PACKAGING SYSTEMS
Packages are configured to hold and display a plurality of packaged goods. The packages includes a package body having an integral hinge formed therein such that a first portion of the package body is configured to fold over a second portion of the package body about the integral hinge. The first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures. When the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge, each first aperture is aligned with one of the second apertures. The packages may form part of packaging systems, which may include one or more packaged goods.
The present disclosure provides novel packages and packaging systems configured to securely hold, organize, and display one or more food products or other merchandise, for example packaged food products or other packaged goods. For example, the inventive packages and packaging systems are configured to be efficiently transported, and then set upon a shelf or hung at the retail location, where the packaging systems effectively merchandise packaged goods contained therein. The packages and packaging systems are secure, economical, and can be enhanced with trade dress, enabling further versatility.
SUMMARYIn an aspect, the present disclosure provides packages configured to hold and display a plurality of packaged goods. The packages includes a package body having an integral hinge formed therein such that a first portion of the package body is configured to fold over a second portion of the package body about the integral hinge. The first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures. When the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge, each first aperture is aligned with one of the second apertures.
In some embodiments, the package body is substantially formed of a card stock.
In some embodiments, the package body is provided with one or more types/forms of trade dress. In some embodiments, the package body is provided with trade dress on a first side thereof, the first side spanning the integral hinge, the first portion, and the second portion. In some embodiments, the trade dress is a first trade dress, and the package body is provided with a second trade dress on a second side that is opposite the first side, the second trade dress differing from the first trade dress.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first apertures includes at least two first apertures, and the plurality of second apertures includes at least two second apertures. In some embodiments, a number of the first apertures is the same as a number of second apertures. In some embodiments, a number of the first apertures is different from a number of second apertures.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first apertures includes three first apertures, and the plurality of second apertures includes three second apertures.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first apertures has a linear arrangement.
In some embodiments, the plurality of first apertures forms at least two rows of first apertures.
In some embodiments, each first aperture has a first shape and each second aperture has a second shape that differs from the first shape.
In some embodiments, at least one first aperture has a same shape as each second aperture.
In some embodiments, the package further includes a locking mechanism configured to hold the first portion against the second portion when the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides packaging systems having a container and a plurality of any of the packages described above.
In some embodiments, the packaging system further includes a plurality of packaged goods, each good being sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion of one of the plurality of the packages such that the second aperture of the one of the plurality of the packages receives the body portion thereof, and such that a label thereof is revealed through one of the first apertures.
In some embodiments, the first portion of the package body has a first hanger hole disposed therethrough, and the second portion has a second hanger hole disposed therethrough. The first hanger hole and the second hanger hole are configured to align when the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge.
In some embodiments, the package body has a rectangular, circular, triangular, or other polygonal outer shape.
In some embodiments, at least two of the first apertures and/or at least two of the second apertures have a different size and/or a different shape.
In some embodiments, the integral hinge is at least partially formed by a score, a cut, a fold, or a perforation in the package body. In some embodiments, the package does not include an integral hinge. For example, the first portion and the second portion are two separate pieces of material, which may be held together by one or more locking mechanisms.
In some embodiments, at least one second aperture is configured to prevent rotation of one of the plurality of packaged goods therein.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides packages having a package body having an integral hinge indicator formed therein, the integral hinge indicator demarcating a first portion and a second portion of the package body. The first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures. The package body is configured such that if the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge indicator, each first aperture aligns with one of the second apertures.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides packaging systems having at least one packaged good and a package body. Each packaged good has a label disposed on a body portion, and a lip extending away from the label. The package body has an integral hinge formed therein such that a first portion of the package body is configured to fold over a second portion of the package body about the integral hinge. The first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures. The first portion is folded over the second portion about the hinge, such that: the label of at least one packaged good is revealed through one of the first apertures; the body portion of at least one packaged good is disposed through one of the second apertures; and the lip of at least one packaged good is sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion of the package body.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In the following description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.
Packaging systems of the present disclosure have many variations. In some embodiments (for example, as described with respect to
The packaged goods 110 shown in
Referring briefly to
Referring again to
The package body 122 of the non-limiting illustrated embodiment has an integral hinge 132 formed by a score, a cut, a fold, a perforation, or the like. The integral hinge 132 facilitates folding of the package body 122 into the first portion 134 and the second portion 136. In the representative embodiment of
The integral hinge 132 generally divides (demarcates) the package body 122 into at least two portions, including a first portion 134 and a second portion 136, which are located on opposite sides of the integral hinge 132. In
In some embodiments, the package does not include an integral hinge. For example, the first portion and the second portion are two separate pieces of material that are not joined by an integral hinge. Rather, in such embodiments, the first portion and the second portion are held together (or configured to be held together) by one or more locking mechanisms 144, as described below and shown in the FIGURES.
To clarify, the first portion 134 and the second portion 136 differ from the first side 124 and the second side 126 in that the first portion 134 and the second portion 136 correspond to opposite sides of the integral hinge 132, whereas the first side 124 and second side 126 correspond to opposite sides of the package body 122. Restated, each of the first side 124 and the second side 126 span the first portion 134, the integral hinge 132, and the second portion 136.
As noted above, the integral hinge 132 can be a “left” hinge or a “right” hinge. Referring to
The first portion 134 of the package body 122 includes a plurality of first apertures 138 formed therethrough, and the second portion 136 of the package body 122 includes a plurality of second apertures 140 formed therethrough. Together, first apertures 138 and second apertures 140 are configured to display and hold the packaged goods 110, respectively. That is, each second aperture 140 is shaped and sized to receive (and therefore hold) the body portion 114 of one packaged good 110, and each first aperture 138 is shaped and sized to reveal at least a portion of the label 116 of that packaged good 110 when the first portion 134 is folded over the second portion 136 about the integral hinge 132 when the body portion 114 of that packaged good 110 is received within the corresponding second aperture 140. Restated, each second aperture 140 is configured such that the body portion 114 of one packaged good 110 is disposed therethrough. To enable this function, the first apertures 138 and second apertures 140 are positioned such that when the first portion 134 is folded over the second portion 136 about the integral hinge 132, each first aperture 138 is at least partially aligned with one of the second apertures 140.
Further, the first apertures 138 and second apertures 140 are shaped and sized such that the first portion 134 and second portion 136 “sandwich” the lip 118 of that packaged good 110 therebetween when the first portion 134 is folded over the second portion 136 about the integral hinge 132 when the body portion 114 of that packaged good 110 is received within the corresponding second aperture 140. Thus, neither the first apertures 138 or the second apertures 140 should be so large that the packaged good 110 falls out of the packaged good 110 through the first apertures 138 or the second apertures 140.
As noted above, each first aperture 138 is shaped and sized to reveal at least a portion of the label 116 of one packaged good 110. Accordingly, each first aperture 138 can have a variety of shapes and sizes. In
As noted above, each second aperture 140 is shaped and sized to receive a body portion 114 of one packaged good 110. Accordingly, each second aperture 140 can have a variety of shapes and sizes. In
In some embodiments, one or more second apertures 140 are non-rectangular, e.g., triangular, circular, square, hexagonal, octagonal, a fanciful shape, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of the second apertures 140 have a different size and/or shape. The number of second apertures 140 can vary between embodiments. In
The package 120 includes a number of optional features that facilitate display, prevent the packaged goods 110 from falling out of the package 120, prevent tampering, and/or for other advantage. For example, referring again to
Advantageously, packaging systems of the present disclosure provide a space-efficient means to securely store, transport, and effectively display packaged goods.
The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, are intended as a description of various embodiments of the present disclosure and are not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result. Generally, the embodiments disclosed herein are non-limiting, and the inventors contemplate that other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure include combinations of structures and functionalities from more than one specific embodiment shown in the figures and described in the specification. Restated, the features of the embodiments described herein can be mixed and combined in additional embodiments within the scope of this disclosure.
The present application may include references to directions, such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “top,” and “bottom,” etc. These references, and other similar references in the present application, are intended to assist in helping describe and understand the particular embodiment (such as when the embodiment is positioned for use) and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these directions or locations.
The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but representative of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term “plurality” to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term “plurality” is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms “about,” “approximately,” “near,” etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the phrase “at least one of A, B, and C,” for example, means (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C), including all further possible permutations when greater than three elements are listed.
The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure, which are intended to be protected, are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed.
Claims
1. A package configured to hold and display a plurality of packaged goods, comprising:
- a package body having an integral hinge formed therein such that a first portion of the package body is configured to fold over a second portion of the package body about the integral hinge, wherein the first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures,
- wherein when the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge, each first aperture is aligned with one of the second apertures.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the package body is substantially formed of a card stock.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the package body is provided with trade dress on a first side thereof, the first side spanning the integral hinge, the first portion, and the second portion.
4. The package of claim 3,
- wherein the trade dress is a first trade dress, and
- wherein the package body is provided with a second trade dress on a second side that is opposite the first side, the second trade dress differing from the first trade dress.
5. The package of claim 3, wherein the plurality of first apertures includes at least two first apertures, and the plurality of second apertures includes at least two second apertures, wherein a number of first apertures is the same as a number of second apertures.
6. The package of claim 3, wherein the plurality of first apertures includes three first apertures, and the plurality of second apertures includes three second apertures.
7. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first apertures has a linear arrangement.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first apertures forms at least two rows of first apertures.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein each first aperture has a first shape and each second aperture has a second shape that differs from the first shape.
10. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one first aperture has a same shape as each second aperture.
11. The package of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold the first portion against the second portion when the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge.
12. A packaging system, comprising:
- a container; and
- a plurality of the packages of claim 1 disposed in the container.
13. The packaging system of claim 12, further comprising the plurality of packaged goods, each good being sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion of one of the plurality of the packages such that the second aperture of the one of the plurality of the packages receives a body portion thereof, and such that a label thereof is revealed through one of the first apertures.
14. The package of claim 1, wherein the first portion has a first hanger hole disposed therethrough, and the second portion has a second hanger hole disposed therethrough, wherein the first hanger hole and the second hanger hole are configured to align when the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge.
15. The package of claim 1, wherein the package body has a rectangular outer shape.
16. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one of:
- at least two of the first apertures, or
- at least two of the second apertures,
- have at least one of: a different size, or a different shape.
17. The package of claim 1, wherein the integral hinge is at least partially formed by a score, a cut, a fold, or a perforation in the package body.
18. The package of claim 1, wherein at least one second aperture is configured to prevent rotation of one of the plurality of packaged goods therein.
19. A package, comprising:
- a package body having an integral hinge indicator formed therein, the integral hinge indicator demarcating a first portion and a second portion of the package body,
- wherein the first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures,
- wherein the package body is configured such that if the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge indicator, each first aperture aligns with one of the second apertures.
20. A packaging system, comprising:
- a packaged good having a label disposed on a body portion, and a lip extending away from the label; and
- a package body having an integral hinge formed therein such that a first portion of the package body is configured to fold over a second portion of the package body about the integral hinge, wherein the first portion includes a plurality of first apertures, and the second portion includes a plurality of second apertures,
- wherein the first portion is folded over the second portion about the integral hinge, such that: the label of the packaged good is revealed through one of the first apertures, the body portion of the packaged good is disposed through one of the second apertures, and the lip of the packaged good is sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion of the package body.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 12, 2021
Inventors: Jan Kos (Orcas Island, WA), Julien Kos (Orcas Island, WA)
Application Number: 16/785,405