PRODUCT CONTAINER

Abstract

The present invention relates to various embodiments of a product container for holding and displaying consumer products. In one aspect of the present invention, the present product container comprises a product containing compartment and a base member that encloses the product containing compartment. The product container forms a tent-like shaped enclosure and is formed when a first container portion and a second container portion come into positional alignment in a closed or assembled configuration. The first and second container portions are affixed on the inner surface of the base member. The base member is then folded along fold lines and upper ends of the base member are then bonded or otherwise securely attached to each other such that the upper ends of the respective first and second container portions are mated with each other to form the product containing compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a product container used to hold and display consumer products for sale and, more particularly, to a product container which, when assembled, includes two container portions which mate together to form a tent-like package. The present package container is typically employed in a self-serve retail environment where consumers can select individual packages from a store shelf.

Package structures used to display articles for sale come in a wide array of shapes and designs. The ideal package is inexpensive to manufacture and has several features that are important to both the consumer and the merchant. For example, a consumer needs to easily and reliably verify the package's contents before making the purchase. A feature that is important to store owners is increased theft deterrence and improved product protection. Finally, the package needs to provide adequate space on its exterior surface for advertising, logo placement, instructions regarding the product and so forth.

The presentation of a product to the consumer is also important in that it should convey certain information about the product and it should help the consumer make a choice to purchase the product. Some of the more popular package structures are the traditional plastic clamshell and the blister-to-board packages. These package structures are commonly referred to as “blister packs” and “clamshell packs” and both structures are pre-formed plastic structures used for housing consumer products. The “blister pack” has been known for some time, and it is quite customary to find a consumer product enclosed within a formed blister made of transparent, stiff, flexible material and secured to a board material by heat and/or adhesive. The two primary components of a blister pack are a thermally formed cup shaped container or recess made of a transparent plastic material that surrounds the product to be displayed and sold and a printed paperboard card member to which the container portion is attached. Blister packaging is an inexpensive option for creating packages that are durable, transparent, and tamper proof. The clear plastic blister is used in conjunction with a paperboard card material to keep the product in partial view for the customer to examine. Blister packages typically must be suspended from a hook or pegboard display and typically will not sit upright on a shelf.

On the other hand, a “clamshell pack” is a pre-formed plastic package that has one or more hinges. A single hinged clamshell likewise usually includes a hanger tab that allows the packaged product to hang on a store peg or hook associated with a particular display. A multi hinged clamshell package offers additional features that can include a flat base for free standing of the package and the enclosed product on a store shelf. Stand-alone packages offer particular advantages in that they can be easily placed on a shelf, counter or other merchandising area where the product is more visible and more clearly presented to the public and more accessible for selection by a consumer.

Various types of stand-alone clamshell packages have been disclosed in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,516 which was issued on Jul. 14, 1992 to Theros discloses a product container for holding and displaying a tape measure having working components, the package including first and second substantially mirror image panels each having an upper end, a lower end, a pair of sides each having respective outwardly projecting recesses associated therewith, and a base portion being generally trapezoidal in cross-section, the lower ends of the panels being integrally hinged to the base portion. When the panels are placed in contacting relationship, an enclosed compartment for the tape measure is formed by the recesses. The package is manufactured from a single sheet of plastic in a single thermoforming step, including the provision of having integrally formed access apertures enabling purchasers to manipulate the tape measure prior to purchase.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 20070187274 published Aug. 16, 2007 to Dalea et al discloses a trifold clamshell package comprising a first clamshell side, a second clamshell side and a base portion. The trifold clamshell package is constructed from a single piece of transparent polyvinyl chloride. The base portion is attached to the first clamshell side and the second clamshell side by two hinges. The base portion further includes two apertures through which the caps of the product bottles extend once the products are placed into the clamshell package. The first clamshell side and the second clamshell side are folded together at each hinge relative to the base portion. The first clamshell side and second clamshell side are affixed together via a number of locking tabs which are friction-fit locking tabs. A male aspect of each locking tab is molded into the first clamshell side and a female aspect of each locking tab is molded into the second clamshell side. The first clamshell side and second clamshell side each comprise a recessed area. Each recessed area is molded to the shape of the products to be held and displayed by the clamshell package. The package container is made of a single material and is typically formed as a one-piece member.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,273 issued Mar. 22, 1988 to DeMarco discloses a container for storing, transporting and displaying a caramel apple, or the like. The container is a single molded piece of plastic with a pair of pivotal sections and a base section pivotally mounting the pair of pivotal sections. Each pivotal section is formed with an outwardly projecting half-shell, which half-shells cooperate when the two sections are in their closed abutting position to form a substantially frustro-conically shaped hollow enclosure in which is stored the caramel apple. The base section is provided with an upstanding hollow support on the upper surface of which rests the caramel apple. The outwardly projecting half-shells form a substantially tent-like package when the half-shells are in their closed abutting position. The structure is manufactured from a single sheet of plastic

In an effort to overcome a variety of shortcomings in conventional blister packages and clamshell packages, such as the use of a lot of plastic material, hard to open packages, and small graphic areas, the present invention provides a stand-alone “stand-up” shelf stocking package that substantially reduces the amount of plastic used in clamshell packages, improves openability, and provides a larger surface for product advertising, logo placement, instructions regarding the product and so forth.

Specific advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to various embodiments of a product container for holding and displaying consumer products. The present invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the prior art product containers discussed above, and teaches the construction and operation of several embodiments of a tent-like product container for holding and displaying consumer products. In one aspect of the present invention, the present product container includes a product containing compartment and a base member that encloses the product containing compartment. The base member includes a substantially planar surface and the product containing compartment includes a plurality of container portions which mate together and enclose the product in its assembled or closed configuration.

The present invention also relates to a new environmentally friendly package container as an alternative to traditional plastic clamshell and/or blister-to-board packages. The base member can be made from environmentally friendly materials and includes fold lines, optional visibility cut-out windows, an optional handle, and an optional handle die-cut for fold-over. The base member is sketched for placement of an adhesive on its interior portion and graphics can be incorporated on a substantial portion of the opposite exterior side of the base member. The container portions include a seal flange for attaching to the base member. The container portions each likewise include an inclined or angularly sloped upper surface and may include a mechanical lock or alignment feature associated with at least a portion of the upper edge surface thereof. Two container portions are positioned in spaced apart relationship on the planar surface of the base member and attached thereto using an adhesive or other attaching means. An article or product is loaded into one of the two container portions. The product container is then folded along the fold lines such that the top edge surfaces of the two spaced apart container portions mate with each other to form a tent-like package. Once mated, the two container portions form one single closed product containing compartment. The top of the product container is then sealed with adhesive or other suitable means. Alternatively, if the upper edge portion of each of the container portions contains a mechanical lock feature, the respective container portions will snap fit together when the base member is folded.

The present product container forms a tent shaped enclosure for an article when assembled and is formed when a first container portion and a second container portion come into positional alignment with each other in a closed or assembled configuration. The base member surrounding the product containing compartment in an assembled or closed configuration includes a front panel, a back panel, a base portion and a top portion. The front and back panels extending from the base portion are configured to be folded along fold lines. The first and second container portions are then affixed or placed on the inner surface of the front and back panels, respectively. The front and back panels are then folded along the fold lines and the upper ends of the base member are then bonded or otherwise securely attached to each other using any suitable means such that the upper ends of the respective first and second container portions are mated or coupled with each other to form a product containing compartment.

The base member may include at least one opening which permits viewing of an article contained by the product containing compartment therethrough when the product containing compartment is made of a substantially transparent material. The assembled product container is provided with a die-cut handle defined by cut-out portions disposed on the upper end portions of the base member.

The present product container provides for a substantial reduction in use of plastic material vis-à-vis clamshell packages; increased theft protection/deterrence vis-à-vis blister-to-board packages; improved openability; the use of environmentally friendly materials; stand up presentation on a shelf; a large surface area for product graphics; and nestability, product visibility, and robustness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled package structure constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, shown with an article inside.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembled package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the base member in its unfolded stage of assembly, without showing the product container portions.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present first and second product container portions.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the base member in its unfolded position with the first and second product container portions of FIG. 3 positioned thereon for assembly.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the base member in its unfolded position with another embodiment of the first and second product container portions positioned thereon for assembly.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a product container portion constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the product container portion of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an end view of an assembled package structure using the product container portions of FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 9 is a partial exploded view showing the mating of two product container portions of FIGS. 6 and 7.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimes illustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various figures designate like or similar parts or structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5A illustrate one embodiment 10 of a product container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The product container 10 includes a product containing compartment 14 for enclosing an article or product positioned therewithin. In one embodiment, the product container 10 includes a base member 16 which surrounds the product containing compartment 14, the product containing compartment 14 including a pair of container portions 18 and 20 which enclose the article when in its assembled or closed configuration.

The upright closed product container 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a tent shaped enclosure formed when a first container portion 18 and a second container portion 20 are moved into mating engagement with each other in a closed or assembled configuration. The base member 16 (FIG. 3) which surrounds the product containing compartment 14 in its assembled or closed configuration includes a front panel 22, a back panel 24, a base portion 26, top portions 28, and a pair of connecting panels 50 extending between the front and rear panels 22 and 24 and the top panels 28. In one embodiment, the base member 16 is manufactured from a single sheet of cardboard or other board material and is folded to form the product container 10 by surrounding the product containing compartment 14. In its upright closed configuration as best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the front and back panels 22, 24 slopes downwardly and outwardly. The assembled base member 16 is generally trapezoidal or pentagonal in cross-section, with the lower ends 30 of the panels 22, 24 being integrally folded along the pair of fold lines 31. The relatively broad shape of the base portion 26 enables the product container 10 to be self-supporting for a stand-up presentation on a typical shelf display. The assembled product container 10 is provided with a die-cut handle defined by cut-out portions 32 disposed on the top portions 28 of the base member 16. Orientation terms, as used herein, are for orientation of the product container 10 as oriented in FIG. 1.

As best shown in FIGS. 3-5A, the first container portion 18 and the second container portion 20 are formed as separate components which are individually attached to the base member 16 as shown in FIG. 5A. Each container portion 18 and 20 forms a polygonal-shaped enclosure in an assembled and stacked position so as to define a substantially symmetric portion of the tent-shaped product containing compartment 14. The front panel 22 and/or the back panel 24 of the base member 16 may each include a cut-out portion 34 (FIG. 3) to provide a window which permits viewing of the article contained within the product containing compartment 14 when the product containing compartment 14 is made of a substantially transparent material. When containing an article, the separate container portions 18 and 20 may be held in their closed, vertically-upright position by a locking or other mechanism, such as a cooperatively engageable snap fit or alignment mechanism provided by interengaging portions of the respective container portions 18 and 20. In addition, each of the respective container portions 18 and 20 includes a flange portion 47 and 49 respectively which is fixedly attached to a substantially flat surface associated with the base member 16 as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

With reference now to FIG. 3, a flat depiction of the base member 16 is illustrated. The front and back panels 22 and 24 extending from the base portion 26 are configured to be folded along a pair of spaced apart fold lines 31. The first and second container portions 18 and 20 are then affixed or placed on the inner surface of the front and back panels 22 and 24 respectively, as shown in FIG. 5A, such that one side edge portion of the respective flange portions 47 and 49 lies adjacent and parallel to a corresponding fold line 31. In one embodiment, the distance between the first container portion 18 and the second container portion 20 is approximately equal to the combined height (A+B) of the first and second container portions 18 and 20 and the combined width of the seal flanges 47 and 49 as shown in FIG. 5A. In one embodiment, the two container portions 18 and 20 are symmetrical in shape about a vertical contacting surface 39 (FIGS. 1 and 2) of the container portions 18 and 20.

Container portion 20 illustrated in FIG. 5A is a mirror image of container portion 18 illustrated in FIG. 3 and each includes an upper end portion 36 and 38, a lower end portion 40 and 42, and at least one side wall 44 and 46 extending therebetween forming the first and second container portions 18 and 20. The free edges of the side walls 44 and 46 define the respective upper end portions 36 and 38 and also define the respective openings associated therewith for receiving at least a portion of a product when placed therein. The upper end portions 36 and 38 of each container portion 18 and 20 are also angularly oriented relative to the planar surface of the base member 16 and each upper end portion slopes and forms an acute angle with the base member 16 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. The lower end portions 40 and 42 of each container portion 18 and 20 are attached to the inner surface of the base member 16 such that the upper end portions thereof face upwardly as likewise illustrated in FIG. 5A. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 5A, the side walls 44 and 46 form rectangularly shaped first and second container portions 18 and 20 and the front and rear side walls 44a, 44b, 46a and 46b are angularly oriented relative to a flat horizontal surface and relative to the base member 16 and they form an acute angle “a” with the base member when the container portions are positioned thereon as illustrated in FIG. 5A. Each of the first and second container portions 18 and 20 may also be provided with at least one flange portion 47 and 49 respectively extending from the lower end portions 40 and 42 respectively thereof, which flange portions facilitate attachment of the first and second container portions 18 and 20 the base member 16. The respective first and second container portions 18 and 20 may also be provided with a floor member 45 extending across the respective lower end portions 40 and 42 thereof.

Once the container portions are positioned and attached to the base member 16 as explained, the front and back panels 22 and 24 are then folded along the fold lines 31 to form the inclined or angularly sloped surfaces of the tent-like package as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Once folded, the top portions 28 of the base member 16 are then bonded or otherwise securely attached to each other using any suitable means such that the upper end portions 36 and 38 of the respective first and second container portions 18 and 20 are mated or coupled with each other to form the product containing compartment 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface of the base portion 26 structurally forms the bottom interior panel of the package and the front and back panels 22 and 24 are folded along the fold lines 31 to move the first and second container portions 18 and 20 into abutting relationship with each other as best shown in FIGS. 2. A locking or alignment mechanism, not shown in this embodiment, can be provided for releasably joining the two container portions 18 and 20. The locking or alignment mechanism may contain a resilient member integrally formed on the first container portion 18 (not shown) for engaging a corresponding member on the second container portion 20. Other locking or mating means can likewise be used to releasably secure the two container portions 18 and 20 including using an adhesive without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Each container portion 18 and 20 is manufactured of a single sheet of preferably transparent, rigid plastic material, such as polyproprionate, polybutyrate, PVC or an equivalent, semi-rigid sheet film material. In one embodiment, each container portion 18 and 20 is manufactured of an environmentally friendly thermoplastic material. The sheet is thermoformed or molded to the desired shape. The base member 16, on the other hand, can be made of an environmentally friendly board stock material such as a card-stock material, a fluted board, or a plastic sheet. However, it is also within the scope of the present invention to construct the entire product container 10, including the container portions 18 and 20 and the base member 16, with a single material, such as environmentally friendly pulp stock. In those embodiments where the container portions 18 and 20 are made of a non-transparent material and it is not necessary to view the product positioned within the container portions 18 and 20, the window cut-outs 34 can be eliminated.

Turning now to the above-identified components in greater detail, the base member 16 is substantially planar and may be provided with a pair of first cut-out portions 32 which mate together to form a handle of the product container 10. The planar configuration is designed to facilitate the mating and/or attachment of the first and second container portions 18 and 20 to the front and back panels 22 and 24 and to facilitate closing of the product container 10. This attachment may be accomplished by any conventional means including using an adhesive. When in its closed configuration, the respective top portions 28 of the base member 16 mate with each other and can likewise be attached to each other by any suitable means including using an adhesive. It is recognized that a wide variety of different types of attachment mechanisms can be utilized to seal the opposing top portions 28 of the base member 16 in mating engagement with each other.

When the first and second container portions 18 and 20 mate with each other and both opposite ends of the base member are attached together at the top portions 28 by folding the base member 16 along the fold lines 31 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5A, the sides of the product container 10 shown in FIG. 2 assume a tent-like shaped structure resulting in a container which can rest upon and can be easily displayed on a shelf. The container 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is defined by laterally projecting side edges 30 which lie along the respective fold lines 31, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternate configurations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 5A, the shape of the container portions 18 and 20 yields a flat, horizontal bottom surface 51 for the product container compartment 14 when the container portions 18 and 20 are mated together. Also, once the product container 10 is assembled, the window cut-outs 34 allow the contents of the first and second container portions 18 and 20 to be viewed when the product containing compartment 14 is made of a transparent material.

Connection panels 50 which extend from the front and back panels 22 and 24 to the top portions 28 define an opening 52 between the top surface of the product containing compartment 14 and the inner surface of the connection panels 50 as best shown in FIG. 2. When the container 10 is assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connection panels 50 form the top portion of the tent-shaped container as the panels 50 are angularly oriented relative to panels 22 and 24 and the top portions 28 in their assembled configuration.

Base member 16 can be fabricated from a sheet of material by conventional die cutting methods known in the art and, if desired, product descriptions and graphics can be printed on the outer surface of any of the panels that form the base member 16 as previously explained. The first and second container portions 18 and 20 are then affixed to the inner surface of the base member 16 as previously explained. To complete the assembly process, a merchandise product is inserted into one of the first or second container portions 18 or 20 and the overall package or container 10 is then closed and sealed as previously explained. The product container 10 permits partial visibility of the product through the window cut-outs 34 and may be displayed on a shelf in a stand-up mode due to the self-supporting design achieved by the substantially flat bottom portion of the container 10 formed by panel 26 which lies between the pair of fold lines 31.

It is also recognized and anticipated that the container portions 18 and 20 can be fabricated without the floor portion 45. In this embodiment, the side walls 44 and 46 will have corresponding openings at each opposite upper and lower end portions thereof and when the respective container portions 18 and 20 are attached to the front and rear panels 22 and 24 of the base member 16, the front and rear panels 22 and 24 will form the floor portion for each respective container portion 18 and 20. This configuration saves material during the fabrication of the container portions 18 and 20 and such structure will work equally as well as the container portions 18 and 20 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5A where a floor portion 45 is utilized. Also, in this particular embodiment, if the window cut-outs 34 are to be utilized, a transparent material such as a film material can be further attached to either side of the front and back panels 22 and 24 overlaying the window cut-outs 34 so as to prevent direct access or touching of the product or contents within the product containing compartment 14.

FIG. 5B discloses another embodiment of the first and second container portions 18a and 20a. Container portions 18a and 20a are substantially similar to container portions 18 and 20 illustrated in FIG. 5A and each includes an upper end portion 36a and 38a, a lower end portion 40a and 42a, and at least one side wall 44′ and 46′ extending therebetween forming the first and second container portions 18a and 20a. The structure of the container portions 18a and 20a in FIG. 5B differs from the structure of the container portions 18 and 20 in FIG. 5A in that all of the side wall portions 44′ and 46′ extend substantially perpendicular to the base member 16 when the container portions 18a and 20a are positioned and attached thereto. In all other respects, the container portions 18a and 20a are substantially similar in structure and function in a similar manner as compared to container portions 18 and 20. In this regard, the upper end portions 36a and 38a of each container portion 18a and 20a are also angularly oriented relative to the planar surface of the base member 16 and each upper end portion slopes and forms an acute angle with the base member 16 as illustrated in FIG. 5B. The lower end portions 40a and 42a of each container portion 18a and 20a are then similarly attached to the inner surface of the base member 16 through the use of the flange portions 47a and 49a as previously explained with respect to container portions 18 and 20. The respective container portions 18a and 20a are likewise positioned on base member 16 in a similar fashion as compared to container portions 18 and 20 with one edge portion of the respective flange portions 47a and 49a extending parallel to one of the pair of respective fold lines 31a as illustrated in FIG. 5B.

Based upon the structure of the container portions 18a and 20a illustrated in FIG. 5B, the resulting tent-like assembly will be substantially similar to the container 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the shape of the resulting product containing compartment 14 will yield a bottom surface which forms a V-shaped bottom surface in the assembled product containing compartment as will be more fully discussed hereinafter with respect to FIG. 8.

It should also be noted that the base member 16 (FIG. 3) may also include optional fold lines 54 between the respective front and back panels 22 and 24 and the respective connecting panels 50 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. These optional fold lines 54 result in the angularly oriented connecting panels 50 illustrated in FIG. 2. The fold lines 54 are optional and the material forming the base member 16 can be merely bent and folded without fold lines 54 to achieve the tent-like shape illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate still another embodiment 18b of a container portion constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The container portion 18b again includes an upper end portion 56, a lower end portion 58, and at least one side wall 60 extending therebetween forming the container portion 18b. The free edges of the side wall 60 define the upper end portion 56 and also define the respective opening associated therewith for receiving at least a portion of a product or article when placed therein. The upper end portion 56 of the container portion 18b is also angularly oriented relative to the planar surface of the base member 16 when attached thereto as previously explained with respect to container portions 18, 20, 18a and 20a as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the upper end portion 56 of container portion 18b includes a flange member or elongated projection 62 which extends along at least a portion of two respective sides of the container portion 18b as best illustrated in FIG. 6. The flange member 62 is designed to function as an alignment mechanism when a pair of container portions 18b are positioned on the base member 16 in a mirror image arrangement as previously illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B and the corresponding container portions are moved into abutting relationship as previously explained.

Also, the upper end portion of one side wall 64 of container portion 18b is wider in overall width as compared to the upper end portion of the opposing side wall 66 as best illustrated in FIG. 6. In this regard, the side wall 64 includes a ledge portion 68 which extends outwardly from the flange or elongated projection member 62 and is positioned and located so as to mate with the upper end portion 70 associated with side wall 66 when two corresponding container portions 18b are positioned one on top of the other in a mirror arrangement. This alignment or connection mechanism is best illustrated in FIG. 9. As with container portions 18, 20, 18a and 20a, the lower end portions 58 of the container portion 18b likewise includes a flange portion 72 for attaching the container portion 18b to the base member 16 as previously explained. As with container portions 18a and 20a, the upstanding side wall 60 associated with container portion 18b likewise extends substantially perpendicular to the base member 16 when the container portion 18b is positioned and attached thereto similar to the container portion arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5B.

Assembly of a container package utilizing container portion 18b is substantially identical to the attachment and folding of the base member 16 and container portions 18a and 20a illustrated in FIG. 5B. A pair of container portions 18b oriented in a mirror image arrangement are positioned and attached to base member 16 similar to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 5B. The two container portions 18b are positioned on the front and rear panels 22 and 24 as previously explained with respect to the construction illustrated in 5A and 5B and the base member 16 is thereafter folded as previously explained with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5B to achieve the tent-like container package 74 illustrated in FIG. 8. Once the container portions 18b are positioned and attached to the base member, the front and back panels 22 and 24 are then folded along the fold lines 31 to form the tent-like package as illustrated in FIG. 8. Once folded, the top portions 28 of the base member 16 are bonded or otherwise securely attached to each other using any suitable means as previously explained. It should be noted that in this particular embodiment, the optional fold lines 54 are not utilized and the upper portion of the tent-like package container 74 is merely flexed and bent so as to achieve attachment of the upper portions 28 as illustrated. Also, importantly, as previously explained with respect to container portions 18a and 20a, since the side walls 60 of the container portion 18b are oriented substantially perpendicular to the base member 16 when attached thereto, the bottom portion of the product containing compartment 14b as illustrated in FIG. 8 forms a V-shaped bottom surface 76 due to the flange portion 72. Although a small space 78 exists on each side of the tent-like package 74 at the bottom thereof below the compartment 14b formed by the mating of two container portions 18b, a portion of the product containing compartment 14b extending along its entire longitudinal length actually abuts and mates with the bottom panel 26 of the base member 16 thereby providing additional support to the product containing compartment 14b as compared to the structure illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Depending upon the weight of the product or article positioned within the compartment 14b, this structure may be preferred, although the space existing below the product containing compartment 14 illustrated in FIG. 2 is minimal and is suitable for many applications.

It is also recognized and anticipated that if any of the container portions 18, 20, 18a, 20a and 18b are made from pulp stock or any other non-transparent material and it is desirable to allow consumers to view the product positioned within the product containing compartment 14, a window can be cut or otherwise formed in the floor of the non-transparent container portion, such as the window cut-out portion 80 associated with container portion 18b illustrated in FIG. 6, so as to register and align with one of the window cut-out portions 34 associated with the base member as previously explained. In this embodiment, a thin transparent film can be positioned over window cut-out portions 34 and/or 80, on either side thereof, to again prevent direct access or contact with the product or contents within the product containing compartment 14. The window cut-out portion 80 can be similarly formed in floor 45 of container portions 18 and/or 20, in the floor portion of container portions 18a and/or 20a, and one or both of the container portions associated with a particular base member 16 may include the window cut-out portion 80.

It is also recognized and anticipate that if window cut-out portion 80 is used in association with any non-transparent container portion, the base member 16, or at least base panels 22 and/or 24, can be made of a transparent material so that the base cut-out portions 34 can be eliminated. In this embodiment, viewing of the product or contents of product containing compartment 14 can be accomplished by looking through at least transparent base panel 22 and/or 24 and through window cut-out portion 80 to the interior of product compartment 14.

This new product container affords similar product features associated with traditional clamshell and/or blister-to-board packages including theft deterrence, product visibility and robustness. In addition, the new product container provides substantial reduction in plastic as compared to clamshell packages; increased theft deterrents as compared to blister-to-board packages; improved product protection; use of environmentally friendly plastics, board stock and pulp stock; it provides for stand-up shelf stocking; and it provides a large surface for product graphics.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention and the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited solely to the embodiments shown herein. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by this disclosure.

Claims

1. A product container for holding and displaying a product within an internal compartment, the product container comprising:

a base member having a substantially planar surface portion;

a first container portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one side wall defining a product containing portion, the first end portion being attached to the planar surface portion of said base member and the second end portion defining a first opening for receiving at least a portion of a product therewithin; and

a second container portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one side wall defining a product containing portion, the first end portion being attached to the planar surface portion of said base member in spaced apart relationship to said first container portion and the second end portion defining a second opening for receiving at least a portion of a product therewithin;

said base member having a pair of generally parallel fold lines positioned and located between the first and second container portions and defining a panel therebetween forming a substantially flat bottom portion of the product container, said base member being foldable along said fold lines such that the second end portions of said first and second container portions defining said first and second openings are moved into abutting relationship with each other to form a product containing compartment, the product containing compartment substantially enclosing a product when a product is placed within one of said first and second container portion openings prior to folding said base member.

2. The product container of claim 1 wherein the second container portion is a substantial mirror image of the first container portion.

3. The product container of claim 1 wherein the first and second container portions are provided with means for securing the product containing compartment.

4. The product container of claim 1 wherein said base member includes at least one cut-out portion positioned and located adjacent at least one of said first and second container portions for viewing a product contained in said product containing compartment.

5. The product container of claim 1 wherein said base member further includes at least one cut-out portion forming a handle when said product containing compartment is formed.

6. The product container of claim 1 wherein the second end portion defining the first and second openings of said first and second container portions slope at an acute angle relative to the planar surface of the base member.

7. The product container of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the at least one side wall defining the first and second container portions is angularly oriented with respect to the base member prior to folding.

8. The product container of claim 7 wherein said at least one side wall defining the first and second container portions is substantially perpendicular to said base member prior to folding.

9. The product container of claim 1 wherein the first container portion includes at least one flange portion for attaching the first container portion to said base member.

10. The product container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second container portions is formed of a material different from the material forming said base member.

11. The product container of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second container portions is formed of a transparent material and said base member is formed of a non-transparent material.

12. The product container of claim 1 wherein a portion of the at least one side wall defining the first container portion is positioned adjacent one of said pair of fold lines and wherein a portion of the at least one side wall defining the second container portion is positioned adjacent the other of said pair of fold lines.

13. The product container of claim 1 wherein said first and second container portions include a floor member adjacent the respective first end portions.

14. The product container of claim 1 wherein the base member forms a tent-like shape when folded about said fold lines and when the second end portions of said first and second container portions are moved into abutting relationship with each other.

15. The product container of claim 13 wherein the floor of at least one of said first and second container portions includes a cut-out portion positioned and located for viewing a product contained in said product containing compartment.

16. The product container of claim 4 wherein at least one of said first and second container portions includes a cut-out portion positioned and located so as to be in registration with the at least one cut-out portion positioned and located on said base member.

17. A product container for holding and displaying a product within an internal compartment, the product container comprising:

a base member having a substantially planar surface portion and a pair of spaced apart fold lines, said pair of fold lines defining a panel therebetween;

a first container portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one side wall defining a product containing portion, the first end portion being attached to the planar surface of said base member adjacent one of said pair of fold lines member and the second end portion including a first opening defined by a free edge of the at least one side wall, said first opening being adapted to receive at least a portion of a product therewithin;

a second container portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one side wall defining a product containing portion, the first end portion being attached to the planar surface of said base member adjacent the other of said pair of fold lines and the second end portion including a second opening defined by a free edge of the at least one side wall, said second opening being adapted to receive at least a portion of a product therewithin;

the free edges of the at least one side wall defining the first and second openings forming an acute angle relative to the planar surface of said base member when said first and second container portions are attached to said base member prior to folding, said base member being foldable along said fold lines such that said first and second container portions are mated with each other to form a product containing compartment, the product containing compartment substantially enclosing a product when placed within one of said first and second container portions prior to folding said base member, said base member forming a tent-like shape when folded about said fold lines, the panel defined between said fold lines forming a substantially flat bottom portion of the product container.

18. The product container of claim 17 wherein the second container portion is a substantial mirror image of the first container portion.

19. The product container of claim 17 wherein the second end portions of said first and second container portions include means for mating said first and second container portions in abutting relationship with each other.

20. The product container of claim 19 wherein said means includes at least one elongated projection associated with at least a portion of the side wall associated with each of said first and second container portions.

21. The product container of claim 17 wherein the second end portions of said first and second container portions each include a flange member associated with at least a portion of two sides of the at least one side wall associated with said first and second container portions and a ledge portion associated with at least a portion of one side of the at least one side wall associated with said first and second container portions.

22. The product container of claim 17 wherein said base member includes at least one cut-out portion positioned and located adjacent at least one of said first and second container portions for viewing the contents of said product containing compartment.

23. The product container of claim 17 wherein said base member further includes at least one cut-out portion forming a handle when said base member is folded about said fold lines.

24. The product container of claim 17 wherein the first and second container portions include at least one flange portion whereby the first and second container portions are attached to said base member.

25. The product container of claim 17 wherein at least one of the first and second container portions is formed of a transparent material and said base member is formed of a non-transparent material.

26. The product container of claim 17 wherein at least one of said first and second container portions includes a cut-out portion.

27. A product container for holding and displaying a product comprising:

a base member having a substantially planar surface portion including a pair of spaced apart fold lines, a pair of spaced apart first cut-out portions, and a pair of spaced apart second cut-out portions, said pair of fold lines defining a panel therebetween;

a first container portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and a plurality of side walls defining a product containing portion, said first end portion being positioned over one of said first cut-out portions and being attached to the planar surface of said base member adjacent one of said pair of fold lines and said second end portion defining a first opening for receiving at least a portion of a product positioned therewithin, said second end portion being angularly oriented and forming an acute angle relative to the planar surface of said base member when said first container portion is attached to said base member; and

a second container portion having a first end portion, a second end portion and a plurality of side walls defining a product containing portion, said first end portion being positioned over the other of said first cut-out portions and being attached to the planar surface of said base member adjacent the other of said pair of fold lines and the second end portion defining a second opening for receiving at least a portion of a product positioned therewithin, said second end portion being angularly oriented and forming an acute angle relative to the planar surface of said base member when said second container portion is attached to said base member;

said base member being foldable along said pair of fold lines such that said first and second container portions mate with each other to form a product containing compartment, said base member forming a tent-like shape when folded about said fold lines such that the pair of second cut-out portions are mated with each other to form a handle for said product container, and wherein said panel extending between said pair of spaced apart fold lines forms a substantially flat bottom portion of the product container.

28. The product container of claim 27 wherein at least some of said plurality of side walls associated with said first and second container portions are angularly oriented with respect to said base member when said first and second container portions are attached thereto.

29. The product container of claim 28 wherein said plurality of side walls associated with said first and second container portions are substantially perpendicular to said base member when said first and second container portions are attached thereto.

30. The product container of claim 27 wherein the first and second container portions each include a flange member for attaching said container portions to the base member.

31. The product container of claim 27 wherein said first and second container portions are formed of a transparent material, and wherein said base member is formed of a non-transparent material.

32. The product container of claim 27 wherein said first and second container portions are formed of an environmentally friendly transparent material, and wherein said base member is formed of an environmentally friendly non-transparent material.

33. The product container of claim 27 wherein said base member is made from card stock.

34. The product container of claim 27 wherein at least one of said first and second container portions includes a cut-out portion positioned and located so as to lie in registration with at least one of said pair of first cut-out portions.