Packaged Article Arrangement

• US 20140210280A1
• Filed: 01/14/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Braun GmbH (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Original Assignee: Braun GmbH (The Procter & Gamble Company)
• Inventors: Simeth, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 9,499,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/149
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/12 Audible, olfactory or visual signalling means B65D51/248, B65D55/028, B65D79/02 and B65D81/24 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/02 Arrangements or devices for indicating incorrect storage or transport B65D79/005 takes precedence ; measuring devices G01
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 85/68 for machines, engines or vehicles in assembled or dismantled form
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings

Abstract

A packaged article arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement includes an article including an article energy source and an article transmitter unit for transmitting electromagnetic radiation; and a package that at least partly envelopes the article. The package includes an electronic circuit that includes a package receiver unit arranged for receiving the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the article transmitter unit, the electronic circuit being arranged for using the received electromagnetic radiation as sole or additional power supply.

Claims

1. A packaged article arrangement, comprising:

an article including an article energy source and an article transmitter unit for transmitting electromagnetic radiation; and

a package that at least partly envelopes the article;

wherein the package includes an electronic circuit having a package receiver unit arranged for receiving the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the article transmitter unit, the electronic circuit being arranged for using the received electromagnetic radiation as sole or additional power supply.

2. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit includes an energy storage unit.

3. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the package includes a package transmitter unit and the article includes an article data storage unit and an article receiver unit arranged for receiving signals from the package transmitter unit.

4. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the article has a packaged operation mode in which the article is arranged for providing the electromagnetic radiation via the article transmitter unit.

5. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the article is arranged to activate the electronic circuit periodically when it is in the packaged operation mode.

6. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the article has a sleep mode in which the article is arranged to stay until the article receives a wake-up signal.

7. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the article has a shelf mode in which the article is arranged to provide a visual, audible and/or tactile signal via the electronic circuit.

8. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a control unit arranged for controlling the electronic circuit.

9. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is at least partly realized as a printed circuit.

10. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a user interaction interface.

11. The packaged article arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a display unit.

12. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit comprises a sensor unit.

13. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a teeth cleaning device, a personal grooming device, a household device, and a hair care device.

14. A method of supplying energy to an electronic circuit comprising the steps of:

providing a package having an electronic circuit that includes a package receiver unit;

providing an article having an energy source and an article transmitter unit, which article is at least partially housed by the package in the packaged state;

packaging the article in the package;

transmitting electromagnetic radiation by activating the article transmitter unit;

receiving the transmitted electromagnetic radiation by the package receiver unit; and

using the received electromagnetic radiation to solely or additionally power the electronic circuit.