Packaging for electrical extension cord

Abstract

Packaging for a coiled electrical extension cord having a body portion with a plurality of side walls, end walls extending from the side walls, a bottom wall extending between the side walls along an edge thereof and a top wall extending from each side wall along an opposite edge wherein the top walls and side walls have tabs and mating slots for securing the packaging together and the top walls form an opening along a top surface of the packaging at opposite ends thereof allowing the electrical extension cord to extend out of the packaging.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 713,690, filed on Sep. 2, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to containers, and more particularly to packaging for an electrical extension cord adapted for shipping and display of the extension cord. [0003] Packaging and display of retail electrical extension cords has long been a problem. Previous methods of packaging for retail include simple bands surrounding the center of a coiled extension cord. Such bands hold the coiled cord together and provide a convenient surface for identifying the source of the goods, the price or promotional materials. The plug and socket at the ends of the cords may either be joined or are allowed to extend out of the band, thus permitting the plugs and sockets to become entangled in the loops, or coils, of other extension cords,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The present invention addresses the problems associated with prior electrical extension cord packaging by providing an inexpensive packaging which is a rectangular shaped box which receives the coiled cord and allows the extension cord to be stacked or hung for display. The packaging folds around the cord in a way that half of the cord is encased and the other half of the cord is exposed to serve as a handle for carrying, or a surface to hang the product on a display wall. The box structure surrounds the ends of the coiled cord thereby preventing the cord from being entangled with adjacent products.

Problems solved by technology

Packaging and display of retail electrical extension cords has long been a problem.

The plug and socket at the ends of the cords may either be joined or are allowed to extend out of the band, thus permitting the plugs and sockets to become entangled in the loops, or coils, of other extension cords, making the cords difficult to separate.

In addition, the loops of the extension often escape from the band during handling, causing further snagging or even separation from the band.

Another drawback of bands around the center of the coiled cord is that the bands do not provide an adequate surface in which to stack the packaged cords for display.

The packaged cords can become entangled or disorganized on retail shelves.

Such plastic containers or shrink wrapping, however, require extensive packaging machinery in order to prepare the cords for retail.

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