Abstract:
A pleated, expandable, package for a coiled extension cord is expandable to accommodate different size extension cords and supports the extension cord in an upright orientation to display the extension cord.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention pertains to a pleated, expandable, wedge-shaped package for a coiled cord product, for example an extension cord. More specifically, the invention pertains to a pleated, expandable, package for a coiled extension cord that is expandable to accommodate different size extension cords and supports the extension cord in an upright orientation to display the extension cord. 
         [0003]    (2) Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Cord products, for example electrical wiring, coaxial cable, and in particular, extension cords, are typically packaged with the cord being folded back on itself several times or with the cord being wrapped in a coil. When displayed for sale, the typical cord in the folded configuration is packaged in a sleeve or wrapper and the typical cord that has been coiled is packaged in a box. In the prior art packaging of cords, the packaging often hides a desirable feature of the cord that would influence a consumer in purchasing the cord. Additionally, the prior art packaging of a cord is often primarily designed to hold the cord in its folded or coiled configuration, and secondarily to display a trademark or advertising message associated with the cord. The cord and its packaging typically lay flat on a store shelf or on other cords in a stack when the cord is displayed for consumers. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a novel construction of a package for coiled cord products, and in particular, extension cords, where the package firmly holds the cord in a coiled configuration and supports the coiled cord uprightly, thereby displaying the cord for consumers. The packaging is economically manufactured from a single blank of foldable material, for example, plastic, paper board, corrugated paper materials, or other equivalent materials. The construction of the package also makes the package expandable, whereby the package can be used for various different sizes of coiled cords. The design of the package blank also requires no gluing or other securing devices separate from the blank to assemble the blank into the package that holds and supports the coiled cord. 
         [0006]    The foldable blank material of the package is formed with a center rectangular base that is dimensioned to be set on a surface for the package to hold the coiled cord uprightly on the surface. A trapezoidal front end panel is connected along a fold line to the front edge of the base, and a trapezoidal rear end panel is connected along a fold line to the rear edge of the base. 
         [0007]    Left and right rectangular side panels are connected along fold lines to the respective left side edge and right side edge of the base. A plurality of parallel fold lines are formed in each of the left and right side panels, giving the panels a pleated configuration. 
         [0008]    Pairs of triangular panels are connected along fold lines to the front and rear end panels and the left and right side panels at each corner of the base. The triangular panels of each pair are separated by a fold line that is the reverse of the fold lines connecting the pair of triangles to the adjacent end panel and side panel. 
         [0009]    A rectangular top panel is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the front end trapezoidal panel, and a rectangular top panel is connected along a fold line to a top edge of the rear end trapezoidal panel. 
         [0010]    The blank described above is folded around a portion of the coiled cord to form a package containing the portion of the cord. In folding the package to display the coiled cord, the coiled cord is first positioned uprightly on top of the rectangular base. The left and right side panels are then folded upwardly with the pleated fold lines in the side panels conforming around the opposite sides of the coiled cord. The pairs of triangular panels at the opposite sides of each panel are folded inwardly across the front and rear of the coiled cord. 
         [0011]    The front and rear trapezoidal end panels are then folded upwardly across the front and rear of the coiled cord. The front and rear top panels are then folded inwardly through the center of the coiled cord. A tab on the rear top panel is inserted into a slot of the front top panel, thereby connecting the two top panels and completing the folding of the package. 
         [0012]    With the package folded as described above, the package supports the coiled cord uprightly on end, where a majority of the coiled cord is positioned outside and above the package for viewing by a consumer. The package design exposes a large portion of the coiled cord while securely holding the cord in the upright position, with the package being sufficiently flexible to withstand consumer interaction with the product. No gluing or other types of adhesives or connectors are required in assembling the package. The reverse fold lines at the pair of corners and the plurality of parallel fold lines on the side panels create an elastic-acting action of the package that allows the sides to expand and contract as pressure is applied and removed. 
         [0013]    With the package being able to expand and contract, the package allows the consumer to handle the coiled cord without damaging the package by tearing or the package popping open. One size package accommodates multiple size coiled cords. Because the package is formed from a single blank and does not require a separate attachment device to hold the package in its folded configuration, manufacturer of the package uses simple fixtures or jigs which results in less labor cost in manufacturing the package. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
         [0014]    Further features of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the invention and in the drawing figures. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the package of the invention in its folded configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the single sheet, foldable blank that forms the package of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 1 , but showing the folded package supporting a coiled cord on end in an upright displayed position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the pleated, expandable package  12  for the upright support of a coiled cord product, in particular an extension cord.  FIG. 2  shows the flat blank of folding material that is folded to form the package  12 . As stated earlier, the foldable material of the package blank  12  may be plastic, paper board, corrugated paper material, or other equivalent types of materials. As described herein, the package blank  12  is formed with a plurality of fold lines. Each of the fold lines are straight, unless otherwise described. The fold lines provide a resilient connection between two adjacent panels of the package  12  that enable the adjacent panels to be easily moved relatively to each other. The package blank  12  shown in  FIG. 2  is cut from a larger web of material, with the outer periphery of the package blank  12  being defined by a free edge of the blank that is not connected to any other material of the blank. In describing the panels of the package blank  12 , the lower portion of the package blank  12  shown in  FIG. 2  is referred to as the front or forward portion, and the upper portion of the package blank  12  is referred to as the rear or rearward portion. The left hand portion of the package blank  12  shown in  FIG. 2  is referred to as the left side, and the right hand portion of the package blank  12  is referred as the right side. These terms are used in referring to the orientation of the package blank  12  shown in  FIG. 2 , and should not be interpreted as limiting the construction of the package of the invention or the use of the package of the invention to any particular orientation. 
         [0019]    The package blank  12  has a center rectangular base panel  14 . The base panel  14  has a front edge defined by a first end fold line  16 , and an opposite rear edge defined by a second end fold line  18 . The first and second end fold lines  16 , 18  are parallel to each other and have the same length dimensions. The base panel  14  also has a left hand edge defined by a first side fold line  22  and an opposite right hand edge defined by a second side fold line  24 . The first and second side fold lines  22 ,  24  are parallel to each other and have the same length dimension. 
         [0020]    Although the base panel  14  is shown having a rectangular configuration in  FIG. 2 , in alternate embodiments of the invention the base panel could have a square configuration. 
         [0021]    A left side or first side panel  26  is connected to the base panel  14  along the first side fold line  22 . The first side panel  26  has a rectangular configuration, but could have a square configuration. A free edge  28  extends along the first side panel  26  opposite and parallel to the first side fold line  22 . A plurality of fold lines  32  are formed in the first side panel  26 . The fold lines  32  are spaciously arranged across the first side panel  26 , are parallel to each other, and are perpendicular to the first side fold line  22 . 
         [0022]    A right side or second side panel  36  is connected to the base panel  14  along the second side fold line  24 . The second side panel  36  is a mirror image of the first side panel  26 . This side panel  36  also has a rectangular configuration, but could have a square configuration. The panel has a free edge  38  on the opposite side of the panel from the second side fold line  24 . The free edge  38  is parallel to the second side fold line  24 . A plurality of fold lines  42  are formed in the second side panel  36 . The plurality of fold lines  42  are spaciously arranged across the panel, are parallel to each other, and are perpendicular to the second side fold line  24 . 
         [0023]    A front, first end panel  46  is connected to the base panel  14  along the first end fold line  16 . The first end panel  46  has a trapezoidal shape. A top, first edge  48  of the first end panel opposite the first end fold line  16  is parallel to the first end fold line  16  and has a length dimension that is larger than the length dimension of the first end fold line  16 . The length dimension of the top, first edge  48  being greater than the length dimension of the first end fold line  16  gives the front, first end panel  46  its trapezoidal configuration. The shape of the first end panel  46  is also defined by a pair of fold lines  52 ,  54  at the opposite sides of the panel  46  that extend between the top, first edge  48  of the panel and the first end fold line  16 . 
         [0024]    A rear, second end panel  56  is connected to the base panel  14  along the second end fold line  18 . The second end panel  56  is a mirror image of the first end panel  46 . The second end panel  56  has a top, second edge  58  on an opposite side of the panel from the second end fold line  18 . The second edge  58  is parallel to the second end fold line  18  and has a length dimension that is larger than the length dimension of the second end fold line  18 . This gives the second end panel  56  its trapezoidal configuration. The trapezoidal configuration is also defined by a pair of fold lines  62 ,  64  at the opposite sides of the second end panel  56  that extend from the top, second edge  58  of the panel to the second end fold line  18 . 
         [0025]    Pairs of oblique triangular panels  86 ,  88 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  82 ,  84  are connected between the first side panel  26  and the second side panel  36  and the front, first end panel  46  and the rear second end panel  56 . Each of the triangular panels has an oblique triangular shape, meaning that each panel does not have a 90° corner. Each of the pairs of triangular panels has a center fold line  86 ,  88 ,  92 ,  94 . One pair of the triangular panels  66 ,  68  is connected between the front, first end panel  46  and the left, first side panel  26 . Another pair of the triangular panels  72 ,  74  is connected between the left, first side panel  26  and the rear, second end panel  56 . Another pair of the triangular panels  76 ,  78  is connected between the rear, second end panel  56  and the right, second side panel  36 . The last pair of triangular panels,  82 ,  84  is connected between the right, second side panel  36  and the front, first end panel  46 . 
         [0026]    A rectangular first, top panel  102  is connected to the front, first end panel  46  along the first edge  48 . A first, top fold line  104  connects the first top panel  102  to the first end panel  46 . The first top panel fold line  104  has a length dimension that is smaller than the length dimension of the first edge  48  of the first end panel  46 . A slot  106  is formed between the first top panel  102  and the first end panel  46  along the first top panel fold line  104 . 
         [0027]    A rear, second top panel  112  is connected to the rear, second end panel  56  along the top, second edge  58  of the panel. A second top panel fold line  114  extends between the rear, second top panel  112  and the rear, second end panel  56 . The second top panel fold line  114  has a length dimension that is smaller than the length dimension of the top, second edge  58  of the second end panel  56 . 
         [0028]    A tab  116  is connected to the rear, second top panel  112  along a tab fold line  118 . The tab  116  is dimensioned to fit through slot  106 . 
         [0029]    In use of the coiled cord package  12 , the package blank is first positioned flat as shown in  FIG. 2 . The coiled cord, for example and extension cord  122 , is then positioned on end on the center base panel  14 . The opposite first side panel  26  and second side panel  36  are then folded upwardly about the respective first side fold line  22  and second side fold line  24 . The plurality of folds  32  on the first side panel  26  and the plurality of folds  42  on the second side panel  36  are formed around the coils of the extension cord. At about the same time, the pairs of triangular panels  66 ,  68 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  82 ,  84  are folded across their center fold lines  86 ,  88 ,  92 ,  94  and positioned across the front and rear of the cord  122 . The front, first end panel  46  and rear, second end panel  56  are then folded upwardly across the respective first end fold line  16  and second end fold line  18 . The first end panel  46  is positioned across the front of the coiled cord  122 , and the second end panel  56  is positioned across the rear of the coiled cord  122 . The front, first top panel  102  is then folded across its fold line  104  into the center of the coiled cord. The rear, second top panel  112  is then folded across its fold line  114  to a position over the first top panel  102 . The tab  116  on the second top panel  112  is inserted into the slot  106  along the first top panel fold line  104  in completing the assembly of the package  12  around the coiled cord  122 .  FIG. 3  shows the completed assembly of the package  12  around the coiled cord  122 . 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 3  the base panel  14  of the package  12  is set on a surface to position the folded package  12  and coiled cord  122  upright on the surface as shown. The engagement of the first side panel  26  and the second side panel  36  around the opposite sides of the coiled cord  122  hold the cord in its upright orientation. In  FIG. 3  it can be seen that the triangular panels  66 ,  68 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  82 ,  84  and the pluralities of folds  32 ,  42  in their respective first side panel  26  and second side panel  36  will allow the package  12  to flex in response to forces being exerted on the coiled cord  122 . Thus, the construction of the package  12  allows the coiled cord  122  to be handled and moved in most any manner without the package  112  separating from its assembled position on the coiled cord  122 . 
         [0031]    Although the package of the invention has been described above by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be understood that modifications and variations could be made to the package without departing from the intended scope of the following claims.