Patent Publication Number: US-6698589-B1

Title: Container for holding rolls of wrapping paper

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to containers and more particularly to a container for holding and storing individual rolls of wrapping paper. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and the Christmas season calls for the wrapping of presents. It is not uncommon for a household to have many different rolls of wrapping paper for such occasions. In fact, it is not uncommon to find rolls of wrapping paper stored or placed in various locations throughout a household. Not only is the wrapping paper sometimes hard to locate, but it is also a concern that all of the wrapping paper is not located in one single location where it can be viewed before a wrapping paper is selected for a certain package. Further, the wrapping paper usually becomes damaged as a result of not being stored in a sturdy container. 
     Therefore, there has been and continues to be a need for a system for organizing individual rolls of wrapping paper and storing them in one single facility or container such that access and viewing will be convenient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention entails a container for holding and storing individual rolls of wrapping paper. The container includes a side structure and an internal area defined therein. The container includes an insert panel having a series of openings formed therein. Each opening is particularly sized to receive an individual roll of wrapping paper. Thus a series of wrapping paper rolls can be inserted through the openings of the insert panel such that a substantial length of each roll is confined within the container. 
     In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the container includes a surrounding side wall structure, a closed end, and an inlet end formed on the container opposite the closed end through which rolls of wrapping paper are inserted. The inlet end includes a support panel or an insert panel having a series of openings formed therein. Each opening is particularly sized to receive a roll of wrapping paper. Thus a series of wrapping paper rolls can be inserted into and through the openings within the support or insert panel such that a substantial length of each individual roll lies within the confines of the container while a relatively short portion of each roll may lie exteriorly of the support or insert panel. It is thus appreciated that the support panel or the insert panel maintains the individual rolls of wrapping paper separated in the area where the rolls extend through the support or insert panel. 
    
    
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container for holding rolls of wrapping paper with the container being shown in an open and partially unassembled position. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container for holding or storing individual rolls of wrapping paper with the container being shown in an assembled position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With further reference to the drawings, a container for holding and storing a series of individual rolls of wrapping paper WP is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  10 . Container  10  may be constructed of various materials such as corrugated board, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. As will be appreciated from subsequent portions in this disclosure, container  10  is designed and adapted to receive mutli-rolls of wrapping paper and to hold and store the rolls of wrapping paper in a convenient location. 
     Now viewing the container  10  in more detail, it is seen that the container shown in the drawings is somewhat elongated from edge to edge. However, the shape and size of the container  10  can vary. Viewing the container  10  in more detail, it is seen that the same includes a surrounding side wall structure. More particularly, this surrounding side wall structure includes a pair of opposed sides  12  and a pair of opposed edges  14 . In the case of the embodiment disclosed herein, the opposed sides  12  join the opposed edges  14  at 90 degree angles. 
     Formed on one end of the container  10  is a closure panel that is referred to herein as bottom  16 . Bottom  16  essentially closes one end of the container. 
     Formed about the container  10  opposite bottom  16  is an open top  18 . As will be appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, the open top is designed to receive a closure panel that includes openings formed therein for receiving and holding individual rolls of wrapping paper. 
     Formed in each edge  14  is a hand opening  20 . Secured to the top portion of each edge  16  is a hand flap  22 . Hand flap  22  includes an opening  22   a . Once the container  10  is assembled for use, the hand flaps  22  are folded inwardly and secured to the inner side of the respective edges  14 . When this is done, the openings  22   a  of the hand flaps  22  align with the hand openings  20  formed in the edges  14 . Thus, a reinforced hand opening is formed that permits the container  10  to be easily handled and carried. Also, it is appreciated that the flaps  22  could be provided with means that secure them to the inner side of the edges  14 . For example, the flaps  22  could be provided with peel off adhesive strips that when peeled off would permit the flaps to be glued to the inner side of the respective edges  14 . 
     Secured to the end portion of the container  10  opposite the bottom  16  is a panel indicated generally by the numeral  24 . Panel  24  is sometimes referred to as a support panel or an insert panel and includes a series of openings  26 . As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the openings  26  are disposed in two rows. Each opening  26  is particularly sized to receive a standard roll of wrapping paper. The panel  24  includes an attaching or connecting edge  28 . Attaching edge  28  is generally provided with some means to secure the panel  24  to the container. In one preferred embodiment, the attaching edge  28  would be provided with an adhesive strip that enables the attaching edge  28  to be secured to the upper edge portion of an opposed side  12 , as illustrated in FIG.  2 . 
     As noted above, the panel  24  is connected to the upper edge of one side  12 . In an assembled position, as shown in FIG. 2, the panel  24  is folded over to cover a portion of the open top  18  of the container. The attaching edge  28  is secured to the upper edge of the adjacent side  12 . Now it is appreciated that a series of rolls of wrapping paper WP can be inserted downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2, through the respective openings  26  such that a substantial length of each roll is confined interiorly within the container  10 . The length of the container can be adjusted such that a portion of the respective rolls of wrapping paper WP would extend outwardly past the exterior surface of the panel  24 . 
     In the case of the embodiment illustrated herein, the panel  24  is sized so as to leave a portion of the open top  18  exposed. This results in the container including an auxiliary or side storage compartment which is indicated generally by the numeral  30  in FIG.  2 . That is, material such as bows, ribbons, cards and the like can be stored in the container  10  by simply using the side storage compartment  30  shown in FIG.  2 . 
     From the foregoing specification and discussion, it is appreciated that the container  10  of the present invention is specifically designed to accept, hold and store individual rolls of wrapping paper. The container maintains the individual rolls in a compact, organized fashion such that an individual can easily review and see what wrapping paper is available and can make his or her choice of wrapping paper based on the rolls that are held and stored within the container. 
     Further, the container  10  of the present invention is quite economical to manufacture and can be presented and sold to the consumer at a reasonable price. 
     The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.