Special receptacle or package – For apparel
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-24
2001-10-23
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Special receptacle or package
For apparel
C206S752000, C229S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305533
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to paperboard boxes which are adaptable for storage of a single pair of shoes, and more particularly to an improved shoe box which is easily convertible from its storage function into a display platform.
2. Statement of the Prior Art
A shipping container's structural design must be considered separately from its graphic elements. When packaging plays a role in sales, separation of these elements is not easy. The structure can affect the graphics, and graphic requirements may affect the structure. The two functions must be separated because, typically, at least two people are involved, each responsible for one of the two elements. The more that structure and graphics are interdependent, the more these people must work together.
Shoe box designs are no different. The structure must be durable enough to withstand shipping and storage, while the graphics must be attractive enough to quickly identify the manufacturer or merchant and spur on sales. Heretofore, the design of shoe box structures has not contemplated incorporation of any marketing function previously attributed to the design of shoe box graphics.
Every box manufacturing plant employs a structural designer. The designer must be familiar with the capabilities and limitations of every type and grade of board, every piece of equipment in the box plant, every quality control procedure and every test. Hands-on experience is backed with extensive study of design files, packaging regulations, performance characteristics, coatings, packaging machinery capabilities, customer packaging practices, and other pieces of related information. Assisted by the sales force and the customer, the designer becomes familiar with competitors.
Most structural design problems have more than one solution. Ultimately, the designer and the customer make choices. There are times when tried-and-true ideas should be adopted or adapted, and times when fresh ideas can be an advantage. The designer's task is to develop the most effective and economical combination of material and structure to achieve the packaging objective.
The first challenge is the clear and complete statement of the objective. Many elements must be considered, and they are best determined by asking a series of questions. Any question or topic that does not apply can be set aside easily, but every question that might apply must be asked. Two broad questions are basic: 1) what is the product?; and 2) what is the packaging need? As simple as those questions may sound, they are complex.
In the case of shoes, however, the answer to the former question is easy: shoes of all types, including boots, sandals, slippers, and the like, one pair each. Where such shoes are sold in specialty or retail stores, the answer to the latter question is also easy: the box must be strong enough to ship and store the shoes, simple enough to maximize the numbers of pairs of shoes that may be stored within a given unit volume, and straightforward enough to identify one style of shoes from another. Personalized service by salespersons eliminates the need for attractive, flashy outer packaging.
With high-volume discount retailers of shoes, on the other hand, there is a need for shoe boxes which are equally durable yet capable of performing a host of marketing functions. There are few if any salespersons to provide personalized service to the customers of such high-volume discount retailers. Moreover, shoes on sale at such retailers must be available at the point of sale not in the back of some storage room. Accordingly, there is a need for strong, simply designed, quickly convertible shoe boxes and display platforms that are capable of maximizing the number of shoes available on a given amount of shelf space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide paperboard boxes which are adaptable for storage of a single pair of shoes.
It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved shoe box which is easily convertible from its storage function into a display platform.
These and other objects according to the present invention are provided by a convertible shoe box and display platform generally comprising a box assembly which has assembled and disassembled configurations for storing and displaying a pair of shoes. Such box assembly includes a first, container portion, a second, lid portion adapted to cover the container portion, and thereby enclose the pair of shoes within the assembled box, and means for positioning the disassembled box as a display platform with the pair of shoes remaining in the container portion. In such a manner, the pair of shoes is effectively displayed for sale.
The positioning means according to the present invention preferably comprises one or more integral parts of the lid portion. For example, the positioning means may suitably comprise a pair of tabs. Each of the tabs is disposed in opposition to the other on a respective side of the lid portion. Such tabs may comprise a substantially semi-circular shape, square shape, rectangular shape, triangular shape, semi-elliptical shape, or any other suitable shape adapted for extension inwardly from the respective side of the lid portion. For example, a scored or cut part of each tab would permit the tab to be pushed into the underside of the lid portion and remain integrally attached to the lid portion by a fold line.
According to one important aspect of the present invention, the container portion and the lid portion each comprise a substantially wedge-shape which is complementary to the other. In such a manner, when the container portion is positioned within the lid portion for the purpose of functioning as a display platform, such wedge shapes provide for an optimal display of the shoes inside. The positioning means, thus, is adapted to elevate the container portion together with the pair of shoes remaining therein at an effective angle (e.g., ten to fifteen degrees) for display.
In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for storing, shipping, and offering a pair of shoes for sale within a combined shoe box and display platform. Such method generally comprises the steps of: first providing a first portion adapted to contain the pair of shoes; second providing a second portion adapted to cover the first portion, and thereby enclose the pair of shoes for storage and shipment in an assembled configuration; and third providing means for positioning the first portion and the second portion in a disassembled configuration by supporting the pair of shoes contained within the first portion at an effective angle for display.
The third providing step preferably comprises the steps of: forming a pair of tabs as an integral part of the second portion on opposing sides thereof, extending the pair of tabs inwardly from such opposing sides, supporting the pair of shoes contained within the first portion upon the inwardly extending pair of tabs. More particularly, the third providing step may suitably comprise the steps of: forming two or more pairs of tabs as an integral part of the second portion on opposing sides thereof, each of the pairs of tabs formed at a relatively different height of the opposing sides; selecting a pair of the tabs, extending the selected pair of tabs inwardly from the opposing sides, and supporting the pair of shoes contained within the first portion upon the inwardly extending pair of tabs.
The extending step may, in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, comprise the steps of: pressing a first tab inwardly from its respective side of the second portion to a position substantially perpendicular therefrom; and pressing a second tab inwardly from an opposite side of the second portion to a position substantially perpendicular therefrom. In such a manner, the first tab and the second tab are positioned at the same height.
Alternatively, the extending step comprises the steps
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