Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELF-SUPPORTING PACKING AND DISPLAY UNIT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to the art of packaging and bailing, more
particularly to a package that holds and exhibits products in a point of sale,
aimed
to end users. More specifically, this invention refers to a self-standing
exhibiting
and dispensing package that allows for transportation of the product therein
to its
point of sale; said self-standing package is characterized by its ability to
hold and
exhibit its product at points of sale, and end consumers may take said product
at
the time of purchase.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently most products are individually packaged so they can reach end users.
However, distribution and marketing of these products require bigger packages
such as boxes or containers carrying a number of such individually packaged
products in order to be transported and taken to points of sale for end users,
where
they are then unpackaged and placed on shelves or exhibitors designed for such
purpose. Furthermore, they make such products appealing for end users.
Otherwise, such as in shopping malls and self service stores, individually
packaged
products are usually set in islands, placed at various levels and piled on the
floor,
pallet, stand, box or similar devices.
Accordingly, the constant need to have safer, trust worthier packages that
allow for
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protection of such products being transported towards end users, as well as
the
growing need to have bigger packages or bales that allow on one hand to hold
the
product, and exhibit said product at points of sale on the other hand, where
they
may be displayed to end users, has generated the development of new packages
that strive to fulfill these needs and avoid usage of or additional investment
on
acquisition of shelves and exhibitors.
Prior art includes some patents that protect and disclose packaging structures
that
satisfy the above mentioned needs, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,753 granted to
Pigott et al. on Oct. 12, 1993, which refers to a combined product
transporting and
exhibiting unit, including a plurality of product containing trays vertically
set with
divisions vertically supported that keep a space between product containers.
Under
these shipping conditions, the bottom tray is housed and received within a
flange
that rests on a conventional shipping pallet. Each tray is provided with an
individual
angulated support member between an adjacent vertically spaced pair of trays.
A
beam on each corner extends the entire height of the unit providing additional
structural support during shipping only. However, as may be disclosed and seen
in
the Figures hereof, each tray or plate contains products that in turn support
the
next upper tray or plate and so on, hence making it necessary for the products
on
said next upper tray or plate to be organized, then withdrawn in order to have
access to products in the next lower tray, and so on, until products such
packaged
and exhibited in said unit is finished.
The beams on each corner are only used during shipping, and upon arrival to
their
final destination at points of sale they are removed, providing structural
support for
product protection during shipping only.
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U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,692 granted to Stanley E. Knierin on Nov. 10, 1992 refers
to a
container device with open faces, which includes a cover member with an inner
division wall that forms cavities that receive corner beams having a lower
outer wall
in order to tighten and hold the corners of a household appliance. Such cover
and
corner beams may be used separately at will. This type of structure is
designed to
ship products only, more specifically devices of larger dimensions such as
household appliances, in order to protect and stabilize such devices during
their
transportation, not for their exhibition at points of sale.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,941 granted to Robert L. Watson on Jan. 27, 1987 refers to
a
cardboard container for shipping and exhibiting products, comprising of a
plurality
of product support trays vertically set one on top of the other, where the
product on
the lower tray supports the next upper product containing tray.
Other such patents refer to structures usually comprising trays or containers
vertically set and with corner beams as structural elements that protect the
products, during their shipping only. In all of them, products on such trays
or
containers support the next upper product loaded trays.
Said corner beams or corner pieces as reinforcing structural elements
protecting
the products on the above described structures, are made of compressed
cardboard. However, such compressed cardboard beams have always been used
as packaging material and not as exhibitors.
Accordingly, and including the above referenced and cited patents of the prior
art,
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to this date there is not one structure that allows packaging and exhibiting
of
products in a plurality of trays, where said products do not have to support
the next
upper tray, therefore allowing placement of such products on different levels
without affecting the structure's stability.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Making a self-standing exhibiting package that allows vertical placement of
trays at
multiple levels where various products may be placed and contained for their
transportation and exhibition, and which allows for disposition of such
products on
said various levels and on any of their sides is the main objective of this
foregoing
invention.
Another objective of this invention is to make a self-standing exhibiting
package
that will furthermore be structurally functional, resilient and long lasting
available.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a self-standing
exhibiting
package, which will additionally allow complete exhibition of the product from
any
angle and on all levels.
Still another objective of this invention is to provide such self-standing
exhibiting
package that will further make such contained and exhibited products highly
attractive for end users at points of sale in self service stores.
Another objective of this invention is to make a self-standing exhibiting
package
that will furthermore comprise a unique and solid structure.
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A still further objective of this invention is to make such self-standing
exhibiting
package available while also avoiding and eliminating the need to be put
together
at stores, and will furthermore avoid such product's organization for its
exhibition.
5 Another objective of this invention is to make a self-standing exhibiting
package
that will furthermore comprise wide and visible areas for diverse advertising.
And all such qualities and objectives that will become apparent based on the
general and detailed description of the present invention, supported by the
embodiments described herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally, the basic structure of the self-standing exhibiting package in
accordance
to the present invention consists of angular beams (corner pieces) that form a
configuration preferably square or rectangular, although it may be polygonal;
a
plurality. of angular crossbars joined in their end by diverse fixing devices
on such
corner angular beams, and such angular crossbars forming peripheral stands
with
a same level at different heights, spaced between them, where containing and
exhibiting panels may be set with various products, which are stacked or fixed
by
diverse fixing devices on top of said angular crossbars forming said
peripheral
stands, allowing for such stands to be displaced.
Said angular beams and crossbars are preferably made of compressed cardboard,
taking advantage of its structural characteristics of functionality,
resiliency, cost and
recycling capabilities.
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Said beams and said angular crossbars are preferably shaped like an "L", both
sides having the same length, each angular beam is set with its open side
facing
the interior of this preferably rectangular or square configuration.
In one embodiment angular crossbars are attached by an arm to the
corresponding
end arm of said angular beams, leaving the other arm horizontal in order to
allow
for support of product containing stands; even though said angular crossbars
may
be set with a vertical arm in order to capture said support stand from within
and
provide exhibition of the products.
End sections of outer faces of said attaching arms in the angular crossbars
are
spliced with an inner portion thereof in sections at a defined height of such
attaching arms corresponding to said angular beams.
Upper angular crossbars forming the last peripheral stand, apart from being
attached with said angular beams, are joined at their corresponding attached
horizontal upper arms.
Attached ends of said angular crossbars joined at a same level on said angular
corner beams, are spliced one on top of the other.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, product containing and
exhibiting stands are phased out of the center of the package, thus exposed to
or
beyond the middle of each face of the exhibitor, fixed with fixing devices on
said
angular crossbars, hence making stands exposed on opposite sides of the
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package.
According to the above embodiment, corners of the plurality of stands
protruding
from each face of the package comprise an external angular beam that provides
additional support to the protruding section of such product containing
stands,
comprising said outer angular beams, angular crossbars attaching them thereto,
where they rest upon, and they may be fixed to said products containing
stands.
In another embodiment of this package, corner angular beams are set with their
open side facing out and angular crossbars are attached on their edges with
the
outer face of an arm on the outer faces of the corresponding arm of the
angular
beams, such angular crossbars being exposed and substantially phased out,
where each angular crossbar attached to adjacent angular beams support a
product containing and exhibiting stand, which are phased out from the center
with
a protruding section supported by other outer angular beams attached to the
exterior corners of said product containing and exhibiting stands.
In another embodiment of the invention, considering the embodiment above,
corner angular beams are set with their open side facing outwards, and the
ends of
said angular crossbars are fixed with their outer sides on the outer faces of
said
angular beams; multiple levels derive from each corner angular beam,
perpendicular pairs of angular crossbars generate a "V" shaped support where
stands with the shape of 1/.4 circle in order to support and exhibit other
different or
same products, on which edges another vertical angle is fixed to.
These embodiments may be combined based on the desired configuration, and the
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characteristics of said angular beams and crossbars, as well as the products
supporting and exhibiting stands.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, applied to any of these
above
mentioned embodiments, angular beams are supported by a base, tray or pallet
under their lower end.
Attaching and fixing media for said angular beams and said angular crossbars
and
such stands on said angular crossbars are selected from a group consisting of
screws, bolts, staples, rivets, etc.
To allow for a better understanding of the characteristics of the foregoing
invention
this description includes, as an integral part hereof, drawings with
illustrative, and
not limitative, character, and are described below with regards to the
favorite
embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a conventional perspective view of the basic embodiment of the self-
standing exhibiting package.
FIG. la is a conventional perspective view of the basic embodiment of the self-
standing exhibiting package, with another fixing device for the angular
crossbars.
FIG. 2 is a conventional perspective view of another disposition of the
product
containing and exhibiting stands, according to FIG. 1.
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FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of the self-standing exhibiting package in
accordance to the present invention.
FIG. 4 depicts another preferred embodiment of the invention with corner
stands or
shelves.
A detailed description of some of the embodiments of this invention is given
below
to provide a better understanding hereof, with reference to the drawings
attached
hereto with illustrative, not limitative, purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Characteristic details of the self-standing exhibiting package for various
products
are clearly depicted in the following description and in the illustrative
drawings
attached hereto, with reference numerals used to indicate said parts.
With reference to FIG. 1 that is a conventional perspective view of the basic
embodiment of the self-standing exhibiting package. In said Figure, this self-
standing exhibiting package basically consists of corner angular beams 1 made
of
compressed cardboard with their open face facing the inner part of the
rectangular
configuration, with a plurality of angular crossbars 2 made of compressed
cardboard attached on their ends by diverse fixing devices 3 in the inner side
of
said angular beams 1, so that an arm of said crossbars is placed horizontally
and
over the other vertically placed arm attached with said angular beams 1, and
said
angular crossbars provide peripheral supports 4 at the same level at multiple
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heights, thus forming a plurality of consecutive peripheral supports, where
containing and exhibiting stands 5 for various products may be set on, which
are
laid on such peripheral angular crossbars 2 that generate said peripheral
supports
4; stands 5 may slide so they may be withdrawn or inserted therein.
5
Said angular beams 1 and said angular crossbars 2 have preferably an "L" shape
with both arms having the same length.
Angular crossbars 2 are attached with an arm vertically placed on the
10 corresponding adjacent end arm of the angular beams 1, their other arm then
remains horizontal allowing support for product containing stands 5.
End sections of outer faces of said attaching arms in the angular crossbars 2
are
spliced with an inner portion thereof in sections at a defined height of such
attaching arms corresponding to said angular beams 1.
Upper angular crossbars 2 forming the last peripheral support 4, apart from
being
attached with said angular beams 1, are joined at their corresponding attached
horizontal upper arms.
With reference now to FIG. 1a depicts a conventional perspective view of the
basic
embodiment of the self-standing exhibiting package, with another fixing device
for
the angular crossbars. In said Figure, angular crossbars 2 are attached with a
vertical arm on the corresponding adjacent end arm of angular beams 1, their
other
arm then remains vertical and lower respect to the vertical one, so that each
peripheral support 4 captures a product containing stand 5 inside. This same
figure
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also shows attached ends of said angular crossbars 2 joined at a same level on
said angular corner beams 1, are spliced one on top of the other.
Higher angular crossbars 2 may be fixed as they are fixed in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, as upper cap for the end angular beams.
In figures 1 and 1a the lower angular crossbars beside of attached to the
angular
beans 1, they are attached with their corresponding upper adjacent horizontal
upper arms.
With reference now to FIG. 2 that depicts a conventional perspective view of
another disposition of the product containing and exhibiting stands, according
to
FIG. 1. In said Figure, product containing, supporting and exhibiting stands 5
are
phased out from the center of such configuration, exposed to or beyond the
middle
in at least two opposed or adjacent faces of the exhibitor, fixed by diverse
fixing
devices 3 on said angular crossbars 2. Both exposed outer corners of said
plurality
of containing, supporting and exhibiting stands 5 comprise an angular beam 1
in
order to provide support to said exposed sections of said stands 5, said
additional
beans 1 a are comprised of "L" shape additional angular crossbars 2a that are
fixed
with an arm vertically placed, parallel and spliced with the corresponding arm
of the
adjacent additional vertical beam 1a, remaining the other arm horizontally
placed,
either above or below of said vertical arm.
With reference now to FIG. 3 that depicts another embodiment of the self-
standing
exhibiting package in accordance to the present invention. In said Figure,
angular
beams 1 are set with their open face facing outward and angular crossbars 2
are
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fixated on their ends with their one arm outer face on the outer face of their
corresponding arm of said angular beams 1, thus said angular crossbars 2 are
set
at the height of a face of the package with respect to adjacent faces,
therefore it is
possible that in each face of the package, sections of product supporting
stands 5
are exposed, which are phased out from the center, where a phased out section
is
supported by other additional angular beams la with its open face toward the
inside of the structure, which are comprised of additional angular crossbars
2a that
attach adjacent additional angular beams 1a and additional angular crossbars
2b
that attach angular beams 1 with adjacent additional angular beans 1a, so that
said
additional angular crossbars 2a and 2b form peripheral supports of said
protruding
sections of the stands 5. Said angular beans 1 which form a corner with the
square and rectangular central structure comprise angular crossbars 2 as an
upper
cap.
In this embodiment, and as shown in the Figure, it is possible to have product
containing stands 5 at the same height on opposite sides of the package.
With reference now to FIG. 4 that depicts another preferred embodiment of the
invention with corner stands or shelves. In said Figure, the embodiment shown,
is
a variant of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, where the change is on the
additional angular beams 1 a which are set with their open side facing
outwards of
the structure and which likewise comprise the additional angular crossbar 2a
that
attach adjacent additional angular beans 1a and additional angular crossbars
2b
which attach angular beans 1 to adjacent additional angular beans 1 a, in
order to
support the protruding ends of the stands 5. Additionally, at least one
angular
bean I comprises vertical stands 6 that are fixed to one of its lateral ends
on the
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inner faces of the arms of said lateral bean 1 and in other end to the inner
face of
the adjacent additional angular beans la, forming a orthogonal corner, in said
vertical stands 6 are fixed additional crossbars 2c (in same height pairs)
generating
a "V" shaped supports where shelves 7 are placed with the shape of 1/4 circle
in
order to support and exhibit other different or same products.
The structure further comprises a central cubic body 8 as stop means of the
stands
5 and as stabilizer.
This invention has been described with details enough so that those skilled in
the
art may reproduce it and get the results stated herein. However, any person
skilled
in the art of this present invention may do non-described modifications
thereto but
if the application of such modifications in a given structure or its
manufacture
process requires the subject matter included in the following claims, such
structures shall be included in the scope of this invention.
