Special receptacle or package – For a tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-03-06
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
C206S485000, C206S526000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196387
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related in general to the field of packaging and displaying of commercial articles. In particular, the invention consists of a novel cardboard carton for packaging and displaying western-style riding spurs.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is desirable to package and market products such that they are visible and easily placed on a shelf, preferably hanging from a display hook. In addition, it is desirable to package them in a relatively inexpensive container or carton. In the case of riding spurs, it is also necessary that the packaging allow a potential buyer the opportunity to touch and feel the spurs, and try them on the footwear for which they are intended. Accordingly, it is important that the package be suitable for easy opening and removal of the spurs, and further for easy reassembly into an undamaged package.
Products are often packaged in folded cardboard structures especially designed for the task at hand. In such cases, the carton is produced by shaping a flat cardboard sheet to fit the dimensions of the article to be packaged and by cutting appropriate tabs and slots to form the carton around the article. The present invention relates to a novel cardboard structure for packaging a pair of western-style spurs.
A spur is a pointed device secured to a rider's boot heel to urge on a horse. Typically, western spurs consist of a wishbone structure that includes a U-shaped heel band consisting of a curved portion (often called shoulders) with substantially straight ends or sides that include buttons for mounting on the heel of a boot, and a neck protruding outwardly from the shoulders. Western spurs also contain a rowel rotatably attached to the tip of the neck. Because of this geometry, spurs are not conveniently suitable for hanging on a display rack. Thus, they are usually displayed in plastic bags or loosely on a rack.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have an inexpensive and practical packaging cardboard structure for containing and displaying a pair of western spurs visibly on a shelf. This invention is directed at a simple device for achieving that purpose.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One primary goal of this invention is a cardboard structure for packaging a pair of western spurs for display on a shelf or a rack.
Another goal of the invention is a packaging structure that is folded around a pair of spurs to form a package suitable for display.
Another objective is a package that can be assembled around a pair of spurs simply and quickly.
Finally, an objective of the invention is a device that is inexpensively manufactured from material readily available in commerce, preferably cardboard.
Therefore, according to these and other objectives, the present invention consists of a piece of cardboard sheet or equivalent material into which slots and tabs are strategically cut to permit its folding into a carton for packaging a pair of western spurs. The unfolded cardboard carton is substantially symmetrical with respect to both its major and minor axes and comprises a central or bottom section from which two pairs of largely equal structural segments (a front and a back section) project outwards along the longitudinal axis. A cut at the boundary between the bottom section and each of these structural segments defines an extension sufficiently large to support the tips of the sides of the two spurs. The front section of the cardboard carton contains a cut that defines a substantially rectangular tab and a corresponding opening suitable for passing the sides of two spurs therethrough. The top of the front section also contains a hanging slot suitable for receiving the hook of a display rack. In addition, an opening below the hanging slot may be provided for visual access. The back section of the carton contains the same features symmetrically arranged with respect to the bottom section, such that they substantially match when both sections are folded upward from the bottom section. Finally, the distal end of the front section includes a winged tab and the distal end of the back section includes two foldable flaps such that each flap can be bent over a wing of the tab and provide a fastening mechanism for the entire structure when the carton is folded and the packaging assembly is completed.
A pair of spurs can be packaged together in the carton of the invention standing side by side straddled over the openings in the front and back sections. These sections are first folded upward, thereby forming a base consisting of the bottom section and its extensions. The rectangular tabs in both sections are folded inward and the corresponding rectangular openings are used to engage the sides of the spurs, each spur with one side protruding toward the front and the other side toward the back of the carton with the side tips resting on the base extensions. The front and back sections are brought together and the rectangular tabs are overlapped, thereby sandwiching the necks and rowels of the spurs. Finally, the foldable flaps in the distal end of the back section are folded to latch onto the winged tab of the front section to fasten the carton into a unit. The resulting assembly is a pair of spurs firmly packaged in a cardboard carton for shipment and display.
Thus, spurs packaged according to the invention are visible (FIG.
2
), accessible for touching while still within the package, and easily removable from the carton to establish whether they fit a buyer's footwear. Once taken apart, the carton can be reused to repackage the spur easily and without damage, if necessary.
Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows and from the novel features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention consists of the features hereinafter illustrated in the drawings, fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such drawings and description disclose but one of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2950854 (1960-08-01), Ganz
patent: 3198378 (1965-08-01), Farquhar
patent: 4046251 (1977-09-01), Bruml
patent: 4191289 (1980-03-01), Austin
patent: 4518086 (1985-05-01), Roccaforte
Durando Antonio R.
Eastwest International (Taiwan) Enterprises
Luong Shian
Sewell Paul T.
LandOfFree
Folded cardboard article for packaging western spurs does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Folded cardboard article for packaging western spurs, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Folded cardboard article for packaging western spurs will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2484256