| JP2001219927 | PACKAGING BOX FOR CIRCULAR PRISMATIC BOTTLE |
| JP02233353 | WRAP-AROUND BOX FOR CONTAINER |
| JP2009220859 | BOX TISSUE AND STORING BOX |
| 1. | A receptacle including a first part and a novelty item, the first part and the novelty item being joined at a region of weakness, such that the novelty item is removable from the first part by separation at the region of weakness. |
| 2. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a bag. |
| 3. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the receptacle is a box. |
| 4. | A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the region of weakness is a line of weakness. |
| 5. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the line of weakness is a perforated line. |
| 6. | A receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the region of weakness is a peelable region. |
| 7. | A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the novelty item is a hat. |
| 8. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hat includes means for adjusting the circumference of the hat. |
| 9. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for adjusting is a tab formed by a cut in a receptacle wall. |
| 10. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the means for adjusting includes an adhesive. |
| 11. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 10, wherein a backing layer is provided to cover the adhesive until the circumference of the hat is to be adjusted. |
| 12. | A receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the novelty item is a badge. |
| 13. | A receptacle as claimed in claim 12, wherein an adhesive is provided on one of the badge's surfaces. |
| 14. | A receptacle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the novelty item is a mask. |
| 15. | A receptacle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first part and the novelty item are formed unitarily. |
| 16. | A method of forming a receptacle including: creating a region of weakness in a receptacle, thereby forming a first part and a novelty item joined at the region of weakness. |
| 17. | A method according to claim 16, wherein creating a region of weakness comprises perforating one or more walls of the receptacle. |
| 18. | A method of forming a receptacle including: receiving a stock material including a region of weakness; processing the stock material to form a receptacle including a first part and a novelty item joined at a region of weakness. |
| 19. | A method of forming a receptacle: joining a first part to a novelty item to create a receptacle including a region of weakness between the first part and the novelty item. |
| 20. | A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein joining the first part to the novelty item includes creating a peelable region between the first part and the novelty item. |
| 21. | A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, including forming an adhesive portion on a surface of the novelty item, the adhesive portion being adapted to adhere, in use, to another part of the novelty item, in order to adjust a dimension of the novelty item. |
| 22. | A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, including creating a tab and a through hole at different positions on a surface of the novelty item, the tab and through hole adapted to engage, in use, to adjust a dimension of the novelty item. |
| 23. | A method as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, including printing graphic material on the novelty item. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to receptacles. In particular, the invention relates to receptacles with novelty items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Receptacles such as paper or plastic bags and/or boxes are commonly used for packaging goods. Receptacles are commonly decorated to attract a potential purchaser, but are generally discarded when the contents of the receptacle have been removed.
For example, paper bags and/or boxes used in fast food restaurants are often decorated, especially if aimed at children. These decorations may include pictures, designs and games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a receptacle that provides some additional functionality, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
In a first aspect the invention provides a receptacle including a first part and a novelty item, the first part and the novelty item being joined at a region of weakness, such that the novelty item is removable from the first part by separation at the region of weakness.
Preferably the receptacle is a bag and the novelty item is a hat or mask. Preferably the circumference of the hat or mask is adjustable.
In a second aspect the invention provides a method of forming a receptacle including: creating a region of weakness in a receptacle, thereby forming a first part and a novelty item joined at the region of weakness.
In a third aspect the invention provides a method of forming a receptacle including: receiving a stock material including a region of weakness;
processing the stock material to form a receptacle including a first part and a novelty item joined at a region of weakness.
In a fourth aspect the invention provides a method of forming a receptacle: joining a first part to a novelty item to create a receptacle including a region of weakness between the first part and the novelty item.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a receptacle according to a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the novelty item of the receptacle of Figure 1 , after separation from the first part;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a receptacle according to a second embodiment;
Figure 4 is a plan view of a receptacle according to a third embodiment;
Figure 5 is a plan view of a receptacle according to a fourth embodiment;
Figure 6 is a plan view of a receptacle according to a fifth embodiment; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the receptacle of Figure 6; and
Figure 8 is a plan view of a receptacle according to a sixth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows a receptacle in the form of a bag 1 including a first, lower part 2 and a novelty item 3. The bag has a closed lower end 4 and an open upper end 5. The novelty item 3 is joined to the first part 2 along a line of weakness 6. In this example the line of weakness is a zigzag perforated line. The novelty item can easily be separated from the first part by tearing along the perforated line.
The novelty item 3 is shown after separation from the first part in Figure 2. Here the novelty item is a children's party hat, with its top, zigzag edge created by the perforated line 6.
The hat also includes an adjustment tab 7, created by making a semicircular cut 8 in the wall of the novelty item 3. Preferably an adhesive is provided on the inner surface 9 of
the adjustment tab 7 such that it can be adhered to the outer surface 10, allowing adjustment of the hat to the size of a wearer's head. The adhesive may be provided with a removable backing layer to protect the adhesive and be removed before adjustment of the hat. Other methods of adjusting the hat's circumference will also be suitable.
As can be seen in Figure 2, the bag is of a kind provided with side gussets 10. However, many kinds of bag may be suitable.
Preferably the bag should bear an attractive design. The hat may bear a design the same as that on the rest of the receptacle or contrasting with the rest of the receptacle.
In use, the hat would be removed from the bag by tearing along the perforated line, before of after removing any contents of the bag. The backing layer would be removed from the adjustment tab and the size of the hat adjusted to suit a wearer's head. The tab would then be secured to an outside surface of the hat. Alternatively, the tab could engage with one of a series of slots in the hat to allowing adjustment to a desired size.
Figure 3 shows a similar design to that of Figure 1 , except that a straight line of weakness is provided near the closed lower end of the bag 1. The receptacle includes a first, upper part 2 and a novelty item 3. The novelty item 3 is a closed hat, its closed top created by the closed lower end 4 of the bag 1.
The novelty item may be a hat, badge or streamer. Figure 4 shows a receptacle with a streamer 11 created by a spiral perforated line 12. The streamer is joined to the first part by the final perforated line 13. Figure 5 shows a badge 14 created by a circular perforated line 15. the front of the badge may have graphical material printed thereon. The back of the badge may be provided with an adhesive covered by a removable backing. Many other novelty items may also be suitable.
Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The receptacle is a box 16, with a first, lower part 17 and a novelty item 18, in the form of a "Zorro" -type mask. Any manner of mask may be provided, including a full face mask with suitable graphics printed on it. The mask and the lower part may be separated at a perforated line 19, which preferably runs around the periphery of the box 16, as shown in Figure 7. Figure 7 also shows an adjustment mechanism in the form of a tab 22 and a plurality of slots 23. The tab and slots may be formed by cuts in the receptacle wall. In use, the tab 22 is pushed through
one of the slots 23 to adjust the size of the mask. The shape of the tab 22 prevents it from being too easily pulled back through the slot. Other suitable adjustment means may of course be provided, as discussed above with reference to the first embodiment. The mask is also provided with perforated lines 20, such that portions 21 can be removed to create eyeholes.
The mask may be provided at an intermediate position on the box 16, as shown in Figure 8. A further perforated line 24 is provided at the top of the mask. This allows the top of the mask to be suitably shaped.
The receptacle may be a bag, box or bottle. Other receptacles may also be suitable. The receptacle may be made of paper, cardboard, plastic or other suitable material. Any combination of receptacle and novelty item may be provided.
The region of weakness may be formed after the receptacle is made, for example by perforating a bag. Alternatively, the receptacle may be made from stock already bearing the region of weakness. The region of weakness may also be formed by joining two pieces of material.
The region of weakness may be a perforated line, a region of material weaker than surrounding material, a peelable region or other suitable weakened area or line. Multiple components may be secured together by frangible elements to enable later separation.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.