GB2330129A

GB2330129A - Packaging assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2330129A
Application number: GB9721549A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marshall Berrisford
Original assignee: STAFFORDSHIRE TABLEWARE Ltd
Current assignee: STAFFORDSHIRE TABLEWARE Ltd
Priority date: 1997-10-11
Filing date: 1997-10-11
Publication date: 1999-04-14
Also published as: GB9721549D0

Abstract

A packaging assembly 10 suitable for containing a mug 12, bowl 14 and plate 16 is constructed from a single blank. The assembly 10 comprises two rectangular boxes 20,22 pivotally connected together by a hinge portion of the blank so as to be openable in the manner of a book between an open position, and a closed position wherein one of the boxes 20,22 lies on the other. Respective formations are provided in the boxes 20,22 to restrainably receive the mug 12, bowl 14 and plate 16.

Description

PACKAGING ASSEMBLY This invention concerns a packaging assembly, and particularly but not exclusively a packaging assembly for use with ceramic articles.

A packaging assembly for ceramic articles preferably allows the product to be attractively displayed, as well as securely stored and transported. It is not always possible to meet both of these requirements. This can particularly be the case in packaging for a small set of articles or even individual articles, such as one or more mugs and perhaps corresponding plates or similar.

According to the present invention there is provided a packaging assembly, the assembly comprising first and second parts pivotally mounted together to be movable between a closed position in which the first and second parts are substantially parallel with inner faces of the first and second parts facing each other, and an open position in which the first and second parts are inclined relative to each other and the inner faces are visible, at least one of the first and second parts comprising a formation in the inner face thereof to receive an item such that the item can be viewed in the open position and is securely held in the assembly in the closed position.

The formation may be such as to receive an item in a friction fit, and/or may comprise a retaining member or members behind which an item is locatable.

Formations may be provided in the first and second parts.

The formations may be such as to receive an item of holloware, such as a mug, desirably in a friction fit. As well as a friction fit, or as an alternative, the formations may include a member which in use extends into an item of holloware to retain same in the assembly.

Alternatively or in addition, a formation may be provided to locate an item of flatware such as a plate or bowl, and such a formation may comprise a plurality of members behind which the item of flatware is restrainably locatable.

A one, and preferably both of, the first and second parts are of a thickness such that at least a part of items held by the assembly is located within the respective part.

Where a formation is provided to receive an article which article in use extends from a respective one of the parts, a corresponding further formation may be provided in the other respective part locatable opposite said formation when in the closed position to receive the portion of the item which extends from said formation.

The assembly may comprise formations for receiving an item in each of the first and second parts, which formations face each other in the closed position.

The first and/or second parts may be hollow and may comprise generally rectangular boxes. The assembly may be made from a blank, and preferably a single blank. The assembly may be made of card, and desirably corrugated card.

A formation for receiving an item in a friction fit may comprise an opening in the inner face of a one of the first or second parts. Desirably the piece of material cut to define the opening is not cut on two opposite sides of the opening, with said piece being cut into two portions which extend respectively from the two opposite sides, and the portions are such that an item pushed into the opening pushes said portions into the opening, and engages with said portions. Any further respective formation preferably comprises an opening in the other of the first and second parts, of a size at least as big as the opening in said one part.

A formation for receiving an item of flatware may comprise a generally hexangular opening of a size such that the item can be located in the opening and restrained therein by the side of the hexagon overlapping the item.

Preferably at least some of the blank cut to form the opening is joined to a side of the opening and extends into the opening so as to urge an item located therein against the overlapping sides.

The invention also provides a packaging assembly for one or more ceramic articles, the assembly being according to any of the preceding ten paragraphs.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in an open condition; and Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank usable to make the assembly of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a packaging assembly 10 suitable for containing a mug 12 (handle not shown), bowl 14 and plate 16. The assembly 10 is constructed from a single blank 18 which will be described below. In the blank cut lines are shown solid, and fold lines are shown broken. The assembly 10 comprises two rectangular boxes 20,22 pivotally connected together by a hinge portion 24 of the blank 18 so as to be openable in the manner of a book between an open position as shown in Fig. 1 and a closed position wherein a one of the boxes 20,22 lies on the other.

A first of the boxes 20 is of greater depth than the box 22. A rectangular cut out 26 is provided in the upper half of the inner face of the box 20 as shown in Fig. 1. A respective flap 30 extends from each of the lower and upper edges of the cut out 26 to extend into the box 20.

An octagonal cut out 32 is provided in the inner face below the cut out 26. The material of the blank 18 to form the cut out 32 is cut in a cruciform manner to provide four flaps 34 each connected respectively to a one of the top, bottom and side faces of the cut out 32 by folds 35. Inward folds 36 are provided on each of the flaps 32 parallel to the respective fold 35 at a distance therefrom equal to the internal thickness of the box 20.

A rectangular cut out 38 is provided in the box 22, and the cut out 38 is equal in size and dimensions to the cut out 26. The cut out 38 is similar to the cut out 26 and is provided with flaps 40, but fold lines 42 are provided across the flaps 40 parallel to the sides thereof and at a distance from the side edges of the cut out 38 equal to the depth of the box 22. A similar octagonal cut out 44 is provided again with flaps 46 with inward folds 48 at positions corresponding to the depth of the box 22. The cut out 44 is a little larger than the cut out 32.

In use as a packaging assembly for the products 12, 14 and 16, the mug 12 is located in a friction fit in the cut out 26 with the top and bottom of the mug 12 engaging against the flaps 28. When the assembly 10 is closed the part of the mug 12 extending from the cut out 26 locates in the cut out 38. The bowl 14 is located within the cut out 32 and is of a size to be retained therein by the sides of the cut out 32 not provided with the flaps 34. The flaps 34 urge the edge of the bowl 14 against the underside of said edges to hold the bowl 14 in position. The slightly larger plate 16 fits in a similar manner in the cut out 44.

The assembly 10 is formed from a blank 18 as follows. The box 20 is formed from a side edge 50, back panel 52, further side edge 54 and front panel 56 extending sequentially from the hinge portion 24. Side flaps 58 are provided on each end of the side edges 50 and 54. The ends of the box 20 are formed by two strips 60,62 extending respectively from each end of the panel 52. A tab 64 is provided on the free end of the outermost strip 62 and is engageable in a respective slot 66 provided at each end of the panel 52.

Flaps 68 are provided on the ends and free side of the front panel 56.

The cut out 26 is provided by two vertical cuts 70 (as shown in Fig. 1), and, the flaps 28 are formed by a horizontal cut 72 midway across the cut out 26 and fold lines 73. The octagonal cut out 32 is formed by cuts 74 formed where the flaps 34 are not connected, and the flaps 34 are formed by the cruciform cut 76.

The box 22 is connected to the box 20 by the double folded hinge portion 24, and is formed in a similar manner to the box 22 except as follows. The respective side edges 30',54', strips 60',62' and flaps 68' are smaller as the depth of the box 22 is less. As noted above folds 42 are provided across the flaps 40 in view of this smaller size. The blank 18 can be folded into the erect assembly 10 as shown in Fig. 1 in a conventional manner and without the requirement for glue.

The assembly 10 can be given the appearance of a book with images and/or text on the inside faces of the boxes 20,22. The assembly provides an attractive appearance when open as shown in Fig. 1, and permits the articles held therein to be displayed, along with any such images and text. When in a closed position the assembly can readily be stored and transported in any orientation. The assembly provides for ready yet protective storage of the fragile items contained therein. The assembly is of relatively straightforward construction and as noted above is formed from a single blank and does not require glueing nor any difficult assembling. Accordingly, such assemblies could readily be maintained in a flat condition and erected when required.

Whilst providing efficient and attractive storage, assemblies according to the invention are relatively inexpensive to manufacture due to the materials and conventional manufacturing techniques involved.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the assemblies may be arranged to contain different products or products in a different combination. For instance, assemblies could be made to contain two mugs, or just a single plate. Whilst the above described blank provides a number of advantageous features the assembly could be formed differently and for instance different means could be used to hold the items within the assembly. For example, instead of or in addition to a friction fit, for holloware the assembly could include a member such as a tongue in the blank, which extends into the items of holloware located in the assembly.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CTATM;- 1. A packaging assembly, the assembly comprising first and second parts pivotally mounted together to be movable between a closed position in which the first and second parts are substantially parallel with inner faces of the first and second parts facing each other, and an open position in which the first and second parts are inclined relative to each other and the inner faces are visible, at least one of the first and second parts comprising a formation in the inner face thereof to receive an item such that the item can be viewed in the open position and is securely held in the assembly in the closed position.
2. A packaging assembly according to claim 1, wherein the formation is such as to receive an item in a friction fit.
3. A packaging assembly according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the formation comprises a retaining member or members behind which an item is locatable.
4. A packaging assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein formations are provided in the first and second parts.
5. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the formations are such as to receive an item of holloware.
6. A packaging assembly according to claim 5, wherein the holloware is a mug.
7. A packaging assembly according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the item of holloware is received in a friction fit.
8. A packaging assembly according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the formations include a member which in use extends into an item of holloware to retain same in the assembly.
9. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a formation is provided to locate an item of flatware.
10. A packaging assembly according to claim 9, wherein the flatware is a plate or bowl.
11. A packaging assembly according to claims 9 or 10, wherein such a formation comprises a plurality of members behind which the item of flatware is restrainably locatable.
12. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a one of the first and second parts are of a thickness such that at least a part of items held by the assembly is located within the respective part.
13. A packaging assembly according to claim 12, wherein both of the first and second parts are of a thickness such that at least a part of items held by the assembly is located within the respective part.
14. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein where a formation is provided to receive an article which article in use extends from a respective one of the parts, a corresponding further formation is provided in the other respective part locatable opposite said formation when in the closed position to receive the portion of the item which extends from said formation.
15. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprises formations for receiving an item in each of the first and second parts.
16. A packaging assembly according to claim 15, wherein the formations face each other in the closed position.
17. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second parts are hollow.
18. A packaging assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first and/or second parts comprise generally rectangular boxes.
19. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly is made from a blank.
20. A packaging assembly according to claim 19, wherein the assembly is made from a single blank.
21. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims1 wherein the assembly is made of card.
22. A packaging assembly according to claim 21, wherein the assembly is made of corrugated card.
23. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the formation is such as to receive an item in a friction fit, and the formation comprises an opening in the inner face of a one of the first or second parts.
24. A packaging assembly according to claim 23, wherein the piece of material cut to define the opening is not cut on two opposite sides of the opening1 with said piece being cut into two portions which extend respectively from the two opposite sides, and the portions are such that an item pushed into the opening pushes said portions into the opening, and engages with said portions.
25. A packaging assembly according to claims 23 to 24, wherein any further respective formation comprises an opening in the other of the first and second parts, of a size at least as big as the opening in said one part.
26. A packaging assembly according to claim 9 or any of claims 10 to 25 when dependent on claim 9, wherein a formation for receiving an item of flatware comprises a generally hexangular opening of a size such that the item can be located in the opening and restrained therein by at least some of the sides of the hexagon overlapping the item.
27. A packaging assembly according to claim 26, wherein at least some of the blank cut to form the opening is joined to a side of the opening and extends into the opening so as to urge an item located therein against the overlapping sides.
28. A packaging assembly according to any of the preceding claims for one or more ceramic articles.
29. A packaging assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.
30. A blank usable to make a packaging assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
31. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.