U.S. patent application number 10/972603 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for combination cd/dvd gift box.
Invention is credited to Patty Cheong, Robet Pavlu.
Application Number | 20060086630 10/972603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36205210 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060086630 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheong; Patty ; et
al. |
April 27, 2006 |
Combination CD/DVD gift box
Abstract
A container for alternately storing objects of different
standardized sizes is provided. The container includes a body
portion having a bottom with a sidewall around its outer periphery
to define an interior area for receiving the object to be stored.
First and second flaps cooperate with the body portion to enclose
the interior area. At least one storage member is positioned in the
interior area. The storage member is movable between an expanded
position, which occupies a portion of the interior area, and a
collapsed position, which occupies a smaller portion of the
interior area.
Inventors: |
Cheong; Patty; (Kansas City,
MO) ; Pavlu; Robet; (Overland Park, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHOOK, HARDY & BACON LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
2555 GRAND BLVD
KANSAS CITY,
MO
64108-2613
US
|
Family ID: |
36205210 |
Appl. No.: |
10/972603 |
Filed: |
October 25, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/312 ;
206/307; G9B/33.008; G9B/33.012 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 33/0494 20130101;
G11B 33/0433 20130101; G11B 33/0411 20130101; B65D 5/5021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/312 ;
206/307 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/30 20060101
B65D085/30 |
Claims
1. A container for holding objects therein, the container
comprising: first and second sidewalls spaced apart from one
another; front and rear sidewalls spaced apart from one another,
wherein the front and rear sidewalls are spaced apart from one
another and connected to one another via the first and second
sidewalls, wherein the first and second sidewalls are spaced apart
from one another and connected to one another via the front and
rear sidewalls; a bottom wall connected to the sidewalls, wherein
the bottom and the sidewalls define an interior space having a
volume; at least a first flap connected with one of the sidewalls
and positioned opposite the bottom wall, wherein the first flap is
movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein
flap cooperates with the sidewalls and the bottom wall in the
closed position to enclose the interior space, and wherein the flap
permits access to the interior space in the open position; and a
means for varying a configuration of the interior space.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the means for varying a
configuration of the interior space includes a storage member
coupled with one of the sidewalls, wherein the storage member is
movable between a first position and a second position.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the storage member is in an
expanded condition in the first position, wherein the storage
member is in a collapsed condition in the second position, wherein
the storage member occupies a larger volume of the interior space
in the expanded condition than in the collapsed position, wherein
the container has a holding area of a first size when the storage
member is in the expanded condition, and wherein the container has
a holding area of a increased size when the storage member is in
the collapsed position.
4. The container of claim 3, wherein the container is configured to
hold an object of a first size when the storage member is in the
expanded condition, wherein the container is configured to hold an
object of a second size when the storage member is in the collapsed
condition, wherein storage member has a rest position intermediate
the expanded condition and the collapsed condition, wherein the
storage member is biased to its rest position and wherein the
storage member is biased against an object of either the first and
second size when it is received in the container.
5. The container of claim 4, wherein the storage member includes an
inner sidewall and an upper wall, wherein the inner sidewall is
biased inwardly when the storage member is in the expanded
condition, and wherein the upper wall is biased upwardly when the
storage member is in the collapsed condition.
6. The container of claim 2, wherein the storage member is a first
storage member, wherein the means for varying a configuration of
the interior space further includes a second storage member coupled
with one of the sidewalls, and wherein the second storage member is
movable between a first position and a second position.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the storage members vary the
amount of the volume of the interior space available for holding an
object when moved between their first and second positions, wherein
a first storage area is defined when the storage members are in
their first positions, wherein a second storage area is defined
when the storage members are in their second positions, and wherein
the first storage area is smaller in volume than the second storage
area.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the container is configured
where the first storage area is sized to hold an object of a first
industry standard size and wherein the container is configured
where the second storage area is sized to hold an object of a
second industry standard size, whereby the container can be
selectively used to hold objects of the first and second sizes.
9. A container for holding objects therein, the container
comprising: a sidewall having an upper edge and a lower edge,
wherein the sidewall defines an outer periphery; a bottom coupled
with the lower edge of the sidewall, wherein the bottom and the
sidewall cooperate to define an interior space for receiving an
object, and wherein the upper edge of the sidewal defines an
opening into the interior space; at least one flap, the flap being
selectively movable between a first position and a second position,
wherein the flap substantially covers the opening into the interior
space in the first position and wherein the flap permits access to
the opening in the second position; and at least one storage member
positioned within the interior space, the storage member being
movable between a first position and a second position, wherein
movement of the storage member between the first position and the
second position permits a user to alter the configuration of the
interior space to accommodate objects of different sizes.
10. The container of claim 9, wherein the storage member is movable
between a first expanded position and a second collapsed position,
wherein the storage member takes up a portion of the interior space
and wherein the portion of the interior space taken up by the
storage member is greater when the storage member is in the first
position than when the storage member is in the second
position.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the storage member has a
rest position intermediate the first position and the second
position and wherein storage member is biased to the rest position,
whereby storage member attempts to return to the rest position from
the first position and the second position.
12. A combination CD/DVD gift box for selectively and alternately
holding a CD in an industry standard sized CD case and a DVD in an
industry standard sized DVD case and where the CD and the DVD are
both an item to be gifted to someone, the box comprising: a body
portion having an outer wall and a bottom portion, wherein the body
portion defines a space for receiving the item to be gifted and an
opening permitting access to the space; a first flap connected to
the body portion; a second flap connected to the body portion,
wherein the first and second flaps are movable and cooperate with
the body portion to enclose the space and hold the item to be
gifted therein; and at least one storage member positioned in the
space, wherein the storage member is movable between an expanded
position where the space is configured to hold the CD case, and a
collapsed position where the space is configured to hold the DVD
case.
13. The box of claim 12, wherein the storage member is biased to a
rest position, wherein the rest position is intermediate the
expanded and collapsed positions, wherein the storage member is
biased against the CD case when it is received in the box when the
storage member is in the expanded position, and wherein the storage
member is biased against the DVD case when it is received in the
box when the storage member is in the collapsed position.
14. A method of alternately storing objects of different sizes in
the same container, the method comprising: providing a container
having a body portion, which defines an interior space for storing
an object, a lid, which selectively permits or prohibits access to
the interior space, and a storage member received in the interior
space, wherein the storage member is movable between a first
position, where the storage member takes up a portion of the
interior space, and a second position, where the storage member
takes up a smaller portion of the interior space; placing an object
of a first size in the container when the storage member is in the
first position; placing an object of a second size in the container
when the storage member is in the second position; and selectively
moving the lid between an open position and a closed position.
15. A generally cross shaped flat blank from which to produce a
container for alternately and securely holding objects of different
sizes, the container having first and second lids and first and
second storage members that are movable to accommodate objects of
different sizes, the blank comprising: a first panel for forming
the bottom of the container; right and left wing panels on opposite
sides of the first panel and separated therefrom via generally
vertical fold lines, wherein the right and left wing panels each
include a plurality of generally vertical and parallel fold lines
therein, and wherein the right and left wing panels are foldable
inwardly towards the first panel to define right and left sidewalls
and the first and second storage members; a first lid panel
separated from the first panel via a front sidewall portion,
wherein the front sidewall portion is foldable inwardly toward the
first panel to define a front sidewall; and a second lid panel
separated from the first panel via a rear sidewall portion, wherein
the second lid panel is opposite the first lid panel, and wherein
the rear sidewall portion is foldable inwardly toward the first
panel to define a rear sidewall.
16. The blank of claim 15, wherein the front and rear sidewall
portions are each defined by two generally horizontal fold lines,
and wherein the first and second lid panels are foldable inwardly
to define the first and second lids.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a container. More
particularly, this invention relates to a single gift box designed
to alternatively securely hold either a CD case or a DVD case for
presentation as a present or gift.
[0004] In today's society people often give one another gifts for
various holidays and/or special events. These gifts are generally
wrapped with wrapping paper or, more recently, placed in a gift bag
along with tissue paper, to permit the person giving the gift to
dress up the item as well as obscure the identity of the gift until
such time as the gift is opened. While the relatively recent option
of using gift bags represents a welcome alternative to having to
wrap a gift, as evidenced by the enormous success of gift bags,
gift bags can be undesirable to some people for a variety of
reasons.
[0005] For example, while it is certainly easier to place a gift in
a gift bag than to wrap the gift with wrapping paper, the user must
generally purchase tissue paper in addition to the gift to bag so
that the present may be obscured from view once it is placed in the
gift bag. The requirement of having to purchase tissue paper
represents an additional expense to the user. Additionally, gift
bags can be quite large in relation to the presents that they are
holding. Further, gift bags cannot be generally stacked on top of
one another for transport to different locations, such as for a
birthday party. Accordingly, if a large number of presents are
placed in gift bags, the presents may take up a large amount of
room and make packing for travel difficult.
[0006] In recent years, two very popular gifts are compact discs
("CDs") and DVDs. These items generally come in a plastic case of a
standardized size. For example, a CD case is generally
approximately 51/2 inches wide by 5 inches tall and is
approximately 3/8 of an inch thick. A DVD case, however, in which
movies are generally packaged, is approximately 51/4 inches wide by
71/2 inches tall and is approximately 5/8 of an inch thick. Because
these items are popular gifts of a standardized size, some gift
wrap and gift bag manufacturers have created dedicated gift boxes
sized to house either a compact disk case or a DVD case. These
boxes are generally ornamented on their exterior so that the user
does not need to purchase wrapping paper and/or a gift bag. While
these boxes overcome some of the problems of the prior art, these
boxes do little to obscure the contents of the gift box.
Additionally, retailers are required to purchase and stock both
types of gift boxes as neither gift box is suitable for holding
both DVD cases and CD cases.
[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a gift box which can
alternatively securely hold either a CD case or a DVD case in an
attractive manner. The present invention fills these and other
needs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In order to overcome the above-stated problems and
limitations and to achieve the noted advantages, there is provided
a combination CD/DVD gift box. The gift box is preferably made of a
card stock or paperboard material that is designed to securely
enclose either a CD case or a DVD case.
[0009] The gift box has a body portion with a peripheral sidewall
and a bottom that define an area for receiving the item to be given
as a gift. First and second flaps are connected to the upper edge
of the side wall to permit the user to close off the area holding
the item and thereby secure the item in the area. Inside the
container is preferably a pair of storage members that are
individually moveable between first and second positions to permit
the user to customize the configuration of the interior space of
the box depending on the size of the object that is being placed
therein. With the storage members in their first position, a CD
case may be placed there between. The storage members cooperate
with the sidewall of the box to define an area approximately the
size of the CD. The storage members, which are biased towards one
another, then pinch the CD case there between to hold the CD case
securely in place.
[0010] Alternatively, the user can collapse the storage members and
move them to their second position to provide a larger area inside
the storage container for receiving a DVD case. The DVD case then
rests on top of a portion of the storage members. With both flaps
closed, the storage members press upwardly on the DVD case, thereby
pinching it between the storage members and the flaps to securely
hold the DVD case in place.
[0011] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed
description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the
attached figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The features of the invention noted above are explained in
more detail with reference to the embodiment illustrated in the
attached drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote
like elements, in which FIGS. 1-12 illustrate an embodiment of the
present invention, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination CD/DVD gift
box of the present invention in a closed condition;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gift box of FIG. 1 with
a flap in an opened condition;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gift box of FIG. 2 with
both flaps in an opened condition;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the gift box of FIG. 3 in a
fully opened condition ready to receive a gift;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the gift box of FIG. 4
taken along the line 4-4;
[0018] FIG. 6 a top plan view of the gift box of FIG. 4 after
receiving a gift, namely a CD case;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gift box of FIG. 6
taken along the line 7-7;
[0020] FIG. 8 a top plan view of the gift box of FIG. 4 after
receiving a gift, namely a DVD case;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the gift box of FIG. 8
taken along the line 9-9;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the gift box of FIG. 8 with
the first and second flaps in closed positions, with the dashed
lines illustrating the DVD case contained therein;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the gift box of FIG. 10
taken along the line 11-11; and
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a blank of material that
can be folded along the illustrated fold lines to make the gift box
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Referring now to the drawings in more detail and initially
to FIG. 1, numeral 10 generally designates a combination CD/DVD
gift box of the present invention. The gift box 10 is used to
cover, disguise or wrap an object that is to be given to someone as
a present or gift and is illustrated in a closed condition, as it
would be when it contained the gift.
[0026] Looking at FIGS. 1-5, the container 10 includes a body
portion 12 having a sidewall 14 and a bottom 16. The sidewall 14
and the bottom 16 cooperate to define an interior space 18 within
which an object 20 (FIGS. 6-11) that is being presented as a gift
may be positioned. A first lid or flap 22 is connected to the body
portion 12 and provided to enclose the object 20 within the
interior spacing 18. A second flap 24 is coupled with the body
portion 12 opposite the first flap 22 and cooperates therewith to
keep the first flap 22 in a closed position. The gift box 10 also
includes a pair of storage members 26 which permit the user to
selectively alter the size and configuration of the interior space
18 depending on the size of the object 20 to be stored therein.
[0027] The sidewall 14 includes a front sidewall 28, a right
sidewall 30, a rear sidewall 32 and a left sidewall 34. The
sidewalls 28, 30, 32, and 34, are connected to one another and
cooperate to define an outer periphery of the body portion 12. The
bottom 16 is connected to a lower edge 36 of the sidewall 14 around
its outer periphery 38.
[0028] The first flap 22 is connected to the front sidewall 28
along its upper edge. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the first flap
22 includes a pair of side flanges 40 and a front flange 42
positioned on its outer periphery. The flanges 40, 42 are received
in the interior space 18 of the body portion 12 when the first flap
22 is in the closed position (see FIG. 11). The first flange 22
also includes an aperture 44 there through. The aperture 44 permits
a user to stick their finger there through to lift the first flap
22 from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the open
position illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0029] The second flap 24 is connected with an upper edge of the
rear wall 32. The second flap 24 is designed to cover the aperture
44 in the first flap 22 when the second flap 24 is in the closed
position illustrated in FIG. 1. To retain the second flap 24 in the
closed position, a retention device 46 is provided. While the
retention device could be of any manner known in the art, in the
illustrated embodiment, the retention device 46 comprises a hook
and loop fastener system. In that regard, a section of hook
material 48 is placed on an outer surface 50 of the first flap 22
and a section of loop material 52 is provided on an inner surface
54 of the second flap 24. FIG. 11 illustrates the hook and loop
sections 48, 52 combined to function as the retention device 46 to
maintain the second flap 24 in the closed position.
[0030] The storage members 26 are preferably coupled with the right
and left sidewalls 30, 34 and are positioned adjacent thereto. The
storage members 26 are preferably made out of the same material as
the remainder of the gift box 10, as discussed in greater detail
below. The material of the storage members 26 causes the storage
members 26 to have a rest position, which is illustrated in FIG. 5.
The storage members 26 are preferably formed from a single piece of
material which has been bent to provide an inner sidewall 56 and an
upper wall 58. The upper wall 58 is connected to the sidewall 30,
34 via a v-shaped member 60 and the inner sidewall 56 is connected
to the bottom 16 via a tongue 62. The v-shaped member 60 provides
resiliency to the storage member 26 when the storage member 26 is
moved from the rest position in FIG. 5 to a first position, most
closely illustrated in FIG. 7, as will be discussed in greater
detail below.
[0031] In use, a user of the gift box 10 would most likely purchase
the gift box 10 in the closed condition illustrated in FIG. 1. To
place an object 20 therein for storage as a gift, the user would
first lift up on the second flap 24 with sufficient force to
overcome the retention device 46 and thereby move the second flap
24 to the open position illustrated in FIG. 2. The user would then
stick their finger in the aperture 44 in the first flap 22 and lift
up on the first flap 22 until it is moved to the open position
illustrated in FIGS. 3-5.
[0032] At this point, and as best illustrated in FIG. 5, the
storage members 26 are in their rest position. If the object 20
that the user wished to store in the gift box 10 was a CD case 64,
as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user would move the storage
members 26 from their rest position in FIG. 5 to their first
position, most closely illustrated in FIG. 7. The user accomplishes
this generally by grasping the sides of gift box 10 and placing
their thumbs on the intersection between the inner sidewalls 56 and
the upper sidewalls 58 on the storage members 26. The user then
moves the inner sidewalls 56 of the storage members 26 as far away
from each other as possible and to a point where the inner
sidewalls 56 are in a generally vertical orientation. At this
point, the distance between the inner sidewalls 56 of the storage
members 26 is slightly greater than the standard height dimension
of a CD case. Additionally, the front sidewall 28 and the rear
sidewall 32 are spaced apart from one another a distance slightly
greater than the standard width of a CD case. Accordingly, the user
can now set the CD case 64 in the interior space 18 of the gift box
10 between the storage members 26 and the front and rear sidewalls
28, 32, as best illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0033] Once the CD case 64 is placed in the interior space 18, the
user can release the storage members 26 with their thumbs. The
compressed v-shaped members 60 will attempt to decompress and to
move the storage members 26 to their normal rest position. However,
before the storage members 26 can return to their rest position,
the inner sidewalls 56 of the storage members 26 will abut the
sides of the CD case 64, as illustrated in FIG. 7. This arrangement
will function to hold the CD case 64 securely in place during
transportation of the gift box.
[0034] If the object 20 that the user wishes to store in the gift
box 10 is a DVD case 66, as illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, the user
simply lays the DVD case 66sideways in the gift box 10 on top of
the storage members 26, as best illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. As
illustrated in FIG. 9, the weight of the DVD case 66 will slightly
compress the storage members 26 and move the storage members 26
from their rest position of FIG. 5 towards their second position of
FIG. 11. As can be seen in FIG. 9, however, the weight of the DVD
case is not sufficient to move the storage members all the way to
their second position and an upper edge 68 of the DVD case 66 sits
above an upper edge 70 of the sidewall 14. If the user was to press
downwardly on the upper edge 68 of the DVD case 66, the storage
members 26 would compress to their second position, but upon
removal of the downward pressure by the user, the compressed
relationship between the inner sidewall 56 and the upper wall 58
would exert an upward pressure on the DVD case 66 and return the
storage members 26 to the position of FIG. 9.
[0035] After placing the DVD case in the interior space 18 of the
gift box 10, the user closes the first flap 22 and the second flap
24. By pressing downwardly on the outer surface 50 of the first
flap 22 before closing the second flap 24, the user can compress
the storage members 26 to their second position, as illustrated in
FIG. 11. Once the second flap is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 11,
the retention device 46 cooperates with the flaps 22, 24 to hold
the DVD case 66 downwardly of the position illustrated in FIG. 9
and the storage members 26 exert an upward pressure to pinch the
DVD case 66 between the storage members 26 and an inner surface 72
of the first flap 22.
[0036] It should be noted, as illustrated in FIG. 8, that, as a
result of the width of a CD case and the width of a DVD case being
approximately equal, the distance between the front sidewall 28 and
the rear sidewall 32 is also slightly larger than the width of the
DVD case 66. Also, the distance between the right sidewall 30 and
the left sidewall 34 is slightly larger than the height dimension
of a standard DVD case.
[0037] While the various portions of the gift box 10 were discussed
above in relation to one another and as being coupled to one
another, it should be noted that the gift box 10 could be
manufactured from a single piece of paper or cardstock. In that
regard, FIG. 12 illustrates a blank of cardstock or paperboard
material which can be folded along the illustrated fold lines to
make the gift box 10 of the present invention. The blank 74 can be
stamped or die cut from a sheet of material.
[0038] The majority of the portions of the blank 74 are readily
identifiable by their numerals as discussed above. However, the
blank 74 also includes tabs 76 which help form the sidewall 14. The
tabs 76 are folded inwardly along fold lines 78 to a generally
perpendicular orientation with respect to their adjacent sidewall
sections 28, 32. The front and rear sidewall sections 28, 32 are
then bent along fold lines 80 until they are generally
perpendicular to the bottom 16. The blank 74 also includes a right
wing section or panel 80 and a left wing section or panel 82. At
this point, the right and left wings 80, 82 are folded along their
five fold lines 84 to arrive at the orientation illustrated in FIG.
5. At this time, the tabs 76 can be glued to an interior surface 88
of the sidewalls 30, 34 and the tongues 62 can be glued to the
bottom 16.
[0039] Many variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment of
the present invention without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Such modifications are within the scope of the
present invention. For example, instead of using two storage
members 26 in combination, a single storage member of approximately
twice the size could be used and accomplish generally the same
objects. Such modification would be within the scope of the present
invention. Additionally, while the gift box 10 has been talked
about in connection with alternately storing a CD case or a DVD
case, the box 10 and the storage members 26 could be configured to
various different sizes to hold any combination of containers of
varying sizes. For example, the gift box can be configured to hold
any combination of VHS tapes, computer game cartridges, cassette
tapes, or any other item of standardized size.
[0040] Additionally, while use of the box has been described with
both of the storage members being in a first position or a second
position, an object of a size intermediate a CD case and a DVD case
could be positioned in the box 10 by compressing only one of the
storage members 26. In this arrangement, the compressed storage
member would push upward on the object while the laterally disposed
storage member exerted a sideways force on the object. Further, the
height of the sidewall 14 is such that a dual CD case, which is
generally twice as thick as a single CD case, can also be stored in
the gift box 10, as evident from and in the manner illustrated in
FIG. 7.
[0041] From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is
one well adapted to attain all ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with the other advantages which are obvious and
which are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that
certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and subcombinations.
This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the
invention.
[0042] Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention
without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood
that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying
drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative of applications of
the principles of this invention, and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *