STAIR-STEP PACKAGING DEFINED BY HAIR ROLLERS

Abstract

An article and methods involving stair-stepped defined by hair rollers contained therein, the article including a first set of hair rollers organized to present a first riser plane and a first landing plane, a second set of hair rollers organized to present a second riser plane, protruding from the first landing plane, and a second landing plane, and stair-step packaging, defined by the planes and the landings of the sets of hair rollers, including side, back, and bottom portions, and collectively confining the sets of rollers within the packaging, in a vertical orientation with respect to the bottom portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field includes manufacture, apparatus, article, process, and product produced thereby, each pertaining to stair-step packaging defined by hair rollers.

SUMMARY

Depending on the implementation, there is an apparatus, an article, a method of use, and method of making, and corresponding products produced thereby, each pertaining to stair-step packaging defined by hair rollers.

FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of stair-step packaging defined by elongated hair rollers.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of stair-step packaging defined by elongated hair rollers.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of stair-step packaging defined by elongated hair rollers.

FIG. 5 is a design for presenting hair rollers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The accompanying figures illustrate embodiments intended to illustrate and exemplify various embodiments in a teaching manner, by way of the collective, prophetic teachings herein. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a first set 2 of hair rollers, which can, but need not, have the same length and/or width, and a second set 4 of hair rollers, which can, but need not, have the same length and/or width.

The rollers of the first set 2 can be aligned parallel such that each of the rollers has a lengthwise frontal line 3 in space oriented such that a plane 7 in space proximately connects the lines 3 to define a first riser. The first set 2 of rollers can also each have a top line 5 in space oriented such that a plane 9 in space proximately connects the lines 5 so as to define a first landing.

The rollers of the second set 4 can be aligned parallel such that each of the rollers has a frontal lengthwise line 11 in space oriented such that a plane 13 in space proximately connects the lines 11 to define a second riser protruding from the first landing. The second set 4 of rollers can also each have a top line 15 in space oriented such that a plane 17 in space proximately connects the lines 15 so as to define a second riser.

In some, but not all, embodiments, the rollers of the first set 2 and the rollers of are of a different length than the length of the second set 4, but by virtue of a bottom spacer etc. (not shown in FIG. 1) the rollers can be of the same length and yet be configured to provide risers and landings. Also, in some, but not all, embodiments—the any of the rollers of sets 2 and 4 can have a hollow interior and an interior diameter, and within which, there can be one other hair roller, etc. to have one or more concentricly contained rollers. In any case, there can be rollers of different diameters and/or lengths, such that a generally stair-stepped configuration is manifested, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The rollers of the sets 2 and 4 can be made of plastic, be generally cylindrically shaped, have perforations, and in some cases, can have a grip at each end of the roller. The rollers can be such as shown in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/733,356, which is incorporated by reference. In another embodiment, the rollers can be in the range of 8 inches to 4 inches, with a diameter ranging from ⅛ of an inch to 2 inches.

Consider for the purposes of a teaching discussion, an embodiment in FIG. 1 wherein (for example) the first set 2 of rollers has a length of 8 inches and the second set 4 of rollers has a length of 5 inches, each set 2 and 4 having, say, the same diameter. The sets 2 and 4 can be grouped and organized into a substantially stair-stepped configuration, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1, providing essential qualities to the definition of stair-stepped packaging 25 discussed hereinafter.

Turn now to FIG. 2, which illustrates an embodiment of stair-stepped packaging 25 for the stair-stepped configuration of sets 2 and 4 of rollers. The packaging 25 can have a first riser face 6 and a second riser face 8, the faces 6 and 8 corresponding to planes 7 and 13. In some embodiments, the faces 6 and 8 can be disposed in substantially parallel planes with respect to each other. There can be a first landing face 10 and another landing face 12. In some embodiments, the landing faces 10 and 12, corresponding to planes 9 and 17, can be disposed in substantially parallel planes with respect to each other. In some, but not all, configurations, one or more of the planes for faces 6 and 8 can be substantially perpendicular to the planes for risers 10 and 12. In some, but not all, embodiments, the faces 6, 8, 10, and 12 can essentially consist of planar surfaces.

Back face 14 can be oriented in a substantially parallel plane to one or more of the faces 6 and 8, and corresponding to respective linear edges of the rollers of the second (or back-most) set 4. Back face 14 can have an extension reaching beyond the packaging 25, the extension having a hole 21 configured to accommodate a conventional shelf hook or package holder, as is commonly found in stores. Back face 14 can, but need not, have a view window 24 allowing visual inspection of contents of the packaging 25.

There can be sides 16 and 18, which can be similarly shaped and defined with respect to faces 6 and 8 and risers 10 and 12 and back 14 to collectively form a stair-step configuration of two tiers. In other embodiments, there can be one or more additional tiers with a corresponding additional riser and landing for each tier—note that the rollers of each tier need not be a singular row, and can be a double row, triple, etc. In any case, each side 16 and 18 can respectively correspond to an linear edge of a side-most roller of each set 2 and 4.

There can be a bottom face 20, which can be defined with respect to faces 6 and 8, back 14, and sides 16 and 18, collectively oriented to form stair-step packaging 25. A support 22 can, but need not all embodiments, be located adjacent to the bottom 20.

Support 22 can, but need not in all embodiments, include holes, pockets, or housings 23 configured to receive a respective portion of at least some of the rollers of the sets 2 and 4, sufficient to maintain their organization and orientation. In an alternative embodiment, not shown in FIG. 2, protrusions can be used in place of the holes, pockets, or housings, to maintain the position of the sets 2 and 4 of the rollers, e.g., the protrusions extending upwards from the bottom face 20, interior or exterior (or both) to at least some of each of the rollers.

The stair-stepped packaging 25 can be taller than its width or depth, preferably taller than its width and depth combined, and having an orientation to stand upright with respect to a conventional store shelf but not be stackable in the upright orientation.

In some embodiments, the packaging 25 can have a resettable i.e., reclosable or resealable configuration, such that after a first opening of the packaging 25, usage of the rollers and return of them, the packaging 25 is resettable so as to be openable again in the same manner as the first opening. For example, the packaging 25 can have a hinged portion, or in another embodiment, a portion of the packaging 25, such as the bottom 20, can be removable and resettable. In yet another embodiment, a potion including landings 10 and 12, can be temporarily separated from a portion including bottom face 20, etc., with the separable portions being united and reunited by such means as by a tight fitting assembly of some of the portions, a zipper (in a flexible embodiment), a notch in the bottom 20 located to accommodate parts of faces 6 and 14 and sides 16 and 18, etc.

If desired, an area of printed matter including instructions and illustrating (and/or photogenic images depicting) use or application 26 of the contents of the packaging 25 (sets 2 and 4), and the results 28 therefrom, can be provided on at least some of face 6, side 16, side 18, and/or back 14, but not so as to cover window 24, thereby integrating the contents (sets 2 and 4 of rollers), packaging 25, and printed matter.

Collectively, the sets of rollers 2 and 4 and the packaging 25 can be an article of manufacture.

There also can be a method of making the article of manufacture, which can include forming a portion of the packaging 25, having faces 6 and 6, sides 16 and 18, landings 10 and 12, and back 14, by die molding plastic. Heavy stock paper accommodating the printing can be located adjacent to some of the portion formed by the die molding. A second portion of the packaging 25, including the bottom 20 and support 22, can be formed by die molding plastic and inserted into the first portion, e.g., if removably mounted, so as to form the packaging 25. Rollers for the sets 2 and 4 can be inserted in part into the pockets 23 prior to inserting the second portion into the first portion.

Said another way, there can be a method of making the article of manufacture, the method including: locating a first set of hair rollers organized to present a first riser plane and a first landing plane, and locating a second set of hair rollers organized to present a second riser plane, protruding from the first landing plane, and a second landing plane, within stair-stepped packaging defined by the sets of hair rollers, such that the packaging has risers, landings, sides, and a back, wherein proportions of the risers, the landings, the sides, and the back collectively correspond to the sets of hair rollers.

Additionally, there can be a method of using the article of manufacture, including opening the packaging 25, removing some or all of the rollers, and applying or using the rollers according to the instructions and, in some cases, according to the image(s) 26 so as to produce results 28. In recloseable embodiments, after applying or using the rollers, the rollers can be returned to the pockets, holes, housings, protrusions, etc. 23, according to the size organization of the sets 2 and 4, and the portions of the packaging 25 can be closed for future use, commencing with opening the packaging 25 again, etc. as if the first opening had not occurred.

Note that the foregoing is a prophetic teaching and although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate from this teaching that many modifications are possible, based on the exemplary embodiments and without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the defined by claims. In the claims, means-plus-function claims are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

FIG. 4 can or alternatively be viewed as an ornamental design for the article for packaging hair rollers, as shown and described.

Claims

1. An article comprising:

a first set of hair rollers organized to present a first riser plane and a first landing plane;

a second set of hair rollers organized to present a second riser plane, protruding from the first landing plane, and a second landing plane; and

stair-step packaging, defined by the planes and the landings of the sets of hair rollers, including side, back, and bottom portions, and collectively confining the sets of rollers within the packaging, in a vertical orientation with respect to the bottom portion.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein

a first set of hair rollers have a first length;

a second set of hair rollers have a second length; and

said lengths are not the same.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein each said set of hair rollers has a hollow interior diameter, and within at least some of the hollow interiors is at least one other hair roller.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the packaging is structured as openable so as to allow removal of the rollers and resettable after returning the rollers, such that after use of the rollers, the packaging is again openable.

5. The article of claim 4, wherein the rollers are maintained in their respective positions regardless of the packaging being opened or reclosed, by holes, sockets, housings, or protrusions adjacent to the bottom.

6. The article of claim 5, further including a window in the back portion, allowing visional inspection of some of the rollers within the packaging.

7. A method of making the article of claim 1, the method including:

locating a first set of hair rollers organized to present a first riser plane and a first landing plane, and locating a second set of hair rollers organized to present a second riser plane, protruding from the first landing plane, and a second landing plane, within stair-stepped packaging defined by the sets of hair rollers, such that the packaging has risers, landings, sides, and a back, wherein proportions of the risers, the landings, the sides, and the back collectively correspond to the sets of hair rollers.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the packaging is die molded plastic comprising at least two portions mateable together to be openable and resettable so as to be openable again.

9. The method of claim 7, further including locating, adjacent to some of at least one said portion, paper with outwardly displaying printing the printing including instructions and images depicting use or application the sets of the rollers and depicting results of the use or application.

10. A method of using the article of claim 1, the method including:

first opening of a package of a first set of hair rollers organized to present a first riser plane and a first landing plane, and of a second set of hair rollers organized to present a second riser plane, protruding from the first landing plane, and a second landing plane, the package being stair-stepped corresponding to the sets of hair rollers, such that the packaging has risers, landings, sides, and a back, wherein proportions of the risers, the landings, the sides, and the back collectively correspond to the sets of hair rollers;

using the hair rollers according to instructions adjacent to the packaging and returning the hair rollers within the packaging, and resetting the packaging so as to be openable as if the first opening had not occurred.