PACKAGING

Abstract

A packaging comprises a body forming a chamber, a cover panel joined to the body over the chamber, and a door extending over the chamber. In one example, the door has a first portion joined to a remainder of the packaging by a first living hinge and a second portion frangibly connected to the remainder of the packaging. In another example, a post within the chamber has a top with a first portion of the pushpin, wherein the door includes a second portion of the pushpin.

Description

BACKGROUND

Various packaging designs are currently used to house and display articles for retail sale. Existing packaging designs are complex, difficult to manufacture, are not reclosable or fail to clearly indicate pilferage of the packaging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example packaging in a closed state.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the example packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 1 in an opened state.

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the packaging of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 7 taken along line 7-7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another example of the packaging of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the packaging of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the packaging and FIG. 11 taken along line 12-12.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the packaging of FIG. 9 in an open state.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the packaging of FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the packaging and FIG. 15 taken along line 16-16.

FIG. 17 is a top view of another example of the packaging of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 17 taken along line 18-18.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the packaging of FIG. 17 in an open state.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 19 taken along line 20-20.

FIG. 21 is a top perspective view of a pair of the packagings of FIG. 17 stacked upon one another with the top packaging in an opened state.

FIG. 22 is a front view of the pair of packagings of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the pair of packagings of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view of another example of the packaging of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the packaging of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 25 taken along line 26-26.

FIG. 27 is a bottom perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 24 in a closed state.

FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the packaging of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of the packaging of FIG. 28 taken along line 29-29.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate an example packaging 20 containing an article 22 (shown in FIGS. 4-7). As will be described hereafter, packaging 20 houses and displays article 22 while providing a container that indicates pilferage of the packaging 20, but also allows the packaging 20 to be reclosed once initially opened. At the same time, packaging 20 offers a less complex container having fewer parts such that the packaging 20 may be more easily manufactured and assembled at a potentially lower-cost.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate packaging 20 in a retail state. For purposes of this disclosure, a “retail” state is a state wherein a packaging has not been pilfered and has not been previously opened by a consumer for access to article 22. In other words, packaging 20 is in a virgin or sealed state wherein the integrity of the contents of packaging 22 remains intact as compared to when the contents were initially placed within packaging 22. Once packaging 22 has been opened or its contents 22 have been accessed, packaging 22 is no longer in the “retail” state, but is instead in an “in use” or “consumer accessed” state. FIGS. 5-7 illustrate packaging 20 in the in use or consumer accessed state.

As best shown by FIGS. 4 and 8, packaging 20 is formed from a single continuous formed polymeric sheet 24. As a result, packaging 20 is less complex, as fewer parts and is easier to fabricate and assemble. In one implementation, polymeric sheet 24 is formed by thermoforming to form packaging 20. In other implementations, polymeric sheet 24 may be formed by injection molding, blow molding or other fabrication processes.

In one implementation, the polymeric sheet 24 forming packaging 20 comprises a translucent, and nominally clear or transparent, sheet of formed polymeric material, facilitating viewing of the contents 22 of packaging 20 as well as viewing of an insert within packaging 20 and providing graphics, advertising or content information. In one example, polymeric sheet 24 may be formed from a material selected from a group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyester, polylactic acid, high density polyethylene and combinations thereof. In other implementations, polymeric sheet 24 forming packaging 20 maybe formed from other materials or combinations thereof.

As shown by FIGS. 1-8, the single continuous wall of the single polymeric sheet 24 is bent or deformed such that packaging 20 comprises body 30, cover panel 32, door 34 and closing retainer 36. Body 30 comprises that portion of packaging 20 forming chamber 40 which receives the article or contents 22. Body 30 comprises a bottom wall 42, sidewalls 44 and rim 46. Bottom wall 42 forms a bottom of chamber 40 while sidewalls 44 form the sides of chamber 40. Sidewalls 44 define a mouth 48 of chamber 40. Chamber 40 may have a variety of different sizes, shapes and configurations depending upon the nature of contents 22. Rim 46 comprises those portions of body 30 extending from sidewalls 44 about chamber 40. Rim 46 is connected to cover panel 24 by living hinge 50 which is integrally formed as a single unitary body with each of body 30 and cover panel 24 and which facilitates the forming of body 30 and cover panel 24 from a single continuous sheet.

Cover panel 24 comprises a panel extending from living hinge 50 over and across mouth 48 of chamber 40. In the example illustrated, cover panel 24 overlaps rim 46 of body 30. In one implementation cover panel 24 is welded to rim 46 of body 30. In another implementation, cover panel 24 is bonded or adhered to rim 46 of body 30. In yet other implementations, cover panel may additionally or alternatively, have a perimeter that nests with rim 30 facilitate alignment and frictional retention of cover panel 24 to body 30.

Door 34 comprises a panel or member extending over, cross and opposite to chamber 40 of body 30. Door 34 is sized to facilitate removal of contents 22 from the interior of compartment 40. Door 34 comprises a first portion 54 extending from and joined to a remainder of package 20 by a living hinge 56 and a second portion 60 frangibly connected to the remainder of the packaging 20. Living hinge 56 comprises a portion of sheet 24 integrally extending between and connecting the remainder of packaging 20 to portion 54 of door 34. Living hinge 56 facilitates pivoting of door 34 between a closed state as shown in FIGS. 1-4 and an open state as shown in FIGS. 5-7. Living hinge 56 hinges door 34 to the remainder of packaging 20 without additional components or parts, allowing packaging 20 to form from the same continuous single sheet 24 of polymeric material.

Second portion 60 is frangibly connected to the remainder of packaging 20 such that second portion 60 may be broken away from or separated from the remainder of packaging 20 along predefined lines of separation, wherein once door 34 has been initially opened from the retail state to the in use state, such previous opening of door 34 is visibly evident and cannot be reversed. In other words, even when door 34 is closed after being opened, the structural connection between door 34 and the remainder of packaging 34 is permanently and irreversibly altered so as to be visibly ascertainable. In one implementation, the frangible connection between portion 60 of door 34 and the remainder of packaging 20 is provided by forming weakened portions 62 along lines of separation between portion 60 of door 34 and the remainder of packaging 20. In one implementation, such weakened portions 62 may be provided by grooves or channels partially extending into sheet 24 from either a both sides of sheet 24. Such grooves or channels maybe formed by severing or cutting or may be formed by material deformation and stretching (and thinning) of sheet 24 along the lines of separation. In another implementation, such weakened portions 62 may be provided by perforations along the lines of separation between portion 60 and the remainder of packaging 20. One such weakened portions 62 have been broken, such weakened portions 62 cannot be reestablished even upon closing of door 34 such that the one-time initial opening of door 34 is always subsequently evident.

Closing retainer 36 comprises a mechanism for releasably retaining door 34 in a chamber closing state after the frangible connection between portion 60 and the remainder of packaging 20 has been broken or severed. Closing retainer 36 secures door 34 and a closed state to retain contents 22 within chamber 40, allowing enhanced reuse of packaging 20 when in the consumer or in use state. In the example illustrated, closing retainer 36 comprises a pushpin mechanism, wherein door 34 includes a first portion 68 of the pushpin mechanism and wherein the remainder of the packaging includes a second portion 70 of the pushpin mechanism. As a result, closing retainer 36 is formed from the same single continuous polymeric sheet thats forms a rest of packaging 20, reducing complexity and cost.

In the example illustrated, door 34 is formed within and is carried by cover panel 32. Door 34 is joined to cover panel 32 by living hinge 56 and by weakened portions 62 between portion 60 of door 34 and cover panel 32. While the first portion 68 (shown as a depression or detent) of the pushpin mechanism forming closing retainer 36 is formed as part of door 34, the second portion (shown as a projection or pin) of the pushpin mechanism 70 forming closing retainer 36 is formed within and along rim 46 of body 30 outside of compartment 40.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate packaging 20 in the retail state. Prior to being filled with contents 22, cover panel 32 is pivoted about living hinge 50 to an open state, completely exposing the interior of compartment 40 through mouth 48. Because the entire mouth 48 is open, compartment 40 may be quickly filled with contents 22. Once contents 22 are within compartment 40, cover panel 32 may be pivoted about hinge 50 to a closed state. As noted above, in some implementations, cover panel 32 may be further secured to rim 46 of body 30 by welding, adhesives and the like. During such closing of cover panel 32, closing retainer 36 may additionally be closed or may be left in an unclosed or disconnected state. As such point in time, door 34 remains frangibly attached to a remainder of packaging 20 across compartment 40.

As shown by FIG. 4, in some implementations, packaging 20 may additionally be provided with a seal 71. Seal 71 comprises a thin film of a polymer or other material sealed across and over mouth 48 of compartment 40 to provide an airtight seal about the contents of packaging 20. In one implementation, seal 71 is transparent. In another implementation, seal 71 may be opaque or may include graphics or text. In one implementation, seal 71 maybe formed from a material that may be punctured or torn with the application of manual pressure. Seal 71 facilitates preservation of food contents or other items where it is desirable that such items be sealed in a vacuum or separated from outside air. As shown by FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7, in other implementations, seal 71 may be omitted.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate the conversion of packaging 20 from the retail state to the in use or consumer accessed state. In particular, such conversion is achieved by pulling or peeling door 34 away from the remainder of packaging 20, breaking or severing weakened portions 62 as door 34 pivots about living hinge 56. As a result, contents 22 may be accessed and removed through the opening 66 formed by the disconnection of door 34. In the example illustrated, opening 66 has an opening area that is smaller than the opening area of mouth 48 of compartment 40. Although illustrated as being circular, opening 66 may have other sizes as well as other shapes.

Once contents 22 or a portion of contents 22 has been removed from compartment 40 and access is no longer desired, door 34 may pivoted about living hinge 56 back to the closed state in which door 34 extends across compartment 40, closing opening 66. Door 34 may be retained in this closed state by actuation of closing retainer 36 to a connected or retaining state. In the example illustrated, such retention achieved by closing the pushpin mechanism. Thereafter, contents 22 within compartment 40 may be re-accessed by once again peeling back and opening door 34. However, once door 34 has been initially opened to tear or break weakened portions 62, the visible appearance packaging 20 is unalterably changed, revealing that door 34 has been previously opened. Likewise, any pilferage of packaging 20 will also be evident from the breaking of weakened portions 62.

FIGS. 9-15 illustrate packaging 120, another example implementation of packaging 20. Packaging 120 is similar to packaging 20 except that packaging 120 includes body 130 and door 134 in place of body 30 and door 34, respectively. Those remaining elements or structures of packaging 120 which correspond to structures of packaging 20 are numbered similarly. Body 130 is similar to body 30 except that bottom wall 42 includes an opening 143. Opening 143 is smaller than the size of article 22 such that article 22 remains captured within compartment 40. However, opening 143 does permit tactile contact with article 22. In some implementations, opening 143 permits article 122 to be rotated, spun or otherwise manipulated to further enhanced viewing of article 22, especially in implementations where sheet 42 is transparent. In other implementations, opening 143 may be omitted.

Door 134 is similar to door 34 except that unlike door 34 which extends completely through the outer perimeter of cover panel 32, door 134 is completely surrounded by an contained within cover panel 32. In particular, door 134 has an end portion 154 opposite to portion 54 which may or may not be frangibly connected to cover panel 32. As a result, door 134 protected and is less likely to be accidentally dislodged to either break weakened portions 62 or to disconnect closing retainer 36. In the example illustrated, cover panel 42 includes a notch or cut out 155 facilitating manual gripping of door 34 and separation of door 134 from cover panel 32.

FIGS. 17-20 illustrate packaging 220, another example implementation of packaging 20. FIGS. 21-23 illustrate a pair 218 stacked packagings 220. As shown by FIG. 17-20, packaging 220 is similar to packaging 20 in that packaging 220 comprises body 230, cover panel 232, door 234 and closing retainer 236. Like packaging 20 (and packaging 120), packaging 220 is formed from a single continuous formed polymeric sheet. In the example illustrated, packaging 220 is formed from a single continuous and intact formed transparent polymeric sheet. As will be described hereafter, packaging 220 facilitates stacking, provides a greater volume for the outer size of packaging 220, provides an enhanced seal about a compartment of packaging 220 and provides a more centralized point of access to the contents of packaging 220.

Like body 30, body 130 comprises that portion of packaging 220 forming chamber 240 which receives the article or contents. Body 230 comprises a bottom wall 242, sidewalls 244 and rim 246. Bottom wall 242 forms a bottom of chamber 240 while sidewalls 244 form the sides of chamber 240. As seen in FIG. 19, bottom wall 242 forms a pair of pedestals or feet 300 (seen in FIGS. 21-23). Feet 300 facilitate stacking and retention of packaging 220 in place while stacked. In other implementations, bottom wall 242 may have other configurations so as to omit such feet.

Sidewalls 244 define a mouth 248 of chamber 240. Chamber 240 may have a variety of different sizes, shapes and configurations depending upon the nature of the contents. As shown by FIGS. 18, 19 and 22, in the example illustrated, sidewalls 244 extend inwardly at a location below closing retainer 236 to form an inwardly extending a channel or groove 302 extending from rim 246 towards bottom wall 242. Channel 302 is sized to receive an adult person's thumb or index finger. Channel 302 facilitates positioning of a person's thumb or index finger below closing retainer 236 to facilitate closing of closing retainer 236. In the example illustrated in which closing retainer 236 comprises a push pin mechanism, channel 302 enhances a person's ability to squeeze a projection or pin portion and a detent portion of the pushpin mechanism together between one's thumb and index finger to push the pin portion into the detent portion for securement. Because access to an underside of the pushpin mechanism forming closing retainer 236 is provided by a channel formed inside walls 244, and outer area or size of rim 246 does not need to be enlarged for placement of such a pushpin mechanism. As a result, packaging 220 maintains the outer dimensions of packaging 220 while minimally impacting the overall volume of compartment 240. In other implementations, sidewalls 244 may omit channel 302.

In addition to channel 302, sidewalls 244 further form a pair of opposite shoulder surfaces 308 adjacent to and along an interior surface of the mouth of chamber 240. In the example illustrated, shoulder surfaces 308 extend completely about the mouth of chamber 240. Shoulder surfaces 308 support an insert card 310 (shown in FIG. 23) which provides text and graphics such as advertising and product information. As described hereafter, shoulder surfaces 308 further facilitate nesting with cover panel 232 to capture insert 310 in place and to facilitate a more sealed enclosing of compartment 240.

Rim 246 comprises those portions of body 230 extending from sidewalls 244 about chamber 240. Rim 246 is connected to cover panel 232 by living hinge 250 which is integrally formed as a single unitary body with each of body 230 and cover panel 224 and which facilitates the forming of body 230 and cover panel 224 from a single continuous sheet. In the example illustrated, rim 246 further includes a hang hole 314 by which packaging 228 may hang from a peg. In other implementations, panel 314 may be omitted.

Cover panel 232 comprises a panel extending from living hinge 250 over and across the mouth of chamber 240. In the example illustrated, cover panel 232 comprises an outer rim portion 318, a vertically extending sidewall 320 and a cavity floor 322. Outer rim portion 318 faces and contacts rim 246 of body 230. In one implementation, a rim portion 318 is welded or adhesively bonded to an opposite surface of rim 246. Outer rim portion 318 further extends inwardly about door 234, forming a platform to which door 234 is secured by living hinge 256 and to which door 234 is temporarily secured by a weakened portion.

Vertically extending sidewall 320 extends from rim portion 318 down towards the interior of compartment 240 to within sidewalls 240 and to cavity floor 322. Sidewall 320 frictionally nests against interior services sidewall 240 above shoulder 308 to provide enhanced sealing of compartment 240. Sidewall 320 and cavity floor 322 form a pair of depressions 326 on opposite sides of the platform about door 234. Such depressions 326 are sized and shaped to receive feet 300 (shown in FIG. 19) so as to facilitate securement and retainment of an overhead packaging 220 with respect to a stacked underlying packaging 220.

Door 234 comprises a panel or member extending over, cross and opposite to chamber 40 of body 230. Door 234 is sized to facilitate removal of contents from the interior of compartment 240. Door 234 comprises a first portion 254 extending from and joined to a remainder of package 220 by a living hinge 256 and a second portion 260 frangibly connected to the remainder of the packaging 220 when packaging 220 is in the retail state. Living hinge 256 comprises a portion of sheet 224 integrally extending between and connecting the remainder of packaging 220 to portion 254 of door 234. Living hinge 256 facilitates pivoting of door 234 between a closed state (shown in FIGS. 17 and 18) and an open state (shown in FIGS. 19 and 20). Living hinge 256 hinges door 234 to the remainder of packaging 220 without additional components or parts, allowing packaging 220 to form from the same continuous single sheet 224 of polymeric material.

Closing retainer 236 comprises a mechanism for releasably retaining door 234 in a chamber closing state after the frangible connection between portion 260 and the remainder of packaging 220 has been broken or severed. Closing retainer 236 secures door 234 and a closed state to retain contents 222 within chamber 240, allowing enhanced reuse of packaging 220 when in the consumer or in use state. In the example illustrated, closing retainer 236 comprises a pushpin mechanism, wherein door 234 includes a first portion of the pushpin mechanism and wherein the remainder of the packaging includes a second portion of the pushpin mechanism. As a result, closing retainer 236 is formed from the same single continuous polymeric sheet as forms the rest of packaging 220, reducing complexity and cost.

In the example illustrated, door 234 is formed within and is carried by cover panel 232. Door 234 is joined to cover panel 232 by living hinge 256 and by weakened portions between portion 260 of door 234 and cover panel 232. While the first portion of the pushpin mechanism forming closing retainer 236 is formed as part of door 234, the second portion of the pushpin mechanism forming closing retainer 236 is formed within and along rim 246 of body 230 outside of compartment 240.

FIGS. 24-29 illustrate packaging 420, another example implementation of packaging 20. Packaging 420 is similar to packaging 120 except that packaging 420 comprises door 434 and closing retainer 436 in place of door 134 and closing retainer 136. Those remaining elements of packaging 420 which correspond to elements of packaging 120 are numbered similarly. Door 434 similar to door 134 except that door 434 extends from and is pivotably connected to a bottom wall 42 of body 130 by living hinge 456.

Closing retainer 436 comprises post 500 providing a depression or detent 502 of a pushpin mechanism while door 434 carries a projection or pin number 504 of the pushpin mechanism. Post 500 is formed and carried by cover panel 32 and projects into chamber 40 towards door 434. Because post 500 is formed as part of cover panel 32, post 500 may be stronger without enlarging an outer perimeter size of packaging 420. Although post 500 is illustrated as including detent 502 while door 434 is illustrated as carrying pin 504, in other implementations this relationship may be reversed such that door 434 carries detent 502 while post 500 supports pin 504.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.

Claims

1. A packaging comprising:

a single continuous formed polymeric sheet forming:

a body forming a chamber;

a cover panel extending from the body and joined to the body by a first living hinge; and

a door extending over the chamber, the door having a first portion joined to a remainder of the packaging by a second living hinge and a second portion frangibly connected to the remainder of the packaging.

2. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the door is formed in the body opposite the cover panel.

3. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the door is formed in the cover panel and wherein the second living hinge is carried by the cover panel.

4. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first portion of a pushpin and wherein the door includes a second portion of the pushpin.

5. The packaging of claim 1 further comprising means for releasably retaining the door in a chamber closing state after a frangible connection between the door and a remainder of the packaging has been broken.

6. The packaging of claim 3, wherein the body comprises a channel in alignment with the first portion of the pushpin.

7. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the body and the cover frictionally nest together.

8. The packaging of claim 1 further comprising an insert within the chamber extending along an inside surface of the cover panel adjacent the door, the insert presenting graphics viewable through the cover panel.

9. The packaging of claim 8 further comprising a pair of opposite shoulder surfaces on opposite sides of the body recessed from and proximate to a mouth of the chamber, the pair of opposite shoulder surfaces supporting the insert within the chamber adjacent to and below the cover panel.

10. The packaging of claim 8 comprising a continuous shelf about a perimeter of the chamber proximate to a mouth of the chamber, the continuous shelf supporting the insert within the chamber adjacent to and below the cover panel.

11. The packaging of claim 8, wherein the insert has an opening in alignment with the door.

12. The packaging of claim 8, wherein the insert extends on opposite sides of the door such that the door is sandwiched between portions of the insert.

13. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the cover panel has an elevated platform and wherein the door is formed in the elevated platform.

14. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the cover panel has a top surface including one of a depression and a projection and wherein the body includes a bottom surface below the chamber including the other of a depression and a projection, wherein the projection is receivable within the depression to facilitate interlocked stacking with another one of the packaging.

15. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the single continuous sheet of formed polymeric material forms a post within the chamber, wherein the door has a first portion of a pushpin and wherein a top of the post has a second portion of the pushpin.

16. The packaging of claim 1, wherein the single continuous formed polymeric sheet is transparent.

17. The packaging of claim 1 further comprising a tearable film between the cover panel and the body sealing an interior of the chamber.

18. A packaging comprising:

a body forming a chamber;

a cover panel extending from the body across the chamber;

a door extending over the chamber and joined to a remainder of the cover panel by a second living hinge, the door being frangibly connected to the cover panel; and

a post within the chamber, wherein a top of the post has a first portion of the pushpin and wherein the door includes a second portion of the pushpin.

19. A packaging comprising:

a body forming a chamber;

a transparent cover panel joined to the body over the chamber; and

a door extending over the chamber, the door having a first portion joined to a remainder of the packaging by a first living hinge and a second portion frangibly connected to the remainder of the packaging; and

an insert within the chamber extending along and adjacent to an inside surface of the cover panel, the insert presenting graphics viewable through the cover panel.

20. The packaging of claim 19 further comprising a post within the chamber, wherein a top of the post has a first portion of the pushpin and wherein a remainder of the packaging includes a second portion of the pushpin.

21. The packaging of claim 20, wherein the post is formed as part of a single continuous polymeric sheet with one of the body and the cover panel.