Abstract:
A clamshell package for a heart rate monitoring watch having sensors positioned on the watch is disclosed herein. The clamshell package preferably includes a back insert and a front insert. The front insert preferably has a plurality of access ports for accessing the sensors of the heart rate monitoring watch while it is in the clamshell package. In this manner, the heart rate monitoring watch is protected but accessible to potential purchasers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates to packaging for heart rate monitors. More specifically, the present invention relates to packaging for heart rate watches. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Packaging of retail products serves the two primary functions of preserving the contents while enticing the consumer to purchase the product. In order to accomplish these two primary functions, many manufacturers of retail goods have utilized the clamshell package which encases the sale article within two plastic walls similar to a clamshell. 
         [0007]    One such clamshell package is disclosed in Mylander et al., U.S. Pat. No. D359447 for a Clam Shell Package. 
         [0008]    Another such clamshell package is disclosed in Mylander et al., U.S. Pat. No. D338619 for a Clam Shell Package. 
         [0009]    Yet another such clamshell package is disclosed in Zuhlke et al., U.S. Pat. No. D399737 for a Clam-Shell Container. 
         [0010]    Yet another such clamshell package is disclosed in LaJoie, U.S. Pat. No. D329600 for a Clam Shell Package. 
         [0011]    Yet another such clamshell package is disclosed in Wimbish et al., U.S. Pat. No. D327844 for a Clam Shell Package. 
         [0012]    Yet another such clamshell package is disclosed in LaJoie, U.S. Pat. No. D305408 for a Clam Shell Package. 
         [0013]    Another package reference that uses similar principles to a clamshell package is disclosed in Skolnik, U.S. Pat. No. 294,008 for a Packaging Container For A Watch. 
         [0014]    Another package for a watch is disclosed in Herzog, U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,822 for a Package For Supporting And Displaying A Strap-Type Wristwatch. Herzog discloses a C-shaped support member which fits within a box and has slots retaining a wristwatch thereon. 
         [0015]    Yet another unique package is described in Marciano, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,246 for a Case Comprising Two Shell Bodies And An Insert, which discloses an insert that is placed within a shell. 
         [0016]    Yet another watch package is described in Sims, U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,960 for a Watch Display Package which discloses wedge shaped housing formed from a single paperboard blank. 
         [0017]    Gonda et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,401 for a Clear Container With Magnifying Feature, discloses a transparent package with a convex portion for magnification purposes. 
         [0018]    Hartman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,181 for a Wrist Watch Box discloses a package with an alternative disposition cover. 
         [0019]    Bierly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,777 for a Display Carton For Simulated Article Inspection discloses a display carton for glasses or compact discs which allows for access to the merchandise through a cutout. 
         [0020]    Although the prior art has disclosed many different types of packages, these packages cannot meet new and yet unknown needs of merchandisers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    The packaging of heart rate monitoring watches has presented such a new and until now, unknown need for packaging. The new need is for packaging that that protects the heart rate monitoring watch during shipment from a manufacturer and display at a retailer, and allows for a consumer to try the heart rate monitoring watch without removing it from the packaging. 
         [0022]    One aspect of the present invention is a clamshell package for a heart rate monitoring watch having a back sensor positioned on a back of the watch and front sensors positioned on a front of the watch. The clamshell package comprises a back insert and a front insert. The back insert comprises a body with a back panel and a side panel. The body has an indentation in the back panel and the side panel. The body has a projection extending outward from a wall of the indentation. The projection has a first arm and a second arm for supporting the heart rate monitoring watch. The projection also has a central depression under a back sensor of the heart rate monitoring watch. The front insert comprises a body with a front panel and a side panel. The body has an indentation in the front panel and the side panel. The body has a projection extending outward from a wall of the indentation. The projection has a face wall for covering the front of the watch and a side wall. The face wall has a first access port and a second access port positioned over front sensors of the heart rate monitoring watch to provide tactile access to the front sensors for providing a heart rate sensor reading with the heart rate monitoring watch enclosed within the package. The side wall has a third access port positioned along the central depression for allowing tactile access to the back sensor of heart rate monitoring watch. The front insert is attached over the back insert with a heart rate monitoring watch positioned therebetween with an interior surface of the front insert engaging an interior surface of the back insert. 
         [0023]    The first access port is approximately 100 mm 2  in area, the second access port is approximately 100 mm 2  in area, and the third access port is 280 mm 2  in area. 
         [0024]    The front insert and the back insert each has a length ranging from 150 mm to 250 mm, a top width ranging from ranging from 100 mm to 200 mm, a bottom width ranging from 80 mm to 160 mm, and a depth ranging from 30 mm to 100 mm. 
         [0025]    The front insert and the back insert each has a thickness ranging from 0.25 mm to 0.5 mm. 
         [0026]    Another aspect of the present invention is a clamshell package for a heart rate monitoring watch having a back sensor positioned on a back of the watch and front sensors positioned on a front of the watch. The clamshell package comprises a back insert composed of a transparent plastic material and a front insert composed of a transparent plastic material. The back insert has a U-Shaped projection for placement of the heart rate monitoring watch thereon. The U-Shaped projection has a central depression. The front insert has a front projection for covering the heart rate monitoring watch. The front projection has a first access port and a second access port positioned over front sensors of the heart rate monitoring watch to provide tactile access to the front sensors for providing a heart rate sensor reading with the heart rate monitoring watch enclosed within the package. The projection has a third access port positioned along the central depression for allowing tactile access to the back sensor of heart rate monitoring watch. The front insert is attached over the back insert with a heart rate monitoring watch positioned therebetween with an interior surface of the front insert engaging an interior surface of the back insert. 
         [0027]    Yet another aspect of the present invention is a packaging structure comprising a clamshell package and an outer box. The clamshell package is for a heart rate monitoring watch having a back sensor positioned on a back of the watch and front sensors positioned on a front of the watch. The clamshell package comprises a back insert and a front insert. The back insert comprises a body with a back panel and a side panel. The body has an indentation in the back panel and the side panel. The body has a projection extending outward from a wall of the indentation. The projection has a first arm and a second arm for supporting the heart rate monitoring watch. The projection also has a central depression under a back sensor of the heart rate monitoring watch. The front insert comprises a body with a front panel and a side panel. The body has an indentation in the front panel and the side panel. The body has a projection extending outward from a wall of the indentation. The projection has a face wall for covering the front of the watch and a side wall. The face wall has a first access port and a second access port positioned over front sensors of the heart rate monitoring watch to provide tactile access to the front sensors for providing a heart rate sensor reading with the heart rate monitoring watch enclosed within the package. The first access port is approximately 100 mm 2  in area and the second access port is approximately 100 mm 2  in area. The side wall of the projection has a third access port positioned along the central depression for allowing tactile access to the back sensor of heart rate monitoring watch. The third access port is approximately 280 mm 2  in area. The front insert is attached over the back insert with a heart rate monitoring watch positioned therebetween with an interior surface of the front insert engaging an interior surface of the back insert. The back insert and the front insert are composed of a transparent plastic material. 
         [0028]    Having briefly described the present invention, the above and further objects, features and advantages thereof will be recognized by those skilled in the pertinent art from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention with a heart rate monitoring watch therein. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a front plan view of a preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the package of  FIG. 3  along line A-A. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a front plan view of a front insert of the package of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the front insert of  FIG. 4  along line A-A. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4B  is a bottom perspective of the front insert of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 4C  is a side plan view of the front insert of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of a back insert of the package of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 5A  is a cross-sectional view of the back insert of  FIG. 5  along line A-A. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5B  is a bottom perspective of the back insert of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 5C  is a side plan view of the back insert of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  3 A, a package is generally designated  20 . The package  20  is preferably of the clamshell type package with a front insert  22  secured to a back insert  24  with an article  100  therein. In the present invention, the article  100  is a heart rate monitoring watch. Such a heart rate monitoring watch is described in Dickinson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,041 for an Electronic Apparatus And Method For Monitoring Net Calorie Intake, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that the package will contain other heart rate monitoring watches without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Typically, such heart rate monitoring watches  100  have finger sensors on the front and/or back which when touched by the user can provide a heart rate value for the user. The heart rate monitoring watch  100  is secured within the package  20  for shipping from a manufacturer and display at a retail facility. The novel package  20  allows for protection of the heart rate monitoring watch  100  through use of a transparent and durable plastic material such as PET, APET, RPET, PP, PVC, polyimide, polyester or like materials. The transparency allows for the heart rate monitoring watch  100  to be viewed by a consumer. As discussed below, the novel package  20  also allows for a consumer to utilize the heart rate monitoring feature of the heart rate monitoring watch  100  while the heart rate monitoring watch  100  is in the novel package  20 . 
         [0042]    The package  20  preferably comprises a front insert  22  and a back insert  24 . The front insert  22  is secured to the back insert  24  with the heart rate monitoring watch  100  therein. The front insert  22  generally matches the shape and size of the back insert  24  with the front insert  22  slightly larger than the back insert to allow for assembly of the package  20  with the heart rate monitoring watch  100  therein. 
         [0043]    As shown specifically in  FIGS. 4 ,  4 A,  4 B and  4 C, the front insert  22  comprises a body  26  having a front panel  28  and a side panel  30 . The side panel  30  is preferably perpendicular to the front panel  28 . In a preferred embodiment, the body  26  also has a bottom panel  31 . The body  26  has a front indentation  32  in the front panel  28  and the side panel  30 . The front indentation  32  preferably has a heart-like shape as viewed from a junction edge  33  of the body  26  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ). The body  26  preferably has a curving indentation wall  32   a.  The body  26  also has a front projection  34  extending outward from the indentation wall  32   a.  The front projection  34  preferably has a first access port  36 , a second access port  38 , and a third access port  39 , which allow for tactile access to sensors of the heart rate monitoring watch  1   00 . The front projection  34  preferably has a face facet  34   a,  a side facet  34   b,  a top facet  34   c,  a bottom facet  34   d,  a bottom side facet  34   e  and a top side facet  34   f,  all of which cover a heart rate monitoring watch  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the first access port  36  and the second access port  38  are positioned on the face facet  34   a,  and the third access port  39  is positioned on the side facet  34   b.  The first access port  36  and the second access port  38  allow the user to place their fingers from one hand on the face of the heart rate monitoring watch  100  while the third access port  39  allows the user to place a finger from the opposite hand on the back of the heart rate monitoring watch  100 . In this manner, the user (consumer) can determine the capabilities of the heart rate monitoring watch  100  without having to open and destroy the package  20 . 
         [0044]    Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize that the front insert  22  may have only one access port on the front and one access port on the back to access finger sensors on a heart rate monitoring watch, only two access ports on the side to access side finger sensors on a heart rate monitoring watch, and only one access port on the back to access finger sensors on a heart rate monitoring watch. 
         [0045]    The package  20  is generally constructed and sized to protect the heart rate monitoring watch  100  without wasting packaging material. In a preferred embodiment, the front insert  22  preferably has a top width along the top edge  60 , W TF , ranging from 100 millimeters (“mm”) to 200 mm, more preferably from 125 mm to 175 mm, even more preferably from 135 mm to 150 mm, and most preferably approximately 141 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the front insert  22  preferably has a bottom width along the bottom edge  62 , W BF , ranging from 80 mm to 160 mm, more preferably from 100 mm to 130 mm, even more preferably from 110 mm to 120 mm, and most preferably approximately 116 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the front insert  22  preferably has a length, L F , along side edge  63 , ranging from 150 mm to 250 mm, more preferably from 175 mm to 225 mm, even more preferably from 190 mm to 210 mm, and most preferably approximately 199 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the front insert  22  preferably has a depth, D F , ranging from 30 mm to 100 mm, more preferably from 40 mm to 80 mm, even more preferably from 55 mm to 75 mm, and most preferably approximately 64 mm. 
         [0046]    The depth of the front indentation  32  is preferably approximately ⅔ of the depth of the front insert  22 . The front projection  34  preferably does not extend beyond the front indentation  32 . The front indentation  32  preferably extends more than half of the width of the front insert  22  at its greatest extent, and is preferably more than ⅔ of the length of the front insert  22 . 
         [0047]    As shown specifically in  FIGS. 5 ,  5 A,  5 B and  5 C, the back insert  24  comprises a body  40  having a back panel  42  and a side panel  44 . The side panel  44  is preferably perpendicular to the back panel  42 . In a preferred embodiment, the body  40  also has a bottom panel  45 . The body  40  has a back indentation  46  in the back panel  42  and the side panel  44 . The back indentation  46  preferably has a heart-like shape as viewed from a junction edge  43  of the body  40  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ). The body  40  preferably has a curving indentation wall  46   a.  The body  40  also has a back projection  48  extending outward from the indentation wall  46   a.    
         [0048]    The back projection  48  is preferably U-Shaped having a first arm  48   a,  a second arm  48   b  and a central depression  48   c.  The heart rate monitoring watch  100  is placed on the back projection  48  by resting it on the first arm  48   a  and the second arm  48   b.  This allows for access to the back of the heart rate monitoring watch  100  while the heart rate monitoring watch  100  is secured within the package  20 . The central depression  48   a  is accessible through the third access port  39  of the front insert  22 . The back projection  48  is generally formed of a multiple facets including a face facet  49   a,  a bottom facet  49   b,  a first side facet  49   c  and a side facet  49   d,  not shown. The back indentation wall  46   a  also has slots  80  and  82  for placement of the straps of the heart rate monitoring watch  100  therethrough for securing it within the package  20 . 
         [0049]    The back insert  24  is preferably slightly smaller than the front insert  22  to allow for sealing the heart rate monitoring watch  100  in the package  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the back insert  24  preferably has a top width along the top edge  64 , W TB , ranging from 100 millimeters (“mm”) to 200 mm, more preferably from 125 mm to 175 mm, even more preferably from 135 mm to 150 mm, and most preferably approximately 139 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the back insert  24  preferably has a bottom width along the bottom edge  66 , W BB , ranging from 80 mm to 160 mm, more preferably from 100 mm to 130 mm, even more preferably from 110 mm to 120 mm, and most preferably approximately 115 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the back insert  24  preferably has a length, L B , along side edge  67 , ranging from 150 mm to 250 mm, more preferably from 175 mm to 225 mm, even more preferably from 190 mm to 210 mm, and most preferably approximately 197 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the back insert  24  preferably has a depth, D B , ranging from 30 mm to 100 mm, more preferably from 40 mm to 80 mm, even more preferably from 55 mm to 75 mm, and most preferably approximately 63 mm. 
         [0050]    The depth of the back indentation  46  is preferably approximately ⅔ of the depth of the back insert  24 . The back projection  48  preferably extends approximately half the depth of the back indentation  46 . The back indentation  46  preferably extends more than half of the width of the back insert  24  at its greatest extent, and is preferably more than ⅔ of the length of the back insert  24 . 
         [0051]    The back insert  24  preferably has a plurality of ridges  84  and  86  for engaging the interior surface of the front insert  22 . 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A and  6 B, an outer box is generally designated  150 . The outer box  150  is preferably composed of a paperboard material. The outer box  150  is preferably rectangular in shape and formed from a single blank. In an alternative embodiment, the clamshell package  20  is placed within the outer box  150 . The outer box  150  typically contains graphic information about the product. The outer box  150  has a cut-out  155  for visually showcasing the pertinent features of the clamshell package  20  with the heart rate monitoring watch  100  therein. The cut-out  155  is preferably in a front panel  160  and side panel  165  of the outer box  150 . 
         [0053]    From the foregoing it is believed that those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize the meritorious advancement of this invention and will readily understand that while the present invention has been described in association with a preferred embodiment thereof, and other embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, numerous changes modification and substitutions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which is intended to be unlimited by the foregoing except as may appear in the following appended claim. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined in the following appended claims.