Slider Power-Wing Box

Abstract

A box having a main body and a wing slideably connected to the main body. The box including structure for holding and displaying goods.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/178,548 filed May 15, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a box for displaying and transporting products having a main body and a wing slideably connected to the main body, allowing the wing to extend beyond the main body to enhance display of the goods after shipment to a retail outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of containers are used for transporting and displaying goods.

The present invention provides a box with a wing that can be extended to enhance the display of the goods, and collapsed to provide a smaller profile for shipping of the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a box for transporting and displaying goods. The box includes a main body having one or more openings or shelves or other structures suitable for holding goods for sale. The box also includes a wing slideably attached to the main body. The wing can be extended at a retail location to enhance the display of the goods. During transport, the wing is slided down into the main body to provide a smaller profile for shipping. This reduces the shipping costs. The box is preferably formed from a corrugated material and includes plastic clips to prevent the wing from extending beyond a predetermined distance.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a box for transporting and displaying goods is provided. The box includes a main body having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a front wall. The front includes a first opening and a second opening separated from the first opening by a partition for holding and displaying goods. The main body also includes a top and a bottom panel. The box further includes a wing slideably secured to the main body. The wing is moveable from a collapsed position covering the first opening (or a portion thereof), to an extended position having a portion above the main body of the box.

The main body includes a vertical slot that mates with a projection or tab on the wing to provide a guide for the sliding movement of the wing. The main body also includes plastic C-clips which are aligned with two slots in the wing. The C-clips prevent the wing from moving upward beyond a predetermined distance.

The main body and wing can be formed from a paper or a corrugated material. Other suitable materials can also be used.

The main body can also include shelves and structure to support the shelves. Other structures can be provided as necessary depending on the size and shape of the goods that are transported and displayed in the box.

The main body can include a bumper wall in the interior of the main body. The bumper wall can include an opening for supporting a wall of the partition between the first opening and the second opening.

The wing and/or the main body can include graphics, designs or other indicia relating to the goods. The C-clips or other structure can be provided to mount the box on a wire frame at a retail location.

The main body is preferably formed from a single blank of material folded to form the structure of the main body. Similarly, the wing is also preferably formed from a single blank of material. Tabs, flaps and panels can be provided as necessary to enable construction of the main body or wing. Additionally, glue or other fastening means can also be utilized if necessary.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a box for transporting and displaying goods comprises a main body having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, where the front wall includes a first opening for displaying goods. The box also includes a wing slideably connected to the main body. The wing is configured to move from a first collapsed position covering at least a portion of the first opening to a second extended position having a portion of the wing extending beyond the top wall of the main body exposing the first opening in the front wall.

The main body is preferably formed from a single sheet of corrugated material. Similarly, the wing is also formed from a single sheet of corrugated material.

The main body can include a second opening separated from the first opening by a partition. The partition forms a shelf between the first opening and second opening for displaying goods. Additional openings can also be formed in the main body.

The main body can further include a slot in the back wall for receiving a tab from the wing. The slot and tab are used to guide the wing from the first collapsed position to the second extended position.

The box can further comprise a C-clip interacting with the main body and the wing. The C-clip is used to prevent the wing from separating from the main body when moved from the first position to the second position.

The main body can further comprise a bumper panel positioned proximate the first side wall. The bumper panel can include an opening for receiving a tab from the partition panel to secure the partition panel as a shelf.

The second side wall can include a first cut out portion and a second cut out portion that correspond to the first opening and the second opening, respectively. The cut out portions enhance the visual affect of the box and allow for easier viewing of goods displayed.

The back wall can include a first channel that interacts with the C-clip to define movement of the wing from the first position to the second position. Additionally, the back wall can have a length greater than the front wall, first side wall and second side wall.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a two-piece box for transporting goods comprises a generally rectangular main body having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a front wall, the front wall having a first opening and a second opening. The box also includes a generally rectangular wing having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a front wall slideably connected to an outer surface of the main body. The wing is moveable from a first position covering at least a portion of the first opening to a second position having a portion of the wing extending outward beyond the top wall of the main body.

The two-piece box can further comprise a first plastic clip connected to the main body and the wing to prevent the wing from separating from the main body when moved to the second position. The back wall of the wing includes a first channel for receiving a portion of the first plastic clip. Additionally, the two-piece box can further comprise a second plastic clip connecting the main body to the wing and wherein the back wall of the wing includes a second channel for receiving a portion of the second plastic clip.

The two-piece box can further comprise a partition wall separating a first portion of the main body from a second portion of the main body wherein the first opening exposes the first portion of the main body, and the second opening exposes the second portion of the main body.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank of a main body for a box for displaying goods in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blank of a sliding wing used with the main body of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a front of a main body and a sliding wing in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention prior to connecting the sliding wing to the main body;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the main body and sliding wing of FIG. 3A with the sliding wing moved downward onto the main body;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a back of the main body and sliding wing of FIG. 3A; and,

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a back of the main body and sliding wing of FIG. 3A showing C-clips preventing the sliding wing from being removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the Figures and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

The present invention provides a container or box for transporting and displaying goods. The box 10 includes a main body 12 and a wing 14 slideably connected to the main body 12. The main body 12 preferably includes a first opening 16 and a second opening 18 divided by a partition 20 for displaying goods stored in the box 10. The wing 14 slides over the first opening 16 during transport of the box 12, and can be extended (as discussed below) for display at a retail location. While two openings 16, 18 separated by a horizontal partition 20 are shown, other configurations (e.g., having fewer or more openings and partitions) can be utilized. Moreover, additional structures can be added to enhance the display characteristics of the box 10.

Referring to FIG. 1, a blank of the main body 12 of the box 10 is provided. Starting at the left side of the blank (as positioned in the Figure), a bumper wall 22 is connected by a back panel segment 24 to a first side wall 26 of the main body 12. The bumper wall 22 also includes a front panel segment 28 that can be used to glue to or tuck under a portion of a front wall 30 of the main body 12.

The first side wall 26 is also connected to the front wall 30. When constructing the main body 12, the side wall 26 is folded downward, and the back panel segment 24, bumper wall 26 and front panel segment 28 are folded to position the bumper wall 22 parallel to the first side wall 26 in the interior of the main body 12. The front and back panel segments 28, 24 are sized to conform to a strip 32 on the front wall 30 between the first side wall 26 and the openings 16, 18. The bumper wall 22 includes an opening 33 generally corresponding to the position of a wall 34 extending between the front of the partition 20 and a back wall 36 of the body. Depending on the type and positioning of the goods being transported and displayed, the wall 34 can act as a shelf for the display. The opening 33 can include a straight portion which may be used to support a tab extending from the wall 34.

A second side wall 38 is connected to the front wall 30 and the back wall 36. As shown, a portion of each opening 16, 18 extends into the second side wall 38 to enhance the visual appeal of the box 10.

The back wall 36 of the main body 12 includes a first horizontal slot 40 and a second horizontal slot 42, each configured to receive a C-clip 45 (see FIG. 3D). The C-clips are used in connection with the sliding wing 14 as described below.

The back wall 36 also includes a vertical slot 44 that aligns with a vertical slot 46 in the back panel segment 24 of the bumper wall 22. The vertical slots 44, 46 allow for vertical (i.e., sliding) movement of the wing 14 when connected to the main body 12.

The main body 12 includes a bottom wall 48 and a top wall 50. The first and second side walls 26, 38 are provided with upper and lower flaps 52 that are folded over and covered by the respective bottom and top walls in a conventional manner.

Referring to FIG. 2, the blank of the wing 14 (shown rotated 90 degrees) includes a back wall 54, a first side wall 56, a front wall 58 and a second side wall 60. The back wall 54 of the sliding wing 14 includes a first slot 62 and a second slot 64 that coincide with the positions of the C-clips 45 in the first and second slots 40, 42 of the main body 12. As shown in FIG. 3D, the C-clips 45 act as stops and prevent the sliding wing 14 from sliding off of the main body 12 when extended.

The back wall 54 of the wing 14 also includes a tab 66 in an opening 68. The tab 66 is configured to fit in the vertical slots 44, 46 in the main body 12 when the sliding wing 14 is connected thereto. The sliding wing 14 is connected to the main body 12 so that the front wall 58 covers the first opening 16. The sliding wing 14 can slide (along the vertical slots 44, 46) to an extended position.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the back wall 36 of the main body 12 includes a first cut-out 70 and a second cut-out 72. The cut-outs 70, 72 each allow a portion of the back wall 36 to support shelves or other structures. The cut-outs 70, 72 can also each allow a portion of the back wall 36 to be folded into the interior of the main body.

FIGS. 3A-D show a perspective view of a set-up box 10. The box 10 in FIG. 3A shows a front of the box 10 with the sliding wing 14 positioned upward above the main body 12. In FIG. 3B the box 10 is shown with the sliding wing 14 (slideably) collapsed onto the box 10 covering a portion of the first opening 16. FIG. 3C provides a perspective back view of the box 10 with the sliding wing 14 positioned upward above the top of the main body 12. FIG. 3D provides a perspective back view with the sliding wing 14. In this last view, the C-clips 45 are shown preventing the sliding wing 14 from being removed from the main body 12.

In operation, the sliding wing 14 is typically provided with graphics or other indicia relating to the goods displayed. The box 10 is shipped with the sliding wing 14 collapsed covering a portion of the first opening 16. The sliding wing 14 is extended at the retail location. The smaller shipping profile allows for more efficient (i.e., cost-effective) transportation.

While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A box for transporting and displaying goods comprising:

a main body having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a front wall, a top wall and a bottom wall, the front wall including a first opening for displaying goods; and,

a wing slideably connected to the main body, the wing configured to move from a first collapsed position covering at least a portion of the first opening to a second extended position having a portion of the wing extending beyond the top wall of the main body exposing the first opening in the front wall.

2. The box of claim 1 wherein the main body is formed from a single sheet of corrugated material.

3. The box of claim 1 wherein the wing is formed from a single sheet of corrugated material.

4. The box of claim 1 wherein the main body includes a second opening separated from the first opening by a partition, the partition forming a shelf between the first opening and second opening for displaying goods.

5. The box of claim 1 wherein the main body further includes a slot in the back wall for receiving a tab from the wing to guide the wing from the first collapsed position to the second extended position.

6. The box of claim 1 further comprising a C-clip interacting with the main body and the wing to prevent the wing from separating from the main body when moved from the first position to the second position.

7. The box of claim 4 wherein the main body further comprises a bumper panel positioned proximate the first side wall, the bumper panel including an opening for receiving a tab from the partition panel to secure the partition panel as a shelf.

8. The box of claim 4 wherein the second side wall includes a first cut out portion and a second cut out portion wherein the first cut out portion corresponds to the first opening and the second cut out portion corresponds to the second opening.

9. The box of claim 6 wherein the wing includes a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a front wall.

10. The box of claim 9 wherein the back wall includes a first channel that interacts with the C-clip to define movement of the wing from the first position to the second position.

11. The box of claim 10 wherein the back wall has a length greater than the front wall, first side wall and second side wall.

12. A two-piece box for transporting goods comprising:

a generally rectangular main body having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a front wall, the front wall having a first opening and a second opening; and,

a generally rectangular wing having a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a front wall slideably connected to an outer surface of the main body and moveable from a first position covering at least a portion of the first opening to a second position having a portion of the wing extending outward beyond the top wall of the main body.

13. The two-piece box of claim 12 wherein the main body is formed from a single sheet of corrugated material.

14. The two-piece box of claim 12 wherein the wing is formed from a single sheet of corrugated material.

15. The two-piece box of claim 12 further comprising a first plastic clip connected to the main body and the wing to prevent the wing from separating from the main body when moved to the second position.

16. The two-piece box of claim 12 wherein the main body includes a slot in the back wall configured to receive a tab connected to the back wall of the wing to act as a guide for movement of the wing from the first position to the second position.

17. The two-piece box of claim 15 wherein the back wall of the wing includes a first channel for receiving a portion of the first plastic clip.

18. The two-piece box of claim 17 further comprising a second plastic clip connecting the main body to the wing and wherein the back wall of the wing includes a second channel for receiving a portion of the second plastic clip.

19. The two-piece box of claim 13 further comprising a partition wall separating a first portion of the main body from a second portion of the main body wherein the first opening exposes the first portion of the main body, and the second opening exposes the second portion of the main body.

20. The two-piece box of claim 19 further comprising a bumper wall positioned proximate the first side wall, the bumper wall including an opening for receiving a tab on the partition wall.