Decorative attachment device

Abstract

A decorative attachment device which quickly and easily secures decorative items to a gift package, and means of use thereof.

Description

This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/782,849, filed Mar. 15, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Retailers who provide package gift wrapping services would like to increase sales by easily associating a decorative gift item with a main gift, an association which is more easily made if a customer can quickly see a finished package. Retailers would also like to increase sales by allowing customer service employees to quickly attach promotional items to customer purchases at the point of sale in a manner that does not cause any substantial delay to the customer.

Gift wrappers normally must possess skill and artistry to quickly secure decorative items to a package in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing. Conventionally, a gift wrapper must choose between aesthetics or efficiency. For instance, one conventional method is to tie the decorative item to the package, for instance using string or a strip of decorative ribbon, a method which may be aesthetically pleasing but is time consuming. A second conventional method is to attach the decorative item directly to the package, for instance using tape or glue, which may be relatively fast but is not aesthetically pleasing and may also damage the decorative item.

Both in a fast-paced, competitive retail environment and in private gift wrapping use, there is a need for a decorative attachment device which quickly and easily secures decorative items to a gift package.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An attachment for a package, the attachment comprising an adhesive member selectively attachable to a package and having a surface facing away from said package when said adhesive member is adhered to said package; and an elastic member attached to said surface and forming an alternatively expandable and contractable securing region for securing a decorative item to said package.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the present attachment device will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the present attachment device, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a first embodiment of the device.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device without the loop.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the device without the interconnecting loop.

FIG. 4 is an alternative prospective view of a first embodiment of the device.

FIG. 5 is a prospective view of a second embodiment of the device

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 4, an attachment device 1 includes at least one securing loop 2 interconnected to a base 4. The attributes of the securing loop 2, base 4, and their interconnection are detailed below.

The base 4 includes a display face 6 and an opposite adhesive face 8. The base 4 may be formed of cardstock, plastic, paper, or other material suitable for the uses described herein. An adhesive layer 10 coats a substantial portion of the adhesive face 8. When the attachment device 1 is initially provided, the adhesive layer is covered by a removable backing 12 to protect the adhesive layer 10 during handling and shipping while permitting easy removal during use. Thus, when it is desirable to adhere the attachment device 1 to a package, the protective backing 12 may be removed to expose the adhesive layer 10 on the adhesive face 8.

The adhesive layer is preferably a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.

Alternatively, the attachment device 1 may be attached to a package with a separately-supplied adhesive such as tape or glue. Those skilled in the art will recognize that it may be possible to reuse an attachment device with and adhesive which has lost its tensile strength by alternatively using a new application of adhesive to secure the attachment face to a package.

In the embodiment of the attachment device shown in the drawings, the base 4 is substantially planar and formed in the shape of a square, creating a relatively simple decorative effect. Those skilled in the arts will recognize the base 4 may alternatively be formed in a variety of shapes besides the illustrated square. The shape may, for example, be chosen to reflect a desired aesthetic effect, holiday, special occasion, theme, etc. The base may also be three-dimensional for more elaborate decorative effects, which may include various textures or ornamentation affixed thereto.

To support the inserted item, the base 4 is large enough and has sufficient adhesive strength to adhere to the package. Aesthetic considerations may also play a role in determining the appropriate size of the base for a particular application.

The securing loop 2 is preferably formed from a narrow, substantially annular band. The loop defines an inner region and has sufficient elasticity to allow the band to be stretched via application of an external force, temporarily increasing the size of the inner region, thereby permitting the insertion of one or more items of a variety of sizes into the inner region. Upon cessation of the external force, the loop contracts, decreasing the size of the inner region until the loop comes into pressure contact with the inserted items, thereby allowing retention of the inserted item (or items) in proximity to the base. The loop is also sufficiently flexible to permit removal of the inserted item from the loop without damaging the inserted item.

The securing loop is preferably formed from a flexible, elastic material, such as natural rubber or a synthetic polymer.

In some embodiments, the loop 2 may be formed of a material which has color or pattern to compliment a decorative item or decorating theme.

The interconnection between the base 4 and the loop 2 may be accomplished by an interconnecting member 14, such as a staple, or other conventional linkage means between the loop and the base. Such conventional linkage means may include tape, wire, glue or other material which permits a secure interconnection between the loop and the base.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an alternative embodiment, the securing loop may be alternatively be formed by securing opposite ends of a strap 16 to two apertures 18, 20 on the base 4. The securing loop is thus formed by the strap, or a portion thereof, and the surface of the base between the two apertures. The interconnection may be created by passing each end of the strip through a respective aperture, from the display face to the adhesive face, and securing the end to the adhesive face of the base, for example by knotting the ends or by embedding the ends in the adhesive layer (not shown).

Alternatively, the base 4 and the loop 2 may be integrally formed of a single piece of material which provides the flexibility and resilience described below for the loop, while providing the requisite strength for the base.

Advantageously, the inserted item or items while held in proximity to the package can project outwardly from the surface of the package, and are therefore highly visible. The flexibility of the loop 1 allows the recipient to enjoy both the appearance of the inserted item with the package and to use the inserted item independently.

The decorative items may be one of a variety of season decorations, special occasion favors, or supplemental gift items chosen to compliment another gift. Retailers will recognize the importance of being able to suggest addition of such a decorative item to a gift purchase.

The package may be a card, box, bag, tube, or other convention gift container. Alternatively, the package may be a book, frame, or other object which would permit removable attachment of the attachment device.

To use the attachment device, a desired surface of a package is selected, the protective backing is removed from the adhesive surface (or an adhesive layer is applied to the adhesive surface), and the device is pressed onto to the desired surface, adhesive surface down, with sufficient pressure to cause the device to adhere to the package. The securing loop is then expanded to a sufficient size and a desired decorative item (or items) is placed within the loop. The loop is then allowed to contract against the decorative item whereby the combination of the adhesive between the package and the base and frictional forces between the decorative item and the loop restrain the decorative item from movement relative to the package.

The decorative attachment device described herein may be used by retailers who wish to increase sales volume and revenue by suggesting decorative items which would compliment a main gift purchase and which could be attached to the main gift with the decorative attachment device quickly and easily, while enhancing the presentation of the main gift purchase.

The decorative attachment device described herein may be used by gift wrappers who wish to decrease the time and skill needed to complete wrapping a package in an attractive manner which is reflective of the holiday, special occasion, or theme of the package.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which may be later submitted.

Claims

1. An attachment for a package, said attachment comprising:

(a) an adhesive member selectively attachable to a package and having a surface facing away from said package when said adhesive member is adhered to said package; and

(b) an elastic member attached to said surface and forming an alternatively expandable and contractable securing region for securing a decorative item to said package.

2. The attachment of claim 1, wherein said elastic member forms a closed loop with respect to itself.

3. The attachment of claim 1 including a selectively removable protective strip covering an adhesive region of said adhesive member.

4. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said elastic member is attached to said surface at a single point.

5. The attachment of claim 1 further comprising an interconnection member for attaching said elastic member to said adhesive member.

6. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said surface of said adhesive member is the first of at least two surfaces of said adhesive member and the attachment further comprises a layer of adhesive applied to a second of the two surfaces of said adhesive member.

7. The attachment of claim 6 further comprising a selectively removable protective strip covering said adhesive layer.