MERCHANDISE CONTAINER
A merchandise container has a merchandise holder that includes an indicator feature that prevents access to the merchandise until the feature is altered. The merchandise may be loaded into the storage chamber of the container after the holder is assembled without altering the indicator feature. The merchandise may be carried by a carrier that may be removed from the holder and separately recycled.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent applications Ser. No. 61/045,909 filed Apr. 17, 2008; Ser. No. 61/048,763 filed Apr. 29, 2008; Ser. No. 61/051,318 filed May 7, 2008; and Ser. No. 61/079,268 filed Jul. 9, 2008; the disclosures of all four provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to merchandise storage containers. One aspect of the invention generally relates to a storage container having a tamper-evident feature. Another aspect of the invention generally relates to a merchandise container having a merchandise carrier that may be removed and reused while allowing the remainder of the container to be recycled.
2. Background Information
Various merchandise storage containers are known in the art. Some of the most common storage containers for recorded media are injection molded, plastic book-like containers having a lid connected to a base with a hinge. These containers typically allow a printed promotional slip sheet to be connected to the lid, hinge, and base where one surface of the sheet is viewable by the user. The most popular types of these containers include some form of a media disc hub that engages the central opening of the media disc to secure the disc within the container. A wide variety of these hubs exist including passive and active pluck-off hubs and push button hubs. A variety of security locks are provided for these containers. Some security locks are integral to the container while other locks are independent of the containers. These locks prevent access to the items of recorded media until the locks are unlocked or destroyed.
Other types of storage containers are made from recyclable paper-based materials such as paperboard. One of these containers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,865. This container has a media disc pocket that is kept closed by a door that must be broken away from the container in order to provide access to the disc pocket. One problem with this type of container is the difficulty in loading the disc into the pocket. Although most of these containers are made entirely from paperboard, some manufacturers have created containers that combined paperboard features with plastic features. One of these containers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,394 wherein a plastic disc holder is carried by a paperboard body.
Those who manufacture and sell recorded media desire innovative packaging that attracts the consumer's attention while also providing space for printed information and the opportunity for consumer interaction with the packaging. These users also desire different container configurations in order to provide something new to catch the consumer's eye in a crowded market. These users also desire to provide a container that is recyclable. In some applications, users desire a container feature that immediately reveals if someone has accessed the merchandise in the container. Sellers also wish to know that a customer has not opened an item, used or copied the item, and is then returning the item. This problem occurs with recorded media such as music and software. Those who use containers wish to have a container feature that shows if the product in the container has been accessed.
Another problem in the industry is the waste generated by the return of unsold discs. Traditional plastic media disc containers could be reused because the graphics unique to the media disc were printed on a removable slip sheet. Most paperboard containers are printed with the graphics and thus cannot be reused with other discs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a merchandise container having a merchandise holder that includes an indicator feature that prevents access to the merchandise until the feature is altered. The merchandise may be loaded into the storage chamber of the container after the holder is assembled without altering the indicator feature.
In one configuration, the invention provides a merchandise container having a holder that slides from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to an outer sleeve. The holder defines a storage chamber and a door that prevents access to the storage chamber while the door is connected to the holder. The door is configured to be easily opened but to provide a visual indication that the door has been opened at least once. The merchandise may be loaded into the storage chamber of the holder after the holder is completely assembled by slipping the merchandise through a loading opening defined between the front and rear panels of the holder. A lock flange on the holder blocks the loading opening when the holder is disposed within an outer sleeve. The lock flange also is used to limit the movement of the holder with respect to the outer sleeve.
The invention provides a method for loading an item of merchandise into a storage chamber of a holder. In one configuration, the method includes the steps of forming a holder having a storage chamber and a loading opening; loading the item of merchandise into the storage chamber through the loading opening after the holder is formed; and closing the loading opening with a locking flange. The item of merchandise may be loaded under this method after the adhesive has been used on the holder so there is little risk of contaminating the merchandise with adhesive. The method also allows the merchandise to be loaded at a location different from the manufacture of the holder.
In one configuration, the entire container is fabricated from a recyclable material. The material may be a paper-based material.
The invention also provides a merchandise holder with a hold down projection that helps to prevent the merchandise from falling out of the storage chamber while the container is in use. The hold down projection invention may be used in combination with the container configuration described in this application or with other containers.
In a different configuration, the invention provides a merchandise storage container that includes a merchandise carrier that is removable from the container and reusable. The carrier is slid into the storage chamber of a merchandise holder and held in place with a lock flange. The lock flange is also used to prevent the merchandise holder that defines the storage chamber from being completely removed from an outer sleeve.
In one configuration, the invention provides a paper-based merchandise holder that selectively receives a plastic merchandise carrier. The carrier is held in place within the holder without the use of adhesives so that it may be easily removed and reused.
In another configuration, the invention provides a plastic carrier having a media disc hub. The plastic carrier may be slid into a paper-based holder that allows access to a disc carried by the hub without the need to remove the carrier from the holder. A removable door may be provided to cover the disc until the user first accesses the disc. If the container is not used, the plastic carrier may be removed and reused with other holders with another media disc.
The invention also provides a method of using a merchandise storage container wherein the container includes a paper-based body and a plastic merchandise carrier. The method includes the steps of printing the paper-based body with information related to a first item of merchandise, forming the container, and loading the first item of merchandise into the container. The container is transferred to a location and placed on sale or given away. Excess or unwanted inventory is transferred to a location where the plastic carrier is removed from the paper-based body. The printed paper-based body is recycled and the plastic carrier is reused with a different product.
These configurations are provided individually and in combination with one another to form additional configurations. Examples of the invention are described below. The invention is defined by the claims.
Similar numbers refer to similar, but not necessarily identical, parts throughout the specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONA first configuration of the media storage container is indicated generally by the numeral 2 in
Outer sleeve 4 may define finger access cutouts 12 in its front and rear panels that allow the user to grasp and pull on internal holder 6. Sleeve 4 may be formed from a single blank that may be cut or punched from material stock, folded, and glued to form sleeve 4. Holder 6 also may be formed from a single blank such as the example depicted in
The user may pull holder 6 to the extended position of
Upper holder panel 38 is folded about fold line 40 over the top of panel 32 to align door 16 with a portion of the storage chamber. Door 16 may be formed directly in panel 38 by not completely cutting or punching the profile of door 16 from panel 38. This leaves door 16 connected with a plurality of material bridges or material ticks that must be broken to completely remove door 16 from panel 38. In other configurations, door 16 may be connected to panel 38 with a living hinge that allows door 16 to remain connected to panel 38.
Upper holder panel 38 may define a notch 42 that exposes the central opening 44 of a media disc when door 16 is removed as shown in
Lower holder panel 46 is folded about fold line 48 under panel 30 to define the bottom of the storage chamber. Lower panel 46 may be embossed with concentric ridges 50 that may be used to help hold a media disc in place. Panels 30, 32, 38, and 46 may be secured together in the configuration of
Cover 14 is defined by a pair of cover panels 52 and 54. Panel 54 is connected to the outer edge of lower holder panel 46 with a spine 56 and a pair of folds 58 that allows holder 6 to fill sleeve 4 when holder is retracted as shown in
Locking flange 20 is connected to lower holder panel 46 with a spine 60 and a pair of folds 62 that allow flange 20 to fold up over the four panels 30, 32, 38, and 46 that define the storage chamber of holder 6.
In both configurations, upper holder panel 38 covers a portion of the storage chamber after door 16 has been removed. Panel 38 may cover over one third of the chamber and up to half of the chamber. This prevents merchandise 8 from readily falling out of holder 6 and allows holder 6 to be reused by the end user to store merchandise 8 after door 16 has been removed.
A second configuration of the media storage container is indicated generally by the numeral 102 in the accompanying drawings. The second configuration of container 102 includes an outer sleeve 4 and an internal holder 106 that moves between retracted (
Outer sleeve 4 may define finger access cutouts 12 in its front and rear panels that allow the user to grasp and pull on internal holder 106. Sleeve 4 may be formed from a single blank that may be cut or punched from material stock, folded, and glued to form sleeve 4. Holder 106 also may be formed from a single blank such as the example depicted in
The user may pull holder 106 to the extended position of
In the configuration of
Hub 30 may be integrally molded with carrier 132 from a plastic material. Carrier 132 is configured to be inserted into the storage chamber of holder 106 after holder 106 is formed. Carrier 132 may be removed from the storage chamber and reused. The exemplary configuration of holder 106 receives and holds carrier 132 in a manner that does not require adhesive to secure carrier 132 in place.
As shown in
In the exemplary configuration, optional openings or indentations 152 may be defined by inner panels 144 and 146. Openings 152 receive optional protruding fingers 154 on carrier 132 (see
Each inner panel 144-150 defines a portion of the storage chamber and a portion of a loading opening 156.
When door 16 is used, door 16 is formed integrally with panel 140. Door 16 may be formed directly in panel 140 by not completely cutting or punching the profile of door 16 from panel 140. This leaves door 16 connected with a plurality of material bridges or material nicks that must be broken to completely remove door 16 from panel 140. In other configurations, door 16 may be connected to panel 140 with a living hinge that allows door 16 to remain connected to panel 140. Door 16 may be configured to completely cover carrier 132 and hub 130. Door 16 and panel 140 also may be configured with a slot 158 (
Cover 14 is defined by a pair of cover panels 162 and 164. Panel 162 is connected to the outer edge of lower holder panel 142 with a spine 166 and a pair of folds 168 that allows holder 106 to fill sleeve 4 when holder is retracted as shown in
Locking flange 20 is connected to lower holder panel 142 with a spine 170 and a pair of folds 172 that allow flange 20 to fold up over the four-thicknesses of holder 106 that define the storage chamber of holder 106.
Holder 106 secures carrier 132 without fasteners or adhesives so that one may easily remove carrier 132 and reuse carrier 132 while the remaining portions of container 102 are recycled. Typically, sleeve 4 and holder 106 will be custom printed with information related to the item of merchandise carried by carrier 132 within holder 106. Carrier 132, however, is almost completely hidden from view and can be a generic carrier reusable for different items of merchandise. When one wishes to remove carrier 132, holder 106 is removed from sleeve 4, flange 20 is folded open, and carrier 132 is slid out of holder 106. This allows carrier 132 to be reused with a different item of merchandise in a different holder 106 and sleeve 4 with different printing.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Claims
1. A merchandise container comprising:
- an outer sleeve;
- a merchandise holder selectively movably carried by the outer sleeve between retracted and extended positions;
- the holder defining a storage chamber and a loading opening;
- the holder having a door that prevents access to the storage chamber while the door is connected to the holder; the door being movable between closed and open positions;
- the loading opening allowing an item of merchandise to be loaded into the storage chamber behind the door while the door is in the closed position; and
- the holder having a locking flange that closes the loading opening.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve includes a locking flange; the locking flanges cooperating to prevent the holder from sliding completely out of the sleeve.
3. The container of claim 1, further comprising a carrier removably disposed in the storage chamber; the carrier being removable from the holder through the loading opening; and the carrier adapted to hold the item of merchandise.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the door is completely removed from the holder when the door is in the open position.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a cover movable between open and closed positions; the closed position of the cover overlapping a portion of the door.
6. The container of claim 5, wherein the holder includes a hold-down projection that overlies the door.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the cover moves about a hinge; the hold-down projection being connected to the cover at a location adjacent the hinge.
8. A method for loading an item of merchandise into a container; the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a holder having a storage chamber, a loading opening providing access to the storage chamber, and a door that is removable from the holder to provide access to the storage chamber;
- loading the item of merchandise into the storage chamber through the loading opening after the holder is formed and while the door is closed; and
- closing the loading opening with a locking flange.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of inserting the holder into a sleeve having a locking flange that engages the locking flange of the holder to prevent the holder from being readily removed from the sleeve.
10. A merchandise storage container comprising:
- an outer sleeve;
- a merchandise holder selectively movably carried by the outer sleeve between retracted and extended positions;
- the holder defining a storage chamber and a loading opening;
- a carrier selectively removably disposed in the storage chamber; the carrier adapted to hold an item of merchandise;
- the loading opening allowing the carrier to be loaded into the storage chamber; and
- the holder having a locking flange that closes the loading opening.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the outer sleeve includes a locking flange; the locking flanges cooperating to prevent the holder from sliding completely out of the sleeve.
12. The container of claim 10, wherein the carrier is plastic and the holder is formed from a paper-based material.
13. The container of claim 10, wherein the carrier includes a media disc hub.
14. The container of claim 13, wherein the holder includes a door that covers a portion of the carrier.
15. The container of claim 14, wherein the door defines a slot configured to accommodate the media disc hub.
16. The container of claim 14, wherein the door defines an opening configured to accommodate the media disc hub.
17. The container of claim 10, wherein the holder includes a selectively removably door that covers at least a portion of the carrier.
18. A method for loading an item of merchandise into a container; the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a holder having a storage chamber, a loading opening providing access to the storage chamber, and a carrier that is removably disposed in the storage chamber;
- loading the carrier into the storage chamber through the loading opening after the holder is formed; and
- closing the loading opening with a locking flange.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of inserting the holder into a sleeve having a locking flange that engages the locking flange of the holder to prevent the holder from being readily removed from the sleeve.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 17, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 26, 2009
Inventor: Robert M. Wynalda, JR. (Comstock Park, MI)
Application Number: 12/425,799
International Classification: B65D 85/57 (20060101);