Abstract:
The universal package for a flapper and accessories comprises a box foldable from a prescored blank and the blank from which the box is formed. Within this box isolating structures are provided to cushion and position the content, the isolating structures being variable in configuration to accommodate virtually any embodiment of flapper and any accessory therefor. The box is provided with a cover section which engages in an elevated manner over the contents to hold same in place and the package also includes viewing ports to ascertain the package content.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a universal package for a flapper and accessories in the form of a box which includes structure to protect the contents from damage, as well as including ported areas for viewing of the content thereof, the blank from which the package is formed and the method of making same. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Heretofore flappers have been packaged in plastic, which is a very expensive project. The packaging has also been time consuming because of the great number of embodiments for flappers available. 
     The package, the blank for same, and method of the present invention decrease cost, labor, and cost for packaging, the package being configured to accommodate substantially all available flapper embodiments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention there is provided a universal package for a flapper and accessories comprising a box foldable from a prescored blank. Within this box isolating structures are provided to cushion and position the content, the isolating structures being variable in configuration to accommodate virtually any embodiment of flapper and any accessory therefor. The box is provided with a cover section which engages over the contents to hold same in place and the package also includes viewing ports to ascertain the package content. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon perusal of the detailed description thereof and upon inspection of the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a blank from which the package of  FIGS. 2–5  is formed. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a package of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the package of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a flapper being inserted into the package and an exemplary accessory in phantom positioned within the package. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the package with the flapper securely received therein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in  FIGS. 1–5  a universal package for a flapper and accessories  10  made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 3 and 5  show the package  10  in its constructed, closed form, while  FIGS. 2 and 4  show the package  10  in the process of being folded from a blank  11  therefor shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown, the package  10  is configured to be a box  10  which includes a bottom panel  12 , opposed first and second side panels  14  and  16  extending a predetermined distance from a top panel  18  including at least two openings  20  and  21  therein, a two piece rear panel comprising portions  22  and  23 , a front panel  24 , and a cover panel  26  which is engaged to the rear panel portion  22 , When the package  10  is formed, the cover panel  26  is positioned over the top panel  18  and includes an end flap  30  which is positioned over front panel  24  with a tab  34  extending from the end flap  30  engageable within a corresponding slit  36  provided for same at the junction of the front panel  24  with the bottom panel  12 . 
     Also, although the package  10  here is shown to accommodate a single exemplary embodiment of a flapper  40 , this is not to be construed as limiting. 
     The cover panel  26  includes a first opening  38  therein which is substantially similar to the opening  20  in the top panel  18 , and overlies same when the cover panel  26  is in a closed position. 
     Further, a plurality of slits  40 ,  42  and  44  are also provided in the cover panel  26  which overlie the opening  21  in the top panel  18  when the cover  26  is in the closed position. 
     The front and rear panels  24  and  22  respectively each have opposed end tabs  46  thereon, which tuck between the top panel  18  and bottom panel  12  when the package  10  is being formed. These tabs  46 , particularly on the side of the package  10  incorporating side panel  16  must be short enough not to obstruct viewing through a viewing port  48  provided in the side panel  16 . 
     Each side panel  14 ,  16  has an end panel or tab  50  which secures the side panels  14  in a closed position by coacting with the tabs  46 , which are positioned interior thereto when the package  10  is formed. 
     It is also proposed to provide the bottom panel  12  with a hanger cutout  52  which is used for displaying the package  10  on a rack (not shown). 
     In forming the package  10 , it will be understood first of all that rear panel portion  22  and end flap  30  of cover panel  26  are of a height greater than that of front panel  24  allowing for a spacing between the cover panel  26  and top panel  18  for accommodation of a body or base  60  of a flapper  62  therebetween, as well as any accessories, as necessary. 
     Thus, one must first fold rear panel portion  22  upwardly against the rear panel portion  23  after the end panels  14  and  16  are positioned to form the package  10  with the top panel  18  being substantially parallel to bottom panel  12  so that the position at which rear panel portion  23  must be secured to rear panel portion  22  is known to allow for the desired spacing between the top panel  18  and the cover panel  26 . 
     Once portions  22  and  23  are secured at the appropriate position by any suitable means, such as by gluing, the cover panel is folded over the top panel  26  and the end flap  30  is folded over the front panel  24  with the tab  34  thereon being received in slit  36  between the bottom and front panels  12  and  24  respectively, forming the closed package  10 . 
     Turning back now to the openings  20  and  21  and  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  in the top and cover panels  18  and  26 , respectively, it will be understood that flappers  62  are available in a variety of embodiments. 
     To accommodate virtually all such existing embodiments, the openings  20 ,  21  and  38  are enlargeable. In this respect, each of these openings is surrounded by a radial array of cross cuts  50  such that flaps  52  are formed which can be manipulated by the flapper  62  as the seal  64  thereof is positioned within the opening  20  and the base  66  thereof is covered by the opening  38 , so that the flapper  62  is accommodated by the package  10 . Also, opening  21  in top surface  18  is similarly configured with crosscuts  50  forming flaps  52  so that any embodiment of accessory  20  required for a particular embodiment of a flapper  6 , such as a chain  70  or a float  70  shown in phantom in  FIG. 4 , can also be accommodated, making the package  10  substantially universal. 
     The window  48  provided in side panel  16  is now useful in viewing the configuration of the seal  64  of the flapper  62 , once seated within the box  10  and below the opening  20  in the top surface  18  thereof. 
     Further, the configuration of the base  66  of the flapper  62  can be seen in the space  70  provided between the top and cover panels  18  and  26  respectively by creating an elevated rear panel portion  22  and end flap  30  on cover panel  26  relative to front panel  24 . 
     Finally for the openings  40 ,  42  and  44  are provided in the cover panel  26  allowing viewing of any accessories when present. 
     As described above, the universal flapper package  10  and method of making same of the present invention has a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and other of which are inherent in the invention. 
     Also, modifications may be proposed without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.