Abstract:
A gift box for gift cards provides a presentation appearing like a gift box for other products, such as jewelry, having strength, three full dimensions, color, quality, and design options. It can receive decorations such as ribbons and bows, greeting cards such as a to/from card, and the like. The box requires no assembly of components, as it comes in a single, integrated whole, including all the parts of the box and its lid, as well as an interior panel presenting the gift, such as a gift card that operates as a debit card with a pre-loaded amount of purchasing value.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. The Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to gift wrapping and packaging and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for gift boxing. 
         [0003]    2. The Background Art 
         [0004]    Packaging is a multibillion dollar industry. Just as shipping of products is essential to the manufacture and distribution thereof, packaging is likewise an integral part of the distribution of goods. 
         [0005]    Within packaging, the concept of gift packaging forms the basis for an entire industry within the packaging business. Gift packaging has various mechanisms including boxing, wrapping, bagging, and so forth. Nevertheless, a new type of gifting has given rise to a lack within the gift box or gift packaging industry. Gift cards are becoming a major portion of the gifting industry. 
         [0006]    For example, individuals often desire to provide to a receiver a gift value that is selected by the giver. At the same time, the giver desires to represent to the receiver that some amount of thought and appreciation for the interest of the receiver have been considered. Thus, a gift card for a particular store may be given. In other instances, the gift is simply a gift of money and may be given as a gift card that operates as a debit card from a provider, such as one of the major credit card companies, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and so forth. 
         [0007]    Presentation is important in sales. In gifting, if “it is the thought that counts,” then the presentation of the gift in an envelope, on a card, or the like seems to detract. Thus, is there any suitable way to present a gift card as a gift with a presentation as effective as that of any other gift? 
         [0008]    Moreover, manufacturing, distributing, selling, assembling, and otherwise seeing some type of wrapping or gift presentation packaging through to the end consumer who is a giver of a gift card seems to involve many more questions and problems. It would be an advance in the art to provide a suitable gift box that provides for the nature of gift cards or gifted debit cards, while also reflecting gift packaging of traditional gifts and while accommodating the realities of modern retail display, sales transactions, and so forth. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a gift box providing a base with a lid that opens and closes as a box having durable sides, floor, and lid, with proper securement, decoration, and the like. In certain embodiments, a gift box in accordance with the invention may be folded down to a packaging envelope (“envelope” meaning the overall volumetric and dimensional extent in all three dimensions) that is consistent with marketing of gift cards themselves. 
         [0010]    For example, security in credit cards is an issue. No less so, gift cards, representing cash value, have become the subject of various fraudulent enterprises. As a result, protecting against stolen cards, fraudulent removal of card numbers, with subsequent theft of funds eventually applied to such cards, and so forth need to be avoided. Thus, packaging of gift cards on sealed, cardboard substrates has become more prevalent. Accordingly, gift cards are often presented now in a racking system that provides a certain standard size and shape for the cards. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, in certain embodiments of an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, a foldable gift box provides for a stowed or folded configuration of a box that has a completely manufactured and integrally connected set of components assembled but not erected, and therefore not finally “converted.” Thus, the box may be folded into a suitable presentation sized to fit within the spatial envelope available on the rack of a gift card sales display. 
         [0012]    Meanwhile, the box may be opened and finally converted or erected, since all the parts are already formed and connected permanently to one another. Decisions and movements are minimized in order to provide a fold-up box that provides substantial size in all three dimensions, a suitable gifting presentation, and is configured to hold and present a gift card, gift debit card, or the like. 
         [0013]    In certain embodiments an apparatus may be formed as a collapsible gift box comprising a base having a floor with walls, including front, back, and left and right side walls. Walls may be permanently secured thereto and foldable between a first, stowed, position substantially parallel to the floor and a second, deployed, position substantially orthogonal thereto. 
         [0014]    A lid is foldable with respect to the walls between a first position parallel thereto, a second position extending away from the floor, and a third position substantially parallel to the floor, and adjacent and perpendicular to the walls. A closure extends from the edge of the lid and is foldable with respect to the lid between a first, open, position parallel to the lid and a second, closed, position substantially orthogonal to the lid. It may be secured to another wall of the walls, such as the front wall. 
         [0015]    A panel, presenting the gift inside the box is folded to have an anchor flap, a tuck flap, and a deck between them. The deck is pivotable with respect to the anchor flap and the tuck flap. The anchor flap is typically permanently secured to an anchor wall (usually selected from either the front or back walls). 
         [0016]    The tuck flap folds from a stowed position parallel to the floor to a deployed position substantially perpendicular to it. The walls, lid, and closure are best formed if integral, continuous, and contiguous with one another in the stowed and the deployed configurations. The walls, lid, and closure are also typically integral, continuous, and contiguous at all positions between the stowed and the deployed configurations. 
         [0017]    The anchor flap is best made permanently secured in the stowed position to contact one of the front and back walls, and remains there the deployed position. It requires no further securement materials. The tuck flap is best positioned against the other of the front and back walls when folded into the deployed configuration. 
         [0018]    Tabs connect the walls to the floor and to one another in the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. In fact, the tabs maintain and force the relative positions of all walls in both the stowed and deployed configurations. Therefore, the anchor flap is sometimes permanently captured such that it moves in against one pair of the tabs in the deployed configuration. The tuck flap, meanwhile, is retained against the other pair of the tabs in the deployed configuration. This makes it so that one pair of the tabs is connected to draw the panel toward perpendicularity with the floor upon movement of the walls from the stowed configuration top the deployed configuration. 
         [0019]    The tuck flap and the anchor flap are typically sized to incline the deck by extending different depths from the floor and along a height of the walls. A securement on the deck holds a gift (typically a gift card) secured to the deck. 
         [0020]    Retail packaging is best formed as a transparent container with a hanger tag, hang tag, or header secured as a closure. The retail packaging also is well suited if matched to the dimensions of the packaging “envelope” (width, height, thickness) of the retail packaging for a gift card or other gift to be displayed in the same display, sold at the same time, and secured to the deck for gift giving. 
         [0021]    A method for constructing a gift box may include providing a box, having walls, comprising a front wall, back wall, left wall, and right wall, and a floor, all permanently attached to one another in a first, stowed, configuration and a second, deployed configuration. A lid may be pivotably and permanently attached to the back wall to fold between a first position, proximate the floor and parallel thereto, corresponding to the first or stowed configuration. In a second position, the lid is parallel to the floor, spaced away from the floor by the walls. This corresponds to the deployed configuration of the box. 
         [0022]    By providing another panel, one can form a deck, an anchor flap, and a tuck flap. The deck is usually made permanently integral with, and foldable with respect to, the anchor flap and tuck flap, from a single piece of material. The panel is secured to the box by securing the anchor flap permanently at, near, or against one of the walls, usually the front wall or back wall. 
         [0023]    The deck can be extended parallel to the floor and the lid in the first (stowed) configuration. It and the tuck flap may be moved and folded with respect to one another to present the deck between the walls and spaced from the floor. This corresponds to the second or deployed configuration. Meanwhile, the anchor flap remains integral with the panel and the box. When folding the box into the first configuration, the panel remains integral thereto and contained entirely therein. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the panel is provided as a monolithic sheet of material. A first fold defines the anchor flap and a hinge line, for pivoting of the anchor flap with respect to the deck. Making a second fold, defines the tuck flap and a tuck hinge line, for pivoting of the tuck flap with respect to the deck. 
         [0025]    Securing the anchor flap to the back wall, enables securing the tabs for folding-control (extending from the ends of the side walls) to be secured at their opposite edges to the anchor flap, instead of to the back wall itself. 
         [0026]    Sales displays permit displaying the box to a consumer at a point of purchase of gifts, such as gift cards, and even on the same, identical racks as the gift card packages. After selling the box to a consumer, and providing instructions for final conversion of the box, the consumer may erect the box without tools, without attaching or moving the walls independently from one another. Erecting the box does not require adding anything to the box not already integral to it. Erecting the box may be a reversible process from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration without damaging the box. 
         [0027]    Instructions may contain an instruction for erecting the box and closing the lid without separating the walls, floor, lid, or panel at their points of connection to one another. Rather, they describe changing the configuration of the box from the first position to the second position without tools, separation of hinging fold lines, or separation of components from securement to one another. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, a box apparatus may include a floor and walls (front, back, and left and right side walls), permanently secured to the floor. The walls are foldable with respect to the floor. A locking flap is also permanently secured to extend from, and fold with respect to, the front wall. 
         [0029]    A lid is permanently connected directly to, and foldable with respect to, the back wall. The entire base structure is foldable between a first, stowed, configuration wherein the walls and lid are substantially parallel to the floor, and a second, deployed, configuration wherein the walls are substantially orthogonal to the floor. 
         [0030]    The lid is foldable between a first lid position corresponding to the stowed position, an intermediate, open lid position extending away from the floor, and a second (closed) lid position corresponding to the deployed configuration, wherein the lid is substantially parallel to and opposite the floor, and sitting on top of the walls, that is, adjacent and perpendicular to the walls; 
         [0031]    A panel may be included, and folded to create an anchor flap, a tuck flap, and a deck therebetween. The deck is thus pivotable with respect to the anchor flap and the tuck flap. The panel may have the anchor flap permanently secured to at least one of the front wall and the locking flap, preferably the locking flap. In this embodiment, the tuck flap is foldable from a first position parallel to the floor to a second position substantially perpendicular to it. 
         [0032]    Tabs pivotably connect the walls to one another. As all components, they may be formed of a cardboard, pasteboard, plastic, or the like that is stiff, or even rigid. This may be covered with a decorative material, thinner and flexible, to make the stiff components foldable with respect to one another. The tabs have substantially rigid portions, connected by hinge lines or fold lines at all connections. Thus, the tabs force all the walls to move simultaneously between the stowed and deployed configurations. 
         [0033]    The locking flap is typically permanently and foldably secured to the anchor flap so it draws the anchor flap toward the floor in the deployed configuration. The deck is typically permanently secured to (or is a part of the same sheet of material as) the anchor flap, and thereby is connected to the locking flap, in the stowed and deployed configurations. The front edge of the deck is secured by the anchor flap (connected to it) near the floor and away from the lid in the deployed configuration. The rear edge of the deck is positioned by the tuck flap (connecting to it) away from the floor and near the lid in the deployed configuration. 
         [0034]    Usually, the walls, lid, and closure are best formed to be integral, continuous, and contiguous with one another in the stowed and the deployed configurations, and at all positions between the stowed and the deployed configurations. 
         [0035]    The anchor flap is permanently secured in the stowed position to move into contact with one of the front and back walls (usually the front) in the deployed position without any further securement materials therebetween. The tuck flap is positioned against the other of the front and back walls (usually the back) in the deployed configuration. 
         [0036]    Tabs are typically configured in two pairs, connecting the walls to one another in the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. The anchor flap is permanently captured by the tabs, and therefore drawn against one pair of the tabs (usually at the front wall) in the deployed configuration. The tuck flap is folded and tucked, being retained by friction against the other pair of the tabs (usually at the back wall) in the deployed configuration. 
         [0037]    One (e.g., the front) pair of the tabs is connected to draw the panel toward perpendicularity with the floor upon movement of the walls from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. The tuck flap may then be folded and tucked. The anchor flap are sized to incline the deck by extending different depths from the floor to the deck. A securement positioned on the deck, which is thereby angled on canted to be lower at the front, holds a gift securely to the deck. 
         [0038]    Retail packaging may include a container, such as a transparent bag having a header secured to the top as a hanger for racking in a display rack. This entire retail package may be sized to match the retail packaging of a gift, such as a gift card, having its own security containment system and markings displayed. A gift card may even be pre-mounted on the deck and have the box system be its retail packaging. Otherwise, the box and the gift card may have packaging matching the same envelope (i.e., height, width, thickness) of containment. If the gift is a gift card, it may be secured to the deck and positioned to be visible through the container (e.g., bag) to a prospective purchaser at the point of purchase. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, a method provides a box, having a floor and walls, each substantially rigid, with the floor and walls all permanently and hingedly connected to one another. A locking flap is provided, extending between a first edge and a second edge. The first edge is hingedly and permanently connected to pivot about the front wall. It has a neutral position, where the second edge is outside the side walls, and a locking position, where the second edge extends between the side walls and runs along the front wall, near the wall and near (or even against) the floor. The box is positionable in a first, stowed, configuration and a second, deployed configuration, without adding parts, subtracting parts, without tools, without cutting, without adding fasteners or components, or the like. 
         [0040]    A lid and the walls fold between a first position, at or near the floor and parallel to it (corresponding to the first configuration, stowed), and a second position (corresponding to the deployed configuration), where the walls are substantially perpendicular to the floor and the lid is parallel to the floor, spaced away from the floor by the walls. 
         [0041]    The panel has a deck, anchor flap, and tuck flap. These may be permanent and integral or even monolithic. They are hinged, or foldable at the boundaries of the deck with the anchor flap and tuck flap. The panel is secured to the box by securing the anchor flap permanently to the locking flap. 
         [0042]    Extending the panel parallel to the floor and the lid in the first configuration may hide the deck under the lid and over the folded down walls. When deployed, the lid is spaced from the floor by the walls perpendicular to both. The anchor flap remains integral with the panel and the box, secured to the locking flap, at all times. 
         [0043]    At the point of sale, with the box in a transparent retail package (e.g., bag with a hanger) the lid may be positioned in one of two alternative first configurations available. The first alternative first configuration positions the panel under the lid, presenting the lid and the locking flap as representative of the decorative look, design, and color of the box. The second alternative first configuration positions the panel outside the lid, thus showing the locking flap as representative of the box. In this configuration, the deck and tuck flap extend upward in the packaging to render the deck, its contents, or both visible to a prospective purchaser at the point of purchase. Thus, a gift card may be attached and displayed directly on the deck in the package. 
         [0044]    It should be understood that the deck is movable, from this latter configuration, to move with the tuck flap from underneath the lid. After folding the lid back, out of the way, a user may place the deck between the side walls, spaced from the floor, in the second configuration. The anchor flap remains integral with the panel and the box while folding the box into the first configuration and into the second configuration. The box may be reversibly folded between these two configurations repeatedly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0045]    The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0046]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a box, in accordance with the invention, almost completely converted, and in a configuration to receive a gift card displayed therein; 
           [0047]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the box in  FIG. 1  with the lid in a closed position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 3  is a top plan of the view of box of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan of the view of the box of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0050]      FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view thereof; 
           [0051]      FIG. 6  is a left side elevation view thereof; 
           [0052]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view thereof; 
           [0053]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevation view thereof; 
           [0054]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views of one embodiment of a retail packaged box in accordance with the invention, folded up in different stowed positions suitable for storage, transport, and sale display; 
           [0055]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  are perspective views of the box of  FIG. 9  in a substantially folded position, or stowed position, slightly open in order to show the arrangement of the components thereof; 
           [0056]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the box of  FIGS. 1-10 , with the box in an open position intermediate the stowed position and the fully converted or fully erected position; 
           [0057]      FIG. 12  is a further perspective view of an almost complete conversion configuration thereof; 
           [0058]      FIG. 13  is an almost completely converted or erected configuration, with the lid still open and the front wall not snugged into place; 
           [0059]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a racking system for presenting for sale gift cards and box for use thereof made in accordance with the invention; 
           [0060]      FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of a process for making, distributing, and selling boxes in accordance with the invention, along with gift cards that may be presented therein; and 
           [0061]      FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a method of using the gift card boxes in accordance with the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0062]    It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIG. 1  specifically, and  FIGS. 1-14  generally, an apparatus  10  or system  10  for implementing the present invention may include a new box  10  suitable for folding up to a closed configuration or stowed position in order to be shipped, stored, displayed, and sold but which can be constructed, converted, or erected without a need to glue, tape, or otherwise fasten together the basic components. That is, all of the components are fastened together at the time of manufacture such that the entire box  10  may be finally converted by simply moving components or changing their relative positions in order to move the box  10  from a folded up and stowable position to a fully constructed and deployed position. 
         [0064]    In the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 1-14 , while continuing to refer specifically to  FIGS. 1-10 , an apparatus  10  or box  10  may include a base  12  or a base portion  12 . The base  12  may be thought of as the eventual open box  12  that forms a part of the overall box  10 . For example, to the base  12  is secured a lid  14 . The lid  14  may be considered to include a flap  16 , or the flap  16  may be considered its own component  16  in addition to the lid  14 . By either notation, a lid  14  closes on the open top of a base  12  to form the entire closed box  10 . 
         [0065]    In certain embodiments, a seal  18  may be positioned between the flap  16  and the base  12  in order to seal the flap  16  to the base  12 . As illustrated, the seal  18  is secured to the base  12 . Nevertheless, the seal  18  could as easily be secured to the flap  16  in order that the flap  16  may seal upon contact with the base  12 . 
         [0066]    Typically, a seal  18  may involve a strip of adhesive, which may or may not be positioned on a substrate. In one embodiment, a double-sided adhesive strip may include adhesive product on both sides of a substrate. Thus, upon exposure of one side of the substrate to either the flap  16  or the base  12 , that side&#39;s adhesive portion will glue or adhere the substrate in place. 
         [0067]    In an alternative embodiment, a magnet and iron plate, a pair of magnets, or other fastener may be used. Hook-and-loop and other re-openable or re-usable fasteners may be used. 
         [0068]    On the opposite side of the substrate, with the remaining adhesive material, a protective strip may be deployed such that adhesive will not adhere to any other portion of the box  10 , including the base  12 , the lid  14 , or any other portion. Thus, the seal  18  may be positioned during manufacture in order to be used upon removal of the protective strip on the exposed adhesive of the seal  18 . 
         [0069]    In certain embodiments, a box  10  may be provided with a panel  20  within the base  12  to fit as a presentation panel  20  presenting the gift, typically a gift card or gift debit card  50  as described hereinafter. The panel  20  may actually be constructed to have several different portions. Some portions are secured to the base  12 , others to be folded to cover the opening in the base  12 . Still others are designed to be tucked in to provide stability and stiffening for the base  12  as an open box before sealing by the lid  14 , flap  16 , and seal  18  against the base  12 . 
         [0070]    The box  10  may include decoration  22  of various types. More than one decorative element  22  may be included. For example, the entire outer covering of the box  10  may include a material selected for its decorative qualities. A design, embossing, color, wrap, or the like, or any combination thereof may be included as a decorative element  22  of the box  10 . 
         [0071]    By the same token, a decoration  22  or decorative element  22  may include a ribbon, a bow, both, another bauble, attachment, fixture, three-dimensional object, toy, or the like. Thus, whether flowers, pictures, constructions, three-dimensional objects, or the like, decoration elements  22  may be added to the box  10  in any appropriate location. In the illustrated embodiments, a decoration  22  may typically be visible outside the lid  14  as a key portion of a decorative presentation of the box  10 . Also a gift tag  23  (e.g., a to/from tag  23 ) may be included with the box  10 , with the decoration  22 , or otherwise. 
         [0072]    In certain contemplated embodiments, the box  10  may be provided with walls  24  pivotably connected to hinge with respect to a floor  26  of the box  10  and each other. That is, the floor  26  forms the bottom  26  of the base  12  and the box  10 . The walls  24  in a deployed position fold up substantially parallel against the floor  26 . Meanwhile, each of the walls  24  is attached to the floor  26  by a contiguous connection  30  (hinge  30 ), such as a covering over a cardboard inner structure or the like. 
         [0073]    Also, tabs  28  connect the walls  24  to one another in a manner to register the walls  24  with one another. The walls include walls  24   a,    24   b,    24   c,  and  24   d.  Thus, in general, to speak of a wall  24  is to speak of any or all of the walls  24   a - 24   d.  Herein, a trailing reference letter after a reference numeral simply reflects a specific instance of the item that is identified by the reference numeral. Thus, it is to be understood herein that a reference numeral refers to any of a particular type of component, while a reference numeral followed by a reference letter will identify a specific instance thereof. The operation of the tabs  28  to push and pull the respective walls  24  with respect to one another between a stowed (folded up) and a standing, deployed, fully constructed, or fully converted condition can be understood by reference to the Figures. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,355 B2, issued Jan. 27, 2009 to Vanessa Hui and directed to foldable boxes, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and provides descriptions of various construction details for foldable boxes, any one of which may be used in whole or in part to form structural elements of the box  10  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0074]    Associated with the securement of the walls  24  to the floor  26  is a series of additional folds  30 , which may be thought of as fold lines  30  or hinges  30 . For example, a front hinge  30   a  and a back hinge  30   b  secure the walls  24   a    24   b  respectively to the floor  26 . Similarly, a hinge  30   c  or fold line  30   c  connects the lid  14  to the back wall  24   b  of the base  12 . Similarly, a hinge  30   d  or fold line  30   d  connects the main expanse of the lid  14  to the flap  16  in order that the flap  16  may pivot with respect to the lid  14  in order to effect closure. Similarly, the flap  16  may move with respect to the lid  14  in order to orient the components of the box  10  in a stowed position or a deployed position in accordance with the invention. 
         [0075]    The panel  20  may include an anchor flap  32 . The anchor flap  32  may simply be an extension of the material of the panel  20 , just as a tuck flap  34  may represent an opposite extension region of the panel  20 . In general, the anchor flap  32  may be hinged at a fold line  36   a,  while the tuck flap  34  is anchored to the panel  20  at a fold line  36   b.    
         [0076]    In general, the panel  20  may include the entirety of the flaps  32 ,  34  along with the deck  40  therebetween. The deck  40  may have a securement  38 , which may be analogous or identical to the seal  18  that seals the flap  16  to the base  12 . In certain embodiments, the securement  38  may secure a gift card  50  to the deck  40  for presentation in the box  10 . 
         [0077]    In the illustrated embodiments, the anchor flap  32  is secured to the base  12 . The anchor flap  32  may be secured to or near the front wall  24   a  or the back wall  24   b.  The operation will be significantly different. 
         [0078]    In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall  24   a  of the base  12  of the box  10  may have a locking flap  42  that folds along a fold line  44  or hinge  44  with respect to the front wall  24   a  to which it is permanently secured. The locking flap  42  serves to lock together the front wall  24   a  and the side walls  24   c,    24   d,  flattening the tabs  28   a  therebetween. Thus, the locking flap  42  assures a rigid, rectangular securement of the walls  24   a,    24   c,  and  24   d  together. 
         [0079]    When the seal  18  secures the flap  16  of the lid  14  against the base  12 , and more particularly against the front wall  24   a,  the box  10  will be converted fully and closed in its rectangular configuration. Nevertheless, the locking flap  42  ensures that the base  12  has the walls  24  standing upright by virtue of the snugging of the tabs  28   a  or front tabs  28   a  between the lacking flap  42  and the front wall  24   a.  Thus, the flap  42  draws the front wall  24  snugly against the sidewalls  24   c,    24   d,  so the right wall  24   c  and the left wall  24   d  abut the face of the front wall  24   a.    
         [0080]    In this illustrated embodiment, the anchor flap  32  of the panel  20  is secured to the locking flap  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor flap  32  of the panel  20  is secured “under” or “behind” the locking flap  42 , such that the locking flap  42  forms the inside surface of the front wall  24   a.  In an alternative embodiment, the anchor flap  32  of the panel  20  may be secured to the “inside” surface of the locking flap  42 , such that the anchor flap  32  itself is visible inside the wall  24   a  of the base  12  of the box  10 . 
         [0081]    The deck  40  or the deck portion  40  of the panel  20  extends from the fold line  36   a  or the anchor fold line  36   a  at the bottom of the locking flap  42  proximate the floor  26  of the base  12 . The deck  40  is thus inclined upward to the tuck fold line  36  corresponding to the tuck flap  34  that will be tucked in, after being folded down, to fit against the rear wall  24  or back wall  24  of the base  12  of the box  10 . 
         [0082]    Thus, the box  10  may be finally converted by a purchaser lifting the walls  24  away from the floor  26 , thus causing the tabs  28  to draw the front wall  24   a  and back wall  24   b  upward away from the floor  26  and toward the ends of the side walls  24   c  and  24   d.  Once the walls  24  are elevated to the substantially vertical or deployed position in which each is substantially perpendicular to the floor  26 , then the folds  36  or hinges  36  may be folded at the fold lines  36   a,    36   b  in order to orient and position the deck  40  on an incline from the bottom of the anchor flap  32  to the top of the back wall  24   b.  Thus, the deck  40  is presented and a strip forming a securement  28  is positioned to receive, secure, and present a gift card  50  thereon. The deck  40  may begin higher if an extra distance flap and fold are provided between the anchor flap  32  and the deck. Thus, this alternative flap rises from the floor  26  a desired distance calculated to provide a desired incline of the deck  40  toward the tuck flap  44 . 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the box  10  may be seen in a fully converted and closed configuration. In this configuration, the walls  24  are completely converted and positioned orthogonally with respect to the floor  26  and the lid  14 . Meanwhile, the flap  16  has been secured to the front wall  24   a  by the seal  18  therebetween. The seal  18  may be formed of any suitable fastener, including adhesive, various types of tape, glue, hook-and-loop fasteners, a tie such as a ribbon or the like, snaps, magnets, magnet and plate, a combination thereof, and so forth. 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , one can see that the deck  40  presents a securement  38  for adhering a gift card  50  thereto. Meanwhile, the base  12  is not quite an entirely converted configuration in that the walls  24  are not all vertical. In the illustration, one may see the tabs  28  that connect the walls  24 . Tabs  28  secure to some at the ends thereof and others on a face, where the tabs  28  (triangles  28 ) are angled at a 45 degree angle from a corner. This is done in order that the walls  24  may all be laid flat. The tabs  28 , during folding down, push the walls  24  apart from one another in order that some walls fold inward and others fold outward to form a flat arrangement of the walls  24 , parallel to the floor  26 . Likewise, the tabs  28  are in a position to draw the walls  24  together, thus orienting the walls perpendicularly (i.e., orthogonally) to the floor  26  with their own ends snugged up against one another. 
         [0085]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the bottom plan view of the box  10  shows orientation of the floor  26  and lid  16 , as well as the closing flap  16 , with the box  10  in an open but almost completely erected or fully converted configuration, ready to receive a gift card  50 . 
         [0086]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-8 , the views of the box  10  show the almost completely converted box  10  with the tabs  28  drawing the walls  24  together. Meanwhile, the lid  14  and flap  16  are in an open position, ready to be closed in over the base  12  after the gift card  50  has been positioned on the deck  40  in a suitable presentation. 
         [0087]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , the box  10  is presented in a retail package  52  that presents the color scheme of the box  10  to a prospective purchaser. For example, a header  54  or tag  54  may be provided with an aperture  56  suitable to fit on a hanging rack for presentation. Meanwhile, a bag  58  secured to the header  54  or hang tag  54  may be formed of a clear or transparent material in order to present directly the color and decoration scheme of the box  10 . 
         [0088]    In the illustrated embodiments, the bag  58  or container  58  may be sized to maintain the box  10  collapsed in a stowed position or stowed configuration. Typically, the thicknesses of the box  10  overall, when in the stowed position, is a matter of several thickness of the material of which the box  10  is manufactured. In the illustrated embodiments, the box  10  may be seen through the container  58  or bag  58  in order that the designs, colors, and so forth characteristic of the box  10  may be viewed by a user or prospective purchaser. 
         [0089]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the box  10  is illustrated slightly open but substantially in the configuration of the stowed position as it will be contained in the bag  58  of the retail packaging  52 . The walls  24  may be seen as they are laid flat with the tabs  28 , against the floor  26  of the base  12 . 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 9-10 , and specifically referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , alternative configurations for display of the box  10  are illustrated. In  FIG. 9A , the box may be folded up in such a manner that the locking flap  42  is presented, covering part of the flap  16  that will eventually close the box  10 . Alternatively, the floor  26  may provide an offset by the back wall  24   b  that exactly equals the offset of the flap  16  in order that the locking flap  42  and the front wall  24   a  effectively match distances. Thus, a bottom layer progresses from the front wall  24   a  to the floor  26 , and the back wall  24   b,  all laid flat, parallel, and co-planar to one another. 
         [0091]    Across the upper layer is laid the lid  14  with the flap  16  extended therefrom. The flap  16  is close to, or even substantially abutting, the locking flap  42 . That locking flap  42  will eventually be used to hold the base  12  with the walls  24  in their upright, vertical positions. 
         [0092]    In the retail packaging of  FIG. 9A , the box  10  is configured substantially as illustrated in  FIG. 10A , but the top and bottom layers are flattened closer together. One will note that the tabs  28  must be laid flat and tend to push each of the walls  24  where each should go, by virtue of the relative positions of all those components. 
         [0093]    Referring to  FIG. 9B  and  FIG. 10B , an alternative, stowed configuration may involve presenting the deck  40  of the panel  20  over the top of the lid  14 . In this configuration, the retail package  52  may actually include the gift card  50 , already secured to the deck  40  and presented through the transparent bag  58  or container  58 . In this configuration, the design, color, and so forth of the box  10  may be seen in the locking tab  42 , yet the deck  40  presents itself and the card  50  to the purchaser, showing much of the overall impression that a receiver will see when opening the box  10  received. 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the box  10  in a folded down configuration may be packaged in a retail container  58 , such as a bag  58  connected by a header  54  or hanging tag  54  by stapling, bonding, or the like. Thus, the entire retail package  52  may be suspended by a peg passing through the aperture  56 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gift card  50  may actually be presented on the deck  40  by folding the locking tab  42  out over the top of the lid  14  and flap  16 . 
         [0095]    For example, in the configuration of  FIG. 9A  and  FIG. 10A , the locking flap  42  folds down against the front wall  24   a.  Meanwhile, the lid  14  and flap  16  fold down against the side walls  24   c,    24   d,  which are in turn folded down against the floor  26 . This provides a very compact configuration for retail packaging in the retail package  52  ready for display and sale. 
         [0096]    However, referring to  FIGS. 9B and 10B , the locking flap  42 , being secured to the panel  20 , may be laid down over the top of the lid  14  and flap  16 . In this configuration, the box  10 , being the same box  10  as that illustrated in  FIGS. 9A and 10A , is simply folded in a different, stowed configuration, exposing the panel  20  and locking flap  42  as the frontal presentation of the overall retail package  52 . Thus, a gift card  50  is itself visible, providing a complete image and message of the product, being the gift card  50  itself. 
         [0097]    However, in the overall retail package  52  and through a transparent retail container  58 , such as a bag  58 , the gift card  50  as well as the pattern, color, and texture of the box  10  as represented by the locking flap  42 , and the same color, texture, design, and so forth of the deck  40  are all visible. Thus, variations in design, texture, finishes, and the like may be presented for the deck  40  and the box  10 , both of which may be visible for inspection to a prospective customer. 
         [0098]    Referring to  FIG. 10B , the box  10  in the folded down configuration illustrated may appear as shown, even in the retail container  58  of the retail packaging  52 . Nevertheless, with some degree of compression, it is possible in an alternative configuration to further compress the deck  40  against the lid  14  to provide an even smaller overall thickness. 
         [0099]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-13 , a user upon purchasing the retail package  52  may open the retail container  58  by removing the header  54  or hanger  54  maintaining a seal on the retail container  58 . Upon removing the box  10  from the retail container  58 , a user may separate the lid  14  from the base  12  by opening the lid  14 , in the case of the configuration of  FIGS. 9A and 10A , or by lifting the deck  40  or panel  20  with its attached blocking flap  42  from on top of the lid  14  and then opening the lid  14  and flap  16  subsequently. 
         [0100]    Eventually, a user will lift the inside edges of the left  24   d  and right  24   c  walls, separating them from one another, pushing them away from each other, and lifting them up away from the floor  26 . In this manner, the tabs  28  will draw the front wall  24   a  and the back wall  24   b  together, tending to square up the box  10 , and specifically the base  12  made up of the floor  26  and the walls  24 . 
         [0101]    By folding the locking flap  42  over the tabs  28   a,  the anchor flap  32  will be drawn in against the front tabs  28   a  and toward the front wall  24   a.  In the illustrated embodiment, the tuck flap  34  is bonded to the locking flap  42 . Therefore, folding the locking flap  42  against the front tabs  28   a  draws the anchor flap  32  in against the front wall  24   a.  This brings the lower front edge of the deck  40  down into the front corner of the base  12  of the box  10 . Thereafter, a user may fold the tuck flap  34  along its fold line  36   b  to make the tuck flap  34  fit adjacent the rear tabs  28   b.    
         [0102]    In the configuration of  FIG. 11 , the box  10  has just been opened. In the configuration of  FIG. 12 , the anchor flap  32  is hidden under the locking flap  42  to which it is bonded. The folding of the tuck flap  34  along its fold line  36  or hinge  36  is partially completed. The folding of the tuck flap  34  along its fold line  36   b  has also begun. 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , a box  10  is substantially completely converted with the tuck flap  34  in place and hidden from view. The tendency of the panel  20  to resist the folds made on the fold lines  36   a,    36   b  tends to keep a friction fit of the panel  20  within the base  12 , thus stabilizing the position of the deck  40  with the card  50  thereon. In this illustration, the outline of the credit card is simply shown in dotted lines with no details. One embodiment of a gift card  50  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9B and 10B . 
         [0104]    Thus, any use of a securement  38  is hidden by the presence of the card  50  attached to the securement  38 . By closure of the flap  16  with its seal  18  connecting it to the front wall  24   a,  the box  10  becomes rigid, stable, and structurally strong. Accordingly, decorations  22 , cards, and the like may be connected to complete the gift. 
         [0105]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , a retail package  52  may be set up to display with conventional retail gift card packages  60 , including security-carded cards. These latter cards may be enclosed in a sealed retail package  60  showing little of the card, such as a bar code, or only an image of a gift card  50 . Tamper evident sealants completely enclosing all boundaries may prevent or resist unauthorized access. Security in gift cards is the subject of much attention from thieves and card issuers alike. In other instances, the retail gift card package  60  may simply be a card, container, or the like to which is mounted a gift card  50  that can be activated at a cash register upon checkout. 
         [0106]    In the illustrated embodiment, a display  62  includes racks  64  comprising rows and columns of pegs  66 , suitable for supporting products hanging therefrom. One configuration of the box  10  in accordance with the invention assures that the entire retail package  52  fits within the same “envelope” (where “envelope” is used in the sense of the set of three physical dimensions) of a retail gift card package  60 . 
         [0107]    The thickness of the retail package  52 , or the folded box  10  in the container  58  of the retail packaging  52 , may be thicker than the dimension required of retail gift card packaging  60 . Nevertheless, the area, as well as the height and width of the retail package  52 , correspond to those of the retail package  60 . 
         [0108]    Accordingly, the retail packages  52  containing the gift card boxes  10  in accordance with the invention may be interspersed on alternate columns, may be placed in certain columns, or on certain rows, or may be interspersed with the retail gift card packages  60 . Various configurations are illustrated. 
         [0109]    Alternatively, areas or regions of the rack  64  may be devoted to a particular brand of gift card  50 , designated by the issuer who will honor the charges made against the gift card  50 . Likewise, regions of the rack  64  may be devoted to particular designs, groups of designs, selections of an assortment of designs, and the like for the boxes  10  in accordance with the invention. 
         [0110]    A user may select a gift card  50  first, and then select a particular box  10  having a suitable design. On the other hand, a user may instead select the box  10  for suitability for an occasion and then select the card. In certain configurations, as mentioned already, the gift card  50  and the box  10  may already be configured together, permitting selection of a box  10  of suitable design, which will already be provided with a gift card  50 . This may be particularly appropriate where the issuer of the gift card  50  is a credit card company or the like. 
         [0111]    For example, gift cards  50  are issued by merchants. A gift card issued by a specific merchant (closed loop gift card) is redeemable only with that merchant, because that merchant is paid at the time that the gift card  50  is purchased. Therefore, no other merchant or financial institution can recognize the gift card  50 . In contrast, a credit card issuing company such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or the like may issue a gift card  50  that is accepted by most merchants (open loop gift card). 
         [0112]    Therefore, a retail package  52  arranged as in the configuration of  FIGS. 9B and 10B  could fill an entire rack  64  wherein the only decision a customer needs to make is the design of the box  10 . This is because the gift card  50  is issued by a company whose card  50  will be recognized with almost any merchant. 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-14 , a process  70  in accordance with the invention may begin with creating  71  components for a box  10 . The components may then be assembled  72  into a box  10  or a box system  10  as described hereinabove. At the point of manufacture, “constructed” or “assembled” means the fabrication and fastening together of all the components that will make up the box  10 . Thus, the complete box  10  may then be folded  73  into a configuration suitable for display and sale. 
         [0114]    Retail packaging  74  the box product  10  or the box  10  with a gift card  50 , provides a package  52  suitable for distribution  75  and display  76  on a rack  64  in a commercial display  62 . In certain embodiments, the printed information on a header  54  or hanger tag  54  may provide direction  77  of selections to a user. Similarly, space on the rack  64  or the overall display  62  may provide directions  77  to a user directing  77  him or her in making a selection. 
         [0115]    For example, a user may need to determine whether to purchase a gift card  50  separately from a box  10 , or they may be combined. Likewise, styles, designs, and the like may be coordinated between boxes  10  and gift cards  50 . Likewise, a greater number of matches between gift cards  50 , and, more specifically, gift cards  50  issued by various merchants, may be found if independent. That is, more cards may be matched up with a greater variety of boxes  10  if the boxes  10  and gift cards  50  are adjacent but separately suspended from the pegs  66  on the rack  64 . 
         [0116]    After a user completes a selection, the user and seller may then together transact  78  the sale of a gift card  50 , a box  10 , both individually, or both together in a single retail package  52 . Upon payment by a customer for a gift card  50 , the loading  79  of a value on the gift card  50  may be consummated by the merchant transacting  78  the sale. For example, certain online transactions may automatically occur between that merchant and issuer of the gift card  50  and other financial institutions. 
         [0117]    Ultimately, reporting  80  the transaction  78  will be required in order to communicate the value loaded  79  on the gift card  50 , any security information, the merchant transacting  78  the sale, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the gift card  50  may be embedded with information provided exclusively from the issuer. In other embodiments, security codes, identifiers, and the like may also be provided to correspond the gift card  50  with, for example, an individual purchaser, the merchant making the sale or accepting the gift card  50 , or the like. 
         [0118]    Referring to  FIG. 16 , while continuing to refer generally to  FIGS. 1-15 , a process  90  for implementing a gift box system  10  in accordance with the invention may begin with browsing  91  by a user or customer of the various selections of boxes  10  in a display  62 . Upon completing  92  a selection of a particular box  10 , gift card  50 , each individually, or a combination together, a user may complete  93  a purchase. 
         [0119]    A user may then assemble  94  the gift box  10 , including, in certain embodiments or configurations, placing the gift card  50  on the deck  40  of the gift box  10 . In some embodiments, as described hereinabove, the gift card  50  may already be secured to the deck  40  of the box  10  and its retail packaging  52 . 
         [0120]    Ultimately, however, the final steps of assembling  94  are the province of the purchaser as the walls  24  are erected above the floor  26 . The panel  20  is folded into the presentation configuration, wherein the anchor flap  32  and tuck flap  34  are both placed out of sight, presenting only the gift card  50  on the deck  40 . By “converting,” here, is meant the erection of the box, which has actually been manufactured and its components connected or assembled. To exist as, typically, an integral device having all its constituent parts already secured to one another, the box  10  is still not “fully converted” or configured in the gift box shape suitable for giving. 
         [0121]    Thus, a user then folds  95  portions of the panel  20  into the base  12  of the box  10  to present the deck  40  that will hold a gift card  50  enclosed  96  by the box  10 . Optionally, as indicated by the bracketed designation in the Figures, a user may apply  97  decorations  22  such as a ribbon, a bow, stickers, labels, gift tags, to/from gifting cards, or the like, as desired. Likewise, a user may fill  98  a greeting card, whether that greeting card is simply a to/from card or a more elaborate card, in order to introduce the gift card  50  or the gift represented by the box  10 . Thereafter, a purchaser may deliver  99  the gift constituted by the gift card  50  and the presentation box  10 . 
         [0122]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.