WO2008108634A1

WO2008108634A1 - Display device and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2008108634A1
Application number: PCT/NL2008/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerardus Franciskus Frederik Van Mierle
Original assignee: Smurfit Kappa Zedek B.V.
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2008-03-03
Publication date: 2008-09-12
Also published as: NL1033481A1; NL1033481C2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display container transformable from a containing state into a displaying state for containing goods in the containing state and for displaying goods in the displaying state, comprising: - a front (2) and a back (4) end wall for defining the display container at two cross ends, - two transformable side walls (10, 12, 11, 13) for defining the display container along two sides, and - one transformable bottom wall (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) comprising at least a support wall part (5, 6, 7) and at least a connection member part (8, 9) for defining a bottom side of the display container in a containing state and support walls of two or more display spaces in the displaying state.

Description

Display device and methods

The present invention relates to a display container for containing, transporting and displaying products. The invention further relates to a method for containing and/or displaying goods using a display container according to the present invention. The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of a display container according to the present invention. It is known to display candy bars in shops in boxes in which they are transported to the shops. This method has the advantage that in the shop environment a package can be used which has an attention value which suits these products, or at least an attention value for which the producer thinks that it suits the products or emotion that is communicated to the users for these products. Such boxes satisfy this advantage for decades now and the person skilled in the art did not see any possibility to improve them. In order to improve the displaying of products using a container suitable for storage and transport, the present invention provides a display container transformable from a containing state into a displaying state for containing goods in the containing state and displaying goods in the displaying state, comprising:

- a front and a back end wall defining the display container at the two cross ends,

- two transformable side walls defining the display container along two sides, and - a transformable bottom wall comprising at least a support wall part and at least a connection member part for defining in bottom side of the display container in a containing state and defining support walls of two or more display spaces in the displaying state.

An advantage of such a display container is that the user can see multiple floors of the products in an eyewink while physically only one height is used. Use is made of the angle of incidence with which the public looks at the products and an angled arrangement of the products in the direction of this angle of incidence. Additionally in an advantageous way, a transformation mechanism is provided for transforming the display container while holding the products inside. With this, the transformation of the container into a display device is accomplished by means of a simple movement which is advantageous considering the fact that time is costly and also unskilled personal can learn and perform the necessary act. A further advantage is that effectively a multiple floor display device is provided which can be manufactured so inexpensive that it can be applied as a product for single use, or be replaced after the products delivered in the device are sold. Furthermore, the device is manufactured out of cardboard and therefore is environmental friendly and, when using existing proper functioning retour systems, completely recyclable without the need for additional measures. According to a first embodiment the support wall parts are oblique with reference to the bottom in the displaying state. This results in a suitable display angle for the shopping public.

Preferably, the end walls form support walls in the displaying state. As a result, the end walls can have a function during transport as well as during storage and during use of the device as a display device. According to a further embodiment, each two neighboring support walls together with respective side wall parts form a display space. As a result, two display spaces are defined by means of the bottom and two end walls without the need for manufacturing additional material or wall parts.

Because more preferably the sidewalls each comprise two parts separated from each other by means of a cut, the device can be transformed in a simple way while the existing wall parts without overlap in the containing state, can be applied and can serve as side wall at the position of the products in the displaying state of the device.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the connection member extends over at least a part of the length of the bottom wall and comprises at least one fold line. This results in the advantage that the length of the distance member during the transformation can be shortened by way of folding across the fold line or crease. An advantage of a further preferred embodiment is that the whole display container can be made out of one piano.

In a further preferred embodiment, the bottom wall or parts thereof comprise strengthening material. By means of such strengthening material the width of the connection members can be limited using for example the environment friendly base material. Furthermore, a substantial bottom surface can be manufactured so that relatively small products can be displayed. The material that preferably serves as base for the display container comprises cardboard, corrugated cardboard of other plate- or sheet material. Furthermore, many types of plasties are suitable for example environmental friendly variants.

Preferably, the connection member comprises a relatively long part separated by means of a crease, and a relatively short part in which the ratio of the long part and the short part determine the slope of the support members. In this way, during the design and/or manufacture the wanted view angle or the fold manner is determined in a simple way. To fine-tune this design, the short part may comprise one or more parts separated by means of creases.

According to a further embodiment, one or more top edges of wall parts are shielded by means of folded, preferably decorated further sheet parts. For this, use is made of a piano with at least a printed side which has the advantage that after folding it results in nicely finished appearance at the top side. The public is now presented an even better appearance fitting the product corresponding image.

Moreover, the display container preferably comprises a further wall part which extends preferably from the end walls, inwards across one of the display spaces. This provides an appearance wherein this further wall part can show, with a suitable print, an advertisement so that the regularly changing container, which can more easily be replaced than the package of the products, can show be advertisement while covering or shading a part of the package of the underlying product.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for containing and/or displaying goods using a display container according to the present invention comprising the steps for arranging the goods in the container so that in the displaying state of the display container the goods are faced towards the public with their most appealing side.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for the manufacture of a display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising the steps for cutting sheet material in a form suitable for assembling the display container.

Preferably, the display container can be manufactured out of one part.

According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a display container according to the present invention. These aspects of the invention provide at least the advantage provided by the embodiments of the display container.

Further advantage, features and details of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments, which do not limit the scope of protection, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment in a working position for displaying products,

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of figure 1 in a working state for containing goods; - Figure 3 is a top view of a piano of the embodiment of figure 1 and 2;

- Figure 4 is a top view of a piano according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

- Figure 5 is a side view of a detail of a further preferred embodiment.

A first preferred embodiment according to present invention (figure 1-3) relates to a display container which is suitable for keeping and/or containing goods as well as for displaying the goods to the public in a attractive manner. Such object is also called a show-tray. This show-tray 1 in a first working state is suitable for containing goods and in a second working state suitable for displaying goods. The first working state for displaying products is shown in figure 1. The second working state for containing goods is shown in figure 2. In figure 3 a flat view is shown of a piano for forming the show-tray in three dimensions.

An important aspect of the present invention is that the show-tray which can be used as containing- or transport box, can be transformed to a display for displaying the products on for example a display counter or display construction. The surface of the display counter or display construction may be substantially horizontal but it may also have a slope.

A particular advantage of the so called show-tray 30 is that in a working state for displaying products, shown in figure 1, it is possible for a person whose head or eyes are positioned slightly above the show-tray, to look at the front side of two layers or floors of the products in the show-tray, as compared to the known box in which only a single top view is possible. Besides, the surface of the product meant for drawing attention of the consumer finds itself in a practical orientation to do this.

It is also possible that two different products are displayed, one at each floor of the show-tray. The term floor may be interpreted so that "above each other" in the working state is actually in the same horizontal plane, but relative to the position of the eyes of the consumer it appears above each other. If the show-tray in the state of figure 1 is turned so that the plane 2 rests on the counter, the term floor may also be interpreted in the conventional way as being layers above each other.

In the working position which is shown in figure 1, the "lower" or "front" display space defined within the side walls 10,11 and the bottom walls 2, 1 and 5, and 9 respectively. Similarly, the back display space is defined by the side walls 12,13 and the walls 3 and 7. It is also possible to create an embodiment with multiple display spaces one after the other applying the present invention. The user-friendliness of such a longer embodiment depends on the positioning space and/or ease of transport of such embodiments .

The construction of the show-tray according to the embodiment will now be discussed with reference to the figure 3. The show-tray comprises double end walls which are formed at one side by the sheet parts 1 and 2 and at the other sides by the sheet parts 3 and 4. Between the sheet parts 2 and 4 bottom parts 5,6,7 and 8,9,7 respec- tively extend. In the situation of figures 2 and 3 these bottom parts 5,6,7,8,9 are in a plane. In the displaying position of figure 1 the parts 8 and 9 are folded in other positions along the folding line 35 and the parts 5,6 and 7 along the folding lines 34. At performing these folding acts, during which these parts in principle do not need to be touched, the parts 5,6,7 turn upwards and the parts 8 and 9 turn downwards. Downwards turning of the bottom parts 8 and 9 will happen automatically since the box is filled during the folding and can therefore not be turned upwards during the performing of the opening act of the box from the working position of figure 2 into the working position of figure 1. The parts 5,6,7 will automatically turn upwards during this transformation act because they are connected to the respective side walls 10,11,12,13.

These side walls 10,11,12,13 are connected by means of folding lines with the respective surfaces 5,6,7 of the bottom wall of the show-tray in the working position of figure 2. To the side walls 10,11,12,13 respective side walls 16,17,14,15 are fixed by means of creases. The lines 40 which separate these flaps from wall parts 2 and 4 respectively, are cut lines. The covers of the box in the containing position of figure 2 are formed by the flaps 20,21 which, by means of folding lines, are connected to the triangular side wall parts 22,24,23,25. With this, the dashed cut lines 43, which are usable for tearing the covers with the respective sheet parts 22,24,23,25 are fixed thereon. The openings 26 are suitable for pulling at the removable cover with the triangular side parts. In the position of figure 2 the cover is sealable by means of tape.

To assemble the box from the piano into the situation of figure 2, the side walls 10,12 and 11,13 respectively, are folded along the folding lines which separated them from the bottom wall parts 5,6,7. Next, the support flaps 14,15,16,17 are folded inwards after which the end walls 2,4 are folded along the folding lines 32,33,36. Next, the end wall parts 1 and 3 are turned inwards over the support flaps 14,15 and 16,17 in which the ridges 39 are inserted into the openings 37 of the bottom and possibly further fixed by means of a suitable adhesive. The result of these acts is a box with upper wall parts 20,21 in the opened position. Next, the boxes can be filled with products and the flaps 20,21 can be closed and sealed by means of the tape. In this state, the box filled with products is ready for storage and transport to the place of usage such as the paint of sale.

In this paragraph the transition of the show-tray from the containing state into the displaying state is discussed. First, the covers with the triangular parts of the side walls are torn from the bottom side of the box along the dashed cutting lines or tear lines 43. In this way the content of the box will become visible in a way known as such for boxes. For transition into the displaying state of figure 1 only the end wall 2 needs to be turned frontwards. As a result, the end wall 3. at the other side will turn backwards. Furthermore, the part of the top wall comprising the sheet parts 5,6,7 will turn upwards because they are fixed to the side wall parts 10,11,12,13 and the part of the bottom wall 8,9 will turn downwards and folded along the folding line 35.

During this folding the bottom part 8 will not leave the support surface while the bottom parts 5,6,7,9 will leave the horizontal plane. The underside of the end back wall 3 will move frontwards while folding line 34, which separates the bottom wall parts 5,6 and 7, will move upwards and somewhat frontwards. The sidewalls will be split by the cutting lines 42, during this act. These sidewalls parts 11,13 respectively 10,12 will turn together with the sidewall to which they are fixed.

This complete transition process can be executed while the products are in the box. As a result, the products will be separated in products present in the front display space and products positioned in the back display space. Preferably, the products are arranged in the box so that the products surface to be displayed is now parallel to the wall parts 5,6 and 3 respectively. As a result, the sides to be displayed are simultaneously and good visible for the public whereas the visibility was considerably less before the transition process. Furthermore, the removability from the show-tray in the display position is easier for the public as compared to the box position; one can pick the products from the front/upper side in an easy way.

For illustration purposes the preferable arrangement of the products is shown in figure 2. If the products are present in the box in this arrangement, the upper side of the package will be completely visible after performing the transition act. This leads to the advantage that the complete upper side of the packets can be shown. The package shown in this figure may for example be a package for candy bars arranged next to. each other in lines of 4,2,10 bars. It is also possible to arrange such candy bars separately in such a show-tray. However, the opening or openings formed by the bottom parts 8 and 9 must be taken into account. Instead of a wide opening is also possible to create one or more small openings, which suit the type of the products more. It is possible to strengthen the bottom wall by providing a adhesive layer of plastic.

In figure 4, an embodiment of a more luxurious upper edge of the sidewalls is shown. At both sides an additional strip 6,7, is present between parts 77,10,20 which resemble the parts 22-24 of the embodiment of figure 3. Similar to the embodiment of figure 3, the covers of the embodiment of figure 4 are fixed to the box in a simple releasable way. These covers 10, 20 can be removed together with the strips 77 by breaking are tearing at the tearing line 74. Principally added in this embodiment is the strip 76 which during the assembly is folded over both the parts 10,12 and at the other side over parts 11,13. These strips 76 are glued to counterparts 71 by means of the adhesive strips 71. In order to let the cover reach upwards, the tearing line 74 also serves as a folding line. An advantage of this embodiment is that after removing the cover the upper side of the cardboard box along the fold 73 has a better appearance because the folded side having a decoration is clearly visible to the shopping public.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a further embodiment. In this embodiment the connection member folds along the front side of the display device. For the rest this device resembles both the previous embodiments. An advantage of this embodiment is that during the unfolding act one can easily pull at the opening part, for example by means of a hole in the frontwards extending part of the connection member.

Above, the present invention has been described with reference to some preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are deemed to be described in combination, and all combinations that can be made based on this document by a skilled person need to be envisaged. These preferred embodiments do not limit the scope of protection. The claimed rights are only determined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Display container transformable from a containing state into a displaying state for containing goods in the containing state and displaying goods in the displaying state, comprising:

- a front and a back end wall for defining the display container at two cross ends,

- two transformable side wall for defining the display container along two sides, and

- one transformable bottom wall comprising at least a support wall part and at least a connection member part for defining, in the containing state a bottom side of the display container and, in the displaying state, support walls of two or more display spaces.

2. Display container according to claim 1, in which in the displaying state the support wall parts are oriented oblique with respect to the supporting surface.

3. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the end walls form support walls in the displaying state.

4. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which two neighboring support walls together with respective side wall parts define a display space.

5. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the side walls each comprise two parts which are separated from each other by means of a cut.

6. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the connection member extends across at least a part of the length of the bottom wall and comprising at least a folding line.

5

7. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the parts can be manufactured out of a piano.

10 8. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the bottom wall or parts there of comprise strengthening material.

9. Display container according to one or more of 15 the preceding claims, in which it can be made out of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or other plate or sheet material.

10. Display container according to one or more of 20 the preceding claims, in which the connection member comprises a relatively long part and a relatively short part separated by a crease, in which the ratio of the length of the long part and of the short part determine the slope of the supporting members.

25

11. Display container according to claim 10, in which the short part may comprise one or more parts which are separated by means of creases.

30 12. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which one or more upper edges of wall parts are shielded by means of folded, preferably

' decorated, further sheet parts.

13. Display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a further wall part which preferably extends inwards from the end walls" . across one of the display spaces.

14. Method for containing and/or displaying goods using a display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising steps for arranging goods in the container so that in the displaying state of the display container the goods are oriented towards the public with their most appealing side.

15. Method for manufacturing a display container according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprises steps for cutting sheet material in a form suitable for the assembling of the display container.

16. Method according to the previous claim, in which the whole display container can be completely made out of sheet material.