FIELD

[0001] The specification relates generally to containers, and more specifically, to gift containers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] U.S. Pat. 7,503,456 (Rodriguez) discloses a gift container with an integrated decorative display element. The decorative element is adapted to be mounted upon the gift box. The decorative element may include mechanisms to secure the gift box lid to the gift box container.

[0003] U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No 2017/0217668 (Pakmanesh et al.) discloses a packaging system for shipping floral arrangements. The packaging system includes an elongated presentation box sized to hold a floral arrangement, such as a dozen roses. The presentation box includes two long side panels, a floor panel extending between the side panels, head end and a stem end panels each extending between the side and floor panels, a top opening defined by the side and end panels, and an elongated inner lid hingedly connected on one of its long sides to one of the side panels. The inner lid extends longitudinally from a first end adjacent to the stem end panel to a second end spaced away from the head end panel such that it folds over only a portion of the top opening and creates a presentation opening bounded by the head end panel, side panels and the second end of the inner lid for displaying the flowers of the floral arrangement.

[0004] U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2017/0367272 (Uglialoro) discloses an apparatus, method, and system for use in the shipment, delivery, and display of flowers. The apparatus comprises a preferably translucent enclosure with a lid, housing a removable tray assembly. The removable trays have aligned openings for the insertion of flower stems. The enclosure itself is configured to be stacked conveniently on a pallet for bulk shipment and delivery. The system and method comprise providing an interface for users to order flowers contained in the enclosure and delivering the enclosure with a customized multimedia electronic greeting.

SUMMARY

[0005] The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant’s teaching, but not to define any invention.

[0006] According to some aspects, a gift container includes (a) a base having at least one base compartment open to the top of the base for holding a first gift; (b) a removable gift staging tray resting above the base compartment on a base surface of the base, the tray having at least one tray compartment open to a top of the tray for holding a second gift; and (c) a removable lid covering the tray and at least an upper portion of the base. The lid has a lid surface resting on the tray to hold the tray between the base surface and the lid surface, and when the lid is removed, the tray is exposed for presenting the second gift, and the tray is separable from the base to expose the base compartment for presenting the first gift.

[0007] In some examples, the base includes a base bottom wall and a base sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the base bottom wall to a base sidewall top edge, and the base surface comprises an upwardly facing base ledge extending inwardly from an inner surface of the base sidewall, the base ledge vertically intermediate the base bottom wall and the base sidewall top edge.

[0008] In some examples, the lid includes a lid top wall overlying the base and the tray, and a lid sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the lid top wall to a lid sidewall bottom edge, and wherein the lid surface comprises a downwardly facing lid ledge extending inwardly from an inner surface of the lid sidewall, the lid ledge vertically intermediate the lid top wall and the lid sidewall bottom edge. [0009] In some examples, when the lid surface is resting on the tray, the lid top wall is spaced vertically apart from the tray by a top wall spacing, the top wall spacing for accommodating projection of the second gift upwardly from the tray.

[0010] In some examples, the base surface comprises an uppermost surface of the base. In some examples, the base includes a bottom wall, a base sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom wall to a base sidewall top edge, and a plurality of risers extending vertically above the base sidewall top edge to respective uppers ends, and the base surface comprises the upper ends of the risers. In some examples, at least two of the risers are spaced apart from each other about the periphery of the base sidewall by a presentation opening through which at least a portion of the base compartment is visible.

[0011 ] In some examples, the lid comprises a lid top wall resting on the tray and a lid sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the lid top wall, and the lid surface comprises an inner surface of the lid top wall.

[0012] According to some aspects, a gift container includes: (a) a base having at least one base compartment open to a top of the base for holding a first gift; (b) a removable gift staging tray resting on the base and covering the base compartment, the tray having at least one tray compartment open to a top of the tray for holding a second gift; and (c) a removable lid resting on the tray and covering the tray and at least an upper portion of the base. When the lid is removed, the tray is exposed for presenting the second gift, and the tray is separable from the base to expose the base compartment for presenting the first gift.

[0013] In some examples, the tray compartment comprises one or more cavities shaped for securely nesting at least a lower portion of the second gift therein. In some examples, the tray comprises a foam block in which the cavities are formed.

[0014] In some examples, at least an upper portion of the tray is at an elevation above the base. In some examples, at least a lower portion of the tray is nested within the base. [0015] According to some aspects, a gift container includes: (a) a base having at least one base compartment open to a top of the base for holding a gift; (b) a removable gift staging tray resting on the base and covering the base compartment, the tray having at least one tray compartment open to a top of the tray and holding an array of flowers oriented upright and projecting upwardly from the tray to an elevation above the tray and the base; and (c) a removable lid resting on one of the base and the tray. The lid has a lid top wall overlying and spaced vertically apart from the array of flowers and a lid sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the lid top wall and enclosing the tray and at least an upper portion of the base. When the lid is removed, the array of flowers is exposed and the tray is separable from the base to expose the base compartment for presenting the gift.

[0016] In some examples, the lid includes a downwardly facing lid ledge extending inwardly from an inner surface of the lid sidewall, the lid ledge resting on an upper peripheral surface of the tray for supporting the lid on the tray with the lid top wall spaced vertically apart from the array of flowers.

[0017] In some examples, the tray is partially nested in the base above the base compartment with an upper portion of the tray at an elevation above the base.

[0018] In some examples, the base includes a base bottom wall, a base sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the base bottom wall, and an upwardly facing base ledge extending inwardly from an inner surface of the base sidewall, the base ledge supporting the tray above the base compartment.

[0019] In some examples, the tray includes a tray bottom wall resting on the base and covering the base compartment and a tray sidewall extending upwardly from a periphery of the tray bottom wall and horizontally enclosing the tray compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, apparatuses, or methods of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings: [0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example gift container;

[0022] Figure 1 A is a side view of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0023] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 1 , showing a lid of the container above a body of the container;

[0024] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the body of the container of Figure 1 , showing a tray of the body above a base of the body;

[0025] Figure 3A is a top view of the tray of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 3B is a top view of the base of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the container of Figure 1 , taken along line 4-4 of Figure 1 A; [0028] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the container shown in Figure 4;

[0029] Figure 6A is perspective view from below of the lid of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 6B is a bottom view of the lid of the container of Figure 1 ;

[0031 ] Figure 7 is a perspective view of another example container; [0032] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the container of Figure 7;

[0033] Figure 9 is a side view of the container of Figure 7, with the lid of the container shown schematically in dashed lines; and

[0034] Figure 10 is a top view of a tray of the container of Figure 7 ; and

[0035] Figure 11 is a top view of a base of the container of Figure 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Various articles, apparatuses, or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover articles, apparatuses, or processes that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to articles, apparatuses, or processes having all of the features of any one article, apparatus, or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the articles, apparatuses, or processes described below. It is possible that an article, apparatus, or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an article, apparatus, or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0037] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, an example gift container 100 is illustrated. The gift container 100 includes a container body 102 and a removable lid 104 mounted over the body 102. Referring to Figure 3, in the example illustrated, the body 102 includes a base 106 having a base compartment 108 open to a top 110 of the base 106 for holding a first gift 112 (shown schematically in Figure 4). Referring to Figure 2, in the example illustrated, the body 102 further includes a removable gift staging tray 114 supported by the base 106 and covering the base compartment 108. In the example illustrated, the tray 114 has at least one tray compartment 116 open to a top 118 of the tray 114 for holding a second gift 120.

[0038] Referring to Figure 1 , in the example illustrated, when mounted to the body 102, the lid 104 covers the tray 114 and at least an upper portion of the base 106. Referring to Figure 2, when the lid 104 is removed, the tray 114 is exposed for presenting the second gift 120. Referring to Figure 3, when the lid 104 is removed, the tray 114 is separable from the base 106 to expose the base compartment 108 for presenting the first gift 112.

[0039] Referring to Figure 5, in the example illustrated, the base 106 extends along a vertical axis 124 between a closed bottom 126 and the open top 110 opposite the bottom 126. The base 106 includes a base bottom wall 128 at the bottom 126 of the base 106, and a base sidewall 130 extending upwardly from a periphery of the base bottom wall 128 to a base sidewall top edge 132 at the top 110 of the base 106. Referring to Figure 3, in the example illustrated, the base sidewall 130 extends continuously about the periphery of the base 106 (and about the axis 124). In the example illustrated, the base bottom wall 128 lies in a generally horizontal plane and encloses the base compartment 108 from below, and the base sidewall 130 comprises a plurality of base sidewall panels enclosing the base compartment 108 from the sides.

[0040] Referring to Figure 5, in the example illustrated, the tray 114 has a tray bottom wall 134 and a tray sidewall 136 extending upwardly from a periphery of the tray bottom wall 134 to a tray sidewall top edge 138. In the example illustrated, the tray sidewall 136 extends continuously about the periphery of the tray bottom wall 134 (and about the axis 124 when the tray 114 is supported on the base 106). In the example illustrated, the tray bottom wall 134 lies in a generally horizontal plane and encloses the tray compartment 116 from below, and the tray sidewall 136 comprises a plurality of tray sidewall panels enclosing the tray compartment 116 from the sides. In the example illustrated, when the tray 114 is supported on the base 106, the tray bottom wall 134 covers the base compartment 108 from above (see also Figure 4).

[0041] Still referring to Figure 5, in the example illustrated, the lid 104 includes a lid top wall 140, and a lid sidewall 142 extending downwardly from a periphery of the lid top wall 140 to a lid sidewall bottom edge 144. In the example illustrated, the lid sidewall 142 extends continuously about the perimeter of the lid top wall (and about the axis 124 when the lid 104 is mounted). [0042] Referring to Figure 4, in the example illustrated, the lid top wall 140 lies in a generally horizontal plane and covers the body 102 (including the base 106 and the tray 114) from above when the lid 104 is mounted, and the lid sidewall 142 comprises a plurality of lid sidewall panels enclosing the tray 114 and at least an upper portion of the base 106 from the sides when the lid 104 is mounted. In the example illustrated, when the lid 104 is mounted, the lid sidewall bottom edge 144 is at an elevation below the base sidewall top edge 132. In the example illustrated, when the lid 104 is mounted, a lower portion of the lid sidewall 142 vertically overlaps and is horizontally adjacent at least an upper portion of the base sidewall 130, which can help inhibit horizontal movement of the lid 104 relative to the base 106 through engagement between the lid and base sidewalls 142, 130.

[0043] Still referring to Figure 4, in the example illustrated, a lower portion of the tray 114 is nested in the base 106 below the base sidewall top edge 132, and the tray sidewall 136 is positioned inward of and horizontally adjacent the base sidewall 130. This can help inhibit horizontal movement of the tray 114 relative to the base 106 through engagement between the base and tray sidewalls 130, 136. In the example illustrated, an upper portion of the tray 114 projects upwardly to an elevation above the base 106 (above the base sidewall top edge 132 in the example illustrated). When the lid 104 is mounted, the lid top wall 140 is spaced vertically apart from the tray 114 by a top wall spacing 146 for accommodating projection of the second gift 120 upwardly from the tray 114. In the example illustrated, the second gift 120 comprises a plurality of flowers 148, with the flowers 148 oriented upright and arranged in an array of horizontal rows and columns (see also Figure 2). The flowers 148 can be preserved to maintain the natural shape, colour, and/or texture of the flowers for a prolonged period.

[0044] In the example illustrated, each of the flowers 148 projects upwardly from the tray 114 to an elevation above the tray 114 (above the tray sidewall top edge 138 in the example illustrated), which can facilitate an aesthetically pleasing presentation of the flowers 148 when the lid 104 is removed (e.g. by helping to increase side visibility of the flowers 148). In the example illustrated, when the lid 104 is mounted, the lid top wall 140 overlies and is spaced vertically apart from each flower 148, to help prevent contact between the lid top wall 140 and the flowers 148 and deformation of the flowers 148.

[0045] Still referring to Figure 4, the lid 104 can be supported on one of the base 106 and the tray 114. in the example illustrated, the lid 104 is supported by the tray 114. In the example illustrated, the tray 114 rests above the base compartment 108 on a base surface 150 of the base 106, and the lid 104 has a lid surface 152 resting on the tray 114 to hold the tray 114 between the base surface 150 and the lid surface 152. This can help to, for example, inhibit movement of the tray (and the second gift 120) relative to the base 106 and lid 104 during transport of the gift container 100, and in particular, may help inhibit vertical movement of the tray 114 relative to the base 106 and lid 104, which may help prevent contact between the lid 104 and the flowers 148.

[0046] In the example illustrated, the base surface 150 comprises an upwardly facing base ledge 154 extending inwardly from an inner surface of the base sidewall 130 and supporting the tray 114 above the base compartment 108. In the example illustrated, when the tray 114 is supported by the base 106, an underside surface of the tray bottom wall 134 rests on the base ledge 154. In the example illustrated, the base ledge 154 is vertically intermediate the base bottom wall 128 and the base sidewall top edge 132, which can help allow for nesting of the tray 114 in the base 106 above the base compartment 108. Referring to Figures 3 and 3B, in the example illustrated, the base ledge 154 extends continuously about an inner perimeter of the base sidewall 130 (and the axis 124). In the example illustrated, the base compartment 108 is inward of and at an elevation below the base ledge 154.

[0047] Referring to Figure 4, in the example illustrated, the base ledge 154 is spaced vertically below the base sidewall top edge 132 by a base ledge distance 156. The tray 114 has a tray vertical extent 158 that is greater than the base ledge offset 156, so that the upper portion of the tray 114 projects upwardly to an elevation above the base 106 when the tray 114 is resting on the base ledge 154. In the example illustrated, the tray vertical extent 158 is measured from the underside surface of the tray bottom wall 134 to the tray sidewall top edge 138.

[0048] In the example illustrated, the lid surface 152 comprises a downwardly facing lid ledge 160 extending inwardly from an inner surface of the lid sidewall 142. In the example illustrated, the lid ledge 160 is vertically intermediate the lid top wall 140 and the lid sidewall bottom edge 144. In the example illustrated, when the lid 104 is mounted, the lid ledge 160 rests on an upper peripheral surface of the tray 114, which in the example illustrated, comprises the tray sidewall top edge 138. Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, in the example illustrated, the lid ledge 160 extends continuously about an inner perimeter of the base sidewall 130 (and about the axis 124 when the lid 104 is mounted).

[0049] Referring to Figure 4, in the example illustrated, the lid ledge 160 is spaced vertically apart from the lid top wall 140 by a lid ledge distance 162. In the example illustrated, when the lid 104 is mounted, the lid ledge distance corresponds to the top wall spacing 146. In the example illustrated, the second gift 120 (e.g. flowers 148) projects upwardly from the tray 114 by a second gift height 164, and the lid ledge distance 162 (and the top wall spacing 146) is greater than the second gift height 164 to help avoid contact between the second gift 120 (e.g. flowers 148) and the lid top wall 140. In the example illustrated, the second gift height 164 is measured vertically from the tray sidewall top edge 138 to a top of the second gift 120.

[0050] Referring to Figure 5, in the example illustrated, the tray compartment 116 comprises one or more cavities 166 shaped for securely nesting at least a lower portion of the second gift 120 therein. In the example illustrated, the tray compartment comprises a plurality of the cavities 166 arranged in a plurality of horizontal rows and columns, and each cavity 166 comprises a bore shaped for receiving a stem 149 extending from a respective flower 148 to retain the flower 148 in an upright orientation. In the example illustrated, the tray 114 comprises padding 168 in which the cavities 166 are formed. In the example illustrated, the padding 168 comprises a foam block, and rests on the tray bottom wall 134 inward of the tray sidewall 136 and at an elevation below the tray sidewall top edge 138.

[0051] Referring to Figure 1 , in the example illustrated, the gift container 100 is generally box shaped and has a generally flat bottom, top, and sides. The gift container 100 may have a different shape in other examples, such as, for example, a cylindrical or other suitable shape.

[0052] Referring to Figure 7, another example gift container 1100 is illustrated. The gift container 1100 has similarities to the gift container 100, and like features are identified by like reference characters, incremented by 1000. The gift container 1100 includes a container body 1102 and a removable lid 1104 mounted over the body 1102.

[0053] Referring to Figure 8, in the example illustrated, the body 1102 includes a base 1106 having at least one base compartment 1108 open to a top of the base 1106 for holding at least one first gift 1112. The body 1102 further includes a removable gift staging tray 1114 supported by the base 1106 and covering the base compartment 1108 (see also Figure 9). In the example illustrated, the tray 1114 has at least one tray compartment 1116 open to a top of the tray 1114 for holding at least one second gift (not shown with respect to the container 1100).

[0054] Referring to Figure 9, in the example illustrated, the lid 1104 (shown schematically in Figure 9) covers the tray 1114 and at least an upper portion of the base 1106 when mounted on the body 1102. Referring to Figure 8, when the lid 1104 is removed, the tray 1114 is exposed for presenting the second gift, and the tray 1114 is separable from the base 1106 to expose the base compartment 1108 for presenting the first gift 1112.

[0055] Referring again to Figure 9, the removable lid 1104 can be supported on one of the base 1106 and the tray 1114. In the example illustrated, the lid 1104 is supported by the tray 1114. In the example illustrated, the tray 1114 rests above the base compartment 1108 on a base surface 1150 of the base 1106, and the lid 1104 has a lid surface 1152 resting on the tray 1114 to hold the tray 1114 between the base surface 1150 and the lid surface 1152.

[0056] In the example illustrated, the lid 1104 includes a lid top wall 1140, and a lid sidewall 1142 extending downwardly from a periphery of the lid top wall 1140. In the example illustrated, the lid top wall 1140 rests on the tray 1114, and the lid surface 1152 comprises an inner surface of the lid top wall 1140.

[0057] Still referring to Figure 9, in the example illustrated, the base 1106 has a base bottom wall 1128, a base sidewall 1130 extending upwardly from a periphery of the base bottom wall 1128 to a base sidewall top edge 1132, and a plurality of risers 1170 each extending vertically to an upper end 1172 positioned at a common elevation above the base sidewall top edge 1132. In the example illustrated, the base surface 1150 comprises the upper ends 1172 of the risers 1170. In the example illustrated, the risers 1170 are positioned adjacent an inner surface of the base sidewall 1130 and comprise a plurality of upright riser panels. In the example illustrated, the base 1106 includes four corners where perpendicular sidewall panels of the base sidewall 1130 intersect, and at least a portion of a riser 1170 is provided at each corner of the base 1106.

[0058] In the example illustrated, at least two of the risers 1170 are spaced apart from each other about the periphery of the base sidewall 1130 to provide one or more presentation openings 1174 through which at least a portion of the base compartment 1108 is visible. In the example illustrated, each presentation opening 1174 is bounded horizontally by adjacent risers 1170 and vertically by the base sidewall top edge 1132 and the tray 1114 (when supported on the risers 1170).

[0059] Referring to Figure 10, in the example illustrated, the tray compartment 1116 comprises one or more cavities 1166 shaped for securely nesting at least a lower portion of the second gift therein. In the example illustrated, the tray 1114 comprises padding 1168 in which the cavities 1166 are formed. In the example illustrated, the padding 1168 comprises one or more foam blocks with cutouts forming the cavities 1166. In the examples illustrated, the second gift can comprise, for example, a bottle containing a beverage (e.g. a champagne bottle) and/or drinkware for drinking the beverage (e.g. champagne glassware). The cavities 1166 can include one or more first cavities 1166a shaped for securely nesting the bottle, and one or more second cavities 1166b shaped for securely nesting the drinkware (e.g. two champagne glasses, one on each side of the bottle).

[0060] Referring to Figure 11 , in the example illustrated, the base compartment 1108 includes a first sub-compartment 1108a and a second sub-compartment 1108b separated from the first sub-compartment. The first sub-compartment 1108a has a first floor 1176a (shown schematically in dotted lines in Figure 11 ) for supporting one of the first gifts, and the second sub-compartment 1108b has a second floor 1176b for supporting another one (or type) of the first gifts. Referring to Figure 8, in the example illustrated, the second floor 1176b is at an elevation above the first floor 1176a (and the base bottom wall 1128), which in some cases may help emphasize presentation of the gift in the second sub-compartment 1108b relative to the gift in the first sub-compartment 1108a. In the example illustrated, the first floor 1176a comprises an upper surface of the base bottom wall 1128, and the second floor 1176b is at an elevation adjacent the base sidewall top edge 1132. In the example illustrated, the second sub-compartment 1108b is enclosed from the sides by riser panels, with one of the riser panels acting as a partition separating the first and second sub-compartments 1108a, 1108b.

[0061 ] In the example illustrated, the gift in the first sub-compartment 1108a can comprise a plurality of preserved flowers 1148, with the flowers 1148 oriented upright and arranged in an array of rows and columns. In the example illustrated, the flowers 1148 are held in a removable second tray nested in the first sub compartment 1108a. In the example illustrated, the flowers 1148 project upwardly from the second tray to an elevation above the base sidewall top edge 1132, and are visible through the presentation openings 1174 when the lid 1104 is removed (see also Figure 9).