DOUBLE HINGE DISPLAY PACKAGE AND METHOD OF USE

US 20100314279A1
Filed: 12/17/2009
Published: 12/16/2010
Est. Priority Date: 06/10/2009
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A clamshell package for packaging an article comprising:

a clamshell including a manufacturing hinge dividing the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity, wherein the first and second parts overlap adjacent the manufacturing hinge to form a flange, the second part including an operating hinge, wherein the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part about the operating hinge to an open position; and

a panel engaging the manufacturing hinge to retain the clamshell in a folded position, wherein the operating hinge is spaced from the panel.

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Abstract

A clamshell package for supporting an article is provided including a covered manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity. The first and second parts partially overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge. The second part includes an uncovered operating hinge, about which the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part to an open position. The clamshell package includes a panel adapted to engage the manufacturing hinge and flange to retain the manufacturing hinge in a folded position, with the panel being spaced from the operating hinge.

Citations

20 Claims

1. A clamshell package for packaging an article comprising:
- a clamshell including a manufacturing hinge dividing the clamshell into first and second parts adapted to form a cavity, wherein the first and second parts overlap adjacent the manufacturing hinge to form a flange, the second part including an operating hinge, wherein the second part is adapted to pivot away from the first part about the operating hinge to an open position; and
  
  a panel engaging the manufacturing hinge to retain the clamshell in a folded position, wherein the operating hinge is spaced from the panel.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- - 2. The clamshell package of claim 1 wherein the first and second parts each include a peripheral lip, wherein the peripheral lips of the first and second parts overlap to form the flange.
  - 3. The clamshell package of claim 2 wherein the panel includes a front sheet and a rear sheet adapted to sandwich the flange and the peripheral lip of the first part.
  - 4. The clamshell package of claim 3 wherein the front and rear sheets are integrally formed and are adapted to be folded about a fold line.
  - 5. The clamshell package of claim 4 wherein the front and rear sheets include a respective opening adapted to receive one of the first and second parts of the clamshell.
  - 6. The clamshell package of claim 3 wherein the operating hinge is a square hinge.
  - 7. The clamshell package of claim 3 wherein the manufacturing and operating hinges are at least one of a line of weakening, a perforation, a bend and a line of reduced thickness.
  - 8. The clamshell package of claim 3 wherein the clamshell is thermoformed from a single piece of stock material.
  - 9. The clamshell package of claim 8 wherein one of the first and second parts includes a snap element and wherein the other of the first and second parts includes a notch, wherein the snap element is adapted to be snap-fitted into the notch for retaining the first and second parts in a closed position.
  - 10. The clamshell package of claim 3 wherein the peripheral lip of the second part engages the panel when the clamshell package is in a closed position.
  - 11. The clamshell package of claim 10 wherein the peripheral lip of the second part includes a tab adapted to be pulled by a user to open the clamshell package.

12. A clamshell package for packaging an article comprising:
- a clamshell including first and second parts adapted to form a cavity, each port including a lip extending about at least a portion of the part, wherein the first part lip overlaps the second part lip to form a flange;
  
  an operating hinge on the second part adjacent the flange, the operating hinge allowing the second part to pivot with respect to the flange in a direction away from the first part; and
  
  a panel covering the flange, wherein the operating hinge is spaced from the panel to allow the second part to pivot about the operating hinge.
- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
- - 13. The clamshell package of claim 12 wherein the flange is located along a peripheral edge of the clamshell.
  - 14. The clamshell package of claim 13 wherein the first and second part lips are peripheral lips that extend about the periphery of the first and second parts.
  - 15. The clamshell package of claim 14 wherein the panel includes a front sheet and a rear sheet adapted to sandwich the flange and the first part lip.
  - 16. The clamshell package of claim 15 wherein the first and second parts of the clamshell package are integrally formed.

17. A method for forming a clamshell package comprising the steps of:
- forming a plastic clamshell including a manufacturing hinge adapted to divide the clamshell into first and second parts, the second part including an operating hinge;
  
  folding the clamshell about the manufacturing hinge to form a cavity between the first and second parts, wherein the first and second parts overlap to form a flange adjacent the manufacturing hinge;
  
  attaching a panel to the manufacturing hinge and to the flange and spacing the panel from the operating hinge; and
  
  pivoting the second part about the operating hinge to open the clamshell package.
- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
- - 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the forming a plastic clamshell step includes placing a piece of sheet stock in a mold and thermoforming the clamshell.
  - 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the panel includes front and rear sheets, wherein the attaching a panel step includes sandwiching the manufacturing hinge and at least a portion of the flange between the front and rear sheets.
  - 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:
    - integrally forming the front and rear sheets, including forming a fold line between the front and rear sheets and forming an opening in each of the front and rear sheets;
      
      inserting the first part of the clamshell into the opening in the rear sheet; and
      
      folding the second part of the clamshell about the manufacturing hinge and folding the front sheet of the panel about the fold line until the front sheet engages at least one of the first part of the clamshell and the rear sheet of the panel.

Specification

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Current Assignee
Display Pack Incorporated
Original Assignee
Display Pack Incorporated
Inventors
Cramblet, Michael J., Pankratz, Brian J., Raimer, George E., Hansen, Victor D., Eckert, Elliott R., Vos, Kristie L.

Granted Patent

US 7,931,148 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

206/470
CPC Class Codes

B65D 25/00   Details of other kinds or t...

B65D 2543/00194   square or rectangular with ...

B65D 2543/00296   Plastic

B65D 2543/00324   Lids integrally moulded wit...

B65D 2543/00361   placed on a tray like conta...

B65D 2543/00518   Skirt

B65D 2543/0062   Groove or hollow bead

B65D 2543/00694   Segments

B65D 2543/00731   Groove or hollow bead

B65D 2543/00805   Segments

B65D 2543/00842   outside of the lid

B65D 43/162   the container, the lid and ...

B65D 75/22   the sheet or blank being re...

B65D 75/56   Handles or other suspension...

Y10T 156/10   Methods of surface bonding ...

Y10T 156/1051   by folding

Y10T 29/49826   Assembling or joining

DOUBLE HINGE DISPLAY PACKAGE AND METHOD OF USE

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

Citations

20 Claims

Specification

Solutions

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DOUBLE HINGE DISPLAY PACKAGE AND METHOD OF USE

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

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Abstract

Citations

20 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links