Cutting box with enhanced product information presentation

Abstract

A cutout box with enhanced product information display includes a product container whose front wall forms a surface area facing in the direction of observation when placed on a shelf. A lid at least partially encloses the top of the product container to close an opening to make the cutout box suitable and to accommodate products therein for shipping. A display panel is hinged to the front wall to pivot between a retracted position extending generally coplanar with one of the product container walls during shipping and storage and an extended position extending substantially coplanar with the front wall and below the bottom wall when placed on a shelf to at least partially cover the shelf on which the product container is placed. The front wall holds the product within the container and the display panel displays product information on a surface area larger than the surface area of the front wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to containers for shipping and displaying products, and more specifically to a cutting box with enhanced product information display. Background Technology

[0002] Product manufacturers, especially those selling to consumers, typically have two concerns regarding product packaging. The first is that the boxes or containers used to ship the products must securely contain and protect them during shipment. The second is ensuring that the products are properly displayed and promoted when they arrive at retail stores. This includes maximizing the display of product information or exposing the product to attract consumers' attention and providing them with important or relevant information to pique their interest in viewing the merchandise and encouraging them to purchase it. Such containers are often referred to as “cut-out box” displays. These are boxes and methods used for selling and storing products that utilize the original packaging boxes used for shipping, with the top and / or sides of the boxes removed to display the product on the shelf.

[0003] To provide the aforementioned functionality, several cutting boxes and other designs have been proposed. Displayers with reinforcing panels / devices have been designed to cover at least a portion of the shelf on which the cutting boxes are supported. For example, display reinforcing panels / devices that can be mounted on the front edge of the shelf have been proposed. Patent number DE102007041253A1 discloses a book sleeve for holding magazines, etc., having a downwardly sloping tongue, a portion of which is exposed on the top surface of the shelf supporting the book sleeve, or located on the front edge of the shelf from an observer's perspective. The area of ​​the tongue used to provide additional information is very limited. Furthermore, once the tongue is in its operational position, it is unavoidable that the contents of the book sleeve will remain inside the book sleeve during display. This may not be a problem for magazines or brochures, but it can be a significant problem for larger three-dimensional objects placed in the book sleeve. The book sleeve includes a promotional panel / tongue that falls on the front of the bottom side of the book sleeve. This promotional panel can be fixed to the front edge of the shelf.

[0004] Patent references (e.g., US 6,811,044 B2, US 6,341,755 B1) disclose a shelf adapter. The shelf adapter can be mounted on the edge of a shelf and supports products to be displayed. The shelf adapter includes a promotional panel that rests in front of the shelf. The promotional panel displays prices and product information.

[0005] Japanese Patent JP3159608U discloses a display device for promoting books. The device includes a pair of clips that display information about the books. The device is also capable of supporting the books. The device can be installed on a shelf, with one of the promotional clips positioned in front of the shelf.

[0006] Other references (e.g., JPI-107:2329B2, US748761IB2, JP2007061194A, JP5317727B2, and DE343872IA 1) disclose a device for promoting merchandise displayed on shelves. The device is mountable on the shelf. The device displays product information and price details. References JPH071232982 and JP5317727B2 further disclose separate slots for displaying price tags. Other references (JP2006158761A and JP3173596U) disclose a product advertising display device. The device is mounted on a display shelf. The display shelf is pull-down to accommodate the display device. Other references US 4,138,012A and JP2009183348A disclose a display device for displaying products. The display panel is placed at the bottom of the item storage area.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 4,350,281 discloses an integral shipping container with cut-out box protection. However, once the top cover or sleeve is removed, the remaining front wall of the container provides a very limited surface area to display information about the contents of the product displayed inside the box. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box that has an enhanced product information display when on a shelf.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box that is easy to use and implement when displayed on a retail shelf.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box as described above, which safely stores products during shipment and keeps products in the cutting box during display by preventing products from accidentally spilling out of the box or falling off the shelf.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box as described above, which significantly increases the display surface area for advertising, product information, etc.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box as described above, the cutting box including a retainer for holding the display panel in its fully extended display position.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cutting box as described above, which includes a notch or cut portion on a display panel to expose a price tag or label at the edge of a retail shelf, while the display panel in an extended position covers the rest of the shelf located near the cutting box.

[0015] To achieve the foregoing objectives and other objectives that will become apparent hereinafter, the cutting box with enhanced product information display according to the invention comprises a product container having a bottom wall, spaced side walls, a spaced rear wall and a front wall, and an open top, which together form a space for displaying the product therein when the product container is placed on a shelf. When on a shelf, the front wall has a predetermined surface area facing a viewing direction. The lid is sized to at least partially accommodate the product container to close the top of the opening, thus adapting the cutting box for shipping and / or storing the product container and the product contained therein. When the cutting box displays the product on a shelf, a display panel is provided that moves relative to the front wall to a position substantially coplanar with the front wall, thereby extending below the bottom wall to at least partially cover the shelf where the product container is placed. The front wall holds the product within the container while providing product information on a surface area larger than the predetermined surface area of ​​the front wall. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cutting box according to the present invention, showing in cross-section the product container and lid or cover after assembly for shipment or storage;

[0018] Figure 2 Similar to Figure 1 It shows that as the cover or shroud is removed from the product container, the display panel inside the container is essentially in a coextensive position with the front wall of the product container.

[0019] Figure 3 Similar to Figure 2 And showed from Figure 2 The display panel shown is pivoted or folded around the hinge.

[0020] Figure 4 Similar to Figure 3 The display panel is from Figure 1 and Figure 2 The initial position shown has been pivoted 180 degrees and extended to its operating position;

[0021] Figure 5 It roughly corresponds to Figure 3 Perspective view;

[0022] Figure 6 It roughly corresponds to Figure 4 Perspective view;

[0023] Figure 7 Similar to Figure 2 However, it shows an alternative embodiment in which the display panel initially extends together with the bottom wall of the cutting box;

[0024] Figure 8 Similar to Figure 4 , showed Figure 7 The display panel is positioned in its extended and working display location;

[0025] Figure 9 Is with Figure 7 The view shown roughly corresponds to the perspective view;

[0026] Figure 10 It roughly corresponds to Figure 8 Perspective view;

[0027] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of another alternative embodiment, in which the display panel and the cutting box are not integrally formed, but are separate panels that can be attached to the front wall;

[0028] Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 The display panel is fixed to the front wall, overlapping the front edge of the shelf; and

[0029] Figure 13 Similar to Figure 6 and 10 , used for Figure 11 and 12 The example shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar parts are always indicated by the same reference numerals, first refer to... Figure 1 This illustrates one embodiment of a cutting box with enhanced product information display according to the present invention, which is generally indicated by the number 10.

[0031] The cutting box 10 includes a product container 12 having a bottom wall 12a, spaced-apart side walls 12b and 12c, spaced-apart rear walls 12d and front walls 12e, and an open top 12f, which together form a space for displaying the product inside the box when the product container 12 is placed on a shelf.

[0032] The front wall 12e forms a predetermined surface area S1 that is normally visible on the shelf for viewing.

[0033] The cover or hood 14 is configured to partially contain the product container 12 to close the opening at the top 12f, so that the cutting box is suitable for shipping and / or storing the product container and the product contained therein.

[0034] For display in retail stores, such as Figure 1 and 2 As indicated by arrow 16, when placed on shelf 18, the cover or hood 14 is lifted to expose the top 12f of the opening and the product inside container 12.

[0035] Typically, the height of the rear wall 12d of a cutting box is greater than the height of the front wall 12e to better display or showcase the products inside the container. However, in the cutting box 10, the height of the rear wall 12d is approximately equal to the sum of the height of the front wall 12e and the height of the upper display panel 20 attached to the front wall 12e. The display panel 20 is hinged to the front wall 12e to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The display panel 20 pivots between the retracted positions shown. During shipment, the display panel 20 is substantially coplanar with the front wall 12e and extends substantially together with the fixed front wall 12e in the extended position, preferably extending below the bottom wall 12a when placed on the shelf 18 to at least partially cover the shelf where the product container is placed. In this way, the front wall 12e serves to hold the product within the product container 12 to prevent the product from accidentally falling out of the product container and leaving the shelf 18, while the display panel 20a provides an enlarged surface area S2 ( Figure 4 and 6 ), to be in the anterior wall 12e ( Figure 5 The information is displayed on a larger surface area S1.

[0036] A hinge 22 is provided between the upper display panel 20 and the front wall 12e to facilitate the movement of the panel 20 from... Figure 1 and Figure 2 Pivot or fold to the position shown Figure 4 and 6 The display or operation location shown is as follows: Figure 3 As indicated by arrow 24. The specific hinge 22 used is not critical and can be a plastic hinge, a crease around which the corrugated cardboard can be folded, or a weakened line formed by an indentation or partial cut line slightly above the front wall 12e. When the product container 12 is covered by a lid or cover 14, the hinge 22 should be sufficient to allow the display panel 20 to move from a position substantially coplanar with the front wall 12e to a pivot position of approximately 180 degrees after the lid of the product container 12 is removed, so as to at least partially cover the shelf 18 on which the product container is placed.

[0037] Reference Figure 2The front wall 12e has a height h1 above the bottom wall 12a, and the display panel 20 has a height h2 above the bottom wall 12e. The display panel 20 is coplanar with the front wall, and h2 is chosen to be greater than h1 so that when pivoting from the retracted position... Figure 4 When the extended position shown covers the front wall 12e, the display panel 20 at least covers the shelf 18 and preferably extends below the shelf 18. The height or thickness of the shelf 18 is h3, and the invention allows h2 to be approximately equal to or greater than h1 + h3. When the height of the cutting box is H( Figure 2 When ), H is approximately equal to h1 + h2.

[0038] The material forming the cutting box 10 is not critical; it can be corrugated cardboard, laminated plastic, or any other suitable or conventional material used for cutting boxes.

[0039] Reference Figure 5 The cutting box container 12 includes a locking mechanism for locking when the display panel 20 is in use. Figure 5 When pivoted onto the front wall 12e, the display panel 20 is secured and held in its extended position. This securing device can be used to hold the display panel in place. Figure 6 Any conventional equipment for the display position shown, and may include magnet pairs or hook-and-loop fasteners on the surfaces of the display panel and front wall, which are configured to align when the display panel 20 is moved to its extended position.

[0040] Another feature of the invention is that a notch or cutout portion 28 is provided to expose a portion of the shelf 18 when the display panel 20 is moved to the extended position, such as Figure 6 As shown, when the display panel is in its extended or operational position, a price tag or label 30 is exposed at the edge 18' of the shelf 18 near the cutting box. The notched cut portion can be made larger or smaller and placed anywhere along the display panel to fit or conform to the position of the retailer's price tag or label on the shelf edge.

[0041] Reference Figure 7-10 This illustrates another embodiment 10' according to the invention, wherein the front wall 12e has a lower edge or hinge 32, as shown in the figure. Figure 7 As shown, the display panel 34 is connected to the lower edge or hinge 32. The display panel 34 is arranged to expand together with the bottom wall 12a before being displayed, and when pivoted 90 degrees (arrow 24) to... Figure 8 and 10 In the extended position shown, the display panel 34 at least partially covers the shelf 18 where the product containers are placed. In this embodiment, the height or thickness h3 of the shelf is covered by the display panel 34, which, in its extended position, has a height h4 below the front wall 12e, and h4 is approximately equal to or greater than h3.

[0042] In this embodiment, since the panel is not protected by the cover or shroud 14 during shipment, any suitable form of fastener or retainer protects the display panel 34 during shipment or storage by holding it in its retracted position attached to the bottom wall 12a. Such a fastener may include tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc., and can be easily removed to allow the display panel 34 to pivot or fold. Figure 8 and 10 The shown extension or operating position.

[0043] As with the previous embodiments, the cutting box 10' may also advantageously be provided with a notch or cutout 28 to display a price tag or label that is normally affixed to the shelf edge 18' near the cutting box location, so that the price tag or label can be seen even if the display panel 34 covers all or most of the remaining adjacent edge surface of the shelf 18.

[0044] exist Figure 11-13 The diagram illustrates yet another embodiment 10 of the invention. In this embodiment, the display panel 20' is not initially fixed to or integrally formed with the container. Instead, the display panel 20' is initially a separate component or member comprising an inverted U-shaped cross-section 22', which is constructed and sized to slide into the upper edge of the front wall 12e, as shown below. Figure 12 and 13 As shown. The display panel 20′ can be stored in the box for shipping or storage purposes, and can be removed so that the display panel can be placed on the front wall 12e as shown when the box is placed on a shelf for display.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the display panel does not have an inverted U-shaped structure along its top edge. In this case, any other attachment mechanism can be used to secure the display panel to the front surface of the front wall 12e, such as matching hook and loop fasteners, double-sided tape, release adhesive, etc.

[0046] Therefore, the present invention considers different forms or embodiments for securing a display panel to an enlarged or reinforced display surface area on the front surface of the front wall of the cutting box. For the purposes of this invention, the specific manner in which the display panel is stored or maintained during shipment and storage is not critical. The only important aspect is that the raised or reinforced display panel is shipped with the cutting box and can be attached to or pivoted relative to the front wall to cover the front surface of the front wall and at least partially overlap the front edge of the shelf supporting the cutting box. In each of the above embodiments, the display panel extends to the bottom edge of the shelf. However, this is not critical, and the height of the display panel can be less than or greater than the indicated height to partially expose the shelf, completely cover the front edge of the shelf, or extend below the shelf.

[0047] It is evident that the present invention provides a larger or increased surface area to provide additional product information to promote the product and increase sales without affecting simplicity, manufacturing costs or product display inside the box, and without requiring additional, auxiliary or separate panels or accessories that are fixed to the shelf as other display devices.

[0048] The foregoing description is merely intended to illustrate the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since many modifications and alterations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific constructions and operations shown and described; therefore, all suitable modifications and equivalents are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cut box having enhanced product information display when placed on a shelf, characterized by, comprising: a product container having a bottom wall, spaced apart side walls, spaced apart back and front walls and an open top, collectively defining a space for displaying a product within the space when the product container is placed on a shelf, the front wall defining a surface area facing in an observation direction when the product container is placed on a shelf; a cover dimensioned to at least partially receive the product container to close the open top, to make the cutout box suitable for shipping and / or storing the product container; and a display panel defining a plane arranged to move from a storage position relative to the front wall to a working position substantially coplanar with the front wall and extending below the bottom wall when the product container is placed on the shelf, to at least partially cover the shelf on which the product container is placed, whereby the front wall holds the product within the container and provides product information over a surface area larger than the surface area of the front wall, wherein the front wall has an upper edge and the display panel is hingedly connected to the upper edge.

2. The cutting box of claim 1, wherein, The display panel substantially coextends with the front wall when the product container is covered by the cover, and after removal of the cover the display panel is arranged to pivot 180 degrees to at least partially cover the shelf on which the product container is placed.

3. The cutting box of claim 2, wherein, The front wall has a height "h1" above the bottom wall, and the display panel has a height "h2" above the front wall when the display panel is coplanar with the front wall, the "h2" being larger than the "h1", so that the display panel extends at least below the bottom wall when pivoted from the storage position to the working position to cover the front wall.

4. The cutting box of claim 3, wherein, The cutout box has a height H, and H ≈ h1 ± h2.

5. The cutting box of claim 1, wherein, Further comprising a securing means for securing the display panel in the working position when pivoted onto the front wall to coextend therewith.

6. The cutting box of claim 5, wherein, The securing means comprises mating hook-and-loop fasteners on the display panel and the front wall, arranged to align when the display panel is moved to the working position.

7. The cutting box of claim 1, wherein, The display panel is provided with a recessed or cut-out portion to expose a portion of the shelf when the display panel is in the working position, to enable viewing of a price sticker or label at a location on an edge of the shelf proximate to the cutout box.

8. The cutting box of claim 1, wherein, The height of the front wall is less than the height of the back wall.

9. The cutting box of claim 1, wherein, The display panel is integrally formed with the product container.

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