US20100243517A1 - Shippable Display Unit - Google Patents

Shippable Display Unit Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100243517A1
US20100243517A1 US12/410,974 US41097409A US2010243517A1 US 20100243517 A1 US20100243517 A1 US 20100243517A1 US 41097409 A US41097409 A US 41097409A US 2010243517 A1 US2010243517 A1 US 2010243517A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
side wall
panel
packed
display
shipper
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
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US12/410,974
Inventor
Steven Agalopoulos
Diego Macchi
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Johnson and Johnson Consumer Inc
Original Assignee
Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies LLC
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies LLC filed Critical Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies LLC
Priority to US12/410,974 priority Critical patent/US20100243517A1/en
Assigned to JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER COMPANIES, INC. reassignment JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER COMPANIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: AGALOPOULOS, STEVEN, MACCHI, DIEGO
Assigned to JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER COMPANIES, INC. reassignment JOHNSON & JOHNSON CONSUMER COMPANIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CORDERO, RICKY, TRUMBAUER, ANTHONY
Publication of US20100243517A1 publication Critical patent/US20100243517A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/54Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing
    • B65D5/5405Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing for opening containers formed by erecting a blank in tubular form
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/02Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
    • B65D5/0254Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed by inward folding of flaps and securing them by means of a tongue integral with one of the flaps
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/4212Information or decoration elements, e.g. content indicators, or for mailing
    • B65D5/4216Cards, coupons or the like formed integrally with, or printed directly on, the container or lid
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/44Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
    • B65D5/46Handles
    • B65D5/46072Handles integral with the container
    • B65D5/4608Handgrip holes
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D5/00Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
    • B65D5/42Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
    • B65D5/44Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
    • B65D5/52External stands or display elements for contents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an in-store product display unit that also is configured for shipping. More particularly, the present invention relates to an in-store product display unit used also to ship the products to be displayed, and configured to protect the display portion during shipment thereof.
  • Such cartons which essentially are product display trays configured also for transport and shipment of the products, are known in the art as shippers, shipper displays, self-shippers, pre-pack shippers, pre-pack displays, or PDQ's (“pretty darn quick”). Other terms for such pre-packed, shelf-ready displays have been used as well.
  • pre-packed shipper displays For the sake of convenience, without any intent to limit, such cartons will be referenced herein as “pre-packed shipper displays.”
  • pre-packed shipper displays is viewed as beneficial for reducing labor demands at the retailer because the retail clerks can simply place the entire unit, carton and all, at the desired display location. There is no need to unpack the carton, dispose of the carton, or arrange the products neatly at the desired display location.
  • pre-packed shipper displays are known in the art.
  • One common form allows for a portion of the shipper carton to be removed, leaving the remaining carton as the display for the products contained therein.
  • such implementation does not generally protect the outer surface of the display section during transit.
  • an outer carton or in some cases simply a sleeve or other protective material to cover and to protect the exterior surface of the pre-packed shipper display.
  • the outer carton may also provide structural stability or reinforcement of the pre-packed display shipper for added product protection during transport.
  • the addition of protective materials not only adds to material costs, but also may add to labor required to add such materials over the pre-packed shipper carton, and to remove such materials upon the pre-packed shipper carton's arrival at the retailer.
  • a pre-packed shipper display is formed with at least one panel, and preferably two panels, extending over the open area of the display portion of the pre-packed shipper display to contain and to protect the products therein. Such panels may also serve to protect graphics printed on the exterior of the pre-packed shipper display. Because pre-packed shipper displays commonly have only two open or partially open walls for viewing and access of the products therein, only two protective panels are necessary. And, if only one open or partially open wall is provided, then only one protective panel is necessary. Likewise, the number of protective panels may be adjusted to correspond to the number of panels with graphics that should be protected during transport of the pre-packed shipper display (graphics may be provided along side panels and not simply along the open or partially open walls).
  • such protective panel or panels are formed integrally with and as an extension of at least one wall of the pre-packed shipper display.
  • the present invention allows for material reduction from the typical outer cartons or sleeves provided over pre-packed shipper displays to maintain the products within the pre-packed shipper display and to protect the graphics thereon.
  • a pre-packed shipper display may be formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention from a single blank folded into the final configuration without the need of any glue or other secondary attachment elements.
  • a pre-packed shipper display may be formed from a single blank configured to include integral panels that may be folded to form a graphics box.
  • the graphics box may provide additional surface area for shopper-targeted and product-related graphics or the like.
  • interior structural support panels may be provided within the graphics box to reduce the likelihood of the pre-packed shipper display crushing during shipment.
  • Such internal structural support panels preferably are also formed monolithically from the same blank.
  • a pre-packed shipper display formed form a single blank may have panels configured to allow printing for shipping information as well as for graphics to be required on only one side of the blank.
  • Such aspect of the present invention not only reduces printing steps, but also reduces the amount of processing the blank must undergo, reducing concurrent weakening of the blank that may result from each processing step.
  • FIG. 1 is a front, top, and left perspective view of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention ready for display at a retailer;
  • FIG. 2 is a front, top, and right perspective view of the pre-packed shipper display of FIG. 1 , but without products packed therein;
  • FIG. 3 is a front, top, and left perspective view of a pre-packed shipper display similar to that of FIG. 1 , but with shipping panels still integrally connected thereto;
  • FIG. 4 is a front, top, and left perspective view of a pre-packed shipper display similar to that of FIG. 3 , but with integrally formed shipping panels in place for enclosing the products within the pre-packed shipper display for transport;
  • FIG. 5A is a plan view of an exemplary blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • FIG. 5B is an enlarged plan view of the left half of the exemplary blank of FIG. 5A , enlarged to permit more detailed referencing of the features of the blank;
  • FIG. 5C is an enlarged plan view of the right half of the exemplary blank of FIG. 5A , enlarged to permit more detailed referencing of the features of the blank.
  • FIG. 1 An exemplary pre-packed shipper display 100 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a configuration ready for placement at a retail product display area or a product display location at a retail store (hereinafter “retail product display area” for the sake of convenience, without intent to limit), such as the home location or in-line location for the products 102 contained in pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • retail product display area for the sake of convenience, without intent to limit
  • a “pre-packed shipper display” is a shelf-ready display tray pre-filled with products pre-arranged for display in the tray, in contrast with a floor stand, a pallet, an open case, or a mere shipper (which sometimes has partial walls to facilitate access to the contents, but which is not intended for placement at a retail product display area to display the contents for consumer viewing and purchase), or another product-containing element that is not intended to serve a dual purpose of containing products for transport as well as displaying the products upon arrival at a retail location (or other location at which the products contained therein are to be presented for purchase).
  • Pre-packed shipper display 100 contains a plurality of products 102 arranged for immediate display within pre-packed shipper display 100 upon removal of any shipping panels (described in further detail below).
  • Products 102 may be organized in a particular manner or configuration within pre-packed shipper display 100 . For instance, products can be separated from one another, if desired, or stabilized by inserts, or the like.
  • Exemplary pre-packed shipper display 100 has front side 110 , back side 112 , top side 114 , bottom side 116 , left side 120 , and right side 122 .
  • Handles preferably are formed along left side 120 and right side 122 , such as by the provision of handle cut-outs 124 , 126 , to facilitate transport, as well as placement at a retail product display area.
  • pre-packed shipper display 100 is specifically designed for ready unpacking and substantially immediate placement at an in-store display location
  • side walls 210 , 212 , 214 , 216 , 220 , and 222 , along respective sides 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 , 120 , and 122 preferably are configured to maintain products 102 neatly within pre-packed shipper display 100 so that upon unpacking pre-packed shipper display 100 , pre-packed shipper display 100 is substantially completely ready for placement at an in-store display location without further manipulation of pre-packed shipper display 100 or products 102 therein.
  • At least side walls 216 , 212 , 220 , and 222 enclose and maintain products 102 within a product containing and displaying area 140 (hereinafter, “product display area 140 ” for the sake of convenience, without intent to limit) defined by at least these walls.
  • a frontwardly-facing open area 130 and upwardly-facing open area 134 preferably are also provided to permit viewing, access, etc., of products displayed within product display area 140 within pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • each side 110 , 112 , 114 , 116 , 120 , 122 of pre-packed shipper display 100 may have a complete or partial associated wall.
  • a complete wall is to be understood as completely extending along substantially the entire associated side of pre-packed shipper display 100
  • a partial wall is to be understood as extending only along a portion of the associated side, leaving an open area along the associated side through which products can be accessed, viewed, etc.
  • At least bottom side 116 has a complete associated bottom side wall 216 , such as for supporting products 102 .
  • Back side wall 212 , left side wall 220 , and right side wall 222 may be complete walls, as is typical with pre-packed shipper displays. However, any of at least back side wall 212 , left side wall 220 , and right side wall 222 may be a partial wall, instead, if a particular effect or pre-packed shipper display shape is desired.
  • front side 110 and top side 114 preferably do not have associated complete walls. At least one of front side 110 and top side 114 must have a sufficient open area to permit ready viewing of and access to products within product display area 140 so that pre-packed shipper display 100 satisfies its dual role as not only a shipping carton but also a display for products that is particularly configured to enhance display of products for purchase at a retail location.
  • front side 110 and/or top side 114 may have an associated partial wall, such as partial front side wall 210 and/or partial top side wall 214 .
  • partial walls such as what is generally known as a front lip, formed by a partial front side wall
  • the present invention specifically relates to a pre-packed shipper display and thus is specifically designed to function (once unpacked or otherwise separated from any materials necessary for transport and/or shipment) as a product display tray particularly configured to display and preferably to enhance display of and even to encourage purchase of the products contained therein.
  • a pre-packed shipper display is placed in a secondary location (in contrast with the primary or home location), promotional location, or special display area for the products contained therein, and a shopper may not expect to find such products in such location and may thus bypass the products being displayed.
  • branding e.g., tag lines or logos
  • promotional or educational information information provided to educate the consumer about benefits, use, etc., of the products
  • graphics, images, shapes, and/or other information is provided on at least one, and preferably more than one of the side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • All such printing or graphics or images are generically referenced herein as “indicia” for the sake of convenience and without intent to limit to any particular form such as words or shapes. It will be appreciated that such indicia are most preferably shopper-targeted, meaning the indicia are targeted to attract shoppers to the products displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • indicia are most preferably product-specific, meaning the indicia provide information about the particular product contained within and displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100 . More particularly, product-specific indicia may be geared towards promoting the products contained within and displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100 , such as by conveying benefits, attributes, claims, logos, or the like. Shopper-targeted and/or product-specific indicia (display indicia” for the sake of simplicity without intent to limit) may be contrasted with indicia on containers intended for simply shipping and not also for displaying products.
  • Such shipping containers generally bear indicia related to shipping (e.g., basic shipping info, box specifications, a manufacturer's certificate or stamp), and/or indicia promoting the supplier or distributor or manufacturer but not the product itself (which is merely contained in and transported by the shipping container, but not intended to remain in the shipping container for display upon arrival at its destination).
  • indicia related to shipping e.g., basic shipping info, box specifications, a manufacturer's certificate or stamp
  • indicia promoting the supplier or distributor or manufacturer which is merely contained in and transported by the shipping container, but not intended to remain in the shipping container for display upon arrival at its destination.
  • At least one, and preferably more than one of the side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100 may be provided with one or more types of indicia.
  • indicia such as graphics or logos may be provided on at least one of left and right side walls 220 , 222 , such as to attract or catch shoppers' attention as the shoppers pass pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • Written material such as a product description, an announcement (stating that the product is “new,” “improved,” has special benefits, etc.), or other information that may serve to educate and/or inform the shopper about the product displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100 , may be provided on at least partial front side wall 210 and/or partial top side wall 214 .
  • left and right side walls 220 , 222 may also be known or referenced as side graphics panels, and front side wall 210 and top side wall 214 may be known or referenced as main graphics panels. Partial front side wall 210 may also be known or referenced as a front graphics lip. It will further be appreciated that graphics or logos may be alternatively or additionally be provided on partial front side wall 210 and/or partial top side wall 214 , and written material may be alternatively or additionally be provided on left side wall 220 and/or right side wall 222 . Exemplary indicia are shown in the FIGURES for illustrative purposes only and without any intent to limit. Thus, the placement and selection of indicia need not match what is illustrated in the FIGURES.
  • pre-packed shipper display 100 may be provided with what is known in the art as a graphics box 150 .
  • a graphics box extends into product display area 140 and provides additional walls or panels on which indicia, such as display indicia, may be provided.
  • graphics box 150 may also serve structural functions, such as contributing to maintaining products 102 in place within product display area 140 , and/or providing structural stability to resist crushing of pre-packed shipper display 100 during transport. In the embodiment of FIGS.
  • graphics box 150 includes at least frontwardly-facing graphics box side 250 and upwardly-facing graphics box side 254 .
  • Graphics box 150 may also include an inwardly-facing graphics box side 258 facing towards products 102 contained within product display area 140 of pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • inwardly-facing graphics box side 258 is a complete wall and provides lateral stability to products 102 within pre-packed shipper display 100 to maintain products 102 in place so that pre-packed shipper display 100 is ready for placement for display immediately upon removal of shipping materials.
  • frontwardly-facing graphics box side 250 may be considered a part of partial front side wall 210 .
  • upwardly-facing graphics box side 254 may be considered a part of partial top side wall 214 . It will be appreciated that other shapes, forms, and constructions of a graphics box are within the scope of the present invention.
  • pre-packed shipper displays have been enclosed in outer cartons (either a six-sided carton fully enclosing the pre-packed shipper display, or a five-paneled protective carton placed over the pre-packed shipper display) or four-sided sleeves completely enclosing at least the major walls of the pre-packed shipper display to maintain the products therein and to protect the indicia thereon.
  • at least one shipping panel 260 is provided monolithically with one of side walls 210 , 212 , 214 , 216 , 220 , and 222 of pre-packed shipper display 100 , as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3 .
  • At least one shipping panel 260 extends from an edge of one of side walls 210 , 212 , 214 , 216 , 220 , and 222 of the display tray portion (the portion illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , serving as a display tray or product display element) of pre-packed shipper display 100 as a monolithic extension of such side wall (in contrast with a separate piece later coupled with such side wall).
  • edge of a wall or panel is to be understood as an end or boundary of such wall or panel which may be coupled (monolithically or otherwise) to another element, such as another wall or panel, or to a tab, or from which such other element may be considered to extend.
  • edge of a wall or panel is to be contrasted with a “free edge” of a wall or panel, which latter term is to be understood herein as an edge that is not connected to another wall or panel.
  • a free edge may include a “raw” or exposed edge, such as an open corrugated edge along which the fluting of the corrugated board is visible.
  • front shipping panel 260 is provided to cover upwardly-facing graphics box side 254 and/or top partial side wall 214 .
  • Front shipping panel 262 extends monolithically from an edge of top shipping panel 260 to cover forwardly-facing graphics box side 250 and/or front partial side wall 210 .
  • Left shipping panel 264 and right shipping panel 266 may be provided to cover left side wall 220 and right side wall 222 , respectively, particularly if indicia are provided on such side walls. As with front shipping panel 262 , left shipping panel 264 and right shipping panel 266 extend monolithically from an edge of top shipping panel 260 . Of course, it will be appreciated that left shipping panel 264 and right shipping panel 266 may extend monolithically from another panel or side wall of pre-packed shipper display 100 , such as from front shipping panel 262 . Also, more than one shipping panel may be provided to cover either or both left side wall 220 and right side wall 222 of pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • At least one shipping panel is provided that is sized, shaped, and configured to cover and to protect (e.g., from damage during transport) all side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100 bearing consumer-targeted indicia. More than one shipping panel may be provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, a pre-packed shipper display 100 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may include fewer or more shipping panels than shown in the FIGURES of the present application. Preferably, in order to reduce materials, as well as time required to form pre-packed shipper display 100 , only the shipping panels necessary (and no extraneous shipping panels) are provided. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG.
  • top shipping panel 260 and front shipping panel 262 serve the dual purpose of enclosing products 102 in place in product display area 140 within pre-packed shipper display 100 , as well as protecting the indicia on the side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • products 102 may be sufficiently enclosed within pre-packed shipper display 100 for transport.
  • at least one of the shipping panels may be provided with pre-printed generic shipping indicia. For instance, an address block 160 or manufacturer-specific indicia 162 (such as the company name or logo, etc.) may be pre-printed on either or both of shipping panels 260 , 262 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • all side walls and panels of pre-packed shipper display 100 are formed integrally with one another from the same monolithic blank.
  • the display panels forming the side walls for displaying products 102 once pre-packed shipper display 100 is readied for display at a retail location (in FIG. 1 , front side wall 210 , back side wall 212 , top side wall 214 , bottom side wall 216 , left side wall 220 , and right side wall 222 ) are formed monolithically with and from the same blank as the shipping panels (in FIG. 1 , top shipping panel 260 , front shipping panel 262 , left shipping panel 264 , and right shipping panel 266 ).
  • the display portion of pre-packed shipper display 100 (the portion that is used to display products 102 at a retail location) is formed monolithically from the same blank as the shipping panels. Moreover, all panels preferably remain connected together when the blank from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed is folded to form pre-pack shipper 100 .
  • Such monolithic formation of the panels of pre-packed shipper display 100 and its shipping panels provides various benefits over prior art separately-formed pre-packed shipper displays and associated shipping materials, as will now be discussed.
  • a pre-packed shipper display 100 formed, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, from integrally connected panels of the same monolithic blank (panels that are not detached from one another) provides various time-saving and cost-saving benefits over prior art pre-packed shipper displays. Because only one blank is used, the overall process of forming pre-packed shipper display 100 and readying pre-packed shipper display 100 for transport requires the folding of only one blank, in contrast with folding and/or manipulating two separate blanks.
  • Formation of a pre-packed shipper display from a single blank in accordance with the principles of the present invention not only saves time and labor required to ready the pre-packed shipper display for transport (by eliminating the need to obtain and to manipulate separately formed shipping materials), but also saves time and labor required to ready the pre-packed shipper display for placement at a retail location for display to shoppers.
  • the retailer can simply fold back the shipping panels of the pre-packed shipper display 100 of the present invention.
  • slots may be provided to permit the shipping panels to be held in place in their folded-back position.
  • the shipping panels may be removed in their entirety. It will be appreciated that although removal of the shipping panels requires the step of disposing of such panels, the removed panels still are less bulky and require less material than the typical shipping materials used to pack and to transport prior art pre-packed shipper displays.
  • the blank from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed may be configured to be folded into at least the display tray portion (the portion without the shipping panels, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) without the need for extraneous fasteners or other attachment means such as glue or tape or other adhesives. Any affect attachment means may have on the aesthetics of pre-packed shipper display 100 is thereby reduced if not altogether eliminated.
  • the blank may be formed with tabs and locking slots (as will be described in further detail below with respect to an exemplary embodiment of a blank) to hold the various panels of the blank in place upon folding to form pre-packed shipper display 100 .
  • attachment means results in an obvious cost savings from the reduction in materials and processing steps required (e.g., costs saved through labor reduction). And, the reduction in processing steps has a concurrent affect on reducing any affect processing steps may have on the structural integrity of the material from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed. Elimination of attachment means such as glue also has an added environmental benefit, not just from the reduction of materials used (and the reduction of processing steps required to produce such materials), but also in the reduction of any processing steps required to apply such attachment means.
  • the panels of the blank from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed may be arranged such that display indicia (for viewing once pre-packed shipper display 100 has been placed for display in a retail location) as well as shipping information (e.g., an address block or other standard shipping graphics) can be printed on only one side of the blank.
  • the blank only needs to pass through a single printing process.
  • reductions in processing steps, such as printing steps are desirable because of the resulting reduction in any affect on structural integrity that may be caused by processing of the material from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed.
  • printing of all indicia on pre-packed shipper display 100 by a single printing process results in a reduction in processing time and labor, and thus also reduces processing costs.
  • FIGS. 5A , 5 B, and 5 C An exemplary blank 300 from which pre-packed shipper display 100 may be formed is illustrated in FIGS. 5A , 5 B, and 5 C (“FIGS. 5 A-C”). It will be appreciated that minor variations may be seen between pre-packed shipper display 100 of FIGS. 1-4 and a pre-packed shipper display formed from the blank of FIGS. 5A-C , and folding of blank 300 does not necessarily result in a pre-packed shipper display identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 .
  • a “panel” is a section of a blank that is to be formed into a side wall of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • a “tab” is a section of a blank that is to be used for a structural purpose related to folding blank 300 and its panels into a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention
  • a “slot” is an opening in the material of a blank (including an open sided opening not necessarily completely enclosed or surrounded by blank material), such as a hole or notch.
  • a “fold line” is a line along a blank that promotes or enhances bending, e.g., folding, without necessarily promoting separation, of the material on either side thereof.
  • a fold line may or may not be formed by a line of weakness, which term, as used herein, is an area of a blank weakened to promote manipulation (including, without limitation, folding, tearing, separating, etc.) of the blank.
  • a line of weakness may be formed by scoring or cutting the blank partially through the thickness of the blank to aid in bending or folding of the blank, or by a line of alternating cuts and land areas (e.g., perforations).
  • a line of weakness can be made using mechanical means (including, without limitation, embossing, scoring, or cutting) or non-mechanical means (including, without limitation, chemical etching; lasers, heat); or combinations of mechanical and non-mechanical means.
  • the panels that form the side walls of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention are defined by fold lines along a monolithic blank. It will be appreciated that the individual panels of exemplary blank 300 are exemplary too, and different and/or additional panels may be provided to form a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that the order in which exemplary blank 300 is folded along the illustrated fold lines need not follow the order of folding which will now be described.
  • blank 300 is sectioned (such as, but not necessarily, by fold lines which facilitate folding of blank 300 ) into a plurality of panels 310 , 312 , 314 , 316 , 320 , and 322 folded to form at least front side wall 210 , back side wall 212 , top side wall 214 , bottom side wall 216 , left side wall 220 , and right side wall 222 of the display tray portion, and at least one shipping panel sized, shaped, and configured to protect indicia on the display tray portion.
  • exemplary blank 300 is folded along (a) fold line 412 to differentiate back side wall panel 312 from bottom side wall panel 316 ; (b) fold line 410 to differentiate front side wall panel 310 from bottom side wall panel 316 ; (c) fold line 420 to differentiate left side wall panel 320 from bottom side wall panel 316 ; and (d) fold line 422 to differentiate right side wall panel 322 from bottom side wall panel 316 .
  • top side wall panel 314 of a pre-packed shipper display formed from blank 300 preferably forms the upwardly-facing side wall of a graphics box, formed from upwardly-facing graphics box side wall panel 354 being folded along fold line 454 to be differentiated from front side wall panel 310 (and frontwardly-facing graphics box side wall panel 350 , if provided).
  • the edges of side wall panels 310 , 312 , and 316 extending between left side panel 320 and right side panel 322 may be referenced as display edges, and the edges of side wall panels 310 , 312 , and 316 extending along side wall panels 320 , 322 upon folding blank 300 into an assembled pre-packed shipper display may be referenced as side edges.
  • blank 300 may be said to have front, back, and bottom side wall panels integrally coupled together along their respective display edges; at least one left side wall panel integrally coupled to a left side edge of at least one of said front, back, and bottom side wall panels; and at least one right side wall panel integrally coupled to a right side edge of at least one of said front, back, and bottom side wall panels, all such panels being formed from the same monolithic blank.
  • front side wall panel 310 preferably is the last of the side wall panels of blank 300 to be differentiated from the other panels to form one of the side walls 210 , 212 , 214 , 216 , 220 , 222 of an exemplary pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
  • front side wall panel 310 may include a secondary front side wall panel 310 a folded with respect to front side wall panel 310 along double fold lines 410 a and 410 b and into the interior of the pre-packed shipper display.
  • Tabs 510 a, 510 b may be provided to lock into corresponding slots 511 a, 511 b to maintain secondary front side wall panel 310 a in place.
  • the provision of secondary front side wall panel 310 a permits the top edge of the right side wall to be formed from blank 300 to be a smooth edge formed from the smooth surface of the blank material rather than from a less aesthetically-pleasing free or raw edge of material.
  • Handle cut-outs 324 , 326 may be formed in left side wall panel 320 and right side wall panel 322 , respectively, to facilitate handling of the formed pre-packed shipper display. If desired, at least one of the side walls of a pre-packed shipper display may be reinforced to impart the formed pre-packed shipper display with additional strength for transport. Exemplary blank 300 permits reinforcement of the right side wall by providing more than one side wall panel to form a multi-layered right side wall. In particular, in addition to right side wall panel 322 , an inner reinforcing right side wall panel 322 a may be provided.
  • inner reinforcing right side wall panel 322 a is folded along fold line 422 a to be positioned on the product-facing side of right side wall 222 , and right side wall panel 322 forms the shopper-facing side of right side wall 222 that may be imprinted with display indicia as described above.
  • Additional reinforcing right side wall panels 322 b and 322 c may be provided, extending, for instance, from right side wall panel 322 .
  • double fold lines 422 b 1 and 422 b 2 are provided to differentiate right side wall panel 322 from top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b and to permit top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b to be folded over and to cover the top free or raw edge 321 of right side wall panel 322 .
  • Coupling tab 522 a may be provided on top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b for insertion into corresponding slot 523 a to maintain top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b in place in its folded configuration.
  • double fold lines 422 c 1 and 422 c 2 are provided to differentiate right side wall panel 322 from front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c so that front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c can readily be folded over and can cover the front free or raw edge 323 of right side wall panel 322 .
  • Coupling tabs 522 b, 522 c, and 522 d may be provided on front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c for insertion into corresponding slots 523 b, 523 c, and 523 d, to maintain front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c in place in its folded configuration.
  • Such covering of free or raw edges of at least right side wall panel 322 imparts a more finished (and thus more aesthetically-pleasing-to-shoppers) look to the resulting display tray portion of the pre-packed shipper display formed from blank 300 .
  • handle cut-outs 326 a, 326 b, and 326 c are provided in reinforcing right side wall panels 322 a, 322 b, and 322 c to correspond to handle cut-out 326 in right side wall panel 322 .
  • a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may have a graphics box that not only provides surface area for desired indicia, but also imparts structural rigidity to the pre-packed shipper display, such as to maintain the overall structural integrity of the pre-packed shipper display and thereby to minimize crushing or other damage to the pre-packed shipper display.
  • a graphics box with internal support and structural rigidity in accordance with the present invention also permits graphics box 150 to provide lateral support to products 102 within product display area 140 . Such lateral support minimizes or prevents shifting of products 102 within product display area 140 during transport. Products 102 therefore need little or no further manipulation or arrangement upon arrival of pre-packed shipper display 100 at a retail location. The retailer merely needs to remove shipping panels 260 and 262 to ready pre-packed shipper display 100 for placement at an in-store display location.
  • Structural rigidity may be imparted to graphics box 150 in any desired manner.
  • such structural rigidity is imparted by elements formed integrally from the same monolithic blank from which the other portions of the pre-packed shipper display (including the graphics box) are formed.
  • reinforcement of the graphics box portion of the pre-packed shipper display of the present invention preferably does not alter the nature of the pre-packed shipper display of the present invention as being integrally formed from a single, monolithic blank.
  • exemplary blank 300 has, in addition to graphics box panels 350 , 354 , and 358 (forming, respectively, forwardly-facing graphics box side 250 , upwardly-facing graphics box side 254 , and inwardly-facing graphics box side 258 ), one or more structural panel sets 380 a, 380 b, and 380 c extending integrally and monolithically from the panels that form the other portions of a pre-pack shipper.
  • Structural panel sets 380 a, 380 b, and 380 c may be folded with respect to the other panels of blank 300 to provide internal support and structural rigidity to the graphics box to be formed from graphics box panels 350 , 354 , and 358 .
  • Structural panel set 380 a may be assembled by folding first structural panel 382 a with respect to back side wall panel 312 along fold line 482 a to lie substantially perpendicular to back side wall panel 312 ; folding second structural panel 384 a with respect to first structural panel 382 a along fold line 484 a to be substantially perpendicular to first structural panel 382 a and substantially parallel to back side wall panel 312 ; folding third structural panel 386 a with respect to second structural panel 384 a along fold line 486 a to be substantially perpendicular to second structural panel 384 a and substantially parallel to first structural panel 382 a; and folding fourth structural panel 388 a with respect to third structural panel 386 a along fold line 488 a to be substantially perpendicular to third structural panel 386 a and substantially parallel to back side wall panel 312 and second structural panel 384 a.
  • corresponding structural panel set 380 b may be assembled in a corresponding similar manner by folding first corresponding structural panel 382 b with respect to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350 along fold line 482 b to lie substantially perpendicular to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350 ; folding second corresponding structural panel 384 b with respect to first corresponding structural panel 382 b along fold line 484 b to be substantially perpendicular to first corresponding structural panel 382 b and substantially parallel to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350 ; folding third corresponding structural panel 386 b with respect to second corresponding structural panel 384 b along fold line 486 b to be substantially perpendicular to second corresponding structural panel 384 b and substantially parallel to first corresponding structural panel 382 b; and folding fourth corresponding structural panel 388 b with respect to third corresponding structural panel 386 b along fold line 488 b to be substantially perpendicular to third corresponding structural panel 386
  • First structural panel 382 a and third structural panel 386 a may be dimensioned as desired to set the distance between second structural panel 384 a and fourth structural panel 388 a upon assembly of first structural panel set 380 a.
  • first corresponding structural panel 382 b and third corresponding structural panel 386 b may be dimensioned as desired to set the distance between second corresponding structural panel 384 b and fourth corresponding structural panel 388 b upon assembly of second structural panel set 380 b.
  • the dimensions of first structural panel 382 a, third structural panel 386 a, first corresponding structural panel 382 b, and third corresponding structural panel 386 b also may be selected to set the distance between second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b.
  • first structural panel 382 a and third structural panel 386 a, and first corresponding structural panel 382 b and third corresponding structural panel 386 b are dimensioned so that second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b are spaced apart from each other upon assembly of first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b, thereby reducing material required to form first structural panel 382 a, third structural panel 386 a, first corresponding structural panel 382 b, and third corresponding structural panel 386 b, while not compromising the reinforcement and structural rigidity that may be imparted by first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b.
  • a spacer panel may be provided to space apart second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b. Such spacer panel may also serve to reinforce and to stabilize structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b.
  • An exemplary spacer panel 390 is illustrated in FIG. 5B as being defined by cuts 490 a, 490 b, 490 c in second corresponding structural panel 384 b, and foldable along fold line 492 towards second structural panel 384 a upon assembly of structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b.
  • Tab 590 extending from a free edge of spacer panel 390 , may be inserted into a corresponding slot 591 in second structural panel 384 a to maintain spacer panel 390 in a position that maintains second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b apart from each other and reinforces and stabilizes structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b.
  • a cut-out 592 may be provided to facilitate access to tab 590 . It will be appreciated that, instead, spacer panel 390 and its tab 590 and cut-out 592 may be provided in second structural panel 384 a, and groove 591 may be provided in second corresponding structural panel 384 b.
  • Third structural panel set 380 c may then be assembled by folding fifth structural panel 385 with respect to left side wall panel 320 along fold line 485 to lie over assembled first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b; and by folding coupling tab 585 with respect to fifth structural panel 385 along fold line 685 and downward towards first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b.
  • Coupling tab 585 is provided with notches 587 and 589 sized and shaped to receive the upper edges of third structural panel 386 a and third corresponding structural panel 386 b to maintain first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b in their folded configuration.
  • Upwardly-facing graphics box panel 354 may then be folded with respect to forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350 along fold line 454 to cover fifth structural panel 385 .
  • a retaining tab 554 may be provided for tucking between fifth structural panel 385 and back side wall panel 312 to retain upwardly-facing graphics box panel 354 in place over fifth structural panel 385 .
  • Inwardly-facing graphics box panel 358 may then be folded with respect to upwardly-facing graphics box panel 354 along fold line 458 and a retaining tab 558 may be tucked below first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b to retain inwardly-facing graphics box panel 358 in place.
  • Cut-outs 524 a and 524 b may be provided in first and second structural panels 382 a, 384 a and first and second corresponding structural panels 382 b, 384 b, respectively, to correspond with handle cut-out 324 in left side panel 320 so that first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b do not interfere with the functioning of handle 124 to be formed from blank 300 .
  • first shipping panel 360 may be folded with respect to back side wall panel 312 along fold line 460 to form top shipping panel 260 covering upwardly-facing open area 134 .
  • Second shipping panel 362 is then folded with respect to first shipping panel 360 along fold line 462 to form front shipping panel 262 covering forwardly-facing open area 130 .
  • Shipping panels 260 , 262 may be secured in any desired manner to secure products 102 within pre-packed shipper display 100 so that products 102 maintain their positions for ready display upon removal of shipping panels 260 , 262 .
  • the shipping panel most preferably is sized, shaped, and configured to protect all display indicia on the external (shopper-facing) surfaces of the display tray portion and to enclose products within the product display area of the display tray portion. Accordingly, at least one left side shipping panel 364 a, 364 b may be provided to provide adequate protection of display indicia on the external surface of left side wall 220 . Likewise, at least one right side shipping panel 366 a, 366 b may be provided to provide adequate protection of display indicia on the external surface of right side wall 222 .
  • At least one shipping panel is provided, extending integrally from either a display edge or a side edge of at least one of the front, back, or bottom side wall panels, or from the left or right side wall panel, or from a graphics box panel. If more than one shipping panel is provided, the shipping panels may each individually extend integrally from one of the other side wall or graphics box panels of the monolithic blank. Alternatively, a shipping panel may extend integrally from another shipping panel without extending directly from a side wall or graphics box panel of the monolithic blank.
  • fold lines 460 and 462 may be formed as lines of weakness that facilitate separation of shipping panels 360 , 362 from the display portion of pre-packed shipper display (such as by tearing) before placement of the display portion at the desired product display location.
  • shipping panels 460 , 462 may be simply folded behind the display portion (e.g., behind back side wall 212 and optionally also under bottom side wall 216 ) of pre-packed shipper display to reveal the products therein and the display indicia on the exterior of the display portion.
  • the material of the blank from which a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is formed is selected to be sturdy enough to support the number of products to be contained with the formed pre-packed shipper display.
  • the weight of a given shipment is dictated by the industry (e.g., the retailer) and/or the local government. For instance, retailers may impose a weight restriction on pre-packed shipper displays to protect their employees from injury upon lifting the pre-packed shipper onto a shelf for display.
  • NASH National Institute of Health
  • OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • Corrugated board typically provides sufficient structural rigidity to support a plurality of products within pre-packed shipper display so that the side walls (most importantly, the bottom side wall) of the pre-packed shipper display are not deformed during transport when the side walls are not completely supported by an external support (such as a pallet or shelf).
  • Other materials such as cardboard, corrugated plastic sheets, composite paperboard, and the like may be used, instead, without departing from the principles of the present invention.
  • the directional references “top,” “bottom,” “front,” and “rear” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another.
  • the exact spatial relation between panels, and the provision and/or position of locking tabs and slots may be varied without departing from the basic principles of the present invention.
  • the shape of the individual panels or side walls of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention need not be square or rectangular.
  • Pre-packed shipper displays may embody any or all of the inventive concepts described herein with non-square or non-rectangular panels or side walls.

Abstract

A pre-packed shipper display containing products arranged for display for purchase by consumers, and bearing display indicia including shopper-targeted indicia directed to shoppers and/or product-specific indicia relating to the products. All panels of the pre-packed shipper display are formed from a monolithic blank and remain integrally coupled together such that the monolithic blank may be folded to form the pre-packed shipper display without separating panels and without the need for glue. The pre-packed shipper display may include a graphics box formed integrally from the monolithic blank. Structural support panels may also be formed integrally from the monolithic blank to be folded within the graphics box to provide structural support and rigidity to the pre-packed shipper display and/or to provide support to the products therein. Shipping panels may be formed integrally from the monolithic blank to cover and to protect the display indicia, as well as to enclose the products within the product display area.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to an in-store product display unit that also is configured for shipping. More particularly, the present invention relates to an in-store product display unit used also to ship the products to be displayed, and configured to protect the display portion during shipment thereof.
  • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Most, if not all, consumable goods, packaged goods, merchandise, or products are shipped in multiple units (a dozen, a gross, or more), or in bulk, in containers, cases, cartons, boxes, packages, or the like (hereinafter, “carton”, for the sake of convenience without intent to limit) from the manufacturer, a distributor, etc. to a retailer. In order to reduce time and labor required by retail clerks to unpack a shipment of products from its shipping carton, and to stock the products at the appropriate display area (such as on shelves, or hanging from hooks, or other store fixtures, or the like), shipping cartons have been formed to serve the dual purpose of not only packaging, storing, and containing products for transit, but also of displaying the products contained therein once the carton has reached its destination at a retailer. Such cartons, which essentially are product display trays configured also for transport and shipment of the products, are known in the art as shippers, shipper displays, self-shippers, pre-pack shippers, pre-pack displays, or PDQ's (“pretty darn quick”). Other terms for such pre-packed, shelf-ready displays have been used as well. For the sake of convenience, without any intent to limit, such cartons will be referenced herein as “pre-packed shipper displays.” Generally, the use of pre-packed shipper displays is viewed as beneficial for reducing labor demands at the retailer because the retail clerks can simply place the entire unit, carton and all, at the desired display location. There is no need to unpack the carton, dispose of the carton, or arrange the products neatly at the desired display location.
  • Various implementations of pre-packed shipper displays are known in the art. One common form allows for a portion of the shipper carton to be removed, leaving the remaining carton as the display for the products contained therein. However, such implementation does not generally protect the outer surface of the display section during transit. If the pre-packed display shipper is to have moderate to elaborate graphics or other visuals, then it may be desirable to include an outer carton (or in some cases simply a sleeve) or other protective material to cover and to protect the exterior surface of the pre-packed shipper display. The outer carton may also provide structural stability or reinforcement of the pre-packed display shipper for added product protection during transport. The addition of protective materials not only adds to material costs, but also may add to labor required to add such materials over the pre-packed shipper carton, and to remove such materials upon the pre-packed shipper carton's arrival at the retailer.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a pre-packed shipper display is formed with at least one panel, and preferably two panels, extending over the open area of the display portion of the pre-packed shipper display to contain and to protect the products therein. Such panels may also serve to protect graphics printed on the exterior of the pre-packed shipper display. Because pre-packed shipper displays commonly have only two open or partially open walls for viewing and access of the products therein, only two protective panels are necessary. And, if only one open or partially open wall is provided, then only one protective panel is necessary. Likewise, the number of protective panels may be adjusted to correspond to the number of panels with graphics that should be protected during transport of the pre-packed shipper display (graphics may be provided along side panels and not simply along the open or partially open walls). Preferably, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, such protective panel or panels are formed integrally with and as an extension of at least one wall of the pre-packed shipper display. As such, the present invention allows for material reduction from the typical outer cartons or sleeves provided over pre-packed shipper displays to maintain the products within the pre-packed shipper display and to protect the graphics thereon.
  • In accordance with a related aspect of the present invention, a pre-packed shipper display may be formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention from a single blank folded into the final configuration without the need of any glue or other secondary attachment elements.
  • In accordance with another related aspect of the present invention, a pre-packed shipper display may be formed from a single blank configured to include integral panels that may be folded to form a graphics box. The graphics box may provide additional surface area for shopper-targeted and product-related graphics or the like. In addition, interior structural support panels may be provided within the graphics box to reduce the likelihood of the pre-packed shipper display crushing during shipment. Such internal structural support panels preferably are also formed monolithically from the same blank.
  • In accordance with yet another related aspect of the present invention, a pre-packed shipper display formed form a single blank may have panels configured to allow printing for shipping information as well as for graphics to be required on only one side of the blank. Such aspect of the present invention not only reduces printing steps, but also reduces the amount of processing the blank must undergo, reducing concurrent weakening of the blank that may result from each processing step.
  • These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, the scope of the invention being set out in the appended claims.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters represent like elements, as follows:
  • FIG. 1 is a front, top, and left perspective view of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention ready for display at a retailer;
  • FIG. 2 is a front, top, and right perspective view of the pre-packed shipper display of FIG. 1, but without products packed therein;
  • FIG. 3 is a front, top, and left perspective view of a pre-packed shipper display similar to that of FIG. 1, but with shipping panels still integrally connected thereto;
  • FIG. 4 is a front, top, and left perspective view of a pre-packed shipper display similar to that of FIG. 3, but with integrally formed shipping panels in place for enclosing the products within the pre-packed shipper display for transport;
  • FIG. 5A is a plan view of an exemplary blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
  • FIG. 5B is an enlarged plan view of the left half of the exemplary blank of FIG. 5A, enlarged to permit more detailed referencing of the features of the blank; and
  • FIG. 5C is an enlarged plan view of the right half of the exemplary blank of FIG. 5A, enlarged to permit more detailed referencing of the features of the blank.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • An exemplary pre-packed shipper display 100 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a configuration ready for placement at a retail product display area or a product display location at a retail store (hereinafter “retail product display area” for the sake of convenience, without intent to limit), such as the home location or in-line location for the products 102 contained in pre-packed shipper display 100. As used herein, a “pre-packed shipper display” is a shelf-ready display tray pre-filled with products pre-arranged for display in the tray, in contrast with a floor stand, a pallet, an open case, or a mere shipper (which sometimes has partial walls to facilitate access to the contents, but which is not intended for placement at a retail product display area to display the contents for consumer viewing and purchase), or another product-containing element that is not intended to serve a dual purpose of containing products for transport as well as displaying the products upon arrival at a retail location (or other location at which the products contained therein are to be presented for purchase). Pre-packed shipper display 100 contains a plurality of products 102 arranged for immediate display within pre-packed shipper display 100 upon removal of any shipping panels (described in further detail below). Products 102 may be organized in a particular manner or configuration within pre-packed shipper display 100. For instance, products can be separated from one another, if desired, or stabilized by inserts, or the like.
  • Exemplary pre-packed shipper display 100 has front side 110, back side 112, top side 114, bottom side 116, left side 120, and right side 122. Handles preferably are formed along left side 120 and right side 122, such as by the provision of handle cut- outs 124, 126, to facilitate transport, as well as placement at a retail product display area. It will be appreciated that because pre-packed shipper display 100 is specifically designed for ready unpacking and substantially immediate placement at an in-store display location, side walls 210, 212, 214, 216, 220, and 222, along respective sides 110, 112, 114, 116, 120, and 122, preferably are configured to maintain products 102 neatly within pre-packed shipper display 100 so that upon unpacking pre-packed shipper display 100, pre-packed shipper display 100 is substantially completely ready for placement at an in-store display location without further manipulation of pre-packed shipper display 100 or products 102 therein. At least side walls 216, 212, 220, and 222 enclose and maintain products 102 within a product containing and displaying area 140 (hereinafter, “product display area 140” for the sake of convenience, without intent to limit) defined by at least these walls.
  • A frontwardly-facing open area 130 and upwardly-facing open area 134 preferably are also provided to permit viewing, access, etc., of products displayed within product display area 140 within pre-packed shipper display 100. It will be appreciated that each side 110, 112, 114, 116, 120, 122 of pre-packed shipper display 100 may have a complete or partial associated wall. Within the scope of the present application, a complete wall is to be understood as completely extending along substantially the entire associated side of pre-packed shipper display 100, and a partial wall is to be understood as extending only along a portion of the associated side, leaving an open area along the associated side through which products can be accessed, viewed, etc. Preferably, at least bottom side 116 has a complete associated bottom side wall 216, such as for supporting products 102. Back side wall 212, left side wall 220, and right side wall 222 may be complete walls, as is typical with pre-packed shipper displays. However, any of at least back side wall 212, left side wall 220, and right side wall 222 may be a partial wall, instead, if a particular effect or pre-packed shipper display shape is desired.
  • It will be appreciated that in order for pre-packed shipper display 100 to fulfill its role as a display for products, and in order to have a frontwardly-facing open area 130 and/or an upwardly-facing open area 134 through which products may be viewed, accessed, etc., front side 110 and top side 114 preferably do not have associated complete walls. At least one of front side 110 and top side 114 must have a sufficient open area to permit ready viewing of and access to products within product display area 140 so that pre-packed shipper display 100 satisfies its dual role as not only a shipping carton but also a display for products that is particularly configured to enhance display of products for purchase at a retail location. However, it will also be appreciated that, if desired, front side 110 and/or top side 114 may have an associated partial wall, such as partial front side wall 210 and/or partial top side wall 214. Such partial walls (such as what is generally known as a front lip, formed by a partial front side wall) may contribute to maintaining products within product display area 140, and /or may provide surface area for graphics, as will now be described.
  • The present invention specifically relates to a pre-packed shipper display and thus is specifically designed to function (once unpacked or otherwise separated from any materials necessary for transport and/or shipment) as a product display tray particularly configured to display and preferably to enhance display of and even to encourage purchase of the products contained therein. Typically, a pre-packed shipper display is placed in a secondary location (in contrast with the primary or home location), promotional location, or special display area for the products contained therein, and a shopper may not expect to find such products in such location and may thus bypass the products being displayed. Accordingly, branding (e.g., tag lines or logos), promotional or educational information (information provided to educate the consumer about benefits, use, etc., of the products), graphics, images, shapes, and/or other information is provided on at least one, and preferably more than one of the side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100. All such printing or graphics or images are generically referenced herein as “indicia” for the sake of convenience and without intent to limit to any particular form such as words or shapes. It will be appreciated that such indicia are most preferably shopper-targeted, meaning the indicia are targeted to attract shoppers to the products displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100. Moreover, such indicia are most preferably product-specific, meaning the indicia provide information about the particular product contained within and displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100. More particularly, product-specific indicia may be geared towards promoting the products contained within and displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100, such as by conveying benefits, attributes, claims, logos, or the like. Shopper-targeted and/or product-specific indicia (display indicia” for the sake of simplicity without intent to limit) may be contrasted with indicia on containers intended for simply shipping and not also for displaying products. Such shipping containers generally bear indicia related to shipping (e.g., basic shipping info, box specifications, a manufacturer's certificate or stamp), and/or indicia promoting the supplier or distributor or manufacturer but not the product itself (which is merely contained in and transported by the shipping container, but not intended to remain in the shipping container for display upon arrival at its destination).
  • At least one, and preferably more than one of the side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100 may be provided with one or more types of indicia. For instance, indicia such as graphics or logos may be provided on at least one of left and right side walls 220, 222, such as to attract or catch shoppers' attention as the shoppers pass pre-packed shipper display 100. Written material, such as a product description, an announcement (stating that the product is “new,” “improved,” has special benefits, etc.), or other information that may serve to educate and/or inform the shopper about the product displayed by pre-packed shipper display 100, may be provided on at least partial front side wall 210 and/or partial top side wall 214. As such, left and right side walls 220, 222, respectively, may also be known or referenced as side graphics panels, and front side wall 210 and top side wall 214 may be known or referenced as main graphics panels. Partial front side wall 210 may also be known or referenced as a front graphics lip. It will further be appreciated that graphics or logos may be alternatively or additionally be provided on partial front side wall 210 and/or partial top side wall 214, and written material may be alternatively or additionally be provided on left side wall 220 and/or right side wall 222. Exemplary indicia are shown in the FIGURES for illustrative purposes only and without any intent to limit. Thus, the placement and selection of indicia need not match what is illustrated in the FIGURES.
  • If desired, pre-packed shipper display 100 may be provided with what is known in the art as a graphics box 150. Typically, a graphics box extends into product display area 140 and provides additional walls or panels on which indicia, such as display indicia, may be provided. In addition to providing surface area for the display indicia that differentiate pre-packed shipper display 100 over a mere shipper carton (which may bear some indicia, but not indicia geared or targeted towards shoppers), graphics box 150 may also serve structural functions, such as contributing to maintaining products 102 in place within product display area 140, and/or providing structural stability to resist crushing of pre-packed shipper display 100 during transport. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, graphics box 150 includes at least frontwardly-facing graphics box side 250 and upwardly-facing graphics box side 254. Graphics box 150 may also include an inwardly-facing graphics box side 258 facing towards products 102 contained within product display area 140 of pre-packed shipper display 100. Preferably, inwardly-facing graphics box side 258 is a complete wall and provides lateral stability to products 102 within pre-packed shipper display 100 to maintain products 102 in place so that pre-packed shipper display 100 is ready for placement for display immediately upon removal of shipping materials. It may be appreciated that frontwardly-facing graphics box side 250 may be considered a part of partial front side wall 210. Likewise, upwardly-facing graphics box side 254 may be considered a part of partial top side wall 214. It will be appreciated that other shapes, forms, and constructions of a graphics box are within the scope of the present invention.
  • Heretofore, because of the desired display indicia on a typical pre-packed shipper display, there has always been a need to provide sufficient shipping panels not only to enclose products within the pre-packed shipper display during transport, but also to protect the display indicia on the pre-packed shipper display during transport. Generally, in order to protect the display indicia, walls or panels bearing such indicia are completely covered by shipping panels. Until the present invention, pre-packed shipper displays have been enclosed in outer cartons (either a six-sided carton fully enclosing the pre-packed shipper display, or a five-paneled protective carton placed over the pre-packed shipper display) or four-sided sleeves completely enclosing at least the major walls of the pre-packed shipper display to maintain the products therein and to protect the indicia thereon. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, at least one shipping panel 260 is provided monolithically with one of side walls 210, 212, 214, 216, 220, and 222 of pre-packed shipper display 100, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3. More particularly, at least one shipping panel 260 extends from an edge of one of side walls 210, 212, 214, 216, 220, and 222 of the display tray portion (the portion illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, serving as a display tray or product display element) of pre-packed shipper display 100 as a monolithic extension of such side wall (in contrast with a separate piece later coupled with such side wall). As used herein, reference to an “edge” of a wall or panel is to be understood as an end or boundary of such wall or panel which may be coupled (monolithically or otherwise) to another element, such as another wall or panel, or to a tab, or from which such other element may be considered to extend. Furthermore, the term “edge” of a wall or panel is to be contrasted with a “free edge” of a wall or panel, which latter term is to be understood herein as an edge that is not connected to another wall or panel. A free edge may include a “raw” or exposed edge, such as an open corrugated edge along which the fluting of the corrugated board is visible. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, front shipping panel 260 is provided to cover upwardly-facing graphics box side 254 and/or top partial side wall 214. Front shipping panel 262 extends monolithically from an edge of top shipping panel 260 to cover forwardly-facing graphics box side 250 and/or front partial side wall 210. Left shipping panel 264 and right shipping panel 266 may be provided to cover left side wall 220 and right side wall 222, respectively, particularly if indicia are provided on such side walls. As with front shipping panel 262, left shipping panel 264 and right shipping panel 266 extend monolithically from an edge of top shipping panel 260. Of course, it will be appreciated that left shipping panel 264 and right shipping panel 266 may extend monolithically from another panel or side wall of pre-packed shipper display 100, such as from front shipping panel 262. Also, more than one shipping panel may be provided to cover either or both left side wall 220 and right side wall 222 of pre-packed shipper display 100.
  • Preferably, at least one shipping panel is provided that is sized, shaped, and configured to cover and to protect (e.g., from damage during transport) all side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100 bearing consumer-targeted indicia. More than one shipping panel may be provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. However, a pre-packed shipper display 100 formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may include fewer or more shipping panels than shown in the FIGURES of the present application. Preferably, in order to reduce materials, as well as time required to form pre-packed shipper display 100, only the shipping panels necessary (and no extraneous shipping panels) are provided. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, top shipping panel 260 and front shipping panel 262 serve the dual purpose of enclosing products 102 in place in product display area 140 within pre-packed shipper display 100, as well as protecting the indicia on the side walls of pre-packed shipper display 100. Upon closing or covering frontwardly-facing open area 130 and upwardly-facing open area 134, products 102 may be sufficiently enclosed within pre-packed shipper display 100 for transport. If desired, at least one of the shipping panels may be provided with pre-printed generic shipping indicia. For instance, an address block 160 or manufacturer-specific indicia 162 (such as the company name or logo, etc.) may be pre-printed on either or both of shipping panels 260, 262, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
  • As noted above, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, all side walls and panels of pre-packed shipper display 100 are formed integrally with one another from the same monolithic blank. Specifically, the display panels forming the side walls for displaying products 102 once pre-packed shipper display 100 is readied for display at a retail location (in FIG. 1, front side wall 210, back side wall 212, top side wall 214, bottom side wall 216, left side wall 220, and right side wall 222) are formed monolithically with and from the same blank as the shipping panels (in FIG. 1, top shipping panel 260, front shipping panel 262, left shipping panel 264, and right shipping panel 266). In other words, the display portion of pre-packed shipper display 100 (the portion that is used to display products 102 at a retail location) is formed monolithically from the same blank as the shipping panels. Moreover, all panels preferably remain connected together when the blank from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed is folded to form pre-pack shipper 100. Such monolithic formation of the panels of pre-packed shipper display 100 and its shipping panels provides various benefits over prior art separately-formed pre-packed shipper displays and associated shipping materials, as will now be discussed.
  • It will be appreciated that a pre-packed shipper display 100 formed, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, from integrally connected panels of the same monolithic blank (panels that are not detached from one another) provides various time-saving and cost-saving benefits over prior art pre-packed shipper displays. Because only one blank is used, the overall process of forming pre-packed shipper display 100 and readying pre-packed shipper display 100 for transport requires the folding of only one blank, in contrast with folding and/or manipulating two separate blanks. In particular, it may be appreciated that the folding of several extra panels extending from the blank of a display tray to form shipping panels would require less time than obtaining a separate blank of material and folding or otherwise manipulating such material to serve as the desired shipping panels, and coupling such shipping panels to the formed display tray portion for transport.
  • Formation of a pre-packed shipper display from a single blank in accordance with the principles of the present invention not only saves time and labor required to ready the pre-packed shipper display for transport (by eliminating the need to obtain and to manipulate separately formed shipping materials), but also saves time and labor required to ready the pre-packed shipper display for placement at a retail location for display to shoppers. In particular, there is no need to unpack the display tray portion of the pre-packed shipper display from an outer carton and to discard such outer carton. Instead, the retailer can simply fold back the shipping panels of the pre-packed shipper display 100 of the present invention. If desired, slots may be provided to permit the shipping panels to be held in place in their folded-back position. Alternatively, the shipping panels may be removed in their entirety. It will be appreciated that although removal of the shipping panels requires the step of disposing of such panels, the removed panels still are less bulky and require less material than the typical shipping materials used to pack and to transport prior art pre-packed shipper displays.
  • If desired, the blank from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed may be configured to be folded into at least the display tray portion (the portion without the shipping panels, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) without the need for extraneous fasteners or other attachment means such as glue or tape or other adhesives. Any affect attachment means may have on the aesthetics of pre-packed shipper display 100 is thereby reduced if not altogether eliminated. For instance, the blank may be formed with tabs and locking slots (as will be described in further detail below with respect to an exemplary embodiment of a blank) to hold the various panels of the blank in place upon folding to form pre-packed shipper display 100. It will be appreciated that elimination of attachment means results in an obvious cost savings from the reduction in materials and processing steps required (e.g., costs saved through labor reduction). And, the reduction in processing steps has a concurrent affect on reducing any affect processing steps may have on the structural integrity of the material from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed. Elimination of attachment means such as glue also has an added environmental benefit, not just from the reduction of materials used (and the reduction of processing steps required to produce such materials), but also in the reduction of any processing steps required to apply such attachment means.
  • In accordance with a further, related aspect of the present invention, the panels of the blank from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed may be arranged such that display indicia (for viewing once pre-packed shipper display 100 has been placed for display in a retail location) as well as shipping information (e.g., an address block or other standard shipping graphics) can be printed on only one side of the blank. Thus, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the blank only needs to pass through a single printing process. As noted above, reductions in processing steps, such as printing steps, are desirable because of the resulting reduction in any affect on structural integrity that may be caused by processing of the material from which pre-packed shipper display 100 is formed. In addition, printing of all indicia on pre-packed shipper display 100 by a single printing process results in a reduction in processing time and labor, and thus also reduces processing costs.
  • An exemplary blank 300 from which pre-packed shipper display 100 may be formed is illustrated in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C (“FIGS. 5A-C”). It will be appreciated that minor variations may be seen between pre-packed shipper display 100 of FIGS. 1-4 and a pre-packed shipper display formed from the blank of FIGS. 5A-C, and folding of blank 300 does not necessarily result in a pre-packed shipper display identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. With respect to the description of the various panels and fold lines of blank 300, as used herein, a “panel” is a section of a blank that is to be formed into a side wall of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and a “tab” is a section of a blank that is to be used for a structural purpose related to folding blank 300 and its panels into a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As used herein, a “slot” is an opening in the material of a blank (including an open sided opening not necessarily completely enclosed or surrounded by blank material), such as a hole or notch. As used herein, a “fold line” is a line along a blank that promotes or enhances bending, e.g., folding, without necessarily promoting separation, of the material on either side thereof. A fold line may or may not be formed by a line of weakness, which term, as used herein, is an area of a blank weakened to promote manipulation (including, without limitation, folding, tearing, separating, etc.) of the blank. For instance, a line of weakness may be formed by scoring or cutting the blank partially through the thickness of the blank to aid in bending or folding of the blank, or by a line of alternating cuts and land areas (e.g., perforations). A line of weakness can be made using mechanical means (including, without limitation, embossing, scoring, or cutting) or non-mechanical means (including, without limitation, chemical etching; lasers, heat); or combinations of mechanical and non-mechanical means.
  • The panels that form the side walls of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention are defined by fold lines along a monolithic blank. It will be appreciated that the individual panels of exemplary blank 300 are exemplary too, and different and/or additional panels may be provided to form a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that the order in which exemplary blank 300 is folded along the illustrated fold lines need not follow the order of folding which will now be described.
  • In order to fold exemplary blank 300 of FIG. 5 into a pre-packed shipper display in accordance with the principles of the present invention, blank 300 is sectioned (such as, but not necessarily, by fold lines which facilitate folding of blank 300) into a plurality of panels 310, 312, 314, 316, 320, and 322 folded to form at least front side wall 210, back side wall 212, top side wall 214, bottom side wall 216, left side wall 220, and right side wall 222 of the display tray portion, and at least one shipping panel sized, shaped, and configured to protect indicia on the display tray portion. More specifically, exemplary blank 300 is folded along (a) fold line 412 to differentiate back side wall panel 312 from bottom side wall panel 316; (b) fold line 410 to differentiate front side wall panel 310 from bottom side wall panel 316; (c) fold line 420 to differentiate left side wall panel 320 from bottom side wall panel 316; and (d) fold line 422 to differentiate right side wall panel 322 from bottom side wall panel 316. As will be described in further detail below, the top side wall panel 314 of a pre-packed shipper display formed from blank 300 preferably forms the upwardly-facing side wall of a graphics box, formed from upwardly-facing graphics box side wall panel 354 being folded along fold line 454 to be differentiated from front side wall panel 310 (and frontwardly-facing graphics box side wall panel 350, if provided). Because the present invention is not necessarily limited to specific panel dimensions, for the sake of convenience, the edges of side wall panels 310, 312, and 316 extending between left side panel 320 and right side panel 322 (along and substantially parallel to, for example, fold lines 410 and 412) may be referenced as display edges, and the edges of side wall panels 310, 312, and 316 extending along side wall panels 320, 322 upon folding blank 300 into an assembled pre-packed shipper display may be referenced as side edges. With such generic references, blank 300 may be said to have front, back, and bottom side wall panels integrally coupled together along their respective display edges; at least one left side wall panel integrally coupled to a left side edge of at least one of said front, back, and bottom side wall panels; and at least one right side wall panel integrally coupled to a right side edge of at least one of said front, back, and bottom side wall panels, all such panels being formed from the same monolithic blank.
  • Folding along fold lines 412, 410, 420, 422, and 454 may be performed in any desired sequence. As will become evident, front side wall panel 310 preferably is the last of the side wall panels of blank 300 to be differentiated from the other panels to form one of the side walls 210, 212, 214, 216, 220, 222 of an exemplary pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-C, front side wall panel 310 may include a secondary front side wall panel 310 a folded with respect to front side wall panel 310 along double fold lines 410 a and 410b and into the interior of the pre-packed shipper display. Tabs 510 a, 510 b may be provided to lock into corresponding slots 511 a, 511 b to maintain secondary front side wall panel 310 a in place. The provision of secondary front side wall panel 310 a permits the top edge of the right side wall to be formed from blank 300 to be a smooth edge formed from the smooth surface of the blank material rather than from a less aesthetically-pleasing free or raw edge of material.
  • Handle cut- outs 324, 326 may be formed in left side wall panel 320 and right side wall panel 322, respectively, to facilitate handling of the formed pre-packed shipper display. If desired, at least one of the side walls of a pre-packed shipper display may be reinforced to impart the formed pre-packed shipper display with additional strength for transport. Exemplary blank 300 permits reinforcement of the right side wall by providing more than one side wall panel to form a multi-layered right side wall. In particular, in addition to right side wall panel 322, an inner reinforcing right side wall panel 322 a may be provided. Preferably, inner reinforcing right side wall panel 322 a is folded along fold line 422 a to be positioned on the product-facing side of right side wall 222, and right side wall panel 322 forms the shopper-facing side of right side wall 222 that may be imprinted with display indicia as described above. Additional reinforcing right side wall panels 322 b and 322 c may be provided, extending, for instance, from right side wall panel 322. Preferably, double fold lines 422 b 1 and 422 b 2 are provided to differentiate right side wall panel 322 from top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b and to permit top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b to be folded over and to cover the top free or raw edge 321 of right side wall panel 322. Coupling tab 522 a may be provided on top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b for insertion into corresponding slot 523 a to maintain top reinforcing right side wall panel 322 b in place in its folded configuration. Similarly, double fold lines 422 c 1 and 422 c 2 are provided to differentiate right side wall panel 322 from front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c so that front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c can readily be folded over and can cover the front free or raw edge 323 of right side wall panel 322. Coupling tabs 522 b, 522 c, and 522 d may be provided on front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c for insertion into corresponding slots 523 b, 523 c, and 523 d, to maintain front reinforcing right side wall panel 322 c in place in its folded configuration. Such covering of free or raw edges of at least right side wall panel 322 imparts a more finished (and thus more aesthetically-pleasing-to-shoppers) look to the resulting display tray portion of the pre-packed shipper display formed from blank 300. It will be appreciated that handle cut-outs 326 a, 326 b, and 326 c are provided in reinforcing right side wall panels 322 a, 322 b, and 322 c to correspond to handle cut-out 326 in right side wall panel 322.
  • As discussed above, a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention may have a graphics box that not only provides surface area for desired indicia, but also imparts structural rigidity to the pre-packed shipper display, such as to maintain the overall structural integrity of the pre-packed shipper display and thereby to minimize crushing or other damage to the pre-packed shipper display. A graphics box with internal support and structural rigidity in accordance with the present invention also permits graphics box 150 to provide lateral support to products 102 within product display area 140. Such lateral support minimizes or prevents shifting of products 102 within product display area 140 during transport. Products 102 therefore need little or no further manipulation or arrangement upon arrival of pre-packed shipper display 100 at a retail location. The retailer merely needs to remove shipping panels 260 and 262 to ready pre-packed shipper display 100 for placement at an in-store display location.
  • Structural rigidity may be imparted to graphics box 150 in any desired manner. Preferably, such structural rigidity is imparted by elements formed integrally from the same monolithic blank from which the other portions of the pre-packed shipper display (including the graphics box) are formed. Accordingly, reinforcement of the graphics box portion of the pre-packed shipper display of the present invention preferably does not alter the nature of the pre-packed shipper display of the present invention as being integrally formed from a single, monolithic blank.
  • Turning now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, exemplary blank 300 has, in addition to graphics box panels 350, 354, and 358 (forming, respectively, forwardly-facing graphics box side 250, upwardly-facing graphics box side 254, and inwardly-facing graphics box side 258), one or more structural panel sets 380 a, 380 b, and 380 c extending integrally and monolithically from the panels that form the other portions of a pre-pack shipper. Structural panel sets 380 a, 380 b, and 380 c may be folded with respect to the other panels of blank 300 to provide internal support and structural rigidity to the graphics box to be formed from graphics box panels 350, 354, and 358.
  • Structural panel set 380 a may be assembled by folding first structural panel 382 a with respect to back side wall panel 312 along fold line 482 a to lie substantially perpendicular to back side wall panel 312; folding second structural panel 384 a with respect to first structural panel 382 a along fold line 484 a to be substantially perpendicular to first structural panel 382 a and substantially parallel to back side wall panel 312; folding third structural panel 386 a with respect to second structural panel 384 a along fold line 486 a to be substantially perpendicular to second structural panel 384 a and substantially parallel to first structural panel 382 a; and folding fourth structural panel 388 a with respect to third structural panel 386 a along fold line 488 a to be substantially perpendicular to third structural panel 386 a and substantially parallel to back side wall panel 312 and second structural panel 384 a.
  • Likewise, corresponding structural panel set 380 b may be assembled in a corresponding similar manner by folding first corresponding structural panel 382 b with respect to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350 along fold line 482 b to lie substantially perpendicular to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350; folding second corresponding structural panel 384 b with respect to first corresponding structural panel 382 b along fold line 484 b to be substantially perpendicular to first corresponding structural panel 382 b and substantially parallel to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350; folding third corresponding structural panel 386 b with respect to second corresponding structural panel 384 b along fold line 486 b to be substantially perpendicular to second corresponding structural panel 384 b and substantially parallel to first corresponding structural panel 382 b; and folding fourth corresponding structural panel 388 b with respect to third corresponding structural panel 386 b along fold line 488 b to be substantially perpendicular to third corresponding structural panel 386 b and substantially parallel to front side wall panel 310 and forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350.
  • First structural panel 382 a and third structural panel 386 a may be dimensioned as desired to set the distance between second structural panel 384 a and fourth structural panel 388 a upon assembly of first structural panel set 380 a. Likewise, first corresponding structural panel 382 b and third corresponding structural panel 386 b may be dimensioned as desired to set the distance between second corresponding structural panel 384 b and fourth corresponding structural panel 388 b upon assembly of second structural panel set 380 b. The dimensions of first structural panel 382 a, third structural panel 386 a, first corresponding structural panel 382 b, and third corresponding structural panel 386 b also may be selected to set the distance between second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b. Preferably, first structural panel 382 a and third structural panel 386 a, and first corresponding structural panel 382 b and third corresponding structural panel 386 b are dimensioned so that second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b are spaced apart from each other upon assembly of first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b, thereby reducing material required to form first structural panel 382 a, third structural panel 386 a, first corresponding structural panel 382 b, and third corresponding structural panel 386 b, while not compromising the reinforcement and structural rigidity that may be imparted by first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b. If desired, a spacer panel may be provided to space apart second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b. Such spacer panel may also serve to reinforce and to stabilize structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b. An exemplary spacer panel 390 is illustrated in FIG. 5B as being defined by cuts 490 a, 490 b, 490 c in second corresponding structural panel 384 b, and foldable along fold line 492 towards second structural panel 384 a upon assembly of structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b. Tab 590, extending from a free edge of spacer panel 390, may be inserted into a corresponding slot 591 in second structural panel 384 a to maintain spacer panel 390 in a position that maintains second structural panel 384 a and second corresponding structural panel 384 b apart from each other and reinforces and stabilizes structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b. A cut-out 592 may be provided to facilitate access to tab 590. It will be appreciated that, instead, spacer panel 390 and its tab 590 and cut-out 592 may be provided in second structural panel 384 a, and groove 591 may be provided in second corresponding structural panel 384 b.
  • Third structural panel set 380 c may then be assembled by folding fifth structural panel 385 with respect to left side wall panel 320 along fold line 485 to lie over assembled first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b; and by folding coupling tab 585 with respect to fifth structural panel 385 along fold line 685 and downward towards first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b. Coupling tab 585 is provided with notches 587 and 589 sized and shaped to receive the upper edges of third structural panel 386 a and third corresponding structural panel 386 b to maintain first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b in their folded configuration. Upwardly-facing graphics box panel 354 may then be folded with respect to forwardly-facing graphics box panel 350 along fold line 454 to cover fifth structural panel 385. A retaining tab 554 may be provided for tucking between fifth structural panel 385 and back side wall panel 312 to retain upwardly-facing graphics box panel 354 in place over fifth structural panel 385. Inwardly-facing graphics box panel 358 may then be folded with respect to upwardly-facing graphics box panel 354 along fold line 458 and a retaining tab 558 may be tucked below first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b to retain inwardly-facing graphics box panel 358 in place. Cut-outs 524 a and 524 b may be provided in first and second structural panels 382 a, 384 a and first and second corresponding structural panels 382 b, 384 b, respectively, to correspond with handle cut-out 324 in left side panel 320 so that first and second structural panel sets 380 a and 380 b do not interfere with the functioning of handle 124 to be formed from blank 300.
  • Once blank 300 has been folded to form an assembled pre-packed shipper display 100, and products 102 have been packed into pre-packed shipper display 100, first shipping panel 360 may be folded with respect to back side wall panel 312 along fold line 460 to form top shipping panel 260 covering upwardly-facing open area 134. Second shipping panel 362 is then folded with respect to first shipping panel 360 along fold line 462 to form front shipping panel 262 covering forwardly-facing open area 130. Shipping panels 260, 262 may be secured in any desired manner to secure products 102 within pre-packed shipper display 100 so that products 102 maintain their positions for ready display upon removal of shipping panels 260, 262. The shipping panel most preferably is sized, shaped, and configured to protect all display indicia on the external (shopper-facing) surfaces of the display tray portion and to enclose products within the product display area of the display tray portion. Accordingly, at least one left side shipping panel 364 a, 364 b may be provided to provide adequate protection of display indicia on the external surface of left side wall 220. Likewise, at least one right side shipping panel 366 a, 366 b may be provided to provide adequate protection of display indicia on the external surface of right side wall 222. It will be appreciated that at least one shipping panel is provided, extending integrally from either a display edge or a side edge of at least one of the front, back, or bottom side wall panels, or from the left or right side wall panel, or from a graphics box panel. If more than one shipping panel is provided, the shipping panels may each individually extend integrally from one of the other side wall or graphics box panels of the monolithic blank. Alternatively, a shipping panel may extend integrally from another shipping panel without extending directly from a side wall or graphics box panel of the monolithic blank.
  • If desired, fold lines 460 and 462 may be formed as lines of weakness that facilitate separation of shipping panels 360, 362 from the display portion of pre-packed shipper display (such as by tearing) before placement of the display portion at the desired product display location. Alternatively, shipping panels 460, 462 may be simply folded behind the display portion (e.g., behind back side wall 212 and optionally also under bottom side wall 216) of pre-packed shipper display to reveal the products therein and the display indicia on the exterior of the display portion.
  • The material of the blank from which a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is formed is selected to be sturdy enough to support the number of products to be contained with the formed pre-packed shipper display. Typically, the weight of a given shipment is dictated by the industry (e.g., the retailer) and/or the local government. For instance, retailers may impose a weight restriction on pre-packed shipper displays to protect their employees from injury upon lifting the pre-packed shipper onto a shelf for display. There also may be relevant federal laws, such as imposed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and/or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), setting forth ergonomic formulas with respect to how many people should/could lift certain weights over certain carrying distances. Corrugated board (e.g., B-, C-, or E-flute corrugated board, depending on the weight of the products to be contained in the pre-packed shipper display) typically provides sufficient structural rigidity to support a plurality of products within pre-packed shipper display so that the side walls (most importantly, the bottom side wall) of the pre-packed shipper display are not deformed during transport when the side walls are not completely supported by an external support (such as a pallet or shelf). Other materials, such as cardboard, corrugated plastic sheets, composite paperboard, and the like may be used, instead, without departing from the principles of the present invention.
  • With respect to the above descriptions, it will be appreciated that the directional references “top,” “bottom,” “front,” and “rear” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Moreover, the exact spatial relation between panels, and the provision and/or position of locking tabs and slots may be varied without departing from the basic principles of the present invention. Finally, it will be appreciated that the shape of the individual panels or side walls of a pre-packed shipper display formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention need not be square or rectangular. Pre-packed shipper displays may embody any or all of the inventive concepts described herein with non-square or non-rectangular panels or side walls.
  • While the foregoing description and drawings represent exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof For instance, certain retailers have specific requirements as to sizes, dimensions, material strength, etc., of product display trays. It will be appreciated that the principles of the present invention can be applied to form a pre-packed shipper display meeting any such requirements. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and not limited to the foregoing description.

Claims (19)

1. A pre-packed shipper display for transporting products and displaying the products at a retail location, said pre-packed shipper display tray being formed from a single monolithic blank and comprising:
a bottom side wall having a front edge, a back edge spaced apart from said front edge, a left side edge extending between said front and back edges, and a right side edge extending between said front and back edges and spaced apart from said left side edge;
a front side wall extending upwardly from said front edge of said bottom side wall;
a back side wall extending upwardly from said back edge of said bottom side wall;
a left side wall extending upwardly from said left side edge;
a right side wall extending upwardly from said right side edge;
a graphics box formed from graphics box panels on which display indicia including shopper-targeted and/or product-specific indicia are printed; and
at least one structural support panel within said graphics box providing structural support and rigidity to said graphics box;
wherein:
said front side wall is a partial wall, and said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, and said right side wall define a product display area having an upwardly-facing open area and a forwardly-facing open area;
said graphics box includes an inwardly-facing graphics box side comprising a complete wall providing lateral support to products within said product display area; and
said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, said right side wall, said graphics box, and said at least one structural support panel are all integrally formed from panels of the same monolithic blank that are folded with respect to one another and not separated from one another to form said pre-packed shipper display.
2. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 1, wherein:
said inwardly-facing graphics box side is substantially parallel to said left side wall and said right side wall;
said graphics box comprises a forwardly-facing graphics box panel substantially aligned with and coplanar with said front wall, and an upwardly-facing graphics box panel substantially aligned with and spaced apart from said bottom wall; and
said at least one structural support panel includes at least one structural panel within said graphics box positioned substantially perpendicular to and extending between one of said left and right side walls and said inwardly-facing graphics box side to provide lateral support to said graphics box and to products within said product display area.
3. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 1, wherein said at least one structural support panel includes a plurality of structural support panels.
4. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 3, wherein:
said inwardly-facing graphics box side is substantially parallel to said left side wall and said right side wall; and
said plurality of structural support panels includes at least two lateral structural panels within said graphics box positioned substantially perpendicular to and extending between one of said left and right side walls and said inwardly-facing graphics box side to provide lateral support to said graphics box and to products within said product display area, and at least one structural panel extending substantially perpendicular to said at least two lateral structural panels.
5. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 1, further comprising at least one shipping panel extending monolithically from one of said front side wall, said back side wall, said left side wall, and said right side wall, and sized and shaped and configured to enclose products within said product display area.
6. A pre-packed shipper display formed from a single monolithic blank, said pre-packed shipper display comprising:
a bottom side wall having a front edge, a back edge spaced apart from said front edge, a left side edge extending between said front and back edges, and a right side edge extending between said front and back edges and spaced apart from said left side edge;
a front side wall extending upwardly from said front edge of said bottom side wall;
a back side wall extending upwardly from said back edge of said bottom side wall;
a left side wall extending upwardly from said left side edge;
a right side wall extending upwardly from said right side edge; and
at least one shipping panel extending monolithically from one of said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, and said right side wall;
wherein:
said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, and said right side wall define a product display area;
a plurality of products are contained within said product display area arranged for display within said product display area;
one of said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, and said right side wall bears display indicia including shopper-targeted indicia directed to shoppers and/or product-specific indicia relating to said products within said product display area;
said at least one shipping panel is sized, shaped, and configured to cover and to retain said products in said product display area and to cover and to protect said display indicia during transport of said pre-packed shipper display such that all display indicia are covered and protected by a shipping panel during transport of said pre-packed shipper display;
said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, said right side wall, and said at least one shipping panel are all integrally formed from panels of the same monolithic blank that are folded with respect to one another and not separated from one another to form said pre-packed shipper display; and
upon detachment of said at least one shipping panel from said monolithic blank, said pre-packed shipper display is ready, without further manipulation, for placement at a product display area for display of said products therein for purchase.
7. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 6, wherein:
said at least one shipping panel comprises:
a first shipping panel extending monolithically from one of said front side wall, said back side wall, said bottom side wall, said left side wall, and said right side wall; and
a second shipping panel extending monolithically from said first shipping panel;
said product display area has an upwardly-facing open area and a forwardly-facing open area;
said first shipping panel is sized to cover completely said upwardly-facing open area of said product display area; and
said second shipping panel is sized to cover completely said forwardly-facing open area of said product display area.
8. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 6, further comprising at least one side shipping panel extending monolithically from said at least one shipping panel and sized, shaped, and configured to cover one of said left side wall and said right side wall.
9. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 8, wherein:
said left side wall and said right side wall bear display indicia; and
said at least one side shipping panel includes a left side shipping panel sized, shaped, and configured to cover said left side wall and to protect said display indicia thereon, and a right side shipping panel sized, shaped, and configured to cover said right side wall and to protect said display indicia thereon.
10. A pre-packed shipper display as in claim 6, wherein handles are formed in said left side wall and said right side wall to facilitate transport of said pre-packed shipper display and placement of said pre-packed shipper display at a product display area.
11. A blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display, said blank comprising:
a bottom side wall panel;
a front side wall panel;
a back side wall panel;
a left side wall panel;
a right side wall panel;
a plurality of graphics box wall panels;
at least one graphics box internal structural support panel; and
at least one shipping panel;
wherein:
all said panels of said blank are integrally formed from the same monolithic blank and remain integrally coupled together upon folding of said monolithic blank into a formed pre-packed shipper display shipper having a product display area defined by said front side wall panel, said back side wall panel, said bottom side wall panel, said left side wall panel, and said right side wall panel;
said plurality of graphics box wall panels are arranged along said monolithic blank to be folded to form a graphics box adjacent said product display area;
said at least one graphics box internal structural support panel is arranged along said monolithic blank to be folded to be inside said graphics box formed from said plurality of graphics box wall panels;
at least one of said graphics box wall panels bears display indicia including shopper-targeted indicia directed to shoppers and/or product-specific indicia relating to said products within said product display area; and
said at least one shipping panel is sized, shaped, and configured, and arranged along said monolithic blank to cover and to retain products in said product display area and to cover and to protect said display indicia during transport of said pre-packed shipper display formed from said monolithic blank.
12. A blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 11, wherein said plurality of graphics box panels includes an inwardly-facing graphics box panel comprising a complete wall panel arranged to be folded along said monolithic blank to be substantially parallel to a left side wall and a right side wall formed from said left side wall panel and said right side wall panel, respectively, upon folding said monolithic blank into a pre-packed shipper display, said inwardly-facing graphics box wall panel providing lateral support to products within said product display area formed upon folding said monolithic blank into a pre-packed shipper display.
13. A blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 11, wherein:
said front side wall panel, said back side wall panel, and said bottom side wall panel each have display edges extending between side walls of a pre-packed shipper display formed upon folding said monolithic blank, and left and right side edges extending between said display edges;
said front side wall panel, said back side wall panel, and said bottom side wall panel are coupled together along display edges;
at least one left side wall panel is coupled to a left side edge of at least one of said front side wall panel, said back side wall panel, and said bottom side wall panel; and
at least one right side wall panel is coupled to a right side edge of at least one of front side wall panel, said back side wall panel, and said bottom side wall panel.
14. A blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 11, wherein said graphics box wall panels include:
a forwardly-facing graphics box wall panel arranged to be folded along said monolithic blank to be substantially aligned with and coplanar with said front side wall panel;
an upwardly-facing graphics box wall panel arranged to be folded along said monolithic blank to be substantially aligned with and spaced apart from said bottom side wall panel; and
an inwardly-facing graphics wall panel arranged to be folded along said monolithic blank to face towards said product display area to be formed from said monolithic blank.
15. A blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 14, wherein said inwardly-facing graphics wall panel is a shaped to form a complete wall substantially parallel to a left side wall and a right side wall formed from said left side wall panel and said right side wall panel, respectively, upon folding said monolithic blank into a pre-packed shipper display, said inwardly-facing graphics box wall panel providing lateral support to products within said product display area formed upon folding said monolithic blank into a pre-packed shipper display.
16. A blank for forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 14, wherein:
graphics box wall panels are arranged along one of said left side wall panel and said right side wall panel; and
said at least one graphics box internal structural support panel includes at least one graphic box internal structural support panel arranged to be folded along said monolithic blank to be positioned within a graphics box to be formed upon folding said graphics box wall panels and to extend from said one of said left side wall panel and said right side wall panels to said inwardly-facing graphics box wall panel.
17. A method of forming a pre-packed shipper display, said method comprising:
folding a plurality of panels integrally formed from a monolithic blank to form a display section having a product display area defined by a bottom side wall, a front side wall extending upwardly from a front edge of said bottom side wall, a back side wall extending upwardly from a back edge of said bottom side wall; a left side wall extending upwardly from a left side edge of said bottom side wall, and a right side wall extending upwardly from a right side edge of said bottom side wall;
folding a plurality of graphics box panels integrally formed from said monolithic blank to form a graphics box adjacent said product display area;
packing products in said product display area in an arrangement ready for display for consumers;
providing display indicia including shopper-targeted indicia directed to shoppers and/or product-specific indicia relating to said products within said product display area on at least one of said graphics box panels; and
folding at least one shipping panel integrally formed from said monolithic blank to cover and to retain products in said product display area and to cover and to protect said shopper-targeted indicia during transport of said pre-packed shipper display;
wherein:
said monolithic blank includes panels for forming all parts of said pre-packed display shipper; and
none of said panels of said monolithic blank are separated from one another to form said pre-packed display shipper.
18. A method of forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 17, wherein no glue is required to form said pre-packed shipper display.
19. A method of forming a pre-packed shipper display as in claim 17, further including folding at least one structural support panel formed integrally with said monolithic blank to be positioned within said graphics box to provide structural support and rigidity to said graphics box and to provide lateral support to said products so that said products are maintained during transportation of said pre-packed shipper display in a configuration ready for display upon removal of said at least one shipping panel.
US12/410,974 2009-03-25 2009-03-25 Shippable Display Unit Abandoned US20100243517A1 (en)

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WO2021146167A1 (en) * 2020-01-16 2021-07-22 Mars, Incorporated Premium ships in own container package for consumer-packaged goods
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