GB2278103A

GB2278103A - Packaging array

Info

Publication number: GB2278103A
Application number: GB9308142A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Nigel Crown; Neil William Douglas Halford
Original assignee: Artform International Ltd
Current assignee: Artform International Ltd
Priority date: 1993-04-20
Filing date: 1993-04-20
Publication date: 1994-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-20
Also published as: WO1994024018A3; WO1994024018A2; GB9308142D0; AU6646194A; GB2278103B

Abstract

A packaging array is described which comprises an elongate display support (21) and a plurality of hanging packages (24) suspended therefrom. The support (21) has a fixed end and a free end (23) and has (i) a downwardly inclined section (22) between its ends or (ii) means for moving hanging packages (24) towards its free end (23), or both. The hanging packages (24) have suspension means whereby they are threadedly engaged with the elongate display support (21) and spacer means (1) arranged adjacent to the suspension means having a depth comparable to or greater than the greatest depth of the hanging package (24). <IMAGE>

Description

PACKAGING ARRAY This invention relates to packaging arrays, and more particularly to a package and display means for feeding packaged products to a consumer take-off point.

In supermarkets and other self-service stores articles are frequently sold in hanging packages adapted to hang from supports in a packaging display. In a common practice, a number of the packages are threaded on an elongate support in a rowforming an array, allowing the customer to remove the package nearest to the end of the support. A display stand may have a large number of such supports and packages. Although by no means essential, many of such packages have at least one wall or a portion thereof formed from a transparent plastic film. Typical of such display packages are blister packs, clam-shell packs, and similar designs. These packages usually incorporate a piece of card as a backing or spine, the card having a hole adjacent one edge region thereof, by which the package can be suspended from a display stand.

Hanging packages and arrays of the type described are very convenient and have been widely adopted, even for small items, which are often packaged in large hanging packages to reduce the risk of pilferage. They do, however, have several disadvantages. Firstly, the blister packs and clam-shell packs are often of irregular shape, for example a blister pack usually comprises a flat card having a dome-shaped central region of vacuum-formed transparent plastic film containing the article. When a number of these packs are threaded on an elongate support they tend to "bunch-up" due to their irregular shape, giving an untidy and unsightly appearance. Moreover, as the nearest packages are removed from the elongate support, the remaining packages, which are further away from the customer, are more difficult to see on the display stand and may be overlooked.The elongate supports are often quite long, up to 60 cm in length, and therefore the last few packages are also quite difficult to remove.

The present invention provides a novel combination of a display support and packages threaded thereon in which, as a package is removed from a free end of the support, another takes its place.

The invention also provides a hanging package, and an attachment device for a display package, shaped so as to reduce the "bunching-up" problem.

The invention further provides a display support having means for moving packages threaded thereon towards a free end of the support.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging array comprising an elongate display support and a plurality of hanging packages suspended therefrom, the support having a fixed end and a free end and having (i) a downwardly inclined section between its ends or (ii) means for moving display packages towards its free end, or both, and the display packages having suspension means whereby they are threadedly engaged with the elongate display support and spacer means arranged adjacent to the suspension means having a depth comparable to or greater than the greatest depth of the display package.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment device for a hanging package of the type adapted to be suspended from an elongate display support, the package having suspension means whereby the package can be threadedly engaged with an elongate display support, the attachment device comprising spacer means which, when the device is attached to the package, is arranged adjacent to the suspension means and which has a depth comparable with or greater than the greatest depth of the display package.

In a further aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment device for a hanging package, the device comprising suspension means whereby the package can be threadedly engaged with an elongate display support, and spacer means arranged adjacent to the suspension means, the spacer means having a depth comparable with or greater than the greatest depth of the display package.

The elongate display support may comprise a single elongate rod, having a fixed end adapted to be secured to a wall or display stand, and a free end with an end portion adapted to prevent the hanging packages from falling off the support, but allowing the hanging packages to be sequentially removed therefrom.

For greater strength, and to improve the stability of the packages in a vertical plane, it is however preferred to use a support comprising two parallel rods or tubes or a single U-shaped rod or tube having elongate arms. Where a U-shaped rod is used, the extremities of the arms are preferably anchored to the wall or display stand to form the fixed end of the elongate support. The elongate support may be formed from metal or plastic materials, or a combination thereof.

The end portion of the elongate display support can be adapted to retain the display packages in any convenient way, for example it may have a bulbous end, or the end may be hook-shaped and up-turned sufficiently to prevent the hanging packages from sliding off the support. A generally hook-shaped elongate support is preferred for use in the invention.

In one preferred embodiment the elongate display support has a downwardly inclined section between its fixed and free ends whereby the hanging packages can slide under gravity along the support towards the free end. This is only possible to arrange consistently if "bunching-up" can be avoided as will be explained later.

In another preferred embodiment the elongate display support is provided with means for moving the hanging packages towards its free end, which means may, for example, be spring activated or comprise an elastic member.

Such a support is in itself novel and is included within the invention.

By way of example, the support may have a push means threaded thereon, the push means carrying a roll spring whose free end is attached to the free end of the support so that the push means is urged by the roll spring in the direction of the free end. When hanging packages are threaded onto the support the push means is moved back towards the fixed end but continues to urge the packages towards the free end under the action of the spring. The roll spring can, in appropriate circumstances, be replaced by a tension coil spring or an elastic member as appropriate. The surface of the elongate support is preferably smooth to allow for low-friction travel of the packages therealong.

The suspension means can be, for example, a hole or hook of a size sufficient to allow the package to be threaded on the elongate support and to allow the package free movement therealong. The hole or hook is preferably situated adjacent the top edge of the package for example at a point that is from 75% to 90% of the height of the package, or the height of the package plus attachment device if present. It may be formed in the package itself, or in the attachment device if present, or both. The hole or hook may be circular, where a single rod-shaped support is used, but is preferably elongate, to permit the use of two parallel rods, or a U-shaped rod, as the support.

Where an attachment device is used, this is preferably provided with a hole or hook which, in use, is in register with a similarly sized hole or hook adjacent the top edge of the package.

The suspension means desirably provides a low friction surface in contact with the elongate support in order to provide smooth and easy movement of the package along the elongate support. The wall of the package or attachment device adjacent the hole or hook is preferably of smooth shape, for example contoured or rounded, so as to minimise any impediment to the movement of the package along the elongate support.

The spacer means may be provided on the hanging package, or on the attachment device, or both. In certain circumstances the spacer means may be a wholly separate item, but this is not usually preferred. Where the spacer means is provided on the package, this may take the form of a moulded or vacuum-formed shape above, below, or surrounding the hole or hook or other suspension means.

Where the spacer means is provided on the attachment device this may be provided by the walls of the device itself, or by a specially moulded wider portion of the device. In order to avoid "bunching-up" it is important that the spacer means be relatively close to the suspension means such that when adjacent spacers are touching, the packages hang substantially vertically downwards. The spacer means is preferably situated at a point at least 75% and preferably 90% or more of the height of the package.

The minimum depth or thickness of the spacer means is dependent on the depth or thickness of the hanging packages and their shape. Normally the depth of the spacer means is at least as great as that of the package, although with certain irregularly shaped packages it may be possible to use a spacer means having a depth slightly less than the depth of the package, for example the spacer means may have a depth of only 80% or 90% of the depth of the package.

Preferably, however, the spacer means is at least as deep as the greatest depth of the package and for example it may be from 100% up to around 120% of the depth of the package or greater.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided an attachment device comprising the spacer means and optionally also the suspension means. Such an attachment device is particularly convenient in that it can enable existing hanging packages to be used in the invention without substantial further modification. The attachment device is preferably clipped, clamped, fastened or secured in any suitable way to, for example, the top edge of the hanging package. The device can, for example, comprise a clam-shell arrangement with a "live" hinge and integral fastening means to fasten the two halves of the clam-shell together around the top edge of the package. A hole or holes for the fastening means to pass through may be provided toward the top edge of the package, or the fastening means may comprise piercing means to produce a suitable hole or holes in the package.

Where the attachment device also comprises the suspension means, this may be provided for example by holes with rounded edges in each half of the clam-shell arrangement which are in register when the clam-shell is closed.

A particular advantage of the use of a separate attachment device is that the device may incorporate further features useful to the store, for example, it may carry information about the product, in writing or by colour coding, or it may comprise a security device, for example a magnetic strip detectable by a store detection system. The attachment device may remain secured to the package, and be disposed of with the package, or it may be detached by a store assistant at the point of sale and reused.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an attachment device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 about to be assembled on a card of a blister pack; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the assembled package of Figure 2; Figure 4 shows in side elevation an assembly of display packages threaded on a display support according to the invention; Figure 5 shows in side elevation a second assembly of display packages threaded on a display support according to the invention; and Figure 6 shows in plan view a display support according to the invention provided with a springactivated means for moving the display packages along the support.

Figure 7 shows exploded and assembled views of a further embodiment of a novel hanging package according to the invention; Figure 8 shows an array comprising packages according to Figure 7 on a display hook; Figure 9 shows an exploded view of another embodiment of a novel hanging package according to the invention; and Figure 10 shows an array comprising packages according to Figure 9 on a display hook.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3 the attachment device illustrated generally at 1 comprises two clam-shell halves 2,3 joined by a "live" hinge 4. The clam-shell halves are provided with elongate holes 5,6 with rounded shoulders 7,8. Internal pillars 9,10 and 11,12 have telescoping ends 13,14 and 15,16 by which the two clam-shell halves 2,3 can be firmly fastened together. In Figure 2 there is shown a card 17 or a typical blister pack, provided with holes 18,19 for the reception respectively of pillars 9,10 and 11,12. Figure 2 shows the placing of the attachment device over the card 17 and it can be seen from Figure 3 that when the clam-shell device is clamped in place the holes 5,6 in the clam-shell device and hole 20 in the card 17 are all in register.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an assembly of hanging packages according to the invention threaded upon a display hook 21. The display hook has a downwardly inclined section 22 and an up-turned hook-shaped end 23.

It can be seen that because of the low friction surfaces 7,8 of the attachment device 1 the packages are free to slide along the downwardly inclined section 22 of the display hook 21 until they reach the up-turned end 23. The widths of the attachment devices 1 are substantially the same as the widths of the blister packages 24 so that the packs hang substantially vertically downwardly from the display 21 and bunching is thereby avoided. The packages can easily be removed sequentially by lifting in the direction of the arrow as shown. Figure 5 shows an alternative design of attachment device for use with a wider blister pack incorporating a wider portion 25 which is moulded into one of the halves of the clam-shell to accommodate the extra width of the blister packs.

Referring now to Figure 6, the display hook illustrated generally at 30 comprises a U-shaped rod 31 having elongate arms 32,33 joined by an upturned section 34 forming a hook at the free end of the U-shaped arms. A slider 35 is threaded on to the U-shaped arms and is freely moveable therealong. A roll spring 36 has one end 37 attached to the hook end of the display hook and is carried upon a spindle 38 mounted crosswise on the slider 35. A portion of the slider 35 is broken away in the figure to show the roll spring in position upon the spindle.

In operation as packages are threaded upon the display hook the slider is pushed to the rear of the hook, but still exerts pressure by means of the spring to push the packages towards the free end of the hook. In this embodiment the display hook may also have a downwardly inclined section, but this is not essential.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown a first novel hanging package according to the invention. The package, illustrated generally at 40, is a blister pack which comprises a vacuum formed transparent plastic film 41 which is laminated to a backing card 42. Elongate holes 43 and 44 in the film and card respectively are in register when the two parts are laminated together. A first vacuum formed cavity in the film 45 is adapted to receive the packaged product and a second vacuum formed cavity 46, arranged above the hole 43, comprises the spacer means for the package. Figure 8 shows a plurality of blister packs according to Figure 7 assembled upon a display hook 47 as previously described. It will be seen that the horizontal depth or thickness of the spacer means 46 effectively prevents the packages from bunching.

A second novel hanging package according to the invention is shown in Figure 9, in which there is illustrated a clam-shell pack comprising a vacuum formed plastic film 50 which is in two parts 51, 52 joined by a "live" hinge 53. A card insert 54 fits between the two halves of the clam-shell formed by the parts 51 and 52 of the film. In the assembled pack, elongate holes 55, 56 and 57 are in register so that the pack can be suspended from a display hook. Vacuum formed cavities 58, 59 in respectively parts 51, 52 form a product retaining cavity in the assembled package. The card insert 54 forms a picture frame around this cavity. Vacuum formed parts 60, 61, in clam-shell parts 51 and 52 cooperate to form the spacer means 62 for the hanging package (see Figure 10).

An array comprising a plurality of packages according to Figure 9 on a display hook 63 is shown in Figure 10. It can be seen once again the horizontal depth or thickness of the spacer means 62 prevents bunching up of the packages.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps or any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claims

1A packaging array comprising an elongate display support and a plurality of hanging packages suspended therefrom, the support having a fixed end and a free end and having (i) a downwardly inclined section between its ends or (ii) means for moving hanging packages towards its free end, or both, and the hanging packages having suspension means whereby they are threadedly engaged with the elongate display support and spacer means arranged adjacent to the suspension means having a depth comparable to or greater than the greatest depth of the hanging package.

2 A packaging array according to Claim 1, in which the elongate display support has at its free end an end portion adapted to prevent the hanging packages from falling off the support, but allowing the hanging packages to be sequentially removed therefrom.

3 A packaging array according to Claim 2, in which the support is substantially hook-shaped.

4 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the elongate display support comprises two parallel rods or a single U-shaped rod having elongate arms.

5 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the elongate display support is provided with spring activated means for moving the hanging packages towards its free end.

6 A packaging array according to Claim 5, in which the elongate display support has a push means threaded thereon carrying a roll spring whose free end is attached to the free end of the support so that the push means is urged by the roll spring in the direction of the free end.

7 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the suspension means comprises a hole or hook of a size sufficient to allow the package to be threaded onto the elongate support and to allow the package free movement therealong.

8 A packaging array according to Claim 7, in which the hole or hook is situated adjacent the top edge of the package.

9 A packaging array according to Claim 8, in which the hole or hook is formed in the package itself.

10 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the suspension means provides a low friction surface in contact with the elongate support to provide smooth and easy movement of the package along the elongate support.

11 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the suspension means comprises a hole or hook, and the wall of the package adjacent the hole or hook is of smooth shape so as to minimise any impediment to the movement of the package along the elongate support.

12 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the spacer means is provided on the hanging package and comprises a moulded or vacuum formed shape above, below, or surrounding the hole or hook or other suspension means.

13 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the depth of the spacer means is at least as great as that of the greatest depth of the package.

14 A packaging array according to any of the preceding Claims, in which the spacer means has a depth of from 100% to 120% of the greatest depth of the package.

15 A packaging array substantially as hereinbefore described.

16 A packaging array substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 4, 5, 8 & 10 of the accompanying Drawings.

17 An attachment device for a hanging package of the type adapted to be suspended from an elongate display support, the package having suspension means whereby the package can be threadedly engaged with an elongate display support, the attachment device comprising spacer means which, when the device is attached to the package, is arranged adjacent to the suspension means and which has a depth comparable with or greater than the greatest depth of the hanging package.

18 An attachment device according to Claim 17 in which the depth of the spacer means is at least as great as that of the package.

19 An attachment device according to Claims 17 or 18, in which the depth of the spacer means is from 100% to 120% of the depth of the package.

20 An attachment device according to any of Claims 17 to 19, substantially as hereinbefore described.

21 An attachment device for a hanging package, the device comprising suspension means whereby the package can be threadedly engaged with an elongate display support, and spacer means arranged adjacent to the suspension means, the spacer means having a depth comparable with or greater than the greatest depth of the display package.

22 An attachment device according to Claim 20, in which the suspension means comprising a hole or hook or a size sufficient to allow the package to be threaded on an elongate support and to allow the package free movement therealong.

23 An attachment device according to Claim 21 or 22, in which the hole or hook, in use, is in register with a similar sized hole or hook adjacent the top edge of the package.

24 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to 23, in which the hole or hook is elongate.

25 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to 24, in which the suspension means provides in use a low friction surface in contact with the elongate support in order to provide smooth and easy movement of the package along the elongate support.

26 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to 25, in which the wall of the attachment device adjacent the hole or hook is is of smooth shape so as to minimise any impediment to the movement of the package along the elongate support.

27 An attachment device according of any of Claims 21 to 26, in which the spacer means is provided by the walls of the device itself, or by a specially moulded wider portion of the device.

28 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to 27, in which the spacer means is situated at a point which, in use is at least 75% and preferably 90% or more of the height of the package.

29 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to 28, in which the depth of the spacer means is at least as great as that of the greatest depth of the package.

30 An attachment device according to Claim 29, in which the depth of the spacer means is from 100% to 120% of the greatest depth of the package.

31 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to 30, in which the attachment device comprises a clam shell arrangement having fastening means to fasten the halves of the clam-shell together in use around the top edge of the package.

32 An attachment device according to Claim 31, in which the fastening means, in use, passes through a hole or holes in the top edge of the package.

33 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to

30 substantially as hereinbefore described.

34 An attachment device according to any of Claims 21 to

33 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying Drawings.

35 An elongate display support adapted to receive hanging packages threaded thereon, the elongate display support having a fixed end and a free end and means for moving the hanging packages towards its free end.

36 An elongate display support according to Claim 35, in which the moving means are spring activated.

37 An elongate display support according to Claim 35 or 36, in which the support is provided with a push means threaded thereon, the push means carrying a roll spring whose free end is attached to the free end of the support so that the push means is urged by the roll spring in the direction of the free end.

38 An elongate display support according to any of Claims

35 to 37 substantially as hereinbefore described.

39 An elongate display support according to any of Claims

35 to 38, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanying Drawings.

40 A hanging package of the type adapted to be suspended from an elongate display support, the package having suspension means whereby the package can be threadedly engaged with an elongate display support, the package comprising spacer means arranged above or surrounding the suspension means, the spacer means having a depth comparable with or equal to the greatest depth of the package.

41 A hanging package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 7 and 9 of the accompanying Drawings.

42 A hanging package according to Claim 40, substantially as hereinbefore described.