CASING FOR CONTAINING PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR FOOTWEAR

Abstract

 The invention concerns an casing (10) for containing products, particularly footwear, made from a single blank.
The casing in question includes two containment units (11, 11') oriented in an inverted position relative to each other and comprising, respectively:
- a first base (111) and a second base (111') contiguous to each other and joined by means of a central folding portion (12) at a joint apt to allow the casing (10), through its folding, to pass from a closed configuration to an open configuration;
- a first side portion (112, 112'), contiguous and perpendicular to the relative base (111, 111').

Description

[0001] The present invention is in the field of casings for containing products.

[0002] In detail, the invention in question concerns a new type of casing for the transport, storage, display and sale of products belonging to the fashion sector relating to footwear.

[0003] Usually, the traditional casings, i.e., the shoe boxes that are currently used, have a substantially standardized shape and are composed, usually, of two pieces: a container, in which the shoes will then be placed, and a lid to contain them and allow them to be transported.

[0004] Often, the aforementioned shoeboxes are made from different blanks (for example, the lid blank and the container blank) that are pre-assembled in order to provide the user with the finished product; for this reason, nowadays, when the aforementioned boxes are transported and stored, they have a considerable footprint. In fact, even though they are still empty at this stage, they will still occupy at least the space relative to their capacity, which will be added to that of all the other boxes with which they will be stacked.

[0005] In general, consequently, even the production costs of the same increase because, just as an example, during the transport of these empty casings, or in a generic storage warehouse, there may be a lower number of boxes than if they were flat or arrived in the form of blanks to be assembled.

[0006] In addition, since shoe boxes are so standardized, as previously mentioned, they may not be adaptable to contain any model of footwear, requiring the use of boxes possibly of different sizes and/or materials depending on the circumstances.

[0007] Moreover, traditional shoe boxes do not have a design that can also serve as a exhibitor, having purely the function of containing the pair of shoes.

[0008] Nowadays, there are no shoe casings, in particular shoe boxes, that are structured in such a way as to overcome, at the same time, all the problems introduced above. So much so that all the solutions used today, since they are basically standard, are not only made from several pieces and are bulky, decreasing the capacity of transport and storage of the same, but do not even have a design/aesthetics to make them usable as exhibitors, regardless of the fashion industry in which we are and the type of footwear.

[0009] Thus, there remains a need for an casing for containing products, particularly footwear designed to go in place of the shoe boxes used to date.

[0010] The relevant known art includes patent applications: DE19904969A1, WO02/051720A1 and US4618090A.

[0011] In the context of the above-mentioned needs, therefore, the main scope of the present invention is to realize an casing for containing products, in particular footwear, capable of obviating the technical drawbacks mentioned above.

[0012] Another scope of the present invention is to realize an casing for containing products, in particular footwear, which facilitates the storage, transport and stacking of containers, compared to existing solutions.

[0013] An additional scope of the present invention is to make a casing for containing products that is easy to use and assemble and made from a single piece.

[0014] An additional scope of the present invention is to realize a casing for containing products, such that it is adaptable to contain any model of footwear.

[0015] Last but not least, a scope of the present invention is to make a casing for containing products that has a design/aesthetic appearance such that it can also serve as a exhibitor for the footwear contained therein.

[0016] These and other scopes, which will appear more clearly in the following discussion, are achieved by a casing for containing products, in particular footwear, according to the attached claim 1; other detailed technical features of the casing are present in subsequent claims.

[0017] Further features and advantages of the casing for containing products, and the method of production thereof, according to the present invention, will become more apparent from the following description, referring to four variants of preferred and illustrative, but not limiting, embodiments of the casing, and from the appended drawings, wherein:

• Figure 1A shows a front view of a first embodiment of the casing for containing products according to the present invention;
• Figure 1B shows a perspective view of the Figure 1A casing including an accessory;
• Figures 1C and 1D show, respectively, a top view and a rear view of the casing of Figure 1A, according to the present invention;
• Figure 1E shows a top view of the Figure 1A casing when partially open;
• Figure 1F shows a top-down, perspective view of the Figure 1A casing when totally open;
• Figure 2A shows a front view of a second embodiment of the casing for containing product, according to the present invention;
• Figure 2B shows an additional front view of the Figure 2A casing including an accessory;
• Figure 2C shows a top view of the Figure 2A casing when partially open;
• Figure 2D shows a top view of the Figure 2A casing when fully open;
• Figure 3A shows a top view of a first type of blank usable for both the first and second embodiments of the casing for containing products according to the present invention;
• Figure 3B shows a top view of a second type of blank usable for both the first and second embodiments of the product casing, which is the object of the present invention;
• Figure 4A shows a front view of a third embodiment of the casing for containing products according to the present invention;
• Figure 4B shows an additional front view of the Figure 4A casing including an accessory;
• Figure 4C shows a top view of the Figure 4A casing when partially open;
• Figure 4D shows an additional top view of the Figure 4A casing when totally open;
• Figure 5A shows a top view of a first type of blank usable for the third embodiment form of the casing for containing products, according to the present invention;
• Figure 5B shows a top view of a second type of blank usable for the third embodiment of the casing for containing products, according to the present invention;
• Figure 6A shows a front view of a fourth form of the casing for containing products embodiment according to the present invention;
• Figure 6B shows a rear view of the casing of Figure 6A, according to the present invention;
• Figure 6C shows a top view of the figure 6A casing when opened;
• Figure 7A shows a top view of a fourth embodiment form of the casing for containing products, which is the object of the present invention;
• Figure 7B shows a perspective view of the casing for containing the products in Figure 7A;
• Figures 8A-8C show a top view of the blank usable for the fourth embodiment form of the casing for containing products, according to the present invention;
• Figure 9A shows a top view of a fifth embodiment form of the casing for containing products, which is the object of the present invention, to which a containment accessory is coupled;
• Figure 9B shows a top view of the figure 9A casing when open;
• Figure 9C shows a top view of the casing of Figure 9A without the containment accessory, according to the present invention;
• Figure 9D shows a detail view of the containment accessory that can be combined with the casing of Figure 9A according to the present invention;
• Figure 10 shows a top view of a die-cut casing of Figure 9A, according to the present invention, without the containment accessory.

[0018] With reference to the mentioned figures, the casing for containing products, in particular footwear, which is the object of the present invention, is generically indicated by the numerical reference 10.

[0019] Generally, the casing 10 in question is suitable for containing a pair of shoes of any model, shape and/or size.

[0020] Advantageously, as can be seen in Figures 3A-3B and 5A-5B, said casing 10 is formed starting from a single blank, without the need to be pre-assembled, so that it can be easily transported, occupying less space than the known and above described solutions, with a consequent economic advantage.

[0021] In detail, the above-mentioned blank is made, by way of example only, in materials such as cardboard, paperboard, reinforced cardboard, microwave cardboard, etc.

[0022] Always advantageously, the aforementioned casing 10 is very easy to assemble; in fact, the assembly is substantially carried out through a series of folds made on the relative single blank.

[0023] In particular, in a first embodiment thereof, visible by way of example in Figures 1A-1F, the casing 10 includes two units 11 and 11' which are substantially hollow trapezoidal prism-shaped including, respectively, a first base 111 and a second base 111'.

[0024] In particular, the two bases 111 and 11 1' are contiguous with each other and joined by means of a folding joint portion 12, which is substantially centrally located between them and which allows the casing, by means of its folding, to pass from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

[0025] In detail, as previously mentioned, the aforesaid units 11 and 11' are joined together through the respective base 111 and 111' and are oriented to each other in an inverted position, i.e., all equivalent elements belonging to unit 11 are positioned opposite to those of unit 11', in the enclosure 10 in such a way that, when the enclosure is in the closed position it has a substantially parallelepiped-shaped geometry.

[0026] In addition, the two units 11 and 11' have

• a first side portion 112 and 112', contiguous and bent in such a way that it is perpendicular to the respective base 111 and 111', in correspondence to which the sole of the aforesaid footwear will be supported
• an oblique portion 113 and 113', adjacent and contiguous to the respective first side portion 112 and 112' that, just because of the inclination given by the relative oblique side presents, respectively, a first side 1131 and 1131' and a second side 1132 and 1132' opposite to the first side, in which the second side 1132 and 1132' is of lower height to the said relative first side 1131 and 1131'. Moreover, the oblique portion 113 and 113', when folded, turns out to be perpendicular to the respective first side portion 112 and 112' and substantially parallel to the respective base 111 and 111', so as to realize with the same a substantially "U" shape.

[0027] Advantageously, always said units 11, 11' also include a second side portion 114 and 114', in correspondence to which the heel of the shoe will be located.

[0028] In particular, the second side portion 114 and 114' is contiguous to the aforementioned first side portion 112 and 112' in correspondence to the relative first side 1131 and 1131' of the oblique portion 113 and 113', so that, when folded, it is substantially between the respective base 111 and 111' and the oblique portion 113 and 113' itself.

[0029] As can be seen in Figures 3A and 3B, which are related to the blank of the casing 10 in the form of the embodiment under analysis, the second side portion 114 and 114' has, in a contiguous and lateral position, respectively, a support portion 1141 and 1141 'which is folded over the respective second side portion 114 and 114', such that it acts as a support thereof.

[0030] Additionally, again the two units 11 and 11' comprise a third side portion 115 and 115', opposed to said second side portion 114 and 114', in correspondence to which the tip of the shoe will be located. In particular, the third side portion 115 and 115' is contiguous to said first side portion 112 and 112', at the relative second side 1132 and 1132' of the oblique portion 113 and 113'.

[0031] In summary, the two units 11 and 11' comprise, respectively:

• the first base 111 and the second base 111';
• the first side portion 112 and 112';
• the oblique portion 113 and 113'; and
• the second side portion 114' and 114'
• the third side portion 115 and 115',

which, by their positioning described above, form in the respective unit 11 and 11' a cavity 116 and 116' in which the footwear will be contained.

[0032] Advantageously, the casing 10, as visible in figures 1A and 1D, when closed has a substantially parallelepiped shape and has a single support base 20 formed by the bases 111 and 111' which, by means of the folding portion 12, lie on the horizontal support plane (parallel to the ground) of the casing 10 in question.

[0033] Further, when the casing 10 is in the closed configuration, the two cavities 116 and 116' result to be facing each other, such that, the oblique sides of the relative oblique portions 113 and 113' match realizing, substantially, the lid and thus the opening of the casing 10 itself, since the two units 11 and 11' are oriented in the reverse manner,

[0034] Alternatively, when the casing 10 is in the open configuration (Figures 1E and 1F), the folding joint portion 12 bends so that the base 111 of the unit 11 is folded over the base 111' of the unit 11', such that they overlap. In addition, always in the open configuration, the new base of support of the casing 10, is given by the side portions 112 and 112' which, by making the aforementioned folding, lie on the horizontal support plane of the casing 10.

[0035] As visible in figure 1F the side portions 112 and 112', in this configuration, are disjointed just because structurally, they present between them the folding portion 12 and therefore the bases 111 and 111' that result overlapped between them.

[0036] Additionally, the two cavities 116 and 116', in this configuration, are adjacent to each other and facing the opposite side with respect to the aforementioned horizontal support plane.

[0037] Advantageously, this type of configuration allows the casing 10 to also act as a display of the same footwear, however keeping them in place, due to its geometry and configuration.

[0038] In particular, as can be seen in Figures 1E and 1F, with reference to the first type of blank of Figure 3A, in a position contiguous to at least one oblique portion 113 and/or 113' of the casing 10 there is a first fin 117 and/or 117' such as to be positioned, when the blank is folded, substantially above the respective cavity 116 and/or 116', acting as a lid thereof, to protect and hold said footwear in place.

[0039] Further, with reference to the second type of blank of figure 3B, adjacent to the first fin 117 and/or 117', and on the opposite side of said oblique portion 113 and/or 113' there is a second fin 118 and/or 118', such as to facilitate the attachment of the first fin inside the cavity 116 and/or 116'. Advantageously, the casing 10 object of the present invention also has a quadrangularly shaped, hollow lining 30 into which the casing 10 itself is inserted, when in the closed configuration.

[0040] Advantageously, the second embodiment form of the casing 10 object of the present invention, shown by way of example in Figures 2A- 2D, is substantially identical to the first embodiment form thereof, for this reason the same numerical references are used, the only difference being in the geometry of the casing 10 which is that of a regular quadrangular prism.

[0041] By way of example only, the aforementioned embodiment form of the casing 10, could be used, advantageously, for footwear having a heel of its own because, the regular quadrangular prism geometry allows having the first side 1131 and 1131' of the oblique portion 113, 113', which is the side in the direction of which the heel of the footwear is placed, higher than that of the first embodiment form.

[0042] Advantageously, the third embodiment form 10, which is the subject of the present invention, shown in Figures 4A-4D and 5A and 5B, relates to containers for small footwear, by way of example only, the aforementioned embodiment form, could be used in the context of children's footwear.

[0043] In particular, the embodiment form under analysis is substantially identical to the first embodiment form of the casing 10 itself, which is why the same numerical references are used, except for the blank which is slightly different. In fact, as can be seen in Figures 5A and 5B, the second side portion 114 and 114' has, respectively, in a contiguous position and on the side opposite to the first portion 112 and 112' a second support 1142 and 1142'which is folded over the relative side portion 114 and 114', in such a way as to act as a support for the same.

[0044] Again advantageously, the fourth embodiment, shown as an example in Figures 6A - 6C, is substantially the same as the second embodiment (to describe which, in fact, the same numerical references are used) except for the materials that are used.

[0045] In particular, in this embodiment is used, only by way of example, reinforced cardboard or rigid cardboard or multilayer cardboard, materials that require more complex assembly methods than those used in the previous embodiments. For this reason, in its fourth embodiment, the casing is sold directly pre-assembled.

[0046] Advantageously, the fourth embodiment of the casing 10, which is the object of the present invention, shown by way of example in Figures 7A-7B and 8A-8C, is substantially identical, except for certain details which will be discussed in greater detail later, to the first embodiment of the casing 10, which is why the same numerical references will be used.

[0047] More in detail, in the embodiment under consideration, the two bases 111 and 111' of the casing 10 are contiguous, forming a single base 20, in particular without the presence of central folding potion 12, as visible in the above figures.

[0048] Advantageously, in the embodiment under consideration, as seen particularly in Figures 8A-8C, the casing 10 includes an outer cladding template 102 that is placed below the casing 10 itself (Figure 8A).

[0049] In particular, said outer cladding template 102, being placed below the casing 10, is substantially superimposable, at a dimensional level, to the casing 10, also presenting portions exiting with respect to the same such as to be folded on the casing 10 in cladding modes.

[0050] Advantageously, said cladding 102 includes two first fins 201 located at two sides of the base 20, in particular at the side of the third side portions 115, 115' and respective first side portions 114, 114' of the casing 10 (Figures 8A and 8B). Advantageously, said two fins 201 are configured to be folded over the base 20 of the casing 10 in such a way as to provide cladding to the same.

[0051] Additionally, adjacent to each of the first two fins 201, at the third side portions 115, 115' of the casing 10 the cladding 102 includes second respective fins 1151 and 1151'.

[0052] Further, at the first lateral portions 114, 114' of the casing 10, the cladding 102 comprises third respective fins 1141 and 1141'. Again advantageously, said second fins 1151, 1151'and said third fins 1141, 1141' are configured to be folded over respective third side portions 115, 115' and first side portions 114, 114' to serve as cladding.

[0053] Additionally, adjacent to each of the first two fins 201, at the third side portions 115, 115' of the casing 10 the cladding 102 includes second respective fins 1151 and 1151'. Further, at the first lateral portions 114, 114' of the casing 10, the cladding 102 comprises third respective fins 1141 and 1141'. Again advantageously, said second fins 1151, 1151' and said third fins 1141, 1141' are configured to be folded over respective third side portions 115, 115' and first side portions 114, 114' to serve as cladding.

[0054] In addition, the cladding 102 includes, adjacent to the aforementioned second and third fins, fourth fins 1135, 1135' located at the second side 1132 and 1132' of the casing 10, respectively, and fifth fins 1134 and 1134' located at the first side 1131 and 1131', also of the casing 10. Similarly to the foregoing, the fourth fins 1135, 1135' are configured to be folded on the second side 1132 and 1132', while the fifth fins 1134 and 1134' are configured to be folded on the respective first side 1131 and 1131'.

[0055] Finally, between said fourth fins 1135, 1135' and said fifth fins 1134 and 1134' respectively, there is a respective sixth fin 1133, 1133'; said sixth fin 1133 and 1133' is adapted to be folded, in cladding modes, on the respective oblique portion 113, 113' of the casing 10.

[0056] As can be seen in Figure 7A, in the embodiment under consideration, when the casing 10 is closed the oblique portions 113 and 113' at the structural level do not match perfectly.

[0057] Advantageously, the fifth embodiment of the casing 10 according to the present invention, shown by way of example in Figures 9A-9D and 10, is also substantially identical to the first embodiment of the casing 10, which is why the same numerical references will be used.

[0058] Advantageously, in the embodiment under consideration, the casing 10, at the central fold 12, comprises a plurality of attachment means 21 adjacent to each other, in particular tabs.

[0059] More in detail, said tabs are configured to allow the attachment to the casing 10 of a containment accessory 40 as will be better described below.

[0060] In particular, the containment accessory 40 is box-shaped and is suitable for containing within it an object. More in detail, said accessory 40 is substantially a box without a lid.

[0061] Advantageously, the accessory 40 includes a relative base 41, in correspondence with which there are a plurality of slots 42, adjacent to each other, and suitable for being used to allow insertion, and thus engagement, within them, of the aforementioned plurality of engagement means of the casing 10.

[0062] In the embodiment under consideration, as visible in Figures 9C and 9D, each attachment means 21 comprises two tabs symmetrical with respect to the fold 12, which are such as to insert and engage in respective two slots 42 of the accessory 40.

[0063] Still, advantageously, with reference to Figures 9A and 9B, in the present embodiment, the casing 10 includes, respectively, in correspondence to the oblique portions 113 and 113' a closure device comprising a projecting interlock 1133 placed in correspondence to one of the oblique portions 113, 113' and suitable for inserting into a respective hole 1133' placed in correspondence to the further oblique portion 113, 113'.

[0064] The invention thus conceived and illustrated herein is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0065] Furthermore, all details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0066] Finally, the components used, provided that they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0067] Where features and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference marks, such reference marks have been appended for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and, accordingly, such reference marks have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference marks.

Claims

1. Casing (10) for containing products, in particular footwear, comprising two containment units (11, 11') delimiting a respective cavity (116, 116') for containing at least one of said products, in which said units (11, 11') are oriented in an inverted position with respect to each other, in which said casing is made from a single blank and each of said units (11, 11') comprises:

- a first base (111) and a second base (111') contiguous to each other and joined by means of a central folding articulated portion (12) able to allow the casing (10), through its folding, to pass from a closed configuration to an open configuration;

- a first side portion (112, 112'), contiguous and perpendicular to at least one of said first and second base (111; 111');

in which, when said envelope (10) is in the closed configuration, it comprises a support base (20) consisting of said first base (111) and said second base (111'), both lying on a single plane parallel to the ground;

while, when said casing (10) is in the open configuration, said first base (111) is folded and superimposed on said second base (111'), by folding said central folding portion (12), so that said first side portion (112, 112') lies on said plane parallel to the ground, acting as a base for said casing (10).

2. Casing (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said two containment units (11, 11') have a hollow trapezoidal prism shape and in that when said casing is in said closed configuration it has a shape substantially of a parallelepiped or a regular quadrangular prism.

3. Casing (10) as per at least one of the previous claims, characterized in that said two containment units (11, 11') include, respectively:

- an oblique portion (113, 113') having a oblique side, in which said oblique portion is contiguous and perpendicular to the respective first side portion (112, 112') in such a way as to form with said first and second base (111, 111') a shape substantially "U" shaped, in which said oblique portion (113, 113') comprises respectively a first side (1131, 1131') and a second side (1132, 1132') opposite and of lower height than said first side (1131, 1131').

4. Casing (10) as per the previous claim, characterized in that said two containment units (11, 11') include, respectively:

- a second side portion (114, 114') contiguous to said first side portion (112, 112') and placed at the relative first side (1131, 1131') of said oblique portion (113, 113');

- a third side portion (115, 115'), opposite to said second side portion (114, 114'), contiguous to said first side portion (112, 112') and placed in correspondence with the relative second side (1132, 1132') of said oblique portion (113, 113').

5. Casing (10) as in claim 4, characterized in that said second side portion (114, 114') has laterally and in a contiguous position, a first support portion (1141, 1141') or, alternatively, has in a contiguous position and on the opposite side with respect to said first side portion (112, 112'), a second support portion (1142, 1142').

6. Casing (10) as per at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the casing (10) is in the closed configuration, both of said cavity (116, 116') of said two containment units (11, 11') face each other and the respective oblique sides of said oblique portions (113, 113') match with each other forming substantially a lid of said casing (10);
while, when said casing (10) is in said open configuration, said cavitiy (116, 116') are adjacent to each other and facing the opposite side with respect to said plane parallel to the ground.

7. Casing (10) as per at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in at least one of said containment units (11, 11 ') in a position contiguous to the respective oblique portion (113; 113') of the casing (10) there is a first fin (117; 117 ') such as to be positioned above the respective cavity (116; 116').

8. Casing (10) as in the previous claim, characterized in that it comprises, adjacent to said first fin (117; 117 '), and on the opposite side of said oblique portion (113; 113'), a second fin (118; 118'), such as to facilitate the fixing of said first fin (117; 117 ') inside the cavity (116; 116).

9. Casing (10) as per at least one of claims 1-8, characterized in that said blank is made of materials such as cardboard, paperboard, reinforced cardboard, rigid cardboard, multilayer cardboard.

10. Casing (10) as per at least one of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a lining (30) with a quadrangular and hollow shape into which the casing (10) itself is inserted, when in the closed configuration.

11. Casing (10) as to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer cladding template (102) comprising exiting portions with respect to said casing (10) configured to be folded on the casing (10) to cladding modes.

12. Casing (10) as to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a closure device comprising an interlock (1133) projecting and placed at said oblique portion (113; 113') being suitable for inserting into a respective hole (1133') placed at the further oblique portion (113; 113').

13. Casing (10) as to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a containment accessory (40) suitable for being attached to said casing (10), and in that at said central folding (12), said casing (10) further comprises a plurality of attachment means (21) adjacent to each other, in particular tabs, configured to allow attachment of said containment accessory (40).

14. Casing (10) as to at least one of claims 13, characterized in that it comprises a base (41) comprising a plurality of slots (42), adjacent to each other, and suitable for being used to allow insertion, and thus engagement, within them, of said plurality of attachment means (21) of the casing (10).

15. Casing (10) as to at least one of claims 13-14, characterized in that each attachment means (21) comprises two tabs symmetrical with respect to the folding (12), which are such as to fit and engage in respective two slots (42) of the accessory (40).

Drawing