PACKAGING WITH DISPLAY FEATURE

Abstract

A product and packaging combination provides a matrix of colors to form an infinite number of stock and customizable designs. The designs are formed by a plurality of vials that are capable of being arranged in a matrix inside a container. Each individual vial holds a colored food product such as jellybeans. The vials may, for example, be sized to hold eight to ten jellybeans. The vials have at least one transparent portion, and the vials can be arranged inside the container to display the jellybeans. Vials of different colored jellybeans can be arranged to form images. Each of the vials may provide the individual “pixels” or dots of color that combine to form the image. For example, the images may pertain to specific companies, sports, hobbies, holidays or special occasions, and the images may be personalized with the recipient's name or a message.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gifts of flowers, fruit baskets, cards or the like are exchanged on many different occasions and in many contexts including both business and personal. These types of gifts may also be exchanged as a token of appreciation or thanks. In order to provide a gift that stands out in comparison to these traditional gifts, there is a need for a new product/packaging combination having unique features that is also customizable for specific occasions and/or recipients.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the above-described need by providing a product and packaging combination that provides a matrix of colors to form an infinite number of stock and customizable designs. The designs are formed by a plurality of vials that are capable of being arranged in a matrix inside a container. Each individual vial holds a colored food product such as jellybeans. The vials may, for example, be sized to hold eight to ten jellybeans. The vials have at least one transparent portion, and the vials can be arranged inside the container to display the jellybeans. Vials of different colored jellybeans can be arranged to form images. Each of the vials may provide the individual “pixels” or dots of color that combine to form the image. The number of images that can be formed by the arrangement of the vials in different colors is infinite. For example, the images may pertain to specific companies, sports, hobbies, holidays or special occasions, and the images may be personalized with the recipient's name or a message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a design pattern for the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention; and,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 may be provided with four side walls 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d and a bottom wall. The side walls 13a-d are all approximately equal in length and oriented at right angles to form a square. The container 10 may also be formed in other shapes such as rectangular, triangular, round, or the like. These other shapes may be formed from more than or fewer than four side walls. For example, a round container may be formed from a single curved side wall. The space formed inside the container 10 may be subdivided into individual compartments by a grid-like structure formed from longitudinal and transverse members 16, 19 disposed parallel to each other. The longitudinal and transverse members 16, 19 may be constructed of corrugated cardboard. The top cover 22 or bottom wall of the container 10 may be made transparent or may include a transparent portion. In the example shown, the container 10 is preferably provided with a transparent cover 22.

The container 10 holds an array of vials 25. Each vial 25 contains several individual pieces of colored candy. For example, the vial may contain approximately eight to ten jellybeans 28. The vial 25 may be constructed of a food grade clear or transparent plastic material. The entire vial 25 may be constructed of a clear material. Alternatively, the top cover or bottom wall of the vial 25 or portions of the top cover or bottom wall of the vial 25 may be clear or transparent. The vials 25 shown in the drawings have a removable cover 29 that is clear, and the body of the vials 25 is also clear. The vials 25 have a cylindrical shape, but other shapes may also be suitable as will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. The vials 25 are arranged in a pre-determined pattern such that the different colors of the candy pieces 28 in each vial 25 create an image as best shown in FIG. 2.

The container 10 may be provided with an insert 31 disposed inside the cover 22. The insert 31 lies flat and may contain product information including a small illustration 32 of the design. In connection with the illustration, a legend 33 showing the flavors that correspond to the colors of the candy pieces 28 is also included. The insert 31 may also include a personalized message 35. Also, the insert 31 may include advertising and information about the product and the manufacturer.

Turning to FIG. 2, one example of a pattern 36 that may be formed according to the present invention is a rabbit 34 with a carrot 37 in its mouth. The rabbit 34 may be formed from vials 25 containing white colored candy pieces and the carrot 37 may be formed from vials 25 containing orange colored candies. The rabbit 34 may also be provided with eyes 40 and a nose 43. As will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure, there are an infinite number of patterns that could be used to create different images for different occasions.

Turning to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the container 10 is shown. The flat insert 31 has been removed for clarity. The vials 25 are shown in a square shaped array formed inside a container 100. The container 100 is formed by four side walls 103a, 103b, 103c, and 103d and a bottom wall 106 (FIG. 4). The top is open for receiving longitudinal and transverse members 109, 112 that divide the area inside the container 100 into compartments. The longitudinal and transverse members 109, 112 may be interconnected and disposed perpendicular to each other as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The longitudinal and transverse members 109, 112 may be constructed of corrugated cardboard. Each compartment may contain a single vial 25. A transparent cover 115 (FIG. 4) fits over the open end of the container 100 so that the image formed by the vials 25 can be viewed through the cover 115 when the container 100 is sealed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the vials 25 may contain eight to ten jellybeans 28. The vials 25 may have a side wall 26, a bottom wall 27 and a top cover 29, and the vials 25 may be cylindrical in shape. The vials 25 extend from the bottom wall 106 of the container 100 to the end of the side wall 103a-d adjacent to the top opening of the container 100 and substantially fill the spaces created between the longitudinal and transverse members 109, 112. With the cover 115 in position as shown, the transparent bottom wall 27 on the vials 25 is disposed adjacent to the underside surface 118 of the cover 115. With the cover 115 and the plastic vials 25 being constructed of clear or transparent plastic material, the contents of the vial 25 are visible through the top of the container 10. Depending on the size of the vial 25, it may be possible to have a single colored product disposed in one portion of the vial 25 for display and an additional colored product or assorted color products disposed in a different portion of the vial 25. For example, the vial 25 may have a transparent cover and/or bottom wall and have a solid midportion. Colored candies located at the ends of the vial 25 near the transparent portion could be visible to form the image whereas candies located in other portions of the vial 25 may not be visible.

Accordingly, the present invention provides packaging for colored candies with a display feature that utilizes a matrix of individual vials 25 to form an image visible to the user. The optimal distance for viewing the image is a few feet away from the container 100.

While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A display container, comprising: a container having at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and a cover, the at least one side wall and bottom wall defining a space, one of the cover and bottom wall having at least one transparent portion;a plurality of vials disposed in the space, the vials having a bottom wall and a removable cover, one of the bottom wall and removable cover having at least one transparent portion;a first plurality of colored items having a first color, the first plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the first plurality 1 of colored items arranged such that the first color is visible through the at least one transparent portion of the at least one vial;a second plurality of colored items having a second color, the second plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the second plurality of colored items arranged such the second color is visible through the at least one transparent portion of the at least one vial;wherein the at least one vial containing the first plurality of colored items and the at least one vial containing the second plurality of colored items are arranged inside the space to form an image visible through one of the cover and bottom wall.

2. The display container of claim 1, wherein the space is divided into compartments.

3. The display container of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of colored items comprises jelly beans.

4. The display container of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of colored items comprises jelly beans.

5. The display container of claim 1, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of: sports, holidays, characters and teams.

6. The display container of claim 1, wherein the vials are cylindrical.

7. The display container of claim 1, wherein the container is square-shaped.

8. The display container of claim 1, wherein the container is rectangular.

9. The display container of claim 1, wherein the cover of the container is transparent.

10. The display container of claim 1, wherein the cover of the vial is transparent.

11. The display container of claim 1, wherein the space inside the container is subdivided into compartments by a grid formed by interconnected transverse and longitudinal members.

12. The display container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vials are disposed such that the bottom walls of the vials are disposed adjacent to the cover of the container.

13. The display container of claim 1, wherein the space is subdivided into individual compartments such that each compartment is sized to receive one vial.

14. The display container of claim 1, wherein the cover is constructed of a transparent material.

15. A display container, comprising: a container having at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and a cover, the at least one side wall and bottom wall defining a space, one of the cover and bottom wall having a transparent portion;a plurality of transverse and longitudinal members arranged to form a grid that subdivides the space into individual compartments;a plurality of vials disposed in the space, each vial sized to fit into one of the compartments, the vials having a bottom wall and a removable cover, one of the bottom wall and removable cover having a transparent portion;a first plurality of colored items having a first color, the first plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the first plurality of colored items arranged such that the first color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial;a second plurality of colored items having a second color, the second plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the second plurality of colored items arranged such the second color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial;wherein the at least one vial containing the first plurality of colored items and the at least one vial containing the second plurality of colored items are arranged inside the space to form an image.

16. The display container of claim 15, wherein the space inside the container is subdivided into compartments by a grid formed by interconnected transverse and longitudinal members.

17. The display container of claim 15, wherein the plurality of vials are disposed such that the bottom walls of the vials are disposed adjacent to the cover of the container.

18. The display container of claim 15, wherein the space is subdivided into individual compartments such that each compartment is sized to receive one vial.

19. A display container, comprising: a container having at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and a cover, the at least one side wall and bottom wall defining a space, one of the cover and bottom wall having a transparent portion;means for dividing the space into individual compartments;a plurality of vials disposed in the space, each vial sized to fit into one of the individual compartments, the vials having a bottom wall and a removable cover, one of the bottom wall and removable cover having a transparent section, the bottom wall of the vials being disposed adjacent to the cover of the container when the vials are placed into the compartments in the container;a first plurality of colored items having a first color, the first plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the first plurality of colored items arranged such that the first color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial;a second plurality of colored items having a second color, the second plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the second plurality of colored items arranged such that the second color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial; and,wherein the at least one vial containing the first plurality of colored items and the at least one vial containing the second plurality of colored items are arranged inside the space to form an image.

20. The display container of claim 19, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of: sports, holidays, characters and teams.