Display package for blanket or the like

Abstract

A display package for a blanket comprises a bag formed of flexible sheet material, the bag comprising a tubular side wall having a first end and an opposite second end and a bottom wall joined to the first end of the tubular side wall so as to close the first end, the second end of the tubular side wall being open to allow a consumer to feel a blanket contained in the bag. At least one handle is bridged across the open second end to allow the display package to be carried by the handle as well as to hinder removal of the blanket through the open second end. The bag defines an opening proximate the closed first end, a releasable fastening system being arranged at the opening and being selectively engageable to close the opening and disengageable to open the opening for insertion and removal of a blanket therethrough.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to display packages for textile bedding articles such as blankets, throws, comforters, quilts, and the like.

Such bedding products are frequently packaged in plastic bag-type packages for display in retail stores. The bags generally enclose the product completely. Although the packages are often constructed at least in part of transparent plastic materials so that the consumer can see the color and pattern of the product through the bag material, consumers also are frequently interested in the texture, thickness of material, and softness of the product. Consequently, consumers often open the packages so that they can feel the product. In many cases, once the package is opened, the consumer may remove the product from the package. Once the product is removed from the package, seldom is it replaced into the package in as neat and orderly a fashion as it was originally packaged. This leads to poor appearance of the packages on the store shelves, which in turn can reduce the marketability of the products.

Some existing bags for bedding products include a small hole through the front wall of the bag to allow a consumer to touch the surface of the product. However, it is generally not possible with such bags to insert the entire hand and grab a handful of the product, and thus it is difficult to get a good sense of the thickness of the blanket material.

Blankets and the like have also been packaged using “belly bands”, which are plastic or paper bands that encircle the folded blanket at its middle and keep the blanket in the folded condition. Although such packaging affords good access to the product, the packages tend to have irregular shapes and thus look sloppy on store shelves. Additionally, the packages are not readily stackable because of their irregular shape.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above needs and achieves other advantages by providing a display package for a blanket or the like that allows a consumer to manually feel the blanket without having to open the package or remove the blanket from the package. The display package in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises a bag formed of flexible sheet material, the bag comprising a tubular side wall having a first end and an opposite second end and a bottom wall joined to the first end of the tubular side wall so as to close the first end, the second end of the tubular side wall being open to allow a consumer to manually feel a blanket contained in the bag. At least one handle is affixed to the second end of the tubular side wall and bridges across the open second end, the handle being structured and arranged to allow the display package to be carried by the handle as well as to hinder removal of the blanket through the open second end. The bag defines an opening proximate the closed first end, a releasable fastening system being arranged at the opening and being selectively engageable to close the opening and disengageable to open the opening for insertion and removal of a blanket therethrough. Thus, with the package in accordance with the invention, the product contained in the package can readily be felt with the hand without having to open the package or remove the product. Because the package does not have to be opened, there is less tendency of the consumer to open the package and therefore less tendency to remove the product.

In a preferred embodiment, the releasable fastening system comprises a zipper. Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners, slide-lock fasteners (i.e., of the type used on plastic sandwich and food storage bags), snaps, pressure-sensitive adhesive fasteners, or other types of releasable fasteners could be used.

In a preferred embodiment, the bottom wall is substantially rectangular in peripheral shape, and the tubular side wall has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The bag thus has a cuboid shape (i.e., a rectangular parallelepiped shape), which facilitates stacking two or more display packages one upon another, such as on a retail store display shelf. The cuboid shape of the package allows the package to retain a neat, stackable shape for extended periods of time, thereby improving the appearance of the products on store shelves. The retention of shape is further facilitated by constructing the package from relatively heavy-gauge polymer film material.

The zipper preferably extends about three-quarters of the way around the periphery of the bottom wall (e.g., when the bottom wall is rectangular, the zipper extends along three of the four sides of the bottom wall).

At least a portion of the tubular side wall preferably is transparent so that the blanket contained in the bag can be viewed through the side wall. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular side wall comprises one or more sheets of polymer film formed into a tubular shape. In one embodiment, four separate sheets of transparent polymer film are joined together at their edges, forming a generally rectangular tubular structure. The bottom wall can also comprise a transparent polymer film, or alternatively can comprise a non-transparent polymer film or fabric. Herein, “non-transparent” is used to connote translucent or opaque materials.

The package can have a pair of spaced-apart handles affixed across the open second end of the bag. This further hinders removal of the blanket or inadvertent escape of the blanket out the second end, and still allows substantially unimpeded consumer access to the blanket so that its texture and softness can be felt. The handle(s) can comprise straps of polymer film, fabric, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the handle(s) and the bottom wall of the bag can comprise non-transparent polymer film that substantially matches in appearance (e.g., same color, same texture, etc.). The bag can also include a reinforcing strip of material affixed around the tubular side wall at the second end.

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

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the stacking of display packages in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a display package in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, illustrating the accessibility to the contained blanket afforded by the package;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the display package being carried by the handles;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view illustrating the releasable fastening system being operated to create an opening at the bottom end of the package; and

FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating the blanket being removed or inserted through the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIGS. 1 through 5B depict a display package 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The display package is useful for the storage and display of textile bedding products such as blankets, throws, comforters, quilts, and the like. The package 10 is formed of flexible sheet materials, which can include polymer film, fabric, and the like. The package includes a tubular side wall 12 that has a first end 12a and an opposite second end 12b. The first end of the tubular side wall 12 is closed by a bottom wall 14 (FIG. 5A) whose outer periphery is affixed to the first end 12a of the side wall by a releasable fastening system 16. The releasable fastening system as illustrated comprises a zipper. However, other types of releasable fastening systems that can be used instead include but are not limited to slide-lock fasteners such as used on resealable plastic sandwich and food storage bags, metal or plastic snaps, hook and loop fasteners such as VELCRO® or the like, and pressure-sensitive adhesive fasteners.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention, the package 10 has a generally cuboid shape by virtue of the bottom wall 14 having a substantially rectangular peripheral shape and the tubular side wall 12 having a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section. This facilitates stacking of the packages 10 as depicted in FIG. 1.

The second end 12b of the tubular side wall is open so that a blanket B contained in the package can readily be touched and grabbed by a consumer as illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B. To substantially impede the blanket from being removed through the open end 12b, and to facilitate carrying of the package 10 (see FIG. 4), one or more handles 18 are affixed to the side wall 12 adjacent the open end 12b and bridge across the open end. The illustrated embodiment includes two handles 18 that are spaced a slight distance apart. The handles preferably are relatively short so that there is not so much slack in the handles that the blanket B could be readily removed through the open end 12b. The handles can be affixed to the side wall in various ways, including but not limited to stitching, adhesive bonding, thermal welding, riveting, stapling, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, each end of each handle is sandwiched between the upper end of the side wall 12 and a reinforcing patch 20, and fasteners such as stitching are used to fasten together these layers of material.

The tubular side wall 12 advantageously has at least a portion that is transparent so that the blanket B can be viewed through the side wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the side wall 12 comprises a portion 22 formed of transparent polymer film material that is formed into a tubular shape. The portion 22 can comprise one or more separate sheets of the polymer film material. As one example, the portion 22 can be formed of four separate rectangular sheets of polymer film material joined at their edges, the seams between the edges forming the four corners of a generally rectangular tubular portion 22. Stiffeners (not shown) can be included in the seams at the corners, if desired. The tubular side wall can also include a non-transparent (i.e., translucent or opaque) portion 24 affixed, such as by any of the techniques noted in the preceding paragraph, to the upper end of the transparent portion 22. The non-transparent portion 24 can comprise polymer film, fabric, or the like. The non-transparent portion 24 can extend beyond the transparent portion 22, as shown, so as to form the uppermost end of the tubular side wall 12. The handles 18 can be affixed to the non-transparent portion 24, as shown. Alternatively, the entire side wall 12 can be transparent and the handles can be affixed directly thereto. As still another alternative, the non-transparent portion 24 can overlap the transparent portion 22 over the entire longitudinal length of the non-transparent portion and the handles can be affixed to the overlapping transparent and non-transparent portions.

The bottom wall 14 can comprise transparent polymer film, or alternatively can comprise non-transparent (i.e., translucent or opaque) material such as polymer film, fabric, or the like. The bottom wall 14 and the non-transparent portion 24 of the side wall can have the same appearance (i.e., same color, same texture, etc.), and indeed can be made of identical sheet material, or alternatively the bottom wall 14 and non-transparent portion 24 can have different appearances and/or can be formed of different materials. The handles 18 can be formed of the same sheet material as the non-transparent portion 24, or can be a different material. When they are the same material, the bag has an aesthetically pleasing, coordinated appearance reminiscent of an upscale shopping bag. Alternatively, the handles 18 and bottom wall 14 could be one color while the non-transparent portion 24 is a contrasting color, or various other color schemes and combinations could be employed.

As noted, the releasable fastening system or zipper 16 joins the bottom wall 14 to the first end 12a of the side wall. Advantageously, the zipper 16 extends about three-quarters of the way around the periphery of the bottom wall, such as along three of the four sides of the bottom wall, such that when the zipper is released, the bottom wall can be moved into a position that does not impede removal or insertion of a blanket through the first end 12a of the side wall, as illustrated in FIG. 5B.

It is possible within the scope of the invention to locate the releasable fastening system or zipper 16 at a position other than the juncture between the periphery of the bottom wall 14 and the first end 12a of the side wall. For example, the zipper 16 can be located in the side wall 12 adjacent the first end 12a.

As noted, the cuboid shape of the package 10 facilitates stacking of the packages on a store display shelf in a neat, orderly fashion, as in FIG. 1. The open second ends 12b of the packages are arranged so they face out toward the consumers passing through the store aisles. A consumer can readily insert a hand into the open end 12b and feel and grab hold of the blanket. Thus, in many cases, there will be no need for the consumer to even remove the package from the store shelf in order to determine whether the product is of interest.

The retention of the desired cuboid shape can be facilitated by constructing the package 10 of material that has some stiffness. For example, polymer film material of relatively heavy gauge is useful in the practice of the invention. As non-limiting examples, the portion 22 of the side wall can comprise polymer film, heavy-weight tulle, or polymer screen material, and can have a thickness ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 0.3 mm. The bottom wall 14, portion 24, and handles 18 can comprise fabric, or transparent or non-transparent polymer film, and can have a thickness of at least about 0.2 mm. As shown in FIG. 3, the handles advantageously can comprise a double-layer construction for added strength. The bottom wall 14 can be reinforced with a cardboard or chipboard stiffener concealed within layers of fabric.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A display package for a blanket or the like, comprising:

a bag formed of flexible sheet material, the bag comprising a tubular side wall having a first end and an opposite second end and a bottom wall joined to the first end of the tubular side wall so as to close the first end, the second end of the tubular side wall being open to allow a consumer to manually feel a blanket contained in the bag;

at least one handle affixed to the second end of the tubular side wall and bridging across the open second end, the handle being structured and arranged to allow the display package to be carried by the handle as well as to hinder removal of the blanket through the open second end; and

a releasable fastening system joining the bottom wall to the first end of the tubular side wall along at least a major portion of a periphery of the bottom wall such that the bottom wall is at least partially detachable from the tubular side wall in order to create an opening in the bag for insertion and removal of a blanket.

2. The display package of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall is substantially rectangular and the tubular side wall has a substantially rectangular shape in cross-section, such that the bag has a substantially cuboid shape that facilitates stacking of display packages one upon another.

3. The display package of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the tubular side wall is transparent for viewing of a blanket contained in the bag.

4. The display package of claim 1, wherein a pair of spaced-apart handles are affixed to the second end bridging across the open second end of the tubular side wall.

5. The display package of claim 1, wherein the releasable fastening system comprises a zipper.

6. The display package of claim 5, wherein the zipper extends about three-quarters of the way around the periphery of the bottom wall.

7. The display package of claim 1, wherein the tubular side wall comprises transparent polymer film formed into a tubular shape.

8. The display package of claim 7, wherein the bottom wall comprises a sheet of non-transparent material.

9. The display package of claim 7, wherein the bottom wall comprises a sheet of transparent material.

10. A display package for a blanket or the like, comprising:

a bag formed of flexible sheet material, the bag comprising a tubular side wall having a first end and an opposite second end and a bottom wall joined to the first end of the tubular side wall so as to close the first end, the second end of the tubular side wall being open to allow a consumer to manually feel a blanket contained in the bag;

at least one handle affixed to the second end of the tubular side wall and bridging across the open second end, the handle being structured and arranged to allow the display package to be carried by the handle as well as to hinder removal of the blanket through the open second end; and

the bag defining an opening proximate the closed first end, a releasable fastening system being arranged at the opening and being selectively engageable to close the opening and disengageable to open the opening for insertion and removal of a blanket therethrough.

11. The display package of claim 10, wherein the releasable fastening system comprises a zipper.

12. The display package of claim 11, wherein the opening is defined at a juncture between the first end of the tubular side wall and a periphery of the bottom wall.

13. The display package of claim 12, wherein the zipper extends about three-quarters of the way around the periphery of the bottom wall.