Special receptacle or package – With indicator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-06
2001-10-09
Luong, Shian (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
With indicator
C206S457000, C340S540000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298990
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container for promotional sale of a product and, more particularly, to a container for a product wherein a sound chip is activated by exposure to light when the container is opened and a method for the manufacture thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known to utilize various types of promotional devices to increase sales of packaged foods. One of the more common ways of promoting a product is to indicate on the exterior of the product container that a prize is included inside the container.
Another type of promotional device is the use of game pieces or other objects which may be attached to the side of the container. Brauner et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,886, for example, discloses inserting a separately formed tray into the side wall of a container. A promotional device is positioned in the tray which is then sealed by a label. Still another way of promoting a product is with a container having a light-activated sound chip. Howes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,567, for example, discloses a prize holding container assembly with an audible and/or visual prize related message delivery system contained within the container. In the Howes device, the message delivery system is placed within the contents of the container such that the message is not delivered until the consumer actually locates the message delivery system. Alternatively, Howes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,099,232, discloses mounting the message delivery system on the interior wall of the container. A drawback of this embodiment is that the container requires significant modification in order to mount the message delivery system. Similarly, Slagle et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,242, discloses a light-activated, sound-providing device which is secured to the interior of a container. Mounting of such a device is fairly complex.
However, retooling to create a new package configuration or even for modification of a conventional package can be costly. In this regard, it is desirable that the promotional device be one which requires a minimal amount of changes in the process of manufacturing the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, it is a purpose of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and thereby provide an improved container for promotional sale of a product and an improved method for the manufacture thereof.
This purpose of the present invention is achieved by providing a light activated sound assembly which is mounted on the interior of the container, through an opening in the side of the container, which opening is subsequently closed. The sound assembly is thereby positioned such that light activates the sound chip upon opening of the container.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container for promotional sale of a product includes a sound assembly comprising a mounting member having an inner surface and an outer surface and a sound chip mounted on the inner surface of the mounting member. The container is modified by forming an opening in a wall. The opening has dimensions such that the mounting member is capable of completely covering the opening and the sound chip is insertable through the opening when mounted on the mounting member. The sound assembly is mounted on the container such that the sound chip is positioned in the interior of the container and the inner surface of the mounting member is adjacent to the exterior surface of the container. The mounting member is secured to the exterior surface.
In accordance with a preferred method of manufacturing a container for use in promotional sale of a product, a sound chip is mounted on a mounting member and an opening is created in a wall of either a blank used to form a container or in the assembled container itself. The opening has dimensions such that the mounting member is capable of completely covering the opening and a sound chip, mounted on the mounting member, is insertable through the opening such that it extends inwardly from the interior surface of the blank or package. The mounting member is then secured to the exterior surface of the blank or container such that the opening is completely covered.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container for promotional sale of a product which utilizes a conventional container requiring only a minor modification thereto.
It is another object of the invention to provide a container for promotional sale of a product and a method of manufacture therefor wherein a conventional container is modified by mounting a sound chip through an opening in a side wall thereof.
These and further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description to follow.
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Amrod Barbara J.
Bardwell John A.
Below Dexter R.
Gibb Jeffrey S.
Seamon Susan M.
Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
Luong Shian
Marcoux Thomas A.
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