U.S. patent application number 10/883039 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-13 for collapsible box.
Invention is credited to Li Hsiang Kao.
Application Number | 20060151586 10/883039 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31978130 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060151586 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao; Li Hsiang |
July 13, 2006 |
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 lid portion comprising a top panel and a
plurality of lid side portions; and a container portion comprising:
a front panel, a bottom panel and a back 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; and a plurality of connectors foldably
connected between each side panel and each of the front panel and
back panel respectively, wherein the container portion may be
folded into a compact position which may be inserted into the lid
portion.
Inventors: |
Kao; Li Hsiang; (Kaohsiung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOSEPH M. JONG, ATTORNEY AT LAW
3231 SOUTHDOWN DRIVE
PEARLAND
TX
77584
US
|
Family ID: |
31978130 |
Appl. No.: |
10/883039 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10348136 |
Jan 21, 2003 |
|
|
|
10883039 |
Jun 30, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/186 ;
229/117.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3657 20130101;
B65D 5/6673 20130101; B65D 5/6661 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/186 ;
229/117.08 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/36 20060101
B65D005/36; B65D 5/24 20060101 B65D005/24 |
Claims
1. A packaging system, comprising: a lid portion comprising a top
panel and a plurality of lid side portions; and a container portion
comprising: a front panel, a bottom panel and a back 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; and a plurality of
connectors foldably connected between each side panel and each of
the front panel and back panel respectively, wherein the container
portion may be folded into a compact position which may be inserted
into the lid portion.
2. The packaging system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more
sheets fixedly attached to the front panel, the bottom panel and
the back panel in a spaced relationship to provide one or more
foldable connections therebetween.
3. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein each connector
comprises a first polygonal panel having a first edge foldably
connected to one of left and right side panels and a second edge
foldably connected to one of front and back panels.
4. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein each connector
comprises a first polygonal panel foldably connected to a second
polygonal panel, the first polygonal panel having a first edge
foldably connected to one of left and right side panels and the
second polygonal panel being fixedly attached to one of front and
back panels.
5. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein the container portion
may be folded into a tri-fold position.
6. The packaging system of claim 5, wherein the front panel and the
back panel may be folded in sequence beneath the bottom panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE 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 Jan. 21, 2003. This related patent application is herein
incorporated by reference in its 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] 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
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, a packaging system comprising a
lid portion and a container portion is provided. The lid portion
comprises a top panel and a plurality of lid side portions. The
container portion comprises: a front panel, a bottom panel and a
back 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; and a
plurality of connectors foldably connected between each side panel
and each of the front panel and back panel respectively, wherein
the container portion may be folded into a compact position which
may be inserted into the lid portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view of a collapsible box in a flat position
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] 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.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a collapsible box with side
panels in an upright position according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of a collapsible box in transition to a
compact position according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating components for
assembling a collapsible box according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collapsible box with side
panels in transition to an upright position according to another
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating components for
assembling a collapsible box according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collapsible box in a
folded position according to another embodiment of the
invention.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collapsible box having a
container portion disposed in a lid portion according to another
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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).
[0026] 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., 1/32 to 1/8 inch gaps for
1/16 inch thick panels), to 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.
[0027] 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 184 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).
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating components for
assembling a collapsible box according to one embodiment of the
invention. As described in one embodiment above, the panels and the
connectors may be glued to one or more sheets. For clarity and
illustrative purposes, the dimensions of the panels are not shown
in scale. In one embodiment, the enclosure flap 200, the top panel
110, the back panel 120, the bottom panel 130 and the front panel
140 may be glued in sequence onto a first sheet 510. The panels
(including the enclosure flap) may be spaced apart sufficiently to
provide desired foldable connections between the panels. A second
sheet 520 may be glued to the left side panel 150 and the
associated connectors 180 (each connector 180 having first and
second triangular panels 182 and 184). A third sheet 530 may be
glued to the right side panel 160 and the associated connectors 180
(each connector 180 having first and second triangular panels 182
and 184). After the panels have been glued to the sheets,
respective triangular panels 182 (and portions of respective sheet
glued thereon) may be glued to the front panel and the back panel.
Additional tape (not shown) may be utilized to join the edges
between the side panels 150, 160, respectively, with the bottom
panel 130. Each of the sheets 510, 520, 530 may include excess edge
portions 512, 522, 532 that may be wrapped around the edges and
glued to enhance the look of the edges and the overall
attractiveness of the box. Furthermore, the sheets 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. It is contemplated that the sheets 510, 520 and 530 may
comprise a single sheet or a plurality of sheets to achieve the
desire attractiveness or finished look of the box.
[0033] 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.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a collapsible box with side
panels in transition to an upright position according to another
embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the
collapsible box 600 generally comprises a lid portion 602 and a
container portion 604. The container portion 604 of the collapsible
box 600 described herein may be collapsed down to substantially
flat layers of card board and may be further folded and stored
within the lid portion 602 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. In one embodiment,
the lid portion 602 includes a top panel 610 and lid side portions
612. The container portion 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. It is understood that the directional or
orientation terms utilized herein are for illustrative purposes and
that embodiments having other orientations are contemplated. As
shown in FIG. 6, the back panel 620, the bottom panel 630 and the
front panel 640 are foldably connected in sequence. In one
embodiment, for a rectangular box, foldable connections 670
(670A-D) 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 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. In a flat layout
position, the panels provide a substantially flat layout with the
side panels 650 and 660 disposed as a top layer while the back
panel 620, the bottom panel 630 and the front panel 640 forms a
bottom layer (or main body layer).
[0035] A plurality of connectors 680 are disposed to connect the
side panels 650 and 660 to the front and back panels 640 and 620.
The connectors 680 facilitate lifting of the front and back panels
640 and 620 toward an upright position when the side panels 650 and
660 are being lifted to an upright position. In one embodiment,
each connector 680 comprises a first and a second polygonal panels
682 and 684 which are foldably connected with a foldable connection
686. The first polygonal panel 682 is fixedly attached (e.g.,
glued) to the interior surface of the front panel (or back panel),
and the second polygonal panel 684 is foldably connected to a side
edge 690 of a side panel.
[0036] 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., 1/32 to 1/4 inch gaps for
1/16 inch thick panels), to 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. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram
illustrating components for assembling a collapsible box 600
according to another embodiment of the invention. The panels
(including the panels of the connector) may be fixedly attached
(e.g., glued) to one or more sheets. For clarity and illustrative
purposes, the dimensions of the panels are not shown in scale.
[0037] In one embodiment, the top panel 610 may be glued to a first
sheet 710 which serves to cover an outer surface of the lid portion
602 and hold the lid side portions 612 in folded (e.g., orthogonal)
positions against each other and the top panel 610. The first sheet
710 may include excess edge portions 712 that may be wrapped around
the edges of the lid side portions 612 and may be glued to an inner
surface of the assembled lid portion 602. A second sheet 720 may be
utilized so that both outer and inner surfaces of the assembled lid
portion 602 are covered. The second sheet 720 may be glued to an
inner surface of the lid portion 602.
[0038] A third sheet 730 may be utilized to adhere the panels of
the container portion 604. The panels (including the panels of the
connector) may be spaced apart sufficiently for the sheet to
provide desired foldable connections between the panels. For
example, the side panels 650, 660 may be spaced apart from the
bottom panel 630 so that the side panels 650, 660 may be folded
flat against the bottom panel 630. As another example, more spacing
may be needed between the front panel 640 and the bottom panel 630
and also between the back panel 620 and the bottom panel 630 so
that these panels may be folded as a tri-fold, and the foldable
connections 690 between the side panels 650, 660 and respective
connectors 680 may also provide additional spacing required for a
tri-fold folding position as described below. The third sheet 730
may include excess edge portions 732 which may be wrapped around
the outer edges of the panels as laid out for assembly. Optionally,
a fourth sheet (not shown) may be glued to the remaining exposed
panel surfaces after the panels have been glued to the third sheet
730. The fourth sheet may serve to provide a decorated interior
surface for the container portion 604. After the panels (including
the panels of the connectors) have been glued to the sheets (e.g.,
710, 720, 730), the side panels 650, 660 and the associated
connectors may be folded, and the polygonal panel 682 may be glued
against respective front panel 640 and back panel 620.
[0039] To construct the container portion 604 from a flat layout to
a three-dimensional box, a user may lift the side panels 650 and
660 to an upright position. As the side panels 650 and 660 are
lifted, the front panel 640 and the back panel 620 are concurrently
lifted because of the connectors 680 between the side panels 650
and 660 and the front and back panels 640 and 620. The lid portion
602 may be placed over the opening of the container portion 604 and
keep the container portion 604 from collapsing. Alternatively, to
keep the container portion 604 in the constructed form (i.e., as a
three-dimensional box), strips of double-sided tape 688 may be
disposed between the polygonal panels 682 and 684. In one
embodiment, the double-sided tape strips 688 may be adhered to one
of each corresponding pair of polygonal panels 682 and 684 with
peelable covers that may be peeled off to expose the tape strips
when the box is ready to be used. Other tapes and fasteners are
contemplated also.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a collapsible box in
transition to a folded position according to another embodiment of
the invention. To fold the container portion 604 into a tri-fold
position, the container portion 604 may be collapsed into a flat
layout position, and then the front panel 640 and the back panel
620 (in sequence depending on the lengths of respective foldable
connections 670A and 670B) may be folded successively beneath the
bottom panel 630. With the container portion 604 folded into a
tri-fold position, the container portion 604 may be stored into the
lid portion 602 in a compact position as shown in FIG. 9. In one
embodiment, the height of the lid side portions 612 and the
thickness of a container portion 604 in a tri-fold position may be
substantially the same to provide efficiencies in costs of
manufacturing, packaging, transportation, etc. In the compact
position, a plurality of collapsible boxes are easily stored and/or
transported, increasing efficiencies in storage space requirements
and transportation costs.
[0041] 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.
* * * * *