Special receptacle or package – Article in tongue or fold aperture
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-02
2001-05-29
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Article in tongue or fold aperture
C206S486000, C206S493000, C053S473000, C446S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237773
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward a display card for a toy and more particularly, toward a display card which allows a customer to play with the toy while the toy is retained within the card.
It is not uncommon in the retail business and particularly, in the toy industry, to display products in such a manner as to allow the consumer to operate the product prior to purchase and while it remains in its package. The purpose of this type of packaging is to enable the consumer to try the product without compromising the integrity of the packaging protection of the product. Furthermore, the packaging must also be secure so as to ensure that the product cannot be removed from the packaging until after the product has been purchased.
Various types of packaging which serve the purposes described above have been disclosed in prior patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,252 to Amit et al. discloses a device for effecting relative motion of movable components of a product within a closed sales display package. This packaging, however, does not allow the consumer to access the product in order to fully appreciate the product and how it functions.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,138 to Klawiter discloses packaging for a toy. The packaging includes a box with a slot which allows a consumer to operate the toy without having to remove the toy from the packaging. This packaging, however, is rather constricting and does not allow the consumer to play with the product.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,097 to Herstein discloses packaging for a toy which includes a box with an open front through which the toy is displayed and through which the toy may be examined by a consumer. The packaging, however, prevents a consumer from playing with the toy in the proper manner in order to try it out before the toy has been purchased. That is, the toy cannot properly be used without destroying the packaging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a display card for a toy which allows a customer to play with the toy while it is still in its package.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a display card for a toy where the display cards may be easily displayed and stored on a display rack in a store in a space efficient manner.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a display card with an opening and a toy which is held within the opening. The toy may be transformed from a three-dimensional, generally polyhedral shape to a flattened shape. The toy has a shell, a top center, and a bottom center. Extending between the centers are a number of contoured regions. In its flattened condition the contoured regions form fingers which are connected to the centers via living hinges. The toy may hold its flattened shape for a predetermined period of time. When the time period has expired, the toy regains its polyhedral shape. The opening in the card is generally rectangular. The height of the opening is at least as long as the height of the toy in its polyhedral shape and is as wide as the centers of the toy. In order to place the toy on the display card, the toy is flattened. The toy is then turned on its side and several of the fingers are inserted through the opening. The toy is then turned so that all of the fingers lie in a horizontal plane. The flattened toy can be slid to the bottom of the opening. The toy may regain its three-dimensional shape so that it fits within the opening and will not fall out. The toy may now be manipulated and played with by the consumer while maintaining it within the display card. That is, the toy may be pressed down into its flattened condition. After the predetermined time period has elapsed, the toy will regain its three-dimensional shape.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2663419 (1953-12-01), Bolding et al.
patent: 3298516 (1967-01-01), Leopold
patent: 3576253 (1971-04-01), Keats et al.
patent: 3847276 (1974-11-01), Lehner et al.
patent: 4595097 (1986-06-01), Herstein
patent: 4880117 (1989-11-01), Garganese
patent: 4955841 (1990-09-01), Pastrano
patent: 5020660 (1991-06-01), Akerley et al.
patent: 5152397 (1992-10-01), Mayled
patent: 5411138 (1995-05-01), Klawiter
patent: 5494252 (1996-02-01), Amit et al.
patent: 5593041 (1997-01-01), Capozzi
patent: 5711421 (1998-01-01), Guo
patent: 5797815 (1998-08-01), Goldman et al.
patent: 5919074 (1999-07-01), Honda
Bui Luan K.
Goldman Toy Group, Inc.
Lehrer Norman E.
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