Patent Publication Number: US-2020277125-A1

Title: Multifunction giftbox book

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/813,043 entitled “MULTI-FUNCTION GIFT BOX BOOK” and filed on Mar. 3, 2019 for Deanna Geier, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to giftboxes and more particularly relates to a multifunctional giftbox book. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Giftboxes, giftbags, wrapping paper, and the like are typically used for giving a gift and either reused for a subsequent gift or discarded. In either case, the giftboxes, giftbags, or wrapping paper serve little purpose other than hiding an identity of the gift, and eventually end up as waste. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses are presented for a multifunction giftbox book. In one embodiment, an inner box layer is sized to fit within an outer box layer. An inner box layer, in some embodiments, includes one or more depictions on an outer surface of the inner box layer. One or more openings in an outer box layer, in certain embodiments, have positions in the outer box layer corresponding to positions of one or more depictions on an outer surface of an inner box layer so that the one or more depictions are at least selectively visible through the one or more openings. 
     Other apparatuses are presented for a multifunction giftbox book. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes means for disposing an inner box layer within an outer box layer. An apparatus, in some embodiments, includes means for selectively revealing one or more depictions on an outer surface of an inner box layer through one or more openings in an outer box layer. In certain embodiments, one or more openings have positions in an outer box layer corresponding to positions of one or more depictions on an outer surface of an inner box layer. 
     Methods are presented for a multifunction giftbox book. In one embodiment, a method includes forming an outer box layer. A method, in a further embodiment, includes forming an inner box layer sized to fit within an outer box layer, where the inner box layer comprises one or more depictions on an outer surface of the inner box layer. In some embodiments, a method includes forming one or more openings in an outer box layer such that the one or more openings have positions in the outer box layer corresponding to positions of one or more depictions on an outer surface of an inner box layer so that the one or more depictions are at least selectively visible through the one or more openings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system for a multifunction giftbox book; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a system for a multifunction giftbox book; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an outer box layer; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an inner box layer; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a certain embodiment of a system for a multifunction giftbox book; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of one embodiment of an unfolded outer box layer; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of one embodiment of an unfolded inner box layer; 
       and 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic flow chart diagram of one embodiment of a method for assembling a multifunction giftbox book. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. 
     These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments as set forth hereinafter. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as an apparatus, system, and/or method. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of an embodiment. 
     Aspects of the embodiments are described below with reference to schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams of methods, apparatuses, and systems according to embodiments of the disclosure. The schematic flowchart diagrams and/or schematic block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of apparatuses, systems, and methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more blocks, or portions thereof, of the illustrated Figures. 
     Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flowchart and/or block diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding embodiments. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the depicted embodiment. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted embodiment. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart diagrams, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program code. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system for a multifunction giftbox book  100 . In the depicted embodiment, the multifunction giftbox book  100  includes an outer box layer  102  and an inner box layer  104 . The outer box layer  102  includes a plurality of flaps  106  and openings  108  in the outer box layer  102  which selectively reveal a plurality of depictions  112  on an outer surface of the inner box layer  104 . One or more of the outer box layer  102  and the inner box layer  104  include a lid  110 . 
     In one embodiment, the outer box layer  102  and the inner box layer  104  form a box  100  (e.g., a multifunction giftbox book  100 , or the like). For example, the box  100 , in the depicted embodiment, is substantially cubical with six sides, including the lid  110 . In other embodiments, the outer box layer  102  and the inner box layer  104  may form one or more of a hinged box, a three-sided hinged box, a four-sided hinged box, a box with a hinged flap lip, a clamshell box, a book-style box, a rigid slipcase, a die cut self-locking box, an envelope base box, a five panel wrap box, a full overlap box, a packing carton box, a packing wallet box, a pizza-style box, a self-locking box, a self-locking tray box, and/or another type of box. 
     In one embodiment, the inner box layer  104  is sized to fit within the outer box layer  102  (e.g., is at least slightly smaller in dimensions than the outer box layer  102 , or the like). The inner box layer  104  and the outer box layer  102 , in some embodiments, may be integrally formed as two or more layers of the same continuous material. In other embodiments, the inner box layer  104  and the outer box layer  102  may be bonded and/or adhered (e.g., using a fastener, a glue or other adhesive, or the like). In a further embodiment, the inner box layer  104  may be removable from the outer box layer  102 , may have a friction fit within the outer box layer  102 , or the like (e.g., without a separate fastener, glue or other adhesive, or the like). The inner box layer  104  and/or the outer box layer  102  may comprise and/or be formed of a durable material, such as paper, cardboard, plastic or another polymer, wood, glass, ceramic, metal, a composite material, a laminate material, fabric, rubber, leather, and/or another material. 
     In one embodiment, the inner box layer  104  comprises one or more depictions  112  (e.g., images, pictures, photos, drawings, text, an element of a story, or the like) on an outer surface of the inner box layer  104 . One or more openings  108  (e.g., holes, windows, cavities, or the like) in the outer box layer  102 , in some embodiments, may have positions in the outer box layer  102  corresponding to positions of the one or more depictions  112  on the outer surface of the inner box layer  104  so that the one or more depictions  112  are at least selectively visible through the one or more openings  108  (e.g., are selectively visible through the one or more openings  108  based on a position of the one or more flaps  106 , or the like). The one or more openings  108 , in the depicted embodiment, are perforated and/or cut out of the outer box layer  102 , with at least a hinge of material from the outer box layer  102  remaining to form a hinge for the one or more flaps  106 , which are formed from the material perforated and/or cut out of the outer box layer  102 . 
     In one embodiment, the one or more flaps  106  correspond to the one or more openings  108  in the outer box layer  102  (e.g., open and/or close over the one or more openings  108 ). The one or more flaps  106 , in some embodiments, may be selectively movable away from the outer box layer  102  so that the one or more depictions  112  are selectively visible through the one or more openings  108  (e.g., the one or more flaps  106  may be opened to reveal the one or more depictions  112  and/or closed to hide the one or more depictions  112 ). In other embodiments, the one or more flaps  106  may slide open or shut/closed, along a plane parallel to the inner box layer  104  and/or the outer box layer  102 . 
     In certain embodiments, the one or more depictions  112  may each depicting elements of a same story, theme, or the like. In a further embodiment, a toy or other item may be disposed within the box  100  formed by the outer box layer  102  and/or the inner box layer  104 , and the toy or other item may comprise an element from the same story as the one or more depictions  112 . For example, in embodiments where the one or more depictions  112  are of a car story, a toy car may be disposed within the box  100 . In embodiments where the one or more depictions  112  are of an animal, a stuffed animal or other toy animal may be disposed within the box  100 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more pop-up elements extend between the one or more flaps  106  and the one or more depictions  112 , so that the one or more pop-up elements are actuated by movement of the one or more flaps  106  away from the one or more depictions  112 . For example, the one or more pop-up elements may lay flat while the one or more flaps  106  are closed, and may “pop-up” or otherwise extend out from the one or more depictions  112  while the one or more flaps  106  are open, or the like (e.g., to form a three-dimensional depiction  112 , or the like). 
     In certain embodiments, the one or more depictions  112  may comprise a sensory touch element with a different texture than another portion of the inner box layer  104 . For example, a sensory touch element may comprise a material with a texture associated with an element of a same story, theme, or the like as the one or more depictions  112  (e.g., representing fur, hair, or scales of an animal; a texture of a plant; a texture of a vehicle; or the like). A sensory touch element, in one embodiment, may be coupled to a depiction  112  using a fastener, an adhesive, a glue, or the like. 
     In one embodiment, one or more audio elements are configured to audibly broadcast a predefined sound in response to the one or more flaps  106  being lifted away from the inner box layer  104 . For example, an electrical speaker, a piezo-electric element, or the like may play a pre-recorded sound in response to a flap  106  being opened (e.g., in response to a spring-loaded pin being released by the flap  106 , in response to electrical connections being connected and/or disconnected by the flap  106 , in response to an optical sensor detecting movement of the flap  106 , or the like). The predefined sound, in some embodiments, may correspond to a same story element as a depiction  112  under the same flap  106  that triggers the predefined sound (e.g., a sound made by a depicted animal or other character, a recording of depicted text, a sound of a depicted vehicle or machine, or the like). 
     In some embodiments, one or more magnets and/or stickers may be configured to removably adhere to one or more flaps  106  and/or one or more depictions  112 . A magnet and/or a sticker, in one embodiment, may depict a story element of a same story as an associated depiction  112 . A user of the box  100  may move the one or more magnets and/or stickers around the one or more depictions  112  (e.g., acting out elements of the same story using the one or more magnets and/or stickers, or the like). 
     In one embodiment, the lid  110  may comprise a portion of at least one of the outer box layer  102  and/or the inner box layer  104 . The lid  110 , in some embodiments, may be selectively closable to conceal contents of the inner box layer  104 , selectively openable to access contents of the inner box layer  104 , or the like. In a further embodiment, the lid  110  may include a slot or other opening sized to receive cards in envelopes such that a box  100  formed by the outer box layer  102  and/or the inner box layer  104  stores the received cards in envelopes (e.g., birthday cards, holiday cards, graduation cards, wedding cards, baby shower cards, and/or cards for another occasion). 
     In some embodiments, the box  100  may include a handle. For example, the lid  110  may include a handle, another side of the box  100  may include a handle, or the like. A handle, in certain embodiments, may facilitate carrying of the box  100  and contents of the box  100 . 
     In certain embodiments, including flaps  106  with depictions  112  on a box  100  allows the box  100  to serve multiple functions and/or purposes. For example, the box  100  may be used as a gift box, jewelry box, time capsule, memory box, photo box, card storage, or the like while also telling a story in an interactive manner using the flaps  106  and the depictions  112 , in a manner that may complement the function of the box  100  (e.g., the depictions  112  may include story elements related to the gift; may include photos and/or text associated with the time capsule, memories, and/or photos within the box  100 ; may include messages, images, or the like related to the event for which the enclosed cards are received; and/or the like). These multiple functions, in some embodiments, may allow the box  100  itself to be kept, reused, and/or treasured over time, as it may continue to tell a story, and/or to be associated with the contents of the box  100 . 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a system for a multifunction giftbox book  200 . The multifunction giftbox book  200 , in the depicted embodiment, is substantially similar to the multifunction giftbox book  100  of  FIG. 1 , but the outer box layer  102  comprises a plurality of discrete panels, coupled to the inner box layer  104  (e.g., using a fastener, an adhesive such as a glue, lamination, or the like). In various embodiments, the outer box layer  102  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six discrete panels, which may be coupled or otherwise affixed to sides of a complete box formed by the inner box layer  104 , such that the inner box layer  104  is within the discrete panels of the outer box layer  102 , and flaps  106  of the discrete panels of the outer box layer  102  may be lifted to reveal depictions  112  on the outer surface of the inner box layer  104 . 
     The outer box layer  102 , in some embodiments, may include different numbers and sizes of flaps  106  and openings  108 . For example, in the depicted embodiment, a first side of the multifunction giftbox book  200  has four smaller flaps  106  and corresponding openings  108 , a second side has a medium size flap  106  and corresponding opening  108 , and a third side has a larger size flap  106  and corresponding opening  108 . In other embodiments, sides of a multifunction giftbox book  200  may have no flaps  106  and/or openings  108 , may have one flap  106 /opening  108 , two flaps  106 /openings  108 , three flaps  106 /openings  108 , four flaps  106 /openings  108 , or may have more than four flaps  106 /openings  108 . Sizes and shapes of flaps  106  and/or openings  108  may also vary. In some embodiments, a shape of a flap  106  and/or an opening  108  may represent and/or correspond to a story element related to a same story as one or more depictions  112  (e.g., shaped like a character and/or object from the same story, or the like). 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an outer box layer  102 . The outer box layer  102  of  FIG. 3 , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the outer box layers  102  depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  and described above. In the depicted embodiment, the lid  110  is an integral part of the outer box layer  102 . The depicted openings  108  are through-holes, so that depictions  112  on an inner box layer  104 , when installed, will be visible through the openings  108 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an inner box layer  104 . The inner box layer  104  of  FIG. 4 , in certain embodiments, may be substantially similar to one or more of the inner box layers  104  depicted in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  and described above. In the depicted embodiment, the lid  110  is an integral part of the inner box layer  104 . In some embodiments, the lid  110  may comprise a multi-layered lid  110 , with one or more layers from each of the outer box layer  102  and the inner box layer  104 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a certain embodiment of a system for a multifunction giftbox book  500 . In the depicted embodiment, a story with story elements in the depictions  112  involves a train engine. An outer surface of the outer box layer  102 , in the depicted embodiment, also includes one or more story elements  502 , such as train tracks associated with the train engine in the one or more depictions  112  revealed by lifting the one or more flaps  106 . In some embodiments, a flap  106  may also include one or more depictions  112  (e.g., with one or more story elements  502  associated with and/or related to corresponding depictions  112  beneath the flap  106 , or the like). 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of one embodiment of an unfolded outer box layer  102 . In the depicted embodiment, the outer box layer  102  includes one or more tabs  602  along certain perimeter edges of the outer box layer  102 , to facilitate manufacturing and/or forming the unfolded outer box layer  102  into a box shape. For example, a fastener, an adhesive such as a glue, or the like may be used to couple and/or otherwise secure the tabs  602  to corresponding adjacent side walls of the outer box layer  102 , in response to the outer box layer  102  being folded along the depicted joints  604 , which may form edges of the formed box  100 . In some embodiments, for square and/or rectangular flaps  106 , all but one (e.g., three of four) sides of the flap  106  may be cut, stamped, and/or punctured to form the flaps  106 , with the remaining side acting as a joint, hinge, crease, fold, or the like so that the flaps  106  may be lifted away from the rest of the outer box layer  102  to reveal the openings  108  and the underlying depictions  112 . 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of one embodiment of an unfolded inner box layer  104 . In certain embodiments, the inner box layer  104  may be sized to fit within an outer box layer  102 . In the depicted embodiment, the inner box layer  104  includes tabs  602  and joints  604  corresponding to similar tabs  602  and joints  604  on an associated outer box layer  102 . The tabs  602  of the inner box layer  104  may be affixed and/or coupled to corresponding tabs  602  on the associated outer box layer  102 , and/or to corresponding adjacent side walls of the inner box layer  104 , or the like. 
     While  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  depict an outer box layer  102  and an inner box layer  104  that are independent, complete boxes, usable together to form a multifunction giftbox book  100 , in other embodiments, one of the outer box layer  102  and the inner box layer  104  may be a partial box. In some embodiments, one of the inner box layer  104  and the outer box layer  102  may comprise one or more discrete panels, which may be coupled to the other of the inner box layer  104  and the outer box layer  102  (e.g., using a fastener, an adhesive such as a glue, lamination, or the like). 
     For example, an inner box layer  104  may be substantially as depicted in  FIG. 7 , forming a complete box, and an outer box layer  102  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six discrete panels, which may be coupled or otherwise affixed to sides of the complete box formed by the inner box layer  104 , such that the inner box layer  104  is within the discrete panels of the outer box layer  102 , and flaps  106  of the discrete panels of the outer box layer  102  may be lifted to reveal depictions  112  on the outer surface of the inner box layer  104 . In other embodiments, the reverse configuration may be used, and an outer box layer  102  may be substantially as depicted in  FIG. 6 , forming a complete box, and an inner box layer  104  may comprise one, two, three, four, five, or six discrete panels, which may be coupled or otherwise affixed to the sides of the complete box formed by the outer box layer  102  (e.g., within the complete box), or the like. The embodiments depicted in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  are for example purposes only, and represent two example configurations of an outer box layer  102  and an inner box layer  104 , but many other configurations may be used and are contemplated by this disclosure, including discrete panels or partial boxes as described above, as well as different shapes and types of boxes. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic flow chart diagram of one embodiment of a method  800  for forming a multifunction giftbox book. The method  800  begins and an assembler forms  802  an outer box layer  102  (e.g., cuts, stamps, molds, deposits, prints, and/or otherwise forms). An assembler forms  804  (e.g., cuts, stamps, molds, deposits, prints, and/or otherwise forms) an inner box layer  104  sized to fit within the outer box layer  102 , with one or more depictions  112  on an outer surface of the formed  804  inner box layer  104  (e.g., printed, drawn, painted, written, stamped, etched, colored, or the like). 
     An assembler forms  806  (e.g., cuts, stamps, perforates, etches, or the like) one or more openings  108  in the formed  802  outer box layer  102  such that the one or more openings  108  have positions in the outer box layer  102  corresponding to positions of the one or more depictions  112  on the outer surface of the inner box layer  104  and the method  800  ends. 
     In some embodiments, the method  800  further includes an assembler securing (e.g., coupling, adhering, fastening, or the like) the formed  804  inner box layer  104  within the formed  802  outer box layer  102  with the one or more formed  806  openings positioned at the positions of the one or more depictions  112  on the outer surface of the inner box layer  104 . An assembler, as used herein, may include a mechanical and/or robotic assembly device, other machinery, a user thereof, or the like. 
     A means for disposing an inner box layer  104  within an outer box layer  102 , in various embodiments, may include one or more of a mechanical device, a robotic device, machinery, a fastener, an adhesive, a glue, a tab  602 , or the like. In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for disposing an inner box layer  104  within an outer box layer  102 . 
     A means for selectively revealing one or more depictions  112  on an outer surface of an inner box layer  104  through one or more openings  108  in an outer box layer  102 , may include one or more of a flap  106 , an opening  108 , a window, a sliding cover, blinds, a curtain, or the like. In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for selectively revealing one or more depictions  112 . 
     A means for actuating one or more pop-up elements extending between one or more flaps  106  and one or more depictions  112  by movement of the one or more flaps  106  away from the one or more depictions  112 , in various embodiments, may include one or more of a flap  106 ; a fold, crease, seam, and/or hinge of a flap  106 ; a pop-up element; a mechanical actuator; an electric actuator; a pull string; or the like. In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for actuating one or more pop-up elements. 
     A means for a sensory touch element with a different texture than another portion of an inner box layer  104 , in various elements, may include one or more of fur, hair, rubber, fabric, plastic, wood, glass, metal, ceramic, sandpaper, or the like. In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for a sensory touch element. 
     A means for audibly broadcasting a predefined sound in response to one or more flaps  106  being lifted away from an inner box layer  104 , in various embodiments, may include one or more of a spring loaded pin, one or more electrical contacts, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an electrical speaker, one or more batteries, a piezo-electric speaker, a digital or analog electronic computer readable storage medium storing audio data, or the like. In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for audibly broadcasting a predefined sound in response to one or more flaps  106  being lifted away from an inner box layer  104 . 
     A means for selectively concealing contents of an inner box layer  104 , in various embodiments, may include one or more of a lid  110 , a cover, a wrap, a sheet, an enclosure, or the like. In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for selectively concealing contents of an inner box layer  104 . 
     A means for receiving cards in envelopes through a means for selectively concealing contents of an inner box layer  104 , in various embodiments, may include one or more of a slot, a hole, an opening, a drawer, a sack, a cavity, or the like (e.g., in a lid  110  or the like). In other embodiments, substantially similar or equivalent means may be used for receiving cards in envelopes through a means for selectively concealing contents of an inner box layer  104 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.