Greeting card and tie

[0002] It is common in the greeting card industry to include a small gift item that is packaged and sold with a greeting card. Sometimes a greeting card will even take the form of a small shipper box that can be folded up by the end user to contain the gift item. These prior art shipper devices typically do not contain any adaptations that help to sell the shipper/gift combination at the point of sale. The focus of most prior art patents is simply to provide a shipper for the convenience of the purchaser.

[0003] One prior art patent that does give some consideration to the point of sale is U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,317 to Ramney. This patent provides for a gift item that does have a point of sale display device, however in this patent the point of sale device is part of the paper product that the shipper contains. This is fine for inexpensive paper products but would not work for other products such as clothing where it is not desirable to have the shipper permanently attached to the product.

[0004] None of the prior art devices provide a way of hanging a clothing item such as a tie at the point of sale along with the shipper box.

[0005] The invention relates generally to combination gift and shippers for the gift product. The present invention provides for an attractive point of sale display with integral tabs for display of the combination packages as well as for display of the gift item within the package.

[0006] The design allows for display of a variety of different clothing items within a single gift box. The shipper box provides a convenient means for the store keeper to display the package as well as providing the customer with a way of shipping the product.

[0007] The package provides a unique way of displaying a tie for resale.

[0008] FIG. 1 Shows the combination package with the tie in the hanging position and the box open

[0009] FIG. 2 Shows the shipper box in the closed position

[0010] FIG. 3 Shows the shipper box prior to assembly as it would appear after die cut and printing

[0011] FIG. 4 Shows details of the tie

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, the combination container and tie (1) is shown with the gift tie (10) in place. The gift tie (10) can have a variety of messages printed on it and the shipper box (16) can have coordinating messages. The shipper box (16) has a lid (17) and a base portion (18). FIG. 1 shows the shipper box (16) in the open position as it would be in the store prior to purchase by the customer. In this position a first integral cardboard tab (20) supports the tie and a second integral cardboard tab (22) forms a hanger that supports the whole package from the store display. The second tab (22) has a slot (26) that is formed when the first tab (20) is bent down to attach the tie (10).

[0013] FIG. 2 shows the shipper box in the closed position ready for mailing. Pre-printed mailing information can be placed on the outside of the box for the convenience of customers.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows the shipper box (16) in the broken down position as it would be immediately after being die cut and printed. The tabs (20 and 22) are formed but not yet punched out. A preformed hole (24) allows the tie to be hung from the package for display in the store. Hinge lines (28) allow the box to be folded into the closed position. Locks (30) formed on the edge of wall (31) fit into slots (32) on the bottom portion of the box and retain the box in the closed position. Other walls (34,36) give the box depth and prevent the tie from becoming crushed during shipment.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows the details of the tie (10) including a clasp (12) with hook (14). The hook (14) which comes from the backside of the tie clasp (12) allows the tie to hang from tab (20) and later from the shirt of the person who ultimately will wear the tie.

[0016] In use, the manufacturer will print coordinated messages on the tie and shipper box. The box will be assembled as shown in FIG. 1, the tab (20) will be punched out and the tie clasp hook (14) will pass thru hole (24) to support the tie. The package will then be displayed in the store in the open position of the shipper box. Tab (22) will support the package from a peg in the store. Once purchased, the shipper box is closed and held shut by locks (30). The outside of the package is then addressed and sent. Once received the shipper box is opened and the tie is once again supported in the hanging position by tab (20). The receiver can then remove the tie (10) and wear it over almost any shirt or blouse by slipping the clasp hook (14) over the neck of their shirt or blouse.

[0017] Although the best embodiment know has been disclosed, variations in the design are possible. For example, the tabs (20 and 22) are shown as being die cut with the box, they could be made as plastic labels that would have adhesive to attach them to the box. Also a variety of box closure designs are possible.