Abstract:
In one embodiment of the present invention a system is provided for allowing a consumer to easily match a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the suitable pair of primary eyeglasses may be matched with the suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses without damaging or opening the package which contains the pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the system may comprise a package and/or a displayer.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/561,906, filed Apr. 14, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment of the present invention a system is provided for allowing a consumer to easily match a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. 
   In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the suitable pair of primary eyeglasses may be matched with the suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses without damaging or opening the package which contains the pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the system may comprise a package and/or a displayer. 
   For the purposes of describing and claiming the present invention, the term “displayer” is intended to refer to a structure for holding packaged and/or unpackaged eyeglasses (e.g., a display case, a display rack and the like). 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Auxiliary eyeglasses (e.g., having a tint and/or prescription) are known for attachment to a primary pair of eyeglasses or used together with a conventional eyeglasses. 
   Such auxiliary eyeglasses typically include a frame which is attached to part or all of the primary eyeglasses or having the devices of a conventional eyeglasses (e.g., including a frame and two temple legs) but can be used together with a conventional eyeglasses. 
   Further, such auxiliary eyeglasses may be adjustable to fit a range of primary eyeglasses or non-adjustable to fit a specific size of primary eyeglasses. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of a package for receiving therein a pair of auxiliary eyeglasses according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an assembled package similar to that of  FIG. 1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  shows detail of a front portion of the package of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows an example configuration of the inside of a cavity (this Fig. comprises a cross-sectional view of a package taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 ); 
       FIG. 5  shows an example configuration of the inside of a cavity (this Fig. comprises a cross-sectional view of a package taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2 ); 
       FIG. 6  shows detail of a sloping surface on the inside of a cavity; 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show perspective views of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9  and  10  show views of displayers according to embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 13  shows a perspective view of a package according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   Among those benefits and improvements that have been disclosed, other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures constitute a part of this specification and include illustrative embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the invention are intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , a package  1  for receiving therein a pair of adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses (not shown) is seen. As described in more detail below, this package  1  may be useful in matching a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses (see primary glasses  11  of  FIG. 2 ) with a suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. Package  1  may include a glasses-like-shaped cavity  2  formed on a cover portion  3  of the package  1  as well as a glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  disposed within the cavity  2 . 
   In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  may be a separate element attached to the glasses-like-shape cavity  2  (as seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  may be formed in the glasses-like-shape cavity  2 , for example, by printing the glasses-like shaped pattern  4  on the glasses-like-shaped cavity  2 . 
   In any case, the glasses-like-shaped cavity  2  may comprise a first lens-shaped portion  5  and a second lens-shaped portion  6 . The side outer end of the first lens-shaped portion  5  defines an edge “A” (call-out number  7 ). The side outer end of the second lens-shaped portion  6  defines an edge “B” (call-out number  8 ). The planar distance between edge “A” and edge “B” presents a reasonable maximum size for primary eyeglasses which can be engaged with the adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses (not shown) disposed within package  1 . Further, the glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  comprises a side edge “a” (call-out number  9 ) and a side edge “b” (call-out number  10 ) at its far outer ends. The planar distance of edges “a” and “b” of the glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  indicates a reasonable minimum size of the primary eyeglasses which can be engaged with the adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses (not shown) disposed within package  1 . Thus, a suitable range for the primary eyeglasses is defined between the edges “a” (call-out number  9 ) and “A” (call-out number  7 ) as well as “b” (call-out number  10 ) and “B” (call-out number  8 ). 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the glasses-like-shaped cavity  2 , at the suitable range for the primary eyeglasses, may slope from edge “A” (call-out number  7 ) to edge “a” (call-out number  9 ) and edge “B” (call-out number  8 ) to edge “b” (call-out number  10 ). This slope is shown in  FIG. 6  with reference to edges “A” and “a” (the slope with reference to edges “B” and “b”, although not shown, may be similar). 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the glasses-like-shaped cavity  2  may be formed as shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the glasses-like-shaped cavity  2  may be formed as a concave curve (see  FIG. 5 ). This curve may generally correspond to the curve of the primary eyeglasses  11  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), two slots  12  and  13  respectively located at the left and right side of the glasses-like-shaped cavity  2  may be provided for receiving the temple portions  11   a  and  11   b  of the primary eyeglasses  11  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the package  1  may comprise a body portion  14 . The body portion  14  and the cover portion  3  may be pivotally coupled together by hinge elements  15   a  and  15   b  coopering with holes  16   a  and  16   b.    
   In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), either or both the body portion  14  and the cover portion  3  may be fully or partially transparent or translucent. Further, a back card  17  may be disposed on the body portion  14  (to become a part of the package  1 ). 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a package  20  for receiving therein a pair of auxiliary eyeglasses inside (not shown) may comprise a container portion  21  and a back card portion  22 . An easy-fitting-on mechanism (e.g., such as including glasses-like-shape cavity  2  and glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  discussed above) may be disposed adjacent the back card portion  22  at the rear side of the container portion  21 . In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), the cover of the container portion  21  may be fully or partially transparent or translucent. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , it is seen that a plurality of easy-fitting-on mechanisms (e.g., such as each including glasses-like-shape cavity  2  and glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  discussed above) may be disposed on a displayer  30  (e.g., for presentation to a purchaser). Of note,  FIG. 8B  shows detail “D” of the circled section of  FIG. 8A . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9 , it is seen that a plurality of packages, each of which may (or may not) include an easy-fitting-on mechanism (e.g., such as including glasses-like-shape cavity  2  and glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  discussed above) may be disposed on a displayer  40  (e.g., for presentation to a purchaser). In addition, it is seen that a plurality of easy-fitting-on mechanisms (e.g., such as each including glasses-like-shape cavity  2  and glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  discussed above) may be disposed on the displayer  40 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , it is seen that a plurality of packages, each of which may (or may not) include an easy-fitting-on mechanism (e.g., such as including glasses-like-shape cavity  2  and glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  discussed above) may be disposed on a displayer  50  (e.g., for presentation to a purchaser). In addition, it is seen that a plurality of easy-fitting-on mechanisms (e.g., such as each including glasses-like-shape cavity  2  and glasses-like-shaped pattern  4  discussed above) may be disposed on the displayer  50  (various size and/or shape indicia may be provided). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , another embodiment of the present invention provides an easy-fitting-on mechanism  60  for matching a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses. This easy-fitting-on mechanism  60  may comprise a large glasses-like-shaped pattern  61  and a small glasses-like-shaped pattern  62 , both of which may be formed on a front portion  63  of a package  64  (wherein package  64  is configured for receiving a pair of adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses therein). The large glasses-like-shaped pattern  61  may comprise a reasonable maximum size for a pair of primary eyeglasses which can be engaged with the adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses within the package  64 . The small glasses-like-shaped pattern  62  may comprise a reasonable minimum size for a pair of primary eyeglasses which can be engaged with the adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses within the package  64 . The easy-fitting-on mechanism  60  may be disposed on a package configured for receiving therein a pair of auxiliary eyeglasses (as shown) and/or may be disposed on a displayer (as discussed elsewhere in this application). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , another embodiment of the present invention provides an easy-fitting-on mechanism  70  for matching a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of non-adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses. As shown in this  FIG. 12 , the easy-fitting-on mechanism  70  may comprise a fixed size of a glasses-like-shaped pattern  71  formed, for example, on the front portion  72  of a package  73  (wherein package  73  is configured for receiving a pair of non-adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses therein). The fixed size of glasses-like-shaped pattern  71  may be a reasonable size for a pair of primary eyeglasses to be mated with the pair of non-adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses within the package  73 . The easy-fitting-on mechanism  70  may be disposed on a package configured for receiving therein a pair of non-adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses (as shown) and/or may be disposed on a displayer (as discussed elsewhere in this application). 
   Referring now to  FIG. 13 , another embodiment of the present invention provides an easy-fitting-on mechanism  80  for matching a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of non-adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses. As shown in this  FIG. 13 , the easy-fitting-on mechanism  80  may comprise a glasses-like-shaped cavity  81  and two slots  82  and  83  formed at the far side ends of the glasses-like-shaped cavity  81 . The easy-fitting-on mechanism  80  may be disposed on a package configured for receiving therein a pair of non-adjustable auxiliary eyeglasses (as shown) and/or may be disposed on a displayer (as discussed elsewhere in this application). 
   While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the packaging and/or the displayer may include any desired size and/or shape indicators to aid in matching a suitable pair of primary eyeglasses with a suitable pair of auxiliary eyeglasses.