Patent Publication Number: US-2012043255-A1

Title: Packaging Article Holder

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application is related to provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/375,389 entitled “Packaging Article Holder” filed on Aug. 20, 2010, priority from which is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to article packaging for small everyday retail articles. More specifically, it relates to an internal article support structure for holding the articles in a fixed stable position inside of a surrounding package. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART 
     For display-type packaging, it is well known to use support means for holding the packaged articles in a given orientation in order to maximize presentation of the product to the consumer. This is true particularly of round, oval or irregularly shaped articles which do not closely fit a rectilinear box. One type of packaging utilized for this purpose is a wrap-around package which is folded around the retained articles leaving two opposite sides open for article display. Such a packaging structure is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,847 issued to Uhlig entitled Reusable Wrap-Type Multi-Pack Carrier. Other examples include U.S. Pat. No. 2,713,450 issued to Williamson entitled Wrap-Around-Type Folding Box Construction and U.S. Pat. No. 3,082,864 issued to Silver entitled Packaging and Display Box. While these prior art packaging systems which disclose wrap-around-type packaging have utility, they are lacking in not providing a stronger structural framework and often are not economical or convenient because they sometimes employ folded cardboard and glue which cannot be non-destructively opened and re-closed. The &#39;874 patent to Uhlig discloses a multi-pack plastic wrap-around package which is recloseable but which lacks structural rigidity especially in the areas of the corner folds. 
     There is therefore a need for an article-supporting framework structure which is more rigid and economical to produce that also provides a recloseable holder for the packaged articles that can be manually constructed without messy glues or adhesives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to meet the needs in the art for an improved wrap-around-type article holder for a package, the present article holder has been devised which utilizes a plastic material constructed from a vacuum-formed or thermo-formed flat strip of thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic strip formed according to one embodiment of the invention includes a raised planar surface relative to recessed embossments which occupy a void below it. The embossments or wells are configured to receive opposite ends of the packaged articles. Non-dimensional unformed regions of the flat substrate strip provide fold lines that separate adjacent formed side panels. The panels have a generally U-shaped cross-section such that a strong three-dimensional U-beam structure is created in various areas of each panel. 
     The fold lines of the strip are located along lateral lines between the panels which thus provide lines of relative structural weakness about which the strip can be manually folded. Preferably, embossments in the first panel at one end of the strip match the embossments in size and position in the last panel at the opposite end of the strip. When the strip is folded into a closed support framework, the first and last panels overlap and can be attached to each other by a simple press fit of the panels respective embossments one into the other. This construction does not require the strip to be scored, apertured or die-cut so that the structural strength of the strip material is maximized. Furthermore, it may be opened and re-closed many times and messy adhesives are not required. 
     Added structural rigidity is supplied by corner supports directly adjacent to opposite sides of each fold line. Each support consists of a single laterally extending planar surface traversing the entire width of the strip and oriented at an angle such that when the strip is folded, the support surfaces are in face-to-face abutment. These abutting surfaces further resist racking and twisting of the frame. In one embodiment of the invention, the packaged article holder has only four fold regions and five panels with corner supports oriented at a 45° angle so that a rectangular framework for holding the packaged articles is constructed. The embossments are preferably non-apertured wells which cup the ends of the articles. Preferably, the wells have inside surfaces which closely match the outside surfaces of the ends of the articles contained in the embossed wells with minimal clearance to prevent shifting of the articles within the packaging holder. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top front left isometric view. 
         FIG. 2  is a top left front isometric assembly view. 
         FIG. 3  is a top left front assembly view. 
         FIG. 4  is a front elevation sectional view taken from  FIG. 1  as shown in that Figure. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan cross-section view taken from  FIG. 1  as shown in that Figure. 
         FIG. 6  is a top left front isometric view. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the package article holder framework is shown in its fully constructed state. It is composed of a single continuous flat strip of thermo-formed plastic material (not shown). The formation of thermoplastic materials of this type is well known in the art and can be readily understood by those of skill and understanding in this field and therefore further description of the formation process is not necessary. The framework includes four sides constructed by folding five panels  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18   a  and  18   b.  Each panel is similarly formed but with different embossments. The top panel  14  and the bottom panel  12  have recessed embossments  17  and  15  respectively that closely receive the ends of the retained articles  13  which are thus securely held between the top and bottom panels. Side  18  is composed of two overlapping panels  18   a  and  18   b  resulting from the folding construction shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The other panels have embossments  9  but only for their individual structural rigidity and joinder of the end panels. Trapezoidal side rails  11  support an elevated planar top surface  10  providing a void below it that accepts the embossments to a maximum depth equal to the height of the rails. This configuration provides structurally strong U-beam geometry that gives the panels rigidity. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the individual side panels are separated by fold lines  19  that are straight lateral lines along the flat continuous thermoplastic substrate strip which are left unformed. It can be readily understood therefore that with the strip in its unfolded state, these fold lines  19  are of relative structural weakness compared to the adjacent thermo-formed side panels. These fold lines are extremely pliable and easily manually folded without the need for heating or excessive pressure. Once the panels are folded together however, a structurally strong framework results. The embossments add to the rigidity of the framework as do angled corner support surfaces  20  which when folded against each other also contribute to the rigidity of the completed construction. First and last panels  18   a  and  18   b  on opposite ends of the thermo-formed strip are substantially identical so that their embossments  9  can be press-fit together to secure the framework in its fully assembled condition. This operation is depicted in  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the first and last panels of the strip are joined by the press-fit of the front side of the last panel  18   a  into the back side of the first panel  18   b.  Resilience of the plastic material allows sufficient deformation to secure the mating surfaces while the embossments  9  of the panels  18   a  and  18   b  are dimensioned to provide a tight interference fit. This resilience provides a locking closure of the framework and permits it to be opened and re-closed many times non-destructively. Also in this Figure, the angled corner support surfaces  20  are further shown. The support surfaces each consist of a single laterally extending planar surface traversing the entire width of the strip between ends of the side rails of each panel. In the present case, a four-sided framework is constructed with the corner support surfaces  20  oriented at a 45 angle so that when fully folded, opposing corner support surfaces are in face-to-face abutment as shown at corners  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the mutual abutment of corner support surfaces  20  at each of the four corners is further depicted. The interfitting of the overlapping panels  18   a  and  18   b  provides a double layer panel on side  18  which further adds to the rigidity of the framework. Also shown in this Figure is the U-beam configuration of the thermo-formed plastic material  25  formed by the top surface  10  and side rails  11 . The embossments between the side rails also form this geometric construction. This is also shown in  FIG. 5  which further depicts the U-beam structural formation of the thermo-formed panels and also the tight press-fitting of panel  18   b  into the back side of panel  18   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the article support framework  22  is preferably used as an internal support for articles  13  which reside within outer packaging  24 . In this example, the outer packaging includes a display window  23  for viewing the articles. The present packaging internal support structure may be used alone or with many different types of outer packaging. 
     From the foregoing example of the preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the disclosed article-holding framework provides a convenient and very sturdy support system for packaged articles. It will also be understood that because it can be manufactured completely from a thermo-formed single strip of plastic material it is extremely economical to manufacture. The disclosed construction provides flexible fold regions combined with very strong side panels that allow it to be manually constructed with a press-fit closure of the framework which can be opened and re-closed since no adhesives or other closure devices are required. The disclosed framework is preferably used as an insert of outer packaging which can take various forms including shrinkwrap, a wrap-around sleeve or a fully enclosed carton with a display window as shown in  FIG. 6 . Also, it should be understood that there may be other modifications and changes to the present invention that will be obvious to those of skill in the art from the foregoing description. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.