Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to packaging for a game console controller, wherein the game console controller has at least one button and at least one directional control device. The packaging includes a first section, and a second section coupled to the first section. Whereby the game console controller is positioned between at least a portion of the first section and the second section, so that the at least one button is accessible and the at least one directional control device is covered by at least one of the first and second sections.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the art of packaging for game console controllers. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel packaging arrangement by which portions of a game console controller can be tested by a consumer prior to purchase, while at the same time the packaging protects more delicate portions of the controller, such as a directional stick. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Several techniques are used by retail facilities to display products for sale to consumers. For example, products can be stored in paper boxes, which can be opened to allow access to the product inside. One advantage of this technique is that the consumer will have the opportunity to operate and/or try the feel of the product prior to purchase. Due to shoplifting concerns, however, many retail stores will only locate boxed products behind a sales counter. As a result, the consumer may not be able to operate the products except in the presence of a salesperson. In addition, boxed products are generally not suitable for hanging, or so-called “peg board,” display. 
   Alternatively, products may be packaged in a “blister pack,” i.e., a sealed package made of transparent and semirigid plastic material. Typically, a blister pack will include a hanging aperture for pegboard display. In addition, the transparent nature of the blister pack permits the product to be visually inspected by a consumer. Because the blister pack is closed, however, the user cannot operate or feel the product prior to purchase. 
   Other packaging systems for products have developed a “try me” feature. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,617 to Chen discloses a packaging arrangement for fishing reel that permits the reel to be tested by a consumer on a limited basis, while the reel remains in the package. 
   Additionally, published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/850,502 discloses a display package that allows the product to be touched while it remains secure in the package. 
   Accordingly, a continuing need exists for a improved packaging system that allows the testing of specific portions a game controller while allow the remaining portions of the game controller to be safely enclosed in the packaging system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system for a game controller for a video game console. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system for a game controller for a video game console that allows a consumer to test and/or feel a portion of the game controller. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging system for a game controller for a video game console that allows a consumer to test a portion of the game controller, while at the same time protecting delicate portions of the game controller. 
   The foregoing objects are basically obtained by providing packaging for a game console controller, the game console controller including at least one button and at least one directional control device. The packaging includes a first section, and a second section coupled to the first section. Whereby the controller for a game console is positioned between at least a portion of the first section and the second section, so that the at least one button is accessible and the at least one directional control device is covered by at least one of the first and second sections. 
   The foregoing objects are also obtained by providing packaging for a game controller, the game controller including a main portion, a first handle and a second handle, the first handle having at least one control button thereon and the second handle having at least one directional control device thereon. The packaging includes a front portion, and a back portion coupled to the front portion, such that the front and back portions enclose the second handle and a portion of the main portion. An opening is formed between the front and the back portions, the opening being adapted to allow substantially the entire first handle to extend therethrough and thereby expose the at least one control button. 
   Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of a packaging system according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the packaging system of  FIG. 1  being tested by a consumer prior to purchase; 
       FIG. 3  is rear view of the packaging system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the packaging system shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial front view of the portion of the packaging system of  FIG. 1  that exposes a handle of the game controller; and 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial back view of the portion of the packaging system of  FIG. 1  that exposes a handle of the game controller. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1–3  illustrate a packaging system  10  that has a front or first section  12  and a back or rear section  14 . The front portion  12  and the rear portion  14  are coupled or connected together and are adapted to have a game console controller  16  positioned therebetween. 
   Controller  16  is preferably formed of plastic and has a front or first side  18  and a back or second side  20 . The controller is divided into three portions, a main portion  22 , a first handle  24  and a second handle  26 , each handle  24  and  26  being connected to main portion  22 . Main portion  22  has a top side  28  and a bottom side  30  and also has a directional control stick or “joystick”  32  and a directional control pad  34  positioned thereon each adjacent the bottom side  30 . Directional control stick  32  and directional control pad  34  are conventional control devices known in the art; however, the directional control devices can also be any other control devices, such as a roller ball and any other suitable control device. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , first handle  24  is unitary with main portion  22 , and has a curved portion  36  that extends beyond the bottom side  30  of the main portion  22 . Curved portion  36  is adapted to fit or be gripped by an adult hand, and has a rubber grip or portion  38  for comfort and/or improved feel. The handle  24  is sized and configured to allow an adult hand to comfortably hold the controller with the palm resting on the rubber grip  38  and at least one finger wrapped around curved portion  36 . Handle  24  preferably has six control buttons  39   a–f  thereon for performing various functions on specific video games, and a trigger  63  on the underside thereof; however, handle  24  does not necessarily need to have six buttons and a trigger. Handle  24  can have any number of buttons desired or any other controls, such as a directional stick or pad, or no control devices. The size and configuration of the handle  24  allows the user to comfortably grip the handle while using the thumb to manipulate buttons  39   a–f  and using the index finger to manipulate trigger  63 . 
   Second handle  26  is substantially similar to first handle  24 ; however, handle  24  preferably has a directional control stick  40  and two control buttons  42  and  44  thereon. Directional control stick  40  is a conventional control device known in the art. Handle  26  also has a trigger  64  on the underside thereof. 
   As with handle  24 , handle  26  is sized and configured to allow an adult hand to comfortably hold the controller with the palm resting on the rubber grip  46 , the thumb manipulating joystick  32  and the index finger manipulating the trigger  64 . Furthermore, handle  26  does not necessarily need to have a directional control stick and two control buttons thereon, and can have any number of buttons desired or any other additional controls, such as another directional stick or a directional control pad, or no control devices at all. 
   Packaging system  10  is preferably a blister pack formed in the conventional manner using transparent plastic and has two sections or portions, first portion  12  and second portion  14 , as disclosed above. However, the packaging system can be formed of any suitable material and does not necessarily need to be transparent. As shown in  FIG. 1 , first portion  12  covers substantially all of main portion  22  and second handle  26 , and leaves substantially all of the first handle  24  exposed. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–4 , first section  12  is preferably a molded substantially C-shaped piece of transparent plastic. However, it is noted that section  12  can be any shape or material desired. As shown specifically in  FIG. 1 , first section  12  preferably has a top portion or leg  41 , a middle or main portion  43  and a bottom portion or leg  45  that form the substantially C-shape. Top portion  41  and bottom portion  45  preferably extend beyond middle portion  43 . However, as noted above, the first section  12  does not necessarily need to be in a C-shaped configuration, as described, and can be any suitable configuration. 
   The middle section  43  of first section  12  has a molded protrusion or area  47  that is molded to follow the contours of first surface  18  of controller  16 , including specific molded protrusions or areas that cover the directional sticks and pads. For example, as shown specifically in  FIG. 4 , molded area  48  covers directional control stick  32 , and molded area  50  covers directional control pad  34 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 1 , molded area  52  covers directional control stick  40 . Each of these molded areas protect the precise, sensitive control devices from use during display, while at the same time allows the packaging system to fully display the game controller. 
   There are additional areas adjacent the main compartment  47 , such as area  54  and area  56  in section  41  and section  45 , respectively, that can be used for any reason desired, such as storage for accessories, an electrical cord or graphics for a display, as will be discussed in more detail below. Furthermore, first section  12  preferably has a substantially L-shaped cut out area  58  that can be used to hang the packaging system and controller on a display hook (not shown). 
   Section  14  is preferably a molded substantially C-shaped piece of transparent plastic, and substantially matches the overall shape and size of section  12 . For example, section  12  also has a top portion  51 , a middle portion  53  and bottom portion  55  that form the substantially C-shape. However, it is noted that section  14  can be any shaped or material desired, as long as section  14  can be coupled to section  12 . Middle portion  53  of section  12  has a molded area or protrusion  60  that conforms to the shape of the game controller second surface  20 , and a molded area or protrusion  62  that protects and substantially covers trigger  64 . The remaining portions of section  14  are substantially flat. Section  14  has a substantially L-shaped cut out area  66  that matches L-shaped cut out area  58 , and allows the packaging system and controller to be displayed on a display hook (not shown). 
   During packaging, section  12  is coupled to section  14 , enclosing at least a portion of controller  16  therein. Section  12  is coupled to section  14  using any conventional method, such as heat sealing, glue, or any other mechanical or chemical means desired, or any other suitable means desired. When sections  12  and  14  are coupled together, the form a main portion  80 , an upper leg  82  and a lower leg  84  of the overall C-shape configuration. Generally, as shown in  FIG. 4 , three cavities are formed, one in the upper leg, one in the lower leg, and one in the main or first portion. The first cavity  68  is formed between the protrusion  54  and the upper leg  82 . Cavity  68  is generally sized and configured to receive display graphics or advertisement or any other suitable material. 
   Second cavity  69  is formed between protrusion  56  in section  12  and bottom portion  55  of section  14  in lower leg  82 . Cavity  69  is preferably used to hold the controller cord and suitable graphics; however, as with cavity  68 , cavity  69  can have any desired use. 
   Third cavity  70  is sized and configured to receive portions or a majority of controller  16 , and is formed by protrusion  47  in the first section  12  and protrusion  60  in second section  14  in main portion  80 . As described above, both protrusions  47  and  60  substantially conform to a respective surface of the controller. As shown in  FIG. 4 , cavity  70  has an opening formed therein. Opening  70  allows at least first handle  24  to extend therethrough; however, a portion of the main portion  22  can also extend therethrough, if desired. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , opening  72  is defined by the edge  74  of the first section and the edge  76  of the second section. 
   Since majority of the controller  12 , including sensitive portions such the direction control sticks and buttons, is protected and covered by the packaging system, the controller will be protected from damage and/or harm during shipping, packing and/or handling by the vender and the consumer. Furthermore, since substantially the entire first handle  24  is exposed or uncovered by the packaging system, a consumer may hold and test the control for comfort and possible playability. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a consumer can test the handle for specific size and comfort of the curved portion  36  or of the grip portion  38 , and the playability and use of the buttons  39   a–f  and finger trigger  63 . 
   Additionally, since the first section of the packaging system has portions  41  and  45  that extend beyond the middle section  43 , and the second section has portions  51  and  55  that extend beyond the middle section  53 , the exposed first handle is protected from damage. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , sections  41  and  45  and section  51  and  55  extend beyond handle  24 , and therefore, if the controller and packaging system is dropped or thrown, the controller will not land on the handle, but rather the bulk of any impact will likely be taken by these sections of the packaging system. 
   While a specific embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1