Reusable Playable Rigid Packages

Abstract

The disclosed principles provide for a new and unique reusable rigid package configured to provide a container for holding, for example, food products, as well as to provide a playable structure for consumers, such as children, to play with during or after consumption of the food product. In addition, multiple playable packages as disclosed herein may be collected and combined together, for example, end-to-end, into a larger toy such as train of cars, busses, railway cars or any other vehicle shape. Disposable or reusable covers, either rigid or soft, may also be provided with each such disclosed rigid package. Furthermore, each disclosed package is configured to be stacked, one at least partially received within the other, for efficient stacked storage of multiple packages.

Claims

1. A reusable rigid package, comprising: a downwardly formed compartment having a front endwall and a rear endwall, and at least two sidewalls connecting the front and rear endwalls, the compartment configured to receive one or more products therein via an opening at a top of the compartment; a flange formed at the top of the compartment and around the opening, the flange comprising an entirely flat horizontal surface outwardly extending from the top of the compartment and sized to receive a flexible film cover sealable thereon; a first connecting feature formed in a front portion of the flange; a second connecting feature formed in a rear portion of the flange, wherein a first connecting feature of the package is shaped to interconnect with a second connecting feature of a second package; a decorative feature formed into the front endwall of the compartment; one or more stacking stops outwardly formed from one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment, the one or more stacking stops sized such that a bottommost surface is configured to contact a top of the flange of a second package when a bottom portion of the package is placed within the compartment of the second package to thereby maintain a predetermined position within but above a bottommost surface of the compartment of the second package; and standing features formed in a bottom portion of the compartment and downwardly extending therefrom, the standing features configured to hold the package upright such that the opening is positioned at the top of the package.

2. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting feature is a hole and the second connecting feature is a post downwardly formed from the rear portion of the flange.

3. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the one or more stacking stops comprise one or more side window shapes formed in one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment and extending outwardly therefrom.

4. (canceled)

5. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the standing features comprise a plurality of wheel shapes downwardly formed from the bottom of the compartment.

6. (canceled)

7. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the compartment is formed in a single, unitary structure.

8. A reusable rigid package according to claim 7, wherein the compartment comprises thermoformed plastic.

9. A reusable rigid package according to claim 8, wherein the thermoformed plastic compartment comprises a downwardly tapered shape of the front and second endwalls and the first and second sidewalls.

10. A reusable rigid package according to claim 8, wherein the thermoformed plastic is selected from the group consisting of: PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

11. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the compartment, one or more stacking stops and standing features are formed in a single unitary piece.

12. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, wherein the decorative feature comprises a smiley face shape.

13. A reusable rigid package according to claim 1, further comprising one or more additional decorative features formed into one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment.

14. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package, comprising: compartment downwardly formed in a single unitary structure, and having a front endwall and a rear endwall, and at least two sidewalls connecting the front and rear endwalls, the compartment having a downwardly tapered shape of the front and second endwalls and the first and second sidewalls, and configured to receive one or more products therein via an opening at a top of the compartment; a flange formed at the top of the compartment and around the opening, the flange comprising part of the unitary structure of the compartment and comprising an entirely flat horizontal surface outwardly extending from the top of the compartment and sized to receive a flexible film cover sealable thereon; a first connecting feature formed in a front portion of the flange; a second connecting feature formed in a rear portion of the flange, wherein a first connecting feature of the package is shaped to interconnect with a second connecting feature of a second package; a decorative feature formed into the front endwall of the compartment; one or more stacking stops each comprising a side window shape formed in one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment and extending outwardly therefrom, the one or more side window shapes each sized such that a bottommost surface is configured to contact a top of the flange of a second package when a bottom portion of the package is placed within the compartment of the second package to thereby maintain a predetermined position within but above a bottommost surface of the compartment of the second package; and a plurality of wheel shapes formed in a bottom portion of the compartment and downwardly extending therefrom, the plurality of wheel shapes forming standing features configured to hold the package upright such that the opening is positioned at the top of the package.

15. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 14, wherein the first connecting feature is a hole and the second connecting feature is a post downwardly formed from the rear portion of the flange.

16. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 14, wherein the compartment comprises thermoformed plastic.

17. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 16, wherein the thermoformed plastic compartment comprises a downwardly tapered shape of the front and second endwalls and the first and second sidewalls.

18. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 16, wherein the thermoformed plastic is selected from the group consisting of: PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene).

19. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 14, wherein the decorative feature comprises a smiley face shape.

20. A reusable rigid vehicle-shaped package according to claim 14, further comprising one or more additional decorative features formed into one or more of the sidewalls of the compartment

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The detailed description that follows, by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments, makes reference to the noted drawings in which reference numerals represent the same parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a reusable and playable rigid package manufactured in accordance with the disclosed principles;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the reusable rigid package illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the embodiment of the reusable rigid package illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of multiple rigid packages constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles vertically stacked;

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a plurality of playable rigid packages aligned end-to-end in a train structure;

[0019] The above-referenced figures are provided herein for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosed invention. Use of the same reference number in multiple figures is intended to designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms top, bottom, first, second, upper, lower, height, width, length, end, side, horizontal, vertical, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the particular embodiment. The extension of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In view of the foregoing, through one or more various aspects, embodiments and/or specific features, the present disclosure is intended to bring out one or more of the advantages that will be evident from the description. The present disclosure makes reference to one or more specific embodiments by way of illustration and example. It is understood, therefore, that the terminology, examples, drawings and embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

[0021] The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a reusable and playable rigid package 100 manufactured in accordance with the disclosed principles. The term package is used herein to generally refer to a device that may be used to carry or otherwise house one or more products, such as food products. Other similar terms, such as tray, are included within the broader term package. In advantageous embodiments, the rigid package 100 comprises a compartment 110 for holding product therein, such as snack products, where the compartment 110 is downwardly formed from a top flange 120.

[0023] The downwardly formed compartment 110 in the illustrated embodiment is formed into a visually appealing structure. The front end or endwall of the package 100 of FIG. 1 is shown formed into a smiley face 110. Of course, other types of faces or even other visually appealing decorative features or structures may be formed on the front of the rigid package 100. For example, in embodiments where the rigid package is formed into the shape of a type of vehicle, such as bus, car, or railway car, the decorative feature may be comprised of structural features typically found on any such vehicles. Additionally, the rear end or endwall of a playable package as disclosed herein may also include one or more decorative features formed therein. The visually appealing decorative features or structures formed on the surfaces of the package 100 is/are designed and formed so as to be appealing to potential consumers of the product sold within the package 100. Moreover, the visually appealing features or structures formed on the surfaces of the package 100 may be static as in the illustrated embodiment, or may include one or more moving components formed on the package 100.

[0024] Also shown from the front view of FIG. 1 is the tapered formed of the rigid package 100. Specifically, in embodiments where the package 100 is formed of a plastic material, a thermoforming technique may be used to mold the shape of the rigid package 100. In such thermoplastic constructions of the package 100, a downwardly tapered structure allows easier removal of the rigid package 100 from a thermoforming mold. The tapered structure starts from the top flange 120 and narrows the width of the package 100 as the taper moves downward to the bottom of the compartment 130. In addition, the tapered structure allows the stacking of multiple such packages 100 by receiving a bottom portion of one package into the downwardly formed compartment of a second package. Further stacking advantages provided by a playable rigid package 100 constructed as disclosed herein are discussed below.

[0025] Material for playable rigid packages formed as disclosed herein may be selected from variety of available materials, either now existing or later developed. In addition, package materials may be selected to be safe for use in the packaging of food products in those embodiments, where food products are to be held within the package. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, PP (polypropylene), PE(polyethylene), PS (polystyrene), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PET-G (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Of course, other suitable materials for both thermoforming and injection molding processes, or any other suitable formation processes, may also be employed.

[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the embodiment of the reusable rigid package 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The decorative structure on the front end of the package 100 may again be seen in this figure, which in this embodiment is again a smiley face 110. In addition, this isometric view reveals a right side of the rigid package 100.

[0027] Formed on the right side are a pair of simulated wheels 210a, 210b (collectively, 210). The wheels 210 are formed in a downward direction from the sides of the package 100, and extend just past the bottom-most portion of the compartment 210. By forming the wheels 210 to this downward distance, the wheels 210 (four total in this embodiment of the package 100) may be used to stand the package 100 upright, as illustrated. In this embodiment, the package 100 is formed to resemble a train car having the four wheels 210. As such, the rigid package 100 itself can be played with by consumers a toy train. In other embodiments, a playable, reusable rigid package designed and constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles may be formed into other playable toy shapes, such a bus. In addition, such disclosed playable packages may also be formed in any of a variety of colors. Thus, consumers can collect multiple such packages, each with a distinct color.

[0028] As discussed above, multiple packages, such as the package 100 of FIG. 2, may be stacked by placing a bottom portion of one package into the compartment 130 of another similar package. Since the disclosed packages are rigid, they may be cleaned and reused as packages for other products, in addition to be useable as play things. Thus, for assisting with storage of such multiple packages 100, the packages 100 may be stacked to save storage space. In some embodiments, the downwardly formed wheels 210 can be sized and configured such that the bottoms of the wheels 210 of an upper package 100 contact the tops of the formed wheel-wells of another, lower package to hold the upper package at a predetermined distance. In some such embodiments, a space within the compartment 130 of the lower package may remain and be used to hold product therein and protect that product from being crushed by the stacking of the upper package.

[0029] Also illustrated in FIG. 2, simulated side windows 220a, 220b (collectively, 220) may also be formed outwardly from the sides of the rigid package 100. As with other structural features of playable rigid packages constructed as disclosed herein, the side windows 220 may also be formed using a thermoforming technique; however, other forming techniques may also be employed. These outwardly formed features 220 may also be formed as a different type of feature other than side windows in embodiments where with the package 100 is formed into a different playable form. Additionally, the outside bottom edge of the outwardly formed side windows 220 can be sized and configured to contact the top edge or surface of a second rigid package, again when stacking multiple packages, to hold the upper package at a predetermined distance from a lower package. As before, this can protect the snack products held within the lower package when stacking a package on top of it.

[0030] In some embodiments, the side windows 220 may be formed as a transparent or semi-transparent material, as compared to the opaque material that may be used to form the remainder of the rigid package 100. In such embodiments, the side windows 220 then provide the additional utility or function of allowing consumers to view the product held inside the compartment 130 of the package 100. This advantage in such embodiments is particularly useful to view the product when the package 100 is still sealed, such as at a retail store. Of course, in other embodiments the side windows 220 may also be formed of the same opaque material as the remainder of the package 100.

[0031] Also illustrated in the isometric view of FIG. 2 is the top flange 120 of the rigid package 100. The top flange 120 may be formed into a single uniform horizontal surface configured to receive a cover thereon. For example, a thin film, suitable for food products, may be sealed down on and along the top flange 120 to provide a hermetic, peelable seal for the package 100. For example, plastic materials, such as polyester or polypropylene may be used to form the film used to seal the top surface of the package 100 along the top flange 120. Moreover, the thin film may be a multilayer material, suitable for both food packaging as well as for receiving ink on its exterior for package labeling. Of course, other suitable materials may also be employed as the flexible thin film. Moreover, any of a number of techniques may be employed to seal such a thin film onto the top flange 120 of a package 100 constructed as disclosed herein.

[0032] In some embodiments, a more rigid cover may be employed to cover and seal the package 100. Also, in some embodiments, the film or other cover may be configured to be resealable, or even simply recloseable, onto the top flange 120 of the package 100. Such resealing may be provided via a reusable adhesive, and simple reclosing may be provided via snap fitting a cover onto the package 100. Also illustrated on the top flange 120 of the package 100 of FIG. 2 are hole 230 formed proximate to the front end of the package 100, and a post 240 formed proximate to its rear end. The utility of these hole 230 and post 240 are discussed in detail below.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a side view of the embodiment of the reusable rigid package 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. From this view, the overall tapered structure of the rigid package 100 is further presented. Specifically, the front view of FIG. 1 illustrated the side-to-side downward taper of the package 100, while FIG. 3 illustrates the similar taper front-to-back of the package 100. As discussed above, such an overall taper allows for easier removal of the package 100 from a thermoplastic or other molding-based technique. In addition, the tapered structure allows for easier stacking of multiple similar packages, as also discussed above.

[0034] FIG. 3 also further illustrates the downwardly formed post 240 located at the rear of the package 100. Use of the post 240 formed on such packages 100 is described in detail below. Additionally, two of the formed wheels 210 may also be seen, as well as one of the side windows 220a. Also visible from this side view are additional decorative structural features formed on the side of the package 100, which provide more realism to the package 100 which in turn adds to its attractiveness as a playable toy to children.

[0035] Looking now at FIG. 4, illustrated is a side view of multiple rigid packages constructed in accordance with the disclosed principles vertically stacked. Specifically, first, second and third packages 100, 200, 300 are shown vertically stacked one partially received within another. In this embodiment of the rigid packages 100, 200, 300, the depth each of the second and third packages 200, 300 are received within the package immediately below it is regulated by the side window formed in the second and third packages 200, 300. In this respect, the outside bottom edge of the outwardly formed side window in the second package 200 is sized and configured to contact the top edge or surface of the first package 100, and the outside bottom edge of the side window of the third package 300 is sized and configured to contact the top edge or surface of the second package 200, to hold an upper package at a predetermined distance from a lower package when the multiple packages are stacked as illustrated. This structural feature on each package 100, 200, 300 may not only allow for uniform vertical stacking of multiple packages, but also allows for protection of any products held within a lower package when stacking a package on top of it. In other embodiments, as discussed above, the downwardly formed wheels of an upper package may be configured to contact the upper surface of the wheels formed in a lower package as the packages are stacked one within the other.

[0036] Referring finally to FIG. 5, illustrated is an isometric view of a plurality of playable rigid packages aligned end-to-end in a train structure 500. More specifically, four separate playable packages 100, 200, 300, 400 are illustrated in this figure. Moreover, the first, second and third packages 100, 200, 300 are illustrated as connected end-to-end to form a type of train for children to play with, while the fourth package 400 is shown being moved downwardly to connect to, and thereby further extend, the playable train formed by the first three packages. The connection of multiple packages into such a train structure is accomplished by the downwardly formed post on the top flange at an end of one package (e.g., the rear end of the package) being placed within the hole formed in the top flange on the opposing end of the packages, and repeating such connection for each package. As such, multiple playable vehicle-shaped packages as disclosed herein may be collected and combined together end-to-end into a larger toy such as train of cars, busses, or railway cars. While the illustrated embodiment shows the holes formed at the front end of the packages and thus the posts at the rear end, in other embodiments the locations of the holes and posts may be reversed.

[0037] By providing an inviting and playable structure to each rigid package as disclosed herein, the disclosed principles provide a unique package structure that is usable for both holding food or other types of products, and as a toy for children to play with. The playable nature of the package structure may, for example, hold a child's attention during consumption of the food product therein, where a plain, simple food package may not keep the child's interest long enough to finish the food product held therein. Such a feature of the disclosed packages is especially useful in situations where multiple children are present, such as at lunchtime during school, where the distraction of other children being present may result in a child losing focus on finishing their food and instead focusing on playing with other nearby children. Accordingly, a child given a package as disclosed herein with their food held inside will be encouraged to play with such a package and thus be more likely to finish their food since it would remain within their area of focus while playing with the package. Additionally, even after the child has finished the food held in the package, the playability of the disclosed package encourage children to stay in their immediate area as they can continue playing with their package. Still further, the playability of the package provides the child a new toy, even in situations where the child is permitted to leave the area and play wherever he or she likes. The structural features in the disclosed packages that allow multiple disclosed packages to be combined into a train of packages even further enhances the playability of the train of packages to children.

[0038] The foregoing description has made reference to several exemplary embodiments. It is understood, however, that the words that have been used are for description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Thus, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Changes may be made within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure in all its aspects. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. Although this description makes reference to particular means, materials and embodiments, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed; rather, the disclosure extends to all functionally equivalent technologies, structures, methods and uses such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the recitation of any method steps does not denote a particular sequence for execution of the steps. Such method steps may therefore be performed in a sequence other than recited unless the particular claim expressly states otherwise.

[0039] In the numerous embodiments of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein, such embodiments may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term invention merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[0040] Moreover, the Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.