Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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CARD BASED SECURE PRODUCT PACKAGING SYSTEM
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a multilayered, card based secure product
packaging system having an intermediate layer with front and back sides coated
with an adhesive and a polyvinyl chloride-based plate attached to the front
and
back sides of the intermediate layer.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
Various secure packaging systems exist wherein an article or articles
within the packaging may be displayed for sale without the packaging being
compromised. The conventional secure packaging systems are intended to
prevent unauthorized access to the article contained in the packaging while
permitting the packaging to be easily opened by adults without undue
difficulty.
Such conventional security packaging systems often provide the article against
a
backing board with a clear plastic cover provided over the article and backing
board so that the article is clearly visible and presented to consumers in
that
manner. Unfortunately, the plastic of such packages leaves sharp edges when
the plastic is torn by the consumer in an attempt to access the article
provided
therein. Obviously, sharp plastic edges pose a safety hazard to the consumer
and are extremely dangerous to children.
For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0014431 to Logan et al.
discloses a package having a semi-rigid transparent plastic blister 4 adhered
to a
first side of a support card 2 and a transparent plastic film 8 adhered to a
second
side of the card 2. The card 2 has a window 6 formed therein through which
product can be removed by peeling away the plastic film 8 in the vicinity of
the
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window 6, during which a thin surface layer of the card 2 tears away from the
remainder of the card thickness. While a thin surface of the card 2 adheres to
the plastic film 8 when the film 8 is torn away from the card 2, Logan et al.
do not
teach the concept of the blister 4 and/or the plastic film 8 "splitting" the
card 2 into
nearly equal parts when the package is opened, i.e., when the plastic film 8
is
torn away from the card.
In another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,915,231 to Perbet et al. disclose a
package 2 having a cardboard plate 4 along with an object 3 sealed between an
upper sheet 7 and a lower covering sheet 8, which is fastened to the upper
sheet
7 by a peripheral sealing 9. An upper face of the plate 4 is coated with a
synthetic material 6 onto which the upper sheet 7 is essentially shrink
wrapped.
The lower covering sheet 8 is then fastened to the upper sheet 7 by the
peripheral sealing 9. However, Perbet et al. do not appear to teach that the
upper and lower sheets 7 and 8 are able to be peeled away from the cardboard
plate 4 such that a part of the plate 4 adheres to the upper sheet 7 and a
nearly
equal part of the remaining portion of the plate 4 adheres to the lower sheet
8.
In yet another example, U.S. Patent No. 5,307,934 to Hagner discloses a
package having an article 40 enclosed between an upper plastic foil 10 and a
bottom plastic foil 20. The bottom plastic foil 20 includes a plurality of
perforations 21 and a sheet 30 that is positioned between the upper and bottom
plastic foils 10 and 20, respectively. However, the foils 10 and 20 are not
adhered to the sheet 30. Accordingly, when the package is opened, the sheet 30
simply falls out.
Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 5,429,241 to Althaus discloses a package 1
having two plastic layers 6 and 6' that are sealed together at a connecting
edge 9
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with a cardboard insert 7 arranged therebetween. However, the plastic layers 6
and 6' do not appear to be adhered to the cardboard insert 7 such that when
the
package 1 is opened, the front portion of the cardboard insert 7 adheres to
the
plastic layer 6' and the back portion of the insert 7 adheres to the plastic
layer 6.
In another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,196,809 to Tonrey discloses a
package having a top vinyl layer 15 adhered to a bottom paper layer 17. The
top
and bottom layers 15 and 17 are peeled apart to access the contents of the
package. A paper sheet 29 may be positioned between the layers 15 and 17, but
the paper sheet 29 is not taught as being separated into different portions
upon
separating the layers 15 and 17.
Moreover, after researching other conventional methods of packaging
using polyvinyl chloride (hereinafter referred to simply as "pvc") plates and
backboard cards to package articles, the inventor has determined that
typically
the card and pvc plates are stuck together using their narrow surface area or
by
a stitching technique applied in areas that flow beyond the card.
In one exemplary conventional packaging system, a single pvc plate is
applied to the front or upper surface of the card. In this example, the pvc
plate
can be processed in a way such that the pvc plate is large enough to
accommodate the article to be packaged therein. The plate is then immediately
adhered to the card, thereby resulting in a rather aesthetically displeasing
packaging system. In an alternate exemplary conventional packaging system,
the inventor has noticed that the pvc plate is configured or shaped in such a
way
that the edges of the card are adhered to the pvc plate in small intervals.
The
pvc plate is shaped such that a short or relatively small gap remains between
the
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card and the pvc plate at several locations remote from the article, which
again
results in a rather aesthetically displeasing packaging system.
In yet another exemplary conventional packaging system, the pvc plate is
manufactured to have a slighlty larger surface area than the card, thereby
resulting in the pvc plate projecting beyond the outer periphery of the card.
The
projecting portion of the pvc plate is then used to connect or attach the pvc
plate
to the card by stitching. The resulting projecting portion of the pvc plate is
also
aesthetically undesirable and has been found to hinder the article from
remaining
in the packaging without moving since the article is not firmly retained
within the
packaging.
As such, there is clearly a need in the industry for a card-based secure
packaging system that reliably retains the article within the packaging in a
manner that will deter individuals from attempting to gain unauthorized access
to
the article, while being relatively easy for adults to open.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of this invention is to at least overcome the above-discussed
drawbacks of conventional card-based secure product packaging systems.
Another aspect of this invention is to provide a card-based secure product
packaging system having an intermediate layer, e.g., a card, coated with an
adhesive on the front and back surfaces. A pvc plate is attached to each
adhesive layer, wherein the outer peripheral dimensions of each pvc plate are
equal to the outer peripheral dimensions of the intermediate layer, e.g., the
card
and pvc plates do not project beyond the outer periphery of the other. A form
or
article receptacle is provided in the pvc plate forming the top cover of the
packaging system to retain the article therein. Preferably, the receptacle is
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formed from a transparent material so as to be visible to consumers. When the
packaging is opened, the intermeidate layer can be split into two
substantially
equal pieces, with a front face portion of the intermediate layer remaining
adhered to the top cover or top pvc plate while a rear face portion of the
intermediate layer remains adhered to the bottom cover or bottom pvc plate.
To assemble the package, the front and rear faces of the intermediate
layer are coated with a suitable adhesive material having a predetermined
thickness. A pvc plate is then adhered or otherwise attached to the adhesive
layer on the rear face of the intermediate layer. A pvc plate is then adhered
or
otherwise attached to the adhesive layer on the front face of the intermediate
layer. The front cover or front pvc plate has an aperture or space formed
therein
that is configured to permit an article to fit therein. Both adhesive layers
and the
intermediate layer also have a space formed therein that is configured to
permit
an article to fit therein. A form or product receptacle sized to retain an
article
therein is configured to fit within the space formed in the front cover, both
adhesive layers, and the intermediate layer. The rear cover or rear pvc plate
does not have an aperture formed therein.
In other words, when assembling the package, the article is securely
placed within the form or product receptacle. The receptacle is then
positioned
within the space or aperture defined in the front pvc plate. The front face of
the
intermediate layer is then coated with an adhesive material having a
predetermined thickness. The front pvc plate is then adhered or otherwise
attached to the front face of the intermediate layer. The rear face of the
intermediate layer is then coated with an adhesive material having a
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predetermined thickness. The rear pvc plate is then adhered or otherwise
attached to the rear face of the intermediate layer.
The packaging of this invention is intended to package all kinds and types
of articles, such as, for example but in no way intended to limit the use
thereof,
jewelry, accessories, precious metals or stones, toys, food stuffs,
pharmaceutical
items, perfumes, lights, and the like. In addition, the packaging is intended
to
permit the packaging of such products in a manner that emphasizes aesthetics
or
is otherwise visually pleasing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other aspects and features of this invention will be better understood from
the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging system according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the packaging system of Fig. 1 in an assembled
state;
Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a back face of the card;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the packaging system in a disassembled or opened
state;
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional top or front view of the assembled packaging
system taken along line D-D of Fig. 2;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional bottom or rear view of the assembled packaging
system taken along line B-B of Fig. 2;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging system according
to an alternate embodiment of the invention; and
Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the pvc plates.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Figure 1, which is an exploded perspective view of the
packaging system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
packaging system includes an intermediate layer 3, wherein front and back
faces
of the intermediate layer 3 are coated with adhesive layers 2 and 4,
respectively.
Preferably, the intermediate layer 3 is formed from a paper or cardboard-based
material.
However, it should be noted that it is within the scope of the present
invention for the intermediate layer 3 to be formed from any other suitable
material as long as the material is capable of being separated into first and
second pieces in a thickness or depth-wise direction. In other words, the
first
and second pieces will have substantially equal width and length dimensions,
i.e., approximately equal surface areas, while the first piece may have a
thickness that is greater than, equal to, or less than the thickness of the
second
piece.
For ease of understanding, the intermediate layer 3 will hereinafter be
described as card 3.
As noted above, the front 3a and back 3b surfaces of the card 3 are
coated with adhesive layers 2 and 4, respectively. Moreover, the card 3 may
also include an aperture or hole 3c formed therein which is described below.
As
illustrated in Figure 1, the adhesive layers 2 and 4 may be applied to coat
the
entire front 3a and back 3b surface areas of the card 3.
A front cover or front pvc plate I is affixed to the front adhesive layer 2,
wherein the outer peripheral dimensions 8 of the front pvc plate 2 and the
front
adhesive layer 2, i.e., width and length, are equal to each other as well as
the
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card 3. The front pvc plate 2 also includes a form or receptacle 6 extending
therefrom in a direction away from the card 3. Although the receptacle 6 is
illustrated as being a three-dimensional rectangle, it should be noted that it
is
within the scope of the invention for the receptacle 6 to have any known and
suitable geometric configuration that facilitates retention of an article (not
shown)
therein. It should also be noted that the receptacle 6 is preferably formed
from a
transparent material wherein the article being retained in the receptacle 6 is
visible to a consumer.
As illustrated in Figure 1, the aperture 3c defined in the card 3 has a width
and length that is substantially equal to the width and length of the
receptacle 6.
Additionally, it is within the scope of the invention for the aperture 3c to
have a
geometric configuration that corresponds to the geometric configuration of the
receptacle 6. The receptacle 6 is preferably shaped in a vacuum mold in
accordance with the measurements of the article to be retained therein.
A back cover or back pvc plate 5 is affixed to the back adhesive layer 4,
wherein the outer peripheral dimensions 8 of the back pvc plate 5 and the back
adhesive layer 4, i.e., width and length, are equal to each other as well as
the
card 3. Unlike the front pvc plate 2, the back pvc plate 5 does not include a
form
or receptacle 6, but rather is a single, blank sheet or plate without any
apertures,
projections, or other such disruptions in the continuity of the plate 5 to
provide
and facilitate stability of the packaging system. See Figure 1.
Figure 2 is a side view of the packaging system of Figure 1 in an
assembled state. It should be noted that, preferably, the front pvc plate 1,
card 3,
and back pvc plate 5 have substantially equal width and length dimensions,
while
the back pvc plate 5 has a thickness that is less than a thickness of the
front pvc
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plate 1. The front and back adhesive layers 2 and 4, respectively, are of a
predetermined thickness. As shown in Figure 3, the back face 3b of the card 3
includes a score line 7 that may be disposed anywhere thereon, but preferably
near a corner of the card to facilitate opening of the packaging system as
will be
described below.
To disassemble or open the packaging system, a consumer or user bends
the corner of the packaging about the score line 7 whereafter the front face
3a of
the card 3 cleanly and easily separates from the back face 3b of the card 3.
Thereafter, the consumer would peel the front pvc plate 1 away from the rear
pvc
plate 5 to separate the packaging into a first or front piece 3d and a second
or
back piece 3e, each piece having nearly equal thickness. See Figure 4.
Because the receptacle 6 does not have a back to prevent the article from
falling
out and the card 3 includes an aperture 3c corresponding to and aligned with
the
receptacle 6, the consumer is then able to access the article retained in the
receptacle 6.
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, product and/or manufacturer indicia 14-20
may be provided on the card 3. For example only, if the article retained in
the
receptacle 6 were gold or some other precious stone or item, indicia 17 could
provide information regarding the carat of the gold. Indicia 18 could provide
the
name of the company selling the article, e.g., Golda (TM), while indicia 19
could
provide and indicate a certificate of authenticity from the manufacturer
and/or
seller guaranteeing the quality and authenticity of the packaged article being
sold. In yet another example, indicia 10 could provide such information as
where
the gold or stone was mined; indicia 11 could be a barcode to help track the
package for inventory and sales data; and indicia 13 could be a security strip
to
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prevent the package from being stolen or shoplifted. It is also within the
scope of
the invention to.provide an indicia 14 that is a hologram to prevent knock-
offs or
other such counterfeit goods as well as to further authenticate the quality of
the
article being sold. An indicia 15 could also be provided having a
thermographic
impression of the article manufacturer.
An indicia 16 could also be provided indicating correspondence
information in case the consumer or seller wanted to contact the manufacturer
of
the article, while yet another indicia 20 could be provided wherein the
indicia 20
is a watermark provided thereon for security purposes.
Although the packaging system is illustrated in the exemplary preferred
embodiment of the drawing figures to be rectangular, it is within the scope of
the
invention for the packaging system to have any suitable geometric
configuration
that facilitates the retention of the article therein. As such, the packaging
system
may be triangular, circular, oval, pentagonal, trapezoidal, and the like, in
shape.
For example, Figure 7, is an exploded perspective view of the packaging system
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
In particular, the packaging system shown in Figure 7 includes a front pvc
plate 1, front adhesive layer 2, card 3, back adhesive layer 4, and back pvc
plate
5. The front pvc plate 1 includes a spherical or ovoid form 6' that retains
the
article therein. The form 6' also retains an article retention assembly, which
may
include, for example only, first, second, and third nesting subcomponents 22,
23,
and 24, respectively, that are supported in the form 6' by a pedestal 25. Of
course, it is within the scope of the invention to modify or otherwise alter
the
number and structural arrangement of the subcomponents which form the article
retention assembly according to the packaging needs and goals of the article.
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An exemplary explanation of the assembly process for the packaging
system will now be provided.
Initially, the front pvc plate 1, including the form 6 or 6', is vacuum molded
and trimmed to have dimensions 8 that are suitable for the article to be
packaged
therein. The article, which may be retained in the article retention assembly
first,
is then placed in the form 6 or 6' along with the article rentention assembly,
if
appropriate. Then, the card 3 is prepared with an aperture 3c that is
configured
to correspond to the packaging needs of the article therein as well as the
appropriate indicia 10-20. The card 3 is also trimmed to have dimensions 8
equal to the dimensions 8 of the front pvc plate 1. The front and back faces
3a
and 3b, respectively, of the card 3 are then coated with the adhesive layers 2
and
4, respectively. The front face 3a of the card is then affixed or adhered to
the
front pvc plate 1. Finally, the back pvc plate 5 is affixed or adhered to the
back
face 3b of the card 3 to complete the assembly order of the packaging system.
During the adhesion steps, that is, the step during which the card 3 is
affixed or adhered to the front pvc plate I and/or the step during which the
back
pvc plate 5 is affixed or adhered to the card 3, care should be taken with
regard
to temperature, pressure, and length of time the affixing or adhering pressure
is
applied so as to facilitate adhesion of the card 3 to the front pvc plate I as
well as
not to cause the back pvc plate 5 to deform. The appropriate adhesion
temperature and time requirements were determined, after repeated
experimentation, to be approximately in the range of 130 C to 140 C and 15
seconds to 30 seconds. It should also be noted that upon completion of the
adhesion steps, the assembled package is sent to a cooling station where the
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package is maintained on a flat surface to cool so the front and back pvc
plates 1
and 5 do not lose their shapes.
Preferably, the form 6 or 6' should have a thickness of approximately
0.5mm to 0.65mm. The card 3 should preferably have a thickness of
approximately 0.30mm to 0.40mm. As noted above, the back pvc plate 5 is
thinner relative to the front pvc plate 1 and preferably has a thickness of
approximately between 0.25mm to 0.35mm. It should be noted that the
dimensions provided herein are provided for exemplary purposes and that it is
within the scope of the invention and would readily be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art for the dimensions of the package to vary based on
the
characteristics of the article being retained therein.
Although jewelry was provided as the example for the type of article to be
retained in the package, it is within the scope of the present invention for
any
type of article to be retained therein. For example, precious stones, food
stuffs,
perfume, lights, pharmaceutical products, personal grooming items, compact
disks, electronic accessories, batteries, and the like, may be the article
retained
in the package.
It is also within the scope of the invention to imbed a tracking device, such
as either an active or passive identification chip, in the card 3 so as to
enable the
manufacturer or seller to maintain up-to-date inventory, location, and sales
information.
Moreover, it is also within the scope of the invention to modify the front
and back pvc plates 1' and 5' to be a single sheet with a score line A about
which
the plates I and 5 are folded before being adhered to the card 3. See Figure
8.
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Additionally, while the preferred embodiments have been described herein
as including a single form 6 or 6', it should be noted that it is within the
scope of
the invention to provide at least one form 6 or 6', i.e., one or more,
depending on
the packaging and marketing needs or goals. For example, although not
illustrated herein, it is envisioned that single or multiple forms 6 or 6' may
be
used to retain articles therein as well as other marketing logos or symbols,
such
as, for example only, the manufacturers logo, a cartoon character, a phrase,
trademark, and the like.
While there has been described what are at present considered to be
preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that
various
modifications may be made thereto, and it is intended that the appended claims
cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
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