Patent Publication Number: US-2005127083-A1

Title: Gift wrap storage container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is a non-provisional application claiming priority from U.S. provisional application No. 60/517,346 filed Nov. 4, 2003, the entire specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Technical Field  
      This invention generally relates to storage cases. More particularly, the invention relates to a closeable storage case for holding a number of rolls of sheet material such as gift wrapping paper. Specifically, the invention relates to a storage case that includes a plurality of coaxially aligned pairs of roll retaining mechanisms that secure rolls of paper between them but allow the rolls to rotate when paper is to be dispensed.  
      2. Background Information  
      One of the major problems with gift wrap is that the user ends up with multiple rolls of wrapping paper, with the tape and scissors being buried under the rolls and with trying to store the rolls of gift wrap in a manner that substantially prevents damage.  
      Therefore there is a need in the prior art to provide a case that holds a number of rolls of gift wrap and related implements and accessories and which can be easily and conveniently carried about and stored. It is also desirable to provide a case that allows any one of a number of rolls of gift wrap to be dispensed with rapidity and ease.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention is a storage case that has an upper section and a lower section that can be secured together to form a box with an interior. The box is adapted to securely hold a number of rolls of gift wrap so that they lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box. The rolls are secured within the box so that they cannot be accidentally dislodged but at the same time they are secured in such a manner that the rolls can freely rotate as gift wrap is dispensed. The storage case also includes at least one compartment for securely holding other wrapping accessories, such as ribbon and adhesive tape. The case includes cutters for cutting sections of wrap, tape and ribbon from the rolls of the same which are secured within the interior of the box. The upper and lower sections of the case are securable together and the case includes a handle to allow it to be easily transported and stored. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the storage case of the present invention shown in the closed position;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the storage case of  FIG. 1 , shown in the open position and illustrating a first embodiment of roll retainer for securing rolls of sheet material therein;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the storage case of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional front view of the storage case through line  3 A- 3 A of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the first embodiment of roll retainer for use in the storage case;  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of roll retainer for use in the storage case;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the storage case incorporating a third embodiment of roll retainer therein;  
       FIG. 6A  is an exploded perspective view of the storage case of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional side view of the storage case of  FIG. 6  in the closed position;  
       FIG. 6C  is an enlarged perspective view of the roll retainer used in the storage case of  FIG. 6 ;  FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the storage case showing a fourth embodiment of a roll retainer;  
       FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional front view of the storage case of  FIG. 7  with the rolls secured therein;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a molded insert for the storage case and showing a fifth embodiment of roll retainer;  
       FIG. 8A  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the left side of the roll retainer of  FIG. 8  with the rolls of sheet material removed therefrom;  
       FIG. 8B  is a rear perspective of the insert of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 8C  is an enlarged partial perspective view of a portion of the accessory compartment of the insert of  FIG. 8 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a storage case in accordance with the present invention and incorporating a sixth embodiment of roll retainer therein;  
       FIG. 9A  is an exploded perspective view of the storage case of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional front view of the storage case of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 9C  is a cross-sectional side view of the storage case of  FIG. 9  in the closed position;  
       FIG. 10  is a top view of a storage case in accordance with the present invention and showing a cutter mechanism mounted in the top wall thereof; and  
       FIG. 10A  is a front view of the storage case of  FIG. 10 .  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1-3A , there is shown a storage case, indicated generally at  10 , in accordance with the present invention. Case  10  includes two spaced-apart roll retainers  12  that are adapted to rotatably support a plurality of hollow tubular rolls  14  holding sheet-like material, such as gift wrapping paper  24 . Case  10  preferably also include compartments  16  that are adapted to hold rolls of adhesive tape  18 , spools of ribbon  20  and other accessories for wrapping and decorating gifts such as gift cards and writing implements. Compartments  16  may be integrally formed with roll retainer  12  or may be a separate unit. Roll retainer  12  and other embodiments thereof will be described hereinafter. A cutter blade  22  preferably is provided along a front edge of case  10  so as to allow a user to cleanly cut through the paper  24  when a desired length of the same has been unwound from rolls  14 .  
      Continuing to refer to  FIGS. 1-3A  and to  FIG. 4 , storage case  10  may be manufactured from cardboard or wood, or may be molded from plastic or any other suitable material. Case  10  includes an upper section or lid  26  and a lower storage section  28 . Lid  26  preferably has a planar top panel  30  and a downwardly extending closure panel  32 . Top panel  30  may include an aperture  34  through which the paper  24  on rolls  14  may be viewed. Panel  32  preferably includes an aperture  36  which is sized to receive a handle  38  therethrough. Storage section  28  includes a bottom wall  40 , side walls  42  and  44 , a front wall  46  and a rear wall  48 . Section  28  is therefore a substantially rectangular open-topped box having a length that is at least sufficient to accommodate the length of rolls  14 . Additionally, the length of section  28  may include the width of roll retainers  12  and compartments  16 . Section  28  is adapted to receive rolls  14  which are horizontally oriented and lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis XX′ of the bottom wall  40 . Top panel  30  of lid  26  is hingedly connected to the rear wall  48  of section  28  by means of conventional hinges (not shown). Preferably, lid  26  and storage section  28  are integrally formed as a one-piece plastic member and top panel  30  is separated from rear wall  48  by a thinner area of plastic which forms a hinge  49  therebetween.  
      Front wall  46  of storage section  28  preferably includes a recess  50  into which cutter blade  22  is mounted. Recess  50  is of a length sufficient to accommodate the width of paper  24  carried on rolls  14 . Cutter blade  22  preferably has a plurality of teeth or a sharpened edge  52  to cut through the paper  24 . It will be understood by those skilled in the art that recess  50  does not need to be formed in front wall  46  and that blade  22  may be mounted on the top edge  46   a  ( FIG. 2 ) of front wall  46  or on the lower edge  32   a  of panel  32  without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
      When storage case  10  is closed ( FIG. 1 ), panel  32  of lid  26  overlaps front wall  46  of section  28 . Handle  38  preferably is mounted on front wall  46  of section  28  and is receivable through aperture  36  to keep case  10  substantially in the closed position. While a locking mechanism (not shown) may be provided, case  10  is easily held shut by handle  38  projecting through aperture  36  in lid  26 . Alternatively, handle  38  may be mounted directly onto panel  32  and a lock (not shown) may be provided to secure upper and storage sections  26  and  28  together.  
      Case  10  and its component parts, such as roll retainers  12  and compartments  16 , may be integrally manufactured from one material such as cardboard, wood or molded plastic. However, roll retainers  12  and/or compartments  16  may be separately formed and these separate components may be manufactured from a completely different material than case  10  and inserted into case  10  and secured into place by friction, adhesive, screws or any other devices. Furthermore, while compartments  16  are shown in  FIGS. 2-3A  as being disposed substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis XX′ of section  28 , they may alternatively be formed or inserted to lie substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis XX′ of section  28 . It can be seen in  FIGS. 2-4 , that case includes at least one compartment  16  that is adapted to hold accessories such as spools of ribbon  20  and adhesive tape dispensers  18 . In order to provide a mechanism for mounting spools of ribbon  20 , walls  16   a ,  16   b  of compartment  16  includes opposed aligned apertures  98  that are adapted to receive shafts  100  therein. Shafts  100  are received through bores  23  of spools of ribbon  20  and are adapted to secure the spools of ribbon  20  within compartments  16 . A cutter  51  ( FIG. 3 ) preferably is provided on compartment  16  for cutting lengths of ribbon  20  or tape  18 . Cutter  51  may be fixedly mounted on compartment  16  or may slide along a groove  53  to lay proximate the ribbon or tape.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 9 C, a variety of different embodiments of roll retainer  12  may be used to hold rolls  14  of paper  24  within case  10 .  FIGS. 3-4 , show a first embodiment of roll retainer  12  that comprises a support bracket  58  having a plurality of hubs or nodes  54  mounted or formed on depressable tabs  56 . One roll retainer  12   a  is disposed proximate side wall  42  and a second roll retainer  12   b  is disposed proximate side wall  44 . The distance between roll retainers  12   a  and  12   b  is approximately equal to the length of a roll  14  of paper  24 . When the two roll retainers  12   a ,  12   b  are so positioned, pairs of nodes  54  on the respective roll retainers are coaxially aligned with each other, such as is indicated by coaxially aligned tabs  56   a ,  56   b . When a roll  14  is to be inserted between the nodes  54  of a coaxially aligned pair, at least one of the tabs  56  is depressed inwardly in the direction of arrow A, as is shown on tab  56   c  of  FIG. 4 . One end of a roll  14  is inserted over one of the nodes  54  of the pair so that node  54  enters a bore  86  of roll  14 . The other end of roll  14  is brought into proximity of the second node of the pair. The depressed tab  56  is then allowed to spring back into its starting position and roll  14  is clamped between the two tabs. In this position, roll  14  is mounted for axial rotation between the two nodes  54  ( FIG. 2 ).  
      A second embodiment of roll retainer is shown in  FIG. 5  and indicated at  112 . In this embodiment, roll retainer  112  comprises a support bracket  158  that includes a plurality of nodes  154  fixedly mounted or formed on bracket  158 . Roll retainers  112  may be positioned in abutting contact with side walls  42 ,  44  of a storage case  10  or in abutting contact with a separately formed compartment unit (not shown). A roll  14  of paper  24  is inserted onto coaxially aligned nodes  154  of opposing roll retainers  112  by causing the cardboard tube that typically forms roll  14  to deform slightly to fit into the gap between opposing nodes  154 . Once the nodes  154  are engaged in bore  86  of roll  14 , the cardboard tube can simply be straightened out again. Roll retainer  112  may alternatively be used in conjunction with roll retainer  12  as previously described. In that instance, tab  56  of roll retainer  12  is depressed in order to allow roll  14  to be inserted between roll retainer  12  and roll retainer  112 .  
      A storage case  210 , including a third embodiment of a roll retainer  212  is illustrated in  FIGS. 6-6C  and generally indicated at  212 . In roll retainer  212 , support bracket  258  includes a plurality of spaced-apart grooves  260  separated from each other by ridges  262 . Grooves  260  are arcuate in cross-section when viewed from the sides of storage case  10 . Grooves  260  of the two spaced apart roll retainers  212  are aligned in coaxial pairs so that a single roll  14  of sheet material may be supported therebetween. Each groove  260  preferably has a curvature which is less than that of a complete circle, but greater than that of a semicircle. This degree of curvature is sufficient to provide a snap-fit type of interaction with ends  14   a  of a roll  14 . The curvature of grooves  260  therefore hold the ends  14   a  of roll  14  sufficiently firmly so as to prevent roll  14  from being accidentally dislodged from groove  260  when paper  24  is removed from roll  14 , but also sufficiently loosely to allow roll  14  to rotate therein. The outer edges of paper  24  on roll  14  are supported by ridges  262  when paper  24  pulled forwardly toward the cutter blade  222  as paper  24  is removed from roll  14 . A single roll retainer  212  of the design shown in  FIGS. 6-6C  may be used in combination with either of the previously described roll retainers  12  and  112 . It should be understood that the grooves  260  of the spaced apart roll retainers  212  are aligned in coaxial pairs such as  260   a  and  260   b  ( FIG. 6 ) and that the grooves of at least one of the coaxial pairs can have a first diameter and the grooves of one other of the coaxial pairs can have a second diameter (not shown), with the first and second diameters being different. This enables differently sized rolls  14  of sheet material to be held in the differently diametered roll retainers  212 . It should also be noted from  FIGS. 6-6C  that both the lid  226  and storage section  228  of case  210  preferably are rectangular open-topped boxes which each include roll retainers  212  for holding a plurality of rolls of sheet material therein. Furthermore storage case  210  also includes an accessory compartment  216  for holding ribbon, adhesive tape, gift cards, writing implements etc. Compartment  216  may also be provided with a plurality of alternating grooves  260  and ridges  262  so that smaller rolls  14 B of sheet material can be secured between compartment  216  and supports  258 . As with previous embodiments, case  210  may be provided with an aperture  234  through which the rolls  14  and  14 B can be partially viewed, and with a second aperture (not shown) through which handle  238  can be received for securing lid  226  and section  228  together.  
      A fourth embodiment of a roll retainer is illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 7 A and indicated generally at  312 . In this embodiment, roll retainer  312  may be provided proximate one end of case  10  and the other side wall  342  may be provided with a plurality of spaced apart holes  368  ( FIG. 7A ) which are coaxially aligned with holes  364  in support  358 . Supporting rods  366  extend through bores  86  of rolls  14  and are inserted into aligned holes  364  and  368  and rotatably mount rolls  14  thereon. Alternatively, it will be understood that identical roll retainers  312  may be provided at both ends of case  310  and be positioned so that pairs of coaxially aligned holes  364  are provided for receipt of rolls  14 . In order to insert a rod  366  and roll  14  into the aligned pair of holes  364  and  368 , a first end  366   a  of rod  14  is inserted into a hole  364  in support bracket  358  and pushed sufficiently therein, in the direction of arrow C ( FIG. 7 ) to allow the second end  366   b  to clear inner surface  342   a  ( FIG. 7A ) of side wall  342 . The second end  366   b  of rod  366  is then brought into the proximity of hole  368  and rod  366  is moved in the direction of arrow D. This allows second end  366   b  to be inserted into the hole  368 . As can be seen from  FIG. 7A , rod  366  is slightly longer than roll  14  so that roll  14  can rotate freely as paper  24  is unwound therefrom. Support bracket  358  may also include a compartment  316  for holding ribbon spools  20  and adhesive tape dispenser  18 . Shafts  370  are insertable through the bore of spools of ribbon  20  and through coaxially aligned holes  364  and  372  enabling ribbon to be dispensed therefrom. A cutter blade  322  is provided to cut paper  24  and ribbon therefrom.  
      A fifth embodiment of a roll retainer is illustrated in  FIGS. 8-8C  and indicated generally at  412 . This storage case  410  preferably is molded from a material such as plastic with the front and rear walls  446 ,  448 , bottom wall  440  and side walls  442 ,  444  are integrally formed. Roll retainer  412  includes a support bracket, namely side wall  444  and retainer wall  466  ( FIG. 8 ), that each have a plurality of spaced-apart detents  474  mounted or formed thereon. Detents  474  on opposing walls  444 ,  466  are coaxially aligned in pairs. Detents  474  preferably have a semicircular or circular perimeter so that the ends of a roll  14  may be rotatably held thereon. The support or side walls  444 ,  446  may include cut-away sections  476  associated with each detent  474  to allow for easier rotation of a roll  14  thereon. In order to insert a roll  14  between pairs of coaxially aligned detents  474 , the cardboard inner tube of roll  14  is slightly deformed as previously described, so that detents  474  engage in the bore  86  of roll  14 . Once the roll  14  is engaged on detents  474 , the cardboard tube is manipulated so that the deformity is substantially reversed. Roll  14  is then free to rotate and to dispense paper therefrom. Compartments  416   a ,  416   b  may be molded as part of storage case  410  and are provided for holding rolls of adhesive tape  18  and spools of ribbon  20 . Spools of ribbon  20  may be inserted over upstanding support posts  488  which include outwardly flaring guides  489 . Guides  489  have sufficient flexibility to allow spool  21  to be pushed over them and onto post  488 , but prevent it from being accidentally removed therefrom. Additionally, it should be understood that while a conventional adhesive tape dispenser  18  is shown in the attached drawings, the roll of tape may be removed from the dispenser  18  and be mounted into the storage case in a manner similar to that described with reference to the spools of ribbon  20 . The ribbon and tape may be cut using a cutter blade (not shown) attached to storage case  410 , or may be cut using other conventional means such as scissors.  
       FIGS. 9 through 9 C show a storage case  510 , which again has both upper and lower storage sections  26 ,  28  shaped as open-topped rectangular boxes for storing and dispensing sheet materials, such as gift wrapping paper  24 . Upper and storage sections preferably are open-topped rectangular boxes that are hinged together by hinge  549 . Case  510  is adapted to store rolls  14  in both upper section  526  and lower section  528  in the manner previously described with reference to section  28  of case  10 . A sixth embodiment of a roll retainer is illustrated in  FIGS. 9-9C  and generally indicated at  512 . In this embodiment, each support bracket  558  includes a plurality of spaced apart holes  582 . A plurality of dowels  584  are inserted through holes  582  and engage in bores  86  of rolls  14 . Rolls  14  are placed into case  510  by inserting dowels  584   a  ( FIG. 9A ) into holes  582   a  in support bracket  558   a . Rolls  14  are then positioned between the two coaxially aligned support brackets  558   a  and  558   b  (and dowels  584   b  are inserted through holes  582   b  and into bores  86  of rolls  14 ). Dowels  584   b  extend partially into compartment  516  formed between bracket  558   b  and side wall  542  so that they may easily be grasped for removal from a roll  14  which no longer has any paper  24 . As is shown in  FIGS. 9B and 9C , when case  510  is closed and the upper and storage sections  526 ,  528  are disposed one on top of the other, rolls  14  are staggered with respect to each other so that they do not interfere with each other.  
      It will be understood by those skilled in the art that any combination of previously described roll retainers  12 ,  112 ,  212 ,  312 ,  412  and  512  may be used in a storage case  10  through  510  in accordance with the present invention. It is also to be understood by those skilled in the art, that the roll retainers, if separately manufactured, may be movable relative to each other so that a different length of roll  14  can be held between cooperating pairs of roll retainers. It should also be understood that a storage case may require only one roll retainer if the opposite side wall of the storage case includes some type of axially aligned mechanism to cooperate with the roll supporting mechanism provided on any of the previously described roll retainers. The retainers as described herein are by way of example only and the retainers are not limited to these specific descriptions but may include any other suitable mechanisms for rotatably locking a roll  14  into a section of storage case.  
      Furthermore, as is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 10 A, a slot  690  may be provided in the top panel  630  of upper section  626  of storage case  610 . A cooperating cutter blade  622  may be slidably mounted within slot  690  and blade  622  is drawn across the paper  24  to cut a section of paper from the roll mounted within the storage case  610 .  
      In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.  
      Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.