Packaging system for including digital media disks with consumer products

Abstract

A packaging system for use in attaching digital media disks such as DVD disks to plastic containers of consumer products such as molded plastic beverage jugs. The packaging system enables the transfer and distribution of digital media disks to consumers as promotional items. In one form, the packaging system includes a shallow depression built into a wall of a container, a digital media disk positioned in the depression and a label extending across said disk for retaining said disk in place within the depression. Alternatively, the packaging system may include ridges, posts or tabs that are built into the container and used to secure or help secure the digital media disk in place either in a depression or in a partially enclosed cavity on the container formed by the ridges or tabs themselves.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to product packaging and to the packaging of promotional items for distribution with consumer products. [0002] Digital media disks provide an excellent vehicle for delivering audiovisual content to consumers and for promoting the sale of consumer products or providing advertising for the sale of consumer products. For example, DVD disks are often now included in cereal boxes as a way of promoting the sale of the cereal by providing interesting cinematic material on the media disks such as episodes of classic television shows. In such cases the DVD may be simply dropped in the cereal box or may be attached to the inside of the front of the cereal box where they are viewable through a small transparent window cut into the box. However, it is more difficult to include digital media disks with products in plastic containers such as jugs or jars of the type ordinarily used for holding beverages and the like. The digital med...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003] The present invention comprises a packaging system for attaching a digital media disk such as a DVD disk to a consumer product container such as a plastic beverage jug and for thereby promoting the sale of the product and distributing digital media disks to consumers as promotional items. In one embodiment, the packaging system includes a shallow depression built into a component such as a wall of the container, a digital media disk inserted into said depression and a label extending across said disk and component for retaining said disk in place in said depression. In other embodiments ridges, posts, or tabs are built into the component of the container and used to secure or help secure the digital media disk in place either within a depression or in a partially enclosed cavity formed by the ridges or tabs themselves. The digital media disk may be secured in a compact protective sleeve. The label covering the disk usually includes printed material and may include a window for viewing the disk. Packaging the digital media disk with the consumer product enables the digital media disk to be transferred to the consumer through the retail distribution chain as a promotional item either for promoting sale of the product or promoting other products of interest to consumers. After purchase of the product the consumer may conveniently remove the disk from the product and the disk and use a disk player to view or listen to the material recorded on the disk.

[0004] One exemplary embodiment comprises a shallow depression built into the wall of a beverage jug, a mini-DVD disk and a label extending across the disk and adhered to the wall for retaining the disk in place within the depression. Another exemplary embodiment includes a depression built into the wall of a beverage jug, a mini-DVD disk and a set of small tabs attached to the sidewall of the depression for engaging and holding the disk in place. Alternatively, a post positioned at the center of the depression may be used to engage the central aperture of the disk and thereby hold the disk in place. A paper or plastic label extending across the disk also may be used to further help retain the disk in place.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient packaging system for removably attaching a digital media disk such as a DVD to a product container such as a beverage jug or plastic food jar in a convenient and inexpensive manner as a promotional item.

[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a packaging system for removably attaching a digital media disk to a consumer product container so that it is firmly attached and will not become dislodged or damaged during product distribution and handling and yet is easily accessible for use and playback by the consumer.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a packaging system for removably attaching a digital media disk such as a DVD to a product container so that the digital media disk may be transferred to the consumer through the retail product chain associated with the product in order to thereby promote sales of the product or supply advertising promoting the sale of other products to retail consumers.

Problems solved by technology

However, it is more difficult to include digital media disks with products in plastic containers such as jugs or jars of the type ordinarily used for holding beverages and the like.

The digital media disks may be glued to the side or top of such containers but the disks then interfere with efficient product handling procedures and are subject to becoming dislodged or damaged as the product is transported, distributed and prepared for sale to the consumer.

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