GB2419348A

GB2419348A - Transport and display packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2419348A
Application number: GB0521605A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Linsey Brookes
Original assignee: Mondi Packaging UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mondi Packaging UK Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-22
Filing date: 2005-10-24
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-24
Also published as: GB0423471D0; GB0521605D0; GB2419348B

Abstract

Packaging folded from a blank defines a cavity into which at least one item may be placed prior to closing the package and, following closure, may be converted into a display format by removing one or more portions of the package. The removable portion may comprise a top defined by flaps (18 - 24) delimited by lines of weakness (28, 33) and following such removal, a display tray is formed. A wall of the package may include an inwardly folded portion (32) defining a double wall, retained by tabs (34) which engage in apertures (36).

Description

1 2419348 Packaging 1ihc invention to watch this application relates Is

packaging for USt' In containing, and the subsequent display of itcins such as, for cxamplt, In a retail outlet: such as a supermarket or the like.

In particular the nventton relates to packaging which can be used in the contanmcnt of Items for transport and which can subsequently be transft> rmcd Into a display format.

l he use of paclcagtng for items Is well known and cc>nvcnttonally has taLcn tWo forms, a first form of wrappers and/or thin walled cartons, each of which define an item tr> be purchased, such as, for cxarnple, a pack of biscutts, and a second form in which the items arc contains-d in an outt-r carton made of cardboat-d in tint' form c>f a box. he second forte is used to hold a sertes of the items and then allow the safe, protected, transport of the same to the retail premises. Upon arrival at the premises the Items are conventionally taken from the box and placed on shelving for display. Alternatvc-ly the Items can be placed on a tray prior to placing In the cuter box and, when t-hc same reach the retail premises the trays and items are removed for display.

rlihc eonvtntonal procedure is used extensively but Is wasteful of material in that there is repoured to be two or even three types of packaging, all of whteh Is subsequently discarded. A further problem is that the packing and, more importantly, unpaeliing of the items for display at the retail premises is time consutnng and expensive in terms of human resc>urees.

l he aim of the present nvent>n is to provide packaging in a form whiel1 can be used to> allow the protected transport of Items to a particular location and, at the location, be converted Into a format to allow the display of said Items without the need for tle items to be removed from the packaging.

I n a first aspect calf the nventi<-'n there Is}provided packaging, said packaging when erected defining a cavity Intel which at least (-)nc Item can be placed and subsequently enclosed to form a first pac] caging format, wherein following enclosure, the packaging Is convertible into a second display format by the selective removal of one or more} portions of the packaging and without the ncccl to remove the at: least one item from the packaging.

In one embodiment, the packaging in the first packaging format Is a box and In the see<'nd display format is a tray. Preferably rho zinc or more portions of the paelcaging which are removed to move the packaging from the first format to the seeonc3 format art defined by cane or more lines of weakening and/or frangible p-'rtiorls on said packaging. In cane embodiment the packaging nelucles printed instructions to allow the packaging to be moved to the correct orientation prior to removal of said portion or portions.

Tn one cmbotlimcNt, the packaging is provided initially as a flattened, partially formed blank to the paelcing location whercupc>n the blank is manipulated to form an open box defining a cavity therein. At least one item can be located in the cavity and enclosed therewith.

lrcferably at: least one of the walls ' f the packaging includes a double wall afar panel thickness portion. It ngagement means can be provided on the panel of the double wall thielcness portion to allow the rct-cution of the portion in the doullc wall thickness p-'siton.

Preferably the engagement means inclucles one or more tab Abortions which are located in one or more apertures or slots.

In one crnbodiment, the double wall thickness portion forms the front wall of the packaging and serves to provide a strengthened front wall. This can be in both the first and second formats or lust the second format.

Lyle double wall or panel thickness portion is formed is formed In one ermb>dirnent by Wontedly or foldngly moving at least one panel or part thereof to a position adJacent/abutting a further panel or part of said further panel.

I'referably the part of the at least one panel Which forms the double wall thickness portion is an intermediate portion of the front wall panel.

In one ernboclimerlt one or more further apertures and/cr tabs are pr<-> vLled on the one or mor e removable portions of the I: packaging for the location of a person s fingers therein to allow the portion to be removed to be gripped and sufficient force to be exerted to break the lines of weakening.

Preferably the packaging Is formed from cardboard material and further preferably the material Is corrugated boarcl.

I'reYerably the one or more port-'ns of the pacliagng that are removed include at least a part of the top and front panel of the packaging.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a blank said blank including a plurality of panels which when erected forms an stern of packaging defining a cavity into which at least one Item can be placed and subsequently enclosed to form a first packaging format, wherein the panels of the blank are arranged such that fcll'wing ereeti>n and enel'surc, the formed pae]<agirlg is convertible into a second display format by the seleet-tvc removal of one or more lot-tic.ns 'f the packaging and without the need tr' remcve the at least OtlC item fr'rn the packaging.

In a further aspect of the invention there Is provicted a method Off packaging and displaying at Ieast one stem, said tnethod including the steps of erecting a blank including a plurality of panels into a packaging defining a cavity into whicl1 the at least one Item can be placed, subsequently enclosing said packaging to form a first packaging format ancl, when the packaging tS to' be ripened, selectively retncvtng cane or m're prrtt>ns of the packaging t<' convert the same Into a seeonct display format wtth'ut the need t' retn'vc the at least one item fr'tn the packaging.

In accordance with this method, these is nc' need for the items, nee solaced Into the packaging, to be removed thc-reft'rn, even when the packaging is moved froth the fit st format to the displayed f->rtnat.

I'ypieally, the double thtekrless wall portion f-'rtns the front edge of the packaging when in the display format so as to provide additional strength thereto-.

In one emlJodiment, the rctnoval of the portions of the packaging Is aided lay the provision of apertures and/or tabs to allow the gripping thereof by the fingers of a person tc' allow sufficient force to be exerted thereon to overcome and break t]lC lines of wealienirlg.

typically, in whichever aspect of the invention, the panel with portion used to form the double thickness wall is of a similar outlnc dimension to the opposing equivalent panel such that the double thickness wall can be formed without the need for additional material to be useci.

In one cmbcdrneot: the material used is corrugate<: board.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wheren: ligures 1 a to f illustrate packaging in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and the formation and subsequent change in format of the same; anti I;ig,- ures 2a to c illustrate examples <' f packaging blanks accordance with the invention.

Referring to the I7igures, there is provided an item of packaging t In accordance with an emb-)dimcot of the invention. :

l he item of packaging is formed from one of the blanks as shown In ligures 2a, b and c. leach <' f the blanks, in this example, comprises a series of panels, panels 2 and 4 forming the side walls of the packaging when erected, panel 6 forming the front end of the packaging and panel 8 forming the rear.

Panels 10, 12, 14 and 1G when nterlinkcd, form the base c)f the packaging and panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 form the top of the packaging. lithe blank Is further pr ovided with fold lines 26 inclcated by the broken lines In the l;igures and, within the panels, lines of weakening 28. In addition, a further fold line is provided on the panel 6 which allows the portion 32 to be folded about the fold line such that the engagement means in the form of tabs 34 can be ideated in the apertures 36 as will be explained with regard to ltgures la try f.

lathe formation of the blank is typically automatically performed as is the joining 'f the tab 38 to the opposing edge 40 to forum the blank into a pre-glued, flattened form in which the same is transferred to the location for packing of items therein. ()nee provided at said location, the llanlc is moved to the erected e,nditi'rl as sh<'wrl in lecture la. It will be appreciated that the length of each of the 'pp'sing walls and top panels is the same so that:, in accordance with the current Invention, no additional material is required to be provided In this item of packaging than would be provided try form a normal box for containing the Items.

Before placing the items into the erected packaging, manipulation of the panel 6 Is recuired. 'I'hs manipulation nv<,lvcs the folding of the trip part 6' arid a trip panel 20 inwardly of the packaging as indicated by arrow 42 in I;'igure lb. lle intermediate p>rti'n 32:'f the front panel Is fielded inwardly and downwardly as indicated by arrow 44 such that the tabs 34 on the same engage in the apertures 36 and form a front portion 6" of dribble wall thickness. At this stage the line of weakening 34 is nc:>t br>ken. With this achieved, the remainder 6' calf the panels 6 arid the top panel 20 are brought back to a substantially vertical position as indicated by arrow 46 and the trip edge of panel 20 is lower that the tither top edges Off the tither panels. plexus, with all the side and end walls and top panels in the vertical posti<>n, the items can then packaged into the cavity 48. 'I'he actual packing of the items IS not shown in I;gures la to f fair ease calf illustration lout it will be appreciated that typically the entire cavity 48 will be filled with the items such as fair example, packs off ehceclate biscuits.

With the items placed therein, the top panels 18, 20, 22 and 24 can be fielded about the fold lines 4) downwardly t' enclose the cavity 48 and thereby allow Else ecmpletecl package in the form calf the box as shown in Figure 1 c tr' be transported with the Items therein pr cteeted.

Figure If illustrates the further manipulation off the packaging in acc<> rdanee with the nventi-'n for the display formats Said further manipulates requires the Persian, at the l'eat'n f'r display 'f the items, t' remove the prrt:on 50 <'f the item 'f paeliaging defined lay the lines <'f weakening 28,33 by typically placing Choir fingers through the apertures 52, 54 and then exerting an upward force as indicated by arrow 56 so as to break the lines of weakening 28,33 which were formect in the blank.

The breaking of these lines of weakening leaves a tray portion 58 in which the items are already placed as the same have not Icon required to lie moved since they were first packed into the item 0 f p ackaging.

Thus, In accordance with the invention, there is provided an item off packaging which provides for the safe and protected transport of the items trek] therein and furthermore, allows for the display of the Items within the packaging In a second format with the items remaining in situ in the said packaging throughout the change of format.

Glee invention therefore ensures that items in the packaging can lie transported and displayed without the same having to lie removed from the packaging. 'lhis reduces time in terms of unpacking and packing at the retail premises, reduces wastage of material and importantly, allows this to be achieved with an Item of packaging which uses the same or a minimal extra amount of packaging matcral.

Claims

(claims: 1. Packaging, said packaging when erected dcfning a cavity into

which at least one item can be placed and subscclucntly enckscd to form a fit-et packaging format, wherein following cncksurc, the packaging is convcrtblc into a second display format by the sclcctivc removal of 'nc or m'rc p-'rtons of the packaging and without the need to remcvc the at least 'nc item from the packaging.
2. I'ackaging according tr' claim I wherein the first packaging format Is a box and the second display format Is a tray.
3. I'ackaging according to claim 1 wherein the one or more removable portions arc dcEincd by lines off weakness or frangilJlc means on said packaging.
4. I'ackaging according to claim I wherein the packaging Includes printed instructions to allow the packaging to be moved into the e<-'rreet orientation prior to removal of said : one or more portions.
5. I'ackaging according to claim I wherein the packaging is initially provided in a blank form, whereupon the blank Is manipulatet3 to form an open box defining a cavity therein, whereupon the at least one item is Ideated in the cavity and enclosed therein.
6. Packaging according to claim 1 wherein at least one wall of the packaging includes a double wall or panel thickness portion.
7. Packaging according to claim 6 wherein engagement means are provided on a panel of the double wall thickness portion to allow retention of the panel In said double wall thickness position.
8. Packaging according to claim 7 wherein the engagement tneans ineluLles one or more tab portions which are loeatccl In one or snore apertures or slots.
9. packagtlg aeeordng to claim 6 wherein the double wall Ot panel thickness portion fortes a front wall of the packaging.
I (). l'ackaging aeeorcltng to elaitn 6 wherein the double wall or panel thickness portion Is formed by hingeclly or foldingly moving at least one panel or p art of at least one panel acljaeent to a further panel car further part calf said p anel.
11. l'ackaging according to claim 10 wherein the part of the at Icast one panel which forms the doullc wall thickness portion is an Intermediate portion of the front wall panel.
12. Packaging according to claim I wherein one or more further apertures and/or tabs are provided on the one or more removalle portions of the paelcagng to allow removal.
13. I'aekaging according to claim I where the p aekaging is formed from cardboard material.
14. l'aelcaging aeeorcling to claim l 3 wherein the cardboard material is corrugated leotard.
15. Packaging according to claim I wherein the one or more portions of the packaging that are removed Include at: least a part of the top and front panel of the packaging.
16. A blank, said blank including a plurality of panels which, when erected, forms an item ->f packaging defining a cavity into which at least one Item can be placed and subsequently enclosed to form a first packaging format, wherein the panels of the l:'lank are arranged such that following erection and enclosure, the formed packaging is convertible into a second display format 1:' y the selective removal of one or more portions of the packaging and without the nCcd to remove the at least cane item front the packaging.
17. A method of packaging and displaying at least one item, said method including the steps ' f erecting a blank Including a plurality of panels into a packaging defining a cavity into which the at least one item can be placecl, 2 subsequently enclosing said packaging to form a first : packaging format and, when the packaging is to be <-'penecl, selectively removing one ->r more portions of the packaging to convert the same Into a second display format without the need to remove the at least one item from the paelcaging.