Abstract:
A package for an article incorporating an on/off switch having a momentary-on position and a continuously-on position is disclosed. The package includes a cover such as a blister-type cover at least partially enclosing the article, and a recess arrangement formed in the cover proximate the switch. The recess arrangement prevents the switch from being slid into the continuously-on position while permitting the switch to be depressed into a momentary-on position. The recess arrangement includes a first recess positioned directly over the switch, and a second recess positioned directly adjacent the switch.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the product packaging art, and more particularly, to a recess arrangement for a blister pack that allows a switch or button to be placed into a first position, and prevents the switch or button from being placed into a second position.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Blister packs or cards, and variants thereof such as skin packs or packages, contour packs or packages, and bubble packs or packages, are ubiquitous in the retail merchandising industry. Blister packaging generally refers to a method of packaging articles in transparent, thermoformed “blisters” or pouches that range from precisely matching to generally matching or otherwise corresponding to the contours of the article to be packaged. The preformed (e.g. vacuum formed) blisters are made of thermoplastics such as vinyls (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), polystyrene, or cellulosic plastics. They are typically placed inverted in fixtures, loaded with the articles, then cards coated with an adhesive are applied and sealed to the flanges of the blisters by means of heat and pressure.  
           [0003]    The retail merchandising industry has recently embraced the so-called “try me” marketing strategy whereby potential purchasers are invited to try out or otherwise test a product prior to making a purchase. In the case of electronically operated products, manufacturers must install batteries into the product if potential purchasers are to activate or energize the product.  
           [0004]    For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,025, issued to Anten, discloses a point-of-purchase display that permits a potential purchaser to temporarily energize a toy packaged within a blister-type packaging arrangement. The toy includes activation buttons which are accessible through an opening in the bottom of the package. The opening may be covered by a reinforced plastic membrane. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,222, issued to Pierce discloses a blister-type display package arrangement with recesses that permit a potential purchaser to squeeze an animated timepiece and thereby actuate a switch that causes the animated timepiece to actuate.  
           [0005]    Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,129,516; 4,702,374; and 5,718,335; issued to Theros, Kelner, and Boudreaux, respectively, generally disclose blister-type packaging arrangements that have apertures to permit access to a product so that a potential purchaser can directly manipulate the product in some manner. For instance, the Theros patent discloses a blister package for a tape measure including an opening for accessing and withdrawing the measuring tape from the tape measure housing. Lastly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,919,074; 5,289,916; and 5,411,138, issued to Honda, Mickelberg, and Klawiter, respectively, generally disclose packaging arrangements that permit access to a switch for activating battery-operated products such as toys, dolls, etc.  
           [0006]    Some articles or products incorporate a two-feature activation or on/off switch or button. A “press and hold” feature of the switch permits the product to be energized and de-energized by simply depressing and releasing the on/off switch (e.g. a temporarily-on feature). A “press and slide” feature of the switch permits the product to remain energized when the on/off switch is slid in a first direction and then released (e.g. a continuously-on feature). The product is deactivated by sliding the on/off switch in an opposing direction.  
           [0007]    In the case of try-me packaging for an article having a two-feature on/off switch, it is contemplated that a potential purchaser could inadvertently or maliciously slide the on/off switch into the continuously on position, thereby continuously energizing the article and expending or otherwise draining the batteries. Further, it is possible that the switch could slide into the continuously on position during shipment of the product from the manufacturer, thus draining the batteries prior to arriving at the retailer. Clearly, it is less desirable to purchase a product with spent or discharged batteries, than a product with substantially fully charged batteries.  
           [0008]    Further, known “try me” blister pack-type packaging arrangements are not suitable for use with articles or products that should remain in a sanitary state. That is, providing a hole or aperture through a blister in order to directly access a button or switch of the article, also serves to permit contaminates (pathological, biological, or otherwise) to reach the article.  
           [0009]    Accordingly, it is considered desirable to provide a new and improved blister pack that is enclosed to maintain the sanitary condition of article while at the same time permitting a two-feature switch/button to be placed in a first position while preventing the switch/button from being placed in a second position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The principal object of the present invention is to provide a blister-type packaging arrangement that is sealed to maintain the sanitary condition of article while at the same time permitting a switch/button to be placed in a first position while preventing the switch/button from being placed in a second position.  
           [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a package for an article incorporating a switch having a momentary-on position and a continuously-on position is disclosed. The package includes a cover at least partially enclosing the article, and a recess arrangement formed in the cover proximate the switch. The recess arrangement prevents the switch from being urged into the continuously-on position.  
           [0012]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a packaging arrangement for an article incorporating a two-position switch is disclosed. The packaging arrangement includes a cover at least partially enclosing the article, and a recess arrangement associated with the cover, the recess arrangement permitting the switch to be placed into a first position and preventing the switch from being placed into a second position.  
           [0013]    One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved packaging arrangement that prevents an on/off switch associated with a packaged article from being slid into a continuously-on position while permitting the switch to be depressed into a momentary-on position.  
           [0014]    Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a try-me packaging arrangement that maintains a sanitary state of the packaged article.  
           [0015]    Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a packaging arrangement that incorporates a rib for preventing a recess from collapsing from repeated use.  
           [0016]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a packaging arrangement that provides a recess for preventing a switch from being slid into a continuously-on position.  
           [0017]    A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a packaging arrangement that permits a potential purchaser to test or otherwise try-out a product at the point-of-purchase.  
           [0018]    Yet a further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a try-me packaging arrangement that prevents batteries associated with the packaged product from being drained or discharged.  
           [0019]    A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a packaging arrangement that prevents an on/off switch associated with a product from being moved into a continuously-on position during transit or shipment to a retailer.  
           [0020]    Still further advantages 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 embodiment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    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 a preferred embodiment, and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary article that is sealed within a blister-type packaging arrangement that incorporates the features of the present invention therein;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the exemplary article and blister pack of FIG. 1; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a switch portion of the exemplary article and associated recess arrangement of the blister pack of FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 3 , there is shown an exemplary article  10  that is enclosed within a blister-type packaging arrangement  12 . In the embodiment being described, the article  10  is a battery-operated toothbrush product that includes oscillating bristles  14  that can be activated and deactivated by a conventional two-feature or two-position on/off switch  16 .  
         [0026]    Certain terminology is used herein to describe the article  10  and blister-type packaging arrangement  12  for convenience in reference only, and is not to be construed as limiting. For example, as best shown in FIG. 3, the on/off switch  16  is contoured with a raised “forward” portion  16   a  that facilitates urging the switch into a “forward” continuously-on position, and a “lower” or rear portion  16   b  with slight projections that provide a user with a gripping surface.  
         [0027]    A “press and hold” feature of the switch  16  permits the toothbrush  10  to be energized by depressing and holding the switch  16  in a momentary-on position (i.e. in the direction of arrow  20 ). The toothbrush  10  is de-energized by simply releasing the switch  16 . A “press and slide” feature of the switch  16  permits the toothbrush  10  to remain energized when the on/off switch  16  is slid forward (i.e. in a direction toward the bristles  14 ) into the continuously-on position and then released. The toothbrush is de-activated from the continuously-on position by simply sliding the switch  16  backward in a direction away from the bristles  14 .  
         [0028]    The toothbrush  10  is packaged for sale with a backing card  22 , such as a conventional paperboard backing card, that is covered by a transparent blister  24 . In the embodiment being described, flanges  24   a  of the blister  24  can be adhesively bonded to the backing card  22  in a conventional manner. The blister  24  can be molded into the shape of the toothbrush  10  with conventional techniques such as vacuum molding. In addition, the blister  24  can be formed from conventional thermoplastic materials such as vinyls (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC)), polystyrene, or cellulosic plastics. As is known in the art, the blister  24  is somewhat flexible and resilient. That is, the blister  24  will resiliently return to its original shape if slightly deformed.  
         [0029]    A “try-me” feature of the blister pack permits a potential purchaser to demonstrate the oscillation of the bristles  14  by activating the toothbrush  10  at the point-of-purchase. The “try-me” feature includes a first recess  26 , second recess  28 , and rib  30  positioned between the first recess  26  and second recess  30 . The recesses  26 ,  28  and rib  30  are formed in an upper surface  32  of the blister  24 .  
         [0030]    The first recess  26  is substantially aligned with the lower portion  16   b  of the on/off switch  16 . In the embodiment being described, the recess  26  includes a generally upright, substantially cylindrical side wall  34  and a substantially circular bottom wall  36 . The bottom wall  36  is adapted to contact the lower portion  16   b  of the switch  16 . The second recess  28  is positioned immediately adjacent (i.e. in front of) the switch forward portion  16   a.  In the embodiment being described, the recess  28  includes a generally upright, substantially rectangular side wall  38  and a bottom wall  40 . The bottom wall  40  of the second recess  28  extends below an upper extent of the switch forward portion  16   a.  The rib  30 , formed from adjacent portions of the sidewalls  34 ,  38 , generally conforms to the shape of, and substantially covers, the forward portion  16   a  of the switch  16 .  
         [0031]    In operation, the toothbrush  10  can be temporarily energized at the point-of-sale by simply pressing the recess  26  down into contact with the switch  16 . Continued pressure on the recess  26  depresses the switch  16  against a spring force into the momentary-on position thereby actuating the bristles  14 . When the pressure on the recess  26  is released, the recess  26  and switch  16  return to their original position and the toothbrush  10  is deactivated.  
         [0032]    When the recess  26  is urged into contact with the switch lower portion  16   b,  the bottom wall  40  of the second recess  28  contacts an upper surface  42  of the toothbrush  10  to effectively block or otherwise prevent the switch  16  from being inadvertently or maliciously slid forward into the continuously-on position. It should be appreciated that the rib  30  is substantially rigid and unyielding. Thus, the rib  30  assists in preventing the switch  16  from being placed in the forward momentary-on position by capturing and retaining the switch forward portion  16   a.    
         [0033]    Further, under a slight downward pressure, the bottom wall  40  of the recess  28  contacts the upper surface  42  of the toothbrush  10  at approximately the same point that the bottom wall  36  of the recess  26  contacts the switch lower portion  16   b.  A relatively large amount of additional downward force is then necessary in order to slightly deform the blister  24  and urge the switch  16  downward into the momentary-on position. Thus, the slight amount of downward forces that may be generated during the vagrancies of shipping products from the manufacturer to the retailer will only result in urging the bottom wall  40  of recess  28  against the toothbrush, and not result in urging the switch  16  downward into the momentary-on position.  
         [0034]    With regard to the recess  26  alone, it is contemplated that the recess  26  could inevitably be compressed, flattened, or otherwise crushed by being repeatedly depressed. In such a state, it is possible that such a crushed recess  26  would apply a continuous downward pressure to the switch  16  to continuously energize the toothbrush  10  in the momentary-on position and thereby drain the batteries. However, because the adjacent rib  30  is substantially rigid and unyielding, it serves to prevent the recess  26  from being deformed after repeated usage, or from being crushed during shipment to the retailer.  
         [0035]    Lastly, in view of the fact that the toothbrush  10  is activated and deactivated by indirect contact with the switch  16  vis-a-vis the recess  26 , the toothbrush  10  is maintained in a sanitary state within the fully enclosed blister  24 .  
         [0036]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. For instance, while the article  10  has been described and illustrated as a toothbrush, it is contemplated that the blister pack recess arrangement of the present invention can be used with other types of packaged articles. Further, the packaging arrangement has been described and illustrated with a blister-type cover. However, it is contemplated that the recess arrangement of the present invention is equally suitable for use with packaging materials other that thermoplastic blister covers.