US20160272358A1

US20160272358A1 - Display Packaging

Info

Publication number: US20160272358A1
Application number: US14/660,415
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard S. Fan
Original assignee: Nike Inc
Current assignee: Nike Inc
Priority date: 2015-03-17
Filing date: 2015-03-17
Publication date: 2016-09-22

Abstract

A display packaging for maintaining an object includes a pair of opposing side panels each having a void therein with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of each side panel. The side panels are flexibly attached to a top front panel and a bottom front panel at fold lines. A void is located between the front panels with a perimeter defined by opposing curved edges of the front panels. The voids in the side panels adjoin the void between the front panels to form a C-shaped opening that exposes a substantial portion of a maintained object to allow a consumer to visually inspect and/or feel the object. The display packaging may be assembled from a blank that includes a region having the side panels and front panels with a continuous void therein circumscribed by the curved edges of the side panels and front panels.

Description

BACKGROUND

Many athletic activities, particularly team sports, utilize one of a variety of game ball types. For example, the game of soccer utilizes a soccer ball, whereas the game of basketball utilizes a basketball. Other types of game balls that are commonly utilized include footballs, volleyballs, baseballs, and softballs, for example. The suitability of a type of game ball for a particular athletic activity depends upon a variety of characteristics, including dimensions, shape, materials, and weight.
When purchasing game balls, consumers generally prefer to inspect the game balls, which may include both a visual inspection and a tactile inspection (i.e., through touch) to ensure that the game balls possess the requisite characteristics. Moreover, inspection of the game balls permits the consumers to verify whether the game balls possess a requisite degree of quality, which is dependent upon workmanship and materials. Packaging, such as a conventional box, may inhibit consumers' ability to inspect game balls. Accordingly, many manufacturers transport game balls to retail locations without packaging, and the game balls are displayed in bulk at the retail locations in a large bin or basket.
One drawback to displaying game balls without packaging is that information regarding the game balls may not be provided to the consumers. For example, when game balls are loosely displayed in a large bin or basket, information on materials used in the game balls, specifications of the game ball, and approval from governing athletic organizations may not be coupled with the game balls for use by the consumers when selecting between models or manufacturers. Another drawback relates to protection of the game balls. That is, damage to the game balls may occur during transport or while on display at the retail location.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display packaging for receiving and containing a spherical or spheroid object. The display packaging includes a C-shaped opening formed in two opposing sides and a front side exposing a substantial portion of the object allowing a consumer to visually inspect and/or feel the object. The display packaging also provides protection to the object maintained therein (e.g., during transport and while displayed at a retail location) and an area for providing information regarding the object.
The display packaging comprises two opposing side panels each having a void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge in the side panel. The side panels are flexibly attached at fold lines to opposing sides of a top front panel and a bottom front panel. A void is located between the top front panel and the bottom front panel with a perimeter defined by opposing curved edges in the top front panel and the bottom front panel. The void located between the top front panel and the bottom front panel intersects the voids in the side panels to form a C-shaped opening with a perimeter defined by the curved edges of the side panels, top front panel, and bottom front panel. A top and bottom panel provide opposing flat surfaces for stacking purposes (e.g., during transport and while displayed at a retail location).
The display packaging may be formed from a blank that includes a middle region, top region and bottom region. The middle region includes a first side panel having a first void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the first side panel, and a second side panel having a second void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the second side panel. The middle region also includes a top front panel and bottom front panel having a third void between the top front panel and bottom front panel with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the top front panel and an opposing curved edge of the bottom front panel. The first side panel is flexibly attached to the top front panel at a first fold line and the bottom front panel at a second fold line, and the second side panel is flexibly attached to the top front panel at a third fold line and the bottom front panel at a fourth fold line. The third void adjoins the first void and the second void forming a continuous void circumscribed by the curved edges of the first side panel, second side panel, top front panel, and bottom front panel. The middle region may also include at least one back panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel. The top region includes a top panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel. The bottom region includes a bottom panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled display packaging containing a basketball;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled display packaging without containing any object;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the assembled display packaging;

FIG. 4 is a further perspective view of the assembled display packaging;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a blank used to form a display packaging;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 5 showing folding of the blank to form the display packaging;

FIG. 7 is a another perspective view of the blank of FIG. 5 showing folding of the blank to form the display packaging;

FIG. 8 is a further perspective view of the blank of FIG. 5 showing folding of the blank to form the display packaging;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an assembled display packaging in accordance with an alternative aspect containing an American football;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled display packaging in accordance with the alternative aspect without containing any object;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the assembled display packaging in accordance with the alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank used to form a display packaging in accordance with the alternative aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
With reference to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the different views, a display packaging according to an embodiment of the present invention is designated generally with the reference numeral 10. In an assembled state, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the display packaging 10 generally is a hexahedron having six sides and a C-shaped opening 24 for receiving and maintaining spherical objects, such as a basketball as shown in FIG. 1. Although FIG. 1 illustrates the display packaging 10 maintaining a basketball, the display packaging 10 may be particularly suited to receive any inflatable game ball, such as a soccer ball or volleyball, as well as a non-inflatable game ball, such as a baseball, softball, golf ball, or tennis ball. However, it should be understood that the display packaging 10 is not limited to game balls and may be used to receive and maintain any spherical object.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the display packaging 10 in a constructed formation includes a left side 12 and opposing right side 14, a front side 16 and opposing back side 18, and a top side 20 and opposing bottom side 22. The left side 12 comprises a left side panel 102 with a left void 104 having a perimeter formed by a left curved edge 106. The right side 14 comprises a right side panel 108 with a right void 110 having a perimeter formed by a right curved edge 112. The front side 16 includes a top front panel 114 that is flexibly connected to the left side panel 102 at a fold line 116 and the right side panel 108 at a fold line 118. The front side 16 also includes a bottom front panel 120 that is flexibly connected to the left side panel 102 at a fold line 122 and the right side panel 108 at a fold line 124. A front void 126 is located in the front side 16 with a perimeter formed by a top curved edge 128 on the top front panel 114 and a bottom curved edge 130 on the bottom front panel 120.
The left curved edge 106 in the left side panel 102 extends in a substantially continuous concave arc from an intersection with the top curved edge 128 to an intersection with the bottom curved edge 130. The right curved edge 112 in the right side panel 108 similarly extends in a substantially continuous concave arc from an intersection with the top curved edge 128 to an intersection with the bottom curved edge 130. The top curved edge 128 extends in a substantially continuous concave arc from the intersection with the left curved edge 106 to the intersection with the right curved edge 112. The bottom curved edge 130 extends in a substantially continuous concave arc from the intersection with the left curved edge 106 to the intersection with the right curved edge 112.
The left curved edge 106, right curved edge 112, top curved edge 128, and bottom curved edge 130 are configured to engage portions of an outer surface of a spherical object received within the display packaging 10 (e.g., the basketball shown in FIG. 1) to thereby inhibit or prevent movement of the spherical object relative to the display packaging 10. Additionally, the left void 104, right void 110, and front void 126 collectively form the C-shaped opening 24 through which a portion of the maintained spherical object extends beyond the left side 12, right side 14, and front side 16 of the display packaging 10. This allows a substantial portion of the maintained spherical object to be exposed to allow a consumer to visually inspect and feel the spherical object. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4 in which the display packaging 10 is configured to receive a spherical object, the left curved edge 106, right curved edge 112, top curved edge 128, bottom curved edged 130, left void 104, right void 110, and front void 126 each have a curvature with a circular shape to approximate the curvature of the spherical object.
As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the display packaging 10 is configured such that the top front panel 114 extends at a 90-degree angle from a top panel 202 such that the top front panel 114 is perpendicular to the top panel 202. Similarly, the bottom front panel 120 extends at a 90-degree angle from a bottom panel 302 such that the bottom front panel 120 is perpendicular to the bottom panel 302. The left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 each extend from an intersection with the top front panel 114 to an intersection with the bottom front panel 120 on the front side 16 of the display packaging 10. This allows the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 to engage the object to maintain the object in the display packaging 10 while still exposing a substantial portion of the object through the front void 126.
The display packaging 10 may be configured with dimensions based on the size of a spherical object to be received and the extent to which portions of the spherical object are to be exposed. The configurable dimensions include a width measured as a distance from the left side 12 to the right side 14 of the display packaging 10, a height measured as a distance from the top side 20 to the bottom side 2 of the display packaging 10, a depth measured as a distance from the front side 16 to the back side 18 of the display packaging. The configurable dimensions also include sizing of the left void 104, right void 110, and front void 126. The sizing of the left void 104 and right void 110 is dependent in part upon the extent of the arc of the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112, respectively. In some embodiments, the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 extend beyond a semicircle (i.e., half circle) to more effectively maintain a received spherical object within the display packaging 10. For instance, the number of radians in the arc of each of the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 may be greater than π radians (i.e., greater than 180 degrees). In some further embodiments, the arc of each of the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 may be greater than 4.1 radians (i.e., greater than 235 degrees). The sizing of the front void 126 is dependent in part on the extent of the arc of the top curved edge 128 and bottom curved edge 130, as well as a distance between the top curved edge 128 and the bottom curved edge 130.
The sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 of the display packaging 10 generally provide protection to the spherical object maintained therein, including during transport and while displayed at a retail location, while the voids 104, 110, 126 allow for a substantial portion of the contained spherical object to be exposed to allow a consumer to visually inspect and feel the spherical object. The sides 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 also provide an area for providing information regarding the spherical object. Additionally, the top side 20 and bottom side 22 of the display packaging 10 include a top panel 202 and bottom panel 302, respectively, that form parallel planes to one another, which is useful for multi-level stacking (e.g., on a store shelving, in boxes for transportation, etc.). The back side 18 is formed from a first back panel 132, a second back panel 134, a top back flap 214, and a bottom back flap 314.
The display packaging 10 may be formed from a blank 30, as shown in FIG. 5, which provides a plan view of the blank 30 from the perspective of a surface that will form the outside of the display packaging 10. The blank 30 may be made of any material known in the art. By way of example only and not limitation, the blank 30 may be made of a paper product (e.g., paperboard or cardboard), polymers, or other suitable material. Additionally, the material may be a recycled or other post-consumer material. The blank 30 is preferably formed from a single element of material that is stamped to generate the blank 30, which may then be folded to form the display packaging 10 as will be described in further detail below. However, in some embodiments, two or more elements may be joined to form the blank 30.
The blank 30 includes a middle region 100, a top region 200, and a bottom region 300. The middle region 100 is separated from the top region 200 by a series of contiguous fold lines 136, 138, 140 and from the bottom region 300 by a series of contiguous fold lines 142, 144, 146. The middle region 100 includes the left side panel 102, top front panel 114, bottom front panel 120, and right side panel 108, which are formed from a single element of material with a continuous void 164 located therein that includes the left void 104, front void 126, and right void 110. The left side panel 102 is flexibly connected to the top front panel 114 at the fold line 116 and the bottom front panel 120 at the fold line 122. The right side panel 108 is flexibly connected to the top front panel 114 at the fold line 118 and the bottom front panel 120 at the fold line 124. Providing the left side panel 102, top front panel 114, bottom front panel 120, and right side panel 108 from a single element of material with the top and bottom panels 114, 120 flexibly attached between the left and right side panels 102, 108 at fold lines 116, 118, 122, 124 allows the front portion of the display packaging to be more structurally sound. Since this is the location at which the portion of the object is exposed through the front side 16 of the display packaging 10, using a one-piece element in which the left and right side panels 102, 108 are flexibly attached to the top and bottom front panels 114, 120 provides a structural stability to properly maintain the object within the display packaging 10. Additionally, this design reduces the amount of material required to manufacture the blank 30, thereby reducing costs. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the blank 30 has a generally rectangular form reducing the amount of wasted material cut away when generating each blank.
As can be seen in FIG. 5, the top curved edge 128, left curved edge 106, bottom curved edge 130, and right curved edge 112 form a continuous edge to define the continuous void 164 in the middle region 100. In particular, the top curved edge 128 extends in a continuous arc from an intersection with the right curved edge 112 to an intersection with the left curved edge 106; the left curved edge 106 then extends in a continuous arc from the intersection with the top curved edge 128 to an intersection with the bottom curved edge 130, the bottom curved edge 130 then extends in a continuous arc from the intersection with the left curved edge 106 to an intersection with the right curved edge 112; and the right curved edge 112 then extends in a continuous arc from the intersection with the bottom curved edge 130 to the intersection with the top curved edge 128.
A rectangular-shaped first back panel 132 is flexibly connected to the left side panel 102 at a fold line 148. The first back panel 132 includes a top slot opening 150 that extends diagonally upward from an outside edge 152 and a bottom slot opening 154 that extends diagonally downward from the outside edge 152. Similarly, a rectangular-shaped second back panel 134 is flexibly connected to the right side panel 108 at a fold line 156. The second back panel 134 also includes a top slot opening 158 that extends diagonally upward from an outside edge 160 and a bottom slot opening 162 that extends diagonally downward from the outside edge 160.
The top region 200 includes a top panel 202 that is flexibly connected to the left side panel 102 at the fold line 136. Two tabs 204, 206 are located along an opposing edge 208 of the top panel 202. The tabs 204, 206 are separated from the top panel 202 by fold lines 210, 212, respectively. Additionally, a top back flap 214 extends from the top panel 202 at a fold line 216. The top back flap 214 includes a tab protrusion 218.
The top region 200 also includes an inner top panel 220 that is flexibly connected to the right side panel 108 at the fold line 140. Two slit openings 222, 224 are located along the fold line 140. A first top fold panel 226 is flexibly connected to the inner top panel 220 at a fold line 228. A second top fold panel 230 is flexibly connected to the first top fold panel 226 at a fold line 232 and the top front panel 114 at the fold line 138. A third top fold panel 234 is flexibly connected to the second top fold panel 230 at a fold line 236 and the top panel 202 at a fold line 238.
The bottom region 300 is similar to the top region 200. In particular, the bottom region 300 includes a bottom panel 302 that is flexibly connected to the left side panel 102 at the fold line 142. Two tabs 304, 306 are located along an opposing edge 308 of the bottom panel 302. The tabs 304, 306 are separated from the bottom panel 302 by fold lines 310, 312, respectively. Additionally, a bottom back flap 314 extends from the bottom panel 302 at a fold line 316. The bottom back flap 314 includes a tab protrusion 318.
The bottom region 300 also includes an inner bottom panel 320 that is flexibly connected to the right side panel 108 at the fold line 146. Two slit openings 322, 324 are located along the fold line 146. A first bottom fold panel 326 is flexibly connected to the inner bottom panel 320 at a fold line 328. A second bottom fold panel 330 is flexibly connected to the first bottom fold panel 326 at a fold line 332 and the bottom front panel 120 at the fold line 144. A third bottom fold panel 334 is flexibly connected to the second bottom fold panel 330 at a fold line 336 and the bottom panel 302 at a fold line 338.
It should be understood that although FIG. 5 shows a blank 30 in which the top region 200 is oriented with the top panel 202 being flexibly connected to the left side panel 102 and the bottom region 300 is oriented with the bottom panel 302 being flexibly connected to the left side panel 102, a reverse orientation may be provided for the top region 200 and/or the bottom region 300 in alternative embodiments. For instance, it is contemplated that a top portion (e.g., top region 200) is oriented with a top panel (e.g., top panel 202) being flexibly connected to a right side panel (e.g., right side panel 108) and/or a bottom portion (e.g., bottom region 300) is oriented with a bottom panel (e.g., bottom panel 302) being flexibly connected to a right side panel (e.g., right side panel 108), in alternative configurations. In various embodiments, the top portion and bottom portion may have the same or different orientations with respect to one another.
Assembly of the display packaging 10 from the blank 30 is illustrated in FIGS. 6-8. As initially shown in FIG. 6 (which shows the blank 30 from the perspective of a surface that will form the inside of the display packaging 10), the right side panel 108 and left side panel 102 are folded towards one another at fold lines 118, 124 and fold lines 116, 122, respectively, until the right side panel 108 and left side panel 102 are perpendicular to the top front panel 114 and bottom front panel 120.
Simultaneously while folding the right side panel 108 and left side panel 102, the top region 200 and bottom region 300 are folded towards one another. To fold the top region 200, the second top fold panel 230 is folded at fold line 138 until it is approximately perpendicular to the top front panel 114, while the first top fold panel 226 is folded at fold lines 228, 232 and the third top fold panel 234 is folded at fold lines 236, 238 until the first top fold panel 226 and third top fold panel 234 overlay (or underlay) the second top fold panel 230. Simultaneously, the inner top panel 220 is folded at fold line 140 until it overlays (or underlays) the first top fold panel 226, and the top panel 202 is folded at fold line 136 until it overlays (or underlays) both the third top fold panel 234 and the inner top panel 220, such that the inner top panel 220 and top panel 202 are approximately perpendicular to the left side panel 102 and right side panel 108. Additionally, the tabs 204, 206 are folded at the fold lines 210, 212 and inserted into the slit openings 222, 224, respectively, to secure the top panel 202.
The bottom region 300 is folded in a similar manner. The second bottom fold panel 330 is folded at fold line 144 until it is approximately perpendicular to the bottom front panel 120, while the first bottom fold panel 326 is folded at fold lines 328, 332 and the third bottom fold panel 334 is folded at fold lines 336, 338 until the first bottom fold panel 326 and third bottom fold panel 334 overlay (or underlay) the second bottom fold panel 330. Simultaneously, the inner bottom panel 320 is folded at fold line 146 until it overlays (or underlays) the first bottom fold panel 326, and the bottom panel 302 is folded at fold line 142 until it overlays (or underlays) both the third bottom fold panel 334 and the inner bottom panel 320, such that the inner bottom panel 320 and bottom panel 302 are approximately perpendicular to the left side panel 102 and right side panel 108. Additionally, the tabs 304, 306 are folded at the fold lines 310, 312 and inserted into the slit openings 322, 324, respectively, to secure the bottom panel 302.
To form the back side 18, the first back panel 132 is folded at fold line 148 and the second back panel 134 is folded at fold line 156 until they are approximately perpendicular to the left side panel 102 and right side panel 108. The top flap 214 is folded at fold line 216 such that it overlays a top portion of the first back panel 132 and second back panel 134, and the tab protrusion 218 on the top flap 214 is inserted into an opening formed by the top slot opening 150 on the first back panel 132 and top slot opening 158 on the second back panel 134. Likewise, the bottom flap 314 is folded at fold line 316 such that it overlays the a bottom portion of the first back panel 132 and second back panel 134, and the tab protrusion 318 on the bottom flap 314 is inserted into an opening formed by the bottom slot opening 154 on the first back panel 132 and bottom slot opening 162 on the second back panel 134
While the display packaging 10 and blank 30 of FIGS. 1-8 include a left curved edge 106, right curved edge 112, top curved edge 128, and bottom curved edge 130 with circular curvatures to accommodate a spherical object (i.e., an object that has a circular rotation about all axes), it is contemplated that alternative embodiments may employ different curvatures for spheroid objects (i.e., an object that has an elliptical rotation around an axis. This may include, for instance, an oblate (i.e., flattened) spheroid that has an elliptical rotation about its minor axis or a prolate (elongated) spheroid that has an elliptical rotation about its major axis (e.g., an American football or rugby ball). In such embodiments, the curvature of a left curved edge, righted curved edge, top curved edge, and/or bottom curved edge may be shaped with an elliptical curvature based on the curvature of the object to be maintained.
FIGS. 9-11 illustrate one such alternative embodiment in which a display packaging 10′ is configured to maintain a spheroid. In this example alternative embodiment, the display packaging 10′ is shown maintaining an American football. The display packaging 10′ is similar to the display packaging 10 with the exception that the curvatures of the left curved edge 106′ and right curved edge 112′ in the display packaging 10′ are elliptical as opposed to the circular curvatures of the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 in the display packaging 10.
Like the display packing 10 of FIGS. 1-4, the display packaging 10′ in a constructed formation as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 includes a left side 12′ and opposing right side 14′, a front side 16′ and opposing back side (not shown), and a top side 20′ and opposing bottom side (not shown). The left side 14′ includes a left side panel 102′ having a left void 104′ therein with a perimeter defined by a left curved edge 106′, while the right side 14′ includes a right side panel 108′ having a right void 110′ therein with a perimeter defined by a right curved edge 112′. The curvatures of the left curved edge 106′ and the right curved edge 112′ are elliptical to correspond with the curvature of the spheroid to be maintained (e.g., the football in FIG. 9).
The front side 16′ includes a top front panel 114′ and bottom front panel 120′ with a front void 126′ therein with a perimeter defined by a top curved edge 128′ and a bottom curved edge 130′. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-11, the curvatures of the top curved edge 128′ and bottom curved edge 130′ are circular to correspond with the circular curvature of the spheroid to be maintained (e.g., the football in FIG. 9). However, it is contemplated that the curvatures of a top curved edge and bottom curved edge may be elliptical in some alternative configurations to correspond with an elliptical curvature of a spheroid to be maintained.
The display packaging 10′ may be formed from a blank 30′, as shown in FIG. 12, which provides a plan view of the blank 30′. The blank 30′ of FIG. 12 is similar to the blank 30 of FIG. 5 with the exception that the curvatures of the left curved edge 106′ and right curved edge 112′ in the blank 30′ are elliptical in contrast to the circular curvatures of the left curved edge 106 and right curved edge 112 in the blank 30 shown in FIG. 5. As such, additional details of the blank 30′ and construction of the display packaging 10′ from the blank 30′ will not be further described herein.
Accordingly, among many embodiments of the present invention, one aspect is directed to a structure configurable to form a display packaging. The structure includes a first side panel having a first void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the first side panel, and a second side panel having a second void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the second side panel. The structure also includes a top front panel and bottom front panel having a third void between the top front panel and bottom front panel with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the top front panel and an opposing curved edge of the bottom front panel. The first side panel is flexibly attached to the top front panel at a first fold line and the bottom front panel at a second fold line, and the second side panel is flexibly attached to the top front panel at a third fold line and the bottom front panel at a fourth fold line. The third void adjoins the first void and the second void forming a continuous void circumscribed by the curved edges of the first side panel, second side panel, top front panel, and bottom front panel.
In another aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a display packaging for receiving and containing an object. The display packaging includes a left side panel having a first void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the left side panel, and a right side panel having a second void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the right side panel. The display packaging also includes a top front panel and bottom front panel perpendicular to the left side panel and right side panel and having a third void defined between the top front panel and bottom front panel with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the top front panel and an opposing curved edge of the bottom front panel. The top front panel is flexibly attached to the left side panel at a first fold line and the right side panel at a second fold line, and the bottom front panel is flexibly attached to the left side panel at a third fold line and the right side panel at a fourth fold line. The third void intersects the first void and the second void to form a C-shaped opening with a perimeter defined by the curved edges of the left side panel, right side panel, top front panel, and bottom front panel.
A further embodiment is directed to a structure configurable to form a display packaging. The structure includes a middle region, top region, and bottom region. The top region has a left side panel, a right side panel, a top front panel flexibly attached to the left side panel and the right side panel, a bottom front panel flexibly attached to the left side panel and the right side panel, and at least one back panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel. A continuous void is formed in the middle region from a first void in the left side panel, a second void in the right side panel, and a third void between the top front panel and the bottom front panel. The top region has top panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel. The bottom region has a bottom panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
While specific elements and/or steps are discussed in connection to one another, it is understood that any element and/or steps provided herein is contemplated as being combinable with any other elements and/or steps regardless of explicit provision of the same while still being within the scope provided herein. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

The invention claimed is:

1. A structure configurable to form a display packaging, the structure comprising:

a first side panel having a first void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the first side panel;

a second side panel having a second void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the second side panel;

a top front panel and a bottom front panel having a third void between the top front panel and bottom front panel with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the top front panel and an opposing curved edge of the bottom front panel;

wherein the first side panel is flexibly attached to the top front panel at a first fold line and the bottom front panel at a second fold line, and the second side panel is flexibly attached to the top front panel at a third fold line and the bottom front panel at a fourth fold line; and

wherein the third void adjoins the first void and the second void forming a continuous void circumscribed by the curved edges of the first side panel, second side panel, top front panel, and bottom front panel.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein the curved edges of the first side panel and the second side panel have circular curvatures.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the curved edges of the first side panel and the second side panel have elliptical curvatures.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the curved edges of the top front panel and the bottom front panel have circular curvatures.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the curved edges of the top front panel and the bottom front panel have elliptical curvatures.

6. The structure of the claim 1, wherein the structure further comprises:

a top panel flexibly connected to the first side panel or the second side panel at a fifth fold line; and

a bottom panel flexibly connected to the first side panel or the second side panel at a sixth fold line.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein the structure further comprises:

at least one first tab extending from an outside edge of the top panel;

at least one second tab extending from an outside edge of the bottom panel;

an inner top panel flexibly connected to the first side panel or the second side panel at a seventh fold line, the inner top panel being flexibly connected to the first side panel if the top panel is flexibly connected to the second side panel or being flexibly connected to the second side panel if the top panel is flexibly connected to the first side panel, the seventh fold line having at least one first slit opening therein for receiving the at least one first tab when forming the display packaging; and

an inner bottom panel flexibly connected to the first side panel or the second side panel at an eighth fold line, the inner bottom panel being flexibly connected to the first side panel if the bottom panel is flexibly connected to the second side panel or being flexibly connected to the second side panel if the bottom panel is flexibly connected to the first side panel, the eighth fold line having at least one second slit opening therein for receiving the at least one second tab when forming the display packaging;

8. The structure of claim 6, wherein the structure further comprises:

a first back panel flexibly connected to the first side panel at a seventh fold line; and

a second back panel flexibly connected to the second side panel at an eighth fold line.

9. The structure of claim 8, wherein the structure further comprises:

a top back flap flexibly connected to the top panel at a ninth fold line, the top back flap having a tab protrusion on an end opposing the ninth fold line;

a bottom back flap flexibly connected to the bottom panel at a tenth fold line, the bottom back flap having a tab protrusion on an end opposing the tenth fold line;

wherein the first back panel includes a first top slot opening and a first bottom slot opening and the second back panel includes a second top slot opening and a second bottom slot opening; and

wherein the top back flap and bottom back flap are configured to fold and overlay the first and second back panels with the tab protrusion of the top back flap engaging the first and second top slot openings and the tab protrusion of the bottom back flap engaging the first and second bottom slot openings when forming the display packaging.

10. A display packaging for receiving and containing an object, the display packaging comprising:

a left side panel having a first void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the left side panel;

a right side panel having a second void with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the right side panel;

a top front panel and bottom front panel perpendicular to the left side panel and right side panel and having a third void defined between the top front panel and bottom front panel with a perimeter defined by a curved edge of the top front panel and an opposing curved edge of the bottom front panel;

wherein the top front panel is flexibly attached to the left side panel at a first fold line and the right side panel at a second fold line, and wherein the bottom front panel is flexibly attached to the left side panel at a third fold line and the right side panel at a fourth fold line; and

wherein the third void intersects the first void and the second void to form a C-shaped opening with a perimeter defined by the curved edges of the left side panel, right side panel, top front panel, and bottom front panel.

11. The display packaging of claim 10, wherein the curved edges of the left side panel and the right side panel have circular curvatures.

12. The display packaging of claim 10, wherein the curved edges of the left side panel and the right side panel have elliptical curvatures.

13. The display packaging of claim 10, wherein the curved edges of the top front panel and the bottom front panel have circular curvatures.

14. The display packaging of claim 10, wherein the curved edges of the top front panel and the bottom front panel have elliptical curvatures.

15. The display packaging of the claim 10, wherein the display packaging further comprises:

a top panel perpendicular to the left side panel and the right side panel and flexibly connected to the left side panel or the right side panel at a fifth fold line; and

a bottom panel perpendicular to the left side panel and the right side panel and flexibly connected to the left side panel or the right side panel at a sixth fold line.

16. The display packaging of claim 15, wherein the display packaging further comprises:

at least one first tab extending from an outside edge of the top panel;

at least one second tab extending from an outside edge of the bottom panel;

an inner top panel flexibly connected to the left side panel or the right side panel at a seventh fold line, the inner top panel being flexibly connected to the left side panel if the top panel is flexibly connected to the right side panel or being flexibly connected to the right side panel if the top panel is flexibly connected to the left side panel, the seventh fold line having at least one first slit opening therein receiving the at least one first tab; and

an inner bottom panel flexibly connected to the left side panel or the right side panel at an eighth fold line, the inner top panel being flexibly connected to the left side panel if the bottom panel is flexibly connected to the right side panel or being flexibly connected to the right side panel if the bottom panel is flexibly connected to the left side panel, the eighth fold line having at least one second slit opening therein receiving the at least one second tab;

17. The display packaging of claim 15, wherein the display packaging further comprises:

a first back panel flexibly connected to the left side panel at a seventh fold line; and

a second back panel flexibly connected to the right side panel at an eighth fold line.

18. The display packaging of claim 17, wherein the display packaging further comprises:

a bottom back flap flexibly connected to the bottom panel at an tenth fold line, the bottom back flap having a tab protrusion on an end opposing the tenth fold line;

wherein the top back flap and bottom back flap are folded and overlay the first and second back panels with the tab protrusion of the top back flap engaging the first and second top slot openings and the tab protrusion of the bottom back flap engaging the first and second bottom slot openings.

19. A structure configurable to form a display packaging, the structure comprising:

a middle region having:

a left side panel, a right side panel, a top front panel flexibly attached to the left side panel and the right side panel, a bottom front panel flexibly attached to the left side panel and the right side panel, and at least one back panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel;

wherein a continuous void is formed in the middle region from a first void in the left side panel, a second void in the right side panel, and a third void between the top front panel and the bottom front panel;

a top region having a top panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel; and

a bottom region having a bottom panel flexibly attached to one of the left side panel and the right side panel.

20. The structure of claim 19, wherein the first void has a perimeter defined by a circular curved edge in the left side panel, the second void has a perimeter defined by a circular curved edge in the right side panel, and the third void has a perimeter defined by a circular curved edge in the top front panel and a circular curved edge in the bottom front panel.