Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
  • G09F13/0413—Frames or casing structures therefor
• • 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
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/08—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
  • B65D83/0894—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession the articles being positioned relative to one another or to the container in a special way, e.g. for facilitating dispensing, without additional support
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F13/00—Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising
  • G09F13/04—Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
  • G09F13/0418—Constructional details
  • G09F13/0477—Signs, boards or panels mounted on containers
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
  • G09F23/02—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes the advertising matter being displayed by the operation of the article
  • G09F23/04—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes the advertising matter being displayed by the operation of the article illuminated
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
  • G09F23/06—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F27/00—Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address
• • 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
  • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
  • B65D2203/12—Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
  • G09F23/00—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes
  • G09F2023/0025—Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes on containers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a packaging assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a packaging assembly having one or more sensory interactable elements that are capable of effect at least a partial response on one or more of the senses of touch, sight, smell, hearing, and taste.
• the Febreze® product offered by the Procter & Gamble Co. includes a "decor” collection which includes a highly artistic bottle which is intended to be left out as a home decor item.
• the Febreze® product line includes a Febreze CandlesTM collection which includes votive-style candles in a glass jar which is intended to be left out as a home decor item. Due to the success of such styled containers and packaging, consumer product packaging is often highly stylized.
• the present invention is directed to a sensory interactable packaging assembly comprising a base, a container, and a control system.
• the base comprises a power supply.
• the container may be used for containing consumer product, and may be removably attachable to the base.
• the container further comprises an outer surface and a sensory interactable element disposed on the outer surface.
• the control system may be integrated into the container.
• the control system further comprises an output and is in electrical communication with the sensory interactable element such that the sensory interactable element is responsive to the output of the control system when the container is proximate to the base.
• the control system is in electrical communication with the power supply.
• the present invention is directed to a sensory interactable packaging assembly comprising a base, a container, and a control system.
• the base comprises a power supply.
• the container may be used for containing consumer product.
• the container may be removably attachable to the base.
• the container further comprises an outer surface and a sensory interactable element disposed on the outer surface.
• the control system further comprises an output and the may be in electrical communication with the sensory interactable element.
• the sensory interactable element is responsive to the output of the control system when the container is proximate to the base and the control system is in electrical communication with the power supply.
• the present invention is directed to a sensory interactable packaging assembly comprising a base, a container, and a control system.
• the base comprises a magnet.
• the container may be used for containing consumer product.
• the container may be removably attachable to the base.
• the container further comprises an outer surface and a sensory interactable element disposed on the outer surface.
• the control system further comprises an output and the may be in electrical communication with the sensory interactable element.
• a sensory interactable element is responsive to the output of the control system when the container is proximate to the base and the control system is in electrical communication with the power supply.
• a circuit between the power supply and the control system is completed when the container is proximate to the base.
• FIG. IA is an exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. IB is another exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is yet another an exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3.
• FIG. 4 is an additional exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is yet another exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is yet still another exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a retail shelf that may be used as a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is another exemplary embodiment of a packaging assembly according to the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9.
• Base refers to any module or unit that may act as a support surface and/or foundation for a container of the present invention.
• a base may further comprise components or parts that may activate, provide power to and/or manage additional components associated with a packaging assembly, such as a sensory interactive element.
• a container may fit into, onto, or be supported by, the base.
• a container comprises a controller.
• Consumer refers to any person or entity that may purchase, make a decision to purchase, or contemplate purchasing a product. In one nonlimiting embodiment, the consumer may be the end user of a product.
• Container refers to any covering material, box, holder, vessel, envelope, carton, overwrap, outer covering, or any other embodiment in which at least a portion of a product can be placed for shipping, transport, storage and/or sale.
• a container may be any shape or size that is required for the desired function or product. In a nonlimiting example, a container may be cubic, cylindrical, or pyramidal.
• a container may be made of any material that is required for the desired function. Exemplary nonlimiting materials include cardboard, plastic, glass, metal, paper, wood, and combinations thereof.
• Control system refers to a device or set of devices that are capable of managing, commanding, directing or regulating the behavior of other devices or systems via an output.
• a control system may be utilized to activate and/or deactivate one or more sensory interactable elements.
• An automatic sequential control system may trigger a series of mechanical actuators in the correct sequence to perform a designated task.
• a control loop including sensors, control algorithms and actuators, may be arranged in such a fashion as to try to regulate a variable to a set point or reference value.
• Exemplary control systems are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,797,795, 7,233,831, and 6,987,787.
• Exemplary devices that a control system may control are a sensory interactable element and/or power supply.
• a control system may be integrated into a container.
• a control system may be printed on the surface of the container itself using any printed electronics technology that is known to one of skill in the art.
• a control system may be provided into the body of the container by a chip or circuit board.
• a control system may be disposed onto the inner surface of a container.
• a control system may be provided such the control system is in electrical communication with the sensory activatable element and/or the power source by induction or direct connection.
• a control system may be integrated into a unit separate from the base or the container.
• a control system and/or power supply may be integrated into a shelving unit or other display unit at a retail location so that the retailer may have an active product package or container on display without necessarily having a base unit on the same display.
• the retail shelving unit may comprise both the power supply and the control system are capable of interaction with the sensory element on the container to provide the packaging assembly with the appropriate electronic signals to function.
• a packaging assembly refers to a group of components that may be used alone or in combination to provide a single packaging unit.
• a packaging assembly comprises a container, base, control system, product, and sensory interactable element.
• Power supply refers to any device or equipment that provides a source of energy to another device or piece of equipment.
• a power supply may provide electrical energy or output, or another form of energy to a load.
• a power supply generates an electric field which may be used to cause the electrons in a material to move into an excited state. The excited electrons may then drop out of the excited state and, in doing so, may release energy in the form of light.
• a power supply may also describe a switched-mode power supply, linear regulator, rectifier, inverter, batteries, chemical fuel cells, solar cells, and combinations thereof. Exemplary power supplies are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,262,559, 7,023,109, 7,227,652, 6,897,623, 6,348,766, and 7,317,303.
• Product refers to any object, material or substance that is intended for use by a consumer.
• a product may be selected from the group consisting of wipes, napkins, facial tissues, bathroom tissue, paper towels, baby care products, feminine care products, household care products, personal care products, and combinations thereof.
• a sensory interactable element refers to any mechanism, piece of equipment, apparatus, device, or the like that provides at least partial stimulation to any one or more of the senses - including the sense of smell, sight, touch, taste, and/or sound.
• a sensory interactable element may be illuminatable (e.g., provides a light when activated).
• a sensory interactable element may be auditorily activatable (e.g., provides a sound or noise when activated).
• a sensory interactable element may be odoriferously activatable (e.g., provides a smell or odor when activated).
• ⁇ luminatable sensory interactable element or “illuminatable device” or “illuminatable element”, as used herein, refers to an element or device that may be disposed on a substrate emit or radiate light over any range of the visible spectrum.
• illuminatable sensory interactable elements include electroluminescent elements, LEDs (including organic LEDs), incandescent elements, chemiluminescent elements, cathodoluminescent elements, triboluminescent elements, photoluminescent elements, and phosphorescent elements, and combinations thereof.
• an illuminatable sensory interactable element comprises an electroluminescent element.
• Illuminatable sensory interactable elements may be configured to form letters, words, shapes, animations and combinations thereof.
• an electroluminescent element may provide the benefits of relatively low energy consumption, relatively little generation of thermal energy, capable of being printed onto a substrate, may provide easily changeable and relatively free-flowing illuminatable areas, and may be powered by a power supply that provides an electric field or from a power supply that is directly coupled to the control system.
• illuminatable elements such as organic LEDs or inorganic LEDs, may also be powered in a similar manner.
• Exemplary electroluminescent element devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,361,885, 6,759,146, 7,345,301, 7,227,313, 6,740,429, and 6,767,654.
• An electroluminescent device may be any color or shape that is suitable for the desired application.
• a plurality of illuminatable sensory interactable elements may be used in combination.
• the plurality of illuminatable elements may be coordinated to illuminate sequentially, in unison, intermittently, or randomly to form an animation.
• a plurality of illuminatable elements may be disposed on a package or container to simulate a number of lights dispersed on a wreath or tree.
• a number of illuminatable elements may be disposed on a package or container to simulate an animated light board or marquee.
• an illuminatable element may be used to provide a light source on a package or container.
• an illuminatable element may be disposed on, or near, an opening of a package or container to assist a consumer who may be attempting to access the product in the dark, similar to a night light.
• Such an embodiment may be contemplated to be particularly useful for a box of facial tissues or for a box of wipes.
• "Odoriferously interactable" refers to the quality of an element or device that may emit a scent upon activation. Exemplary odoriferously activatable devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,903,710 and 4,931,224.
• auditorily interactable refers to the quality of an element or device that may emit a sound upon activation.
• Exemplary auditorily activatable devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,441,921, 5,063,698, and 6,260,703.
• a container may have a plurality of electroluminescent devices configured to simulate a rainbow and the container may further comprise an auditorily interactable element that plays Arlen and Harburg's "Over the Rainbow.”
• a container may have a plurality of electroluminescent devices configured to simulate apples on an apple tree and the package may further comprise an odoriferously interactable element that releases a simulated apple pie scent upon use.
• An example of a device combining an odoriferously interactable element with an illuminatable sensory interactable element is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,559.
• an electronic device such as a sensory interactable element and/or control system may be provided by using printing technology to dispose conductive, printed electronic circuits onto the outer, or inner, surface of a container, base, or any other desired unit.
• a sensory activatable element and/or control system may be printed onto a substrate, such as a card, which may be adhesively or mechanically affixed onto a container, base, or other unit.
• an electronic device may be printed by applying conductive inks through screen printing, gravure printing, ink jet printing, flexographic printing, or any other printing method familiar to those skilled in the printing art, onto the surface of the container.
• a plurality of different printing methods may be used to apply the ink to the surface being printed on. It has been found that a non-trivial amount of space and money may be saved by using printed electronic circuits instead of using individually manufactured components such as resistors, light bulbs, capacitors, and the like.
• An exemplary printed electronic circuit is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,980,196. Base
• a base of the present invention may act as a foundation or support surface/structure for a container of the present invention.
• the base may comprise an orifice or other opening with which to provide mating engagement with the container.
• a container may simply come into contact with the base.
• components of the base may be in electrical communication with components of the container without having the base and container come into direct physical contact.
• a base may provide additional functionality to the overall product package assembly.
• a base may contain elements or devices which may provide a source of power (e.g., a power supply, electric field, etc.) to the packaging assembly in order to activate and/or control sensory interactable elements and/or a controller.
• the base may comprise any necessary circuitry and/or componentry to accept power from a wall outlet.
• the base may contain any necessary circuitry and/or componentry to accept power from a battery or from a photocell or other device.
• the base may comprise a control unit.
• the base may have a control system integrated therein where the control system comprises an output which may control some additional feature (such as a sensory activatable element) that may be incorporated in the base, on the container, electrically coupled to the container, or in some other part of the assembly, such as a container.
• some additional feature such as a sensory activatable element
• the base may act as a foundation or support unit for a package of the assembly, it is contemplated that the base does not necessarily have to directly support the container (e.g., fit underneath the container), but may operate with the assembly in any configuration with, or while proximate to, the package or container.
• An exemplary nonlimiting embodiment is a base comprising a device capable of providing an electric field and/or a magnetic field.
• An exemplary container may comprise a sensory interactable element, such as an electroluminescent device, which is activated by an electric field proximate thereto.
• an exemplary container comprises a sensory interactable element, power supply, and control system which may be activated when placed proximate to a magnet, the magnet providing a magnetic field which then completes a circuit between the sensory interactable element, power supply, and control system.
• the container may be designed such that it is removably attachable to the base.
• a container according to the present invention may include: a box, holder, vessel, envelope, carton, overwrap, outer covering, and combinations thereof that may be used to contain, store, secure, stock, and combinations thereof any product that the consumer may desire.
• the product may be selected from the group consisting of paper products, feminine care products, wipes, paper towel products, bathroom tissue products, napkins, baby care products, facial tissue products, and combinations thereof.
• a container may comprise one or more openings for a consumer to access a product stored therein.
• the container further comprises additional elements of the packaging assembly.
• a container may comprise a power supply, control system, sensory interactable element, and combinations thereof.
• the container may comprise the circuitry and/or wiring and/or componentry to accept power from a power supply.
• the container may contain the circuitry and/or wiring and/or componentry to provide electrical communication between a control system and a sensory interactable element.
• the container may comprise a control system.
• the container may have a control system integrated therein wherein the control system comprises an output.
• the control system may control some additional feature, such as a sensory activatable element, that may be incorporated in the container, or in some other part of the packaging assembly, such as a base.
• the control system may be adapted to receive electrical, or some other, power from a power supply.
• a container may further comprise a sensory interactable element as described supra.
• the sensory interactable element is illuminatable as described supra.
• a plurality of illuminatable sensory interactable elements may be used in combination. For example, all of the illuminatable elements may illuminate in unison, or may illuminate intermittently to form an animated image. Such an animated image may be controlled using a control system as described infra.
• a control system may control a plurality of sensory interactable elements.
• a plurality of illuminatable elements may be disposed on a package or container to simulate a number of lights on a wreath or tree.
• illuminatable elements may be disposed on a package or container to simulate an animated light board or marquee.
• an illuminatable element may be used to provide a light source on a package or container.
• an illuminatable element may be disposed on, or near, an opening of a package or container to act as a "night light" and assist a consumer who may be attempting to access the product in the dark.
• Such an embodiment is contemplated to be particularly useful for a box of facial tissues or for a box of wipes.
• the sensory interactable element may be integrated directly into the container.
• the sensory interactable element may be adhered directly to the surface of the container.
• the sensory interactable element may be printed onto the surface of the container (i.e., using an electroluminescent ink) as described supra.
• the container may be of any shape that is suitable for the desired application.
• the container may have a cylindrical shape wherein base is circular or oblong.
• the base may be any polygon, such as a square, hexagon, octagon, triangle, and combinations thereof.
• the purpose of the control system may be to convert power from the power supply into an appropriate form for providing electrical communication to a sensory interactable element.
• the sensory interactable element comprises an electroluminescent material may require an alternating current to illuminate.
• the control system may convert the power from the power supply to an alternating current.
• it may be preferred to provide electrical communication between the control system and the sensory interactable element via induction.
• electrical communication provided via induction may preclude the use of a direct mechanical interconnection between the control system and the sensory interactable element. In this case, the control system would have to convert the power from the power supply into an electro-magnetic field to interact with a parasitic inductor, such as a sensorial element.
• the control system can also provide the function of "sequencing" the sensorial elements to, for example, create an illuminated animation on the package.
• the power from the power supply may be converted to the appropriate form and then be turned “on” and “off in some desired timed sequence to provide the animated effect.
• Other sensorial effects such as sound and smell could also be controlled by the control system.
• control system may be provided by printing conductive inks onto a container or some other substrate in a form that complements the sensory interactable elements.
• the control system may be printed on the outer surface of a container such that the overall ink pattern (both conductive and non-conductive ink) may take the appearance of a wreath.
• a plurality of illuminatable sensory interactable elements, such as electroluminescent devices, may be also printed to provide the appearance of a number of lights on the wreath.
• the overall image on the outer surface of the container is one of a wreath with lights, wherein at least portions of the printed wreath actually function as the control system which may control the sequence and/or timing of the illumination of the electroluminescent devices.
• a power supply may be used to provide the control system and sensory interactable elements with power for them to operate. It is thought that the control system may receive power from the power supply in any number of ways.
• One example of a method of transferring power from the power supply to the control system is through a direct, conductive contact. This may be in the form of a plug and receptacle if, for example, the system requires that the power supply and control system be assembled or disassembled for use.
• the power from the power supply may be transferred to the control system by inductive means, such as using electrical or magnetic fields, thereby eliminating the requirement of directly connecting the two.
• a power supply may provide power either directly or inductively.
• a power supply may be directly electrically connected with the control system.
• a power supply generates an electric field and/or a magnetic field which inductively activates the control system and/or sensory interactable element.
• a power supply may be selected from the group consisting of: a direct wall outlet, batteries, photocells, solar cells, fuel cells, linear power supplies, switching power supplies, or any other power source known to those skilled in the art, and combinations thereof.
• power may supplied by one or more battery which may be integrated into the base of the present invention packaging assembly.
• FIG. IA provides an exemplary nonlimiting embodiment of a packaging assembly having a sensory interactable element (“assembly") 10 of the present invention.
• the assembly 10 comprises a base 20, a container 30, a control system 32, and a power supply 25.
• the container 30 may be designed such that it is removably attachable to the base.
• the assembly 10 further comprises an animation 40 disposed on the outer surface 33 of the container 30.
• the animation 40 further comprises a plurality of individual sensory interactable elements ("elements”) 42 which are individually or collectively illuminatable.
• the assembly optionally comprises a plurality of product 35.
• the elements 42 may be configured in any arrangement that may be suitable for the desired application.
• the elements 42 are configured to simulate rays of sunlight.
• the control system 32 may be provided as a discrete unit in, or on, the container 30 as exemplified in FIG. IA.
• the base 20 may comprise a power supply 25 which provides an electric or magnetic field. The field can then be inductively coupled to the control system 32 disposed upon the outer surface 33 of the container 30.
• the power supply 25 and control system 32 may be in electrical communication when the base 20 and container 30 are in direct physical contact or when the base 20 is proximate to, but not necessarily in direct physical contact with, the container 30.
• the control system further comprises an output which can cause the elements 42 to be illuminated, or otherwise activated.
• the control system 32 may be programmed to cause the individual elements 42 to illuminate in a coordinated fashion so as to create an animated- appearing image.
• the control system 32 may be programmed so as to cause the elements 42 to illuminate from the center of the pattern outwards - thus creating an effect in the overall animation 40 that the sun is radiating light outwards.
• FIG. IB An alternative exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. IB wherein the control system 32 may be provided as at least a portion of an element of the animation 40.
• the control system 32 is printed onto the outer surface 33 of the container 30 to simulate a waterfall, and the elements 42 simulate the spray at the bottom of the waterfall.
• the elements 42 do not necessarily have to be the same shape or color.
• FIG. 2 is a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of an assembly 10.
• the assembly 10 comprises a base 20 and a container 30.
• the assembly 10 further comprises an animation 40 formed from a plurality of elements 42 and the container 30 may be provided with a plurality of consumer product 35.
• the packaging assembly 10 further comprises a control system 32 (FIG. 4), and a power supply 25 (FIG. 4) which are integrated into the bodies of the container and base, respectively.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3.
• the control system 32 and power supply 32 are shown as being integrated into the inner surface of the container 30 and the body of the base 20, respectively.
• FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the assembly 10 wherein the container 30 further comprises a first conductive unit 31 in electrical communication with the power supply 25, control system 32 and/or sensory interactable elements 42.
• the base 20 may further comprise a second conductive unit 21 in electrical communication with the control system 32, power supply 25 and/or elements 42.
• a circuit is completed when the first and second conductive units 31, 21 are brought into physical contact, thus providing power to the animation 40.
• FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the assembly 10 wherein the container 30 comprises plurality of elements 42, a power supply 25, and control system 32, and optionally product 35.
• the elements form an animation 40.
• the base 20 comprises a magnet 70 wherein the magnet 70 completes an electrical circuit between the power supply 25 and control system 32 when the container 30 is proximate to the base 20. Upon completion of the circuit, the elements 42 may be activated.
• FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the assembly 10 wherein the base 60 of the container 30 is oblong.
• FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the present invention assembly 10 wherein the base 20 is a retail product shelf.
• a power supply 25 may be integrated into a retail product shelf which may serve as a base 20.
• the containers 30 may then be active while on display in a retail location.
• an advantage of using a retail product shelf as a base is that replacement containers 30 may be sold separately from a unit containing an individual base 20 (as shown in FIGS. 1-6), but wherein the replacement containers 30 may still demonstrate their functionality to the consumers while in a retail location.
• a plurality of individual containers 30 may be configured in a retail location to form a larger animation 40.
• FIG. 8 is a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment of an assembly 10 which comprises a base 20 and a container 30.
• the assembly 10 further comprises an animation 40 formed from a plurality of elements 42 and the container 30 may be provided with a plurality of consumer product 35.
• the packaging assembly 10 further comprises a control system 32 (FIG. 9) and a power supply 25 (FIG. 9) which are integrated into the body of the base.
• the power supply 25 and/or control system 32 may be disposed on any suitable surface of, or area within, the base.
• FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3-3.
• the control system 32 and power supply 32 are shown as being integrated into the inner surface of the container 30 and the body of the base 20, respectively.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Packages (AREA)
• Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Priority Applications (11)

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ID=41170154

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Cited By (2)

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Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (41)

• 2008
  • 2008-07-14 US US12/172,421 patent/US20100006462A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2009
  • 2009-06-25 CA CA2730282A patent/CA2730282C/en active Active
  • 2009-06-25 RU RU2010154019/12A patent/RU2506652C2/ru active
  • 2009-06-25 CN CN2009801280492A patent/CN102089797A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-06-25 KR KR1020117000947A patent/KR101217332B1/ko active IP Right Grant
  • 2009-06-25 EP EP09789948A patent/EP2301007A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-06-25 MY MYPI2010006094A patent/MY163895A/en unknown
  • 2009-06-25 BR BRPI0915495A patent/BRPI0915495A2/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2009-06-25 WO PCT/US2009/048630 patent/WO2010008914A1/en active Application Filing
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