Integrated Reusable Gift Packaging

Abstract

An environmentally conscious, integrated reusable gift packaging made from a recycled durable flexible sheet material having decorative patterns and/or coloring thereon, comprised of top and bottom panels affixed together by front and rear walls, and left and right side flaps which are affixed to the bottom panel by right and left side walls, and which are foldable to lie over the top panel. Ribbon strips are affixed to one or more of the top panel, left side flap, and right side flap to close and secure the package and provide the appearance of a conventional ribbon-wrapped gift.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to reusable gift packaging for use for birthday gifts, holiday presents, and other gift occasions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, gift wrapping has involved placing the gift in a box, then wrapping the box by cutting gift wrap paper to the right size, taping it in place, and cutting and tying a ribbon around the wrapped box. Paper gift wrap is typically ripped and damaged when the gift is opened and therefore discarded after a single use. Rigid boxes are difficult to store, so they too are frequently thrown away. In some jurisdictions it is possible to recycle some of these paper and cardboard materials, but in many instances, gift wrap materials are discarded and incinerated with other garbage. Gift wrap made from virgin pulp requires the cutting of our forestland. Even gift wrap made from recycled paper must be reprocessed after each use and after approximately 5-7 cycles, it is generally no longer recyclable. Disposable gift wrap in any form, is taxing to our environment.

In addition, the process of gift wrapping can be very time consuming, particularly in large families with significant gift giving traditions.

Various reusable gift wrappings have been proposed. For example Selga, U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,144 and Hagan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,904,289 propose fabric gift wraps that can be fit around a gift box and secured with multiple hook and loop fasteners. Kenyon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,548 discloses an expandable sleeve that fits around a gift box. However, these prior art wrappings have generally been limited in their application to use with a gift box and consist of multiple fastenings or detachable parts.

There is a need for an environmentally conscious reusable gift wrap, that delivers the appearance of a conventionally wrapped gift, but does not require a gift box, scissors or tape. A gift wrap that is sturdy enough to hold its shape without a box, but flexible enough to be stored flat for later use. A gift wrap which is fully integrated, can be easily and inexpensively fabricated and assembled, is simple to use, and gives the wrapped gift an attractive presentation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an integrated reusable gift packaging as a replacement for a conventional gift box and disposable wrapping paper. The use of such a reusable gift packaging will reduce the need for forest products for the production of disposable gift wrapping, and reduce environmental problems associated with the incineration or single-use recycling of conventional gift wrapping materials.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a reusable gift packaging that is both attractive and functional. The reusable gift packaging of the invention requires minimal skill and only seconds to assemble. At the same time, it is economical, in that it can be reused for many years, thus eliminating the costs associated with annual gift wrap purchasing.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an integrated reusable gift packaging is made from a recycled durable flexible sheet material having decorative patterns and/or coloring thereon and comprises top and bottom panels and left and right side flaps. The top panel front end is affixed to the bottom panel front end by a front wall; the top panel rear end is affixed to the bottom panel rear end by a rear wall; the left side flap extends from the bottom panel left side by a left side wall; and the right side flap extends from the bottom panel right side by a right side wall. The flaps have rectangular shapes, or triangular or other tapered widths from their flap bases to their flap ends, which are foldable to lie over the top panel.

In the preferred embodiment, a strip of ribbon is affixed to the top panel. Left and right strips of ribbon are affixed to the left and right side flaps and extend from the flap ends. They may be tied together to form a bow, thereby securing the gift wrap package and creating the appearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped gift.

The present invention provides an environmentally conscious, attractive, storable and reusable gift packaging that is suitable for clothing and other articles.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. The Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, right side and front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the integrated reusable gift packaging of the invention assembled together.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, right side and rear perspective view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 1 along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1 with a gift clothing item shown in phantom outline.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 1 along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1 with a gift clothing item shown in phantom outline.

FIG. 5 is a top, right side and front perspective view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 1 with its ribbon untied and sides open to receive a gift therein.

FIG. 6 is a top, right side and front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the integrated reusable gift packaging of the invention assembled together.

FIG. 7 is a bottom, right side and rear perspective view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8A is a top, right side and front perspective view of an embodiment of an integrated reusable gift packaging of the invention with its ribbon untied and sides open to receive a gift therein.

FIG. 8B is a top, right side and front perspective view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 8A illustrating the placement of a gift into the packaging.

FIG. 8C is a top, right side and front perspective view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 8B with the gift placed into the packaging.

FIG. 8D is a top, right side and front perspective view of the integrated reusable gift packaging of FIG. 8C illustrating the closing of the sides of the packaging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to all the FIGS., where like elements are indicated with the same element number, an integrated reusable gift packaging 10 is shown. FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of an integrated reusable gift packaging 10. FIGS. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the integrated reusable gift packaging 10 of FIG. 1 showing a gift clothing item 70 (in phantom outline) within the packaging 10. FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of an integrated reusable gift packaging.

Gift packaging 10 comprises a top panel 20 having a front end 22 and a rear end 24; a bottom panel 26 having a front end 28 and a rear end 30, and a left side 32 and a right side 34.

The top panel front end 22 is affixed to the bottom panel front end 28. In the preferred embodiment, shown in the drawings, the top panel front end 22 is affixed to the bottom panel front end 28 by a front wall 36. In the same way, in the preferred embodiment the top panel rear end 24 is affixed to the bottom panel rear end 30 by a rear wall 38.

The bottom panel 26 has a right side flap 40 affixed to the bottom panel right side 34. In the preferred embodiment, shown in the drawings, the right side flap 40 is affixed to the bottom panel left side 34 by a right side wall 42. The right side flap 40 may have a rectangular shape 41, as seen in FIG. 6, but preferably has a tapered width from a right flap base 44 to a right flap end 46 as seen in FIG. 5. Right side flap 40 is foldable to lie over the top panel 20. In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 1-5, the right side flap 40 has a triangular shape, but other tapered shapes such as a semicircular shape or a truncated triangle or a truncated semicircular shape may be used.

The bottom panel 26 also has a left side flap 50 affixed to the bottom panel left side 32. In the preferred embodiment, shown in the drawings, the left side flap 50 is affixed to the bottom panel left side 32 by a left side wall 52. The left side flap 50 may have a rectangular shape 51, seen in FIG. 6, but preferably has a tapered width from a left flap base 54 to a left flap end 56 as seen in FIG. 5. Left side flap 50 is foldable to lie over the top panel 20. In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 1-5, the left side flap 50 has a triangular shape, but other tapered shapes such as a semicircular shape or a truncated triangle or a truncated semicircular shape may be used.

The right side flap 40 and the left side flap 50 are sized to normally lie on the top panel with the right flap end 46 near to but separated from the left flap end 56.

The above described panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall may be made from any durable flexible sheet materials. It is preferable that they contain recycled content that may include but is not limited to recycled polypropylene or polyethylene materials. Preferably, the integrated reusable gift packaging 10 is made from 100% recycled materials, but it is not a necessary element of the invention that it have 100% recycled materials, and as used herein, “made from recycled materials” is defined as having a percentage of recycled materials which is sufficient to allow advertising of the product as having at least some recycled content, consistent with industry guidelines and consumer protection laws and regulations.

The sheet materials preferably are imprinted with decorative patterns and/or coloring and/or have other decorative elements and features. For example, an integrated reusable gift packaging 10 in accordance with the invention that is intended as holiday gift wrapping could be plaid, or red with white snowflakes. Birthday gift wrapping may feature a cake and candle motif. In some embodiments, the sheet materials may be selected with interesting textures, for example fleece textured materials made from recycled PET might be used. The sheet materials may be either a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric.

In manufacturing the above described panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall, the components may be cut as a single piece of material which is then folded and shaped into the finished integrated reusable gift packaging 10, or they may be separately cut out and assembled together to form the reusable gift packaging 10. In order to have an attractive package, the edges where each of the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall connect to an adjoining piece should be a crisp defined line. This can be accomplished by using a heated die to shape the sheet materials into the finished gift packaging 10. In another approach, the edges may be defined by stitching or gluing, connecting together adjacent pieces to define a crisp edge. For example, the front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall may be separate pieces that are stitched to the panels creating defined edges.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the gift packaging is provided with ribbon and bow as follows. A top strip of ribbon 60 is affixed to and centered on the top panel 20 and extends from the top panel front end 22 to the top panel rear end 24. A right strip of ribbon 62, made from the same material as the top strip of ribbon 60 is affixed to and centered on the right side flap 40 and extends from the right flap base 44 to the right flap end 46 and beyond the right flap end 46. A left strip of ribbon 64, also made from the same material as the top strip of ribbon 60, is affixed to and centered on the left side flap 50 and extends from the left flap base 54 to the left flap end 56 and extends beyond the left flap end 56. The right strip of ribbon 62 and the left strip of ribbon 64 have lengths selected such that they can be tied together to form a bow 66, thereby securing the package and creating the appearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped gift. In the preferred embodiment, ribbons 60, 62, and 64 are fabric ribbons that are colored and/or patterned to coordinate with the sheet materials used to make the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall of the packaging 10.

Desirably, ribbons 60, 62, and 64 contain at least a percentage, up to 100%, of recycled content that may include but is not limited to recycled polyethylene, cotton or other recycled fabric materials.

A further enhanced ribbon wrapped embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, wherein the gift packaging is provided with ribbon that extends to the walls and bottom panel of packaging 10. The further enhanced ribbon wrapped embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 has the top strip of ribbon 60, a right strip of ribbon 62, and a left strip of ribbon 64, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-2. Additionally, top strip of ribbon 60 extends around the front, bottom and back of packaging 10. Top strip of ribbon 60 may include some or all of the additional elements: a front strip 60a and a rear strip 60b, and long bottom strip 60d. In the same way, right strip 62 may include a right side strip 62a, and left strip 64 may include a similar mirror image left side strip, and a short bottom strip 63. As with the other ribbon strips, the ribbon strips are fabric ribbons that are colored and/or patterned to coordinate with the sheet materials used to make the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall of the packaging.

In addition, the further enhanced ribbon wrapped embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 may optionally include a pre-tied bow 66a at the end of the left strip of ribbon 64 (or alternatively, the right strip of ribbon 62), with a hook and loop fastener affixed to the underside of the bow. In this case, the fastener is mated with a hook and loop fastener on the right strip of ribbon 62 (or alternatively, the left strip of ribbon 64) to close and secure the package. Alternately, a snap fastener may be used.

An optional feature of the integrated gift packaging 10 is a cardholder 43 affixed to the top panel 20, right side flap 40, or left side flap 50. An optional cardholder is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6 affixed to the right side flap 40. Cardholder 43 may be of any convenient shape or size appropriate to hold a small card or gift tag. Cardholder 43 is a single sheet or dual sheet pocket glued or stitched to the relevant panel or flap and may be made of the same or different materials as the panel or flap.

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate the use of the integrated reusable gift packaging 10 of the invention with a gift clothing item 70. FIG. 8A illustrates the open integrated reusable gift packaging 10 having a gift receiving cavity 68. FIG. 8B illustrates the placement of gift clothing item 70 into the gift receiving cavity 68 of the gift packaging 10 by sideways sliding of the gift clothing item 70 into gift receiving cavity 68 through an open side of the packaging 10. FIG. 8C illustrates the gift clothing item 70 positioned in the gift receiving cavity 68. FIG. 8D illustrates the closing of right and left flaps 40, 50 to enclose the gift clothing item 70 in the gift receiving cavity 68 of packaging 10.

The present invention accordingly provides an integrated reusable gift packaging that is durable and attractive. It is easy to use, easy to store and has the ability to greatly reduce the waste generated by traditional paper gift wrapping.

Claims

1. An integrated reusable gift packaging, comprising: a top panel having a front end and a rear end;a bottom panel having a front end and a rear end and a right side and a left side;the top panel front end being affixed to the bottom panel front end by a front wall;the top panel rear end being affixed to the bottom panel rear end by a rear wall;the bottom panel having a left side flap affixed to the bottom panel left side by a left side wall; the left side flap having a tapered width from a left flap base to a left flap end, and being foldable to lie over the top panel;the bottom panel having a right side flap affixed to the bottom panel right side by a right side wall, the right side flap having a tapered width from a right flap base to a right flap end, and being foldable to lie over the top panel;the left side flap and the right side flap being sized to normally lie over the top panel with the left flap end separated from the right flap end;the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall defining a gift receiving cavity;the panels, flaps, front wall, rear wall, left side wall, and right side wall being made from durable flexible sheet materials having decorative patterns and/or coloring thereon;a left strip of ribbon, affixed to the left side flap and extending from the left flap base to the left flap end and extending beyond the left flap end;a right strip of ribbon, affixed to the right side flap and extending from the right flap base to the right flap end and extending beyond the right flap end;the left strip of ribbon and the right strip of ribbon having lengths selected such that the left strip of ribbon and the right strip of ribbon may be tied together to form a bow, thereby securing the gift wrap package and creating the appearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped package.

2. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 1, further comprising one or more of the following affixed to the package: a strip of ribbon on the top panel, a front strip of ribbon, a rear strip of ribbon, a left side strip of ribbon, and a right side strip of ribbon.

3. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 1, wherein the panels walls and flaps are a woven or non-woven fabric.

4. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 1, wherein the panels, walls and flaps, are made from recycled material.

5. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 1, wherein the ribbons are made from recycled material.

6. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 1, further comprising a cardholder affixed to the top panel, left side flap, or right side flap.

7. An integrated reusable gift packaging, comprising: a top panel having a front end and a rear end;a bottom panel having a front end and a rear end and a right side and a left side;the top panel front end being affixed to the bottom panel front end by a front wall;the top panel rear end being affixed to the bottom panel rear end by a rear wall;the bottom panel having a left side flap affixed to the bottom panel left side by a left side wall; the left side flap being foldable to lie over the top panel;the bottom panel having a right side flap affixed to the bottom panel right side by a right side wall, the right side being foldable to lie over the top panel;the left side flap and the right side flap being sized to normally lie over the top panel with the left side flap separated from the right side flap;the panels and flaps being made from a durable flexible sheet material and having decorative patterns and/or coloring thereon;the panels and the flaps defining a gift receiving cavity;ribbon strips affixed to the left side flap and to the right side flap that come together to secure the package and provide the appearance of a traditional ribbon-wrapped gift.

8. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein said ribbon strips further comprise: the left strip of ribbon extending from a left flap base to a left flap end and extending beyond the left flap end;the right strip of ribbon extending from a right flap base to a right flap end and extending beyond the right flap end;the left strip of ribbon and the right strip of ribbon having lengths selected such that the left strip of ribbon and the right strip of ribbon may be tied together to form a bow.

9. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, comprising one or more of the following, affixed to the package: a strip of ribbon on the top panel, a front strip of ribbon, a rear strip of ribbon, a left side strip of ribbon, and a right side strip of ribbon.

10. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein said ribbon strips comprise a pre-formed bow and fastening means.

11. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 10, wherein the fastening means comprises a hook and loop fastener.

12. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 10 wherein the fastening means comprises a snap.

13. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein the panels, walls and flaps are made from recycled materials.

14. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein the ribbons are made from recycled material.

15. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein the panels, walls and flaps are a woven fabric or a non-woven fabric.

16. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein the left side flap has a tapered width from a left flap base to a left flap end, and the right side flap has a tapered width from a right flap base to a right flap end.

17. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, wherein the left side flap and the right side flap are generally rectangular.

18. The integrated reusable gift packaging of claim 7, further comprising a cardholder affixed to the top panel, left side flap, or right side flap.