Abstract:
The present invention provides a foldable shipping carton that easily converts to a retail display. The carton of the present invention incorporates an integral detachable panel that protects the product and the product&#39;s primary graphics area. Once at a retail location, the detachable panel is removed exposing the graphics. The carton then doubles as a display to draw attention to the product. The carton of the present invention replaces the unattractive brown cardboard shipping box and is intended to build brand awareness and drive sales.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/387,159 [Attorney Docket: 53067-7069] filed Sep. 28, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to a foldable shipping carton that protects the products&#39; primary graphics during transportation and easily converts to a display for the products for use at a store. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0004]    Products are often shipped in plain cardboard boxes or containers. Product displays for retail establishments are well-known. It is desirable to combine a shipping carton with a retail display. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a foldable shipping carton that easily converts to a retail display. The carton of the present invention incorporates an integral detachable panel that protects the product and the product&#39;s primary graphics area during transportation. Once at a retail location, the detachable panel is removed exposing the graphics. The carton then doubles as a display to draw attention to the product. The carton of the present invention replaces the unattractive brown cardboard shipping box and is intended to build brand awareness and drive sales. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the present invention provides a blank for forming a foldable carton. The blank includes a front panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, a first side panel having a first side edge attached to the first side edge of the front panel, and a rear panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the first side panel. The blank also includes a second side panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the rear panel, a third side panel having a first side edge attached to the second side edge of the front panel, and an intermediate panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the second side panel. A detachable panel having a first side edge is attached to a second side edge of the intermediate panel. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a convertible carton formed from such single blank of material. 
         [0007]    In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a blank for forming a foldable carton. The blank includes a front panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, a bottom panel having a first side edge attached to the first side edge of the front panel, and a rear panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the bottom panel. The blank also includes a top panel having a first side edge attached to the second side edge of the front panel, an intermediate panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the rear panel, and a detachable panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the intermediate panel. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a convertible carton formed from such single blank of material. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a blank for forming a foldable carton is provided. The blank includes a front panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, a bottom panel having a first side edge attached to the first side edge of the front panel, and a rear panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the bottom panel. The blank also includes a top panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the rear panel, and a detachable panel having a first side edge attached to a second side edge of the top panel. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a convertible carton formed from such single blank of material. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment of the invention, a foldable carton is provided. The foldable carton comprises a front panel having a first side edge and a second side edge and an opening, a first side panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first side edge of the first side panel attached to the first side edge of the front panel, a rear panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first side edge of the rear panel attached to the second side edge of the first side panel, a second side panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first side edge of the second side panel attached to the second side edge of the rear panel, and a third side panel having a first side edge attached to the second side edge of the front panel. The carton further comprises an intermediate panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first side edge of the intermediate panel attached to the second side edge of the second side panel, and a detachable panel having a perforated first side edge and a second side edge, the first side edge of the detachable panel attached to the second side edge of the intermediate panel; wherein the first side panel forms a first side of the carton, and the second side panel and the third side panel collectively form a second side of the carton opposing the first side of the carton. 
         [0010]    In accordance with one alternative, the opening extends to a top edge of the front wall. In another alternative, the opening extends to a side edge of the front panel. 
         [0011]    The foldable carton is formed from a single blank of material. The blank can be plastic or a paper material. 
         [0012]    The intermediate panel can include a hand-hold opening adjacent the second side panel. The hand-hold opening enables one to grasp and detach the intermediate panel and detachable panel from the carton. 
         [0013]    The detachable panel can include an indentation adjacent the second side edge of the detachable panel. Additionally, the detachable panel can include a first side tab for gluing to another panel. 
         [0014]    The front panel can include a removable tab extending into the opening of the front panel. The removable tab can include a glue portion for securing it to an inside surface of the detachable panel. 
         [0015]    The third side panel includes a glue portion. The third panel can be secured to the second side panel via the glue portion. 
         [0016]    The foldable carton can further comprise a plurality of top flaps connected respectively to a top end of the front panel, first side panel, second side panel and third side panel for forming a top of the carton. Similarly, the foldable carton can further comprise a plurality of bottom flaps connected respectively to a bottom end of the front panel, first side panel, second side panel and third side panel for forming a bottom of the carton. 
         [0017]    In another alternative embodiment, a convertible carton is provided. The convertible carton comprises a front panel having an opening, a bottom edge and a top edge, a bottom panel having a front edge connected to the bottom edge of the front panel and a rear edge, and a rear panel having a bottom edge connected to the rear edge of the bottom panel and a top edge. Additionally, the convertible carton comprises an intermediate panel having a first edge connected to the top edge of the rear panel and an opposing second edge, a detachable panel having a perforated edge connected to the second edge of the intermediate panel, and a first top panel segment a front edge connected to a first side of the top edge of the front panel and a second top panel segment separated from the first top panel segment by an opening, the second top panel segment having a front edge connected to a second side of the top edge of the front panel. 
         [0018]    Again, the carton can be formed from a single blank of material. The blank can be plastic or paper. 
         [0019]    The convertible carton can further comprise a side flap extending from a first side of the front panel and a second side flap extending from a second side of the front panel. The first side flap can include a first glue portion and the second side flap including a second glue portion. The detachable panel can include a first side tab extending outward from a first side of the detachable panel and a second side tab extending outward from a second side of the detachable panel. The first side tab positioned to contact the first glue portion of the first side flap and the second side tab positioned to contact the second glue portion of the second side flap. 
         [0020]    The convertible carton can further comprise a first hand-hold cut-out on a first side of the detachable panel and a second hand-hold cut-out on a second side of the detachable panel. 
         [0021]    The first top panel segment includes a glue portion proximate a rear edge, and the second top panel segment includes a glue portion proximate a rear edge. 
         [0022]    Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the description of the invention including the Figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a carton blank in accord with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a carton blank in accord with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a carton blank in accord with a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a carton blank in accord with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a carton formed from the blank of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is an assembly drawing showing how to convert the assembled carton of  FIG. 5  into a retail display in accord with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is an assembly drawing showing how to convert the assembled carton of  FIG. 6  into a retail display in accord with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is an assembly drawing showing how to convert the assembled carton of  FIG. 7  into a retail display in accord with an embodiment of the present invention; and, 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is an assembly drawing showing how to convert the assembled carton of  FIG. 8  into a retail display in accord with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the Figures and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  9 , a foldable carton  12  and a blank  10  for forming the foldable carton  12  are shown. The blank  10  is created from a foldable material, such as paper, cardboard, or plastic. The blank  10  is cut (such as die cut) to the appropriate shape. Additionally, the blank  10  is formed to include a plurality of fold lines, perforations, and/or tear lines to facilitate folding the blank  10  into a carton  12  as shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 1  shows the interior side of the blank  10 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the blank  10  includes a front panel  14  having a first side edge  16  and a second side edge  18 . A first side panel  20  having a first side edge  22  is attached to the first side edge  16  of the front panel  14  by a fold line  24 . The first side panel  20  forms one side of the completed carton  12 . A rear panel  26  having a first side edge  28  is attached to a second side edge  30  of the first side panel  20  by a fold line  32 . A second side panel  34  having a first side edge  36  is attached to a second side edge  38  of the rear panel  26  by a fold line  40 . A third side panel  42  having a first side edge  44  is attached to the second side edge  18  of the front panel  14  by a fold line  46 . The second side panel  34  and the third side panel  42  are combined (e.g., glued together to form a second side wall for the completed carton  12 . An intermediate panel  48  having a first side edge  50  is attached to a second side edge  52  of the second side panel  34  by a fold line  54 . A detachable panel  56  having a first side edge  58  is attached to a second side edge  60  of the intermediate panel  48  by a fold line  62 . When constructed, the intermediate panel is generally positioned over the third side panel  42  and the detachable panel  56  is positioned over the front panel  14 . 
         [0039]    Each of the front panel  14 , first side panel  20 , rear panel  26 , second side panel  34 , and third side panel  42  include downward extending bottom flaps  64   a  through  64   e  for forming a bottom  66  of the finished carton  12 . Each of the first side panel  20 , rear panel  26 , second side panel  34 , detachable panel  56 , and third side panel  42  include upwardly extending top flaps  68   a  through  68   e  for forming a portion of a top  70  of the finished carton  12 .  FIG. 5  shows the top  70  after removal of the top flap  68   e  connected to the detachable panel  56 . 
         [0040]    To assemble the carton  12  using the blank  10 , the blank  10  is folded at fold lines  24 ,  32 ,  40  and  46 . Bottom flaps  64   a  through  64   e  are folded inward to form the bottom  66 . The front panel  14  includes a removable tab  72 . The removable tab  72  is connected to the front panel  14  by perforations  74  or the like to facilitate detachment. The removable tab  72 , the third side panel  42  and its associated bottom flap  64   a  and top flap  68   a  each have glue patterns  76  on their outer surfaces. Second side panel  34  is folded over the third side panel  42  such that glue pattern  76  of the third side panel  42  adheres to the inside surface of the second side panel  34 , and the glue pattern  76  on the bottom flap  64   a  of the third side panel  42  adhere to another of the bottom flaps  64   b  through  64   e  to form three sides of the carton  12 . To complete formation of the carton  12 , detachable panel  56  is folded over the front panel  14  such that the glue pattern  76  on the removable tab  72  adheres to the inner surface of the detachable panel  56 , and the glue pattern  76  on the top flap  68   a  of the third side panel  42  adheres to the top flap  68   e  of the detachable panel  42  to form the top of the carton  12 . 
         [0041]    The detachable panel  56  is positioned to cover and protect graphics  75  on the product  77  stored within the carton  12  during shipment. When the detachable panel  56  is removed at a retail location, the graphics  75  are displayed. To convert the carton  12  to a display, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the intermediate panel  48  includes a cutout section  78 . It also includes a zippered seam  80  at its first side edge  50  that cooperates with the second edge  52  of the second side panel  34 . The user pulls the cutout section  78  outward such that the zippered seam  80  detaches the intermediate panel  48  from the second side panel  34 . A second edge  82  of the detachable panel  56  also includes a cutout section  84 . The user pulls cutout section  84  outward with a force that detaches the removable tab  72  from the front panel  14 . The top flap  68   e  of the detachable panel  56  also includes a cutout section  86 . The user pulls the cutout section  86  outward to remove the top flap  68   a  of the third side panel  42 . The detachable panel  56  also includes perforations at its first side edge  58  that permits detachment from the intermediate panel  48 . The carton  12  can now act as a display as the front panel  14  also includes a window section  88 . 
         [0042]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  6 , and  10 , a carton  92  and a blank  90  for forming the carton  92  are provided.  FIG. 2  shows the interior side of the blank  90 . The blank  90  includes a front panel  94  having a first side edge  96  and a second side edge  98 . It also includes a bottom panel  100  having a first side edge  102  attached to the first side edge  96  of the front panel  94  along a fold line  104 . A rear panel  106  having a first side edge  108  is attached to a second side edge  110  of the bottom panel  100  along a fold line  112 . A top panel  114  having a first side edge  116  is attached to the second side edge  98  of the front panel  94  along a fold line  118 . An intermediate panel  120  having a first side edge  122  is attached to a second side edge  124  of the rear panel  106  along a fold line  126 . A detachable panel  128  having a first side edge  130  is attached to a second side edge  132  of the intermediate panel  120  along a fold line  134 . 
         [0043]    To form the carton  92  with the blank  90 , the blank  90  is folded upward at fold lines  104 ,  112 ,  118 ,  126 , and  134 . Side flaps  136   a  through  136   j , attached to each of the front panel  94 , bottom panel  100 , rear panel  106 , intermediate panel  120 , and top panel  114  are folded inward. The intermediate panel  120  attaches by adherence to the top panel  114  by glue patterns  138  on exterior surfaces of the top panel  114  and its side flaps  136   a  and  136   f . The side flaps  136   a  and  136   f  of the top panel  114  are the last to be folded and adhere to side flaps  136   d  and  136   i  of the rear panel  106  to form sides  140  of the carton  92 . The detachable panel  128  is folded over the top of the carton  92  such that tabs  142  on the detachable panel  128  align with glue sections  139  on the exterior surfaces of the side flaps  136   b  and  136   g  of the front panel  94 , thereby creating the carton  92 . 
         [0044]    The detachable panel  128  is positioned to cover and protect graphics  141  on the product  143  stored within the carton  92  during shipment. When the detachable panel  128  is removed at a retail location, the graphics  141  are displayed. To convert the carton  92  to a display, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the user detaches the tabs  142  from the glue sections  138  and the detachable panel  128  is lifted upward. The detachable panel  128  includes cutout sections  144  and is perforated at its first side edge  130  where it meets the intermediate panel  120  along fold line  134 . The user tears the detachable panel  128  from the intermediate panel  120  along the perforations using the cutout sections  144 . The front panel  94  includes a window  146  to display the contents.  FIG. 6  shows the carton  92  after the detachable panel  128  has been removed. 
         [0045]    In a further embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  11 , a carton  150  and a blank  148  for forming the carton  150  are provided.  FIG. 3  shows the interior side of the blank  148 . The blank  148  includes a front panel  152  having a first side edge  154  and a second side edge  156 . It also includes a bottom panel  158  having a first side edge  160  attached to the first side edge  154  of the front panel  152  along a fold line  162 . A rear panel  164  having a first side edge  166  is attached to a second side edge  168  of the bottom panel  158  along a fold line  170 . A top panel  172  having a first side edge  174  is attached to a second side edge  176  of the rear panel  164  along a fold line  178 . A detachable panel  180  having a first side edge  182  is attached to a second side edge  184  of the top panel  172  along a fold line  186 . 
         [0046]    To form the carton  150 , the blank  148  is folded upward at fold lines  162 ,  170 ,  178  and  186 . Side flaps  188   a  through  188   h , attached to each of the front panel  152 , bottom panel  158 , rear panel  164 , and top panel  172  are folded inward. The side flaps  188   a  through  188   h  are glued to form the carton  150 . The front panel  152  includes a safety flap  190 . The detachable panel  180  is folded over the outside of the front panel  152 , and is attached to the front panel  152  at glued section  192  on the outside surface of the front panel  152 . Tabs  194  on the detachable panel  180  are adhered at glued sections  196  on the outer surface of side flaps  188   a  and  188   e  attached to the front panel  152 . 
         [0047]    The detachable panel  152  is positioned to cover and protect graphics  191  on the product  193  stored within the carton  150  during shipment. When the detachable panel  152  is removed at a retail location, the graphics  191  are displayed. To convert the carton  150  to a display, as shown in  FIG. 11 , tabs  194  are pulled outward and detached from glued sections  196 . The user lifts the detachable panel  180 . The top panel  172  includes a detachable window section  198 . The front panel  152  also includes a detachable window section  200 . The window section  198  includes perforations  202  to permit them to be removed from the top panel  172  using a finger hole  204 . The window section  200  is also perforated at  206 . Lifting the detachable panel  180  also tears the perforations  206  to permit contents of the carton  150  to be displayed.  FIG. 7  shows the carton  150  with the detachable panel  180  removed. 
         [0048]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  8 , and  12 , a carton  209  and a blank  208  for forming the carton  209  are provided.  FIG. 4  shows the interior side of the blank  208 . The blank  208  includes a front panel  210  having a first side edge  212  and a second side edge  214 . A first side panel  216  having a first side edge  218  is attached to the first side edge  212  of the front panel  210  along a fold line  220 . A rear panel  222  having a first side edge  224  is attached to a second side edge  226  of the first side panel  216  along a fold line  228 . A second side panel  230  having a first side edge  232  is attached to a second side edge  234  of the rear panel  222  along a fold line  236 . A third side panel  238  having a first side edge  240  is attached to the second side edge  214  of the front panel  210  along a fold line  242 . An intermediate panel  244  having a first side edge  246  is attached to a second side edge  250  of the second side panel  230  along a fold line  252 . A detachable panel  254  having a first side edge  256  is attached to a second side edge  258  of the intermediate panel  244  along a fold line  260 . 
         [0049]    Each of the front panel  210 , first side panel  216 , rear panel  222 , second side panel  230 , and third side panel  238  include downward extending bottom flaps  262   a  through  262   e  for forming a bottom  264  of the finished carton  209 . Each of the first side panel  216 , rear panel  222 , second side panel  230 , detachable panel  254 , and third side panel  238  include upwardly extending top flaps  266   a  through  266   e  for forming a portion of a top  268  of the finished carton  210 . 
         [0050]    To assemble the carton  209  using the blank  208 , the blank  208  is folded at fold lines  220 ,  228 ,  236 ,  242 , and  260 . Bottom flaps  262   a  through  262   e  are folded inward to form the bottom  264 . The third side panel  238  and its associated bottom flap  262   a  and top flap  266   a  each have glue patterns  272  on their outer surfaces. Second side panel  230  is folded over the third side panel  238  such that glue pattern  272  of the third side panel  238  adheres to the inside surface of the second side panel  230 , and the glue pattern  272  on the bottom flap  262   a  of the third side panel  238  adhere to another of the bottom flaps  262   b  through  262   e  to form three sides of the carton  209 . To complete formation of the carton  209 , detachable panel  254  is folded over the front panel  210  such that the glue pattern  272  on the top flap  266   a  of the third side panel  238  adheres to the top flap  268   e  of the detachable panel  254  to form the top  268  of the carton  209 . The detachable panel  254  is folded such that tabs  276  on the detachable panel  254  align with glue sections  278  on the outer surface of the second side panel  230 , thereby creating the carton  209 . 
         [0051]    The detachable panel  254  is positioned to cover and protect graphics  277  on the product  279  stored within the carton  209  during shipment. When the detachable panel  254  is removed at a retail location, the graphics  277  are displayed. To convert the carton  209  to a display, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the intermediate panel  244  includes a cutout section  280 . It also includes a zippered seam  282  at its first side edge  246  that cooperates with the second side edge  250  of the second side panel  230 . The tabs  276  are pulled from the glue sections  278 . The top flap  268   e  of the detachable panel  254  also includes a cutout section  284 . The user pulls the cutout section  284  outward to remove the top flap  262   e  from the third side panel  238 . The user pulls the cutout section  280  outward such that the zippered seam  282  detaches the intermediate panel  244  from the second side panel  230 . The detachable panel  254  also includes perforations at its first side edge  256  that permits detachment from the intermediate panel  244 . The carton  209  can now act as a display as the front panel  210  also includes a window section  286 .  FIG. 11  shows the carton  209  with the detachable panel  254  removed. 
         [0052]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.