US20140083903A1 - Electronic device accessories packaging system and methods thereof - Google Patents
Electronic device accessories packaging system and methods thereof Download PDFInfo
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- US20140083903A1 US20140083903A1 US14/094,514 US201314094514A US2014083903A1 US 20140083903 A1 US20140083903 A1 US 20140083903A1 US 201314094514 A US201314094514 A US 201314094514A US 2014083903 A1 US2014083903 A1 US 2014083903A1
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- Prior art keywords
- accessory
- packaging system
- consumer
- consumers
- dedicated connector
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/28—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in composite wrappers, i.e. wrappers formed by associating or interconnecting two or more sheets or blanks
- B65D75/30—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/32—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents
- B65D75/36—Articles or materials enclosed between two opposed sheets or blanks having their margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding one or both sheets or blanks being recessed to accommodate contents one sheet or blank being recessed and the other formed of relatively stiff flat sheet material, e.g. blister packages, the recess or recesses being preformed
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/04—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks
- B65D75/20—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks in sheets or blanks doubled around contents and having their opposed free margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding
- B65D75/22—Articles or materials wholly enclosed in single sheets or wrapper blanks in sheets or blanks doubled around contents and having their opposed free margins united, e.g. by pressure-sensitive adhesive, crimping, heat-sealing, or welding the sheet or blank being recessed to accommodate contents
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
- B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
- B65D43/162—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D75/00—Packages comprising articles or materials partially or wholly enclosed in strips, sheets, blanks, tubes, or webs of flexible sheet material, e.g. in folded wrappers
- B65D75/52—Details
- B65D75/522—Inspection openings or windows
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2201/00—Means or constructions for testing or controlling the contents
Definitions
- This invention generally relates to packaging for electronic device accessories, especially portable electronic device accessories, intended for merchandising display.
- accessory connectors typically have dedicated shapes and requirements for accessory connectors.
- accessory connectors must be manufactured to fit and work with just one type and brand of electronic device.
- the terms “dedicated connector” and “accessory connector” may be used to connote “a connector of an accessory product for use with a particular electronic device.”
- try me packaging Such packaging may generally be sealed to prevent shoppers from handling the merchandise within the package.
- the packaging may comprise one or more openings to permit shoppers to gain access to a portion of the merchandise.
- shoppers may now feel the quality of the accessories and test the accessories with an electronic device to determine its suitability for the device.
- try me packaging this may be done without breaking the seal of the packaging, purchasing the merchandise, or rendering it unfit for subsequent sale.
- “Try me” packaging often may eliminate the need for consumers to match model numbers on accessories with electronic devices, in turn, enhancing the shopping experience, reducing the need for sales help, and reducing mistaken purchases and returns. Moreover, advantageously, the cost of returns for retailers may be much reduced.
- Kelner U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,374, disclosed a package assembly with a testing feature for an illumination product.
- the particular issue addressed by Kelner was the problem of determining whether merchandise contained within a sealed package, specifically a flashlight and the like, was in good working order.
- Kelner's package assembly provided an opening in the sealed package for an electrical connector to be plugged into an electrical outlet to test whether the illumination product within the package would light up or not.
- Kelner failed to address the problem of testing the compatibility of a packaged accessory with an electronic device.
- Kiernan U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,877, disclosed a merchandising package for tools, such as screwdrivers.
- a retailer may securely display tools for sale in such a way that shoppers may manipulate the tools. For example, shoppers may turn the handle of a screwdriver in order to determine whether they like its feel.
- Kiernan's disclosure is not directed to electronic device accessories and, further, exposes the packaged merchandise in a way unsuited to accessories for electronic devices.
- Vasudeva U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,092, disclosed a merchandising display for tools, such as screwdrivers, allowing them to be effectively fully exposed to handling by shoppers, yet securely fastened to a display rack.
- Vasudeva's disclosure does not appear to be directed to electronic device accessories and, in fact, exposed the packaged merchandise in a way unsuited to accessories for electronic devices.
- Lebron U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,830, disclosed a merchandising package for replacement electronic device accessories, such as battery packs for cordless telephone handsets.
- Lebron attempts to solve the problem of enabling consumers to check the compatibility of replacement accessories by bringing the spent accessory to the store to try with a dummy plug matching interface, but without removing the accessory or its connector from a sealed merchandising package.
- Lebron does not accomplish this by using a traditional “try me” feature.
- Lebron uses one or another of two types of simulated or dummy plug matching coupling interfaces: (1) a dummy coupling interface molded into the outer plastic surface wall of the package, simulating the interface for mating with the connector of the accessory within the package; or (2) an opening in the outer plastic surface of the package exposing the actual plug matching coupling interface for mating with the packaged accessory's connector.
- Lebron's disclosure has several apparent shortcomings. It is unclear whether connector interfaces for electronic device accessories can practically be molded into a cheap plastic merchandising package to a degree of refinement enabling them to fulfill the purpose of testing compatibility with an electronic device.
- Schein et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,117, disclosed sales packaging for electric storage batteries featuring a specialized “try me” feature.
- the sales package consists of a blister pack positioned on a portion of the cardboard backing of a hanging rack display; (2) the merchandise is sealed within the blister pack, except for an opening through the cardboard backing to permit the connector cord of the packaged accessory to exit the rear of the sealed blister pack; (3) the connector cord threads up the back of the sales package; and (4) the connector at the end of the cord pokes through to the front of the non-blister pack, display portion of the cardboard backing.
- Eisenbraun U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,950, disclosed an interactive merchandising package sealed on all sides except for a “try me” feature at the front enabling shoppers to test the compatibility of their portable electronic devices with the connector of the accessory within the package.
- the claimed inventive feature of Eisenbraum is placement of the “try me” feature in a recess at the front of the merchandising package. The recess provides protection against damage for the exposed connector. Placement at the front of the package enables shoppers to use the “try me” feature without removing the package from a merchandise display rack.
- the current disclosure is directed to merchandise packaging of the clamshell variety incorporating a “try me” feature in a back wall portion of a packaging system.
- the various embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative of the general concept and are not intended to limit any facet of this disclosure.
- the packaging may be sealed on all sides to prevent shoppers from handling the accessories within the package, except for one or more consumer-accessible openings on the rear side of the package.
- the consumer-accessible openings permit shoppers to gain access to a portion of the accessories within, such as a desired connector.
- shoppers are able to test the accessories with an electronic device to determine its suitability for the device, without breaking the seal of the package, purchasing the accessories, or rendering them unfit for subsequent sale.
- a packaging system comprises, in combination, a back assembly and a front assembly comprising a combination of elements.
- the packaging system may be a clamshell type with each side of the clamshell comprising a back assembly and front assembly.
- a primary member has at least one consumer-accessible opening.
- the primary member has a portion of one or more secondary members (such as internal sub-packages) proximate to a portion of an opposite (inner) side of the primary member.
- a portion of the one or more secondary members may include one or more securing members (such as necking pre-defined in the internal sub-packages to pinch a portion of any one of one or more connector accessory devices).
- These securing members secure a portion of one or more primary accessory devices (such as the connector accessory devices) to a predefined level of securing the one or more primary accessory devices on a side of the one or more secondary members.
- the necking may be varied according to the size of the connector.
- Each of the primary accessory devices has an end accessible to one or more secondary device accessories.
- the secondary device accessory may be any type of power adaptor or headset having an input or output corresponding to the end of the connector accessory device that might be displayed within the front assembly (described below).
- an opposite end of each of the primary accessory devices is located in a portion of the at least one accessible opening.
- the opposite end of the primary accessory devices is associated with a portion of at least one tertiary device (such as for example a cellular telephone, MP3 player or laptop computer).
- At least a portion of the one or more front members may include one or more securing members configured to secure a portion of the at least one secondary device accessory to a predefined level of securing the one secondary device accessory to at least a portion of the one or more front members (for example, necking as described above).
- at least a portion of the back member may be coupled to a portion of one or more of the front members (as described above regarding the back assembly) prior to coupling the back assembly to the front assembly to provide the packaging system. In other words, by the way of example, prior to folding and sealing a clamshell package.
- a method for distributing and merchandising a packaging system comprises a number of steps.
- at least one manufacturer provides the packaging system according to the above description of a packaging system.
- the back assembly may be coupled to the front assembly (thus, for example, to seal the sides of a clamshell package together).
- the packaging system may be distributed to at least one merchandiser (for example, a wholesaler).
- the adaptor packaging system may be displayed to one or more consumers (as for example, by a retailer to shoppers).
- income is received from one or more consumers to satisfy according to a predetermined level of satisfaction of one or more of the following: at least one manufacturer, at least one merchandiser, and one or more consumers.
- at least one manufacturer at least one manufacturer
- at least one merchandiser at least one merchandiser
- an electronic device accessories packaging system in this embodiment, in an aspect, one or more back packaging members have one or more channels to secure a portion of one or more accessory connectors. Further, an electronic device accessory has a cord, and an end of the cord has a plug configured to couple to an opposite end of the one or more accessory connectors.
- each of the one or more accessory connectors has a cord, and an end of the cord has a plug configured to couple to a corresponding socket of one or more consumer electronic devices.
- the accessory connector may be a Bluetooth antenna or the like exposed through the “try me” packaging opening, and configured to communicate with the receiver of an electronic device, for example, by means of an infrared signal or any radio frequency detection means.
- FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate aspects of a prior art packaging system including a merchandising package and an electronic device.
- FIG. 2 illustrates aspects of a second prior art packaging system including a merchandising package and an electronic device.
- FIG. 3 depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of a front assembly of an adaptor packaging system including an outer front member, an inner second front member and an enclosed adaptor or device accessory member in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 3A depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of the inner front member and a portion of the adaptor accessory member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 3B depicts an elevation view of a portion of the adaptor accessory member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 4 depicts an outer portion of a back assembly including an outer back member, an inner back member, and three accessory connector members of the adaptor packaging system in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 4A depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of the inner back member and a portion of the three accessory connector members of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 4B depicts an elevation view of a portion of each of the three connector members of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5 depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of the front assembly of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 3 coupled to an inner portion of the back assembly of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5A depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of the front member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 3 coupled to an inner portion of the back member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 5B depicts a side elevation view of an outer portion of the front member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 3 coupled to an outer portion of the back member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 4A .
- FIG. 5C depicts an elevation view of a separator member.
- FIG. 6 depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of a front assembly coupled to an inner portion of a back assembly of an adaptor packaging system according to another embodiment of this disclosure.
- FIG. 6A depicts an elevation view of an inner front member for insertion into a portion of an outer front member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 6B depicts an elevation view of an inner back member for insertion into a portion of an outer back member of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 7 depicts a front elevation view of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 6 including an adaptor accessory member.
- FIG. 8 depicts a back elevation view of the adaptor packaging system of FIG. 6 including two connector members.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the adapter or accessory packaging system shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- components A, B and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B and C, or can contain not only components A, B and C but also one or more other components.
- the defined steps may be implemented in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility). Moreover, the method may include one or more other steps that may be implemented before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
- the term “comprising at least one of A and B” as used herein may mean: comprising either one of A or of B (and more), or comprising both of A and of B (and more).
- “comprising A” means “A and more,” while “comprising B” means “B and more.”
- A is excluded according to the context of the specification in the phrase “comprising at least one of A and B,” then A cannot be part of the “and more” and similarly for B if B is excluded according to the context of the specification.
- accessory and “adaptor” may be interchangeably used with other terms that define a device or apparatus configured for use with a consumer supplied corresponding device or apparatus.
- FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a front elevation ( FIG. 1A ), back elevation ( FIG. 1B ) and side elevation ( FIG. 1C ) view of a prior art merchandising package along with a front elevation view ( FIG. 1D ) of an enclosed electronic device according to Lebron, U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,830.
- Lebron disclosed a merchandising package for portable electronic device accessories, such as battery packs for cordless telephone handsets.
- Lebron is specifically directed to solving the problem of enabling consumers to check the compatibility of replacement accessories for their portable electronic devices, but without removing the accessory or its connector from a sealed merchandising package.
- Lebron does not accomplish this by using a traditional “try me” feature. Instead, Lebron uses one or another of two types of “dummy” coupling interfaces, as discussed above in the Background of the Invention.
- FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art merchandising package including an electronic device according to Eisenbraun, U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,950 (as also discussed above in the Background of the Invention).
- an adaptor or accessory packaging system 300 may comprise a front assembly 100 and a back assembly 200 and, by referring to FIG. 5 , a portion of the front assembly 100 may be coupled to a portion of the back assembly 200 . While such a coupling may be accomplished as illustrated, it should be understood that the coupling may be accomplished using any suitable common edge between the front assembly 100 and the back assembly 200 .
- FIG. 3 depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of the front assembly 100 .
- the front assembly 100 may comprise a continuous outer front member 10 (outer surface shown) having a front label insert 12 located behind the outer front member 10 .
- the front label 12 may further have a frame opening (or window) defining a display region 18 for an item to be displayed.
- the display region 18 may have any suitable shape as desired and understood in the art.
- the frame opening 18 may be a circle, oval, two-sided, three-sided and so on.
- the front label insert (or label member) 12 may hide a portion of an accessory or adaptor 26 displayed in the adaptor packaging system and may be varied in size and shape as desired by a manufacturer.
- the front label insert 12 could be sized to display one or more accessory members (only one adaptor, such as a power adaptor, is shown in FIG. 3 ).
- a portion of the surface of the outer front member 10 may include a contour 12 a defined on the shape of the front label insert 12 (not shown in FIG. 3 , but shown in FIG. 6 ) and may be sized to receive the front label insert.
- the outer front member 10 may comprise a lip 16 .
- the outer front member 10 may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like as is understood in the art.
- the outer front member 10 may comprise a substantially transparent thermoplastic material.
- the thermoplastic material may be readily melted or fused, an inner portion of the lip 16 may advantageously be coupled to an inner portion of a second lip 46 of an outer back member 40 (see FIG. 4 ) with moderate heat as may be required in rapid manufacturing processes as is understood in the art. However, this process may be altered as needed, so that other sealing methods may be used such as using ultrasonic sealing, adhesives and the like.
- the front assembly 100 may further comprise an inner front member 14 (shown in dotted lines, because as illustrated in an aspect a portion of the inner front member 14 may be hidden by the front label insert 12 ).
- the front label insert 12 could be sized as desired.
- an inner portion of that inner front member 14 may be contoured and configured to receive an accessory member 26 (see FIG. 6A and the description below).
- an inner portion 22 of the inner front member 14 may have a channel 24 configured to receive a portion of a lead (or cord) 28 (shown in dotted lines because the lead 28 may be hidden by the front label 12 ).
- the cord 28 may be coupled to a portion of the accessory member 26 .
- the inner front member 14 may comprise an accessory-receiving region 22 a configured to receive one or more first accessory members (such a power adaptors or a cellular phone headset) 26 and the region 22 a may be contoured and have one or more channels 24 .
- the accessory-receiving region 22 a may be configured to receive a portion of each cord member 28 coupled to a portion of each associated one or more first accessory members.
- the inner front member 14 may comprise any economically viable packaging material such as a thermoplastic that may be formable as desired. Naturally, such a packaging material may be substantially transparent, translucent or substantially opaque as desired.
- the inner front member 14 may have a conformed region 22 a defined by an inner portion (region) of the inner front member 14 sized to receive the first accessory member 26 (see FIG. 6A and the description below). Further, the inner portion 22 a may have one or more channels 24 (one only shown in FIG. 3A ) sized to receive a cord member 28 coupled to a portion of the first accessory member 26 (one only shown in FIG. 3A ).
- FIG. 3B illustrates an example of an accessory member 26 having an extension member (or lead or cord) 28 coupled to a portion of the accessory member 26 . Further, an end of the cord member 28 may have a plug or socket 28 a configured to receive a tip connector 58 a (See FIGS. 4 , 4 A, 4 B and the description below).
- a female/male plug arrangement as illustrated herein, other appropriate coupling arrangements may be used.
- FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of the back assembly 200 .
- the back assembly 200 may comprise an outer back member 40 (outer surface shown) having a back label insert 42 located behind the outer back member 40 .
- the back label insert 42 may further have an accessible frame opening (or window) defining a display consumer-accessible opening region 48 for an item to be displayed and accessed in a “try me” style configuration.
- the display consumer-accessible opening region 48 may have any suitable shape as desired and understood in the art.
- the frame of consumer-accessible opening 48 may be a circle, oval, two-sided, three-sided and so on as described above with regard to the front assembly 100 .
- the back assembly 200 permits access by a consumer to at least a portion of one or more accessory connector members (or devices) 56 secured within a portion of the back assembly 200 (“try me” feature).
- a consumer may access a portion of the connectors 56 without needing to pull out any leads (or cords) 58 , since an opposite end (tip 58 a , FIGS. 4A , 4 B) of each of the leads couples to a corresponding socket (or fitting) 28 a located at an end (see FIG. 3B ) of the accessory's lead (or cord) 28 .
- each cord 58 provides greater freedom of choice to use the same accessory member 26 .
- the back label insert (or member) 42 located behind the outer back member 40 may hide an inner portion of one or more connector members 56 (three shown in FIG. 4 and two shown in FIG. 8 ) displayed in the accessories packaging system and may be varied in size and shape as desired by a manufacturer.
- the one or more accessory connector members 56 may also be varied in size and shape and may comprise a set of one or more connector members associated with one accessory 26 (as illustrated in FIG. 3 ).
- the accessory 26 may be associated with one or more electronic devices (such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers or any other suitable electronic device).
- the accessories packaging system 300 may have one or more accessories (including but not limited to power adaptors, battery packs, head phones and the like) 26 in a display area not accessible by a consumer located in one or more inner front members 14 of the front assembly 100 with each of the accessories having an associated set of one or more connector members 56 .
- each of the one or more connector members 56 may have a proximal end 58 a visible and accessible through the one or more window displays 48 located in a portion of the outer back member 40 of the back assembly 200 .
- a portion of the surface of the outer back member 40 may include a contour 48 a (not shown in FIG. 4 , but see FIG. 6 ) sized to receive the back label insert 42 .
- the outer back member 40 may comprise a lip 46 .
- the outer back member 40 may also comprise a thermoplastic material, as described above.
- the outer back member 40 may comprise a substantially transparent thermoplastic material to display objects as well as product descriptions and instructions (not shown) located on the back label insert 42 .
- the back assembly 200 may further comprise an inner back member 44 (shown in dotted lines). As illustrated in this aspect of the disclosure a portion of the inner back member 44 may be hidden by the back label insert 42 . However, of course, as described above the back label insert 42 could be sized as desired.
- a first portion 52 a of the inner back member 44 may include one or more inner portions 52 contoured and configured to receive one or more accessory connector members 56 .
- each inner portion 52 of the inner back member 44 may have a first contoured end contiguous with a channel 54 configured to receive a portion of the accessory connector member 56 .
- each inner portion 52 contiguous with the channel 54 may have an opening 54 a located at an opposite end of the inner portion 52 .
- a portion of an end (plug) 58 a of each lead (or cord) 58 may be threaded through each corresponding opening 54 a behind the inner back member 44 .
- the inner back member 44 may have a second contoured portion 48 a ( FIG. 6B and the description below) having an opening 48 b .
- a portion of each lead 58 may be further threaded through the opening 48 b thereby securing the lead 58 to the inner back member 44 to prevent the cord (or lead) 58 from being easily pulled out by a consumer.
- the outer back member 40 has a consumer-accessible opening 48 .
- the inner back member 44 may be located behind (interior of) the outer back member 40 and may comprise one or more consumer accessible regions 52 a configured to receive one or more accessory connector members 56 .
- the regions 52 a may be contoured and have one or more channels 54 configured to receive a portion of one or more leads 58 that may be or be coupled to a portion of cord 28 or an end 28 a (see description above and FIGS. 3 , 3 A, 3 B) of one or more of the first accessory members 26 located in an inner front member 14 displayed behind a consumer non-accessible outer front member 10 .
- the inner back member 44 may comprise any economically viable packaging material such as a thermoplastic that may be formable as desired. Since, there is a consumer-accessible opening 48 in the outer back member 40 , there is no requirement that the thermoplastic material be transparent. However, as a matter of economic consideration, an economically viable alternative would be to form both the outer front member 10 coupled to a portion of the outer back member 40 having the opening 48 in a molding operation, such as injection molding and the like as is well understood in the art (as described below with reference to FIG. 5 ).
- a molding operation such as injection molding and the like as is well understood in the art (as described below with reference to FIG. 5 ).
- the inner back member 44 may have one or more regions 52 a located in an inner portion of the inner back member 44 sized to receive the one or more accessory connector members 56 .
- each of the regions 52 a may have one or more channels 54 sized to receive a portion of each of the accessory connector members 56 and a portion of one or more lead members 58 coupled to a portion of each one of the ends of the displayed accessory members 56 .
- a portion of an opposite end of each of the accessory connector members 56 such as a cord 58 may comprise a common connector tip 58 a at an opposite end of the cord to secure each of the accessory connector members 56 to a portion 48 a of the inner back member 44 .
- FIG. 4B depicts each of three accessory connector members 56 as described above.
- A[n] distal end of each accessory connector member 56 may include a plug or accessory connector 56 a configured to couple to one or more electronic devices.
- An opposite proximal end of each accessory connector member 56 comprises a common connector tip 58 a configured to couple to an end of a cord 28 having a receiver end 28 a of one or more accessory members 26 .
- FIG. 5 depicts an inside elevation view of an inner portion of the front assembly 100 of the accessories packaging system 300 coupled to an inner portion of the back assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system.
- the description of individual components of each assembly is the same as noted above, but clearly illustrated as being from an inner side point-of-view rather than the outer view described previously.
- the outer front member 10 may have a front member extension 10 a
- the outer back member 40 may have an extension 40 a .
- each of the extensions may be contiguous and merely be creased or shaped so that an inner portion of the front assembly 100 may be folded against an inner portion of the back assembly 200 (see FIG. 5B ).
- the extension 150 coupling the front assembly 100 to the back assembly 200 corresponds to the front member extension 10 a contiguous with the back member extension 40 a .
- one or more edges of the outer front member 10 may be coupled to one or more of the edges of the outer back member 40 as described above.
- any joining method including simple mechanical stapling may be used.
- FIG. 5A depicts a portion of an end of the outer front member 10 coupled to a portion of an end of the outer back member 40 with an adjacent extension 150 located between each of the ends.
- FIG. 5B depicts a side elevation view of an outer portion of the outer front member 10 of the accessories packaging system 300 coupled to an outer portion of the outer back member 40 by the extension 150 .
- FIG. 5C depicts an elevation view of a separator member 300 a .
- the separator member 300 a may be located between a portion of each of the outer front member 10 and the outer back member 40 .
- the separator member 300 a may have the opening 32 to align (or register) the outer front member 10 and the outer back member 40 .
- FIG. 6 depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of a front assembly coupled to an inner portion of a back assembly of another embodiment of an accessories packaging system 300 .
- the outer front member 10 has an opening 20 as before, with an inner edge 12 a of the front label 12 defining a contour to align the front label to an inner portion of the outer front member 10 .
- the outer back member 40 has an opening 50 , with an inner edge 44 a of the back label defining a contour to align the back label to an inner portion of the outer back member 40 .
- the display window 48 is consumer accessible to provide the “try me” feature as described above.
- an end of each of the outer front member 10 and the outer back member 40 may have an adjacent extension 10 a , 40 a together denoted a hinge 150 to provide a clamshell package.
- the openings 20 , 50 facilitate neat hanging of the accessories package system for substantially tamper resistant display in a retail outlet.
- FIG. 6A depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of an inner front member 14 for insertion into a portion of the outer front member 10 of the accessories packaging system.
- a contoured region 22 a of the inner front member 14 may be extended away (above or below) a substantially adjacent region including a portion 14 a , an inner portion 22 and a channel 24 .
- An inner edge of the contoured region 22 a defines the inner portion 22 adjacent to the channel 24 .
- FIG. 6B depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of an inner back member 44 for insertion into a portion of an outer back member 40 of the accessories packaging system.
- the inner back member 44 may comprise a region 44 a adjacent to each of two inner portions 52 contoured and configured to each receive one accessory connector member 56 .
- the inner portion has an opening 54 a as described previously.
- Another inner region 48 a has two openings 48 b as described previously.
- An end of the inner back member 44 may have an indentation 32 a located at an opposite end to the end having the alignment opening 32 (described previously).
- Each bottom surface of the regions 32 a , 52 and 48 a are substantially adjacent to one another and may be defined as indentations of the surface of the region 44 a . In other words, the surface of the region 44 a may be elevated relative to the regions 32 a , 52 and 48 a.
- FIG. 7 depicts a front elevation view of an embodiment of the front assembly 100 of the accessories packaging system.
- the front assembly may include an accessory member 26 and a front label 12 as viewed from an outer surface of the outer front member 10 .
- the front label 12 may comprise appropriate merchandising and identification information to provide consumer convenience in selection of a needed accessory.
- FIG. 8 depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of the back assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system.
- the back assembly 200 may include each of two accessory connector members 56 and a back label 42 as viewed from an outer surface of the outer back member 40 .
- the back label 42 may comprise appropriate merchandising and identification information to provide consumer convenience in selection of a needed accessory and includes a “try me” opening 48 accessible by a consumer to match up to the consumer's electronic device.
- each lead 58 may be threaded through openings 54 a , 48 b to secure each of the two accessory connector members 54 to the back member 40 .
- a “try me” feature (specifically the consumer-accessible window 48 ) located on a portion of the outer back member 40 of the accessories packaging system may result in increased visibility of certain features of a product display (such as the one or more accessory connectors 56 described herein).
- the “try me” feature when the “try me” feature is conveniently located on a portion of the back assembly 200 , it may provide more room for labeling the accessories packaging system, to benefit both a consumer and a retailer.
- the “try me” feature when the “try me” feature is located on a portion of the back assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system such as the outer back member 40 , multiple accessory connectors may be displayed at once in sets associated with their specific accessory 26 to the benefit of consumers and manufacturers.
- all of the connectors would be displayed in the “try me” one or more openings.
- this may greatly increase the size of the “try me” feature.
- neatness of product display to consumers may be enhanced over time (also known as “shelf discipline”). For example, typically when consumers use “try me” features enabling them to pull on a connector cord to reach a portable electronic device being tested, often consumers cannot be relied upon to push the cord (such as an accessory connector lead 58 ) neatly back into the package when finished using the “try me” feature. This means retail employees may need to be diverted from their selling activities more often because as often happens, accessory connectors may be left unattractively hanging out of the product packages being displayed. Often, if the “try me” feature is located on a portion of the front assembly 100 of the accessory package system, product display may be impaired, making a retail outlet appear sloppy and undisciplined.
Abstract
An electronic device accessories packaging system and methods of manufacturing, distributing and retailing the electronic device accessories packaging are disclosed.
Description
- This invention generally relates to packaging for electronic device accessories, especially portable electronic device accessories, intended for merchandising display.
- Typically, electronic devices, including portable electronic devices, lack uniform or compatible accessory systems. Such devices typically have dedicated shapes and requirements for accessory connectors. For example, such accessory connectors must be manufactured to fit and work with just one type and brand of electronic device. Throughout this disclosure, the terms “dedicated connector” and “accessory connector” may be used to connote “a connector of an accessory product for use with a particular electronic device.”
- In general, the current prevalence of dedicated connectors poses several disadvantages for consumers and retailers. First, many consumers dislike the confusion caused by the lack of uniformity and compatibility of accessories for electronic devices. Finding the right accessory, which corresponds to the right connector for the right electronic device may be considered to be a chore by many consumers. This may be because more consumers are not inherently interested in how accessories connect to electronic devices, but care only that the accessories work with their electronic devices. In particular, small electronic devices may use accessories and connectors that are themselves small and lack distinctive features noticeable to consumers. Thus, in order to find the right accessories and connectors, consumers must match them to model numbers that, too, are almost always in formats lacking inherent distinctiveness or interest to consumers, e.g., “MOTOROLA T300p.”
- Second, the prevalence of dedicated connectors often means that retailers feel they must stock and display accessories with a variety of different accessory connectors for many of the electronic devices they carry. This can amount to dozens of different accessories and accessory connector types needing to be stocked and displayed. The disadvantage to retailers is that to the extent consumers rely on sales staff to help guide them through the maze of accessories and connectors, such service to consumers may represent a drain on retailer resources (resulting in higher prices to consumers), as well as resources diverted from the sale of items leading to greater production of revenue.
- Third, for all of the reasons listed above, consumers may more likely err in the purchase of electronic device accessories, resulting in consumer disappointment and inconvenience. To the extent retailers make good these inevitable consumer mistakes, retailers may need to absorb increased packaging and labor costs to process returns.
- To overcome the foregoing problems, there have been a number of developments in the past to provide packaging denoted herein as “try me” packaging. Such packaging may generally be sealed to prevent shoppers from handling the merchandise within the package. In the specific case of accessories for electronic devices, the packaging may comprise one or more openings to permit shoppers to gain access to a portion of the merchandise. Thus, shoppers may now feel the quality of the accessories and test the accessories with an electronic device to determine its suitability for the device. By means of “try me” packaging, this may be done without breaking the seal of the packaging, purchasing the merchandise, or rendering it unfit for subsequent sale. “Try me” packaging often may eliminate the need for consumers to match model numbers on accessories with electronic devices, in turn, enhancing the shopping experience, reducing the need for sales help, and reducing mistaken purchases and returns. Moreover, advantageously, the cost of returns for retailers may be much reduced.
- A number of different disclosures reveal strategies for providing “try me” packaging systems. However, these disclosures fall short of solving all of the problems presented by the merchandising of accessories for portable electronic devices.
- Thus, in one example, Kelner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,374, disclosed a package assembly with a testing feature for an illumination product. The particular issue addressed by Kelner was the problem of determining whether merchandise contained within a sealed package, specifically a flashlight and the like, was in good working order. Kelner's package assembly provided an opening in the sealed package for an electrical connector to be plugged into an electrical outlet to test whether the illumination product within the package would light up or not. However, Kelner failed to address the problem of testing the compatibility of a packaged accessory with an electronic device.
- In a further example, Kiernan, U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,877, disclosed a merchandising package for tools, such as screwdrivers. Using Kiernan's merchandising package, a retailer may securely display tools for sale in such a way that shoppers may manipulate the tools. For example, shoppers may turn the handle of a screwdriver in order to determine whether they like its feel. However, Kiernan's disclosure is not directed to electronic device accessories and, further, exposes the packaged merchandise in a way unsuited to accessories for electronic devices.
- In a yet further example, Vasudeva, U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,092, disclosed a merchandising display for tools, such as screwdrivers, allowing them to be effectively fully exposed to handling by shoppers, yet securely fastened to a display rack. However, Vasudeva's disclosure does not appear to be directed to electronic device accessories and, in fact, exposed the packaged merchandise in a way unsuited to accessories for electronic devices.
- Lebron, U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,830, disclosed a merchandising package for replacement electronic device accessories, such as battery packs for cordless telephone handsets. Lebron attempts to solve the problem of enabling consumers to check the compatibility of replacement accessories by bringing the spent accessory to the store to try with a dummy plug matching interface, but without removing the accessory or its connector from a sealed merchandising package. However, Lebron does not accomplish this by using a traditional “try me” feature. Instead, Lebron, uses one or another of two types of simulated or dummy plug matching coupling interfaces: (1) a dummy coupling interface molded into the outer plastic surface wall of the package, simulating the interface for mating with the connector of the accessory within the package; or (2) an opening in the outer plastic surface of the package exposing the actual plug matching coupling interface for mating with the packaged accessory's connector. Lebron's disclosure has several apparent shortcomings. It is unclear whether connector interfaces for electronic device accessories can practically be molded into a cheap plastic merchandising package to a degree of refinement enabling them to fulfill the purpose of testing compatibility with an electronic device. This is especially true in the case of male connectors, where the coupling interface has to be a molded protrusion projecting outward from the outer plastic surface wall of the package, and has to be fine enough to fit properly into the small, refined plug of an electronic device. Further, unlike traditional “try me” displays, where the connector to be tested is typically nested and horizontally positioned within a recess of the outer plastic surface wall of the merchandising package, Lebron's disclosure positions the dummy plug matching interface connector outwardly. With this approach the connector is shielded from damage and its electrical contact surfaces are shielded from contamination. However, positioning the connector outwardly, especially in the cast of male connectors, exposes it to greater damage and contamination.
- In yet another example, Schein et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,117, disclosed sales packaging for electric storage batteries featuring a specialized “try me” feature. According to Schein et al.: (1) the sales package consists of a blister pack positioned on a portion of the cardboard backing of a hanging rack display; (2) the merchandise is sealed within the blister pack, except for an opening through the cardboard backing to permit the connector cord of the packaged accessory to exit the rear of the sealed blister pack; (3) the connector cord threads up the back of the sales package; and (4) the connector at the end of the cord pokes through to the front of the non-blister pack, display portion of the cardboard backing. The disadvantages of Schein et al. appear to be that the overall size of the sales package must be increased in order to accommodate a cardboard backing portion that is larger than the blister pack containing the merchandise, and the connector of the accessory being sold may be highly exposed to damage and contamination. Larger packaging also translates to increased cost of packaging and reduced shelf space for most electronics retailers.
- Eisenbraun, U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,950, disclosed an interactive merchandising package sealed on all sides except for a “try me” feature at the front enabling shoppers to test the compatibility of their portable electronic devices with the connector of the accessory within the package. The claimed inventive feature of Eisenbraum is placement of the “try me” feature in a recess at the front of the merchandising package. The recess provides protection against damage for the exposed connector. Placement at the front of the package enables shoppers to use the “try me” feature without removing the package from a merchandise display rack. The shortcoming of Eisenbraum is that placement of the “try me” feature at the front of the merchandising package (1) obscures the product display and (2) detracts from the overall appearance of the package, since connectors, for example, are generally the least attractive parts of portable electronic device accessories.
- As may be evident from the above, even though a great number of “try me” packages have been disclosed and may exist in the marketplace, each of them may have features that detract from the needs of both consumers and of merchandisers. Consequently, there is a need for new and improved “try me” packages, especially of the type most suitable as packaging for electronic device accessories intended for merchandising display.
- The current disclosure is directed to merchandise packaging of the clamshell variety incorporating a “try me” feature in a back wall portion of a packaging system. The various embodiments disclosed herein are meant to be illustrative of the general concept and are not intended to limit any facet of this disclosure.
- The packaging may be sealed on all sides to prevent shoppers from handling the accessories within the package, except for one or more consumer-accessible openings on the rear side of the package. The consumer-accessible openings permit shoppers to gain access to a portion of the accessories within, such as a desired connector. Thus, shoppers are able to test the accessories with an electronic device to determine its suitability for the device, without breaking the seal of the package, purchasing the accessories, or rendering them unfit for subsequent sale.
- For example, in an embodiment of the disclosure, a packaging system comprises, in combination, a back assembly and a front assembly comprising a combination of elements. For example, the packaging system may be a clamshell type with each side of the clamshell comprising a back assembly and front assembly.
- In the back assembly, a primary member has at least one consumer-accessible opening. The primary member has a portion of one or more secondary members (such as internal sub-packages) proximate to a portion of an opposite (inner) side of the primary member. Further, a portion of the one or more secondary members may include one or more securing members (such as necking pre-defined in the internal sub-packages to pinch a portion of any one of one or more connector accessory devices). These securing members secure a portion of one or more primary accessory devices (such as the connector accessory devices) to a predefined level of securing the one or more primary accessory devices on a side of the one or more secondary members. In other words, in an example, the necking may be varied according to the size of the connector. Each of the primary accessory devices has an end accessible to one or more secondary device accessories. Thus, for example, the secondary device accessory may be any type of power adaptor or headset having an input or output corresponding to the end of the connector accessory device that might be displayed within the front assembly (described below). Further, an opposite end of each of the primary accessory devices is located in a portion of the at least one accessible opening. The opposite end of the primary accessory devices is associated with a portion of at least one tertiary device (such as for example a cellular telephone, MP3 player or laptop computer).
- In the front assembly, at least visual identification of the at least one secondary device accessory is permitted. For example, the identification might show model numbers and promotional materials as described. At least a portion of the one or more front members may include one or more securing members configured to secure a portion of the at least one secondary device accessory to a predefined level of securing the one secondary device accessory to at least a portion of the one or more front members (for example, necking as described above). Further, at least a portion of the back member may be coupled to a portion of one or more of the front members (as described above regarding the back assembly) prior to coupling the back assembly to the front assembly to provide the packaging system. In other words, by the way of example, prior to folding and sealing a clamshell package.
- In accordance with another embodiment of this disclosure, a method for distributing and merchandising a packaging system is disclosed. The method comprises a number of steps. In one step at least one manufacturer provides the packaging system according to the above description of a packaging system. Thus, in an example, as is commonly done, several manufacturers may be involved in providing elements of the packaging system described above. In another step, the back assembly may be coupled to the front assembly (thus, for example, to seal the sides of a clamshell package together). In yet another step, the packaging system may be distributed to at least one merchandiser (for example, a wholesaler). In yet another step, the adaptor packaging system may be displayed to one or more consumers (as for example, by a retailer to shoppers). In yet another step, income is received from one or more consumers to satisfy according to a predetermined level of satisfaction of one or more of the following: at least one manufacturer, at least one merchandiser, and one or more consumers. In other words, for example, each entity (or individual) involved in a transaction associated with the packaging system would form part of an economic chain associated with the packaging system and its contents.
- According to another embodiment of the disclosure, an electronic device accessories packaging system is disclosed. In this embodiment, in an aspect, one or more back packaging members have one or more channels to secure a portion of one or more accessory connectors. Further, an electronic device accessory has a cord, and an end of the cord has a plug configured to couple to an opposite end of the one or more accessory connectors.
- In yet another aspect, each of the one or more accessory connectors has a cord, and an end of the cord has a plug configured to couple to a corresponding socket of one or more consumer electronic devices. Alternatively, in lieu of an accessory connector consisting of an electrical cord configured to couple with a corresponding socket of one or more electronic devices, the accessory connector may be a Bluetooth antenna or the like exposed through the “try me” packaging opening, and configured to communicate with the receiver of an electronic device, for example, by means of an infrared signal or any radio frequency detection means.
- The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more detailed description of the various embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and photographs.
- The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.
-
FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate aspects of a prior art packaging system including a merchandising package and an electronic device. -
FIG. 2 illustrates aspects of a second prior art packaging system including a merchandising package and an electronic device. -
FIG. 3 depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of a front assembly of an adaptor packaging system including an outer front member, an inner second front member and an enclosed adaptor or device accessory member in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 3A depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of the inner front member and a portion of the adaptor accessory member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 3B depicts an elevation view of a portion of the adaptor accessory member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 4 depicts an outer portion of a back assembly including an outer back member, an inner back member, and three accessory connector members of the adaptor packaging system in accordance with an embodiment of this invention. -
FIG. 4A depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of the inner back member and a portion of the three accessory connector members of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 4B depicts an elevation view of a portion of each of the three connector members of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 5 depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of the front assembly of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 3 coupled to an inner portion of the back assembly of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 5A depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of the front member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 3 coupled to an inner portion of the back member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 5B depicts a side elevation view of an outer portion of the front member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 3 coupled to an outer portion of the back member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 4A . -
FIG. 5C depicts an elevation view of a separator member. -
FIG. 6 depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of a front assembly coupled to an inner portion of a back assembly of an adaptor packaging system according to another embodiment of this disclosure. -
FIG. 6A depicts an elevation view of an inner front member for insertion into a portion of an outer front member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 6B depicts an elevation view of an inner back member for insertion into a portion of an outer back member of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 7 depicts a front elevation view of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 6 including an adaptor accessory member. -
FIG. 8 depicts a back elevation view of the adaptor packaging system ofFIG. 6 including two connector members. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the adapter or accessory packaging system shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 . - In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough description of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detailed so as not to obscure the invention.
- For clarity and conciseness, several of the drawings show in schematic, or omit, parts that are not essential in that drawing to a description of a particular feature, aspect or principle of the invention being disclosed. Thus, the best mode embodiment of one feature may be shown in one drawing, and the best mode of another feature may called out in another drawing.
- The Figures are numbered and annotated so that one skilled in the art of packaging methods and construction, by reference to the Figures, will easily be able to understand the materials and method of construction and will be able to easily assemble the parts to achieve the functionality shown.
- In the Summary and Preferred Embodiments above, the Description of the Invention, and the Claims and Abstract below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference may be made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that this disclosure includes most possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature may also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally.
- The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, ingredients, steps etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B and C, or can contain not only components A, B and C but also one or more other components.
- Where reference is made herein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps may be implemented in any order or simultaneously (except where the context excludes that possibility). Moreover, the method may include one or more other steps that may be implemented before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps (except where the context excludes that possibility).
- The term “at least” as denoted herein means one or more, while the term a “plurality” means two or more.
- The term “or” is used herein as a conjunction used to link one or more alternatives in a series of one or more alternatives. The term “and/or” is used herein as a conjunction meaning that either or both of two options may be valid.
- The term “and” is used herein as a conjunction to indicate an additional thing, situation or fact.
- When used in the appended claims the term “comprising at least one of A and B” as used herein (depending on the context of the specification) may mean: comprising either one of A or of B (and more), or comprising both of A and of B (and more). As in understood in the patent art, “comprising A” means “A and more,” while “comprising B” means “B and more.” Thus if A is excluded according to the context of the specification in the phrase “comprising at least one of A and B,” then A cannot be part of the “and more” and similarly for B if B is excluded according to the context of the specification.
- The terms “accessory” and “adaptor” may be interchangeably used with other terms that define a device or apparatus configured for use with a consumer supplied corresponding device or apparatus.
-
FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a front elevation (FIG. 1A ), back elevation (FIG. 1B ) and side elevation (FIG. 1C ) view of a prior art merchandising package along with a front elevation view (FIG. 1D ) of an enclosed electronic device according to Lebron, U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,830. As described earlier (see above Background of the Invention) Lebron disclosed a merchandising package for portable electronic device accessories, such as battery packs for cordless telephone handsets. Lebron is specifically directed to solving the problem of enabling consumers to check the compatibility of replacement accessories for their portable electronic devices, but without removing the accessory or its connector from a sealed merchandising package. However, Lebron does not accomplish this by using a traditional “try me” feature. Instead, Lebron uses one or another of two types of “dummy” coupling interfaces, as discussed above in the Background of the Invention. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art merchandising package including an electronic device according to Eisenbraun, U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,950 (as also discussed above in the Background of the Invention). Referring now to bothFIG. 3 andFIG. 4 , an adaptor or accessory packaging system 300 (see alsoFIG. 5 and the description below) may comprise afront assembly 100 and aback assembly 200 and, by referring toFIG. 5 , a portion of thefront assembly 100 may be coupled to a portion of theback assembly 200. While such a coupling may be accomplished as illustrated, it should be understood that the coupling may be accomplished using any suitable common edge between thefront assembly 100 and theback assembly 200. - More specifically,
FIG. 3 depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of thefront assembly 100. Thefront assembly 100 may comprise a continuous outer front member 10 (outer surface shown) having afront label insert 12 located behind theouter front member 10. As illustrated, thefront label 12 may further have a frame opening (or window) defining adisplay region 18 for an item to be displayed. Of course, it is understood that thedisplay region 18 may have any suitable shape as desired and understood in the art. Thus, for example, theframe opening 18 may be a circle, oval, two-sided, three-sided and so on. The front label insert (or label member) 12 may hide a portion of an accessory oradaptor 26 displayed in the adaptor packaging system and may be varied in size and shape as desired by a manufacturer. In many situations, thefront label insert 12 could be sized to display one or more accessory members (only one adaptor, such as a power adaptor, is shown inFIG. 3 ). In an aspect, a portion of the surface of theouter front member 10 may include acontour 12 a defined on the shape of the front label insert 12 (not shown inFIG. 3 , but shown inFIG. 6 ) and may be sized to receive the front label insert. Theouter front member 10 may comprise alip 16. As disclosed herein, without limiting the disclosure, theouter front member 10 may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like as is understood in the art. For the purpose of displaying objects and descriptions (not shown) located on thefront label insert 12 naturally, theouter front member 10 may comprise a substantially transparent thermoplastic material. Furthermore, since the thermoplastic material may be readily melted or fused, an inner portion of thelip 16 may advantageously be coupled to an inner portion of asecond lip 46 of an outer back member 40 (seeFIG. 4 ) with moderate heat as may be required in rapid manufacturing processes as is understood in the art. However, this process may be altered as needed, so that other sealing methods may be used such as using ultrasonic sealing, adhesives and the like. - Referring further to
FIG. 3 , thefront assembly 100 may further comprise an inner front member 14 (shown in dotted lines, because as illustrated in an aspect a portion of theinner front member 14 may be hidden by the front label insert 12). However, of course, as described above, thefront label insert 12 could be sized as desired. As illustrated inFIG. 3 , an inner portion of that innerfront member 14 may be contoured and configured to receive an accessory member 26 (seeFIG. 6A and the description below). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 3 , aninner portion 22 of theinner front member 14 may have achannel 24 configured to receive a portion of a lead (or cord) 28 (shown in dotted lines because thelead 28 may be hidden by the front label 12). Thecord 28 may be coupled to a portion of theaccessory member 26. Thus, as illustrated inFIG. 3 , it should now be clear that theinner front member 14 may comprise an accessory-receivingregion 22 a configured to receive one or more first accessory members (such a power adaptors or a cellular phone headset) 26 and theregion 22 a may be contoured and have one ormore channels 24. The accessory-receivingregion 22 a may be configured to receive a portion of eachcord member 28 coupled to a portion of each associated one or more first accessory members. Without limiting the disclosure, theinner front member 14 may comprise any economically viable packaging material such as a thermoplastic that may be formable as desired. Naturally, such a packaging material may be substantially transparent, translucent or substantially opaque as desired. - Referring now to
FIG. 3A theinner front member 14 may have a conformedregion 22 a defined by an inner portion (region) of theinner front member 14 sized to receive the first accessory member 26 (seeFIG. 6A and the description below). Further, theinner portion 22 a may have one or more channels 24 (one only shown inFIG. 3A ) sized to receive acord member 28 coupled to a portion of the first accessory member 26 (one only shown inFIG. 3A ). Similarly,FIG. 3B illustrates an example of anaccessory member 26 having an extension member (or lead or cord) 28 coupled to a portion of theaccessory member 26. Further, an end of thecord member 28 may have a plug orsocket 28 a configured to receive atip connector 58 a (SeeFIGS. 4 , 4A, 4B and the description below). However, naturally, instead of a female/male plug arrangement as illustrated herein, other appropriate coupling arrangements may be used. -
FIG. 4 depicts an elevation view of an outer portion of theback assembly 200. Theback assembly 200 may comprise an outer back member 40 (outer surface shown) having aback label insert 42 located behind theouter back member 40. As illustrated, theback label insert 42 may further have an accessible frame opening (or window) defining a display consumer-accessible opening region 48 for an item to be displayed and accessed in a “try me” style configuration. Of course, it is understood that the display consumer-accessible opening region 48 may have any suitable shape as desired and understood in the art. Thus, for example, the frame of consumer-accessible opening 48 may be a circle, oval, two-sided, three-sided and so on as described above with regard to thefront assembly 100. - However, unlike the
front assembly 100 described above where thefront assembly 100 covers theinner front member 14 and thus does not permit access to the accessory oradaptor 26, theback assembly 200 permits access by a consumer to at least a portion of one or more accessory connector members (or devices) 56 secured within a portion of the back assembly 200 (“try me” feature). Thus, a consumer may access a portion of theconnectors 56 without needing to pull out any leads (or cords) 58, since an opposite end (tip 58 a,FIGS. 4A , 4B) of each of the leads couples to a corresponding socket (or fitting) 28 a located at an end (seeFIG. 3B ) of the accessory's lead (or cord) 28. In other words, in this embodiment, eachcord 58 provides greater freedom of choice to use thesame accessory member 26. - Referring again to
FIG. 4 the back label insert (or member) 42 located behind theouter back member 40 may hide an inner portion of one or more connector members 56 (three shown inFIG. 4 and two shown inFIG. 8 ) displayed in the accessories packaging system and may be varied in size and shape as desired by a manufacturer. Naturally, the one or moreaccessory connector members 56 may also be varied in size and shape and may comprise a set of one or more connector members associated with one accessory 26 (as illustrated inFIG. 3 ). Naturally, theaccessory 26 may be associated with one or more electronic devices (such as cellular phones, MP3 players, laptop computers or any other suitable electronic device). However, it is clearly, understood that theaccessories packaging system 300 may have one or more accessories (including but not limited to power adaptors, battery packs, head phones and the like) 26 in a display area not accessible by a consumer located in one or more innerfront members 14 of thefront assembly 100 with each of the accessories having an associated set of one ormore connector members 56. Further, each of the one ormore connector members 56 may have aproximal end 58 a visible and accessible through the one or more window displays 48 located in a portion of theouter back member 40 of theback assembly 200. - In an aspect, a portion of the surface of the
outer back member 40 may include acontour 48 a (not shown inFIG. 4 , but seeFIG. 6 ) sized to receive theback label insert 42. Theouter back member 40 may comprise alip 46. As disclosed herein, without limiting the disclosure, theouter back member 40 may also comprise a thermoplastic material, as described above. Theouter back member 40 may comprise a substantially transparent thermoplastic material to display objects as well as product descriptions and instructions (not shown) located on theback label insert 42. - Referring further to
FIG. 4 , theback assembly 200 may further comprise an inner back member 44 (shown in dotted lines). As illustrated in this aspect of the disclosure a portion of theinner back member 44 may be hidden by theback label insert 42. However, of course, as described above theback label insert 42 could be sized as desired. As illustrated inFIG. 4 , afirst portion 52 a of theinner back member 44 may include one or moreinner portions 52 contoured and configured to receive one or moreaccessory connector members 56. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4 , eachinner portion 52 of theinner back member 44 may have a first contoured end contiguous with achannel 54 configured to receive a portion of theaccessory connector member 56. An opposite end of eachinner portion 52 contiguous with thechannel 54 may have anopening 54 a located at an opposite end of theinner portion 52. Further, a portion of an end (plug) 58 a of each lead (or cord) 58 (shown in dotted lines since the leads may be hidden by the back label 42) may be threaded through eachcorresponding opening 54 a behind theinner back member 44. - With reference to
FIG. 4 , theinner back member 44 may have a second contouredportion 48 a (FIG. 6B and the description below) having anopening 48 b. A portion of each lead 58 may be further threaded through theopening 48 b thereby securing thelead 58 to theinner back member 44 to prevent the cord (or lead) 58 from being easily pulled out by a consumer. - Thus, as illustrated in
FIG. 4 , it should now be clear that in theback assembly 200, theouter back member 40 has a consumer-accessible opening 48. Further, theinner back member 44 may be located behind (interior of) theouter back member 40 and may comprise one or more consumeraccessible regions 52 a configured to receive one or moreaccessory connector members 56. Further, theregions 52 a may be contoured and have one ormore channels 54 configured to receive a portion of one or more leads 58 that may be or be coupled to a portion ofcord 28 or anend 28 a (see description above andFIGS. 3 , 3A, 3B) of one or more of thefirst accessory members 26 located in aninner front member 14 displayed behind a consumer non-accessible outerfront member 10. Without limiting the disclosure, theinner back member 44 may comprise any economically viable packaging material such as a thermoplastic that may be formable as desired. Since, there is a consumer-accessible opening 48 in theouter back member 40, there is no requirement that the thermoplastic material be transparent. However, as a matter of economic consideration, an economically viable alternative would be to form both theouter front member 10 coupled to a portion of theouter back member 40 having the opening 48 in a molding operation, such as injection molding and the like as is well understood in the art (as described below with reference toFIG. 5 ). - Referring now to
FIG. 4A theinner back member 44 may have one ormore regions 52 a located in an inner portion of theinner back member 44 sized to receive the one or moreaccessory connector members 56. Further, each of theregions 52 a may have one ormore channels 54 sized to receive a portion of each of theaccessory connector members 56 and a portion of one or morelead members 58 coupled to a portion of each one of the ends of the displayedaccessory members 56. Further, a portion of an opposite end of each of theaccessory connector members 56 such as acord 58 may comprise acommon connector tip 58 a at an opposite end of the cord to secure each of theaccessory connector members 56 to aportion 48 a of theinner back member 44. It should be further noted that theinner back member 44 might have the same features as theinner front member 14, and include the same features such as theopening 32 to better register theinner front member 14 to theinner back member 44.FIG. 4B depicts each of threeaccessory connector members 56 as described above. A[n] distal end of eachaccessory connector member 56 may include a plug oraccessory connector 56 a configured to couple to one or more electronic devices. An opposite proximal end of eachaccessory connector member 56 comprises acommon connector tip 58 a configured to couple to an end of acord 28 having areceiver end 28 a of one or moreaccessory members 26. -
FIG. 5 depicts an inside elevation view of an inner portion of thefront assembly 100 of theaccessories packaging system 300 coupled to an inner portion of theback assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system. The description of individual components of each assembly is the same as noted above, but clearly illustrated as being from an inner side point-of-view rather than the outer view described previously. As illustrated, theouter front member 10 may have afront member extension 10 a, while theouter back member 40 may have anextension 40 a. Of course, each of the extensions may be contiguous and merely be creased or shaped so that an inner portion of thefront assembly 100 may be folded against an inner portion of the back assembly 200 (seeFIG. 5B ). As a matter of convenience, theextension 150 coupling thefront assembly 100 to theback assembly 200 corresponds to thefront member extension 10 a contiguous with theback member extension 40 a. When folded in this way, one or more edges of theouter front member 10 may be coupled to one or more of the edges of theouter back member 40 as described above. Of course, any joining method including simple mechanical stapling may be used. -
FIG. 5A depicts a portion of an end of theouter front member 10 coupled to a portion of an end of theouter back member 40 with anadjacent extension 150 located between each of the ends.FIG. 5B depicts a side elevation view of an outer portion of theouter front member 10 of theaccessories packaging system 300 coupled to an outer portion of theouter back member 40 by theextension 150.FIG. 5C depicts an elevation view of aseparator member 300 a. Theseparator member 300 a may be located between a portion of each of theouter front member 10 and theouter back member 40. Theseparator member 300 a may have theopening 32 to align (or register) theouter front member 10 and theouter back member 40. -
FIG. 6 depicts an elevation view of an inner portion of a front assembly coupled to an inner portion of a back assembly of another embodiment of anaccessories packaging system 300. Theouter front member 10 has anopening 20 as before, with aninner edge 12 a of thefront label 12 defining a contour to align the front label to an inner portion of theouter front member 10. In the same way, theouter back member 40 has anopening 50, with aninner edge 44 a of the back label defining a contour to align the back label to an inner portion of theouter back member 40. Of course, thedisplay window 48 is consumer accessible to provide the “try me” feature as described above. As described above, an end of each of theouter front member 10 and theouter back member 40 may have anadjacent extension hinge 150 to provide a clamshell package. When adjacent to each other in an accessories packaging system, theopenings -
FIG. 6A depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of aninner front member 14 for insertion into a portion of theouter front member 10 of the accessories packaging system. As illustrated, a contouredregion 22 a of theinner front member 14 may be extended away (above or below) a substantially adjacent region including a portion 14 a, aninner portion 22 and achannel 24. An inner edge of the contouredregion 22 a defines theinner portion 22 adjacent to thechannel 24. -
FIG. 6B depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of aninner back member 44 for insertion into a portion of anouter back member 40 of the accessories packaging system. As illustrated, theinner back member 44 may comprise aregion 44 a adjacent to each of twoinner portions 52 contoured and configured to each receive oneaccessory connector member 56. The inner portion has anopening 54 a as described previously. Anotherinner region 48 a has twoopenings 48 b as described previously. An end of theinner back member 44 may have anindentation 32 a located at an opposite end to the end having the alignment opening 32 (described previously). Each bottom surface of theregions region 44 a. In other words, the surface of theregion 44 a may be elevated relative to theregions -
FIG. 7 depicts a front elevation view of an embodiment of thefront assembly 100 of the accessories packaging system. The front assembly may include anaccessory member 26 and afront label 12 as viewed from an outer surface of theouter front member 10. Thefront label 12 may comprise appropriate merchandising and identification information to provide consumer convenience in selection of a needed accessory. -
FIG. 8 depicts an elevation view of an embodiment of theback assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , theback assembly 200 may include each of twoaccessory connector members 56 and aback label 42 as viewed from an outer surface of theouter back member 40. Theback label 42 may comprise appropriate merchandising and identification information to provide consumer convenience in selection of a needed accessory and includes a “try me” opening 48 accessible by a consumer to match up to the consumer's electronic device. As illustrated inFIG. 8 , each lead 58 may be threaded throughopenings accessory connector members 54 to theback member 40. - As may be appreciated, from the description herein, providing a “try me” feature (specifically the consumer-accessible window 48) located on a portion of the
outer back member 40 of the accessories packaging system may result in increased visibility of certain features of a product display (such as the one or moreaccessory connectors 56 described herein). - Advantageously, when the “try me” feature is conveniently located on a portion of the
back assembly 200, it may provide more room for labeling the accessories packaging system, to benefit both a consumer and a retailer. Thus, there may be better branding by manufacturers of accessories and may be an advantage for consumers in that a family of products with which the accessories are compatible (e.g., Sony Ericsson—all models) may be more prominently set forth. - In another aspect, when the “try me” feature is located on a portion of the
back assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system such as theouter back member 40, multiple accessory connectors may be displayed at once in sets associated with theirspecific accessory 26 to the benefit of consumers and manufacturers. In a specific example, where an accessory 26 had been sold with two, three or four connectors to make the accessory compatible with more portable electronic devices, all of the connectors would be displayed in the “try me” one or more openings. Naturally, it will be appreciated that this may greatly increase the size of the “try me” feature. - In yet another aspect, when the “try me” feature is located on a portion of the
back assembly 200 of the accessories packaging system, neatness of product display to consumers may be enhanced over time (also known as “shelf discipline”). For example, typically when consumers use “try me” features enabling them to pull on a connector cord to reach a portable electronic device being tested, often consumers cannot be relied upon to push the cord (such as an accessory connector lead 58) neatly back into the package when finished using the “try me” feature. This means retail employees may need to be diverted from their selling activities more often because as often happens, accessory connectors may be left unattractively hanging out of the product packages being displayed. Often, if the “try me” feature is located on a portion of thefront assembly 100 of the accessory package system, product display may be impaired, making a retail outlet appear sloppy and undisciplined. - While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited by the specific examples set out herein.
Claims (18)
1. An accessory packaging system merchandising method, comprising:
distributing an accessory packaging system to at least one merchandiser, wherein said electronic device accessory packaging system comprises a device accessory packaged within a packaging assembly; wherein said device accessory comprises an accessory member, a first cord, and a first dedicated connector coupled to said first cord; wherein said packaging assembly comprises an outer shell; wherein said outer shell defines an interior cavity sized for receiving said device accessory; wherein said outer shell comprises a continuous outer front lacking any consumer-accessible front opening and comprises an outer back configured with a consumer-accessible back opening allowing consumer access to said first dedicated connector;
displaying said accessory packaging system to one or more consumers; and
receiving income from said one or more consumers to satisfy according to a predetermined level of satisfaction of one or more of the following:
said at least one merchandiser and said one or more consumers.
2. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , further comprising:
allowing said one or more consumers to retrieve said first dedicated connector from said consumer-accessible back opening; and
allowing said one or more consumers to attempt to match said first dedicated connector with a socket on an electronic device of said one or more consumers.
3. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , further comprising:
allowing said one or more consumers to test the suitability of said first dedicated connector for a socket of an electronic device of said one or more consumer without breaking the seal of said packaging assembly.
4. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , further comprising:
allowing said one or more consumers to test the suitability of said first dedicated connector for a socket of an electronic device of said one or more consumer without purchasing said device accessory.
5. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , further comprising:
enhancing product display by positioning said continuous outer front forward on said product display with said outer back having said consumer-accessible back opening positioned rearward.
6. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , wherein said outer shell comprises a clamshell-type packaging.
7. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , wherein said packaging assembly further comprises at least one inner back member.
8. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 7 , wherein said at least one inner back member comprises at least one contoured inner portion configured to receive said first dedicated connector.
9. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 8 , wherein said at least at least one contoured inner portion and said first dedicated connector are exposed through said consumer-accessible back opening.
10. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , wherein said device accessory further comprises a second dedicated connector.
11. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , wherein:
said outer shell comprises a back member; and
said first dedicated connector is secured to said back member.
12. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 11 , wherein said back member is configured with at least one opening sized to allow said first cord to pass from said interior cavity of said outer shell to the exterior of said outer shell.
13. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 11 , wherein said first dedicated connector is secured to said back member.
14. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 1 , wherein:
said packaging assembly further comprises at least one inner back member;
said at least one inner back member comprises at least one contoured inner portion configured to receive said first dedicated connector;
said at least at least one contoured inner portion and said first dedicated connector are exposed through said consumer-accessible back opening; and
said first cord extends from said interior cavity to said consumer-accessible back opening.
15. An accessory packaging system merchandising method, comprising:
distributing an accessory packaging system to at least one merchandiser, wherein said electronic device accessory packaging system comprises a device accessory packaged within a packaging assembly; wherein said device accessory comprises an accessory member, a cord, and at least one dedicated connector coupled to said cord; wherein said packaging assembly comprises an outer shell; wherein said outer shell defines an interior cavity sized for receiving said device accessory; wherein said outer shell comprises at least one contoured inner portion; wherein said outer shell comprises a continuous outer front lacking any consumer-accessible front opening and comprises an outer back configured with a consumer-accessible back opening; wherein said at least one dedicated connector is exposed through said consumer-accessible back opening to allow consumer access to said at least one dedicated connector;
displaying said accessory packaging system to one or more consumers;
allowing said one or more consumers to retrieve said at least one dedicated connector from said consumer-accessible back opening;
allowing said one or more consumers to attempt to match said at least one dedicated connector with a socket on an electronic device of said one or more consumers; and
receiving income from said one or more consumers to satisfy according to a predetermined level of satisfaction of one or more of the following:
said at least one merchandiser and said one or more consumers.
16. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 14 , wherein:
said outer shell comprises a back member;
said back member is configured with at least one opening sized to allow said cord to pass from said interior cavity of said outer shell to the exterior of said outer shell; and
said first dedicated connector is secured to said back member.
17. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 14 , wherein said outer shell comprises a clamshell-type packaging.
18. The accessory packaging system merchandising method of claim 14 , wherein said at least one dedicated connector comprises multiple dedicated connectors.
Priority Applications (1)
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US14/094,514 US20140083903A1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2013-12-02 | Electronic device accessories packaging system and methods thereof |
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US12/113,129 US8646607B1 (en) | 2008-04-30 | 2008-04-30 | Electronic device accessories packaging system and methods thereof |
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AU201616478S (en) * | 2016-05-20 | 2016-12-12 | Reckitt Benckiser Brands Ltd | Blister Package |
US10435221B2 (en) | 2016-06-24 | 2019-10-08 | Altria Client Services Llc | Display packages, blanks for forming the display package and methods of manufacturing the same |
USD830853S1 (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2018-10-16 | Altria Client Services Llc | Package for E-kit with pouch |
US10435231B2 (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2019-10-08 | Altria Client Services Llc | Package for e-kit with pouch, blank for making the package, the packaged e-kit with the pouch, and method of forming the e-kit with the pouch |
USD1007329S1 (en) * | 2021-12-13 | 2023-12-12 | Lih Yann Industrial Co., Ltd. | Blister tray |
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