WO1996003321A1

WO1996003321A1 - Retractable hook for a packaging container

Info

Publication number: WO1996003321A1
Application number: PCT/GB1995/001736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre Philip Wilkins
Original assignee: Andre Philip Wilkins
Priority date: 1994-07-26
Filing date: 1995-07-24
Publication date: 1996-02-08
Also published as: GB9415059D0; IL114737A0

Abstract

A packaging container (20) having a suspension member (30) movably attached to a wall (19) of the container (20) for movement between a retracted and an extended position such that when the suspension member (30) is at its retracted position the container (20) constitutes a shelf stackable type container and when at its extended position the container constitutes a suspension type container.

Description

RETRACTABLE HOOK FOR A PACKAGING CONTAINER

The present invention relates generally to merchandising of packed articles.

In the retail merchandising of articles, in particular garments such as hosiery and lingerie, it is a common practice to pack the articles into a carton for display at the point of sale.

The cartons are usually of two types, viz they are either of a type intended for stacking on a shelf or alternatively are of a type intended for suspension from a support, such as a rail.

At present, therefore, manufacturers of the articles, or the carton manufacturers, need to carry large stocks of both types of carton in readiness for supply to the retailer.

A general aim of the present invention is to provide a carton capable of conversion between these two types of carton so as to reduce the necessity of stocking two types of carton.

A further advantage provided by the present invention is that it gives the retailer maximum flexibility for display whilst the cartons are at the point of sale, viz the retailer can easily convert the cartons from a shelf type to a suspension type in order to change the mode of display.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a suspension assembly which is attachable to a carton to enable the carton to be capable of conversion between a shelf type carton and a suspension type carton.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container having a suspension member movably attached to a wall of the container for movement between a retracted and an extended position such that when the suspension member is at its retracted position the container constitutes a shelf stackable type container and when at its extended position the container constitutes a suspension type container.

Preferably the suspension member is telescopically mounted on a wall of the container for movement between its retracted position and an extended position.

Preferably the suspension member is arranged to move from within the interior of the container such that when the suspension member is located in its retracted position it is at least substantially hidden from view.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a suspension assembly for attachment to a packaging container, the suspension assembly including a base member for securance to the container and a suspension member movably engaged with the base member for movement between retracted and extended positions. Preferably the suspension member is telescopically engaged with the base member.

Preferably the base member is adapted for insertion through a slot formed in a wall of the container. Preferably the base member is provided with at least one pair of opposed shoulders for retaining the base member within the slot.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of converting a container from a shelf stackable type to a suspension type, and vice versa, the method including attaching a suspension member to the container so as to be movable relative thereto between an extended position and a retracted position, and moving the suspension member to its retracted position to create a shelf stackable type container or moving the suspension member to its extended position to create a suspension type container.

Preferably the method includes moving the suspension member to reside within the container when moving it to its retracted position so as to substantially hide the suspension member from view.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of packaging articles for display at a point of sale, the method including loading articles into a plurality of containers as defined above, and locating the suspension members of a first series of selected containers in their retracted positions and stacking these cartons on shelves for display at the point of sale and/or locating the suspension members of a second series of selected containers in their extended positions and suspending these containers from supports for display at the point of sale.

It will be appreciated that, at any one point in time, the total number of containers being displayed at the point of sale may comprise only the first or second series of containers or may comprise a combination of the first and second series of containers.

Various aspects of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 is a side view of a suspension assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, showing the suspension member in its extended position; Figure 2 is an end view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 showing the suspension member in its retracted position; Figure 4 is an end view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the base member shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side view of a base member according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a side view of a base member according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of containers converted according to the present invention for suspension type display;

Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of containers converted according to the present invention for shelf stacking type display;

Figure 10 is a sectional view along line X-X in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the inside of a blank for forming a container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a partial view of the blank shown in Figure 11 wherein the suspension member is shown in its retracted position;

Figure 13 is a plan view of the inside of a blank for forming a container according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14 is a partial view of the blank shown in Figure 13 wherein the suspension member is shown in its retracted position;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the inside of a blank for forming a container according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 5 there is shown a suspension assembly 10 for attachment to a container 20 (Figure 8 and 9). The container 20 is preferably a carton, that is a box made of card or similar material. The container 20 may however be any type of container for packaging articles which is capable of being stacked upon a shelf 70 (Figure 9).

The suspension assembly 10 includes a base member 15 which is intended to be immovably secured to the body of the container.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base member 15 is intended to be inserted through a slot 16 formed in or adjacent a fold 17 between two layers of card 18, 19. In the carton 20 of Figures 8, 9 layer of card 18 is a flap and layer of card 19 defines a front wall of the carton. The carton 20 has a lid 21 which tucks-in adjacent to layer of card 18. As seen in Figure 10, the layer of card 18 may be secured in face contact with layer of card 19 by means of for example a band of adhesive 22.

The main body of the base member 15 is generally planar to permit easy insertion through the slot 16 and includes pairs of opposed shoulders 23, 24 which serve to lock the base member 15 within the slot 16 to prevent its withdrawal or further insertion.

Preferably the shoulders 23 are defined by the terminal ends of resiliently deflectable fingers 26 which deflect inwards during insertion of the base member 15 into the slot 16. After insertion, shoulders 23 reside beneath the fold 17 and shoulders 24 reside above the fold 17 adjacent to the ends of the slot 16.

The suspension assembly 10 further includes a suspension member 30 which is slidably inter-engaged with the base member 15 to define a telescopic interconnection. The suspension member 30 is adapted for suspension from a support such as a rail. In this respect, the suspension member is provided with a rail receiving slot 31 which may be totally bounded or may be open sided as shown to define a hook.

In the illustrated embodiment the slidable inter-engagement is defined by a pair of projections 33 formed on the suspension member and each of which are slidably received within a groove 34 formed in the base member. Preferably the projections 33 and groove 34 interact to prevent lateral separation between the suspension member and base member ie. separation in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing as shown in Figure 1.

This may be achieved for example by forming the grooves 34 to extend entirely through the base member and providing the projections 33 with an enlarged terminal head. In such an arrangement, the grooves 34 are preferably enlarged at a given location to define a key-hole slot to thereby enable assembly of the base member and suspension member.

The suspension member 30 and base member 15 are preferably separate components which are assembled together prior to attachment of the base member 15 to the carton. It is possible therefore to provide a wide variety of different shaped and sized suspension members 30 for assembly with the same base member 15.

Preferably, the suspension member 30 is located at its fully extended position prior to insertion of the base member 15 through slot 16.

In Figure 1, the suspension assembly is illustrated with two grooves 34 and two co-operating projections 33. Such an arrangement serves to prevent rotation of the suspension member relative to the base member. However, it will be appreciated that a single groove 34 and projection 33 may be provided, if desired or that more than two grooves 34 and projections 33 may be provided.

The base member 15 illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 includes an upper wall 36 which projects laterally from the plane containing the main body of the base member.

The underside of the wall 36 which overlaps the upper edge of the side of the slot 16 acts as a further stop for preventing insertion of the base member through the slot.

In addition, the upper wall 36 is provided with a slot 38 through which the suspension member passes. The slot 38 helps guiding of the suspension member 30 as it is moved between its fully extended position (as shown in Figure 1) and its fully retracted position (as shown in Figure 2).

Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 2, when the suspension member 30 is located at its fully retracted position it is substantially hidden from view.

Preferably, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the suspension member 30 includes a shoulder 39 which abuts against the underside of the wall 36 when the suspension member 30 is located at its fully extended position.

Advantageously, the base member 15 and suspension member 30 are provided with co-operable engagement means (not shown) for releasably holding the suspension member 30 at its fully extended and fully retracted positions.

A modified base member 115 is illustrated in Figure 6. Base member 115 is of the same construction as base member 15 with the addition of a wall 40 which is spaced from the main body of the base member and which depends from wall 36. A suspension assembly 100 including base member 115 is illustrated in Figures 8 to 10.

As shown in Figures 8 to 10, when the base member 115 is inserted in slot 16 the wall 40 overlies the front layer of card 19. Conveniently wall 40 therefore provides a display surface 41 upon which indicia, such as for example price or size information, may be carried. The indicia may be printed directly onto surface 41 or may be printed on a label which is subsequently bonded to surface 41.

Alternatively, or in addition the display surface 41 may be of a specific colour to provide a colour coded indication.

Another modified base member 215 is illustrated in Figure 7. Base member 215 is of the same construction as base member 15 except for the omission of wall 36. The base member 215 is therefore planar throughout and is of substantially the same thickness throughout. Shoulders 24 are therefore defined on lateral projections 24a which are co-planar with the fingers 26.

Containers 20 including the base member 115 are shown in Figures 8 and 9 and these can be quickly and easily converted at the point of sale to either be a container of the suspension type as shown in Figure 8 or a container of the shelf stacking type as shown in Figure 9.

Conversion of the container from one type to the other is achieved by adjusting the position of the suspension member 30. In Figure 8 the suspension member 30 is at its fully extended position so that the container becomes a suspension type which may be suspended from a rail 60. In Figure 9 the suspension member 30 is at its fully retracted position whereat it is located almost entirely within the container and is substantially hidden from view. In such a position the container 20 has the outward neat appearance of a container suitable for stacking on a shelf 70.

It will be noted that the position and visibility of display surface 41 is unaffected by the position of the suspension member relative to the base member.

Preferably the upper part of the suspension member 30 is provided with purchase means (not shown), for example in the form of a projection, recess or opening to enable an operative to grip the suspension member 30, either manually or with a tool, in order to move the suspension member towards its extended position. For example, the purchase means could be formed in the upper edge of the suspension member to thereby permit the suspension member to be gripped from above. Alternatively, the purchase means could be formed in a side face of the suspension member and access thereto could be through a recess formed in the upper part of the layer of card 19.

With such an arrangement, the suspension member 30 when in its retracted position could reside entirely below the upper surface 36a of the base member 15.

Preferably both the base member 15 and suspension member 30 are formed from plastics, preferably by moulding.

In the embodiments of Figures 1 to 7 the suspension member 30 is indirectly connected to the container 20 via a base member. Figures 11 to 15 illustrate further embodiments wherein the suspension member 30 is directly connected to the container 20 for movement between its fully retracted and extended positions.

In Figures 11 and 12 the suspension member 30 is pivotally connected to the container for movement between its fully extended position (Figure 11) and its fully retracted position (Figure 12). For clarity, Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the blank 100 from which the container 20 is formed.

As in the previous embodiments, the suspension member is located between layers of card 18 and 19. The suspension member 30 is provided with a pivot projection 330 which is journalled in an aperture 331 formed in layer 18 only. This is the preferred form of connection since once the container 20 is assembled, the pivotal connection defined by aperture 331 and projection 330 will be hidden from view.

However, it is appreciated that projection 330 could be formed on the opposite side of the suspension member 30 and an aperture 331 be provided in layer 19. This may be done as an alternative or as an addition to the provision of the projection 330 and aperture 331 shown in Figures 11, 12.

Assembly is achieved by locating the projection 330 into the aperture 331 with the suspension member projecting through slot 16 and then folding and securing layer 18 in face to face contact with layer 19 by adhesive 22, preferably hot melt adhesive.

Preferably the location of adhesive portion 22a is arranged so as to act as a limit stop against which the suspension member 30 can abut and so prevent further retraction of the suspension member 30.

The slot 16 is defined by sidewalls which are recessed so that a top portion of the suspension member is exposed when in its retracted position. This enables an operative to easily grip the suspension member 30 for moving it to its fully extended position.

Preferably the suspension member 30 includes a stop arm 340 which projects beyond the slot 16 when the suspension member 30 is in its fully extended position. The stop arm 340 acts to engage the fold 17 and thereby prevent further movement of the suspension member 30 in the extend direction.

Preferably the suspension member 30 further includes a deflectable barb 341 which is spaced from the stop arm 340 to define a gap for receiving the card in the vicinity of the fold. The barb 341 thereby functions to resiliently resist initial movement of the suspension member 30 in its retract direction and so releasably retains the suspension member 30 in its extended position.

In Figures 13 to 15 two further embodiments 400, 500 are illustrated in which the suspension member 30 is telescopically located between opposed layers 18 and 19. In both embodiments 400, 500 the suspension member 30 includes a pair of stop arms 410 which extend in opposed directions for a greater distance than the length of the slot 16 through which the suspension member 30 projects. Accordingly, when the suspension member is moved to its fully extended position, the stop arms 410 engage the fold 17 and prevent further movement.

Preferably the suspension member 30 has a body portion 420 which includes opposed sidewalls 421 which are preferably parallel and spaced apart by a distance which is substantially equal to or slightly less than the length of slot 16. The opposed sidewalls 421 thereby function to resist movement of the suspension member 30 along the length of the slot 16.

In both embodiments 400 and 500 an area of adhesive 440 is provided spaced from the fold so as to define a stop against which the suspension member 30 abuts to prevent further movement of the suspension member in the retract direction. The area of adhesive 440 thereby defines the fully retracted position of the suspension member. Preferably a crease line 446 is pressed into the layer 18 to provide a definite edge against which the suspension member can abut.

In embodiment 400, further areas of adhesive 450 are provided extending between area of adhesive 440 and the fold 17 to thereby define an enclosed pocket 460 in which the suspension member 30 is housed. The areas of adhesive 450 are spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the distance between the terminal ends of stop arms 410 such that the terminal ends 410 are able to abut the areas of adhesive 450 to prevent excessive movement of the suspension member 30 in the longitudinal direction of the slot 16. Crease lines 447 are preferably provided in layer 18 to provide definite edges to the pocket 460.

In embodiment 500, no areas of adhesive are provided such that the suspension member 30 is received in an open sided pocket 560. When the container 20 is assembled from the blank of Figure 15, sidewall portions 501, 502 act to prevent the suspension member 30 exiting the open sided pocket 560.

In both embodiments 400, 500 it is possible to form the blanks, including bonding layers 18 and 19 in contact with one another prior to inserting the suspension member 30. This is advantageous as it provides the manufacturers with the option of manually inserting the suspension members 30 after formation of the blanks.

For embodiment 400, the suspension member 30 is inserted into the pocket 460 through the slot 16. This is achieved by first introducing one stop arm 410 into the slot 16 adjacent one end of the slot, twisting the suspension member such that its plane is inclined to the plane of layers 18/19 and thereby causing the layers 18/19 and sides of the slot 16 to move apart, flexing the suspension member 30 to introduce the other stop arm 410 into the slot 16 adjacent the end of the slot opposite to said one end, and then twisting the suspension member 30 back to a position whereat its plane is parallel to the planes containing layers 18/19.

For embodiment 500 the suspension member 30 is inserted through one open side of the pocket 560.

For both embodiments 400, 500 the suspension member 30 is preferably provided with resiliently deflectable barbs 341 which overlie the fold at each end of the slot 16 when the suspension member is at its fully extended position. The resilient barbs serve to releasably retain the suspension member 30 at its fully extended position.

Claims

1. A packaging container having a suspension member movably attached to a wall of the container for movement between a retracted and an extended position such that when the suspension member is at its retracted position the container constitutes a shelf stackable type container and when at its extended position the container constitutes a suspension type container.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the suspension member is arranged to move from within the interior of the container such that when the suspension member is located in its retracted position it is at least substantially hidden from view.

3. A container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the suspension member is telescopically mounted on a wall of the container for movement between its retracted position and an extended position.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the suspension member is directly telescopically engaged with said wall of the container.

5. A container according to claim 3 wherein the suspension member is telescopically mounted on a base member, the base member being secured to said wall of the container.

6. A container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the suspension member is pivotally mounted for movement between its fully retracted position and an extended position.

7. A method of converting a container from a shelf stackable type to a suspension type, and vice versa, the method including attaching a suspension member to the container so as to be movable relative thereto between an extended position and a retracted position, and moving the suspension member to its retracted position to create a shelf stackable type container or moving the suspension member to its extended position to create a suspension type container.

8. A method according to claim 7 including the step of moving the suspension member to reside within the container when moving it to its retracted position so as to substantially hide the suspension member from view.

9. A method of packaging articles for display at a point of sale, the method including loading articles into a plurality of containers as defined above, and locating the suspension members of a first series of selected containers in their retracted positions and stacking these cartons on shelves for display at the point of sale and/or locating the suspension members of a second series of selected containers in their extended positions and suspending these containers from supports for display at the point of sale.