JP2013521056A - Device for replenishing and displaying products and package assembly for use therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

  A device for replenishing and displaying a product is disclosed. The device is a package assembly having an outer sleeve having at least one aperture formed therein, and a product retaining insert slidably engaged within the outer sleeve, and an upper support A frame having a deck and a product display area, and an engagement feature extending from the frame. As the package assembly slides longitudinally on the upper support deck of the frame, the engagement feature extends through an aperture formed in the outer sleeve and engages the product retaining insert, thereby causing the package assembly to The product inside the volume is at least partially refilled from the package into the product display area.

Description

  A replenishment and display device for use at a point of sale (POS) location is disclosed. The disclosure is a display device that is adapted and configured to receive a carton or package containing a plurality of products on an upper deck of the display device, and facilitates opening of the carton and below the carton The present invention relates to an engagement feature for sequentially replenishing products into a display area. The disclosure also relates to a system including a refill and display device, such as those described above, and a package or carton of items that are specifically adapted for use with the refill and display device, wherein the package or carton is within the outer sleeve. Including an internal product-retaining insert slidably disposed within. The disclosure further relates to a blank for use in forming a carton or package adapted for use with the refill and display device described above.

  It is advantageous to present items and products in an eye-catching and easily accessible manner at a point-of-sale (POS) or display unit at a retail store / location. These POS or display units also serve as storage areas for goods and products. Therefore, it is desirable to maximize the amount of storage space utilized while at the same time allowing the customer to easily select and remove products for purchase. In order to accomplish this, it is desirable that the shelf be packed forward to present the next stored item so that the customer can easily select it when the item is removed. Some refillers have a spring-biased mechanism that pushes the item forward, and other known display devices use a gravity feed mechanism that allows the item to flow to the frontmost sales position. One such refilling device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,997, which has upper and lower jar guides, and a plurality of glass jar containers are loaded on its sides through the container loading area. . The refiller rack continuously feeds one container at a time to the container refill area, thereby providing a self-feeding and self-contained storage, refill and display system.

  A drawback of the system as disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,396,997 is that the refilling device is loaded manually and individually. In US Pat. No. 5,396,997, a rotatable door panel is provided so that loading occurs through an openable upper jar guide. Thus, the items are fed one at a time into the upper jar guide. Such loading is slow and therefore time consuming. Furthermore, the products displayed in the refill device are typically transported to retail stores in cartons or boxes containing a large number of such items. Thus, if the replenishment device is not capable of holding all the items contained in the carton or box to be delivered, any item that cannot be loaded into the replenishment device will be stored in the retail store until the replenishment device can accommodate these items. Need to be stored in partially empty cartons or boxes elsewhere.

U.S. Pat.No. 5,396,997

  Accordingly, it is desirable to improve the manner in which the refill device is filled. Filling is rapid and desirably allows the entire carton of goods to be delivered to be contained within the refill device. It is further desirable that the requirement to store extra items that cannot be displayed can be avoided.

  Furthermore, it is desirable that such refill devices be made from a minimum amount of material.

  Such replenishment devices should be as eye-catching to the customer as possible and include branding, advertising, and / or marketing material for this purpose. Because advertising and branding materials and graphics are frequently changed and altered in line with trends and promotions, replenishment devices are responsible for the branding, advertising, and marketing graphics that appear on replenishment devices. It is also desirable to be adaptable to facilitate rapid switching.

  A system for loading, replenishing, and displaying a plurality of products including a package assembly, a frame, and an engagement feature extending from the frame is disclosed.

  The package assembly has an outer sleeve having at least one aperture formed therein, and a product retaining insert slidably engaged within the outer sleeve. The outer sleeve and product retaining insert define a loading compartment for a plurality of products.

  A frame having longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections is an upper support deck that extends at least partially between the front and rear end sections and is provided with a product display area below the upper deck Including an upper support deck. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper support deck is inclined at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, it is currently envisioned that the upper support deck includes two longitudinally extending rails. The frame also includes first and second laterally opposite sidewalls that, in some structures, guide the package as the package moves longitudinally along the upper support deck in certain structures. Adapted and configured.

  As the package assembly slides longitudinally over the upper support deck of the frame toward the rear end section to the first position, the engagement feature extends through an aperture formed in the outer sleeve for product retention. Engage with the insert. As a result, when the outer sleeve slides longitudinally toward the front end section to the second position, the product retaining insert is constrained within the first position and the product is at least partially within the product display area from the package. It becomes possible to be replenished. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the engagement features and the frame can be a unitary structure or separate parts that are attached using various known techniques.

  In certain structures, it is envisioned that the product retaining insert includes a bottom panel having a hinged door formed therein. The hinged door opens when the outer sleeve slides longitudinally to the second position, thereby allowing the product to be at least partially refilled from the package into the product display area. Arranged. Alternatively, in some structures, the cross section of the product retaining insert is U-shaped.

  In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame further includes a lower display shelf. In some structures, the lower display shelf includes a lane divider to create two display channels within the product display area. Still further, the lower display shelf includes a rib that extends above to guide the product to the front end section of the frame.

  It is also envisioned that the frame can further include a back wall configured to direct the product to the product display area. In some structures, a guide ramp can be formed as part of the rear wall of the frame. In an alternative structure, a guide lamp can be formed as part of the lower display shelf.

  In certain structural embodiments of the present disclosure, the engagement feature may be formed in the upper support deck of the frame. Alternatively, the engagement feature can be formed in or extend from either of the lateral sidewalls of the frame.

  In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, it is envisioned that the frame includes a mechanism for securing the frame to a vertical wall. In addition, the frame can include a mechanism for securing the frame to the horizontal wall. It is envisioned that the front end section of the frame may include a structure or mechanism for displaying product related indicia.

  The present disclosure is also directed to a package assembly, the package assembly comprising an outer three having at least one aperture formed therein and a product retaining insert slidably engaged within the outer sleeve. And thereby the outer sleeve and the insert include a product retaining insert that is slidably movable relative to each other along the sleeve axis. The insert includes at least one engagement edge disposed such that the at least one engagement edge is accessible from the exterior of the outer sleeve through the at least one aperture; The engagement edge extends across the sleeve axis.

  In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the aperture formed in the outer sleeve has first and second opposing end edges disposed along the sleeve axis, and the engagement edge of the insert is Located or disposed between the first end edge and the second end edge when in the fully received position.

  In some structures, the outer sleeve has a closed end and an opposing open end, and the first end edge of the aperture is disposed closer to the closed end than the second end edge. Further, the engagement edge of the insert is disposed at a distance (D1) from the second end edge, the distance being comparable to the dimension (D2) of the access opening defined in the insert.

  In one structure, the insert comprises first and second adjacent walls, the first wall disposed to close the open end of the outer sleeve when the insert is in a fully received position. And the access opening is defined in the second wall proximate to the first wall. In such a structure, it is envisioned that the engaging edge of the insert may be provided by the second wall.

  These and other aspects of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a view of a blank for forming an outer sleeve for a package assembly constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an outer sleeve for a package assembly of the present disclosure constructed using the blank of FIG. 1 is a diagram of a blank for a product holding insert for a package assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a product retaining insert for the package assembly of the present disclosure constructed using the blank of FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a package assembly constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure using the outer sleeve of FIG. 2 and the product retaining insert of FIG. FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a package assembly constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure, with the outer sleeve moving longitudinally relative to the product holding insert, thereby forming at the bottom of the product holding insert The opened door opens. FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the package assembly shown in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of a display and refill device of the present disclosure. FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal center line of the frame shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal centerline of the frame shown in FIG. 8, showing the package assembly located in a first position on the upper support deck. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal centerline of the frame shown in FIG. 8, showing the package assembly in a second position on the upper support deck, with the product partially refilled from the package assembly. is there. FIG. 3 is an exemplary product that may be replenished and displayed using the devices and methods of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the package assembly of the present disclosure, wherein the product retaining insert has a U-shaped cross section.

  A detailed description of several embodiments of the disclosed refill and display device and package assembly is discussed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of how certain aspects of the disclosure may be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of the ways in which the disclosure may be embodied. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the devices and cartons described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials, or methods are not necessarily described in more detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations, but as a basis for the following claims and those skilled in the art to use the present disclosure in various ways. It is merely interpreted as a representative basis for teaching.

  Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown a package assembly 100 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The package assembly 100 includes an outer sleeve 20 (see FIG. 2) and a product holding insert 40 (see FIG. 4).

  FIG. 1 provides an illustration of a carton blank used to construct the outer sleeve 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the carton blank includes a top panel 22, a first side panel 24, a bottom panel 26, a second side panel 28, end closure flaps 30 a-30 d, and an adhesive flap 32. The main panels (top panel 22, first side panel 24, bottom panel 26, and second side panel 28) are hinged together in series along fold lines 34, 36, and 38, respectively. The The adhesive flap 32 is connected to the second side panel 26 along the fold line 39. End closing flaps 30a-30c are hinged to the opposing ends of the main panel along fold lines 10a-10d, respectively.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the blank can be folded into the outer sleeve 20, when the adhesive flap 32 is secured to the inner surface of the first side panel 24 and the end closure flaps 30a-30d are overlapped. It is fixed with the contact surface contacting. The end closure flaps 30a-30d may be secured using other suitable fastening means including adhesives or mechanical fasteners to form the composite front end wall 30 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). As shown in FIG. 2, a fully formed outer sleeve 20 is formed having one open end and one closed end.

  The outer sleeve 20 had an elongated aperture 12 formed in the bottom panel 26 and a weakened or perforated arcuate section 14 was provided in the top panel 22. The aperture 12 has a front end edge 15 and an opposing rear end edge 17 disposed along the sleeve axis XX of the outer sleeve 20. The purpose and function of aperture 12 and perforated section 14 are discussed in detail below.

  Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a blank used to construct a product holding insert 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the carton blank includes a top panel 42, a first side panel 44, a bottom panel 46, a second side panel 48, end closure flaps 50a-50d, and an adhesive flap 52. The main panels (top panel 42, first side panel 44, bottom panel 46, and second side panel 48) are hinged together in series along fold lines 54, 56, and 58, respectively. The The adhesive flap 52 is connected to the second side panel 46 along the fold line 59. End closing flaps 50a-50d are hinged to the opposing ends of the main panel along fold lines 60a-60c, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the blank can be folded into the product retaining insert 40, at which time the adhesive flap 52 is secured to the inner surface of the second side panel 48 and the end closure flaps 50a-50d are overloaded. Wrapped and fixed in contact with the surface. The end closure flaps 50a-50d may be secured using other suitable fastening means including adhesives or mechanical fasteners to form a composite front end wall 50 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 4, a fully formed product retaining insert 40 is formed having one open end and one closed end.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the product retaining insert 40 has a U-shaped perforation 62 formed in the bottom panel 46 and an arcuate cutout 64 is provided in the top panel 42. Further, a door 66 bounded by the separating lines 68a to 68c, 69a, 69b, and the folding line 60c is formed in the bottom panel 46. Separation line 68b extends across bottom panel 46 and is disposed substantially parallel to fold line 60c. Separation lines 68a and 68c each exit from the opposite end of separation line 68b, extend toward fold line 60c, and end at respective points spaced from fold line 60c. Separation lines 69a and 69b extend from the respective end points of separation lines 68a and 68c and extend to fold line 60c. Separation lines 68a and 69a are arranged in alignment with fold line 56, while separation lines 68c and 69b are arranged in alignment with fold line 58. The separation lines 69a and 69b are more fragile than the other separation lines 68a-68c. For example, separation lines 68a-68c are perforations, while separation lines 69a and 69b are score lines. U-shaped perforations 62, cutouts 64, and doors 66 are discussed in detail below.

  Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, FIGS. 5-7 show the product retaining insert 40 slidably received within the outer sleeve 20. In FIG. 5, the product holding insert 40 is fully inserted into the open end of the outer sleeve 20 such that the rear end wall 50 of the product holding insert 40 is aligned with the open end of the outer sleeve 20. In such a configuration, the U-shaped perforations or slits 62 formed in the bottom panel 46 of the retaining insert 40 are visible through the aperture 12 formed in the bottom panel of the outer sleeve 20. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains, outer sleeve 20 and product retaining insert 40 cooperate to define a loading compartment for a plurality of products.

  In FIGS. 6 and 7, the product retaining insert 40 is only partially inserted into the outer sleeve 20 such that the rear end wall 50 is positioned well beyond the open end of the outer sleeve 20. In this configuration, the door 66 formed on the bottom panel 46 of the retaining insert 40 is exposed and lowered to open. In FIG. 6, door 66 is shown as being folded down along fold line 71, which is substantially parallel to fold line 60c and each of separation lines 68a and 68c. Extends between the end points. The fold line 71 can be generated naturally when the door 66 is folded down or can be pre-formed when the blank 40 is cut. In such an embodiment, the separation lines 69a and 69b remain unbroken. Alternatively, the door 66 can be bent downward along the fold line 60c without depending on the fold line 71 formed in advance. In these alternative embodiments, the separation lines 69a and 69c are broken along with the other separation lines 68a-68c.

  With reference now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a frame 70 and an engagement feature 90 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. Frame 70 includes longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections 72 and 74, respectively, and includes an upper support deck 76 that extends partially between front end section 72 and rear end section 74 of frame 70. The upper support deck 76 is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal plane, and is inclined downward as the rear end section 74 of the frame 70 is approached. The product display area 80 is provided below the upper support deck 76. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the upper support deck 76 may include two longitudinally extending rails in addition to one or in addition to the full width platform without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Will.

  The frame 70 also has first and second laterally opposed features adapted and configured to guide the package assembly 100 as the package assembly 100 moves longitudinally along the upper support deck 76. Sidewalls 78a and 78b may be included.

  The frame 70 can also include an inclined lower display shelf 82. The lower display shelf 82 is inclined downward in a direction toward the front end section 72 of the frame 70. Ribs 84 extend upward from the lower display shelf 82 and are used to guide the product to the front end section 72 of the frame 70. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the product may have a non-uniform distribution of weight, and therefore bundled between the laterally opposed side walls 78a and 78b of the frame 70 or the lower display shelf 82. Rolling down will tend to be misaligned. An exemplary product “P” having a non-uniform distribution of weight is shown in FIG. This product “P” has a recess (R) or groove on its outer periphery. Ribs 84 formed in the lower display shelf engage the recess (R) formed in the product “P” to properly align the product as the product rolls toward the front end section 72 of the frame 70. Configured to maintain state. Further, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the lower display shelf 82 may include a lane divider if it is desired to create two display channels within the product display area.

  Frame 70 may also include a back wall 86 configured to guide the product to the product display area. In the structure shown in FIG. 9, the guide lamp 88 is formed as a part of the rear wall 86 and the lower display shelf 82 of the frame 70.

  The engagement feature 90 extends upward from the upper support deck 76 and is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the frame 70. As shown in FIG. 8, the engagement feature 90 is formed as part of the upper support deck 76 (ie, the monolithic structure of the upper support deck 76). However, the engagement feature 90 can be a separate part that is removable or modular or uses various means including, but not limited to, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or welding techniques. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that it can be secured to the upper support deck 76.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the engagement feature 90 is elongated and has a front inclined surface 92, a flat upper surface 94, and a rear surface 96 that is perpendicular to the upper surface 94.

  Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrating the operation of the display and refill device of the present disclosure, first, the package assembly, eg, the package assembly 100 described above, contacts the rear wall 86 of the frame 70. Until the upper support deck 76 is slid. When in this position, the flat top surface 94 of the engagement feature partially protrudes through the aperture 12 formed in the outer sleeve 20 of the package assembly 100 and pushes the bottom panel 46 of the product retaining insert 40 upward. As a result, the U-shaped perforation tears, producing a tab 63 (see FIG. 5) that projects upward and a torn engagement edge 65 on the bottom panel 46 of the product retaining insert 40. This torn engagement edge 65 engages the rear surface 96 of the engagement feature 90 and prevents movement of the retaining insert back toward the front end section 72 of the frame 70.

  The outer sleeve 20 can then move by using a finger hole created by sliding toward the front end section 72 of the frame 70 and tearing the perforated section 14 provided in the upper panel 22. When the outer sleeve 20 is fully retracted to expose the door 66 formed in the bottom panel 46 of the retaining insert 40, the door 46 opens and the product contained within the package assembly 100 opens the access opening 67. Allowing it to be refilled on the street and on the lower display shelf 82.

  Product “P” is continuously discharged from the package assembly 100 using gravity. The upper deck 76 is angled or inclined with respect to the lower level plane of the frame 70 so that the product “P” in the carton rolls gradually toward the door provided on the product holding insert 40. To promote. The guide lamp 88 prevents the product from rolling out of the frame 70, and advantageously provides a path for the product to follow, thereby allowing the product to move around the lower display shelf 82 and the lower display shelf 82. Promotes rolling down. The gravity feeding mechanism automatically supplies the product “P” to the front surface of the lower display shelf 82. The stop mechanism 96 is formed as an upward or radiused portion on the front end section 72 of the frame 70 to prevent the foremost product contained in the refill position from completely rolling out of the frame 70. .

  One skilled in the art will readily recognize that an aperture may be provided that allows the product to be replenished upon exposure, rather than providing a door on the bottom panel of the retaining insert. It is also envisioned that the length of the elongated aperture 12 provided in the bottom panel 26 of the outer sleeve 20 can be selected to be used in conjunction with the engagement member to limit the amount that the outer sleeve can be retracted. The

  In an alternative structure, the engagement feature can be formed on or extend from either of the lateral side walls of the frame. For example, FIG. 13 shows a package assembly embodiment 200 in which the product retaining insert 240 has a U-shaped cross-section and has U-shaped perforations formed in its side panels. And does not have a bottom panel. Further, the outer sleeve 220 has an aperture 212 formed in the side panel rather than the bottom panel.

  In one embodiment, the frame used in the refill and display system of the present disclosure may be formed of a plastic material that is lightweight but suitably strong.

  In one embodiment, the frame may be formed from other materials such as plastic fiber composite material, metal, wood, plywood and the like.

  In some structures, the frame may not include the lower display shelf. In such a structure, when installed in a point-of-sale information management unit, the storage shelf will provide a base on which items to be refilled can be placed.

  The engagement feature may be formed as a pair of hooked pins, each pin being insertable into an aperture or weakened tab formed on the product retaining insert to engage its components. is assumed. The outer sleeve has a pair of apertures or slots aligned with the apertures or weakened tabs of the product retention insert to allow easy insertion of the engagement feature into the product retention insert. The outer sleeve is fixed or joined in some way, such as by an adhesive or a panel that is broken by relative movement between the product holding insert and the outer sleeve, so that the bottom of the product holding insert replenishes the item. Can be exposed to.

  It can be appreciated that various changes can be made within the scope of the present disclosure, for example, the size and shape of the panels and apertures can be adjusted to accommodate items of different sizes or shapes. Although many embodiments of the disclosure have been shown using a carton that includes 10 items arranged in a 2 × 5 array, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, is there more than 10 cartons? Or it is envisioned that a small number of items can be included and the items can be arranged in any suitable configuration, such as a 2 × 6 array. Further, while the present disclosure has been described in the context of a paperboard carton and a plastic refill device, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, other suitable foldable sheet materials (such as cardboard, plastic materials, etc.) It is envisioned that a carton or magazine for an item can be formed as a reusable refiller with a reusable opening mechanism. Further, the refill device can be formed from other materials or combinations of materials, such as metal, wood, fiberglass, glass reinforced plastic.

  Although the product shown is a bottle, the present disclosure is applicable to various products contained in various containers. In one embodiment, the container includes at least a cylindrical portion to facilitate the rolling of items from the carton through the lower level of the display device into the refill portion. However, the refill device apparatus of the present disclosure is applicable to other types and / or shapes and / or sizes of items. However, if gravity and rolling are not available to provide a forward feed mechanism, other devices such as a spring biased mechanism or other suitable means may be provided.

  It is also envisioned that the package assembly or carton can be equipped with means for detecting when an item is empty without having to lift the carton or inspect the carton very closely. Such means for the carton to detect when an item is empty can take the form of a window, i.e. a carton aperture or a shaped cutout. Such a window can be placed near the bottom of the carton so that the presence or absence of the item in the lowest step of the carton can be detected by observation. In some embodiments, the window allows the interior of the carton to be seen, but is clear, transparent, or semi-finished, such as a plastic sheet that maintains the carton's structural integrity and barrier to dust, etc. It can be provided by a piece, strip or section of transparent material. Alternatively, inspection holes or apertures can be provided into which pens or other instruments can be inserted to locate the bottom row of items.

  As used herein, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side” `` side '', `` inner '', `` outer '', `` upper '', and `` lower '' do not limit each panel to these orientations, It will be recognized that it only serves to distinguish the panels from each other. Any reference to a hinged connection should not necessarily be construed as referring to only a single fold line; in fact, a hinged connection is a short slit, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, It is envisioned that it may be formed from one or more of a pliable line or a fold line.

  In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, it is envisioned that the frame includes a mechanism for securing the frame to a vertical wall. Further, the frame may include a mechanism for securing the frame to the horizontal shelf. It is also envisioned that the front end section of the frame may include a structure or mechanism for displaying product related indicia.

  While the product replenishment and display system of the present disclosure has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the main disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that this is possible.

10a-10c, 60a-60c fold line
12, 212 Aperture
14 perforated sections
15 Front edge
17 Trailing edge
20, 220 outer sleeve
22 Top panel
24, 44 first side panel
26, 46 Bottom panel
28, 48 Second side panel
28, 48 Composite front wall
30a-30d, 50a-50d end closure flap
50 Rear end wall
32, 52 adhesive flap
34, 36, 38, 54, 56, 58, 71 Folding line
39, 59 Folding line
40, 240 Product retention insert
62 U-shaped perforations
63 tabs
64 arcuate cutout

FIG. 1 provides an illustration of a carton blank used to construct the outer sleeve 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the carton blank includes a top panel 22, a first side panel 24, a bottom panel 26, a second side panel 28, end closure flaps 30 a-30 d, and an adhesive flap 32. The main panels (top panel 22, first side panel 24, bottom panel 26, and second side panel 28) are hinged together in series along fold lines 34, 36, and 38, respectively. The Adhesive flap 32 is connected to bottom panel 26 along fold line 39. End closing flaps 30a-30d are hinged to the opposing ends of the main panel along fold lines 10a-10d, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows a blank used to construct a product holding insert 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the carton blank includes a top panel 42, a first side panel 44, a bottom panel 46, a second side panel 48, end closure flaps 50a-50d, and an adhesive flap 52. The main panels (top panel 42, first side panel 44, bottom panel 46, and second side panel 48) are hinged together in series along fold lines 54, 56, and 58, respectively. The The adhesive flap 52 is connected to the upper panel 42 along the fold line 59. End closing flaps 50a-50d are hinged to the opposing ends of the main panel along fold lines 60a-60c, respectively.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, the product retaining insert 40 is only partially inserted into the outer sleeve 20 such that the rear end wall 50 is positioned well beyond the open end of the outer sleeve 20. In this configuration, the door 66 formed on the bottom panel 46 of the retaining insert 40 is exposed and lowered to open. In FIG. 6, door 66 is shown as being folded down along fold line 71, which is substantially parallel to fold line 60c and each of separation lines 68a and 68c. Extends between the end points. The fold line 71 can be generated naturally when the door 66 is folded down or can be pre-formed when the blank is cut. In such an embodiment, the separation lines 69a and 69b remain unbroken. Alternatively, the door 66 can be bent downward along the fold line 60c without depending on the fold line 71 formed in advance. In these alternative embodiments, the separation lines 69a and 69b are broken along with the other separation lines 68a-68c.

The outer sleeve 20 can then move by using a finger hole created by sliding toward the front end section 72 of the frame 70 and tearing the perforated section 14 provided in the upper panel 22. When the outer sleeve 20 is fully retracted to expose the door 66 formed in the bottom panel 46 of the retaining insert 40, the door 66 opens and the product contained within the package assembly 100 opens the access opening 67. Allowing it to be refilled on the street and on the lower display shelf 82.

Product “P” is continuously discharged from the package assembly 100 using gravity. The upper deck 76 is angled or inclined with respect to the lower level plane of the frame 70 so that the product “P” in the carton rolls gradually toward the door provided on the product holding insert 40. To promote. The guide lamp 88 prevents the product from rolling out of the frame 70, and advantageously provides a path for the product to follow, thereby allowing the product to move around the lower display shelf 82 and the lower display shelf 82. Promotes rolling down. The gravity feeding mechanism automatically supplies the product “P” to the front surface of the lower display shelf 82. The stop mechanism 98 is formed as an upward or radiused portion on the front end section 72 of the frame 70 to prevent the foremost product contained in the refill position from completely rolling out of the frame 70. .

Claims (20)

A system for loading, replenishing and displaying multiple products,
(a) a package assembly,
(i) an outer sleeve having at least one aperture formed therein, and
(ii) a package holding assembly including a product holding insert slidably engaged within the outer sleeve, wherein the outer sleeve and the product holding insert define a loading compartment for the plurality of products. When,
(b) An upper support deck having longitudinally opposed front and rear end sections and extending at least partially between the front end section and the rear end section, wherein the product display is below the upper deck. A frame including an upper support deck provided with an area;
(c) an engagement feature extending from the frame, and when the package assembly slides longitudinally on the upper support deck of the frame toward the rear end section to a first position, An engagement feature extends through the aperture formed in the outer sleeve and engages the product retaining insert so that the outer sleeve is in a second position longitudinally toward the front end section. The product holding insert is constrained in the first position and the product can be at least partially refilled into the product display area from the package.   The product retaining insert includes a bottom panel having a hinged door formed therein, wherein the hinged door opens when the outer sleeve slides longitudinally to the second position; The system of claim 1, wherein the product is arranged to allow the product to be at least partially refilled from the package into the product display area.   The system of claim 1, wherein the product retaining insert comprises a U-shaped cross section.   The system of claim 1, wherein the frame further includes a lower display shelf.   5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lower display shelf includes a lane divider to create two display channels within the product display area.   5. The system of claim 4, wherein the lower display shelf includes a rib that extends above to guide a product to the front end section of the frame.   The system of claim 1, wherein the frame further includes a rear wall configured to guide a product to the product display area.   The system according to claim 1, wherein the upper support desk is inclined at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane.   The system of claim 1, wherein the engagement feature is formed in the upper support deck of the frame.   The system of claim 1, wherein the frame further includes first and second laterally opposed sidewalls.   The first and second laterally opposed side walls of the frame are adapted and configured to guide the package assembly as the package assembly moves longitudinally along the upper support deck. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein:   11. The system of claim 10, wherein the engagement feature is coupled to at least one of the first and second laterally opposed side walls of the frame.   The system of claim 1, wherein the upper support deck includes two longitudinally extending rails.   The system of claim 1, further comprising means for securing the frame to a vertical wall or horizontal shelf.   The system of claim 1, wherein the front end section of the frame includes means for displaying product related indicia. A package assembly comprising:
(a) an outer sleeve having at least one aperture formed therein;
(b) a product holding insert slidably engaged within the outer sleeve, whereby the outer sleeve and the insert are slidably movable relative to each other along the sleeve axis of the outer sleeve A product retaining insert, wherein the insert is at least one engagement edge, the at least one engagement edge being accessible from the outside of the outer sleeve through the at least one aperture. A package assembly comprising at least one engagement edge provided, the engagement edge extending across the sleeve axis.   The aperture has first and second opposing end edges disposed along the sleeve axis, and the engagement edge is positioned when the insert is in a fully received position. 17. The package assembly of claim 16, wherein the package assembly is disposed between an end edge of the second end edge and the second end edge.   The outer sleeve has a closed end and an opposed open end, and the first end edge of the aperture is disposed closer to the closed end than the second end edge, and the engagement edge Is disposed at a distance (D1) from the second end edge when the insert is in a fully received position, the distance being the dimension of the access opening (D2) defined in the insert. 18. The package assembly of claim 17, which is comparable to   The insert includes first and second adjacent walls, the first wall disposed to close the open end of the outer sleeve when the insert is in a fully received position. 19. The package assembly of claim 18, wherein the access opening is defined in the second wall proximate to the first wall.   20. The package assembly of claim 19, wherein the engagement edge is provided by the second wall.