NZ745095A - Improved Inflatable Product Transportation System And Display Bin - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a transport/display bin 10, which is adapted to hold products 20 in a deflated condition and products 20.1 and or 20.2 in an inflated condition. The transport/display bin 10 includes a bin portion 12 and a capping piece 14 to provide a support surface 14.3 onto which an inflated product 20.1 and or 20.2 can be displayed. n inflated product 20.1 and or 20.2 can be displayed.

Description

Improved Inflatable Product Transportation System And Display Bin Field of the invention The present invention relates to an improved transportation system for inflatable products and a display bin for use in such a system. The solution provided herein allows inflatable products, such as sports balls, to be transported through the supply chain and displayed in a retail environment in a cost effective manner.

Background of the invention There are many challenges to overcome to make it commercially viable to distribute and sell inflatable products such as sports balls in retail outlets that are not sports or specialty stores.

Any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, at the priority date of this application.

Summary of the invention The present invention provides a method of transporting products to be inflated, the method comprising the steps of: a. packing of products to be inflated from a deflated condition, inside a transport/display bin; b. packing at least one of the products in an inflated condition in the bin; c. the bin being adapted to be used as a display location for the inflated product when the transport/display bin is unpacked or assembled.

At a display destination, a further step in the method can be that the transport/display bin is adapted to be positioned in a display location having a support surface so as to position the inflated product for display purposes.

The method can include that the transport/display bin is assembled, by means of a capping piece and or a display card that was packed in the transport/display bin at the time the products were packed.

The capping piece can be extracted from the transport/display bin, and assembled to an upper rim of the transport/display bin, to provide the support surface, or the capping piece is assembled to the transport/display bin prior to initial transportation.

P5399AU00 The product to be inflated can be a sports ball.

An additional step can be performed which is to enclose thethe bin into an outer carton to protect same during transport.

The present invention further provides a transport/display bin to hold multiple products to be inflated, characterized in that the bin includes a removeable capping piece to which can be taken from the bin, and re-engaged with a rim of the bin, to provide a support surface onto which an inflated product can be displayed.

The transport/display bin can be adapted to hold products in a deflated condition and in an inflated condition,.

The bin can be also adapted to hold a display card for re-engagement with the bin.

The capping piece can include at least one formation therein to support or hold an inflated product therein.

The at least one formation can be at least one aperture.

The capping piece can also include portions to engage with one or more of the following: the upper rim of the bin, a rear face of the bin, one or more side surfaces of the bin.

The capping piece can include at least one aperture to receive joining pieces of a display card.

The upper forward lip of the bin can include a shaped portion, allowing access to the products to be inflated.

The product can be a sports ball.

Brief description of the drawings A detailed description of a preferred embodiment will follow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which: Fig 1. illustrates a perspective view of an outer carton or transport carton which holds a transport/display bin; P5399AU00 Fig 2. illustrates an upper perspective view of the bin of Fig.1, with its upper laps open revealing the transport/display bin; Fig 3. Illustrates an upper perspective view of the transport/display bin of Fig.2, being removed from the transport carton of Fig.1; Fig 4. illustrates an upper perspective view of the transport/display bin prior to assembly with a display card; Fig 5. illustrates an upper perspective view of the transport/display bin with a display card assembled; Fig 6. illustrates an upper perspective view of the assembly of Fig.5 with two types of sports balls in the recesses provided; Fig 7. illustrates an upper perspective view of the assembly of Fig.4 with two types of sports balls in the recesses provided showing how the header/display card is optional; Fig.8. illustrates a left side view of the assembly of Fig.5; Fig.9 illustrates a right side view of the assembly of Fig.5; Fig.10 illustrates a front view of the assembly of Fig.5; Fig.11 illustrates a rear side view of the assembly of Fig.5; Fig.12 illustrates an underneath view of the assembly of Fig.5 or Fig.4;Fig.13 illustrates a plan view of the assembly of Fig.5; Fig.14 a plan view similar to Fig.13 with two inflated display balls and three columns of deflated balls inside the transport/display bin Fig.15 is a plan view of a transport/display bin having a capping with 3 ball recesses; Fig.16 is a plan view of a transport/display bin having a capping with 4 ball recesses; Fig.17 is a plan view of a transport/display bin having a capping with a single ball recess.

Detailed description of the embodiment or embodiments In general terms, Figures 1 to 7 illustrate transport/display bin 10The transport/display bin 10 includes a bin portion 12 and a capping piece 14 to provide a P5399AU00 support surface 14.3 onto which an inflated product 20.1 and or 20.2 can be displayed.

The transport/display bin 10 is adapted to hold products 20 in a deflated condition and products 20.1 and or 20.2 in an inflated condition.

The inflatable product 20 while illustrated as a sports ball of a particular type, in this case an ellipsoid ball like that used in Australian Rules Football, American football, Rugby League or a Rugby, it will be understood that it can be any type of ball such as a round ball 20.2 like a soccer ball, a netball, a volley ball, a beach ball or a basketball; or can be any inflatable product such as a graduation decoration, birthday decoration, anniversary decoration, Christmas decoration, Easter decoration or Halloween decoration or other ceremonial or occasion decoration; or similar inflatable product.

The transport/display bin 10, by means of the bin portion 12, is adapted to hold a display card 16, by means of slits or slots in the upper surface 14.3 of the capping piece 14. The display card 16 is packed which is removed at assembly time, for re-engagement with the transport/display bin 10 when withdrawn from the transport/display bin 10 or carton 5 and assembled to the capping piece14.

The capping piece 14 has at least one formation, in this case two formations 14.2 therein, to support or hold an inflated product 20.1 or 20.2 therein.

As illustrated in Figs 5 to 7, the two formations 14.2 are two apertures 14.2.

However, as illustrated in broken lines in Fig.10 the two formations, can be, or can include, an upstanding rim like formation 14.21 into which a ball for example can be supported. If an object other than a ball is to be supported a rim or depression or aperture of a different shape can be provided to suit the inflated product to be supported.

The capping piece 14 includes portions to engage with one or more of the following: such as portions 14.3 to engage the upper rim of the bin portion 12; a rear portion 14.4 to engage a face of the bin portion 12; and one or more side surfaces 14.1 to engage the sides of the bin portion 12. The side surfaces 14.1, which are generally of a triangular formation, act as gussets between the base of the support surface 14.3 and rear portion 14.4, to assist in providing support for the support surface 14.3.

The capping piece 14 includes at least one aperture or slot or slit, to receive joining pieces such as tabs or the like, on the underside edge of the display card P5399AU00 The bin portion 12 of the transport/display bin 10 includes a scalloped or shaped portion 12.1, which forms a bight on the upper forward lip, thereby allowing access to products to be inflated in the bin portion 12.

Also in general terms, Figs 1 to 17 show a method of transporting products to be inflated 20, such as sports balls 20.1 or 20.2, the method comprising the steps of: a. packing products 20 to be inflated in a deflated condition inside a transport/display bin 10 or its bin portion12; b. packing at least one product 20.1 or 20.2 in an inflated condition in the transport/display bin 10; c. the transport/display bin 10 being adapted to be used as a display location for the inflated product 20.1 and or 20.2 when the transport/display transport/display bin 10 is unpacked or assembled.

At a final or assembly destination, a further step in the method is that the transport/display transport/display bin 10 is positioned in a display location having a support surface 14.3 so as to position the inflated product 20.1 and or 20.2 for display purposes.

The method includes that the bin12 is modified, by means of the capping piece 14 and or a display card 16 that was packed in the transport/display 10 or bin portion 12 at the time the products are packed, being extracted from the transport/display bin, and assembled to an upper rim of the transport/display bin, to provide the support surface and or a display header piece or card respectively.

An additional step can be performed which is to enclose the transport/display bin , once initially sub-assembled and filled, in an outer carton 9 to protect same during transport.

The capping piece 14 is illustrated as being secured in place to the upper rear side rim of the bin portion 12, so that when the bin portion 12 exits the carton 9, with the capping 14 in place and secured to the bin portion 12. However, if desired this capping piece 14 can be placed in the transport/display bin 10 for withdrawal therefrom and subsequently for assembly to the bin portion 12, when all components are extracted from the transport carton 9, in much the same way as the display card 16 is extracted and then P5399AU00 assembled. In this case, the capping piece 14 on its inboard surfaces, which will engage the surfaces of the bin portion 12, can optionally include double sided tape or other contact adhering system, so that once assembled the capping piece 14 can be secured to the bin portion 12. If no adhering is utilised, it will make disassembly easier for store personnel, in the event that it is needed.

While the previous paragraph describes the securing of the capping piece 14 to the bin portion 12 by adhesive means, it will be understood that the joining of the two components can be produced by interlocking formations on the bin portion 12 and or capping piece 14, so that once joined they remain secured together until disassembly is required.

The capping piece 14 can be constructed of double thick material by comparison to the construction of the bin portion 12, to give the capping 14 its shelf or product support properties, and to resist the extra interaction with possible customers that this area of the transport/display bin 10 will receive during its deployment. Alternatively, the support surface 14.3 can be constructed of double thickness material, while the rear portion 14.4 and side portions 14.1 can be constructed of single thickness.

As illustrated in Figure 6, it will be understood that the transport/display bin 10 can include for example two types of deflated product such as two different types of deflated sports balls, such as an ovoid ball 20.1 and a spherical ball 20.2.

Additionally the transport/display bin 10 can be deployed without a header or display card 16, as is indicted in Fig.7.

The shelf or capping piece 14 can have any number of apertures or formation 14.2, as is illustrated in Figures 15 16 and 17, while the transport/display bin 10, bin portion 12 and capping piece 14 can be of any desired size and or shape to suit a particular display location or product, or to hold a desired amount of deflated product and inflated product.

While the above description refers to “bin” and or “carton”, this does not limit the description and claims to only cardboard or paper based materials. Any appropriate material can be used for the bins or cartons described above, including polymeric materials, foil lined cardboard or thick paper product, corrugated materials like corrugated cardboard, composite sheet material, core flute sheet material etc.

P5399AU00 The advantages which stem from the embodiments of the invention include that shoppers can pick up the inflated ball/s 20.1 and or 20.2 to touch, feel, bounce, inspect, etc, prior to making a decision to purchase the deflated ball/s 20 from inside the transport/display bin 10. The quantity and mix of deflated and inflated balls packed in each display bin can be varied if required to meet the following variables: - the size of the display bin - the desired total number of balls inside the display bin - the number of balls to be displayed on the capping – for example 1,2,3 or 4 balls.

If desired additional inflated balls can be used to act as space fillers inside the display case offering protection and stability during transport if required (depending on the bin count and bin size desired).

Supply chain efficiencies arise as shipping all the product inflated is avoided and keeps freight costs down as only a minimum of inflated product needs to be displayed.

The transport/display bin 10 is taken out of the box 9 in a display ready condition, that is, the store ready transport/display bin 10 provides a ready-made format to display the inflated product in stores that is simple and fast to set up.

The transport/display bin 10 provides a store space saver. The store ready transport/display bin 10 is small when compared to a large display needed to carry inflated product, as the product inside the transport/display bin 10 are deflated, making it suitable for a wider range of store types and sizes.

The transport/display bin 10 and method of transport described above, saves labour costs for the retailer in that product does not need to be inflated, which is time consuming.

The store ready transport/display bin 10 saves labour costs for the supplier, as store representatives are not required to visit the store to set up the display.

Finally, the transport/display bin 10 is easy for stores to execute - once ordered the store ready transport/display bin 10 and transport carton 9 can be sent direct to stores though the supply chain and is easily set up in store.

P5399AU00 Where ever it is used, the word “comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of “including”, and thus not limited to its “closed” sense, that is the sense of “consisting only of”. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words “comprise”, “comprised” and “comprises” where they appear.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all modifications which would be obvious to those skilled in the art are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

P5399AU00

Claims (15)

Claims 1.

1. A method of transporting products to be inflated, said method comprising the steps of: a. packing products to be inflated from a deflated condition inside a transport/display bin; b. packing at least one product in an inflated condition in said transport/display bin; c. said transport/display bin being adapted to be used as a display location for said inflated product when said transport/display bin is unpacked or assembled.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, whereupon at a display destination, a further step in said method is that the transport/display bin is positioned in a display location having a support surface so as to position said inflated product for display purposes.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said transport/display bin is assembled, by means of assembly of a capping piece and or a display card that was packed in said transport/display bin at the time said products were packed.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said capping piece is extracted from said transport/display bin, and assembled to an upper rim of said transport/display bin, to provide said support surface, or said capping piece is assembled to said transport/display bin prior to initial transportation.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said product to be inflated is a sports ball.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an additional step is performed of enclosing said transport/display bin in an outer carton to protect same during transport.

7. A transport/display bin to hold multiple products to be inflated, characterized in that said transport/display bin includes a capping piece which can be taken from said transport/display bin, and re-engaged with a rim of said transport/display bin, or said capping piece is assembled to said transport/display bin prior to initial transportation, to provide a support surface onto which an inflated product can be displayed.

8. A transport/display bin as claimed in claim 7, wherein said transport/display bin is also adapted to hold a display card which can be removed and re-engaged with said transport/display bin.

9. A transport/display bin as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein said capping piece includes at least one formation therein to support or hold an inflated product therein. P5399AU00

10. A transport/display bin as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said at least one formation is at least one aperture.

11. A transport/display bin as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said capping piece also includes portions to engage with one or more of the following: the upper rim of said transport/display bin, a rear face of said transport/display bin, one or more side surfaces of said transport/display bin.

12. A transport/display bin as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein said capping piece includes at least one aperture to receive joining pieces of a display card.

13. A transport/display bin as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the upper forward lip of said transport/display bin includes a shaped portion, allowing access to said products to be inflated.

14. A transport/display bin as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein said transport/display bin is adapted to simultaneously hold products in a deflated condition and in an inflated condition.

15. A transport/display bin, as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein said product is a sports ball. P5399AU00