CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part Application of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/485,685 filed on Jun. 16, 2009, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a universal shoe box.

When a customer in a shoe store requests a pair of shoes to try on, a sales person typically goes to a room filled with shoe inventory stored in boxes that may identify a particular shoe by style no., model no., size, color, and/or other information describing the contents of the box. Often, the numbers and/or letters printed on a box to describe its contents are small and difficult to read. As a result, the sales person looking for a pair of shoes requested by a customer may end up spending an inordinate amount of time looking for the specific box that contains the requested shoes. Needless to say, this reduces the amount of time the sales person may spend with the customer, thereby affecting the customer's perception of the quality of customer service, as well as potentially limiting the number of customers a sales person may be able to service at any given time. As a result, the time lost by a sales person looking for the correct shoe may affect the volume of shoes sold and corresponding profits generated by the shoe store.

Accordingly, there appears to be a need for a new shoe box that has a picture receiving means on the box that displays an image of its contents and provides ease of visual identification and accountability as to its contents for use in the retail shoe store setting. Such a box will reduce the time required by the sales person to locate and retrieve a requested shoe for a customer. In addition, because of the picture, the sales person may quickly locate another shoe that is the right color or style that the customer had overlooked or not been aware of; these too can be brought out by the sales person and suggested to the customer. This form of customer service increases the potential for sales and greater profits by the shoe store.

Similarly, once a customer has purchased a pair of shoes, and they choose to continue to use the same shoe box provided at the time of purchase, they will be able to view in advance and quickly identify and retrieve the desired shoes they wish to wear without looking through several boxes which involves the removal, reinsertion, and restacking of shoe boxes.

In the prior art, there is a shoe box that has a picture receiving means for placing a picture on the box that displays an image of a shoe. U.S. Patent Publication No. US2006/0054674 A1 is understood to disclose a clothing article organizer having a picture retaining apparatus mounted on its surface. The clothing article box has a removable lid. The clothing article box is also understood to have a stackable construction, allowing one box to be stored on top of another based on the height and width of the â€œfamilyâ€ of boxes. However, the stacking feature of the clothing article organizer does not appear to provide any further support beyond the height and width dimensions of the underlying boxes. Also, this clothing article organizer does not appear to be subject to quick disassembly into a configuration that takes up minimal space. Finally, this clothing article organizer does not appear to provide ready accessibility to its contents when multiple boxes are in a stacked configuration.

Accordingly, there further appears to be a need for a new shoe box in the aftermarket residential use setting that may be readily assembled into a stackable configuration with adequate support that also provides ease of visual identification and accessibility to its contents.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a universal shoe box. The universal shoe box has six faces formed of a common contiguous material. Each face is interconnected with at least one adjacent face, with at least one face being hingedly attached to the adjacent face. Each face further has a preferential fold disposed between the adjacent face. There is a front face defining generally a longitudinal front face axis and a lateral front face axis. The shoe box also has a rear face opposing the front face defining generally a longitudinal rear face axis and a lateral rear face axis. There is also a first face defining generally a longitudinal first face axis and a lateral first face axis disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face and the rear face. Also included is a non-removable top face defining generally a longitudinal top face axis and a lateral top face axis. The top face is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face, the rear face, the first face, and the second face. The preferential fold between the first face and the top face is a first face edge extending from the front face to the rear face. The shoe box further includes a second face opposing the first face defining generally a longitudinal second face axis and a lateral second face axis. The second face is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face and the rear face. The preferential fold between the second face and the top face is a second face edge extending from the front face to the rear face. The shoe box also has a non-removable bottom face opposing the top face defining generally a longitudinal bottom face axis and a lateral bottom face axis. The bottom face is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face, the rear face, the first face, and the second face. The shoe box further has a first display window disposed on the front face proximate to the access aperture. The first display window may be operative to display a product card depicting an image of a shoe. The shoe box also has an access aperture disposed on the front face.

The shoe box is innovative in that the preferential folds enable the quick assembly and disassembly of the shoe box into a flat configuration that may be readily stored and may save space when the shoe box is not being used. The preferential folds enable the shoe box to be readily foldable and reversible. For example, the shoe box may be shaded with a different color on each side. Depending on the tastes of the user, the shoe box may be assembled or folded out in â€œreverseâ€ , thereby revealing the second color in place of the first color. Similarly, the user may elect to have certain printed material found only on the interior of the shoe box. Alternatively, with the â€œreversalâ€ of the shoe box, the printed material may be exposed on the exterior of the shoe box. The preferential folds may be further configured to enable the shoe box to be universally adapted to shoes of different types and sizes. The shoe box may also be adapted for the storage of articles of clothing and other miscellaneous items The access aperture on the front face of the shoe box enables ready access to and/or retrieval of a single shoe box, either by hand or through the use of a tool. The first display window enables quick and efficient visual identification of the contents of the shoe box based on the image depicted on the product card. The non-removable top face and bottom face have no lid that may be dropped or dislodged, thereby improving the stackability and underlying support provided by the shoe box.

This embodiment of the shoe box may be most advantageously used in a retail shoe store or commercial setting, where the shoe inventory is stored in a room filled with shoe boxes stacked one on top of the other. The first display window on the universal shoe box may enable a sales person to readily locate, identify, and retrieve a shoe with the size, color, style, and/or brand requirements requested by a customer, or to readily find another shoe that may also satisfy the customer's tastes that had not been previously considered by the customer. As such, the sales person is able to devote less time looking for shoes in inventory and more time presenting shoes to the customer. The increased amount of time a shoe salesperson is able to spend with the customer and the more shoe selection alternatives the salesperson is able to present to the customer may improve the perceived quality of customer service and therefore increase the potential revenue and profits for the shoe store.

U.S. Patent Publication No. US2006/0054674 A1 as discussed above has a removable lid that may be dislodged, thereby impairing the stackability and support of shoe boxes placed thereon. Furthermore, for this reason, many prior art shoe boxes are distinguishable in their absence of having all faces made of a common contiguous separated by a preferential fold disposed between adjacent faces, with each face interconnected with at least one adjacent face.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the shoe box may have a front face that is pivotally extendable in an open position at a front face angle greater than orthogonal to the first face and the second face. The front face may have a first front face edge adjacent the first face and a second front face edge adjacent to the second face. The first front face edge may have a first face wall extending generally orthogonal to the first front face edge proximate the first face. The second front face edge may have a second face wall extending generally orthogonal to the second front face edge proximate the second face. The first face wall may have a first face wall hook and the second face wall may have a second face wall hook operative to attach to the first face and the second face respectively to stop the front face from being pivotally extended past the front face angle in an open position.

The shoe box is further innovative in that the pivoting mechanism of the front face enables the shoe box to be opened, even when there are other shoe boxes stacked on top of it. As a result, the contents of the shoe box may be readily accessed without having to remove, adjust, or otherwise affect the position of the other stacked shoe boxes. As such, once the contents of the shoe box have been visually identified by the product card on the first display window, the shoes contained therein may be readily removed while maintaining the stacked configuration of the shoe boxes.

These embodiments of the shoe box may be most advantageously used in an aftermarket residential setting by an individual desiring to save space by storing multiple shoe boxes in a stacked configuration while still being able to readily identify and access the contents therein. The individual may also choose to store articles of clothing or other miscellaneous items in the shoe box, in addition to or in lieu of shoes. As in the case of the embodiment of the shoe box used in the retail or commercial shoe store setting, the image of the shoe in the first display window in these embodiments of the shoe box may enable the individual to readily locate and identify a shoe having the desired size, color, style, and/or brand. In addition, the pivoting mechanism of the front face in this embodiment of the shoe box enables the individual to readily remove a desired shoe from a shoe box without disturbing the configuration of shoe boxes stacked on top of the shoe box. This in turn enables an individual to more efficiently determine what shoe they wish to wear with a particular outfit and then retrieve the desired shoe while at the same time maintaining an organized shoe storage system in their closet.

In another embodiment, the first face wall of the shoe box may have a first face wedge and the second face wall may have a second face wedge proximate to the front face. The first face wedge and the second face wedge may be operative to secure the front face orthogonal to the first face and the second face respectively in a closed position.

In this regard, the shoe box is further innovative in that the front face may be securely closed against the first face and the second face while maintaining the stacked configuration. As such, the shoe box will remain in the closed position.

According to another embodiment, the access aperture may be oval in shape. This configuration of the shoe box may be most useful in the aftermarket residential setting to an individual desiring to be able to pivotally open or close with their fingers the front face of the shoe box in the stacked configuration. In another embodiment, the access aperture may be circular. This configuration may be most useful in the retail or commercial shoe store setting to a salesperson desiring to be able to retrieve and remove a shoe box from inventory stored in a stacked configuration with other shoe boxes. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the various aspects of the shoe box may be employed with the access aperture being any other shape, including but not limited to square, polygonal, rectangular, etc.

Another embodiment of the present invention further includes a first face first tab proximate to the first face edge that may be disposable in a first face first recess proximate to the first face edge of a second shoe box placed on top of the shoe box. A second face first tab proximate to the second face edge may be disposable in a second face first recess proximate to the second face edge of a second shoe box, thereby enabling the second shoe box to be fixedly mounted on the shoe box. In another embodiment, the first face first tab may be on the first face edge proximate to the front face projecting above the top face. The second face first tab may be on the second face edge proximate to the front face projecting above the top face. The first face first tab may be disposable in the first face first recess on the first face edge of the second shoe box. The second face first tab may be disposable in the second face first recess on the second face edge of the second shoe box. In yet another embodiment, the shoe box may further include a first face second tab on the first face edge proximate to the rear face projecting above the top face. A second face second tab may be on the second face edge proximate to the rear face projecting above the top face. In this embodiment, the first face second tab may be disposable in a first face second recess on the first face edge of the second shoe box. The second face second tab may be disposable in a second recess on the second face edge of the second shoe box. In yet a further embodiment, a plurality of shoe boxes may be fixedly mounted on top of the shoe box, with each shoe box having a first face tab, a first face second tab, a second face first tab, a second face second tab, a first face first recess, a first face second recess, a second face first recess, and a second face second recess on the first face edge and the second face edge respectively.

These features of the shoe box uniquely enable the mounting of one shoe box on top of another in a stackable configuration. These features further allow one shoe box to be precisely positioned on top of another shoe box, with the insertion of the tabs on the lower shoe box into the recesses located on the upper shoe box such that the upper shoe box will not be dislodged or slip off the lower shoe box. In this embodiment, the shoe box is able to support the second shoe box above it, the second shoe box is able to support the third shoe box above it and so forth, without risk of slippage or dislodgment of one or more shoe boxes from the stacked configuration. As such, the space-saving features of this stackable configuration may be maintained. Furthermore, the absence of a removable lid avoids the dropping or misplacing of the top of the shoe box. This embodiment of the shoe box may be most advantageously used in the aftermarket residential setting by an individual desiring to store a plurality of shoe boxes in a stackable configuration in their closet. In particular, the pivoting mechanism enables the front face to be extended in an open position, thereby enabling removal of a pair of shoes from an individual shoe box, while still maintaining the stackable configuration of all shoe boxes stored on top of the shoe box.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the non-removable top face of the shoe box may be hingedly attached to the rear face of the shoe box. In another embodiment, the non-removable top face may be hingedly attached to the first face of the shoe box. In yet a further embodiment, the non-removable top face may be hingedly attached to the second face of the shoe box. As discussed above, these embodiments uniquely enable the shoe box to be maintained either individually or in a stackable configuration without risk of dislodgment of a lid that is commonly found in many prior art shoe boxes. Accordingly, the non-removable top face may provide more reliable support, especially in a stackable configuration.

In another embodiment, the shoe box may further include a shoe label on the front face identifying information about the shoe, such as the size, brand, and/or model information. In a further embodiment, the shoe label may be disposed in the first display window. In an alternative embodiment, the shoe label may be disposed in a second display window. Accordingly, the contents of the shoe box may be further identifiable by the model no., style no., color, size, or other descriptive information about the shoe, in addition to the visual identification provided by the product card in the first display window. This feature may uniquely enable more convenient and efficient identification of the shoe contained in the shoe box.

In another embodiment, the shoe box may be made of cardboard or corrugated paper board. This material is light weight and therefore amenable to convenient transport and/or storage. Furthermore, this material is inexpensive, thereby reducing the costs of production and enabling competitive pricing of the shoe box.

In another embodiment, the product card may be mounted on a product card face behind the first display window, the product card face being slideably disposable between the front face and a first front face fold behind the front face. In a further embodiment, a product card retaining tab disposed on the product card face may be operative to hold the product card in position behind the first display window. These embodiments of the shoe box may be most advantageously used in a retail commercial shoe store setting, wherein the front face of the shoe box is not pivotally extendable. In this configuration, the product card may slide behind the front display window onto the product card face without having to disassemble or otherwise open the shoe box. In yet another embodiment, the product card may be disposed behind the first display window between the front face and a second front face fold. This embodiment of the shoe box may be most advantageously used in a residential aftermarket setting, wherein the front face of the shoe box may be pivotally opened, thereby allowing the individual to slide the product card behind the first display window between the front face and the second front face fold.

The claimed invention further includes a universal storage box for the convenient storage of contents therein and the stacking of multiple storage boxes one on top of the other. The top face of the storage box is uniquely strengthened by a first tuck panel and a second tuck panel that extend downward along longitudinal axes into the storage box and are disposable on an interior surface of the bottom face of the storage box. This feature uniquely provides â€œcrushâ€ support to the top face of the storage box with a plurality of storage boxes that may be further stacked on top of the storage box. The tuck panels may also serve as built-in dividers in the storage box that may uniquely separate or divide the contents of the storage box. The storage box is also innovative in that the front face may be pivotally opened and closed, thereby providing ready access to the interior and contents of the storage box. Similarly, the rear face of the storage box may be readily opened or closed for ease of access to the contents. The storage box is also innovative in that its non-removable and interconnected faces formed of a common contiguous material have preferential folds that may enable the quick assembly and disassembly of the storage box for ease of storage in a space-saving manner.

The universal storage box may have six faces formed of a common contiguous material. Each face may interconnect with at least one adjacent face. Each face may further have a preferential fold disposed between each interconnected adjacent face. The six faces may include a front face, a rear face opposing the front face, a first face disposed between the front face and the rear face and, a top face defining generally a longitudinal top face axis and a lateral top face axis. A preferential fold disposed between the first face and the top face may be a first face edge extending between the front face and the rear face. The storage box may further include a bottom face opposing the top face and a second face opposing the first face. A preferential fold disposed between the second face and the top face may be a second face edge extending between the front face and the rear face. The top face may further have a first tuck panel extending from the first face edge toward an opposing second tuck panel along the lateral top face axis. The second tuck panel may extend from the second face edge toward the first tuck panel along the lateral top face axis. A preferential fold on the first tuck panel disposed proximate to the second tuck panel may be a first tuck panel edge extending between the front face and the rear face. The first tuck panel may further extend between the first tuck panel edge and an interior surface of the bottom face inside the storage box generally along a longitudinal first tuck panel axis. The first tuck panel may further have a first tuck panel end with a first tuck panel first tab disposable into the interior surface of the bottom face. A preferential fold on the second tuck panel disposed proximate to the first tuck panel may be a second tuck panel edge extending between the front face and the rear face. The second tuck panel may further extend between the second tuck panel edge and an interior surface of the bottom face inside the storage box generally along a longitudinal second tuck panel axis. The second tuck panel may further have a second tuck panel end with a second tuck panel first tab disposable into the interior surface of the bottom face. The universal storage box may also include a first access aperture disposed on the front face.

In one embodiment of the claimed invention, a preferential fold disposed between the front face and the first face of the storage box may be a first front face edge that may extend between the top face and the bottom face. A preferential fold disposed between the front face and the second face may be a second front face edge that may extend between the top face and the bottom face. The storage box may further have a first front face angle up to orthogonal between the first front face edge and the front face with the front face pivotally extended in an open position. The storage box may further have a second front face angle up to orthogonal between the second front face edge and the front face with the front face pivotally extended in an open position. The first front face edge and the second front face edge may be flush to the front face with the front face in a closed position. The front face of the storage box may further have a first side wall extending from the first front face edge proximate to an interior surface of the first face inside the storage box and a second side wall extending from the second front face edge proximate to an interior surface of the second face inside the storage box. The first side wall may have a first side wall hook at a distal end portion slideably disposable against an interior surface of the top face with the front face in the open position. The second side wall may have a second side wall hook at a distal end portion slideably disposable against the interior surface of the top face with the front face in the open position. The first side wall may further have a first wedge proximate to the first face edge and the second side wall may have a second wedge proximate to the second face edge operative to secure the first side wall and the second side wall respectively against the interior surface of the top face with the front face in the closed position.

In one embodiment, the first tuck panel first tab of the storage box may be disposable into a bottom face first recess on the interior surface of the bottom face. In another embodiment, the second tuck panel first tab of the storage box may be disposable into the bottom face first recess. In yet a further embodiment of the claimed invention, the second tuck panel first tab may be disposable into a bottom face second recess opposing the bottom face first recess on the interior surface of the bottom face.

In another embodiment, the first tuck panel end may include a first tuck panel second tab disposable into a bottom face third recess. The second tuck panel end may include a second tuck panel second tab disposable into a bottom face fourth recess opposing the bottom face third recess. In an alternative embodiment, the second tuck panel second tab may be disposable into the bottom face third recess.

In the claimed invention, a preferential fold disposed between the rear face and the top face of the storage box may be a rear face edge extending between the top face and the rear face. The rear face edge may have a first tuck flap slideably disposable beneath an interior surface of the first tuck panel inside the storage box. The rear face edge may further have a second tuck flap slideably disposable beneath an interior surface of the second tuck panel inside the storage box.

In yet a further embodiment, the storage box may further include a first retainer panel extending from a preferential fold between the rear face and the first face. In this embodiment, the first tuck flap of the storage box may be disposable between the first tuck panel and the first retainer panel. In another embodiment, the storage box may also include a second retainer panel extending from the preferential fold between the rear face and the second face. In this embodiment, the second tuck flap of the storage box may be disposable between the second tuck panel and the second retainer panel.

Another embodiment of the storage box may include a rear slit on the rear face edge between the first tuck flap and the second tuck flap. The rear slit may be disposable into a first tuck panel rear slit on the first tuck panel edge and a second tuck panel rear slit on the second tuck panel edge.

A plurality of additional storage boxes may be mountable on top of the top face of the first storage box. The six faces of the storage box may be made of any material including but not limited to cardboard or corrugated paperboard in order to adequately support the top face of the storage box in a stackable configuration.

In another embodiment, the storage box may further include a first tuck panel front slot and a second tuck panel front slot generally at the height of the first access aperture with the front face in the closed position.

The storage box may also include a second access aperture disposed on the rear face. In this embodiment, the storage box may further include a first tuck panel rear slot and a second tuck panel rear slot generally at the height of the second access aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front face of the shoe box depicting the first display window and access aperture.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe box utilized primarily in a retail or commercial shoe store setting depicting the hinged attachment between the first face and the non-removable top face of the shoe box.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the shoe box shown in FIG. 2 depicting the product card on a product card face behind the first display window held in position by a product card retaining tab between the front face and the first front face fold.

FIG. 3 is a perspective of the preferential folds disposed between each of the six faces of the shoe box.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front face pivotally extended in an open position at a front face angle greater than orthogonal to the first face and the second face, with the first face first tab and the first face second tab disposed in the first face first recess and the first face second recess respectively of a second shoe box stacked on top of a shoe box, and the second face first tab and second face second tab disposed in the second face first recess and second face second recess of a second shoe box on top the first shoe box.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the shoe box shown in FIG. 4 depicting the product card behind the first display window between the front face and the second front face fold.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the shoe box utilized primarily in a stackable configuration in an aftermarket residential setting depicting a front face having a first face first tab and a first face second tab on the first face edge, a second face first tab and a second face second tab on the second face edge, and an access aperture and first display window on the front face.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the preferential folds of the shoe box with the first front face edge having a first face wall with a first face wall hook and a first face wedge, and a second front face edge having a second face wall with a second face wall hook and a second face wedge operative to securely open and close the front face relative to the first face and the second face.

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the universal storage box with the front face disposed in the open position, with the first tuck panel and the second tuck panel extending into the storage box and disposable on an interior surface of the bottom face.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the six faces of the storage box with the front face disposed in the closed position, the first tuck panel and second tuck panel extending along the lateral top face axis.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the preferential folds of the storage box with the first tuck panel and the second tuck panel extending from the first tuck panel edge and the second tuck panel edge, the embodiment shown having four recesses on the bottom face operative to dispose the first tuck panel and the second tuck panel into the interior surface of the bottom face.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the first tuck flap and the second tuck flap extending from the rear face edge, with a rear slit disposed between the first tuck flap and the second tuck flap, the first tuck flap disposed between the first tuck panel and the first retainer panel, and the second tuck flap disposed between the second tuck panel and the second retainer panel.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the first tuck flap and the second tuck flap being disposable beneath an interior surface of the first tuck panel and second tuck panel.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the first tuck flap disposed between the first tuck panel and the first retainer panel, and the second tuck flap disposed between the second tuck panel and the second retainer panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The drawings referred to herein are for the purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and not for the purposes of limiting the same.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the universal shoe box 10. A non-removable top face 42 and a front face 14 are visible. The top face 42 is â€œnon-removableâ€ in that it is hingedly attached to at least one adjacent face. Although the top face 42 depicted in FIG. 1 is hingedly attached to the first face 26, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that various embodiments of the shoe box 10 may have the top face 42 hingedly-attached to either the rear face 20, the front face 14, or the second face 34. The perspective shown in FIG. 2 visibly depicts the rear face 20 and the second face 34 of the shoe box 10.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the front face 14 is generally defined by a longitudinal front face axis 16 and a lateral front face axis 18. The first face 26 and the second face 34 are generally defined by a longitudinal first face axis 28, a lateral first face axis 30, a longitudinal second face axis 36, and a lateral second face axis 38, respectively. FIG. 2 depicts the rear face 20 generally defining a longitudinal rear face axis 22 and a lateral rear face axis 24. The non-removable top face 42 is generally defined by a longitudinal top face axis 44 and a lateral top face axis 46. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-3, a locking tab 138 is shown mounted on the edge of the front face 14 proximate to the second face 34. The locking tab 138 may be disposable in a tab slot 140 proximate the preferential fold 12 between the second face 34 and the product card face 114. The locking tab 138 and the tab slot 40 may be operative to prevent a product card 58 such as a photograph from falling out from between the first display window 56 and the second face 34. More clearly depicted in FIG. 6, the shoe box 10 also has a non-removable bottom face 48 generally defining a longitudinal bottom face axis 50 and a lateral bottom face axis 52.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the universal shoe box 10 has six faces formed of a common contiguous material, with each face interconnected with at least one adjacent face. At least one face is hingedly attached to an adjacent face. Each face of the universal shoe box 10 has a preferential fold 12 disposed between the adjacent face. For example, FIG. 3 depicts preferential folds 12 between the front face 14 and the first face 26, the top face 42 and the first face edge 32, the rear face 20 and the first face 26, the bottom face 48 and the first face 26, the bottom face 48 and the second face 34, and the second face 34 and the second face edge 40.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the first face 26 is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face 14 and the rear face 20. The top face 42 is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face 14, the rear face 20, the first face 26, and the second face 34. The second face 34 is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face 14 and the rear face 20. The preferential fold 12 between the first face 26 and the top face 42 is a first face edge 32 extending from the front face 14 to the rear face 20. The preferential fold 12 between the second face 34 and the top face 48 is a second face edge 40 extending from the front face 14 to the rear face 20. As shown is FIG. 3, the bottom face 48 is disposed generally orthogonal to and between the front face 14, the rear face 20, the first face 26, and the second face 34.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the shoe box 10 is shown to have an access aperture 54 disposed on the front face 14. The access aperture 54 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is circular. However, in another embodiment of the shoe box 10, the access aperture 54 may be oval in shape. This configuration of the shoe box 10 may be most useful in an aftermarket residential setting for an individual desiring to be able to pivotally open or close with their fingers the front face 14 of the shoe box 10 in the stacked configuration to insert or remove a pair of shoes. It is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the various aspects of the shoe box 10 may be employed with an access aperture 54 that may also have a polygonal, square, heart, or other configuration.

FIGS. 1, 2, 4 & 5 depict an embodiment of the shoe box 10 having a first display window 56 disposed on the front face 14 of the shoe box 10 proximate to the access aperture 54. The first display window 56 is operative to display a product card 58 behind the front face 14 depicting an image of a shoe 60. As shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, and 3, in one embodiment of the shoe box 10, the product card 58 may be mounted on a product card face 114 behind the first display window 56. The product card face 58 may be slideably disposable between the front face 14 and a first front face fold 114 behind the front face. In a further embodiment, a product card retaining tab 112 disposed on the product card face 114 may be operative to hold the product card 58 in position behind the first display window 56. These embodiments of the shoe box 10 may be most advantageously used in a retail commercial shoe store setting, wherein the front face 14 of the shoe box 10 is not pivotally extendable. In this configuration, the product card 58 may be slid behind the first display window 56 onto the product card face 114 without having to disassemble or otherwise open the shoe box 10. In yet another embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A, the product card 58 may be disposed behind the first display window 56 between the front face 14 and a second front face fold 110. As shown in FIG. 6, photo tabs 148 may be disposed on the second front face fold 110 operative to maintain the product card 58 in position behind the first display window 56. The photo tabs 148 may consist of a preferential fold or score 12 and a cut flap 150, with the product card 58 disposable beneath the cut flap 150 This embodiment of the shoe box 10 may be most advantageously used in a residential aftermarket setting, wherein the front face 14 of the shoe box 10 may be pivotally opened, thereby allowing the individual to slide the product card 58 behind the first display window 56 between the front face 14 and the second front face fold 110.

The shoe box 10 is innovative in that the preferential folds 12 enable the quick assembly and disassembly of the shoe box 10 into an interconnected flat configuration that may be readily stored in a space-saving manner when the shoe box is not being used. The preferential folds 12 may be configured to enable the shoe box 10 to be universally adapted to store shoes of different types and sizes. The shoe box 10 may also be adapted for the storage of articles of clothing and other miscellaneous items. Furthermore, the access aperture 54 on the front face 14 of the shoe box 10 may enable ready accessibility to and/or retrieval of a single shoe box 10, either by hand or through the use of a retrieval tool. The first display window 56 enables quick and efficient visual identification of the contents of the shoe box 10 based on the image 60 depicted on the product card 58, before the shoe box 10 is opened. As is discussed in further detail below, the non-removable top face 42 and bottom face 48 are innovative in that there is no lid that may fall off or otherwise be dislodged from the shoe box 10. This feature may uniquely enable the shoe box 10 to be more readily positioned in a stackable configuration as well as providing underlying support to a plurality of shoe boxes 102 that may be stacked on top of the shoe box 10.

This embodiment of the shoe box 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 may be most advantageously used in a retail shoe store or commercial setting, where the shoe inventory is stored in a room filled with shoe boxes 88, 102 stacked one on top of the other. The first display window 56 on the universal shoe box 10 may enable a sales person to readily locate, identify, and retrieve a shoe with the size, color, style, and/or brand requirements requested by a customer, or to readily find another shoe that may also satisfy the customer's tastes that had not been previously considered by the customer. As such, the sales person is able to devote less time looking for shoes in inventory and more time presenting shoes to the customer. The increased amount of time a shoe salesperson is able to spend with the customer and the more shoe selection alternatives the salesperson is able to present to the customer may improve the perceived quality of customer service and therefore increase the potential revenue and profits for the shoe store.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the embodiment of the shoe box 10 may further include a front face 14 that is pivotally extendable in an open position 62 at a front face angle 64 that is greater than orthogonal to the first face 26 and the second face 34. The front face 14 may have a first front face edge 66 proximate to the first face 26 and a second front face edge 68 proximate to the second face 34. The first front face edge 66 may have a first face wall 70 extending generally orthogonal to the first front face edge 66 toward the first face 26. The second front face edge 68 may have a second face wall 72 extending generally orthogonal to the second front face edge 68 toward the second face 34.

As shown in FIG. 6, the first face wall 70 may have a first face wall hook 77 operative to attach to the first face 26. Likewise the second face wall 72 may have a second face wall hook 76 operative to attach to the second face 34. The first face wall hook 77 and the second face wall hook 76 stop the front face 14 from being pivotally extended beyond the front face angle 64 in an open position 62.

This feature of the shoe box 10 is further innovative in that the pivoting mechanism of the front face 14 enables the shoe box to be in an opened position 62, even when there are a plurality of shoe boxes 102 stacked on top of the shoe box 10 as shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the contents of the shoe box 10 may be readily accessed without having to remove, adjust, or otherwise effect the position of the one or more shoe boxes 102 stacked on top of the shoe box 10. As such, once the contents of the shoe box 10 have been visually identified by the product card 58 on the first display window 56, the shoes contained therein may be readily removed while maintaining the stacked configuration of the plurality of shoe boxes 102.

The embodiments of the shoe box 10 shown in FIGS. 4-6 may be most advantageously used in an aftermarket residential setting by an individual desiring to save space by storing multiple shoe boxes 88, 102 in a stacked configuration while still being able to readily identify and access the contents therein. The individual may also choose to store articles of clothing or other miscellaneous items in the shoe box, in addition to or in lieu of shoes. As in the case of the embodiment of the shoe box used in the retail or commercial shore store setting, the image of the shoe in the first display window 56 in these embodiments of the shoe box 10 may enable the individual to readily locate and identify a shoe having the desired size, color, style, and/or brand. In addition, the pivoting mechanism of the front face 14 in this embodiment of the shoe box 10 enables the individual to readily remove a desired shoe from a shoe box 10 without disturbing the configuration of shoe boxes stacked on top of the shoe box 88, 102. This in turn enables an individual to more efficiently determine what shoe they wish to wear with a particular outfit and then retrieve the desired shoe while at the same time maintaining an organized shoe storage system in their closet.

Still referring to FIGS. 4-6, in another embodiment of the shoe box 10, the first face wall 70 may have a first face wedge 78 and the second face wall 72 may have a second face wedge 80 proximate to the front face 14. The first face wedge 78 and the second face wedge 80 may be operative to secure the front face 14 of the shoe box 10 orthogonal to the first face 26 and the second face 34 respectively in a closed position 82. This feature of the shoe box 10 uniquely enables the front face 14 to be securely closed against the first face 26 and the second face 34 while maintaining the stacked configuration. As such, the contents may be secured in the shoe box 10 in the closed position 82. In a further embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the rear face 20 may have one or more circulations vents 140 operative to enable the circulation of air into the interior of the shoe box 10, thereby allowing the box 10 and its contents to â€œbreathe.â€

Still referring to FIGS. 4-6, another embodiment of the present invention may further include a first face first tab 84 proximate to the first face edge 32. The first face first tab 84 may be disposable in a first face first recess 86 proximate to the first face edge 32 of a second shoe box 88 on top of the shoe box 10. A second face first tab 90 proximate to the second face edge 40 may be disposable in a second face first recess 92 proximate to the second face edge 40 of the second shoe box 88. This feature enables the second shoe box 88 to be fixedly mounted in a stacked configuration on top of the shoe box 10. In another embodiment, the first face first tab 84 may be on the first face edge 32 proximate to the front face 14 projecting above the top face 42, as shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the second face first tab 90 may likewise be on the second face edge 40 proximate to the front face 14 projecting above the top face 42. The first face first tab 84 may be disposable in the first face first recess 86 on the first face edge 32 of the second shoe box 88. The second face first tab 90 may be disposable in the second face first recess 92 on the second face edge 40 of the second shoe box 88. In yet a further embodiment, the shoe box 10 may further include a first face second tab 94 on the first face edge 32 proximate to the rear face 20 projecting above the top face 42. In this embodiment, the shoe box 10 may further include a second face second tab 96 on the second face edge 40 proximate to the rear face 20 projecting above the top face 42. The first face second tab 94 may be disposable in the first face second recess 98 on the first face edge 32 of the second shoe box 88. The second face second tab 96 may be disposable in the second face second recess 100 on the second face edge 40 on the second shoe box 88.

These features of the shoe box 10 uniquely enable the mounting of the second shoe box 88 or a plurality of shoe boxes 102, one on top of the other in a stackable configuration. In these embodiments, the second shoe box 88 or one of a plurality of shoe boxes 102 may be precisely positioned on top of the shoe box 10, with the insertion of the tabs 84, 90, 94, 96 on the lower shoe box 10 into the recesses 86, 92, 98, 100 located on the second shoe box 88 or one or more plurality of shoe boxes 102 on top of the shoe box 10. In this embodiment, the second shoe box 88 or one more plurality of shoe boxes 102 stacked on top of the shoe box 10 may be better supported and less likely to be dislodged or to otherwise fall off of the shoe box 10. Accordingly, the lower shoe box 10 may be better able to support the second shoe box 88 above it, and the second shoe box 88 may be better able to support the one or more of a plurality of shoe boxes 102 above it, and so forth, thereby reducing the risk of slippage of dislodgement of one or more shoe boxes placed in a stacked configuration. As such, the space-saving features of this stackable configuration may be maintained.

This embodiment of the shoe box 10 may be most advantageously used in the aftermarket residential setting by the individual consumer desiring to use the shoe box 10 for storage purposes in their closet at home. In particular, this configuration may be most effectively used in an embodiment of the shoe box 10 wherein the front face 14 may also be pivotally extended in an open position 62 as depicted in FIG. 5, thereby enabling removal of a pair of shoes or other item from an individual shoe box 10 while maintaining the stackable configuration of the second shoe box 88 or one or more plurality of additional shoe boxes 102 positioned on top of the shoe box 10 in their closet. However, tabs 84, 90, 94, 96 and recesses 86, 92, 98, 100 are an optional feature of the shoe box 10, as they are shown removed in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5. In a commercial or retail setting, an embodiment of the shoe box 10 without tabs 84, 90, 94, 96 and recesses 86, 92, 98, 100 may be preferred so as to enable ease of removal of shoe boxes 10 stacked one on top of another from inventory

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, the shoe box 10 may further include a shoe label 104 on the front face 14. The shoe label 104 may include identifying information about the shoe, such as the size, color, and/or model information. In a further embodiment, the shoe label 104 may be disposed in the first display window 56. In yet a further embodiment, the shoe label 104 may be disposed in a second display window 106.

These features uniquely enable the shoe box 10 to identify its contents by descriptive information in addition to the visual identification provided by an image of the shoe 60 on the product card 58 in the first display window 56. As such, this feature may uniquely enable the more convenient and efficient identification of the shoe contained in the shoe box 10 without having to open the shoe box 10.

Although the shoe box 10 depicted in FIGS. 1-6 are made of cardboard or corrugated paper board material, it is also contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the various aspects of the shoe box 10 may be employed with any lightweight material. The lightweight nature of these materials is advantageous in allowing and enabling the shoe box 10 to be conveniently transported and/or placed in storage. Furthermore, these materials may be inexpensive and thereby reduce the cost of production of the shoe box and enable its competitive pricing.

The claimed invention may also take the form of a storage box 10 (see FIG. 8). The storage box 10 may have six faces, a front face 14, a rear face 16 opposing the front face 14, a first face 18 disposed between the front face 14 and the rear face 16, a second face 28 opposing the first face 18, a top face 42 defining generally a longitudinal top face axis 22 and a lateral top face axis 24, and a bottom face 32 opposing the top face 42. (see FIG. 8). Each face may be interconnected with at least one adjacent face, and each face may further have a preferential fold 12 disposed between each interconnected adjacent face (see FIG. 9). A preferential fold 12 disposed between the first face 18 and the top face 42 may be a first face edge 26. The first face edge may extend between the front face 14 and the rear face 16 (see FIGS. 7-8). A preferential fold 12 disposed between the second face 28 and the top face 42 may be a second face edge 30 extending between the front face 14 and the rear face 16 (see FIGS. 7-8).

FIG. 7 is a frontal view of the storage box 10 with the front face 14 in an open position. The top face 42 may have a first tuck panel 34 extending from the first face edge 26 toward an opposing second tuck panel 36 along the lateral top face axis 24. The second tuck panel 36 may extend from the second face edge 30 toward the first tuck panel 34 along the lateral top face axis 24. A preferential fold 12 on the first tuck panel 34 disposed proximate to the second tuck panel 36 may be a first tuck panel edge 38. The first tuck panel edge 38 may extend between the front face 14 and the rear face 16. The first tuck panel 34 may further extend between the first tuck panel edge 38 and an interior surface of the bottom face 32 inside the storage box 10 generally along a longitudinal first tuck panel axis 40 (see FIG. 7). The first tuck panel 34 may further have a first tuck panel end 44 with a first tuck panel first tab 42 disposable into the interior surface of the bottom face 32 (see FIG. 7). Similarly, a preferential fold on the second tuck panel 36 disposed proximate to the first tuck panel 34 may be a second tuck panel edge 48. The second tuck panel edge 48 may extend between the front face 14 and the rear face 16. The second tuck panel 36 may further extend between the second tuck panel edge 48 and an interior surface of the bottom face 32 inside the storage box 10 generally along a longitudinal second tuck panel axis 50 (see FIG. 7). The second tuck panel 36 may further have a second tuck panel end 54 with a second tuck panel first tab 52 disposable into the interior surface of the bottom face 32. The universal two cell storage box 10 may also include a first access aperture 56 disposed on the front face 14 (see FIGS. 8-9).

This configuration of the storage box 10 uniquely provides additional â€œcrushâ€ support to the top face 42 of the storage box 10, which may be particularly advantageous with the stacking of additional storage boxes 10 on top of the first storage box 10. The first tuck panel 34 and the second tuck panel 36 support the top face 42 of the storage box 10 along longitudinal tuck panel axes 40, 50 (see FIG. 7). As such, the top face 42 of the underlying storage box 10 may be able to bear the weight of additional storage boxes 10 and may be less likely to be crushed or otherwise damaged. The first tuck panel 34 and the second tuck panel 36 may also uniquely serve as built-in dividers in the interior of the storage box 10 that may enable the separation or division of the contents of the storage box 10 into two separate areas. As shown in FIG. 9, the storage box is also innovative in that its non-removable and interconnected faces have preferential folds that may enable the quick assembly and disassembly of the storage box 10. Furthermore, the absence of removable parts may enable the storage box 10 to be readily collapsed into a flat configuration for ease of storage in a space-saving manner when the storage box 10 is not in use. Furthermore, the absence of a lid on the top face 42 of the storage box 10 may enable the mounting or stacking of additional storage boxes 10 onto the top face 42 of the first storage box 10 in a more stable and secure manner such that the additional storage boxes 10 do not fall to the ground.

As used herein, the term â€œinterconnected adjacent faceâ€ should not be construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean any face that is either physically connected to another face on the storage box 10 or physically touches another face with the assembled storage box 10 in a closed position.

As used herein, the term â€œpreferential foldâ€ should not be construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean a prefabricated demarcation indicating the direction of folding between a face and an interconnected adjacent face to enable assembly of the storage box 10.

As used herein, the term â€œinterior surfaceâ€ should not be construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean one or more of the faces of the storage box 10 viewed from a perspective inside the storage box 10.

As used herein, the term â€œopen positionâ€ should not be construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean a configuration of the storage box 10 wherein the first front face angle 62 between the front face 14 and the first front face edge 58 and the second front face angle 64 between the front face 14 and the second front face edge 60 are both greater than zero (0) degrees.

As used herein, the term â€œclosed positionâ€ should not be construed narrowly, but rather broadly to mean a configuration of the storage box 10 wherein front face 14 abuts the top face 42, with the first front face angle 62 between the front face 14 and the first front face edge 58 and the second front face angle 64 between the front face 14 and the second front face edge are both approximately zero (0) degrees.

In an embodiment of the storage box 10, the first tuck panel first tab 42 on the first tuck panel end 44 may be disposable into a bottom face first recess 102 on the interior surface 46 of the bottom face 32 inside the storage box 10. The second tuck panel first tab 52 on the second tuck panel end 54 may be similarly disposable into the bottom face first recess 102 (see FIG. 9).

In another embodiment, the first tuck panel end 44 on the first tuck panel 34 may have a first tuck panel second tab 118 that may be disposable in a bottom face second recess 120 on the interior surface 46 of the bottom face 32. The storage box may likewise have a second tuck panel second tab 122 on the second tuck panel end 54 that is disposable into the bottom face second recess 120 on the interior surface 46 of the bottom face 32. In another embodiment, the first tuck panel 34 may have a locking tab 160 proximate the first tuck panel edge 38 that is disposable in a locking tab slot 158 on the second tuck panel 36 proximate the second tuck panel edge 48 (see FIG. 9). This feature enables the locking of the first tuck panel 34 to the second tuck panel 36, thereby providing further â€œcrush supportâ€ with the placement of other weighted objects on top of the box 10 and otherwise secures the box 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, an embodiment of the storage box 10 may include a preferential fold 12 disposed between the front face 14 and the first face 18. The preferential fold 12 may be a first front face edge 58 that may extend between the top face 42 and the bottom face 32 (see FIG. 7). A preferential fold 12 disposed between the front face 14 and the second face 28 may be a second front face edge 60 that may extend between the top face 42 and the bottom face 32 (see FIG. 7). The storage box 10 may further have a first front face angle 64 up to orthogonal between the first front face edge 58 and the front face 14 with the front face 14 pivotally extended in an open position (see FIG. 7). The storage box 10 may further have a second front face angle 64 up to orthogonal between the second front face edge 60 and the front face 14 with the front face 14 pivotally extended in an open position (see FIG. 7). As the front face 14 is drawn closer to the top face 42, the first front face angle 62 and the second front face angle 64 may eventually decrease to zero degrees as the front face 14 abuts the top face 42 (see FIGS. 7 & 8). The first front face edge 58 and the second front face edge 60 may be flush to the front face 14 with the front face 14 in a closed position (see FIG. 8). The front face 14 of the storage box 10 may further have a first side wall 66 extending from the first front face edge 58 proximate to an interior surface of the first face 18 inside the storage box 10 and a second side wall 70 extending from the second front face edge 60 proximate to an interior surface of the second face 28 inside the storage box 10 (see FIG. 7). The first side wall 66 may have a first side wall hook 74 at a distal end portion 76 slideably disposable against an interior surface of the top face 42 with the front face 14 in the open position. The second side wall 70 may have a second side wall hook 80 at a distal end portion 82 slideably disposable against the interior surface of the top face 42 with the front face 14 in the open position (see FIG. 7). The first side wall 66 may further have a first wedge 84 proximate to the first face edge 26 and the second side wall 70 may have a second wedge 86 proximate to the second face edge 30 (see FIG. 7). The first wedge 84 and the second wedge 86 may be operative to secure the first side wall 66 and the second side wall 70 respectively against the interior surface of the top face 42 with the front face 14 in the closed position (see FIG. 8).

This configuration uniquely enables the front face 14 of the storage box 10 to be pivotally opened and/or closed thereby providing convenient access to the interior and contents of the storage box 10.

The preferential fold 12 between the rear face 16 and the top face 42 may be a rear face edge 88 (see FIG. 11). The rear face edge 88 may extend between the rear face 16 and the top face 42. The rear face edge 88 may have a first tuck flap 90 proximate to a first end portion 92 slideably disposable inside the storage box 10 beneath an interior surface 94 of the first tuck panel 34. In this embodiment, the rear face edge 88 may further have a second tuck flap 96 proximate to a second end portion 98 of the rear face edge 88 that is slideably disposable inside the storage box 10 beneath an interior surface 100 of the second tuck panel 36 (see FIGS. 11-12). In another embodiment, the storage box 10 may further include a first retainer panel 106 extending from the preferential fold 12 between the rear face 16 and the first face 18 to the first tuck panel edge 38 (see FIG. 10). The first tuck flap 90 may be disposable between the first tuck panel 34 and the first retainer panel 106. The storage box 10 may further include a second retainer panel 109 extending from the preferential fold 12 between the rear face 16 and the second face 28 to the second tuck panel edge 48. The second tuck flap 96 may be disposable between the second tuck panel 36 and the second retainer panel 108 (see FIG. 10 As in the case of the pivotable front face 14, the rear face 16 may be pivotally opened and closed thereby providing convenient access to contents from the back of the storage box 10. Furthermore, the first tuck flap 90 and the second tuck flap 96 may provide additional support to the storage box 10 by adding additional thickness to the top face 42. As a result, the top face 42 may be less likely to be compressed or damaged with the stacking of other storage boxes 10 onto the underlying storage box 10.

In another embodiment, the storage box 10 may include a rear slit 142 on the rear face edge 88 between the first tuck flap 90 and the second tuck flap 96. The rear slit 142 may be disposable into a first tuck panel rear slit 144 on the first tuck panel edge 38. The rear slit 142 may be further disposable into a second tuck panel rear slit 146 on the second tuck panel edge 48, as shown in FIGS. 10-12. In a further embodiment, the front face 14 may include a front slit 150 on a front face edge 156, as shown in FIG. 9. The front slit may be disposable into a first tuck panel front slit 152 on the first tuck panel edge 38. The front slit 150 may be further disposable into a second tuck panel front slit 154 on the second tuck panel edge 48.

The six faces of the storage box 10 may be made of any material. By way of example and not limitation, the storage box 10 may be made of a firm and inexpensive material, such as cardboard or corrugated paper board (see FIG. 9). These materials may provide â€œcrush supportâ€ to the top face 42 of the storage box 10 when additional boxes have been mounted or stacked thereon.

The storage box 10 may further include a first tuck panel front slot 130 and a second tuck panel front slot 132 along the edge of the first tuck panel 34 and the second tuck panel 36, generally at the height of the first access aperture 56 with the front face 14 disposed in the closed position (see FIG. 8).

The rear face 16 of the storage box 10 may further include a second access aperture 128. In an embodiment of the storage box 10, a first tuck panel rear slot 134 proximate the first tuck panel edge 38 and a second tuck panel rear slot 136 proximate the second tuck panel edge 48 may be generally at a the height of the second access aperture 128 (see FIG. 9). The first retainer panel 106 and the second retainer panel 108 may both have a grip slot 162 that enables additional space for the placement of fingers with the grasping of the box 10 through the second access aperture 128 on the rear face 16 (see FIG. 9).

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.