Patent Application
20240066423
The present invention relates to toys and novelty items.
Magnetic rings sold as “fidget toys” are commonly sold on the internet where videos of the toy in action can be displayed. However, to the present inventors' knowledge, no retail “try me” packaging for the product exists that allows customers to try out the toy before buying it.
Thus, there is a need for new packaging and/or assembly method which allows shoppers to spin magnet rings, before buying while keeping the packaging intact with minimal, if any, damage.
Certain preferred embodiments are shown in the illustrations. It will be understood that other packaging systems and methods shown in the illustrations are possible.
In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides blister card or clamshell retail packaging that: A. Prevents consumer pilfering; B. Displays physical product; and/or C. Allows shopper to “Try/Experience/Feel/Test” the toy rings by turning the toy rings one around another to not only understand better how the toy works, but also to get a better feel for what playing with the toy is like before purchasing and removing from package.
Design 1—“Demonstration with a Fixed Rotation of 2 Outer Toy Rings”
Optionally, the Packaging comprises a Back Panel (flat or formed clear plastic, or chipboard) on to which is attached a clear plastic round Front Cover Panel which has a hole cut in it for access to an Inner Round Blister and 3 toy rings two of which can turn or rotate within the boundaries of the Front Cover Panel. The Inner Round Blister (typically formed of clear plastic) and the physical Product (magnetic rings) are trapped between the Front Cover Panel and the Back Panel which may be held together with a plastic or metal rivet or another fastener located in the center. The rivet may serve as the pivot. The Inner Round Blister/disk features 3 Finger Cups. 1 Center Finger Cup is located between the 2 outer Perimeter Finger Cups. Each of the 3 Finger Cups trap one of the 3 toy rings. Affixing the center toy ring to the back plate adds a magnetic resistance effect, which we prefer but is not a requirement of the invention. The 2 outer Perimeter Finger Cups allow a shopper to rotate the 2 outer toy rings around the center toy ring, thus demonstrating how the toy is played with so the shopper can better understand the toy thus making a more informed decision to buy or not buy.
Design 2—“Demonstration with an Independent Rotation of 2 Outer Toy Rings”
Optionally, the Packaging comprises of a Back Panel (flat or formed clear plastic, or chipboard) on to which is attached a clear plastic round Front Panel which has a hole cut in it. The Front Panel and the Back Panel trap and loosely hold in place 2 disks (Plastic Trapping Panel and Plastic Trapped Panel) and 3 toy rings (Center Toy Ring and Outer Toy Ring A and Outer Ring B). The Plastic Trapped Panel has a Hole and a Finger Cup. Plastic Trapping Panel has 2 Finger Cups (a Center Finger Cup and a Perimeter Finger Cup). The Hole of the Plastic Trapped Panel is placed into the Center Finger Cup of the Plastic Trapping Panel and the Center Finger Cup of the Plastic Trapping Panel is placed into the open hole of the Center Toy Ring. Next this assembly is placed onto the Back Panel and secured with a plastic or metal rivet. Next Outer Toy Ring A is placed onto the Perimeter Finger Cup of the Plastic Trapped Panel such that the Finger Cup is inserted into the open hole of Outer Toy Ring A. Likewise, Outer Toy Ring B is then placed onto the Perimeter Finger Cup of the Plastic Trapping Panel such that the Finger Cup is inserted into the open hole of Outer Toy Ring B. Finally, the Front Panel is secured to the back panel and its perimeter flange or collar traps the outer perimeter of the disk shape formed by the Plastic Trapped Panel and Plastic Trapping Panel which hold the 3 Toy Rings in the package. Affixing the center toy ring to the back plate adds a magnetic resistance effect, which we prefer but is not a requirement of the invention. The end result is the 2 Outer Toy Rings can be rotated around the Center Toy Ring by placing ones finger(s) in either or both of the Perimeter Finger Cups using a turning dialing or turning motion. In addition, because of the unique shapes of both the Plastic Trapped Panel and the Plastic Trapping Panel, the 2 Outer Toy Rings may rotate independent of one another around the Center Toy Ring thus offering a more realistic demonstration of how the toy is played with. In addition, because the Plastic Trapping Panel and the Plastic Trapped Panel are not fixed one to one another the Perimeter Finger Cups may be rotated around the Center Toy Ring independent of one another thus offering an improved demonstration of how the toy is played with so the shopper can better understand the toy thus making a more informed decision to buy or not buy.
Thus, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a package system 10 that may comprise one or more of the following features: a back panel 12, a plurality of rings 14 located in front of the back panel 12, each ring 14 comprising an inner wall 16 surrounding a ring opening 18, one or more finger cups 20, each finger cup 20 seated inside an inner wall 16 of one or more of the plurality of rings 14, and a front panel 22. Optionally, the one or more finger cups 20 are cylindrical in shape sized to receive a human finger and allow the human finger to rotate a ring 14 within the package system 10 about a pivot point 24 without damaging the package system 10 and without removing the ring 14 from the package system 10. Optionally, the finger cup(s) 20 comprises a sidewall 26 engaging an inner wall 16 of a ring 14. Optionally, the finger cup(s) 20 further comprise an open front 28 that may be circular in shape. Optionally, the back panel 12 forms a rear wall of the finger cup(s) 20. Optionally, the finger cup(s) 20 is/are located on one or more disks 32 situated between the front panel 22 and back panel 12. Optionally, the package system 10 further comprises a fastener 34 attaching the disk(s) 32 to the back panel 12. Optionally, the fastener 34 extends through one of said plurality of rings 14 and said one of said plurality of rings 14 is magnetic. Optionally, the plurality of rings 14 comprises a center ring receiving the fastener 34 and two outer rings located on opposite sides of the center ring and further wherein the outer rings are configured to rotate about the fastener 34. Optionally, the center ring is attached to the back panel 12. Optionally, the fastener 34 is a rivet or similar pivot. Optionally, as shown in
Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, the steps of any method described herein may be performed in any suitable order and steps may be performed simultaneously if needed. Use of the singular embraces the plural.
Terms of degree such as “generally”, “substantially”, “about”, and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms can be construed as including a deviation of at least ±5% of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the word it modifies.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63401953 | Aug 2022 | US |
