U.S. patent application number 14/580469 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for cover contained foldable container apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul Chalifoux. Invention is credited to Paul Chalifoux.
Application Number | 20150175295 14/580469 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53399227 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150175295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chalifoux; Paul |
June 25, 2015 |
COVER CONTAINED FOLDABLE CONTAINER APPARATUS
Abstract
A sheet of material or combination of materials formed as a
container system which when folded fits into a cover mechanism for
easy storage. Container walls fold onto the container base to lay
flat either on the base or on adjacent folded walls folded onto the
base. A system of hinges, in some embodiments living hinges, afford
complete foldability into the cover mechanism. A support bar system
and mechanism to be used in conjunction with the container system
wherein the proximal portion and the distal portion each comprise
at least one extension for interlocking to prevent the container
system from collapsing.
Inventors: |
Chalifoux; Paul; (Wellesley,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chalifoux; Paul |
Wellesley |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
53399227 |
Appl. No.: |
14/580469 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61919974 |
Dec 23, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/7 ;
229/117.07 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3607 20130101;
B65D 5/3657 20130101; B65D 5/3635 20130101; B65D 5/3692
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/36 20060101
B65D005/36 |
Claims
1. A folding box system comprising: a container mechanism, wherein
the container mechanism further comprises: a base member; at least
two opposingly disposed dynamic side walls in a hinged
communication with the base member comprising: a set of panels;
and, a set of side hinges; at least two opposingly disposed static
side walls in a lower hinged communication with the base member and
in side communication with the at least two opposingly disposed
dynamic side walls; and a rim, wherein the rim snaps onto a top of
the container mechanism to stabilize the set of panels to prevent
collapsing; a cover, wherein the cover is disposed to snap onto the
rim; and wherein a set of dimensions of the folded container
mechanism are approximately the same size or smaller than the cover
to enable the folded container mechanism to be placed inside the
cover.
2. The folding box system of claim 1 wherein the cover mechanism
fits over and encloses the rim mechanism to seal the folding
box.
3. The folding box system of claim 1, wherein the base member
further comprises a snap component which is disposed to accept a
snap component of a cover panel to provide reversible retention to
the folding box system.
4. The folding box system of claim 1 further comprising a combined
Velcro.RTM. and snap mechanism for added retention, wherein a snap
is voluntarily engaged or kept in an open position to create a more
secure attachment and in order for the container mechanism to
collapse, the snap will have to be intentionally unsnapped and then
the Velcro.RTM. disengaged.
5. The folding box system of claim 1, wherein the folded container
mechanism is secured inside the cover through a snapping action
selected from the group consisting of: a plurality of undercut
corners in the cover, snaps, undercuts in the total periphery of
the cover and clips.
6. The folding box system of claim 1, a dividing seam; and, a rim
mechanism; wherein the set of side hinges comprises a set of living
hinges.
7. The folding box system of claim 6 wherein the hinges at the
junction of each wall and the base combine with the side hinges to
collapse the side walls onto the base.
8. The folding box system of claim 6 wherein the angle of the
hinges to the base varies based upon the width to height ratio of
the at least two opposingly disposed static side walls and the at
least two opposingly disposed dynamic side walls.
9. The folding box system of claim 6 wherein the angle of the
hinges to base is less than ninety degrees and greater than zero
degrees and angled toward the center of the wall as it goes up to
the top edge of a wall from the base.
10. A folding container system comprising: an upper portion; a
lower portion; a base member; a set of folding walls comprising a
set of panels including a set of hinge mechanisms, wherein the
folding walls are disposed to collapse when pressed inward toward
the center of the lower portion and the adjacent side walls fold
inward and collapse to the center; and, a rim device in mechanical
communication with the upper portion stabilize the panels and to
prevent collapsing; a cover, wherein the cover is disposed to snap
onto the rim device; and wherein the final dimensions of the folded
container mechanism are approximately the same size or smaller than
the cover to enable to the folded container mechanism to be placed
inside the cover.
11. The folding container system of claim 10 wherein the set of
hinge mechanisms comprises a set of living hinges.
12. The folding container system of claim 10 wherein the folded
container is retained within the cover device by a force
application system selected from the group consisting of friction,
Velcro.RTM., snaps, adhesives and reversible connection.
13. The folding container system of claim 10 wherein the cover
comprises a handle mechanism for removal of the cover while the rim
device remains in communication with the wall.
14. The folding container system of claim 13 wherein the rim device
comprises a handle in communication with the cover device such that
when the handle is pulled, the cover device and rim device are
removed simultaneously.
15. The folding container system of claim 10 wherein the folding
walls comprise at least four female snap receiving mechanisms,
wherein the rim device comprises at least four female snap
receiving mechanisms and at least four male snap mechanisms; and,
the cover device comprises at least four male snap mechanisms;
wherein, the rim device is snapped in cover device and the Cover
device and the rim device are snapped onto folding walls.
16. The folding container system of claim 10 wherein a lower
portion of the rim comprises a flat area and the upper portions of
the walls comprise a flat area and wherein the flat are of the
lower portion of the rim engages the flat area of the walls in
order to create friction which blocks removal and wherein the rim
remains attached to the wall when the cover is removed.
17. The folding container system of claim 10, wherein the base
member further comprises a snap component which is disposed to
accept a snap component of a cover panel to provide reversible
retention to the folding container system.
18. The folding container system of claim 10 further comprising a
combined Velcro.RTM. and snap mechanism for added retention,
wherein a snap is voluntarily engaged or kept in an open position
to create a more secure attachment and in order for the box to
collapse, the snap will have to be intentionally unsnapped and then
the Velcro.RTM. disengaged.
19. A folding containment mechanism wherein the folding containment
mechanism is fully containable within a cover comprising: at least
four side walls comprising: at least two non-folding side walls;
and at least two folding walls, wherein each of the at least two
folding walls comprises: at least four panels; and at least three
living hinges, wherein at least one of the at least four panels
extends the full width of an individual of the at least two folding
walls and wherein the at least one of the at least four panels
which extends the full width of an individual of the at least two
folding walls is hingedly attached so as to fold into the interior
of the folding containment mechanism; a cover, wherein the cover is
disposed to snap onto the rim; and wherein the final dimensions of
the folded container mechanism are approximately the same size or
smaller than the cover to enable the folded container mechanism to
be placed inside the cover.
20. The folding containment mechanism of claim 19 wherein the
living hinges fold inwardly to the center of the container and
wherein the living hinges are folded on the living hinge that
corresponds with the at least one of the at least four panels that
extends the full width of an individual of the at least two folding
walls to prevents folding of wall which prevents collapsing.
21. The folding containment mechanism of claim 20 wherein the at
least two non-folding side walls comprise snap mechanisms
comprising an incline and snap to hold the at least one of the at
least four panels that extends the full width of an individual of
the at least two folding walls against the corresponding wall when
folded on living hinge.
22. The folding mechanism of claim 21, further comprising a bar
support system, wherein the bar support system is attached to the
top of at least two folding hinged walls and comprises two
interlocking bar members to prevent the box collapsing.
23. The folding mechanism of claim 22 wherein the bar support
system comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion wherein
the proximal portion is attached on an outside panel and the distal
portion bar is attached to an opposing outside panel.
24. The folding mechanism of claim 19 wherein the proximal portion
comprises at least one proximal extension mechanism and the distal
portion comprises at least one distal extension mechanism wherein
the at least one proximal extension mechanism and the at least one
distal extension mechanism are in interlocking or snapping
communication to prevent the folding mechanism collapsing.
25. The folding box system of claim 19 further comprising a
combined Velcro.RTM. and snap mechanism for added retention,
wherein a snap is voluntarily engaged or kept in an open position
to create a more secure attachment and in order for the box to
collapse, the snap will have to be intentionally unsnapped and then
the Velcro.RTM. disengaged.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and takes priority
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/919,974 filed
on Dec. 23, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present system pertains to storage, consumption and
transport systems of commonly stored items. The concept includes
systems for sealing and resealing of food products which, in
conjunction, afford the user transportability, storage and
usability for direct consumption from the system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Presently, storage containers are large and bulky. They
require a lot of space on store shelves or store floors and a lot
of space in homes, offices, warehouses and the like. Containers are
used for storage of clothing, shoes, home goods, bathroom items,
tools, golf items, construction materials, etc. Containers are made
of fabric, cardboard, plastic, glass, wood, rubber and the like or
combinations of materials. In general, containers have a box form
with a plurality of walls, a base and a cover. The cover may be
connected to the box or separate. It would be desirable to have a
box which folds to become small enough to fit inside its cover. The
box and cover when fit together would be the size of the cover. The
thickness of the box wall and base when combined which occurs when
folded, would be similar to the thickness of its cover. The
thickness of the folded box would be similar or slightly smaller or
larger than the thickness of it cover. To allow the final
dimensions of a folded box to fit in its cover, the walls would
have to fold inward onto its base. Several walls could fold out and
others fold in but it is most desirable to have the walls fold
inward. Walls folding outward could only fit in a cover if walls
diverged enough to create a cover size that would allow the
collapsed container to fit.
[0006] In the case of food storage, presently, food is transported
or stored in sealed containers made of glass or plastic. Containers
include Ziploc.RTM. bags and various shapes of bowl like containers
such as Rubbermaid, Tupperware.RTM. Etc. Leftover food is stored in
sealed containers in a refrigerator, on counter tops or in
cabinets. Adults and children bring food to school, the work place,
on trips or the like in sealed containers. Often, containers are
not returned to the owner as occurs when people bring food to
someone else's house for a holiday. Children often transport
containers to school and dislike the responsibility of, or plainly
forget to bring the containers home.
[0007] Many food storage containers comprise a box or bowl with
four sides. A top covers the container with a friction or snap on
fit. It is difficult to store food containers as they vary in size,
have separate covers and different shapes. Kitchen drawers are
usually not big enough to store containers so cabinets or oversized
drawers are used. People buy containers individually and often buy
different brands, shapes and materials. The attempt to store these
different containers creates a disorganized array of containers
that are hard to find and often difficult to match up with their
covers. People find it frustrating.
[0008] Food containers are sold individually in stores as different
sizes, shapes, brands, colors, etc. People require different sizes
and shapes to store different amounts of leftovers or to transport
food. Food is transported for company events, family get together,
to lunch, for children's lunch boxes, and the like which requires
different sizes. Stores sell some as multiple units stacked into
each other. The amount of volume required is extensive on store
shelves as well as in the kitchen. It would be desirable to have a
container that can be stored flat to take up minimal space in a
store and in a kitchen. It would further be desirable to have a
cover reversibly attached to a container for easy storage and to
find it easily. It would be further desirable to be able to store a
container within its cover.
[0009] Present technology uses stacking and attaches covers to a
container to minimize these problems but even then, to store small,
medium and large sizes is difficult without taking up a lot of
space and requiring a lot of work. Often, people get frustrated and
simply throw containers into drawers hoping to find them later.
Companies attempt to coordinate containers so that the containers
fit into other containers within a company's own brand. People
often have many containers and are not looking to buy extensive
sets of containers. They often buy one or two containers if the
need arises. The ones they buy rarely are of the same brand, same
shape or sizes as their previous ones so storage is difficult. It
would be desirable to have a container that can be collapsed flat
for easy storage separate from the ones a person presently
owns.
[0010] Concurrent containers are difficult to store and the
inherently differing sizes, various shapes and separate covering
apparatuses render storing containers difficult, as many containers
do not fit together, consequently, storage in kitchen cabinets,
drawers and pantries requires a lot of space. Ziploc.RTM. bags
provide sealed storage of food however, it's collapsible nature
make it difficult to store foods which contain liquid, and soft or
gel like material such as mashed potatoes or stew. Ziploc.RTM. bags
do not provide or maintain a suitable shape to eat food directly
from the bags alone, and often require support. They do, however,
take little storage space on a store shelf or in a kitchen cabinet
as the fold compactly into a box. It would be desirable to have
storage containers do the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The instant apparatus and system, as illustrated herein, is
clearly not anticipated, rendered obvious, or even present in any
of the prior art mechanisms, either alone or in any combination
thereof. The versatile system, method and series of apparatuses for
creating and utilizing a folded sealed or unsealed container
systems are illustrated. Thus the several embodiments of the
instant apparatus are illustrated herein.
[0012] It is a primary object of the present multifunctional
apparatus to reveal an easily storable, flat sheet containment
mechanism which is able to fold and/or unfold to become a storage
container for anything. Included in the new invention is a sealed
container for food storage and is further easily adaptable to the
use of utensils.
[0013] It would be further desirable to reveal a version of the
instant apparatus and system which is inexpensive and disposable in
order to meet with the current recycling nature of society. Said
disposable container system would be useful for transportation of
leftovers at restaurants, of food and other such materials to
schools, of food to houses on holidays and the like.
[0014] It would be further desirable to provide a container which
is easily assembled and disassembled and provides a disposable or
reusable sealed container which is easily stored when not in
use.
[0015] It is a primary object of the present system to provide a
foldable container which when assembled affords the rigidity and
strength for use as a dish to eat food directly from it or for
transport and storage of food. A container is folded in such a
manner that its final dimensions are approximately the same size or
smaller than its cover so it can be placed inside the cover. In one
embodiment, the folded container dimensions are small enough to fit
in its cover by having a similar width and length while the height
can be larger; preferably it would be desirable to have the
dimensions of the container in one embodiment be the same height as
the cover, such that the container appears to be only the cover.
The folded container is pressed or snapped into position within its
cover so it will stay until removed for use. For easy
identification of various sizes, containers may be color tinted,
labeled or the like. In yet another embodiment, the snapping action
may be accomplished through a plurality of undercut corners in the
cover, snaps, and/or undercuts in the total periphery of the cover,
or additionally by extensions, clips or other similar means.
[0016] It is an object of the present system to provide a container
that may be used for storage of items ranging from construction
items e.g. screws and nails, to consumer and household goods
including clothing, housewares, food, shoes, and numerous products
requiring storage. It is a further object of the present system to
provide containers that are constructed on any common storage
container material such as polymer and the various plastics,
cardboard, fabric, composite combinations and any other suitable
material. In yet another embodiment, the container may include a
plurality of panels constructed of materials that may be joined
with a variety of joint areas of more flexible materials or encases
in other materials.
[0017] It would be further desirable to introduce a foldable food
container with living hinges that could contain liquids or be air
tight when assembled. It would be further desirable to introduce a
foldable container with four walls and a base all connected as one
solid piece with no places where materials could be trapped as
occurs with foldable boxes using corner panels. Living hinges are
placed with the walls of the container and at the junction of
walls. It is further desirable to introduce a foldable food
container which fits inside its cover for easy storage and to
eliminate the difficulty of finding the proper cover for a
container when stored in cabinets and draws.
[0018] Alternative foldable containers which are placed into their
cover include a flat sheet with a base portion, at least four side
walls or panel portions, wings or wing portions engaging each side
wall to a corresponding side wall, and a cover. It is an objective
of the instant system to introduce a junction of the base to the
side walls and the wings to the side walls comprising hinge
mechanisms and wherein when polymeric materials are utilized, the
hinges are formed by thinned or depressed areas which may be
constructed of the same material or a different material such as
plastic panels in fabric, paper, etc. It is a further objective of
the instant system to utilize living hinges which may provide
numerous hinges with little effect on the material. Hinges can be
ball and socket, door like rod and sleeve or any common hinging
technique, however, these are not the preferred methods
[0019] In a preferred method of manufacture, a uniform sheet of
plastic as is commonly done with polypropylene, polyethylene or
like materials is molded with living hinges creating an inexpensive
container. Living hinges are created by injection molding and
enhanced by coining. Hinges can be thinned area without being
living hinges when limited opening and closing is anticipated.
[0020] The container described in the figures has four sides. It is
understood that the container may have as few as three walls or
many walls to match the shape of the base. For example, the base is
a hexagon shape, there will be six sides to a container. In
addition, while only two walls are described as having hinges
within them, more than two and up to all the walls can have
hinges.
[0021] The foregoing has outlined the more pertinent and important
features of the present invention in order that the detailed
description of the invention that follows may be better understood,
and the present contributions to the art may be more fully
appreciated. It is of course not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one
of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further
combinations or permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel
architecture described below is intended to embrace all such
alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0022] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the versatile integrated foldable container
system and series of accompanying systems and apparatuses and
embodiments in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are
additional features of the invention that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
[0023] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0024] These together with other objects of the invention, along
with the various features of novelty, which characterize the
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to
the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are
illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0025] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends,
certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection
with the following description and the annexed drawings. These
aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles
disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents
thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject
matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent
from the following detailed description when considered in
conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1A illustrate a side view of a foldable container
including an inner rim and a cover of this invention.
[0027] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the foldable container
with the inner rim secured inside the foldable container and the
cover not secured.
[0028] FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of the foldable container
with the cover secured.
[0029] FIG. 1D illustrates the cover shown separately for use with
the foldable container.
[0030] FIG. 2A illustrates an alternate embodiment of the foldable
container comprising a plurality of panels and a rim.
[0031] FIG. 2B illustrates a top view of the alternate embodiment
of the foldable container and the interaction between the rim and
the panels.
[0032] FIG. 2C illustrates the foldable container in a partially
unfolded view with the panels.
[0033] FIG. 2D illustrates the foldable container with the walls of
the foldable container collapsed onto the base of the
container.
[0034] FIG. 2E illustrates a cover for use with the foldable
container prior to placement over the collapsed container.
[0035] FIG. 2F illustrates the cover placed over the fully
collapsed foldable container.
[0036] FIG. 3A illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the
interaction of the foldable container, inner rim and cover.
[0037] FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of a support and cover
mechanism for snapping the rim onto the wall mechanism.
[0038] FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of the support and cover mechanism.
[0039] FIG. 4A illustrates an alternate embodiment of a folding box
with a side wall which consists of a plurality of panels.
[0040] FIG. 4B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the folding
box with the panels folding on a living hinge and against the side
wall.
[0041] FIG. 4C illustrates the folding box with one of the panels
folded into the box.
[0042] FIG. 4D illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment
of the side wall of the folding box including an incline and a
snap.
[0043] FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of
the foldable container.
[0044] FIGS. 5B-5D illustrate various embodiments of how the
foldable container may be configured to fold and fit into the
cover.
[0045] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a bar which may be attached in one
embodiment to a top of the folding living hinged wall.
[0046] FIG. 6C illustrates a side view of the bar attached to the
panels of the foldable container.
[0047] FIG. 7A illustrates another embodiment of the foldable
container.
[0048] FIG. 7B illustrates the foldable container from FIG. 7A in a
partially unfolded view with the disengagement of distal ends of
the rim from the upper rim.
[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of the foldable
container possessing a combined snap and Velcro.RTM. mechanism to
secure the plurality of panels.
[0050] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an embodiment comprising a container
which includes a snap component of a base panel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS
[0051] The present invention provides a container which when folded
fits into a cover used to close or seal the container. When formed,
the container is strong enough to become a sealed or unsealed
container with strength enough to be used as an eating dish and for
food storage and transportation. The container is constructed of a
uniform material with hinges which are preferably living hinges or
constructed of multiple materials. In the preferred embodiment, a
container has four walls and a base all joined together and
preferably formed as one piece with living hinges at the junction
of each wall and the base. At least two opposing walls have living
hinges within the wall to allow folding of the wall inward toward
the center.
[0052] The walls of the container of this invention fold inward in
the preferred embodiment to create a final folded box dimension
capable of fitting inside its cover. In the preferred embodiment,
the height of the walls is equal to or less than the dimension of
the base it is folding onto such that an opposing wall can also
fold inward without interference of the opposing wall. Preferably,
in one embodiment when the opposing walls are half the width of the
base, the walls will abut next to each other once folded.
Alternatively, in yet another embodiment, when the opposing walls
are less than half the width of the base, the walls will lay flat
apart from each other. Additionally, in another embodiment, when
the opposing walls are greater than half the base, one wall folds
faster to fold under the opposing wall. Moreover, in operation,
preferably the opposing walls may not be greater than the smallest
dimension of the base width or length of the container; in
embodiments when the opposing walls are greater than the smallest
dimension of the base width or length of the container, two of the
walls must fold outward.
[0053] In the preferred embodiment, a wall hinged to adjacent walls
and a base folds inward. There are at least two hinges within
opposing walls. The two hinges in a wall extend from the edge
connected to the base to the top of the wall. They are at an
appropriate angle to the base that when folded, the walls lay flat
onto the base. The adjacent walls collapse onto the folding walls
as a result of the folding walls pulling them down. The hinges of
the adjacent walls to the base are of such a dimension that the
adjacent walls are allowed to fold onto the hinged walls which are
folded onto the base.
[0054] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a folding box 7 which comprises at
least two opposingly disposed side wall mechanisms 6, 15 comprising
a set of panels 8, 10 and 12 and a set of living hinges 9, 11. The
wall opposite 6 which is wall 15, consists of the same components.
When panel 10 of wall 6 is pressed inward of folding box 7 and
opposite wall 15 is pressed inward at the same time, the living
hinges at the junction of each wall and the base when combined with
living hinges 9, 11, collapse side walls 6, 15 onto base 13. Side
walls 16, 17 are pulled on top of folded walls 6, 15. In an
alternative construction, different materials may be used to
construct panels which are joined together by other materials which
may possess enough flexibility to bend as might occur with rubber,
cardboard, paper, nylon, cloth, softer plastic or like
materials.
[0055] The angles and the positioning of hinges 9, 11 in relation
to the base 13 are such that the entirety of the walls can fold
flat onto each other and the base. The appropriate angle of the
hinges to the base will vary based on the width to height ratio of
a wall. The angle of hinge 9 and 11 to base 13 is always less than
90 degrees and greater than zero and angled toward the center of
the wall as it goes up to the top edge of a wall from the base. In
the preferred embodiment, a hinge with a wall should start at the
junction of two adjacent walls and the base and extend to the top
edge for folding; in this embodiment the angle will be dependent on
the divergence of the walls in relation to the base. For example,
hinge 9 starts at dividing seam 3 which is the common connection of
wall 6, wall 17 and base 13. The hinges 9, 11 fold in in such a
manner to allow the full hinge of the base 13 to wall 6 to perform.
In one embodiment, when all of the walls are at ninety degrees to
the base, the internal wall hinges must be forty-five degrees.
[0056] Additionally, the rim 4 which has no center, snaps onto the
top surface of all walls to prevent hinges from bending inward
during use. The resulting configuration reveals a stable box 7
which cannot fold on itself or collapse. The cover 2 may also fit
over and enclose the rim 4 to enclose, and if desired, seal the
folding box 7.
[0057] FIGS. 2A-2F illustrate additional embodiments of the
container 20 comprising folding walls consisting of panels 22, 24
comprising a set of, or at least two, living hinges 26. When the
folding walls are pressed inward to the center, as seen in folding
box 34, adjacent side walls fold inward and collapse to the center.
Thus, when the container is formed, rim 27 snaps onto the top of
folding box 30 to stabilize panels 22, 24 to prevent collapsing.
Folding box 36 shows walls completely collapse onto the base.
Again, while the description is of living hinges in all the figures
which are the preferred embodiment, it is understood that the use
of different materials or the use of hinges with pins or any other
state of the art apparatuses, may be utilized.
[0058] Also, the cover 50 comprises the capability to snap onto the
rim 27 of cross section view diagram 54. Folding panels 42, 44 and
side wall 40 are stacked on each other when fully collapsed onto
base 21 which is in hinged communication with a lower portion 19A
of the box as opposed to an upper portion 19B of the box. Panel 44
folds onto base 21. Panel 42 folds onto panel 44. Side wall 40 is
disposed to fold onto panel 42. The folded container may comprise a
base 21 and connected folded walls and panels that fit into cover
50 to create a contained folded box in the cover. In several
embodiments, the cover 50 may be secured to the container by a
variety of methods, including, but not limited to: friction, snaps,
clips, undercuts, adhesives, Velcro.RTM., extensions or other
common methods of reversibly joining parts together.
[0059] The folded container is held in the cover by friction,
Velcro.RTM., snaps, adhesives or any method of reversible
connection. In the preferred embodiment, the folded box and rim
fits completely into the cover with no dimensions of the folded
container extending out or below the plane of the bottom of the
cover, however, it should be understood that minimal dimensions may
be larger than the cover and extend out of it with minimal
influence.
[0060] FIG. 3A is a side cross section view that illustrates the
interface of the cover 62, rim 64, to the side walls 66. The cover
62 may comprise a handle 69 to allow removal of the cover 62 while
leaving the rim 64 attached or in communication with the wall 66.
The rim 64 may comprise a handle 68 which when pulled removes the
cover 62 and rim 46 simultaneously. FIG. 3B illustrates one
embodiment of the support and cover mechanism 70 comprising an
option for snapping the rim 74 onto the wall mechanism 76 in a
manner such that that it cannot be removed once placed. Cover 72
snaps onto rim 74. When first assembled, rim 74 is snapped in cover
72. Cover 72 and rim 74 are snapped onto wall 76. The bottom of rim
74 has flat area 77 which engages flat area 75 of wall 76 which
blocks removal. Rim 74 stays on wall 76 when cover 72 is removed.
The container cannot be folded again. FIG. 3C illustrates one
embodiment of the support and cover mechanism 80 comprising a cross
section of removable cover 82 which is removed from wall 90 and rim
84 when lip 88 is pulled. Rim 84 is removed when lip 86 is pulled
which also removes cover 84 to allow folding of the container.
[0061] FIGS. 4A-4D illustrate a folding box 100 with a side wall
102 which consists of panels 104, 106, 108, and 110, and living
hinges 105 and 112. Panel 106 extends the full width of wall 102
and folds into box 100 on hinge 122 and against the inside of wall
102. Living hinges 105 are designed to only fold inward to the
center of the container and not outward. When living hinges 105 are
folded on living hinge 112, the portion of living hinge 105 within
panel 106 result in panel 106 preventing folding of wall which
prevents collapsing. In one embodiment, panel 106 may be folded
inward or outward to effectively block collapsing of the hinged
wall 102.
[0062] Cross sectional view of diagram 120 and 122 shows panel 106
folding on living hinge 112 and against side wall 102. Side wall
114 may have snap 128 which consists of incline 154 and snap 152 to
hold panel 106 against wall 102 when folded on living hinge 112 as
seen in diagrams 130 and top cross section view diagram 150. Panel
106 can be held against wall 102 by friction, snaps, adhesives,
Velcro, or like techniques common to holding parts together.
[0063] FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate various ways boxes can be configured
to fold and fit into a cover including individual side walls 202
and 204, which fold to become flat box 217 and fit into cover 200.
Alternatively, boxes 180, 185 and 190 show corner panels and
folding corner panels. Alternative designs may allow a container to
be folded outward and flat as described in earlier patent
applications and also fold inward to fit into a cover.
[0064] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a bar 220 which is attached to the
top of a folding living hinged wall. Bar 222 is attached on outside
panel and bar 224 is attached to the other outside panel. The two
interlock or snap together to provide resistance to collapsing of
the wall when fully open. Bar 226 consists of bar 228 which is
attached to panel 244 and 234 which is attached to panel 246 with
extensions 230 and 232 which interlock or snap to prevent the box
collapsing.
[0065] FIG. 7A illustrates a box 250 comprising an upper rim 258
attached to a wall below. In this embodiment, a rim 256 is attached
at the center panel and clips over the upper rim 258. FIG. 7B shows
box 254 as box 250 when folding and disengagement of distal ends of
rim 256 from upper rim 258.
[0066] FIG. 8 illustrates a combined Velcro.RTM. and snap mechanism
is shown for added retention, wherein a snap is voluntarily engaged
or kept in an open position to create a more secure attachment.
Preferably, in order for the box to collapse, the snap will have to
be intentionally unsnapped and then the Velcro.RTM. disengaged. In
this embodiment the folding box 276 has outside panel 280 which is
connected to center panel 282 of side wall 283 and moves integrally
with it. Outer panels 281 and 284 of side wall 283 are hinged to
center panel 282 of side wall 283 and hinged to side walls 288 and
290. Side walls 283, 288, and 290 are hinged to base 286 such that
all walls form a solid box. As side walls are raised to form a box,
outside panel 280 comes closer to outer panels 281 and 284 such
that snaps 300 or Velcro.RTM. 296 and 292 of outer panel 208 engage
snaps of Velcro.RTM. 294 and 298 of outer panel 281 and 284 side
wall 283. When snaps 300 or Velcro.RTM. 296 engages, the side wall
requires intentional force to collapse. The box becomes stable
during use and collapsible on demand. The Velcro.RTM. and/or snaps
may be so secure that each Velcro.RTM. or Snap connection is
required to be separated individually and cannot be done by simply
pressing outward on a side wall.
[0067] FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate an embodiment comprising a container
302 which includes a snap component 304 of base panel 306 which
accepts snap component 308 of cover 310 to provide reversible
retention to container 302. The cover 310 may be constructed in the
usually manner to provide a seal over container 302. The cover 310
is snapped onto the bottom of container 302 in such a manner that
when container 302 is collapsed, cover 310 and the container 302
are flat with an overall thickness of the two components
together.
* * * * *