Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the storage of goods within a cavity is disclosed. The unique shape and appearance of the enclosure not only allows the enclosure to protect the goods contained therein, but also is quickly and easily identifiable and allows the enclosure to function as an indicator of the source and quality of the goods contained therein. The enclosure is preferably formed from a single piece of material (preferably cardboard or the like) and is folded to form a base, left and right sides, left and right arms, and an upper region. The enclosure may also include one or more apertures that allow potential consumers to view and/or touch the goods contained within the cavity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/337,973 filed on Jan. 23, 2006 which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/671,800, filed Apr. 15, 2005, both incorporated fully herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to packing enclosures for goods and more particularly, relates to packing enclosures for goods resembling a shirt. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0003]    Packaging enclosures typically serve several important functions. For example, just a few of the many functions that packaging enclosures typically serve include protecting the goods stored within, arranging the products for convenient display, and preventing theft. One of the most important functions that packaging enclosures serve, however, includes brand marketing and brand/product recognition. 
         [0004]    Distinctive packaging enclosures allow a potential consumer to quickly and easily identify the goods of a specific manufacturer from those of competing companies. The packaging enclosure also can serve as a unique way of presenting a gift to someone. 
         [0005]    It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    According to one embodiment, the present invention features an enclosure assembly for the storage of an object. The enclosure assembly includes a body having a longitudinal and a transverse axis and defining an internal cavity sized and shaped to substantially contain the object. The body also includes a front and a rear surface, an upper and a base surface, a first and a second side section, and a first and a second arm section. The body is preferably the body is formed from a single, unitary piece such as cardboard, paper, plastic, or the like. The first and second arm sections are disposed about the first and second side sections, respectively, and extend generally outwardly along the transverse axis of the body from the upper section and generally towards the base section. 
         [0007]    The front and rear surfaces are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the body and optionally include one or more apertures. The upper and base surfaces are each disposed generally perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces and about generally opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of the body. The upper surface is preferably generally concaved towards the base surface and optionally includes a plurality of fingers. The base surface is preferably substantially planar. 
         [0008]    The first and second side sections are disposed along generally opposites ends of the transverse axis of the body and are generally parallel to each other. The first and second side sections are also each disposed generally perpendicular to the front, the rear, the upper and the base surfaces and optionally have a generally trapezoidal shape. 
         [0009]    According to another embodiment, the present invention features an enclosure having a body defining an internal cavity sized and shaped to substantially contain an object. The body features a front section, a rear section adapted to be disposed substantially parallel to the front section and having substantially an identical shape as the front section, at least one side section disposed generally perpendicular to the front and the rear sections about a perimeter of the front and the rear sections, and a first and a second arm section extending generally outwardly from an upper region of the front and the rear sections and generally towards a lower region of the front and the rear sections. In the preferred embodiment, the front section, the rear section, the at least one side section, and the first and the second arm sections are formed from a single, unitary piece. 
         [0010]    Optionally, one or more apertures forming a passageway to the cavity are disposed in at least one of the front and rear sections. Additionally, the first and the second arm sections may also include apertures forming a passageway to the cavity. The upper surface is preferably generally concaved towards the base surface. 
         [0011]    According to yet another embodiment, the present invention features a method of forming an enclosure resembling a tee shirt. The method comprises the acts of stamping a body from a single, generally planar piece of material, forming a base from the body, forming an upper region including folding at least one finger from the first and/or the second end regions, securing the sides to an adjacent portion of the central region, and securing the finger to an adjacent portion of either upper regions. The body preferably features a longitudinal and a transverse axis and includes a first and a second end region disposed about substantially opposite ends of a central region along the longitudinal axis. The first and the second region each include a first and a second arm section extending generally outwardly from the first and the second regions along the transverse axis and generally towards the central region. 
         [0012]    The act of forming the base from the body includes folding a first and a second parallel, transverse line about middle section of the central region of the body. The first and the second transverse lines are generally parallel and spaced apart from each other such that the end regions and the arm sections are disposed substantially opposite and parallel to each other. The act of forming the sides includes folding a first and a second longitudinal line about a left and a right side edge of the central region, respectively. The longitudinal lines are generally parallel to each other. 
         [0013]    In the preferred embodiment, slots are formed in the side regions and in the finger and tabs are also formed in the central region and the end regions. The tab are sized and shaped to be secured to the slots in the side regions and the finger. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0014]    These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of one embodiment of an assembled enclosure according to the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of one embodiment of an unassembled enclosure according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of one embodiment of the method of assembling the enclosure according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a partially assembled enclosure according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of one embodiment of a partially assembled enclosure according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the partially assembled enclosure shown in  FIG. 5  according to the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembled enclosure according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]    According to one embodiment, the present invention features a method and apparatus for forming a three-dimensional enclosure  10 ,  FIG. 1 , generally resembling a shirt. The enclosure  10  includes a body  14  having a generally rectangular shape, and a first and a second arm region  16 ,  18  extending generally outwardly from a top region  20  of the body  14  and towards a base region  22 . The top region  20  preferably has a generally concaved outer perimeter  24 . The enclosure  10  forms a cavity  11  that is preferably used to store one or more articles, goods, or the like as will be explained hereinbelow. The overall shape and appearance of the enclosure  10  creates a unique and identifiable impression and aids in marketing. 
         [0023]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of an unassembled enclosure  10  is shown. The enclosure  10  is preferably constructed from cardboard, paper, or the like and is intended to be formed or created from a generally planar material. The enclosure  10  preferably includes a body region  14 , a first and a second arm region  16 ,  18 , a top region  20  and a base region  22  as will be explained in greater detail hereinbelow. 
         [0024]    To begin, the unassembled enclosure  10  is cut, stamped, or otherwise created from a generally planar material, act  310 ,  FIG. 3 . The act of stamping the enclosure  10  includes cutting the perimeter P of the enclosure  10 , forming any openings  30 , and optionally forming one or more fold lines A-K. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the dimensions of the enclosure  10  are dependent upon the specific intended application (e.g., overall size of the enclosure  10  as well as the size of the cavity  11 ), and are therefore within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0025]    Once the enclosure  10  has been stamped and the perimeter P has been formed, the enclosure  10  is preferably folded along the dotted lines A and B at approximately 90-degree angles, act  320 . Once folded, the dotted lines A and B form the bottom wall or surface  32  of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0026]    Next, the enclosure  10  is preferably folded at approximately 90-degree along lines C and D to form the left and right sidewalls  34 , act  330 . While the sidewalls  34  are shown extending outwardly from the front region  38  of the body region  14  (see  FIG. 4 ), the sidewalls  34  may alternatively extend outwardly from the back region  40  of the body region  14 . 
         [0027]    Optionally, the sidewalls  34  are also folded at approximately a 90-degree angle along lines E and F to form flaps  43 , act  340 . Flaps  43  are preferably secured to the opposite face of the body region  14  (i.e., the back face as shown in  FIG. 2 ), act  350 . Optionally, the flaps  43  include one or more openings  42  sized and shaped to accept one or more tabs  46  created by folding the body region  14  along lines G and H are approximately 90-degree angles. When the tabs  46  are inserted within the openings  42 , the sidewalls  34  are secured. 
         [0028]    While the sidewalls  34 ,  FIG. 5 , are shown extending from base  32  generally upwards towards the top region  20 , other dimensions and locations are also possible. For example, the sidewalls  34  may be disposed only within the middle of the body region  14 . Alternatively, the sidewalls  34  may include two or more regions  34   a  and  34   b  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Any modifications necessary are considered to be within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment, the arms  16 ,  18  and the sidewalls  34  include one or more openings or apertures  50  (best seen in  FIG. 1 ). These openings/apertures  50  function to allow a user to see at least a portion of the contents stored within the cavity  11  formed by the enclosure  10 . Alternatively, the sidewalls  34  and the arms  16 ,  18  of the enclosure  10  may be substantially solid. 
         [0030]    The top region  20 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a top surface  55  which is formed by folding the enclosure  10  along the fold line I,  FIG. 2 , approximately 90-degrees, act  360 . For illustrative purposes only, the enclosure  10  is shown having five fingers  57   i - 57   v . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the enclosure  10  may include more or fewer. It is also important to note that while the fingers  57  are shown extending outwardly from the front face  38  of the top surface  20 , the fingers  57  may alternatively extend outwardly from the back surface  40  of the top surface  20 . 
         [0031]    While the enclosure  10  may have a substantially planar top surface  55 , the top surface  55  of the enclosure  10  preferably has a concaved shape. When the top surface  55  has a concave shape, it is necessary to include at least two fingers  57  in order to form the concave shape. 
         [0032]    The fingers  57  are secured to opposite side of the top surface  20 , act  370 . In the preferred embodiment, the fingers  57  are optionally folded along fold lines J at approximately 90-degrees to create flaps  59 . The flaps  59  are then preferably secured to the opposite side of the top surface  20 . Optionally, the flaps  59  include one or more apertures, openings, or slots  60 . These slots  60  engage tabs  62  disposed on the opposite side of the top surface  20 . 
         [0033]    The enclosure  10 ,  FIG. 7 , may optionally include one or more apertures  30  disposed on front and/or the back surfaces  38 ,  40  of the body region  14 . The apertures  30  allow a potential consumer to view and/or touch the contents stored within the cavity  11  similar to the apertures  50  discussed above. Additionally, the enclosure  10  may include one or more hanging tabs  66  secured to the top region  20 . The hanging tabs  66  facilitate displaying the enclosure  10  on a common display rack or the like. 
         [0034]    It is important to note that while the enclosure  10  has been described having tabs, slots, and the like to secure the various sides of the enclosure  10 , the sides of the enclosure  10  may alternatively be secured using an adhesive, staples, or the like as is well known. 
         [0035]    As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the claims when interpreted in accordance with breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.