Combination box fan and packaging assembly

Abstract

A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion. The shroud portion and the grill portions define an interior region of the fan housing. The shroud portion defines an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each define an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing. A film of packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material. A portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: 
 a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each defining an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, the fan further including a motorized blade assembly having a motor and disposed within the interior region of the fan housing; and    a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;    wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material.    
     
     
         2 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the motor includes a control actuator, the motor disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         3 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 1 , further including a handle feature disposed within the fan housing and recessed from the exterior boundary surface.  
     
     
         4 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 1 , further including a pocket disposed within the fan housing and recessed from the exterior boundary surface.  
     
     
         5 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the pocket is adapted to receive a power cord electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.  
     
     
         6 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the pocket is adapted to receive at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly.  
     
     
         7 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the appendage is a foot support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.  
     
     
         8 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the appendage is a power cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.  
     
     
         9 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the appendage is a control knob that is removably attached to the motor.  
     
     
         10 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the film of packaging material retains the removable appendage within the pocket.  
     
     
         11 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the removable appendage is disposed inside a package that is disposed within the pocket.  
     
     
         12 . A combination portable fan and packaging assembly including: 
 a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;    a motorized blade assembly having a motor and disposed within the interior region of the fan housing;    a compartment recessed from the exterior boundary surface that accommodates at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly; and    a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.    
     
     
         13 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the compartment is configured to accommodate a power cord electrically connected to the motor.  
     
     
         14 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the compartment is configured to accommodate at least one support feature that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.  
     
     
         15 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 12 , further including a handle feature disposed within the exterior boundary surface.  
     
     
         16 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the compartment is formed within one of the grill portions.  
     
     
         17 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the compartment is defined by a recessed compartment surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.  
     
     
         18 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the recessed compartment surface includes a grill structure.  
     
     
         19 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure.  
     
     
         20 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the motor includes a control actuator that is disposed in the assembly such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         21 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the control actuator includes a removable control knob that is adapted to be stored within the compartment.  
     
     
         22 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         23 . A fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the assembly comprising: 
 a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the outer surfaces defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, the exterior boundary surface defining a geometric extent of the fan; and    a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a motor housing and a control actuator disposed adjacent an outer surface of the motor housing, the fan motor disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing so that it does not breach the geometric extent of the fan.    
     
     
         24 . The fan assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the control actuator is disposed within a recess formed within the fan housing to facilitate access to the control actuator.  
     
     
         25 . The fan assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the fan housing includes a surface adjacent to the recess and upon which indicia is disposed.  
     
     
         26 . The fan assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         27 . The fan assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the power cord receptacle is disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.  
     
     
         28 . The fan assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the fan housing further includes a compartment recessed from the exterior boundary surface.  
     
     
         29 . The fan assembly of  claim 28 , wherein the compartment is adapted to receive an appendage of the fan assembly.  
     
     
         30 . A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: 
 a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the fan housing including a recessed control cavity and a recessed pocket;    a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control actuator disposed within the control cavity;    at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly disposed within the recessed pocket; and    a layer of packaging material disposed over the fan housing.    
     
     
         31 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the recessed control cavity is formed within one of the grill portions.  
     
     
         32 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the fan housing includes a surface adjacent to the recessed control cavity having indicia disposed thereon.  
     
     
         33 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the recessed pocket is formed within one of the grill portions.  
     
     
         34 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the recessed pocket is defined by a recessed surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.  
     
     
         35 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the recessed surface includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.  
     
     
         36 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.  
     
     
         37 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.  
     
     
         38 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a foot support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.  
     
     
         39 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a power cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.  
     
     
         40 . A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: 
 a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the peripheral shroud portion having an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each having an outer grill surface, the fan housing including a recessed control cavity and a recessed pocket;    a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control actuator disposed within the control cavity;    a package containing at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly and disposed within the recessed pocket; and    a layer of packaging material disposed over the fan housing.    
     
     
         41 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the recessed control cavity is formed within one of the grill portions.  
     
     
         42 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the recessed pocket is formed within one of the grill portions.  
     
     
         43 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the recessed pocket is defined by a recessed surface offset from the outer grill surface by an adjacent sidewall.  
     
     
         44 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the recessed surface includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.  
     
     
         45 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the sidewall includes a grill structure therein to allow air to flow therethrough.  
     
     
         46 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.  
     
     
         47 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a foot support that is removably attachable to the fan assembly.  
     
     
         48 . The combination portable fan and packaging assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one removable appendage includes a power cord that is capable of being removably electrically connected to the motor of the fan assembly.  
     
     
         49 . A portable fan assembly comprising: 
 a fan housing having an interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan housing, the fan housing further including a control recess and a compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface and adapted to accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly; and    a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing and including a fan motor having a control actuator, the motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing such that the control actuator is disposed within the control recess of the fan housing, the control actuator being positioned substantially offset from the exterior boundary surface toward the interior region of the fan housing.    
     
     
         50 . The portable fan assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the at least one appendage includes a power cord electrically connected to the motor.  
     
     
         51 . The portable fan assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the at least one appendage includes a power cord that is removably connected to the motor.  
     
     
         52 . The portable fan assembly of  claim 49 , wherein the motor includes a power cord receptacle that is disposed in the portable fan assembly such that the receptacle is recessed from the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         53 . The portable fan assembly of  claim 52 , wherein the power cord receptacle is disposed adjacent to an aperture within the fan housing to facilitate access to the receptacle.  
     
     
         54 . A method of packaging a portable fan having a fan housing that includes a compartment that is recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing the at least one removable appendage of the portable fan into the compartment such that the at least one removable appendage does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing; and    disposing a film of packaging material over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing, thereby retaining the at least one removable appendage within the compartment.    
     
     
         55 . A portable fan conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the fan comprising a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the compartment adapted to receive the at least one removable appendage and contain it therein when a film of packaging material is disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         56 . A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: 
 a fan having a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one removable appendage, the compartment adapted to receive the at least one removable appendage; and    a layer of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;    wherein the layer of packaging material retains the at least one removable appendage within the compartment such that it does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.    
     
     
         57 . A portable fan assembly conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the assembly comprising a fan housing having an interior region and an exterior boundary surface defined by an outer peripheral housing surface and two grill surfaces of the fan housing, the fan housing further having a compartment that is recessed from the exterior boundary surface, the compartment adapted to accommodate at least one appendage of the fan assembly such that the at least one appendage does not substantially protrude beyond the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing.  
     
     
         58 . A combination portable fan and packaging assembly comprising: 
 a fan including a fan housing having a peripheral shroud portion and two grill portions each disposed adjacent the shroud portion, the shroud portion and the grill portions defining an interior region of the fan housing, the shroud portion defining an outer shroud surface and the two grill portions each defining an outer grill surface, the outer shroud surface and the outer grill surfaces together defining an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing; and    a film of packaging material disposed over the exterior boundary surface of the fan housing;    wherein the exterior boundary surface defines the outermost extent of the fan within the packaging material.    
     
     
         59 . A portable fan conducive to packaging with a surrounding film layer of packaging material, the fan comprising a fan housing that includes a compartment recessed from an exterior boundary surface of the fan housing and at least one appendage, the compartment adapted to store the at least one appendage, the exterior boundary surface representing the outermost geometric extent of the fan.  
     
     
         60 . A portable fan having self-contained packaging capability, the fan comprising: 
 a fan housing defining an interior region and an exterior boundary surface, the exterior boundary surface defining the geometric extent of the fan;    a motorized blade assembly disposed within the interior region of the fan housing; and    at least one removable appendage of the fan assembly, the fan housing adapted to provide storage of the removable appendage within the geometric extent of the fan in a packaged state.