U.S. patent application number 10/122972 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for telescoping box construction.
Invention is credited to Schropp, Joachim.
Application Number | 20020148884 10/122972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24580638 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020148884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schropp, Joachim |
October 17, 2002 |
Telescoping box construction
Abstract
A telescoping box is formed from two parts, a top part and a
bottom part. The bottom part of the box has a bottom wall and a
sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Likewise, the top
part has a top wall and a sidewall depending from the sidewall. A
collar is located to the interior sidewall and extends above the
top edge of the bottom sidewall. When the box is closed, the bottom
edge of the top sidewall rests upon the top edge of the bottom
sidewall to result in a flush outer surface. The collar and bottom
sidewall are formed from multiple panels. The collar and sidewall
may te formed from a single blank. The sidewalls and collar are
provided with fold lines to facilitate the sidewalls assuming an
arcuate shape. When folded, the fold lines are hidden from view
when the box is closed.
Inventors: |
Schropp, Joachim;
(Rosenstrasse, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FURGANG & ADWAR
2 CROSFIELD AVENUE
WEST NYACK
NY
10994
|
Family ID: |
24580638 |
Appl. No.: |
10/122972 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10122972 |
Apr 12, 2002 |
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09643397 |
Aug 22, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/116.1 ;
229/116.2; 229/4.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 3/22 20130101; B65D
5/328 20130101; B65D 5/68 20130101; B65D 5/566 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/116.1 ;
229/116.2; 229/4.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 003/00; B65D
025/34 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for forming a multilayer arcuate sidewall, comprising:
forming creases on an interior panel, forming apertures in the fold
lines, bending the multilayer sidewall into an arcuate shape, and
allowing excess material from an interior sidewall to enter said
apertures in the middle sidewall.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said creases are formed on the
interior side of the interior panel.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said creases are formed on the
exterior side of the interior panel.
4. A curved sidewall, comprising an inner panel, an outer panel and
a middle panel between said inner and outer panels, and apertures
formed in said middle panels, material from said inner panel
entering said aperture.
5. The curved sidewall of claim 4 wherein said apertures are formed
in fold lines in said middle panel.
6. The curved sidewall of claim 5, wherein said fold lines are
vertical.
7. The curved sidewall of claim 4, wherein said outer panel is
connected to said middle panel by a fold line and said middle panel
is connected.
8. The curved sidewall of claim 4 further comprising perforations
in said middle panel.
9. The curved sidewall of claim 8, wherein said perforations are
spaced from said apertures.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No.
09/643,397, filed Aug. 22, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a structure and method for making
boxes of a complicated structure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Boxes are a very common way to package goods. Often, the
goods sold in the boxes remain in the boxes after purchase so that
the box serves as storage for the goods. For this reason,
ornamental and sturdy boxes are desirable.
[0004] Boxes have been a popular form of container for a very long
time. The light weight, strength and easy manufacture of boxes
makes them a popular choice. The prior art has a great variety of
available shapes, sizes, construction and features. One such prior
art box is discloses in U.S. Pat. No. 1,678,958 (Schleicher).
Schleicher discloses a round box having a sidewall 4 connected to
the top wall 1 and bottom wall 3 by a series of tabs 7. Similarly,
U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,878 (Schleicher) discloses a box having a
sidewall 11 connected to bottom wall 2 by tabs 12. The sidewall is
arcuate and provided with several fold lines 15, 18, 21, 22 to form
bends in the sidewall.
[0005] Graves et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,341,338 discloses a container
having a bottom section with a lower wall 10 and an upper section
having an upper wall 11 separated by pulling a string 13. A collar
2 extends above the lower wall 12 and is telescopicly received
within the upper portion 9.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 2,457,198 (Bell) discloses a circular
container having a crimped outer surface 13. Tabs 18 engage slots
19 to retain the container in a circular configuration.
[0007] Further, none of the prior art discloses a simplified method
of forming complex boxes and none disclose a means of forming boxes
with arcuate walls in which the bunching effect may be effectively
hidden.
[0008] Further, none of the prior art patents discloses a
telescoping box having an upper wall and a lower wall and a collar
portion, the collar and lower portion being formed from multiple
panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a telescoping
container having a smooth outer surface when closed.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a
multilayer box having a smooth, curved surface.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a box
having a strong construction.
[0012] It is yet another object of the invention to have fold lines
with apertures to accommodate excess material caused by bending
panels into an arcuate shape.
[0013] It is still another object of the invention to provide a box
having curved sidewalls without any visible score lines.
[0014] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a box
that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.
[0015] These and other objects of the invention will become
apparent after reading the detailed description of the invention
that follows.
[0016] A telescoping box is formed from two parts, a top part and a
bottom part. The bottom part of the box has a bottom wall and a
sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall. Likewise, the top
part has a top wall and a sidewall depending from the top wall. A
collar is located interiorly of the sidewall and extends above the
top edge of the bottom sidewall. When the box is closed, the bottom
edge of the top sidewall rests upon the top edge of the bottom
sidewall to result in a flush outer surface.
[0017] The collar and bottom sidewall are formed from multiple
panels. The collar and sidewall may be formed from a single blank.
The sidewalls and collar are provided with fold lines to facilitate
the sidewalls assuming an arcuate shape. The fold lines are hidden
from view when the box is closed.
[0018] Both the collar and upper sidewall are provided with tabs
that extend along, and are secured to, the bottom or top wall. When
the collar and bottom sidewall are formed from separate blanks, the
bottom sidewall also has tabs securing it to the bottom panel. A
strong, aesthetically pleasing box results that can be repeatedly
used to store items.
[0019] Fold lines are formed on the interior panel of the
multilayer construction. The fold lines have apertures. When the
sidewalls are bent into an arcuate shape, the excess material that
results from the bending process fits into the apertures. The
result is a smooth exterior surface. When in the blank form, all
the panels have the same length. When folded, the inner panel has
the smallest radius of curvature of all the layers. The inner layer
will have material that bunches while the outer layer will be
stretched across the arc. The excess material of the inner layer
fits into the apertures to result in a smooth surface.
[0020] In accordance with the teachings of this invention there is
provided a container, which comprises a bottom wall, a lower
sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, with the lower
sidewall having an outer panel and an inner panel. There is also
provided a collar located inside of the lower sidewall, the collar
having a height greater than a height of the said lower sidewall,
said collar having a first panel and a second panel.
[0021] In another aspect of this invention there is provided a
method for forming a multilayer arcuate sidewall which comprises
the steps of forming creases on an interior panel, forming
apertures in the fold lines, bending the multilayer sidewall into
an arcuate shape, and allowing excess material from an interior
sidewall to enter said apertures in the middle sidewall.
[0022] In yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a
curved sidewall which comprises an inner panel, an outer panel and
a middle panel between the inner and outer panels. Apertures are
formed in the middle panels, material from the inner panel entering
the aperture.
[0023] In still another aspect of this invention there is provided
a curved sidewall which comprises a first panel forming an interior
of the sidewall, a second panel connected to the top of the first
panel and extending downwardly, a third panel connected to the
bottom of the second panel and extending downwardly, a fourth panel
connected to the bottom of the third panel and extending upwardly,
a fifth panel connected to the top of the fourth panel and
extending downwardly, and a sixth panel extending from the bottom
of the fifth panel and extending upwardly. Apertures are formed in
the third and fifth panels. Material from the first panel enters
the apertures when the sidewall is formed into a curved shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment box constructed in
accordance with the principles of the invention in an open
condition.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment box constructed in
accordance with the principles of the invention in a closed
condition.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a heart-shaped alternative embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross section of the bottom sidewall and
collar.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a planned view of blank used to make the box
depicted in FIG. 1.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the tabs.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross section of a second embodiment of the
bottom wall and collar.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a view of a section of a blank that forms the
box.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a cross section of the collar and bottom wall when
it is formed from two pieces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The box of the invention has a bottom part 1 and top part 2,
and can be seen in FIG. 1 in the open configuration. Seen in this
figure is the bottom panel 3, a lower sidewall 4, and the collar 6
extending above the lower sidewall 4. A shoulder 5 is formed by the
top of the lower sidewall 4. Creases on the interior side of the
collar facilitate the bending of the collar into an arcuate shape.
The top part 2 has a top panel 9 and a depending upper sidewall 8.
The closed configuration shown in FIG. 2 is formed when the top
part 1 and the bottom part 2 are joined to close the box. As can be
seen in this view, the bottom of the upper sidewall 8 rests on the
shoulder 5 of the lower sidewall to form a flush surface.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows an alternative form of the box. The box is
heart shaped and has a bottom wall 13 with an upstanding lower
sidewall 14. The top surface of the lower sidewall forms a shoulder
15. A collar 16 extends above the shoulder of the lower sidewall.
Creases 17 are formed on the interior of the collar and creases 20
are formed on the outside of the collar 16. When the box is closed,
the collar is covered by the upper sidewall and no creases are
visible.
[0035] The structure of the collar and lower sidewall is seen in
cross section in FIG. 4. The collar is formed by a first panel 29
and a second outer panel 30 connected to one another by a fold line
31. The second panel 30 has creases 32 to facilitate the bending of
the panels into an arcuate shape. Tabs 23 attach the lower sidewall
to the bottom panel. An inner panel 24 is connected to the tabs
along a first fold line 19. A second fold line 25 connects the
inner panel 24 to the outer panel 26. As can be seen, a space is
created between the inner panel 24 and the outer panel 26. To
create this space, the second fold line 25 can be a double fold
line as is well known in the art. A middle panel 28 fits into the
space between the inner panel 24 and outer panel 26. The middle
panel 28 is connected to the outer panel 26 along third fold line
27. The inner panel 24, middle panel 28, outer panel 26, first
panel 29 and second panel 30 can be adhered to one another with
adhesive to maintain them in position and add to the structural
integrity of the box.
[0036] The blank for forming the lower sidewall is shown in FIG. 5.
Fold line 25 connects tabs 23 to the inner wall panel 24. Fold line
27 connects the inner wall panel 24 to an outer panel 26. The
middle panel 28 is connected to the outer panel 26. The inner panel
24 is provided with creases 8 and the outer panel 26 is provided
with creases 9. The middle panel has creases 10 formed on the outer
surface that allow the pane to form a convex shape. Perforations 11
are also formed on the middle panel. In addition to the creases,
cutouts 12 are formed in the middle panel 28.
[0037] The inner panel 24, middle panel 28, and outer panel 26 all
have the same length when in the blank form. When they are folded
into an arcuate shape of the box, however, the inner panel has the
smallest rate of curvature. The arc length formed by the inner
panel is shorter than that formed by the middle panel 28 or outer
panel 26. When formed, the outer panel is stretched across the
middle panel. When the inner panel is folded into the arcuate
shape, the excess material formed by virtue of the tighter
curvature of the panel fits into the cutouts in the middle panel.
The cutouts form areas for the excess material to go and allow the
three panels that form the sidewall to have a smooth surface.
[0038] A detailed view of an alternative embodiment is shown if
FIG. 6. The lower sidewall is shown having tabs 122 connected along
fold line 133 to a first panel 123. The first panel 123 is
connected to the outer panel 124 along fold line 134 and to middle
panel 125 along fold line 135. Creases 129 run along the height of
the blank and cutouts 132 are formed within the middle panel
125.
[0039] An embodiment having the collar and lower sidewall formed
from a single blank is shown in cross section in FIG. 7. The
collar/sidewall has tabs 43 to attach the collar/sidewall to the
bottom panel. A first panel 44 extends upwardly from the tabs and
is connected to the tabs by fold 42. A fold line 45 at the top of
the first panel 44 connects it to a second panel 46. The second
panel 46 has a fold line 47 connecting it to a third panel 48 that
extends upwardly. The third panel 48 is connected to a fourth panel
50 by fold line 49. The fourth panel 50 extends downwardly to
terminate in a fifth fold line 51. The fifth fold line connects a
fifth panel 52 to the fourth panel 50. The fifth panel extends
upwardly and extends between the first panel 44 and the fourth
panel 50. As in the earlier embodiment, adhesive is used between
the panels that lay against one another to increase the structural
integrity of the box.
[0040] Creases 64 are provided on the interior surface of the first
panel 44 and protrude on the inside. Creases 65 are provided on the
exterior of the second panel 46 that extends above the fold line 49
and protrude on the inside. On the exterior surface of the second
panel 46 below the third fold line 48, creases 66 are cut to
protrude outwardly. Lastly, creases 67 are formed on the interior
surface of the third panel and protrude inwardly. When the cover is
placed onto the lower part of the box, the fold lines are covered
and not visible.
[0041] The section of the blank used to make the container is shown
in FIG. 8. All of the various fold lines in the panels are seen.
Also seen in this view is the locking tab 71 and 72 used to secure
the sidewall to itself after folding. The locking tabs engage slits
or are adhered to the opposite edge of the sidewall when assembled.
In addition to the creases, there are slots 73, 74 and 78 that
provide openings. When the blank is bent into an arcuate shape, the
slots provide areas for material to move into.
[0042] In addition, there are a series of cuts 75 in the fifth
panel 52. These cuts penetrate approximately half the thickness of
the panel and make the material more pliable. The cuts can be
replaced by perferations. Creases 76 and 77 traverse the fourth
panel 50,. Creases 77 are colinear with the slot 74 on the fifth
panel 52.
[0043] In FIG. 9, another embodiment of the invention is depicted.
In this embodiment, the lower sidewall 81 is formed by a center
panel 87 having a lower fold line 91 and an upper fold line 90. The
upper fold line 90 forms a shoulder. A pair of wing panels 88 and
89 are attached to the center panel 87 by the upper and lower fold
line. The wing panels are folded over against the center panel and
are on the interior of the center panel. The collar 82 has tabs 83
for attaching the collar to a bottom panel. A fold line 80 attaches
the tabs 83 to a first panel 84. A second panel 86 is connected to
the first panel 84 by a fold line 85. The result is a two layer
lower sidewall and two layer collar. The panels can be adhered to
one another to improve their structural integrity.
[0044] While the invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, modifications and variations would be
obvious to one very skilled in the art. The invention is not to be
limited to the exact embodiments disclosed but encompasses
variations that do not fall within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *