US20170001751A1

US20170001751A1 - Shoe packaging systems and methods

Info

Publication number: US20170001751A1
Application number: US14/789,924
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew Schow; David Nathan Stevens
Original assignee: Generation Tux Inc
Current assignee: Generation Tux Inc
Priority date: 2015-07-01
Filing date: 2015-07-01
Publication date: 2017-01-05

Abstract

A shoe box may include: a base panel; a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel; at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel; at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel, wherein the at least one front panel is opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof panel, and wherein the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel form a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein; and left and right side support structures configured to assist in spacing the base panel from a base of a garment receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in spacing the roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment receptacle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to containers for packaging clothing. More specifically, the technical field relates to collapsible containers for packaging garments, including formal wear.

BACKGROUND

Formal and semi-formal garments often needs to be transported from one location to another. As one example, a person may want to transport formal or semi-formal garments to a venue before an event to dress at the event location. As another example, a person traveling to a formal or semi-formal event may want to pack nice garments in luggage to be transported on a car or plane. As yet another example, a clothing rental service may want to send formal or semi-formal garments to a customer by mail or parcel service.
Packing formal or semi-formal garments, however, is not easy. Slacks, tuxedos, suits, etc., and accessories (neckties, bowties, socks, cummerbunds, etc.) are often made of delicate materials that crumple and/or crease easily. The shape of shoes, similarly, may get distorted when packed, and may cause additional crumpling and/or creasing of slacks, shirts, and/or jackets if packed together. Garment bags are not designed for transport by mail or parcel service, and do not protect the contents if a heavy item is placed upon the garment bags. Systems and methods that allow formal or semi-formal garments to be effectively packed and transported would be desirable.

SUMMARY

A garment box may include: a base panel; a roof panel opposite the base panel; a rear sidewall coupled to the base panel and the roof panel; a first right sidewall; a first left sidewall opposite the first right sidewall; a first front sidewall opposite the rear sidewall, the first front sidewall including a hanger slot for receiving a hanger, and including a hanger channel extending from the hanger slot, the hanger channel configured to secure the hanger to the first front sidewall; and a second front sidewall coupled to the first front sidewall and the base panel, the second front sidewall being spaced apart from the first front sidewall by a gap, a portion of the clothes hanger residing in the gap.
In some embodiments, the first left sidewall comprises a left hook configured to receive a left attachment handle of a garment bag to secure the left attachment handle of the garment bag to the first left sidewall. The first right sidewall may comprise a right hook configured to receive a right attachment handle of a garment bag to secure the right attachment handle of the garment bag to the first right sidewall.
The second front sidewall may include handle slots for securing a box handle to the box. In an embodiment, the first front sidewall includes a front sidewall base spacer for maintaining the gap when the box is closed. The first front sidewall may include a front sidewall roof spacer for maintaining the gap when the box is closed.
The box may further comprise a front flap coupled to the roof panel, the front flap configured to cover the first front sidewall when the box is closed. Further, the box may comprise a right locking flap and a left locking flap coupled to the front flap, the right locking flap configured to lock into a right sidewall flap opening of the first front sidewall, and the left locking flap configured to lock into a left sidewall flap opening of the first front sidewall.
In some embodiments, the front flap comprises a box handle opening, the box handle opening configured to receive a portion of a box handle. The box may further comprise a second right sidewall coupled to the first right sidewall and the base panel, the second right sidewall forming an outer right sidewall of the box. The box may further comprise a second left sidewall coupled to the first left sidewall and the base panel, the second left sidewall forming an outer left sidewall of the box.
In an embodiment, the first front sidewall comprises front protrusions and the base panel comprises front base slots configured to receive the front protrusions to secure the first front sidewall to the base panel. The box may further comprise further comprising a right roof supporting flap coupled to the roof panel and a left roof supporting flap coupled to the roof panel, the right roof supporting flap and the left roof supporting flap being configured to support the roof panel while the box is closed.
The box may be substantially made of a cardboard blank. In various embodiments, the cardboard blank is a corrugated cardboard blank.
A method may comprise: obtaining a cardboard blank; forming a base panel by folding the cardboard blank along at least one base panel fold line; forming a roof panel opposite the base panel by folding the cardboard blank along at least one roof panel fold line; forming a rear sidewall coupled to the base panel and the roof panel by folding the blank along at least one rear sidewall fold line; forming a first right sidewall by folding the cardboard blank along a first right sidewall fold line; forming a first left sidewall opposite the first right sidewall by folding the cardboard blank along a first left sidewall fold line; forming a first front sidewall opposite the rear sidewall by folding the cardboard blank along at least one first front sidewall fold line, the first front sidewall including a hanger slot for receiving a hanger, and including a hanger channel extending from the hanger slot, the hanger channel configured to secure the hanger to the first front sidewall; and forming a second front sidewall coupled to the first front sidewall and the base panel by folding the cardboard blank along at least one second sidewall fold line, the second front sidewall being spaced apart from the first front sidewall by a gap, a portion of the clothes hanger residing in the gap.
In some embodiments, the first left sidewall comprises a left hook configured to receive a left attachment handle of a garment bag to secure the left attachment handle of the garment bag to the first left sidewall. The first right sidewall may comprise a right hook configured to receive a right attachment handle of a garment bag to secure the right attachment handle of the garment bag to the first right sidewall. The cardboard blank may be a corrugated cardboard blank.
A box may comprise: a base panel; a roof panel opposite the base panel; a rear sidewall coupled to the base panel and the roof panel; a first right sidewall; a first left sidewall opposite the first right sidewall; a first front sidewall opposite the rear sidewall, the first front sidewall including means for receiving a hanger, and including a means for securing the hanger to the first front sidewall; and a second front sidewall coupled to the first front sidewall and the base panel, the second front sidewall being spaced apart from the first front sidewall by a gap, a portion of the clothes hanger residing in the gap.
A shoe box may include a base panel; a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel; at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel; at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel, the at least one front panel opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel forming a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein; and left and right side support structures configured to assist in spacing the base panel from a base of a garment receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in spacing the roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment receptacle.
In some embodiments, the first distance allows a first portion of a garment to reside between base panel of the shoe box and the base of the garment box, and the second distance allows a second portion of the garment to reside between the roof panel of the shoe box and the roof of the garment box, thereby preventing a total weight of the shoe box from resting on the garment.
The left and right side structures may comprise a plurality of wings, each of the plurality of wings being formed from the base panel or the roof panel. The plurality of wings may comprise left and right base wings formed from the base panel, each of the left and right base wings comprising base flaps configured to be received by lateral base slots on the base panel. Moreover, the plurality of wings may comprise left and right roof wings formed from the roof panel, each of the left and right roof wings comprising roof flaps configured to be received by lateral roof slots on the roof panel.
In various embodiments, the left and right support structures comprise a left ring positioned around the left side of the shoe box and a right ring positioned around the right side of the shoe box. The left and rights support structures may comprise support protrusions attached to the left and right sides of the shoe box. The left and right sides of the shoe box may remain open.
In some embodiments, the length of each of the base panel, the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel are each about the length of the garment receptacle.
The shoe box may be formed from a single blank. The garment may be in a garment bag.
A method may comprise: positioning a garment within a garment receptacle, the garment receptacle having a receptacle base and a receptacle roof; and inserting, within the garment receptacle over at least a portion of the garment, a shoe box comprising: a base panel; a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel; at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel; at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel, the at least one front panel being opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel forming a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein; and left and right side support structures configured to assist in spacing the base panel from the receptacle base of the garment receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in spacing the roof panel from the receptacle roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment receptacle.
The garment may be positioned around the shoe box. The left and right side support structures may comprise a pair of base wings and a pair of roof wings. The left and right side structures may comprise left and right side rings positioned around left and right sides of the shoe box. The left and right side structures may comprise support protrusions attached to left and right sides of the shoe box. Left and right sides of the shoe box remain open. The length of each of the base panel, the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel may each be about the length of the garment receptacle. The garment may reside in a garment bag.
A box may comprise: a base panel; a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel; at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel; at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel, the at least one front panel opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel forming a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein; means for spacing the base panel from a base of a garment receptacle by a first distance; and means for spacing the roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment box.
A garment bag may comprise: a top; a bottom opposite the top; a first opening configured to receive into the garment bag a garment hanging on a hanger, the hanger having a hanger feature for holding the hanger; a second opening adjacent the top of the garment bag and configured to receive the hanger feature therethrough; a left attachment handle positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag and positioned to cooperate with a left hook on a left sidewall of a garment receptacle; and a right attachment handle positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag and positioned to cooperate with a right hook on a right sidewall of the garment receptacle.
In some embodiments, the garment bag is made of fabric. The left and right attachment handles may be fabric handles. The first opening may be along a right side or a left side of the garment bag.
In an embodiment, the garment bag further comprises a zipper for opening and closing the first opening. The garment bag may further comprise handles for carrying the garment bag.
The garment bag may further comprise: one or more top fasteners positioned adjacent the top of the garment bag; and one or more bottom fasteners positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag, the bottom configured to removably fasten to the top fasteners in a folded position. In various embodiments, the hanger feature is a hanger hook.
A method may comprise: positioning a garment on a hanger, the hanger having a hanger feature for holding the hanger; inserting the garment on the hanger into a first opening of a garment bag, the garment bag having a top and a bottom, the garment bag further having a left attachment handle positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag, the garment bag further having a right attachment handle positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag; inserting the hanger feature through a second opening adjacent the top of the garment bag; inserting the garment bag into a garment receptacle having left hook on a left sidewall of the garment receptacle and a right hook on a right sidewall of the garment receptacle; attaching the hanger feature to the top of the garment receptacle; folding the garment bag over so that the bottom comes into contact with the top of the garment bag; attaching the left attachment handle to the left hook; and attaching the right attachment handle to the right hook.
A garment bag may comprise: a top; a bottom opposite the top; a first opening configured to receive into the garment bag a garment hanging on a hanger, the hanger having holding means for holding the hanger; a second opening adjacent the top of the garment bag and configured to receive the holding means therethrough; means positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag for cooperating with a left attachment means on a left sidewall of a garment receptacle; and means positioned adjacent the bottom of the garment bag for cooperating with a right attachment means on a right sidewall of the garment receptacle.
A garment insert may comprise: a body panel including an upper edge and a slot below the upper edge; a first support flap extending away from the upper edge and including a first locking member configured to be inserted into the slot, the first support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a first portion of a hanger feature opening and to allow the first locking member to insert into the slot; and a second support flap extending away from the upper edge and including a second locking member configured to be inserted into the slot, the second support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a second portion of the hanger feature opening and to allow the second locking member to be inserted into the slot.
In some embodiments, the first support flap when folded creates a first hanger arm opening. The second support flap when folded may create a second hanger arm opening.
The garment insert may be formed from a single cardboard blank. Moreover, the body panel may include a width based on a button down shirt. The body panel may include a length based on a button down shirt.
A method may comprise: obtaining a garment insert comprising: a body panel including an upper edge and a slot below the upper edge; a first support flap extending away from the upper edge and including a first locking member configured to be inserted into the slot, the first support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a first portion of a hanger feature opening and to allow the first locking member to insert into the slot; and a second support flap extending away from the upper edge and including a second locking member configured to be inserted into the slot, the second support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a second portion of the hanger feature opening and to allow the second locking member to be inserted into the slot; positioning on the body panel a hanger with a first arm, a second arm, and a hanger feature; folding the first support flap over the first arm of the hanger towards the body panel; inserting the first locking member into the slot; folding the second support flap over the second arm of the hanger towards the body panel; and inserting the second locking member into the slot, thereby securing the hanger between the body panel and the first and second support flaps such that the hanger feature extends into the hanger feature opening.
A garment insert may comprise: a body panel including an upper edge and at least one fastening mechanism below the upper edge; a first support flap extending away from the upper edge and including a first locking member configured to attach to the at least one fastening mechanism, the first support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a first portion of a hanger feature opening and to allow the first locking member to attach to the at least one fastening mechanism; and a second support flap extending away from the upper edge and including a second locking member configured to attach to the at least one fastening mechanism, the second support flap configured to fold towards the body panel to form a second portion of the hanger feature opening and to allow the second locking member to attach to the at least one fastening mechanism.
Other features and embodiments may be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a garment packaging system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is diagram showing an example of a blank used to construct a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is diagram showing an example of a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is diagram showing an example of a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is diagram showing an example of a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is diagram showing an example of a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is diagram showing an example of a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is diagram showing an example of a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9A is diagram showing an example of a blank used to construct a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9B is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9C is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9D is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 18 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 19 is diagram showing an example of a shoe box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 20 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 21 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 22 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 23 is diagram showing an example of a garment bag, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a hanger being inserted into a hanger slot, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an attachment handle being coupled to a hook, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a shoe box being inserted on top of a garment bag into a garment box, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a garment box being closed, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a blank used to construct a garment insert, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a rear view of a garment insert, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a front view of a garment insert, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of garment packaging systems disclosed herein allow formal and semi-formal garments to be packaged while being protected from significant crumpling and/or creasing. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a garment packaging system 100, according to some embodiments. The garment packaging system 100 may include a garment box 102, a shoe box 104, and a garment bag 106. A tuxedo 108 and shoes 110 are also shown, although any garment in need of protection may be packed. The garment box 102, the shoe box 104, and the garment bag 106 may each be designed to have garments, including slacks, jackets, shoes, and accessories (neckties, bowties, socks, cummerbunds, etc.) packaged and/or transported. As discussed further herein, the garment box 102, the shoe box 104, and the garment bag 106 may be designed so that the shapes, creases, and other attributes of items packaged therein are preserved without being distorted. The garment packaging system 100 may be used with dresses, shoes and accessories.
The garment box 102 may form a container for holding the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the garment box 102 includes a roof 102 a, a base 102 b, a right side 102 c, a left side 102 d, a front 102 e, and a rear 102 f, as shown in FIG. 1. The right side 102 c, the left side 102 d, and the front 102 e may each be formed by inner sidewalls and outer sidewalls. The garment box 102 may be made of cardboard, paperboard, and/or other relevant material. FIGS. 2-8 and 24-27 show details and assembly of the garment box 102. More specifically, FIG. 2 shows a blank from which the garment box 102 may be formed. FIGS. 3-8 show how the blank in FIG. 2 can be folded to assemble the garment box 102. FIGS. 24-27 show how the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 can be loaded into the garment box 102.
The shoe box 104 may include a container for holding the shoes 110. In various embodiments, the shoes 110 may be inserted into the shoe box 104 through the openings on the sides of the shoe box 104. The shoe box 104 may include a roof 104 a, a base 104 b, a right side 104 c, a left side 104 d, a front 104 e, and a rear 104 f. The shoe box 104 may further include roof wings 102 g and base wings 102 h that float the shoe box 104 above the garments and secure the shoe box 104 from moving while inside the garment box 102.
In some embodiments, the shoe box 104 is oriented such that the roof 104 a faces upward when the shoe box 104 is inserted into the garment box 102. However, it is noted the shoe box 104 may be oriented in a different manner in various embodiments. For instance, in some embodiments, the shoe box 104 is oriented so that the roof 104 a faces the front 102 e or the rear 102 f of the garment box 102. In these embodiments, the front 104 e and/or the rear 104 f of the shoe box 104 may face the base 102 b of the garment box 102. Such embodiments may have the advantage of not crushing garments in the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted into the garment box 102.
In some embodiments, the shoe box 104 may be inserted into the garment box 102 after the garment bag 106 has been inserted into the garment box 102. The shoe box 104 may be made of cardboard, paperboard, or other relevant material. FIGS. 9-19 and 24-27 show details and assembly of the shoe box 104. More specifically, FIG. 9A shows a blank from which the shoe box 104 can be formed. FIGS. 10-19 show how the blank in FIG. 9A can be folded to assemble the shoe box 104. FIGS. 24-27 show how the shoe box 104 can be loaded into the garment box 102.
The garment bag 106 may hold garments to be protected, such as the tuxedo 108. In various embodiments, the garment bag 106 includes a hanger slot for hangers used to hang the garments and/or accessories. The hanger slot may be designed to be aligned with a hanger slot and/or hanger channel of the garment box 102. The garment bag 106 may further include an attachment handle that allows the garment bag 106 to be attached to hooks in the garment box 102. In various embodiments, the garment bag 106 includes a medial fold line, along which the garment bag 106 may be folded when inserted into the garment box 102. After folding along the medial fold line, the garment bag 106 may surround the shoe box 104 when the garment bag 106 and the shoe box 104 are inside the garment box 102. The garment bag 106 may be made of fabric or other material. FIGS. 20-27 show details of the garment bag 106. More specifically, FIGS. 20-23 show several perspectives of the garment bag 106. FIGS. 24-27 show how the garment bag 106 can be loaded into the garment box 102.
The garment packaging system 100 may further include a garment insert that is inserted into specific types of garments (e.g., shirts) before the garments are hung on hangers. In some embodiments, the garment insert supports the garments by keeping the garments wide and/or flat when the garments are hung on a hanger. As discussed further herein, the garment insert may be formed out of a cardboard blank that has a body and support flaps. The body may include a slot. The support flaps may be coupled to the slot. When assembled, the garment insert may include a hanger hook (or other hanging feature such as a ball, loop, flange, etc.) opening that receives a hanger hook of a hanger hanging the garment. The garment insert may further include hanger arm openings that receive hanger arms of the hanger. In various embodiments, the garment insert is used to support specific types of garments (e.g., shirts) before these specific types of garments are placed into the garment bag 106. FIGS. 28-30 show details and assembly of the garment insert. More specifically, FIG. 28 shows a blank from which the garment insert may be formed. FIG. 29 shows a rear view of the garment insert, and FIG. 30 shows a front view of the garment insert.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a blank used to construct the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. The blank may be formed from a single sheet of material, such as cardboard, paperboard, etc. As an example, the blank may be formed from a corrugated cardboard blank.
The garment box 102 may include a front flap 202, a right locking flap 214 a, a left locking flap 214 b, a roof panel 204, a right roof supporting flap 218 a, a left roof supporting flap 218 b, a rear sidewall 206, a rear right support flap 220 a, a rear left support flap 220 b, a base panel 208, an inner right sidewall 222 a, an inner left sidewall 222 b, an outer right sidewall 224 a, an outer left sidewall 224 b, an outer front sidewall 210, a front right support flap 220 c, a front left support flap 220 d, and an inner front sidewall 212.
The front flap 202 may comprise a flap that has dimensions corresponding to dimensions of the front 102 e of the garment box 102. The front flap 202 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. In some embodiments, the front flap 202 may have length and width dimensions similar to the length and width dimensions of the outer front sidewall 210, discussed further herein. The front flap 202 may include a box handle opening 216 for receiving a box handle. In various embodiments, the box handle opening 216 is configured to allow a box handle of the garment box 102 to pass through when the garment box 102 has been assembled.
The front flap 202 may be coupled to a right locking flap 214 a and a left locking flap 214 b. The right locking flap 214 a may be formed by a right outer curve. In some embodiments, the right outer curve may include an arc that begins at a top right corner of the front flap 202, forms a point near a bottom right corner of the front flap 202, and forms a line that connects the point to the bottom right corner of the front flap 202. The right locking flap 214 a may be coupled to the rectangular central portion of the front flap 202 by a right locking flap fold line 240 a. The right locking flap 214 a may have dimensions that allow the tip of the right outer curve to be inserted into the right sidewall flap opening 258 a.
The left locking flap 214 b may be formed by a left outer curve. The left outer curve may include an arc that begins at a top left corner of the front flap 202, forms a point near a bottom left corner of the front flap 202, and forms a line that connects the point to the bottom left corner of the front flap 202. The left locking flap 214 b may be coupled to the rectangular central portion of the front flap 202 by a left locking flap fold line 240 b. The left locking flap 214 b may have dimensions that allow the tip of the left outer curve to be inserted into the left sidewall flap opening 258 b.
The roof panel 204 may comprise a panel that has dimensions corresponding to dimensions of the roof 102 a of the garment box 102. The roof panel 204 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. In some embodiments, a width dimension of the roof panel 204 may correspond to a width of the base panel 208, discussed further herein. Further, a length dimension of the roof panel 204 may correspond to the sum of a length of the base panel 208 and a length of the front sidewall base spacer 266, discussed further herein. The roof panel 204 may be coupled to the front flap 202 by a front flap fold line 242. The roof panel 204 may further be coupled to the rear sidewall by a roof panel fold line 246.
The roof panel 204 may be coupled to the right roof supporting flap 218 a by a right roof support flap fold line 244 a, and to the left roof supporting flap 218 b by a left roof support flap fold line 244 b.
The right roof supporting flap 218 a may be formed by a right outer curve having a first narrow portion, a second narrow portion, and a wide portion. The first narrow portion of the right outer curve may comprise a first arc that begins at the top right corner of the roof panel 204, and levels off to a first line at a first distance parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204. The second narrow portion of the right outer curve may comprise a second arc that begins at the first line parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204 and steps to a second line at a second distance parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204. The wide portion of the right outer curve may comprise a third arc that begins at the second line parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204 and forms a third line at a third distance parallel to the right side of the roof panel 204. The third arc may further connect the third line to the bottom right corner of the roof panel 204. The third arc may form a small gap between the bottom right corner of the roof panel 204 and the rear right support flap 220 a so that the right roof supporting flap 218 a may reside against the rear sidewall 206 when the garment box 102 is assembled. In various embodiments, the right roof supporting flap 218 a supports the roof panel 204 when the garment box 102 is built.
The left roof supporting flap 218 b may be formed by a left outer curve having a first narrow portion, a second narrow portion, and a wide portion. The first narrow portion of the right outer curve may comprise a first arc that begins at the top left corner of the roof panel 204, and levels off to a first line at a first distance parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204. The second narrow portion of the left outer curve may comprise a second arc that begins at the first line parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204 and steps to a second line at a second distance parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204. The wide portion of the left outer curve may comprise a third arc that begins at the second line parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204 and forms a third line at a third distance parallel to the left side of the roof panel 204. The third arc may further connect the third line to the bottom left corner of the roof panel 204. The third arc may form a small gap between the bottom left corner of the roof panel 204 and the rear left support flap 220 b so that the left roof supporting flap 218 b may reside against the rear sidewall 206 when the garment box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the left roof supporting flap 218 b supports the roof panel 204 when the garment box 102 is assembled.
The rear sidewall 206 may comprise a panel that has dimensions corresponding to the rear 102 f of the garment box 102. The rear sidewall 206 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The rear sidewall 206 may be coupled to the roof panel 204 by the roof panel fold line 246.
The rear sidewall 206 may be coupled to the rear right support flap 220 a by a right rear support flap fold line 248 a, and to the rear left support flap 220 b by a left rear support flap fold line 248 b. The rear right support flap 220 a may comprise a flap that is separated from the right roof supporting flap 218 a and the outer right sidewall 224 a by incisions. The rear right support flap 220 a may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. In some embodiments, the rear right support flap 220 a has a length dimension corresponding to a length of the rear sidewall 206, and has a width dimension corresponding to a width of the outer right sidewall 224 a. The rear right support flap 220 a may provide support for the right side of the rear sidewall 206 when the garment box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the rear right support flap 220 a is surrounded by the inner right sidewall 222 a and the outer right sidewall 224 a when the garment box 102 is built.
Further, the rear left support flap 220 b may comprise a flap that is separated from the left roof supporting flap 218 b and the outer left sidewall 224 b by incisions. The rear left support flap 220 b may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The rear left support flap 220 b may have a length dimension corresponding to a length of the rear sidewall 206, and a width dimension corresponding to a width of the outer left sidewall 224 b. The rear left support flap 220 b may provide support for the left side of the rear sidewall 206 when the garment box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the rear left support flap 220 b is surrounded by the inner left sidewall 222 b and the outer left sidewall 224 b when the garment box 102 is built.
The base panel 208 may comprise a panel that has dimensions corresponding to the base 102 b of the garment box 102. The base panel 208 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The base panel 208 may have width dimensions that correspond to width dimensions of the roof panel 204. Further, the base panel 208 may have a length dimension that corresponds to a difference of the length dimension of the roof panel 204 and the length dimension of the front sidewall base spacer 266, as discussed further herein. The base panel 208 may be coupled to the rear sidewall 206 by a rear base panel fold line 252 c.
The base panel 208 may include right base slots 226 a, left base slots 226 b, and front base slots 228. The right base slots 226 a, the left base slots 226 b, and the front base slots 228 may each comprise a set of slots configured to receive protrusions. For example, the right base slots 226 a may include a set of slots to receive right protrusions 236 a, as discussed further herein. The left base slots 226 b may include a set of slots to receive left protrusions 236 b, as discussed further herein. The front base slots 228 may include a set of slots to receive front protrusions 260, as discussed further herein. In the illustrated example, each of the right base slots 226 a, the left base slots 226 b, and the front base slots 228 comprise three slots. However, it is noted that in various embodiments, one or more of the right base slots 226, the left base slots 226 b, and the front base slots 228 may comprise more or less than three base slots without departing from the scope and substance of the inventive concepts described herein.
In various embodiments, the base panel 208 includes a base gap area 270. The base gap area 270 may be defined as the region of the base panel 208 between the front base slots 228 and the outer front sidewall 210. As described further herein, when the garment box 102 has been assembled, the base gap area 270 may create an opening between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212. The opening may receive at least a portion of a hanger.
The inner right sidewall 222 a may comprise a panel with dimensions corresponding to the right side 102 c of the garment box 102. The inner right sidewall 222 a may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The inner right sidewall 222 a may include a right hook 230 a and right protrusions 236 a, The right hook 230 a may include an angled opening that can receive straps of the garment bag 106 to secure the garment bag to the inner right sidewall 222 a. In various embodiments, the right protrusions 236 a may have dimensions corresponding to the right base slots 226 a. For example, the length of each of the right protrusions 236 a may correspond to the length of each of the right base slots 226 a.
Further, in various embodiments, the bottom side of the inner right sidewall 222 a includes a narrow area that aligns with the base gap area 270. The narrow area may allow an opening to be created between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212.
The inner left sidewall 222 b may comprise a panel with dimensions corresponding to the left side 102 d of the garment box 102. The inner left sidewall 222 b may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The inner left sidewall 222 b may include a left hook 230 b and left protrusions 236 b, The left hook 230 b may each include an angled opening that can receive straps of the garment bag 106 to secure the garment bag to the inner left sidewall 222 b. In various embodiments, the left protrusions 236 b may have dimensions corresponding to the left base slots 226 b. For example, the length of each of the left protrusions 236 b may correspond to the length of each of the left base slots 226 b. Further, in some embodiments, the bottom side of the inner left sidewall 222 b includes a narrow area that aligns with the base gap area 270. The narrow area may allow an opening to be created between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212.
The outer right sidewall 224 a may comprise a panel with dimensions corresponding to the right side 102 c of the garment box 102. The outer right sidewall 224 a may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The outer right sidewall 224 a may have a length dimension corresponding to the length of the base panel 208. The outer right sidewall 224 a may further have a width dimension corresponding to a width of the rear right support flap 220 a and the front right support flap 220 c. The outer right sidewall 224 a may be coupled to the base panel 208 by a right base panel fold line 252 a. The outer right sidewall 224 a may be coupled to the inner right sidewall 222 a by a right inner sidewall fold line 250 a.
The outer left sidewall 224 b may comprise a panel with dimensions corresponding to the left side 102 d of the garment box 102. The outer left sidewall 224 b may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The outer left sidewall 224 b may have a length dimension corresponding to the length of the base panel 208. The outer left sidewall 224 b may further have a width dimension corresponding to a width of the rear left support flap 220 b and the front left support flap 220 d. The outer left sidewall 224 b may be coupled to the base panel 208 by a left base panel fold line 252 b. The outer left sidewall 224 b may be coupled to the inner left sidewall 222 b by a left inner sidewall fold line 250 b.
The outer front sidewall 210 may comprise a panel with dimensions corresponding to the front 102 e of the garment box 102. The outer front sidewall 210 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The outer front sidewall 210 may have length and width dimensions that correspond to length and width dimensions of the front flap 202 as discussed further herein. In some embodiments, the outer front sidewall 210 includes handle slots 232 for a box handle to be coupled thereto.
The outer front sidewall 210 may be coupled to the base panel 208 by a front base panel fold line 252 d, to the front right support flap 220 c by a right front support flap fold line 254 a, and to the front left support flap 220 d by a left front support flap fold line 254 b.
The front right support flap 220 c may comprise a flap that is separated from the outer right sidewall 224 a by an incision. The front right support flap 220 c may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. In some embodiments, the front right support flap 220 c has a length dimension corresponding to a length of the outer front sidewall 210, and has a width dimension corresponding to a width of the outer right sidewall 224 a. The front right support flap 220 c may provide support for the right side of the outer front sidewall 210 and/or the inner front sidewall 212 when the garment box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the front right support flap 220 c is surrounded by the inner right sidewall 222 a and the outer right sidewall 224 a when the garment box 102 is built.
Further, the front left support flap 220 d may comprise a flap that is separated from the outer front sidewall 210 by an incision. The front left support flap 220 d may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The front left support flap 220 d may have a length dimension corresponding to a length of the outer front sidewall 210, and a width dimension corresponding to a width of the outer left sidewall 224 b. The front left support flap 220 d may provide support for the left side of the outer front sidewall 210 and/or the inner front sidewall 212 when the garment box 102 is built. In various embodiments, the front left support flap 220 d is surrounded by the inner left sidewall 222 b and the outer left sidewall 224 b when the garment box 102 is assembled.
The inner front sidewall 212 may comprise a panel with dimensions corresponding to the front 102 e of the garment box 102. The inner front sidewall 212 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape. The inner front sidewall 212 may be coupled to the outer front sidewall 210 by a front inner sidewall fold line 256. The inner front sidewall 212 may form an inner sidewall of the garment box 102 when the garment box 102 is assembled. In some embodiments, the inner front sidewall 212 may reside under the outer front sidewall 210 when the garment box 102 is assembled.
In some embodiments, the inner front sidewall 212 includes a hanger slot 234, a hanger channel 264, a right sidewall flap 238 a, a left sidewall flap 238 b, a front sidewall roof spacer 268, and front protrusions 260. The hanger slot 234 may include a slot to receive a hanger. In an embodiment, the hanger slot 234 comprises a rectangular slot that allows a hanger to be inserted into it. The hanger slot 234 may receive the top of hangers used to hang the garments. The hanger channel 264 may include a channel in the front inner sidewall that begins at the hanger slot 234 and terminates a predetermined distance from the hanger slot 234. The hanger channel 264 may be configured according to a variety of dimensions. For example, the hanger channel 264 may be approximately the width of a shaft of a hanger.
The right sidewall flap 238 a may define the right side of the inner front sidewall 212. The right sidewall flap 238 a may include a right sidewall flap opening 258 a. The left sidewall flap 238 b may define the left side of the inner front sidewall 212. The left sidewall flap 238 b may include a left sidewall flap opening 258 b. The front protrusions 260 may include protrusions that can be inserted into the front base slots 228. In various embodiments, the front protrusions 260 are configured to secure the inner front sidewall 212 to the base panel 208 when the garment box 102 is assembled. More specifically, once inserted into the inner front sidewall 212, the front protrusions 260 may allow the inner front sidewall 212 to be secured against the upper end of the base gap area 270. The front protrusions 260 may also allow the outer front sidewall 210 to form the front sidewall of the garment box 102 once the garment box 102 is assembled.
The blank shown in FIG. 2 can be folded to assemble the garment box 102 as follows. It is noted the blank shown in FIG. 2 can be folded in other ways to build the garment box 102, and that the following discussion is by way of example only.
In various embodiments, the blank is folded along inner sidewall fold lines to form inner sidewalls and outer sidewalls on right, left, and front sides. More specifically, the blank may be folded along the right inner sidewall fold line 250 a so that the right protrusions 236 a are aligned with the right base slots 226 a and the inner right sidewall 222 a and the outer right sidewall 224 a are aligned with one another. Similarly, the blank may be folded along the left inner sidewall fold line 250 b so that the left protrusions 236 b are aligned with the left base slots 226 b and the inner left sidewall 222 b and the outer left sidewall 224 b are aligned with one another.
The blank may also be folded along the front inner sidewall fold line 256 to align the inner front sidewall 212 with the outer front sidewall 210. With this orientation, the hanger slot 234 and the hanger channel 264 may face the inside of the garment box 102. The base gap area 270 may an open area between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212 that creates room for objects (e.g., portions of hangers) between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212.
The blank may further be folded along the right front support flap fold line 254 a and the left front support flap fold line 254 b to form flaps from the front right support flap 220 c and the front left support flap 220 d, respectively. The outer portion of the front right support flap 220 c may be aligned along the right base panel fold line 252 a, and the outer portion of the front left support flap 220 d may be aligned along the left base panel fold line 252 b.
In various embodiments, protrusions on the right, left, and front inner sidewalls may be coupled to respective slots on the base panel 208 to secure the right, left, and front inner sidewalls to the base panel 208. More specifically, the right protrusions 236 a may be inserted into the right base slots 226 a. The left protrusions 236 b may be inserted into the left base slots 226 b. Further, the front protrusions 260 may be inserted into the front base slots 228.
In some embodiments, the blank may be folded to form the rear sidewall of the garment box 102. More specifically, blank may be folded along the rear base panel fold line 252 c to form the rear sidewall 206 of the garment box 102. The blank may also be folded along the right rear support flap fold line 248 a and the left rear support flap fold line 248 b so that the outer sides of the rear right support flap 220 a and the rear left support flap 220 b are aligned with the right base panel fold line 252 a and the left base panel fold line 252 b, respectively. At this point, the garment box 102 may have been constructed and ready to receive the shoe box 104 and/or the garment bag 106, as described further herein.
The garment box 102 may be closed as follows. In various embodiments, the roof panel 204 may be vertically aligned with the base panel 208. The right roof supporting flap 218 a and the left roof supporting flap 218 b may be aligned along the right base panel fold line 252 a and the left base panel fold line 252 b so that the right roof supporting flap 218 a and the left roof supporting flap 218 b are inserted along the inner right sidewall 222 a and the inner left sidewall 222 b. Further, the front flap 202 may be placed over the outer front sidewall 210. The right locking flap 214 a and the left locking flap 214 b may lock the front flap 202 to the outer front sidewall 210. In some embodiments, the right locking flap 214 a is inserted into a right sidewall flap opening 258 a, along the right side of the inner front sidewall 212. The left locking flap 214 b may be inserted into a left sidewall flap opening 258 b, along the left side of the inner front sidewall 212.
Although FIG. 2 shows the garment box 102 as being assembled from a single cardboard blank, it is noted that, in various embodiments, the garment box 102 may be built in other ways. For example, in some embodiments, the roof panel of the garment box 102 may be separable from the base panel, the rear panel, the side panels, and/or the front panels. In such an embodiment, the roof panel may be built from a first blank, while the base panel, the rear panel, the side panels, and/or the front panels may be built from a second blank. As another example, though the blank in FIG. 2 shows inner and outer right and left sidewalls, it is noted that in various embodiments, the garment box 102 need only have one right sidewall and one left sidewall.
FIGS. 3-8 show how the blank in FIG. 2 can be folded to assemble the garment box 102. More specifically, FIG. 3 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments, as an unfolded blank. A box handle has been inserted into the handle slots 232.
FIG. 4 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 4, the blank shown in FIG. 3 has been folded along the front inner sidewall fold line 256 and the outer front sidewall 210 has been raised to be perpendicular to the base panel 208. Further, the blank has been folded along the right front support flap fold line 254 a and the left front support flap fold line 254 b to form flaps from the front right support flap 220 c and the front left support flap 220 d, respectively.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 5, the blank has been folded along the left base panel fold line 252 b to form the left sidewall of the garment box 102. The blank has been folded along the left rear support flap fold line 248 b and the left front support flap fold line 254 b so that the rear left support flap 220 b and the front left support flap 220 d are aligned with the left base panel fold line 252 b. The blank has further been folded along the left inner sidewall fold line so that the inner left sidewall 222 b and the outer left sidewall 224 b have been formed, and so the outer left 224 b and the inner left sidewall 222 b surround the rear left support flap 220 b and the front left support flap 220 d. The left protrusions 236 b have been inserted into the left base slots 226 b to secure the inner left sidewall 222 b and the outer left sidewall 224 b to the base panel.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 6, the rear right support flap 220 a and the front right support flap 220 c have been raised.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 7, the blank has been folded along the right inner sidewall fold line 250 a, and the inner right sidewall 222 a has been folded over the rear right support flap 220 a and the front right support flap 220 c. The right protrusions 236 a have been inserted into the right base slots 226 a. Further, the blank has been folded along the front base panel fold line 252 d to form the front sidewall of the garment box 102. The blank has also been folded along the front inner sidewall fold line 256 so that the inner front sidewall 212 and the outer front sidewall 210 have been formed. The front protrusions 260 have been inserted into the front base slots 228. In various embodiments, the garment box 102 has been assembled, although the lid has not been closed.
FIG. 8 is diagram showing an example of the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 8, the lid of the garment box 102 has been closed. More specifically, the right roof supporting flap 218 a and the left roof supporting flap 218 b have been aligned with the right base panel fold line 252 a and the left base panel fold line 252 b, respectively, The right roof supporting flap 218 a and the left roof supporting flap 218 b have further been inserted along the inner right sidewall 222 a and the inner left sidewall 222 b, respectively. Further, the right locking flap 214 a and the left locking flap 214 b have been inserted into the right sidewall flap opening 258 a and the left sidewall flap opening 258 b. The front flap 202 has been placed over the outer front sidewall 210.
FIG. 9A is diagram showing an example of a blank used to construct the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. The blank shown in FIG. 9A may be formed from a single sheet of material, such as cardboard, paperboard, etc. As an example, the blank shown in FIG. 9A may be formed from a corrugated cardboard blank.
The shoe box 104 may include an inner base panel 902, a lower rear panel 904, an upper rear panel 906, a roof panel 908, an upper front panel 910, a lower front panel 912, an outer base panel 914, a right roof flap 922 a, a left roof flap 922 b, a right base flap 926 a, and a left base flap 926 b.
The inner base panel 902 may comprise a panel that has dimensions corresponding to the base 104 b of the shoe box 104. The inner base panel 902 may be rectangular or have any convenient shape.
The inner base panel 902 may have a right lateral slot 916 a, a left lateral slot 916 b, and transverse slots 918. The right lateral slot 916 a and the left lateral slot 916 b may each comprise a set of slots configured to receive flaps. For instance, the right lateral slot 916 a may be configured to receive the right base flap 926 a, as discussed further herein. Similarly, the left lateral slot 916 b may be configured to receive the left base flap 926 b, as discussed further herein. In various embodiments, the right lateral slot 916 a and the left lateral slot 916 b may be aligned with the right lateral slot 924 a and the left lateral slot 924 b, respectively, when the shoe box 104 is assembled.
The transverse slots 918 may comprise a set of slots configured to receive flaps. In some embodiments, the transverse slots 918 receive the base flaps 928 in order to secure the inner base panel 902 to the outer base panel 914 when the shoe box 104 is assembled. In the illustrated example, the transverse slots 918 comprise three slots. However, it is noted that in various embodiments, the transverse slots 918 may comprise more or less than three base slots without departing from the scope and substance of the inventive concepts described herein.
The lower rear panel 904 may comprise a panel that has a length dimension corresponding to one half of the length dimension of the inner base panel 902, and has a width dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base panel 902. The lower rear panel 904 may be coupled to the inner base panel 902 by an inner base panel fold line 930. The upper rear panel 906 may comprise a panel that has a length dimension corresponding to one half of the length dimension of the inner base panel 902, and has a width dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base panel 902. The upper rear panel 906 may be coupled to the lower rear panel 904 by a rear panel fold line 932.
The roof panel 908 may comprise a panel that has dimensions corresponding to sum of the dimensions of the roof 104 a and the roof wings 104 g of the shoe box 104. More specifically, the roof panel 908 may have a length dimension corresponding to the length dimension of the roof 104 a of the shoe box 104. The roof panel 908 may further have a width dimension corresponding to the sum of the width of the roof 104 a and the roof wings 104 g of the shoe box 104.
In various embodiments, the roof panel 908 includes a right lateral slot 920 a and a left lateral slot 920 b. The right lateral slot 920 a and the left lateral slot 920 b may each comprise a set of slots configured to receive flaps. For instance, the right lateral slot 920 may be configured to receive the right roof flap 922 a, as discussed further herein. Similarly, the left lateral slot 920 b may be configured to receive the left roof flap 922 b, as discussed further herein.
The roof panel 908 may include a right roof wing 946 a and a left roof wing 946 b. The right roof wing 946 a and the left roof wing 946 b may each have dimensions corresponding to the roof wings 104 g. The right roof wing 946 a may be separated from the remainder of the roof panel 908 by a right wing fold line 950 a, and the left roof wing 946 b may be separated from the remainder of the roof panel 908 by a left wing fold line 950 b. In various embodiments, the right roof wing 946 a has a medial fold line 954 a that enables the right roof wing 946 a to be folded along its midline. The left roof wing 946 b may also have a medial fold line 954 b that enables the left roof wing 946 b to be folded along its midline.
The right roof wing 946 a may be coupled to the right roof flap 922 a by a right flap fold line 942 a and to the left roof flap 922 b by a left flap fold line 942 b. The left roof wing 946 b may be coupled to the upper rear panel 906 by a roof panel fold line 934.
The right roof flap 922 a and the left roof flap 922 b may comprise a flap that can be folded and inserted into the right lateral slot 920 a and the left lateral slot 920 b. In some embodiments, the right roof flap 922 a comprises a T-shaped flap that can be folded into a central section and two side sections. The central section may have a length corresponding to a length of the right lateral slot 920 a. When the right roof flap 922 a is folded, the two side sections may reside over the central section, and the right roof flap 922 a may have a thickness such that it can be inserted into the right lateral slot 920 a. After being inserted into the right lateral slot 920 a, the side sections of the right roof flap 922 a may fan out and lock the right roof flap 922 a into the right lateral slot 920 a.
Similarly, the left roof flap 922 b may comprise a T-shaped flap that can be folded into a central section and two side sections. The central section may have a length corresponding to a length of the left lateral slot 920 b. When the left roof flap 922 b is folded, the two side sections may reside over the central section, and the left roof flap 922 b may have a thickness such that it can be inserted into the left lateral slot 920 b. After being inserted into the left lateral slot 920 b, the side sections of the left roof flap 922 b may fan out and lock the left roof flap 922 b into the left lateral slot 920 b.
The upper front panel 910 may comprise a panel that has a length dimension corresponding to one half of the length dimension of the inner base panel 902, and has a width dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base panel 902. The upper front panel 910 may be coupled to the roof panel 908 by a roof panel fold line 936. The lower front panel 912 may comprise a panel that has a length dimension corresponding to one half of the length dimension of the inner base panel 902, and has a width dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the inner base panel 902. The lower front panel 912 may be coupled to the upper front panel 910 by a front panel fold line 938.
The outer base panel 914 may comprise a panel that has dimensions corresponding to sum of the dimensions of the base 104 b and the base wings 104 h of the shoe box 104. More specifically, the outer base panel 914 may have a length dimension corresponding to the length dimension of the base 104 b of the shoe box 104. The outer base panel 914 may further have a width dimension corresponding to the sum of the width of the base 104 b and the base wings 104 h of the shoe box 104. The outer base panel 914 may be coupled to the lower front panel 912 by an outer base panel fold line 940.
In various embodiments, the outer base panel 914 includes a right lateral slot 924 a and a left lateral slot 924 b. The right lateral slot 924 a and the left lateral slot 924 b may each comprise a set of slots configured to receive flaps. For instance, the right lateral slot 924 a may be configured to receive the right base flap 926 a, as discussed further herein. Similarly, the left lateral slot 924 b may be configured to receive the left base flap 926 b, as discussed further herein.
The outer base panel 914 may include a right base wing 948 a and a left base wing 948 b. The right base wing 948 a and the left base wing 948 b may each have dimensions corresponding to the base wings 104 h. The right base wing 948 a may be separated from the remainder of the outer base panel 914 by a right wing fold line 952 a, and the left base wing 948 b may be separated from the remainder of the outer base panel 914 by a left wing fold line 952 b. The right base wing 948 a may have a medial fold line 956 a that enables the right base wing 948 a to be folded along its midline. The left base wing 948 b may also have a medial fold line 956 b that enables the left base wing 948 b to be folded along its midline.
The right base wing 948 a may be coupled to the right base flap 926 a by a right flap fold line 944 a. The left base wing 948 b may be coupled to the left base flap 926 b by a left flap fold line 944 b.
The right base flap 926 a and the left base flap 926 b may each comprise a flap that can be folded and inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a and the left lateral slot 924 b. In some embodiments, the right base flap 926 a comprises a T-shaped flap that can be folded into a central section and two side sections. The central section may have a length corresponding to a length of the right lateral slot 924 a. When the right base flap 926 a is folded, the two side sections may reside over the central section, and the right base flap 926 a may have a thickness such that it can be inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a. After being inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a, the side sections of the right base flap 926 a may fan out and lock the right base flap 926 a into the right lateral slot 924 a.
Similarly, the left base flap 926 b may comprise a T-shaped flap that can be folded into a central section and two side sections. The central section may have a length corresponding to a length of the left lateral slot 924 b. When the left base flap 926 b is folded, the two side sections may reside over the central section, and the left base flap 926 b may have a thickness such that it can be inserted into the left lateral slot 924 b. After being inserted into the left lateral slot 924 b, the side sections of the left base flap 926 b may fan out and lock the left base flap 926 b into the left lateral slot 924 b.
Though the blank shown in FIG. 9A is related to shoe box 104 having eight sides (e.g., right side, left side, base, roof, lower rear, upper rear, lower front, and upper front), it is noted other configurations of the shoe box 104 are possible without departing from the scope and substance of the inventive concepts herein. For example, in some embodiments, the shoe box 104 comprises a six-sided box having a right side, a left side, a roof, a base, a front, and a rear. In such an embodiment, the rear panel fold line 932 and the front panel fold line 938 need not exist or need not be folded when assembling the shoe box 104. The blank shown in FIG. 9A can be folded to build the shoe box 104 as follows. It is noted the blank shown in FIG. 9A can be folded in other ways to build the shoe box 104, and that the following discussion is by way of example only.
In various embodiments, the blank may be folded along the inner base panel fold line 930 and the outer base panel fold line 940 in order to define the inner base panel 902 and the outer base panel 914. The blank may be folded along the rear panel fold line 932 to define the lower rear panel 904 and the upper rear panel 906. Further, the blank may be folded along the roof panel fold line 934 and the roof panel fold line 936 to define the roof panel 908. In various embodiments, the blank is folded along the front panel fold line 938 to define the upper front panel 910 and the lower front panel 912.
In some embodiments, the inner base panel 902 and the outer base panel 914 may be aligned with one another. Further, the right lateral slot 916 a may be aligned with the right lateral slot 924 a, and the left lateral slot 916 b is aligned with the left lateral slot 924 b. The base flaps 928 may be inserted into the transverse slots 918 in order to secure the outer base panel 914 to the inner base panel 902.
The blank may be folded along the right wing fold line 952 a to define the right base wing 948 a. The blank may also be folded along the medial fold line 956 a to place the right base flap 926 a over the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a. In various embodiments, the right base flap 926 a is folded so that the side sections of the right base flap 926 a reside over the central section of the right base flap 926 a. Once folded, the right base flap 926 a may be inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a, so that the side portions fan out and lock into the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a.
The blank may be further folded along the left wing fold line 952 b to define the left base wing 948 b. The blank may be folded along the medial fold line 956 b to place the left base flap 926 b over the left lateral slot 924 b and the left lateral slot 916 b. In various embodiments, the left base flap 926 b is folded so that the side sections of the left base flap 926 b reside over the central section of the left base flap 926 b. Once folded, the left base flap 926 b may be inserted into the left lateral slot 924 b and the left lateral slot 916 b, so that the side portions fan out and lock into the left lateral slot 924 b and the left lateral slot 916 b.
In some embodiments, the blank is folded along the right wing fold line 950 a to define the right roof wing 946 a. The blank may also be folded along the medial fold line 954 a to place the right roof flap 922 a over the right lateral slot 920 a. In various embodiments, the right roof flap 922 a is folded so that the side sections of the right roof flap 922 a reside over the central section of the right roof flap 922 a. Once folded, the right roof flap 922 a may be inserted into the right lateral slot 920 a, so that the side portions fan out and lock into the right lateral slot 920 a.
The blank may also be folded along the left wing fold line 950 b to define the left roof wing 946 b. The blank may be folded along the medial fold line 954 b to place the left roof flap 922 b over the left lateral slot 920 b. In various embodiments, the left roof flap 922 b is folded so that the side sections of the left roof flap 922 b reside over the central section of the left roof flap 922 b. Once folded, the left roof flap 922 b may be inserted into the left lateral slot 920 b, so that the side portions fan out and lock into the left lateral slot 920 b.
FIGS. 10-19 show how the blank in FIG. 9 can be folded to assemble the shoe box 104. More specifically, FIG. 10 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments, as an unfolded blank.
FIG. 11 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 11, the blank shown in FIG. 10 has been folded along the inner base panel fold line 930 and the outer base panel fold line 940 in order to define the inner base panel 902 and the outer base panel 914. The blank has also been folded along the rear panel fold line 932 to define the lower rear panel 904 and the upper rear panel 906. The blank has also been folded along the roof panel fold line 934 and the roof panel fold line 936 to define the roof panel 908. Further, the blank has been folded along the front panel fold line 938 to define the upper front panel 910 and the lower front panel 912. The inner base panel 902 is about to be aligned with the outer base panel 904.
FIG. 12 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 12, the inner base panel 902 has been aligned with the outer base panel 914. The base flaps 928 have been inserted into the transverse slots 918, and the outer base panel 914 has been secured to the inner base panel 902. Further, the blank has been folded along the right wing fold line 952 a to define the right base wing 948 a, and along the left wing fold line 952 b to define the left base wing 948 b.
FIG. 13 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 13, the right base flap 926 a is about to be folded so that the side sections are over the central section of the right base flap 926 a.
FIG. 14 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. The side sections of the right base flap 926 a have been folded over the central section of the right base flap 926 a so that the right base flap 926 a can be inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a.
FIG. 15 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 15, the right base flap 926 a is about to be inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a.
FIG. 16 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 16, the right base flap 926 a has been inserted into the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a. The side portions of the right base flap 926 a have fanned out and locked the right base flap 926 a into the right lateral slot 924 a and the right lateral slot 916 a.
FIG. 17 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 17, the right roof flap 922 a has also been folded along medial fold line 954 a. The right roof flap 922 a has also been folded so that the side sections are over the central section of the right roof flap 922 a. The right roof flap 922 a has been inserted into the right lateral slot 920 a. The side sections of the right roof flap 922 a have fanned out and locked the right roof flap 922 a into the right lateral slot 920 a.
FIG. 18 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. More specifically, FIG. 18 depicts a view of the roof of the shoe box 104 after the shoe box 104 has been assembled. Notably, in some embodiments, the width of the assembled shoe box 104 (including the wings) is the same as the width of the interior of the garment box 102, so that the shoe box 104 when inserted into the garment box 102 is secured from shifting left or right. Further, the height of the shoe box 104 (including the wings) may be the same as the height of the interior of the garment box 102 so that the shoe box 104 is secured from shifting up or down.
FIG. 19 shows an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. FIG. 19 shows the right side of the shoe box 104 after shoes have been inserted into the shoe box 104.
Although the blank shown in FIG. 9A comprises the right roof wing 946 a, the left roof wing 946 b, the right base wing 948 a, and the left base wing 948 b, it is noted that in various embodiments, the blank may include any set of structures that allow the shoe box 104 to float over at least a portion of the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102. As an example, the blank shown in FIG. 9 may include side portions that create a circular shape (e.g., a doughnut-like shape) that allows the shoe box 104 to float over a bottom half of the garment bag 106, and allows the top half of the garment bag 106 to reside over the shoe box 104 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102.
Further, although the shoe box 104 has been described thus far as capable of being constructed from the blank shown in FIG. 9A, it is noted that in various embodiments, the shoe box 104 is constructed out of different blanks and/or different structures. More specifically, the shoe box 104 may have attachments that allow the body of the shoe box 104 to float over a bottom half of the garment bag 106, and allow the top half of the garment bag 106 to reside over the shoe box 104 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102.
For instance, the shoe box 104 may include cardboard attachments that space the shoe box 104 from the walls of the garment box 102. FIG. 9B is diagram showing an example of the shoe box 104, according to these embodiments. In the example of FIG. 9B, the shoe box 104 includes a right wing attachment 958 a, a left wing attachment, and a body 960. In this example, the right wing attachment 958 a and the left wing attachment 958 b are formed from blanks that are distinct from the blank used to form the body 960. The right wing attachment 958 a and the left wing attachment 958 b may create any shape (e.g., a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a doughnut-shape, etc.) that allows the shoe box 104 to float over a bottom half of the garment bag 106, and allows the top half of the garment bag 106 to reside over the shoe box 104 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102. In various embodiments, the right wing attachment 958 a and the left wing attachment 958 b may be part of the blank or may be coupled to the blank in order for the shoe box 104 to float over at least a portion of the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102.
As another example, the shoe box 104 may include protrusions that space the shoe box 104 from the walls of the garment box 102. FIG. 9C is diagram showing an example of the shoe box 104, according to these embodiments. In the example of FIG. 9C, the shoe box 104 may include a right spacing protrusions 962 a, left spacing protrusions 962 b, and a body 964. The right spacing protrusions 962 a and the left spacing protrusions 962 b may include wire or other material that allows the body 964 to float over at least a portion of the garment bag 106 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted inside the garment box 102. It is noted that various embodiments may use some combination of the structures referenced herein. It is further noted that the shoe box may be used to pack shoes within any garment receptacle, such as a suitcase.
Moreover, it is noted that in various embodiments, the blank may include structures not shown in FIG. 9A that allow the shoe box 104 to not substantially move within the garment box 102 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted into the garment box 102. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 9, the right roof wing 946 a, the left roof wing 946 b, the right base wing 948 a, and the left base wing 948 b allow the shoe box 104 to not substantially move within the garment box 102 when the shoe box 104 and the garment bag 106 are inserted into the garment box 102.
However, it is noted that in various embodiments, the shoe box 104 may include structures that secure the shoe box 104 to the garment box 102 to further limit movement within the garment box 102. More specifically, the shoe box 104 may include support protrusions that limit movement of the shoe box 104 in the garment box 102. FIG. 9D is diagram showing an example of the shoe box 104, according to some embodiments. The shoe box 104 includes right support protrusions 966 a, left support protrusions 966 b, and a body 968. The right support protrusions 966 a and the left support protrusions 966 b may include, e.g., wires, shafts, cylinders, etc. that protrude from the respective right and left sides of the shoe box 104 and are received into respective slots (e.g., right support slots 970 a and left support slots 970 b) on the right and left sidewalls of the shoe box 104. The right support protrusions 966 a and the left support protrusions 966 b may also be received by support slots on the sidewalls of the garment box 102. The slots (e.g., the right support slots 970 a and left support slots 970 b and/or support slots on the garment box 102) may be threaded, e.g., may receive a threaded end of at least a portion of the right support protrusions 966 a and the left support protrusions 966 b. It is noted that various embodiments may use some combination of the structures referenced herein.
Although the foregoing description discusses the shoe box 104 as being constructed from a single blank that can be folded to form the shoe box 104, it is noted that in various embodiments, the shoe box 104 is constructed from other techniques. For example, in some embodiments, the walls and base of the shoe box 104 may be constructed from a first blank, and the roof of the shoe box 104 may be constructed from a second blank. Wings, protrusions, etc. of the shoe box 104 may similarly be formed from blanks, pieces of cardboard, pieces of paperboard, etc. that are distinct from the first blank and/or the second blank.
FIG. 20 is diagram showing an example of the garment bag 106, according to some embodiments. More particularly, FIG. 20 shows a front view 2000A of the garment bag 106, a rear view 2000B of the garment bag 106, and a side view 2000C of the garment bag 106.
As shown in the front view 2000A, the garment bag 106 may include a pocket zipper 2002, an upper carrying handle 2004 a, a lower carrying handle 2004 b, a left attachment handle 2006 a, a right attachment handle 2006 b, a bag fold line 2008, an informational graphic 2014, a hanger slot 2016, and an external zipper 2018. As shown in the rear view 2000B, the garment bag 106 may include the right attachment handle 2006 b, the left attachment handle 2006 a, the bag fold line 2008, a right male fastener 2010 a, a left male fastener 2010 b, a right female fastener 2012 a, and a left female fastener 2012 b. As shown in the side view 2000C, the garment bag 106 may include the hanger slot 2016, and the external zipper 2018.
The pocket zipper 2002 may include a zipper configured to provide access to a pocket of the garment bag 106. In various embodiments, the pocket is sized so that it can hold garments and accessories.
The upper carrying handle 2004 a may include a strap on the upper side of the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the upper carrying handle 2004 a is sewn to the garment bag 106. Further, the lower carrying handle 2004 b may include a strap on the lower side of the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the lower carrying handle 2004 b is sewn to the garment bag 106.
The left attachment handle 2006 a may include a strap on the left side of the garment bag 106. In various embodiments, the left attachment handle 2006 a is sewn to on the left side of the garment bag 106. The left attachment handle 2006 a may be located and/or sized so that it can be received by the left hook 230 b of the garment box 102. More specifically, in various embodiments, the left attachment handle 2006 a is located at a location on the garment bag 106 that aligns with the left hook 230 b when the garment bag 106 is folded along the bag fold line 2008. Further, the left attachment handle 2006 a may be sized so that it is securely received by the left hook 230 b when coupled to the left hook 230 b. Moreover, the right attachment handle 2006 b may be located and/or sized so that it can be received by the right hook 230 a of the garment box 102. In some embodiments, the right attachment handle 2006 b is located at a location on the garment bag 106 that aligns with the right hook 230 a when the garment bag 106 is folded along the bag fold line 2008. Further, the right attachment handle 2006 b may be sized so that it is securely received by the right hook 230 a when coupled to the right hook 230 a.
The bag fold line 2008 may include a line around which the garment bag 106 can be folded. The bag fold line 2008 may facilitate carrying the garment bag 106. In some embodiments, the bag fold line 2008 is located at approximately the midline of the garment bag 106. It is noted the bag fold line 2008 may be located at other locations without departing from the scope and substance of the inventive concepts herein.
The right male fastener 2010 a and the left male fastener 2010 b may each comprise a male fastener. In some embodiments, one or more of the right male fastener 2010 a and the left male fastener 2010 b comprises a male portion of a button. One or more of the right male fastener 2010 a and the left male fastener 2010 b may also comprise a male portion of a snap, a male portion of a button, a male portion of a hook, a male portion of a magnet, a portion of an adhesive, a male portion of a Velcro® fastener, a male portion of a pin, a screw, etc.
The right female fastener 2012 a and the left female fastener 2012 b may each comprise a female fastener. In some embodiments, one or more of the right female fastener 2012 a and the left female fastener 2012 b comprises a female portion of a button. One or more of the right female fastener 2012 a and the left female fastener 2012 b may also comprise a female portion of a snap, a female portion of a button, a female portion of a hook, a female portion of a magnet, a surface configured to receive an adhesive, a female portion of a Velcro® fastener, a female portion of a pin, a nut, etc. The right female fastener 2012 a and the left female fastener 2012 b may be configured to mate with the right male fastener 2010 a and the left male fastener 2010 b, respectively. In some embodiments, the right female fastener 2012 a and the left female fastener 2012 b may be aligned with the right male fastener 2010 a and the left male fastener 2010 b when the garment bag 106 is folded along the bag fold line 2008.
The informational graphic 2014 may comprise a logo, an advertisement, or other item of information that is visually displayed on the garment bag 106. The hanger slot 2016 may comprise a slot in the garment bag 106 for a hanger. The external zipper 2018 may include a zipper for opening and/or closing the garment bag 106.
Garments may be placed in the garment bag 106 as follows. Garment accessories may be placed into a pocket associated with the pocket zipper 2002. Garments may be positioned on a hanger. The external zipper 2018 may be opened, and the hanger and garments may be placed within the garment bag 106. At least a portion, e.g., a portion or more of the hanger handle, may extend from the hanger slot 2016. In various embodiments, the garment bag 106 is folded along the bag fold line 2008 and is carried using the upper carrying handle 2004 a and the lower carrying handle 2004 b.
The garment bag 106 may be secured to the garment box 102 as follows. In some embodiments, the garment box 102 may be opened. At least a portion of the hanger extending from the hanger slot 2016 may be aligned with and inserted into the hanger slot 234. The hanger may further be moved down the hanger channel 264 until the hanger is secured into the inner front sidewall 212 of the garment box 102. In various embodiments, a portion of the hanger, e.g., the handle or a portion of the hanger handle, may reside between the outer front sidewall 210 and the inner front sidewall 212 of the garment box 102. Moreover, the left attachment handle 2006 a of the garment bag 106 may be aligned with the left hook 230 b of the garment box 102 and the right attachment handle 2006 b of the garment bag 106 may be aligned with the right hook 230 a of the garment box 102. In some embodiments, the left attachment handle 2006 a is attached to the left hook 230 b, and the right attachment handle 2006 b is attached to the right hook 230 a. It will be appreciated that additional left and right handles may be put onto the garment bag 106 to cooperate with additional hooks positioned in the interior of the garment box 102.
FIG. 21 shows an example of the garment bag 106, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 21, the front view of the garment bag 106 is shown. A hanger is being used to hang the garment bag 106 on a hook on a door. The garment bag 106 contains garments therein.
FIG. 22 shows an example of the garment bag 106, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 22, the rear view of the garment bag 106 is shown. The hanger is being used to hang the garment bag 106 on a hook on a door. The garment bag 106 contains garments therein.
FIG. 23 shows an example of the garment bag 106, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 23, the garment bag 106 has been folded along the bag fold line 2008. The right male fastener 2010 a and the left male fastener 2010 b have been mated with the right female fastener 2012 a and the left female fastener 2012 b, respectively. The garment bag 106 may be carried by carrying handles, including the upper carrying handle 2004 a. The garment bag 106 may further be inserted into the garment box 102, using the techniques described herein.
FIG. 24 shows a hanger being inserted into the hanger slot 234, according to some embodiments. More specifically, in FIG. 24, the hanger has been moved down the hanger channel 264 and secured to the bottom portion of the hanger channel 264. As a result, the hanger has been secured to the garment box 102.
FIG. 25 shows the shoe box 104 positioned on top of the garment bag 106 in the garment box 102, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 25, the hanger in the garment bag 106 has been inserted into the hanger slot 234 and secured in the hanger channel 264. The garment bag 106 has been folded along the bag fold line 2008. The shoe box 104 has been placed on the garment bag 106 near the bag fold line 2008. Advantageously, the right roof wing 946 a, left roof wing 946 b, the right base wing 948 a, and the left base wing 948 b cause the shoe box 104 to be supported above the garment bag 106, leaving space for the garments and reducing any crumpling and/or creasing of the garments therein. Notably, in the embodiment shown, the shoe box 104 will fall towards the rear of the garment box 102 when the garment box 102 is lifted.
FIG. 26 shows the right attachment handle 2006 b being coupled to the right hook 230 a, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 26, the right attachment handle 2006 b is shown aligned with the right hook 230 a. The right attachment handle 2006 b has been wrapped around the right hook 230 a and secured to the garment box 102. As a result, the garment bag 106 has been secured to the garment box 102. Further, the garment bag 106 has been wrapped around the shoe box 104 to prevent creasing of the garments at the fold line of the garment bag. An additional handle may be added to the garment bag 106 to cooperate with the right hook 230 a. Additional handles may be added to the garment bag 106 to cooperate with additional hooks in the garment box 102.
FIG. 27 is a diagram 2700 of the garment box 102 with the lid open, according to some embodiments. The garment box 102 has been loaded with garment bag 106 flipped over the shoe box 104, as described herein.
Though the foregoing description describes the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 as coupled to one another with the hooks 230 and the straps 2006 (e.g., through the right strap 2006 a being coupled to the right hook 230 a and the left strap 2006 b being coupled to the left hook 230 b), it is noted that in various embodiments, other structures may couple the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 to one another. For instance, in some embodiments, one of the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may have straps that tie it to hooks on the other. As another example, both the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may have straps that are tied to one another. As yet another example, one of the garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may have protrusions that are received by a slot in the other. The garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 may also include interlocking structures that allow the two to be coupled to one another. It is noted other coupling structures may be used to couple garment box 102 and the garment bag 106 to one another without departing from the scope and substance of the inventive concepts described herein.
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a blank used to construct a garment insert 2800, according to some embodiments. The blank shown in FIG. 28 may be formed from a single sheet of material, such as cardboard, paperboard, etc. As described further herein, the garment insert 2800 may provide a rigid structure that holds garments flat and wide to reduce wrinkling, crumpling, etc. of the garments when inserted into the garment bag 106 and/or garment box 102.
The garment insert 2800 may include a body 2802, a right support flap 2804 a, and a left support flap 2804 b. As described further herein, the body 2802, the right support flap 2804 a, and the left support flap 2804 b may be folded to form hanger openings that accepts a hanger. When folded, the body 2802, the right support flap 2804 a, and the left support flap 2804 b may support garments inside the garment insert 2800 to remain rigid and flat. The body 2802 may be divided from the right support flap 2804 a by a right support flap fold line 2806 a. The body may be divided from the left support flap 2804 b by a left support flap fold line 2806 b. The right support flap fold line 2806 a and/or the left support flap fold line 2806 b may include crease lines, scores lines, or virtual divisions of the blank that are folded to divide the right support flap 2804 a and the left support flap 2804 b from the body 2802.
The body 2802 may include a right edge 2808 a, a left edge 2808 b, a lower edge 2810, and an upper edge 2812. The right edge 2808 a may reside between the lower edge 2810 and the right support flap fold line 2806 a. The left edge 2808 b may reside between the lower edge 2810 and the left support flap fold line 2806 b. The lower edge 2810 may reside along the lower edge of the blank (e.g., between the right edge 2808 a and the left edge 2808 b). The upper edge 2812 may reside between the right support flap fold line 2806 a and the left support flap fold line 2806 b. In various embodiments, the upper edge 2812 separates the right support flap 2804 a and the left support flap 2804 b. The upper edge may have an upper edge width 2820. In various embodiments, the upper edge width 2820 is chosen to form a hanger hook opening (see FIG. 29) to receive a hanger hook.
The body 2802 may be characterized by a lower body width 2814, an upper body width 2816, and a body length 2818. In some embodiments, one or more of the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, and the body length 2818 may be correspond to dimensions of a specific type of garment (shirt, sweater, jacket, etc.). For example, in various embodiments, the lower body width 2814 corresponds to an approximate width of a waist area of the specific type of garment. The upper body width 2816 may correspond to an approximate width of a chest area of the specific type of garment. The body length 2818 may correspond to an approximate length of the specific type of garment.
In some embodiments, the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body length 2818 correspond to standardized dimensions of a specific type of garment. For instance, the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body length 2818 may correspond to dimensions of specific sizes (small, medium, large, extra-large, etc.). As yet another example, the body length 2818 may be chosen to be relatively small to accommodate “petite” sized garments, or may be chosen to be relatively large to accommodate “big and tall” sized garments. In various embodiments, the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body length 2818 are standardized (e.g., have uniform dimensions that can apply to garments of different sizes). More specifically, in an embodiment, the lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body length 2818 may be significantly less than the dimensions of a garment, but still sufficient to support the garment to remain flat. As an example, the lower body width 2814 may be approximately eighteen inches, the upper body width 2816 may be approximately eighteen inches, and the body length 2818 may be approximately twenty-four inches.
The lower body width 2814, the upper body width 2816, or the body length 2818 may be chosen to accommodate a specific garment style. For example, in an embodiment, the lower body width 2814 and the upper body width 2816 are roughly equal to one another to accommodate “traditional cut” garments. As another example, lower body width 2814 may be chosen to be much larger than the upper body width 2816 to accommodate “full cut” garments. As yet another example, the lower body width 2814 may be chosen to be relatively small in comparison to the upper body width 2816 in order to accommodate “slim cut” garments.
The body 2802 may include a slot 2822. In various embodiments, the slot 2822 comprises a slot of any convenient shape (a rectangular slot, an elliptical slot, etc.). The slot 2822 may have a right portion 2822 a and a left portion 2822 b. As discussed further herein, the right portion 2822 a may receive the left locking member 2832 b of the left support flap 2804 b, and the left portion 2822 b may receive the right locking member 2832 a of the right support flap 2804 a, so that the garment insert 2800 can formed. In some embodiments, the slot 2822 may receive the right locking member 2832 a and the left locking member 2832 b in an overlapping manner.
The right support flap 2804 a may include a right lower medial edge 2824 a, a right upper medial edge 2826 a, a right upper lateral edge 2828 a, and a right lower lateral edge 2830 a. The right lower medial edge 2824 a may extend from the upper edge 2812 of the body 2802 to the right upper medial edge 2826 a. In some embodiments, a point is formed at the intersection of the right lower medial edge 2824 a and the right upper medial edge 2826 a. The right upper medial edge 2826 a may extend from the right lower medial edge 2824 a to the right upper lateral edge 2828 a. A point may be formed at the intersection of the right upper medial edge 2826 a and the right upper lateral edge 2828 a.
The right upper lateral edge 2828 a may extend from the right upper medial edge 2826 a to the right lower lateral edge 2830 a. A point may be formed at the intersection of the right upper lateral edge 2828 a and the right lower lateral edge 2830 a. In some embodiments, the right upper lateral edge 2828 a includes a right locking member 2832 a. The right locking member 2832 a may include a protrusion along the right upper lateral edge 2828 a that can be inserted into at least a portion of the slot 2822. For example, in an embodiment, the right locking member 2832 a may include a protrusion that can be inserted and locked into the left portion 2822 b of the slot 2822 when the garment insert 2800 has been assembled.
The right lower lateral edge 2830 a may extend from the right upper lateral edge 2828 a to the right support flap fold line 2806 a. In various embodiments, a point is formed at the intersection of the right upper lateral edge 2828 a and the right lower lateral edge 2830 a.
The left support flap 2804 b may include a left lower medial edge 2824 b, a left upper medial edge 2826 b, a left upper lateral edge 2828 b, and a left lower lateral edge 2830 b. The left lower medial edge 2824 b may be similar to the right lower medial edge 2824 a. The left upper medial edge 2826 b may be similar to the right upper medial edge 2826 a. The left upper lateral edge 2828 b may be similar to the right upper lateral edge 2828 a. In various embodiments, the left upper lateral edge 2828 b includes a left locking member 2832 b, which can be inserted and locked into the right portion 2822 a of the slot 2822. The left lower lateral edge 2830 b may be similar to the right lower lateral edge 2830 a.
In various embodiments, the blank shown in FIG. 28 may be folded into the garment insert 2800. More specifically, in an embodiment, the blank may be folded along the right support flap fold line 2806 a to bring the right support flap 2804 a over the body 2802 and to bring the right locking member 2832 a into contact with the left portion 2822 b of the slot 2822. The right locking member 2832 a may be inserted and/or locked into the left portion 2822 b. Similarly, the blank may be folded along the left support flap fold line 2806 b to bring the left support flap 2804 b over the body 2802 and to bring the left locking member 2832 b into contact with the right portion 2822 a of the slot 2822. The left locking member 2832 b may be inserted and/or locked into the right portion 2822 a.
Folding the blank along the right support flap fold line 2806 a and the left support flap fold line 2806 b may form hanger openings on the garment insert 2800 to receive a hanger.
FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a rear view of the garment insert 2900, according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 29, folding the blank along the right support flap fold line 2806 a may form a right hanger arm opening 2904 a between the right lower lateral edge 2830 a of the right support flap 2804 a and the body 2802. The right hanger arm opening 2904 a may, as discussed further herein, receive a right hanger arm of a hanger 2906. Further, folding the blank along the left support flap fold line 2806 b may form a left hanger arm opening 2904 b between the left lower lateral edge 2830 b of the left support flap 2804 b and the body 2802. The left hanger arm opening 2904 b may, as discussed further herein, receive a left hanger arm of the hanger 2906.
In various embodiments, folding the blank along both the right support flap fold line 2806 a and the left support flap fold line 2806 b forms a hanger hook opening 2902 between the right lower medial edge 2824 a of the right support flap 2804 a, the left lower medial edge 2824 b of the left support flap 2804 b, and the upper edge 2812 of the body 2802. The hanger hook opening 2902 may receive a hanger hook of the hanger 2906.
FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a front view of the garment insert 2800, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 30, the garment insert 2800 has been rotated and placed into a garment (e.g., a white formal shirt). The garment insert 2800 is configured to assist the garment in remaining flat and rigid in the garment bag 106 and/or in the garment box 102. For instance, the body 2802 may assist in holding the waist and chest of the shirt flat by not allowing the waist and chest to internally collapse. Moreover, the hanger hook opening 2902, the right hanger arm opening 2904 a, and the left hanger arm opening 2904 b may cooperate to secure the hanger 2906 to a specific position.
Though the foregoing description describes the garment insert 2900 as including the right locking member 2832 a, the left locking member 2832 b, and the slot 2822 to couple the right support flap 2804 a and the left support flap 2804 b to the body 2802, it is noted that in various embodiments, the right support flap 2804 a and the left support flap 2804 b may be coupled to the body 2802 using other structures. For instance, the right support flap 2804 a and the left support flap 2804 b and/or the body 2802 may include at least portions of a snap, at least portions of a button, at least portions of a hook, at least portions of a magnet, at least portions of an adhesive, at least portions of a Velcro® fastener, at least portions of a pin, at least portions of a screw/nut assembly, etc.
For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the description. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, modules, structures, processes, features, and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the description. In other instances, functional block diagrams and flow diagrams are shown to represent data and logic flows. The components of block diagrams and flow diagrams (e.g., modules, blocks, structures, devices, features, etc.) may be variously combined, separated, removed, reordered, and replaced in a manner other than as expressly described and depicted herein.
Reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “one series of embodiments,” or the like means that a particular feature, design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whether or not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like, various features are described, which may be variously combined and included in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in other embodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may be preferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments.
The language used herein has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shoe box comprising:

a base panel;

a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel;

at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel;

at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel, wherein the at least one front panel is opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof panel, and wherein the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel form a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein; and

left and right side support structures configured to assist in spacing the base panel from a base of a garment receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in spacing the roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment receptacle.

2. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein the first distance allows a first portion of a garment to reside between the base panel of the shoe box and the base of the garment receptacle, and the second distance allows a second portion of the garment to reside between the roof panel of the shoe box and the roof of the garment receptacle, thereby preventing a total weight of the shoe box from resting on the garment.

3. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein the left and right side support structures comprise a plurality of wings, each of the plurality of wings being formed from the base panel or the roof panel.

4. The shoe box of claim 3, wherein the plurality of wings comprises left and right base wings formed from the base panel, each of the left and right base wings comprising base flaps configured to be received by lateral base slots on the base panel.

5. The shoe box of claim 3, wherein the plurality of wings comprises left and right roof wings formed from the roof panel, each of the left and right roof wings comprising roof flaps configured to be received by lateral roof slots on the roof panel.

6. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein the left and right support structures comprise a left ring positioned around a left side of the shoe box and a right ring positioned around a right side of the shoe box.

7. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein the left and right side support structures comprise support protrusions attached to left and right sides of the shoe box.

8. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein left and right sides of the shoe box remain open.

9. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein a length of each of the base panel, the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel are each about a length of the garment receptacle.

10. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein the shoe box is formed from a single blank.

11. The shoe box of claim 1, wherein the garment is in a garment bag.

12. A method comprising:

positioning a garment within a garment receptacle, the garment receptacle having a base and a roof; and

inserting, within the garment receptacle over at least a portion of the garment, a shoe box comprising:

a base panel;

a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel;

at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel;

left and right side support structures configured to assist in spacing the base panel from the base of the garment receptacle by a first distance, and configured to assist in spacing the roof panel from the roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the shoe box is inserted into the garment receptacle.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the garment is positioned around the shoe box.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the left and right side support structures comprise a pair of base wings and a pair of roof wings.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the left and right side support structures comprise left and right side rings positioned around left and right sides of the shoe box.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the left and right side support structures comprise support protrusions attached to left and right sides of the shoe box.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein left and right sides of the shoe box remain open.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein a length of each of the base panel, the roof panel, the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel are each about a length of the garment receptacle.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the garment is in a garment bag.

20. A box comprising:

a base panel;

a roof panel opposite and spaced from the base panel;

at least one rear panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel;

at least one front panel coupled to the base panel and the roof panel, wherein the at least one front panel is opposite and spaced from the at least one rear panel, the base panel, and the roof panel, and wherein the at least one rear panel and the at least one front panel form a tubular cavity for receiving at least one shoe therein;

means for spacing the base panel from a base of a garment receptacle by a first distance; and

means for spacing the roof panel from a roof of the garment receptacle by a second distance, when the box is inserted into the garment receptacle.