Ornamental package for a consumable product or the like

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved product holding package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, storing and selling products, especially consumable products. In an embodiment, a package for a consumable product is provided. The packaging includes a housing which holds a plurality of products including bar codes such as Universal Product Code symbols. The package includes a housing for receiving the products where at least a portion of the housing enables the products to be visible and prevents the bar codes on the products to be read by a scanner. In an embodiment, at least one bar code is attached to the housing, which is readable by the scanner.

1 . A package for holding a plurality of products including codes that are read by a scanner comprising: 
 a housing including an interior for receiving the products, wherein the housing is so constructed and arranged to enable at least portions of some of the products to be visible but prevents the codes on the products to be read by a scanner; and    the housing includes at least one code which is readable by the scanner.    
   
   
       2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the housing includes a cover material.  
   
   
       3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the housing is substantially non-transparent.  
   
   
       4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the housing is opaque.  
   
   
       5 . The package of  claim 1 , which includes at least one lid removably attached to the housing so the products in the housing cannot fall out of the housing.  
   
   
       6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes two open ends for receiving the products.  
   
   
       7 . The package of  claim 6 , which includes at least two lids removably attached to the housing so the products in the housing cannot fall out of the housing.  
   
   
       8 . A package for holding a plurality of consumable products, each of the consumable products including a bar code readable by a scanner, said package comprising: 
 a housing including a cover material, said cover material positioned on the housing to enable at least portions of the consumable products to be visible and prevent the bar codes on the consumable products from being read by the scanner.    
   
   
       9 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the bar codes are Universal Product Code symbols.  
   
   
       10 . The package of  claim 8 , which includes a lid attached to one end of the housing so that the products cannot fall out of the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The package of  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes two open ends for receiving the products.  
   
   
       12 . The package of  claim 11 , which includes at least two lids attached to the housing to cover the openings so the products in the housing cannot fall out of the housing.  
   
   
       13 . A package for consumable products in the shape of a Christmas ornament comprising: 
 at least one consumable product including a bar code inserted in a housing shaped like a Christmas ornament, said housing including at least one other bar code readable by the scanner; and    at least a portion of the housing including a wrapping material, said wrapping material enabling at least portions of the consumable products to be visible and preventing the bar codes on the consumable products from being read by the scanner.    
   
   
       14 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the bar codes are Universal Product Code symbols.  
   
   
       15 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the wrapping material is at least one ribbon attached to the outside of the housing.  
   
   
       16 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the wrapping material is integrally formed with the housing.  
   
   
       17 . The package of  claim 13 , wherein the portion of the housing is opaque.  
   
   
       18 . A method of packaging consumable products having at least one bar code readable by a scanner, said method comprising: 
 (a) providing a housing for receiving at least one consumable product;    (b) constructing at least a portion of said housing to enable at least portions of the consumable products to be visible and prevent the bar codes on the consumable products from being read by a scanner;    (c) constructing the housing to include at least one bar code which is readable by the scanner; and    (d) placing at least one consumable product in the housing.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , which includes the step of constructing the housing to include a cover material to enable at least portions of the consumable products to be visible and prevent the bar codes on the consumable products from being read by a scanner.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of constructing the housing to include a cover material includes integrally forming the cover material with the housing.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , which includes at least partially forming the housing with an opaque material.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , which includes placing the products in the housing so the products cannot fall out of the housing.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , which includes placing at least one cover on the housing so the products in the housing cannot fall out of the housing.