Packing method for soft packages

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to using a wholesale package to ship a large number of densely packed retail packages. The wholesale package includes an a top portion which receives a tray portion. At the retail site, the top portion is removed and discarded whereby the tray portion forms a retail display which holds the retail packages in the densely packed configuration. The retail packages are preferably soft packages, such as those using polymeric film to form the walls and being manufactured by form fill seal methods.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 833,837, filed on Jul. 27, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention pertains to the packing of soft packages within a cardboard or similar container which serves as both a shipping container and a retail merchandise display. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Today's retail environment is fiercely competitive in its allocation of shelf space, particularly in grocery stores, “big box” retailers, wholesale clubs and similar establishments. Manufacturers and distributors frequently must make financial arrangements with the retailer in order to place products on the shelves, and these financial arrangements can be calculated on the basis of the linear feet of shelf space allocated to the product. Moreover, inventory management programs typically keep track of the sales of specific products from specific retail shelf spac...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method of packing a plurality of retail units within a single package in a way which efficiently uses retail shelf space, reduces labor for shelf stocking and reduces the material required for packaging.

[0008] It is therefore a further object of this invention to provide a method of packing a plurality of retail units within a single package in a way which tends to reduce merchandising costs, packaging costs and freight costs.

[0009] These and other objects are attained by providing a single wholesale package with a large number of soft retail packages included therein. The wholesale package includes a removable top or outer portion which fits over a retail display tray portion. The top or outer portion of the package can removed at the retail location thereby leaving a retail display tray for the soft retail packages, thereby minimizing the labor required for shelf stocking while maintaining a tightly packed configuration which increases the number of retail packages in a given length of retail shelf space.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, typical prior art packaging of multiple retail units within a single package requires store personnel to remove the retail units from the package and discard the package.

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