Plastic, Heart-shaped Box

Abstract

A two-part, heart-shaped box is molded of foamed polystyrene. A beaded, peripheral lip provides rigidity and aids in sealing one part with respect to the other but does not interfere with assembly of the two parts.

Description

This invention relates generally to containers and more specifically to a foamed plastic box in the shape of a heart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Heart-shaped boxes are in great demand for the packaging of Valentine's Day gifts, and in particular, candy. In the past the boxes were generally assembled from pieces of cardboard, plastic or the like. Frequently, combinations of cardboard and plastic were used. While the prior art did in many ways provide the highly desirable feature of reuseability, it did so at a considerable cost, per box. Assembly time of the various components is chiefly responsible for the relative costliness of the prior art structure. The different types of material used also adds to the cost of the prior art boxes.

The present invention fills a long standing need of the packaging industry. Molded foam polystyrene is used to form top and bottom sections of a heart-shaped box. The bulk of the candy for the St. Valentine's Day market is packaged many months in advance, and then it is stored under refrigeration. This places difficult demands on the package. The package must not contaminate the product.

Additionally the package should be attractive, inexpensive and reusable. The foamed polystyrene package of this invention meets these requirements.

The foamed polystyrene is an excellent insulator and the resulting package does not require outer insulated packing during the summer season when a customer purchases a refrigerated package of candy from a store.

In the present invention a peripheral lip is formed at the edge of the inner box sections. This construction, which is obtainable through existing technology, provides a seal between the two box sections and thereby minimizes deterioration when perishable goods are packaged. Similarly, a depression may very easily be formed at the time of molding to accommodate a decorative insert that is secured thereto by a suitable adhesive. Alternatively, the box sections can be decoratively embossed or printed such as by silk screening. The foamed polystyrene, while light in weight, is sufficiently rigid to make reuse of the box practical.

Accordingly it is the primary object of this invention to provide an improved container.

Another object of this invention is to provide the improved container in the shape of a heart.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved, heart-shaped box molded of foam polystyrene.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved, heart-shaped box, as described above, consisting of top and bottom sections of unitary construction.

An advantage of this invention is that the top and bottom sections are each nestable among themselves.

A feature of this invention is the provision of a peripheral lip to provide means for sealing the interior of the box.

These and other features, advantages and objects of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity and will, in part, become obvious from the following, more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms an integral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the top and bottom sections of the box comprising this invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, sectional elevational view illustrating the relationship of the top and bottom sections of this invention in the assembled condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view illustrating the relationship of the top and bottom sections of this invention in the assembled condition;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view showing a plurality of the top sections in a nested condition;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional elevational view showing a plurality of the bottom sections in a nested condition; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of a typical box section with the cover broken away illustrating an alternative form of construction; and

FIG. 7 is a section taken along lines 7--7 of FIG. 6.

Turning now to the drawing there is shown a box 10 forming the present invention. The box 10 consists of an outer or top section 12 and a bottom section 14 both of which are molded of foam polystyrene in the shape of a heart. As is well known in the art, the sections 12 and 14 may be molded or pressure formed between male and female dies using foamed sheet polystyrene.

As is best shown in FIG. 2 the top section 12 is comprised of a base wall 16 in which a recess or depression 18 is formed during molding. The recess 18 is convenient for accurately receiving and locating a decorative insert 20 which is secured thereto by means of a compatible adhesive. A peripheral outwardly flared wall 22 depends from the base wall 16.

FIG. 2 also illustrates the configuration of the inner or bottom section 14 which is comprised of a base wall 26 having a recess or depression 28 formed therein during the molding operation. The recess 28, like the recess 18, is sized and shaped to accommodate a decorative insert 30. It should be noted that the provision of the recesses 18 and 28, in addition to acting as locating means for the inserts 20 and 30, serve to prevent inadvertent peeling of the members secured therein. The base wall 26 of the bottom section 14 also includes an outwardly flared wall 32 integral therewith and an outwardly flared lip or bead 34 at the extremity of the wall 32. The tips 24 and 34 are both continuous about their respective walls 22 and 32.

The assembled relationship of the top and bottom sections 12 and 14 is shown fragmentarily in FIG. 3. It will be noted that the outwardly flared lip 34 of the bottom section 14 fits snugly in the corner defined by the juncture of the base wall 16 and the sidewall 22 of the top section 12. This construction very inexpensively provides an effective seal for the contents of the box. The frictional engagement also helps to hold the two sections 12 and 14 together.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate a feature of the present invention that permits it to be used in conjunction with high-speed, automatic filling machinery. Because the walls 22 and 32 are flared outwardly, a plurality of respective sections can be nested together. Reference characters 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d and 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d, illustrate the nested relationship that permits automatic feeding of the two sections as required by the filling machine. In this connection it will be appreciated that the outwardly flared lip at the end of each sidewall serves the additional function of a pilot when the sections are nested.

An alternative embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Sidewall 22', depending from base wall 26' is provided with a plurality of outwardly bulged portions 36 that provide frictional engagement with the sidewall of the mating section.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that an improved foamed polystyrene container in the shape of a heart has been provided.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An improved, reusable, heart-shaped container for packaging merchandise, said container consisting of:

a. a molded, foam polystyrene top section having a base wall and an outwardly flared sidewall integral therewith, a plurality of said top sections being nestable one within the other; and

b. a molded, foam polystyrene bottom section having a base wall and an outwardly flared sidewall integral therewith, a plurality of said bottom sections being nestable one within the other.

2. The containers in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sidewalls of said top and bottom sections terminate in outwardly flared peripheral lips.

3. The containers in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base walls of said top and bottom sections include a recess therein and wherein there is further included a decorative insert secured within said recesses.

4. The containers in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sidewall of at least one of said sections includes a plurality of bulges directed towards said sidewall of said other section.