Product and package including power producer and output mechanism, and related method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10463074-B2
Application number	US-201815947472-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 6, 2018
Priority date	Jul 31, 2015
Publication date	Nov 5, 2019
Grant date	Nov 5, 2019

Abstract

A product including a package is provided. One or more tobacco-containing articles may be received in the package. A power producer may be configured to produce an electrical current. An output mechanism may be configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect. The perceptible effect may, for example, increase a consumer's interest in the product. A related method is also provided.

First claim

That which is claimed:

1. A product, comprising:
a package, comprising:
a power producer comprising a plurality of films, and wherein movement between the films is configured to produce an electrical current; and
an output mechanism configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect; and

one or more tobacco-containing articles received in the package.

2. The product of claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises a first body portion defining an opening and a second body portion moveable with respect to the first body portion between a closed configuration in which the first body portion substantially closes the opening and an open configuration,
wherein the one or more tobacco-containing articles are received in the first body portion and accessible via the opening in the open configuration.

3. The product of claim 2 , wherein the output mechanism is configured to output the perceptible effect in response to movement of the second body portion relative to the first body portion.

4. The product of claim 1 , wherein the output mechanism is selected from a group consisting of a light emitting diode, an electronic ink, a liquid crystal display, an electroluminescent material, a light emitting electrochemical cell, and an electrochromic display.

5. The product of claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a logo, and
wherein the output mechanism is positioned at the logo.

6. The product of claim 1 , wherein the output mechanism comprises an electrochromic display, the electrochromic display being configured to change color or shade in a pattern.

7. The product of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of films comprises a first film and a second film, wherein the movement between the films comprises the first film and the second film being configured to contact and release from one another to produce the electrical current.

8. The product of claim 7 , wherein the package comprises an inner frame configured to provide the package with additional support, the first film being coupled to the inner frame and the second film being coupled to the second body portion, such that in the closed configuration the first film contacts the second film and in the open configuration the first film releases from the second film to produce the electrical current.

9. The product of claim 7 , wherein one of the first film and the second film is charged.

10. The product of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of films comprises a first film and a second film, wherein the movement between the films comprises the first film and the second film being configured to contact and release from one another to produce the electrical current.

11. A method for assembling a product, comprising:
providing a package, comprising:
a power producer comprising a plurality of films, and wherein movement between the films is configured to produce an electrical current; and
an output mechanism configured to receive the electrical current from the power producer and output a perceptible effect; and

inserting one or more tobacco-containing articles into the package.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein providing the package comprises providing a first body portion defining an opening and a second body portion moveable with respect to the first body portion between a closed configuration in which the first body portion substantially closes the opening and an open configuration, and
wherein inserting one or more tobacco-containing articles into the package comprises inserting the one or more tobacco-containing articles into the first body portion.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the output mechanism comprises a light emitting diode, an electronic ink, a liquid crystal display, or an electrochromic display.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the package comprises a logo and the output mechanism is positioned at the logo.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of films comprises a first film and a second film, wherein the movement between the films comprises the first film and the second film being configured to contact and release from one another to produce the electrical current.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein providing the package comprises providing an inner frame configured to provide the package with additional support, the first film being coupled to the inner frame and the second film being coupled to the second body portion, such that in the closed configuration the first film contacts the second film and in the open configuration the first film releases from the second film to produce the electrical current.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein one of the first film and the second film is charged.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of films comprises a first film and a second film, wherein the movement between the films comprises the first film and the second film being configured to contact and release from one another to produce the electrical current.

Assignees

• Reynolds Tobacco Co R

Inventors

• Sebastian Andries Don
• Phillips Percy D
• Patel Pankaj
• Whittington Stephanie
• Bengtsson Bruce Alan
• Jones Wesley Steven
• Hernandez Garcia Ercilia

Classifications

• F21V23/02

  the elements being transformers, impedances {or power supply units, e.g. a transformer with a rectifier} · CPC title

• B65D85/1081

  Inserts or accessories added or joined to the container, e.g. coins, pens, cards, spacers (B65D85/1009 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02N1/04

  Friction generators · CPC title

• B65D77/02

  Wrapped articles enclosed in rigid or semi-rigid containers · CPC title

• B65B19/12

  Inserting the cigarettes, or wrapped groups thereof, into preformed containers · CPC title