(19)
(11) EP 0 213 262 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
11.03.1987 Bulletin 1987/11

(21) Application number: 86102564.1

(22) Date of filing: 27.02.1986
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4B65D 71/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 29.08.1985 US 770799

(71) Applicant: ANCHOR HOCKING CORPORATION
Lancaster Ohio 43130 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Pugh, Richard E.
    Lancaster Ohio 43130 (US)

(74) Representative: Leiser, Gottfried, Dipl.-Ing. et al
Prinz & Partner, Manzingerweg 7
D-81241 München
D-81241 München (DE)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Modular display package


    (57) A package is described which includes individual paper board packages folded from blanks and which contain and display articles such as glass tumblers or goblets. The individual packages are assembled in sleeves also folded from paperboard blanks which accommodate two, three or four of the individual packages while exposing them for display.




    Description

    Background of the Invention



    [0001] The present invention is directed to a modular package and more particularly to an improved modular display package for glass articles, such as tumblers.

    [0002] Existing display packages for glass articles are not easily erected and packed in shipping cartons by automatic machinery so that manual handling is necessary. Such existing packages do not give the glassware maximum visibility, insure the glassware against damage, and do not permit inspection by the consumer without destroying the display package.

    [0003] Furthermore, existing display packages do not easily accommodate stemware as well as tumblers and are not well adapted to accommodate a multiplicity of sizes as is the package of the present invention. In addition, the new display packages are amenable to palletization and at the same time, permit opening of the outer cartons for pricing and label application. Many existing display packages, which use partitions for separating the articles, require a large amount of shelf space and are not easily amenable to varying uses for appearances and for marketing requirements.

    Brief Description of the Invention



    [0004] The present invention overcomes the above noted drawbacks and has as one of its objects the provision of an improved display package which can be easily erected and packed in shipping cartons by automatic machinery.

    [0005] Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved display package which has maximum visibility, which insures protection from damage and which permits inspection by the consumer without destroying the display package.

    [0006] Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved display package which is able to accommodate stemware as well as tumblers and which is capable of accommodating a multiplicity of sizes.

    [0007] Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved display package which eliminates the use of partitions for separating the articles.

    [0008] Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved display package which increases the protection of the glassware packaged therein.

    [0009] Another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved display package which requires less shelf space and which permits diverse utilizations for different appearances and marketing requirements.

    [0010] Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

    Brief Description of the Drawing



    [0011] A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein:

    Fig. 1 is a plan view of a blank used to form a modular package in accordance with the present invention.

    Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an initial step in folding the blank into a package.

    Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the final step in folding the blank into a package.

    Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the completed package with a tumbler in place therein.

    Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

    Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

    Fig. 7 is a plan view of a blank showing another embodiment of the present invention.

    Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the finished package formed from the blank of Fig. 7.

    Fig. 9 is a plan view of a blank showing another embodiment of the present invention.

    Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the finished package formed from the blank of Fig. 9.

    Fig. 11 is a plan view of a blank showing a sleeve for receiving two packages therein.

    Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the folding of the blank of Fig. 11 into a sleeve.

    Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing the completed two package sleeve.

    . Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing the two package sleeve with packages therein.

    Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 14.

    Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 15

    Fig. 17 is a plan view of a blank showing another embodiment of a two package sleeve.

    Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing the folding of the blank of Fig. 17 into a sleeve.

    Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the completed two package sleeve.

    Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the two package sleeve with two display packages mounted therein.

    Fig. 21 is a sectional view taken along line 21-21 of Fig. 20.

    Fig. 22 is a plan view of a blank for a three package sleeve.

    Fig. 23 is a perspective view showing a initial step in folding the blank into a three package sleeve.

    Fig. 24 is a perspective view showing a final folding operation of the three package sleeve.

    Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the completed three package sleeve with three packages therein.

    Fig. 26 is a sectional view taken along line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

    Fig. 27 is a plan view of a blank for a four package sleeve.

    Fig. 28 is a perspective view showing the folding of the blank into a four package sleeve.

    Fig. 29 is a perspective view of the completed four package sleeve.

    Fig. 30 is a perspective view of the four package sleeve with four packages therein.

    Fig. 31 is a sectional view taken along line 31-31 of Fig. 30.

    Fig. 32 is a perspective view showing one manner of packing the packages in a shipping carton.

    Fig. 33 is a plan view of a blank showing another embodiment of the present invention.

    Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the blank of Fig. 33 is a folded in order to form the package of the present invention.

    Fig. 35 is a perspective view of an assembled package made in accordance with the present invention.

    Fig. 36 is a sectional view taken along line 36-36 of Fig. 35.

    Fig. 37 is a plan view of a blank showing another embodiment of a sleeve for receiving a pair of packages.

    Fig. 38 is a perspective view of an assembled sleeve.

    Fig. 39 is a perspective view showing a sleeve with glassware packages mounted therein.

    Fig. 40 is a sectional view taken along line 40-40 of Fig. 39.

    Fig. 41 is a plan view of a modified blank for making the sleeve shown in Fig. 37.

    Fig. 42 is a plan view of another blank to form a sleeve to accommodate a plurality of packages.

    Fig. 43 is a perspective view showing the blank of Fig. 42 assembled into a sleeve.

    Fig. 44 is a perspective view showing the completed sleeve with three display packages therein.

    Fig. 45 is a sectional view taken along line 45-45 of Fig. 44.

    Fig. 46 is a plan view of a modified blank for making the sleeve shown in Fig. 42.

    Fig. 47 is a plan view of still another blank to form a sleeve to accommodate a plurality of packages.

    Fig. 48 is a perspective view showing the assembled blank.

    Fig. 49 is a perspective view showing the blank with packages therein.

    Fig. 50 is a sectional view taken along time 50-50 of Fig. 49.


    Description of the Invention



    [0012] Referring more particularly to the drawings and to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the blank 1 of the present invention comprises a bottom wall panel 2, a pair of side wall panels 3 and 4 and a top wall panel 5 hingedly connected to each other along fold lines 6, 7 and 8. The side wall panel 4 has a glue flap 9 extending therefrom and foldable along fold line 10. The side wall panels 3 and 4 are substantially similarly shaped and each has a cutout portion 15 therein. Each side wall panel has a rear wall panel 16 extending therefrom and foldable relative thereto along a fold line 17. Each rear wall panel 16 has an interlocking tab 18 extending therefrom and a glue area 19. The bottom and top wall panels 2 and 5 have a rear flap panel 20 extending therefrom and foldable relative thereto along fotd line 21.

    [0013] The bottom wall panel 2 has a narrow front step panel 25 extending therefrom and foldable along fold line 26 and attached thereto and foldable along fold line 27 is a lower retaining wall panel 28. The lower retaining wall panel 28 has an arcuate tongue 29 therein to form an article holding slot. The top wall panel 5 has an article retaining tongue 30 cut therein and foldable relative thereto along a fold line 31 and an upper pressure-applying panel 32 foldable relative thereto along a fold line 33.

    [0014] To assemble the package as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the bottom, side and top wall panels 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, are folded along the fold lines 6, 7 and 8 and the glue flap 9 is adhered to the bottom wall panel 2. The rear wall panels 16 are folded so that they interlock with each other and with the rear flap panels 20 and are adhered thereto at the adhesive areas 19. The lower retaining wall panel 28 and the front step panel 25 are folded inwardly so that a step 25 is formed at the bottom and the tongue 29 is folded down to accommodate the bottom of a tumbler T. The upper pressure panel 32 is folded inwardly and the article retaining tongue 30 is folded down to hold a tumbler T in place as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. This package may be used by itself or it may be combined with other similar packages, as will be more fully set forth hereinafter below.

    [0015] Figs. 7 and 8 show another embodiment of the package of the present invention which is substantially similar to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6 and like parts have been given the same reference number. In this embodiment, each of the side wall 3 and 4 of package 1 is provided with a tongue 35 extending from the fold lines 17 to form slots. In addition, the lower retaining wall 28 has flap panels 36 extending therefrom the foldable relative thereto along fold lines 37.

    [0016] The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is generally similar to the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8. However, in this embodiment, the lower retaining wall 28 has an opening 38 therein to receive a tumbler T and a rear spacer panel 39 foldable relative thereto.

    [0017] Figs. 11 and 16 show a two package sleeve formed from a blank 50 which has side wall panels 51 and top and bottom wall panels 52 along fold lines 53. The bottom wall panel has a glue flap 54 extending therefrom. The top and bottom wall panels 52 having reinforcing flaps 55 extending from their ends foldable along fold lines 56. Lock means 60 are provided in the side walls 51 in the form of foldable inwardly extending winged tabs. The blank 50 is folded as shown in Fig. 12 to form the two package sleeve 57 shown in Fig. 13. The reinforcing flaps 55 are folded back and adhered to the top and bottom walls 52. This two package sleeve is adapted to receive two packages 1, in back-to-back relationship as shown in Fig. 14. Preferably, the package 1 used is that shown in the embodiment of Figs. 7-8 in which the lock tabs 60 of the sleeve are inserted into the slots 35 formed in the side walls 3 and 4 to hold the packages 1 in place.

    [0018] Figs. 17 and 21 show a side-by-side two package sleeve 69 having side walls 70 foldable relative to top and bottom walls 71 along fold lines. The rear wall panels 72 and 73 are foldable relative thereto along fold lines and one of the side walls 70 has a glue flap 74. The top and bottom wall panels 71 are provided with reinforcing flaps 75 foldable inwardly and adhered thereto. The side wall panels 70 have cutouts 76 with retaining tabs 77 extending therefrom and fotdabte relative thereto. Each retaining tab 77 is formed of three sections 78, 79 and 80 foldable relative to each other along fold lines. When the blank for sleeve 69 is folded as shown in Fig. 18 to the position shown in Fig. 19, it will accommodate two packages 1 in side-to-side relationship as shown in Fig. 20. The retaining tabs 77 are adapted to wrap around the side walls 4 of each single package and hold them in place.

    [0019] Figs. 22 and 26 show a three package sleeve 97 which comprises side wall panels 90 and top and bottom wall panels 91 folded relative thereto along fold lines. One of the side wall panels 90 has an opening 92 formed by cut flap 93. Extending from the top and bottom panels are reinforcing flaps 94 adapted to be folded and adhered thereto. A glue flap 95 also extends from the bottom panel 91. Each of the side wall panels 90 have cutouts therein with retaining tabs 77 extending therefrom which are similar to the retaining tabs 77 of Figs. 17 to 21.

    [0020] The blank 97 is folded in the manner shown in Figs. 23 and 24 to form the finished three package sleeve 97 as shown in Fig. 25. The three package sleeve 97 is adapted to receive a single package in its center facing the opening 92 with a pair of additional packages inserted at its end which face outwardly and are retained therein by the retaining tabs 77.

    [0021] Figs. 27 and 30 show a four package sleeve 99 formed from a blank 100 which comprises side wall panels 101 and top and bottom wall panels 102 folded relative thereto along fold lines. Extending from the top and bottom wall panels 102 are retaining flaps 103 adapted to be folded and adhered thereto. A glue flap 104 also extends from the bottom panel 102. Each of the side walls 101 has a pair of opposed cutouts and retaining tabs 77 extending similarly to the retaining tabs 77 of the embodiment of Figs. 17 to 21.

    [0022] The blank 100 is folded in the manner shown in Figs. 29 and 30. The sleeve is adapted to accommodate four packages which face outwardly and which are retained therein by the tabs 77.

    [0023] Fig. 32 shows the manner of packing packages 1 in a shipping container 110. The individual packages 1 may be packed, however, it is also possible to package the two, three or four package sleeves 57, 69, 97, or 99 in any combination desired for obtaining the most efficient package.

    [0024] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 33 and 36, the blank 201 of the present invention comprises a rear wall panel 202 having a plurality of side wall panels 203 which are substantially identical to each other and which are folded relative thereto along a fold line 204. A top wall panel 205 and a bottom wall panel 206 extend from the end edges of the back wall panel 202 and are foldable relative thereto along fold lines 207 and 208, respectively. The bottom wall panel 206 is provided with a lower locking panel 209 foldable relative thereto along a fold line 210. The side wall panels 203 have notches 224 cut therein to permit the contents to be grasped and have lower glue flaps 211 extending downwardly therefrom and foldable relative thereto along fold line 212.

    [0025] Upper glue flaps 213 extend upwardly from the side walls 213 and are foldable thereto along fold lines 214. Each upper glue flap 213 is also foldably attached to the top wall panel 205 along the fold line 215 and is provided with an inclined fold line 216 extending from the junction of lines 214-215 to dissect the upper glue flap 213 into two portions 217 and 218 which are folded over each other along fold line 216 when the blank 201 is assembled into a container.

    [0026] The top wall panel 205 is provided with a tongue 225 which is cut therefrom and foldable relative thereto along fold line 226 and adapted to the inserted in the open mouth of a glass tumbler T to hold it in place, as will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow.

    [0027] The bottom wall panel 206 has a front glue flap 227 extending therefrom the foldable along a fold line 228. The lower locking panel 209 is provided with a front stop flap 229 foldable relative thereto along a fold line 203 and a front glue flap 231 foldable relative to a stop flap 230 along a fold line 232.

    [0028] When the blank 201 is to be assembled into a container, the lower locking flap 209 is folded over bottom panel 206. Side wall panels 203 are folded inwardly and lower glue flaps 211 are adhered to lower surface of bottom wall panel 206. This causes upper glue flap 213 to fold along fold line 216 so that portions 218 overlie portions 217. Top wall panel 205 is bent downwardly causing superimposed portions 217-218 to fold along fold lines 214-215. Top wall panel 205 is adhered to the glue panels 218 and the tumbler T is inserted. The locking tongue 225 is folded down into the tumbler mouth. The front glue flap 227 is folded inwardly and front stop flap 229 is positioned in an inclined position. Front glue flap 231 is then folded down and adhered to front glue flap 227.

    [0029] With this structure, tumbler T is held firmly in place by the lower inclined locking panel 229 and top locking tongue 225.

    [0030] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 37 to 40, a sleeve blank 250 is provided to accommodate two packages which comprise a pair of side walls 251 to which are foldably attached a top wall 252 and a bottom wall 253 along fold lines 255. The side walls are provided with notches 256 corresponding to the notches 224 in package 201. One of the side walls 251 has a glue flap 254 adapted to be adhered to top wall 252 to permit the sleeve 250 to be assembled into a substantially rectangular shape as shown in Fig. 38. With this structure, a pair of individual packages 201 with the glass tumblers T mounted therein are inserted in side-by-side relationship within the sleeve 250 and are adhered in place as shown in Fig. 39.

    [0031] Referring to Fig. 41, the sleeve blank 250 is shown as being comprised of a pair of identical mirror-image blanks 2506, each identical to the blank 250 shown in Fig. 37 and attached together in back-to-back relationship along a tear line 280 down the center thereof. With this structure, two sleeves 250B may be formed in a single stamping and cutting operation and they may be separated along perforation line 280 to form two individual and identical sleeves 250.

    [0032] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 42 to 45, the sleeve blank 260 is adapted to the receive three packages 201 and comprises a pair of side walls 261 having notches 266 to which are foldably mounted a top wall 262 and a bottom wall 263 along fold lines 265. One of the side walls 261 has a glue flap 264 adapted to be adhered to top wall 262 to permit the sleeve 260 to be assembled into a substantially rectangular shape. With this structure, three individual packages 201 are inserted in side-by-side relationship within the sleeve 260 and adhered in place as shown in Fig. 44.

    [0033] Referring to Fig. 46, the sleeve blank 260A is shown being comprised of a pair of identical mirror-image blanks 260Beach identical to the blank 260 shown in Fig. 42 and attached together in back-to-back relationship along a tear line 290 down the center thereof. With this structure, two sleeves 260f3 may be formed in a single stamping and cutting operation and they may be separated along center line 280 to form two individual and identical sleeves 260B .

    [0034] Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 47 to 50, a sleeve 270 is provided for receiving four packages 201 therein. The sleeve blank 270 comprises a pair of side walls 271 having notches 276 to which are foldably mounted a top wall 272 and a bottom wall 273 along fold lines 274. One of the side walls 271 has a glue flap 275 adapted to be adhered to top wall 272 to permit the sleeve 270 to be assembled into a substantially rectangular shape. With this structure, four individual packages 201 are inserted two-by-two in side-by-side and back-to-back relationship as shown in Fig. 49 and adhered in place.

    [0035] It will be noted that the sleeve blank 270 of Fig. 47 is identical to the sleeve blank 250Ashown in Fig. 41, except that the sleeve blank 270 does not have a tear line down the center. This permits the two sleeve blanks 250A and 270 to be formed in the same stamping and cutting operation.

    [0036] It will thus be seen that the present invention provides an improved display package which can be easily erected and packed in shipping cartons by automatic machinery, which has maximum visibility, insures protection from damage and permits inspection by the consumer without destroying the display package. The package also is able to accommodate stemware as well as tumblers and is capable of accommodating a multiplicity of sizes. It is also amenable to palletization and permits opening of the outer cartons for pricing and label application and it eliminates the use of partitions for separating the articles, increases the protection of the glassware packaged therein, and requires less shelf space. It also permits diverse utilization for differing displays and marketing requirements.

    [0037] As many and varied modifications of the subject matter of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description given hereinabove, it will be understood that the present invention is limited only as provided in the claims appended hereto.


    Claims

    1. A container for an article comprising a rear wall, a pair of side walls extending therefrom and foldable relative thereto, a bottom wall and a top wall, means associated with the top wall to retain an article, means operatively associated with the bottom wall to retain an article, said lower retaining means comprising a stop mechanism.
     
    2. A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said stop mechanism comprises an inclined surface.
     
    3. A container as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said inclined surface overlies the bottom wall.
     
    4. A container as claimed in Claim 3 wherein a lower locking flap is foldably mounted on said bottom wall and wherein said inclined surface extends from said lower locking flap.
     
    5. A container as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the locking flap and the fold line are substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein said lower locking flap overlies the bottom wall.
     
    6. A container as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the bottom wall has a glue flap extending therefrom and the inclined surface has a glue flap extending therefrom, said glue flaps overlying each other and being adhered to each other.
     
    7. A container as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said side walls are provided with indentations.
     
    8. A container as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said side walls are provided with glue flaps adapted to overlie the bottom wall and be adhered thereto.
     
    9. A container as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the retaining means in the top wall comprise a tongue cut into the top wall and adapted to be folded downwardly.
     
    10. A container as claimed in Claim 9 wherein a glue flap assembly extends from the upper edge of the side walls along a fold line and is connected to the top wall along a second fold line perpendicular to the first fold line, an inclined fold line extends from the apex of said first and second fold lines and dissects the glue flap into two portions whereby the two portions may be folded relative to each other into a superimposed position and adhered .to the top wall.
     
    11. A sleeve for a plurality of packages comprising a pair of side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall, means for receiving a plurality of packages therein.
     
    12. A sleeve as set forth in Claim 11 wherein the packages are adhered therewithin.
     
    13. A sleeve as set forth in Claim 12 wherein the side walls of the sleeve are provided with indentations.
     
    14. A sleeve as set forth in Claim 13 wherein the rear of said sleeve is open.
     
    . A sleeve as set forth in Claim 14 wherein the front and rear side walls of said sleeve have indentations which are substantially identical to each other.
     
    16. A sleeve as set forth in Claim 15 wherein said sleeve is formed from an elongated blank, the lenghtwise outer edges of the blank being mirror images of each other.
     
    17. A sleeve as set forth in Claim 16 wherein said blank is severable lengthwise along a center line to form two blanks.
     
    18. A sleeve as set forth in Claim 17 wherein said center line is a perforated line.
     
    19. A container blank for an article comprising a rear wall panel, a pair of side wall panels extending therefrom and foldable relative thereto, a bottom wall panel and a top wall panel, means associated with the top wall panel to retain an article, means operatively associated with the bottom wall panel to retain an article, said lower retaining means comprising a stop mechanism.
     
    20. A blank as claimed in Claim 19 wherein said stop mechanism comprises an inclined surface.
     
    21. A blank as claimed in Claim 20 wherein said inclined surface overlies the bottom wall panel.
     
    22. A blank as claimed in Claim 21 wherein a lower locking flap panel is foldably mounted on said bottom wall panel and wherein said inclined surface extends from said lower locking flap panel.
     
    A blank as claimed in Claim 22 wherein the locking flap panel and the fold line are substantially perpendicular to each other, and wherein said lower locking flap overlies the bottom wall panel.
     
    24. A blank as claimed in Claim 23 wherein the bottom wall panel has a glue flap panel extending therefrom and the inclined surface has a glue flap panel extending therefrom, said glue flap panels overlying each other and being adhered to each other.
     
    25. A blank as claimed in Claim 24 wherein said side wall panels are provided with indentations.
     
    26. A blank as claimed in Claim 25 wherein said side wall panels are provided with glue flap panels adapted to overlie the bottom wall panel and be adhered thereto.
     
    27. A blank as claimed in Claim 26 wherein the retaining means in the top wall panel comprise a tongue cut into the top wall panel and adapted to be folded downwardly.
     
    28. A blank as claimed in Claim 27 wherein a glue flap panel assembly extends from the upper edge of the side wall panels along a fold line and is connected to the top wall panel along a second fold line perpendicular to the first fold line, an inclined fold line extending from the apex of said first and second fold lines and dissecting the glue flap panel into two portions whereby the two portions may be folded relative to each other into a superimposed position and adhered to the top wall panel.
     
    29. A sleeve blank for a plurality of packages comprising a pair of side wall panels, a top wall panel, a bottom wall panel, and means for receiving a plurality of packages therein.
     
    30. A blank as set forth in Claim 29 wherein the side wall panels of the sleeve are provided with indentations.
     
    31. A blank as set forth in Claim 30 wherein the rear of said sleeve blank is open.
     
    32. A blank as set forth in Claim 31 wherein the front and rear side wall panels of said sleeve have indentations which are substantially identical to each other.
     
    33. A blank as set forth in Claim 32 wherein said blank is an elongated blank with the lengthwise outer edges of the blank being mirror images of each other.
     
    34. A blank as set forth in Claim 33 wherein said blank is severable lengthwise along a center line to form two blanks.
     
    35. A blank as set forth in Claim 34 wherein said center line is a perforated line.
     
    36. A container as set forth in Claim 1 wherein said stop mechanism comprises a lower upstanding wall extending from one side wall to the other in order to retain the lower portion of the article, said side walls being provided with indentations extending inwardly toward said rear wall to permit an article to be grasped, said top wall retaining means being adapted to retain the upper portion of the article, and said top wall having at least a portion which is shorter than the bottom wall in order to partially expose the upper portion of the article.
     
    37. A blank as set forth in Claim 19 wherein said stop mechanism comprises a lower upstanding wall panel extending from one side wall panel to the other in order to retain the lower portion of the article, said side wall panels being provided with indentations extending inwardly toward said rear wall panel to permit an article to be grasped, said top wall panel retaining means being adapted to retain the upper portion of the article, and said top wall panel having at least a portion which is shorter than the bottom wall panel in order to partially expose the upper portion of the article.
     
    38. A modular display package for discrete articles, comprising:

    a) end wall panels,

    b) a pair of side wall panels comprising first and second side wall panels, said side wall panels being hingedly connected to opposite edges of one of said end wall panels,

    c) the other end wall panel being hingedly connected to said first side wall panel on the end opposite that connected to said one end wall panel,

    d) said second side wall panel having adhesive flap means extending therefrom hingedly connected to said other end wall panel,

    e) a pair of rear wall panels with each of said first and second side wall panels having one of said rear wall panels extending therefrom and each rear wall panel having an interlocking tab extending therefrom and an adhesive area,

    f) each of said end wall panels having a rear flap panel hingedly extending therefrom, and

    g) interlock means, whereby when said modular display package is folded into operative assembly with said adhesive flap means being adhesively secured to said other end wall panel, said interlock means interlocks said rear wall panels to each other and against said rear flap panels.


     
    39. The display package as claimed in Claim 38 which further comprises a retaining tongue cut in said top panel and a retaining wall panel hingedly connected to said bottom panel.
     
    40. The display package as claimed in Claim 39 in which said retaining wall panel has an arcuate tongue cut therein.
     
    41. The display package as claimed in claim 39 in which said retaining wall panel has a front step panel defined by a fold line thereacross.
     
    42. The display package as claimed in Claim 38 in which said side panels include cutout tongue.
     
    43. The display package as claimed in Claim 39 which further comprises hingedly connected flap panels on opposite sides of said retaining wall panel.
     
    44. The display package as claimed in Claim 39 in which said retaining wall panel has an article engaging aperture cut therein.
     
    45. The display package as claimed in Claim 44 which further comprises a spacer panel hingedly connected to said retaining wall panel.
     
    46. A package sleeve for packaging a plurality of individual packages with portions of the individual packages exposed for inspection comprising a package blank having a top panel, a bottom panel, and a pair of side panels, package engaging lock means on said side panels, and one free edge of one side panel being fastened to a free edge of said top or bottom panel to form a sleeve.
     
    47. The package sleeve as claimed in Claim 46 in which said package engaging lock comprises a plurality of lock tabs on said side walls.
     
    48. The package as claimed in Claim 46 in which said package engaging lock comprises foldable retaining tabs on said side walls.
     
    49. The package as claimed in Claim 48 in which said side walls have cutouts and said foldable retaining tabs are hingedly attached at the cutouts.
     
    50. The sleeve as claimed in Claim 48 in which one of said side walls has a package viewing opening therein.
     
    51. The sleeve as claimed in Claim 46 in combination with a plurality of display packages within said sleeve with portions of the packaged articles being exposed through the sleeve side walls.
     
    52. A sleeve as claimed in Claim 51 in which said plurality comprises a pair of display packages positioned in back-to-back position.
     
    53. The sleeve as claimed in Claim 51 in which said plurality comprises a pair of display packages positioned in side-by-side position.
     
    54. The sleeve as claimed in Claim 51 in which said plurality comprises three display packages.
     
    55. The sleeve as claimed in Claim 50 in combination with three display packages within said sleeve, with the central package of the three being positioned at said viewing opening.
     
    56. The sleeve as claimed in Claim 51 in which said plurality comprises four display packages.
     
    57. A modular display package as claimed in Claim 38 in combination with a plurality of similar packages, a carton, and said display packages being positioned in side-by-side positioned to fill said carton.
     




    Drawing