PACKAGING UNIT WITH LOCKABLE INNER CARRIER ELEMENT FOR PRODUCTS

Abstract

A packaging unit includes an outer box including a floor area, two side areas, two end faces, and two pairs of folding tabs. One pair of folding tabs is disposed at each of the two end faces. Each folding tab comprises two contact edges abutting a recess. A carrier element is disposed in the outer box to releasably hold at least one elongated product and comprises two end face ends, two longitudinal edges, a floor section, a roof section comprising two roof areas disposed at an angle to one another and projecting away from the floor section, and two pairs of locking tabs disposed one pair at each of the end face ends. Each of the locking tabs is engaged with the contact edges of a corresponding one of the folding tabs such that the carrier element is releasably secured to the outer box.

Claims

1. A packaging unit comprising: an outer box comprising a floor area, two side areas, two end faces, and two pairs of folding tabs, wherein one pair of folding tabs is disposed at each of said two end faces, and wherein each folding tab comprises two contact edges abutting a recess; and a carrier element disposed in said outer box and configured to releasably hold at least one elongated product and comprising two end face ends, two longitudinal edges, a floor section, a roof section comprising two roof areas disposed at an angle to one another and projecting away from said floor section, and two pairs of locking tabs disposed one pair at each of said end face ends, wherein each of said locking tabs is engaged with said contact edges of a corresponding one of said folding tabs such that said carrier element is releasably secured to said outer box.

2. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein opposing contact edges, one on each folding tab of each of said pair of folding tabs, are disposed at an angle to another such that the distance therebetween increases towards said floor area of said outer box.

3. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each of said folding tabs comprises four of said contact edges arranged in pairs opposing each other and surrounding said recess.

4. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein opposing pairs of said contact edges, two on each folding tab of each of said pair of folding tabs, are disposed at an angle to another such that the distance therebetween increases towards said floor area of said outer box.

5. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each pair of said locking tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said roof areas.

6. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each pair of said locking tabs is connected to said floor section.

7. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each pair of said locking tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said roof areas and to said floor section.

8. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each of said folding tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said side areas in a foldable manner and rests with its back at least partially flat on said end face.

9. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each of said folding tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said end faces in a foldable manner and rests with its back at least partially flat on said side area.

10. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each of said locking tabs is attached to a corresponding one of said roof areas.

11. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein each of said locking tabs is attached to a corresponding one of said floor sections.

12. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein said roof areas are foldably connected together along the length thereof.

13. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein said carrier element further comprises a pair of clamping and positioning sections foldably connected to said floor section on opposite sides of said roof section, wherein when pivoted flat each of said clamping and positioning sections projects beyond a corresponding one of said longitudinal edges.

14. The packaging unit according to claim 7, wherein said clamping and positioning sections are pivoted upwards at an angle away from said floor section.

15. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein said floor section comprises two floor section portions, one each connected to each of said roof areas, wherein each of said floor section portions has an inner floor section protruding transversely inwards toward one another and cut out from said roof areas, such that a space is provided under said roof areas to receive a product end and provide a gripping space to permit a user to remove a product.

16. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein said packaging unit has at least two carrier elements stacked above each other.

17. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein said locking tabs are bent upwards in the inserted position of said carrier element in said outer box.

18. The packaging unit according to claim 1, wherein: each of said folding tabs comprises four of said contact edges arranged in pairs opposing each other and surrounding said recess; opposing pairs of said contact edges, two on each folding tab of each of said pair of folding tabs, are disposed at an angle to another such that the distance therebetween increases towards said floor area of said outer box; each of said folding tabs is connected to a corresponding one of said side areas in a foldable manner and rests with its back at least partially flat on said end face; each of said locking tabs is attached to a corresponding one of said roof areas; said roof areas are foldably connected together along the length thereof; said carrier element further comprises a pair of clamping and positioning sections foldably connected to said floor section on opposite sides of said roof section, wherein when pivoted flat each of said clamping and positioning sections projects beyond a corresponding one of said longitudinal edges; said clamping and positioning sections are pivoted upwards at an angle away from said floor section; said floor section comprises two floor section portions, one each connected to each of said roof areas, wherein each of said floor section portions has an inner floor section protruding transversely inwards toward one another and cut out from said roof areas, such that a space is provided under said roof areas to receive a product end and provide a gripping space to permit a user to remove a product; and said locking tabs are bent upwards in the inserted position of said carrier element in said outer box.

19. The packaging unit according to claim 18, wherein said packaging unit comprises at least two carrier elements stacked above each other.

Description

(i) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0040] The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the packaging unit according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a top view of the carrier blank.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the isolated carrier element.

[0044] FIG. 4 is another top view of an alternative implementation of the carrier blank.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of a portion of the end face.

[0046] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view looking at the inner end face of the outer box.

[0047] FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the isolated carrier element in FIG. 3.

(j) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] For identical or identical-appearing elements of the invention, identical reference symbols are used in the figures. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, in the individual figures only reference symbols are displayed that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. Also, in the figures, the invention is merely depicted as a schematic view for explaining the functioning. In general, the illustrations in the figures serve to explain the basic principle of the invention and should not be considered as limiting the claims to the exemplary embodiment or embodiments shown.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the packaging unit 300 with a slightly unfolded outer box 101 on whose floor area 102 the carrier element 201 is shown in its erected form. The shown packaging unit 400 includes an outer box 101, a carrier element 201 for accommodating two products, such as in the example shown a toothbrush 130 with a brush head or front product end 132 and a toothbrush handle or rear product end 134.

[0050] The outer box 101 comprises a floor area 102, at least two side areas 104, and at least two end faces 106. Folding tags 110 are arranged at the end faces 106 for at least partial contact at the respective end face 106 in the closed, finalized state. The folding tabs 110 have recesses 150 as openings or cut-out areas on which contact edges 112 are arranged. Furthermore, a closure tab 120 is arranged, extending adjacent each side area 104, on one end face 106, which closure tab 120 serves to support and connect with a closure element (not shown). The closure tab 120 protrudes outwards at the functional line F and can, for example, be glued, welded or otherwise connected to a closure element. Here, the functional lines F are punching lines that specify a defined crease in the material of the outer box 101.

[0051] The carrier element 201 has two end face ends 206, two longitudinal edges 208, a roof section 210 and floor sections 220. Two locking tabs 250 are arranged at each end face end 206, where a locking tab 250 is arranged at each roof area 211 at each end face end 206. When the outer box 101 is closed, the locking tabs 250 of the carrier element 201 come in contact with the contact edges 112 of the folding tab 110 arranged in the recesses 150, and can be locked there. The folding tabs 110 and the recesses 150 have two contact edges 112 each, an outer and an upper one.

[0052] On carrier element 201, a toothbrush is placed as an exemplary product 130, having a front product end 132, a toothbrush head, and a rear product end 134, a toothbrush grip/handle. A second toothbrush can be placed in an analogous way in the image plane below, with the toothbrush head, the front product end 132, also aligned towards the center.

[0053] As shown and described in detail in connection with FIG. 5, the opposing folding tabs 110 on an end face 106 each have at least one contact edge 112 that are jointly opposing each other. Herein, the opposing contact edges 112 have a distance increasing towards the floor area 102. The carrier element 201 has a roof section 210 and a floor section 220. The roof section 210 has a gable-like form and includes two roof areas 211 erected obliquely upwards and has locking tabs 250 at each end face 206.

[0054] FIG. 1 is provided primarily for illustrative purposes, as in use the carrier element 201 would be placed into a completed outer box, not into an unfinished outer box 101 that has been opened in this way.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows the carrier blank 200 as a flat, non-erected element from which the carrier element 201 is formed. The carrier blank 200 is made of a one-piece carton board material or cardboard. In the embodiment shown, the carrier blank 200 has a roof section 210, floor section 220, clamping and positioning sections 230, a central crease axis 202, two outer crease axes 204, two end face ends 206, and outer longitudinal edges 208. The roof section 210 comprises two roof areas 211 on whose end face ends 206 locking tabs 250 are formed. However, the two outer crease axes 204 do not subsequently form a continuous crease line in the erected carrier element 201, instead they are, for example, interrupted by the inner foot areas 224. The central crease axis 202, one of the functional lines F, is designed as a folding and perforation line 252. The longitudinal axis L runs in the identical location. The function lines F are shown schematically in the figures, and may be mechanically formed by perforating, pre-cutting, or punching. The function lines F represent where portions are foldably connected or attached together, such that the portions can be pivoted or folded relative to one another.

[0056] The locking tabs 250 are generally in the shape of a trapezoid. The floor section 220 is divided into two parts, into an upper and a lower floor section in the image plane, on both sides of roof section 210. In the transition between a roof area 211 and the adjacent outer foot area 222, a crease axis 204 is provided. From crease axis 204, cut areas and corresponding cut line 232 emerge, from which the inner floor areas 224 are formed. In FIG. 2 and the other illustrations, only individual cut lines 232 are shown. Function lines F, such as cut or fold lines, result from the shown erected carrier elements 201 in a self-explanatory manner.

[0057] The inner foot areas 224, together with the resulting cut-out area in the tray area, form a receiving space or area for, for example, a transversely protruding section of a product 130, such as a toothbrush head. Furthermore, the longitudinal axis L or x-axis and the transverse axis 205 or y-axis are shown.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows the isolated carrier element 201 according to FIG. 1, where FIG. 4 shows the associated carrier blank 200. FIG. 3 shows an erected or unfolded position of carrier element 201. The two roof areas 211 are oriented gable-like upwards in the direction of vertical axis 207 or z-axis. At each roof area 211 of roof section 210, locking tabs 250 are arranged at each end face end 206 so that the carrier element 201 has a total of four locking tabs 250.

[0059] In one possible embodiment, a total of only two locking tabs 250 are provided, for example, offset at both end face ends 206. The carrier element 201 is shown in a position in which the roof areas 211 are oriented or folded toward one another such that the inner edges of the foot areas 224 touch. This can be the released position, where the inner foot areas 224 can also be deformed or pushed over each other by a user's further force application.

[0060] The partial sectional view according to FIG. 5 shows the open outer box 101 with an end piece 114 arranged there having an eyelet 116, which is used for attachment to a carrier element (not shown), such as a hanger prong in a retail setting. The inserted and erected carrier element 201 has a certain distance from the end face end, where the locking tabs 250 create a locking effect and, to a certain extent, an elastic support due to the resilient forces. The embodiment of the partially shown carrier element 201 in FIG. 5 corresponds to that in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. It is apparent that, when the two roof areas 211 are manually compressed or folded, where the ridge represents a kind of leaf or foil hinge, the locking tab 250 is pulled at least partially over a contact edge 112 and thus released so far that the carrier element 201 can be removed without major resistance when roof areas 211 are gripped and brought together in this way. In particular, the upper locking edge 256 is moved transversely inward towards the center so that the lateral locking edge 254 lies on the area of the upper contact edge 112 or, respectively, of the upper contact edge section, and can slide down.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a vertical cross-section of the entire packaging unit 400 of an exemplary embodiment in its locked form. It includes an outer box 101, a closure element 300, and the carrier element 201. In particular apparent are the opposing folding tabs 110 of an end face 106 and the recess 150 located in the latter with the associated contact edges 112, which are formed as two contact sections having different spatial orientations.

[0062] In one possible embodiment, the folding tabs 110 may be latched, glued or make contact otherwise on each back of end face 106.

[0063] The contact edges 112 of the left and the right recess 150 oppose each other and form a distance in the transverse direction or y-axis that opens up or increases towards the floor area 102. The two contact edges 112 of the left and right folding tab 110 form an angle, where in an alternative embodiment, this can also be an arc or another curved line. The locking tabs 250 have two complementary locking edges 254, 256. The lateral locking edge 150 in the position shown opposes the lateral contact edge 112 or contact edge section of the folding tag 110 and the upper locking edge 256 opposes the upper contact edge 112 or contact edge section. FIG. 6 shows a situation in which the carrier element 201 is not fully erected, so that the longitudinal edge 208 of the outer foot area 222 does not stop at the side area 104. Thus, the locking edges 254, 256 of the locking tabs 250 are also not at least partially in contact with contact edges 112 of the folding tabs 110.

[0064] Quite apparent is the advantageous locking mechanism easily manipulatable by a user in two directions, obliquely upwards and transversely to the side.

[0065] Furthermore, in FIG. 6 an alternative embodiment for the folding tab 110 is indicated by means of the dotted line that is open to the floor area 102, where consequently, its base surface has more of a bar shape or hook-like shape.

[0066] Finally, FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of carrier element 201 that is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 3, except for the arrangement of locking tabs 250, so that reference is made to the explanations there. The contact edge, which is embodied to complement the locking tab arranged in this way on the outer foot area, is not part of a recess of a folding tab. This folding tab for a locking tab arranged at the edge of the foot area has a shape open towards the floor area of the outer box. In other words, this is a surface area that has, for example, a bar-shaped or hook-like form. In other words, it is formed like a kind of overhang.

[0067] In this case, the packaging unit and the associated elements, such as the carrier blank, the carrier element, or the products, are shown essentially in one position and orientation, namely contacting a horizontal base (not shown). In at least one possible embodiment, the packaging unit and the associated elements can assume any position and orientation, either individually or together, as is well understood in the packaging industry. Thus, all mentions of and references to the spatial location, such as above, below, vertical, oblique, etc., as well as designations that indicate a spatial location, such as floor, ceiling, side, and other such terminology, serve only for linguistic simplification, are not to be understood as limiting, and are to be understood and interpreted in an analogous manner in the event of a change in the basic orientation of the packaging unit or the associated elements.

[0068] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0069] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.