Patent Grant
8408393
The present disclosure is directed generally to product packaging and, more specifically, to product packaging assembly with try-me toys that may allow a consumer to visualize, experiment, and design various looks available in the product line at the point of purchase while the product remains in the product packaging and after purchase.
Representative examples of packaging for product shipment and retail display are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,411,382; 5,172,806; 5,855,499; and 6,012,842 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0283775. Examples of toys and structures with a plurality of movable elements representing human body parts and other visual designs are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,064,576; 3,717,942; 3,830,012; 5,788,232; and 6,146,721. The disclosures of all the above-referenced patents and patent publication are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Some conventional toys include a doll and one or more accessories for the doll that are packaged together. Such conventional toys do not allow a user to see what the doll will look like with one or more accessories on the doll prior to purchasing the packaged toy. Sometimes children are unhappy with the purchased toy because it does not appear to be like the children anticipated or expected.
Accordingly, there is a need for a packaging assembly that allows a consumer to view different combinations of the products in the package. There is also a need for a packaged product that enables a consumer to experiment with the different combinations of the products in the package.
In one embodiment, a product packaging assembly includes a package, a plurality of products coupled to the package, and a selector coupled to the package, the selector including indicia representative of the plurality of products, the selector being adjustable to permit different combinations of the indicia to be viewed together. The selector includes a first section and a second section, the second section being movable relative to the first section. In one embodiment, the selector includes a third section movable relative to the first section and the second section. In one implementation, the selector is accessible from outside of the package. In another implementation, the package includes an opening and the selector is exposed via the opening.
In one embodiment, the selector includes a longitudinal axis and a first section and a second section, each of the first section and the second section being rotatable about the longitudinal axis. In another embodiment, the plurality of products includes a base product, the selector includes a first section and a second section, the first section includes indicia relating to a first portion of the base product and the second section includes indicia relating to a second portion of the base product.
In one embodiment, the plurality of products includes a base product, a first supplemental product, and a second supplemental product, each of the first supplemental product and the second supplemental product being engageable with the base product, the selector including a section including first indicia representing the base product and the first supplemental product and second indicia representing the base product and the second supplemental product. In an alternative embodiment, the base product is a toy figure, the first supplemental product is a first accessory, and the second supplemental product is a second accessory.
In one embodiment, the plurality of products includes a base product, a first supplemental product, a second supplemental product, a third supplemental product, and a fourth supplemental product, each of the supplemental products being engageable with the base product, the selector including a first section and a second section movable relative to the first section, the first section including first indicia representing the base product and the first supplemental product and second indicia representing the base product and the second supplemental product, the second section including third indicia representing the base product and the third supplemental product and fourth indicia representing the base product and the fourth supplemental product.
In an alternative embodiment, the selector is mounted to the package so that the first section and the second section are rotatable relative to each other. In another embodiment, the first section and the second section are adjustable relative to each other, thereby permitting one of the first indicia or the second indicia to be aligned with one of the third indicia or the fourth indicia. In another embodiment, the first indicia and the third indicia forms a first combination and the second indicia and the third indicia forms a second combination different than the first combination.
In one embodiment, the base product is a toy figure and the supplemental products are accessories for the toy figure.
In one embodiment, a packaged system includes a package, a base product coupled to the package, a plurality of supplemental products coupled to the package, each of the supplemental products being useable with the base product; and a display mechanism coupled to the package, the display mechanism being adjustable to display different combinations of the base product and at least some of the supplemental products.
In an alternative embodiment, the display mechanism includes a first portion and a second portion movable relative to the first portion, the first portion including a first representation of part of the base product and a first supplemental product and a second representation of part of the base product and a second supplemental product, the second portion including a third representation of part of the base product and a third supplemental product, the first portion and the second portion being adjustable so that different combinations of the representations are displayed.
In an alternative embodiment, the first and second supplemental products belong to a product category, and the third supplemental product belongs to a different product category.
In another embodiment, the base product is a toy figure, the first and second supplemental products are a first type of accessory for the toy figure, and the third supplemental product is a second type of accessory for the toy figure.
In one embodiment, a packaged system includes a package, a first product coupled to the package, a second product coupled to the package, a third product coupled to the package, and a selector coupled to the package, the selector including a portion having a first representation of the first product and the second product and a second representation of the first product and the third product, the portion being movable relative to the package so that one of the first representation or the second representation is displayed relative to the package.
In an alternative embodiment, the packaged system includes a fourth product coupled to the package, and a fifth product coupled to the package, the portion being a first portion and the selector including a second portion, the second portion having a third representation of the first product and the third product and a fourth representation of the first product and the fourth product, the second portion being movable relative to the first portion so that the combination of representations displayed relative to the package can be varied.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
Along with its functional features of protecting and storing enclosed products, product packaging assemblies may be configured to enhance product-viewing and product-promoting capabilities at points of purchase. The term “package” is used herein to refer to a container or structure that is configured to contain or receive one or more items or to which one or more items may be coupled. The package or container may receive all of the items therein or have at least some of the items coupled thereto.
Referring to
In one embodiment, product 160 can be a base or main product with which the other products 130, 140, 150, and 170 can be used. For example, product 160 can be a toy figure, such as a doll, and products 130, 140, 150, and 170 can be accessories for the toy figure. Products 130, 140, 150, and 170 are engageable with product 160 and can be referred to as supplemental products.
The product package assembly 100 also includes a try-me or interactive display mechanism 200. The interactive display mechanism 200 can be referred to alternatively as a selector. In this embodiment, the display mechanism 200 has a first portion or section 210 and a second portion or section 220. The first section 210 and the second section 220 can be moved relative to each other, such as by rotating one or both of the sections 210 and 220. The display mechanism 200 is coupled to the package 110 and available with the product set 120 to a user or consumer.
As shown in
The first section 210 has indicia thereon that includes a representation 230 of some of the products 120 that are included in the package 110. Representation 230 includes a portion or all of product 130 and a portion or all of product 160, which collectively form representation 230. In one embodiment, the portion of product 160 on first section 210 can be referred to as a first portion of product 160. The portions of products 130 and 160 shown on first section 210 show the portions 130 and 160 being used together.
Similarly, the second section 220 has indicia thereon that includes a representation 240 of some of the products 120 that are included in the package 110. Representation 240 includes a portion or all of product 150 and a portion or all of product 160, which collectively form representation 240. In one embodiment, the portion of product 160 on second section 220 can be referred to as a second portion of product 160. The portions of products 150 and 160 shown on second section 220 show the portions 150 and 160 being used together.
The representations 230 and 240 may be proximate to each other so that an image is collectively formed by the representations 230 and 240. For example, representation 230 may be an upper portion of a toy figure with an accessory and representation 240 may be a lower portion of the toy figure with an accessory. By having the images extend to the edges of sections 210 and 220, the representations 230 and 240 collectively form an image of the toy figure.
Also shown in
In configuration 204, representations 250 and 240 may be proximate to each other so that an image is collectively formed by representations 250 and 240. For example, representation 250 may be an upper portion of a toy figure and representation 240 may be a lower portion of the toy figure.
In this embodiment, representation 250 is an alternative to representation 230. Accordingly, a user may move the first section 210 and the second section 220 relative to each other so that either representation 230 or representation 250 is proximate to representation 240 to create an image or appearance as desired. As a result, the user can see different combinations of the products 120 included in the package 110 prior to purchasing and/or opening or removing the products 120 from the package 110.
Referring to
In this embodiment, there are several products or product portions 330, 340, 342, 350, 352, and 360 in or coupled to the package 310. The package 310 also includes a display mechanism or try-me portion 370 that is coupled to the package 310. The display mechanism 370 can be referred to alternatively as a selector. The display mechanism 370 is accessible from outside of the package 310 so that a user can contact and manipulate the display mechanism 370 to see the different combinations of the products or product portions included in the package prior to purchasing or opening the product 300.
In one embodiment, the display mechanism 370 has three sections 380, 390, and 400 which are movable relative to each other. For example, the sections 380, 390, and 400 can be rotated relative to each other so that the parts of the sections 380, 390, and 400 that are visible vary. In other embodiments, the quantity of portions 320 and the quantity of sections of the mechanism 370 may vary. Each of the sections 380, 390, and 400 includes indicia thereon that relates to the product portions 320 that are included with the package 310. In one embodiment, each of the sections 380, 390, and 400 includes two or more representations thereon that relate to the product portions 320. In other embodiments, the quantity of representations on the sections 380, 390, and 400 may vary.
Referring to
Referring to
Similarly, section 400 has representations 402 and 404. In this embodiment, representation 402 includes an image or illustration of product portion 350. Similarly, representation 404 includes an image or illustration of product portion 352. The user can manipulate section 400 so that either portion 350 or portion 352 is displayed. Each of the portions 350 and 352 can be a lower section or portion of the body of a toy figure with one or more different accessories or apparel coupled thereto. In one embodiment, portion 350 may include the legs of a toy figure and an article of clothing or apparel, such as pants, shorts, a skirt, and/or bottom, on the legs. The legs of the toy figure can be coupled to portion 330, which may include a torso of the toy figure. Portion 352 may include the legs of a toy figure and a different piece of apparel that is mounted on the legs. The user can manipulate section 400 so that either portion 350 or portion 352 is displayed and the combination of either portion 350 or portion 352 with the available combinations of portion 330, portions 330 and 360, and portion 340 or 342 is visible.
The user can create different combinations of the representations on sections 380, 390, and 400 that correspond to different product portions 320 included in the package 310. This arrangement allows a user to view the various combinations of products available in the package prior to purchasing the product 300. In some combinations, some but not all of the products in the container or package are viewable on the selector or display mechanism.
Consumer products may be marketed and sold in product packaging assemblies, such as a product packaging assembly 10 shown in
In the example in
An insert 14, formed of any suitable material, may be placed within container 20 to affix labels 16 for and may be imprinted with advertisements, pricing, and other manufacturer and consumer information. Labels, such as a label 18, may also be affixed on the surface of container 20. Container 20 may be made out of transparent plastic or any other suitable transparent substance so as to permit a consumer to see product 12 while in product packaging assembly 10. Optionally, container 20 may have one or more handles facilitating manipulation and display of product packaging assembly 10 (not shown).
As illustrated in
A consumer may wish to select a doll based on particular looks and/or a specific combination of outfits available in the product line. Consequently, as seen in
An example of try-me toy or selector 50 is illustrated in
Optionally, outer end sections 52 and 56 may not be rotatable and may be permanently secured to respective end portions of tubular structure 51. In the configuration shown, independently rotatable sections 53, 54, and 55 may be held together by outer sections 52 and 56. The opposing edges of each section may abut each other so as to make a substantially continuous external surface over the associated length of try-me toy 50. Optionally, there may be a space between two or more of the respective sections of try-me toy 50.
As a way of illustration, a mounting portion L of try-me toy 50 may be configured to accommodate three rotatable sections 53, 54, and 55. It should be noted that depending on the nature of the product, the length of mounting portion L may be configured to accommodate more or fewer rotatable sections.
Each rotatable section 53, 54, and 55 may contain a plurality of representations or images representing various body parts of doll 30. Each of the body parts can be referred to as a product or product portion. For example, section 53 may contain various images of different looking heads and hair; section 54 may contain various images of a torso or upper body portion with different outfits and accessories; and section 55 may contain various images of different looking bottoms and shoes. When all of the sections of try-me toy 50 have the proper rotational position with the images continuously aligned, the desired visual representation of a complete doll is displayed.
Sections 52 and 56 may or may not be left unprinted with images of doll 30 and/or may contain advertisements or other consumer information. It should be appreciated that visual images may vary and may depict any object of any kind with features that relate to product 12 enclosed in container 20. Such objects may be, for example, in the form of a soldier and weaponry, a car and wheel options, a plant and leaves, or any other representation determined to be suitable for a consumer.
As mentioned, in operative use, sections 53, 54, and 55 may be selectively aligned by a consumer so as to form a plurality of complete pictures representing different fashion looks for doll 30 available within product packaging assembly 10. A consumer, thus, may experiment at the point of purchase with different fashion looks by mixing and matching various clothing accessories available in the product line. Optionally, after purchase, a consumer may want to retain and use try-me toy 50 to play and design new fashion looks for doll 30 after container 20 has been discarded.
Referring to
As illustrated in
In various embodiments, a user can manipulate and align the different sections of the selector or display mechanism so that a particular combination of the base product and one or more supplemental products or accessories can be displayed. In one implementation, the representations can be different images or photographs. In some embodiments, the representations may include different looking heads, upper bodies with different garment tops, and lower bodies with different garment bottoms. By aligning different sections of the selector, different combinations of the products or product portions in the package can be displayed, allowing a user to mix and match the various doll outfits available in the product line.
While embodiments of a toy and methods of toy play have been particularly shown and described, many variations may be made therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent or interdependent embodiments directed to various combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties. These and other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed later in a related application. Such variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
Each example defines an embodiment disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but anyone example does not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be eventually claimed. Where the description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such description includes one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/196,279, entitled “Doll Clothing Packaged with Cylindrical Fashion Selector Toy,” filed Oct. 15, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 198589 | Fabronius | Dec 1877 | A |
| 211528 | Shelton | Jan 1879 | A |
| 247302 | Candy | Sep 1881 | A |
| 261775 | Smith | Jul 1882 | A |
| 702615 | Barden | Jun 1902 | A |
| 1064576 | Washburn | Jun 1913 | A |
| 1148540 | Sancier | Aug 1915 | A |
| 1272685 | Levis | Jul 1918 | A |
| 1340160 | Duff | May 1920 | A |
| 1496406 | Bertsch | Jun 1924 | A |
| 1530404 | Pearce | Mar 1925 | A |
| 1636371 | Kenney | Jul 1927 | A |
| 1703159 | Monheim | Feb 1929 | A |
| 1762374 | Yancey | Jun 1930 | A |
| 1961973 | Jenkins | Jun 1934 | A |
| 2461926 | Russell | Feb 1949 | A |
| 2476194 | Hollowell | Jul 1949 | A |
| 2669802 | Olivier | Feb 1954 | A |
| 2931657 | Lewis | Apr 1960 | A |
| 2935814 | Freeze | May 1960 | A |
| 2959891 | Barnett et al. | Nov 1960 | A |
| 3122859 | Reaux, Jr. | Mar 1964 | A |
| 3462857 | Barlow et al. | Aug 1969 | A |
| 3596380 | Williams | Aug 1971 | A |
| 3608206 | Knott | Sep 1971 | A |
| 3717942 | Presby | Feb 1973 | A |
| 3830012 | Franke | Aug 1974 | A |
| 3961439 | Moustakas | Jun 1976 | A |
| 4043056 | Savage | Aug 1977 | A |
| 4136483 | Shackelford et al. | Jan 1979 | A |
| 4226030 | Quinn, III | Oct 1980 | A |
| 4411382 | Taub | Oct 1983 | A |
| 4445691 | Stark et al. | May 1984 | A |
| 4773643 | Mizunuma | Sep 1988 | A |
| 4813382 | Lindermann et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
| 4820234 | Isaf | Apr 1989 | A |
| D307307 | Staake | Apr 1990 | S |
| 4979324 | Rehtmeyer et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
| 5083788 | Conotter | Jan 1992 | A |
| 5172806 | Mickelberg | Dec 1992 | A |
| 5712004 | Lin | Jan 1998 | A |
| 5788232 | Binkley | Aug 1998 | A |
| 5855499 | Yamazaki et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
| 5899329 | Hu et al. | May 1999 | A |
| 5984755 | Avey | Nov 1999 | A |
| 6012842 | Openiano | Jan 2000 | A |
| 6146721 | Freynet | Nov 2000 | A |
| 6206750 | Barad et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
| 6244439 | Dennis | Jun 2001 | B1 |
| 6280283 | Sisler | Aug 2001 | B1 |
| 6604976 | Lenkoff | Aug 2003 | B2 |
| 6743020 | Pestl | Jun 2004 | B2 |
| 6790117 | Ruiz Gonzalez | Sep 2004 | B2 |
| 7306096 | d'Auriac et al. | Dec 2007 | B2 |
| 7384325 | Kelly et al. | Jun 2008 | B2 |
| 7861926 | Sheldon et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
| 20040005838 | Buckley | Jan 2004 | A1 |
| 20050164598 | Kelsey | Jul 2005 | A1 |
| 20060283775 | Mark | Dec 2006 | A1 |
| 20070066396 | Weston et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 09-165044 | Jun 1997 | JP |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report for PCT/US2009/060664, dated May 19, 2010, 6 pages. |
| Product Sample Photographs, “Betty—Chocolate Candy” and summary statement, 4 pages. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20100136875 A1 | Jun 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61196279 | Oct 2008 | US |
