U.S. patent application number 13/464510 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for gift basket assembly having a preformed insert including a plurality of individually packaged products.
This patent application is currently assigned to WILLOW GROUP LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is Cheryl Thompson. Invention is credited to Cheryl Thompson.
Application Number | 20130292276 13/464510 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49511722 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130292276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Cheryl |
November 7, 2013 |
GIFT BASKET ASSEMBLY HAVING A PREFORMED INSERT INCLUDING A
PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED PRODUCTS
Abstract
A gift basket assembly is provided with a preformed insert, the
insert being a self-contained plurality of independently
prepackaged products and a base within a shrink-wrap casing. Shred
is disposed in one of the insert and the gift basket, such that the
insert can be operably engaged with the basket and an outer wrap,
including a shrink-wrap, is disposed about the basket and the
insert to form the assembly.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Cheryl; (Orchard
Park, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thompson; Cheryl |
Orchard Park |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WILLOW GROUP LTD.
Batavia
NY
|
Family ID: |
49511722 |
Appl. No.: |
13/464510 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/223 ; 53/441;
53/445 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 51/00 20130101;
B65B 53/02 20130101; B65D 77/04 20130101; B65B 2220/16 20130101;
B65D 77/003 20130101; B65B 61/202 20130101; B65B 11/02 20130101;
B65B 11/54 20130101; B65B 67/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/223 ; 53/441;
53/445 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00; B65B 11/00 20060101 B65B011/00; B65B 53/00 20060101
B65B053/00 |
Claims
1. A gift basket assembly, comprising: (a) a basket; (b) an insert
with the basket, the insert including a base, a plurality of
individually packaged products upon the base and a shrink-wrapped
casing retaining the base and the products in a predetermined
configuration; (c) shred within one of the basket and the insert;
and (d) an outer wrap enclosing the insert, the shred, and at least
a portion of the basket, wherein at least a portion of the basket
and the insert are retained relative to each other by the outer
wrap.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer wrap is a shrink wrap
bag which has been activated to bind and retain the insert relative
to the basket.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shred is within the
casing.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the basket and the insert
include shred.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of individually
packaged products are third-party products.
6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one product
outside the casing and within the outer wrap.
7. A method of forming a gift basket assembly in accordance with
claim 1, the method comprising: (a) locating an insert relative to
a basket, the insert having a base, a plurality of individually
packaged products upon the base, and a shrink-wrapped casing
retaining the products and the base in a given configuration, at
least one of the insert and the basket having shred; (b) disposing
an outer wrap about the insert and at least a portion of the
basket; and (c) at least one of (i) partially securing the outer
wrap and (ii) shrinking the outer wrap to retain the insert
relative to the basket.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising disposing a separate
product between the casing and the outer wrap.
9. A method of forming a gift basket assembly in accordance with
claim 1, the method comprising: (a) locating a plurality of
independently packaged products with respect to a base; (b)
disposing shred relative to at least one of the base and the
plurality of independently packaged products; (c) disposing a
shrink-wrapped casing about at least a portion of the products, the
shred and the base; (d) shrinking the shrink-wrap to form a
substantially unitary insert having the plurality of independently
packaged products retained in the given configuration relative to
each other and the base, and the shred being retained within the
casing; (e) locating the insert relative to a basket within an
outer wrap; and (f) at least one of (i) partially securing the
outer wrap and (ii) shrinking the outer wrap to retain the insert
relative to the gift basket.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising locating a separate
product between the casing and the outer wrap.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the independently packaged
products are third party products.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the outer wrap is a shrink
wrap.
13. A product display assembly comprising: (a) a basket; (b) an
insert engaged with the basket, the insert having a plurality of
independently packaged products, and a shrink-wrap casing, the
casing retaining the plurality of independently packaged products
in a predetermined orientation; (c) shred in at least one of the
basket and the insert; and (d) an outer wrap extending about the
insert, the shred, and at least a portion of the basket, wherein at
least a portion of the basket and the insert are retained relative
to each other by the outer wrap.
14. The product display of claim 13, wherein the independently
packaged products are third party products.
15. The product display of claim 13, further comprising a separate
product between the casing and the outer wrap.
16. The product display assembly of claim 13, wherein the casing
encases the insert.
17. The assembly of Cairn 1, wherein the outer wrap contacts the
insert.
18. The product display of claim 13, wherein the outer wrap
contacts the insert.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING"
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present disclosure relates to gift baskets, and
particularly to a preformed insert having a plurality of
independently packaged products and an optional base within a
casing, wherein the insert can be selectively joined with a basket
and the combination disposed within an outer bag or wrap.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] The sending of a customized selection of products to a
recipient is increasingly used by a variety of businesses to
commemorate an important event or transaction, or simply engendered
good will. Even outside the business context, an individual may
wish to send such a customized selection to a family member,
friend, or other associate in connection with a holiday, birthday,
wedding, funeral, medical event, or for no specific reason.
[0008] Traditionally, the gift baskets are either formed by the
manufacturer of the individual products included in the basket, a
fulfillment center, or a commercial entity such as a grocery store
or flower shop.
[0009] Typically, each product is disposed within the basket along
with an amount of packing material and the entire basket is then
surrounded with a shrink-wrap material which is heat-treated to
retain the products within the basket.
[0010] However, these prior systems often result in large residual
inventory of basket kits (the basket along with the packing
material and the shrink-wrap bag) which are often not used until
the subsequent holiday season. The retention of this inventory
reduces the available cash for on going operations as well as
incurring costs associated with storage.
[0011] Therefore, the need exists for a method and assembly for
increasing use of gift baskets and gift basket kits. The need also
exists for a system that reduces the time required to assemble a
gift basket.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present disclosure provides a gift basket assembly,
having a basket; an insert with the basket, the insert including a
base, a plurality of individually packaged products upon the base
and a shrink-wrapped casing retaining the base and the products in
a predetermined configuration; shred within one of the basket and
the insert; and an outer wrap enclosing the insert, the shred, and
at least a portion of the basket.
[0013] In selected configurations, the outer wrap is a shrink wrap
bag. Further, the shred can be located within the casing. It is
also contemplated the insert can include shred. In the present
system, the plurality of individually packaged products in the
insert can be third-party products. It is further contemplated the
insert and separately packaged products can be disposed within the
outer wrap.
[0014] The present disclosure further provides a method of forming
a gift basket assembly, by locating an insert relative to a basket,
the insert having a base, a plurality of individually packaged
products upon the base, and a shrink-wrapped casing retaining the
products and the base in a given configuration, at least one of the
insert and the basket having shred; disposing an outer wrap about
the insert and at least a portion of the basket; and at least one
of (i) partially securing the outer wrap and (ii) shrinking the
outer wrap to retain the insert relative to the basket.
[0015] A further method is provided for forming an insert for a
gift basket assembly, by locating a plurality of independently
packaged third-party products with respect to a base; disposing
shred relative to at least one of the base and the plurality of
independently packaged products; disposing a shrink-wrapped casing
about at least a portion of the products, the shred and the base;
shrinking the shrink-wrap to form a substantially unitary insert
having the plurality of independently packaged products retained in
the given configuration relative to each other and the base, and
the shred being retained within the casing; locating the insert
relative to a basket within an outer wrap; and at least one of (i)
partially securing the outer wrap and (ii) shrinking the outer wrap
to retain the insert relative to the gift basket.
[0016] In certain configurations, it is contemplated the outer wrap
is a shrink wrap.
[0017] A further configuration provides a product display assembly
having a basket; an insert engaged with the basket, the insert
having a plurality of independently packaged third-party products,
and a shrink-wrap casing, the casing retaining the plurality of
third-party independently packaged products in a predetermined
orientation; shred in at least one of the basket and the insert;
and an outer wrap extending about the insert, the shred, and at
least a portion of the basket.
[0018] It is understood in certain configurations, the casing
encases the insert.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a gift basket
assembly having a first basket and an insert.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a gift basket
assembly having a second basket and the insert.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a gift basket
assembly having a third basket and the insert.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a first
configuration of the insert.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a second
configuration of the insert.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of another
configuration of the insert.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a further
configuration of the insert.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a third
configuration of the insert nested with another insert of the third
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present gift basket assembly 10
includes a gift basket 20 having an insert 30, wherein at least a
portion of the basket and the insert are retained relative to each
other by an encompassing outer wrap 60 and one of the basket 20 and
the insert 30 include shed 70.
[0028] For purposes of description, the term basket 20 is intended
to encompass retail level container, tin, tray, bucket, crate,
bowls, or vessels, which may be formed with or without handles.
[0029] The term "shred" 70 encompasses packaging materials and
protective packaging material which can fill voids and provide
shock absorption during shipping. Shred 70 includes cellophane
shred, crinkle-cut paper shred, diamond shred, excelsior shred (a
wood fill), metallic shred, sheet moss, fine paper shred, Spanish
moss or any combinations thereof. Selected configurations of the
shred 70 can also provide decorative enhancement of the resulting
gift basket assembly 10.
[0030] In the assembled gift basket assembly 10, the assembly
includes the basket 20 with the insert 30 and the shred 70.
[0031] The basket 20 can include a false bottom or shred 70 for
locating the insert in a given position within the basket.
Alternatively, the insert 30 can engage the basket 20 to be aligned
with a portion of the basket or on an edge of the basket.
[0032] The outer wrap 60, in one configuration, is disposed about
the basket 20 and the insert 30 to completely encompass the basket
and the insert, wherein the outer wrap is then closed with a clasp,
a tie or a bow 62. In select configurations, the outer wrap 60 is a
shrink-wrap which is activated to retain the insert 30 in the
predetermined orientation with respect to the basket 20. In such
configuration, upon the outer wrap 60 assuming the final shrunk
configuration, the outer wrap binds and retains the insert 30
relative to the basket 20 to form a substantially integral
unit.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the insert 30 includes a plurality
of individually packaged products 32 within a casing 40, wherein
the casing is a shrink-wrap to retain the relative position of the
products.
[0034] The products 32 within the gift basket assembly 10 are
individually packaged products. The products 32 include those
individually packaged for separate and independent distribution.
That is, the products 32 are separately packaged from gift basket
assembly 10 and can be packaged for independent resale. However, it
is understood some of the products 32 may be separately packaged,
though the packaging is not labeled for individual resale. It is
also understood the products 32 can include perishable goods such
as fresh fruit or even flowers. In some configurations, the
products 32 are made by parties other than the creator or assembler
of the gift basket assembly 10.
[0035] It is contemplated that while some products 32 can be
retained within the insert 30, additional products can be separate
from the insert, and retained within the outer wrap 60. Thus,
products 32 can be secured within the insert 30 and additional
products, such as but not limited to consumer products to fresh
fruit, can be outside the insert but within the outer wrap 60. The
resulting gift basket assembly 10 can include the insert 30 alone
within the outer wrap 60 or in combination with additional separate
products.
[0036] As seen in FIGS. 5-7, the insert 30 includes a base 36 upon
which the products 32 are disposed, wherein the base may have a
footprint which is substantially equal to the footprint of the
collection of products; smaller than the footprint of the products;
or larger than the footprint of the products.
[0037] In addition, in select configurations, shred 70 may be
disposed upon the base 36 or around the products 32 upon the base.
The casing 40 then surrounds the products 32, the base 36 and the
incorporated shred 70 to form a separate component.
[0038] It is contemplated the individual products 32 may be
arranged with respect to the base 36 and within the insert 30 such
that the finished inserts (including the casing) can be stacked or
packed in an efficient manner. Thus, as seen in FIG. 8, the inserts
30 can be configured such that the shape of the inserts is
complementary so as to reduce void space. The configuration shown
in FIG. 8 may only be obtainable for a limited number of insert
configurations based on the type and weight of individual products
32. A divider, of a material such as Styrofoam.RTM. brand material
or paperboard, may be needed to separate the two inserts in a cell
to protect the shrink wrap on the individual inserts. It is
understood, the two inserts need to be protected from the external
effects of vibration and movement during the transportation and
handling process.
[0039] In one configuration as seen in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, the
footprint of the products 32 in the insert 30 extend beyond the
footprint of the base 36 thereby reducing the visual impact of the
base. In such configuration, it is contemplated the products can be
arranged to substantially occlude the base. Alternatively, it is
contemplated the products 32 can provide a footprint that is
substantially equal to the base, as seen in FIG. 6. Referring to
FIG. 7, in a further configuration, the periphery of the base 36
can extend substantially beyond the footprint of the respective
products 32 in the insert 30. In this configuration, the base 36
can be colored or incorporate the shred 70 to provide an
aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0040] In one configuration, the casing 40 is a shrink-wrap
material which is disposed about the assembled base 36, the shred
70 and the products 32. The shrink wrap is then exposed to heat
causing the shrink-wrap to reduce in size and substantially retain
the products in a predetermined configuration relative to each
other. The insert 30 is a self-contained, self-supporting
component. A satisfactory material for the casing includes
Willow-Wrap (Shrink Wrap) PVC Film 45% Biaxially which meets FDA
regulations for incidental food contact, imported by Willow Group
Ltd.
[0041] In operation, it is contemplated that an entity having a
residual inventory of gift basket kits, can order the inserts 30
for any of a variety of occasions and, upon receiving the inserts,
the entity disposes the insert in its entirety within the basket 2
and places the outer wrap 60, or bag, about the basket and the
enclosed insert. The outer wrap 60 is then tied off, closed (with
bow 62), or if the outer wrap is a shrink-wrap material, heated so
that the outer wrap retains the insert 30 relative to the basket
20.
[0042] As seen in FIGS. 1-3, it is contemplated the base 36 or
footprint of the insert 30 can be selectively disposed entirely
within the basket 20; substantially coincident with a periphery of
the opening of the basket; or to extend beyond the periphery of the
basket opening.
[0043] Thus, a given size insert 30 can be used with a variety of
basket sizes. Particularly, as the configuration of the outer wrap
60 as a shrink-wrap, upon treated the outer wrap, the insert 30 is
retained in the predetermined orientation relative to the basket
20.
[0044] It is also contemplated that the baskets 20 can be of a
nesting configuration and the inserts 30 can be also of a
relatively efficient packing configuration as shown in FIG. 8 such
that the nested inserts, nested baskets 20, outer wraps 60,
tie-offs, such as bows 62, and additional shred 70 can be
incorporated into a single shipping container and merely assembled
at the desired location.
[0045] As the insert 30 can be used with a variety of baskets 20,
and additional products can be disposed intermediate the insert and
the outer wrap 60, the resulting gift basket assembly 10 can be
readily customized, while incorporating a given insert. For
example, the gift basket assembly 10 can include an insert 30
having nonperishable items, and perishable items between the insert
and within the outer wrap 60. Thus, the inserts 30 of nonperishable
items can be economically assembled, and transported to a final
assembler who then incorporates perishable items between the insert
and within the outer wrap 60, and then distributes the finished
gift basket assembly 10.
[0046] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to a presently preferred embodiment, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the spirit and scope of the invention. The presently disclosed
embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is
indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within
the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *