US20050029159A1 - Flatware box and kit - Google Patents
Flatware box and kit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050029159A1 US20050029159A1 US10/863,640 US86364004A US2005029159A1 US 20050029159 A1 US20050029159 A1 US 20050029159A1 US 86364004 A US86364004 A US 86364004A US 2005029159 A1 US2005029159 A1 US 2005029159A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- box
- flatware
- fastening
- kit
- leaning
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D7/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D7/12—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls
- B65D7/14—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls of skeleton or like apertured construction, e.g. baskets or carriers formed of wire mesh, of interconnected bands, bars, or rods, or of perforated sheet metal
- B65D7/20—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls of skeleton or like apertured construction, e.g. baskets or carriers formed of wire mesh, of interconnected bands, bars, or rods, or of perforated sheet metal made of wire
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F5/00—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features
- A47F5/01—Show stands, hangers, or shelves characterised by their constructional features made of tubes or wire
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B81/00—Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis
- A47B81/04—Cabinets or racks specially adapted for other particular purposes, e.g. for storing guns or skis specially adapted for storing dishware
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/90—Constructional details of drawers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/002—Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/005—Show cases or show cabinets with glass panels
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47G—HOUSEHOLD OR TABLE EQUIPMENT
- A47G21/00—Table-ware
- A47G21/14—Knife racks or stands; Holders for table utensils attachable to plates
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/02—Internal fittings
- B65D25/10—Devices to locate articles in containers
- B65D25/103—V-shaped elements, e.g. racks, protuberances projecting from a supporting surface, supporting the articles locally at its sides
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/54—Inspection openings or windows
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
- A47B88/90—Constructional details of drawers
- A47B88/969—Drawers having means for organising or sorting the content
- A47B88/988—Drawers having means for organising or sorting the content in the form of holders for positioning specific articles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a flatware box and kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flatware box and kit which contains a set of flatware attached to a rack, in which the top of the box consists of a see-through window, means for interlocking the top of the box to the bottom of the box, and means for dispensing the flatware box and kit on a store shelf in the upright position so that the contents of the box are visible, while at the same time, the box containing the flatware and kit leans back on the shelf rather than forward, preventing the toppling of the box and kit off the shelf and on to passers-by.
- Flatware and flatware racks have been around a long time and packaged within various types of boxes.
- flatware will be packaged in a box which will not allow the purchaser to see the contents as they are contained in the box.
- the box will have a picture of the flatware on the outside, other times no picture will be displayed. If such is the case, it is typical for the store selling the flatware to display an open set of the flatware so as to allow the consumer to see what he/she is purchasing. In such situations, however, what is actually contained within the box is not seen by the purchaser until the box is ned.
- the ideal box for flatware would, therefore, be a box which contains a see-through top, allowing the consumer to check its contents without actually having to open the box.
- Examples of such display boxes with see-through tops or large windows are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,325 to Yonker et al, issued Apr. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,703B1 to Thompson et al, issued Oct. 8, 2002; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,366B to Edgerton et al, issued Apr. 16, 2002.
- the box with a see-through top There are two problems presented by a box with a see-through top. The first is how the box is displayed on the store shelf. When there is no see-through top, the contents of one box are displayed and usually the boxes containing the flatware to be purchased will be stacked one on top of the other, in a nearby location, out of harms way. When the box contains a see-through top, the box itself acts as the display product and therefore, must be positioned accordingly. The store owner, therefore, would ideally place the box with the see-through top in the upright position, rather then the flat stacked position, allowing the consumer to see what is contained within the box. The boxes will then be lined up one behind the other, so that as the boxes are sold and removed from the shelf, the front of the remaining boxes is in a display position.
- a second problem presented by a box with a see-through top is that the box often tends to open up when placed in the vertical display position. This is in contrast to the typical flatware box without a window which consists of one undivided outer shell having flags at the sides or ends. As such, there is no problem of the top and bottom of the windowless box falling apart since they are one continuous piece. Additionally, since the windowless box is not the display itself, it will usually be lying flat on the shelf and therefore, there is less of a chance that it will fall off the shelf.
- a flatware box with a see-through top ideally would consist of two separate pieces, a top see-through portion and a bottom support portion.
- the bottom support portion of the box is stronger and thicker than the see-through top. If the top portion is fit into the bottom portion when the box is assembled, then the top portion will be smaller than the bottom and the box will have a tendency to tip forward when placed in the upright position.
- the see-through top of the flatware box and the bottom of the flatware box should provide means to conveniently and securely lock the top and bottom of the box so that the entire kit does not split in two at any point in time and can still be opened without undue difficulty.
- a flatware box with a see-through top which contains means to cause the box to lean backward when in a vertical position, means to fasten the top and bottom of the box to each other, and means for attaching the flatware to the rack, and the flatware and the rack to the bottom of the box.
- the present invention sets forth a flatware box and kit which consists of a see-through top, tabs causing the box to lean backward on the shelf while in the upright position, means to fasten the top of the box to the bottom of the box, and a means for attaching the flatware to the rack, and the flatware and the rack to the bottom of the box.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of means for maintaining the box in the upright position when on display.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of means for standing the box in the upright position when on display, which further causes the box when in the upright position to lean backward rather then forward.
- Another object of the present invention to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of means to lock the top of the flatware box with the bottom of the flatware box so that the top and bottom of the box will not separate or split.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of a rack to hold flatware in an organized manner, a set of flatware organized in the rack, and means to attach the flatware to the rack.
- Yet another object of the invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of a rack for holding flatware in an organized manner, the flatware held in the rack, and means to hold the flatware in the rack, and means to hold the rack which further consists of the rack with the flatware organized in the rack, wherein the flatware is affixed to the rack, and means of holding the rack to the bottom of the box.
- a further object of the invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which is relatively durable and long-lasting.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which contains a rack in which flatware may be easily removed or replaced.
- a flatware box and kit which consists of a rack, a flatware set, a box with a see-through top, means for attaching the flatware to the rack, means for attaching the flatware rack containing the flatware set to the box, means for locking the top of the box to the bottom of the box and means for causing the box containing the flatware kit to lean backwards rather than forward when the box is in the vertical position.
- FIG. 1 is am exploded view from the upper left side showing the major components of a flatware box and kit in accordance with the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the flatware box and kit shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the top portion of the flatware box and kit shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the flatware rack of the flatware box and kit shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the bottom portion of the flatware box and kit shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 a left side view of the flatware box and kit shown in FIG. 1 as displayed on a shelf.
- FIG. 7 is a top view of the flatware rack shown in FIG. 1 with flatware positioned in the rack.
- FIG. 8 shows a group of flatware secured together.
- FIG. 9 shows a group of flatware secured to the flatware rack.
- the flatware box and kit consists of a box 20 and a kit 30 .
- the kit 30 can be seen clearly in FIG. 7 .
- the box consists of a top portion 100 and a bottom portion 300 .
- the kit consists of a rack 200 and possibly flatware 40 , which can also be seen in FIG. 7 .
- the top portion 100 of the box 20 is made of a see-through material, such as plastic.
- the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 is made of a rigid material, such as cardboard.
- the top portion 100 of the box 20 consists of a roof portion 110 and four walls, a front wall 120 , a back wall 130 , a left wall 140 , and a right wall 150 .
- the roof portion 110 consists of a top side 111 and an under side 112 .
- Each of the four walls 120 , 130 , 140 , 150 consist of an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side.
- the outer side is respectively numbered 121 , 131 , 141 , and 151 .
- the inner side is respectively numbered 122 , 132 , 142 , and 152 .
- the top side is numbered 123 , 133 , 143 , and 153 , respectively.
- the bottom side is numbered 124 , 134 , 144 , 154 respectively.
- the top portion 100 of the box 20 is formed from one continuous piece of material which consists of four horizontal fold lines and four vertical fold lines.
- the four horizontal fold lines respectively are numbered 125 , 135 , 145 , and 155 .
- the vertical fold lines will be respectively numbered according to the walls that form them. Accordingly, the vertical fold lines are respectively numbered 120 / 150 , 150 / 130 , 130 / 140 , 140 / 120 .
- the numbering for the vertical fold lines can be seen clearly in FIG. 3 .
- the four horizontal fold lines 125 , 135 , 145 , and 155 separate the roof portion 110 from the four walls 120 , 130 , 140 , and 150 .
- the four vertical fold lines 120 / 150 , 150 / 130 , 130 / 140 , 140 / 120 separate each of the four walls 120 , 130 , 140 , 150 , respectively, from each other.
- the top portion 100 of the box 20 additionally comprises two types of tabs, leaning tabs 180 and connecting tabs 160 .
- leaning tabs 180 There are three leaning tabs 180 and eight connecting tabs 160 .
- Each leaning tab 180 is formed by two cuts in the bottom side 134 of the back wall 130 of the top portion 100 .
- the leaning tabs 180 are folded at the point where the two adjacent cuts end, thereby forming horizontal leaning fold lines 181 (much smaller then the horizontal lines 125 , 135 , 145 , 155 ), and creating a right angle between the leaning tabs 180 and the bottom side 134 of the back wall 130 of the top portion 100 .
- the leaning tabs 180 extend past the bottom side 134 of the back wall 130 or the top portion 100 of the box 20 , to facilitate the box 20 leaning backwards on the shelf rather then forwards.
- the leaning tabs 180 can be seen clearly for this purpose in FIG. 6 .
- the rack portion 200 consists of a mesh bottom side 210 and a plurality of varying size compartments 220 for flatware 40 of different sizes and utility, i.e. a fork and a knife.
- the mesh bottom side 210 can receive connecting means 230 for securing flatware 40 to the rack 200 and for securing rack 200 and flatware 40 to the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 .
- the connecting means 230 can be seen clearly in FIG. 7 .
- the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 consists of a floor portion 310 and four walls, front wall 320 , back wall 330 , left wall 340 and right wall 350 .
- the floor portion 310 consists of a top side 311 and an under side 312 .
- Each of the four wall 320 , 330 , 340 , and 350 consists of an outer side, an inner side, a top side and a bottom side.
- the outer side is respectively numbered 321 , 331 , 341 , and 351 .
- the inner side is respectively numbered 322 , 332 , 342 , and 352 .
- the top side is respectively numbered 323 , 333 , 343 , and 353 .
- the bottom side is respectively numbered 324 , 334 , 344 , and 354 .
- the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , and 351 and the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 are created by fold lines respectively numbered 325 , 235 , 345 , and 355 on the top side 323 , 333 , 343 , and 353 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , and 350 which allows each of the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , and 350 to fold down on itself thereby causing the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , and 350 to be of a double thickness.
- the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 have an external and internal portion of the outer side and an external and internal portion of the inner side.
- the internal portion of the outer side and the internal portion of the inner side come in contact with each other to form the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 .
- the external portion of the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , 351 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 240 , 350 is respectively numbered 326 , 336 , 346 , 356 .
- the internal portion of the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , and 351 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 240 , and 350 is respectively numbered 327 , 337 , 347 , and 357 .
- the external portion of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , and 352 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 240 , and 350 is respectively numbered 328 , 338 , 348 , and 358 .
- the internal portion of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , and 352 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 240 , and 350 is respectively numbered 329 , 339 , 349 , and 359 .
- the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , and 351 and the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , and 352 of all four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 consist of a top side and a bottom side.
- the top side of the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , and 351 is actually the top side of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , and 352 which is also the top side of the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , and 350 . Accordingly, the top side of the outer side and the inner side shall maintain the numbering of the top side of the four walls, namely 323 , 333 , 343 , and 353 .
- the bottom side of the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , 351 and the bottom side of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 come togther to form the bottom side of the four walls 324 , 334 , 344 , 354 .
- the bottom side of the outer portion 321 , 331 , 341 , 351 falls on the fold lines 325 , 335 , 345 , 355 .
- the bottom side of the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , 351 is respectively numbered 3250 , 3350 , 3450 , 3550 .
- the bottom side of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 is the free side, and is respectively numbered 3251 , 3351 , 3451 , 3551 . This numbering can be seen clearly in FIG. 5 .
- the rectangular cut out portions 370 on the bottom side 3251 , 3351 , 3451 , 3551 of the inner sides 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 of all four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 create a slit 371 for receiving the connecting tabs 160 of the top portion 100 of the box 20 .
- the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 contains a removable floor board 380 preferably made of the same rigid material as the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 .
- the floor board 380 consists of a top surface 381 , an under surface 382 , a back side 383 , a front side 384 , a left side 385 and a right side 386 .
- the floor board fits 380 into the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 perfectly with its under surface 382 pressing against the top side 311 of the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 .
- All four sides 383 , 384 , 385 , 386 of the floor board 380 come in contact with the internal portion 326 , 336 , 346 , 356 of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 of all four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 of the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 .
- the top side 323 , 333 , 343 , 353 of the inner side 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 of the walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 of the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 are folded down at the fold lines 325 , 335 , 345 , 355 and are essentially locked into place by having the bottom/free side 3251 , 3351 , 3451 , 3551 being pressed against the top surface 381 of the floor board 380 as it is coming in contact with the internal portion 327 , 337 , 347 , 357 of the outer side 321 , 331 , 341 , 351 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 of the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 .
- the numbering of the floor board can be seen clearly in FIG. 5 .
- the floor portion 310 of the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 have a number of centrally placed wholes 500 that extend from the under side 312 through the top side 311 of the floor portion 310 , and then through the entire width of the floor board 380 .
- These holes 500 are for receiving straps 550 that secure the rack 200 and the flatware 40 to the bottom portion 300 of the box 200 .
- the holes 500 can be seen clearly in FIG. 5 .
- the straps 550 can be seen clearly in FIG. 1 .
- the top portion 100 of the box 20 is then placed over the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 with the rack 200 attached.
- the top portion of the box 20 is slightly smaller in width and length then the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 so that the top portion 100 of box 20 can fit into the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 with the outer side 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the four walls 120 , 130 , 140 , 150 on the top portion 100 of the box 20 coming in contact with the internal side 329 , 239 , 249 , 259 of the inner portion 322 , 332 , 342 , 352 of the four walls 320 , 330 , 340 , 350 of the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 when the top portion 100 of the box 20 is placed into the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 .
- the top portion 100 of the box 20 is secured to the bottom portion 300 of the box 20 by inserting the connecting tabs 160 on the top portion 100 of the box 20 into the slits 370 in the bottom portion 300 of the box 20
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Abstract
The present invention relates to flatware box and kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flatware box and kit which contains a set of flatware attached to a rack, in which the top of the box consists of a see through window, means for interlocking the top of the box to the bottom of the box and means for dispensing the flatware box and kit on a store shelf in the upright position so that the contents of the box is visible, while at the same time, the box containing the flatware and kit leans back on the shelf rather then forward, preventing the toppling of the box and kit off the shelf and on to passers by.
Description
- Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a flatware box and kit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a flatware box and kit which contains a set of flatware attached to a rack, in which the top of the box consists of a see-through window, means for interlocking the top of the box to the bottom of the box, and means for dispensing the flatware box and kit on a store shelf in the upright position so that the contents of the box are visible, while at the same time, the box containing the flatware and kit leans back on the shelf rather than forward, preventing the toppling of the box and kit off the shelf and on to passers-by.
- Flatware and flatware racks have been around a long time and packaged within various types of boxes. Typically, flatware will be packaged in a box which will not allow the purchaser to see the contents as they are contained in the box. Sometimes the box will have a picture of the flatware on the outside, other times no picture will be displayed. If such is the case, it is typical for the store selling the flatware to display an open set of the flatware so as to allow the consumer to see what he/she is purchasing. In such situations, however, what is actually contained within the box is not seen by the purchaser until the box is ned.
- The ideal box for flatware would, therefore, be a box which contains a see-through top, allowing the consumer to check its contents without actually having to open the box. Examples of such display boxes with see-through tops or large windows are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,325 to Yonker et al, issued Apr. 25, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,460,703B1 to Thompson et al, issued Oct. 8, 2002; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,366B to Edgerton et al, issued Apr. 16, 2002.
- There are two problems presented by a box with a see-through top. The first is how the box is displayed on the store shelf. When there is no see-through top, the contents of one box are displayed and usually the boxes containing the flatware to be purchased will be stacked one on top of the other, in a nearby location, out of harms way. When the box contains a see-through top, the box itself acts as the display product and therefore, must be positioned accordingly. The store owner, therefore, would ideally place the box with the see-through top in the upright position, rather then the flat stacked position, allowing the consumer to see what is contained within the box. The boxes will then be lined up one behind the other, so that as the boxes are sold and removed from the shelf, the front of the remaining boxes is in a display position.
- However, when the display box is placed in the upright position, there is a danger of the box tipping over and falling on people passing by, or potential purchasers. Usually the box containing a see-through top stands vertically on the shelf, allowing the consumer to see the box's contents clearly. Given the weight of the box and its contents it is very easy for a box to tumble off the shelf and strike a passerby.
- A second problem presented by a box with a see-through top is that the box often tends to open up when placed in the vertical display position. This is in contrast to the typical flatware box without a window which consists of one undivided outer shell having flags at the sides or ends. As such, there is no problem of the top and bottom of the windowless box falling apart since they are one continuous piece. Additionally, since the windowless box is not the display itself, it will usually be lying flat on the shelf and therefore, there is less of a chance that it will fall off the shelf.
- In contrast, a flatware box with a see-through top ideally would consist of two separate pieces, a top see-through portion and a bottom support portion. A problem exists in attaching the top of the box to the bottom of the box. The problem is exacerbated when one considers that the box will usually be displayed on the store shelf in the upright position. If the flatware box is lying flat, as is usually the case when there is no see-through top or large window, then the top of the box is positioned above the bottom of the box and the box is stable. However, since the flatware box with see-through top is often displayed in the upright position, the contents of the box will drop towards the bottom of the box tending to force apart the top from the bottom.
- Additionally, the bottom support portion of the box is stronger and thicker than the see-through top. If the top portion is fit into the bottom portion when the box is assembled, then the top portion will be smaller than the bottom and the box will have a tendency to tip forward when placed in the upright position.
- As such, it would be greatly desirable to have a box which has a see-through top, which can be placed on a shelf in the upright position, with a tendency to tip or lean back on the shelf, as opposed to forward. That way the box and the kit will be inclined to fall backwards on to the shelf, rather then forwards on to passers-by. Additionally, the see-through top of the flatware box and the bottom of the flatware box should provide means to conveniently and securely lock the top and bottom of the box so that the entire kit does not split in two at any point in time and can still be opened without undue difficulty.
- There should also be some means for attaching the rack that holds the flatware to the support portion of the box, and the combination of the flatware and the rack to the bottom portion of the box.
- Accordingly, there is a need for a flatware box with a see-through top which contains means to cause the box to lean backward when in a vertical position, means to fasten the top and bottom of the box to each other, and means for attaching the flatware to the rack, and the flatware and the rack to the bottom of the box.
- The present invention sets forth a flatware box and kit which consists of a see-through top, tabs causing the box to lean backward on the shelf while in the upright position, means to fasten the top of the box to the bottom of the box, and a means for attaching the flatware to the rack, and the flatware and the rack to the bottom of the box.
- Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of a see-through top for ease of visualization of the contents.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of means for maintaining the box in the upright position when on display.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of means for standing the box in the upright position when on display, which further causes the box when in the upright position to lean backward rather then forward.
- Another object of the present invention to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of means to lock the top of the flatware box with the bottom of the flatware box so that the top and bottom of the box will not separate or split.
- It is another object of the present invention to provide a flatware box and kit which contains a rack capable of holding a set of flatware in an organized manner while inside the box and when removed from the box.
- Still another object of the present invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of a rack to hold flatware in an organized manner, a set of flatware organized in the rack, and means to attach the flatware to the rack.
- Yet another object of the invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which consists of a rack for holding flatware in an organized manner, the flatware held in the rack, and means to hold the flatware in the rack, and means to hold the rack which further consists of the rack with the flatware organized in the rack, wherein the flatware is affixed to the rack, and means of holding the rack to the bottom of the box.
- A further object of the invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which is relatively durable and long-lasting.
- Another object of the invention is to provide a flatware box and kit which contains a rack in which flatware may be easily removed or replaced.
- These and other objects are accomplished by providing a flatware box and kit which consists of a rack, a flatware set, a box with a see-through top, means for attaching the flatware to the rack, means for attaching the flatware rack containing the flatware set to the box, means for locking the top of the box to the bottom of the box and means for causing the box containing the flatware kit to lean backwards rather than forward when the box is in the vertical position.
- These, and various other and further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention.
- For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is am exploded view from the upper left side showing the major components of a flatware box and kit in accordance with the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the flatware box and kit shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the top portion of the flatware box and kit shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the flatware rack of the flatware box and kit shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the upper left side of the bottom portion of the flatware box and kit shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 a left side view of the flatware box and kit shown inFIG. 1 as displayed on a shelf. -
FIG. 7 is a top view of the flatware rack shown inFIG. 1 with flatware positioned in the rack. -
FIG. 8 shows a group of flatware secured together. -
FIG. 9 shows a group of flatware secured to the flatware rack. - As shown in the
FIGS. 1 through 9 , the flatware box and kit, indicated generally byreference number 10, consists of abox 20 and akit 30. Thekit 30 can be seen clearly inFIG. 7 . The box consists of atop portion 100 and abottom portion 300. The kit consists of arack 200 and possibly flatware 40, which can also be seen inFIG. 7 . Thetop portion 100 of thebox 20 is made of a see-through material, such as plastic. Thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 is made of a rigid material, such as cardboard. - The
top portion 100 of thebox 20 consists of aroof portion 110 and four walls, afront wall 120, aback wall 130, aleft wall 140, and aright wall 150. Theroof portion 110 consists of atop side 111 and an underside 112. Each of the fourwalls top portion 100 of thebox 20 is formed from one continuous piece of material which consists of four horizontal fold lines and four vertical fold lines. The four horizontal fold lines respectively are numbered 125, 135, 145, and 155. The vertical fold lines will be respectively numbered according to the walls that form them. Accordingly, the vertical fold lines are respectively numbered 120/150, 150/130, 130/140, 140/120. The numbering for the vertical fold lines can be seen clearly inFIG. 3 . The fourhorizontal fold lines roof portion 110 from the fourwalls vertical fold lines 120/150, 150/130, 130/140, 140/120 separate each of the fourwalls - The
top portion 100 of thebox 20 additionally comprises two types of tabs, leaningtabs 180 and connectingtabs 160. There are three leaningtabs 180 and eight connectingtabs 160. Each leaningtab 180 is formed by two cuts in thebottom side 134 of theback wall 130 of thetop portion 100. The leaningtabs 180 are folded at the point where the two adjacent cuts end, thereby forming horizontal leaning fold lines 181 (much smaller then thehorizontal lines tabs 180 and thebottom side 134 of theback wall 130 of thetop portion 100. The leaningtabs 180 extend past thebottom side 134 of theback wall 130 or thetop portion 100 of thebox 20, to facilitate thebox 20 leaning backwards on the shelf rather then forwards. The leaningtabs 180 can be seen clearly for this purpose inFIG. 6 . - The
rack portion 200 consists of a meshbottom side 210 and a plurality of varyingsize compartments 220 for flatware 40 of different sizes and utility, i.e. a fork and a knife. The meshbottom side 210 can receive connectingmeans 230 for securing flatware 40 to therack 200 and for securingrack 200 and flatware 40 to thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20. The connecting means 230 can be seen clearly inFIG. 7 . - The
bottom portion 300 of thebox 20 consists of afloor portion 310 and four walls,front wall 320,back wall 330, leftwall 340 andright wall 350. Thefloor portion 310 consists of atop side 311 and an underside 312. Each of the fourwall outer side inner side walls top side walls walls walls walls walls outer side walls outer side walls inner side walls inner side walls - The
outer side inner side walls outer side inner side walls outer side inner side walls outer portion fold lines outer side inner side FIG. 5 . - At the
bottom side inner side walls portions 370, a total of eight (8) cut outportions 370 in all fourwalls inner side walls outer side walls walls portions 370 on thebottom side inner sides walls slit 371 for receiving the connectingtabs 160 of thetop portion 100 of thebox 20. - Additionally, the
bottom portion 300 of thebox 20 contains aremovable floor board 380 preferably made of the same rigid material as thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20. Thefloor board 380 consists of atop surface 381, an undersurface 382, aback side 383, afront side 384, aleft side 385 and aright side 386. The floor board fits 380 into thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 perfectly with its undersurface 382 pressing against thetop side 311 of thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20. All foursides floor board 380 come in contact with theinternal portion inner side walls bottom portion 300 of thebox 20. Thetop side inner side walls bottom portion 300 of thebox 20 are folded down at thefold lines free side top surface 381 of thefloor board 380 as it is coming in contact with theinternal portion outer side walls bottom portion 300 of thebox 20. The numbering of the floor board can be seen clearly inFIG. 5 . - Additionally, the
floor portion 310 of thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 have a number of centrally placedwholes 500 that extend from the underside 312 through thetop side 311 of thefloor portion 310, and then through the entire width of thefloor board 380. Theseholes 500 are for receiving straps 550 that secure therack 200 and the flatware 40 to thebottom portion 300 of thebox 200. Theholes 500 can be seen clearly inFIG. 5 . The straps 550 can be seen clearly inFIG. 1 . - As seen in
FIG. 2 . all three portions of the flatware rack withkit 10 are connected to form one entity. The way this is accomplished is that therack 200 is secured to thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 via straps 550 that are inserted at theunder side 312 of thefloor portion 310 of thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 and extend upwards through thewholes 500 in thefloor portion 310 and the wholes 510 in thefloor board 380 and subsequently through themesh base 210 of therack 200. The straps 550 are then twisted or tied to secure therack 200 in place. - The
top portion 100 of thebox 20 is then placed over thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 with therack 200 attached. The top portion of thebox 20 is slightly smaller in width and length then thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 so that thetop portion 100 ofbox 20 can fit into thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 with theouter side walls top portion 100 of thebox 20 coming in contact with theinternal side 329, 239, 249, 259 of theinner portion walls bottom portion 300 of thebox 20 when thetop portion 100 of thebox 20 is placed into thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20. Thetop portion 100 of thebox 20 is secured to thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20 by inserting the connectingtabs 160 on thetop portion 100 of thebox 20 into theslits 370 in thebottom portion 300 of thebox 20. - It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined herein.
Claims (16)
1. A flatware box and kit comprising:
A box;
having a top portion and a bottom portion,
the bottom having
a bottom panel
at least one hole in the bottom panel adapted for receiving fastening straps,
at least one vertical side,
at least one fastening cut out in the at least one vertical side to receive fastening tabs.
a rack adapted to hold flatware,
at least one strap to hold flatware to the rack
at least one strap connected to the rack and passing through the at least one hole in the bottom panel to hold the rack to the box
the top of the box having,
a clear top
a plurality of sides that fit into the bottom of the box
at least one of the sides having at least one fastening tab positioned to register with the at least one fastening cutout in the at least one vertical side.
at bottom of sides
the at least one of the sides being deformable to allow insertion and removal of the fastening tab into the fastening cut of the bottom portion of the box.
at least one leaning tab extending from at least one edge of the clear top
said at least one tab extending beyond the side walls of bottom
to cause the box to rest on the leaning tabs and the lowermost side of the bottom of the box
to cause the box to lean when the assembled box is positioned on the side with the leaning tabs in the lowermost position.
2. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein
the bottom having a plurality of vertical sides
the top having a plurality of vertical sides
3. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 1 , wherein
each of the at least one vertical side of the bottom includes a plurality of fastening cuts
4. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 3 , wherein
each of the at least one of the vertical sides of said top includes a plurality of fastening tabs positioned to register with said fastening cuts in said bottom portion
5. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 1 wherein
said at least one leaning tab comprises a plurality of leaning tabs.
6. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 5 , wherein
said at least one leaning tab comprises a plurality of leaning tabs,
the bottom having a plurality of vertical sides,
the top having a plurality of vertical sides.
7. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 6 , wherein
the bottom having four vertical sides,
the top having four vertical sides.
8. The flatware box and kit as set forth in claim 7 , wherein
each of the vertical sides of the bottom includes a plurality of fastening cuts each of the vertical sides of said top includes a plurality of fastening tabs positioned to register with said fastening cuts in said bottom portion.
9. A display comprising:
a top portion and a bottom portion
the bottom having
a bottom panel
at least one hole in the bottom panel adapted for receiving
fastening straps
at least one vertical side
at least one fastening cut out in the at least one vertical side to receive fastening tabs
the top of the box having,
a clear top
a plurality of sides that fit into the bottom of the box
at least one of the sides having at least one fastening tab positioned to register with the at least one fastening cutout in the at least one vertical side at bottom of sides
the at least one of the sides being deformable to allow insertion and removal of the fastening tab into the fastening cut of the bottom portion of the box,
at least one leaning tab extending from at least one edge of the clear top
said at least one tab extending beyond the side walls of bottom to cause the box to rest on the leaning tabs and the lowermost side of the bottom of the box
to cause the box to lean when the assembled box is positioned on the side with the leaning tabs in the lowermost position.
10. The display box as set forth in claim 9 , wherein
the bottom having a plurality of vertical sides
the top having a plurality of vertical sides
11. The display box as set forth in claim 9 , wherein
each of the at least one vertical side of the bottom includes a plurality of fastening cuts.
12. The display box as set forth in claim 11 , wherein
each of the at least one of the vertical sides of said top includes a plurality of fastening tabs positioned to register with said fastening cuts in said bottom portion.
13. The display box as set forth in claim 9 , wherein
said at least one leaning tab comprises a plurality of leaning tabs.
14. The display box as set forth in claim 13 , wherein
said at least one leaning tab comprises a plurality of leaning tabs,
the bottom having a plurality of vertical sides,
the top having a plurality of vertical sides.
15. The display box as set forth in claim 14 , wherein
the bottom having four vertical sides,
the top having four vertical sides.
16. The display box as forth in claim 15 , wherein
each of the vertical sides of the bottom includes a plurality of fastening cuts each of the vertical sides of said top includes a plurality of fastening tabs positioned to register with said fastening cuts in said bottom portion.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/863,640 US20050029159A1 (en) | 2003-03-04 | 2004-06-08 | Flatware box and kit |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29/177,156 USD490977S1 (en) | 2003-03-04 | 2003-03-04 | Flatware box with tabs |
US10/863,640 US20050029159A1 (en) | 2003-03-04 | 2004-06-08 | Flatware box and kit |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US29/177,156 Continuation-In-Part USD490977S1 (en) | 2003-03-04 | 2003-03-04 | Flatware box with tabs |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050029159A1 true US20050029159A1 (en) | 2005-02-10 |
Family
ID=46302153
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/863,640 Abandoned US20050029159A1 (en) | 2003-03-04 | 2004-06-08 | Flatware box and kit |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050029159A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD755574S1 (en) * | 2014-07-23 | 2016-05-10 | Peiling Pauline Lee | Coffee pod drawer |
US9700155B1 (en) * | 2016-01-12 | 2017-07-11 | Target Brands, Inc. | Multi-functional display assembly |
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US1367600A (en) * | 1920-04-21 | 1921-02-08 | Hirsch Julius | Box for holding glass spoons and the like |
US1467302A (en) * | 1922-05-15 | 1923-09-11 | William A Rogers Ltd | Display appliance |
US2955705A (en) * | 1957-09-13 | 1960-10-11 | East Rutherford Syringes Inc | Transparent container |
US3822781A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1974-07-09 | Philip Morris Inc | Article display container |
US4940143A (en) * | 1989-04-17 | 1990-07-10 | John Stanfield | Flatware case having clamping means |
US5154292A (en) * | 1991-12-02 | 1992-10-13 | Bartucca Frank A | Sports card sleeve box |
US5358134A (en) * | 1993-09-13 | 1994-10-25 | Textron Inc. | Display package |
US6053325A (en) * | 1997-10-27 | 2000-04-25 | The Hartz Mountain Corporation | Eight side display box |
US6371366B1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2002-04-16 | Kevin Edgerton | Collectibles display box |
US6460703B1 (en) * | 2001-05-21 | 2002-10-08 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Display box and method for packaging an article in the box |
US6612483B2 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2003-09-02 | First Act, Inc. | Display box |
USD490977S1 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2004-06-08 | Cambridge Silversmiths Ltd | Flatware box with tabs |
US20060037882A1 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2006-02-23 | Paul Appelbaum | Package with snap-lock lid |
US7204373B2 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2007-04-17 | American Grease Stick Company | Angulated package and display system |
-
2004
- 2004-06-08 US US10/863,640 patent/US20050029159A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1367600A (en) * | 1920-04-21 | 1921-02-08 | Hirsch Julius | Box for holding glass spoons and the like |
US1467302A (en) * | 1922-05-15 | 1923-09-11 | William A Rogers Ltd | Display appliance |
US2955705A (en) * | 1957-09-13 | 1960-10-11 | East Rutherford Syringes Inc | Transparent container |
US3822781A (en) * | 1972-04-19 | 1974-07-09 | Philip Morris Inc | Article display container |
US4940143A (en) * | 1989-04-17 | 1990-07-10 | John Stanfield | Flatware case having clamping means |
US5154292A (en) * | 1991-12-02 | 1992-10-13 | Bartucca Frank A | Sports card sleeve box |
US5358134A (en) * | 1993-09-13 | 1994-10-25 | Textron Inc. | Display package |
US6053325A (en) * | 1997-10-27 | 2000-04-25 | The Hartz Mountain Corporation | Eight side display box |
US6371366B1 (en) * | 2000-08-02 | 2002-04-16 | Kevin Edgerton | Collectibles display box |
US6612483B2 (en) * | 2001-01-08 | 2003-09-02 | First Act, Inc. | Display box |
US6460703B1 (en) * | 2001-05-21 | 2002-10-08 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Display box and method for packaging an article in the box |
USD490977S1 (en) * | 2003-03-04 | 2004-06-08 | Cambridge Silversmiths Ltd | Flatware box with tabs |
US20060037882A1 (en) * | 2003-10-14 | 2006-02-23 | Paul Appelbaum | Package with snap-lock lid |
US7204373B2 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2007-04-17 | American Grease Stick Company | Angulated package and display system |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USD755574S1 (en) * | 2014-07-23 | 2016-05-10 | Peiling Pauline Lee | Coffee pod drawer |
US9700155B1 (en) * | 2016-01-12 | 2017-07-11 | Target Brands, Inc. | Multi-functional display assembly |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CAMBRIDGE SILVERSMITH, LTD., NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FREEMAN, ROGER;REEL/FRAME:015846/0877 Effective date: 20040930 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |