Abstract:
A convertible display package and a wallet arranged to be hung from a support. The package includes a tray and a housing. The tray has a base wall, a peripheral side wall, an open top and a hollow interior. The wallet is located within the tray&#39;s interior. The housing is similarly constructed, except that its side wall includes a gap. The tray is arranged to be located within the housing, with its sidewall adjacent the housing&#39;s sidewall and with its open top within the housing&#39;s open top so that the wallet is visible. The tray is arranged to be slid out of the housing through the gap. A pair of magnets are provided for releasably holding the tray within the housing. The housing can be reversibly disposed with respect to the tray to form a lid with the base wall of the housing closing the open top of the tray.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to packages for merchandising items and, more particularly, to a convertible package for holding an item to be sold and which package can be converted to be used thereafter as a keepsake box for small personal items, e.g., jewelry. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The merchandising of wallets, billfolds and the like is commonly effected by displaying those items in a box or some other package on a display rack or suspended from horizontally projecting members, e.g., prongs or hooks. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,039 (Orr et al.) there is disclosed a packaging system for displaying an article, such as a wallet, in a manner such that it is readily accessible to shoppers, but are relatively difficult to shoplift. The packaging system comprises three main elements: a box, a box insert, and an attachment mechanism which secures the wallet to the box insert. The box insert is then adhesively attached to the box. 
         [0005]    In U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,326 (Ford), which is assigned to the same assignee as the subject invention and whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein, there is disclosed a packaging system for a wallet or billfold to enable it to be opened and examined, while deterring its removal from the packaging system. The packaging system basically comprises a box and a band member formed of a tear resistant material, e.g., a flat strip of plastic, which extends through a portion of the wallet and is secured to the box. A lid is provided to cover the box. A flanged insert member may also be provided in the interior of the box to serve as a means for carrying visible indicia, e.g., the model designation of the wallet or billfold, a trademark, pricing information, etc. 
         [0006]    In our copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/172,565, filed on Jun. 27, 2005, entitled Convertible Package for Merchandising a Wallet and for Forming a Personal Item Caddy or Valet, whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein, there is disclosed and claimed a display package for an article, e.g., a wallet. The package is arranged to be hung from a support structure, e.g., a prong of a display rack, and comprises a tray and a housing. The tray is a box-like member having a base wall, a side wall extending about the periphery of the base wall, an open top and a hollow interior defined between the base wall and the side wall and in communication with the open top. The hollow interior of the tray is arranged for receipt of the article therein. The housing has a base wall, a side wall extending about a portion of the periphery of the base wall of the housing, an open top and a hollow interior defined between the base wall of the housing and the side wall of the housing and in communication with the open top of the housing. The side wall of the housing has a gap therein in communication with the hollow interior and the open top of the housing. The tray is arranged to be located within the hollow interior of the housing, with the side wall of the tray being located adjacent the side wall of the housing and with the open top of the tray being located within the open top of the housing so that the article is visible therethrough. The tray can be slid out of the housing through the gap. A magnetic closure assembly is provided in the package for releasably holding the tray within the hollow interior of the housing. The housing is adapted to be reversibly disposable with respect to the tray to form a lid for the tray, with the tray located within the hollow interior of the housing and with the base wall of the housing closing the open top of the tray, whereupon the hollow interior of the tray is totally enclosed. 
         [0007]    While the convertible package of our aforementioned patent application is suitable for the purpose of serving as a personal item caddy or valet box, it is not conducive for holding and displaying one item for sale, such as a wallet/billfold and another item, such as a gift item or premium that may enhance the saleability of the one. The subject invention addresses that need. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A convertible package comprising the combination of a display box, an article to be merchandised or old, e.g., a wallet or billfold, and an incentive or “gift” article, e.g., a premium such as a multi-function key chain tool, a tool kit, a measuring tape and associated tools, a pop-up book light, etc. The display box comprises a pair of hollow housing sections, each of which includes a base wall and a sidewall extending about the periphery of the base wall to provide a hollow tray for receipt of a respective one of said articles to hold the articles therein against accidental displacement. The housing sections are pivotably connected together by a hinge located at respective portions of the side wall of each housing section, whereupon the peripheral sidewalls of both housing section can be brought into engagement to form an enclosed box in which said articles are located. The housing sections include magnetically securable means that are arranged to be magnetically releasably secured together to hold the box in its closed state, but enabling the housing sections to be separated and pivoted about said hinge so that the articles located within their respective trays are visible for viewing. At least one of the housing sections includes a decorated outer surface to provide the appearance of a wrapped gift box. The package is convertible into a keepsake box by removing the articles from their respective trays. 
         [0009]    In accordance with one exemplary aspect of this invention the incentive article is held in place in the tray of its associated housing section by a transparent cover member. The transparent cover member includes a peripheral sidewall and is arranged to be held by frictional engagement within the hollow tray of the associated housing section, by the frictional engagement being between the sidewall of the cover and contiguous portions of the sidewall of the associated housing section. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another exemplary aspect of this invention the article to be sold is held within a vending box, e.g., a theft-deterrent box. The vending box has a peripheral sidewall. The vending box with the article to be sold therein is arranged to be held by frictional engagement within the hollow tray of the associated housing section. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of a convertible package of the subject invention shown in its closed condition, wherein the package simulates a gift wrapped present; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the package of  FIG. 1 , but shown in its open position displaying an article to be sold, e.g., a wallet or billfold, in one section and an incentive or “gift” item, e.g., a multifunction key chain tool, in the other section; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a slightly reduced size bottom plan view of the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a slightly reduced left side view of the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a slightly reduced right side view of the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a slightly reduced end view of the package shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a box portion of the package of  FIG. 1 , but shown in its empty condition; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged isometric view of the portion of the box shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged isometric view of a magnet used in the box shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an exploded isometric view showing the assembly of the components making up the package of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an exploded isometric view of one of the components shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, one exemplary convertible package  20  constructed in accordance with this invention. The package  20  is initially configured as a display box to display an item for sale, e.g., a wallet or billfold  10  so that it can be seen and examined by potential purchasers, and another item, e.g., a premium item, such as a multifunction key-chain tool  12 , a pop-up book light, etc., which serves as an incentive to purchasers to purchase the item. After purchase of the package, it can be readily converted to serve as a keepsake box or caddy for small personal items, by merely removing its contents. Moreover, the box includes magnetic means for enable the box to be held in a closed state, when desired, but can nevertheless be readily opened. 
         [0024]    The package  20  basically comprises a display box  22 , the wallet or billfold  10  and the premium or gift item  12 . The details of the display box will be described later. Suffice it for now to state that it is in the form of two hollow housing sections  24  and  26 , each of which is a hollow member forming a tray into which respective ones of the items  10  and  12  are located and held for display. To facilitate display of the contents of the package  20  the housing sections  24  and  26  are pivotally connected together by at least one hinge to enable the display box to be opened, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the items can be readily seen and examined by potential customers. The two sections of the box can also be pivoted together to close the box, such as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0025]    In accordance with one preferred embodiment of this invention the wallet/billfold  10  is itself held within an inner or product box  14  ( FIGS. 2 and 10 ). The inner box  14  is a theft deterrent box that is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,326 (Ford), e.g., the box  14  includes a band member (not shown) formed of a tear resistant material, e.g., a flat strip of plastic, which extends through a portion of the wallet and is secured to the box  14 . In accordance with the aforementioned preferred embodiment of this invention, and as best seen in  FIG. 11 , the premium item  12  is held within a holder  16  comprising a cover member  16 A and a base member  16 B. The base member  16 B is a planar member that includes a recess  16 C shaped to accommodate the premium item  12 . A flanged sidewall  16 D extends about the periphery of the base member  16 B. The holder  16  is preferably formed of a material so that its cover member  16 A is transparent to enable potential purchasers to readily view the premium item through the cover. The base member  16 B is preferably formed of a thermoformable plastic, but can be formed of other materials as well, and can be the same transparent material as that making up the cover member. The cover member  16 A is a generally planar member having a flanged sidewall  16 E extending about its periphery. The holder is arranged to hold the premium item securely therein by placing the item  12  within the recess  16 C and then the cover member placed over the base member, such as shown in  FIG. 11 , so that the flanged sidewall of the cover member frictionally engages the flanged sidewall of the base member. Once in this state the premium item held within the hold is ready to be inserted into one of the hollow sections  24  or  26  of the display box as shown in  FIG. 10 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the premium item  12  with its hold  16  is inserted into the hollow section  26  of the display box. The item to be sold, e.g., the wallet/billfold  10  that is itself disposed within the theft-deterrent box  14  can be inserted into the other hollow section  24  of the display box  20 . It should be pointed out at this juncture that the above arrangement is merely exemplary, since the item  10  can be disposed in the hollow section  26 , and the premium item disposed in hollow section  24 , if desired. 
         [0026]    Irrespective of which section  24  or  26  of the display box the items  10  and  12  are to be held in, it is preferred that those items be held in a condition wherein accidental displacement from their resident sections is precluded or at least minimized. To that end the peripheral sidewall of the theft deterrent box  14  holding the wallet/billfold is arranged to frictionally engage a portion of the housing section  24 . In a similar manner the peripheral sidewall of the holder  16  holding the premium item  12  is arranged to frictionally engage a portion of the housing section  26 . 
         [0027]    Turning now to FIGS.  1  and  3 - 7 , the details of the display box  20  will now be described. To that end, as discussed earlier, the box  20  includes the two pivotably connected housing sections  24  and  26 . Each section  24  and  26  is of similar tray like shape and are preferably formed of any relatively inexpensive, rigid material, e.g., paperboard, plastic, wood, metal or combinations thereof, with the type of material used being a function of the desired cost for producing the package. For low cost applications the tray and housing may be formed of paperboard or similar low cost materials and having a film or other covering thereon which bears graphics and/or textures to simulate higher cost materials, e.g., a fine wood or metal. 
         [0028]    Section  24  comprises a parallelepiped shaped body having a generally planar base-wall  30  having a peripheral sidewall including a outer side section  32 A, a top section  32 B, an inner side section  32 C and a bottom section  32 D, thereby defining a hollow interior  34 . In a similar manner, section  26  comprises a parallelepiped shaped body having a generally planar base-wall  36  having a peripheral sidewall including a outer side section  38 A, a top section  38 B, an inner side section  38 C and a bottom section  38 D, thereby defining a hollow interior  40 . The inner side sections  32 C and  38 C are pivotably connected together by means of at least one hinge (not shown). The hinge can be formed of any suitable member. In one exemplary preferred embodiment the hinge is formed by a covering or layer of a flexible material, e.g., mylar, decorated plastic film, foil or laminates of any of the foregoing. The covering is secured to the outer surface of the side sections  32 C and  38 C and bridges those side sections. In fact, it is contemplated that the covering or layer can be a decorative covering that is secured over and covers the entire exterior surface of the sections  24  and  26  to provide the box  20  with appearance of a gift wrapped package. 
         [0029]    The disposition of the theft-deterrent inner box  14  with the wallet/billfold  10  therein in the hollow interior  34  of the housing section  24  and the disposition of the holder  16  with the gift item  12  therein in the hollow interior  40  of the housing section  26  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 10 . To that end the box  14  with its wallet/billfold  10  is inserted into the hollow interior  34  of the housing section  24  so that the peripheral surface of the box  14  frictionally engages the interior surface of the sidewall sections  32 A- 32 D. In a similar manner, the holder  16  with its premium item  12  is inserted into the hollow interior  40  of the housing section  26  so that the peripheral surface of the holder  16  frictionally engages the interior surface of the sidewall sections  38 A- 38 D. Once the items  10  and  12  are located in the display box  20 , the package  20  is completed and can be displayed in the retail environment by opening the box so that the wallet/billfold  10  and the premium item  12  is readily visible to potential customers. 
         [0030]    In order to enable the display package  20  to be held in a closed condition, when such is desired, the display box  22  includes magnetic securement means. Such means can take various forms. In the exemplary embodiments shown herein, and in particular in  FIGS. 7-9 , it is made up of two magnets  42  and  44 . These magnets are located within respective corresponding shaped recesses in the outer side sections  32 A and  38 A, respectively, of housing sections  24  and  26 , respectively. The magnets  42  and  44  are located so that they confront each other when the two housing sections are pivoted to the closed condition, whereupon the magnetic attraction of the magnets  42  and  44  holds the two sections  24  and  26  together. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art two magnets  42  and  44  need not be used. Thus, it is contemplated that only one magnet  42  or  44  be used, with the other cooperating component (which would have been a magnet) merely being a slug of some material which is attracted to a magnet, that slug of material is located in a recess directly confronting the magnet  42  or  44  when the box is closed. 
         [0031]    As mentioned earlier, the display box  20  may include a cover layer to provide a decorative, gift-like package appearance. It should be noted that the provision of such an appearance is not dependent upon the use of a decorative cover layer over the entire box or any part of it. Thus, the material making up the two housing sections  24  and  26  can itself provide a decorative appearance. For example, if the box is formed of wood, its outer surface may be finished to provide a rich look, which would be particularly effective for vending relatively expensive wallets/billfolds. 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment discussed above, in order to enhance the gift-like appearance of the package  20 , the outer surface of the housing section  24  includes a bow  46  and an associated ribbon  48 . A similar ribbon  50  is preferably located on the outer surface of the housing section  26 , so that when the display box is in its closed condition it provides the appearance of a gift package that has been wrapped by a ribbon terminating in a bow. Other decorative features may be provided on the outer surface of the display box, if desired, depending upon the application. 
         [0033]    The theft-deterrent box  14  holding the wallet/billfold  10  may include a panel  52  ( FIGS. 2 and 10 ) on which printed indicia, e.g., material describing the wallet/billfold, may be disposed. Similarly, the holder  16  may include an opaque sticker  54  on which printed indicia, e.g., display information, may be located. 
         [0034]    After the package  20  with the wallet/billfold  10  and premium item  12  therein has been purchased and brought home by the buyer, the wallet/billfold  10  and the premium item  12  can be readily removed for use. Unlike the wallet-holding boxes of the prior art as discussed above, which after the wallet has been removed are discarded, the package  20  of this invention is suitable for continued, albeit other, usage. In particular, after serving as the vending box for the wallet and the premium item, the package  20  can be converted to be used as a valet, caddy or case for small personal items, e.g., jewelry, etc. In fact, if desired, it can still be used to hold the wallet when the wallet is not being used by the purchaser. 
         [0035]    By virtue of its ability for dual usage, the convertible package of this invention can serve as a further gift or premium to the purchaser of the wallet, above that provided by the gift item  12  by offering that purchaser additional value for his/her purchase of the wallet. Moreover, as will be appreciated the package  20  of this invention offers significant advantages to the manufacturer/retailer since it can be made for a small incremental cost over the cost of a disposable package, like the prior art, yet still provide an aesthetically pleasing and “rich-looking” appearance, thereby enhancing the prospect of selling the wallet. 
         [0036]    It should be pointed out at this juncture that the shape, size and construction of the display box as shown and described above is merely exemplary of numerous shapes and sizes of packages that can be made in accordance with this invention. Moreover, while the package has been shown and described for merchandising a wallet or billfold, that is merely one example of various products that can be merchandised using such packages. Further still, the packages of this invention may be used with some means, e.g., a hanger (not shown) to suspend it from a display rack. However, packages of this invention need not be used with any device for hanging it. Thus, they can be used by merely disposing them on some support surface, e.g., on a shelf of a rack or counter, etc. 
         [0037]    While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.