Patent FR67250E successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5099232A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prize holding container assemblies
Assignee: Coca-Cola Co
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Filing: 1990-03-14
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2010-03-14
Abstract
Abstract By providing an audible and/or visual prize related message delivery system cooperatingly associated with a container shell which is closed in the conventional manner, a container assembly is achieved for randomly distributing prize awards to consumers in association with any product, without fear of consumer detection of the prize bearing containers. In accordance with the present invention, the container assembly may incorporate the actual product along with the prize related message delivery system or may comprise a simulated product container bearing the prize related message delivery system without the actual product. In both embodiments, the container assembly is completely indistinguishable from non-prize bearing, product-holding containers.
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Howes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 04:27
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D25/00; B65D77/00; B65D77/22; B65D77/24; B65D81/00; B65D81/32; B65D81/3216; G; G09; G09F; G09F27/00; B65D2517/00; B65D2517/0001; B65D2517/001; B65D2517/0014; B65D2517/0047; B65D2517/0049; B65D2517/0052; B65D2517/0058; B65D2517/0059; B65D2517/0061; B65D2517/0062; G09F23/00; G09F2023/0025; G09F25/00; G09F2025/005; G09F2027/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A container assembly for use in promoting the sale of products by providing a prize award which is secretly retained in the container assembly and is undiscoverable by the consumer prior to opening the container assembly, preventing advance detection of the prize award even when the prize bearing container assembly is randomly distributed with non-prize bearing containers, said container assembly comprising: A. an outer surface defining shell a. identical in appearance to the product bearing shell normally employed for the product, and b. defining an internal retaining zone; B. means positioned in the retaining zone for providing the container assembly with the sound, weight and feel of the product normally contained therein; and C. a message delivery system a. mounted in the retaining zone, and b. constructed for providing a prize related audible message to the consumer upon activation; whereby a prize awarding container assembly for promoting the sale of products is achieved which is capable of providing the consumer with a prize related audible message and which can be randomly distributed with non-prize bearing, product-holding containers without fear of being detected by the consumer prior to opening thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
A container assembly for use in promoting the sale of products by providing a prize award which is secretly retained in the container assembly and is undiscoverable by the consumer prior to opening the container assembly, preventing advance detection of the prize award even when the prize bearing container assembly is randomly distributed with non-prize bearing containers, said container assembly comprising: A. an outer surface defining shell a. identical in appearance to the product bearing shell normally employed for the product, and b. defining an internal retaining zone; B. means positioned in the retaining zone for providing the container assembly with the sound, weight and feel of the product normally contained therein; and C. a message delivery system a. mounted in the retaining zone, and b. constructed for providing a prize related audible message to the consumer upon activation; whereby a prize awarding container assembly for promoting the sale of products is achieved which is capable of providing the consumer with a prize related audible message and which can be randomly distributed with non-prize bearing, product-holding containers without fear of being detected by the consumer prior to opening thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
The container assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the message delivery system is further defined as comprising: c. an integrated circuit programmed to provide the desired audible message, d. power means connected to the integrated circuit for powering the integrated circuit, and e. switch activation means 1. connected between the integrated circuit and the power means, and 2. switchable between a first, "off" position, wherein the integrated circuit is not powered, and a second, "on" position wherein the integrated circuit is powered to provide the desired audible message.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container assembly defined in claim 2, wherein the message delivery system further comprises f. amplifier means connected to the integrated circuit for providing the audible message programmed into the integrated circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The container assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said audible message is further defined as comprising one selected from the group consisting of tones, melodies, songs, and simulated voice messages informing the consumer about a prize award.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The container assembly defined in claim 3, wherein said message delivery system is further defined as comprising g. light means connected to the integrated circuit for providing a visual message programmed therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The container assembly defined in claim 2, wherein said message delivery system is further defined as providing a visual message and said system further comprises f. light means connected to the integrated circuit for providing the visual message programmed therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The container assembly defined in claim 2, and further comprising: D. housing means mounted in the retaining zone and securely holding the message delivery system therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
The container assembly defined in claim 7, wherein said housing is further defined as comprising switch control means operationally connected to the switch activation means of the message delivery system for normally maintaining the switch activation means in its "off" position and being cooperatively associated with the housing for causing the switch activation means to move into its "on" position simultaneously with the opening of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The container assembly defined in claim 8, wherein the means positioned in the retaining zone is further defined as comprising the actual dry, liquid, semi-liquid or moist product being sold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The container assembly defined in claim 9, wherein the housing is further defined as being sealed to prevent contamination of the message delivery system by the product contained therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The container assembly defined in claim 7, wherein said means positioned in the retaining zone is further defined as comprising a simulated liquid product and said shell is further defined as comprising c. a can typically associated with liquid beverage products, and d. at least one entry portal formed at one end of the internal retaining zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The container assembly defined in claim 11, and further comprising E. closure means a. cooperatively associated with the outer shell for closing the entry portal thereof, and b. being positioned for cooperative interaction with the message delivery system for causing the switch activation means to change from its normally off position to its on position in response to opening of said closure means by the consumer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The container assembly defined in claim 11 and further comprising F. holding means a. positioned in the retaining zone in cooperating relationship to the entry portal for securely retaining the prize award, and b. incorporating switch control means for contacting the switch activation means of the message delivery system to activate the message delivery system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The container assembly defined in claim 13, wherein said message delivery system is further defined as providing an audible musical background for adding excitement to the realization by the consumer that a prize has been won.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
103 words
The container assembly defined in claim 13, wherein said prize holder is further defined as being movable from a first retained position to a second released position, partially extending through the open closure means for presenting the prize award to the consumer, said prize holding means further comprising an elongated fin member positioned for contacting the switch activation means of the message delivery system when said prize holder moves into its second position, thereby assuring movement of the switch activation means into the on position and providing the desired audible message to the consumer simultaneously with the presentation of the actual prize award.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The container assembly defined in claim 1, wherein the message delivery system is further defined as comprising electronic means constructed to provide the desired audible message when activated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |