Combination book and box

Abstract

A book having a storage means capable of storing manipulatives wherein the book is comprised of a book component and a storage component, the storage component being a box which can attach to a cover of the book and can be opened and closed independently of whether the book is opened or closed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of the unassembled box prior to being attached to the book cover.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the combination book and box in an assembled, closed position.

FIG. 3 depicts a partial side view of the combination book and box in an assembled closed position.

FIG. 4 depicts a view of the manner in which the assembled box is attached to the assembled book.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The following description of preferred embodiments is presented to illustrate the present invention and is not to be construed to limit the scope of the appended claims in any manner whatsoever.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a box is formed in the normal manner. Solid lines are edges and dotted lines represent folds. There are two rectangular portions that form the front of the box (1) and the back of the box (2), which are substantially the same size as each other and as the book to which the box will be attached. The front of the box (1) and back of the box (2) are connected by a spine (3). When the box is folded together along the two spinal folds (18, 19), the two flaps (4) and (7) are folded along their respective folds (21, 20 respectively), and thus come into contact with each other to form an edge of the box (4, 7). The edge (4, 7) can be held together by any conventional means, for example, glue.

Once the box is folded along the two spinal folds (18, 19) and the two flaps (4) (7) have been attached together to form the edge of the box (4, 7), the bottom of the box is formed by folding the tabs (12, 13) along their respective folds (31, 24 respectively). The first bottom flap (5) is then folded along its fold (23), and the second bottom flap (6) is folded along its fold (22). The two bottom flaps (5, 6) are thus brought into contact with each other to form the bottom of the box (5, 6). The bottom (5, 6) can be held together by any conventional means, for example, glue.

The top of the box is the portion that can be opened and closed, independently of the status of the book. To close the box in order to ensure that the manipulatives stay inside, the tabs (8, 10) are folded along their respective folds (27, 28 respectively). The top flap (11) is then folded along its fold (25), and the closing flap (9) is folded along its fold (26). The closing tab (9) can be tucked underneath the front of the box (1) in order to secure it. Any other non-permanent means (not shown) can also be used to secure the closing tab (9) to the front of the box (1), for example, velcro, ties, zippers, springs, snaps, buttons, hooks, magnets, pressure sensitive adhesive, tab-and-slot mechanisms, etc.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the now completed box (100) can be attached to the inside back cover (17) of the book. The pages (15) are attached to the spine (16) of the book. The book can close by folding the pages (15) along the fold (29) and folding the back cover (17) along the fold (30). In such a way is the combination book and box formed. See FIG. 3.

It is to be understood that other embodiments are also envisioned. For example, the box (100) can also be attached to the outside of the back cover. Additionally, the box can be attached to either the inside or the outside of the front cover, with pages (15) thus being attached to the back cover. There is no limit on the number of pages (15) that can be attached to the book, and it is also possible for a locking or closing mechanism to be placed on the book in order to keep it secured. However, regardless of whether or not the book is able to be secured, the box (100) will always have the ability to be independently opened or closed. It is also envisioned that the box (100) can be attached to one of the pages (15) in the book.

While it is preferred that the box be made of cardboard, it can also be formed of any other material capable of substantially retaining the dimensions and structure of the box over time, for example, plastic, wood, metal, etc. Depending on the type of material used to construct the box, it is envisioned that the box may be at least partially transparent, and may also be relatively transparent, so a user can see the manipulatives located within the box, if these are desired aspects. However, the box may also be opaque, in which case graphics optionally can be used to show the contents of the box, or the box may be left without graphics.

Additionally, while not necessary for the functioning of the combination book and box, it is also possible to attach a locking mechanism of any type known to lock closed either the book, the box, or both, with the caveat that the box must be able to be opened independently of the book, and vice-versa.

FIG. 2 shows a head-on view of the combination book and box in a closed position. All that is visible in this view is the front cover (14) of the book. FIG. 3 shows a slightly rotated picture of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, the book is closed. The edge of the box (4, 7) is formed by attaching one flap (4) to another flap (7) and is visible as a single edge; the pages (15) are visible behind the front cover (14). Additionally, the top flap (11) is shown in a closed position, therefore the box is closed. Not shown is the closing tab (9) which is attached to the back cover (2), also not shown. The front cover (14) and pages (15) are attached to the spine of the book (16) and the box (10) is attached to the inside back cover (2, not shown) of the book.

It is envisioned that the manipulatives can be figures, puzzle pieces, flash cards, food, puppets, toys, building and/or construction blocks, crayons or other writing implements, bubbles, dolls, stuffed animals, trading cards, video games, CDs, DVDs, money or play money, small travel games, hair accessories, dice, make-up accessories, other small trinkets or any device or object that will add value to the product. It is also envisioned that various types of liquid material (e.g., disappearing ink) can be considered manipulatives, and the box would need to have a protective inner liner to protect against spills.

The above-mentioned patents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Having described the present invention, it will now be apparent that many changes and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A book having a storage means capable of storing manipulatives, said book comprising: a. a book component, andb. a storage component comprising a box capable of storing said manipulatives wherein said storage component is attached to said book component as a portion of a cover; said storage component is capable of being opened and closed independently of the book and wherein said book and storage component have substantially the same width and height as each other.

2. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is attached at least in part to said back cover.

3. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is attached at least in part to said front cover.

4. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is attached at least in part to a page in said book.

5. A book as defined in claim 1 where manipulatives are stored in said storage component.

6. A book as defined in claim 5 wherein said manipulatives are related to the contents of said book.

7. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is relatively transparent.

8. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is partially transparent.

9. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is not transparent.

10. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box has a locking mechanism.

11. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said book has a locking mechanism.

12. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is kept closed through use of one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of velcro, ties, zippers, springs, snaps, buttons, hooks, magnets, pressure sensitive adhesive, tab-and-slot mechanisms.

13. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is attached to the inside of said front cover.

14. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is attached to the inside of said back cover.

15. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is opaque.

16. A book as defined in claim 1 wherein said box is formed from any material suitable for creating said storage component.

17. A book as defined in claim 5 wherein one or more of said manipulatives are related to the theme of said book.

18. A book as defined in claim 5 wherein one or more of said manipulatives are not related to the theme of said book.