Insulating Glass Unit Viewing Stand

Abstract

A combination packaging and display arrangement for an article, such as a multi-pane insulating glass window unit, in which a portion of the packaging is convertible to a viewing stand to enable the evaluation of the window prior to installation. The combination includes a package configured to enclose the article and one or more planar packing pads located within the package for providing protection for the article. The one or more planar packing pads is a first pad that is capable of being transitioned from a planar two-dimensional shape to a three-dimensional shape configured to hold and display the article in an upright position. A second pad can be included in the packaging to form a contrasting background behind the glass window for evaluation of the transmitted and reflected glass color. A method for converting the first pad is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination package and display device for an article comprising: a
 package configured to enclose the article; and   one or more planar packing pads located within the package for providing protection for the article, the one or more planar packing pads comprising a first pad that is capable of being transitioned from a planar two-dimensional shape to a three-dimensional shape configured to hold and display the article in an upright position.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the first pad is configured to be separated along a vertically disposed centerline to form two pieces, wherein each of the two pieces is configured to be transitioned to the three-dimensional shape to form a pair of display stands. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein the vertically disposed centerline includes a plurality of perforations to facilitate separation of the first pad into the two pieces. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 2 , wherein each of the two pieces include one or more score lines to facilitate the folding thereof to transition from the planar two-dimensional shape to the three-dimensional shape. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein each of the two pieces include three horizontally disposed score lines to enable the folding of each piece into the three-dimensional shape. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 4 , comprising a horizontally disposed aperture configured to receive a top portion of each respective piece to hold the piece in the three-dimensional shape. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 6 , wherein the top portion of each of the two pieces comprises a trapezoidal shape and the horizontally disposed aperture comprises a C-shaped member to facilitate insertion of and holding of the top portion in the horizontally disposed aperture, and wherein the three-dimensional shape is a triangle. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein each of the two pieces includes a longitudinally disposed aperture, and wherein after folding to the transition to the three-dimensional shape, the aperture forms a holding aperture configured to hold the article in the upright position. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 4 , wherein the two pieces are substantially identical and after the folding to form the display stands, the display stands are configured to be positioned in an aligned position with respect to each other to hold the article in the upright position. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more planar packing pads comprises a second pad, the second pad having a face having a dark surface portion and a light surface portion, and wherein the second pad and face is configured for placement behind the article during the display thereof to assist with evaluation of transmitted and reflected glass color. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 1 , wherein the article that the package is configured to enclose comprises a dual-pane insulated glass unit. 
     
     
         12 . A method for converting a shipping package to an article display device comprising:
 providing a package for holding an article;   providing a plurality of planar packing pads for insertion into the package for cushioning and preventing damage to the article during shipment thereof, wherein one of the plurality of planar packing pads comprises a first pad;   providing the first pad with a line of demarcation along a vertically disposed centerline which enables separation of the first pad into two pieces;   providing each of the two pieces with a longitudinally disposed aperture extending parallel to a vertical edge of the first pad, a horizontally disposed aperture extending perpendicular to the longitudinally disposed aperture, and a plurality of score lines;   removing the first pad from the package;   separating the first pad into the two pieces;   folding each of the two pieces along the plurality of score lines to transition each of the two pieces from a planar two-dimensional shape to a three-dimensional shape; and   tucking a top portion of each of the two pieces into their respective horizontally disposed aperture to secure the two pieces in the three-dimensional shape, forming a pair of stands, wherein the longitudinally disposed aperture forms a holding aperture for holding and displaying the article.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of score lines comprises three horizontally disposed score lines and the method comprises the folding of each of the two pieces along the three score lines to form two triangular members. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising placing the pair of stands in an opposing relationship with respect to each other and positioning the article in the holding apertures of the stands to display the article in an upright position. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the article comprises a dual-pane insulated glass unit and one of the plurality of planar pads comprises a second pad, and wherein the method comprises providing a face of the second pad with a dark surface portion and a light surface portion, removing the second pad from the package and positioning the face of the second pad behind the dual-pane insulated glass unit during the display thereof to assist with evaluation of transmitted and reflected glass color. 
     
     
         16 . A system for packaging and displaying an article comprising:
 a package configured for holding and enclosing an article;   a plurality of planar packing pads configured for insertion into the package for cushioning and preventing damage to the article during shipment thereof;   a first pad configured for insertion into the package, the first pad comprising two pieces separable from one another, wherein each of the pieces is capable of being transitioned from a planar two-dimensional shape to a three-dimensional shape configured to hold and display the article in an upright position.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein each of the two pieces include a longitudinally disposed aperture extending parallel to a vertical edge of the first pad, a horizontally disposed aperture extending perpendicular to the longitudinally disposed aperture, and a plurality of score lines, wherein the two pieces are configured to be folded along the plurality of score lines to form a pair of display stands having a holding aperture, the holding aperture being configured for the holding and displaying of the article. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the longitudinally disposed aperture extends partially down a length of each of the two pieces and the horizontally disposed aperture is separate from the longitudinally disposed aperture and is configured to receive a top portion of the respective piece therein to hold each of the two pieces in the three-dimensional shape. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the top portion of each of the two pieces comprises a trapezoidal shape and the horizontally disposed aperture comprises a C-shaped member to facilitate insertion of and holding of the top portion in the horizontally disposed aperture, and wherein the three-dimensional shape is a triangle. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the article comprises a dual-pane insulating glass unit and the system further comprises a second pad configured for the insertion into the package, the second pad having a face with a dark surface portion and a light surface portion, and wherein the face is configured for placement behind the dual-pane insulating glass unit during display thereof to assist with evaluation of transmitted and reflected glass color.