CN111201186A

CN111201186A - Shuttle for securing shoes in cylindrical containers

Info

Publication number: CN111201186A
Application number: CN201880045586.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·C·麦登
Original assignee: Super Heroic Inc
Current assignee: Super Heroic Inc
Priority date: 2017-06-13
Filing date: 2018-06-12
Publication date: 2020-05-26
Also published as: US20180354692A1; WO2018231879A1

Abstract

A packaged shuttle secures a pair of shoes in a manner suitable for insertion into a cylindrical container. The packaged shuttle secures the shoes in a stacked configuration such that heel portions of the shoes are supported at the lower and upper ends of the shuttle, respectively, and toe portions of the shoes are supported by toe support structures in a middle portion of the packaged shuttle. Removable spacers may be inserted into the packaged shuttle near the lower and upper ends of the shuttle to enable the packaged shuttle to securely hold shoes of different sizes using the same packaged shuttle and cylindrical container.

Description

Shuttle for securing shoes in cylindrical containers

The inventor: jason Carter Mayden

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/519,058 filed 2017, 6/13, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present application relates to a securing structure for securing a shoe within a cylindrical container.

Background

Conventional rectangular shoe boxes do not add aesthetic appeal to attract the consumer's attention to the shoes inside, and do not stand out in a shoe store filled with the same rectangular box. Cylindrical containers provide a unique aesthetic quality that can appeal to consumers and distinguish products from other products on the shelf. However, new challenges arise in effectively securing a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container through the use of cost-effective materials. In addition, a further challenge arises in designing a securing structure for securing shoes within a cylindrical container that can accommodate a variety of different shoe sizes within the same size container.

Disclosure of Invention

In a first embodiment, an encapsulated shuttle secures a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container. The packaged shuttle includes a bottom plate, a top plate, a toe-securing structure, and a pair of vertical supports. The bottom plate is at a first end of the shuttle, which is near the heel end of the first shoe. The top plate is at the second end of the shuttle, which is near the heel end of the second shoe. The toe-securing structure is in the middle portion of the shuttle. The toe securing structure secures the toe end of the first shoe and secures the toe end of the second shoe. The pair of vertical supports are coupled between the bottom plate, the top plate, and the toe fixture structure.

In a second embodiment, a packaging system secures a pair of shoes. The packaging system includes: a cylindrical container; a lower spacer; and an upper spacer; and a shuttle insertable within the cylindrical container to secure a pair of shoes in a stacked configuration. The shuttle includes: a base plate at a first end of the shuttle; a top plate at the second end of the shuttle; and a toe securing structure in a middle portion of the shuttle. The toe securing structure secures the toe end of the first shoe and the toe end of the second shoe. A lower spacer may be inserted adjacent the base plate to secure the heel end of the first shoe. An upper spacer may be inserted adjacent the top plate to secure the heel end of the second shoe.

In a third embodiment, an encapsulated shuttle secures a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container. The packaging shuttle includes: a base plate; a top plate substantially parallel to the bottom plate; a first vertical support; a second vertical support; a first lateral support; a second lateral support; and a connecting support. A first vertical support protrudes from the bottom plate and supports the top plate. The first vertical support has a surface substantially perpendicular to the bottom and top plates. A first vertical support is connected proximate a first edge of the bottom panel and is connected proximate a first edge of the top panel. A second vertical support protrudes from the bottom plate and supports the top plate. The second vertical support has a surface substantially perpendicular to the bottom and top plates. A second vertical support is connected proximate to the second edge of the bottom panel and is connected proximate to the second edge of the top panel. The first lateral support is between the first vertical support and the second vertical support. The first lateral support is substantially perpendicular to the first vertical support and the second vertical support. The first lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle: is inclined away from the central axis of the base plate at a greater distance from the base plate. The second lateral support is between the first vertical support and the second vertical support. The first lateral support is substantially perpendicular to the first vertical support and the second vertical surface. The second lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle: is inclined away from the central axis of the top plate at a greater distance from the top plate. The connecting support is between a lower edge of the first transverse support and an upper edge of the second transverse support to form a downward cavity between the first transverse support and an upward cavity between the second transverse support and the connecting support.

Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a packaging system for a pair of shoes.

FIG. 2A illustrates a first view of an embodiment of a packaged shuttle for securing a pair of shoes for insertion into a cylindrical container.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second view of an embodiment of a packaged shuttle for securing a pair of shoes for insertion into a cylindrical container.

FIG. 3 illustrates a one-piece section that can be folded into a packaged shuttle configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a packaged shuttle having a pair of spacers for receiving different sized shoes within the same shuttle.

Fig. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a slice that may be folded in a spacer.

Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a slice for a spacer in a partially folded configuration.

Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a spacer formed from folded slices.

FIG. 8 illustrates the spacer inserted into the packaging shuttle.

FIG. 9 illustrates a shoe inserted into an encapsulated shuttle.

FIG. 10 illustrates an encapsulated shuttle holding a pair of shoes.

Detailed Description

The figures and the following description describe certain embodiments by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description: alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. Reference will now be made to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that where feasible, similar or identical reference numerals may be used for the figures and may indicate similar or identical functionalities.

A packing shuttle (packing shuttle) holds a pair of shoes in a manner suitable for insertion into a cylindrical container. The encapsulated shuttle secures the shoe in a stacked configuration such that the heel portion of the shoe is supported at the lower and upper ends of the shuttle, respectively, and the toe portion of the shoe is supported by the toe support structure in the middle portion of the encapsulated shuttle. Removable spacers can be inserted into the enclosure shuttle near the lower and upper ends of the shuttle to enable the enclosure shuttle to securely hold shoes of different sizes by using the same enclosure shuttle and cylindrical container.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a shuttle 100 that secures a pair of shoes 110 (e.g., a first shoe 110-a and a second shoe 110-b) for insertion within a cylindrical container 120. The shuttle 100 holds the shoes 110 such that a first shoe 110-a is stacked on top of a second shoe 110-b (and vice versa) with the shoes oriented in opposite directions. For example, the toes of the first shoe 110-a point downward, while the toes of the second shoe 110-b point upward. In addition, the bottom soles of both shoes 110 face outward. This configuration supported by the shuttle 100 results in: the shoe 110 can be secured within the cylindrical container 120 without damaging the shoe 110 and in a manner that prevents the shoe 110 from shifting during transport of the cylindrical container 120. Furthermore, the shoe 110 is fixed in the shuttle 100 without any adhesive or strapping between the shoe and the shuttle 100, thus enabling quick and simple insertion and removal of the shoe. Still further, the shuttle 100 can accommodate a range of different shoe sizes by using adjustable spacers as described in more detail below.

Fig. 2A-2B illustrate detailed views of the shuttle 100. The shuttle 100 includes a bottom plate 202, a top plate 204, a first vertical support 210 (including a first lower support 212 and a first upper support 214), a second vertical support 220 (including a second lower support 222 and a second upper support 224), a first lateral support 216, a second lateral support 226, and a connecting support 230. The shuttle 100 may also optionally include an adjustable lower spacer and an adjustable upper spacer (not shown in fig. 2) described in more detail below.

The bottom plate 202 and the top plate 204 may each comprise generally rectangular sheets of material that may have straight or rounded edges (e.g., straight edges oriented in one direction, and rounded edges in another direction). The major surfaces of the bottom plate 202 and the top plate 204 may be oriented substantially parallel to each other. First and second

vertical supports

210 and 220 protrude from the bottom plate 202 and support the top plate 204. The

vertical supports

210, 220 each comprise elongated sheets that may be formed into a "lightning beam" shape as described in more detail below. The major surfaces of the

vertical supports

210, 220 are oriented substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate 202 and the top plate 204. The first vertical support 210 is connected near a first edge (e.g., a first straight edge) of the bottom plate 202 and near a first edge (e.g., a first straight edge) of the top plate 204. The second vertical support 220 is similarly connected near a second edge (e.g., a second straight edge opposite the first straight edge) of the bottom plate 202 and near a second edge (e.g., a second straight edge opposite the first straight edge) of the top plate 204.

The first vertical support 210 includes a first lower support 212 and a first upper support 214. Similarly, the second vertical support 220 includes a second lower support 222 and a second upper support 224. Lower supports 212, 222 are each coupled to base plate 202 and have respective outer edges that are angled with respect to a central axis through base plate 202 such that the distance from the respective outer edge to the central axis increases with increasing distance from base plate 202. The upper supports 214, 224 are each coupled to the top plate 204 and have respective outer edges that are angled relative to a central axis through the top bottom plate 204 such that the distance from the respective outer edge to the central axis increases with increasing distance from the top plate 204. The angles of the outer edges of the

lower supports

212, 222 and the

upper supports

214, 224 may be approximately equal such that the outer edges are parallel to each other.

Further, the

lower supports

212, 222 and the

upper supports

214, 224 may each have inner edges that are substantially parallel to each other. The inner edges of the

lower supports

212, 222 may be offset from the inner edges of the

upper supports

214, 224 such that there is an overlap region where the

lower supports

212, 222 and the

upper supports

214, 224, respectively, meet. Thus, the overall shape of the

vertical supports

210, 220 may form a lightning bolt or zig-zag pattern as depicted in fig. 2A-2B and 8-10.

The first lateral support 216 connects the first lower support 212 of the first vertical support 210 and the second lower support 222 of the second vertical support 220. Similarly, a second lateral support 226 connects the first upper support 214 of the first vertical support 210 and the second upper support 224 of the second vertical support 220. The lateral supports 216, 226 may each comprise a rectangular sheet having a major surface extending along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the major surfaces of the first and second

vertical supports

210, 220. Further, the major surfaces of the lateral supports 216, 226, respectively, are parallel to each other and are oriented at an angle relative to a central axis that is perpendicular to the bottom plate 202 and the top plate 204. Specifically, the distance between the major surface of the first lateral support 216 and the central axis increases with increasing distance from the bottom plate 202 and decreases with increasing distance from the top plate 204. The distance between the major surface of the second lateral support 226 and the central axis decreases with increasing distance from the bottom plate 202 and increases with increasing distance from the top plate 204.

A connecting support 230 (shown in phantom in fig. 2A because the surface is covered) is connected between the lower edge of the first lateral support 216 (closest to the bottom panel 202) and the upper edge of the second lateral support 216 (closest to the top panel 204). The connecting support 230 may comprise a generally rectangular sheet having a major surface that is perpendicular to the major surfaces of the

vertical supports

210, 220 and oriented at an angle such that the lateral supports 216, 226 and the connecting support 230 have a zig-zag cross-section. The lateral supports 216, 226 and the connecting support 230 together form a toe-securing structure at the middle portion of the packaged shuttle 100 for securing the toe portion of the shoe as will be described below. Specifically, the combination of the first lateral support 216 and the connecting support 230 form a V-shaped cavity, while the combination of the second lateral support 226 and the connecting support 230 form an inverted V-shaped cavity that can support the toes of the first and second shoes 110, respectively, as will be described in greater detail below.

The shuttle 100 may be made of any suitable material, such as cardboard, plastic, or a combination of materials.

In an embodiment, the top plate 202, bottom plate 204,

vertical supports

210, 220,

transverse supports

216, 226, and connecting support 230 may all be formed from a single continuous cut sheet (cut sheet) folded into the configuration shown in fig. 2A-2B. Fig. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a section 300 that may be folded into the shuttle shown in fig. 2A-2B. In embodiments, adhesive or other fasteners may be used to attach the non-continuous edges of the slices 300. In alternative embodiments, tabs may be integrated into the slice 300 to enable the attachment of non-continuous edges without the use of adhesives or other external fasteners. The use of a shuttle structure that can be formed in this manner to form a single cut sheet 300 allows for low cost manufacturing and compact storage of the cut sheets 300 prior to assembly. The cut sheet 300 may be comprised of cardboard, flexible plastic, or other similar material.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the assembled shuttle 100 with an optional removable lower spacer 402 and an upper spacer 404.

Spacers

402, 404 provide a support surface for securing the heel portion of the footwear above bottom plate 202 and below top plate 404, respectively. The shuttle 100 can accommodate shoes of different lengths by modifying the size of the

spacers

402, 404 or completely disassembling the

spacers

402, 404. In an embodiment, the

spacers

402, 404 are constructed in the same manner from a folded sheet that can be folded along different lines to create

spacers

402, 404 of different heights to accommodate different sized shoes.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of an unfolded spacer 500 that may be used as either the lower spacer 402 or the upper spacer 404. The unfolded spacer 500 includes an inner region 506, a middle region 504, and an outer region 502. Inner region 506 includes a quasi-rectangular surface that may have rounded or straight edges. The inner region 506 may be sized and shaped to substantially conform to the size and shape of the bottom plate 202 and the top plate 204. The middle region 504 is connected to a corresponding straight edge of the inner region 506 at a fixed fold line 510 (e.g., a perforated line for facilitating folding). The intermediate region 504 includes a plurality of parallel optional fold lines 508 (e.g., lines of perforations for facilitating folding). Each selectable fold line 508 corresponds to a different shoe size and may be labeled as such. To deploy the spacer 500, the spacer 500 is folded along a fixed fold line 510 to form an approximate right angle between the inner region 506 and the intermediate region 504. To accommodate a particular shoe size, spacer 500 is also folded along a selected one of selectable fold lines 508 that corresponds to the desired shoe size to form an approximate right angle between middle region 504 and outer region 502. The outer region 506 is folded inward to underlie the inner region 506. Fig. 6 illustrates a partially folded configuration of the spacer 500. Fig. 7 illustrates a folded spacer. When folded in this manner, the intermediate region 504 forms a vertical support for the surface of the inner region 506, with the height depending on which of the selectable fold lines 508 is selected. Optional fold line 508 may be positioned such that when folded in this manner, intermediate region 504 forms a vertical support having an appropriate height for accommodating a particular shoe size. Thus, spacers of different heights can be created by a single pre-folded spacer design, such that a range of shoe sizes can be accommodated by the same set of slices. The

spacers

402, 404 may be made of any suitable material, such as cardboard or plastic.

FIG. 8 illustrates a lower spacer 402 and an upper spacer 404 positioned within the shuttle 100. Specifically, the upper spacer 404 slides between the

upper supports

214, 224 located adjacent the top plate 402 such that an outer region 502 of the upper spacer 404 contacts the top plate 204 and a middle region 504 of the upper spacer 404 contacts respective inner surfaces of the

upper supports

214, 224. In an embodiment, an adhesive (e.g., glue or tape) or other fastener may be used to secure the middle region 504 of the upper spacer 404 against the inner surfaces of the

upper supports

214, 224 to hold it in place. Similarly, the lower spacer 402 is positioned within the shuttle 100 such that an outer region 502 of the lower spacer 402 contacts the baseplate 202 and an intermediate region 504 of the upper spacer 404 contacts respective inner surfaces of the lower supports 212, 222 (and may be attached via adhesive or other fasteners).

Fig. 9 illustrates the shoe 110 being placed in the lower and upper portions of the shuttle 100. The toes of the shoe 110-b slide into the cavity formed by the upper lateral support 226 and the connecting support 230, and the heel of the shoe 110-b rests against the lower spacer 402 (or against the baseplate 202 if the lower spacer 402 is not used). The toe of the shoe 110-a slides into the cavity formed by the lower lateral support 216 and the connecting support 230, and the heel of the shoe 110-a rests against the upper spacer 404 (or the top plate 404 if the upper spacer 404 is not used).

Fig. 10 illustrates a shoe positioned within shuttle 100.

The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that: many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Thus, the intention is: it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A packaging shuttle for securing a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container, the packaging shuttle comprising:

a base plate;

a top plate substantially parallel to the bottom plate;

a first vertical support projecting from the bottom plate and supporting the top plate, the first vertical support having a surface substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate and the top plate, the first vertical support being connected near a first edge of the bottom plate and near a first edge of the top plate;

a second vertical support protruding from the bottom plate and supporting the top plate, the second vertical support having a surface substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate and the top plate, the second vertical support being connected near a second edge of the bottom plate and near a second edge of the top plate,

a first lateral support between the first and second vertical supports, the first lateral support being substantially perpendicular to the first and second vertical supports, and the first lateral support having a surface oriented at an angle: inclined away from a central axis of the base plate at a greater distance from the base plate; and

a second lateral support between the first and second vertical supports, the first lateral support being substantially perpendicular to the first and second vertical surfaces, and the second lateral support having surfaces oriented at an angle: sloping away from a central axis of the top plate at a greater distance from the top plate; and

a connecting support between a lower edge of the first transverse support and an upper edge of the second transverse support to form a downward cavity between the first transverse support and the connecting support and an upward cavity between the second transverse support and the connecting support.

2. The packaged shuttle of claim 1 further comprising:

a removable lower spacer positioned above the floor between the first vertical support and the second vertical support, the removable spacer having a surface substantially parallel to the floor; and

a removable upper spacer adjacent the top plate positioned below the top plate between the first vertical support and the second vertical support, the removable upper spacer having a surface substantially parallel to the top plate.

3. The packaged shuttle of claim 2 wherein the removable lower spacer is coupled to the first and second vertical supports via a first adhesive, and wherein the removable upper spacer is coupled to the first and second vertical supports via a second adhesive.

4. The packaged shuttle of claim 2 wherein the removable lower spacer and the removable upper spacer each comprise:

a foldable sheet having a plurality of perforation lines symmetrical about a centerline of the foldable sheet, the foldable sheet being at least partially folded along at least two fold lines on opposite sides of the centerline such that an inner region of the foldable sheet between the at least two fold lines is supported by a support region of the foldable sheet outside of the two fold lines.

5. The packaged shuttle of claim 2 wherein the removable lower spacer and the removable upper spacer each comprise a foldable sheet configured to include:

an inner region between a first fold line on a first side of a centerline and a first fold line on a second side of the centerline;

a first vertical region between a second fold line on the first side of the centerline and the first fold line, the second fold line being outward of the first fold line on the first side, the first vertical region being substantially perpendicular to the inner region;

a second vertical region between the first fold line on the second side and a second fold line on the second side, the second fold line on the second side being outward of the first fold line, the second vertical region being substantially perpendicular to the inner region;

a first outer region substantially parallel to and offset from the inner region beyond the second fold line on the first side; and

a second outer region substantially parallel to and offset from the inner region beyond the second fold line on the second side.

6. The packaged shuttle of claim 1 wherein the first vertical support comprises:

a first lower support coupled to the base plate and having an outer edge at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the base plate such that a distance from the outer edge to a central axis through the base plate increases with distance from the base plate;

a first upper support coupled to the top plate and the first lower support, the first upper support having an outer edge that is substantially at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the top plate such that a distance from the outer edge to a central axis through the top plate increases with distance from the top plate;

wherein the outer edge of the first lower support is substantially parallel to the outer edge of the first upper support.

7. The packaged shuttle of claim 6 wherein the first lateral support is coupled proximate the outer edge of the first lower support and is coupled proximate the outer edge of the second lower support, and wherein the second lateral support is coupled proximate the outer edge of the first upper support and is coupled proximate the outer edge of the second upper support.

8. The packaging shuttle of claim 1 wherein the packaging shuttle is formed from a unitary foldable slice.

9. An enclosure system for securing a pair of shoes, comprising:

a cylindrical container;

a shuttle insertable within the cylindrical container to secure a pair of shoes in a stacked configuration, the shuttle comprising:

a base plate at a first end of the shuttle;

a top plate at a second end of the shuttle; and

a toe securing structure in a middle portion of the shuttle to secure a toe end of a first shoe and a toe end of a second shoe; a lower spacer insertable adjacent to the base plate to secure the heel end of the first shoe; and

an upper spacer insertable adjacent the top plate to secure the heel end of the second shoe.

10. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the toe-securing structure comprises:

a first lateral support comprising a first sheet;

a second transverse support comprising a second sheet; and

a connecting support comprising a third sheet, the connecting support connecting a lower edge of the first transverse support and an upper edge of the second transverse support such that there is a first cavity for securing the toe end of the first shoe between the first transverse support and the connecting support and there is a second cavity for securing the toe end of the second shoe between the second transverse support and the connecting support.

11. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the first lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle of: inclined away from a central axis of the base plate at a greater distance from the base plate; and wherein the second lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle: is inclined away from the central axis of the top plate at a greater distance from the top plate.

12. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the first lateral support, the second lateral support, and the connecting support are each supported by a pair of vertical supports.

13. The packaging system of claim 9, wherein the lower spacer comprises:

14. The packaging shuttle of claim 9 wherein the packaging shuttle is formed from a one-piece foldable slice.

15. A packaging shuttle for securing a pair of shoes within a cylindrical container, the packaging shuttle comprising:

a bottom plate at a first end of the shuttle, the first end being near a heel end of a first shoe;

a top plate at a second end of the shuttle, the second end being near a heel end of a second shoe;

a toe securing structure in a middle portion of the shuttle to secure a toe end of the first shoe and to secure a toe end of the second shoe; and

a pair of vertical supports coupled between the bottom plate, top plate, and toe fixture structure.

16. The packaged shuttle of claim 15 wherein the toe-securing structure comprises:

a first lateral support comprising a first sheet;

a second transverse support comprising a second sheet; and

17. The packaged shuttle of claim 16 wherein the first lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle of: inclined away from a central axis of the base plate at a greater distance from the base plate; and wherein the second lateral support has a surface oriented at an angle: is inclined away from the central axis of the top plate at a greater distance from the top plate.

18. The packaged shuttle of claim 16 wherein the first lateral support, the second lateral support, and the connecting support are each supported by the pair of vertical supports.

19. The packaged shuttle of claim 15 further comprising:

a lower spacer insertable adjacent to the base plate to secure the heel end of the first shoe; and

20. The packaging shuttle of claim 15 wherein the packaging shuttle is formed from a unitary foldable slice.