U.S. patent application number 11/392269 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for product packaging.
Invention is credited to Fred Foushee.
Application Number | 20070227943 11/392269 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38557241 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070227943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Foushee; Fred |
October 4, 2007 |
Product packaging
Abstract
Product packaging including an outer shell and a window. A
premium holder is positioned with respect to the window to hold and
display a premium. At least a portion of the premium and/or premium
holder may be disposed in a void inside the packaging. The void may
be defined by the manner in which products or product containers
are arranged inside the packaging.
Inventors: |
Foushee; Fred; (Suwanee,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN S. PRATT - 38949;KILPATRICK STOCKTON LLP
1100 PEACHTREE STREET
SUITE 2800
ATLANTA
GA
30309
US
|
Family ID: |
38557241 |
Appl. No.: |
11/392269 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/775 ;
206/734 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4212 20130101;
B65D 5/5059 20130101; B65D 25/54 20130101; B65D 5/5007 20130101;
B65D 5/5047 20130101; B65D 5/4204 20130101; B65D 25/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/775 ;
206/734 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54 |
Claims
1. Product packaging, comprising: (a) an outer shell, the outer
shell comprising a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least two wall
panels extending substantially perpendicularly between the top
panel and the bottom panel; (b) at least two products at least
partially disposed within the outer shell such that they define a
void within the outer shell; and (c) at least one premium at least
partially disposed in the void; wherein the product is at least
partially visible from outside the outer shell.
2. The product packaging of claim 1, wherein the at least two
products are at least partially enclosed by one or more product
containers.
3. The product packaging of claim 2, wherein the outer shell
comprises a tray and a cover; wherein the tray comprises the bottom
panel and the wall panels; and wherein the cover comprises the top
panel and at least two more wall panels.
4. The product packaging of claim 3, wherein the cover at least
partially covers the tray in a removable manner.
5. The product packaging of claim 2, wherein the one or more
product containers are disposed around a perimeter of an interior
area of the outer shell; and wherein the void is in a central
portion of the interior area.
6. The product packaging of claim 1, wherein the premium is at
least partially visible from outside the outer shell through at
least one window.
7. The product packaging of claim 6, wherein the window extends
through the top panel.
8. The product packaging of claim 6, wherein the window extends
through the bottom panel.
9. The product packaging of claim 6, wherein a first window extends
through the top panel and wherein a second window extends through
the bottom panel.
10. The product packaging of claim 6, wherein the window further
comprises an aperture.
11. The product packaging of claim 10, wherein the window further
comprises a plurality of arms extending into the void from an edge
of the aperture; wherein the plurality of arms are associated with
a support member for positioning the premium.
12. The product packaging of claim 11, wherein the arms are at
least partially curved.
13. Packaging for products and at least one premium, comprising:
(a) an outer shell; the outer shell comprising a top panel, a
bottom panel and at least two upstanding walls extending between
the top and bottom panels; wherein the outer shell defines an
interior area and a window; (b) at least two products at least
partially disposed in the interior area of the outer shell such
that they define a void in the interior area; wherein at least a
portion of the void is proximate the window in the outer shell; (c)
a premium at least partially disposed in the window; and (d) a
support member for positioning the premium at least partially in
the window; wherein the support member is connected to one or more
edges of the window by a plurality of arms; and wherein the
plurality of arms extend from the window into the void.
14. The packaging of claim 13, wherein the at least two products
are at least partially enclosed by one or more product
containers.
15. The packaging of claim 14, wherein the product containers are
disposed around a perimeter of the interior area of the outer
shell; and wherein the void is in a central portion of the interior
area.
16. The packaging of claim 15, wherein the outer shell comprises a
tray and a cover; the tray comprising the bottom panel and the at
least two upstanding walls, wherein the at least two upstanding
walls are connected to the bottom panel; the cover comprising the
top panel and at least two more upstanding walls connected to the
top panel; wherein the cover is disposed over the tray in a
removable manner.
17. The packaging of claim 16, wherein the window is disposed in
the top panel.
18. The packaging of claim 17, further comprising a second window
disposed in the bottom panel.
19. The packaging of claim 16, wherein the window is disposed in
the bottom panel.
20. Packaging for products and at least one premium, comprising:
(a) an outer shell, comprising: (i) a tray comprising a bottom
panel and four upstanding tray walls; and (ii) a cover comprising a
top panel and four upstanding cover walls; wherein the cover at
least partially covers the tray in a removable manner; (b) four
product containers, wherein the product containers each contain one
or more products and are disposed around a perimeter of an interior
area of the tray such that the product containers define a void in
a central area of the interior area; and (c) a premium at least
partially extending into the void and positioned in a window formed
in one of the cover or the tray; wherein the window comprises an
aperture, a plurality of arms extending into the void from an outer
edge of the aperture and a premium support member associated with
the plurality of arms and positioned in the void.
21. The packaging of claim 20, wherein the window is disposed in
the cover and further comprising a second window disposed in the
tray.
22. The packaging of claim 20, wherein the arms are at least
partially curved.
Description
RELATED FIELDS
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to product
packaging that also holds and displays a premium.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Occasionally, product retailers or manufacturers will insert
or otherwise include premiums with their packaged products.
Premiums, such as collectible figurines, trading cards, premium
golf balls, extra products, coupons, or other items, may entice
individuals to purchase the products who would not otherwise
purchase them without the premium. The premium may also distinguish
in the eyes of the consumer the products packaged with the premium
from other competitive products.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention is generally directed to product
packaging that may include one or more products as well as a
premium. In some embodiments of the invention the premium is
visible to the consumer through a window in the outer shell of the
packaging. In other embodiments, the premium at least partially
extends through the window.
[0004] The interior of the packaging may include a void in which at
least a portion of the premium is located. In some embodiments, the
products may be arranged around the inside perimeter of the
packaging to define a void in a central portion of the interior.
The products may or may not be enclosed by product containers
inside the packaging.
[0005] In certain embodiments, the packaging may include: an outer
shell defining a top panel, a bottom panel, and at least two wall
panels extending substantially perpendicularly between the top
panel and the bottom panel; at least two products at least
partially disposed within the outer shell such that they define a
void within the outer shell; and at least one premium at least
partially disposed in the void, wherein the premium is at least
partially visible from outside the outer shell.
[0006] In other embodiments, the product packaging may include: an
outer shell including a top panel, a bottom panel and at least two
upstanding walls extending between the top and bottom panels, the
outer shell defining an interior area and a window; at least two
products at least partially located in the interior area of the
outer shell to define a void in the interior area, at least a
portion of the void proximate the window in the outer shell; a
premium at least partially disposed in the window; and a support
member for at least partially facilitating disposing the premium at
least partially in the window, the support member connected to one
or more edges of the window by a plurality of arms, wherein the
plurality of arms extend from the window into the void.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of packaging according to a
embodiments of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a different perspective view of the packaging of
FIG. 1, shown with the premium removed.
[0009] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the packaging of FIG.
1, shown with the cover and the premium removed.
[0010] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the packaging of FIG.
1, shown with the cover, premium and premium holder removed.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a premium held by a premium
holder.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top view of packaging according to other
embodiments of the present invention, shown without a premium.
[0013] FIG. 6A is a cross-section view of the packaging of FIG.
6.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of packaging according to other
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows packaging 10 in accordance with certain
embodiments of the present invention. Packaging 10 may contain
products (not shown) and also one or more premiums 16. As shown in
FIG. 1, packaging 10 contains sleeves of golf balls and premium 16
is also a golf ball. In these embodiments, however, packaging may
contain or display other types of premiums, which may have
different characteristics (including size or shape) and/or
different quantities.
[0016] The packaging 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an outer shell 12.
Outer shell 12 may include graphics or other indicia for indicating
the brand, type, quantity, or other information about the
product(s) and/or premium(s) contained within or otherwise included
with the packaging 10. Outer shell 12 may also or alternatively
include other graphics or indicia intended to attract potential
purchasers or otherwise draw attention to packaging 10 and its
associated contents. In some embodiments, graphics or other indicia
may be directly printed or packaging 10 before, during or after
assembly of packaging 10. In other embodiments, graphics or other
indicia may be associated with packaging 10 in other manners. In
other embodiments, graphics or indicia are not included.
[0017] The outer shell 12 shown in FIG. 1 includes a window 14. In
the embodiment shown, window 14 is an aperture through outer shell
12, revealing premium 16 positioned beneath window 14. In
embodiments where premium is disposed beneath window 14, window 14
may include a transparent or semi-transparent planar member
stretched over the window such that the premium 16 is at least
somewhat visible through the window 14. In other embodiments, a
transparent/semi-transparent member is unnecessary and the window
is open to the outside. In still other embodiments, premium 16 is
not disposed entirely beneath the window 14, but rather extends
through it, such that a portion of premium 16 is located outside
outer shell 12. One such embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A and
is discussed further below.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows packaging 10 including a single window 14,
disposed in a top panel 18 of the packaging's cover 24. In other
embodiments, one or more windows may be disposed in the top panel
and/or in different locations in or on outer shell 12. For
instance, a first window may be formed in the top panel 18 and a
second window, displaying the same or a different premium as the
first window, may be formed in a bottom panel 20 of product
packaging. In other embodiments, the window(s) may extend through
one or more of the packaging's walls 22. In still other
embodiments, an entire panel 18 or 20 or wall 22 may define a
window 14.
[0019] As briefly mentioned above, the outer shell 12 shown in FIG.
1 includes a top panel 18, a bottom panel 20 (shown in FIG. 4), and
a number of upstanding walls 22 extending substantially
perpendicular to the top and bottom panels 18 and 20 respectively.
In the embodiments shown in the Figures, the outer upstanding walls
22 are integral to the top panel 18 and form a cover 24. Cover 24
may be formed by folding a die-cut blank to define top panel 18 and
upstanding walls 22 or may be formed in other conventional or
unconventional methods. A tray 26, shown best in FIG. 4, includes
bottom panel 20 and inner upstanding walls 22, which are integral
with and extend substantially perpendicular to bottom panel 20.
Tray 26 may be formed using similar (or different) techniques,
methods and materials as used to form cover 24. FIG. 1 shows cover
24 fitted over tray 26 in a removable manner.
[0020] In other embodiments, outer shell 12 does not include a
separate cover 24 and tray 26. Rather, outer shell 12 may be formed
from a top panel and a bottom panel directly connected to one
another by a number of upstanding walls. In such embodiments, outer
shell could act as a sleeve in which product and/or premium is
introduced through an open side of the outer shell. Alternatively,
an outer shell may be formed around the product(s) and/or
premium(s) such that accessing the contents requires at least
partial destruction of the outer shell. In still other embodiments,
outer shell 12 can be otherwise formed to hold and/or display
product(s) and premium(s).
[0021] FIG. 2 shows the packaging 10 of FIG. 1 with the premium 16
removed. In this embodiment, a premium holder 28 is at least
partially positioned underneath the window 14. The premium holder
28 may receive, support, hold or otherwise position the premium 16
such that it can be viewed through window 14. In other embodiments,
such as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the premium holder
44 may position the premium 16 such that it extends through the
window 14.
[0022] One component of the premium holder 28 shown in FIG. 2 is a
support member 30. As shown, support member 30 is planar and
includes an aperture 32 appropriately sized and shaped to receive
the premium 16. The planar support member 30 extends diagonally
across a portion of the interior of packaging 10, although in other
embodiments the support member may be located in other positions
and orientations.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, the premium holder 28 is formed from a
folded planar material and includes additional sections 42 that
help to support and position the support member 30 in the desired
position and orientation when incorporated into product packaging.
As discussed below, the outer edges of the support member 30 and
additional sections 42 may interact with other structures in the
interior of packaging 10 such that premium holder 28 maintains its
desired position beneath window 14.
[0024] In other embodiments, premium holder 28 is unnecessary and
the premium is positioned with respect to window 14 by other
mechanisms, devices, or structures. Alternatively, premium 16 is a
size and shape that is self-positioning with respect to window 14.
For instance, in some embodiments, premium 16 is of a size or shape
such that it substantially fills the space provided within
packaging 10 such that it does not tend to change position and/or
orientation, even when the packaging is jostled. In other
embodiments, the movement of the premium 16 is only partially
limited or is not limited at all such that moving or jostling
packaging 10 may cause the premium 16 to change its position and/or
orientation to some degree. In some embodiments, the premium 16
will remain at least partially visible through window 14 even when
the packaging 10 is moved or jostled.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the product packaging 10 of FIG. 1 with the
cover 24 removed, exposing the tray 26 and various contents
contained therein. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, tray 26 is loaded
with a number of product containers 34. The product containers 34
may each contain one or more individual products. For example, the
product containers shown in FIG. 3 are sleeves that each hold three
golf balls. In other embodiments, product containers 34 hold other
types and/or quantities of products. Similar to packaging 10, the
product containers 34 may include graphics or other indicia and may
be made from paperboard, fiberboard, plastics, or any other
suitable or desirable material. In other embodiments, product
containers are unnecessary and one or more products are located
within packaging 10 without product containers 34.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 3, the product containers 34 extend around
the perimeter of the tray's 26 interior. The product containers 34
define a void 36 in a central portion of tray 26. In other
embodiments, the product containers 34 can be located in other
positions and orientations to crate different sized and shaped
voids in different positions and orientations.
[0027] FIG. 4 shows the tray 26 without premium holder 28, exposing
the entire void 36 defined by product containers 34 positioned
around the perimeter of tray 26. In other embodiments, the void 36
is defined in other manners, for example, void 36 may be defined by
unpackaged products arranged around the perimeter of the tray 26 or
in other positions or orientations.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the void 36 corresponds at least
somewhat to the area visible through window 14 in outer shell 12.
In other embodiments, voids can be smaller or larger than the area
visible through window 14.
[0029] FIG. 3 also shows premium holder 28 positioned in void 36.
As shown, premium holder 28 substantially fills void 36 such that
premium holder 28 and product containers 34 will not substantially
shift when packaging is moved or otherwise jostled. In other
embodiments, it is unnecessary for premium holder 28 to extend
substantially to product containers 34. Rather, in some
embodiments, premium holder 28 may be secured to a portion of
packaging 10, such as by an adhesive or the like, to limit the
movement of premium holder 28. In other embodiments, premium holder
28 is integral with portions of outer shell 12. In still other
embodiments it is unnecessary to limit the movement of premium
holder 28.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows alternative embodiments of packaging 10 in
which a premium holder 44 extends from the top panel 18 of the
cover 24 and into the void 36. Unlike the premium holder 28 shown
in FIG. 5, the premium holder 44 shown in FIG. 6 is formed out of
the top panel 18, rather than as a separate component. The premium
holder 44 shown in FIG. 6 is formed by die-cutting the blank that
is used to create the cover 24. In other embodiments, premium
holder 44 may be formed in other methods and/or from different
materials or components than cover 24. The die-cut premium holder
44 shown in FIG. 6 includes a plurality of radial arms 38 and a
premium support member 40. In other embodiments, premium holder 44
may be formed in different shapes, sizes and/or configurations. For
example, in some embodiments, arms 38 are not curved and are
straight or another shape.
[0031] FIG. 6A shows that the radial arms 38 of FIG. 6 extend from
the edge of window 14 and at least somewhat into void 36. After
premium holder 44 is die-cut or otherwise formed in cover 24 (or
another portion of packaging 10), it may be pushed inwardly such
that radial arms 38 extend into void 36, positioning support member
40 within the void 36.
[0032] Premium support member 40 and radial arms 38 may create an
area for receiving and holding a premium. For example, according to
certain embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6A, the radial arms
38 and premium support member 40 form a somewhat hemispherical
shaped depression in cover 24 that receives a golf ball premium. In
other embodiments, premium holder 44 can be formed in other shapes
and sizes to receive other types of premiums. In some embodiments,
packaging may be shrink wrapped to facilitate premium 16 remaining
in premium holder 44. In other embodiments, such measures are
unnecessary and packaging 10 retains premium 16 in premium holder
44 using other means.
[0033] In other embodiments, premium holder 44 may be formed in
other portions of packaging 10. Multiple numbers of premium holders
44 may also be included.
[0034] Although FIGS. 1 through 6A show premium 16 as a single golf
ball, other types and quantities of premiums may be included in
packaging 10. Similarly, although FIGS. 1 through 6A show
embodiments wherein the products enclosed by packaging are four
sleeves of golf balls, other types of products, with or without
containers, can be included in packaging 10. Moreover, although in
FIGS. 1 through 6A, both products and premium are golf balls, it is
not necessary that products and premiums be the same type of item
(e.g., it is not necessary that products and premiums both be
selected from golf balls). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, premium
may be a collectible card. In other embodiments, premium may be a
coupon, a collectible item, a "limited-edition" item, or something
that is intended to attract the attention of a potential purchaser
of the product(s) contained in packaging 10.
[0035] In some embodiments, the premium holder and/or premium may
be treated as a modular component of the packaging 10. For example,
different premium holders or similar premium holders may hold
different types of premiums, yet all be generally sized and shaped
to fit into one size and shape of void. Thus, the same packaging
could alternatively contain different premiums without requiring
the reconfiguration or modification of the packaging. In one
specific example, the premiums, such as golf balls, could be
stamped with the logos of various athletic teams and the packaging
bound for one geographic area could include premiums with logos of
athletic teams specific to that area whereas other packaging bound
for other geographic areas could be loaded with different logo
bearing premiums. In another specific example, premium items may be
various collectible figurines having different sizes and shapes. It
should be understood that a premium can be any item used to promote
the sale of the product(s). A number of different premium holders
could be created to hold the various figurines, yet all have the
same exterior dimensions such that the same packaging design could
be used for all the figurines without modification. Other benefits
and uses of the modular nature of some embodiments of the present
invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0036] Changes, modifications, substitutions, additions and
deletions may be made to the structures, methods and concepts
described above without departing from the scope or spirit of the
present invention.
* * * * *