Container for shoes

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions. The container has a first half and a second half, each half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression. The left shoe impression of the first half is sized to hold a portion of the left shoe, the right shoe impression of the first half is sized to hold a portion of the right shoe, and the accessory impression of the first half is sized to hold a portion of the accessory. The left shoe impression of the second half is sized to hold a portion of the left shoe, the right shoe impression of the second half is sized to hold a portion of the right shoe, and the accessory impression of the second half is sized to hold a portion of the accessory. Wherein the left shoe impression of the first half and the left shoe impression of the second half, when both the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe. Wherein the right shoe impression of the first half and the right shoe impression of the second half, when both the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe. And wherein the accessory impression of the first half and the accessory impression of the second half, when both the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a container for holding products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Displays for products typically hold the products that are for sale so that customers may view, examine, and ultimately select a desired product from the display of products. Therefore, displays often position the products in an easy-to-reach fashion so that the acts of viewing, examination, and selection are facilitated.

In some displays, products may have been kept in boxes or opaque containers. Although this serves the purpose of holding and protecting the products until purchase, customers may not be able to properly examine the color or appearance of the products without opening the boxes or containers. As a result, some customers may open boxes or containers and, in the event the customer does not ultimately purchase the product, the open/damaged box or container may render the product unsellable.

To overcome this problem, some boxes or containers would often include some sides that were see-through so that potential customers may view the products without opening the packaging.

However, see-through packaging may have introduced a new problem, where any misalignment or improperly positioned products are now visible whereas they were previously hidden by the opaque boxes. Moreover, traditionally opaque boxes often had designs on the outside and the positioning of the products within the boxes did not affect the customers' perception when viewing the boxes. For see-through packaging, there is no such design on the outside of the packaging to mask the products. Therefore, the positioning of the products may become more important than in traditionally provided opaque boxes. This problem may become exacerbated when other items are also placed in the packaging, such as shoelaces, a bottle of shoe polish, and the like. Moreover, even properly positioned products may shift when the packaging is placed on the display by the employee or customer. In order to correct the improperly shifted products, the packaging may need to be opened and resealed, which increases the possibility of damage to the packaging.

The U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,472 patent to Coppedge et al. appears to be directed to a container for holding shoes but the products within the container do not appear to be adequately held in place.

The U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,707 patent to Schidlowski et al. seems to be directed to a container that is made of attachable panels to hold a pair of shoes. Without the additional steps of attaching these panels to the container, the products would not seem to be adequately held in place.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,170 patent to LoFaro et al. also seems to show a container that holds shoes and accessories through the use of attachable panels.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,766 to Carnahan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,505,742 to Cagner, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,889 to Cagner, and D485,435 to Coppedge et al. patents and the 2005/0067318 A1 to Cesario publication do not appear to relate to a container, due to the squareness, that adequately holds each shoe and each accessory in place.

What is desired, therefore, is a container that is both see-through and that properly positions the products inside the container. Another desire is a container that adequately holds the products without introducing attachment devices that could increase the manufacturing cost of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a container for holding a product and where the product may be seen without opening the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container that adequately holds a product in place without the product shifting about.

A further object is a container that properly holds the product in place without other structures being attached to the container in order to hold the product.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by a container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions. The container has a first half and a second half, each half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression. The left shoe impression of the first half is sized to hold a portion of the left shoe, the right shoe impression of the first half is sized to hold a portion of the right shoe, and the accessory impression of the first half is sized to hold a portion of the accessory. The left shoe impression of the second half is sized to hold a portion of the left shoe, the right shoe impression of the second half is sized to hold a portion of the right shoe, and the accessory impression of the second half is sized to hold a portion of the accessory. Wherein the left shoe impression of the first half and the left shoe impression of the second half, when both the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe. Wherein the right shoe impression of the first half and the right shoe impression of the second half, when both the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe. And wherein the accessory impression of the first half and the accessory impression of the second half, when both the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory.

In some embodiments, the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half are all combined with the first half to provide a single unit. In some of these embodiments, the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half are integrally attached with the first half to provide a single unit.

In further embodiments, the left shoe impression of the first or second half is sized to hold approximately half of the left shoe. In other embodiments, the right shoe impression of the first or second half is sized to hold approximately half of the right shoe. In yet other embodiments, the accessory impression of the first or second half is sized to hold approximately half of the accessory.

The size and shape of each impression, whether for the left shoe, right shoe, or accessory, are to fit snugly around the left shoe, right shoe, or accessory.

Optionally, a living hinge is placed between and in contact with both the first half and the second half.

In another aspect of the invention, each of the first and second half includes a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression, where each impression is sized to hold approximately half of the left shoe, half of the right shoe, and half of the accessory, respectively.

In addition, the first half and second half may optionally include a plurality of accessory impressions, wherein each accessory impression is sized to hold approximately half of the accessory.

Optionally, the first half includes a plurality of alternate accessory impressions, wherein each alternate accessory impression is sized to hold an entire alternate accessory. In some of these embodiments, the second half also includes a plurality of alternate accessory impressions that may be in addition to or instead of the first half, wherein each alternate accessory impression is sized to hold an entire alternate accessory. The size and shape of an alternate accessory impression may be that of a shape of a bottle, a brush, a shoelace, and combinations thereof. The size and shape of the accessory impression may be that of an insert.

The left shoe impressions of the first half and of the second half are sized and shaped to snugly fit around the left shoe. Likewise, the right shoe impressions of the first half and of the second half are sized and shaped to snugly fit around the right shoe.

In another aspect of the invention, only the first half has a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression. The second half is generally flat across an entire surface. The left shoe impression is sized to hold approximately the left shoe, the right shoe impression is sized to hold approximately the right shoe, and the accessory impression is sized to hold approximately the accessory. Wherein the left shoe impression of the first half and the second half, when the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe. Wherein the right shoe impression of the first half and the second half, when the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe. Wherein the accessory impression of the first half and the second half, when the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory.

In another aspect of the invention, a container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions is provided. The container has a first half having an outer dimension, a left shoe impression placed within the outer dimension, and a right shoe impression placed within the outer dimension. The container also has a second half having an outer dimension, a left shoe impression placed within the outer dimension, and a right shoe impression placed within the outer dimension.

Each left shoe impression includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the left shoe and each right shoe impression includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the right shoe. The left shoe impression of the first half and the left shoe impression of the second half, when the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe. The right shoe impression of the first half and the right shoe impression of the second half, when the first half and second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe.

In further embodiments, a plurality of containers having a plurality of first halves and a plurality of second halves are provided. Each first half and each right half has an outer dimension generally consistent in size with a next first half and a next right half, respectively. Hence, all the containers generally have a consistent outer dimension.

Additionally, in some of these embodiments, each left shoe impression of each first half includes a size different than a next left shoe impression of a next first half. Similarly, each right shoe impression of each first half includes a size different than a next right shoe impression of a next first half.

In other embodiments, each left shoe impression of each second half includes a size different than a next left shoe impression of a next second half. Similarly, each right shoe impression of each second half includes a size different than a next right shoe impression of a next second half.

Optionally, a coupon or incentive paper may be placed within the outer dimension of any of the above embodiments to serve as an incentive to customers to purchase products within the container.

In another aspect of the invention, a method for providing a container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions includes the steps of providing a first half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression. The method also includes providing a second half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression. The method also includes the steps of sizing the left shoe impression of the first half to hold a portion of the left shoe, sizing the right shoe impression of the first half to hold a portion of the right shoe, and sizing the accessory impression of the first half to hold a portion of the accessory. Likewise, the method sizes the left shoe impression of the second half to hold a portion of the left shoe, sizes the right shoe impression of the second half to hold a portion of the right shoe, and sizes the accessory impression of the second half to hold a portion of the accessory. Other steps of the method include joining the first half and second half together wherein the left shoe impression of the first half and the left shoe impression of the second half define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe when the first half and second half mate with each other, joining the first half and second half together wherein the right shoe impression of the first half and the right shoe impression of the second half define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe when the first half and second half mate with each other, and joining the first half and second half together wherein the accessory impression of the first half and the accessory impression of the second half define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory when the first half and second half mate with each other.

In some embodiments, the method includes the step of combining the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half with the first half to provide a single unit. In some of these embodiments, the method includes the step of integrally attaching the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half with the first half to provide a single unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the container in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the container of FIG. 1 in an open position.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 depicts a method for providing the container shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts container 10 in accordance with the invention. Container 10 includes first half 20 and second half 80, where each half has impressions of at least a part of a left shoe, right shoe, and at least one accessory.

More specifically depicted in FIG. 2, first half 20 includes left shoe impression 32, right shoe impression 42, and accessory impression 52.

Second half 80 includes a respective left shoe impression 34, right shoe impression 44, and accessory impression 54.

As mentioned above, left shoe impressions 32 and 34 are each sized and shaped to hold at least a portion or a part of the left shoe. As shown in FIG. 2, each is sized and shaped to hold approximately half the left shoe. Likewise, right shoe impressions 42 and 44 are each sized and shaped to hold at least a part of the right shoe. As shown in FIG. 2, each is sized and shaped to hold approximately half of the right shoe. Similarly, accessory impressions 52 and 54 are each sized and shaped to hold at least a part of the accessory. As shown in FIG. 2, each is sized and shaped to hold approximately half of the accessory.

Although all impressions shown in FIG. 2 are sized and shaped to hold approximately half of the left shoe, right shoe, and accessory, other embodiments envision first half 20 having impressions sized and shaped to hold less than approximately half of the items, such as a ¼ of the left shoe, right shoe, and accessory. This means second half 80 would be sized and shaped to hold approximately ¾ of each left shoe, right shoe, and accessory.

As shown in FIG. 3, first half 20 is generally flat and does not have any impressions. That means second half 80 includes left shoe impression 34 sized and shaped to hold the entire left shoe. Likewise, right shoe impression 44 is sized and shaped to hold the entire right shoe. The same would be true of accessory impression 54.

In all embodiments of the invention, regardless of whether a left shoe, right shoe, or accessory impression is to hold ¼, ½, or the entire left shoe, right shoe, or accessory, respectively, the fit (size and shape) of the defined enclosed interior space should be snug enough so that the left shoe, right shoe, or accessory does not shift out of place to other parts of container 10. In this effort, a variety of containers may be manufactured rather than one size fit all.

For example, a container may be designed to snugly fit a size 8M shoe and another container may be designed to snugly fit a size 8W shoe. In other embodiments, the same container would snugly fit any size 8, including both sizes 8M and 8W, but not a size 9. In further embodiments, a single container would snugly fit sizes 8 to 8½ but not a size 9. In some embodiments, a single container would snugly fit sizes 7-8 or 7-9 and another container would be used to snugly fit sizes 5-6 or 4-6.

Regardless of whether one half has impressions for holding approximately ¼, ½, or ¾ of the left shoe, right shoe, or accessory, or whether the half is flat, an enclosed interior space is defined when mated with the other half. As shown in FIG. 1, when first half 20 and second half 80 are joined together to arrive at container 10, left shoe impression 32 of first half 20 mates with left shoe impression 34 of second half 80 to define an enclosed left shoe interior space, right shoe impression 42 of first half 20 mates with right shoe impression 44 of second half 80 to define an enclosed right shoe interior space, and accessory impression 52 of first half 20 mates with accessory impression 52 of second half 80 to define an enclosed accessory space.

Alternate accessory impression 56 is provided on first half 20 or second half 80 to hold a bottle of shoe polish, spare pair of shoelaces, shoe brush, literature such as a brochure, computer disc, and the like. Generally, alternate accessory impression 56 is for small accessories when compared with accessory impressions 44 and 54, where accessory impressions 44 and 54 extend from first half 20 to second half 80 so that the entire weight and bulkiness of the accessory is not shouldered by one half (shown in FIGS. 1-2), although it could be (as shown in FIG. 3).

Insertable insoles, which are sometimes called footbeds or inserts, would be an example of an accessory that would be contained in the enclosed accessory impression defined by accessory impressions 44, 54. Similarly, left shoe impressions 32, 34 and right shoe impressions 42, 44 are so that one half (either first half 20 or second half 80) does not shoulder the entire weight and bulkiness of the left shoe and right shoe, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 2, first half 20 and second half 80 are combined together with a living hinge, which facilitates closing container 10 and mating the respective impressions. However, the living hinge is not required for the invention to function properly. In further embodiments, first half 20 and second half 80 are separable from one another. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is particularly suitable for the first half 20 to be separable from second half 80 since first half 20 is without any impressions and, hence, there is nothing to mate with left shoe impression 34, right shoe impression 44, and accessory impression 54, all of which are located on second half 80.

As shown, each left shoe impression and each right shoe impression is sized and shaped for holding one size of a left shoe and one size of a right shoe, respectively. In other embodiments, each left shoe impression and each right shoe impression are sized and shaped to hold two sizes of a left shoe and two sizes of a right, respectively. In further embodiments, each left shoe impression and each right shoe impression are sized and shaped to hold more than two sizes of a left shoe and two sizes of a right, respectively.

It is understood that the left shoe, right shoe, and accessories are not germane to the invention.

Also as shown in FIGS. 1-3, left shoe impression 32 of first half 20 is connected to or combined with right shoe impression 42 of first half 20. Likewise, left shoe impression 34 and right shoe impression 44 of second half 80 are connected to or combined with each other. In other embodiments, any combination of left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of either first or second half are connected to or combined with each other. In further embodiments, some or all of these impressions are separate from one another.

As shown in FIG. 5, another embodiment of the invention features first half 20 of container 10 including outer dimension 21 and second half 80 of container 10 including a corresponding outer dimension 81. Left shoe impression 32 and right shoe impression 42 are placed within the outer dimension 21 of first half 20. Correspondingly, left shoe impression 34 and right shoe impression 44 are placed within outer dimension 81 of second half 80.

Left shoe impressions 32 includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the left shoe and right shoe impression 42 includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the right shoe. Similarly, left shoe impressions 34 includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the left shoe and right shoe impression 44 includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the right shoe.

In this fashion, each container may be customized to fit a particular size of left shoe or right shoe. Moreover, the size of left shoe impression and right shoe impression for either first half or second half are independent from the outer dimension of either half. Hence, for a plurality of containers having a plurality of first halves and a plurality of second halves, each first half and each right half has an outer dimension generally consistent in size with a next first half and a next right half, respectively. In this effort, all the containers generally have a consistent outer dimension so that the containers may be handled with ease, such as by a machine, including being placed on a rack for viewing by customers. Moreover, having a generally consistent outer dimension from container to container may be more aesthetically pleasing as the containers may appear uniform and perhaps neat as they are lined up or stacked or placed on a display rack.

In these same embodiments having a plurality of containers, each left shoe impression of each first half includes a size different than a next left shoe impression of a next first half. Similarly, each right shoe impression of each first half includes a size different than a next right shoe impression of a next first half. Likewise, each left shoe impression of each second half includes a size different than a next left shoe impression of a next second half. Similarly, each right shoe impression of each second half includes a size different than a next right shoe impression of a next second half.

Therefore, although the outer dimensions generally do not vary from container to container, the left and right shoe impressions of each half may vary in size, or parameter

Optionally, coupon 57 is attached to container 10. Coupon 57 is any incentive paper for encouraging a customer to purchase products contained within container 10 and may be placed inside or outside container 10.

FIG. 4 depicts method 100 for providing a container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions. Method 100 includes the steps of providing 104 a first half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression. Method 100 also includes providing 106 a second half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression.

To this end, method 100 further sizes 112 the left shoe impression of the first half to hold a portion of the left shoe, sizes 114 the right shoe impression of the first half to hold a portion of the right shoe, and sizes 116 the accessory impression of the first half to hold a portion of the accessory.

Similarly, method 100 sizes 122 the left shoe impression of the second half to hold a portion of the left shoe, sizes 124 the right shoe impression of the second half to hold a portion of the right shoe, and sizes 126 the accessory impression of the second half to hold a portion of the accessory.

Method 100 further includes joining 132 the first half and second half together wherein the left shoe impression of the first half and the left shoe impression of the second half define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe when the first half and second half mate with each other, wherein the right shoe impression of the first half and the right shoe impression of the second half define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe when the first half and second half mate with each other; and wherein the accessory impression of the first half and the accessory impression of the second half define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory when the first half and second half mate with each other.

In some embodiments, method 100 combines 156 the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half with the first half to provide a single unit. In other embodiments, method 100 integrally attaches 162 the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half with the first half to provide a single unit.

Likewise, method 100 may combine the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the second half with the second half to provide a single unit and/or integrally attach the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the second half with the second half to provide a single unit.

Claims

1. A container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions: a first half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression; a second half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression; said left shoe impression of said first half is sized to hold a portion of the left shoe; said right shoe impression of said first half is sized to hold a portion of the right shoe; said accessory impression of said first half is sized to hold a portion of the accessory; said left shoe impression of said second half is sized to hold a portion of the left shoe; said right shoe impression of said second half is sized to hold a portion of the right shoe; said accessory impression of said second half is sized to hold a portion of the accessory; wherein said left shoe impression of said first half and said left shoe impression of said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe; wherein said right shoe impression of said first half and said right shoe impression of said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe; and wherein said accessory impression of said first half and said accessory impression of said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said left shoe impression, said right shoe impression, and said accessory impression of said first half are all combined with said first half to provide a single unit.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said left shoe impression, said right shoe impression, and said accessory impression of said first half are integrally attached with said first half to provide a single unit.

4. The container according to claim 1, wherein said left shoe impression of said first half is sized to hold approximately half of the left shoe; wherein said right shoe impression of said first half is sized to hold approximately half of the right shoe; wherein said accessory impression of said first half is sized to hold approximately half of the accessory; wherein said left shoe impression of said second half is sized to hold approximately half of the left shoe; wherein said right shoe impression of said second half is sized to hold approximately half of the right shoe; and wherein said accessory impression of said second half is sized to hold approximately half of the accessory.

5. The container according to claim 1, wherein said left shoe impression of said first half and said left shoe impression of said second half are sized and shaped to snugly fit around the left shoe.

6. The container according to claim 1, wherein said accessory impression of said first half and said accessory impression of said second half are sized and shaped to snugly fit around the accessory.

7. The container according to claim 1, further comprising a living hinge placed between and in contact with both said first half and said second half.

8. The container according to claim 1, wherein said left shoe impression has a left parameter, said left parameter is dependent upon a size of the left shoe.

9. The container according to claim 8, wherein said right shoe impression has a right parameter, said right parameter is dependent upon a size of the right shoe.

10. The container according to claim 9, wherein said first half has an outer dimension that is generally consistent regardless of said left parameter or said right parameter.

11. The container according to claim 1, further comprising an incentive paper placed within said outer dimension for encouraging a customer to purchase the container.

12. The container according to claim 8, wherein said first half further comprises a plurality of alternate accessory impressions, wherein each alternate accessory impression is sized to hold an entire alternate accessory.

13. The container according to claim 12, wherein one alternate accessory impression is in a shape selected from the group consisting of a bottle, a brush, a shoelace, and combinations thereof.

14. The container according to claim 11, wherein one accessory impression is in a shape of an insert.

15. A container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions: a first half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression; a second half that is generally flat surface across an entire surface of said second half; said left shoe impression is sized to hold approximately the left shoe; said right shoe impression is sized to hold approximately the right shoe; said accessory impression is sized to hold approximately the accessory; wherein said left shoe impression of said first half and said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe; wherein said right shoe impression of said first half and said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe; and wherein said accessory impression of said first half and said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory.

16. A container for holding a left shoe and a right shoe in their respective positions: a first half having an outer dimension, a left shoe impression placed within said outer dimension, and a right shoe impression placed within said outer dimension; a second half having an outer dimension, a left shoe impression placed within said outer dimension, and a right shoe impression placed within said outer dimension; each said left shoe impression includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the left shoe; each said right shoe impression includes a size selected from a plurality of sizes depending on a size of the right shoe; wherein said left shoe impression of said first half and said left shoe impression of said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe; and wherein said right shoe impression of said first half and said right shoe impression of said second half, when said first half and said second half are joined together, mate with each other and define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe.

17. The container according to claim 16, further comprising a plurality of first halves and a plurality of second halves, each first half and each right half having an outer dimension generally consistent in size with a next first half and a next right half, respectively.

18. The container according to claim 17, each left shoe impression of each first half includes a size different than a next left shoe impression of a next first half.

19. The container according to claim 17, each right shoe impression of each first half includes a size different than a next right shoe impression of a next first half.

20. A method for providing a container for holding a left shoe, a right shoe, and an accessory in their respective positions, comprising the steps of: providing a first half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression; providing a second half having a left shoe impression, a right shoe impression, and an accessory impression; sizing the left shoe impression of the first half to hold a portion of the left shoe; sizing the right shoe impression of the first half to hold a portion of the right shoe; sizing the accessory impression of the first half to hold a portion of the accessory; sizing the left shoe impression of the second half to hold a portion of the left shoe; sizing the right shoe impression of the second half to hold a portion of the right shoe; sizing the accessory impression of the second half to hold a portion of the accessory; joining the first half and second half together wherein the left shoe impression of the first half and the left shoe impression of the second half define an enclosed left shoe interior space to hold the left shoe when the first half and second half mate with each other; joining the first half and second half together wherein the right shoe impression of the first half and the right shoe impression of the second half define an enclosed right shoe interior space to hold the right shoe when the first half and second half mate with each other; and joining the first half and second half together wherein the accessory impression of the first half and the accessory impression of the second half define an enclosed accessory interior space to hold the accessory when the first half and second half mate with each other.

21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of combining the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half with the first half to provide a single unit.

22. The method according to claim 20, further comprising the step of integrally attaching the left shoe impression, right shoe impression, and accessory impression of the first half with the first half to provide a single unit.