Abstract:
A convenient, effective closure device for use on packages such as those used to enclose games distributed on CDs, DVDs, or similar media. A preprinted edge label is selectively coated with adhesive and affixed to a package in such a manner that the package may not be opened without violating the edge label. To facilitate opening, a tear strip is at least in part defined by two rows of obtuse perforations. The obtuse perforations, or at least a subset of them, are formed to be of uniform size and shape of a pair of slits that intersect at their respective end points, forming the obtuse angle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention claims the priority of provisional patent application 60/498,119, filed on Aug. 26, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to tamper-resistant packaging for games that are distributed on media such as CDs or DVDs, and more specifically relates to a tamper-resistant package closure system uniquely configured to facilitate the opening of such a package in an intended manner with unnecessary tearing of the package or use of tools.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices are in widespread use today. Originally developed for business-related uses, the ubiquitousness of these devices provides nearly everyone with access to any number of package closure communications and electronic computing devices. The very popularity of these devices has, in turn, contributed to extensive efforts to make them more affordable and easier to use. These efforts have largely succeeded, meaning that a greater segment of the population has begun using these electronic devices for a wide variety of applications. The applications available for use on electronic devices vary widely. As mentioned above, many applications are for business and educational purposes. Increasingly popular, however, are games and other forms of amusement that can be played on the devices—whether or not the devices were originally intended for such use.  
         [0004]     Some of these applications are installed on the computer, mobile phone, or other device before the consumer even orders them. Other applications are made available for separate purchase, and a wide array of these additional applications are now available. Not unexpectedly, game applications are among the most widely sold, owing in part to the fact that users may only buy, for example, one or two word-processing or business applications, but on the other hand appreciate a great variety in the types of games that they play on their product.  
         [0005]     Games that may be played on an electronic device are typically computer programs that may be copied onto a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), or some other storage media. CDs and DVDs are widely accepted and recognized. As a consequence, they often may be used to install or to play a game application on a wide variety of different computing devices, so long as the device is capable of reading instructions from the particular media purchased. For some other devices, only PCMCIA cards or similar storage media may be used. In some cases, the storage media will be unique to a particular type of device, meaning that the use of the game sold in such a manner is not interchangeable between different devices.  
         [0006]     Some games may simply be installed on a device by inserting the media into an appropriate media reader, after which the storage media may be discarded or saved in case the installed game is for some reason deleted. In other cases, the media must be placed in a particular drive, slot, or other peripheral reading device so that the electronic device may refer to the instructions stored there from time to time during game play. Making the media necessary for game play increases the probability that consumers will not simply purchase one game and install copies of it on various electronic devices, thereby reducing the total sales of the games.  
         [0007]     Whatever media is used, however, modern storage media tends to be compact and easily transportable. Unfortunately, this also means that the media could be easily purloined if displayed in an unsecure area of a retail outlet. In order to reduce theft, media are therefore often sold in somewhat larger, harder to conceal packages. While these boxes or packages are typically not extremely large themselves, they are large enough to be noticeable should a user try to conceal one in the palm of his hand or pants pocket.  
         [0008]     To ensure that the storage media are not simply removed from the package in the store, or otherwise tampered with, various measures have been employed to make the packages they are sold in tamper-resistant. Note that herein the phrases “tamper-resistant” and “tamper-proof” may be used interchangeably, with the understanding that no package may practically be made completely un-openable. That is, when a package is referred to as tamper-resistant or tamper-proof, it is simply being described as relatively more difficult, or much more difficult to open, except in the intended fashion. It is not a requirement of the present invention that a package be unopenable in any undesirable way.  
         [0009]     Media packages for games may come in a wide variety of styles, but certain package types are becoming popular.  FIG. 1  is an illustration of a typical game package  100  shown in an open configuration. According to the design of  FIG. 1 , package  100  includes a first package portion  110  and a second package portion  120 , which are joined together at hinge  115 , so that the package may be opened and closed like a book. This “book” design has proven popular with retailers and consumers. The two portions of the package and the hinge may be separately formed and then assembled, but it is far more common that they would be made out of a single piece of material. The material may be paper or cardboard, but more likely will be made of a molded-plastic material. The plastic used in such packages will typically be strong enough that it may not be easily opened save for the intended fashion shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0010]     In the package  100  of  FIG. 1 , first package portion  110  forms a recess  130  for receiving storage media  115 , in this case, a CD  155  that will normally be mounted to the package wall (the mounting means is not relevant to the present invention and not shown in the illustration). Likewise, second package portion  120  includes a recess  140  for receiving a second CD  150 . A third recess  160  is formed in second package portion  120  and may be used, for example, for containing game accessories, instruction booklets, or other items sold along with the game. It is not required, of course, that the recesses within the package be formed exactly as shown in  FIG. 1 , and they will normally be designed to accommodate the anticipated product that will be placed in them. Package  100  may, but does not necessarily, include an integrally-formed latch mechanism (not shown) to maintain the package in a closed configuration.  
         [0011]     Without some closure device, however, regardless of the strength of its construction the package  100  of  FIG. 1  can still be opened easily by not only the purchasing consumer, but also by a potential thief while the product is still in the retail outlet. To reduce the risk of theft, the package will also typically be sealed shut in some manner. There are a number of ways of accomplishing this objective, all with the natural goal of preventing unauthorized package opening, while still being not too difficult for a purchasing consumer to open. One common measure is to use an edge label that can be secured across both portions of the package, as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the game package  100  shown in a closed configuration. In this view, the top  230  of package  100  is visible, while bottom  240  is not. Hinge  115 , which is also not visible in  FIG. 2 , runs along some or all of the back  245  of the package. A seam  220  created at the juncture of first portion  110  and second portion  120  runs along the package front  250 , and along the left side  255  and the right side  260  (not shown) as well. Note that these facial designations are somewhat arbitrary, but are assigned here for convenience.  
         [0013]     To prevent unauthorized opening of the package  100 , label  200  forms a seal across seam  220 , typically across the entire face  250 . To fasten it in place, label  200  may be coated with an adhesive. The adhesive that is used to secure label  200  to package  100  is strong enough to prevent the label&#39;s easy removal, but may be of a nature that sufficient force may be applied to remove it intact. In addition, the entire assembly may be enclosed in a flexible clear plastic wrap (not shown) that would in practice have to be torn off or cut through in order to gain access to the label  200 . The intent of this packaging system, as may be apparent, is to make more noticeable the active opening of the package in order to discourage unauthorized persons from doing so. When the package is purchased by a consumer, he will simply tear off the enclosing plastic wrap, if it is present, and either go through the effort to remove the label  200 , or simply cut it with a knife or other sharp object.  
         [0014]     In this regard, note that in addition to discouraging outright theft, the label  200  also serves another purpose. Namely, it provides evidence of the package&#39;s opening, evidence that is difficult to alter. In our modern retail environment, it is not unusual for consumers to return products that they have purchased in expectation of a refund of the purchase price. While many retailers, in the name of good customer relations, are happy to oblige, providing the goods are in a condition for resale, a game stored media such as a CD presents a different problem. Because CDs simply store digital data, consumers with the proper equipment can often sometimes copy the CDs with very little trouble. In doing so, they could return the game and avoid paying the purchase price while retaining the game. While it is possible, in some cases, to design the software stored on the media in such a way as to reduce this possibility, another strategy is simply to not permit consumers to return opened merchandise for a refund. If label  200  is constructed so that the package  100  may not be open without noticeably damaging the label, then it will be evident when the user has in fact opened the package and gained access to the media inside. In many cases, even if the label is intact, it will not be possible to replace it without a substantial alteration in its appearance so that it may be distinguished from a label that has not been removed.  
         [0015]     Edge labels are often preprinted. They may present instructions on how to open the package or, more commonly, present the name of the game or other product, or of its manufacturer. Printing also prevents an unscrupulous consumer from easily replacing label (after it has been removed) with another one very similar in appearance to the original. To enhance this protection, holograms are sometimes employed. A hologram is an image that is produced using a specialty technique that lends the image a three-dimensional appearance. In  FIG. 2  the area referred to as  210  represents how a hologram may be employed. Holograms do have an aesthetic quality, being attractive to the potential consumer. In the context of theft prevention, however, holograms are useful precisely because they are more difficult to reproduce than ordinary images. A person destroying the hologram that came with a particular label would therefore have a difficult time replacing the label with another one of like appearance. As can bee seen in  FIG. 2 , the hologram  210  is placed across the seam  220  in such a way that the product can not easily be opened without damaging or destroying the hologram.  
         [0016]     The use of edge labels, with or without an enclosing plastic wrap, has been proven effective. There are still problems, however, associated with its application. At times, the labels are fairly difficult for even legitimate purchasers to remove, and as such present an irritating inconvenience to the consumer. In some ways, the more effective the label is at reducing the risk of theft, the more difficult it will be for the legitimate purchaser to remove. While a knife or other sharp object is quite effective at slicing through the label, one is not always available and even when it is, there is the risk of injury resulting to a purchaser who is not careful. This is especially a problem with games, which are always often purchased by young children who will frequently want to open the game as quickly as possible. Needed, therefore, is a system for applying a tamper resistant label to a package in such a manner that is attractive to consumers, but will at the same time providing a measure of security to the retailer. The present invention provides just such a solution.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, including its features and advantages, reference is made to the Detailed Description of the invention, together with the accompanying Drawings, of which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a tamper-resistant media package shown in an open configuration.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of the package of  FIG. 1  shown in a closed configuration and sealed accordingly to a closure system of the prior art.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a package closure device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the package-closure device of  FIG. 3 , installed on the media package of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a portion of the package closure system of  FIG. 3 , showing the various features thereof depicted in greater detail.  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a tamper-resistant media package of alternate design, shown in an open configuration.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of the package-closure device of  FIG. 3 , installed on the media package of  FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the package closure device of  FIG. 3  illustrating additional features according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a tamper-resistant media package of another alternate design, shown sealed according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]     The present invention is directed to a closure system for closing packages containing storage media on which games or other applications are frequently stored. The closure system of the present invention has several advantages, including a optimum balance between convenience from the consumer&#39;s point of view and tamper-resistance, which protects the interest of the retailer. The present invention is intended for use with plastic packaging (such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the prior art), but might also be used with other types of packages as well.  
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a package closure device according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience package-closure device  300  will often be referred to as a “label” (as was label  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), because it is sometimes printed with the name of the item being sold or other information. It is not necessary, however, that a preprinted label be used. Label  300  will ordinarily be formed of a thin, flexible plastic material. Label  300  is generally formed as a single piece of material, but for purposes of explaining the present invention it can nevertheless be thought of as divided into a number of sections or areas. In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , label  300  is formed generally as a rectangle, but also includes a smaller rectangle formed as an extension at one end; pull tab  360 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , pull tab  360  may be labeled with the word “PULL” in order to alert the consumer to its function. The lengthwise portion of label  300  adjacent to pull tab  360  may be referred to as tear strip  330 . Tear strip  330  will ordinarily run the entire length of the label  330 . Surrounding tear strip  330  are a first side  315  and a second side  325  of label  300 . In this embodiment, first side  315  is separated from tear strip  330  by a first series of perforations  310 , and likewise second side area  325  is separated from tear strip  330  by a second series of perforations  320 .  
         [0029]     Each of the perforations in the series of perforations  310  and  320  represent a recess or opening formed in label  300 . In most embodiments, each perforation will be formed by an appropriately-shaped object that is used to penetrate label  300  from its exterior side  335  through to its interior side  345 . (As interior side  345  will generally be the side facing the package, it will also be referred to as “package-side”  345 .) Although the perforating tool will typically pass all of the way through label  300  when making the perforations, forming an opening from one side to the other, a partial-penetration technique may also be used if considered desirable. In either case, an elongated perforation will sometimes be referred to as a “slit”. Generally speaking, none of the material of Label  300  will be removed during the perforating process, although again this is not necessarily the case. Naturally, where label  300  is itself cut from a larger sheet of material, it can be cut and perforated in a single operation.  
         [0030]     As should be apparent from the illustration of  FIG. 3 , in this embodiment the two series of perforations extending from a first end  304  of label  300  to a second end  306  forming the tear strip  330  are made so that when pull tab  360  is grasped by a consumer and pulled away from the package and in the direction of the opposite end  304  of label  300 , the tear strip may easily be separated from first side  315  and second side  325 . After performing this operation, the consumer will be able to open the package an obtain access to its contents.  
         [0031]     Before explaining this in any more detail, it is also noted here that the label  300  also may include two additional features. The hologram  340  that will often be preprinted on the exterior surface  335  of label  300  is used, as explained above, to enhance the tamper-resistance of the label. Preferably, it is placed on label  300  at the end opposite pull tab  360 , meaning if the hologram  340  is violated it will normally indicate that the package has been opened by a consumer. Also, it may be desirable to place a logo or other name in logo area  350 . In this embodiment, logo  350  is printed only on tear strip  330 , and will be removed when the package is opened by the consumer.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a portion of the package closure device  300  depicted in  FIG. 3 , enlarged to show various features thereof in greater detail. In  FIG. 5 , the relationship between pull tab  360 , tear strip  330 , and the first series of perforations  310  and second series of perforations  320  may be seen in more detail. The shape of each individual perforation in the series of perforations may also be seen more clearly. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 and 5  each series of perforations includes a plurality of similarly-shaped perforations that have been oriented and aligned in a certain manner.  
         [0033]     In this embodiment, the perforations in each (of the two illustrated) series of perforations are arranged so as to form a substantially straight line, which also delineates the sides of tear strip  330 . Most, but not all of the perforations are shaped as an obtuse angle. In other words, with few exceptions, each perforation is formed of a first slit and a second slit that intersect at a respective end of each slit. For purposes of describing the present invention, an “obtuse perforation” will be a perforation that includes at least a first slit and a second slit that intersect forming an obtuse angle. Preferably, though not necessarily, this intersection will take place at respective endpoints of the two slits. In some embodiments, the obtuse perforation need not be limited to two slits, although these alternate embodiments are not shown in any of the figures.  
         [0034]     At this point, it should be noted that the obtuse perforations illustrated in  FIG. 5  have been found to advantageously facilitate removal of the tear strip  330 , making the opening of packages such as package  100  more convenient. Closure devices configured in this manner have been found to advantageously permit efficient removal of the entire tear strip  330  without causing undue violation to the material of label  300  that forms first side  315  and second side  325 . Other configurations, however, are possible. In addition, it may also be noted that in order to most advantageously form the tear strip  330 , the series of perforations  310  is preferably substantially parallel to the second series of perforations  320 . In addition, these two series of perforations will ordinarily each be a straight line, although again this is not strictly required. Curved lines (not shown) may be used, for example, on packages having an unusual contour.  
         [0035]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the orientation of the individual perforations is also of significance. In this embodiment, one slit of each of the obtuse perforations is oriented in generally the same direction as is the series of perforations of which it is a part. In this embodiment, at least a subset of these aligned perforations are of substantially the same shape, meaning that the non-aligned slits of the perforations in the subset lie parallel with respect to each other.  
         [0036]     In general, it may be noted that a series of perforations that help to form a tear strip on the label of a package closure device according to the present invention will include perforations that are mostly uniform in size, shape, and orientation. Complete uniformity, however, is not required. In fact, it may be desirable to form some of the perforations differently, for example those near the beginning or end of tear strip  330 . In this case, only a “subset” of the perforations in the series of perforations are uniformly-shaped or arranged in a linear arrangement. Such a subset of perforations may include any number of individual perforations, not all of which may be adjacent to each other. Where more than one series of perforations is present, each may have a subset of uniform perforations, which may include perforations that are identical to perforations in other subsets, and which may in some embodiments by identically or analogously oriented.  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of the package closure device  300  of  FIG. 3  illustrating additional features according to an embodiment of the present invention. Exemplary dimensions are given to illustrate a label of size and shape useful in contemporary application, but no limitation on the use of other sizes and shapes is thereby implied. In this embodiment, it is specified that an adhesive is only selectively applied to package side  345  of label  300 , although selective application is not a limitation of the present invention unless explicitly stated in reference to a particular embodiment.  
         [0038]     Several applications of the package closure device of the present invention will now be illustrated and described.  FIG. 4  is an illustration of the package-closure device  300  of  FIG. 3 , installed on the media package  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , package  100  is shown in a closed configuration similar to the illustration in  FIG. 2 . Again, first side  110  and second side  120  of Package  100  meet at the seam  220 , forming the front  250  of package  100 . In the closed configuration shown in  FIG. 4 , of course, the contents of package  100  are inaccessible to the consumer. This embodiment, label  300  is intentionally formed of a size and shape so that it will extend across the entire width of the package  100 , that is, across front  250 , including across seam  220 . For added security, label  300  is also of sufficient size to extend on to the top  230  and bottom  240  of package  100 . Preferably, tear strip  330  is positioned to be directly above seam  220 .  
         [0039]     In a preferred embodiment, the label  300  will normally occupy a majority of the surface area of front side  250  to which it is affixed, although this is not a requirement of the invention.  
         [0040]     Label  300  is typically affixed to package  100  with using some form of adhesive applied to package side  345  of label  300 . This adhesive may be applied to the entire package side  345 , which may be convenient for application. In another embodiment, the adhesive may be selectively applied (as illustrated in  FIG. 8 ) if desired for a particular application. Selective application may, for example, facilitate easy removal of the tear strip  330 .  
         [0041]     In another embodiment, alternate means of attaching label  300  to package  100  may also be used, in lieu of, or in addition to, and adhesive applied to the package side  345  of label  300 . For example, strips of adhesive tape (not shown) could be used to anchor each side of label  300  to the top  230  and bottom  240 , respectively, of package  100 . Label  300  could also extend completely around package  100 , and be affixed to itself at the extreme ends of label  300 , again using adhesive, tape, or both, or even a mechanical fastener (also not shown).  
         [0042]     Although extended across the front  250  of package  100  in  FIG. 4 , alternate or additional placement is possible. For example, label  300  could extend across left side  255  (perhaps more toward the front  250  than towards the back  245 ). Or a plurality of labels could be employed. In one alternate embodiment (not shown), multiple labels could even be used to permit selective access to different portions of a package (also not shown) that could be opened in more than one way.  
         [0043]     Package closure labels according to the present invention could also be applied to differently-shaped packages. For example,  FIG. 6  is an illustration of a media package that closes in a somewhat different manner than package  100  of  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  4 . In  FIG. 6 , package  600  includes a right side portion  640  and a left side portion  650 . A recess  620  in the body  610  of package  600  may hold a disk  630  or other game media. In the closed configuration, shown in  FIG. 7 , recess  620  of package  600  is entirely concealed by right side portion  640  and left side portion  650 , which are operable along hinges  645  and  655 , respectively. The two sides meet at seam  645 , and as can be seen in  FIG. 7 , are secured with label  300 .  
         [0044]     In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , label  300  is applied not in a single plane, but in two planes formed by right side portion  910  and left side portion  920 , which close about hinges  915  and  925  to cover a recess (not shown) formed in body  930  of package  900 . This package may be used, for example, for housing items somewhat larger than CDs.  
         [0045]     The previous descriptions are of preferred examples for implementing the invention, and the scope of the invention should not necessarily be limited by this description. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.