U.S. patent application number 11/870056 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-17 for shirt box with multiple viewing windows.
This patent application is currently assigned to Peacock Apparel Group, Inc.. Invention is credited to Cin Kim.
Application Number | 20080087563 11/870056 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39302180 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080087563 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Cin |
April 17, 2008 |
SHIRT BOX WITH MULTIPLE VIEWING WINDOWS
Abstract
A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts is formed
from a single substrate sheet that includes a plurality of fold
lines formed in the sheet. The sheet defines a first set of
generally parallel fold lines and a second set of generally
parallel fold lines and a set of first panels each being separated
from a next panel in the series by a respective fold line in the
first set of fold lines. The first panels are foldable along the
respective fold lines in a first direction to define a hollow
central cavity for the shirt box. The shirt box also includes a set
of second panels, each having a boundary along a respective fold
line in the second set of fold lines to a respective first panel.
One panel of the first set of panels has a first opening formed
therethrough to permit touching of the shirt without jeopardizing
the integrity of the box. In addition, a first window is formed in
one of the second panels and includes a transparent protective
member covering a second opening that defines the first window to
prevent touching of the shirt through the first window.
Inventors: |
Kim; Cin; (Alpine,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P.O. BOX 770
Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Assignee: |
Peacock Apparel Group, Inc.
New York
NY
10001
|
Family ID: |
39302180 |
Appl. No.: |
11/870056 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60851146 |
Oct 11, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/299 ;
206/278 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4204 20130101;
B65D 5/0254 20130101; B65D 85/18 20130101; B65D 5/321 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/299 ;
206/278 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/18 20060101
B65D085/18 |
Claims
1. A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts
comprising: a single substrate sheet; a plurality of fold lines
formed in the sheet and including a first set of generally parallel
fold lines and a second set of generally parallel fold lines; a set
of first panels each being separated from a next panel in the
series by a respective fold line in the first set of fold lines,
the first panels being foldable along said respective fold lines in
a first direction to define a hollow central cavity for the shirt
box; and a set of second panels each having a boundary along a
respective fold line in the second set of fold lines to a
respective first panel, the second panels being foldable along said
respective fold lines in a second direction which is substantially
perpendicular to the first direction to define first and second
peripheral ends of the shirt box; wherein a first fastening panel
and one panel of the set of first panels are attached to another
along a fastening region to connect the set of first panels in
series and define the central cavity; wherein one panel of the
first set of panels has a first opening formed therethrough to
permit touching of the shirt without jeopardizing the integrity of
the box and a first window formed in one end panel that is member
of the set of second panels and including a transparent protective
member covering a second opening that defines the first window to
prevent touching of the shirt through the first window.
2. The shirt box of claim 1, wherein the second set of panels
includes a first end panel and a second end panel that are bounded
along the second set of fold lines to a top panel that is part of
the first set of panels and defines a top of the shirt box in the
assembled state and the first set of panels includes the top panel,
a bottom panel, and two side panels.
3. The shirt box of claim 2, wherein the first window is formed in
one of the first and second end panels and the protective member
comprises a transparent plastic film that covers the second
opening.
4. The shirt box of claim 2, further including a second window
formed in the top panel to permit viewing of an interior of the
box, the second window including a transparent protective member
covering a third opening that defines the second window to prevent
touching of the shirt through the second window.
5. The shirt box of claim 2, further including a first pair of
flaps and a second pair of flaps that are folded along the second
fold lines and are attached to side panels that are part of the
first set of panels, the first and second pairs of flaps being bent
inward to permit the end flaps to fold and be tucked underneath the
first and second pairs of flaps.
6. The shirt box of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second
end panels includes an end flap that is folded about one second
fold line and includes a double-sided tape member that has a first
side in adhesive contact with the end flap and an opposite second
side, and a removable strip overlying the second side of the
double-sided tape member, wherein in a first state, the removable
strip overlies the tape member, and in a second state in which the
second side of the tape members is in adhesive contact with the
bottom panel to close off the box.
7. The shirt box of claim 1, wherein the first opening is formed in
a bottom panel and the first opening has a shape selected from the
group consisting of: a circle, a square, an oval, a rectangle, and
a triangle.
8. A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts
comprising: a single substrate sheet; a plurality of fold lines
formed in the sheet and including a first set of generally parallel
fold lines and a second set of generally parallel fold lines; a set
of first panels each being separated from a next panel in the
series by a respective fold line in the first set of fold lines,
the first panels being foldable along said respective fold lines in
a first direction to define a hollow central cavity for the shirt
box, the set of first panels including a fastening panel, a bottom
panel, a top panel and two side panels that extend between the top
and bottom panels when the box is an assembled state; and a set of
second panels each having a boundary along a respective fold line
in the second set of fold lines to a respective first panel, the
second panels being foldable along said respective fold lines in a
second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the first
direction to define first and second peripheral ends of the shirt
box, the set of second panels including a pair of end panels;
wherein the fastening panel and one side panel are attached to
another along a length thereof to connect the set of first panels
in series and define the central cavity; wherein the bottom panel
has a first opening formed therethrough to permit touching of a
shirt within the central cavity without jeopardizing the integrity
of the box and the top panel includes a first window to permit
viewing of the shirt, the first window defined by a second opening
and including a transparent protective member that covers the
second opening to prevent touching of the shirt therethrough and
the one of the end panels includes a second window formed
therethrough and defined by a third opening and including a
transparent protective member covering the third opening to prevent
touching of the shirt through the second window.
9. The shirt box of claim 8, wherein the transparent protective
members comprises a piece of transparent plastic material that is
attached to the panel around the respective opening.
10. The shirt box of claim 8, wherein each of the end panels
includes an end flap that is folded about one second fold line and
includes a double-sided tape member that has a first side in
adhesive contact with the end flap and an opposite second side, and
a removable strip overlying the second side of the double-sided
tape member, wherein in a first state, the removable strip overlies
the tape member, and in a second state in which the second side of
the tape members is in adhesive contact with the bottom panel to
close off the box.
11. A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts
comprising: a base that includes a floor panel and upstanding first
walls that extend from the floor to define an interior compartment
for receiving the one or more shirts, wherein one upstanding wall
includes a first opening and a floor panel includes an opening and
the floor panel has a second opening formed therethrough to permit
touching of at least one shirt within the interior compartment
without jeopardizing the integrity of the box; and a cover that
includes a top panel and second walls that extend downwardly from
the top panel, the top panel includes a window to permit viewing
the one or more shirts contained in the interior compartment,
wherein one of the second walls includes a third opening; wherein
when the cover is mated with the base, the second walls are
disposed exterior to and adjacent the upstanding first walls and
the third opening aligns with the first opening to permit viewing
of at least one of the shirts in the interior compartment.
12. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein the base and the cover is
formed of a paper material.
13. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein the window includes a
transparent protective sheet that covers and extends across the
window to prevent direct touching of the one or more shirts.
14. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein the cover includes a
transparent protective sheet that covers and extends across the
third opening to prevent direct touching of the one or more shirts
through the aligned first and third openings.
15. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein window occupies a greater
area compared to each of the first and third openings.
16. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein the base includes a
transparent protective sheet that covers and extends across the
first opening to prevent direct touching of the one or more shirts
through the aligned first and third openings.
17. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein the first opening is formed
in one end wall of the base and the third opening is formed in one
end wall of the cover.
18. The shirt box of claim 11, wherein at least one tie is disposed
with the at least one shirt in the interior compartment and the
first and third openings are located in end walls of the base and
cover, respectively, so that both the tie and shirt are visible
therethrough.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 60/851,146, filed Oct. 11, 2006, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to retail packaging and in
particular, to a shirt box for displaying a shirt in an assembled
state and includes a plurality of openings and windows to allow the
consumer to better view and assess the quality of the shirt.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the retail sale of dress shirts and dress shirts and tie
combinations, it is desirable to present the merchandise in a
manner that permits potential customers to have a good look at the
product. On the other hand, it is important for retailers to keep
the product clean and free of any soil or stains that may result
from handling, to protect against theft, and to maintain the shirts
in an orderly and well-folded condition so that their displays
remains attractive to passers by.
[0004] It is also desirable that the packaging that is used be
economical to manufacturer, that it be made from a recyclable
material, and that it be made with minimal waste.
[0005] It is also desirable to have a packaging that addresses the
foregoing needs and which permits shirts to be stacked in great
number to promote efficient shelf and display space usage.
[0006] The embodiments described herein satisfy these and other
needs.
SUMMARY
[0007] A shirt box suitable for receiving one or more shirts is
formed of a single substrate sheet that includes a plurality of
fold lines in the sheet which itself includes a first set of
generally parallel fold lines and a second set of generally
parallel fold lines and a set of first panels each being separated
from a next panel in the series by a respective fold line in the
first set of fold lines. The first panels are foldable along the
respective fold lines in a first direction to define a hollow
central cavity for the shirt box. The shirt box also includes a set
of second panels, each having a boundary along a respective fold
line in the second set of fold lines to a respective first panel.
The second panels are foldable along said respective fold lines in
a second direction which is substantially perpendicular to the
first direction to define first and second peripheral ends of the
shirt box.
[0008] A first fastening panel and one panel of the set of first
panels are attached to another along a fastening region to connect
the set of first panels in series and define the central cavity and
one panel of the first set of panels has a first opening formed
therethrough to permit touching of the shirt without jeopardizing
the integrity of the box. In addition, a first window is formed in
one of the second panels and includes a transparent protective
member covering a second opening that defines the first window to
prevent touching of the shirt through the first window.
[0009] In another embodiment, a shirt box suitable for receiving
one or more shirts is formed of a single sheet of substrate
material that includes a plurality of fold lines in the sheet that
includes a first set of generally parallel fold lines and a second
set of generally parallel fold lines. The shirt box includes a set
of first panels, each being separated from a next panel in the
series by a respective fold line in the first set of fold lines.
The first panels are foldable along said respective fold lines in a
first direction to define a hollow central cavity for the shirt
box. The set of first panels includes a fastening panel, a bottom
panel, a top panel and two side panels that extend between the top
and bottom panels when the box is an assembled state.
[0010] The shirt box includes a set of second panels, each having a
boundary along a respective fold line in the second set of fold
lines to a respective first panel. The second panels are foldable
along said respective fold lines in a second direction which is
substantially perpendicular to the first direction to define first
and second peripheral ends of the shirt box. The set of second
panels includes a pair of end panels.
[0011] The fastening panel and one side panel are attached to
another along a length thereof to connect the set of first panels
in series and define the central cavity. The bottom panel has a
first opening formed therethrough to permit touching of a shirt
within the central cavity without jeopardizing the integrity of the
box and the top panel includes a first window to permit viewing of
the shirt. The first window is defined by a second opening and
including a transparent protective member that covers the second
opening to prevent touching of the shirt therethrough and the one
of the end panels includes a second window formed therethrough and
defined by a third opening and including a transparent protective
member covering the third opening to prevent touching of the shirt
through the second window.
[0012] These and other aspects, features and advantages shall be
apparent from the accompanying Drawings and description of certain
embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a shirt box according to
a first embodiment of the invention in an unassembled state;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shirt box of FIG. 1 in
an assembled state; and
[0015] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a shirt box
according to a second embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a shirt box container 100 is made
from a substrate 110 in the form of a transparent plastic sheet
having a series of fold lines generally designated F1 and F2. The
fold lines F1 are generally parallel and preferably are parallel to
one another and can be characterized as being vertical fold lines
that run from one end of the container to the opposite other end.
The fold lines F2 are also generally parallel and preferably are
parallel to one another and can be characterized as being
horizontal fold lines. The fold lines F1, F2 define boundaries of
respective panels of the substrate 110.
[0017] More specifically, the substrate 110 is divided into a
number of different panels that define particular segments or
regions of the substrate 110. A series of first panels 112 all fold
in a first direction and include panels 120, 122, 124, and 126.
Each of these panels 120, 122, 124, 126 is disposed adjacent
another panel in the series and is separated from a next panel by
one of the fold lines F1. As shown in FIG. 1, the first series of
panels 112 is foldable along the fold lines F1 along a common,
parallel direction to define a hollow central cavity for the shirt
box. Panel 124 forms a top wall and panel 120 forms a bottom wall,
and panels 122, 126 define a pair of side walls.
[0018] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the panels 120, 124
has a generally rectangular shape and the widths of the panels 120,
124 are preferably equal. In addition, the panels 522, 526 also
have a generally rectangular shape, with the panel 122 being
disposed between the panels 120, 124 and the panel 126 being formed
on the other side of the panel 124. The panels 122, 126 have widths
that are preferably equal to one another but are less than the
width of the panels 120, 124.
[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, the second series of panels 114
includes a pair of end panels 130 that have a boundary along the
fold lines F2 to the panel 124. The end panel 130 is defined by two
parallel edges 132, one of which defines the fold line F2, and a
pair of end edges 134 that are perpendicular to edges 132. The end
panel 130 thus has a rectangular shape.
[0020] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, the panels 130 further
includes end flaps 180 which fold about fold line F2 and which are
joined to the outer edges (outer edge 132) of the panels 130. The
end flap 180 has a pair of sides 182 that include parallel portions
183 that are close to edge 132 and inwardly beveled portions 184
that are further from edge 132 and which terminate at a free outer
edge 185 of the end flap 180.
[0021] On one side of each end panel 130, a flap 160 is provided.
The flaps 160 are bounded along one margin at the fold lines F2 to
the panel 122. The flap 160 thus folds about fold line F2 and is
generally in the shape of a rectangle in that it includes two
parallel side edges 162. It will be appreciated from FIG. 1, that
the distance that the flap 160 extends from fold line F2 (the inner
edge of the flap) is less than the distance that the end panel 130
extends from fold line F2. In other words, the outer edge of the
end panel 130 is at a greater distance from the fold line F2 than
the outer edge of the flap 160 as illustrated.
[0022] The panel 122 is bounded at its ends by the flaps 160 and
along its sides by panel 120 and 124. In other words, the panel 122
is disposed between the panels 120 and 124 and is joined thereto
along fold lines F1.
[0023] Along a free edge of the panel 120, a first fastening panel
150 is formed and includes a pair of side edges 152 and a free
outer edge 154. The first fastening panel 150 is attached to the
panel 120 along one fold line F1 and has a generally trapezoidal
shape since the two side edges 152 are slightly angled inward
(non-parallel to one another). The free edge 154 of the fastening
panel 150 represents a free edge that is used to construct and
configure the substrate 110 into its sealed folded construction
shown in FIG. 2. This aspect will be described in greater detail
below.
[0024] On the other side of each end panel 130, a flap 140 is
provided. The flaps 140 are bounded along one margin at the fold
lines F2 to the panel 126. The flap 140 thus folds about fold line
F2 and is generally square or rectangular shaped in that it
includes two side edges 142. It will be appreciated from FIG. 1
that the distance that the flap 140 extends from fold line F2 (the
inner edge of the flap) is about equal to the distance that the end
panel 130 extends from fold line F2. In other words, the outer edge
of the end panel 130 is at about the same distance from the fold
line F2 relative to the outer edge of the flap 140 as
illustrated.
[0025] With further reference to FIG. 1, the shirt box 100 can
further include first and second double sided tape members 200 that
have a first side in adhesive contact with a respective panel in
the second set of panels 114. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
double-sided tape member 200 is disposed on each end panel 180. A
second side of the double-sided tape member 200 includes a
removable strip which overlies the second side of the tape member
200. The removable strip maintains the second side of the tape
member 200 free of tackiness so that shirt boxes 100 can be stacked
in a collapsed state without sticking to one another in the
collapsed state. However, the removable strip can be separated from
the second side of the tape member 200 by releasing it so as to
expose an adhesive surface which permits engagement of one panel
180 with another panel (in this case panel 120 when the box 100 is
assembled--see FIG. 2). Once the panels 180, 120 have been
adhesively joined by the tape member 200, the shirt box 100 is in
the state in which the hollow central cavity is sized to receive a
shirt as described below.
[0026] The panel 124 which represent the top wall or panel of the
box 100 preferably includes a window 125 formed therein to permit
the consumer to view the contents of the box 100. The window 125 is
defined by an opening formed through the panel 124 and a
transparent protective member 127, such as a protective film, that
is attached to the panel 124 so that it extends across and covers
the opening forming the window 125. The film 127 can be attached
using an adhesive or the like. The opening defining the window 125
can be formed to have any number of different shapes and sizes so
long as the contents of the box 100 are easily visible. In the
illustrated embodiment, the window 125 occupies a majority and even
75% or greater of the entire surface area of the panel 124.
[0027] To assemble the box 100, first the box 100 is folded about
the fold line F1 between panels 120, 122 and then the panel 124 is
folded about the fold line F1 between the panels 122, 124. The
first fastening panel 150 is folded about the fold line F1 between
the panels 120, 150 so that the panel 150 is substantially
perpendicular to the panel 120 and similarly, the panel 122 will be
substantially perpendicular to the panel 120 and thus substantially
parallel to the panel 150. The panel 126 is folded about the fold
line F1 between panels 124, 126 so that the panel 126 lies outside
the panel 150. An adhesive or the like, including down-sided tape,
is disposed along an outer face or surface of the panel 150 that
faces the panel 126 so as to create a box like structure with sides
122, 126 being substantially parallel to one another and
substantially perpendicular to the panels 120, 124.
[0028] The flaps 160, 140 are folded in toward the panels 120, 124
and then the panels 130 are folded about the fold line F2 between
panels 124, 130, while the end panel 180 is folded about the fold
line F2 and since the protective cover is removed from the tape 200
on the panel 180 to permit the panel 180 to be securely attached to
the panel 120 by tucking the panel 180 underneath the flaps 140,
160. The tape 200 securely attaches the end panels 130 to the panel
120 and closes off the ends of the box 100.
[0029] The fold lines F1 and F2 can be continuous or discontinuous,
but preferably are continuous and more preferably comprise score
lines in the substrate 520.
[0030] The shirt box 100 can be formed with hole 300 in one of the
panels that forms the box 100 and in particular, the hole 300 can
be formed in the bottom panel 120. Hole 300 is positioned such that
the outline of the hole overlies a portion of the shirt contained
in the box 100. This arrangement provides access to the garment(s)
inside the shirt box 100 so that consumers can touch and feel the
garments yet does not compromise the structural integrity of the
box 100. It will be appreciated that the shape and size of the hole
300 are not critical and the hole 300 is therefore not limited to
having an oval shape but can have any number of irregular and
regular shapes, including, a circle, square, rectangle, triangle,
etc. Thus, the hole 300 is not covered over by any protective film
element or the like but instead, the hole 300 allows free access
into the interior of the box 100.
[0031] In another aspect of the illustrated embodiment, a window
400 is provided in at least one of the end panels 130. The window
400 is in the form of an opening formed through the end panel 130.
The shape and size of the window 400 is not critical so long as the
window permits a consumer to view the contents of the box 100 by
viewing through one end of the box 100. The window 400 can thus be
in the shape of a circle, oval, rectangle, square, triangle, etc.
Unlike the hole 300, the window 400 is not open in its intended use
state in that a transparent protective member 410, such as a film,
is placed across the window 400. For example, a sheet of
transparent plastic film 402 cut to size can be adhered to an inner
surface or face of the end panel 130 across the window opening so
as to prevent a person from freely putting a finger through the
window 400.
[0032] The substrate 110 can be formed from paper, such as
cardboard. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, a box 500 is
formed of a base structure 510 and a cover 600 that is removably
attached to the base structure 510. Both the base structure 510 and
the cover 600 are formed of paper (e.g., cardboard) and both have
rectangular shapes.
[0033] The rectangular base structure 510 includes a floor 512 and
opposing upstanding end walls 514 and opposing upstanding side
walls 516. In accordance with the present invention, one of the end
walls 514 includes an opening 520 formed therein to permit viewing
of the product contained within the base structure 510. In the
illustrated embodiment, the opening 520 has a rectangular or oblong
shape; however, other shapes are possible. The opening 520 can be a
through hole through which the product that is contained in the
interior of the base structure 510 to be accessed or alternatively,
a transparent member, such as a film, can be placed over the
opening 520 to as to permit viewing of the product inside the base
structure 510 but prevents access to and touching of the
product.
[0034] The floor 512 also includes the hole 300 that permits the
quality of the product (fabric) to be checked by the consumer.
[0035] The cover 600 includes a ceiling or top wall 610 and
opposing side walls 612 and opposing end walls 614. The ceiling 610
includes a main window 630 through which the product is visible.
For example, the ceiling 610 can include an opening 632 that is
formed through the ceiling 610 and is surrounded by a perimeter
wall section. In the illustrated embodiment, the window 630 has an
oblong or rectangular shape. The cover 600 includes a transparent
cover sheet (such as plastic) 634 that extends across the opening
632. The transparent cover sheet 634 is part of the window 630 and
prevents the consumer from touching the product, while still
permitting the consumer to view the product.
[0036] In another aspect, one end wall 614 includes an opening 640
that aligns with the opening 520 of the base structure 510 when the
cover 600 mates with the base structure 510 so as to permit the
consumer to view the product but not touch it. The opening 640 can
be a through hole or it can also include a transparent cover sheet
that extends over the opening 640. For example, the opening 640 can
be a through hole and the underlying opening 520 can include the
transparent cover sheet or the opening 640 can include the
transparent cover sheet and the underlying opening 520 can be a
through opening. In either embodiment, the consumer can see the
product through the end window but not touch it. In yet another
embodiment, the openings 640, 520 can be through openings with
neither containing a transparent cover sheet.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the positioning of openings 520,
640 permits viewing of the contents of the box 500 without
positioning the box so that the top panel of the cover 600 is
visible. In other words, often times, boxes are stacked in stores
and thus, in order to see the contents of a box that is located in
a top region of the stack, the consumer has to remove many boxes to
reach the box of interest or the consumer has to get assistance and
use a ladder or the like to reach the box. In the box 500 of the
present invention, the aligned openings 520, 640 permit the
consumer to see the contents of the box without physically removing
the box from the stack since the consumer can look up and see the
contents of the box and if interested, can then remove the box from
the stack for further inspection. This eliminates the removal of
boxes from the stack that contain contents that are no interest to
the consumer.
[0038] It will further be appreciated that the openings 520, 640
are formed in regions of the base and cover, respectively, to
permit viewing of not only at least one shirt contained in the
interior compartment but also it permits viewing of a tie that is
also disposed in the box. Thus, when a person is viewing the entire
stack of shirts in a store, the consumer can view shirt and tie
combinations by simply looking through the aligned openings 520,
640.
[0039] While the invention has been described in connection with
certain embodiments thereof, the invention is capable of being
practiced in other forms and using other materials and structures.
Accordingly, the invention is defined by the recitations in the
claims appended hereto and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *