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This application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/456,581 filed Nov. 9, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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The present invention relates to the field of gift wrap storage containers, organizers, devices and systems. More particularly, this invention relates to a portable container and system for storing and organizing multiple rolls of gift wrapping paper, along with gift bags, gift boxes, and all the accessories a person would find necessary to wrap gifts, including but not limited to, tape, scissors, greeting cards, tissue paper, bows, strings, stickers, pens, pencils foil, ribbon, stapler, staples, paper clips and other items that may be used for gift wrapping.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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Wrapping gifts for special occasions is a universal custom and a delicate process practiced extensively in individuals' homes and in businesses. The varieties of gift wrapping options are limitless and ever expanding. People commonly have many different sizes and styles of wrapping paper, rolled and flat, various sizes and styles of gift bags, and boxes for use on special occasions. The gift wrapping task is commonly complicated by most people's tendency to keep these various items of wrapping paper, gift bags, boxes and wrapping accessories in disarray and in widely separated locations of the household. The current inability to store all of these items in one central containment system causes consumers to suffer. Consumers often find themselves buying new gift wrapping accessories because they are unable to find a particular item that they are looking for. Some specific designs of wrapping goods may only be used once a year. Frequently these wrappings are improperly and poorly stored. These goods then become damaged, unsightly in appearance and ultimately unusable, which amounts to unnecessary and costly waste. In order to maintain the value of these goods they must be safely and neatly stored for up to a year before being used again.
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Therefore, there has been and continues to be an outstanding need for a new single containment storage device that embodies and facilitates the gathering, storage and protection of these items. At the same time the containment storage device itself, must be portable, easily stored and easily manipulated while providing efficient access, ease of use, and an enjoyable experience resulting in an overall time and cost savings.
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Prior art devices have failed to make gift wrapping practical by not consolidating all the items needed for today's wrapper in a single convenient location or device.
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An improved gift wrapping storage container and system is needed and which is specifically designed to store and organize wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes and all the necessary accessories in a convenient location, and is easily stored. Such a device should also be easy to handle as well as aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved gift wrapping storage container apparatus and system which has many advantages of the gift wrap organizers mentioned, and many novel features resulting in a new and improved gift wrapping storage container. It is a further object of this invention to provide a gift wrapping storage container apparatus capable of storing a large number of wrapping paper rolls, gift bags, gift boxes, and all the necessary accessories in a variety of pockets, pouches and other enclosures. It is also an object of this invention to provide an apparatus facilitate storage and retrieval of gift wrapping accessories such as tape, scissors, gift bags, greeting cards, tissue paper, gift boxes, bows, string, stickers, markers, pens, pencils, crayons, foil, string and ribbon, stapler, staples, and paper clips.
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Thus, the device and system of the present invention comprises a rectangular fabric container similar to a hanging luggage bag, with handles, wheels, and a hanger, having a bottom side, top side, left side, right side, back side, front side, inside left, inside right. The Front side has multiple sized pockets designed for storage. Pockets are tapered towards bottom of pocket to provide streamlined space efficiency and contain over the top flaps with Velcro pads to provide safe storage. The back side and inside right have a polymeric sheet inserted between layers of fabric to provide reinforcement and shape retention. The top, bottom and right side have a heavy gauge nylon zipper to provide strength in storage and strength in portability. The left in particular with all side included have reinforced stitching to provide added strength. The insides left and right both contain pouches at top and double Velcro straps stitched inside to support items in vertical and horizontal positions. The top side contains a metal bar stitched into itself supporting weight of the unit in a vertical hanging position. The bottom side contains recessed wheels to provide mobility. The top and left side contains handles joined to the main structure to provide ease in portability.
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As a further feature of the invention, when unzipped the device unfolds like a book and contains a large cavity in which a variety of gift wrapping rolls, large gift bags or boxes can be stored vertically and assessable in such a manner for quick selection and is pleasing to the eye. A cavity at the top, contains large crush resistant pouches, minimizing damage to delicate items such as bows and ribbons.
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It is a further object to provide a new and improved gift wrapping storage container and system which gathers and stores a large number of wrapping paper rolls, sheets of wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes in the same location which protects wrapping accessories when not in use and keeps them available for the occasion when they are needed.
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It is a further object to provide a new and improved gift wrapping storage container and system which gathers and stores a large number of wrapping paper rolls and sheets of wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes and that is capable of safely storing a large number of wrapping paper rolls, gift bags and boxes and all of the necessary accessories in a handy container resembling a high-end piece of luggage, which is equipped with a hanger, like a luggage hanging bag, in order to make the device portable and enable it to be hung and removed from a closet with ease for convenient storage, and in a handy container similar to a piece of luggage, which is equipped with handles to facilitate carrying and manipulating of the container. The system and device of the invention is also equipped with wheels, similar to a rolling piece of luggage, to facilitate moving and storing the container.
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It is a further object to provide a new and improved gift wrapping storage container and system which gathers and stores a large number of wrapping paper rolls and sheets of wrapping paper and is capable of storing a large number of wrapping paper rolls and all the necessary accessories in a variety of pockets, pouches and other enclosures attached to the container to facilitate storage and retrieval of gift wrapping accessories such as tape, scissors, gift bags, greeting cards, tissue paper, gift boxes, bows, string, stickers, markers, pens, pencils, foil and ribbon, stapler, staples, paper clips
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It is a further object to provide a new and improved gift wrapping storage container and system which gathers and stores a large number of wrapping paper rolls and sheets of wrapping paper and is capable of storing a large number of wrapping paper rolls and all the necessary accessories in a handy container similar to a piece of luggage, which is equipped with elastic bands (“Wrap Rings™”) to maintain the positioning and stability of multiple rolls of wrapping paper in a secure and neat manner.
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It is a further object to provide a new and improved wrapping paper storage container and system which gathers and stores a large number of wrapping paper rolls and sheets of wrapping paper and is capable of storing a large number of wrapping paper rolls and all the necessary accessories in a handy container similar to a piece of luggage, which may be stored under a bed or furniture.
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It is a further object to provide a new and improved wrapping paper storage container and system which gathers and stores rolls and sheets of wrapping paper and is capable of storing a large number of wrapping paper rolls and all the necessary accessories in a handy container similar to a piece of luggage, which may be easily manufactured at a minimal cost from only a few separate components,
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These and other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will appear and can be further understood by reference to the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view the front of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention when in a closed position, illustrating pockets, pouches and enclosures specifically designed to hold accessories necessary to wrap gifts;
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FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of a further embodiment of the system and device of the invention in a closed position;
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FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of the back of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention container in a closed position, showing the handle, hanger and wheels;
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FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention in an open position, illustrating multiple rolls of wrapping paper, straps which secure the rolls of wrapping paper and mesh pockets;
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FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the system and device of the invention in an open position;
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FIG. 5 is a view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention, illustrating the inside of the open right side;
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FIG. 6 is a view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention, illustrating the means for holding the multiple rolls of wrapping paper;
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FIG. 7 is a view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention, illustrating a pocket for storing wrapping paper sheets or wrapping accessories;
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FIG. 8 is a view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention, illustrating a pocket for storing wrapping paper sheets or wrapping accessories;
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FIG. 9 is a side view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention, illustrating the wheels and handle; and
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FIG. 10 is a view of an embodiment of the system and device of the invention, illustrating the internal hangar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the FIGS. 1-10 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are designated with the same reference numerals.
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FIGS. 1, 2 and 2 a illustrate a preferred embodiment of the device and system of the present invention, generally designated by the reference number 10. The device and system comprises a rectangular fabric container 10, similar to a hanging luggage bag, having a front side 12, a back side 14, a top side 16, and a bottom side 18. Being designed for convenience and ease of storage, the rectangular container 10 is configured for ease of carrying, transporting and storage. To accommodate these functions the rectangular container 10 has a height 20 and a width 22 that allow the container 10 to be easily carried and to fit neatly inside a closet when hung by hangar hook 24. The width 20 and height 22 can have any desired dimension. However, in order to allow for sufficient storage of multiple rolls of wrapping paper, sheets of wrapping paper and numerous wrapping accessories and while fitting handily inside a clothes closet, it is better that the height 20 be between about 36″ to about 48″, with the height of about 42″ to about 46″ inches being preferred, and 45½″ being ideal. Similarly, the width 22 should be between about 14″ to about 30″, or more preferably between about 20″ to about 24″, with 21½″ being preferred. As shown in FIG. 3, container 10 has an internal left side 26 and an internal right side 28, which are revealed when container 10 is opened along its foldable external side 30.
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As illustrated, front side 12 has multiple pockets 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 for storage of wrapping items on the front side 12 of the container. Pockets 32 33, 34, 35 and 36 may be of various sizes and shapes depending on the items to be stored inside, and can also have multiple arrangements on front side 12. FIGS. 1 and 2, show embodiments of the container 10 having a large rectangular (or square) pocket 32 on the lower portion of front side 12, a medium rectangular (or square) pocket 33 in the middle portion of front side 12, and also two very small rectangular (or square) pockets 36 located beside medium pocket 33. FIG. 2 illustrates pockets 37 and 38 with diagonal sides, which can accommodate odd-shaped gift wrapping accessories. On the upper portion of front side 12 are two small rectangular (or square) pockets 34 and 35, located adjacent one another. The dimensions of the pockets 32-38 are discussed further herein below. Container 10 also has a hangar 24, located at the top side 16, and two handles 42, one located on external side 30 for carrying the container 1 horizontally, and one located on top side 16 which is used for transporting container 10 in conjunction with wheels 40 (FIG. 2 a). FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate container 10 in its closed (or folded) configuration. When container 10 is empty of storing wrapping materials, it has a thickness 46 of about 3-4″. A zipper 44, running around the top, bottom and right sides, is used to close the container 10 when it is folded.
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The body of container 10 can be of any suitable fabric or plastic type material. The material should be strong and durable so that it can support the weight of the wrapping materials stored inside, when being stored itself such as in a closet, and also while being transported or being used multiple times. Thus, the heavier type plastic or fabric materials are preferred.
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FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate container 10 in its open configuration and having internal left and right sides 26 and 28. Internal left and right sides 26 and 29 are constructed of a polymeric sheet 60 layered between layers of fabric of the container 10, and stitched in to provide reinforcement and shape retention of container 10. The internal sides are configured essentially to store multiple rolls of wrapping paper 48 (FIG. 3). As wrapping paper rolls can be of different diameters, a flexible means of securing wrapping paper rolls is necessary. For this purpose, flexible straps 50 are used to Secure® the tops and bottoms of wrapping paper rolls 48 (FIG. 3). Flexible straps 50 can be made from any suitable flexible or expandable material, such as elastic bands. Flexible straps 50 are secured at each end by Velcro® strips (not shown). Depending on the length of the wrapping paper rolls to be stored, there is often sufficient space remaining at the tops of the left and right internal side 26 and 28, where storage pouches 56 can be placed. Pouches 56 can be of any suitable size and shape, although rectangular is preferred, and with sufficient size to utilize the available space. The pouches 56 can be constructed of any suitable fabric material, such as mesh, that allows for flexibility and expansion depending on the wrapping accessories stored therein. In FIG. 3, pouches 56 have a height 58 of about 8′ to about 12″, with 10″ being preferred.
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FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of internal left and right sides 26 and 28. This embodiment uses flexible rings 52 and 54 to secure the wrapping paper rolls of different diameters. Although flexible rings 52 and 54 can be configured to accommodate wrapping paper rolls of nearly any diameter, essentially two different sizes are preferred, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Rings 52 are configured to define a space having a height 64 of about 1″ and a width 66 of about 1½″, while rings 54 are configured to have a height 68 of about 1½″ and a width 70 of about 2″. Flexible rings 52 and 54 are preferable made from ½″ elastic bands, but could be of any similar material.
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FIG. 5 illustrates a further embodiment of right internal side 28, having the flexible wrapping paper roll rings 52 and 54 as first shown in FIG. 4. As within the scope of this invention, it is envisioned that rings 52 and 54 can be arranged in a variety of configurations to secure wrapping paper rolls of multiple diameters. In the example of FIG. 5, there are 13 loops of rings 52, both top and bottom, arranged in two rows, and 5 loops of rings 54, both top and bottom, and also arranged in two rows. In this way, interior right side 28 can secure 13 wrapping paper rolls with a diameter of about 1-2″ and five wrapping paper rolls of larger diameters. Also shown in FIG. 5 is elastic top 72 for pouch 56, as well as tapered and foldable pouch sides 74, to allow for expansion and to avoid crushing of delicate wrapping accessories such as ribbons and bows.
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FIG. 7 illustrates an example of any one of the storage pockets 32, 33, 34, 35 or 36 of the system and device. For ease of discussion, we will refer to it as storage pocket 32 although the details apply to the other storage pockets 33, 34, 35 and 36 as well. Pocket 32 is generally of rectangular or square shape, having both a width 76 and height 78 dimension. The width 76 dimension can be any where from about 5″ for the smaller pockets (36) to about 20″ for the largest pocket (32). However, pockets of the examples shown have preferable widths of 5″ (36), 6½″ (35), 12¼″ (34), 14⅝″ (33) and 19¾″ (32). Similarly, the height 76 dimension may vary from about 3″ to about 18″, with these heights being preferred: 5″ (36), 9″ (35 and 34), 13¼″ (33) and 17½″ (32). The variety of sizes of the storage pockets is necessary in order to accommodate different sizes of gift wrapping accessories, such as folded wrapping paper of different sizes, package labels and tags, stickers and cards, to name but a few. Storage pocket 32 is made from the same sturdy fabric material as container 10, but also may be made of clear polymeric material to allow the user to view the contents of the storage pocket. Storage pocket is flexibly affixed to the front side 12 of the container by attaching its lower edge 86, usually by stitching 90. Foldable, tapered side panels 82 allow pocket 32 to be opened from the top 88, which may be covered by a flap 80 (FIG. 2), secured when closed by Velcro® strips 84. Alternately, a zipper, or other similar means, may be used to close pocket 32.
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FIG. 8 is a detailed view of storage pocket 38, to which the same description of storage pocket 32 applies. The only difference is that the top 88 of the pocket is cut at a 45° angle with the sides, making storage pocket 38 trapezoidal in shape. Top flap 80 is also positioned at the same angle to close off the top 88. Similarly, storage pocket 37 (FIG. 2) is trapezoidal in shape, with the bottom 86 being at the 45° angle rather than top 88.
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FIG. 9 is a left side 30 view of container 10, showing the location of the wheel 40 and the side handle 42. Wheel 40 is positioned inside concavity 92 that allows the entire wheel 40 to be partially enclosed so that the wheels 40 do not extend beyond the sides of container 10. FIG. 10 illustrates the hangar mechanism, which comprises hook 24 connected to cross bar 94. Cross bar 94 may be made typically of wood or metal and is configured to be placed inside of either internal side 26 or 28 inside the top side 16. As in FIG. 4, cross bar 94 is placed inside brackets 96 that hold it securely in place. Hook 24, attached to cross bar 94 by connecting means 98, such as a chain, is threaded through hole 100 so that container 10 can be hung in any suitable place, such as a closet or on a hook or pole while being used.
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The preceding preferred embodiments are illustrative of the practice of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that other expedients known to those of skill in the art, or disclosed herein, may be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.
