FOLDABLE PACKAGE CONTAINING DIVERSE ITEMS

Abstract

A foldable package for containing multiple diverse items for convenient access to the items, said package having first and second pocket parts with front surfaces, back surfaces, top and bottom edges, and opposite end edges. The pocket parts are foldably joined to each other along a spine and are pivotable about the spine from an open position to a closed position with one pocket part overlying the other so that the front surfaces are in confronting juxtaposed relationship. At least one pocket is formed on the front surface of each pocket part, the pockets having open upper edges through which items may be inserted into and removed from the pockets. A closure flap on one of the pocket parts is foldable over an adjacent edge of the other pocket part to secure the pocket parts in closed position.

Claims

1. A foldable package for containing multiple diverse items for convenient access to the items, said package comprising: first and second pocket parts having front surfaces, back surfaces, top and bottom edges, and opposite end edges; said pocket parts being foldably joined to each other along a spine so that said pocket parts are pivotable from an open position with the pocket parts lying on opposite sides of the spine in substantially parallel relationship to one another to a closed position with one pocket part overlying the other so that the front surfaces thereof are in confronting juxtaposed relationship; at least one pocket formed on the front surface of each pocket part, said pockets having open upper edges through which items may be inserted into and removed from the pockets; and a closure flap on one of said pocket parts, said closure flap being foldable over an adjacent edge of the other of said pocket parts to secure the pocket parts in said closed position.

2. The foldable package as claimed in claim 1, wherein: there are two pockets on the front surface of one of said pocket parts, and a single pocket on the front surface of the other said pocket part.

3. The foldable package as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the open upper edges of said two pockets are parallel to the top edge of said one pocket part and are spaced different distances from said top edge.

4. The foldable package as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the open upper edge of said single pocket extends at an angle relative to the top edge of the pocket part.

5. The foldable package as claimed in claim 4, wherein: a breath freshener is contained in said two pockets; and a condom is contained in said single pocket.

6. The foldable package as claimed in claim 1, wherein: there is a single pocket on the front surface of each of said pocket parts.

7. The foldable package as claimed in claim 6, wherein: the open upper edge of each said single pocket extends at an angle relative to the top edge of the respective pocket part.

8. The foldable package as claimed in claim 7, wherein: the closure flap is on the top edge of one of said pocket parts, said closure flap having a width to cover the top edge of the other of said pocket parts when the pocket parts folded into their closed position.

9. The foldable package as claimed in claim 8, wherein: a breath freshener is contained in each of said single pockets.

10. A blank for erecting a foldable package for containing multiple diverse items for convenient access to the items, said blank comprising: first and second side-by-side rectangularly shaped back panels joined to each other along a first fold line at adjacent side edges thereof; a first front panel joined along a second fold line to a side edge of said second back panel opposite said first fold line, said first front panel being rectangularly shaped; bands of adhesive along the bottom and outer end edges of said first front panel; a second front panel joined along a third fold line to a bottom edge of said second back panel, said second front panel being rectangularly shaped; bands of adhesive along opposite side edges of said second front panel; a third front panel joined along a fourth fold line to the side edge of said first back panel opposite said first fold line, said third front panel having an inclined upper edge; bands of adhesive along the bottom and outer end edge of said third front panel; a closure flap foldably joined along a fifth fold line to a top edge of said second back panel; and a band of adhesive along the edge of said closure flap opposite said fifth fold line.

11. A blank for erecting a foldable package for containing multiple diverse items for convenient access to the items, said blank comprising: first and second side-by-side rectangularly shaped back panels joined to each other along a first fold line at adjacent first side edges thereof; a first front panel joined along a second fold line to a second side edge of said first back panel opposite said first fold line, said first front panel having an inclined upper edge and bands of adhesive along bottom and outer end edges thereof; a second front panel joined along a third fold line to a second side edge of said second back panel opposite said first side edge, said second front panel having an inclined upper edge and bands of adhesive along bottom and outer end edges thereof; and a closure flap foldably joined along a third fold line to a top edge of said first back panel, said closure flap having a band of adhesive along an edge thereof opposite said third fold line.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the package of the invention, shown in a closed position as it would be stored in a pocket or purse.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, partially opened, isometric view of the package of FIG. 1.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the package of FIG. 1, shown in fully opened position for access to the product contained therein.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank for making the package of FIGS. 1-3.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the package, with the package shown in opened position.

[0024] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the package of FIG. 5, with the package shown in closed position as it would be stored in a pocket or purse.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blank for making the package of FIGS. 5 and 6.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0026] A first embodiment of package according to the invention is indicated generally at 10 in FIGS. 1-3. In this embodiment, the package comprises first and second pocket parts 11 and 12, respectively, foldably joined together along a spine 13 so that the pocket 135 parts have confronting faces.

[0027] A single pocket 14 defined by a front panel 15 overlying a back panel 16 is formed on the confronting face of pocket part 11 and has an angled open upper edge 17. A condom 18 is contained in pocket 14 so that an upper end portion of the condom is exposed above the angled open upper edge of the pocket to provides easy access to the 140 condom held in the pocket.

[0028] A pair of pockets 19 and 20 having open upper edges 21 and 22, respectively, are formed on the confronting or inner face of pocket part 12, with pocket 19 overlying a portion of pocket 20. The upper edges 21 and 22 of the pockets 19 and 20 are vertically offset from one another and extend generally parallel to the top and bottom edges of the 145 package.

[0029] Packages 23 and 24 of either chewing gum or breath mints 25 and/or 26, as desired by the individual user, are contained in both pockets, or chewing gum (e.g. 25) is contained in one pocket and breath mints (e.g. 26) is contained in the other pocket.

[0030] A closure flap 27 on the top edge of one of the pocket parts (pocket part 12 in 150 the particular example shown) has a releasable adhesive 28, or other suitable releasable fastening means, on one surface thereof so that when the pocket parts 11 and 12 are folded about spine 13 into closed position as shown in FIG. 1 and the flap 27 is folded over the upper edges of both pocket parts, the flap will hold the package closed and prevent loss of product from the pockets during storage and use of the package.

[0031] A blank 30 for making the package of FIGS. 1-3 is shown in FIG. 4. Back panel 16 that forms the back of pocket 14 is foldably joined along spaced parallel fold lines 31 and 32 in spine 13 to back panel 16, which, as later explained, forms the back or at least part of the back of pockets 19 and 20 in pocket part 12.

[0032] The pockets 19 and 20 in pocket part 12 are formed by first folding front panel 33 forwardly about fold line 34 into overlying relationship to back panel 16 and securing it to panel 16 with bands 35 of adhesive along the free end edge and bottom edge of the panel 33. The upper edge of panel 33 remains unattached to panel 16 to provide an opening for placing product into and removing it from the pocket 20 formed by front and back panels 33 and 16.

[0033] Pocket 19 is then formed by folding panel 36 upwardly about fold line 37 into overlying relationship with portions of back panel 16 and previously folded panel 33 and securing it in place with bands of adhesive 38 along opposite side edges of panel 36. The top edge of panel 36 remains unattached to provide an opening for placing product into and removing it from pocket 19.

[0034] Single pocket 14 is formed by folding panel 15 inwardly about fold line 39 into overlying relationship to panel 16 and securing it in place with bands of adhesive 35 along the outer end and bottom edges of panel 15.

[0035] Closure flap 27 is foldably joined along fold line 40 to the upper edge of back panel 16.

[0036] A package 50 according to a second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This package also comprises two pocket parts 11 and 12 foldably joined together along a spine 13, with a single first pocket 41 in pocket part 11 and a single second pocket 42 in pocket part 12. The pockets have angled open upper edges 43 so that an upper portion of products contained in the pockets projects above the upper edge of the respective 180 pockets and is easily accessible. The products may comprise a package 44 of chewing gum 45 in one pocket and a package 46 of breath mints 47 in the other pocket, or the same product, i.e. either chewing gum or breath mints, may be contained in both pockets.

[0037] A closure flap 48 is foldably joined to the upper edge of one of the pocket parts 11 or 12 (11 in the example shown), and a releasable adhesive 49 or other suitable 185 fastening means is on the flap for holding it in closed position when the pocket parts are folded into overlying relationship with one another and the flap is folded over the upper edges and secured as shown in FIG. 6.

[0038] A blank 50 for making the package of FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown in FIG. 7. The pockets 41 and 42 are defined by front panels 51 and 51, respectively, foldably joined to 190 back panels 52 and 52 along fold lines 53 so that panels 51 and 51 can be folded into overlying relationship with respective back panels 52 and 52, with the upper edges 43 of the pockets extending at an angle to the top and bottom edges of the package to provide easy access to product in the pockets. Bands 54 of adhesive are on the outer end and bottom edges of panels 51 and 51 to hold the panels 51 and 51 in closed position when 195 the blank is assembled. Back panels 52 and 52 are joined to the spine 13 along spaced apart fold lines 55 and 56.

[0039] The closure flap 48 is joined along fold line 57 to the upper edge of pocket part 52, and as seen best in FIGS. 6 and 7, a panel 58 extending between the fold line 57 and band of adhesive 49 has a width dimensioned to span the thickness of the package when it 200 is folded closed as shown in FIG. 6.

[0040] While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail herein, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the appended claims.