Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02827163 2014-02-28
PRODUCT PACKAGE WITH CORNER PROTECTORS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100011 Retailers are continually evolving product displays in hopes of
discovering more
effective and visually attractive means for displaying products to potential
consumers. The
retail display of frames, artwork, other wall hangings, or similar products
offered for retail
sale presents specific challenges as potential consumers generally want to
view and/or
tactilely examine edges and corners of the products, but the same areas of the
products
need to be protected during transport and display. Consequently, new
aesthetically
pleasing packaging that allows for tactile examination and viewing while still
protecting
the products from inadvertent damage are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One aspect of the present invention relates to a product package
including a
backer and a corner protector. The backer is formed from as a single piece and
includes a
back panel having an edge, a flange, one or more fold lines, and a slot. The
one or more
fold lines extend along the edge of the back panel, and the slot is positioned
near the one or
more fold lines. The flange extends from the one or more fold lines away from
the back
panel and is folded about the one or more fold lines to extend over the back
panel. The
corner protector is formed as a single piece separate from the backer and
includes a front
section, a side section, and a rear section. The front section extends
substantially parallel
to and spaced from the back panel of the backer, and the side section extends
from the
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front section toward the backer. The rear section extends from the side
section opposite
the front section and through the slot of the backer. The rear section is
maintained between
the back panel and the flange. Other related products, assemblies and methods
are also
disclosed and provide additional advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Or THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the
figures, in
which like reference numerals denote like elements, and in which:
100041 Figure 1 is a front, perspective view illustrating a retail product
assembly,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[00051 Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the retail product assembly of
Figure 1,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
100061 Figure 3 is a rear view illustrating the retail product assembly of
Figure 1,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
10007j Figure 4 is a right side view illustrating the retail product assembly
of Figure 1,
according to one embodiment of the present invention; the left side view is a
mirror image
of the right side view.
100081 Figure 5 is a top view illustration of the retail product assembly of
Figure 1,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
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100091 Figure 6 is a bottom view illustration of the retail product assembly
of Figure 1,
according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] Figure 7 is a front view illustration of an unfolded backer of the
retail product
assembly of Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
100111 Figure 8 is a rear view illustration of the unfolded backer of Figure
7, according to
one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] Figure 9 is a front view illustration of an unfolded corner protector
of the retail
product assembly of Figure 1, according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] Figures 10-14 axe partial perspective view illustrations of a package
in a sequence
of assembly steps during construction of the retail product assembly of Figure
1, according
to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] Figure 15 is a detailed right side view illustration of a top portion
of the package
of Figure 14, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Embodiments of a product package of the present invention are
configured to
display a product in a retail display, for example, on a shelf or hung from a
retail support
rod. More specifically, a package includes a backer sized and shaped to
substantially cover
a rear surface of the product and corner protectors coupled to the backer to
both secure the
product to the backer and protect the product from incidental damages. In one
example,
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the corner protectors are substantially transparent allowing a potential
consumer to frilly
view the front and sides of the product without removing the product from the
package. In
one example, a substantial entirety of the front and side surfaces of the
product are exposed
even while the product is in the package thereby allowing the potential
consumer to
interact with and tactilely examine the product without removing it from the
package. In
one example, the package is assembled without the use of tools.
100161 Turning to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-6, a retail product
assembly 10
includes a product 12 and a package 14, for example, for transport and retail
display and
sale of product 12. Product 12 is any retail item being offered for sale with
suitable overall
dimensions, e.g, a largely two-dimensional product with a substantially
smaller third
dimensional size. Example products 12 include a frame, artwork, other wall
hanging,
container, or other suitable product. In the illustrated embodiment, product
12 includes a
front surface 20, a rear surface 22 (generally indicated in Figure 1)
substantially opposite
front surface 20, and sidewalls 24 extending from a perimeter of front surface
20 to a
perimeter of rear surface 22. Front surface 20 and rear surface 22 define a
length and a
width of product 12, and the length and the width are each substantially
greater than a
depth of product 12 defined by sidewalls 24, in one embodiment. One or more of
front
surface 20 and rear surface 22 are substantially planar, in one example. In
other examples,
one or more of front surface 20 and rear surface 22 is substantially non-
planar.
100171 In one example, package 14 includes a backer 30 and corner protectors
32. Each
of backer 30 and corner protectors 32 is assembled with one another
substantially without
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the use of tools, In one example, backer 30 is formed of cardboard,
paperboard, or other
suitably rigid yet readily disposable material, and each corner protector 32
is formed from
a piece of a substantially transparent sheet, Backer 30 and corner protectors
32 interact
with each other via fold lines, slots, and tabs substantially or entirely
without the use of
tools as illustrated in the figures. In one example, package 14 additionally
includes a
hanger 34 to facilitate hanging package 14 from a retail support in a retail
display (not
shown).
[0018] Backer 30 is formed, more particularly, from a folded cardboard or
similarly
formed flat blank as illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Backer 30 is
substantially planar and
defines an interior surface 42 and an opposite exterior surface 43. In one
embodiment,
backer 30 includes a back panel 50, a top flange 52, a bottom flange 54, and
opposing side
flanges 56. Each of top flange 52, bottom flange 54, and opposing side flanges
56 extend
from a different fold line along an outer perimeter edge of back panel 50 and
are adapted to
be folded inwardly over the corresponding fold lines back onto interior
surface 43 of back
panel 50. It should be understood that directional terminology used throughout
this
application is provided for clarity with respect to the orientation of the
drawings rather than
referring to "a first side," "a second side," "a third side," etc. Terminology
such as "top,"
"bottom," "left," "right," "side," "upward," "downward," etc. should be
understood to be
relative to an illustrated orientation and are not intended to limit use of
the retail product
assembly in which the entire assembly is rotated, e.g., rotated 90 degrees or
180 degrees in
either direction.
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[0019] More specifically, back panel 50 is formed with overall dimensions and
shape
substantially identical to, but slightly larger than the overall dimensions
and shape of
product 12. In the illustrated embodiment, product 12 and back panel 50 are
both
substantially identically formed as rectangles. Backer 30 defines a different
fold line along
each linear boundary edge of back panel 50. In particular, backer 30 defines a
top fold line
pair 60 extending along a top perimeter portion of back panel 50, a bottom
fold line pair 62
extends along a bottom perimeter portion of back panel 50, and opposing side
fold line
pairs 64 extend along opposing side perimeter portions of back panel 50. Each
fold line
pair 60, 62, and 64 is formed by two substantially parallel fold lines
positioned apart a
distance substantially equal to or greater than twice a thickness of backer
30, in one
embodiment. In one example, a single fold line is used as an alternative to
one or more of
fold line pairs 60, 62, and 64.
100201 Top flange 52 extends outwardly away from top fold line pair 60 to top
free edge
80, for example, a topmost free edge that extends substantially in parallel
with top fold line
pair 60. One or more tabs 82, for example, two tabs 82 are defined to extend
slightly
upwardly from a remainder of top free edge 80. Each tab 82 is spaced from but
positioned
near to side edges 84 of top flange 52. Side edges 84 extend from top free
edge 80 toward
top fold line pair 60. In one example, side edges 84 extend from top free edge
80 with an
initially linear and substantially perpendicular orientation relative to each
of top fold line
pair 60 and top free edge 80. A second portion 86 of side edge 84 angles from
a first
portion 88 of the respective side edge 84 outwardly and downwardly, tapering
toward a
respective end of top fold line pair 60. In one example, elongated slots 66
are defined at
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two locations along top fold line pair 60 and each extends between the two
fold lines
comprising top fold line pair 60. Each slot 66 is, in one example, centered
laterally (e.g.,
left and right in Figures 7 and 8) relative to one of tabs 82, and has a
longer lateral
dimension than the one of tabs 82. Two internal, coupling apertures 90, for
example,
rectangular coupling apertures, are defined between top fold line pair 60 and
top free edge
80. Each coupling aperture 90 has a lateral position centered with respect to
different
corresponding ones of tabs 82 and slots 66.
10021] Bottom flange 54 extends outwardly away from bottom fold line pair 62
to
bottom free edge 100, for example, a topmost free edge that extends
substantially in
parallel with bottom fold line pair 62. One or more tabs 102, for example, two
tabs 102,
are defined to extend slightly upwardly from a remainder of bottom free edge
100. Each
tab 102 is spaced from, but positioned near to, side edges 104 of bottom
flange 54. Side
edges 104 extend from bottom free edge 100 back toward bottom fold line pair
62. In one
example, a first portion 108 of each side edge 104 extends from bottom free
edge 100 with
an initially linear orientation substantially perpendicular to each of bottom
fold line pair 62
and bottom free edge 100. A second portion 106 of each side edge 104 angles
from an
outside end of first portion 108 of the respective side edge 104 outwardly and
upwardly,
tapering toward a respective end of bottom fold line pair 62. In one example,
elongated
slots 66 are defined at two locations along bottom fold line pair 62 and each
extends
between the two fold lines comprising bottom fold line pair 62. Each slot 66
is, in one
example, centered laterally (e.g., left and right in Figures 7 and 8) relative
to oAe of tabs
102, and with a longer lateral dimension than the one of tabs 102. Two
internal, coupling
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apertures 110, for example, rectangular coupling apertures, are defined
between bottom
fold line pair 62 and bottom free edge 100. Each coupling aperture 110 has a
lateral
position centered with respect to different corresponding ones of tabs 82 and
slots 66.
[00221 In one embodiment, side flanges 56 are formed as substantially mirror
images of
one another on opposing sides of back panel 50. Each of side flanges 56
extends
outwardly away from a different one of side fold line pairs 64 to a side free
edge 120, for
example, an outermost free edge that extends substantially in parallel with
side fold line
pair 64. A different cutout 122 is formed at each end of side free edge 120
with a
substantially L-shape. Side edges 124 extend from outermost edges of cutouts
122
inwardly and longitudinally outwardly to a corresponding side fold line pair
64. In one
example, C-shaped or U-shaped cut lines or slits 70 are defined at two spots
along side fold
line pair 64 between the two fold lines comprising side fold line pair 64.
Each slit 70 is, in
one example, elongated and defined near a different end of each side fold line
pair 64.
Each slit 70 extends between the two corresponding fold lines of a side fold
line pair 64
and longitudinally along the outermost fold line of the corresponding side
fold line pair 64.
[0023] FIanger 34 is any suitable hanger, member, or other device to
facilitate placement
of retail product assembly 10 in a retail setting. In one example, hanger 34
is similar to the
hangers described in U.S. Patent No. 8,418,858, issued on April 16, 2013.
Hanger 34, as
shown in the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1-6 and 8, for example,
includes a primary
panel 130 and a U-shaped hooked section 132 extending away from and hingedly
coupled
with primary panel 130. More specifically, primary panel 130 is substantially
rectangular
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and defines a top edge 134 and a bottom edge 136 opposite top edge 134.
Apertures 138
extend through an interior portion of primary panel 130 located between top
edge 134 and
bottom edge 136.
[0024] During use, hanger 34 is coupled to a portion of exterior surface 44
defined by
back panel 50 of backer 30 according to the illustrated embodiment. More
specifically,
primary panel 130 is coupled with back panel 50, for example, via suitable
fasteners 140
extending through apertures 138 of hanger 34 and coupling apertures 68 of back
panel 50,
Hooked section 132 extends from top edge 134 of primary panel 130 and is
configured to
fold and unfolded about its hinged coupling with primary panel 130 to move
between a
position extending above a remainder of retail product assembly 10 during use
and a
position within the overall footprint of retail product assembly 10 during
transport. When
in a use position, hooked section 132 is placed over supporting rods or other
suitable
structure in a retail display (not shown) to hang retail product assembly 10
therefrom. In
one example, hanger 34 is eliminated from retail product assembly 10.
[00251 Package 14 includes two or more corner protectors 32, for example, four
corner
protectors 32, Corner protectors 32 are each configured to be placed around at
least two
opposing comers of product 12 to securely maintain product 12 in package 14.
In one
embodiment, each corner protector 32 is substantially identical and interacts
with backer
30 in a substantially identical fashion, but in a different corner of backer
30 with a
corresponding different orientation. In one example, each corner protector 32
is formed of
a flat blank of a sheet material that may have thermoformed pre-folded or
other wise
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=
defined fold lines. In one example, the sheet material is transparent,
translucent, or
opaque, Each corner protector 32 defines an interior surface 150 (Figure 9),
which
generally faces toward product 12 upon assembly of retail product assembly 10,
and an
exterior surface 152), which generally faces away from product 12 upon
assembly of retail
product assembly 10.
[00261 In one example, as illustrated in at least Figures 1-6 and 9, corner
protector 32
includes a first rear section 160, a second rear section 162, a first side
section 164, a front
section 166, a second side section 168, a tab 170, and flap 172. First rear
section 160 is
substantially rectangular and defines and extends between a free end edge 180
and a fold
line pair 188. In one embodiment, each fold line in fold line pair 188 and
free end edge
180 is substantially linear and extends substantially parallel to one another,
First rear
9
section 160 further defines two opposing free side edges 182 extending from
and, in one
example, substantially perpendicularly to, free end edge 180 to fold line pair
188. First
rear section 160 defines a slit 184 in an internal portion thereof, that is,
spaced from each
of free end edge 180, fold line pair 188 and opposing free side edges 182. In
one example,
slit 184 is at least partially semi-circular or otherwise suitably shaped to
define an internal
tab 186 therein. Tab 186 selectively bends slightly rearwardly and away from a
remainder
of first rear section 160 to interface with backer 30 as will be further
described below. In
one example, corner protector 32 defines a slit or elongated slot 190 between
fold line pair
188.
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100271 Second rear section 162 extends from fold line pair 188 away from free
end edge
180 to a fold line 194, which extends substantially parallel to each fold line
in fold line pair
188. Second rear section 162 is substantially rectangular, in one embodiment,
and defines
free sides edges 192 extending from and collinearly with free side edges 182
of first rear
section 160. First side section 164 extends from fold line 194 away from sepnd
rear
section 162 to a fold line 198, which extends substantially parallel to fold
line 194. In one
embodiment, first side section 164 has a height that is greater than a height
of each of first
rear section 160 and second rear section 162 such that a free edge 196 of
first side section
164 extends from and collinearly with one of free side edges 192, and first
side section 164
extends away from free edge 196 past the other free side edge 192 to a fold
line 216. Fold
line 216 extends substantially parallel to free side edges 182 and 192, and
free edge 196
and is positioned a further distance away from free side edges 182 and 192 and
free edge
196 than free side edges 182 and 192.
[0028] Front section 166 extends from fold line 198 to define a front free
edge 200,
which extends from an end of free edge 196 opposite free side edge 192 and
defines an
angle of about 45 degrees, with other angles between about 20 degrees and 60
degrees also
being contemplated, between front free edge 200 and fold line 198. Front
section 166 is
triangular, more specifically, in one example, an isosceles triangle, bound by
fold line 198,
front free edge 200, and a fold line 202. Fold line 202 extends substantially
perpendicularly to fold line 198, for example, substantially parallel to free
edge 196 and
free side edges 192 and 182. Second side section 168 extends away from fold
line 202 to a
free edge 206 opposite and, in one embodiment, substantially perpendicular to
fold line
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202. Second side section 168 includes a free edge 204 extending from an end of
front free
edge 200 opposite free edge 196, for example, in a direction substantially
parallel fold line
198_
[0029] Tab 170 extends away from free edge 206 along a fold line 208
positioned
collinearly with free edge 206 Tab 170 defines free edge 212 opposite fold
line 208 and
opposing side edges 210 generally extending from fold line 208 to free edge
212. Notches
or indentations 214 are formed on opposing side edges 210 substantially
immediately
adjacent fold line 208 and free edge 206. In one example, tab 170 has a
smaller width
between indentations 214 than between opposite side edges 210 adjacent
indentations 214.
[0030] Flap 172 extends from fold line 216 away from first side section 164 to
a flap free
edge 220. In one embodiment, free edge 220 extends substantially parallel to
fold line 216
and is positioned on an opposite side of fold line 216 as compared to free
edge 196 of first
side section 164. Flap 172 includes cut side edges 218 along opposing sides
thereof
extending between and, in one example, substantially perpendicular to fold
line 216 and
flap free edge 220. One of cut side edges 218 extends between and immediately
adjacent
flap 172 and second side section 168 and terminates in a small circle 222 to
decrease the
likelihood of tearing corner protector 32 where the corresponding cut side
edge 218
terminates at an internal portion of corner protector 32.
[0031] Package 14 is assembled at least partially around product 12, If hanger
34 is
used, in one example, hanger 34 is coupled to, for instance through, back
panel 50, before
corner protectors 32 are coupled with backer 30, for example, as illustrated
in Figure 8. In
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other embodiments, hanger 34 is coupled to package 14 after package 14 is
partially or
fully assembled and/or coupled with product 12.
[00321 In one embodiment, a first corner protector 32 is coupled to backer 30
as
illustrated in Figures 10-14, which successively show steps in one example of
coupling a
top, right one of corner protectors 28 to backer 30. Referring to Figure 10,
in one
embodiment, first and second rear sections 160 and 162 of corner protector 32
are slid
from an exterior side of backer 30 through one of slots 66 to interior side of
backer 30 such
that a remainder of corner protector 32 is positioned immediately adjacent and
substantially parallel to exterior surface 44 of backer 30. Top flange 52 is
folded about
fold line pair 60 over back panel 50 such that the portion of exterior surface
44 defined by
top flange 52 faces away from back panel 50. Accordingly, top flange 52 is one
example
of means for partially covering interior surface 42 of back panel 50 along an
outer edge of
back panel 50, Folding top flange 52 pushes first and second rear sections 160
and 162
down to fit adjacent and extend substantially parallel to portions of interior
surface 42
defined by back panel 50 and top flange 52. Referring to Figure 12, first rear
portion 160
is subsequently folded about fold line pairs 188 of corner protector 32 such
that slot 190
receives a corresponding tab 82 of backer 30 and a portion of interior surface
150 of corner
protector 32 defined by first rear portion 160 is placed immediately adjacent
the portion of
exterior surface 44 defined by top flange 52. Tab 186 is pressed rearwardly
down through
a corresponding coupling aperture 90 to further secure first rear section 160
to top flange
52.
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[0033I Subsequently, as illustrated with reference to Figure 13, right side
flange 56 is
folded forwardly over back panel 50 about fold line pair 64 such that a
portion of exterior
surface 44 formed by side flange 56. In one example, folding right side flange
56 over
back panel 50 creates a side slot due to U-shaped slit 70 as the portion of
backer 30 inside
U-shaped slit 70 does not fold forwardly, but instead remains substantially
coplanar with
back panel 50 (see also Figures 1-3). In one embodiment, folding side flange
56 over back
panel 50 forms an aesthetically pleasing mitered comer between top flange 52
and side
flange 56 where angled, second portion 86 of side edge 84 of top flange 52 is
positioned
immediately adjacent angled side edges 124 of side flange 56. Cutout 122 of
side flange
56 further accommodates a corner of top flange 52 such that side flange 56 and
top flange
52 do not overlap one another such that portions of exterior surface 44 of
backer 30
collectively defined by top flange 52, bottom flange 54, and side flange 56
provide an even
and substantially planar front surface or base for receiving rear surface 22
of product 12,
[0034] After side flange 56 is folded over back panel 50, all of corner
protector 32 other
than first and second rear sections 160 and 162 is folded about fold line 194
relative to
second rear section 162 to extend forwardly from backer 30. When so folded,
first side
section 164 extends substantially perpendicularly relative to back panel 50,
and fold line
194 is positioned in slot 66 of backer 30. Next, flap 172 folds about fold
line 216 to extend
perpendicular to first side section 164 and just forward from an edge of
backer 30 defined
by corresponding side fold line pair 64 as is illustrated in Figure 13.
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(00351 Referring to Figure 13 in view of Figure 14 and the corresponding right
side view
of corner protector 32 of Figure 15, front section 166 with second side
section 168 and tab
170 are folded rearwardly about fold line 198 until front section 166 extends
substantially
perpendicular to first side section 164 (i.e., substantially parallel to back
panel 50). When
so positioned, a portion of front section 166 adjacent second side section 168
is placed
immediately adjacent a frontmost one of cut edges 218 of flap 172.
Subsequently, second
side section 168 is folded about fold line 202 and tab 170 is folded about
fold line 208, and
tab 170 is slid into backer 30 through a slot formed by U-shaped slit 70 when
side flange
56 is folded over back panel 50 to lock corner protector in place by receiving
a portion of
backer 30 adjacent side slots in indentations 214 (Figure 9) defined by tab
170. In this
manner, corner protector 32 forms a substantially triangular chamber adjacent
backer 30 at
a corner of backer 30. Accordingly, corner protector 32 is one example of
means for
defining a chamber partially over top flange 52, over side flange 54, and/or
over back
panel 50 of backer 30.
100361 As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, while the coupling of
one corner
protector 32 to backer 30 is specifically described and illustrated, in one
example, the two
top corner protectors 32 are at least partially coupled to backer
simultaneously such that
both corner protectors 32 are inserted into their respective slot 66 before
top flange 52 is
folded over backer panel 50. The two bottom ones of corner protectors 32 are
coupled to
backer 30 partially around bottom flange 54 in a similar manner as the top
corner
protectors 32 are described above as being coupled with backer 30 partially
around top
flange 52. No matter the sequence of assembly, corner protectors 32 are nearly
entirely
CA 02827163 2014-02-28
positioned within the overall footprint of backer 30, which, when folded for
use, has two
dimensions just slightly larger than product 12.
[0037] Next, the two bottom comer protectors 32 are partially assembled to
backer 30 to
a point that first rear section 160 is secured to bottom flange 54 and both
bottom flange and
side flanges 56 are folded over back panel 50. At this point, the two top
corners of product
12, defined at an intersection between two sidewalls 24 thereof, are each
placed in a
different one of the two top corner protectors 32, which also places the two
bottom corners
of product 12 to align with bottom corners of backer 30. In one example, as
illustrated
with reference to Figure 3, when product 12 is positioned relative to backer
30, back panel
50 substantially entirely covers a rear surface 22 of product 12. Accordingly,
back panel
50 is one example of means for substantially entirely covering rear surface 12
Of product
12.
[0038] After product 12 is properly positioned relative to backer 30, the
bottom corner
protectors 32 are folded over and secured to sides of backer 30 around the
bottom corners
of product 12 to securely couple product 12 to backer 30. In one example,
adhesive
members or stickers 230 are subsequently secured to a portion of exterior
surface 152 of
corner protector 32 defined by second side section 168 and an adjacent portion
of exterior
surface 44 of backer 30 defined by back panel 50 to further secure corner
proctors to
backer 30, and therefore, product 12 to package 14. While described as
assembling top
corner protectors 32 followed by bottom corner protectors 32, the opposite
assembly is
also contemplated and would produce substantially identical results. No matter
the
16
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CA 02827163 2014-02-28
sequence of assembly, corner protectors 32 are nearly entirely positioned
within the overall
footprint of backer 30, which, when folded for use, has two dimensions just
slightly larger
than product 12. Also, as described above, the orientation of package 14 can
be rotated 90
degrees and still achieve substantially the same results. Other variations in
the sequence of
assembly will also be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this
applicAion.
[00391 In view of the above, package 14 securely holds product 12
substantially within
the overall footprint of product 12 such that right to left and up and down
shifting or
product 12 is substantially eliminated due to interaction of product 12 with
opposing
corner protectors. In addition, a height that corner protectors 32 extend from
backer 30 is
just greater than a thickness of product 12 such that forward and rearward
shifting of
product 12 in package 14 is decreased and/or substantially eliminated via
interaction of
product 12 with flanges 52, 54, and 56 of backer 30 and front sections 166 of
corner
protectors 32. In this manner, package 14 holds product 12 in a secure manner
while
providing protection to corners of product 12, which are typically the most,
prone to
damage during shipping and/or other handing.
[0040] In addition, the sides of product 12 extending between corner
protectors 32
remain exposed allowing a consumer to touch, feel, and/or otherwise fully
examine the
profile, finish, texture, thickness, etc. of product 12 to infomi their
purchasing decision. In
one example, the transparent and/or translucent nature of corner protectors 32
allows a
consumer to fully visually inspect the comer construction of product 12. By
allowing the
consumer to tactilely and visually examine product 12, the consumer is more at
ease with
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the shopping process leading to consumer happiness that, in turn, promotes a
good
reputation for the manufacturer and/or retailer driving initial and repeat
sales of items
being offered for sale by the manufacturer and/or retailer. As a result, the
retail product
assembly 10, as described herein, provides a protective package 14 for product
12 that does
not substantially restrict consumer observance of product 12.
[0041] Although the invention has been described with respect to particular
embodiments, such embodiments are meant for illustrative purposes only and
should not
be considered to limit the invention. Various alternatives and changes will be
apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. Other
modifications within
the scope of the invention and its various embodiments will be apparent to
those of
ordinary skill.
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