Special receptacle or package – Holder for a removable electrical component – For a battery
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-21
2004-05-18
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Holder for a removable electrical component
For a battery
C206S703000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06736267
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to display cards for displaying products for sale and, more particularly, to a hanging display card package having a combined display card and container for retaining product for display to consumers.
A common practice for packaging and displaying small retail items, such as cylindrical alkaline batteries, is to package the items in thermoformed blister packages and place the packages on shelves or hang the packages on hooks on various display racks. Conventional battery packages are generally composed of a display card which provides a generally stiff supportive backing, usually composed of cardboard, and a thermoformed polymeric blister that is bonded or otherwise attached to the display card. The display card provides support for displaying the merchandise for sale and usually contains print with suitable indicia, such as advertising, trademarks, and instructions.
With battery display packages, batteries of the same size are commonly made available to consumers for purchase in a package containing a predetermined number of batteries. The batteries are displayed and sold in blister-type packages which usually contain two, four, or eight batteries commonly packaged in each display package. In accordance with one battery packaging approach, the thermoformed blister generally comprises a piece of transparent polymeric material, e.g., plastic, heat-sealed to the front side of the display card. According to another approach, a clam-type thermoformed polymeric blister, generally having a shape to fit over and cover the batteries, is supported on the cardboard display card. The clam-type polymeric blister typically has two pieces, each having a peripheral flange disposed between the two layers of the cardboard of the display card. The blister isolates the product from the surrounding environment and prevents inadvertent damage to the product that can result from repeated handling prior to sale. Additionally, the blister allows for the orderly display of products for sale to purchasers.
Hanging display packages generally include a closed loop hanger hole formed in the display card near the upper edge. The hanger hole enables the package to be hung on a hanger, such as a hook, on a display stand for display to consumers in a retail store. The hanger hole is formed by cutting (e.g., stamping) away a piece of card material from the cardboard display card in a shape sufficient to receive the hanger. It is generally preferred that the hanger hole be located as close to the upper edge as possible, so as not to interfere with the surface area available on the display card for displaying print indicia and retaining product. However, a sufficient amount of the card material must be present between the hanger hole and the upper edge of the display card to provide adequate strength to support the package on the hanger and prevent tearing of the display card. A tear in the display card may render the display package unhangable on the display stand and torn display cards are generally unattractive to consumers, thus rendering the package less desirable. The potential for torn display cards increases with heavier packages, shortened distance between the hanger hole and upper edge, and misuse by retail customers or store clerks.
Accordingly, there is a need, heretofore unfulfilled, for a hanging product display package for displaying product for sale to consumers having a display card that provides a hanger hole of sufficient strength to hold the product on a display stand without tearing the display card. In particular, it is desirable to provide for such a hanging product display package that retains batteries for display and sale to consumers in retail stores.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a display card and product display package having a reinforced hanger hole that is resistant to tearing. To achieve this and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention as embodied and described herein, one aspect of the present invention provides for a display card for retaining product. The display card includes a main body including a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge. The display card has a closed loop hanger hole formed in the main body that is adapted to receive a hanger to hang the display card for display. The display card also has a tape reinforcement layer adhered to the main body in a region adjacent to the hanger hole to enhance the strength of the display card between the hanger hole and the edge of the main body.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a display package for retaining product is provided. The display package comprises a container having a housing defining a compartment adapted to house product. The display package also has a display card having a main body and supporting the container. The display card has a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge. The display package further has a closed loop hanger hole formed in the display card for allowing the display package to be hung from a hanger for display. A tape reinforcement layer is adhered to the display card in a region adjacent to the hanger hole to provide reinforced strength between the hanger hole and the edge of the display card.
Accordingly, the tape reinforcement layer advantageously enhances the strength of the region adjacent to the hanger hole. The enhanced strength region adjacent to the hanger hole prevents tearing of the display card, particularly during abusive handling of the display package. Accordingly, a more attractive product display package is maintained, which is particularly useful for displaying small items, such as batteries, for display to consumers in retail stores.
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2983087 (1961-05-01), Schofield
patent: 4682447 (1987-07-01), Osborn
patent: 4764028 (1988-08-01), Wood et al.
patent: 4948267 (1990-08-01), Kaldenbaugh
patent: 6308832 (2001-10-01), Pirro et al.
patent: 6364115 (2002-04-01), Casanova et al.
patent: 2001/0052478 (2001-12-01), Casanova et al.
Fidei David T.
Gifford, Krass, Groh Sprinkle, Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
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