Stand-up packaging

Abstract

Stand-up packaging is disclosed. The stand-up packaging has a cradle, and an object or a plurality of stacked and nested objects. The cradle fits against a bottom portion of a profile of the object or the stacked objects. The object or stack of objects and the cradle may be wrapped within a retaining member, such as a clear polymeric film.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. ______, filed Jan. 9, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to displays for objects. More particularly, the invention relates to a display for maintaining an object or objects in an upright orientation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable dishware objects, such as plastic or paper plates, bowls, and/or cups, are typically packaged in stacked and nested configuration within a plastic film wrapping. The wrapped objects are typically stacked on a store shelf, one on top of another in vertical columns with the top or food supporting surface of each dishware object facing upwardly. In this orientation, only the peripheral edges of the stack are visible to the consumer. Consequently, this presentation leaves little room for providing the consumer with information regarding the contents of the stack, including such basic information such as the identity of the manufacturer of the dishware.

Another problem with this conventional disposable dishware packaging is that the packaging is not readily adapted to display dishware in an upright orientation. The typical columnar placement of the packaging upon a store shelf wastes shelving space as the wider base portion of the dishware rests upon the shelving.

A further problem with conventional disposable dishware packaging is that the packaging is not intended to display an artistic design on a packaged article and/or the overall product design and ornamentation. Thus, the type of dishware within the package, the size of the dishware, and the color of the dishware may be difficult for the consumer to discern without first removing the package from the shelf.

To combat some of these problems, manufacturers have developed various stand-up packages. These packages typically maintain a stack of nested objects in an upright orientation where the base of the objects are substantially vertical to the store shelf. However, even when this type of packaging is provided, the contents of the package is obstructed by the stand-up packaging support structure. Again, the consumer cannot readily see or understand the contents of the package.

The present invention is provided to address the problems discussed above. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Stand-up packaging comprises an object or a stack of a plurality of nested objects and a cradle maintaining the object or stack of objects in an upright orientation.

In one embodiment, the object has a top side and an opposing bottom side, a center portion, a sidewall extending upwardly from said center portion and a rim extending radially outwardly from said sidewall. A cradle maintains the object in an upright orientation. The cradle has a lower surface for supporting the cradle on a base surface, an upper surface upon which the object is supported, and a back support. The back support engages the bottom side of the sidewall of the object.

In one embodiment, each object has a top side and an opposing bottom side, a lip defining the outer perimeter of the object, a rim extending radially inwardly of the lip, a sidewall extending downwardly from the rim, and a center portion extending radially inwardly from the sidewall. The cradle has a lower surface for supporting the cradle on a base surface, an upper surface upon which the stack is supported, and a back support. The back support engages the bottom side of the sidewall of a last dishware object in the stack.

In one embodiment, the object is a dishware object.

In one embodiment, the stand-up packaging comprises a plurality of objects in a stack.

In one embodiment, the objects in the stack are nested.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a securing member which maintains the cradle and the stack in fixed relationship. The securing member may be a thin-film polymeric wrap which may entirely enclose the cradle and the stack. The thin-film polymeric wrap may be transparent, translucent or opaque.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle with a leg, The leg extends outwardly of the back support, and has an upper surface upon which the stack is supported. The upper surface of the leg may have a curvilinear shape matching the contour of a portion of the lips of the dishware objects.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle with a second leg. The second leg has an upper surface upon which the stack is supported. The upper surface of the second leg may also have a curvilinear shape matching the contour of a portion of the lips of the dishware objects.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle having two legs, each leg including a retainer for maintaining the stack upon the upper surfaces of the legs. The retainers may project upwardly from the upper surfaces of the legs.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle with a slot. The slot is located between back support and the leg. The slot is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the lip of the last dishware object in the stack.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle with a back side opposite the portion of the back support engaging the last object in the stack. The back side has a cavity with a transverse support extending from an upper wall downwardly toward a lower wall.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle that engages a bottom side of the rim of the last plate in the stack with a portion of the back support.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle that maintains the stack at an angle between 90 degrees ±45 degrees relative to the base surface.

An alternative embodiment of the stand-up packaging comprises a stack including a plurality of nested dishware objects and a cradle. Each dishware object has a top side and an opposing bottom side, a lip defining the outer perimeter of the dishware object, a rim extending radially inwardly of the lip, a sidewall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the rim, and a center portion extending radially inwardly from the sidewall. The cradle has a lower surface for supporting the cradle on a base surface, an upper surface upon which the stack is supported, and a back support. The back support engaging the bottom side of the rim a last dishware object in the stack.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging may include a securing member. The securing member maintains the cradle and the stack in fixed relationship.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle a leg which extends outwardly of the back support of the cradle. The leg has an upper surface upon which the stack is supported.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes an upper surface of the leg of the cradle with a curvilinear shape matching the contour of a portion of the lips of the dishware objects.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle with a second leg extending outwardly of the back support. The second leg also has an upper surface upon which the stack is supported. The upper surface of the second leg has a curvilinear shape matching the contour of a portion of the lips of the dishware objects.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle with a pair of slots. The slots are located between back support and each leg of the cradle. The slots are sized and shaped to receive a portion of the lip of the last dishware object in the stack.

One embodiment of the stand-up packaging includes a cradle for stand-up packaging. The cradle comprises a unitary member. The unitary member comprises a back support, a leg, and a slot. The back support has a sidewall support and a rim support. The sidewall support is for engaging a bottom side of a sidewall of a disposable dishware object. The rim support is for engaging a bottom side of a rim of a disposable dishware object. The leg extends outwardly of the back support. The leg has an upper surface upon which a portion of a disposable dishware object rests and a lower surface for resting on a support surface. The slot is located between the leg and the back support. The slot is sized and located to accept an outer peripheral portion of a disposable dishware object.

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of stand-up packaging maintaining a plurality of nested and stacked dishware objects in a substantially vertical position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of stand-up packaging maintaining a plurality of nested and stacked dishware objects in a substantially vertical position wrapped in a thin-film polymeric wrap;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of stand-up packaging maintaining a plurality of nested and stacked dishware objects in a substantially vertical position;

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view taken along 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cradle;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the cradle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of the cradle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the cradle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a left side plan view of the cradle of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a rear plan view of a cradle showing a rear cavity with no transverse supports;

FIG. 11 is a rear plan view of a cradle showing a rear cavity with one transverse support;

FIG. 12 is a rear plan view of a cradle showing a rear cavity with two transverse supports;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of stand-up packaging maintaining a plurality of nested and stacked dishware objects in a substantially vertical position wrapped in a thin-film polymeric wrap;

FIG. 14 is a front plan view of the stand-up packaging of FIG. 13 with the thin-film polymeric wrap removed;

FIG. 15 is a left side plan view of the stand-up packaging of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative cradle with retainers projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the legs;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the cradle of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front plan view of the cradle of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternative cradle having a window on the back support sidewall supporting surface;

FIG. 20 is top plan view of the cradle of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 21 is a front plan view of the cradle of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings 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 is directed to stand-up packaging for use with an object or a plurality of stacked and/or nested objects. In a preferred embodiment, such objects are dishware objects, such as plastic or paper plates, bowls, cups, etc. It will be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to dishware objects. Indeed, the present invention can be used with numerous objects besides dishware objects and can be used with both disposable and non-disposable objects. Moreover, the present invention is not limited to displaying a plurality of objects and can be used to display just one object. “Nested” indicates a group of similarly shaped objects made to fit close together or one within another; it does not require, although certainly includes, objects touching each other or one object within another. The stand-up packaging is designed to maintain an object or a stack of a plurality of nested objects in an upright position. “Upright” is intended to include any angle greater than zero as measured from a supporting base surface, generally a horizontal store shelf to the bottom side of the object or the last object in a stack of objects. Accordingly, the stand-up packaging of the present invention lifts one edge of the object or stacked objects upwardly from a typically horizontal base surface, for example a store shelf, to maintain and display the contents of the packaging at an angle to the typically horizontal base surface. The packaging is preferably adapted to retain the packaged objects vertically (i.e. 90 degrees ±10 degrees relative to the base surface), substantially vertically (i.e. between 90 degrees ±45 degrees relative to the base surface), or within any angle or combination of angles between 0 and 180 degrees.

As will become clear upon further description, one embodiment of the present invention provides stand-up packaging which increases the area upon which information regarding the contents of the package can be communicated to the consumer. The packaging described in detail below is readily adapted to display disposable dishware objects in an upright orientation to maximize store shelf usage and to display the artistic design of the packaged articles and/or the overall product design and ornamentation. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present stand-up packaging invention maintains a stack of nested objects in an upright orientation while providing an unobstructed view of the contents of the package.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, stand-up packaging 10 is illustrated. The stand-up packaging 10 generally comprises a cradle 12 and a stack of a plurality of nested objects such as disposable dishware, preferably plates 14. It would be understood by one ordinary skilled in the art of such packaging that the dishware may be produced from any material, such as paper, metal or plastic, may be of virtually any shape, including rounds, ellipticals, scalloped and multi-sided structures, parallelograms, etc., without departing from the spirit of the invention. Also, the present invention is not limited to dishware objects and can encompass any object that is desirable in stand up configuration.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cradle 12 and the stack 14 may be kept in fixed relationship by a securing member. The securing member may be band of a paper product, elastic material, or a thin-film polymeric band or wrap, but preferably, the securing member is a thin-film polymer wrap 16 which entirely encloses the cradle 12 and the stack 14 forming a single package. The wrap 16 may be translucent or transparent so the stack 14 can be clearly seen. Alternatively, the wrap 16 may be opaque or include a combination of translucent and opaque areas, including information carrying indicia. It will also be appreciated that the securing member need not wrap around the stack or object being displayed. Indeed, for example, the cradle and the stack (or other object or objects being displayed) may be kept in a fixed relationship with the use of an adhesive (such as a hot melt adhesive) or any other type of securing means known to those with skill in the art. Moreover, a combination of one or more securing members (or, for that matter, no securing member at all) may be used in the practice of the present invention.

In one embodiment, each plate in the stack 14 has a lip 18 along an outer peripheral edge the plate, a rim 20 located radially inwardly of the lip 18, a sidewall 22 extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the rim 20, and a center portion 24 extending radially inwardly from a lowermost end of the sidewall 22. The lip 18, rim 20, and the sidewall 22 are generally circumferential with respect to center portion 24. The outer peripheral edge of each plate is bent downwardly to form the lip 18. In a typical scenario, a user would place food or the like on a top side 26 of the plate and a bottom side 28 of the plate would rest on a base surface.

The stack 14 is supported by the cradle 12 so that the substantially planar center portions 24 of the plates are at an angle greater than zero to a horizontal base surface. This is best illustrated in FIG. 4 where the center portions 24 are positioned at about a 90 degree angle to the base surface. As will be described in more detail below, the peripheral edges of all the plates and the bottom side 28 of the last plate in the stack 14 are supported by the cradle 12. The securing member binds or retains the cradle 12 with the stack 14 to provide additional support to the package and to retain the stack 14 together in a nested configuration.

FIGS. 5-9 show the cradle 12 in more detail. The cradle 12 is preferably a symmetrical, unitary, rigid, polymeric, molded member which can be produced by injection molding or the like. In one embodiment, the cradle 12 comprises polystyrene. However, it will be appreciated that, in addition to a polymeric molded member (such as polystyrene, polypropylene or PET), the cradle can be manufactured from any type of material or combinations thereof, including, without limitation, cardboard, metal, wood, rubber, fiberboard (whether low, medium or high density), etc. The cradle 12 preferably has a length that is less than at least one axis of the longitudinal and transverse axes of the stacked objects 14. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the major axis of the elliptical plate is parallel to the base surface, and the length of the cradle 12 is substantially less than the length of the major axis. The cradle 12 generally has a pair of legs 30 separated below a back support 32 by slots 34. It will be understood, however, that the length of the cradle can also be equal to or greater than a longitudinal axis of the stacked objects 14.

The legs 30 extend outwardly of the back support 32 so that the outermost portions are visible when the stack 14 is resting upon the cradle 12 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3). Each leg 30 is provided with an upper surface 36 upon which the lips 18 of the objects in the stack 14 rest. These upper surfaces 36 preferably have a shape which matches to the angle and contour of the portion of the lips 18 to which the upper surfaces 36 are engaged. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the upper surfaces 36 have an arc-shaped, upwardly concave, curved lip support surface 36 adapted for supporting the lips 18 of the stacked objects 14. The curved upper surfaces 36 are preferably positioned at a sufficient height wherein the stacked objects 14 do not contact the supporting surface (see, e.g., FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to cradles that prevent the stacked objects from contacting the support surface. Indeed, in some applications it may be desirable to have the stacked objects contact the support surface for greater balance or support. The legs 30 have a generally horizontal lower surface 37 for contacting the supporting surface. It will be appreciated that the horizontal lower surface 37 of legs 30 can have longitudinal ribbing or other structures included therein for better balance or for ease of manufacturing.

The back support 32 is offset from the outermost portion of the legs 30. The degree of the offset facilitates the number of objects that can be accommodated upon the cradle 12. Thus, it may be advantageous to provide a larger offset for facilitating a greater number of objects to be accommodated on the cradle 12. However, it will be appreciated that the object or objects being supported by the cradle may extend beyond the legs, since the back of the object or the last object in the stack is being supported by the cradle. Thus, the degree of offset need not necessarily change with larger objects or with a greater number of objects. The back support 32 provides support to the stack 14 by engaging the bottom side 28 of the last object in the stack 14 without appreciably obstructing other portions of the contents of the package. This back support 32 preferably matches to the angle and contour of the bottom side 28 of the last object in the stack 14. Accordingly, the back support 32, in one embodiment, is an arc-shaped, upwardly concave member. This back support 32 has an arcuate sidewall support surface 38 and an outwardly convex rim support surface 40.

The sidewall support surface 38 provides support to the stack by engaging the bottom side 28 of a sidewall 22 of the last object in the stack 20 (see FIG. 4). The sidewall support surface 38 preferably matches to the angle and contour of the bottom side 28 of the last object in the stack 14. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the sidewall support surface 38 is continuously curved and tapered downwardly from a first edge at the rear of cradle 12 towards a second edge which is integral with the rim support surface 40.

The rim support surface 40 supports the stack 14 by engaging the bottom side 28 of the rim 20 of the last object in the stack 14 (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, in one embodiment, the angle and contour of the rim support surface 40 preferably matches the contour of a bottom side 28 of the rim 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim support surface 40 includes a pair of outwardly convex surfaces 41a separated by a groove 41b. The groove 40b is designed to engage a convex rib 21 on the bottom side 28 of rim 20, which allows the rim support surface 40 to better contact the bottom side 28 of rim 20 (see FIG. 4).

The slots 34 are located between the lowermost extent of the rim support surface 40 and the lip support surfaces 36 of the legs 30. The slots 34 are adapted to receive the lip 18 of at least the last object in the stack 14, preferably, however, the slots 34 are sized and located to accept two or more lips 18 of the stacked objects 14. As such, the slot openings have a shape that matches the contour and angle of the portion of the lip 18 or lips 18 received within the slots 34. In the embodiment illustrated, one side of the slot openings is arc-shaped, while the other side is substantially planar.

Alternative back sides 42 of the cradle 12 are illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. Each of these back sides 42 include a cavity 44. In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 10, the cavity 44 is hollow. The embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12 include one or more transverse support members 46. The transverse supports extend from an upper wall of the cavity downwardly toward a lower wall of the cavity, and are preferably integral with both the upper and lower walls. These transverse supports 46 aid in stacking and nesting of a plurality of cradles 12 to facilitate automation.

In an alternative embodiment of the stand-up cradle packaging, illustrated in FIGS. 13-18, the lip support surfaces 36 of the cradle legs 30 include retainers, such as hooks 48 or other projections. The retainers are adapted, as in sized and/or located, to retain the stack 14 within the offset between the outermost portion of the legs 30 and the back support 32. The retainers engage the top side 26 of the rim 20 of the first object in the stack 14. Preferably, the retainers do not obscure the top side of the 26 of the first object of the stack 14, or, as the FIGS. 13-15 suggest, obscure so little of the rim 20 and the lip 18 of the first object of the stack as to be negligible. It will be appreciated, however, that retainers could be used in the practice of the present invention that project further onto, or beyond, the top side of the rim 20. Such extended retainers could be useful, for instance, where a securing member, such as polymeric wrap 16 is not used with the stand-up packaging or when additional support is desired. Moreover, it will be appreciated that other retaining means can be used in the practice of the present invention. For instance, the surfaces 36 of the cradle can include ribbing or other means for increasing the coefficient of friction between the object or objects being supported and the cradle. Also, a different material, such as a different polymeric material with an increased coefficient of friction can be affixed to the surface 36.

FIGS. 19-21 illustrate an alternative cradle 12. This cradle 12 includes a window 50 located on the sidewall support surface 38. The window also is advantageous because it reduces the material needed to construct the cradle, and hence reduces the overall weight and cost of the stand-up packaging. It will be appreciated that a window or several windows can be placed anywhere on the cradle for similar weight and cost reductions, provided that the structural integrity of the cradle is not substantially affected.

The terms “first,” “second,” “lower,” etc. are used for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments in any way. The term “plurality” as used herein is intended to indicate any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively as necessary, up to an infinite number. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiments disclose a stack of identically sized and shaped nested objects, one ordinary skilled in the art would appreciate that stacks of varying sized yet nested objects or just one object may be accommodated by the stand-up packaging disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

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. Stand-up packaging comprising:

at least one object, the at least one object having a top side and an opposing bottom side, a center portion, a sidewall extending upwardly from said center portion, a rim extending radially outwardly from the sidewall and a peripheral edge;

a cradle maintaining the stack in an upright orientation, the cradle having a lower surface for supporting the cradle on a base surface, an upper surface upon which the at least one object is supported, and a back support, the back support engaging the bottom side of the sidewall of the at least one object.

2. The stand-up packaging of claim 1 wherein the at least one object is a dishware object.

3. The stand-up packaging of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of objects in a stack.

4. The stand-up packaging of claim 3 wherein the objects in the stack are nested.

5. The stand-up packaging of claim 4 further comprising a securing member maintaining the cradle and the stack in fixed relationship.

6. The stand-up packaging of claim 5 wherein the securing member is a thin-film polymeric wrap.

7. The stand-up packaging of claim 6 wherein the cradle and the stack are entirely enclosed within the thin-film polymeric wrap.

8. The stand-up packaging of claim 7 wherein the thin-film polymeric wrap is translucent.

9. The stand-up packaging of claim 5 wherein the cradle comprises a leg extending outwardly of the back support, the leg having an upper surface upon which the stack is supported.

10. The stand-up packaging of claim 9 wherein the upper surface of the leg has a curvilinear shape matching the contour of a portion of the peripheral edges of the objects in the stack.

11. The stand-up packaging of claim 10 wherein the cradle includes a second leg extending outwardly of the back support, the second leg having an upper surface upon which the stack is supported, the upper surface of the second leg having a curvilinear shape matching the contour of a portion of the peripheral edges of the objects in the stack.

12. The stand-up packaging of claim 11 wherein each leg has a retainer for maintaining the stack upon the upper surfaces of the legs.

13. The stand-up packaging of claim 12 wherein the retainers project upwardly from the upper surfaces of the legs.

14. The stand-up packaging of claim 9 wherein the cradle includes a slot located between the back support and the leg, the slot sized and shaped to receive a portion of the peripheral edge of the last object in the stack.

15. The stand-up packaging of claim 4 wherein the cradle has a back side opposite the portion of the back support engaging the last object in the stack, the back side having a cavity with a transverse support extending from an upper wall downwardly toward a lower wall.

16. The stand-up packaging of claim 4 wherein the back support further engages a bottom side of the rim of the last plate in the stack.

17. The stand-up packaging of claim 4 wherein the stack is maintained at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees relative to the base surface.

18. Stand-up packaging comprising:

a stack including a plurality of nested dishware objects, each dishware object having a top side and an opposing bottom side, a peripheral edge, a rim extending radially inwardly of the peripheral edge, a sidewall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the rim, and a center portion extending radially inwardly from the sidewall; and

a cradle having a lower surface for supporting the cradle on a base surface, an upper surface upon which the stack is supported, and a back support, the back support engaging the bottom side of the last dishware object in the stack.

19. The stand-up packaging of claim 18 further comprising a securing member maintaining the cradle and the stack in fixed relationship.

20. The stand-up packaging of claim 18 wherein the back support engages the bottom side of the rim of the last dishware object in the stack.

21. The stand-up packaging of claim 18 wherein the back support engages the bottom side of the sidewall of the last dishware object in the stack.

22. The stand-up packaging of claim 18 wherein the cradle comprises a leg extending outwardly of the back support, the leg having an upper surface upon which the stack is supported.

23. The stand-up packaging of claim 18 further comprising a securing member maintaining the cradle and the stack in fixed relationship, and wherein the back support engages the bottom side of the rim and the bottom side of the sidewall of the last dishware object in the stack, and the cradle comprises a leg extending outwardly of the back support, the leg having an upper surface upon which the stack is supported.

24. A cradle for stand-up packaging, the cradle comprising:

a unitary member comprising: a back support, the back support having a sidewall support and a rim support, the sidewall support for engaging a bottom side of a sidewall of a disposable dishware object, and the rim support for engaging a bottom side of a rim of a disposable dishware object; a leg extending outwardly of the back support, the leg having an upper surface upon which a portion of a disposable dishware object rests and a lower surface for resting on a support surface; and a slot located between the leg and the back support, the slot sized and located to accept an outer peripheral portion of a disposable dishware object.