A container for storage, transport, display and dispensing of products, a blank for forming said container, a support system for said container and a system comprising said container and support system

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for storage, transport, display and dispensing of products. It further relates to a blank for forming said container, a support system for said container, and the combination of at least one such container and said support system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Retailers have always attempted to balance good presentation of a sufficient quantity of products against space restrictions and the risk of taking up space with unsold goods. To this end, so-called "Stock Keeping Units" (SKUs) have been developed which contain and display products at the retail premises.

In addition, it is desirable to combine the storage, transport and display properties of a container or package, such that a single container can fulfil the requirements of each part of the supply chain. For example, containers for storage and transport must be robust enough to tolerate the handling processes thereof, while containers for display must present the products in an attractive manner, at the same time as allowing easy access to the product.

Many advantages are obtained if a single container can be used for storage, transport and display. For example, products do not have to be unloaded individually onto shelves in a store, and the product can be presented and displayed in accordance with the manufacturer's wishes. Using the same container for storage, transport and display can also lead to savings in materials, as one container can be used throughout the supply chain.

It is known to display products such as confectionery on sloping shelves. An advantage of this is that - when the consumer takes the lowermost product - one or more of the remaining products slide down under the influence of gravity and fill the space left by the product which has been removed. In this way, products always lie in the most accessible and visible portion of the shelf.

Sloping shelves can nonetheless present disadvantages. For example, sloping shelves (especially low-lying sloping shelves) are difficult to fill with individual products, as the person filling the shelves has to reach under the above-lying sloping shelf, to the top of the shelf which they are trying to fill. Consequently, the vertical distance between such sloping shelves must be relatively large; often larger than the vertical distance between similar non-sloping shelves.

It is also known to place containers of products such as confectionery on sloping shelves. The containers are prevented from slipping off the shelves by a ledge or lip located on the lower edge of the shelf. However, as the ledge is located at the lower edge of the shelf, it often hinders the insertion or removal of containers to or from said shelves. Furthermore, as such containers are predominantly open, the products in said containers are not restricted from sliding or falling, and will often do so, creating a messy appearance and poor availability to the customer. In addition, such shelves take up just as much space when empty as when filled.

DE 82 30 013 and DE 39 40 801 describe packaging and display containers with hook arrangements which allow them to be hung on racks.

US 2006/0243683 describes a merchandising display system having a plurality of containers supported on a shelf.

GB 2 438 486 discloses a convertible shipping and display container.

A display system for chocolate tablets is known from DE 102 40 346. The display comprises an array of interlocking containers, in which containers are stacked upon one another (i.e. the display is built solely of containers, and no separate support means is present). Each container comprises two stacks of chocolate tablets arranged side-by- side, and each container contains only one type of chocolate. A typical display comprises containers of different type of chocolate arranged in the display as required by the retailer, e.g. to form a pattern. One disadvantage with the above system is that, should a container in the lower portion of the display become empty, it is impossible to remove it and replace it with a fresh container without removing all overlying containers. Accordingly, to save time and man-hours associated with replacing individual containers,

containers in the display often remain empty until the entire display is disassembled. In addition, the system of DE 102 40 346 is not flexible, and containers cannot be removed or moved about the display at will without disassembling large portions of - or sometimes all of - the display.

There is a need for a space-efficient system for storage, transport and display of products, in which the advantages of sloping shelves are combined with features which allow efficient filling of products. A highly flexible display system is also advantageous. The system should also allow easy, controllable dispensing (e.g. without unwanted products falling out) and - if the customer changes their mind about a purchase - allow products to be replaced in the system.

Other advantages of the invention will become evident from the following description text.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a container for the storage, transport, display and dispensing of products, said container comprising: opposing top and bottom panels separated by a height H; at least one sidewall extending between said top and bottom panels, - a dispensing opening located in a portion of a sidewall in the region adjacent to said bottom panel, and optionally extending into a portion of said bottom panel, said dispensing opening having a height H1 in the sidewall which is less than the height H of the container. The container comprises at least one protrusion for selective releasable cooperation with one of a container support system or an identical container, said at least one protrusion being integrally formed with at least one of said top panel, bottom panel or at least one sidewall.

In a first configuration A, said at least one protrusion is accommodated within said at least one of said top panel, bottom panel or at least one sidewall; and, in a second configuration B, said at least one protrusion extends from said at least one sidewall in a direction opposite to said dispensing opening.

The protrusions may be arranged so as to form a portion of one or more sidewalls of the container in the first configuration A and folded out from said sidewalls in the second configuration B.

Suitably, the dispensing opening has an extension H1 in the height H direction which is less than 50%, preferably less than 30% of the total height H of the container. The dispensing opening optionally extends into a portion of said bottom panel. The height H of the container may be at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, more preferably at least 3 times, the width W and/or the depth D of the container.

Suitably, the container is cuboid and has sidewalls consisting of; opposing rectangular front and rear panels separated by a depth D, and first and second opposing rectangular side panels separated by a width W. The dispensing opening may be located in said front panel, and in the first configuration A, the at least one protrusion extends from the rear panel. The front panel of the container may additionally comprise at least one support opening, such that - when two containers are stacked upon each other in the second configuration B - the at least one protrusion extending from the rear panel of one container engages with the support opening on the front panel of the other container. The rear panel of the container may additionally comprise a viewing opening.

The invention also provides a blank for forming a container as described herein. In particular, the blank may comprise : - a first rectangular panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges, wherein each of said opposing side edges has a length (H) corresponding to the height

(H) of the container and each of said opposing end edges has a length (W) corresponding to the width W of the container ; second and third rectangular panels, each having opposing side edges and opposing end edges, wherein each of said opposing side edges has a length (H) corresponding to the height (H) of the container and each of said opposing end edges has a length (D) corresponding to the depth (D) of the container ; a fourth rectangular panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges, wherein each of said opposing side edges has a length (H) corresponding to the height (H) of the container and each of said opposing end edges has a length (W) corresponding to the width W of the container ; flaps extending from the opposing end edges of at least three of said rectangular panels, said flaps being arranged so as to constitute top and bottom panels of said container ;

wherein the second and third rectangular panels are located on either side of the first rectangular panel such that each of said opposing side edges of the first rectangular panel is joined to one opposing side edge of the second and third rectangular panels and separated therefrom by score lines, and; the fourth rectangular panel is located adjacent the second rectangular panel, such that the opposing side edge of the fourth rectangular panel is joined to the other opposing side edge of the second rectangular panel and separated therefrom by score line ; and wherein the opposing side edge of the fourth rectangular panel which is not joined to the second rectangular panel ; or the opposing side edge of the third rectangular panel, comprises a flap for connecting the opposing side edge of the third rectangular panel to the opposing side edge of the fourth rectangular panel, and wherein the fourth rectangular panel comprises means for forming a dispensing opening, adjacent to one end edge thereof, and that; at least one of the first, second, third or fourth rectangular panels comprises means for forming at least one protrusion.

In the blank according to the invention, the means for forming the dispensing opening suitably has an extension H1 in the height H direction which is less than 50%, preferably less than 30% of the total height H of the container. Optionally, the fourth panel additionally comprises means for forming a support opening, while the first panel optionally comprises means for forming a viewing opening.

The invention also relates to a support system for a container as described herein, said support system comprising at least one frame, said at least one frame comprising: at least one first support means which is adapted to engage with at least one protrusion on the container, thus preventing the container from sliding down in the direction of the bottom panel thereof, and at least one second support means for preventing the container from rotating about an axis perpendicular to the two opposing side panels thereof, thus maintaining said at least one container on said support system such that the panel of the container from which the protrusions extend makes an angle with the horizontal plane of between 10 and 80°. The frames of the support system do not comprise means such as a ledge, protrusion, or lip at the lower edge thereof, which is adapted to contact the bottom panel of the container.

The at least one first support means may be selected from the group consisting of a wire, a rod, a ledge, a thread or a panel comprising a hole; which engages with said at least one protrusion on the container. Similarly, the at least one second support means may be selected from the group consisting of a wire, rod, thread, ledge or panel which optionally engages with at least one protrusion on the container.

The present invention also provides a system comprising: a. at least one container as described herein, and b. a support system as described herein; said at least one container being supported on said support system at an angle, by means of said at least one protrusion, with the front panel located above said bottom panel, such that the two side panels are vertical, and the panel of the container from which the protrusions extend makes an angle with the horizontal plane of between 10 and 80°.

The system may comprise at least two, such as at least three, at least five or at least ten, containers arranged horizontally in rows with the side panel of one container facing a side panel of the neighbouring container. Furthermore, it may comprise at least two, such as at least three, at least five, or at least ten, containers arranged vertically in a staggered column with the rear panel of one container overlying the front panel of an underlying container. In the system according to the invention, the dispensing opening in the front panel of the underlying container suitably occupies the region of the front panel which is not covered by rear panel of the overlying container.

DEFINITIONS A "protrusion" is defined as a portion of the container which extends from the container's sidewalk

The terms "vertical" and "horizontal" are used in their usual sense - a component which is aligned with the horizontal plane lies substantially parallel to the ground, and a component which is aligned with the vertical plane lies substantially at right angles to the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more closely-described by way of example only with reference to the embodiments below and the enclosed Figures, in which.

Figures 1 A and 1 B show a container according to the invention,

Figure 1 C shows the blank used to form the container of Figures 1A and B,

Figure 2A and 2B show an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention,

Figure 2C shows the blank used to form the container of Figures 2A and B,

Figure 3A and 3B show an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention,

Figure 3C shows the blank used to form the container of Figures 3A and B, Figure 4A and 4B show an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention,

Figure 4C shows the blank used to form the container of Figures 4A and B,

Figure 5A, 5B and 5C show an alternative embodiment of the container according to the invention, Figure 5D shows the blank used to form the container of Figures 5A and B,

Figure 6A shows two containers according to Figure 1 stacked upon one another and interlocked,

Figure 6B shows two containers according to Figure 3 stacked upon one another and interlocked, Figure 7 shows a support system according to the invention,

Figure 8 shows the support system filled with containers

Figure 9 is a side view of the support system of Figure 5,

Figure 10 shows an alternative form for the support system.

Figure 11 shows a comparison of the support system of Figure 9 with a standard shelving system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Container Figures 1-5 illustrate a container (generally depicted as 200) according to the invention. The container has opposing top 201 and bottom panels 202 separated by a height H, and at least one sidewall 203, 204, 205, 206 extending between said top 201 and bottom panels 202. Accordingly, the container may take a variety of shapes such as triangular prismatic (three sidewalls), cylindrical (one sidewall) or three-dimensional forms with more than three sidewalls (e.g. 4, 5, 6 or more sidewalls).

The following discussion will relate to the cuboid container 200 illustrated in the Figures.

The illustrated container 200 is cuboid and has four sidewalls 203, 204, 205, 206 consisting of; opposing rectangular front 203 and rear panels 204 separated by a depth D,

5 and first 205 and second 206 opposing rectangular side panels separated by a width W.

All panels of the cuboid container 200 illustrated in Figures 1-5 are planar and have a rectangular shape. Height H is defined as the shortest distance between top 201 and bottom 202 panels, depth D is defined as the shortest distance between front 203 and rear 204 panels and width W is defined as the shortest distance between side panels 205,

10 206. Unless otherwise stated, all panels of the container 200 are solid.

The container 200 of the invention may be used to store, transport and display a wide range of products. The products may be loose, individually wrapped or packaged in small numbers. The container may be used for snack products, such as e.g. potato chips, nuts

15 or processed snacks or for confectionery, such as e.g. chocolate or candy bars and packaged candy. The container may also be used for general food products, such as e.g. cooking ingredients or dried food products, or even for personal hygiene products such as e.g. toiletries (e.g. toothpaste, soap bars), sanitary articles (e.g. tampons, sanitary napkins and diapers) or paper tissue products (e.g. facial tissues). Ideally, the products to be

20 stored within the container 200 have a planar form and can be stacked (with their primary face aligned with either the bottom panel 202 or with the front panel 203 of the container 200). The choice of stacking direction of the products relative to the container 200 depends on the weight of the products and the height of the stack.

25 Typically, the container 200 has a height H of between 10 and 60cm, a width W of between 3 and 30cm, and a depth D of between 3 and 20cm. Suitably, the height H of the container 200 is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, more preferably at least 3 times, the width W and/or the depth D of the container 200. A container which has a height H greater than its depth D can be arranged on a complementary support system

30 300 (see below) in stacks of e.g. 2, 3 or 4, which can be easily incorporated into the herring-bone stacking configuration described in the following.

The container 200 of the invention can be made of any material, even combinations of materials, and is suitably rigid. Suitable materials are metals, plastics (e.g. polyethene,

35 polypropylene or polystyrene), cardboard (such as corrugated cardboard) or paper, or

mixtures or laminates thereof (e.g. plastic-coated paper or cardboard). The preferred material is cardboard, such as corrugated cardboard. If made of cardboard or paper, the container 200 can be disassembled when empty, flattened out and transported back to the supplier in the flattened state, thus saving energy and space. If made out of plastic, the container 200 may be reusable.

The container 200 comprises a dispensing opening 210 located in a portion of a sidewall 203, 204, 205, 206 in the region adjacent to said bottom panel 202. As shown in Figures 1 - 5, the dispensing opening 210 is located in a portion of the front panel 203 in the region adjacent to said bottom panel 202. The dispensing opening 210 extends through the front panel 203 of the container 200 and allows the consumer to see a product, and remove it from the container 200. In that the dispensing opening 210 is located in the region "adjacent to" the bottom panel 202, there is no container wall in the front panel 203 between the dispensing opening 210 and the bottom panel 202. In other words, the dispensing opening 210 extends along at least a portion of, and preferably the entire, edge defined by the front panel 203 and the bottom panel 202 of the container 200. The dispensing opening 210 can be adapted to allow one full product to be shown.

The dimensions and form of the dispensing opening 210 depend primarily upon the dimensions of the products to be dispensed from the container 200. However, the dispensing opening 210 comprises only a portion of the front panel 203 of the container

(i.e. not the entire front panel 203), and, in particular, has a height H1 in the sidewall (front panel 203 in Figures 1-5) which is less than the height H of the container 200. The dispensing opening 210 suitably has an extension H1 in the height H direction which is less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 20% of the total height H of the container 200. A dispensing opening 210 which extends too far in the height H direction (i.e. which takes up too much of the front panel 203) risks that products will fall out, which is particularly relevant considering the steep angles at which the containers 200 are typically displayed. Furthermore, the fact that the front panel 203 does not entirely comprise dispensing opening 210 means that two or more containers 200 may be stacked upon each other when the dispensing opening 210 is open.

The dispensing opening 210 may have a width which is at least 70%, preferably at least

80%, more preferably at least 90%, of the width W of the container 200. Most preferably, the dispensing opening has a width which is equal to the width W of the container 200, i.e.

15 configuration B so as to protrude from the rear panel 204, and can engage in the dispensing opening 210 of another container 200.

The embodiment of Figure 4A is similar to that of Figure 3A, except that the protrusions 5 214 located nearest the bottom panel 202 are not present. Instead, the front panel 203 of the container 200 of Figure 4A comprises adhesive tape 217, which is arranged so as to stick the front panel 203 of one container 200 to the rear panel 204 of a second container (see Figure 4B). The container 200 of Figure 4A comprises protrusions 214 which can be deployed so as to extend from the rear panel 204 (also shown in Figure 4B). 0

The embodiment of Figure 5A is similar to that of Figure 2A, except that the protrusion 214 has a form which can lock into a support opening 213 of an identical container 200, or into a support means 300. By "lock" is meant that the protrusion 214 can readily be inserted into the support opening 213 or support means 300, but cannot be so easily5 removed, and is held tightly in place. The container 200 illustrated in Figure 5B and 5C comprise protrusions 214 which extend from the rear panel 204.

The front panel 203 of the container is that panel which is presented to the consumer. As such, it may comprise a logo, text, pattern or other design which may be indicative of the0 nature or origin of the product within said container 200. The design may continue across one or more other panels of the container 200. In addition, portions of a single design may extend over a plurality of containers 200, when arranged in the support system 300, so that a larger design is created. 5 The container 200 may additionally comprise at least one support opening 213, located in the panel opposite that from which the protrusions 214 extend. The support opening 213 may be separate from the dispensing opening 210; however, the support opening 213 and the dispensing opening 210 may in fact be contiguous, as shown in Figure 5. Figure 5 shows that the support 213 and dispensing openings 210 border each other. To form the0 support opening 213, only that portion of the front panel 203 which covers the support opening 213 is removed. To form the dispensing opening 210, the entire dispensing cover 216 is removed.

If, as in the preferred embodiment, protrusions 214 extend from the rear panel 204 in the5 second configuration B, the at least one support opening 213 may be located in the front

16 panel 203. If protrusions 214 extend from the front panel 203 in the second configuration B, the at least one support opening 213 may be located in the rear panel 204. The support opening 213 has dimensions and is located such that - when two containers 200 are stacked upon each other - the at least one protrusion 214 on the front/rear panel 203, 5 204 of one container 200 engages with the support opening 213 on the rear/front panel 204, 203 of the other container 200.

Suitably, the projections 214 on the front or rear panel 203, 204 of the container 200, and the support opening 213 on the front 203 or rear panel 204 of the container 200 are0 located at a similar distance from the top 201 or bottom 202 panel, so that, when a protrusion 214 on one container 200 engages with the support opening 213 of the other container 200, the top 201 and bottom 202 panels of both containers are aligned flush. This is illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B. Figure 6A also illustrates that the support opening 213 is formed so as to be able to receive protrusions 214 (in this case, hooks),5 and hold them fast, thus locking two containers together, as the resilience of the material of the protrusions 214 pushes them outwards towards the side panels 205, 206. Figure 6B illustrates how the two pairs of protrusions of the container 200 of Figure 3 are employed - one pair is designed to reversibly engage with the support means 300, while the other pair is designed to reversibly engage with an identical container 200 by means0 of the dispensing opening 210.

The support opening 213 may also be covered when the container 200 is used for storage and transport (i.e. in the first configuration A), in the same way as the dispensing opening 210, so that it may be uncovered (in the second configuration B) for display and5 dispensing. For example, when two containers 200 are stacked above one another, the support opening 213 in the lower container 200 should be open to receive the projections 214 of the upper container, but the support opening 213 in the upper container need not be opened. Furthermore, the dispensing cover 216 used to cover the dispensing opening 210 may be partly removed to form a support opening 213, and removal of the entire0 dispensing cover 216 forms the dispensing opening 210. This is shown in Figures 5B and 5C: part of the dispensing cover 216 is removed in Figure 5B to form the support opening 213. This arrangement is suitable when stacking two identical containers 200 of Figure 5 on top of one another. When a container 200 is to be used for dispensing, the entire dispensing cover 216 is removed, as shown in Figure 5C. 5

17

In that two containers 200 can lock together, they can be mounted on the support system 300 in pairs (one above the other), which is desirable for the retailer as the upper container can be used for dispensing products, while the lower container acts as a reserve for use when the upper container is empty.

Desirably, the same projections 214 are used for cooperation with an identical container 200 (i.e. engaging with the support opening 213) as for engaging with the support system 300. However, as mentioned above and illustrated in Figure 3A-3C, certain projections 214 may be suitable for releasable cooperation with a container support system 300, while others may be suitable for cooperation with an identical container 200.

As an alternative to the support opening 213, two or more containers 200 may be supported on one another by means of adhesive tape 217, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 4. In this case, a strip of adhesive tape 217 is located on the front panel 203 of a container 200, with the adhesive facing outwards. Should a retailer wish to stack two containers 200 above one another on a single support system 300, the adhesive tape 217 is uncovered (e.g. by removing a protective strip) and a second container 200 can be adhered to the first container 200 via the adhesive tape 217. An alternative is that the adhesive tape 217 is located on the rear panel 204 of an upper container 200, and sticks to the front panel 203 of an underlying container 200.

The rear panel 204 of the container 200 may additionally comprise a viewing opening 215 (see Figures 1 and 2), located in said bottom panel 202, preferably in the lower region thereof. The dimensions of the viewing opening 215 are suitably smaller than those of the dispensing opening 210, so that products cannot fall out or be removed from the container 200 via the viewing opening 215. The viewing opening 215 may therefore have a width which is between 30% and 80%, preferably between 40% and 70%, more preferably between 50% and 60%, of the width W of the container 200. When two or more containers 200 are stacked upon one another, and the upper container becomes empty, the viewing opening 215 allows a consumer to see that underlying container contains the desired product, prompting them to remove the upper container and to obtain products from the underlying container. The viewing opening 215 may also be covered in the first configuration A, so as to protect the contents of the container 200, but uncovered in the second configuration B.

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The present invention also relates to a blank 400 for forming the container 200 of the invention. Figures 1 C, 2C, 3C, 4C and 5D show blanks 400 suitable for forming the containers 200 illustrated in Figures 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A, respectively. In Figures 1 C, 2C, 3C, 4C and 5D, score (i.e. fold) lines are indicated by dashed lines, while perforations are indicated by alternating dash-dot lines.

The blanks 400 illustrated in Figures 1 C, 2C, 3C, 4C and 5D comprise: a first rectangular panel 403 having opposing side edges 403A, 403B and opposing end edges 403C, 403D, wherein each of said opposing side edges 403A, 403B has a length H corresponding to the height H of the container 200 and each of said opposing end edges 403C, 403D has a length W corresponding to the width W of the container 200; second 405 and third 406 rectangular panels, each having opposing side edges

405A, 405B, 406A, 406B and opposing end edges 405C, 405D, 406C, 406D, wherein each of said opposing side edges 405A, 405B, 406A, 406B has a length H corresponding to the height H of the container 200 and each of said opposing end edges has a length D corresponding to the depth D of the container 200; a fourth rectangular panel 404 having opposing side edges 404A, 404B and opposing end edges 404C, 404D, wherein each of said opposing side edges 404A, 404B has a length H corresponding to the height H of the container 200 and each of said opposing end edges 404C, 404D has a length W corresponding to the width W of the container 200; and flaps 430, 431 , 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 extending from the opposing end edges 403C, 403D, 405C, 405D, 406C, 406D, 404C, 404D of at least three of said rectangular panels 403, 404, 405, 406, said flaps 430, 431 , 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 being adapted to constitute top 201 and bottom 202 panels of said container 200. In that the flaps 430, 431 , 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 are adapted to constitute top 201 and bottom 202 panels of the container 200, it means that, when they are overlapped during assembly of the container, the dimensions of the flaps 430, 431 , 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 are sufficient to cover the area defined by the top 201 and bottom 202 panels of the container 200. For example, flaps 430, 432, 434, 436 located on the second 405 and third 406 rectangular panels may all be the same size and extend from the blank 400 a distance corresponding to half the width W of the container 200, so that when the container 200 is assembled, flaps 430, 432, 434, 436 form the top 201 and bottom 202 panels of the container 200.

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The second and third rectangular panels 405, 406 are located on either side of the first rectangular panel 403 such that each of said opposing side edges 403A, 403B of the first rectangular panel 403 is joined to one opposing side edge 405A, 406B of the second and 5 third rectangular panels 405, 406 and separated therefrom by score lines 421 , 422. The fourth rectangular panel 404 is located adjacent the second rectangular panel 405, such that the opposing side edge 404A of the fourth rectangular panel 404 is joined to the other opposing side edge 405B of the second rectangular panel 405 and separated therefrom by score line 422. A flap 438 is located on the opposing side edge 404B of the fourth 10 rectangular panel 404 which is not joined to the second rectangular panel 405; or the opposing side edge 406A of the third rectangular panel 406, for connecting the opposing side edge 406A of the third rectangular panel 406 to the opposing side edge 404B of the fourth rectangular panel 404.

15 The fourth rectangular panel 404 comprises means 410 for forming a dispensing opening 210, adjacent to one end edge 404C thereof. This means 410 for forming a dispensing opening 210 may comprise perforation lines or weakening or a cut-out corresponding to the shape of the dispensing opening 210. As mentioned above, the dispensing opening 210 may be covered by a dispensing cover 216 which comprises the same material as the

20 container 200 and is defined by perforations or lines of weakness or which comprises a different material to that of the container 200, e.g. a plastic film, paper sheet or metal foil. The means 410 for forming the dispensing opening 210 has an extension H1 in the height H direction which is suitably less than 50%, preferably less than 30% of the total height H of the container 200.

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At least one of the first 403, second 405, third 406 or fourth 406 rectangular panels comprises means 414 for forming at least one protrusion 214. As shown in Figure 1C, the second 405 and third 406 rectangular panels comprise protrusions 214 in the form of hooks defined by perforated regions. Figure 2C shows that the first rectangular panel

30 403 comprises a protrusion 214 in the form of a flap defined by perforated regions. Figure 3C shows that the second 405 and third 406 rectangular panels comprise two pairs of protrusions 214 defined by perforated regions. Figure 4C shows the second 405 and third 406 rectangular panels comprising protrusions 214 defined by perforated regions. Figure 5 shows that the first rectangular panel 403 comprises a protrusion 214 in the form

35 of a locking flap defined by perforated regions.

20

The fourth panel 404 may additionally comprise means 413 for forming a support opening 213. The first panel 403 may additionally comprise means 415 for forming a viewing opening 215.

Although the blank 400 has been described with reference to the embodied containers 200, the skilled person will be able to design blanks within the scope of the invention which are suitable for forming any defined container 200, in particular, with any desired form of protrusions 214.

Support system

The support system 300 of the invention is exemplified in Figures 7-1 1 , and shown most clearly in Figure 7. It comprises at least one frame 301. A frame 301 is a structure which extends in at least one horizontal plane, and is adapted to support a row of containers 200 according to the invention. Frames 301 can be connected to each other to build up the support system, or can be connected by additional members (e.g. rods, wires, panels, legs, etc). Typically, the support system comprises at least two frames 301 , such as e.g. at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6 or at least 10 frames 301. The frames 301 are arranged vertically above each other. In this way, at least two rows of containers 200 can be supported on the support system 300. Typically, the frames 301 have a rectangular shape, and may be solid (e.g. shelving, see Figure 7) or open (e.g. a framework, see Figure 10).

The support system 300 may be free-standing or wall-mounted. It may be designed to stand on the floor, or on horizontal shelves (thus adapting standard horizontal shelves to support a container 200 according to the invention). If free-standing, the support system

300 typically comprises one or more legs 31 1 upon which the one or more frames 301 are supported. However, it may be possible for the support system to be floor standing, and not comprise legs 311 (e.g. the frames may be interconnected so as to support each other).

Any design of frame 310 and legs 31 1 which is known in the art for regular shelves can be used in the support system 300. Typically, as per a standard shelf, frames 301 extend horizontally between two or more legs 31 1 (see Figure 7). However, other arrangements of legs 31 1 and frames 301 may be used; e.g. frames 301 extending horizontally from a

21 single wide leg 311 or circular frames 301 supported on a single leg 31 1 , around which containers 200 can be supported in a "Christmas tree" arrangement or a spiral arrangement. The frames 301 may be permanently joined to the legs 31 1 , or may be detachably joined, so that a retailer can adapt the support system 300 according to their requirements.

If wall-mounted, the support system 300 typically comprises at least one frame 301 upon which the containers 200 are supported, and one or more brackets 312 by means of which the frames 301 are fastened to the wall.

The support system 300 may be made of metal, plastic or wood, cardboard or combinations thereof.

The frames 301 of the support system 300 comprise at least one first support means 302 which is adapted to engage with said at least one protrusion 214 on the container 200, thus preventing the container 200 from sliding down in the direction of the bottom panel 202 of the container 200. The first support means 302 therefore has a form which is suitable for engaging with the protrusions 214 on the container 200, thus keeping the container 200 on the support system 300. The protrusions 214 extending from the container 200 in the second conformation B can fit into place over the first support means 302, and the container 200 is thus prevented from sliding down in the direction of the bottom panel 202. For example, the first support means 302 may comprise a hook which is adapted to engage with the protrusions 214 on the container 200. This is shown in the magnified view in Figure 9. Alternatively, the first support means 302 may comprise a wire, rod, ledge or thread extending in the horizontal plane, upon which containers 200 may be hung via their projections 214 (see Figure 10). Such first support means 302 have the advantage that the containers are free to slide horizontally along the frame 301 , providing flexibility in the display of the containers 200. A frame 301 may comprise a shelf which has a first support means 302 in the form of a cut-out extending in the horizontal plane, into which the projections 214 on the container 200 can be inserted. This is particularly relevant for the containers shown in Figures 2 and 5, in which the protrusions 214 in each case are folded down and slotted into a cut-out in the frame.

Each frame 301 is typically rectangular, and is aligned at an angle to the horizontal, such that it comprises a lower front edge 312, an upper rear edge 313 and two side edges 314,

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315. The frames 301 do not comprise means such as a ledge, protrusion, or lip at the lower front edge 312 thereof, which is adapted to contact the bottom panel 202 of the container. In other words, the only component of the frame 301 which prevents the container 200 from sliding down in the direction of the bottom panel 202 is the first support means 302, and this first support means 302 is not located at the lower front edge 312 of the frame. The support system 300 can therefore take up less space when empty, and the same support system 300 can incorporate containers 200 of different heights H, with their top panels 201 aligned.

The frames 301 of the support system 300 also comprise at least one second support means 303 which prevents the container 200 from rotating about an axis perpendicular to the two opposing side panels 205, 206.

As per the first support means, 302, the second support means 303 may be a wire, rod or thread extending in the horizontal plane, upon which containers 200 may rest. The frame

301 may therefore comprise a pair of parallel wires, rods or threads extending in the horizontal plane (see Figure 10). The second support means 303 may also comprise a projection which extends under the rear panel 202 of each container 200, in the direction of the bottom panel 204 thereof. If the frame 301 comprises a shelf in which the first support means 302 has the form of a cut-out extending in the horizontal plane, the lower part of the shelf constitutes the second support means 303. In the embodiments shown in

Figures 7-10, the second support means 303 is arranged to lie under the rear panel 204 of the container. The second support means 303 may optionally engage with at least one protrusion 214 on the container 200, however, it is preferred that the second support means 303 does not prevent the container 200 from sliding down in the direction of the bottom panel 202, but rather its only function is to prevent the container 200 from rotating about an axis perpendicular to the two opposing side panels 205, 206.

Combinations of first 302 and second 303 support means may be chosen by the skilled person. The combination of the first 302 and the second 303 support means allows the containers 200 to be maintained on the support system 300 such that the panel of the container 200 from which the protrusions 214 extend makes an angle with the horizontal plane of between 10 and 80°, preferably between 20 and 70°, more preferably between 30 and 60°, as shown in Figures 8-9. The second 303 support means is thus typically located below and in front of the first support means 302, as seen from the direction of the

23 bottom panel of a container 200. The sloping angle allows good presentation and accessibility of the products in the container 200, while using gravitational force so that products slide towards the dispensing opening 210. The sloping angle can be chosen according to the weight of the product in the container 200 and/or frictional forces between the product and the inside of the container 200. For example, for products which can roll, the angle can be closer to the horizontal. The most preferred angle at which the containers 200 are maintained is 45° to the horizontal, as this allows the frames 301 in the support system 300 to be arranged such that the upper edge of each frame 301 meets the rear face of an overlying frame 301 , said frames 301 being aligned at an angle of 90° as seen from one end of the support system 300. A herring-bone pattern of containers 200 is thus achieved, leading to great savings in space. This is illustrated in Figure 9.

For a given container size, a comparison can be made between the herringbone pattern of Figure 9 and containers 200 stacked double in height on conventional horizontal shelves 400. For good access to the products and to obtain a reasonable total height - a suggested maximum of seven of the conventional shelves 400 or the frames 301 of the present invention can be stacked above one another. Figure 11 shows that - using the herring-bone pattern of containers 200 - the same number of containers 200 can be arranged in much less floor space that containers arranged on horizontal shelving 400.

The invention also relates to the combination (system 100) of at least one container 200 as described herein, and a support system 300 as described herein, as shown in Figure 8 and 9. The at least one container 200 is supported on said support system 300 at an angle inclined to the horizontal, by means of said at least one protrusion 214. Seen from the front panel 203, the container leans backwards, with the front panel 203 located above said bottom panel 202, with the two side panels 205, 206 vertical. The panel of the container 200 from which the protrusions 214 extend makes an angle with the horizontal plane of between 10 and 80°, preferably between 20 and 70°, more preferably between 30 and 60°.

The system 100 may comprise at least two, such as at least three, at least five or at least ten, containers 200 arranged horizontally in rows with the side panel 205 of one container facing the opposite side panel 206 of the neighbouring container. Additionally or alternatively, the system 100 may comprise at least two, such as at least three, at least five, or at least ten, containers 200 arranged vertically in a staggered column with the rear

24 panel 204 of one container overlying the front panel 203 of an underlying container. In this case, the dispensing opening 210 in the front panel 203 of an underlying container occupies the region of said front panel 203 which is not covered by rear panel 204 of the overlying container, as shown in Figure 9, so that products can be easily dispensed.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments and Figures, it should not be understood as being limited thereby. Features from embodiments may be combined at will. The scope of the invention is rather determined by the enclosed claims.