PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8544680-B2
Application Number: US-201213416855-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Packaging assembly

Abstract:
A packaging system is configured to package a product to form a packaged product assembly. The packaging system includes a lid including a major panel, side panels, and a tab extending from one of the side panels. The packaging system also includes a box hingedly coupled to the lid that includes side walls and a bottom wall with a slot defined therein. The product may be retained by the lid against the major panel by first and second end flaps. As the lid and box are folded toward one another, the product may be loaded into the box and the tab and an adhesive member coupled thereto may extend through the slot in the bottom wall of the box. The adhesive member may then be adhered to a back surface of the box to retain the product in the packaging system. Related methods are also provided.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A packaging system, comprising:
 a box comprising a plurality of sidewalk and a bottom wall with a slot defined therein, the sidewalls and bottom wall collectively defining an interior compartment with an upper opening configured to receive a product; 
 a lid comprising a major panel and a tab, wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to one of the sidewalls of the box and movable between an open configuration in which the upper opening is open and a closed configuration in which the lid covers the upper opening and the tab is received through the slot in the bottom wall; and 
 an adhesive member coupled to the tab and configured to releasably engage an outer surface of the bottom wall and thereby retain the lid in the closed configuration. 
 
     
     
       2. The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive member comprises a first flap and a second flap coupled to first and second opposing surfaces of the tab and an extension that extends past an end of the tab. 
     
     
       3. The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein an inner surface of the first flap and an inner surface of the second flap comprise an adhesive. 
     
     
       4. The packaging system of  claim 2 , wherein an outer surface of the first flap comprises an adhesive. 
     
     
       5. The package system of  claim 2 , wherein the extension is configured to be decoupled from the outer surface of the bottom wall. 
     
     
       6. The packaging system of  claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises a plurality of side panels. 
     
     
       7. The packaging system of  claim 6 , wherein one of the side panels of the lid is coupled to one of the sidewalk of the box, and
 wherein the tab extends from one of the side panels that is opposite to the one of the side panels coupled to one of the sidewalls. 
 
     
     
       8. The packaging system of  claim 7 , wherein the lid further comprises first and second end flaps extending from the side panels between the tab and the one of the side panels coupled to one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
       9. A packaged product assembly, comprising:
 a packaging system, comprising:
 a box comprising a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall with a slot defined therein, the sidewalls and bottom wall collectively defining an interior compartment with an upper opening; 
 a lid comprising a major panel and a tab, wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to one of the sidewalls of the box and configured in a closed configuration in which the lid covers the upper opening and the tab is received through the slot in the bottom wall; and 
 an adhesive member coupled to the tab and releasably engaged to an outer surface of the bottom wall such that the lid is retained in the closed configuration; and 
 
 a product positioned in the interior compartment. 
 
     
     
       10. The packaged product assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the lid comprises a. plurality of side panels that extend about a plurality of edges of the product. 
     
     
       11. The packaged product assembly of  claim 10 , wherein one of the side panels of the lid is coupled to one of the sidewalls of the box, and
 wherein the tab extends from one of the side panels that is opposite to the one of the side panels coupled to one of the sidewalls. 
 
     
     
       12. The packaged product assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the lid further comprises first and second end flaps extending from the side panels between the tab and the one of the side panels coupled to one of the sidewalls, and
 wherein the end flaps wrap around two of the edges of the product. 
 
     
     
       13. The packaged product assembly of claim further comprising an intermediate sheet positioned between the product and the bottom wall of the box. 
     
     
       14. The packaged product assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the product comprises a hinged portion and the intermediate sheet is adhesively coupled to the hinged portion. 
     
     
       15. The packaged product assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate sheet comprises a pull tab that is folded under the product.

Description:
This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/452,053, filed Mar. 11, 2011, entitled PACKAGING ASSEMBLY PROCEDURE by Akana et al, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to packaging for products, and more particularly to methods, systems, and assemblies for packaging products. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Competition in the consumer products markets has led manufacturers to improve the appeal not only of the products they sell, but also the retail packaging therefore. In this regard, appealing retail packaging may encourage purchase of products that a consumer may otherwise overlook. Accordingly, design considerations for packaging have become increasingly more important. 
     In addition to having aesthetic appeal, packaging should be easy to use in terms of insertion of products therein. Further, packaging should ideally be easy to open. While many designs and techniques used to package products have generally worked well in the past, there is always a desire to improve packaging, such that improved functionality and/or appearance is provided. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a packaging system configured to package a product therein to form a packaged product assembly, and related methods. The packaging system may include a lid with a tab and a box with a slot hingedly connected thereto. An adhesive member may be coupled to the tab. An intermediate sheet may be coupled to the product, then the product and the intermediate sheet may be positioned between end flaps of the lid such that the lid retains the product in place. Thereafter, the lid and the box may be pivoted relative to one another such that the lid moves to a closed configuration that closes the upper opening of an interior compartment defined by the box. 
     Since the lid holds the product, the product may be loaded into the box substantially simultaneously with pivoting the lid relative to the box. Further, since the tab extends from the lid, the tab and the adhesive member may be inserted through the slot defined in the bottom wall of the box substantially simultaneously with pivoting the lid relative to the box and loading the product into the box. After the tab and the adhesive member are inserted through the slot in the bottom wall of the box, the adhesive member may be folded over and adhered to the back surface of the bottom wall of the box. Accordingly, the product may be retained between the lid and the box. The product may thereafter be retrieved from the packaging system by detaching the adhesive member from the box and pushing the adhesive member and the tab back out of the slot while pivoting the lid and the box to an open configuration. Accordingly, scissors or other tools may not be required to open the package. 
     Other apparatuses, methods, features and advantages of the disclosure will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only to provide examples of possible structures and arrangements for the disclosed packaging systems, packed product assemblies, and methods for packaging a product. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the disclosure by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a packaged product assembly comprising a packaging system and a product according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the packaging system  200  of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration without a product therein; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the lid of the packaging system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged view of an adhesive member and a tab of the lid of the packaging system of  FIG. 2  prior to coupling therebetween; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the adhesive member and tab of  FIG. 4  after coupling therebetween; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the back of the product of  FIG. 1  and an intermediate sheet prior to coupling therebetween; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the product and the intermediate sheet of  FIG. 6  after coupling therebetween; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the product and the intermediate sheet of  FIG. 7  during insertion between end flaps of the lid of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the box and the lid of the packaging system of  FIG. 1  in a partially closed configuration; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a rear perspective view of the packaged product assembly of  FIG. 1  prior to coupling the adhesive member to the box; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an overhead view of the rear of the packaging system of  FIG. 1  after the adhesive member is coupled to the box; and 
         FIG. 12  schematically illustrates a method for packaging a product according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary applications of apparatuses, assemblies, systems, and methods according to the present disclosure are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the disclosure. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     Improved packaging that simplifies the process for packaging a product is desirable in that it may require less labor to package the product. Thus, the total cost associated with preparing a product for sale may be reduced. Improved aesthetic appeal for packaging also remains desirable, particularly when the packaging is employed for retail sale of a product. Further, packaging that simplifies the process for accessing the product may also be desirable to consumers. 
     In this regard,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a packaged product assembly  100  according to the present disclosure. As illustrated, the packaged product assembly  100  includes a packaging system  200  and a product  300  stored therein. In the illustrated embodiment, the product  300  comprises a SMART COVER, as sold by APPLE, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. However, the packaging system  200  may be employed to package various other products in other embodiments. For example, the dimensions and/or shape of the packaging system  200  may be adapted to conform to the size and/or shape of the product  300 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the packaging system  200  in an open configuration without a product therein. As illustrated, in some embodiments the packaging system  200  may include a box  400 , a lid  500 , and an adhesive member  600 . Further, the packaging system  200  may include a hanger tag  700  with an aperture  702  there through. The hanger tag  700  may be configured to receive a hanger through the aperture  702  such that after a product is received in the packaging system  200 , the packaged product assembly  100  may be hung for display at a retail location. 
     The lid  500  may be hingedly coupled to the box  400 . In some embodiments the lid  500  and the box  400  may be integrally formed and/or formed from the same material. However, in other embodiments the lid  500  and the box  400  may be separate components formed from different materials. In one example embodiment the box  400  may comprise one or more layers of cardboard, paperboard, paper, and/or other materials that are folded, glued, and/or otherwise formed into a bottom wall  402  and a plurality of sidewalls  404 A-D (collectively, “ 404 ”). The sidewalls  404  and the bottom wall  402  may define an interior compartment  406  that is configured to receive a product. The sidewalls  404  may define an upper opening  408  to the interior compartment  406  opposite the bottom wall  402 . Further, a slot  410  may be defined in the bottom wall  402 . 
     The lid  500  may comprise a plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Embodiments of plastic materials that are translucent or transparent may be advantageously employed to form all or a part of the lid  500  in embodiments of the packaging system  200  employed for retail sales, since consumers may thereby be able to view a product there through. The lid  500  may comprise a major panel  502  and a plurality of side panels  504 A-D (collectively, “ 504 ”). In order to hingedly couple the lid  500  to the box  400 , one of the side panels  504 D of the lid may be coupled to one of the sidewalls  404 D of the box. Accordingly, the lid  500  may pivot between an open configuration (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ) in which the upper opening  408  of the box  400  is open and a closed configuration (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1 ) in which the lid covers the upper opening. 
     The lid  500  may further comprise first and second end flaps  506 A, B (collectively, “ 506 ”). As illustrated, the lid  500  may also include score lines  508 A-D (collectively, “ 508 ”) between the major panel  502  and the side panels  504 . The score lines  508  may facilitate folding of the side panels  504  relative to the major panel  502  such that they may be configured at angles relative thereto. For example,  FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of the lid  500  in which the side panels  504  are configured substantially at ninety degrees relative to the major panel  502 . Score lines  510 A, B (collectively, “ 510 ”) may also be provided between the end flaps  506  and the side panels  504  to which they connect. In this regard, the score lines  510  may allow the end panels  506  to be folded such that they are substantially parallel to the major panel  502 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , the lid  500  may additionally include a tab  512 . The tab  512  may extend from one of the side panels  504 D that is opposite to the one of the side panels  504 C hingedly coupled to one of the sidewalls  404 C of the box  400 . Accordingly, the tab  512  may align with the slot  410  in the bottom wall  402  of the box  400  when the lid  500  is folded to the closed configuration. 
     The above-mentioned adhesive member  600  may be coupled to the tab  512 . In particular, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the adhesive member  600  may comprise a first flap  602 , a second flap  604 , and an extension  606 . The first flap  602  and the second flap  604  may include an adhesive on inner surfaces  602 ′,  604 ′ thereof such that the flaps may couple to first  512 ′ and second  512 ″ opposing surfaces of the tab  512 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first and second flaps  602 ,  604  of the adhesive member  600  may be coupled to the tab  512  and the extension  606  may extend there from. 
     Note that “adhesive,” as used herein, refers to any embodiment of a material that provides for coupling between two members. For example, an adhesive may include glue. However, adhesive coupling between members may also occur via ultrasonic welding, thermal coupling, etc. In this regard, the term “adhesive,” and related terms used herein, are not intended to be limited to use of glues, but rather refer to any embodiment of a bonding agent or method for bonding. 
     As noted above, in one example embodiment the packaging system  200  may be employed to package a product  300  such as a SMART COVER™ manufactured by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.  FIG. 6  illustrates the back of product  300 . The product  300  may include a cover portion  302  and a hinged portion  304 . In some embodiments the packaging system  200  may further comprise an intermediate sheet  800  which may be employed to protect the product  300 , properly position the product in the packaging system, and/or assist in retrieving the product from the packaging system.  FIG. 6  illustrates the intermediate sheet prior to coupling with the product  300 . The intermediate sheet  800  may include a major panel  802 , an adhesive section  804 , and a pull tab  806 . A score line  808  may be positioned between the pull tab  806  and the major panel  802  of the intermediate sheet  800 . The intermediate sheet  800  may be configured to couple to the product  300  via an adhesive section  804 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the adhesive section  804  of the intermediate sheet  800  may be configured to engage the backside of the hinged portion  304 . Thereby, the intermediate sheet  800  may cover substantially the entirety of the backside of the product  300  including the cover portion  302 . The pull tab  806  may extend outwardly there from in a substantially planar configuration. 
     After the intermediate sheet  800  is coupled to the product  300 , the product may be combined with the remainder of the packaging system  200 . In this regard, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the product  300  (with the intermediate sheet  800  coupled thereto) may be slid between the first and second end flaps  506  in the direction indicated by the arrow  102 . Alternatively, the product  300  may be placed on the major panel  502  of the lid  500  and the first and second end flaps  506  may be folded over the product  300 . 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the end flaps  506  wrap around edges  306 A, B (collectively, “ 306 ”) of the product  300 . Thereby, the product  300  is retained between the end flaps  506  and the major panel  502  of the lid  500 . Further, the side panel  504 D at which the tab  512  is positioned may prevent the product  300  from sliding out of the lid  500 . 
     After the product  300  is secured in place by the end flaps  506 , the lid  500  may be pivoted relative to the box  400  to a closed configuration. For example, the lid  500  and the product  300  may be pivoted into the interior compartment  406  of the box  400 . Alternatively or additionally, as illustrated by the arrow  104 , the box  400  may be pivoted toward the lid  500  and the product  300 . For example, the lid  500  and product  300  may remain stationary and the box  400  may be pivoted on top of the lid and product. By retaining the lid  500  and the product  300  in a substantially stationary configuration, the product may remain in place between the end flaps  506  and the major panel  502  of the lid without moving. Accordingly, the product  300 , including the hinged portion  304  may remain in the position in which they are placed when the end flaps  506  are wrapped around the product. Thus, the product  300  may remain in a desirable display configuration as the box  400  and lid  500  are pivoted relative to one another to the closed configuration. 
     As the box  400  and the lid  500  are pivoted relative to one another, the intermediate sheet  800  may be positioned between the product  300  and the bottom wall  402  of the box. Further, the pull tab  806  of the intermediate sheet  800  may be folded, as indicated by arrow  106 . When the box  400  and lid  500  reach the closed configuration, the pull tab  806  may reach a position wherein the pull tab lies flat between the major panel  802  of the intermediate sheet and the bottom wall  402  of the box. The score line  808  may assist with folding the pull tab  806  in this manner. Accordingly, the pull tab  806  will automatically fold under the product  300  during pivoting of the lid  500  and box  400  to the closed configuration. 
     Further, the tab  512  of the lid  500  and the adhesive member  600  may align with the slot  410  defined in the bottom wall  402  of the box  400  as the lid and the box are pivoted toward one another. Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the tab  512  and the adhesive member  600  may extend through the slot  410  defined in the bottom wall  402  of the box  400 . This may occur at substantially the same time that the lid  500  is pivoted to the closed configuration and the product  300  is loaded into the inner compartment  406 , since the product may be held in place by the lid. 
     The adhesive member  600  may further comprise an adhesive  608  at an outer surface  602 ″ of the first flap  602 . The adhesive member  512  may also include an adhesive liner  610 , which is shown as partially removed in  FIG. 10 , coupled to the adhesive  608 . The adhesive liner  610  may prevent the adhesive  608  from adhering to the bottom wall  602  as the adhesive member  600  is inserted through the slot  410 . 
     After the tab  512  and the adhesive member  600  are inserted through the slot  410  defined in the bottom wall  402  of the box  400 , the adhesive liner  610  may be removed such that the adhesive  608  is exposed. The tab  512  may then be bent about score line  514  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the adhesive  608  of the adhesive member  600  may couple the tab  512  to an outer surface  402 ″ of the bottom wall  402  of the box  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Thereby, the lid  500  may be retained in the closed configuration. 
     In order to access the product  300  from the packaged product assembly  100 , a consumer may grasp the extension  606  of the adhesive member  600 , which is decoupled from the outer surface  402 ″ of the bottom wall  402  of the box  400  because it does not include an adhesive, in order to detach the adhesive member from the box. Thereafter, a consumer may perform the above-noted operations performed in assembling the packaged product assembly substantially in reverse order. However, various ones of the above-noted steps need not be conducted. For example, after the consumer detaches the adhesive member  600  from the outer surface  402 ″ of the bottom wall  402  of the box  400 , he or she can simply push the adhesive member and the tab  512  back through the slot  410  without detaching the adhesive member from the tab. 
     The consumer may then pivot the lid  500  relative to the box  400  such that the lid reaches the open configuration in which the upper opening  408  to the interior compartment  406  of the box is open. The consumer may then grasp the pull tab  806  of the intermediate sheet  800  and pull opposite the arrow  102  (see,  FIG. 8 ) to remove the product  300  from between the end flaps  506  and the major panel  502  of the lid  500 . Alternatively the user may unfold the end flaps  506  to gain access to the product  300 . The pull tab  806  may also be used to detach the intermediate sheet  800  from the product  300 . Accordingly, a user may gain access to the product  300  from the packaged product assembly  100  in a relatively simple manner. In this regard, scissors or other tools may not be required to retrieve the product  300  from the packaging system  200 . 
     A related method for packaging a product is also provided. As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the method may include providing a product and a packaging system at operation  900 . The product may comprise an embodiment of the above-described product  300 , such as a SMART COVER™. However, various other products may be packaged in accordance with the method. 
     The packaging system may comprise an embodiment of the above-described packaging system  200  in some embodiments. In this regard, the packaging system may comprise a box comprising a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall with a slot defined therein, the sidewalls and bottom wall collectively defining an interior compartment with an upper opening. The packaging system may further comprise a lid comprising a major panel and a tab, wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to one of the sidewalls of the box. The packaging system may also include an adhesive member. 
     The method may further comprise attaching an intermediate sheet to the product. Attaching the intermediate sheet to the product may comprise adhering the intermediate sheet to a hinged portion of the product. Thereafter, in some embodiments, first and second end flaps of the lid may be wrapped around the product such that the product is retained in place by the lid. 
     The method may also include coupling a first flap and a second flap of the adhesive member to first and second opposing surfaces of the tab. Thereafter, the method may additionally include loading the product through the upper opening into the interior compartment of the box at operation  902  and pivoting the lid relative to the box to a closed configuration in which the upper opening is closed by the lid at operation  904 . As the lid is pivoted at operation  904 , a pull tab of the intermediate sheet may be folded. The method may also include inserting the tab of the lid through the slot in the bottom wall of the box at operation  906 . 
     As described above, in some embodiments loading the product into the box at operation  902 , pivoting the lid at operation  904 , and/or inserting the tab through the slot in the bottom wall at operation  906  may be conducted substantially simultaneously. In this regard, as noted above, the product may be retained by end flaps of the lid such that when the lid and box are pivoted toward one another, the product is inserted is loaded into the box. Further, since the tab forms part of the lid, as the lid and the box are brought toward one another, the tab and the adhesive member coupled thereto may be inserted through the slot in the bottom wall of the box. 
     After the tab is inserted through the slot at operation  908 , the method may further include adhesively coupling the tab to an outer surface of the bottom wall of the box with the adhesive member to retain the lid in the closed configuration at operation  908 . For example, an adhesive liner may be removed from adhesive on the adhesive member, which may then be folded into contact with the outer surface of the bottom wall of the box. Accordingly, the box and the lid may be coupled together via the adhesive member such that the product may be retained by the packaging system. 
     Although the foregoing disclosure has been described in detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be recognized that the above described disclosure may be embodied in numerous other specific variations and embodiments without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Certain changes and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood that the disclosure is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but rather is to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120309
Publication Date: 20131001
Grant Date: 20131001
Priority Date: 20110311
Inventors: AKANA JODY
ANDRE BARTLEY K.
BATAILLOU JEREMY
COSTER DANIEL J.
DE IULIIS DANIELE
HANKEY EVANS
HOENIG JULIAN
HOWARTH RICHARD P.
IVE JONATHAN P.
KERR DUNCAN ROBERT
NISHIBORI SHIN
ROHRBACH MATTHEW DEAN
RUSSELL-CLARKE PETER
STRINGER CHRISTOPHER J.
WHANG EUGENE ANTONY
ZORKENDORFER RICO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B65D5/6667", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B65D5/6667", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 46794597