ROUND-TRIP CONTAINER

Abstract

A round-trip mailing container for an electronic device includes an electronic device resting surface located at an interior of the container body. A flexible device retention sheet includes an adhesive sheet, having an adhesive disposed at a lower surface thereof, and a release sheet. The adhesive is sandwiched between the adhesive sheet and the release sheet. Upon separation of the release sheet from the adhesive sheet the adhesive is exposed. The electronic device is placed on the resting surface and an interior portion of the adhesive sheet is placed over the electronic device. An outer perimetral portion of the adhesive sheet is depressed against the device resting surface around the electronic device with the adhesive adhering the adhesive sheet to the device resting surface, thereby retaining the electronic device to the device resting surface in a pouch-like manner.

Claims

1. A round-trip mailing container for use with a shipped device, comprising: a container body having an interior cavity; a portal panel operably coupled with the container body, wherein the portal panel is movable between an open position in which access is provided to the interior cavity, and a closed position; a resting surface located within the interior cavity, wherein the resting surface is configured to receive the shipped device; a multi-layer flexible device retention sheet located at the resting surface, the flexible device retention sheet including an adhesive sheet and a release sheet, wherein an adhesive is located at a lower surface of the adhesive sheet, and wherein the release sheet is releasably positioned at the lower surface of the adhesive sheet covering the adhesive thereon; and wherein the release sheet is configured to be removed from the adhesive sheet to expose the adhesive, wherein the adhesive sheet is structured to extend over the shipped device received by the resting surface, and wherein a perimetral portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet is configured to adhere to the resting surface around an outer perimeter of the shipped device.

2. The round-trip mailing container of claim 1, wherein the shipped device includes a substantially rectangular prismatic form, and wherein the shipped device is one of a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

3. The round-trip mailing container of claim 1, further comprising a platform located within the interior cavity, wherein an upper surface of the platform includes the resting surface, and wherein the platform elevates the resting surface above a bottom panel of the container body.

4. The round-trip mailing container of claim 3, wherein an outer edge portion of the adhesive sheet is coupled with the platform prior to removal of the release sheet from the adhesive sheet.

5. The round-trip mailing container of claim 4, wherein an upper surface of the platform includes a substantially rectangular form, wherein the flexible device retention sheet includes a substantially rectangular form, and wherein the flexible device retention sheet is placed upon and substantially covers the upper surface of the platform.

6. The round-trip mailing container of claim 4, wherein the portal panel includes a top panel of the container body, wherein the portal panel is foldably coupled with a side panel of the container body, and wherein the portal panel further includes a closure flap configured to retain the portal panel in the closed position.

7. The round-trip mailing container of claim 6, further comprising a padding member attached to an inner surface of the top panel.

8. The round-trip mailing container of claim 7, wherein an interior portion of the adhesive sheet is located over the shipped device, wherein the entire perimetral portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet is adhered with the resting surface to retain the shipped device to the resting surface in a pouch-like manner.

9. The round-trip mailing container of claim 8, wherein an interior portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet is free of adhesive, and wherein the adhesive is solely disposed at the perimetral portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet.

10. The round-trip mailing container of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is a contact adhesive, and wherein an upper surface of the adhesive sheet is free of adhesive.

11. The round-trip mailing container of claim 8, wherein an interior portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet includes a first adhesive, wherein the perimetral portion of the lower surface includes a second adhesive, and wherein the second adhesive is stronger than the first adhesive.

12. A round-trip container system, comprising: a container body having an interior cavity; a portal panel operably coupled with the container body, wherein the portal panel is movable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the portal panel provides access to the interior cavity when placed in the open position; a platform positioned within the interior cavity, wherein the platform is located above a bottom panel of the container body, and wherein an upper surface of the platform is configured to receive a shipped device thereon; and a flexible device retention sheet including an adhesive sheet and a release sheet, wherein an edge portion of the adhesive sheet is adhered with the platform, wherein an adhesive is adhered to a perimetral portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet, and wherein the release sheet is removably engaged with the adhesive at the lower surface of the adhesive sheet.

13. The round-trip container of claim 12, wherein the release sheet is removed from the adhesive sheet to expose the adhesive, wherein an interior portion of the adhesive sheet extends over the shipped device received by the platform, and wherein the entire perimetral portion of the lower surface of the adhesive sheet is adhered with the resting surface, thereby retaining the shipped device to the platform in a pouch-like manner.

14. A round-trip mailing container, comprising: a container body having an interior cavity; an electronic device resting surface located within the interior cavity; a flexible device retention sheet comprising an adhesive sheet and a release sheet; an adhesive disposed at a lower surface of the adhesive sheet, wherein the adhesive is positioned between the adhesive sheet and the release sheet; and wherein, upon separation of the release sheet from the adhesive sheet the adhesive is exposed, wherein an interior portion of the adhesive sheet is positioned over the electronic device, and wherein an outer perimetral portion of the adhesive sheet is adhered to the device resting surface with the adhesive, thereby retaining the electronic device to the device resting surface in a pouch-like manner.

15. The mailing container of claim 14, wherein the device resting surface includes a substantially rectangular form, wherein the flexible device retention sheet includes a substantially rectangular form, wherein the flexible device retention sheet is located upon the device resting surface, and wherein an outer edge portion of the adhesive sheet is adhered with the device resting surface prior to separation of the release sheet from the adhesive sheet.

16. The mailing container of claim 15, wherein the interior portion of the adhesive sheet is free of adhesive.

17. The mailing container of claim 16, wherein the adhesive is a contact adhesive, and wherein an upper surface of the adhesive sheet is free of adhesive.

18. The mailing container of claim 14, wherein the container body is defined by a plurality of body panels including a portal panel, wherein the portal panel is positionable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the device resting surface is accessible in the open position, and wherein the adhesive sheet is coupled with the device resting surface prior to separation of the release sheet from the adhesive sheet.

19. The mailing container of claim 18, further comprising a platform insert located within the interior cavity, wherein an upper surface of the platform insert includes the device resting surface, wherein the platform insert maintains the device resting surface in a spaced relationship above a bottom panel of the container body.

20. The mailing container of claim 19, wherein the portal panel includes a top panel of the container body, wherein a padding member is located at an inner surface of the portal panel above the electronic device, and wherein the electronic device is positioned between the padding member and the device resting surface when the portal panel is placed in the closed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0042] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a round-trip container according to a first form of the present application, depicting a portal panel in an open position;

[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the round-trip container of FIG. 1, depicting the platform, and flexible device retention sheet located thereon, removed from the interior cavity;

[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the platform, depicting a forward portion of the device retention sheet being raised off the resting surface of the platform, and depicting a rear edge portion of the device retention sheet being fixedly coupled with the platform;

[0045] FIG. 4A is an enlarged, sectional view of the device retention sheet, which includes an adhesive sheet and a release sheet, located upon the platform;

[0046] FIG. 4B is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4A, except that the release sheet has been removed and the adhesive sheet is adhered with the resting surface of the platform;

[0047] FIG. 5 is a top view of a resting surface with a raised device retention sheet prior to removal of the release sheet, depicting a shipped device being placed on the resting surface;

[0048] FIG. 6 is a top view of the resting surface with a raised device retention sheet of FIG. 5, depicting the adhesive sheet with the release sheet removed therefrom, and depicting adhesive located on the lower surface of the adhesive sheet;

[0049] FIG. 7 depicts an alternative form of the adhesive sheet of FIG. 6, the adhesive sheet having an interior portion which is generally free of adhesive and an outer perimetral portion with adhesive disposed thereon;

[0050] FIG. 8 depicts an alternative form of the adhesive sheet of FIG. 6, depicting the application of two adhesives on the lower surface of the adhesive sheet, the two adhesives are depicted as including a relatively stronger adhesive applied to an outer perimetral portion and a relatively weaker adhesive located on an interior portion of the adhesive sheet to adhesively engage the shipped device;

[0051] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the shipped device located on the resting surface with the interior portion of the adhesive sheet positioned over the shipped device, depicting the perimetral portion of the adhesive sheet adhered to the resting surface thereby retaining the shipped device in a pouch-like manner;

[0052] FIGS. 10A-10D depict an exemplary process to package a shipped device in the round-trip container of FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 11 is a top view of the round-trip container of FIG. 1, with the platform removed, a side closure member being shown in a closed position, the second side closure member being shown in an open position, and depicting the interior surface of the portal panel;

[0054] FIG. 12 depicts the round-trip container of FIG. 1 being placed into a closed position, further depicting the portal panel in a closed position, the closure flaps engaged, and a closure tongue partially inserted;

[0055] FIG. 13 is a photographic view of an exemplary transparent device retention sheet having a strong, permanent adhesive located an outer perimetral portion of the adhesive sheet, and a weaker adhesive disposed on the interior portion of the adhesive sheet;

[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates the device retention sheet of FIG. 13 located upon and coupled to an exemplary platform;

[0057] FIG. 15 depicts the device retention sheet and platform of FIG. 14 positioned within the interior cavity of the round-trip container;

[0058] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the device retention sheet of FIG. 13, illustrating the device retention sheet being raised from the resting surface of the platform, and depicting the release sheet being removed from the adhesive sheet and exposing the adhesive on the lower surface of the adhesive sheet;

[0059] FIG. 17 is a perspective of shipped device placed on the resting surface and partially depicting the adhesive sheet with the release sheet removed therefrom;

[0060] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the adhesive sheet placed over the shipped device; and

[0061] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the adhesive sheet placed over the shipped device, depicting the outer perimetral portion of the adhesive sheet fixedly adhered around an outer perimeter of the device, and depicting the inner portion of the adhesive sheet releasably adhered to the shipped device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] For purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0063] As utilized herein the term mail, shipping and derivations thereof (e.g., mailed, mailing, mails, shipped etc.) are intended to include all forms of container shipping and/or transport. Exemplary mailing service providers include the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, UPS, DHL, and other shipping carriers, courier services, and post services, as are known.

[0064] The term container is intended to include a variety of apparatuses in which objects are housed during mailing. Exemplary containers include envelopes, boxes, hard and soft packages and packaging, and other containers which are able to house an item to be mailed.

[0065] Referring now FIGS. 1-5, a round-trip mailing container 10 is shown for use with a shipped device 12, such as a tablet type computer or a laptop computer 12. The container 10 comprises a body 18 that includes a plurality of body panels that define an interior cavity 36 that is sized and configured for receiving the shipped device 12.

[0066] The body 18 includes a bottom panel 22, a first side panel 28, a second side panel 30, a third side panel 32, and a fourth side panel 34. The four side panels 28, 30, 32, 34, and the base 22 define the interior cavity 36 into which the shipped item 12 can be placed.

[0067] A portal member, depicted as portal panel 24 is movable between a closed position 35 and an open position 33. The portal panel 25 is depicted as including top panel 23. The base panel 22 and the portal panel 24 are generally similar in size and shape, and have generally identical, or close to identical, widths and lengths.

[0068] The portal panel 24 provides selective access to the cavity 36. The portal panel 24 is movable between an open position 33, depicted in FIG. 1, and a closed position 35, depicted in FIG. 10D. In the open position 33, the portal panel 24 permits access to the cavity 36. In the closed position 35, the portal panel 24 prevents access to the cavity 36.

[0069] A closure flap 42 is provided for securing the portal panel 24 to the other body panel members, such as the front side member 28. The container 10 includes a resting surface 44 located within the cavity 36. The resting surface 44 is sized and configured for receiving the shipped device 12 thereon.

[0070] A flexible device retention sheet 60 is located upon the resting surface 44. Instructions 59 can be adhered to the device retention sheet 60, as is depicted in FIGS. 1-2. The device retention sheet has a multi-layer design, including an adhesive sheet 70, having an adhesive 69 located thereon, and release sheet 74.

[0071] The portal panel 24 also includes a first side flap 38, a second side flap 40, and a front or closure flap 42. When in the closed position 35, the first side flap 38 and second side flap 40 are sized and positioned to be disposed in a parallel plane with, being interiorly received by the second side panel 30 and the fourth side panels 34. The closure flap 42 is configured to be disposed exteriorly of the first side panel 28.

[0072] The closure flap 42 has an exterior surface 46 and an interior surface 48. A generally rectangular padding member 50 is adhesively coupled to the interior surface 48 of the portal panel 24. The padding member 50 is sized and configured to engage the upper surface of the shipped item 12 that is contained within the cavity 36 of the container 10.

[0073] Preferably, the padding member 50 engages the adhesive sheet 70 which covers the shipped device 12. The padding member 50 can engage the adhesive sheet 70 above the shipped device 12 in a snug manner, to help prevent the shipped device 12 from moving within the container 10. However, in other forms the padding member 50 does not engage the adhesive sheet 70 and rather serves to pad the shipped device 12 during transit, preventing the shipped device 12 from contacting the inner surface 48 of the portal panel 24 and reducing the likelihood of damage to the shipped device 12.

[0074] The closed portal panel 24 includes an interior surface 48 and an exterior surface 46. The portal panel 24 also includes an interlocking design so that when in the closed position 35, the portal panel 24 can be locked to the base panel 22.

[0075] This interlocking design includes a portal panel tongue 47 that is hingedly coupled to the closure flap 42. The portal panel tongue 47 includes a portal slot 49 that is disposed at the intersection between portal panel tongue 47 and the closure flap 42. A base member tongue 53, which is substantially narrower than portal panel tongue 47, is coupled to the base panel 22, adjacent the front panel 28. At the base of the base member tongue is a base member slot 56.

[0076] The interlocking closure of the container 10 is depicted in FIG. 12, which shows the portal panel tongue 47 being inserted into the base member slot 58, and the base member tongue 53 being inserted into the portal panel slot 49. This inter-engagement securely locks the portal panel 24 to the base member 22, to maintain the cavity in a closed position, so that the shipped device 12 therein cannot escape.

[0077] For additional security, a tape member 57 can overlay the base panel 22 and the front side panel 28 of the portal panel 24 as shown in FIG. 10D. An exemplary double walled construction of sidewalls 30 and 34 is depicted in FIGS. 2 and 11. It should be noted that both sidewalls 30 and 34 are constructed in a similar manner; therefore, only sidewall 34 will be discussed.

[0078] Sidewall 34 includes a first, or inner flap member 102, having a pair of slots 104 that are disposed at the hinged intersection between first flap member 102 and base panel member 22. An outer flap member 108 is hingedly coupled to the first flap member 102 by a crease that forms a hinge there between the first flap member 102 and the outer (second) flap member 108. The outer flap member 108 includes a pair of slot engaging tabs 110, that are sized and positioned for engaging the pair of tabs 104 that are formed in the first flap member 102 at its intersection with the base member 22.

[0079] A pair of hingedly coupled side flaps 114, 116 are also provided that, when in the unfolded position, are disposed in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the inner 102 and outer 108 flap members.

[0080] When in the folded position and fully constructed position, the inner flap 102, outer flap 108, and side flaps 114, 116 are all disposed in parallel plains, which are disposed generally perpendicular to the plane of base member 22. In this regard, your attention is directed to FIG. 11, which shows the inner flap member 102, the outer flap member 108, and the side flaps 114, 116 in a partially folded and engaged position.

[0081] Turning now to FIG. 12, with the portal flap 24 in the closed position 35, the tongue 47 is inserted into the base member slot 58, and the base member tongue 53 is inserted into the portal slot 49 to thereby close and lock the case.

[0082] Your attention is now directed to FIGS. 2-4B, 9, and 13-19 where the platform 58 and the multi-layer flexible retention sheet 60 will be discussed.

[0083] The platform 58 includes a horizontally disposed primary panel 84 that includes a an upper resting surface 44. The resting surface 44 and platform 58 are sized and configured to be received within the interior cavity 36 of the base member 22. The platform includes a first perimeter flap 88, a second perimeter flap 90, a third perimeter flap 92, and a fourth perimeter flap 94.

[0084] These perimeter flaps 88, 90, 92, and 94 are preferably disposed in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the horizontally disposed primary panel 84, and are disposed interiorly of the respective first 28, second 30, third 32, and fourth 34 side panels of the base panel 22. In this manner, the side perimeter flaps 88, 90, 92, 94 place the primary platform panel 84 in a spaced relation from the surface 36 of the base panel 22. This spacing helps to cushion the shipped device 12 that is resting on the upper resting surface 44 of the platform 58.

[0085] The device retention sheet 60 is configured to secure the shipped device 12 to the resting surface 44 when the retention sheet 60 is placed in a secured configuration 175, as is depicted in FIG. 9. The retention sheet 60 can include multiple layers and is depicted as including a first adhesive sheet 64 and a second release sheet 74. The first adhesive sheet 64 has an adhesive 69 disposed on at least a portion of the lower surface 70. The upper surface 66 of the first adhesive sheet 64 does not include an adhesive 69, which prevents the upper surface 66 from adhering to the inner surface.

[0086] The release sheet 74 has an upper surface that is adhesively coupled to the adhesive containing lower surface 70. The release sheet 74 preferably has an easy release/slick surface contacting the adhesive containing lower surface 70 of the first adhesive sheet 64. The upper surface 76 of the release sheet 74 can include a coating to enhance its releasability and its separation from the adhesive sheet 64, to help prevent the release sheet 74 from tearing and to prevent removal of the adhesive 69 from the adhesive sheet 64 while the release sheet 74 is removed. The release sheet 74 covers the adhesive 69 on the adhesive sheet 64 to prevent the adhesive 69 from drying out during storage.

[0087] The release sheet 74 also includes a non-adhesive containing lower surface 78. A multi-layer flexible retention sheet 60 is generally rectangular and/or square in shape and is preferably large enough to substantially cover the resting surface 44.

[0088] When the shipped device 12 is placed on the resting surface 44, the release sheet 74 is separated from the adhesive sheet 64. As is best shown in FIG. 13, the adhesive sheet 64 includes an interior portion 3 which is sized and configured to overlay the shipped device 12 and an outer perimetral portion 1 which is configured to adhesively engage the resting surface 44 of the platform 58. The outer perimetral portion 1 of the adhesive sheet 64 adheres to the resting surface 44 at a location around and outwardly from a perimeter 80 of the shipped device 12 to securely retain the shipped device 12 to the resting surface 44 of the platform 58.

[0089] Your attention is now direct to FIGS. 5-9 and 10A-10D, which further illustrate the manner in which the multi-layer flexible retention sheet 60 securely couples the shipped device 12 in the container. As shown in FIG. 5, the shipped device 12, here shown as a tablet, such as an iPad having a perimeter 80 is placed on the resting surface 44.

[0090] The multi-layer retention sheet 60 is shown as being flapped back so that it is in a plane generally parallel to the resting surface 44, but not on top of the resting surface 44. It will be noted that the top edge 96 of the multi-layer flexible retention sheets 60 is adhesively coupled to the resting surface 44 to maintain the sheet flexible retention sheet 60 in contact with the resting surface 44.

[0091] Turning now to FIG. 6, the retention sheet 60 is shown wherein the release member 74 has been removed from the first adhesive sheet 64 to expose the adhesive 72 containing lower surface 70. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the entire area of the lower surface 70 contains adhesive 72. It will also be noted that the size of the adhesive array 72 on the lower surface 70 is significantly greater than the area of the shipped device 12, so that a large portion of the adhesive surface 72, can be adhered directly to the top of the resting surface 44, to secure the first sheet 64 to the platform 58, in a manner wherein the shipped device 12 is surrounded on all four sides by areas of the first adhesive sheet 70 that are adhesively attached directly to the resting surface 44. Additionally, there will be adhesive engagement between the adhesive 72 and the upper surface of the shipped device 12 to further help maintain the shipped device 12 in its appropriate position.

[0092] Turning now to FIG. 7, an alternate embodiment adhesive sheet 164 is shown. In the alternate embodiment of FIG. 7, the lower surface 170 includes an adhesive portion 172 and a non-adhesive portion 173. In the embodiment of FIG. 19, the lower surface 170 includes an adhesive in the frame-like first adhesive section 172, which is disposed adjacent to the perimeter of the first sheet 64. The adhesive free window 173 which is disposed interiorly of adhesive 172, is positioned over the shipped device 12.

[0093] In this form, there is no adhesive engagement between the adhesive sheet 164 and the shipped device 12, preventing adhesive residue from adhering to the shipped device 12. Additionally, since the shipped device 12 is not exposed to the adhesive 69, a stronger adhesive 69 can be used since the user 5 does not have to worry about separating the shipped device 12 from the retention sheet 70.

[0094] Turning now to the second alternate embodiment device 200 of FIG. 8, the lower surface 270 is shown as having a first adhesive zone 272, and a second adhesive zone 272A. The first adhesive zone 272 comprises a perimeter frame, that is sized, positioned, and configured to directly engage the resting surface 44 to create an adhesive-to-cardboard contact, similar to the manner in which the adhesive containing first frame 172 operates the device of FIG. 7.

[0095] However, the window portion 272A includes a second adhesive. Importantly, the adhesive that is used in the second adhesive area window 272A is a weaker adhesive than the adhesive that is used in the frame portion 272.

[0096] The placement of the weaker adhesive 272 in a position to overlay and contact the shipped device 12 allows the upper surface of the shipped device 12 to be gripped, to thereby help to prevent its movement along the resting surface 44, but does not provide such a strong adhesive attachment onto the shipped device 12, so that the surface of the shipped device becomes coated with an adhesive that is difficult to remove.

[0097] FIGS. 13-19 are additional photographic views that show the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, wherein the device retention sheet 60 includes a perimetral frame 272 portion having a strong, permanent adhesive that strongly bonds to the cardboard, and is likely to not be separated from the cardboard without degrading the cardboard of the platform. The cover also includes an interiorly disposed window portion 272A that includes an adhesive that is relatively weaker than the stronger frame adhesive and is designed so that the separation of the adhesive cover from the device it contains will not leave a residue on the device.

[0098] Although the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-19 is shown as being clear, it is envisioned that the upper non-adhesive containing surface of the cover member will be printed with instructions for the user, in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the shipped device 12 located on the resting surface 44 with the interior portion of the adhesive sheet 164 positioned over the shipped device 12, depicting the perimetral portion 1 of the adhesive sheet 164 adhered to the resting surface 44 thereby retaining the shipped device in a pouch-like manner 175.

[0100] It will be noted that the perimetral portion 1, being the stronger adhesive area 172 is that portion of the adhesive sheet 164 that adhesively grips to the upper resting surface 44 of the platform 58. Additionally, the interior adhesive free zone 173 is positioned and configured to overlay the shipped device 12.

[0101] Because of the close engagement between the sheet 164 and the shipped device 12, the device 12 is maintained in position on the surface 44, and will not slide around on the resting surface 44. By securely positioning the device 12 on the resting surface 44, the container 10 of the present invention lessens the likelihood of the shipped device 12 being damaged during transit.

[0102] One benefit of the present invention is that it can accommodate shipped devices of a wide variety of sizes. For example, a device box may be constructed that is large enough to contain a laptop, but would still work well with a small tablet device, such as a small Kindle device or even a smartphone.

[0103] In one non-limiting form, the container 10 can be provided in two sizes. A first, or smaller sized box can be employed for use in connection with smartphone and tablet-sized devices, and a second, larger sized box can be used to accommodate laptop-sized devices. However, due to the widely varying sizes of electronic devices, it is believed that a single sized box will be able to accommodate, for example, lap-book computers that vary in size from small laptops, such as the small Microsoft Surface notebook type computer, and large laptops, such as those that might have 17 screens.

[0104] In operation, the process starts generally when the consumer has a reason to ship an electronic device to a third party, who may be a manufacturer, fulfillment center, repair shop in most cases. This reason to ship is often triggered by the purchase of a new electronic device and agreeing to trade in an older electronic device.

[0105] When triggered, a third party, such as the fulfillment house, repair shop, manufacturer, or other party sends, or causes to be sent the container 10 of the present invention to the consumer. (For the sake of simplicity, these third parties, such as the fulfillment house, repair shop, manufacturer, retailer, etc. shall collectively be referred to as the fulfillment house).

[0106] The fulfillment house sends the container 10 to the consumer along with a return label. The consumer then receives the container 10, opens it up and prepares it 10 for shipping back to the fulfillment house.

[0107] To prepare it 10 for shipment, the user places the electronic device 12 on the resting surface 44. To place the device to shipped 12 on the resting surface 44, the multi-layer flexible retention sheet 60 is lifted up so that the electronic shipped device 12 is placed directly on the resting surface 44. Preferably, the device 12 to be shipped is placed in the center of the resting surface 44, to leave a wide frame around the perimeter 80 of the shipped device 12 so as to provide a substantial area for the adhesive 172 of the retention sheet 60 to be adhesively attached to the resting surface 44.

[0108] The user then pulls off the flexible release sheet 74, which exposes the adhesive 172 of the first retention sheet 164. The user then overlays the first adhesive 172 containing sheet 164 over the device to be shipped. When so overlayed properly, the adhesive 172 is placed in contact with the resting surface 44.

[0109] As the first adhesive sheet 164 shown in FIG. 21 is the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the non-adhesive window 173 will be in contact with the shipped device 12, and the adhesive ring 172 will be disposed exteriorly of the perimeter of the shipped device 12, so that it may contact the resting surface 44 around all four sides of the shipped device 12. The user then closes the container 10, and uses tape member 57 to help ensure that the container 10 remains closed.

[0110] The user then delivers the shipped device 12 container 10 to the designated carrier for shipment back to the fulfillment house.

[0111] Having described the invention in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications exist within the scope of the invention, wherein the coverage for such invention is limited only by the claims and their allowable equivalents.

[0112] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment(s), but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as permitted under the law.

[0113] It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably, or preferred in the description above indicates that feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and any embodiment lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as a, an, at least one and at least a portion are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language at least a portion and/or a portion is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.