Abstract:
Described, is a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The gift box shaped container includes a hack panel, two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid. The lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbon thereon. The front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel. Further, a latching mechanism connected with the lid and is operable for locking against the front panel. The latching mechanism includes a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a non-provisional application of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/233,235, filed on Sep. 25, 2016. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    (1) Field of invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. 
         [0004]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Playsets have long been known in the art and are often used to provide a setting upon which a child or user can play with other item, such as animals, cars, etc. Further, containers come in a variety of shapes and forms; however, nothing heretofore devised has provided a gift box shaped playset. 
         [0006]    Thus, a continuing need exists for a gift box shaped playset. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The gift box shaped container includes a back panel, two side panels, a front panel, a bottom panel, and a top panel serving as a lid. The lid is hingedly connected with the back panel and includes a decorative ribbon thereon. The front panel is hingedly connected with the bottom panel. Further, a latching mechanism connected with the lid and is operable for locking against the front panel. The latching mechanism includes a pull cord ribbon extending therefrom, with the pull cord ribbon connected with the latching mechanism such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon actuates the latching mechanism to cause the lid to detach from the front panel, thereby allowing a user to lift the lid and lower the front panel to convert the gift box shaped container into a playset. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, the pull cord ribbon is dispersed alongside the decorative ribbon. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect, the front panel includes at least one in protruding therefrom and the latching mechanism includes a biased latch that is operable for clasping, against the pin and locking the front panel against the lid. 
         [0010]    Additionally, at least one side wall is hingedly connected with the bottom panel. 
         [0011]    Further, the at least one side wall is formed to simulate a dance floor and includes a light thereon and a translucent top surface to allow light to pass therethrough. 
         [0012]    Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming and using the invention described herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an illustration depicting a gift box playset according to various embodiments of the present invention, illustrating both a closed configuration, in which the gift box playset appears to be a gift box with ribbons, and an open configuration, in which the gift box playset is opened out to display a playset therein; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an illustration depicting the gift box playset in the closed configuration, in which the gift box playset appears to be a gift box with ribbons; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the gift box playset in the closed configuration, depicting a user pulling on one of the ribbons to actuate a latching mechanism to open the playset; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the gift box playset in the open configuration, depicting a close-up view of a latching mechanism; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the gift box playset, depicting a front wall of the gift box being folded down into the open configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The present invention relates to gift boxes and more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 
         [0020]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. 
         [0021]    The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. 
         [0023]    Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. 
         [0024]    (1) Description 
         [0025]    The present invention relates to gift boxes and, more particularly, to a gift box shaped container that opens to operate as a playset. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the gift box playset  100  is convertible between a closed configuration  102 , in which the gift box playset  100  appears to be a gift box with ribbons, and an open configuration  104 , in which the gift box playset  100  is opened out to display a playset  106  therein. The gift box playset  100  can be formed in any suitable manner that allows for conversion between open  104  and closed  102  configurations. In other words and as can be appreciated, there are a number of w ways by which the gift box playset  100  can be opened to reveal a playset  106 . As a non-limiting example, the playset  100  includes a bottom panel  110  with a hingedly connected (e.g., via a living or mechanical hinge) front panel  112 . A left side panel  114  is also hingedly connected with the bottom panel  110 . In various embodiments, the back panel  116  and right side panel  118  are fixedly connected with each other and the bottom panel  110 , thereby forming a stable backstop and right side wall to the playset  106 . A top panel  120  is hingedly connected with the back panel  116 . It should also be understood that the back panel  116  and/or right side panel  118  can be hingedly connected with the bottom panel  110  in other embodiments. In either embodiment, the front panel  112  can be folded down (as shown) to expose the playset  106  within. The playset itself  106  is any suitable toy, device, or playset shape or item that can be used with other toys and other items. As a non-limiting example, the playset  106  is a table with balloons, chairs, and an illuminated dance floor (formed by the left side panel  114 ). The various components can be formed of any suitable material, a non-limiting example of which includes plastic. 
         [0026]    Importantly and as shown in  FIG. 2 , the gift box playset  100 , when in the closed configuration  102 , appears to be a gift box  200  with decorative ribbons  202  affixed with at least the top panel  120 . This particular configuration provides the sensation or emotions to a child that a surprise present is inside and that a gift box needs to be opened. 
         [0027]    In order to open the gift box playset  100  and as shown in  FIG. 3 , a user pulls on one of the ribbons to actuate a latching mechanism. Specifically, one of the ribbons is a pull cord ribbon  300  that is operably connected with a latching mechanism. While the other ribbons  202  are decorative and flow freely around the pull cord ribbon  300 , the pull cord ribbon  300  provides a distinct function and is not encumbered by the other ribbons  202 . For example, while the other ribbons  202  are glued or otherwise adhered to the top panel  120 , the pull cord ribbon  300  is connected with the latching mechanism as described in further detail below. Further, the pull cord ribbon  300  is dispersed or otherwise alongside and protrudes from the decorative ribbons  202  to appear as if it is just a part of the decorative ribbon and conceal its purpose as a pull cord to the latching mechanism. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates the pull cord ribbon  300  as rolled up and out of the way for illustrative purposes. The latching mechanism  400  is any suitable mechanism or device that can be actuated by pulling on the pull cord ribbon  300  to release another component. As a non-limiting example, the latching mechanism  400  can be a biased (e.g., spring loaded) latch (or other mechanism) that clamps (or holds) around the pins or clasps (shown in  FIG. 5 ). In this example, the pull cord ribbon  300  is connected with the biased latch such that pulling on the pull cord ribbon  300  causes the biased latch to retract from or otherwise release the pins. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the pins  500  protrude from a front panel  112  of the gift box playset  100 . The top panel  120  includes the latching mechanism  400 . In some embodiments, the latching mechanism  400  includes holes  502  (or other receptors) for receiving the pins  500 . When the pins  500  are within the holes, the biased latch clasps or otherwise engages with the pins  500  to affix the front panel  112  against the top panel  120  and, thereby close the gift box playset  100 . 
         [0030]    Alternatively, by pulling on the pull cord ribbon  300 , the biased latch is withdrawn from the pins  500 , thereby allowing a user to fold out the front panel  112 . For example,  FIG. 5  depicts the front panel  112  of the gift box being folded down into the open configuration. Thus, it should be noted that at least the lid (top panel  120 ) is hingedly connected with the back panel  116  and the front panel  112  is hingedly connected with the floor (bottom panel  110 ). Thus, when the front panel  112  is folded up, the lid (top panel  120 ) can be locked against the front) panel  112  using the latching mechanism to hold the gift box in the closed configuration. Alternatively, the lid (top panel  120 ) of the gift box can be folded up and back into the open configuration, with the front panel  112  being folded down, to expose the playset  106  therein. 
         [0031]    It should be noted that the various panels and components of the gift box playact  100  can be formed in any desires shape or otherwise decorated in any suitable manner to be coordinated with the theme of the particular playset  106 . As a non-limiting example, the left side panel  114  (or any other panel) can be formed as an elevated box dance floor. Thus, in this embodiment, the left side panel  114  includes lights (e.g., L.E.D.s) and a power source (e.g., battery), and the relevant switching and wires as are necessary to allow a user to selectively illuminate the lights. Further, in some embodiments, a top surface  130  of the dance floor is formed of a translucent plastic so that light passes therethrough to simulate a lighted dancefloor. As can be appreciated, a gift box provides excitement to the consumer as it appears as a real present, while when opened, the girt box converts to a play set. 
         [0032]    Finally, while this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. It should be noted that many embodiments and implementations are possible. Further, the following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. Further, while particular method steps have been recited in a particular order, the method steps may occur in any desired order and fall within the scope of the present invention.