GB2369110A

GB2369110A - Point of sale display cases

Info

Publication number: GB2369110A
Application number: GB0127524A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lesley John Groves
Original assignee: Kappa Corrugated Ltd
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa Corrugated UK Ltd
Priority date: 2000-11-16
Filing date: 2001-11-16
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-16
Also published as: GB2369110B; GB0028011D0; GB0127524D0

Abstract

A case is erectable from a blank having opposed ends 12,14 fastenable together to form tubular assembly of side walls. A first opposed pair of the side walls have respective base flaps 28, 30 connected to them. A further opposed pair of the side walls 20, 22 have, at their ends proximate to the base flaps, a transverse fold line 38 delineating a panel 44 that can be folded inwardly so as to extend upwardly towards the base flaps 28, 30 and be fastened thereagainst in the erected case to form a spacer foot 52. The spacer foot includes a ground engaging panel 42 and a diagonal bracing panel 46 (Fig.3). A sub-divider 80 for the case comprises sheet material cut and folded to form, in use in the erected case, a base panel 88 for sub-dividing the case contents into horizontally extending layers, and at least two upwardly extending panels 82, adapted to sub-divide each layer into adjacent cells. Alternatively, a subdivider (Fig.7) may have a base panel, and side, rear and front panels connected by corner flaps, the rear panel bearing arms for defining cells. A cover (Fig.4) may close the top of the case.

Description

POINT OF SALE DISPLAY CASES This invention relates to packaging that may be used in retail outlets to display goods such as crisps or similar snack foods, for customer selection. More particularly, it relates to relatively large display cases of corrugated board or similar foldable sheet material.

Cases are known, which include feet or spacers at the bottom, allowing them to be handled by a pallet truck or dolly, and an example is in Linpac's U. K. 2 313 361. There is however scope for improvement in feet resisting both impact and steady loads, and easily erected.

The present invention provides a case erectable from a blank having opposed ends fastenable together to form a tubular assembly of side walls, a first opposed pair of which have base flaps connected thereto and a further opposed pair of which have at their ends proximate to said base flaps, transverse fold lines delineating panels that can be folded to form, with end portions of the side walls, quadrangular-section spacer feet with bottom panels adapted to lie on a support surface, panels that extend upwards towards the base flaps and are held in place by locking formations, and bracing panels that lie across the hollow interiors of the feet in firm engagement with opposite angles thereof.

A construction as above with locking formations such as tabs and slits affords a strong construction with no more than the parts specified, economical of board and conveniently erected. The locking formations are then conviently provided where the upwardly extending panels meet the base panels.

However in alternative constructions, the spacer feet comprise upper horizontal panels lying adjacent to the base flaps in the erected case and, optionally, outer vertical panels carried by the horizontal panels and lying adjacent to the end portions of the side walls, the bracing panels being carried by the horizontal or the vertical panels as the case may be.

In such constructions the locking formations may be provided as above or for example where horizontal panels meet the side walls of the case, so that the upwardly extending panels are held in place indirectly rather than directly.

The first pair of side walls may continue below the level of the base flaps in the erected case, to cover the ends of the feet.

Preferably, the base flaps overlap, most preferably across the entire width of the erected case, to provide a strong and stable construction.

Within such large display cases, it may be desirable to sub-divide the interior space, for example to segregate different kinds of contents, such as different flavours of food products, for customer selection. Sub-division may also be desirable in order to relieve mechanical forces arising in transit or due to the weight of product above. It is known to insert horizontal sheets of corrugated board called layer pads into a bulk transit case, to sub-divide the contents into horizontal layers, thereby improving the protection offered by the packaging. Such layer pads do not assist in segregation of product for customer selection.

Large display cases may also present filling difficulties. Packers who repeatedly have to reach into the bottom of a deep case are liable to suffer from repetitive strain injury (RSI).

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a sub-divider for a bulk transit and/or display case comprises sheet material cut and folded to form, in use in the erected case, a base panel for sub-dividing the case contents into horizontally extending layers, and at least two upwardly extending panels, adapted to sub-divide each layer into adjacent cells. The upwardly extending panels may be arranged to extend upwardly away from the sub-divider base panel in the case whereby the sheet forms a relatively shallow tray which can be easily loaded with product outside the case, and is then dropped or lowered into it, so reducing the risk of RSI, as well as speeding up the filling process. Alternatively, the upwardly extending panels may be arranged to extend upwardly towards the sub-divider base panel in the case, and the base panel being hingeable from a position in which it lies folded upwardly against a side of the case to allow filling, to a position lying across the case for subdivision of the contents into the horizontal layers. In that position, the base panel is preferably supported on the edges of its upwardly extending panels. For both forms of sub-divider, the base panel of one subdivider is preferably supported in use in a case on the edges of the upwardly extending panels of an adjacent sub-divider. This forms a shelf-like structure that helps to relieve vertical loading on the case contents.

Further preferred features and advantages of the invention in its various aspects are described below, with reference to illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings, in which: Fig. I shows a blank for a half pallet display case embodying the invention; Fig. 2 shows a similar blank for a Y4 pallet display case; Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a panel folding sequence for forming a pallet foot; Figs. 3a-b are variants of Fig. 3; Figs. 4 and 5 show blanks for caps for the cases of Figs. I and 2 respectively; and Figs. 6 and 7 show blanks for forming sub-dividing shelf units for use in the cases of Figs. 1 and 2 respectively.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 the display cases formed from the blanks 10 are of a generally similar construction, but respectively have base areas roughly corresponding to half a standard pallet, and one quarter of a standard pallet (e. g. 985 x 515mm and 585 x 485mm internally, respectively). Each blank 10 is formed by cutting and creasing a single sheet of foldable material such as corrugated board. The blank 10 has an end flange 12 which may be fastened, e. g. glued or stitched, to an opposite end 14 of the blank, to form a tubular assembly.

This assembly will comprise a first opposed pair of side walls 16,18, and a further opposed pair of side walls 20,22, separated from each other along fold lines 24 which extend vertically in the erected display case. Cut-outs 26 aligned with the fold lines 24 define a pair of base flaps 28,30, respectively delineated from the first side walls 16,18, along fold lines 32,34. The base flaps 28,30 are dimensioned so that, in the erected case, they fully overlap each other, so as each to extend across the full width of the case, providing a strong, stable, double thickness base.

The further side walls 20,22 are each provided at their ends closest to the base flaps 28, 30, with a series of parallel fold lines 36,38, 40, respectively delineating a bottom, ground-engaging panel 42, an upwardly extending panel 44 and a diagonal bracing panel 46. As shown in Fig. 3, the bottom panel is folded inwardly about the line 36, the upwardly extending panel 44 is folded upwardly about the line 38, and the bracing panel 46 is folded downwardly about the line 40 so as to extend from the line 40 towards the line 36, diagonally across the tubular foot structure 52 thus formed. The side edges of the base flaps 28,30 are thereby supported on the panels 44,46, along the fold line 40.

A die cut arrowhead tab 48 is struck out from the panel 46, so as to be engageable in corresponding slots 50 formed in the base panels 28,30, to hold the foot structure 52 together.

Figs. 3a and 3b show alternative pallet foot 52 constructions. In Fig. 3a, an additional, upper horizontal, panel 54 is provided between the upwardly extending panel 44 and the bracing panel 46, adjacent to the edge of the bottom flap 30. The tab 58 is therefore struck out from the upper horizontal panel 54. In Fig. 3b a yet further, vertical, panel 56 is provided between the upper horizontal panel 54 and the bracing panel 46. These further panels strengthen the foot structure in comparison to the structure of Fig. 3.

The first side panels 16,18 include downward continuations or"modesty panels"58 which cover the ends of the foot structures 52, to produce a neat finished appearance to the erected case. The visible parts of the foot structures 52 formed by the lower ends of the further panels 20,22 are continuous with these panels. They are therefore capable of carying printed graphics so as to be indistinguishable from the remainder of the further panels 20, 22. The modesty panels 58 are similarly overprintable. Because the blank 10 is formed as one piece, stock control and assembly problems are reduced. There is no requirement to glue on pallet feet which, besides simplifying assembly, also produces a foot which will not be accidentally broken off. The display cases of the invention may be produced in a wide variety of sizes and in various material grades. As a single sheet of material forms the blank 10, recyclable board may be used to form the entire display case. The case is easily broken down and flattened for recycling or return. The single glued or stitched flange 12 used in the preferred embodiments makes them simple to manufacture on a wide variety of existing case making machinery.

Figures 4 and 5 show one-piece blanks 60 of corrugated board, forming caps for the display cases of Figs. 1 and 2 respectively. Fold lines 62 delineate edge panels 64,65 from a top panel 66. Comer flaps 68 include cuts 70 which define tabs 72. Slots 74 cut into the edge panels 65 receive the tabs 72, to hold the edge panels 64,65 erect. In use by the retailer, the cap is removed from the case, and also a tear-out panel defined by a cut line 76 extending part-way through the panel 18. The case contents are therefore displayed for customer selection. A top header (not shown) may be applied to the case by suitable clips, or held by pivot pins received in holes 98 in the further side panels 20, 22, Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 shows a blank 80 for a shelf unit to be installed in the display case of Fig. 1, to act as a sub-divider for separating the case contents into a number of discrete zones. Two panels 82 which extend upwardly in the erected shelf unit are delineated from a back panel 84 along fold lines 86. A base panel 88 is joined to the back panel 84 along a fold line 90, and separated from the upwardly extending panels 82 by cuts 92. Upon erection in the case, the panels 82 are folded about the lines 86 to form a U-shape, with the panels 84 and 88 lying upright against the first side panel 16 of the case, and the panels 82 extending forwardly towards the panel 18. Locking tabs 94 are received in slots 96 formed in the case base flaps 28,30, to hold the shelf unit in position. Product is then filled into the shelf unit up to the height of the panels 82. The panels 82 divide this filled layer into different horizontal zones, for example each containing a different flavoured food product. The base panel 88 is then folded downwardly about the line 90, to lie horizontally across the case, separating the layers of product. The base panel 88 contains further slots 96, so that further shelf units 80 may be added to the display case 10. It also has an edge panel 100, delineated by a fold 102. This extends vertically upwardly away from the base panel 88 in the case 10, so as to retain product when the removable part of the side panel 18 has been tom out. Product in each horizontal zone of each layer nevertheless is then clearly visible and readily accessible for customer selection.

Fig. 7 shows a blank 110 for a tray-like sub-divider for the display case of Fig. 2. The blank includes a base panel 112, side panels 114, a rear panel 116 and a front panel 118.

Comer flaps 120 are delineated from the side panels 114 and front 118 and rear 116 panels by cut-outs 122 and fold lines 124 respectively. The comer flaps 120 are cut at 126 to form tabs 128 engageable in slots 130 in the side panels 114 to hold the tray erect.

Product segregation arms 132 are delineated from the rear panel 116 and side panels 114 by cranked cuts 134 and fold lines 136. The arms 132 are folded towards each other so as to lie in parallel across the width of the erected tray. They have end panels 138 which are folded to lie against the base panel 112. Die cut locking tabs 140 are engageable in slots 142 in the base panel.

The tray so formed may be loaded with product at a convenient working height, with different products being loaded into the different zones between the segregation arms 132, if desired. The loaded tray may then be simply dropped into the case 10, Fig. 2, without stooping or stretching. Further trays may be similarly filled and dropped in, to build up multiple layers of product in the case. The low-height front panel 118 forms a retaining lip which, when the removable part of the display case side panel 18 is tom out, prevents product from falling out. As with the arrangement of Figs. 1 and 6, the product in each segregated zone nevertheless remains visible and accessible for selection. The blanks 10 for the display cases and the blank 110 for the sub-divider may be provided with hand holes 144 at convenient locations.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A case erectable from a blank having opposed ends fastenable together to form a tubular assembly of side walls, a first opposed pair of which have base flaps connected thereto and a further opposed pair of which have, at their ends proximate to said base flaps, transverse fold lines delineating panels that can be folded to form, with end portions of the side walls, quadrangular-section spacer feet with bottom panels adapted to lie on a support surface, panels that extend upwards towards the base flaps and are held in place by locking formations, and bracing panels that lie across the hollow interiors of the feet in firm engagement with opposite angles thereof.
2. A case as defined in claim I in which the spacer feet comprise upper horizontal panels lying adjacent to the base flaps in the erected case and, optionally, outer vertical panels carried by the horizontal panels and lying adjacent to the end portions of the side walls in the erected case, the bracing panels being carried by the horizontal or the vertical panels as the case may be.
3. A case as defined in claim 1 or claim 2 where the locking formations are provided where the upwardly extending panels meet the base panels.
4. A case as defined in any preceding claim in which the first pair of side walls continue below the level of the base flaps in the erected case, to cover the ends of the feet.
5. A case as defined in any preceding claim in which the base flaps overlap.
6. A case as defined in claim 5 in which the base flaps overlap across the entire width of the erected case.
7. A sub-divider for a bulk transit and/or display case which comprises sheet material cut and folded to form, in use in the erected case, a base panel for sub-dividing the case contents into horizontally extending layers, and at least two upwardly extending panels, adapted to sub-divide each layer into adjacent cells.
8. A sub-divider as defined in claim 7 in which the upwardly extending panels are arranged to extend upwardly away from the sub-divider base panel in the case.
9. A sub-divider as defined in claim 7 in which the upwardly extending panels are arranged to extend upwardly towards the sub-divider base panel in the case, and the base panel is hingeable from a position in which it lies folded upwardly against a side of the case to allow filling, to a position lying across the case for subdivision of the contents into the horizontal layers.
10. A sub-divider as defined in claim 9 in which the base panel is supported on the edges of its upwardly extending panels.
11. A sub-divider as defined in any of claims 7 to 9 in which the base panel of one such sub-divider is supported in use in a case on the edges of the upwardly extending panels of an adjacent such sub-divider.
12. A case substantially as described with reference to or as shown in Figures 1 to 3.
13. A sub-divider for a bulk transit and/or display case substantially as described with reference to or as shown in Figures 6 and 7.
14. In combination, a case as defined in any of claims 1 to 6 or 12 and a sub-divider as defined in any of claims 7 to 11 or 13.