SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING AND DISPLAYING PRODUCTS

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/743,533 filed on Jan. 9, 2025, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING AND DISPLAYING PRODUCTS”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD/AREA

[0002]This invention relates in general to packaging, and in particular, to systems and methods for product storage and display.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]Products for sale to consumers are packaged in various ways which are more or less sustainable for the environment. Some packaging is typically sent to a landfill after a product is delivered to a consumer or brought home by a consumer to a residence. Other packaging may be recycled in whole or in part such that the materials of the packaging may be used in a future product or package.

[0004]The final disposition of a product or packaging often depends on the design, or lack of design, put into the product relative to environmental sustainability and/or recyclability. For example, a product made of non-recyclable and recyclable components may not be easily separable between those components such that even the recyclable components are not recyclable due to the non-separability.

[0005]Thus, a need exists for systems and methods for improved products and packaging to allow recyclability and promote sustainability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a system for storing and displaying a product which includes a base having a cavity and a lid movably connected to the base by a pin. The base has arms with pin receiving cavities. The lid includes a pin receiving body extending between the arms when the pin is received in the pin receiving cavities and the pin receiving body to connect the base to the lid by the pin.

[0007]The present invention provides, in a first aspect, method for use in storing and displaying a product which includes locating a product in a cavity of a base. A lid is movably connected to the base by a pin and the base has arms with pin receiving cavities. The lid includes a pin receiving body extending between the arms when the pin is received in the pin receiving cavities and the pin receiving body to connect the base to the lid by the pin. The lid is maintained above the base in an open position to allow a viewing of the product from an exterior of the cavity by a friction fit between the pin and the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view partially in cross-section of a product packaging system in accordance with the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a top view of a base of the system of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 with the lid at a different angle relative to the base;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a side view of the system of FIG. 1 with the lid at yet a different angle relative to the base;

[0013]FIG. 5 is an exploded top perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a side view of an arm of the base of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 7 is a side view of a second arm of the base of FIG. 1

[0016]FIG. 8 is a side view of a pin receiving body of the lid of the system of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the pin receiving body of FIG. 8;

[0018]FIG. 10 is a top view of the lid and base of the system of FIG. 1 shown with a pin protruding from a pin receiving cavity of the lid;

[0019]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 10;

[0020]FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the base separated from the lid of the system of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the base of the system of FIG. 1 showing an arm of the base;

[0022]FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 shown with the lid and base separated;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 shown with the lid and base separated;

[0024]FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing a connection of a pin to the lid and the base;

[0025]FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing a connection of a pin to the lid and the base and a pin receiving body;

[0026]FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing a base connected to a pin;

[0027]FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1 showing a base connected to a pin and pin receiving cavities of the base;

[0028]FIG. 20 is a side view of a portion of the lid of FIG. 1 showing a pin in a pin receiving cavity of a pin receiving body;

[0029]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a textured pin for use in the system of FIG. 1

[0030]FIG. 22 is a side view of a system as in FIG. 1, and having magnetic closures;

[0031]FIG. 23 is a side view of a tapered pin for use in the system of FIG. 1

[0032]FIG. 24 is a side view of a system as in FIG. 1, and having an elastic closures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033]In accordance with the principles of the present invention, systems and methods for storing and displaying a product are provided.

[0034]As depicted in FIGS. 1-5, a product packaging system 10 may include a product receiving base 20 connected to a lid 30. Product receiving base 20 may have a cavity 25 and a receiving portion 28 for receiving a product, such as a cosmetic product.

[0035]Lid 30 may include a downwardly projecting portion 35 connected to a top lid portion 32 with top lid portion 32 extending to a lid end 33 longitudinally spaced past lid projecting portion 35 relative to a longitudinal dimension of lid 30.

[0036]Lid 30 may be movably connected to downwardly projecting portion 35, such that when lid 30 is moved toward base 20 to engage base 20, lid 30 covers cavity 25 and lid projecting portion 35 is received inside an interior surface 19 of base 20 bounding cavity 25. Downwardly projecting portion 35 may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped and dimensioned) such that when lid 30 is closed over cavity 25, lid 30 may be pressed downwardly to cause an end 36 and/or lateral sides 38 of downwardly projecting portion 35 abut inside and against interior surface 19. When projecting portion 35 is pressed downwardly inside cavity 25, a wall portion (e.g., a wall portion 21) of base 20 may move outwardly to accommodate a size of downwardly projecting portion 35 to cause a friction fit between downwardly projecting portion 35 and interior surface 19. Further, a recess 23 (FIG. 10) may be present in a bottom surface(s) of lid 30 to allow a user to insert a finger or object therein to release lid 30 from base 20 when lid 30 is frictionally fit into base 20. Alternatively, lid 30 may include a protruding tab to allow a user to pull lid 30 out of base 20 without the presence of such a recess.

[0037]An inner rim 125 may be located in cavity 25 at a height lower than a top end 127 of wall portion 21. Inner rim 125 may surround receiving portion 28 and walls 129 may extend downwardly from inner rim 125 and bound receiving portion 28 which may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped and dimensioned) to receive a product, such as a cosmetic product (e.g. a compact). For example, receiving portion 28 may have a height and square shape that matches an outside surface of a makeup compact (e.g., a pan containing a compact) such that the compact fits snugly in a receiving portion (e.g., receiving portion 28) to hold the compact in the cavity securely so that it resists movement or being dislodged accidently while permitting the compact to be removed by a user with minimal effort.

[0038]Lid 30 may include a mirror 200 received in a sleeve 210 of lid 30 such that mirror 200 may be slid out of the sleeve and removed. A mirror (e.g., mirror 200) may also be otherwise removably attached to lid 30.

[0039]Lid 30 may be connected to product receiving base 20 by a hinge 40 which includes a pin 50 connected to a lid connecting portion 37 of lid 30 and a base connecting portion 27 of product receiving base 20 as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3-9, for example. Base connecting portion 27 may include opposite legs 70 extending away from receiving portion 28. A first leg 171 of legs 70 may include a first cavity 175 and a second leg 172 of legs 70 may include a second cavity 176 for receiving pin 50 extending between such cavities, as depicted in an exploded view in FIGS. 5-7 and 10-11, for example. First cavity 175 may be bounded by interior surfaces 177 of first leg 171 and second cavity 176 may be bounded by interior surfaces 178 of second leg 172, as depicted in FIGS. 6-7, 11, and 15, for example. When received in first cavity 175 and second cavity 176, pin 50 may be enclosed in such cavities by surfaces (e.g., interior surfaces 177, interior surfaces 178) of legs 70, such that pin 50 does not extend through legs 70 to an exterior of legs 70, in one example. First leg 171 may have opposite sides 180 which are equally spaced from one another, and parallel to each other, as depicted in FIGS. 5, 10 and 11 for example. Second leg 172 may have opposite sides 183 equally spaced from one another and parallel to each other.

[0040]Lid connecting portion 37 may have a hollow portion or pin cavity 39 for receiving pin 50 which extends laterally relative to a longitudinal dimension of lid 30 and may be configured (e.g., sized, shaped and dimensioned) to be received between interior surfaces 73 of legs 70 when pin 50 is received in first cavity 175 and second cavity 176, as depicted in FIGS. 5-9, and 11 for example.

[0041]Pin cavity 39 may be bounded by interior surfaces 185 of wall 181 of lid connecting portion 37 as depicted in FIG. 9. Opposite openings 182 on longitudinal ends 184 of lid connecting portion 37 may allow pin 50 to extend through lid connecting portion 37 as depicted in FIGS. 5, 8, 9 and 15. Such opposite openings 182 may be bounded by radially bounding surfaces 192 of opposite ends 190 of the connecting portion 37. Bounding surfaces 192 at one or both opposite ends 190 may provide a frictional resistance to movement of lid 30 on pin 50 received in one or both openings 182 and thus relative to base 20.

[0042]Pin 50 may be configured (shaped, dimensioned, and formed of a material) such that friction may exist between pin 50 and bounding surfaces 192 of opposite ends 190 when pin 50 is received therein, such that lid 30 may be rotated toward or away from cavity 25 and such friction fit may hold lid 30 relative to cavity 25 in various positions (e.g., at various angles) due to such friction fit. For example, a first angle 300 (FIG. 1) may be 100 degrees while a second angle 310 (FIG. 3) may be 135 degrees and a third angle 320 (FIG. 4) may be 98 degrees. For example, pin 50 may be formed of bamboo or another such material capable of such a friction fit.

[0043]A diameter of pin 50 and a diameter of bounding surfaces 192 bounding opposite openings 182 may be sized to allow such friction fit. For example, when pin 50 is formed of bamboo, and lid 30 (and thus bounding surfaces 192) is formed of paper or cardboard, a 0.3 to 0.4 mm difference therebetween when assembled may cause a suitable friction fit. For example, a pin diameter 52 and a bounding diameter 54 of one or both of openings 182 may differ by an amount (e.g., 0.3 to 0.4 mm) to provide a frictional fit as depicted in FIG. 20 with the difference in diameters shown exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Other dimensions may also be possible between pin 50 and bounding surfaces 192 which may provide different levels of friction therebetween for example. As indicated, such friction fit may allow the self-holding (i.e., maintenance of a particular position solely due to the friction) of lid 30 relative to base 20 in various angular positions as depicted and described. In other examples, different differences in diameters between pin 50 and bounding surfaces 192 may provide different levels of friction therebetween. In an example described above, pin 50 may be received in first cavity 175 and/or second cavity 176 such that pin 50 is fixed relative to base 20 and lid 30 may move relative to base 20 about pin 50. In another example a friction fit may be present between base 20 and pin 50 to allow movement therebetween while lid 30 may be fixedly connected and/or immobile to pin 50.

[0044]System 10 may be assembled without tools by inserting pin 50 into pin cavity 39 such that opposite ends of pin 50 extend out of opposite openings 182 of opposite ends 190 of the connecting portion 37. Legs 70 of base connecting portion 27 may be displaced laterally away from each other manually or by pressing pin 50 toward cavity 28 such that legs 70 are displaced by opposite ends of pin 50 such that pin 50 may be inserted into first cavity 175 and second cavity 176. When pin 50 is received in first cavity 175 and second cavity 176 pin 50 may be immobile via a friction fit between pin 50 and interior surfaces 177 and interior surfaces 178. As described, lid 30 may be movable relative to base 20 about pin 50 with a friction fit between bounding surfaces 192 and pin 50 allowing a position of lid to be maintained relative to base 20 absent any other holders or fasteners.

[0045]For example, when bamboo is used to form pin 50, pin 50 may absorb humidity in most climates due to inherent humidity absorbing properties of bamboo. The absorption of humidity by pin 50 may further provide friction between pin 50 and bounding surfaces 192 of lid 30 as pin 50 expands due to the presence of humidity. The use of bamboo may provide a predictable regular rate of expansion based on a level of humidity, which may not be present in other materials. For example, bamboo may retain a cylindrical structure or shape as it expands due to humidity in contrast to other materials, which may warp or otherwise deform in the presence of increased humidity. In one example, bamboo may be used to form pin 50 when the bamboo is at a lower humidity level, and thus has a relatively smaller diameter, than an expected final destination of system 10 (e.g., after distribution and sale) such that pin 50 may expand radially after pin 50 is received in first cavity 175 and/or second cavity 176 to connect base 20 to lid 30.

[0046]Further, in an alternative example, pin 50 may be frictionally engaged with interior surfaces 185 of wall 181 of lid connecting portion 37 to provide a friction fit instead of or in conjunction with the engagement of pin 50 with bounding surfaces 192 as described above. A diameter of pin 50 and a diameter of interior surfaces 185 of lid 30 bounding cavity 39 in this situation may have a difference of 0.3-0.4 mm to allow such friction fit.

[0047]Also, pin 50 may be textured or slightly tapered such that a friction fit may be enhanced. For example, a texture 51 (FIG. 21) on a pin outer surface of pin 50 may be rougher than a remainder of the pin outer surface or may protrude further radially outwardly relative to a remainder of the pin such that the texture may be forced into bounding surfaces 192 to cause a stronger friction fit than if an outer surface of the remainder of the pin was the outermost portion engaging bounding surfaces 192. Pin 50 may also be tapered such that a portion(s) thereof engaging bounding surfaces 192 is radially larger than other portions located away from a point of contact of pin 50 with one or more of bounding surfaces 192.

[0048]For example, base 20 and lid 30 may be formed of a same material, such as cardboard or paper. Further, such cardboard or paper could be laminated with a biodegradable resin or coated with a water-resistant layer, thereby improving a useful life of the material while maintaining eco-friendliness. Other materials usable for base 20 and lid 30 include molded pulp, bioplastics, and plant-based fibers. As described above, pin 50 may be formed of bamboo, for example. When formed of such materials, product packaging system 10 may be formed of recyclable and sustainable materials which is desirable as described above. For example, the bamboo and paper forming may be easily separated from each other and a mirror 200 (FIG. 10) to allow the recycling and reuse of these materials.

[0049]In other examples, base 20 and lid 30 may be formed of paper or cardboard which has been enhanced by layering, such as multiple layers of pressed paperboard or molded pulp may be used to reinforce strength while keeping a weight thereof lighter than if used of other conventional materials. A honeycomb or corrugated structure inside the paper material may also be used to improve durability. A thin layer of biodegradable resin (e.g., PLA-based coating) or natural wax may be applied to base 20 and/or lid 30 to enhance water resistance and prevent warping. Biodegradable laminates may also be used on such paper or cardboard to improve a usable lifespan thereof without compromising sustainability. The edges of the paper structure (e.g., paper or cardboard) used to form base 20 and/or lid 30 may be folded or compressed to prevent fraying and increase rigidity.

[0050]FIGS. 16-17 depict partial portions of base 20 and lid 30 and show a rotation of lid 30 about pin 50 received in pin cavity 39 not depicted in this figure. Lid connecting portion 37 is partially depicted in FIG. 17. FIGS. 18-19 further depict a partial portion of base 20 with pin 50 and FIG. 19 depicts pin 50 received in first cavity 175 and second cavity 176—shown in dotted lines.

[0051]In another example, a magnetic closure could be utilized to securely hold base 20 and lid 30 to each other (e.g., in a closed position). Base 20 and lid 30 may have small, biodegradable magnetic discs 122 (FIG. 22) embedded therein to hold the lid on the base, for example.

[0052]In a further example, an elastic band closure 26 as shown in FIG. 24 (in a view similar to FIG. 4), could be integrated into small side slots (not shown), or otherwise could be connected to base 20. A user could loop such an elastic band over a protruding notch to secure a base to a lid (e.g., base 20 and lid 30). For example, such an elastic band or other resilient elongated member could be connected to base 20 as shown in FIG. 24 where lid 30 is in an open position. Elastic band closure 26 could be stretched over lid 30 (stretched position shown in FIG. 24) when lid 30 is in a closed position contacting base 20 (subsequent to the open position depicted in FIG. 24) and the band could be allowed to return to an unstretched position such that the member or band is located on an outside surface of lid 30 and the member or band holds lid 30 in the closed position. The band or other elastic member could be formed of a biodegradable material or could be removed from base 20 to allow a recycling of a remainder of system 10.

[0053]As described above, pin 50 could be tapered. In an example depicted in FIG. 23, a diameter of a pin 151 (that could be substituted for pin 50) increases gradually from a center toward opposite ends thereof (with such tapering depicted exaggerated for ease of illustration), thereby creating a tighter fit when inserted (as compared to more inward portions thereof) into bounding surfaces 192, which may prevent unintended loosening over time. Further, pin 50 may otherwise be of variable diameter (instead of tapering), such that a section of the pin that aligns with the openings (e.g., opposite openings 182) of a base may be slightly wider than a remainder of the pin, thereby ensuring a secure grip (between pin 50 and bounding surfaces 192) while allowing movement.

[0054]Further, as described above a pin (e.g., pin 50) may be textured to provide a frictional fit to hold a base (e.g., base 20) relative to a lid (e.g., lid 30). The described texture could be small ridges or grooves aligned along a longitudinal dimension of the pin to add friction, thereby maintaining a hinge's position (e.g., a position of base 20 relative to lid 30) via a friction fit without additional fasteners.

[0055]As described above, base 20 may have a cavity 25 and a receiving portion 28 for receiving a product, such as a pan holding a cosmetic product. Such pans may be received in receiving portion 28 and removed and replaced when the product has been used or when otherwise desired. Such pans may be magnetized or friction-fit pans to hold the pans in receiving portion 28 while inhibiting accidental removal therefrom. The base could include shallow recesses that hold metal pans via a magnet (e.g., a biodegradable magnet present in base 20 and a removable pan) or via a tight friction fit between such a pan and bounding surfaces of receiving portion 28. In either case, a recess may be present in a surface(s) of base 20 bounding receiving portion 28 to allow a user to insert a finger or object therein to release such a pan from receiving portion 28. Alternatively, a pan may include a protruding tab to allow a user to pull the pan out of base 20 without the presence of such a recess.

[0056]In an example, receiving portion 28 may be modular to allow different sized or multiple pans to be received therein based on a preference of a user. Base 20 and lid 30 may be embossed with logos, patterns, or custom branding without using plastic or foil printing, such that base 20 and lid 30 when formed of paper or carboard may be recycled in a standard paper recycling stream. Eco-friendly soy-based inks could allow full-color customization of lid 30 and base 20 while maintaining such recyclability. A removable outer sleeve or decorative panel to be applied to base 20 and/or lid 30 could let users swap designs while allowing such sleeve to be removed for recycling of the base and lid.

[0057]The figures included herein depict various aspects of the invention and use a common numbering system, and the figures not expressly called out above depict different aspects of the invention otherwise described above.

[0058]While several aspects of the present invention have been described and depicted herein, alternative aspects may be effected by those skilled in the art to accomplish the same objectives. Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such alternative aspects as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0059]It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Numerous changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments, they are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[0060]The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has”, and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a method or device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more steps or elements possesses those one or more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an element of a device that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

[0061]It is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages described above may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and techniques described herein may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

[0062]While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.