Gift package kit

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6220440
  • Patent Number
    6,220,440
  • Date Filed
    Friday, January 29, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, April 24, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Original Assignees
    • (Wilmette, IL, US)
  • Examiners
    • Bui; Luan K.
    Agents
    • Kelber; Michael G.
Abstract
The present invention provides a new and useful gift packaging system, method and kit that includes an assortment of gifts and a decorative container and packing materials in which to present the gifts. The gift packaging system is pre-packaged together in a collapsed configuration that can be assembled into a constructed configuration. A container is provided of generally rigid material that is collapsible and constructable. When in the collapsed position, the container forms a generally rectangular, planer configuration. Further, packing material is provided in a partially overlying position with respect to the container. Gifts are also provided in a partially overlying position with respect to the container and the packing material. When in a collapsed configuration, a wrapping substantially encloses the packing material and gifts. The gift packaging kit can be constructed from the collapsed configuration upon removal of the wrapping. When the container is assembled in its constructed configuration, it has a plurality of sides and a bottom. The packing material may be positioned inside the container and the gifts then can be placed on the packing material or may be concealed by the packing material.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




The present invention relates generally to a pre-packaged gift kit.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




More particularly, the present invention relates to a gift kit that includes a collapsible and constructable container made of rigid material that supports and protects other gift kit contents when collapsed and, in addition to packing materials, also includes gifts within the kit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,759, issued to Gannon et al. on Oct. 12, 1993 (Gannon), discloses a gift packaging and wrapping ensemble. The gift ensemble comprises a backing member of generally rigid material providing support and protection for the gift ensemble. It also comprises a collapsible, constructable gift box for packaging gift merchandise, a first wrapping material, a second wrapping material, a gift card, trimming material, and a transparent wrapping material. However Gannon fails to disclose a collapsible, constructable gift box that is generally rigid and rectangular when collapsed. Gannon also fails to disclose a gift kit that includes gifts secured by a material.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,597, issued to Schluger on Feb. 13, 1996 (Schluger), discloses another gift packaging and wrapping ensemble. The gift ensemble includes gift-wrapping components in a compartment formed by an external wrap of clear plastic construction material, the gift-wrapping components including a gift box and a mailing box of cardboard construction, whereby the mailing box serves both as a flat support base in the kit and, upon removal of the plastic wrap, as a box for mailing. However, Schluger fails to disclose a collapsible, constructable gift box that is generally rigid when collapsed. Schluzer also fails to disclose a kit that includes gifts.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,570, issued to Schaffer et al. on Sep. 3, 1996 (Shaffer), discloses a decorative packaging system including a method and kit therefor. The decorative packaging system includes a basket having a bottom wall, a flexible bag, and a bag closure fastener. The bag has a bottom that is sized and adapted so that the bottom wall of the basket may be positioned against the bottom panel of the bag. However, Shaffer fails to disclose a collapsible, constructable gift box that is generally rigid when collapsed. Shaffer also fails to disclose a kit that includes gifts.




Another problem encountered by those wishing to offer gift packages is that for a retailer to make available to it customers an assortment of gifts to assemble a gift package, a large inventory of gifts and gift packing materials is required. Typically, the types of gifts and packing materials included in gift packages, such as, candy, nuts, juice, cheese, balloons, wrapping materials, etc., come in minimum packages of multiple units, often more than twenty four units or ten pounds per package. The problem of maintaining inventory is compounded when the gifts are foodstuffs, which have a limited shelf life, typically of only about six months.




Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved gift packaging kit that overcomes the shortcomings in the art.




SUMMARY OF INVENTION




The present invention provides solutions to the problems identified above. It is an object of the invention to provide a new and useful gift packaging system, method and kit that includes an assortment of gifts and a decorative container and packing materials in which to present the gifts.




According to one general aspect of the present invention, the gift packaging system is pre-packaged in a collapsed configuration and then can later be constructed into a constructed configuration.




More specifically, a container is provided of generally rigid material that is collapsible and constructable. When in the collapsed position, the container forms a generally rectangular, planer configuration. Packing material is provided in a partially overlying position with respect to the container. Gifts are also provided in a partially overlying position with respect to the container and the packing material. When in a collapsed configuration, a wrapping substantially encloses the packing material gifts.




In a further aspect of the present invention, the container provides a rigid support for the wrapping and protects the packing material and the gifts when the container is in the collapsed configuration.




In a further aspect of the present invention, the gift packaging kit can be constructed from the collapsed configuration upon removal of the wrapping. When the container is configured in its constructed configuration, it has a plurality of sides and a bottom. The packing material may be positioned inside the container and the gifts then can be placed on the packing material or may be concealed by the packing material.




The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention. The accompanying drawings, listed hereinbelow, are useful in explaining the invention. Furthermore, other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

depicts the gift packaging kit of the present invention in the collapsed position;





FIG. 2

depicts the gift packaging kit of

FIG. 1

in the constructed position;





FIG. 3

depicts an exploded view of the gift packaging kit of

FIG. 1

in the collapsed position; and





FIG. 4

depicts multiple units of the gift packaging kit of

FIG. 1

assembled together in a single box.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.





FIG. 1

illustrates a gift packaging kit


10


of the present invention in a pre-packaged or collapsed configuration. In the preferred embodiment, the gift packaging kit


10


would be sold to distributors, retailers, and/or consumers in the collapsed configuration.





FIG. 3

illustrates the components of the gift packaging kit


10


. In the preferred embodiment, the components include a container


12


, packing material


14


, and gifts


16


. The container is made from a generally rigid material. When in the collapsed position, the container


12


forms a generally rectangular, planer configuration.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, to secure the gift packaging kit


10


in the collapsed configuration, the packing material


14


and gifts


16


are positioned to at least partially overlap the container


12


, and a wrapping


20


substantially encloses the container


12


, the packing material


14


, and the gifts


16


. In the preferred embodiment, the wrapping


20


comprises a shrink-wrap material, as generally known in the art. Other wrapping or means for securing container


12


, the packing material


14


, and optionally gifts


16


, could include net or paper (not shown) or any other suitable material. The generally rigid material of the container


12


in its collapsed configuration provides a sturdy frame around which the wrapping


20


can be enclosed and provides support and protection for the packing material


14


and, if optionally included, gifts


16


.




As also shown in

FIG. 3

, the packing material


14


in the preferred embodiment consists of cellophane (not shown), tissue paper (not shown) and tissue shred


14




a


, but any other packing material


14


would be equally suitable and is contemplated by the invention. As part of the packing material


14


, decorative items may be included in the gift packaging kit


10


. For example,

FIGS. 2 and 3

disclose a ribbon


14




b


. Of course other items could also be included or substituted, such as balloons, placards, banners, greeting cards, or other items, without departing from the present invention.




The gifts


16


in the present invention can include countless items.

FIG. 3

illustrates some gifts


16




a-e


included in one embodiment that includes cheese


16




a


, juice


16




b


, a bag of nuts


16




c


, chocolate


16




d


, and a box of crackers


16




e


. Other embodiments (not shown) include gifts


16


that include, golf balls, books, stuffed plush toys, computer disks, miniature footballs, baseballs, and basketballs, jelly beans, cookies, etc. As will be apparent from the present description, there is no limit to the types of gifts


16


that could be included in the gift packaging kit


10


of the present invention.





FIG. 2

illustrates the gift packaging kit


10


in the constructed configuration, as it would be prepared before giving it to a gift recipient (not shown). Upon removal of the wrapping


20


, the packing material


14


, and the gifts


16


can be removed from their position overlying the container


12


and the container


12


can be constructed, as shown in FIG.


2


. In the constructed configuration, the container has a plurality of sides


22


and bottom


24


. The container


12


can be constructed in many ways that are well known in the art. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the container


12


is formed from a rectangular piece of cardboard


26


having two opposing edges


28


, each having a length. The edges


28


are secured together along a portion of their length to form a loop or tube. This loop or tube is folded in four places


30


(only three folds are visible in

FIG. 3

) to form four planer sides


22


. Flaps


32


depend from each of the four sides


22


of the container


12


and the flaps


32


can be interlocked to form a bottom


24


. Any other container


12


or box configuration that is substantially planer and generally rectangular when collapsed and forms a plurality of side walls and a bottom when constructed would work equally well for the invention.




Once the container


12


is constructed in its three dimensional, constructed configuration, the packing material


14


can be placed in the container


12


and the gifts


16


can be distributed within the container


12


. The packing material


14


thus provide support for the gifts


16


and also can partially conceal the gifts


16


underneath the packing material


14


, making it more exciting for the recipient of the gift packaging kit


10


recipient to uncover the gifts


16


.




In the preferred embodiment, the sides


22


of the container


12


are decorated to correspond to a particular occasion, and the packing material


14


and gifts


16


also corresponds with the occasion and decoration on the container


12


to form a particular ensemble. Thus, for example, a gift package kit


10


for Valentine's Day may be designed with red or pink colors and hearts on the container


12


and matching coloring on the packing material


14


, whereas another gift package kit


10


for home warming may provide a depiction of a house on the container


12


. The variety of themes and combinations of decoration and packing material for ensembles is countless; thus the examples provided are not to limit the present invention.




Another feature of the preferred embodiments is to provide a wrapping


20


that is transparent so that the decorative design


34


and the gifts


16


are visible through the wrapping. Thus, retail or wholesale customers or can select a desirable gift packaging kit


10


from an assortment of kits containing different gifts


16


and different designs.




Thus from the foregoing description, it will be apparent that a distributor, such as, for example, a flower or gift delivery service or a retailer, may purchase a quantity of the gift packaging kits


10


of the present invention. This quantity could be a single gift package kit


10


ensemble or could be an assortment of different ensembles of gift package kits


10


. During shipping and storage, the rigid material of the container and the wrapping provides protection for the gifts


10


and the packing material


14


of each of the gift packaging kit


10


ensembles, as shown in FIG.


4


.




Another advantage of the invention, as discussed above, is that it provides a distributor or retailer with an assortment of gift packaging kits


10


without needed to keep a large inventory of gifts


16


and packing material


14


. Additionally, providing a wrapping


20


that is transparent or that can otherwise be seen through allows customers to select an ensemble having a desired theme and desired gifts


16


.




While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present example and embodiment, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.



Claims
  • 1. A gift packaging kit comprising the following components:a container of rigid material that is collapsible and constructable, the container forming a generally rectangular, planar configuration when collapsed and forming a three dimensional configuration having a plurality of sides and a bottom when constructed; a piece of packing material being in a partially overlying position with respect to the container when the container is collapsed; a wrapping substantially enclosing the packing material and the container; and a gift in a partially overlying position with respect to the container and enclosed by the wrapping, wherein the gift is selected from the group consisting of: cheese, juice, nuts, chocolate, crackers, balls, golf balls, miniature footballs, baseballs, basketballs, books, plush toys, computer disks, and cookies.
  • 2. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of gifts, each in a partially overlying position with respect to the container and enclosed by the wrapping.
  • 3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the container has a decoratively designed exterior surface.
  • 4. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wrapping comprises a transparent material.
  • 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wrapping comprises a net material.
  • 6. The kit of claim 1, wherein the wrapping comprises a net material.
  • 7. A gift packaging kit comprising the following components:a container of rigid material that is collapsible and constructable forming a generally rectangular, planar configuration when collapsed and forming a three dimensional configuration having a plurality of sides and a bottom when constructed; a gift being in a partially overlying position with respect to the container when the container is collapsed, wherein the gift is selected from the group consisting of: cheese, juice, nuts, chocolate, crackers, balls, golf balls, miniature footballs, baseballs, basketballs, books, plush toys, computer disks, and cookies; a piece of packing material for supporting the gift, the packing material being in a partially overlying position with respect to the container when the container is collapsed; and a wrapping substantially enclosing the gift, the packing material, and the container when the container is collapsed; whereby the container provides a rigid support for the wrapping and protects the gift and the packing material when the container is in the collapsed configuration.
  • 8. The kit of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of gifts, all positioned partially overlying the container and being enclosed by the wrapping.
  • 9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the wrapping comprises a transparent material.
  • 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the plurality of gifts and the packing material is visible through the wrapping.
  • 11. The kit of claim 7, wherein the wrapping comprises a net material.
US Referenced Citations (16)
Number Name Date Kind
4867372 Patterson Sep 1989
4946039 Garran Aug 1990
5060793 Hyun et al. Oct 1991
5232088 Leondidis Aug 1993
5251759 Gannon et al. Oct 1993
5292003 Baghdassarian Mar 1994
5294040 Cohen et al. Mar 1994
5441348 Valentino Aug 1995
5456062 Wechsler Oct 1995
5490597 Schluger Feb 1996
5551570 Shaffer et al. Sep 1996
5579905 Ingber et al. Dec 1996
5584429 Savage Dec 1996
5673796 Tulloch Oct 1997
5691023 Keller Nov 1997
5740959 Savage Apr 1998