Box with lenticular lens insert

Abstract

A box has an opening in at least one wall, behind which a lens insert is affixed, with graphics on the lens insert viewable through the opening. The lens produces a three-dimensional image of the graphics, and its placement behind the opening gives the impression that the contents of the box are being viewed through the opening. In a preferred embodiment, the opening and lens insert wrap around at least one corner of the box, enhancing the effect of the three-dimensional image.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/440,511, filed Jan. 16, 2003

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to packaging, and more particularly to a box having graphics applied to at least one wall that provides a three-dimensional image, which can be representative of the contents of the box.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Boxes with graphics applied to the exterior surface are well known. However, the graphics on these prior art packages generally comprises text and/or artwork printed directly on the exterior surface of the box, or a printed label applied to the exterior of the box. In either case, the graphics applied to conventional boxes is two-dimensional and has a flat, two-dimensional look.

[0004] Some prior art packaging provides a cut-out in at least one wall, with a transparent or semi-transparent insert in the cut-out, through which the interior of the box can be viewed.

[0005] Applicant is not aware of any prior art package in which a three-dimensional image of a product, which can be the product in the package, is applied to the package. In particular, applicant is not aware of any prior art package having a cut-out in at least one wall, with a lenticular lens insert applied to the wall behind the cut-out and printed with an image of a product to produce the optical illusion that the contents of the package are being viewed through the cut-out.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention comprises a package in which a panel having a three-dimensional image on it is applied to the package. In particular, the package of the invention has an opening in at least one wall, with a lenticular or other lens capable of producing the desired visual result inserted in the opening. The lenticular lens gives a three-dimensional effect to the graphics printed on it, which can be a representation of the contents of the box, or a representation of some other image, such as another product, company logo, brand name, etc. When an image representative of the contents of the box is printed on the lens, the illusion is created that the contents of the package are being viewed through the opening.

[0007] In the particular example illustrated and described herein, the package comprises a box made from a unitary paperboard blank, with a front wall, opposite side walls, a back wall, and top and bottom walls. An opening is made through the front wall and adjoining portions of the side walls, and a lenticular lens insert with an image printed on it is affixed to the front and side walls behind the opening.

[0008] It should be understood that the principles of the invention could be applied to other types and styles of boxes, and the opening and associated lens insert need not extend around the corners into the side walls, but could be limited to only one panel or wall of the box. However, the three-dimensional effect is enhanced when the opening and insert extend from one panel into at least one adjacent angularly disposed panel.

[0009] Further, a three-dimensional effect enhanced over that obtained by simply placing a flat lens on an outer surface of a package could be obtained by omitting the opening and simply affixing the lenticular lens insert to the outer surface of the box and wrapping it around at least one corner of the box, although placing the insert behind an opening enhances the illusion that the contents of the box are being viewed through a window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The foregoing objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a package according to the invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an end plan view of the package of FIG. 1, shown with the end flaps opened.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view similar to FIG. 1, but with the lenticular lens insert omitted and the flaps forming the end walls opened to better illustrate the construction of the box.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a blank for making the box of FIGS. 1-4.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a lenticular lens insert prior to attachment to the box of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an inside top plan view of the blank of FIG. 5, with the lens of FIG. 6 attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] A package according to the invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-3. The package comprises a box 11 having a front wall 12, a back wall 13, opposite side walls 14 and 15, and opposite end walls 16 and 17. An opening 18 is formed in the front wall and adjoining portions of the side walls, as seen best in FIG. 4, and a panel 19 with a three dimensional image 20 on it is affixed to the front wall and side walls behind the opening, so that the image is visible through the opening and creates the illusion that the contents of the box are being viewed through the opening.

[0019] In the specific example shown and described herein, the box is made from a single unitary paperboard blank B comprising a generally rectangular first panel 21 having opposite side edges 22 and 23 and opposite end edges 24 and 25, and that forms the front wall 12 in the erected box. Substantially identical second and third panels 26 and 27 are each foldably connected along one edge to a respective opposite side edge of the first panel, and form the side walls 14 and 15 in an erected box. A fourth panel 24 having substantially the same dimensions as the first panel 21 is foldably connected along one edge to an adjacent edge of second panel 26, and forms the back wall 13 in the erected box. A narrow glue flap 28 is foldably joined along an edge of the fourth panel opposite its connection with the second panel, and in the erected box is adhesively secured to the opposite side wall 15, defined by panel 27. End closure flaps 29, 30 and 31, 32 are foldably connected to opposite end edges of the first, second and third panels for closing the ends of the box when it is erected. The flaps 31 and 32 each has a tab 33 folded to its outer edge for insertion into the end of the box when the flaps are closed. A large cut-out 34 is formed in the first panel 21, extending through the opposite side edges of the panel and into the adjacent second and third panels 26 and 27, forming the opening 18 in the erected box.

[0020] The panel 19 preferably comprises a lenticular lens, or other lens capable of producing the desired result when an image is printed on it. The lens produces a three-dimensional image, and especially when placed behind the opening 18, gives a striking visual impression of viewing the actual contents of the box through a window. The lens insert can be made of extruded PET, with vertical striations or ridges of a configuration known in the art for producing the desired visual effect when an image is printed on the lens, and is cut to a size slightly larger than the opening. In the particular example shown, the lens insert is rectangular in shape and has a marginal edge portion 35 adapted to extend beyond the edges of the cut-out 34. This is depicted by the dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 6, where the cut-out is shown superposed on the panel 19. Edge 34 is adhesively secured to the front and side walls around the cut-out, as shown in FIG. 7, to what will be the inside surface of an erected box. Notches 36 are made in the edges of the lens insert at locations corresponding to the folded connection between the front wall and the opposite side walls. The bottoms 37 of these notches extend slightly into the cut-out 34, as seen best in FIG. 7.

[0021] The lens can be applied using conventional windowing machines, not shown.

[0022] While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A package having a panel applied thereto that produces an enhanced three-dimensional image of desired graphics, comprising:

a box having a front wall, a back wall and opposing side walls foldably connected to the front wall, said foldably connected front wall and side walls defining corners; and

said panel extending over said front wall and wrapping around at least one said corner into at least one of said side walls, and comprising a lens that produces said three-dimensional image of graphics printed thereon when viewed.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the lens is a lenticular lens.

3. A package as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the lens extends continuously across a portion of the front wall and over an adjoining portion of both said side walls.

4. A package as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

an opening is formed in said front wall and said at least one side wall; and

the lens comprises an insert secured to an inside surface of said front wall and said at least one side wall, covering said opening from inside said box.

5. A package as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

an opening extends across said front wall and into both said side walls; and

the lens comprises an insert secured to an inside surface of said front wall and said side walls, covering said opening from inside said box.

6. A package as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said opening is rectangularly shaped; and

said lens insert is shaped complementally to the opening and is larger than said opening so that it extends at marginal edge portions beyond the edges of said opening, said marginal edge portions being secured to said inside surface.

7. A package as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

notches are formed in the marginal edges of said lens insert in locations corresponding to the foldable connection between said front wall and said side walls.

8. A blank for making a box having a lens insert that produces three-dimensional images of graphics printed on the lens insert, said blank comprising:

a generally rectangular first panel having opposite side edges and opposite end edges, and that forms a front wall in an erected box;

second and third panels foldably connected along one edge to respective opposite side edges of the first panel, and that form the side walls in an erected box;

a fourth panel foldably connected along one edge to an adjacent edge of the second panel, said fourth panel forming the back wall in an erected box; and

a lens panel affixed to said first panel and to at least one of said second and third panels, whereby said lens panel wraps around an edge of a box erected from said blank, said lens panel being operative to produce a three-dimensional image of graphics applied to the lens panel.

9. A blank as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

a cut-out is in the first panel and said at least one of said second and third panels, forming an opening extending across the first panel and into said at least one of said second and third panels in an erected box; and

the lens panel spans said cut-out, extending at marginal edges thereof beyond the edges of the cut-out, said lens panel being secured to a surface of said first panel and said at least one of said second and third panels that is interior of a box erected from the blank, whereby the lens panel is behind said opening in an erected box.

10. A blank as claimed in claim 9, wherein:

said cut-out extends through the opposite side edges of the first panel and into the adjacent second and third panels.

11. A blank as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said fourth panel has substantially the same dimensions as the first panel.

12. A blank as claimed in claim 11, wherein:

said second and third panels are substantially identical.

13. A blank as claimed in claim 12, wherein:

a glue flap is foldably joined along an edge of the fourth panel, opposite its connection with the second panel, and in the erected box is adhesively secured to the third panel, which forms an opposite side wall in an erected box; and

end closure flaps are foldably connected to opposite end edges of the first, second and third panels for closing the ends of the box when it is erected.

14. A blank for making a box having a lens insert that produces three-dimensional images of graphics printed on the lens insert, said blank comprising:

a generally rectangular first panel having opposite side edges and opposite end edges, and that forms a front wall in an erected box;

second and third panels foldably connected along one edge to respective opposite side edges of the first panel, and that form the side walls in an erected box;

a fourth panel foldably connected along one edge to an adjacent edge of the second panel, said fourth panel forming the back wall in an erected box;

a cut-out in at least said first panel, forming an opening through at least said first panel in an erected box; and

a lens panel affixed to a surface of said first panel that is interior of a box erected from said blank, said lens panel being larger than said cut-out, and operative to produce a three-dimensional image of graphics applied to the lens panel.