MXPA99000317A - Packaging of lamina delg containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A tray and method for packaging thin-film containers having flange portions extending outwardly is provided. The tray surrounds the outer bottom and the side surfaces of the packaged thin-film containers, protecting the thin-film containers from damage. The tray includes a portion of engagement with the bottom surface and an inward projection, whereby the flange portions extending outward from the packaged thin-film containers are securely required therebetween. An integral hanging tab extends outward from the baking tray to allow the tray with the packaged thin-film containers to hang from an exhibit shelf. Trays with packaged thin-film containers are snapped together in horizontal orientation or vertical orientation. The thin-film containers can be immobilized by pressing on the tray by pressing the flange portions that extend outward against the inward projection, which flexing allows the thin-film containers to pass and then come back and be held by pressure to retain the thin-film containers inside the tray

Description

nBT? fiftPA INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the packaging technique of thin film container and similar articles. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a tray for packaging thin-film containers and a method for inserting the thin-film containers into the tray to form a packaged assembly. 2. Description of the Technique Thin sheet containers are typically displayed in stores and sold to consumers as part of a packaged assembly. Such thin-film containers can be round, square or oval made from Z J thin aluminum sheets typically having a thickness of approximately 30 to 45 gauge. The packaged assembly generally includes a plurality of thin-film containers, fitted together, and packaged to hold the thin-film containers together. Often labels are also provided, placed either on the package or on the REF: 29072 thin foil containers. The packaged assembly can be displayed in the store supported on a shelf in a horizontal orientation. However, the packaging may also include a means for hanging the packaged assembly so that it can be displayed in a vertical orientation, for example, hung from an exhibition shelf. Many structures and methods of such packaging are known. In one approach, an elaborate strip of heat-shrinkable plastic is placed around the flange portions extending outward from the nested thin-film containers. By applying heat, the plastic shrinks so that it fits tightly around the top and bottom of the ridges, thereby retaining the thin-film containers together. A disadvantage of this method is that, due to its very thin gauge nature, thin-film containers are frequently nicked, scraped, bent, crushed or otherwise damaged during handling that occurs before sale to the consumer . A particularly vulnerable area is the outer surface of the assembly of encased thin-film containers, specifically the lowermost thin-film container, which is susceptible to surface scratches during transportation or display. Because the plastic band only covers The flange portions of the thin-film containers, the bottom and sides of the thin-film container of the bottom in the packaged assembly remain exposed and are therefore subject to such damage. Another disadvantage of this method is that the heat-shrunk plastic does not provide a good way of attaching a hanging tab so as to allow the thin-film containers to be hung for display. Another approach is to use "blister" type packaging which typically consists of an upper half and a lower half, both halves are made of a transparent plastic. The embedded thin-film containers are retained between the two halves, which are then joined by heat sealing, tape bonding, stapling or similar methods. Because packing completely surrounds thin-film containers, thin-film containers are protected to some extent from damage. A tab for hanging in the "blister" type package may also be conveniently provided. However, the "blister" type packaging has the disadvantage that it requires more material and a more complex packaging process in which the two halves must be made to mate together. Another disadvantage is that, because the package completely surrounds the thin-film containers, the consumer is not able to touch and feel any portion of the surface of the thin-film containers. Such direct and tactile observation of thin-film containers is important to reinforce consumer confidence with the product and therefore serves to improve the sale. Goulette, in U.S. Patent No. 5,220,999 discloses a nestable container constituted of a base and an articulated lid that can be used to pack items such as thin-film containers. The container is closed by means of a tongue placed on the lid which makes contact with a matching projection placed on the base. It is also provided on the lid nail tab for hanging. When the lid is closed, the container completely surrounds the packaged items. Preferably, the container is made of a transparent plastic so that the consumer is able to observe the packaged items. However, the consumer is unable to touch the packaged items without opening the container. This represents a major discomfort for the consumer, particularly if the container is hung from an exhibition shelf. Actually, if the container is opened while hanging, either intentionally or by accident, the items can fall easily. Another disadvantage of this container is the complexity of its design. Foss, et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,379,536 describe a package for pie crust. A plurality of breaded pie-filled containers filled with pie crust are held together in assembled relation by means of a container-shaped member, of transparent plastic, to conform to the shape of the uppermost empanada container. The plastic member covers the upper portion of the uppermost empanada container and has a downwardly dependent flange with circular grooves to make contact with the peripheral edges of the empanada containers. In this way, each packaged empanada container is kept in a circular groove. A disadvantage of this design when used for thin-film containers is that, although the uppermost thin-film container can be covered, the lowermost thin-film container, in turn more vulnerable, still remains exposed and therefore is subject of damage. Another disadvantage is that a tab for casting in the Foss assembly is not provided, so that a means for displaying it in vertical orientation is not provided. The lack of a hanging tab further means that a reference point is not provided to ensure that a fixed label on the Foss assembly displayed for retail sale will be in the proper orientation for reading or even that the labels on the fitted assemblies will be always in the same orientation.

DESCRIPTION BRIEF DI The main objective of the present invention is to provide a tray for packaging a plurality of nested thin-film containers having a simple design and allowing a simple and efficient packaging process. Another object of the present invention is to provide a tray which protects thin-film containers packaged from damage and at the same time provides consumers with product touch. Another additional objective of the present invention is to allow the packaged assembly to be show vertically when being hung from an exhibition shelf. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a packaged assembly that is removable when displayed either horizontally or vertically. A related object of the present invention is to provide a packaged assembly having a fixed reference point for attaching labels that will be in the proper orientation for reading when the packaged assembly is displayed horizontally or vertically. A further objective of the present invention is to provide a method for inserting thin-film containers into the packaging tray to form a packaged assembly. In accordance with the present invention, a tray is provided for packaging thin-film containers. The tray has a bottom portion, a side portion and a coupling portion. The tray surrounds the outer bottom and side surfaces of the thin-film containers packaged to protect the thin-film containers from damage, but is open at the top so that the consumer is still able to feel a portion of the container. of the surface of thin-film containers. The coupling portion includes a bottom surface and an inward projection, whereby the flange portions extending outward from the packaged thin sheet containers are securely held therebetween. The bottom and side portions of the tray substantially adapt the size and shape of the bottom and sides of the thin-film containers, so that similar packaged assemblies can be fitted together. An integral hanging tab extends outward from the packaging tray to allow the packaged assembly to be hung from display shelves and the like. Because the position of the hanging tab is fixed with respect to the rest of the tray and with respect to the thin-film containers hung within the tray, when the packaged assemblies are fitted together with their respective hanging tabs, they are all in alignment. In this way, the packaged assemblies housed together can be displayed in horizontal orientation, for example placed on a shelf, or they can be hung embedded together in a vertical orientation. The hanging tab also provides a fixed reference point to ensure that labels are affixed to the packaging assembly in the correct orientation for reading. In this way, the letters and other signs on the labels are readable when the packaged assemblies fitted hang from their tabs to hang in a vertical orientation or when the packaged packing assemblies are placed in a horizontal orientation with all their tabs to hang aligned. A thin-film container is inserted into the packaging tray when first orienting the bottom of the thin-film container in the direction of the tray and then pressing the tongue portion that extends outward from the thin-film container against the protection into. The inward projection is flexed, which allows the flange portion to pass through, and then return and clamp by pressure so that it retains the thin sheet container within the bale pan. When a sufficient number of thin-film containers have been inserted into the tray so that their flanges fill the entire space between the bottom surface and the projection inwardly, the thin-film containers are held securely in place, and The packing operation is complete. In addition, more than one thin-film container can be inserted in this manner at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a tray for packaging round, thin-film containers according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 of a tray for packaging round thin-film containers, according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a side view, in cross section, of the embodiment of Fig. 1 of a tray for packing round thin-film containers, with three round thin-film containers inserted therein, taken substantially along the plane of a section on line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 3A is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the cross-sectional side view of Figure 3.

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of one of the round thin-film containers packaged in Figure 3. Figure 4 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a tray for packaging square thin-film containers, in accordance with present invention. Figure 5 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 4 of a tray for packaging square thin sheet containers according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a tray for packaging oval thin-film containers, according to the present invention. Figure 7 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 6 of a tray for packaging oval thin sheet containers, according to the present invention. Figure 8 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a tray for packaging round thin-film containers, wherein the tray includes grooved surfaces on its side and bottom. Figure 9 is a side view of the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 8, in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of a tray 10 for packaging round thin-film containers is shown. The tray 10 has a bottom portion 12, a side portion 14 and an open top portion 15. The side portion 14 is connected at one end to the bottom portion 12 and at the other end to a coupling portion 16 that is formed. With reference to Figure 3A, the coupling portion 16 includes a lower surface 18, which extends outwardly from the side portion 14. A vertical wall 19 extends upwardly from the lower surface 18. An inward projection 20 extends upwardly from the vertical wall 19. An outer lip 22 extends upwardly from the projection 20 inwards. The tray 10 is preferably made of a transparent and flexible thin gauge plastic. Most preferably, the tray 10 is made of biaxially oriented polystyrene (OPS) having a thickness in the range of about 152 μm to about 254 μm (6-10 mils). With reference to Figure 3, the tray 10 is shown in a cross-sectional side view with three round thin-film containers 30 nested together and packaged therein. With reference to Figure 3B, each thin sheet container 30 has an outwardly extending flange portion 32, which terminates in a circumferential projection 34 as well as a bottom 36 and a side 38. The distance from the projection 34 on a side of the thin-film container 30 towards the projection 34 on the opposite side of the thin-film container 30 defines the projecting width of the thin-film container 30. Although three round, thin-film containers 30 are shown, the tray 10 can be shaped so that a greater or lesser amount of thin-film containers can be packed by the tray 10. The combination of the tray 10 together with the sheet containers 30 thin comprises a package 40 assembly. The side portion 14 and the bottom portion 12 of the tray 10 encircle the sides 38 and the bottoms 36 of the packaged thin film containers 30, so that they protect the thin film containers 30 from scraping, nicking, surface scratching or other damage caused by impacts. In addition, the rigidity of the tray 10 reduces the chances of the packaged thin-film containers 30 being bent, twisted or deformed in some other way during handling. However, because the tray 10 includes the open portion 15, the inner surface of the uppermost thin sheet container 30 can be observed and touched by the consumer. Preferably, the shape and dimensions of the side portion 14 and the bottom portion 12 of the tray 10 are made to substantially adapt the shape and dimensions of the side 38 and bottom 36, respectively, of the thin sheet containers 30 so that the packed assemblies can be fitted together. Figure 3A shows in detail the iteration of the coupling portion 16 with the flange portions 32 extending outwardly from the thin sheet containers 30. The lower edge 18 is dimensioned to correspond to the size of the flange portion 32 extending outwardly of the thin sheet container 30 and the width defined by the projection 20 inward around the open top portion of the tray 10. which is sized to correspond to the projecting width of the thin-film containers 30. Likewise, the height of the vertical wall 19 is sized to correspond to the height of the stacked and nested outwardly extending flange portions 32 of the number of thin-film containers 30 to be packed. In the package assembly 40, the flange portions 32 are retained securely between the projection 20 inwardly and the bottom surface 18. With the tray 10 formed of OPS or similar material, the coupling portion 16 has sufficient flexibility to allow the flange portions 32 extending outwardly from the thin-film containers 30 to be "pressure immobilized" at the location under the projection 20 inwards, and similarly to allow the thin-film containers to be removed from the tray as needed, yet still have sufficient stiffness to allow the thin-film containers to remain packed in the tray during their shipping and handling movements normal. In particular, to insert the thin-film container 30 into the tray 10, the first thin-film container 30 is oriented appropriately so that the bottom 36 is directed toward the open top 15 of the tray 10. The portion 32 of The flange is pressed against the projection 20 inwardly, which then flexes outwards, which allows the flange portion 32 to pass therethrough. Once the flange portion 32 passes the projection 20 inwardly, the projection 20 inward returns and pressurizes to its original position, thereby retaining the thin sheet container 30 within a tray 10 When a a sufficient quantity of thin-film containers 30 inside the tray 10, so that the flange portions 32 cover the entire distance between the projection 20 inwards and the lower surface 18, the thin-film containers 30 are retained in a manner Secure in place and the packing operation is completed. More than one thin sheet container 30 can be inserted at a time, in the manner described above. Preferably, all of the thin-film containers 30 designed to be packaged are inserted into the tray 10 at a time. With reference to Figure 3B, the outer lip 22 provides a means by which the thin-film containers 30 can be quickly and easily removed from the tray 10. By applying pressure on the outer lip 22, the user can flex the portion 16 Coupling outwardly-so that the projection 20 toward the incision contacts a portion of the ridges 32 of the foil containers 30. In this way, one or more thin-film containers 30 can be released from the coupling portion 16 and removed from the tray 10. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tray 10 is preferably manufactured with a Tab 24 for integral hanging . The hanging tab 24 is shaped to allow the tray 10 with the thin-film containers 30 to be packed inside to be hung from a display shelf in a vertical orientation. The tab 24 for hanging preferably includes a hole 26 capable of receiving a hook, bar or the like placed on a display shelf. The hanging tab 24 may also be hooked so that it engages the hook or a bar on a display shelf. The hanging tab 24 can be shaped into other shapes to suit the particular display requirements. Because the hanging tab 24 is integral to the tray 10 and the thin-film containers 30 and is firmly retained within the tray 10, the positions of the hanging tab 24 and the hole 26 are maintained in a fixed relationship with respect to the tray 10 and the packaged thin film containers 30. The alignment of the tab 24 for hanging with respect to the rest of the tray 10 and the packaged thin-film containers 30 ensures that when a plurality of packaged assemblies 40 are fitted together, the holes 26 can be aligned so that the assemblies 40 are assembled. Packaged and fitted they can all be hung together from the same hook, bar or similar for display in a vertical orientation. Typically, a label 42 is attached to the uppermost portion of the packaged thin film containers 30 of the packaged assembly 40, as shown in Figure 3, for display to consumers. The fixed position of the reference tab 24 with respect to the packaged thin-film containers 30 provides a reference point for proper orientation of the label 42. The proper orientation of the label 42 is that where the letters or other signs (not shown) on the label 42 may be legible when the package assembly 40 is placed either vertically or horizontally. For example, by sucking the packaged and nested assemblies 40 hang from their tabs 24 to hang in a vertical orientation, the letters or other signs (not shown) on the tag 42 may be parallel to the floor for optimum readability. Further, when this label orientation is used for packaged and nested assemblies shown horizontally the alignment of all the tabs 24 for hanging so that they are diametrically opposite to the observer will ensure that the labels are in the proper orientation for reading. Preferably, the tongue 24 for hanging is wide enough to allow the joining of (non-threaded) labels thereon in the same manner. The labels (not shown) attached to the hanging tongue 24 can be similarly aligned for proper readability. Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative embodiment of the tray 10, wherein the lower portion 12 and the lateral portion 14 include a plurality of reinforcements 28. The reinforcements 28 add resistance to the lower portion 12 and the side portion 14 of the tray 10. By increasing the distance between the packaged thin film containers 30 and the outer surface of the tray 10, the reinforcements 28 also improve the ability of the tray 10 to cushion the impact packed thin film containers 30. In this way, the reinforcements 28 further protect the thin-film containers 30 from damage. However, even with the addition of the reinforcements 28, the bottom portion 12 of the side portion 14 still substantially adapts the shape and dimensions of the bottom 36 and the side 38 of the thin sheet containers 30, so that the mounts 30 packages can be fitted together. In the embodiment of Figures 8 and 9, the integral hanging tongue is in the form of a ring 25. The tongue 25 for hanging on the ring further defines an opening 27, which can couple a hook, a bar or the like to the tray 10 display in a vertical orientation. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment of tray 10 'for packing square thin foil containers 30'. The tray 10 * is substantially similar to the tray 10, except that the tray 10 'has been adapted to pack square thin-film containers 30", instead of round thin-film containers 30. The labels marked with the numbers with a quotation mark in figures 4 and 5 correspond to the characteristics marked with the numbers without the quote in figures 1 and 2. Similarly, figures 6 and 7 illustrate another embodiment of the tray 10"for packaging oval thin-film containers 30", which is substantially similar to tray 10, but is adapted to pack oval thin-film containers instead of round ones The characteristics labeled with numbers with two quotes in figures 6 and 7 correspond to the characteristics marked with numbers without quotation marks in the figures 1 and 2. Although the present invention has been described with the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations may be used without apparent Be aware of the spirit and scope of this invention, as those familiar with the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered within the limits and scope of the appended claims. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (20)

1. A tray for receiving a plurality of thin-film containers, each having a bottom, one side and an outwardly extending flange portion terminating in a circumferential projection, and adapted to form a packaged assembly of a tray and containers, characterized in that it comprises: a bottom portion which substantially adapts in dimension and shape to the bottom portion of one of the plurality of thin-film containers; a side portion attached to the bottom portion and substantially adaptable in dimension and shape to one of a plurality of thin sheet containers; a coupling portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the side portion, the engagement portion has a lower surface extending outwardly from the side portion and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom surface, and the the upper portion has an inward projection defining a width substantially equal to the protrusion width of the plurality of thin-film containers; and a hanging tab extending outwardly from the tray, whereby the plurality of thin-film containers can be immobilized by pressing into the tray to form a packaged tray and container assembly, wherein the tray surrounds the outer bottom and the side surfaces of the plurality of thin-film containers, the flange portions extending outwardly of the plurality of thin-film containers are retained between the bottom surface and the inward projection, the packaged assembly of the tray and Containers can be hung from the hanging tab, the packaged and nested assemblies can be displayed in horizontal or vertical orientation, and the hanging tab provides a fixed reference point for proper orientation of a fixed label to the packaged assembly.

2. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that the hanging tongue is integral to the tray.

The tray according to claim 2, characterized in that it further comprises an outer lip extending from the upper portion of the coupling portion.

4. The tray according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a tongue for hanging attached to the outer lip.

5. The tray according to claim 4, characterized in that the hanging tongue is integral to the outer lip.

6. The tray of soundness with claim 1, characterized in that the tray includes a grooved surface.

7. The soundproofing tray with claim 1, characterized in that the sharola is made of plastic.

8. The tray according to claim 7, sarasterized because the plasty is biaxially oriented poiiestireno.

9. An impasto, sarasterized assembly because it comprises: a plurality of thin-film containers, each having a bottom, one side and an outwardly extending flange portion ending in a circumferensal projection, and a packaging tray that has: a bottom portion that is substantially adapted in dimension and shape to the bottom of one of a plurality of thin-film receptacles; a side portion attached to the bottom portion and substantially adaptable in dimension and shape to one of a plurality of thin sheet containers; and a coupling portion extending outwardly and upwardly from the lateral portion, the engaging portion has a lower surface extending outwardly from the lateral portion and an upper portion extending upwardly from the lower surface; the upper portion has an inward projection that defines an annihuration substantially equal to the width of the projection of the plurality of thin-film containers, so that the padding sharola surrounds the outer bottom of the lateral surfaces of the plurality of thin sheet rents, and the flange portions extending outwardly are retained between the lower surface and the interior design.

10. The stamped conformation assembly is the claim 9, which is sarasterized because it also includes a pull tab attached to the packing sharola.

11. The packaged assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the hanging tongue is integral to the packaging tray.

12. The laminated soundness assembly is the liassed sanding, because it also provides a fixed label to the uppermost of the plurality of thin-film containers that the hanging tongue uses as a fixed reference point, where the label is properly oriented. with respect to the hanging tongue for optimum readability when the packaging assembly is displayed horizontally or vertically.

13. The stamped-on assembly is the sapling 9, sarasterized because it also includes an outer lip that extends from the upper porsión of the porosión of asoplament of the packing sharola.

14. The laminated assembly of sonformity are the claim 13, which is sarasterized because it also comprises a tongue for hanging attached to the outer lip.

15. The assembly of the lamination of the sonformity is the claim 14, characterized in that the tongue for hanging is integral to the outer lip.

16. The packaging assembled in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the packaging sharola includes a grooved surface.

17. The assembled packaging of sonformidad are the reivindisasión 9, sarasterizado because the sharola of empasado is elaborated of plastiso.

18. The laminated assembly of sonformity are claim 18, because the plastis is polystyrene oriented biaxially.

19. A method for packing a plurality of thin-film containers to form a packaged assembly, each of the plurality of thin-film containers having a bottom, a side wall and a flange portion extending outwardly, the method is sarasterized because it comprises the steps of: (a) providing a pourer tray, having an open bead, a lower surface and an inward projection; (b) orienting at least one thin-film container so that the bottom of the thin-film container is directed towards the open mouth of the packaging tray; (c) positioning the flange portion extending outwardly from one of the at least one thin sheet reed while the projection is inward, while maintaining such orientation; (d) pressing at least one thin-film container on the packaging tray so that the projecting interior is forced from a first position to a second position that allows all the flange portions extending outward from at least one thin-film container is inserted passing the projecting to the inside; (e) inserting all of the flange portions extending outwardly from at least one thin-film container with the projection inward; (f) allowing the projecting to return and adjust by pressure from the second position to the first position, whereby at least one thin-film container is packed; and (g) repeating steps (b) to (f), if necessary, until the flange portions extending outward from the packaged thin-film containers are held securely between the bottom surface and the projection into.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the baking tray includes an integral kiosk tongue, which further comprises the step of affixing a label to the uppermost part of the thin-film containers packed in an orientation are respectable to the tongue for welding, for optimal readability when the packaging assembly is displayed horizontally or vertically.