PACKAGING WITH DISPLAY FEATURE
A product and packaging combination provides a matrix of colors to form an infinite number of stock and customizable designs. The designs are formed by a plurality of vials that are capable of being arranged in a matrix inside a container. Each individual vial holds a colored food product such as jellybeans. The vials may, for example, be sized to hold eight to ten jellybeans. The vials have at least one transparent portion, and the vials can be arranged inside the container to display the jellybeans. Vials of different colored jellybeans can be arranged to form images. Each of the vials may provide the individual “pixels” or dots of color that combine to form the image. For example, the images may pertain to specific companies, sports, hobbies, holidays or special occasions, and the images may be personalized with the recipient's name or a message.
This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/531,454 filed Sep. 6, 2011, entitled “Packaging with Display Feature” which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGifts of flowers, fruit baskets, cards or the like are exchanged on many different occasions and in many contexts including both business and personal. These types of gifts may also be exchanged as a token of appreciation or thanks. In order to provide a gift that stands out in comparison to these traditional gifts, there is a need for a new product/packaging combination having unique features that is also customizable for specific occasions and/or recipients.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention meets the above-described need by providing a product and packaging combination that provides a matrix of colors to form an infinite number of stock and customizable designs. The designs are formed by a plurality of vials that are capable of being arranged in a matrix inside a container. Each individual vial holds a colored food product such as jellybeans. The vials may, for example, be sized to hold eight to ten jellybeans. The vials have at least one transparent portion, and the vials can be arranged inside the container to display the jellybeans. Vials of different colored jellybeans can be arranged to form images. Each of the vials may provide the individual “pixels” or dots of color that combine to form the image. The number of images that can be formed by the arrangement of the vials in different colors is infinite. For example, the images may pertain to specific companies, sports, hobbies, holidays or special occasions, and the images may be personalized with the recipient's name or a message.
The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:
Referring to
The container 10 holds an array of vials 25. Each vial 25 contains several individual pieces of colored candy. For example, the vial may contain approximately eight to ten jellybeans 28. The vial 25 may be constructed of a food grade clear or transparent plastic material. The entire vial 25 may be constructed of a clear material. Alternatively, the top cover or bottom wall of the vial 25 or portions of the top cover or bottom wall of the vial 25 may be clear or transparent. The vials 25 shown in the drawings have a removable cover 29 that is clear, and the body of the vials 25 is also clear. The vials 25 have a cylindrical shape, but other shapes may also be suitable as will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art based on this disclosure. The vials 25 are arranged in a pre-determined pattern such that the different colors of the candy pieces 28 in each vial 25 create an image as best shown in
The container 10 may be provided with an insert 31 disposed inside the cover 22. The insert 31 lies flat and may contain product information including a small illustration 32 of the design. In connection with the illustration, a legend 33 showing the flavors that correspond to the colors of the candy pieces 28 is also included. The insert 31 may also include a personalized message 35. Also, the insert 31 may include advertising and information about the product and the manufacturer.
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Accordingly, the present invention provides packaging for colored candies with a display feature that utilizes a matrix of individual vials 25 to form an image visible to the user. The optimal distance for viewing the image is a few feet away from the container 100.
While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A display container, comprising:
- a container having at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and a cover, the at least one side wall and bottom wall defining a space, one of the cover and bottom wall having at least one transparent portion;
- a plurality of vials disposed in the space, the vials having a bottom wall and a removable cover, one of the bottom wall and removable cover having at least one transparent portion;
- a first plurality of colored items having a first color, the first plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the first plurality 1 of colored items arranged such that the first color is visible through the at least one transparent portion of the at least one vial;
- a second plurality of colored items having a second color, the second plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the second plurality of colored items arranged such the second color is visible through the at least one transparent portion of the at least one vial;
- wherein the at least one vial containing the first plurality of colored items and the at least one vial containing the second plurality of colored items are arranged inside the space to form an image visible through one of the cover and bottom wall.
2. The display container of claim 1, wherein the space is divided into compartments.
3. The display container of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of colored items comprises jelly beans.
4. The display container of claim 1, wherein the second plurality of colored items comprises jelly beans.
5. The display container of claim 1, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of: sports, holidays, characters and teams.
6. The display container of claim 1, wherein the vials are cylindrical.
7. The display container of claim 1, wherein the container is square-shaped.
8. The display container of claim 1, wherein the container is rectangular.
9. The display container of claim 1, wherein the cover of the container is transparent.
10. The display container of claim 1, wherein the cover of the vial is transparent.
11. The display container of claim 1, wherein the space inside the container is subdivided into compartments by a grid formed by interconnected transverse and longitudinal members.
12. The display container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vials are disposed such that the bottom walls of the vials are disposed adjacent to the cover of the container.
13. The display container of claim 1, wherein the space is subdivided into individual compartments such that each compartment is sized to receive one vial.
14. The display container of claim 1, wherein the cover is constructed of a transparent material.
15. A display container, comprising:
- a container having at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and a cover, the at least one side wall and bottom wall defining a space, one of the cover and bottom wall having a transparent portion;
- a plurality of transverse and longitudinal members arranged to form a grid that subdivides the space into individual compartments;
- a plurality of vials disposed in the space, each vial sized to fit into one of the compartments, the vials having a bottom wall and a removable cover, one of the bottom wall and removable cover having a transparent portion;
- a first plurality of colored items having a first color, the first plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the first plurality of colored items arranged such that the first color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial;
- a second plurality of colored items having a second color, the second plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the second plurality of colored items arranged such the second color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial;
- wherein the at least one vial containing the first plurality of colored items and the at least one vial containing the second plurality of colored items are arranged inside the space to form an image.
16. The display container of claim 15, wherein the space inside the container is subdivided into compartments by a grid formed by interconnected transverse and longitudinal members.
17. The display container of claim 15, wherein the plurality of vials are disposed such that the bottom walls of the vials are disposed adjacent to the cover of the container.
18. The display container of claim 15, wherein the space is subdivided into individual compartments such that each compartment is sized to receive one vial.
19. A display container, comprising:
- a container having at least one side wall, a bottom wall, and a cover, the at least one side wall and bottom wall defining a space, one of the cover and bottom wall having a transparent portion;
- means for dividing the space into individual compartments;
- a plurality of vials disposed in the space, each vial sized to fit into one of the individual compartments, the vials having a bottom wall and a removable cover, one of the bottom wall and removable cover having a transparent section, the bottom wall of the vials being disposed adjacent to the cover of the container when the vials are placed into the compartments in the container;
- a first plurality of colored items having a first color, the first plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the first plurality of colored items arranged such that the first color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial;
- a second plurality of colored items having a second color, the second plurality of colored items disposed in at least a portion of at least one of the vials, the second plurality of colored items arranged such that the second color is visible through the transparent portion of the at least one vial; and,
- wherein the at least one vial containing the first plurality of colored items and the at least one vial containing the second plurality of colored items are arranged inside the space to form an image.
20. The display container of claim 19, wherein the image is selected from the group consisting of: sports, holidays, characters and teams.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 15, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 7, 2013
Inventor: Cher Heather Columbus (Delray Beach, FL)
Application Number: 13/396,796
International Classification: B65D 85/60 (20060101); B65D 25/54 (20060101); B65D 77/04 (20060101);