US20080257758A1

US20080257758A1 - Display package with foldable legs, and method for converting the package for display

Info

Publication number: US20080257758A1
Application number: US11/787,955
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert L. Kelly
Original assignee: Jay Packaging Group Inc
Current assignee: Jay Packaging Group Inc
Priority date: 2007-04-17
Filing date: 2007-04-17
Publication date: 2008-10-23

Abstract

A display package with foldable legs, and a method for converting the package from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement without removing the contents of the package are provided. The display package can be a blister package, a clam shell package, or a similar package containing product such as cosmetics. To convert to the display arrangement, a portion of the package is removed, and the legs are folded approximately perpendicular to the package to provide adequate support and display the product contained in the package.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display package containing product such as cosmetics, and more particularly to the display package having separable portions and a plurality of foldable legs, which is convertible from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blister packages and clam shell packages are generally known, where such packages can be configured to hold different types of products. A typical clam shell package is made of plastic, which enables product contained therein to be visible through the outer packaging. Thus, clam shell packages typically are sold in a retail environment without removing product from the package.
With regard to cosmetic products, certain cosmetic products can be displayed at a counter or tabletop in a retail store, and are available for sampling by customers. Typically, packages containing one or more cosmetic products are shipped to the retail store, and the products are removed from the packages along with any supporting material. Then the products, and possibly the supporting material, are arranged for display, sampling, and/or sale on a countertop or tabletop by a salesperson. Although the packages received by the retail store may be suitable for shipping, conventionally such packages are not directly configured for display, and thus require removal of the package contents, i.e., the cosmetic products and any supporting material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,680 to Israel et al. discloses a package or display for cosmetic material, where the cosmetic material is provided on a support element and covered with a peelable protective film. Such a package is useful for accessing the cosmetic material, but does not make any special provision for display.
U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2006/0278651 to Appelbaum et al. discloses a blister package made of plastic and including a card cover, in which hinged retainer portions of the package are rotated to secure the card in place. However, the package does not make any special provision for display.
It would be desirable to provide a display package such as a clam shell package or blister package containing product such as cosmetics, the package being easily convertible from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement, in particular, for use in a retail sales environment. Further, it would be desirable to provide the display package that is convertible from the shipping arrangement to the display arrangement without removing the contents of the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A display package with foldable legs, and a method for converting the package from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement is provided. The display package can be a blister package, a clam shell package, or any similar package containing product such as cosmetics. In particular, the package has a provision for display, for example, the package has foldable legs and a removable shipping portion, so that the package can rest on the legs for display on a counter or table in a retail environment. For example, the legs can be received in a tray configured to hold a plurality of products and/or packaging material for display. By providing at least the foldable legs and the removable shipping portion, the package can be converted appropriately from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement without removing the contents (i.e., the cosmetic product or other product) from the package.
According to the present invention, a package for containing product can include at least a bottom portion including a compartment for receiving the product; a top portion having a cover configured to be connected with the product compartment, the top portion being removably attached to the bottom portion; and a plurality of legs operably connected to the bottom portion, the legs being foldable along a plurality of fold lines. The package can include a plurality of tabs on the top portion for receiving the bottom portion. The package can be convertible from a shipping arrangement in which the top and bottom portions are folded together to a display arrangement in which the top and bottom portions are unfolded, the top portion is removed from the bottom portion, and the legs are folded along the plurality of fold lines. Further, the bottom portion can form a horizontal plane, and the legs folded approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane in the display arrangement. Additionally, the top and bottom portions can be separated by a fold line or a score line, and the top portion can be removed from the bottom portion by tearing along the fold line or score line.
A method for converting a package from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement can include steps of: providing the package with a bottom portion including a product compartment and a plurality of legs connected to the bottom portion by a plurality of fold lines, and a top portion having a cover configured to be connected with the product compartment, such that the top and bottom portions are folded together in the shipping arrangement; unfolding the top and bottom portions; removing the top portion from the bottom portion; and folding the legs along the plurality of fold lines to form the display arrangement.
A cosmetic package can include at least a bottom portion including a product compartment holding at least one cosmetic; a top portion having a cover configured to be connected with the product compartment, the top portion being removably attached to the bottom portion; and a plurality of legs connected to the bottom portion by a plurality of fold lines, wherein the package is convertible to a display arrangement for displaying the at least one cosmetic held in the product compartment by removing the top portion via the score line, and folding the legs along the plurality of fold lines.
Other aspects and embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and desired objects of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures wherein like reference character denote corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a display package configured in a display arrangement with legs folded for display, and a top portion of the package removed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the display package of FIG. 1 in a shipping arrangement in which the top and bottom portions are folded together and closed;

FIGS. 3A to 3C are various views of the display package of FIGS. 1 and 2 having a single circular-shaped product compartment according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4C are various views of a display package having a single rectangular-shaped product compartment according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A to 5C are various views of a display package having a plurality of circular-shaped product compartments according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DEFINITIONS

The instant invention is most clearly understood with reference to the following definitions:
As used in the specification and claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “blister package” and “clam shell package” are used interchangeably, and refer to any plastic packaging material used for holding product, the product being at least partially visible through the package.
As used herein, the terms “cosmetic product” refers generally to any type of product capable of being contained in the package, and is not limited to products conventionally considered “cosmetics.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A display package and a method for converting the package to a display configuration are provided according to the present invention. The package preferably includes multiple portions or panels, at least one portion being removable to facilitate conversion into the display configuration. At least one remaining portion of the package preferably includes one or more legs attached thereto by fold lines, such that the legs can be folded along the fold lines and rotated to be approximately perpendicular to the package, thereby supporting the package in the display configuration. The display package can be a blister package, a clam shell package, or any similar package containing product such as cosmetics. However, the type of product(s) contained in the package is not limited according to the present invention. Preferably the product(s) contained in the package do not require removal from the package when the package is converted to the display configuration.
The display package preferably includes a top portion and a bottom portion connected by a fold line, score line, or the like, such that the top and bottom portions are folded together in a shipping arrangement, and can be unfolded with the top portion removed and discarded in a display arrangement (i.e., the display configuration). Further, in the display arrangement, a plurality of legs attached to the bottom portion preferably are folded approximately perpendicular to the bottom portion for supporting the package. In the display arrangement, product contained in a product compartment of the bottom portion is held upright, so that the bottom portion rests on the legs, where the legs are generally perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by the bottom portion. In certain embodiments, the legs are sized to fit within corresponding holes of a display tray or other display arrangement, such that when the legs are arranged perpendicularly to the horizontal plane of the bottom portion, the legs can fit within the holes, channels, or cut-outs of the display tray.
By providing the foldable legs and removable top portion, the package can be converted appropriately to the display arrangement without removing the contents (i.e., the cosmetic product or other product) from the package. The present invention also encompasses a method for converting the package from the shipping arrangement to the display arrangement.
A display package 10 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where FIG. 1 depicts the display package 10 in a display arrangement, and FIG. 2 depicts the display package 10 in a shipping arrangement. Referring to FIG. 1, the display package 10 preferably includes at least a bottom portion 12 and a top portion 14, the top portion 14 being removably connected to the bottom portion 12 by a fold line 20 (see FIG. 2). The fold line 20 can be a conventional fold line, a score line, a perforated line, or the like, optionally including a feature such as indentations or perforations to facilitate separating the top portion 14 from the bottom portion 12.
A first preferred embodiment of the display package 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a blank used to form the display package 10 is shown, where the blank preferably is made of plastic, e.g., PVC, styrene, or like material. The blank can be made of any plastic material to facilitate complete or partial viewing of product contained in the package. The plastic material selected for use in the package can be transparent or tinted/colored plastic material. The display package 10 of FIGS. 3A to 3C preferably includes the bottom portion 12 and the top portion 14 separated by the fold line 20.
A product compartment 22 is provided in approximately a central region of the bottom portion 12 of the display package 10, the product compartment 22 configured to receive and hold any type of product, for example, a cosmetic product. The product compartment 22 is depicted in an open state in FIGS. 3A to 3C, so that product can be placed in the product compartment 22 before the top and bottom portions of the package 10 are folded together. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A to 3C, the product compartment 22 is generally circular in shape, although other shapes are possible, including rectangular, square, triangular, or any other regular or irregular shape. A cover 24 is formed in the top portion 14, the cover 24 generally conforming to the shape of the product compartment 22. In other words, the product compartment 22 and the cover 24 preferably are formed as complimentary elements such as enclosures, as shown in FIG. 3A, so that the product will be contained between the product compartment 22 and the cover 24 when the top and bottom portions are folded together, preferably without leakage of the product to other portions of the display package 10.
The display package 10 includes one or more legs operably connected to the package. Preferably at least two legs 16, 18 are provided along the sides of the bottom portion 12 of the package 10. As shown in FIG. 3B, for example, a first leg 16 is connected to the bottom portion 12 by a first fold line 26, and a second leg 18 is connected to the bottom portion 12 by a second fold line 28. The legs 16, 18 preferably are foldable with respect to the bottom portion 12 along the fold lines 26, 28, respectively, when the top portion 14 is removed from the package 10.
The legs 16, 18 are each formed with at least one rib 30, for example, a raised portion or a depression formed in the legs 16, 18 to provide structural strength to the package 10, where the ribs 30 preferably are provided in the bottom portion 12 of the package, and additional ribs 32 are provided in the top portion 14. The ribs 30 and 32 preferably improve structural integrity of the package without interfering with closing of the package in the shipping arrangement or display of the package in the display arrangement.
The second and third preferred embodiments of the present invention differ from the above-described first preferred embodiment by providing a different shape and/or number of product compartments.
Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, according to the second preferred embodiment, a product compartment 122 and corresponding cover 124 are generally rectangular in shape. In other words, a package 110 according to the second preferred embodiment is capable of accommodating product of a different shape, i.e., rectangular, as compared to the first preferred embodiment. Otherwise, the package 110 is generally the same as the package 10 of the first preferred embodiment. For example, the package 110 includes at least a bottom portion 112 and a top portion 114, the top portion 114 being removably connected to the bottom portion 112 by a fold line 120. One of more legs, for example, legs 116 and 118 are provided along the sides of the bottom portion 112, the legs 116 and 118 being foldable with respect to fold lines 126 and 128, respectively.
Referring to FIGS. 5A to 5C, according to the third preferred embodiment, instead of a single product compartment and corresponding cover, a plurality of product compartments with respective covers are provided. In FIGS. 5A to 5C, four separate product compartments 222 are included on a bottom portion 212 of the package 210, and four corresponding covers 224 are included on a top portion 214 of the package 210, although any number of product compartments and respective covers could be provided. Otherwise, the package 210 is generally the same as the previously described packages 10 and 110. Preferably the top portion 214 is removably connected to the bottom portion 212 by a fold line 220. One of more legs, for example, legs 216 and 218 are provided along the sides of the bottom portion 212, the legs 216 and 218 being foldable with respect to fold lines 226 and 228, respectively.
A method for converting the package 10 from the shipping arrangement to the display arrangement will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. A blank according to any of the above-described embodiments preferably is filled with product and closed, where a closed package is depicted in FIG. 2, which corresponds to the shipping arrangement. For example, referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, prior to closing the package 10, product can be placed in the product compartment 22. Then, the top portion 14 is folded over the bottom portion 12, so that the cover 24 covers the product compartment 22, with any product being contained in the enclosure between the product compartment 22 and cover 24.
As shown in FIG. 2, after the top and bottom portions of the display package 10 are folded together, the bottom portion 12 preferably is clasped to the top portion 14. In particular, the top portion 14 includes a plurality of tabs 40, 42 for receiving an end of the bottom portion 12. The tabs 40, 42 can be crescent-shaped cuts made in the top portion 14, or any other suitable shape or design for receiving and holding the bottom portion 12. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2, the display package 10 is provided in the shipping arrangement.
To convert the display package 10 from the shipping arrangement of FIG. 2 to the display arrangement depicted in FIG. 1, the bottom portion 12 of the package is unclasped from the tabs 40, 42, and the top portion 14 is unfolded from the bottom portion 12. Subsequently, the top portion 14 preferably is removed from the bottom portion 12 by tearing the top portion 14 along the fold line 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the top portion 14 has been separated from the bottom portion 12. The top portion 14 can now be discarded.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the legs 16, 18 are folded along corresponding fold lines 26, 28 from a position approximately parallel to a horizontal plane defined by the bottom portion 12 to a position approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the bottom portion 12. The display package 10 of FIG. 1 is shown in the display arrangement, in which product contained in the product compartment 22 can be displayed by placing the bottom portion 12 of the display package on a flat surface such as a countertop. Alternatively, the legs 26, 28 can be received in corresponding holes, channels, or cut-outs of a tray or other display arrangement. In the display arrangement, the bottom portion 12 rests on the legs 26, 28, which generally support the bottom portion 12, and thus support the display package in the display arrangement.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The entire contents of all patents, published patent applications and other references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

Claims

1. A package for containing product, comprising:

a bottom portion including a compartment for receiving the product;

a top portion having a cover configured to be connected with the product compartment, the top portion being removably attached to the bottom portion; and

a plurality of legs operably connected to the bottom portion, the legs being foldable to a position approximately perpendicular to the bottom portion to support the package.

2. The package of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of tabs on the top portion for receiving the bottom portion.

3. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is convertible from a shipping arrangement in which the top and bottom portions are folded together to a display arrangement in which the top and bottom portions are unfolded, the top portion is removed from the bottom portion, and the legs are folded along the plurality of fold lines.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein the bottom portion forms a horizontal plane, and the legs are folded approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane in the display arrangement.

5. The package of claim 3, wherein the top and bottom portions are separated by a fold line or a score line, and the top portion is removed from the bottom portion by tearing along the fold line or score line.

6. The package of claim 1, wherein the package is converted into a display arrangement by removing and discarding the top portion, and folding the legs along the plurality of fold lines.

7. The package of claim 6, wherein the legs are folded approximately perpendicular to the bottom portion in the display arrangement.

8. The package of claim 1, further comprising at least one rib arranged on the bottom portion, and at least one rib arranged on the top portion, the ribs providing structural strength to the package.

9. The package of claim 1, wherein the product compartment is circular or rectangular.

10. The package of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of product compartments, and the top portion includes a corresponding plurality of covers.

11. A method for converting a package from a shipping arrangement to a display arrangement, comprising the steps of:

providing the package with a bottom portion including a product compartment and a plurality of legs connected to the bottom portion by a plurality of fold lines, and a top portion having a cover configured to be connected with the product compartment, such that the top and bottom portions are folded together in the shipping arrangement;

unfolding the top and bottom portions;

removing the top portion from the bottom portion; and

folding the legs along the plurality of fold lines, the legs being folded to a position approximately perpendicular to the bottom portion to support the package in the display arrangement.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the legs are folded approximately perpendicular to the bottom portion.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the bottom portion forms a horizontal plane, and the legs are folded approximately perpendicular to the horizontal plane in the display arrangement.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein in the shipping arrangement, the top and bottom portions are clasped together.

15. A package for holding cosmetics, comprising:

a bottom portion including a product compartment holding at least one cosmetic;

a plurality of legs connected to the bottom portion by a plurality of fold lines,

wherein the package is convertible to a display arrangement for displaying the at least one cosmetic held in the product compartment by removing the top portion from the bottom portion, and folding the legs along the plurality of fold lines to a position approximately perpendicular to the bottom portion to support the package.

16. The cosmetic package of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of tabs on the top portion for receiving the bottom portion.

17. The cosmetic package of claim 15, wherein the top and bottom portions are separated by a fold line or a score line, and the top portion is removed from the bottom portion by tearing along the fold line or score line.

18. The cosmetic package of claim 15, further comprising at least one rib arranged on the bottom portion, and at least one rib arranged on the top portion, the ribs providing structural strength to the package.

19. The cosmetic package of claim 15, wherein the product compartment is circular or rectangular.

20. The cosmetic package of claim 15, wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of product compartments, and the top portion includes a corresponding plurality of covers.