Customer customizable interactive packaging and method for using same

• US 6,945,397 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2003
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr Fresh LLC (HRB Winddown, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dr Fresh Incorporated
• Inventors: Brattesani, Steven J., Nanda, Puneet
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Mickey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Francis, Faye
• Application Number:
  US10/691,074
• Publication Number:
  US 20050087464A1
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 206/232, 206/459.5, 206/362.2, 206/362.3, 206/461, 206/471, 206/776, D 4/108, D 4/113, 132/308, 132/309, 132/310, 132/311, 403/12, 403/13
• US Class Current: 206/362.2
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/54 Cards, coupons, or other inserts or accessories opening devices B65D75/70

Abstract

A package contains a product and a card. The package includes a window which permits viewing of the card from outside the package. A seller can insert the seller'"'"'s card into the package through a slot in the package. The package can then be delivered to a recipient who can remove the seller'"'"'s card and replace it with the recipient'"'"'s own card. The product can then be delivered to a customer of the recipient.

Claims

1. In combination:

a package having a package cavity therein, the package having a plurality of package walls, at least some of which are transparent to show the contents within the package cavity;

a pouch integrally formed in the package and having a transparent window therein, the pouch having a slit therein for access to the pouch;

a first flat surface and a second flat surface both located opposite from and facing the transparent window;

a first card within the pouch overlaying the first and second flat surfaces in the transparent window, the first card having indicia thereon providing information of a person, the indicia being visible from outside the package through the transparent window;

the first card being removable from the slit of the pouch and a second card being capable of insertion into the pouch through the slit thereof, whereby the second card, when inserted into the pouch overlays the first and second flat surfaces and faces the transparent window;

a product within the package cavity.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the product is a toothbrush.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein the first and second flat surfaces are formed by first and second projections that are positioned on opposite sides of the product within the package cavity.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the product is located on the one side of the first card and limits the movement of the card toward the package cavity.

5. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the first and second flat surfaces of the first and second projections limit the movement of the first card toward the package cavity.

6. The combination according to claim 3 wherein the first card and the second card each have a card thickness, the first and second flat surfaces and the transparent window being spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the card thickness.

7. In combination:

a package having a package cavity therein, the package having a plurality of package walls, at least some of which are transparent to show the contents within the package cavity;

a product within the package cavity;

a pouch slot in one of the package walls sized to receive a card therein, the one package wall having a transparent window therein, the transparent window having an interior window surface facing toward the package cavity and an exterior window surface facing away from the package cavity;

a card having one card surface and an opposite card surface, the one card surface containing indicia thereon providing information of a person, the one card surface facing toward the interior window surface so that the indicia thereon are visible from outside the package through the transparent window;

the card having a thickness, and the package having a first flat surface and a second flat surface spaced a first distance from the interior window surface, the first distance being approximately the same, but slightly larger than the thickness of the card;

the card being movable through the pouch slot from an inserted position wherein the card is overlays the first and second flat surfaces and the transparent window being on and facing the one card surface and the first and second flat surfaces being on and facing the opposite card surface, to a removed position wherein the card is completely outside the package.

8. The combination according to claim 7 wherein the package includes a back wall the first and second flat surfaces being on first and second projections respectively that extend from the back wall toward the window.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein the first and second projections form side walls to the package cavity, the product being between the first and second projections and being on the one side of the card.

10. In combination:

a package having a package cavity therein, the package having a plurality of package walls, at least some of the package walls being transparent to show the contents within the package cavity;

a tooth brush within the package cavity, the tooth brush having a bristle, a shank, and a base;

the package walls comprising a bristle portion, a shank portion, and a base portion shaped to conform to the bristle, shank, and base of the toothbrush;

a pouch slot in one of the package walls sized to receive a business card therein, the one package wall having a transparent window therein, the transparent window having an interior window surface facing toward the package cavity and an exterior window surface facing away from the package cavity;

a business card having a first card surface containing indicia thereon providing contact information of a person, the first card surface facing toward the interior window surface so that the indicia thereon are visible from outside the package through the transparent window;

the business card having a thickness, and the package having a first flat surface spaced a first distance from the interior window surface, the first distance being approximately the same, but slightly larger than the thickness of the business card;

the business card being movable through the pouch slot from an inserted position wherein the business card is between the first flat surface of the package and the interior window surface to a removed position wherein the business card is completely outside the package.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein the first flat surface of the package and the toothbrush both engage a second flat surface of the business card opposite from the first flat surface of the business card.