Packaging for product display

Abstract

A product package for retail display includes a first portion connected to a second portion. The first portion is adapted to receive, contain and completely enclosed products, which the second connected portion is adapted to receive, contain and partially enclose a product for display. By partially enclosing the product, the consumer can test the ergonomics of the device (e.g., a game controller) before purchasing the same. The first portion provides a secure section where accessory items related to the partially enclosed product may be safely contained and displayed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/543,302, entitled “Packaging for Product Display”, filed on Feb. 10, 2004, which is commonly assigned, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to packaging and more particularly, it relates to packaging for retail product display.

2. Description of Related Art

Purchasers of various consumer goods often would like to sample and/or otherwise “try out” the goods in a meaningful way prior to purchasing. For example, a purchaser of a game controller for a video gaming system often would like to hold the game controller to ensure that the ergonomics of the game controller are suitable for that given purchaser. However, consumer goods such as game controllers are often packaged so that the entire item is encapsulated in packaging so as to mask and/or otherwise alter the actual size and shape of the item as well as prevent a potential purchaser from directly accessing and contacting the item. While some packaging exists that allows a potential purchaser to actually touch an item that is packaged for sale, such packaging typically provides little or no protection to other parts of the item that are not desired to be accessed prior to sale such as delicate parts and/or parts that may be unlawfully detached and removed prior to sale so as to render the item damaged and/or incomplete.

Accordingly, it would be desirable and highly advantageous to have packaging for product display that overcomes the above-identified problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems stated above, as well as other related problems of the prior art, are solved by the present invention, which is directed to packaging for product display.

According to one aspect of the invention, the packaging for product display includes a first portion for completely encapsulating a product to be packaged, and a second portion for partially encapsulating wither a product to be packaged. The first and second portions are joined together by a transition area. The transition area may allow for part of the product in the second partially enclosed portion to pass into the first completely enclosed portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the packaging is adapted for a game controller such that the second portion partially encapsulates the game controller to secure the same within the package. The game controller protrudes from the partial encapsulation to enable a consumer to touch and test the ergonomics of the game controller.

According to another aspect of the invention, the game controller includes a plurality of controls and the second portion of the packaging partially encapsulates at least a portion of said controls. In another embodiment, the second portion of the packaging completely encapsulates (encloses) the plurality of controls yet allows the game controller handles to remain accessible by a potential consumer.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the packaging for product display, includes a first portion preventing access a product to be packaged, and a second portion providing limited consumer access to portions of a product. The limited access enabling consumer evaluation of the product via direct touch contact. The second portion is adapted to partially encapsulate and retain a game controller in place and enable a consumer to directly handle and test the ergonomics of the game controller as it would be held and used during actual game play.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the method for forming packaging for retail product display includes the steps of: forming a first packaging half and a second packaging half, each package half being formed to include corresponding partial cavities; and, combining the first packaging half and the second packaging half to form a product packaging having a first packaging portion and a second packaging portion. The first packaging portion and the second packaging portion result from a combination of the corresponding partial cavities of the first packaging half and the second packaging half. The first packaging portion completely encapsulates a product to be packaged and the second packaging portion partially encapsulates a product.

The step of forming forms at least one of the first packaging half and the second packaging half with a hanger portion adapted to form a hanger for hanging the product packaging on a display when the first packaging portion and the second packaging portion are combined in the combining step.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar elements throughout the views:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a left side view of a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a packaging for product display, according to another illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing two halves of a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for forming a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring generally to the FIGS. 1-7, there is shown a package 100 for product display. The package 100 has an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 104 which are coupled by a transition area 106. The upper portion 102 includes a compartment that is completely enclosed by the lower and upper halves of package 100, while the lower portion 104 partially encloses the product so as to allow a consumer to actually touch and feel the product being offered for sale.

Unlike other “touch and feel” product displays, the lower portion 104 of the present package contains a game controller 150 that is for use with a gaming system. In view of the various different gaming systems available (e.g., PlayStation®, GameCube™, X-Box®) and the wider array of available game controller styles for each system, the ergonomics of a game controller are an important consideration for a consumer in the purchasing of the same. By allowing the handle portions 152 and 154 of the game controller to not be contained by the packaging, the consumer may grip and hold the game controller in a manner that allows them to feel the “action” of this particular game controller in their hands and make a purchasing decision based on the same. The “action” as used herein is the interaction between the user's hands and the buttons, joysticks and other controls on the game controller itself. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the “action” of a controller in a user's hands is related to the ergonomics of the controller and the size of the user's hands. Thus, the ability to allow a consumer (user) to test this “action” before purchasing is desirable.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower portion 104 selectively covers the game controls (i.e., buttons 190, 191 and joysticks 195, 196) on the top of the controller in an effort to prevent damage of the same, yet allows full access to the handles 152, 154 and other controls (i.e. buttons) 156 and 158 located on the underside of the controller. Thus, the lower portion 104 completely retains the game controller 150 in a secure position without preventing or restricting the consumer from handling the same to test the ergonomics and “action” of the same. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the control layout for each type of game controller (i.e., the button and joystick/d-pad layout for PlayStation®, GameCube™, X-Box®, etc.) are different, and thus the form of lower portion 104 can be changed to accommodate such different configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The upper portion 102 includes a compartment that can be used to safely and securely contain various related parts, batteries, instructions, power cords, data cords, adapters, etc. for the game controller that is being retained in the lower portion 104. Thus, the theft of batteries and other removable items may be prevented.

As noted above, the upper portion 102 and lower portion 104 are connected by a transition area 106. The transition area 106 can of any suitable shape and form to provide the support for the game controller product contained in lower portion 104, while maintaining the integrity of the package as a whole. The transition area 106 may be formed so as to maintain the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 104 in a pre-defined orientation.

According to one aspect of the invention, the transition area allows for the passing through of product from the lower portion 102 to the upper portion 102. For example, a connection wire 200 or the like can extend from the game controller 150, partially contained in the lower portion 104, into the completely enclosed upper portion 102 via the transition area 106 (See FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 7, the package 100 is made of two parts 120 and 122, which, during manufacturing, are positioned together and die cut to create an edge 108. When the two parts 120 and 122 are joined, the upper (completely enclosed) portion 102 and lower (partially enclosed) portion 104 are formed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the items to be contained within the compartment of upper portion 102 are disposed therein prior to the die cut sealing process, The game controller 150 is generally positioned in the lower portion 104 of the bottom part 120 before sealing of the entire package.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the bottom part 120 and upper part 122 include partial cavities (identified as part of 102 and 104) on the respective bottom and upper parts. These partial cavities together form the entire portions 102 and 104 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. Those of ordinary skill will recognize that the size and shape of the partial cavities defining the portions 102 and 104 can be varies without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, the package 100 also includes a hanger 110 integrally formed into at least one of the upper and lower parts 122 and 120, respectively, either during the die cut manufacturing process, or prior to the same. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the hanger 110 is molded into the lower part 120. The hanger 110 allows the entire package to be hung on a display, yet still provides the user with the ability to test the feel and action of the controller without necessarily requiring the removal from the hanging display.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for forming a packaging for product display, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A first packaging half (122) and a second packaging half (120) are formed so as to each include corresponding partial cavities (step 810). It is to be appreciated that step 810 may optionally be performed so as to form the packaging halves so as to each include hanger portions. The hanger portions are adapted to form a hanger for hanging the packaging on a display, when the packaging halves are combined in step 820 below.

The first packaging half (122) and the second packaging half (120) are combined to form a product packaging having a first packaging portion (102) and a second packaging portion (104) (step 820). The first packaging portion (102) and the second packaging portion (104) result from a combination of the corresponding partial cavities of the first packaging half and the second packaging half. The first packaging portion (102) completely encapsulates a portion of a product to be packaged and the second packaging portion (104) partially encapsulates the product to allow for hands on testing by potential consumers.

While there has been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed, described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A packaging for product display, comprising:

a first portion completely encapsulating a product to be packaged; and

a second portion partially encapsulating a product to be packaged.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, further comprising a transition area for coupling together the first portion and the second portion.

3. The packaging according to claim 2, wherein the transition area is adapted to maintain the first portion and the second portion in a pre-defined orientation.

4. The packaging according to claim 1, further comprising a hanger integrally formed into the first portion for hanging the packaging on a display.

5. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the packaging is adapted for a game controller, said second portion partially encapsulating said game controller to secure the same within the package.

6. The packaging according to claim 5, wherein the game controller protrudes from said partial encapsulation to enable a consumer to touch and test the ergonomics of the game controller.

7. The packaging according to claim 5, wherein the game controller further has a plurality of controls, said second portion partially encapsulating at least a portion of said controls.

8. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the second portion is adapted to partially enclose a game controller and enable a consumer to directly handle and test the game controller as it would be held and used during actual game play.

9. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein the first portion is adapted to contain products related to the product in said second portion.

10. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein said first portion is adapted to contain portions of the product disposed and retained in said second portion.

11. A packaging for product display, comprising:

a first portion preventing access a product to be packaged; and

a second portion providing limited consumer access to portions of a product, said limited access enabling consumer evaluation of the product via direct touch contact.

12. The packaging according to claim 11, wherein the packaging is adapted for a game controller having handles, and the second portion includes openings for allowing the handles of the game controller to protrude there through.

13. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein the openings allow a user to directly contact the handles for ergonomic evaluation thereof.

14. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein the game controller further has a plurality of controls, said second portion partially encapsulating at least a portion of said controls.

15. The packaging according to claim 12, wherein the game controller further comprises a plurality of controls, said second portion completely encapsulating said plurality of controls.

16. The packaging according to claim 11, wherein the second portion is adapted to partially encapsulate and retain a game controller and enable a consumer to directly handle and test the game controller as it would be held and used during actual game play.

17. The packaging according to claim 11, wherein the first portion is adapted to contain products related to the product disposed in said second portion.

18. The packaging according to claim 11, wherein the first portion is adapted to contain portions of the product disposed and retained in said second portion.

19. A method for forming packaging for retail product display, comprising the steps of:

forming a first packaging half and a second packaging half, each package half being formed to include corresponding partial cavities; and

combining the first packaging half and the second packaging half to form a product packaging having a first packaging portion and a second packaging portion, wherein the first packaging portion and the second packaging portion result from a combination of the corresponding partial cavities of the first packaging half and the second packaging half;

wherein the first packaging portion completely encapsulates a product to be packaged and the second packaging portion partially encapsulates a product.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein said forming step forms at least one of the first packaging half and the second packaging half with a hanger portion adapted to form a hanger for hanging the product packaging on a display when the first packaging portion and the second packaging portion are combined in said combining step.