Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02292121 1999-12-08
PATENT
DOCKET N0. 340076-135
TRANSPARENT BOX FOR DISPLAYING AND STORING CD RACKS AND THE LIKE
Background of the Invention
The present invention relates to boxes for CD racks and the
like, and to methods of forming them. An example of a box (or
carton) known in the prior art is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3
generally at 100. Box 100 is made from a(n) (opaque) cardboard
sheet configured with six side panels 104, 108, 112, 116, 120
and 124, a bottom flap and a similarly-configured top flap 132.
An end panel flap overlaps and is glued to an inside surface of
an opposite end panel to hold the panels in a tubular-like
shape. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top flap 132 includes two
side flaps 136 and 140 with slots 144 and 148 formed therein.
To close the top flap 132 (and similarly the bottom flap 128),
the tuck flaps 152, 156 and 160 are tucked in, as shown in FIG.
2, and the tabs 164 and 168 are inserted into the slots 144 and
148, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 3. Pictures, words,
logos, instructions and/or advertisements 172 are provided
crowded on each of the panels and the top and bottom flaps.
When the boxes containing the CD racks or the like are stacked
on retail shelves together with boxes of competing goods, the
indicia 172 are confusing to the consumers, not distinguishing
one box from the other, and making for a very "busy" display.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, directed to overcoming the disadvantages of
the prior art, disclosed herein is a transparent box for
displaying and storing CD racks and the like. Although a number
of box sizes and configurations are disclosed herein to hold
various sizes and shapes of CD racks, each of the boxes is
constructed from a single sheet of transparent material such as
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plastic. Each of the sheets includes a plurality of side-by-
side panels separated from each other by fold lines. The panels
are (releasably) connected in a tubular-like configuration by
edge tabs fitting into slots at an opposite panel edge. One of
these tab-slot arrangements includes a plurality of spaced slots
formed along a fold line between a narrow end panel and an
adjacent panel, and the corresponding tabs extend out from a
side edge of an opposite end panel. The tubular-like
configuration can have a hexagonal shape, a rectangular shape,
an isosceles-trapezoid shape, an arcuate shape, or a rounded
triangular shape. Many of the disclosed boxes include a top flap
and a bottom flap, each of which is held in place with a slot
and interlocking tab arrangement. One of the arrangements
includes at least one central slot or opening in a first flap
and a central punch-out tab in a second flap, wherein to close
the end of the tubular-like configuration the flaps are
overlapped and the tab inserted into the opening. The various
(mechanical) tab and slot arrangements are preferably the sole
means for holding the sheet in its box shape; that is, no
adhesives, staples or other fasteners are used.
The thin (.45mm) polypropylene plastic material used to
form the boxes preferably has thin parallel lines (ridges on the
exterior surface). The lines reduce reflection and increase the
boxes' durability. The lines in the clear packaging make
additional lines or bends in the packaging resulting from
handling thereof less noticeable. The transparent plastic
packaging construction has a number of advantages over the prior
art cardboard construction including that it is easier to ship;
it is easier to pack as a whole and does not require extra
attention. Because the box can be completely unfolded flat, it
is less apt to fall apart. In contrast, when a cardboard box is
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folded it is more likely to tear at the bends. The present
boxes create displays that are less busy and crowded than the
prior art box of FIG. 1. The clear packaging creates a simple
look, which is preferred by retailers.
The box can also include a top hanger tab flap, which folds
down onto itself or the top of a panel and locks in a folded-
down position. The top hanger tab flap includes matching
openings whereby the top tab flap defines a hang tab. A hanger
at a retail location is inserted into the matched openings, and
the box hangs from the hanger in a convenient display position.
One box can hang from each hanger, or a series of boxes can hang
from each hanger. For the hanger embodiments, in particular, the
ends or sides need not be completely enclosed by end or side
flaps; rather, the flaps are configured to simply be large
enough and secured to block the contained article (e.g., CD
rack) from sliding out the ends or sides. Additionally, the
ceiling panel of the hanger box, in particular, can be bowed
instead of flat for example to accommodate a rounded article.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become more apparent to those persons having ordinary skill in
the art to which the present invention pertains from the
foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a box of the prior
art.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the top of the box of FIG.
1 showing the top flap in an open position.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the flap being
locked closed.
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FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first box of the present
invention.
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the first box.
FIG. 5a is an enlarged view taken on circle 5a of FIG. 5.
FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view taken on line 5b-5b of
FIG. 5a.
FIG. 5c is an enlarged view taken on circle 5c of FIG. 5.
FIG. 5d is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line
5d-5d of FIG. 5c.
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the sheet used to form the box
of FIG. 4 illustrated in a flat unfolded configuration.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first box showing the
top and the bottom flaps in an open position.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the top of the first box
showing the top flap being closed.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8 showing the
top flap in a nearly closed position.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second box of the
present invention similar to the first box and showing a CD rack
being displayed and stored therein.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third box of the present
invention with a tall CD rack being displayed and stored
therein.
FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of the third box.
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the third box.
FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the third box.
FIG. 15 is a bottom (or top) plan view of the third box.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a fourth box of the
present invention with a CD rack displayed and stored therein.
FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the fourth box.
FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the fourth box.
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FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the fourth
box.
FIG. 20 is a bottom (or top) plan view of the
fourth box.
FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the sheet used to form the
fourth box flat unfolded position.
in a
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a fifth box of the present
invention with CD rack shown displayed and stored herein.
a t
FIG. 23 is a top plan view of the fifth box.
FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of the fifth box.
FIG. 25 is a side elevational view of the fifth box.
FIG. 26 is a top end view of the fifth box.
FIG. 27 is a bottom end view of the fifth box.
FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the sheet used to form the
fifth box in a lat unfolded position.
f
FIG. 29 is a perspective of a sixth box of the present
invention with CD rack shown displayed and stored herein.
a t
FIG. 30 is a front elevational view of the sixth box.
FIG. 31 is a left side elevational view of the ixth box.
s
FIG. 32 is a right side elevational view of the sixth box.
FIG. 33 is a bottom plan view of the sixth box.
FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the sixth box.
FIG. 35 is a top plan view of the sheet used to form the
sixth box shown in a flat unfolded position.
FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a seventh box of the
present nvention and stored
i with
a
CD
rack
shown
displayed
therein.
FIG. 37 is a front elevational view of the box of the
seventh
box.
FIG. 38 is a right side elevational view of the seventh
box.
FIG. 39 is a left side elevational of the seventh box.
FIG. 40 is a top plan view of the seventh box.
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FIG. 41 is a bottom plan view of the seventh box.
FIG. 42 is a top plan view of a sheet used to form the
seventh box in a flat unfolded position.
FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an eighth box of the
present invention with a CD rack shown displayed and stored
therein.
FIG. 44 is a top plan view of the eighth box.
FIG. 45 is a bottom plan view of the eighth box.
FIG. 46 is a left side elevational view of the eighth box.
FIG. 47 is a right side elevational view of the eighth box.
FIG. 48 is a top plan view of the eighth box.
FIG. 49 is bottom plan view of the eighth box.
FIG. 50 is a top plan view of the sheet used to form the
eighth box in a flat unfolded position.
Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention
A number of transparent display and storage boxes of the
present invention are pictured in the drawings and described
below. Each of the boxes is preferably formed from a single
continuous sheet of transparent material. The sheet is die cut
into the desired shape and fold lines are scored on to the
interior or backside of the sheet. An example is sheet 200
(FIG. 6) used to form the first box shown generally at 204 in
FIG. 4. The sheet 200 preferably has a narrowly spaced parallel
diagonal lines 208 formed as ridges on the top or outer surface
of the sheet as can be seen in FIGS. 5b and 5d. The diagonal
lines not only reduce light reflection on the box, but also
apparently make the plastic material stronger and more stable.
The sheets are a flexible transparent plastic having sufficient
rigidity so as to be self-standing when each of the boxes is
folded and tab locked in place and when empty. Indicia can be
printed on the outer surface of the boxes such as is shown in
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FIG. 4 at 212. The indicia 212 can include logos, descriptive
writing, trademarks, patent numbers, and/or small pictures of
the contained goods, such as CD racks including stackable CD
racks.
FIG. 6 shows the sheet 200 in a flat unfolded position. It
is seen to include a plurality of side-by-side panels each
separated by fold lines. The panels include a very narrow first
end 216, a central panel 220 and a second end panel 224, a first
panel 228, a second panel 232, a third panel 236, and a fourth
panel 240, and fold lines 244, 248, 252, 256, 260 and 264.
Three narrow slots are formed at the fold line of the first end
panel and the first panel. They are sized and positioned to
receive therein the three tabs 268, 272, 276 extending out from
the side edge of the second end panel 224. It is seen that each
of the tabs 268, 272, 276 has a hexagonal configuration to more
effectively lock into each of the respective slots 280, 284,
288, each having a lip shape. When locked into the slots a
hexagonal tubular-like arrangement as shown in FIG. 7 is formed.
At ends of the central panel 220 are top and bottom flaps
292, 296. The flaps have side flaps 300, 304, 308, 312 with
slots 314, 316, 318, 320 formed in the centers of each of the
fold lines of the side flaps. Pentagonal top tuck flaps 328,
332, 336, 340, are formed at the tops and bottoms of the second
and third panels 232, 336, and isosceles-trapezoid tuck flaps
344, 348 are provided at the top and bottom of the second end
panel 224. As illustrated in FIG. 7 by the arrows, the tuck
flaps 328, 332, 344 are folded into the end opening of the
tubular-like arrangement and the top flap 292 folded in with the
side flaps 300, 304 folded in with respect to the main body of
the top flap. The tabs 352, 356, 360, 364 at the top and bottom
ends of the first and fourth panels 228, 240 are inserted into
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the slots 314, 316, 318, 320 to releasably lock the top and
bottom flaps 292, 296 in closed positions, as can be seen in
FIGS. 8 and 9.
With the top and bottom flaps 292, 296 folded and tab
locked into position, the self-standing transparent box 204 as
shown in FIG. 4 is thereby defined. This box 204 can take many
sizes and shapes, as would be apparent to those skilled in the
art, to display and store different sizes and shapes of CD racks
and other objects. For example, a variation of the box of the
FIG. 4 is illustrated in FIG. 10 generally at 370. This box 370
is shorter than the first box of FIG. 4. FIG. 10 also
illustrates a CD rack 374 displayed and stored therein. As can
be seen because of the unique transparent construction of the
box 204 or 370, the CD rack 374 therein can be readily viewed by
the potential consumer. This makes for easier and quick
identification of the boxed article by the potential consumer.
It also makes for a more attractive appearance of the boxed
article as compared with the very busy and confusing opaque
cardboard box of FIG. 1, for example. This construction has
also proven to be popular with retailers because of its neutral
appearance and because it is not busy and loud with graphics.
Additionally and advantageously, the plastic transparent box
(204) is lighter than the prior art cardboard box 100.
FIGS. 11-15 show a third box 380, which is a second
variation of the first box of FIG. 4. This box 380 has a tall
slender configuration to display and store taller objects such
as the CD rack 382 shown in FIG. 11. Otherwise the third box
380 is similar to the first and second boxes.
A fourth box of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 16
20 generally at 400. Similar to the other boxes of this
invention, it is formed from a single sheet of material of
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transparent material as shown in an unfolded laid flat position
in FIG. 21 generally at 404. Referring thereto, sheet 404
includes a series of parallel panels separated by fold lines
408, 412, 416, 420 and including a first end panel 424, a narrow
second end panel 428, a generally central panel 432, and first
and second panels 436, 440. The fold line 420 between the
second panel and the second end panel includes four spaced lip
slots 450, 454, 458, 462, which are adapted to receive therein
respective ones of the four tabs 466, 470, 474, 478, which
extend out from the first end panel 424. When inserted therein,
an isosceles-trapezoid shape tube as can be understood from FIG.
is thereby defined.
The top and bottom flaps 482, 484 are formed at the top and
bottom ends respectively, of the central panel 432 and separated
15 therefrom by respective fold lines 488, 492. At the ends of
both of the flaps 482, 484 are end flaps 502, 504 with the fold
lines 506, 510 between the end flap and the respective top and
bottom flaps including central slots 506, 510, respectively.
The central slots 506, 510 are adapted to receive therein the
20 (hexagonal) tabs 514, 518, which extend from the tops and
bottoms of the second panel 440. With the trapezoidal-shaped
tuck flaps 522, 528, 530, 534 at the tops and bottoms of the
first end panel 424 and the first panel 436 folded in, and with
the panels in the tubular configuration, the top and bottom
flaps 482, 484 are folded in and the end flaps 502, 504 folded
down to open up the respective slots 506, 510 and the tabs 514,
518 inserted therein to close off the tops and bottom ends of
the tubular-like configuration. This forms a self-standing
transparent display and storage box 400, which can be used for
example to display and store a CD rack such as shown in FIG. 16
at 546.
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A fifth box of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 22-
27 generally at 580 to store a CD rack 582 (FIG. 22), for
example. The sheet 584 used to form the box 580 is shown in a
flat unfolded condition in FIG. 28. It comprises an end panel
588, a floor panel 592, and a ceiling panel 596, separated by
fold lines 600, 604. The end panel 588 and the floor panel 592
are separated by fold line 608 and a slot 612 is formed in the
center of the fold line 600. Tabs 620, 624 are formed at the
end edge of the end panel 588 and a pair of push-out tabs 628,
632 are formed in the central portion of the end panel. With
the ceiling panel 596 folded on to the floor panel 592 about the
fold line 604 and the end panel 588 tucked folded underneath the
ceiling panel along the fold line 600, the end tabs 640, 644 are
fitted into the spaced slots 648, 652 in the floor panel 592 and
the punch-out tabs 628, 632 are fitted into the other two slots
656, 660 parallel thereto in the floor panel 592. Side flaps
664, 668 extending out from side edges of the ceiling panel 596
are folded about their respective fold lines 672, 674, and the
tabbed ends 676, 678 are inserted into parallel slots 680, 684
in the floor panel 592.
A tab strip 686 extends out an end edge of the floor panel
592. It includes portions 688, 690, a fold line 692 separating
the portions, openings 694, 696 in the respective portions 688,
690 and a projecting tab end 698. By folding portion 690 on
fold line 692 and inserting tab end 698 in slot 612, a hanger
tab is formed. As shown in FIGS. 22-24, the openings 694, 696
are aligned to form an opening for a display hanger at the
retail establishment.
A sixth box of the present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 29-34 generally at 700. It can be understood from these
figures that this box 700 has a rectangular configuration to
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preferably display and store therein a rectangular or cubicle or
block shaped article such as the two-stack CD rack as shown in
FIG. 29 at 704.
The sheet of material 708 used to form the sixth box 700 is
shown in a flat unfolded position in FIG. 35. Referring
thereto, it is seen to include a first end panel 712, an
opposite narrow second end panel 716, a central panel 720, and
first and second panels 724, 728 wherein the panels are
separated by fold lines 732, 736, 740, 744. Three slots 748,
752, 756 are formed in the fold line between the second end
panel 716 and the second panel 728. These slots 748, 752, 756
are adapted to receive therein three tabs 764, 768, 772,
respectively, which extend out the edge of the first end panel
712. A top flap 780 is positioned at the top of the central
panel 720, and it has a top strip flap 784, which folds on its
fold line 788. When folded it defines a pair of lipped slots
792, 796 for receiving therein the tabs 800, 804, respectively.
With the three tabs 764, 768, 772 inserted into the three
slots 748, 752, 756, a rectangular-shaped tubular structure is
formed. The two top tuck flaps 812, 816 at the tops of the
first end panel 712 and the first panel 724 are folded in, the
top flap 780 folded down and the top strip flap 784 folded in.
The slots 792, 796 are thereby opened and the tabs 800, 804 can
be inserted therein to lock the top flap 780 in place and to
thereby close the top end of the tubular-like structure.
The bottom flap configuration is slightly different. It is
seen to comprise two flaps 820, 824, one at the bottom of the
central panel 720 and the other at the bottom of the second
panel 728. The flap 820 at the bottom of the central panel has
four openings or central slots 824, 828, 832, 836. The other
bottom flap has two pairs of punch-out tabs 840, 844, 848, 852.
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The punch-out tabs are pushed out and inserted into the
respective openings to lock the two flaps 820, 824 together to
form the bottom flap construction of the box 700. The locations
of the openings and the punch-out tabs can be reversed on the
flaps 820, 824, if desired. Before the punch-out tabs are
inserted into the slots the tuck flaps 860, 864 as provided at
the bottoms of the first end panel 712 and the first panel 724
are tucked in. The bottom end of the box 700 is thereby
enclosed.
A seventh box, which is similar to the just described sixth
box, is illustrated in FIGS. 36-41 generally at 880. ~It also
has a block or rectangular shape and thus can accommodate
cubicle types of objects, such as the CD rack shown in FIG. 36
generally at 884. The box 880 is formed by a transparent sheet
888 as shown in FIG. 42 in an unfolded flat configuration.
The sheet 888 comprises a first end panel 892, a narrow
second end panel 896, a central panel 900, a first panel 904,
and a second panel 908, and fold lines 912, 916, 920, 924.
Three slots 928, 932, 936 are formed in the fold line 9~4
between the second panel 908 and the second end panel 896.
These slots are adapted to receive therein the three tabs 940,
944, 948, respectively, extending out from the edge of the first
end panel 892. When the tabs are so inserted, a rectangular
tubular construction is formed. A top flap 960 extends up from
the top of the central panel 900 and has an end strip flap 964.
The fold line 968 between the end strip flap 964 and the body of
the top flap 960 defines a central slot 972 for receiving
therein the tab 976 at the top of the first end panel 892. With
the two top tuck flaps 980, 984 at the tops of the first panel
904 and the second panel 908 tucked in, the end strip flap 964
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folded in and the tab inserted 976 into the slot 972, the top
end of the tubular configuration is closed off.
Similar to the sixth box, the seventh box 880 includes a
pair of bottom flaps 1000, 1004 which cooperate together to
define the bottom flap construction. One of the bottom flaps
1000 extends down from the first end panel 892 and the other
flap 100 from the central panel 900. One has four punch-out
tabs 1008, 1012, 1016, 1020, and the other has four corresonding
slots 1024, 1028, 1032, 1036 positioned for receiving the tabs
therein. The punch-out tabs are inserted into the slots after
the two bottom tuck flaps 1040, 1044 at the bottoms of the first
and second panels 904, 908 have been tucked in. A secure bottom
flap enclosing the bottom end of the box 880 is thereby formed.
Similar to the fifth box previously described, the eighth
box 1100 of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 43-49, also
includes a hanger tab 1104 which when folded on its fold line
1108 and the projecting ends 1112, 1116 of the tab inserted into
slots 1120, 1122 in the floor panel 1129, define an outwardly
projecting hanger tab 1104. This tab 1104 has aligned openings
1124, 1128 defining a through-slot, which can hang on a hanger
in a retail establishment to display the transparent box 1100
and thereby the article 1132 displayed and stored therein for
sale. The displayed article 1132 can be, for example, a CD rack
such as shown in FIG. 34.
A narrow end panel 1140 is to one side of the floor panel
1120, as shown in FIG. 50, and separated therefrom by a fold
line 1144. And the ceiling panel 1148 is to the other side of
the floor panel 1120 and separated therefrom by a fold line
1152. A second end panel 1156 is at the opposite side of the
ceiling panel 1148 and separated therefrom by fold line 1160.
The fold line 1144 between the first end panel and the floor
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panel 1120 is cut to define three spaced slots 1172, 1176, 1180.
These slots are positioned and configured to receive therein the
three tabs 1184, 1188, 1192 extending out from the edge of the
second end panel 1156 whereby the second end panel defines an
end wall and the ceiling panel 1148 bows down to the opposite
edge of the floor panel 1120 as can be seen in FIG. 43 and in
FIGS. 48 and 49, for example.
The end of the tube defined by the ceiling panel 1148, the
floor panel 1120 and the second end panel 1156 is closed off or
blocked by a large tab 1200 extending down from the ceiling
panel 1148 and which is inserted into a long slot 1204 in the
floor panel 1120. The large tab 1200 then forms a locking loop
at the end of the box 1100 opposite to the hanging tab end. The
open top end of the tubular-like construction of the eighth box
1100 is partially closed; and its corner is reinforced with a
triangular flap 1210 extending from a top edge of the ceiling
panel 1148 and an angled tab 1220 extending up from a top end of
the second end panel. The tab 1220 has a protrusion 1224 which
is fitted into a slot 1228 in the triangular flap 1210. This
can be seen in FIGS. 43 and 49, for example.
From the foregoing detailed description, it will be evident
that there are a number of changes, adaptations and
modifications of the present invention which come within the
province of those skilled in the art. For example, goods or
objects other than CD racks can be displayed and stored in the
transparent boxes of the present invention. Additionally, the
transparent sheets used to form the boxes can be sized and
configured as needed to display and store objects of different
sizes and shapes, as would be apparent to those in the art.
Further, the diagonal lines can be eliminated or different line
patterns provided. A less preferred embodiment makes the
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boxes) from a semi-transparent or opaque sheet, preferably a
thin flexible plastic sheet. However, it is intended that all
such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention
be considered as within the scope thereof.
