Abstract:
A shipping and display container having a generally C-shaped configuration enabling vertical orientation of an elongated lawn implement such that the upper end of the lawn implement is oriented above the implement end. The container allows access to the lawn implement without destruction or manipulation of the shipping and display container. In addition, the lawn implement may be utilized as a handle for carrying both the lawn implement and container. The container has interlocking display surfaces adapted to receive point of sale display graphics while greatly increasing the viewing angle of consumers approaching the container.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to shipping and display cartons and more particularly to a shipping and display container for lawn implements. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Outdoor tools such as lawn implements are designed to withstand abuse and feel comfortable in the hands of an operator. This durability and comfort is often the key factor in determining whether or not to purchase the product. Therefore, it is important for consumers to be able to touch and grip the product at the point of sale prior to making the purchase decision. 
     Traditionally, packages for such products were enclosed in corrugated containers with the consumer having to rely on a picture or description on the outer carton. Consumers interested in obtaining access to the product were forced to open the packaging to test for durability and feel of the product. Such activity by the consumer resulted in a number of opened and/or damaged packages which made subsequent sale difficult. In an attempt to minimize damaged containers, many retailers now take several units completely out of the enclosed cartons to use for display purposes. These display units have frequently sustained damage and theft of the most removable components resulting in a &#34;return to vendor&#34; situation. 
     In addition to the inability to touch the product without opening conventional packaging, such conventional packaging made carrying the product from the display to the cash register and subsequently to the consumer&#39;s destination difficult due to the cumbersome size of the product and its packaging. In addition, traditional packages for lawn implements or the like have been displayed either in a horizontal fashion or in a inverted fashion such that the motor end of the implement is located at the lower end of the package. This horizontal or inverted display of the product does not provide the consumer with the opportunity to view the product in its in-use orientation. 
     The present invention is directed to improving known shipping and display containers for lawn implements or the like. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a container for shipping and displaying a lawn implement. The container has a body portion defining an open central region for receiving the lawn implement in an upright orientation. The body portion also has a rear panel and a plurality of side panels, each of the plurality of side panels having a first side section and a second side section. The first side section is oriented generally perpendicular to the rear panel and the second side section is integrally connected to the first side section and folded back toward the rear panel into engagement with one another to provide a display surface. A top portion and a bottom portion are contiguous with the first side panels of the body portion and extend outwardly from the rear panel beyond the first side sections. The bottom is located opposite the top portion for supporting the container in a generally vertical orientation when placed upon a flat horizontal surface. An upper retainer is provided which cooperates with the top portion for removably retaining the upper end of the lawn implement. A lower retainer cooperates with the bottom portion for removably retaining the implement end of the lawn implement. The upper and lower retainer also cooperate with the open central region to enable the lawn implement to be used as a handle for carrying the container. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system for shipping a plurality of elongated implements. A plurality of shipping containers are provided each having a body portion having a rear panel and a pair of side panels which cooperate with the rear panel to form two triangular tubes when seen in cross section. A top portion and a bottom portion are provided which are contiguous with the side panels in opposed relation such that the top and bottom portions project from the rear panel beyond the side panels. A base is provided which is sized to receive a plurality of shipping containers in a generally vertical orientation such that at least two of the shipping containers are oriented face-to-face such that their respective rear panels are exposed. A lid is provided which is sized to substantially surround the top portions of the same number of shipping containers as received by the base. A wrap is provided which substantially surrounds the lid, the base and the plurality of shipping containers to form an immobile unit. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a shipping and display container capable of being displayed in a vertical, in-use orientation. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shipping and display carton providing the consumer access to the product to use the handle and shaft to carry the container from the on-sale display area to the cash register and ultimately to the consumer&#39;s final destination. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a shipping and display container capable of being shipped in combination with a plurality of other shipping and display containers to provide a sturdy and secure shipping unit which protects the product against damage while easily being unpacked and separated from the other shipping and display containers for point of sale display. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of billboard panels on the shipping and display container to provide for large angled advertising space easily viewed by consumers as they approach the on-sale display from different angles. 
     A feature of the present invention is that the container enables the motor end of the lawn implement to be displayed distal from the floor in a vertical orientation. 
     Another feature of the present invention is the angled billboard surfaces surrounding the lawn implement which are used to attract attention to the product by consumers approaching at different angles. 
     An advantage of the present invention is allowing consumers access to the product at point of sale display without requiring tampering of the shipping and display container. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is enabling the handle area of the lawn implement to be utilized in carrying the product thereby avoiding conventional cumbersome movement of such products. 
     The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shipping and display container partially cutaway showing the top retainer means and showing the lawn implement contained within the shipping and display container in phantom in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially broken away of the top retaining means having one tab disengaged; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing the second insert in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank utilized to form the shipping and display container shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view similar to that shown in FIG. 4 of a second blank utilized to form the top retaining means; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third blank which cooperates with the blank shown in FIG. 5 to form the top retaining means shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 7 is a plan view of a blank utilized in retaining the implement portion of the lawn implement; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view partially cutaway showing a shipping and display container for an accessory to the lawn implement shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view, partially cutaway, taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of the blank utilized to form the shipping and display container illustrated in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of the blank utilized to form the bottom retaining means shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view partially exploded showing the formation of a shipping unit in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view similar to that shown in FIG. 12 illustrating a completed shipping unit wrapped in plastic. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 depicts a shipping and display container 10. The container is formed from a body portion 12, a top portion 14 and a bottom portion 16. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the container 10 is intended to be utilized to display an elongated lawn implement, generally indicated at 18, in a generally vertical orientation. In this orientation, an upper end 20 of the lawn implement 18 is located above an implement end 21 of the lawn implement 18. The upper end 20 of the lawn implement 18 in this embodiment contains the motor (whether electric or gasoline) which is considerably heavier than the implement end 21. In order to display the lawn implement 18 in such a manner it is essential that the container 10 be sturdy. 
     A blank 88 depicted in FIG. 4 and the assembled product shown in FIG. 1 best illustrate the relationship of the elements forming the container 10. The container 10 has a connecting panel 22 which cooperates with a rear panel 24 to form the container 10. Adjacent the rear panel 24 and generally perpendicular thereto are a pair of side panels 26. The side panels 26 each have a first side section 28a and a second side section 28b.  The first side sections 28a, in conjunction with segments of top and bottom portions 14 and 16 form, have a generally C-shaped configuration as best seen in FIG. 1. The top portion 14 and the bottom portion 16 are each contiguous with the side panels 26. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, each of the top and bottom portions, 14 and 16, has flaps 30. The top and bottom portions are formed adjacent the side panels 26 extending beyond the first side sections 28a such that a face section 31 extends between the side panels 26 generally perpendicular thereto and distal from the rear panel 24. The bottom portion provides a generally flat surface area or base 35 which is adapted for supporting the container 10 in a generally vertical orientation when the container 10 is placed on a flat horizontal surface. An open central region 32 is defined as the area between the rear panel 24, the top and bottom portions 14 and 16, and the second side sections 28b. The open central region 32 is generally elongated and enables consumers to have access to the lawn implement 18 without manipulating the container 10. The open central region 32, defined by rear panel 24, top and bottom portions 14 and 16, and second side sections 28b, provide large angled advertising spaces or billboard panels which are easily viewed by consumers as they approach the container 10. 
     The container 10 is formed from folding the blank 88 along a plurality of longitudinal fold or score lines 34 and a pair of transverse fold lines 36. Fastening cement or a similar adhesive compound is applied to the juncture between the rear panel 24 and the connecting panel 22. The second side sections 28b are then folded back toward the rear panel 24 into interlocking engagement to form an angle therebetween lying within a range of 60°-120°. The second side sections 28b interlock because one of the second side sections 28b has at least one tab 38 and the other second side section 28b has a corresponding cutout 40 adapted to receive the tab 38. In this embodiment, there are three tabs 38 which are seated within three cutouts 40. Prior to closing the flaps 30, an upper retainer 42 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) is inserted into the top portion 14. A lower retainer 44 is inserted into the bottom portion 16. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the upper retainer 42 is formed from a first member 46 and a second member 48. The first member 46 is a generally rectangular piece of cardboard or the like having a plurality of transverse fold lines 50 and a pair of longitudinal cuts 51 to form tabs 52 at each end of the first member 46. The second member 48, shown in FIG. 5 is also rectangular in shape and has a plurality of transverse fold lines bisected by a pair of longitudinal slots 54 adapted to receive the tabs 52. The first member 46 and second member 48 are each folded along their respective fold lines such that the first member 46 is folded around the second member 48 and tabs 52 are inserted into slots 54 to form a complete unit. A cutout 56 is centrally located within each of the first and second members 46 and 48 such that when combined to form the upper retainer 42, the cutouts 56 adapt to removably receive and retain the upper end 20 of the lawn implement 18. The upper retainer 42 is placed within the top portion 14 such that the cutout 56 is facing the open central region 32 of the container 10. The upper retainer 42 is prevented from falling into the open central region 32 by upper ends of the second side sections 28b which are in interlocking relation. 
     The lower retainer 44, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, is a generally square shaped piece of cardboard or the like. A pair of transverse fold lines and a pair of longitudinal fold lines are located so as to provide flanges 58 which surround the lower retainer and provide a base upon which the lower retainer 44 rests in the bottom portion 16 (shown in FIG. 3). A plurality of radial slots defining a series of cantilevered retainers 60 are centrally located within the lower retainer 44 for removably receiving and retaining the implement end 21 of the lawn implement 10. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a system for shipping a plurality of the elongated lawn implements 18 within the shipping and display containers 10. A base 64 is generally rectangular in shape and is adapted to receive a plurality of containers 10 in a generally vertical orientation. The containers 10 are placed within the base 64 such that at least two of the plurality of containers 10 are oriented face to face thereby exposing two rear panels 24. In this embodiment, six containers 10 are placed within the base 64 such that at each corner of the base 64 rear panels 24 are exposed. The cross sectional shape of the container 10 (as shown in FIG. 3) illustrates two closed triangular tubes, which in conjunction with the lawn implement 18, provide the container 10 with a rigid structure. The rear panels 24 of the containers 10 are exposed at the corners of the base 64 to take advantage of this rigid construction. 
     A lid 66 is shaped similar to that of the base and sized to receive the same number of containers 10 as the base 64. The lid 66 is placed over the top portions 14 of the containers 10. Then a wrap 68, in this configuration a translucent wrap, is shrink fitted around the base 64, the lid 66, and the containers 10 to form a secure integral unit for shipping. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11 illustrates a shipping and display container 10&#39; for shipping elongated attachments 70 for the lawn implement 18. An elongated attachment 70 or working end is shown already attached within lawn implement 18 in FIG. 1. The general configuration, construction and function of this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-7. The numbers identified in FIGS. 8-11 have the same number corresponding to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7 with the addition of a prime number to designate the alternative embodiment. One exception to the general construction is that the upper retainer 42&#39; is integrally formed within the body portion 12&#39; as shown in FIG. 10. 
     While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.