are positioned four arcuate downwardly extending rim grips 12 which are provided to lock the tumbler rims in place when the package top 7 is attached to the pedestal 6 of the package tray 4.

The preferred embodiment of the package tray 4 is formed from a thin sheet of thermoplastic material which is conveniently and rapidly drawn into the above described shape by the well known thermoforming machines. In such machines, a heated thermoplastic sheet is placed over a suitably shaped die and is then drawn downwardly into contact with the die when a vacuum is created at spaced areas on the die surface.

FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 illustrate the preferred means for adjustably attaching the package top 7 to the package tray 4. In this embodiment, the downwardly extending connecting spike 8 includes a series of generally frustoconically shaped teeth 13. These teeth 13 have a successively increasing diameter upwardly of the spike 8. The spike 8 is adjustably attached to the pedestal 6 of the base 4 by inserting the pointed bottom 14 of the spike 8 through a starter hole 15 in the pedestal 6 and by then forcing the teeth 13 of the spike 8 through the relatively soft plastic sheet of the pedestal top 16 until the underside of the package top cover plate 10 engages the packaged tumblers 2. Once the top 7 has been forced into place, it will remain tightly coupled to the package bottom tray 4 and with the spaced separator members 9 and tumbler rim grips 12 tightly wedging the tumblers 2 in place in the package 1.

The above described shaping of the preferred package tray 4 and top 7 provide a secure and adjustable tumbler mounting which at the same time provides for an attractive package providing for a maximum exposure of the packaged tumblers. A package results which may be conveniently fitted within a larger corrugated board or other container for storage and shipment and which may thereafter be removed as a unit for display by a retailer. The customer similarly may pick up and inspect the tumblers without opening or otherwise destroying the package and he may take the tumblers home as a unit and may continue to use the package for future storage.

It is therefore seen that a lightweight, strong and attractive package has been provided for tumblers or similar articles. The package is seen to be both inexpensive and adjustable and to be adapted for manufacture from inexpensive molded and thermoformed plastic portions. The resulting package is easily loaded using hand or automatic packaging operations and the preferred material give a moisture resistant package which may be stored in either moist or dry areas.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An improved package for rimmed articles comprising the combination of:

a base;

a plurality of spaced article receiving cups on said base;

a hollow pedestal positioned generally centrally on said base extending upwardly from a position adjacent to said cups having an aperture in its upper portion;

a top comprising a cover plate and a spike depending downwardly from said cover plate;

said spike having a plurality of teeth for engaging the aperture in said pedestal for adjustably connecting said top to said base with a plurality of articles positioned between said top and said cups;

a plurality of separator members extending downwardly from said cover plate for engaging outer portions of the article rim; and

a plurality of downwardly directed rim grips on said cover plate positioned outwardly of said separator members for engaging inner portions of the article rims.

2. The package as claimed in claim 1 adapted for packaging hollow generally cylindrical tumblers in which said separator members comprise relatively flat members projecting outwardly from the junction of said spike and said cover plate, and said rim grips comprising arcuate members for engaging arcuate portions of the tumblers.

3. The package as claimed in claim 1 in which the teeth on the spike cover a substantial portion of the length of the spike and wherein said teeth have a frusto-conical shape with the base being uppermost and with the teeth having progressively increasing sizes upwardly of the spike.

4. The package as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a finger engaging member positioned on the top side of said cover plate.

5. An improved package for rimmed articles comprising the combination of:

a hollow thin-walled plastic base;

a plurality of spaced article receiving cups formed in said base;

a hollow pedestal formed on said base extending upwardly from a position adjacent to said cups having a flat upper portion including an aperture;

a top comprising a cover plate and a spike depending downwardly from said cover plate;

said spike having a plurality of teeth for engaging the aperture in said pedestal for adjustably connecting said top to said base with a plurality of articles positioned between said top and said cups;

a plurality of relatively flat separator members extending downwardly from said cover plate for engaging outer portions of the article rims; and

a plurality of downwardly directed rim grips on said cover plate positioned outwardly of said separator members for engaging inner portions of the article rims.

6. The package as claimed in claim 5 in which the teeth on the spike cover a substantial portion of the length of the spike and wherein said teeth have a frustoconical shape with the base being uppermost and with the teeth having increasing sizes upwardly of the spike.

7. The package as claimed in claim 5 which further comprises a finger engaging member positioned on the top side of said cover plate.

8. The package as claimed in claim 5 in which said pedestal is positioned at the central portion of said base and said cups surround said pedestal in a uniform pattern.