Abstract:
A container for receiving a gift, having an articulating closure feature such that arms extending from the flap mimic a waving or hugging motion of a character or other design depicted on the character. The container includes pleated sides to accommodate different size gifts and may further include a closing tab to securely close the container and a handle for carrying the container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/747,332, filed Dec. 30, 2012, and entitled “Container with Articulating Closure,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to gift holders and gift bags. In particular, this disclosure relates to a container for holding gift items that includes a closure mechanism having a plurality of articulated parts bearing indicia or graphics to mimic motion when opening and closing the container. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Existing containers that incorporate motion or similar features typically have flaps that are engaged along a container wall and pivot along an arc substantially parallel with a major axis of the container. These containers, however, may not realistically mimic the motion of a character depicted thereon nor securely close the container. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to containers having an articulating closure mechanism such that extensions from a flap of the container move when the container is opened and closed to mimic a moving character. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, a container with articulating closure includes a main body further including a plurality of sides and a closed bottom portion. The plurality of sides define a chamber having an open end opposite the closed bottom portion. The container also includes a closure flap engaged to an upper margin of the main body. The closure flap includes a central panel engaged to a central portion of the upper margin. The closure flap also includes a first articulating side panel engaged to a first side portion of the upper margin and a second articulating side panel engaged to a second side portion of the upper margin. When pivoting the central panel about the upper margin of the main body, the first articulating side panel pivots about the first side portion of the upper margin and the second articulating side panels pivots about the second side portion of the upper margin. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of a container in accordance with this disclosure may include a container with an articulated closure, such as a flap having multiple articulated panels, extending from a main body. The main body has a longitudinal axis extending there through from a bottom end to an upper end. The sides and bottom end of the main body are typically substantially closed and the upper end is typically substantially open. The sides are connected to one another around the outer margins of the main body and are transversely spaced apart from the longitudinal axis. The sides are typically generally parallel to the longitudinal axis when the main body is completely open. The sides terminate at their lower margins at the closed bottom end and terminate at their upper margins at the open upper end. Two opposing sides are typically creased or pleated to allow these sides to fold inward to collapse the main body to a folded position. 
         [0007]    At the upper end of the main body, a flap extends from the upper margin of one of the sides, typically a non-pleated or non-creased side and typically a back side. Although the description herein references a flap extending from the back side and passing over the open, upper end to engage a front side, it should be appreciated the front and back are merely relative to one another and in certain embodiments the flap could be described as extending from the front side to engage the back side or from one side to another. The flap includes a plurality of articulated panels. The articulated panels include a central or major panel extending from a central portion of the upper margin of the back side. A left or first minor panel extends from a left portion of the upper margin of the back side, proximate the left margin of the central panel. A right or second minor panel extends from a right portion of the upper margin of the back side, proximate the right margin of the central panel. The central panel attaches to the left panel along one or more left folds, and the central panel attaches to the right panel along one or more right folds, whereby when the central panel is raised or lowered the left panel and the right panel are concomitantly raised or lowered by the action of the central panel. 
         [0008]    One embodiment of a container having an articulated closure includes a main body having a longitudinal axis and substantially closed transverse sides. The sides terminate at lower margins thereof at a substantially closed bottom end and terminate at upper margins thereof at an open upper end. The sides of the main body include a first side, a second side adjoining the first side and adjoining a third side, the third side adjoining the second side and adjoining a fourth side, the fourth side adjoining the third side and the first side. A flap extends from the upper margin of the third side at the upper end. The flap includes a plurality of articulated panels, the articulated panels including a major panel extending from a center or central portion of the upper margin of the third side. A first minor panel extends from a first portion of the upper margin of the third side, the first portion being proximate and adjoining the central portion. The first portion of the upper margin extends at a downward angle from the central portion until it reaches the fourth side. A second minor panel extends from a second portion of the upper margin of the third side, the second portion also being proximate and adjoining the central portion. The second portion of the upper margin extends at a downward angle from the central portion until it reaches the second side. 
         [0009]    A first articulating panel is interposed between the first minor panel and the major panel. The first articulating panel is in a hinged or pivotable engagement with the first minor panel along one side thereof and is in a hinged engagement with the major panel along another side thereof. A second articulating panel is interposed between the second minor panel and the major panel. The second articulating panel is in a hinged or pivotable engagement with the second minor panel along one side thereof and is in a hinged engagement with the major panel along another side thereof. 
         [0010]    In use, the major panel pivots about the central portion and along a major arc substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis. The minor panels pivot about the first portion and the second portion and along minor arcs that diverge from the major arc so that the first minor panel and the second minor panel pivot from inwardly directed or disposed closed positions to outwardly directed or disposed open positions when the major panel is pivoted upward to open the flap. Conversely, the first minor panel and the second minor panel pivot from outwardly directed or disposed open positions to inwardly directed or disposed closed positions when the major panel is pivoted downward toward the first side to close the flap. 
         [0011]    Other advantages of the container will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the container of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIGS. 1A-B  are an illustration and photograph, respectively, of a front perspective view of a container with the flap in a substantially closed configuration, according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A-B  are an illustration and photograph, respectively, of a front and right side perspective view of the container with the flap in a substantially closed configuration according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A-B  are an illustration and photograph, respectively, of a front perspective view of a container with the flap in a substantially open configuration according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A-B  are an illustration and photograph, respectively, of a front and right side perspective view of the container with the flap in a substantially open configuration according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a back elevation view of the container according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the main body of the container according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the container according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the container according to one embodiment according to one embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of the outer surfaces of an unassembled container according to one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the inner surfaces of an unassembled container according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The present disclosure generally relates to a container, such as but limited to a gift bag, that can receive and hold a gift card or other gift. In one aspect, the container includes a closure flap with articulated side flaps and is covered with indicia, graphics, or pictures to mimic the appearance of a person, animal, or any other object. In other aspects, any other indicia or design may be used. When opening and closing the container, the articulated side flaps move away from and towards the main body of the container, respectively, such that the character depicted by the indicia or graphics appears to embrace or alternately reveal the container. 
         [0023]    In various aspects, the container is formed from a contiguous planar materiel that has one or more layers. The planar material may be composed of one or more various types of paper, cardboard, card stock, plastics, or other resilient materials. In another aspect, the closure flap and articulating side flaps may be formed separately from the container body and engaged to the container body proximate to an opening in the main body container. The container body may be defined by three or more sides and a bottom portion. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1A-4B  depict an embodiment of a container  100  having an articulated closure. In particular,  FIGS. 1A and 2A  are drawings of the container  100  in a closed configuration while  FIGS. 3A and 4A  depict the container in an open configuration. Similarly,  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  3 B, and  4 B are photographs of an embodiment the container  100  that correspond with the respective drawings in  FIGS. 1A ,  2 A,  3 A, and  4 A. As shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  2 B,  3 B, and  4 B, the container  100  may include indicia or graphics to represent a character or caricature, such as a penguin. In other embodiments, other indicia may be used to depict other animals, people, or any other objects. 
         [0025]    As shown, the container  100  includes a multi-panel closure flap  105  and main body  110  having a longitudinal axis  115  and sides  120 A-D. The sides  120 A-D of the main body  110  include a first side  120 A, a second side  120 B adjoining the first side  120 A and adjoining a third side  120 C. The third side  120 C adjoins the second side  120 B and adjoins a fourth side  120 D, while the fourth side  120 D adjoins the third side  120 C and the first side  120 A. The sides  120 A-D each terminate at lower margins or borders  125  thereof at a substantially closed bottom portion  130  and terminate at upper margins or borders  135 A-C thereof to define an open upper end  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 2A-4B ,  7 ,  9 , and  10 , the second side  120 B and the fourth side  120 D include one or more fold lines  202  to form pleats therein. The pleated second side  120 B and fourth side  120 D allow the container  100  to receive gifts of various sizes. The sides  120 A-D define an interior chamber  200  to receive a gift or gift card placed within the container. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the sides  120 A,  120 B, and  120 D are generally rectangular, while the third side  120 C has a six-sided configuration. In particular, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the third side  120 C has a length along the longitudinal axis  115  that is greater than the sides  120 A,  120 B, and  120 D. As shown, the upper portion  204  of the third side  120 C has a generally trapezoidal configuration with a central edge or margin  135 A that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  115 . The upper portion  204  also includes two angled edges or margins  135 B-C 
         [0027]    The closure flap  105  is engaged to and extends from the upper margin or borders  135 A-C at the upper portion  204  of the third side  120 C. The flap  105  includes a plurality of articulated panels  150 - 170 , the articulated panels including a central or major panel  150  engaged to and extending from a central margin  135 A of the upper portion  204  of the third side  120 C. The closure flap also includes a first minor panel  155  engaged to and extending from a first angled margin  135 B. The first margin  135 B is proximate to and adjoins the central margin  135 A. The angled first margin  135 B extends downward from the central margin  135 A until it reaches the fourth side  120 D. A second minor panel  160  extends from a second angled margin  135 C of the upper portion  204 . The second angled margin  135 C also being proximate and adjoining the central margin  135 A. The second angled margin  135 C extends downward from the central margin  135 A until it reaches the second side  120 B. 
         [0028]    A first articulation panel  165  is interposed between the first minor panel  155  and the major panel  150 . The first articulation panel  165  is in a hinged or pivotable engagement with the first minor panel  155  along one side thereof and is hingedly engaged with the major panel  150  along another side thereof. A second articulation panel  170  is interposed between the second minor panel  160  and the major panel  150 . The second articulation panel  170  is in a hinged or pivotable engagement with the second minor panel  160  along one side thereof and is in a hinged engagement with the major panel  150 , along another side of the major panel. 
         [0029]    When transitioning between the closed configuration of  FIGS. 1A-2B  and open configuration of  FIG. 3A-4B , the major panel  150  pivots about the central margin  135 A along a major arc  175  that is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis  115 . As the major panel pivots about the central border  135 A, the minor panels  155  and  160  pivot about the first margin  135 B and the second margin  135 C, respectively, along a corresponding first minor arc  171  and a second minor arc  172 , respectively. The minor arc  171  and  172  are angled away from or diverge from the major arc  175  so that the first minor panel  155  and the second minor panel  160  each pivot from an inwardly-directed orientation in the closed configuration to an outwardly-directed orientation in the closed configuration when the major panel  150  is pivoted upward to open the closure flap  105 . 
         [0030]    Conversely, the first minor panel  155  and the second minor panel  160  pivot from outwardly-directed or disposed open orientations to inwardly-directed or disposed closed orientations when the major panel  150  of the closure flap  105  is pivoted towards the first side  120 A to close container  100 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A-4B , a tab  180  extends from the major panel  150 . The tab  180  is received at a slot  185  in the front or first side  120 A to securely retain the flap  105  when in the closed configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1A-2B . In another embodiment, the tab  180  may be removably engaged to the front side  120 A by a removable adhesive or a hook and loop closure mechanism. Other closing and retaining mechanism may also be used. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 5-8  are elevation and plan views of an embodiment of the container  100  in various configurations. In particular,  FIG. 5  is an elevation view of the back side of the container  100  in a closed configuration, while  FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view of the main body  110  of the container in the closed configuration.  FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the container  100  in an open configuration, while  FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the container in the open configuration. 
         [0033]    As previously described, the container  100  may be formed from one or more planar materials.  FIG. 9  is a plan view of the outer surfaces of an unassembled container  100 , while  FIG. 10  is a plan view of the inner surfaces of an unassembled container  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the planar material includes one or more folds or score lines that define the various sides  120 A-D, margins,  135  A-C, and flaps  105  and  150 - 170 . During assembly, the planar material may be folded to form the container  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1A-8 . An adhesive or other suitable fastener may be applied to tab portions  210  to join the sides  120 A to  120 D and to form the bottom portion  130 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the second minor panel  160  may include a message card  190  to bear a message to a gift recipient. Additionally, an elongated handle  191  may be included to provide a handle for carrying the container. In one aspect, the handle  191  is an elongated piece of paper, cardboard, plastic, fabric, ribbon, or any other suitable material that is attached via an adhesive or any other suitable attachment method at a first end to a first handle tab  192  and at a second end to a second handle tab  193 . When assembled, the handle  191  passes over the closure flap  105  to suspend main body  110  from the handle carrying the container  100 . In another aspect, a hanger tab  195  may be removably attached to the back of the third side  120 C. The hanger tab  195  includes a hole  196  (such as a sombrero-cut hole) for hanging the container  100  upon the peg of a display rack (not shown). 
         [0035]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. More generally, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described in the context of particular implementations. Functionality may be separated or combined in blocks differently in various embodiments of the disclosure or described with different terminology. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the claims that follow. 
         [0036]    Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from the specific embodiments disclosed above are contemplated by the disclosure. The following disclosure should not be restricted to the above embodiments, but should be measured by the following claims.