GB2313586A

GB2313586A - Packaging of articles such as confectionery

Info

Publication number: GB2313586A
Application number: GB9709756A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ewan Angus Macpherson
Original assignee: Tenneco Packaging Inc
Current assignee: Pactiv LLC
Priority date: 1996-06-01
Filing date: 1997-05-15
Publication date: 1997-12-03
Also published as: GB9709756D0

Abstract

A packaging assembly for delicate articles such as chocolate Easter eggs comprises a first, relatively rigid, packaging member, which may be comprised of two or more packaging member portions (6), and is provided with a recessed surface contoured to correspond to at least a portion of the article (10) to be enclosed in a chamber defined by the recessed surface. The packaging member is arranged so that exterior peripheral surfaces (14) define a box-like shape which when received within the second packaging member (26) which comprises a flexible envelope or bag causes the latter to acquire the box-like shape. Both packaging members may be transparent or substantially so, and the envelope or bag (26) may be partially printed as desired. The rigid packaging member may comprise two portions (6) joined by a hinged panel portion (20).

Description

PACKAGING OF ARTICLES The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to the packaging of articles, particularly but not exclusively, the packaging for sale of relatively fragile articles. For example, the articles may be confectionery or other edible goods.

In handling articles for storage and/or display it is frequently necessary to stack such articles in columns and rows to minimise the volume of space to be occupied. The number of articles in the columns may be such that the weight of the articles tends to cause the lower ones to become crushed. It is therefore customary to rely on the additional stiffness and support of a card box in which to contain the articles. This use may be satisfactory in practice but involves additional expense which is reflected in a higher price to pay for the article.

The present invention provides a packaging assembly for delicate articles of merchandise comprising a first, relatively rigid, packaging member having at least one recessed surface contoured to correspond to at least a portion of the articles to be packaged, said member being arranged to enclose a chamber defined by said recessed surface(s), said packaging member having exterior peripheral surfaces at least partially defining a box-like shape, said assembly further comprising a flexible envelope or bag capable of enclosing a volume at least substantially equal to the volume and dimensions of said box-like shape, the construction and arrangement being such that, when the packaging member is received within the envelope or bag, the envelope or bag acquires the boxlike shape defined by said packaging member exterior peripheral surfaces.

Preferably the envelope or bag may be at least partially comprised of transparent film material.

Advantageously said film material may be printed.

Conveniently said envelope or bag may be preformed with boxed corners or may be secured, when in position, with corners having a box-corner-like appearance.

Conveniently, said packaging member may be comprised of two or more portions, adapted to cooperate to define and at least partially enclose said chamber. Advantageously two of said packaging member portions may be joined together by a hinged panel portion provided for ease of assembly and alignment.

In examples of packaging assemblies illustrative of the invention, the packaging member may be formed of transparent plastics sheet material, but it will be understood that the sheet material may be at least partly opaque or completely so.

There will now be described an example of an assembly according to the invention. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a partly folded packaging member of the assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a portion of sheet plastics material shaped to form the member of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an alternative construction for said member; Figure 4 illustrates the fully folded member of Figure 1 being inserted into a bag or envelope; Figures 5 and 6 shows the member inserted and sealed within a fully transparent bag and a partially transparent bag respectively; and Figure 7 shows several assemblies of Figure 6 in a stacked condition.

In the present example, a packaging assembly to be described is suitable for packaging a so-called Easter Egg, in this case accompanied by a quantity of chocolates.

Figure 1 shows a shaped member 2 of transparent plastics sheet material. The member 2 comprises two portions, 4 and 6, each having a recessed surface 8 heat- or vacuum-moulded therein and corresponding in contour to the external contours of a hollow chocolate egg 10 and of a small package of chocolates 12 (see Figure 5) to be contained in a chamber defined by the surfaces 8.

Each portion 4, 6, comprises a wall portion 14 and a surface portion 16 arranged in a plane transversely of the recesses 8, the surface portion 16 of each member portion 4, 6, being adapted to confront and contact the surface portion 16 of the other member portion, 6, 4, when the assembly is complete.

The wall portion 14 of each member portion 4, 6, is provided with moulded ribs 18 adapted to provide reinforcing means additionally to impart stiffness to the wall portions and minimise the risk of crushing the contents of the chamber formed when the two member portions are in confronting contact.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the portion of sheet material illustrated in Figure 1, but in an initial open condition. The two member portions are linked by a ribbed hinge portion 20 having a width equal to the overall height of the wall portions 14 of the two member portions 4, 6. However, if preferred, the hinge member may be dispensed with and the two member portions may be provided as separate mouldings as shown in Figure 3. In the latter case, the ribs 18 are provided on all four sides of each wall portion 14.

In both cases, it is advantageous to provide a portion 22 of the member portion 4 that projects with respect to a recess 24 of the member portion 6 in order to assist in obtaining correct register in aligning the portions 4 and 6 with each other.

Figure 4 illustrates the fully folded member portions 4 and 6 having assumed a box-like (rectangular parallelepiped) shape, together with the articles 10 and 12 therebetween as these are inserted into a bag 26 of transparent film material. The dimensions of the bag, which is provided with a preformed box end 28 are selected so as to accept the member portions 4, 6 in a snug but non-constricting fit. The bag is then sealed and the assembly takes on the appearance as shown in Figure 5.

Alternatively, the members 4 and 6 may be inserted into a bag 30 made from paper or other opaque sheet material such as printed plastics film.

Advantageously, a portion of the film will be left unprinted at 32, or in the case of a paper bag a transparent panel of plastics film may be provided at 32. In both of these examples, the appearance given to the egg and the chocolates is that they are held in place by means that are difficult to see and the resulting lightness of appearance is a benefit at the point of sale.

Despite this lightness of appearance the assembly is robust and sufficiently crush-proof to enable a plurality to be stacked upon a shelf 34 in a storage or display area as illustrated in Figure 7.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A packaging assembly for delicate articles of merchandise comprising a first, relatively rigid, packaging member having at least one recessed surface contoured to correspond to at least a portion of the article to be packaged, said member being arranged to enclose a chamber defined by said recessed surface(s), said packaging member having exterior peripheral surfaces at least partially defining a box-like shape, said assembly further comprising a flexible envelope or bag capable of enclosing a volume at least substantially equal to the volume and dimensions of said box-like shape, the construction and arrangement being such that, when the packaging member is received within the envelope or bag, the envelope or bag acquires the box-like shape defined by said packaging member exterior peripheral surfaces.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said envelope or bag is of at least partially transparent film material.

3. An assembly as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the envelope or bag is pre-formed with box-corners.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the envelope or bag is of printed film material.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the packaging member comprises a plurality of portions, said portions being adapted to co operate to define and at least partially enclose said chamber.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein each packaging member portion further comprises a wall portion providing said extension peripheral surfaces, said wall portions being provided with reinforcing ribs to impart stiffness to the assembly in use.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein two portions of said packaging member are joined together by a hinged panel portion provided along a portion of the periphery thereof.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said hinged panel portion is provided with reinforcing ribs to impart stiffness thereto, each packaging member portion being provided with wall portions around the remainder of its periphery, said wall portion being provided with further reinforcing ribs to impart stiffness thereto.

9. A packaging assembly as claimed in claims 6 to 8 comprising a rectangular parallelepiped, a plurality of said assemblies being stackable one upon the other without crushing.

10. A packaging assembly, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.