Plastic package

Abstract

A package including a front panel and a rear panel, preferably connected by a hinge, for example by a living hinge, whereby the front and rear panels include substantially A-frame elements adapted to be separated to expose an interior volume defined by such panels. The interior volume may be sized and shaped to receive any of a number of products, such as a pet door. The package includes peripheral flanges that extend about the peripheral edge of each of the front panel and the rear panel such that when in the closed configuration, the package remains in a stable upright position when placed on a substantially horizontal surface. The size of the peripheral flanges may be altered, such as shortened, such that a bottom portion of the package rests substantially on (or substantially close to) a horizontal surface to provide further support when the contents of the package are heavy.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/532,214, entitled “PLASTIC PACKAGE” filed Dec. 23, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to plastic packaging and more particularly, to A-frame plastic packaging for shipping and display of retail articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Plastic packages for shipping and display of retail items, especially small or thin items, typically are designed to be displayed on a peg or in a rack, presenting the consumer with a full view of the package and preferably at least some of some of the contents. However, such packages do not provide a means for unsupported upright display. That is, such packages can not be stood on their end without toppling or, if they do not topple, they are so unbalanced that the slightest touch or vibration will topple the package.

Accordingly, there is need for a plastic package that permits the stable upright, unsupported display of the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A package that permits the stable upright, unsupported display of the package, and preferably its contents, is disclosed including a front panel and a rear panel. Preferably, the front and rear panels are connected by a hinge, for example by a living hinge, however, the front and rear panels may be unconnected. In operation, the front and rear panels may be separated to expose an interior volume defined by such panels. The interior volume may be sized and shaped to receive any of a number of types of products, such as a pet door. The package is well-suited to contain dimensionally thin articles.

The panels include generally A-frame elements that provide both structural support and aesthetically pleasing characteristics.

When in the closed configuration, the package may be placed on a substantially horizontal surface and remain in the upright position. This is achieved by way of peripheral flanges that extend about the peripheral edge of each of the front panel and the rear panel. The peripheral flanges provide engagement edges that stabilize the package on a horizontal surface.

In an alternative embodiment, the size of the peripheral flanges may be altered, such as shortened, such that a bottom portion of the package rests substantially on (or substantially close to) a horizontal surface to provide further support when the contents of the package are heavy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purposes of discussion, there are forms shown in the drawing for the purposes of discussion, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a right elevational view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a left elevational view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating how a retail article may be disposed within the package of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a package in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art, that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to obscure the present invention. Furthermore, reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package 100 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The package 100 includes a front panel 102 and a rear panel 104. In one embodiment, the front and rear panels 102, 104 are hinged by way of a living hinge 106. In another embodiment the panels 102 and 104 are not connected. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that in some applications it may be required or advantageous to provide a package according to the present invention having separate panels. Now referring to FIG. 8, in operation, the front and rear panels 102, 104 are separable to expose an interior volume 108 defined by panels 102 and 104. The interior volume 108 may be sized and shaped to receive any of a number of products. In a preferred embodiment, package 100 is sized and shaped to receive a pet door 110.

Now referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the panels 102, 104 include generally A-frame elements that provide both structural support and aesthetically pleasing characteristics.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the front panel 102 and the rear panel 104 include fastening means for permitting the respective panels to “snap” together and remain in a closed configuration to retain the contents of the package 100 for retail sales. In the embodiment illustrated, the fastening means includes an elongated ridge 124 extending away from a surface of the rear panel 104 and along a peripheral edge thereof. The fastening means also includes a channel 122 within the front panel 102 that correspondingly extends along a peripheral region of the front panel 102 such that it may receive the ridge 124 of the rear panel 104 when the front panel 102 and the rear panel 104 come together. The fastening means may also include one or more additional projections 126 and receptacles 128 disposed on opposite portions of the front and rear panels 102, 104. Other fastening means such as but not limited to sonic, heat or electronic welding, adhesives and the like may be employed alone or in addition to the fastening means disclosed herein, it being recognized by those having skill in the art that some applications of the present invention may require a more secure closure.

Now referring to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, when in the closed configuration the package 100 may be placed on a substantially horizontal surface and remain in the upright position (as shown). This is achieved by way of peripheral flanges 112, 114, that extend about the peripheral edge of the front panel 102 and the rear panel 104, respectively. The peripheral flanges 112, 114 provide engagement edges that stabilize the package 100 on a horizontal surface.

Now referring to FIG. 9, in an alternative embodiment, the size of the peripheral flanges 112A, 114A may be altered, such as shortened, such that a bottom portion 116 of the package 100A rests substantially on or substantially close to a horizontal surface to provide further support when the contents of the package 100A are heavy. Turning again to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom portion 116 of the package 100 is elevated away from the horizontal surface and does not provide any substantial support to the package 100 when resting on the peripheral flanges 112, 114. In contrast, the peripheral edges 112A, 114A illustrated in FIG. 9 permit the bottom portion 116 of the package 100A to rest on the horizontal surface to provide support when needed.

The package 100 also preferably includes an aperture 130 that is sized and located such that the package 100 may be hung on a display.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of package 100, whereby the hinge 106 may be seen as extending from left to right sides of the package 100. FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of the package 100, whereby the bottom portion 116 may readily be seen as the front panel 102 and the rear panel 104 are in the closed configuration.

The package 100 is preferably formed from a substantially clear moldable polymer, although translucent and/or opaque polymers may also be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principals and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A package that permits the stable upright, unsupported display of the package comprising at least one front panel and at least one rear panel, each of the front and rear panels having an exterior and interior side wherein the interior and sides of the respective panels are in opposition and are dimensioned to accommodate at least one article such that the front and rear panels are separable to expose an interior volume defined by such panels, the panels comprising generally A-frame elements and comprising at least one peripheral flanges that extends about at least one peripheral edge of at least one of said panels.

2. The package according to claim 1 said panels connected by a hinge.

3. The package according to claim 2 said hinge comprising a living hinge.

4. The package according to claim 1 said interior volume dimensioned to accommodate a pet door product.

5. The package according to claim 1 each of said front and rear panels comprising a peripheral flange.

6. The package according to claim 1, said front and rear panels having substantially coextensive peripheral dimensions.

7. The package according to clam 1, said at least one peripheral flange sized such that a bottom portion of the package is adapted to rest substantially on or substantially close to a horizontal surface.

8. The package according to clam 5, said at peripheral flanges sized such that a bottom portion of the package is adapted to rest substantially on or substantially close to a horizontal surface.

9. The package according to claim 1 comprising a substantially clear moldable polymer.

10. The package according to claim 1 comprising a translucent polymer.

11. The package according to claim 1 comprising an opaque polymer.

12. A package that permits the stable upright, unsupported display of the package comprising at least one front panel and at least one rear panel, each of the front and rear panels having an exterior and interior side wherein the interior and sides of the respective panels are in opposition and are dimensioned to accommodate at least one article such that the front and rear panels are separable to expose an interior volume defined by such panels, the panels comprising generally A-frame elements and comprising a peripheral flanges that extends about a peripheral edge of said panels.

13. The package according to claim 12 said panels connected by a hinge.

14. The package according to claim 12 said hinge comprising a living hinge.

15. The package according to claim 12 said interior volume dimensioned to accommodate a pet door product.

16. The package according to claim 12, said front and rear panels having substantially coextensive peripheral dimensions.

17. The package according to claim 1 having a thickness measured from the exterior side of said front panel to the exterior side of said rear panel in a closed configuration of between about {fraction (1/2)} inch and about 12 inches.

18. The package according to claim 12 having a thickness measured from the exterior side of said front panel to the exterior side of said rear panel in a closed configuration of between about {fraction (1/2)} inch and about 12 inches.

19. The package according to claim 1 having a thickness measured from the exterior side of said front panel to the exterior side of said rear panel in a closed configuration of between about 1 inch and about 5 inches.

20. The package according to claim 12 having a thickness measured from the exterior side of said front panel to the exterior side of said rear panel in a closed configuration of between about 1 inch and about 5 inches.

21. The package according to claim 1 comprising an aperture sized and located such that the package may be hung on a display.