Wrap System

Abstract

An embodiment includes a reusable gift wrapping system comprising fabric, a cord circumnavigating the outer border portion of the fabric; and a fastening member coupled to the cord. In an open position the fabric lies flat within a single plane and is unfolded. In a closed position the fabric is configured to enclose an object, does not lie flat within the single plane, and is folded. The fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis. The fabric maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord with the fastening member without having to tie the cord to secure the object within the portion of fabric. Other embodiments are described herein.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/491,988 filed on Jun. 1, 2011 and entitled “Wrap System”, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

There has been little innovation in the wrapping paper industry. While gift bags exist, they are often rigid, refuse to lay flat when stored, and stay closed only with use of Velcro or a tied ribbon. Furthermore, the gift bags result in unwrapping that is too quick, lacking surprise and cutting short the gift-giving experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims, the following detailed description of one or more example embodiments, and the corresponding figures:

FIG. 1 includes an embodiment of the invention in the open position.

FIG. 2 includes an embodiment of the invention in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. Well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “example embodiment”, “various embodiments” and the like indicate the embodiment(s) so described may include particular features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular features, structures, or characteristics. Further, some embodiments may have some, all, or none of the features described for other embodiments. Also, as used herein “first”, “second”, “third” describe a common object and indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to. Such adjectives are not intended to imply the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner. Also, the terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used. In particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other and “coupled” may mean that two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other, but they may or may not be in direct physical contact.

An embodiment includes a reusable gift wrapping system comprising fabric, a cord circumnavigating the outer border portion of the fabric; and a fastening member coupled to the cord. In an open position the fabric lies flat within a single plane and is unfolded. In a closed position the fabric is configured to enclose an object, does not lie flat within the single plane, and is folded. The fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis. The fabric maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord with the fastening member without having to tie the cord to secure the object within the portion of fabric.

An embodiment includes using fabric with an integrated closure system that is environmentally friendly and results in improved gift giving. Reusing the wrap system to wrap another gift (or for some other purpose) means the system stays out of the landfill (unlike most expendable wrapping paper). Embodiments come in a variety of sizes and can be used for presents of varying sizes and shapes. Embodiments can be used as purses, bags, hats, plant holder covers, picnic blankets, sports bags, camping bags, beach towels, laundry bags, tarps for covering equipment (e.g., functions as an upside down wrap system where a protective covering is, for example, on the outside to protect equipment from weather), travel bag, shoe bag, product wrap bag for companies wanting to reduce waste, drop cloth for house projects (e.g., painting and plastering), produce bag, and the like. Embodiments may be used to wrap/enclose (fully or partially), for example, books, gift cards, food, large items (e.g., cars), environmental waste (e.g., leaves, grass clippings), wine bottles, shoes and the like.

FIG. 1 includes an embodiment of the invention in the open position. FIG. 2 includes the embodiment in the closed position. 100 series numbers are used in FIG. 1 and correspond to 200 series numbers in FIG. 2. Both figures are referred to below.

Reusable gift wrapping system 100 comprises a flat fabric portion 105 having a top surface (visible in FIG. 1), a bottom surface (not visible in FIG. 1), a centrally located longitudinal axis 130, and an outer border portion. Cord 115 circumnavigates the outer border portion (i.e., goes completely, or almost completely, around the border of fabric 105). Fabric portion 105 may be monolithic and thereby composed of a single piece of fabric. (This is not to say a monolithic fabric piece cannot be adorned with cosmetic piping fabric along it edge and the like.) System 100 may include a fastening member (not visible in FIG. 1 but visible as member 240 in FIG. 2) coupled to cord 115. In an open position (as seen in FIG. 1) the portion of fabric 105 lies flat within a single plane orthogonal to longitudinal axis 130. Fabric 105 is unfolded such that no vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis intersects the bottom surface more than once.

However, as seen in FIG. 2, in a closed position the portion of fabric 205 is configured to enclose an object (object 120 of FIG. 1). Fabric 205 does not lie flat within a single plane. For example, fabric 105 primarily lies within a single two dimensional horizontal plane in FIG. 1. Of course “two dimensional” and “horizontal plane” are not to be taken literally as a wrapping system (e.g., gift wrapping system) in the physical world obviously has a component in the vertical plane (albeit a relatively thin one). In FIG. 2 system 200 now is “three dimensional” and is not limited to the horizontal plane and extends into the vertical dimension.

In FIG. 2 system 200 is folded (i.e., has folds) such that linear axis or reference line 230 intersects bottom surface 246 more than once. For example, axis 230 intersects bottom surface 246 at locations 231 and 232. (Locations 231, 232 are not actual apertures or the like and are shown to merely illustrate the point that an imaginary reference line such as line 230 would intersect the bottom surface at various locations.) For that matter, axis 230 also contacts top surface 245 at locations complementary to location 231 and 232.

System 200 transitions from the open position (FIG. 1) to the closed position (FIG. 2) in response to a user pulling cord 215 away from longitudinal axis 230. For example, fabric 205 transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to the user pulling the cord away from longitudinal axis 230 in a single movement and at a constant angle away from the longitudinal axis. The movement may be along, for example, line 225. Thus, system 200 includes an integrated closure system (see, e.g., cord 215) so that with one simple pull in the direction of line 225 fabric 205 wraps up around item 120. This is advantageous over complicated folding schemes associated with prior reusable gift wrap systems. No scissors, tape, or tying is needed with various embodiments such as the embodiment of FIG. 2.

As mentioned above, fabric 205 transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to the user pulling the cord away from longitudinal axis 230 in a single movement and at a constant angle away from the longitudinal axis. This single movement may coincide with a user sliding cord 215 (one or both ends of cord 215) through fastener 240. Fastener may be maintained in one location during this. However, in one embodiment the fastener is for maintaining closure while pulling cord 215 is for closing the system.

System 200 maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord 215 with fastening member 240 (without having to tie cord 215 to secure object 120 within the fabric 205 of system 200). Fastening member may be, in one embodiment, a toggle (i.e., cinch clamp) that holds cinched ribbon 215 in place. A toggle includes a fastener that securely fastens laces, lanyards, ties, cords and the like yet allows for easy unfastening (see, e.g., Cinch-Clamp™ fasteners at www_gadjets.com/Cinch-Clamp_htm). Of course fasteners are not so limited and may include simple systems such as a bead with an aperture sized such that two lengths of cord 215 passing through the aperture provide a resistance fit that maintains the cord lengths, and hence system 200, in a closed position. Cord 215 may then be tied in a bow if the user so desires but doing so is not necessarily needed in embodiments including a toggle.

In an embodiment a cord passes through an aperture (such as aperture 210 or an aperture from which a drawstring emerges, etc.) included in the fabric and passes through a fastening member such as a toggle. When the cord passes through the aperture and the fastening member the cord, fabric, and fastening member form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position. In contrast, simple conventional bags require a user to tie a cord around the top of the closed bag. The cord is not an integrated unit with the fabric. Thus, such cords are easy to mishandle and are difficult for some users to tie, such as the elderly, disabled (e.g., those with arthritic hands), and the like. Thus, when assembled the fabric, cord, and the fastening member are fixedly coupled to one another in that they do not easily come apart short of (see FIG. 1 for an example) withdrawing the cord from the fastening member and the fabric.

In an embodiment cord 115 is interweaved through apertures 110 (only some of which are labeled in FIGS. 1 and 2) included in the outer border portion of fabric 105. Aperture 100 may include a grommet with a metal casing tracing the outer perimeter of the aperture. However, aperture 110 may be a simple hole, slit, or void included in fabric 105. In other embodiments, cord 115 may be included in a closed channel located within fabric 105 (e.g. similar to a drawstring of men's swimwear). In an embodiment cord 115 includes at least one of a string, ribbon, rope, twine, strand, belt, chain, ligature, sash, scarf, tie, and strap. In an embodiment fabric 105 includes at least one of a cloth, textile, and material including fibers (e.g., polyester). Other materials may be used such as an extruded material (e.g., extruded polytetrafluoroethylene), polyester, paper, non-woven materials, and the like. In an embodiment system 100 includes no additional cords beyond cord 115, thereby simplifying the system.

In an embodiment fabric (e.g., fabric 105) is pliable and includes no preformed axis of rotation upon which a first subportion of the fabric folds towards a second subportion of the fabric. Thus, system 100 differs from conventional systems such as a cardboard gift box that may lay flat in one configuration but which includes preformed axes of rotation/folding thereby locking the user into predefined shapes for the system.

In one embodiment the ribbon may interweave through apertures inset from the outer perimeter of the wrap fabric, but other embodiments may include the ribbon located at the outermost perimeter of the system (e.g., on the absolute edge of the fabric). Also, a ribbon or cable may not interweave in and out and through the system but may instead be in a primarily enclosed channel (e.g., similar to a drawstring in a pair of men's shorts). Embodiments need not have a circular border like FIG. 1 but may instead include borders that are square, rectangular, ovular, and the like. Additional grommet holes such as aperture 135, 235 that do not include concern the enclosure system may allow for the personalization of the gift by attaching various accessories to the wrap system. The system may be reused by the receiver as a gift wrap system or other embodiment, such as a travel bag. Embodiments are faster than wrapping with traditional paper, tape, and ribbons. Also, embodiments are easier to make a wrapped present look good (i.e., wrapping is not dependent upon good paper gift-wrapping skills). Embodiments may lay flat when not in use and therefore be easy to store. Also, embodiments wear well and may even be cleaned if soiled. The system may be reversible to show different fabric patterns or finishes (e.g., soft, fuzzy, smooth, and silky, etc.). Such patterns may be customized to include photos or likeness of the user, the user's children, and the like.

In one embodiment a reusable gift wrapping system comprises a flat portion of material and a strap included in an outer border portion of the material. In an open position the portion of material lies flat within a single plane and in a closed position the portion of material is configured to enclose an object and does not lie flat within the single plane. The portion of material transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis. In such an embodiment no fastener, such as a toggle, is used. For example, the strap may include two ends, both of which are knotted after passing through an aperture of the fabric. In such a case the user may still close the system by pulling one of the two ends of the strap and may then maintain closure by tying the ends together.

The strap may pass through an aperture included in the portion of material (e.g., an aperture through the material, a loop (similar to a belt loop on a pair of pants) coupled to the material, and the like), and when the cord passes through the aperture the cord and portion of fabric form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this present invention.

Claims

1. A reusable gift wrapping system comprising:

a flat monolithic portion of fabric having a top surface, a bottom surface, a centrally located longitudinal axis, and an outer border portion;

a cord circumnavigating the outer border portion; and

a fastening member coupled to the cord;

wherein in an open position the portion of fabric lies flat within a single plane, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and is unfolded such that no vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis intersects the bottom surface more than once;

wherein in a closed position the portion of fabric is configured to enclose an object, does not lie flat within the single plane, and is folded such that an additional linear axis intersects the bottom surface more than once;

wherein the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis;

wherein the portion of fabric maintains the closed position in response to the user cinching the cord with the fastening member without having to tie the cord to secure the object within the portion of fabric.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the cord is interweaved through a plurality of apertures included in the outer border portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the cord includes at least one of a string, ribbon, rope, twine, strand, belt, chain, ligature, lanyard, lace, sash, scarf, tie, and strap.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fabric includes at least one of a cloth, textile, extruded material, and material including fibers.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to the user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis in a single movement, and at a constant angle, away from the longitudinal axis.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the portion of fabric is pliable and includes no preformed axis of rotation upon which a first subportion of the portion of fabric folds towards a second subportion of the portion of fabric.

7. The system of claim 1 including no additional cord.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein (a) the cord passes through an aperture included in the portion of fabric and passes through the fastening member, and (b) when the cord passes through the aperture and the fastening member the cord, portion of fabric, and fastening member form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position.

9. The system of claim 1, the portion of fabric, the cord, and the fastening member are fixedly coupled to one another.

10. A reusable wrapping system comprising:

a flat portion of material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a centrally located longitudinal axis, and an outer border portion;

a strap included in the outer border portion; and

wherein in an open position the portion of material lies flat within a single plane, which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, and is unfolded such that no vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis intersects the bottom surface more than once;

wherein in a closed position the portion of material is configured to enclose an object and does not lie flat within the single plane;

wherein the portion of material transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to a user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the portion of material includes at least one of a cloth, textile, fabric, extruded material, and material including fibers.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the portion of material transitions from the open position to the closed position in response to the user pulling the cord away from the longitudinal axis in a single movement, and at a constant angle, away from the longitudinal axis.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the portion of material is pliable and includes no preformed axis of rotation upon which a first subportion of the portion of material folds towards a second subportion of the portion of material.

14. The system of claim 10 including no additional strap.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the cord is interweaved through a plurality of apertures included in the outer border portion.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the strap includes at least one of a string, ribbon, rope, twine, strand, belt, chain, ligature, lanyard, lace, sash, scarf, tie, and cord.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein (a) the strap passes through an aperture included in the portion of material, and (b) when the cord passes through the aperture the cord and portion of fabric form an integrated unit in the open and closed positions and when the portion of fabric transitions from the open position to the closed position.

18. The system of claim 10, the portion of fabric and the strap are fixedly coupled to one another.