Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. Nos. 29/484,142; 29/484,143; and 29/484,145, each of which was filed on Mar. 6, 2014, and each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Embodiments hereof relate to a package for a medical device, and in particular, to a package including a corner pocket for ease of removal of the package from a shelf. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Packages, such as packages for medicals devices, are often stacked side-by-side or on top of each other on shelving units or other storage units. In order to maximize space, the height between shelves is often approximately the same size as the height of the packages. Further, packages are often tightly packed or bunched next to each other to maximize the number of packages that can be stored per unit length of the shelving unit. With packages tightly packed on shelving units, it can be difficult to remove a particular package from the group. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, it would be desirable for a package to include a feature which allows a selected package to be easily removed from among packages crowded onto a shelving unit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Embodiments hereof are related to a package including a box having an interior volume and a first pocket disposed at a first corner of the box. The first pocket includes a lip configured for a finger of a user to be inserted therein for removal of the package from a storage unit. The box may be defined by a first panel, second panel opposite the first panel such that an interior surface of the first panel faces an interior surface of the second panel, and a top edge panel, a bottom edge panel, a front edge panel, and a rear edge panel each extends between the first panel and the second panel. The first pocket may be defined by a first surface extending from the top edge panel to the front edge panel, the interior surface of the first panel, the interior surface of the second panel, and the interior surface of the front edge panel. The first lip of the first pocket may be formed by the first surface contacting the front edge panel at a first location remote from a first edge of the front edge panel closest to the top edge panel, thereby forming the first lip on the front edge panel between the first edge of the front edge panel and the first location. The package may also include a second pocket disposed at a second corner of the box. 
         [0006]    Embodiments hereof are also related to a single blank sheet of material for making a package. The sheet includes a first panel and a second panel coupled to each other by a bottom edge panel, a fold line disposed between the first panel and the bottom edge panel, and another second fold line disposed between the bottom edge panel and the second panel. A top edge panel is coupled to the first edge panel along another fold line. A rear edge panel is coupled to the first panel along another fold line. A front edge panel coupled to the first panel along another fold line. A first pocket panel is coupled to the front edge panel along another fold line and to the first panel along another fold line. The sheet is configured to fold along the fold lines such that an interior surface of the first panel faces an interior surface of the second panel, the front edge panel, the top edge panel, the rear edge panel and the front edge panel each extends between the first panel and the second panel, and the first pocket panel folds between the interior surface of the first panel and the interior surface of the second panel to form a first pocket with a first lip defined by a portion of the front edge panel adjacent the top edge panel. 
         [0007]    The sheet may also include a second pocket panel coupled to the bottom edge panel the first panel, and the second panel along corresponding fold lines such that when the sheet folds along the fold lines, the second pocket panel folds between the interior surface of the first panel and the interior surface of the second panel to form a second pocket with a second lip defined by a portion of the front edge panel adjacent the bottom edge panel. 
         [0008]    The sheet may also include tabs coupled to the top edge panel, rear edge panel, and the font edge panel along corresponding fold lines such that when the sheet is folded along the fold lines, the tabs extend along the interior surface of the second panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments hereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a package according to an embodiment hereof. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a corner pocket of the package of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a view of the corner pocket of  FIG. 2  from a different perspective. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of another corner pocket of the package of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of the corner pocket of  FIG. 4  from a different perspective. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a blank sheet of laminar material, such as cardboard, used to make the package of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a step of forming the corner pocket of  FIG. 3   
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of another step of forming the corner pocket of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of another step of forming the corner pocket of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of the package of  FIG. 1  adjacent conventional packages. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 11-13  show accessing and removing from a shelving unit the package of  FIG. 1  with only a single pocket. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 14-15  show accessing and removing from a shelving unit the package of  FIG. 1  with only a single pocket with the packages on the shelving unit stacked horizontally. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
         [0023]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Although the description of the invention is in the context of a package for a medical device, the invention may also be used in packaging for other products. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-10  shows an embodiment of a container or carton or package  100  according to an embodiment hereof. Package  100  may be made of any material suitable for packaging products such as medical devices. For example, and not by way of limitation, package  100  may be made from solid bleach sulfate carton, cardboard, and other similar materials. Package  100  as shown in  FIG. 1  is generally shaped as a box with an interior volume and includes a first corner pocket  120  and a second corner pocket  140 . First and second corner pockets  120 ,  140  are finger pockets by which a user may easily remove package  100  from a shelf or other storage unit. Further, although two (2) corner pockets are shown and described herein, it is recognized that a package with only a single corner pocket, or more than two (2) corner pockets, may be utilized. 
         [0025]    Package  100  includes a first or left panel  102 , a second or right panel  104 , a front edge panel  106 , a rear edge panel  108 , a top edge panel  110 , and a bottom edge panel  112 . Although directional descriptions such as “left”, “right”, “front”, “rear”, “top”, and “bottom” have been used to describe the panels of package  100 , these descriptions are merely used for reference to describe package  100  as it may be placed on a shelf with front edge panel  106  facing outwardly and a user facing front edge panel  106 . However, these directional descriptions do not limit package  100  as it may be oriented in other directions in space. 
         [0026]    First corner pocket  120  is formed as a chamfered corner between front edge panel  106  and top edge panel  110 . First corner pocket  120  is not merely a chamfered corner, as it includes a depth to form a pocket. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-3 , first corner pocket  120  includes a lip  122 , a first side surface  124 , a second side surface  126 , and an angled surface  128 . Lip  122  is formed by angled surface  128  contacting front edge panel  106  at a location remote from a top edge  123  of front edge panel  106 . 
         [0027]    Similarly, second corner pocket  140  is formed as a chamfered corner between front edge panel  106  and bottom edge panel  112 . As with first corner pocket  120 , second corner pocket  140  has a depth to form a pocket. As can be seen in FIGS.  1  and  4 - 5 , second corner pocket  140  includes a lip  142 , a first side surface  144 , a second side surface  146 , and an angled surface  148 . Lip  142  is formed by angled surface  148  contacting front edge panel  106  at a location remote from a bottom edge  143  of front edge panel  106 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a blank sheet of laminar material  180 , such as solid bleach sulfate carton, cardboard, and other similar materials, used to make the package of  FIGS. 1-5 .  FIG. 6  shows the panels and surfaces described above with respect to  FIGS. 1-5  and fold lines where blank sheet of material  180  is folded as described below to form package  100 . As described below, left panel  102  and right panel  104  as shown in  FIG. 6  are considered the outer or exterior surfaces thereof. Thus, the directions of the folds in the description below are such that the surfaces shown in  FIG. 6  are outer or exterior surfaces of package  100 . The folds can equally be in the opposite direction such that the surfaces shown in  FIG. 6  are inner or interior surfaces of package  100 . 
         [0029]    In particular, sheet  180  is folded approximately 90 degrees along fold line  113  between left panel  102  and bottom edge panel  112  such that left panel  102  and bottom edge panel  112  are approximately perpendicular to each other. Sheet  180  is also folded approximately 90 degrees along fold line  115  between bottom edge panel  112  and right panel  104  such that bottom edge panel  112  and right panel  104  are approximately perpendicular to each other. Folding sheet  180  along fold lines  113  and  115  as described above causes an inner surface of left panel  102  to face an inner surface of right panel  104 , separated from each other by approximately the width of bottom edge surface  112 . The term “approximately 90 degrees” as used herein means approximately 90 degrees such that the panels described herein form the general shape of a box and allows for minor variations from  90  degrees provided that the package formed from folding sheet  180  forms such a box. 
         [0030]    Sheet  180  is also folded approximately 90 degrees along a fold line  107  between left panel  102  and rear edge panel  108  such the rear edge panel  108  extends from left panel  102  towards right panel  104 . Sheet  180  is also folded along a fold line  105  between rear edge panel  108  and a tab  118 . As right panel  102  and left panel  104  are folded towards each other, tab  118  is tucked inside a rear edge  172  of right panel  104  such that tab  118  extends along the inner surface of right panel  104  between a corner tab  174  and a corner tab  176 . 
         [0031]    Similarly, sheet  180  is also folded approximately 90 degrees along a fold line  109  between left panel  102  and top edge panel  110  such the top edge panel  110  extends from left panel  102  towards right panel  104 . Sheet  180  is also folded along a fold line  111  between top edge panel  110  and a tab  116 . As left panel  102  and right panel  104  are folded towards each other, tab  116  is tucked inside a top edge  117  of right panel  104  such that tab  116  extends along the inner surface of right panel  104  between a corner  176  and first pocket  120  associated with a fold line  136 . Tab  116  is attached to the interior surface of right panel  104 . Tab  116  may be adhesively attached to the interior surface of right panel  104  or attached in other ways. The adhesive used to adhesively attach tab  116  to the interior surface of right panel  104  may be any adhesive. For example and not by way of limitation, adhesive product number 2171 or 2174 available from The Adhesive Products Inc. may be utilized. 
         [0032]    Sheet  180  is also folded approximately 90 degrees along a fold line  103  between left panel  102  and front edge panel  106  such front edge panel  106  extends from left panel  102  towards right panel  104 . Sheet  180  is also folded along a fold line  101  between front edge panel  106  and a tab  114 . As left panel  102  and right panel  104  are folded towards each other, tab  114  is tucked inside a front edge  178  of right panel  104  such that tab  114  extends along the inner surface of right panel  104  between first pocket  120  associated with a fold line  136  and second pocket  140  associated with a fold line  156 . Further, pockets  120  and  140  are formed as sheet  180  is folded as described above, and as described in more detail below. 
         [0033]    In particular,  FIGS. 7-9  shows pocket  140  being formed. Although pocket  140  is being shown, pocket  120  is formed in a similar manner. As shown in  FIG. 7 , as (or after) left panel  102  and right panel  104  are folded towards each other, a tab  152  is pulled out of plane with bottom edge panel  112  and bent along a fold line  156  to form angled surface  148  extending at an angle α relative to bottom edge panel  112 . Angle α may be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees as defined in  FIG. 8 . Sheet  180  also folds along a fold line  147  between second side surface  146  and front panel  102  and along a fold line  149  between first side surface  144  and rear panel  104 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , tab  152  is pushed towards an interior volume of package  100  such that second pocket  140  folds along a fold line  154  between second side surface  146  and angled surface  148  such that second side surface  146  is pushed against the inner surface of left panel  102 . Similarly, second pocket  140  folds along a fold line  150  between first side surface  144  and angled surface  148  such that first side surface  144  is pushed against the inner surface of right panel  104 . Tab  152  may be folded along fold line  158  to extend towards first pocket  120  along the inside surface of front edge panel  106 . Alternatively, tab  152  may be folded in the opposite direction along fold line  158  to create a double-thickness with front edge panel  106  for at least a portion of the front edge of second pocket  140  at lip  142 . 
         [0035]    First pocket  120  is formed in a similar way as described above with respect to second pocket  140 . Accordingly, sheet  180  as shown in  FIG. 6  includes a fold line  136  between top edge panel  110  and angled surface  128 , a fold line  127  between first side surface  124  of first pocket  120  and tab  116 , a fold line  129  between second side surface  126  and front panel  102 , a fold line  130  between angled surface  128  and first side surface  124 , a fold line  134  between angled surface  128  and second side surface  126 , and a fold line  138  between angled surface  148  and tab  132 . 
         [0036]    Then, front edge panel  106  is folded along fold line  103  such that front edge panel  106  extends towards right panel  104  and tab  114  is tucked inside front edge  178  of right panel  104 . A portion of tab  114  adjacent first pocket  120  is tucked between a portion of first side surface  124  of pocket  120  and the inner surface of right panel  104 . Similarly, a portion of tab  114  adjacent second pocket  140  is tucked between a portion of first side surface  144  of second pocket  140  and the inner surface of right panel  104 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 10  shows two packages  100  adjacent conventional packages.  FIG. 11  shows a package  100  with a single pocket  120  instead of two pockets, and located on a shelf adjacent to conventional packages. As can be seen in  FIG. 11 , it can be difficult to remove a conventional package from a packed or full shelf because it is difficult to access a surface to grab or upon which to pull. The large panels of the conventional packages (i.e., left and right panels) are blocked by adjacent packages. The top and bottom panels are blocked by the shelf. A package according to the present application, on the other hand, allows a user to insert a finger into pocket  120  and slide or tilt package  100  out of the shelving unit, as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . Similarly, if the packages are stacked horizontally, as shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , a user can access pocket  120  to easily remove package  100  from the shelf. 
         [0038]    While various embodiments according to the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment.

Technology Category: b