U.S. patent application number 10/274743 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-22 for pouch with sound strip.
This patent application is currently assigned to MARS INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Bell, Alana E., Brokaw, Charley E., Chisholm, Gary N., Dido, Jeannette, Sullivan, Shawn P., Zech, Rolly L..
Application Number | 20040074799 10/274743 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32093121 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040074799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bell, Alana E. ; et
al. |
April 22, 2004 |
Pouch with sound strip
Abstract
The present invention is directed to package having a sound
generating. The sound generating device including a grooved strip,
a sounding board and a mechanism configured to produce sound upon
sequential engagement of the grooves. The sound generating device
can be incorporated into the opening mechanism in which the device
produces sound when the opening mechanism is activated to open and
close the package.
Inventors: |
Bell, Alana E.; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Brokaw, Charley E.; (Reno, NV)
; Chisholm, Gary N.; (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) ;
Dido, Jeannette; (Hoboken, NJ) ; Sullivan, Shawn
P.; (Woodland Hills, CA) ; Zech, Rolly L.;
(Yorba Linda, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI, LLP
1301 MCKINNEY
SUITE 5100
HOUSTON
TX
77010-3095
US
|
Assignee: |
MARS INCORPORATED
McLean
VA
|
Family ID: |
32093121 |
Appl. No.: |
10/274743 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.1 ;
206/459.5; 383/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/12 20130101;
B65D 75/66 20130101; B65D 33/2583 20130101; B65D 33/255 20130101;
B65D 33/2541 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/459.1 ;
206/459.5; 383/063 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sound generating opening device for a package comprising: a
sound generating device incorporated into an opening mechanism for
a package; the sound generating device including a grooved strip, a
sounding board and a mechanism configured to produce sound upon
sequential engagement of the grooves; wherein the sound generating
device produces sound when the opening mechanism is activated to
open and close the package.
2. The opening mechanism of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism
is recloseable.
3. The opening mechanism of claim 2, wherein the recloseable
opening mechanism includes male and female interlocking
members.
4. The opening mechanism of claim 3, wherein the male and female
interlocking members are opened and closed by pressure.
5. The opening mechanism of claim 3, wherein the male and female
interlocking members are opened and closed by a slider
mechanism.
6. The opening mechanism of claim 3, wherein the grooved strip is
incorporated into the female member and the male member
incorporates the mechanism configured to produce sound upon
sequential engagement of the grooves.
7. The opening mechanism of claim 3, wherein the grooved strip is
incorporated into an outside portion of the male and female members
and a slider mechanism incorporates the mechanism configured to
produce sound upon sequential engagement of the grooves.
8. The opening mechanism of claim 1, wherein the opening mechanism
is non-recloseable.
9. The opening mechanism of claim 8, wherein the non-recloseable
opening mechanism is a tear strip or a peel strip.
10. A package including a sound generating opening mechanism
comprising: a package including an opening mechanism; a sound
generating device incorporated into the opening mechanism; the
sound generating device including a grooved strip, a sounding board
and a mechanism configured to produce sound upon sequential
engagement of the grooves; wherein the sound generating device
produces sound when the opening mechanism is activated to open and
close the package.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein the opening mechanism is
recloseable.
12. The package of claim 11, wherein the recloseable opening
mechanism includes male and female interlocking members.
13. The package of claim 12, wherein the male and female
interlocking members are opened and closed by pressure.
14. The package of claim 12, wherein the male and female
interlocking members are opened and closed by a slider
mechanism.
15. The package of claim 12, wherein the grooved strip is
incorporated into the female member and the male member
incorporates the mechanism configured to produce sound upon
sequential engagement of the grooves.
16. The package of claim 12, wherein the grooved strip is
incorporated into an outside portion of the male and female members
and a slider mechanism incorporates the mechanism configured to
produce sound upon sequential engagement of the grooves.
17. The package of claim 10, wherein the opening mechanism is
non-recloseable.
18. The package of claim 17, wherein the non-recloseable opening
mechanism is a tear strip or a peel strip.
19. The package of claim 10, wherein the package is formed from
flexible or semi-rigid material.
20. A package including a sound generating mechanism comprising: a
package including a sound generating device incorporated into a
surface of the package; the sound generating device including a
grooved strip and a sounding board; wherein the sound generating
device produces sound when an object is activated to produce sound
upon sequential engagement of the grooves.
21. The package of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of a top,
bottom and parallel side edges of the package are sealed.
22. The package of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the
sealed top, bottom or side edges includes the grooved strip.
23. The package of claim 20, wherein the sound generating device is
positioned on an outer surface of the package.
24. The package of claim 20, wherein the object to produce sound
upon sequential engagement of the grooves is a fingernail of a
consumer.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to packaging or containers
containing products and more particularly to packaging that
includes a grooved strip and sounding board configured to deliver
messages or sounds to consumers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known to utilize various types of promotional
devices to increase sales of packaged foods. Vending machines and
display units have long been capable of delivering information and
interesting messages to customers relating to the merchandise in
the vending machines. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,609,250; 5,117,407 and
6,170,273.
[0003] Technology has recently allowed consumer products to include
audio message producing means such as a micro chip connected to a
speaker as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,328 which produces an
audio message, when activated, that delivers information on the
consumer product that corresponds to written text on the product.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,298,990 and 5,992,629 describe containers having a
sound chip that is activated by a light sensor such that the sound
chip is activated upon opening the container. U.S. Pat. No.
5,130,696 describes a container incorporating a sound-generating
device that is activated by a light sensor, upon opening of the
container, to emit a preprogrammed sequence of sounds. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,283,567 to Howes for example, discloses a prize holding
container assembly with an audible and/or visual prize related
message delivery system contained within the container. In the
Howes device, the message delivery system is placed within the
contents of the container such that the message is not delivered
until the consumer actually locates the message delivery system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,242 to Slage et al. also discloses a
light-activated, sound-providing device which is secured to the
interior of a container.
[0004] Packages and containers in the form of plastic bags that
include various closure mechanisms are also known. Sealed flexible
containers with peelable openings are described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,705,174 which is fully incorporated by reference herein. Male and
female closure mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,384,942
and 5,209,574 which are fully incorporated by reference herein.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,208 and 6,327,754 describe male and female
fasteners with slider mechanisms which are fully incorporated by
reference herein.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sound
generating mechanism for packages and containers that does not
require the use of a micro chip or a switching mechanism.
[0006] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
sound generating mechanism that is capable of producing sound when
the package or container is opened as well as independently of the
opening of the package or container.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed to package having a sound
generating mechanism. The sound generating device including a
grooved strip, a sounding board and a mechanism configured to
produce sound upon sequential engagement of the grooves. The sound
generating device can be incorporated into the opening mechanism in
which the device produces sound when the opening mechanism is
activated to open and close the package.
[0008] The package opening mechanism can be non-recloseable or
recloseable. The recloseable opening mechanism includes male and
female interlocking members that are opened and closed by pressure
or by a slider mechanism. The non-recloseable opening mechanism can
include a tear strip or a peel strip.
[0009] The present invention is also directed to a package that
includes a sound generating device incorporated into a surface of
the package, such as an outer surface. The sound generating device
includes a grooved strip and a sounding board in which the sound
generating device produces sound when an object is used to produce
sound upon the sequential engagement of the grooves. A fingernail
of a consumer can be used to produce sound by the sequential
engagement of the grooves in which the fingernail is run along the
grooves.
[0010] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention
will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims
of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art
that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit
and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages will be better
understood from the following description when considered in
connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly
understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as
a definition of the limits of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0012] FIGS. 1A and 1B are front plan views illustrating the
recorded grooves on a portion of a recloseable zipper fastener of
the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B are front plan views illustrating the
recloseable zipper fasteners of FIGS. 1A and 1B incorporated into a
package;
[0014] FIGS. 3A and 3B are front plan views illustration a recorded
groove strip of the present invention incorporated into a
non-recloseable opening mechanism on a package;
[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B are front plan views illustrating the
recloseable zipper fasteners of FIGS. 3 in alternate placements on
a package.
[0016] FIGS. 5A, B and C is a perspective view illustrating a
consumer opening packages having opening mechanisms illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 3 in which a message or sound is emitted;
[0017] FIGS. 6A and B is a perspective view illustrating a consumer
closing packages having opening mechanisms illustrated in FIGS. 1A
and B in which a message or sound is emitted;
[0018] FIGS. 7A, B, C and D is a front plan view of a package
incorporating the sound generating device of the present invention
in a variety of positions on the package;
[0019] FIGS. 8A, B, C and D is a perspective view of the packages
of FIGS. 7 illustrating a consumer moving his or her fingernail
along the sound generating device in order to emit a message or
sound; and
[0020] FIG. 9 is cross sectional view of the opening mechanism of
FIG. 2A along lines 9-9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] The present invention relates to a mechanism for generating
or producing sounds and, more particularly, pertains to a package
or container 10 incorporating a sound generating device 12 which
can be activated upon opening and closing of the container
structure or is independently activated so as to emit a
preprogrammed sequence of sounds. The term package, container and
pouch are used interchangeably throughout and are considered to
have the same meaning.
[0022] The package or container 10 can be formed from any flexible
or semi-rigid material and can be in any desired shape generally
suitable for food products or non-edible products. In one
embodiment, the package or container structure can be in the form
of a pouch, for example of the type that is widely distributed in
the area of microwaveable food products. The pouch incorporates a
sound-generating and emitting device which is activated upon the
opening and closing of the pouch or is independently activated.
[0023] The package or container 10, incorporating a sound
generating device 12 therein, will have numerous and diverse
applications in commerce and industry, particularly when it is
contemplated to utilize the package or container with the sound
generating device in connection with a promotional or sales
campaign concerning the particular product and/or manufacturer,
industry or organization which is represented by the package or
container. For example, the promotional or sales campaign can
relate to and promote the sale of food items such as pet food or
snack foods and non-edible products such as toys. Yet further, the
food item may be a solid, liquid or semi-solid food item, examples
include but are not limited to confections, baked goods, pet food,
fresh food, snack food, etc.
[0024] The sound generating device 12 is formed from a
non-magnetically recorded tape in the form of a grooved plastic
strip 14 and sounding board that produces sound upon sequential
engagement of the recorded grooves 16 by a suitable hard object
such as a pick or fingernail 17. The grooved plastic strip 14 can
be formed from materials such as hard plastic, nylon or polyester.
In one preferred embodiment, the sound generating device 12 can be
incorporated into the opening mechanism 18 on the package or
container 10 (FIGS. 2 and 3). Alternatively, the sound generating
device 12 can be incorporated into the packaging or container 10
itself (FIGS. 7 and 8). An example of the sound generating device
of the subject invention is known as TALKIE TAPES.RTM. and are
available from Talking Devices Company, 37 Brown Street,
Weaverville, N.C. 28787-9493. Any short message or sound can be
recorded on the grooved plastic strip 14. Messages can be related
to promotional or informational aspects of the product or the
message can announce a "winner" of a prize. Alternatively, sounds
such as animal sounds, can be recorded on the grooved plastic
strips 14. For example, upon opening the package or container 10,
the emitting sounds can "call to dinner" a companion animal.
[0025] Any kind of package or container 10 can be utilized, however
for illustrative purposes only, a package in the shape of a pouch
will be described. The exemplary pouch is generally of a flattened
shape and has two opposing walls in sheet form extending
approximately parallel to a longitudinal median plane of the pouch.
The pouch can be formed for example, from either flexible or
semi-rigid materials.
[0026] The flexible materials, for example, can include but are not
limited to polyolefins (oriented & cast polypropylene, low
density polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE),
high density polyethylene (HDPE)), polyamide (nylon), polyethylene
terephthalate and glycol copolymer, paper, foil, ethylene vinyl
alcohol, poly(vinyl chloride), polyvinlidene chloride,
acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, cellulose acetate-butyrate,
casein, chlorotrifluoroethylene, ethylene-ethyl acrylic acid,
ethylene-methacrylic acid, ethylene-propylene polymer,
ethylene-vinyl acetate, linear low-density polyethylene,
polyethylene manufactured using metallocene catalysts,
polyacrylonitrile, polycarbonate, polychlorotrifluoroethylene,
polystryrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, poly(vinyl
alcohol), or sytrene-acrylonitrile. In preferred embodiments, the
material used for the pouch may include, but is not limited to
polyolefins, oriented & cast polypropylene or low density
polyethylene (LDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high
density polyethylene (HDPE)), polyamide (nylon), polyethylene
terephthalate and glycol copolymer, foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol,
poly(vinyl chloride), or polyvinlidene chloride. It is also
envisioned that these flexible materials can be used in combination
as laminations of two or more materials. All of these materials can
be retorted, using standard procedures, in order to sterilize the
contents of the pouch. Standard retorting processes are well known
in the art of pouch manufacturing.
[0027] Semi-ridged material can include for example, paperboard,
corrugated board (micro-flute, E, F, C or B shaped flute or any
other fluted board), paperboard canister, plastic sheeting such as
polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The paperboard could be laminated
with a number of films such as susceptor film, PET, polypropylene.
These materials can also be coated or laminated in order to prevent
moisture absorption. Any form of polyester would also be suitable
as a semi-rigid or flexible material.
[0028] The pouch 10 may be formed using a processing line
configured for the formation of the pouches from a heat sealable,
continuous plastic film as is known to one skilled in the art of
forming pouches. In a typical pouch forming process known to one
skilled in the art, rolls of film are provided in which the film is
fed through a plow in order to fold the sheet of film. The vertical
sides of the folded film are sealed as well as the bottom of the
pouch if necessary. This process creates a continuous strip of
individual flexible pouches. The pouch 10 has top 20, bottom 22,
and parallel side 24, 25 edges which are typically sealed using
standard techniques that are well known and used in the art of
packaging. All flexible films can be made heat sealable with
coatings or co-extrusion or naturally sealable (oriented & cast
polypropylene or LDPE).
[0029] In one embodiment of the present invention, the sound
generating device 12 is incorporated in the opening mechanism 18 of
the package or container 10. The opening mechanism 18 can be either
non-recloseable (FIGS. 3) or recloseable (FIGS. 2). Recloseable
opening mechanisms typically are made to be recloseable via the use
of a recloseable zipper. Recloseable zippers can be opened and
closed either by pressure (FIG. 6A) or by the use of an auxiliary
slider mechanism (FIG. 6B).
[0030] Packages or containers having recloseable opening mechanisms
typically are provided with two zipper strips at their opening or
mouth 21. These strips may be formed integrally with the pouch body
or formed separately and attached to the film when the pouch body
is being formed. The various kinds of recloseable opening
mechanisms and their manufacture are well known to one skilled in
the art of recloseable packages and containers.
[0031] A typical zipper fastener 26 is one which has a groove 23 at
one side of the pouch mouth 21 and a rib 27 at the other side, in
which the rib 27 interlocks into the groove 23 when the sides 28,
29 of the pouch mouth 21 are pressed together (FIG. 9).
Alternatively, a member having a plurality of ribs may be on one
side of the pouch mouth, while a member having a plurality of
channels may be on the other side, the ribs locking into the
channels when the sides 28,29 of the mouth 21 of the pouch are
pressed together. In such a case, there may be no difference in
appearance between the two members, as the ribs may simply be the
intervals between channels on a strip which may lock into another
of the same kind. In general, some form of male/female
interengagement is used to join the two sides of the pouch mouth
together. When a form of male/female interengagement is utilized as
the opening mechanism 18, the grooved plastic strip 14 of the sound
generating device is incorporated into the groove or channel
portion 23 (female profile) of the zipper fastener 26 and the rib
portion 27 (male profile) provides the "pick" mechanism for
sequential engagement of the recorded grooves 16 (FIG. 1A). Other
portions of the fastener act as the sounding board.
[0032] Recloseable plastic pouches 10 are commonly formed of a
sheet of plastic material on which the male/female profiles are
integrally extruded or to which separately extruded profiles are
bonded. When the male/female profiles 27, 23 respectively are
integrally extruded, the formation of the appropriate recorded
grooves 16 on the female portion 23 of the profile and the
corresponding pick mechanism on the male portion 27 of the profile
can be part of the extrusion process or while the profiles are
still hot, the grooves 16 can be "pressed" into the film by means
of a rotary tool. When the recloseable pouches are formed unitarily
for example, by extruding the walls of the pouch and the profiles
simultaneously, the film can initially be formed as a tube with
integral male and female profiles formed on the interior surface
thereof. As is well known in the art, the tube is slit along a line
between the profiles and collapsed. The two profiles 23, 27 are
joined to form two parallel sidewalls 28, 29, carrying the
profiles, and with the slit line defining top edges for the
sidewalls. The two profiles then provide the zipper for the
recloseable pouch formed by slicing and sealing the side edges of
an appropriate length of tubing.
[0033] Alternatively, the package 10 can be formed with a male
extruded section and a female extruded section, which are connected
with the pouch film and are adapted to be detachably connected with
each other or the profiles may be extruded in the form of a strip
or ribbon and joined to the pouch walls. In either situation, the
appropriate recorded grooves 16 for a message or sound on the
female profile 23 and the pick mechanism on the male profile 27 can
be part of the extrusion process of the profiles or while the
profiles are still hot, the grooves and pick mechanism can be
"pressed" into the film by means of a rotary tool. In this
embodiment, the pouch 10 includes front and rear walls 28, 29
seamed along three edges thereby forming an enclosure with an
opening or mouth 21 positioned adjacent the fourth edge. Attached
to the internal surface of the walls 28, 29 are male and female
profiles 23, 27 respectively which close the opening when they are
interlocked. In either embodiment, once the package or container 10
is open, a consumer can repeat the message or sound by engaging the
grooves 16 on the groove or channel portion 23 (female profile) of
the zipper fastener 26 the with his or her fingernail 17 (FIG.
5A).
[0034] In another embodiment, a recloseable fastener arrangement 30
includes a male track with a male profile, a female track with a
female profile and a slider 32. The male and female profiles are
releasably engageable with each other. The slider 32 is slidably
mounted to the male and female tracks 34 for movement between a
closed position and an open position. The male and female profiles
are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed
position and the male and female profiles are disengaged from each
other in response to movement of the slider from the closed
position to the open position. In this embodiment, the appropriate
recorded grooves 16 for a message or sound are imparted on either
or both of at least a portion of the outside surfaces of the male
and female tracks 34 (FIGS. 1B and 2B). Other portions of the
fastener 30 serve as the sounding board. The slider 32 is
configured to include the pick mechanism and the message is played
or sound is created when the slider 32 moves over the outside
surface of the male and female tracks 34 (FIG. 5B). The manufacture
of zipper fasteners with sliders is will known to one skill in the
art
[0035] Alternatively, non-recloseable packages or containers 10 can
be formed with a tear strip 36, that once broken, cannot be
resealed (FIG. 3A). When grasped and torn away, the tear strip 36
will permit access to the contents of the pouch 10. The tear strip
36 generally is positioned on one side of the pouch wall near the
mouth 21 of the pouch 10. The tear strips 36 can be formed of low
density polyethylene and may also serve as a means for stopping the
run of the tear when the package is opened. The manufacture of tear
strips is will known to one skill in the art. In this embodiment,
the appropriate recorded message or sound grooves 16 are integrated
into the tear strip 36 such that the message is played or sound is
emitted when the outer portion of the tear strip 36 is pulled open
(FIG. 5C). Once the package or container 10 is open, the grooved
plastic strip 14 and sounding board remain on the package or
container 10 so that a consumer can repeat the message or sound by
engaging the grooves 16 with his or her fingernail 17.
[0036] In another embodiment, the package or container 10 can
include a peel strip 38 or layer fixedly secured to the inner
surface of the container and extending substantially the entire
length of the mouth portion 21, with adjacent portions of the peel
strip 38 or layer being in releasable engagement with each other
(FIG. 3B). Some containers can be formed in accordance with the
method for applying the peel strips transversely across a web of
sheet material and heat sealing the strips to the material at
longitudinally spaced locations and thereafter severing the web
into sections which are formed into the container. The manufacture
of peel strips is well known to one skilled in the art. As in the
tear strip embodiment, the appropriate recorded message or sound
grooves 16 are integrated into the peel strip 38 such that the
message is played or sound is emitted when the peel strip 38 is
pulled open. Once the package or container 10 is open, the grooved
plastic strip 14 and sounding board remain on the package or
container 10 so that a consumer can repeat the message or sound by
engaging the grooves 16 with his or her fingernail 17. FIGS. 4A and
B illustrate alternate positions for the placement of the tear
strip 36 or peel strip 38.
[0037] In another embodiment, the recorded grooved plastic strip 14
and sounding board can be incorporated directly onto a surface of
the package or container 10, such as an outside surface.
Preferably, the grooves 16 can be formed into the sealed edges
along the top 20, sides 24, 25 or bottom 22 edge of the package or
container 10 (FIGS. 7A-D). The recorded grooves 16 can be imprinted
into the sealed edges with the heat sealing tool or other
appropriate tool. The grooved strip 14 produces sound when an
object is activated to produce sound upon sequential engagement of
the grooves 16 on the strip. For example, a consumer can play the
message or sound by engaging the grooves with his or her fingernail
17 as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-D.
[0038] Although the present invention and its advantages have been
described in detail, it understood that various changes,
substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is
not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the
process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means,
methods and steps described in the specification. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the
disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines,
manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps,
presently existing or later to be developed that perform
substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same
result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be
utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the
appended claims are intended to include within their scope such
processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means,
methods, or steps.
* * * * *