GIFT WRAPPER

Abstract

Presented is a gift wrapper adapted for wrapping a variety of gift items. The gift wrapper includes self-adhesive strips for removably connecting the gift wrapper to the gift item. The gift wrapper further includes a pocket for receiving a message in the form of a removable object. Further, the gift wrapper includes a design feature integrated in the gift wrapper for special visual experience/aesthetic appeal to the gift receiver. The gift wrapper internally covers the gift item and thus, the gift wrapper is concealed inside the gift item and remain protected from wear and tear during shipping of the gift item. The gift wrapper can be reused for multiple gifts giving occasions thereby reducing wastage of material.

Claims

1. A gift wrapper (100,200), comprising: a main surface (110,210); a plurality of side flaps (120,130,140,150) or (220,230,240,250) extending from the main surface (110,210) of the gift wrapper (100,200), wherein each of the side flaps (120,130,140,150) or (220,230,240,250) comprises a self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) or (222,232,242,252); and wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) or (222,232,242,252) of the plurality of side flaps (120,130,140,150) or (220,230,240,250) is configured to be removably connected to at least one of: a plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) and/or a plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) of the gift item (180, 280) in order to at least internally cover the gift item (180,280) concealing a gifting product held within a cavity (192) of the gift item (180, 280).

2. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the main surface (110,210) comprises a pocket (160) to receive a removable object (161).

3. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 2, wherein the removable object (161) comprises a card, a paper, a plastic film, or a token with a predefined message for a gift-giving occasion.

4. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein each of the side flaps (120,130,140,150) are identical in length and width depending on the overall dimensions of the gift item (180).

5. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein each of the side flaps (220,230,240,250) have varying length and width depending on the overall dimensions of the gift item (280).

6. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the gift wrapper (100) is concealed inside the gift item (180) in the closed position and remains protected from wear and tear during shipping of the gift item (180).

7. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) or (222,232,242,252) comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

8. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 6, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises rubber-based, acrylic, modified acrylic, and silicone formulations.

9. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) or (222,232,242,252) comprises a peelable backing paper to prevent loss of adhesion used in the self-adhesive strips (122, 132, 142,152) or (222,232,242,252).

10. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the plurality of side flaps (120,130,140,150) or (220,230,240,250) are bendable relative to the main surface (110,210) along a plurality of fold lines (124,134,144,154).

11. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) or (222,232,242,252) is pressed and bonded against a plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) or a plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) of the gift item (180,280) to conceal the gifting product placed in the cavity (192) of the gift item (180,280,380).

12. The gift wrapper (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the gift wrapper (100,200) is made of a biodegradable and/or recyclable material consisting of a material selected from a group of cellulose-based paper, wood, cotton, hemp, pulp, clothing material.

13. A gift wrapper (300), comprising: a main surface (310) having a predefined thickness so as to allow integration of a self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) on at least one of a plurality of side edges (310a, 310b, 310c, 310d) of the gift wrapper (300) thereof that meet a plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) of a gift item (380) when wrapped to cover the gift item (380) internally; wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) is configured to be removably connected to the gift item (380) in order to internally cover the gift item (380) concealing a gifting product held within a cavity of the gift item (380).

14. The gift wrapper (300) of claim 13, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

15. The gift wrapper (300) of claim 14, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises rubber-based, acrylic, modified acrylic, and silicone formulations.

16. The gift wrapper (300) of claim 13, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) comprises a peelable backing paper to prevent loss of adhesion used in the self-adhesive strips.

17. A method for applying a gift wrapper (100) to a gift item (180) and shipping a gift item (180) comprising the steps of: providing a gift item (180) and a gift wrapper (100), wherein the gift item (180) comprises a plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191), a plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) and a cavity (192) formed between the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190); and wherein the gift wrapper (100) comprises side flaps (120, 130, 140, 150), and a self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) on each of the side flaps (120, 130, 140, 150); opening a gift item (180) by rotating the plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) relative to the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190); placing a gifting product in the cavity (192) of the gift item (180); bringing side flaps (120, 130, 140, 150) of the gift wrapper (100) in contact against either one of: the top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) and/or the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) of the gift item (180) respectively; pressing and bonding the self-adhesive strips (122, 132, 142, 152) against either one of: the top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) and/or the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) of the gift item (180) respectively; closing the gift item (180) by rotating the plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) relative to the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190); and shipping the gift item (180).

18. The method for applying a gift wrapper (100) to a gift item (180) and shipping a gift item (180) of claim 17, wherein the gift wrapper (100) is applied at a facility selected from the group comprising of: a shipping facility, a retail facility, a wholesale facility, a home, a factory, a school and a hospital.

19. The method for applying a gift wrapper (100) to a gift item (180) and shipping a gift item (180) of claim 17, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

20. The method for applying a gift wrapper (100) to a gift item (180) and shipping a gift item (180) of claim 19, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises rubber-based, acrylic, modified acrylic, and silicone formulations.

21. The method for applying a gift wrapper (100) to a gift item (180) and shipping a gift item (180) of claim 17, wherein the self-adhesive strip (122, 132, 142,152) comprises a peelable backing paper to prevent loss of adhesion used in the self-adhesive strips.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a gift wrapper, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the gift wrapper of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B shows an unwrapped state and a wrapped state of a gift item box with flaps and having a gifting product inside, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a wrapped state of a flapless gift item box, according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B shows an unwrapped state and a wrapped state of a gift item box with flaps and having a gifting product inside, according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIGS. 6A and 6B show an alternative embodiment for a gift wrapper and a gift bag wrapped using the gift wrapper according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0032] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B shows various design features of the gift wrapper, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components or processes, which constitutes a gift wrapper for wrapping a variety of gift items. Accordingly, the components or processes have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific component level details and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0034] References to one embodiment, an embodiment, another embodiment, one example, an example, another example and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase in an embodiment does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The words comprising, having, containing, and including, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. For the purpose of this application, the term gift item means gift item boxes, gift bags, and so on holding a product intended for gifting (or gifting product).

[0035] The gift wrapper for wrapping a variety of gift items will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, particularly FIGS. 1-6, and 7A-7B.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1 which shows a front view of a gift wrapper, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the gift wrapper 100 has a general plus sign shape (+ sign) and it includes a main surface 110. The four side flaps extending from the main surface 110 are designated as 120, 130, 140, and 150 respectively. The length and width of the side flaps 120, 130, 140, and 150 can vary and will depend on the overall dimensions of a gift item box 180 (as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B). In the example shown, the length and width of each of the side flaps 120, 130, 140, and 150 are identical. The gift item box 180 is generally a box or package containing the actual gift product including but not limited to paintings, stationary items, cosmetic products, electronic items, edible products, drink bottles, etc. Each of the side flaps 120, 130, 140, and 150 comprises a self-adhesive strip 122, 132, 142, and 152 disposed of thereupon respectively. The adhesive used for self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142, and 152 can include but is not limited to a pressure-sensitive adhesive and the composition of adhesive can include but is not limited to rubber-based, acrylic, modified acrylic, and silicone formulations. The self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142, and 152 comprise a peelable backing paper to prevent loss of adhesion of the adhesive used in the self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142 and 152. As seen in FIG. 1, each of the side flaps 120, 130, 140, and 150 can bend or rotate relative to the main surface 110 along the fold lines 124, 134, 144, and 154 respectively.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2 which shows a rear view of the gift wrapper 100 shown in FIG. 1, the gift wrapper 100 comprises a pocket 160 disposed on the opposite face of the main surface 110. The pocket 160 is adapted to receive a message in the form of a removable object 161 (FIG. 4) including but not limited to a card, paper, plastic film, token, etc. A gift-giver can simply insert the object in the pocket 160 and the object could include a message for the specific occasion e. g. wishing happy birthday etc.

[0038] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, a gift item in the form of a gift item box 180 is internally wrapped by the gift wrapper 100. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a gift item in the form of a flapless gift item box 280 is internally wrapped by the gift wrapper 100. In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, a gift item in the form of the gift item box 180 is externally wrapped by a gift wrapper 200. In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a gift item in the form of a gift item 380 is wrapped by the gift wrapper 300. The entirety of the above-mentioned embodiments will be described in greater detail in the description to follow.

[0039] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the gift item box 180 containing the gifting product is wrapped internally by the gift wrapper 100. The gift item box 180 can have any shape including but not limited to the conventional cubical shape and the gift item box 180 is adapted for storage and/or transport of at least one gifting product. The gift item box 180 can include but is not limited to a shipping box etc. The gift item box 180 comprises a cavity or receptacle portion 192 for placing the gifting product. The cavity is formed by a bottom wall (not shown) and four sidewalls designated as 184, 186, 188, and 190. Further, the gift item box 180 comprises four top flaps serving as top closure for closing the cavity 192. The four top flaps are designated as 185, 187, 189, and 191 respectively. The top flaps 185, 187, 189, and 191 are bendably connected to sidewalls 184, 186, 188, and 190 of the gift item box 180 respectively. To wrap the gifting product placed in the cavity of the gift item box 180, the gift giver opens the gift item box 180 by rotating or bending top flaps 185, 187, 189, and 191 in a manner as shown in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3B, the side flaps 120, 130, 140, and 150 of the gift wrapper 100 are brought in contact against the top flaps 185, 187, 189, and 191 of the gift item box 180 respectively and the self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142 and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) are pressed and bonded against the top flaps 185, 187, 189 and 191 of the gift item box 180 respectively. Afterward, the top flaps 185, 187, 189, and 191 are rotated or bent back to their initial closed position to close the gift item box 180. The gift wrapper 100 is not visible to the gift receiver as long as the gift item box 180 is in a closed position. The gift wrapper 100 is concealed inside the gift item box 180 in the closed position and thus, the gift wrapper 100 remain protected from wear and tear during shipping of the gift item box 180.

[0040] When the gift receiver opens the gift item box 180 by rotating or bending top flaps 185, 187, 189, and 191 of the gift item box 180, his/her eyesight view is blocked by the main surface 110 of the gift wrapper 100 as shown in FIG. 3B. Further, the gift wrapper 100 comprises a pocket 160 which can include a message in the form of a removable object (not shown) such as card, sticker and so on. As shown in FIG. 3B, the gift receiver can view the message in the pocket 160 when the gift item box 180 is wrapped by the gift wrapper 100. To view and access the gifting product of the gift item box 180, the gift receiver has to remove the gift wrapper 100 by disconnecting adhesive strips 122, 132, 142 and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) of the gift wrapper 100 from the top flaps 185, 187, 189 and 191, which serves the purposes and/or objectives of the present invention. Alternatively, the gift receiver can tear the gift wrapper 100 to view and access the gifting product of the gift item box 180.

[0041] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a flapless gift item box 280 is internally wrapped by a gift wrapper 100. The flapless gift item box 280 comprises a cavity (not shown) for placing the gifting product. The cavity is formed by a bottom wall (not shown) and four sidewalls (184, 186, 188, 190) similar to the gift item box 180 shown in FIG. 3A. Further, the flapless gift item box 280 comprises a top cover 292 serving as the top closure for closing the cavity of the flapless gift item box 280. The self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142, and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) can be pressed and bonded against the sidewalls (184, 186, 188, 190) of the flapless gift item box 280 to conceal the gifting product placed in the cavity of the flapless gift item box 280. As shown in FIG. 4, the flapless gift item box 280 is internally wrapped by the gift wrapper 100 and the gift receiver can view the message in the pocket 160 when the top cover 292 is removed from the flapless gift item box 280. To view and access the gifting product of the flapless gift item box 280, the gift receiver has to detach the top cover 292 from the flapless gift item box 280 and then remove the gift wrapper 100 by disconnecting adhesive strips 122, 132, 142, and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) of the gift wrapper 100 from the sidewalls of the flapless gift item box 280 which serves the purposes and/or objectives of the present invention. Alternatively, the gift receiver can tear the gift wrapper 100 to view and access the gifting product of the flapless gift item box 280.

[0042] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the gift item box 180 is wrapped externally by a gift wrapper 200. The gift wrapper 200 comprises a main surface 210 and four side flaps designated as 220, 230, 240 and 250 respectively. The overall dimensions (length, width) of at least one side flap 220, 230, 240, and 250 and main surface 210 of gift wrapper 200 are selected such that the gift wrapper 200 is completely wrapped around the gift item 180 to cover the entirety of the gift item box 180. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the length of side flap 250 and side flap 240 is larger than the side flap 220 and side flap 230. Each side flap 220, 230, 240, and 250 comprises a self-adhesive strip 222, 232, 242, and 252 disposed of thereupon respectively. As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the self-adhesive strips 222, 232, 242, and 252 of side flaps 220, 230, 240, and 250 respectively are pressed and bonded against the sidewalls 184, 186, 188, and 190 of gift item box 180 to provide a removable connection between the gift wrapper 200 and the gift item box 180. The gift item box 180 is externally wrapped by the gift wrapper 200 as shown in FIG. 5B. The gift receiver can view the message in the pocket 160 when the gift item box 180 is wrapped by the gift wrapper 200. To view and access the gifting product of the gift item box 180, the gift receiver has to remove the gift wrapper 200 by disconnecting adhesive strips 222, 232, 242, and 252 of the gift wrapper 200 from the sidewalls 184, 186, 188 and 190 of gift item box 180 which serves the purposes and/or objectives of the present invention. Alternatively, gift receiver can tear the gift wrapper 200 to view and access the gifting product of the gift item box 180.

[0043] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the gift wrapper 300 is shown similar to the gift wrapper 100 or 200 with no side flaps. The gift wrapper 300 comprises the main body or surface 310 including a pocket 160 as explained above. The main surface 310 may be of any shape (E.g. rectangular, square, etc.) depending on the shape of the gift item box. The main surface 310 is made with a predefined thickness so as to allow integration of the self-adhesive strip 122, 132, 142,152 (as discussed) on at least one of its side edges 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d (edges 310a and 310d are not shown) that meet the sidewalls 184,186,188,190 of the gift item box 380. The gift item 380 is shown as a gift bag. The gift item 380 is wrapped by the gift wrapper 300. The main surface 310 of the wrapper 300 includes a design feature integrated into the gift wrapper 300 for a special visual experience/aesthetic appeal to the gift receiver as seen in FIG. 6B. The gift item 380 usually comprises a top opening for accessing the gifting product placed inside the gift item 380. The gift wrapper 300 is adapted to fit in the top opening of the gift item 380 to conceal the gifting product placed inside the gift item 380. The gift wrapper 300 eliminates the use of side flaps for bonding the gift wrapper 300 to the gift item 380. Instead, the gift wrapper 300 has a certain thickness/height and the self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142,152 are disposed on the thickness portion/height (termed as edges 310a, 310b, 310c, 310d) of the gift wrapper 300. The self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142,152 (not shown) of the wrapper 300 are pressed and removably bonded to the gift item 380 to conceal the gifting product in the gift item 380. The gift receiver can view the message in the pocket 160 when the gift item box 380 is wrapped by the gift wrapper 300 as shown in FIG. 6B.

[0044] Alternatively, in another embodiment not shown in the figures, the gift item 380 is wrapped by the gift wrapper 100 (shown in FIG. 1). The self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142, and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) can be pressed and bonded against the sidewalls of the gift item 380 to conceal the gifting product placed in the gift item 380. To view and access the gifting product of the gift item 380, a gift receiver has to remove the gift wrapper 100 by disconnecting adhesive strips 122, 132, 142 and 152 of the gift wrapper 100 from the sidewalls of the gift item 380 which serves the purposes and/or objectives of the present invention. Alternatively, the gift receiver can tear the gift wrapper 100 to view and access the gifting product of gift item 380.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, the gift wrapper 100 (or even the wrapper 200,300) according to various embodiments of the invention can include a design feature 702 integrated into the gift wrapper for a special visual experience/aesthetic appeal to the gift receiver. The design feature 702 can include but is not limited to pop-outs, pop-ups, confetti, glitter bomb, 3D effects, origami, etc. Further, the design feature 702 can include various shapes including but not limited to smiley faces, heart shapes, cloud shapes, and so on.

[0046] An exemplary method of applying a gift wrapper 100 to a gift item (180, 280) and then shipping a gift item (180, 280) will now be described in reference to FIGS. 1-4.

[0047] Firstly, a gift item (180,280) is opened either by rotating a plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) (FIG. 3A) relative to the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) or by detaching the top cover 292 (FIG. 4) from the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190). Afterwards, at least one actual gifting product (not shown in figures) is placed in the cavity 192. Afterwards, the side flaps 120, 130, 140, and 150 of the gift wrapper 100 (FIG. 3A) are brought in contact against the top flaps 185, 187, 189, and 191 of the gift item box 180 respectively and the self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142 and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) are pressed and bonded against the top flaps 185, 187, 189 and 191 of the gift item box 180 respectively. Alternatively, the self-adhesive strips 122, 132, 142, and 152 (shown in FIG. 1) can be pressed and bonded against the sidewalls (184, 186, 188, 190) of the flapless gift item box 280.

[0048] Afterwards, the gift item (180, 280) is closed by rotating the plurality of top flaps (185, 187, 189, 191) (FIG. 3A) relative to the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190) or by attaching the top cover 292 (FIG. 4) to the plurality of sidewalls (184,186,188,190). Afterwards, the gift item (180, 280) could be shipped to desired location by using any conventional transport facility.

[0049] It should be understood to the one skilled in the art that the above method of applying a gift wrapper 100 to a gift item (180, 280) could be implemented (processed) at multiple locations (facilities). For instance, the gift wrapper 100 could be applied to a gift item (180, 280) at a shipping facility, retail facility, wholesale facility, home, factory, school, hospital and so on. Broadly speaking, the gift wrapper 100 could be applied to a gift item (180, 280) in any location having sufficient space and manpower. Further, it should be understood that the above method could be implemented by gift giver as well as by any other personnel such as but not limited to: factory worker, retailer, shipping facility worker, shopkeeper and so on. Thus, the gift giver has the option to buy the prepackaged (pre-wrapped) gift item (180, 280) comprising the actual gifting product and thus, he/she does not have to manually apply the gift wrapper 100 to the gift item (180, 280) themselves.

[0050] The gift wrapper according to various embodiments of the invention can be supplied in pre-cut shapes and sizes suited for different-sized boxes, gift items, and/or gift bags. In another embodiment, the gift wrapper could be supplied in form of rolls wherein the roll includes a peelable backing paper having multiple gift wrappers in form of stickers.

[0051] The gift wrapper according to various embodiments of the invention can be supplied in pre-cut shapes and sizes suited different-sized boxes, gift items, and/or gift bags. In another embodiment, the gift wrapper could be supplied in form of rolls wherein the roll includes a peelable backing paper having multiple gift wrappers in form of stickers.

[0052] In another embodiment, a gift wrapping station capable of wrapping a plurality of gift items of various types is described. The gift wrapping station could be installed at commercial sites including but not limited to manufacturing factories, warehouses, distribution centers, distribution vehicles, storage facilities, and so on. The wrapping of the gift item(s) using the gift wrapper could be manually done by a worker(s). Alternatively, an automated gift wrapping machine capable of wrapping the gift item using the gift wrapper could be envisioned which would involve use of electronic components such as but not limited to motors, batteries, electrical circuits, printed circuit boards, wires, sensors, actuation button/trigger mechanism etc.

[0053] The gift wrapper according to various embodiments of the invention is made of a biodegradable and/or recyclable material to reduce the impact on the environment. Further, the gift wrapper can be reused for multiple gifts giving occasions thereby increasing cost savings and reducing wastage. Further, the gift wrapper can be directly applied on the gifting product.

[0054] The gift wrapper according to various embodiments of the present invention including various elements, and parts thereof may be configured in many different shapes, sizes and using different kinds of materials, including but not limited to plastics, cellulose based paper, wood, cotton, hemp, pulp, clothing material and one should not construed these aspects to be a limiting factor for the invention disclosed herein.

[0055] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.