PRODUCT

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/687,393 filed Aug. 27, 2024 by Lillian Zars Richey entitled, “Product,” which is incorporated by reference herein as if reproduced in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Games, puzzles, and toys are used for entertainment, education, and for other purposes.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of this disclosure provides an apparatus, product, game, kit, and container or box as shown and described herein.

According to one embodiment, a system is provided that includes a doll positioned in a first compartment of a storage bin, a book positioned in a second compartment of the storage bin, and a container containing puzzle pieces positioned in a third compartment of the storage bin, wherein each of the puzzle pieces have first indicia on a first side, the first indicia on each puzzle piece related to indicia on a separate page in the book, and wherein each of the puzzle pieces have second indicia on a second side such that when all the puzzle pieces are assembled the second indicia forms a single image.

In another embodiment, a system is provided that includes an object positioned in a first compartment of a storage bin; a book positioned in a second compartment of the storage bin; and a container containing puzzle pieces positioned in a third compartment of the storage bin, wherein each of the puzzle pieces have first indicia on a first side, the first indicia on each puzzle piece related to indicia on a separate page in the book, and wherein each of the puzzle pieces have second indicia on a second side such that when all the puzzle pieces are assembled the second indicia forms a single image; and a box assembly, the box assembly including a top cover, a bottom cover, and the storage bin, the top and bottom covers having transparent windows, wherein in a first configuration the storage bin is positioned within the bottom cover, and the top cover is disposed over the storage bin and the bottom cover, and wherein in a second configuration the bottom cover is reversed and positioned within the top cover such that the transparent windows of the top and the bottom covers substantially abut one another and the puzzle pieces are positioned between the transparent windows of the top and the bottom covers exposing both the first side and the second side of the puzzle pieces via the transparent windows of the top and the bottom covers.

According to another embodiment, a kit is provided that includes an object positioned in a first compartment of a storage bin; a book positioned in a second compartment of the storage bin; and a container containing puzzle pieces positioned in a third compartment of the storage bin, wherein each of the puzzle pieces have first indicia on a first side, the first indicia on each puzzle piece related to indicia on a separate page in the book, and wherein each of the puzzle pieces have second indicia on a second side such that when all the puzzle pieces are assembled the second indicia forms a single image; and a box assembly, the box assembly including a top cover, a bottom cover, and the storage bin, the top and bottom covers having transparent windows, wherein in a first configuration the storage bin is positioned within the bottom cover, and the top cover is disposed over the storage bin and the bottom cover, and wherein in a second configuration the bottom cover is reversed and positioned within the top cover such that the transparent windows of the top and the bottom covers substantially abut one another and the puzzle pieces are positioned between the transparent windows of the top and the bottom covers exposing both the first side and the second side of the puzzle pieces via the transparent windows of the top and the bottom covers.

In one embodiment, a product is provided. The product comprising a box assembly, the box assembly including a top cover, a bottom cover, and a storage bin. The top and bottom covers having transparent windows, wherein in a first configuration the storage bin is positionable within the bottom cover, and the top cover is positionable over a portion of the storage bin and bottom cover, and wherein in a second configuration the bottom cover is reversable and positionable within the top cover and items, such as puzzle pieces, may be positioned between the transparent windows of the top and bottom covers exposing both a front and back of the items via the transparent windows of the top and bottom covers. The product further including one or more connectors for securing the top cover to the bottom cover when the bottom cover is reversed and positioned within the top cover. The product further including a sleeve having an open first and second ends and being positionable over the box assembly when the box assembly is in the first configuration. In some embodiments, the product further comprises a doll positioned in a first compartment of the storage bin, a book positioned in a second compartment of the storage bin, and a box containing puzzle pieces positioned in a third compartment of the storage bin. Each of the puzzle pieces have first indicia on a first side, the first indicia on each puzzle piece related to indicia on a separate page in the book, and wherein each of the puzzle pieces have second indicia on a second side such that when all the puzzle pieces are assembled the second indicia forms a single image.

In another embodiment, a kit is provided. The kit comprising a doll positioned in a first compartment of a storage bin, a book positioned in a second compartment of the storage bin, and a package, such as a box, sack, or bag, containing puzzle pieces positioned in a third compartment of the storage bin. Each of the puzzle pieces have first indicia on a first side, the first indicia on each puzzle piece related to indicia on a separate page in the book, and wherein each of the puzzle pieces have second indicia on a second side such that when all the puzzle pieces are assembled the second indicia forms a single image. In some embodiments, the kit further comprises a box assembly, the box assembly including a top cover, a bottom cover, and the storage bin. The top and bottom covers having transparent windows, wherein in a first configuration the storage bin is positionable within the bottom cover, and the top cover is positionable over a portion of the storage bin and bottom cover, and wherein in a second configuration the bottom cover is reversable and positionable within the top cover and items, such as puzzle pieces, may be positioned between the transparent windows of the top and bottom covers exposing both a front and back or first and second sides of the puzzle pieces via the transparent windows of the top and bottom covers. One or more connectors may be provided for securing the top cover to the bottom cover and are located such that when the bottom cover is reversed and positioned within the top cover the connectors secure the top and bottom covers. The kit further includes a sleeve having open first and second ends and being positionable over the box assembly when the box assembly is in the first configuration.

In yet another embodiment, a container is provided. The container comprising a box assembly, the box assembly including a top cover, a bottom cover, and a storage bin. The top and bottom covers having transparent windows, wherein in a first configuration the storage bin is positionable within the bottom cover, and the top cover is positionable over a portion of the storage bin and bottom cover, and wherein in a second configuration the bottom cover is reversable and positionable within the top cover and items, such as puzzle pieces, may be positioned between the transparent windows of the top and bottom covers exposing both a front and back of the items via the transparent windows of the top and bottom covers. One or more connectors are provided for securing the top cover to the bottom cover when the bottom cover is reversed and positioned within the top cover. A sleeve is provided that has an open first and second ends and is positionable over the box assembly when the box assembly is in the first configuration.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 is plan view of a product with a sleeve partially removed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the product with the sleeve partially removed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3-6 are different perspective views of the sleeve according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the product and components thereof with the sleeve removed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a storage bin according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of top and bottom covers according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the storage bin and the bottom cover where the storage bin has been removed from the bottom cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the top cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the top cover placed over the bottom cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are font and back perspective views of the top and bottom covers engaged with puzzle pieces disposed therebetween according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a connector according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a partial front view of a doll according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a partial back view of the doll according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views of a puzzle box according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of puzzle pieces according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a puzzle piece and associated book page according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a book according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 23-26 are views of a book and pages thereof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.

Products, such as games or educational systems, may be entertaining as well as educational. FIG. 1 illustrates a product 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The product 100 includes a box assembly 102 and various components 104. The box assembly 102 is shown partially opened in FIG. 1. Referring also to FIGS. 2-6, the box assembly 102 includes a sleeve 106 that extends or slides over and around an inner container 108. The sleeve 106, in this embodiment is a four (4) sided box that is open at a sleeve top 110 and a sleeve bottom 112 so that inner container may be removed from either the sleeve top 110 or sleeve bottom 112. The four (4) sides of the sleeve 106 may be provided with indicia related to the product, such a product identifying indicia, explanatory indicia, marketing and promotional indicia, or other indicia to entice and assist potential users, customers, and others about the contents of the product 100. In this embodiment, the product 100 has a religious “theme” and thus the indicia relates to religious information. In other embodiments, the indicia may relate to other, non-religious themes.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the product 100 with the sleeve 106 removed exposing the various components 104 of the product 100. Referring also to FIGS. 8-12, the elements of the inner container 108 can be seen. The inner container 108 includes a top cover 114, a bottom cover 116, and storage bin 118. The storage bin 118 may include one (1) or more compartments 120A-C for retaining the various components 104 of the product 100. In this embodiment, the storage bin includes three (3) compartments 120A-C. The storage bin 118 may be formed to utilize space as needed depending upon the components 104 size, shape, frailty, and so on. For example, in this embodiment, separators 122A-B of the storage bin are used to divide the storage bin 118 into the compartments 120A-C. The storage bin 118 may be a box that is foldable to form the appropriate compartments, or may be ridge or preformed, such as from cardboard, polymeric, or other known materials, as an insert. In still other embodiments, the storage bin 118 may be omitted or the storage bin 118 may include only a single compartment wherein all the various components 104 are placed. For example, the various components 104 may be provided in a bag, sack, smaller box, or other retainer, and provided in a single compartment.

The storage bin 118 and bottom cover 116 are sized such that the storage bin 118 is received by and rests within an inside bottom cover 124 of the bottom cover 116 when the box assembly 102 is assembled. The top cover 114 is sized such that an inside top cover 126 extends over an outside bottom cover 128 of the bottom cover 116 when the box assembly 102 is assembled. Referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that the top cover 114 includes a top outer frame 130 surrounding and connected to a top window 132. The top outer frame 130 is constructed of various materials such as but not limited to cardboard, while the top window 132 is constructed of transparent or semi-transparent materials, such as but not limited to polymeric materials. In other embodiments, the top outer frame 130 and top window 132 may be constructed of the same transparent or semi-transparent material. Similarly, the bottom cover 116 includes a bottom outer frame 134 surrounding and connected to a bottom window 136. The bottom outer frame 134 is constructed of various materials such as but not limited to cardboard, while the bottom window 136 is constructed of transparent or semi-transparent materials, such as but not limited to polymeric materials. In other embodiments, the bottom outer frame 134 and bottom window 136 may be constructed of the same transparent or semi-transparent material.

As can be seen in FIG. 12, the top and bottom covers 114 and 116, may be flipped or turned-over, opposite relative to the disposition illustrated in FIG. 9, and the top cover 114 may be placed over the bottom cover 116. When the top and bottom covers 114 and 116 are joined in this manner they form a dual-sided picture frame 138, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. As can be seen, the top and bottom windows 132 and 136 are similarly shaped and sized in this embodiment. As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, dual-sided puzzle pieces 140 are shown disposed between the top window 132 and bottom window 136 of the top and bottom covers 114 and 116. Thus, an object such as pictures, puzzles, and so on, that are dual-sided may be so positioned and both sides of the object may be readily viewed by merely rotating or turning-around the dual-sided picture frame 138. Because of the “box top” configuration of the top and bottom covers 114 and 116, side panels 141 of the top and bottom covers 114 and 116 may be used to “standup” or position the dual sided picture frame 138 in an upright position, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The top and bottom covers 114 and 116 may be secured together to prevent the objects disposed therebetween from slipping or moving. FIG. 15 illustrates connectors 142 that are provided at various locations on the top and bottom covers 114 and 116 to secure the top and bottom covers 114 and 116 together. In this embodiment, the connectors 142 are Velcro® straps that secure the top and bottom covers 114 and 116. However, the connectors 142 may be any type of well-known system for achieving such attachment such as clips, tension, friction or other means.

Referring back to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the components 104 include a doll 150, a puzzle box 152, and a book 154. However, in other embodiments, any other components or number of similar or different components maybe used. As previously mentioned, the components 104 may share a common theme, such as a religious theme as in the present embodiment. Referring also to FIGS. 16 and 17, in this embodiment, the doll 150 may represent a religious figure, such as Jesus Christ. The doll 150 may be variously sized and constructed. In this embodiment, the doll 150 has a pouch or pocket 156 provided on a doll back 158. The pocket 156 may be used to store items, as will be discussed further hereinafter.

The puzzle box 152 is a substantially square box having a puzzle box top 160 and container portion or puzzle box bottom 162. The puzzle box top 160 fits over the puzzle box bottom 162 to enclose the puzzle box 152 contents. In this embodiment, the puzzle box bottom 162 retains puzzle pieces 140. Also referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, in this embodiment, the puzzle pieces 140 are dual-sided, such that a first side 144, shown in FIG. 20, of the puzzle pieces 140 when pieced together form a single picture or image. While on a second side 146, as shown in FIG. 21, each of the puzzle pieces 140 has different or separate reference or indicia 164. The indicia 164 may include an identifier 166 or other association of the puzzle piece 140 to other components 104 of the product 100. In this embodiment, the identifier 166 is the number “1.” In this embodiment, where the theme is religious, the indicia 164 on each puzzle piece 140 may be a reference to a different biblical scripture or text. In this example, the indicia 164 references the biblical text “Isaiah 7:14.”

Referring also to FIG. 22, the book 154 may have multiple pages 168, including puzzle related pages 170, shown in FIG. 21. The puzzle related pages 170 may include information that relates to a calendar date 172 or certain number of days, in this case “December 1.” Thus, the identifier 166 of the number “1” on the puzzle piece 140 shown in FIG. 21, relates to and is associated with the date of “December 1” in the puzzle related page 170 of the book 154. Similarly, the puzzle related page 170 further includes the actual textual excerpt 174 associated with the puzzle piece 140 indicia 164 from “Isaiah 7:14.” Each of the second sides 146 of the puzzle pieces 140 have a different identifier 166 and indicia 164, and similarly, each of the different puzzle pieces 140 having a related or associated puzzle related page 170 in the book 154.

Referring to FIG. 23, the book 154 may have also have a second side puzzle page 176. The second side puzzle page 176 may include an image 178 that is representative of the image of the completed first side 144 of the puzzle. That is, once all the puzzle pieces 140 are arranged or completed, the assembled puzzle pieces 140 on the first side 144 resemble the image 178 in the book 154.

Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25 the book 154 may have instructional pages 180A-B that describe how to assemble the box to achieve the dual-sided picture frame 138, correct placement of the first and second sides 144 and 146 of the puzzle pieces 140 in the dual-sided picture 138 and so on. FIG. 26 provides instructions 180C as another example of how to generally interact with, enjoy, or use the product 100.

A method for interacting with the product may include removing the box assembly 102 from the sleeve 106. The method includes separating in various orders the top cover 114, the storage bin 118, and the bottom cover 116. The method includes reversing and disposing the bottom cover 116 within the top cover 114.

The method of interacting with the components 104 of the product 100 may be performed in differing sequences, however one such sequence may include, for example, following the suggestions provided by the instructions 180C. Those suggestions may include starting on a particular date coinciding with the dates on the puzzle related pages 170. Then on each day or other interval or order suggested by the instructions, placing one of the puzzle pieces 140 in the pocket 156 of the doll 150. The doll 150 may then be hidden or placed somewhere that someone else interacting with product 100, such a friend, family member, such as a child or children, may search out, seek, and/or locate the doll 150. That individual or others may then retrieve the puzzle piece 140 from the pocket 156 of the doll 150. The indicia 164 and identifier 166 on the second side 146 of the puzzle piece 140 may then be used to find the associated puzzle related page 170 in the book 154. The relevant textual excerpts 174 may then be reviewed, such as biblical text, which may then be used as a basis for discussion, learning, further study, and other. Thereafter, the puzzle piece 140 may then be placed in the assembled dual-sided picture frame 138 by disengaging the top and bottom covers 114 and 116, placing the puzzle piece 140 adjacent one of the top and bottom windows 132 and 136, and reassembling he top and bottom covers 114 and 116. This process is repeated until all the puzzle pieces 140 have been retried and arranged in the dual-sided picture frame 138.

In the present embodiment, the doll is suggestive of Jesus Christ and the puzzle pieces 140 and book 154 and puzzle related pages 170 may include biblical stories related to Jesus Christ, and the assembled puzzle, on one side, may include an image suggestive of Jesus Christ. However, the present invention is not so limited and in other embodiments, the theme may include other bible related stories such as Noah's Ark, where the doll might depict the ark and the images and stories relate thereto. In some embodiments, there may be other character dolls or animals. All bible stories could be applicable using the Jesus doll, even if the story does not specifically pertain to Jesus, for example, themes like the fruit of the spirit, or the story of David and Goliath. In addition, there could be individual verses that do not make up a story but are chosen by individuals as personally applicable to their life. For example, if there is a Finding Jesus, Sports Edition, verses could be chosen by athletes that carry special meaning or importance. The puzzle pieces 140 could have a QR code that goes to a video or website of each athlete, individual, or even family member if customized, and the video would show the person reading the verse and sharing the significance. The present disclosure is not limited to these themes and any other themes with related content are within the spirit of the present disclosure as would readily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.

The product 100 and its various pieces may be constructed from polymeric materials, paper fiber, cardboard, cotton, or other well-known materials.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted or not implemented.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.