Product Packaging Including Integral Storage

Abstract

A packaging device includes a pair of major side panels joined at one end, with opposite ends of the side panels diverging away from one another forming a storage container. A base interconnects the diverging ends of the side panels. The side panels include openings that conform to the shape of a product placed therein. A plurality of retention means are provided to frictionally engage the product. The storage container includes a pair of side panel flaps which enable access to the storage container to insert or remove objects placed therein.

1 . A packaging device for packaging a product therein, said device comprising:
 a pair of side panels having respective first and second ends, said panels being joined at their respective first ends;   a base interconnecting said second ends of said panels;   a product opening formed in each of said side panels, said product openings generally defining a shape of the product;   retention means formed on said side panels and extending into said product openings of said side panels, said retention means being especially configured to engage the product retained by said packaging device; and   a storage container formed by said base, respective lower portions of said side panels, and a pair of side panel flaps, each side panel flap being connected to a corresponding side panel;   wherein said packaging device is constructed of a single piece of material, and said piece of material having a shape that is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis thereof.   
   
   
       2 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of said side panel flaps further include an ear which is inserted in a base opening located adjacent said base.   
   
   
       3 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said storage container is prism-shaped.   
   
   
       4 . A device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said retention means include at least one of a retention tab and a retention extension.   
   
   
       5 . In combination, a product in a packaging device for receiving the product, said combination comprising:
 a pair of side panels having respective first and second ends, said panels being joined at their respective first ends;   a base interconnecting said second ends of said panels;   a product opening formed in each of said side panels, said product openings generally defining a shape of the product;   retention means formed on said side panels and extending into said product openings of said side panels, said retention means being especially configured to engage the product retained by said packaging device;   a storage container formed by said base, respective lower portions of said side panels, and a pair of side panel flaps, each side panel flap being connected to a corresponding side panel;   wherein said packaging device is constructed of a single piece of material, and said piece of material having a shape that is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis thereof; and   a product mounted in said packaging device, and said product having at least one product feature formed thereon which engages said retention means for retaining the product within the packaging device.   
   
   
       6 . The combination, as claimed in  claim 5  further including:
 accessories stored in said storage container.   
   
   
       7 . A method of assembling a packaging device and securing a product therein, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a sheet of material;   cutting the material into a desired shape;   folding the material into a desired configuration including forming an integral container, and a plurality of retention means;   inserting a product in a product opening formed between surfaces of the packaging device;   activating the retention means to engage the product and to secure the product within the packaging device; and   inserting accessories in said storage container and closing said storage container to prevent the accessories from spilling therefrom.