Special receptacle or package – Convertible to or from display configuration – Having content positioning means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-27
2001-01-09
Ackun, Jacob K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Convertible to or from display configuration
Having content positioning means
C206S467000, C206S471000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170666
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to packaging and display systems using a rigid or semi-rigid tray having compartments that are sealed with films, foils or other lid stock. More specifically, the invention relates to tray configurations that are especially designed to enhance viewing of a front display side of packaged products in point-of-purchase displays located in retail stores.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One type of commonly used packaging for consumable items has a rigid or semi-rigid tray having one or more compartments for containing packaged products, such as snacks. For a snack such as chips and dip, the tray normally includes a compartment that contains the chips and a separate compartment that contains the dip. In many applications, the trays are made from thermo-forming polymeric material. In other cases, formed trays are made from metal (e.g. aluminum) or in some cases from paperboard. A sealing sheet such as film, foil or other lid stock is secured over the compartments, normally by thermal sealing or adhesive, to seal the compartments and keep the products within the compartments fresh.
These types of tray packages are designed so that the sealing sheet is secured to the front display side of the tray package. The sealing sheet often contains printing, and is sometimes transparent to allow prospective consumers to view contents within the compartments. Normally, these types of tray packages are displayed at the point-of-purchase in either horizontal or vertical arrangements on shelves, counters, or floors. When the packages are arranged in this fashion, exposure of the front display side of the package to the consumer is usually compromised. Also, the convenience of viewing the front display side of the tray package is a function of the height of the prospective consumer. For example, a tall person has difficulty reading a package which is displayed vertically and located at a low height. The tall person needs to bend down or back up to view the front display of the tray package. On the other hand, a shorter person may have difficulty reading the front display on horizontally arranged packages without leaning forward in order to gain a full view of the front display on the tray package.
Product marketability is likely to improve when the ability to read and study the front display panel is made more convenient for the consumer. The purpose of the invention is to improve the display and readability of the front display panel on tray packaging at the point-of-sale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a tray packaging and display system that facilitates angular display of the front display side of tray packages at the point-of-sale. The package includes a formed tray having at least one compartment and a front display side and a back side. In accordance with the invention, at least a portion of the back side of the formed tray extends angularly from a top edge portion of the tray and away from the front display side. The angularly extending portion provides clearance for the tray package when the package is held at an angle within a point-of-purchase display such as a vertical clip strip or the like. In order to facilitate convenient viewing of the front display side by prospective consumers, the angle between the angularly extending portion of the back side and the front side display plane is typically within the range of 40°-65°, although angles between 15° to 80° will normally facilitate viewing of the front display side.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the drawings and reading the following description thereof. The invention can be implemented in various embodiments, two of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4854450 (1989-08-01), Fosjer
patent: 4901858 (1990-02-01), Anderson
patent: 5143215 (1992-09-01), Hartley et al.
patent: 5429241 (1995-07-01), Althaus
Form, Fill & Seal Machines brochure, Arlington Pac Inc.
Dixie Line brochure, Dixie Union Packaging Systems.
Pure and Simple brochure, RapidPak, Jun. 1997.
Pure and Simple brochure, RapidPak.
Classic Stoneware Trays brochure, Tenneco Pressware Packaging.
THE STAR TWO S brochure, DellepaC.
Performed Tray Machine brochure, INPACK, Ross Industries, Inc., 1992.
Ackun Jacob K.
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
DesLauriers International, Inc.
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