Abstract:
The present invention is a combination shipping and display device that is adapted to serve as both the manufacturer&#39;s packaging and an easily assembled display stand for said articles. The present invention securely holds the articles to be shipped and displayed within recesses in a tray portion of a container. The tray portion of the container is preferably composed of ethylene vinyl acetate and each tray is individually created for each order. The trays may hold a variety of different items, such as knives, bottles of wine, cheese, and the like. Whereas conventional manufacturer&#39;s packaging is suitable solely to ship objects to a given destination, the present invention also has an organized, aesthetically pleasing, and engaging configuration for holding the articles that makes it doubly suited as a display stand.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/842,158 filed on Jul. 2, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to merchandise display devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to display devices that may also be used to safely ship and transport merchandise. 
         [0004]    Effectively displaying articles of merchandise, such as knives, bottles of wine, and the like, can be an extremely time-consuming for store-owners because it is difficult to create displays for these items that are engaging for consumers. Furthermore, in order to create these displays, store owners must remove the items from the manufacturer&#39;s packaging, build the display, and then insert the articles of merchandise into the display. It would be a much more efficient process if store owners could simply open up the manufacturer&#39;s packaging and then display the items immediately thereafter; however, conventional manufacturer&#39;s packaging is generally unattractive and not set up to properly display these items. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for a combination packaging and display stand that is adapted for both securely transporting articles of merchandise and displaying said articles once they have arrived at the retail store with minimal effort on the part of the store owner. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to shipping or storage devices for knives and other such articles. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to cutlery support or holder devices. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0007]    Some such devices comprise a stand or holder that has a series of slots that are adapted to accept knives therein. Knives held within these such stands or holders are held adequately for general storage purposes, but cannot be used to store knives while being transported because the knives are held too loosely within the slots. Loosely secured knives could potentially become damaged during transport and are also unsafe. The present invention is also a stand or holder that comprises a plurality of slots adapted to hold knives; however, the slots of the present invention are specifically adapted to securely and tightly hold a particularly knife of a given size and shape. This ensures that the knife will be sheathed securely within a slot, protecting the knife from damage when shipped or transported and protecting individuals handling the present invention from injuries resulting from improperly secured knives. 
         [0008]    Various types of packaging materials for safely and securely shipping knives are known in the prior art. These include sheaths or cases that are removably affixed over the blade region of a knife in order to prevent the blade from damaging or being damaged by other objects and to prevent individuals from being injured by an exposed blade. One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a sheath element that is securable around the blade region of a knife; however, the present invention further comprises a stand having a plurality of slots into which the sheathed blade regions of the knives can be inserted. Because the present invention provides a combined transport stand and sheath elements, the knives being transported using the present invention are both sheathed and held in place during transport, further reducing the likelihood of any damage occurring to the knives. 
         [0009]    Manufacturer packaging materials having display windows for viewing one or more of the articles contained therein are also known in the prior art. These packaging materials generally comprises a box adapted to hold one or multiple articles having a transparent plastic window through which an individual can see into the interior volume of the box and see one or multiple of said articles. In some of these types of packaging materials the object to be viewed is specifically positioned so that it is aligned with the window and thereby makes the packaging system more aesthetically pleasing. Such packaging materials are still inadequate at providing a quality, aesthetically pleasing, interactive display stand for the articles, as required by many high-end sellers. Even if one of the articles is viewable through the display window, it still cannot be interacted with by prospective purchasers because it is enclosed within the box. Furthermore, viewing an article through a display window in a box is generally an unsatisfying experience for consumers and may discourage potential sales. Conversely, the present invention provides display holder that simultaneously displays all of the items held within the container in a visually interesting manner that engages prospective purchasers. Furthermore, the present invention doubles as the manufacturing packaging, providing a display stand that is available to use straight out of the box. 
         [0010]    The present invention comprises a display stand having a plurality of slots adapted to hold knives and a variety of other articles. The slots are specifically tailored for each article that is to be placed therein, thereby ensuring that the given article is securely and safely held in place during transport. In addition to manufacturing packaging, the present invention also doubles as an aesthetically pleasing display stand because the perforated slots are disposed about the top surface of the device in an organized, vertical manner. Furthermore, the depths of the slots can be varied to create an even more visually pleasing display stand, wherein the heights of the various articles are varied correspondingly. 
         [0011]    The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing merchandise packaging and display stand devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of merchandise packaging and display stand devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new perforated shipping and display device for merchandise wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when transporting and displaying merchandise, such as knives, wine bottles, cheese, and the like. 
         [0013]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved merchandise packaging and display device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a merchandise packaging and display device that has slots that are adapted to safely and securely hold a variety of differently sized articles. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide packaging that can be used as both packaging suitable for safely and securing shipping articles held therein and as an aesthetically pleasing display stand for said articles without any alteration. 
         [0016]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise packaging and display device having a plurality of different slots tailored to hold a variety of different items. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise packaging and display device that further comprises removable sheaths into which knives can be placed, prior to being inserted into the holding slots, thereby providing a dual layer of protection for the knives&#39; blades. 
         [0018]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise packaging and display device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
         [0019]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a knife within a sheath aligned over a slot in the tray portion of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a cutaway view of a knife within a sheath inserted into a slot in the tray portion of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4A  shows a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention having slots adapted to hold cheese wedges. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4B  shows a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention having slots adapted to hold wine bottles, in addition to knife slots. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the perforated shipping and display device for merchandise. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for shipping and displaying knives and a variety of other articles utilizing a single unit. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of the present invention. The present invention is a container for articles of merchandise that is adapted for use as both shipping packaging and a display stand for the articles once they have reached their intended retail destination. The present invention comprises a container  11  having a base  12 , a tray  13  having an upper surface  14  that is securable within the interior volume of the base  12 , and a lid  16  that is securable thereover. The base  12  is hollow and the tray  13  occupies the entire interior volume thereof. In the depicted embodiment of the present invention the tray  13  is secured to the base  12  via a line of connection between the upper perimeter edge of the base  12  and exterior the circumference of the tray  13 ; however, any means of connecting the tray  13  and the base  12  known in the prior is currently contemplated by the present disclosure. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention in which the tray  13  and the base  12  are integrally connected, i.e. are a unitary unit, are also contemplated by the present disclosure. In these embodiments of the present invention, the tray  13  is not removable from the base  12 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the container  11  is cylindrically shaped; however, no claim is made as to the precise size or configuration of the present container  11 . 
         [0028]    The present invention further comprises a series of slots  15  that are disposed across the upper surface  14 . The slots  15  are preferably arranged in an organized, symmetrical fashion that is aesthetically pleasing to consumers. The slots  15  are specifically cut for each article of merchandise that is to be stored, transported, and displayed. This ensures that the article is held within a slot  15  that substantially conforms to the size of the article, securely holding the item within the slot  15  and preventing it from moving or shifting during transport. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the articles of merchandise to be stored are knives. In this embodiment of the present invention, the slots  15  are recessed channels that conform to the size and shape of the blade of the knife so that the knife is securely held therein, while still leaving the handle of the knife exposed for aesthetic and convenience purposes. Loosely secured knives are undesirable to transport because they can be dangerous since they can pierce the exterior surface of the container and they can also become damaged or damaged other objects. In other embodiments of the present invention, the articles of merchandise to be transported comprise wine bottles, cheese, cupcakes, and other such articles. For these embodiments of the present invention, the slots  15  are sized and shaped to conform to these articles so that they are held securely therein. Varying different types of slots can be provided together in a number of different combinations and configurations, allowing multiple different types of items to be shipped together in a secure and convenient manner that is suitable for display once they arrive at their destination. 
         [0029]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tray  13  is composed of a durable material suitable for preventing objects held therein from damaging other objects or being damaged themselves during shipping, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or cork. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes EVA as the material for the tray  13  due to the fact that it is aesthetically appealing, scratch and water-resistant, can be shipped safely with no breakage, can me dyed any color, and can be molded to any size, shape, or height. The base  12  portion of the container  11  is preferably constructed from cardboard due to its resilient, versatile properties that make it suitable for applications in shipping or transportation. The present invention is adapted for use as both shipping packaging and as a display stand. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of a knife within a sheath aligned over a slot in the tray portion of the present invention. The present invention further comprises sheathes  18  into which articles of merchandise, such as knives  31 , can be inserted, prior to being inserted into the slots  15 . The sheaths  18 , as with the slots  15 , are specifically adapted to conform to the size and shape of the given knife  31 . The sheaths  18  provide a second layer of durable, puncture-resistant material that further keeps knives  31  and other such articles secured within the slots  15 . The sheaths  18  are composed of plastic or any other such material that is formable to substantially conform to the size and shape of the knives  31  to be stored within and displayed by the present invention. 
         [0031]    The present invention further comprises a plurality of half-moon shaped recesses  17  disposed along the upper surface  14  of the tray  13 , adjacently to the slots  15 . The recesses  17  are provided in order to improve the design and safety of the present invention. The recesses  17  allow users to remove the knives  31  by gripping the top of the blade portion of the knife  31 , which can help prevent injuries for especially long knives  31 . 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cutaway view of a knife within a sheath inserted into a slot in the tray portion of the present invention. The slots  15  of the present invention are adapted to substantially conform to the size and shape of the articles to be inserted therein, such as knives  31 . The slots  15  are recesses that extend into the volume of the tray  13  that halt a given distance from the bottom of the tray  13 , creating a thickened bottom portion  19  between the tray  13  and the cardboard base  12 . This thickened bottom portion  19  creates a barrier further preventing the knives  31  from slipping through the tray  13  and puncturing through the exterior surface of the container  11 . The thickened bottom portion  19  is composed of the same material as the rest of the tray  13 , i.e. preferably EVA. The slots  15  hold the knives  31  in a generally vertical orientation. In the depicted embodiment, the slots  15  hold the knives  31  perpendicular to the upper surface  14  of the tray  13 ; however, in other contemplated embodiments of the present invention the slots  15  are disposed within the tray  13  at angles. 
         [0033]    The nature of the size and shape of the slots  15  helps to ensure that the articles are securely held therein and do not shift or move while being transported. Because the articles cannot shift or move within their packaging, they cannot become damaged via physical contact with other objects stored within the packaging, damage other objects themselves, or present a safety risk by puncturing the exterior surface of the packaging material. All of this is accomplished while still maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Conventional manufacturers&#39; packaging for articles of merchandise is not suitable to simultaneously serve as a display stand for the packaged articles because the articles are not packaged in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Conversely, the present invention is adapted to both secure articles in a secure manner and serve as an attractive, engaging display stand when the lid is removed by the retail store or other seller. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there are shown a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention having slots adapted to hold cheese wedges and a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention having slots adapted to hold wine bottles, in addition to knife slots. The present invention is adaptable for a variety of different articles, including cheese, bottles of wine, other bottled products, cupcakes, and the like. For these embodiments of the present invention, the slots  15  are adapted to hold these specific items and the items are generally not interchangeable between these different types of slots  15 . The present invention may have any number and distribution of the various types of slots  15 , thereby allowing the present combination shipping and display stand to simultaneously hold a variety of different items. For example, as seen in  FIG. 4B , the tray  13  can have a plurality of knife slots  20  disposed in a circular configuration about a central wine slot  21 . These depicted embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplary and are not intended to otherwise limit the configurations of the present invention, as any number of various types of slots  20 ,  21  can be provided together in a number of different aesthetically pleasing arrangements. 
         [0035]    The slots  15  can have a variety of different depths within the tray  13 , even among slots  15  provided for the same types of items. These varying depths for the slots  15  in turn vary the heights to which the various stored and displayed items extend from the upper surface  14 , thereby creating a more visually interesting display environment that is more engaging for consumers. The depths of the slots  15  are determined by the thickness of the thickened bottom regions disposed beneath the slots  15 . 
         [0036]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0037]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.