Power tool case protection and display system
The present invention generally relates to the field of article packaging and particularly, to a power tool case protection and display system. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system, comprising: printed shrink film; and, one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).
The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/523,724 entitled: Power Tool Case Protection and Display System filed Nov. 19, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to the field of article packaging, and particularly to a power tool case protection and display system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the current marketplace, retailing of some power tools involves packaging the power tool within an accompanying power tool case. These power tools often include various accessories and additional parts which are separate from the power tool, but are included within the retail packaging of the power tool. For example, a number of power tools are packaged using a corrugated cardboard sleeve. The sleeve encompasses the power tool, the accompanying power tool case, and the additional accessories and parts. The accessories and parts are stored within the packaging (i.e.—the sleeve), but outside of the case. Such packaging often allows for pre-sale removal of the accessories and parts without damaging the encompassing sleeve, therefore providing no indication to a customer that the accessories have been removed. Further, such packaging may be susceptible to damage by exposure to the elements, which leads to less aesthetically pleasing packaging.
Therefore it would be advantageous to have a power tool case protection and display system for packaging containers, such as power tool cases, which deters pre-sale removal of the power tool's accompanying accessories and parts and further, allows the power tool case to be displayed in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system, comprising: printed shrink film; and, one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).
A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system, comprising: printed shrink film; and, one or more power tools; wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tools; wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).
An additional embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a printed shrink film-wrapped product, including the steps of identifying a product to be coupled with the printed shrink film; selecting a material to be used as the shrink film; establishing a configuration for the shrink film; determining a graphic design configuration for the shrink film; applying a graphic design to the shrink film; and, coupling the printed shrink film with the product.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Referring generally to
It is further understood that the graphic designs may be of various qualities. In a present embodiment of the invention, the printed shrink film includes high quality graphic designs for displaying a container in an aesthetically appealing manner. This may be advantageous in the highly competitive power tool market, where the display of the container in a retail environment may play a significant factor in a consumer's purchasing decision.
Another advantage of the present invention is the increased ease with which the printed shrink film may be kept clean. For instance, during shipping from the manufacturer to the retailer, containers may be exposed to multiple environmental factors such as water, dirt, dust and debris. Such environmental factors may adversely affect the appearance of currently used container wraps, such as corrugated cardboard sleeves, by damaging the material of the wrap or by damaging graphics on the material. However, the printed shrink film of the present invention and the graphic designs included thereon may be resistant to becoming damaged by environmental factors. Further, the printed shrink film provides for the ability to be cleaned, such as by wiping with a cloth, through the use of water, through the use of cleaning solutions, or other contemplated cleaning methods.
The current marketplace finds retailing of power tools, within power tool cases, to include various other features, such as various accessories and additional parts, which may be used by the power tool but are separate from the power tool. These various accessories and additional parts may be stored within the power tool case or outside the case but within the packaging of the power tool. With the currently employed sleeves, which are used to encompass various power tool cases, these additional parts and accessories may be removed from the retail package of the power tool without damage to the sleeve. This may result in significant economic loss to the manufacturer and retailer which are unable to sell these power tools which have had various features, and therefore various capabilities, removed from them. Further, consumer dissatisfaction of these products, unwittingly purchased with missing features, may be increased. The present invention may provide a simple and effective device which may reduce such deleterious activity from occurring. By employing the present invention, access to the power tool case or other accessories and parts may be accomplished only by some form of destruction of the present invention. This may provide a deterrent and may provide a noticeable indication of damage.
A printed shrink film 102, of a printed shrink wrap package 100, is shown in
In exemplary embodiments, the material which composes the printed shrink film 102 may be of various thicknesses to provide preferred operational tolerances. For example, the thickness of the film resin material may range between 0.002 millimeters to 0.005 millimeters. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a film resin material having a thickness of 0.003 millimeters. It is understood that the thickness of the film resin material may be greater than or less than the exemplary range and preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
It is contemplated that the printed shrink film 102 may be of various sizes for at least partially encompassing differently sized containers. As shown in
In present embodiments, the container 104, as shown in
In a current embodiment, shown in
It is contemplated that the configuration of the visual markers 140 through 154 may vary to accommodate various needs. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the visual marker(s), as ovals and rectangles, may limit the graphic design choices available for the visual markers. In alternative embodiments, the visual markers may provide a picture representation of the product stored within the container 104. Such a picture representation may necessitate a larger visual marker configuration in order to achieve desired clarity and resolution of various features on the product. For instance, a picture representation may substantially cover the first side 110 (
It is further contemplated that the plurality of visual markers may be alternatively configured with respect to their display orientation. It is understood that the display orientation of the plurality of visual markers may be based on the preferred display orientation of the container, which the printed shrink film 102 partially encompasses. For example, the container, as shown in
It is common for products, such as power tools, to be packaged together with other power tools, accessory kits, and the like. These “bundled” packages or assemblies often offer consumers increased functionality, whether through two different power tools or various accessories. This bundling may also include the bundling of the containers within which the products may be sold. As such, the present invention may be employed with a bundled assembly 500 comprising a printed shrink film 502 at least partially encompassing a first container 504 and a second container 506, as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment of
It is further contemplated, in
In the embodiments shown in
The printed shrink film 102 may further include a printed shrink film removal assembly. The printed shrink film removal assembly may include a tab coupled to a strip of material embedded within the printed shrink film 102. The strip of material may substantially extend along a length of the printed shrink film 102, such that when the printed shrink film 102 is enclosed about a container, the strip of material substantially encircles the container. A user, when opening the container, removes the printed shrink film 102 by pulling the tab which causes the strip to tear apart the printed shrink film 102, thus enabling removal of the printed shrink film 102. It is understood that the printed shrink film removal assembly may be alternately configured and disposed within the printed shrink film 102 without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
A method 800, for manufacturing a printed shrink film-wrapped product, such as a power tool case, is shown in
It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof.
Claims
1. A power tool case protection and display system, comprising:
- printed shrink film; and,
- one or more power tool cases;
- wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tool cases;
- wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed shrink film is composed of a material which allows for visual ascertainment of the one or more power tool cases.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed shrink film is of a thickness which provides a preferred operational tolerance.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more cutouts for providing access to features of the one or more power tool cases.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printed shrink film includes a removal assembly.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display orientation of the one or more visual markers is based upon a preferred display orientation of the power tool case(s).
7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple power tool cases are each individually wrapped with a first layer of printed shrink film and are also wrapped collectively as a bundled unit with a second layer of printed shrink film.
8. A power tool case protection and display system, comprising:
- printed shrink film; and,
- one or more power tools;
- wherein the printed shrink film is operationally coupled directly with and at least partially encompasses the one or more power tools;
- wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).
9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the printed shrink film is composed of a material which allows for visual ascertainment of the one or more power tools.
10. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the printed shrink film is of a thickness which provides a preferred operational tolerance.
11. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more cutouts for providing access to features of the one or more power tools.
12. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the printed shrink film includes a removal assembly.
13. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display orientation of the one or more visual markers is based upon a preferred display orientation of the power tool(s).
14. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein multiple power tools are each individually wrapped with a first layer of printed shrink film and are also wrapped collectively as a bundled unit with a second layer of printed shrink film.
15. A method for manufacturing a printed shrink film-wrapped product, comprising:
- identifying a product to be coupled with the printed shrink film;
- selecting a material to be used as the shrink film;
- establishing a configuration for the shrink film;
- determining a graphic design configuration for the shrink film;
- applying a graphic design to the shrink film; and,
- coupling the printed shrink film with the product.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the material to be used as the shrink film is selected based upon specified operational tolerances for the material.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein establishing a configuration for the shrink film includes determining direction of wrapping of the identified product.
18. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein establishing a configuration for the shrink film includes accounting for a presentation orientation of the identified product.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 19, 2004
Publication Date: May 18, 2006
Inventors: David Powers (Troy, OH), Tammy Judd (Jackson, TN)
Application Number: 10/993,218
International Classification: B65D 65/00 (20060101); A45C 11/26 (20060101);