Package Construction

Abstract

A package construction is provided wherein a product is mounted on a sleeve member whereby a substantial portion of the product is observable without requiring removal of the product from the sleeve member. The portion of the sleeve member in contact with and supporting the product is recessed so as to provide protection for the accommodated product.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the packaging of various products (e.g. hardware) it is oftentimes important from a sales standpoint that the product itself be exposed to the view of the customer without requiring that the product be removed from its container. While substantial product exposure is important, it is also equally important that the container for the product be of simple construction, provide adequate protection for the product during shipment or storage thereof, and that the package be tamper-proof.

Various prior packages have heretofore been provided; however, because of certain design characteristics they have been incapable or ineffective in meeting all of the requisites afore-enumerated. Furthermore, many of the prior packages were awkward and difficult to assemble, and the material costs of the various components therefor were inordinately high. In other instances the package was unattractive and was not versatile in accommodating a variety of products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a package which avoids the shortcomings aforenoted associated with prior packages of this general type.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a package wherein certain components thereof might assume a collapsed state, when desired, thereby reducing the required storage space for the package.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a package wherein various components thereof may be formed from blanks cut and scored on conventional equipment.

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a package is provided which includes a collapsible sleeve member on a portion of which a product is mounted and supported thereby. The sleeve member includes end portions separated by a central portion having a top recessed with respect to the tops of the end portions and on which the product is mounted; a bottom; and walls interconnecting the top and bottom. One of the walls of the central portion is of sectional construction and has one section thereof projecting above the central portion top an amount greater than the amount the accommodated product projects above the said top. A second section of the sectional wall is foldably connected to the one section and is disposed in face-to-face relation therewith.

Positioned within the end portion of the sleeve member and frictionally retained therein is a receptacle. The receptacle may be removed endwise, when desired, from the end portion of the sleeve member. The receptacle, when disposed within the end portion of the sleeve member, serves to retain the latter in a non-collapsed state.

DESCRIPTION

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference is made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for one form of the sleeve member.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank for one form of the receptacle adapted to be used in conjunction with the sleeve member.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank of one form of a spacer piece adapted to be used in conjunction with the sleeve member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 in a folded collapsed tubular state and showing in dotted lines a product mounted thereon.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one form of the improved package and with certain components thereof in exploded relation.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of the receptacle formed from the blank shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a perspective bottom view of the receptacle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8a is a fragmentary perspective end view of a modified sleeve member with the receptacle of FIG. 8 shown assembled therewith.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a partially folded spacer piece formed from the blank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a blank for a second modified sleeve member.

FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of the modified sleeve member formed from the blank of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 10, but showing the blank for a third modified sleeve member.

FIG. 13 is a perspective top view of the modified sleeve member formed from the blank of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a blank for a modified form of spacer piece.

FIGS. 15, 16, and 17 are front, bottom, and end views, respectively, of the modified spacer piece formed from the blank of FIG. 14.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of the tubular member showing the modified spacer piece in assembled relation therewith.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 5, a preferred form of the improved package 20 is shown. Package 20 comprises an elongated sleeve member 21, a receptacle 22 secured to one end of the member 21, and a spacer piece 23 secured at the opposite end of the sleeve member. The sleeve member 21, the receptacle 22, and the spacer piece 23 are formed, respectively, from blanks 24 (FIG. 1), 25 (FIG. 2), and 26 (FIG.- 3). In certain variations of the improved package, to be hereinafter described, the receptacle and/or spacer piece may be omitted.

The blanks 24-26 are preferably formed from double-faced corrugated or solid fiberboard and are cut and scored on conventional high speed equipment, the function and operation of which are well known in the container field.

Blank 24, as illustrated, has a substantially rectangular configuration and is provided with a set of spaced substantially parallel first foldlines 27, 28, 30, and 31. Each first foldline, with the exception of foldline 28, extends substantially the full length L of the blank 24. The foldlines cooperate with the side edges of the blank to form a pair of outer panels I and II, a pair of inner panels III and IV, and a manufacturer's glue panel V. Panel III, as seen in FIG. 1, is provided with a pair of elongated transversely extending cuts 32 and 33 which are disposed in substantially parallel relation. Each cut is spaced inwardly from the edge of the blank and spans the entire width of the panel.

Interconnecting the cuts 32 and 33 is an elongated second foldline 34 which is in spaced, substantially parallel relation with respect to first foldline 27. Cuts 32 and 33 and foldlines 27, 28, and 34 cooperate with one another to form an inner wall panel section 35 and a top portion 36, all of which comprise a part of the central portion C of the sleeve member 21. The central portion will be described more fully hereinafter.

Panel III is also provided with a set of third foldlines 37 and 38 which extend from the cuts to the adjacent edge of the blank. All of the foldlines 27-31, 34, 37 and 38 are disposed in parallel relation and extend lengthwise of the blank. Foldlines 27, 28 and 37 and cut 32 cooperate with one another and the adjacent edge of the blank to form a top portion 39 and a segment 40 of a side wall 41. The top portion 39 and side wall segment 40 form a part of an end portion A of the sleeve member 21, see FIG. 5.

Foldlines 27, 28, and 38 and cut 33 in a similar fashion cooperate to form a top portion 42 and a segment 43 of the side wall 41 which coact to form the other end portion B of the sleeve member 21.

As will be noted in FIG. 1, the top portion 36 of the central portion C of the sleeve member 21 is provided with a plurality of apertures 44a, 44b, and 44c. The number, size, shape, and location of the apertures will depend upon the type of product P being packaged.

Panel I forms a side wall 45 of the sleeve member when the latter is set up. The portion 45a of the side wall adjacent the foldline 27 forms an outer wall panel section in substantially coextensive relation with wall panel section 35; said sections cooperate to form a multi-ply wall W which projects upwardly from the side of the central portion top 36 when the blank is set up to form the sleeve member, see FIG. 5.

Panel II is adapted to form the bottom 46 of the sleeve member 21 when it is set up. The opposite end segments 46a and b of panel II form the bottoms, respectively, of the sleeve end portions A and B. Panel II is also provided with openings 47a, b, and c which are aligned with corresponding openings 44a, b, and c when the sleeve member 21 assumes a collapsed state, as seen in FIG. 4. The openings 47a, b, and c are adapted to accommodate any parts of the product P which project downwardly from the underside of the top 36 of the central section C, when the sleeve member is in a collapsed state, see FIG. 4, thereby permitting greater compactness of the collapsed sleeve member.

In addition to openings 46a-c, bottom end portion 46b may be provided with a slot or slit 48 which is adapted to receive a tab 50 formed along the bottom edge of spacer piece 23 when the latter is mounted within the end portion B of the sleeve member 21. When no spacer piece is being used, or where the spacer piece is fixedly secured by adhesive or the like to the sleeve member end portion B, the slot 48 may be omitted.

Panel V is a conventional manufacturer's glue flap 51, which is secured by adhesive or staples to the interior surface of side wall 45, when the blank 24 is set up to form sleeve member 21. Where tape or the like is used in setting up the blank 24, the flap 51 may be omitted. As noted in the set-up embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the top surfaces of the end portions A and B and the upper edge of the multi-ply wall W are disposed in coplanar relation. The top panel of the central portion C on which the product P is supported is recessed from the top surfaces of the end portions so that the accommodated product will not protrude above the top surface of the end portions A and B, see FIG. 6. In a like manner the front side wall of the central portion C and the front side walls of the end portions A and B are in coplanar relation. The outer wall panel section of the rear side wall of the central portion C and the rear side walls of the end portions A and B are also disposed in coplanar relation.

Blank 25 is of conventional design used in forming a receptacle 22 having a hinged cover panel 52, see FIG. 7. The height, width, and depth of the receptacle will be determined by the shape of the end portion A of the sleeve member 21. The receptacle is adapted to accommodate various parts (e.g., screws, nuts, etc.) used in connection with the product P subsequent to its being removed from the package. If, for example, the packaged product is a decorative door lock, the parts accommodated in the receptacle 22 might be the tumbler and associated parts, and decorative escutcheons and accessories utilized in mounting the lock on one side of the door. Thus, with the improved package, the customer might select a lock wherein the parts thereof exposed on one side of the door might be of one style and the parts thereof exposed on the other side of the door might be of the same or a different style. Thus, in such a situation, the improved package is highly versatile from a merchandising standpoint in that various combinations of decorative styles can be achieved by the customer by merely interchanging the receptacle 22 with some other receptacle.

The receptacle is slipped endwise into the end portion A and is held therein by friction, and/or complemental locking components, such as locking lugs, tabs, or the like.

In FIG. 8a, the receptacle 22 is shown retained in the end portion A of a slightly modified sleeve member 21' by a foldable tab T which may be formed on the edge of end portion 46b of bottom panel 46 of the sleeve member. The tab T, when folded, overlies an exposed wall panel of the receptacle 22 and has a locking tongue or first lock component T' inserted within a suitable slot or second lock component S, which may be formed in the wall panel of the receptacle.

Besides cover panel 52, blank 25 includes wall panels 53, 54, 55, and 56, a manufacturer's glue flap 57, and tuck flaps 58 and 60 secured to the upper edges of panels 54 and 56, respectively. The configuration and arrangement of the bottom closure flaps are of conventional design. The shape and size of blank 25 may vary from that shown without departing from the scope of the invention.

Blank 26 for the spacer piece 23 includes a central foldline 65 which interconnects panels 66 and 67. When the blank 26 is set up, panels 66 and 67 assume a face-to-face relation and close-off the end portion B of the sleeve member 21, see FIG. 5. The locking tab 50, as afore-identified, is formed along the bottom edge of panel 66. Each panel 66 and 67 has a pair of narrow side panels 66a-b, and 67a-b, which are folded at right angles to the respective panels 66 and 67 and resiliently and frictionally engage the interior surfaces of the vertical walls 43 and 45 of the sleeve member, when the spacer piece is positioned within the end portion B. The spacer piece 23 and the receptacle 22, when assembled with the sleeve member 21, firmly retain the latter in a set up or non-collapsed state. In addition, the spacer piece and receptacle reinforce the ends of the sleeve member.

FIG. 11 shows a second modified form 120 of the improved package. Parts of package 120 which are similar to or the same as the corresponding parts of package 20 will be given a corresponding number, except in the 100 series. The principal structural difference between packages 20 and 120 is that in the latter, closure flaps 170a, b, and c have been provided which are foldably connected to the end portion A of the sleeve member 121 and may be substituted for the receptacle 22. Similar closure flaps 171a, b, and c are also provided which are foldably connected to the other end portion B of the sleeve member 121 and are substituted for the spacer piece 23. Once the flaps at the end portions A and B have been folded into end-closing positions, the sleeve member 121 will be retained in a set up or non-collapsed condition.

The blank 124 for forming the package 120 is shown in FIG. 10, and may be readily set up either manually or by automatic or semi-automatic equipment.

FIG. 13 shows a third modified form of improved package 220. As in the case of package 120, parts of package 220, which correspond to parts of package 20 or 120, will be identified by similar numbers, except in a 200 series.

Package 220 has a central portion C of the sleeve member which includes a recessed top separated into sections 201 and 202 by a vertically projecting, longitudinally extending partition 203. Partition 203 is formed by a pair of elongated panel sections 203a and 203b which are joined together by an elongated foldline 204. Each section 201 or 202 is adapted to supportingly engage a separate product, not shown. The height of the partition 203 with respect to the plane of top sections 201 and 202 is greater than the extent to which the accommodated product protrudes upwardly from the top section 201 or 202.

A side wall 241 of substantially the same configuration is disposed on opposite sides of the sleeve member. Portion 243 of each side wall 241 defines in part the end portion B of the sleeve member 221 and portion 240 of the same side wall defines in part the end portion A, see FIG. 13.

The bottom of the sleeve member 221 is formed by a pair of interlocking sections 205 and 206. Section 205 is connected by a foldline 207 to one of the side walls 241. Section 206 is connected to the other side wall 241 by a similar elongated foldline 208, see FIG. 12. Section 205 in the illustrated embodiment is provided with a pair of locking tabs 210 which are adapted to lockingly engage suitable slits 211 formed in a foldline 212, the latter interconnecting section 206 with an elongated complemental section 206a. Other means (e.g., adhesive, staples, etc.) of interconnecting sections 205 and 206 so as to form the bottom of the sleeve member may be utilized from that shown without departing from the scope of the invention.

Cuts 213 and 214 are provided in the blank 224 which delimit end portion A from central portion C and end portion B from the central portion. Each cut is of like configuration and comprises a linear first segment 213a or 214a and a non-rectilinear second segment 213b or 214b. Each second segment has an angularly offset inner end 213c or 214c which terminates at foldline 204, see FIG. 12, and is spaced from the inner end of segment 213a or 214a which also terminates at foldline 204. By reason of the offsetting of the inner end 213c or 214c, a reinforcing gusset 215 is formed at each end of the partition 203.

FIGS. 14-17 disclose a modified spacer piece 323 and blank 324 therefor. Piece 323 may be substituted for piece 23 shown in FIG. 5 in exploded relation with one end B of the sleeve member 21. The blank 324, see FIG. 14, may be formed of double-faced corrugated fiberboard or the like, and includes a back panel 325 having an inner end panel 326 connected by foldline 327 to one edge of panel 325. The foldline 327 is interrupted by a struckout 328, the function of the latter will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

To the opposite edge of panel 325 is foldably connected an end panel 330, which, in turn, forms a part of a nose section N, the latter being formed when the blank 324 is set up to form the spacer piece 323, see FIGS. 15-17.

Panel 330 is provided with an elongated slot 331, which extends transversely of the foldline connecting panels 325 and 330. The size of slot 331 is such that it will slidably accommodate the thickness of the panel 36, comprising a part of the sleeve member 21, when the sleeve member and spacer piece 323 are in assembled relation.

Connected by foldline 332 to panel 330 is a triangularly shaped piece 333, which forms a section of the nose N when the blank 324 is set up, see FIGS. 15 and 16. A second side of piece 333 is connected by foldline 334 to one edge of a front panel 335. The remaining third side of triangular piece 333 is separated from panel 335 by a cut 336. Thus, when the blank 324 is set up, the nose N will project forwardly from front panel 335, see FIGS. 16-18.

To the edge of panel 335, which is opposite piece 333, is foldably connected an outer end panel 337. Panel 337 is provided with a tongue 338 which is adapted to interlockingly engage in a conventional manner, a slot formed by the struckout 328, when the blank is set up to form the spacer piece 323.

Once the spacer piece 323 has been formed, it is moved endwise into the end B of sleeve member 21, thereby closing the end of the sleeve member and providing reinforcement therefor. The nose N of the spacer piece 323 enhances the appearance of the package while at the same time provides added protection for the accommodated product by strengthening the sleeve member.

In all of the illustrated embodiments of the improved package, the product is preferably retained on the top surface of the sleeve central portion by a thin pliable, heat-shrink plastic film F, see FIG. 6, which snugly encompasses the upwardly projecting portions of the product and is bonded by adhesive or heat sealing to the exposed surface of the top and side walls of the central portion. The method utilized in applying the film to the product and surrounding surfaces of the sleeve member may be one commonly referred to in the packaging industry as "skin-pack." Other means of securing the product to the sleeve member may be obviously utilized, if desired.

Thus, it will be seen that a simple, sturdy, and attractive package has been provided which may be readily set up and assembled either manually or by automatic high speed equipment. The package is versatile in accommodating a variety of products.

Claims

I claim:

1. A container and a product wherein a substantial portion of the latter is observable without being removed from the container, said container comprising a collapsible elongated sleeve member formed from a blank of foldable sheet material, said member having end means at each end, each end means being delimited by a top, a bottom, and side walls cooperating to form an end cavity; and a central portion provided with a product-supporting top panel recessed relative to the top panel of said end means, segments of the product extending above the top panel of said central portion, a bottom subtending the top panel and in spaced substantially parallel relation with said top panel, the bottom of each end means being coplanar with the bottom of said central portion, said central portion also being provided with a first side wall interconnecting edges of said top panel and the subtending bottom, said first side wall being coplanar with a side wall of each end means, and a sectional second side wall disposed opposite and in spaced relation with respect to said first side wall, said second side wall having an inner panel section extending upwardly from an edge of said top panel and an outer panel section foldably connected to the upper edge of said inner section and folded outwardly and downwardly relative thereto, said outer section being coplanar with another side wall of each end means and having the lower edge foldably connected to the bottom of said central portion, a receptacle slidably disposed within the cavity of one end means, said receptacle having an exposed wall provided with a first locking component and one cavity forming wall of said one end means being provided with a second locking component adapted to interlock with said first locking component and retain said receptacle within said cavity, means disposed within the cavity of the second end means and maintaining said sleeve in set-up condition, and means affixed to said top panel engaging the product and retaining same in position thereon.

2. The container and product of claim 1 wherein the top panel and the bottom of said central portion are provided with openings which are substantially aligned with one another when said sleeve member is in a collapsed condition.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the foldable connection between the inner and outer panel sections of the second wall of said central portion is substantially coplanar with the top of said end means when said sleeve member is set up and said inner and outer sections are disposed in substantially face-to-face relation.

4. The container and product of claim 1 wherein the means affixed to the top panel and engaging the product includes a transparent film which substantially envelops the segments of the product extending above said top panel.

5. The container and product of claim 1 wherein said first locking component comprises a slot formed in the exposed wall of said receptacle, and said second locking component comprises a foldable tab on one cavity-forming wall of said one end means; said tab, when in folded condition, being in interlocking relation with said slot.