Hanging packaging and hanger for a product packaging of a hanging packaging
A hanging packaging comprising a product packaging with a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction x, y, z, and a removable hanger. Preferably the hanger comprises a hanging element, a first connection element, a second connection element, and a web element running between the first connection element and the second connection element wherein the first connection element and the second connection element can be released from the product packaging and the first connection element and the second connection element are spaced apart from one another in the width direction (y) and/or in the depth direction (z). Also disclosed is a hanger for a product packaging of a hanging packaging of this type.
This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2017 001 263.6, filed Feb. 10, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to a hanging packaging and to a hanger for a product packaging of a hanging packaging.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYCertain hanging packaging is known and for example is used in a commercial environment for display packaging, i.e. for product packaging that allows the customer or purchaser to see the packaged article.
US patent application US 2013/0228666 A1 discloses a hanging device which is secured to a product group. As can be discerned, the product group is hung from the supporting structure by placing the supporting face of the curved portion of the first hook-shaped portion of the hanging device on one of the two parallel bars and by placing the supporting face of the curved portion of the second hook-shaped portion of the hanger on the other of the two parallel bars.
In its most basic aspects, the present disclosure describes improvements to previously known hanging packaging and to a hanger for a product packaging of a hanging packaging.
In accordance with the present disclosure it is possible to present a product displayed in the hanging packaging in a way that is appealing to a customer in a salesroom. This can be achieved for example in that the packaged product is presented upright on a store shelf. In particular, the hanging packaging should not only serve for presentation of the product in the salesroom, but should also be suitable for re-use by the customer who has purchased the product once the hanger has been removed, for example in order to store the product therein.
In particular, a removable hanger for a product packaging is described which can be attached to the product packaging so that the system as a whole consisting of hanger and product packaging is stable in two perpendicular directions in the horizontal, for example in a left-to-right direction and in a back-and-forward direction, when the packaging is hung from a product carrier running substantially horizontally. In particular, the hanging packaging should serve not only for presentation of the product in the shop, but should also be suitable for re-use by the customer who has purchased the product once the hanger has been removed, for example in order to store the product therein.
These advantages are achieved by a hanging packaging according to the claims appended hereto.
The hanging packaging comprises a product packaging and a hanger connected to the product packaging, which hanger is preferably removable. The hanger preferably can be connected to the product packaging reversibly and serves to hang the product packaging. The hanger should in any case be removable.
The product packaging has a height direction (x), a width direction (y), and a depth direction (z). Here, the height direction, which runs along the x-axis, is a vertical. The two other directions perpendicular thereto, i.e. width and depth, lie in a horizontal plane and can be freely selected except for an angle. However, the width and depth preferably lie along two main axes of the product packaging.
A center of gravity of the product packaging can lie at any point within the product packaging. The totality formed by the product packaging and the associated product that a center of gravity of this totality can lie at any point within the product packaging.
The hanging element of the removable hanger serves to hang the removable hanger, for example from a horizontally running bar, which serves as a product carrier. A hanging element of this type for example can comprise a hook or a Euro cutout.
The first and the second connection element serve to fasten the hanger to the product packaging. The corresponding connection points are referred to as the first and second connection point. The first connection element of the removable hanger is connected at the first connection point to the product packaging, and the second connection element of the removable hanger is connected at the second connection point to the product packaging. It is expedient if the first connection element and the second connection element can be detached from the product packaging reversibly.
The web element running between the first connection element and the second connection element serves to provide a reinforcement between the first and second connection point. The product packaging can thus be stabilized advantageously in the plane which is defined by the two connection points and a connection line running in the web element. The product packaging can also be stabilized along a direction by means of the hanging element of the removable hanger. In the case of a Euro cutout, this is along the direction of the slot, for example. It is expedient if the stability direction produced by the web element and the stability direction produced by the hanging element enclose an angle greater than 0°, wherein 90° is preferred.
The first connection element and the second connection element are to be spaced apart from one another at least in the width direction y or in the depth direction z. They can also be spaced apart from one another in the width direction y and in the depth direction z. They can additionally be spaced apart from one another in the height direction x. A spacing in the width direction y and in the height direction x or in the depth direction z and in the height direction x is often expedient. This feature, inter alia, similarly to the previously disclosed feature, also causes the web element to be stabilized along a plane which is parallel to a vertical. Here, it is again expedient if the stability direction produced by the hanging element is perpendicular to the stability direction mentioned in the previous sentence.
An advantageous embodiment of the hanging packaging is provided if the product packaging also has a third connection element for cooperation with the first connection element.
In accordance with a further advantageous embodiment of the hanging packaging, the product packaging also has a fourth connection element for cooperation with the second connection element.
It is preferred if at least one of the first, second, third and fourth connection element is mechanical. It is also preferred if all connection elements of the first, second, third and fourth connection element are mechanical.
In a specific embodiment it is also preferred if the first connection element has a hook. The third connection element serves to receive or fasten the first connection element. In accordance with a further embodiment the third connection element has a groove or a cutout for receiving the first connection element. This can be a groove or a cutout in a contact frame of a shell, for example. Here, the hook of the first connection element, which can be formed in an elongate manner, can be inserted into the groove or the cutout of the contact frame, onto which a further contact frame of a further shell is placed, whereby the hook of the first connection element is fastened.
The second connection element of the hanger can be a connection lug, for example, which is preferably formed in an elongate manner along a predefined direction. The fourth connection element of the product packaging can be a slot, for example.
It is expedient if the first connection element and the third connection element can be connected in a first connection direction and can be released in a first release direction.
It is also expedient if the second connection element and the fourth connection element can be connected in a second connection direction and can be released in a second release direction.
In accordance with a further embodiment the first and the second release direction are oppositely directed. Here, the term “oppositely directed” is understood to mean, for vectors, that the two vectors enclose angle greater than 90°, with angles ranging from 150° to 210°, in particular also 180°, being expedient. The feature of this embodiment has the advantage that the hanger is fixedly connected to the product packaging and cannot become released on its own from the product packaging. When the hanger is released from the product packaging it is necessary to move the first connection element of the hanger along the first release direction and to move the second connection element of the hanger along the second release direction.
Since the first connection element and the second connection element are connected by the web element, and since the first and the second release direction enclose an angle greater than 90°, forces must act here which can be referred to as being oppositely directed.
In accordance with a further embodiment the web element runs substantially in the height direction x. This has the advantage that the stabilizing force which the hanger can exert onto the product packaging along a horizontal direction is greater than in a case in which the web element is arranged along a horizontal direction.
In accordance with one embodiment the hanger is formed in one part. This has the advantage that such a hanger can be manufactured in a single process step and does not have to be assembled together. Furthermore, there is no risk that the number of parts of the hanger will separate from one another.
In accordance with another embodiment the hanger is formed in two parts. In accordance with a further embodiment it is preferred if a first part of the hanger comprises the hanging element and the first connection element and a second part of the hanger comprises the second connection element and the web element. Since, when the hanger is used as intended, the hanging element is located at the top, the first part of the hanger is located at the top and the second part of the hanger is located at the bottom when the hanger is used as intended. Here, the positional references, such as “top” and “bottom”, relate to the intended use of the hanging packaging, the product packaging, or the hanger. This embodiment on the one hand has the advantage that the first part of the hanger can be exchanged in order to use a different hanging element. This is expedient if the device from which the hanger is hung is better suited for another hanging element. A further advantage of this embodiment is that the second part of the hanger can also be exchanged. This is expedient if the size and shape of the second part of the hanger has to be adapted to the used product packaging.
In accordance with a further embodiment with a two-part hanger, it is preferred if a first part of the hanger comprises the hanging element and a second part of the hanger comprises the first connection element, the second connection element, and the web element. This embodiment has the same advantages as the embodiment disclosed previously. However, a further advantage is that, since the two connection elements are arranged on the second part of the hanger, the product packaging is connected only to the second part of the hanger. An adaptation to the product packaging merely with the aid of the second part and an adaptation to the hanging element merely with the aid of the first part are thus possible.
In accordance with another embodiment the third connection element is preferably arranged at an upper position of the product packaging.
In an advantageous embodiment of the hanging packaging the product packaging comprises a first shell and a second shell. Here, it can be expedient if the first shell and the second shell can be separated from one another reversibly. In accordance with a further embodiment the first and the second shell are connected to each other by means of a hinge, so that the two shells can be folded open and closed. In accordance with yet a further embodiment only part of the first shell is folded away from the second shell, whereas another part of the first shell is immovable.
It is preferred if the first shell lies by means of a first contact frame on a second contact frame of the second shell, and the second contact frame of the second shell comprises a fastening element for receiving the first connection element of the hanger. The fastening element for receiving the hanger is preferably a cutout or a groove in the second contact frame. This has the advantage that the hanger can be easily fastened in the product packaging by inserting the first connection element into the cutout or the groove of the second contact frame and by placing the first shell by means of the first contact frame against the second shell. The first connection element of the hanger is hereby clamped between the two shells.
In accordance with a further embodiment the hanging element of the hanger has a Euro cutout. This has the advantage that the hanger has a standard hanging device, which is widespread within the industry. In addition, the Euro cutout (or the “Euro slot”) is often chosen in order to hang the product straight in the width direction. The present invention continues this concept and allows straight hanging also in the depth direction. This can be achieved even in the case of centers of gravity of the packaging and product that are significantly shifted from the center of volume of the packaging.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment an expected center of gravity of the product packaging lies between a first fastening point and a second fastening point. Here, the intermediate positioning of the center of gravity is estimated to be arranged in a horizontal plane. Here, however, the orientation of the hanger and the product packaging is important. Here, it is assumed that the upper part of the hanger is arranged vertically, i.e. that a connection path between the hanging point of the hanging element and the first fastening point is parallel to the vertical. The product packaging is fastened to a hanger of this type. The location of the anticipated center of gravity is estimated in such a position. Here, the anticipated center of gravity of the product packaging on the one hand and the first and second fastening points on the other hand are projected onto a horizontal plane. In accordance with the claimed feature the projected anticipated center of gravity lies between the projected first and second fastening point. In this embodiment the overall system consisting of the hanging packaging and product does not hang completely straight downwardly, but the connection line between the points of the hanging element from which the hanger hangs and the anticipated center of gravity runs through a point of the web element lying between the two fastening points. The path between the hanging point and the first connection point is thus only slightly inclined relative to the vertical.
The term “anticipated center of gravity of the product packaging” is dependent on a product to be used, although said product does not form part of the subject matter of the claimed hanging packaging. The term “anticipated center of gravity” thus relates to the center of gravity of the hanging packaging with a product in the product packaging.
It is also preferred that the anticipated center of gravity of the overall system, formed by the hanging packaging and the product, and the hanging point can be directly connected to a vertical connection line. In this case the anticipated center of gravity is directly beneath the hanging point of the hanging element, which means that the overall system formed of hanger, product packaging and product is stable in the position just described. In this case it is preferred that a hanging point of the hanger comprises a flat material and this flat material runs vertically. For the present case, in which the anticipated center of gravity of the hanging packaging lies directly beneath the hanging point, the flat material remains vertical and stable in the previously described position.
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the hanging packaging, a first part of the hanger also comprises a rail, which runs substantially horizontally, and the second part of the hanger also comprises a slider. Here, the slider can be fastened to the rail and can be moved relative to the rail.
This embodiment has the advantage that the center of gravity of the second part of the hanger can be moved relative to the stationary center of gravity of the first part. It can thus be achieved that the center of gravity of the overall system, i.e. the first part and the second part of the hanger, is located beneath the hanging point of the hanging element, so that the first part of the hanger hangs straight down.
The product packaging preferably comprises plastic. It is also preferred that the product packaging is fabricated from plastic.
Besides the hanging packaging, a hanger for a product packaging of a hanging packaging according to the invention also forms part of the subject matter of the present invention. A hanger of this type has a first connection element and a second connection element, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element are designed so that they can be connected to a product packaging to be connected to the hanger, wherein the connection is established at two different points of the product packaging. It is preferred if the first and second connection element can be connected to the product packaging reversibly.
In accordance with a further embodiment the hanger can be connected to the product packaging at the two different points of the product packaging so that, if the hanger and the product packaging are hung as a whole, the product packaging hangs in a predefined position and the product packaging is stable in the event that the product packaging is deflected perpendicularly to the vertical. Here, the predefined position of the product packaging can be as follows: a main axis of the product packaging runs along the vertical and the two other main axes run perpendicularly thereto, i.e. in the horizontal.
The hanger can also have all properties of the hanger described above in conjunction with the hanging packaging.
Additional advantages and novel features of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be appreciated further by practice of the invention.
Further features, but also advantages of the invention will become clear from the drawings described hereinafter and the associated description. Features of the invention are described in combination in the drawings and in the associated descriptions. However, these features can also be comprised by a subject according to the invention in other combinations. Each disclosed feature is thus also to be considered as disclosed in technically feasible combinations with other features. The (partially slightly simplified, schematic) drawings show:
For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the principles of the present invention are described by referring mainly to various exemplary embodiments thereof. Although the preferred embodiments of the invention are particularly disclosed herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the same principles are equally applicable to, and can be implemented in other systems, and that any such variation would be within such modifications that do not part from the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of any particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
The first part 34 of the hanger 13 has, at the lower end, a first connection element 16. The first connection element 16 is embodied as a hook in the embodiment of
In the present case the hanger 13 is formed in two parts. In order to connect the first part 34 of the hanger 13 to the second part of the hanger 13, the hook of the first connection element 16 of the first part 34 of the hanger 13 is inserted through a slot located at the upper end of the second part 36 of the hanger 13.
The product packaging 12 has a first shell 26 and a second shell 28, which are connected to one another with the aid of two hinges 44. The first shell 26 can be placed by means of the first contact frame 30 against the second contact frame 32 of the second shell 28. The second shell 28 has a third connection element 22 in the second contact frame 32, which third connection element is formed as a cutout in the present case. The second shell 28, on the outside, also has a fourth connection element 24, which in the height direction x lies close to an upper end of the second shell 28. The fourth connection element 24 is formed as a slot in accordance with the first embodiment.
The first connection element 16 can be connected to the third connection element 22 reversibly. The second connection element 18 can be connected to the fourth connection element 24 reversibly. The elongate connection lug of the second connection element 18 forms a connection to the slot of the fourth connection element 24 by inserting the connection lug in the slot (in a form-fitting manner) or by fixing the connection lug in the slot (in a frictionally engaged manner). The hook of the first connection element 16 can then be inserted into the cutout of the third connection element 22. Here, it can be necessary to firmly press the second connection element 18 against the second shell 28 and to pull the hook of the first connection element 16 along the height direction x and the width direction y. If the hook of the first connection element 16 lies in the cutout of the third connection element 22, the first shell 26 can be placed by means of the first contact frame 30 against the second contact frame 32 of the second shell 28, whereby the hook of the first connection element 16 is fixed in the cutout of the third connection element 22 between the first contact frame 30 of the first shell 26 and the second contact frame 32 of the second shell 28.
It is clear to a person skilled in the art that it is also possible to firstly connect the first connection element 16 to the third connection element 22 and to only then connect the second connection element 18 to the fourth connection element 24.
In
It can be clearly seen in
The fastening point 50 can be a spot weld for example, which connects two plastic parts to one another. In principle, the hanger 13 can be formed expediently in one part, or in two or three parts. A one-part embodiment can be produced in a stable and economical manner. A two-part embodiment makes it possible to make the tab 52 movable relative to the second part 36, which can assist the fastening and release of the first connection element 16. If the hanging element is formed as a separate part, a hook or a Euro slot for example can be easily selected for the packaging.
The first connection element 16, which is attached at the upper end of the web element 20 of the second part 36 of the hanger 13 and is integrally connected to the second part 36 of the hanger, is to be connected at the first fastening point 38 to the product packaging 12; see
This means that the hanging packaging hangs down straight. The third embodiment thus achieves a presentation of the product in a display packaging that is appealing to a customer, since the packaging can be adapted regardless of the anticipated center of gravity so that it hangs down straight and therefore can be easily seen. Furthermore, the customer, after purchasing the hanging packaging, can remove the hanger again and can still use the product packaging to store the product.
The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS
- 10 hanging packaging
- 12 product packaging
- 13 removable hanger
- 14 hanging element
- 16 first connection element
- 18 second connection element
- 20 web element
- 22 third connection element
- 24 fourth connection element
- 26 first shell
- 28 second shell
- 30 first contact frame
- 32 second contact frame
- 34 first part of the hanger 13
- 36 second part of the hanger 13
- 38 first fastening point
- 40 second fastening point
- 42 rail
- 44 hinge
- 46 Euro cutout
- 48 slider
- 50 third fastening point
- 52 tab
- SPL center of gravity line
- x height direction
- y width direction
- z depth direction
Claims
1. A hanging packaging comprising:
- a product packaging with a height direction (x), a depth direction (y), and a width direction (z),
- a removable hanger, which comprises a hanging element, a first connection element a second connection element, and a web element running between the first connection element and the second connection element, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element can be released from the product packaging and the first connection element and the second connection element are spaced apart from one another in the width direction (y) or in the depth direction (z).
2. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the product packaging also comprises a third connection element for cooperation with the first connection element.
3. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the product packaging also comprises a fourth connection element for cooperation with the second connection element.
4. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first connection element and a third connection element or the second connection element and a fourth connection element are mechanical connection elements.
5. The hanging packaging according to claim 2, wherein the first connection element and the third connection element can be connected in a first connection direction and can be released in a first release direction.
6. The hanging packaging according to claim 3, wherein the second connection element and the fourth connection element can be connected in a second connection direction and can be released in a second release direction.
7. The hanging packaging according to claim 6, wherein the product packaging also comprises a third connection element for cooperation with the first connection element first connection element and the third connection element can be connected in a first connection direction and can be released in a first release direction and the first and the second release direction are oppositely directed.
8. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the hanger is formed in one part.
9. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the hanger is formed in two parts.
10. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element are also spaced apart from one another in the height direction (x).
11. The hanging packaging according to the preceding claim 10, wherein a first part of the hanger comprises the hanging element and the first connection element, and a second part of the hanger comprises the second connection element and the web element.
12. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the product packaging comprises a first shell and a second shell.
13. The hanging packaging according to claim 12, wherein the first shell lies by means of a first contact frame on a second contact frame of the second shell, and the second contact frame of the second shell comprises a connection element for receiving the first connection element of the hanger.
14. The hanging packaging according claim 1, wherein the hanging element of the hanger comprises a Euro cutout.
15. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the anticipated center of gravity of the product packaging lies between a first fastening point and a second fastening point.
16. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein a first part of the hanger also comprises a rail, which runs substantially horizontally, and a second part of the hanger also comprises a slider, wherein the slider can be fastened to the rail and can be moved relative to the rail.
17. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the product packaging comprises plastic.
18. A hanger for a product packaging of a hanging packaging, comprising:
- a first connection element and a second connection element, wherein the first connection element and the second connection element are designed so that they can be connected to a product packaging to be connected to the hanger, wherein the connection is established at two different points of the product packaging.
19. The hanger according to claim 18, wherein the hanger can be connected to the product packaging at the two different points of the product packaging so that, if the hanger and the product packaging are hung as a whole, the product packaging hangs in a predefined position and the product packaging is stable in the event that the product packaging is deflected perpendicularly to the vertical.
20. The hanging packaging according to claim 1, wherein the product packaging is fabricated from plastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 9, 2018
Publication Date: Aug 16, 2018
Inventors: Avi Levin (Middlesex), Philip Eddershaw (Stansted)
Application Number: 15/892,789