Napkin holder

Abstract

Packaging for napkins comprising: a box for holding napkins comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel, two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together, wherein when the box is filled with napkins the side panels are parallel to the planes of the napkins; at least one stabilizer having an operative position and a non-operative position; wherein in the non-operative orientation, the stabilizer does not substantially affect the shape of the box and in the operative orientation, the stabilizer stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel parallel to and contiguous with or close to a planar surface.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Ser. No. 60 / 478,368 filed on Jun. 16, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to napkin holders and in particular to point of purchase packaging for napkins that function as napkin holders for use on a table. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Napkins in retail-sale quantities are often cellophane wrapped or packaged in lightweight cardboard cartons for point of purchase presentation and sale. The packaging may be decorated or plain. In some cases, for relatively large retail quantities of napkins packaged in cartons, the cartons may be used as convenient and decorative napkin holders. A carton used to package a large quantity of napkins may be wide enough in a direction along which the napkins are stacked inside the carton so that the carton may be placed on a table with the planes of the napkins “upright”, i.e. su...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to providing point of purchase packaging for a relatively small quantity of napkins that can function as a napkin holder for substantially upright presentation of the napkins on a table.

[0007] The at least one stabilizing element has a non-operative position and an operative position. When the at least one stabilizer is in the non-operative position, the packaged napkins have a conventional, box-like shape having four rectangular, relatively narrow edge surfaces and two relatively large face surfaces. With its at least one stabilizer non-operative, the package is suitable for convenient stacking on a shelf at a point of purchase, for example on a shelf in a super market. When the at least one stabilizer is in the operative position, the box may be placed with its bottom panel on a table so that the box and the napkins it contains are substantially in an upright or near upright position. The at least one stabilizer functions to stabilize the box in the upright position in which it is placed and reduces ease with which the box may be tipped over. In some embodiments of the invention, with its at least one stabilizer operative, the box may be stably placed with it bottom panel on a table but with the box and its napkins angled with respect to the upright direction, i.e. angled with respect to a normal to the table. Napkins in the napkin box are removed from the box through a suitable opening.

[0012] There is therefore provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention packaging for napkins comprising: a box for holding napkins comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel, two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together, wherein when the box is filled with napkins the side panels are parallel to the planes of the napkins; at least one stabilizer having an operative position and a non-operative position; wherein in the non-operative orientation, the stabilizer does not substantially affect the shape of the box and in the operative orientation, the stabilizer stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel parallel to and contiguous with or close to a planar surface.

[0023] There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, packaging for napkins comprising: a box for holding napkins comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel, two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together, wherein when the box is filled with napkins the side panels are parallel to the planes of the napkins; and at least one support panel separate from the box and attachable to the box so that at least a portion of the support panel extends outward from the box and stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel contiguous with a planar surface.

Problems solved by technology

The at least one stabilizer functions to stabilize the box in the upright position in which it is placed and reduces ease with which the box may be tipped over.

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