Abstract:
A packaging container includes an enveloping plastic layer, first and second articles, and a receptacle. The enveloping plastic layer is formed during an initial packaging, and the enveloping plastic layer has at least one opening. The first article is fully enclosed within one portion of the enveloping plastic layer. The receptacle is at least partially contained and secured within the enveloping plastic layer, and the receptacle has an opening adjacent the opening in the enveloping plastic layer. The second article is insertable into the opening of the receptacle thereby allowing the second article to be inserted after the initial packaging.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Non-Provisional Patent Application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. ______, filed Jun. 2, 2005, entitled “PACKAGING ASSEMBLY,” which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Packaging assemblies or containers having molded, typically transparent, plastic coverings are used commonly for the packaging, shipment and display of articles to be purchased. Such packaging containers are commonly called “clamshell” containers that allow articles to be placed in a molded layer of plastic, which is then folded or otherwise joined to another layer and sealed so as to fully encapsulate the articles therein. Another common packaging container is a “blister pack” that again includes a molded plastic layer or shell, which is then attached to another layer of material such as cardboard, again, fully encapsulating the articles therein. 
         [0003]    In view that the articles contained within the packages are fully encapsulated, the decision as to what to package must be made early such as at time of manufacturing, or at least at a packaging plant. However, allowing the decision at what to package to be made by others further along the product distribution path such as by distributors or final retailers would be advantageous. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    One aspect of the present invention provides a packaging container. The packaging container includes an enveloping plastic layer, first and second articles, and a receptacle. The enveloping plastic layer is formed during an initial packaging, and the enveloping plastic layer has at least one opening. The first article is fully enclosed within one portion of the enveloping plastic layer. The receptacle is at least partially contained and secured within the enveloping plastic layer, and the receptacle has an opening adjacent the opening in the enveloping plastic layer. The second article is insertable into the opening of the receptacle thereby allowing the second article to be inserted after the initial packaging. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the intended advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front elevational view of an exemplary packaging assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevational view of the packaging assembly of  FIG. 1  with a cartridge out of the packaging assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates an end view of the packaging assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevational view of the packaging assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial front elevational view of an exemplary packaging assembly of one embodiment of the present invention with a portion of the package cut away. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,”“front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary packaging assembly  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, package assembly  10  includes a shell  11 , a packaged article  12 , a receptacle  14 , shell opening  20 , receptacle opening  22 , cartridge  24  and locking device  26 . Such aspects of the present invention can be incorporated into packaging assemblies commonly known as “clamshell,” “blister pack” or the like. The packaging assembly conveniently allows distributors, final retailers or others to selectively add one or more products to otherwise packaged articles, thereby providing significant flexibility in what is sold. 
         [0013]    In the embodiment illustrated, a package article  12 , herein exemplified as a video game controller, is packaged in shell  11  during an initial packaging process. For example, shell  11  can be a clamshell, blister pack or similar package formed during the initial process using well known techniques such that the article  12  is generally encapsulated the shell  11 . Furthermore, receptacle  14  is also packaged within shell  11  during this initial packaging process and is also generally encapsulated within shell  11 . As such, both packaged article  12  and receptacle  14  cannot easily be removed from shell  11 , and cannot be removed without cutting shell  11  or otherwise disassembling package assembly  10  after completion of the initial packaging process. As will be discussed further below, receptacle  14  encapsulated within shell  11  can be configured to allow another article to be selectively inserted after the completion of the initial packaging process. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, receptacle  14  includes projections  15  and  16  extending from the receptacle body. Projections  15  and  16  each include an aperture through a center. As such, when shell  11  is formed around receptacle  14  to encapsulate it during the initial packaging process, shell  11  can also be pressed around projections  15  and  16 , and also pressed into the apertures contained by projections  15  and  16 . In this way, receptacle  14  can be firmly encapsulated within package assembly  10  and shell  11  such that it cannot be easily removed. 
         [0015]    In other embodiments of package assembly  10 , alternative projections, detents or surface irregularities are provided on receptacle  14  in order to secure receptacle  14  firmly within package assembly  10  and shell  11  in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention. The alternate projections, detents, or irregularities can be provided in the sides, bottom or top of receptacle  14 . In cases, where the provisions for securing receptacle  14  within shell  11  are located at its top, receptacle opening  22  may need to me modified or located on the side or other location so that cartridge  24  is still insertable into receptacle opening  22 . In other cases, shell  11  is configured to have a void that is shaped to hold receptacle  14  in place without any projection or detent, while still allowing access to receptacle opening  22 . 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, receptacle  14  is a security container, such as that can be used for selling CDs, DVDs, game cartridges, or the like. Such security containers can be configured to allow a CD, DVD, game cartridge, or the like to be inserted therein upon which a one-way locking device is actuated. In one embodiment, a game cartridge  24  is inserted into receptacle  14 , and cartridge  24  is illustrated within receptacle  14  with dashed lines. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of an exemplary packaging assembly  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, package assembly  10  includes shell  11 , packaged article  12 , receptacle  14 , shell opening  20 , receptacle opening  22 , and locking device  26 . Cartridge  24  is illustrated above package assembly  10 , and directly above receptacle opening  22 . The arrow illustrates the direction in which cartridge  24  is moved in order to insert it into receptacle  14 . 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, once cartridge  24  is inserted into receptacle  14 , locking device  26  secures it into package assembly  10 . This inhibits easy removal of the CD, DVD, game cartridge, or like unit after it has been inserted into receptacle  14 . As such, shoppers are prevented from removing cartridge  24  until they can spend more time for such removal, such as after it is purchased and taken home. Receptacle  14  inhibits shoplifting because the CD, DVD, game cartridge, or the like cannot be easily removed from receptacle  14 . Receptacle  14  can be mounted to a card or other portions of the packaging assembly  10 . 
         [0019]    Although receptacle  14  is mounted or otherwise located within the formed packaging assembly  10  and shell  11  of packaging assembly  10 , one or more shell openings  20  are provided in shell  11 , which can be a plastic covering, clamshell, blister pack or the like. This shell opening  20  of packaging assembly  10  also facilitates additional articles that are to be inserted into receptacle  14 . As such, even after packaging assembly  10  is completely formed during the initial packaging process, for example at an assembly plant or facility, a cartridge  24  can still later be inserted into receptacle  14  at a later time after initial assembly, such as at the retail store. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment illustrated, shell opening  20  is aligned with receptacle opening  22  provided in receptacle  14  so as to allow the cartridge  24  to be inserted through the openings  20  and  22  and into receptacle  14 . After the cartridge  24  has been inserted into receptacle  14 , a locking device  26  of receptacle  14  can be operated so as to secure the cartridge  24  in receptacle  14 . 
         [0021]    The package assembly  10  thus provides increased flexibility by allowing distributors, final retailers or the like to select which products to combine and thereby sell. For instance, it is not uncommon for a distributor to have excess inventory such as game cartridges that are no longer the most popular, and thus, may be more difficult to sell individually. However, with one embodiment of packaging assembly  10  of the present invention, the distributor can select and insert any desired game cartridge  24  into the packaging container  10 , which has been prepackaged with one or more other articles  12 , such as a game controller, and thereby offer, a game controller  12  in combination with a game cartridge  24  as an incentive for purchase. In this manner, the distributor can selectively complete packaging with the resulting package being easily shipped to a final retailer for ready display and purchase. 
         [0022]    With one embodiment of the package assembly  10  of the present invention, final retailers can alter the contents of the package assembly  10  without any special tools for resealing the package, yet the final package assembly  10  can be configured with both packaged article  12  and cartridge  24  that are each well-protected from easy removal. This provides flexibility to the retailer in packaging products without adding expense or compromising protection from shoplifting and theft. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3 and 4  respectively illustrate end and side views of an exemplary packaging assembly  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , cartridge  24  is illustrated in dashed lines within receptacle  14 . From the end view illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a top surface of cartridge  24  is visible through both shell opening  20  and receptacle opening  22 . Locking device  26  is illustrated extending over the top surface of cartridge  24 . Since cartridge  24  fits relatively snugly into receptacle  14 , locking device  26  thereby prevents cartridge  24  from being easily removed from receptacle  14  once it is inserted. 
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial front view of packaging assembly  10  with a portion of the package cut away. In the Figure, locking device  26  is illustrated securing cartridge  24  within receptacle  14 . In one embodiment, locking device  26  is a one-way locking device with a ramped surface (one its upper side as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ), which allows cartridge  24  to slide relatively easily into receptacle  14 . In one embodiment, locking device  26  also has a flat surface (on its bottom side as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ), which engages the top of cartridge  24  and prevents cartridge  24  from being easily removed from receptacle  14  once it is inserted. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, locking device  26  is formed integrally with receptacle  14 , and in other embodiments, and aperture is provided in which locking device  26  can be fixed to receptacle  14  to secure cartridge  24  within receptacle  14 . In any case, locking device  26  is firmly held adjacent the side of receptacle  14  so that it cannot easily be moved out of the way of cartridge  24  when an attempt is made to remove cartridge  24  from receptacle  14 . 
         [0026]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, it should be understood that aligned apertures in the enveloping plastic layer of the packaging assembly  10  can be oriented as necessary with respect to receptacle  14  or portion  13  if necessary in order to allow insertion of the additional article in any manner as desired. In addition, although illustrated as a security container, other means or devices can be used to secure the inserted article into the packaging container once it has been inserted. For example, such techniques can include but are not limited to adhesives, wire straps or other fasteners. Generally, such means inhibit easy removal of the inserted article so as to prevent stealing. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.