EP3261950A1

EP3261950A1 - Secondary packaging for consumer products

Info

Publication number: EP3261950A1
Application number: EP16704909.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Keith Harrison; Ben ABLETT; Kevin Ingram
Original assignee: Par-Pak Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Par-Pak Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-23
Filing date: 2016-02-11
Publication date: 2018-01-03
Also published as: GB201502991D0; WO2016135442A1; GB2535539A

Abstract

A thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging (10) for containing packaged consumer goods, the packaging comprising two thermoplastic thermoformed packaging halves (12, 14), each half comprising a cavity having a substantially rectangular opening (22, 22'), the two halves being movably attached to each other such that the rectangular openings are positionable facing each other to define a whole cavity from the two halves.

Description

Secondary Packaging for Consumer Products Technical Field

The invention relates to a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging for containing packaged consumer goods and a process for packing and unpacking thereof.

Background

Consumer products sold in retail outlets such as supermarkets, conventionally arrive at the retail outlet in secondary packaging. The secondary packaging contains a plurality of consumer products, which are quite often packaged in their own primary packaging.

It is common for the secondary packaging to be made from cardboard.

It is common for a retail outlet to simply remove the consumer products from the secondary packaging and place it into their store for sale, discarding the secondary packaging.

However, it is also common for the secondary packaging to be adaptable into a shop-ready-package or SRP. Such an SRP is typically a cardboard presentation structure, which can be formed from the secondary packaging, e.g. by removing pre-perforated portions. Such SRP secondary packaging can however be quite expensive.

However, such cardboard SRP's remain unsightly and can create the impression to the consumer of a lower quality product or retail environment.

Thus, improvements in this area would be desirable. Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging for containing packaged consumer goods, the packaging comprising two thermoplastic thermoformed packaging halves, each half comprising a cavity having a substantially rectangular opening, the two halves being movably attached to each other such that the rectangular openings are positionable facing each other to define a whole cavity from the two halves.

Such secondary packaging can be filled with packaged consumer goods, an outer wrapping provided to form a secondary packaging and shipped to a retail outlet such as a supermarket.

Thus, in a second aspect, the invention relates to a process of packing a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging, the process involving taking a secondary packaging as described herein, introducing a plurality of packaged consumer goods into the whole cavity, followed by binding the two halves together by applying an exterior polymeric film wrapping.

Additionally, in a third aspect, the invention relates to a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging for containing packaged goods, the packaging comprising two thermoplastic thermoformed packaging halves, each half comprising a cavity having a cavity opening, the two halves being positionable facing each other to define a whole cavity from the two halves, a plurality of packaged consumer goods disposed within the whole cavity, and wherein the two halves are bound together by an exterior polymeric film wrapping

Once at the retail outlet, the secondary packaging is easily unpacked by removal of the exterior wrapping. The consumer products are then conveniently and attractively presented in the retail store by retaining them in one of the halves with its cavity uppermost, presenting the contained consumer products.

Thus, in a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a process of unpacking a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging, the process involving taking a secondary packaging as described herein, removing the exterior polymeric film wrapping, separating the two halves whilst retaining the packaged consumer goods supported in one of the halves, placing the packaging half with the cavity opening uppermost, presenting the contained packaged consumer goods for individual removal from the cavity half by a consumer.

The present invention thus provides a secondary packaging solution that is reduced cost as compared to a cardboard SRP and also has an improved visual appearance and convenience for the retail outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the secondary packaging is formed from a single thermoformed thermoplastic sheet.

The intended use for the secondary packaging is not only to provide secondary packaging, but also to provide a shop-ready-packaging for display in a retail environment, such as a supermarket. In such an environment, the individual consumer products are removed individually, so the secondary packaging needs to be able to deal with a low level of products whilst still maintaining an attractive appearance for the consumer. One way this can be achieved is if at least one cavity comprises thermoformed protrusions which act in use as dividers for the packaged consumer products.

Such dividers act to separate the individual packaged goods, but also prevent them from slipping in the packaging when more space is made in the cavity following removal of one or more of the packaged consumer goods. Additionally, such dividers can act to support the weight of the packaged consumer goods when contained within the secondary packaging. This can be of particular benefit when the packaged goods have a relatively weak region, such as a removable lid.

As it is intended to wrap the two packaging halves together to form the secondary packaging there is no need for the two halves to have any mutual interlocking means. Thus, preferably the two halves are free of any

interlocking joining means.

The two packaging halves can be of different dimensions and do not necessarily need to be identical, however, in a preferred embodiment they are essentially identical. Usually, the consumer products contained within the secondary packaging will have a specific up/down orientation, and need to be placed on the retail environment accordingly. If both packaging halves are identical it therefore becomes impossible to package the consumer products incorrectly, because there would then be up-down symmetry. Once in the retail store, a handler can then unpack the secondary packaging and simply place the consumer products in the correct orientation. As used herein 'essentially identical' means that the two halves have the same geometrical shape but may differ in minor features such as embossments, imprinted codes and the like.

The two packaging halves can be movably attached to each in a number of ways. However in a preferred embodiment they are movably attached to each other by a hinge.

As the secondary packaging material is intended to also be used as shop- ready-packaging it has been found to be more attractive to a consumer if the thermoplastic material is transparent, colourless and essentially has zero opacity. The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example, and with reference to the following figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a secondary packaging according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the secondary packaging shown in figure 1 .

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the secondary packaging shown in figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front view of the secondary packaging shown in figure 1 containing a plurality of packaged consumer products.

Turning to the figures, figures 1 to 3 show secondary packaging 10 comprising first half 12 and second half 14 moveably attached to each other by a hinge 16. Each packaging half 12, 14 has a respective cavity 18, 20. Each cavity 18, 18' has a substantially rectangular opening 22, 22' comprising four opposing straight sides with rounded corners. It can be seen that the two packaging halves are essentially identical to each other.

Each packaging half 12, 14 has four side walls 30, 31, 32, 33 and 30', 31', 32' 33' and a substantially rectangular base 34, 34' respectively. Each packaging half also comprises a number of protrusions 40, which will be discussed below. It will be noted that the base 34, 34' has rounded corners and ridges to provide strength, however these do not detract from the substantially rectangular nature of the base 34, 34'.

Side walls 30, 30' and 32, 32' are parallel to the hinge 16, and side walls 31, 31' and 33, 33' are perpendicular to the hinge 16.

It can also be seen that side walls 30, 30', 31, 31' and 33, 33' are

perpendicular to their respective rectangular base 34, 34'. However side wall 32, 32' is at a small angle away from perpendicular, to facilitate the eventual retail store presentation, as will be discussed. It can therefore be seen that the hinge 16 is located between the top edges of side walls 30 and 30'. It can also be seen that side walls 30 and 30' are substantially rectangular. It can also be seen that side walls 30, 30' include an indent 42, 42', which is dimensioned to accommodate the projected region of side walls 32, 32'.

However this indent does not detract from the substantially rectangular nature of the side walls 30, 32'. The function of the indents will be discussed below.

It will also be appreciated that side walls 30, 30' have a greater height than side walls 32, 32', which has the effect of the rectangular bases 34, 34' being at an angle to the respective rectangular openings 22, 22'. As can be seen most clearly in figure 2, when the rectangular openings 22, 22' lie in the same horizontal plane, side walls 30, 30' are each at an angle of approximately 20° to the vertical, although it could be from 10° to 40°, preferably from 15° to 25°. As will also be appreciated, the secondary packaging 10 can be transported in a nested form, with many other such secondary packaging being presented in a vertical stack, with the packaging in the orientation shown in figure 2.

When it is desired to place packaged consumer goods into the secondary packaging 10, a single secondary packaging 10 can be removed from a nest, and a stack of goods 50 can simply be placed onto hinge 16, in the orientation shown in figure 2. By virtue of the angle that side walls 30, 30' make with vertical, pushing the products 50 downwards onto the hinge has the effect of moving the packaging halves 22, 24 about the hinge 16, until the packaged goods 50 are surrounded by the packaging halves 22, 24, as shown in figure 4. The two halves 22, 24 are free of an interlocking joining means, as this is rendered unnecessary by the present invention, as will be discussed.

Additionally, as the packaging is specifically designed to mesh with the packaged goods 50, protrusions 40 insert themselves between the individual packaged goods 50, as can be clearly seen in figure 4. These not only act to keep the packaging separate but also support the weight of the packages.

As can be seen in figure 4, in view of the fact that the hinge 16 is located along the top edge of side walls 30, 30', the side walls 30, 30' are capable of becoming coplanar. Additionally, as the side walls 30, 30' are perpendicular to rectangular bases 34, 34', the secondary packaging forms an essentially rectangular packaging around the consumer goods 50. This provides for a particular convenient form of secondary packaging, as it facilitates stacking and efficient storage during transit.

In addition, it can be seen that indents 42, 42' conveniently accommodate the side walls 32, 32' of another identical secondary packaging (not shown) placed directly below. In this way the indents 42, 42' provide a locking mechanism to stabilise a stack of packaged secondary packaging according to the invention.

Once packaged, to prevent the packaging halves 22, 22' from separating, the secondary packaging are bound together by applying an exterior polymeric film wrapping.

In this condition, the secondary packaging can now be shipped to a retail store, such as a supermarket.

Once at the supermarket, the bound packaging can be easily unpacked by cutting the polymeric wrapping with a knife, thus releasing the two packaging halves. A retail worker then ensures that the packaged goods remain in one of the packaging halves and separates the two halves from each other by simply applying a tearing action along the hinge. As the hinge is formed from a thinned region of thermoplastic this tears easily.

The packaged good 50 in a single packaging half are then placed on a supermarket shelf with side wall 32 facing the consumer. In this way the consumer is presented with a selection of consumer products 50 in an attractive and transparent packaging.

Additionally, as a consumer takes a single packaged good, the thermoformed protrusions 40 prevent the remaining packaged goods from moving within the packaging half 22, thus enhancing their presentation still further, as otherwise, such packaged goods may slide along the base and become inverted and unsightly.

The resulting packaging is therefore not only a highly effective secondary packaging but is also a highly effective shop-ready package for presentation of packaged consumer goods.

Claims

1. A thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging for containing packaged consumer goods, the packaging comprising two thermoplastic thermoformed packaging halves, each half comprising a cavity having a substantially rectangular opening, the two halves being movably attached to each other such that the rectangular openings are positionable facing each other to define a whole cavity from the two halves.

2. A secondary packaging according to claim 1 , which is formed from a single thermoformed thermoplastic sheet.

3. A secondary packaging according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least one cavity comprises thermoformed protrusions which act in use as dividers for the packaged consumer products.

4. A secondary packaging according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the two halves are free of any interlocking joining means.

5. A secondary packaging according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the two packaging halves are essentially identical.

6. A secondary packaging according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein the two packaging halves are movably attached to each other by a hinge.

7. A secondary packaging according to any one of the preceding claim, wherein each packaging half comprises an essentially rectangular base and four side walls attached to said base, thereby enclosing the cavity.

8. A secondary packaging according to claim 6 and claim 7, wherein, in each packaging half, two side walls are parallel to the hinge, and two side walls are perpendicular to the hinge.

9. A secondary packaging according to claim 8, wherein, for each packaging half, the side wall that is parallel to the hinge and nearest the hinge and both side walls that are perpendicular to the hinge, are substantially perpendicular to the base.

10. A secondary packaging according to claims 6, 7 and 8, wherein the hinge is located between the top edges of the side walls from each packaging half that are parallel to the hinge and nearest to the hinge.

1 1. A secondary packaging according to claim 10, wherein the two packaging halves are moveable about the hinge such that the side walls from each packaging half where the hinge is located can become coplanar.

12. A secondary packaging according to any one of claims 8 to 1 1 , wherein, for each packaging half, the side wall that is parallel to the hinge and nearest the hinge is substantially rectangular.

13. A secondary packaging according to claim 12, wherein, for each packaging half, the side walls that are parallel to the hinge are of different heights, with the side wall nearest to the hinge being of greater height than the side wall remote from the hinge, thereby ensuring that the rectangular opening is at an angle to the rectangular base.

14. A secondary packaging according to claim 13, wherein, in relation to the side walls that are parallel to the hinge for each packaging half, the side wall nearest the hinge has an indent, substantially the same dimensions as that projected by the side wall remote from the hinge.

15. A secondary packaging according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, when the rectangular openings of the two packaging halves are positioned to be in a single horizontal plane, the side walls from each packaging half that are parallel to the hinge and nearest to the hinge make an angle with respect to vertical of from 10° to 40°, preferably from 15° to 25°.

16. A secondary packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thermoplastic material is transparent, colourless and essentially has zero opacity.

17. A process of packing a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging, the process involving taking a secondary packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 16, introducing a plurality of packaged consumer goods into the whole cavity, followed by binding the two halves together by applying an exterior polymeric film wrapping.

18. A thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging for containing packaged goods, the packaging comprising two thermoplastic thermoformed packaging halves, each half comprising a cavity having a cavity opening, the two halves being positionable facing each other to define a whole cavity from the two halves, a plurality of packaged consumer goods disposed within the whole cavity, and wherein the two halves are bound together by an exterior polymeric film wrapping.

19. A secondary packaging according to claim 18, wherein the secondary

packaging is one according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A secondary packaging according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the secondary packaging and the packaged goods are dimensioned to provide a snug fit around the packaged goods, preferably wherein thermoformed protrusions act as dividers, separating the packaged goods from each other in the secondary packaging.

21. A process of unpacking a thermoformed thermoplastic secondary packaging, the process involving taking a secondary packaging according to any one of claims 18 to 20, removing the exterior polymeric film wrapping, separating the two halves whilst retaining the packaged consumer goods supported in one of the halves, placing the packaging half with the cavity opening uppermost, presenting the contained packaged consumer goods for individual removal from the cavity half by a consumer.