US20080251416A1

US20080251416A1 - Display package for consumable products

Info

Publication number: US20080251416A1
Application number: US11/735,655
Authority: US
Inventors: Debra L. Delany; Robert J. Peterson; Joseph L. Schultz; Daniel Hyun-Jae Shin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2007-04-16
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: WO2008130964A1

Abstract

A package is provided for dispensing a plurality of consumable products. The package may comprise a lid and a body defining a container interior and a sidewall. The lid and the body may define a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a display hanger. The lid and the body may also define a surface at a bottom portion of the package for standing the package on its sidewall. In an embodiment, the package may define a circular or oval shape. The body can be used as a serving dish to display a plurality of consumable products therein.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers for storing and dispensing consumable products. Several aspects of storing and dispensing consumable products may be discussed in the present disclosure including, but not limited to, protecting the products from being damaged during shipping and maintaining the freshness of the products.
Some consumable products do not require that the packaging be robust, sturdy or disposable. On the other hand, in certain instances, packaging can allow a user to access consumable products without having to consume all of the products at one time. In such an instance, the manufacturer may wish to provide a package that is secure, reclosable and reusable.
Packaging is also an important aspect of the marketing of the product the package contains. As such, containers for products, such as consumable products, come in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs. Packaging can also convey a wide array of information to the consumer whereby the consumer may then associate a product with a specific characteristic of that product by simply viewing the product packaging. Once the consumer has identified a desired brand, the consumer can typically choose a product based solely on the type of packaging. Very often, in addition to the text of the packaging, the packaging may convey a message about the product, the quality of the product, or the purpose of the product simply by adding aesthetic designs, simple indicators or indicia or even other sensory triggers.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a display package housing a plurality of consumable products. The package may comprise a lid and a body having an interior and a sidewall. The lid and the body may define a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger. The lid and the body may also define a surface at a bottom portion of the package that allows the package to rest on its sidewall. The package may have a curvilinear or oval shape. In an embodiment, the body can be used as a serving dish for a plurality of solid consumable products housed therein.
The present disclosure provides in an embodiment, a package including a curvilinear body defining a sidewall and an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products and a curvilinear lid covering the interior. The body and the lid define a surface at a bottom portion of the package that allows the package to rest on its sidewall.
In an embodiment, the body and the lid define a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.
In an embodiment, the plurality of solid consumable products are confectionaries.
In an embodiment, the sidewall has a height measuring between about one and a half inches to about two and a half inches.
In an embodiment, the package has a ratio of a diameter of the body to a height of the sidewall that is from about 4:1 to about 2:1.
In an embodiment, the body has a diameter measuring between about four inches to about six inches.
The present disclosure provides in a further embodiment, a package including a curvilinear body defining an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products and a curvilinear lid covering the interior and secured to the body by a snap-fit connection. The body and the lid define a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.
In an embodiment, the plurality of solid consumable products are confectionaries.
In an embodiment, the lid includes a plurality of tabs so constructed and arranged to cooperate with a periphery of the body to secure the lid to the body.
In an embodiment, the lid is connected to the body at a living hinge.
In an embodiment, the hook is so configured and arranged to define a portion of a circular perimeter of the package.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a package including a body defining a sidewall and an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products and a lid covering the interior. The body and the lid define a surface at a bottom portion of the package that allows the package to rest on its sidewall and also define a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.
In an embodiment, the sidewall has a height measuring between about one and a half inches to about two and a half inches.
In an embodiment, the package has a ratio of a diameter of the body to a height of the sidewall that is from about 4:1 to about 2:1.
In an embodiment, the hook is so configured and arranged to be contiguous with a portion of the perimeter of the package.
In an embodiment, the lid includes a plurality of tabs so constructed and arranged to cooperate with a periphery of the body to secure the lid to the body.
In an embodiment, the lid is connected to the body at a hinge.
In an embodiment, the hinge is contiguous with a perimeter of the package.
In an embodiment, the body and the lid each substantially define a shape selected from the group consisting of oval and circular.
In an embodiment, the surface is planar.
In an embodiment, the surface is convex.
In an embodiment, the body includes a bottom wall which has a shape selected from the group consisting of planar, convex, and combinations thereof.
In still yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a package including a curvilinear body defining a bottom wall, an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products, and a curvilinear lid covering the interior and secured to the body by a snap fit connection. The bottom wall may be embossed with a shape corresponding to a shape of a consumable product.
In an embodiment, the solid consumable products are confectioneries.
In an embodiment, the package includes a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.
It is an advantage of the present disclosure to provide an improved product container.
It is also an advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that are aesthetically pleasing.
It is another advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that are reusable and refillable.
It is yet another advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that are multi-functional.
It is a further advantage of the present disclosure to provide consumable product containers that are easy to open.
Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a lid for the package of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a body for the package of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the body of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the package in a standing position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the package in a flat position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure provides a package for housing a plurality of solid consumable products. Once emptied of its contents, the package can be refilled with additional contents that are either different than or the same as those previously in the package and can thereafter be used for its original purpose without loss of structural integrity.
Although the solid consumable products are not illustrated as having any specific size or shape in the figures, it will be understood that the products to be dispensed may be of any suitable shape and size. Examples of such shapes include, but are not limited to, tablet, pill, block, flat stick, pillow, round, rectangular, triangular, or any combination thereof. In an embodiment, the solid consumable products housed in the package may be confectionary products including, but not limited to, hard candies, gummy candies, mints, tablets, gum pellets, beads, liquid filled beads, chewy candy, hard candy, chocolate, caramels, and gumballs. In another embodiment, the products may be snack foods including, but not limited to, peanuts, nuts, pretzels, and salty snacks.
In a further embodiment, the products can alternatively be any other type of solid consumable product. For example, the products can be cough drops or breath mints or other types of consumable medicament products. In a further embodiment, the package may include combinations of different products. It should also be appreciated that the package may house non-edible products of similar size and shape. The teachings of the present disclosure, therefore, are not dependent upon the products being of any particular type so long as the products fit within and may be dispensed from the package described herein.
The package can house a large number of consumable products within its interior. In an embodiment, the solid consumable products may be individually wrapped. The package can also house different types of consumable products, such as gum, candy or mint. The package can hold different colors of the same or different consumable product. Differently flavored, coated or textured products can also be stored therein.
In an embodiment of the display package, the package 10 may include a lid 20 and a body 30. The lid 20 and body 30 are not limited to any particular size or shape as long as the products contained therein may be dispensed therefrom. In an embodiment, the package 10 can define a circular or oval shape. However, the package may be any suitable size and shape including, but not limited to, cubic, rectangular, pyramidal, cylindrical, conical and spherical shapes, and combinations thereof.
Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in an embodiment, the lid 20 and the body 30 can both define a curvilinear shape. As used herein, curvilinear means somewhat circular in shape and curved along at least a substantial part of the circumference but not necessarily all portions thereof. For example, the lid 20 and the body 30 can both be sized to define outer diameters measuring between about four inches to about six inches. However, regardless of the shape, the lid 20 can be designed to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the body 30. For example, the lid 20 can have a perimeter 22 shaped and configured according to the shape of a rim 36 of the body 30. Moreover, a skilled artisan will appreciate that the dimensions of the package 10 may vary as desired or in accordance with manufacturing specifications or in accordance with the size and shape of the consumable products.
The lid 20 can be removably received on the body 30 via a secure connection. In an embodiment, the lid 20 is connected to the body 30 by a snap-fit connection. The body 30 can include a peripheral edge 38 outside of the rim 36. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid can include a plurality of tabs 24 evenly spaced along its perimeter 22. These tabs 24 can be configured and arranged to extend in a radial direction towards a center of the lid 20. As the lid 20 is received on the body 30, the tabs 24 can snap into place immediately beneath the peripheral edge 38 of the body. Thus, the arrangement between the plurality of tabs 24 and the peripheral edge 38 can provide a snap-fit connection between the lid 20 and the body 30. Alternatively, instead of a plurality of tabs, the lid 20 can include a continuous annular bead extending in a radial direction towards a center of the lid 20. In another embodiment, the lid 20 is connected to the body 30 by friction-fit connection. It will be appreciated that the lid 20 may be removably attached to a body 30 by any known means.
Although not illustrated in the figures, the package 10 can include a hinge. In an embodiment, the hinge can be a living hinge between the lid 20 and the body 30. The hinge can be located at a periphery of the package 10. In another embodiment, the hinge can extend across a portion of the lid 20, dividing the lid into two or more segments.
As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the body 30 of the package 10 includes an interior 12 for housing a plurality of consumable products inside. Defining the interior 12, the body 30 includes a sidewall 32 and a bottom wall 34 as well. The body can be deep enough to provide a large amount of products in the interior 12. For example, in an embodiment the height of the sidewall 32 (i.e. from the bottom wall 34 to the rim 36) may measure between about one and a half inches to about two and a half inches tall.
In an embodiment, the package 10 may be made from a molded plastic material. Plastic may include polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, or combinations thereof. The lid 20 and the body 30 may be made using conventional thermoforming or molding processes including, but not limited to, injection molding, injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding. The package 10 may alternatively be composed from non-plastic materials including, but not limited to, paperboard, metal or the like.
The package 10 may include indicia provided on an exterior and/or interior side. The indicia may involve logos, advertisements, branding information, nutritional information, product information, manufacturer information, or the like, or combinations thereof. For example, the lid 20 can include branding information thereon. In another example, the body 30 can include product information along its sidewall 32. The indicia may also be provided in a number of ways. For example, in an embodiment, the indicia may be printed on a pressure sensitive material (e.g. sticker). In another embodiment, the indicia may be printed directly on the package 10. In a further embodiment, indicia can be molded into the container 10. In a different embodiment, the container 10 may be surrounded by a layer of material printed with indicia such as a shrink wrap material.
A removable closure (not shown) may be sealed onto a peripheral edge 38 of the body 30. The removable closure may be used to keep consumable products fresh and to extend the shelf life of consumable products. The removable closure may be lid stock or a layer of film that is sealed onto a peripheral edge 38 of the body 30. Any conventional sealing technique known in the art may be used to seal the removable closure onto the peripheral edge 38 of the body 30. The techniques may include, but are not limited to, conductive heating, cold sealing, heat sealing utilizing a hot melt, heat activated adhesive or fusible substrate, room temperature sealing utilizing room temperature adhesives, or other induction sealing processes utilizing conductive foil systems.
At least a portion of the container can be either transparent or translucent and/or free from indicia. Thus, a consumer can readily discern what types of products are housed in the package 10. This can also aid in marketing the consumable products held inside. In an embodiment, the entire lid 20 can be translucent while the body 30 can include indicia thereon. In another embodiment, only a portion of the container 10 can be transparent.
The package 10 can be designed for multi-functional use. For example, the package 10 can serve as a display package to market the consumable products from along the racks or shelves of a store. In another example, the lid 20 may be removed from the body 30 so that a consumer can use the package 10 as a candy dish to store the consumable products therein. In a further example, the package 10 may serve as a storage container which may be reused for other purposes or refilled with additional consumable product. In addition, the container may be portable so as to be ready for use in different environments. For example, the container may be suitable for use in a car, in an office, or at home.
As discussed above, the package 10 may be used as a candy dish or a storage container housing a plurality of solid consumable products within the interior 12. In order to carry out this aspect of the disclosure, the package 10 may be configured and arranged such that the body 30 can lay substantially flat on a surface. In an embodiment, the bottom wall 34 of the body 30 can be flat. In another embodiment, the bottom wall 34 can be slightly concave. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 34 can be a combination of flat and concave shapes. Further, the bottom wall 34 can also include an embossed design or logo suggestive of or related to the consumable product. For example, the concave portion of the bottom wall 34 may have embossed therein a logo that resembles a logo that may be found on a consumable product such as, for example, a gummy, a mint, or a hard candy. Similarly, the embossed concave portion of the bottom wall 34 may also have a shape that resembles a shape of a consumable product, or a shape that may be found on a consumable product such as, for example, a gummy, a mint, or a hard candy.
Also discussed above, the package 10 may be used as a display package for marketing the consumable products in a store. In an embodiment, the package 10 may be designed to hang vertically from a display rack. The package 10 can include features enabling the package 10 to hang vertically. For example, in an embodiment, the lid 20 and the body 30 define a hook 40, 42 that allows the package 10 to be suspended from a hanger of a display rack. The lid 20 can be configured and arranged to include a hook portion 40 along its periphery 22. Likewise, the body 30 can be configured and arranged to include another hook portion 42 along its rim 36. Since the lid 20 and the body 30 collectively define the structure of the hook 40, 42, the hook can be stronger than if defined by only one of the lid 20 and the body 30. Alternatively, in an embodiment, either the lid 20 or the body 30 can define the hook (i.e. only one of 40 and 42).
The hook can be constructed so that is incorporated into the shape of the package 10. In an embodiment, the package 10 includes a cut-out area 48 along its periphery 22 creating an integral hook 40, 42 that may be so constructed and arranged so as to be contiguous with a portion of the package perimeter. In other words, the hook 40, 42 may be formed continuously with a portion of the package perimeter so as to share a boundary with the package perimeter. Thus, the package 10 can generally retain its overall shape. In an embodiment, an upper surface 44 can be included in the body 30. The upper surface 44 can contour the shape of the sidewall 32 to provide sufficient space around the hook 40, 42. Therefore, a rigid display hanger, such as an elongated rod for a peg board, can pass through the cut-out area 48 and engage the hook 40, 42 without disturbing the rest of the package 10. In an embodiment, the upper surface 44 is planar. In another embodiment, the upper surface 44 can be generally convex, or angular in shape.
It should also be appreciated that the hook 40, 42 can project outwardly from the package perimeter. Alternatively, another embodiment of the package 10 can include apertures within the lid 20 and/or body 30 allowing the display hanger to pass through.
Another manner of displaying the package 10 within a store involves placing the package 10 on a shelf. The package 10 can be designed to convey a substantial amount of information about the product to the consumer when the consumer views the package 10 on a shelf. For example, the package 10 can be designed to rest on its side (i.e. on a portion of the sidewall 32). From this position, a consumer can view the entire lid 20 when standing at a variety of angles with respect to the package 10. In other words, the consumer can view more product information provided on an exterior of the package 10 if the package 10 rests on its sidewall 32 rather than if the package lies flat on its bottom wall 34. Furthermore, a number of packages 10 can utilize only a limited amount of valuable shelf space without needing to stack a number of similar packages 10 atop one another.
If the package 10 is intended to rest on its side, the body 30 can define a lower surface 50 located at a lower portion of the package 10. In an embodiment, the body 30 has a curved shape such as a circle or an oval. Thus, it may be necessary to provide a lower surface 50 contouring at least a portion of the sidewall 32. In an embodiment, this lower surface 50 is planar. In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower surface 50 is slightly convex. In another embodiment, the body 30 has an angular shape such as a cube. Thus, a lower surface 50 may already be inherent in the shape of the package 10.
As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the lower surface 50 defines a particular plane on which the package 10 stands. For example, the lower surface 50 can define a pair of back ridges 52 where the lower surface 50 and bottom wall 34 meet. In another example, the lower surface 50 can define a pair of front ridges 54 located along the rim 36 which, in turn, define a ledge 56 on the lid 20. In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the package 10 can stand on the pair of back ridges 52 and the ledge 56. Similarly, the package 10 can also stand on the pair of front ridges 54 and a ledge (not shown). In another embodiment (not shown), the package 10 can stand on the pair of back ridges 52 and a single tangential point of the lid 20. Likewise, the package 10 can also stand on a pair of front ridges 54 and a single tangential point (not shown) of the lower surface 50. In other words, as long as the package 10 defines a particular plane (i.e. at least three points of contact) on which the package 10 can rest, the shape of the lower surface 50 is immaterial. In an embodiment, the package 10 may rest in a substantially vertical position or may rest in a position that tilts toward or away from a consumer, depending on the shape of the package 10.
Regardless of the shape of the package 10, if intended to rest on its side, the package 10 must be able to rest in a stable manner on the particular plane described above. In other words, the package 10 must be configured and arranged so that it will not fall over easily when filled with various levels of consumable products. Thus, the sidewall 32 must be of sufficient height to enlarge the size of the particular plane on which the package 10 rests for stability purposes. As discussed above, the sidewall 32 can measure a height of about one and a half inches to about two and a half inches. In an embodiment, the sidewall 32 extends perpendicularly from the bottom wall 34. In another embodiment, the sidewall 32 can be slightly flared from the bottom wall 34 to the rim 36.
The package 10 may also be constructed and arranged to ensure marketability of the package 10. In other words, depending on the dimensions of the package 10, a ratio of outer diameter and height of the sidewall 32 of the package 10 may change to ensure that the package 10 is of a sufficient size to be placed on a retail shelf. As used herein, the diameter of the package 10 refers to the diameter of a lid 20 of the package 10. However, in an embodiment where the lid 20 is not present, the diameter of the body 30 may be used. Similarly, as used herein, the height of the sidewall 32 refers to the distance from the bottom wall 34 to the rim 36 measured in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall 34. For example, the package 10 may have a diameter to height ratio from about 4:1 to 2:1. Constructing a package 10 having such diameter to height ratios will help to ensure that the package 10 will not occupy an excessive amount of space on a retail shelf and will not topple when placed on a retail shelf in an upright position.
The body 30 can hold different types or colors of the same or different consumable product. Differently flavored, coated or textured products can also be stored in the different compartments. Although not shown, an embodiment of the body 30 can be compartmented to hold different types of consumable products at the same time. In an embodiment, the body 30 can contain one or more dividing walls to keep different products sorted and organized within the interior 12 inside one or more wells or compartments. In an embodiment, the body 30 can include four compartments. The dividing wall can also protect one type of product from another. For example, the dividing wall can serve as a flavor barrier between different flavors of confectioneries, preventing flavor migration and homogenization which can otherwise adversely affect product quality and performance.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A package comprising:

a curvilinear body defining a sidewall and an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products; and

a curvilinear lid covering the interior, the body and lid defining a surface that is so constructed and arranged so as to allow the package to rest on the sidewall.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein the body and the lid define a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein the plurality of solid consumable products are confectionaries.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein the sidewall has a height measuring between about one and a half inches to about two and a half inches.

5. The package of claim 1 wherein the body has a diameter measuring between about four inches to about six inches.

6. The package of claim 1 wherein a ratio of a diameter of the body to a height of the sidewall is from about 4:1 to about 2:1.

7. A package comprising:

a curvilinear body defining a perimeter and an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products; and

a curvilinear lid covering the interior and secured to the body by a snap-fit connection, the body and lid defining a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.

8. The package of claim 7 wherein the plurality of solid consumable products are confectioneries.

9. The package of claim 7 wherein the lid comprises a plurality of tabs so constructed and arranged to cooperate with a periphery of the body to secure the lid to the body.

10. The package of claim 7 wherein the lid is connected to the body at a living hinge.

11. The package of claim 7 wherein the hook is so configured and arranged to define a portion of a curvilinear perimeter of the package.

12. A package comprising:

a body defining a sidewall and an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products; and

a lid covering the interior, the body and lid defining a surface at a bottom portion of the package that is so constructed and arranged so as to allow the package to rest on the sidewall, and a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.

13. The package of claim 12 wherein the sidewall has a height measuring between about one and a half inches to about two and a half inches.

14. The package of claim 12 wherein a ratio of a diameter of the body to a height of the sidewall is from about 4:1 to about 2:1.

15. The package of claim 12 wherein the hook is so configured and arranged to be contiguous with a portion of a perimeter of the package.

16. The package of claim 12 wherein the lid comprises a plurality of tabs so constructed and arranged to cooperate with a periphery of the body to secure the lid to the body.

17. The package of claim 12 wherein the lid is connected to the body at a hinge.

18. The package of claim 17 wherein the hinge is contiguous with a perimeter of the package.

19. The package of claim 12 wherein the body and the lid each substantially define a shape selected from the group consisting of a circle and an oval.

20. The package of claim 12 wherein the surface is planar.

21. The package of claim 12 wherein the surface is convex.

22. The package of claim 12 wherein the body comprises a bottom wall, the bottom wall defining a shape selected from the group consisting of planar, convex, and combinations thereof.

23. A package comprising:

a curvilinear body defining a bottom wall and an interior housing a plurality of solid consumable products, the bottom wall being embossed with a shape corresponding to a shape of a consumable product; and

a curvilinear lid covering the interior and secured to the body by a snap fit connection.

24. The package of claim 23 wherein the plurality of solid consumable products are confectioneries.

25. The package of claim 23 further comprising a hook at a top portion of the package for receiving a hanger.