GB2562303B

GB2562303B - Display crate and kit of parts therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2562303B
Application number: GB1707644.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ahmed Rizwan
Original assignee: Crep Protect Ltd
Current assignee: Crep Protect Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-12
Filing date: 2017-05-12
Publication date: 2019-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-12
Also published as: CN110177743A; GB201707644D0; EP3609796A1; US20200385167A1; WO2018206800A1; EP3609796B1; GB2562303A; ES2940382T3; PL3609796T3; SG11201909164QA

Description

Display Crate and Kit of Parts Therefor

The present invention relates to a display crate and to a kit of parts for assembling such adisplay crate.

Many consumers buy sneakers as fashion items. Sneakers are often acquired byindividual owners to form a unique sneaker collection. There is a desire to store suchcollectible sneakers in a suitable storage location where the sneakers can be safely storedaway from dust, exposure to sunlight, and humidity. A suitable storage device is a box.However, conventional cardboard shoe boxes are easily damaged and are not a stylishway to store and display expensive sneakers.

There is a need for a display crate which can stylishly store and display expensivesneakers.

The present invention aims at least partially to meet this need.

The present invention provides a kit of parts for a display crate for protecting anddisplaying a pair of sneakers, the kit comprising a plurality of individual panels foradhesive-free, tool-free, snap-fit assembly together to form a self-supporting, stackable,rigid crate, the kit comprising: (i) a base panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending betweenthe front and rear edges, the front edge having a first hinge fitting; (ii) a front door panel having a second hinge fitting, the first and second hinge fittingsbeing adapted to be coupled together thereby hingedly to fit a lower edge of the frontdoor panel to the front edge of the base panel; (iii) a pair of side panels, each side panel having a lower edge adapted to be snap-fitted toa respective one of the side edges of the base panel, each side panel having a rear edgeand an upper edge; (iv) a rear panel, the rear panel having a lower edge adapted to be snap-fitted to the rearedge of the base panel, and the rear panel having side edges, each side edge beingadapted to be snap-fitted to the rear edge of a respective side panel, and an upper edge;and (v) a top panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending between thefront and rear edges, wherein the rear edge and the two side edges of the top panel areadapted to be snap-fitted, respectively, to the upper edge of the rear panel and the upperedges of the pair of side panels; wherein the rear edge and two side edges of the base panel each have an upwardlyoriented elongate recess for receiving therein the lower edges of the rear panel and sidepanels respectively, the rear edges of the two side panels each have an inwardly orientedelongate recess for receiving therein a respective one of the side edges of the rear paneland the rear edge and two side edges of the top panel each have a downwardly orientedelongate recess for receiving therein the upper edges of the rear panel and side panelsrespectively.

The present invention further provides a display crate for protecting and displaying a pairof sneakers, the display crate comprising a plurality of individual panels assembledtogether by an adhesive-free, tool-free, snap-fit assembly to form a self-supporting,stackable, rigid crate, the crate comprising: (i) a base panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending betweenthe front and rear edges, the front edge having a first hinge fitting; (ii) a front door panel having a second hinge fitting, the first and second hinge fittingsbeing coupled together thereby hingedly to fit a lower edge of the front door panel to thefront edge of the base panel; (iii) a pair of side panels, each side panel having a lower edge snap-fitted to a respectiveone of the side edges of the base panel, each side panel having a rear edge and an upperedge; (iv) a rear panel, the rear panel having a lower edge snap-fitted to the rear edge of thebase panel, and the rear panel having side edges, each side edge being snap-fitted to therear edge of a respective side panel, and an upper edge; and (v) a top panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending between thefront and rear edges, wherein the rear edge and the two side edges of the top panel aresnap-fitted, respectively, to the upper edge of the rear panel and the upper edges of thepair of side panels; wherein the rear edge and two side edges of the base panel each have an upwardlyoriented elongate recess which receives therein the lower edges of the rear panel and sidepanels respectively, the rear edges of the two side panels each have an inwardly orientedelongate recess which receives therein a respective one of the side edges of the rear paneland the rear edge and two side edges of the top panel each have a downwardly orientedelongate recess which receives therein the upper edges of the rear panel and side panelsrespectively.

Preferred features are defined in the dependent claims.

The present invention is at least partly predicated on the finding by the present inventorthat a display crate in kit form provides the advantages that the unassembled kit can beshipped and sold at minimal shipping cost. However, the consumer and purchaser canreadily manually assemble the display crate at home from the kit without using adhesiveor any tools. The display crate can be assembled in only about 20 seconds.

In the preferred embodiments, the resultant display crate is robust, self-supporting,stackable and rigid. In the particularly preferred embodiment, these advantages areachieved by providing that the rear panel is snap-fitted into recesses in the side panels,and that the assembled rear and side panels are snap-fitted into recesses in the base andtop panels. The robustness can be enhanced by making each panel from injectionmoulded polymer. The panels may optionally be provided with internal reinforcement,such as stmts or beams. The outside of the display crate is decorative and may bedecorated with any desired two-dimensional printing or embossed surface relief.

Such a display crate is inexpensive to manufacture and ship to the consumer, yet easy toassemble and use.

The display crate has a particular application for displaying sneakers, but other articlesmay be stored therein. The display case also has features, uses, benefits and advantageswhich make it suitable to display merchandise at a point-of-sale, and so may be used as asales and marketing tool. In addition, the device may be distributed to the public orconsumers as a free advertising, marketing or merchandising tool.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example onlywith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded schematic perspective view of a plurality of panels forming a kitof parts for a display crate in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the display crate assembled from the kit ofFigure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the display crate assembled from the kit of Figure 1;and

Figure 4 schematic shows a sequence of steps side for assembly of the display crate fromthe kit of Figure 1, and also an enlarged view of the .

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a kit of parts 2 for a display crate for protecting anddisplaying a pair of sneakers, the assembled crate 4 being shown in Figures 2 and 3. Thekit 2 comprises a plurality of individual panels for adhesive-free, tool-free, snap-fitassembly together, as shown in Figure 4, to form a self-supporting, stackable, rigid crate4.

The kit 2 comprises a base panel 6 having a front edge 18, a rear edge 20 and two sideedges 22, 24 extending between the front and rear edges 18, 20. The front edge 18 has afirst hinge fitting 22. A front door panel 26 has a second hinge fitting 28. The first and second hinge fittings22, 28 are adapted to be coupled together thereby hingedly to fit a lower edge 30 of thefront door panel 26 to the front edge 18 of the base panel 6.

The first hinge fitting 22 comprises a pair of holes 32 at opposite ends of the front edge18 of the base panel 6. As shown in detail in Figure 4, the second hinge fitting 28comprises a pair of pivot members 34 extending outwardly in opposite directions fromopposite sides of the front door panel 26. The pair of pivot members 34 is separate fromthe front door panel 26 and the base panel 6. Each pivot member 34 is adapted to beinserted into a respective pair of aligned holes 32, 36 in adjacent edges 38, 40 of the frontdoor panel 26 and the base panel 6. Typically, each pivot member 34 is adapted toprovide a snap fit between the pivot member 34 and at least one of the front door panel26 and the base panel 6.

In an alternative construction, not illustrated, a pair of pivot members extends in oppositedirections from opposite ends of the front edge of the base panel 6 and a pair of holes isat opposite sides of the front door panel 26.

The front door panel 26 has a finger recess and/or handle 42 at an upper edge 44 of thefront door panel 26 to assist opening of the front door panel 26 when the display crate 4is assembled.

The kit 2 further comprises a pair of side panels 46, 48. Each side panel 46, 48 has alower edge 50, 52 adapted to be snap-fitted to a respective one of the side edges 22, 24 ofthe base panel 6. Each side panel 48, 50 has a rear edge 54, 56 and an upper edge 58, 60.

The kit 2 further comprises a rear panel 62. The rear panel 62 has a lower edge 63adapted to be snap-fitted to the rear edge 20 of the base panel 6. The rear panel 62 hasside edges 64, 66. Each side edge 64, 66 is adapted to be snap-fitted to the rear edge 54,56 of a respective side panel 46, 48. The rear panel 62 has an upper edge 68. The rearedges 54, 56 of the two side panels 46, 48 each have an inwardly oriented elongaterecess 70, 72 for receiving therein a respective one of the side edges 64, 66 of the rearpanel 62.

The kit 2 further comprises a top panel 74 having a front edge 76, a rear edge 78 and twoside edges 80, 82 extending between the front and rear edges 76, 78. The rear edge 78and the two side edges 80, 82 of the top panel 74 are adapted to be snap-fitted,respectively, to the upper edge 68 of the rear panel 62 and the upper edges 58, 60 of thepair of side panels 46, 48.

The rear edge 20 and two side edges 22, 24 of the base panel 6 each have an upwardlyoriented elongate recess 88a, 88b, 88c for receiving therein the lower edges 63, 50, 52 ofthe rear panel 62 and side panels 46, 48 respectively. The upwardly oriented elongaterecesses 88a, 88b, 88c in the base panel 6 form a common U-shaped elongate recess 90extending around the two side edges 22, 24 and the rear edge 20 of the base panel 6.

Correspondingly, the rear edge 78 and two side edges 80, 82 of the top panel 74 eachhave a downwardly oriented elongate recess 92a, 92b, 92c for receiving therein the upperedges 68, 58, 60 of the rear panel 62 and side panels 46, 48 respectively. Thedownwardly oriented elongate recesses 92a, 92b, 92c in the top panel 74 form a commonU-shaped elongate recess 94 extending around the two side edges 80, 82 and the rearedge 78 of the top panel 74.

The top panel 74 has a front stop member 84 located inwardly of the front edge 76 of thetop panel 74 to act as a stop for the front door panel 26. The side panels 46, 48 each havea side stop member 96 located inwardly of a front edge 98 of the side panel 46, 48 to actas a stop for the front door panel 26.

Typically, each panel is composed of an injection moulded polymer, for examplepolypropylene. The panels may be provided with internal reinforcement, such as stmts orbeams. The outside of the display crate is decorative and may be decorated with anydesired two-dimensional printing or embossed surface relief.

When it is desired to assemble the display crate 4 from the kit of parts 2, to provide adisplay crate for protecting and displaying a pair of sneakers, the display crate 4 can beformed by adhesive-free, tool-free, snap-fit assembly together of the plurality ofindividual panels of the kit 2.

In the assembly process, as shown in Figure 4, in step I as shown by arrow A, initiallythe base panel 6 and front door panel 26 are fitted together by coupling together the firstand second hinge fittings 22, 28 by the pivot members 34 on opposite sides of the frontdoor panel 26. The pivot members 34 are each inserted into the respective pair of thealigned holes 32, 36 in adjacent edges 38, 40 of the front door panel 26 and the basepanel 6, and secured with a snap fit.

Then, in step II as shown by arrows B, the pair of side panels 46, 48 are fitted to the rearpanel 62. The side edges 64, 66 of the rear panel 62 are snap-fitted to the rear edge 54, 56of a respective side panel 46, 48,

Next, in step III as shown by arrows C, the lower edges 50, 52 of the side panels 46, 48and the lower edge 63 of the rear panel 62 are snap-fitted into the common U-shapedelongate recess 90 of the base panel 6.

Finally, in step IV as shown by arrows D, the upper edges 58, 60 of the side panels 46,48 and the upper edge 68 of the rear panel 62 rear panel 62 are snap-fitted into thecommon U-shaped elongate recess 94 of the top panel 74.

The front door panel 26 can then be pivoted between open and closed positons to accessor conceal sneakers with the display crate 4.

The display crate in kit form provides the advantages that the unassembled kit can beshipped and sold at minimal shipping cost. However, the consumer and purchaser canreadily manually assemble the display crate at home from the kit without using adhesiveor any tools. The display crate can be assembled in only about 20 seconds. By providingthat the rear panel is snap-fitted into recesses in the side panels, and that the assembledrear and side panels are snap-fitted into recesses in the base and top panels, the resultantdisplay crate is robust, self-supporting, stackable and rigid. The robustness may beenhanced by making each panel from injection moulded polymer, with optional internalreinforcement.

Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be apparent to those skilled inthe art and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention asdefined by the appendant claims.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for a display crate for protecting and displaying a pair of sneakers, thekit comprising a plurality of individual panels for adhesive-free, tool-free, snap-fitassembly together to form a self-supporting, stackable, rigid crate, the kit comprising: (i) a base panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending betweenthe front and rear edges, the front edge having a first hinge fitting; (ii) a front door panel having a second hinge fitting, the first and second hinge fittingsbeing adapted to be coupled together thereby hingedly to fit a lower edge of the frontdoor panel to the front edge of the base panel; (iii) a pair of side panels, each side panel having a lower edge adapted to be snap-fitted toa respective one of the side edges of the base panel, each side panel having a rear edgeand an upper edge; (iv) a rear panel, the rear panel having a lower edge adapted to be snap-fitted to the rearedge of the base panel, and the rear panel having side edges, each side edge beingadapted to be snap-fitted to the rear edge of a respective side panel, and an upper edge;and (v) a top panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending between thefront and rear edges, wherein the rear edge and the two side edges of the top panel areadapted to be snap-fitted, respectively, to the upper edge of the rear panel and the upperedges of the pair of side panels; wherein the rear edge and two side edges of the base panel each have an upwardlyoriented elongate recess for receiving therein the lower edges of the rear panel and sidepanels respectively, the rear edges of the two side panels each have an inwardly orientedelongate recess for receiving therein a respective one of the side edges of the rear paneland the rear edge and two side edges of the top panel each have a downwardly orientedelongate recess for receiving therein the upper edges of the rear panel and side panelsrespectively.

2. A kit according to claim 1 wherein the first hinge fitting comprises a pair of holes atopposite ends of the front edge of the base panel and the second hinge fitting comprises apair of pivot members extending outwardly in opposite directions from opposite sides ofthe front door panel.

3. A kit according to claim 2 wherein each pivot member is adapted to provide a snap fitbetween the pivot member and at least one of the front door panel and the base panel.

4. A kit according to any foregoing claim wherein the front door panel has a finger recessand/or handle at an upper edge of the front door panel.

5. A kit according to any foregoing claim wherein the upwardly oriented elongaterecesses in the base panel form a common U-shaped elongate recess extending aroundthe two side edges and the rear edge of the base panel.

6. A kit according to any foregoing claim wherein the downwardly oriented elongaterecesses in the top panel form a common U-shaped elongate recess extending around thetwo side edges and the rear edge of the top panel.

7. A kit according to any foregoing claim wherein the side panels each have a side stopmember located inwardly of a front edge of the side panel to act as a stop for the frontdoor panel.

8. A kit according to any foregoing claim wherein the top panel has a front stop memberlocated inwardly of a front edge of the top panel to act as a stop for the front door panel.

9. A kit according to any foregoing claim wherein each panel is composed of an injectionmoulded polymer.

10. A display crate for protecting and displaying a pair of sneakers, the display cratebeing formed by adhesive-free snap-fit assembly together of the plurality of individualpanels of the kit according to any foregoing claim.

11. A display crate for protecting and displaying a pair of sneakers, the display cratecomprising a plurality of individual panels assembled together by an adhesive-free, tool-free, snap-fit assembly to form a self-supporting, stackable, rigid crate, the cratecomprising: (i) a base panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending betweenthe front and rear edges, the front edge having a first hinge fitting; (ii) a front door panel having a second hinge fitting, the first and second hinge fittingsbeing coupled together thereby hingedly to fit a lower edge of the front door panel to thefront edge of the base panel; (iii) a pair of side panels, each side panel having a lower edge snap-fitted to a respectiveone of the side edges of the base panel, each side panel having a rear edge and an upperedge; (iv) a rear panel, the rear panel having a lower edge snap-fitted to the rear edge of thebase panel, and the rear panel having side edges, each side edge being snap-fitted to therear edge of a respective side panel, and an upper edge; and (v) a top panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges extending between thefront and rear edges, wherein the rear edge and the two side edges of the top panel aresnap-fitted, respectively, to the upper edge of the rear panel and the upper edges of thepair of side panels; wherein the rear edge and two side edges of the base panel each have an upwardlyoriented elongate recess which receives therein the lower edges of the rear panel and sidepanels respectively, the rear edges of the two side panels each have an inwardly orientedelongate recess which receives therein a respective one of the side edges of the rear paneland the rear edge and two side edges of the top panel each have a downwardly orientedelongate recess which receives therein the upper edges of the rear panel and side panelsrespectively.

12. A display crate according to claim 11 wherein the first hinge fitting comprises a pairof holes at opposite ends of the front edge of the base panel and the second hinge fittingcomprises a pair of pivot members extending outwardly in opposite directions fromopposite sides of the front door panel.

13. A display crate according to claim 12 wherein each pivot member provides a snap fitbetween the pivot member and at least one of the front door panel and the base panel.

14. A display crate according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the front door panelhas a finger recess and/or handle at an upper edge of the front door panel.

15. A display crate according to any one of claims 11 to 14 wherein the upwardlyoriented elongate recesses in the base panel form a common U-shaped elongate recessextending around the two side edges and the rear edge of the base panel.

16. A display crate according to any one of claims 11 to 15 wherein the downwardlyoriented elongate recesses in the top panel form a common U-shaped elongate recessextending around the two side edges and the rear edge of the top panel.

17. A display crate according to any one of claims 11 to 16 wherein the side panels eachhave a side stop member located inwardly of a front edge of the side panel which acts asa stop for the front door panel.

18. A display crate according to any one of claims 11 to 17 wherein the top panel has afront stop member located inwardly of a front edge of the top panel which acts as a stopfor the front door panel.

19. A display crate according to any one of claims 11 to 18 wherein each panel iscomposed of an injection moulded polymer.