Patent Publication Number: US-2010127053-A1

Title: Portable Gift Wrapping Combination

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/118,197 filed Nov. 26, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to gift wrapped packages and gift wrapping, and more particularly to a portable gift wrapping combination and method of wrapping a gift, where the portable gift wrapping combination comprises a sleeve of flexible material having an open end and an opposite closed end, which in certain embodiments may be packaged along with a collapsible gift box or tissue paper for wrapping the gift within, and wherein a consumer can insert a gift into a gift box, insert the gift box within the sleeve and secure the open end of the sleeve, thereby more easily and quickly wrapping a gift with less waste. 
     The use of gift wrapping is known in the art. Most gift wrapping is known to consist of large sheets of paper, packaged either in the form of a roll or a folded sheet, which is then unrolled or unfolded, the desired amount of paper cut with scissors, and then used to wrap a gift by securing the paper with adhesive tape, with optional added decoration such as a ribbon or bow. Typically, wrapping a gift in this manner is both time and energy consuming. Often, more wrapping paper is obtained than is needed, and extra paper must be cut off the side and/or ends of the wrapped gift after wrapping, with the result of wasted wrapping paper. Further, it is difficult to wrap a gift in a setting where time is of the essence and space is at a premium; for example, in a vehicle or on public transportation while on the way to a gift-giving occasion, where a large workspace is not accessible, or where it may be dangerous to use scissors or other cutting implements. 
     Moreover, in the case of asymmetrical or otherwise unusually-shaped gifts, wrapping such gifts almost always presents difficulties, as the gift often requires additional time and labor to wrap sufficiently, and the resulting wrapped gift may be of sizes and/or dimensions that are undesirable, difficult-to handle or transport, or aesthetically undesirable for the giver or recipient. Additionally, wrapping paper is not adhesive or easily secured once wrapped onto the gift; therefore, the user must also obtain and carry not only a cutting implement such as scissors, but also adhesive materials such as tape. Thus, the gift giver is often in the position of keeping track of multiple items that create clutter and can be easily lost. Even the loss or absence of a single one of these items can frustrate the gift giver&#39;s goal of providing a desirably wrapped gift. 
     Attempts have been made to streamline the gift wrapping process by providing self-contained wrap bags. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,697 to Zarrow et al. is directed to a self-contained wrap bag that can be folded over itself to provide a container for a gift. A user can insert a gift directly into the bag. However, in the case of bulky gifts or gifts that do not conform to a perfectly uniform shape, the object of providing a sleekly-wrapped gift may still be frustrated. 
     Other attempts have been made to provide preformed gift wrappings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,025 to Sloan is directed to a gift wrapping system where the gift is placed within a box, and the box is slid into an envelope-like wrapping sleeve which is then sealed to provide a gift wrapped package. However, the wrapping of Sloan does not substantially conform to the dimensions of the box (as seen from Sloan, the wrapped article is hexahedronally shaped), so some extra wrapping extends beyond the edges of the box, resulting in a somewhat irregularly-shaped finally wrapped gift (According to Sloan, the shape of the final wrapped gift is “arcuate”). In addition to providing an undesirable final wrapped package, such a gift may still be difficult to transport or to stack with other gifts as, for example, under a Christmas tree, because of its sharp edges that protrude out. 
     In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,665 to Scott describes a gift package sleeve, which can be slid over a gift box before offering the gift to a recipient. Other products are currently sold on the market, for example, products sold under the names “Wrap It Up” (www.wrapitup.com) and “Wrap and Go” (www.wrapandgo.com), that purport to make it easier for users to wrap gifts quickly and with minimum effort. However, in these cases the boxes are provided with the wrapping paper fixed thereon, and thus there is a limit to the interchangeability of the wrapping paper on different boxes. 
     In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,051 to Triglia et al. is also directed to a gift wrapper including a bag-like sleeve of paper to wrap a box of predetermined size. However, Triglia requires somewhat bulky materials, such as cardboard guide and support members, which may add to cost and lead to heavier and bulkier materials. Further, the bag-like sleeve described therein includes stiff guide and support members that protrude beyond the open end of the bag-like sleeve. 
     In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,734 to Smith is directed to a pre-cut sheet of wrapping paper with peel-and-stick adhesive strips that can be sized and cut to foldably wrap packages. However, this sheet of wrapping paper does not eliminate many of the disadvantages discussed above—including lack of convenience, as well as the necessity to customize the paper to the box and then apply the paper directly to the box in an exact fashion or else risk not adequately covering the box. 
     Thus, there is a limit to what the packaging opportunities known in the art can provide, and a need remains for an affordable, simple and easy to transport gift wrapping combination that will avoid the drawbacks known in the art, by allowing a user to wrap a gift quickly and easily, with a limited number of required steps, without the need to use scissors or other dangerous cutting implements, and without wasted materials. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a gift wrapping combination comprising a box and a sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open end; wherein the sleeve has a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the box, wherein the box can be slidably inserted into the sleeve of flexible material through the open end, and the open end secured to completely enclose the box; and wherein the open end of the sleeve comprises adhesion means. 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of wrapping a gift, the method comprising the steps of: 
     (a) sealing the gift within a box; 
     (b) providing a sleeve having an open end and an opposite closed end, where the sleeve exceeds the length of the box at the sleeve&#39;s open end; 
     (c) inserting the box into the sleeve through the sleeve&#39;s open end; and 
     (d) securing the open end of the sleeve with an adhesive, such that when secure, the size and dimensions of the sleeve substantially conform to the size and dimensions of the box. 
     In certain embodiments, the method comprises the additional step of 
     (e) securing a ribbon, bow or tag to the wrapped box. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a gift wrapping combination according to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front in its packaging. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side view of the box and sleeve just prior to placing the box within the sleeve and sealing the wrapped gift. 
         FIG. 3  shows the finally wrapped gift when the gift wrapping combination of the present invention has been fully utilized. 
         FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  are side views of alternate embodiments of the sleeve of the present invention 
         FIGS. 5   a  through  5   d  illustrate additional embodiments of the present invention, directed to the portable gift wrapping combination as well as the steps of placing the box within the sleeve and sealing the wrapped gift. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a gift wrapping combination comprising a box and a sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open end, the sleeve having a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the box. 
     In certain embodiments, the gift wrapping combination is directly only to a sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open end; or alternatively, only to the sleeve of flexible material along with a ribbon or bow or other decorative item; or alternatively, only to the sleeve of flexible material along with interior wrapping paper or material such as cloth or cotton, packing peanuts or other cushioning material for wrapping loosely around a gift before it is inserted into a box. In such embodiments, it would be necessary for a user to obtain a box separately from the portable gift wrapping combination of the present embodiments. In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible material has dimensions that are easily compatible with boxes that are available on the market. 
     In various embodiments where the portable gift wrapping combination includes a box, the box may be provided in separate pieces that may be assembled prior to sealing the gift therein. By “sealing” the gift herein it is meant that the gift is to be placed within the box and the box closed. This may be effected by, e.g., closing the box via a flap that is secured or via a lid that is closed (in the case of a box having a lid). 
     In various embodiments, the box is made of paper or thin cardboard material, and may be in one piece but collapsible or easily flattened for ease of transport and handling. In various embodiments, the box and the sleeve of flexible material may be packaged together in, for example, a kit comprising a flat package wherein the combination is covered with clear plastic, such that the combination can be viewed by a consumer prior to purchasing. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , when packaged, the combination is flat and easy to transport. In various embodiments, the combination or kit is packaged in clear plastic such that the decorative design  1  on the sleeve  6  is visible through the front of the packaging. In such embodiments, the package may further comprise a backing member  13  which, when used in conjunction with the hang tag  4 , provides for easy display and purchase of the gift wrapping combination. Further, the combination may include a ribbon  2 , and either a separate tag that can be attached to the final wrapped gift or a simulated tag  3  that is printed on the surface of the sleeve  6 . In various embodiments, the packaging includes a hang tag  4  for easy display. 
     In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible material  6  has a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the box, such that the box can be easily slipped into the sleeve of flexible material to provide a nice finally wrapped gift that does not waste paper or require tools such as scissors, and that provides a package having a substantially square configuration (such as a cube) or rectangular configuration. As used herein, “substantially square or rectangular” means that is, having two or more 90 degree angles. This provides a final wrapped gift that can be easily transported and stacked, as on a table or under a Christmas tree, for example. By describing “the sleeve having a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the box” it is meant that the sleeve and the box have dimensions that are within about 2 mm to about 1 cm of each other, such that the box may be inserted into the open end of the sleeve to provide a snug fit in the same manner as that of a traditionally-wrapped gift, and wherein the final wrapped gift provides a visual effect that is similar to that of a traditionally-wrapped gift. In the embodiments of the present invention comprising only the sleeve of flexible material, only the sleeve of flexible material and a bow or ribbon or other decorative object, or only the sleeve of flexible material and interior wrapping material, the sleeve of flexible material should have size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of a box that is available on the market. 
     In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible material  6  comprises flexible material that is non self-supporting. In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible material  6  comprises paper, plastic (for example, clear plastic such as cellophane), paper coated in plastic (such as that which can make the surface of the wrapped gift waterproof or soilproof, for example), foil or foil-like material, sacking or any type of cloth, including without limitation: gauze, netting, lace, tulle, velvet or velvet-like material, natural or synthetic fur or wool, wood or other cellulosic material such as plant material, or any other material that provides a visual, tactile or otherwise aesthetically pleasing quality desirable to the consumer. The flexible material may be a sheet material having a decorative design imprinted thereon. The decorative design  1  may be one that is suitable for any of various gift giving occasions. The present Figures demonstrate an embodiment of the present invention in which the decorative design is one of stripes. As seen in  FIG. 2 , once the box  5  is formed, it can be slipped into the sleeve of flexible material  6  via its open end  7 , all the way into the sleeve to touch its closed end  8 . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d,  in various embodiments the sleeve comprises a portion adjacent to its open end wherein the flexible material has a length exceeding that of the box when the box is inserted into the sleeve. In certain embodiments, this portion  14  is of substantially uniform length around the outer perimeter of the box adjacent to the open end of the sleeve, such that the portion may be folded down to complete the wrapping of the gift. In certain embodiments, this portion  14  is of substantially uniform length around the outer perimeter  15  of the box adjacent to the open end of the sleeve, and may be folded down to complete the wrapping of the gift as depicted in  FIG. 5   c.  In certain embodiments, the adhesion means comprises an adhesive strip or patch  16  disposed on the portion of the sleeve exceeding the length of the box, as shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c.  In various embodiments, the sleeve is made entirely of lightweight paper such as, e.g., paper of the same grade as wrapping paper known in the art; that is, its entirety, including the portion  14  described herein, is all of the same sheet of material. This is in contrast to the teachings of, for example, Triglia et al. described previously, in that guide and support members made of stiff material such as cardboard are not necessary. 
     In certain embodiments, the sleeve may or may not comprise score lines, creases or the like to further provide ease of use for the person wrapping the gift. However, in some embodiments, score lines, creases or the like are not necessary. 
     In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible material contains at its open end  7  an adhesion means  10  for securing the open end  7  closed once the box  5  containing the gift has been slipped into it. Thus, the box can be slipped into the sleeve until it reaches the closed end  8 , and the open end can be closed by folding along the portion that corresponds to the outer perimeter  15  of the box adjacent to the open end of the sleeve, such that the gift is quickly and easily wrapped. 
       FIG. 4   a.  shows an embodiment of the sleeve of flexible material  6  of the present invention. In  FIG. 4   a,  the sleeve is completely open and read to receive the box through its open end  7 . As can be seen, creases  12  are located on either or both of the parallel side walls of the sleeve, such that the sleeve can be folded along these creases to make it easily collapsible for packaging, but once removed from the packaging the sleeve can also be easily opened into its ready position for receiving the box.  FIG. 4   b  demonstrates a view of the side of a sleeve of one embodiment of the invention, where the sleeve is being un-collapsed from its flattened packaged position, by straightening its sides along the creases  12  to create the flat closed end  8 . This flat closed end  8  is folded back upon the sleeve  6  while in packaging, but can be opened by pushing downward to receive the box. 
     In various embodiments, the adhesion means  10  is located either on a lengthened flap of flexible material  9  that protrudes longer than the other four sides of the open end, as pictured in  FIG. 2 . However, in other embodiments there is no lengthened flap  9  (for example, the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b ), and at the open end of the sleeve, all four sides are of equal length; in such cases the adhesion means may be located on at least one of the four sides, and in certain embodiments, there may be score lines or other means for guiding the user in the appropriate manner of securing the adhesion means. 
     In various embodiments, the adhesion means  10  may comprise patch or strip of adhesive material, such as a sticky strip of glue or tape that is covered with a strip of non-adhesive paper and will stick once the strip of non-adhesive paper is removed, or a patch or strip that is activated when material such as water is added, or pressure sensitive, such as that activated merely by pressing the patch or strip to the edge of the open end such that the open end is closed. The adhesion means may also comprise, in various embodiments, a string or wire that is attached at one end to the open end of the sleeve, and which is secured to the opposite part of the open end in order to close the open end; or a button with a corresponding hole which when closed effects closure of the open end; or a snap or hook having two parts, one on each of the open end and the edge of the open end, where the two parts effect closure of the open end when joined together, or adhesive material comprising loops such as, for example, material available under the trade name of Velcro®. 
     In various embodiments, the gift wrapping combination or kit may also comprise additional materials such as interior wrapping paper or material. As used herein, the term “interior wrapping paper or material” refers to interior wrapping paper (for example, tissue paper or other light paper) or material such as cloth or cotton, packing peanuts, packing material made of synthetic materials such as polystyrene or other polymeric material or biodegradable equivalents, natural material such as beans or grains, or other cushioning material for wrapping loosely around the gift before it is inserted into the box. 
     In various embodiments, the gift wrapping combination may also comprise at least one additional article (herein referred to as a “decorative article”) such as a ribbon, a bow, rope, string or other string-like material such as, for example, raffia, paper, beads, metallic wire, gemstones, ornaments, plant material including but not limited to straw, stems, vines, branches, roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, vegetables, legumes, fruit or berries (whether real or synthetic) or the like. In various embodiments, any of the features mentioned within this disclosure may be coordinated or matched, either by color or texture or material, with each other or at least one of the box or the decoration on the sleeve of flexible material. 
     In certain embodiments, a tag may further be affixed to the final wrapped gift by, e.g., adhesive or tying, and the tag may be used to identify the gift giver or the recipient of the gift. In certain other embodiments, a separate tag is not used, but rather the design of the decorative sleeve may incorporate a simulated “tag” on its surface wherein the gift giver can identify (by writing) the recipient of the gift, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The gift wrapping combination may be presented in any suitable size for any of an array of potentially sized gifts, so long as the sleeve has a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the box. 
     In other embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method of wrapping a gift, the method comprising the steps of: 
     (a) sealing the gift within a box; 
     (b) slipping the box into a sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open end, the sleeve having a size and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the box; and 
     (c) securing the open end of the sleeve with adhesion means. 
     In certain embodiments, the method comprises the additional step of (d) placing an article onto the wrapped box. The article may be chosen from decorative or novelty articles such as a sticker, a ribbon, a bow, rope, string or other string-like material such as, for example, raffia, paper, beads, metallic wire, gemstones, ornaments, plant material such as straw, stems, vines, branches, leaves, flowers, fruit or berries (whether real or synthetic) or the like, or a tag for identifying the giver or recipient of the gift. 
     In various embodiments, the box and sleeve of the present invention may be shaped or sized such that they are capable of holding gifts of varying size; for example, a gift or gifts that are similarly sized to hold a cube or a generally rectangular shaped box with 90 degree angles. Preferably, the box and sleeve of the present invention are substantially square or rectangular—that is, both comprise at least two or more right angles, such that their dimensions substantially conform to each other. As used herein, “substantially conform” means that the two should be configured such that the box, when slid into the sleeve, fits snugly therein such that the resultant gift wrapped package presents a pleasing shape without either extraneous flexible material, extraneous space between the box and the sleeve, or an insufficient amount of flexible material to cover the box fully. 
     In various embodiments, the box and sleeve of the present invention may be chosen from among the following shapes and dimensions (all in inches, and all dimensions plus or minus a range of about 0.25 inch to about 0.5 inch are contemplated within the scope of the embodiments): 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Box: 
                 9.5 × 2 × 15 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4 × 4 × 4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4 × 4 × 6 
               
               
                   
                   
                 10 × 1.25 × 7 
               
               
                   
                   
                 11 × 2.5 × 17 
               
               
                   
                   
                 12 × 3 × 19 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4 × .75 × 14 
               
               
                   
                   
                 12 × 6 × 12 
               
               
                   
                   
                 16 × 7 × 16 
               
               
                   
                 Sleeve: 
                 9.75 × 2 × 16.5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4.25 × 4 × 6.5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4.25 × 4 × 8.5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 10.25 × 1.25 × 8.25 
               
               
                   
                   
                 11.25 × 2.5 × 19 
               
               
                   
                   
                 12.25 × 3 × 21 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4.25 × .75 × 15 
               
               
                   
                   
                 12.5 × 6 × 16 
               
               
                   
                   
                 16.5 × 7 × 20.5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     All embodiments described herein are illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, and the invention may be embodied in other forms not explicitly described here, without departing from the spirit thereof.