Patent Application
20080179217
The present invention relates generally to packaging assemblies and, more particularly, to packaging assemblies for consumer products such as toy dolls.
Consumer products are often disposed in transparent packaging, to provide an appealing presence. Typically, the product is disposed within the packaging against a printed display card. Much care goes into the design features of the display card, as well as the relative positioning of the product against the display card. Typically, the products, e.g., dolls, are secured against the display card using wire tie-downs.
Although generally effective, shortfalls exist with current approaches. For example, wire tie-downs make it difficult for the purchaser to free the doll from the packaging. In addition, wire tie-downs tend to be labor intensive to install, thus adding to the product's cost. Moreover, much effort goes into providing products having appealing design features. Wire tie-downs can obscure these design features and diminish the overall visual appeal of the product, while on display. This can adversely influence purchasing decisions.
It should, therefore, be appreciated that there exists a need for a display pack for consumer products, such as toy dolls, that addresses the aforementioned concerns. The present invention fulfills this need and others.
Briefly, and in general terms, the invention provides a display pack having transparent straps used for securing a consumer product in place against a display card, while addressing the aforementioned shortcomings. The invention is particularly applicable to children's products, e.g., dolls.
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the transparent straps extend through slots defined by the display card adjacent the product. The ends of each strap can be secured about the backside of the display card in various fashions. For example, they can be secured to one another. Alternatively, the straps can be secured to the display card or other structure adjacent to the backside of the display card.
More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the straps preferably provide a line of weakening, for example, perforated line, in the region of the strap disposed about the front side of the display card. In use, the purchaser can easily remove the product from the display card. To do so, the purchaser simply pulls on the product so that the straps break along the line of weakening, releasing the product.
For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.
All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly
The display card 24 includes a front panel 30 and a rear panel 32 (
The housing 26 is formed of a transparent material, allowing the products, as well as the packaging artwork on the display card to be prominently displayed. Although not shown, packaging artwork can further be provided about the housing, as desired. For example, an outer sleeve having packaging artwork can be disposed about the housing.
With reference to
The straps (12, 14, 16, 18) are formed of vinyl, however, various other transparent materials can be used having sufficient properties. As discussed in detail below, the ends of the straps are secured behind the front panel 30 of the display card 24 to secure the product in place. Each strap defines lines of weakening, for example, perforated lines 44, to enable easy removal of the product. To do so, the purchaser simply pulls on the product so that the straps break along the line of weakening, releasing the product.
In the exemplary embodiment, perforated lines are spaced along each strap, generally equidistant from one another. In other embodiments, lines of weakening can be positioned in prescribed locations along the strap. For example, in a strap disposed about the wrist of the doll, a single perforated line aligned with the wrist could be sufficient to enable easy removal. Alternatively, a pair of perforated lines disposed adjacent to the corresponding slots could also facilitate easy removal.
With reference now to
In the exemplary embodiment, straps 14, 18 are about 3¾ inches in length, having an intermediate region 50 of 1¾ inches, and ends 54 of about 1 inch each. The intermediate regions of straps 14, 18 each include three perforated lines 44, spaced apart about 7/16 inch from each other. The strap 16 is about 7 inches in length, having an intermediate region 52 of about 5 inches, and ends 56 of about 1 inch each. The intermediate region 52 of strap 16 includes nine perforated lines 44 space to part about ½ inch from each other. It should be appreciated that straps having various other measurements can be provided without departing from the present invention.
In the exemplary embodiment, each line of weakening is formed by a plurality of perforations aligned with one another, allowing the strap to tear easily at prescribed locations. In other embodiments, the line of weakening can be formed in various other manners, e.g., by a single perforation and a region, or regions, of reduced thickness. In addition, in certain embodiments the lines of weakening need not be linear. Furthermore, the lines of weakening can be positioned perpendicular to the side edges (46, 48) of the strap, but may also be positioned at different angles.
With reference now to
In the second embodiment (
In the third embodiment (
It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a display pack having transparent straps used for securing a product, e.g., a doll, in place against a display card within the packaging, while addressing the aforementioned shortcomings. The invention is particularly applicable to children's products. The straps extend through slots defined by the display card about the product. The ends of the strap can be secured about the backside of the display card in various fashions. For example, the straps can be secured to one another. Alternatively, the straps can be secured to the display card or other structure adjacent to the backside of the display card.
More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the straps preferably provide a line of weakening, for example, perforated line, in the region of the strap disposed about the front side of the display card. In use, the purchaser can easily remove the product from the display card. To do so, the purchaser simply pulls on the product so that the straps break along the line of weakening, releasing the product.
The present invention has been described above in terms of presently preferred embodiments so that an understanding of the present invention can be conveyed. However, there are other embodiments not specifically described herein for which the present invention is applicable. Therefore, the present invention should not to be seen as limited to the forms shown, which is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.
Priority is claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/873,835, filed on Dec. 8, 2006, entitled “Display Pack,” by Steffen J. Smith and Samir K. Khare, which application is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60873835 | Dec 2006 | US |
