Retail ready harness style wrap around split case

Abstract

A retail ready package configured for division into two separate product display cases is disclosed wherein two rows of products are arranged side-by-side within the package in a vertical front facing display orientation relative to the left and right lower front panels of the package.

Claims

1. A blank for constructing a retail ready package configured for division into two separate product display cases, comprising: a) left and right lower front panels; b) left and right bottom panels respectively foldably connected to the left and right lower front panels along a lower front horizontal fold line and separated from one another along a bottom vertical perforation line; c) left and right lower rear panels respectively foldably connected to the left and right bottom panels along a lower rear horizontal fold line and separated from one another along a lower rear vertical perforation line, wherein the left and right lower rear panels have respective left and right lower rear side flaps foldably connected thereto; d) an upper rear panel separably connected to the left and right lower rear panels along a shaped upper rear cut line, wherein the upper rear panel has left and right upper rear side flaps foldably connected thereto, wherein the left and right upper rear side flaps are separated from the left and right lower rear side flaps by respective continuations of the shaped upper rear cut line associated with the upper rear panel, wherein the left and right lower rear panels and the upper rear panel form a combined panel and the upper rear side flaps are on opposite sides of the combined panel, wherein the shaped upper rear cut line and both of the respective continuations of the shaped upper rear cut line together form a shaped line of weakness having a first cut section, two second cut sections, two first perforated sections, wherein each of the first perforated sections is between the first cut section and a respective one of the second cut sections, two second perforated sections and two third cut sections, wherein each of the second perforated sections extends between a respective one of the second cut sections and a respective one of the third cut sections on a respective one of the upper rear side flaps, wherein a first of the third cut sections terminates at an edge of the left upper rear side flap and a second of the third cut section terminates at an edge of the right upper rear side flap, wherein each edge is between the elevation of top and bottom fold lines of the combined panel; e) a top panel foldably connected to the upper rear panel along an upper rear horizontal fold line that is the top fold line of the combined panel; f) an upper front panel foldably connected to the top panel along an upper front horizontal fold line.

2. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper rear panel, the top panel and the upper front panel are adapted and configured to be separated from the left and right lower front panels, the left and right bottom panels and the left and right lower rear panels along the shaped upper rear cut line associated with the upper rear panel.

3. The blank as recited in claim 2, wherein the left lower front panel, the left bottom panel and the left lower rear panel are adapted and configured to be divided from the right lower front panel, the right bottom panel and the right lower rear panel along the bottom vertical perforation line and the lower rear vertical perforation line to form two separate product display cases.

4. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cut section includes a first linear cut segment having a length of ¾ of an inch, and a second linear cut segment having a length of one inch, wherein the second linear cut segment is at an angle relative to the first linear cut segment.

5. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the first perforated sections extends linearly from the first cut section and has a length of 3 inches.

6. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the second cut sections includes a first linear cut segment having a length of 2.75 inches, a second linear cut segment extending from the first linear cut segment having a length of one inch, an arcuate cut segment tangentially extending from the second linear cut segment, and a third linear cut segment extending from the arcuate cut segment having a length of 15/16 of an inch, wherein the second linear cut segment is angled relative to the first linear cut segment, wherein the arcuate cut segment has a radius of 0.709 inches, wherein the arcuate cut segment extends between and is tangential to the second and third linear cut segments, and wherein the third linear cut segment is angled relative to the second linear cut segment.

7. The blank as recited in claim 6, wherein the second linear cut segment of at least one of the second cut sections extends across a fold line between the upper rear panel and the upper rear side flap.

8. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the second perforated sections extends linearly from a respective one of the second cut sections, and wherein the at least one second perforated section has a length of 3 and 5/16 inches.

9. The blank as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the third cut sections includes a first linear cut segment having a length of 1 and 21/32 inches, an arcuate cut segment tangentially extending from the first linear cut segment, and a second linear cut segment having a length of 5/16 of an inch, wherein the second linear cut segment is angled relative to the first linear cut segment, wherein the arcuate cut segment has a radius of 0.709 inches, and wherein the arcuate cut segment extends between and is tangential to the first and second linear cut segments.

10. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper front panel has left and right upper front side flaps foldably connected thereto, wherein the bottom panel has left and right bottom side flaps foldably connected thereto, wherein a portion of a surface of the left upper front side flap and a portion of a surface of the left bottom side flap that face one another are free from glue to facilitate removal of the removable portion from the display portion, and wherein a portion of a surface of the right upper front side flap and a portion of a surface of the right bottom side flap that face one another are free from glue to facilitate removal of the removable portion from the display portion.

11. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the first cut section includes a first linear cut segment having a length of ¾ of an inch, wherein the first linear cut segment is bisected by lower rear vertical perforation line.

12. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the left and right lower front panels are separated from one another by a shaped front notch.

13. A retail ready package configured for division into two separate product display cases, comprising: a) left and right lower front panels; b) left and right bottom panels respectively foldably connected to the left and right lower front panels along a lower front horizontal fold line and separated from one another along a bottom vertical perforation line; c) left and right lower rear panels respectively foldably connected to the left and right bottom panels along a lower rear horizontal fold line and separated from one another along a lower rear vertical perforation line, wherein the left and right lower rear panels have respective left and right lower rear side flaps foldably connected thereto; d) an upper rear panel separably connected to the left and right lower rear panels along a shaped upper rear cut line, wherein the upper rear panel has left and right upper rear side flaps foldably connected thereto, wherein the left and right upper rear side flaps are separated from the left and right lower rear side flaps by respective continuations of the shaped upper rear cut line associated with the upper rear panel, wherein the left and right lower rear panels and the upper rear panel form a combined panel and the upper rear side flaps are on opposite sides of the combined panel, wherein the shaped upper rear cut line and both of the respective continuations of the shaped upper rear cut line together form a shaped line of weakness having a first cut section, two second cut sections, two first perforated sections, wherein each of the first perforated sections is between the first cut section and a respective one of the second cut sections, two second perforated sections and two third cut sections, wherein each of the second perforated sections extends between a respective one of the second cut sections and a respective one of the third cut sections on a respective one of the upper rear side flaps, wherein a first of the third cut sections terminates at an edge of the left upper rear side flap and a second of the third cut section terminates at an edge of the right upper rear side flap, wherein each edge is between the elevation of the top and bottom fold lines of the combined panel; e) a top panel foldably connected to the upper rear panel along an upper rear horizontal fold line that is the top fold line of the combined panel; and f) an upper front panel foldably connected to the top panel along an upper front horizontal fold line.

14. The retail ready package as recited in claim 13, wherein the upper rear panel, the top panel and the upper front panel are adapted and configured to be separated from the left and right lower front panels, the left and right bottom panels and the left and right lower rear panels along the shaped upper rear cut line associated with the upper rear panel.

15. The retail ready package as recited in claim 14, wherein the left lower front panel, the left bottom panel and the left lower rear panel are adapted and configured to be divided from the right lower front panel, the right bottom panel and the right lower rear panel along the bottom vertical perforation line and the lower rear vertical perforation line to form two separate product display cases.

16. The retail ready package as recited in claim 15, wherein two rows of products are arranged side-by-side within the package in a vertical front facing display orientation relative to the left and right lower front panels of the package.

17. The retail ready package as recited in claim 13, wherein the upper front panel has left and right upper front side flaps foldably connected thereto, wherein the bottom panel has left and right bottom side flaps foldably connected thereto, wherein a portion of a surface of the left upper front side flap and a portion of a surface of the left bottom side flap that face one another are free from glue to facilitate removal of the removable portion from the display portion, and wherein a portion of a surface of the right upper front side flap and a portion of a surface of the right bottom side flap that face one another are free from glue to facilitate removal of the removable portion from the display portion.

18. The retail ready package as recited in claim 13, wherein the left and right lower front panels are separated from one another by a shaped front notch.

19. The blank as recited in claim 1, wherein the shaped line of weakness is symmetrical about the lower rear vertical perforation line.

20. The blank as recited in claim 13, wherein the shaped line of weakness is symmetrical about the lower rear vertical perforation line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) So that those skilled in the art will readily understand how to make and use the retail ready package of the subject invention without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to the figures wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the display configuration of the retail ready package of the subject invention, which is split into two separate product display cases;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a blank for forming the retail ready package of the subject invention, which includes a removable portion and a display portion;

(4) FIG. 2A is an enlarged portion of the blank of FIG. 2, showing the shaped upper rear cut line and the continuation thereof that separates the right upper rear side flap and the right lower rear side flap;

(5) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the blank for forming the retail ready package of the subject invention, which includes a removable portion and a display portion;

(6) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the retail ready package of the subject in a partially formed product loading condition;

(7) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retail ready package of the subject invention in a fully loaded shipping condition;

(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the retail ready package of the subject invention as the removable portion of the package is being separated from the display portion of the package, while the package is in its shipping orientation with products facing upward;

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the retail ready package of the subject invention with the removable portion of the package completely separated from the display portion of the package, and wherein the package is in its display orientation with products facing forward;

(10) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the display portion of the retail ready package of the subject invention as the display portion of the package is split into two separate display cases; and

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the display configuration of the retail ready package of the subject invention divided into two separate product display cases wherein two rows of products are arranged side-by-side in a vertical front facing display orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(12) Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or elements of the subject invention, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a retail ready package 100 for shipping and displaying products, and more particularly, a harness wrap style retail ready package configured for division into two separate product display cases 120a and 120b, wherein two rows of products 130a and 130b are arranged side-by-side within the package in a vertical front facing display orientation relative to the left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 of the package, as best seen in FIG. 1.

(13) Referring to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a blank for forming the retail ready package of the subject invention, which his designated generally by reference numeral 10. The blank 10 is preferably formed from a die cut corrugated cardboard sheet or a similar material. In the description that follows, the panels of the blank 10 are described relative to the display orientation of a fully constructed package, as opposed to the shipping orientation of the package. Moreover, as explained in more detail below, in the shipping orientation, which is shown for example in FIG. 5, the front of the package faces upward, rather than forward, as it would on a shelf, as previously shown in FIG. 1.

(14) The blank 10 includes left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 separated from one another by a shaped front notch 15. The left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 have respective left and right lower front side flaps 12a and 14a that are foldably connected thereto along respective fold line 12b and 14b. Left and right bottom panels 16 and 18 are respectively foldably connected to the left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 along a lower front horizontal fold line 17 and they are separated from one another along a bottom vertical perforation line 19. The left and right bottom panels 16 and 18 have respective left and right bottom side flaps 16a and 18a foldably connected thereto along respective vertical fold lines 16b and 18b.

(15) The blank 10 further includes left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 respectively foldably connected to the left and right bottom panels 16 and 18 along a lower rear horizontal fold line 21 and they are separated from one another along a lower rear vertical perforation line 23. The left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 have respective left and right lower rear side flaps 22a and 24a foldably connected thereto along respective vertical fold lines 22b and 24b.

(16) An upper rear panel 20 is separably connected to the left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 along a shaped upper rear cut line 25. The upper rear panel 20 has left and right upper rear side flaps 20a and 20b foldably connected thereto along respective fold lines 20c and 20d. The left and right upper rear side flaps 20a and 20b are separated from the left and right lower rear side flaps 22a and 24a by respective left and right continuations 25a and 25b of the shaped upper rear cut line 25 associated with the upper rear panel 20.

(17) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the shaped upper rear cut line 25 and respective left and right continuations 25a and 25b together form a shaped line of weakeness 35 having a first cut section 151, second cut sections 153a and 153b, perforated sections 154a and 154b, second perforated sections 140a and 140b, and third cut sections 155a and 155b. The shaped line of weakness 35 is symmetrical about vertical perforation line 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the cut sections are shown in a bolded line. The arrangement and dimensions of the shaped line of weakness 35, as will be described in more detail below, help to propagate tearing of perforated sections 154a and 154b and second perforated sections 140a and 140b.

(18) With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the first cut section 151 includes a first linear cut segment 150 having a length A of ¾ of an inch. First linear cut segment 150 extends between left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 such that it is perpendicular to and bisected by vertical perforation line 23. As the shaped line of weakness 35 is symmetrical about first linear cut segment 150 and vertical perforation line 23, only one side of cut segments and perforated sections (e.g. the right hand side as oriented in FIG. 2) will be described herein. The first cut section 151 includes a second linear cut segment 152b having a length B of one inch. The second linear cut segment 152b is obliquely angled relative to the first linear cut segment 150 at an angle α of about 165.8° and extends from the right-hand side of the first linear cut segment 150, as oriented in FIGS. 2 and 2A. The second linear cut segment 152a on the left side is substantially symmetrical to second linear cut segment 152b and is dimensionally substantially similar thereto.

(19) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the perforated section 154b extends linearly from the right-hand side (as oriented in FIGS. 2 and 2A) of the first cut section 151, is parallel to second linear cut segment 152b, and has a length C of 3 inches. Perforated section 154b extends to a first linear cut segment 141b of the second cut section 153b and is parallel thereto. Perforated section 154a is substantially symmetrical to perforated section 154b. The perforated sections 154a and 154b (and perforated sections 140a and 140b, described below) include perforation holes that are 0.075 inches apart, and there are eight perforation holes per inch of perforated section. For example, perforated section 154a and/or 154b can be formed using a PERFormaX 860 steel rule (available from National Steel Rule, Linden, N.J.), or the like, which has eight teeth per inch of rule, each tooth is 0.05 inches wide and there are 0.075 inches between each tooth.

(20) With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 2A, second cut section 153b extends from perforated section 154b and includes a first linear cut segment 141b having a length D of 2.75 inches, a second linear cut segment 143b extending from the first linear cut segment 141b having a length E of one inch, an arcuate cut segment 138b tangentially extending from the second linear cut segment 143b, and a third linear cut segment 144b extending from the arcuate cut segment 138b having a length F of 15/16 of an inch. The second linear cut segment 143b is obliquely angled relative to the first linear cut segment 141b at an angle β of about 165.8°. The arcuate cut segment 138b has a radius J of 0.709 inches. The arcuate cut segment 138b extends between and is tangential to the second and third linear cut segments 143b and 144b. The third linear cut segment 144b is obliquely angled relative to the second linear cut segment 143a at an angle γ of about 120.6°. The second linear cut segment 143b of the second cut section 153b extends across fold lines 24b and 20d between the upper rear panel 20 and the right upper rear side flap 20b. The second cut section 153a is substantially symmetrical to second cut section 153b and includes similar linear and arcuate cut sections.

(21) As shown in FIG. 2A, the second perforated section 140b extends between the second and third cut sections 153b and 155b and divides right upper rear side flap 20b and right lower rear side flap 24a. The second perforated section 140b extends linearly from the third linear cut segment 144b of second cut section 153b, and is parallel to third linear cut segment 144b. Perforated section 140b extends to a first linear cut segment 142b of the third cut section 155b and is parallel thereto. The perforated section 140b has a length G of 3 and 5/16 inches. Second perforated section 140b is substantially symmetrical to perforated section 140a and has a perforation spacing and pattern similar to perforated section 154b, as described above. The third cut section 155b includes a first linear cut segment 142b having a length H of 1 and 21/32 inches, an arcuate cut segment 146b tangentially extending from the first linear cut segment 142b, and a second linear cut segment 148b having a length I of 5/16 of an inch. The second linear cut segment 148b is obliquely angled relative to the first linear cut segment 142b at an angle σ of about 120.6°. The arcuate cut segment 146b has a radius K of 0.709 inches. The arcuate cut segment 146b extends between and is tangential to the first and second linear cut segments 142b and 148b. The third cut section 155a is substantially symmetrical to third cut section 155b and includes similar linear and arcuate cut sections.

(22) The blank 10 is formed from a die cut corrugated cardboard sheet having a variable thickness and weight depending on design needs. The complete cut-throughs that form first, second and third cut sections 151, 153a and 153b, and 155a and 155b (on both the left and right hand sides) in combination with the perforated sections 154a, 154b, 140a, and 140b, provide the appropriate break-away force for the board thickness such that a user is able to tear the perforation and separate the portion 110 of the package 100 from the display portion 120 of the package 100, while still providing sufficient strength to prevent unwanted tearing.

(23) The blank 10 also includes a top panel 26 that is foldably connected to the upper rear panel 20 along an upper rear horizontal fold line 27, and an upper front panel 28 foldably connected to the top panel 26 along an upper front horizontal fold line 29. The top panel 26 has left and right top side flaps 26a and 26b foldably connected thereto along respective fold lines 26c and 26d, and the upper front panel 28 has left and right upper front side flaps 28a and 28b foldably connected thereto along respective fold lines 28c and 28d. The left and right upper front side flaps 28a and 28b are formed with lateral cut-outs 32a and 32b that define hand hold areas for carrying the fully erected and loaded retail ready package 100 of the subject invention, as shown for example in FIG. 5.

(24) Preferably, the upper front panel 28 has a front recessed access area 30 formed in an upper edge thereof, wherein the recessed area 30 aligns with the shaped front notch 15 that separates the left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 from one another, as shown in FIG. 5. Together, the recessed area 30 and notch 15 form an opening where the removable portion 110 of the package 100 can be separated from the display portion 120 of the package 100.

(25) More particularly, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper rear panel 20, the top panel 26 and the upper front panel 28 are adapted and configured to be separated from the left and right lower front panels 12 and 14, the left and right bottom panels 16 and 18, and the left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 along the shaped upper rear cut line 25 associated with the upper rear panel 20. Furthermore, the left lower front panel 12, the left bottom panel 16 and the left lower rear panel 22 are adapted and configured to be divided from the right lower front panel 14, the right bottom panel 18 and the right lower rear panel 24 along the bottom vertical perforation line 19 and the lower rear vertical perforation line 23 to form two separate product display cases, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

(26) Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, to erect the retail ready package 100 of the subject invention from the die cut blank 10, the left and right bottom panels 16 and 18 are folded relative to the left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 along the lower front horizontal fold line 17, and the top panel 26 is folded relative to the upper rear panel 20 along the upper rear horizontal fold line 27. At such a time, two rows of products can be loaded into the partially erected package 100 in side-by-side relationship, as best seen in FIG. 4.

(27) Thereafter, to fully erect the retail ready package 100 for shipping, the upper front panel 28 is folded relative to the top panel 26 along the upper front horizontal fold line 29, and left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 are folded relative to the left and right bottom panels 16 and 18 along the lower front horizontal fold line 17. Then, the side flaps of each of the panels are folded into place and glued, so as to fully form the package 100, as shown in FIG. 5. Adjacent contacting/facing surfaces of side flaps 28a and 16a, e.g. a portion of an inner surface of 28a that faces a portion of an outer surface of 16a, are free from glue to facilitate removal of the removable portion 110 from the display portion 120. Adjacent contacting/facing surfaces of side flaps 28b and 18a, e.g. a portion of an inner surface of 28b that faces a portion of an outer surface of 18a, are free from glue to facilitate removal of the removable portion 110 from the display portion 120. More particularly, side flaps 16a, 18b, 26a and 26b form interior side flaps of the package, while side flaps 12a, 14a, 20a, 20b, 22a, 24a, 28a and 28b form exterior side flaps of the package 100.

(28) To prepare the retail ready package 100 of the subject invention for display, whereby the removable portion 110 of the package 100 can be separated from the display portion 120 of the package 100, the package 100 should be in its shipping orientation with products 130 facing upward as shown in FIG. 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the upper rear panel 20, the top panel 26 and the upper front panel 28 are separated from the left and right lower front panels 12 and 14, the left and right bottom panels 16 and 18, and the left and right lower rear panels 22 and 24 along the shaped upper rear cut line 25 and the left and right cut line continuations 25a and 25b.

(29) Thereafter, the display portion 120 of the retail ready package 100 with the products 130 therein, is repositioned into a display orientation shown in FIG. 7, wherein the left and right lower front panels 12 and 14 are facing forward, with the package seated on the left and right bottom panels 16 and 18. At such a time, the left lower front panel 12, the left bottom panel 16 and the left lower rear panel 22 are divided from the right lower front panel 14, the right bottom panel 18 and the right lower rear panel 24 along the bottom vertical perforation line 19 and the lower rear vertical perforation line 23 to form two separate product display cases 120a and 120b, as shown in FIG. 8. Thereupon, as shown in FIG. 9, the two separate product display cases 120a and 120b are retail ready with two rows of products 130a and 130b arranged side-by-side in a vertical front facing display orientation.

(30) While the subject disclosure has been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject disclosure.