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.

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.

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.