Patent Application
20060042972
The present invention relates to a display and packaging apparatus for retaining a necktie.
Neckties are typically displayed on horizontal racks in a display case, or on a counter top. On occasion, particular neckties are showcased in decorative containers which can be placed on the counter tops of display cases, near cash registers, or at other locations throughout a vendor's store. Several forms for individually packaging and displaying neckties are known.
Packages for neckties (e.g., a single necktie, multiple neckties or neckties with shirts) have been fabricated in various forms. Such containers can assist in the display of neckties to consumers. These containers range from storing multiple neckties lengthwise in a single removable-top cardboard box to storing an individual necktie in its own box. Regarding the latter arrangement, the necktie is usually folded lengthwise along its center and laid flat within the box. This arrangement is common of all prior-art necktie packaging containers and can be troublesome. Customers may remove neckties from their respective boxes in order to try on or show to a friend. When removed, these neckties are not always placed back in the correct box, may be left lying loose on counter-tops, or relocated to a remote place within the store.
The removal of neckties from their boxes can be problematic because pricing and product information is typically on the box in lieu of the tie. Misplaced neckties can lead to inaccurate pricing and consumer confusion. Additionally, when several neckties are disjoined from their respective boxes the task of rejoining each necktie in its correct box can be tedious and time consuming, requiring additional labor and expense on the part of the vendor.
While individually packaging and displaying neckties can provide an eye-catching way of attracting consumers to the product, no particular structure is provided for securing or mounting the necktie therein, preventing its shift within the box, its ready removal from the box, or its separation from pricing/product information on the box.
The present invention addresses these and other needs.
Disclosed is a container for storing a necktie having a color scheme. The container comprises a bottom and side walls which extend from the bottom. The sidewalls define a top opening opposite the bottom and an inner volume suitable for the placement of a tie therein. The side walls include a back side wall, a front side wall, and at least two shoulder side walls. Also included is a top cover sized to seat upon the side walls and having a back edge and a front edge. A first hinge connects the back edge of the top cover to the back side wall. It permits the top cover to travel between open and closed positions.
The container further includes a front cover having at least a triangular shape and preferably a pentagonal shape. Also included is a second hinge connecting the front edge of the top cover to the front cover. The second hinge permits the front cover to be positioned in parallel relation to the front side wall, when the top cover is in the closed position.
The top cover and front cover have an outer surface having a first color scheme. The outer surface of the front side wall has a second color scheme, which is different from the first color scheme. Thus, the front side wall partially frames the pentagonal front cover when in the closed position.
In a further development, the first color scheme is similar to or coordinate with a color scheme featured on a necktie placed within the container. Furthermore, the front and top cover's outer surfaces comprise a material which has tactile properties that emulate or copy corresponding tactile properties of externally visible material of the necktie.
These and other features and aspects of the invention can be understood from the accompanying drawing figures and detailed description of certain disclosed embodiments.
A plurality of side walls 101, 102, 103, 104 extend from the bottom. If the bottom includes more than four edges, the number of side walls is accordingly higher. If the bottom has curved edges, the side walls corresponding to the curved edges are also curved. As shown, the side walls are generally perpendicular to the surface of the bottom. In alternate embodiments, the side walls may extend from the bottom at various angles, and need not be parallel to each other. Side wall 102 is the front side wall, and side wall 104 is the back side wall. Sidewalls 103 and 101 are the shoulder side walls. If the shape of the bottom is different, there may be additional shoulder side walls. The side walls and the bottom together define an inner volume 110. The inner volume is suitable for the placement of a tie therein. Preferably, the inner volume is sized to accommodate a rolled up tie.
A top cover 105 includes a front edge 107 and a rear edge 106. The top cover is sized to sit upon the side walls. Preferably, the shape of the top is such that it allows it to cover the opening created by side walls 101-104. In the shown embodiment, the top cover has the same shape and size as the bottom.
A first hinge 111 connects the top cover 105 to the back side wall 104. Various types of hinges may be used. For example, band of flexible material, such as fabric, may connect the rigid top cover to the back side wall. Alternatively, a butterfly hinge, a butt hinge, a barrel hinge, or a piano hinge, as well as others may be used. The hinge allows the top cover to be moved between a closed state, wherein the top cover is seated upon the side walls and an open state, wherein the top cover is displaced from the sidewalls and thus allows access to the inner volume 110.
A front cover 108 is connected to the top cover by a second hinge 112. The second hinge may be of the types listed above, although it does not need to be of the same type as the first hinge. The front cover is shaped to evoke the lower portion of a necktie in the mind of the average consumer. Thus, the front cover is preferably shaped as a pentagon, and more specifically as the type of pentagon resulting from placing the base of an isosceles triangle along the edge of a rectangle. The hinge 112 allows the front cover to be placed against the front side wall 102 when the top cover 105 is in its closed state.
A first closure element 114 is placed on the front cover 108. A second closure element 115 is placed on the front side wall 102. The first and second closure elements are compatible as to allow a relatively secure closure of the container when the front cover 114 is placed against the front side wall 102. Preferably, the closure elements comprise magnets that are placed within (that is, which are sealed in releases, slots, or depressions in) the front cover and the front side wall, respectively as to be invisible to the naked eye.
The sidewalls, bottom and covers described above may be manufactured from various materials, such as plastic, cardboard, wood or others.
Portions 100-105, and 108 each comprise inner and outer surfaces. For each portion, the outer surface is the surface that is visible when the container is closed.
A neutral color, such as white may be chosen for the outer surface of the front side wall 102. Alternatively, the color of the outer surface of front side wall 102 may be chosen to coincide with the color of a shirt that would make a good combination with the necktie included in the container.
To further enhance the impression of a necktie, the outer surface of the front cover 108 may comprise a fabric, which is similar to the eye and to the touch to the fabric of the necktie placed within the container. Thus, the fabric of the container preferably has similar tactile properties to the fabric of the necktie placed within the container (e.g. both are silk).
In a further development, the outer surfaces of top cover 105, back side wall 104, and bottom 100 may each be colored in the color scheme of front cover 108. If fabric is used for the outer surface of front color 108, the outer surfaces of top cover 105, back side wall 104 and bottom 100 may be similarly treated. Thus, an impression is created that a necktie is wrapped around the container. To improve contrast, the outer surfaces of shoulder side walls 101 and 103 may be colored in the color scheme of the outer surface of front side wall 102.
The embodiment shown in
In the preferred embodiment, the inner surfaces of portions 100-105, and 108 feature a third color which is distinct from the colors of the side walls and the outer surfaces of the above portions. If overhang regions 116 are used, the third color is preferably not applied to the overhang regions. The third color may be black, or another color chosen to improve the appearance of the necktie when the container is open.
The various surfaces of strip 600 and box 610 are colored according to the desired colors of the resulting surfaces of the container, which are described above. A fabric cover is applied to the strip 600, for embodiments featuring fabric surfacing (see above). Also, if an overhang region 116 is featured, it is colored and/or covered by fabric accordingly. These steps are preferably performed before the attachment of the strip 600 to the box 610.
An additional advantage to using a fabric cover, is that the fabric may be utilized to form the hinges connecting the various portions of the strip 600. These hinges include hinges 106 and 112, which must remain operational after the container is manufactured.
The container described above may provide many benefits for consumers and retailers alike. Retailers will be able to improve the quality of their displays while eliminating the disorder that often results when customers are allowed to handle unpackaged neckties. Since the neckties are attached to their respective containers, retailers can greatly reduce the theft of neckties, without inconveniencing customers. In addition, customers may receive the container when purchasing a necktie, and later use the container for storage of the necktie.
The invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments thereof but is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
