Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to the field of article packaging and particularly, to a power tool case protection and display system. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system, comprising: printed shrink film; and, one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/523,724 entitled:  Power Tool Case Protection and Display System  filed Nov. 19, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention generally relates to the field of article packaging, and particularly to a power tool case protection and display system.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     In the current marketplace, retailing of some power tools involves packaging the power tool within an accompanying power tool case. These power tools often include various accessories and additional parts which are separate from the power tool, but are included within the retail packaging of the power tool. For example, a number of power tools are packaged using a corrugated cardboard sleeve. The sleeve encompasses the power tool, the accompanying power tool case, and the additional accessories and parts. The accessories and parts are stored within the packaging (i.e.—the sleeve), but outside of the case. Such packaging often allows for pre-sale removal of the accessories and parts without damaging the encompassing sleeve, therefore providing no indication to a customer that the accessories have been removed. Further, such packaging may be susceptible to damage by exposure to the elements, which leads to less aesthetically pleasing packaging.  
         [0004]     Therefore it would be advantageous to have a power tool case protection and display system for packaging containers, such as power tool cases, which deters pre-sale removal of the power tool&#39;s accompanying accessories and parts and further, allows the power tool case to be displayed in an aesthetically pleasing manner.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system. An aspect of the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system, comprising: printed shrink film; and, one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tool cases; wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).  
         [0006]     A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a power tool case protection and display system, comprising: printed shrink film; and, one or more power tools; wherein the printed shrink film at least partially encompasses the one or more power tools; wherein the printed shrink film includes one or more visual markers displaying graphic designs which provide information related to the power tool(s).  
         [0007]     An additional embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a printed shrink film-wrapped product, including the steps of identifying a product to be coupled with the printed shrink film; selecting a material to be used as the shrink film; establishing a configuration for the shrink film; determining a graphic design configuration for the shrink film; applying a graphic design to the shrink film; and, coupling the printed shrink film with the product.  
         [0008]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The numerous advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is an illustration of a power tool case protection and display system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention at least partially encompassing a first power tool case;  
         [0011]      FIG. 1B  is an illustration of a power tool case for use with a power tool case protection and display system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a second exemplary power tool case protection and display system at least partially encompassing the first power tool case;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a power tool case protection and display system at least partially encompassing a second power tool case;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a power tool case protection and display system at least partially encompassing a third power tool case;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a power tool case protection and display system at least partially encompassing a first bundled multiple power tool case assembly;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a power tool case protection and display system at least partially encompassing a second bundled multiple power tool case assembly;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a power tool case protection and display system at least partially encompassing a compressor assembly; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a method of manufacturing the power tool case protection and display system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0020]     Referring generally to  FIGS. 1A through 7 , exemplary embodiments of the present invention are shown. In the exemplary embodiments, the power tool case protection and display system is a printed shrink film employed to at least partially encompass one or more containers, such as a power tool case. In present embodiments, the printed shrink film includes various graphic designs, such as a product name, a logo, a trademark, a depiction of the product, and the like. The graphic designs assist in product identification. In further embodiments, the graphic designs provide manufacturer information, safety warnings, warranty information, product use information, and the like. Those of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that the graphic designs of the present invention may be used to display various other types of information without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0021]     It is further understood that the graphic designs may be of various qualities. In a present embodiment of the invention, the printed shrink film includes high quality graphic designs for displaying a container in an aesthetically appealing manner. This may be advantageous in the highly competitive power tool market, where the display of the container in a retail environment may play a significant factor in a consumer&#39;s purchasing decision.  
         [0022]     Another advantage of the present invention is the increased ease with which the printed shrink film may be kept clean. For instance, during shipping from the manufacturer to the retailer, containers may be exposed to multiple environmental factors such as water, dirt, dust and debris. Such environmental factors may adversely affect the appearance of currently used container wraps, such as corrugated cardboard sleeves, by damaging the material of the wrap or by damaging graphics on the material. However, the printed shrink film of the present invention and the graphic designs included thereon may be resistant to becoming damaged by environmental factors. Further, the printed shrink film provides for the ability to be cleaned, such as by wiping with a cloth, through the use of water, through the use of cleaning solutions, or other contemplated cleaning methods.  
         [0023]     The current marketplace finds retailing of power tools, within power tool cases, to include various other features, such as various accessories and additional parts, which may be used by the power tool but are separate from the power tool. These various accessories and additional parts may be stored within the power tool case or outside the case but within the packaging of the power tool. With the currently employed sleeves, which are used to encompass various power tool cases, these additional parts and accessories may be removed from the retail package of the power tool without damage to the sleeve. This may result in significant economic loss to the manufacturer and retailer which are unable to sell these power tools which have had various features, and therefore various capabilities, removed from them. Further, consumer dissatisfaction of these products, unwittingly purchased with missing features, may be increased. The present invention may provide a simple and effective device which may reduce such deleterious activity from occurring. By employing the present invention, access to the power tool case or other accessories and parts may be accomplished only by some form of destruction of the present invention. This may provide a deterrent and may provide a noticeable indication of damage.  
         [0024]     A printed shrink film  102 , of a printed shrink wrap package  100 , is shown in  FIG. 1A . The printed shrink film  102  may be composed of various shrink film (film resin) materials. In a present embodiment, the shrink film is composed of a transparent polyethylene material allowing for visual ascertainment of a container  104 , which is at least partially encompassed by the printed shrink film  102 . Materials, such as PVC (polyvinylchloride), and the like are also contemplated for use with the present invention. In alternative embodiments, a printed shrink film  202 , at least partially encompassing a container  204  of the present invention may comprise a non-transparent, non-translucent, and the like film resin, as shown in the shrink wrap package  200  of  FIG. 2 . Thus, the printed shrink film  202  and container  204  may be similar to the printed shrink film  102  and container  104  in every other respect. It is contemplated that the printed shrink film  202  may include various colors, designs, patterns, and the like, which are distinct from the visual markers (described below).  
         [0025]     In exemplary embodiments, the material which composes the printed shrink film  102  may be of various thicknesses to provide preferred operational tolerances. For example, the thickness of the film resin material may range between 0.002 millimeters to 0.005 millimeters. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a film resin material having a thickness of 0.003 millimeters. It is understood that the thickness of the film resin material may be greater than or less than the exemplary range and preferred embodiment without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0026]     It is contemplated that the printed shrink film  102  may be of various sizes for at least partially encompassing differently sized containers. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the printed shrink film of the present invention may be variously sized to accommodate application to items other than the containers shown in  FIGS. 1A through 6 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , printed shrink wrap packages  300  and  400 , each including a printed shrink film  302  and  402 , encompassing containers  304  and  404 , respectively, are alternately configured with respect to their containers, relative to that shown in  FIG. 1A . Thus, the sizing of the printed shrink film  102  may accommodate various container configurations as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0027]     In present embodiments, the container  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1B , is employed for storing a variety of power tools, such as a tiger saw, circular saw, router, and the like. The container  104  comprises a base  106 , a lid  108 , a first side  110 , second side  112 , top side  114 , bottom side  116 , third side  118 , and fourth side  120 . In exemplary embodiments, the container  104  is composed of various materials, such as metals, woods, plastics, and the like. Visual ascertainment of the container  104  may include ascertainment of a handle  122  of the container  104 , a fastening assembly, including a first latch assembly  124  and a second latch assembly  126 , which affixes the lid  108  to the base  106  of the container  104 , a coupling assembly, including a first dovetail assembly  128  and second dovetail assembly  130 , which enables multiple containers to be coupled together, and the like. Various other features, as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the art, may be included upon the container  104  and visually ascertainable through use of the printed shrink film  102 , without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0028]     In a current embodiment, shown in  FIG. 1A , the printed shrink film  102  further includes a plurality of visual markers  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148 , 150 ,  152 , and  154 . The visual markers indicate various positions where the various graphic designs, discussed previously, may be a visually ascertained. In the present embodiment, the visual markers are shown generically representing the identification of “NAME” and “LOGO”. Other identifying features may be represented by the markers, such as safety warnings, warranty descriptions, contents descriptions, and the like. In further embodiments, the visual markers are depictions or picture representations of the product within the container  104 . It is understood that the configuration, positioning, and number of the plurality of visual markers of the printed shrink film  102 , may be varied. For example, the printed shrink film  102  may include a single visual marker located in correspondence with a particular side of the container  104 . Alternatively, each side of the container  104  may be correspondingly disposed with a single visual marker of the printed shrink film  102 . In a further alternative embodiment, the visual markers may correspondingly extend across multiple sides of the container  104 .  
         [0029]     It is contemplated that the configuration of the visual markers  140  through  154  may vary to accommodate various needs. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the visual marker(s), as ovals and rectangles, may limit the graphic design choices available for the visual markers. In alternative embodiments, the visual markers may provide a picture representation of the product stored within the container  104 . Such a picture representation may necessitate a larger visual marker configuration in order to achieve desired clarity and resolution of various features on the product. For instance, a picture representation may substantially cover the first side  110  ( FIG. 1B ) of the container  104 . Alternatively, a picture representation may extend across multiple sides of the container  104 .  
         [0030]     It is further contemplated that the plurality of visual markers may be alternatively configured with respect to their display orientation. It is understood that the display orientation of the plurality of visual markers may be based on the preferred display orientation of the container, which the printed shrink film  102  partially encompasses. For example, the container, as shown in  FIGS. 1A, 1B ,  2 , and  4  is configured with a length greater than its height. Such a container configuration may preferentially employ the printed shrink film  102  wrapped about the container length. Thus, the visual markers are oriented relative to the length of the container. In an alternative example,  FIG. 3  shows a container  304  whose preferred display orientation gives it a greater height than length, with the printed shrink film  302  providing the visual markers oriented relative to the height of the container. Other visual marker configurations may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0031]     It is common for products, such as power tools, to be packaged together with other power tools, accessory kits, and the like. These “bundled” packages or assemblies often offer consumers increased functionality, whether through two different power tools or various accessories. This bundling may also include the bundling of the containers within which the products may be sold. As such, the present invention may be employed with a bundled assembly  500  comprising a printed shrink film  502  at least partially encompassing a first container  504  and a second container  506 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In a current embodiment, the printed shrink film  502  is sized around a bundled assembly  500  including two containers  504  and  506  of the type shown in  FIG. 3 . The visual markers are oriented relative to the preferred display orientation of the containers, as described above.  
         [0032]     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 , it is contemplated that the visual marker configuration may be altered as described previously. For example, the visual marker configuration may provide a graphic design on a side of the printed shrink film  502  which at least partially extends across both containers  504  and  506  in the bundle  500 . It is further contemplated that the printed shrink film of the present invention may be employed to bundle together three or more products stored within three or more containers, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  includes a bundled package  600  having a printed shrink film  602  at least partially encompassing a first container  604 , a second container  606 , a third container  608 , a fourth container  610 , a fifth container  612 , a sixth container  614 , a seventh container  616 , and an eighth container (not shown).  
         [0033]     It is further contemplated, in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , that the individual containers (or products), may be individually wrapped with the printed shrink film of the present invention and then included within a bundled package, which includes a secondary wrapping of the printed shrink film of the present invention. It is also contemplated that multiple bundled packages may be wrapped into variously-sized shipping units, using the printed shrink film of the present invention. Thus, it is understood that various configurations of containers, for shipping, distribution, retail, and other purposes, are contemplated and that the present invention may be employed for at least partially encompassing such configurations.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1A  and  FIGS. 2-6  show closures formed by the printed shrink film when operationally coupled with a container. It is contemplated that one or more closures may be disposed proximal to various sides of the containers around which the printed shrink film substantially encompasses. For example, in  FIG. 1A , the printed shrink film  102  forms a first printed shrink film closure  132  and a second printed shrink film closure (not shown). The first printed shrink film closure  132  is disposed proximal to the third side  118  ( FIG. 1B ) and the second printed shrink film closure is disposed proximal to the fourth side  120 . ( FIG. 1B ) The first and second closures may be of various configurations as contemplated for use with various containers. In alternative embodiments, the closures may be formed around different features of the container, such as around the handle  122  which would allow access to the handle for the user.  
         [0035]     In the embodiments shown in  FIG. 1A  and  FIGS. 2-6 , the printed shrink film may be configured to include one or more cutouts. The cutouts may enable access to the handle  122 , the fastening assembly, the coupling assembly, or various other features as may be desired. The cutouts may be variously configured as contemplated by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. For example, the handle cutout may be a large square-like configuration, while a cutout for the fastening assembly may include first and second small circular configurations for at least partially encircling the areas of the first and second latch assemblies  124  and  126 .  
         [0036]     The printed shrink film  102  may further include a printed shrink film removal assembly. The printed shrink film removal assembly may include a tab coupled to a strip of material embedded within the printed shrink film  102 . The strip of material may substantially extend along a length of the printed shrink film  102 , such that when the printed shrink film  102  is enclosed about a container, the strip of material substantially encircles the container. A user, when opening the container, removes the printed shrink film  102  by pulling the tab which causes the strip to tear apart the printed shrink film  102 , thus enabling removal of the printed shrink film  102 . It is understood that the printed shrink film removal assembly may be alternately configured and disposed within the printed shrink film  102  without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows a compressor packaging unit  700  including a compressor  702  at least partially encompassed by a printed shrink film  704 . The printed shrink film  704  may be similar in every respect to the printed shrink film described above in reference to  FIG. 1A  and  FIGS. 2-6 . The printed shrink film  704  is operationally coupled directly with the compressor  702 , thus, it is understood that the printed shrink film  102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402 ,  502 , and  602 , may operationally couple directly with a product not stored within a container. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the printed shrink film of  FIG. 1A  and  FIGS. 2-7  may be of various configurations to accommodate variously-sized products and the like.  
         [0038]     A method  800 , for manufacturing a printed shrink film-wrapped product, such as a power tool case, is shown in  FIG. 8 . In step  802  the product is identified. The product may be various design configurations, including but not limited to a power tool case, a compressor assembly, and the like. The product may also comprise individual units or bundled packages, as described previously. After the product has been identified, the material to be employed as the shrink film (film resin) is identified in step  804 . The material selection for the shrink film may be based on operational tolerances specified for a material to be employed with the identified product from step  802 . The configuration of the material identified in step  804  is determined in step  806 . The configuration parameters may include determination of direction of wrapping of the product identified in step  802 . As discussed previously, different products may have different presentation orientations which may be accounted for by the configuration parameters established for the material in step  806 . After the configuration is determined, the graphic designs for the shrink film are determined in step  808 . The graphic designs may include design specifications for individual units, bundled packages, or a variety of configurations as described previously. In step  810  the finished printed shrink film is provided by applying the selected graphic design to the material of the shrink film and producing a standard rollout-style spindle of printed shrink film. The spindle of printed shrink film, produced in step  810 , is then operationally coupled with the identified product through a standard shrink film application procedure in step  812 .  
         [0039]     It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the method can be rearranged while remaining within the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
         [0040]     It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the forgoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof.