Abstract:
A consumer product package. In one embodiment the consumer product package includes a first surface defining a first window and a first hinged flap associated with the first window. The first hinged flap is movable between a first position wherein the first window is exposed and a second position wherein the first window is obscured by the first hinged flap. In one embodiment a first attachment mechanism is associated with the first hinged flap and the first attachment mechanism maintains the first hinged flap in the second position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to the field of packaging and more specifically to packaging for consumer products.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Consumer product packaging today serves a multitude of functions. It not only protects the enclosed product, but also serves as an advertising medium to attract the interest of the prospective buyer and serve as a source of consumer information and instructions. By placing the consumer information on the packaging itself, the consumer can, prior to purchase, learn what is required to successfully utilize the enclosed product. One issue that arises is that the amount of packaging area available to convey information to a prospective purchaser may be insufficient given the amount of information required.  
         [0003]     The present invention provides a way of increasing the amount of information delivered, while providing interesting packaging that will catch the potential buyer&#39;s attention while allowing the enclosed product to be viewed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The invention relates to consumer product packaging. In one embodiment the consumer product packaging includes a first surface defining a first window and a first hinged flap associated with the first window. The first hinged flap is movable between a first position wherein the first window is exposed and a second position wherein the first window is obscured by said first hinged flap. In one embodiment a first attachment mechanism is associated with the first hinged flap and the first attachment mechanism maintains the first hinged flap in the second position.  
         [0005]     In another embodiment the consumer product packaging further includes a second surface defining a second window. In yet another embodiment the first window and said second window of the consumer product packaging are positioned to permit views of different sides of a product contained within the consumer product package. In still yet another embodiment the first window and the second window are positioned to show opposite sides of said product. In still yet another embodiment the consumer product packaging includes a second hinged flap associated with the first window. The second hinged flap is movable between a first position wherein the first hinged flap is exposed and a second position wherein the first hinged flap is obscured by the second hinged flap.  
         [0006]     In another embodiment the consumer product packaging includes a second attachment mechanism associated with the second hinged flap. The second attachment mechanism maintains the second hinged flap in the second position.  
         [0007]     The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the description, drawings, and claims which follow. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     Reference to the figures herein is intended to provide a better understanding of the methods and apparatus of the invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specifically depicted embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Like reference characters in the respective figures typically indicate corresponding parts.  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with its flaps closed;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with its flaps open;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with its flaps closed;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with one of its flaps open;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention consumer product packaging of the with both of its flaps open;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a back view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with both of its flaps closed;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with both its flaps closed;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a top view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with both of its flaps closed;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention with both of its flaps closed; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention unfolded. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     The following description refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention. Other embodiments are possible and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not meant to limit the present invention. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.  
         [0020]     It should be understood that the order of the steps of the methods of the invention is immaterial so long as the invention remains operable. Moreover, two or more steps may be conducted simultaneously or in a different order than recited herein unless otherwise specified. It should also be understood that the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” mean “one or more,” unless expressly specified otherwise.  
         [0021]     In brief overview and referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , these figures depict an embodiment of the consumer product packaging of the invention  10 , shown with its front flaps  14 ,  14 ′ (generally  14 ) closed. The flaps  14 ,  14 ′ are shown each with a fold in the cardboard acting as a hinge. Other attachment mechanisms are possible which act as a hinge connecting two solid objects while allowing relative motion between them. For example although the embodiment shown depicts a single piece construction of cardboard which is folded in the shape of the packaging, the packaging may be made of separate piece of cardboard connected by flexible material.  
         [0022]     The package  10  has a first end flap  16  and a second end flap  20  (not shown); a first side panel  24  and a second side panel  28  (not shown); and a front panel  32  and a back panel  36  (not shown). In the embodiment shown the front panel  32  includes a window  40 . In other embodiments, the back panel  36  of the package  10  also includes a window  44 . In other embodiments other windows may be included in the various panels. In this way various aspects of the enclosed consumer product (not shown) can be viewed. In various embodiments, the windows can be completely open or covered with a clear or colored transparent sheet, or combinations thereof. When one or both of the front flaps  14 ,  14 ′ are closed, the front panel  32  and window  40  is obscured. When both front flaps  14 ,  14 ′ are closed one of the front flaps  14 ′ obscures the other front flap  14 . In other embodiments flaps  14  can be included with any panel with or without incorporated windows.  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the product package  10  is shown with the flaps  14 ,  14 ′ closed.  FIG. 4  is a front view of the product package  10  with the first front flap  14  closed and the second front flap open  14 ′. The first front flap  14  includes an attachment mechanism  48 , which engages an attachment mechanism  52  on the second front flap  14 ′ when both front flaps  14 ,  14 ′ are closed, holding them in the closed position. In various embodiments the attachment mechanisms  48  and  52  can be combinations of a magnet on one front flap and metal on the other front flap, magnets on both front flaps, Velcro® on both front flaps  14 ,  14 ′ or other attachments means known to one skilled in the art.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the packaging  10  with both flaps  14 ′,  14 ′ open, exposing the window  40  in front panel  32 .  FIG. 6  is a back view of the packaging  10  showing the back panel  36  with window  44 .  FIG. 7  depicts a side view of the packaging  10  showing a side panel  24 . Side panel  28  would have a similar view to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  shows one end of the packaging  10  having end flap  16  in the closed position.  FIG. 9  depicts the other end  20  of the embodiment of the packaging showing the interlock tabs as will be discussed below.  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is an opened view of the embodiment of the packaging of the invention  10 . The packaging material is constructed out of packaging cardboard which is thin enough to be folded into shape. Once the shape depicted in  FIG. 10  is cut from the cardboard, the packaging can be constructed by folding the cardboard along the various lines  60 - 88 . Next the first front flap  14  is constructed by applying adhesive to the back side of the panels  90  and  92  and folding them together along fold  68  such that the adhesive holds the two panels together as a single flap  14 . Similarly the second front flap  14 ′ is constructed by applying adhesive to the back side of the panels  94  and  96  and folding them together along fold  88  such that the adhesive holds the two panels  94 ,  96  together as a single flap  14 ′.  
         [0026]     Next the remaining folds  60 ,  66 ,  70 ,  100 ,  102  and  86  are folded such that side panel  28  is adjacent panel tab  98 . Panel tab  98  is then folded along fold  60  and glued into the inner surface of side panel  28  along fold  86 . This forms the main body of the packaging  10 . Then tabs  104 ,  106 ,  108  and end panel  16  are folded along folds  74 ,  84 ,  78  and  76 , respectively, so as to engage one another along tab  110 , thereby closing off one end  16  of the packaging  10 .  
         [0027]     Finally end tab  112  is folded along fold  64 ; side tab  114  is folded along fold  72 ; end tab  116  is folded along fold  80 ; and side tab  118  is folded along fold  82 , thereby allowing end tab  116  to engage end tab  112 , thereby closing off and forming the other end  20  of the packaging  10 . At any time either end  16 ,  20  of the packaging  10  may be opened to permit insertion of the object to be packaged. Not that if either window  40  or  44  are covered by a transparent plastic, the covering is glued over the window prior to folding the packaging for ease of construction. Finally attachment devices  48 , and  52  (not shown) are affixed to panel  90  of flap  14  and panel  96  of flap  14 ′. It should be noted that in the embodiment shown, attachment devices  48  and  52  are placed on opposite surfaces of the opened packaging. Additionally, it is possible to have holes punched in panels  90  and  96 , and have the attachment devices affixed to the opposite surface of the corresponding panel  90 ,  94  respectively, such that the attachment devices appear accessible through the holes in panels  90  and  96 .  
         [0028]     Flaps  14 ,  14 ′ can serve to conceal the enclosed product or simply provide additional space for consumer information such as instructions. It is also possible, by selecting various shapes for the panels to create a package that is not rectilinear. As the packaging described herein provides a detailed description of a consumer product while affording concealment of the product, the packaging is suited to contain and advertise products of an adult nature, such as for example, sexual aids, alcoholic beverages, or other products not designed for use by minors.  
         [0029]     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting on the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.