Patent Publication Number: US-2004055921-A1

Title: Gift package

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention is directed to product packaging that serves as the primary protective packaging for a product contained therein, yet also serves as gift packaging that allows the product to be presented as a gift in a distinctive and stylish manner.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Over the years it has become a common practice to provide gifts to valued employees, clients, customers, and business associates. These gifts may serve as tokens of appreciation from a grateful boss or business associate. Often, the gifts may be provided with the logo of the company sending the gift. Providing gifts with a company logo has been found to be a particularly effective marketing tool where the gift is a useful item, such as a keychain, or flashlight, that is carried by the recipient throughout the day. The recipient of the gift is reminded of the generosity of the gift-giver each time the gift is used. This serves to generate good will and the company that gave the gift remains in the minds of the gift recipients.  
       [0003] Similarly, it has also become a common practice to present cards, such as “Thank You” cards, cards commemorating a holiday or other events, such as graduation, as well as cards providing inspirational messages. Often, it is desirable to provide a gift, as well as an explanatory card including a message that explains the reason for the gift. For example, a gift may be given along with a card having the message “Thank you for your business.” Cards of this type were typically mailed to the intended recipient, and may have been accompanied by a separately packaged gift.  
       [0004] In the past, packaging of small items, such as gifts, typically included the use of a clamshell package or a gift box including a foam core. Both of these approaches, however, had their shortcomings. Since clamshells tend to be unsightly, consumers are hesitant to send them as gifts. To do so, consumers must remove the item from the clamshell and repackage the item. As for gift boxes, although a gift box can be presented as a gift, the foam core that oftentimes carries the item is very expensive to manufacture. In addition, if the gift sender were also planning to a send a card, then the card and gift would have to be repackaged in a common envelope or package. This required additional effort on the part of the gift sender, and the resulting package received by the recipient was not particularly impressive or memorable.  
       [0005] Thus, there is a need in the prior art for packaging that enables the item contained therein to be presented as a gift. In other words, there is a need to provide packaging that functions as the primary protective packaging for the product and also serves to present the product as a gift. Further, there is a need for giftable packaging that can be inexpensively manufactured.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] The present invention recognizes the current trend of businesses that provide gifts or promotional items to valued employees, customers, clients, and business associates. The present invention is directed to providing the primary protective packaging for a product contained therein, in a package that also serves to present the product as a gift. The present invention meets the shortcomings of the prior art by providing packaging that allows the item contained therein to be presented as a gift. In a preferred embodiment, the packaging includes a tray for carrying the product, and a card for covering and containing the tray. The tray preferably comprises a sturdy, crushproof surface for supporting the product that can be easily accommodated within an inner compartment of the card. The inner compartment of the card may advantageously include a cut-out portion or window, that allows the product to be placed in the tray, within the inner compartment of the card, yet remain visible to allow the recipient of the card to immediately view the gift once the package has been opened. A plastic window may be placed over the cut-out portion to allow the product to be showcased within the card. The plastic window may be a clear cover placed over the tray, or portion of the tray, or an inset glued to the inside of the inner compartment. Preferably, the tray includes a raised portion surrounding the product over which the clear lid may be positioned and secured in place. Regardless of its construction, the plastic window, or clear cover, allows the product to be viewed, but protects the product by preventing it from falling out of the tray, or protecting the product from being removed from the card if the card is on display.  
       [0007] The card may further include a panel that is folded over the inner compartment and the product carried within the tray. Thus, the packaging may operate in a fashion similar to that of a greeting card. Either the inside or outside surface of the folded panel (or both) may include a message, such as inspirational message, advertising, a word of thanks, a holiday greeting, or any other message suitable for including on the card. Further, the card may be provided with a cut-out portion to accommodate a photo or a business card.  
       [0008] Thus, the embodiments of the present invention allow one to present a gift in its primary protective packaging, in a manner that allows the package to be opened like a greeting card and contain a variety of messages. The packaging protects the product during shipment, and also serves as a convenient and presentable format to present a gift. In particular, the crushproof tray positioned within an inner compartment of the card, allows the package to be easily transported through the mail, like a greeting card, while protecting the product and maintaining the integrity of the card. In addition, the present invention may eliminate the need to send a separate card along with the gift, because the packaging not only may serve as the protective packaging for the product, but as a card as well. Thus, the packaging is a usable package that may serve as both product protector and greeting card, and may eliminate the need to wrap a separate package including the product and message. Moreover, the packaging is easily prepared for sending through the mail and may be sent as easily as an oversized envelope. Furthermore, the card may be made using a unitary piece of cardboard, or other suitable stock, and the tray may be made of thermoformed plastic. Thus, the packaging of the present invention can be produced by automated machinery, allowing the card to be made inexpensively in comparison with separate boxing. This packaging brings about a simplification in manufacturing and therefore a substantial saving in manufacturing costs.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of packaging made in accordance with the principles of the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 1 shown in its open position.  
     [0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention shown in its open position.  
     [0012]FIG. 4 is a back view of the packaging of the present invention.  
     [0013]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the packaging of the present invention.  
     [0014]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of FIG. 1.  
     [0015]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of FIG. 2.  
     [0016]FIG. 8 is a top view of an unassembled card of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017] Packaging made in accordance with the principles of the present invention is depicted in FIGS.  1 - 8 . The packaging  10  generally comprises a card  12  for containing a product  14  and a tray  16  for carrying the product  14 .  
     [0018] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and  4 , the card  12  includes a cover  19  with an outside surface  22  and an inside surface  24 , an inner product compartment  26  for containing the product  14 , and a bottom surface  29 . In the closed position of FIG. 1, the cover  19  lays over the inner compartment  26 , thereby protecting the product  14  contained therein. The cover  19  can be flipped to an open position, shown in FIG. 2, to expose the inside surface  24  and the product compartment  26 . The product compartment  26  may further include a window  31  for viewing the product  14  and a layer of protective material  33  positioned between the window  31  and the product  14 . The layer of protective material may comprise clear plastic, cellophane, or other translucent material. In one embodiment, an adhesive may be used to affix the clear protective material to an inner surface of compartment  26 . Most preferably, however, in reference to FIG. 5, the protective material layer  33  takes the form of a clear plastic lid that is placed over a raised portion  50  of the tray. The clear plastic lid encloses the raised portion and is thereby secured in place. The clear plastic lid serves as a protective window that ensures that the product  14  is maintained in cavity  53  during both shipment and display. Further, the clear plastic lid, preferably a thermoformed plastic, provides a glossy appearance to the product  14  within the compartment, thereby enhancing the presentation of the product and showcasing the product as a gift. Thus, the clear plastic lid serves to protect the product during shipment and display, maintains the product in place, and provides an improved presentation, similar to showcasing a product under glass.  
     [0019] The cover  19  of the present invention has several functions. In its closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover  19  helps to hold the product  14  contained in the product compartment  26  in place. The cover  19  also protects the product  14  from damage during shipping or while on display.  
     [0020] Different embodiments of the cover  19  are contemplated. Referring to FIG. 2, the inside surface  24  may include a graphic  34  from any number of categories, including business, motivation, holidays, travel destinations or important locations. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 3, the inside surface  24  may be provided with a cut-out portion  36 , through which a photo  38  can be placed and viewed. Of course, the outside surface  22  instead may be provided with a cut-out portion (not shown) for a photo. Further, any surface of the card  12  may include a cut-out portion in which a business card or photograph may be inset.  
     [0021] The cover  19  may be provided with advertising related to the product  14  contained therein. For example, if the advertising is associated with a particular business, the product  14  could be personalized to thank a customer for his continued support. Alternately, the cover  19  can include a holiday greeting or an inspirational message. Similarly, the inside surface  24  may also be provided with advertising, greetings, or messages. The bottom surface  29 , as can be seen in FIG. 4, may include advertising or other information  39  regarding the product  14 .  
     [0022] The card  12  is preferably constructed of a single piece of heavy-duty paperboard or a specialized paper such as leather grain, metallic finish, linen textures, wood grain, or simulated stone. In a preferred embodiment, the card is made of Solid Bleached Sulfide (“SBS”) paperboard. The card  12  in its unassembled state is shown in FIG. 8. To form the product compartment  26 , a first panel  44  is folded over a second panel  46  while leaving sufficient distance to accommodate the tray  16  therebetween. Then a flap  48 , which is integral with the free, unfolded end of the first panel  44 , is folded under and attached to the second panel  46 , as shown in FIG. 5. The product compartment  26  can be collapsed by moving the first panel  44  towards the second panel  46 . Since the product compartment  26  can be collapsed, the card  12  can take a flat profile, thereby allowing it to be easily customized by foil stamping or on a letter press. Further, the flat profile of the card  12  facilitates its storage and stacking. The card may be constructed in known fashion using automated gluing or taping machines.  
     [0023] To form the cover  19 , a fourth panel  40  is folded over onto a third panel  42  and affixed thereto. Alternately, the third panel  42  could alone serve as the cover. The tray  16  preferably comprises a flocked styrene surface  51  with a cavity  53  shaped to accommodate a specific product. The flocked surface  51  provides a tight fit between the product  14  and the cavity  53 , and secures the product  14  therein. The advantage that results from the presence of a flocked surface is that the fibers of the flocking are “crushed” when the product  14  is inserted and as a result hold the product  14  in place in the cavity  53 . This allows the cards to be mailed without the product being dislodged. In contrast, if the cavity  53  were made of a smooth plastic material, it would not hold the product  14  in place during shipment. Also, other materials suitable to hold the product in place, such as die cut foam, could be used in place of the flocked styrene.  
     [0024] The tray  16  preferably extends the entire length of the product compartment  26  to prevent the card  12  from collapsing. The tray  16  is preferably made by a thermoforming process, includes raised ribs, and thus is crushproof. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the tray  16  is reinforced with ribs  55  to support the card  12  and further prevent it from collapsing during transport.  
     [0025] To assemble the packaging  10 , the card is assembled as described above. The product  14  is then placed within the cavity  53  of the tray  16 . The tray  16 , in turn, is slid into the product compartment  26  so that the product  14  can be seen through the window  31 . Once the cover  19  is flipped closed to cover the product compartment  26 , the packaging  10  is then ready to be displayed or shipped.  
     [0026] The card  12  of the present invention provides a safe shipping package for products that is not expensive to manufacture. In fact, the use of the collapsible product compartment  26  in combination with the flocked tray  16  makes the card  12  reasonable to produce from a cost standpoint. The construction of both the card  12  and the tray  16  allows the packaging  10  to be manufactured entirely by automated machinery, thereby bringing about a substantial saving in manufacturing costs.  
     [0027] The figures depict the product  14  contained in the card  12  as a SAPPHIRE flashlight, available from Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc., Appleton, Wis. Alternately, the product  14  carried by the tray  16  could be a medallion, such as the die struck medallion available from Armament Systems and Procedures. Thus, the shape of the cavity  47  of the tray  16  varies, depending upon the product  14  to be carried.  
     [0028] While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to these particular embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.