Combination box fan and packaging assembly

Abstract

A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion. The shroud portion and the grill portions define an interior region of the fan housing. The shroud portion defines an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each define an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. A film of packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material. A portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material is also disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to fans, and more particularly to a box fan assembly having final assembly parts that are self-contained and other features that make the assembly conducive to shrink-wrap packaging, or other forms of low cost packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Box fans have traditionally been an effective way to provide climate control within a living space. In recent years, manufacturers have found ways to design and manufacture these types of fans at low costs due to technological advancements in manufacturing, materials and packaging. These types of fans have become extremely popular over the recent years due to their extremely low cost to the consumer. During the summer months, box fans provide a very low cost solution to keep air circulating within a living space, and hence, help keep temperatures from reaching uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous, levels.

[0003] Due to their increasing popularity and low cost, these types of box fans have become high volume consumer products. High volume products, especially low cost products, always challenge manufacturers to find ways to reduce manufacturing and material costs in order to increase or maintain profit margins, especially when margins are low. Because of the typically high volume of sales of these types of products, reduction of just a few cents in manufacturing or product cost can translate into significant increases in profit. Some of these reductions can also be translated into further reduced prices to the consumer.

[0004] One of the most expensive portions of product cost for these types of low-cost products is attributable to product packaging. The most popular method of packaging box fans is to place them within a corrugated cardboard or paper box. The box may include additional cardboard, foam, or plastic braces or supports that are designed to secure or support the box fan within the box. The box typically has printed indicia on several of its outside surfaces, sometimes in several colors, indicating product names, marketing information, technical specifications and other product or manufacturer information. All of these features of box packaging make it an expensive choice for packaging, especially for packaging high-volume low-cost consumer products.

[0005] Another method of packaging is plastic form packaging. This type of packaging typically involves packaging a product between two thermo-formed or vacuum-formed plastic package halves that are formed to fit the contour of the product. The package halves are typically welded together to form a peripheral seam that seals the package. Printed material can be printed on a paper or cardboard substrate and inserted between the package halves to provide product and marketing information. Although this type of packaging reduces cost associated with printing, it typically requires customized tooling to form the contoured packaging. Because of the tooling requirement, this type of packaging can be relatively expensive, especially for packaging high-volume low-cost consumer products.

[0006] One of the least expensive packaging methods is shrink-wrap packaging. In this type of packaging, the product is wrapped with a thin film of shrinkable plastic material. After the product is wrapped, the shrink-wrap is exposed to heat, which causes the shrink-wrap to shrink and conform to the product. Product and marketing material can be printed on a paper or cardboard substrate and inserted between the shrink-wrap and product prior to shrinking the shrink-wrap. Shrink-wrap packaging is a very low cost method of packaging. One of the drawbacks to shrink-wrapping, however, is the lack of product protection from damage. This is especially true when the product is less robust or of a shape that includes appendages, protrusions, or other potentially fragile components. Box fans typically include appendages such as handles, floor supports or feet, control knobs, power cords and the like, which make it a product that is less conducive to shrink-wrap packaging methods. These appendages also make the box fans less conducive to shipping, storage, and stacking on pallets and store shelves due to their dimensional complexity. This can also significantly reduce the volume of product that can be displayed on store shelves, or shipped in a single shipping unit, such as a pallet or other container. Therefore, a simple geometrically-shaped product having no appendages or protrusions would be an ideal candidate for shrink-wrap packaging and would provide all of the shipping, storage and cost savings benefits associated with this type of packaging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion. The shroud portion and the grill portions define an interior region of the fan housing. The shroud portion defines an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each define an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. A film of packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material.

[0008] In another aspect, a fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material is provided. The assembly comprises a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion. The shroud portion and the grill portions define an interior region of the fan housing. The peripheral shroud portion has an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each have an outer grill surface, the outer surfaces defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. The exterior boundary surface defines a geometric extent of the fan. A motorized blade assembly is disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and includes a fan motor having a motor housing and a control actuator disposed adjacent an outer surface of the motor housing. The fan motor is disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing so that it does not breach the geometric extent of the fan.

[0009] In yet another aspect, a portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material is provided wherein the assembly includes a fan housing having an interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan housing. The fan housing includes a compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface. The compartment is adapted to accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly such that the appendage does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a portable fan having self-contained packaging capability is provided. The fan includes a fan housing defining an interior region and an exterior boundary surface. The exterior boundary surface defines the geometric extent of the fan. A motorized blade assembly is disposed within the interior region of the fan housing. The fan also includes at least one removable appendage, wherein the fan housing is adapted to provide storage of the removable appendage within the geometric extent of the fan in a packaged state.

[0011] These and other aspects will become apparent from a review of the Drawings, Detailed Description and the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable fan assembly in accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fan assembly shown in FIG. 1 having a portion cut away to expose a fan motor.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a combination portable fan and packaging assembly in accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention wherein a layer of packaging material is disposed over the fan.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a package containing appendages of the portable fan assembly that can be placed within a compartment within the fan assembly in accordance with a particular aspect of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] While the present invention will be described fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a particular embodiment is shown, it is to be understood at the outset that persons skilled in the art may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the desired result of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as an informative disclosure of a specific embodiment under the invention directed to the understanding of persons skilled in the appropriate arts and not as limitations of the present invention.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a portable fan, or fan assembly 10 having a fan housing 12. The fan housing 12 includes a peripheral shroud portion 14 and two grill portions 16 and 18, each disposed adjacent the shroud portion 14. The shroud portion 14 and the grill portions 16 and 18 define an interior region 20 of the fan housing 12. In this particular embodiment, the shroud portion 14 has an outer shroud surface 22 and the two grill portions 16 and 18 each have an outer grill surface 24. It is to be understood that the shroud portion 14, as well as the grill portions 16, may be made up of more than one component and can be of a variety of shapes and sizes. The outer shroud surface 22 and the outer grill surface 24 together define an exterior, or outer, boundary surface 26 of the fan housing 12 that represents the outer boundary of a defined space within which the fan housing 12 is contained, i.e., the spacial limit or geometric extent of the fan housing 12. In a preferred embodiment, the fan housing is free of any appendages that more than slightly protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan housing, thereby providing a portable fan that is conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, such as shrink-wrap packaging. Appendages may include a fixed power cord, a removable power cord, removable supports or feet, a removable control knob, a removable handle, and any other feature of a fan that would extend beyond the geometric extent of the fan housing.

[0018] As best shown in FIG. 2, a motorized blade assembly 30 is disposed within the interior region 20 of the fan housing 12. The fan blade assembly includes a motor 32 having a motor housing 34, a bladed propeller 36 and a control actuator 38. The motor 32 is of a design that is particularly suitable for the present invention. In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the motor 32 is disposed within the interior region 20 of the housing 12 such that the control actuator 38 does not extend beyond the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan housing 12. The control actuator 38 is disposed within a control cavity, or recess 40, such that the control actuator 38 does not extend beyond the boundary surface 26 but remains functionally accessible by a user of the fan 10. The recessed design of the control actuator 38 is further facilitated by the design of the motor housing 34. The motor housing 34 includes a backplane 42 that is offset from an outermost surface 44 of the fan housing 34, within which the control actuator 38 is disposed. Additionally, the control actuator 38 includes a control knob 46 that has an offset design, i.e., the control knob 46 has an axis of rotation that is not at the center of the control knob 46, but rather offset to a side edge of the control knob 46. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the control knob 46 has a wedge-like shape. By offsetting the control knob 46 from its axis of rotation, the motor 32 can be of a more compact design and the recess 40 can be smaller. To further accommodate this design, control setting indicia 48 can be disposed directly on the grill portion 16, such as by labeling or molding, thereby further decreasing the manufacturing costs of the motor 32, which, in turn, decreases the cost of the fan 10.

[0019] In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the motor housing 34 includes an electrical cord receptacle 49 disposed within the backplane 42 that accepts a plug of a removable electrical power cord. The grill portion 16 includes a receptacle aperture 50 to accommodate access to the receptacle 49. The grill portion 16 also includes a recessed handle 52 disposed near an edge 53 of the fan housing 12 to facilitate carrying of the fan 10 by a user. These features facilitate ease of packaging the fan with a surrounding film layer of packaging material.

[0020] A particular feature that facilitates the self-contained packaging concept is the capability of the fan housing to allow storage of appendages of the fan such that they are contained within the geometric extent of the fan. In a preferred embodiment, a recessed pocket, or compartment 54, is formed within the grill portion 16 that is adapted to accommodate appendages of the fan 10. The compartment 54 is shown in FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, the compartment 54 can also be formed within the shroud portion 14. In other fan styles, the compartment can be formed into any portion of the fan housing such that it provides storage that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. Furthermore, the compartment can be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. Referring to FIG. 3, the compartment 54 is defined by a recessed surface 55 offset from the outer grill surface 24 by an adjacent sidewall 56. In a preferred embodiment, the recessed surface 55 and the sidewall 56 include a grill structure or apertures therein to facilitate air flow therethrough. Thus, the compartment 54 does not interfere with air flow from the motorized blade assembly.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 4, removable appendages may include removable supports or feet 57 and a removable power cord 58. In a preferred embodiment, the removable feet 57 and the power cord 58 of FIG. 4 are packaged within a plastic package 60. The removable feet 56 can be clipped to a bottom edge 62 of the fan housing 12 to help support the fan 10 when it is placed on a surface. In an alternate embodiment, the removable appendages of the fan 10 may also include features such as a removable handle (not shown) that attaches to the fan housing 12, a removable control knob (not shown), other features of a fan that would normally substantially extend beyond the geometric extent of the fan housing. The removability of these features, and storage within the compartment, provides an appendage-free housing that is conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, such as shrink-wrap packaging.

[0022] The combination compartment 54 and the drop-in plastic package 60 accommodates more functional packaging and reduces packaging costs. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the package 60 is placed within the compartment 54 during the packaging process. As shown in FIG. 3, a layer of packaging material 70, such as shrink-wrap film, is disposed around the fan 10. If shrink-wrap type packaging material is utilized, heat is applied to the film which causes the shrink-wrap to shrink and conform to the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan 10. Because the fan 10 of the present invention is substantially free of appendages in a prepackaged state, it is conducive to this type of self-contained packaging. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the layer of packaging material 70 holds the plastic package 60 within the compartment 54. Product and marketing material can be printed on a paper or cardboard substrate (not shown) and inserted between the shrink-wrap and the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan 10 prior to shrinking the shrink-wrap. It should be noted that the plastic package 60, or one or more appendages of the fan if such is the case, may slightly protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. As shown in FIG. 3, the plastic package 60 slightly protrudes beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. This occurrence does not adversely affect the principle of the present invention, as long as a majority portion of the plastic package is recessed from the exterior boundary surface. It is to be understood that he plastic package 60, or one or more appendages of the fan contained within the compartment 54, are not considered part of the fan when the fan is in a packaged state.

[0023] When a consumer removes the fan 10 from the packaging material 70, the package 60 can be removed and, in turn, the appendages of the fan 10 can be removed from the package 60. The appendages can then be attached to the fan 10 by the consumer to allow use of the fan 10 in a fully-assembled state.

[0024] It is to be understood that although the preferred embodiment depicts the appendages packaged within the package 60, they could also be directly placed within the compartment 54 without being in a package. Additionally, the fan 10 could be designed such that the power cord 58 is wired directly to the motor 32 and extends into the compartment 54 without substantially protruding beyond the exterior boundary surface 26 of the fan 10. It is also to be understood that although the preferred embodiment depicts a box-type fan, the invention is applicable to other types of portable fans that could effectively be packaged in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] It is also to be understood that the compartment 54 could be supplied with a cover (not shown) that can be removably placed over the compartment 54 to contain the appendages of the fan 10. In this type of arrangement, it is contemplated that the fan 10 could be a self-contained package that does not require a layer of packaging material.

[0026] It is contemplated that all types of fan features can be designed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Many types of features can be designed within the fan such that they are recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan. Furthermore, many types of features can be designed to be removably attachable to the fan such that they can be stored within a compartment, pocket, recess or within the fan housing such that they are contained within the geometric extent of the fan. By designing these types of features, the geometric extent of the fan can be defined to provide a simple geometrically-shaped product conducive to film packaging or self-contained packaging, which would provide all of the shipping, storage and cost savings benefits associated therewith.

[0027] While one or more specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications may come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.

Claims

1. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising:

a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each defining an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, the fan further including a motorized blade assembly having a motor and disposed within the interior region of the fan housing; and

a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;

wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material.

2. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor includes a control actuator, the motor disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

3. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 1, further including a handle feature disposed within the fan housing and recessed from the exterior boundary surface.

4. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 1, further including a pocket disposed within the fan housing and recessed from the exterior boundary surface.

5. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the pocket is adapted to receive a power cord electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.

6. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 4, wherein the pocket is adapted to receive at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly.

7. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the appendage is a foot support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.

8. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the appendage is a power cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.

9. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the appendage is a control knob that is removably attached to the motor.

10. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the film of packaging material retains the removable appendage within the pocket.

11. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 6, wherein the removable appendage is disposed inside a package that is disposed within the pocket.

12. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly including:

a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;

a motorized blade assembly having a motor and disposed within the interior region of the fan housing;

a compartment recessed from the exterior boundary surface that accommodates at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly; and

a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

13. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the compartment is configured to accommodate a power cord electrically connected to the motor.

14. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the compartment is configured to accommodate at least one support feature that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.

15. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 12, further including a handle feature disposed within the exterior boundary surface.

16. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the compartment is formed within one of the grill portions.

17. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 16, wherein the compartment is defined by a recessed compartment surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.

18. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 17, wherein the recessed compartment surface includes a grill structure.

19. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 17, wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure.

20. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the motor includes a control actuator that is disposed in the assembly such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

21. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 20, wherein the control actuator includes a removable control knob that is adapted to be stored within the compartment.

22. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 12, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

23. A fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the assembly comprising:

a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the outer surfaces defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, the exterior boundary surface defining a geometric extent of the fan; and

a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a motor housing and a control actuator disposed adjacent an outer surface of the motor housing, the fan motor disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing so that it does not breach the geometric extent of the fan.

24. The fan assembly of claim 23, wherein the control actuator is disposed within a recess formed within the fan housing to facilitate access to the control actuator.

25. The fan assembly of claim 24, wherein the fan housing includes a surface adjacent to the recess and upon which indicia is disposed.

26. The fan assembly of claim 23, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

27. The fan assembly of claim 26, wherein the power cord receptacle is disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.

28. The fan assembly of claim 23, wherein the fan housing further includes a compartment recessed from the exterior boundary surface.

29. The fan assembly of claim 28, wherein the compartment is adapted to receive an appendage of the fan assembly.

30. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising:

a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the fan housing including a recessed control cavity and a recessed pocket;

a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control actuator disposed within the control cavity;

at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly disposed within the recessed pocket; and

a layer of packaging material disposed over the fan housing.

31. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 30, wherein the recessed control cavity is formed within one of the grill portions.

32. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 30, wherein the fan housing includes a surface adjacent to the recessed control cavity having indicia disposed thereon.

33. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 31, wherein the recessed pocket is formed within one of the grill portions.

34. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 33, wherein the recessed pocket is defined by a recessed surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.

35. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 34, wherein the recessed surface includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.

36. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 34, wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.

37. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 30, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.

38. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 30, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a foot support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.

39. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 30, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a power cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.

40. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising:

a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the fan housing including a recessed control cavity and a recessed pocket;

a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control actuator disposed within the control cavity;

a package containing at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly and disposed within the recessed pocket; and

a layer of packaging material disposed over the fan housing.

41. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 40, wherein the recessed control cavity is formed within one of the grill portions.

42. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 40, wherein the recessed pocket is formed within one of the grill portions.

43. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 42, wherein the recessed pocket is defined by a recessed surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.

44. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 43, wherein the recessed surface includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.

45. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 43, wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.

46. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 40, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.

47. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 40, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a foot support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.

48. The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of claim 40, wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a power cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.

49. A portable fan assembly comprising:

a fan housing having an interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan housing, the fan housing further including a control recess and a compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface and adapted to accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly; and

a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control actuator, the motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is disposed within the control recess of the fan housing, the control actuator being positioned substantially offset from the exterior boundary surface toward the interior region of the fan housing.

50. The portable fan assembly of claim 49, wherein the at least one appendage includes a power cord electrically connected to the motor.

51. The portable fan assembly of claim 49, wherein the at least one appendage includes a power cord that is removably connected to the motor.

52. The portable fan assembly of claim 49, wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the portable fan assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

53. The portable fan assembly of claim 52, wherein the power cord receptacle is disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.

54. A method of packaging a portable fan having a fan housing that includes a compartment that is recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the method comprising the steps of:

placing the at least one removable appendage of the portable fan into the compartment such that the at least one removable appendage does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing; and

disposing a film of packaging material over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, thereby retaining the at least one removable appendage within the compartment.

55. A portable fan conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the fan comprising a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the compartment adapted to receive the at least one removable appendage and contain it therein when a film of packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

56. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising:

a fan having a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the compartment adapted to receive the at least one removable appendage; and

a layer of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;

wherein the layer of packaging material retains the at least one removable appendage within the compartment such that it does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

57. A portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the assembly comprising a fan housing having an interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan housing, the fan housing further having a compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface, the compartment adapted to accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly such that the at least one appendage does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.

58. A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising:

a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each defining an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing; and

a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;

wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material.

59. A portable fan conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the fan comprising a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one appendage, the compartment adapted to store the at least one appendage, the exterior boundary surface representing the outermost geometric extent of the fan.

60. A portable fan having self-contained packaging capability, the fan comprising:

a fan housing defining an interior region and an exterior boundary surface, the exterior boundary surface defining the geometric extent of the fan;

a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing; and

at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly, the fan housing adapted to provide storage of the removable appendage within the geometric extent of the fan in a packaged state.