EP3625135B1

EP3625135B1 - A package for displaying items

Info

Publication number: EP3625135B1
Application number: EP18728003.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel Bortos; Alain Kowalewski
Original assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
Current assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
Priority date: 2017-05-16
Filing date: 2018-05-16
Publication date: 2021-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2038-05-16
Also published as: AU2018271089A1; EP3625135A1; PL3625135T3; CA3060864A1; AU2018271089B2; WO2018213403A1; CN110603200A

Description

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to a pusher for use in packaging for displaying items of sale.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to transport pre-packaged items, such as confectionary, from a manufacturing site to a vending site in bulk cartons, such as cardboard boxes. One of the main functions of such a carton is to protect the items from physical damage during transit. At the vending site, the items are typically removed from the carton and arranged on display for sale.
It may, however, be desirable to display multiple smaller items in a carton and dispense them directly therefrom. In such a case it can be advantageous to use the same carton that was used for transporting the items. Such cartons are often referred to as "shelf ready packs." U.S. Pat. No. 7,284,662 describes a carton that allows a product to be shipped, displayed, and dispensed all from the same carton.
Existing shelf ready packs exhibit a number of problems. For example, items which are stacked in such packs (whether horizontally, vertically or at an inclined angle) can look unsightly after removal of several items. Furthermore, removal of items can result in poor on-shelf presence of the product with the products often hidden from view. To address this problem of on-shelf presence, shelf ready packs having a biasing member for biasing the goods within the pack to a position viewable by a consumer exist. However, in applications where the goods within the pack are relatively fragile or deformable, such as when the goods are an edible food product for example, the biasing force when applied directly to the goods may damage or negatively affect the condition of the goods. It is therefore desirable to have a shelf ready pack which maintains on-shelf presence of the product and allows for the item to be dispensed to the consumer in a controlled manner without altering the condition of the product.
JPH-06255685 describes a packaging container which has front and rear ends. That includes a push plate and an annular rubber cord to pressurize the front of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the invention, a package for displaying items, the package includes a carton body having at least a front panel. A pusher includes a resilient member and a rigid member. The rigid member is detachably coupled to the carton body for transformation from an inactive configuration to an active configuration. The resilient member is positioned to urge the rigid member towards said front panel of the carton body when in the active configuration.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments in said inactive configuration, said rigid member is coupled to said carton body and a biasing force of said resilient member does not urge the items towards said front panel.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments in said inactive configuration, a portion of said rigid member is integrally formed with the carton body.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said rigid member and said carton body are separated along a fold line.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said carton body further comprises a back wall, and said rigid member is detachably coupled to said back wall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said carton body further comprises at least one sidewall, and said rigid member is detachably coupled to said at least one sidewall.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said portion of said rigid member is perforated to detach said rigid member from said carton body.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said portion of said rigid member includes at least one connecting member.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said at least one connecting member includes a plurality of connecting members.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said plurality of connecting members are substantially identical.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments at least one of said plurality of connecting members is distinct from a remainder of said plurality of connecting members.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said resilient member is a loop secured at an open end to said front panel and configured to extend around the items.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said carton body includes side panels, and said resilient member is a loop secured at an open end to said side panels and configured to extend around the items.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said resilient member is an elastic band.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said carton body includes a lid and at least a portion of the lid is removable to access the items.
According to another embodiment, a packaging system includes a package as described above and a plurality of items is disposed in the package.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said plurality of items is horizontally stacked.
In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments said plurality of items is vertically stacked.
These and other embodiments are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification embodies several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shelf ready pack containing a plurality of items according to an embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a shelf ready pack according to an embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shelf ready pack having a pusher arranged in an inactive configuration according to an embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a full shelf ready pack having a pusher arranged in an active configuration according to an embodiment;
FIG. 6 is another perspective view of a full shelf ready pack having a pusher arranged in an active configuration according to an embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shelf ready pack of FIG. 5 after several products have been removed from the shelf ready pack according to an embodiment; and
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a shelf ready pack after all of the products have been removed from the shelf ready pack according to an embodiment.

The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A pusher will be described below for use with a container in the form of a cardboard carton which is a shelf ready pack. However, it should be understood that the pusher can be used in a wide variety of other applications in different formats including different materials.
In the following, the related expressions top and bottom, upper and lower, front and rear, inner and outer, upward and downward, and derivatives thereof are used to refer to the completed carton and parts thereof when the carton is in its intended orientation, for placing on a shelf or other display surface. However, the carton may be used and stored in other orientations as desired.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an example of a shelf ready pack or package 20 is illustrated. As shown, the shelf ready pack 20 includes a carton 22 having a bottom panel 24, two side panels 26, 28, a back panel 30, and an at least partial front panel 32, all extending upwardly from the bottom panel 24. However, not all of these panels, in particular the side panels 26, 28 and back panel 30, are necessary for operation of the pack 20. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 1, the carton 22 additionally includes a lid 34, arranged generally parallel to and opposite the bottom panel 24, and extending between the two side panels 26, 28, the back panel 30 and the front panel 32. Configurations of the carton 22 that do not include a lid 34, or include only a partial lid 34, are also considered within the scope of the disclosure.
A cavity 36 for storing multiple products 10, stacked in either a vertical or horizontal configuration, is defined between the front panel 32, back panel 30, and side panels 26, 28 of the carton 22. Typically, each of the plurality of products 10 within the cavity 36 is substantially identical, but embodiments where different products are contained within the cavity 36 are also contemplated. In an embodiment, at least one dimension of the cavity 36, such as the distance between the opposing side panels 26, 28 for example, is substantially identical or slightly larger than a dimension of a product 10 housed within the cavity 36. In addition, another dimension of the cavity 36, such as the distance between the front panel 32 and the back panel 30 for example, may be selected based on a predefined quantity of the one or more products 10 to be housed within the cavity 36.
The carton 22 may be made of any suitable material, a common material for such cartons being cardboard. In an embodiment, the carton 22 is formed from a single piece of material by folding various portions of the material along one or more fold lines. A portion 42 of the lid 34 (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 1) adjacent to and/or overlapping with the front panel 32 may be perforated for easy detachment from the remainder of the carton 22. During transport and shipment, this removable portion is configured to protect the contents of the carton 22. When the carton 22 is positioned on a shelf for display, as shown in FIG. 1, the portion is removed to provide a consumer with access to the contents contained within the interior cavity 36 of the carton 22.
The package 20 additionally includes a pusher mechanism 50 configured to urge the products 10 within the cavity 36 towards a position for easy accessibility. In an embodiment, the pusher mechanism 50 includes a resilient member 52, such as an elastic band for example, configured to apply a force to the products 10 within the carton 22 so that the contents are always arranged directly adjacent to or in contact with the front panel 32. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the resilient member 52 is configured as a ring or loop which passes behind a rearmost product 10 within the cavity 36. As a result, a portion 54 of the resilient member 52 extends along the side panels 26, 28 and another portion 56 of the resilient member 52 is oriented generally parallel to the back panel 30. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG.3, the open or free ends of the resilient member 52 are secured to the side panels 26, 28 of the carton 22 via apertures 60. However, the resilient member 52 may be secured to any other suitable area of the carton 22, such as the front panel 32 for example, such that the resilient member 52 is biased towards the front panel 32.
In embodiments where the product 10 is an edible composition, such as chocolate for example, direct contact between the resilient member 52 and the rearmost product 10 within the cavity 36 may damage one or more products 10 within the carton 22 due to the strength of the biasing force of the resilient member 52. To reduce the force directly applied to the products 10, a rigid member 58 is positioned behind the items 10 to be dispensed, between the rearmost product 10 and the resilient member 52. As a result of this positioning, the resilient member 52 is operably coupled to the rigid member 58. In an embodiment, the resilient member 52 is affixed to the rigid member 58 via a fastener, such as a staple for example, or an adhesive. However, embodiments where the resilient member 52 is movable relative to the rigid member 58 are also contemplated herein.
The rigid member 58 may be a plate like member (i.e. it does not have a substantial thickness), or another shape with a flat front surface forming a vertical abutment surface with the products 10. Alternatively, the rigid member 58 may have a non-flat front surface. Further, in some embodiments, the rigid member 58 includes a horizontal stabilizing element arranged at its base. In an embodiment, the rigid member 58 is substantially identical in size and shape to the products 10 located within the cavity 36. However, embodiments where the rigid member 58 covers only a portion of a surface of an adjacent product 10 or has a shape different than the product 10 are also within the scope of the disclosure.
The pusher mechanism 50 is transformable between an inactive configuration (FIG. 4) and an active configuration (FIGS. 5-8). In the inactive configuration, the pusher mechanism 50 is held in place again the biasing force of the resilient member 52. As a result, in the inactive configuration the biasing force of the resilient member 52 is not applied to the products 10 within the cavity 36 to urge them towards the front panel 32. Accordingly, it may be desirable for the pusher mechanism 50 to be in the inactive configuration during transport of the shelf ready package 20 to protect the contents of the carton 22.
In the inactive configuration, the pusher mechanism 50 is detachably coupled to a portion of the carton 22. In an embodiment, a portion of the pusher mechanism 50 is integrally formed with an adjacent portion of the carton body 22, such as a sidewall 26, 28 or back panel 30 thereof. The rigid member 58 and a corresponding portion of the carton 22 may be integrally formed by folding a portion of the material of the carton 22 along one or more fold lines, indicated at 62 in FIG. 4. In embodiments where the rigid member 58 is integrally formed with the back panel 30, the rigid member 58 is formed via a 180 degree fold such that the back panel 30 and the rigid member 58 are oriented substantially parallel to and generally adjacent one another.
To transform the pusher mechanism 50 to an active configuration where the biasing force of the resilient member 52 is applied to the products within the cavity 36, the rigid member 58 is decoupled from the rigid carton 22. In an embodiment, as shown in the FIGS. 4, at least one connecting member 64 extends across the fold between the rigid member 58 and the back panel 30. The portions of the fold that do not include a connecting member 64 are cut to separate the rigid member 58 and the back panel 30 over the length of the fold line except where connected by the at least one connecting member 64. The at least one connecting member 64 may be any shape and or size. However, the at least one connecting member 64 should not interfere with the biased movement of the pusher mechanism.
In some embodiments, the at least one connecting member 64 includes a plurality of connecting members 64. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-7, three semi-circular shaped connecting members 64 are integrally formed with and detachable from the back panel 30 and in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 8, two triangular shaped connecting members 64 extend from the rigid member 58. Although embodiments including two and three connecting members are illustrated, it should be understood that embodiments having more than three connecting members 64 are also contemplated herein. In such embodiments, the plurality of connecting members 64 may, but need not be substantially identical. Alternatively, the at least one connecting member 64 of the rigid member 58 may include a single connecting member 64. Further, in an embodiment, the single connecting member 64 may be sized to generally include the entirety of the back panel 30.
The periphery of the at least one connecting member 64 extending between the fold line and the back panel 30 is perforated to allow a user to easily detach the connecting member 64 from the remainder of the back panel. Upon separation of the at least one connecting member 64 from the adjacent fixed portion of the carton 22, the biasing force of the resilient member 52 will urge the pusher mechanism 50 into contact with the rearmost product 10. When the carton 22 contains a desired number of products 10 and is considered "full", as shown in FIG. 6, the overall movement of the pusher mechanism 50 between the inactive and active configurations to engage the products 10 within the cavity 36 may be limited.
As products 10 are removed from adjacent the front panel 32 of the carton 22, the biasing force of the resilient member 50 causes the remaining products 10 and the rigid member to slide within the cavity 36 towards the front panel 32, as shown in FIG. 7. When all of the products 10 have been removed from the carton 22, the rigid member 58 is arranged in contact with the front panel 32 and the resilient member 52 of the pusher mechanism 50 is in a generally neutral or untensioned state. Once empty, the carton 22 may either be disposed of, or the cavity 36 may be refilled with products 10 by moving the pusher mechanism 50 against the bias of the resilient member 52 to position the products between the pusher mechanism 50 and the front panel 32 as previously described.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. Each range disclosed herein constitutes a disclosure of any point or sub-range lying within the disclosed range.
The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Further, it should further be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The modifier "about" used in connection with a quantity is inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., it includes the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).

Claims

A package (20) for displaying items (10), the package (20) comprising:
a carton body (22) having at least a front panel (32);

a pusher (50) including a resilient member (52) and a rigid member (58),

characterised in that said rigid member (58) being detachably coupled to said carton body (22) for transformation from an inactive configuration to an active configuration, said resilient member (52) being positioned to urge the rigid member (58) towards said front panel (32) of said carton body (22) when in said active configuration.
The package (20) of claim 1, wherein in said inactive configuration, said rigid member (58) is coupled to said carton body (22) and a biasing force of said resilient member (52) does not urge the items (10) towards said front panel (32).
The package (20) of claim 1, wherein in said inactive configuration, a portion of said rigid member (58) is integrally formed with the carton body (22).
The package (20) of claim 1, wherein said rigid member (58) and said carton body (22) are separated along a fold line.
The package (20) of claim 1, wherein said carton body (22) further comprises a back wall (30), and said rigid member (58) is detachably coupled to said back wall (30).
The package (20) of claim 1, wherein said carton body (22) further comprises at least one sidewall (26,28), and said rigid member (58) is detachably coupled to said at least one sidewall (26,28).
The package (20) of claim 3, wherein said portion of said rigid member (58) is perforated to detach said rigid member (58) from said carton body (22).
The package (20) of claim 3, wherein said portion of said rigid member (58) includes at least one connecting member (64).
The package (20) of claim 8, wherein said at least one connecting member includes a plurality of connecting members (64).
The package (20) of claim 9, wherein said plurality of connecting members (64) are substantially identical.
The package (20) of claim 9, wherein at least one of said plurality of connecting members (64) is distinct from a remainder of said plurality of connecting members (64).
The package (20) of claim 1, wherein said resilient member (52) is a loop secured at an open end to said front panel (32) and configured to extend around the rigid member (58).
The package (20) according to claim 1, wherein said carton body (22) includes side panels (26,28), and said resilient member (52) is a loop secured at an open end to said side panels (26,28) and configured to extend around the rigid member (58).
The package (20) according to claim 1, wherein said resilient member (52) is an elastic band.
The package (20) according to claim 1, wherein said carton body (22) includes a lid (34) and at least a portion of the lid (34) is removable to access the items (10).
A packaging system comprising:
the package (20) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and

a plurality of items (10) disposed in said package (20).
The packaging system according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of items (10) is horizontally stacked.
The packaging system according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of items (10) is vertically stacked.