Packaging for Concealing an Insert

Abstract

A product package suitable for concealing an insert, the package comprising a) a first panel having a first surface and a second surface; b) a second panel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said first panel second surface; c) an insert disposed between said second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; and d) a blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and extending from said second panel first surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a package for concealing an insert.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blister packaging is used by many marketing and manufacturing companies for the shipment, storage, and display of products. These types of packages combine a high perceived product value with a relatively low cost. There is still, however, a need to further heighten the perceived value of products, particularly by increasing sales and revenue.

Blister packages typically include a clear plastic blister that houses a product and allows the product to be visible to the consumer. A card, typically formed of paperboard, is usually sealed over the open end of the blister to prevent tampering and theft. As a result, these packages can be difficult to open to access the product stored within the blister. A consumer usually has to access the product directly by cutting/puncturing the blister or damaging the package itself. This can be quite onerous and may cause injury to the consumer. There have been some attempts at making the product more accessible, thereby facilitating the removal of the product from the package. There is also a need to provide a package that makes the product more accessible without causing injury to the consumer.

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes at least these needs by providing an insert, e.g., a collectible, memorabilia, or the like, within the package to help increase perceived product value. Additional product value may be further realized by concealing the insert from the consumer before the product is purchased. Additionally, the present invention advantageously provides a package that is tamper/theft resistant, displays the product to be sold while at the same time conceals the insert from the consumer before the product is purchased. The package described herein advantageously allows the consumer to easily access the insert after purchase without directly accessing the product. After accessing the insert, the package described herein further allows the consumer to easily access the product without destroying the blister thereby reducing the risk of injury.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an aspect, the present invention relates generally to a product package suitable for concealing an insert, the package comprising a) a first panel having a first surface and a second surface; b) a second panel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said first panel second surface; c) an insert disposed between said second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; and d) a blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and extending from said second panel first surface.

In another aspect, the present invention relates generally to a product package suitable for concealing an insert, said package comprising a) a first panel having a first surface and a second surface; b) a second panel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said first panel second surface; c) an insert disposed between said second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; d) a blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and extending from said second panel first surface; and e) a third panel having an outward facing first surface and an inward facing second surface wherein said third panel second surface is joined to at least a portion of said second panel first surface, said third panel comprising an opening through which said blister extends.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a package in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the inside of the disassembled package of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a disassembled package in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded detail view of the disassembled of the package of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a package 100 according to the present invention for concealing an insert 102. The package 100 comprises a first panel 106 having a first surface 108 and a second surface 110, a second panel 112 having a first surface 114 and a second surface 116. In an assembled configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the second panel second surface 116 contacts (and is preferably joined to) said first panel second surface 110. It is unnecessary for the entire area of the second surfaces of the first and second panels to contact or be joined to one another. It is, however, possible that the panels merely contact along one or more corresponding peripheral positions of the two panels such that the panels overly each other and appear to form an integral card. The insert 102 is disposed between these second surfaces 110, 116 such that said insert is concealed. A blister 118 for containing a product is disposed against and extends from said second panel first surface 114. In this embodiment, the blister 118 which comprises a lip 119, is joined to the second panel first surface 114. Suitable mechanisms for joining or attaching the blister to the first surface 114 include, but gluing, heat sealing, stapling, clipping, ultrasonic bonding, etc.

The first and second panels 106, 112 may be constructed from materials that provide a sturdy and strong design. This allows the package 100 to be mounted in slotted holding trays, stacked during shipment, storage, and display without bending or buckling. For example, the first and second panels 106, 112 may be formed of paperboard, containerboard, corrugated board, or the like. Heat seal coatings, inks, and varnish may also be applied to the panels 106, 112.

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the package of FIG. 2. The first surface 108 of the first panel 106 comprises an access panel 122. This access panel 122 may comprise one or more perforations which may be activated or torn open by a consumer to reveal a concealed insert 102 that lies between the first and second panels 106, 112. The access panel 122 may further comprise a perforated pull tab situated anywhere along a pattern formed by the one or more perforations. This tab may be pulled in a single direction to initiate activation/opening of the access panel 122. The access panel 122 may be configured to be activated/opened by pulling the panel or tab in one or more directions. The access panel may alternatively comprise tear tape having a first end for starting the tape such that the consumer grips one end and pulls.

In this embodiment, although not required, the access panel may be bounded by one or more panel contact areas disposed between the second surfaces of the first and second panels 106, 112 around a periphery of the insert 102 such that an envelope or bounded area is formed to prevent movement of the insert 102 within a space where it is disposed between the panels 106, 112. This lack of movement ensures that it will be easily retrieved by the consumer when the access panel 122 is opened to remove or reveal the insert 102.

FIG. 3 shows a disassembled package embodiment where the first and second panels 106, 112 are integrally formed along at least one edge 120 of each panel to form a bi-fold card. In an assembled configuration as shown in FIG. 1, the first and second panels 106, 112 of FIG. 3 may be folded along edges 120 such that the panels 106, 112 contact each others' respective second surfaces 110, 116. To facilitate the folding, one or more scores may be included along joined edges 120 of the first and second panels 106, 112.

To secure the insert 102 in place especially during assembly of the first and second panels 106, 112, the insert 102 may also be removably attached to the first panel 106, the second panel 112, or both. For example, the insert 102 may be removably attached by using non-permanent glue to hold the insert 102 in place during the assembly process.

Additionally, the first and second panels 106, 112 may be constructed to allow for easy opening of the package 100 by a consumer while at the same time being tamper/theft resistant. For example, a consumer may access the insert 102, e.g., a coupon, game piece, memorabilia (e.g., trading cards, stamps, etc.), an instruction manual, or the like, without accessing the product 140, such as a razor, a toothbrush, a battery, a cosmetic, or the like.

The blister 118 may be typically formed of a transparent or opaque material, e.g., plastic, so that a consumer may see the product 140 contained therein. To ensure the blister 118 is tamper/theft resistant, the blister 118 may be sealed or joined against the first surface of the second panel 106.

Additionally, the quantity, size, and shape of the blister 118 may vary depending on the product 140. For example, the blister 118 may include a single blister for each individual product 140, a single blister 118 for multiple products 140, or multiple blisters 118 and products 140 as desired. In these embodiments, a cavity is formed within the blister 118 is shaped to hold a specific product 140.

Additionally, the package 100 may further comprise printed graphics on at least a portion of the first panel 106, the second panel 112, the blister 118, or combinations thereof. The printed material may be graphics, text, etc. The graphics may include artwork of a decorative, instructional, cautionary, and/or marketing nature.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the product package 100 of FIG. 1 in a disassembled configuration. This package additionally includes a third panel 130 having an outward facing first surface 132 and an inward facing second surface 134 wherein the third panel second surface 134 is joined to at least a portion of the second panel first surface 114, the third panel 130 comprising an opening 136 through which the blister 118 extends. In this figure, the first, second, and third panels 106, 112, 130 are integrally formed such that the first panel 106 is joined along an edge 120 to an edge 120 of the second panel and an opposing edge 120 of the second panel is joined to an edge 120 of the third panel, all to form a tri-fold card. The blister 118 may or may not be sealed against the first surface of the second panel. Here, the third panel second surface 134 contacts the first surface of the second panel and is joined thereto at one or more peripheral positions between the second and third panels.

FIG. 5 merely shows an exploded view of the panels shown in FIG. 4.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A product package suitable for concealing an insert, said package comprising

a. a first panel having a first surface and a second surface;

b. a second panel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said first panel second surface;

c. an insert disposed between said second surfaces such that said insert is concealed; and

d. a blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and extending from said second panel first surface and said blister free from contact from said first panel,

wherein said first panel first surface comprises an access panel suitable for accessing said insert.

2. (canceled)

3. The package of claim 1 wherein said access panel comprises one or more perforations.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein said insert is selected from the group consisting of a coupon, memorabilia, an instruction manual, and combinations thereof.

5. The package of claim 1 wherein said insert is removably attached to said first panel, said second panel, or both.

6. The package of claim 1 wherein said first panel and said second panel are integrally formed along at least one edge of each panel to form a bi-fold card.

7. The package of claim 1 which further comprises a third panel having a outward facing first surface and an inward facing second surface wherein said third panel second surface is joined to at least a portion of said second panel first surface.

8. The package of claim 7 wherein said third panel comprises an opening through which said blister extends.

9. The package of claim 8 wherein said first, second, and third panels are integrally formed such that said first panel is joined along an edge to an edge of said second panel and an opposing edge of said second panel is joined to an edge of said third panel, all to form a tri-fold card.

10. A product package suitable for concealing an insert, said package comprising

a. a first panel having a first surface and a second surface;

b. a second panel having a first surface and a second surface, wherein said second panel second surface contacts said first panel second surface;

c. an insert disposed between said second surfaces such that said insert is concealed;

d. a blister for containing a product, said blister disposed against and extending from said second panel first surface and said blister free from contact from said first panel; and

e. a third panel having an outward facing first surface and an inward facing second surface wherein said third panel second surface is joined to at least a portion of said second panel first surface, said third panel comprising an opening through which said blister extends,

wherein said first panel first surface comprises an access panel suitable for accessing said insert.

11. (canceled)

12. The package of claim 10 wherein said access panel comprises one or more perforations.

13. The package of claim 10 wherein said insert is selected from the group consisting of a coupon, memorabilia, an instruction manual, and combinations thereof.

14. The package of claim 10 wherein said insert is removably attached to said first panel, said second panel, or both.

15. The package of claim 10 wherein said first panel and said second panel are integrally formed along at least one edge of each panel to form a bi-fold card.

16. The package of claim 10 wherein said first, second, and third panels are integrally formed such that the first panel is joined along an edge to an edge of said second panel and an opposing edge of said second panel is joined to an edge of said third panel, all to form a tri-fold card.