# Patent

## Title
Display container

## Abstract

A structure configurable for holding and displaying a product (e.g., a game ball or sporting equipment) may include one or more sides having an aperture through which the contained product is visible. One or more sides of the structure may include flaps that are flexible inward toward an interior of the structure. The flaps may include a protrusion configured to contact and hold the product contained in the structure. A first flap may further include slits for receiving portions of a second flap to form a side of the structure. One or more sides of the structure may be void of an aperture to provide a surface on which information about the product may be displayed.

## Background
BACKGROUND
Many athletic activities, particularly team sports, utilize one of a variety of game ball types. For example, the game of soccer utilizes a soccerball, whereas the game of basketball utilizes a basketball. Other types of game balls that are commonly utilized include footballs, volleyballs, baseballs, and softballs, for example. The suitability of a type of game ball for a particular athletic activity depends upon a variety of characteristics, including dimensions, shape, materials, and weight.
When purchasing game balls, consumers generally prefer to inspect the game balls, which may include both a visual inspection and a tactile inspection (i.e., through touch) to ensure that the game balls possess the requisite characteristics. Moreover, inspection of the game balls permits the consumers to verify whether the game balls possess a requisite degree of quality, which is dependent upon workmanship and materials. Packaging, such a conventional box, may inhibit consumers' ability to inspect game balls. Accordingly, many manufacturers transport game balls to retail locations without packaging, and the game balls are displayed in bulk at the retail locations in a large bin or basket.
One drawback to displaying game balls without packaging is that information regarding the game balls may not be provided to the consumers. For example, when game balls are loosely displayed in a large bin or basket, information on materials used in the game balls, specifications of the game ball, and approval from governing athletic organizations may not be coupled with the game balls for use by the consumers when selecting between models or manufacturers. Another drawback relates to protection of the game balls. That is, damage to the game balls may occur during transport or while on display at the retail location.
SUMMARY
A container for receiving and displaying a game ball or a variety of other products is disclosed. The container may permit consumers to inspect a game ball by exposing a significant area of the game ball. The container may also provide an area for information on the game ball to be displayed, thereby providing the information to the consumers at a retail location. In addition, the container may impart protection to the game ball during transport and at the retail location.
The container may include various flaps with protrusions shaped to have a curvature that is approximately equal to the curvature of the game ball. In addition to supporting the game ball, the protrusions may contact the surface of the game ball along substantially all of the length of the protrusions. This configuration limits the degree to which the game ball rotates or otherwise moves during transport. In addition, the flaps of the container may have other protrusions and slits that mate and interlock to join the flaps together. In this configuration, the flaps may be folded inward to interlock the flaps and complete assembly of the container. Similarly, the flaps may be pressed further inward to disengage the protrusions and slits for purposes of removing the game ball from the container.
To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying drawings that describe and illustrate various embodiments and concepts related to the aspects of the invention.



DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing Summary, as well as the following Detailed Description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first display container in a closed configuration and in combination with a game ball.
FIGS. 2 and 3 are side elevational views of the first display container in the closed configuration and in combination with the game ball.
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first display container in the closed configuration and in combination with the game ball.
FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the first display container in the closed configuration and in combination with the game ball.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first display container in the closed configuration.
FIGS. 7 and 8 are side elevational views of the first display container in the closed configuration.
FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the first display container in the closed configuration.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the first display container in an open configuration.
FIGS. 11 and 12 are side elevational views of the first display container in the open configuration.
FIG. 13 is a plan view of an element that forms the first display container.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second display container in a closed configuration.
FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the second display container in the closed configuration.
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the second display container in the closed configuration.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a second display container in an open configuration.
FIGS. 18 and 19 are side elevational views of the second display container in the open configuration.
FIG. 20 illustrates a process for assembling the first display container.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose a container 10 for receiving and displaying a game ball. Although container 10 is depicted in combination with a soccerball 100 in FIGS. 1-5, other configurations of container 10 may be utilized to receive and display a variety of other game balls, including a basketball, volleyball, football, baseball, or softball, for example. Container 10 may also be utilized to receive and display a variety of other products, in addition to game balls. Accordingly, container 10 is disclosed in a configuration suitable for receiving and displaying soccerball 100 for purposes of example, and may also be utilized to receive and display a variety of other products.
As discussed in the Background section above, packaging for game balls may inhibit the consumers' ability to inspect game balls. Furthermore, loosely displaying game balls without packaging limits the ability of manufacturers to convey information regarding the game balls to the consumers, and loosely displaying game balls may not provide adequate protection to the game balls. Container 10, however, permits consumers to properly inspect soccerball 100 by exposing a significant area of soccerball 100. Container 10 also provides an area for information on soccerball 100 to be displayed, thereby providing the information to the consumers. In addition, container 10 imparts protection to soccerball 100 during transport and at a retail location.
Container 10 is depicted in combination with soccerball 100 in FIGS. 1-5. FIGS. 6-9 correspond with FIGS. 1-4, but depict container 10 with soccerball 100 absent. Whereas FIGS. 1-9 depict container 10 in a closed configuration, FIGS. 10-12 depict container 10 in an open configuration, which may be utilized to place soccerball 100 within container 10 or remove soccerball 100 from container 10. In addition, FIG. 13 depicts container 10 in an unassembled configuration. That is, FIG. 13 is a plan view of an element that forms container 10. Although container 10 may be formed from a single element of material, as in FIG. 13, some configurations of container 10 may be formed from two or more joined elements. A variety of materials may be utilized for display container 10, including cardboard, paper, various polymers, or combinations of these materials, for example. Accordingly, the element depicted in FIG. 13 may be stamped or otherwise formed from a single cardboard element that is then folded and joined.
Container 10 has a generally cubic shape that defines six sides 12a-12f and an interior void bounded by sides 12a-12f for receiving soccerball 100. Sides 12a and 12b respectively define apertures 14a and 14b through which soccerball 100 is visible. Sides 12c and 12d are not depicted as having apertures, which provides areas for information regarding soccerball 100 to be printed on the exterior of container 10. In further configurations of container 10, either of apertures 14a and 14b may be absent (i.e., the material of container 10 may extend across the areas of apertures 14a and 14b) or sides 12c and 12d may also include apertures. Sides 12e and 12f, which respectively form a top and a bottom of container 10, also expose areas of soccerball 100. Accordingly, the configuration of container 10 in FIGS. 1-5 exposes soccerball 100 through four of the six sides 12a-12f. 
In addition to exposing portions of soccerball 100, container 10 provides support to soccerball 100. The support is provided by various flaps 16a-16d that extend into the void in container 10 and contact soccerball 100. For example, one of flaps 16a extends from an upper area of side 12a and is angled downward to contact soccerball 100, and another of flaps 16a extends from a lower area of side 12a and is angled upward to contact soccerball 100. Similarly, one of flaps 16b extends from an upper area of side 12b and is angled downward to contact soccerball 100, and another of flaps 16b extends from a lower area of side 12b and is angled upward to contact soccerball 100. As with sides 12a and 12b, each of sides 12c and 12d respectively have two flaps 16c and 16d that are angled downward and upward to contact soccerball 100.
Each of flaps 16a-16d respectively have a protrusion 18a-18d that is approximately centered relative to sides of flaps 16a-16d and contacts soccerball 100. Protrusions 18a-18d extend outward from ends of flaps 16a-16d and have a concave configuration that contacts soccerball 100. That is, protrusions 18a-18d are shaped to have a curvature that is approximately equal to the curvature of soccerball 100. Accordingly, protrusions 18a-18d contact the surface of soccerball 100 along substantially all of the length of protrusions 18a-18d. In some configurations of container 10, protrusions 18a-18d may not be shaped to have a curvature that is approximately equal to the curvature of soccerball 100, or protrusions 18a-18d may be absent from flaps 16a-16d. 
End portions of flaps 16b and 16d also respectively form a pair of other protrusions 20b and 20d. Similarly, end portions of flaps 16a and 16b respectively form a pair of slits 22a and 22c. When folded inward, protrusions 20b and 20d extend into and mate with slits 22a and 22c to interlock flaps 16a-16d with each other. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, one of protrusions 20b from flap 16b is immediately adjacent one of slits 22a from flap 16a. When flaps 16a and 16b are folded inward, protrusion 20b will extend into slit 22a to interlock flaps 16a and 16b. Similar concepts apply at other locations of container 10. Slits 22a and 22c may also have the configuration of elongate apertures in some configurations.
An element that forms container 10 is depicted in FIG. 13 and the various sides 12a-12d, apertures 14a and 14b, flaps 16a-16d, protrusions 18a-18d, protrusions 20b and 20d, and slits 22a and 22c are depicted. Note, however, that the element does not actually include specific portions that form sides 12e and 12f. When (a) the element is folded along various fold lines 24 and (b) a joining flap 26 extending from an edge of side 12c is adhered or otherwise joined to side 12d, sides 12e and 12f are defined by the upper and lower edges of sides 12a-12d (i.e., the portions of sides 12a-12d with flaps 16a-16d).
Based upon the above discussion, container 10 has a configuration suitable for receiving and displaying soccerball 100. In other configurations, container 10 may also be utilized to receive and display a variety of other types of game balls or other products. Advantages of the configuration of container 10 are that (a) consumers may inspect soccerball 100 through apertures 14a and 14b and through sides 12e and 12f, (b) sides 12c and 12d provide an area for information regarding soccerball 100 to be displayed, and (c) soccerball 100 is protected by container 10 during transport and at a retail location. Another advantage of container 10 relates to protrusions 18a-18d. As discussed, protrusions 18a-18d are shaped to have a curvature that is approximately equal to the curvature of soccerball 100, and protrusions 18a-18d contact the surface of soccerball 100 along substantially all of the length of protrusions 18a-18d. This configuration limits the degree to which soccerball 100 rotates or otherwise moves during transport. At the retail location, therefore, logos or other information printed on soccerball 100 may remain visible to the consumer if placed within container 10 such that the logos are visible. An additional advantage of container 10 relates to the interaction between protrusions 20b and 20d and slits 22a and 22c. When folded inward, protrusions 20b and 20d extend into and mate with slits 22a and 22c to interlock flaps 16a-16d with each other. In this configuration, flaps 16a-16d may be merely folded inward to interlock flaps 16a-16d and complete the assembly of container 10. That is, this configuration provides a relatively easy manner of securing soccerball 100 within container 10.
Another configuration is depicted in FIGS. 14-19 as container 10′. As with container 10, container 10′ is suitable for receiving soccerball 100, other game balls, or a variety of other products. The primary elements of container 10′ are various sides 12a′-12f′, a pair of apertures 14a′ and 14b′, and eight flaps 16a′-16d′. Flaps 16a′ and 16c′ include various slits 22a′ and 22c′ that extend into various protrusions 20b′ and 20d′ on flaps 16b′ and 16d′ to interlock flaps 16a′-16d′ with each other. Flaps 16a′ and 16c′ also include various wings 24a′ and 24c′ that fold inward to provide additional support for flaps 16a′-16d′. In one or more configurations, wings 24a′-d′ may extend longitudinally past the sides of container 10′. The longitudinal edges/sides of flaps 16b′ and 16d′ may further be sloped to facilitate joining with flaps 16a′ and 16c′. Wings 24a′-24d′ may further extend in a lateral direction past a lateral edge of a remainder of flaps 16a′ and 16c′. Similarly, the longitudinal ends of flaps 16b′ and 16d′ may also protrude from the remainder of flaps 16b′ and 16d′ in a lateral direction. Each of wings 24a′-24d′ may further include a crease between a portion extending beyond a side of container 10′ and the remainder of the wing. Additionally or alternatively, a longitudinal edge of each wing of wings 24a′-24d′ may be angled or sloped.
With reference to FIG. 20, a method of assembling container 10 is depicted. Initially, the element depicted in FIG. 13 is folded between sides 12a-12d such that joining flap 26 contacts side 12d, where joining flap 26 is adhered. Flaps 16a-16d adjacent side 12f are then folded inward so that protrusions 20b and 20d enter slits 22a and 22c. Soccerball 100 may then be placed within container 10 through side 12e, and flaps 16a-16d adjacent side 12e are then folded inward so that protrusions 20b and 20d enter slits 22a and 22c. As an alternative, soccerball 100 may be placed within container 10 through the side 12e after flaps 16a-16d adjacent side 12e are folded inward. This procedure secures soccerball 100 within container 10.
In order to remove soccerball 100 from container 10, two of flaps 16a-16d may be pressed downward. By pressing two of flaps 16a-16d further inward, protrusions 20b and 20d are disengaged from slits 22a and 22c and each of flaps 16a-16d respectively extend adjacent to sides 12a-12d, thereby opening side 12e sufficiently for removal of soccerball 100. Accordingly, the relatively easy action of pressing downward on two of flaps 16a-16d is sufficient to remove soccerball 100 from container 10.
The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to aspects of the invention, not to limit the scope of aspects of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined herein.

## Claims

1. A structure configurable to form a container comprising:
a first panel including a first flap having a wing extending from a first longitudinal end of the first flap and wherein the first longitudinal end includes an enclosed slot configured to receive a portion of a second flap and wherein a second longitudinal end of the first flap includes a second enclosed slot configured to receive a portion of a third flap;
a second panel including the second flap, wherein the second flap includes a first protrusion configured for insertion into the enclosed slot of the first flap;
a third panel including the third flap, wherein the third flap includes a second protrusion configured for insertion into the second enclosed slot of the first flap, and wherein the first flap, the second flap and the third flap are configured to form a side of the structure, the side having an aperture through which a contained product is visible,
wherein when the second flap is inserted into the enclosed slot, the wing extends from a corner defined by the first panel and the second panel inward toward the interior of the container and the wing is configured to contact the contained product.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal end of the second flap is sloped.

3. The structure of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal end of the second flap protrudes laterally from a remainder of the second flap.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first panel includes a first surface having a second aperture and the second panel includes a second surface void of apertures.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the wing of the first flap is configured to flex inward toward an interior of the container.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein the first panel includes at least two flaps, and each of the at least two flaps includes at least two wings.

7. The structure of claim 6, wherein a first wing and a second wing of the first flap extend longitudinally from the first flap in opposite directions.

8. A display structure comprising:
a first plurality of flaps configured to form a first side of the display structure, wherein each of the first plurality of flaps configured to form the first side includes a protrusion extending from a lateral edge of the flap, wherein the protrusion is configured to contact a product contained within the display structure and wherein the first side includes an aperture through which the product is visible;
wherein the first plurality of flaps includes a first flap, the first flap including a second protrusion extending longitudinally from a longitudinal edge of the first flap; and
wherein the first plurality of flaps further includes a second flap, the second flap including a slit in a first longitudinal end portion of the second flap, the slit configured to receive the second protrusion of the first flap;
a second plurality of flaps configured to form a second side of the display structure that is opposite to the first side, each flap in the second plurality of flaps includes a contact protrusion extending from a lateral edge of the flap, the contact protrusion configured to contact a product contained within the display structure and wherein the second side includes a second side aperture through which the product is visible;
wherein the second plurality of flaps includes a third flap, the third flap including a third protrusion extending longitudinally from a longitudinal edge of the third flap; and
wherein the second plurality of flaps further includes a fourth flap, the fourth flap including a slit in a longitudinal end portion of the fourth flap, the slit configured to receive the third protrusion of the third flap.