Patent Application
20120308163
There has been little innovation in the wrapping paper industry. While gift bags exist, they are often rigid, refuse to lay flat when stored, and stay closed only with use of Velcro or a tied ribbon. Furthermore, the gift bags result in unwrapping that is too quick, lacking surprise and cutting short the gift-giving experience.
Features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following detailed description of one or more example embodiments, and the corresponding figures:
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “example embodiment”, “various embodiments” and the like indicate the embodiment(s) so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Further, some embodiments may have some, all, or none of the features described for other embodiments. Also, as used herein “first”, “second”, “third” describe a common object and indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to. Such adjectives are not intended to imply the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Also, the terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. In particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other and “coupled” may mean that two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical contact.
An embodiment includes a reusable gift wrapping system comprising fabric, a cord circumnavigating the outer border portion of the fabric; and a fastening member coupled to the cord. In an open position the fabric lies flat within a single plane and is unfolded. In a closed position the fabric is configured to enclose an object, does not lie flat within the single plane, and is folded. The fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis. The fabric maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord with the fastening member without having to tie the cord to secure the object within the portion of fabric.
An embodiment includes using fabric with an integrated closure system that is environmentally friendly and results in improved gift giving. Reusing the wrap system to wrap another gift (or for some other purpose) means the system stays out of the landfill (unlike most expendable wrapping paper). Embodiments come in a variety of sizes and can be used for presents of varying sizes and shapes. Embodiments can be used as purses, bags, hats, plant holder covers, picnic blankets, sports bags, camping bags, beach towels, laundry bags, tarps for covering equipment (e.g., functions as an upside down wrap system where a protective covering is, for example, on the outside to protect equipment from weather), travel bag, shoe bag, product wrap bag for companies wanting to reduce waste, drop cloth for house projects (e.g., painting and plastering), produce bag, and the like. Embodiments may be used to wrap/enclose (fully or partially), for example, books, gift cards, food, large items (e.g., cars), environmental waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings), wine bottles, shoes and the like.
Reusable gift wrapping system 100 comprises a flat fabric portion 105 having a top surface (visible in
However, as seen in
In
System 200 transitions from the open position (
As mentioned above, fabric 205 transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to the user pulling the cord away from longitudinal axis 230 in a single movement and at a constant angle away from the longitudinal axis. This single movement may coincide with a user sliding cord 215 (one or both ends of cord 215) through fastener 240. Fastener may be maintained in one location during this. However, in one embodiment the fastener is for maintaining closure while pulling cord 215 is for closing the system.
System 200 maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord 215 with fastening member 240 (without having to tie cord 215 to secure object 120 within the fabric 205 of system 200). Fastening member may be, in one embodiment, a toggle (i.e., cinch clamp) that holds cinched ribbon 215 in place. A toggle includes a fastener that securely fastens laces, lanyards, ties, cords and the like yet allows for easy unfastening (see, e.g., Cinch-Clamp™ fasteners at www_gadjets.com/Cinch-Clamp_htm). Of course fasteners are not so limited and may include simple systems such as a bead with an aperture sized such that two lengths of cord 215 passing through the aperture provide a resistance fit that maintains the cord lengths, and hence system 200, in a closed position. Cord 215 may then be tied in a bow if the user so desires but doing so is not necessarily needed in embodiments including a toggle.
In an embodiment a cord passes through an aperture (such as aperture 210 or an aperture from which a drawstring emerges, etc.) included in the fabric and passes through a fastening member such as a toggle. When the cord passes through the aperture and the fastening member the cord, fabric, and fastening member form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position. In contrast, simple conventional bags require a user to tie a cord around the top of the closed bag. The cord is not an integrated unit with the fabric. Thus, such cords are easy to mishandle and are difficult for some users to tie, such as the elderly, disabled (e.g., those with arthritic hands), and the like. Thus, when assembled the fabric, cord, and the fastening member are fixedly coupled to one another in that they do not easily come apart short of (see
In an embodiment cord 115 is interweaved through apertures 110 (only some of which are labeled in
In an embodiment fabric (e.g., fabric 105) is pliable and includes no preformed axis of rotation upon which a first subportion of the fabric folds towards a second subportion of the fabric. Thus, system 100 differs from conventional systems such as a cardboard gift box that may lay flat in one configuration but which includes preformed axes of rotation/folding thereby locking the user into predefined shapes for the system.
In one embodiment the ribbon may interweave through apertures inset from the outer perimeter of the wrap fabric, but other embodiments may include the ribbon located at the outermost perimeter of the system (e.g., on the absolute edge of the fabric). Also, a ribbon or cable may not interweave in and out and through the system but may instead be in a primarily enclosed channel (e.g., similar to a drawstring in a pair of men's shorts). Embodiments need not have a circular border like
In one embodiment a reusable gift wrapping system comprises a flat portion of material and a strap included in an outer border portion of the material. In an open position the portion of material lies flat within a single plane and in a closed position the portion of material is configured to enclose an object and does not lie flat within the single plane. The portion of material transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis. In such an embodiment no fastener, such as a toggle, is used. For example, the strap may include two ends, both of which are knotted after passing through an aperture of the fabric. In such a case the user may still close the system by pulling one of the two ends of the strap and may then maintain closure by tying the ends together.
The strap may pass through an aperture included in the portion of material (e.g., an aperture through the material, a loop (similar to a belt loop on a pair of pants) coupled to the material, and the like), and when the cord passes through the aperture the cord and portion of fabric form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position.
While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/491,988 filed on Jun. 1, 2011 and entitled “Wrap System”, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61491988 | Jun 2011 | US |
