Want to really gain consumer interest at the point of purchase? This invention is directed at increasing the enticement at point-of-sale through packaging for products such as a breakfast cereal in a new, cost-effective way that can be described as “electrifying."
The patent filing from paperboard carton supplier C.W. Zumbiel Co., Hebron, KY, is for products such as packaging made from paperboard blanks printed with electric circuits using conductive inks. The electrical circuit may be powered by a battery inserted into a battery compartment of the product package or may allow for a consumer-supplied battery. The blank may include a removable section with a printed electrical circuit or a portion that may be separated from the blank and used separately from the product package.
Components can include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and the use of conductive copper tape for the electronic connections.
The patent also considers the sustainable aspects of the packaging: The ink may typically comprise carbon in a waterbased carrier so that the packaging satisfies Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) model legislation regarding allowable levels of heavy metals in municipal waste.
You can see the full patent filing here.
