Package for lightbulbs and method of making same

Abstract

A package includes four outer walls and an internal wall running between two of the outer walls. The four outer walls and the internal wall define first and second cells. First and second pivot members are disposed in the first and second cells. A first pair of hinge members connects the first pivot member to two of the walls defining the first cell and a second pair of hinge members connects the second pivot member to two of the walls defining the second cell.

1 . A package comprising:
 four interconnected walls defining a cell;   a pivot member disposed within the cell; and   a pair of hinge members connecting the pivot member to two of the walls.   
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the pivot member comprises a first end and a second end, the first end adjacent a first one of the walls and the second end adjacent a second one of the walls opposite the first one of walls. 
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1  wherein each hinge member has a first hinge portion hingedly connected to one of the walls and a second hinge portion hingedly connected to the pivot member. 
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the pivot member comprises a solid surface. 
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 3  wherein each hinge member has an arcuate shaped portion. 
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1  further comprising a first locking portion comprising a first engagement edge disposed at a first end of the cell, and a second locking portion comprising a second engagement edge disposed at a second end of the cell. 
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the first and second engagement edges have a semicircular shape. 
   
   
       8 . The package of  claim 6  wherein the first and second engagement edges are adapted to hold a pair of light bulbs within the cell. 
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the package is moveable from a flat position to an expanded position, wherein the pivot member slants with respect to the cell when the package is moved from the flat position to the expanded position. 
   
   
       10 . A package comprising:
 four outer walls;   an internal wall running between two of the outer walls, wherein the four outer walls and the internal wall define first and second cells;   a first pivot member disposed in the first cell;   a second pivot member disposed in the second cell; and   a first pair of hinge members connecting the first pivot member to two of the walls defining the first cell and a second pair of hinge members connecting the second pivot member to two of the walls defining the second cell.   
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 10  wherein one hinge member of the first pair of hinge members is connected to the internal wall, and the other hinge member of the first pair of hinge members is connected to one of the outer walls. 
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 10  wherein both hinge members of the first pair of hinge members are connected to the outer walls. 
   
   
       13 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the internal wall does not include an opening between the first and second cells. 
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 10  wherein each pivot member comprises a first end and a second end, the first end of the first pivot member adjacent a first one of the walls and the second end of the first pivot member adjacent a second one of the walls opposite the first one of walls, the first end of the second pivot member adjacent a third one of the walls and the second end of the second pivot member adjacent a fourth one of the walls opposite the third one of walls, such that the first pivot member slants across the first cell and the second pivot member slants across the second cell. 
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 13  wherein the first end and second end of each pivot member are not attached to the adjacent wall. 
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 10  wherein the first end of the first pivot member is adjacent one of the outer walls, the second end of the first pivot member is adjacent another of the outer walls, the first end of the second pivot member is adjacent one of the outer walls, and the second end of the second pivot member is adjacent the internal wall, such that the first pivot member slants across the first cell and the second pivot member slants across the second cell. 
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 16  wherein the first end and second end of each pivot member are not attached to the adjacent wall. 
   
   
       18 . The package of  claim 10  further comprising first and second locking portions disposed at opposite ends of each cell, wherein each locking portion comprises an engagement edge. 
   
   
       19 . The package of  claim 18  wherein the engagement edges have a semicircular shape. 
   
   
       20 . A package comprising:
 four outer walls;   an internal wall running between two of the outer walls, wherein the four outer walls and the internal wall define first and second cells;   a first pivot member disposed in the first cell and pivoting with respect to the first cell; and   a second pivot member disposed in the second cell and pivoting with respect to the second cell;   wherein the internal wall does not include an opening between the first and second cells.   
   
   
       21 . A blank for producing a package, the blank comprising:
 a first glue panel;   a first pivot panel joined to the first glue panel;   a first score line between the first glue panel and the first pivot panel, the first score line comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion offset relative to the second portion;   a second glue panel joined to the first pivot panel;   a second score line between the second glue panel and the first pivot panel, the second score line comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion offset relative to the second portion;   a plurality of serially-joined wall panels including a first wall panel and a second wall panel, the first wall panel joined to the second glue panel;   a third glue panel joined to the second wall panel of the plurality of serially-joined wall panels;   a second pivot panel joined to the third glue panel;   a third score line between the third glue panel and the second pivot panel, the third score line comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion offset relative to the second portion;   a fourth glue panel joined to the second pivot panel; and   a fourth score line between the fourth glue panel and the second pivot panel, the fourth score line comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first portion offset relative to the second portion.   
   
   
       22 . The blank of  claim 21  wherein the first and second pivot panels each comprise a pivot member and a plurality of engagement edges. 
   
   
       23 . The blank of  claim 22  wherein each engagement edge comprises a curved section. 
   
   
       24 . The blank of  claim 23  wherein each engagement edge defines in part a cutout section. 
   
   
       25 . The blank of  claim 21  wherein the first and second pivot panels each comprise a plurality of cutout sections. 
   
   
       26 . A package assembled from the blank of  claim 21 . 
   
   
       27 . A method of folding a blank, comprising:
 providing a blank comprising:
 a first glue panel; 
 a first pivot panel joined to the first glue panel; 
 a second glue panel joined to the first pivot panel; 
 a plurality of serially joined wall panels including a first wall panel and a second wall panel, the first wall panel joined to the second glue panel; 
 a third glue panel joined to the second wall panel of the plurality of serially-joined wall panels; 
 a second pivot panel joined to the third glue panel; and 
 a fourth glue panel joined to the second pivot panel; 
   folding the first glue panel, the first pivot panel and the second glue panel, as a unit, and attaching the first glue panel to the back wall panel;   folding the fourth glue panel, the second pivot panel and the third glue panel, as a unit, and attaching the fourth glue panel to the side wall panel;   folding the first glue panel, the first pivot panel, the second glue panel, the inner wall panel and the back wall panel, as a unit, and attaching the second glue panel to the front wall panel; and   folding the fourth glue panel, the second pivot panel, the third glue panel, second back wall panel and the second side wall panel, as a unit, and attaching the third glue panel to the inner cell wall panel.   
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 applying adhesive to at least one of the first glue panel and the back wall panel;   applying adhesive to at least one of the fourth glue panel and the side wall panel;   applying adhesive to at least one of the second glue panel and the front wall panel; and   applying adhesive to at least one of the third glue panel and the inner cell wall panel   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the blank further comprises score lines between adjacent panels, further comprising folding the blank along the score lines.