U.S. patent application number 12/610308 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-05 for packaging for concealing an insert.
Invention is credited to Rebecca Hammatt Bradley, Andrew Earl Dominesey, James Arthur Meech.
Application Number | 20110100845 12/610308 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43924233 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110100845 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meech; James Arthur ; et
al. |
May 5, 2011 |
Packaging for Concealing an Insert
Abstract
A product package suitable for concealing an insert, the package
comprising a) a first panel having a first surface and a second
surface; b) a second panel having a first surface and a second
surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said
first panel second surface; c) an insert disposed between said
second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; and d) a
blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and
extending from said second panel first surface.
Inventors: |
Meech; James Arthur;
(Sharon, MA) ; Bradley; Rebecca Hammatt;
(Auburndale, MA) ; Dominesey; Andrew Earl;
(Mansfield, MA) |
Family ID: |
43924233 |
Appl. No.: |
12/610308 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/232 ;
206/216; 206/349; 206/524.6; 206/776 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/366
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/232 ;
206/216; 206/349; 206/776; 206/524.6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/24 20060101
B65D051/24; B65D 50/00 20060101 B65D050/00; B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54; B65D 47/36 20060101 B65D047/36 |
Claims
1. A product package suitable for concealing an insert, said
package comprising a. a first panel having a first surface and a
second surface; b. a second panel having a first surface and a
second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts
said first panel second surface; c. an insert disposed between said
second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; and d. a
blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and
extending from said second panel first surface and said blister
free from contact from said first panel, wherein said first panel
first surface comprises an access panel suitable for accessing said
insert.
2. (canceled)
3. The package of claim 1 wherein said access panel comprises one
or more perforations.
4. The package of claim 1 wherein said insert is selected from the
group consisting of a coupon, memorabilia, an instruction manual,
and combinations thereof.
5. The package of claim 1 wherein said insert is removably attached
to said first panel, said second panel, or both.
6. The package of claim 1 wherein said first panel and said second
panel are integrally formed along at least one edge of each panel
to form a bi-fold card.
7. The package of claim 1 which further comprises a third panel
having a outward facing first surface and an inward facing second
surface wherein said third panel second surface is joined to at
least a portion of said second panel first surface.
8. The package of claim 7 wherein said third panel comprises an
opening through which said blister extends.
9. The package of claim 8 wherein said first, second, and third
panels are integrally formed such that said first panel is joined
along an edge to an edge of said second panel and an opposing edge
of said second panel is joined to an edge of said third panel, all
to form a tri-fold card.
10. A product package suitable for concealing an insert, said
package comprising a. a first panel having a first surface and a
second surface; b. a second panel having a first surface and a
second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts
said first panel second surface; c. an insert disposed between said
second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; d. a blister
for containing a product, said blister disposed against and
extending from said second panel first surface and said blister
free from contact from said first panel; and e. a third panel
having an outward facing first surface and an inward facing second
surface wherein said third panel second surface is joined to at
least a portion of said second panel first surface, said third
panel comprising an opening through which said blister extends,
wherein said first panel first surface comprises an access panel
suitable for accessing said insert.
11. (canceled)
12. The package of claim 10 wherein said access panel comprises one
or more perforations.
13. The package of claim 10 wherein said insert is selected from
the group consisting of a coupon, memorabilia, an instruction
manual, and combinations thereof.
14. The package of claim 10 wherein said insert is removably
attached to said first panel, said second panel, or both.
15. The package of claim 10 wherein said first panel and said
second panel are integrally formed along at least one edge of each
panel to form a bi-fold card.
16. The package of claim 10 wherein said first, second, and third
panels are integrally formed such that the first panel is joined
along an edge to an edge of said second panel and an opposing edge
of said second panel is joined to an edge of said third panel, all
to form a tri-fold card.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a package for
concealing an insert.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Blister packaging is used by many marketing and
manufacturing companies for the shipment, storage, and display of
products. These types of packages combine a high perceived product
value with a relatively low cost. There is still, however, a need
to further heighten the perceived value of products, particularly
by increasing sales and revenue.
[0003] Blister packages typically include a clear plastic blister
that houses a product and allows the product to be visible to the
consumer. A card, typically formed of paperboard, is usually sealed
over the open end of the blister to prevent tampering and theft. As
a result, these packages can be difficult to open to access the
product stored within the blister. A consumer usually has to access
the product directly by cutting/puncturing the blister or damaging
the package itself. This can be quite onerous and may cause injury
to the consumer. There have been some attempts at making the
product more accessible, thereby facilitating the removal of the
product from the package. There is also a need to provide a package
that makes the product more accessible without causing injury to
the consumer.
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention overcomes at least these
needs by providing an insert, e.g., a collectible, memorabilia, or
the like, within the package to help increase perceived product
value. Additional product value may be further realized by
concealing the insert from the consumer before the product is
purchased. Additionally, the present invention advantageously
provides a package that is tamper/theft resistant, displays the
product to be sold while at the same time conceals the insert from
the consumer before the product is purchased. The package described
herein advantageously allows the consumer to easily access the
insert after purchase without directly accessing the product. After
accessing the insert, the package described herein further allows
the consumer to easily access the product without destroying the
blister thereby reducing the risk of injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In an aspect, the present invention relates generally to a
product package suitable for concealing an insert, the package
comprising a) a first panel having a first surface and a second
surface; b) a second panel having a first surface and a second
surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said
first panel second surface; c) an insert disposed between said
second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; and d) a
blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and
extending from said second panel first surface.
[0006] In another aspect, the present invention relates generally
to a product package suitable for concealing an insert, said
package comprising a) a first panel having a first surface and a
second surface; b) a second panel having a first surface and a
second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts
said first panel second surface; c) an insert disposed between said
second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; d) a blister
for containing a product, said blister disposed against and
extending from said second panel first surface; and e) a third
panel having an outward facing first surface and an inward facing
second surface wherein said third panel second surface is joined to
at least a portion of said second panel first surface, said third
panel comprising an opening through which said blister extends.
[0007] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a package in
accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the package of FIG.
1;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inside of the disassembled
package of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a disassembled package
in accordance with the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded detail view of the disassembled of the
package of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a package 100 according to the
present invention for concealing an insert 102. The package 100
comprises a first panel 106 having a first surface 108 and a second
surface 110, a second panel 112 having a first surface 114 and a
second surface 116. In an assembled configuration as shown in FIG.
1, the second panel second surface 116 contacts (and is preferably
joined to) said first panel second surface 110. It is unnecessary
for the entire area of the second surfaces of the first and second
panels to contact or be joined to one another. It is, however,
possible that the panels merely contact along one or more
corresponding peripheral positions of the two panels such that the
panels overly each other and appear to form an integral card. The
insert 102 is disposed between these second surfaces 110, 116 such
that said insert is concealed. A blister 118 for containing a
product is disposed against and extends from said second panel
first surface 114. In this embodiment, the blister 118 which
comprises a lip 119, is joined to the second panel first surface
114. Suitable mechanisms for joining or attaching the blister to
the first surface 114 include, but gluing, heat sealing, stapling,
clipping, ultrasonic bonding, etc.
[0014] The first and second panels 106, 112 may be constructed from
materials that provide a sturdy and strong design. This allows the
package 100 to be mounted in slotted holding trays, stacked during
shipment, storage, and display without bending or buckling. For
example, the first and second panels 106, 112 may be formed of
paperboard, containerboard, corrugated board, or the like. Heat
seal coatings, inks, and varnish may also be applied to the panels
106, 112.
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the package of FIG. 2. The first
surface 108 of the first panel 106 comprises an access panel 122.
This access panel 122 may comprise one or more perforations which
may be activated or torn open by a consumer to reveal a concealed
insert 102 that lies between the first and second panels 106, 112.
The access panel 122 may further comprise a perforated pull tab
situated anywhere along a pattern formed by the one or more
perforations. This tab may be pulled in a single direction to
initiate activation/opening of the access panel 122. The access
panel 122 may be configured to be activated/opened by pulling the
panel or tab in one or more directions. The access panel may
alternatively comprise tear tape having a first end for starting
the tape such that the consumer grips one end and pulls.
[0016] In this embodiment, although not required, the access panel
may be bounded by one or more panel contact areas disposed between
the second surfaces of the first and second panels 106, 112 around
a periphery of the insert 102 such that an envelope or bounded area
is formed to prevent movement of the insert 102 within a space
where it is disposed between the panels 106, 112. This lack of
movement ensures that it will be easily retrieved by the consumer
when the access panel 122 is opened to remove or reveal the insert
102.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a disassembled package embodiment where the
first and second panels 106, 112 are integrally formed along at
least one edge 120 of each panel to form a bi-fold card. In an
assembled configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the first and second
panels 106, 112 of FIG. 3 may be folded along edges 120 such that
the panels 106, 112 contact each others' respective second surfaces
110, 116. To facilitate the folding, one or more scores may be
included along joined edges 120 of the first and second panels 106,
112.
[0018] To secure the insert 102 in place especially during assembly
of the first and second panels 106, 112, the insert 102 may also be
removably attached to the first panel 106, the second panel 112, or
both. For example, the insert 102 may be removably attached by
using non-permanent glue to hold the insert 102 in place during the
assembly process.
[0019] Additionally, the first and second panels 106, 112 may be
constructed to allow for easy opening of the package 100 by a
consumer while at the same time being tamper/theft resistant. For
example, a consumer may access the insert 102, e.g., a coupon, game
piece, memorabilia (e.g., trading cards, stamps, etc.), an
instruction manual, or the like, without accessing the product 140,
such as a razor, a toothbrush, a battery, a cosmetic, or the
like.
[0020] The blister 118 may be typically formed of a transparent or
opaque material, e.g., plastic, so that a consumer may see the
product 140 contained therein. To ensure the blister 118 is
tamper/theft resistant, the blister 118 may be sealed or joined
against the first surface of the second panel 106.
[0021] Additionally, the quantity, size, and shape of the blister
118 may vary depending on the product 140. For example, the blister
118 may include a single blister for each individual product 140, a
single blister 118 for multiple products 140, or multiple blisters
118 and products 140 as desired. In these embodiments, a cavity is
formed within the blister 118 is shaped to hold a specific product
140.
[0022] Additionally, the package 100 may further comprise printed
graphics on at least a portion of the first panel 106, the second
panel 112, the blister 118, or combinations thereof. The printed
material may be graphics, text, etc. The graphics may include
artwork of a decorative, instructional, cautionary, and/or
marketing nature.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the product package 100
of FIG. 1 in a disassembled configuration. This package
additionally includes a third panel 130 having an outward facing
first surface 132 and an inward facing second surface 134 wherein
the third panel second surface 134 is joined to at least a portion
of the second panel first surface 114, the third panel 130
comprising an opening 136 through which the blister 118 extends. In
this figure, the first, second, and third panels 106, 112, 130 are
integrally formed such that the first panel 106 is joined along an
edge 120 to an edge 120 of the second panel and an opposing edge
120 of the second panel is joined to an edge 120 of the third
panel, all to form a tri-fold card. The blister 118 may or may not
be sealed against the first surface of the second panel. Here, the
third panel second surface 134 contacts the first surface of the
second panel and is joined thereto at one or more peripheral
positions between the second and third panels.
[0024] FIG. 5 merely shows an exploded view of the panels shown in
FIG. 4.
[0025] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be
understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values
recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension
is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally
equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension
disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."
[0026] Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced
or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise
limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it
is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed
herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other
reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such
invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of
a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of
the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning
or definition assigned to that term in this document shall
govern.
[0027] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those
skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims
all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of
this invention.
* * * * *