SYSTEM OF PACKAGING AND DISPLAYING A SET OF PRODUCTS
20170341805 · 2017-11-30
Inventors
- Adam Ghosoub Al-Khal (Allentown, PA, US)
- Benjamin F. Bard (Zionsville, PA, US)
- David S. Bennett (Bethlehem, PA, US)
- Jason C. Killo (Emmaus, PA, US)
Cpc classification
A47F7/283
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D5/0085
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/5059
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/54
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/5038
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/50
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
A47F7/03
HUMAN NECESSITIES
B65D5/5213
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D5/52
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/50
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A system of packaging and displaying a set of products is disclosed. The system may include a first and second container, together forming a hinged box, each container including a first display face, and a first back positioned on a side of the container opposite the first display face. A first magnetic element and a second element magnetically responsive to the first magnetic element may be positioned in the containers to assist in closing the box. At least one of the containers includes a transparent cover that secures, even in the open position of the box, displayed products, the displayed product visible through the cover when the box is hinged open. The cover has perforations that can be torn to access the products without tools. The products are arranged in the order of use and installation.
Claims
1. A system of packaging and displaying a set of products, the system comprising: a box having a first container and a second container, the first container comprising a first display face, and a first back positioned on a side of the container opposite the first display face, the second container comprising a second display face, and a second back positioned on a side of the second container opposite the second display face, the first and second containers being hingedly connected to allow the box to change from a closed position to an open position, the first and second display faces being oriented to be open toward a first direction in the open position; and a cover configured to close off the first display face of the first container and to secure in the first container a displayed product of the set of products, the displayed product visible through the cover, the cover comprising at least one side portion for securing the cover to the first container and at least one first tear perforation positioned more proximal to the display face than the side portion, the cover further comprising a grasping portion configured to be manually grasped and pulled, the at least one tear perforation configured to be torn when the grasping portion is manually pulled, so as to provide access without tools to the displayed product in the first container; wherein the products of the set of products in the first and second containers are arranged in an order of use and installation of the products.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first container comprises: a first strap having an aperture and configured to secure in the first container a protruding product of the set of products, the protruding product having a portion protruding through the aperture and the strap comprising: a first catch received in the first container and securing the first strap and the protruding product in the first container; at least one first strap tear perforation positioned more proximal to the first display face than the first catch; and a grasping portion comprising at least one of a finger tab extending from the first strap and a recess area, the grasping portion configured to be manually grasped and pulled, and the at least one first strap tear perforation is configured to be torn, when the grasping portion is manually pulled, so as to release the protruding product without tools, the protruding strap being at least partly transparent so that the first product is at least partly visible through the first strap.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first catch comprises a first tab and a second tab oriented away from the first tab, the first and second tabs being received in a same aperture of the first container.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one first strap tear perforation comprises a first strap first tear perforation and a first strap second tear perforation without perforated connection therebetween.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the first strap further comprises: a second catch comprising a third tab and a fourth tab oriented away from the third tab, the third tab oriented in substantially the same direction as the first tab and the fourth tab oriented in substantially the same direction as the second tab , wherein the third and fourth tabs project from a side of the first strap opposite the first and second tabs, and are positioned and configured to secure the first strap.
6. The system of claim 2, further comprising an anchoring insert having apertures configured to receive the catch of the first strap and to secure thereby the first strap and the protruding product.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a strap member comprising: a first catch member securing the strap member in one of the first container and the second container; at least one strap member tear perforation positioned more proximal to the display face than the first catch member; and a grasping portion configured to be manually grasped and pulled, and the at least one tear perforation configured to be torn, when the grasping portion is manually pulled, so as to release without use of tools an electronic device of the set of products, the strap member being at least in part transparent such that the electronic device is at least partly visible through the strap member.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein one of the first and second containers comprises an anchoring insert having apertures configured to receive the first catch member of the strap member, such that the strap member and the anchoring insert cooperate to secure therebetween the electronic device.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the anchoring insert has a recess configured to receive a further electronic device.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second containers comprises a lip extending in the first direction, and another of the first and second containers comprises a recessed edge positioned such that in the closed position, the recessed edge and lip cooperate to facilitate closure of the box.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first container has outer dimensions substantially equal to outer dimensions of the second container, exclusive of the lip.
12. The system of claim 10, further comprising: a first insert configured to be positioned immediately inside the first container, and further comprising a second insert configured to be positioned immediately inside the second container, wherein one of the first and second inserts comprises the lip, and the other of the first and second inserts comprises the recessed edge.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second containers comprises a first magnetic element, and another of the first and second containers comprises a second element positioned and configured to be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element, the first magnetic element and the second element assisting closure of the box to the closed position.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the first and second containers each comprise: a side portion positioned transverse to the display face and configured to support the respective container in a standing position transverse to a lying position in which the respective container rests on the back of the container; wherein each side portion comprises at least one notch sized and configured to hold at least one of the first magnetic element and the second element.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein in the open position, when placed on the first and second backs, the first container and the second container lie flat and the first and second display faces face up.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tear perforation comprises a first tear perforation and a second tear perforation without perforated connection therebetween.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second containers are configured to arrange the set of products such that a first product of the set of products designed to be deployed in use by a user ahead of all remaining products of the set of products is accessible first by the user in the first and second containers, and a second product of the set of products designed to be deployed in use by a user after the first product is positioned adjacent the first product with no intervening products positioned between the first and second products.
18. A system of packaging and displaying a set of products, the system comprising: a box having a first container and a second container, the first container comprising a first display face and a first back positioned on a side of the container opposite the first display face, the second container comprising a second display face and a second back positioned on a side of the second container opposite the second display face, one of the first and second containers comprising a first magnetic element, and another of the first and second containers comprising a second element positioned and configured to be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element, the first and second containers being hingedly connected to allow the box to change from a closed position to an open position, the first magnetic element and the second element assisting closure of the box to the closed position, the first and second display faces are oriented to be open toward a first direction in the open position; a first cover configured to close off the first display face of the first container and to secure in the first container a first displayed product of the set of products, the displayed product visible through the first cover, the first cover comprising a first side portion for securing the first cover to the first container and at least one tear perforation positioned more proximal to the display face than the first side portion, the first cover further comprising a grasping portion comprising at least one of a finger tab extending from the first cover and a recess area, the grasping portion configured to be manually grasped and pulled, and the at least one tear perforations configured to be torn, when the grasping portion is manually pulled, so as to provide access without tools to the first displayed product; and a strap member comprising a catch member securing the strap member in one of the first container and the second container, and at least one strap member tear perforation positioned more proximal to the display face than the catch member, the strap member further comprising a grasping portion configured to be manually grasped and pulled, and the at least one tear perforation configured to be torn, when the grasping portion is manually pulled, so as to release without use of tools an electronic device of the set of products, the strap member being at least in part transparent such that the electronic device is at least partly visible through the strap member; and an anchoring insert having apertures configured to receive the catch and to secure thereby the first strap and the protruding product.
19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a second cover configured to close off the second display face of the second container and to secure in the second container a second displayed product of the set of products, the second displayed product visible through the second cover, the second cover comprising a second side portion for securing the second cover to the second container and at least one second tear perforation positioned more proximal to the display face than the second side portion, the second cover further comprising a grasping portion comprising at least one of a finger tab extending from the second cover and a recess area, the grasping portion configured to be manually grasped and pulled, and the at least one tear perforation configured to be torn, when the grasping portion is manually pulled, so as to release the second displayed product without tools.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment that is presently preferred, in which like numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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[0049] The box 40 (as shown in
[0050] As illustrated in
[0051] When the box 40 is in a fully opened position revealing the contents of the containers 41, 42 (as shown in
[0052] As illustrated in
[0053] The box 40 may also comprise inserts 70b and 70a (e.g., as illustrated in
[0054] The inserts 70a and 70b may be sized such that their outermost extents fit or nest snugly within the inner extents of the respective containers 41, 42. Alternatively, only the insert 70b with the lip 72b may be provided, and the insert 70a may be unnecessary. However, the provision of both inserts 70a, 70b may provide for added structural rigidity of the box 40. As shown, the inserts 70a, 70b may be provided with an adhesively-secured overwrap (e.g., as shown by the lines 70aa, 70bb) for ornamental, decorative, and/or aesthetic purposes. The overwrap may only be provided where it is exposed to view to conserve overwrap material, and the overwrap material may be paper or made of other materials. The inserts 70a, 70b, like the containers 41, 42, may be cardboard or cardstock or any other suitable packaging materials.
[0055] One or more magnets 46, such as a magnetized magnetic element, may be provided in a side of the containers 41, 42 and a second element, such as a ferrous magnetically responsive element such as steel or iron magnetically responsive to the first magnetic element, may be provided in the other of containers 41, 42. In this way, the box 40 when closed may tend to resist opening without deliberate human intervention because of the attractive force of the magnet and the magnet-responsive second element positioned in the side of the containers 41, 42.
[0056] The containers 41, 42 may have slots 45 that may receive the magnets 46 to facilitate closing as shown in
[0057] The box 40 may include a first transparent cover 50 provided on the display face of the container 41 (e.g., as shown in
[0058] The covers 50, 51 may have perforation lines 57 as shown in
[0059] The covers 50, 51 may each further comprise side portions 56 for securing the cover to the respective container 40, 41. The side portions 56 may have barbs 55 to allow convenient assembly of the covers 50, 51 onto the containers 41, 42 and later product removal. When the covers 50, 51 are inserted in the containers 41,42, the barbs 55 are easily inserted in and become affixed in anchoring slits 71 of the inserts 70a, 70b or otherwise cooperate therewith (e.g., as shown in
[0060] Also illustrated in
[0061] The remote control devices 80, 81 may be held in place by respective straps 60, 61 as illustrated in
[0062] While the barbs 55 and the tabs 65 are shown to have a particular shape or configuration or dimensions, the tabs 65 in the straps 60, 61 and the barbs 55 provided on the covers 50, 51 may have additional shapes or alternate dimensions and configurations provided they secure into and cooperate with the apertures of the respective anchoring structure. Further, the shape, configuration and dimensions of the barbs 55 and the tabs 65 need not be identical to other barbs and tabs on the same or on any structure. According to an aspect of the disclosure, other securing means, such as adhesive, tape, glue, stapling or other affixing means may be provided in addition to, or instead of, the barbs and/or tabs of any of the structures disclosed herein. Also, the straps 60, 61 and/or the covers 50, 51 may be provided integrally with the structure or with the container into which they are to be anchored or secured so as to secure the device thereby.
[0063] The straps 60, 61 may include perforation lines, e.g., two perforation lines 67, as shown in
[0064] Where the remote control device 80, 81 are secured by the strap 60, 61, the extending flanged parts of the supporting bases 80a, 81a may extend out of the respective apertures 64, as shown in
[0065] The second cover 51 for the container 42 (e.g., as illustrated in
[0066] The strap 60 may include a grasping member 63, as illustrated in
[0067] As previously mentioned, the anchoring member 74 includes the apertures 75 that receive or cooperate with the tabs 65 provided in the straps 60, 61 with two tabs 65 in each aperture 75 as shown in
[0068] Several figures of the drawings illustrate configurations of the structures shown in an unfolded state prior to assembly. It will be understood that these illustrations are provided merely by way of illustrative example and in no way limit the scope of the disclosure.
[0069] An anchoring insert 96 may include apertures or recesses 97 (e.g., as illustrated in
[0070] The portion 91 of the strap member 90 defined by the perforation lines 94 may be made from material different from the remaining portions of the strap member 90. For example, the portion 91 defined by the perforation lines 94 may be made of a see-through, semi-transparent, transparent or translucent material that permits visible light to pass, for example, a plastic material, whereas the rest may be made of paper, cardboard, cardstock, plastic, or a combination of the foregoing. The member 90 may be a one piece integral flexible transparent plastic sheet member, folded as shown. The catch portion 20 of the straps 60, 61 with the tab 65, the catch member portion 22 of the strap member 90, and the portion of cover 50, 51 with barbs 55 may be made of a material different, for example plastic, vinyl or the like, from remaining portions of strap 60, 61 and, respectively, of cover 50, 51.
[0071] The anchoring inserts 74 and 96 may also include suitable cut-outs 76, 100, into which respective electronic products, e.g., the dimmers 84, may be recessed. When the transparent covers 50, 51 are opened by tearing the respective perforations, the dimmers 84 can be accessed by the user.
[0072] Note that after the perforations 57 of the covers 50 and 51 are torn, providing access to the electronic products, the parts of the covers 50 and 51 with the barbs 55 remain attached to the containers 41, 42 because the barbs 55, although permitting easy assembly of the covers into containers 41, 42, do not permit easy removal. The barbs 55 may be one way barbs, permitting easy insertion but not removal.
[0073] The utility box 98 may store various accessories, such as electrical cables, power cords, chargers, batteries, plugs, instruction manuals, warranties, and the like, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing. According to an alternative arrangement, the anchoring insert 96 may also secure in place the utility box 98. The utility box 98 may include one or more perforation lines 99 (e.g., as shown in
[0074] The anchoring inserts 96 and 74 may each suitably secured in respective containers 41, 42 by suitable means, adhesive, stapling, etc. and/or by snugly fitting inside the respective insert 70a, 70b or the container 41, 42.
[0075] The products contained in the box 40 may be positioned such that a first product that logically or typically is to be installed first is positioned more prominently in the containers 41, 42 from the perspective of the user. Display or viewing direction 49 may be a direction from which the user typically uses the contents of the container 41, 42 from the first display face of the containers 41, 42. The second product that logically or typically is to be used or installed by the user may be positioned adjacent the first product, and the next product adjacent the second product and so on. In this way, according to an aspect of the disclosure, the containers 41, 42 together may thus organize or arrange the set of products for the user and may thus aid the user in using, removing, and installing/deploying the set of products. For example, the products may be positioned from left to right, the typical direction of reading by most users. Accordingly, the products may be packaged so that the utility box 98 containing instructions and accessories is on the left top (in the container 41), followed by the wireless bridge 95 (in the container 41), a first one of the dimmers 84 (in the container 41), a second one of the dimmers 84 (in the container 42), and the two remote control devices 80, 81 (in the container 42). This would be the normal order of removal and installation from the packaging. One or more parts of the box 50 (e.g., the utility box 98 and/or the anchoring inserts 74, 96) may have markings to assist the user in removal and installation of the products. For example, as shown in
[0076] The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof. However, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Also, one or more features recited with respect to one structure may be provided as feature/s in addition to, or instead of, for a different structure, and combinations of features for any given structure other than those enumerated are also contemplated. Not all features discussed with respect to any given structure may necessarily be provided in all embodiments. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.