packaging system

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging system for groups of products, where this packaging system includes a packaging sleeve arranged to at least partially surround the group of products to be packaged. The invention also includes at least one retention structure associated with the packaging sleeve which is adapted to prevent the group of products surrounded by the sleeve from being removed from the sleeve. Preferably the packaging system also includes at least one locating tray configured to locate a group of products in a fixed arrangement relative to one another when located within the packaging sleeve. The invention also encompasses a method of positioning the group of products packaged on a display surface.

1 . A packaging system for a group of products, said packaging system including:
 a packaging sleeve arranged to at least partially surround the group of products; and   at least one retention structure associated with the packaging sleeve adapted to prevent a group of products surrounded by the sleeve from being removed from the sleeve.   
     
     
         2 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes at least one locating tray configured to locate the group of products in a fixed arrangement relative to one another. 
     
     
         3 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a packaging sleeve arranged to surround the side walls, top and bottom faces of the group of products while leaving the front and end laces of the group of products free. 
     
     
         4 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the sleeve is arranged to surround the side, end and front faces of the group of products and leave the top and bottom faces of said group of products exposed. 
     
     
         5 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which is adapted to package collections of grocery items. 
     
     
         6 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 2  wherein a locating tray is formed from a semi-rigid tray which defines a retention area for each member of the group of products to be packaged. 
     
     
         7 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 2  which includes a locating tray formed from a semi-rigid lightweight plastic tray. 
     
     
         8 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 2  which includes two locating trays configured to engage with the top and bottom ends of the group of products when located inside the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a packaging sleeve formed from corrugated card 
     
     
         10 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a substantially rectangular packaging sleeve with the internal dimensions of the sleeve arranged so as to firmly engage the interior of the sleeve with the group of products. 
     
     
         11 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a retention structure configured to block or close at least one open face of the packaging sleeve to prevent the group of products from being slid out of this open face of the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 11  which includes a retention structure provided by a portion of the body of the sleeve arranged to project into the volume of space surrounded by the packaging sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a plurality of retention structures associated with each open end of the packaging sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a retention structure formed from a cut through inverted corner section of an open end face of the sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 14  which includes a retention structure engaged by pushing on the corner of the sleeve until the cut through section projects into the interior of the sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 14  which includes two retention structures at each open face of the sleeve formed by opposed cut through sections. 
     
     
         17 . A packaging system as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a retention structure formed from a strap placed around the sleeve to close the open faces of the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . A method of positioning a group of products on a display surface, said group of products being surrounded by a packaging sleeve with at least one retention structure associated with the packaging sleeve, said method being characterised by the steps of:
 i. positioning the group of products on or adjacent to the display surface, and   ii. disengaging at least one retention structure associated with the packaging sleeve, and   iii. sliding the packaging sleeve away from the group of products.   
     
     
         19 . A method of positioning a group of products on a display surface as claimed in  claim 18  further characterised by the additional subsequent step of:
 iv. removing excess locating trays from the group of products. 
 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled)