MULLALLY, Liam (121 Park Avenue, Castleknock, Dublin 15, IE)
CLARKE, Gary (Castlefarm, Rooske RoadDunboyne, Co. Meath, IE)
MULLALLY, Liam (121 Park Avenue, Castleknock, Dublin 15, IE)
| Claims 1. A package comprising :- an envelope type pocket for reception of a booklet or the like; a second pocket having at least one opening for reception of discs or the like; and a fold region between the pockets, the package having a closed shipping configuration in which the pockets are folded against one another to prevent access to the products packaged therein and an open user configuration in which the pockets are open, and a closure to retain the pockets in the closed shipping configuration. 2. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein the package comprises a first outer cover panel and a second outer cover panel with the margin therebetween. 3. A package as claimed in claim 2 comprising a first inner panel at least partially covering the first outer cover panel and defining therewith the booklet-receiving pocket. 4. A package as claimed in claim 2 or 3 comprising a second inner panel at least partially covering the second outer panel and defining therewith the disc-receiving pockets. 5. A package as claimed in claim 4 wherein the second inner panel comprises at least one slit which defines the opening for reception of a disc. 6. A package as claimed in claim 7 wherein the slit extends partially across the face of the second inner panel. 7. A package as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the slit is inclined with respect to the edges of the second inner panel. 8. A package as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the second inner panel is adapted to closely confine a disc. 9. A package as claimed in any of claims 2 to 8 wherein the second outer panel is adapted to closely confine a disc. 10. A package as claimed in any of claims 4 to 9 wherein the second inner panel is formed by an extension of the second outer panel. 11. A package as claimed in claim 10 wherein the second inner panel is folded over on the second outer panel and is at least partially bonded thereto. 12. A package as claims in claim 11 wherein the second inner panel is partially bonded to the second outer panel at least at some of the marginal edges thereof. 13. A package as claimed in any of claims 3 to 12 wherein the first inner panel is formed by an extension of the first outer panel. 14. A package as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first inner panel is folded over on the first outer panel and is at least partially bonded thereto. 15. A package as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first inner panel is partially bonded to the first outer panel at least at some of the marginal edges thereof. 16. A package as claimed in claim 15 wherein at least one marginal edge of the first inner panel is not bonded to the first outer panel, to define a booklet - receiving opening therebetween. 17. A package as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first inner panel is open adjacent to the booklet - receiving opening. 18. A package as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17 wherein the first outer panel comprises a first extension at one end. 19. A package as claimed in claim 18 wherein the first extension comprises a tear tab. 20. A package as claimed in claim 18 or 19 wherein the first outer panel comprises a second extension at an opposite end. 21. A package as claimed in claim 20 wherein the second extension comprises a tear tab. 22. A package substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. |
Introduction
This invention relates to a package for holding a number of different objects such as instruction manuals and discs for use with a computer.
In conventional systems when purchasing a computer software a user receives a box containing various manuals and various separate discs for use with the computer. Such packaging is generally very bulky and takes up a large amount of space.
The invention is directed towards providing an improved package which will address at least some of these issues.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a package comprising a pocket for reception of a booklet or the like and a second pocket having a plurality of openings for reception of discs. Preferably there is a margin between the pockets. The margin may comprise a fold region.
The invention provides a package comprising:-
an envelope type pocket for reception of a booklet or the like;
a second pocket having at least one opening for reception of discs or the like; and
a fold region between the pockets, the package having a closed shipping configuration in which the pockets are folded against one another to prevent access to the products packaged therein and an open user configuration in which the pockets are open, and a closure to retain the pockets in the closed shipping configuration.
In one case there is a plurality of openings in the second pocket for reception of a plurality of discs or the like. In one embodiment the package comprises a first outer cover panel, a second outer cover panel with the margin therebetween. The package may also comprise a first inner panel at least partially covering the first outer cover panel and defining therewith the booklet-receiving pocket. The package may also comprise a second inner panel at least partially covering the second outer panel and defining therewith the disc-receiving pockets.
In one embodiment the second inner panel comprises at least one slit which defines an opening for reception of a disc. The slit preferably extends partially across the face of the second inner panel. The slit may be inclined with respect to the edges of the second inner panel. There may be a plurality of such slits to accommodate a plurality of discs or the like.
In one embodiment the second inner panel is formed by an extension of the second outer panel. Preferably the second inner panel is folded over on the second outer panel and is at least partially bonded thereto.
In one case the second inner panel is adapted to closely confine a disc. The second outer panel may be adapted to closely confine a disc.
In one case the second inner panel is partially bonded to the second outer panel at least at some of the marginal edges thereof.
In a preferred embodiment the first inner panel is formed by an extension of the first outer panel.
Preferably the first inner panel is folded over on the first outer panel and is at least partially bonded thereto.
In one case the first inner panel is partially bonded to the first outer panel at least at some of the marginal edges thereof. Preferably at least one marginal edge of the first inner panel is not bonded to the first outer panel to define a booklet - receiving opening therebetween. Preferably the first inner panel is open adjacent to the booklet - receiving opening.
In one embodiment the first outer panel comprises a first extension at one end. The first extension may comprise a tear tab. In another embodiment the first outer panel comprises a second extension at an opposite end. The second extension may comprise a tear tab.
The invention in on aspect provides an envelope type-package comprising:
an envelope type pocket for reception of a booklet or the like; and
a second pocket having at least one opening for reception of a disc or the like;
the package comprising a first outer panel, a first inner panel, a second inner panel, and a second outer panel,
the first outer panel being folded over the first inner panel to define the envelope type pocket,
the second inner panel being folded over the second outer panel to define the second pocket, the second inner panel having the opening for reception of a disc or the like,
the second pocket being folded over the envelope type pocket,
the package having an open in use configuration in which the pockets are accessible and a closed shipping configuration in which access to the receiving opening is prevented,
the package comprising an integral closure to retain the pockets in a closed shipping configuration.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of one side of a blank used to form a package of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of an opposite side of the package; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a partially formed package;
Fig. 4 is another isometric view of the package, partially formed;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of the package with discs and a manual in place;
Fig. 6 is a plan view of the package with the discs and manual removed;
Fig. 7 is a view of the assembled closed package;
Fig. 8 is plan view of a blank used to form another package of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a plan view of an opposite side of the package of Fig. 8;
Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a partially formed package of Fig. 8;
Fig. 11 is another isometric view of the package of Fig. 8, partially formed;
Fig. 12 is a plan view of the package with discs and a manual in place;
Fig. 13 is a plan view of the package with the discs and manual removed; and
Fig. 14 is a view of the assembled closed package.
Detailed Description
Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a package 1 for holding a number of discs 2 (such as CD or DVD discs) and an instruction manual 3 or the like for use with a computer. The package is manufactured from Frovi board but can be produced from any board product and comprises a first pocket 4 for reception of a booklet 3 and a second pocket 5 having a number of openings 6 for reception of discs 2.
The package 1 is formed from a paperboard blank 10. The blank 10 comprises a first outer cover panel 11 and an adjacent second outer cover panel 13 with a margin defining a fold or hinge region 14 therebetween. The package has a closed shipping configuration in which the pockets are folded against one another to prevent access to the products packaged therein and an open user configuration in which the pockets are open, and a closure to retain the pockets in the closed shipping configuration.
The package is an envelope type product with a folding CD/DVD holder which is automatically sealed to enhance security.
The blank 10 also comprises a first inner panel 15 which is folded over the first outer cover panel 11 to form the booklet-receiving pocket 4. It will be noted that the first inner panel 15 is open adjacent to the booklet-receiving opening 4 and has a cut-out 19 to facilitate ease of withdrawal of a booklet 3. One end of the inner panel 15 is also adhesively bonded to the inner face of the outer panel 11 at 35 to define a closed end of the booklet pocket 4.
The blank 10 further comprises a second inner panel 16 which is folded over the outer cover panel 13 to form the disc receiving pocket 5. The second inner panel 16 comprises at least one and in this case a plurality of slits 20 which define the openings 6 for reception of discs 2. The slits 20 are lines which extend partially across the face of the inner panel 16 and are inclined with respect to the edges of the panel 16 to define appropriately sized pockets that partially receive and fully retain the discs 2 in place. The slits are inclined and adjacent slits are in general parallel alignment to accommodate a plurality of discs which are arranged in-line in the pocket. In this way a plurality of discs can be accommodated in a relatively small space. The assembled disc receiving pocket is sealed and also bonded to the booklet pocket panel 15. The inner panel 16 is partially adhesively bonded to the corresponding outer panel 13 using a suitable cold pva glue 30 applied to the inner face of the panel 16.
The disc-receiving part and the booklet receiving parts are also folded over about the hinge region 14 and releasably bonded by a release adhesive cold pva glue 40 which is provided along one edge of the panel 15 to retain the disc pocket 5.
The first outer panel 11 has a first extension 50 at one end. The extension 50 comprises a tear tab 51. The panel 11 also comprises a second extension 55 at the opposite end. The extension 55 also comprises a tear tab 56. The extension 51 has an adhesive 60 on the inner face thereof which is bonded on assembly to the face of the panel 15. Similarly, the extension 55 has an adhesive 61 on the inner face thereof which is bonded on assembly to the face of the panel 15.
The releasable closure for the package is defined by the extension tabs 50, 51 which can be readily released by an authorised user using the associated tear tabs 51, 56. The closure tabs allow access to both the booklet and disc pockets, when released. There is a single closure system which, on release allows access to both pockets.
In use, the package is provided to an assembler who inserts a booklet 3 and computer discs 2 when the package is in the configuration of Figs. 5 and 6. The disc-receiving pocket 5 and booklet receiving pocket 4 are then folded over and are releasably joined by the adhesive strip 40. The extension tabs 50, 55 are then folded over as illustrated in Fig. 7. These are held in place by the adhesive 60, 61.
A user opens the package by tearing the tabs 51, 56 which allows the disc pocket 5 and booklet pocket 4 to be unfolded. The remaining upper extension tab 55 can be folded into the booklet pocket opening.
In the packages of the invention there is a comprehensive gluing system to hold the assembled product together and create the folding DVD/CD pocket.
Referring to Figs. 8 to 14 there is illustrated another package 100 according to the invention which is similar to that described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 6 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. The adhesive has been omitted from Fig. 7, for clarity.
In this case the second inner panel 16 and the second outer panel 13 which form the disk receiving pocket are narrower to more closely confine the discs 2. The region 14 between the outer panels 11, 13 is also enlarged. In effect this enlarged region 14 forms another panel which enlarges the region available for bonding to the panel 15 and further strengthens the package. The closing mechanism has also been altered by reducing the size of the strips 70, 71 remaining after removal of the tear strips 51, 56.
In Fig. 8 the dimensions are as follows in mm: a: 780.50 b: 373.99 c: 279.00 d: 215.00 e: 216.00 f: 81.00 g: 135.00 h: 133.50 i: 25.00 j: 289.00
The invention provides a compact package which can hold a number of discs and an instructions booklet or the like. There may be any number of openings to receive discs. For some applications there may be a single opening to accommodate a single disc. The package is readily opened and the user can conveniently store the discs and booklet when not in use. The package system uses up to 50% less packaging than current systems by way of incorporating 2 products in one.
The invention provides an all in one package rather than a carton. The packages is an envelope type product which can be delivered through the standard postal systems without extra packaging which incorporates a fold out which will hold up to 4 cd / dvd's. Over time the amount of printed product required with software has decreased so a full carton containing booklets and CD holders and various other items is not required to the same extent. The product also includes a security / tamper proof closing mechanism so that the disks and other material are not accessible unless breaking the tear strip seals. This product reduces the amount and cost of packaging.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.