Abstract:
A box for holding contents during delivery to a user contains play graphics associated with a play activity of a child, thus encouraging reuse of the box as a toy by children. In one embodiment, the box contains pre-printed play graphics on the inside of the box and is of sufficient size so as to allow a significant portion of the child to enter the box while the child performs the play activity. In this embodiment, the original logos displayed on the box are maintained. In another embodiment, the box contains at least some graphics to be used to reconfigure the box according to a predetermined configuration associated with the play activity. The box is reconfigured for play, either alone or in combination with one or more other boxes. The play graphics may supplement or supplant the original logos on the box.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
         [0001]    Boxes and other forms of delivery containers are used by manufacturers as containers to hold and protect their contents until received by consumers. Boxes may have instructions printed on the outside for the consumers that assist the consumer in constructing, preparing, or using the contents. Boxes also may have information printed on the outside that describe the contents, e.g. a nutritional label or ingredients label. Also printed on the outside of the box are one or more logos, e.g., trademarks, used by the manufacturer in selling the contents. A manufacturer typically expends large amounts of money to promote and protect their logos.  
           [0002]    Boxes themselves are not typically designed for long term storage, but rather are used merely for the transport of the contents to the consumer. Once emptying the box of the contents, the consumer typically disposes of the box, e.g. throws the box in the trash. Thus, the consumers viewing of the logos on the box is ended when the box is emptied of the contents (and subsequently trashed).  
           [0003]    However, children will sometimes use boxes in their play. Typically, the children use the box independent of the markings and logos on the boxes.  
           [0004]    One manufacturer, i.e. Quaker Oats™ Company, has included pre-printed search and find games on the inside of the box, i.e. Quaker Instant Oatmeal™. However, in order to play the games, the box must be destroyed, e.g. the glued portions must be cut or split and the box un-folded. Note that during the process of un-folding, the interior graphics may be damaged, thereby reducing or eliminating the playing of the games. Moreover, the box includes a mail-in certificate, which when cut-out removes the largest logos from the box. Also, cutting the certificate out weakens the remaining portion, making it more likely that the remaining portion will be thrown out.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    These and other objects, features and technical advantages are achieved by a system and method which includes having pre-printed graphics on and/or in boxes or other such delivery containers to interest a child in playing with the delivery container, and thereby keeping the logos around the customer for a longer period of time.  
           [0006]    The invention has at least two embodiments. In a first embodiment, the original logos are maintained. This embodiment has pre-printed graphics on the inside of the box. The box is large enough to allow a significant portion of child to fit inside the box, e.g. a computer monitor box. The graphics are then within reach of the child, and the child can play with the box. A significant portion of a child is defined as being at least one arm and the head of the child. Note that a child is someone at least old enough to play with the box, i.e. older than a baby. The graphics are also useable by the child while the box is substantially assembled. Substantially assembled means that the box is open on one end and not unfolded.  
           [0007]    A second embodiment includes at least one graphic to be used on the outside of the box. This graphic, or graphics, may include new logos which are designed to enhance a predetermined configuration for the box. The box is reconfigured for play, either alone or in combination with one or more other boxes. The outside graphic(s) may include stickers or other attachable graphics provided with the box that are to be attached to the reconfigured box.  
           [0008]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:  
         [0010]    FIGS.  1 A- 1 C depict a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein the interior of the box includes preprinted graphic portions;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 depicts an alternative arrangement of the embodiment of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C, wherein the exterior of the box includes a graphical portion;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the original logos have been replaced with graphical portions that incorporate new logos; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an alternative arrangement of the invention of FIGS. 3A and 3B that includes both exterior and interior graphical portions.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]    [0014]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict a box  14  that includes a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A is a cut-away view, showing two inside panels of the box  14 . FIG. 1B depicts an elevation view of the exterior of the box  14 . These inside panels include graphics portions  10  and  11 . Graphic portion  10  is a game that would interest a child. For example, graphic portion  10  could comprise one or more of a maze, a word jumble, a cross-word puzzle, a word search, a coloring picture to be colored with crayons, markers, pencils, or paint, a search and find picture where a child locates hidden objects in the picture, a sticker picture where a child attaches stickers to the picture (the stickers could be permanent or re-attachable), and/or a fill in the blank game where a child would read a passage that has words left out and fill in the words. Note that the graphic could comprise combinations of these games, for example a search and find picture that can be colored. Play utensils  12 , e.g crayons, stickers, re-useable stickers, markers, pencils, paint, or combinations thereof, can be provided with the box. The stickers can be incorporated into the padding or coverings used to hold the contents of the box, or included in the box. For example, plastic sheets are typically used to cover a computer monitor in the box. Note that the logos  13  and  15  are still displayed on the outside of the box.  
         [0015]    Graphic portions  10  and  11  can also comprise board game layouts, e.g. checkers, chess, Chinese checkers, tic-tac-toe grid, etc. The box can be rotated until the desired layout is down and can be used by the child or children. Play utensils  12  can also include board game pieces, e.g. checker, chess, X&#39;s and O&#39;s, etc.  
         [0016]    Note that the graphic portions could extend to the full inside dimensions of the panel or panels of the box  14 . FIG. 1C depicts full dimension graphics on the bottom and two sides, however, additional graphics can be located on the top panel and other side panel (not shown). Each panel can include a different game or depict a different picture. As shown in FIG. 1C, the graphic portions on the different panels can also be coordinated with each other to depict a common scene, e.g. a beach scene  16 . This would allow a child to use the box  14  to play with action figure(s) and/or other toy(s), e.g. Matchbox™ car(s), G.I Joe™ and/or Barbie™ doll(s). The beach scene is by way of example only as other scenes could be shown, for example, a city, a town, a mountain, a jungle, a school, a house, an apartment, a ski hill, a battlefield, and/or a lake, etc.  
         [0017]    The graphical portions could comprise stickers placed on the proper locations, or they could comprise printed portions that are pre-printed onto the proper locations. The graphical portions may also comprise inked colors that are embedded into the cardboard, and that when wiped with, e.g., water or some solution, the color(s) and thus the graphic(s) appear. Moreover, the graphical portions could comprise a combination of the above.  
         [0018]    The box is large enough to allow a significant portion of child to fit inside the box, e.g. a computer monitor box. The graphics are then within reach of the child, and the child can play with the box. A significant portion of a child is defined as being at least one arm and the head of the child. Note that a child is someone at least old enough to play with the box, i.e. older than a baby. To allow access to the inside of the box to more than one child and/or for a larger child, two sides of the box may be cut. For example, edges  17  and  18  of panel  19  could be cut. This would allow the outer end of panel  19  to pulled out, and create a larger front entrance to the inside of the box  14 , but still maintain the structure of the box.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 2 depicts an alternative arrangement for the embodiments of FIGS.  1 A- 1 C. In this arrangement, the original logos  13  and  15  are still present, but are supplemented with graphics (e.g., graphical portions  21  and  22 ) in order to alter the box according to a predetermined configuration associated with a child&#39;s play activity. In this embodiment, graphical portion  22  incorporates a new logo associated with the play activity. These graphics could comprise a sticker or be preprinted on a portion of the box that is to be cut-away for the activity. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a puppet theater which includes hole portion  20 . The graphical portion  22  could preprinted on the inside of box  14  and is cut-out to form hole  20 . Portion  22  is then attached to the outside of the box at a proper location. Also such a graphic could be printed on the inside of flap  23 . The flap would be cut away, and then the flap (or a portion thereof) would be attached to the outside of the box at a proper location. Moreover, these supplemental graphics may be a combination of the above (e.g., graphic portion  22  could be pre-printed and graphic portion  21  could be a sticker). Furthermore, the exterior portion of the box may originally include graphics (not shown) associated with the predetermined configuration. The stickers can be incorporated into the padding or coverings used to hold the contents of the box, or included in the box. Note that the puppet theater is shown by way of example only, as other configurations could be used by cutting different portions away. For example, a lemonade stand could be made by cutting the same portion away. A store (e.g. bank, grocery store, car garage, doctor&#39;s office, etc.) could be made by forming a door instead of hole  20 . The interior graphical portions  10 ,  11 , etc. could be coordinated with the exterior arrangement.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the original logos ( 13  and  15  of FIG. 1B) have been substantially (preferably completely) replaced with graphics (such as graphical portions  30 - 38  and  55 ) designed to enhance a predetermined configuration for the box. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, the graphical portions may incorporate new logos, e.g., the logos of graphics  35 ,  36 ,  37 , and  38 , that are associated with a play activity.  
         [0021]    The graphical portions could comprise stickers placed on the proper locations. The stickers can be incorporated into the padding or coverings used to hold the contents of the box, or included in the box. The graphical portions could also comprise pre-printed graphics that are printed onto the proper locations, or the portions can be preprinted an a portion of the box that is to be cut-away for the activity, and then relocated and attached to the proper location. The graphical portions may also comprise inked colors that are embedded into the cardboard, such that when wiped with, e.g., water or some solution, the color(s) and thus the graphic(s) appears. Moreover, the replacement graphics could comprise any combination of the above. In addition, the exterior portion of the box of FIGS. 3A and 3B may originally include graphics (not shown) that enhance the predetermined configuration.  
         [0022]    The graphical portions, and preferably the new logos, are selected to be associated with a play activity. For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B depict a race car configuration  39 . Thus the logos and the graphical portions are selected to be associated with a race car, e.g. tires, license plates, instrument gauges, doors, lights, car body panels, etc. Note that the style of the logos and graphical portions could be associated with existing marketing efforts. For example, if the corporation sponsors a professional race car, then the appearance the logos and graphical portions could be similar to that of the professional race car. Note that interior graphical portions, e.g.  33 , could also be associated with the play activity. In addition, play elements could be attached to the box to enhance the play activity. For example, rather than being depicted in a graphic, the steering wheel, the brake lights, and/or the headlights of graphical portions  30 ,  34 , and  55  respectively, could instead comprise play replicas of such objects. For example, brake lights  55  could comprise reflectors or battery-operable lights that may be adhered to the box. Such elements could be made from padding or other packaging, or could be provided along with the product. Note that the race car arrangement is by way of example only as other arrangements could be used, for example, a space ship, a military fort, a boat or ship, or train car.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an alternative arrangement for the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B. This arrangement uses additional boxes or packaging, which fits onto predetermined locations of the box  14  to enhance the appearance of the box. For example, the base  41  of the house could be formed from a computer monitor box, while the roof  42  could be formed from a computer keyboard box. The parts of the arrangement could be attached to each other via tape, glue, or other adhesive material, or by a tab and slot arrangement (e.g. insert tab A into slot  1 ), or some combination thereof. As in other embodiments, graphical portions  43 ,  44 , and  45  are designed to enhance a predetermined configuration for the box. Interior graphical portions  46  and  47  could also be associated with the play activity. The graphical portions may also incorporate new logos  48  and  49 . FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a house arrangement. Thus the logos and the graphical portions are selected to be associated with a house, e.g. windows, doors, roof, bushes, trees, porch(es), walls, ceiling, furniture, etc. Additional play elements, such as a second interior floor could be attached to the inside of the box to enhance the play activity. Such elements could be made from padding or other packaging, or could be provided along with the product. Note that additional boxes can be used to add additional features, for example chimney  50  or a garage. One portion of wall  51  could be cut on four sides to be removed, or on three sides to swing open, and thereby allow access to the inside of the box. Note that door portions and window portions could also be similarly cut to allow access to the inside of the box. The house arrangement is by way of example only as other arrangements could be used, for example, a barn, an auto repair shop, a car parking garage, an apartment building, and a store.  
         [0024]    The sides (inside and/or outside) of the boxes of FIGS.  1 - 4  could be coated with a plastic material. This would allow the box to last longer, particularly the portions that are going to be used by children. Moreover, the coating may allow the children to make marks (e.g., writing and/or pictures) on the box which can then be erased.  
         [0025]    Note that the portion(s) of the box(es) that are to be cut, removed or cut-away can included pre-perforated outlines or pre-marked boarders.  
         [0026]    Further note that some boxes contain additional packing materials, e.g. foam peanuts, plastic wraps, foam wraps, cardboard pieces, smaller boxes, etc. These materials could be pre-perforated and/or pre-marked to serve as accessories for the box. For example, dolls, people, cars, animals, furniture, etc.  
         [0027]    Further note that the numbers, types, and stylings of the logos depicted and described herein are by way of example only, as different numbers, types, and stylings of logos could be used.  
         [0028]    The box described herein may be formed from any material suitable for use in a play activity of a child (e.g., cardboard). Moreover, the square shape of the box depicted in FIGS.  1 - 4  is by way of example only as other shapes may be used (e.g., triangular, trapezoidal, etc.). Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to boxes but may be used with any delivery container suitable for use in a play activity of a child.  
         [0029]    Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.