Merchandise housing container

A merchandise housing container for visibly accommodating merchandise includes an inner box having a first base portion, first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions, a lid portion and first and second securing portions. The first base portion, the first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions, the lid portion and the first and second securing portions are integrally formed of a single transparent plastic sheet. The first and second securing portions are provided so as to elastically contact two sides of the merchandise for restricting movement of the merchandise.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-189336. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-189336 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to merchandise housing containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to box-shaped merchandise housing containers for accommodating merchandise.

2. Background Information

In recent years, merchandise of many kinds is accommodated in box-shaped merchandise housing containers when displayed in stores. Conventional merchandise housing containers are box-shaped and are formed of a transparent sheet made of urethane resin or the like, for example. A merchandise housing container of this kind has a lid, provided separately from the container, that is placed on an upper face or a bottom face of the box so that the lid is able to be opened and closed to accommodate merchandise in the interior of the box. The transparent synthetic resin sheet of the merchandise housing container allows the accommodated merchandise to be visible from the exterior. Thus, consumers can view the merchandise without opening containers displayed in stores. By presenting the merchandise to consumers in this way, the display has a greater effect.

The accommodated merchandise in such a merchandise housing container is prone to being repositioned or damaged from an outside impact caused during shipment or storage. In view of this problem, it is conceivable to pack a cushioning material made of foamed polystyrene or paper around the merchandise in order to alleviate the outside impact. Packing such a cushioning material, however, may cause reduced visibility of the merchandise from the exterior even though the merchandise housing container is formed of a transparent synthetic resin sheet.

To resolve this problem, a known merchandise housing container has a configuration in which elastic transparent sheets are bonded to openings in the box and the lid so as to clasp and elastically support the merchandise between two transparent sheets. (See, for example, Japanese Publication No. H10-45171.) In this merchandise housing container, two transparent sheets clasp and elastically support the merchandise. Thus any impact from the outside is alleviated to protect the merchandise. At the same time, visibility of merchandise is ensured by the transparent sheets. However, the merchandise housing container requires four transparent sheets. That is, the merchandise housing container requires two transparent sheets for clasping the merchandise therebetween, one sheet for the box and one for the lid, which is separate from the box. Even if the box and the lid are formed integrally of a single transparent sheet, at least three transparent sheets are required. This necessitates extra manufacturing steps for processing transparent sheets and consequently, increases manufacturing cost.

One of the two transparent sheets used for clamping the merchandise is placed inside the opening of the lid and the other is placed inside the opening of the box. Accordingly, the merchandise is clasped between the two transparent sheets only when the lid is fixed on the box. When the lid is not firmly fixed to the box, the two transparent sheets are hindered from supporting the merchandise. Therefore, reliable protection of the merchandise is impeded.

In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved merchandise housing container that visibly accommodates merchandise and keeps the manufacturing cost low while reliably protecting the merchandise.

This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise housing container that reliably protects and visibly accommodates the merchandise. Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise housing container that is easier to manufacture and thereby lower manufacture costs.

A merchandise housing container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a merchandise housing container including a base portion, a sidewall and a securing device. The sidewall surrounds the base portion and defines a first housing space for interiorly accommodating merchandise. The securing device is formed by folding a portion of the sidewall inwardly from an upward edge of the sidewall to elastically contact a side of the merchandise that is accommodated in the first housing space for restricting movement of the merchandise. The base portion, the sidewall and the securing device are formed integrally by folding a single sheet of transparent plastic.

Because the base portion, the sidewall portions, and the securing device are formed of a transparent plastic sheet, the merchandise inside is visible from the exterior. In addition, the merchandise housing container has a securing device formed by inwardly folding at least a portion of the upward edge of the sidewall to elastically contact a side of the merchandise. Restricting movement of the merchandise with the securing device restricts movement of the merchandise irrespective of the position of the lid. The securing device is more reliable than the conventional devices in which movement of merchandise is restricted by a transparent sheet in the box and another transparent sheet in the lid. Moreover, the base portion, the sidewall portion, and the securing device are integrally formed of a single folded transparent sheet, thereby making it unnecessary to use three or more transparent sheets. Thus, the number of manufacturing steps for processing transparent sheets is reduced. Consequently, with such a securing device, the merchandise inside the merchandise housing container is reliably protected while the manufacturing cost is kept low.

A merchandise housing container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to the first aspect, further including a seat part having an obverse face on which the merchandise is carried, and forming between itself and the base portion a second housing space, for accommodating an accessory to the merchandise. In this case, even when, for example, the merchandise is much smaller than the merchandise housing container, the securing device is easily brought into contact with a side of the merchandise. By carrying the merchandise on the obverse face of the seat part, restriction of movement of the merchandise is facilitated. Moreover, by forming the seat part from an opaque material, it is possible to hide accessories to the merchandise that are contained in the second housing space.

A merchandise housing container according to a third aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to the second aspect of the present invention, further including a cut-out for clasping the merchandise formed by cutting out a portion of the obverse face of the seat part. In this case, movement of the merchandise is restricted more reliably.

A merchandise housing container according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein the seat part is formed integrally by folding a single sheet of paper. In this case, manufacturing cost can be kept low by forming the seat part by folding a single sheet of paper.

A merchandise housing container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to any of the first through fourth aspects of the present invention, further including an openable and closable lid portion provided on an edge of the sidewall where the securing device is not formed for closing over the first housing space. In this case, the interiorly accommodated merchandise can be protected by closing the first housing space with the lid portion.

A merchandise housing container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to fifth aspect of the present invention wherein the lid portion is formed unitarily with the base portion, the sidewall and the securing device by folding a single sheet made of transparent plastic. In this case, since the lid portion, the base portion, the sidewall and the securing device are formed integrally by folding a single transparent sheet, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced, thereby keeping the manufacturing cost low.

A merchandise housing container according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to any of the first through sixth aspects of the present invention, further including a cover part having an opening through which the merchandise is exteriorly exposable and is fitted over the outside of the base portion and the sidewall. In this case, the merchandise inside is visible through the opening while the base portion and the sidewall are protected by the cover part.

A merchandise housing container according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein the cover part is formed integrally by folding a single sheet of paper. In this case, by forming the cover part by folding a sheet of paper, which is generally inexpensive, manufacturing cost is kept low.

A merchandise housing container according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the merchandise housing container according to any of the first through eighth aspects of the present invention, wherein the base portion is formed so as to be substantially rectangular. The sidewall portion is folded from the base portion at substantially right angles and formed in four portions so that each is substantially rectangular. The securing device is formed in two portions so as to fold inwardly from the upward edge of the sidewall in two opposing locations among the four portions of the sidewall. In this case, movement of the merchandise can be easily restricted by clasping the merchandise with two opposing portions formed by folding inwardly from the upward edge of the sidewall in two opposing locations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A selected embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following description of the embodiment of the present invention is provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

A merchandise housing container that adopts one embodiment of the present invention is, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, for accommodating merchandise X in the interior thereof and displaying it in a store. The merchandise X may be a dual-bearing reel, for example. The dual-bearing reel is a conventional reel that is well known in the art. Since the dual-bearing reel is well known in the art, the structure will not be discussed or illustrated in detail herein. The dual-bearing reel includes, as illustrated inFIG. 9, a reel body91, a spool-cranking handle92arranged on one side of the reel body91and a rod-mounting leg part93. The rod-mounting leg part93extends front to rear and is made of metal. The rod-mounting leg part93is fixed on a lower part of the reel body91for mounting the dual-bearing reel onto a fishing rod.

Referring toFIGS. 1-6, the merchandise housing container is furnished with an inner box1, a seat part2and a cover part3. The merchandise X is accommodated in the interior of the inner box1. The seat part2is attached to the inside of the inner box1. The cover part3is attached to the outside of the inner box1. The inner box1is formed integrally by folding a single transparent plastic sheet. Each of the seat part2and the cover part3is formed integrally by folding a single opaque paper sheet. Each of the inner box1, the seat part2and the cover part3has obverse faces. The obverse faces are the entire surfaces of the inner box1, the seat part2and the cover part3shown inFIGS. 1-3.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the inner box1includes a first base portion10, a first sidewall portion11, a second sidewall portion12, a third sidewall portion13, a fourth sidewall portion14, a primary lid portion15, a first securing portion16and a second securing portion17. The inner box1, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, is assembled by folding a single, transparent, synthetic, resin sheet, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), into a box shape. The first base portion10, the first sidewall portion11, the second sidewall portion12, the third sidewall portion13, the fourth sidewall portion14, the lid portion15, the first securing portion16and the second securing portion17are integrally formed of a single transparent resin sheet.

The first base portion10is in a substantially rectangular shape. The first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions11,12,13and14are formed by folding four sides of the first base portion10at substantially right angles. The lid portion15is formed to be able to be opened and closed by folding the resin sheet inwardly from an upward edge of the third sidewall portion13. The first securing portion16is formed by inwardly folding an upward edge of the second sidewall portion12. Similarly, the second securing portion17is formed by inwardly folding an upward edge of the fourth sidewall portion14. The inner box1is a rectangular parallelepiped in which merchandise X is accommodated. The first securing portion16and the second securing portion17, as illustrated inFIG. 7, elastically contact both sides of the merchandise X for restricting movement of the merchandise X.

The first base portion10includes, as illustrated inFIG. 1, a first base part10a, a second base part10b, a third base part10cand a fourth base part10d. Each of the first, second, third and fourth base parts10a,10b,10cand10dis formed on the respective side of each of the first sidewall portion11, the second sidewall portion12, the third sidewall portion13and the fourth sidewall portion14. The forward ends of the first base part10a, the second base part10b, the third base part10cand the fourth base part10dform interlocking flanges and interlocking catches that interlock with one another when folded over. By interlocking the interlocking flanges and the interlocking catches together, the first base portion10is formed in a substantially rectangular outer shape. The first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions11,12,13and14form a sidewall that surrounds the base portion and defines a first housing space18for interiorly accommodating merchandise.

Referring toFIG. 1, each of the first sidewall portion11, the second sidewall portion12, the third sidewall portion13, and the fourth sidewall portion14, have a generally rectangular shape and are formed consecutively in one direction so as to be folded one by one at right angles. An end of the first sidewall portion11that is opposite the first base portion10has a first interlocking slit11aand a first interlocking tab11b. The first interlocking slit11ais for interlocking the lid portion15after the lid portion15has been closed. The first interlocking tab11bprotrudes from a center of an edge portion of the first sidewall portion11. The first interlocking tab11bis for interlocking the closed lid portion15so that the lid portion15does not open. The first interlocking slit11ais cut into a portion of the first sidewall portion11from the base end of the first interlocking tab11b. The first interlocking tab11bis formed so that its upward end protrudes from the first sidewall portion11. The first interlocking tab11bis configured to fold at the edge of the first sidewall portion11at a substantially right angle. The first sidewall portion11, the second sidewall portion12, the third sidewall portion13, and the fourth sidewall portion14are assembled, as illustrated inFIG. 4, such that the first sidewall portion11opposes the third sidewall portion13while the second sidewall portion12opposes the fourth sidewall portion14. The first base portion10, the first, second, third and fourth sidewall portions11,12,13and14and the lid portion15form a hollow rectangular parallelepiped.

The fourth sidewall14includes a first joining tab14a. On one end of the fourth sidewall portion14, a first joining tab14ais also consecutively formed. The first joining tab14ais able to be bonded to one end of the first sidewall portion11by a double-sided adhesive tape or the like.

The lid portion15, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, is configured to fold at an edge of the third sidewall portion13, which is opposite the third base part10c, such that the lid portion15is openable and closable. The lid portion15has a second interlocking tab15aand a second interlocking slit15b. The second interlocking tab15afurther projects such that the upward end can be folded along a fold line and interlocked into the first interlocking slit11aof the first sidewall portion11. The second interlocking slit15bis formed by cutting a center portion of the fold line near the upward end of the lid portion15. First, the second interlocking tab15aof the lid portion15is interlocked into the first interlocking slit11aof the first sidewall portion11. When the lid portion15is closed, the first interlocking tab11bof the first sidewall portion11is interlocked into the second interlocking slit15bof the lid portion15. Thus, the lid portion15is not open inadvertently.

Referring toFIGS. 1,4and7, the first securing portion16is formed by folding the resin sheet inwardly a plurality of times from an auxiliary lid portion16ainterconnected with the second sidewall portion12. Specifically, the first securing portion16is formed by folding the resin sheet two times from an edge section of the auxiliary lid portion16ainterconnected with the second sidewall portion12so as to have an interior space. The second securing portion17is formed by folding the resin sheet inwardly a plurality of times from an auxiliary lid portion17cinterconnected with the fourth sidewall portion14. Specifically, the second securing portion17is formed by folding the resin sheet three times inwardly from an edge section of the auxiliary lid portion17cinterconnected with the fourth sidewall portion14so as to have an interior space. The auxiliary lid portion16aand17ccovers, for example, up to but no more than 50% of the first base portion10. The second securing portion17has a second joining tab17aand a third joining tab17bthat are folded outwardly and bonded to an inner surface of the auxiliary lid portion17cwith a double-sided adhesive tape or the like.

Referring toFIG. 7, the first securing portion16and the second securing portion17are folded so as to have interior spaces. Therefore, when the merchandise X is clasped between the first securing portion16and the second securing portion17, as illustrated inFIG. 7, an elastic force that presses either side of the merchandise X is produced. In particular, when the merchandise X is a dual-bearing reel, the first securing portion16comes into elastic contact with a side A of the reel body91. The second securing portion17comes into elastic contact with a side B of the reel body91to which the handle92is fitted. Thus, movement of the dual-bearing reel is restricted.

It will be apparent to one of skill in the art from this disclosure that it is also possible to provide only one securing portion or a plurality of securing portions rather than the first securing portion16and the second securing portion17. In addition, the shapes of the first securing portion16and the second securing portion17and the number of times they are folded can be selected as appropriate.

The seat part2is on the first base portion10of the inner box1, as illustrated inFIG. 7. The merchandise X is carried on the obverse faces of the seat part2. The seat part2forms a second housing space19between one of the obverse faces and the first base portion10. The second housing space19is configured and arranged to accommodate an accessory to the merchandise X. The seat part2is formed integrally, for example, by folding a single sheet of opaque paper such as a corrugated cardboard.

It will be apparent to one of skill in the art from this disclosure that the seat part2and the cover part3are not limited to a single opaque sheet of paper such as cardboard paper. For example, an opaque synthetic resin can be used.

The name of the merchandise X, instructions, and the like are printed on at least one of the obverse faces of the seat part2. Since the inner box1is formed of a transparent, folded sheet, the print on the at least one obverse face of the seat part2, which is placed inside the inner box1, is visible from the outside.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 5, the seat part2is formed in a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly smaller than the first base portion10of the inner box1. The seat part2includes a second base portion20, a third base portion21, a first retaining portion22and a second retaining portion23. The second base portion20rests on the first base portion10. The third base portion21is formed in the same shape as the second base portion20and is folded so as to rest on a reverse face (non-printed face) of the second base portion20. The first and second retaining portions22and23are provided on upward and downward ends of the second base portion20so as to be foldable a plurality of times for retaining the merchandise X on their obverse faces. The seat part2further includes a fifth sidewall portion24, a sixth sidewall portion25, a seventh sidewall portion26, and an eighth sidewall portion27that are consecutively formed around the second base portion20. The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth sidewall portions24,25,26and27surround the circumference of the third base portion21when folded at substantially right angles. The fifth sidewall portion24is formed on an edge of the second base portion20that is opposite the third base portion21. The seventh sidewall portion26is formed between the first retaining portion22and the second base portion20. The eighth sidewall portion27is formed between the second retaining portion23and the second base portion20. The sixth sidewall portion25is provided with a first slit25abetween the sixth sidewall portion25and the third base portion21. The sixth sidewall portion25is formed integrally with the seventh sidewall portion26. The first slit25aallows the sixth sidewall portion25to be folded to a side edge of the third base portion21.

The first retaining portion22is folded so as to be at an incline with respect to the third base portion21. The first retaining portion22is folded over the second base portion20, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 7. The downward end of the first retaining portion22contacts the obverse face of the third base portion21. The first retaining portion22is also provided with a first cut-out22a. The first cut-out22ais formed by cutting out a substantially elliptical portion of the first retaining portion22. The first cut-out22aretains a portion of the merchandise X and thereby restricts movement of the merchandise X. When the merchandise X is a dual-bearing reel, movement of the reel is restricted by inserting one end of the rod mounting leg part93of the reel into the first cut-out22a.

The second retaining portion23is arranged such that its upward end opposes the downward end of the first retaining portion22when folded. The second retaining portion23is folded a plurality of times so as to be inclined with respect to the third base portion21. The second retaining portion23is folded over the second base portion20. The second retaining portion23is spaced apart from the fifth sidewall portion24and thus, has a width less than that of the first retaining portion22. Accordingly, as seen inFIG. 5, a gap is created across the third base portion21between the eighth sidewall portion27and the fifth sidewall portion24. The gap creates a height difference. When the merchandise X is a dual-bearing reel, the handle92of the reel can be placed in the height difference. The second retaining portion23is bonded onto the surface of the third base portion21with a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. In this way, the second housing space12is formed between the obverse face of the second retaining portion23and the third base portion21, which is on the second base portion20, which is on the first base portion10, in a substantially trapezoidal prism shape. The space is for accommodating accessories to the merchandise X, such as instruction manuals, replacement parts, etc.

The second retaining portion23is also provided with a second cut-out23a. The second cut-out23ais formed by cutting out a substantially elliptical portion of the second retaining portion23. The second cut-out23aretains a portion of the merchandise X and thereby restricts movement of the merchandise X. When the merchandise X is a dual-bearing reel, another end of the rod mounting leg part93of the reel (seeFIG. 9) is inserted into the second cut-out23ato restrict movement of the reel. The obverse face of the second retaining portion23of the seat part2carries a portion of the merchandise X. The second incision23bis formed by cutting the second retaining portion23from an upward end to a fold line closest to the upward end. The second incision23bcreates a wide flap and a narrow flap. Referring toFIG. 5, the narrow flap contacts the third base portion21slightly inclined with respect to the third base portion21. The wide flap, in which the second cut-out23ais formed, is longer than the narrow flap. Accordingly, the wide flap contacts the third base portion21slightly inclined with respect to the third base portion21at a different inclination angle from that of the narrow flap.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 6, the cover part3is fitted onto the outside of the inner box1. When folded, the cover part3has a hollow box shape a portion of which is cut away. The cover part3is formed integrally by folding a single opaque sheet of paper, such as a corrugated cardboard. The name of the merchandise X, instructions, and the like are printed on at least one of the obverse faces.

Referring toFIG. 3, the cover part3has a ninth sidewall portion30, a tenth sidewall portion31, an eleventh sidewall portion32, and a twelfth sidewall portion33that are formed consecutively in one direction so as to be folded one by one at right angles. A fourth joining tab33ais bonded onto an end of the ninth sidewall portion30with a double-sided adhesive tape or the like. The fourth joining tab33ais formed on an end of the twelfth sidewall portion33that is opposite the ninth sidewall portion30. A first opening31aand a second opening32aare formed in the tenth sidewall portion31and the eleventh sidewall portion32, respectively.

Referring toFIGS. 3,6and8, the first opening31aand the second opening32aare formed by cutting away a portion near a connection between the tenth sidewall portion31and the eleventh sidewall portion32. In such a location, the accommodated merchandise X is visible inside the inner box1. The ninth sidewall portion30, the tenth sidewall portion31, the eleventh sidewall portion32, and the twelfth sidewall portion33of the cover part3are fitted onto corresponding outer sides of the first sidewall portion11, the lid portion15, the third sidewall portion13, and the first base portion10, respectively. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the merchandise X, the first securing portion16, the lid portion15, the second sidewall portion12, the third sidewall portion13, the first retaining portion22, the second retaining portion23and the sixth sidewall portion25are visible through the first opening31aand the second opening32aof the cover part3.

The general procedure for assembling the merchandise housing container is explained in detail hereinbelow.

With the lid portion15, the first securing portion16and the second securing portion17all in an open position, the seat part2is placed into the inner box1such that the second base portion20comes into contact with the first base portion10. Next, the merchandise X is placed onto the first retaining portion22and the second retaining portion23of the seat part2. The first securing portion16and the second securing portion17are then folded so as to elastically contact the sides of the merchandise X. Next, the lid portion15of the inner box1is closed. The cover part3is fitted over the inner box1so that the first opening31aand the second opening32aare arranged in such an orientation that the merchandise X is visible.

As used herein to describe the present invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward, upward, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well as any other similar directional terms refer to those directions of a merchandise housing container equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms, as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpreted relative to a merchandise housing container equipped with the present invention.

Although the foregoing embodiment has described a merchandise housing container having the inner box1, the seat part2and the cover part3, the invention is not limited to these configurations and a configuration may be employed in which the seat part2and the cover part3are eliminated. Furthermore, the merchandise X is not limited to dual-bearing reels and the present invention can be suitably applied to contain any merchandise, including fishing reels such as spinning reels and single-bearing reels.

The shapes of the inner box1, the seat part2and the cover part3in unfolded configurations are not limited to those described in the foregoing embodiment, but various other shapes in unfolded configurations may be employed as long as the inner box1, the seat part2and the cover part3are formed integrally. In addition, the shapes of the inner box1and the cover part3are not limited to a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as described in the foregoing embodiment, but other shapes such as a substantially polygonal prism shape or a substantially columnar shape may also be employed.