Patent Publication Number: US-2016236841-A1

Title: Retention member and kit of products packaged therewith

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/115,929, filed on Feb. 13, 2015, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a retention member for securing multiple products to a backer card and to a packaged kit of products that includes a retention member. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In consumer products industries, the manner in which products are packaged is important to both sellers and consumers. Specifically, manufacturing costs, aesthetics, ease of access by the consumer, ability of the consumer to see and potentially test the product, and other factors are considered during the design of consumer product packaging. Oftentimes products are packaged by coupling the products to base packaging structures using zip ties, cable ties, or other plastic members that require the consumer to use scissors or other cutting devices to separate the product from the package. This can be inconvenient when a cutting device is not accessible to the consumer at the time that the consumer desires to open the package and remove/access the product. Thus, a need exists for a new and improved product retention member and a packaged kit utilizing the same that overcomes the deficiencies of conventional product packaging. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be directed, in one aspect, to a packaged kit of products that includes a backer card and at least one retention member for retaining multiple products between the retention member and the backer card. The retention member may include a retaining component including a first retaining section comprising a first collar portion and a first coupling portion, the first collar portion defining a first slot for retaining a first product. The retaining component may also include a second retaining section comprising a second collar portion and a second coupling portion, the second collar portion defining a second slot for retaining a second product. The retaining component may include a third retaining section extending between the first and second retaining sections. Such a third retaining section may include notches for retaining a third product. At least one locking member may be coupled to and decoupled from the first and second retaining sections to secure the retention member to the backer card. 
     In another aspect, the invention may be a packaged kit of products comprising: a backer card having a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and a plurality of through-holes formed through the backer card from the front surface to the rear surface; and a first retention member comprising: a retaining component positioned adjacent to the front surface of the backer card, the retaining component comprising a first retaining section for securing a first product between the retaining component of the first retention member and the backer card and a second retaining section for securing a second product between the retaining component of the first retention member and the backer card, each of the first and second retaining sections comprising at least one coupling portion extending through one of the plurality of through-holes in the backer card; and at least one first locking member positioned adjacent to the rear surface of the backer card, the first locking member comprising at least one connector that cooperatively mates with one of the coupling portions of the first and second retaining sections of the retaining component to couple the first locking member to the retaining component, secure the first retention member to the backer card, and retain the first and second products between the backer card and the retaining component of the first retention member. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention may be a retention member comprising: a retaining component comprising: a first retaining section comprising a first collar portion and a first coupling portion, the first collar portion defining a first slot comprising a first nesting region and a first access region that forms a passageway into the first nesting region at a front edge of the retaining component; and a second retaining section comprising a second collar portion and a second coupling portion, the second collar portion defining a second slot comprising a second nesting region and a second access region that forms a passageway into the second nesting region at the front edge of the retaining component; and at least one locking member configured to be transitioned between: (1) a locked state in which the at least one locking member is coupled to at least one of the first coupling portion of the first retaining section and the second coupling portion of the second retaining section; and (2) an unlocked state in which the at least one locking member is separated from each of the first and second retaining sections. 
     In still another aspect, the invention may be a packaged kit of products comprising: a backer card having a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and at least one through-hole formed through the backer card from the front surface to the rear surface; and a monolithic retaining component positioned adjacent to the front surface of the backer card, the retaining component comprising: a first retaining section securing a first product between the retaining component and the backer card; a second retaining section securing a second product between the retaining component and the backer card; and a third retaining section securing a third product between the retaining component and the backer card; and wherein the first product is a bubble solution container, the second product is a bubble generating device, and the third product is a dish. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a packaged kit of products in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the packaged kit of products of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a right-side view of the packaged kit of products of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left-side view of the packaged kit of products of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded front perspective view of the packaged kit of products of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of a first retention member including a retaining component and a locking member in an unlocked state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the first retention member of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the first retention member of  FIG. 6  with the locking member and the retaining component in a locked state; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the first retention member of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the retaining component of the first retention member of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of a second retention member including a retaining component and a locking member in an unlocked state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the second retention member of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of the second retention member of  FIG. 11  with the locking member and the retaining component in a locked state; and 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of the second retention member of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. Moreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-5  concurrently, a packaged kit of products  100  is illustrated. The packaged kit of products  100  generally comprises a plurality of products  101 , a backer card  110 , a first retention member  200 , and a second retention member  300 . The first and/or second retention members  200 ,  300  are coupled to the backer card  110  and the plurality of products  101  are sandwiched between the first and/or second retention members  200 ,  300  and the backer card  110  to form the packaged kit of products  100 . Although the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  are both illustrated in the drawings to secure the products to the backer card  110 , the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and in certain other embodiments one of the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  may be used without the other. Thus, the first retention member  200  may be used and the second retention member  300  may be omitted and replaced with zip ties (i.e., cable ties) or the like, or with nothing at all. The structural details of the first retention member  200  will be provided below with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 . The structural details of the second retention member  300  will be provided below with reference to  FIGS. 11-14 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the plurality of products  101  comprises a first product  102 , a second product  104 , and a third product  103 . In the exemplified embodiment, the first product  102  is a bubble solution container, the second product  104  is a bubble generating device, and the third product  103  is a dish. Thus, the products  101  may be ones that are intended to be used together. Specifically, in the exemplified embodiment the products may be used together as follows. The bubble solution may be poured out of the bubble solution container and into the dish. The bubble generating device (which may be a bubble gun as exemplified but is not limited to this manifestation in all embodiments) may then be dipped into the dish to adhere the bubble solution onto the bubble generating device. The bubble generating device may then be powered on to generate bubbles. However, the invention is not to be limited to the particular products used in the packaged kit of products  100  unless specifically claimed. Furthermore, the products  101  are not limited to being ones that can be utilized together. Thus, it is possible that in other embodiments other consumer products or the like may be packaged in the manner described herein. 
     The backer card  110  may in certain embodiments be a cardboard panel or board to which the products  101  are coupled via the first and/or second retention members  200 ,  300 . Of course, the invention is not to be so limited in all embodiments and the backer card  110  may be formed of materials other than cardboard, such as plastic, wood, metal, or the like as desired. In certain embodiments the backer card  110  is substantially rigid to facilitate retaining the products  101  thereon using the first and/or second retention members  200 ,  300 . The backer card  110  comprises a front surface  111  and an opposing rear surface  112 . Furthermore, the backer card  110  comprises a peripheral edge  113  that extends between the front and rear surfaces  111 ,  112 . In the exemplified embodiment, each of the front and rear surfaces  111 ,  112  is a flat, planar surface. However, the invention is not to be so limited and the front and/or rear surfaces  111 ,  112  may be contoured to achieve a desired aesthetic or to assist in securing the products  101  thereon. Furthermore, one or both of the front and/or rear surfaces  111 ,  112  of the backer card  110  may include indicia thereon, such as product instructions, general product information, manufacturer information, or the like. Finally, although the backer card  110  is illustrated as having a rectangular shape in the exemplified embodiment, the invention is not to be so limited and the backer card  100  may take on any other desired shape. 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 5 , in the exemplified embodiment a plurality of through-holes  115  are formed through the backer card  110  and extend along a first axis from the front surface  111  of the backer card  110  to the rear surface  112  of the backer card  110 . In the exemplified embodiment, there are four through-holes  115  aligned along a first transverse axis A-A and there are three through-holes  115  aligned along a second transverse axis B-B (only two of which are visible in  FIG. 5 ). However, the exact number and in some instances the positioning of the various through-holes is not to be limiting of the present invention. Each of the through-holes  115  forms a passageway through the thickness of the backer card  110  to permit coupling of the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  to the backer card  110  as described herein below. Specifically, as discussed in more detail below, portions of the first and/or second retention members  200 ,  300  will extend through the through-holes  115  and be secured to the backer card  110  with a locking member  202 ,  203 ,  302 . A discussion of  FIGS. 1-5  will resume to describe the manner in which the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  are used to secure products to the backer card  110  after the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  are described in detail directly below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-10  concurrently, the details of the first retention member  200  will be described. In certain embodiments, the first retention member  200  is formed of a rigid plastic material. However, the invention is not to be so limited and other materials may be used as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, including a lightweight metal or the like. The first retention member  200  generally comprises a retaining component  201  and a locking member  202 . The retaining component  201  of the first retention member  200  comprises a first retaining section  210 , a second retaining section  230 , and a third retaining section  250 . The first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230  are spaced apart by the third retaining section  250  which extends between the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230 . 
     The first retaining section  210  is configured to retain the first product  102  between the retaining component  201  and the backer card  110 , the second retaining section  230  is configured to retain the second product  104  between the retaining component  201  and the backer card  110 , and the third retaining section  250  is configured to retain the third product  103  between the retaining component  201  and the backer card  110 . The structure of the first, second, and third retaining sections  210 ,  230 ,  250  and the manner in which they secure the first, second, and third products  102 ,  103 ,  104  to the backer card  110  will be described in more detail below. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the retaining component  201  of the first retention member  200  is a unitary monolithic structure and the locking member  202  is a separate component from the retaining component  201  of the first retention member  200  that can be coupled to and decoupled/separated from the retaining component  201 . Thus, the first, second, and third retaining sections  210 ,  230 ,  250  are all formed as a part of a unitary structure. This makes it much easier to secure multiple products to the backer card  110  simultaneously using the retaining component  201  because there is only one component to couple to the backer card  110  rather than multiple components or multiple zip ties. This also makes it easier for a consumer to separate the products from the packaging after purchase because the consumer only needs to decouple the one retention member  200  from the backer card  110  to achieve full access to all of the products packaged thereby (or two retention members when both the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  are used). 
     The retaining component  201  of the first retention member  200  comprises an upper surface  205 , a lower surface  206 , and a peripheral edge extending between the upper and lower surfaces  205 ,  206 . The peripheral edge includes a front edge  207 , a rear edge  208 , and lateral edges  209  extending between the front and rear edges  207 ,  208 . The rear edge  208  has convex portions in the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  250  and a straight portion in the third retaining section  230 . The front edge  207  has concave portions in the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  250  and a straight portion in the third retaining section  230 . The retaining component  201  may have a maximum length L measured between the lateral sides  209  of between 185 mm and 200 mm, a maximum width W measured between the front and rear edges  207 ,  208  of between 45 mm and 55 mm, and a thickness measured between the upper and lower surfaces  205 ,  206  of between 1 mm and 5 mm. Of course, dimensions outside of the above-noted ranges are possible in alternative embodiments and may depend on the dimensions of the backer card  110  to which the retaining component  201  is to be coupled and/or the dimensions of the products  101  to be retained by the retaining component  201 . When the first retention member  200  is coupled to the backer card  110  to retain the products  101  between the retaining component  201  and the backer card  110 , the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201  is adjacent to or faces the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 . The products  101  are then retained and held within pockets that are formed between the retaining component  201  and the front surface  111  of the backer card  110  as described in more detail herein below. 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230  of the retaining component  201  have a very similar structure, and each will be described separately herein. Differences in the structure of the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230  may include dimensions of the different portions thereof. Specifically, the slots described below may have different widths, lengths, and diameters depending on whether it is the slot of the first retaining section  210  or the slot of the second retaining section  230 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 10 . However, these specific dimensional details are not to be limiting of the present invention in all embodiments and may be modified depending on the specific shape and dimensions of the product(s) being retained by the first retention member  200 . 
     The first retaining section  210  comprises a first collar portion  211  and a first coupling portion  212 . As discussed in more detail below, the first coupling portion  212  is the portion of the retaining component  201  that is coupled to the locking member  202  when the locking member  202  is coupled to the retaining component  201 . The first collar portion  211  defines a first slot  213  configured to hold or retain the first product  102 . The first slot  213  comprises a first nesting region  214  and a first access region  215 . The first access region  215  is an opening at the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201  that forms a passageway into the first nesting region  214 . Thus, the first slot  213  is open in that it is not fully enclosed by the first collar portion  211  of the first retaining section  210 . This permits the first product  102  to be inserted into the first slot  213  through the first access region  215  and into the first nesting region  214  where it is retained by the first retaining section  210  of the retaining component  201 . The first slot  213  is closed by the front surface  111  of the backer panel  110  when the retaining component  201  is coupled to the backer panel  110  or by the locking member  202  when the locking member  202  is coupled to the retaining component  201 . 
     The first retaining section  210  comprises an inner edge  222  that defines the first slot  213 . The inner edge  222  comprises a straight portion that defines the first access region  215  of the first slot  213  and a curved portion that defines the first nesting region  214  of the first slot  213 . The curved portion of the inner edge  222  of the first retaining section  210  is concave and comprises a radius of curvature sufficient to enable the first product  102  (or other product) to be retained therein. Of course, the shape of the inner edge  222  may be different than that which is depicted in the drawings (square-shaped, V-shaped, or the like) depending on the shape of the product being nested within the first nesting region  214  of the first slot  213  of the first retaining section  210 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the first retaining section  210  is a U-shaped portion of the retaining component  201 . Thus, the first retaining section  210  comprises a first leg  216  and a second leg  217  that are connected by a bight of the U-shape. The first leg  216  terminates at a distal end  218  and the second leg  217  terminates at a distal end  219 . The first slot  213  is defined in the region between the first and second legs  216 ,  217  of the first retaining section  210 . 
     A stopper wall  220  is located on each of the first and second legs  216 ,  217  and prevents over-insertion of the first and second legs  216 ,  217  into the through-holes  215  of the backer card  210  as described in more detail below. The stopper walls  220  extend upwardly and downwardly from the legs  216 ,  217  at a location that is adjacent to but spaced from the distal ends  217 ,  218  of the first and second legs  216 ,  217 . More specifically, each of the stopper walls  220  comprises a first portion extending from the upper surface  205  of the retaining component  201  and a second portion extending from the lower surface  206  of the retaining component  201 . In alternative embodiments the stopper walls  220  may only extend from the upper surface  205  or the lower surface  206  of the retaining component  201 , but not both. Each of the first and second portions of each of the stopper walls  220  extends from the retaining component  201  in a perpendicular manner. 
     The stopper wall  220  on each of the first and second legs  216 ,  217  divides the first retaining section  210  into the first collar portion  211  and the first coupling portion  212 . Specifically, the portion of the retaining section  210  between the stopper wall  220  and the distal ends  218 ,  219  of the first and second legs  216 ,  217  is the first coupling portion  212  of the first retaining section  210 . The remainder of the first retaining section  210  between the stopper wall  220  on the first leg  216  and the stopper wall  220  on the second leg  217  forms the first collar portion  211  of the first retaining section  210 . When the first retention member  200  is coupled to the backer card  110 , the first collar portion  211  of the first retaining section  210  is positioned on one side (i.e., adjacent to the front surface  111 ) of the backer card  110  and the first coupling portion(s)  212  are positioned on the other side (i.e., adjacent to the rear surface  112 ) of the backer card  110 . The stopper walls  220  will be located on the same side as the first collar portion  211  (i.e., adjacent to the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 , and possibly in direct surface contact with the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 ). 
     Each of the first coupling portions  212  comprises an aperture  221  formed through the retaining component  201  from the upper surface  205  to the lower surface  206 . Specifically, the first coupling portion  212  of the first leg  216  comprises one of the apertures  221  in the region between the stopper wall  220  on the first leg  216  and the distal end  218  of the first leg  216 . The first coupling portion  212  of the second leg  217  comprises one of the apertures  221  in the region between the stopper wall  220  on the second leg  217  and the distal end  219  of the second leg  217 . Although described herein as apertures  221 , the invention is not to be so limited and the apertures  221  may be replaced by protuberances or the like. Specifically, the apertures  221  or other feature that is used in place of the aperture should be configured to correspondingly mate with a feature on the locking member  202  to permit the locking member  202  to be coupled to and decoupled from the retaining component  201 . 
     The locking member  202  is a flat plate-like structure having a body portion  204  and one or more locking protrusions  205  extending from the body portion  204 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the locking member  202  in an unlocked state in which the locking member  202  is separated from the retaining component  201 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the locking member  202  in a locked state in which the locking member  202  is coupled to the retaining component  201 , and more specifically to the first retaining section  210  of the retaining component  201 . In the exemplified embodiment, coupling the locking member  202  to the retaining component  201  comprises inserting the locking protrusions  205  into the apertures  221 . The locking protrusions  205  comprise two prongs that are spaced by a gap so that the two prongs will flex inwardly towards one another and into the gap as the locking protrusions  205  are inserted into the apertures  221  until flange portions of the locking protrusions  205  extend through the apertures  221 . The locking protrusions  205  will then flex back out to their biased position and the flange portions will retain the locking protrusions  205  within the apertures  221  by contact between the flange portions of the locking protrusions  205  and the rear surface  206  of the retaining component  201 . When it is desired to separate the locking member  202  from the retaining component  201 , the flange portions of the locking protrusions  205  are squeezed together so that they will fit through the apertures  221  and then the locking member  202  is moved in a direction away from the retaining component  201 . The locking member  202  may be repetitively coupled to and decoupled from the retaining component  201  as desired. Thus, the retention member  200  is reusable if so desired. 
     Of course, as discussed above, in some embodiments the first coupling portions  212  may have protrusions and in such embodiments the locking member  202  may include apertures instead of the locking protrusions. In such embodiment, the protrusions of the first coupling portions  212  will mate with the apertures in the locking member  202  to couple the locking member  202  to the retaining component  201 . Furthermore, other structural features and components may be used to permit repetitive coupling and decoupling of the locking member  202  to the retaining component  201 , including hook-and-loop fasteners, threaded fasteners such as screws, or the like. The concept merely requires that there is some mating features on each of the locking member  202  and the first coupling portions  212  to permit repetitive coupling of the locking member  202  to and decoupling of the locking member  202  from the retaining component  201 , and more specifically the first retaining section  210  thereof. 
     In still other embodiments, the locking member  202  may be omitted and the first coupling portions  212  may include features, such as flanges or the like, that permit the first coupling portions  212  to couple to the backer card  110  directly without the locking member  202  being required. For example, the coupling portions  212  may comprise locking protrusions similar to those that are associated with the locking member  202  in the exemplified embodiment. These locking protrusions may flex inwardly as the first coupling portions  212  are inserted into the through-holes in the backer card  110 , and flange portions thereof may interact with the rear surface  112  of the backer card  110  to couple the retaining component  201  to the backer card  110 . These same alternatives may also be used with the second retaining section  230  and the locking member  203 . 
     The second retaining section  230  comprises a second collar portion  231  and a second coupling portion  232 . As discussed in more detail below, the second coupling portion  232  facilitates coupling of the retaining component  201  to the locking member  203 . The second collar portion  231  defines a second slot  233  configured to hold or retain the second product  104 . The second slot  233  comprises a second nesting region  234  and a second access region  235 . The second access region  235  is an opening at the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201  that forms a passageway into the second nesting region  234 . Thus, the second slot  233  is open in that it is not fully enclosed by the second collar portion  231  of the second retaining section  230 . This permits the second product  104  to be inserted into the second slot  233  through the second access region  235  and into the second nesting region  234  where it is retained by the second retaining section  230  of the retaining component  201 . The second slot  233  is closed by the front surface  111  of the backer panel  110  when the retaining component  201  is coupled to the backer panel  110  or by the locking member  203  when the locking member  203  is coupled to the retaining component  201 . 
     The second retaining section  230  comprises an inner edge  242  that defines the second slot  233 . The inner edge  242  comprises a straight portion that defines the second access region  235  of the second slot  233  and a curved portion that defines the second nesting region  234  of the second slot  233 . The curved portion of the inner edge  242  of the second retaining section  230  is concave and comprises a radius of curvature sufficient to enable the second product  104  to be retained therein. Of course, the shape of the inner edge  242  may be different than that which is depicted in the drawings (square-shaped, V-shaped, or the like) depending on the shape of the product being nested within the second nesting region  234  of the second slot  233  of the second retaining section  230 . 
     The second retaining section  230  is a U-shaped portion of the retaining component  201 . Thus, the second retaining section  230  comprises a first leg  236  and a second leg  237  that are connected by a bight of the U-shape. The first leg  236  terminates at a distal end  238  and the second leg  237  terminates at a distal end  239 . The second slot  233  is defined in the region between the first and second legs  236 ,  237  of the second retaining section  230 . 
     A stopper wall  240  is located on each of the legs  236 ,  237  and prevents over-insertion of the first and second legs  236 ,  237  into the through-holes  215  of the backer card  210  as described in more detail below. The stopper walls  240  extend upwardly and downwardly from the first and second legs  236 ,  237  at a location that is adjacent to but spaced from the distal ends  237 ,  238  of the first and second legs  236 ,  237 . More specifically, each of the stopper walls  240  comprises a first portion extending from the upper surface  205  of the retaining component  201  and a second portion extending from the lower surface  206  of the retaining component  201 . More specifically, each of the first and second portions of each of the stopper walls  240  extends from the retaining component  201  in a perpendicular manner. 
     The stopper wall  240  on each of the first and second legs  236 ,  237  divides the second retaining section  230  into the second collar portion  231  and the second coupling portion  232 . Specifically, the portion of the second retaining section  230  between the stopper wall  240  and the distal end  238 ,  239  of the first and second legs  236 ,  237  is the second coupling portion  232  of the second retaining section  230 . The remainder of the second retaining section  230  between the stopper wall  240  on the first leg  236  and the stopper wall  240  on the second leg  237  forms the second collar portion  231  of the second retaining section  230 . When the first retention member  200  is coupled to the backer card  110 , the second collar portion  231  of the second retaining section  230  is positioned on one side (i.e., adjacent to the front surface  111 ) of the backer card  110  and the second coupling portion(s)  232  are positioned on the other side (i.e., adjacent to the rear surface  112 ) of the backer card  110 . The stopper walls  240  will be located on the same side as the second collar portion  231  (i.e., adjacent to the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 , and possibly in direct surface contact with the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 ). 
     Each of the second coupling portions  232  comprises an aperture  241  formed through the retaining component  201  from the upper surface  205  to the lower surface  206 . Specifically, the second coupling portion  232  of the first leg  236  comprises one of the apertures  241  in the region between the stopper wall  240  on the first leg  236  and the distal end  238  of the first leg  236 . The second coupling portion  232  of the second leg  237  comprises one of the apertures  241  in the region between the stopper wall  240  on the second leg  237  and the distal end  239  of the second leg  237 . Although described herein as apertures  241 , the invention is not to be so limited and the apertures  241  may be replaced by protuberances or the like. Specifically, it is merely preferable that the apertures  241  or other feature that is used in place of the aperture be configured to correspondingly mate with a feature on the locking member  203  to permit the locking member  203  to be coupled to and decoupled from the retaining component  201 . 
     The locking member  203  is a flat plate-like structure having a body portion  206  and one or more locking protrusions  207  extending from the body portion  206 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the locking member  203  in a locked state in which the locking member  203  is coupled to the retaining component  201 , and more specifically to the second retaining section  230  of the retaining component  201 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the locking member  203  in an unlocked state in which the locking member  203  is separated from the retaining component  201 . In the exemplified embodiment, coupling the locking member  203  to the retaining component  201  comprises inserting the locking protrusions  207  into the apertures  241 . The locking protrusions  207  comprise two prongs that are spaced by a gap so that the two prongs will flex inwardly towards one another and into the gap as the locking protrusions  207  are inserted into the apertures  241  until flange portions of the locking protrusions  207  extend through the apertures  241 . The locking protrusions  207  will then flex back out to their biased position and the flange portions will retain the locking protrusions  207  within the apertures  241 . When it is desired to separate the locking member  203  from the retaining component  201 , the flange portions of the locking protrusions  207  are squeezed together so that they will fit through the apertures  241  and then the locking member  203  is moved in a direction away from the retaining component  201 . The locking member  203  may be repetitively coupled to and decoupled from the retaining component  201  as desired and as discussed in more detail below. 
     Of course, as discussed above, in some embodiments the second coupling portions  232  may have protrusions and in such embodiments the locking member  203  may include apertures instead of the locking protrusions. In such embodiment, the protrusions of the second coupling portions  232  will mate with the apertures in the locking member  203  to couple the locking member  203  to the retaining component  201 . Furthermore, other structural features and components may be used to permit repetitive coupling and decoupling of the locking member  203  to the retaining component  201 , including hook-and-loop fasteners, threaded fasteners such as screws, or the like. The concept merely requires that there is some mating feature on each of the locking member  203  and the second coupling portions  232  to permit repetitive coupling of the locking member  203  to and decoupling of the locking member  203  from the retaining component  201 , and more specifically the second retaining section  230  thereof. Furthermore, similar to the discussion above with regard to the first coupling portions  212 , in some embodiments the locking member  203  may be omitted and the second coupling portions  232  may include the locking protuberances that interact with the backer card  110  to secure the first retention member  200  to the backer card  110 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the first coupling portion  212  of the first retaining section  210  comprises two separate portions/regions of the first retaining section  210  to which the locking member  202  is coupled (one on each leg  216 ,  217 ). Similarly, the second coupling portion  232  of the second retaining section  230  comprises two separate portions of the second retaining section  230  to which the locking member  203  is coupled (one on each leg  236 ,  237 ). Although two separate locking members  202 ,  203  are illustrated in the drawings and described above, in some embodiments a single locking member may be used to couple to all of the first and second coupling portions  212 ,  232  (i.e., the single locking member may include four locking protuberances to matingly cooperate with the four apertures  221 ,  241 ). Furthermore, in some embodiments the first coupling portion  212  may comprise only a single coupling portion on one of the first and second legs  216 ,  217  (most likely the first leg  216 ) and the second coupling portion  232  may comprise only a single coupling portion on one of the first and second legs  236 ,  237  (most likely the first leg  236 ). In such embodiment, a locking member may couple to the first and second coupling portions  212 ,  232  to secure the retaining component  201  to the backer card  110  or the like. Thus, many variations and permutations are possible as noted herein. 
     As noted above, the retaining component  201  also comprises a third retaining section  250  that extends between (or is located between) the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230 . Thus, the third retaining region  250  is the region of the retaining component  201  located between the first retaining region  210  and the second retaining region  230 . The third retaining region  250  is configured to retain the third product  103  between the retaining component  201  and the backer card  201 . To achieve this, in the exemplified embodiment the third retaining region  250  comprises a first notch  251  and a second notch  254  that are formed into the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201  and extend towards the rear edge  208  of the retaining component  201 . In the exemplified embodiment, each of the first and second notches  251 ,  254  are rectangular-shaped cutouts formed into the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201 . However, the invention is not to be limited by the shape of the first and second notches  251 ,  254  in all embodiments and they may be rounded, V-shaped, or the like in other embodiments. 
     The first notch  251  comprises a third nesting region  252  and a third access region  253  that forms a passageway into the third nesting region  252  at the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201 . Thus, a portion of the third product  103  may pass through the third access region  253  and into the third nesting region  252  for nesting of that portion of the third product  103 . The second notch  254  comprises a fourth nesting region  255  and a fourth access region  256  that forms a passageway into the fourth nesting region  255  at the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201 . Another portion of the third product  103  may pass through the fourth access region  256  and into the fourth nesting region  255  for nesting of that portion of the third product  103 . In the exemplified embodiment, the first and second notches  251 ,  254  together serve to retain the third product  103  between the retaining component  201  and the backer card  110  when the retaining component  201  is coupled to the backer card  110  as described herein. In alternative embodiments, only one of the first and second notches  251 ,  254  may be needed to retain the third product  103 . 
     The third retaining section  250  comprises a portion  259  of the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201 . The portion  259  of the front edge  207  extends between the first and second notches  251 ,  254 . Furthermore, the portion  259  of the front edge  207  is recessed relative to the distal ends  218 ,  219 ,  238 ,  239  of the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230  of the retaining component  201 . Furthermore, the portion  259  of the front edge  207  is recessed relative to the stopper walls  220 ,  240 . This permits the portion  259  of the front edge  207  to assist in securing the third product  103  as the portion  259  of the front edge  207  may contact and press the third product  103  against the backer card  110 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11-14  concurrently, the details of the second retention member  300  will be briefly described. The features of the second retention member  300  are similar to those of the first retention member  200  and thus only the differences of the second retention member  300  relative to the first retention member  200  will be described. It should be appreciated that the description regarding the structure and function of the first retention member  200  is applicable to the second retention member  300  except for the differences described below. Similar numbering is used to described the features of the second retention member  300  as was used to describe the similar features of the first retention member  200  except that the 300-series of numbers will be used. For features that are shown and designated in the drawings but not described, the description of the similar feature with regard to the first retention member  200  is applicable. The second retention member  300  has a different size and different dimensions relative to the first retention member  200 . Furthermore, the second retention member  300  comprises a first retaining section  310  and a second retaining section  330 , but does not include any additional securing sections. 
     The second retention member  300  comprises a retaining component  301  and a locking member  302 . The retaining component  301  comprises the first retaining section  310  and the second retaining section  330 . One of the differences between the second retention member  300  and the first retention member  200  is that there is no third retaining section of the second retention member  300 . Rather, the first and second retaining sections  310 ,  330  are directly adjacent to one another. The first retaining section  310  comprises a first collar portion  311  and a first coupling portion  312 . The first collar portion  311  is visually divided from the first coupling portion  312  by a stopper wall  320 . The first collar portion  311  defines a first slot  313  that is similar to the first slot  213  of the first collar portion  211  of the first retaining member  200  described above. 
     The second retaining section  330  comprises a second collar portion  331  and a second coupling portion  332 . The second collar portion  331  is visually divided from the second coupling portion  332  by a stopper wall  340 . The second collar portion  331  defines a second slot  333 . In the exemplified embodiment, the second slot  333  has a rectangular shape, which is different than the circular shape of the second slot  233  described above. 
     Another difference between the second retention member  300  relative to the first retention member  200  is that for the first retention member  200  each of the first and second retaining sections  210 ,  230  includes two distinct coupling portions  212 ,  232 . However, with the second retention member  300 , the first and second retaining sections  310 ,  330  share one of the legs so that there are a total of three coupling portions  312 ,  332 . Each of the coupling portions  312 ,  333  includes an aperture  321 ,  341  just as with the first retention member  200 . However, in this embodiment there is only a single locking member  302  including a body portion  304  and a plurality of locking protrusions  305 . The plurality of locking protrusions  305  of the locking member  302  enter into each of the apertures  321 ,  341  of the coupling portions  312 ,  333  to couple the locking member  302  to the second retention member  300  in a similar manner to that which was described above. For the remaining details of the second retention member  300 , the description of the first retention member  200  is applicable. 
     The manner of use of the first retention member  200  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-5 . When the first retention member  200  is coupled to the backer card  110 , the first and second slots  213 ,  233  and the first and second notches  251 ,  254  become fully enclosed slots and notches. Specifically, as noted above the first and second slots  213 ,  233  and the first and second notches  251 ,  254  are open at the front edge  207  of the retention component  201 . However, when the front edge  207  of the retention component  201  is positioned adjacent to the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 , the front surface  111  of the backer card  110  encloses the first and second slots  213 ,  233  and the first and second notches  251 ,  254 . Thus, when the first retention member  200  is coupled to the backer card  110  as described herein, the combination of the retention component  201  and the backer card  110  forms four substantially enclosed nesting regions (i.e., the nesting regions  214 ,  234 ,  252 ,  255 ) within which portions of products can be positioned for packaging. 
     To form the packaged kit of products  100 , first, the products  102 ,  103 ,  104  are positioned on the backer card  110 . Next, the first retention member  200  is translated towards the backer card  110  so that the first and second coupling portions  212 ,  232  enter into and through the through-holes  115  in the backer card  110 . Specifically, the legs  216 ,  217 ,  236 ,  237  are slid through the through-holes  115  until the stopper walls  220 ,  240  contact the front surface  111  of the backer card  110 , thereby preventing further insertion of the legs  216 ,  217 ,  236 ,  237  through the through-holes  115 . When so inserted, a majority of the first retention member  200  is located adjacent to the front surface  111  of the backer card  110  and a small portion of the first retention member  200  that includes the first and second coupling portions  212 ,  232  and the apertures  221 ,  241  thereon is located adjacent to the rear surface  112  of the backer card  110 . 
     In this position, the product  101  (or products  102 ,  103 ,  104 ) are trapped or sandwiched between the first retention member  200  and the backer card  110 . Thus, once in this position the locking member  202  is coupled to the retaining component  201  by inserting the locking protrusions  205  of the locking member  202  through the apertures  221  in the first coupling portions  212 . Similarly, the locking member  203  is coupled to the retaining component  201  by inserting the locking protrusions  207  of the locking member  203  through apertures  241 ,  241 . The locking protrusions  205 ,  207  detachably secure the locking members  202 ,  203  to the retaining component  201  to couple the first retention member  200  to the backer card  110 . With the first retention member  200  coupled to the backer card  110  as described herein, the backer card  110  is sandwiched between the stopper walls  220 ,  240  and the locking members  202 ,  203 . As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the backer card  110  is sandwiched between the stopper walls  220 ,  240  of the retaining component  201  and the locking members  202 ,  203 . 
     In addition to being coupled to the backer card  110  as described herein above, the first retention member  200  secures all of the products  101  to the backer card  110 , which in the exemplified embodiment entails securing the first product  102 , the second product  104 , and the third product  103  to the backer card  110 . Specifically, as the first retention member  200  is translated towards the backer card  110 , an upper waist portion  105  of the first product  102  passes through the first access region  215  of the first slot  213  and comes to rest within the first nesting region  214  of the first slot  213 . Thus, the first product  102  becomes retained by the first collar portion  211  of the first retaining section  210 . Similarly, a waist portion  106  of the third product  103  passes through the second access region  235  of the second slot  233  and comes to rest within the second nesting region  234  of the second slot  233 . Thus, the third product  103  becomes retained by the second collar portion  231  of the second retaining section  230 . At the same time, portions of the second product  104  enter into the first and second notches  251 ,  254  of the third retaining section  250  of the retaining component  201  of the first retention member  200 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the upper waist portion  105  of the first product  102  has a reduced cross-sectional area relative to portions of the container  102  that are located above and below the upper waist portion  105  of the container  102 . Stated another way, the upper waist portion  105  of the first product  102  has a cross-sectional area that is less than the cross-sectional area of the first slot  213 . The portions of the first product  102  that are above and below the upper waist portion  105  have a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the first slot  213 . As a result, the first product  102  can not slide through the first slot  213  in the axial direction of the first product  102 . The same is true of the waist portion  106  of the second product  104  that is located within the second securing region  128 . 
     In the exemplified embodiment, the waist portion  105  of the first product  102  is retained within the first slot  213  of the first retaining section  210  and the waist portion  106  of the second product  104  is retained within the second slot  233  of the second retaining portion  230 . In this embodiment, the third product  103  is a dish having a floor and an annular wall extending upwardly from the wall. In this embodiment, portions of the annular wall extend into the first and second notches  251 ,  254  to thereby retain the third product  103  (i.e., the dish) between the retaining component  201  of the first retention member  200  and the backer card  110 . The portion  259  of the front edge  207  of the retaining component  201  that is located within the third retaining section  250  may contact the floor of the dish or third product  103  to more securely retain the third product  103  while limiting the movement thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the first retention member  200  alone may be sufficient to retain all of the products  101  on the backer card  110 . In other embodiments, the first retention member  200  may be used in combination with zip ties to retain the products  101  on the backer card  110 . In still other embodiments, the second retention member  300  may be used alongside of the first retention member  200  to retain the products  101  on the backer card. In such embodiments, the second retention member  300  is similarly coupled to the backer card  110  with the products  101  sandwiched between the second retention member  300  and the backer card  110 . In the exemplified embodiment a lower waist portion  107  of the first product  102  is positioned within the first slot  313  of the second retention member  300 . Furthermore, when the second product  104  is a bubble generating device as exemplified (such as a bubble generating gun), a portion of the handle of the bubble generating gun may be positioned within the second slot  333  of the second retention member  300 . In this embodiment, the second retention member  300  does not assist with the retention of the third product  103  on the backer card  110 , although it could in other embodiments. Thus, in some embodiments the first and second retention members  200 ,  300  may be used to collectively secure the products  101  (i.e., the first product  102 , the second product  104 , and the third product  103 ) to the backer card  110 . 
     The first and second retention members  200 ,  300  can be separated from the backer card  110  easily by separating the locking members  202 ,  203 ,  302  from the retaining components  201 ,  301  of the first and second retention members  200 ,  300 . Specifically, the locking members  202 ,  203 ,  302  can be separated from the retaining components  201 ,  301  by pulling upwardly on the locking members  202 ,  203 ,  302  with sufficient force to pull the locking protuberances  205 ,  207 ,  305  out of the apertures  221 ,  241 ,  321 . Thus, no cutting element (knife, scissors, etc.) is needed to fully access the products  101  after purchase. 
     While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.