PRODUCT DISPLAY PACKAGE

Abstract

A product display package includes a product tray configured to hold one or more products. The product tray includes a bottom wall connected to a front wall, to a back wall, to a left side wall, and to a right side wall to form an interior chamber, and a display opening in the product tray provides physical access to the interior chamber such that one or more products may be placed into or removed through the display opening. The product display package includes a barrier label adhered to the product tray such that it overlies the display opening. The barrier label includes a center panel that substantially closes the display opening and forms a physical barrier to restrict physical access to a product in the interior chamber of the product tray.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/772,904 filed on Nov. 29, 2018 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a product package and in particular to a product display package. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a product display package including a display tray and a label.

The present disclosure relates to a product package and in particular to a product display package. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a product display package including a display tray and a label.

SUMMARY

A product display package in accordance with the present disclosure includes a display tray and a label coupled to the display tray. The product display package holds products for shipping and for displaying to customers at a retail location.

In illustrative embodiments, the product display package includes a product tray for holding one or more products. The product tray includes one or more display windows or openings for providing customers with visual access to the products held within the product tray. A barrier label is applied to the product tray to cover the display openings and to at least partially restrict physical access by customers to the contents of the product tray.

In illustrative embodiments, the barrier label includes one or more strips of adhesive that couple the barrier label to the product tray. The barrier label may be clear or opaque or combinations thereof, and may include a plurality of ventilation openings.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a product display package in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the product display package includes a display tray having one or more display openings for displaying product contained in the product tray and a barrier label applied to the product tray that overlies the display openings of the product tray to restrict physical access to the contents of the product tray through the display openings;

FIG. 2 is front perspective view of the product tray of the product display package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the barrier label of the product display package of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-19 are perspective views of alternate embodiments of the display tray of the product display package of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 20-28 are bottom views of alternate embodiments of the barrier label of the product display package of the present disclosure;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a barrier label including micro perforations;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a barrier label including a plurality of ventilation openings;

FIGS. 31-36 are perspective views of alternate embodiments of the product display package of the present disclosure including a display tray and a barrier label coupled to the display tray;

FIGS. 37A-37D illustrate a process for applying a generally U-shaped barrier label to a product tray;

FIGS. 38A-38D illustrate a process for applying a generally L-shaped barrier label to a product tray; and

FIG. 39 illustrates a process for releasing a barrier label from a release web and applying the barrier label to a product tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A product display package 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1. Product display package 10 includes a product tray 12 and a barrier label 14. Product tray 12 is configured to receive and retain one or more products for shipping of the products and for displaying the products in a retail location.

Product tray 12 of product display package 10 includes a generally planar front wall 20, a generally planar back wall 22 spaced apart from and generally parallel to front wall 20, a generally planar left side wall 24, and a generally planar right side wall 26 spaced apart from and generally parallel to left side wall 24. Left side wall 24 and right side wall 26 extend generally perpendicularly between front wall 20 and back wall 22. Product tray 12 includes a generally planar and rectangular floor or bottom wall 28 that extends between the bottom ends of walls 20, 22, 24 and 26. Product tray 12 includes an internal chamber 30 located between walls 20, 22, 24 and 26, and above bottom wall 28, that is adapted to receive one or more products for retention in product tray 12. The products may be various types of produce, or other suitable products as desired.

Product tray 12 includes a generally planar front shelf 36 coupled to a top end of front wall 20 and that extends along a top edge of front wall 20 between a first end located at left side wall 24 and a second end located at right side wall 26. Front shelf 36 is spaced apart from and generally parallel to bottom wall 28. Front shelf 36 includes a generally concavely curved interior edge 38. Product tray 12 also includes a generally planar back shelf 40 that is coupled to a top end of back wall 22 and that extends along the top edge of back wall 22 between a first end located at left side wall 24 and a second end located at a right side wall 26. Back shelf 40 is spaced apart from and generally parallel to bottom wall 28, and is generally coplanar with front shelf 36. Back shelf 40 includes a generally concavely curved interior edge 42. Interior edge 42 of back shelf 40 is spaced apart from interior edge 38 front shelf 36 such that a display opening 44 is formed between interior edge 38 of front shelf 36 and interior edge 42 of back shelf 40. Display opening 44 provides physical access to chamber 30 of product tray 12 such that one or more products may be inserted into chamber 30 through display opening 44 and may be removed from chamber 30 through display opening 44.

As shown in FIG. 2, a tab 46 extends upwardly from a top end of left side wall 24 between front shelf 36 and back shelf 40. A tab 48 extends upwardly from a top end of right side wall 26 between front shelf 36 and back shelf 40. Front wall 20 may include one or more display windows 50, such as ventilation apertures, that are in communication with chamber 30. Back wall 22 may include one or more display openings 52, such as ventilation apertures, that are in communication with chamber 30. Product tray 12 may be made from a variety of materials including corrugated paper board, folding carton, solid fiber, plastic sheeting, plastic corrugated, combinations thereof, or any other suitable material.

As shown in FIG. 1, barrier label 14 has an inverted U-shaped configuration when barrier label 14 is applied and coupled to product tray 12. Barrier label 14 is shown in FIG. 3 as having a generally planar configuration prior to attachment of barrier label 14 to product tray 12. As shown in FIG. 3, barrier label 14 is generally rectangular and has an interior surface and an exterior surface. Barrier label 14 includes a generally linear front edge 60 and a generally linear back edge 62 that is spaced apart from and generally parallel to front edge 60. Barrier label 14 includes a generally linear left side edge 64 and a generally linear right side edge 66 that is spaced apart from and generally parallel to left side edge 64. Left side edge 64 and right side edge 66 extend generally perpendicularly between front edge 60 and back edge 62.

Barrier label 14 includes a generally rectangular center panel 68. A generally rectangular front panel 70 is coupled to center panel 68 along a generally linear fold line 72. Fold line 72 is spaced apart from and generally parallel to front edge 60 and extends between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. A generally rectangular back panel 74 is coupled to center panel 68 along a generally linear fold line 76. Fold line 76 is spaced apart from and generally parallel to back edge 62 and extends between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. Fold line 76 is spaced apart from and generally parallel to fold line 72. Fold lines 72 and 76 are shown in FIG. 3 for the purpose of illustrating the general location of where front panel 70 and back panel 74 are folded with respect to center panel 68 when barrier label 14 is applied to product tray 12. If desired, barrier label 14 may include physical fold lines 72 and 76 that are formed in barrier label 14 such as by a groove or an indentation formed in barrier label 14.

In one example, barrier label 14 comprises a sheet of film, formed from a plastic material such as, for example, polyethylene. In another example, barrier label 14 comprises a sheet of paper, for example, kraft paper liner or kraft fiber sheet.

Front panel 70 of barrier label 14 includes an elongate adhesive strip 80 comprising an adhesive or glue material. Adhesive strip 80 is applied to the inside surface of barrier label 14. As shown in FIG. 3, adhesive strip 80 is generally U-shaped and includes a generally linear central adhesive segment 82 that extends along front edge 60 of front panel 70, a generally linear left adhesive segment 84 that extends along left side edge 64 between front edge 60 of front panel 70 and fold line 72, and a generally linear right adhesive segment 86 that extends between front edge 60 of front panel 70 and fold line 72.

Back panel 74 of barrier label 14 includes an elongate adhesive strip 90 comprising an adhesive or glue material. Adhesive strip 90 is applied to an inside surface of barrier label 14. As shown in FIG. 3, adhesive strip 90 is generally U-shaped and includes a generally linear central adhesive segment 92 that extends along back edge 62 of back panel 74, a generally linear left adhesive segment 94 that extends along left side edge 64 between back edge 62 of back panel 74 and fold line 76, and a generally linear right adhesive segment 96 that extends between back edge 62 of back panel 74 and fold line 76. The adhesive in adhesive strips 80 and 90 may be a continuous strip of adhesive or a discontinuous strip of adhesive including a plurality of adhesive segments. Front panel 70 of barrier label 14 may include one or more apertures or openings 98 and back panel 74 may include one or more apertures or openings 100. Center panel 68 may include one or more apertures or openings 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, when barrier label 14 is applied and coupled to product tray 12, center panel 68 of barrier label 14 overlies front shelf 36, back shelf 40 and display opening 44, with the inside surface of center panel 68 in engagement with front shelf 36 and back shelf 40. Center panel 68 of barrier label 14 extends between the top edge of front wall 20 and the top edge of back wall 22, and extends between the top edges of left side wall 24 and right side wall 26 of product tray 12. Openings 102 in center panel 68 of barrier label 14 are in fluid communication with display opening 44 between front shelf 36 and back shelf 40 of product tray 12 to provide fluid communication between the exterior of product display package 10 and chamber 30 of product tray 12.

Front panel 70 of barrier label 14 overlies and is in engagement with the outside surface of front wall 20 of product tray 12. Front panel 70 extends downwardly from the top edge of front wall 20 and between left side wall 24 and right side wall 26 of product tray 12. Fold line 72 of barrier label 14 extends along the top edge of front wall 20. Adhesive strip 80 of barrier label 14 adhesively couples front panel 70 of barrier label 14 to front wall 20 of product tray 12. Central adhesive segment 82 of adhesive strip 80 is in engagement with front wall 20 and extends along the width of front wall 20 between left side wall 24 and right side wall 26. Left adhesive segment 84 of adhesive strip 80 is in engagement with front wall 20 and extends vertically along a left end of front wall 20 adjacent to left side wall 24. Right adhesive segment 86 of adhesive strip 80 is in engagement with front wall 20 and extends vertically along the right end of front wall 20 adjacent to right side wall 26. Openings 98 of front panel 70 are each aligned with a respective display window 50 of front wall 20 of product tray 12 such that windows 50 and openings 98 are in fluid communication with one another and provide fluid communication between the exterior of product display package 10 and chamber 30 of product tray 12.

Back panel 74 of barrier label 14 similarly overlies back wall 32 of product tray 12 and is adhesively coupled thereto by adhesive strip 90. Openings 100 of back panel 74 are each aligned with a respective display opening 52 in back wall 22 of product tray 12 such that openings 52 and 100 are in fluid communication with one another and provide fluid communication between the exterior of product display package 10 and chamber 30 of product tray 12.

Adhesive strips 80 and 90 of barrier label 14 cover only a minor portion of the inside surface of barrier label 14 with the majority of the inside surface of barrier label 14 not including an adhesive. Adhesive strips 80 and 90 are generally located along the edges or perimeter of barrier label 14 such that adhesive strips 80 and 90 substantially only contact product tray 12, and do not come into contact with the product contained in product tray 12.

While openings 102 of center panel 68 may provide fluid communication with chamber 30 of product tray 12, center panel 68 substantially closes opening 44 of product tray 12 and forms a physical barrier that prevents or restricts a customer from contacting or handling product contained in product tray 12, while providing the customer with visual access to chamber 30 to view the products contained in product tray 12. Barrier label 14 thereby prevents customers from removing and replacing, or sorting, products contained in product tray 12, and prevents or restricts customer physical contact with the products contained in product tray 12 to prevent or minimize potential contamination of the products by a customer. Barrier label 14 retains the products within product tray 12 during shipment of product display package 10. Customers may obtain physical access to products contained in product tray 12 by tearing barrier label 14 from product tray 12, or by cutting or tearing barrier label 14, to provide full physical access to chamber 30 through display opening 44 of product tray 12.

Barrier label 14 may be formed from clear film, colored film, opaque film, or a combination thereof with transparent and opaque sections. Barrier label 14 may also comprise a printed film including various types of indicia thereon. Barrier label 14 may include one or more layers of film. For example, barrier label 14 may include a bottom film layer having an opening, and a top film layer that overlies the bottom film layer and that includes a flap that overlies the opening in the bottom film layer, wherein the flap releasably closes and seals the opening in the bottom film layer when the flap is in a closed position and wherein the flap is selectively releasable from the bottom film layer to provide access to the chamber 30 of product tray 12 through the opening in the bottom film layer.

Barrier label 14 may be formed from paper or a combination of a paper and polymeric materials. In one example, the barrier label may be made of only paper which has been printed upon. Such a product display package may be all paper and facilitate improved recyclability.

FIGS. 4-19 show alternate embodiments of the product tray of present disclosure. Elements of these product trays that are similar to elements of product tray 12 are identified with the same reference numbers.

Product tray 110 as shown in FIG. 4, includes a top opening 112 that extends between the top edges of front wall 20, back wall 22, left side wall 24 and right side wall 26.

Product tray 114, as shown in FIG. 5, is similar to product tray 110. Product tray 114 includes a display window 116 formed in the top edge of front wall 20 and a display window 118 formed in the top edge of back wall 22.

Product tray 120, as shown in FIG. 6, includes a display window 122 in front wall 20 and a display window 124 in back wall 22. The top edges of front wall 20 and back wall 22 are inclined with respect to bottom wall 28.

Product tray 126, as shown in FIG. 7, includes a generally planar left shelf 128 that extends along the top edge of left side wall 24 between front wall 20 and back wall 22. A generally planar right shelf 130 extends along the top edge of right side wall 26 between front wall 20 and back wall 22. Left shelf 128 and right shelf 130 each include generally linear inner edges that are spaced apart and parallel to one another and that form a display opening into chamber 30.

Product tray 132, as shown in FIG. 8, is similar to product tray 126. Product tray 132 includes a display window 134 formed in front wall 20 along the top edge of front wall 20.

Product tray 136, as shown in FIG. 9, is similar to product tray 132, and includes a display window 134 formed in front wall 20. A display window 138 is formed in back wall 22 that extends along the top edge of back wall 22.

Product tray 140, as shown in FIG. 10, includes a generally planar left shelf 142 that extends along left side wall 24 and a generally planar right shelf 144 that extends along right side wall 26.

Product tray 146, as shown in FIG. 11, includes a generally planar left shelf 142 and generally planar right shelf 144. Product tray 146 also includes display window 148 in front wall 20 that extends along the top edge of front wall 20 substantially between left shelf 142 and right shelf 144.

Product tray 150, as shown in FIG. 12, is similar to product tray 146 and includes a display opening 148 formed in front wall 20 that extends along a top end of front wall 20 between left shelf 142 and right shelf 144, and a display window 152 formed in back wall 22 that extends along the top end of back wall 22 between left side wall 24 and right side wall 26.

Product tray 154, as shown in FIG. 13, includes a generally rectangular and planar frame 156 that extends along the top ends of front wall 20, back wall 22, left side wall 24 and right side wall 26. Frame 156 includes a rectangular central display opening 158. Frame 156 includes a front shelf 160 that extends along the top edge of front wall 20, and a back shelf 162 that extends along the top edge of back wall 22. Frame 156 also includes a left shelf 164 that extends along the top edge of left side wall 24 and a right shelf 166 that extends along the top edge of right side wall 26.

Product tray 168, as shown in FIG. 14, includes a generally planar front shelf 170 that extends along the top edge of front wall 22 and between left side wall 24 and right side wall 26, and a generally planar back shelf 172 that extends along the top end of back wall 22 and between left side wall 24 and right side wall 26. A display opening 174 is formed between front shelf 170 and back shelf 172. A plurality of display windows 176 are formed in front wall 20 and front shelf 170 at the top end of front wall 20. The plurality of display windows 178 are formed in back wall 22 and back shelf 172 at the top end of back wall 22.

Product tray 180, as shown in FIG. 15, includes a left shelf 182 that extends along the top edge of left side wall 24, a right shelf 184 that extends along the top edge of right side wall 26, and a back shelf 186 that extends along the top edge of back wall 22 between left shelf 182 and right shelf 184. A display opening 188 is formed between interior edges of left shelf 182 and right shelf 184 and along an interior edge of back shelf 186. A display window 190 is formed in front wall 20 along the top end of front wall 20. The top end of display window 190 is in communication with the front end of display opening 188.

Product display 192, as shown in FIG. 16, includes generally planar corner shelves 194A-D. Corner shelf 194A is attached to the top end of front wall 20 and the top end of left side wall 24. Corner shelf 194B is attached to the top end of front wall 20 and the top end of right side wall 26. Corner shelf 194C is attached to the top end of right side wall 26 and a top end of back wall 22. Corner shelf 194D is attached to the top end of back wall 22 and the top end of left side wall 24. Corner shelves 194A-D are generally coplanar with one another.

Product tray 196, as shown in FIG. 17, is similar to product tray 192. Product tray 196 includes a display window 198 formed in the top end of front wall 20 and a display window 200 formed in the top end of back wall 22.

Product tray 202, as shown in FIG. 18, includes a generally planar cover 204 that extends between the top ends of front wall 20, back wall 22, left side wall 24 and right side wall 26. Cover 204 includes a display opening 206 that extends along the top end of front wall 20. Product tray 202 also includes a display window 208 in front wall 20 that extends along the top end of front wall 20 and that is in communication with display opening 206.

Product tray 210, as shown in FIG. 19, includes a generally planar and rectangular frame 212 that extends between the top ends of front wall 20, back wall 22, left side wall 24 and right side wall 26. Frame 212 includes a rectangular central display opening 214.

FIGS. 20-28 show alternate embodiments of the barrier label of the present disclosure as used with the product tray. Elements of the barrier labels as shown in FIGS. 20-28 that are similar to the elements of barrier label 14 are numbered with the same reference numbers.

Barrier label 220, as shown in FIG. 20, includes a generally linear left adhesive strip 222 that extends along left side edge 64 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. A generally linear right adhesive strip 224 extends along right side edge 66 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. Left adhesive strip 222 is spaced apart from and generally parallel to right adhesive strip 224. Barrier label 220 is adapted to remain substantially planar when applied to a product tray. Barrier label 220 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product tray 154 as shown in FIG. 34.

Barrier label 226, as shown in FIG. 21, includes a generally linear front adhesive strip 228 that extends along front edge 60 and between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. A generally linear back adhesive strip 230 extends along back edge 62 and between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. Front adhesive strip 228 and back adhesive strip 230 are spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Barrier label 226 is adapted to remain substantially planar when applied to a product tray. Barrier label 226 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product tray 154 as shown in FIG. 34.

Barrier label 232, as shown in FIG. 22, includes a generally rectangular adhesive strip 234 that extends along front edge 60, left side edge 64, back edge 62 and right side edge 66. Rectangular adhesive strip 234 extends around the perimeter of barrier label 232. Barrier label 232 is adapted to remain substantially planar when applied to a product tray. Barrier label 232 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product tray 154 as shown in FIG. 34.

Barrier label 236, as shown in FIG. 23, includes a U-shaped front adhesive strip 238 that extends along front edge 60 between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66, that extends along a portion of left side edge 64 from front edge 60 toward back edge 62, and that extends along a portion of right side edge 66 from front edge 60 toward back edge 62. A U-shaped back adhesive strip 240 extends along back edge 62 between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66, extends along a portion of left side edge 64 from back edge 62 toward front edge 60, and extends along a portion of right side edge 66 from back edge 62 toward front edge 60. U-shaped front adhesive strip 238 and U-shaped back adhesive strip 240 are spaced apart from one another. Barrier label 236 remains substantially planar when applied to a product tray. Barrier label 236 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product tray 154 as shown in FIG. 34.

Barrier label 242, as shown in FIG. 24, includes a generally linear left adhesive strip 244 that extends along left side edge 64 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. A generally linear right adhesive strip 246 extends along right side edge 66 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. Left adhesive strip 244 and right adhesive strip 246 are spaced apart and parallel to one another. Barrier label 242 is adapted to be folded along fold lines 72 and 76 into a generally U-shaped barrier label when applied and coupled to a product tray. Barrier label 242 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product trays 12, 150 and 110 as shown in FIGS. 1, 31 and 33.

Barrier label 248, as shown in FIG. 25, includes a generally linear front adhesive strip 250 that extends along front edge 60 and between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. A generally linear back adhesive strip 252 extends along back edge 62 between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. Front adhesive strip 250 and back adhesive strip 252 are spaced apart and parallel to one another. Barrier label 248 is adapted to be folded along fold lines 72 and 76 into a generally U-shaped barrier label when applied and coupled to a product tray. Barrier label 248 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product trays 12, 150 and 110 as shown in FIGS. 1, 31 and 33.

Barrier label 254, as shown in FIG. 26, includes a front panel 70 having a U-shaped front adhesive strip 256 and back panel 74 having a U-shaped back adhesive strip 258. Barrier label 254 is adapted to be folded along fold lines 72 and 76 into a generally U-shaped barrier label when applied and coupled to a product tray. Barrier label 254 may be coupled to, for example, product trays 12, 150 and 110 as shown in FIGS. 1, 31 and 33.

Barrier label 260, as shown in FIG. 27, includes a generally U-shaped adhesive strip 262. U-shaped adhesive strip 262 extends along front edge 60 between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. Adhesive strip 262 also extends along left side edge 64 between front edge 60 and back edge 62 and extends along right side edge 66 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. Barrier label 260 is adapted to be folded along fold line 72 into a generally L-shaped barrier label when applied and coupled to a product tray. Barrier label 260 may be applied and coupled to, for example, product trays 132 and 180 as shown in FIGS. 32, 35, 36.

Barrier label 264, as shown in FIG. 28, includes a generally linear left adhesive strip 266 that extends along left side edge 64 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. A generally linear right adhesive strip 268 extends along right side edge 66 between front edge 60 and back edge 62. Left adhesive strip 266 and right adhesive strip 268 are spaced apart and generally parallel to one another. Front panel 70 includes a plurality of generally linear front adhesive strips 270 that extend between front edge 60 and fold line 72. Front adhesive strips 270 are spaced apart from one another along the width of front panel 70 between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. Front adhesive strips 270 are generally parallel to one another and to left adhesive strip 266 and right adhesive strip 268. Back panel 74 includes a plurality of generally linear rear adhesive strips 272 that extend between back edge 62 and fold line 76. Rear adhesive strips 272 are spaced apart from one another along the width of back panel 74 between left side edge 64 and right side edge 66. Rear adhesive strips 272 are generally parallel to one another and to left adhesive strip 266 and right adhesive strip 268. Barrier label 264 is adapted to be folded along fold lines 72 and 76 when applied and coupled to a product tray to form a generally U-shaped barrier label. Barrier label 264 may be applied to, for example, product trays 12, 150 and 110 as shown in FIGS. 1, 31 and 33.

The film layer of the barrier labels may be solid or non-perforated as shown for example in FIGS. 20-27. As shown in FIG. 29, barrier label 280 includes a plurality of openings such as micro perforations 282. Micro perforations 282 provide fluid communication between the exterior of product display package 10 and chamber 30 of product tray 12 while restricting physical access to interior chamber 30 by a customer. Barrier label 286 as shown in FIG. 30 includes a plurality of ventilation apertures or openings 288 that provide fluid communication between the exterior of product display package 10 and chamber 30 of product tray 12. Ventilation openings 288 also restrict physical access to the contents of product tray 12 by a customer.

FIGS. 37A-37D and 39 illustrate an exemplary process for applying and coupling a barrier label to a product tray in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 37A-37D and 39, an elongate label strip or web 300 includes a plurality of pre-cut barrier labels 302 releasably coupled to an underlying continuous release layer 304. As shown in FIG. 39, web 300 may be formed as a roll. Each barrier label 302 is pre-cut to its final size, with a desired length and width, as applied to release layer 304. Barrier labels 302 of web 300 are not directly connected to one another. However, if desired, barrier labels 302 may be connected to one another end-to-end such as with a perforated connection.

As shown in FIGS. 37A-37D and 39, barrier label 302 is a generally U-shaped barrier label. Each barrier label 302 of web 300 is peeled away from release layer 304 and is applied and adhesively coupled to product tray 140. Front panel 70 of barrier label 302 is peeled away from release layer 304 such that front panel 70 of barrier label 302 is applied and adhesively coupled to front wall 20 of product tray 140. As suggested in FIGS. 37B, 37C and 39, center panel 68 of barrier label 302 is peeled away from release layer 304 and is placed over chamber 30 of product tray 140 such that center panel 68 extends between the top edges of front wall 20 and back wall 22 and between the interior edges of left shelf 142 and right shelf 144 to thereby substantially cover the display window formed therebetween. As suggested in FIGS. 37C, 37D and 39, back panel 74 is peeled away from release layer 304 and is applied and adhesively coupled to back wall 22 of product tray 140 to complete the formation of the product display package as shown in FIG. 37D.

FIGS. 38A-38D illustrate an exemplary process for applying and coupling a generally L-shaped barrier label 260 to product tray 180. An elongate label strip or web 310 includes a plurality of pre-cut barrier labels 260 arranged in an end-to-end configuration and releasably coupled to an underlying release layer 312. Web 310 may be formed as a roll. Each barrier label 260 of web 310 is peeled away from release layer 312 and is applied and adhesively coupled to product tray 180. A barrier label 260 is peeled away from release layer 312 and front panel 70 of barrier label 260 is applied and adhesively coupled to front wall 20 of product tray 180. As suggested in FIG. 38C, center panel 68 of barrier label 260 overlies and is adhesively coupled to left shelf 182, right shelf 184 and back shelf 186 of product tray 180. As shown in FIG. 38D, barrier label 260 overlies and encloses display opening 188 and display opening 190 of product tray 180.

Claims

1. A product display package comprising:

a product tray configured to hold one or more products, the product tray comprising: a bottom wall connected to a front wall, to a back wall, to a left side wall, and to a right side wall to form an interior chamber in the product tray; and a display opening which provides physical access to the interior chamber; and

a barrier label adhered to the product tray such that it overlies the display opening, wherein the barrier label includes a center panel that substantially closes the display opening.

2. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the product tray comprises one or more display windows in one or more of the front wall, back wall, left side wall, or right side wall.

3. The package recited in claim 2, wherein one or more of the front and back walls include a display window.

4. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the product tray includes one or more shelves coupled to a top end of any one of the front wall, back wall, left side wall, or right side wall, wherein the display opening is at least partially formed between the one or more shelves.

5. The package recited in claim 4, wherein the product tray includes a pair of opposed shelves coupled to the top ends of the front wall and back wall.

6. The package recited in claim 4, wherein the product tray includes four shelves coupled to the top end of each of the front wall, back wall, left side wall, and right side wall.

7. The package recited in claim 6, wherein the four shelves are coupled in each of the four corners respectively formed between the top ends of the front wall, back wall, left side wall, and right side wall.

8. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier label includes adhesive to adhere the barrier label to the product tray in one or more locations.

9. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier label is configured to adhere to the product tray at a first side, extend over the display opening, and be adhere to the product tray at a second side.

10. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the center panel of the barrier label is substantially planar.

11. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier label is solid, or non-perforated.

12. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier label includes a plurality of openings.

13. The package recited in claim 12, wherein the plurality of openings are micro perforations or ventilation openings.

14. The package recited in claim 12, wherein one or more of the plurality of openings in the barrier label are aligned with a respective display window in the product tray such that the openings in the barrier label and the display windows are in fluid communication with one another.

15. The package recited in claim 1, wherein the barrier label includes one or more fold lines.

16. The package recited in claim 15, wherein the barrier label is adapted to be folded along two fold lines into a U-shaped barrier.

17. The package recited in claim 15, wherein the barrier label is adapted to be folded along a single fold line into an L-shaped barrier.

18. A process for applying and coupling a barrier label to a product tray, comprising:

unrolling an elongated web, including a plurality of pre-cut barrier labels releasably coupled to an underlying continuous release layer,

peeling the pre-cut barrier labels away from the release layer to expose an adhesive, and

adhesively coupling the released barrier label to the product tray to form a product display package.

19. The process according to claim 18, wherein adhesively coupling the released barrier label includes coupling each barrier label to the product tray such that a center panel of each barrier label extends between the top edges of a front wall, a back wall, a left side wall, and a right side wall, or a shelf coupled to one or more of the top edges, to substantially cover a display opening formed between the front wall, back wall, left side wall, and right side wall.

20. The process according to claim 19, wherein adhesively coupling the released barrier label includes coupling the barrier label to a first side of the product tray, wrapping the barrier label over the top edges and the display opening, and adhesively coupling the barrier label to a second side of the product tray.

21. The process according to claim 18, wherein the product tray is erected and loaded with product prior to being adhesively coupled to the barrier label.