Combination consumer package with secondary item compartment

Abstract

A combination consumer package consisting of container for a primary product and secondary item packaged with it, and having a label on the container; a secondary item compartment integrally formed with the label.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At various sporting events, and other public events, venues and vacation locations containers, usually containing beverages or food products, are provided to consumers and to spectators. In many such occasions or events, these persons may wish to be provided with a secondary item or a novelty item or some memento of the occasion or event. They may also wish to have the convenience of a paper towel or so called “wet wipe” in many cases such an item may for example be a pennant, or a picture of a participant or some article such as a badge, these being merely a few typical examples of such secondary items novelties or mementos, or consumables such as cookies, candy, breath mints or the like, collectively herein “secondary items”. It is considered desirable to provide a combination consumer package having a primary container containing a primary product, for example a beverage, and which has a label which incorporates a secondary compartment carrying a secondary item, as a combination package.

The entire combination package is supplied to the consumer and In this way, when the person uses such a beverage or food container, the secondary item can be withdrawn from the compartment and either used as part of the persons activity or can be retained as a memento, or in the case of a paper towel can allow the person to clean up. Companies may wish to advertise new products or services, and may cross-promote with other companies selling the food or beverage item.

It has been known in the past to provide adhesive shipping labels, with various forms of compartments for containing letters, invoices, instructions, and address information. Examples of such earlier labels are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,874, Granted May 29, 1990, Title: Mailer Like Business Form with Transparent Front, Inventor: P. T. Henriette et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,710, Granted Jul. 13, 1993, Title: Vented Flexible Thin Chemi-Luminescent Device, Inventor: R D Giglin et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,529 Granted Jun. 12,1990, Title: Display and Storage Container with a liner having a spacer flap for photographic prints, Inventor: H. M. Levine; U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,623 Granted Jul. 8, 2003, Title: Duplex Label Pocket, Inventor: J D Roth; U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,673 Granted May 22, 2001, Title: Total Value Package, Inventor: B. M. Tonoff,; U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,325 Granted Jul. 2, 1996 Title: Storing and Dispensing System for products packaged in a sealed pouch, Inventor: J. F. Deflander et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,620, Granted May 18, 2010, Title: Flexible Packaging Structure with a built-in opening and re-close feature and method for making same, Inventor: R. C. Hebert et al, and Bottle Label; and Pocket Member, inventor S M Andrews U.S. Pat. No. 1,850,369. All of these proposals are related to labelling devices which could be applied to a package having a flat surface, and are used simply for addressing the envelope or package or containing instructions.

The problem presented by the present invention is the fact that containers such as those sold at sporting events or other public occasions for example, are usually round, although in some cases can be square sided. The usual label for these containers, in many cases, is simply printed on the round container itself. In other cases, it may be that an adhesive label is applied to the container. It is desirable to provide a combination container, having a first container containing a primary product, a secondary compartment containing a secondary, the label being applied to a round or square sided container, and still provide sufficient space within the compartment to receive the secondary item. It will also be appreciated that not withstanding the desirability of providing such combination package having a label with a secondary item compartment for packaging an item, on a container, the label on the container shall be clearly visible to project the primary message or identification of the primary product to the consumer. In the case where the primary label is printed directly on the container, the item compartment should be such that it does not obscure the label. In other cases, where the label is made as an adhesive sheet which is applied to the container, it is desirable that the item compartment in such a label shall not obscure the principal or primary message containing the name of the beverage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to achieving these various objectives, the invention provides a combination package, having a container carrying a primary product, and having a label bonded to the container, a secondary item compartment integrally formed with the label containing a secondary item, and an access opening for said compartment, and a closure integrally formed with the label for closing the item compartment, the closure being releasable to remove the item.

Preferably the invention provides such a combination container in which the label is formed of thermo plastic material, and an item compartment portion is formed with the label, and a closure for the compartment, all being integrally bonded together.

Preferably, in one embodiment, the combination container will be a bottle with a cap, and the label will be bonded around the bottle, and the secondary item compartment will extend out from the label.

In this case the bottle will have a curved contour and the label will fit around the curved contour, the label having a predetermined first width, and the item compartment having a predetermined second width greater than said first width.

In one embodiment the secondary item may in fact be part of the label itself, and perforations are provided by which the item can be torn out of the label.

The various features which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a perspective illustration of a combination package having a primary container, in this case a bottle with a label, incorporating an integral secondary item compartment and closure, containing a secondary item, and showing a beverage container partially cut away;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1a shown applied to an open topped cup, or container sleeve;

FIG. 2 a is a an exploded perspective illustration partially cut away, illustrating the embodiment of FIG. 1a or 1b;

FIG. 2 b is a section along line 2b-2b of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective illustration of an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective illustration of FIG. 3a embodiment shown applied to open-topped container such as a cup or a container sleeve;

FIG. 4 a is a perspective illustration of a further alternate embodiment;

FIG. 4 b is a perspective illustration of the 4a embodiment, shown applied to an open-topped container or a sleeve;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of the invention shown for holding, for example, an elongated item;

FIG. 5 b is a perspective illustration of the FIG. 5a embodiment, shown applied to an open-topped container or a sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of another embodiment of label; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective of a bottle with the label of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIG. 1a and FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for the purposes of illustrating the invention. In this embodiment, a combination consumer package has a primary product container (10) which in this case is in the shape of a bottle, but which may be of any material, or any other form of container or package, is shown having a label (12), applied to the exterior. Typically the label will wrap around, or at least, three quarters of the way around the container, and is usually adhesively bonded to the container. The label is usually formed of paper, thermo plastic material or the like, such as is well known in the labelling art. On the face of the label, there is a secondary item pocket (14).

A primary product is contained with the primary container, and a secondary item is contained within the secondary compartment, so the entire combination package may be supplied to the consumer as a single combination package.

In this embodiment typically the secondary compartment or pocket may be adhesively bonded to the label, or may be integral with the label. The pocket may be adhesively bonded along three edges. The pocket typically is made of thermo plastic material so as to be somewhat resilient and stretchable or at least capable of adopting the shape of the secondary item to be inserted into it.

Typically the pocket (14) will have a front panel portion (16) and side panel portions (18) which are bonded to the label (12) or joined around the three sides, leaving the pocket free in the main central area (20). The front portion (16) is therefore capable of being somewhat expanded and extended relative to the label (12), to accommodate a secondary item (T). A closure flap (22) may fold over the open side of the front portion. The closure may be adhesively bonded to the front portion (16) for security.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the front portion (16) of the pouch or pocket (14) will preferably provide a pocket, into which an item (T) can be inserted. The front portion (16) of the pocket (14), may be formed with generally L-shaped end walls (24), providing a marginal bonding area for bonding to the label (12).

End walls (24) are gussets which are pleated so as to permit expansion of front panel portion (16) to accommodate a more bulky item, as shown in phantom. Preferably, there will be suitable graphics (G) printed on the front portion panel (16). Typically there will also be a printed or bonded rearward label (26), so as to provide a complete wrap around the container (10).

A secondary item indicated generally as (T), is shown schematically, prior to insertion into the pocket (14). After insertion the closure flap (22) is then folded over and optionally bonded to the front portion (16), to retain the item (T) in position. As noted the item T may be selected from a wide group of secondary items, which would be suited to the purpose of supplying a combination package consisting of the primary container (10) with its contents, whether food or drink, and the secondary item compartment or pocket containing the secondary item T, of whatever nature is deemed to be suitable for supplying as the combined consumer package, with the primary product in container (10).

Referring now to FIG. 1b, this illustrates a pouch or pocket (30) similar to FIG. 1a, when applied to an open-topped cup or container (C), which may contain a food item or a beverage or any other item that may be sold to a consumer. The FIG. 1b illustration also represents a sleeve (32), typically a thermal insulation sleeve, which may be slid onto a container where the container, for example, contains a hot beverage, and some form of thermal insulation is required for comfort.

The sleeve, would thus be provided with the label and pouch (30).

Referring now to FIGS. 3a, this illustrates an alternate form of label. In this case, there is a wrap around label (40), and a front panel (42) is adhered to the label (40) down each of three edges, as shown in phantom, leaving a loose distended portion (44) between the three bonded edges. This embodiment would be substantially similar to the FIG. 1 embodiment with the exception that there is no closure flap required. FIG. 3b illustrates an embodiment similar to FIG. 3a but when applied to a cup, or for example, a thermal insulating sleeve for a hot beverage.

FIG. 4 a is a further embodiment. In this case, it is assumed that the item (not shown) would be relatively thin and not require a distended pouch. Such an item might, for example, be a souvenir player card, or for example, a ticket to some other event, or a ticket for another product, or a discount offer, (not shown).

In this case, the pouch will consist of a single panel label (50) which is wrapped around the container (10). The panel (50) is provided with a single transverse slit (52). The bonding of the panel (50) will be restricted by the phantom lines (54).

In this way a front portion of the panel (50) is left free of bonding to the container. A thin item can then be slid into the slit, (52) and hidden behind the un-bonded portion of the panel (50). The slit can equally well be vertical, and there can be two such slits, if desired. A ticket or business card can then be tucked into the slits and retained, until removed by a consumer.

A similar embodiment is shown in FIG. 4b, in which case, the label (50) is shown applied either to an open-topped cup or a thermal insulating sleeve.

A further embodiment is shown is FIG. 5a. In this case the label consists of a rearward panel 60) which is bonded to the container (10). A front pocket panel (62) is in the form a strip with side edges and bonded as shown in phantom, along each side edge (64). Along the top and bottom edges (66) of the front panel (62), generally U-shaped indents (68) are formed. This embodiment will be particularly suitable for the use of the insertion of items of slim but elongated nature. Such items may include, simply, a straw, or a flag or some other item which may be rolled tightly up. Such an elongated item is slid under the front panel (62), and the U-shaped indents (68) facilitate the insertion of the item into the front panel (62).

FIG. 5 b illustrates an embodiment similar to 5a but shown applied to an open-topped cup, or for example, a thermal insulating sleeve.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 & 7.

In this case the primary product container (70) has no special shape, but may be a normal bottle or can, or even a paper cup or food container.

The primary product may even be a food item or snack.

The secondary package consists of a strip (72) of flexible material such as paper, or thermoplastic. This may be a label, and it could possibly be a more rigid material such that it made a spring fit around the primary container (70), if the expense justified it. Strip (72) has upper and lower edges (74), and defines two ends (76), which are spaced apart, when applied to the container. The strip may wrap completely around the container if desired.

In the case of a flexible strip with two ends as shown, there will be adhesive, between the strip and the container.

A rectangular median portion (78) of the strip is free of adhesive.

A secondary item (80) is integral with median portion (78) and can be made as an integral part of the label or strip (72). Such an item may be a business card, or a ticket, or some kind of promotional material. Usually such an item would be of paper material, but could be thermoplastic. A perforated rectangular border (82) permits the removal of the item (80) from median portions (78).

It is also possible that the strip may be a sleeve (not shown).

When used in the foregoing manner, combination consumer packages of the present invention, which may or may not be the beverage bottle illustrated, may be offered and sold by businesses to enable users, such as spectators, to utilize the one or more secondary products. In some cases these secondary products may enable a spectator to actively participate in the sporting or entertainment event, for example. The combination consumer packages may also have a simple utilitarian purpose, so as to facilitate the serving of customers in a fast food establishment, or at an outdoor picnic, or in emergency aid situations. The combination consumer packages, such as a beverage bottle may also be utilized as a business-to-business advertising aid, enabling a liquid beverage business to cross-promote the goods and services of another business by providing advertisements and product samples, for example, within the secondary compartment. In addition to the various secondary and advertising opportunities that may be pursued using the combination package of the present invention, the beverage bottle may continue to be utilized by a user in a conventional manner to quench their thirst and thereby further enhance their enjoyment of the related business, sporting or entertainment event.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given here by way of example only. The invention is not to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described, but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combination consumer package having a primary product and secondary item as a single combination package and comprising; a primary product container, for containing a primary product within its interior;a label bonded to the primary product container, the label have a front and a reverse face, with the reverse face juxtaposed to the container;a panel portion of said label, forming a secondary item compartment on the front face of the label;primary product graphics displayed on said label;access means for said secondary item compartment; and,said access means being releasable by a consumer to remove the secondary item.

2. A combination consumer package as claimed in claim 1 including, two gusset strips, each strip being folded double along its length and forming a fold between said panel portion and said label, and said gusset strips being bonded along opposite edges of said panel and bonded to said label, whereby said panel can be expanded away from said label to hold a secondary item in said secondary item compartment; the secondary item compartment being formed with the label, and a closure for the compartment, all being integrally bonded together on the exterior of the container.

3. A combination consumer package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said label has a front and a reverse face, a bonded portion of said reverse face being bonded to the container; a secondary item compartment formed by a portion of said label; adhesive bonding the bonded portion of said label to the exterior of the container, the secondary item compartment portion of said label being free of adhesive and being separable from said container, whereby said secondary compartment portion of said label can be expanded away from said label to receive an item.

4. A combination consumer package as claimed in claim 1 including; a pocket strip forming a secondary item compartment attached to the front surface of said label, and defining two side edges, a top edge and a bottom edge;adhesive bonding said side edges of said strip to said label;a top access opening along the top edge of said strip; and,a bottom access opening along said bottom edge of said strip, whereby an item can be inserted under said strip and can extend above and below said top and bottom edges.

5. A combination consumer package as claimed in claim 1, wherein said label has a front and a reverse face, a bonded portion of said reverse face being bonded to the container; a secondary item formed by an integral portion of said label; adhesive bonding the bonded portion of said label to the exterior of the container, the secondary item portion of said label being free of adhesive and being separable from said label and from container, whereby said secondary item portion of said label can be removed from said label.