Colored cartridge packaging
10753718 ยท 2020-08-25
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
F42B39/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B65D5/4204
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F42B39/26
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B65D85/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D5/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D5/20
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D85/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F42B39/26
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
Cartridge packaging comprising a container having a plurality of loose rimfire cartridges contained in an unordered state therein. The bullets of the rimfire cartridges each having a polymer coating, and the bullets are of two or more colors. The container comprises a non-rectangular opening in a front panel of the container defining a window with a transparent material spanning the opening, such that the different colored bullets of the rimfire cartridges are viewable through the window when the container is on a retail store shelf.
Claims
1. A package of 22 caliber rimfire cartridges comprising; a six sided cardboard box having an outer surface and an interior with a volume of about 12 cu. in. to about 36 cu. in, the box having a front panel, a pair of top panels inwardly extending in opposite directions and adhered together, each defining an exposed portion of a top side of the box, a plurality of bottom panels adhered together, a rearward panel, and a pair of lateral panels, the box having graphics on at least an exposed portion of the pair of top panels, the front panel and the pair of lateral panels, the front panel having a non-rectangular opening therein defining a non-rectangular window, transparent sheet material spanning the non-rectangular opening, the transparent sheet material being secured to the box; and a multiplicity of 22 caliber rimfire cartridges, comprising at least about 100 cartridges, randomly mixed in disordered state in the interior of the cardboard box, each of the rimfire cartridges comprising a bullet seated in a brass case containing propellant, wherein each bullet of each cartridge has an outer polymer coating, the outer polymer coating substantially covering the entirety of the bullet and having a color, and the multiplicity of rimfire cartridges comprise bullets of two or more different colors, wherein the box with the multiplicity of 22 caliber rimfire cartridges weighs from about 1 lb. to about 3.5 lbs.; wherein the rimfire cartridges and bullets of two or more different colors are viewable through the transparent material spanning the non-rectangular opening, wherein at least 20 cartridges are viewable through the transparent window and less than one half of the cartridges viewable in the window are viewable from a forward end of the cartridge to a rearward end of the cartridge due to their disordered state; and wherein at least one of the two or more different colors are present on the graphics.
2. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein the non-rectangular opening is in the shape of the outline of a Christmas tree and the two or more different colors of the polymer coatings of the bullets comprise red and green.
3. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein the shape of the non-rectangular opening is in the shape of the silhouette of an animal.
4. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein the different colors comprise red, white, and blue.
5. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein the shape of the non-rectangular opening corresponds to a theme associated with the two or more different colors, and wherein the graphics on the box has words associated with the theme, and wherein the theme is one of a patriotic theme, a hunting theme, and a sports theme.
6. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein the shape of the non-rectangular opening is the shape of a silhouette of a sports ball or sports helmet and the two or more different colors.
7. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein there are at least 250 cartridges in the box.
8. The cartridge packaging of claim 1, wherein the colors are associated with a particular sports team and the shape of the opening of the box is associated with the sport of the particular sports.
9. A package of 22 caliber long rifle rimfire cartridges comprising; a six sided cardboard box having an interior with a volume of about 12 cu. in. to about 36 cu. in, the box having a front panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a rearward panel, and a pair of lateral panels, the box having graphics on at least an exposed portion of the top panel, the front panel and the pair of lateral panels, the top panel or front panel having an opening therein defining a window, the opening in the shape of a non-rectangular silhouette of one of an animal, a tree, a sports item, a caricature, and a mountain landscape, transparent material spanning the opening, the transparent material being secured to the box; and a multiplicity of 22 caliber long rifle rimfire cartridges, comprising at least about 100 cartridges, in disordered state in the interior of the cardboard box, each of the rimfire cartridges comprising a bullet seated in a brass case containing propellant, wherein each bullet of each cartridge has an outer polymer coating, the outer polymer coating substantially covering the entirety of the bullet and having a color, and the multiplicity of rimfire cartridges comprise bullets having polymer coatings of two or more different colors, wherein the box with the multiplicity of 22 caliber long rifle rimfire cartridges weighs from about 1 lb. to about 3.5 lbs.; wherein the rimfire cartridges with bullets of two or more different colors are viewable through the transparent material spanning the non-rectangular opening, wherein at least 20 cartridges are viewable through the transparent window and less than one half of the cartridges that are viewable through the transparent window are viewable through the transparent window from a forward end of the cartridge to a rearward end of the cartridge due to their disordered state; and wherein the transparent material is sufficiently adhered to the cardboard about the window to prevent breech of the window by the bullets during handling.
10. The cartridge packaging of claim 9, the two or more different colors including red and green.
11. The cartridge packaging of claim 9, the front panel opening having a shape, the box having an image in the graphics, wherein the image, the shape of the front panel opening, and the rimfire cartridges with bullets of two or more different colors are related in a theme.
12. The cartridge packaging of claim 9, wherein the shape of the opening is one of a pine tree, a reindeer, a sled, and a Santa Claus, and the two or more different colors are green and red.
13. The cartridge packaging of claim 9, wherein the two or more different colors are associated with a particular sports team and the shape of the opening on the top panel or front panel of the box is associated with the sport of the sports team.
14. The cartridge packaging of claim 13, wherein the shape of the opening of the front panel or top panel is a ball or helmet.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The invention together with the above and other objects and advantages will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
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(34) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(35) The present disclosure includes bullet cartridge packaging comprising a cardboard box and containing bullet cartridges with polymer coated bullets of two or more colors, wherein the packaging includes a forward facing window portion making the multi-colored bullets viewable when on the shelf by a customer and further includes methods of assembling such bullet cartridge packaging for transport and sale and presenting such cartridges to customers.
(36) Referring to
(37) In at least some embodiments, as further shown in
(38) Referring to
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(40) The transparent material 20 can be any suitable material used in packaging. Examples of transparent material include, but are not limited to, High-density polyethylene (HDPE or PEHD), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Recycled PET, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP).
(41) In at least some embodiments, an allotted quantity of bullet cartridges 6 comprising bullets of two or more colors is loosely deposited into the container 4, such that the bullet cartridges 6 are randomly mixed in the interior 10 of the container 4.
(42) Referring to
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(45) In at least some embodiments, a shape of the opening 18, designs, images, text, writing, indicia and/or colors on the container or box and/or color(s) of the bullets 38 correlate, is associated with, relates to or is connected with a concept, idea, cause, profession, sport, activity, entity or theme. For example one theme may be Christmas, the colors of the bullets are selected to be green and red, colors traditionally associated with Christmas, and the shape of the opening on the package is of a tree, specifically the shape of a Christmas tree. One theme may a patriotic theme with the bullets colored associated with the colors associated with the flag of a specific country and the opening the shape of a flag, or of the geographic shape of the country. For example, the country could be the U.S., the colors red, white, and blue, and the shape of the opening may be a flag or of the outline of the continental U.S. For example, the country could be Canada, with the colors of the bullets red and white, and with a flag graphic on the box colored red and white, and
(46) As an example, the opening 18 can be in the shape of a pine tree, as shown in
(47) As a further example, the correlation or theme can be a sport, activity or entity, such as football and/or a particular team. In such a case, the opening 18 can be in the shape of a football, helmet or logo (FIGS. 7C1-7C2) and the container and bullets can comprise colors, designs and indicia related or corresponding to the sport of football and/or a particular team or entity.
(48) The opening 18, the color of the bullets and the designs, images, text, writing, and/or colors can be related or correspond in terms of a cause or promotion. The opening 18 can be in the shape of a ribbon (
(49) As a further example, the opening 18, the color of the bullets and the designs, images, text, writing, and/or colors on the box can be related in terms of a profession or business entity. The opening 18 can be in the shape of a badge (
(50) The shape of the opening 18 can correlate to a type, gauge or size of bullet cartridges in the container and/or a target or an animal associated with the use of the type, gauge or size of bullet cartridges (
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(52) More specifically, particular themes and associated colors may be as follows:
(53) Patriotic Theme. Window shape and/or box graphic may be a flag, a bell, a patriot, bullet, muskets, geographic shape of country. Bullet colors and colors of the box graphics may be red, white, and blue with respect to the United States. Other colors for other countries.
(54) Sports Team or Sport. Window shape and/or graphic on box may be a player, sport equipment and balls. For example, baseball bats, baseball gloves, footballs, baseballs, football helmets, baseball helmets, players wearing the equipment. Colors of the bullets and/or box graphic colors may two or three colors selected from the following: red, green, aqua green, gray, blue, navy blue, white, black, yellow, purple, maroon, gold, silver, pink, brown and orange. The colors may be colors affiliated with a specific sport team in college sports, the MLB, NFL, and NBA. The sport may be auto racing, with the window shape and/or box graphic being an automobile or other racing vehicle, the bullet and/or box graphics being colors associated with a specific racing team for example.
(55) Hunting. Window shape and/or graphic may be an animal or animal head, particularly a game animal, a mountain landscape, a target of concentric circles, a riflescope image with cross hairs, cartridges, firearms, or ATV's. A logo of a ammunition manufacturer, letters or a word. In embodiments, the box graphic may include camouflage. Bullet colors and box graphic colors may be green, brown, and white. In embodiments also red, aqua green, blue, navy blue, black, yellow, purple, maroon, gold, silver, pink, and orange.
(56) Charitable cause. Window shape and/or graphic can be a ribbon assembly, bullet and/or box graphic color can be pink.
(57) Holiday. The bullet and/or box graphic colors may be red and green. The window shape and/or box graphics may be a Christmas tree, a Santa Clause, a reindeer, or a sled. The holiday may be Halloween, with the bullet and/or box colors be orange and black. The window opening shape may be a pumpkin, a monster, or a ghost.
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(62) In all of the figures, a window portion in the front panel is shown. The window portion is shown in different shapes and sizes. The transparent material covering the window portion is shown in different shapes and sizes. The transparent material covering the window portion can include printing. Cartridges inside the cartridge packaging are viewable through the transparent material at the window portion of the front panel. The bullet portions of the cartridges as seen in various figures and
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(65) The following patents and patent publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all purposes. The patents include coated bullets and methods of coating bullets, and inventive aspects relating to sports and sports team themes.
(66) U.S. Pat. No. 9,254,503; US Pat. Publ. 20090254171; US Pat. Publ. 20030101891; U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,684; US Pat. Pub. 20050257308; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,196,670; 4,328,750; US Pat. Publ. 20070095241; U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,744; US Pat. Publ. 20160377397; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,032,492; 6,090,756; 4,731,189; 5,592,986; US Pat. Publ. 20120199033; US Pat. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,275,108; 5,535,495; 3,580,178; 4,080,899; 4,454,175; 5,910,345; 3,553,804; 6,279,214; 5,062,974; 3,363,561; US Pat.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,340,216; 2,507,665; 8,561,542; 6,550,066; US Pat. Pub. 20140023800.
(67) Other methods of coating bullets with coatings of different colors conventionally known are included herein.
(68) Cartridges included herein can be those used in various types of small arm weapons, including hand guns, pistols, rifles, and the like. Examples include, but are not limited to, .380, .22, .40, 9 mm, 10 mm, .45, .38, 5.728 mm, .357, .30 Carbine, .300 Blackout, 7.6239 mm, 5.5645 mm, 0.308, 7.6254 mm and .30-06. Examples of bullet materials can include lead, lead alloys, copper, brass, or other conventional metals that is inserted at its base end within the open end of a casing. Examples of case materials can include brass, steel, copper, aluminum, or other conventional materials.
(69) Suitable overall dimensions of bullet cartridges include to those illustrated in the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute, Inc. (SAAMI) specification.
(70) In at least some embodiments, there is disclosed herein a method of assembling cartridge packaging. Referring to
(71) The bullets can be packaged in bulk and loose into the containers, randomly mixed and oriented in the container, as seen in
(72) In at least some embodiments, containers having a predetermined size are each filled with an allotted amount of the bullet cartridges 6. The containers are then either placed in storage or transported to an intermediary customer, such as a wholesale or retail entity, or to an end user or final customer. In the case of a retail entity customer, after receipt by the entity customer, the containers 4 of cartridges 6 are placed for in-store or on-line display and/or sale. Customer can see the multi-colored bullet cartridges 6 through the opening 18 and transparent material 20 of the front panel 12 of the container 4.
(73) As used herein, a method step recited in the singular and preceded with the word a or an should be understood as not excluding plural of said steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, the references to one embodiment of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments comprising or having an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
(74) All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.
(75) Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
(76) The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment (s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. For example cartridges other than 22 caliber cartridges may be included in embodiments of the invention. In embodiments, cartridges may be shotshell cartridges, and the cartridges may be visible through the window and may be in an ordered presentation. Rather than having bullets of different colors, the shotgun shell polymer casings may be of a plurality of colors viewable through a window in a box. In such a case, transparent material may not be necessary. The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes.
(77) Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase means for followed by a statement of function void of further structure.