U.S. patent application number 10/317369 was filed with the patent office on 2003-08-28 for reinforcement device for boxes and the like.
Invention is credited to Smith, Cliff, Smith, Steven H..
Application Number | 20030160093 10/317369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27760300 |
Filed Date | 2003-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030160093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith, Steven H. ; et
al. |
August 28, 2003 |
Reinforcement device for boxes and the like
Abstract
A reinforcement device for reinforcing the hand-hold of a box is
provided. The box has a top edge, a bottom edge, an inside surface,
and an outside surface. The hand-hold is formed between the top
edge and the bottom edge and has a first hand-hold edge, a second
hand-hold edge substantially opposite the first hand-hold edge, a
third hand-hold edge between the first hand-hold edge and the
second hand-hold edge, and a fourth hand-hold edge opposite the
third hand-hold edge. The reinforcement device comprises a handle
member positionable about the first hand-hold edge and at least a
portion of the third hand-hold edge and the fourth hand-hold edge.
A securing mechanism secures the handle to the box between the
hand-hold and the top edge of the box.
Inventors: |
Smith, Steven H.; (Superior,
CO) ; Smith, Cliff; (Arvada, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Emery L. Tracy
P.O. Box 1518
Boulder
CO
80306-1518
US
|
Family ID: |
27760300 |
Appl. No.: |
10/317369 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60360925 |
Feb 28, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/199 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/4608 20130101;
B65D 5/445 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/199 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/42 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A reinforcement device for reinforcing the hand-hold of a box,
the box having a top edge, a bottom edge, an inside surface, and an
outside surface, the hand-hold formed between the top edge and the
bottom edge and having a first hand-hold edge, a second hand-hold
edge substantially opposite the first hand-hold edge, a third
hand-hold edge between the first hand-hold edge and the second
hand-hold edge, and a fourth hand-hold edge opposite the third
hand-hold edge, the reinforcement device comprising: a handle
member positionable about the first hand-hold edge and at least a
portion of the third hand-hold edge and the fourth hand-hold edge;
and securing means for securing the handle to the box between the
hand-hold and the top edge of the box.
2. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the handle member is
constructed from a cardboard material having flutes between a first
layer and a second layer.
3. The reinforcement device of claim 2 wherein the flutes of the
handle member are positioned in a substantially horizontal
position.
4. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the handle member
has a front side, a back side opposite the front side, a first side
edge, a second side edge substantially opposite the first side
edge, a top edge between the first side edge and the second side
edge, and a bottom edge substantially opposite the top edge and
between the first side edge and the second side edge.
5. The reinforcement device of claim 4 wherein the first side edge,
the second side edge, and the top edge are substantially
linear.
6. The reinforcement device of claim 4 wherein bottom edge has a
first linear portion, a second linear portion, and a curve portion
between the first linear portion and the second linear portion
whereby the curved portion adjacently surrounds at least a portion
of the hand-hold in a position generally between the top edge of
the hand hold and the top edge of the box.
7. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the securing means
is a layer of adhesive between the handle member and the box.
8. The reinforcement device of claim 7, and further comprising: a
releasable liner positioned over the adhesive layer.
9. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the handle member is
secured to either the inside surface or outside surface of the
box.
10. A system for reinforcing a box in the direction of a force, the
box having a side surface and a top edge, the system comprising: a
first reinforcement device having a first side and a second side;
and an adhesive layer on either the first side or the second side
of the first reinforcement device, the first reinforcement device
securable to the box adjacent the top edge with the adhesive
layer.
11. The system of claim 10 and further comprising: a second
reinforcement device, the first reinforcement device connected to
the second reinforcement device by a score line.
12. The system of claim 10 wherein the first reinforcement device
is secured to the box adjacent a slot formed in or near the top
edge of the box.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the first reinforcement device
is secured to the box surrounding at least a portion of a hand-hold
formed in the box.
14. The system of claim 10, and further comprising: a releasable
liner positioned over the adhesive layer.
15. A method for reinforcing an opening in a box, the method
comprising: providing a reinforcement member; surrounding at least
a portion of the opening of the box; and securing the reinforcement
member to the box.
16. The method of claim 15, and further comprising: forming a
hand-hold in the box; forming at least one curved edge in the
reinforcement member, the curved edge being curved substantially
similar to the configuration of the hand-hold; and securing the
reinforcement member to the box about the hand-hold.
17. The method of claim 15, and further comprising: forming a slot
adjacent a top edge of the box; and securing the reinforcement
member adjacent the slot, the slot positioned between the slot and
the top edge.
18. The method of claim 15, and further comprising: applying an
adhesive layer to one side of the reinforcement member; and
securing the reinforcement member to the box with the adhesive
layer between the reinforcement member and the box.
19. The method of claim 18, and further comprising: positioning a
releasable liner over the adhesive layer.
20. The method of claim 19, and further comprising: removing the
releasable liner.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation of pending U.S.
provisional patent application Serial No. 60/360,925, filed on Feb.
28, 2002, entitled "Hand-Hold Reinforcement Device for Boxes and
the Like".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to a reinforcement device
for boxes and the like and, more particularly, the invention
relates to a reinforcement device for boxes and the like which can
be added about a hand-hold or slot formed on any box to reinforce
the area of the box around the hand-hold and slot increasing the
strength of the area about the reinforcement device and extending
the usable life of the box.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] On many types of boxes, hand-holds are formed in the side
walls adjacent the top of the box to assist a person in lifting the
box. The hand-holds are preferably sized to receive a substantially
portion of the fingers and/or the hand of the person lifting the
box. By positioning the hand-holds adjacent the top of the box, the
person can more easily lift the box without having to bend
completely over to support the bottom of the box. In addition,
carrying more than one box is easier with box hand-holds since the
center of gravity for the boxes is more evenly distributed.
[0006] In addition, for garment boxes, opposing slots are typically
formed in or near the top edge of the box for receiving a wardrobe
bar. The wardrobe bar is designed and constructed for carrying
hanging clothes or other items. The amount of force and weight
created by the hanging clothes on the box is tremendous thereby
requiring manufacturers to use a heavier box material to prevent
collapse of the side walls of the box from the weight of the
hanging clothes.
[0007] Most cardboard boxes are constructed with cardboard flutes
surrounded by a paper layer. When the box is constructed, the
cardboard flutes are arranged to extend in a substantially vertical
manner, i.e., extending between the top and the bottom of the box.
By extending the cardboard flutes in a generally vertical manner,
the box has greater strength when a load is applied to the top of
the box, i.e., when stacking boxes. Unfortunately, when lifting the
loaded box using the hand-holds or applying weight with hanging
clothes, the box has reduced strength in the vertical direction. In
fact, unless constructed from a more expensive cardboard material,
the hand-holds tend to break out along the flute line under even
moderate loads thereby rendering the box hand-holds unusable.
[0008] Accordingly, there exists a need for a reinforcement device
for boxes and the like which provides additional strength to
inhibit failure of the hand-hold formed in the box or the wardrobe
bar in a garment box. Additionally, a need exists for a
reinforcement device for boxes and the like which is easy to
manufacture and can be applied to the box by the manufacturer or
the consumer user. Furthermore, there exists a need for a
reinforcement device for boxes and the like which is inexpensive to
manufacture and easily installed on any type of box.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention is a reinforcement device for
reinforcing the hand-hold of a box. The box has a top edge, a
bottom edge, an inside surface, and an outside surface. The
hand-hold is formed between the top edge and the bottom edge and
has a first hand-hold edge, a second hand-hold edge substantially
opposite the first hand-hold edge, a third hand-hold edge between
the first hand-hold edge and the second hand-hold edge, and a
fourth hand-hold edge opposite the third hand-hold edge. The
reinforcement device comprises a handle member positionable about
the first hand-hold edge and at least a portion of the third
hand-hold edge and the fourth hand-hold edge. A securing mechanism
secures the handle to the box between the hand-hold and the top
edge of the box.
[0010] In addition, the present invention includes a system for
reinforcing a box in the direction of a force with the box having a
side surface and a top edge. The system comprises a first
reinforcement device having a first side and a second side. An
adhesive layer is applied on either the first side or the second
side of the first reinforcement device with the first reinforcement
device securable to the box adjacent the top edge with the adhesive
layer.
[0011] The present invention further includes a method for
reinforcing an opening in a box. The method comprises providing a
reinforcement member, surrounding at least a portion of the opening
of the box, and securing the reinforcement member to the box.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a reinforcement device
for boxes and the like, constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an elevational side view illustrating the
reinforcement device of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the
present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating the reinforcement device
of FIG. 1, constructed in accordance with the present invention,
with the reinforcement device being secured to the box about a
hand-hold formed in the box;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a method of constructing
the reinforcement device, constructed in accordance with the
present invention, with two reinforcement devices being constructed
together prior to being separated; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is an elevational side view illustrating the
reinforcement device, constructed in accordance with the present
invention, with the reinforcement device being secured to a garment
box with a wardrobe bar.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the present invention
is a reinforcement device, indicated generally at 10, for boxes 12
and the like. For purposes of discussion, the box 12 will be
described as being constructed from a cardboard material. The box
can have at least one hand-hold 14 formed in at least one of the
side walls 16 of the box 12 or a slot 72 formed in the box for
holding a wardrobe bar 62 (FIG. 5). In addition, however, the box
12, which can be used with the reinforcement device 10 of the
present invention, can be any type of box 12 constructed from a
variety of materials having a variety of shapes and sizes.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 3, the box 12 has a top edge 42, a bottom
edge 44 substantially opposite the top edge 42, a first side edge
46 between the top edge 42 and the bottom edge 44, and a second
side edge 48 substantially opposite the first side edge 46. The
hand-hold 14 is formed in side wall 16 of the box 12 between the
top edge 42, the bottom edge 44, the first side edge 46, and the
second side edge 48. Preferably, the hand-hold 14 is formed
nearingly adjacent the top edge 42 to further assist the user in
lifting the box 12. It should be noted that the hand-hold 14 can be
formed in the side wall 16 centered between the first side edge 46
and the second side edge 48 or nearingly adjacent between the first
side edge 46 of the second side edge 48.
[0019] Referring back to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the reinforcement
device 10 is preferably constructed from a cardboard material
although constructing the reinforcement device 10 from other
materials including, but not limited to, plastic, wood, metal,
etc., is within the scope of the present invention. For purposes of
discussion in the present application, the reinforcement device 10
will be described as being constructed from a cardboard material
having flutes (not shown) surrounded by a first layer (not shown)
and a second layer (not shown).
[0020] The reinforcement device 10 of the present invention has a
front side 18, a back side 20 opposite the front side 18, a first
side edge 22, a second side edge 24 substantially opposite the
first side edge 22, a top edge 26 between the first side edge 22
and the second side edge 24, and a bottom edge 28 substantially
opposite the top edge 26 and between the first side edge 22 and the
second side edge 24. Preferably, the first side edge 22, the second
side edge 24, and the top edge 26 are substantially linear although
having the first side edge 22, the second side edge 24, and the top
edge 26 be non-linear is within the scope of the present
invention.
[0021] The bottom edge 26 of the reinforcement device 10 has a
first linear portion 30, a second linear portion 32, and a curve
portion 34 between the first linear portion 30 and the second
linear portion 32. The actual amount of curve of the curved portion
34 can be any degree or size, but should be sufficient to
adjacently surround at least a portion of the box's hand-hold 14 in
a position generally above the box's hand-hold 14 when mounted to
the box 12, as will be described further below.
[0022] The reinforcement device 10 of the present invention further
includes attachment means 36 for attaching the reinforcement device
10 to the box 12 to reinforce the box's hand-hold 14. The preferred
attachment means 36 of the present invention is a layer of adhesive
38 applied to the back side 20 of the reinforcement device 10. A
releasable liner 40 can be positioned over the adhesive layer 38
and removed at a predetermined time thereby exposing the adhesive
layer 38. Once the releasable liner 40 is removed from the adhesive
layer 38, the reinforcement device 10 can be applied to the box 12,
as will be discussed in further detail below.
[0023] While the attachment means 36 has been described as being an
adhesive layer 38 applied to the back side 20 of the reinforcement
device 10 with a releasable liner 40 releasably positioned upon the
adhesive layer 38, the attachment means 36 can be any type of
securing device including, but not limited to, any type of
adhesive, tape, staples, clips, other mechanical fasteners,
etc.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, the reinforcement device 10 of the
present invention is secured to the side wall 16 of the box 12
above and adjacent the box's hand-hold 14. It should be noted that
the reinforcement device 10 can be applied to either the outside
surface of the side wall 16 of the box 12 or the inside surface
(not shown) of the side wall 16 of the box 12. Furthermore, it will
be understood by those persons skilled in the art that the
reinforcement device 10 can be formed and/or constructed in the
appropriate location on the box 12 adjacent the box's hand-hold 14
during manufacture and construction of the box 12.
[0025] As illustrated, the curved portion 34 of the bottom edge 28
of the reinforcement device 10 curves about the box's hand-hold 14.
It is within the scope of the present invention that the curved
portion 34 of the bottom edge 28 actually be substantially
rectangular or any other shape to correspond to the curve and/or
shape of the box's hand-hold hold 14 so long as the bottom edge 28
does not substantially overlap or otherwise substantially interfere
with a user inserting his or her hand into the box's hand-hold
14.
[0026] Preferably, the flutes of the reinforcement device 10 extend
in a substantially horizontal direction when the reinforcement
device 10 is secured to the box 12. It should be noted that with
the box's flutes typically extending in a substantially vertical
direction and the flutes of the reinforcement device 10 extending
in a substantially horizontal direction, the reinforcement device
10 strengthens the box 12 about the box's hand-hold 14. Therefore,
the addition of the reinforcement device 10 surrounding at least a
portion of the box's hand-hold 14 provides additional strength to
the box 12 in the area of the box's hand-hold 14 thereby inhibiting
breaking of the box's hand-hold 14 when the loaded box 12 is
lifted.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 4, a method of manufacturing the
reinforcement device 10 of the present invention is presented. It
should be noted that this is only one manner of manufacturing the
reinforcement device 10 and, as understood by those persons skilled
in the art, other methods are within the scope of the present
invention.
[0028] In this embodiment, two reinforcement devices 10 are
constructed from a single sheet of material. The adhesive layer 38
is applied to the sheet of material and the releasable liner 40 is
positioned on the adhesive layer 38. A portion 49 of the sheet is
then removed adjacent the bottom edge 28 of each of the
reinforcement devices 10. A score line or perforation 50 is formed
in the sheet of material to allow each of the reinforcement devices
10 to be separated from each other. Application of one
reinforcement device 10 to both side walls 16 of the box 12 can
then be accomplished as described above.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5, the reinforcement device 10 can be
secured to a garment box 60 for supporting a wardrobe bar 62. The
wardrobe box 60 has a first side edge 64, a second side edge 66
substantially opposite the first side edge 64, a top edge 68
between the first side edge 64 and the second side edge 66, and a
bottom edge 70 substantially opposite the top edge 68 and between
the first side edge 64 and the second side edge 66. A slot 72 is
formed adjacent the top edge 68 for receiving the wardrobe bar
62.
[0030] In the past, the garment box 60 was constructed with a 350
pound test material in order to support the weight or force of the
clothes (not shown) supported by the wardrobe bar 62. With the
reinforcement device 10 of the present invention, the garment box
60 can be constructed from 200 pound test material and still
adequately support the clothing load thereby reducing manufacturing
costs associated with constructing the garment box 60.
[0031] The reinforcement device 10 of the present invention
provides a novel device for increasing the longevity of the box's
hand-hold 14 and allowing a user to lift heavier objects. If fact,
the inventors of the present invention have determined that the
reinforcement device 10 allows a person to lift approximately twice
as much load as compared to a box 12 without the reinforcement
device 10 positioned about the box's hand-hold 14. Furthermore, the
reinforcement device 10 provides additional safety for the user by
inhibiting failure of the box's hand-hold 14 and accidental injury
if the falling box 12 should contact the user.
[0032] The foregoing exemplary descriptions and the illustrative
preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained
in the drawings and described in detail, with varying modifications
and alternative embodiments being taught. While the invention has
been so shown, described and illustrated, it should be understood
by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and
detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit
and scope of the invention, and that the scope of the present
invention is to be limited only to the claims except as precluded
by the prior art. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein, may
be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which
are disclosed herein.
* * * * *