U.S. patent application number 12/878309 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-10 for collapsible housing for articles.
Invention is credited to SHARON MCGILLION.
Application Number | 20110056975 12/878309 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41228125 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110056975 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MCGILLION; SHARON |
March 10, 2011 |
COLLAPSIBLE HOUSING FOR ARTICLES
Abstract
A collapsible housing for articles having an open top container
having a closure member connected thereto. The closure member
and/or open top container having a sealing arrangement to allow the
open top container to be opened and closed by the closure member.
The open top container and closure member have a first storage
position in which the container and closure member adopts a flat
pack configuration and a second operational position in which the
container is extended with an internal volume for receiving
articles. The sealing arrangement has one or more sealing members
located on the closure member and/or open top container.
Inventors: |
MCGILLION; SHARON; (OMAGH,
IE) |
Family ID: |
41228125 |
Appl. No.: |
12/878309 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/6602 20130101;
B65D 5/3628 20130101; B65D 5/0227 20130101; B65D 5/4233
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/04 20060101
B65D051/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 10, 2009 |
GB |
GB 0915880.9 |
Claims
1. A collapsible housing for articles, comprising an open top
container having a closure means connected thereto, the closure
means and/or open top container having sealing means, the open top
container and closure means having a first storage position in
which the open top container and closure means adopt a flat pack
configuration and a second operational position in which the open
top container is extended with an internal volume for receiving
articles, the sealing means comprising one or more sealing members
located on the closure means and/or open top container which are
sealed via a peel and seal quick sealing adhesive arrangement.
2. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1, the
one or more sealing members comprising an adhesive element having a
covering foil to be removable before closing the open top container
with the closure means.
3. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the closure means comprises a lid or flap.
4. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the one or more sealing members are located on both the
closure means and the open top container and the one or more
sealing members overlap each other when the closure means is in an
open top container closing position.
5. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the one or more sealing members are located on one of the
closure means or the open top container and the one or more sealing
members are located to overlap corresponding locations of the open
top container or closure means respectively when the closure means
is in an open top container closing position.
6. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the sealing members are located on the closure means
located along the peripheral unconnected edges of the internal
surface of the closure means.
7. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the closure means has tabs extending along the unconnected
edges for carrying the sealing members.
8. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 7,
wherein weakened bend lines extend between the closure means and
the tabs.
9. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the open top container and closure means are manufactured
from paper, paper pulp or any suitable gift packaging material.
10. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the closure means is hingedly connected to the open top
container.
11. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the closure means is hingedly connected to the open top
container along a weakened fold line to facilitate ease of opening
and closing of the closure means.
12. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the open top container and closure means are manufactured
from a blank of paper, paper pulp or any suitable gift packaging
material with a number of fold lines to facilitate folding.
13. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the open top container and closure means are pre-printed
with a design suitable for wrapping gifts.
14. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein label means is coupled to the collapsible housing.
15. The collapsible housing for articles as claimed in claim 1,
wherein label means is integrally printed or formed with the design
on the surface of the closure means and/or open top container.
16. The collapsible housing as claimed in claim 1, where the
collapsible housing is a gift bag.
17. A collapsible housing for articles being a one piece component
manufactured from a single blank of material combining an open top
container and a closure means which are sealed via a peel and seal
quick sealing adhesive arrangement.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The instant application claims priority to United Kingdom
Patent Application No. 0915880.9, filed on Sep. 10, 2009, pending,
the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a collapsible housing for
articles and in particular to a collapsible housing for articles to
improve the efficiency of wrapping articles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The practice of giving gifts to friends and family for
special occasions is an age old tradition. In recent times the
tradition has evolved into a huge commercial activity for retail
outlets at times such as Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Valentines Day
and especially the days leading up to Christmas Day. It is not
uncommon for retail outlets to sell gift wrapping equipment at the
check out stands and/or to provide a gift wrapping service which
often results in lines of people, in particular men cueing up to
get their products gift wrapped. Traditional gift wrapping
materials include decorative rolls or sheets of wrapping paper
often themed for specific occasions, a roll of tape and a pair of
scissors. Occasionally, retail outlets will offer alternative gift
wrapping materials such as decorative bags or boxes. The decorative
bags are useful to a point for wrapping presents as they are open
topped. Even if the bags are covered with a sheet of filling paper
this is generally insufficient to keep the contents of the bag
properly covered, especially if the presents are for children.
[0004] The gift wrapping boxes have the problem of being unsuitable
for a wide range of shapes and sizes of presents so the boxes are
generally designed for specific applications such as shirts. Modern
society dictates that working people have less and less time for
tasks like wrapping presents and in combination with the fact that
gift wrapping is a cumbersome task requiring tape and scissors,
people often prefer the gift wrapping service. The down side of the
gift wrapping service offered by retail outlets is the cues for the
service at peak times. There is clearly a requirement for a gift
wrapping product which can be purchased to accommodate the specific
size and shape of a range of presents and which is designed to
readily wrap the present without the requirement for additional
wrapping equipment reducing the effort and time to a minimum.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to obviate or
mitigate the problems outlined above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a collapsible
housing for articles, the collapsible housing comprising an open
top container having a closure means connected thereto, the closure
means and/or open top container having sealing means, the open top
container and closure means having a first storage position in
which the open top container and closure means adopt a flat pack
configuration and a second operational position in which the open
top container is extended with an internal volume for receiving
articles, the sealing means comprising one or more sealing members
located on the closure means and/or open top container which are
sealed via a peel and seal quick sealing adhesive arrangement.
[0007] Ideally, the one or more sealing members comprising an
adhesive element having a covering foil to be removable before
closing the open top container with the closure means.
[0008] Advantageously, the collapsible housing for articles is a
one piece component manufactured from a single blank of material
combining the open top container and the closure means which are
sealed via a peel and seal quick sealing adhesive arrangement.
[0009] The technical advantage of the collapsible housing is that
it provides a collapsible container which can be rapidly expanded
by a shop assistant to locate articles such as gifts/presents into
the container. When the shopper is happy with the contents of the
container they can easily peel and seal the gift bag closed and
this additional functionality provides the required ease of use for
shoppers.
[0010] The sealing means of the closure means and/or the open top
container allows the open top container to be closed by the closure
means.
[0011] Preferably, the closure means comprises a lid or flap.
[0012] Ideally, the open top container and the closure means having
a decorative design on their surface.
[0013] Preferably, where the one or more sealing members are
located on both the closure means and the open top container, the
one or more sealing members overlap each other when the closure
means is in a container closing position.
[0014] Ideally, where the one or more sealing members are located
on one of the closure means or the open top container, the one or
more sealing members are located to overlap corresponding locations
of the open top container or closure means respectively when the
closure means is in a container closing position.
[0015] Preferably, where the sealing members are located on the
closure means, they are located along the peripheral unconnected
edges of the internal surface of the closure means.
[0016] Ideally, the closure means has tabs extending along the
unconnected edges for carrying the sealing members.
[0017] Preferably, weakened lines extend between the closure means
and the tabs. Advantageously, the weakened lines allow the tabs to
bend relative to the closure means to allow the sealing members on
the tabs to contact corresponding locations of the open top
container when the closure means is in a container closing
position.
[0018] Preferably, the open top container and closure means are
manufactured from paper, paper pulp or any suitable gift packaging
material.
[0019] Ideally, the closure means is hingedly connected
thereto.
[0020] Preferably, the closure means is hingedly connected to the
open top container along a weakened fold line to facilitate ease of
opening and closing of the closure means.
[0021] Preferably, the open top container and closure means are
manufactured from a blank of paper, paper pulp or any suitable gift
packaging material with a number of fold lines to facilitate
folding.
[0022] Ideally, the open top container and closure means are
pre-printed with a design suitable for wrapping gifts.
[0023] Preferably, label means is coupled to the collapsible
housing. In an alternative arrangement, the label means is
integrally formed with the design on the surface of the closure
means and/or open top container.
[0024] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The invention will now be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings which show by way of example only one
embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the invention. In the
drawings:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible housing for
articles in an operational configuration;
[0027] FIG. 2 a second perspective view of the collapsible housing
for articles in an operational configuration; and
[0028] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the collapsible housing
for articles in a storage configuration.
[0029] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts
throughout the various Figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In the drawings, there is shown a collapsible housing for
articles indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The
collapsible housing 1 has an open top container 2 having a closure
member taking the form of a lid 3 connected thereto. The lid 3
and/or open top container 2 have a sealing arrangement 4 (only
shown on the lid 3 in the attached drawings) to allow the open top
container 2 to be opened and closed by the lid 3. The open top
container 2 and lid 3 have a first storage position, e.g., see FIG.
3 in which the open top container 2 and lid 3 adopts a flat pack
configuration. The open top container 2 and lid 3 have a second
operational position, e.g., see FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the open top
container 2 is extended with an internal volume 5 for receiving
articles. The open top container 2 and the lid 3 have a decorative
design (not shown) on their surface 6.
[0031] The sealing arrangement 4 consists of three sealing members
7 located on the lid 3. Although the sealing members 7 are shown on
the lid 3 in the drawings, it will of course be appreciated that
the sealing members 7 could equally be located on the upper edges
of the open top container 2 or on corresponding locations of the
open top container 2 and lid 3 and the drawings in no way limit the
type or location of the sealing members 7. The three sealing
members 7 have an adhesive panel 9 having a covering foil 10 to be
removed before closing the open top container 2 with the lid 3.
[0032] Advantageously, the collapsible housing 1 for articles is a
one piece component manufactured from a single blank of material
combining the open top container 2 and the lid 3 which are sealed
via a peel and seal quick sealing adhesive arrangement 9,10. The
technical advantage of the collapsible housing 1 is that it
provides a collapsible container which can be rapidly expanded by a
shop assistant to locate articles such as gifts/presents into the
container. When the shopper is happy with the contents of the
container they can easily peel and seal the gift box closed and
this additional functionality provides the required ease of use for
shoppers.
[0033] When the sealing members 7 are located on both the lid 3 and
the open top container 3, the sealing members 7 overlap each other
when the lid 3 is in a container closing position. When the sealing
members 7 are located on one of the lid 3 (as shown in the
drawings) or the open top container 2, the sealing members 7 are
located to overlap corresponding locations of the open top
container 2 or lid 3 respectively when the lid 3 is in a container
closing position. In the embodiment of sealing members 7 shown, the
sealing members 7 are located on the lid 3 along the peripheral
unconnected edges 11 of the internal surface 12 of lid 3. The lid 3
has tabs 14 extending along the unconnected edges 11 for carrying
the sealing members 7.
[0034] Weakened bend lines 16 extend between the lid 3 and the tabs
14. Advantageously, the weakened lines 16 allow the tabs 14 to bend
relative to the lid 3 to allow the sealing members 7 on the tabs 14
to contact corresponding locations of the open top container 2 when
the lid 3 is in a container closing position.
[0035] The open top container 2 and lid 3 are manufactured from
paper, paper pulp or any suitable gift packaging material and the
lid 3 is hingedly connected to the open top container 2. The lid 3
is hingedly connected to the open top container 3 along a weakened
fold line 18 to facilitate ease of opening and closing of the lid
3. The open top container 2 and lid 3 are manufactured from a blank
of paper, paper pulp or any suitable gift packaging material with a
number of fold lines 19 to facilitate folding.
[0036] The open top container 2 and lid 3 are pre-printed with a
design suitable for wrapping gifts and a label member 21 is coupled
to the collapsible housing 1, more particularly to the lid 3. In an
alternative arrangement (not shown), the label member is integrally
printed or formed with the design on the surface of the lid 3
and/or open top container 2. Examples of dimensions of the
collapsible housing 1 range from a small gift bag having a width of
12 cm, a depth of 6 cm and a height of 20 cm to a large gift bag
having a width of 32 cm, a depth of 12 cm and a height of 44 cm
although the invention is in no way limited to collapsible housings
with these dimensions.
[0037] The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the
following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms
of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a
process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may
separately, or in any combination of such features be utilised for
realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the
appended claims.
[0038] Furthermore, while the invention has been described with
reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by
those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and
equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many
modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as
the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but
that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *