U.S. patent application number 10/348136 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-22 for collapsible box.
Invention is credited to Kao, LI Hsiang.
Application Number | 20040140345 10/348136 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31978130 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040140345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao, LI Hsiang |
July 22, 2004 |
Collapsible box
Abstract
A packaging structure comprising a collapsible box is provided.
The packaging structure is easily transformed from a unconstructed
form to a usable box and provides improved storage and
transportation efficiencies. In one embodiment, the packaging
structure comprises a plurality of main body panels foldably
connected; a lift panel foldably connected to a first panel of the
main body panels; and a connector foldably connected between the
lift panel and a second panel of the main body panels, wherein the
lift panel and the connector are movably disposed between a
substantially flat position and a lifted position.
Inventors: |
Kao, LI Hsiang; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH M. JONG
3231 SOUTHDOWN DRIVE
PEARLAND
TX
77584
US
|
Family ID: |
31978130 |
Appl. No.: |
10/348136 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3657 20130101;
B65D 5/6673 20130101; B65D 5/6661 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.07 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/36 |
Claims
1. A packaging structure, comprising: a plurality of main body
panels foldably connected; a lift panel foldably connected to a
first panel of the main body panels; and a connector foldably
connected between the lift panel and a second panel of the main
body panels, wherein the lift panel and the connector are movably
disposed between a substantially flat position and a lifted
position.
2. The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the main body panels
are sequentially connected as a flat layer.
3. The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the main body panels
are foldable against each other as a plurality of flat layers.
4. The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein, in the
substantially flat position, the lift panel and the connector are
disposed substantially flat against the main body panels.
5. The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein, in the lifted
position, the lift panel, the connector, the first panel and the
second panel are disposed at one or more angles with respect to
each other.
6. The packaging structure of claim 5, wherein the first panel is
disposed substantially perpendicularly to at least one of the lift
panel, the connector and second panel.
7. The packaging structure of claim 1, wherein the main body panels
comprise a front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, and a top
panel.
8. The packaging structure of claim 1, further comprising a flap
foldably connected to one of the main body panels.
9. The packaging structure of claim 8, further comprising a set of
fasteners, wherein a first fastener is disposed on the flap and a
second fastener is disposed on one of the main body panels.
10. A packaging system, comprising: a main body comprising a front
panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, and a top panel foldably
connected; a left side panel foldably connected to a left edge of
the bottom panel; a right side panel foldably connected to a right
edge of the bottom panel; and one or more connectors foldably
connected between each side panel and one or more of the front
panel and back panel.
11. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein each connector
comprises a triangular panel having a first edge attached to one of
left and right side panels and a second edge attached to one of
front and back panels.
12. The packaging system of claim 10, further comprising a sheet
adhering the front panel, the bottom panel, the back panel and the
top panel.
13. The packaging system of claim 12, wherein the sheet provide
foldable connections between the panels.
14. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein the main body further
comprises a flap foldably connected to one of the top panel and the
front panel.
15. The packaging system of claim 14, further comprising a fastener
set disposed on at least one of the flap and the front panel.
16. The packaging system of claim 10, wherein a foldable connection
between the bottom panel and the back panel provides sufficient
width for folding the packaging system in flat layers.
17. A packaging structure, comprising: a main body comprising a
front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, and a top panel foldably
connected in sequence; a left side panel foldably connected to a
left edge of the bottom panel; a right side panel foldably
connected to a right edge of the bottom panel; a plurality of
connectors foldably connected between the left side panel and the
front and back panels and between the right side panel and the
front and back panels; wherein the side panels are selectively
foldable between a flat position against the bottom panel and an
upright position which concurrently lifts the front and back panels
to upright positions.
18. The packaging structure of claim 17, wherein each connector
comprises a triangular panel having a first edge attached to one of
left and right side panels and a second edge attached to one of
front and back panels.
19. The packaging structure of claim 17, wherein the main body
further comprises a flap foldably connected to the front panel and
a fastener set disposed on at least one of the flap and the front
panel.
20. The packaging structure of claim 17, wherein a foldable
connection between the bottom panel and the back panel provides
sufficient width for folding the packaging structure in flat
layers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a packaging
structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
collapsible box.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Cardboard boxes are commonly utilized as containers and are
generally available in many sizes and shapes. Many cardboard boxes
are fully constructed by box manufacturers and delivered to
customers as non-foldable boxes in ready-to-use forms. However,
there are several disadvantages of a non-foldable cardboard box
because the three-dimensional structure requires a large amount of
space for transportation and storage, resulting in various economic
inefficiencies. At the same time, an empty cardboard box may be
easily damaged during transportation from the box manufacturer to
its customers.
[0005] Foldable cardboard boxes, especially when designed as flat
sheets, improve the storage and transportation inefficiencies.
However, foldable cardboard boxes generally require several steps
of manually folding and tucking various parts of the cardboard box
to construct the box for use. Additionally, an adhesive (e.g., glue
and/or tape) may be required to hold the foldable box after being
constructed. However, these manual steps of constructing a foldable
box generally require tremendous time and labor costs. For example,
additional time spent to make a box by a store clerk who is
completing a purchasing transaction results in generally
unacceptable delays and inefficiencies at the check-out register.
Such delays and inefficiencies may be reduced if the foldable boxes
are made ahead of time so that the boxes are ready for use.
However, the storage space requirements of fully constructed boxes
again may present problems.
[0006] Therefore, there remains a need for a packaging structure
which is easily transformed from a unconstructed form to a usable
box. There also remains a need for a packaging structure which
provides improved storage and transportation efficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the invention generally provide packaging
structures which are easily transformed from a unconstructed form
to a usable box and provide improved storage and transportation
efficiencies.
[0008] In one embodiment, the packaging structure comprises a
plurality of main body panels foldably connected; a lift panel
foldably connected to a first panel of the main body panels; and a
connector foldably connected between the lift panel and a second
panel of the main body panels, wherein the lift panel and the
connector are movably disposed between a substantially flat
position and a lifted position.
[0009] In another embodiment, a packaging system is provided. The
packaging system comprises a main body comprising a front panel, a
bottom panel, a back panel, and a top panel foldably connected; a
left side panel foldably connected to a left edge of the bottom
panel; a right side panel foldably connected to a right edge of the
bottom panel; and one or more connectors foldably connected between
each side panel and one or more of the front panel and back
panel.
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the packaging structure comprises
a main body comprising a front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel,
and a top panel foldably connected in sequence; a left side panel
foldably connected to a left edge of the bottom panel; a right side
panel foldably connected to a right edge of the bottom panel; a
plurality of connectors foldably connected between the left side
panel and the front and back panels and between the right side
panel and the front and back panels; wherein the side panels are
selectively foldable between a flat position against the bottom
panel and an upright position which concurrently lifts the front
and back panels to upright positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and
can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended
drawings.
[0012] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a collapsible box in a flat position
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collapsible box with side
panels in transition to an upright position according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible box with side
panels in an upright position according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a collapsible box in transition to a
compact position according to one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Embodiments of the invention generally provide packaging
structures which are easily transformed from a unconstructed form
to a usable box and provide improved storage and transportation
efficiencies.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of a collapsible box in a flat position
according to one embodiment of the invention. The exemplar
collapsible box described herein can be collapsed down to
substantially flat layers of card board and may be further folded
to improve efficiencies in storage and transportation of large
quantities of the collapsible boxes. Although a rectangular
collapsible box is illustrated, collapsible boxes having other
shapes are also contemplated. Generally, the collapsible box 100
comprises a top panel 110, a back panel 120, a bottom panel 130, a
front panel 140, a left side panel 150 and a right side panel 160.
As shown in FIG. 1, the top panel 110, the back panel 120, the
bottom panel 130 and the front panel 140 are foldably connected in
sequence. In an unconstructed form, the panels provide a
substantially flat layout with the side panels 150 and 160 disposed
as a top layer. The top panel 110, the back panel 120, the bottom
panel 130 and the front panel 140 forms a bottom layer (or main
body layer).
[0019] In one embodiment, each panel may comprise medium or heavy
weight cardboard, and sheets of paper (relatively much lighter
weight compared to the cardboard) may be glued to the panels, with
small gaps between adjacent panels (e.g., {fraction (1/32)} to 1/8
inch gaps for {fraction (1/16)} inch thick panels), t o provide the
foldable connections between the panels. Alternatively, the panels
may be taped together by strips of plastic or paper tapes to
provide the foldable connections between the panels. In one
embodiment, for a rectangular box as shown in FIG. 1, foldable
connections 170 exist between a bottom edge of the front panel and
a front edge of the bottom panel, between a bottom edge of the back
panel and a back edge of the bottom panel, between a back edge of
the top panel and a top edge of the back panel, and between a
bottom edge of each of the left and right side panels and the left
and right edges, respectively, of the bottom panel.
[0020] A plurality of connectors 180 are disposed to connect the
side panels 150 and 160 to the front and back panels 140 and 120.
The connectors 180 facilitate lifting of the front and back panels
140 and 120 toward an upright position when the side panels 150 and
160 are being lifted to an upright position. In one embodiment,
each connector 180 comprises a first and a second triangular panels
182 and 184 which are foldably connected to form a substantially
square-shaped panel with a diagonal foldable connection 186. The
first triangular panel 182 is fixedly attached (e.g., glued) to the
interior surface of the front panel (or back panel), and the second
triangular panel 184 is foldably connected to a side edge 190 of a
side panel. In another embodiment, each connector 180 comprises a
triangular panel 182 having a first side foldably connected to a
side edge 190 of a side panel and a hypotenuse edge foldably
connected to an interior surface of the front panel 140 (or back
panel 120).
[0021] The collapsible box may also include an enclosure flap 200
which is foldably attached to a front edge 112 of the top panel
110. A releasable fastener 210 may be attached to the enclosure
flap 200 and the front panel 140 to facilitate closure of the
collapsible box 100. In one embodiment, the releasable fastener 210
comprises a magnetic fastener set (e.g., a set of two magnets or a
set of a magnet and a metal piece). Other releasable fasteners are
contemplated for releasably holding the enclosure flap (or the top
panel) against the front panel.
[0022] To change the collapsible box 100 from a flat layout to a
three-dimensional box, a user may lift the side panels 150 and 160
to an upright position. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a
collapsible box 100 with side panels 150 and 160 in transition to
an upright position according to one embodiment of the invention.
As the side panels 150 and 160 are lifted, the front panel 140 and
the back panel 120 are concurrently lifted because of the
connectors 180 between the side panels 150 and 160 and the front
and back panels 140 and 120.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible box 100 with
side panels 150 and 160 in an upright position according to one
embodiment of the invention. With the side panels 150 and 160 held
in the upright position, the collapsible 100 box may be filled with
one or more objects to be stored in the box. For example, the
collapsible box may be utilized in a gift shop, and a store clerk
may place one or more purchased gift items into the collapsible
box. The collapsible box 100 may include a decorated exterior, and
additional gift wrapping would not be necessary, saving time and
money for both the merchant and the customer. The collapsible 100
box may also be decorated with a store's emblem, logo or a
trademark.
[0024] In another embodiment, the collapsible box 100 may be folded
from a flat layout to a compact position to further facilitate
storage and transport of large quantities of collapsible boxes.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a collapsible box 100 in transition
from a flat layout to a compact position according to one
embodiment of the invention. To facilitate folding of the
collapsible box 100, the foldable connection 170B between the back
panel and the bottom panel may be extended to provide a wider gap
which accommodates for the combined thickness of the side panel
(one of 150 and 160) and the connector 180. In the compact
position, a plurality of collapsible boxes are easily stored and/or
transported, increasing efficiencies in storage space requirements
and transportation costs.
[0025] Although the described embodiment illustrates a rectangular
box, it is contemplated that boxes having other shapes may be
constructed utilizing connectors adapted to lift one or more panels
as a user lifts one or more other panels foldably connected to the
connectors. Furthermore, the orientation of the collapsible box as
described is illustrative of one embodiment of the invention, and
various orientations of the collapsible box are contemplated to
accommodate the intended usage of the box.
[0026] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
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