SPLIT BOX SHOE SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A box system for a pair of shoes of the same or different size or appearance is provided including a rectangular outer box, and first and second triangular inner boxes. Each of the first and second triangular inner boxes receives a different one of the shoes in the pair. Each of the first and second triangular inner boxes with the shoes therein are configured to be received within the rectangular outer box. Each of the inner boxes has a side wall. The inner boxes are oriented in the outer box such that the longest side walls of each of the inner boxes are proximate to other when the inner boxes are received in the outer box. Each of said triangular inner boxes comprises a corner which forms a right angle.

Claims

1. A box system for a pair of shoes comprising an outer box, and first and second inner boxes, each of said first and second inner boxes being configured to receive a different one of the shoes in the pair, and each of said first and second inner boxes being configured to be received within said outer box.

2. The box system of claim 1 wherein the shoes in the pair are of different size or appearance.

3. The box system of claim 1 wherein each of said inner boxes comprises a side wall and wherein said side walls of said inner boxes are proximate to each other when said inner boxes are received in said outer box.

4. A box system for a pair of shoes of first and second size or appearance comprising an outer box, and first and second inner boxes, said first inner box being configured to receive a shoe of the pair of a first size or appearance and said second inner box being configured to receive a shoe of the pair of the second size or appearance, each of said first and second inner boxes being configured to be received within said outer box.

5. The box system of claim 4 wherein each of said inner boxes comprises a longest side wall and wherein said longest side walls of said inner boxes are proximate to each other when said inner boxes are received in said outer box.

6. A box system for a pair of shoes of different size or appearance comprising a rectangular outer box, and first and second triangular inner boxes, each of said first and second triangular inner boxes being configured to receive a different one of the shoes in the pair, and each of said first and second triangular inner boxes being configured to be received within said rectangular outer box.

7. The box system of claim 6 wherein each of said inner boxes comprises a side wall and wherein said side walls of said inner boxes are proximate to each other when said inner boxes are received in said outer box.

8. The box system of claim 6 wherein each of said triangular inner box comprises a corner which forms a right angle.

9. A method for packaging a pair of shoes comprising the steps of: (a) placing one of the shoes of the pair in a first inner box; (b) placing the other of the shoes of the pair in a second inner box; (c) placing the first inner box in an outer box; and (d) placing the second inner box in the outer.

10. A method for packaging a pair of shoes of different size or appearance comprising the steps of: (a) placing one of the shoes of different size or appearance of the pair in a first inner box; (b) placing the other of the shoes of different size or appearance of the pair in a second inner box; (b) placing the first inner box in an outer box; and (c) placing the second inner box in the outer box.

11. A method for packaging a pair of shoes comprising the steps of: (a) placing one of the shoes of the pair in a first triangular inner box; (b) placing the other of the shoes of the pair in a second triangular inner box; (c) placing the first inner box in a rectangular outer box; and (d) placing the second inner box in the rectangular outer box.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein each of said triangular inner box comprises a corner which forms a right angle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0018] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a split box shoe system and method as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is perspective view of the split box shoe system of the present invention showing the outer box with the lid open and the inner boxes received therein, the inner boxes each containing one of the shoes of a pair;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the box system of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box system of FIG. 1 with the lid of the out box open, the inner boxes explodes with the lids thereof open and the shoes exploded;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective of one of the inner boxes with the lid closed, and

[0023] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inner box of FIG. 4 with the lid open.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] As illustrated in the drawings, the present invention relates to a box system for a pair of shoes of the same or different size or appearance which includes an outer box, generally designated A, and first and second inner boxes, each of which is generally designated B.

[0025] Outer box A has a rectangular body including four walls 10 and a bottom (not visible in the drawings) which define an interior space or compartment. A lid 12 is connected to the upper edge of the rear wall. Lid 12 is moveable between an open position (as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), in which the interior space of the box body is accessible and a closed position, wherein the interior space of the outer box is enclosed.

[0026] As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the inner boxes B is formed of three walls 14 and a bottom 16. Each of the boxes B has the shape of a right triangle when viewed from the top.

[0027] A lid 18 is attached to the upper edge of the rear wall 14 of each inner box Lid 18 is movable between an open position, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, and a closed position, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

[0028] Each of the inner boxes B is designed to contain one shoe 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The shoes 20 in the boxes B may be a pair of shoes of the same size and appearance (color, surface texture or ornamentation) or may be of different size or appearance. Further, while the shoes 20 are illustrated in the figures as high heel shoes, the box system of the present invention can be used with any type of shoe, including men's or women's shoes, sneakers, high or flat heel, etc.

[0029] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner boxes B with the shoes 20 therein are configured to be fit snuggly into the outer box A, with the longest side walls of the inner boxes facing each other. This is the way that a pair of shoes would be shipped to the customer.

[0030] In the event that the customer wants to return both shoes of the pair, the customer puts the shoes into the inner boxes, puts the inner boxes containing the shoes into the outer box, seals the lid of the outer box and delivers it to the shipper. However, if only one of the shoes is to be returned, the customer need only put the shoe to be returned in one of the inner boxes, seal the lid of the inner box containing the shoe to be returned, and deliver the smaller, lighter inner box containing the shoe being returned to the shipper.

[0031] Thus, the method for packaging a pair of shoes of the same or different size and appearance includes the steps of: placing one of the shoes of the pair in a first triangular inner box; placing the other of the shoes of the pair in a second triangular inner box; placing the first inner box into a rectangular outer box; and placing the second inner box into the rectangular outer box.

[0032] Aside from the advantages of the split box shoe system described above with respect to packaging and shipping, the method of the present invention allows the shoe supplier to inventory each shoe in a pair separately and can therefore ship shoes of a different size and appearance to a single customer in an inexpensive and efficient manner.

[0033] While only a single preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims: