Gift package

Abstract

A gift package including a decorative package and a protective package, where the decorative package is slightly dimensionally smaller in length, width and height than the protective package. The decorative package fits in the protective package without freely sliding therein, and has a decorative exterior. The decorative package and protective package can be in the form of an envelope, box or the like, or a combination thereof. Also, a gift package in the form of an envelope, box or the like, or a combination thereof, having an extension on a flap that can be used as a gift card.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to provisional U.S. Patent application No. 60/721,829, filed on Sep. 30, 2005

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of gift packages, and more particularly to gift packages that are intended for shipping from the giver to the recipient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gift packages have come in various forms. Perhaps the most common form includes a package that contains the gift which is wrapped in a decorative paper to make the package visually appealing. However, to package a gift and wrap it is often time consuming and difficult, requiring the purchase of the package and the wrapping, as well as tape, etc., to complete the wrapping.

Once wrapped, the giver must also make accommodations for shipping the gift to the recipient. This often includes purchasing a shipping container, such as another box or envelope to protect the wrapped package. However, the protective container is usually significantly bigger than the wrapped package, so that the wrapped package slides freely within the protective container. This requires additional packaging material, such as wadded paper, to keep the wrapped package stationary in the protective container during shipping.

Because of the amount of time and inconvenience, alternatives have been developed. For example, the gift bag is widely used, comprising a bag having decorative printing on the exterior. The gift giver often merely places the gift in tissue paper and places it in the gift bag to give to the recipient. This device also has drawbacks, however, in that the gift can slip out of the gift bag during shipping. Moreover, the gift bag does not provide protection to the gift and is not generally closed. Therefore, sending a gift bag to a recipient requires additional materials to keep the gift in the gift bag and that the gift bag be placed in another box for shipping.

Additionally, it is preferred that the size of the package match the size of the item to be packaged. Unfortunately, gift packaging has been developed mostly in standard sizes to fit a number of different sized gifts. This tends to diminish the aesthetic appearance of the gift within the package. In this regard, envelopes have been developed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511, which have mitered corners to provide an improved visual appearance. These envelopes generally conform to the lengths and widths of the paper(s) or object(s) inserted and expand to the thickness of the paper(s) or object(s) for a fitted appearance.

Another concern in gift giving is the card, where the giver wishes to send a written sentiment or merely indicate from whom the gift is being sent. This requires the additional purchase of a card to include with the gift. Similarly, the recipient will usually need to purchase a “thank you” card to acknowledge receipt of the gift.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved gift package that is decorative but is protected for shipment to the recipient via the mail or other delivery methods. It is an alternative object of the invention to provide a gift package that is complete for shipment to the recipient, including a card for salutation to the recipient and/or a return mailable card for thank you to the sender.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is directed to a gift package comprising an inner decorative package having a decorative exterior surface and an outer protective package which is dimensionally larger than the decorative package to accept the decorative package. In this regard, the protective package is considered dimensionally larger in that it is formed in substantially the same general proportions as the decorative envelope, but slightly larger.

In its preferred embodiment, the protective package is only slightly dimensionally larger than the decorative package to provide a relatively snug fit of the decorative package within the protective package. Generally, a snug fit allows a decorative package with a gift sealed therein to be easily slid into the protective package but without so much room that the decorative envelope will freely slide around in the protective package.

The decorative package and the protective package are preferably formed with similar structural features, the protective package merely being larger in each of the dimensions. Most preferably, the decorative and protective packages are in the form of structurally rigid or semi-rigid envelopes, formed with mitered corners to create a flat appearance when the gift is inserted. However, the decorative and protective packages can take any suitable form, including a standard envelope within an envelope, a box within a box, a box within an envelope, an envelope within a box, etc.

The decorative package can be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials, including paper, paperboard, cardboard, corrugate, polymers, plastics, foils, or the like, including laminates of one or more of such materials and/or such materials or laminates thereof with or without a coating or thereon. As stated, the material preferably forms a rigid or semi-rigid structure for the integrity of the package and contents. Preferably, the decorative package is in the form of an envelope that lies flat prior to use and expands in thickness conforming to the thickness of the gift.

The decorative element can be added as a laminated layer, for example a foil or polymer layer on a paperboard base, as the coating itself, for example using a colored coating material on cardboard, by printing or screening a design or other decoration on a corrugate material, adhering a decorative material to a base material or any other material or method known or hereinafter used to create a decorative appearance on the decorative package.

The protective package can similarly be formed of any suitable material or combination of materials, including paper, paperboard, cardboard, polymers, plastics, foils, or the like, including laminates of one or more of such materials and/or such materials or laminates thereof with or without a coating or thereon. Similarly, the material for the protective package may be formed of a rigid or semi-rigid structure for the integrity of the package and contents. However, it is understood that if one of the decorative package or protective package materials is formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material the other may be formed of a less rigid material.

However, the protective package does not require a decorative appearance, so that it is preferably made of a less expensive or more durable material. The protective package also preferably includes a space for the shipping address of the recipient to be printed and space for such common shipping features as a return address and/or postage.

Although the protective package can take a shape and form other than the decorative package, it is preferred that the protective package be substantially dimensionally similar in width, length and height as the decorative package to limit movement of the decorative package within the protective package.

Preferably, the decorative package includes a closure to maintain the decorative package in a closed configuration once the gift has been placed therein. Additionally, the protective package preferably includes a self sealing adhesive strip, covered by a peel away release layer, to seal the protective package once the decorative package has been placed therein. In its most preferred embodiment, the decorative package has an extended portion on a closure flap, which may be removable, that forms a card for salutation from the giver to the recipient.

In another embodiment, the protective package may have a handle that extends from the protective package so that the gift package can be easily carried by the gift giver or the recipient. Such a handle can be formed into a portion of the protective package, formed of an integral extension on the envelope or attached to the package either mechanically, by an adhesive or by any other suitable method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood when considered in view of the attached drawings, in which like reference characters indicate like parts. The drawings, however, are presented merely to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention without limiting the invention in any manner whatsoever, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the preferred gift package of the present invention, including the preferred embodiments of the decorative envelope and the protective envelope.

FIG. 2A is a rear elevation view of a preferred decorative package of FIG. 1 with an adhesive closure in an open configuration.

FIG. 2B is a rear elevation view of the preferred decorative package of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2C is a rear elevation view of a preferred decorative package of FIG. 1 with an insert closure in an open configuration.

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the protective package of FIG. 1 in an open configuration.

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the protective package of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration.

FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the protective package in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is an exploded side elevation view of the preferred gift package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top elevation view of the unassembled preferred gift package as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 6 is a bottom elevation view of the unassembled preferred gift package as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled preferred gift package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a front plan view of the assembled preferred gift package with an alternative embodiment of a handle on the protective envelope.

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the assembled preferred gift package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a bottom elevation view of the assembled preferred gift package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the assembled preferred gift package of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the assembled preferred gift package as taken through line 12-12 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is an alternative embodiment of the gift package of the present invention wherein the decorative package is in the form of a box and the protective package is in the form of an envelope.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to a gift package 2 comprising an inner decorative package 4 and an outer protective package 6. The outer protective package 6 is dimensionally larger than the decorative package 4 to accept the decorative package 4, wherein the dimensionally larger protective package 6 is formed in substantially the same length and width proportions as the decorative package 4, but larger.

In the embodiment shown, the protective package 6 is only slightly dimensionally larger than the decorative package 4 to provide a relatively snug fit of the decorative package 4 within the protective package 6. Generally, a substantially snug fit allows a decorative package 4 with a gift sealed therein to be easily slid into the protective package 6, but without so much room that the decorative package 4 will slide freely around within the protective package 6.

In its preferred embodiment shown and described herein, the decorative package 4 and the protective package 6 are created in the form of envelopes with identically structured features, the protective package 6 merely being larger in each of the dimensions. Most preferably, the decorative package 4 and the protective package 6 are formed with mitered corners 8 and an interior score line 10 along at least one side of the envelope, as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511, such a configuration creates a flat appearance when an item or package that is substantially the same length and width as score lines 10 formed on the envelopes is inserted.

The decorative package 4 can be made out of any suitable material, including coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard, plastic, foil, polyethylene fiber material such as TYVEK, natural fiber, woven and/or fabric materials and combinations or laminates thereof. The decorative package 4 preferably has a decorative exterior to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance in which to present the gift. In this regard, the decorative exterior can be a colored, printed, coated, transferred or topically applied surface that creates a decorative appearance.

In a most preferred embodiment, the decorative envelope 4 is a paperboard material with a coated decorative exterior finish. Although any thickness is intended to fall within the scope of the present invention, a total thickness of the coated paperboard being 10 point or greater has been found to be suitable for this application.

The decorative package 4 comprises a closure flap 12 to close the decorative package 4 about the gift contained therein. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the closure flap 12 includes an adhesive closure 14 to maintain the closure flap 12 in a closed configuration.

Of course, any suitable closure 14 is contemplated for use in the present invention, as long as it functions to maintain the decorative package 4 in a closed configuration. These include both sealing closures, which cannot be opened without destroying the closure, and non-sealing closures that can be opened and re-closed.

Some sealing closures include adhesives that need to be moistened, self sealing contact adhesive coatings that require a release layer and the like. Non-sealing closures include releasable adhesives, gums, clasps, clips, VELCRO, snaps, strings, one or more slots on the decorative package 4 for physically receiving a portion of the closure flap 12 and the like.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a self sealing contact adhesive with a peel-off release coating, as is well known in the art of envelopes, is used. In such an embodiment it is also preferred to include a tear strip 16, as is also well known in the packaging or envelope art to easily open the decorative package 4 for removal of the gift. Although the adhesive closure 14 is shown at the attached end of the closure flap 12, it is understood that it may just as well be located at the terminal end.

Another most preferred closure 14 for the decorative package 4 is shown in FIG. 2C. In this embodiment a terminal portion 13 of the closure flap 12 can be physically inserted into a slot 15 on the decorative envelope 4 to maintain the closure flap 12 in a closed configuration.

When a decorative package 4 is printed with a decorative pattern, as more fully described herein, there may be a message area 20 for use as a gift card. The message area 20 may be a blank or lightened area, so the gift giver has a place to write a message. The message area 20 can be placed anywhere on the decorative package 4, and is preferably placed in an aesthetic area. In the most preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the closure flap 12 includes an elongated area 18 on which the message area 20 is placed.

If a sealing closure 14 and tear strip 16 are used, it is preferred, but not required, that the message area 20 be located below the tear strip 16. This allows the recipient be able to keep the message once the decorative package 4 is opened.

The protective package 6 can likewise be formed of any suitable material, including the materials listed above for use with the decorative envelope 4, as long as the material selected provides a level of protection to the decorative package 4 contained therein. However, a decorative exterior is not required on the protective package 6 since it is contemplated to merely protect the decorative package 4, but may be used if desired.

The protective package 6 also comprises a closure flap 22 to close the protective package 6 about the decorative package 4 contained therein. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3A and 3C, the closure flap 22 includes an adhesive portion 24 to secure the closure flap 22 in a closed configuration. Unlike the decorative package 4 that is contained in the protective package 6, it is preferred that the protective package 6 utilize a sealing adhesive to ensure that the integrity of the gift package 2 is not compromised during shipping. In such an embodiment, the protective package 6 also includes a tear strip 26 for the recipient to easily open the protective package 6 for removal of the decorative package 4.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3C the closure flap 22 of the protective package 6 has an elongated portion 28 that can be used to provide the recipient with a return postcard 30. The return postcard 30 may be printed with an area to write in the name and address of the giver of the gift on the side of the postcard 30 relating to the outside of the elongated portion 28, leaving a space for a message on the side of the postcard 30 relating to the inside of the elongated portion 28. Similarly, the return postcard 30 may be provided with prepaid postage.

Since the protective package 6 is intended to ship to the recipient, the terminal end 32 of the elongated portion 28 preferably includes an additional adhesive strip 34 for maintaining the terminal end 32 of the closure flap 22 in a closed configuration. The elongated portion 28 with the adhesive strip 34 at the terminal end 32 may also include a tear strip 36 just inside the adhesive strip 34 for easy removal of the postcard 30 from the closure flap 22. Additionally, the elongated portion 28 of the closure flap 22 preferably has perforated lines 38 at the ends of the postcard 30 for a clean removal of the postcard 30 from the closure flap 22 of the protective envelope 6.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the closed decorative package 4 is inserted into the protective envelope 6. If the decorative package 4 includes a message box 20 thereon the gift giver can include a message on the decorative package 4 prior to inserting the decorative package 4 in the protective package 6. Once fully inserted, the protective package 6 is closed and sealed to form the gift package 2 ready for mailing or shipping to the recipient, as shown in FIGS. 7-12.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the protective package 6 includes a handle 40 to carry the gift package 2. The handle 8 can either be formed integrally with the protective package 6 as part of the package material, or can be attached to the protective package 6 of the same or different material, such as of a plastic material attached with an adhesive, or as of a string having stops at the ends threaded through holes in the protective package 6, etc.

As shown in FIG. 12, the gift package 2 comprises the gift enclosed within the closed decorative package 4, and the decorative package 4 sealed within the protective package 6. Since the decorative package 4 is dimensionally substantially the same as the protective package 6, except slightly smaller, the decorative package 4 does not freely slide within the protective package 6 even if the decorative package 4 does not fully reach the ends of the protective package 6.

Once received, the recipient can pull the tear strip 26 to open the closure flap 22 and remove the decorative package 4 from the protective package 6. The recipient can read the message in the message area 20, if any, and open the decorative package 4. If the decorative package 4 is sealed and includes a tear strip 16, the recipient pulls the tear strip 16 to open the closure flap 12 and remove the gift.

If the protective package 6 includes a return postcard 30, with a second tear strip 36 near the terminal end 32 of the closure flap 22 and perforated lines 38 for removal, the recipient pulls the tear strip 36 to remove the return postcard 30 from the protective package 6 and detaches the excess material beyond the perforated lines 38. The recipient can then write a message to the giver on the return postcard 30, address the return postcard 30 to the giver, attach a stamp if postage is not prepaid and mail the return postcard 30 back to the giver.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, the decorative package 4 is in the form of a box and the protective package 6 is in the form of an envelope with mitered corners as shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,511. In this embodiment, the box of the decorative package 4 is preferably formed so that it folds flat for sale to the gift giver with the mitered envelope protective package 6.

The length and width dimensions of the decorative package 4 shown in FIG. 13, when configured into a three dimensional box, are substantially similar to the score lines 10 of the protective package 6 having mitered corners (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, the decorative package 4 is held from moving freely within the protective package 6 by the angled panels 42 beyond the score lines 10.

It is also preferred that the decorative package 4 and protective package 6 be collapsible so that they are capable of being stored, packaged and shipped flat prior to sale to the gift giver. Thus, whether sold as any combination of boxes, envelopes or a box and an envelope, it is preferred that the decorative package 4 and protective package 6 be sold in a form where the decorative package 4 and protective package 6 lie flat prior to use. The decorative package 4 and protective package 6 can then be bundled together, i.e., in shrink wrap, etc., for sale to the giver. Moreover, the decorative package 4 and protective package 6 can be bundled together with such additional items as tissue paper, ribbon, etc., if desired.

Variations, modifications and alterations to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will make themselves apparent to those skilled in the art. All such changes are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, limited solely by the appended claims.

All patents referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A gift package comprising a decorative package and a protective package, the decorative package comprising a decorative outer surface, wherein the protective package is dimensionally slightly larger than the decorative package so that the decorative package does not move freely within the protective package when sealed therein.

2. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the protective package conforms to the shape of the decorative package.

3. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the protective package has a different shape than the decorative package.

4. The gift package of claim 1 where the decorative package is made from a material taken from the group consisting of coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard, corrugate, plastic, foil, polyethylene fiber, natural fiber, woven material, fabric material and combinations or laminates thereof.

5. The gift package of claim 1 where the protective package is made from a material taken from the group consisting of coated and/or uncoated paper, paperboard, cardboard, corrugate, plastic, foil, polyethylene fiber, natural fiber, woven material, fabric material and combinations or laminates thereof.

6. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the decorative package has a decorative exterior formed by laminating, coating, printing, screening or adhering a decorative material.

7. The gift package of claim 6 wherein the decorative package has a message area thereon.

8. The gift package of claim 1 wherein at least one of the decorative package and the protective package is in the form of an envelope.

9. The gift package of claim 8 wherein the protective package is formed as an envelope having mitered corners and at least one score line relating to the length and width of the decorative package, the decorative package being in the form of a box.

10. The gift package of claim 8 wherein the decorative package is formed as an envelope and the protective package is formed as a box.

11. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the decorative package further comprises a closure flap for enclosing the gift within the decorative package.

12. The gift package of claim 11 wherein the closure flap of the decorative package includes a closure for maintaining the closure flap in a closed configuration.

13. The gift package of claim 12 wherein the closure comprises a portion of the closure flap that is inserted into a slot in the decorative envelope.

14. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the protective package further comprises a closure flap for closing the decorative package within the protective package.

15. The gift package of claim 7 wherein the message area is formed on the closure flap of the decorative package.

16. The gift package of claim 15 wherein the closure flap of the protective package includes a sealing closure for maintaining the closure flap in a closed configuration.

17. The gift package of claim 12 wherein the closure flap further comprises a tear strip for opening the protective envelope.

18. The gift package of claim 14 wherein the closure flap of the protective package has an elongated area forming a return postcard.

19. The gift package of claim 18 wherein the closure flap of the protective envelope has a closure at the terminal end, beyond the postcard.

20. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the protective envelope further comprises a handle.

21. The gift package of claim 1 wherein the decorative package and protective package can be bundled together and sold flat prior to use.

22. A method of packaging a gift for shipment from a gift giver to a recipient comprising the steps of placing the gift into a decorative package with predetermined decorative exterior, closing the decorative package about the gift, placing the decorative package into a protective package that is dimensionally slightly larger than the decorative package and addressing the protective package.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising writing a message to the recipient on a message area of the decorative package.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising removal of a return postcard attached to the protective package by the recipient, writing a message on the postcard and returning the postcard to the giver.

25. A gift package comprising a decorative envelope having a closure flap, a portion of the closure flap comprising a message area to be used as a gift card.