Patent Publication Number: US-2004045859-A1

Title: Expandable package

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to improvement to bubble packaging systems for various articles. Bubble packs are well known in the art of packaging. Such bubble packs generally are formed by a flat panel and completed by a clear plastic bubble secured to the front panel by means of an adhesive or heat and sealing or other fastening means. The bubble is spaced apart from the underlying base panel by a spaced distance to allow for a packaged item to be positioned there between. In this manner, the packaged item may be easily displayed for marketing purposes and to permit the consumer to view the article without having to open or otherwise destroy the package.  
       [0002] The flat base panel includes a front surface to which the plastic bubble is attached, and a back surface. In most applications, the flat base panel is dimensioned to have a greater width and length in the area covered by the bubble. In this manner, the front surface which bounds the peripheral edge where the bubble is attached may be utilized for printing product information. In addition, since the front surface only has limited space for imprinting product information, the back surface of the base panel is generally utilized for detailed information relative to the packaged article.  
       [0003] It is also well known that another utilitarian purpose of the bubble pack system is to permit the racking of the packaged article. In racking systems, the flat base panel is aperture along the top edge to allow the package to be hung from an extended rack finger. With this method, several packages may be mounted or carried on a single rack. Indeed, racking systems have been created to accommodate several types of bubble packs which contain particular types of packaged items. The racks are generally dimensioned in size to accommodate particular sized bubble packs that are presently widely distributed in the retail industry.  
       [0004] It is well know that various forms of medications are packaged in single dose packages for the ultimate consumer and carried in small sized bubble packs. For example, such medications as aspirins, cold pills, and pain relievers, some forms of gels, bandages and the like and other types of medications are packaged in this manner and displayed on point-of-purchase display racks. Such display racks have been produced with specific size dimensions to accommodate the typical sized packages used for such medications.  
       [0005] It is also well known that there are various requirements in place for informing a purchaser of the affects of any medication sold to the general public. Heretofore, the package size permitted the required information to be printed on the front and pack panels of the package. However, recent changes in the legal requirements for product disclosure have been enacted which require a great deal of additional information to be disclosed for each packaged medication. It has been determined that the size of the flat base panel is insufficient to allow for any additional imprinting thereon thereby requiring the package to increase in size in order to accommodate the additional product information. The problem that is encountered is that all of the existing point-of-purchase display racks have been sized to the sizing of the bubble packages as they presently exist. Hence, any increase in the package size will not be accommodated on the existing racks. This problem would therefore require that the retail establishments that vend such products purchase new racking systems. It is apparent that this would require a great deal of additional expenditure which would have a negative effect on the marketing of such products. Hence, as opposed requiring new racking systems to be created and sold to the retail industry, it has been determined that a far more advisable method would be to maintain the same package and find ways to increase the area where imprinted informational data be contained and maintain the same package size.  
       PATENTED ART  
       [0006] Due to the re-enactment of such new legal requirements for product disclosure, the prior patented art is reasonable devoid of solutions to this problem. One attempt at resolving the problem has been to create a package wherein the base panel includes an adhesively secured product information sheet thereon, and permits the consumer to peel away the information sheet in order to read all of the data regarding the product. The information sheet is designed with adhesive on the back side of the sheet, and an adhesive receiving surface positioned on the rear surface of the back panel. The attention is that the adhesive sheet can be lifted up by the consumer so that the information contained on the front and back side of the lifted sheet as well as a view of the adhesive receiving surface can be reviewed by the consumer, and supposedly, the sheet then can be resealed if the consumer does not wish to purchase the product. The problem that has been determined with this package is that once the sheet has been lifted from the adhesive sheet by peeling away the bottom edge, even when one tries to secure the sheet back into position, corners of the lift off sheet are now bent, and will not adhesively re-secure themselves to the rear surface of the base panel. In addition, there is an additional cost involved in printing on a separate sheet, and then securing it to the rear surface of the base panel. It has therefore been determined that that solution to the problem has not been widely entertained.  
       [0007] In terms of the patented art, various patents illustrate various specimens of specific packages intended to package specific certain items. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,564 is directed to a folded cardboard article for packaging spurs.  
       [0008] The package contains a foldable panel which is intended to fold up against the base panel, in a spaced apart relation in order to accommodate the spurs there between. The back panel includes a lock flange which locks the back panel in position. However, the subject package is really intended to package an item between the front panel and back panel and therefore the two panels are space apart in order to accommodate the spur or other packaged item there between. Furthermore, once the back panel is removed from the base panel, it is questionable whether the integrity of the package will remain given the manner in which the lock flange is designed relative to the lock aperture. Finally, there is no mention made of any manner or method of imprinting product information on the foldable panel, nor was it the patentee&#39;s intention to have any such information imprinted thereon.  
       [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,801 is directed to a package for packaging a series of articles in horizontal alignment, and designed to be rack able including an aperture for passing a hook through the aperture in order to accommodate the racking. However, the subject of the package does not resolve the problems associated with imprinting product indicia and information on a panel having a size sufficient to accommodate all of the necessary information.  
       [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,354 is directed to a carrier package for biological specimen slides. The package is designed with a fold over flap, which is intended to contain the biological packaged item there between. Mainly, the use of a base panel and a fold over flap is intended merely for accommodating a packaged article there between, and does not look towards solving the problem of adding additional product informational space to an existing package. Furthermore, the sizing of the package as displayed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,976,354 patent would not accommodate the predicaments referenced herein since the package sizing would not fit the racks presently in existence for packaged single dose medications.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0011] It is therefore the principle object of the present invention to improve upon the existing bubble pack packages of the type intended to package a single item in a bubble pack suitable for consumer display, and yet providing additional panel space for product information.  
       [0012] In conjunction with the foregoing object, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved bubble pack system which has provided with a lower extendable pivotally mounted lower panel that may be pivoted relative to the base panel, and locked in position against the rear wall of the base panel, but easily folded out for consumer view of product information.  
       [0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a an improved bubble pack system for packaging items, which includes an extendable lower panel pivotally secured to a base panel containing the bubble pack, the lower extendable panel being secured by means of a fold line along the bottom edge of the base panel to permit the easy pivoting movement of the lower panel in order to provide the consumer with a review of product information contained thereon.  
       [0014] In conjunction with the foregoing object, a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bubble pack system wherein the lower extendable panel may be pivotally secured to the bottom edge of the base panel by means of a serrated line thereby to permit the removal of the lower panel for marketing purposes.  
       [0015] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved bubble pack system for packaging items therein wherein a lower extendable panel is provided pivotally secured to the base panel, with the base panel provided for lock means for lockingly engaging the lower extendable panel in position against the rear surface of the base panel while nevertheless permitting the easy locking and folding of the lower rear panel for viewing purposes, and easy relocking the lower panel back into its locked position without destroying the integrity of the package.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016] In summary, the present invention is intended to resolve the difficulty and problem encountered in the marketplace with packages which require additional product information indicia imprinted thereon, because of requirements now enacted especially in connection with medications. The present invention is intended to resolve the problem to avoid the necessity and expenditure by retail establishments of purchasing all new racking systems which would require considerable expenditure, to resolve the problem by improving upon the package design in order to maintain the same package size, while expanding the area provided for the imprinted informational indicia. This is accomplished by providing the same sized package with a lower extendable panel pivotally secured to the bottom edge of the existing package, which permits indicia to be printed on the panel on both front and rear surfaces, and wherein the base panel includes a lock flange for locking the lower extendable panel in position so that when racked, the package will consume the same area on the existing racks as existing packages.  
       [0017] A further benefit of the present invention is that the lower extendable panel may be pivotally secured to the bottom edge of the base panel by means of a serrated fold line such that the lower extendable panel is easily removable there from. In this manner, the lower panel may not only be used for printed indicia, but could be used as a vehicle for marketing purposes.  
       [0018] The above objects and advantages will be better understood by reference to the company drawings taken in conjunction with the following specifications. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0019]FIG. 1—Elevational perspective view showing the front portion of the bubble package of the present invention;  
     [0020]FIG. 2—Front elevational view showing the front of the base panel with the bubble secured thereon, with the lower extendable panel in its fully extended position;  
     [0021]FIG. 3—Shows rear portion of the rear surface of the base panel with the lower extendable panel in its fully extended position and illustrating the manner in which the printed indicia is contained thereon;  
     [0022]FIG. 4—Rear view of the lower extendable panel in its folded and locked position relative the rear surface of the base panel showing the locking means associated therewith. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
     [0023] The improved bubble package of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4  of the drawings. The evidence that the improved package is designed to have the same sizing dimensions and limitations as the existing packages in order to be position able on the existing racking systems presently employed in retail establishments.  
     [0024] The improved package ( 10 ) is formed by flat base panel ( 12 ) top edge ( 14 ) and bottom edge ( 16 ). The base panel ( 12 ) includes a front surface ( 18 ) and rear surface ( 20 ). The racking aperture ( 22 ) is shown to be positioned adjacent the top edge ( 14 ) utilized for inserting a rack finger there thru in order to accommodate the racking of the package in a display rack as is customarily known in the art. The package assembly is completed by means of a plastic bubble ( 24 ) secured to the base panel ( 12 ) by appropriate means such as adhesive, heat sealing or the like. This construction is well known in the packaging industry. It will be observed that the plastic bubble ( 24 ) is positioned and designed to have a spaced apart relationship relative to the flat base panel ( 12 ) in order to accommodate a packaged product ( 5 ) therein.  
     [0025] The improvement of the present package consists of providing a lower extendable panel ( 28 ) which is pivotally secured along the bottom edge ( 16 ) of the flat base panel ( 12 ). As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) is designed to pivot toward the rear surface ( 20 ) of the flat base panel ( 12 ) and is generally illustrated in FIG. 1 by the dotted lines, and in FIG. 4.  
     [0026] The lower extendable panel ( 28 ) is secured to the flat base panel ( 12 ) by means of a fold line ( 30 ) as is generally illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and  4  of the drawings. Again, the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) is designed to pivot upwardly and up against the rear surface ( 20 ) of the flat base panel ( 12 ). It is also important that the lower extendable panel ( 20 ) pivotally movable to a position flat against the rear surface ( 20 ) of the base panel ( 12 ) such that when the product is racked, in a typical manner, the package has no greater bulk than existing packages.  
     [0027] As illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings, further embodiment of the invention is to provide means of securing the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) to the flat base panel ( 12 ) by means of a serrated line ( 32 ). The advantage of this embodiment is that in the event the manufacturer wishes to have coupon type marketing program, the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) may be utilized as a coupon since it can be easily removed from the flat base panel ( 12 ) by simply tearing along the serrated fold line. Printed indicia contained thereon may then include information concerning the redemption of the coupon.  
     [0028] As is also illustrated in FIG. 3 and  4  of the drawings, a locking system is provided for lockingly engaging the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) to the flat base panel ( 12 ). It will be observed in FIG. 3 that the rear surface ( 20 ) of the flat base panel ( 12 ) includes a geometric cut ( 34 ) which traverses the flat base panel ( 12 ). Particular geometric cut ( 34 ) is generally formed in such bubble packages as presently existing for the purpose of aiding the consumer in tearing open the package once it has been purchased. The present invention takes advantage of the existence of the cut in providing a lock flange ( 35 ) which extends downwardly from the lower edge ( 37 ) and lower extendable panel ( 38 ). As illustrated in FIG. 4, once the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) is folded flat up against the rear surface ( 20 ) of the flat base panel ( 12 ), the lock flange ( 35 ) is merely inserted into the geometric cut ( 34 ) to lockingly engage the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) in its locked position. Once this position is assumed, the overall length of the package is the same as the existing packages, and therefore will fit on the racking systems presently in use.  
     [0029] As illustrated in FIG. 3, printed indicia may be contained on the rear surface ( 20 ) of the flat base panel ( 12 ), as well as on the surface of the lower extendable panel ( 28 ). In this manner the additional product information or other indicia relative to the package product ( 25 ) may be accommodated on the package, without otherwise affecting the overall sizing dimensions of the package for purposes of racking.  
     [0030] It will also be appreciated that in view of the locking system provided for the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) relative to the flat base panel ( 12 ), a consumer may unlock the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) in order to review the product information, and if it is not deemed appropriate to purchase the product, the lower extendable panel ( 28 ) can easily be relocked into its position as illustrated in FIG. 4, and the package reinserted on the racking system. In this manner, the integrity of the package is not violated and the product may be re-racked and sold to a third party consumer. This considered being a great advantage in the improved package system provided hereby since it is necessary to allow the consumer to review product information without destroying the integrity of the package in the event the consumer decides that the packaged item should not be purchased.  
     [0031] It will be appreciated from the above description that the present invention now provides a package design and system which accommodates additional printed indicia as may be required by certain products which now are mandated to have such information on the package in order to inform the consumer as to the various characteristics of the packaged product. The present package permits the consumer to review the imprinted indicia without destroying the integrity of the package, while nevertheless maintaining the same package sizing in order to accommodate the existing racking system.  
     [0032] While there has been described what is considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, various modifications and alternatives be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the impended claims all such obvious variations and modifications thereof.