US20040084345A1

US20040084345A1 - Gift container

Info

Publication number: US20040084345A1
Application number: US10/688,688
Authority: US
Inventors: Sergio Alonso
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-25
Filing date: 2003-10-17
Publication date: 2004-05-06

Abstract

A gift container that can be personalized at home or businesses. The container has two transparent sections: a bottom section (1) and a top section (2). The top section (2) is sized slightly larger than the bottom section (1) so as to slide over the bottom section (1) to form a closed container. Pre-printed labels (8) or (13) are printed on high gloss paper, personalized using a computer program and inserted into the containers so as to be visible from the container's side(s) (5). Candy (7), chocolates, flower petals, toys and other objects are placed into the container for giving as gifts. Additionally, gift container holders (10) and (15) hold the containers and give a more festive appearance. The container is particularly well suited for lay people who like to give personalized gifts, as well as businesses wishing to market themselves or supply clients or employees with personalized gifts.

Description

This is application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/422,182, filed Oct. 25, 2002.[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novelty gift containers, more specifically, a transparent novelty gift container for holding small gift items, such as chocolates, cheeses, soaps, rose petals, toys and so forth.

Personalized gift giving has become very popular through the years to celebrate life's special events. From graduations to baby showers and birthdays to holidays, personalizing products has become a mainstream idea. Even large businesses and hotels have decided to add their own ‘personal touches’ to make employees and guests feel welcomed and appreciated. What once used to be considered an arts and crafts type project to be done with grandma has now become a big business.

Currently, there are many storage type containers that are capable of displaying photographs or other memorabilia through transparent walls. However, the walls take away from the volume of the container's storage space. In addition, one must purchase such a container with a factory-made type insert. Although this may be useful for some purposes, such as a generic “Happy Birthday” or a generic “Happy Anniversary,” what happens when you wish to give a more personal gift to stand out from the others? For instance, what if you wanted your container to display “Happy Birthday Kaelani.” Because Kaelani is such a unique name, you would most likely be unable to purchase any type of storage container bearing her name. If the parents of this child would like the gift container to bear her name, they would not be able to purchase such a product anywhere.

Another example is when a large company would like to give its employees a special thank you gift. Rather than going to the store and purchasing an impersonal trinket, the directors would like to give the employees something bearing the name of the company to promote teamwork and unity. However, the only current method of purchasing such items is by going through a mass distributor to have the items personalized, which can take weeks to receive and can be very costly.

Thus, the present invention helps to create personalized gift containers which can quickly, easily and inexpensively be made at home or business.

The prior art includes the following United States patents:



Patent No.	Inventor	Filing Date	Issue Date

4,901,456	Cotutsca	Nov. 21, 1988	Feb. 20, 1990
3,716,936	Miller	Jun. 17, 1970	Feb. 20, 1973
4,897,948	Owen	Sep. 18, 1987	Feb. 06, 1990
5,630,512	Wells	Feb. 23, 1996	May 20, 1997
4,195,729	Macken	Jan. 12, 1979	Apr. 01, 1980
5,226,252	Haluska	Feb. 15, 1991	Jul. 13, 1993
3,774,332	Schneider	Mar. 23, 1971	Nov. 27, 1973
4,979,325	White	Jan. 16, 1990	Dec. 25, 1990
3,760,521	Barraya	Feb. 26, 1971	Sep. 25, 1973

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a gift container that permits personalized inserts to be placed so as to be visible from the outside.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gift container that can be made at home or at work.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a gift container that comes in various shapes and sizes to accommodate various shaped and sized items.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a gift container that is aesthetically pleasing.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a gift container that is musical.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a gift container that is inexpensive to make.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a gift container composed of two pieces: a bottom section and a top section. In one embodiment, the bottom section has four sides, a bottom and an open top while the top section is slightly larger than the bottom section, has four sides, a top and an open bottom so that said top section slides over the bottom section to form a closed container. A folded three-sided label is designed to slide into the bottom section of the container either vertically so one side of the panel is visible through three sides of the container or the bottom section so that it is visible through the top and two sides of the container.

In another embodiment, rather than the gift container having four sides, the bottom and top sections are circular so there is essentially only one continuous side. The top section is still slightly larger than the bottom so that said top section slides over the bottom section to form a closed container. The label is designed to slide into the bottom section of the container either vertically so that it is visible through the side of the container.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is described by appended claims in relation to a description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the following drawings which are explained briefly as follows: [0017]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the gift container present invention; [0018]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom section of the embodiment of FIG. 1; [0019]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the top section of the embodiment of FIG. 1; [0020]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a personalized label insert; [0021]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a personalized label designed for the embodiment of FIG. 1; [0022]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment circular gift container of the present invention; [0023]
FIG. 7 is a side view of a personalized label insert designed for the embodiment of FIG. 6; [0024]
FIG. 8. is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention; [0025]
FIG. 9 is a side view of a first holder for the present invention; [0026]
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second holder for the present invention; and [0027]
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a musical bow attachment.[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Listed numerically below with reference to the drawings are terms used to describe features of this invention. These terms and numbers assigned to them designate the same features throughout this description.



1.	bottom section	11.	musical bow
2.	top section	12.	label insert section
3.	top cover	13.	label insert for circular
4.	bottom		container
5.	side	14.	groove
6.	open portion	15.	gift container holder with
7.	candy		pocket
8.	label insert	16.	pocket
9.	musical winder	17.	edge
10.	gift container holder

With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The gift container has a [0030] transparent bottom section 1 and a transparent top section 2. The top section 2 is sized slightly larger than the bottom section 1 so that the top section 2 fits over the bottom section 1 to form a closed container. The bottom section 1 has a bottom 4 and four sides 5. The top section 2 has a top cover 3 and four sides 5.
With reference to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the [0031] bottom section 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown. The bottom section 1 has a bottom 4, four sides 5 and an open portion 6.
In FIG. 3, a perspective view of the [0032] top section 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown. The top section 2 has a top cover 3, four sides 5 and an open portion 6.
To fill the container, the user places items through the [0033] open portion 6 of the bottom section 1. To close the container, the user places the open portion 6 of the top section 2 over the bottom section 1.
With reference to FIG. 4, a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a [0034] personalized label insert 8 is shown. First, the label 8 is placed vertically in the bottom section 1 so that it is visible through three sides 5. Because both the bottom section 1 and top section 2 are transparent, the label 8 is clearly visible. Next, candy 7 or other trinkets are placed in the container. Finally, the top section 2 is placed over the bottom section 1 to form a closed container.
With reference to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a [0035] personalized label insert 8 designed for the embodiment of FIG. 1 is shown. The label insert 8 has three distinct label portions 12 to correspond to the sides 5 of the container.
In FIG. 6, a perspective view of a second circular embodiment of gift container of the present invention is shown. The embodiment has a circular [0036] top cover 3 and a circular bottom 4, thus requiring only one side 5 portion. Once again, the top section 2 is slightly larger than the bottom section 1, so the top section 2 slides over the bottom section 1 to form a closed container.
The circular [0037] top cover 3 could also be sized so as to cover only a small portion of the side portion 5.
With reference to FIG. 7, a side view of a personalized insert label for a circular container [0038] 13 is shown. The insert label for a circular contained does not have the distinct label sections 12 of the label insert for a square container illustrated in FIG. 5.
In FIG. 8., a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. The container has a [0039] musical winder 9 attached to a side 5. When the user wants to hear music from the container, he/she simply turns the winder 9.
In FIG. 9, a side view of a rocking [0040] gift container holder 10 for the present invention is shown. The rocking holder 10 is shaped as a horse, but can come in numerous shapes and designs. A groove 14 is cut below the winder 9 so the user can wind the container while it is secured in the holder 10.
With reference to FIG. 10, a perspective view of a second gift container holder with [0041] pocket 15 for the present invention is shown. To secure the container in the holder 15, the user places the container into the pocket 16 portion of the holder 15. The edges 17 overlap portions of the top section 2 of the container. The edges 17 are elasticized so as to stretch.
Finally, with reference to FIG. 11, a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a [0042] musical bow 11 attachment is shown. When the user presses the bow 11, music can be heard.
The containers are of various shapes and sizes so as to accommodate gifts of various shapes and sizes. [0043]
The [0044] labels 8 and 13 are pre-printed on high gloss paper for a professional appearance and personalized using a computer software program. The labels 8 and 13 have at least 55 different designs to suit most occasions.
The [0045] holders 10 and 15 come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit most occasions.
Further, future embodiments of the present invention allow for the containers to be placed in flower arrangements and gift baskets. [0046]
The use of the present invention will allow both home users and business users to personalize gift containers quickly, easily and inexpensively. [0047]
It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings. [0048]

Claims

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A gift container comprising:

a bottom section having a base with at least one edge;

said bottom section having at least one side in connection with said base;

said bottom section having an open portion opposite said base;

a top section having a top cover with at least one edge;

said top section having at least one side in connection with said cover; and

said top section having an open portion opposite said cover.

2. The gift container of claim 1 wherein:

said top section is slightly larger than said bottom section.

3. The gift container of claim 2 wherein:

said top section top cover edge is circular having a pre-determined top cover circumference; and

said bottom section base edge is circular having a pre-determined base circumference.

4. The gift container of claim 2 wherein:

said top section top cover has at least three lineal edges creating a pre-determined perimeter; and

said bottom section base has at least three lineal edges creating a pre-determined perimeter.

5. The gift container of claim 3 wherein:

said side in connection with said bottom is connected along said base circumference; and

said side in connection with said top section is connected along said top cover circumference.

6. The gift container of claim 4 wherein:

said sides in connection with said bottom is connected along said base perimeter; and

said sides in connection with said top section is connected along said top cover perimeter.

7. The gift container of claim 1 wherein:

said bottom section is transparent; and

said top section is transparent.

8. The gift container of claim 1 wherein:

a musical winder is attached to said side of said bottom section; and

said musical winder is connected to an internally located music box.

9. The gift container of claim 1 wherein:

a musical bow is attached to said top cover.

10. The gift container of claim 7 wherein:

personalized labels are inserted into said gift container so as to be visible from said bottom section.

11. The gift container of claim 7 wherein:

personalized labels are inserted into said gift container so as to be visible from said top section top cover.

12. The gift container of claim 4 wherein:

said top section top cover perimeter is triangular; and

said bottom section base perimeter is triangular.

13. The gift container of claim 4 wherein:

said top section top cover perimeter is square; and

said bottom section base perimeter is square.

14. The gift container of claim 4 wherein:

said top section top cover perimeter is rectangular; and

said bottom section base perimeter is rectangular.