US3222190A

US3222190A - Merchandising package

Info

Publication number: US3222190A
Application number: US419623A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles L Davis
Original assignee: Pillsbury Co
Current assignee: Pillsbury Co
Priority date: 1964-11-19
Filing date: 1964-11-19
Publication date: 1965-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 1982-12-07

Description

Dec. 7, 1965 c. L. DAVIS 3,222,190

MERCHANDI S ING PACKAGE Original Filed Feb. 14, 1965 l BY i Q nl; 9 M A@ United States Patent O 12 Claims. (Cl. 99-172) The present invention is a continuation of my application filed on February 14, 1963 bearing the same title and bearing Serial No. 258,408.

This invention relates generally to merchandise packaging and more particularly to a merchandise package which is especially suited for enclosing and retaining an elongated object together with one or more dissimilarly shaped articles.

The packaging of dissirnilarly sized and shaped objects has long been a problem. One purpose of packaging it to protect the contents of a package from exterior forces while at the same time restraining excessive internal movements of the objects. Obviously, such movements can result in severe damage to the contents.

A second purpose of packaging is to provide similarly shaped and sized packages and thereby facilitate stacking in a regular manner for display, shipping, or storage purposes.

In the packaging of irregularly shaped and dissimilarly sized objects, these two purposes are, more 'often than not, inconsistent. If the package is designed to minimize internal movement, the package is frequently of such a shape that stacking is difficult, if not impossible. On the other hand, if the package is designed primarily for stacking purposes, internal movement is allowed and can be corrected only by incorporating a filler such as excelsior, paper, etc.

Even if both of the above purposes of packaging are met by the use of filler or otherwise, the entire package is usually of such fragile character that stacking can result in crushing of the package.

The packaging of an elongated object and one or more smaller and dissimilarly shaped objects is a particularly vexing problem. Heretofore, a package meeting all of the criteria discussed above has been unavailable for such objects.

It is, therefore, the general object of the present invention to provide improved packages -for articles of dissimilar sizes and shapes.

A further object is to provide a novel package for the combination of an elongated article and one or more smaller articles, which package effectively restrains the contents from excessive internal movement while at the same time presenting a configuration of suicient strength for stacking in displays, shipping -or storage.

Other objects will become apparent from an examination of the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a carton incorporating the features of the present invention shown with an elongated article and two fragile, dissimilarly shaped objects contained therein;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the carton shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 illustrates one suitable blank from which the carton of FIGURES l and 2 can be folded;

FIGURES 4 through 7 are schematic representations yof alternative cartons falling within the scope of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a plan View of a multiplicity of filled cartons as shown in FIGURE 1 arranged in a closely nested layer; and

Patented Dec. 7, 1965 lCe FIGURE 9 is an illustration of an advantageous manner in which a number of cartons, as shown in FIGURE 1, can be stacked.

In accordance with the present invention, the above objects are attained by the provision of a carton of triangular shape, which comprises a pair of spaced triangular face members and three side members connecting the opposing edges of the face members, into which an elongated article may be placed adjacent to one of the connecting side members. The other dissimilarly shaped articles may then be placed in the apex region of the carton opposite that side member.

To facilitate the description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, rst to FIGURE l which is a perspective View of a triangular carton containing a typical elongated article together with two typical smaller and dissimilarly shaped articles. An elongated cylindrical member 10, which may represent, for example, a cylindrical pressurized dough container, of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,793,126, Fienup et al., and two smaller articles 11 and 12, which may represent, for example, pouches of filling and icing to be used in connection with dough contained in the aforementioned dough package 10 are shown enclosed within triangular carton 13. Carton 13 lconsists of two spaced

triangular face members

17 and 18 and three side members, 14, 15 and 16, connecting the opposing edges x, y and z thereof. Cylindrical article 1t? lies across and adjacent to side member 14 (i.e., across one leg of triangular carton 13) and partially protrudes through and is restrained by arcuate slots 19 and 2i) located in

side members

15 and 16, respectively. Smaller articles 11 and 12 reside within the apex region 21 of triangular carton 13 and are restrained from excessive movement therewithin by converging

side members

15 and 16, faces 17 and 18, and the inner surface 22 of cylindrical article 10. Additional arcuate slots 19a and 2da (the purpose of which will be explained below in connection with the description of FIGURE 8) are provided in the apex region of

side members

15 and 16, respectively.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, which is a side elevation View of the carton shown in FIGURE l, it can be seen that the dimensions of carton 13 and the location of arculate slots 19 are such that side 14 and faces 17 and 1S in combination with arcuate slots 19 and 29 effectively restrain cylindrical article 10 from movement within the carton. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, arcuate slots 19 and 20 are cut so as to provide ears 311 and 31 which engage protruding rim 32 of cylindrical can 10 and securely lock the can within the carton. Access to the interior of the carton is made through side member 14 which may be provided, if desired, with any suitable opening feature, such as pull tab, tear tape, perforations, etc. Upon opening side member 14, cylindrical can 10 does not fall out but is retained within by

ears

30 and 31 until forcibly removed therefrom.

From the above, it can be seen that the spacing between side member 14 and arcuate slots 19 is such that slots 19 and 2li maintain elongated article 10 tightly against side member 14. It should be apparent that the perpendicular spacing of the slots from side member 14 corresponds to the diameter (or thickness in the case of elongated articles having non-cylindrical shapes) of article 10. By elementary trigonometry it may also be seen that the distance along side member 15 between the far edge of slot 19 and the corner 33 of the carton (D in FIGURES 1 and 2) is equal to the diameter (or thickness) divided by the size of the angle between

side members

14 and 15. In the claims appended hereto, this distance will be termed a restraining distance.

It is apparent that carton 13 of FIGURES 1 and 2 may be formed in a number of sizes from a number of different carton blanks. One suitable blank is shown in plan view in FIGURE 3. Referring to that iigure, the blank 22 which is generally of triangular shape is provided with score lines 23 through 27 which define

triangular face members

17 and 18 and side member 15. Also defined are tabs 14a land 1411, 16a and 16h and 16C, and 26a and 27a which, when folded upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 3, along the various score lines, join to form

side members

14 and 16. After folding, tabs 26a and 27a lie within 16!) and ldb, respectively, and 16h and 14h lie within 16a and 14a, respectively. Holes 34 and 35 which are provided in tab 1Gb fall beneath slots 20 and 20a in tab 16a when the carton is erected.

The triangular configuration of carton 13 shown in FIGURES 1 through 3 is based upon a right isosceles triangle with the cylindrical article lying along the base thereof opposite the right angle at the apex. It should be apparent that other triangular congurations, several of which are illustrated diagrammatically in FIGURES 4 through 6, are also suitable. From these gures it may be seen that the base angles (i.e., angles A and B) are variable and are governed in a given package by the size of the elongated article and the space requirements of the accompanying articles 11 and 12. It should be noted, however, that the angles A and B should be less than 90 degrees in order to secure both ends of the elongated article. In the event that it is desired that either angle A or B be made equal to or greater than 90 degrees, other provisions such a restraining clip or projection must be made within the container to restrain the end of the elongated article 10 ly-ing adjacent to that angle.

It also should be noted that while arcuate slots 19 are preferred, many advantages of the present invention are afforded by structures in which the slots are not provided. FIGURE 7 diagrammatically depicts an alternative structure in which slots 19 are not provided, restraint merely being provided by the side members. Moreover, many advantages may also be enjoyed by cartons in which the slot takes the form of an aperture through which the entire end of the elongated article may protrude.

FIGURE 8 which is a schematic representation of a layer of triangular cartons illustrates the function of additional arcuate slots 19a .and 20a of the embodiment shown in FIGURES 1 through 3. It can be seen that the portions of cylinder 10 protruding through arcuate slots 19 and 20 are accepted by

slots

19a and 20a in the next adjacent packages in a layer of packages and allow close nesting thereof.

Another outstanding and important advantage of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 9 which shows a number of filled triangular cartons made in -accordance with the present invention arranged in .a stack. In each layer of the stack, :side members 14 of two cartons are placed in contiguous relationship so that a square array is formed. When disposed in this manner, cylindrical articles 10 lie adjacent and parallel to each other. In the next higher layer within the stack, the orientation of side members 14 of the cartons is changed by 90 degrees :and in each succeeding higher layer rotated an additional 90 degrees. It may be seen that in each of such stacks weight is borne almost entirely by cylindrical articles 10 and not by the various triangular cartons which make up the stack. Thus, articles such as 11 and 12 which accompany elongated articles 10 may be quite fragile in nature and yet be packaged as shown and stacked in the manner shown without fear of damage due to compressive forces encountered in stacking.

Cartons fabricated in accordance with the present invention are also advantageous in that lling and sealing may be performed easily by means of relatively simple equipment. Prior to the filling of the container shown in FIGURE 1, the carton is erected and sealed with the exception of tabs 14a and 14b which are left open. The

carton may be then placed on any suitable conveying mechanism in a position such that the open side (i.e., side 14) faces upwardly. At any convenient place along the conveying mechanism, articles 12 and 11, in that order, are dropped into the container from positions above the conveying mechanism. The sloping

sides

15 and 16 direct articles 12 and 11 to the bottom or apex region of the container, leaving the base of upper region open. At some later point along the conveying mechanism, elongated article 10 is dropped into the upper or base region of the carton where it seats itself into `arcuate slots 18. Tabs 14a and 141) are then lled and glued to close and seal the container. It will be noted that the gluing operation is simpliiied in that elongated article 10 provides a rigid surface under tabs 14a and 14b and allows the application of pressure during sealing.

It should be apparent that many variations from and modifie-ations of the embodiments described above may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should be limited only as indicated in the following claims:

I claim:

1. A mechandising package comprising in combination:

(a) a carton comprising:

(1) a pair of spaced triangular face members each of which has a base edge and two side edges, and

(2) three side members connecting the opposing base and side edges of said face members to thus form an enclosed triangular space, each of the side members connecting said side edges being provided with a slot located a restraining distance from said base edge, and

(b) an elongated article disposed within said carton adjacent to the side member connecting said base edges and being of such length to at least partially protrude through said slots.

2. The merchandising package of claim 1 in which said elongated article is cylindrical in shape and said slots are arcuate in shape.

D 3. A merchandising package comprising in combinatron:

(a) a carton comprising:

(l) a pair of spaced triangular face members each of which has a base edge and two side edges;

(2) three side members connecting the opposing base and side edges of said face members to thus form an enclosed triangular space, each of the side members connecting said side edges being provided with a slot located a restraining distance from said base edge;

(d) an elongated article disposed within said carton adjacent to the side member connecting said base edges and being of such length to at least partially protrude through said slots, and

(c) at least one other article disposed within said carton adjacent to said elongated article.

4. The merchandising package of claim 3 further characterized in that said other article is fragile in nature.

5. The merchandising package of claim 3 further characterized in that said elongated article is a cylindrical pressurized dough container provided with end caps havmg protruding rims.

6. The merchandising package of claim 5 further characterized in that said slots are arcuate in shape and define restrainmg ears which engage said protruding rims.

7. A merchandising package comprising in combination:

(a) a carton comprising:

(1) a pair of spaced triangular face members,

(2) three side members connecting the opposing edges of said members,

(b) an elongated dough package disposed within said carton adjacent to one of said side members and being restrained therein by the other two of said side members,

(c) atleast one additional fragile article disposed within said carton adjacent to said elongated dough package, and v (1) the restraint of the two side members upon the dough package being adapted to secure the dough package in a fixed position and prevent the dough package from crushing or damaging the fragile article during shipment.

8. A method of lling and sealing an outer carton adapted for containing a plurality of articles and including a pair of spaced triangular face members each of which has a 'base edge and two side edges and three side members connecting the opposite base and side edges of said face members, each of said side members connecting said side edges being provided with a slot located a restraining distance from said base edge said method comprising dropping a relatively :small fragile article into the carton, placing an elongated dough package Within the container adjacent the fragile article with a portion of the elongated dough container being restrained in a position with the surface thereof tangent to one of the side members, placing an adhesive material in contact with a portion of said i one of the side members and applying pressure to said portion to hold said portion against the dough package while the adhesive material hardens.

9. A carton adapted for containing an elongated article together with at least one other dissimilarly shaped article comprising:

(a) a pair of spaced triangular face members each of which has .a base edge and two side edges, and

(b) three side members connecting the opposite base and side edges of said face members, each of said side members connecting said side edges being provided with an arcuate slot extending across side members along an axis normal to said spaced triangular face members located a restraining distance from said base edge, one edge of the slot being adapted to engage the end of the elongated article to prevent movement of said end in a direction normal to said axis.

10. A carton adapted for containing an elongated article together with at least one other dissimilarly shaped article comprising:

(a) a pair of spaced triangular face members each of which has a base edge and two side edges,

(b) three side members connecting the opposite base and side edges of said face members, each of said side members connecting said side edges being provided with an arcuate :slot extending across side members along an axis normal to said spaced triangular face members located a restraining distance from said base edge, one edge of the slot being adapted to engage the end of the elongated article to prevent movement of said end in a direction normal to said axis,

(c) a ap underlying the ls-ide members having said slots theerin, and

(d) each of said flaps having a cutaway portion therein in alignment with each slot.

11. A merchandising package comprising in combinatlon:

(a) a stack of cartons each carton including:

(l) a pair of spaced triangular face members, and (2) three side members connecting the opposing edges of said face members,

(b) an elongated article disposed Within said carton adjacent to one of said side members and being restrained therein by the other two of said side members, and

(c) said packages being positioned in aligned abutting pairs with the elongated articles therein positioned adjacent and parallel to each other, .a plurality of said pairs placed in aligned relationship, one on top of another, the orientation of said elongated articles in each succeeding higher layer being rotated by an add-itional 90, whereby in each stack of cartons the weight is born almost entirely by said elongated article.

12. A carton blank for a merchandising package having a pair of spaced triangular face members and three side members connecting the opposing edges of the face members, said blank comprising in combination a rectangular section said rectangular section having an arcuate slot therein located a restraining distance from one end thereof, a pair of triangular sections hinged to opposed edges of the rectangular section, said slot being disposed across the rectangular section upon an axis extending between the triangular sect-ions, each triangular section having outwardly extending tabs along each free edge thereof, one of said tabs including at least one arcuate slot therein located a restraining distance from one end of the tab and disposed to extend thereacross normal and the free edge thereof and t-he corresponding tab on the second triangular section having a cutaway portion positioned to underlie the last said arcuate slot when the blank is erected.

References Cited by the Examiner THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

Claims

7. A MERCHANDISING PACKAGE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) A CARTON COMPRISING: (1) A PAIR OF SPACED TRIANGULAR FACE MEMBERS, (2) THREE SIDE MEMBERS CONNECTING THE OPPOSING EDGES OF SAID MEMBERS, (B) AN ELONGATED DOUGH PACKAGE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CARTON ADJACENT TO ONE OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS AND BEING RESTRAINED THEREIN BY THE OTHER TWO OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS, (C) AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL FRAGILE ARTICLE DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CARTON ADJACENT TO SAID ELONGATED DOUGH PACKAGE, AND (1) THE RESTRAINT OF THE TWO SIDE MEMBERS UPON THE DOUGH PACKAGE BEING ADAPTED TO SECURE THE DOUGH PACKAGE IN A FIXED POSITION AND PREVENT THE DOUGH PACKAGE FROM CRUSHING OR DAMAGING THE FRAGILE ARTICLE DURING SHIPMENT.