JP2008541885A - Hanging and display basket - Google Patents

Abstract

  A blank (10, 110) is shown that includes a removable portion (75, 175) that can be separated from the sealed carton to create an opening. The remaining portion of the carton can be bisected by a fold line or other tear line so that the carton can be folded or "split" into approximately equal halves. These halves can then be oriented vertically to allow display on retail shelves or hanging displays. Reinforcing strips (30, 32, 130, 132) can be provided at either end or center for additional structural support.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a carton for containing containers having packaging, display, and supply (distribution) features.

[Related applications]
This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 684,818 entitled “Hang and Display Basket” filed on May 26, 2005, and is equivalent to the entire contents of the provisional application being repeated as is. Which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Retail products are generally packaged in containers, such as boxes, cans, cartons, etc., which are then placed on retail shelves for display and sale. To reach the retail store shelves, the manufactured products are packed for transport and then transported, unpacked, arranged, and stored on the shelves. As products are packaged into their respective retail packages at the time of manufacture, the retail packaged products are then individually filled into larger shipping containers or cartons and transported to the retailer. Subsequently, the retailer removes the packaged product from the shipping container and places individual retail packages on the retail store shelves. After the consumer removes the first few packaged products from the shelf, the retailer typically has to move the remaining packaged products on the shelf forward to show the organized and evenly distributed display. Furthermore, the retailer must rotate the packaged product from back to front in a timely manner to ensure that the product has not expired. This unpacking, fronting, and rotation of most packaged products generates waste from the shipping container and is expensive in terms of time and labor required for such operations. There is a need for a carton that can transport, display and supply individually packaged products.

  The present invention relates to the formation of a carton having a detachable portion that can be separated from the enclosed carton to create an opening in the enclosed (encapsulated) carton. The carton is formed from blanks that are cut, stamped, or otherwise formed from paperboard or other similar carton material, with the detachable portion of each carton to create an opening at least somehow around its perimeter It is defined by a boundary that is separable from the rest of the carton. The carton can also be hingedly opened along a fold line or the like so that the opening is formed by separating the detachable portion from the enclosed carton and then “folded” into two approximately equal halves. In other words, a display opening may be defined in the upper portion of each hinged carton half. When the carton is split in half, the packed product, which is alternately spaced in a nearly horizontal position, will be in a nearly vertical position upright in each half of the basket-like carton. . The packaged product is removed from either carton half through a display opening made in the carton.

  During manufacturing and filling, the blanks described herein can be formed into enclosed cartons and the product can be filled at one or both ends. The end user can open the carton by removing the detachable portion from the enclosed carton and “splitting” or folding the carton approximately in half or otherwise separating it. Subsequently, the carton can be oriented upright, such as by placing the lower portion of each half on some surface or hanging from a display for supply. In the upright orientation, the carton halves can be placed on a surface, such as a retail store shelf, with one half of each carton facing outward to expose the packaged product for display and / or supply.

  As the product in the exposed half of each carton is emptied, the carton can be turned so that the rear half of the carton faces outward for the supply of the product in it. In addition, when the product in the front half is empty, the two halves may be separated from each other so that the empty front half can be discarded or, for example, as a gap on a shelf or as a suspended display The front half of the carton may remain attached to the rear half to fulfill the role.

  The carton may optionally include one or more partitions that provide structural support for each carton half or separation of products therein. In addition, reinforcement regions may be provided in selected portions of the blank and formed carton to provide additional strength, for example, to enhance the integrity of the carton during stacking, shipping, display, or feeding.

  These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

  In order to facilitate understanding and description of the blank (s) of the present invention, the elements and symbols described herein are used to distinguish each carton and each portion of each blank half to "upper", " The terms “lower”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, and “rear” are used. However, these conventions are included only for ease of explanation and understanding of the specification and should in no way be limiting. The description of panels such as “upper” and “lower” may be referred to as “first”, “second”, and the like.

  The carton is usually useful as a container for separately supplied products. For example, the present invention can be used to supply articles containing products such as food and beverages. These articles include, for example, food containers including containers in the shape of a substantially rectangular prism, liquids and / or foodstuffs packaged in rectangular containers, and / or packaging products of plastic or other flexible materials. obtain. As shown in FIG. 1, the carton-forming blank is generally formed from a foldable sheet material such as paperboard, but is non-fibrous and relatively rigid foldable such as cardboard and plastic, composite material, or metal It should be understood that other materials can be used, such as other materials.

  The blank can have a flap that can be folded into an engaged configuration at each end and an adhesive can be applied to any desired panel to hold the carton in the desired encapsulated or folded configuration. An access port or finger hole may have along a portion of the tear line. The access port can accept a human finger or other object to open the carton and initiate the conversion of the carton from the transport / storage configuration to the display and / or supply configuration. The access port is shown in a particular orientation and shape, here ecliptic, but formed in any other desired configuration that allows the tear line to be cut (released) to form an opening can do. Alternatively, the access port may be covered with a flap (not shown) that can be punctured or otherwise released to provide access to cut the tear line.

  1A and 1B show an exemplary blank 10 according to the present invention. Blank 10 generally includes side panels 12 and 20, top panel 16, bottom panels 24 and 28, and closure flaps 50 and 53. Side panel 12 is connected to side panel end flaps 40 and 42 by lateral fold lines 31 and 33, and top panel 16 is connected to top panel end flaps 38 and 44 by lateral fold lines 31 and 33, Side panel 20 is connected to side panel end flaps 36 and 46 by lateral fold lines 31 and 33, bottom panel 24 is connected to bottom panel flap 48 by lateral fold line 31, and bottom panel 28 is A fold line 31 connects to the bottom panel flap 34.

  Side panel 12 is further connected to top panel 16 by fold line 14, top panel 16 is connected to side panel 20 by fold line 18, and side panel 20 is connected to bottom panels 24 and 28 by fold line 22. The bottom panel 24 is connected to the closure flap 53 by a fold line 25 and the bottom panel 28 is separated from the closure flap 50 by a fold line 25. The bottom panels 24 and 28 are further connected to each other by a center alignment fold line 26 that extends between the fold lines 22 and 25 and is located approximately halfway between the lateral fold lines 31 and 33. The closure flaps 50 and 53 are similarly separated from each other by a fold line 51 that extends from the fold line 26 over the fold line 25 through the closure flaps 50 and 53 toward the outer periphery of the blank 10. The panel end flaps may be of any structure or shape and are illustrated in FIG. 1A with cutouts in some parts.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the blank 10 can be provided with reinforcing portions or strips 30 and 32, which are generally at least some bonded to the blank 10. Reinforcing strips 30 and 32 are shown with a predetermined width that may vary as desired. The remaining strips 30 and 32 are affixed to the back side of the blank 10 generally overlapping along the periphery of the panel along fold lines 31 and 33 that connect the panel to the end flaps. Reinforcing strips 30 and 32 are shown to overlap portions of panels 12, 16, 20, and 28 or 24, respectively, but end flaps 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and It can also overlap all or most of 48. Some of the reinforcing strips 30 and 32 may be removed at desired locations during the manufacturing or pasting process so as to change the reinforced area of the blank 10.

  Typically, after the carton blank is formed, reinforcing portions such as the illustrated portions covering the panel and closure flap portions and end flap portions shown at 30 and 32 can be applied. These reinforcing strips or portions are illustrated and described in additional paperboard layers, or US patent applications 09 / 559,704, 09 / 818,023, and 09 / 971,469. Any other reinforcing strips that provide the desired support, such as those, all of which are currently pending and owned by the same assignee as the present invention, including in their entirety Which is incorporated herein by reference in the same manner as

  Further, the removable portion 75 (FIGS. 1A and 1B) is defined by a series of fold or tear lines along at least a portion of its perimeter. For example, the tear line 54 is illustrated as extending in an arcuate pattern through a portion of the side panel 12 and continues along the tear lines 52 and 58 to the top panel 16, where the tear lines 52 and 58 are transverse. The fold lines 31 and 33 extend substantially parallel to each other and are separated from each other by a predetermined width.

  A tear line can be a fold line, cut, notch, tear, perforation, notch, score, crease, or any other inclusion, boundary, or combination thereof, any panel or flap of this blank (s) , And can be used alone and in various combinations on panels or flaps. The particular orientation and combinations of tear lines shown are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the tear line of the removable portion 75 continues along the tear line 60 from the top panel 16 over the fold line 18 to the side panel 20. An opening feature 64 is formed along the tear line 60, which can be an opening in the formed blank or can be another access feature that creates a means for removing the removable portion 75. . The tear line 60 extends to the side panel 20 in a generally arcuate pattern similar to the arcuate portion 54 of the side panel 12, and the tear lines 54 and 60 generally point toward the fold line 22 and the outer peripheral portion adjacent to the side panel 12, respectively. The distance D is separated from the folding lines 14 and 18 by a distance D, which can vary in length depending on the size and form of the carton.

  To form a carton from a blank, the blank is generally folded into a sleeve configuration and the flaps are bonded together into a carton having two closed ends. After the carton sleeve is formed from the blank, the product is filled into the carton and the various end flaps are closed at both ends. These various end flaps and panels forming the sleeve are generally joined together by glue and / or other adhesive means. The illustrated blank is given exemplary dimensions for reference, but is not limited to the given dimensions or scale. Thus, a wider panel can be provided as desired or needed to accommodate the storage, display and product to be supplied if it is large, or desired or necessary to accommodate it if the product is small. Smaller dimensions can be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a blank 10 forms a carton ready for transportation or storage, and the product is typically stored or otherwise contained therein. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a carton with the access port or opening feature 64 engaged to initiate removal of the removable portion 75 along tear lines 52, 54, 58, and 60. FIG. . FIG. 3 shows the user operating the access port to separate the removable portion 75 along the carton tear line. FIG. 4 shows the removable part completely removed from the enclosed carton.

  FIG. 5 shows a carton where the opening feature has been removed and the folding feature has been manipulated so that the two halves are separated to form a basket display. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the formed basket with the products therein arranged in a substantially vertical arrangement. A perspective view of the carton halves shows that the two halves are substantially similar to each other.

  The blank and carton can be formed in any size or any configuration. For example, the alternative blank 110 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is similar to the blank 10 of FIG. FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a blank 110 having side panels 112 and 120, a top panel 116, bottom panels 124 and 128, and closure flaps 150 and 153. Side panel 112 is connected to side panel end flaps 140 and 142 by lateral fold lines 131 and 133, and top panel 116 is connected to top panel end flaps 138 and 144 by lateral fold lines 131 and 133. Side panel 120 is connected to side panel end flaps 136 and 146 by lateral fold lines 131 and 133, bottom panel 124 is connected to bottom panel flap 148 by lateral fold lines 131, and bottom panel 128 is A fold line 131 connects to the bottom panel flap 134. The panel end flaps may be of any structure or shape and are illustrated with cutouts in some portions of the blank 110. Side panel 112 is further connected to top panel 116 by fold line 114, top panel 116 is connected to side panel 120 by fold line 118, and side panel 120 is connected to bottom panels 124 and 128 by fold line 122. The The bottom panel 124 is connected to the closure flap 153 by a fold line 125 and the bottom panel 128 is separated from the closure flap 150 by a fold line 125. The bottom panels 124 and 128 are also connected to each other by a fold line 126 that extends between the fold lines 122 and 125 and is located approximately halfway between the lateral fold lines 131 and 133. The closure flaps 150 and 153 are similarly separated by a fold line 151 that extends from the fold line 126 over the fold line 125 through the closure flaps 150 and 153 toward the outer periphery of the blank 110.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the blank 110 also includes an additional reinforcing strip 131 that is applied along the central portion of the blank 110. In addition, the blank 110 has reinforcing portions or strips 130 and 132 that are generally at least some bonded to the blank 110. Reinforcing strips 130 and 132 are shown with a predetermined width that may vary as desired, typically overlapping along the periphery of the panel along fold lines 131 and 133 that connect the panel to the end flaps, Affixed to the back side of the blank 110. Reinforcing strips 130 and 132 are shown to overlap a portion of each of panels 112, 116, 120, and 128 or 124, and can also overlap all or most of each end flap. Some of the reinforcing strips 130 and 132 may be removed at desired locations during the manufacturing process to change the reinforced area of the blank 110.

  The removable portion 175 is defined by a series of fold or tear lines along at least a portion of its periphery. For example, the tear line 154 extends in an arcuate pattern through a portion of the side panel 112 and continues along the tear lines 152 and 158 to the top panel 116, where the tear lines 152 and 158 are transverse fold lines 131 and 133. And are separated from each other by a predetermined width. The tear line includes cuts, creases, cuts, scores, perforations, nicks, crevices, creases, folds, or other inclusions, or combinations thereof, to allow for the separation of the opening features and It may be possible to form the half of the carton into a basket display as detailed herein. As shown in FIG. 7, the tear line of the removable portion 175 continues along the tear line 160 from the top panel 116 over the fold line 118 to the side panel 120. The tear line 160 is illustrated as including an opening feature 164 that may be an opening in a formed blank or another access that creates a means for removing the removable portion 175. It can be a feature. The tear line 160 can further extend in a generally arcuate pattern on the side panel 120 similar to the arcuate portion 154 of the side panel 112. Generally, the tear line is separated from the fold lines 114 and 118 by a distance D toward the fold line 122 and the peripheral portion adjacent to the side panel 112, respectively, which distance D depends on the size and configuration of the carton. The length can vary. During the manufacturing process, after the blank is formed, portions such as the illustrated portion covering the panel and closure flap portions and end flap portions shown at 130 and 132 can be reinforced.

  FIG. 9 is a view of the blank of FIG. 7 forming a sealed carton where the opening feature has been manipulated to separate the tear lines. FIG. 10 shows that the removable part of the carton has been completely removed from the sealed carton. FIG. 11 shows the carton of FIG. 9 showing the folding feature being manipulated so that the removable portion is removed to form a basket display. The carton half in FIG. 11 shows the formed basket and the bottom of both carton halves with the reinforcements visible.

  In general, once the carton halves are placed in a vertical position, such as on a display or retail shelf, products can be dispensed therefrom. Once the product is completely removed from the front half of the carton, the retailer rotates the carton 180 degrees to place the rear half in the feeding position and / or separates the front half from the rear half as desired. And can be removed. The front half of the carton may be left attached with a tear line butterfly for use as a gap fill on the shelf to maintain a consistent and pleasing display. Alternatively, once the product is completely removed from the front half of the carton, the empty half can be torn at the hinged portion of the line (26 or 126) and discarded. Whether the front half of the carton is removed from the rear half of the carton or remains attached to the rear half of the carton, rotate the rear half of the carton outward on the shelf and remove the product from there. Can be taken out. Once all the product has been removed from the entire carton, the rear half of the carton or the entire carton can be discarded if the front half is not separated from the rear half. The new carton can then be replaced with an empty carton.

  In accordance with common practice, the various features of the drawings described below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Various features and element dimensions in the drawings may be scaled up or down to more clearly illustrate embodiments of the invention.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the carton is shown as containing a package, but other types of containers may be housed in a transport container according to the present invention. The dimensions of the blank can also be varied to accommodate, for example, various container configurations.

  The blank according to the invention can be formed, for example, from coated paperboard and similar materials. For example, the inside and / or outside of the blank can be coated with a clay coat. Subsequently, products, advertisements, price codes, and other information or images may be printed on the clay coat. Subsequently, the blank may be coated with a varnish to protect any information printed on the blank. For example, the blank can be coated with a moisture-proof layer on one or both sides of the blank.

  According to an exemplary embodiment, the blank may be composed of a paperboard thickness that is heavier and harder than regular paper. For example, this thickness can range from about 16-22 lbs. The blank can also be composed of other materials, such as corrugated cardboard, hardened paper, or any other material having properties suitable to enable the carrier package to function at least generally as described above. The blank can also be laminated or coated with one or more sheet-like materials on selected panels or panel sections.

  According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fold line can be any weakened form that is not necessarily linear, but substantially linear, which facilitates folding along it. More specifically, but not to narrow the scope of the invention, the fold line is a cut line, such as a line formed with a dull scoring knife or the like that creates a collapsed portion in the material along the desired line of weakness, the desired Through the partially extending cuts of material along the line of weakness and / or through a series of cuts and / or thicknesses not penetrating through the thickness of the material along the desired line of weakness ) Includes a series of cuts and various combinations of these features. In situations where a fold line is created using a cut, the cut is usually not so large that even a sensible user can mistakenly consider the fold line as a tear line.

  The above embodiments may be described as having one or more panels that are glued together by glue. The term “glue” is intended to encompass any type of adhesive commonly used to secure a carton panel in place.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred arrangements and methods that we consider to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. These preferred embodiments are given by way of example only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. Various additions, deletions, and modifications may be made to the illustrated and described embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the claims.

1 is a plan view of a blank capable of forming a carton according to the present invention. 1B is a back plan view of the blank of FIG. 1A provided with a reinforcing strip. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 1 with a finger flap being manipulated to initiate detachment of the removable portion. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carton with removable portions manipulated and separated along a tear line to create an opening. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carton with the removable portion completely disconnected from the remaining carton. It is a perspective view of a carton separated in half. It is a perspective view of the carton opened for display. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a blank capable of forming a carton according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a back side plan view of the blank of FIG. 7 provided with reinforcing strips. FIG. 8 is a view of a carton formed from the blank of FIG. 7 with the removable portion cut away. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 9 with the removable portion cut away and showing the reinforcing strip. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 9 separated in half.

Claims (28)

A method of supplying articles from a carton,
Providing a carton comprising a removable portion and a remaining portion, the removable portion being at least partially defined by a tear line, wherein the remaining portion is approximately bisected by a fold line; Having a reinforcing part, preparing,
Separating the removable portion along the tear line;
Moving the carton hinged at the fold line, thereby creating two substantially equal halves;
From a carton comprising placing the halves on a surface, thereby placing the products in each half in a vertical orientation, and delivering products from any of the halves A method of supplying an article.   The method of feeding articles from a carton according to claim 1, wherein the halves can be separated along the fold line. Moving the carton hinged at the fold line,
3. A method of supplying articles from a carton according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising directing the product from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Supplying the product includes:
The method further comprising turning the carton forward on a shelf, thereby enabling the supply of a product located in the carton half from the carton half. A method for supplying an article from a carton according to any one of claims 3 to 4.   5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising turning the empty carton half backward and simultaneously turning the other carton half forward for feeding when the forward carton product is empty. A method of supplying an article from the carton according to item.   6. A method of feeding articles from a carton according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising separating the empty carton half from the carton. A package,
A carton having a top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and at least one end flap, the at least one end flap being one of the top panel, the bottom panel, and the two side panels. A carton attached to one of the two and closing each end of the carton;
A plurality of articles in the carton;
Means for attaching the at least one end flap to each of the ends to close the carton, the carton having a remaining portion and a removable portion, the removable portion having a peripheral portion first. At least partially defined by a tear line, and the remaining portion is separated into two substantially equal carton halves along a second tear line, each carton half facing the carton end From the vertical position to the horizontal position,
The carton has an end reinforcement portion along an inner portion of each of the end portions.   The package of claim 7, wherein the removable portion extends from one of the side panels beyond the top panel to the other side panel.   9. Package according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one intermediate reinforcing part is provided in a substantially central region of the inner part of the carton.   The package according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein an access port is provided along the peripheral portion of the first tear line.   11. A package according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein finger flaps are provided along the peripheral portion of the first tear line.   12. A package according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the plurality of articles are arranged in a horizontal orientation prior to separation of the carton halves.   The package of claim 12, wherein the plurality of articles are placed in a vertical position after the carton is halved and the end is oriented in the horizontal position.   14. A package according to any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the removable portion creates an opening large enough to remove product from the carton. A carton for a plurality of articles,
A top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and at least one end flap, wherein the at least one end flap is one of the top panel, the bottom panel, and the two side panels. A top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and at least one end flap, which can be attached to and close each end of the carton;
Means for attaching the at least one end flap to each of the ends to close the carton, the carton including a remaining portion and a removable portion, the removable portion having a first peripheral portion And the remaining portion is separated into two substantially equal carton halves along a second tear line, each carton half facing the end of the carton. From vertical position to horizontal position,
The carton for a plurality of articles having an end reinforcement portion along an inner portion of each of the end portions.   16. The plurality of article cartons of claim 15, wherein the removable portion extends from one of the side panels beyond the top panel to the other side panel.   17. Carton for a plurality of articles according to claim 15 or 16, wherein at least one intermediate reinforcing part is provided in a substantially central region of the inner part of the carton.   The carton for a plurality of articles according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein an access port is provided along the peripheral portion of the first tear line.   The carton for a plurality of articles according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein finger flaps are provided along the peripheral portion of the first tear line.   20. A carton for a plurality of articles according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein the plurality of articles are arranged in a horizontal orientation prior to separation of the carton halves.   21. The carton for a plurality of articles according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of articles are placed in a vertical position after the carton is halved and the end is oriented in the horizontal position.   A carton for a plurality of articles according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the removable portion creates an opening large enough to remove a product from the carton. A method of supplying articles from a carton,
Providing a carton having a removable portion and a remaining portion;
Separating the removable portion along a tear line;
Moving the remaining part of the carton hinged at the fold line, thereby creating two substantially equal halves,
From the carton, comprising placing the halves on a surface, thereby orienting the products in each half and placing the products from any of the halves A method of supplying an article.   24. The carton-to-article of claim 23, wherein the removable portion is at least partially defined by the tear line, the remaining portion is approximately bisected by a fold line, and the carton has a reinforcing portion. How to supply. A carton comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and at least one end flap, the at least one end flap comprising the top panel, the bottom panel, and the 2 A carton attached to one of the two side panels and capable of closing each end of the carton;
A plurality of articles in the carton;
Means for attaching the at least one end flap to each of the ends to close the carton, the carton having a remaining portion and a removable portion;
The removable portion is at least partially defined by a tear line around the periphery;
The remaining portion can be hinged to create two approximately equal halves;
The carton is a package that can be arranged to orient the carton and the products therein in a vertical orientation. The remaining portions can be separated along a second tear line so as to create the halves and each of the carton halves from a vertical position to a horizontal position;
26. The package of claim 25, wherein the carton has an end reinforcement portion along an inner portion of each of the ends. A carton for a plurality of articles,
A top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and at least one end flap, wherein the at least one end flap is one of the top panel, the bottom panel, and the two side panels. A top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, and at least one end flap, which can be attached to and close each end of the carton;
Means for attaching the at least one end flap to each of the ends to close the carton, the carton having a remaining portion and a removable portion;
The removable portion is at least partially defined by a tear line around the periphery;
The remaining portion can be hinged to create two approximately equal halves;
The carton for a plurality of articles, wherein the carton and the product therein can be arranged in a vertical orientation. The remaining portions can be separated along a second tear line so as to create the halves and each of the carton halves from a vertical position to a horizontal position;
28. The carton for a plurality of articles of claim 27, wherein the carton has an end reinforcement portion along an inner portion of each of the ends.

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