Abstract:
A commodities package is provided for containing commodities, such as staples. The package includes a base container and a cover, the base container and cover having interengaging structure in order to hold them together. The base container and cover are wrapped with shrink wrap to provide a sealed package. An outer package contains a plurality of commodity packages and facilitates loading of the commodity packages onto a display structure. The outer package is manually alterable so that it supports each of the plurality of commodity packages while the display structure is received by hanger members provided on the commodity packages. Once the commodity packages are loaded onto the display structure, the outer package is pulled away.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to packaging for commodities. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Numerous commodity packages are known in the art. However, there is a constant need in the industry to improve upon existing packaging products by making them more efficient, adaptable for different commodities, durable, and/or easy to use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, a commodity package is provided for containing commodities and comprises a generally rectangular cross-section base container and a generally rectangular cover for cooperating with the base container and covering the base container. The package further includes interengaging structure provided on the base container and the cover for releasably securing the cover to the base container and shrink wrap disposed around the base container and the cover. A plurality of staples or other commodities may be disposed within the base container. 
   In another embodiment, a package system is provided that comprises a plurality of commodity packages, each having hangers. An outer package contains the plurality of commodity packages and the commodity packages are arranged within the outer package such that the hangers are aligned to receive an elongated hanger member. The outer package has a frangible portion that enables manual alteration of the outer package to expose the hangers while the outer package supports bottom portions of the commodity packages. After the hangers receive the elongated hanger member, the outer package can be pulled away from the commodity packages while leaving them hanging on the elongated hanger member. receive the elongated hanger member, the outer package can be pulled away from the commodity packages while leaving them hanging on the elongated hanger member. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a commodity package is provided that includes a generally rectangular cross section base container and a generally rectangular cross section cover for cooperating with the base container and covering the base container. A hinge mechanism attaching the cover to the base container is provided for movement between a closed position and an open position. The commodity package further includes shrink wrap disposed around the base container and the cover, and commodities are disposed within the base container. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the present invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sealed commodity package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a cover of a commodity package in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view in detail of interengaging structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an open commodity package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view in detail showing the inside of a commodity package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an outer package containing a plurality of commodity packages in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the outer package of  FIG. 5  showing a step in its operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the outer package of  FIG. 5  showing a further step in its operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a commodity package in a closed configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a commodity package in an open configuration in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view in detail showing a commodity package in an open configuration in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view in detail showing a commodity package in a partly open configuration in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
       FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view in detail showing a commodity package in a partly open configuration in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
   

   The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The description as set out herein illustrates an arrangement of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  shows a package  10  for containing commodities, such as staples or other goods. The package  10  may have a generally rectangular cross section and includes a base container  12  and a cover  14 . The base container  12  may include a rounded cut-out or access portion  28  that enables a user to remove contained commodities easily. The access portion  28  may, of course, be another shape, such as a triangular or square cutout, so that enhanced access is provided to the interior of the base container  12 . In one embodiment, the container  12  and cover  14  are each integrally molded (e.g., injection molded) from a plastic material. 
   The cover  14  may have thereon a hanger member  18  for hanging the package  10  from a display or storage apparatus, such as an elongated rod, hook, or other display member. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hanger  18  is a hole cut out of a piece of material, such as plastic, extending from the top of the cover  14 . The hanger may alternatively be configured as an open hanger member  18   a , as shown in  FIG. 1A , such that the package  10  can be removed from a display member laterally. 
   The cover  14  may be secured to the base container  12  by an interengaging structure such as protrusions  22  and  24  on each of the base container  12  and the cover  14 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The base container  12  is shown as having six protrusions  22  and the cover  14  is shown as having one protrusion  24 . Any number of protrusions  22 ,  24  may be located on either of the base container  12  or the cover  14  in order to provide a secure fit. For example, the cover  14  may have six protrusions  24  while the base container  12  has one protrusion  22 , or each of the base container  12  and the cover  14  may have the same amount of protrusions  22 ,  24 , depending on the amount of resistance and/or security desired between the base container  12  and the cover  14 . The protrusion  22  rests between any two of the protrusions  24 . It can be appreciated, therefore, that protrusions  24  can be replaced by a plurality of spaced recesses that can receive the protrusion. In addition, the plurality of recesses or protrusions can be formed on the cover  14  rather than the base  12 , with one or more protrusions formed on the base container  12 . 
   As shown in the Figures, the base container protrusions  22  are formed on an outer surface of the base container  12  and the cover protrusions  24  are formed on an inner surface of the cover  14 . This is the natural result of configuring the package  10  such that the cover  14  slides telescopically over the base container  12 . A configuration of this type provides more space in the interior of the base container  12  for holding commodities. However, if the commodities are such that internal space within the base container  12  is available or if the reverse configuration is otherwise desired, the package  10  may be configured such that the base container  12  may telescopically slide over the cover  14 . In such a case, the base container protrusions  22  would naturally be formed on an inner surface of the base container  12  and the cover protrusions  24  would accordingly be formed on an outer surface of the cover  14 . 
   The base container  12  may include interior ribs  26  that extend substantially the length of the base container  12  and are located on any one or several of the interior surfaces of the base container  12 . The interior ribs  26  may aid in locating and stabilizing staples or other commodities. 
   Once the commodities are placed into the base container  12  and the cover  14  is secured thereto, e.g., via engagement of protrusions  22 ,  24 , the package  10  may then be sealed by application of shrink wrap  16 .  FIG. 1  shows shrink wrap  16  applied to the package  10  and depicts a portion of the shrink wrap  16  removed for illustrative purposes. The shrink wrap  16  extends over the entire length (or height) of the package  10  and further extends over at least a portion of the top surface of the cover  14  and the bottom surface of the base container  12  in order to establish an enclosing wrap. The shrink wrap  16  may have product information printed thereon. In one embodiment, the shrink wrap  16  functions to effectively lock the cover  14  to the base container  12  so that the cover  14  cannot be removed from the base container  12  without first removing the shrink wrap  16 . 
   In a region of the shrink wrap  16  below the cover  14 , the shrink wrap  16  may include a seam or tear-strip  30  that extends around the periphery of the package  10  to facilitate its opening. The tear-strip  30  may protrude from the shrink wrap a small amount so that a user may grip it and proceed to pull it away from and around the package  10  so that an opening in the shrink wrap  16  is created. The shrink wrap  16  may alternatively lack such a tear-strip  30 . In this case, a user may simply cut an opening in the shrink wrap along a seam or other location with a blade or scissors so that the cover  14  may be removed. The shrink wrap  16  may have visual indicia thereon to indicate to a user a preferred location to make a cut. The shrink wrap  16  may, additionally or alternatively, be perforated to allow for increased ease of severance. 
   Projections  20  may be provided on the surface of the base container  12  in order to prevent the shrink wrap  16  from slipping off the package  10 . Projections  20  are best shown in  FIG. 2 , in which they are depicted as being formed at the corners of the base container  12 . The projections  20  may, however, be located at any suitable location on the base container  12 . In this manner, the projections  20  engage with the shrink wrap  16  to prevent it from sliding off the base container  12  when the cover has been removed. An advantage of this is to keep the shrink wrap  16 , which may have printed product information, attached to the package  10  so that a user does not misidentify the commodity. In addition, the projections  20  may aid in preventing the shrink wrap  16  from becoming displaced or removed during shipping, storing, display, or at any other time prior to the package  10  being opened. 
   An outer package  100  is provided for containing a plurality of commodity packages  10  during transport or storage, as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . The outer package  100  is configured to provide protection to the packages  10  as well as to facilitate the loading of packages  10  onto a display member  110 , such as an elongated hanger or peg hook (see  FIG. 7 ). In one embodiment, outer package  100  is formed from a paperboard material, although it is contemplated that other materials can be used. 
   The outer package  100  is constructed as a six-sided box and is sized to contain a number of commodity packages  10 . In the Figures, the outer package is sized to contain six commodity packages  10 , but one of skill in the art would recognize that the number of commodity packages  10  contained by the outer package  100  may vary depending on, for example, the amount of space available for a particular display. 
   To enable facilitated loading of the commodity packages  10  onto a display member  110 , the outer package  100  includes a front panel  102  and a top panel  106  that may be manually removed along front perforations  104  and top perforations  106  provided in the outer package  100 . Once the front  102  and top  106  panels are removed, the remainder of the outer package  100  provides sufficient support for the contained packages  10  so that a user may hold the outer package  100  and slide each of the hangers  18  of the commodity packages  10  onto a display member  110  in one motion, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The outer package  100  may then be moved downward, leaving the set of commodity packages  10  hanging from the display member  110  and ready for display. 
   To remove the front  102  and top  106  panels of the outer package  100 , perforations  104 ,  108  may be provided along the corners of the outer package  100 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the front panel  102  is removed from the outer package  100  by grasping an optional tab  103  and pulling downward. The perforations  104  enable the front panel  102  to be frangible and to be neatly and easily removed from the outer package  100 . Likewise, and as shown in  FIG. 6 , the top panel  106  is removed by grasping an optional tab  107  and pulling it in a direction away from the outer package  100  from the front to the back (as shown in  FIG. 6 ) along the perforations  108 .  FIG. 7  shows the outer package  100  after removal of the front  102  and top  106  panels and ready for placement of the commodity packages  10  onto the display member  110 , as described above. 
   As alternatives to the present invention, the front panel  102  may instead be removed from the bottom to the top or the top panel  106  may instead be removed from the back to the front. Alternatively, the front panel  102  and the top panel  106  may be integrated at the top front corner so that they may be removed from the outer package in one piece and in a single pulling motion. For example, the front panel  102  may have a tab  103  at its bottom edge. A user grasps the tab  103  and begins to pull the front panel  102  upward, along the perforations  104 . When the entire front panel  102  is removed, a user may then continue to pull the tab  103  toward the rear of the outer package so that the top panel  106  is thereby removed as well. The set of commodity packages  10  are thereby exposed and are loaded onto the display member  110  as discussed above. 
   It should also be appreciated that in another embodiment only an upper portion of the front panel can be removed, to permit access to an elongated rod or display member  110  into the plurality of hooks  18  or  18   a  while leaving the lower portions of the front panel intact. Because the top panel  106  is removed, the outer package  100  can simply be lowered away from the display member  110 . 
   A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 8-12 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a commodity package  210  includes a base container  212 , a cover  214 , hanger member  218 , and projections  220 , all of which may have the same or similar characteristics as the base container  12 , a cover  14 , hanger member  18 , and projections  20 , respectively, as described above with respect to a previous embodiment. Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 , the interior ribs  226  may have the same or similar characteristics as the interior ribs  26  described above. Although not shown, the commodity package  210  may be sealed with shrink wrap  216  in the same or similar manner as described above with respect to the commodity package  10  and shrink wrap  16 . Such shrink wrap  216  may include a tear-strip, seam, or perforation as described above to assist in opening the package  210 . 
   The embodiment of the commodity package  210  shown in  FIGS. 8-12  differs, however, from the commodity package  10  in the manner of securing the cover  214  to the base container  212  as well as in the manner of opening the package  210 . Commodity package  210  may include a hinge mechanism, such as a living hinge  234 , to permit access to the commodities located within the base container  212  and to maintain the base container  212  and the cover  214  in an attached relationship. The living hinge  234  may be configured to permit movement of the cover  214  relative to the base container  212  from (or to) a closed position (shown in  FIG. 8 ) to (or from) an open position (shown in  FIGS. 9-10 ) and positions between (shown in  FIGS. 11-12 ). 
   The living hinge  234  may be formed during molding or other construction of the base container  212  and cover  214 . The living hinge  234  may be formed integrally with and out of the same material as the base container  212  and cover  214 . The living hinge  234  may have a reduced thickness relative to the walls of the base container  212  and cover  214  so that increased flexibility is provided, allowing pivoting movement between the base container  212  and the cover  214 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that hinge mechanisms other than living hinges may be provided in the commodity package  210  in accordance with the present invention. 
   A latch  230  and anchor  232  may be provided on the front face of the cover  214  and base container  212 , respectively, in order to maintain the package  210  in the closed position. The latch  230  may be configured so as to be movable away from the base container  212  just enough to clear the anchor  232  and be biased to return to its original position (shown in  FIG. 8 ). The anchor  232  may be a strip of material configured to fit within a space defined by the latch  230  when the cover  214  is in the closed position. 
   To open the package  210 , a user may pull outwardly and upwardly on the latch  230  so that it clears the anchor  232  and permits the cover  214  to open. To close the cover  214 , a user may simply move the cover  214  to the closed position, the anchor  232  naturally fitting itself within the space defined by the latch  230 . The latch  230  may alternatively be provided with a ramped surface (not shown) to help clear the anchor  232  and lock the latch  230  into place. One of skill in the art would recognize that any other suitable latch mechanism may be provided in order to enable repeated opening and closing of the cover  214  while securing the cover  214  to the base container  212  when in the closed position. The latch  230  and anchor  232  may be formed integrally with the base container  212  and cover  214 , or hardware may be subsequently attached to the package  210 . 
   To provide increased access to the commodities located within the base container  212 , the interface between the base container  212  and the cover  214  may be sloped, or angled, as shown in  FIGS. 8-12 . As such, commodities located within the base container  212 , e.g., commodities having a length approximately equal to the height of the package  210 , may be grasped by a user when they are located in a frontal region of the base container  212 . One of skill in the art will appreciate that the package  210  may be provided with a sloped interface angled in an opposite direction or with an interface that is curved rather than linear. An access opening may also be provided similar to that described with respect to the commodity package  10 , above. Alternatively, a package  210  may be provided with a base container  212  and cover  214  interface that is not sloped. 
   While specific embodiments have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Thus it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.