Packaging assembly with product container box body and inflatable head component

Abstract

A product package assembly includes a product container body having generally flat sides and a top, and an inflatable component having a curved outer surface attached to the top. The product container body is shaped as the body of a character, and the inflatable component is configured as a head of the character, providing a decorative, dual-use package for a variety of products that may be assembled easily at relatively low cost.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product package assembly comprising:
 a product container body having generally flat sides and a top; and   an inflatable component having a curved outer surface attached to the top;   wherein the product container body is configured as the body of a character, and wherein the inflatable component is configured as a head of the character.   
     
     
         2 . The product package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable component comprises a balloon body. 
     
     
         3 . The product package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon body is inflated with air. 
     
     
         4 . The product package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon body is fabricated from one a foil, rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or nylon. 
     
     
         5 . The product package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon body is a laminated body. 
     
     
         6 . The product package assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the balloon body includes an inflation stem. 
     
     
         7 . The product package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the inflation stem is attached to the top. 
     
     
         8 . The product package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the character is a holiday character. 
     
     
         9 . The product package assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the holiday character is a Christmas character. 
     
     
         10 . The product package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the product container body comprises a box consisting of a folded packaging material blank. 
     
     
         11 . The product package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a product inside the product container body. 
     
     
         12 . The product package assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the product is an edible product. 
     
     
         13 . The product package assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the edible product is a confectionary product. 
     
     
         14 . A product package assembly comprising:
 a product container box having at least one top panel; and   an inflatable balloon body extending adjacent but above the top panel;   wherein the product container box is shaped to form a body of a character and wherein the inflatable balloon is shaped to define a head of the character.   
     
     
         15 . The product package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the balloon body is inflated with air. 
     
     
         16 . The product package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the balloon body is fabricated from one a foil, rubber, latex, polychloroprene, or nylon. 
     
     
         17 . The product package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the balloon body is a laminated body. 
     
     
         18 . The product package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the balloon body includes an inflation stem, the inflation stem extending through the at least one top panel. 
     
     
         19 . The product package assembly of  claim 18 , wherein at least one top panel includes a first panel overlying a second panel, and wherein the inflation stem extends through each of the first panel and the second panel. 
     
     
         20 . A product package assembly comprising:
 a product container box comprising a folded packaging material blank having first and second top panels in an overlying arrangement; and   an inflatable balloon body including an inflation stem, the inflatable balloon body being inflated with a fluid, the inflation stem being mounted to the first and second top panels and the balloon body extending adjacent to but above the first and second top panels;   wherein the product box includes opposing side panels that are respectively shaped to form a body of a character; and   wherein the inflatable balloon is shaped to define a head of the character.