Patent Application
20130105349
This invention relates in general mailing tubes, and more particularly to mailing tube plugs.
Mailing tubes are known packaging enclosures used for the packaging and mailing of large flexible sheets of paper, poster paper, fabric, and the like that are better suited for mailing when rolled up.
Typical mailing tubes comprise a compartment for holding the rolled up member, and is dosed on one end to prevent the contents from falling out, and open on the other end to receive a removable plug such that the contents can be accessed.
The present inventors have recognized the need for a more useful mailing tube plug, which can serve more than one purpose.
The present inventors have recognized the need for a mailing tube plug with a decorative component which can be displayed separately from the mailing tube and the mailing tube plug.
The present inventors have recognized the need for a mailing tube plug with a removable decorative component.
The present invention provides a mailing tube plug which has a removable decorative component. The mailing tube plug has a mailing tube plug end and an ornament receiving end. The mailing tube plug end fits securely within the mailing tube to prevent the mailing tube plug, and the contents of the mailing tube, from falling out. The mailing tube plug end is configured to fit within the cross sectional area of the mailing tube. The mailing tube plug end can be secured to the open end of the mailing tube through a fitted connection, or by a threaded connection. The mailing tube, and accordingly the nailing tube plug, can be of any cross sectional shape.
On the opposite end of the mailing tube plug end is an ornament engagement end. The ornament engagement end comprises an ornament receiving region which is a recessed region for receiving at least a portion of the ornament. In one embodiment, the recessed region is complementarily shaped to a portion of the ornament to receive a portion of the ornament. In another embodiment, the recessed region is of sufficient size and shape to receive a portion of the ornament.
The mailing tube plug further comprises a central shaft. The ornament is connected to an ornament attachment device, such as a looped string, which is strung through the central shaft. Pulling the ornament attachment device through the shaft presses the ornament against the recessed region.
The free end of the ornament attachment device is itself secured such that the ornament is not loosened from its position within the ornament receiving region.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof 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 invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
The mailing tube plug 40 also comprises an ornament engagement end 70, which as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The attachment device 54 can be secured to prevent the looped string from loosening the ornament 50 from the first recessed region 80 by being pulled upwards along side the mailing tube plug end 60 and held place while the plug end is inserted in to the mailing tube body so that the attachment device 54 is bound between the tube plug end and the side wall of the tube body. In another embodiment, the attachment device can be secured with an adhesive, such as tape, to any part of the mailing tube plug 40, such as the bottom surface of the mailing tube plug end 60, or to the mailing tube body 20. In other embodiments, the attachment device can be looped around a notch, or a post, or any other mechanism for fastening string, that is on a surface of the mailing tube plug end 60.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
In use, the decorative mailing tube plug 40 is used to close a mailing tube with contents for delivery. Once the recipient receives the mailing tube, the mailing tube plug 40 is removed to access the delivered contents. The recipient can also remove the ornament from the mailing tube plug and use the ornament separately as a decoration, such as by handing the ornament from a tree by the attachment device 54.
The ornament may be any suitable size or shape. The recessed region 80 for receiving the ornament may be any suitable size or shape which can receive at least portion of the ornament.
From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein, to the extent that the references are not inconsistent with the present disclosure.
