Abstract:
A package decoration having a foldable panel and pop-up decoration affixed to the panel. The panel and the pop-up decoration are foldable into a flat format, the pop-up decoration folding between folded portions of the panel. The pop-up decoration configured and printed, and the panel printed to provide an occasion specific decoration. The panel may include a printed greeting and other package wrappings, such as ribbons may also be included with the panel and pop-up decoration.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/817,093, filed on Apr. 2, 2004, and which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/459,675, filed Apr. 2, 2003. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     [Not Applicable] 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE  
       [0003]     [Not Applicable] 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention relates to package decoration and package wrapping, and more particularly to a decoration that is collapsed for convenient distribution and handling in a flat format, that opens to be affixed to a package and that expands or pops up when opened to provide a dimensional display.  
         [0005]     Packages are decorated when given as gifts, displayed to attract attention, or in other circumstances in which a visually pleasing and/or interesting presentation is desired. Package decorations that are frequently affixed to packages include wrapping material, ribbon, and ornamentation including ribbons, bows, greeting cards, and other displays. Known distinctive package decorations include a dimensional flower-like ornament that is attached to a package by an elasticized cord as described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,601. Another dimensional decoration is a decorative pop out card accessory for attaching cards to a gift package that is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,943.  
         [0006]     The time required to decorate a package can limit the extent and complexity of decoration when little time is available, when many packages are to be decorated, and when package decoration requires many steps such as cutting and applying wrapping material, wrapping with ribbon, and affixing cards or ornaments to the package. Various approaches have been used to make package decoration less time consuming. These include decorated gift bags, gift sleeves, gift bands, self-stick bows, and self-stick wrapping paper. Another approach to reducing the time required to wrap a package is attaching pre-cut wrapping paper to a box as disclosed for example by U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,429. These approaches make package decoration and gift wrapping less time consuming but are limited in the sizes of package that can be accommodated, in variety of decoration or wrapping that can be attached to a package, or a combination of these limitations.  
         [0007]     Another limitation on package decoration is imposed by the necessity for shipping or otherwise transporting a package. Package decorations that are easily damaged or that occupy an unacceptable volume are unusable for packages that must be transported. A decoration that avoids such problems as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,877 is a dimensional decoration made of an expanding structure that may be folded into a compact configuration and quickly opened and secured to a package. That decoration has two end members that open along a spine or fold from a folded configuration and an accordion-like expansible structure between the end members including spokes that extend from the spine. The expansible structure expands when the end members are opened from the closed configuration to form a dimensional ornament. An elasticized cord is attached at its ends to the end members so that the cord can be wrapped onto the package. Accordion-like expansible decorations of the type disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,877 provide limited forms of decorations.  
         [0008]     More complex expanding displays have been used in pop-up books. Pop-up books have collapsed displays that open and expand to create a multi-dimensional and engaging displays that illustrates a book&#39;s story. Pop-up displays in books generally include one or more sheets, generally made from paper, that are folded when collapsed and expand when the book is opened at the display to form a three dimensional picture or model. Pop-up books have been known for many years. A pop-up display can form complex and diverse forms and can have movable pieces that add motion to the display. Pop-up displays are generally relatively fragile when opened and expanded. Pop-up displays therefore are distributed, as in books, in a folded or collapsed position often within a durable covering such as the cover of a book or overlying sheets.  
         [0009]     In addition to illustrating stories in books, pop-up displays (often referred to simply as pop-ups) have also been used to enhance product displays. U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,124 discloses a paper pop-up that is permanently attached to a package and that creates a game. The pop-up game is formed by panels that fold over each other to collapse to a flat and compact form. One panel is glued to a product package and another panel folds from the attached panel to open the pop-up between the panels and form the game. Pop-up displays have not heretofore been adapted to provide dimensional or complex package decoration that can be quickly mounted to a package and have not been combined with package wrapping and decorating materials.  
         [0010]     A need remains for decorations that can be quickly applied to packages and that can be appropriate for diverse themes and occasions. A need also exists for gift wrapping decorations that can be provided for a range of package sizes and shapes and that can be appropriate for many occasions. A need also exists for a package decoration that includes a dimensional decoration that can be transported and efficiently applied to a package.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention is a package decoration that is compact and durable when folded and collapsed for shipping and that is quickly and easily opened for application to a package. A dimensional pop-up package display expands from a generally flat folded panel to be affixed to a package. The pop-up display and in some cases the panel combine, by printing, configuration, or other aesthetic means, to provide a decoration that is appropriate for a holiday, occasion, or other desired theme. The dimensional pop-up display and the panel are made to be foldable into a compact and durable configuration for shipping and handling. While it is preferred that the pop-up display is affixed to and expands from the panel as the panel is opened, the pop-up display may be separate from the panel before the panel and pop-up display are applied to a package to provide a compact format for shipping. The panel and pop-up display would them be configured to be affixed to each other when applied to a package. The panel may be sized to include a greeting or appropriate message printed on the panel providing a greeting card or message appropriate for a specific occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or other occasion.  
         [0012]     An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative dimensional display that can be quickly affixed to a package to provide an attractive display.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a display for a package that can be shipped or transported in a compact configuration in which it can withstand ordinary handling and then be applied to a package to provide a dimensional display.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the present invention to is to provide a decorative dimensional package display that can be shipped in a compact configuration that will permit many different displays to be shipped and displayed together without requiring an unacceptable amount of space.  
         [0015]     It is yet another object of the present invention is to provide a decorative dimensional package display that can be specific for many occasions.  
         [0016]     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments described herein that meet one or more of these objects in whole or in part. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a package decoration with a pop-up according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a portion of the package decoration shown by  FIG. 1  partially affixed to a package.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a panel portion of the package decoration without the pop-up display as shown by  FIG. 1  applied to a package.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a portion of the package decoration including a greeting card.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of another package decoration with a pop-up display according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a package with another package decoration with a pop-up display according to the present invention that is folded and collapsed.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the package and package decoration of  FIG. 6  expanded to provide a dimensional decorative display.  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a package with another package decoration with a pop-up display according to the present invention.  
         [0025]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the package decoration shown by  FIG. 8  fastened to opposed panels of a gift bag to close the open end of the bag.  
         [0026]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of a gift bag with the package decoration with a pop-up display shown by  FIG. 9  extending over an opening edge of a panel the bag to be affixed to the inner and outer surfaces of the panel. 
     
    
       [0027]     The figures illustrate embodiments of the present invention as presently preferred for use in the illustrated applications. The same numerals are used in the drawings to identify the same or similar elements. The following description of the embodiments illustrated by the figures uses terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below”, “front”, “back”, “side” and similar terms to describe the illustrated embodiment in the shown position and configuration. No limitation on the scope of the invention or necessity for the invention is intended by use of these terms. Rather, they are used to facilitate description of illustrated embodiments of the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a package decoration with pop-up  10  according to the present invention applied to a box  12 . The package decoration with pop-up  10  includes a panel  14  that is sized to overlie a substantial portion of a top of the package  12 . The panel  14  may be colored or printed to provide a gift wrapping theme for a holiday or special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or other occasion. Two ribbons  18  and  19  (shown in partial cutaway) are at right angles to each other, overlie the panel  14  and extend over adjacent edges of the top of the package  12  to extend around the package  12 . Preferably, the ribbons are of a color or decoration that is consistent with and enhances the thematic appearance of the panel  14 .  
         [0029]     The panel  14  is constructed to be foldable, as for example by a foldable material or by creases when the panel  14  is made from stiff paper or cardboard. The panel  14  and ribbons  18  and  19  and are foldable to a configuration that is convenient for shipping and that protects the panel  14 , ribbons  18  and  19 , and dimensional pop-up  16  from damages in shipping and handling.  
         [0030]     A pop-up display  16  representing a bird, such as may be used for a spring bridal shower package, expands from the panel  14  to provide a dimensional decoration on the box  12 . The pop-up display  16  is formed of flat foldable material that can be printed, such as paper, and is affixed to the panel  14  to be folded between overlying section of the panel  14 . A pop-up display may be formed by joined panels that extend from each other as wings  15  and  17  of pop-up display  16 . The pop-up display  16  provides a dimensional display which, in combination with the panel  14  and ribbons  18  and  19 , provides a holiday or occasion specific decorative wrapping for the box  12 . The pop-up display  16  is made of paper or other material from which a dimensional decoration may be formed by methods conventionally used in construction of folded displays, pop-up books, promotional devices, and other applications in which a dimensional display is formed by expanding from a flat folded configuration.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a step in the application of the decoration with pop-up  10  to the box  12 . As shown, the panel  14  is folded in half along the length of the ribbon  19  near its center providing a more compact configuration than as shown by  FIG. 1 . A face  24  of the panel  14  is adjacent to the box  12  when the panel  14  is applied to the box  12 . In the folded configuration shown by  FIG. 2 , half the panel  14  is folded to position the face  24  facing outwardly from the box  12 . Adhesive patches  22  are applied to face  24  of the panel  14  to secure the panel  14  to the box  12 . As will be understood by those skilled in the art, adhesive patches may be any conventional adhesive appropriate for adhering the panel  14  to the box  12  including double adhesive sided tape. As shown by  FIG. 2 , an adhesive patch  22  is positioned near each corner of the panel  14  on the face  24 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  shows the panel  14  unfolded from the configuration shown by  FIG. 2  with the pop-up display  16  omitted. The ribbons  18  and  19  cross each other, ribbon  18  overlying ribbon  19 , and extend over adjacent sides of the box  12 . The panel  14  is held in place by the adhesive patches  22 . Alternatively, the panel  14  may be affixed to the package  12  by the ribbons  18  an  19  being adhered to the package  12  or to each other.  
         [0033]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the pop-up  16  is constructed so that it may be folded to be flat and compact between folded sections of the panel  14  for economical packaging and transportation and to avoid damage from ordinary handling. The size, construction, and configuration of the pop-up display  16  are also within knowledge of the those skilled in the art. The pop-up display  16  is affixed to the panel  14  at locations that are appropriate for the particular display as is also well known.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a panel  14  with a pop-up display omitted and ribbons  18  and  19  affixed to a package  12 . The panel  14  includes a greeting card section  32 . The greeting card section  32  of the panel includes a preprinted greeting. The greeting card section  32  in this embodiment includes a printed greeting that is appropriate for the theme of the gift wrapping. The greeting card section may include a panel that is printed as a greeting card cover and folds away from the panel  14  to provide the appearance of a greeting card.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  shows another package decoration with pop-up  30  according to the present invention applied to a box  12 . The decoration with pop-up  30  embodies a Christmas theme and includes a pop-up display  34  in the shape of a Christmas tree. The panel  14  will include a Christmas theme, whether traditional wrapping paper or other holiday specific display, and the ribbons  18  and  19  would also enhance the Christmas theme of the package decoration with pop-up  30 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  shows another package decoration with pop-up  40  according to the present invention applied to a box  12 . The decoration with pop-up  40  includes a panel  14  that is shown as folded by  FIG. 6  enclosing a collapsed pop-up.  
         [0037]      FIG. 7  shows the package decoration with pop-up  40  that is shown by  FIG. 6  after the panel  14  has been unfolded to overlie a surface of the package  12  and the pop-up display  44  has been expanded to provide a dimensional display. Pop-up display  44  forms a decoration that includes a representation of a three dimensional a vase  46  by a panel that generally conforms to the shape of at least a portion of the three dimensional outer surface of a vase.  
         [0038]      FIG. 8  shows a package decoration with pop-up  50  according to the present invention applied to a box  12 . The package decoration  50  includes panel  14  that has a straight fold line  62  along which the panel  14  folds. The fold lines defines a first section  64  and a second section  66  of the panel  14  that meet at the fold line  62 . As illustrated by  FIG. 8 , the fold line  62  is positioned along an edge  72  of the package  12  at which adjoining sides  74  and  76  of the package  12  meet. The panel  14  folds about the fold line  62  to position the first section  64  of the panel  14  adjacent to the side  74  of the package  12  and the second section  66  of the panel  14  adjacent to the side  76  of the package  12 . The pop-up display  54  is secured to the first section  64  and the second section  66  of the panel  14  at separated locations on the pop-up display  54 . Folding the first section  64  and the second section  66  of the panel  14  towards the pop-up display  54  folds the pop-up display  54  to a generally flat configuration to be at least partially between first section  64  and the second section  66  of the panel  14 . Folding the first section  64  and the second section  66  of the panel  14  along the fold line  62  away from the pop-up display  54  opens the pop-up display  54  from the generally flat configuration to form the dimensional display shown by  FIG. 8 . Opening the first section  64  and the second section  66  in this way to position the first section  64  and the second section  66  to overlie the sides  74  and  76  of the package  12 , respectively provides the package decoration as shown by  FIG. 8 . It is preferred that the first section  64  and second section  66  of the panel  14  engage the package  12  by an adhesive such as described above, though the package decoration with pop-up display  50  may be affixed to the package  12  by other described and known methods.  
         [0039]      FIG. 9  shows the package decoration with pop-up  50  affixed to a gift bag  82 . The gift bag  82  is made of paper, plastic, or other conventional relatively thin foldable material. The gift bag  82  is formed by two generally flat side walls,  84  and  86 , two folded walls  81  and  83  and a bottom  85 . The bottom  85  is generally rectangular being defined by a first pair and a second pair of opposed edges. The flat side walls  84  and  86  extend upwardly from the bottom  85  from the first pair of opposed edges of the rectangular bottom  85  and the folded walls  81  and  83  extend upwardly from the second pair of opposed edges of the bottom  85 . Each flat side wall  84  and  86  is joined to the folded walls  81  and  83  at opposed upwardly extending edges, and the folded walls  81  and  83  are each joined at opposed upwardly extending edges to the flat side walls  84  and  86 . The flat side walls  84  and  86 , and folded side walls  81  and  83  define on interior of the gift bag  82  that is closed at one end by the bottom  85  and is open at an opposite end that is defined by upper edges of the walls  81 ,  83 ,  84  and  86 . The flat side wall  84  defines an upper edge  89  and the flat side wall  86  defines an upper edge  87 . The upper edges  89  and  87  are located so that they can be positioned adjacent to each other to close the open end of the gift bag  82 .  
         [0040]     As shown by  FIG. 9 , the package decoration with pop-up  50  is positioned on the gift bag  82  to engage opposed outwardly facing surfaces of the flat side walls  84  and  86  to hold the upper edges  89  and  87  adjacent to each other. The upper edges  89  and  87  are positioned adjacent to each other, and the panel  14  is positioned adjacent to the gift bag  82  with the fold line  62  adjacent to the upper edges  89  and  87 . The first section  64  of the panel  14  extends from the fold line  62  adjacent to flat side wall  84  and the second section  66  of the panel  14  extends from the fold line  62  adjacent to the flat side wall  86 . The first section  64  and the second section  66  are adhered to the flat sides  84  and  86 , respectively, by any conventional means as described above or otherwise, preferably releasably. As shown by  FIG. 9 , the package decoration with pop-up  50  functions to both decorate the gift bag  82  and to close the gift bag  82  by securing the side walls  84  and  86  to each other.  
         [0041]      FIG. 10  shows the package decoration with pop-up  50  is positioned on and affixed to the gift bag  82  at the flat side wall  86  along its upper end  87 . The fold line  62  of the panel  14  is positioned along the upper edge  87  and the first section  66  of the panel  14  overlies an outwardly facing surface of the flat side  86  and the second section  64  overlies an opposite and inwardly facing surface of the flat side  86 . The first section  64  and the second section  66  are adhered to the outwardly facing and inwardly facing surfaces of flat side  86 , respectively, by any conventional means as described above or otherwise. As will be appreciated, affixing the package decoration with pop-up display  50  to only the flat side wall  86  does not close the gift bag  82  as does affixing the package decoration with pop-up display  50  to opposed flat side walls  84  and  86 .  
         [0042]     The present invention has been described by reference to a decorative package decoration. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced other than as described. For example, and without limitation, a panel  14  may extend to cover more or less than the side of a box, and may extend to more than one side of a box. Different pop-up displays may be used. Further, while decorative package wrapping is believe to be an important application, the invention is not limited to decorative package wrapping. Other circumstances in which decoration or enhancement of the appearance of a box is desired will also provide applications for the present invention. Such applications may include product packaging and product displays within shipping boxes. Therefore, the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. What is sought to be protected is all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.