Patent Publication Number: US-2004045852-A1

Title: Packaging system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The invention relates to packaging systems and in particular to a packaging system adapted to enable an efficient storage and display of goods contained therein. In a preferred embodiment the invention relates to a packaging system for artificial Christmas trees.  
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Packaging systems are well known in the art and differ in shape and form depending on the specific goods that require packaging. Traditionally, cardboard boxes are used to package goods therein. The cardboard box is typically a rigid structure and the purchaser can ascertain what the contents of the boxes are by means of a label with graphical information pertaining to the goods printed on a front portion of the box. There is however a reluctance on the behalf of the customer to accept the graphical information, which may be stylised or the like, as accurately resembling the true nature of the goods contained within the box and there is a tendency to open boxes to visually inspect the items inside.  
       [0003] Traditionally, retailers obviate the problem of their customers opening multiple boxes by providing display models of all goods which may be freely inspected by the customer. Once the customer has made a choice he then proceeds to the retail check out where a packaged item corresponding to the display model which he has viewed is brought, from a backstore or elsewhere, for him to purchase and bring home. This suffers in that some goods are provided in multiple types of colours/shapes/dimensions etc., and in order to accurately display the stock available it is necessary for the retailer to provide multiple display models.  
       [0004] Furthermore, there is a tendency in larger retail outlets to reduce the amount of backroom or stockroom available for storage of goods and rather to present all available goods on the sales floor. This suffers in that the traditionally packaged item, in its packaged state, is not aesthetically relevant to the goods inside the package and it is difficulty to present a plurality of boxed items in an organised visually pleasant environment.  
       [0005] A further problem arises if the article that is being sold actually comprises two or more components. For example with the sale of artificial Christmas trees it is known to sell both the trees and the baubles/lights required for decoration. It is possible to provide different types of baubles and in the traditional packaging it is difficult for the customer to differentiate between the different types that each box may have. If the retailer is inclined to accurately portray the shapes or types of the specific baubles, then he has to accurately combine photographs of the baubles for placing on the outside of the packaged box with the correct box, which increases the complexity of the packaging environment.  
       [0006] A further problem exists with items such as artificial Christmas trees where the type of packaging required for the tree and the associated baubles differs. For example a tree is a relatively robust article that does not require any specific care in its packaging. Baubles on the other hand, and specifically glass baubles, are typically fragile and need specific packaging to ensure that they do not break between their packaging and purchase. It is difficult to efficiently package these items in the same packaged container or box and ensure the requisite level of protection for each of the individual items.  
       [0007] Yet a further problem exists in the packaging of large items such as again the artificial Christmas tree, but also for example garden accessories such as assemblable garden furniture and the like. These items typically comprise multiple components and it is important that individual components do not become separated from one another. This is easily achieved by assembling the multiple items in a single overall package, but suffers in that this approach increases the overall dimensions of the packaged article. This results in a large and cumbersome article which is not easily transported, either around the retail environment or, once purchased, by the customer who wishes to bring the item home.  
       [0008] A further problem associated with the packaging of large articles is that there is a difficulty in assembling multiple components relative to one another to provide either an efficient use of same or in a display of some sort. As the individual boxes or packaged items are large it is difficult to stack them one upon the other, a problem which is exacerbated if the items are heavy such that stacking may result in the crushing of boxes in the lower levels of the stack.  
       [0009] There is therefore a need for an improved packaging system.  
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved packaging system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011] Accordingly the present invention provides a packaging system adapted to provide for the secure retention of one or more individual boxes, the system comprising:  
       [0012] a frame dimensioned to receive the one or more boxes, the frame having inner dimensions configured to co-operate with outer dimensions of the boxes such that when the one or more boxes are positioned within the frame they are held securely therein, the frame being further adapted to provide rigid support about the periphery of the boxes, and  
       [0013] a skin adapted to be provided over the frame, the skin covering the frame and the boxes contained therein.  
       [0014] At least one portion of the at least one boxes is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent material so as to enable an examination of the interior portion of the box.  
       [0015] Desirably at least one of the one or more boxes is provided entirely in a transparent or translucent material.  
       [0016] The skin is desirably provided with at least one window, the window being provided in a portion of the skin that overlaps with the transparent portion of the boxes.  
       [0017] The window is desirably formed by an aperture in the skin.  
       [0018] The frame is desirably provided with at least one wheel so as to enable a movement of the system.  
       [0019] The skin may be provided with one or more hand holds. The hand holds are desirably provided by apertures in the skin, in an upper portion of the skin.  
       [0020] The skin may be further adapted to provide an aperture in a lower portion of the skin, the aperture dimensioned to enable access by a user to a portion of the frame.  
       [0021] The aperture is desirably dimensioned to enable foot access to the frame so as to enable a user to tilt the frame rearwardly onto one or more wheels so as to provide for a movement of the packaging system.  
       [0022] The aperture may be dimensioned to enable access to the frame by a forklift or similar transport trolley, the access enabling a positioning of the packaging system on the transport trolley.  
       [0023] The frame is desirably formed from a plurality of engageable members, the members adapted to co-operate with one another so as to provide a rigid structure when assembled.  
       [0024] Suitably the frame is provided with a first set of members adapted to provide for the external structure of the frame and a second set of members providing for a sectionalisation of the frame so as to create individual compartments for the one or more boxes.  
       [0025] The engagement of the members may be provided by the interaction of at least one tab on a first member with corresponding apertures on a second member.  
       [0026] Desirably the packaging system is adapted to provide for the packaging of an artificial Christmas tree, the tree and associated baubles being separately boxed.  
       [0027] Desirably, the baubles are provided in a box having a transparent or translucent portion. Such a provision enables the inspection of the baubles from outside the box without requiring an opening of the box.  
       [0028] Preferably individual baubles are provided in a support tray, the support tray being receivable within the bauble box. By providing the baubles in a support tray, the possibility of the baubles moving within the box and thereby breaking is minimised.  
       [0029] The invention also provides a method of packaging one or more items, the method comprising the steps of:  
       [0030] placing the items to be packaged in respective boxes, at least one of the boxes being adapted to enable an inspection of the interior portion of the box,  
       [0031] providing a frame within an outer skin, the outer skin having at least one window so as to enable an inspection of an inner portion of the frame, and  
       [0032] positioning the boxes into the frame, the boxes being positioned so that the portion of those boxes being adapted to enable an inspection of the inner portion of the box overlaps with a corresponding window in the outer skin.  
       [0033] These and other features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0034]FIG. 1 shows a frame according to the present invention,  
     [0035]FIG. 2 shows an outer skin according to the invention,  
     [0036]FIG. 3 shows the positioning of the frame into the skin,  
     [0037]FIG. 4 shows an assembled frame and skin,  
     [0038]FIG. 5 shows the positioning of boxed items into the combined frame and skin,  
     [0039]FIG. 6 shows a movement of the packaging system according to one embodiment of the present invention,  
     [0040]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the type of goods that may be packaged in a system according to the present invention, and  
     [0041]FIG. 8 shows a system for engaging corresponding frame members according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0042] A packaging system of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  8 .  
     [0043] A packaging system  100  of the present invention is adapted to provide for the secure retention of one or more individual boxes ( 105 ,  110 ) as shown in FIG. 5. The system comprises a frame  115  which has a corresponding outer skin  120  which is adapted to substantially cover the frame  115 .  
     [0044] As shown in FIG. 1 the frame  115  is constructed from a plurality of inter-engageable members  125 . Suitably the frame is provided with a first set of members adapted to provide for the external structure of the frame and a second set of members providing for a sectionalisation of the frame so as to create individual compartments for the one or more boxes. The members may be sub-divided into vertical  125   a  and horizontal structural members  125   b  which, when assembled, define the outer perimeter of the frame  115 . In a preferred structure, four outer vertical members are provided at each corner of the frame. These four corner members are linkable by horizontal members.  
     [0045] The dimensions of the horizontal and vertical members define the inner area of the frame, and as will be appreciated may be configured or chosen for specific packaging requirements. Typically, the dimensions of the frame define a rectangular structure; with the two sides  130  being longer than the front  131  and back  132  of the frame.  
     [0046] The inner dimension of the frame is preferably sub-divided into two or more specific receiving areas  132 ,  133 ,  134 , each of the areas having dimensions adapted to co-operate with the outer dimensions of the box which is intended to be placed in that area. The sub-division of the larger frame area is preferably provided by the provision of additional vertical members  135  provided along the side walls of the frame between the four corner members, and linkable across the top and base portion of the frame by linking members  136 .  
     [0047] Inner portions of each of the vertical and horizontal members are desirably angularlly configured so as to provide a receiving surface  137 , with which side portions of the individual boxes will co-operate with and rest against when the boxes are placed within the frame (as is shown in FIG. 5). By suitably configuring the dimensions of the receiving areas  132 ,  133 ,  134  and providing the inner portions of the vertical and horizontal members with receiving surfaces  137 , the frame is adapted to provide a rigid support about the periphery of the boxes, such that when they are correctly positioned within the frame that they do not move about within the frame.  
     [0048] In a preferred embodiment, the frame  115  is provided with two wheels  140  provided on opposing sides of the frame at a rear portion thereof. The wheels are preferably linkable by a foot rest  145  which, when pressure is applied to an upper surface  150  thereof can assist in a tilting of the frame rearwardly onto the two wheels to enable movement of the frame.  
     [0049] In addition to the frame, the packaging system of the present invention provides a skin  120  adapted to be provided over the frame. As shown in FIG. 2, the skin is formed separately to the frame and is desirably made from a cardboard or paper based material, such as what is conventionally used for boxed packages. It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the manufacture of the skin to any one particular material and different applications may require alternative materials for the skin to that based on a cardboard material.  
     [0050] The skin is desirably formed in a collapsible form, which when assembled, as shown in FIG. 2, may be constructed to form a box type structure with four side walls  205 , a base portion  210  and an upper portion  215 . The side walls are desirably provided with a plurality of apertures or windows  220 , which are adapted to enable viewing of the interior portion of the skin. Desirably, apertures  220   a  formed on the front  225  and rear  230  portions of the side walls are larger in dimension than those  220  formed on the other two walls. It will be appreciated that although in the simplest configuration the apertures are gaps in the material forming the side walls, that equivalent functionality may be provided by the provision of transparent material, such as perspex, in certain desired portions of the side walls, the transparent material again providing viewing access to the interior portion of the skin.  
     [0051] The skin is desirably additionally provided with handholds  225  provided on opposing surfaces in an upper region of the skin proximate to the rear of the skin. The handholds may be simply provided by apertures in the material of the skin and are provided to enable a user to grasp the skin.  
     [0052] A foothold  230  may be additionally provided in a lower portion of the rear surface of side walls. When the system is fully assembled the provision of a foothold in the skin is advantageous in that it enables a user to gain access to the foot rest  145  of the frame, which may assist in tilting the system rearwardly, onto its wheels, to enable transportation, as is shown in FIG. 6. In its inclined transported position, the user can maintain control of the system by holding it using the handholds  225 .  
     [0053] The foothold  230  shown in FIG. 2 is a single aperture. It will be appreciated that this is exemplary of the type of entry point that may be provided and it is possible that additional apertures may be provided to enable, for example, access to the interior frame by a forklift or some other similar type of mechanical transporting equipment.  
     [0054] The base portion  210  is desirably formed with two flaps  210   a ,  210   b  which co-operate, when closed, to seal the base portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the frame  115  may then be lowered into the skin. Once fully inserted into the skin, the only portion of the frame that projects out of the skin are the wheels  140 . Access to the frame through an upper portion of the skin can be restricted by closing upper flaps  400  of the skin.  
     [0055] Once the frame is correctly inserted into its skin one or more boxes  105 ,  110  may be inserted into the frame. Each box is suitably dimensioned to fit into a respective area provided by the dimensioning of the frame. As shown in an exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5, three boxes are placed into the frame. The boxes  105  are dimensioned to fit into the areas provided in the front and rear portions of the frame, whereas a larger box  110  is dimensioned to fit into the area defined by the middle portion of the frame.  
     [0056] Desirably, at least one portion of the at least one boxes is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent material so as to enable an examination of the interior portion of the box. As shown in FIG. 5 both of the smaller boxes are formed entirely from a transparent material such as perspex. When these boxes are placed into the skinned frame, the windows  220  provided in the skin  120  substantially overlap with the positioned boxes so that a user may inspect, from outside the packaging system, goods contained within the boxes  105 .  
     [0057] A fully assembled packaging system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. In this figure, the system is shown in the process of being moved by a user  600 . As discussed previously, in order to easily transport the packaged system, the user tilts the system rearwardly onto the wheels and then, holding the system by means of the handholds, can move the system from one location to another.  
     [0058]FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the type of goods that may be packaged in a packaging system according to the present invention. In this embodiment the system is used for the packaging of artificial Christmas trees. As detailed in the section “background to the invention” such artificial Christmas trees are typically sold in a collapsible format with associated baubles and other decorations, which may then be assembled and dressed by the user. The actual tree, as will be appreciated, occupies the most space in packaging terms.  
     [0059] According to the present invention all necessary parts or portions of a tree  700  are provided in a first box  110 . As the tree is typically of a standard aesthetic appearance this first box will typically not be formed of a transparent or translucent material, as the user is typically not inclined to want to visually inspect the tree that they wish to purchase. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that a modification of the box material and skin of the system may be effected readily so as to accommodate those who wish to provide visual inspection access to the interior portion of the box containing the tree components. Such an example is shown in dashed outline  705  in FIG. 7.  
     [0060] It is more typical that a user, a purchaser, would want to visually inspect the decorations that are provided with the tree. In the example of FIG. 7, these decorations are divided into two types—although it will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the present application to such specific types of decorations. A first type are baubles  715  which due to their delicate nature (they are typically fabricated in glass) are individually supported in a corresponding receiving portion  720  provided in a bauble packaging frame  725 . To package the baubles, they are initially provided into their individual receiving portions, and when the bauble packaging frame is filled it is then positioned in its respective box  105 , as is shown in FIG. 7. Other types of decoration that may require visual inspection would include tinsel or the like  730 , and lights  735 . These may be provided in their individual box, as is in the embodiment of FIG. 7, or if the quantity or packaging layout do not lend themselves to this, may be provided in a shared box with the baubles.  
     [0061] It will be appreciated that when the packaging system is fully assembled that the windows provided in the skin provide easy visual access to the goods in the transparent boxes retained in the frame. These can be viewed either through the front or rear windows of the skin—or indeed through the side windows. It will be appreciated that as the packaging system provides for a rigid frame that two or more systems may be stacked one upon the other in a retail environment to provide an aesthetically impressive display. The system therefore provides a dual purpose in that a retailer wishing to present an impressive display of the items being sold can do so easily by stacking the packaging systems of the invention one upon the other—and the consumer can easily inspect the interior portions and can select the exact combination that they prefer.  
     [0062] By providing for the individual boxes within the secure housing provided by the frame, it is possible using the system of the present invention to utilise lighter material for these boxes than hereintobefore possible. The strength of the system is provided by the frame, and as long as the boxes are specifically chosen for their correct areas within the frame they may be easily supported within the frame.  
     [0063] Hereintobefore the frame has been described with reference to an assembled structure. It will be appreciated that such an assembled structure occupies a large amount of space. It is advantageous that the frame components should occupy the least amount of space prior to the assembly of the entire system. This is particularly the case where the frame components are made separately to the other portions of the system and are transported to the final packaging location for assembly. In such transportation it is more economical if the frame could occupy a small volume so as to enable a large number of frames to be transported together. Such is achievable using a frame formed from a plurality of engageable members, the members being adapted to co-operate with one another so as to provide a rigid structure when assembled. As shown in FIG. 8 this may be achieved by providing the vertical  125   a  and horizontal members  125   b  with apertures  805  which are adapted to co-operate with tabs  810  provided in linking members  800 . In the example of FIG. 8, which illustrates the formation of a corner of the frame, end portions of two horizontal members  125   b  are provided into co-operating apertures of linking member  800  and an end portion  820  of the vertical member  125   a  is inserted into its respective aperture  825 . On complete insertion the aperture  805  of the member  125   a  will engage with the tab  810  of the linking member, thereby retaining the member in engagement with the linking member. To disengage, the tab is depressed and the member may be removed. It will be appreciated that this is exemplary of the type of assembly that may be used to provide for the interengagement of the members making up the structure of the frame.  
     [0064] It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a packaging system for the retail environment which is advantageous over the prior art. Although described with reference to the packaging of an artificial Christmas tree and associated decorations it will be appreciated that this application is exemplary of the present invention and it is not intended to limit the use of the invention to any one type of goods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the system of the present invention may be found useful in the display of a variety of goods for example garden equipment or accessories and the like.  
     [0065] The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.