U.S. patent application number 10/987599 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for collapsible containers for use as vertical files and covers therefore.
This patent application is currently assigned to Advantus Corp.. Invention is credited to Scott D. Smith.
Application Number | 20060102709 10/987599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36385204 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060102709 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Scott D. |
May 18, 2006 |
Collapsible containers for use as vertical files and covers
therefore
Abstract
Collapsible container formed from a flat, unitary plastic blank
includes a front panel having opposite sides; a pair of side
panels, each foldably connected to respective sides of the front
panel and folded at substantially right angles to the front panel.
Each side panel has a foldable rear panel folded at a substantially
right angle to the respective side panel. One rear panel includes a
locking slot and the other rear panel has a foldable locking tab
inserted inside such slot to secure such rear panel to the other
rear panel. Side panels have respective foldable bottom panels
folded at a substantially right angle to respective side panels.
One bottom panel includes a securing tab extending therefrom and
the other bottom panel includes a securing slot into which such
securing tab is inserted to secure the bottom panels together.
Inventors: |
Smith; Scott D.; (Hernando,
MS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARTHUR G. YEAGER, P.A.
245-1 EAST ADAMS STREET
JACKSONVILLE
FL
32202-3336
US
|
Assignee: |
Advantus Corp.
|
Family ID: |
36385204 |
Appl. No.: |
10/987599 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/164 ;
229/112; 229/158; 229/185 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B42F 7/145 20130101;
B42F 17/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/164 ;
229/112; 229/158; 229/185 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/10 20060101
B65D005/10 |
Claims
1. A flat blank for forming a collapsible container for carrying
paper articles comprising: a first panel having opposite sides; a
pair of side panels, each foldably connected to a respective said
side of said first panel and each adapted to be folded at a
substantially right angle to said first panel; each said side panel
including a second panel foldably connected thereto and adapted to
be folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side
panel; one said second panel having at least one locking slot,
another said rear panel having at least one foldable locking tab
sized to fit inside said at least one locking slot to secure said
one second panel to said another rear panel; each said side panel
having a bottom panel foldably connected to respective said side
panel and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to
said respective side panel, one said bottom panel including at
least one securing tab extending therefrom, another said bottom
panel including at least one securing slot, said at least one
securing tab being bendable to fit within said at least one
securing slot to secure said one bottom panel to said another
bottom panel.
2. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said blank is
constructed from a unitary resilient plastic material.
3. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said blank is
constructed from a flexible translucent plastic material.
4. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein each said side panel
includes a lower edge portion formed to include a pair of spaced
feet for supporting a container formed of said blank.
5. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein one said second panel
has upper and lower portions and further includes a flap panel
foldably connected to said lower portion and adapted to be bent at
a right angle to said one second panel to locate said flap panel
over said bottom panels when said bottom panels are secured
together to locate said flap panel inwardly of and to reinforce a
bottom of a container formed from said blank.
6. The blank as defined in claim 5 wherein said first panel has
upper and lower portions and further includes another flap panel
foldably connected to said lower portion of said first panel and
adapted to be bent at a right angle to said first panel to locate
said another flap panel over said bottom panels when said bottom
panels are secured together to locate said another flap panel
inwardly thereof and to reinforce a bottom of a container formed
from said blank.
7. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said first panel has a
finger hole therethrough to facilitate handling of a container
formed from said blank.
8. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one
locking slot includes a pair of spaced ends, said at least one
locking tab having a pair of opposed arcuate notches formed
therein, said notches engaging respective said spaced ends of said
at least one locking slot when said at least one locking tab of one
said second panel is fully inserted into said at least one locking
slot of said another second panel.
9. The blank as defined in claim 1 wherein said one second panel
includes at least another locking slot spaced from said at least
one locking slot and said another second panel includes at least
another foldable locking tab spaced from said at least one locking
slot and insertable inside said at least another locking slot to
secure said one second panel to said another second panel.
10. A flat blank for forming a collapsible container for carrying
paper articles comprising: a generally rectangular first panel
having opposite sides, a pair of side panels, each foldably
connected to a respective said side of said first panel and each
adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to said first
panel; each said side panel including a generally rectangular
second panel foldably connected thereto and adapted to be folded at
a substantially right angle to said respective side panel; one said
second panel having a plurality of elongate locking slots, another
said second panel having a plurality of foldable locking tabs sized
to be insertable inside respective said locking slot to secure said
one second panel to said another second panel; each said side panel
having a generally square bottom panel foldably connected to a
respective said side panel and adapted to be folded at a
substantially right angle to said respective side panel, one said
bottom panel including a plurality of securing tabs extending
therefrom, other said bottom panel including a plurality of
generally rectangular securing slots, each said securing tab
bendable to be insertable into respective said securing slot to
secure one said bottom panel overlying and to said other bottom
panel.
11. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein each said locking tab
has a pair of arcuate notches formed therein, said notches for
engaging respective said locking slot when said one second panel is
secured to said another second panel to locate said one second
panel flat against said another second panel
12. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein said front panel has
upper and lower portions and further includes a first flap panel
foldably connected to said lower portion of said first panel and
said second panel has upper and lower portions and further includes
a second flap panel foldably connected to said lower portion of
said second panel, said first and second flap panels being bendable
at right angles to locate said flap panels inside of an assembled
container and resting against a bottom of such assembled
container.
13. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein said securing tabs are
located inside a container assembled from said blank.
14. The blank as defined in claim 10 wherein said locking tabs are
located flat against one said side panel when said locking tabs are
inserted into respective said locking slots.
15. A collapsible container for carrying paper articles comprising:
a first panel having opposite sides; a pair of side panels, each
foldably connected to a respective said side of said first panel
and folded at a substantially right angle to said first panel; each
said side panel including a second panel foldably connected thereto
and folded at a substantially right angle to said respective side
panel, one said second panel having at least one locking slot,
another said second panel having at least one foldable locking tab
inserted inside said at least one locking slot to secure said one
second panel to said another second panel; each said side panel
having a bottom panel foldably connected to respective said side
panel and folded at a substantially right angle to said respective
side panel, one said bottom panel including at least one securing
tab extending therefrom, other said bottom panel including at least
one securing slot, said at least one securing tab inserted within
said at least one securing slot to secure said one bottom panel to
said another bottom panel.
16. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said container is
constructed from a unitary resilient plastic material.
17. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said container is
formed of a flexible translucent plastic material.
18. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said foldable
connections are fold lines formed in said blank.
19. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein one said second
panel has upper and lower portions and further includes a flap
panel foldably connected to said lower portion and bent at a right
angle to said one second panel to locate said flap panel over said
bottom panels when said bottom panels are secured together to
locate said flap panel inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of said
container.
20. The container as defined in claim 19 wherein said first panel
has upper and lower portions and further includes another flap
panel foldably connected to said lower portions of said first panel
and bent at a right angle to said first panel to locate said
another flap panel over said bottom panels when said bottom panels
are secured together to locate said another flap panel inwardly and
to reinforce a bottom of said container.
21. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said front panel
has a finger hole therethrough to facilitate handling of said
container.
22. The container as defined in claim 15 wherein said at least one
locking tab has an upper portion having an arcuate notch formed
therein and a lower portion having an arcuate notch formed therein,
said notches for engaging said at least one locking slot when said
one said second panel is secured to said another second panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not Applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to a blank formed to be folded
into a collapsible container for use as a vertical file and/or a
cover and particularly to blanks that can be assembled and
disassembled.
[0006] 2. Relevant Art
[0007] A wide variety of boxes and other containers are formed from
one or more blanks that may be folded in a predetermined manner
along score lines. What is desired is a container that can be
quickly and easily assembled from a flat plastic blank to form a
freestanding vertical file for pamphlets, scrapbook papers, folders
and similar items.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
flat blank for forming a collapsible container for carrying paper
articles which includes a front panel having opposite sides; a pair
of side panels, each foldably connected to a respective side of the
front panel and each adapted to be folded at a substantially right
angle to the front panel; each side panel including a rear panel
foldably connected thereto and adapted to be folded at a
substantially right angle to the respective side panel; one rear
panel having at least one locking slot, another rear panel having
at least one foldable locking tab sized to fit inside at least one
locking slot to secure one rear panel to another rear panel. Each
side panel has a bottom panel foldably connected to respective side
panel and adapted to be folded at a substantially right angle to
the respective side panel. One bottom panel includes at least one
securing tab extending therefrom and another bottom panel includes
at least one securing slot and the at least one securing tab being
bendable to fit within the at least one securing slot to secure one
bottom panel to another. The blank is constructed from a unitary
flexible resilient translucent plastic material. Each side panel
includes a lower edge portion formed to include a pair of spaced
feet for supporting a container formed of the blank.
[0009] The blank has a rear panel which has upper and lower
portions and further includes a flap panel foldably connected to
the lower portion and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the
rear panel to locate the flap panel over the bottom panels when the
bottom panels are secured together to locate the flap panel
inwardly of and to reinforce a bottom of a container formed from
the blank. The front panel has upper and lower portions and further
includes another flap panel foldably connected to the lower portion
of the front panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the
front panel to locate the another flap panel over the bottom panels
when the bottom panels are secured together to locate the another
flap panel inwardly thereof and to reinforce a bottom of a
container formed from the blank. The front panel has a finger hole
therethrough to facilitate handling of a container formed from the
blank. One locking slot includes a pair of spaced ends having a
pair of opposed arcuate notches formed therein. The notches engage
respective spaced ends of the locking slot when the locking tab of
the rear panel is fully inserted into the locking slot of another
rear panel.
[0010] One rear panel has a plurality of elongate locking slots,
another rear panel has a plurality of foldable locking tabs sized
to be insertable inside respective locking slots to secure one rear
panel to another. One bottom panel includes a plurality of securing
tabs extending therefrom, the other bottom panel including a
plurality of generally rectangular securing slots. Each securing
tab bendable to be insertable into respective securing slot to
secure one bottom panel overlying and to the other. The securing
tabs are located inside a container assembled from the blank. In
addition, the locking tabs are located flat against one side panel
when the locking tabs are inserted into respective locking
slots.
[0011] In another aspect of the present invention there is provided
a collapsible container for carrying paper articles including a
front panel having opposite sides; a pair of spaced side panels,
each foldably connected to a respective side of the front panel and
folded at a substantially right angle to the front panel; each side
panel including a rear panel foldably connected thereto and folded
at a substantially right angle respective side panel, one rear
panel having a locking slot, another rear panel having a foldable
locking tab inserted inside one locking slot to secure the one rear
panel to said another rear panel; each panel has a bottom panel
foldably connected to respective side panel and folded at a
substantially right angle to the respective side panel, one bottom
panel including at least one securing tab extending therefrom,
other bottom panel including a securing slot, one securing tab
inserted within the securing slot to secure one bottom panel to
another. One rear panel has upper and lower portions and further
includes a flap panel foldably connected to the lower portion and
bent at a right angle to one rear panel to locate the flap panel
over the bottom panels when the bottom panels are secured together
to locate the flap panel inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of the
container. The front panel has upper and lower portions and further
includes another flap panel foldably connected to the lower
portions of the front panel and bent at a right angle to the front
panel to locate another flap panel over the bottom panels when the
bottom panels are secured together to locate another flap panel
inwardly and to reinforce a bottom of the container. One locking
tab has an upper portion having an arcuate notch formed therein and
a lower portion having an arcuate notch formed therein, the notches
are used for engaging one locking slot when one rear panel is
secured to another rear panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0012] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic
of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended
claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization
and method of operation, together with further objects and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank in accord with the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top partial detail view of a locking tab of the
blank of FIG. 1 being moved for insertion into a locking slot;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a top partial detail view of a locking tab of
FIGS. 1 and 2 fully inserted into a locking slot;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a rearward partial detail view of a locking tab of
FIG. 1 being moved towards a locking slot of FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the blank of FIG. 1
assembled into a vertical file;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the file of FIG. 5;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the file of FIGS. 5 and 6;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembled file of FIGS.
5-7;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank for a cover for the file of
FIG. 8; and
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembled cover of FIG.
9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] With respect to the drawings, a blank 10 of clear or
translucent plastic is shown in collapsed, unassembled form in FIG.
1. A front panel 11 has a finger hole 12 and is further defined by
a score line 13 and a pair of spaced elongate score lines 17. A
flap panel 4 is defined by score or fold line 13 and a tapered side
portion 15 and a straight edge portion 16 and is used to reinforce
the bottom of the assembled container or vertical file 53 (FIGS.
5-8).
[0024] A first side panel has straight edge portion 19, a slanted
edge portion 20, another edge portion 21 and two elongate score or
fold lines 22 and 33. A first rear panel 23 is defined by score
line 22 and edge portions 24, 25 and 26. The first rear panel 23
includes three spaced vertical slots 27 each having spaced ends in
the form of top and bottom end portions 28, 29.
[0025] A first bottom portion 30 is defined by an elongate score or
fold line 33 and two slanted edge portions 31 and three rectangular
securing tabs 32. Two spaced securing slots 34 are formed in the
bottom portion 30 adjacent score line 33.
[0026] A second side panel 35 is substantially identical to panel
18 and includes edge portions 36, 37 and 38 and elongate score or
fold lines 39 and 43. A second bottom panel 42 is also defined by
elongate score or fold line 43 and includes a straight edge portion
46 and three spaced securing tab slots 44 and two spaced slots 45
closely adjacent score line 43.
[0027] A second rear panel 40 includes an elongate score or fold
line 39 as one edge portion and an upper edge portion 50 and a
lower score or fold line 47' connecting to base panel 47. Panel 40
includes three spaced locking tabs 41 connected via spaced score or
fold lines 41'. Flap panel 47 is substantially identical to panel
14 and has straight edge portion 49 and tapered edge portion 48 and
is also used to reinforce the bottom of an assembled container
53.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates the inside surfaces of the blank 10 but
it is to be understood that the specific construction of the blank
10 depends on which side the various score or fold lines used for
foldable connections to facilitate bending panels and tabs in a
specific direction with respect to the other portions of the blank
10.
[0029] The assembly of the blank 10 proceeds as follows. Panel 14
is folded towards the assembly along score line 13 to place it at a
right angle to front panel 11.
[0030] Flap panel 47 is folded in a similar manner around score
line 47' with respect to panel 40. Panels 30 and 42 are also folded
at right angles along respective score lines 33 and 43.
[0031] Side panel 40 is folded along score line 39 to place flap
panel 47 above folded panel 42. Panel 14 is also positioned above
panel 42 when side panel 35 is folded toward the user along score
line 17.
[0032] Panel 30 is folded 90.degree. along score line 33 to bring
panel 30 below panel 42 and each tab 32 is inserted into respective
tab slot 44. After this step panels 14 and 47 should be disposed
over panel 42, which overlies panel 30.
[0033] Panel 23 is folded towards the user along score line 22 and
each locking tab 41 is bent at a right angle along corresponding
score line 41' and inserted into respective locking slot 27 to
position panel 40 outside panel 23.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a top partial detail showing the folding
of panel 40 and at right angle to place a folded locking tab 41
into a locking slot 27. The securing step is shown completed in
FIG. 3.
[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of a locking tab 41 being
moved towards a locking slot 27. The locking tab 41 includes a pair
of spaced arcuate notches 51 to greatly inhibit the withdrawal of
the tabs 41 once inserted into locking slots 27. The procedure for
securing a locking tab 41 into a locking slot 27 involves forcing
the lower end of a tab 41 into a slot 27 near a lower end portion
29 and then pushing the upper portion of a tab 41 into the slot 27
adjacent the upper end portion 28. Preferably, three locking tabs
41 are used and are preferably installed from the lower tab 41/slot
27 pair and then the middle pair and finally the uppermost
pair.
[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates the assembled lower panels 30 and 42
connected together by forcing a respective securing tab 32 into a
corresponding securing slot 44. There are preferably three spaced
tab 32/slot 44 pairs as clearly shown.
[0037] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate respective front, bottom and rear views
of an assembled container 53 for use as a vertical file. FIG. 8
illustrates a perspective view of the container 53. Slots 34, 45
are formed to provide feet 34', 45' to elevate the bottom of the
container slightly to compensate for the increased thickness
resulting from the use of flap panels 14 and 47.
[0038] The blank 10 is preferably shipped and sold in a partially
assembled form by inserting tabs 41 into slots 27 and leaving the
bottom panels 30, 42 and flap panels 14, 47 flat and then folding
the blank 10 to place the inside surface of front panel 11 against
a portion of side panel 18 and to place rear panel 40 against a
portion of side panel 35.
[0039] With respect to FIGS. 9 and 10, a container in the form of a
cover for the container or vertical file 53 of FIGS. 1-8 is shown
at 54. Side walls 55 and 56 connect end panels 59 and 85 to define
interior space 57. End panel 84 is formed from overlapping panels
58 and 75.
[0040] Container or cover blank 54 is constructed in a manner
substantially similar to that of the blank 10 used to form the
assembled container 53 and, with the exception of slots 45 and feet
45', is constructed in a similar manner.
[0041] Fold lines 62 and 63 separate bottom panels 72 and 84. Tabs
71 fit into slots 65, tabs 67 and 79 are positioned inside and rest
above the assembled wall formed by overlapping panels 72, 84. Tabs
83 fit into slots 77 to secure overlapping panels 75, 85 to form
wall 86 defined along score lines 77' and 83'.
[0042] Container or cover 54 is sized to fit snugly over the upper
portion of container or vertical file 53.
[0043] It is to be understood that terms such as "front" and "rear"
are used as a manner of convenience since the finger hole 12 of
container 53 usually faces outwardly toward a user when the
container is placed on a shelf adjacent a rear wall of a house or a
rear wall of a bookcase or the like.
[0044] While the invention has been described with respect to
certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many
modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended
therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications
and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *