CN110603200A

CN110603200A - Package for displaying articles

Info

Publication number: CN110603200A
Application number: CN201880025926.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: D·博托斯; A·科瓦莱夫斯基
Original assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
Current assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
Priority date: 2017-05-16
Filing date: 2018-05-16
Publication date: 2019-12-20
Also published as: AU2018271089A1; AU2018271089B2; CA3060864A1; EP3625135B1; PL3625135T3; EP3625135A1; WO2018213403A1

Abstract

A package for displaying an article includes a box body having at least a front panel. The pusher includes an elastic member and a rigid member disposed between the elastic member and the article. The pusher is removably coupled to the cartridge body for transitioning between an inactive configuration and an active configuration. The pusher is positioned to push the article towards said front plate of the cartridge body when in the active configuration.

Description

Package for displaying articles

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to pushers for displaying packages of articles for sale.

Background

It is known to transport prepackaged articles, such as candy, from a manufacturing site to a point of sale in bulk boxes, such as cardboard boxes. One of the primary functions of such cases is to protect the articles from physical damage during transport. At the point of sale, the item is typically removed from the box and displayed for sale.

However, it is desirable to display a plurality of smaller items in a box and to dispense the smaller items directly from the box. In this case, it may be advantageous to use the same box as the transported article. Such a box is commonly referred to as an "easy shelf pack". Us patent 7,284,662 describes a box that allows shipping, display and distribution of products to be carried out from the same box.

Existing easy shelf packaging presents a number of problems. For example, items stacked in such packages (whether horizontally stacked, vertically stacked, or stacked at an oblique angle) may not look aesthetically pleasing after several items are removed. In addition, removing items may result in a product that is not well displayed on the shelf, often being hidden from view. To address this on-shelf display problem, there are easy-to-mount packages having a biasing member for biasing the product within the package into a position viewable by a customer. However, in applications where the merchandise within the package is relatively fragile or deformable, such as, for example, when the merchandise is, for example, an edible food product, the biasing force may be damaged or adversely affect the condition of the merchandise when applied directly to the merchandise. It is therefore desirable to have an easy-to-mount package that maintains the presentation of the product on the shelf and allows the item to be distributed to customers in a controlled manner without changing the condition of the product.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a package for displaying an article is disclosed that includes a box body having at least a front panel. The pusher includes an elastic member and a rigid member disposed between the elastic member and the article. The pusher is removably coupled to the cartridge body for transitioning between an inactive configuration and an active configuration. The pusher is positioned to push the article towards said front plate of the cartridge body when in the active configuration.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, in the inactive configuration, the pusher is coupled to the cartridge body and the biasing force of the resilient member does not urge an article toward the front plate.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, in the inactive configuration, a portion of the rigid member is integrally formed with the cartridge body.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the rigid member and the cartridge body are separated along a fold line.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the cartridge body further comprises a back wall, and the rigid member is detachably coupled to the back wall.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in further embodiments, the cartridge body further comprises at least one sidewall, and the rigid member is removably coupled to the at least one sidewall.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the portion of the rigid member is perforated to detach the rigid member from the cartridge body.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the portion of the rigid member comprises at least one connecting member.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the at least one connection member comprises a plurality of connection members.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in further embodiments the plurality of connecting members are substantially identical.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in further embodiments, at least one of the plurality of connecting members is different from the remainder of the plurality of connecting members.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the resilient member is a ring secured to the front panel at an open end and configured to extend around an article.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the box body includes a side plate, and the resilient member is a loop secured to the side plate at an open end and configured to extend around an article.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the elastic member is an elastic band.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment, the cartridge body includes a lid and at least a portion of the lid is removable for accessing the item.

According to another embodiment, a packaging system includes a package having at least a bottom panel and a front panel. A plurality of articles are disposed in the package. The pusher includes an elastic member and a rigid member disposed between the elastic member and the article. The pusher is removably coupled to the cartridge body for transitioning between an inactive configuration and an active configuration. The pusher is positioned to push the article towards said front plate of the cartridge body when in the active configuration.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the plurality of items are stacked horizontally.

In addition or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, in a further embodiment the plurality of articles are stacked vertically.

These and other embodiments are described in detail below.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embody several aspects of the disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an easy-to-mount package containing a plurality of articles according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an easy-to-mount package according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 2 according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an easy racking package having a pusher disposed in an inactive configuration according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a full pop-up package having a pusher member arranged in an active configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a full pop-up package having a pusher member arranged in an active configuration, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the easy racking package of FIG. 5 after several products have been removed from the easy racking package according to one embodiment; and is

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the easy racking package after all of the products have been removed from the easy racking package according to one embodiment.

Detailed description embodiments of the invention and advantages and features are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Detailed Description

A pusher for use with a container in the form of a cardboard box for easy racking will be described hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the pusher member may be used in a variety of other applications in different formats including different materials.

In the following, the relative terms top and bottom, upper and lower, front and rear, inner and outer, upward and downward, and derivatives thereof, are used to refer to the entire case and portions thereof when the case is in its intended orientation for placement on a shelf or other display surface. However, the cartridge may be used and stored in other orientations as desired.

Referring now to fig. 1-6, an example of an easy-to-mount package or package 20 is shown. As shown, the shelf-ready pack 20 includes a box 22 having a bottom panel 24, two side panels 26, 28, a back panel 30, and at least a portion of a front panel 32, all extending upwardly from the bottom panel 24. However, not all of these panels, particularly the side panels 26, 28 and the back panel 30, are necessary for operation of the bag 20. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in fig. 1, the carton 22 additionally includes a lid 34 disposed generally parallel to and opposite the bottom panel 24 and extending between the two side panels 26, 28, the rear panel 30 and the front panel 32. Configurations of the cartridge 22 that do not include the cover 34 or only include a portion of the cover 34 are also considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

A cavity 36 for storing a plurality of products 10 stacked in either a vertical or horizontal configuration is defined between the front, rear and side panels 32, 30, 26, 28 of the carton 22. Typically, each of the plurality of products 10 within the cavity 36 is substantially identical, although embodiments are also contemplated in which different products are contained within the cavity 36. In one embodiment, at least one dimension of the cavity 36 (such as, for example, the distance between the opposing side panels 26, 28) is substantially equal to or slightly larger than the dimension of the product 10 contained within the cavity 36. Further, another dimension of the cavity 36 (such as, for example, the distance between the front and rear panels 32, 30) may be selected based on the predetermined number of one or more products 10 to be received within the cavity 36.

The box 22 may be made of any suitable material that is common for such boxes as cardboard. In one embodiment, the carton 22 is formed from a single sheet of material by folding different portions of the material along one or more fold lines. A portion 42 (shown in phantom in fig. 1) of the cover 34 adjacent to and/or overlapping the front panel 32 may be perforated for easy removal from the remainder of the cassette 22. The removable portion is configured to protect the contents of the cartridge 22 during transport and shipping. When the box 22 is positioned on a shelf for display, as shown in fig. 1, the portion is removed to enable a consumer to access the contents contained within the interior cavity 36 of the box 22.

The package 20 additionally includes a pusher mechanism 50 configured to urge the product 10 within the cavity 36 toward an easily accessible position. In one embodiment, the pusher mechanism 50 includes a resilient member 52 (such as, for example, a resilient band) configured to apply a force to the products 10 within the cartridge 22 such that the contents are always disposed directly adjacent to or in contact with the front plate 32. As best shown in fig. 2 and 3, the resilient member 52 is configured as a ring or loop that passes behind the rearmost product 10 within the cavity 36. Thus, a portion 54 of the resilient member 52 extends along the side plates 26, 28, and another portion 56 of the resilient member 52 is oriented generally parallel to the rear plate 30. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3, the open or free ends of the resilient member 52 are secured to the side panels 26, 28 of the case 22 via apertures 60. However, the resilient member 52 may be secured to any other suitable area of the cartridge 22, such as, for example, the front plate 32, such that the resilient member 52 is biased toward the front plate 32.

In embodiments where the products 10 are edible ingredients such as, for example, chocolate, direct contact between the resilient member 52 and the rearmost product 10 within the cavity 36 may damage one or more of the products 10 within the cartridge 22 due to the strength of the biasing force of the resilient member 52. To reduce the force applied directly to the products 10, the rigid member 58 is positioned behind the items 10 to be dispensed, between the rearmost product 10 and the resilient member 52. Due to this positioning, the resilient member 52 is operatively coupled to the rigid member 58. In one embodiment, the elastic member 52 is attached to the rigid member 58 via a fastener (such as, for example, a staple) or an adhesive. However, embodiments are also contemplated herein in which the resilient member 52 is movable relative to the rigid member 58.

The rigid member 58 may be a plate-like member (i.e., the rigid member does not have a substantial thickness), or another shape having a flat front surface that forms a perpendicular abutment surface with the product 10. Alternatively, the rigid member 58 may have a non-flat front surface. Additionally, in some embodiments, the rigid member 58 includes a horizontal stabilizing element disposed at a base thereof. In one embodiment, the rigid member 58 is substantially the same size and shape as the product 10 located within the cavity 36. However, embodiments in which the rigid member 58 covers only a portion of the surface of the adjacent product 10 or has a different shape than the product 10 are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The pusher mechanism 50 is capable of transitioning between an inactive configuration (fig. 4) and an active configuration (fig. 5-8). In the inactive configuration, the pusher mechanism 50 is again held in place by the biasing force of the resilient member 52. Thus, in the inactive configuration, the biasing force of the resilient member 52 is not applied to the products 10 within the cavity 36 to urge the products toward the front plate 32. Accordingly, it is desirable for the pusher mechanism 50 to be in an inactive configuration during shipping of the easy racking package 20 to protect the contents of the magazine 22.

In the inactive configuration, the pusher mechanism 50 is removably coupled to a portion of the cartridge 22. In one embodiment, a portion of the pusher mechanism 50 is integrally formed with an adjacent portion of the cartridge body 22, such as the side walls 26, 28 or the back plate 30 of the cartridge body. The rigid member 58 and the corresponding portion of the carton 22 may be integrally formed by folding a portion of the material of the carton 22 along one or more fold lines, as indicated at 62 in fig. 4. In embodiments where the rigid member 58 is integrally formed with the back plate 30, the rigid member 58 is formed via a 180 degree fold such that the back plate 30 and the rigid member 58 are oriented substantially parallel and substantially adjacent to each other.

To transition the pusher mechanism 50 to the active configuration (in which the biasing force of the resilient member 52 is applied to the product within the cavity 36), the rigid member 58 is disengaged from the rigid cartridge 22. In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, at least one connecting member 64 extends across the fold between the rigid member 58 and the back plate 30. The portion of the fold not including the connecting member 64 is cut to separate the rigid member 58 and the back panel 30 along the length of the fold line, except for the portion connected by the at least one connecting member 64. The at least one connecting member 64 may be any shape and/or size. However, the at least one link member 64 should not interfere with the biasing movement of the pusher mechanism.

In some embodiments, the at least one connecting member 64 includes a plurality of connecting members 64. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment shown in fig. 4-7, three semi-circular connecting members 64 are integrally formed with and detachable from the back plate 30, and in the non-limiting embodiment of fig. 8, two triangular connecting members 64 extend from the rigid member 58. While embodiments including two and three connecting members are shown, it should be understood that embodiments having more than three connecting members 64 are also contemplated herein. In such embodiments, the plurality of connecting members 64 may, but need not, be substantially identical. Alternatively, the at least one connecting member 64 of the rigid member 58 may comprise a single connecting member 64. Additionally, in one embodiment, a single connecting member 64 may be sized to substantially encompass the entire back plate 30.

The periphery of at least one connecting member 64 extending between the fold line and the rear panel 30 is perforated to allow a user to easily remove the connecting member 64 from the remainder of the rear panel. Upon separation of at least one of the link members 64 from the adjacent stationary portion of the cartridge 22, the biasing force of the resilient member 52 will urge the pusher mechanism 50 into contact with the rearmost product 10. When the cartridge 22 contains a desired number of products 10 and is considered "full," as shown in fig. 6, the overall movement of the pusher mechanism 50 between the inactive and active configurations to engage the products 10 within the cavities 36 may be limited.

When the product 10 is removed from the adjacent front panel 32 of the cartridge 22, the biasing force of the resilient member 50 causes the remaining product 10 and rigid member to slide within the cavity 36 toward the front panel 32, as shown in fig. 7. When all of the products 10 have been removed from the cartridge 22, the rigid member 58 is disposed in contact with the front plate 32 and the resilient member 52 of the pusher mechanism 50 is in a substantially neutral or unstressed state. Once the cartridge 22 is empty, it may be discarded, or the product 10 may be refilled with the cavity 36 by moving the pusher mechanism 50 against the bias of the resilient member 52 to position the product between the pusher mechanism 50 and the front plate 52, as previously described.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are considered to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

All cited patents, patent applications, and other references are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. However, if a term in the present application contradicts or conflicts with a term in the incorporated reference, the term in the present application takes precedence over the conflicting term in the incorporated reference.

All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or subrange falling within the disclosed range.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. In addition, it should be further noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier "about" used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., the modifier includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

Claims

1. A package for displaying an article, the package comprising:

a cartridge body having at least a front plate;

a pusher comprising a resilient member and a rigid member disposed between the resilient member and the article, the pusher being detachably coupled to the cartridge body for transitioning between an inactive configuration and an active configuration, the pusher being positioned to urge the article toward the front plate of the cartridge body when in the active configuration.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein in the inactive configuration, the pusher is coupled to the cartridge body and the biasing force of the resilient member does not urge the article toward the front plate.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein in the inactive configuration, a portion of the rigid member is integrally formed with the cartridge body.

4. The package of claim 1, wherein the rigid member and the box body are separated along a fold line.

5. The package of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body further comprises a back wall, and the rigid member is removably coupled to the back wall.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body further comprises at least one sidewall, and the rigid member is removably coupled to the at least one sidewall.

7. The package of claim 3, wherein the portion of the rigid member is perforated to detach the rigid member from the cartridge body.

8. The package of claim 3, wherein the portion of the rigid member comprises at least one connecting member.

9. The package of claim 8, wherein the at least one connecting member comprises a plurality of connecting members.

10. The package of claim 9, wherein the plurality of connecting members are substantially identical.

11. The package of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of connecting members is different from the remainder of the plurality of connecting members.

12. The package of claim 1, wherein the resilient member is a ring secured to the front panel at an open end and configured to extend around the article.

13. The package of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body comprises a side panel, and the resilient member is a ring secured to the side panel at an open end and configured to extend around the article.

14. The package of claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a stretch band.

15. The package of claim 1, wherein the cartridge body comprises a lid and at least a portion of the lid is removable to access the item.

16. A packaging system, comprising:

a package having at least a bottom panel and a front panel;

a plurality of articles disposed in the package;

17. The packaging system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of articles are stacked horizontally.

18. The packaging system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of articles are stacked vertically.