Prolate spheroidal ball packaging

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9862520-B2
Application number	US-201615154047-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 13, 2016
Priority date	May 13, 2016
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

Abstract

A package for a prolate spheroidal ball having a longitudinal axis. A back plate is disposed between a first end and a second end of the package. A first cradle extends from the back plate adjacent the first end, and is operative to receive a first portion of the prolate spheroidal ball along the longitudinal axis. A wing portion extends from the back plate adjacent the second end, and at least partially circumscribes the longitudinal axis of the prolate spheroidal ball. A flap portion extends from the wing portion and defines an end surface of the package. The longitudinal axis intersects the flap portion.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A package for receiving a prolate spheroidal ball having a longitudinal axis, comprising:
a back plate, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the received ball;
a first cradle intersecting the longitudinal axis and configured to hold a first end of the received ball;
a second cradle intersecting the longitudinal axis and configured to hold a second end of the received ball;
a wing element foldable about a first fold line between at least an extended position, which is planar with the back plate, and a wrapped position, which is angular to the back plate and the wing element is wrapped around the second cradle, wherein the first fold line is angled relative to the longitudinal axis and intersects the back plate; and
a flap element formed on the wing element and foldable about a second fold line between at least an extended position, which is planar with the wing element, and a tucked position, which is angular to the wing element, wherein, when the wing element is in the wrapped position and the flap element is in the tucked position, the second fold line of the flap element is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the flap element prevents separation of the second cradle from the received ball.

2. The package of claim 1 ,
wherein the package is formed from a continuous body, the continuous body is configured to be foldable between:
a flat state, in which all portions of the continuous body are aligned along a single plane;
a partially assembled state, in which the continuous body is not planar and the ball is releasable from the package; and
a fully assembled state, in which the ball is received by the package; and

wherein moving the flap element from the tucked position and moving the wing element from the wrapped position places the continuous body in the partially assembled position, such that the received ball is releasable from the package.

3. The package of claim 2 , wherein the flap is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the back plate when in the tucked position.

4. The package of claim 3 , wherein the back plate has a trapezoidal outline.

5. The package of claim 4 , further comprising:
a side panel attached to the back plate, wherein the second fold line is disposed at an intersection of the wing element and the side panel.

6. A package for receiving a prolate spheroidal ball defining a longitudinal axis, the package having a first end and a second end and comprising:
a back plate disposed between the first end and the second end;
a first cradle extending from the back plate adjacent the first end, wherein the first cradle is operative to receive and surround a first portion of the received prolate spheroidal ball along the longitudinal axis;
a wing portion extending from the back plate adjacent the second end and at least partially circumscribing the longitudinal axis of the received prolate spheroidal ball; and
a flap portion extending from the wing portion to define an end surface of the package, wherein the longitudinal axis of the received prolate spheroidal ball intersects the flap portion.

7. The package of claim 6 , further comprising:
a second cradle extending from the back plate adjacent the second end, wherein the second cradle is operative to receive and surround a second portion of the received prolate spheroidal ball along the longitudinal axis, such that the first portion of the received prolate spheroidal ball is disposed within the first cradle and the second portion of the received prolate spheroidal ball is disposed within the second cradle.

8. The package of claim 7 , wherein the received prolate spheroidal ball is operatively removable from the package in a manner that is nondestructive to the package.

9. The package of claim 7 , further comprising:
a first side flap portion and a second side flap portion, each disposed at the second end of the package,
wherein the first side flap portion extends from the wing portion; and
wherein each of the first side flap portion and the second side flap portion are disposed between the flap portion and the second cradle.

10. The package of claim 9 , further comprising:
a tuck tab extending from the flap portion between each of the respective first side flap portion and second side flap portion and the back plate, wherein the tuck tab is substantially parallel to the back plate.

11. The package of claim 6 , wherein the back plate is trapezoidal.

12. The package of claim 6 , wherein the package is formed from a unitary sheet of paperboard.

13. The package of claim 12 , wherein the package is configured to be fully assembled without use of an adhesive.

14. The package of claim 6 ,
wherein the flap portion extends from the wing portion at a first fold line;
wherein the first fold line is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the received prolate spheroidal ball and parallel to the back plate.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Fan Richard S

Classifications

• A63B47/00

  Devices for handling or treating balls {, e.g. for holding or carrying balls} · CPC title

• B65D5/009 Primary

  the container body comprising a set of interconnected cells, e.g. hinged one to another · CPC title

• B65D5/2014 Primary

  the central panel having a non rectangular shape · CPC title

• B65D61/00

  External frames or supports adapted to be assembled around, or applied to, articles · CPC title

• B65D5/5021

  Integral elements for containers formed by folding-up portions connected to a central panel from all sides · CPC title