Mailable greeting article

Abstract

A mailable greeting article comprises a body having a top panel and a plurality of surfaces defining a cavity. A removable portion is formed on the top panel to provide access to the cavity. Additionally, a cover is movably attached to the body and extends from one of the surfaces. A bag is attached to the cover and has a compartment accessible through the cover, wherein the bag is movable between a folded and an unfolded configuration. A hook extends from the cover and has a cantilevered portion defining a slot. The hook is deformable and configured to support the body. At least one of the surfaces is configured to display a greeting thereon, and another of the surfaces defines a postage area and an address area thereon for mailing the article.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS [0001] 1. Field of the Inventions [0002] The present inventions are directed to tissue dispensers, and more particularly, tissue boxes that can be mailed, hung, and / or include trash bags. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] Greeting cards come in various shapes and designs and are usually mailed inside envelopes, though designs exist which can be mailed without the use of an envelope, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003-0098581, published May 29, 2003. [0005] Likewise, tissue containers are well known and come in a variety of colors and sizes, as well as shapes. Typically, a tissue container has an opening in an upper portion thereof, through which tissues can be withdrawn from the container. Although the containers are sold in various sizes, the container must typically rest on a flat surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS [0006] An aspect of at least one of embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that using a tray pre...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] An aspect of at least one of embodiments disclosed herein includes the realization that using a tray pre-filled with delicate materials before insertion into another box can solve difficulties associated with manufacturing small boxes filled with delicate materials. For example, where it is desired to manufacture a relatively thin tissue box; i.e., tissue boxes that are less than about two inches thick, a difficulty arises in inserting the tissues into the box. Such a manufacturing process can include the step of forming a box with an open longitudinal end, and inserting delicate materials, such as facial tissues, into the open end of the box. It is difficult for the commercially available manufacturing machines to insert tissues as such. This is because the tissues and other similar delicate materials are light and easily disturbed by air movement. As such, it is difficult to keep such material together during a step of inserting the material into the box through the open longitudinal end. By placing such delicate materials into a tray, the pre-filled tray can then be easily inserted into small box with a machine.

[0007] Such a tray can also provide further advantages. For example, such a tray can provide additional strength to the box, thereby preventing damage to the box and its contents during distribution or mailing.

[0013] By constructing the box to have a thickness of at least about ½″ provides another advantage. For example, if the thickness of a tissue container is less than about ½″, such as thicknesses in the range of about one-eight to about one-quarter of inch, it is substantially more difficult to construct the box out of folded cardboard; the most widely used and economical material for such an application. This is due to limitations of the currently available manufacturing machines used for folding cardboard into boxes having discreet side, top and bottom panels. Thus, a tissue box having a thickness in the range of about one-eight to about one-quarter of inch is practicable in a more two-dimensional configuration, i.e., folded into an envelope-type shape. However, the envelope configuration creates other drawbacks, for example, the outer edges of the envelope exert more pressure on the tissues contained therein than the central portions of the envelope. Thus, the more tissues are contained in such an envelope, the more difficult it is to withdraw the tissues therefrom.

Problems solved by technology

For example, where it is desired to manufacture a relatively thin tissue box; i.e., tissue boxes that are less than about two inches thick, a difficulty arises in inserting the tissues into the box.

It is difficult for the commercially available manufacturing machines to insert tissues as such.

This is because the tissues and other similar delicate materials are light and easily disturbed by air movement.

As such, it is difficult to keep such material together during a step of inserting the material into the box through the open longitudinal end.

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