WO2024064877A1 - Packaging with viewable protruding protective containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging configuration for a product has the product carried within its own protective container which is carried by an outer package. The container is turned over with its lower portion protruding through an opening defined by the outer package. This portion can be transparent to allow the product to be viewed. The edge of the opening is received in a recess defined by the container in a snap fit connection. The sidewall of the container is tapered. The top of the container or a lid that closes the container is received against another portion of the outer package to further hold the container in place without adhesive. When opened by the user, the container can be removed from the outer package, the container opened, and the product accessed. The outer package can have a graphic that cooperates with the protruding container.

Description

PACKAGING WITH VIEWABLE PROTRUDING PROTECTIVE CONTAINERS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application numbers 63/409,084 filed September 22, 2022, and 63/433,146 filed December 16, 2022; the disclosures of both are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to packaging that has a product held in at least one protective container having a transparent portion that protrudes from an outer package to allow the product to be viewed. More particularly, the disclosure relates to packaging having an exterior graphic with the protruding protective container portion or portions integrating with the graphic. The disclosure also provides a packaging structure with at least one removable protective container carried by an outer package with a portion of the protective container visible from the outside of the outer package.

2. Background Information

Unique packaging is desirable. Packaging that allows the actual product to be viewed is desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure provides packaging that allows portions of the product that are held in at least one protective container to be viewed. The product is carried within its own protective container which is carried by an outer package such as a box or card. The container can be used without a lid or seal when the product is sealed inside its own wrapping. In other configurations, the protective container includes a removable lid (such as a lid that snap fits or threads onto the body of the protective container) or a removable seal (such as a foil seal that is held on with an adhesive). At least a portion of the container is transparent so that the product (or the wrapping for the product) can be viewed by a prospective customer. A portion of the bottom of the protective container protrudes out of the top of the outer package to define a three dimensional window. The top of the protective container or the lid that closes the protective container is in contact with an inner portion of the outer packaging such as the inner surface of the back wall or panel. The protective container also may be connected to the top wall or panel of the outer package to secure the protective container. The connection can be a snap fit between a wall and a 360 degree recess, a partial recess, an interference fit, or a plurality of locking fingers defined by the protective container. The protective container also can be tapered or include a shoulder to stop it from falling out of the opening in the outer package.

The disclosure provides an outer package with a graphic that is integrated with the viewable portion of the product or protruding portion of the protective container. The outer package can be a six-sided box or a card with a graphic having a portion that integrates with the opening or openings that accommodate the protective containers to cause the viewable portion of the product to form part of the graphic. Any number of openings and protective containers can be used. Exemplary configurations have two circular viewing windows forming the wheels of a school bus, the jet engines of a plane, and the letters “O” of the word ZOO. In other examples, the viewable product can form the eyes of an animal or person, portions of a flower or plant, the wheels of various types of vehicles, different types of balls, portions of words, portions of numbers, or movie reels. The protruding portions of the protective containers can serve as 3D portions of a graphic and can include vehicle wheels, human or animal eyes, globes, balls, reels, numbers, letters, fruit, any round objects. In other configurations, the windows are provided in different shapes such as oval, rectangular, diamond, heart, prolate spheroid (football-shaped) or polygonal. The protruding portion of the protective container can be smooth or can include a molded design feature itself. The products carried in the protective containers can be edible such as chocolate, candy, peanut butter cups, or sandwich cookies. Other food like fudge can be carried by the protective containers and spooned out when eaten (the spoon be included within the outer package). The loose food items can be individually wrapped or just sealed within the protective containers.

The disclosure provides packaging for at least one product wherein the protective container for the product defines a recess or a shoulder that is engaged by the outer package to removably connect the container to the packaging. The sidewall of the protective container also can be tapered to prevent it from falling out of the opening defined by the outer package panel. In an example wherein the outer package is a box, the top (or lid) of the protective container contacts the inner surface of the rear panel. The bottom of the protective container protrudes through the outer package. The outer package engages the protective container to hold it in place until removed by the customer. In this example, the disclosure provides a configuration wherein the container is held in place without adhesive.

The disclosure provides packaging with one to multiple protective containers viewable in openings defined by the outer package. The outer package can be a sixsided box (front and back walls or panels, two sidewalls, and two end walls) erected from folded paperboard, from polyboard, a molded polymer, or other materials. The outer package can be a greeting card.

The individual features may be combined in different combinations than specifically described below to form different configurations of the device of the disclosure. The preceding non-limiting aspects of the disclosure, as well as others, are more particularly described below. A more complete understanding of the devices, assemblies, and methods can be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not intended to indicate relative size and dimensions of the assemblies. In those drawings and the description below, like numeric designations refer to components of like function. Specific terms used in that description are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a first exemplary configuration of the product packaging of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective of a second exemplary configuration of the product packaging of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts two alternative section views taken through a protective container of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a section view taken through a protective container of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of another exemplary configuration of the product packaging.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another exemplary configuration of the product packaging.

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the first exemplary configuration of the product packaging.

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7

FIG. 9 is a perspective view looking into the open outer package of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

This description of exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “joined,” “connected,” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

A first configuration of the product packaging of the disclosure is indicated generally by the number 2 in the drawings. Packaging 2 generally includes an outer package 4 that carries at least one protective container 6 which, in turn, carries product 8. Product 8 is typically edible and the protective container provides a sealed storage space for product 8. Outer package 4 can be in the shape of a rectangular box. Outer package 4 can be made from paper-based materials, polymer-based materials, metals, or a combination thereof. Protective containers 6 can be paper-based materials, polymer-based materials (such as a transparent plastic), metals, or a combination thereof. The first configuration of product packaging 2 is in the form of a six-sided box 4 that supports two circular protective containers 6 that each hold at least one product 8. Portions of products 8 are visible through transparent portions, or windows, of protective containers 6. Six-sided box 4 is made from folded paperboard and includes a front panel 34, a rear panel 38, two end panels and two side panels. Box 4 can include a hang tag or an opening that allows it to be hung from a display hook.

A second configuration of the product packaging of the disclosure is indicated generally by the number 10 in the drawings. The second configuration of product packaging 10 is in the form of a folded greeting card or announcement card that supports two protective containers 6 that each hold at least one product 8. Portions of products 8 are visible through transparent portions of containers 6.

In both configurations, the packaging includes either a single container s or a plurality of containers 6. They can be arranged as shown in the drawings or in different arrangements. Containers 6 can be separate or connected together such as with webbing from a molding operation. Product 8 can be edible such as chocolate, candy, peanut butter cups, sandwich cookies, or any of the other items described above. In other examples, product 8 is formed in container 6 such as a molten chocolate or fudge having been poured into container s and allowed to cool. Products 8 can be wrapped or unwrapped inside containers 6. Different products 8 can be in different containers 6 within one box 4.

The disclosure provides the outer package panel through which containers 6 extend with a graphic 22 that is integrated with the viewable portion of container(s) 6 and product(s) 8. Graphic 22 can be arranged horizontal as shown in the drawings or vertical. The graphic integrates with the portions of container(s) 6 to cause the viewable portions of container(s) 6 and product(s) 8 to form a three-dimensional part of the graphic. Container 6 does not need to be round (other shapes such as those described herein) and containers 6 can be different shapes. Different products 8 can be held by different containers 6 within the same packaging. The visible portion of container 6 can form a letter, a number, or a shape that is part of graphic 22. In FIG.

1 , graphic 22 is a vehicle with containers 6 forming the wheels of the vehicle. In FIG.

2, containers 6 define the letters “O” in word “OHIO” with the “HI” portion of OHIO provided at 26. In the text box 24, the wording “GREETINGS FROM” can be provided so that the entire card 10 has the message GREETINGS FROM OHIO with the two O’s being removable edible products 8 carried in protective containers 6. Exemplary configurations have two circular openings forming the wheels of a school bus, the jet engines of a plane (See FIG. 5), and the letters “O” of the word ZOO (See FIG. 6). In other examples, the viewable product can form the eyes of an animal or person, portions of a flower or plant, the wheels of various types of vehicles, different types of balls, portions of words, portions of numbers, or movie reels. In other configurations, the openings and containers 6 are provided in different shapes such as oval, rectangular, diamond, heart, a profile of a head, or polygonal. Product 8 can be shaped to match the shape of container 6 or not match (such as a plurality of small candies).

Two alternative configurations of container 6 of FIG. 1 are shown in section in FIG. 3. In both configurations, protective containers 6 are turned upside down such that the top of container 6 that has the closure device (lid or seal) is inside outer package 4 with the bottom portion of container 6 protruding out of outer package 4 where it can be viewed. Container 6 is made from transparent plastic in these configurations. The transparent material can be clear or colored. The configuration of the container depicted on the left side of FIG. 3 uses a tapered sidewall 30 and a recess 32 that receives the edge of front panel 34 of box 4 to hold container 6 in an interference fit or snap fit The tapered sidewall provides the container with a generally frustoconical shape wherein the bottom wall 40 has a smaller width dimension (diameter) than the top. Recess 32 can extend 360 degrees about the entire circumference of container 6. In the configuration depicted in FIGS. 1 , 3, 7, and 8, the opening defined by box 4 matches the shape of the portion of container 6 that defines recess 32 so that essentially the entire edge that defines the opening is received in recess 32 in a releasable snap fit. Instead of recess 32, a plurality of spaced locking fingers can project from the sidewall of container 6 to capture the edge of panel 34 that defines the opening through which container 6 extends. When a lid 36 is used, lid 36 can be the type that snap fits onto a rim of container 6. Lid 36 also can be threaded. Lid 36 also can be a membrane such as a foil lid 36 that is connected to the top of container 6 with an adhesive. The lid 36 of container 6 rests against the inner surface of the rear panel 38 (or other structure inside outer container 4) to further hold container 6 in place (in circular configurations, the protective container 6 can rotate while being releasably held). This configuration is free of adhesive holding container 6 in place with respect to outer package 4 so that it can be easily removed from outer package 4 by the end user to obtain product 8. FIG. 9 depicts how the end of box 4 can be opened to allow the user to detach container 6 from box 4 and slide it out of the open end. FIG. 9 also shows how an additional item or items 60 can be located within box 4 along with containers 6. The bottom wall 40 of container 6 extends above the outer surface of front panel 34 with a portion of product 8 also being above the outer surface of front panel 34.

The configuration of the container depicted on the right side of FIG. 3 uses a shoulder 42 positioned under the edge of panel 34 that defines the opening through which container 6 extends. Shoulder 42 can be continuous about the circumference of container 6 or one or a plurality of locking fingers that are positioned under panel 34 to stop container 6 from sliding further out of the openings. The sidewall 44 on the right-side configuration can be tapered or straight. In any of these configurations, multiple containers 6 can be connected with webbing. The portion of containers that protrudes from outer package 4 can be molded to provide its own design feature (such as recessed circles in FIG. 7). The molded portion can be coordinated with graphic 22. For example, the molded feature can be spokes of a wheel, a hub cap design, rotors of a jet engine, flower petals, and the like.

In FIG. 4, a majority of container 6 is above outer panel 50 with a flange 52 and lid 54 being located between outer panel 50 and an inner panel 52. In this configuration, panels 50 and 52 are connected together with an adhesive that allows panels 50 and 52 to be peeled apart to provide access to container 6. Container 6 is made from transparent plastic in this configuration. The material can be clear or colored. The sidewall 54 can be transparent or opaque.

In the configuration of FIG. 8, the interior height of box 4 can be sized to match the height of lid 36 with lid 36 being trapped between the front and rear panels of box 4. In this configuration, a majority of the height of sidewall 30 protrudes from front panel 34 and recess 32 is not used to connect container 6 with front panel 34. In this configuration, the front panel can be opened to provide access to containers 6.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the above description and attached illustrations are an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. Throughout the description and claims of this specification the words “comprise” and “include” as well as variations of those words, such as “comprises,” “includes,” “comprising,” and “including” are not intended to exclude additives, components, integers, or steps.

Claims

1 . A product package comprising: an outer package having a front panel and a second panel; the second panel being spaced from the first panel by a first distance; the first panel defining a first opening; the first panel having an edge that defines the first opening; a protective container carried by the outer package; the protective container adapted to carry a product; the protective container having a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a lid; the sidewall of the protective container having a lower end and an upper end; the bottom wall of the protective container being connected to the lower end of the sidewall; the sidewall being tapered from a narrower dimension at its lower end to a wider dimension at its upper end; the sidewall defining a recess between its upper and lower ends; the edge of the first panel that defines the first opening being received in the recess in a releasable snap fit; the bottom wall of the protective container being outside of the outer package; the portion of the sidewall between the recess and the lower end of the sidewall protruding through the first opening; and the lid of the protective container being located inside the outer package engaged with a portion of the outer package to releasably hold the position of the protective container with respect to the outer container.

2. The product package of claim 1 , wherein the first opening has a shape and the recess extending entirely about the sidewall to match the shape of the first opening.

3. The product package of claim 1 , wherein the outer package is a folded paperboard box having a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls; at least one of the end and side walls being selectively openable and closable.

4. The product package of claim 3, wherein the protective container is made from plastic.

5. The product package of claim 1 , wherein the lid engages an inner surface of the second panel of the outer package.

6. The product package of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the protective container is transparent such that a product located in the protective container can be viewed.

7. The product package of claim 6, wherein at least the bottom wall of the protective container is transparent.

8. The product package of claim 1 , wherein the outer package includes a graphic on the first panel; the protruding portion of the protective container forming a portion of the graphic.

9. The product package of claim 8, wherein the bottom wall of the protective container has a molded feature that integrates with the graphic on the first panel.

10. A product package comprising: an outer package having a first panel and a second panel; the second panel being spaced from the first panel by a first distance; the second panel being parallel to the first panel; the first panel defining a first opening; the first panel having an edge that defines the first opening; a protective container carried by the outer package; the protective container adapted to carry a product; the protective container having a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a lid; the sidewall of the protective container having a lower end and an upper end; the bottom wall of the protective container being connected to the lower end of the sidewall; the sidewall defining a shoulder between its upper and lower ends; the edge of the first panel that defines the first opening being received against the shoulder; the bottom wall of the protective container being outside of the outer package; the portion of the sidewall between the shoulder and the lower end of the sidewall protruding through the first opening; and the lid of the protective container being located inside the outer package engaged with a portion of the outer package to releasably hold the position of the protective container with respect to the outer container.

11 . The product package of claim 10, wherein the outer package is a folded paperboard box having a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls; at least one of the end and side walls being selectively openable and closable.

12. The product package of claim 1 1 , wherein the protective container is made from plastic.

13. A product package comprising: an outer package having a first panel and a second panel; the second panel being spaced from the first panel by a first distance; the second panel being parallel to the first panel; the first panel defining a first opening; a protective container carried by the outer package; the protective container adapted to carry a product; the protective container having a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a lid; the lid having a height that matches the first distance; and the lid and a portion of the sidewall being inside the outer package with the bottom wall and other portion of the sidewall protruding through the first opening to be outside the outer packaging.

14. The product packaging of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the protective container is transparent such that at least a portion of the product can be viewed when the product is in the protective container.

15. The product packaging of claim 13, wherein the protective container is held in place with respect to the outer package without adhesive so that it can be readily removed from the outer package