Patent Abstract:
A cupcake container that folds from a flattened orientation to an erect orientation. The container is formed from a single cardboard box blank including an integrated collar, which is raised over a bottom panel by two legs. The integrated collar has at least one circular opening into which a cupcake base is fitted. The front and top panels form an aperture closed by a polymer film to allow viewing of the contents of the container.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a cupcake container for the display, sale and transport of a decorated cupcake. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    A conventional box for holding cupcakes has a folded, patterned box into which is fitted an insert that has openings suited to hold cupcakes. The folded box is formed from a cardboard box blank that is cut in accordance with a box pattern and has appropriately scored fold lines where the patterned cardboard box blank folds into the shape of the box. The folded box may have a portion of the top and front cut to form a large opening for viewing the contents of the folded box. The large opening may be closed by securing a piece of polymer film or foldable plastic to a periphery of box surrounding the large opening, that is, onto an underside of the top and onto a backside of the front. Glue may be used to secure the plastic to the box. 
         [0005]    The insert, which is formed from another cardboard box blank, has a rectangular or square shape with one or more circular openings each sized to accommodate insertion of the base of a cupcake. Each of the circular openings is preferably widened by two smaller stress relief cutouts or recesses, which are in the form of semi-circles that are located substantially diametrically opposite each other. Further, each side of the rectangular or square shape of the insert has a scored fold line with corners from the scored fold line out removed so that the four sides of the insert may fold down along the for scored fold lines and fit in the folded box. 
         [0006]    Typically, the folded, patterned box is shipped in a flattened, stowed condition and the folded, patterned insert is shipped in a flattened, stowed condition. After their arrival, typically at the point of use/sale, the folded, patterned box needs to be erected into its deployed condition by unfolding it from its flattened condition into the box shape. The insert is folded along its scored lines and fitted into the erected box shape. 
         [0007]    It is, however, desirable to avoid the need for storing the two types of items (folded, patterned boxes and the inserts) separately in their flattened conditions since separate storage takes up more storage space than would common storage. It is further desired to avoid the need to bring the insert to the erected box shape for insertion at the point of use/sale. It is also desired to avoid the risk of a miscount or loss in delivery of the separate items as may occur with separate deliveries since the number of folded, patterned boxes is supposed to match the number of inserts. It is further desired to apply an inked pattern or graphics to the cardboard box blank in a single printing run to help ensure consistency in print quality as opposed to printing different cardboard box blanks in separate printing runs (such as for the folded, patterned box and for the insert). It is also preferred to cut and score fold lines in the cardboard box blank for forming the entire box rather than doing so separately, i.e., one for the folded, patterned box and another for the insert. It is also desired that the cupcake be retained in position within the folded, patterned box to enable adding frosting, icing and other food embellishments to the top of the cupcake with the container open. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    One aspect of the invention resides in a container for at least one cupcake that is folded from a flattened condition to an erect condition that forms a box shape having a panel within. The panel has at least one opening each sized to accommodate retaining and embracing a base of an associated cupcake in position. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the box has a transparent window for viewing the contents of the container, namely the at least one cupcake. 
         [0010]    Another aspect of the invention resides in a structure formed from a cardboard box blank having a plurality of scored fold lines and having adhered portions arranged so that the structure is movable between a flattened orientation and an erect orientation with folds occurring at each of the scored fold lines in the erect orientation. The structure is self-standing in the erect orientation in an upright position. The cardboard box blank defines panels connected to each other in succession by associated ones of the plurality of scored fold lines. The panels include in succession a front, a bottom, a mediate spacer leg, an integrated collar, and a distal spacer leg, the distal leg being friction fit against the front in the erect orientation, the distal leg having a distal edge that is against the bottom as the distal leg is friction fit against the front. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of the invention resides in adhered portions that include portions of two glue tabs that are adhered to a support panel and to the bottom respectively. The two glue tabs are connected to two corner panels respectively by associated ones of additional scored fold lines and arranged so that with the structure in the erect orientation and upright position, an underside of the structure includes portions of surfaces of each of the two glue tabs, the two corner flaps, the support panel and the bottom. The additional scored fold lines are positioned to bend from a substantially unbent position with the structure in an erect orientation to a substantially bent position with the structure in the flattened orientation. 
         [0012]    In addition, the panels may include first and second sets of the panels, the first set of panels having in succession a tuck tab, a top, the front, the bottom, the mediate spacer leg, the integrated collar, and the distal spacer leg, the second set having in succession a glue flap, a rear, a right sidewall, the front and a left sidewall. Each of the first and second sets has the front in common with each other. The rear is connected to a support panel by one of the plurality of scored fold lines. The left and right sidewalls are connected to associated corner flaps by associated ones of the plurality of scored fold lines. 
         [0013]    The integrated collar is integrated into the cupcake container and has an opening in communication with two stress relief recesses. The two stress relief recesses extend outwardly from the opening from locations of the opening that are substantially diametrically opposite each other. 
         [0014]    In the erect orientation, the distal leg being friction fit against a portion of an inside surface of the front that is clear of the common aperture, the distal leg having a distal edge that is against a topside of the bottom as the distal leg is friction fit against the portion of the inside surface of the front. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a cardboard box blank for making a cupcake container to hold a single cupcake according to the invention as well as a polymer film closing a window of the cardboard box blank. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is flattened view of the front, top and side of the cupcake container formed from the cardboard box blank of  FIG. 1  and glued where needed to keep the cupcake container together when erected. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a flattened view of the rear, bottom and remaining side of the cupcake container of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the cupcake container of  FIGS. 2-3 , shown partially erected with its bottom panel deployed but its integrated collar is yet to be deployed; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the top of the cupcake container of  FIG. 4 , but further erected with the retaining panel deployed as well and with one of the two dust flaps folded in preparation for closing the cover or lid. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of top, front and right side of the cupcake container of  FIG. 2 , fully erected with its cover or lid closed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the bottom, rear and left side of the cupcake container of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a die cut for a cardboard box blank suited for a dual cupcake holder suited to retain two cupcakes in a spaced relation from each other when erected. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the dual cupcake container with the cardboard box blank of  FIG. 8  folded appropriately into an erect position with its lid open and with appropriate panels glued to each other in a like manner to that for the single cupcake container embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Turning to  FIG. 1 , a cardboard box blank  10  for a cupcake container  20  ( FIGS. 2-7 ) is shown that has a window  22  closed by a transparent plastic sheet  22 A, such as a polymer film. The transparent plastic sheet  22 A is attached to the periphery of the window  22 , which extends along the backside of a front wall  12  and the underside of a top panel  18 . A tuck tab  24  extends from a free edge of the top panel  18 . In addition to the front wall  12  and the top panel  18 , the cardboard box blank  10  has a rear wall  14 , a pair of sidewalls  16 A,  16 B and a bottom panel  30 . Dust flaps  26 A,  26 B extend from a free edge of the sidewalls  16 A,  16 B respectively. 
         [0026]    The cupcake container  20  may be of an auto bottom, tuck top box style. 
         [0027]    The bottom panel  30  extends from the front wall  12  and preferably constitutes the full size of the container bottom. A mediate spacer leg  32  extends from the bottom panel  30  and an integrated collar  34  integrally extends from the mediate spacer leg  32  to serve as a cupcake spacer panel and is integrated with the rest of the cupcake container  20 . A distal spacer leg  36  extends from the integrated collar  34  and has the same height H as the mediate spacer leg  32 . When fully assembled, the mediate spacer leg  32  and the distal spacer leg  36  are substantially in parallel planes, preferably friction fit between the front and rear walls  12 ,  14  so as to exert some level of pressure against the front and rear walls  12 ,  14 . 
         [0028]    The integrated collar  34  is provided with a generally circular aperture  40 , which is also generally centered on the integrated collar  34 . The aperture  40  preferably has stress relief cutouts or recesses  42  located substantially diametrically opposite each other in the form of semi-circles that project outward from the aperture  40 . In the case of the cupcake container  20  being formed to hold only a single cupcake, the integrated collar  34  preferably has the generally circular aperture  40  centrally located so that when the cupcake is retained in the generally circular aperture  40 , the integrated collar  34  centers the cupcake in the integrated collar  34 . In the case of the cupcake container being formed to retain multiple cupcakes, the integrated collar  34  has a plurality of generally circular apertures  40  arranged preferably in a manner rendering them substantially equidistant from each other to the nearest side of the integrated collar panel. 
         [0029]    The rear panel  14  has a support panel  44  extending therefrom, and the adjacent sidewall  16 A has a bottom corner panel  46  that includes a glue tab  48  extending therefrom. Similarly, the sidewall  16 B has a bottom corner panel  50  extending therefrom, with a glue tab  52 . The sidewall  14  also has a glue flap  54 . 
         [0030]    The cupcake container  20  is assembled into its flattened condition of  FIG. 2  from the box blank  10  of  FIG. 1  by gluing areas A, A′ together to join the rear wall  14  and the sidewall  16 B and by gluing the areas B, B′ together to join the bottom corner flap  46  and the support panel  44 . Glue areas C, C′ are glued together to join the bottom corner panel  50  with the bottom panel  30 . 
         [0031]    In the flattened condition of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cupcake container  20  has its rear wall  14  overlying the sidewall  16 A with its dust flap  26 A extending upwardly and the sidewall  16 B overlies the front wall  12 , with the bottom panel  30  and the integrated collar  34  extending upwardly adjacent the top panel  18 . The support panel  44  and the corner bottom panels  46  and  50  fold upwardly within the flattened container  12  in a manner indicative of conventional auto bottom box structure. 
         [0032]    Turning to  FIG. 4 , the cupcake container  20  is shown in a partially erect orientation and is folded to provide a generally rectangular shape. The bottom panel  30  is folded downwardly into its operative position to fully occupy the bottom of the cupcake container  20 . The integrated collar  34  extends upwardly from the bottom panel  30  and adjacent the rear wall  14 . In this condition, the mediate spacer leg  32  is folded at fold line  60  ( FIG. 1 ) and extends upwardly adjacent the rear wall  14 . 
         [0033]    Turning to  FIG. 5 , the integrated collar  34  is folded downwardly into the cupcake container  20 , with the fold being at the fold line  62  (see  FIG. 1 ). Also in  FIG. 4 , the distal leg  36  is folded downwardly at the fold line  64  (see  FIG. 1 ) so that the distal leg  36  engages the bottom of he cupcake container  20  and preferably exerts pressure against the inside facing surface of the front wall  12  beneath the window  22 . 
         [0034]    The integrated collar  34  is deployed to extend across the inside of the cupcake container  20  and spaced from the bottom panel  30 . The generally circular aperture  40  and its relief cutouts or recesses  42  together configure the cupcake container  20  for receiving a base of a cupcake through the aperture  42  in a manner that allows the underside of the base of the cupcake to be supported on the topside of the bottom panel  30 . 
         [0035]    The integrated collar  34  holds or retains the cupcake in position spaced apart from the front, rear and sidewalls of the cupcake container  20  and also frictionally retains the cupcake against vertical movement within the cupcake container  20  by being friction fit into the generally circular aperture  40 . The relief or recesses  42  provide some level of resiliency to accommodate variations in the dimension of the base of the cupcake yet facilitating the edge of the generally circular aperture  40  to frictionally engage the base of the cupcake. The bottom panel  30  prevents crumbs or icing bits from sifting through the bottom of the cupcake container  20 . In addition, the two dust flaps  26 A,  26 B are shown folded outwardly, but the two dust flaps  26 A,  26 B are to be folded inwardly instead in preparation for the top panel  18 , which serves as a lid or cover of the container  20 , closing the container. 
         [0036]    Turning to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the cupcake container  20  is shown in a closed condition, with the top panel  18  closing the upper end opening of the cupcake container  20 . The tuck tab  24  is inserted adjacent the rear panel  14  and retains the cupcake container in its closed condition. The window  22  is positioned across from the front wall  12  and the top panel  18  for viewing the cupcake. The underside of the cupcake container in the erect position can be seen to be constituted by a portion of the bottom panel  30 , a portion of the support panel  44 , the two corner panels  46 ,  50  and the two glue tabs  48 ,  52 . 
         [0037]    All the scored fold lines are folded when the cupcake container  20  is in an erect orientation, except for the scored fold lines between the glue tabs  48 ,  52  and the two corner panels  46 ,  50  since those two scored fold lines are substantially flat with the cupcake container  20  in the erect position. However, those two scored fold lines bend with the cupcake container  20  in the flattened position. There are two pairs of substantially diametrically opposite scored fold lines that form the four corner edges between the front, rear and two sidewalls. One of the pairs flatten when the cupcake holder  20  is in a flattened orientation and the remaining pair bends further. 
         [0038]    The foregoing structure provides a cupcake container  20  that allows the cupcake to be seen and holds the cupcake in position so that handling of the container does not damage its icing and decoration. The cupcake container  20  is provided as an auto bottom tuck top style box, but other box styles may be used instead with the integrated collar panel as described above. The integrated collar  34  may be considered to be an integrated collar, that is, integrated with the remainder of the cupcake container  29 . 
         [0039]    Turning to  FIG. 8 , a cardboard box blank  50  is shown to accommodate retaining two cupcakes when fully erected into a dual cupcake box having the same cutouts, scored fold lines and glued portions as in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-6  except that there are two cupcake apertures  40 A,  40 B with associate pairs of stress relief cutouts  42 A,  42 B to retain two cupcakes and the dimension of the dual cupcake box is necessarily larger to accommodate retaining in position inside two cupcakes. 
         [0040]    The cardboard box blank  10 X of  FIG. 8  is substantially the same as the cardboard box blank  10  of  FIG. 1  aside from having a larger lengthwise dimension and having two cupcake apertures instead of just one. Sidewalls  16 A,  16 B are the same as are the dust flaps  26 A,  26 B, corner panels  46 ,  50 , and glue tabs  48 ,  52  that extend from the sidewalls  16 A,  16 B. However, the front panel  12 X, top panel  18 X, rear panel  14 X and bottom panel  30 X are longer also than their counterparts in the cardboard box blank  10  of  FIG. 1 , namely, the front panel  12 , top panel  18 , rear panel  14 , bottom panel  30  respectively. Also, the spacer leg  32 X, the distal leg  26 X, the tuck tab  24 X and the support panel  44 X are longer than their counterparts in the cardboard box blank  10  of  FIG. 1 , namely, spacer leg  32 , distal leg  26 , tuck tab  24  and support panel  44  respectively. The window  22 X within the front panel  12 X and top panel  18 X is wider than its counterpart window  22  in the cardboard box blank  10  of  FIG. 1  and is closed by a larger widthwise transparent sheet  22 B such as a polymer film that is glued to the underside of the front and rear panels  12 X,  18 X at the peripheral region of the window  22 X. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIG. 9 , the dimension of the cupcake container  56  that forms from the cardboard box blank  50  is necessarily larger to accommodate retaining in position inside two cupcakes instead of only one cupcake. The cupcake container  56  is shown in  FIG. 9  in an erect condition with the cover or lid open. 
         [0042]    The features, advantages and benefits of the single cupcake container  20  and dual cupcake container  20 X with their respective integrated collars  34 ,  34 X (cupcake spacer panels) are many: 
         [0043]    Indulgent cupcakes displayed in an attractively designed cardboard box, as opposed to a plastic container, are suited to be purchased as a gift. Perhaps the perception among would be purchasers is that cupcakes displayed in a cardboard box are bakery fresh since bakeries typically package fresh bakery goods in cardboard boxes, but baked goods stored in plastic are done to preserve their shelf life and thus are either not as fresh or are of low quality. 
         [0044]    The features, advantages and benefits of the cupcake container  20  or box with integrated collar  34  are many: 
         [0045]    Indulgent cupcakes displayed in an attractively designed cardboard box, as opposed to a plastic container, are suited to be purchased as a gift. Perhaps the perception among would be purchasers is that cupcakes displayed in a cardboard box are bakery fresh since bakeries typically package fresh bakery goods in cardboard boxes, but baked goods stored in plastic are done to preserve their shelf life and thus are either not as fresh or are of low quality. 
         [0046]    If the package does not restrain the cupcake from moving, the cupcake icing and decoration will become smeared against surfaces of the package to render the cupcake unsellable at full price. 
         [0047]    Although a separate cupcake integrated collar can be inserted into a conventional cupcake box to keep the cupcake from moving and marring the icing, manual labor is needed to erect the integrated collar separately and then bring the integrated collar to the box in order to then place to integrated collar inside the box in its proper position. 
         [0048]    Being that the integrated collar is separate item from the conventional cupcake box, the integrated collar must be manufactured and packaged separate from the conventional cupcake box and is then sold, shipped and stored as a separate stock keeping unit (SKU). Thus, there are two SKUs—one for the integrated collar and one for the rest of the cupcake container. 
         [0049]    On the other hand, a cupcake box equipped with an integrated collar ensures that for every box there will be a integrated collar and only one SKU. 
         [0050]    When the box is set up from its flattened orientation to its erect orientation, the integrated collar is set up at the same time, thus saving assembly time over that of conventional boxes that utilize separate integrated collars. 
         [0051]    The integrated collar has an extended tab that rises upwardly from the print surface with the integrated collar panel assembled into its erect position. That extended tab offers an additional panel to be decoratively printed, which is lacking in the case of a conventional box having a separate integrated collar that has no such extended tabs that rise upwardly. Further, conventional separate integrated collars are not printed upon typically due to the added cost associated with performing an additional printing run. In the case of an integrated collar, however, all printing can be done in a single run across the cardboard box blank. Unlike the case for the conventional separate integrated collar manufacture, there is no additional board blank needed in the integrated collar manufacture with the cupcake box. 
         [0052]    The cupcake container  20  has an unusually large waterfall style showcase window that takes up about as much room in the front as the front wall  12  cardboard and yet the cupcake container  20 &#39;s integrity is not compromised from weakening by its significant presence. Instead, because of the integrated collar and the extra support it gives to the bottom border panel of the window (beneath the window  22 ), the large full front view waterfall window  22  might not be feasible due to support issues. 
         [0053]    As can be appreciated by comparing the embodiment of the cupcake container of  FIGS. 1-7  that holds a single cupcake with the cupcake container of  FIGS. 8-9  that holds two cupcakes, the present invention may be applied to cupcake containers holding one or more cupcakes in a secure manner that avoids smearing of the cupcake icing or decoration during their transit or handling. 
         [0054]    While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1