U.S. patent application number 10/176350 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-25 for combination box fan and packaging assembly.
Invention is credited to Chen, Yung, Herndon, Charles, Kyle, Boyd, Moreno, Eleobardo.
Application Number | 20030235501 10/176350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29734134 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030235501 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herndon, Charles ; et
al. |
December 25, 2003 |
Combination box fan and packaging assembly
Abstract
A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising a
fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and
two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion. The
shroud portion and the grill portions define an interior region of
the fan housing. The shroud portion defines an outer shroud surface
and the two grill portions each define an outer grill surface, the
outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining
an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. A film of
packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary surface
of the fan housing, wherein the exterior boundary surface defines
the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material. A
portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding
film layer of packaging material is also disclosed.
Inventors: |
Herndon, Charles;
(Northbrook, IL) ; Moreno, Eleobardo; (St. John,
IN) ; Chen, Yung; (Claredon Hills, IL) ; Kyle,
Boyd; (Woodstock, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
William J. Lenz
WALLENSTEIN & WAGNER, LTD.
53rd Floor
311 South Wacker
Chicago
IL
60606-6622
US
|
Family ID: |
29734134 |
Appl. No.: |
10/176350 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
416/146R ;
416/247R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04D 29/703
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
416/146.00R ;
416/247.00R |
International
Class: |
F04D 029/70 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: a
fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and
two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the
shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region
of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud
surface and the two grill portions each defining an outer grill
surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces
together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing,
the fan further including a motorized blade assembly having a motor
and disposed within the interior region of the fan housing; and a
film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary
surface of the fan housing; wherein the exterior boundary surface
defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging
material.
2. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 1,
wherein the motor includes a control actuator, the motor disposed
within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control
actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan
housing.
3. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 1,
further including a handle feature disposed within the fan housing
and recessed from the exterior boundary surface.
4. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 1,
further including a pocket disposed within the fan housing and
recessed from the exterior boundary surface.
5. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 4,
wherein the pocket is adapted to receive a power cord electrically
connected to the motor of the fan assembly.
6. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 4,
wherein the pocket is adapted to receive at least one removable
appendage of the fan assembly.
7. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6,
wherein the appendage is a foot support that is removably
attachable to the fan assembly.
8. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6,
wherein the appendage is a power cord that is capable of being
removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan
assembly.
9. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6,
wherein the appendage is a control knob that is removably attached
to the motor.
10. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6,
wherein the film of packaging material retains the removable
appendage within the pocket.
11. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6,
wherein the removable appendage is disposed inside a package that
is disposed within the pocket.
12. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly including: a
fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill
portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud
portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the
fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface
and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the
outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining
an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing; a motorized blade
assembly having a motor and disposed within the interior region of
the fan housing; a compartment recessed from the exterior boundary
surface that accommodates at least one removable appendage of the
fan assembly; and a film of packaging material disposed over the
exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.
13. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
12, wherein the compartment is configured to accommodate a power
cord electrically connected to the motor.
14. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
12, wherein the compartment is configured to accommodate at least
one support feature that is removably attachable to the fan
assembly.
15. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
12, further including a handle feature disposed within the exterior
boundary surface.
16. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
12, wherein the compartment is formed within one of the grill
portions.
17. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
16, wherein the compartment is defined by a recessed compartment
surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent
sidewall.
18. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
17, wherein the recessed compartment surface includes a grill
structure.
19. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
17, wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure.
20. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
12, wherein the motor includes a control actuator that is disposed
in the assembly such that the control actuator is recessed from the
exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.
21. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
20, wherein the control actuator includes a removable control knob
that is adapted to be stored within the compartment.
22. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
12, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is
disposed in the assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from
the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.
23. A fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film
layer of packaging material, the assembly comprising: a fan housing
having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each
disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the
grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the
peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the
two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the outer
surfaces defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing,
the exterior boundary surface defining a geometric extent of the
fan; and a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior
region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a motor
housing and a control actuator disposed adjacent an outer surface
of the motor housing, the fan motor disposed within the interior
region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is
recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing so
that it does not breach the geometric extent of the fan.
24. The fan assembly of claim 23, wherein the control actuator is
disposed within a recess formed within the fan housing to
facilitate access to the control actuator.
25. The fan assembly of claim 24, wherein the fan housing includes
a surface adjacent to the recess and upon which indicia is
disposed.
26. The fan assembly of claim 23, wherein the motor includes a
power cord receptacle that is disposed in the assembly such that
the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of
the fan housing.
27. The fan assembly of claim 26, wherein the power cord receptacle
is disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to
facilitate access to the receptacle.
28. The fan assembly of claim 23, wherein the fan housing further
includes a compartment recessed from the exterior boundary
surface.
29. The fan assembly of claim 28, wherein the compartment is
adapted to receive an appendage of the fan assembly.
30. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: a
fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill
portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud
portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the
fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud
surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill
surface, the fan housing including a recessed control cavity and a
recessed pocket; a motorized blade assembly disposed within the
interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having
a control actuator disposed within the control cavity; at least one
removable appendage of the fan assembly disposed within the
recessed pocket; and a layer of packaging material disposed over
the fan housing.
31. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
30, wherein the recessed control cavity is formed within one of the
grill portions.
32. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
30, wherein the fan housing includes a surface adjacent to the
recessed control cavity having indicia disposed thereon.
33. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
31, wherein the recessed pocket is formed within one of the grill
portions.
34. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
33, wherein the recessed pocket is defined by a recessed surface
offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.
35. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
34, wherein the recessed surface includes a grill structure therein
to allow air to flow therethrough.
36. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
34, wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure therein to
allow air to flow therethrough.
37. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
30, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle disposed
adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access
to the receptacle.
38. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
30, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a foot
support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.
39. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
30, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a power
cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to
the motor of the fan assembly.
40. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: a
fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill
portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud
portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the
fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud
surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill
surface, the fan housing including a recessed control cavity and a
recessed pocket; a motorized blade assembly disposed within the
interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having
a control actuator disposed within the control cavity; a package
containing at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly and
disposed within the recessed pocket; and a layer of packaging
material disposed over the fan housing.
41. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
40, wherein the recessed control cavity is formed within one of the
grill portions.
42. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
40, wherein the recessed pocket is formed within one of the grill
portions.
43. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
42, wherein the recessed pocket is defined by a recessed surface
offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.
44. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
43, wherein the recessed surface includes a grill structure therein
to allow air to flow therethrough.
45. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
43, wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure therein to
allow air to flow therethrough.
46. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
40, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle disposed
adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access
to the receptacle.
47. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
40, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a foot
support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.
48. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim
40, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a power
cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to
the motor of the fan assembly.
49. A portable fan assembly comprising: a fan housing having an
interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an
outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan
housing, the fan housing further including a control recess and a
compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface and
adapted to accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly;
and a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region
of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control
actuator, the motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior
region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is
disposed within the control recess of the fan housing, the control
actuator being positioned substantially offset from the exterior
boundary surface toward the interior region of the fan housing.
50. The portable fan assembly of claim 49, wherein the at least one
appendage includes a power cord electrically connected to the
motor.
51. The portable fan assembly of claim 49, wherein the at least one
appendage includes a power cord that is removably connected to the
motor.
52. The portable fan assembly of claim 49, wherein the motor
includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the portable
fan assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior
boundary surface of the fan housing.
53. The portable fan assembly of claim 52, wherein the power cord
receptacle is disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan
housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.
54. A method of packaging a portable fan having a fan housing that
includes a compartment that is recessed from an exterior boundary
surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage,
the method comprising the steps of: placing the at least one
removable appendage of the portable fan into the compartment such
that the at least one removable appendage does not substantially
protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;
and disposing a film of packaging material over the exterior
boundary surface of the fan housing, thereby retaining the at least
one removable appendage within the compartment.
55. A portable fan conducive to packaging with a surrounding film
layer of packaging material, the fan comprising a fan housing that
includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface
of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the
compartment adapted to receive the at least one removable appendage
and contain it therein when a film of packaging material is
disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.
56. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: a
fan having a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from
an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one
removable appendage, the compartment adapted to receive the at
least one removable appendage; and a layer of packaging material
disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;
wherein the layer of packaging material retains the at least one
removable appendage within the compartment such that it does not
substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the
fan housing.
57. A portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a
surrounding film layer of packaging material, the assembly
comprising a fan housing having an interior region and an exterior
boundary surface defined by an outer peripheral housing surface and
two grill surfaces of the fan housing, the fan housing further
having a compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary
surface, the compartment adapted to accommodate at least one
appendage of the fan assembly such that the at least one appendage
does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary
surface of the fan housing.
58. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: a
fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and
two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the
shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region
of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud
surface and the two grill portions each defining an outer grill
surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces
together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;
and a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior
boundary surface of the fan housing; wherein the exterior boundary
surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the
packaging material.
59. A portable fan conducive to packaging with a surrounding film
layer of packaging material, the fan comprising a fan housing that
includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface
of the fan housing and at least one appendage, the compartment
adapted to store the at least one appendage, the exterior boundary
surface representing the outermost geometric extent of the fan.
60. A portable fan having self-contained packaging capability, the
fan comprising: a fan housing defining an interior region and an
exterior boundary surface, the exterior boundary surface defining
the geometric extent of the fan; a motorized blade assembly
disposed within the interior region of the fan housing; and at
least one removable appendage of the fan assembly, the fan housing
adapted to provide storage of the removable appendage within the
geometric extent of the fan in a packaged state.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to fans, and more particularly to a
box fan assembly having final assembly parts that are
self-contained and other features that make the assembly conducive
to shrink-wrap packaging, or other forms of low cost packaging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Box fans have traditionally been an effective way to provide
climate control within a living space. In recent years,
manufacturers have found ways to design and manufacture these types
of fans at low costs due to technological advancements in
manufacturing, materials and packaging. These types of fans have
become extremely popular over the recent years due to their
extremely low cost to the consumer. During the summer months, box
fans provide a very low cost solution to keep air circulating
within a living space, and hence, help keep temperatures from
reaching uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, levels.
[0003] Due to their increasing popularity and low cost, these types
of box fans have become high volume consumer products. High volume
products, especially low cost products, always challenge
manufacturers to find ways to reduce manufacturing and material
costs in order to increase or maintain profit margins, especially
when margins are low. Because of the typically high volume of sales
of these types of products, reduction of just a few cents in
manufacturing or product cost can translate into significant
increases in profit. Some of these reductions can also be
translated into further reduced prices to the consumer.
[0004] One of the most expensive portions of product cost for these
types of low-cost products is attributable to product packaging.
The most popular method of packaging box fans is to place them
within a corrugated cardboard or paper box. The box may include
additional cardboard, foam, or plastic braces or supports that are
designed to secure or support the box fan within the box. The box
typically has printed indicia on several of its outside surfaces,
sometimes in several colors, indicating product names, marketing
information, technical specifications and other product or
manufacturer information. All of these features of box packaging
make it an expensive choice for packaging, especially for packaging
high-volume low-cost consumer products.
[0005] Another method of packaging is plastic form packaging. This
type of packaging typically involves packaging a product between
two thermo-formed or vacuum-formed plastic package halves that are
formed to fit the contour of the product. The package halves are
typically welded together to form a peripheral seam that seals the
package. Printed material can be printed on a paper or cardboard
substrate and inserted between the package halves to provide
product and marketing information. Although this type of packaging
reduces cost associated with printing, it typically requires
customized tooling to form the contoured packaging. Because of the
tooling requirement, this type of packaging can be relatively
expensive, especially for packaging high-volume low-cost consumer
products.
[0006] One of the least expensive packaging methods is shrink-wrap
packaging. In this type of packaging, the product is wrapped with a
thin film of shrinkable plastic material. After the product is
wrapped, the shrink-wrap is exposed to heat, which causes the
shrink-wrap to shrink and conform to the product. Product and
marketing material can be printed on a paper or cardboard substrate
and inserted between the shrink-wrap and product prior to shrinking
the shrink-wrap. Shrink-wrap packaging is a very low cost method of
packaging. One of the drawbacks to shrink-wrapping, however, is the
lack of product protection from damage. This is especially true
when the product is less robust or of a shape that includes
appendages, protrusions, or other potentially fragile components.
Box fans typically include appendages such as handles, floor
supports or feet, control knobs, power cords and the like, which
make it a product that is less conducive to shrink-wrap packaging
methods. These appendages also make the box fans less conducive to
shipping, storage, and stacking on pallets and store shelves due to
their dimensional complexity. This can also significantly reduce
the volume of product that can be displayed on store shelves, or
shipped in a single shipping unit, such as a pallet or other
container. Therefore, a simple geometrically-shaped product having
no appendages or protrusions would be an ideal candidate for
shrink-wrap packaging and would provide all of the shipping,
storage and cost savings benefits associated with this type of
packaging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising
a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion
and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion.
The shroud portion and the grill portions define an interior region
of the fan housing. The shroud portion defines an outer shroud
surface and the two grill portions each define an outer grill
surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces
together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.
A film of packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary
surface of the fan housing, wherein the exterior boundary surface
defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging
material.
[0008] In another aspect, a fan assembly conducive to packaging
with a surrounding film layer of packaging material is provided.
The assembly comprises a fan housing having a peripheral shroud
portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud
portion. The shroud portion and the grill portions define an
interior region of the fan housing. The peripheral shroud portion
has an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each have an
outer grill surface, the outer surfaces defining an exterior
boundary surface of the fan housing. The exterior boundary surface
defines a geometric extent of the fan. A motorized blade assembly
is disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and
includes a fan motor having a motor housing and a control actuator
disposed adjacent an outer surface of the motor housing. The fan
motor is disposed within the interior region of the fan housing
such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior
boundary surface of the fan housing so that it does not breach the
geometric extent of the fan.
[0009] In yet another aspect, a portable fan assembly conducive to
packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material is
provided wherein the assembly includes a fan housing having an
interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an
outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan
housing. The fan housing includes a compartment that is recessed
from the exterior boundary surface. The compartment is adapted to
accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly such that
the appendage does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior
boundary surface of the fan housing.
[0010] In yet another aspect, a portable fan having self-contained
packaging capability is provided. The fan includes a fan housing
defining an interior region and an exterior boundary surface. The
exterior boundary surface defines the geometric extent of the fan.
A motorized blade assembly is disposed within the interior region
of the fan housing. The fan also includes at least one removable
appendage, wherein the fan housing is adapted to provide storage of
the removable appendage within the geometric extent of the fan in a
packaged state.
[0011] These and other aspects will become apparent from a review
of the Drawings, Detailed Description and the Claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable
fan assembly in accordance with a particular aspect of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fan assembly shown in
FIG. 1 having a portion cut away to expose a fan motor.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
combination portable fan and packaging assembly in accordance with
a particular aspect of the present invention wherein a layer of
packaging material is disposed over the fan.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a package containing appendages of
the portable fan assembly that can be placed within a compartment
within the fan assembly in accordance with a particular aspect of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] While the present invention will be described fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a
particular embodiment is shown, it is to be understood at the
outset that persons skilled in the art may modify the invention
herein described while still achieving the desired result of this
invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be
understood as an informative disclosure of a specific embodiment
under the invention directed to the understanding of persons
skilled in the appropriate arts and not as limitations of the
present invention.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment in accordance
with the present invention includes a portable fan, or fan assembly
10 having a fan housing 12. The fan housing 12 includes a
peripheral shroud portion 14 and two grill portions 16 and 18, each
disposed adjacent the shroud portion 14. The shroud portion 14 and
the grill portions 16 and 18 define an interior region 20 of the
fan housing 12. In this particular embodiment, the shroud portion
14 has an outer shroud surface 22 and the two grill portions 16 and
18 each have an outer grill surface 24. It is to be understood that
the shroud portion 14, as well as the grill portions 16, may be
made up of more than one component and can be of a variety of
shapes and sizes. The outer shroud surface 22 and the outer grill
surface 24 together define an exterior, or outer, boundary surface
26 of the fan housing 12 that represents the outer boundary of a
defined space within which the fan housing 12 is contained, i.e.,
the spacial limit or geometric extent of the fan housing 12. In a
preferred embodiment, the fan housing is free of any appendages
that more than slightly protrude beyond the exterior boundary
surface 26 of the fan housing, thereby providing a portable fan
that is conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of
packaging material, such as shrink-wrap packaging. Appendages may
include a fixed power cord, a removable power cord, removable
supports or feet, a removable control knob, a removable handle, and
any other feature of a fan that would extend beyond the geometric
extent of the fan housing.
[0018] As best shown in FIG. 2, a motorized blade assembly 30 is
disposed within the interior region 20 of the fan housing 12. The
fan blade assembly includes a motor 32 having a motor housing 34, a
bladed propeller 36 and a control actuator 38. The motor 32 is of a
design that is particularly suitable for the present invention. In
a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the motor 32 is
disposed within the interior region 20 of the housing 12 such that
the control actuator 38 does not extend beyond the exterior
boundary surface 26 of the fan housing 12. The control actuator 38
is disposed within a control cavity, or recess 40, such that the
control actuator 38 does not extend beyond the boundary surface 26
but remains functionally accessible by a user of the fan 10. The
recessed design of the control actuator 38 is further facilitated
by the design of the motor housing 34. The motor housing 34
includes a backplane 42 that is offset from an outermost surface 44
of the fan housing 34, within which the control actuator 38 is
disposed. Additionally, the control actuator 38 includes a control
knob 46 that has an offset design, i.e., the control knob 46 has an
axis of rotation that is not at the center of the control knob 46,
but rather offset to a side edge of the control knob 46. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the control knob 46 has a wedge-like
shape. By offsetting the control knob 46 from its axis of rotation,
the motor 32 can be of a more compact design and the recess 40 can
be smaller. To further accommodate this design, control setting
indicia 48 can be disposed directly on the grill portion 16, such
as by labeling or molding, thereby further decreasing the
manufacturing costs of the motor 32, which, in turn, decreases the
cost of the fan 10.
[0019] In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the motor
housing 34 includes an electrical cord receptacle 49 disposed
within the backplane 42 that accepts a plug of a removable
electrical power cord. The grill portion 16 includes a receptacle
aperture 50 to accommodate access to the receptacle 49. The grill
portion 16 also includes a recessed handle 52 disposed near an edge
53 of the fan housing 12 to facilitate carrying of the fan 10 by a
user. These features facilitate ease of packaging the fan with a
surrounding film layer of packaging material.
[0020] A particular feature that facilitates the self-contained
packaging concept is the capability of the fan housing to allow
storage of appendages of the fan such that they are contained
within the geometric extent of the fan. In a preferred embodiment,
a recessed pocket, or compartment 54, is formed within the grill
portion 16 that is adapted to accommodate appendages of the fan 10.
The compartment 54 is shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, the
compartment 54 can also be formed within the shroud portion 14. In
other fan styles, the compartment can be formed into any portion of
the fan housing such that it provides storage that is recessed from
the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. Furthermore, the
compartment can be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes.
Referring to FIG. 3, the compartment 54 is defined by a recessed
surface 55 offset from the outer grill surface 24 by an adjacent
sidewall 56. In a preferred embodiment, the recessed surface 55 and
the sidewall 56 include a grill structure or apertures therein to
facilitate air flow therethrough. Thus, the compartment 54 does not
interfere with air flow from the motorized blade assembly.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, removable appendages may include
removable supports or feet 57 and a removable power cord 58. In a
preferred embodiment, the removable feet 57 and the power cord 58
of FIG. 4 are packaged within a plastic package 60. The removable
feet 56 can be clipped to a bottom edge 62 of the fan housing 12 to
help support the fan 10 when it is placed on a surface. In an
alternate embodiment, the removable appendages of the fan 10 may
also include features such as a removable handle (not shown) that
attaches to the fan housing 12, a removable control knob (not
shown), other features of a fan that would normally substantially
extend beyond the geometric extent of the fan housing. The
removability of these features, and storage within the compartment,
provides an appendage-free housing that is conducive to packaging
with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, such as
shrink-wrap packaging.
[0022] The combination compartment 54 and the drop-in plastic
package 60 accommodates more functional packaging and reduces
packaging costs. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the
package 60 is placed within the compartment 54 during the packaging
process. As shown in FIG. 3, a layer of packaging material 70, such
as shrink-wrap film, is disposed around the fan 10. If shrink-wrap
type packaging material is utilized, heat is applied to the film
which causes the shrink-wrap to shrink and conform to the exterior
boundary surface 26 of the fan 10. Because the fan 10 of the
present invention is substantially free of appendages in a
prepackaged state, it is conducive to this type of self-contained
packaging. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the layer of
packaging material 70 holds the plastic package 60 within the
compartment 54. Product and marketing material can be printed on a
paper or cardboard substrate (not shown) and inserted between the
shrink-wrap and the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan 10
prior to shrinking the shrink-wrap. It should be noted that the
plastic package 60, or one or more appendages of the fan if such is
the case, may slightly protrude beyond the exterior boundary
surface of the fan housing. As shown in FIG. 3, the plastic package
60 slightly protrudes beyond the exterior boundary surface of the
fan housing. This occurrence does not adversely affect the
principle of the present invention, as long as a majority portion
of the plastic package is recessed from the exterior boundary
surface. It is to be understood that he plastic package 60, or one
or more appendages of the fan contained within the compartment 54,
are not considered part of the fan when the fan is in a packaged
state.
[0023] When a consumer removes the fan 10 from the packaging
material 70, the package 60 can be removed and, in turn, the
appendages of the fan 10 can be removed from the package 60. The
appendages can then be attached to the fan 10 by the consumer to
allow use of the fan 10 in a fully-assembled state.
[0024] It is to be understood that although the preferred
embodiment depicts the appendages packaged within the package 60,
they could also be directly placed within the compartment 54
without being in a package. Additionally, the fan 10 could be
designed such that the power cord 58 is wired directly to the motor
32 and extends into the compartment 54 without substantially
protruding beyond the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan 10.
It is also to be understood that although the preferred embodiment
depicts a box-type fan, the invention is applicable to other types
of portable fans that could effectively be packaged in accordance
with the present invention.
[0025] It is also to be understood that the compartment 54 could be
supplied with a cover (not shown) that can be removably placed over
the compartment 54 to contain the appendages of the fan 10. In this
type of arrangement, it is contemplated that the fan 10 could be a
self-contained package that does not require a layer of packaging
material.
[0026] It is contemplated that all types of fan features can be
designed in accordance with the principles of the present
invention. Many types of features can be designed within the fan
such that they are recessed from an exterior boundary surface of
the fan. Furthermore, many types of features can be designed to be
removably attachable to the fan such that they can be stored within
a compartment, pocket, recess or within the fan housing such that
they are contained within the geometric extent of the fan. By
designing these types of features, the geometric extent of the fan
can be defined to provide a simple geometrically-shaped product
conducive to film packaging or self-contained packaging, which
would provide all of the shipping, storage and cost savings
benefits associated therewith.
[0027] While one or more specific embodiments have been illustrated
and described, numerous modifications may come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the
scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the
accompanying Claims.
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