GB2339191A - Packaging device - Google Patents

Description

2339191 PACKAGING DEVICE This invention relates to packaging, particularly

but not exclusively to packaging for wrapping an item prior to presenting the item as a gift. The item may already be contained in some kind of packaging, alternatively loose, unwrapped items such as clothing can be contained within the packaging device.

Conventional wrapping materials such as paper and adhesive tape, glue or twine require both skill and time to apply. Alternatively gift boxes or bags may be used. However, a problem associated with all conventional wrappings is the need to separately attach a label to the item in order to indicate both the donor and the intended recipient. Currently available gift tags are prone to detachment and loss, rendering the identification of a gift's origin impossible.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention comprises a container having an integral movable portion which:

in a first position is releasably secured to the container by engaging means so that a display surface is concealed and in a second position is releasably secured to the container by engaging means so that the display surface is revealed.

In another aspect the invention comprises a container formed by a sleeve having a first surface and a second surface wherein an integral movable I 2 panel can be releasably joined to the first surface in a first position, or in a second position.

The invention offers a quick and easy means of wrapping a gift, a reliable means of labelling the wrapped gift on an external surface, and a concealed display surface for use as a greetings card after the packaging device has been opened. The display surface provides an attractive greetings card which is stable, when displayed. A further surface is provided for a private message which is concealed when the device is closed and is located underneath the device when the card is displayed, where it is hidden.

In order that the invention is well understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure I is a creased sheet blank for assembly into a first embodiment of the device.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of this embodiment in its fully closed position; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in Figure 2 which is partially open/unfolded; Figure 4 shows a second perspective view of the device shown in Fig ,ure 2 in a more fully open aspect; Figure 5 shows the device shown in Figure 2 completely open; 3 Figure 6 shows the manipulation of the device to enable its further use as a display means; Figure 7 shows the packaging device being used as a display means; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device, wherein an additional flap is provided which is adapted to become partially separated from the device to allow it to protrude from the device when the device is being used as a display means; Figure 9 is a creased sheet blank of the embodiment shown in Figure 8.

First Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, a creased sheet I of stiffened paper, card, plastics, or similar material is shown which can be folded to form a packaging device. Referring to Figure 5, the assembled device, comprises a container portion 4, open at least at one end D, having an upper surface A, a lower surface B and, in this preferred embodiment, sides C1, C2 and C3.

Assemblv of the device and insertion of the item to be packa ed Broken lines denote the position of fold lines about which the blank cut out I is to be creased, in order to form the device, Accurate folding may be assisted by the provision of scoring or perforations along one or more of these lines, the number and nature of either the scoring or the perforations being dependent on the thickness of the material formina the blank.

C, 4 When forming the container, all the fold lines should be folded in the same direction, either away from the user, or towards the user.

To construct the container creases are formed along fold lines 10/12 and 14/16 thus rotating portion B about lines 10/12 and 14/16 so that it lies adjacent and substantially parallel to portion A of the device. By creasing portion B along lines 23/20, 18/24, 20/22 and 26/28 a container is provided 1 2 having an upper surface A, a lower surface B, walls C, C, and C3 and an aperture D (see Fig. 4) for receiving the item to be wrapped.

C) Flaps 30 and 3)2 are provided which can be secured to upper portion A, 1 2 3 so that walls C, C and C separate the upper, A, and lower, B, surfaces of the container.

Tabs 33 and 34 are also provided which extend from one or more wall, C, region of the container and can be secured to an adjacent wall, C, in the assembled device to add strength to the container section, and prevent gaps formincy at the comers of the container throuah which small items could C) rD escape.

The flaps 30 and 32 and tabs 33 and 34, may be provided with adhesive regions to enable them to be easily joined to the surface A and adjacent walls C during construction of the device. Alternatively the flaps and tabs may be held in place by applying glue, tape or similar fixing means to one or both of the surfaces to be joined, as the device is assembled.

The container portion thus comprises an upper surface A, a lower surface B, walls C', C2 and C 3 and an opening or aperture D for receiving the gift.

A private greetings may be placed on surface B either prior to constructing the device from a creased sheet blank or after it has been filled with for example a CD or video which then provides a support against which to write.

The item to be wrapped is inserted into the container through aperture D, and the device closed by creasing along fold lines 12/40 and 42/44 thus forming a fourth wall C4. Portion E is then rotated about fold lines 12/40 and 42/44 underneath the lower surface B of the sleeve until it rests against, and is substantially parallel to, the lower surface B of the sleeve, and wall C4 rests against aperture D, so as to retain the item within the container.

Creasing along fold lines 48/50 and 52/54 provides a region C 5 which, is substantially similar to wall C 2 of the container portion of the device.

By positioning Strip C4 against and substantially parallel to wall C2 portion F is brought to lie on top of portion A of the device. Portion F is held in place by engaging means 60 which co-operate with slot 65 on surface A to retain the device in its fully folded closed position. Preferably the device is intended to be in the fully closed position when a gift is presented to the recipient.

6 Opening the device to release the item contained therein.

Engaging means 60 are disengaged from slot 65, thus releasing portion F allowing it to be unfolded and rotated outwards away from the container portion of the device. Portion E and the gift containing part A, B, C are rotated away from one another about fold lines 12/40 and 42/44, so as to reveal aperture D and allow easy removal of the item enclosed within the container formed by portions A, B and walls C.

Arrangin2 the Dackaging device to act as display means Either with the item still contained within the sleeve, or after the item has been removed, portions F and E are further rotated in the same direction as that used to unwrap the packaged item about fold lines 12/40, 42/44, 48/50 and 52/54. The free edge 62/64 of portion F is brought into contact with the upper portion A of the container, where it is secured by engaging means 60 which co-operate with the slot formed by 6') and 6-3)a to maintain the device, in the display configuration. In this arrangement the personal greeting, located on the lower surface B of the sleeve is hidden underneath the container affording privacy even when the device is being displayed as a greetings card.

The folding arrangement of portions E and F around the container A/B/C in the closed position ensures that any text or graphics located on the surface of portions E and F, which will form the display when the device is in the display configuration, remain enclosed and therefore concealed within the C) 7 folded package whilst the device remains closed. As the device is unfolded to remove the contents the enclosed display surface is progressively revealed.

As will be readily apparent to a skilled person flaps 30 and 32, tabs 33 and ')4 are not essential as adequate, albeit weaker sealing, could be achieved, without one or more of them.

Similarly wall C2 may be absent, so that a second aperture is present through which items can be introduced into and removed from the device.

However the dimensions of the contents of the device for example a CD or video must then closely correspond to the dimensions of the container, so that the contents are securely retained within the container A/B/C.

Second Embodiment Referring to Figures 8 and 9 in a preferred embodiment portion E further comprises two releasably joined regions 100 and 10 1.

In the closed position regions 100 and 101 are joined to provide a continuous sheet E.

Both regions extend from fold line 48/50. Region 101 extends from fold line 48/50 to fold line 42/44 whilst the other region 100 is not joined, and so restrained, at fold line 42/44.

Openin As portion E is rotated about fold lines 48/50 and 52/54 the frangible connection between regions 100 and 10 1 can be broken. Region 10 1 acts in the same way as portion E previously described to provide a display means.

8 Portion 100 which is not constrained by fold line 42/44 is able to rotate to a greater extent about fold lines 48/50 to provide a region which as shown in Figure 8 maintains an upright position even when the device is in the fully open display configuration.

The creased sheet can be folded prior to sale into the desired shape, to receive an item to be wrapped. Alternatively the flat creased sheet may be purchased and assembled prior to use.

Many other embodiments will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

The embodiments described herein are merely examples which do not limit the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

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Claims (11)

CLAIMS:

1. A container having an integral movable portion which:

in a first position is releasably secured to the container by engaging means so that a display surface is concealed and in a second position is releasably secured to the container by engaging means so that the display surface is revealed.

2. A container formed by a sleeve having a first surface and a second surface wherein an integral movable panel can be releasably joined to the first surface in a first position, or in a second position.

3. A container as claimed in claim I or claim 2 wherein the display surface is located on the movable portion.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein in the first position the engaging means co-operate with a first slot and in the second I position the engaging means co-operate with a second slot.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first and second slots are located on the same surface of the container.

6. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the movable portion is suited to be wrapped around the container in the first position so as to act as a closing means.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the movable portion comprises two frangibly joined regions, which are joined together when the movable portion is in the first position and are separated from one another when the movable portion is in the second position.

8. A creased sheet for assembly into a container as claimed in any preceding claim.

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9. A method of folding a creased-sheet as claimed in claim 8, into a container.

10. A creased-sheet as hereiribefore described with reference to Figures I or 9.

11. A container as hereiribefore described with reference to Figures 2-7 or 8.