Abstract:
According to one aspect of the present invention, a container is provided for shipping a plurality of items, such as pre-wrapped reams of cut-sized paper, more particularly, a container for shipping items is provided, comprising: a base portion sized to receive a plurality of items therein; a lid portion sized to fit over the base portion, thereby enclosing the plurality of items therein; wherein at least a portion of either the base portion or the lid portion includes a break-away section for at least partially opening the container to permit removal of at least one of the plurality of items therefrom.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a container for shipping, storing, handling and displaying a plurality of products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container for shipping, storing, handling and displaying a plurality of products, wherein the container defines two or more chambers.  
         [0003]     2. Brief Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     In the packaging, delivery and sale of large quantities of products, it is desirable for the products to be shipped in a container that can be utilized at the point-of-sale as a display. For example, so-called “club stores” or other department or grocery stores that deal in large quantities of products, oftentimes utilize the shipping containers for purposes of display and delivery to the end-user at the point-of-sale. Rather than remove the products from their shipping containers and place them individually upon a display shelf (such as is the practice in conventional department and grocery stores), club store practice prefers for products to be delivered in a container that can be quickly and easily converted into a display container at the point-of-sale. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a container suitable for shipping, storing and handling a plurality of products, wherein the container may be converted for purposes of display and sale of the products to end-users thereof.  
         [0005]     It is desirable furthermore for the container to define two or more chambers, which may permit for more efficient and orderly packing, delivery, storing and displaying of the products. For example, slipsheets (i.e., individual flat pieces of corrugated material) may be utilized so that multiple rows of products (such as, individual packages of lunch meat) can be stacked atop one another in a neat and orderly fashion that is not disturbed during shipping, storing and handling thereof. However, once sufficient quantities of the product have been removed from the container, the slipsheet becomes unnecessary and an item that needs to be discarded. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a container suitable for shipping, storing and handling a plurality of products, wherein the container integrally defines two or more chambers.  
         [0006]     It also is desirable to provide a container for shipping, storing, handling and displaying a plurality of items, wherein the container is adapted to be packed/filled while in a first orientation, and wherein the container is adapted to permits its being positioned in a second orientation when displaying the products at the point-of-sale.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a container for shipping, storing, handing and displaying a plurality of items, and more particularly, for displaying a plurality of items for purchase by end-users at the point-of-sale thereof. A container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed from two blanks, which may be integrally-formed and then separated or may be formed separately and then combined as described herein.  
         [0008]     The first blank is constructed from any suitable foldable material, but preferably from foldable corrugated paperboard or the like, and is used to define a wrapper portion of the container, wherein the wrapper defines a bottom wall, opposing side walls and a first fold-over front wall of the container.  
         [0009]     The second blank is constructed from any suitable foldable material, but preferably from foldable corrugated paperboard or the like, and is used to define a divider portion of the container, wherein the divider is positionable within the wrapper and therein defines a shelf dividing an interior region of the container into first and second chambers, opposing end walls and a second fold-over front wall of the container. End walls are affixed, such as by adhesive, tape, stapling or the like, to fold-over wings provided along the end edges of the opposing side walls and the bottom wall.  
         [0010]     First and second fold-over front walls may each be positioned in an open orientation, wherein first and second chambers of the container are readily accessible, such as, for example, during packing operations. Fold-over front walls also may be positioned in a closed configuration, wherein front walls function to retain products within the container, such as, for example, during shipping.  
         [0011]     An opening is provided in each of the first and second fold-over front walls such that products may be removed from the container, such as, for example, at the point-of-sale, where purchasers may wish to buy one or more of the products. Openings may be integral with the front walls or may be provided by a removable segment formed in each front wall and separable from therefrom, such as, by perforation lines. Alternatively, the openings may be covered by a film, or the like, during shipment so as to prevent products from falling therefrom, which such film may be removed easily at the point-of-sale.  
         [0012]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a multi-chamber container for packing products when the container is in an “upright” (i.e., the container is resting on the bottom wall thereof) orientation, yet may be repositioned in a “sideways” (i.e., the container is resting on one of the sidewalls thereof) orientation at the point-of-sale for easy removal of products therefrom.  
         [0013]     According to one aspect of the present invention, a container for shipping items is provided, comprising: a first blank defining opposing side walls connected along respective lower edges thereof by a bottom wall; a second blank defining opposing end walls positioned between the side walls; the side walls, the end walls and the bottom wall cooperating to define an interior space of the container; wherein the second blank defines a divider extending between the end walls and so as to divide the interior space into at least a first and second chamber; wherein the first blank includes a first fold-over flap extending at least partways over the first chamber; and, wherein the second blank includes a second fold-over flap extending at least partways over the second chamber. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a first blank used to form a wrapper portion of a container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the first blank of  FIG. 1 , shown in a folded orientation to define a bottom wall, opposing sidewalls and a first front wall of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a second blank used to form a divider portion of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second blank of  FIG. 2 , shown in a folded orientation to define a divider, opposing end walls and a second front wall of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the container is shown in an “upright” orientation suitable for packing;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6 , is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 5 , shown in a “sideways” orientation suitable for display and dispensing of products therefrom; and,  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a partial view of a front flap of a container according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the container  1  ( FIG. 4 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed from a first blank  10  and a second blank  30  ( FIG. 3 ). First blank  10  is constructed from a foldable material, such as, for example, corrugated paperboard or the like, and is generally rectangular in shape. A plurality of generally parallel fold lines  11   a,    11   b,    11   c  divide the blank  10  into four panels including a bottom wall panel  12 , a first side wall panel  13 , a second side wall panel  14  and a first fold-over front flap  15 . First fold-over flap  15  includes a cut-out  6 .  
         [0023]     First blank  10  also includes a pair of edge fold lines  11   d,    11   e  which traverse the length of the blank  10 , thereby defining first side wall fold-over wings  13   a,    13   b,  bottom wall fold-over wings  12   a,    12   b,  second side wall fold-over wings  14   a,    14   b  and first front flap fold-over wings  15   a,    15   b.  Each fold-over wing  12   a,    12   b,    13   a,    13   b,    14   a,    14   b,    15   a,    15   b  includes tapered edges  12   a′    12   b′,    13   a′,    13   b′,    14   a′,    14   b′,    15   a′,    15   b′,  the purpose of which will be described in greater detail below.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , first blank  10  is folded to form a wrapper portion  10 ′ of the container  1  ( FIG. 5 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, first side wall panel  13  is folded about fold line  11   a  relative to bottom wall panel  12  so that first side wall panel  13  is generally perpendicular to the bottom wall panel  12 . Similarly, second side wall panel  14  is folded about fold line  11   b  relative to bottom wall panel  12  so that second side wall panel  14  is generally perpendicular to the bottom wall panel  12  and opposes first side wall panel  13 . For the moment, first front wall flap  15  remains generally in the same plane as the second side wall panel  14 , and as such, extends away from the bottom wall panel  12 .  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the container  1  ( FIG. 5 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention further includes a second blank  30  constructed from a foldable material, such as, for example, corrugated paperboard or the like, and is generally rectangular in shape. A main fold line  31   a  divides the second blank  30  into a first divider wall panel  32  and a second divider wall panel  33 . A second fold-over front wall flap  35  extends from the first divider wall panel  32  along a flap fold line  31   b  and includes a cut-out  36 .  
         [0026]     A pair of first end wall fold lines  31   d  traverse first and second divider wall panels  32 ,  33 , respectively, and are generally perpendicular to main fold line  31   a.  A pair of second end wall fold lines  31   e  traverse first and second divider wall panels  32 ,  33 , respectively, spaced outward from first end wall fold lines  31   d.  First and second end wall fold lines  31   d,    31   e,  respectively, cooperate to define first end wall panels  32   a,    32   b  in the first divider wall panel  32  and further to define second end wall panels  33   a,    33   b  in the second divider wall panel  33 . Second end wall fold lines  31   e  further cooperate to define first anchor flaps  32   c,    32   d  in the first divider wall panel  32  and further to define second anchor flaps  33   c,    33   d  in the second divider wall panel  33 . Fold lines  31   f,    31   g  traverse at least a portion of the second front wall flap  35 , thereby defining second front flap wings  35   a,    35   b  extending transversely therefrom.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , second blank  30  is folded to define a divider portion  30 ′ of the container  1  ( FIG. 5 ) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, second divider wall panel  33  is folded about main fold line  31   a  relative to first divider wall panel  32  so that first and second divider wall panels  32 ,  33  are in face-to-face relationship, joined along a bottom edge by main fold line  31   a.    
         [0028]     First end wall panels  32   a,    32   b  are folded about first end wall fold lines  31   d  relative to the first divider wall panel  32  away from the second divider wall panel  33  so that first end wall panels  32   a,    32   b  are generally perpendicular to the first divider wall panel  32 . Second end wall panels  33   a,    33   b  are folded about second wall fold lines first end wall fold lines  31   d  relative to the second divider wall panel  33  away from the first divider wall panel  32  so that the second end wall panels  33   a,    33   b  are generally perpendicular to the second divider wall panel  33 . For the moment, first anchor flaps  32   c,    32   d  and second anchor flaps  33   c,    33   d  remain generally in the same plane as first end wall panels  32   a,    32   b  and second end wall panels  33   a,    33   b,  respectively. Similarly, second front wall flap  35  remains generally in the same plane as the first divider wall panel  32 . Thus configured, the divider portion  30 ′ of the container  1  ( FIG. 4 ) takes on a generally H-shaped appearance, when viewed from above.  
         [0029]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the container  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is assembled by positioning the folded divider portion  30 ′ within the wrapper portion  10 ′. More particularly, the divider portion  30 ′ is positioned such that the divider wall panels  32 ,  33  are generally parallel to the side walls  13 ,  14 . End wall panels  32   a,    32   b,    33   a,    33   b  are disposed between first side wall wings  13   a,    13   b,  bottom wall wings  12   a,    12   b  and second side wall wings  14   a,    14   b,  all of which have been folded about edge fold lines  11   d,    11   e,  respectively, and adhered to end wall panels  32   a,    3   b,    33   a,    33   b.  Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that tapered edges  12   a′    12   b′,    13   a′,    13   b′,    14   a′,    14   b′,    15   a′,    15   b′  are provided to permit adjacent wings (such as wings  13   b,    12   b  and wings  12   b,    14   b ) to fold as shown and be affixed to end wall panels  32   a,    32   b,    33   a,    33   b  by any conventional means.  
         [0030]     Divider portion  30 ′, as shown in  FIG. 5 , defines an interior space of the container  1  as comprising first chamber  2  and second chamber  3 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that orienting the container  1  as shown in  FIG. 5  may be filled or packed with products (not shown) using conventional container packing equipment, which typically require the container being packed to have an open upper end. Once packed, the front flaps  15 ,  35  are folded about their respective fold lines  11   c,    31   b  to substantially cover the open upper end of the container  1 . Wings  15   a,    15   b,    35   a,    35   b  of the front flaps  15 ,  35 , respectively, are then folded and adhered or otherwise affixed to the end wall panels  32   a,    32   b,    33   a,    33   b.  A polymeric film (not shown) may be adhered to the outer surface of the container  1  over the openings defined by cut-outs  16 ,  36 , for example, to prevent spillage of the products from the container  1  during shipping.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the container  1  is shown in an orientation suitable for display and for dispensing of the products, for example, at the point-of-sale where purchasers of the products will remove them one-at-a-time from the container  1 . Openings created by cut-outs  16 ,  36  are sufficiently large to permit a purchaser to reach inside the container  1  for the purpose of selecting and removing one or more products therefrom. If a polymeric film was affixed to the container  1  to prevent spillage of the products from the container  1 , film may be removed easily prior to stacking the container  1  on a shelf at the point-of-sale.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a container according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention includes detachable segments  37  in the front wall flaps  35  that fits within cutout  36  and may be removed therefrom, such as, for example, by perforations  38  provided along cutout  36 . Segment  37 , therefore, provides for a completely enclosed container for shipping purposes, but can be removed easily to create openings for display/dispensing purposes.  
         [0033]     While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope of the invention set forth herein.