Structured package for shipping and displaying goods

Abstract

A package assembly is used for both shipping products to a retail facility, and for displaying the products at the retail facility. In its shipping configuration the container is enclosed to carry the products. In its display configuration, portions of at least the top and front of the package assembly are removed to permit the customer to view the products on display. The package assembly is formed from a single piece of package material and includes a base panel, a back panel and first and inner sidewalls connected at the opposing second and third sides of the base panel. Folded retaining flaps are connected along sides of the respective first and second inner sidewalls. A front panel is connected at a fourth side of the base panel opposing the first side of the base panel. The retaining flaps are used to support the product in the package.

1 . A package assembly, comprising:
 a single piece of package material, comprising
 a base panel; 
 a back panel connected at a first side of the base panel; 
 first and second inner sidewalls connected at opposing second and third sides of the base panel; 
 first and second folded retaining flaps along sides of the respective first and second inner sidewalls opposing the base panel; 
 a front panel connected at a fourth side of the base panel opposing the first side of the base panel; 
 first and second front tabs connected at opposing sides of the front panel, inner surfaces of the first and second front tabs respectively attached to outer surfaces of the first and second inner sidewalls; and 
 first and second back tabs connected at opposing sides of the back panel, inner surfaces of the first and second back tabs respectively attached to outer surfaces of the first and second inner sidewalls; 
   wherein the package assembly forms a cavity and wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps project into the cavity from the respective first and second sidewalls.   
     
     
         2 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the single piece of package material further comprises:
 a top panel at a side of the back panel opposing the base panel; and
 a front cover panel connected at a side of the top panel opposing the back panel, a lower portion of the front cover panel located inside the front panel; 
 wherein a perforation in the package material permits at least a portion of the top panel and at least a portion of the front cover panel to be removed from the package assembly, the package assembly being in a shipping configuration before the at least a portion of the top panel and the at least a portion of the front cover panel are removed and in a display configuration after the at least a portion of the top panel and at least a portion of the front cover are removed. 
   
     
     
         3 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second top side tabs connected at opposing sides of the top panel. 
     
     
         4 . The package assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the perforation crosses the first and second top side tabs, at least a portion of the top panel and at least a portion of the back panel, forming an access tab on the portion of the back panel between the perforation and the connection between the back panel and the top panel. 
     
     
         5 . The package assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising first and structural members on the top panel formed between the perforation, the connection between the top panel and the back panel and, respectively, the first and second top side tabs. 
     
     
         6 . The package assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the perforation crosses the first and second top side tabs, and lies along at least a portion of the connection between the first top side tab and the top panel, along the connection between top panel and the rear panel, and along at least a portion of the connection between the second top side tab and the top panel. 
     
     
         7 . The package assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the perforation along the connection between the top panel and the back panel comprises a cut through the package material to provide a grippable edge. 
     
     
         8 . The package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the perforation crosses the first and second back tabs and at least a portion of the back panel, forming an access tab on a portion of the back panel between the perforation and the connection between the back panel and the top panel. 
     
     
         9 . The package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the perforation crosses the first and second back tabs, and lies along at least a portion of the connection between the first back tab and the back panel, along the connection between top panel and the back panel, and along at least a portion of the connection between the second back tab and the back panel. 
     
     
         10 . The package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of the perforation along the connection between the top panel and the rear panel comprises a cut through the package material to provide a grippable edge. 
     
     
         11 . The package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein a lower edge of the front cover panel touches in inner surface of the base panel when the top panel is parallel to the base panel and the package is in the shipping configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel comprises a recess. 
     
     
         13 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second extension flaps respectively connected on sides of the first and second folded retaining flaps opposing the first and second sidewalls, the first inner sidewall having a length, L 1 , the first folded retaining flap having a length L 2  and the first extension flap having a length, L 3 , as measured from the base panel, wherein L 1 <(L 2 +L 3 ). 
     
     
         14 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps have respective first and second distal edges, the first and second distal edges being die cut. 
     
     
         15 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps have respective first and second distal edges, the first and second distal edges being torn perforations. 
     
     
         16 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps are free of slots for securing goods stored in the cavity. 
     
     
         17 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps have respective first and second distal edges that are shaped to complement products stored in the package. 
     
     
         18 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first inner sidewall has a length L 1  and the first folded retaining flap has a length L 2 , L 1  and L 2  being measured in a direction from the base panel, wherein L 2 <L 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first inner sidewall has a length L 1  and the first folded retaining flap has a length L 2 , L 1  and L 2  being measured in a direction from the base panel, wherein L 2 >L 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The package assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising respective first and second flap extensions at the distal ends of the first and second folded retaining flaps, the first and second flap extensions being attached to the base panel. 
     
     
         21 . The package assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second folded retaining flaps are slotted. 
     
     
         22 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one product carton sitting on the base panel within the cavity, the product of goods having a center of mass that is at a first distance above the base panel, and wherein a distal edge of the first folded retaining flap touches the at least one carton of goods at a point that is a second distance above the base panel, the second distance being greater than the first distance.