Abstract:
A package for receiving and storing a camera and corresponding accessories for display, the package including a main body provided with a first camera cavity portion and an accessories cavity portion separated from one another. The camera cavity portion being for accommodating a camera, and the accessories cavity portion being for accommodating accessories for the camera. A protective cover superposed with the main body having a camera second cavity portion for protecting a camera when it is in the first camera cavity portion. The protective cover extends over the accessories cavity portion. First projecting portions are formed at a rear surface of the main body at positions near an outer periphery. The projecting portions for supporting the package in an upright free-standing state and a second projection portion on a front surface protective cover surrounding the camera cavity portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a camera sales package in which a camera and camera accessories are packed, the packed camera sales package being suitable for storefront display. 
     Conventionally, precision goods such as cameras, digital cameras and the like were displayed in storefronts on model-specific display stands and the like. When orders were received, ready-packaged goods were delivered from a warehouse or the like for sale to customers. 
     In recent years high volume stores have become more numerous. These stores have many products prepared in shelf displays. It is becoming usual for a customer to choose a required product from among the products displayed, go to a cash register, and purchase the product. In this scenario, the product is heavily protected by shock-absorbing packaging members made of styrene or the like, and is packaged inside a box or the like. This packaging does not catch the customer&#39;s eye and cannot project the merits of the product. 
     Consequently, transparent or translucent synthetic resin (plastic and the like) packages, known as blister packs, are becoming more common for sales presentation. Blister packs are suitable for both shelf display and storefront display. 
     Blister packs can be used for precision engineered goods such as cameras and portable telephones. 
     However, cameras, particularly digital cameras, tend to have more accessories than other products; e.g., one or more manuals, an AC adaptor, an NTSC video output cable, a cord for connection to a personal computer, and the like. Consequently, packaging that can also hold all the accessories is required. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In consideration of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a camera sales package for packaging precision goods such as cameras and the like, especially digital cameras with many accessories, in blister packs. The present invention does not detract from the display appearance of a product when the product is displayed in a storefront, and the present invention can efficiently house a camera body and accessories. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a package for receiving and storing a camera and accessories therefor for display, the package including: a main body provided with a camera cavity portion and an accessories cavity portion separated from one another, the camera cavity portion being for accommodating a camera and the accessories cavity portion being for accommodating accessories for the camera; and a protective cover superposed with the main body for protecting a camera in the camera cavity portion and accessories in the accessories cavity portion when a camera and accessories are respectively received therein. 
     Further, a flange is provided at a periphery of each of the main body and the protective cover, with the flanges superposed with one another and co-joined by ultrasonic welds which are one of continuous and spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     In the present invention, the camera cavity portion that houses the camera and the accessories cavity portion that houses the accessories are formed separately. Thus, the camera and the accessories are not together and the camera, which is the principal object of display, can be displayed so as to give a good impression. 
     Further, the camera is housed in the camera cavity portion and shielded by the protective cover. Thus, the camera will not be damaged by external impacts and the product value will not be reduced. 
     In the camera sales package of the present invention, the flanges are provided at the peripheries of the main body and the protective cover and, with the flanges in the mutually superposed state, the main body and the protective cover are co-joined by ultrasonic welds which are either continuous or spaced at predetermined intervals. 
     Because ultrasonic welding is used, electromagnetic waves that were necessary for conventional high frequency welding are not required, and the camera and the like, which are precision goods, can be protected. 
     Further, the flanges include corner portions having a number of ultrasonic weld points per unit area greater in a vicinity thereof than a number of ultrasonic weld points per unit area at another area. 
     Further, mating portions are formed at a periphery of the camera cavity portion for aligning the main body and the protective cover. Because reference points for alignment are close to the camera, however much other positions are misaligned, the camera, which is the main product, can be assuredly accommodated. 
     Further, a board including product information is sandwiched between the main body and the protective cover. By printing advertising for the product, the camera, on this board, marketing effectiveness can be improved. Also, graphics can be printed so as to dispel the impression of cheapness associated with blister packs. 
     Further, a portion of at least one of the main body and the protective cover is one of transparent and translucent, and an ultraviolet light filtering treatment is applied to that portion. 
     Because the ultra-violet light filtering treatment is applied, the camera and the accessories will not discolor if displayed in a storefront for a long time. 
     Further, projecting portions are formed at a rear surface of the main body at positions near an outer periphery, the projecting portions being capable of supporting the package in an upright free-standing state. 
     Blister packs are generally hung for display. However, the product may be, for example, a price leader. In such a case, the package may be displayed on a table in front of a hanging display, where the package can be clearly seen by customer. At this time, because the projecting portions are provided, the package can stand up and the product presented to the customers. 
     Here, the projecting portions are formed at the accessories cavity portion. Because the center of gravity is low, the package will not fall over. 
     Further, a front surface of the protective cover is formed into a substantially rounded columnar shape having a large radius of curvature, and the protective cover has a step-shaped portion extending from the substantially rounded columnar shape to the flange of the protective cover, the step-shaped portion having a protruding corner portion with a convex curve and a recessed corner portion with a concave curve. 
     That is, there are no sharp edges. Thus, when a customer holds the package, there is no sensation of unpleasantness. Also, the package looks very attractive and gives an impression of high quality. 
     In the present invention, a protruding portion is formed at the protective cover, continuing from an area facing the accessories cavity portion to a periphery of an area facing the camera cavity portion, for protecting a camera therein from impacts. 
     That is, when the package has been stood up, the same may be knocked down by a force from an external object. Therefore, the protruding portion is formed such that when the package falls, the camera itself will not be subjected to impact. The protruding portion serves as a cushioning member for the camera, and can protect the camera. 
     Further, the camera includes a port for connection to an external power supply and a through hole is provided at the camera cavity portion corresponding to the port when the camera is accommodated therein, for connection to an external power supply and for removal of air in the package. 
     For example, if the camera is a digital camera, electricity is required to show a photographic subject on an LCD display portion. If showing this kind of display to customers is desired while the camera is on display, it is troublesome to take the camera out of the package. Moreover, the camera loses value the first time it is taken out of the package. Therefore, by the provision of an adaptor connection through hole, electricity can be supplied to the camera while the camera is still in the package. Also, a through hole is essential for removal of air from the package for strengthening the bonded state of the main body and the protective cover. One hole can be both the air removal through hole and the adaptor connection through hole. 
     Further, the camera includes a viewfinder and a cylindrical projecting portion is formed at the camera cavity portion, the cylindrical projecting portion having a transparent distal end surface at a position corresponding to the viewfinder of the camera when the camera is accommodated in the package, the distal end surface permitting viewing through the camera viewfinder when the camera is accommodated in the package, and being an impact body for absorbing impacts. 
     For looking through the camera&#39;s viewfinder, a through hole as described above is sufficient. However, in this case the cylindrical projecting portion having the transparent distal end surface is provided. Thus, the viewfinder can be viewed through the transparent distal end surface, and the cylindrical projecting portion can function as a cushioning member when the package falls. 
     Further, the main body includes an edge to which the camera cavity portion is inclined, the camera cavity portion being capable of accommodating one of a horizontally-oriented camera and a vertically-oriented camera. 
     Namely, because of this inclination, either a horizontal camera or a vertical camera can be housed in the package without incongruity, and the package can be used for different camera models. 
     Further, the main body and the protective cover include a common edge integrally joining the main body and the protective cover to provide a folding portion, the package being capable of being closed and opened with the folding portion serving as a hinge. 
     The main body and the protective cover are joined at a straight edge. In an opened-out state of the package, the camera and accessories are packed in. Then the protective cover is turned about the edge and the packaging process can be completed. Thus, ease of working is improved. Moreover, if the joined state is such that a turning path of the protective cover does not vary, another positioning means is not necessary. If the joined state is such that the turning path of the protective cover does vary, another positioning means will be necessary. 
     Further, the camera cavity portion is formed such that a depth thereof is less than a thickness of the camera which is accommodated. 
     Further, the accessories cavity portion is formed in an overall substantially rectangular shape. 
     Further, a pair of narrow cutaway portions are formed at an upper periphery of the accessories cavity portion. 
     The size of the rectangular shape is approximately equal to the external dimensions of an instruction manual that is to be housed in the accessories cavity portion. Therefore, the instruction manual can be housed without looseness. Further, a purchaser can insert fingers or the like into the narrow cutaway portions and can take out the instruction manual with ease. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a package for receiving and storing a camera for display, the package including: (a) a main body provided with a camera cavity portion adapted for accommodating a camera; (b) a protective cover superposed with the main body for protecting the camera in the camera cavity portion when a camera is accommodated therein; and (c) the main body and the protective cover each having a periphery with a flange, the flanges being superposed with one another when a camera is accommodated in the camera cavity portion, with the flanges co-joined to one another by ultrasonic welds which are one of continuous and spaced at intervals. 
     In the package according to the second aspect, the camera includes accessories, and the main body includes an accessories cavity portion separate from the camera cavity portion, the accessories cavity being adapted for accommodating camera accessories therein. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a blister pack for receiving and storing an electrically powered camera for display, the camera including a jack for connection to an external power supply, the blister pack including: (a) a plastic first portion; and (b) a plastic second portion joinable to the first portion, the portions when joined defining a cavity adapted for receiving the electrically powered camera therein, the cavity including a hole corresponding to the camera jack when the camera is in the cavity defined between the portions, through which an external power supply can be connected to the camera jack and can supply power to the camera for camera demonstration purposes. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a blister pack relating to the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blister pack relating to the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the body of the blister pack. 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a display card of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 4B is a variant view showing example of the display card of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 4C is a variant view showing example of the display card of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an ultrasonic welding device. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing intermittent positions of ultrasonic welds at a flange. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial side view showing processing of a periphery of the blister pack. 
     FIG. 8 is a side view showing the blister pack in a stood up state. 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view, from the rear, of a camera cavity portion. 
     FIG. 10 depicts a cross section of a weld. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1 and 3 show a camera sales package (hereinafter called a blister pack)  10  relating to the present embodiment. 
     The blister pack  10  is formed by two transparent members, a body  12  and a protective cover  14 , which members may include translucent portions. By superposition of the body  12  and the protective cover  14 , a camera  16  and accessories  18  can be housed. At an upper end portion of the blister pack  10 , a long hole  20  is provided, by which the blister pack  10  can suitably hang from a hook or the like for display. In the present embodiment, the housed camera  16  is a digital camera. 
     The blister pack  10  has a partially trapezoid shape as seen from the front, as shown in FIG.  3 . The upper half of the blister pack  10  is a camera housing area and the lower half of the blister pack  10  is an accessories housing area. 
     A rectangular cavity portion  22  is formed, inclined at a predetermined angle, at the middle of the camera housing area of the body  12 . A vertical dimension of the cavity portion (camera cavity portion)  22  corresponds to a vertical dimension of the camera to be housed. A depth dimension of the camera cavity portion  22  is made to be slightly less than a depth dimension of the camera. Consequently, the camera  16  housed in the camera cavity portion  22  will be housed in a state such that the camera  16  protrudes slightly from a front surface of the body  12 . 
     Correspondingly, a shallow cavity portion  26  (which protrudes toward the front in FIG.  1 ), with a depth corresponding to the distance that the camera  16  protrudes from the camera cavity portion  22 , is formed in the protective cover  14 . Thus, when the body  12  and the protective cover  14  are in the superposed state, the entire outside of the camera is enclosed and protected. 
     At a floor portion of the camera cavity portion  22 , a cylindrical protruding portion  28  is formed to correspond with the position of a viewfinder of the housed camera  16  (toward the back in FIG.  3 ). An end surface of the cylindrical protruding portion  28  has high transmissivity and is almost completely transparent. Thus, a customer can look through the viewfinder of the packaged camera. 
     Further, the cylindrical protruding portion  28  is formed such that, if the blister pack  10  falls, the cylindrical protruding portion  28  can function as a shock-absorbing member and absorb impact force instead of the camera itself. 
     A pair of protruding portions  30  (protruding toward the front in FIG. 3) are formed at positions to the left and right, in FIG. 3, of the periphery of the camera cavity portion  22 . The protruding portions  30  correspond with protruding portions  32  (protruding toward the front in FIG. 1) provided at the protective cover  14 . 
     That is, the protruding portions  30  and the protruding portions  32  are used for positioning when the body  12  and the protective cover  14  are being superposed. 
     The whole of the accessories housing area of the body  12  is formed into a rectangular cavity portion (accessories cavity portion)  24 , which houses accessories such as manuals, an AC adaptor, a video cable, a personal computer cable and the like. 
     A vertical dimension of the accessories cavity portion  24  is close to the size of the manual which has the largest size. Thus, the manual can be housed without looseness. 
     A pair of narrow cutaway portions  34  are formed at the upper edge of the accessories cavity portion  24 . The cutaway portions  34  allow insertion of a purchaser&#39;s fingers when the purchaser is removing the manual. Thus, the tightly housed manual is easy to remove. 
     Further, when the accessories are housed in the accessories cavity portion  24 , a display card  36  (see FIG. 4A) is placed over the accessories. As shown in FIG. 4A, the model name and type of the housed camera, illustrations showing use of the camera, and the like can be printed on the display card  36 . 
     The display card  36  reaches up to the camera cavity portion  22 . A through-hole  38  is provided in the display card  36  in correspondence with the camera cavity portion  22 . Depending on the configuration of the display card  36 , the camera can be exposed and the accessories concealed. Moreover, the display card  36  may also have one of the variant forms shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. 
     The surface of the protective cover  14  corresponding to the accessories cavity portion  24  is, viewed from below, a curved surface with a large radius of curvature, is a projection centered in a widthwise direction, and forms a substantially rounded columnar shape. This is an effect of vacuum formation of the protective cover  14 , which makes the protective cover  14  bulge out and works to enhance the appearance thereof. 
     The substantially rounded columnar surface has high transmissivity and is almost completely transparent. Thus, the information on the display card  36  can be clearly seen. 
     This transparent surface of the protective cover  14  extends in narrow belt shapes from the upper left and upper right corner portions of the substantially rounded columnar surface to above the shallow cavity portion  26 . The transparent surface is more protrusive than the outer surface of the shallow cavity portion  26 . Thus, the periphery of the shallow cavity portion  26  is substantially surrounded by belt-like protruding portions  40 . Because of this shape, when the blister pack  10  falls, the belt-like protruding portions  40  receive an impact before the shallow cavity portion  26 , which is formed in the protective cover  14  at the front side of the camera (protruding toward the front in FIG.  1 ). Thus, impact on the camera  16  via the shallow cavity portion  26  can be avoided. 
     Flanges  42  and  44  are integrally formed along the whole length of the peripheries of the body  12  and the protective cover  14  forming the blister pack  10 . The protective cover  14  and the body  12  are superposed by positioning of the protruding portions  30  and the protruding portions  32 , and mating surfaces of the flanges  42  and  44  are co-joined. 
     In the present embodiment an ultrasonic welder is used for this co-joining. The ultrasonic welder is formed, as shown in FIG. 5, by a horn  46  that emits ultrasonic waves and a cradle  48  that positions workpieces (the body  12  and the protective cover  14 ). The workpieces are placed on the cradle  48  and gripped thereto by the horn  46  with a predetermined pressure. Local frictional heating is generated in the workpiece by application of ultrasonic vibrations. Thus, the workpieces are melted and co-joined. 
     Conventionally, for ultrasonic welding, protruding portions were provided at the workpieces. In the present embodiment, however, protruding portions  50  are provided at the cradle  48 . Thus, the workpieces do not need to be processed. 
     As shown in FIG. 10, after co-joining, there are recessed portions  51  in the flange  42  of the body  12 , which is facing the cradle  48 . However, the flange  44  of the protective cover  14  remains flat. 
     The protruding portions  50  provided at the cradle  48  are provided with a predetermined spacing. However, at corner portions of the flanges  42  and  44 , as shown in FIG. 6, the protruding portions  50  are closer to each other than the predetermined spacing. Thus, the corner portions are strongly co-joined and, even if one of the corner portions receives an impact from a fall or the like, that corner portion will not separate. 
     The cross-sectional form of the junction between the protective cover  14  and the flange  44 , which is formed around the periphery of the protective cover  14 , is a step shape. A protruding corner portion of this step shape is a convex curve and a recessed corner portion of the step shape is a concave curve. All elements of the step shape are formed continuously (see FIG.  7 ). 
     A pair of protruding portions  52  are formed at a floor surface of the accessories cavity portion  24  at the rear side of the body  12 . The protruding portions  52  act as supports when the blister pack  10  is stood up with the camera cavity portion  22  at the top and the accessories cavity portion  24  below. Thus, one blister pack  10  can stand alone on a table or the like. Further, when the accessories  18  are housed in the accessories cavity portion  24 , the center of gravity of the blister pack  10  is in the vicinity of the protruding portions  52 . Thus, the structure is such that the blister pack  10  is not likely to fall over (see FIG.  8 ). 
     Operation of the present embodiment is described below. 
     When products are being housed in the blister pack  10 , the camera  16  and the accessories  18  are separately housed in the camera cavity portion  22  and the accessories cavity portion  24 . That is, the camera  16  is housed in the camera cavity portion  22  and the accessories  18  are housed in the accessories cavity portion  24 . Thus, the camera  16  can be held without freedom of movement, and a plurality of accessories can be housed together. 
     Because the camera  16  is housed separately from the accessories  18 , the camera  16  is not in a state wherein it cannot be seen under display conditions. Thus, the camera  16  can be displayed in a condition such that the camera  16  will assuredly catch a customer&#39;s eye. 
     Moreover, because the accessories  18  are covered by the display card  36 , the accessories  18  cannot be seen from outside and the blister pack  10  has a good appearance. 
     The assembly procedure of the blister pack  10  is as follows. First, the camera  16  and the accessories  18  are housed in the camera cavity portion  22  and the accessories cavity portion  24 , as described above. Then, the display card  36  is put on. Round holes  36 A formed in the display card  36  engage with the protruding portions  30  formed at the body  12 , to the left and right of the camera cavity portion  22 . Thus, the display card  36  can be positioned easily. 
     Then, the protective cover  14  is fitted on such that the protruding portions  30  and the protruding portions  32  formed at the protective cover  14  align. Thus, the flange  42  and the flange  44  are superposed. 
     Because the protruding portions  30  and the protruding portions  32  are provided in the vicinity of the camera cavity portion  22 , even if the positions of the body  12  and the protective cover  14  are misaligned, any effect thereof on the area housing the camera  16  can be minimized. In other words, even in a worst case scenario, the camera  16  can be reliably held in the package. 
     In this assembled state, the blister pack  10  is positioned on the cradle  48  for ultrasonic welding. The blister pack  10  is gripped between the horn  46  and the cradle  48 , and ultrasonic welding is performed. Here, in the present embodiment, the protruding portions  50  are provided at the cradle  48 . Thus, there is no need for anything to be formed at the flange  42  and the flange  44 . 
     At the protruding portions  50 , intermolecular joining is performed by the ultrasonic waves, and the flange  42  and the flange  44  are co-joined. At this time, because the cradle  48  has more of the protruding portions  50  at positions corresponding to the corner portions of the flange  44  than at other positions, the corner portions, at which stresses tend to concentrate, can have a higher welding strength. Consequently, even if impacts are received because of falls and the like, there will not be problems such as the body  12  and the protective cover  14  separating. 
     The long hole  20  is formed in the blister pack  10  for display thereof in a hanging condition. Thus, the blister pack  10  is suitable for storefront display in a high volume store. There may also be cases, such as when the product is a price leader, in which, rather than a hanging display, a table installation display is required. 
     In such a case, with the blister pack  10  of the present embodiment, the protruding portions  52 , which can function as leg portions, are already provided. Thus, the blister pack  10  can be stood up with the comparatively heavy accessories cavity portion  24  positioned toward the bottom. Because the center of gravity is at a low portion, the stood-up state is reliably maintained unaided. 
     Straight lines and corners have been almost entirely eliminated in the blister pack  10  of the present embodiment, and the front surface of the protective cover  14  corresponding to the accessories cavity portion  24  has a substantially rounded columnar shape. Thus, the appearance is good. At the step down to the flange  44  at the periphery, the protruding corner portion is a convex curve and the recessed corner portion is a concave curve. Thus, when a customer holds the blister pack  10 , there is no unpleasant sensation. Moreover, external flaws at a time of vacuum forming, which process is often used for forming blister packs, can be reduced. 
     When the blister pack  10  is stood up for display, it is not possible to completely prevent falls: the blister pack  10  could be knocked down by an impact from some other item. In the present embodiment, around the shallow cavity portion  26  part of the protective cover  14  that houses the camera  16  (protruding toward the front in FIG.  1 ), the belt-like protruding portions  40 , which protrude further toward the front than the cavity portion  26 , are provided. Thus, if the blister pack  10  happens to fall forward, the belt-like protruding portions  40  will receive an impact before the cavity portion  26 . The belt-like protruding portions  40  will absorb the impact, and impact on the camera  16  can be avoided. 
     Further, the cylindrical protruding portion  28  is formed at the rear side of the camera cavity portion  22 . Thus, if the blister pack  10  falls backward, the cylindrical protruding portion  28  receives an impact first, and impact on the camera  16  can be reduced. 
     The cylindrical protruding portion  28  is at the position of the camera  16  viewfinder and the end surface of the cylindrical protruding portion  28  is completely transparent. Thus, a customer can look through the viewfinder of the camera  16  in the packaged state. 
     In the present embodiment of the blister pack  10 , the camera  16  is held diagonally. Thus, the camera  16  can be a horizontal camera or a vertical camera, and the display state does not give a sense of incongruity in either case. Also, provided the dimensions are about the same, the blister pack  10  can be used for different models. 
     In the blister pack  10  of the present embodiment, the body  12  and the protective cover  14  may be provided with an ultra-violet light filtering layer. Hence, even if the camera is displayed for long periods in a storefront in direct sunlight, discoloration of the camera and the like in the blister pack  10  can be prevented. 
     A through-hole must be provided in the blister pack  10  for removal of internal air. As shown in FIG. 9, a through-hole  54  is provided in the camera cavity portion  22 , at the position of a power supply connection. The through-hole  54  can usually be used for removal of air, and an external power supply can be attached, for example, when the camera&#39;s LCD display is being operated while on display. 
     In the present embodiment, the body  12  and the protective cover  14  are separate. However, the structure could be such that, for example, the body  12  and the protective cover  14  are joined at the bottom edge or the left or right edge. In this case, the camera  16  and the accessories  18  are housed while the protective cover  14  is in an opened-out state, and the protective cover  14  is then turned about the joining edge to close the blister pack  10 . 
     As described above, the camera sales package relating to the present invention has excellent effects in that it does not detract from the display appearance of precision goods such as cameras, particularly digital cameras with many accessories, which are displayed in blister packs in a storefront, and in that it can efficiently house a camera and accessories.