Gift box with magnetic locking mechanism

Abstract

This invention relates to a gift box wherein the closing mechanism of the gift box comprises magnets. This design results in a innovative gift box having a secure closing mechanism that will not degrade with use and time. Additionally, this design provides for a gift box wherein the top and bottom side panels are flush with each other thereby giving the box an aesthetically more pleasing look.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The majority of gift boxes on the market apply the simple concept of an overlapping lid that encompasses the rim of the container unit (the base) of the box. The problem with overlapping lids is that they expand with use and will eventually not be able to securely close and hold the container unit of the box. Other prior art designs use overlapping, interlocking flaps to close the box. The problem with this design is that the flaps can be both difficult to open and reclose. Also, the interlocking flaps bend, tear and wear out with use. Yet another problem with prior art gift box designs is that they prevent the design of the gift box from being flush and smooth on the exterior. A smooth and flush exterior would be beneficial more pleasing to the eye than in prior art box designs.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to the incorporation of magnets as the main closing and locking mechanism for a gift box. Where generally, gift boxes are closed via an overlapping lid or with folding, interlocking panels attached to the main portion of the box, the present invention uses magnets to firmly close the gift box. The use of magnets as a closing and locking mechanism has numerous advantages over the prior art gift box closure mechanisms. First, the strength of the magnets ensures a level of security not found with traditional prior art lids. Second, with time and use, magnets will not lose the ability to function effectively unlike the prior art devices using an overlapping lid or interlocking flaps that lose their ability to function satisfactory because of wear and tear these devices suffer with use. Third, the use of magnets allows unique construction designs not possible with the prior art devices. For example, the lid and container of the gift box of the present invention can be flush with each other and virtually seamless thereby resulting in a gift box that is both more attractive and than the prior art designs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows schematic diagram of the components of one embodiment of the gift box of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of another view of an embodiment of the gift box of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to a few preferred embodiments, as illustrated in accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features and/or process steps have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow.

One aspect of the present invention comprises a gift box made of light-transmitting plastic. The gift box may be made of any light-transparent plastic. Non-limiting examples of suitable plastics include, but are not limited to, acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyaminde, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, epoxys, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), nylon and vinyl chloride. Additionally, the light-transmitting plastic of used in the gift box of the present invention may be clear or colored.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the gift box is made of opaque materials. Non-limiting examples of opaque materials suitable for the gift box of the present invention include wood, opaque plastics, ceramics, porcelains, metals and stone.

The gift box of the present invention may be made by any means known in the art suitable for the material in which the gift box is being made. For example, the gift boxes made from plastics may be made by an injection molding processes. Injection molding is when molten plastic is injected at high pressure into a mold, which is the inverse of the desired shape. Likewise, gift boxes of the present invention made of wood may be carved or drilled from a block of solid or laminated wood. The gift boxes of the present invention made of metal may be molded, cast or shaped from sheet metal. The gift boxes of the present invention made of porcelain or ceramic may be formed and kiln dried, for example.

In another aspect, the gift box of the present invention comprises a bottom container unit and a top lid unit. The bottom container and top unit and top lid unit have the same dimensions across the opening of the units so that the sides of the bottom container unit and top lid unit are essentially flush with each other when the top lid unit is used with the bottom container unit to create a closed gift box.

In another aspect of the present invention, both the bottom container unit and top lid unit comprise two or more magnets each, said magnets situated and orientated such that magnets of the bottom container unit and top lid unit line up with each other when the gift box is closed and the top and bottom units remain firmly attached to each other when the box is closed and can be separated when the bottom container unit and top lid unit are pulled or slid apart.

In some instances the user may desire a firmer grip between the top lid unit and bottom container unit. Thus, in another aspect of the present invention, the magnets of one unit (i.e., the bottom container unit or the top lid unit) may be recessed into the plastic of the unit. Additionally, the magnets of the other unit may extend from the surface of the unit such that the extended magnets of one unit will fit into the recessed of the magnets of the other unit. This embodiment will prevent the units for sliding apart inadvertently during, for example, rough handling.

The magnets of the present invention may be attached to both the bottom container unit and top lid unit by any means suitable for holding the magnets firmly in place. In one embodiment, the magnets are glued into recesses molded or drilled into the material of which the gift box is made. In another embodiment, the magnets are molded into, for example, the plastic when the plastic is formed into a gift box. In yet another embodiment, the magnets are placed into recesses molded or drilled into, for example, the plastic and plugged with pieces of plastic that are, for example, the same as the plastic of the unit. Such plugs may be glued in place, ultrasonically or heat welded or be a press (i.e., friction) fit.

In another aspect of the present invention, the top lid unit additionally comprises a decoration permanently attached to the top of said top lid unit. In a preferred embodiment, the decoration is a bow but the decoration may be anything including, but not limited to, seasonal or holiday decorations, corporate logos, etc. The decoration may be made out of the same material as the gift box or may be made out of a material different form the gift box. For example, the decoration may be made of plastic (light-transmitting or opaque) metal, wood, paper, ceramic, etc. The decoration may be fixed to the top lid unit with, for example, glue, ultrasonic welding heat welding, etc. In another aspect, the decoration is molded, carved or shaped onto the top lid unit at the same time and in communication with the material of the top lid unit.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the adjoining external surfaces of the top lid unit and the bottom container unit are essentially flush with each other when the top lid unit and the bottom container unit are attached to each other.

In another aspect of the present invention, the top lid unit and bottom container unit have decorations molded into them and the decorations of one unit are continuous with the decorations of the other unit. In other words, for example, a molding of a tree may start on the side of the bottom container unit and continue onto the top lid unit such that the trunk and/or branches of the tree line up between the bottom container unit and the top lid unit.

In a preferred embodiment, and referring to the Figures of the present application, the present invention comprises a gift box (E) made of light-transmitting plastic, comprising: a bottom container unit (A) comprising two or more magnets (B) located at the top edge of the bottom container unit and spaced approximately equally from each other and with the top edge of the magnets flush with the top edge of the bottom container unit; a top lid unit (C) comprising a number of magnets (B) located at the bottom edge of the top lid unit and equal to the number of magnets of the bottom container unit, positioned similarly to the magnets of the bottom container unit such that the magnets of the bottom container unit line up with the magnets of the top lid unit when the top lid unit and bottom container unit are brought into proximity with each other, such that the bottom container unit and top lid unit are firmly attached to each other and the external surfaces of the top lid unit and bottom container unit are essentially flush with each other and a decoration (D)) situated on the top of the top lid unit.

Claims

1. A gift box comprising a bottom container unit and a top lid unit, said bottom container unit and top lid units comprising two or more magnets each, said magnets situated such that the top and bottom units remain firmly attached to each other when the box is closed and can be separated when the bottom container unit and top lid unit are pulled or slid apart.

2. The gift box of claim 1 wherein said bottom container unit and top lid unit are made of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, porcelain and metal.

3. The gift box of claims 2, wherein said plastic is selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyaminde, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, epoxys, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and vinyl chloride.

4. The gift box of claim 1 wherein said light-transmitting plastic is clear.

5. The gift box of claim 1 wherein said light-transmitting plastic is opaque.

6. The gift box of claim 1 wherein said top lid unit additionally comprises a decoration permanently attached to the top of said top lid unit.

7. The gift box of claim 5 wherein said decoration resembles a bow.

8. The gift box of claim 5 wherein said decoration is made of the same material as the gift box.

9. The gift box of claim 5 wherein said decoration is made of a different material than the gift box.

10. The gift box of claim 5 where said decoration is integrally molded, carved or shaped into material of said top lid unit when said top unit is molded.

11. The gift box of claim 1, wherein the magnets are recessed below the surface of one unit and protruding above the surface of the other unit so that the protruding magnets securely fit into the recesses associated with the recessed magnets, such that the top lid unit can not be slid off of the bottom container unit.

12. The gift box of claim 1 wherein the adjoining external surfaces of said top lid unit and said bottom container unit are essentially flush with each other when said top lid unit and said bottom container unit are attached to each other.

13. The gift box of claim 1 wherein each of the top lid unit and bottom container unit have decorations molded, carved or shaped into them and the decorations of one unit are continuous with the decorations of the other unit.

14. A gift box, comprising:

a. a bottom container unit comprising two or more magnets located at the top edge of the bottom container unit and spaced approximately equally from each other and with the top edge of the magnets flush with the top edge of the bottom container unit;

b. a top lid unit comprising a number of magnets located at the bottom edge of the top lid unit and equal to the number of magnets of the bottom container unit, positioned similarly to the magnets of the bottom container unit such that the magnets of the bottom container unit line up with the magnets of the top lid unit when the top lid unit and bottom container unit are brought into proximity with each other, such that the bottom container unit and top lid unit are firmly attached to each other and the external surfaces of the top lid unit and bottom container unit are essentially flush with each other.

15. The gift box of claim 14 wherein said bottom container unit and top lid unit are made of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, porcelain and metal.

16. The gift box of claim 15, wherein said plastic is selected from a group consisting of acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyaminde, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, epoxys, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and vinyl chloride.

17. The gift box of claim 14 wherein said light-transmitting plastic is clear.

18. The gift box of claim 14 wherein said light-transmitting plastic is colored.

19. The gift box of claim 14 wherein the top lid unit additionally comprises a decoration situated on the top of the top lid unit.

20. The gift box of claim 14 wherein each of the top lid unit and bottom container unit have decorations molded, carved or shaped into them and the decorations of one unit are continuous with the decorations of the other unit.