US3862687A

US3862687A - Merchandise packaging device

Info

Publication number: US3862687A
Application number: US410633A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward Pirman
Original assignee: Pretty Products Inc
Current assignee: Pretty Products Inc
Priority date: 1973-10-29
Filing date: 1973-10-29
Publication date: 1975-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 1992-01-28

Abstract

A merchandise packaging device is provided for facilitation of transport and storage and the enhancement of display of articles of merchandise. This device is specifically adapted in its illustrative embodiments for utilization with planar sheet form articles such as automobile floor mats. The device comprises a package body formed from a sheet of paper board and a rigid hanger assembled with the body. A hook element which is formed in the rigid hanger is cooperatively engageable with a support or hanger bar in suspending the packaged articles in vertical planes. The paper board is folded to form two interfitting, Ushaped elements adapted to receive a marginal edge portion of a format in edgewise relationship. Suitable fastening devices, such as staples, project through the package body and the interposed floor mat to complete packaging. This results in a relatively rigid structure capable of supporting the substantial weight of an automobile floor mat.

Description

Elite States 1 1 Pirman [73] Assignee: Pretty Products, lnc., Coshocton,

Ohio

[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 410,633

[52] U5. Cl 206/527, 312/184, 211/113, 206/806, 206/289, 206/461, 223/87, 225/52 [51] Int. Cl. 865d 47/32, G091" 5/04 [58] Field of Search 223/87, 85; 312/184 X;

Primary ExaminerDavis T. Moorhead Attorney, Agent, or F irm-Mahoney, Miller & Stebens [57] ABSTRACT A merchandise packaging device is provided for facilitation of transport and storage and the enhancement of display of articles o1- merchandise. This device is specifically adapted in its illustrative embodiments for utilization with planar sheet form articles such as automobile floor mats. The device comprises a package body formed from a sheet of paper board and a rigid hanger assembled with the body. A hook element which is formed in the rigid hanger is cooperatively engageable with a support or hanger bar in suspending the packaged articles in vertical planes. The paper board is folded to form two interfitting, U-shaped elements adapted to receive a marginal edge portion of a format in edgewise relationship. Suitable fastening devices, such as staples, project through the package body and the interposed floor mat to complete packaging. This results in a relatively rigid structure capable of supporting the substantial weight 01 an automobile floor mat.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures I MERCHANDISE PACKAGING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Packaging of articles such as flexible automobile floor mats has generally consisted of placing the mat in a carton or box. The floor mats, being relatively flexible, may be readily folded or rolled for space conservation and positioning within a carton of rectangular or square cross section. A second packaging method comprises placing the mat in what is generally termed a shrink-film package. With respect to the carton packaging method, these cartons are usually formed from a relatively thin cardboard and are opaque, thereby fully concealing the contents. As a consequence, it is necessary to provide effective display literature and illustrations as well as extensive labeling and marking of the cardboard boxes. This is essential in order that prospective customers will be effectively apprised of the contents of a box, as there are usually many colors and styles to be selected as dictated by the customers personal preference. However, even extensive display literature and colorful-type labeling does not prevent the customer from opening up the containers for direct viewing and further assurance that the desired style and color is being obtained. An undesirable consequence of this is that the display becomes quickly and easily disarranged and requires constant care and attention to maintain a reasonable degree of ordered display to facilitate subsequent selection by other customers. The thin cardboard cartons are not capable of withstanding such extensive handling abuse and often become broken or torn thereby further adding to the unsightly display appearance.

The shrink-film type package normally comprises a cardboard backing that is relatively rigid and upon which the mat is placed. A transparent plastic film is then formed around the assembled mat and backing and sealed by application of heat that also shrinks the film into close association. While this type of package fully displays the mat as to both color and style, such a package is relatively expensive and not suitable to withstand the substantial weight of the automobile floor mats. The weight of a floor mat designed to cover the entire front or rear floor of a car is substantial, as these mats are fabricated from rubber. A thin plastic film is relatively weak and is very susceptible to tearing, and the film is often broken through frequent handling by prospective customers in examining the available selection. A display of this type normally comprises stacking of a number of the packages in a vertical arrangement, and this requires the customers to again disarrange a display in selecting the desired color or style.

Another type of merchandise display technique utilized with floor mats is stacking of unpackaged mats. This is not particularly desirable as the mats are difficult to handle as they are rather bulky and large. Further, the unpackaged mats are very difficult to maintain in a suitable appearing display and do not provide adequate information as to style or type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The merchandise packaging devices of this invention provide advantages as to both transport and display of articles such as automobile floor mats. Both embodiments of the illustrative packaging devices comprise a package body that is secured to the floor mat and a rigid hanger assembled with the package body. The package body is formed of a sheet of material folded into a configuration that is generally U-shaped and adapted to receive an edge portion of a mat in edgewise relationship. Suitable fastening devices are employed in securing the package body to the floor mat thereby forming a substantially unitary package arrangement. The rigid hanger, which may be readily formed from a rigid wire, includes an elongated element that extends longitudinally of the package body, and a hook element that extends laterally to engage a hanger bar and thereby suspend a package in a vertical plane.

The package body is formed from a single sheet of paper board that is initially formed as a blank of rectangular configuration. This sheet of paper board is then scored to form fold lines, and the board is then folded to form two telescoped body elements of U-shaped configuration. Two such U-shaped elements are formed and thus provide a relatively strong and rigid package body when secured to the automobile floor mat.

Fabricating the package device of folded paper board produces an economical package and also results in enhanced display of the various colors and styles of articles thus merchandised. Hanging of the display articles in a vertical plane results in each article being readily visible for inspection and thus avoids the necessity of the package being removed from the arrangement thereby reducing the chances of disarrangement of a display. A customer may readily examine the mat associated with a package by merely swinging the article about the hanger bar from interleaved relationship with other mats. This results in full exposure of the mat for inspection as to color and style. A particular mat may thus be readily selected and removed from the display without disarrangement of the remainder of the display.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa merchandise packaging device embodying this invention applied to an article of merchandise.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of the merchandise packaging device and is illustrated as applied to an article of merchandise.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a paperboard blank for forming of the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the paper board blank par tially folded and with the hanger element assembled therewith.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the packaging device of FIG. 1 with the fold completed.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a cardboard blank for the modified device structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the modified device.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. This illustrative embodiment of a merchandise packaging device comprises a package body 11 and a rigid hanger 12 that is assembled with the body. The package body 11 is formed from a sheet of cardboard material folded into a U-shaped configuration that receives, in edgewise relationship, a marginal edge portion of an article of merchandise such as an automobile floor mat. A floor mat is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 in broken lines and designated by the letter M. When thus positioned in association with a mat M, the package body 11 is secured to the mat by suitable fasteners such as the illustrated staples S. These staples, or any other suitable fastening means, are of a minimal dimension to prevent damaging the mat as they are inserted through the package body 11 and the mat, while maintaining adequate strength for securely fastening the mat and package body. An automobile floor mat is normally fabricated from a material such as rubber, and small puncture holes resulting from the use of staples do not leave a visible puncture or hole as the rubber in effect is a selfsealing type material.

In its folded configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the packaging device body 11 includes two

body elements

13 and 14 which are disposed in telescoped relationship to each other. Each of the

body elements

13 and 14 are of open-ended channel configuration having

respective side panels

15 and 16 associatedwith element 13 and

panels

17 and 18 associated with element 14. Each of the pairs of side panels are interconnected by

respective webs

19 and 20. In addition, the adjacently disposed

side panels

16 and 18 are integrally formed along an edge designated by numeral 21.

The package body element 14 is smaller than the element 13 as to both width and height and thus telescopically interfits into element 13. With the extreme edges of the side panels coextensive as dictated by the integral formation at edge 21, this leaves a substantial space between the opposed surfaces of interconnecting

webs

19 and 20. To facilitate manipulation and carrying of a packaged mat, a hand hole 22 is formed in the

side panels

15 and 16 of the larger body element 13 at a location where it is above the webb 20 of the smaller body element 14. Longitudinal positioning of the hand hole 22 is optional; however, location as illustrated is preferred for convenient manipulation ofthe packaged mat when suspended in a hanger-bar type display and for carrying. This illustrated position has the hand hole 22 offset from the center of the packaging device and is at approximately a As point longitudinally thereof.

Assembled with the package body 11 is the rigid hanger 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the rigid hanger 12 comprises an elongated wire rod element 25 and an integrally formed hook element 26. The elongated element 25 is of a length substantially coextensive with the package body and is disposed immediately beneath the interconnecting web 19 to provide support throughout its length. Formed in the web 19 at substantially the midpoint, is an aperture 27 through which the hook element 26 projects. In this embodiment. the hanger is fabricated in the manner of conventional coat hangers wherein the hook element 26 is integrally formed with a wire rod forming a part of the elongated portion. The elongated portion is fabricated from two rods that are intertwisted into a rigid, non-flexible structure. Selecting an appropriate diameter rod results in a hanger having adequate strength and rigidity for support of the package body with a suspended floor mat M. Tearing or rupturing of the web 19 at the aperture 27 may be substantially eliminated through utilization of a metal grommet 28.

As will be readily apparent. utilization of this packaging device merely requires rigidly securing of the package body 11 to the mat by suitable fastening means such as the staples S. With the packaging device thus secured to the mat, several of the mats may be conveniently displayed and supported on a hanger bar (not shown) forming a part of a store display. Consequently. the mats will be vertically suspended and may be readily pivoted by a prospective customer for better visual inspection of the color and style of any particular mat. Appropriate indicia may be placed along the outer surface of the interconnecting web 19 for identification and description of the particular mat.

A paperboard blank for fabrication of the packaging device shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated in FIG. 3. Sequential steps in fabrication of the blank are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This blank, indicated generally by the numeral 3 may advantageously be formed from sheet material such as corrugated paper board. Corrugated paper board, or other paper board, is selected to provide a package device having adequate structural strength for the support of and carrying an automobile floor mat. This material is relatively economical and is readily folded when provided with scorelines and is easily cut or punched. 4

Formation of the packaging device 10 initially requires provision of a rectangularly shaped sheet of paperboard 30 of suitable thickness and strength. This sheet of paper board has a width dimension that is equal to the length of the packaging device. The longer dimension is determined by the depth of the side panels for each of the

body elements

13 and 14. Additional length is required for formation of the interconnecting

webs

19 and 20 as well as that which may be required for the integral fold 21 between the

body elements

13 and 14. Each of the side panels, 15 through 18 are indicated in FIG. 3 by their respective numerals with the fold or score lines indicated by broken lines. A pair of scored lines, 31 and 32, are formed in the paperboard blank 30 and define the interconnecting web 19 between the

side panels

15 and 16. The aperture 27 is formed in the web panel 19, and the metal grommet 28 is inserted and crimped into place. A third scored line 33 is formed in the blank to permit reverse folding of the portion defining the second body element 14, comprising

panels

17 and 18. A second pair of score lines, 34 and 35, are formed in the blank to define the interconnecting web 20 dividing the

side panels

17 and 18.

The hand hole 22 is formed by cutting the paperboard blank 30 in each of the

panels

15 and 16 in relative positions to coincide when the paperboard blank is properly folded. These

cuts

36, 37 are of an oblong configuration and extend completely through the paperboard blank at both ends and along one side. A scored

fold line

36a, 37a forms the other longitudinal side of the oblong configuration with the score line most closely adjacent the interconnecting web 19 and completes defining a

flap

38, 39, respectively. Consequently, the

flaps

38, 39 that result from forming of the hand hole 22 are not completely severed from or removed from the blank.

As a first step in formation of the packaging device 10, a rigid hanger 12 is assembled with the blank as shown in FIG. 4. In that figure, the elongated wire rod element 25 is disposed longitudinally of the interconnecting web 19. In this position, the hook element 26 extends through the aperture 27 and the elongated element 25 lies in close proximate relationship to the surface of the paperboard blank. The second step in formation, is folding of the panel 18 about the fold line 33 into overlying relationship to the side panel 16. This results in formation of the interconnecting edge 21 between the two

body elements

13 and 14. At this point, the panel 17 is reverse folded along with the associated interconnecting web to overlie the panel 18 as shown in FIG. 4 with the interconnecting web perpendicular to the two side panels.

The last step of the folding operation consists in folding of the panel 15 into superimposed relationship to the panel 16 and overlying the body element 14 formed in the previous step. Completion of this fold step positions the interconnecting web 19 in perpendicular relationship to the

respective panels

15 and 16 as shown in FIG. 5. A last step of the operation comprises pushing the

flaps

38, 39 in the

respective panels

15, 16 inwardly relative to each other to overlap and form the hand hole 22. This overlapped relationship is best seen in FIG. 6 where the two

flaps

38 and 39 form a broad surface against which the fingers of the hand may comfortably bear in lifting of the package device.

This completes the formation of the packaging device 10 leaving only attachment of the device to an automobile floor mat. This is readily accomplished by merely inserting a marginal edge portion of a mat between the respective panel pairs 15, 17 and 16, 18. With the mat thus inserted, suitable fastening means are applied such as driving of staples S through the side panels of the

body elements

13 and 14. This rigidly secures the mat in association with the packaging device resulting in a rigid structure. The double walled thickness of the packaging device prevents the staples from readily pulling out in response to the forces normally encountered in manipulation and handling of the pack aged floor mats. The double channel configuration enhances the rigidity of the structure for support of the relatively heavy floor mats. A modified form of a packaging device embodying this invention is shown in FIG. 2 as applied to a floor mat. This modified packaging device designated generally by the numeral 40 is substantially the same as that previously described in detail and shown in FIG. 1 and primarily differs only in the respect that it is not provided with a hand hole. Manipulation and carrying of the packaged mat is therefore not as convenient. However, the hook of the rigid hanger can be utilized for this purpose. An advantage of this particular structure of the modified form is that a relatively stronger structure is provided for support of a heavier type mat.

As in the case of the first described embodiment, the packaging device 40 includes two interfitting telescoped body elements 41 and 42 which define a package body 43. Assembled with the package body is a rigid hanger 44. Each body element 41 and 42 includes the

opposed side panels

45, 46 and 47, 48 with these pairs of side panels interconnected by the

respective webs

49 and 50. The adjacently disposed

panels

46 and 48 are interconnected along a common line defining a lower edge 51. It will be noted that the relative length of the

side panels

47 and 48 are such as to position the associated interconnecting web 50 in contacting relationship with the web 49.

The rigid hanger 44 also comprises a similar elongated wire rod element 52 having a hook element 53 formed at a central point thereof. Application of the rigid hanger 44 may follow the same construction as described with the first described embodiment.

A paper board blank 55 for fabrication of the packaging device 40 is shown in FIG. 7 in plan view. This paper board blank is also of a generally rectangular shape and may advantageously be fabricated from a corrugated cardboard of adequate thickness to provide sufficient strength for support and packaging of the heavy rubber floor mats. The four side panels 45 through 48 are designated in FIG. 7 with the respective interconnecting

webs

49 and 50 also indicated.

Score lines

56 and 57 define the web 49, separating

panels

45 and 46 while score lines 58 and 59 define the interconnecting web 50 separating the

panels

47 and 48. An additional score line 60 is formed in the paper board blank between the

panels

46 and 48 with this line 60 aiding in forming the interconnecting edge 51 of the device. Formed in each of the

webs

49 and 50 at the approximate mid-point are respective apertures 61 and 62. Each aperture is preferably provided with a

metal grommet

63 and 64 for purpose of reinforcement.

Assembly and fabrication of the device 40 follows essentially the same sequential steps as described and illustrated with respect to the preferred embodiment of the device with the rigid hanger 44 assembled after the paperboard blank is completely folded. The sequential steps of folding comprise bending the blank 55 at the score line 60 to place the panel 48 in overlying relationship to the surface of panel 46. Panel 47 is then reverse folded to overlie panel 48, placing the interconnecting web 50 in perpendicular relationship. The final folding step comprises folding the panel 45 over the previously folded body element 42 resulting in positioning the interconnecting web 49 in perpendicular relationship to the panels and contacting engagement with the interconnecting web 50. At this point, the rigid hanger 44 is assembled by extending the hook element 53 through the coaxial apertures 61 and 62. The completed device 40 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

This modification of the device operates and is utilized in substantially the same manner as the previously described embodiment; that is, a mat is inserted between the telescoped body element 41 and 42 and is secured thereto by suitable fastening means such as staples S as shown in FIG. 2. A packaged floor mat M may then be suspended from a hanger bar (not shown) for purposes of display. As with the preferred embodiment, a customer may readily pivot any selected mat for more complete visual inspection. The package device 40 may be picked up and carried by the hook element 53.

It will be readily apparent from the detailed description of the two illustrative embodiments of this invention, that a novel merchandise packaging device is provided which greatly enhances the display of merchandise such as automobile floor mats. Vertical suspension of the mats greatly facilitates visual inspection of the mats by a customer through permitting the customer to individually and selectively swing the mats suspended from a hanger bar to a readily visible position. A display does not become disarranged and the packaging devices maintain their original pleasing appearance as there is no occasion for rough mishandling by the customers.

Having thus described this invention. what is claimed 1. A merchandise packaging device comprising a package body formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard folded into inner and outer body elements disposed in telescopically interfitting relationship, each of said body elements being of an elongated, U-shaped channel configuration open at each end having spaced side panels and a web interconnecting the respective side panels, said side panels of each body element disposed adjacent to a respective side panel of the other body element with one pair of adjacently disposed side panels integrally formed along one edge thereof, and rigid hanger assembled with said package body, said rigid hanger including an elongated element disposed interiorly of at least said first body element and extending longitudinally thereof relative to said web for support of said package body thereon, and a hook element formed with said elongated element and projecting laterally therefrom for suspending the packaging device from a support.

2. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 1 wherein said inner body element side panels are of lessor width than that of said outer body element side panels thereby spacing said webs, said outer body element having a hand hole formed in the side panels thereof within the space between said webs.

3. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 2 wherein said hand hold comprises elongated. aligned apertures formed in said side panels and extending longitudinally thereof, each side panel of said outer body element having a flap integrally formed therewith along a side of said aperture most closely adjacent to said web and projecting inwardly of the respective side panel into overlapping relationship with the flap of the other panel.

4. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 2 wherein said hand hole is longitudinally offset from the center of said outer body element.

5. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 1 wherein the elongated element of said rigid hanger is disposed in contacting engagement with said outer body element web.

6. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 5 wherein said outer body element has an aperture formed in said web intermediate the ends thereof and the hook element of said rigid hanger extends through said aperture.

7. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 1 wherein said inner and outer body elements are disposed with the webs thereof in contacting engagement and said rigid hanger having the elongated element thereof disposed interiorly of said inner body element and in contacting engagement therewith.

8. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 7 wherein said inner and outer body elements have coaxial apertures formed in the respective webs thereof intermediate the ends and said hook element extends through said apertures.

Claims

1. A merchandise packaging device comprising a package body formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard folded into inner and outer body elements disposed in telescopically interfitting relationship, each of said body elements being of an elongated, U-shaped channel configuration open at each end having spaced side panels and a web interconnecting the respective side panels, said side panels of each body element disposed adjacent to a respective side panel of the other body element with one pair of adjacently disposed side panels integrally formed along one edge thereof, and a rigid hanger assembled with said package body, said rigid hanger including an elongated element disposed interiorly of at least said first body element and extending longitudinally thereof relative to said web for support of said package body thereon, and a hook element formed with said elongated element and projecting laterally therefrom for suspending the packaging device from a support.

3. A merchandise packaging device according to claim 2 wherein said hand hold comprises elongated, aligned apertures formed in said side panels and extending longitudinally thereof, each side panel of said outer body element having a flap iNtegrally formed therewith along a side of said aperture most closely adjacent to said web and projecting inwardly of the respective side panel into overlapping relationship with the flap of the other panel.