Shake Me & Look Inside, Interactive Footwear Container
A shoe box is specifically designed to display a light-up footwear. The shoe box has a base, a lateral section, and a cover which create a footwear receiving volume in which the light-up footwear is placed. A viewing port on the lateral section allows a consumer to view the interior of the container, allowing them to see the light-up footwear in a dark environment. A visual instruction on the lateral surface next to the viewing port provides instructions on how to use the shoe box. Shaking the shoe box causes vibration which is detected by a trigger system of the light-up footwear. The trigger system activates an illumination system of the light-up footwear, allowing a consumer to see the full effect of the light-up footwear in a dark environment by looking through the viewing port.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/747,079 filed on Dec. 28, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a container which is specifically designed to operate footwear utilizing illumination systems for the purpose of displaying light thus illuminating a shoe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLights have long been used to enhance the interest, novelty and attractiveness of children's footwear. LED lights are attached to footwear and in some manner exposed to the eye of the observer, so that when activated the LED lights will clearly be seen and attract attention. Footwear that comprise LED lights such as this are often referred to as being “illuminated”, “illuminated footwear”, “light-up shoes” and or “shoes that light up”. More recently there have been advancements in the area of illuminated footwear; more specifically this would be internally illuminated footwear. This new category of internally illuminated footwear is in fact a family of footwear products in which consumers are not yet aware that the products can and do illuminate internally. For example, a sandal in which the entire sandal upper internally illuminates as if it were a light bulb. A rain boot in which the entire rain boot sole, the tread and all, internally illuminates as if it too were a light bulb. A ballet shoe in which the entire shoe, the sole and upper internally illuminates as if you were actually wearing light bulbs on your feet. Or, a big soft fuzzy boot in which the soft fuzzy boot upper internally illuminates exploding in a rainbow of ever changing colors.
Footwear is normally stored in rectangular boxes known as shoe boxes. Shoe boxes have for decades been the preferred container for footwear in terms of transportation, inventory management and even the organization of a consumer's closet. As it relates to both transportation and inventory management, one objective for both manufactures and retailers, is that the overall cubic dimensions of a shoe boxes, be as compact as possible. Additionally, these shoe boxes are designed to completely encase the shoes, requiring a person to open the shoe box in order to view and otherwise access the shoes.
While shoe boxes are the most common storage method for shoes, some retailers have been using merchandise stands with pegs to display footwear. These merchandise stands are usually used for the display and inventory management of smaller items such as socks, belts, and hair accessories. Using a merchandise stand to display footwear on pegs provides numerous advantages; it creates a desirable retail environment, provides an impactful visual display for consumers in that they can see all of the different styles and colors, and makes it much easier for a consumer to locate various sizes of a displayed product.
While both of the above stocking methods work with regular, non-illuminated footwear, they are not completely suited for use with illuminated footwear. This is because these existing shoe boxes and merchandise stands do not allow consumers to fully experience the lights of illuminated footwear. With a traditional shoe box, the top must be removed in order to see the shoe, allowing light to shine into the interior of the shoe box. A shoe on a merchandise stand, lacking an enclosure, is completely exposed to exterior illumination. These outside lights diminish the effect of illuminated footwear. If consumers are able to view the illuminated footwear in a dark environment, they will have a better view and appreciation of the visual display created by illuminated footwear.
It is therefore the intent of this invention in providing a container, designed to operate footwear which utilize illumination systems, which serves as an interactive selling tool for the purpose of displaying, demonstrating and educating consumers of advancements which have been achieved in the area of illuminated and internally illuminated footwear.
The present invention may be embodied in any container that is suitable for footwear, which is comprised in part of an illumination system that is intended to emit light via LEDs, electroluminescent wire, or other suitable light emitting sources.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is an enclosed shoe box 2 which is specifically designed to display light-up footwear 1 utilizing light systems for the purpose of illuminating a shoe. The present invention comprises a light-up footwear 1, a container 21, and a cover 22. The cover 22 is placed over the container 21, creating a fully enclosed shoe box 2. The light-up footwear 1 is positioned inside the container 21, as depicted in
In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in
In the preferred embodiment, the viewing port 215 is placed on a first wall 2121, which is arbitrarily chosen from the walls of the lateral section 212. Potentially, the viewing port 215 could be placed on any wall of the lateral section 212. Given a rectangular container 21, this means the viewing port 215 can be placed on any one of the four walls that form the lateral section 212 of the rectangular container 21. This preferred embodiment is illustrated in
Fully or partially visible in
Potentially, the cover 22 can be foldably connected to a top edge of the lateral section 212, acting as a flap. With this variation of the cover 22, depicted in
The container 21 is constructed from a cardboard material, as used in the production of boxes and, more specifically, typical shoe boxes. As is standard with typical shoe boxes, the container 21 of the preferred embodiment is oblong in shape. Resultantly, the lateral section 212 of the preferred embodiment comprises a first wall 2121, a second wall 2122, a third wall 2123, and a fourth wall 2124. The footwear receiving volume 214 inside the container 21 forms a gaseous void, commonly air, that allows for the transmission of light. Though typical shoe boxes are built to be as small as possible, with their interiors only as large as is necessary to receive a pair of shoes, the present invention requires the footwear receiving volume 214 to provide a sufficient gap between the stored shoes and the interior walls of the shoe box 2. More specifically, the present invention requires there to be a gap between the shoes and the lateral section 212, the shoes and the lid 221, or both. The gap is needed because most illuminated footwear, as stored in the present invention, are activated by vibration. A certain threshold must be reached to trigger the illuminated footwear, and “soft” steps or simple motions are often below this threshold and thus insufficient. To allow a user to generate enough vibration to trigger the illuminated footwear, room must be provided within the footwear receiving volume 214 for the stored shoes to move in. By allowing the stored shoes to bounce against the bottom of the container 21 and the lid 221 and the internal walls, or both, the vibration threshold can be reached by shaking the container 21. The footwear receiving volume 214 may be further defined by the container 21, i.e. the container's 21 width, length, height, or any combination thereof, in order to provide a sufficient space to allow a specific vibration activated illumination system to function. As vibration activated illumination system can vary across footwear, which itself can vary in design and size, variances in illumination systems, shoe designs, and shoe sizes must be accommodated for when determining the size of the interactive footwear container 21 and corresponding footwear receiving volume 214.
The printed instructions 216 explain to a consumer how to use the present invention. The present invention is used by first shaking the container 21 in order to trigger the vibration activated illumination system of a stored shoe. The resulting visual display is then viewed by placing an eye at the viewing port 215 and looking into the footwear receiving volume 214. Since the container 21 is effectively enclosed, the footwear receiving volume 214 is dark, enhancing the effect of the illumination system 11. Though some exterior light might enter through the viewing port 215, a consumer will obstruct most of that exterior light when looking through the viewing port 215. These steps are visually conveyed to a consumer by means of the printed instructions 216. The printed instructions 216 are preferably placed on the front of the container 21; for a typical shoe box, this is normally where information identifying the contents of the typical shoe box is placed. For example, the front often includes some or all of the following data: the brand name, style number and name, color, size, suggested retail price, and universal product code (UPC) number. In order to create interest, curiosity, and intrigue in the eyes of a consumer, the printed instructions 216 provide a written communication (language), pictorial communication (colorful symbols and graphics), or both. In the preferred embodiment the printed instructions 216 use both communication methods. More specifically, the phrase “Shake Me & Look Inside” is printed on the front of the shoe box 2 and an arrow points towards the viewing port 215. The preferred printed instructions 216 are seen throughout
In the preferred embodiment the viewing port 215 simply cuts a hole 2151 into and through the lateral section 212, as shown in
While the preferred embodiment utilizes a single viewing port 215, the viewing port 215 can be expanded upon in other embodiments. It is possible to place the viewing port 215 on any side of the lateral section 212, not just the front. Potentially, the single viewing port 215 or even extra viewing ports 215 may be placed on the lid 221. Viewing ports 215 may be included in a variety of sizes, shapes, and positions while still providing the desired functionality to the present invention. In these other embodiments, the viewing port 215 comprises the hole 2151, a transparent window 2153 or screen, and a moveable blind 2152. The transparent window 2153 and movable blind 2152 are illustrated in
The moveable blind 2152 may be implemented in a variety of methods, requiring at a minimum an opaque body 2154 and a connection method. The opaque body 2154 prevents light from entering the viewing port 215 while the moveable blind 2152 is covering the viewing port 215. The connection method allows the moveable blind 2152 to be moved into and out of a covering position, allowing a consumer to use or obstruct an individual viewing port 215. One example of the connection method includes a hinge, allowing the opaque body 2154 to pivot in front of and away from the hole 2151. Another example of the connection method is a rail 2155, which receives a slider connected to the opaque body 2154. The rail 2155 allows the opaque body 2154 to be moved laterally or vertically in order to obstruct or expose the hole 2151.
In a second embodiment, the container 21 is designed to be suspended from a merchandise stand, rather than stacked on shelving as is common for typical shoe boxes. This second embodiment is depicted in
In the second embodiment, the container 21 further comprises support tab 224 a first interior flap 217, and a second interior flap 218, shown in
The second embodiment otherwise functions similarly to the preferred embodiment; transparent windows 2153 and screens may be added to the viewing ports 215, of which there may be more than one. The footwear receiving volume 214 still utilizes a gaseous void that allows the stored shoe to bounce off the inside of the hanging shoe box 2 when shaken. After shaking the container 21 and triggering the vibration activated illumination system 11, the display of light within the container 21 is visible through the viewing port 215, further drawing the attention of the consumer such that they bring the container 21 closer to the eye. As with the preferred embodiment, the hanging shoe box 2 of the second embodiment must provide sufficient room within the container 21 to allow the illuminated footwear to bounce against the base 211 and cover 22, lateral section 212, or both. Since there is a wide variety amongst footwear, such as shoe size, design, and even the illumination systems 11 of illuminated footwear, the size of the container 21, footwear receiving volume 214, and gaseous void must vary to accommodate different sizes and designs of illuminated footwear.
The described light-up footwear 1, which is placed in the footwear receiving volume 214, comprises an illumination system 11 and a trigger system 12. The illumination system 11 and the trigger system 12 provide the functionality of the light-up footwear 1 as outlined in
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior comprises:
- a shoe box;
- the shoe box comprises a container and a cover;
- the cover being positioned atop the container;
- the container comprises a base, a lateral section, an access opening, a footwear receiving volume, and at least one viewing port;
- the lateral section being perimetrically and adjacently connected to the base;
- the access opening being delineated by the lateral section;
- the footwear receiving volume being delineated by the lateral section and the base;
- the footwear receiving volume being positioned between the base and the access opening;
- the at least one viewing port being positioned on the lateral section;
- the lateral section comprises a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a fourth wall;
- the first wall and the third wall being parallel to each other;
- the second wall and the fourth wall being parallel to each other;
- the second wall and the fourth wall being positioned between the first wall and the third wall;
- the second wall and the fourth wall being adjacently connected to the first wall:
- the second wall and the fourth wall being adjacently connected to the third wall; and
- the at least one viewing port being positioned on the first wall.
2. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- the cover comprises a lid and a lip;
- the lip being perimetrically connected to the lid;
- the lid being positioned adjacent to the access opening and the lateral section; and
- the lip being positioned around the lateral section.
3. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- the cover comprises a lid and a lip;
- the lip being connected to the lid;
- the lid being positioned adjacent to the access opening;
- the lid being foldably connected to the lateral section; and
- the lip being positioned around the lateral section.
4. (canceled)
5. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the container further comprises a plurality of printed instructions, wherein the plurality of printed instructions describes steps for interacting with the container;
- the at least one viewing port comprises a hole;
- the hole traversing through the lateral section; and
- the plurality of printed instructions being positioned on the container adjacent to the at least one viewing port.
6. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 3 comprises:
- the at least one viewing port further comprises a transparent window;
- the transparent window being positioned in the hole; and
- the transparent window being perimetrically connected to the lateral surface.
7. (canceled)
8. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewing interior as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- the at least one viewing port further comprises a moveable blind;
- the moveable blind comprises an opaque body and a rail;
- the rail being positioned on the lateral section;
- the rail being positioned adjacent to the at least one viewing port; and
- the opaque body being slidably engaged to the lateral section by the rail, wherein the opaque body covers the at least one viewing port.
9. (canceled)
10. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 11 comprises:
- the cover comprises a lid, a tongue, and a support tab;
- the container further comprises a first interior flap and a second interior flap;
- the support tab comprises a tab hole;
- the support tab being centrally positioned along the lid;
- the support tab being adjacently connected to the lid opposite the access opening;
- the support tab being perpendicular to the lid;
- the tab hole centrally traversing through the support tab;
- the lid being positioned adjacent to the access opening and the lateral section;
- the lid being foldably connected to the lateral section;
- the tongue being connected perpendicular to the lid opposite the lateral section;
- the first interior flap and the second interior flap being positioned opposite each other across the access opening;
- the tongue being positioned between the first interior flap and the second interior flap;
- the first interior flap being foldably and adjacently connected to the lateral section; and
- the second interior flap being foldably and adjacently connected to the lateral section.
11. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the container further comprises a plurality of printed instructions, wherein the plurality of printed instructions describes steps for interacting with the container;
- the at least one viewing port comprises a hole;
- the hole traversing into the container; and
- the plurality of printed instructions being positioned on the container adjacent to the at least one viewing port.
12. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 11 comprises:
- the at least one viewing port further comprises a transparent window;
- the transparent window being positioned in the hole; and
- the transparent window being perimetrically connected to the lateral surface.
13. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 11 comprises:
- the at least one viewing port being positioned on the base.
14. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 11 comprises:
- the lateral section comprises an arbitrary wall; and
- the at least one viewing port being positioned along the arbitrary wall and the base.
15. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewing interior as claimed in claim 11 comprises:
- the moveable blind further comprises a moveable blind;
- the moveable blind comprises an opaque body and a rail;
- the rail being positioned on the lateral section;
- the rail being positioned adjacent to the at least one viewing port; and
- the opaque body being slidably engaged to the lateral section by the rail, wherein the opaque body covers the at least one viewing port.
16. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 11 comprises:
- a light-up footwear;
- the light-up footwear being positioned interior to the shoe box;
- the light-up footwear comprises an illumination system and a trigger system;
- the illumination system being electronically connected to the trigger system, wherein the trigger system activates the illumination system past a threshold of vibration; and
- the light-up footwear being located within the footwear receiving volume.
17. The system of an enclosed footwear display with a viewable interior as claimed in claim 5 comprises:
- a light-up footwear;
- the light-up footwear being positioned interior to the shoe box;
- the light-up footwear comprises an illumination system and a trigger system;
- the illumination system being electronically connected to the trigger system, wherein the trigger system activates the illumination system past a threshold of vibration; and
- the light-up footwear being located within the footwear receiving volume.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 30, 2013
Publication Date: Jul 3, 2014
Inventor: Roy Robert Smith, III (Sugar Land, TX)
Application Number: 13/874,240