(19) World Intellectual Property Organization International

(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
International Bureau
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(10) International Publication Number
(43) International Publication Date
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(74) Agent:
(51) International Patent Classification:
B65D 75/30 (2006.01)
B65B 11/50 (2006.01)
B65D 75/28 (2006.01)
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WORKMAN, J. Parks; P.O. Box
1449,
Greenville, South Carolina 29602 (US).
(21) International Application Number:
PCT/US2008/088104
(81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated,for every
kind of nationalprotection available): AE, AG, AL, AM,
AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA,
CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE,
(22) International Filing Date:
23 December 2008 (23.12.2008)
(25) Filing Language:
English
(26) Publication Language:
English
(30) Priority Data:
61/009,191
27 December 2007 (27.12.2007)
US
(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): POPPACK LLC [US/US]; 301 Junipero Serra Blvd., Suite 220,
San Francisco, California 941272614 (US).
Inventor; and
Inventor/Applicant (for US only): PERELL, William S.
[US/US]; 301 Junipero Serra Blvd., Suite 220, San Francisco, California 94127 (US).
EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID,
IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK,
LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW,
MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT,
RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TJ,
TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM,
ZW.
(84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated,for every
kind of regionalprotection available): ARIPO (BW, GH,
GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM,
ZW), Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM),
European (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI,
FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MT, NL,
NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG,
CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
Published:
with internationalsearch report
(54) Title: SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A POPPABLE BUBBLE
FIG.2
(57) Abstract: A system and method for providing a poppable bubble to a consumer at a retail outlet is disclosed. The system
includes a supply of opposing laminae, an inflation device adapted to generate a poppable bubble from the opposing laminae, and
a start button operatively connected to the inflation device. The inflation device dispenses a poppable bubble to a consumer at a
location adjacent to a product having a breachable bubbles access structure when the consumer engages the start button. The method
include providing a supply of opposing laminae; forming a poppable bubble between the opposing laminae; and dispensing the
poppable bubble to a consumer at a location adjacent to a product having a breachable bubble access structure.
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SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A POPPABLE BUBBLE
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001]
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/009191, filed December 27, 2007, which is incorporated herein by
reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002]
Currently, many different types of products are packaged in containers that are
made, for instance, from one or more layers of polymer film. These containers are used in a
wide variety of applications including the storage of consumer products such as personal care
products, food products, beverages, pharmaceutical products, etc. These containers may be
less expensive than many aluminum cans and bottles. These containers are also easy to
package and ship.
[00031
Unfortunately, many of the above described containers produced in the past have
been somewhat difficult to open. These types of containers may be especially difficult to
open for young children, the elderly, or those that suffer from hand ailments, such as arthritis.
[00041
U.S. Patent No. 6,726,364 issued on April 27, 2008 to the present inventor
discloses an easily opened storage package that includes a breachable bubble for gaining
access to the storage package. As pressure is applied to the bubble, the bubble expands
separating the opposing film material that form the access structure to create opposed peel
flaps along a perimeter breach. The flaps are peeled back by the user to open the container
and present a product. The subject matter of U.S. Patent No. 6,726,364 is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety into this disclosure.
[00051
The presence of storage packages containing breachable bubbles in retail outlets
may pose several challenges. For example, children or other consumers may find it
entertaining to "pop" the bubbles on the storage packages and prematurely breach the seal of
the storage packages before they are purchased by the consumer. In addition, a consumer
PCT/US2008/088104
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may not initially know how to properly apply pressure to a breachable bubble on a storage
package and may not be able to open the storage package.
[00061
Thus, a need exists for a method and system for providing a generous supply of
poppable bubbles to consumers at a retail outlet. The generous supply of poppable bubbles
may serve as a decoy, directing energetic children and other consumers away from the
breachable bubble on the regular product. Moreover, consumers may amuse themselves by
popping the generous supply of bubbles while they develop and practice their bubble popping
technique for use later on a regular bubble accessed product.
SUMMARY
[0007]
One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system for
dispensing poppable bubbles to consumers in a retail outlet. The system includes a supply of
opposing laminae. As used herein, the term "laminae" includes any laminate material or film
used to create a poppable bubble. The laminae can be multi-layered or single layered and
may be composed of many different composites of materials or composed of a single
material. The laminae may also be flexible, rigid or semi-rigid. The system also includes an
inflation device adapted to generate a poppable bubble from the opposing laminae and a start
button operatively connected to the inflation device. The inflation device dispenses a
poppable bubble to a consumer at a location adjacent to a product having a breachable bubble
access structure when the consumer engages the start button.
[0008]
In a variation of this exemplary embodiment, the poppable bubble may be a
breachable bubble expandable under pressure. The expansion separates the opposing laminae
until the breachable bubble creates a breach through the breachable bubble. In another
variation of this embodiment, the breachable bubble may be a rupture type bubble that bursts
like a balloon when squeezed. The poppable bubble may also have an article in the poppable
bubble. The article is made available to the consumer when the consumer breaches the
poppable bubble. The article may be a token, small prize or toy, coupon, promotional
material or any other thing made available to a consumer when the consumer breaches the
poppable bubble. For instance, the article may be text or other matter printed directly onto
the laminae material that forms the poppable bubble.
[00091
In still another variation of this exemplary embodiment, the inflation device
includes a heater for heating the opposing laminae to render the laminae more flexible. The
inflation device may also include a vacuum pull mold to form the poppable bubble. The
PCT/US2008/088104
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vacuum pull mold may include a single concave surface to form a half poppable bubble or
two concave surfaces to form a full poppable bubble. The air pressure inside the vacuum pull
mold may be reduced as the laminae are pulled into the vacuum pull mold. Ambient air may
fill the poppable bubble as the opposing laminae are pulled into the vacuum pull mold. The
inflation device may also include a sealing device for pressing the peripheral edge of one of
the opposing laminae into sealing engagement with the peripheral edge of the other opposing
laminae to form a sealed poppable bubble.
[00101
Another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for
dispensing poppable bubbles to consumers in a retail outlet. The method includes providing
a supply of opposing laminae including a cover laminae and a base laminae; forming a
poppable bubble between the opposing laminae; and dispensing the poppable bubble to a
consumer at a location adjacent to a product having a breachable bubble access structure.
[00111
A further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a method
for dispensing a generous supply of poppable bubbles to a consumer. The method includes
providing a product comprising a breachable bubble access structure; providing a dispenser
for providing a supply of poppable bubbles to a consumer, the dispenser located adjacent to
the product comprising a breachable bubble access structure and operatively connected to a
start button; and dispensing the supply of poppable bubbles to a consumer at a location
adjacent to the product comprising a breachable bubble access structure when the consumer
engages the start button.
[0012]
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve
to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013]
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode
thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which
makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0014]
Figure 1 provides a top view of an exemplary product having an exemplary
breachable bubble access structure;
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[0015]
PCT/US2008/088104
Figure 2 provides a perspective view of a dispenser for providing a supply of
poppable bubbles according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
10016]
Figure 3 provides a block diagram of a system for dispensing poppable bubbles to
a consumer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[00171
Figure 4 provides a flow diagram of the exemplary steps for performing a method
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018]
Figure 5a provides a side view of half poppable bubbles made in accordance with
an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[00191
Figure 5b provides a side view of full bubbles made in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100201
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or
more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of
explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present
invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to
yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such
modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[00211
In general, the present disclosure provides a system and method for dispensing
poppable bubbles to consumers in a retail outlet. The retail outlet has a product that includes
a breachable bubble access structure. As used herein, a breachable bubble access structure is
any access structure that utilizes a bubble to facilitate access to contents contained within an
interior of storage package.
[00221
Figure 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a product 10 that includes a
breachable bubble access structure 12. As illustrated, the product 10 defines an interior 14
for storing various different items. For instance, the interior 14 may be configured to hold
food items, beverages, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, medicines, general
merchandise and the like. The breachable bubble access structure 12 provides access to the
contents located in the interior 14 of the storage container 10.
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[00231
PCT/US2008/088104
The breachable bubble access structure 12 utilizes breachable bubble 16 to
facilitate access to contents stored within the interior 14 of the product 10. The breachable
bubble 16 is formed between the opposing laminae and is expandable under applied pressure
towards the edge 18 of the access structure 12. As pressure is applied to the bubble, the
bubble expands separating the opposing laminae to create opposed peel flaps along a
perimeter breach. The flaps are peeled back by the user to open the container and present a
product.
[0024]
U.S. Patent No. 6,726,364 issued on April 27, 2008 to the present inventor
provides an exemplary product having a breachable bubble access structure and is
incorporated herein by reference. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this
exemplary breachable bubble access structure. The present disclosure is intended to include
any access structure that utilizes a bubble to provide access to the interior of a product. For
example, the product could be a flexible container that includes a breachable bubble access
structure or a rigid container that includes a breachable bubble access structure.
[00251
Products having breachable bubbles in retail outlets may pose several challenges.
For example, children or other consumers may find it entertaining to "pop" the bubbles on the
storage packages and prematurely breach the seal of the storage packages before they are
purchased by the consumer. In addition, a consumer may not initially know how to properly
apply pressure to a breachable bubble on a storage package and may not be able to open the
storage package.
100261
In general, the present disclosure provides a system for dispensing a poppable
bubble to a consumer in a retail outlet. The system includes a supply of opposing laminae, an
inflation device adapted to generate a poppable bubble from the opposing laminae, and a start
button operatively connected to the inflation device. The inflation device dispenses a
poppable bubble to a consumer at a location adjacent to a product having a breachable bubble
access structure when the consumer engages the start button. The above system provides a
generous supply of poppable bubbles to consumers. These poppable bubbles may serve as a
decoy, directing energetic children and other consumers away from the breachable bubble on
the regular product. In addition, consumers may amuse themselves by popping the generous
supply of bubbles while they develop and practice their bubble popping technique for use
later on a regular bubble accessed product.
[00271
Figure 2, for instance, depicts an exemplary embodiment of a dispenser 20 for
providing a supply sheet 22 of poppable bubbles 24 in a retail outlet. The supply sheet 22 of
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poppable bubbles is formed from opposing sheets of laminae. Figures 5a and 5b depict side
views of a supply sheet 22 of poppable bubbles 24 formed between opposing sheets of
laminae 26 and 28. The laminae 26 is referred to as the cover laminae. The laminae 28 is
referred to as the base laminae. Typical thickness for the cover laminae 26 is from about 1.25
mils to about 1.50 mils. Typical thickness for the base laminae is from about 2.00 mils to
about 3.00 mils.
[0028]
The laminae 26, 28 can be made from any suitable material. For example, in one
embodiment, the laminae 26, 28 can be made from flexible materials such as polymer films.
Polymers that may be used to form the laminae 26, 28 include, for instance, polyesters,
polyamides, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene,
mixtures thereof, copolymers and terpolymers thereof, and the like. When formed from a
polymer film, for instance, in one embodiment, the film may be made from multiple polymer
layers. The polymer film, for instance, may include a core layer laminated to other functional
layers, such as heat sealing layers, oxygen barrier layers, and the like. In one embodiment,
for instance, the polymer film may include a metalized layer for providing oxygen barrier
properties.
[00291
The supply sheet 22 of poppable bubbles 24 provides a generous supply of
poppable bubbles to consumers. The poppable bubbles 24 may be breachable bubbles or
rupture type bubbles. A breachable bubble is expandable under applied pressure. The
expansion of the breachable bubble separates the opposing laminae until the breachable
bubbles creates a breach through the breachable bubble. A rupture type bubble bursts like a
balloon when pressure is applied by a consumer. More particularly, the bubble material is
"thinned" due to the expansion caused by applied pressure until bubble failure.
[00301
In addition, the poppable bubbles 24 may be half poppable bubbles or full
poppable bubbles. Figure 5a depicts a supply sheet 22 of half poppable bubbles 24. Figure
5b depicts a supply sheet 22 of full poppable bubbles 24. The poppable bubbles 24 can have
any suitable shape. For example, in one embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the poppable
bubbles 24 may have an elliptical shape. In other embodiments, however, the poppable
bubbles 24 can have a circular shape, a triangular shape, a heart-like shape, a rectangular
shape, or any other suitable shape.
[0031]
As illustrated in Figure 2, a poppable bubble 24 may also include an article 25
located within the poppable bubble 24. The article 25 is presented to the consumer when the
consumer breaches the poppable bubble 24. The article may be a token, small prize, toy,
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promotional material, or any other article that is presented to the consumer. For instance, the
article may be promotional material for the product having the breachable access structure.
The article may include information or other the like printed directly on the poppable bubble.
For instance, the article may include promotional material, a game, or a coupon that is printed
directly onto the laminae material. Using the teachings disclosed herein, those of ordinary
skill in the art should recognize that a wide variety of articles may be used with the present
disclosure without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
[0032]
Referring now to Figure 3, a block diagram of a system 40 for dispensing a
poppable bubble to a consumer 44 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure is illustrated. The system includes a supply 46 of opposing laminae, an inflation
device 20 adapted to generate a poppable bubble from the opposing laminae, and a start
button 42 operatively connected to the inflation device 20. The inflation device 20 dispenses
a poppable bubble to a consumer 44 at a location adjacent to a product having a breachable
bubble access structure when the consumer 44 engages the start button 42.
[00331
The supply 46 of opposing laminae may be a part of the inflation device 20 as
illustrated in Figure 3 or separate from the inflation device 20. The supply 46 of opposing
laminae may include cover laminae 26 and base laminae 28. As set forth above, the cover
laminae 26 and the base laminae 28 may be formed from any suitable materials, including
polymer materials. The laminae 26, 28 may be supplied as two adjacent but unattached strips
or alternatively, the laminae 26, 28 may be held together by pressed registration along an
edge. Preferably, the supply 46 of opposing laminae does not include poppable bubbles.
This allows a lower shipping volume for the laminae and requires fewer reloads by a stock
person during use.
[0034]
In certain embodiments, the supply 46 of opposing laminae may be located on a
feed roll. The feed roll may include a single feed roll or a dual feed roll. In a single feed roll,
the opposing laminae are packaged on a single roll overlaying one another. In a dual feed
roll, the cover laminae comes off of one feed roll and the base laminae comes off a second
feed roll. The present disclosure, however, is not limited to any particular manner in which
the supply of opposing laminae is provided to the inflation device 20. Using the teachings
disclosed herein, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that any manner of
supplying opposing laminae to the inflation device 20 falls within the scope and spirit of
present disclosure.
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[00351
PCT/US2008/088104
The inflation device 20 is adapted to dispense a poppable bubble when the
consumer 44 engages a start button 42. The start button 42 may be part of the inflation
device 20 or may be located remotely from the inflation device 42. For example, the start
button 42 may be placed high up on the display shelves for parental use only. Alternatively,
the start button 42 may be located down low and accessible to children.
[0036]
The start button 42 may be any device that sends a signal to the inflation device
that directs the inflation device to dispense a poppable bubble to a consumer 42. For
instance, the start button 42 may be a mechanical switch that, when pressed by a consumer
44, sends an electrical signal to the inflation device 20 directing the inflation device 20 to
dispense a poppable bubble to the consumer 44. Alternatively, the start button 42 could be a
sensor that detects a specified gesture of a consumer 44. For instance, the start button 42
could detect a hand motion by a consumer 44 and then direct the inflation device 20 to
dispense a poppable bubble to the consumer 44.
[0037]
The start button 42 is operatively connected to the inflation device 20 through any
means of communication. For instance, the start button 42 may be hard wired to the inflation
device 20. Alternatively, the start button 42 may relay communicated data over one or more
communications networks. It should be appreciated that network communications can
comprise sending and/or receiving information over one or more networks of various forms.
For example, a network can comprise a dial-in network, a local area network (LAN), wide
area network (WAN), public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, intranet or
other type(s) of networks. A network may comprise any number and/or combination of hardwired, wireless, or other communication links. In any event, the start button 42 should have a
low operating voltage to ensure the safety of consumer 44 engaging the start button 42.
[00381
Activation of the start button 42 may provide a single poppable bubble or a
predetermined number of poppable bubbles. For instance, the inflation device 20 may
include a processor that is programmed to dispense five poppable bubbles, four poppable
bubbles, three poppable bubbles, or any other number of poppable bubbles when the inflation
device receives a signal from the start button 42. Alternatively, the inflation device 20 may
be programmed to dispense poppable bubbles continuously until the consumer 44 releases the
start button 44.
[0039]
The inflation device 20 can have an internal heat source or heater 48. The heat
source 48 heats the opposing laminae 26, 28 to render the laminae material more flexible and
to lower the tensile strength of the laminae material to permit stretching. The heating also
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swells the surface area of the laminae material which is helpful in forming the poppable
bubbles as discussed below. The heat source may be any suitable heat generating element.
Radiation sources, such as infrared and laser sources, are preferred for efficiency and for
safety considerations. The heat source may be configured to heat just the cover laminae 26 or
both the cover laminae 26 and the base laminae 28.
[0040]
In certain embodiments, the center region of the cover laminae 26 has higher
heating requirements than the base laminae 28. To address this concern, a dark heat
absorbing pigment may be applied to the center region of the cover laminae 26 to enhance the
heat absorbed by the center region of the cover laminae 26. Similarly, a light heat reflective
pigment may be applied to the periphery of the cover laminae 26 to diminish the heat
absorbed by the periphery of the cover laminae 26. These light or dark patterns may be
printed, painted, or otherwise applied to the laminae material before or after the materials are
supplied to the inflation device.
[0041]
The inflation device 20 may also include vacuum pull mold 50 for forming the
poppable bubbles from the opposed laminae. In one embodiment, heated cover laminae 26 is
presented to a vacuum pull mold 50 having a single concave surface. The mold forms the
poppable bubble by reducing the air pressure inside the mold 50 to create a vacuum to pull
the cover laminae 26 into the single concave surface of the mold 50. Ambient air fills the
expanding half-bubble as the pull proceeds. As discussed above, it is desirable to heat the
opposing laminae 26 and 28 prior to pulling the laminae into the mold 50. This facilitates the
swelling of the central region of the cover laminae 26 into the concave surface of the mold.
[0042]
As set forth above, the cover laminae 26 is thin and is more flexible and will
stretch into the single concave surface under a lower pull force from the vacuum. The thicker
base laminae 28 resists the vacuum pull. Accordingly, the base laminae 28 may remain flat
and not vacuum pulled into the concave surface. In this manner, the vacuum pull mold is
used to create the half poppable bubbles exemplified in Figure 5a.
[00431
In another embodiment, the mold may have two concave surfaces. A first
concave surface is used for pulling the cover laminae upwards. A second concave surface is
used for pulling the base material down. In this manner, the vacuum pull mold is used to
create the full poppable bubbles exemplified in Figure 5b.
[0044]
The inflation device 20 may also be adapted to insert an article into the poppable
bubble. For instance, the inflation device may include a device that drops an article into the
poppable bubble before the poppable bubble is sealed. In another embodiment, the vacuum
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pill mold may be adapted to pull the opposed laminae around the article. In still another
embodiment, the inflation device may laser print the article directly onto the laminae
material. For instance, the inflation device may print a printed article including promotional
material, a game or a coupon directly onto the base laminae material.
[0045]
In certain embodiments, the printed article becomes visible to the consumer only
when the consumer breaches the poppable bubble. In one embodiment, the printed article
may be printed with an ink that only becomes visible when exposed to oxygen. In another
embodiment, the printed article may be camouflaged until the consumer breaches the
poppable bubble.
[0046]
The inflation device 20 can also include a sealer 52. The sealer 52 is used to press
the peripheral edges of the cover laminae 26 into sealing engagement with the peripheral
edges of the base laminae 28 to create bubbles seals 27. In one exemplary embodiment, the
sealer device may comprise perimeter sealing bars. In this embodiment, a bubble seal 27 is
made by applying heat and pressure to form a thermal bond. The strength of the bubble seal
can be adjusted by varying the pressure of the seal bar, varying the temperature, or varying
the amount of time the seal bar is in contact with the opposing laminae.
[0047]
In other embodiments, the bubble seal 27 comprise a peel seal. Various different
methods and techniques are used to form peel seal portions. For example, in one
embodiment, the bubble seal 27 may include a first portion that is adhesively secured to a
second portion along the seal. The first portion may be coated with a pressure sensitive
adhesive. The adhesive may comprise, for instance, any suitable adhesive, such as an
acrylate. The second and opposing portion of the peel seal, on the other hand, may comprise
a film coated or laminated to a release layer. The release layer may comprise, for instance,
silicone.
[0048]
In an alternative embodiment, each opposing portion of the peel seal may include
a multi-layered film. The major layers of the film may comprise a supporting layer, a
pressure sensitive adhesive component, and a thin contact layer. In this embodiment, the two
portions of the peel seal can be brought together and attached. For instance, the thin contact
layer of one portion can be attached to the thin contact layer of the opposing portion using
heat and/or pressure. In still another embodiment, the bubble seal 27 can include a
combination of heat sealing and adhesive sealing.
[0049]
The inflation device 20 can also include a severing tool 54. The severing tool is
used to separate a poppable bubble from the laminae strip in order to release the poppable
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bubble to a consumer. The severing may be along a perforation row pressed against a tear
bar. Alternatively, the severing may be performed by a laser cut, or shear by a cutting edge.
It should be understood that the severing tool can be any suitable mechanism for severing a
poppable bubble from the laminae strip.
[0050]
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for
dispensing poppable bubbles to consumers in a retail outlet. The method includes providing
a supply of opposing laminae, the opposing laminae comprising a cover laminae and a base
laminae; forming a poppable bubble between the opposing laminae; and dispensing the
poppable bubble to a consumer at a location adjacent to a product comprising a breachable
bubble access structure.
[0051]
Figure 4 depicts a flow chart of the exemplary steps associated with this method.
At block 30 the method includes the step of providing a supply of opposing laminae. The
opposing laminae may be supplied in accordance with any of the principles outlined above.
For instance, the opposing laminae may be supplied from a single feed roll or a dual feed roll.
The laminae can be supplied as two adjacent but unattached strips or alternatively, the
laminae 26, 28 may be held together by pressed registration along an edge.
[0052]
At block 32 the method includes forming a poppable bubble between the opposing
laminae. The poppable bubbles may be formed between the opposing laminae after the
opposing laminae are supplied as shown in Figure 4. in the alternative, the poppable bubbles
may be formed between the opposing laminae before the opposing laminae are supplied in
accordance with the present disclosure. Preferably, the opposing laminae are formed between
the poppable bubbles after the opposing laminae are supplied to allow for a lower shipping
volume and fewer reloads by a stock person during use.
10053]
At block 34, the method includes dispensing a poppable bubble to a consumer at a
location adjacent to a product comprising a breachable bubble access structure. Following
the steps of this exemplary method provides a generous supply of poppable bubbles to
consumers at a retail outlet. This generous supply of poppable bubbles may serve as a decoy,
directing energetic children and other consumers away from the breachable bubble on the
regular product. In addition, consumers may amuse themselves by popping the generous
supply of bubbles while they develop and practice their bubble popping technique for use
later on a regular bubble accessed product.
10054]
While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to
specific exemplary embodiments and methods thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled
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in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations
to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present
disclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the subject disclosure
does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present
subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
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WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
I.
A system for dispensing poppable bubbles to a consumer in a retail outlet, the
system comprising:
a supply of opposing laminae;
an inflation device adapted to generate a poppable bubble from the opposing
laminae; and
a start button operatively connected to the inflation device;
wherein the inflation device dispenses a poppable bubble to a consumer at a
location adjacent to a product having a breachable bubble access structure when the
consumer engages the start button.
2.
The system of claim 1, wherein the poppable bubble is a breachable bubble,
the breachable bubble expandable under applied pressure, the expansion separating the
opposing laminae until the breachable bubble creates a breach through the breachable bubble.
3.
The system of claim 1, wherein the poppable bubble is a rupture type bubble.
4.
The system of claim 1, wherein the poppable bubble includes an article inside
the poppable bubble, the article being made available to the consumer when the consumer
breaches the poppable bubble.
5.
The system of claim 1, wherein the inflation device comprises a heater for
warming the opposing laminae.
6.
The system of claim 1, wherein the inflation device comprises a vacuum pull
mold to form a poppable bubble from the opposing laminae as the opposing laminae are
pulled into the vacuum pull mold.
7.
The system of claim 6, wherein the vacuum pull mold comprises a single
concave surface, wherein one of the opposing laminae is pulled into the single concave
surface to form a half poppable bubble.
8.
The system of claim 6, wherein the vacuum pull mold comprises first and
second concave surfaces, wherein one of the opposing laminae is pulled into the first concave
surface and the other opposing laminae is pulled into the second concave surface to form a
full poppable bubble.
9.
The system of claim 6, wherein the poppable bubble is filled with ambient air
as the opposing laminae are pulled into the vacuum pull mold.
WO 2009/086346
10.
PCT/US2008/088104
The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes a sealing device, the
sealing device adapted to press the peripheral edge of one of the opposing laminae into
sealing engagement with the peripheral edge of the other opposing laminae to form a sealed
poppable bubble
11.
A method for dispensing poppable bubbles to consumers in a retail outlet, the
method comprising:
providing a supply of opposing laminae; the opposing laminae comprising a
cover laminae and a base laminae,
forming a poppable bubble between the opposing laminae;
dispensing the poppable bubble to a consumer at a location adjacent to a
product having a breachable bubble access structure.
12.
The method of claim 11, wherein the poppable bubble is a breachable bubble
formed between opposing laminae, the breachable bubble expandable under applied pressure,
the expansion separating the opposing laminae until the breachable bubble creates a breach
through the breachable bubble.
13.
The method of claim 11, wherein the poppable bubble is a rupture type
14.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises providing an article in
bubble.
the poppable bubble, the article being made available to the consumer when the consumer
breaches the poppable bubble.
15.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises heating the cover
laminae to render the cover laminae more flexible.
16.
The method of claim 15, wherein the method comprises:
presenting the cover laminae to a vacuum pull mold;
reducing the air pressure inside the vacuum pull mold;
pulling the opposing laminae into the vacuum pull mold to form the poppable
bubble; and
filling the poppable bubble with ambient air as the opposing laminae are
pulled into the vacuum pull mold.
17.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises pressing the
peripheral edge of the cover laminae into sealing engagement with the peripheral edge of the
base laminae to form a sealed poppable bubble.
WO 2009/086346
18.
PCT/US2008/088104
The method of claim 11, wherein the method comprises heating the cover
laminae and the base laminae.
19.
The poppable bubble dispensing method of claim 18, wherein the method
comprises:
presenting the heated cover laminae to a first concave vacuum pull mold and
the heated base laminae to a second concave vacuum pull mold;
reducing the air pressure inside the first and second concave vacuum pull
molds;
pulling the heated cover laminae into the first concave vacuum pull mold and
the heated base laminae into the second concave vacuum pull mold to form a full poppable
bubble; and
filling the full poppable bubble with ambient air as the heated cover laminae is
pulled into the first concave vacuum pull mold and the heated base laminae is pulled into the
second concave vacuum pull mold.
20.
A method of providing a generous supply of poppable bubbles, comprising:
providing a product comprising a breachable bubble access structure;
providing a dispenser for providing a supply of poppable bubbles to a
consumer; the dispenser being located adjacent to the product comprising a breachable
bubble access structure, the dispenser being operatively connected to a start button; and
dispensing the supply of poppable bubbles to a consumer at a location adjacent
to the product comprising a breachable bubble access structure when the consumer engages
the start button.
WO 2009/086346
PCT/US2008/088104
1/3
10
18
FIG.1
FIG.2
WO 2009/086346
PCT/US2008/088104
2/3
(40
PROVIDING A SUPPLY OF OPPOSING
LAMINAE
-30
FORMING A POPPABLE BUBBLE BETWEEN
THE OPPOSING LAMINAE
['-32
DISPENSING THE POPPABLE BUBBLE TO A
CONSUMER AT A LOCAflON ADJACENT TO A
PRODUCT COMPRISING A BREACHABLE BUBBLE
ACCESS STRUCTURE
FIG.4
-34
WO 2009/086346
PCT/US2008/088104
3/3
A
26 27
24
22
24
24
24
27
28
24
27
1
27
FIG.5a
FIG.5a
Y22
24
26
27
F;tE*;
27 27
,
24
4-mEE&
FIG.5b
27 27
24
27
International application No.
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
A.
PCT/US2008/088104
CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
B65D 75/30(2006.01)i, B65D 75/28(2006. 01)i, B65B 11/50(2006. 01)i
According to International Patent Classification (IPC or to both national classification and IPC
B.
FIELDS SEARCHED
Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols)
IPC: B32B 3/28, B65D, B29C 3/00
Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents arc included in the fields searched
Korean Utility models and applications for Utility models since 1975
Japanese Utility models and applications for Utility models since 1975
Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used)
eKIPASS (KIPO internal) & Keywords: bubble, breach, pop, package
C.
DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
Category*
Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages
X
----y
US 5824392 A (SHUICHI GOTOH; YUKIO YAMASFITA) 20 October 1998
See Figure 1 and Column 6 Line 33 - Column 7 Line 49
Y
----A
US 2007-0286535 Al (WILLIAM S. PERELL) 13 December 2007
See Figure 1 and Paragraphs [0056]-[0064]
Y
----A
JP 56-159118 A (KASAI KOGYO CO., LTD.) 8 December 1981
See Figure 3 and Abstract
Relevant to claim No.
1,10,11,17,20
2-9,12-16,18,19
2,3,4,12,13,14
1,5-11,15-20
5-9,15,16,18,19
1-4,10-14,17,20
E
Sec patent family annex.
Further documents are listed in the continuation of Box C.
*
Special categories of cited documents:
"A" document defining the general state of the art which is not considered
to be of particular relevance
"E" earlier application or patent but published on or after the international
filing date
"L" document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is
cited to establish the publication date of citation or other
special reason (as specified)
"0" document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other
means
"P" document published prior to the international filing date but later
than the priority date claimed
"T" later document published after the international filing date or priority
date and not in conflict with the application but cited to understand
the principle or theory underlying the invention
"X" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
considered novel or cannot be considered to involve an inventive
step when the document is taken alone
"Y" document of particular relevance; the claimed invention cannot be
considered to involve an inventive step when the document is
combined with one or more other such documents,such combination
being obvious to a person skilled in the art
"&" document member of the same patent family
Date of the actual completion of the international search
Date of mailing of the international search report
01 APRIL 2009 (01.04.2009)
02 APRIL 2009 (02.04.2009)
Name and mailing address of the ISA/KR
.
Korean Intellectual Property Office
Government Complex-Daejeon, 139 Seonsa-ro, Seogu, Daejeon 302-701 Republic of Korea
Authorized officer
Facsimile No. 82-42-472-7140
Telephone No.
Form PCT/ISA/210 (second sheet) (July 2008)
KIM, Tae Soo
82-42-481-8468
INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
Information on patent family members
International application No.
PCT/US2008/088104
Patent document
cited in search report
Publication
date
Patent family
member(s)
Publication
date
US 5824392 A
20.10.1998
DE 69519068 T2
EP 0701954 B1
WO 95-25681 Al
22.03.2001
11.10.2000
28.09.1995
US 2007-286535 Al
13.12.2007
EP 2013106 Al
KR 10-2008-0111122 A
14.01.2009
22.12.2008
JP 56-159118 A
08.12.1981
None
Form PCT/ISA/210 (patent family annex) (July 2008)