Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROU~3 OF T~IE INV~TION
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to display packages
- and, more particularly, is directed to a display package for a
tape cassette having a decorative color pattern.
Description of the Prior Art
Display packages which contain magnetic tape cassettes
are well-known in the art. Such display packages axe generally
comprised of a container made, for example, from a cardboard-like
or pl.astic mate-Lial, having a colo-r pa~-~e-~n prin~ed ~h~reorl. B~
sides being decorative in nature, the color pattern may also be
used to identify the tape program, the ~ape length, the manufacture
of the tape cassette and the like. A thin transparent material,
such as cellophane or a plastic material, surrounds and overlays
the aforementioned container to provide a protective seal for such
container. In this manner, ~he ~ape cassette cannot be removed
from the container unless the protective sheet is first removed.
It may be desirable, howeverj to change the color pattern,
for example, for different tape cassettes. With the aforementioned
arrangement, a new and different printing operation for the con~ainers
must be performed for each such change. This, of course, results
in added expense.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
- Accordingly, it is an object o this invention to provide
a display package that avoids the above-described difficulties
encountered with the prior art.
More particularly, it is an object of this invention to
provide a display package having a color pattern which can easily
be changed without undue expense.
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It is another object of ~his invention to provide a
display package comprised of a container having a firs~ color
pattern thereon and a substantially transparent sheet having a
second color pat~ern thereon which, when overlapping ~he firse
color pattern, forms a third desired color pattern.
In accordance with an aspec~ of this invention, a dis-
play package includes ~ container having a ~irst color pattern
thereon, and a thin sheet surrounding the container and having a
substantially transparent second color pattern thereon which at
least partially overlaps the first color pattern ~o orm a t~ird
eclor pattern.
~ ore particularly, there îs provided:
. A display package suitable for packing a tape
cassette comprising: `
a container sf rectangular shape having a first
opaque color pattern thereon, said first color attern including
a plurality of abutting colored stripes; and
a plastics sheet surrounding said container and having
a substantially transparent second color pattern thereon which
at least partially overlaps said first color ~attern, said
second color pattern including a plurality of abutting colored
stripes with at least one of said colored stripes of said
second color pattern ovarlapping at least one differentlv
colored stripe of .~aid first color pattern so as to form a
third color pattern.
The above, and other, objects, features and advantages
of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing
detailed description which is to be read in connection with the
accompanying drawings.
BR EF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA~IN~S
Fig. 1 is a p~rspective view of a container having a
first color pattern thereon for use in a display package according
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to one embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a transparent sheet blank having a second color
pattern thereon for use in a display package according to one em-
bodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 3 is a display package accordin~ to one embodiment
of the present invention having a third color pat~ern formed thereon.
~ETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring ts the drawings in detail, and initially to
Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown a container or case 1 whieh is
adapted to store a t~pe cassette 5, such as a video or audio tape
cassette, therein. Plefer~bly, c~ntainer 1 is constructed from a
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cardboard-like or plastic material. The container also preferably
includes an indication of the tape progra~, th~ tape length, the
type of tape, the manufacturer, such as SONY,~and the like pre-printed
thereon. A distinctive first color pattern 2 is pre-prin~ed on
container 1 and may also be used to indicate the tape program, the
type of tape stored therein, and the like to enable the buyer to
readily determine which tape cassette to purchase. In the embodi-
ment shown in Fig. 1, the first color pattern 2 includes four
parallel and vertical color stripes arranged in an abutting relation
and having a first violet color stripe 2a, a red color stripe 2b,
an orange color stripe 2c and a yellow rolor strip~ ~d.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown an envelope or _
blank for a thin, transparent sheet 3, preferably of a plastic or a regenerated cellulose
material such as Cellophane ~ which is bo be wraPped about container 1.
The dashed lines 6 in Fig. 2 represent the fold lines of the blank
for wrapping the la~ter about container 1. As shown in Fig. ~,
transparent sheet 3 has a striped color pattern which is substantially
transparent and is formed as a striped pattern in the horizontal
or ~ransverse direction when sheet 3 is wrapped about container ~.
In particular, color pattern 4 is formed by four parallel and
horizontal color stripes arranged in an abutting relation and having
a first yellow color stripe 4a, an orange color stripe 4b, a red
color stripe 4c and a ~iolet color stripe 4d.
To assemble the display package according ~o this inven-
tion, transparent sheet 3 is wrapped about container 1 and the un-
attached edge portions of the sheet are heated, whereby the heated
portions partially melt to completely enclosP or surround container
1 and tape cassette 5 therein. I~ should be appreciated that the
heating operation resul~s in the shrinkage of transparent sheet 3
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so that the latter forms a close and tight contact with container 1.
The overlaying of the second color pattern 4 of transparent sheet 3
onto the first color pattern 2 of container 1, whereby the stripes
of each color pattern cross each other, results in a third color
pattern which, as shown in Fig. 3, is formed in a checkerboard-like
arrangement.
It is therefore possible to obtain 24 different colored
sections or boxes for the display package, although many other
arrangements are possible with the present invention. It should
be appreciated, however, that color patterns other than the above-
described striped patterns, can be utilized with this invention.
For example, it may be desirable to use a circular color pattern.
A1SOJ as previously discussed, the color pattern printed on container
1 may contain information, concerning the tape program, the tape
length, and the like. As shown in Fig. 3, color pattern 4 does not
completely overlap color pattern 2, ~hat is, a small portion at the
up~er end of color pattern 2 remains exposed. This, of course,
may be used to designate such information about the tape length,
tape program and the like. It should also be appreciated that the
formed checkerboard-like color pattern may also be used to designate
such information. In any event, the checkerboard-like pattern
can easily be modified merely by wrapping container 1 with a sheet
3 having a different color pattern.
Having descrihed a specific preferred embodiment of the
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodi-
ment, and tha~ various changes and modifications may be effected
therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit
or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
