Abstract:
A freestanding portable lamp package for product display that can be placed on a store shelf or the like. The package is freestanding and protects the product contained therein from damage during shipment and display and prevents the need for an individual to remove the product from such packaging and disturb the contents within, while displaying the product to the public. The package utilizes a minimum of packaging materials. The package features a handle on the back side to make it easy for the customer to carry the product and package.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to package design, more particularly to a freestanding portable table lamp package for product display. 
     2. General Background and State of the Art 
     Current packaging methods for portable table lamps include completely enclosing the lamp within a cardboard box, enclosing the lamp partially in a box, often referred to as a “window box,” or completely eliminating the box and simply placing the lamp loosely on the shelf. 
     Portable lamps packaged for retail sale in a completely enclosed box or “window box” generally have some type of photograph or descriptive text representing the item within. Portable lamps are either packaged with a shade chosen by the manufacturer or without a shade, allowing the customer to choose their own. 
     There are several inherent problems with these traditional methods of packaging. First, by completely enclosing the portable table lamp in a box, the customer is unable to fully view the true color or finish and shape of the lamp and must rely solely on the accuracy of the photo and accompanying text to describe the item. Many customers find this objectionable and therefore open the box and remove the lamp to get a positive view of the lamp. This often results in damaging the product, losing parts, etc., or making the item unfit for sale should they choose not to purchase the item. 
     Additionally, if the shade is sold separately, it is very difficult for the customer to visualize the complete lamp because the top (socket and neck) and bottom (base) are covered. This is generally due to the extra packaging material necessary to protect the lamp base during shipping. 
     More importantly, it is virtually impossible for the customer to select a properly sized shade for the table lamp without removing the lamp from the box and “trying on” several shades. This is critical, not only for the aesthetics of the table lamp, but the safety of the unit as a whole. An improperly sized shade (i.e., smaller than safely allowed by U.L. standards) can cause the shade to overheat and catch fire. 
     Secondly, typical window box types of packaging also have the same problems as an enclosed box package when trying to select an appropriate shade. While this type of packaging does make visible much of the lamp, giving the customer a more accurate description of most of the lamp, it still covers much of the neck and socket which makes it difficult to select an appropriate shade. Additionally, this type of packaging does not allow the customer to view the full side profile of the table lamp and, in some cases, the base of the lamp. This is particularly important with table lamps of an irregular shape. 
     Enclosed boxes and window boxes are constructed the way they are in order to pass “drop test” requirements by retail establishments in an effort to protect the lamp during shipping. Due to the extra cardboard, Styrofoam or other packaging materials necessary to accomplish this, the end result is a large box that takes up a lot of valuable shelf space, makes it difficult for the customer to carry and transport the box due to its bulkiness, and requires the customer to dispose of the excess packaging materials which contributes to the environmental problems of wasted resources and crowded landfills. 
     Thirdly, portable lamps placed loosely on a shelf are far more susceptible to damage. They are easily tipped over, resulting in broken bases, sockets, bent harps, etc. Cords are often tangled with other lamps which adds to the confusion. Lamps packaged using this method are often in disarray and do not present themselves well to the customer because they do not have flat sides making them difficult to line up on the shelf and keep organized. 
     There is a need for a type of packaging that will allow the customer to see the entire lamp from one view angle without damaging the product or losing elements of the product while opening the package, that will allow the customer to effectively try on various shades, protect the lamp from damage during shipping and while on the shelf, and present the product well in an organized fashion to the customer. 
     INVENTION SUMMARY 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a freestanding portable lamp package for product display. 
     It is further the object of this invention to provide such a package which displays a fully or partially assembled product therein allowing the customer to examine the product without damage to the same or to the packaging. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a freestanding portable lamp package for product display on a shelf wherein a plurality of lamps may be spaced and lined up on the shelf along with the tray the lamp is mounted in. 
     It is a further object of this invention to carry out the foregoing object by providing the packages containing the lamps with square sides that can abut against each other. 
     It is another object of this invention to carry out the foregoing objects wherein the package protects the product disposed therein from damage during shipping and display. 
     It is also an object of this invention to make the packaging more convenient for the customer to purchase and transport the packaging, as well as disposed of the packaging materials with minimum impact on landfills. 
     It is another object of this invention to allow the customer to select a shade, if the shade is sold separately, that will be visually acceptable to the customer while meeting basic safety standards. 
     These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing a freestanding portable lamp package for product display. The packaging can be placed on a store shelf or the like. The package is freestanding and protects the product contained therein from damage during shipment and display and prevents the need for an individual to remove the product from such packaging and disturb the contents within, while displaying the product to the public. The package utilizes a minimum of packaging materials. The package features a handle on the back side to make it easy for the customer to carry the product and package. 
     It can be seen that there is disclosed a freestanding portable lamp display package that allows a customer to view completely the true color or finish and shape of the packaged table lamp. The customer can view the side profile of the table lamp. This is of particular importance where the lamp is irregularly shaped. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fixture and a mounting base for the same; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a foldable mounting structure to be used with the fixture and base of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a blister base cover for covering the base of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the fixture and base of FIG. 1 mounted in the packaging of FIGS. 2 and 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a box to be used to enclose the assembly of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 4 mounted in the box of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a shipping assembly for two of the fixtures of FIGS. 1 to  6 ; 
     FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 eliminating the blister of FIG.  3  and showing the assembly totally wrapped in a blister; 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 eliminating the blister of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a shade mounted on the fixture of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a conventional lamp socket having a socket protector mounted thereon; 
     FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the socket protector alone of FIG. 11 removed from the lamp; 
     FIG. 13 is a detailed view of a modification of the top of the packaging shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a different lamp and mounting therefor; 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of the underside of one of the components of FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded view of a blister and lamp to be mounted therein; 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the assembly of the lamp and blister of FIG. 16 between a pair of packaging units; 
     FIG. 18 is a detailed view taken along line  18 — 18  of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the packaging of two of the units of FIGS. 14 to  18 ; 
     FIG. 20 is an exploded view similar to FIG. 14 showing another type of packaging; 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a blister for packaging the unit of FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is an exploded view of the packaging of the unit of FIGS. 20 and 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a lamp and packaging in accordance with the teachings of the invention; 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the packaging alone of FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the inside of the box base of the packaging of FIGS. 23 and 24, the box panels open to show the partition panel therein; 
     FIG. 26 is a front elevational view of still another embodiment of a lamp and packaging in accordance with the teachings of the invention; 
     FIG. 27 is a side elevational view of the lamp and packaging of FIG. 26; 
     FIG. 28 is an elevational view of a portion of a lamp and packaging therefor illustrating one type of tie of the lamp to the package; and 
     FIG. 29 is a top view of the package of FIG. 28 open to show the back side of the tie of FIG.  28 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a conventional table lamp  10  is shown having a base  11 , a main body portion  12  and a light socket  13  at top. A collar  14  may be disposed between the socket  13  and body portion  12 . As seen in FIG. 1, a mounting base  15  of any suitable material, such as Styrofoam, cardboard, etc. is provided being generally planar and rectangular with a central opening  16  configured to the outer periphery of base  11 . As indicated by arrow  17 , base  11  may be mounted within opening  16  providing a flat support for lamp  10 . 
     As seen in FIG. 2, a support  18  of any suitable material, such as cardboard, is provided being of an elongated planar configuration having a first top flap  19  folded along fold line  20  to a second flap  21  extending generally normal to flap  19  forming a top wall. Flap  21  is connected to a vertical back panel  22  at fold line  23  and back panel  22  is connected to a panel  25 , at fold line  24 , extending normal to panel  22  forming a bottom wall. A front panel  26  is connected to bottom wall  25  at fold line  27  which panel  26  is folded back on top of panel  25  in assembly, as will be discussed. A plurality of slits  100  may be provided in panels  25  and  26 , slits  100  in panel  26  being aligned with slits  100  in panel  25  when folded thereon for reasons to be discussed. 
     As seen in FIG. 3, a blister  28  of a transparent plastic material may be provided having a slotted opening for insertion onto base  15  of FIG.  1 . That is, base  15 , with base  11  of lamp  10  inserted thereon, is received within the blister  28  and arcuate cutout portion  29  surrounds the upper portion of base  11  of lamp  10  as seen in FIG.  4 . Also as seen in FIG. 4, if lamp  10  has a harp  30  (see also FIG. 2) associated therewith, the harp  30  may be placed flat against back wall  22  with the free ends  31 ,  32  extending through openings  33  (FIG. 4) in tabs  34  punched or cut out of back wall  22  and folded along fold lines  35 . 
     As seen in FIG. 5, a box  36 , with suitable indicia thereon, if desired, may be provided having a front wall  37 , a rear wall  38 , and a cutout portion  45  in front wall  37  configured similarly to fixture  10 . Box  36  also has a top hinged flap  39 , with a front fold tab  40  hinged thereto at fold line  41 . Flap  39  is hinged to front wall  36  at fold line  41 ′. Right and left side flaps  42 ,  43 , respectively, are hinged to side walls  42 ′,  43 ′, respectively, along fold lines  42 ″,  43 ″, respectively. A hinged cutout locking tab  44  is hinged to back wall  38 . As seen in FIG. 6, fixture  10  is inserted into box  35  with the bottom blister  26  extending out beyond front wall  37  with fixture  10  disposed within cutout portion  45  and extending thereout. Side flaps  42 ,  43  are folded inwardly and top flap  49  is folded over side flaps  42 ,  43  with front folded flap  40  extending downwardly against the inside of rear wall  38 . Locking flap  44  is then locked into a slot  46  (FIG. 5) at the intersection of top flap  49  and flap  40  along the fold line  41  thereof. Tabs  101 ,  102  (FIG. 5) lock into aligned slits  100  in flaps  25 ,  26  (FIG.  2 ). 
     The final assembly is shown in FIG.  6 . The fixture  10  is packaged in a manner in which it is freestanding on a shelf or the like. One or more of the packaged fixtures can be placed side by side in a carton for shipping. Obviously, fixture  10  may be of any suitable outer configuration, the cutout area  45  of front panel  37  (FIG. 5) being configured similarly. 
     This is shown in FIG. 7 wherein a base  47 , which may be of cardboard or the like, is shown having a generally rectangular bottom planar wall  48 , a front upstanding wall  49 , a rear upstanding wall  50 , and right and left side walls  51 ,  52 , respectively, interconnecting front and rear walls  49 ,  50 , forming a peripheral wall for base  47 . Wall  50  may be higher than wall  49  as shown, and side walls  51 ,  52  may taper downwardly toward front wall  49  as shown. 
     A pair of fixtures  10 , mounted as in FIG. 6, are placed within base  47  as indicated by arrow  53 . A partition  54  may be provided which is placed over the tops of the two fixtures  10 , as indicated by arrow  55 , and has a pair of cutout areas  56 ,  57 , that block the sockets of the two lamps when placed downwardly on top thereof as indicated by arrow  55 . A carton  58 , having a top wall  59 , front and rear walls  60  (only front wall  60  visible in FIG.  7 ), and side walls  61  (only side wall  61  visible in FIG. 7) is provided, open at the bottom, which is placed over partition  54 , the two fixtures  10  and base  47 , as indicated by arrow  62 , forming a shipping package for two of the fixtures of FIGS. 1 to  6 . A die cut slot  500  may be provided in wall  37  for easy transport of the packaged lamp. 
     Although two such fixtures are shown in FIG. 7, obviously three or more may be packaged in like manner. Also, various pieces of cardboard, styrofoam, or other suitable materials may be inserted inside of box  58  around or between the lamps for cushioning purposes. Also, although a blister  28  is used to hold flaps  25 ,  26  in place and encircle and protect base  11 , blister  28  may be eliminated and the entire assembly of FIG. 6, without blister  28 , may be wrapped in a protective blister  103 , as seen in FIG. 8, conforming to the outer configuration of fixture  12 . 
     Blister  28  may be eliminated, as discussed above, and the assembly of FIG. 6, without blister  28 , may be packaged as in FIG. 7 without any blister at all. This is shown in FIG.  9 . 
     Although fixture  10  is shown without a shade, one may be provided as shown in FIG.  10 . Thus, shade  104  may extend out of cutout portion  105  in box  106  (otherwise identical to box  36 ) as shown. The package of FIG. 10 may or may not include blister  28  and may or may not be encased in a full blister as in FIG.  8 . The electric cord  106  (FIG. 1) of fixture  10  may be hidden inside of or under the base  15 . 
     The customer can see the lamp in contour and thus does not have to rely solely on the manufacturer&#39;s representation of the table lamp as described on the box by a photograph or verbiage. The customer does not have to remove the table lamp from the packaging to obtain a positive view, which often results in damaging the product or the packaging, rendering it non-saleable or non-usable. 
     Referring now to FIG. 14 of the drawing, a conventional table lamp  600  is shown having a base  601 , a main body portion  602  and a light socket  603  at top. A collar  604  may be disposed between the socket  603  and body portion  602 . Mounting base  605 , of any suitable material such as styrofoam, cardboard, etc., is provided being generally planar and rectangular with a central opening  606  configured to the outer periphery of base  601 . 
     A planar support panel  607 , which may be of cardboard or plastic or the like, is provided having a die cut slot  608  at top and a cut-out portion  609  configured to lamp  600 . The bottom of panel  607 , forming the bottom ends  610 ,  611  of panel  607 , may be tapered to fit around base  601 , as will be discussed. A box  612 , which may be of cardboard or plastic, is provided having a top planar panel  613  with a central opening  614  and four foldable side panels  617  through  619  which fold about base  605 . 
     As seen in FIG. 14, base  605  may have a pair of spaced triangular slots  620 ,  621  on each side of opening  606 . As seen in FIG. 15, these slots  620 ,  621  extend through base  605 , which may be of styrofoam, and provide holes for lamp wire and plug  622  (FIG. 1) of lamp  600 . A lamp harp  623 , FIG. 15, may be mounted in the underside of base  605 . 
     As indicated by the arrows  624  through  626  in FIG. 14, panel  607  is mounted onto lamp  600  as indicated by arrow  624 . Box  612  is folded about base  605  as indicated by arrow  625 . Lamp base  601  is mounted in aligned openings  614 ,  606  as indicated by arrow  626 . 
     A clamshell blister  627 , FIG. 16, which may be of plastic, is provided having a pair of panels  628 ,  629  hinged along fold line  630 . A die cut slot  631  is provided at the top of each panel. A plurality of mating snaps  632 ,  633  may be provided on the respective panels  628 ,  629 , respectively, so the panels snap fit together. 
     Each panel  628 ,  629  has a concave blistered portion  634 ,  635 , respectively, contoured to the outer periphery of lamp  600  and about one-half the thickness thereof in depth. Each panel  628 ,  629  terminates at its bottom in a blistered base portion  636  having a box-like configuration for receiving one-half of base  612  therein as will be discussed. The upper wall  637  of base portion  636  has a convex blister section  638  conforming to the base of lamp  600 . 
     Lamp  600 , mounted in panel  607 , and to box  612  and base  605 , as discussed with respect to FIG. 14, is received within the contoured blister portions  634 ,  635  of blister  627  as indicated by arrow  639 . Box  612  enters the base portion  636  of each panel  628 ,  629 . 
     The assembly of lamp  600  to a shipping package is shown in FIG. 17. A pair of rectangular shipping box portions  640 ,  641  are provided as tall as panels  628 ,  629  and as wide as box  612 . These box portions may be of styrofoam and each has a plurality of cut-out areas  642  to reduce weight and product. Each portion  640 ,  641  has a concave contoured area  643  configured to lamp  600 . The bottom  644  of each portion  640 ,  641  is undercut to fit about and conform to the upper area of base  601  of lamp  600 . Thus, box portions  640 ,  641 , as indicated by arrows  645 ,  646 , are mounted together sandwiching lamp  600  and panel  607  therebetween with bottoms  644  resting on top of box  612 . The edges  648 ,  649  of panels  628 ,  629 , respectively, FIG. 16, have mating channel sections  649 ,  650  (see FIG. 18) that snap together. 
     As seen in FIG. 19, two lamp units  651 ,  652 , packaged as heretofore discussed, may be disposed in a generally rectangular shipping tray  653 , as indicated by arrow  659 , having a front wall  654 , a back wall  655 , higher than wall  654 , and tapered side walls  656 ,  657 . 
     A packaging insert  658 , which may be rectangular and of cardboard or styrofoam, conforming to the width and length of units  651 ,  652 , is mounted on the top of units  651 ,  652 , as indicated by arrow  660 . Finally, a shipping box  661 , open at bottom and closed at top by top wall  662 , and having interconnected side walls  663 , is mounted over insert  658  and units  651 ,  652 , as indicated by arrow  664 , enclosing tray  653 . Of course, suitable packing tape may be used. 
     Another variation is shown in FIG.  20 . Here, lamp  665 , having a socket  666 , a main body portion  667 , and a base  668 , is mounted to base  605  and to box  612 . Base  605  and box  612  are identical to box  612  and base  605  heretofore discussed. However, in this embodiment, panel  607  is replaced by a pair of panels  669 ,  670 , each generally rectangular, and each having a bottom wall  671  conforming to base  668 . 
     Blister  671  (FIG. 21) differs from blister  627  having a pair of hinged blister portions  672 ,  673 , each having a contoured concave portion  674 ,  675 , respectively, conforming to lamp  665 , and each terminating at its lower end in a one-half box portion (portions  676 ,  677 , respectively), each having a common interconnecting panel  676 ′, which, when brought together, form a box enclosing box  612  with lamp  665  mounted thereon, as heretofore discussed with respect to FIG.  16 . The final position of lamp  665 , with blister  671  mounted thereto and encompassing panels  669 ,  670  therebetween, is shown in FIG.  22 . Units  640  and  641  are identical to the like units of FIG. 17 except that contoured portion  678  conforms to lamp  665 . The side edges of blister portions  672 ,  673  interlock as previously discussed with respect to FIG.  18 . The packaged lamp of FIGS. 21 and 22 may be packaged along with another unit as heretofore discussed with respect to FIG.  19 . 
     As seen in FIG. 23, a lamp  700  having a socket  701 , a main body portion  702 , a collar  703 , and a base  704  may be mounted in a box  705  (similar to aforementioned box  612 ) having an opening  706  therein. Base  704  fits into the box  705  protruding through opening  706 . A blister package  707  is provided having a first upright front panel section  708  terminating in one-half of a box portion  709  at bottom (see FIG.  24 ). Package  707  also has a second upright rear panel section  710  also terminating at bottom in one-half of a box portion  711 . A slot  712  is formed at the top of each section  708 ,  710  for carrying the package. Each section  708 ,  710  has a contoured mid-portion  713  configured to one-half of the lamp  700 . Thus, the lamp  700  is mounted and packaged between the mating contoured portions  713 . 
     As seen in FIG. 25, the underside of box  705  may have a panel  714  with a harp  715  mounted thereon, the panel  714  having a slot  716  receiving the plug and cord  717  of lamp  700  therethrough. 
     As seen in FIG. 26, lamp  718  is provided also having a socket  719 , a collar  720 , a main body portion  721 , and a base  722 . A box  723 , similar to box  705  having opening  724 , is provided. A panel  725  extends upwardly from about the middle of box  723  (see FIG.  27 ). Panel  725  is configured at cutout area  726  to conform to the upper surface of base  722  and is also configured at area  727  (FIG. 26) to the outer configuration of lamp  718 . It is noted that a blister package  728 , similar to package  707 , encompasses lamp  718  but extends upwardly only about one-half of the length of lamp  718 . Thus, blister package  728  has a pair of upright back to back panels  729  enclosing lamp  718 , each having a one-half bottom base portion  731  (FIG. 26) and a contoured portion  732  (FIG. 27) conforming to lamp  718  and enclosing base  722 . In both the embodiments of FIGS. 25 and 27, mating snap portions  733  (FIG. 24) and  734  (FIG. 26) may be provided for snapping the panels together. 
     As seen in FIG. 28, a tie strap  735 , which may be a plastic strip, may be used to secure the body portion  736  of lamp  737  to its packaging  738 . As seen in FIG. 29, the strap  735  protrudes through the packaging panel  739  and its free ends interlock to lock the lamp  737  to package  738 . 
     Although a particular type of lamp and packaging is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, obviously such tie strap  735  may be used in any of the embodiments herein by securing the lamp to its respective package. 
     The packaging system disclosed herein safely harbors loose components, such as a harp, finial or cord, which can otherwise become disorganized, lost or tangled and cause damage to the product or neighboring products. The cord is placed toward the back of the lamp and is stored out of the way where it could otherwise become tangled or detract from the “presentation” of the lamp. If the shade is sold separately from the lamp base, this packaging system allows the customer to “try on” various shades in order to select an appropriate sized shade which is critical for aesthetics and safety reasons. This allows the customer to actually see the final product. 
     The package system disclosed herein makes it possible for a customer to tell what type of shade harp needs to be used. There are various types of shade harps—one type is known which fits around the socket; another type of harp which fits into a special bracket that is mounted below the socket (hence the importance of seeing the socket); and there is a clip-on harp which clips to the bulb when installed on the lamp. 
     The socket and the neck of the lamp rests against the cardboard insert which makes it possible for the customer to view the neck and socket of the table lamp, which is critical in sizing a shade. 
     The packaging system disclosed herein may utilize Styrofoam, cardboard, or other suitable material behind the neck and socket area to give additional protection to this area of the lamp. 
     The harp bracket on the fixture is placed parallel to the cardboard insert for aesthetic and protection purposes. The packaging system of the invention may utilize a removable, discardable, socket-protecting device made of metal, wire, plastic or other suitable material which is inserted into the harp bracket of the lamp as if it were a harp and which extends over the socket. The customer is able to view the base of the table lamp. This is particularly important for lamps with an irregular shape. The packaging system herein has a support in the front of the lamp base that does not completely cover or hide the lamp base, preferably of clear plastic (but can also be cardboard, Styrofoam, shrink-wrap or other suitable material) to hold the lamp in place in the package and to protect the lamp. 
     The packaging system of the invention may utilize a simple support made of cardboard, clear plastic, Styrofoam, shrink-wrap or other suitable material to hold the lamp base in place and to protect it from damage. It may also utilize a complete clear plastic blister, shrink-wrap or other suitable material, to completely cover the lamp base, or lamp base and shade, to hold it in place and protect it from damage. 
     Additionally, this packaging system may utilize a clear plastic blister, shrink-wrap or other suitable material, to completely or partially cover the lamp base, or lamp base and shade, to hold it in place and protect it from damage. This packaging system also has a cardboard insert, generally of rectangular shape, that fits behind the table lamp. The insert has recessed or partially recessed areas in it, generally following the silhouette of the lamp, which allows the fixture to safely nest into the insert approximately one-third of the way, giving it protection and providing a background to display the lamp against and allow for descriptive text while providing protection from damage. This insert has squared off sides for easy organization, upkeep on shelves versus loose lamps. This insert gives the lamp base more stability and prevents the lamp from falling over, which oftentimes damages the base, socket, harp assembly, etc., as seen with loose lamps. The insert has a perforated die cut slot  500  creating a handle for the customer to easily carry the lamp and package, unlike the oversized bulky boxes commonly used. If desired, instead of die cut slot  500  as seen in FIG. 6, a slot  501  may be provided in top wall  39 , otherwise identical to wall  39 , receiving a strap handle  502  through slot  501  for transporting the unit. Strap handle  502  may be secured to a panel secured to the underside of wall  39 ′ as is known in the art. 
     The cardboard insert may have a single, double or more than double layer of cardboard or other suitable material under the lamp base to give it additional support. The lamp fixture may be tied or secured to the package insert by means of one or more plastic strip ties or other suitable materials. 
     The packaging system of the invention allows each lamp to be tray-packaged for faster stocking of two or more lamps with more than one item of the same table lamp and yet still be visible when viewed from the side profile, which is very beneficial in retail establishments where product is displayed at the end of an aisle. When a tray is empty, the person stocking the shelf simply needs to pull the back tray forward. This is helpful when a deep shelf is used so the person does not need to climb on the shelf or use a ladder to reach the products in the back. 
     The packaging system of the invention reduces the amount of shelf space necessary to display the table lamp, as much of the packaging materials normally included in the individual box in order to pass mandatory “drop tests” by retail establishments is removed and disposed of with the master shipping carton. The system of packaging herein utilizes removable Styrofoam or cardboard inserts between the lamps packaged in the master shipping which decreases the overall amount of cardboard necessary. These inserts may be discarded at the time the product is put on the shelf. The end result is a more saleable product in the store with less wasted shelf space and gives the customer a much smaller package to handle. When the customer buys the product, the packaging disclosed herein takes less room in the shopper&#39;s cart than traditional packaging, which allows the customer to continue shopping. 
     The lamp may have a socket protector  300  (see also FIG. 12) mounted to the socket base  301  (FIG. 11) protecting socket  302 . A cylindrical socket protective sleeve  303 , of cardboard or the like, may be disposed inside of socket  302 . Protector  300  (FIG. 12) is generally U-shaped, having spaced elongated legs  304 ,  305  and a Bail portion  308  interconnecting the legs at top which legs  305 ,  304  respectively, snap into suitable brackets  306 ,  307 , respectively (FIG. 11) of socket base  301  as is well known in the art. Thus, socket  302  is protected during shipment and sleeve  303  and protector  300  can be removed by the customer. 
     Additionally, the removable cardboard is generally recycled by retail establishments which reduces the impact on environmental landfills as opposed to simply being thrown away by the consumer. 
     Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed, variations thereof may occur to an artisan and the scope of the invention should only be limited by the scope of the appended claims.