STRUCTURED PACKAGE FOR SHIPPING AND DISPLAYING GOODS

Abstract

A package assembly is used for both shipping products to a retail facility, and for displaying the products at the retail facility. In its shipping configuration the container is enclosed to carry the products. In its display configuration, portions of at least the top and front of the package assembly are removed to permit the customer to view the products on display. The package assembly is formed from a single piece of package material and includes a base panel, a back panel and first and inner sidewalls connected at the opposing second and third sides of the base panel. Folded retaining flaps are connected along sides of the respective first and second inner sidewalls. A front panel is connected at a fourth side of the base panel opposing the first side of the base panel. The retaining flaps are used to support the product in the package.

Claims

1. A package assembly, comprising: a single piece of package material, comprising a base panel; a back panel connected at a first side of the base panel; first and second inner sidewalls connected at opposing second and third sides of the base panel; first and second folded retaining flaps along sides of the respective first and second inner sidewalls opposing the base panel; a front panel connected at a fourth side of the base panel opposing the first side of the base panel; first and second front tabs connected at opposing sides of the front panel, inner surfaces of the first and second front tabs respectively attached to outer surfaces of the first and second inner sidewalls; and first and second back tabs connected at opposing sides of the back panel, inner surfaces of the first and second back tabs respectively attached to outer surfaces of the first and second inner sidewalls; wherein the package assembly forms a cavity and wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps project into the cavity from the respective first and second sidewalls.

2. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the single piece of package material further comprises: a top panel at a side of the back panel opposing the base panel; and a front cover panel connected at a side of the top panel opposing the back panel, a lower portion of the front cover panel located inside the front panel; wherein a perforation in the package material permits at least a portion of the top panel and at least a portion of the front cover panel to be removed from the package assembly, the package assembly being in a shipping configuration before the at least a portion of the top panel and the at least a portion of the front cover panel are removed and in a display configuration after the at least a portion of the top panel and at least a portion of the front cover are removed.

3. The package assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second top side tabs connected at opposing sides of the top panel.

4. The package assembly of claim 3, wherein the perforation crosses the first and second top side tabs, at least a portion of the top panel and at least a portion of the back panel, forming an access tab on the portion of the back panel between the perforation and the connection between the back panel and the top panel.

5. The package assembly of claim 4, further comprising first and structural members on the top panel formed between the perforation, the connection between the top panel and the back panel and, respectively, the first and second top side tabs.

6. The package assembly of claim 3, wherein the perforation crosses the first and second top side tabs, and lies along at least a portion of the connection between the first top side tab and the top panel, along the connection between top panel and the rear panel, and along at least a portion of the connection between the second top side tab and the top panel.

7. The package assembly of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the perforation along the connection between the top panel and the back panel comprises a cut through the package material to provide a grippable edge.

8. The package assembly of claim 2, wherein the perforation crosses the first and second back tabs and at least a portion of the back panel, forming an access tab on a portion of the back panel between the perforation and the connection between the back panel and the top panel.

9. The package assembly of claim 2, wherein the perforation crosses the first and second back tabs, and lies along at least a portion of the connection between the first back tab and the back panel, along the connection between top panel and the back panel, and along at least a portion of the connection between the second back tab and the back panel.

10. The package assembly of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the perforation along the connection between the top panel and the rear panel comprises a cut through the package material to provide a grippable edge.

11. The package assembly of claim 2, wherein a lower edge of the front cover panel touches in inner surface of the base panel when the top panel is parallel to the base panel and the package is in the shipping configuration.

12. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the front panel comprises a recess.

13. The package assembly of claim 1, further comprising first and second extension flaps respectively connected on sides of the first and second folded retaining flaps opposing the first and second sidewalls, the first inner sidewall having a length, L1, the first folded retaining flap having a length L2 and the first extension flap having a length, L3, as measured from the base panel, wherein L1<(L2+L3).

14. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps have respective first and second distal edges, the first and second distal edges being die cut.

15. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps have respective first and second distal edges, the first and second distal edges being torn perforations.

16. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps are free of slots for securing goods stored in the cavity.

17. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps have respective first and second distal edges that are shaped to complement products stored in the package.

18. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the first inner sidewall has a length L1 and the first folded retaining flap has a length L2, L1 and L2 being measured in a direction from the base panel, wherein L2<L1.

19. The package assembly of claim 1, wherein the first inner sidewall has a length L1 and the first folded retaining flap has a length L2, L1 and L2 being measured in a direction from the base panel, wherein L2>L1.

20. The package assembly of claim 19, further comprising respective first and second flap extensions at the distal ends of the first and second folded retaining flaps, the first and second flap extensions being attached to the base panel.

21. The package assembly of claim 20, wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps are slotted.

22. The package assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one product carton sitting on the base panel within the cavity, the product of goods having a center of mass that is at a first distance above the base panel, and wherein a distal edge of the first folded retaining flap touches the at least one carton of goods at a point that is a second distance above the base panel, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

Description

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIGS. 2A-2F schematically illustrate steps in folding and assembling the package from the blank illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0033] FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate front and rear views of the final package assembled from the blank illustrated in FIG. 1, in its shipping configuration, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0034] FIGS. 5 and 6 schematically illustrate the final package assembled from the blank illustrated in FIG. 1 in its display configuration, with the removable hood removed, according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 5, the package contains product on display. In FIG. 6, the package is empty of product.

[0035] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a front view of the package in its display configuration and containing product.

[0036] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a front view of the package in its display configuration without product, and with the front display panel omitted.

[0037] FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate embodiments of pre-cut package blanks showing different forms of perforation defining an access tab, according to the present invention.

[0038] FIGS. 10A and 10B schematically illustrate embodiments of pre-cut package blanks showing different forms of perforation that includes a pre-cut portion, according to the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 11A and 11B schematically illustrate a front view of a package that includes folded retaining flaps with flap extensions, according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 11A, the package contains products. In FIG. 11B, the package is empty and the front display panel is omitted.

[0040] FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank that may be used to produce the package illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

[0041] FIGS. 13A and 13B schematically illustrate a front view of a package that includes extended folded retaining flaps, according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 13A, the package contains products. In FIG. 13B, the package is empty of products and the front display panel is omitted.

[0042] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank that may be used to manufacture the package illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B.

[0043] FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a package that includes folded retaining flaps that are shaped to retain product, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank that may be used to produce the package illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0045] FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a package that includes folded retaining flaps that are shaped to retain product, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank that may be used to manufacture the package illustrated in FIG. 17.

[0047] FIGS. 19A and 19B schematically illustrate a package that includes folded retaining flaps that are slotted, according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 19A, the package contains products. In FIG. 19B, the package is empty of products and the front display panel is omitted.

[0048] FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank that may be used to produce the package illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B.

[0049] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] The present invention relates to a packaging assembly suitable for storing and shipping a plurality of products or product containers, and which is readily converted to a shelf-ready product display by removing a portion of the packaging assembly. Some embodiments of the invention are advantageously used to ship and to display relatively heavy products, such as batteries. The invention is not limited in this manner however, and other embodiments are suitable for shipping and displaying a wide variety of products.

[0051] As used herein, and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a panel can refer to one panel or more than one panel, and reference to the method includes reference to equivalent steps and/or methods known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

[0052] Directional terms such as up, upwards, top, down, downwards, and bottom may be used to describe spatial relationships between different portions of the package. As such, these terms are not intended to be used in an absolute sense, but in a relative sense when the package is sitting on its base, with the top panel uppermost. Thus, the top of the package refers to the panel opposite the base panel, the base panel being the panel the package sits on when in its display configuration. In some embodiments, the package is also intended to sit on its base panel when being shipped.

[0053] The terms inner and outer refer to the position of a portion of the package relative to the cavity within the package that holds the products. An inner surface of a panel is that surface that faces in towards the cavity. An outer surface of a panel is that surface that faces away from the package cavity.

[0054] It is desirable to provide a package that can be used to ship goods from the manufacturer (shipping configuration) and that also may be used to display the goods on a retailer's shelf (display configuration). Advantageously the package is sturdy enough in the shipping configuration to be stacked multiple times so that many packages can be palletized for shipping. It is preferred that the package provides easy access to a customer to retrieve a product or product container from the package when in the display configuration.

[0055] The material used for the package may be any suitable type of foldable material such as cardboard, corrugated card, plastic, corrugated plastic, paperboard, fiberboard and pulp. The type of material used for the package may depend on the type of products it is being used to ship and display. In some embodiments where the products are relatively heavy, such as batteries, meat products, liquid products, other food products and household items, the package may be formed from corrugated cardboard. Suitable types of corrugated cardboard may include A flute to N flute board. In other embodiments where the products are lighter, for example food products packaged in sachets, leaflets, brochures, household products in a blister package, the package may be formed from a paperboard.

[0056] The package is typically formed from a single package blank that is die cut and folded to form panels. Some panels overlap each other and are supplied with an adhesive therebetween so that they hold together and the package retains its desired form. The adhesive may be a hot melt adhesive, a thermoset plastic, pressure activated adhesive, or other suitable adhesive. In other embodiments, panels may be joined together using mechanical means, such as staples or clips.

[0057] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a package blank 100 that may be used in the formation of a package according to the present invention. The blank 100 is in the form of a single flat sheet of packaging material and is cut in such a way as to form a number of panels. Solid lines between panels illustrate where folds are formed in assembling the package. A single perforation 102 crosses the blank 100. Material to the right of the perforation 102 constitutes material that is removed from the package when converting it from its shipping configuration, when the products inside are protected on all sides, to its display configuration where the product is displayed to the retail customer.

[0058] The base panel 104 forms the base of the package. The base panel 104 is typically rectangular and is connected on one side to the back panel 106 which forms the back of the package. The term connected is used herein to describe where two panels adjoin via a fold in the package material.

[0059] The base panel 104 is connected to the front display panel 108 at a side opposite to the back panel 106. The front display panel 108 may be rectangular in shape or, as in the illustrated embodiment, be provided with a recess 110 to allow the products contained in the package to be more clearly seen when in the display configuration. First and second front side tabs 112, 114 are connected at opposing sides of the front display panel 108.

[0060] First and second inner sidewalls 116, 118 are connected to the base panel 104 at the two remaining sides of the base panel 104. Each inner sidewall 116, 118 is connected to a respective folded retaining flap 120, 122, whose purpose will be explained below. The width, W1, of the folded retaining flaps 120, 122 may be the same as the width, W2, of the respective inner sidewalls to which they are connected, but this need not be the case and in some embodiments, W1 may be less than W2. Additionally, the width of the first folded retaining flap 120 need not be the same as the length of the second folded retaining flap 122. The length, L1, of the inner sidewalls 116, 118 is greater than the length, L2, of the folded retaining flaps 120, 122, where L1 and L2 are measured in a direction from the base panel 104, as seen in FIG. 1.

[0061] The back panel 106 is connected at opposing sides to first and second back tabs 124, 126. The back panel 106 is also connected to the top panel 128, at the side opposite the base 104. The top panel 128 is connected at opposing sides to first and second top side tabs 130, 132. The top panel 128 is also connected to the front cover panel 134. When the package is in the shipping configuration, the front display panel 108 and the front cover panel 134 together form the front surface of the package. The front cover panel 134 is connected to first and second removable front tabs 136, 138.

[0062] The perforation 102 crosses the blank 100, splitting the first top side tab 130 into first and second parts 130a, 130b. The perforation 102 also crosses the top panel 128 to form a removable top panel section 128a, a first structural top panel section 128b and a second structural top panel section 128c. The perforation 102 also crosses part of the back panel 106. That part of the back panel bounded by the perforation 102 and the connection between the back panel 106 and top panel 128 is referred to as an access tab 140, for reasons explained below. The perforation 102 also splits the second top side tab 132 into first and second parts 132a, 132b.

[0063] Those parts of the blank 100 to the right side of the perforation 102 may be considered to be part of a removable hood that is removed when the package is converted from its shipping configuration to its display configuration. In this embodiment, the removable hood includes the access tab 140, the removable top panel section 128a, the second parts 130b, 132b of the first and second top side tabs 130, 132, the front cover panel 134 and the first and second removable front tabs 136, 138. Thus, when converting the package from the shipping configuration to the display configuration, the first and second top side tabs 130, 132 are each split into two parts, with the second parts 130b, 132b being removed with the hood.

[0064] FIGS. 2A-2F schematically illustrate steps employed in an embodiment to form the package from the flat blank 100. FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the blank 100. In FIG. 2B, the blank has been folded into a U-shape, by folding between the base panel 104 and the back panel 106, and between the back panel 106, and the top panel 128. In some embodiments it is useful to place the products 150 into the folded U-shape, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2C. As used herein, the term product is used to mean the product itself, for example a battery or collection of batteries, as well as the container that contains the product, for example a box or blister pack that contains the battery or batteries. A fold is then made between the front cover panel 134 and the top panel 128, so that the lower edge 134a of the front cover panel 134 is positioned near the front edge of the base panel 104. When in the shipping configuration, the lower edge 134a contacts the inner surface of the base panel 104. The front display panel 108 is then folded down over the front cover panel 134, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2D. The sides of the package are then closed. The inner layers of the package sides are formed by folding the folded retaining flaps 120 and 122, then folding the inner sidewalls 116, 118, and the first and second top side tabs 130, 132, as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2E. The outer layers of the package sides are formed by folding in the first and second front side tabs 112, 114, the first and second back tabs 124, 126, and the first and second removable front tabs 136, 138, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 2F.

[0065] The outer surfaces of the inner sidewalls 116, 118 are attached to the inner surfaces of the first and second front side tabs 112, 114, and the inner surfaces of the first and second back tabs 124, 126. Likewise, the outer surfaces of the first and second top side tabs 130, 132 are attached to the inner surfaces of the first and second back tabs 124, 126, and to the inner surfaces of the first and second removable front tabs 136, 138. The different panels may be attached to each other using any suitable method. In one embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is applied to the outer surfaces of the inner sidewalls 116, 118 and the outer surfaces of the first and second top side tabs 130, 132 after these panels have been folded inwards, but before the first and second front side tabs 112, 114, the first and second back tabs 124, 126, and the first and second removable front tabs 136, 138 are folded in. In other embodiments, an adhesive may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first and second front side tabs 112, 114, the inner surfaces of the first and second back tabs 124, 126, and the inner surfaces of the first and second removable front tabs 136, 138 before these panels are folded in. In other embodiments, adhesive may be applied to the outer surfaces of the inner sidewalls 116, 118 and the outer surfaces of the first and second top side tabs 130, 132, as well as to the inner surfaces of 136, 138 are folded in. In other embodiments, an adhesive may be applied to the inner surfaces of the first and second front side tabs 112, 114, the inner surfaces of the first and second back tabs 124, 126, and the inner surfaces of the first and second removable front tabs 136, 138.

[0066] The base of the completed package comprises a single layer of package material, the base panel 104. The top layer of the completed package comprises a single layer of package material, the top panel 128. The back of the package comprises a single layer of package material, the back panel 106. As just discussed, the sides of the package substantially comprise two layers of package material.

[0067] FIGS. 3 and 4 schematically illustrate front and rear perspective views of the assembled package 300 in its shipping configuration, sitting on its base panel 104. In some embodiments, the package 300 is stronger for stacking when it sits on its base panel. In this orientation, the two-layered sides of the package 300 provide vertical strength, and the lower edge 134a of the front cover panel 134 may contact the inner surface of the base panel 104 to provide additional vertical strength.

[0068] In its shipping configuration, the two back vertical corners 325, 327, respectively formed by folds between the back panel 106 and the first and second back tabs 124, 126, are free of any perforation, this providing increased vertical strength to the package 300.

[0069] The package 300 may be converted into the display configuration by removing the top panel 128 and those other panels connected to the top panel 128 that were shown to the right of the perforation 102 in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the top panel 128 may be removed by pushing in the access tab 140 and pulling the top panel 128 away from the rest of the package 300.

[0070] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the package 500 in its display configuration, showing product 502 stored within the package cavity. FIG. 6 shows the same view of the package, but without product present. A front view of the package 500 containing product 502 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 7, and a front view of the empty package, with the front display panel 108 removed, is shown in FIG. 8. The folded retaining flaps 120, 122 provide lateral support for the product 502 within the package 500. The resilience of the folded retaining flaps 120, 122 make them tend to bend away from their respective inner side walls 116, 118, so as to apply pressure on the product 502 when it is located within the cavity of the package 500. Such pressure may be sufficient to hold the product upright within the cavity of the package 500, rather than fall forwards, even after some products 502 have been removed from the front of the package 500. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal edges 120a, 122a of the folded retaining flaps that contact the product 502 are straight. Moreover the distal edges 120a, 122a may be smooth, for example if they were formed by being die-cut. In other embodiments, the distal edges 120a, 122a may be roughened, for example if they were formed by tearing a perforation. In some embodiments, the distal edges 120a, 122a touch the product 502 at a point that is more than one half of the product's height above the inner surface of the base panel 104. In some embodiments, the distal edges 120a, 122a touch the product 502 at a point that is above the center of gravity of the product 502 sitting on the inner surface of the base panel 104.

[0071] The perforation used to separate the removable part from the package to achieve the display configuration may be different from that shown in FIG. 1. For example, FIG. 9A schematically illustrates another embodiment of a pre-cut package blank 900 in which the perforation 902 cuts across the first top side tab 130 to the connection between the first top side tab 130 and the top panel 128. The perforation 902 continues along the connection between the first rear tab 130 and the top panel 128 and then along the connection between the back panel 106 and the top panel 128. In some embodiments, the perforation 902 takes a detour within the back panel 106 to form an access tab 140. The perforation 902 continues along the connection between the back panel 106 and the top panel 128, part way along the connection between the top panel 128 and the second rear tab 132, and then across the second rear tab 130. In this embodiment, the entire top panel 128 is removed when converting the package from its shipping configuration to its display configuration. In this embodiment, and the embodiment of package blank illustrated in FIG. 1, the maximum height of the package in its display configuration is the same as its maximum height in the shipping configuration.

[0072] FIG. 9B schematically illustrates another embodiment of pre-cut package blank 950. The perforation 952 starts across the first back tab 124 and then across the back panel 106 to an access tab 140 formed between the perforation 952 and the connection between the back panel 106 and the top panel 128. The perforation 952 continues across the back panel 106 to the connection between the back panel 106 and the second back tab 126, and then across the second back tab. In this embodiment the entire top panel 128 is removed when converting the package to its display configuration, along with a portion of the sides of the package. Portions 124a, 126a of the first and second back tabs 124, 126 remain with the package in its display configuration. However, portions 124b, 126b of the first and second back tabs 124, 126 are removed with the top panel 128 when converting the package to the display configuration. Furthermore, the height of the resulting package in its display configuration is less than the height of the package in its shipping configuration.

[0073] In some embodiments, the package is provided with an access panel. An embodiment of a pre-cut package blank 1000 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10A in which, rather than forming an access panel, the perforation 1002 extends along the connection between the back panel 106 and the top panel 128, and at least a portion 1002a of the perforation comprises a single cut through the blank. Another embodiment of pre-cut package blank is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10B, which shows a portion 1052a of the perforation 1052 being formed of a single cut through the blank. The single cuts 1002a, 1052a are typically longer than a perforation cut and provide a grippable panel edge for a user to remove the top panel 128 from the package.

[0074] FIGS. 11A and 11B schematically illustrate an embodiment of a package 1100 according to the present invention in which the folded retainer flaps 1120, 1122 include respective retainer flap extensions 1121, 1123. FIG. 11A shows the package 1100 containing product 1102. FIG. 11B shows a front view of the package 1100 empty of product and with the front display panel 108 omitted. FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank 1200 which may be used to form the package 1100. The dimension L1 of an inner side wall 116, 118 is less than the total length L2 of a respective folded retainer flap 1120, 1122 plus the length L3 of its retainer flap extension 1121, 1123 (L1<L2+L3), where L1, L2 and L3 are measured in a direction from the base panel 104, as shown in FIG. 12. Accordingly, the folded retainer flaps 1120, 1122 and their respective retainer flap extensions 1121, 1123, form two sides of a triangle with the inner side wall 116, 118 forming the third side of the triangle. The distal edges 1121a, 1123a of the retainer flap extensions 1121, 1123 engage the corners between the inner surface of the base panel 104 and the inner surfaces of the respective inner side walls 116, 118. The folded retaining flaps 1120, 1122 may advantageously provide increased resilience for supporting products.

[0075] FIGS. 13A and 13B schematically illustrate an embodiment of a package 1300 according to the present invention in which the folded retainer flaps 1320, 1322 are longer than the inner sidewalls 116, 118. FIG. 13A shows a front view of the package 1300 containing product 1302. FIG. 13B shows a front view of the package 1300 empty of product and with the front display panel 108 omitted. FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank 1400 which may be used to form the package 1300. The dimension L1 of an inner side wall 116, 118 is less than the length L2 of a respective folded retainer flap 1120, 1122 (L1<L2). Consequently, when loaded with product 1302, the distal edges 1320a, 1322a of the folded retainer flaps 1320, 1322 may touch the inner surface of the base panel 104. In such a manner, long folded retaining flaps 1320, 1322 may advantageously provide lateral support for certain products.

[0076] In some embodiments the folded retaining flaps have a substantially straight distal edge. In other embodiments the folded retaining flaps have a shaped distal edge. One embodiment of a package 1500 that has folded retaining flaps 1520, 1522 with a shaped distal edge 1521, 1523 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 15. In this embodiment, the product 1502 being displayed by the package 1500 is in the form of bottles. Accordingly, the distal edges 1521, 1523 of the folded retaining flaps 1520, 1522 are shaped with indents that complement the shape of the bottle. FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank 1600 that may be used to form the package 1500.

[0077] Another embodiment of a package 1700 that has folded retaining flaps 1720, 1722 with a shaped distal edge 1721, 1723 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 17. In this embodiment, the product 1702 being displayed by the package 1700 is in the form of a box on a carded backing. In this embodiment the distal edges 1721, 1723 of the folded retaining flaps 1720, 1722 are shaped with indents that adapt to the carded back of the product. FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank 1800 that may be used to form the package 1700. It will be appreciated that distal edges having different shapes from those illustrated here may be used to hold and display products with different shapes.

[0078] Another embodiment of a package 1900 is schematically illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B. The package 1900 has folded retaining flaps 1920, 1922 that are elongated and have respective flap extensions 1920a, 1922a. The folded retaining flaps 1920, 1922 have a length, L2, that is longer than the length of the inner sidewalls 116, 118, L1. The extensions 1920a, 1922a are attached the inner surface of the base panel 108. In some embodiments, the extensions 1920a, 1922a may be adhered to the inner surface of the base panel 108, for example using hot melt adhesive. FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a pre-cut package blank 2000 that may be used to form the package 1900. The folded retaining flaps 1920, 1922 may contain slots 1921, 1923 for retaining a product in place.

[0079] Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification. The claims are intended to cover such modifications and devices. For example, a small number of possible embodiments have been illustrated herein, showing packages having only a small number of aspect ratios, i.e. ratios of height, length and width. It will be appreciated that packages according to the present invention may be formed that have aspect ratios very different from those illustrated. Furthermore, the various embodiments of folded retaining flap were illustrated in a package using only a single type of perforation. It should be understood that the different types of folded retaining flaps may be used with any of the different perforation types described herein.

[0080] As noted above, the present invention is applicable to packaging for shipping and displaying products in a retail environment. Accordingly, the present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims.