Special receptacle or package – Article housing attached to panel – Movable or detachable housing closure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-01
2001-10-30
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Article housing attached to panel
Movable or detachable housing closure
C206S470000, C206S462000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308832
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to packages for displaying product for sale and, more particularly, to a display package having a combined display card and container for containing product for display to consumers.
The common practice for displaying small and lightweight retail items, such as 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. The conventional battery package is composed of a display card which provides a generally stiff supportive backing, usually composed of cardboard, and a thermoformed polymeric blister that is bonded to the display card. The display card provides support for displaying the merchandise for sale and contains print with suitable indicia such as advertising and instructions. The thermoformed blister generally comprises two pieces of clear polymeric material, e.g., plastic, that are held together to define a cavity, generally having a shape to fit over and cover the product(s) contained within the package. The blister isolates the product(s) from the purchaser and prevents inadvertent damage that can result from repeated handling prior to sale, while further allowing for the orderly display of product(s) for sale to purchasers.
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. According to one approach, the blister is heat sealed on one side of the cardboard display card. According to another approach, the display card is made of two layers of cardboard with an aperture formed therein. The polymeric blister typically has two pieces, each having a peripheral flange glued between the two layers of cardboard of the display card. Additionally, each display package typically has a through-hole formed in the display card near the top so that the package can be hung on a hook on a display stand in a retail store for display to consumers.
While the aforementioned conventional blister packages for batteries have significant advantages over other conventional product packaging approaches, they possess some inherent disadvantages. To prominently display the products and also decrease the probability of shoplifting, the blister package is relatively large in comparison to some of the products contained therein. Additionally, it is often difficult for the purchaser to gain access to the contents contained in the blister package. With a conventional display card, the card is generally torn open to access the two pieces of polymeric blister which are then separated to expose the products. However, once the package is opened, it is generally no longer conveniently useful for storing batteries or other products, and instead is intended to be discarded. Particularly, when purchasing a package containing a large number of batteries, it becomes even more problematic to store the non-used batteries once the blister package is opened.
Accordingly, there is a need, heretofore unfulfilled, for a relatively inexpensive product display package for displaying products for sale to consumers in a manner that offers reusable product storage. It is further desirable to provide for such a product display package that offers the capability to conveniently store product in a reduced package size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a product display package that is easy to access and allows for a reusable storage housing. To achieve this and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention as embodied and described herein, the present invention provides for a product display package for retaining product. According to one aspect of the present invention, the package includes a reclosable container having a housing defining a compartment adapted to house product and a lid for engaging the housing to close the compartment. The package also includes a display card having a main body and is integrally formed to engage and support the container. A tear section is formed in the display card and is adapted to allow for removal of the container from the display card. Once removed from the display card, the reclosable container may be used without the display card, and may be easily reused to house product.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a display package for retaining product is provided comprising a reclosable container having a housing defining a compartment adapted to house product and a closable lid fit to engage the housing and close the compartment. The container has a peripheral flange extending outward from the container. The package further includes a display card having a main body including a first layer of material attached to a second layer of material. The first layer of material has an aperture formed therein for receiving the container, and the flange of the container is disposed between the first and second layers of material to support the container.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a display package is provided for retaining product comprising a container having a housing defining a compartment adapted to house product and a closable lid fit to engage the housing and close the compartment. The container has a peripheral flange formed outward from the container and further has a member that varies in width so that an upper width is greater than a lower width. The display package also includes a display card having a main body and including a first layer of material attached to a second layer of material. The first layer of material has an aperture formed therein for receiving the container. The flange of the container is disposed between the first and second layers of material to support the container. The member of the container may include a trapezoid shaped housing according to one embodiment, or a trapezoid shaped peripheral flange according to another embodiment. The greater upper width of the member acts like a wedge to prevent the container from being released from the display card due to weight of the product and/or abuse conditions.
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Techform, Inc. 20 Years of Creative Custom Thermoforming, brochure, Nov. 1982.
Casanova Julio C.
Ferguson Mark A.
Pirro Jeffrey P.
Uren Wayne E.
Eveready Battery Company Inc.
Fidei David T.
Fraser Stewart A.
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