Abstract:
A container for receiving a gift, having a reclosable presentation engaged to a surface thereof. The container includes pleated sides to accommodate different size gifts and may further include a graphics or other indicia to indicate a holiday or other gift giving occasion.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/750,477 filed Jan. 9, 2013, and entitled “Container with Presentation Element,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to gift holding containers including gift boxes and gift bags. In particular, this disclosure relates to a container for holding gift items that includes a reclosable presentation element engaged thereto. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many existing gift containers or packaging include tags and presenting indicia such as words or symbols for indicating the identity of the gift giver and/or of the gift recipient. These include paper bags having relatively planar front, back, and bottom panels and pleated sides. Existing containers, however, often provide minimal interaction when opened by the recipient and thus do not enhance the gift giving experience. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates generally to gift holders and more particularly to a container for holding gift items that provides a reclosable presentation element for revealing and presenting a gift or information associated with a gift. 
         [0005]    One embodiment of a container for holding a gift includes a main body having a plurality of sides and a closed bottom portion. The plurality of sides define a chamber having an open end opposite the closed bottom portion. The container also includes a reclosable presentation element engaged to a side of the main body. The presentation element having an open configuration and a closed configuration, and further includes a central panel and one or more articulating panels hingedly engaged to one or more margins of the central panel. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the container with an articulating includes a main body that further includes a plurality of sides and a closed bottom portion. The plurality of sides define a chamber having an open end opposite the closed bottom portion. 
         [0007]    The container also includes a reclosable presentation element engaged to a side of the main body. The presentation element defines a receptacle having an open configuration and a closed configuration. 
         [0008]    The presentation element includes central panel having plurality of margins. The presentation element also includes a plurality of articulating major panels corresponding to the plurality of margins, where each of the plurality of articulating major panels is hingedly engaged to the corresponding central panel margin. The presentation element further includes a plurality of articulating minor panels disposed between the plurality of articulating major panels, where a first margin of each of the plurality of articulating minor panels is hingedly engaged to one articulating major panel and a second margin of each of the plurality of articulating minor panels is hingedly engaged to another articulating major panel. 
         [0009]    Each of the plurality of articulating major panels rotates about the corresponding central panel margin inwardly and towards the central panel to assume the closed configuration and each of the plurality of articulating major panels rotates about the corresponding central panel margin outwardly and away from the central panel to assume the open configuration. 
         [0010]    One embodiment of a gift holding device includes a container with a folding and unfolding presentation element attached to a panel thereof. The main body includes a longitudinal axis therethrough from a bottom end to an upper end. The sides and bottom end of the main body are typically substantially closed and the upper end is typically substantially open. The sides are connected to one another around the outer margins of the main body and are transversely spaced apart from the longitudinal axis. The sides are typically, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when the main body is completely open. The sides terminate at their lower margins at the closed bottom end and terminate at their upper margins at the open upper end. Two opposing sides are typically creased or pleated to allow these sides to fold inward to collapse the main body to a folded position. 
         [0011]    A presentation element is attached to a side of the container, typically a non-pleated or non-creased side and typically a front side. Although the description herein references a presentation element attached to and extending from the front side, it should be appreciated the front and back are merely relative to one another and in certain embodiments the presentation element could be described as extending from the back side. The presentation element is constructed of and includes a plurality of articulated panels, including major panels and minor panels. The articulated panels are attached to a center or central panel. The center panel includes a first or left margin, a second or right margin, a third or top margin and fourth or bottom margin. A first major panel extends from the first margin, a second major panel extends from the second margin, a third major panel extends from the third margin, and a fourth major panel extends from the fourth margin. A series of minor articulating panels are interposed between the major panels. These articulating panels are hinged or pivotable engaged to the adjacent major panels. 
         [0012]    Other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a front, right perspective view of a container including a presentation element on a front side thereof according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a front, right perspective photograph of a container including a presentation element on a front side thereof according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2A  is a front, top perspective view of the container of  FIGS. 1A-B  according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2B  is a front, top perspective photograph of the container of  FIGS. 1A-B  according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is a front elevation view of the container of  FIGS. 1A-B  showing the presentation element in a substantially closed disposition according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a front elevation photograph of the container of  FIGS. 1A-B  showing the presentation element in a substantially closed disposition according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4A  is a front elevation view of the container of  FIGS. 1A-B  showing the presentation element in a partially open disposition according to one embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4B  is a front elevation photograph of the container of  FIGS. 1A-B  showing the presentation element in a partially open disposition according to one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of outer surfaces of an unassembled main body of a container according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of inner surfaces of an unassembled main body of a container according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the rear surfaces of the presentation element according to one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of the front surfaces of the presentation element according to one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a removable hang tag that may be attached to the main body according to one embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a presentation card according to one embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of a handle support board that may be used reinforce a side of the main body to which a handle is attached according to one embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a plan view of a container bottom support board according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The present disclosure relates generally to gift holders and gift bags. In particular, this disclosure relates to a container for holding gift items that includes a reclosable presentation element engaged thereto. In one aspect, the presentation element is a foldable structure that may be opened and closed by the manipulation and folding of various panels and tabs. In various aspects, the presentation element resembles a work of origami. The presentation element and the container may be made in a variety of sizes and may be dimensioned to hold gifts and gift cards of various sizes. The container may be a bag, a box, or other container. In various aspects, the container and the attached presentation element may be constructed of various types of paper, cardboard, card stock, plastics, or other resilient materials and may bear various graphics and designs while maintaining the general structure and functionality described herein. 
         [0030]    As shown in the figures, a container  100  having a number of features and components is engaged to a reclosable presentation element  105 . In one embodiment, the presentation element  105  is affixed or otherwise engaged to a front side of the container  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 1A-2B . In various embodiments, the container  100  includes a main body  110  having a longitudinal axis  115  therethrough from a top end  120  to a bottom end  125  and substantially closed transverse sides  130 . The sides  130  and bottom end  125  of the main body  110  are typically substantially closed and the top end  120  is typically substantially open. The sides  130  are connected to one another around the outer margins of the main body  110  and are transversely spaced apart from the longitudinal axis  115 . The sides  130  are typically, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis  115  when the main body  110  is completely open. 
         [0031]    The sides  130  of the main body  110  include a first side  130   a,  a second side  130   b  adjoining the first side  130   a  and adjoining a third side  130   c,  the third side  130   c  adjoins the second side  130   b  and adjoins a fourth side  130   d,  the fourth side  130   d  adjoins the third side  130   c  and the first side  130   a.  The sides (referred to collectively by reference numeral  130 ) terminate at the substantially closed bottom end  125  and terminate at the open top end  120 . Two opposing sides, e.g. side  130   b  and  130   d,  are typically creased or pleated to allow these sides to fold inward to collapse the main body  110  to a folded position. 
         [0032]    The reclosable presentation element  105  is attached to a side of the container  100 , typically a non-pleated or non-creased side and typically a front side, such as the first side  130   a,  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-4B . A plan view of one embodiment of the rear surfaces of the presentation element  105  is shown if  FIG. 7 , while  FIG. 8  depicts a plan view of the front surfaces of the presentation element  105 . In one embodiment, the presentation element  105  is constructed of and includes a plurality of articulated panels  140   a - h  (the articulated panels are referred to collectively using reference numeral  140 ). The articulated panels  140  are attached to a center or central panel  145  to define a receptacle. The center panel  145  includes a first or left margin  145   a,  a second or top margin  145   b,  a third or right margin  145   c  and fourth or bottom margin  145   d.  The articulated panels  140  include four major panels  140   a - d . A first major panel  140   a  extends from the first margin  145   a,  a second major panel  140   b  extends from the second margin  145   b,  a third major panel  140   c  extends from the third margin  145   c,  and a fourth major panel  140   d  extends from the fourth margin  145   d.    
         [0033]    A series of articulating minor panels  140   e - h  are disposed between the major panels  140   a - d . In particular, a first minor panel  140   e  is interposed between the first major panel  140   a  and the second major panel  140   b.  The first minor panel  140   e  is in hinged or pivotable engagement with the first major panel  140   a  along one side thereof and is in hinged engagement with the second major panel  140   b  along another side thereof. Similarly, a second minor panel  140   f  is interposed between the second major panel  140   b  and the third major panel  140   c.  The second minor panel  140   f  is in hinged or pivotable engagement with the second major panel  140   b  along one side thereof and is in hinged engagement with the third major panel  140   c  along another side thereof 
         [0034]    The third minor panel  140   g  is interposed between the third major panel  140   c  and the fourth major panel  140   d.  The third minor panel  140   g  is in hinged or pivotable engagement with the third major panel  140   c  along one side thereof and is in hinged engagement with the fourth major panel  140   d  along another side thereof. The fourth minor panel  140   h  is interposed between the fourth major panel  140   d  and the first major panel  140   a.  The fourth minor panel  140   h  is in hinged or pivotable engagement with the fourth major panel  140   d  along one side thereof and is in hinged engagement with the first major panel  140   a  along another side thereof. 
         [0035]    When the articulating panels  140  (and therefore the presentation element  105 ) are closed or folded into a closed configuration, the major panels  140   a,    140   b,    140   c , and  140   d  fold inwardly, as generally indicated by  200  in  FIG. 8 , and face the central panel  145 . The minor panels  140   e,    140   f,    140   g,  and  140   h  also fold inwardly relative to the center panel  145 , however, the minor panels are also folded in a retrograde direction, as generally indicated by  205 , so that the front surfaces of the minor panels face outward and away from the central panel. 
         [0036]    In the folded or closed configuration, the first major panel  140   a  partially overlies the first minor panel  140   e,  the first minor panel  140   e  partially overlies the second major panel  140   b,  and the second major panel  140   b  partially overlies the second minor panel  140   f.  Similarly, the second minor panel  140   f  partially overlies the third major panel  140   c,  the third major panel  140   c  partially overlies the third minor panel  140   g,  the third minor panel  140   g  partially overlies the fourth major panel  140   d,  the fourth major panel  140   d  partially overlies the fourth minor panel  140   h,  and the fourth minor panel  140   h  partially overlies the first major panel  140   a.  It should be appreciated that this pattern of sequentially, partially, overlying, articulated panels  140  could be modified, e.g. reversed, in alternative embodiments. 
         [0037]    As shown in one embodiment of the presentation element  105 , the minor panels  140   f  and  140   h  are located opposed to one another across the central panel  145 . Each minor panel  140   h  and  140   f  includes a respective pull tab  150   a  and  150   b  at their outer portions or margins. Pull tab  150   a  extends from the outer portion or margin of minor panel  140   h  and pull tab  150   b  extends from the outer portion or margin of minor panel  140   f.  When the articulated panels  140  are folded to close the presentation element  105 , the articulated panels  140  may be at least partially unfolded to open the presentation element  105  by pulling the pull tabs  150  outwardly and in substantially opposing directions, as generally indicated by  215  in  FIGS. 3A and 4A .  FIGS. 3A-B  show the presentation element  105  in a substantially closed disposition or configuration, while  FIGS. 4A-B  show the presentation element in a partially open disposition or configuration. 
         [0038]    In various embodiments, the central panel  145  of the presentation element  105  may include an adhesive  157  on a rear face  158  thereof to adhere the central panel  145 , and thereby the presentation element  105 , to a side  130  of the main body  110 . In other embodiments, the presentation element  105  may be attached or affixed to the main body  110  by other suitable means. In one embodiment, the presentation element  105  may be integrated with the main body  110 . Slits  155  in the central panel  145  may be provided to receive either a transaction card (such as a gift card) or a presentation card  160  bearing presentation indicia, such as prompts “TO” and “FROM” to indicate to the user to transcribe the gift giver&#39;s and gift recipient&#39;s names, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A-4B , the container  100  may be a gift bag that includes handles  165 . By way of example and not limitation, the handles  165  may be attached to the first (front) side  130   a  and third (back) side  130   c.  Handles  165  may comprise fabric, ribbon, plastic, paper, or other suitable material. In one embodiment, a handle support board  170 , shown in  FIG. 11 , may be used to reinforce sides  130   a  and  130   c  of the main body  110  to which a handle  165  is attached. Handles  165  may be threaded through apertures  111  in the sides  130   a  and  130   c  and through apertures  171  in the support board  170 .  FIG. 12  is a plan view of a container bottom support board  180  that may be placed within the main body  110  and against the bottom end of the main body  110 . An adhesive strip  185  on a lower surface of the board  180  may be used to secure the board  180  in place. 
         [0040]    When the container is displayed for sale at a retail location, a removable hang tag  175 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . may be attached via adhesive  177  to the main body  110 . In one aspect, the adhesive  177  may be a removable adhesive to allow the removal of the hang tag  175 . In another aspect, the hang tag  175  may be removed by tearing along a transverse perforation  178 . 
         [0041]    In various embodiments, the main body  110  may be formed from a planer material  300 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the planar material of an unassembled main body  110  may include of lines, folds, scores, and/or other markings that define the boundaries or features for the first side  130   a,  second side  130   b,  third side  130   c  and fourth side  130   d  as well as bottom panels that join to one another to close the bottom end  125 . In one embodiment, the main body may be assembled by folding portions of the planar material  300  along various fold lines and using an adhesive or other attachment or fasteners (not shown) to form the main body. 
         [0042]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of particular implementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow. 
         [0043]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from the specific embodiments disclosed above are contemplated by the disclosure. The following disclosure should not be restricted to the above embodiments, but should be measured by the following claims.