US20070295794A1 - Curvilinear product package - Google Patents

Abstract

A package assembly comprising a single piece blank folded to define a freestanding package having at least four panels, a set of bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least two of the four panels form an inner package at least partially closed by the bottom forming flaps and the top flap and wherein at least two of the four panels form an outer package encompassing the inner package, the at least two panels forming an outer package being substantially curvilinear. The top flap may include tabs and a curvilinear periphery corresponding to a periphery of the outer package wherein the tabs and curvilinear periphery urges the periphery of the inner walls of the outer package to help maintain the package shape.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority of GermanPatent Application Number 10 2006 028 824.6, filed Jun. 21, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
• Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”
• Not applicable.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates generally to a container for receiving a plurality of product types and more particularly to a blank for forming a curvilinear package capable of standing on at least one of its curvilinear ends.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Packages for holding products to be distributed and sold in the marketplace are well known in the art. It is desired to have a package that is attractive to a consumer so that one is more likely to notice and purchase the product. One type of attractive product package is a pillow shaped package. While aesthetically pleasing, pillow shaped packages do not stand upright, and therefore, are inconvenient for manufacturers and store owners because such packages are difficult to ship and display.
• Therefore, the need exists for a product package that is attractive and interesting to the consumer but can stand upright so that the package is easy to ship and display on the shelves.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention broadly comprises a single piece blank folded to define a freestanding package having at least four panels, a set of bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least two of the four panels form an inner package at least partially closed by the bottom forming flaps and the top flap and wherein at least two of the four panels form an outer package encompassing the inner package, the at least two panels forming an outer package being substantially curvilinear.
• A general object of the invention is to provide a curvilinear package that is attractive to the consumer.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a curvilinear package which is freestanding
• These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the invention in view of the several drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank of an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a package formed from the blank of the embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the package formed from the blank of the embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 4 is a partial top plan view of the blank of another embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of the blank of another embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 6A-6E are various views of another embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 7A-7D are various views of another embodiment of the present invention;
• FIGS. 8A-8C are various views of another embodiment of the present invention; and
• FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring to the figures,FIGS. 1-3 are views of a blank50 of an embodiment of a freestanding package51 (as shown inFIG. 3). The blank50 is a single piece and comprisespanels2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and9. The blank50 forms aninner package52 byfolding panels2,3,4 and5 inwardly. Theinner package52 may be adhered together by theglue flap6, which assists in securing theinner package52 together. It should be appreciated that by “folding panels inwardly,” it is meant thatpanels2,3,4 and5 are folded in a direction towardpanels7,8 and9 allowing theglue flap6 to be adhesively secured to thepanel5. Thepanels2,3,4 and5 further have top glue-tabs16 andbottom flaps13 and14. It should be appreciated that top glue-tabs16 andbottom flaps13 and14 can partially close or fully close the top and bottom ends of thepackage51, respectively, and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Further, it should be appreciated thatFIG. 1 shows a generic automatic bottom end closure for purposes of locatingbottom flaps13 and14, and are described in more detail inFIGS. 4 and 5
• Thepanels8 and9 form a substantially curvilinearouter package54 by encompassinginner package52. That is, thepanels7,8 and9 are folded around the entire perimeter of theinner package52 wherein a portion of thepanel9 overlaps thepanel7. By “substantially curvilinear,” it is meant that portions of theouter package54 may be curved or straight.
• Thepanel7 is an extending panel connecting theinner package52 and theouter package54 together. Thepanel9 may be adhered to thepanel7. In a preferred embodiment, two glue strips (not shown) are placed on thepanel7 and thepanel9 is adhered thereto. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that other means for fixedly securing theouter package54 to theinner package52 are possible such as adhesive tape, staples, etc. and these means are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.
• Thepanels2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and9 have a width extending left to right in the figure and a height extending along a transverse direction. The extendingpanel7 is slightly wider than the width of eachpanel2,3,4 and5, all having approximately the same width, to allow thepanels8 and9 to extend slightly beyond the width of theinner package52. Therefore, theouter package54 is wider than theinner package52 and is capable of accommodating the circumference of theinner package52. In addition, thepanels7,8 and9 have a common height and are all disposed in the same plane. Thepanels2,3,4 and5 are all in a same plane and have a different common height frompanels7,8 and9. That is,panels2,3,4 and5 are recessed with respect to the plane ofpanels7,8 and9. Therefore, thepackage51 stands along the plane of thepanels7,8 and9 forming theouter package54 while thepanels2,3,4 and5, forming theinner package52, are recessed therein. This feature allows thepackage51 to be freestanding while having a curvilinear cross-sectional shape.
• When the blank50 is assembled, the glue-tabs16 can be folded inwardly or outwardly. By “folded inwardly,” it is meant that the glue-tabs16 are folded toward an opening56 of thepackage51. By “folded outwardly,” it is meant that the glue-tabs16 are folded away from the opening56 of thepackage51 and thereby urge against an inside surface of thepanels8 and9. As described in more detail infra, a cover (for example, acover67 similar to that shown inFIG. 7D) can be adhered to the glue-tabs16 to provide a top end closure of thepackage51. It should be appreciated that the glue-tabs16 are omitted fromFIGS. 2 and 3 for purposes of clarity. Theopening56 is formed by theinner package52 and receivesproduct1. Thefold line10, between thepanels7 and8, aligns with thefold line58 between thepanels2 and3. Similarly, thefold line11 aligns with thefold line60 between thepanels4 and5.
• Theglue flap6 has afold line62 which aligns with thefold line64 between thepanels5 and7. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that thepackage51 may be any curvilinear shape. For example, inFIGS. 2 and 3, the embodiment shown is cylindrical, while the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 and 8 is elliptical. Adjustments to at least the diameter of thepackage51 and the length of thepanels2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and9 can be made to obtain a plurality of curvilinear shapes.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 are partial top plan views of the blank50 of a second embodiment showing the bottom locking flaps13 and14. More specifically,FIG. 4 shows the typical bottom locking flaps13 and14 for an oval shapedpackage51 andFIG. 5 shows the typical bottom locking flaps13 and14 for a more cylindrical shapedpackage51. The bottom locking flaps13 comprise archedperforated sections15 and foldlines12, which allow for the formation of bottom innerwall contacting tabs21. Theflaps13 also comprise an interlockingportion17 and19, and innerwall contacting tabs23 having a periphery22. Aperforation26 is formed between afold line25 which allows the contactingtabs23 to be folded more easily. By “inner wall contacting tabs,” it is meant that thetabs21 and23 urge against the inner surface of theouter package54 when the blank50 is assembled, and the bottom locking flaps17,18,19 and20 are closed. More specifically, when the blank50 is assembled, thetab23 of thepanel2 is adhered to theflap18 such that thetabs21 and23 extend outwardly from theinner package52. Similarly, thetab23 of thepanel4 is adhered to theflap20 such that thetabs21 and23 extend outwardly from theinner package52. To form a closed bottom of thepackage51, thetabs23 are actuated over theflaps18 and20. Then the interlockingportions17 and19 are overlapped to automatically form a bottom end66 (as shown inFIG. 6C) of thepackage51. For the cylindrical shaped configuration as shown inFIG. 5, the interlockingportions17 and19 are overlapped until the set ofperimeter sections24 ontab23 of thepanel2 are substantially parallel with respect to the set ofperimeter sections24 ontab23 of thepanel4. This type of package end closure is known in the art as a himes lock, automatic bottom or quick lock. It should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that this type of package end closure is typically limited in use to square or rectangular packages. However, it was found that an automatic bottom can be used for non-square or rectangular shaped packages as well. To obtain the automatic bottom66 as shown inFIG. 6C, the desired angle (x) of each parallelogram side was determined and then divided in half (x/2). The value of the angle divided in half (x/2) was then used as the angle for the placement of thefold line25 measured from thefold line12. For example, for an oval shapedpackage51, such as that shown inFIGS. 6A-6E, the interlockingportions17 and19 have thefold line25 that is disposed at an approximately 30° angle from thefold line12. For a more cylindrical shapedpackage51, such as that shown inFIGS. 7A-7E, the interlockingportions17 and19 have thefold line25 that is disposed at an approximately 45° angle from thefold line12. It should also be appreciated that the panels in other embodiments may or may not have perforated sections to form inner wall contacting tabs. For example as shown inFIG. 1, each panel is shown having a perforated section and a corresponding inner wall connecting tab. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, every other panel has a perforatedsection15 and a corresponding innerwall connecting tab21.
• FIGS. 6A-6E are various views of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises the top glue-tabs16 which fold inwardly to provide partial closure for thepackage51. The bottom interlocking flaps17,18,19,20, when folded as described supra, form the innerwall connecting tabs21 and23 which urge against the inner surface of theouter package54. This embodiment further comprisesnotches28 disposed along the same plane as thepanels2,3,4,5 and7. Thenotches28 receive thetabs27 of acover67 as shown inFIG. 6A to provide complete closure for thepackage51. Thecover67 can be glued to the surface of the top glue-tabs16. To remove thecover67, one can pull thetabs27 upwardly, thereby breaking the adhesive bonding between the glue-tabs16 and thecover67. Alternatively, thecover67 can have a removeable inner perforated section (not shown). Although thecover67 can be used in any curvilinear shapedpackage51, thecover67 is especially useful in closing a more cylindrical shapedpackage51. It should be appreciated thatFIG. 6E is shown having afirst window68 on thepanels3 and4 and asecond window70 on thepanel8, wherein thewindow70 overlaps thewindow68 when thepackage51 is assembled.
• FIGS. 7A-7E show a third embodiment of the present invention showing thepackage51 having a cylindrical shape. This embodiment includes asupport tab29 protruding from afold line72 between thepanels3 and4. Thesupport tab29 is cut along a perforation line30 and helps maintain the cylindrical shape of thepackage51 by urging the inner surface of thepanel8.
• FIGS. 8A-8C show various views of another embodiment of the present invention comprising the blank50 forming the package51 (shown inFIG. 6A) having afirst portion74 havingfold lines76,78,80 and82 forming thepanels2,3,4 and5. Thepanels2,3,4 and5 are foldable to form theinner package52 having afront wail84 and aback wall86. The blank50 further comprises asecond portion88 havingfold lines90 and92 forming thepanels7 and8 respectively. Thepanel7 overlaps thefront wall84 and thepanel8 overlaps theback wall86 forming theouter package54. Theouter panels7 and8 forming theouter package54 further include at least two spacededges55 and57 which may be urged toward each other as discussed in more detail infra. The blank50 may also have athird portion94 havingfold lines90 and96 forming thepanel6. Thepanel6 connects thefirst portion74 and thesecond portion88 together and may further have an adhesive for thepanel8 to be secured thereto. Thefirst portion74 also includes atop flap98 having innerwall contacting tabs100 and acurvilinear periphery101 which corresponds to anouter package periphery102. Thetop flap98 includes perforatededges104 and parallel fold lines106. When aclosure tab108, also known in the art as a tuck flap, is folded downwardly along thefold line106 and thetop flap98 is actuated to close the package, thetabs100 and thecurvilinear periphery101 have multiple points of contact with the inner surface of theouter package54 along theouter package periphery102. More specifically, thetabs100 are curved to correspond with the shape of theouter package periphery102 such that the entire perimeter of thetabs100 directly contacts a portion of theouter package periphery102. This design is advantageous because thetabs100 help urge thepanels7 and8 to a curvilinear profile which provides a stronger package that is more likely to maintain its form during shipping, handling and displaying. Furthermore, theperforated edge104 and thefold line106 connecting thetop flap98 topanel4 allow thetop flap98 to close along a straight fold line rather than a curved fold line. Theperforated edge104 and thefold line106 allow theclosure tab108 to be folded along a straight fold line as well. This is an important design feature as it allows the package51 (shown inFIG. 6A) to be assembled easily. However, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that foldlines106 may be arched to correspond with the shape of theouter package periphery102 and this modification is intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. Theinner package52 further includes bottom interlocking flaps13 and14 automatically forming a bottom110 upon the forming of the package as discussed supra.
• In use, the blank50 is cut, glued, folded and compressed to a generally flattened configuration. In the flattened configuration, thepanels7 and8 forming theouter package54 are generally planar. The flattened package is transported to the location of the product to be packaged.
• By urging the spaced edges55 and57 of theouter panels7 and8 toward each other, thepackage51 transforms from the flattened configuration to an assembled, freestanding configuration, wherein the bottom flaps13 and14 engage to form thebottom110 of theinner package52. The product is then disposed within theinner package52, and thetop flap98 is closed. Upon closing thetop flap98, thetop flap98 is urged against the inner surface of theouter package54, thereby urging thepanels7 and8 into the curvilinear configuration. It should be appreciated that thetop flap98 can be any shape that corresponds with the desired shape of the package. Thetop tabs112, also known as dust flaps, are connected to thepanels3 and5 and partially close an opening (not shown) of theinner package52. Thetop tabs112 frictionally engageclosure tab108 and further assist thepanel2 in frictionally engaging theclosure tab108 by urging theclosure tab108 against the inner surface of thepanel2.
• Although the present invention is shown in the figures with theinner package52 having fourpanels2,3,4 and5, it should be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that theinner package52 can comprise any number of panels including as few as two panels. For example, as shown inFIG. 9, blank50 can comprisepanels2 and3 which form aninner package52. Rather than the automatic bottom flaps shown in the previous figures, theinner package52 includes bottom flaps13 and14 to close thebottom package51.Panels4 and5 encompass theinner package52 and formouter package54. Furthermore, theouter package54 can comprise any number of panels. However, it is preferable that theouter package54 comprises only two panels to provide a more seamless package.
• Although the present invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments, it is not limited to these embodiments. Alternative embodiments, configurations or modifications which will be encompassed by the invention can be made by those skilled in the embodiments, configurations, modifications or equivalents may be included in the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

1. A package assembly comprising:

a single piece blank folded to define a freestanding package having at least four panels, a set of bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least two of the four panels form an inner package at least partially closed by the bottom forming flaps and the top flap and wherein at least two of the four panels form an outer package encompassing the inner package, the at least two panels forming an outer package being substantially curvilinear.

2. The package assembly ofclaim 1, further having an extending panel connecting the inner package and the outer package.

3. The package assembly ofclaim 2 wherein one panel of the outer package is adhered to the extending panel.

4. The package assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the at least two of the four panels forming the outer package are longer than the at least two of the four panels forming the inner package.

5. The package assembly ofclaim 1 wherein the panels forming the outer package are disposed along the same plane, and wherein the panels forming the inner package are at a recessed plane from the plane of the panels forming the outer package.

6. The package assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the set of bottom forming flaps are automatic bottom end closures and include a first flap having a first tab and a second flap having a second tab, wherein at least a portion of the first flap overlaps with the second tab and wherein at least a portion of the second flap overlaps with the first tab.

7. The package assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the inner package includes at least two tabs connected to each of the at least two of the four panels forming the inner package.

8. A blank for a package having free-standing ends comprising:

a first portion having fold lines forming at least two panels, the two panels foldable to form an inner package having a front wall and a back wall; and

a second portion having fold lines forming a third and fourth panel, the third panel overlapping the front wall and the forth panel overlapping the back wall to form an outer package.

9. The blank ofclaim 8 further having a third portion having fold lines forming a fifth panel, the fifth panel connecting the first and second portions together.

10. The blank ofclaim 8, wherein the first portion further includes a first top flap having a tab and a curvilinear periphery corresponding to a periphery of the outer package and is connected to one of the at least two panels foldable to form an inner package.

11. The blank ofclaim 8 wherein the first portion further includes a top flap having four glue-tabs, each glue-tab is connected to one of the four panels.

12. The blank ofclaim 8 wherein the inner package further includes a set of bottom forming flaps automatically locking to form a bottom end upon the forming of the curvilinear shaped package.

13. A package assembly comprising:

an inner package having a first front wall and a first back wall, the first front wall including a fold line and the first back wall including two panels wherein the fold line and two panels allow for the forming of the elliptical package, the inner package further having a top flap and a set of bottom flaps; and

an outer package adhesively secured to the inner package and further having a second front wall and a second back wall.

14. The package assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the set of bottom flaps automatically form an interlocking bottom end when the elliptical shaped package is formed.

15. The package assembly ofclaim 13, wherein the first and second front walls include a first and a second corresponding aperture.

16. A package assembly comprising:

a single piece blank folded to define a free-standing package having at least six panels, a set of bottom forming flaps and a first top flap, wherein at least four of the six panels form an inner package at least partially closed by the bottom forming flaps and the top flap, and wherein at least two of the six panels form an outer package encompassing the at least four panels, the at least two panels being substantially curvilinear.

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