Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7931148?dq=7,403,220
Timestamp: 2014-09-01 07:33:08
Document Index: 569576105

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 18', 'arts 18', 'arts 18', 'arts 18', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 18', 'art 20', 'art 20']

Patent US7931148 - Double hinge display package and method of use - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes...http://www.google.com/patents/US7931148?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7931148 - Double hinge display package and method of useAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7931148 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/640,053Publication dateApr 26, 2011Filing dateDec 17, 2009Priority dateJun 10, 2009Also published asUS8496111, US20100314279, US20110168731, US20130284631Publication number12640053, 640053, US 7931148 B2, US 7931148B2, US-B2-7931148, US7931148 B2, US7931148B2InventorsVictor D. Hansen, George E. Raimer, Kristie L. Vos, Brian J. Pankratz, Michael J. Cramblet, Elliott R. EckertOriginal AssigneeDisplay Pack, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (8), Referenced by (9), Classifications (25), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetDouble hinge display package and method of useUS 7931148 B2Abstract A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to packaging, and more particularly to point-of-sale product packages.
Another common form of plastic point-of-sale package is a clamshell package. A typical clamshell package includes a pair of formed plastic parts (often �halves�) that are joined along a hinge. The parts can be closed about the hinge to entrap the product to be packaged. Clamshell packages vary dramatically in design and configuration. For example, some clamshell packages are sealed shut to protect the contents of the package until it is opened, while other clamshell packages are resealable. With sealed clamshell packages, it is often necessary to at least partially destroy the package to gain access to the contents. In a resealable configuration, the clamshell can be formed with contours that permit the two clamshell parts to be friction interfitted in a way that holds the parts together in a closed configuration about the packaged contents. It is not uncommon to incorporate paper or paperboard inserts into clamshell packages. For example, information and other content can be printed on an insert that is enclosed within the clamshell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a hybrid package having a clamshell with a peripheral flange and at least one backer panel extending over at least a portion of the flange. The clamshell includes an operating hinge that is adjacent the flange, but spaced from the panel to enable opening and closing of the clamshell when the flange is covered by the panel. In one embodiment, the clamshell includes two hinges, including a manufacturing hinge disposed along the peripheral edge of the flange and the operating hinge disposed inwardly from the peripheral edge. In one embodiment, the manufacturing hinge permits the clamshell to pivot or fold over itself during manufacture to bring the clamshell parts into mating alignment and the operating hinge permits the clamshell to be opened and closed after the package is completed. In this embodiment, the region between the two hinges defines at least a portion of the flange such that the flange and panel may engage adjacent to the operating hinge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamshell package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT A clamshell package in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated 10. The clamshell package 10 is designed to hold and display articles for sale and includes a clamshell 12 and a panel 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamshell 12 includes a manufacturing hinge 14 adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts 18 and 20, which are shaped to cooperatively form a cavity 13 adapted to contain the packaged article(s) (FIGS. 1 and 3). The first and second parts 18, 20 may each include a peripheral lip 30, 40 that extends about the respective first and second parts 18, 20 (FIG. 6). When the first and second parts 18, 20 are folded together along the manufacturing hinge 14, the lip 40 overlaps the lip 30 to form a flange 22 adjacent the manufacturing hinge 14 and along a peripheral edge of the clamshell 12 (FIG. 9). The second part 20 includes a second, operating hinge 16 that is spaced from the manufacturing hinge 14 and allows the second part 20 to move with respect to the first part 18 while the flange 22 is in an overlapped position. The panel 24 engages the flange 22 to retain the flange in an overlapped position, but is spaced from the operating hinge 16 at a distance that will at least allow the second part 20 to pivot about the operating hinge 16 without placing any stress on the panel 24.
Optionally, the pocket 28 may have a standard depth for a variety of applications, with the depth of the pocket 26 varying to accommodate differently sized articles. For example, if the second part 20 forms the front or �display� side of the article, then maintaining a constant depth for the pocket 28 may result in a somewhat standard appearance of the clamshell package 10. While some features in the embodiments are described herein with respect to �front and rear� or �top and bottom� surfaces and ends, it should be understood that these designations are only included for purposes of description and could be reversed.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3111220 *Jan 18, 1962Nov 19, 1963Poster Packaging IncReclosable containerUS4266666 *Dec 21, 1979May 12, 1981American Can CompanyBlister packageUS4666037 *Feb 24, 1986May 19, 1987Bernard WeissmanDental model carrierUS5775516 *Jul 8, 1997Jul 7, 1998Placon CorporationBlister package with pivotable door closureUS6053321 *Jul 16, 1999Apr 25, 2000Kayser; Steven L.Blister pack display card with reusable containerUS6230964 *Sep 29, 1997May 15, 2001Toshiki SaitoProtruding case for mailUS6364115 *Jun 16, 2000Apr 2, 2002Eveready Battery Company, Inc.Battery package with rotation preventionUS20020195363 *Jun 20, 2002Dec 26, 2002Tuneberg Lee H.Package for prepasted orthodontic bracket* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8459460Jun 6, 2012Jun 11, 2013Display Pack, Inc.Accessible display package and method of useUS8616373 *Sep 9, 2011Dec 31, 2013Display Pack, Inc.Reclosable display package and method of useUS8622216 *Jun 23, 2011Jan 7, 2014Display Pack, Inc.Composite packageUS8646244Oct 14, 2011Feb 11, 2014Tegrant Alloyd Brands, Inc.Blister packaging container sealing tool and methodUS8708147Feb 25, 2013Apr 29, 2014Display Pack, Inc.Composite packageUS8763806 *Oct 14, 2011Jul 1, 2014Tegrant Alloyd Brands, Inc.Two component vertical sealing blister packagingUS20120031908 *Oct 14, 2011Feb 9, 2012Giaia Lee LudwigTwo Component Vertical Sealing Blister PackagingUS20120325713 *Jun 23, 2011Dec 27, 2012Display Pack, Inc.Composite packageUS20130062342 *Sep 9, 2011Mar 14, 2013Display Pack, Inc.Reclosable display package and method of use* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification206/470, 206/463, 206/461, 220/254.1, 220/254.3, 220/4.22, 220/4.23International ClassificationB65D73/00Cooperative ClassificationB65D2543/00361, B65D2543/00194, B65D2543/00805, B65D2543/0062, B65D2543/00731, B65D43/162, B65D2543/00518, B65D75/22, B65D2543/00694, B65D75/56, B65D25/00, B65D2543/00296, B65D2543/00842, B65D2543/00324European ClassificationB65D75/22, B65D75/56, B65D43/16BLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 28, 2011CCCertificate of correctionDec 17, 2009ASAssignmentOwner name: DISPLAY PACK, INC., MICHIGANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HANSEN, VICTOR D.;RAIMER, GEORGE E.;VOS, KRISTIE L.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20091211 TO 20091214;REEL/FRAME:023665/0852RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google