Elastic reusable wrapping product and system
The present invention relates to a flexible and reusable wrapping product and system for promoting the same and creating a kit at a point of purchase for enwrapping a consumer item. In one embodiment, a series of at least for elastic panels are interconnected forming a bounded region with a concealable or concealed opening depending upon manufacturer option. During use, the present invention allows ready insertion of a product-to-be-wrapped into an interior of the system with the flexible material adapting to non-uniform or non-standard product dimensions and concealing the product from an unexpected review.
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This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/702,868, filed Jul. 27, 2005, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
FIGURE DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an elastic wrapping product and system for operating the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a number of reusable gift wrapping products uniquely adaptable to diverse consumer needs and adaptive to decorative wrapping needs.
2. Description of the Related Art
The related art involves a number of related flexible or other types of gift wrapping products.
See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,674 to Bowman which provides a gift wrapping system for readily wrapping a box with a measured, pre-scored indication bearing wrapping product. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, Bowman fails to appreciate the need for flexible wrapping product.
See also for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,548 to Kenyon which provides a reusable gift wrap that provides an expandable sleeve longer than the length of a box. As will be appreciated upon review however, Kenyon fails to provide a neat outward appearance as additional loose flaps and Velcro® regions on the wrap product require multiple folds and overlaps in an attempt to provide a tightly wrapped box suitable for gifting. Thus, while Kenyon provides an adaptive sleeve it fails to respond to needs of the consuming public for a neatly wrapped reusable kit system.
See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,720,051 to Weder which provides a cloth-like decorative sleeve that may be rolled about floral groupings. In use, Welder is preferably adapted for wrapping flowers and flower-containers, and generally includes an attachment mechanism along one side of an open flexible sheet of cloth like material.
See also for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,671 to Fleitman which provides a paper based wrapping product having a flexible gusset or insert allowing two opposed paper halves to be adjustably positioned. As will be appreciated again, the Fleitman reference fails to provide a physically flexible wrapping system that is adaptive to promotional and gifting needs of the common consumer.
In view of the above, what is not appreciated by the prior art includes the need to provide a flexible wrapping product with a system that is commonly and readily adapted to a number of diverse consumer product wrapping needs and differently shaped consumer products. What is also not appreciated by the prior art is the need to provide a flexible wrapping product and system that may be readily adapted to a number of theme settings, for example, sports, dancing, holidays, etc. by mere interchanging of common components or the combination of common components with a special accessory in a kit form. Additionally, what is also not realized by the related art is the need for a commercial promotional system along the commercial sale of a low number of wrapping elements in conjunction with a large number of adaptive decorative devices to personalize a wrapped item in a kit form.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system for a flexible and reusable wrapping product as well as the need for an adaptive commercial or promotional gift sales system allowing point of purchase selection by the consuming public to customize a gift wrapping kit.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn object of the present invention is to provide an elastic and reusable flexible packaging product, kit, and system that responds to at least one of the needs noted above.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a flexible wrapping product that is readily adapted to a wide number of decorating needs.
Another aspect of the present invention is a point of purchase capable kit containing multiple basic flexible coverings selectable for pairing with one or more ornamental belt or securing products.
Another aspect of the present invention is a flexible covering device adapted for covering a consumer item and providing an additional retaining and displaying pouch for decorative promotion.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a flexible covering device adapted for covering a consumer item including an additional pouch member for containing an additional consumer item on an outer surface thereof.
The present invention relates to a flexible and reusable wrapping product and kit for the same. In one embodiment, a series of elastic panels are interconnected forming a bounded region with a concealed opening. During use, the present invention allows ready insertion of a product-to-be-wrapped into an interior of the system with the flexible material adapting to non-uniform or non-standard product dimensions and concealing the product from an unexpected review. In another alternative embodiment, the present system is employed to wrap/cover a conventionally shaped product while simultaneously providing a mechanism for readily accepting seasonal or other accessories. In another alternative embodiment, a series of three elastic panels are interconnected forming a bounded region for enclosing a product-to-be-wrapped having minimal thickness. During use, the panels elastically cover a product in a concealed manner. During an alternative use, one or more panels may be manipulated to overlay a portion of a product, preventing any slack covering material and securing the product there within.
In another alternative aspect, the present system is employed to wrap/cover a conventionally shaped product while simultaneously providing a mechanism for readily accepting seasonal, promotional, or other accessories in the generation of an entire kit assembly. In another alternative aspect, a series of three elastic panels are interconnected forming a bounded region for enclosing a product-to-be-wrapped having minimal thickness. During use, the panels elastically cover a product in a concealed manner. During an alternative use, one or more panels of either single or multiple panel designs may be manipulated to overlay a portion of a product, preventing any slack covering material and securing the product there within without visibility from an external review.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conduction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Reference will now be made in detail to several aspects of the present invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale or shape. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, up, down, over, above, and below may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. Furthermore, the words “connect,” “couple,” and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through mediate elements or devices.
Referring now to
While the present preferred embodiment envisions enwrapping flexibly a rectilinear (6-sided) consumer product, those of skill in the art will understand that the present invention may be adapted using differing sized panels to fit any common consumer product size, and even variable shapes such as a cylindraceous container.
During construction each font and rear panel 8, 9, and 10 is constructed from a preferably flexible material such as elastic fabric, elastomeric fabric weaves, and other rayon, nylons, spandex® and other natural and artificial materials known to those of skill in the art to be effective to achieve the goals noted herein. The flexible material, as shown in the accompanying illustrated views, may be patterned, colored, or printed in any commercially acceptable form to please a customer (see for example
Stitching formed from flexible thread, or any other form of joining means such as flexible adhesive, flexibly joins each panel such that each panel may shift slightly relative to the other along edge panel 6 and adapt the entire apparatus 1, 1′ to the variable shapes of a product, box, or other item-to-be-wrapped. Thus, the present product easily accepts boxes of slightly thicker, longer, or wider dimensions than the panels themselves by roughly up to 30% before a new size apparatus 1, 1′ is required.
Back panels 8, 9 are sewn to provide an overlap opening portion 11, allowing the ready insertion of an item 100 for wrapping by simply separating back panels 8, 9. Since the overlap is of a preferably substantial amount, the present invention enables ready adaptation to a wide range of products without opening overlap opening portion 11 and exposing item 100 to a gift-receiver's view. This is in contrast to an adaptive (and more economical) embodiment of the present invention 101 shown at
Shown particularly in
As shown best in
While the present embodiment may be suitably formed from four inter-sewn elastic panels, other forms and shapes may be suitable for particular consumer products and may be incorporated herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
As specifically noted in
Referring now to
In
Referring now to
As shown panel portions X1 and X2 are smaller or narrower than panels X3 and X4 allowing the creation of a hinge region X5 allowing pockets 120, 121 to flexibly receive compact disk members 111, 111. After a user inserts compact disks 111, 111, a user folds hinge region X5 and places panels X1 and X2 in contact allowing an outer face of panels X3 and X4 to serve as the outer surface of a flexible gift wrap.
As noted particularly in
An alternative aspect of flexible wrapping system 20′, includes a digital print on an outer surface of the flexible fabric, and the inclusion of a separate fixing means 130, shown here as a Velro® button attached with adhesive with a peal-back cover 131. Additionally joining member 132 includes an outer perimeter portion 133, and a projecting inner stub member (not shown) engaging the inner hole in compact disk 134 and including a reverse Velcro® button for engaging fixing means 130 to form an ornamental assembly releasably joined to flexible wrapping assembly 20′. While not shown, badge member 132 and disk 134 may be attached to item 130 in any convenient manner, such as a physical pin, a adhesive, with an elastic band as in the first embodiment, with Velcro, or with a magnet, etc. without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.
As a consequence of the alternative aspects noted above, those of skill in the art will recognize that the principals of the present flexible wrapping device kit system are adaptive to a number of consumer product items and may be readily displayed and sold on a display rack at a point of purchase adjacent gift or toy items.
Referring now to
Additionally referring to
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Similar to
Similar to the earlier two aspects, as shown in
Referring now to
In yet another aspect of the present invention,
Referring now to
As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the aspects of the present invention shown in
In the claims, means- or step-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described or suggested herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, for example, although a nail, a screw, and a bolt may not be structural equivalents in that a nail relies on friction between a wooden part and a cylindrical surface, a screw's helical surface positively engages the wooden part, and a bolt's head and nut compress opposite sides of a wooden part, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail, a screw, and a bolt may be readily understood by those skilled in the art as equivalent structures.
Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of each panel construction of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes, modifications, and adaptations may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A reusable wrapping kit, comprising:
- a multiple panel flexible wrapping element forming a flexibly bounded inner region for receiving an external item to be concealed;
- said flexible wrapping element including at least a first flexibly elastic front-face panel and a second flexible rear-face panel;
- flap means for elastically accessing said flexibly bounded inner region for enabling an insertion and a withdrawal of said external element without damaging said flexible wrapping element;
- an ornamental element; and
- means for fixing at least a first ornamental element to one of said front-face and said rear-face panel, whereby during an assembly of said kit a user may conceal said external item and affix said first ornamental element to provide a commercially appropriate appearance.
2. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 2, further comprising:
- a flexible strap member;
- said strap member surrounding said wrapping element; and
- said means for fixing including means for affixing said ornamental element to said strap member, whereby said user may encircle said wrapping element with said flexible strap member retained in place by said means for fixing to provide an aid in securely retaining said external item within said flexibly bounded inner region.
3. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 2, wherein:
- said flexible strap member is an elastic member enabling a stretching to accommodate a positioning about said wrapping element.
4. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 3, further comprising:
- at least a second flexible strap member;
- said second strap member surrounding said wrapping element; and
- said means for fixing including second means for affixing said ornamental element to said strap member, whereby said user may encircle said wrapping element with said flexible strap member retained in place by said means for fixing and encircle said wrapping element with said second flexible strap member also engaged by said means for fixing to provide an aid in securely retaining said external item within said flexibly bounded inner region.
5. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 3, further comprising:
- a first external gift member; and
- means for affixing said first external gift member to said flexible strap member, wherein said user may adaptively position said external gift member to complement said first external item to be wrapped.
6. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 3, further comprising:
- hand grip element; and
- said hand grip element engaging a surface of said multiple panel flexible wrapping element, whereby said user may comfortably grip said hand grip element and transport said kit.
7. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 3, further comprising:
- at least a flexible side panel element flexibly spacing said front face and said rear face panels; and
- said flexible side panel member being elastic, whereby said wrapping kit enables ready insertion of variably shaped external items via said flap means for elastically accessing.
8. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 3, further comprising:
- a pocket member on one of said front-face and said rear-face panels, whereby said pocket member enables the inclusion of a card element.
9. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 7, further comprising:
- at least a first window panel assembly on said front-face panel, whereby said first window panel assembly enables the inclusion of a visual display item flexibly retained to said front-face panel to prevent unintended separation.
10. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 3, wherein:
- said flap means for elastically accessing said flexibly bounded inner region further comprises: a second rear-facing panel; a second access edge on said second rear-facing panel; and a first access edge on said first rear-facing panel proximate said second access edge, whereby said flap means enables ready elastic separation of said respective access edges for access to said flexibly bounded inner region.
11. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 10, further comprising:
- an over lap panel portion on one of said first and said second rear-facing panels; and
- said overlap panel portion concealing said flexibly bounded inner region, thereby enabling a user to use differently sized external items having a volume greater than said inner region and urging a separation of said first and second access edges.
12. A reusable wrapping kit, comprising:
- a multiple panel flexible and elastic wrapping element forming a flexibly and elastically bounded inner region for receiving an external item to be concealed;
- said wrapping element including at least a first flexibly elastic front-face panel and a first and a second flexible elastic rear-face panel spaced apart from each other by a at least a side panel element; said side panel member being elastic and flexible, whereby said wrapping kit enables ready insertion of variably shaped external items via a flap means for elastically accessing said flexibly bounded inner region for enabling an insertion and a withdrawal of said external element without damaging said flexible wrapping element;
- a flexible strap member;
- said strap member surrounding said wrapping element; and
- means for affixing ends of said flexible strap member whereby said user may encircle said wrapping element with said flexible strap member retained in place by said means for fixing to provide an aid in securely retaining said external item within said flexibly bounded inner region.
13. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 12, wherein:
- said means for fixing include at least one of a hoop member, a buckle member, a clasp member, an elastic member, a hook member and a Velcro member.
14. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 12, further comprising:
- an ornamental element; and
- means for fixing at least a first ornamental element to said flexible strap member, whereby during an assembly of said kit a user may conceal said means for affixing said flexible strap member to provide a commercially appropriate appearance.
15. A reusable wrapping kit, according to claim 14, further comprising:
- a pocket member on one of said front-face and said rear-face panels, whereby said pocket member enables the inclusion of a card element.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 27, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2007
Applicant:
Inventor: Patricia Mihallo (Scarsdale, NY)
Application Number: 11/494,899
International Classification: B65D 73/00 (20060101);