Packaged article arrangement

• US 9,499,323 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Deberadinis, Robert
• Application Number:
  US14/154,233
• Publication Number:
  US 20140210280A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104, 307/149
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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:

a. an article comprising;

i. an article energy source;

ii. an article transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation in an active state wherein the article transmitter is coupled to the article energy source;

wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of a teeth cleaning device, a personal grooming device, a household device, a hair care device, and combinations thereof;

b. an outer package comprising an electronic circuit wherein the electronic circuit is energized by the article and wherein the electronic circuit comprises a package receiver unit and a display unit;

wherein the package receiver unit is adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the article transmitter and wherein the electronic circuit is arranged for using the received electromagnetic radiation as a sole or an additional power supply;

wherein the package at least partially envelopes the article.

2. The packaged article arrangement of claim 1 wherein the package further comprising a window and an opaque portion and wherein at least a portion of the article is visible through the window.

3. The packaged article arrange of claim 1 wherein the package completely envelopes the article.

4. The packaged article arrangement of claim 1 wherein the article is a teeth cleaning device and wherein the teeth cleaning device is an electric toothbrush.

5. The packaged article arrangement of claim 1 wherein the display unit is an LED.

6. The packaged article arrangement of claim 1 wherein the received electromagnetic radiation is the sole source power supply.

7. The packaged article arrangement of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a package energy storage unit and wherein the article energy source has substantially more energy than the package energy storage unit.

8. The packaged article arrangement of claim 1 wherein the electronic circuit comprises a printed electronic circuit.

9. The packaged article arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the article is arranged to activate the electronic circuit periodically.

10. 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.

11. 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.

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

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

14. A packaged article arrangement comprising:

a. an article comprising;

i. an article energy source;

ii. an article transmitter configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation in an active state wherein the article transmitter is coupled to the article energy source;

wherein the article is an electric toothbrush;

b. an outer package comprising

i. a window and an opaque portion and wherein at least a portion of the article is visible through the window;

ii. an electronic circuit wherein the electronic circuit is energized by the article and wherein the electronic circuit comprises a package receiver unit and a display unit;

wherein the package receiver unit is adapted to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the article transmitter and wherein the electronic circuit is arranged for using the received electromagnetic radiation as a sole power supply;

wherein the package completely envelopes the article.

15. The packaged article arrangement of claim 14 wherein the display unit is an LED.

16. The packaged article arrangement of claim 15 wherein LED flashes.

17. The packaged article arrangement of claim 14 wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a package energy storage unit and wherein the article energy source has substantially more energy than the package energy storage unit.