Package

Abstract

This is a package for displaying a generally elongated article of merchandise and formed from a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like comprising backing end and closing panels including a plurality of foldably connected article cradling panels foldably connected to one end of the backing panel. Certain of the article cradling panels are folded to define a first cradling structure disposed at one end of the backing panel and the other of the article cradling panels are folded to provide a second cradling structure disposed at the other end of the backing panel, the closing panel being folded to position over the first and second cradling structures being secured to the first cradling structure.

Description

THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a package constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for forming the structure seen in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a step of loading an article of merchandise into the package structure prior to the final assembly thereof.

The improved package structure according to the present invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and is formed from a cut and scored blank 10A seen in FIG. 2. Blank 10A includes a backing panel 11 and an end panel 12 foldably connected to one end thereof along a fold line 13, and a closing panel referred to generally by the reference numeral 14 and comprising a closing panel element 16 foldably connected to the end panel 12 along a fold line 17, and closing flaps 18 and 19, closing flap 18 being foldably connected to the closing panel element 16 along a fold line 21, closing flap elements 18 and 19 being foldably connected to each other along a fold line 20.

A plurality of foldably connected article cradling panels are denoted generally by the reference numeral 22 and include a first cradling panel element 23 foldably connected to an opposite end of the backing panel 11 along a fold line 24. A second cradling panel element 26 is foldably connected along a fold line 27 to the first cradling panel element 26. An attaching panel element 28 is foldably connected along a fold line 29 to the second cradling panel element 26 and is arranged to be glued or otherwise secured to the backing panel 11 as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A second cradling structure is formed by third article cradling panel element 31 foldably connected to the panel element 28 along a fold line 32 and a securing flap 33 is foldably connected to the second cradling panel 31 along a fold line 34.

The cradling elements described are disposed as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, and securing flap 33 is glued or otherwise secured to closing panel element 16 as seen in FIG. 3. The two article cradling structures are adapted to support an elongated article EA seen in FIG. 3, and panel element 26 is provided with an aperture 36 for the reception of one end of the article EA, article cradling panel 31 being likewise provided with an aperture 37 to receive the other end of the article EA.

When the article EA is located as described on the cradling structures, the closing panel 14 comprised of the elements 16, 18 and 19 is folded to a closing position as seen in FIG. 1. Closing flaps 18 and 19 have an aperture 38 therein through which one end of the article EA may be viewed as seen in FIG. 1. Closing flap 19 is glued to the panel element 26 forming the first cradling structure previously described.

Claims

We claim:

1. An open ended package for displaying and retaining a generally elongated article of merchandise, said package being formed from a cut and scored blank of paperboard or the like, comprising:

a. interconnected closing, end, backing, and cradling panels and a pair of closing flaps having article exposing apertures;

b. said article cradling panels including:

i. first, second and third panel elements wherein said second and third elements have article receiving apertures;

ii. an attaching panel element;

c. a securing flap foldably joined to said third panel element;

d. said attaching panel element being secured to the top side of said backing panel, said securing flap being attached to the underside of said closing panel, and one of said closing flaps being secured to the top side of said second cradling panel element;

e. said first cradling panel element being positioned in substantially vertical position between said backing panel and said second cradling panel element with said second cradling panel element being inclined downwardly toward said attaching panel;

f. said third cradling panel element being inclined from said attaching panel upwardly toward said closing panel and being foldably joined to said securing flap which is attached to the underside of said closing panel.