Napkin holder

Abstract

Packaging for napkins comprising: a box for holding napkins comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel, two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together, wherein when the box is filled with napkins the side panels are parallel to the planes of the napkins; at least one stabilizer having an operative position and a non-operative position; wherein in the non-operative orientation, the stabilizer does not substantially affect the shape of the box and in the operative orientation, the stabilizer stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel parallel to and contiguous with or close to a planar surface.

1 . Packaging for napkins comprising: 
 a box for holding napkins comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel, two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together, wherein when the box is filled with napkins the side panels are parallel to the planes of the napkins; and    at least one stabilizer having an operative position and a non-operative position;    wherein in the non-operative orientation, the stabilizer does not substantially affect the shape of the box and in the operative orientation, the stabilizer stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel parallel to and contiguous with or close to a planar surface.    
   
   
       2 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the stabilizer comprises at least one foldable element and in the non-operative position the foldable element is folded and in the operative position the stabilizer is unfolded.  
   
   
       3 . Packaging according to  claim 2  wherein the folded element is a pleat parallel to the side panels formed in the bottom panel of the box, wherein when the pleat is folded, the bottom panel has a first width and when the pleat is unfolded the bottom panel has a second width greater than the first width, wherein the panel width is a dimension perpendicular to the side panels.  
   
   
       4 . Packaging according to  claim 3  wherein at least one of the side panels is creased and/or perforated along a line parallel to the bottom panel and when the pleat is unfolded the at least one side panel is bent along the crease line.  
   
   
       5 . Packaging according to  claim 2  wherein the foldable element comprises a region of at least one panel defined by a closed perimeter having a perforated section and a non-perforated section and wherein in the operative position the perimeter is torn along the perforated section and the foldable element is folded along the non-perforated section so that it extends outward from the box.  
   
   
       6 . Packaging according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one panel comprises a side panel  
   
   
       7 . Packaging according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one panel comprises the bottom panel.  
   
   
       8 . Packaging according to  claim 5  wherein the at least one panel comprises a tie panel.  
   
   
       9 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the at least one stabilizer comprises at least one element rotatably attached to the bottom panel and in the non-operative position the element does not protrude beyond the side panels and in the operative position the rotatable element is rotated into a position in which a portion of the element protrudes beyond at least one of the side panels.  
   
   
       10 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the base panel has a first edge along which it is connected to a first one of the side panels and a second edged substantially coplanar with but not attached to a second one of the side panels and the stabilizer comprises: 
 a first panel connected to the second edge of the base panel;    a second panel connected to the second side panel along a line parallel to the base panel; and    a third panel connected to the first panel and connected to the second panel along a line parallel to the base panel;    wherein in the non-operative position the second and third panels are sandwiched between the first panel and the second side panel and in the operative position the first, second and bottom panels are substantially perpendicular to the side panels and the third panel is substantially coplanar with the second side panel.    
   
   
       11 . Packaging according to  claim 10  and comprising at least one VELCRO™ hook fastener attached to the first panel and a matching VELCRO™ loop fastener located on the bottom panel or on the third panel, which when the stabilizer is in the operative position are coupled together and secure the stabilizer in the operative position.  
   
   
       12 . Packaging according to  claim 1  wherein the stabilizer comprises a support panel having a lower panel connected to the bottom panel and an upper panel having a tab, which upper panel borders the lower panel along a creased and/or perforated line parallel to the bottom panel, and in the non-operative position the lower and upper panels are substantially coplanar and contiguous with a side panel having a slot corresponding to the tab formed therein and in the operative position the lower panel is substantially perpendicular to the side panel, the upper panel is folded along the common border and the tab is inserted in the slot.  
   
   
       13 . Packaging for napkins comprising: 
 a box for holding napkins comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel, two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together, wherein when the box is filled with napkins the side panels are parallel to the planes of the napkins; and    at least one support panel separate from the box and attachable to the box so that at least a portion of the support panel extends outward from the box and stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel contiguous with a planar surface.    
   
   
       14 . Packaging according to  claim 13  wherein the support panel is formed with tabs and the box is formed with slots that match the tabs and wherein in the operative position the tabs are inserted into the slots.  
   
   
       15 . Packaging according to  claim 13  wherein the support panel or a panel of the box has an adhesive and wherein in the operative position the adhesive region binds the support panel to the box.  
   
   
       16 . Packaging according to  claim 13  wherein the support panel has a VELCRO™ hook or loop fastener region and a panel of the box has respectively a matching loop or hook fastener region and wherein in the operative position the loop and hook fastener regions are pressed together to attach the support panel to the box.  
   
   
       17 . Product packaging comprising: 
 a box for holding a plurality of products, the box comprising a bottom panel, two relatively large parallel side panels perpendicular to the bottom panel and two parallel tie panels opposite each other and perpendicular to the side panels that connect the side panels together;    at least one divider panel perpendicular to the large side panels that divide the box's lumen into at least two compartments    at least one stabilizer having an operative position and a non-operative position;    wherein in the non-operative orientation, the stabilizer does not substantially affect the shape of the box and in the operative orientation, the stabilizer stabilizes the position of the box when the box is placed with its bottom panel parallel to and contiguous with or close to a planar surface.