Abstract:
A package configuration for holding merchandise includes a rotatable element that selectively displays different information to the user as the element is rotated. The rotatable element is restrained without a central hub or pivot pin. The restraining configuration limits lateral movement and minimizes pinching of the rotatable element. In one configuration, the merchandise storage package has a cover assembly having front and rear covers that define at least one window. Three pocket tabs restrain the lateral movement of the rotatable element. Each pocket tab is integrally folded from the blank used to form the storage package. One of the pocket tabs is double folded over itself to form a spacer having a thickness of three layers of blank material. Another pocket tab is folded over the spacer tab to form a fourth layer of material between the front and back covers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/849,104 filed Oct. 3, 2006; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention generally relates to merchandise packaging and, more particularly, to merchandise packaging having a rotatable element that moves with respect to a windowed portion of the package to present varying information to the user. The invention relates to the manner in which the rotatable element is held in place.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     A variety of containers are known in the art with movable elements that allow information to be selectively displayed to the user. These containers include sliding elements and rotating elements. Many rotatable elements are mounted on central hubs or pivot pins. Although such mounting configurations are functional, they increase the expensive and difficulty of manufacturing the container. Users of these packages thus desire a merchandise package having a rotatable element that is not carried by a central hub. Such containers should minimize lateral movement of the rotatable element and prevent the element from jamming or pinching.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The invention provides a package configuration for holding merchandise wherein a portion of the package includes a rotatable element that selectively displays different information to the user as the element is rotated. The rotatable element is restrained without a central hub or pivot pin. The restraining configuration limits lateral movement and minimizes pinching of the rotatable element.  
         [0007]     In one configuration, the invention provides a merchandise package having a panel that carries a rotatable element that may be moved by a user. The panel defines at least one window that provides visual access to the rotatable element. The rotatable element has different test or graphics regions that are alternatively displayed. The rotatable element is laterally restrained by structures that engage the outer circumference of the rotatable element without the need for a central hub.  
         [0008]     In another configuration, the invention provides the structure of the package that laterally restrains the rotatable element without the need for the central hub. This structure includes at least three pocket tabs that capture portions of the outer circumferential edge of the rotatable element. The tabs interlock to define a relatively deep pocket that minimizes the pinching of the rotatable element.  
         [0009]     In another configuration, the invention provides a merchandise storage package including the rotatable element. The merchandise storage package has a cover assembly having front and rear covers that define at least one window. The window provides visual access to the rotatable element. Three pocket tabs restrain the lateral movement of the rotatable element. The edge between the front and rear covers functions as a later restraint on the fourth side of the rotatable element. Each pocket tab is integrally folded from the blank used to form the storage package. One of the pocket tabs is double folded over itself to form a spacer having a thickness of three layers of blank material. Another pocket tab is folded over the spacer tab to form a fourth layer of material between the front and back covers. This configuration prevents the covers from pinching the rotatable element. In one embodiment, the merchandise storage package includes a sleeve adapted to receive a media storage container such as a molded DVD container. In another embodiment, the merchandise storage package includes its own storage chamber that may be used to receive a variety of items. The cover assembly may pivot with respect to the holder.  
         [0010]     An alternative configuration provides a rear access window in addition to the front window. Another alternative configuration provides an access opening at the edge defined between the front and rear covers. The access opening allows the user to manually rotate the rotatable element within the cover assembly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the merchandise package with the cover closed showing the front window.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the merchandise package with the cover open showing the rear window.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cover of the merchandise package with the front and back covers folded open to expose the pocket tabs.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view similar to  FIG. 3  showing the rotatable element placed on the front cover.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the tabs folded over the rotatable element.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a section view taken through line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a blank used to form the package (the rotatable element is not shown). 
     
    
       [0018]     The drawings are not to scale. Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     One configuration of the merchandise package of the invention is indicated generally by the numeral  2  in the accompanying drawings. This configuration of package  2  generally includes a merchandise holder  4  and a cover assembly  6  that is pivotably connected to holder  4 . Holder  4  is adapted to receive at least one article of merchandise. In the exemplary configuration, package  2  is fabricated from a paper-based material such as a paperboard and the item of merchandise is a molded plastic media storage container such as a DVD container or a CD jewel case. In this exemplary embodiment, holder  4  is in the form of a four-sided sleeve adapted to frictionally engage the media storage container container. In other configurations, holder  4  may be in the form of a unitary card or a six-sided box. Cover assembly  6  may be integral to a wall of holder  4  or may be pivoted to holder  4  as shown in the drawings.  
         [0020]     Cover assembly generally has a top, bottom, and lateral edges disposed in the orientation shown in  FIG. 1 . Unless specifically noted, the inner surface of a member of cover assembly  6  is the surface facing the inner storage area of cover assembly while the outer surface is the viewable surface that is printed with promotional material. When cover assembly  6  is non-pivotably secured to holder  4 , the outer surface of cover assembly  6  includes the surface that faces, is connected to, or forms one of the walls of, holder  4 . Cover assembly  6  includes a rotatable element  10  rotatably movable to display different information through at least one window defined by cover assembly. Cover assembly  6  includes a front cover  12  that defines a front window  14  that is aligned with a portion of rotatable element  10 . Window  14  may be essentially any shape with the wedge shown in the drawings being exemplary.  
         [0021]     In the exemplary configuration, cover assembly  6  is attached to holder  4  with a living hinge that allows cover assembly  6  to pivot open to expose the front surface of holder  4  and the rear surface of cover assembly  6  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). These areas may be used to display information relevant to the item of merchandise carried by package  2 . The position of cover assembly  6  also may be fixed with respect to holder  4 .  
         [0022]     Cover assembly  6  includes a front cover  12  and a back cover  20 . Covers  12  and  20  may be formed by folding a portion of a blank along a first fold  22 . Portions of front  12  and back  20  covers define portions of an access opening  24  that is divided by first fold  22  when front cover  12  is folded over back cover  20 . A portion of rotatable element  10  is always exposed though access opening  24  so that the user may contact element  10  and rotate it so that different portions of rotatable element  10  are alternatively displayed through window  14 .  
         [0023]     An optional rear window  26  aligned with a portion of element  10  is defined by back cover  20 . Rear window  26  allows both the front and rear side of element  10  to be used for information to be display to the user.  
         [0024]     Cover assembly  6  includes first  30 , second  32 , and third  34  pocket tabs that cooperate with front cover  12  and back cover  20  to define a pocket that rotatably receives element  10 . First pocket tab  30  is connected to back cover  20  with a second fold  40  that defines the edge of back cover  20  opposite to first fold  22 . Tab  30  has a length substantially equal to the height of cover  20  with its ends tapered inwardly. Tab  30  has a width (direction transverse to fold  40 ) large enough so that an inner portion of tab  30  overlaps at least the edges of second  32  and third  34  pocket tabs when cover assembly  6  is assembled. When package  2  is assembled, tab  30  is directly connected to the inner surface of front cover  12  at the area identified by dashed line  42  in  FIG. 3 . An adhesive or a mechanical connector may be used to form this connection.  
         [0025]     Second pocket tab  32  is connected to the bottom edge of back cover  20  with a third fold  44 . Second pocket tab  32  has a width substantially equal to the width of back cover  20  with its ends tapered inwardly in a manner similar to tab  30  so that cover assembly  6  will fold to a closed configuration without interference. Tab  32  defines a notch  46  at its upper edge  48  that prevents tab  32  from blocking window  14 . Notch  46  may be aligned with and help form a portion of window  14 . In the exemplary configuration, the lower edge of notch  46  is curved to match the bottom edge of window  14 .  FIG. 4  shows how second tab  32  receives the bottom portion of rotatable element  10  while the edge of element  10  is disposed in access opening  24 . The inner surface of tab  32  is not directly connected to the inner surface of cover  20 . When package  2  is assembled, the outer surface of tab  32  is directly connected to the inner surface of front cover  12  at the area identified by dashed line  50  in  FIG. 3 . An adhesive or a mechanical connector may be used to form this connection. Tab  30  is designed to fold over the top of tab  32 .  
         [0026]     Third pocket tab  34  is connected to the top edge of back cover  20  with a fourth fold  52 . Third pocket tab  34  has a width substantially equal to the width of back cover  20  but tab  34  is tapered inwardly so that cover assembly  6  will fold to a closed configuration without interference. Third pocket tab  34  includes first  60 , second  62 , and third  64  portions that double back over each other to form a deep upper pocket for element  10 . First portion  60  is connected to fold  52  and may be directly connected to the inner surface of cover  20  with a connector such as an adhesive or a mechanical connector. Second portion  62  is folded back on top of first portion  60  and directly secured (by adhesive or other connectors) to first portion  60  to form a spacer that increases the depth of the pocket that receives rotatable element  10 . When back cover  20  includes window  26 , first and second portions  60  and  62  may define a notch  66  that is aligned with window  26  (see  FIG. 6 ). Third portion  64  is folded back over second portion  62  to form an upper pocket for element  10 . The fold line may be slit (identified by numeral  68  in  FIG. 5 ) to ensure that third portion  64  does not spring back open during assembly of cover assembly  6 . The configuration of third pocket tab  34  places four layers (three layers from tab  34  and one layer from tab  30 ) of material between covers  12  and  20  when cover assembly  6  is assembled. This configuration provides room for element  10  to move within cover assembly  6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , rotatable element  10  is raised up on two layers  60  and  62  of material at its upper end. This configuration helps prevent pinching and allows the user to easily rotate element  10 .  
         [0027]     Third portion  64  and tab  32  are simply folded under tab  30 . Adhesive between the inner surface of tab  30  and the outer surfaces of portion  64  and tab  32  is optional. The connection between the outer surface of tab  30  and the inner surface of cover  12  secures portion  64  and tab  32  in place.  
         [0028]     Element  10  is rotatably received between covers  12  and  20  with three of its portions in the pockets defined by tabs  30  ,  32 , and  34  and a fourth portion received in access opening  24  with fold  22  retaining it in that direction. The center of element  10  is not connected to cover assembly  6  by any central hub or spindle. Element  10  is thus loosely disposed within cover assembly  6 . When a user rotates element  10 , the user will either push element  10  against fold  40  or pull element  10  against the edges of fold  22  through opening  24 . In either situation, element  10  is not pinched by cover assembly  6 . In addition, element is stable while the user rotates element  10  to expose different sections of element  10  through windows  14  and  26 .  
         [0029]     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
         [0030]     Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described. For example, each of pocket tabs  30 ,  32 , and  34  are described above as being integrally formed from a single blank and formed with folds. In an alternative configuration, each tab  30 ,  32 , and  34  may be separately formed ad connected to cover  12  or  20  with adhesive or mechanical connectors such as rivets, staples, folded punch tabs, and the like. In addition, cover  12  may be secured to cover  20  with adhesive or mechanical connectors. Cover assembly  6  may be connected to holder  4  with a hinge pin or hinge pins. Holder  4  may be a sleeve, a box or tube, an envelope, or other type of container that holds merchandise.