Patent Abstract:
A package that demonstrates a functionality of a contained product that has a demonstration feature distinct from the contained product that changes from a resting state to an active state upon activation of the contained product is described. In at least one configuration the product is a power toothbrush. In various instances the demonstration feature may be a movable medium. Among other things the movable medium may be agitated in the active state or may comprise various substances including one or more of sand, glitter, particles, powder filaments or fiber. A method of demonstrating the aforementioned functionality of a product, such as a toothbrush, is also described.

Full Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/659,231, filed Mar. 7, 2005, the content of which are incorporated by reference herein. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to packaging in general, and more particularly to a toothbrush package that demonstrates the functionality of a toothbrush contained within. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Many packages have interactive features that demonstrate product features or functionality. A simple example is a “scratch-n-sniff” patch applied to an outer package surface that is representative of the scent of a product contained within. Another example is an opening in a package that provides access to an actionable part of the product, or a “try me” feature that allows a consumer to temporarily activate the product through the packaging. 
   In each of the above examples, the packaging structure passively conveys product functionality. In the “scratch-n-sniff” patch example, the packaging acts only as a support for the patch. A “try me” feature on a package for a vibrating-head power toothbrush, for example, activates the head vibrations, which are transmitted though the packaging to the user&#39;s hand, with the packaging functioning only as a vibration conduit and nothing more. 
   While such packaging examples serve to passively educate the consumer, the packaging structures fail to interact with the product to create an amplified, dynamic experience for the consumer. There is a need, therefore, to provide a package that demonstrates product functionality in a dynamic, eye-catching manner. 
   SUMMARY 
   A package that demonstrates a functionality of a contained product, the package comprising a demonstration feature distinct from the contained product that changes from a resting state to an active state upon activation of the contained product. In one embodiment, a package for a powered toothbrush having a vibrating portion is provided with a demonstration feature in the form of a liquid filled capsule at least partially surrounding the vibration portion. When the toothbrush is powered in the package, by a consumer activating a “try me” feature or the like, the liquid in the capsule vibrates vigorously to illustrate the vibration generated by the packaged toothbrush. The sensorial experience to the consumer is amplified, first in the form of vibrations felt through the package, and second in the form of vibrations generated in the demonstration feature included in the package. Thus, the packaging dynamically interacts with the product to provide a multi-sensorial demonstration of product functionality at the point of purchase. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is one embodiment of a demonstration package of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial side view of a portion of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a close-up view of a demonstration feature of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of a toothbrush head in the demonstration feature of  FIG. 3  in the resting state. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the demonstration feature of  FIG. 4  in the active state. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a further embodiment of a demonstration package of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates yet a further embodiment of a demonstration package of the present invention in the resting state. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exploded view of the demonstration feature of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an the demonstration feature of  FIG. 7  in the active state. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following detailed description is of the best mode or modes of the invention presently contemplated. Such description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but to be an example of the invention presented solely for illustration thereof, and by reference to which in connection with the following description and the accompanying drawings one skilled in the art may be advised of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts. 
     FIGS. 1-5  illustrate one embodiment of a package  100  including a product  110  and a demonstration feature  120  that demonstrates a functionality of the product  110  when the product  110  is activated within the package  100 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , product  110  is a power toothbrush having a power source  112  in a handle  114 , a switch  114  for activating the power source  112 , and a head  116  that vibrates upon activation of the power source  112 . It will be appreciated that while the present embodiment is described and illustrated using a power toothbrush with a particular power source and switch configuration, a variety of other power toothbrushes or products other than toothbrushes could be utilized. Thus, the description and illustration of a power toothbrush is used for purposes of convenience in a non-limiting manner. 
   Head  116  is preferably positioned in the package  100  adjacent demonstration feature  120  to effectively communicate the head vibrations through the demonstration feature  120  as will be described below. As will also be described, the positioning of the demonstration feature  120  relative to the product  110  could vary as desired. In the present embodiment, demonstration feature  120  is a capsule  122  filled with a movable medium  124  such as, for example, a clear liquid. Head  116  is preferably accommodated within a socket  126  in the capsule  122  so that the capsule  122  partially surrounds the head  116 . In a resting state as shown in  FIG. 4 , the liquid  124  in the capsule  122  is relatively quiescent and may assume a clear, transparent appearance. When a consumer activates the toothbrush  110  within the package  100  causing the head  116  to vibrate, via a “try me” feature associated with the switch  114  for example (not shown), the demonstration feature  120  transitions to an active state, with the head vibrations causing the liquid  124  in the capsule  122  to become agitated and vibrate, splash and/or bubble, creating a multi-sensorial experience for the consumer as shown in  FIG. 5 . Thus, the demonstration feature  120  visualizes the vibrations emitted from the  110 , thereby amplifying the sensorial experience beyond the sense of touch (i.e., head vibrations felt through the walls  102  ( FIG. 1 ) of the package  100 ) and into the sense of sight and/or sound through an agitation of the medium  124 . 
   Capsule  122  is preferably a thermoformed plastic capsule filled completely or partially with a movable medium to visually demonstrate a functionality of the packaged product. More preferably, the movable medium is a non-toxic liquid, although other gaseous or particulate-type mediums may be used such as, but not limited to sand, glitter particles, powder, filaments, fibers, etc. alone and/or in combination with the liquid. The liquid may be clear or colored and have any desired consistency, with the understanding that certain mediums may provide a greater visual experience than others depending on the product, the product functionality and the type and magnitude of the product functionality being demonstrated. Of course, vibration or other types of product functionality could be demonstrated by something other than a capsule per se, so long as the product functionality is visually apparent from inspection of the package. 
   Capsule  122  can be a separable from or formed integrally with the package  100 . For example, the capsule  122  and package  100  could be formed in a single molding operation, or the capsule could be attached to and detachable with the product from the package. Any manner of associating the product, package and demonstration feature will be contemplated. For example, the capsule  122  could simply surround the product instead of including a socket  126  to receive a portion of the product. The demonstration feature could also be any shape or size as desired. In the package  200  of the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , for example, a demonstration feature  220  could completely surround the periphery of a product  210  such that, as compared with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , the vibrations would be visualized around the entirety of the product  210  and not just localized around the portion of the product  210  that generates the most vibration. Demonstration feature  220  could be formed as, for example, an integral part of the package  200  or as an insert disposed between the product  210  and the rear of the package  200 , or the like. Demonstration feature  220  could also be provided with a socket, in a manner similar to socket  126  of  FIG. 3 , which accommodates the packaged product. 
     FIGS. 7-9  illustrate a further embodiment of a package  300  for a product  310  having a demonstration feature  320  that could also be configured to visually communicate a functionality of the product  310  in both the rest and active states. Demonstration feature  320  comprises a capsule  330  that is provided on one surface  331  with a magnetized strip or a plurality of strips  340  arranged to form a message, such as “VIBRATES.” The strip(s)  340  is preferably provided either on the rear surface  331  of the capsule  330  ( FIG. 8 ) or on the package  300  adjacent the capsule such that it is not visible to the customer upon inspection of the capsule  330 . However, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the capsule  330  is filled with a mixture of clear liquid  332  and magnetic particles  334  such that, in the resting state, the magnetic particles  334  are attracted to the field created by the strip(s)  340  and align to create the message formed by the arrangement of the strip(s)  340 . Upon activation of the product  310  as shown in  FIG. 9 , or in this embodiment a toothbrush with a vibrating head, the demonstration feature  320  enters the active state, which results in an agitation of a magnitude that overcomes the magnetic attraction between the particles  334  and strip(s)  340  to such an extent that the particles  334  are no longer aligned with the strip(s)  340  and instead form a cloud of vibrating particles in the clear liquid  332 . Deactivation of the product  310  causes the demonstration feature  320  to assume the resting state, whereby the particles  334  become realigned into a communicative message. 
   While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantial modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1