US20050218028A1

US20050218028A1 - Zip strip packaging

Info

Publication number: US20050218028A1
Application number: US10/818,897
Authority: US
Inventors: Chris Vestal; Olivier Laguette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Aqua Lung America Inc
Priority date: 2004-04-05
Filing date: 2004-04-05
Publication date: 2005-10-06

Abstract

A product and a system for producing, and opening a packaging for a retail item that may be used for display and retail sale. The product and system for packaging an item allows an object to be contained within the packaging discouraging its opening prior to retail sale due to a security tab, however the object may be easily accessible by a consumer after retail sale. The packaging has a two piece setup to contain and display the object within the packaging. The first portion contains the object to be displayed and the second portion envelops and/or contains the first portion. The second portion also has an external member having an adhesive strip to secure the entire package during display and uses a strip tab to release the first portion from the packaging which holds the object during display. The first portion may be easily opened by an end user to retrieve the object.

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to a product and a system for packaging an item for sale. More specifically, the present invention relates to a product and a system for packaging an item for sale that is simple and easy for an end user to open after buying. Further, the present invention relates to a product and a system for packaging an item for sale wherein the packaging secures the item during storage and display and further wherein the packaging is easy to open by an end user after purchase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most common method of delivering a product to a consumer today is by packaging the product before delivery to the consumer. The most common choice of materials used in packaging today is the use of plastics. Plastics are the most common material of choice for many packaging applications, from cosmetics, toys, foods, pharmaceuticals and intricate medical implements to sensitive electronics equipment, agricultural pesticides, industrial chemicals, household and the vast array of commercial products. Typically this type of packaging uses fewer raw materials, consumes less energy and delivers more product per unit of packaging than alternative packaging systems.
The use of plastic packaging has enjoyed widespread use in packaging markets since the 1970's. Increasingly, plastics have become the packaging material of choice for a variety of reasons. Plastic packaging are generally inert when placed in contact with most products such that the plastic does not contaminate the product it is used to protect. Other types of packaging are not generally as inert as plastic and therefore may cause serious contamination problems when placed in contact with the product. Additionally, a plastic packaging for consumer products typically weighs less than other types of packaging which makes transport of the item much simpler for the supplier, retailer, and end user.
Moreover, common retail packaging must have good barrier properties. The principle function of a package is to maintain product integrity. The packaging may be needed to protect against outside elements, such as air, chemicals or even a clumsy consumer. Many consumers handle the packaging of a retail item to inspect and/or determine different properties of that product. However, when handling the item, the packaging may become tattered and unkept by the consumer handling. Therefore, most packaging today is made of plastic which is rigid yet has good barrier properties.
However, limitations exist when it comes to the packaging and unwrapping of a product after sale to a consumer. Typically, after the sale of a product to the consumer, the consumer goes home and tries to open the plastic packaging with his/her hands. Unfortunately, often the plastic packaging is molded together to tightly fit around the object. The plastic molding makes it near impossible to extract the object from the packaging with bare hands. After struggling for a period to release the object from the packaging, an individual will typically retreat and utilize a cutting tool such as a knife and/or scissors. The problem with using a cutting tool such as a knife and/or scissors is that the accuracy of cutting isn't very good. Many times while trying to cut open the packaging, an individual will inadvertently cut or damage the object they are trying to release, frustrating their efforts to release this same object.
A need, therefore, exists for an improved product and system for packaging an item that is easily accessible by an end user. More specifically, a need exists for a product and a system for packaging and transporting an object that may possess good rigidity while being displayed to consumers and may be easily accessible by the consumer after retail sale of the object.
Further, a need therefore exists for an improved product and system for packaging an object wherein the end user does not have to resort to cutting tools to release the object within the packaging. Additionally is a need for a packaging that will limit or discourage opening while on display in the store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a product and a system for producing a packaging for a retail item that may be used for display and retail sale. More specifically, the present invention relates to a product and a system for packaging an item to be sold to a consumer wherein the object within the packaging is easily accessible by a consumer after the sale of the product. The present invention uses a adhesive means to secure the object during display and uses a strip tab to release the object from the packaging when desired by the end user.
To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a product for packaging an object is provided. The product has a first portion having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The product has a second portion having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The second portion having at least one external member contained thereon. The first portion may fit into said second portion wherein said first portion is contained within said second portion. The product has at least one external member being able to fold onto the second portion for attachment thereto.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein the external member has a strip tab.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein external member has an adhesive means.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein said external member has at least one perforation contained thereon.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein said first portion has at least one aperture formed thereon.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein said second portion has at least one aperture formed thereon.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein said external member has a strip tab along a perforation line wherein said strip tab is between an adhesive means contained on the outside edge of the external member and the inner edge of the external member and further wherein said strip tab may be extracted from the external member.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided wherein said first portion and said second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are comprised of plastic.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided having a first portion and said second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are comprised of cardboard.
In an embodiment, the product for packaging an object is provided having a first portion and said second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are comprised of a combination of plastic and cardboard.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for producing and opening a package is provided, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first portion for a packaging; providing a second portion for a packaging wherein the second portion has at least one external member attached thereto; inserting the first portion into the second portion; folding and adhering the external member to the second portion.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of placing an adhesive means on the external strip to adhere to the second portion.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of providing a strip tap on the external member to open the package.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of providing a perforation on the external member to facilitate removal of the strip tab.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of providing an aperture on the first portion and the second portion to allow for viewing of the object contained within the packaging.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of pulling the strip tap contained on the external member which leaves the adhesive end of the external member attached to the second portion and further wherein the remainder of the external member is released from adhesion to the second portion.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of removing the strip from the external member.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of opening the second portion to reveal the first portion.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of removing the first portion from within the second portion.
In an embodiment, a method for producing and opening a package includes the step of removing an object from the first portion to be used by a consumer.
It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide a system and a method for packaging an object.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the object is secured within the packaging.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the object is secured during display in a retail setting.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the object is packaged in a two piece packaging system.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may be made of plastic.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may be made of cardboard.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may be two pieces.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the package may have security tabs that would fit on the pull tabs.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the package may have security tabs to notify a user if the package has been prematurely opened.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the package may have security tabs placed on the pull tabs to ensure that the package has not been tampered with.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have an adhesive to secure the object.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a two piece container means to secure an object.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may contain an outer portion and an inner portion.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may contain an outer portion and an inner portion wherein the outer portion and the inner portion are made of the same packaging material.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may contain an outer portion and an inner portion wherein the outer portion and the inner portion may be made of different packaging material. Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have an inner portion and an outer portion wherein the inner portion and/or the outer portion may be made of plastic.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have an inner portion and an outer portion wherein the inner portion and/or the outer portion may be made of cardboard.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have an inner portion and an outer portion wherein the inner portion may be made of plastic and the outer portion may be made of cardboard.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have an inner portion and an outer portion wherein the inner portion and the outer portion may be plastic, paper, cardboard, wood, glass and/or other packaging materials.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may be constructed of corrugated chipboard.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a security tab secured thereto for tamper and security reasons.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a two piece assembly wherein a first piece may be a PVC cavity.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a two piece assembly wherein a second piece may be a corrugated chipboard secured over the first piece.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may be assembled wherein a first piece of the packaging fits securely into a second piece of the packaging system.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a pull tab to open the packaging.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a pull tab that may additionally contain a metal security tab to determine whether the object has been tampered with and/or whether there may be security concerns.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have self adhesive to close the package and secure the object contained within.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the second piece may have perforations contained thereon.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the second piece may have perforations and self adhesive contained thereon.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the first piece may fit securely within the second piece and further wherein the first piece may be visible through the second piece.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the first piece may fit securely within the second piece and further wherein the second piece may have a cut out to show the object contained within the first piece.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the object to be packaged may be contained within the first piece of the packaging.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the object may be secured by the second piece of the packaging.
An advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have an opening thereon to be hung from a hook for display in a retail setting.
Still another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may hold a plurality of objects for use by a consumer.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for packaging an object wherein the packaging may have a first piece and a second piece wherein the second piece may have a plurality of openings to display the objects contained within the first piece of the packaging.
These and other objects of the invention will become more clear when one reads the following specification, taken together with the drawings that are attached hereto. The scope of protection sought by the inventors may be gleaned from a fair reading of the Claims that conclude this specification.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the package in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the packaging in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view a first piece of the packaging prior to insertion into a second piece of the packaging in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a second piece of the packaging prior to insertion of a first piece of packaging in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is side perspective view of the packaging having both a first piece and a second piece of the packaging in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a top view of the completed packaging in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a top view of the completed packaging in the process of being opened in an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a top view of the packaging opened after sealing in an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings wherein elements are identified by numbers and like elements are identified by like numbers throughout the 8 figures, the invention is depicted in FIG. 1 that shows a packaging system for packaging an item for sale and use by retailers and consumers. As shown in FIG. 1, the package 1 may be utilized by a retailer (not shown) to display an object 9 to a consumer (not shown). The package 1 may have a viewable portion 3 that may be viewed by a consumer. The viewable portion 3 may be of varying sizes depending on the size of the object 9. In an embodiment, the viewable portion 3 may be one single size. In another embodiment of the present invention, the viewable portion 3 may consist of a plurality of different viewable portions 3 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As illustrated in the perspective view of FIG. 1, the outside of the packaging 1 has a first side 11, a second side 13, a third side 15 and a forth side 17. The first side 11 and the second side 13 do not have any external extensions therefrom The third side 15 and the forth side 17 have external extensions extruding from the outward-most portion of the third side 15 and the forth side 17. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the third side 15 has additional member 21 extending away from the third side 15. The additional member 21 may have a perforation 23 thereon having a strip 25 attached thereto. The strip 25 may use the perforation 23 to guide the strip 25 from one end 27 of the member to a second end 29 of the member. Additionally, the member may have an adhesive means 30 contained thereon to secure the member 23 to the main portion of the packaging 1 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The fourth side 17 may also have an external member 31. The external member may have a perforation 33 thereon having a strip 35 attached thereto. In another embodiment, the strip 35 may be contained within the perforation 33 segment of the external member 31. The strip 35 may extend from one end 37 of the external member 31 to a second end 39 of the external member 31.
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the packaging 1 showing the third side 15 and forth side 17 of the packaging 1. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the packaging may have external members 21, 31 on the third side 15 and forth side 17, respectively. The external members 21, 31 may have a perforation 23, 33 contained thereon. The perforations 23, 33 may allow for the pull tabs or strips 25, 35 to easily detach from the members 21, 31. When the pull tabs or strips 25, 35 are detached from the members, a portion of the member may stay attached to the packaging 1. The members 21, 31 may also have an adhesive portions 41, 43 contained thereon to fold onto and adhere to the packaging 1. The members 21, 31 may be folded onto the packaging 1 and the adhesive portions 41, 43 may adhere the members 21, 31 to the packaging 1.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive portions 41, 43 may have a strip (not shown) covering the adhesive portions 41, 43 such that when removed, the adhesive portions 41, 43 may be affixed to the packaging. However, the strip may cover the adhesive portions 41, 43 and constrain the adhesive portions 41, 43 from being affixed before proper packaging of the object.
The packaging 1 may consist of two portions. A first portion 51 and a second portion 61. FIGS. 3 illustrates the first portion 51 of the packaging 1 may be inserted into the second portion 61 of the packaging 1. As FIG. 3 illustrates, the first portion 51 has a plurality of sides wherein the sides may be smaller than the sides of the second portion 61 such that the whole of the first portion 51 may fit within the sides of the second portion 61. The first portion 51 may also have an aperture 55 wherein the object to be packaged may be viewed through the aperture 55 by a consumer. The first portion 51 may also have a plurality of apertures 55 to display the object and/or objects to be packaged. However, the aperture 55 may be covered by a material to enclose the object.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the aperture 55 may be composed of clear plastic to facilitate viewing of the object without allowing for the object to be contaminated from outside elements. In another embodiment of the present invention, the aperture 55 may be covered by any transparent material that allows for the viewing of the objected contained within the packaging 1, but allow the object to be protected from contamination.
FIG. 4 illustrates a second portion 61 of the packaging 1. The second portion 61 may be larger in size than the first portion 51 of the packaging 1. The second portion 61 may have an aperture 65 to allow viewing of the object by a consumer. In an embodiment of the present invention, the second portion 61 of the packaging 1 may have a plurality of apertures 65, 67 to allow for viewing of the object by a consumer. The apertures may be an opening that may allow for insertion of the apertures 55 from the first portion 51 to be extended there through.
In another embodiment, the apertures 65, 67 may have a protective covering thereon to protect the object from contamination and/or destruction. The second portion 61 of the packaging 1 may have a first side 11, a second side 13, a third side 15 and a fourth side 17. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third side 15 may have an external member 21 contained thereon. The external member 21 may have perforations 23 thereon to guide a strip 25 from one end 27 of the external member 21 to a second end 29 of the external member 31. The external member 21 may have an adhesive means 30 to adhere the external member 21 to the second portion 61 of the packaging 1.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the fourth side 17 of the second portion 61 may have a second external member 31 wherein ths second external member 31 may have a perforation 33 on the second external member 31 to guide a second strip 35 from one end 37 of the second external member 31 to a second end 39 of the second external member 31. Additionally, the second external member 31 may have an adhesive means 30 contained thereon to allow the external member to fold back onto the second portion 61 of the packaging 1. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first side 11 and the second side 13 may have external members attached thereto. In another embodiment, the first side 11, the second side 13, the third side 15 and the forth side 17 may have external members attached thereto.
FIG. 5 illustrates the first portion 51 inserted and contained within the second portion 61 of the packaging 1. The second portion 51 of the packaging 1 may be larger in size than the first portion 51 of the packaging 1 to facilitate insertions of the first portion 51 into the second portion 61 of the packaging 1. FIG. 5 also illustrates the external members 21, 31 of the second portion 61 that is not adhered to the second portion 61 of the packaging 1.
FIG. 6 illustrates the completed packaging 1 wherein the first portion 51 of the packaging 1 and the second portion 61 of the packaging 1 are integrated to form the complete package 1. As FIG. 6 illustrates, the external members 21, 31 are attached to the second portion 61 such that the package 1 is now in the proper form to be delivered and displayed to an end user. The packaging 1 may have an opening 69 at the top to allow for the packaging 1 to be hung from a hook type apparatus (not shown) for display in a retail market. The strip or pull tabs 25, 35 are visible only on one side of the packaging.
FIG. 6 further illustrates the strip tabs 25, 35 having a security tab 40 attached thereto. The security tab 40 may be placed on the strip tab 25, 35, and/or may be place on the packaging directly to ensure that the package has not been tampered with prior to sale to a consumer. The security tab 40 may be placed directly on the strip tabs 25, 35, such that, if the strip or pull taps 25, 35 are utilized, the security tab 40 will be broken. If the security tab 40 is broken prior to retail sale, it may be removed for safety reasons, or any other reasons that would possible contaminate and/or disturb the contents of the packaging 1.
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate the process of opening the packaging 1. The strip tabs 25, 35 may be pulled from one end of the external member 21, 31 to a second end of the external members 21, 31 as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Upon removal of the strip tabs 25, 35 from the external members 21, 31, the first portion 51 of the packaging 1 may be removed from the enclosure of the second portion 61 of the packaging 1, and the object may then be removed from the first portion 51 of the packaging 1 for use by a consumer.
It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims

1. A product for packaging an object, the product comprising:

a first portion having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side;

a second portion having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side;

a second portion having at least one external member contained thereon;

said first portion fitting into said second portion wherein said first portion is contained within said second portion; and

said at least one external member being able to extend to the second portion for attachment thereto.

2. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

said external member wherein said external member has a pull tab.

3. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

said external member wherein said external member has an adhesive means.

4. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

said external member wherein said external member has at least one perforation contained thereon.

5. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

the first portion wherein said first portion has at least one aperture formed thereon.

6. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

the second portion wherein said second portion has at least one aperture formed thereon.

7. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

the external member wherein said external member has a strip tab along a perforation line wherein said strip tab is between an adhesive means contained on the outside edge of the external member and the inner edge of the external member and further wherein said strip tab may be extracted from the external member.

8. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

said first portion and said second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are comprised of plastic.

9. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

said first portion and said second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are comprised of cardboard.

10. The product of claim 1 further comprising:

said first portion and said second portion wherein the first portion and the second portion are comprised of a combination of plastic and cardboard.

11. A method for making and opening a packaging, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first portion for a packaging;

providing a second portion for a packaging wherein the second portion has at least one external member attached thereto;

inserting the first portion into the second portion;

folding and adhering the external member to the second portion.

12. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

placing an adhesive means on the external strip to adhere to the second portion.

13. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing a strip tap on the external member to open the package.

14. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing a perforation on the external member to facilitate removal of the strip tab.

15. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing an aperture on the first portion and the second portion to allow for viewing of the object contained within the packaging.

16. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

pulling the strip tap contained on the external member which leaves the adhesive end of the external member attached to the second portion and further wherein the remainder of the external member is released from adhesion to the second portion.

17. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

removing the strip from the external member.

18. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

opening the second portion to reveal the first portion.

19. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

removing the first portion from within the second portion.

20. The method as described in claim 11 further comprising the step of:

removing an object from the first portion to be used by a consumer.