US 2010O127053A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0127053 A1 Johnson (43) Pub. Date: May 27, 2010

(54) PORTABLE GIFTWRAPPING Publication Classification COMBINATION (51) Int. Cl. (76) Inventor: Jameelah Johnson, Scotch Plains, B65D 65/38 (2006.01) NJ (US) Correspondence Address: SILLS CUMMS & GROSS PC. (52) U.S. Cl...... 229/87.19 ONE ROCKEFELLER PLAZA, IP DEPART MENT - 25TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10020 (US) (57) ABSTRACT (21) Appl. No.: 12/626,438 The present invention is directed to a gift wrapping combi (22) Filed: Nov. 25, 2009 nation comprising a sleeve of flexible material having a O O closed end and an open end, the sleeve having a size and Related U.S. Application Data dimensions that Substantially conform to those of a gift box. (60) Provisional application No. 61/118,197, filed on Nov. The present invention is also directed to methods of wrapping 26, 2008. a gift.

Patent Application Publication May 27, 2010 Sheet 1 of 5 US 2010/O127053 A1

Patent Application Publication May 27, 2010 Sheet 2 of 5 US 2010/O127053 A1

Patent Application Publication May 27, 2010 Sheet 3 of 5 US 2010/O127053 A1

G 3 Patent Application Publication May 27, 2010 Sheet 4 of 5 US 2010/O127053 A1

Patent Application Publication May 27, 2010 Sheet 5 of 5 US 2010/O127053 A1

fig G. sb

G. 5 c. FC, US 2010/O127053 A1 May 27, 2010

PORTABLE GIFTWRAPPING 0006. Other attempts have been made to provide pre COMBINATION formed gift wrappings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,025 to Sloan is directed to a gift wrapping system where the gift is CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED placed within a box, and the box is slid into an envelope-like APPLICATIONS wrapping sleeve which is then sealed to provide a gift wrapped package. However, the wrapping of Sloan does not 0001. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi Substantially conform to the dimensions of the box (as seen sional Patent Application No. 61/118,197 filed Nov. 26, 2008, from Sloan, the wrapped article is hexahedronally shaped), so which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some extra wrapping extends beyond the edges of the box, resulting in a somewhat irregularly-shaped finally wrapped gift (According to Sloan, the shape of the final wrapped gift is BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION “arcuate”). In addition to providing an undesirable final wrapped package. Such a gift may still be difficult to transport 0002 This invention relates to gift wrapped packages and or to stack with other gifts as, for example, under a Christmas gift wrapping, and more particularly to a portable gift wrap tree, because of its sharp edges that protrude out. ping combination and method of wrapping a gift, where the portable gift wrapping combination comprises a sleeve of 0007. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,665 to Scott flexible material having an open end and an opposite closed describes a gift package sleeve, which can be slid over a gift end, which in certain embodiments may be packaged along box before offering the gift to a recipient. Other products are with a collapsible gift box or tissue paper for wrapping the gift currently sold on the market, for example, products sold within, and wherein a consumer can insert a gift into a gift under the names "Wrap It Up' (www.wrapitup.com) and box, insert the gift box within the sleeve and secure the open “Wrap and Go' (www.wrapandgo.com), that purport to make end of the sleeve, thereby more easily and quickly wrapping it easier for users to wrap gifts quickly and with minimum effort. However, in these cases the boxes are provided with the a gift with less waste. wrapping paper fixed thereon, and thus there is a limit to the 0003. The use of gift wrapping is known in the art. Most interchangeability of the wrapping paper on different boxes. gift wrapping is known to consist of large sheets of paper, packaged either in the form of a roll or a folded sheet, which 0008. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,051 to is then unrolled or unfolded, the desired amount of paper cut Triglia et al. is also directed to a gift wrapper including a with scissors, and then used to wrap a gift by securing the bag-like sleeve of paper to wrap a box of predetermined size. paper with adhesive tape, with optional added decoration However, Triglia requires somewhat bulky materials, such as Such as a ribbon or bow. Typically, wrapping a gift in this cardboard guide and Support members, which may add to cost manner is both time and energy consuming. Often, more and lead to heavier and bulkier materials. Further, the bag-like wrapping paper is obtained than is needed, and extra paper sleeve described therein includes stiff guide and support must be cut off the side and/or ends of the wrapped gift after members that protrude beyond the open end of the bag-like wrapping, with the result of wasted wrapping paper. Further, sleeve. it is difficult to wrap a gift in a setting where time is of the 0009. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,734 to essence and space is at a premium; for example, in a vehicle Smith is directed to a pre-cut sheet of wrapping paper with or on public transportation while on the way to a gift-giving peel-and-stick adhesive strips that can be sized and cut to occasion, where a large workspace is not accessible, or where foldably wrap packages. However, this sheet of wrapping it may be dangerous to use Scissors or other cutting imple paper does not eliminate many of the disadvantages discussed mentS. above including lack of convenience, as well as the neces 0004 Moreover, in the case of asymmetrical or otherwise sity to customize the paper to the box and then apply the paper unusually-shaped gifts, wrapping Such gifts almost always directly to the box in an exact fashion or else risk not presents difficulties, as the gift often requires additional time adequately covering the box. and labor to wrap Sufficiently, and the resulting wrapped gift 0010 Thus, there is a limit to what the packaging oppor may be of sizes and/or dimensions that are undesirable, dif tunities known in the art can provide, and a need remains for ficult-to handle or transport, or aesthetically undesirable for an affordable, simple and easy to transport gift wrapping the giver or recipient. Additionally, wrapping paper is not combination that will avoid the drawbacks known in the art, adhesive or easily secured once wrapped onto the gift; there by allowing a user to wrap a gift quickly and easily, with a fore, the user must also obtain and carry not only a cutting limited number of required steps, without the need to use implement Such as Scissors, but also adhesive materials such Scissors or other dangerous cutting implements, and without as tape. Thus, the gift giver is often in the position of keeping wasted materials. track of multiple items that create clutter and can be easily lost. Even the loss or absence of a single one of these items SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION can frustrate the gift giver's goal of providing a desirably wrapped gift. 0011. In certain embodiments, the present invention pro 0005 Attempts have been made to streamline the gift vides a gift wrapping combination comprising a box and a wrapping process by providing self-contained wrap bags. For sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,697 to Zarrow et al. is directed end; wherein the sleeve has a size and dimensions that Sub to a self-contained wrap bag that can be folded over itself to stantially conform to those of the box, wherein the box can be provide a container for a gift. A user can insert a gift directly slidably inserted into the sleeve of flexible material through into the bag. However, in the case of bulky gifts or gifts that do the open end, and the open end secured to completely enclose not conform to a perfectly uniform shape, the object of pro the box; and wherein the open end of the sleeve comprises viding a sleekly-wrapped gift may still be frustrated. adhesion means. US 2010/O127053 A1 May 27, 2010

0012. In certain embodiments, the present invention pro ible or easily flattened for ease of transport and handling. In vides a method of wrapping a gift, the method comprising the various embodiments, the box and the sleeve offlexible mate steps of: rial may be packaged together in, for example, a kit compris 0013 (a) sealing the gift within a box: ing a flat package wherein the combination is covered with 0014 (b) providing a sleeve having an open end and an clear plastic, such that the combination can be viewed by a opposite closed end, where the sleeve exceeds the length of consumer prior to purchasing. As can be seen in FIG.1, when the box at the sleeve's open end; packaged, the combination is flat and easy to transport. In 00.15 (c) inserting the box into the sleeve through the various embodiments, the combination or kit is packaged in sleeve's open end; and clear plastic such that the decorative design 1 on the sleeve 6 0016 (d) securing the open end of the sleeve with an is visible through the front of the packaging. In such embodi adhesive, Such that when secure, the size and dimensions of ments, the package may further comprise a backing member the sleeve substantially conform to the size and dimensions of 13 which, when used in conjunction with the hang tag 4. the box. provides for easy display and purchase of the gift wrapping 0017. In certain embodiments, the method comprises the combination. Further, the combination may include a ribbon additional step of 2, and either a separate tag that can be attached to the final 0018 (e) securing a ribbon, bow or tag to the wrapped box. wrapped gift or a simulated tag 3 that is printed on the Surface of the sleeve 6. In various embodiments, the packaging BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS includes a hang tag 4 for easy display. 0019 FIG. 1 shows a gift wrapping combination accord 0028. In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible mate ing to an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from rial 6 has a size and dimensions that Substantially conform to the front in its packaging. those of the box, such that the box can be easily slipped into 0020 FIG. 2 shows a side view of the box and sleeve just the sleeve of flexible material to provide a nice finally prior to placing the box within the sleeve and sealing the wrapped gift that does not waste paper or require tools such as wrapped gift. Scissors, and that provides a package having a Substantially 0021 FIG. 3 shows the finally wrapped gift when the gift square configuration (Such as a cube) or rectangular configu wrapping combination of the present invention has been fully ration. As used herein, “substantially square or rectangular utilized. means that is, having two or more 90 degree angles. This 0022 FIGS. 4a and 4b are side views of alternate embodi provides a final wrapped gift that can be easily transported ments of the sleeve of the present invention and stacked, as on a table or under a Christmas tree, for 0023 FIGS. 5a through 5d illustrate additional embodi example. By describing “the sleeve having a size and dimen ments of the present invention, directed to the portable gift sions that substantially conform to those of the box’ it is wrapping combination as well as the steps of placing the box meant that the sleeve and the box have dimensions that are within the sleeve and sealing the wrapped gift. within about 2 mm to about 1 cm of each other, such that the box may be inserted into the open end of the sleeve to provide a Snug fit in the same manner as that of a traditionally DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION wrapped gift, and wherein the final wrapped gift provides a 0024. In certain embodiments, the present invention pro visual effect that is similar to that of a traditionally-wrapped vides a gift wrapping combination comprising a box and a gift. In the embodiments of the present invention comprising sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open only the sleeve of flexible material, only the sleeve of flexible end, the sleeve having a size and dimensions that Substantially material and a bow or ribbon or other decorative object, or conform to those of the box. only the sleeve of flexible material and interior wrapping 0025. In certain embodiments, the gift wrapping combi material, the sleeve of flexible material should have size and nation is directly only to a sleeve of flexible material having a dimensions that substantially conform to those of a box that is closed end and an open end; or alternatively, only to the sleeve available on the market. of flexible material along with a ribbon or bow or other 0029. In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible mate decorative item; or alternatively, only to the sleeve of flexible rial 6 comprises flexible material that is non self-supporting. material along with interior wrapping paper or material Such In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible material 6 as cloth or cotton, packing peanuts or other cushioning mate comprises paper, plastic (for example, clear plastic Such as rial for wrapping loosely around a gift before it is inserted into cellophane), paper coated in plastic (Such as that which can a box. In Such embodiments, it would be necessary for a user make the surface of the wrapped gift waterproof or soilproof, to obtain a box separately from the portable gift wrapping for example), foil or foil-like material, sacking or any type of combination of the present embodiments. In various embodi cloth, including without limitation: gauze, netting, lace, tulle, ments, the sleeve of flexible material has dimensions that are velvet or velvet-like material, natural or synthetic fur or wool, easily compatible with boxes that are available on the market. wood or other cellulosic material Such as plant material, or 0026. In various embodiments where the portable gift any other material that provides a visual, tactile or otherwise wrapping combination includes a box, the box may be pro aesthetically pleasing quality desirable to the consumer. The vided in separate pieces that may be assembled prior to seal flexible material may be a sheet material having a decorative ing the gift therein. By “sealing the giftherein it is meant that design imprinted thereon. The decorative design 1 may be one the gift is to be placed within the box and the box closed. This that is Suitable for any of various gift giving occasions. The may be effected by, e.g., closing the box via a flap that is present Figures demonstrate an embodiment of the present secured or via a lid that is closed (in the case of a box having invention in which the decorative design is one of stripes. As a lid). seen in FIG. 2, once the box 5 is formed, it can be slipped into 0027. In various embodiments, the box is made of paperor the sleeve of flexible material 6 via its open end 7, all the way thin cardboard material, and may be in one piece but collaps into the sleeve to touch its closed end 8. US 2010/O127053 A1 May 27, 2010

0030. As depicted in FIGS. 5a-5d, in various embodi non-adhesive paper and will Stick once the strip of non-adhe ments the sleeve comprises a portion adjacent to its open end sive paper is removed, or a patch or strip that is activated when wherein the flexible material has a length exceeding that of material such as water is added, or pressure sensitive, Such as the box when the box is inserted into the sleeve. In certain that activated merely by pressing the patch or strip to the edge embodiments, this portion 14 is of substantially uniform of the open end such that the open end is closed. The adhesion length around the outer perimeter of the box adjacent to the means may also comprise, in various embodiments, a string open end of the sleeve, such that the portion may be folded or wire that is attached at one end to the open end of the sleeve, downto complete the wrapping of the gift. In certain embodi and which is secured to the opposite part of the open end in ments, this portion 14 is of Substantially uniform length order to close the open end; or a button with a corresponding around the outer perimeter 15 of the box adjacent to the open hole which when closed effects closure of the open end; or a end of the sleeve, and may be folded down to complete the Snap or hook having two parts, one on each of the open end wrapping of the gift as depicted in FIG.5c. In certain embodi and the edge of the open end, where the two parts effect ments, the adhesion means comprises an adhesive strip or closure of the open end when joined together, or adhesive patch 16 disposed on the portion of the sleeve exceeding the material comprising loops such as, for example, material length of the box, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 5a-5c. In various available under the trade name of Velcro(R). embodiments, the sleeve is made entirely of lightweight 0036. In various embodiments, the gift wrapping combi paper Such as, e.g., paper of the same grade as Wrapping paper nation or kit may also comprise additional materials such as known in the art; that is, its entirety, including the portion 14 interior wrapping paper or material. As used herein, the term described herein, is all of the same sheet of material. This is in “interior wrapping paper or material” refers to interior wrap contrast to the teachings of for example, Triglia et al. ping paper (for example, tissue paper or other light paper) or described previously, in that guide and Support members material Such as cloth or cotton, packing peanuts, packing made of stiff material Such as cardboard are not necessary. material made of synthetic materials such as polystyrene or 0031. In certain embodiments, the sleeve may or may not other polymeric material or biodegradable equivalents, natu comprise score lines, creases or the like to further provide ral material Such as beans or grains, or other cushioning ease of use for the person wrapping the gift. However, in some material for wrapping loosely around the gift before it is embodiments, score lines, creases or the like are not neces inserted into the box. Sary. 0037. In various embodiments, the gift wrapping combi 0032. In various embodiments, the sleeve of flexible mate nation may also comprise at least one additional article rial contains at its open end 7 an adhesion means 10 for (herein referred to as a “decorative article') such as a ribbon, securing the open end 7 closed once the box 5 containing the a bow, rope, String or other string-like material Such as, for gift has been slipped into it. Thus, the box can be slipped into example, raffia, paper, beads, metallic wire, gemstones, orna the sleeve until it reaches the closed end 8, and the open end ments, plant material including but not limited to straw, can be closed by folding along the portion that corresponds to stems, vines, branches, roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, Veg the outer perimeter 15 of the box adjacent to the open end of etables, legumes, fruit or berries (whether real or synthetic) or the sleeve. Such that the gift is quickly and easily wrapped. the like. In various embodiments, any of the features men 0033 FIG. 4a. shows an embodiment of the sleeve of tioned within this disclosure may be coordinated or matched, flexible material 6 of the present invention. In FIG. 4a, the either by color or texture or material, with each other or at sleeve is completely open and read to receive the box through least one of the box or the decoration on the sleeve offlexible its open end 7. As can be seen, creases 12 are located on either material. or both of the parallel side walls of the sleeve, such that the 0038. In certain embodiments, a tag may further be affixed sleeve can be folded along these creases to make it easily to the final wrapped gift by, e.g., adhesive ortying, and the tag collapsible for packaging, but once removed from the pack may be used to identify the gift giver or the recipient of the aging the sleeve can also be easily opened into its ready gift. In certain other embodiments, a separate tag is not used, position for receiving the box. FIG. 4b demonstrates a view of but rather the design of the decorative sleeve may incorporate the side of a sleeve of one embodiment of the invention, where a simulated “tag” on its surface wherein the gift giver can the sleeve is being un-collapsed from its flattened packaged identify (by writing) the recipient of the gift, as shown in FIG. position, by Straightening its sides along the creases 12 to 1. The gift wrapping combination may be presented in any create the flat closed end 8. This flat closed end 8 is folded Suitable size for any of an array of potentially sized gifts, so back upon the sleeve 6 while in packaging, but can be opened long as the sleeve has a size and dimensions that Substantially by pushing downward to receive the box. conform to those of the box. 0034. In various embodiments, the adhesion means 10 is 0039. In other embodiments, the present invention is located either on a lengthened flap of flexible material 9 that directed to a method of wrapping a gift, the method compris protrudes longer than the other four sides of the open end, as ing the steps of pictured in FIG. 2. However, in other embodiments there is no 0040 (a) sealing the gift within a box: lengthened flap 9 (for example, the embodiments depicted in 0041 (b) slipping the box into a sleeve of flexible material FIGS. 4a and 4b), and at the open end of the sleeve, all four having a closed end and an open end, the sleeve having a size sides are of equal length; in Such cases the adhesion means and dimensions that substantially conform to those of the may be located on at least one of the four sides, and in certain box; and embodiments, there may be score lines or other means for 0042 (c) securing the open end of the sleeve with adhesion guiding the user in the appropriate manner of securing the CaS. adhesion means. 0043. In certain embodiments, the method comprises the 0035. In various embodiments, the adhesion means 10 additional step of (d) placing an article onto the wrapped box. may comprise patch or Strip of adhesive material. Such as a The article may be chosen from decorative or novelty articles Sticky Strip of glue or tape that is covered with a strip of Such as a sticker, a ribbon, a bow, rope, string or other string US 2010/O127053 A1 May 27, 2010

like material Such as, for example, raffia, paper, beads, metal tion may be embodied in other forms not explicitly described lic wire, gemstones, ornaments, plant material Such as Straw, here, without departing from the spirit thereof. stems, vines, branches, leaves, flowers, fruit or berries (whether real or synthetic) or the like, or a tag for identifying What is claimed is: the giver or recipient of the gift. 1. A gift wrapping combination comprising a box and a 0044. In various embodiments, the box and sleeve of the sleeve of flexible material having a closed end and an open present invention may be shaped or sized Such that they are end; capable of holding gifts of varying size; for example, a gift or wherein the sleeve has a size and dimensions that Substan gifts that are similarly sized to hold a cube or a generally tially conform to those of the box, wherein the box can rectangular shaped box with 90 degree angles. Preferably, the be slidably inserted into the sleeve of flexible material box and sleeve of the present invention are substantially through the open end, and the open end secured to com square or rectangular—that is, both comprise at least two or pletely enclose the box; and more right angles, such that their dimensions substantially wherein the open end of the sleeve comprises adhesion conform to each other. As used herein, 'substantially con CaS. form' means that the two should be configured such that the 2. The gift wrapping combination of claim 1, wherein the box, when slid into the sleeve, fits snugly therein such that the flexible material comprises paper. resultant gift wrapped package presents a pleasing shape 3. The gift wrapping combination of claim 1, further com without either extraneous flexible material, extraneous space prising an article chosen from a ribbon, a bow and a tag. between the box and the sleeve, or an insufficient amount of 4. The gift wrapping combination of claim 1, wherein the flexible material to cover the box fully. box is of Substantially square or rectangular dimensions. 0045. In various embodiments, the box and sleeve of the 5. The gift wrapping combination of claim 1, wherein the present invention may be chosen from among the following open end of the sleeve comprises a portion exceeding the shapes and dimensions (all in inches, and all dimensions plus length of the box, wherein the portion is of uniform length or minus a range of about 0.25 inch to about 0.5 inch are around the outer perimeter of the box adjacent to the open end contemplated within the scope of the embodiments): of the sleeve, and wherein the portion may be folded down to complete the wrapping of the gift. 6. The gift wrapping combination of claim 1, wherein the Box: 9.5 x 2 x 15 adhesion means comprise an adhesive strip or patch disposed 4 x 4 x 4 on the portion of the sleeve exceeding the length of the box. 4 x 4 x 6 7. A method of wrapping a gift, the method comprising the 10 x 1.25 x 7 steps of: 11 x 2.5 x 17 12 x 3 x 19 (a) sealing the gift within a box; 4 x 75 x 14 (b) providing a sleeve having an open end and an opposite 12 x 6 x 12 closed end, where the sleeve exceeds the length of the 16 x 7 x 16 Sleeve: 9.75 x 2 x 16.5 box at the sleeve's open end; 4.25 x 4 x 6.5 (c) inserting the box into the sleeve through the sleeve's 4.25 x 4 x 8.5 open end; and 10.25 x 1.25 x 8.25 11.25 x 2.5 x 19 (d) securing the open end of the sleeve with an adhesive, 12.25 x 3 x 21 Such that when secure, the size and dimensions of the 4.25 x 75 x 15 sleeve Substantially conform to the size and dimensions 12.5 x 6 x 16 of the box. 16.5 x 7 x 20.5 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of: (e) securing a ribbon, bow or tag to the wrapped box. 0046 All embodiments described herein are illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, and the inven c c c c c