RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/365,107 entitled “STUFFABLE WRAPPING PAPER”, filed May 20, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety .

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate generally to wrapping paper, gift wrap, envelopes, wrappers, packing enclosures, bags, or the like. More particularly, embodiments relate to wrapping papers that may be stuffed or filled in order to hold different materials.

BACKGROUND

There are many advantages to wrapping or enclosing an object. For example, items may be wrapped or placed in an envelope to enhance the experience of receiving them by concealing the contents. Wrapping an item also prolongs the experience of opening it and adds an element of surprise or excitement by revealing the unexpected contents inside. Wrapping paper, in the form of gift wrap, is typically presented as a sheet or roll of single ply paper, which can be adjusted to the correct size to cover the item by cutting it. Once cut to size, wrapping paper, in the form of gift wrap, is positioned around the present/gift/or object, and each edge of the paper is secured using tape or a similar adhesive.

Wrapping paper may not only used to conceal the item or gift, but it also creates an experience for the recipient by prolonging the “opening” process. The element of surprise is maintained while the recipient rips and removes the wrapping paper from the exterior of the object or gift. In many cultures and communities, gift “opening” is an event in and of itself, and creates an experience for the recipients beyond just receiving the contents of the package. However, once the wrapping paper is ripped or removed, the experience ends and the paper is recycled or discarded by another means.

Envelopes function in a similar fashion to wrapping paper, however all sides of the envelope are already sealed, except for a top opening to accept the contents. The envelope acts as a sleeve, and is already pre-sized. However, to open the envelope after sealing the final side, you still must rip open the packaging to reveal the contents of the envelope.

Therefore, there exists a need to create a wrapping paper or wrapping enclosure that adds to the experience of opening the contents in a meaningful way that is enjoyable and unpredicted to the recipient.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to wrapping paper, gift wrap, envelopes, wrappers, packing enclosures, bags or the like that may be stuffed or filled. Embodiments may also relate to envelopes, wrappers, or any packaging or enclosure. Tn one embodiment, the wrapping paper may be two-ply, allowing it to be filled with various materials. The contents of the wrapping paper may be confetti, potpourri, tissue paper, glitter, candy, streamers, messages like riddles, jokes, or games, or any material chosen to produce an effect. The wrapping paper, or packaging may be a variety of different shapes including but not limited to: square, oval, rectangular, round, ovular, or shaped to enclose a specific object. In one embodiment, the wrapping paper or packaging may have any number of printed designs and may be produced in any number of colors. Each side of the wrapping paper may be the same color and pattern, or they may each be different. Additionally, the “stuffing” or contents of the wrapping paper may be any number of shapes, designs, colors, or materials. In one embodiment, the wrapping paper may be made by creating a flat paper pouch, and sealing all of the edges except for one. One way by which the edges could be sealed is by using a heat sealable paper and applying heat to bond the two layers together. Then, areas within the pouch may be optionally sectioned off so that stuffing may be distributed throughout. Once the sections are created the desired stuffing may be added, and the open side of the pouch may be sealed to keep the contents inside of the pouch. Sectioning off areas within the pouch may help to keep the material distributed evenly throughout the sheet of wrapping paper. In another embodiment, any other easily bondable coating, or pressure coating may be used to seal the edges of the flat paper pouch, rather than heat sealing.

In another embodiment, a flat paper pouch can be created using heat sealable paper. Then, a section can be sealed vertically such that the pouch now has two sectioned off areas within it. Stuffing can be added to each section and then a seal can be implemented horizontally, creating two compartments that are fully sealed off, and two compartments that still have an open side at the top of the pouch. More stuffing can be added in each of the open compartments and then another horizontal seal can be created, creating four compartments that are fully sealed off, and two compartments that still have an open side at the top of the pouch. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary to evenly distribute the stuffing within the pouch. Lastly, the open end of the pouch can be sealed off to enclose all compartments within the pouch.

In another embodiment, the wrapping paper may be made by cutting the paper such that the two outer layers are separated. The stuffing can be distributed on top of one of the layers. Then the second layer can be placed on top and the two layers bonded together with the stuffing contained inside. In some embodiments this can be produced mechanically or automatically and in some cases this may be assembled by hand. In another embodiment, some components of the product may be completed automatically and some by manual assembly.

In another embodiment, the sheet of wrapping paper may be wrapped around a tube that may be made of cardboard, where the sheet of wrapping paper is then cut to size to conceal a gift or object. In another embodiment, the sheet of wrapping paper may be presized in any number of shapes and sold or packaged separately as a single piece or in a package of several pre-cut pieces. The sheet of wrapping paper may have a sheet of removable adhesive strips or dots that may be used to secure the wrapping paper around the gift or package. The sheet of wrapping paper may be sold individually or as a set with additional accessories such as tags, bows, or ribbons.

In another embodiment, pockets or sections within the wrapping paper may be created in order to keep the stuffing uniform throughout the sheet. In some embodiments, this may result in a quilted design with equal sized rectangles squares to fill with material or stuffing. In other embodiments, the sections may not be equal size and may be other shapes including but not limited to ovals, circles, or any other design or shape. The separate sections may also be produced through using adhesives, stitched, or any other form of bonding of the layers.

In another embodiment, the wrapping paper or envelope can be made to “self-open” or unwrap itself. This could be accomplished by having the stuffing consist of at least one self-contained bag of an acid-based material, for example, citric acid or vinegar. Between the layers of the wrapping paper, but outside of the bag of acid, can be an alkaline compound, for example baking soda. When the bag of acid is broken, it will mix with the alkaline compound between the layers of the wrapping paper and produce a gaseous reaction. For example, if a person pops the bag of citric acid within the wrapping paper, it will mix with the baking soda and carbon dioxide gas will be produced. If enough carbon dioxide gas is produced, it can cause the wrapping paper to open up and reveal the gift without any further provocation from a person. In some embodiments, the outer layers of such wrapping paper can be made from a non-tearable material like mylar, or any other plastic film.

In each embodiment, the void space left by the creation of the sections or pockets may be filled with any desired material such as confetti or another paper material, glitter, candy, streamers, potpourri, tissue paper or a chosen material that elicits excitement or a response. As used herein, the following terms have the indicated meaning unless expressly stated to the contrary. The term “wrapping paper” means any paper or similar material used for encasing gifts, packages, parcels, or similar items.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the subject matter hereof. The figures and the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify various embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter hereof may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of each layer of a sheet of wrapping paper.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet of wrapping paper.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of wrapping paper wrapped around an object.

FIG.4 depicts an envelope according to an embodiment.

While various embodiments are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

According to certain embodiments described herein, the present disclosure relates to wrapping paper or gift wrap that may be stuffed or filled with a material of choice. The wrapping paper may be two-ply, with the space between the two layers being sectioned off. The sectioned off areas may be filled, either before or after the sectioning occurs, with confetti, glitter, candy, streamers, potpourri, tissue paper, or any other material chosen. After being wrapped around an object, the wrapping paper may be ripped or tom open, revealing the material within the layers of the wrapping paper. Wrapping paper may include a variety of wrappers, including but not limited to gift wrap, envelopes, candy wrappers, bags, or the tike.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exploded view of layers of a sheet of wrapping paper according to one embodiment, the wrapping paper may have two layers creating a two-ply sheet. A first layer 102 may be the same size and shape as a second layer 104. Each layer of the sheet may be the same pattern or color, or each layer may be different. The sheet may be any variety of shapes including, but not limited to, rectangular, square, oval, circular, custom shapes, or cut to size to fit around an object. Between the two layers of the sheet, there may be sectioned off areas, which in the embodiment shown in FIG. I corresponds to the square or rectangular regions between the dashed lines. The sectioned off areas may be created by heat sealing, stitching, gluing, or otherwise separating equally- or differently sized sections.

In another embodiment, the sectioned off areas may be created by stitching, gluing, or sealing the sections using any other suitable bonding material. Within a cavity created by the space between the first layer 102 and the second layer 104, there may be a material 106 stuffed within the sectioned off areas. The material 106 may be any loose solid material such as glitter, confetti, candy, streamers, potpourri, tissue paper, or another material of choice. Once the sheet of wrapping paper 100 is tom, the material 106 may fall out, or “explode” out of the sectioned off areas.

Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a sheet of wrapping paper according to one embodiment. A sheet of wrapping paper 100 may have a first layer 102, and a second layer 104. Between the first layer 102 and the second layer 104 as shown in FIG. 1, there may be material 106 stuffed between the two layers. According to one embodiment, the material 106 may be evenly distributed between sectioned off areas within the first layer 102 and the second layer 104. In another embodiment, the material 106 may be stuffed within one single cavity between the first layer 102 and the second layer 104. In each embodiment, the first layer 102 and the second layer 104 may be the same color and material, or they may each be different colors, patterns, or materials.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a sheet of wrapping paper around an object. The sheet of wrapping paper 100 once assembled, may be pre-sized or cut to size to fit around an object. In embodiments, a stuffed wrapping paper segment can be provided that is already properly sized for a standard-sized object (e.g., a standard sized book or box) so that no cutting is required that could release the stuffing in the wrapping paper prematurely. Once the sheet of wrapping paper is appropriately sized, it may be positioned around an object to conceal it. Each layer of the sheet of wrapping paper 100 may be secured using tape or another adhesive. Because the cavity between the first layer 102 and the second layer 104 is sectioned off, the material 106 may be substantially evenly distributed throughout the sheet of wrapping paper 100, allowing it to lay flat against the object it is concealing. This may also add to the factor of surprise, because the material 106 is not easily detectable or noticeable until the paper is tom.

In another embodiment, the sheet of wrapping paper may be “self-opening” or unwrap itself. This can be accomplished by stuffing the wrapping paper with a combination of precursor materials. For example, between the layers of the wrapping paper 100, there can be baking soda and a bag of citric acid. If the bag of citric acid is popped, it will cause the citric acid to mix with the surrounding baking soda which will cause a chemical reaction forming carbon dioxide gas. Such reaction will cause the layers between the wrapping paper 100 to expand and the wrapping paper to unwrap without any further provocation. In other embodiments, precursor materials can be included to cause a gaseous reaction creating a lighter-than-air gas to be released causing the paper to float once it has inflated.

In one embodiment, the sheet of wrapping paper may be created by producing a flat paper pouch. The flat paper pouch may be heat sealed, or sealed by using any other easily bondable coating or pressure sealing. The flat pouch once sealed may then have several areas sectioned off within the pouch so that the stuffing or filling remains uniform through the flat paper pouch. The sectioned off areas may be created by using the above-mentioned heat or pressure seal, or a bonding adhesive. Once the sectioned areas are created, materials of choice may be stuffed inside of the pouch. The material may be a loose solid material such as, confetti, glitter, candy, streamers, potpourri, tissue paper, or a similar material that elicits excitement or response from opening the package. Once the material is stuffed inside of the flat paper pouch, the end side of the flat paper pouch may be sealed, and the wrapping paper may be used to package items. In another embodiment, the wrapping paper 100 may be made by cutting the paper such that the two outer layers 102 and 104 are separated. The stuffing 106 can be distributed on top of one of the layers 102. Then the second layer 104 can be placed on top and the two layers bonded together with the stuffing contained inside. In another embodiment, the wrapping paper 100 can be made by cutting paper such that the two outer layers 102 and 104 are separated. The two layers 102 and 104 can be bonded together on three sides, such that a flat pouch is produced. A vertical seal down the length of the pouch can be created. The stuffing 106 can then be added to each side and a horizontal seal can be added to enclose the compartments and keep the stuffing uniform throughout the wrapping paper 100. The seal lines in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are indicated with dashed lines. This process can be repeated to produce a “quilted” pattern and maintain uniformity of the stuffing 106. This same process and pattern can be produced using other shapes by simply bonding the two layers 102 and 104 together in any variety of designs. In some embodiments this can be produced mechanically and/or automatically and in some cases this may be assembled by hand. Or, in other cases, some components of the production can be completed automatically and some by manual assembly.

In another embodiment, the section may be “quilted,” by first creating a vertical seal down the length of the pouch such that there are two compartments. Then, confetti or the like may be added to each side and sealed off horizontally along the width. More confetti may be added and then another seal may be added. This process may be repeated until there are 6 compartments as seen in FIG 1. In other embodiments there may fewer compartments, or more compartments, based on the material being added to each section, and the desired effect.

In another embodiment, the wrapping paper may be "self-opening wrapping paper." The process may be identical to the previous embodiment, except the stuffing may be baking soda and a bag of citric acid, or another combination of materials that would create selfinflation. Before opening the wrapping paper, the user can pop the bag of citric acid to mix it with the baking soda, which may produce a gaseous reaction and cause the paper to inflate and unwrap itself while expanding.

In use, the sheet of wrapping paper 100 is wrapped around an object. The wrapping paper may be pre-sized, or it may be cut to size to fit around the object. Once properly sized, the wrapping paper may be wrapped around the object and secured with tape or another adhesive. The wrapping paper may then be tom, ripped, or discarded to reveal the material 106 between the first layer 102 and the second layer 104. Once tom, the material may elicit excitement or surprise, as the contents of the wrapping material are revealed. In other embodiments, the wrapping paper may be in the form of an envelope, as shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment works similarly to the aforementioned embodiment, however instead of being presented in the form of a flat sheet, the wrapping paper could arrive to the person in the form of an envelope, sleeve or pouch. They would then insert their object and seal the wrapping paper with the lip of the envelope. The envelope may then be tom, ripped, or otherwise opened to reveal the material 106 between the first layer 102 and second layer 104 of the envelope.

In another embodiment, the loose solid material between the first layer 102 and the second 104 may be unknown, and a surprise upon opening the package. This embodiment may be used for gender-reveal parties, where the material 106 may be pink or blue bits of paper, which would reveal the unknown gender when the wrapping paper is tom. In another embodiment, the material 106 may be a surprise, but used for another purpose such as a prank, joke, or announcement of any kind. Various embodiments of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These embodiments are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the embodiments that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional embodiments. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed embodiments, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed inventions.

Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various embodiments can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one embodiment can be implemented in other embodiments even when not described in such embodiments unless otherwise noted.

Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein. For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of

35 U.S.C. § 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.