Abstract:
Collectable action cards, figure cards, panels, frames which are attached or detached as described below, and easel designs are featured. A paperboard sleeve with openings on its opposite ends defines a central cavity to receive a package. A front face of the sleeve includes perforations defining the perimeter of a removable segment that can be broken out of the sleeve, to produce a collectable item with a form such as is described below. Support members attached to the rear the removable segment allow it to be displayed. The removable segment may include a removable card, creating a frame with supports that can be displayed once the card is removed. Support members attached to the rear of the sleeve allow display of the sleeve, whether or not it includes the removable segment. The removable segment may be supported and displayed by a second set of support members.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to the general field of packaging and displays for various goods, particularly protective o-sleeves, o-cards or o-rings or other collectables imprinted with information related to media stored on packaged storage devices as described below. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is desirable to efficiently produce packaging that has multiple functions, including providing collectable information associated with a consumer product in the packaging. In particular, such collectable information (described in greater detail below) can be sold with media storage devices containing information or entertainment, such as music, movies, games, digital books, software etc., or they can be sold with conventional books or other printed information. Media storage devices include all devices that store digital information, for example, SD cards, USB storage drives, CD&#39;s, DVD&#39;s and others. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The invention features paperboard structures that include collectable items to be purchased as part of consumer packaging. The collectable item can be any item intended to be saved or displayed, including collectable cards (such as collectable picture cards, action cards, figure cards, or informational cards), panels, frames which are attached or detached as described below, and easel designs. 
         [0004]    In one aspect, a paperboard sleeve with openings on its opposite ends defines a central cavity to receive a package. A front face of the sleeve includes perforations defining the perimeter of a removable segment that can be broken out of the sleeve, to produce a collectable item. 
         [0005]    In some preferred embodiments, the removable segment is the collectable item, and to facilitate display of the collectable item, the sleeve includes at least one foldable support member attached to the rear of the removable segment, to support and display it after its removal from the sleeve. In these embodiments, the foldable support member may be attached to the rear of the removable segment by a hinge allowing the support member to move from a stowed position along rear of the segment to a support position extending transverse to the rear of the segment. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the removable segment covers substantially the entire extent of the front sleeve face and the removable segment further includes perforations defining the perimeter of a removable card that can be broken out of the removable segment. The support member is attached to a panel which in turn is fixed to the rear of the removable segment, so once the card is separated from the removable segment, the removable segment forms a frame around the opening left by the separation of the card, and the frame is supported by the support member. An opening between the panel and the frame creates a space to insert an informational card, a collectors&#39; card or picture that can be framed once the card is removed. 
         [0007]    The removable segment may include a pair of foldable support members, each of which can be an easel wing hinged to a panel, the panel being attached to the rear of the removable segment in a manner such that the panel is removable with the removable segment. Each support member has a base surface to provide support in a vertical viewing position, and the removable segment further includes at least one folding locking member to lock the wings in a support position. 
         [0008]    In another variation, the removable segment includes perforations defining the perimeter of a removable collectors&#39; card that can be broken out of the front face of the sleeve. On the front face of the sleeve behind the card there is a panel, so that the panel blocks the view of the packaging within the sleeve through the opening created when the card is removed. A space is created between the panel and the front face of the sleeve frame, to insert an informational card, a collectors&#39; card or picture that can be framed once the collectors&#39; card is removed. A foldable support member is attached to the rear face of the sleeve to support the sleeve and frame in a vertical position for display. For example, the sleeve face having perforations may form the front of a frame. One edge of the frame is attached to an edge of the rest of the sleeve, and the frame has a rear panel spaced from the sleeve face, so that a card can be inserted between the frame and the rear panel to be viewed through the opening created by removal of the segment. The frame may be removed from the remainder of the sleeve through perforations along the edge of the frame. 
         [0009]    In a separate embodiment, the package cover art is displayed through an opening in the sleeve face created by removal of the removable segment, and a foldable support member is attached to the rear face of the sleeve to support the sleeve in a vertical display position. For example, the foldable support member is attached to the rear face of the sleeve by a hinge allowing the support member to move from a stowed position along the rear panel to a support position extending transverse to the rear face of the sleeve. Each member of a pair of foldable support members includes at least one easel wing hinged to the sleeve, with each support member having a base surface to provide support in a vertical viewing position, and the sleeve further includes a folding locking member to lock the wing in the wings in a support position. 
         [0010]    The embodiments displaying the removable segment and the embodiments displaying the sleeve may be combined if there are two support members, one on the back of the sleeve and the other attached to the removable segment, so that, after removal of the removable segment, both the removable segment and the sleeve are separately displayed. 
         [0011]    A second aspect of the invention may, but does not necessarily, include a removable segment. This aspect of the invention also features a paperboard sleeve defining a central cavity, the sleeve having openings on its opposite ends to receive a package in the cavity. The sleeve has a rear face and at least one foldable support member attached to the rear face by a hinge allowing the support member to move from a stowed position along the rear face to a support position extending transverse to the rear face. The support members of this aspect of the invention may also be embodied by easel wings as described above. 
         [0012]    In this embodiment, the sleeve may include a frame attached to the front, sized to receive a collectors&#39; card that is either separate from the sleeve or is created by removing a segment of the sleeve that is defined at its perimeter by perforations that allow the segment to be broken out of the sleeve. 
         [0013]    In any of the described aspects of the invention, the package to be slipped into the sleeve may be a box sized and designed to contain a digital storage medium as defined above. 
         [0014]    The invention provides packaging that incorporates a desirable collectors&#39; item in attractive packaging that is compatible with generally used designs and techniques. 
         [0015]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIGS. 1-3  show paperboard blanks that can be folded to create different embodiments of opti-sleeve collectable display packaging according to the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  shows the steps for use of various embodiments of opti-sleeve collectable display packaging according to the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  shows a removable custom die cut collectors&#39; card and full front panel frame allowing insertion of an informational card, a collectors&#39; card or picture for display with easel support members attached. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  (“Removable Collectors&#39; Card with Easel Attached for Display and Sleeve becomes Storage Device”) shows an opti-sleeve embodiment in which the front face  112  of sleeve  110  includes a removable segment  114  whose perimeter  117  is defined by perforations. A panel  118  is attached to the bottom of front face  112  by connection  120 . Panel  118  can be attached to the rear of segment  114  and separated from connection  120  along perforations  122 , at the same time that segment  114  is separated from sleeve  110 . 
         [0021]    The front  115  of segment  114  contains printed information of interest to the consumer as a collectable item that can be displayed. To facilitate display, two easel wings  124  are foldably attached to panel  118  along hinge lines  126 . To support and display segment  114 , wings  124  are folded out and locked into place by foldable lock  128 . Thus, the embodiment of  FIG. 1  features:
       A removable front panel that becomes a collectors&#39; card with easel support members used for display   A sleeve that becomes a storage device for the media packaging with a frame opening to view the cover art of the packaging after the card is removed.       
 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  (“Removable Collectors&#39; Card and Sleeve that becomes a Frame with Easel Attached for Display”) shows an alternative embodiment in which sleeve  210  includes a removable segment  214  whose perimeter  217  is defined by perforations. The sleeve can be supported by support members shown as easel wings  224  and foldable lock  228 , attached to the rear  227  of sleeve  210 . 
         [0025]    A panel  218  is attached to the sides and bottom of the front face  211  of sleeve  210 . Segment  214  is removed to become a collectable card. An opening  219  is provided as part of panel  218  to assist the user when removing segment  214 . Once the card  214  is removed, a frame is created as part of the original sleeve  210 . Items to be displayed are inserted between frame (which is the remaining portion of face  211 ) and panel  218 . In this variation sleeve  210  becomes a storage device for a box (not shown) containing a media storage device and a frame that is supported by easel wings  224 . 
         [0026]    Thus the embodiment of  FIG. 2  features:
       A removable front panel that becomes a collectors&#39; card   A sleeve that becomes a display frame with easel support members to insert a picture or other collectable card.   A vertical storage device for the media packaging.       
 
         [0030]    In an alternative to the version shown in  FIG. 2  not shown in the figures, the panel  218  is omitted and card  214  is removed, leaving the sleeve as a collectable display, showing the device packaging and cover art through the opening left when card  214  is removed. 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 3  (“Removable Collectors&#39; Card and Front Segment becomes a Frame with Easel Attached for Display”), sleeve  310  includes features numbered as above. Removable segment  314  extends over effectively the full extent of face of sleeve  310 . The perimeter  331  of a removable card  330  is defined by perforations. Once card  330  is removed and rear panel  318  is folded into place, a frame is created which is separate from the original sleeve  310 . The frame is supported by easel wings  324  with lock  328  to display items inserted between panel  318  and the portion of segment  314  that remains after removal of card  330 . 
         [0032]    Thus the embodiment of  FIG. 3  features: 
         [0033]    A removable collectors&#39; card and 
         [0034]    A removable front segment that becomes a frame with easel support members after removable of the collectors&#39; card to insert a picture or other collectable card for display. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the steps for use of different embodiments of the Opti-Sleeve packaging. Each embodiment uses some combination of perforations, removable segments, collectors&#39; frame, collectors&#39; card and easel support members that are unique to each embodiment in the invention. Other variations not shown in  FIG. 4  are possible from this combination of useful features that make up the Opti-Sleeve invention. The embodiments of  FIG. 4  may be described as: 
         [0036]    A: Opti-Sleeve—Large Detachable Collectors&#39; Card with Easel Attached and O-Sleeve Media Package Storage Device 
         [0037]    B: Opti-Sleeve—Collectors&#39; O-Sleeve with Easel Attached 
         [0038]    C: Opti-Sleeve—Combination Large Detachable Collectors&#39; Card &amp; O-Sleeve Picture Frame and Media Package Storage Device with Easel Attached 
         [0039]    D: Opti-Sleeve—Combination Large Detachable Collectors&#39; Card with Easel Attached &amp; O-Sleeve Picture Frame and Media Package Storage Device with Easel Attached 
         [0040]    E: Opti-Sleeve—Full Front Panel Large Detachable Collectors&#39; Card with Easel Attached 
         [0041]    F: Opti-Sleeve—Combination Large Detachable Collectors&#39; Card &amp; Detachable Picture Frame with Easel Attached 
         [0042]    G: Opti-Sleeve—Combination Frame and Small Detachable Collectors&#39; Cards &amp; Detachable Picture Frame with Easel Attached 
         [0043]    H: Opti-Sleeve—Collectors&#39; O-Sleeve Picture Frame and Media Package Storage Device with Easel Attached—Detachable Die-Cut Picture Frame with Easel Attached—Removable Collectors&#39; Card 
         [0044]    I: Opti-Sleeve—Detachable Custom Die-Cut Picture Frame with Easel Attached—Separate Collectors&#39; Card Inserted into Frame 
         [0045]    J: Opti-Sleeve, Book Style—Detachable Custom Die-Cut Picture Frame with Easel Attached—Separate Collector Card Inserted into Frame and O-Sleeve Media Package Storage Device 
         [0046]    K: Opti-Sleeve, Book Style—Detachable Custom Die-Cut Picture Frame with Easel Attached—Separate Collectors&#39; Card Inserted into Frame—Custom Die-Cut Card with Easel Attached and O-Sleeve Media Package Storage device 
         [0047]    Embodiment A in  FIG. 4  corresponds to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . Embodiment B is an embodiment showing the support members for a sleeve that does not include a removable segment and the sleeve can be used as a storage device for the media packaging. Embodiment C in  FIG. 4  corresponds to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . Embodiment D is like Embodiment C except that the removable collectors&#39; card segment has support easel members for display. Embodiment E is similar to Embodiment A however the removable collectors&#39; card segment is the entire front face of the sleeve with easel support members attached for display. Embodiment F in  FIG. 4  corresponds to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 . Embodiment G is similar to Embodiment F but has an embedded collectors&#39; card in the removable front face frame segment. Embodiment H is like Embodiment D except there is an embedded collectors&#39; card that is removable from a larger removable frame panel and the remaining panel becomes a frame and has support members attached for display and the sleeve becomes a frame and storage device and display for the media packaging. Embodiment I is similar to Embodiment E but has a custom die-cut opening in the front face frame segment and a slot for insertion of a picture or collectors&#39; card. Embodiment J is like Embodiment I however the front face segment is hinged with perforations like a book cover and can be removed to become a frame and the sleeve becomes a storage device for the media packaging. Embodiment K is similar to Embodiment J however the removable front face segment contains a smaller removable collectors&#39; card with support members for display and the front face segment becomes a frame with easel support members for display of an inserted picture or other collectable card 
         [0048]      FIG. 5  shows the embodiment of  FIG. 4  K, in which a sleeve  510  includes a frame  513  having a removable segment  514 . Frame  513  is removed by perforations  516  along the edged that connects the frame to the remainder of the sleeve. Segment  514  is removed from the front of frame  513 , leaving an opening through which the user can view and display a collectable card  517 . Both frame  513  and the segment  514  have their own easel supports (shown as  524  supporting frame  513  of the sleeve and  525  supporting segment  514 ). Sleeve  510  can be used as a media package storage device. 
         [0049]    In each of embodiments, the flat paperboard stock is configured to be folded into a rectangular o-sleeve, o-card or o-ring sleeve as shown. The embodiments may be used to package standard DVD, CD, Game, Software, Book or other media packaging. The stock includes an o-sleeve, o-card or o-ring that can receive a collectors&#39; card, figure card, action card, informational card, collectors&#39; picture card, perforations, break out panels or collectable frame (attached or detached) and easel for display and collection. 
         [0050]    The invention may be used with any packaging for a disc containing digitized information, such as a DVD, a CD, music media, game media and computer software media including books and other related media package. The disc packaging can contain multiple discs and may contain inserted outer wraps under the clear cover which is then inserted into an o-sleeve, o-card or o-ring for display and collection. 
         [0051]    The o-sleeve, o-card or o-ring can also be used for book packaging, over-the-counter pharmaceutical packaging, nutraceutical packaging, beauty packaging, health care or converted into any consumer product packaging that can be used to offer a collectable card, informational card, collectable picture card, perforations, break out panels, collectable frame (attached or detached) and easel for display and collection as part of the primary packaging. 
         [0052]    The invention may be used with any printing methods including lenticular printing, holographic, metallic and special ink treatments to name a few as well as standard printing methods and procedures. The invention is also compatible with conventional automation and packaging processes used for media packaging. 
         [0053]    The invention improves standard media o-sleeves, o-rings, o-cards and consumer packaging by adding the attached or detachable collectors&#39; card, informational card, figure card, action card, collectable picture card, collectable frame, perforations, break out panels and easel for display and collection. It provides marketing, sales and customer appeal, and enhances product value, reduces waste and appearance at the point of sale and provides the consumer a collectible component for display and collection. 
         [0054]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and can be used for various types of consumer packaging. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.