Dual-compartment Package

Abstract

A package formed by panels that are hinged together and have sets of extensions that respectively form a closed end, and a partially open end, of the package. An extension of one of the panels divides the package into an open compartment for displaying a stored item, such as a battery, and a closed compartment for storing an associated item, such as a package of electrolyte. Additional extensions of other panels serve to reinforce the display compartment of the package.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to packaging, and more particularly to dual-compartment packages that are readily assembled for displaying one stored item and concealing another, associated stored item.

For some stored items, their packaging should fulfill a multiple role. On the one hand, some measure of storage protection should be provided. On the other hand, the package should be able to display the stored item to advantage. In addition, there are some items that are desirably stored with other closely associated items that do not require being displayed, or in some cases, should not be displayed at all because of their negative esthetic effect.

For example, batteries that must supply large amounts of current, either for starting or for other operations, typically employ a wet electrolyte or an ionic fluid such as aqueous sulphuric acid solution of appropriate concentration. Such batteries are desirably shipped in a dry-charged state, without their electrolyte, to reduce the chance of spillage, evaporation or other loss of electrolyte during shipment and to prevent the "shelf-life" effect by which a fully-charged battery with electrolyte tends to lose its charge in time.

When a battery is shipped in its dry-charged state, it can be readied for use immediately by having its cells filled with the proper electrolyte. Since the electrolyte is a poisonous and corrosive liquid that can cause severe burns, it is preferable for each battery to be accompanied by a separate pack which contains the correct amount and strength of electrolyte.

When a dry-charged battery is shipped to a vendor, it is often placed on display, so that it will attract the attention of potential users and can be easily placed in service. The electrolyte pack that accompanies the battery does not have any particular merchandising appeal, and as such, tend to be stored away from the batteries on display, generally in some location where there is little customer access. Unfortunately, the separation of a dry-charged battery from its electrolyte pack means that there will be delay when the time comes for placing the battery in service. There are occasions when the correct electrolyte pack cannot be found, or no pack at all can be found.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to facilitate the packaging of associated items. A related object is to facilitate the display packaging of one such item, together with the non-display packaging of an associated item. Another related object is to provide for the display packaging of a dry-charged battery, together with the non-display packaging of its associated electrolyte pack.

In order for a packaged item to be displayed, its storage compartment must be at least partially open. The open portion of the package has less strength than the part that is closed. When the open, display compartment is to contain a dry-charged battery, which is comparatively bulky and heavy, the strength of the package is important.

Consequently, it is a further object of the invention to achieve a durable display compartment for a storage package. A related object is to achieve such a compartment for a dry-charged battery.

In addition to being durable, the display compartment of a storage package should provide a desirable esthetic effect. The sales appeal of a meritorious product will be enhanced if the display compartment sets forth the stored item to advantage. Hence, a further object of the invention is to achieve a storage package which provides a desirable display. A related object is to achieve a "shadow box" affect.

In the case of a storage package with both display and closed storage compartments, access to the former is generally easy and direct. But access to the closed compartment can be difficult, cumbersome and time consuming. It is the further object of the invention to achieve easy access to the storage compartment. Another object of the invention is to provide a reusable storage package with both an open display compartment and a closed storage compartment. Still another object is to achieve a storage package that can be readily collapsed to a flat state for easy and efficient handling until the package is to be assembled for use in providing a display compartment and a closed storage compartment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accomplishing the foregoing and related objects, the invention provides a package with a set of panels that have both end and side edges. At least some of the panels are hinged together at their side edges. A set of extensions of the panels is used to form a closed end of the package, and another set of extensions of the panels form a partially open, opposed end of the package. In addition, one of the panels has an extension that is used for dividing the package into an open, display compartment and a closed, storage compartment.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the separator extension that is used to divide the package into display and closed compartments is hinged to the top panel of the package. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the separator extension of the top panel includes a tongue for establishing a removable connection by engagement with an aperture in a base panel of the package.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, some of the panels have extensions which are interiorally foldable for the reinforcement of the partially open end of the package. The reinforcement extensions are desirably provided on the side panels of the package.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the additional extensions on the side panels of the package are diagonally foldable against their associated panels to enhance the reinforcement of the partially open end of the package. The reinforcement is particularly enhanced when the packaging material is of corrugated cardboard so that the diagonal folding causes the corrugations of the extensions, when folded against the side panels, to be perpendicular to the corrugations of the side panels.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, one of the extensions of the panels that is used to form the partially open end of the package includes a front panel that is hinged to a base panel which further includes a reinforcement extension that is hinged to the front panel.

In accordance with still a further aspect of the invention, the package includes a base panel, a left-side panel, a top panel, and a right-side panel; and the extensions include respective end flaps that are hinged to each side panel, to the top panel, and to the base panel. The end flaps are inwardly foldable with the flaps of the side panels being folded over the flap of the top panel and the flap of the base panel having a tongue which is pushed against and engages a recess in the flap of the top panel. This configuration of the end flaps facilitates the formation of the closed end of the package.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent after considering an illustrative embodiment, taken in conjunction with the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual-compartment package in accordance with the invention, having an open, display compartment and a closed, storage compartment;

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the storage compartment and displayed object of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 1 with the displayed object removed and the storage compartment opened;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the package of FIG. 1 When completely disassembled and unfolded with all of its flaps extended;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the unfolded package of FIG. 3 when flat-folded to form a collapsed package for storage;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the package of FIG. 4 when opened with its end flaps in position for assembly;

FIG. 5A is a view of the package FIG. 5 with its end flaps assembled;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 5 in the course of final assembly to provide both a storage compartment and a display compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a dual-compartment package 10 in accordance with the invention with an open display compartment D and a closed, storage compartment S. The display compartment D illustratively contains a dry-charged battery 70, while the storage compartment S contains a companion package (not visible in FIG. 1) of electrolyte for the battery 70.

In general, the dual-compartment package 10 is useful where it is desired to display one item and simultaneously have it accompanied by an associated, non-display item.

Thus, in the case of the battery 70, the package 10 provides an esthetically pleasing display arrangement. At the same time, it provides storage for an associated, although esthetically less pleasing electrolyte package, and assures that the battery 10 will always be accompanied by the proper electrolyte. This is by contrast with the ordinary display situation for dry-charge batteries where the displayed battery becomes separated from its associated electrolyte, and there is confusion, and possible error when the battery is to be filled with electrolyte and placed in service.

Constituting the dual-compartment package 10 of FIG. 1 are a right-side panel 21 (as viewed from the front or display end of the package), a top panel 31, a left-side panel 41 (only partially visible in FIG. 1), and a front panel 51.

The display compartment D is formed by the portion of the container 10 demarked by the front panel 51, the diagonal portions of the side panels 21 and 41, and a separator flap 32. The latter is hinged to the top panel 31 and has characteristics described in detail below. In addition, the package 10 has a base panel which is not visible in FIG. 1.

The storage compartment S is formed by the top panel 31, the separator flap 32, and the rear portions of the side panels 21 and 41. Completing the closed storage compartment are the base panels and exteriors of the top, side and base panels, which form the closed end of the package and are not visible in FIG. 1.

In the case of the display compartment D, hinged extensions of the side panels 21 and 41, and the front panel 51, are folded towards the interior of the compartment in a manner more particularly described below. These folded extensions reinforce the walls of the display compartment D which is otherwise weakened by being open and cut away. The extentions also help provide a "shadow box" display effect because the displayed item 70 is held inwardly, i.e., is set back, from the outer panels 21, 41 and 51.

The setback of the displayed battery 70 is shown in greater detail in the fragmentary cross-sectional FIG. 1A. The front panel 51 has an extension 52 that is inwardly folded over an extension 23 of the right-side panel 21 (FIG. 1). The fold of the extension 52 alone produces a desired setback of the battery 70 from the front panel 51. This setback is enhanced by a projection 71 of the battery 71 near the base panel 61 of the display compartment. Such projections are typically molded in batteries in order to assist in providing proper seating in the vehicles with which they are used. These molded projections are used to advantage in the display compartment D by enhancing the "shadow box" effect that is otherwise provided by the folded extensions of the front and side panels.

As noted above, the dual-compartment package 10 of FIG. 1 provides display storage of the battery 70 and closed storage of an associated electrolyte package until the battery is to be put into service. The package 10 also serves as a shipping container for the battery and its associated electrolyte package. Since there is a possibility that the package 10 may become upturned in handling, permitting battery 70 to fall from its display compartment, notwithstanding that battery tends to be grippingly held by the folded extensions of the panels 21, 41 and 51, further packaging techniques may be employed. For example, the entire package 10, with its stored items, may be encased in a cellophane skin of the pre-shrunk type. Alternatively, the front, top, back and bottom portions of the package may be enclosed by a shipping sleeve (not shown). Such a sleeve is illustratively formed by four hinged panels of cardboard which are joined as an open-sided parallelopiped into which the package 10 is inserted.

When the contents of the package 10 of FIG. 1 are to be used, the battery 70 is removed and the separator flap 32 is lifted upwardly in the direction indicated by the clockwise arrow A as shown in FIG. 2. There is then direct access to the stored package 80. When the display compartment D contains a battery 70, the stored package 80 contains electrolyte (battery fluid) of sulphuric acid. In that event the container 80 is illustratively a cardboard package with a plastic liner that has a clamped dispensing hose.

Since the top panel 31 of the package 10 is just above the filling ports of the battery 70 (FIG. 1), it provides a convenient surface for filling the battery from the electrolyte pack 80. For that purpose the separator flap 32 of FIG. 2 can be moved to its closed position and the battery 70 reinserted into the display compartment. The electrolyte pack 80 is placed on the top panel 31, the vent caps of the battery 70 are removed, and the cells of the battery are filled from the dispensing hose of the electrolyte pack 80.

When the separator flap 32 of FIG. 2 is in its closed position (see FIG. 6), a tongue which may be the shown split tongue 32t of the separator flap 32 is inserted into a slot 61a in the base 61 of the package 10. The two portions of the split tongue 32t are separated by an aperture 32a that allows the user to pull upwardly on the separator flap 32 when access to the internally stored container 80 is desired. It will be understood that the access aperture 32a may take other forms, being, for example, a circular port in a unitary form of the tongue 32t.

Also indicated in FIG. 2 is the reinforcement action of the extension 42 of the left side panel 41. The material of the package 10 is desirably of corrugated cardboard so that when the extension 42 is folded diagonally against the side panel 41, with a tongue 42t of the extension 42 inserted into an aperture 61d in the base panel 61, the corrugations of the panel 41 are at right angles to the corrugations of the extension 42.

When the dual-compartment container 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is in its completely disassembled state, it has the configuration shown in FIG. 3. The disassembled container 10 is realized from a single sheet of stock that is advantageously of the corrugated cardboard variety. It is oriented in FIG. 3 such that the constituents which form the back of the package 10 in FIG. 1 are at the bottom of the sheet, while the constituents which form the front of the package are at the top of the sheet. Accordingly, the configuration of FIG. 3 is realized by rotating the package of FIGS. 1 and 2 through approximately 150.degree. clockwise and separating its right side end 21 from the base panel 61.

The particular manner of separation will become apparent from FIG. 6 which shows an extension 62 of the base 61 adjoining the inside wall of the panel 21. When the flaps of the panels 21, 31, 41, 51 and 61 are extended, the result is the planar, multi-panel configuration of FIG. 3.

Each of the panels 21, 31, 41, 51 and 61 has end and side edges. At least some of the panels are hinged together at their side edges; thus one side panel 21 is hinged to the top panel 31 along a score line 21x; the top panel 31 is, in turn hinged along a score line 41x to the other side panel 41. The latter is hinged to the base panel 61 along a score line 61x, and the base panel 61 is hinged to the front panels 51 along a score line 51x.

The side panels 21 and 41, together with the top panel 31 and the base panel 61, have a set of extensions 24, 44, 34 and 64 which can be folded along respective score lines 24x, 44x, 34x and 64x to form a closed end of the package 10 of FIG. 1. The side panels 21 and 41, have another set of extensions 23 and 43. These extensions together with an extension 52 of the front panel 51, which are foldable along respective score lines 23x, 43x and 52x form the partially open end of the package 10.

An extension 32 of the top panel 31, foldable, along score line 32x, is used to divide the package into the open, display compartment D and the closed, storage compartment S.

In addition to the end flaps 23 and 24 in the right side panel 21, and the end flaps 43 and 44 on the left-side panel 41, the side panels 21 and 41 have additional extensions 22 and 42 which are hinged to their respective panels along score lines 22x and 42x. These additional extensions 22x and 42x have tongues 22t and 42t and are diagonally foldable over the panels 21 and 41 so that the tongues 22t and 42t engage apertures 61c and 61d in the base panel 61 when the package 10 is being assembled.

In the case of the top panel 31, the end flap extension 34 has two apertures 34a and 34b. The smaller aperture 34a is of triangular configuration and permits easy grasp of the end flap 34. The larger aperture 34b is at the end of the flap 34 and is a rectangular recess that receives a tongue portion 64t of an extension 64 of the base panel 61 when the package 10 of FIG. 1 is being assembled.

Besides having an end flap 64 with a tongue 64t, the base panel 61 has a side flap 62 to which it is hinged along a score line 62x. This side flap 62 forms a hinge for connecting the base 61 to the otherwise unconnected side panel 21. The base 61 also has an aperture 61a for receiving the tongue 32t of the separator extension 32 of the top panel 31 and a parallel aperture 61b for the tongue 52t of an extension 52 of the front panel 51.

To form a collapsed package for storage from the unfolded package configuration of FIG. 3, the base panel 61, and associated elements, and the right-side panel 21, and associated elements, are manipulated as indicated by FIG. 4.

The base panel 61, and its associated elements shown in the phantom position 61' in FIG. 4, is folded in a clockwise direction indicated by the arrow X over the left-side panel 41 and its extensions. As a result, the side extension 62 of the base panel 61 overlies the top panel 31. The right-side panel 21 and its associated elements shown in phantom position 21' in FIG. 4, is folded in a counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow Y, so that the right-side panel 21 overlies the side flap 62 and the remainder of the top panel.

The flap 62 is then secured to the contacting surface of the side panel 51. The result is a collapsed dual-compartment storage package which can be readily opened and assembled to realize the dual-compartment package 10 of FIG. 1.

In manipulating the collapsed package of FIG. 4 for the open display and closed storage of associated components, the package is desirably turned over, since the base 61 has an upper position in FIG. 4. Next, the right-side panel 21 is grasped with the left hand, and the left-side panel 41 with the right hand and rotating the panels that are grasped in a clockwise direction. The result is to open the package to the rectangular cross-sectional form shown in FIG. 5, which is a back view of the package of FIG. 1 in the course of assembly.

The top end flap extension 34 is folded along the edge 34x at an angle of 90.degree. with the top panel. The base end flap extension 64 is in planar alignment with the base, before being folded upwardly along the score line 64x. The respective side flap extensions 22 and 44 have been partially folded inwardly at edges 24x and 44x.

To close the back of the package in FIG. 5, the side panel extensions 24 and 34 are folded against the top extension 34 until they are aligned with the score mark 64x between the base extension 64 and the base panel.

Assembly of the back of the package is then completed by folding the extension 64 of the base upwardly about the score-line 64x until the tongue 64t contacts the upper extension 34 to move inwardly until the tongue 64t clears the rectangular opening 34b, at which point the top extension 34 springs back so that rear of the package has the configuration indicated in FIG. 5A. The triangular aperture 34a provides a convenient grasping point for pulling the back of the package into the desired position, or disassembling the back, if that is desired.

When the partially assembled package of FIG. 5 is viewed from the front, it has the configuration shown in FIG. 6 during the course of final assembly.

The package 10 of FIG. 6 has the tongue 32t of its separator flap in engagement with the corresponding slot 61a of the base panel. The assembly of the package is otherwise complete, except for the right-side panel 21 and the front panel 51.

To complete the assembly, the extension 22 of the right-side panel 21 is diagonally folded along the score line 22x, over the side flap 62 of the base panel, with the tongue 22t in engagement with the slot 61c of the base panel. The final assembly of the front panel 51 is achieved by positioning the end flap 23 of the right-side panel 21 in alignment with the score line 51x; then folding the front panel 51 upwardly; followed by folding the extension 52 over the end flaps 23 and 43 until the tongue 52t engages the slot 61b of the base panel.

While the various aspects of the invention have been set forth by the drawings and the specification, it is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is for illustration only and that various changes in parts, as well as the substitution of equivalent constituents for those shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A dual compartment package,

the package comprising:

a partially open compartment containing a dry charged automobile battery therein to both transport and display the battery,

a closed compartment containing an electrolyte pack therein for use in activating the battery that is in the partially open compartment,

said closed compartment and said partially open compartment comprised of a set of panels,

said panels having back ends, front ends and side edges,

a first set of extensions hinged and integral to the back ends of said panels,

interlocking means integral to said first set of extensions selectively forming the closed rear end of the closed compartment,

said interlocking means enabling ready accessibility to said electrolyte pack at said rear end,

said set of panels hinged together at the side edges thereof, and including a base panel forming the bottom of said closed compartment and said partially open compartment,

a first side panel hinged to said base panel and extending vertically upward therefrom to define one side of said closed compartment and said partially open compartment,

a top panel hinged to the first side panel and extending horizontally therefrom over only said closed compartment to define the top of said closed compartment,

a second side panel hinged to the top panel at the other side edge thereof and extending vertically downward to said base panel to define the other side of the closed compartment and the partially open compartment,

side panel reinforcing means reinforcing the first and second side panels in the partially open compartment to aid in retaining the battery therein,

flap means joining said base panel to said second side panel interiorly of said closed compartment and said partially open compartment,

a separator extension hinged to the front end of said top panel extending to the bottom panel to completely close said closed compartment at the front thereof and to abut the back of the battery and define the back of said partially open compartment,

said separator extension supporting said top panel to enable the electrolyte pack to be set on the top panel while the battery is filled with the electrolyte therein,

said separator extension having side edges that are disconnected from adjoining structure to enable rotatably moving said separator extension from said supporting position more than 90.degree. to provide ready accessibility from the front of said closed compartment to the electrolyte pack contained therein, and

said partially open compartment comprising a front panel flap hinged to the front end of said base panel and extending vertically upward a distance less than the height of the battery,

means securing said front panel flap in the vertical position to form the front retaining wall of said partially open compartment for retaining the battery therein.

2. The dual compartment package of claim 1 wherein said means securing said front panel flap in the vertical position includes a front panel extension hinged to the front end of said front panel flap and folded behind said front panel flap to strengthen said front panel flap for retaining said battery in said partially open compartment.

3. The dual compartment package of claim 2 including front panel locking means removably locking the front panel extension in position folded behind the front panel flap extending vertically from the top of said front panel flap to the base panel for reinforcing said front panel flap.

4. The dual compartment package of claim 3 wherein said front panel locking means comprises a tongue on said front panel flap extension which engages a front panel locking aperture located at the hinge between the end of the base panel and the bottom end of the front panel flap.

5. The dual compartment package of claim 1 wherein said side panel reinforcing means comprises side panel extensions diagonally hinged to said side panel to enable folding said side panel extensions inside of the portion of said side panel extending beyond the closed compartment,

said folded side panel extensions reaching said base panel to form doubled side walls,

said doubled side walls having peripherally biased top edges extending from said front panel to said closed compartment enabling viewing said battery from the sides as well as from the top and front while the battery is in the dual compartment package.

6. The dual compartment package of claim 5 wherein locking means are provided removably locking said side extensions in position reinforcing said side panels in the open compartment, and

said locking means comprising a side panel locking aperture between said base panel and each of said side panels and a tongue on said side panel extensions mating said side panel locking apertures.

7. The dual compartment package of claim 1 wherein said means securing said front panel flap in the vertical position includes:

side end flap extensions hingedly connected to the front ends of said side panels below said side panel extensions,

a front panel extension hinged to the front end of said front panel flap and folded behind said front panel flap to strengthen said front panel flap for retaining said battery in said partially open compartment,

said side end flap extensions positioned between said front panel flaps and said front panel flap extension to aid in reinforcing said front panel and in maintaining said front panel in its position retaining said battery in the partially open compartment.

8. The dual compartment package of claim 1 including locking means for removably locking said separator extension in position closing said closed compartment, and

said locking means comprising a tongue on said separator extension and mating separator locking aperture in said base panel.

9. The dual compartment package of claim 8 including holding aperture means on said separator extension to facilitate rotatably moving said separator extension for exposing the contents of the closed storage compartment.

10. The dual compartment package of claim 1 wherein said flap means comprises an extension flap integrally hinged to the side edge of said base panel and glued to the interior of said second side panel.

11. The dual compartment package of claim 10 wherein said interlocking means for said first set of extensions includes a tongue on the extension hinged to said base panel and a recess on the extension hinged to said top panel, and

the extensions on said side panels being folded inwardly of said bottom panel extension to overlie said top panel extension and being shaped to cooperate with said recess to provide a slot receiving said tongue and thus retaining said extensions in releasably locked condition.