Display box

[57] ABSTRACT

A display box comprising a base section having an insert positioned therein, and an article-receiving pad assembly secured to the top surface of said insert, said assembly comprising a metallic plate secured to said top surface, a foam pad having the same peripheral configuration as said plate positioned on top of the latter, and a fabric-like layer covering said foam pad and securing same to said metallic plate, whereby said pad assembly provides a raised pedestal-like portion in said box to which an article of jewelry or the like may be mounted for attractive viewing and display.

Claims, 5 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED·»*» TB?5

3,858,718

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3,858,718

DISPLAY BOX

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to display boxes of the type normally used to package and display articles of jewelry. Boxes of this type traditionally comprise base and cover sections hingedly attached to each other with an insert member snugly positioned in the base section having a top surface to which the article of jewelry is secured. If the article of jewelry is a brooch or the like, the pin portion of the brooch is used to secure the article to the insert member. If the article of jewelry is a bracelet, earring or the like, then separate fastening means are normally employed to effect the desired securement.

It has been found that in display boxes of this type articles of jewelry may be more attractively presented if the jewelry, instead of being mounted directly to the top surface of the insert member, is secured to some type of resilient pad which in turn is secured to the top surface of the insert. Such a pad not only provides a raised, pedestal-like mounting for the jewelry which greatly enhances the attractiveness of the presentation, but at the same time the pad provides a stronger surface for receiving the jewelry than would be the case where the jewelry is mounted directly to the top surface of the insert, it being understood that the insert members are normally constructed of a structurally weak material, such as cardboard.

The present invention is directed to the provision of a novel and unique pad assembly comprising a metallic plate that is secured to the top surface of the cardboard insert by means of integrally struck lugs which penetrate said top surface and then are bent to firmly retain the plate in securement with the insert. The plate is of any desired ornametal configuration and has positioned on the top surface thereof a foam pad of urethane or the like, the peripheral configuration of which conforms to that of the plate. A fabric-like layer of any attractive material, such as velvet, covers the foam pad and the edges of the plate and is secured to the undersurface of the plate by any suitable means, such as heat sealing, cementing or the like. Thus, the plate, the foam pad, and the fabric-like covering provide an attractive and functional cushion-like pedestal on the top surface of the insert member for receiving the article of jewelry to be packaged and displayed. The foam-like cushion gives a luxurious appearance, and the metallic plate, of course, being substantially rigid, provides a firm and more secure foundation for the mounted jewelry.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display box, in open position, embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view showing the insert member and the elements that make up the pad assembly which forms a part of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the insert member with the pad assembly secured thereto;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the pad assembly per se; and

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 5—5 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown generally at 10 a box construction comprising a base section 12 and a cover section 14 hinged thereto by any suitable and conventional means. The base and cover sections are hollow, shell-like members, constructed of any suitable material, and conventional edge trim 16 may be secured to the base section, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Actually, it will be understood that the box 10 per se is conventional in all respects, and its construction forms no part of the present invention.

Snugly positioned within base section 12 is an insert member 18 which is preferably constructed of a foldable material, such as cardboard, said insert member comprising a substantially planar top surface 20 and depending side walls 22 whereby when said insert member is positioned within the base section, it will be snugly received therein, and the top surface 20 will be maintained in spaced relation to the bottom of the base section. If desired, the top surface 20 may be coated or flocced to provide a more attractive and expensive appearance.

Rather than secure the article of jewelry to be packaged directly to the top surface 20, a pad assembly 24 is provided, specifically, the pad assembly comprises a rigid plate 26, preferably of metallic construction, such as cold rolled steel, which plate is cut or formed to any desired ornamental configuration, such as a heart, as illustrated in the drawings; although it will be understood that any other desired configuration may be employed. A plurality of integrally struck lugs 28 extend from plate 26, the function of which will hereinafter become apparent. Positioned on the top of plate 26 is a resilient pad 30, constructed of any cushion-like material, such as polyurethane foam, it being noted that the peripheral configuration of the pad 30 conforms to that of plate 26. A layer of fabric-like material 32, such as velvet or the like, covers the pad 30 and the edges of plate 26 and extends beneath the latter, as illustrated in FIG. 4, for securement thereto by any suitable means, such as heat sealing, cementing or the like. Thus, it will be seen that the outer layer 32 secures the pad 30 to plate 26 to provide the unitary assembly 24, which may then be secured to top surface 20 by forcing the lugs 28 therethrough and then bending the lugs over, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Preferably, the fabric-like layer 32 will be of contrasting color with respect to that of top surface 20 to accentuate the pad assembly 24 and provide a more attractive appearance.

It will thus be seen that the pad assembly 24 provides a raised, cushion-like pedestal or pad to which the article of jewelry to be packaged and displayed may be pinned or otherwise secured. The jewelry is thereby presented in a much more attractive and appealing manner than is the case where the jewelry is mounted directly to the top surface 20 of the insert member. Also, the rigid backing plate 26 of the pad assembly strengthens the support on which the jewelry is mounted, and the plate 26 also limits penetration of any pin means that may be employed for securing the article of jewelry in its display position.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be

3,858,718 manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.