ENVELOPE PACKAGE CONTAINER FOR CONFECTIONS

Abstract

A package is disclosed that contains at least a pair of receptacles or compartments configured and oriented in a common manner when the package is in both the open and closed positions. Moreover, the receptacles or satellite packs may be arranged in a variety of configurations utilizing a releasable adhesive that allows for both separation and reattachment of the packs. For example, a pair of satellite packs may be arranged in a back-to-back configuration and may provide different consumable products in each receptacle. Alternatively, a pair of satellite packs may be arranged in a front-to-back configuration and enclosed with a single flap or cover portion of one of the releasably joined packs.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent is related to the commonly-owned, and co-pending, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/843,061, titled “Consumable Product Package,” filed on Sep. 8, 2006; the entire contents of this related provisional patent application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent does not claim the priority benefit of any co-pending U.S. patent application or now-issued U.S. patent.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent generally relates to product packaging, and more particularly to product packages configured to store and dispense products from multiple commonly-aligned compartments.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1 illustrates a known box design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 732,844 filed on Sep. 18, 1902 and titled, “Box.” The known box 100 is constructed from a single blank and provides a pair of receptacles 102 and 104. The receptacles 102 and 104 are bendably connected and vertically arranged one above the other when the box is in an open position. The receptacles 102, 104 are sealed or closed at the bottom so that goods or products contained therein are held or secured when the box is the open position. The receptacles 102, 104 are, in turn, foldable to a side-by-side, oppositely oriented, configuration when the box is arranged in a closed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates another packaging design disclosed in U.S. patent publication No. US 2005/0269233 filed on Jul. 1, 2004 and titled, “Confectionery Packaging Design.” The published application discloses a gum packaging design 200 that utilizes an upper compartment 202 and a lower compartment 204 which are bendably connected and aligned in a substantially vertical arrangement. Each of the compartments 202, 204 is formed from a separate paperboard blank. The blanks are folded to form the separate compartments and then the lower compartment 204 is adhered to the upper compartment 202 in a fashion that allows the lower compartment 204 to be later separated therefrom by tearing along a perforation after the lower compartment 204 has been emptied. A cover flap on the upper compartment 202 can be used to selectively hold the package in a compact, oppositely-oriented, closed position by folding the compartments 202, 204 to face each other and tucking an end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in the back panel of the lower compartment. Once the lower compartment 204 is separated from the upper compartment 202, the same cover flap can be used to close the remaining package by tucking the same end of the cover flap into a receiving slot formed in a front panel of the upper compartment 202.

The box 100 and package 200 disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, illustrate receptacles or compartments that are oppositely oriented relative to each other when the box or package is arranged in a closed position. Moreover, neither the box 100 nor the package 200 discloses a package having multiple receptacle or compartments that can store and dispense travel or satellite packs which are oriented in a common manner and/or which may be removably detached and reattached to each other.

SUMMARY

This patent discloses exemplary embodiments of a package for storing and dispensing a bulk quantity of consumable products, particularly confectionery products such as candy or gum. As used in the following detailed description and claims, the term “bulk quantity” means packaged quantities of individual consumable products numbering less than about three hundred pieces. This allows a consumer to store and transport the package to a specific desired location, from which travel packs or individual pieces of consumable product can be dispensed. The term “pack” or “satellite pack” as used in the following description and claims refers to a pack or quantity of consumable product commonly bound or stored therein.

In one exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, a package contains a pair of receptacles or compartments configured and oriented in a common manner when the package is in both the open and closed positions. Moreover, the receptacles or satellite packs may be arranged in a variety of configurations utilizing a releasable adhesive that allows for both separation and reattachment of the packs. For example, a pair of satellite packs may be arranged in a back-to-back configuration and may provide different consumable products in each receptacle. Alternatively, a pair of satellite packs may be arranged in a front-to-back configuration and enclosed with a single flap or cover portion of one of the releasably-joined packs.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a known box design;

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a known package design;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a satellite pack constructed in accordance with the disclosure provided herein;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the satellite pack of FIG. 3 shown in the closed configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of a blank utilized to construct the satellite pack shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a dual satellite package;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a dual satellite package; and

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of the dual satellite package shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary packages are described herein with reference to the figures in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. Embodiments that include multiple like elements, the individual elements are referred to by like numerals and alphabetic identifiers. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of the disclosed embodiment are better understood by the following description. Each aspect within the various embodiments may be combined with any other aspect or aspects of the other, related embodiments unless clearly indicated to the contrary. The embodiments described below are provided as examples, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a satellite pack 300 constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. The satellite pack 300 shown, in this exemplary embodiment, is oriented in a substantially vertical alignment and includes a receptacle or interior 302 arranged to support or contain a bulk of one or more consumable products P disposed therein. Moreover, the configuration and arrangement of each satellite pack 300 allows the consumable products carried therein to be stored and accessible in a like or common orientation. When multiple satellite packs 300 are combined (as will be discussed below), each of the receptacles carries a like bulk of the consumable products P arranged in a common orientation. Moreover, the commonly-oriented consumable products can be carried within the receptacle 302 without additional securing or retention mechanisms. In alternate embodiments, a sleeve (not shown) may enclose or secure the individual consumable products P. The enclosed or secured products may, in turn, be position within the receptacle 302. In yet another alternate embodiment, the individual consumable products P or the enclosed or secured products, may be glued or otherwise attached to the receptacle 302.

Returning to FIG. 3, the satellite pack 300 and the associated receptacle 302 are defined by the cooperation of a back panel or wall 304 foldably joined and/or coupled to first and second side panels or sidewalls 306, 308. The receptacle 302 is closed or enclosed by a front panel or wall 310. The satellite pack 300, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, includes a foldable cover or flap 312 bendably secured along the top edge of the back panel 304. It will be understood that the satellite pack 300 may or may not include the flap 312 to seal or otherwise enclose the receptacle 302. For example, a leading edge 316 of the flap 312 can be configured to releasably cooperate with a fastener 314 carried by the front panel 310. The leading edge 316 and/or the fastener 314 can be cooperatively coupled in a variety of manners and mechanisms. For example as shown in FIG. 3A, the fastener 314 may include a slit sized to slideably engage and retain the leading edge 316 of the flap 312. When the leading edge 316 of the cover 312 is releasably secured by the slit fastener 314, the receptacle 302 is sealed and/or inaccessible for the removal of the product P stored within. Alternatively, the fastener 314 may be an eyelet and hook fastener or a snap fitting wherein, for example, a male portion of the fastener is carried by the front panel 310 and a female portion of the fastener is aligned and carried by the flap 312.

The satellite pack 300 in the assembled configuration shown includes interior surfaces generally indicated by the reference identifier I. In many embodiments, the interior surface I is an unfinished or minimally finished material intended to functionally support or contact the consumer product contained within the receptacle 302. In alternate embodiment, interior surface I may be printed to include, for example, nutrition, product or promotional information, or any other desired message. Similarly, the assembled satellite pack 300 shown in FIG. 3 includes exterior surfaces generally indicated by the reference identifier E. In other embodiments, the exterior surface E is a finished or embossed surface that may contain product information, logos, graphics, promotional information or any other desired images or information. It will be understood, that the images or design of the exterior surface E may often be utilized by the consumer or product purchaser to assist in their decision-making process. Therefore, an aesthetically pleasing design and/or a unique or noticeable design may often be desirable. For example, as illustrated in exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, the leading edge 316 of the flap 312 can be manufactured or formed in a variety of shapes or configurations intended to attract or be identified by the product purchaser and/or differentiate the product P contained within the satellite pack 300 from similarly packaged goods.

FIG. 4 illustrates the satellite pack 300 in an unassembled, i.e., unfolded, state. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates a blank 400 that may be worked, assembled, or otherwise folded to create the satellite pack 300. As shown herein, the solid lines represent edges or ends of the blank 400, dashed lines represent scored lines or fold lines along which a panel may be bent, and dashed lines with “x”s represent perforated lines along which panels may be torn or separated. In alternate constructions or assemblies of the satellite pack 300, the folds and/or perforation may be varied or selected to facilitate removal or detachment of portions, panels, etc. of the pack 300. Material for the blank 400 may be cut, punched or otherwise fashioned from, for example, paper, paperboard, cardboard, laminate material, plastic sheets, co-extruded and coated materials, etc. The blank 400 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes the visible interior surface I and the hidden exterior surface E which faces into the plane of the paper. Furthermore, as previously discussed, the exterior surface E may be laminated or coated to include graphics, increase tear resistance, and provide product protection against moisture and other environmental contaminants. Moreover, the interior surface I can be coated, sealed and treated to prevent contamination, flavor migration or other changes to the satellite pack 300 or the consumable products P that may be stored in the assembled receptacle 302. It may also be desirable to reinforce the corners or edges of the assembled satellite pack 300 to provide a more durable package. For example, additional material, glue or other energy and/or heat activated material may be applied at the corners or edges to seal and otherwise provide the desired reinforcement.

The blank 400 is centered about and extends from the back wall or panel 304. The back panel 304, in this exemplary embodiment, is a substantially rectangular panel that includes a first short edge 318, a first long edge 320, a second short edge 322, and a second long edge 324. It will be understood, that the back panel 304 may have any shape or geometric configuration and that the clockwise designation and naming of the edges 318 to 324 is done for the sake of convenience and is not meant to be limiting in any way.

The side panel 306 extends along the first short edge 318. The side panel 306 attaches, or can be removably attached, to the back panel 304 along the fold or score line 402. The fold or score line 402, or any other fold or line discussed herein, may simply be a predefined weakness or bend within the material of the blank 400 that allows the material to be shaped in a desired manner. Alternatively, the fold or score line 402 can be made by partially cutting, i.e., scoring, the material of the blank 400 to facilitate folding or bending. The side panel 306 includes and supports a front flap 404 bendably attached along a score line 406. Similarly, the side panel 308 attaches to the back panel 304 along the fold or score line 408. A second front flap 410, in turn, bendably attaches to the side panel 308 along the score line 412.

During the construction or assembly of the satellite pack 300, the side panel 306 including the attached front flap 404 may be bent perpendicular to the plane defined by the back panel 304. Similarly, the side panel 308, including the attached front flap 410, may be bent perpendicular to the plane defined by the back panel 304 such that both side panels 306, 308 would be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the back panel 304. Both of the front flaps 404 and 410 may, in turn, be bent along the score lines 406 and 412, respectively. By bending the front panels 404 and 410 along the score lines 406 and 412, respectively, they can be aligned in a substantially parallel manner to the plane defined by the back panel 304. The cooperation of the back panel 304 and the front flaps 404 and 410 roughly defines the size and shape of the interior or receptacle 302.

A base or bottom panel 418 extends along the second long edge 324 as defined by the fold or score line 414. The base panel 418 will typically be the same width, i.e., extend away from the back panel 304 at an equal distance, as the side panels 306 and 308, and will form the bottom or base of the receptacle 302. The base panel 418, in turn, supports or is foldably attached to the front panel 310 along a fold line 420. The base panel 418 can further include a pair of tabs or projections 422, 424 that freely extend along the linear axis or length of the panel 418. The tabs 422, 424 will typically be the same width as the base panel 418, i.e., extend an equal distance away from the back panel 304 and will be sized to engage the interior surface I of the side panels 306, 308, respectively.

During the construction or assembly of the satellite pack 300, the base panel 418 and the included front panel 310 may be bent perpendicular to the plane defined by the back panel 304 and the front flaps 404 and 410. It will be understood, that the base panel 304 will typically and/or preferably be folded along with the score line 414. The tabs 422, 424 may be bent and aligned to engage the interior surface I of the first and second side panels 306, 308 as they are bent perpendicular to the plane defined by the back panel 304. The cooperation of the tabs 422, 424 and the first and second side panels 306, 308 can strengthen and reinforce the structural integrity of the satellite pack 300. Moreover, by physically sealing the edges of the receptacle 302 the product stored therein can be further protected and secured. The front panel 310 can, at this point, be bent or folded along the score line 420 to a position substantially parallel to the back panel 304, thereby engaging the exterior surface E of the front flaps 404, 410.

As illustrated in the present exemplary embodiment, the front flaps 404 and 410 each include an extended portion 426, 428 arrange to cooperatively engage the interior surface I of the front panel 310. For example, when the front flaps 404, 410 are bent and arranged parallel to the back panel 304, the front panel 310 may be similarly bent and arranged to foldably engage the extended portions 426, 428. In addition, an adhesive A or other bonding material may be, for example, applied to the front panel 310 to secure the abutting panels to each other, thereby sealing the receptacle 302.

The cover 312 can extend away from the back panel 304 along the first long edge 320. A scored and/or perforated line 430 bendably secures the cover 312 to the back panel 304. As previously discussed, the perforated line 430 defines a planned fault or break between the back panel 304 and the cover 312. This planned fault or weakness allows the cover 312 to be bent and/or moved relative to the backplane 314 in a desirable and/or predictable manner. Moreover, because the line 430 is perforated, i.e., the material of the blank 400 is intentionally pierced or weakened, the cover 312 can be separated from the back panel 304 to allow easier access to the interior or receptacle 302. Depending upon packaging and sales requirements, the satellite pack 300 may be coupled to an open satellite pack 500 (see FIG. 5).

The cover 312 can include a score line 432 spaced away from the perforated line 430 and the back panel 304 at a distance roughly equal to the width of the side panels 306, 308 and the base panel 418. The score line 432 and the perforated line 430 cooperate, in turn, to define a top panel 434. The top panel 434, when the cover 312 is folded over, cooperates with the side and base panels 306, 308 and 418 to define and enclose the receptacle 302. When the cover 312 is folded over to engage the front panel 310 which, in turn, engages the front flaps 404, 410, the satellite pack 300 assumes a substantially rectilinear shape that may be constructed to have various sizes and dimensions based on the products to be carried therein.

The cover 312 may further include a second score line 436 disposed distal to the perforated line 430 and the score line 432. The second score line 436 in cooperation with the first score line 432 and/or a perforated line 430 effectively define a second top panel 438 that may be used in conjunction with one or more satellite packs 300, 500 (see FIG. 5). Regardless of the satellite pack configuration, the cover 312, in this exemplary embodiment, will be sized to allow complete closure and/or enclosure of the receptacle 302 (see FIG. 3A). As discussed above, the inner surface I of the cover 312 may include the fastener 314 or a component of the fastener 314, that may be configured to cooperate with a mating component of the fastener 314 disposed or carried by the exterior surface E of the front panel 310. The fastener 314 may be: a snap; VELCRO® fastener, i.e. hooks and eyelets; a slit sized and arranged to engage the leading edge 316; releasable adhesive, cohesive, liquid cement; brittle adhesive, double-sided tape. Alternate fasteners 314 may employ high friction coatings or other locally applied material to increase the friction between the leading edge 316 and the fastener 314. The adhesive may be an energy, e.g., heat, ultraviolet or friction, activated adhesive such as a curable wax.

FIG. 5 illustrates the satellite pack 300 arranged for cooperation with the open satellite pack 500 to define a dual satellite or combo pack 502. As previously discussed, the combo pack 502 may be configured and utilized to provide and dispense, for example, different products in which flavor cross contamination is undesirable. Alternatively, the combo pack 502 can allow the user to share and/or discard one or more of the open satellite packs 500 when the product stored therein has been consumed or dispensed. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the satellite pack 300 includes a coupling mechanism (not shown, see the coupling mechanism 620 in FIG. 6) carried on the exterior surface E of the front panel 310. The coupling mechanism may be, for example, a double-sided adhesive tape, a printable adhesive, a liquid cement compound, other low tack adhesives or other adhesives described and discussed herein. The satellite pack 300, in this exemplary embodiment, may or may not include a separate fastener 314 disposed on the front panel 310 (see FIG. 3). While two packs are shown, it will be appreciated that more than two satellite packs 300 can be arranged for cooperation with the open satellite pack 500.

The combo pack 502 can be assembled by aligning and positioning the back panel 504 of the open satellite pack 500 adjacent to the front panel 310 of the satellite pack 300. Bringing the back panel 504 into contact with the front panel 310 allows the coupling mechanism 520 to establish a bond therebetween. In this way, the open satellite pack 500 is supported and carried by the satellite pack 300 such that the base 418 is aligned along a common plane with the base (not shown) of the open satellite pack 500. In the illustrated configuration, the cover 312, including the first and second top panels 434 and 438, may be utilized to enclose the receptacles 302 and 522 of the satellite packs 300, 500. For example, as the cover flap 312 is bent in the direction indicated by the arrow 524, the leading edge 316 may be brought into contact with the fastener 514 disposed on the front panel 510 of the open satellite pack 500. In particular, the leading edge 316 can engage a slit 514a and a tab 514b of the fastener 514 in an interlocking fashion to secure the flap 312 adjacent to the front panel 510. In this way the two packs can alternately be joined together and/or separated while retaining the ability to enclose and protect the receptacles 302 and 522 with the common flap 312. The aligned receptacles 302 and 522, in turn, can support the consumable products P in a common orientation that allows both groups of consumable products P carried therein to be accessible when the flap or cover 312 is not cooperatively engaged with the front panel 510. For example, if each of the satellite packs 300, 500 carried a different consumable products P, both of the products would be aligned and oriented in the same direction when the combo pack 502 is open and accessible, and when closed and sealed.

FIGS. 6 and 6A illustrate another embodiment of a dual satellite or combo pack 600 constructed from a pair of satellite packs 300, 300A. In this exemplary embodiment, the exterior surface E of the back panel 304 of the satellite pack 300 supports the coupling mechanism 620 generally discussed above in connection with the combo pack 502. The back panel 304 of the satellite pack 300A, in turn, is brought into contact with the coupling mechanism 620 to secure the satellite packs 300, 300A in a back-to-back arrangement. Moreover, in this configuration, each of the satellite packs 300, 300A is independently closable via their respective covers 312 and fasteners 314 (second fastener not visible). Thus, the combo pack 600 includes two independently sealable receptacles 302 that may be utilized to provide and protect consumable products such as stick gum, candy, etc. As illustrated herein, each of the receptacles 302 provided by the satellite packs 300, 300A are aligned along a common plane defined by the base or base panel 418 of the respective satellite packs 300, 300A.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1-16. (canceled)

17. A package for storing and dispensing a bulk quantity of consumable product comprising:

a first satellite pack including a first receptacle having a first base, the first receptacle sized to receive at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products;

a second satellite pack releasably secured to the first satellite pack, the second satellite pack including a second receptacle having a second base, the second receptacle sized to receive at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products;

a third satellite pack releasably secured to first satellite pack or the second satellite pack, the third satellite pack including a third receptacle having a third base, the third receptacle sized to receive at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products;

wherein the first base, the second base, and the third base of the satellite packs are aligned along a common plane.

18. The package of claim 17, wherein the first, second and third satellite packs are releasably secured by a coupling mechanism carried by the first satellite pack.

19. The package of claim 17 further comprising a cover bendably coupled to the first satellite pack and configured to releasably engage the second satellite pack, the third satellite pack, or a combination of both.

20. The package of claim 19, wherein the cover is bendable between an open position in which the first, second and third receptacles are accessible in the first orientation, and a closed position in which the first, second and third receptacles are inaccessible in the first orientation.

21. The package of claim 19, wherein the cover is detachable from the first satellite pack via a perforated score line.

22. The package of claim 19, wherein the cover releasably engages the second satellite pack, the third satellite pack, or a combination of both via a fastener.

23. A package for storing and dispensing a bulk quantity of consumable product comprising:

a first satellite pack including: a first receptacle arranged in a first orientation and having a first base configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation; and a cover defined substantially adjacent to the first receptacle;

a second satellite pack including: a second receptacle arranged in the first orientation, the second receptacle having a second base configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation; and a fastener carried by the second receptacle;

wherein the first satellite pack is releasably secured to the second satellite pack such that the first and second bases define a substantially common plane, and wherein the first satellite pack and second satellite pack are arranged to allow the cover to foldably secure at least the first receptacle and releasably engage the fastener.

24. The package of claim 23, wherein the cover is configured to releasably engage the fastener.

25. The package of claim 23 further comprising a third satellite pack including a third receptacle arranged in the first orientation, the third receptacle having a third base configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation; a second fastener carried by the third receptacle; wherein the second satellite pack is releasably secured to the third satellite pack such that the first and second bases define a substantially common plane, and wherein the cover is configured to releasably engage the second fastener.

26. The package of claim 23, wherein the first receptacle further comprises a first back wall configured to foldably support the first cover, and

wherein the second receptacle further comprises a second back wall configured to foldably support a second cover.

27. The package of claim 26, wherein the back wall of the first satellite pack and the back wall of the second satellite pack are releasably secured.

28. The package of claim 27 further comprising a third satellite pack including a third receptacle arranged in the first orientation, the third receptacle having a third base configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation; a second fastener carried by the third receptacle; wherein the third satellite pack is releasably secured to the first satellite pack or the second satellite pack such that the first, second, and third bases define a substantially common plane, and wherein the first cover or second cover is configured to releasably engage the second fastener.

29. The package of claim 28, wherein the third receptacle includes a back wall and wherein the back wall foldably supports a third cover to releasably engage the second fastener.

30. A package for storing and dispensing a bulk quantity of consumable product comprising:

a first satellite pack including: a first receptacle configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation; a first fastener carried by the first receptacle; and a first cover provided substantially adjacent to the first receptacle and configured to engage the first fastener;

a second satellite pack including: a coupling mechanism configured to releasably secure the first satellite pack to the second satellite pack; a second receptacle configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation; a second fastener carried by the second receptacle; and a second cover provided substantially adjacent to the second receptacle and configured to engage the second fastener.

31. The package of claim 30, wherein the first receptacle further comprises a first back wall configured to foldably support the first cover and

wherein the second receptacle further comprises a second back wall configured to foldably support the second cover.

32. The package of claim 31, wherein the first back wall of the first satellite pack and the second back wall of the second satellite pack are releasably secured via a coupling mechanism.

33. The package of claim 32, wherein the coupling mechanism is a releasable adhesive.

34. The package of claim 33 further comprising a third satellite pack including

a coupling mechanism configured to releasably secure the third satellite pack to the first or second satellite pack;

a third receptacle configured to support at least one of the bulk quantity of consumable products in the first orientation;

a third fastener carried by the third receptacle; and

a third cover provided substantially adjacent to the third receptacle and configured to engage the third fastener.

35. The package of claim 34, wherein the third receptacle further comprises a third back wall configured to foldably support the third cover.

36. The package of claim 35, wherein the third back wall of the third satellite pack, the first back wall of the first satellite pack, and the second back wall of the second satellite pack are releasably secured via releasable adhesive.