Abstract:
A set of automotive-related product packaging having a set of common features. Each of the product packages provide for point of sales display, easy transportation, and storage of the product when not in use.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent 60/481,333 filed Sep. 4, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to packaging for automotive-related products. Specifically, the invention relates to improved product packaging that provides for a stand alone display, provides for a reusable product storage device, and employs common themes across product lines.  
         [0003]     Product packaging in general is important in the marketing of products as it represents the final opportunity for a company to provide information regarding the product and demonstrate the product&#39;s superiority to related or competitive products. In this regard, the product packaging must be sleek and compact, durable, capable of providing product information and cable of securing the product. Sometimes the product packing also provides features that protect the product from damage during transfer, display or storage. Most product packing is disposed of after purchase. Frequently consumers are then required to purchase separate product storage devices to store the product when not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention relates to packaging for automotive-related products. Each of the packages provide for a stand alone display, a reusable product storage device and employ common themes to provide a common look and functionality across the product line. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     In the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below serve to illustrate the principles of this invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a ten-count bungee cord packaging.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates the packaging of  FIG. 1  including a set of bungee cords.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrate a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates the packaging of  FIG. 3  including a set of bungee cords.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  illustrates a ten-count bungee cord packaging including a body comprised of opposing arcs.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the packaging shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is an angled cross-sectional view of the packaging shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 8  is a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging including a body comprised of opposing arcs.  
         [0014]      FIG. 9  is a top view of the packaging shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 10  illustrates a single hitch ball packaging.  
         [0016]      FIG. 11  illustrates a hitch ball and lock packaging.  
         [0017]      FIG. 12  illustrates a two hitch ball packaging.  
         [0018]      FIG. 13  illustrates a three hitch ball packaging.  
         [0019]      FIG. 14  illustrates a four cord ratchet strap packaging.  
         [0020]      FIG. 15  illustrates a side view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 16  illustrates a back view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 17  illustrates a second embodiment of a four cord ratchet strap packaging.  
         [0023]      FIG. 18  illustrates a side view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 19  illustrates a back view of the ratchet strap packaging shown in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 20  illustrates a packing for a single large ratchet strap.  
         [0026]      FIG. 21  illustrates a two cord ratchet strap package with hinged portions in a closed position.  
         [0027]      FIG. 22  illustrates the ratchet strap package of  FIG. 21  in the open position.  
         [0028]      FIG. 23  illustrates a four cord ratchet strap package with hinged portions in a closed position.  
         [0029]      FIG. 24  illustrates the ratchet strap package of  FIG. 23  in the open position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]     The present invention is directed to improved product packaging in general, and specifically to improved product packaging for automotive-related products. The improved automotive-related product packaging that provides for a stand alone display, provides for a reusable product storage device, and employs common themes across product lines. Although this disclosure is directed primarily to hitch balls, bungee cords and ratchet straps, one skilled in the art should appreciate that the concepts described herein apply to a variety of products and that it is not feasible to describe each of such products in detail. As such, it should be recognized that the concepts described herein are not limited to the illustrative examples embodied within this application, but instead apply generally to automotive-related products to the extent such products fall within the scope of the claims herein.  
         [0031]      FIGS. 1-9  illustrate various improved bungee cord packaging.  FIG. 1  illustrates a ten count bungee cord packaging, with  FIG. 2  illustrating the packaging with bungee cords attached.  FIG. 3  illustrates a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging with  FIG. 4  illustrating the packaging with bungee cords attached.  FIGS. 5-7  illustrate a different embodiment of a ten-count bungee cord packaging, while  FIGS. 8-9  illustrate a different embodiment of a fifteen-count bungee cord packaging. It should be appreciated that the number of bungee cords that the bungee packaging is designed to hold can be varied and the scope of this application is meant to cover bungee cord packaging for various numbers of bungee cords.  
         [0032]     The bungee cord packaging  10  of  FIGS. 1-4  includes a generally planar body  15 , generally comprised of plastic or other suitable material, which may include a cut-out section  18 . The bungee cord packaging  10  includes a set of scallops  20  located along the bottom of the body  15 , a series of apertures  25 , a series of hooked edges  28  and a handle  30 . Bungee cords  31 , which generally include two hooked ends  32 , can be attached to the packaging  10  by hooking each of the hooked ends  32  to one of scallops  20 , hooked edges  28  or handle  30 . For example, a bungee cord  31  can be hooked at one end by attaching one hooked end to a portion of an aperture  25  and attaching the other hooked end to one of the scallops  20 . In other embodiments, such as those shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , both hooked ends  32  are attached to the scallops  20  and the cord  31  is draped through either one of the apertures  25  or hooked edges  28 . In some embodiments, the apertures  25  have a one or more low spots  33 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , there are two such apertures, a circular aperture  25   a  and an elongated aperture  25   b . The circular aperture  25   a  has a single low spot  33  at the bottom of the circular aperture  25   a . The elongated aperture  25   b  includes two low spots  33  at either end of the elongated aperture  25   b , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or across the bottom  39  injection molded tabs  118  that would allow for hanging of the packaging  100  during display or storage of the elongated aperture  25   b , as shown in  FIG. 3 . These low spots  33  assist in maintaining the bungee cords in a generally parallel relationship to each other and keep the bungee cords  31  from overlapping one another. In some embodiments, the hooked edges  28  include tabs  35  that provide low spots  33  on the edge and keep the bungee cords  31  properly aligned. Furthermore, in some embodiments the handle  30  includes low spots  33  for attaching or draping bungee cords  31 . The handle  30  may also include a tab portion  37  for hanging the packaging  10 .  
         [0033]     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5-9 , the body  40  is non-planar. As shown, the body  40  is formed from two opposing arced surfaces, and upper arced surface  42  and a lower arced surface  44 . The arced surfaces  42 ,  44  provide rigidity to the body  40 . For larger packages  10 , such as that shown in  FIG. 8 , a rib  46  may intersect the cutout portion and connects the two arced surfaces. Furthermore, the packaging  10  may include means for allowing the packaging to free-stand. As an illustrative example, extended members  48  may be added along the scallops  20  that will allow the packaging to stand as it basically forms a tripod with ends  49  and extended members  48  forming the contact points of the tripod. Although not shown in the Figures, ends  49  may include more pronounced horizontal portions that assist in providing contact with a flat surface and further provide additional axial distance from the extended members  48 . The packaging may include other means or mechanisms for allowing the packaging to free stand. The arced surfaces further allow multiple packages  10  to nest in with one another, making them easier to transport and store.  
         [0034]     In some embodiments holes are placed along the body  15  of the packaging so that cable ties, wire or other comparable mechanisms can be passed through the body of the packaging and further secure the bungee cords  31 . In other embodiments, clips, such as, for example, molded in clips are placed along the surface of the body  15  to further secure the bungee cords.  
         [0035]     In some embodiments, labels are placed along the surface of the packaging body  15  that indicate what size bungee cord  31  should be secured in a particular position on the packaging  10 . The labels can be any form, such as, for example, markings, stickers, or molded markers. Furthermore, the labels can provide information in the form of numbers, colors or diagrams. In some other embodiments, surfaces of the body  15  have display regions, such as recessed regions for stick on labels that provide information regarding the packaging  10  or bungee cords  31  thereon.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 10-13  illustrate various improved hitch ball packaging.  FIG. 10  illustrates a single hitch ball packaging.  FIG. 11  illustrates a hitch ball and lock assembly packaging.  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate multi-hitch ball packaging. It should be appreciated that  FIGS. 10-13  merely illustrate examples of hitch ball packaging and that modifications to such designs are feasible depending on the construction and configuration of the hitch ball product. It should also be appreciated that these packages can be extended to other related products, such as, for example, adjustable hitch balls.  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  illustrates a single hitch ball packaging, generally referenced as  100 . The packaging  100  includes two side walls  102 , a back wall  104 , a top wall  105  and a partial front wall  106 . The walls  102 ,  104 ,  105  and  106  are preferably a hard plastic or other material that will provide durability and rigidity. The side walls  102  are generally radiussed towards each other to provide a dome-shaped top portion  108  of the single hitch ball packaging  100 . A center cavity  110  is formed between each of the walls and is designed for placement of a hitch ball. A center plate  112  is provided upon with a hitch ball can be secured. The center plate  112  is generally perpendicular to and intersects the back wall  104  and the partial front wall  106 . An aperture  114  is placed in the center plate  112  for receiving a hitch ball. A hitch ball, having a ball portion and a threaded portion, is secured in the packaging  100  by placement of the threaded member through the aperture  114 . The hitch ball can then be secured in place by tightening a nut or other member onto the threaded portion of the hitch ball such that it traps the center plate  112  between the ball portion of the hitch ball and the nut. The nut can then be accessed either from the bottom of the packaging or from an aperture in the back wall  104  of the packaging  100 . Front and side walls  106 ,  102  may include display regions  116 , shown as recessed areas in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . These display regions  116  can include information about the product and may include product labels. The packaging  100  may optionally include injection molded tabs  118  that would allow for hanging of the packaging  100  during display or storage. It should be appreciated that the hitch ball can be sold in the packaging  100  and that once a product has been purchased, stored in the packaging when the hitch ball is not in use.  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  illustrates a hitch ball and lock assembly packaging  120 . In general, the construction is similar, and similar components have been referenced using the same numbers as used in packaging  100 . Packaging  120  includes apertures  121  on either side of aperture  114  through with components of the lock assembly can be inserted. In addition, slot  122  may be included in the front wall  106  wherein a consumer can view the bottom or threaded portion of the hitch ball and the nut attached thereto.  
         [0039]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate multi-hitch ball packaging  130 , two and three respectively. It should be appreciated that the invention may apply to packaging that can accommodate any number of hitch balls. It should be appreciated that the packaging  130  may accommodate similar hitch balls, or different size or configuration hitch balls. Additionally, multi-hitch ball packaging may take the same general shape as that shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , with additional apertures for additional hitch balls, or may take the form as shown in the  FIGS. 12 and 13 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the packaging  130  includes a base region  132  and an extended region  134  which includes side supports  135 . The base region  132  includes four side walls  136  and a top surface  138  including a series of apertures  140 , the number of which corresponds to the number of hitch balls meant to be stored or packaged in the packaging  130 . The extended portion  134  is generally centered about the center of the apertures  140  in the top surface  138  of the base portion  132 . The extended portion  134  further includes a series of cutout sections  142 , the number of which corresponds to the number of hitch balls meant to be stored or packaged in the packaging  130 . The cutout sections  142  generally are configured to match the overall shape of the hitch balls placed in the packaging  130 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the configuration of the cutout section  142  may be different or substantially the same. The extended portion may further include one or more injection molded tabs  144  that would allow for hanging of the packaging  130  during display or storage.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 14-24  illustrate various ratchet strap packaging  200 .  FIGS. 14-16  and  17 - 19  illustrate two different four cord packages;  FIG. 20  illustrates a package for a large ratchet strap, such as a 27 foot strap; and  FIGS. 21-22  and  23 - 24  illustrate a two and a four cord package, respectively, with fold-out windows.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 14-16  illustrate a first embodiment of a ratchet strap packaging  200 . In this embodiment, the packaging includes compartments  210  for each ratchet strap. Each compartment  210  includes a base portion  215  and a top portion  217  which are secured against a backing wall  220  The compartments  210  generally include divider walls  222  that maintain each ratchet strap separate. Both the top portion  217  and the bottom portion  215  generally snap connect to the backing wall  220  at connection points  225 . In some embodiments, the base portion  215 , or top portion  217 , include a viewing window  230  to provide viewing access to the portion of the ratchet strap covered by the base portion  215 . In some embodiments hooks  333  are used to against in securing the ratchet strap. In other embodiments, tabs  335  are placed in the top of the backing wall  220  for hanging of the packaging  200 .  
         [0042]      FIGS. 17-19  illustrate another embodiment, similar to that shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . As a principle difference, the top portion  217  and bottom portion  215  are combined into a single piece connected by side walls  240 . The top portion and bottom portion can be secured to a backing wall similarly to that shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , namely using snap together connections, or can be secured with ties that pass through holes  238 . In other embodiments, a backing wall is not used, but instead ties are used to secure the ratchet strap in the packaging  200 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 20  is similar to that shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , except that it is configured to store or display a single large ratchet strap. A compartment  250  is used to coil the strap, while compartment  255  is used to secure the ratchet.  
         [0044]      FIGS. 21-22  and  23 - 24  only differ in the number of ratchet straps they are designed to hold, two and four respectively. Compartments  220  are formed between a back wall  260 , side walls  262 , top wall  264 , bottom wall  266  and divider walls  268 . A covering  270  is then hingedly attached to a top and bottom walls  264 ,  266  and preferably have an open space  275  between them.  
         [0045]     The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment. Clearly, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.