Composite package for containing and displaying articles

Abstract

A composite package structure having a paperboard cover and thermoformable inner tray is provided with a cut-out in the cover that exposes the transparent tray underneath, making the article inside and any graphics on it visible from the exterior. The package includes a spine so that it can fold like a book. The tray is provided with a pair of notches that provide relief from the stretching of the paperboard at the ends of the spine when the package is closed. The polymeric tray is preferably not glued or attached to the paperboard cover in the location of the spine so that the spine may buckle.

1 . A composite package for containing articles comprising: 
 an at least partially transparent thermoformable polymeric tray having first and second sides, said first side of said tray including a plurality of article holding means; and    a paperboard cover attached to said second side of said polymeric tray, said cover defining at least one cut-out, said cut-out exposing a portion of said second side of said tray to expose at least a portion of an article contained in said tray.    
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein said polymeric tray includes a flexible spine section allowing said package to close like a book.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein said paperboard cover includes a peripheral edge and at least a portion of said tray, said portion including said spine section, does not extend to said peripheral edge.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible spine includes a pair of opposing notches such that said spine does not extend to said peripheral edge.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein said cover is conventionally adhered to said polymeric tray at said peripheral edge of said cover with a conventional adhesive, said adhesive not applied to said flexible spine such that said spine may buckle when the package is closed.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 5  wherein said polymeric tray includes a peripheral flange, said adhesive disposed between said flange and said peripheral edge of said cover.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein said flexible spine includes a pair of hinges, said hinges allowing said spine to move relative to said cover when said package is closed.  
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 7  further including printed graphics on the surface of said paperboard cover opposite said polymeric tray.  
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8  wherein said conventional adhesive is an RF seal applied through said polymeric tray.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 9  wherein said article holding means are recesses in said first side of said tray, said recesses capable of enclosing an article when the package is closed.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10  wherein said tray further includes a step on one side of said spine and a recess on the other side, said step engaging said recess to facilitate holding the package closed.  
   
   
       12 . A book-like package for containing articles comprising: 
 a paperboard cover having a peripheral edge;    a thermoformable polymeric tray including a first side, a second side, and a flexible spine, said first side of said tray including an article holding means for holding an article when said package is closed, said second side attached to said paperboard cover, said flexible spine allowing said package to close like a book, said spine not extending to said peripheral edge of said paperboard.    
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 12  wherein said spine is comprised of opposing notches in said tray.  
   
   
       14 . The book-like package of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more cut-outs in said paperboard cover, such that said second side of said polymeric tray is exposed through said cut-out and said article is visible through said tray and said cut-out.  
   
   
       15 . The book-like package of  claim 14  wherein said polymeric tray includes a peripheral flange, said flange attached to said peripheral edge of said paperboard cover with a conventional adhesive.  
   
   
       16 . The book-like package of  claim 15  wherein said flexible spine of said polymeric tray is capable of moving relative said cover, such that said spine may buckle when said package is closed.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  wherein said polymeric tray includes means for latching the package closed.  
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 17  further including printed graphics on the surface of said paperboard cover opposite said polymeric tray.  
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 18  wherein said conventional adhesive is an RF seal applied through said polymeric tray.  
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 19  wherein said article holding means are one or more recesses defined in said first side of said tray, said recesses capable of enclosing an article when the package is closed.  
   
   
       21 . The package of  claim 20  further including a cut-out in at least one of said recesses facilitating removal of said article from said recess.  
   
   
       22 . A book-like package for containing articles comprising: 
 a paperboard cover;    a polymeric tray having a spine means for closing the book-like package, a first side including a plurality of article holding means, and a second side rigidly attached to said paperboard cover by a conventional adhesive, said adhesive not applied to said flexible spine such that said spine may buckle when the package is closed.    
   
   
       23 . The book-like package of  claim 22  wherein said spine means comprises a spine that is not adhered to said cover, such that said spine may buckle when the package is closed.  
   
   
       24 . The book-like package of  claim 23  further comprising one or more cut-outs in said paperboard cover, such that said second side of said polymeric tray is exposed through said cut-out and said article is visible through said tray and said cut-out.  
   
   
       25 . The book-like package of  claim 24  wherein said paperboard cover includes a peripheral edge and said flexible spine includes a pair of opposing notches such that said spine does not extend to said peripheral edge.  
   
   
       26 . The book-like package of  claim 25  wherein said polymeric tray contains a peripheral flange, said adhesive disposed between said flange and said peripheral edge of said cover.  
   
   
       27 . The book-like package of  claim 26  further including printable graphics on the surface of said paperboard cover opposite said polymeric tray.  
   
   
       28 . The book-like package of  claim 27  wherein said adhesive is an RF seal applied through said polymeric tray.  
   
   
       29 . The book-like package of  claim 28  wherein said article holding means includes a recess in said first side of said tray, said recess capable of enclosing an article when the package is closed.  
   
   
       30 . A foldable display package comprising: 
 a paperboard cover defining at least one void;    a molded plastic tray having a peripheral flange and a flexible spine, said flange forming a peripheral wall, said tray not extending completely to said wall, said wall defining at least one recess, said flexible spine allowing said package to fold like a book such that said recess is capable of holding an article when said package is closed; and    a hinge means on said spine allowing said spine to buckle when said package is closed.