FIELD OF DISCLOSURE
This disclosure generally relates to spinnable package assemblies, and more specifically relates to spinnable package assemblies for containing a plurality of products.
BACKGROUND
Product packages, and other package assemblies (referred to interchangeably, herein), have been in widespread use for decades. Package assemblies are used for a variety of applications in transportation and retail. Current package assemblies may not be engaging to users because the user is not able to engage with the packaging before purchasing the product. This may be a hassle if the potential purchaser would prefer to view the entirety of the plurality of products within the package before purchase. Indeed, most commercially available package assemblies do not permit user engagement.
To enable users to view the entirety of the plurality of products in packaging assemblies, some packaging assemblies are transparent. Alternatively, some packaging assemblies permit users to open the package and view its contents without breaking the package. However, such packaging assemblies involve limited or no user engagement. Various configurations to solve this issue have been utilized throughout the years, but none offers a truly user-friendly approach in addition to accounting for the ability of the user to view products within the package.
Accordingly, a need exists to create a simple, and engaging mechanism that enables users to view and engage with products within a package.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, spinnable packages are provided. A spinnable package includes a base that includes a plate having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, and a protrusion extending from the top surface of the plate. The spinnable package also includes a wheel configured to removably secure a plurality of products, the wheel having an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the wheel and the base are sized and shaped such that the wheel is spinnably mountable on the base when the protrusion is positioned in the aperture, such that the wheel is spinnable about a longitudinal axis of the protrusion.
In another aspect, spinnable package assemblies are provided. A spinnable package assembly includes a spinnable package in combination with an outer box configured to substantially enclose the base and the wheel. The outer box includes a first face having a first cutout, a second face adjacent to the first face, a third face having a second cutout, wherein the third face is adjacent to the second face and is opposed to the first face, a fourth face, wherein the fourth face is adjacent to the third face and is opposed to the second face, a bottom face, wherein the bottom face is adjacent to the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face, and a top face adjacent to the first face, wherein the top face is movable between a closed configuration in which the top face is adjacent to the first face, the second face, the third face, and the fourth face, and the top face is opposed to the bottom face, and an open configuration, in which the top face is adjacent to the first face.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike. The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating examples of the disclosure, in which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical items. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include elements, components, and/or configurations other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some of the elements, components, and/or configurations illustrated in the drawings may not be present in certain embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a spinnable package assembly according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4A is a top view of an embodiment of a base portion of a spinnable package assembly according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 4B is a front view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4C is a back view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4D is a left view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4E is a right view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5A is a top view of an embodiment of a wheel portion of a spinnable package assembly according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5C is a front view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5D is a back view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5E is a left view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 5F is a right view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 5A.
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a wheel portion of a spinnable package assembly according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6C is a top view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6D is a bottom view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6E is a front view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6F is a back view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6G is a left view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 6H is a right view of the wheel portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 6A.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a base portion of a spinnable package assembly according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 7B is a top view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7D is a front view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7E is a back view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7F is a left view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7G is a right view of the base portion of the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 7A.
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a first step in assembling an embodiment of a spinnable package assembly according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 8B is a perspective view of a second step in assembling the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a third step in assembling the spinnable package assembly of FIG. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The spinnable package assemblies described herein allow for an engaging and user-friendly packaged product. A spinnable package assembly generally may include a base, a wheel removably attached to the base, and an outer box configured to substantially enclose the base and the wheel. The present disclosure includes non-limiting embodiments of spinnable package assemblies.
While these spinnable package assemblies are generally described herein with respect to a plurality of writing instruments, it should be understood that the spinnable package assemblies described herein may be used to connect products other than writing instruments. For example, each product described herein may include Sharpie® and Paper Mate® products, or may include Elmer's® and Yankee Candle® products. Products could include pens, markers, highlighters, color pencils, mechanical pencils, glue sticks, other writing instruments and stationery products, and may include candles or tea lights.
The embodiments are described in detail herein to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the spinnable package assembly, although it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Reference is made herein to the accompanying drawings illustrating some embodiments of the disclosure, in which use of the same reference numerals indicates similar or identical items. Throughout the disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
Certain relationships between features of the spinnable package assembly are described herein using the term “substantially” or “substantially equal.” As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantially equal” indicate that the equal relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, the use of the term “substantially” or “substantially equal” in connection with two or more described dimensions indicates that the equal relationship between the dimensions includes variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit of the dimensions. For example, the term “substantially equal” when used to refer to various dimensions of the outer box, wheel, and base, refers to a range of +/−five percent of the unit of measurement stated thereafter.
In one aspect, a spinnable package assembly includes a base, a wheel, and an outer box. The base may include a plate and a protrusion extending from the plate. The base may be formed of a single component, in which the plate and protrusion are integrally formed and/or permanently coupled to one another, or may be formed of multiple components, such as a plate and a protrusion that are separate components. In certain embodiments, the assembly also includes a stabilizing insert configured to stabilize the base within the assembly.
The wheel may include an aperture extending at least partially therethrough, and a plurality of cavities. The plurality of cavities may be configured to removably secure a plurality of products. The wheel may be removably mountable to the base by positioning the protrusion within the aperture. The aperture may extend fully through the wheel, such that the protrusion extends through the wheel when the wheel is positioned thereon. Alternatively, as illustrated in the figures, the aperture may extend from one surface of the wheel, through a majority of the width of the wheel, and be bounded at one end by a wall. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B (which illustrates the wheel of FIG. 6A loaded with writing instruments and flipped over), the aperture 302 may be defined on one surface of the wheel 300 as an opening and on the opposite surface may be defined by a wall. Thus, when the wheel 300 is positioned on a protrusion, the distal end of the protrusion interfaces or engages the inner surface of the wall defining the aperture. In such embodiments, the relative widths and depths of the components may result in the wheel 300 being spaced from the adjacent surface of the outer box, effectively suspended, which may enhance its spinnability.
The outer box may include four side faces, a bottom face, and a top face. The outer box is configured to substantially enclose the base and the wheel. The outer box may also have two faces, each with a cutout. One benefit to the cutouts is that the wheel can be spun while the base and the wheel are disposed within the outer box.
In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a spinnable package assembly 100 includes a base 200 configured to engage with a wheel 300. For example, the base 200 may include a plate 202 having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, and a protrusion 204 extending from the top surface of the plate. The plate 202 may be any suitable shape configured to allow a wheel 300 to be disposed on the top surface of the plate 202. The plate 202 may be formed of clear or colored plastic. In some embodiments, the plate 202 is rectangular or square. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7A-G, the plate 202 is substantially circular. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 7A-G, the protrusion 204 is disposed on the center of the top surface of the plate 202. In some embodiments, the protrusion 204 may be substantially cylindrical. For example, the protrusion 204 may have a relatively flat surface on at least one side of the cylindrical protrusion 204.
In some embodiments, as in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4A-E, the plate 202 includes a plurality of raised platforms 206. A first raised platform 206a is disposed at a first corner of the top surface of the plate 202. A second raised platform 206b is disposed at a second corner of the top surface of the plate 202. A third raised platform 206c is disposed at a third corner of the top surface of the plate 202. A fourth raised platform 206d is disposed at a fourth corner of the top surface of the plate 202. In some embodiments, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plurality of raised platforms 206 may be configured such that the wheel 300 may be disposed on the plate 202 without simultaneously being disposed on the plurality of raised platforms 206. For example, in such embodiments, the plate 202 may extend past the edge or circumference of the wheel.
In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7G, the plate 202 does not extend past the edge or circumference of the wheel. For example, the plate 202 may have a diameter or major dimension that is larger than the diameter or major dimension of the aperture 302 of the wheel 300 but smaller than the diameter or major dimension of the wheel 300. In such embodiments, spinnable package assembly may further include a stabilizing insert (such as 600 in FIG. 8C), which is configured to stabilize the base within the assembly. For example, the stabilizing insert may be sized and shaped to securely fit within the outer box 500 to stabilize the base, and thereby a wheel mounted thereon, within the box. For example, the stabilizing insert may be a suitable plastic, cardboard, or other material having sufficient rigidity and/or strength to maintain the base and a wheel mounted thereon in place within the outer box.
In certain embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5A-F, the spinnable package assembly 100 includes a wheel 300 having an aperture 302 extending at least partially therethrough and a plurality of cavities 304. As used herein, the term “wheel” refers to a plate, tray, or the like, having a diameter or length, a height, and a depth. In some embodiments, the wheel 300 is substantially circular. The wheel 300 may be formed of clear or colored plastic. In some embodiments, the aperture 302 is substantially circular. In embodiments where the plate 202 is substantially circular, the diameter of the plate 202 is greater than the diameter of the aperture 302. The aperture 302 may be disposed at the center of the wheel 300. The wheel 300 may selectively attach to the base 200. In some instances, the wheel 300 is spinnably mountable on the base 200 when the protrusion 204 is positioned in the aperture 302. In this instance, the wheel 300 is spinnable about a longitudinal axis of the protrusion 204. The wheel 300 may be textured. For example, the wheel 300 may contain a plurality of cavities 304.
As described above, the aperture may extend fully through the wheel (i.e., each of the opposed surfaces of the wheel defines an opening of the aperture), such that the protrusion extends through the wheel when the wheel is positioned thereon. Alternatively, as illustrated in the figures, the aperture may extend from one surface of the wheel, defined by a sidewall, through a majority of the width of the wheel, and be bounded at one end by a wall transverse to the sidewall. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B (which illustrates the wheel of FIG. 6A loaded with writing instruments and flipped over), the aperture 302 may be defined on one surface of the wheel 300 as an opening and on the opposite surface may be defined by a wall. Thus, when the wheel 300 is positioned on a protrusion, the distal end of the protrusion interfaces or engages the inner surface of the wall defining the aperture. In such embodiments, the relative widths and depths of the components may result in the wheel 300 being spaced from the adjacent surface of the outer box, effectively suspended, which may enhance its spinnability.
In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5A-B and 6A-H, the plurality of cavities 304 is configured such that the wheel 300 may removably secure a plurality of products 400. In this embodiment, the plurality of cavities 304 is also configured such that a first end of each of the plurality of cavities 304a is disposed proximal to the protrusion 204, and a second end of each of the plurality of cavities 304b is disposed proximal to the circumference of the wheel 300. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 6A-H, the plurality of cavities 304 are configured such that the plurality of products 400 may be securely fastened when the plurality of cavities 304 receives the plurality of products 400. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6B, at least a portion of the plurality of cavities 304 are configured to receive a plurality of Fine Point Sharpie® products, such that the plurality of products 400 snap into place when inserted into the plurality of cavities 304. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6B, at least a portion of the plurality of cavities 304 are configured to receive a plurality of Ultra Fine Point Sharpie® products, such that the plurality of products 400 snap into place when inserted into the plurality of cavities 304. In these embodiments, the plurality of cavities 304 are configured such that it is easier for a user to remove the plurality of products 400 from the plurality of cavities 304. As used herein, the term “plurality of products” can refer to a plurality of writing instruments, or other types of products, including but not limited to Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Elmer's®, and Yankee Candle® products.
In one embodiment, as in FIGS. 1-3 and 6A-H, the plurality of cavities 304 may be configured to receive a plurality of writing instruments. In this embodiment, the diameter of the wheel 300 is less than about 16 inches. In this embodiment, the length of each of the plurality of products 400 is less than about 8 inches. In this embodiment, the plurality of writing instruments are disposed within the plurality of cavities 304 on the wheel 300. For example, the plurality of cavities 304 may be configured such that the tips of each of the plurality of writing instruments are disposed near the circumference of the wheel 300, and the bases of each of the plurality of writing instruments are disposed near the protrusion 204, or vice versa. The plurality of cavities 304 may have different shapes and sizes in order to receive different pluralities of products 400.
In some embodiments, the wheel 300 may be formed of two semicircular half-trays 300a and 300b. In these embodiments, the two semicircular half-trays 300a and 300b fit together to form a circle.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-C, the spinnable package assembly 100 includes an outer box 500. The outer box 500 may include a first face 500a, a second face 500b, a third face 500c, a fourth face 500d, a bottom face 500e, and a top face 500f. The second face 500b is adjacent to the first face 500a, the third face 500c is adjacent to the second face 500b and is disposed parallel to the first face 500a, the fourth face 500d is adjacent to the third face 500c and is disposed parallel to the second face 500b. The bottom face 500e is adjacent to the first face 500a, the second face 500b, the third face 500c, and the fourth face 500d. The top face 500f is adjacent to the first face 500a. In some instances, the first face 500a may be movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. For example, in a closed configuration, the first face 500a is disposed parallel to the third face 500c, and is adjacent to the second face 500b, the fourth face 500d, the bottom face 500e, and the top face 500f. In an open configuration, the first face 500a is adjacent to the bottom face 500e only. The outer box 500 may be formed of paper, cardboard, or other materials.
In certain embodiments, as in FIGS. 8A-C, the first face 500a may include a first cutout 502a. In certain embodiments, the third face 500c may include a second cutout (not shown). In some instances, the first cutout 502a and/or the second cutout are quarter-circular. In other instances, the first cutout 502a and/or the second cutout are semicircular. In other instances, the first cutout 502a and/or the second cutout may be in the shape of part of a circle. In other embodiments, the first cutout 502a and/or the second cutout 502b may have various shapes and sizes.
In certain embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-C, the outer box 500 is configured to substantially enclose the base 200 and the wheel 300. In these embodiments, the length of the outer box 500 is substantially equal to the diameter of the wheel 300, the width of the outer box 500 is substantially equal to the diameter of the wheel 300, the height of the outer box 500 is substantially equal to the height of the base 200, and the depth of the outer box 500 is substantially equal to the depth of the base 200. In some instances, the outer box 500 may be rectangular, square, or some other three-dimensional shape configured to substantially enclose the base 200 and the wheel 300.
A method for assembling a spinnable package assembly 100 is shown in FIGS. 8A-C. First, as shown in FIG. 8A, an outer box 500 is disposed in an open configuration. Second, as shown in FIG. 8B, the base 200 is then disposed in the center of the third face 500c, such that the protrusion 204 is faced in an upwards direction. Third, as shown in FIG. 8C, a stabilizing insert 600 is provided to secure the protrusion 204. The stabilizing insert 600 may be formed of corrugated cardboard. The stabilizing insert may include a through hole 602 in the center of the stabilizing insert 600 to provide a passage for the protrusion 204 therethrough. The stabilizing insert 600 may selectively attach to or be configured to retain the base 200 within the outer box 500. Next, a wheel 300 may be spinnably mounted on the base 200 when the protrusion 204 is positioned in the aperture 302. For example, the products may be loaded into a first surface of the wheel, i.e., into the cavities, and then the aperture of the wheel may be configured such that the wheel is flipped and placed onto the protrusion 204. Thus, second surface of the wheel may be exposed through a window in the face of the outer box, as described herein. This may beneficially retain the products within the wheel and outer box, while providing a visual display of the products through the window, while preventing someone from removing a product from the wheel when the wheel is positioned within the outer box. In this embodiment, the wheel 300 is spinnable about a longitudinal axis of the protrusion 204.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20240101303
