Last week the US Patent & Trademark Office published two patent application from Apple relating to new eco-friendly device packaging and a carrying case concept for multiple charger types.

Packaging with Raising Platform and Lay-Flat Construction

In Apple's patent background they note that in some situations, direct-to-customer shipping, shipping packaging such as a shipper box may be used to ship a finished goods package containing a product. Certain current shipping packaging may use retention systems using a polymeric film to retain the finished goods package within the shipper. Other shipping packaging may use expanded polystyrene cushions, or other less environmentally friendly cushioning systems.

In many cases, shipping packaging does no more than hold a finished goods package, such that an opportunity to further enhance customer experience may be missed. Moreover, many current shipping packaging contains elements that are not single stream recyclable friendly, must instead be broken down into the constituent parts prior to recycling, rather than simply be unfolded to a flat and easy to recycle configuration. 

What is needed is a packaging paradigm that can maintain packaging integrity prior to being received by an end user, but both increase recyclability of the packaging while improving the customer experience in receiving products or finished goods packaging containing a product when opening the shipping packaging.

Apple's invention provides a packaging solution utilizing environmentally friendly materials and allows for a packaging solution that includes an integrated, lay-flat construction that may be unfolded flat for recyclability, while simultaneously providing a lifting effect when a customer opens the packaging, lifting the product or finished goods box contained in the packaging upwards toward the customer.

Apple's patent FIG. 1 below illustrates a perspective view of packaging in an embodiment in a closed configuration; FIG. 3 shows the packaging shown in FIG. 1 as the packaging continues to open, thereby raising product and opening the cavity in which the product was contained in the closed configuration.; and  FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of packaging shown in FIGS. 1-3, in a mostly unfolded configuration.

For more details, review Apple's patent application 20230079525.

Accessory Case for Multiple Charger Types

In a second patent application published last week by the U.S. Patent Office, we see Apple contemplating a new accessory case for multiple charger types.

The number of types of portable electronic devices that are commercially available has increased tremendously the past few years and the rate of introduction of new devices shows no signs of abating. Portable devices, such as portable computing devices, tablets, laptops, smart phones, wearable computing devices, charging devices, storage devices, audio devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, and others, have become ubiquitous.

Each of these portable devices can have an internal battery that allows users the freedom to carry the portable devices and use them wherever they go. Each of these portable devices can have their own unique way of being charged. For example, a first portable electronic device can be charged using a first type of wireless charger. This first type of wireless charger can include a first type of puck, where the first type of puck converts power received from a power adapter plugged into a wall outlet into wireless charging power. This wireless charging power can then be received by the first electronic device and used to charge a battery internal to the first electronic device.

Thus, what is needed are accessory cases that can be charged using two or more types of wireless chargers – and this is what Apple's invention details.

The present invention can provide an accessory case that can be charged using a first type of wireless charger as well as an additional type of wireless charger. The first type of wireless charger can be a magnetic charger. The additional type of wireless charger can be a non-magnetic charger. The accessory case can include one or more magnetic elements to act as an alignment feature. This alignment feature can help to align the accessory case to a wireless charger of the first type.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide an accessory case that can be charged using a first type of wireless charger, a second type of wireless charger, and the additional type of wireless charger. The first type of wireless charger can be a magnetic charger.

The second type of wireless charger can be another magnetic charger. As before, the additional type of wireless charger can be a non-magnetic charger. The accessory case can include one or more magnetic elements to act as a first alignment feature. This first alignment feature can help to align the accessory case to a first type of wireless charger. The accessory case can include one or more magnetic elements to act as a second alignment feature. This second alignment feature can help to align the accessory case to a second type of wireless charger.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide an accessory case having a base. The base can have one, two, three, or more than three accessory receptacles, each for storing an accessory.

Each accessory can be charged by the charging case when the accessory is stored in an accessory receptacle. A lid can cover the accessory receptacles in order to retain the accessories in place when the accessories are stored in the accessory case. A hinge can join the lid to the base such that the lid can move relative to the base to allow removal of the accessories from the accessory receptacles when the accessories are stored in the accessory case.

Apple's patent FIG. 5 below provides an overview of the outer shell of the new accessory case with various elements withing the case;  FIG. 1 illustrates the accessory case in an open mode with a series of accessory receptacles; FIG. 2 illustrates an accessory case being charged by a first type of wireless charger.  

For more details, review Apple's patent application number US 20230080598.