Abstract:
An interactive package for a writing instrument to allow a user to grip the writing instrument when the writing instrument is mounted in the package. The interactive package contains a back support connected with a mount, the mount having indentations to mount the writing instrument away from the back support so that the writing instrument appears to float inside the interactive package. An outer shell connects with the back support and surrounds the mount to create a compartment. Two openings in the outer shell allow a user to insert a finger and thumb through the respective openings to grip the writing instrument without touching any portion of the package. The user can then test the weight, look, and feel of the writing instrument while the writing instrument remains protected in the enclosure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     (1) Field of Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to packaging for a writing instrument and, more particularly, to an interactive package for a writing instrument that allows a user to grasp the writing instrument without removing it from the packaging.  
         [0003]     (2) Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Packaging for a writing instrument is typically a box-shaped container holding the writing instrument therein. In some cases, the container is formed of a clear material, allowing a user (e.g., potential customer) to view the contents of the container. In such containers, should the user decide to touch or feel the writing instrument, the user is required to open and remove the writing instrument from the container.  
         [0005]     For retailers, opened containers pose a problem as the opened container may exhibit wear from being opened. Additionally, a packaging container exhibiting wear often dissuades another customer from purchasing that particular product, resulting in discounted prices and/or unsold products.  
         [0006]     Thus, a continuing need exists for an interactive package for a writing instrument that allows a user to touch and feel the writing instrument without removing the writing instrument from the packaging.  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is related to an interactive package for a writing instrument. The interactive package comprises a back support with a first end and a second end. An outer shell is connected with the back support to define a compartment in combination with the back support. A mount is positioned in the compartment for supporting a writing instrument. The mount comprises a first portion and a second portion, and the writing instrument comprises a writing end and a non-writing end. The first portion of the mount is formed to mount the non-writing end of the writing instrument and the second portion of the mount is formed to mount the writing end of the writing instrument. The outer shell encloses the mount and supported writing instrument to securely protect the writing instrument. Additionally, the outer shell includes an opening configuration sized and shaped to permit a user&#39;s fingers to enter the compartment and grasp the writing instrument.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the opening configuration includes two openings sized and shaped to permit a finger and a thumb of a user to enter and grasp the writing instrument without otherwise substantially touching the outer shell, mount, or back support.  
         [0009]     In yet another aspect, the back support further comprises a hanging mechanism connected with the first end for hanging the package on a shelf.  
         [0010]     Additionally, the back support is formed of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, paper, or cardboard.  
         [0011]     Furthermore, the back support is made from a clear plastic.  
         [0012]     In yet another aspect, the mount is formed to frictionally fit between the back support and the outer shell.  
         [0013]     Additionally, the mount is formed in a triangular shape.  
         [0014]     In another aspect, the first portion of the mount and second portion of the mount are formed separately, and wherein the first portion of the mount is connected with the first end of the back support, and wherein the second portion of the mount is connected with the second end of the back support.  
         [0015]     In yet another aspect, the first portion of the mount further comprises an indentation to frictionally fit the non-writing end of the writing instrument, and wherein the second portion of the mount further comprises an indentation to frictionally fit the writing end of the writing instrument, such that the writing instrument is mounted between the two indentations.  
         [0016]     In another aspect, the indentation of the first portion and the indentation of the second portion of the mount are centered between the back support and the outer shell, such that when the writing instrument is mounted it appears to float within the package.  
         [0017]     In another aspect, the mount formed of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, paper, or cardboard.  
         [0018]     In yet another aspect, the back support is made from a clear plastic.  
         [0019]     In another aspect, the outer shell is formed to frictionally fit the mount.  
         [0020]     Additionally, the outer shell is connected with the back support.  
         [0021]     Furthermore, the openings in the outer shell are formed in locations that allow a user to grip the writing instrument without substantially touching the package.  
         [0022]     In another aspect, both the first portion and the second portion of the mount are connected with the back support.  
         [0023]     In another aspect, the back support and the outer shell are integrally formed as a single piece.  
         [0024]     Finally, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming the interactive package described herein. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]     The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where:  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective-view illustration of an interactive package for a writing instrument according to the present invention, depicting a writing instrument disposed within the interactive package;  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a left, side-view illustration of an interactive package for a writing instrument according to the present invention, with the writing instrument disposed therein;  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a front-view illustration of an interactive package for a writing instrument according to the present invention, with the writing instrument disposed therein;  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a back-view illustration of an interactive package for a writing instrument according to the present invention, with the writing instrument disposed therein; and  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top-view illustration of an interactive package for a writing instrument according to the present invention, with the writing instrument disposed therein.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0031]     The present invention relates to packaging for a writing instrument and, more particularly, to an interactive package for a writing instrument that allows a user to grasp the writing instrument without removing it from the packaging. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.  
         [0032]     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.  
         [0033]     The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.  
         [0034]     Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6.  
         [0035]     Before describing the invention in detail, an introduction is provided to give the reader a general understanding of the present invention. Next, a description of various aspects of the present invention is provided to give an understanding of the specific details.  
         [0036]     (1) Introduction  
         [0037]     The present invention relates to packaging for a writing instrument. Packaging of the prior art is typically a box-shaped container holding the writing instrument therein. Should a user (e.g., potential customer) decide to touch and/or feel the writing instrument in the prior art packaging, the user is required to remove the writing instrument from the packaging. For retailers, open packaging creates a problem as other potential customers may be dissuaded from purchasing a product with an opened package.  
         [0038]     The present invention improves upon the prior art by allowing a user to touch and feel the writing instrument without removing it from the packaging. Through interactive packaging, a retailer can allow a potential customer to gain a better understanding of a product without destroying or damaging the packaging. Thus, the present invention is an interactive packaging with an opening configured therein. The opening is sized and shaped to permit a user&#39;s fingers to enter and grasp the writing instrument without otherwise touching the packaging.  
         [0039]     (2) The Interactive Package  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is an interactive package  100  for holding a writing instrument  102  therein. The interactive package  100  includes a back support  104  with a first end  106  and a second end  108 . The back support  104  is formed of any suitably durable material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic, paper, and cardboard. In some cases, it may be desirable to form the back support  104  of a clear plastic to allow viewing therethrough.  
         [0041]     A mount  110  is included within the interactive package  100  for supporting the writing instrument  102 . The mount  110  is formed in any suitable manner to support the writing instrument  102 . As a non-limiting example, the mount  110  comprises a first portion  112  and a second portion  114  and the writing instrument  102  comprises a writing end  116  and a non-writing end  118 , with the mount  110  formed such that the first portion  112  mounts the non-writing end  118  and the second portion  114  mounts the writing end  116 . The mount  110  is formed of any suitably durable material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic, paper, and cardboard. For viewing purposes, it is desirable to form the mount  110  of a clear plastic.  
         [0042]     An outer shell  120  is included to cover the mount  110  and a supported writing instrument  102 . The outer shell  120  defines a compartment  122  in combination with the back support  104  to securely protect the writing instrument  102 . The outer shell  120  and the back support  104  are formed in any suitable manner to define the compartment  122  therebetween. As non-limiting examples, both the outer shell  120  and the back support  104  are formed separately and thereafter attached with each other, and both the outer shell  120  and back support  104  are integrally formed together as a single piece to form the compartment  122  therein. The outer shell  120  is formed of any suitably durable material, non-limiting examples of which include plastic and paperboard. For viewing purposes, it is desirable that the outer shell  120  be formed of a clear plastic.  
         [0043]     As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the mount  110  can be formed and attached with the interactive package  100  at any suitable location and in any suitable manner so long as the writing instrument  102  is supported by the mount  110 . As a non-limiting example, both the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  of the mount  110  are connected with the back support  104 . As another non-limiting example, the mount  110  is attached with the outer shell  120 . In another aspect, the mount  110  is positioned within the compartment  122  and held in place by the writing instrument  102  and the confines of the compartment  122 . In this aspect, the mount  110  is formed to frictionally fit between the back support  104  and the outer shell  120 .  
         [0044]     As another example, the first portion  112  and second portion  114  of the mount  110  are formed separately from each other, with the first portion  112  being connected with the first end  106  of the back support  104  and the second portion  114  being connected with the second end  108  of the back support  104 .  
         [0045]     In order to mount the writing instrument  102 , both the first portion  112  and the second portion  114  include a writing instrument holder  125  formed therein. The writing instrument holder  125  is any suitable configuration for holding the writing instrument  102 . As a non-limiting example, the writing instrument holder  125  is an indentation formed in the respective first  112  and second  114  portions. For example, the first portion  112  includes an indentation formed to frictionally fit the non-writing end  118  of the writing instrument  102  and the second portion  114  includes an indentation to frictionally fit the writing end  116  of the writing instrument  102 . In such an aspect, the writing instrument  102  is mounted between the two indentations such that it is held at both ends (i.e., writing end  116  and non-writing end  118 ).  
         [0046]     Although the indentations may be formed at any suitable location within the mount  110 , it is desirable that the indentations are formed in the mount such that they are centered between the back support  104  and the outer shell  120 . By being centrally mounted, a mounted writing instrument  102  appears to float within the package  100 .  
         [0047]     To enable a user to touch and feel an attached writing instrument  102 , the outer shell  120  includes an opening configuration  124 . The opening configuration  124  is sized and shaped to permit a user&#39;s fingers to enter and grasp the writing instrument  102  without otherwise substantially touching the outer shell  120 , mount  110 , or back support  104 . For example, the opening configuration  124  includes two openings, sized and shaped to permit a finger and a thumb of a user to enter and grasp the writing instrument  102 .  
         [0048]     Furthermore, both the back support  104  and outer shell  120  can be formed in any suitable shape to contain a mount  110  therein and enable a user to grasp the writing instrument  102  through the opening configuration  124 . As non-limiting examples, the outer shell  120  and the back support  104  come together to form a compartment  122  having a cylindrical shape, a triangular shape, and a rectangular shape. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the back support  104  is substantially planar with the outer shell  120  forming two outer portions of a triangular shaped compartment  122 . In this aspect, the mount  110  is formed in a triangular shape to fit within the compartment  122 .  
         [0049]     To assist a user in displaying the interactive packaging  100  (and writing instrument therein), the back support  104  comprises a hanging mechanism  126  connected with the first end  106  for hanging the package  100 . The hanging mechanism  126  is any suitable mechanism to allow for hanging the package  100 , a non-limiting example of which includes a hanging tag.  
         [0050]     For further illustration,  FIGS. 2 through 5  show various view points of the interactive packaging  100 .  FIG. 2  is a left, side-view illustration;  FIG. 3  is a front-view illustration;  FIG. 4  is a back-view illustration; and  FIG. 5  is a top-view illustration. As seen in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , the mount  110  includes an indentation-shaped writing instrument holder  125  for holding the writing instrument  102  in place.  
         [0051]     As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming the interactive package described herein. The method comprises acts of forming a back support with a first end and a second end; connecting an outer shell with the back support to define a compartment in combination with the back support; and positioning a mount in the compartment for supporting a writing instrument. The method further comprises acts of forming each component of the interactive package such that it corresponds with the description of the interactive package described herein.