U.S. patent application number 11/172389 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-22 for collapsible box.
Invention is credited to Kao, Li-Hsiang.
Application Number | 20050279816 11/172389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31978130 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050279816 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao, Li-Hsiang |
December 22, 2005 |
Collapsible box
Abstract
A collapsible box having front, bottom, back, left side and
right side panels are formed from a foldable panel body. In the
panel body, the front, bottom and back panels are interconnected
foldably in sequence and the left and right side panels are
connected foldably to left and right sides of the bottom panel,
respectively. Four connectors are provided to connect the left and
right side panels to the front and back panels. Each connector is
made up of two connector panels. Each of the aforesaid panels
includes a panel plate sandwiched between two sheet layers. The
sheet layers of the panels are connected to each other, while the
panel plates of the panels are spaced apart from each other to form
gaps, thereby providing foldable connections between the
panels.
Inventors: |
Kao, Li-Hsiang; (Taipei
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROP PRUNER & HU, PC
8554 KATY FREEWAY
SUITE 100
HOUSTON
TX
77024
US
|
Family ID: |
31978130 |
Appl. No.: |
11/172389 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11172389 |
Jun 29, 2005 |
|
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10348136 |
Jan 21, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/186 ;
229/5.84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3657 20130101;
B65D 5/6673 20130101; B65D 5/6661 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/186 ;
229/005.84 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/56; B65D
005/62; B65D 005/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A collapsible box comprising: a foldable panel body foldable to
form a container which includes at least a front panel, a bottom
panel, a back panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel;
said panel body including said front, bottom, back, left side and
right side panels, wherein said front, bottom and back panels are
foldably connected to each other in sequence, said left and right
side panels are connected foldably and respectively to left and
right sides of said bottom panel, said panel body further including
a plurality of connectors to connect foldably said left and right
side panels to said front and back panels so as to form corners of
said container, one pair of said connectors being connected
foldably and respectively to left and right sides of said front
panel, the other one pair of said connectors being connected
foldably and respectively to left and right sides of said back
panel, each of said connectors having two connector panels which
are interconnected foldably; said panel body further including a
plurality of foldable connections among said front, bottom, back,
left side, right side and connector panels so that said panel body
is foldable along said foldable connections; and each of said
front, bottom, back, left side, right side, and connector panels
having a panel plate, and at least first and second sheet layers
which sandwich said panel plate, said first and second sheet layers
of said front, bottom, back, left side, right side, and connector
panels being connected to each other, while said panel plates
thereof are separated and spaced apart from each other to form gaps
therebetween, portions of said first and second sheet layers
corresponding to said gaps forming said foldable connections.
2. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 1, wherein said panel
body is folded to a two-layer flat configuration in which each pair
of said connectors are placed over one of said front and back
panels and in which said left and right side panels are placed over
said bottom panel, one of said connector panels in each of said
connectors being fixed to an interior surface of one of said back
and front panels so that said front and back panels are movable
upward concurrently with the upward movement of said left and right
side panels when said left and right side panels are lifted
upward.
3. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 2, wherein said panel
body is further folded to a compact storage position in which said
front and back panels are folded to lie over said bottom panel
opposite to said left and right side panels.
4. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 2, wherein said
connector panels of each connector includes a first connector panel
connected foldably to one of said front and back panels and fixed
to said interior surface of one of said front and back panels, and
a second connector panel connected foldably to one of said left and
right side panels, said first and second connector panels being
connected foldably along one of said foldable connections which
extends along a diagonal line extending from one of four corners of
said bottom panel, said one of said foldable connections
terminating at a point below a top edge of one of said front and
back panels after said front and back panels move upward.
5. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first
connector panel is trapezoidal, and said second connector panel is
triangular.
6. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 4, wherein the height of
said container formed from said panel body is larger than half of
the width of said bottom panel measured between said left and right
side panels, and wherein said left side panel overlaps said right
side panel when said panel body is folded to lay said left and
right side panels over said bottom panel.
7. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the height of
said container formed from said panel body is larger than half of
the width of said bottom panel measured between said left and right
side panels, and wherein said left side panel overlaps said right
side panel when said panel body is folded to lay said left and
right side panels over said bottom panel.
8. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a
lid, said container further including a top opening covered by said
lid, said lid including a top panel, and side portions extending
downward from said top panel and confining a receiving space with
said top panel, said panel body being stored in said receiving
space after being folded to said compact storage position.
9. The collapsible box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickness
of said panel plates of said front, bottom, back, left and right
side panels is larger than the thickness of said panel plates of
said connector panels.
Description
CROSS-REFFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/348,136
filed on Jan. 21, 2003. This related patent application is herein
incorporated by reference in It entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present Invention generally-relates to a packaging
structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
collapsible box.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 1,311,047 discloses a folding box which is
formed by folding a single paper sheet. Since foldability of the
paper sheet can decrease when the thickness of the paper sheet is
increased, it is difficult to make a folding box having sufficient
robustness from such a single paper sheet. U.S. Pat. No. 549,064
discloses a paper box made from a blank of two-layer structure
which consists of an inner layer of strawboard or wood-pulp board
and an outer layer of fancy or figured paper. The inner layer is
excavated to form fold lines for the blank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the invention is to provide a collapsible box
which is robust and which is formed of a foldable panel body of
three-layer structure.
[0009] According to the invention, a collapsible box comprises a
foldable panel body foldable to form a container which includes at
least a front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, a left side
panel, and a right side panel. The panel body includes the front,
bottom, back, left side and right side panels, wherein the front,
bottom and back panels are foldably connected to each other in
sequence, and the left and right side panels are connected foldably
and respectively to left and right sides of the bottom panel. The
panel body further includes a plurality of connectors to connect
foldably the left and right side panels to the front and back
panels so as to form corners of the container. One pair of the
connectors are connected foldably and respectively to left and
right sides of the front panel, and the other pair of the
connectors are connected foldably and respectively to left and
right sides of the back panel. Each of the connectors has two
connector panels which are interconnected foldably. The panel body
further includes a plurality of foldable connections to provide
foldable connections among the front, bottom, back, left side,
right side and connector panels so that the panel body is foldable
along the foldable connections. Each of the front, bottom, back,
left side, right side, and connector panels has a panel plate, and
at least first and second sheet layers which sandwich the panel
plate. The first and second sheet layers of the front, bottom,
back, left side, right side, and connector panels are connected to
each other, while the panel plates thereof are separated and spaced
apart from each other to form gaps therebetween. Portions of the
first and second sheet layers corresponding to the gaps form the
foldable connections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which;
[0011] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a foldable panel body according to
a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 1A is a sectional view taken along line 1A-1A of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the panel body in
transition to a box configuration;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the box configuration
of the panel body of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a two-layer flat
configuration of the panel body;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an exploded view illustrating the fabrication of
the panel body;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collapsible box according
to another preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a plan view of a panel body for forming the
collapsible box of FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.
7;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a two-layer flat
configuration of the panel body of FIG. 7;
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates the assembling of the panel body of FIG.
7;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the panel body of FIG.
7 in transition to a box configuration;
[0023] FIG. 12 is an elevation view showing the panel body of FIG.
7 in a compact storage position;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the panel body stored
in a lid:
[0025] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a panel body according to still
another preferred embodiment of the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 15 is a plan view of the panel body of FIG. 14 in a
two-layer flat configuration: and
[0027] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a container portion formed
from the panel body of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is shown a foldable panel
body 100 for a collapsible box (A) according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. Although a rectangular collapsible box
(A) is illustrated, collapsible boxes having other shapes are also
contemplated. Generally, the collapsible box (A) 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. The top panel
110, the back panel 120, the bottom panel 130, and the front panel
140 are connected foldably to each other in sequence through
foldable connections 170 in the panel body 100 . The left and right
side panels 150 and 160 are connected foldably and respectively to
the left and right sides of the bottom panel 130 through foldable
connections 170. Four connectors 180 are provided to connect the
left and right side panels 150 and 160 to the front and back panels
140 and 120 to thereby form four corners of the box (A). Each
connector 180 includes a pair of connector panels, i.e. first and
second connector panels 182, 184 which are interconnected through a
foldable connection 186.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1A in combination with FIG. 1, each of the
front panel 140, bottom panel 130, back panel 120, top panel 110,
left side panel 150, right side panel 160, and connector panel 182,
or 184 includes a panel plate 101 and at least first and second
sheet layers 102, 102' which sandwich the panel plate 101
therebetween. The panel plate 101 may be made of a medium or heavy
weight cardboard. Each first or second sheet layer 102, 102' may
include one or more sheets of paper (relatively much material. Each
panel plate 101 is fixed or glued to the first and second sheet
layers 102, 102'. The first and second sheet layers 102, 102' of
the front panel 140, bottom panel 130, back panel 120, top panel
110, left side panel 150, right side panel 160, and connector
panels 182 and 184 are connected to each other, while the panel
plates 101 thereof are separated or spaced apart from each other to
form gaps 105 therebetween. Parts of the first and second sheet
layers 102, 102' corresponding to the gaps 105 serve to provide the
foldable connections 170, 186.
[0030] Alternatively, the front, bottom, back, top, left side and
right side panels 140, 130, 120, 110 and the connector panels 182,
184 may be taped together by strips of plastic or paper tapes to
provide the foldable connections between the panels. The foldable
connections 170 exist between the front panel 140 and the bottom
panel 130, between the back panel 120 and the bottom panel 130,
between the top panel 110 and the back panel 120, between each of
the left and right side panels 150, 160 and the bottom panel 130,
and between one of the connector panels 182 or 184 and one of the
front panel, back panel, left side panel, and right side panel,
140, 120, 150 and 160, respectively. Foldable connections 186 are
provided between the connector panels 182 and 184.
[0031] In this embodiment, both of the first and second connector
panels 182, 184 of each connector 180 are triangular and are
interconnected through the foldable connection 186 which extends
along a diagonal line that extends from one of four corners of the
bottom panel 130. The first connector panel 182 is fixedly attached
(e.g., glued) to the interior surface of the front panel 140 (or
back panel 120), and the second connector panel 184 is foldably
connected to a side edge of the left side panel 150 (or right side
panel 160). The thickness of the panel plates 101 of the first and
second connector panels 182, 184 are smaller than the thickness of
the panel plates 101 of the front panel 140, bottom panel 130, back
panel 120, left side panel 150, and right side panel 160.
[0032] The panel body 100 further includes an enclosure flap 200
which is foldably connected to the top panel 110 through a foldable
connection 170. A releasable fastener 210 may be attached to the
enclosure flap 200 and the front panel 140 to facilitate closure of
the collapsible box (A). 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 200 (or
the top panel 110) against the front panel 140.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating components for
assembling the foldable panel body 100 according to one embodiment
of a method according to the invention. The panel plates 101 of the
enclosure flap 200, the top panel 110, the back panel 120, the
bottom panel 130 and the front panel 140 are attached (glued) in
sequence to one side of a first intermediate sheet member 510. The
panel plates 101 are spaced apart to form the gaps 105 for the
foldable connections 170. A second intermediate sheet member 511 is
laid and fixed (e.g. by gluing) on the panel plates 101 and the
first intermediate sheet member 510 to form an intermediate
sub-panel body 51. The panel plates 101 of the left side panel 150
and the associated connectors 180 (each connector 180 having first
and second triangular panels 182 and 184) are attached to one side
of a first left sheet member 520 in a spaced-apart relationship to
form the gaps 105.
[0034] A second left sheet member 521 is laid and fixed on the
panel plates 101 and the first left sheet member 520 to form a left
sub-panel body 52. The panel plates 101 of the right side panel 160
and the associated connectors 180 ( each connector 180 having first
and second triangular panels 182 and 184) are attached to one side
of a first right sheet member 530 in a spaced-apart relationship to
form gaps 105. A second right sheet member 531 is laid and fixed on
the panel plates 101 and the first right sheet member 530 to form a
right sub-panel body 53. The panel body 100 is formed after the
left and right sub-panel bodies 52, 53 are connected to the
intermediate sub-panel body 51.
[0035] The panel body 100 is then folded so that the left and right
side panels 150, 160 lie over the bottom panel 130 and so that the
connectors 180 lie over the front and back panels 140, 120, as
shown in FIG. 4. Afterward, the first triangular panels 182 of four
connectors 180 are glued to the front panel 140 and the back panel
120. The panel body 100 is therefore placed in a two-layer flat
configuration, as shown in FIG. 4. To facilitate storage and
transportation, the panel body 100 may be folded further as shown
by arrows D1 and D2 in FIG. 4.
[0036] Preferably, each of the intermediate, left and right sheet
members 510, 520, 530 may include excess edge portions 512, 522,
532 that may be wrapped around and glued to the edges of the panel
plates 101 to enhance the overall attractiveness of the box (A).
Furthermore, the sheet members 510, 520, 530 may include logos
and/or designs for particular occasions (e.g., holidays, birthdays,
etc.) to further enhance the attractiveness of the box (A). It is
contemplated that the sheet members 610, 520 and 530 may comprise a
single sheet or a plurality of sheets to achieve the desire
attractiveness or finished look of the box (A).
[0037] To form the panel body 100 into the box (A), a user may lift
the side panels 150 and 160 laid on the bottom panel 130 (as shown
in FIG. 4) to an upright position. As the left and right side
panels 150, 160 are lifted, the front panel 140 and the back panel
120 are concurrently lifted, as shown in FIG. 2, because the first
triangular panels 182 of the connectors 180 are glued to the
interior surfaces of the front and back panels 140, 120.
[0038] With the left and right side panels 150 and 160 held in the
upright position, the box (A) may be filled with one or more
objects to be stored in the box. For example, the collapsible box
(A) may be utilized in a gift shop, and a store clerk may place one
or more purchased gift items into the collapsible box (A). The
collapsible box (A) 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 box
(A) may also be decorated with a store's emblem, logo or a
trademark.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 9, there is shown another embodiment
of the present invention. In this embodiment, the collapsible box
(B) generally comprises a lid 602 and a container 604. The lid 602
includes a top panel 610 and side portions 612 which confine a
receiving space (not shown) with the top panel 610. The container
604 includes a back panel 620, a bottom panel 630, a front panel
640, a left side panel 650 and a right side panel 660.
[0040] The container 604 is formed from a foldable panel body 600
which includes the back panel 620, the bottom panel 630, the front
panel 640, and the left and right side panels 650, 660. The front,
bottom and back panels 640, 630, 620 are foldably connected to each
other in sequence. The left and right side panels 650, 660 are
connected foldably and respectively to left and right sides of the
bottom panel 630. Foldable connections 670 exist between the front
panel 640 and the bottom panel 630, between the back panel 620 and
the bottom panel 630, and between each of the left and right side
panels 650, 660 and the bottom panel 630, respectively. Four
connectors 680 are provided to connect the left and right side
panels 650 and 660 to the front and back panels 640 and 620 so as
to form corners for the container 604. Each connector 680 comprises
first and second triangular connector panels 682 and 684 which are
foldably connected to each other through a foldable connection
686.
[0041] Each of the back panel 620, the bottom panel 630, the front
panel 640, the left and right side panels 650, 660 and the
connector panels 682, 684 has a sandwich structure which includes a
panel plate 101 and at least first and second sheet layers 102,
102'. The panel plate 101 may be made of a medium or heavy weight
cardboard. Each first or second sheet layer 102, 102' may include
one or more sheets of paper (relatively much lighter weight
compared to the cardboard) or other similar sheeting material. Each
panel plate 101 is fixed or glued to the sheets of the first and
sheet layers 102, 102'. The first and second sheet layers 102, 102'
of the front panel 640, bottom panel 630, back panel 620, left side
panel 650, right side panel 660, and connector panels 682 and 684
are connected to each other, while the panel plates 101 thereof are
separated or spaced apart from each other to form gaps 105
therebetween (e.g., {fraction (1/32)} to 1/4 inch gaps for
{fraction (1/16)} inch thick panels). Portions of the first and
second sheet layers 102, 102'corresponding to the gaps 105 serve to
provide the foldable connections 670, 686. Alternatively, the
panels may be taped together by strips of plastic or paper tapes to
provide the foldable connections between the panels.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 10, to fabricate the foldable panel body
600 for the container 640, all of the panel plates 101 of the front
panel 640, bottom panel 630, back panel 620, left side panel 650,
right side panel 660, and connector panels 682 and 684 are first
glued to a first sheet member 730 in a spaced apart relationship to
form the gaps 105. A second sheet member 731 is laid and fixed on
the aforesaid panel plates 101 and the first sheet member 730. The
gaps 105 between the panel plates 101 may be provided with an
appropriate dimension so that the foldable connections 670 are
sufficient for the panel body 600 to be folded to a compact
position.
[0043] After the panel plates 101 are assembled, the panel body 600
is in a single layer flat configuration as shown in FIG. 7. The
panel body 600 is then folded to a two-layer flat configuration, as
shown in FIG. 9, in which the left and right side panels 650, 660
lie over the bottom panel 630 and the connectors 680 lie over the
front and back panels 640, 620. Furthermore, the first connector
panels 682 are fixed (e.g. glued to) to the interior surfaces of
the front and back panels 640, 620.
[0044] To form the panel body 600 from the two-layer flat
configuration (FIG. 9) into a three-dimensional box configuration
(FIG. 6), a user may lift the left and right side panels 650 and
660 to an upright position. As the left and right side panels 650,
660 are lifted, the front panel 640 and the back panel 620 are
concurrently lifted because the first connector panel 682 are fixed
to the interior surfaces of the front and back panels 640, 620.
FIG. 11 shows the panel body 600 in transition to the
three-dimensional box configuration when the left and right side
panels 650 and 660 are lifted. In this state, the second connector
panels 684 are folded over the first connector panels 682,
respectively. Strips of double-sided tape 688 may be disposed on
the first or second connector panels 862 or 864 in order to keep
the panel body 600 in a three-dimensional box configuration.
[0045] The panel body 600 may be folded further from the two-layer
flat configuration (FIG. 9) to a compact storage position, as shown
in FIG. 12, in which the front and back panels 640, 620 are laid
over the bottom panel 630 opposite to left and right side panels
650, 660. To achieve this compact storage position, the gaps 105 or
foldable connections 670 between each of the front and back panels
640, 620 and the bottom panel 630 and between each connector 680
and one of the left and right side panels 650, 660 may be provided
with a sufficient width depending on the thickness of the panel
plates 101 so that the folded layers of the panel body 600 can be
in a substantially parallel relationship.
[0046] Preferably, the panel plates 101 of the connector panels
682, 684 which function to provide connection rather than
robustness for the container 604 may be provided with a thickness
smaller than that of the panel plates 101 of the front, bottom,
back, left and right side panels, 640, 630, 620, 650, 660 to reduce
the size or thickness of the connectors 680. As such, the
appearance of the container 604 may be enhanced, and the panel body
600 may be folded easily and neatly to the compact storage
position.
[0047] With the panel body 600 folded into the compact position,
the container 604 may be stored into the lid 602 as shown in FIG.
13. In one embodiment, the height of the side portions 612 and the
thickness of the panel body 600 in the compact storage position is
substantially the same. In the compact position, a plurality of
collapsible boxes (B) can be stored and/or transported easily,
increasing efficiencies in storage space requirements and
transportation costs.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, there is shown still another
embodiment of the present invention which is substantially similar
to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 13. However, the height of
the front, bottom, and back panels 840, 830, 820 and the left and
right side panels 850, 860 of the panel body 800 for the container
804 (i.e. the height of the container 804) is increased compared to
the height of the container 604 of the previous embodiment.
Particularly, the height of the container 804 is larger than half
of the width of the bottom panel 830 measured between the left and
right side panels 850, 860 so that the left and right side panels
850. 860 overlap each other (FIG. 15) when being folded and placed
over the bottom panel 830 to form the two-layer flat
configuration.
[0049] Furthermore, each foldable connection 886 which extends
between the first and second connector panels 882, 884 along the
diagonal line does not extend to the top edge 841 or 821 of the
front or back panel 840 or 820. Rather, the foldable connection 886
terminates at a point below the top edge 841 or 821 of the front or
back panel 840 or 820. As such, the first connector panels 882 are
trapezoidal, and the top edges 8841 of the triangular second
connector panels 884 do not extend to the top edges 841, 821 of the
front and back panels 840, 820.
[0050] Compared to the triangular first connector panel 682 of the
previous embodiment, the trapezoidal shape of the first connector
panel 882 provides an increased contact and adhesion area between
the first connector panel 882 and the front or back panel 840 or
820, especially at the region adjacent to the top edge 841 or 821
of the front or back panel 840 or 820 where the first connector
panel 882 becomes tapered. The triangular first connector panel 682
in the previous embodiment is liable to peel off from the front or
back panel 640 or 620 at its tip adjacent to the top edge of the
front or back panel 640 or 620 due to its small contact area with
the front or back panel 840, 820 (see FIG. 11). Compared to the
container 604 of the previous embodiment, the container 804 has a
neater top edge as the edge 8841 of the second connector panel 884
is not exposed at the top edge.
[0051] 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.
* * * * *