GB2069460A

GB2069460A - Alphanumeric-shaped Containers

Info

Publication number: GB2069460A
Application number: GB8005050A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Metcalf P C
Current assignee: Metcalf P C
Priority date: 1980-02-14
Filing date: 1980-02-14
Publication date: 1981-08-26

Abstract

A container is formed in the shape of a letter of the alphabet or a number, and is made from plastics, metal, wood or cardboard. If cardboard, the container is erected from a blank, and has a tear-open flap. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Initial Boxes The purpose of my invention is to represent three-dimensionally the 26 letters of the alphabet and the numbers, one through to nine including zero. The object being that each letter or number serves as personalised packaging for gifts or any article, substance or liquid. An example of this would be, a food manufacturer could take the letter "T" and use this for storing tea or in the case of the letter "C" coffee would be used. All of which would be entered into by way of a lid or a detachable frontal piece.

The construction of the letters and numbers could be made in material such as; carboard, plastic, tin, wood and polystyrene. Colours would be unlimited. Although a various amount of materials could be used, carboard of a light to medium weight would be used.

The cardboard is subjected to a template or cutout and then scored and folded to complete the appropriate letter or number. Where tin and plastic is concerned these would be moulded.

Although it is usual to see polystyrene cutouts of letters and numbers my idea differs in that, the construction is completely hollow and when subjected to the necessary folds and bonded by an adhesive, one is left with a complete threedimensional "hollow" letter or number which is entered into by way of a pull-away, nondetachable flap.

In all cases with the twenty-six letter of the alphabet and numbers, the construction is made out of a single sheet of light to medium weight cardboard. The sizes of the letters would range from a minimum of one and a quarter inches to six inches. They can of course be constructed much larger depending on the maximum size of a single sheet of cardboard.

Using cardboard as an example, as this material is the prime material for gift packaging.

The actual completion of each letter or number takes place only when the letter has been scored and cutout. The cutout is then folded and bent into the appropriate alphabetical shape which has corresponding areas to that of the given letter.

This will be shown more fully in the informal drawings that follow.

The idea is a novelty. At the present time gift packaging exists mostly in the form of a square box, in some cases with only slight variations to the lid, where as my idea takes an alphabetical shape and uses it as a 3-dimensional shape, which when completed becomes a storage compartment for a gift or object. An example of this would be the letter "J" which could be the name of a friend called Jane. One would purchase the complete letter "J" and insert ones gift inside, thus instead of using an ordinary square box one has the novel form of using the letter "J" which enhances the gift given. In a sense the initialed box becomes a gift, where as the usual squared box is disgarded, the alphabetical shaped box would be kept as it would hold that much more meaning.

The 3-dimensional letters and numbers could also be made just as a template, pre-cut and scored in the areas which would then be folded.

By this method it would then become a "do it yourself" construct a three dimensional alphabetical letter ready to be given as a gift package. It could be pre-adhesived or the person who buys it would add his own glue to the appropriate flaps, that join the letter together.

The informal drawings on sheet No: show the typical construction for all 26 letters of the english alphabet. For the example I have used the first letter of the alphabet. "Letter, "A".

On sheet No; Four Figure 1 shows the example of the cutout/template as it would appear prior to construction. The dotted lines indicates where the cardboard has been scored (reading Figure 1) No.

1. shows the top or roof of the letter "A". No. IA and 1 B are the corresponding shapes of the given letter. No's 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E show adhesive flaps which are glued to the respective areas of 1A.

This is also the same for No's 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E which are glued to the side of 1 B respectively.

No. 4 is an extra flap for added support and is folded in the direction of the arrow and glued to No. 4A.

The area of No. 5. is the main covering for entrance into the box 5A, 5B, and 5C are flaps non-adhesive, which "Tuck" into the interior of, 1, 1 At, 1 B and 4A respectively.

Figure 2. No. 6. Shows a transparent view of the letter "A" No. 7 indicates the folded part of the cardboard, (which acts as a kind of hinge) and 7A the direction in which it folds to complete the 3-dimensional letter "A".

Figure 3 No. 8 shows how a completed alphabetical letter appears when fully constructed.

Figure 4 on sheet No: 5 shows a more detailed drawing on how adhesive flaps are attached and the general construction of the 3-dimensional letter.

The reference numbers are the same used in Figure one, on sheet No: The arrows once again, show the direction in which the flaps move in order to be glued.

The remaining sheets No's 6 and 7 show the complete alphabet A to Z showing entry compartments. Sheet No: 8 show the numbers 1 to 9 including zero entry into these numbers would be of similar examples as that used in the alphabet.

Claims

The purpose of my invention is to represent three-dimensionally the 26 letters of the english alphabet and the numbers one through to nine including zero. The object being that, each letter or number serves as personalised packaging for gifts or any article, substance or liquid. An example of this: A food manufacturer could take

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Initial Boxes The purpose of my invention is to represent three-dimensionally the 26 letters of the alphabet and the numbers, one through to nine including zero. The object being that each letter or number serves as personalised packaging for gifts or any article, substance or liquid. An example of this would be, a food manufacturer could take the letter "T" and use this for storing tea or in the case of the letter "C" coffee would be used. All of which would be entered into by way of a lid or a detachable frontal piece. The construction of the letters and numbers could be made in material such as; carboard, plastic, tin, wood and polystyrene. Colours would be unlimited. Although a various amount of materials could be used, carboard of a light to medium weight would be used. The cardboard is subjected to a template or cutout and then scored and folded to complete the appropriate letter or number. Where tin and plastic is concerned these would be moulded. Although it is usual to see polystyrene cutouts of letters and numbers my idea differs in that, the construction is completely hollow and when subjected to the necessary folds and bonded by an adhesive, one is left with a complete threedimensional "hollow" letter or number which is entered into by way of a pull-away, nondetachable flap. In all cases with the twenty-six letter of the alphabet and numbers, the construction is made out of a single sheet of light to medium weight cardboard. The sizes of the letters would range from a minimum of one and a quarter inches to six inches. They can of course be constructed much larger depending on the maximum size of a single sheet of cardboard. Using cardboard as an example, as this material is the prime material for gift packaging. The actual completion of each letter or number takes place only when the letter has been scored and cutout. The cutout is then folded and bent into the appropriate alphabetical shape which has corresponding areas to that of the given letter. This will be shown more fully in the informal drawings that follow. The idea is a novelty. At the present time gift packaging exists mostly in the form of a square box, in some cases with only slight variations to the lid, where as my idea takes an alphabetical shape and uses it as a 3-dimensional shape, which when completed becomes a storage compartment for a gift or object. An example of this would be the letter "J" which could be the name of a friend called Jane. One would purchase the complete letter "J" and insert ones gift inside, thus instead of using an ordinary square box one has the novel form of using the letter "J" which enhances the gift given. In a sense the initialed box becomes a gift, where as the usual squared box is disgarded, the alphabetical shaped box would be kept as it would hold that much more meaning. The 3-dimensional letters and numbers could also be made just as a template, pre-cut and scored in the areas which would then be folded. By this method it would then become a "do it yourself" construct a three dimensional alphabetical letter ready to be given as a gift package. It could be pre-adhesived or the person who buys it would add his own glue to the appropriate flaps, that join the letter together. The informal drawings on sheet No: show the typical construction for all 26 letters of the english alphabet. For the example I have used the first letter of the alphabet. "Letter, "A". On sheet No; Four Figure 1 shows the example of the cutout/template as it would appear prior to construction. The dotted lines indicates where the cardboard has been scored (reading Figure 1) No.

Figure

2. No. 6. Shows a transparent view of the letter "A" No. 7 indicates the folded part of the cardboard, (which acts as a kind of hinge) and 7A the direction in which it folds to complete the 3-dimensional letter "A".

Claims

The purpose of my invention is to represent three-dimensionally the 26 letters of the english alphabet and the numbers one through to nine including zero. The object being that, each letter or number serves as personalised packaging for gifts or any article, substance or liquid. An example of this: A food manufacturer could take the letter "T" and use this for the storing of tea, or in the case of the letter "C" coffee would be stored, and the principle material to be used would be a light to medium weight cardboard. It is in this area where cardboard is used that I seek protection of the idea, namely that of the actual construction of the threedimensional letter when submitted to a series of folds from the template form.The actual 3-D object is created when areas of cardboard which correspond to the area of the given letter whether it be, A, B, C, through to Z or one to nine, are cut and folded as per instructions.

Although cardboard is the principle material, tin is also another material which could also be used as this folds easily when bended and also easily sealed. Plastic wood and polystyrene will also be used. Colours would be according to availability and choice.

Although it is usual to see polystyrene cutouts of letters and numbers my invention differs in that the construction is completely hollow. Having completed the 3-D letter or number, entry into it is either by way of a detachable lid or a folding flap which is concealable.

The sizes of the letter could range from 1-" to six inches depending on the maximum size of a single sheet of cardboard.

The three dimensional letters and numbers could also be made just as a template, pre-cut and scored in the appropriate area which would then be folded, by this method it would become a "do it yourself" construction for three dimensional letters, ready to be given as gifts. Here again I speak in regard to pre-cut cardboard. Preadhesive to the appropriate flaps, which join the letter together could be used or the purchasee could add his own adhesive.

So principally what I have invented is a new way to construct a 3-dimensional alphabetical letter or letters and numbers which are "hollow", from single sheet cardboard or tin with the purpose in mind of using them as packaging for gifts or dry or wet food produce, as opposed to the more conventional square and rectangular forms of everyday packaging.