US20120012489A1

US20120012489A1 - Packaging Article and Device

Info

Publication number: US20120012489A1
Application number: US12/839,228
Authority: US
Inventors: Ryan Mongan; Dan Xiong; Bryan Lee Hynecek; Randy Chihyeuan Lu; Jarret Weis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Speculative Product Design LLC
Priority date: 2010-07-19
Filing date: 2010-07-19
Publication date: 2012-01-19

Abstract

In one example, we describe a new structure and shape for the packaging objects, for storage, display, and transportation. For example, it can be helpful for the consumers to test/examine/try-before-buy the object(s). It has an opening/closing mechanism, for the object to be secure inside that packaging, without destroying the merchandise or packaging (by the consumer at the store), so that it can be redisplayed on the shelf (at the store), again. Many examples and variations are given here.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many packaging devices, objects, mechanisms, methods, and schemes available in the market now, for shelves and displays, for marketing, transportation, security, and sales purposes. However, for some items, it may be useful to let the consumers examine the item or object outside of the packaging, before purchasing. If the consumer does not like it (or if it does not fit them or their purpose), this would prevent them from making an uninformed purchase that they would later regret.
Currently, regretted purchases add a lot of waste in the chain of consumption. This is because many retailers allow consumers to return product for a refund. These returned products often have missing or damaged packaging or have a destroyed, damaged or soiled product. In all these cases, this renders the product useless for redisplay for retail purchase. Preventing purchases like this eliminates this waste which would benefit manufacturers and retailers with lower costs and the end consumer with lower prices. Here, we have introduced a packaging article and/or device (with all its examples and variations) which overcomes that problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, we describe a new structure and shape for the packaging objects, for storage, display, and transportation. For example, it can be helpful for the consumers to test, examine, or otherwise try the object(s) before purchasing. It has an opening/closing mechanism, for the object to be secure inside that packaging. Many examples and variations are given here. This allows someone to open the package in the store without damaging the packaging. If they (potential purchaser/consumer/customer/user) decide not to purchase, they can put the product back in the package and re-close the top. The box is unmolested, and is still worthy of being on the shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the 3-D view of the assembled gable top (or classical milk carton) style structure of one of the embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 2 shows the flat 2-D template of the gable top style structure of one of the embodiments of this invention.

FIGS. 3-30 and 31 show various packaging of the prior art, with different mechanisms, styles, and features.

FIGS. 32-37 show the flat 2-D template of the unassembled/flattened milk-carton style structure of one of the embodiments of this invention, in various versions and with various features.

FIG. 38 shows specification, cut-line, and fold-line for the structure of one of the embodiments of this invention.

FIGS. 39-41 show our different embodiments, with handle, transparent view window, locking mechanism, and with iconic milk-carton gable top form factor.

FIGS. 42-43 show our different embodiments, with PET exterior (at different views).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, this is the packaging for handheld product accessories. For example, they are for cases for phones, MP3 players, GPS devices, etc. It can also be used for other objects and materials (even liquid), such as powder, chocolate, or playing cards. The package is a box in the shapes shown in the figures, and it can be made of any material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, cardboard, paper, laminated paper, elastic material, fabric, polyester, artificial material, man-made material, petrochemical material, organic material, non-organic material, natural material, metal, alloy, mixtures, powder, liquid, fluid, semi-liquid material, compounds, layered material, cotton, biodegradable material, recyclable material, wooden, woven, rug, carpet, straw, bamboo, or similar materials. For example, it can be a paperboard box with plastic windows, or without any window.
For example, it can have one or more openings (e.g. bottom, top, and/or side), fully or partially open or closed, for example, for antenna, electrical connector, straw, credit cards, change/cash, car keys, hand access, or other purposes. It can have a zipper, Velcro, any hook/loop/eye combination, snap, tie, string, elastic band, chain, cable, lock, password unit, biometric unit, cover, cap, lid, belt, band, shoe lace, glue, temporary glue, or any other fastening devices or attachment mechanisms or methods/combinations.
For example, it can be all-plastic box. For example, it can have some internal packaging, as well, e.g. layer, plastic, or fabric, that support the product and for presentation to the consumer, e.g. for freshness, liquid holding, or shock absorbent, for protection and longevity.
For example, in one embodiment, the area of interest is the top of the package. We have a gable-top style, in this embodiment, similar to a milk carton (e.g. see FIGS. 1, 39-41, 42-43). This shape is unique in our market, and it has some added functionality. For example, there are two metal snaps on either side of the hole for the hook. This allows someone to open the package in the store without damaging the packaging. Quite often, the users like to try the object, e.g. case/cover on/for their phone, before purchasing. If they decide not to purchase, they can put the product back in the package and re-snap the top. The box is unmolested, and is still worthy of being on the shelf. Because of the shape, they can be stacked staggered vertically or horizontally, in the display or for shipping/packaging, to save space/cost or better/more secure display/shipping.
In one embodiment, one uses a metal snap, much like the ones in children's clothing. Or, one can use small tabs of hook and loop fastener e.g. Velcro (e.g. see FIGS. 1, 39-41, 42-43). The gable portion may or may not have the end portion. With no-ending at the gable, it allows the package to open further, so that it is even easier to get the product out (e.g. see FIGS. 39-41).
This package has a distinctive look on the shelf (e.g. see FIGS. 1, 39-41, 42-43), for marketing, but it also offers some unique benefits, for practical purposes/utility, as mentioned here. We have improved the structure in subsequent versions, with feedback from customers, stores, clients, and marketing/sales data/statistical info/trends, to get to this point.
As can be seen from FIGS. 3-30 and 31, as prior art, none of the prior art shows such features, as our features taught/shown here.
In another embodiment, it looks very similar to the example above, when assembled, but the functionality is different: Instead of opening the top of the gable top, the inner blister pack is pushed out through the bottom of the outer gable top package (e.g. see FIGS. 1, 39-41, 42-43). The inner blister can then be opened, to view the product. The advantage that this has over the above version is that the outer package is not put at risk (see FIGS. 39-41). Sometimes, when the above example gable top package is opened, the outer package is torn. This makes the package unsellable later. The current design does not stress the outer packaging, as much as the above version/example/ embodiment (because the bottom is already open). Thus, there is less likelihood to have damaged packaging, therefore, reducing the total sales cost or returned merchandise (see FIGS. 39-41).
Note that for some merchandise, if a consumer can try or inspect the object closely, there is a less chance of return of merchandise or unhappy customer/consumer, later on.
Another embodiment uses one or more of the following:

- The internal plastic blister extends through the top of the gable top to make the hang tag.
- In the gable portion, instead of snaps, there is a pull-strip. This is for the stores that do not want the package opened, as easily as the snaps provide. Some stores like the snaps, and some others do not. If it is opened, it can be re-closed and put back on the shelf, but some customers will be dissuaded from opening the package. So, different versions of our invention fit different merchandises, objects, stores, consumers, or class of customers. (Some embodiments shown in the figures are the use of zipper and the “PULL” tab on the blister.)

In one embodiment, a milk carton core packaging style with a zipper is used. In one embodiment, a snap rivet packaging is used.
In one embodiment, the top gable folds inside itself, at an angle, and has a fold over that is sealed. The sealed flap has a built-in tear away zipper, for the end user to easily open the package. The PET blister extends out of a slit on the top of the carton, to create the hang hole. PET blister has a “PULL” tab that is immediately visible, once carton is opened (for easy customer removal of the blister). The bottom is secured with a “snaplock” or “1-2-3” bottom.
FIG. 1 shows the 3-D view of the assembled milk-carton style structure of one of the embodiments of this invention. FIG. 1 shows cutout for holder (108), metal snap button side A (110), metal snap button side B (111), front panel (114), folded gable ends (120), front panel window cutout (122), product being displayed inside of packaging (shown as transparent for clarity) (123 and 125), and rear panel window cutout (124).
FIG. 2 shows the flat 2-D template of the milk-carton style structure of one of the embodiments of this invention. FIG. 2 shows cutout for holder (208), metal snap button side A (210), metal snap button side B (211), cut out for letting metal snap work through (212), front panel (214), folded-over panel (216), adhesive tab (218), folded gable ends (220), rear panel window cutout (222), and front panel window cutout (224).
FIGS. 3-30 and 31 show various packaging of the prior art, with different mechanisms, styles, and features.
FIGS. 32-37 and 38 show the flat 2-D template of the unassembled/6flattened milk-carton style structure of one of the embodiments of this invention, in various versions and with various features. FIG. 38 shows specification, cut-line, and fold-line for the structure of one of the embodiments of this invention. FIG. 38 shows metal snap buttons (D=7.3 mm): The snap button rivet located on the front panel and work through the folded-over panels cutout, with adhesive connecting panels together, and glue tabs (two at 12 mm).
FIGS. 39-41 show our different embodiments, with handle, transparent view window, locking mechanism, rivet snap buttons on milk carton style packaging (for ease of consumer interaction and examine/try-before-buy), with separate PET blister (allowing the 2 pieces being separated and recycled), with iconic milk-carton gable form factor.
FIGS. 42-43 show our different embodiments, with PET exterior (front view), with PET blister, hang tag as part of blister, with press button (snap/button as a part of blister), with PET package, back view, and hole in PET (with blister snap).
In one embodiment, there is hole on top of the structure, for display purposes (for example), to hang the object and package on the wall or rack/shelf, for example, in a store. The hole (“hang hole”) can also act as a handle for a user to carry/lift the package around.
One possible shape of the package is “squround”. These are used in ice cream carton that are more square than round, but have both elements. Another shape is “cuboid” (a six face convex polyhedron) or complex polyhedron.
The snaps can be metal snaps, but they can be from plastic or paper material (or other materials). The paper ones would be recyclable, with the paper box. The terms “snap button” and “metal snap button hold” refers to the snap to a side A and a side B, mentioned/shown in FIG. 2. Snaps are most often designed with a male side and a female side. However, they can also have both male and female elements on each half. These snaps can be identical on both side and are hermaphroditic.
In one embodiment, we have a packaging object for holding one or more items, for displaying in a store, or for sales, marketing, or commercialization purposes, which comprises a bottom portion and a top portion, in a shape of milk-carton with a gable structure on top, and comprising an opening-and-closing mechanism or device, for a user to open or close said packaging object, to access those items.
In one embodiment, we have cross section of the bottom portion as circular, rectangular, elliptical, arc, polygon, or triangular, or in a shape of cube or cylinder. In one embodiment, we have transparent or translucent window (made of glass, plastic, or a clear material, with respect to one or more frequencies, or range of frequencies, in the visible electromagnetic radiation range). In one embodiment, we have sliding or removable window. In one embodiment, we have screen, net, or filtered window. In one embodiment, we have multiple openings, covers, caps, or lids.
Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be covered by this patent application.

Claims

1. A packaging object for holding one or more items, for displaying in a store, or for sales, marketing, or commercialization purposes, said packaging object comprises:

a bottom portion;

a top portion; and

a hang hole;

wherein said top portion is in a shape of a gable structure; and

wherein said top portion comprises an opening-and-closing mechanism or device, for a user to open or close said packaging object, to access said one or more items.

2. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein cross section of said bottom portion is circular.

3. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein cross section of said bottom portion is rectangular.

4. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein cross section of said bottom portion is a polygon.

5. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein cross section of said bottom portion is a triangle.

6. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion is in a shape of a cuboid, complex polyhedron, or squround.

7. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion is in a shape of a cylinder.

8. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion comprises a transparent or translucent window.

9. The packaging object as recited in claim 8, wherein said transparent or translucent window is made of glass, plastic, or a clear material, with respect to one or more frequencies, or range of frequencies, in the visible electromagnetic radiation range.

10. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion comprises a sliding or removable window.

11. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion comprises a screen, net, or filtered window.

12. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said opening-and-closing mechanism or device comprises one or more the following: a snap button and a snap button hold.

13. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said opening-and-closing mechanism or device comprises one or more the following: a zipper, Velcro, any hook/loop/eye combination, snap-on, tie, string, elastic band, chain, cable, lock, password unit, biometric unit, cover, cap, lid, belt, band, shoe lace, glue, or temporary glue.

14. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object further comprises a see-through cover.

15. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object further comprises an internal packaging layer, plastic, or fabric.

16. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object further comprises a pull-tab that allows for said packaging to be opened one time.

17. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object further comprises a snap button rivet.

18. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object further comprises one or more windows or air openings.

19. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object further comprises multiple openings, covers, caps, or lids.

20. The packaging object as recited in claim 1, wherein said packaging object is made of one or more of the following: plastic, cardboard, paper, laminated paper, elastic material, fabric, polyester, artificial material, man-made material, petrochemical material, organic material, non-organic material, natural material, metal, alloy, mixtures, powder, compounds, layered material, cotton, biodegradable material, recyclable material, wooden, woven, rug, carpet, straw, or bamboo.