1. Field
The present invention generally relates to packaging, and more particularly, to packaging for an article of manufacture.
2. Background
Products are often enclosed in packaging for distribution and sale. Conventionally, packaging has been designed to provide benefits such as physical protection of the product, aesthetic appeal to the consumer, and convenience during distribution and handling.
Conventional packaging materials, such as boxes, blister packs, and clamshell packaging are typically thrown away once the product is opened. Such single use packaging can be inefficient, and such waste can have a negative environmental impact by accumulating in landfills and elsewhere in the environment.
The present invention provides for packaging with multiple uses and functions after opening. In one embodiment, the packaging includes a base and a removable lid, wherein the lid is configured to be disposed on the base in two configurations: a first, storage configuration in which the lid and base create a cavity for storing an item, and a second, display configuration in which the lid is disposed in the attachment support to fixedly support the lid in a substantially upright orientation for displaying an item resting on the lid between the lid and base, and wherein the attachment support is configured to raise the lid above the base to create a gap under the lid when the lid is in its second configuration.
In another embodiment, the packaging includes a base including an interior space; and an attachment support disposed in the interior space, wherein the packaging is configured to support an item in two configurations, a first, storage configuration in which the item is securely stored within the interior space, and a second, display configuration in which the item is supported by the attachment support to fixedly support the item in a substantially upright orientation for displaying the item, and wherein the attachment support is configured to raise the item above the base to create a gap between the item and the base when the item is in its second configuration.
Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain the principles of, and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the exemplary embodiments described herein.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying figures, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments are possible. Modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not meant to be limiting. The operation and behavior of the embodiments presented are described with the understanding that modifications and variations may be within the scope of the present invention.
Lid 102 includes a substantially planar surface 110 surrounded by a plurality of short planar side walls 112 and long planar side walls 113 at right angles to surface 108, which together along with base 104 enclose item 106. Lid 102 is sized to accommodate item 106, which may, for example, be an iPhone® smart phone, or iPod Touch®, which are produced by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. One model of the iPhone® is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D618,204. Another model of an iPhone® smart phone is shown in U.S. Pat. No. D627,778. The size, shape, and weight of the item can vary widely. In particular, the dimensions of packaging 100 can alternatively be sized to accommodate portable entertainment devices such as an MP3 player or smart phone, computer tablets such as the iPad®, or any other suitable device one wishes to both package and display.
In addition, packaging 100 can be adapted to accommodate items much larger or much smaller than portable handheld electronic devices. For example, the lid can also be adapted to accommodate non-electronic products, such as a book, a picture frame, or any other suitable product. In particular, packaging 100 can be adapted to accommodate relatively complex shapes such as a cylinder, or other, non-geometric shapes. Lid 102 is shaped to substantially follow the form of an outside profile of the item 106. Lid 102 can alternatively be shaped to substantially follow the form of a portion of an outside profile of item 106, such as the bottom half of item 106.
Side walls 112 of lid 102 include a step 114 configured to mate with a corresponding ledge 116 formed in base 104 when lid 102 is assembled in its packaging configuration. This step and ledge interface can provide for a relatively flush juncture 118 between the outer surface of lid 102 and base 104 when packaging 100 is assembled in its packaging configuration. The step and ledge interface additionally provides a relatively snug and stable fit between lid 102 and base 104.
In other embodiments, lid 102 can be supported by an item located within base 104 in addition to or instead of by ledge 116. In one embodiment, the width and length of lid 102 can be slightly larger than the width and length of base 104 so that lid 102 fits snugly over base 104. In addition, or in the alternative, lid 102 can engage with base 104 via snaps, latches, spring detents, magnets, or the like. Other more permanent attachment means can be used, such as adhesive that provides for permanent or removable attachment between lid 102 and base 104.
Item 106 is supported on an insert 107 in packaging 100. Insert 107 is a substantially planar, rectangular, thin piece of plastic and is described in further detail below. Insert 107 rests on ledge 116 in base 104 but can alternatively or additionally be supported by another part of base 104 or by items disposed within base 104.
Lid 102 and base 104 are shown as transparent to allow an individual to see item 106 without needing to remove lid 102 from base 104. However, either can be transparent, translucent, opaque, or any combination or degree thereof.
In one embodiment, at least a portion of a front surface of lid 102 is made semitransparent or transparent so that a portion or the entire front of item 106 can be seen through lid 102 when packaging 100 is in its packaging configuration. In one embodiment, at least a portion of surface 108 as well as any other surface are made semitransparent or transparent so that a portion or the entire front and side of item 106 can be seen. In one embodiment, all sides of packaging 100 are made semitransparent or transparent.
The various pieces of packaging 100 can be colored or tinted, and can include design elements such as, for example, graphics or print. Transparency can be used in order to more fully display item 106 when packaging 100 is in its packaging configuration. Opacity can be used in order to hide an interior of packaging 100 or to hide a portion of item 106. Color or design or lack thereof can be used to impact aesthetic appeal. Graphics or print can be used in order to convey information about item 106 or to impact aesthetic appeal. Alternatively or additionally, a technique such as, for example, physical vapor deposition can be used to achieve a desired surface appearance, such as, for example, a mirrored look. Any or all of these techniques can be used on only a portion of one or more parts of packaging 100 or over the entire surface of packaging 100 in order to achieve a desired look.
The various parts of packaging 100 can be formed of any suitable material such as rigid plastic, including polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum, or paper, and can be any suitable thickness. The various parts of packaging 100 can be formed through a variety of processes, including, for example, machining or thermoforming. The suitability of any particular manufacturing process can be influenced by the desired characteristics, as would be understood from the description provided herein. For example, in one embodiment, lid 102 is formed from a flat sheet of PET stock having a thickness in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm. During manufacturing, the PET stock is heated and drawn into a vacuum mold in a thermoforming process in order to form a cavity. In order to facilitate production in this manner, one or more surfaces of the lid include a draft angle θ, which can be, for example, 0.25 to 3 degrees. Openings in lid 102 can be created by a punch operation. Due to the nature of the thermoforming process, various areas of lid 102 may not have a constant thickness. For instance, side walls 112 of lid 102 may be thicker than support surface 110 of lid 102.
Referring now to
Base 104 includes a projection 210 which is sized to securely receive a power cord for attaching to item 106. Base 104 also includes projection 212, which is sized to securely receive a headphone jack, such as a ¼ inch or 3.55 mm jack.
Base 104 includes groove 214 which is configured to accommodate a portion of the power cord to align the cord and provide room for the cord to attach to item 106. In other embodiments, base 104 includes tunnels or compartments through which cords or other items or accessories can be passed or stored. Base 104 also includes a cord opening 216 operatively sized to allow a cord to pass through side wall 204 of base 104 to its exterior.
Base 104 includes a plurality of plug supports 218 having a support surface 219 elevated above base 104 and sized to support and align a dock connector (shown for example in
Base 104 includes attachment supports 220 for supporting lid 102 when lid 102 is assembled in its display configuration. The display configuration is described in further detail with respect to
Base 104 includes mating connection openings 226 which are configured to receive mating connections of an insert for attaching the insert to the bottom of base 104. This configuration is described in further detail in the description of
Referring now to the cross-section of one of attachment supports 220 shown in
Referring now to
In its display configuration, lid 102 is disposed within cavity 206 formed in base 104 and coupled to base 104 via attachment supports 220 to form a docking station for display or interaction with item 106. In particular, lid 102 is configured to support item 106 slanted in an upright and lengthwise orientation. In another embodiment, lid 102 is configured to support item 106 in a slanted upright widthwise i.e., landscape, orientation.
Accessories (not shown), such as plastic or paper inserts, power cords, earphones, USB connectors, and the like, or warranties and instruction manuals can be stored inside cavity 206 of base 104 in either the display or packaging configuration. They can be marked with identifying words or pictures to convey information to the consumer about the product inside the packaging or other information. They can be shaped to conform to the shape of base 104 and sized to fit snugly in the interior thereof. In one embodiment, the items are opaque so that any items stored within are not visible when inside packaging 100.
As best seen in
In another embodiment, acoustic amplifier 228 is directed towards base 104 itself, which allows the base to also serve as an acoustic amplifier. Acoustic opening 306 can serve as an opening to direct the sound or one or more additional openings can be formed in base 104 to direct sound therethrough.
Base 104 may additionally be configured to accommodate electrical components such as an infrared (IR) sensor, an audio “line out”, or a female-to-male plug adaptor. These components could serve to better replicate the functions of a conventional docking station. In one embodiment, a circuit board embedded into base 104 of packaging 100 includes these components. In another embodiment, a custom accessory could be integrated or otherwise added to packaging 100.
Insert 107 is configured to be supported by ledge 116 of base 104 in the packaging configuration and item 106 rests on it. In another embodiment, insert 107 is configured to rest on flanges 208 of base 104. When assembled in the dispensing configuration, insert 107 provides a cleaner look to packaging 100 by substantially covering up cavity 206 formed in base 104. Insert 107 may serve other uses including but not limited to, limiting access to cavity 206.
Insert 107 includes slots 906 which are configured to allow for packaging materials, such as cellophane, plastic wrapping, tape, or other material to pass therethrough which can serve to secure item 106 to insert 107 in the packaging configuration or for any other purpose. Insert 107 can additionally include flanges (not shown) or other protrusions or openings in order to facilitate removing insert 107 from base 104. In some embodiments, a protrusion formed on insert 107 is sized to substantially mate with a corresponding opening in lid 102 to cover opening 304 in the display configuration or packaging configuration or both. The flanges, protrusions or openings can be located on lengthwise or widthwise ends of insert 107. In one embodiment, insert 107 includes friction pads similar to friction pads 704 and mating connections similar to mating connections 706 of insert 702. This configuration allows a user the option of using insert 107 for increased stability between base 104 and a support surface via friction pads 704 or using insert 107 to cover up cavity 206 in base 104. In one embodiment, separate pieces serving one or more functions of insert 702 and insert 107 are included in the same packaging.
Like the embodiment shown in
Insert 1002 is shown as a separate piece from base 104. However, insert 1002 can combined with base 104 in a single monolithic piece, or can be attached via a tongue-and-groove arrangement, a friction fit, a fastener, snaps, latches, spring detents, magnets, or any other suitable attachment means.
In another embodiment, base 104 itself may be configured to expose attachment supports 220 on which item 106 contained in packaging 100 may be displayed.
Packaging 1300 further includes base 1302 which is able to transform into more than one configuration through the use of hinges. For example, base 1302 includes a first wall 1304 and a second wall 1306 which are flexibly attached to a bottom wall 1308. First wall 1304 and second wall 1306 are configured to move with respect to bottom wall 1308 around a corresponding pivot (pivot 1310 for the first wall and pivot 1312 for the second wall).
Each of first wall 1304 and second wall 1306 include a plurality of sections, such as first section 1314, second section 1316, and third section 1318. First section 1314 is flexibly attached to second section via pivot 1320, second section 1316 is flexibly attached to third section 1318 via pivot 1322, and second section is attached to bottom wall via pivot 1312. First section 1314 is flexibly attached to a third wall 1324. Third section 1318 is flexibly attached to a fourth wall 1326.
Any or all of the pivots described herein can be in the form of hinges, such as a living hinge, a barrel hinge, or any other suitable configuration that allows for relative movement between the various pieces or sections.
Base 1302 additionally includes various magnets and ferromagnetic materials configured to engage with the magnets. For example, second section 1316 includes a magnet 1328 embedded therein and bottom wall 1308 includes a ferromagnetic material 1330 embedded therein. In another embodiment, the ferromagnetic material can be embedded in the second section and the magnet can be embedded in the bottom wall. Magnet 1328 and ferromagnetic material 1330 are positioned such that when second section 1316 is rotated around pivot 1312, at a predetermined distance, magnet 1328 is close enough to ferromagnetic material 1330 to provide a force causing second section 1316 to collapse against bottom wall 1308. The force of the attraction between magnet 1328 and ferromagnetic material 1330 is weak enough to allow an individual to pull second section 1316 apart from bottom wall 1308 while still securing second section 1316 to bottom wall 1308. Second wall 1306 includes a comparable arrangement of a magnet 1332 and ferromagnetic material 1334 in order to orient packaging 1300 in an upright configuration.
In one embodiment, base 1302 includes additional magnets and ferromagnetic material arrangements such that base 1302 has substantially at least two relatively fixed configurations. A first configuration corresponding to a collapsed configuration (not shown) is provided wherein second section 1316 adjoins bottom wall at the location of magnet 1328 and first wall 1304, second wall 1306, third wall 1324, and fourth wall 1326 lie substantially flat.
In the substantially upright configuration, first wall 1304, second wall 1306, third wall 1324, and fourth wall 1326 can be lifted substantially upright such that base 1302 is in a substantially box-like shape. Magnets and ferromagnetic materials are arranged in suitable locations in base 1302 so that base 1302 can snap into either the first position or second position depending on an individual's preference. The magnets and ferromagnetic materials can be embedded in the various walls or can be disposed on an outside surface thereof.
In use, the individual can pull third wall 1324 and fourth wall 1326 away from each other, which moves first wall 1304 and second wall 1306 toward bottom wall 1308. When first wall 1304 and second wall 1306 are a predetermined distance from bottom wall, magnet 1328 is close enough to ferromagnetic material 1330 to provide a force causing first wall 1304 and second wall 1306 to collapse against bottom wall 1308. To put packaging 1300 in its substantially upright configuration, an individual can lift third wall 1324 and fourth wall 1326 towards each other, which likewise lifts first wall 1304 and second wall 1306. When third wall 1324 and fourth wall 1326 are a predetermined distance from the magnets (not shown) embedded in first section 1314 and third section 1318, the magnets are close enough to the ferromagnetic material embedded in third wall 1324 and fourth wall 1326 to provide a force causing third wall 1324 and fourth wall 1326 to snap against first wall 1304 and second wall 1306.
An individual can place lid 102 within attachment support of packaging 1300 similar to the embodiment shown for example in
While the invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments or examples, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/099,013, filed May 2, 2011, titled “Packaging With Multiple Functions After Opening,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20150047993 A1 | Feb 2015 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13099013 | May 2011 | US |
Child | 14500444 | US |