GB2408041A

GB2408041A - Container having an information display sheet

Info

Publication number: GB2408041A
Application number: GB0424921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Giles Sergant
Original assignee: Reed Print & Design Ltd
Current assignee: Reed Print & Design Ltd
Priority date: 2003-11-11
Filing date: 2004-11-11
Publication date: 2005-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-11
Also published as: GB0424921D0; GB2408041B; GB0326249D0

Abstract

A container (10) comprises first and second sections (22, 14) hinged together for movement between a closed position and an open position and a sheet (24) of material suitable for bearing printed matter folded within the perimeter of the first and second sections (22, 14) when closed. When the first and second sections (22, 14) are moved to the open position, the sheet (24) may be unfolded. A container in which a sheet unfolds due to the action of moving first and second sections to the open position may be provided. The container (10) is preferably formed as a carton folded from a single blank and may include a detachable return envelope.

Description

240804 1 1 "Packaging with Information Display" 3 This invention relates

to packaging incorporating 4 means for displaying information, such as text and/or drawings, which is too extensive to be 6 printed on the normal dimensions of the packaging 7 and/or for facilitating communication between 8 supplier and user.

One field to which the present invention is

11 particularly, but not exclusively, applicable is the 12 supply of pharmaceutical products such as tablets.

13 Regulatory authorities require that tablets are 14 supplied together with information relating to such matters as dosage, indications and contra 16 indications, and possible adverse reactions. The 17 required information can be extensive, and it is not 18 practicable to print this on the container. The 19 container will typically be a cardboard carton, but may be a bottle or tub.

. ;:: e. :: A. ë cce.e 1 Conventional practice is to print the required 2 information on a single sheet of paper which is 3 folded and inserted in the container. The folding 4 and inserting is time consuming and adds costs. It is usual, to assist the process, for the insert to 6 be in small print on thin paper, and this is easily 7 lost or discarded by the user. More importantly, 8 the use of the folded insert causes problems on the 9 production line leading to frequent stoppages.

11 It is known to provide information of this nature in 12 the form of a printed booklet which is incorporated 13 in a label applied to the exterior of a package, 14 usually in this case a bottle or the like. The booklet is held closed until a user opens it by 16 means of removing a tear strip or the like.

17 Arrangements of this nature suffer from considerable 18 complexity and cost, and require specially adapted 19 labelling machines for application.

21 The present invention also addresses the provision 22 of packaging with means for enabling a user to 23 respond to the supplier. It is frequently the case 24 that a supplier of packaged products will desire to prompt a response by the user, for example to gain 26 customer satisfaction information, or to promote 27 further sales by way of competitions or special 28 offers. It is common to have a low response rate, 29 and the response rate can be improved by making it easier for the user to respond. This can be done by 31 providing prepaid reply envelopes, but these present : ee: c: c.. eee: : .e: .e:: :: . . . . . 1 similar problems to the inclusion of informational 2 leaflets.

4 The present invention, in one aspect, provides a container comprising first and second sections 6 hinged together for movement between a closed 7 position and an open position, and a sheet of 8 material suitable for bearing printed matter folded 9 within the perimeter of the first and second sections when closed, portions of the sheet being 11 secured to the first and second sections such that, 12 when the latter are moved to the open position, the 13 sheet may be unfolded.

Preferably, the sheet may be unfolded to a size 16 greater than the first and second sections.

18 Preferably, the container is a cardboard carton, and 19 said first and second sections are integral portions of the carton joined by a fold line.

22 The first and second sections may be an inner top 23 portion and an outer top portion. Alternatively, 24 they may be an outer top portion and a foldover portion extending from the outer top portion.

27 From another aspect, the present invention provides 28 a container comprising a first and second sections 29 hinged together and movable between a closed position in which the first and second sections 31 overlie one another and an open position 32 substantially 180 degrees apart, and a sheet :e.: :. A. .:e aces.

1 suitable for bearing printed matter which is secured 2 to the first and second sections, the sheet being 3 folded such that it lies between and is enclosed by 4 the first and second sections when in said closed position and, when the first and second sections are 6 moved towards the open position, the sheet unfolds 7 into a substantially planar configuration.

9 Preferably, the sheet unfolds into a larger area than the first and second portions.

12 The carton is preferably formed from a one-piece 13 blank. The first portion may be an outer top 14 portion, and the second portion either an inner top portion or an additional foldover portion.

17 A further aspect of the invention provides a carton 18 formed from a blank so as to provide a return 19 envelope integral with but detachable from the carton.

22 Preferably, the return envelope is hinged to a top 23 or cover portion of the carton for movement between 24 a closed position overlying and within the perimeter of the top or cover portion and an open position.

26 One or more printed sheets may be folded and 27 attached to the top or cover portion so as to be 28 enclosed between it and the return envelope when the 29 latter is in said closed position. The hinged connection is preferably provided by a perforated 31 fold line. .

. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Preferably, the carton and return envelope are 2 formed from a single blank by folding and gluing.

3 The return envelope may suitably be formed by 4 folding front and rear portions together and gluing the free edges, which may conveniently be done by 6 providing these edges with pre-glued tabs.

8 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, 9 by way of example, with reference to the drawings, lo in which: 12 Figure 1 is a view of a blank of a carton and 13 information sheet forming a first embodiment of the 14 present invention; Figure 2 shows the blank of Figure 1 with the 16 information sheet folded and the carton partially 17 folded; 18 Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first 19 embodiment erected; Figure 4 is a view of a blank of a carton and 21 information sheet forming a second embodiment of the 22 present invention; 23 Figure 5 shows the blank of Figure 4 with the 24 information sheet folded and the carton partially folded; 26 Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first 27 embodiment erected; 28 Figure 7 shows a carton blank for use in a 29 further embodiment; Figure 8 shows the blank of Figure 7 after a 31 first folding operation; äce C ë e e.e e see e ee- e.e 1 Figure 9 shows the same blank after a further 2 folding operation; and 3 Figure 10 is a perspective view of the third 4 embodiment with the carton erected and partially opened.

7 Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the first embodiment 8 provides a container in the form of a rectangular 9 carton with an attached, fold-out information sheet.

Figure 1 shows a carton blank 10 and an information 11 sheet 12.

13 The carton blank 10 comprises a single piece of card 14 cut and scored to form an inner top 14, front 16, bottom 18, rear 20 and outer top 22. A foldover 16 portion 24 extends to one side of the outer top 22.

17 A glue tab 26 extends from the free end of the inner 18 top 14. Side portions 28 extend from the sides of 19 the inner top 14 and end in tabs 30. Shaped tabs 32 extend from either side of the front 16 and rear 20.

22 The carton is erected by folding, with the glue tab 23 26 being glued to the interior of the rear 20 24 adjacent its junction with the outer top 22.

26 The information sheet 12 is creased or, preferably, 27 creased and perforated along the lines shown. The 28 information sheet 12 is suitably formed of 29 relatively heavy paper in a gloss finish. The sheet 12 is secured to the outer top 22 and to the 31 foldover portion 24 by gluing in the areas indicated 32 by shading at 34. e.

c . . * * c e e .e e. 2 When the carton is erected, the information sheet 12 3 can be folded within the outer top 22 and the 4 foldover portion 24, and this whole assembly can be folded down onto the inner top 14 where it is 6 secured by a tab 36 on the outer top engaging in a 7 slot 38 formed on the fold between the inner top 14 8 and the front 16. By disengaging the tab 36, 9 folding the assembly 12, 22, 24 upwardly, and then opening the foldover portion 24 to one side, the 11 information sheet 14 is caused to pop out and 12 unfold.

14 Suitable fold patterns for causing a single sheet to fold within and unfold from a pair of hinged covers 16 are well known per se.

18 Thus the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3 provides a 19 carton having an information sheet which is large in relation to the carton size, is permanently 21 attached, and can be readily opened and shut. The 22 information sheet can be made of paper of much 23 better quality than is commonly used in folded 24 inserts, allowing the use of better quality print.

26 The embodiment of Figures 4 to 6 is similar, and 27 similar parts are denoted by the same reference 28 numerals as in the first embodiment prefixed by "1".

29 In this embodiment, however, the information sheet 112 is smaller and is glued to the outer top 122 and 31 the inner top 114, the foldover portion 24 being 32 dispensed with. In this example, the sides 128 and ë . . .. . . . ë .e 1 tabs 130 are attached to the bottom 118 rather than 2 the inner top 114.

4 The folding / attachment arrangement of the information sheet 112 in this embodiment also has 6 the advantage of ensuring that the user has reviewed 7 the information upon opening the carton since, in 8 this embodiment, it is not possible to open the 9 carton without opening out the information sheet 112. This can be particularly useful for e.g. 11 pharmaceutical products which may have side effects 12 or important usage instructions.

14 The embodiment of Figures 7 to 10 provides a carton having both a foldup, attached information sheet 16 and a detachable response envelope.

18 Referring to Figure 7, a carton blank 200 formed by 19 cutting and scoring card comprises an inner top 202, front 204, bottom 206, rear 208 and outer top 210.

21 Side flaps 212 and 214 in use are folded on top of 22 each other and glued. The carton can be closed by 23 inserting a tongue 216 in slot 218.

The carton as thus far described is substantially 26 conventional. In addition, however, an extension 27 from one side of the outer top 210 provides a first 28 portion 220 with an upper tab 222, and a second 29 portion 224 with an end tab 226 and a lower tab 228.

Figure 8 shows the tabs 226 and 228 folded in.

31 These tabs are suitably provided on the faces seen 32 in Figure 8 with self-adhesive coatings ee 8 4 8 r e r r - - 1 (alternatively glue may be applied) such that when 2 the second portion 224 is turned in and pressed 3 against the first portion 220 the adhesive fixes the 4 two together to form a pouch. By folding the first portion 220 relative to the outer top 210 (Figure 6 9), the pouch is brought within the dimensions of 7 the carton. Note that the upper tab 222 is still 8 open and within the confines of the outer top 210.

Figure 10 shows the carton of this embodiment open.

11 An information sheet 230 and a response sheet 232 12 are secured to the interior of the outer top 210.

13 Each of the sheets is simply folded, the information 14 sheet 230 being shown unfolded in Figure 10, and the response sheet 232 being shown folded.

17 The pouch described above now forms a return 18 envelope 236 which can be detached along fold 238, 19 which suitably will be perforated while forming the blank. The response sheet 236 can be detached from 21 the carton, completed, and sent in the detached 22 envelope 236. The tab 222 acts as an envelope 23 closure, and preferably is provided with pressure 24 sensitive adhesive covered by a removable release 2 5 paper.

27 It will be appreciated that the information sheet in 28 the embodiment of Figures 7 to 10 could 29 alternatively be in the form of the "pop-out'' information sheet as described with reference to 31 Figures 1 to 6.

ece' e e e t.ee. I e e ee e e e r eee t e e 'e e - e e 8 e e eec e eve see e 1 The present invention therefore enables the 2 provision of improved packages capable of providing 3 enhanced levels of communication with the end user.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the 6 foregoing within the scope of the present invention.

7 For example, although the preferred embodiments have 8 a carton formed from a single blank, the invention 9 may be applied to a carton made from more than one piece secured together. Also, although principally 11 described with reference to cardboard cartons, the 12 invention could be applied to other forms of 13 container, for example plastic boxes.

Claims

... . . 4 . 1 CLAIMS: 3 1. A container

comprising: 4 first and second sections hinged together for movement between a closed position and an open 6 position; and 7 a sheet of material suitable for bearing 8 printed matter folded within the perimeter of the 9 first and second sections when closed, portions of the sheet being secured to the first and second 11 sections such that, when the latter are moved to the 12 open position, the sheet may be unfolded.

14 2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the sheet is adapted to unfold to a size greater than 16 the first and second sections.

18 3. A container according to either of claims 1 or 19 2, wherein said first and second sections are integral portions of a cardboard carton joined by a 21 fold line.

23 4. A container according to any preceding claim, 24 wherein the first and second sections comprise an inner top portion and an outer top portion.

27 5. A container according to any of claims 1 to 3, 28 wherein the first and second sections comprise an 29 outer top portion and a foldover portion extending from the outer top portion.

32 6. A container comprising: ee e eeee c e e A. e e < a ee-e. see 1 first and second sections hinged together and 2 movable between a closed position in which the first 3 and second sections overlie one another and an open 4 position substantially 180 degrees apart; and a sheet suitable for bearing printed matter 6 which is secured to the first and second sections, 7 the sheet being folded such that it lies between and 8 is enclosed by the first and second sections when in 9 said closed position and, when the first and second sections are moved towards the open position, the 11 sheet unfolds into a substantially planar 12 configuration.

14 7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the sheet is adapted to unfold to a size greater than 16 the first and second sections.

18 8. A container according to either of claims 6 or 19 7, wherein the first and second sections are hinged together along a fold line.

22 9. A container according to any of claims 6 to 8, 23 wherein the carton is formed from a one-piece blank.

lo. A container according to any of claims 6 to 9, 26 wherein the first portion comprises an outer top 27 portion 29 11. A container according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the second portion comprises an inner top 31 portion.

se. * .. . . . C 1 12. A container according to any of claims 6 to 10, 2 wherein the second portion comprises a foldover 3 portion.

13. A container according to any of claims 6 to 12, 6 wherein their is provided a return envelope integral 7 with but detachable from the carton.

9 14. A container according to claim 13, wherein the return envelope is hinged to one of the first or 11 second portions of the carton for movement between a 12 closed position overlying and within the perimeter 13 of the first or second portion and an open position.

15. A container according to either of claims 13 16 and 14, wherein a plurality of printed sheets may be 17 folded and attached to the first or second portions 18 such that the or each printed sheet is enclosed 19 between the first or second portion and the return envelope when the latter is in said closed position.

22 16. A container according to any of claims 13 to 23 15, wherein the hinged comprises a perforated fold 24 line.

26 17. A container according to any of claims 13 to 27 16, wherein the carton and return envelope are 28 formed from a single blank which has been folded and 29 glued into the required configuration.

31 18. A container according to any of claims 13 to 32 17, wherein the return envelope may suitably be eee . . . . ..

. . . . . . . 1 formed by folding front and rear portions together 2 and gluing the free edges, which may conveniently be 3 done by providing these edges with pre-glued tabs.

19. A container substantially as hereinbefore 6 described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6.

8 20. A container substantially as hereinbefore 9 described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.

11 21. A container substantially as hereinbefore 12 described with reference to Figs. 7 to 9.

14 22. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 10.