Patent Description:
Consumer products are incorporating more innovation to provide consumers with improved user experiences. However, innovative consumer products are more expensive and thus are more likely to be stolen at the retail shelf by shoplifters. Shoplifters typically look for products that are compact, relatively expensive and can be sold for near-retail prices. For example, razors and razor blade cartridges are typically expensive, small in size, have a high resale value and are in high demand, especially for more premium brands. Similar to razors and razor blades, electric toothbrushes and their corresponding replacement heads are also commonly shoplifted items. Teeth whitening strips are another dental hygiene product with a high theft rate in retail stores. Furthermore, with the advancement of e-commerce the shoplifting industry is growing because of the increased ease of selling of stolen products over the internet.

Consumer product companies and retailers typically used plastic blister packages because they are more difficult for shoplifters to tear open. However, due to mounting global concerns about the environment, it has become desired for producers to adopt eco-friendly packaging. Plastic packages also frustrate legitimate consumers because of the difficulty of opening the package without the aid of a sharp tool. Accordingly, more packages are being designed with paper based materials. However, paper based packages are easier to rip open, especially when anti-theft tags are attached to the hang tag portion of the package. Despite the use of known packaging techniques, there remains a need to further modify consumer product packages to hamper product theft while also providing a more sustainable package. Documents <CIT> and <CIT> disclose examples of known storage and display assemblies.

It would be desirable to provide durable, multi-use packaging for a shaving razor system that could be used both to securely display the product in a retail environment and store the product during consumer use.

One aspect of the invention is defined by a storage and display assembly according to claim <NUM>. The storage and display assembly comprises a base defining a cavity configured to receive a product. A lid is mounted to the base covering the cavity. A hang tag is mounted to the base. The hang tag has a first position with a first end of the hang tag engaging an inner surface of the lid securing the lid to the base and a second position with the first end of the hang tag is disengaged from the inner surface of the lid.

Further aspects of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Referring to <FIG> is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of a storage and display assembly <NUM> is illustrated in a retail environment. The storage and display assembly <NUM> may include a base <NUM>, a hang tag <NUM> and a lid <NUM> mounted over the bae <NUM> and a portion of the hang tag <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may have a front face <NUM> that may include branding and other information related to the contents of the storage and display assembly <NUM>. In certain embodiments, a sleeve <NUM> may be wrapped around a portion of the base <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the sleeve <NUM> may be wrapped around the lid <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> may have a temporary adhesive to secure the sleeve <NUM> to the base <NUM> and/or the lid <NUM>. The sleeve <NUM> may be removed and discarded after purchasing the storage and display assembly <NUM>. The base <NUM> and the lid <NUM> may each comprise a durable material such as an engineering plastic, such as polycarbonate and/or a metal, or a metal alloy, such as steel, aluminum, tin, or combinations thereof. The storage and display assembly <NUM> may provide a sturdy, multi-use container that protects any consumer goods (not shown) stored within the storage and display assembly <NUM>. The material of the base <NUM> and the lid <NUM> may not only make it more difficult for a potential thief to break into, but it may serve as a convenient travel case that can be reused, unlike typical plastic blister packs or paperboard consumer good packages that are thrown away after opening.

A security tag <NUM> may be temporarily fixed to the hang tag <NUM> to provide for anti-theft functionality. The hang tag <NUM> may define an opening <NUM> dimensioned to receive a retail peg <NUM>. Alternatively, the security tag <NUM> may be secured to hang tag <NUM> utilizing the opening <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The security tag <NUM> may define an opening <NUM> dimensioned to receive the retail peg <NUM>. However, it is understood that the storage and display assembly <NUM> with the security tag <NUM> may also be displayed on a shelf instead of hanging from the retail peg <NUM>. The security tag <NUM> may have a body <NUM> and a sensor <NUM> that are external of the storage and display assembly <NUM>. The security tag <NUM> and/or the sensor <NUM> may extend beyond the storage and display assembly <NUM> to be clearly visible to a consumer or a potential shoplifter. The positioning of the security tag <NUM> external of the storage and display assembly <NUM> and clearly visible, may further deter shoplifters from stealing the storage and display assembly <NUM>. For example, if potential shoplifters are aware a product has an anti-theft device, then they are less likely to try to steal it. The sensor <NUM> may be in communication with a store alarm system <NUM>. Accordingly, if the security tag <NUM> is not removed from the storage and display assembly <NUM> prior to leaving the store, the sensor <NUM> may trigger the alarm system <NUM>, notifying store personnel. The security tag <NUM> may be removed by store personnel at checkout and reused for other storage and display assemblies <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, side view of the storage and display assembly <NUM> with the security tag <NUM> attached to the hang tag <NUM>. As will be explained in greater detail below, the hang tag <NUM> may pivot between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the hang tag <NUM> may maintain the lid <NUM> secured to the base <NUM>. The security tag <NUM> may have a bottom surface <NUM> that contacts a top surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM> and/or a top surface <NUM> of the base <NUM> to prevent the hang tag <NUM> from moving out of the first position, thus keeping the lid <NUM> secured to the base <NUM> while the storage and display assembly <NUM> is within a retail environment prior to purchase.

Referring to <FIG>, an assembly view of the storage and display assembly <NUM> is illustrated. The base <NUM> may define a cavity <NUM> configured to receive a consumer product <NUM>. Although the consumer product <NUM> illustrated is a shaving razor, it is understood that the storage and display assembly <NUM> may store other products, including, but not limited to tooth brushes and electric razors. The hang tag <NUM> may have a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The first end <NUM> may include a hook <NUM> that engages the lid <NUM> in the first position. The first end <NUM> may have a pin <NUM> to facilitate the hang tag <NUM> to pivot between the first position and the second position. A tab <NUM> may extend from the first end <NUM> (e.g., the hook <NUM>) to facilitate engagement of the lid <NUM>. The base <NUM> (e.g., the top surface <NUM>) may define a recess <NUM> dimensioned to receive the hang tag <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> may be positioned within the recess <NUM>. As will be described in greater detail below, the opening <NUM> of the hang tag <NUM> may be dimensioned to receive the hang tag <NUM> in the second position. Before or after the consumer product <NUM> is positioned within the cavity <NUM>, the first end <NUM> may be inserted into the recess <NUM>. The lid <NUM> may then be mounted over the base <NUM>. Once the lid <NUM> is mounted over the base <NUM>, the hang tag <NUM> may be moved to the first position to engage the hang tag <NUM> with the lid <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cross section view of the storage and display assembly <NUM> is shown in the first position, taken generally along the line <NUM>-<NUM> of <FIG>. The security tag <NUM> of <FIG> has been removed for clarity. In the first position, the first end <NUM> of the hang tag <NUM> may be positioned within the recess <NUM> of the base <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the hang tag <NUM> may be positioned outside of the recess <NUM>. The hang tag <NUM> may engage the lid <NUM> to secure the lid <NUM> to the base <NUM>. For example, the lid <NUM> may have a rim <NUM> on an inside surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM> that the hook <NUM> engages in the first position securing the lid <NUM> to the base. Once the securing tag <NUM> of <FIG> is removed, the consumer may move the hang tag <NUM> out of the first position by pivoting the hang tag <NUM> to disengage the hook <NUM> from the lid <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may have a lower surface <NUM> that supports the tab <NUM> in the first position. In certain embodiments, the lower surface <NUM> may be concave to support the tab <NUM> as the hang tag <NUM> pivots within the recess <NUM>. The lower surface <NUM> may have a protrusion <NUM> that helps retain the hang tag <NUM> in the first position. For example, force must be applied to the hang tag <NUM> for the tab <NUM> to move past the protrusion <NUM>, thus allowing the hang tag <NUM> to be moved out of the first position to unlock the lid <NUM> from the base <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the storage and display assembly <NUM> is illustrated with the hang tag <NUM> in the second position. The second position may be transverse to the first position, with the hook <NUM> disengaged from the lid <NUM>. Once the hook <NUM> is disengaged from the lid <NUM>, the lid <NUM> may be separated from the base <NUM>. The hang tag <NUM> may then be folded into the second position. In the second position, the second end <NUM> of the hang tag <NUM> may be completely positioned within the recess <NUM> of the base <NUM>. For example, the hang tag <NUM> may not extend outside of the base <NUM>, thus allowing the lid <NUM> to be mounted over the base <NUM> and the hang tag <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the lid <NUM> may cover the second end <NUM> of the hang tag <NUM>, thus concealing it from view. The opening <NUM> of the hang tag <NUM> may be dimensioned to receive the protrusion <NUM> extending within the recess <NUM> of the base. In certain embodiments, the protrusion <NUM> may engage the recess <NUM> to help secure the hang tag <NUM> within the recess <NUM>. As the hang tag <NUM> is pivoted into the second position, the tab <NUM> may move over the protrusion <NUM> of the lower surface <NUM> and into a second opening <NUM> that is in communication with the opening <NUM> of the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may have an inner surface <NUM> that acts as a stop to prevent the hang tag <NUM> from pivoting too far. For example, a top surface <NUM> of the second end <NUM> may be parallel to the top surface <NUM> of the lid and/or the top surface <NUM> of the base <NUM>, thus allowing the lid <NUM> to be easily mounted over the base <NUM> in the second position. The consumer may use the storage and display assembly <NUM> as a travel case. The hang tag <NUM> may also facilitate the storage and display assembly <NUM> to be hung on a shower hook or from any other type of fixture to provide safe and convenient access.

" Furthermore, dimensions should not be held to an impossibly high standard of metaphysical identity that does not allow for discrepancies due to typical manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, the term "about" should be interpreted as being within typical manufacturing tolerances.

Claim 1:
A storage and display assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a base (<NUM>) defining a cavity (<NUM>) configured to receive a product (<NUM>);
a lid (<NUM>) mounted to the base covering the cavity;
a hang tag (<NUM>) mounted to the base, characterised by the hang tag having a first position wherein a first end (<NUM>) of the hang tag engages an inner surface (<NUM>) of the lid securing the lid to the base and a second position wherein the first end of the hang tag is disengaged from the inner surface of the lid.