Abstract
A packaging insert includes first and second insert members each having a first layer or surface including at least one first container receiving opening and a second layer or surface spaced from the first layer or surface and includes at least one second container receiving opening. The at least one first container receiving opening is offset from said at least one second receiving opening so as to retain an inserted container in an angular orientation. At least the first container receiving opening is sized and configured to receive two different types of containers. A method making and using the same is also disclosed.
Claims
1. A packaging insert comprising: first and second insert members each comprising: a first horizontal layer or surface comprising a plural number of first container receiving openings; a second horizontal layer or surface spaced vertically from the first layer or surface and comprising a plural number of second container receiving openings, wherein the plural number of first container receiving openings is equal to the plural number of second container receiving openings; a vertical layer or surface arranged adjacent the first horizontal layer or surface and the second horizontal layer or surface, the vertical layer or surface projecting beyond the first horizontal layer or surface in a first vertical direction and projecting beyond the second horizontal layer or surface in a second vertical direction opposite to the first vertical direction, the first horizontal layer or surface having a first length and the vertical layer or surface having a second length, wherein the first length is greater than the second length; said plural number of first container receiving openings being partially overlapped with, and horizontally offset from, said plural number of second container receiving openings so as to retain a received container in an inclined orientation relative to a vertical axis extending perpendicularly through the first and second horizontal layers or surfaces when the container extends between and is received into both a respective first container receiving opening and a respective second receiving opening; and at least one of the plural number of first container receiving openings being sized and configured to receive two different types of containers.
2. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers or surfaces are made of cardboard or fiberboard.
3. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers or surfaces are made of folded sheet material.
4. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the first and second insert members comprise left-side and right-side insert members arranged side-by-side.
5. The packaging insert of claim 4, wherein the left-side and right-side insert members are configured to be assembled together.
6. The packaging insert of claim 4, wherein the left-side and right-side insert members have folded configurations that are substantial mirror images of one another.
7. The packaging insert of claim 4, wherein the left-side and right-side insert members are folded from blanks that are substantial mirror images of one another.
8. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one first container opening comprises plural container receiving openings.
9. The packaging insert of claim 8, wherein the at least one second container opening comprises plural container receiving openings.
10. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the at least one first container opening comprises 12 container receiving openings, whereby the first and second insert members together comprise 24 container receiving openings.
11. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the packaging insert is configured to store beer containers.
12. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the packaging insert is configured to be disposed in a box having an advent calendar.
13. The packaging insert of claim 1, wherein the two different types of containers comprise beverage cans and beverage bottles.
14. The packaging insert according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one first container receiving opening and said at least one second container receiving opening is oval.
15. An advent calendar package configured to store cans and bottles during shipping and use, comprising: a box comprising plural removable sections, each removable section being sized and configured to allow for removal of one bottle or one can stored inside the box; and a packaging insert of claim 1 arranged inside the box.
16. The advent calendar package of claim 15, wherein the box contains therein beer cans and/or beer bottles.
17. A two-piece packaging insert comprising: a right-side cardboard or fiberboard insert and a left-side cardboard or fiberboard insert, the left-side insert comprising: seven rectangular sections that include; a first rectangular section having four foldable connecting tabs and four corresponding openings arranged along respective side edges at approximate corner regions of the first rectangular section, each of the foldable connecting tabs having a tapering width that narrows from its respective side edge; a second rectangular section; a fold line connecting the first and second rectangular sections such that the first and second rectangular sections directly contact each other; a third rectangular section comprising a handle opening; a fold line connecting the second and third rectangular sections such that the second and third rectangular sections directly contact each other; a fourth rectangular section comprising at least one first container receiving opening and forming a left-side half of a first layer or surface; a fold line connecting the third and fourth rectangular sections such that the third and fourth rectangular sections directly contact each other; a fifth rectangular section; a fold line connecting the fourth and fifth rectangular sections such that the fourth and fifth rectangular sections directly contact each other; a sixth rectangular section comprising at least one second container receiving opening; a fold line connecting the fifth and sixth rectangular sections such that the fifth and sixth rectangular sections directly contact each other; a seventh rectangular section; and a fold line connecting the sixth and seventh rectangular sections such that the sixth and seventh rectangular sections directly contact each other.
18. The two-piece packaging insert according to claim 17, wherein at least one of said at least one first container receiving opening and said at least one second container receiving opening is oval.
19. A packaging insert insertable into a box container and configured to safely retain bottles or cans during transport, the packing insert comprising: a first folded insert member comprising: three vertically spaced apart parallel horizontal walls having a width and a longer length; two of said three walls having container receiving openings partially overlapped with, and being horizontally offset from, each other so as to retain a container in an inclined orientation relative to a vertical axis extending perpendicularly through the three horizontal walls when the container extends between, and is received in, the container receiving openings; a vertical sidewall oriented in a length direction and having a vertical height in a vertical direction that is greater than a vertical span of the three spaced apart parallel horizontal walls, and having four foldable connecting tabs and four corresponding openings arranged at approximate corner regions of the vertical sidewall, with two of the foldable connecting tabs and corresponding openings arranged below both of the two walls having the container receiving openings in the vertical direction, and two of the foldable connecting tabs and corresponding openings arranged above both of the two walls having the container receiving openings in the vertical direction; and a hand-hold opening configured to align with a hand-hold opening in the box container; a second folded insert member comprising: three vertically spaced apart parallel horizontal walls having a width and a longer length; two of said three walls having container receiving openings partially overlapped with, and being horizontally offset from, each other so as to retain a container in an inclined orientation relative to a vertical axis extending perpendicularly through the three horizontal walls when the container extends between, and is received in, the container receiving openings; a vertical sidewall oriented in a length direction and having a vertical height that is greater than a vertical span of the three spaced apart parallel horizontal walls, and having four foldable connecting tabs and four corresponding openings arranged along respective side edges at approximate corner regions of the vertical sidewall, with two of the foldable connecting tabs and corresponding openings arranged below both of the two walls having the container receiving openings in the vertical direction, and two of the foldable connecting tabs and corresponding openings arranged above both of the two walls having the container receiving openings in the vertical direction; and a hand-hold opening configured to align with a hand-hold opening in the box container, wherein each of the foldable connecting tabs has a tapering width that narrows from a respective side edge of the vertical side wall.
20. The packaging insert according to claim 19, wherein one or more of said container receiving openings of said first folded insert member is oblong and wherein one or more of said container receiving openings of said second folded insert member is oval.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The present invention is further described in the detailed description which follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings by way of non-limiting examples of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 shows a front top right side perspective view of a two piece insert assembly in an assembled or connected state in accordance with the invention;
(3) FIGS. 2 and 3 show a side perspective view of the two piece insert prior to being in an assembled or connected state in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 shows a left-side or first insert member and FIG. 3 shows a right-side or second insert member;
(4) FIG. 4 shows a right side perspective view of the left-side or first insert member;
(5) FIG. 5 shows a top left side perspective view of the left-side or first insert member;
(6) FIG. 6 shows a right side perspective view of the right-side or second insert member;
(7) FIG. 7 shows a top right side perspective view of the right-side or second insert member;
(8) FIG. 8 shows a left-side view of the left-side or first insert member;
(9) FIG. 9 shows a right-side view of the right-side or second insert member;
(10) FIG. 10 shows a side view of the vertical panel side of either the lest-side or right-side insert member;
(11) FIG. 11 shows the view of FIG. 10 but with the locking tabs folded inward 90 degrees;
(12) FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the left-side or first insert member with the vertical panel side being on top;
(13) FIG. 13 shows a bottom view of the right-side or second insert member with the vertical panel side being on top;
(14) FIG. 14 shows a cardboard blank with dimensions (in inches) which forms both the left-side or first insert member and the right-side or second insert member;
(15) FIG. 15 shows the blank section of FIG. 14 that forms the right-side or second insert member;
(16) FIG. 16 shows the blank section of FIG. 14 that forms the left-side or first insert member;
(17) FIG. 17 shows a top front left side perspective view of a packaging container or box sized to retained or receive therein the packaging insert shown in FIG. 1;
(18) FIG. 18 shows a front view of the packaging container or box of FIG. 17;
(19) FIG. 19 shows a left-side view of the packaging container or box of FIG. 17;
(20) FIG. 20 shows a top view of the packaging container or box of FIG. 17 with the front of the box located at the bottom;
(21) FIG. 21 shows a bottom view of the packaging container or box of FIG. 17;
(22) FIG. 22 shows a back view of the packaging container or box of FIG. 17;
(23) FIG. 23 shows a left side view of the packaging container or box of FIG. 17 before the hand-grip panel or tab is folded inward;
(24) FIG. 24 shows the view of FIG. 23 after the hand-grip panel or tab is folded inward;
(25) FIG. 25 shows a cardboard blank which can be folded to form the packaging container or box of FIG. 17; and
(26) FIG. 26 shows how bottles or cans assume an angled orientation when installed in one of the insert members.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
(27) The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
(28) FIGS. 1-25 show non-limiting embodiments of a packaging insert assembly 10 and packaging box 300 utilizing the same and which has one or more of the benefits discussed above. In embodiments, the packaging insert 10 is sized to be insertable and/or containable in a packaging container or box 300 that is about 9 inches by about 19 or 20 inches and by about 21 inches. In embodiments, the packaging container or box 300 is made of cardboard or paperboard. In embodiments, the packaging insert 10 can safely retain 24 beer bottles. In embodiments, the packaging insert 10 can safely retain 24 beer cans. In embodiments, the packaging insert 10 can safely retain one or plural beer cans and one or plural beer bottles. The invention also relates to a method making and using the same.
(29) With reference to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, there is shown an assembled packaging insert 10. The insert 10 is made up of two main folded insert members which are connected together via folding over of tabs T within tab openings TO. Specifically, a vertical panel 140 of a first insert member 100 is connected to locked to a vertical panel 240 of a second insert member 200. This locking connection results when the panels 140 and 240 are placed in contact with one another so that the four locking tabs T of panel 140 align with the four locking tabs T of the panel 240. When the tabs T are then folded to one side or the other, the tabs T become locked in the tab openings TO. As a result, the insert member 100 becomes locked to the second insert member 200. Once assembled into the insert assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1, bottles and/or cans can be placed or slid into the openings and then positioned therewith into the box 300. As is apparent from FIGS. 10 and 11, each tab T has tapered sides and can fold inward or outward, and when folded 90 degrees or more inward, reveals a comparable shaped opening TO. FIG. 11 shows an example where the two top tabs T have been folded to reveal the comparable shaped openings TO. When connected together, the panels 140 and 240 also serve to properly position the insert assembly 10 inside the box 300 (see FIG. 17) by correctly spacing the layers 120 and 220 from the front side 310.
(30) With reference to FIGS. 2-7, it can be seen how the assembled packaging insert 10 is made up of two main folded insert members 100 and 200 whose respective vertical panels 140 and 240 can be connected to one another. As should be apparent from comparing FIGS. 1 and 2, the four tabs T of panel 140 can align with the four tabs T of the panel 240 when the two insert members 100 and 200 are brought together to the point where the panel 140 of insert 100 is placed in contact with the panel 240 of the insert 200. The tabs T are arranged such that two tabs T located between surfaces or layers 110 and 130 (i.e., bottom tabs T of insert member 100) can engage with two tabs T located between surfaces or layers 210 and 230 (i.e., bottom tabs T of insert member 200), and such that two tabs T located above surface or layer 120 (i.e., top tabs T of insert member 100) can engage with two tabs T located above surface or layer 220 (i.e., top tabs T of insert member 200)
(31) With reference to FIGS. 2-7, 14 and 16, it can be seen how the insert member 100 has an upper surface of layer 120 and a bottom surface or layer 130 with an intermediate surface or layer 110 located between the layers 120 and 130. Layers 110, 120 and 130 of insert member 10 0 are arranged generally parallel to one another with the layers 110 and 130 being spaced closer to one another layers 110 and 120. The lower layer 130 is designed to contact (or be contacted by) a bottom of an inserted bottle or can (not shown in FIGS. 2-7) and, owing to the material of the insert member 100, provides some cushioning thereto. Unlike some prior art inserts, the insert member 100 is designed to retain the bottles or cans in an angle or inclined position (rather in a vertical position). This should be evident from FIG. 5 which shows that the openings of the layer 110 and not aligned with the openings of the layer 120. For example, in the case of the lower left opening 122 shown in FIG. 5, one can discern that the opening 111 of the layer 110 is offset from the opening 122 of the layer 120. This applies to the other eleven openings as well. Thus, when a bottle or can is slid into opening 122, it will need to be slid further downward in an angled position in order to slide into opening 111. When the bottom of the bottle or can eventually contacts the layer 130, which lacks comparable openings, it is retained by this surface and by the openings 111 and 122. As should be apparent, in order accommodate both bottles or cans in angled or inclined orientations, the upper layer 120 has generally oval-shaped openings. In addition, the layer 110 also has generally oval-shaped openings. However, it was discovered that all of the openings of the layers 110 and 120 should not be same. In fact, while ten first type openings 122 of the upper layer 120 should be substantially identical or similar to one another, two second type openings 121 should be utilized in the position shown in FIG. 5. Moreover, these openings 121 can have a curved crushable zone in a lower half of the opening 121. Also, while eleven first type openings 112 of the layer 110 should be substantially identical or similar to one another, one second type (i.e., oblong) opening 111 should be utilized in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Moreover, the oblong opening 111 need not have any crushable zone whereas the other eleven openings 112 can have a curved crushable zone in a half of the opening 112.
(32) With reference to FIGS. 2-7, 14 and 15, it can be seen how the insert member 200 also has an upper surface of layer 220 and a bottom surface or layer 230 with an intermediate surface or layer 210 located between the layers 220 and 230. Layers 210, 220 and 230 of insert member 20 0 are arranged generally parallel to one another with the layers 210 and 230 being spaced closer to one another layers 210 and 220. The lower layer 230 is designed to contact (or be contacted by) a bottom of an inserted bottle or can (not shown in FIGS. 2-7) and, owing to the material of the insert member 200, provides some cushioning thereto. As with insert member 100, the insert member 200 is designed to retain the bottles or cans in an angle or inclined position (rather in a vertical position). This should be evident from FIG. 7 which shows that the openings of the layer 210 and not aligned with the openings of the layer 220. For example, in the case of the lower right opening 222 shown in FIG. 7, one can discern that the opening 222 of the layer 220 is offset from the opening 211 of the layer 210. This applies to the other eleven openings as well. Thus, when a bottle or can is slid into opening 222, it will need to be slid further downward in an angled position in order to slide into opening 211. When the bottom of the bottle or can eventually contacts the layer 230, which lacks comparable openings, it is retained by this surface and by the openings 211 and 222. As should be apparent, in order accommodate both bottles or cans in angled or inclined orientations, the upper layer 220 has generally oval-shaped openings. In addition, the layer 210 also has generally oval-shaped openings. However, it was discovered that all of the openings of the layers 210 and 220 should not be same. In fact, while ten first type openings 222 of the upper layer 220 should be substantially identical or similar to one another, two second type openings 221 should be utilized in the position shown in FIG. 7. Moreover, these openings 221 can have a curved crushable zone in a lower half of the opening 221. Also, while eleven first type openings 212 of the layer 210 should be substantially identical or similar to one another, one second type (i.e., oblong) opening 211 should be utilized in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. Moreover, the oblong opening 211 need not have any crushable zone whereas the other eleven openings 212 can have a curved crushable zone in a half of the opening 212.
(33) With reference to FIGS. 8, 14 and 16, it can also be seen how the insert member 100 has a vertical outer panel or side 150 which includes an offset grip opening 151. In embodiments, the opening 151 is generally D-shaped and is located on the insert member 100 at a position that will align grip opening 151 with the box grip opening tab 321—which, when folded inward, will pass into opening 151 and be bent further (and upward when the box is in the position shown in FIG. 17) once inside the opening 151. The panel 150 is generally parallel to the vertically taller panel 140 and, whereas the panel 140 is configured to abut and contact panel 240, the panel 150 is sized and configured to abut and contact an inside of the side 320 of the box.
(34) With reference to FIGS. 9, 14 and 15, it can also be seen how the insert member 200 similarly has a vertical outer panel or side 250 which includes an offset grip opening 251. In embodiments, the opening 251 is generally D-shaped and is located on the insert member 200 at a position that will align grip opening 251 with the box grip opening tab 331—which, when folded inward, will pass into opening 251 and be bent further (and upward when the box is in the position shown in FIG. 17) once inside the opening 251. The panel 250 is generally parallel to the vertically taller panel 240 and, whereas the panel 240 is configured to abut and contact panel 140, the panel 250 is sized and configured to abut and contact an inside of the side 330 of the box.
(35) With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, it can also be seen how the insert members 100 and 200 respectively have bottom sides 130 and 230 which respectively includes a notch 131 and 231. Each notch 131 and 231 is offset and extends to the respective vertical panel 140 and 240.
(36) With reference to FIGS. 14-16, it can also be seen how the insert members 100 and 200 are folded and secured in shape from blanks which have non-limiting exemplary dimensions. In FIG. 14, the right side blank 100′ can be folded and glued in noted locations so as to form the insert member 100 and the left side blank 200′ can be folded and glued in noted locations so as to form the insert member 200. The dimensions are in inches with the dimension 9′ 11 equating to 9 inches and 11/16 inches. In embodiments, the material for the blanks is cardboard having a thickness of between 1/16 inch and ⅛ inch.
(37) FIGS. 17-25 shows an exemplary packaging box that can house the insert assembly 10 along with 24 bottles and/or cans inserted in the insert assembly 10. The box 300 has a front side which includes twenty four removable box window panels or covers BWC. The box 300 has an equally sized back side 360, as well as oppositely arranged left and right sides 320 and 330 and oppositely arranged top and bottom sides 340 and 350. As the box shown in FIG. 17 can typically hold 24 bottles and/or cans containing a consumable product such as beer, the weight of the package can be substantial. The box and insert cooperate to ensure that the bottles and/or cans are not damaged during transport and use. However, one may still need to lift the box and this is facilitated by the grip openings and grip tabs 321 and 322 and grip openings and grip tabs 331 and 332. Indeed, with the grip tabs 321 and 331 being foldable into the openings 151 and 251 (compare FIGS. 23 and 24), one can lift the box 300 while also simultaneously lifting the insert assembly 10 disposed therein. This can occur, for example, when a consumer inserts a left hand into opening 322/151 and inserts a right hand into openings 332/251. The grip tabs 321 and 331 are configured to fold inwards and function to reinforce the grip openings of the box and insert.
(38) Each cover BWC is individually removable and overlies an upper end of a bottle or can be held in an inclined position. When a consumer first received the box package, all of the covers BWC are as shown in FIG. 17. As the packaging functions as an advent calendar, a consumer will typically remove a cover BWC that corresponds to a desired start date. This may typically be the cover BWC that is in the top row and starting from the left side. Once this cover BWC is removed, the consumer can slide out the bottle or can located underneath the cover BWC. The next day, the consumer can remove a cover BWC that is located to the right (and in the top row) of the previously removed cover BWC. Again, once this cover BWC is removed, the consumer can slide out the bottle or can located underneath the cover BWC. This can continue until all of the covers BWC are removed and the bottles and/or cans. If desired, the consumer can placed the empty bottles or cans back in the respective locations. As the covers BWC are typically discarded after removal, any of the twenty locations without covers BWC will typically have not contains position therein or will have empty containers. By observing which locations still have covers BWC in place a consumer will know (at a glance) how many bottles and/or cans remain inside the package.
(39) With reference to FIG. 25, it can also be seen how the box 300 is folded and secured in shape from a blank which has non-limiting exemplary dimensions and can be folded and glued in noted locations so as to form the box 300. The dimensions are in inches with the dimension 21′ 02 equating to 21 inches and 2/16 inches. In embodiments, the material for the blanks is cardboard having a thickness of between 1/16 inch and ⅛ inch. As should be apparent from FIG. 25, the upper panels will form the top side 340 and the bottom panels will form the bottom side 350. While the bottom side 350 is glued together, the top side 340 is retained closed by locking tabs 341/342 and 361. The middle panels will form the front, back and left and right sides.
Non-Limiting Example
(40) A packaging insert 10 includes a first insert member 100 having a connecting panel 140. A first layer 120 has generally oval-shaped first container receiving openings 122. A second layer 110 is spaced from the first layer 120 and has generally oval second container receiving openings 112. The first container receiving openings 122 are offset from the second container receiving openings 112. The first and second container receiving openings 122 and 112 are sized and configured to receive two different types of containers. A second insert member 200 includes a connecting panel 240 connectable to the connecting panel 140 of the first insert member 100 via foldable connecting tabs T. A first layer includes generally oval-shaped first container receiving openings 222. A second layer 210 is spaced from the first layer 220 and includes generally oval-shaped second container receiving openings 212. The first container receiving openings 222 are offset from the second container receiving openings 212. The first and second container receiving openings 222 and 212 are sized and configured to receive two different types of containers (such as bottle and cans). The first and second insert members 100/200 retain the containers (bottles or cans) in an inclined orientation and are insertable into a box 300 having removable window covers BWC sized and configured to allow removal of a container (bottles or cans) from inside the box 300.
(41) Exemplary bottle sizes that can be packaged in the insert assembly include Longneck, Industry Standard Bottle, North American Longneck having a volume of 355 mL, Longneck, Standard with a volume of −341 mL, as well as all currently available 330 mL bottles, all 375 mL bottles, all 250 mL bottles and NRW 500 mL bottles. These can include closures made by crown cap, swing top, and cork and muselet.
(42) Exemplary can sizes that can be packaged in the insert assembly include cans of volume 473 mL or of volume 500 mL.
(43) It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
LIST OF REFERENCES
(44) 10 Assembled Packaging insert 100 Left Side or First Folded Insert 110 First or Intermediate Layer of Surface 111 First Type Opening 112 Second Type Opening 120 Second or Top Layer of Surface 121 First type Opening 122 Second type Opening 130 Third or Bottom Layer of Surface 131 Notch 140 Connecting Panel 150 Outer Panel 151 Grip Opening 200 Right Side or Second Folded Insert 210 First or Intermediate Layer of Surface 211 First Type Opening 212 Second Type Opening 220 Second or Top Layer of Surface 221 First type Opening 222 Second type Opening 230 Third or Bottom Layer of Surface 231 Notch 240 Connecting Panel 250 Outer Panel 251 Grip Opening 300 Packaging Container or Box 310 Front Side or Panel 320 Left Side or Panel 321 Box Grip Tab 322 Box Grip Opening 330 Right Side or Panel 331 Box Grip Tab 332 Box Grip Opening 340 Top Side or Panel 341 Locking Portion 342 Finger Notch 350 Bottom Side or Panel 360 Back Side or Panel 361 Locking Portion T Locking Tab TO Tab Opening BWC Box Window Cover
