Display package

Abstract

A package that securely holds hair, displays it, and is easy to manufacture, assemble, and transport. This package is made of two parts: a shell and an insert. The shell is shaped like a rectangular prism with the bottom side remaining open. The insert is also a rectangular prism and can be slid inside the shell from the shell's open bottom side. The shell and the insert have corresponding pleats which allow the shell and the insert to be compressed flat together. The insert holds the hair swatch and displays it through an open front side. The shell has at least one cut-out window on its front side, which can be covered with a clear sheet. The window(s) on the shell corresponds with the open side on the insert, so that the hair swatch in the insert can be seen. The insert has a hook on its top side, which protrudes from a hold in the top of the shell when the insert is in the shell.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] This invention relates to a display package for hair swatches. The package consists of an outer shell and an insert. The insert can be made from a single sheet of cardboard cut and folded into a box-like shape. The insert holds the hair and displays it through an open top side. The insert is also attached to a hook, which allows the package to be hung.

[0002] The outer shell is open on one side, where the insert can slide in and out. The opposite side of the outer shell is covered by a flap, but that flap can be opened to allow the insert to slide into the shell. That flap has a small opening to allow the hook device on the insert to protrude. Furthermore, the shell has one or more clear panels on the front so that a customer can see through to the hair swatches on the insert.

[0003] Both the shell and the insert have corresponding pleats along their sides that allow the whole display package to be compressed flat for efficient transport and then expanded for attractive display purposes.

SUMMARY

[0004] An object of the invention is to hold hair swatches securely.

[0005] Another object of the invention is to protect the hair swatches, so that they may stay clean, untangled, and easy to manage.

[0006] Still another object of the invention is to display the hair swatches attractively and clearly so that consumers may see the color and texture before purchase.

[0007] Still another object of the invention is to facilitate the use of the package in a hanging display.

[0008] Still another object of the invention is to provide a package that is simple and easy to assemble and manufacture.

[0009] Still another object of the invention is to provide a package that can be compressed flat for easy bundling and transport.

[0010] In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a two-piece package design: a shell and an insert. The insert holds the hair swatches in a shallow bed, but the hair swatches are left exposed through an open side. The insert can be slid into an outer shell, which provides a protective shield against dirt and other debris. The shell has one or more clear panels that corresponds with the insert's open side, so that customers can view the hair swatches through the panel(s). Furthermore, the insert is attached to a hook, which can protrude through the opening of the flap belonging to the shell.

[0011] The insert can be made from a single sheet of flexible material cut and folded into a certain shape and a hook. The outer shell is made from a single sheet of flexible material cut, folded and pasted into a certain shape which includes one or more cut-out windows; and a smaller sheet of clear material pasted under cut-out windows to form clear panels.

[0012] Both the insert and the outer shell have creases along their sides, which form pleats. These pleats allow the package to be compressed for easy and efficient bundling and transport. The pleats can also allow the package to expand for attractive display purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of an assembled outer shell of the display package;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plane view of the outer shell of the display package, unassembled;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of an assembled insert;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a plane view of an unassembled insert;

[0018] FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of an assembled display package;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a plane view of an assembled display package, with the insert inside the outer shell.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a plane view of a hook.

DESCRIPTION

[0021] FIG. 6 shows an assembled display package according to the present invention. The package consists of an outer shell and an insert. FIG. 1 shows the outer shell as it appears when it is assembled. The front side 1 of the shell has cut-out windows that reveal one or more clear panels 2. The panel(s) 2 consists of a clear sheet pasted to the underside of side 1.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows the outer shell as it appears when it is unassembled. It consists of one sheet of flexible material cut as shown and one smaller clear sheet pasted to the underside of side 1. To assemble, sides 6, 7, and 11 are folded under side 1. Then sides 5, 8, and 12 are folded out to form pleats. Then side 4 is folded under, and then side 3 is folded under. Side 4 is pasted to side 3. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the outer shell, as well as the insert, and shows how the folds should appear.

[0023] FIG. 3 shows the insert as it appears when it is assembled. The insert is shaped like a shallow box with narrow pleats 15 and 17 on two opposite sides and wider overhangs 14 and 18 on the other two opposite sides. The bed 16 of the box is able to hold the swatch of hair for display. FIG. 4 show the insert as it appears when it is unassembled. It consists of a single sheet cut into a particular shape and a hook.

[0024] To assemble, first attach the hook 13 to the crease between side 21 and side 32. FIG. 7 shows one possible hook shape. This hook requires that there be a hole 35 on the crease between side 21 and side 32. The end 33 of the hook is then inserted into hole 35 as far as it can go. Then, side 34 is inserted into hole 35. Ends 33 and 34 should be facing the inside face of side 16.

[0025] To begin the folding the insert, fold sides 21, 22, 24, and 26 over the inside face of side 16. Then fold sides 23, 25, 27, and 32 back to form a pleat. Then fold sides 15 and 17 towards the inside face of side 16 to form another pleat. Once this is done, fold side 18 up towards the inside face of side 16. Then, fold 30 and 31 so that the crease between them corresponds with the crease formed between sides 22 and 23. Then, fold sides 28 and 29 so that the crease between them correspond with the crease formed between sides 24 and 25. Then fold side 14 toward the inside face of side 16. Side 19 is folded so that the crease formed corresponds with the crease between side 15 and side 25. Side 20 is folded so that the crease formed corresponds with the crease between side 17 and side 23.

[0026] The insert, as folded, can now be used to hold a hair swatch. Once the hair swatch is added, the insert can be slid into the outer shell through either of the two open ends. Then side 10 can be folded down toward side 3 and tucked beneath side 3. The hook 13 should protrude from hole 9, and all of the creases should line up as according to FIG. 5.

[0027] By the above construction, the present invention provides a simple, attractive, and easily transported display package. The package is easy to manufacture, to assemble, to compress for shipment, to expand for display, and to hang in a hanging display.

[0028] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described and illustrated, it should be understood that many changes, substitutions and modifications to the described embodiment are possible. Therefore, many alternates are available, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention that is defined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A display package comprising:

a) An outer shell; and

b) an insert;

wherein the shell is shaped into a substantially rectangular prism that has an opening at the bottom side, with pleats along its sides that allow it to be compressed flat; wherein the insert is also shaped like a rectangular prism with pleats along its sides that allow it to be compressed flat;

wherein the insert fits inside the shell; wherein the shell's pleats and the insert's pleats correspond, so that they can be compressed flat together while the insert is inside the shell.

2. The display package of claim 1 wherein the insert has a hook attached to it.

3. The display package of claim 2 wherein the hook has a first end and a second end wherein the first end is inserted by sliding one end of the hook all the way into a small slit, placing the other end into the slit, and then sliding it back to center the hook; wherein the shape of the hook keeps the hook in place.

4. The display package of claim 2 wherein the shell has a small hole on its top side wherein the hook protrudes from the hole when the insert is inside the shell.

5. The display package of claim 1 wherein the shell has cut-out window on its front side.

6. The display package of claim 5 wherein the wherein the backside of the window is covered with a sheet of clear material.

7. The display package of claim 1 wherein the insert is made from a single sheet of material cut and folded into a shallow box-shape.

8. The display package of claim 8 wherein the front of the insert is not covered.

9. The display package of claim 9 wherein the front of the insert is partially covered at the top and the bottom by overhanging folds.

10. A display package comprising:

a) An outer shell; and

b) an insert;

wherein the shell is shaped into a substantially rectangular prism that has an opening at the bottom side, with pleats along its sides that allow it to be compressed flat; wherein the insert is also shaped like a rectangular prism with pleats along its sides that allow it to be compressed flat;

wherein the insert fits inside the shell; wherein the shell's pleats and the insert's pleats correspond, so that they can be compressed flat together while the insert is inside the shell;

wherein the outer shell has a plurality of cut-out windows on its front side.