Box Vox

packaging as content

«
»

June 3, 2010

Trapezoidal Boxes

TrapazoidBoxes490

Top row, left: Taveners Liquorice Allsorts; on right: the Miller High Life 12-pack carton; 2nd row, left: Crest White Strips; on right: patented trapezoidal box for Good Earth muesili; bottom row, left: Williams-Sonoma cake mix designed by Nancy André; on right: a patent drawing from MGA Entertainment’s unsuccessful attempt to patent their trapezoidal Bratz packaging

Nearly rectangular—but not quite. Trapezoidal boxes might seem like a pointlessly inefficient variation. They can be close-packed, but only if they are stacked in an alternating, right-side-up / up-side-down pattern. Which is maybe OK for shipping in some cases, but unless the packages are designed for right-side-up / up-side-down display—(See: Coffeine)—maybe not so useful for saving space on a store shelf.

Still, they make a remarkably dynamic impression. To the extent that we’re accustomed to rectangular boxes, these packages create a near optical illusion. Heroically photogenic, as if you’re looking up (or down) at a tall building in perspective.

(Can you patent a polyhedral shape? After the fold…)

Patents2

Avesthagen Limited, the company that makes Good Earth muesili (above right), was recently granted a retroactive patent from India’s Patents Office for its trapezoidal box design. According to their press release:

”…with the intent to modernize the look of its popular cereal boxes, Avesthagen’s design team worked on various options to come out with the Trapezoidal look that is not only unique but stylish as well. The trapezoid-shaped boxes have helped cut the clutter on the retail shelves and created a distinct identity for Good Earth range of breakfast cereals.”

This was similar to something that MGA Entertainment tried and failed to achieve for their trapezoidal “Bratz” packaging (above left). Seeking broad trademark protection in 2004, MGA filed an application to trademark:

“trapezoidal cardboard boxes for toys, games and  playthings, namely, dolls, doll clothing, doll  accessories, playsets, children’s play cosmetics,  plush toys, toy action figures and accessories  therefore, action figure play environments,  action skill games, toy vehicles and playsets,  toy scooters, board games, card games; and  athletic protective pads, namely, arm pads, knee  pads, elbow pads and wrist pads for cycling,  skating, snowboarding and skateboarding”

When MGA’s application was denied, they appealed to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) and despite statements asserting their having established an identity based on trapezoidal shaped packaging…

“MGA’s tremendous success with its BRATZ® brand,… in conjunction with its trapezoidal shaped packaging, has created a strong visual impression in the minds of consumers, such that when consumers see the trapezoidal packaging in advertising and on store shelves they immediately connect the packaging with the BRATZ® line of dolls and related products.”

They were again denied in 2007. The TTAB did not consider it sufficient justification for trademarking “trapezoidal cardboard boxes”. (The least of MGA’s problems, as it turned out, since Mattel effectively put Bratz out of business last year.)

Some might say that to try and trademark or patent a basic, polyhedral shape is ridiculously preemptive. Like trying to patent the wheel or the incline plane. As if there were no “prior art” here.

Even so, the question remains: why was Bratz’s “trapezoidal cardboard box” trademark denied while just three years later “Good Earth” won patent protection for their trapezoidal cardboard box? Different countries—different results? Different product categories—different results? Or was it simply that Bratz had sought too broad of a protection? Much of the decision seemed to be based on the opinion that the boxes, themselves, were not “goods in trade.” (See: the TTABlog)

Randy Ludacer
Beach Packaging Design

 

One Response to “Trapezoidal Boxes”

  1. pannonica says:
    June 7, 2010 at 11:33 am

    Panettone, the traditional Milanese sweet bread, tends to come in trapezoidal packages of varying subtlety. I have no idea if the shape has any sort of symbolic significance.