Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers, and in particular to containers which may be used to form a modular display device. The invention relates in particular to containers which can stacked on top of one another to display items located therein. The invention also relates to methods of forming a modular display device comprising at least one such container, to a modular display device and to a blank.

Background to the Invention

It is known to provide a display unit for confectionery items and the like which is formed of a series of compartments positioned above one another. These compartments may in some instances be held in position by a support structure which is typically constructed from a metal or plastics material. However, such units are relatively expensive to construct and must be restocked with items which are generally stored in additional packaging.

To overcome these issues, it is known to provide items in "shelf-ready packaging" ("SRP") which can be used to transport, store and subsequently display the items without the need for an additional display unit. Furthermore, SRP is typically constructed from cartonboard or the like which reduces manufacturing costs. SRP of this type commonly includes a base and a cover removable from the base by tearing along perforations in the packaging material. When removed, the cover may be used as a stand on which the base may be placed to form the display unit. Furthermore, removing the cover provides an opening in the base to display items located therein.

In some examples of SRP, the cover may comprise an inclined surface on which the base sits. In this way, when the base is positioned on the cover it is angled with respect to a horizontal axis to better display items located within the display to potential customers. However, SRPs of this type are limited in the sense that the formed display unit is restricted to the angled configuration determined by the incline of the surface on the cover.

Furthermore, increasing the angle at which the containers in the display unit are positioned creates additionally stability issues, where the containers may become top heavy when stocked with items and therefore more likely to topple or where upper containers may slide relative to lower containers. It is therefore a requirement for any display unit comprising stacked containers to be sufficiently stable at the angle at which the containers are inclined. If the incline is to be varied, the stacked containers must be sufficiently stable at a range of angles. However, no solution has been provided which addresses this issue.

It is therefore an aim of an embodiment or embodiments of the invention to overcome or at least partially mitigate the problems associated with the prior art, or any other problem of vertically stackable packaging containers.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container constructed from a blank of foldable material and adapted to be stacked together with other similar containers to form a modular display, the container comprising a base, a pair of opposed side walls extending upwardly from the base, and opposed front and rear walls extending upwardly from the base between said opposed side walls, said base and said walls defining an enclosure for storing and displaying one or more items, a locking tab defined in each side wall and a pair of corresponding locking slots defined in the base, the locking tabs and locking slots being configured such that, in use, a first container is detachably mountable on a second container by insertion of the locking tabs of the second container into the corresponding locking slots of the first container; wherein each projecting tab comprises a neck portion and a body portion with the body portion overhanging the neck portion to define an undercut.

In an embodiment, the undercut opens in a rearward direction.

In an embodiment, each locking tab is defined at a rearward end of its respective side wall. In an embodiment, the corresponding locking slots are defined in the base at positions which are offset forwardly from their respective locking tabs such that, in use, when a first container is mounted to a second container, the front wall of the upper, first container is offset rearwardly from the front wall of the lower, second container.

In an embodiment, the locking tabs and locking slots are configured such that, in use, a first container is mountable on top of a second container with the body portion of each of the locking tabs of the second container inserted through a corresponding locking slot in the first container and the base of the first container engaging within the undercut.

In an embodiment, a first recess is defined in the upper edge of each of the opposed side walls, each first recess extending from a forward edge the respective locking tab forwardly over part of the remaining length of the side wall. In an embodiment, the container is configured such that, in use, when a first container is mounted on top of a second container, a region of base of the first container between a forward edge of the locking slots and the front wall is received in the first recesses of the second container. In an embodiment, each first recess is are longer than the distance between the forward end of the locking slots and the front wall.

In an embodiment, the base is planar and the uppermost edges of the opposed side walls are parallel to the plane of the base.

In an embodiment, each of the opposed side walls comprises an inner panel and an outer panel, the inner panel defining a second recess in a lower edge region of the panel in alignment with a respective one of the locking slots, the second recess being configured to receive at least a body portion of the locking tab of a further container when inserted though the locking slot in use to mount the container to said further container.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a blank for the manufacture of the container according to the first aspect, the blank comprising: first and second side wall sections, a rear edge of each side wall section being profiled to define a locking tab in the completed container; a front wall panel and a rear wall panel; a base panel connected by fold lines along a first set of opposing end edges to the front and rear panels, and along a second set of opposing side edges to the first and second side wall sections, the base comprising a pair of opposed locking slot apertures located along respective side edges.

In an embodiment, each side wall section comprises inner and outer side wall panels separated by one or more fold lines, the rear edges of the inner and outer panels in each side wall section being profiled to define a locking tab when the blank is folded to form a container. In an embodiment, the front wall panel and the rear wall panel each have a securing flap connected to either side edge by a fold line, the securing flaps being configured for insertion between the inner and outer side wall panels of a respective side wall when the blank is folded to form a container. In an embodiment, each of the securing flaps connected to the rear wall panel are profiled along a rear edge to define a locking tab together with the inner and outer side wall panels of their respective side wall sections when the blank is folded to form a container. In an embodiment, each side wall section defines an aperture spanning the inner and outer side wall panels over part of their length, the aperture defining a forward edge of the locking tab and a first recess in the upper edge of the respective side wall when the blank is folded to form container.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular display device comprising at least one container in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

In an embodiment, the modular display device comprises two or more containers in accordance with the first aspect of the invention mountable one above another to form a stack, wherein the containers are connectable together in adjacent pairs to form the stack by means of the locking tabs in a lower container of each pair being inserted in the respective locking slots of the upper container in each pair, with the base of the upper container in each pair engaging in the undercut defined in the locking tabs of the lower container in each pair.

In an embodiment, the modular display device comprises a stand or base to which said at least one container can be mounted, the stand being made from a blank of foldable material and comprising a pair of side walls connected along fold lines to opposing side edges of a rear wall, the side walls having upper surfaces which are inclined downwardly from the rear wall toward a forward edge, a locking tab projecting form the upper surface of each side wall for insertion in a respective locking slot of said at least one container.

In an embodiment, the locking tabs on the stand each comprise a neck portion and a body portion overhanging the neck portion to define an undercut, the base of the at least one container being engageable in the undercut.

In an embodiment wherein two or more containers are arranged in a stack, a lowermost container in the stack is mountable to the stand.

In an embodiment, the display device comprises a header mountable to said at least one container. In an embodiment, the header is formed from a blank of foldable material.

In an embodiment, the header has a substantially planar display surface configured to extend parallel to the plane of the base of a container to which it is mounted.

In an embodiment in which two or more containers are arranged in a stack, the header is mountable to an uppermost container in the stack.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forming a display device from the modular display device according to the third aspect, the method comprising detachably mounting at least two containers one above another to form a stack, a first container in each adjacent pair of containers in the stack being mounted on top of a second container in each adjacent pair by inserting each locking tab of the second container through a respective locking slot of the first container, the base of the first container engaging in the undercuts defined by the locking tabs of the second container.

In an embodiment where the modular display device comprises a stand, the method includes mounting a lowermost container in the stack to the stand by inserting each locking tab of the stand within a respective locking slot of the lowermost container, the base of the lowermost container engaging in the undercuts defined by the locking tabs of the stand.

In an embodiment where the modular display device comprises a header, the method includes mounting the header to an uppermost container in the stack.

In any of the above aspects of the invention, the container or containers may comprise one or more items located therein, which items may be food or drink items including confectionery items such as a gum or candy, snack products such as biscuits or cheese and the like or indeed any suitable items for display.

Description of the Drawings

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1 mounted to a further container;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular display device in accordance with an aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a header forming part of the modular display device of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stand forming part of the modular display device of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a blank in accordance with an aspect of the invention for forming the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 is a plan view of a blank for forming the stand of Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a plan view of a blank for forming the header of Figure 4.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of a container 10 in accordance with an aspect of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The container 10 has a front wall 12, rear wall 14, a pair of opposed side walls 16 and a base (or bottom) 18. The walls 12, 14, 16, and the base 18 define a substantially cuboidal enclosure for housing one or more items, in use.

An upper end region of each side wall 16 is profiled to define a locking tab 22 at a rear end and a first recess 24 extending from a forward end of the locking tab 22 over part of the length of the walls. The container 10 additionally defines a pair of corresponding locking slots 26 in the base, into which the locking tabs 22 of a further container 10 can be inserted to mount the containers one above the other in a stack. The locking tabs 22 each comprise a neck portion 22a and a body portion 22b. The body portion 22b of each tab is wider than the corresponding neck portion 22a such that it overhangs the neck portion resulting in respective undercut regions 22c which open in a rearward direction. The body portions 22b and undercut regions 22c cooperate with the base 18 of a further container to detachably connect the container 10 with said further container as will be described below.

The container 10 is configured to form part of a modular display device, in which two or more such containers 10 can be detachable mounted one above the other in a stack as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. When forming the stack, each adjacent pair of containers in the stack are connected together with locking tabs 22 of a lower container in the pair inserted into the locking slots 26 of the upper container. Each side wall 16 has an inner wall panel 16a and an outer wall panel 16b interconnected along the upper edge 17 of the side wall by fold lines. A second recess 30 is defined in the lower edge of the inner wall panel 16a adjacent the respective locking slot 26. The second recess 30 is dimensioned to receive at least the body portion 22b of a respective locking tab 22 when inserted through the locking slot 26. The locking tab 22 is therefore recessed into the side wall 16 so that it does not encroach into the volume for holding product which is defined between the inner surfaces of the inner panels 16a of the side walls.

The locking slots 26 are positioned offset forwardly from the locking tabs 22, so that when one container 10 is mounted to another, the front wall 12 of the upper container is offset rearwardly from the front wall 12 of the lower container 10. This produces a staggered display in which the interior volume of the lower container is accessible to allow a consumer to view and remove the contents of the lower container 10.

The first recesses 24 in the upper edges of the side walls 16 are arranged so that when a first container 10 is mounted on top of a second container 10', as illustrated in Figure 2, a portion 18a of the base 18 of the first container is received in the first recess. The first recesses 24 are slightly longer than the distance from a forwarded edge of the locking slots 26 to the front wall 12 of the container 10. The length of the first recesses 24 is selected such that during mounting of the first container 10 to the second container 10', the locking tabs 22' of the second container are inserted through the locking slots 26 of the first container 10 until at least the body portion 22b' of the locking tabs are above the base 18 of the first container and the first container 10 slid forwardly relative to the second container 10' so that the base 18 of the first container at the rearward end of the locking slots 26 enters the undercuts 22c, with the front wall 12 of the first container abutting a surface 32 of the side wall defining a forward edge of the first recess 24 in the second container 10'. This configuration securely connects the containers 10, 10 ^Λ and enables the containers to be inclined with their bases at any angle (between 0° and 90°) with respect to the horizontal axis. In addition, the first container 10 is offset rearwardly with respect to the second container 10" such that the interior of both containers 10, 10 ^' is accessible even when in a stacked configuration, as shown.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modular display device 34 formed from containers 10a, 10b, 10c in accordance with the invention. As shown, the display device 34 is formed from three separate containers, a first container 10a, a second container 1 Ob and a third container 10c, stacked one on top of the other. Specifically, the second container 10b is stacked on top of the first container 10a to form a first adjacent pair of containers in the stack, and the third container 10c is stacked on top of the second container 10b to form a second adjacent pair of containers in the stack. Each adjacent pair of containers (10a and 10b, 10b and 10c) in the stack are detachably mounted to one another in the same manner as the first and second containers 10, 10" shown in Figure 2 and described above.

The display device 34 as shown in Figure 3 also includes a stand or base 60 onto which the first, lowermost container 10a is mounted and a header 40 securely connected to the third, uppermost container 10c. When mounted on the stand 60, the containers 10a, 10b, 10c are angled with respect to a horizontal surface on which the stand 60 is positioned. The header 40 is connected to the uppermost container, the third container 10c in the illustrated embodiment, and comprises a display surface 42 which may include indicia such as advertising slogans, logos, trade marks, prices, etc. referring to the item(s) contained within the display 90.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the construction of the header 40 and stand 60.

As shown in Figure 4, the header 40 includes a planar display surface 42 which is integrally formed with opposing side walls 44a, 44b and a securing flap 46 at the front. In the illustrated embodiment, the securing flap 46 is connected along an edge 48 of the display surface 42 which includes a series of perforations 50 along its length to aid in folding. The ends of the side walls 44a, 44b extend beyond the edge 48 of the display surface and form securing tabs 52a, 52b. The securing flap 46 and securing tabs 52a, 52b are used to securely connect the header 40 to a container 10c within the display device 34. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment the securing flap 46 is positioned to overlay the rear wall 14 of the uppermost container 10c in the display device 34, with the securing tabs 52a, 52b inserted between the inner and outer side wall panels 16a, 16b of respective side walls 16 of the container.

As shown in Figure 5, the stand 60 includes a rear wall 62 which is integrally formed with opposing side walls 64 that project forwardly of the rear wall 62. The lower edges 66 of the rear and side walls 62, 64 are coplanar. The upper edges 68 of the side walls are inclined downwardly in a direction from the rear wall 62 to a forward end so that the side walls 64 taper. A locking tab 70 projects from the upper surface 68 of each side wall 64. The locking tabs 70 are configured in the same way as tabs 22 on the container 10 and have wider body portions 70b and narrower neck portions 70a to define a rearwardly directed undercut 70c which opens in a rearward direction proximal to the upper surface 68 of the side walls 64. The locking tabs 70 on the stand 60 are used to securely connect a container 10 to the stand 60. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of Figure 3, the tabs 70 are inserted through the locking slots 26 of the lowermost container 10a in the stack, and the container 10a is slid forwardly so that the base 18 of the container 10a engages in the undercuts 70c to lock the container to the stand 60. When in this position, the base 18 of the container 10a rests on the inclined upper surfaces 68 of the side walls 64 and the upper surface of the rear wall 62 of the stand 60 and is angled with respect to a horizontal axis as shown in Figure 3.

The stand 60 is used to support a stack of containers 10a, 10b, 10c on a horizontal surface, such as a retail counter, so as to form a retail display stand in which the containers are inclined relative to the surface of the counter at an angle which is determined by the angle of inclination of the upper surfaces 68 of the side walls 64. Typically, the angle of inclination will be in the region of 45 degrees but can be varied to suit any particular application. For example, the angle of inclination might typically be in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. In a modular system, a range of stands 60 having side walls whose upper surfaces are inclined at different angles can be provided so that a retailer can select the most appropriate stand 60 when assembling the modular display device. The stand 60 is dimensioned to stably support the stack of containers with the side walls 64 of the stand spaced apart by the same distance as the side walls 16 of the containers 10 and the rear wall 62 of the stand inline with the rear wall 14 of the container.

Whilst is expected that a modular display device 34 in accordance with the invention will usually comprise at least two containers 10 arranged in a stack, a display device 34 could be formed using only one container 10 mounted to a stand 60, optionally with a header 40 mounted to the same container 10.

The container 10, the header and the stand 60 are all formed from blanks of foldable material such as cardboard or carton board or the like. The outer surfaces of the material at least may be printed on to carry suitable graphics for the display.

Figure 6 illustrates a blank 1 10 used to construct the embodiment of the container 10 of the present invention as shown in the preceding figures. The blank 110 comprises a base panel 118 and a pair of opposed side wall sections 1 16 connected via respective fold lines 215, 217 along a first set of opposing side edges of the base panel 118.

The side wall sections 116 are substantially a mirror image of each other and each comprises an inner side wall panel 116a and an outer side wall panel 116b. The inner and outer side wall panels 1 16a, 116b are connected via interior fold lines 216a, 216b which run parallel to one another and are configured such that when folded, the panels 116a, 116b are positioned adjacent to one another side-by-side but are separated by a gap equal in size to the distance between the interior fold lines 216a, 216b, which is approximately equal to the thickness of the material. Each side wall section 116 additionally comprises a cut-out region or aperture 132 therein which spans a portion of both panels 116a, 116b. The cut-out region 132 defines the first recess 24 in upper edge the respective side wall 16 of the container 10 when the blank is folded to form a container. In addition, the panels 1 16a, 1 16b are profiled to define a locking tab 22 at a rearward edge of the side wall 16 in the completed container. Accordingly, each panel 1 16a, 1 16b includes a notch 122c along a rear edge which together form the undercut region 22c of the locking tab 22 of the container 10, when constructed from the blank 1 10. The inner panel 1 16a defines a further cut out region 136 which forms the second recess 30 for receiving a locking tab 22, 70 of a further container 10 or stand 60 when the blank is folded to form a container 10. Furthermore, the inner side wall panel 116a includes a pair of securing tabs 137a, 137b positioned along an outer edge of the panel 1 16b either side of the cut-out region The base panel 118 comprises a pair of opposed locking slot apertures 126 positioned adjacent respective fold lines 215, 217 for the outer side wall panels 116b of the first and second side wall sections 116. The locking slot apertures 126 form respective locking slots 26 in the base 18 of a container. Further apertures 138a, 138b are also defined on either side of the base panel 1 18, one 138a to rear and one 138b forwardly of the locking slot aperture 126 to receive respective securing tabs 137a, 137b to hold the inner side wall panels 116a in position when the blank is folded to form a container.

The blank 110 includes a front wall panel 112 and rear wall panel 1 14 connected via respective fold lines 21 1, 213 along a second set of opposing end edges of the base panel 118. A pair of first securing flaps 113a, 113b are connected via respective fold lines 212a, 212b along opposing side edges of the front wall panel 112. The first securing flaps 1 13a, 113b locate between the inner and outer side wall panels 116a, 116b on their receptive sides when the blank is folded to form a container. Similarly, a pair of second securing flaps 115a, 115b are connected via respective fold lines 214a, 214b along opposing side edges of the rear wall panel 114, the second securing flaps 115a, 1 15b also being received between the inner and outer side wall panels 116a, 116b on their receptive sides when the blank is folded to form a container. A rear edge of each of the second securing flaps 115a, 115b is profiled to define a locking tab portion 122, which aligns with the profiled rear edges of the inner and outer side wall panels 1 16a, 116b to define the locking tabs 22 in the completed container.

To form the container 10 from the blank 110, the blank 110 is first folded along fold lines 211, 213 to bring the front and rear wall panels 1 12, 114 perpendicular to the base panel 1 18. The blank 1 10 is then folded along fold lines 212a, 212b to bring first securing flaps 1 13a, 1 13b perpendicular to the front wall panel 112, and along fold lines 214a, 214b to bring projecting second securing flaps 1 15a, 115b perpendicular to the rear wall panel 114. With the panels 1 12, 1 14, and securing flaps 113a, 1 13b, 1 15a, 1 15b in position, the blank 110 is then folded along fold lines 215, 217 to bring the second side wall sections 1 16 perpendicular with the base panel 118. Each of the side wall sections 1 16 is folded along their interior fold lines 216a, 216b to bring the inner side wall panel 1 16a to a position wherein it overlaps the outer side wall panel 116b with the respective first and second securing flaps located between the inner and outer side wall panels 1 16a, 116b. The inner side wall panel 116a is secured in position by locating the securing tabs 137a, 137b in respective further apertures 138a, 138b in the base panel 1 18.

Figure 7 illustrates a blank 160 for the construction of the stand 60 for use in embodiments of a display device of the invention. The blank 160 comprises a rear wall panel 162 and a pair of side wall sections 164 connected via respective fold lines 262a, 262b along opposing edges of the rear wall panel 162.

The side wall sections are a mirror image of each other. Each side wall section 164 comprises a first side wall panel 164a and a second side wall panel 164b, with each side wall panel being substantially a mirror image of the other. The first and second side wall panels 164a, 164b are connected via interior fold lines 264a, 264b which run alongside one another and are configured such that when folded, the panels 164a, 164b are positioned adjacent to one another, side-by-side. Each side wall panel 164a, 164b also includes a locking tab portion 170 extending therefrom. The locking tab portions 170 are profiled to define locking tabs 70 in the completed stand 60 and which are similar in profile to the locking tabs 22 of the container and include undercut regions 170c between the main body of the tab portion and an upper edge 168 of the respective side wall panel 164a, 164b. The side wall panels 164a, 16b are triangular in shape so as to form tapered side walls in the stand.

To form the stand 60 from the blank 160, the blank 160 is folded along fold lines 264a, 264b to bring the first and second side wall panels 164a, 164b on either side together, with the lacking tab portions 170 in alignment to define the side walls 64. The panels 164a, 164b may be securely fastened to one another, by means of an adhesive or the like, for example, to retain the first and second side wall sections 1 4 in this configuration. The blank is also folded along fold lines 262a, 262b so that the side walls 64 of the stand project forwardly from the rear wall 66. The side walls 64 of the stand 60 are held in position relative to the rear wall 62 once a container 10 has been mounted to the stand so that no front wall is required. This allows the side walls 64 of the stand 60 to taper very narrowly at their forward edge so that when a container 10 is mounted to the stand, the stand 60 is not visible from the front of the display and the container is brought very close to the surface on which the stand 60 is positioned.

Figure 8 illustrates a blank 140 for the construction of the header 40 for use in embodiments of a display of the invention. The blank 140 comprises a planer display surface panel 142, a first side wall panel 144a, a second side wall panel 144b and a securing flap member 146. The first side wall panel 144a and second side wall panel 144b are connected via respective fold lines 242a, 242b along opposing edges of the top surface panel 142. The securing flap member 146 is connected via fold line 148 along a further edge of the top surface panel 142. The first and second side wall panels 144a, 144b comprise respective securing tab members 152a, 152b at an end thereof. The securing tab members 152a, 152b form securing tabs 52a, 52b of the header 40 for securing the header 40 to a container 10, in use. To form the header 40 from the blank 140, the blank 140 is folded along fold lines 242a, 242b and 148 to bring the first and second side wall panels 144a, 144b and the securing flap member 146 to a position wherein they are substantially perpendicular to the top surface panel 142.

A modular display device 34 can be formed using any number of containers 10 arranged in a stack or even a single container mounted to a stand 60. The components of the modular display device 34 could be provided as flat blanks for assembly at a retail outlet with product being loaded into the container(s) 10 after construction. Alternatively, the containers 10 may be pre-filled with product and supplied to a retailer who assembles them into a display device 34 together with a stand 60 and optionally a header 40. Where the containers 10 are pre-filled, they may be provided with removable lid sections or other closure means to hold the product in the containers during transport. It will be noted that the use of a separate stand 60 to incline the containers 10 means that the upper surfaces of the walls 12, 14, 16 of the containers can be aligned parallel to the base 18 so that the containers 10 define standard cuboid shape which is useful for stacking during storage and transport. Furthermore, it will be noted that the locking tabs 22 are defined within the side walls 16 of the containers and do not project beyond the upper edge of the side walls and so are less susceptible to damage during transport and storage. Furthermore, forming the locking tabs 22 using both the inner and outer side wall panels 116a, 116b and further supported by the locking tab portions 112 of second securing flaps 115a, 1 15b means that each locking tab is made from three thickness of material for additional strength.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.