Universal Retail Security Package With Cover Window
A container to hold product items is described, incorporating an external case (500, 800, 1000) holding within one or more item carriers (600, 700, 820, 1220), optionally including case locking devices (210, 350, 360) and a display window (1090).
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/743,984, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDVarious packaging structures have been used for containing optical media such as CDs and DVDs. Packaging may include paper or paperboard boxes, injection molded cases, and combinations thereof. One example of such a package is U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,068, which discloses a case with internal features for securely holding optical disk media on a specialized hub. Injection molded cases are widely used for CDs, DVDs, and like media, particularly when a secure package is desired that is somewhat difficult to open, thus helping prevent in-store theft. The cases also provide a storage container for the optical media after its purchase.
Another packaging structure is a “clamshell,” a relatively hard, thin, usually transparent plastic formed as a box around a valuable article, such as a software box, video game cartridge, digital memory device, and other products such as high-value electronic items. Clamshell packaging may be customized for each product. The periphery of a clamshell package is often sealed and the material is usually durable enough that a sharp tool is needed to open, or at least initiate opening, of the clamshell. A clamshell package is often substantially larger than the product it encloses. After opening, clamshell packages are usually disposed of, and the significant amount of waste plastic is seen as an environmental disadvantage. It would be useful to have an alternative to a clamshell package, which provides product security but which need not be disposable and which may require less material, or would be more readily adapted for various sizes and types of product items.
SUMMARYThis invention provides for a packaging a variety of different sized or shaped items in a single size package. The package for example may hold one or more optical disks, a game cartridge, a memory card or memory stick, an electronic music player, etc. The outer case of the package is provided in a single size, or a small number of sizes. The outer case may be reusable in the store or by the customer after purchase. It provides security, durability, ease of handling, and space for graphics. Items may be held in small trays or nesting structures that fit within the outer case.
A locking device is shown, comprising a first locking collar 350 and second locking collar 360. These locking collars slide around the closed case 300. First locking collar 350 may include dovetail protrusions 356 that fit into the dovetail grooves 330 in the case 300. First locking collar 350 may also include ledges 352 and 354 that overlap the periphery of case 300. First locking collar 350 may include a locking device such as ratchet area 370 proximate to locking collar 375.
Second locking collar 360 may include dovetail protrusions 366 that fit into the dovetail grooves 330 in the case 300. Second locking collar 360 may also include ledges 362 and 364 that overlap the periphery of case 300. Second locking collar 360 may include a locking device such as ratchet area 380 on locking strap 385.
Variations on the dovetail grooves 330 and protrusions 356, 366 may be used to secure locking collars 350, 360 onto case 300. For example, the dovetail protrusions may be discontinuous, or may be replaced by one or more buttons that would be secured within grooves 330. Rather than the classic shape shown, the dovetail geometry could be a different shape such as an “L” or “T” shape, that could be slidably engaged in one direction (along the edge of case 300) without allowing movement perpendicular to the sliding direction. The ledges 352, 354, 362, 364 could be discontinuous, as long as they provide sufficient strength to prevent opening case 300 or removing it from the locking collars.
Variations on the ratchet devices 370,380 may be used to secure locking collars 350, 360 together. For example, a pin and tab, a barbed pin, an adhesive connection may be used instead of the ratchet.
The cover window 1090 is provided as a hole in front cover 1012. This window allows one to view an item within the case as described below. The case design may have many variations, besides the example shown in
The cover window 1090 allows visual access in order to see into the case. In a preferred embodiment, a clamshell or blister package 1220 is placed inside the case. The clamshell 1220 is provided with one or more recesses 1212 that may engage one or more bosses 1210 on the inside surface of the case, for example on the inside of front 1012 as shown. The recesses and bosses thus hold the clamshell 1220 in a preferred location and orientation for viewing through cover window 1090. The clamshell 1220 preferably has an outwardly indented area 1294 that will fit within cover window 1090, and be flush with the outside surface of front 1012. The clamshell 1220 may have a recess or groove to engage lip 1092. Clamshell 1220 is preferably larger than cover window 1090. Clamshell 1220 may have a receptor site such as recess 1230 to receive an item, for example an electronic device (not shown) such as a memory card. Clamshell 1220 may incorporate a layer to cover the item, for example a welded or snap-on plastic layer (not shown).
The security device shown in
Methods of making and using the case, locking devices, and nesting trays in accordance with the invention should be readily apparent from the mere description as provided herein. No further discussion or illustration of such products or methods, therefore, is deemed necessary.
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it should be apparent that many modifications to the embodiments and implementations of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Although the preferred embodiments illustrated herein have been described in connection with an injection molded plastic case and thermoformed nesting trays, with product items including optical disks and memory devices, these embodiments may easily be implemented in accordance with the invention in other structures or materials, and with other product items. Although the examples given are for cases enclosing one, two, or four nesting trays, the design can be readily extended to other numbers of nesting trays in special arrangements other than those given by example herein.
It is to be understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed (or apparent from the disclosure) herein, but only limited by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
1. An apparatus for holding an item, the apparatus comprising:
- a base portion defining a volume;
- within said base portion a receiving area to receive an item carrier; and
- at least one item carrier adapted for holding an item within said volume of said base portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a security device to hold said base portion in a closed arrangement.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said security device protrudes into said base portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, where said security device comprises more than one portion, and said portions lock together.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said portions lock together by means of a ratchet.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said portions lock together by means of a pin or barb.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said portions lock together by means of an adhesive, weld, or friction fit.
8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said security device at least partially surrounds a perimeter of said base portion.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said security device is engaged onto at least portions of said perimeter of said base portion.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the engagement is a sliding dovetail engagement.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said item carrier is adapted for holding a disk.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said item carrier is adapted for holding an electronic device.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said item carrier is adapted for holding a memory device.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said item carrier is held by one or more pins (510, 1210) attached to said base portion.
15. The apparatus of claim 15, said pins having a shape to facilitate retention of said item carrier.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said item carrier is held by one or more clips attached to said base portion.
17. The apparatus of claim 17, said clips having a shape to facilitate retention of said item carrier.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising within said base portion a window for viewing said item.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said item carrier is held in proximity to said window.
20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said window comprises an inward facing lip.
21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein an external facing surface of said item carrier extends through said window and is flush with the external surface of said base portion.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said item carrier is transparent.
23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said item carrier is a clamshell or blister package.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 30, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 25, 2010
Inventors: Jeremy D. Mowery (Raleigh, NC), Ralph S. Peterson (Clifton Forge, VA), James Philippe (Sanford, ME), John A. Gelardi (Wake Forest, NC)
Application Number: 12/225,840
International Classification: B65D 85/57 (20060101);