Abstract:
A package for the display and housing of a device that changes appearance upon a change in viewing angle includes a shaped bottom. When urged from a static position, the package and the device move on the shaped bottom permitting an observer to view the changing appearance until the movement gradually dampens out.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/349,595 filed Jan. 18, 2001, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/053,383 filed Jan. 17, 2002, pending. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the packaging arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with packaging that rocks or oscillates to show a moving image displayed by a product within the package and will be described with particular reference thereto. It is to be appreciated, however, that the invention may find further application in other packaging environments where a rocking motion or other periodic movement is desired such as to display a feature of the items contained within the package.  
           [0003]    Typically, packaging materials are designed to meet a variety of needs. For example, many packages are designed for shape and size to facilitate high-density packing of a plurality of these devices in, for example, a shipping carton. Packaging also is often configured to provide a positive first impression of a product to a consumer. Still further, appropriately sized packaging deters theft of products. Other design considerations that go into a typical packaging apparatus include the ability to display features of a product while at the same time, protecting the product from damage. In meeting many of the above-noted needs, packages are typically designed with flat tops and bottoms and squared-off sides all of which also ensures stability of the packaging on the retail shelves.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention overcomes inadequacies in the prior art.  
           [0005]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a packaging container for packaging a product in an internal cavity comprises a front side at least partially defining the internal cavity and a backside operably connectable to the first side. A curved base supporting the front and back sides permits the packaging container to oscillate.  
           [0006]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the backside at least partially defines the internal cavity.  
           [0007]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base at least partially defines the internal cavity.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base permits the packaging container to oscillate forward and aft.  
           [0009]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base permits the packaging container to oscillate side to side.  
           [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base permits the packaging container to move in a plurality of directions.  
           [0011]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base comprises a radius extending between opposing side edges of at least one of the front and back sides.  
           [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base comprises a radius extending between the front and back sides.  
           [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the curved base comprises a plurality of curved runners upon which the packaging container oscillates.  
           [0014]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, at least one of the front and back sides comprises a cavity configured to retain a weighting device.  
           [0015]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the packaging container comprises opposing sides of at least one of the front and back sides where the curved base includes rounded extensions of the opposing sides.  
           [0016]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the packaging container comprises plastic, plastic blister material, paper, paperboard, cardboard, wood, metal, and combinations thereof.  
           [0017]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a combination device and package comprises a device including an image viewing mechanism permitting observation of one of a plurality of images depending on a viewing angle between an observer and the image viewing mechanism. The combination also includes a package at least partially surrounding the device permitting observation of the image viewing mechanism by the observer, the package including an arcuate bottom portion upon which the combination is movable varying the viewing angle.  
           [0018]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the combination is movable on the arcuate bottom portion in a front and back manner varying the viewing angle in a vertical plane.  
           [0019]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the combination is movable on the arcuate bottom portion in a side to side manner.  
           [0020]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a package for enclosing a product comprises a shaped base portion capable of supporting the product in a substantially vertical orientation. The shaped base portion permits the package and the product to periodically move upon external urging.  
           [0021]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the package further includes side edges abutting opposing front and back sides where the shaped base portion includes arcuate extensions from the side edges.  
           [0022]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the shaped base portion includes shaped rocker tracks upon which the package moves.  
           [0023]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the shaped base portion comprises a rounded surface permitting movement in a plurality of directions.  
           [0024]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the package further includes the product where the product is capable of displaying images depending on viewing angle. The product alone may be movable or otherwise capable of displaying the various images, or may require inducement of viewing angle changes such as from observer motion, external changes in the angle of viewing incidence, and combinations thereof.  
           [0025]    Still further advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]    The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package apparatus which suitably practices the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 is a bottom and right side perspective view of the package illustrated in FIG. 1;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 3 is a plan form view of the package illustrated in FIG. 1 in an unassembled state; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 4 is a rear and bottom perspective view of the packaging apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternate packaging apparatus which suitably practices the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the package;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 8 is a view of an assembled package containing a packaged device; and  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 9 is a series of side elevational views illustrating changes in angle of incidence in one embodiment of a packaged device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]    With reference to FIG. 1, a package apparatus includes a front side or panel  10  defining an opening  12  which permits viewing of the object contained by the package. As illustrated, the package includes a substantially flat top  14  and opposing flat side panels  16 . In one embodiment, each side panel is attached to or is integrally incorporated with a rounded rocker extension  20  as will be more thoroughly discussed below. As illustrated, the side panels taper from a widest portion adjacent rounded rocker extension  20  to a thinnest portion adjacent top  14 . As is evident by continued reference to FIG. 1, upon external urging, the package will oscillate or rock along the rounded rocker extension  20 .  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 2, the illustrated embodiment shows the rounded rocker extensions  20  continuing from and being integral with side panel  16 . In another embodiment of the invention, the extensions  20  can be reinforced with an additional shaped support such as plastic, cardboard and the like. In still another embodiment, the rounded rocker extensions  20  can alternately be included as a distinct part affixed to the bottom  22  of the package.  
         [0038]    With reference now to FIG. 3, a flat depiction of the package from FIG. 1 is illustrated. For assembly, tabs  116  extending from the top of side panels  16  are folded along crease  30  and are then affixed or placed adjacent to top  14  when it is folded along crease  32  into its position. Back panel  18  similarly is folded along crease  34  and tab  118  is folded along crease  36  such that tab  118  can be affixed or rest on side panel  16   a . Continued reference to FIG. 3 reveals inner bottom  40  also having tabs  140   a ,  140   b  and  140   c . Tab  140   a  is folded along crease  42  and is affixed or rests adjacent to side panel  16   b . Tab  140   b  is folded along crease  44  permitting tab  140   b  to attach or rest adjacent to front panel  10 . Likewise, tab  140   c  is folded along crease  46  to attach or rest adjacent side panel  16   a . In the illustrated embodiment, inner bottom  40  structurally forms the bottom interior panel of the package and does not conform to the rounded rocker extensions  20 . Finally, bottom panel  22  is folded along crease  48  and shaped tab  122  is fit into a slot along crease  50 . FIG. 4 best shows back side or panel  18  and the accommodating slot in crease  50  for shaped tab  122 .  
         [0039]    With reference now to FIG. 5, a package  200  embodiment suitable to practice the invention includes a front side or panel  202 , and a back side or panel  204 . As illustrated, the sides  202 ,  204  are connected by bottom  206 , but those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternate configurations are easily made without departing from the claimed invention. Front side  202  partially defines a cavity  208   a  for holding a device (not shown for clarity). In the illustrated embodiment, back side  204  and bottom  206  also partially define cavities  208   b,    208   c  respectively. As best seen in FIG. 6, when assembled cavities  208   a,    208   b,    208   c  together form cavity  208  for holding the packaged device.  
         [0040]    Continued reference to FIG. 5 shows the front side  202  includes a number of buttons  214  that are closely receivable into corresponding receptacles  216  included on back side  204 . When so joined, the package  200  is held in joined or assembled configuration. Alternate closure arrangements within the skill of an artisan depend on the packaged device contained and the mold used to create the package.  
         [0041]    Front side  202 , back side  204  and bottom  206  include opposing lateral edges  220 ,  222 ,  224  that define sides in the assembled configuration. Alternatively, the opposing lateral edges  220 ,  222 ,  224  could be formed from less than all the components if desired.  
         [0042]    As best illustrated by FIG. 5, in one embodiment back side  204  also contains a cavity  230  configured to retain a weighting device such as a battery or counter weight (not shown). The counter weight, optionally coupled with the weight of the packaged device itself, result in the achievement of an appropriate rocking speed. It is now evident that various combinations of device weight and additional weight are possible to meet various rocking states, including at the extreme, no additional weight. Alternatively, the location of the cavities may be moved depending on the weight distribution of the packaged device. Additionally, when the weighting device is a battery, and the package is constructed from clear material such as plastic, the battery&#39;s visible position in the cavity informs a potential customer that the battery is included.  
         [0043]    For uses where batteries come preinstalled in the packaged device, the package also provides “press-to-test” type buttons  232  or other “try-me” features permitting customer interaction with the device prior to purchase and opening of the package  200 .  
         [0044]    Continued reference to the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 5, bottom  206  includes runners or extensions  236 . As shown, extensions  236  run fore and aft permitting the package to move rhythmically back and forth along the extensions  236 . Extensions may variously be formed from or integral with the sides, opposing lateral edges, the bottom itself and other locations enabling the package to freely rock, oscillate, wobble and the like. In other embodiments, extensions are not included and the package moves on a shaped bottom. In still other embodiments, the extensions or package bottom are oriented to provide side to side motion where such motion is desired to illustrate features of the packaged device. In yet other embodiments, a hemispherical or rounded bottom are provided to enable the package to wobble in several directions not confined to merely fore and aft or side to side.  
         [0045]    With reference now to FIG. 6, an open perspective view reveals several features noted above in a different configuration. For clarity, consistent reference numbers have been used to refer to consistent features.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 7 shows an alternate viewpoint of the package where consistent reference numbers have been used to refer to consistent features.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 8 shows a package in a closed or assembled state containing a packaged device.  
         [0048]    With reference now to FIG. 9, an embodiment of a packaged device is shown in three positions indicative of selected positions within an exemplary fore and aft movement. As illustrated, a viewer&#39;s line of sight  250   a ,  250   b ,  250   c  remains fixed while the angle of incidence α a , α b , α c  changes with the motion. As is evident now to those of ordinary skill in the art, the angle of incidence a changes in a vertical plane in the fore and aft embodiment illustrated. Other periodic movements correspond to angles of incidence fixed in other planes, such as predominately in a horizontal plane for a side to side moving embodiment. Wobble motion on a spheroid shaped bottom for example, changes the angle of incidence in both the horizontal and vertical planes.  
         [0049]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such alterations and modifications now known or later discovered insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.