U.S. patent number 3,927,824 [Application Number 05/417,736] was granted by the patent office on 1975-12-23 for self-erecting box.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Blum Folding Paper Box Co., Inc.. Invention is credited to Margot Razziano.
United States Patent |
3,927,824 |
Razziano |
December 23, 1975 |
Self-erecting box
Abstract
A self-erecting box is constructed from a cardboard blank and
includes two side walls and two end walls hingedly connected along
their vertical edges, side bottom members and side top members
hingedly connected to the side walls, and end bottom members and
end top members hingedly connected to the end walls. One end bottom
member is adhesively secured to the underside of one of the side
bottom members to form a first right angle bottom unit and the
other side bottom member is adhesively secured to the underside of
the other end bottom member to form a second right angle bottom
unit. The first and second right angle bottom units are movable
between a collapsed configuration and an erected configuration to
form the bottom panel of the box. Each of the end top members
includes a central top panel-forming member and side flaps which
are hingedly connected thereto so that the central top
panel-forming members may be folded into overlapping engagement
with each other to form the top panel of the box and the side flaps
are simultaneously folded into engagement with the respective side
top members to maintain the box in its erected configuration.
Inventors: |
Razziano; Margot (Bethpage,
NY) |
Assignee: |
Blum Folding Paper Box Co.,
Inc. (Valley Stream, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23655210 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/417,736 |
Filed: |
November 21, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117;
229/117.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D
5/46096 (20130101); B65D 5/3621 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B65D
5/36 (20060101); B65D 5/46 (20060101); B65D
005/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;229/37R,34R,35,41R,41B |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Christian; Leonard D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Amster & Rothstein
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A box adapted to be erected from a collapsed configuration to an
erected configuration comprising hingedly connected side and end
walls, side bottom members hingedly connected to respective side
walls, said side bottom members dimensioned to overlap each other,
and end bottom members hingedly connected to said respective end
walls, means for connecting said side bottom members and said end
bottom members to form overlapping bottom panel-forming units which
are movable relative to each other between a collapsed
configuration in which said bottom panel-forming units are in
substantially coplanar engagement with said side walls and said end
walls and an erected configuration in which said overlapping bottom
panel-forming units are substantially perpendicular to said side
walls and said end walls and form a bottom panel, having one side
bottom member overlapping the other, side top members hingedly
connected to said respective end walls, each of said end top
members including a central top panel-forming member and side flaps
hingedly connected thereto, said central top panel-forming members
adapted to be folded into coacting relation to form a top panel and
said side flaps adapted to maintain said top panel in position to
securely close the top of said box.
2. A box according to claim 1 wherein said side top members each
include a base portion and a handle-forming member so that in the
erected configuration of said box, said side flaps are adapted to
engage said base portions and said handle-forming members are
adapted to engage each other to form a carrying handle.
3. A box according to claim 1 wherein each of said bottom
panel-forming units are provided with a fold line so that said
bottom panel-forming units are movable into substantially coplanar
engagement with said side walls and said end walls when said box is
in its collapsed configuration.
4. A box according to claim 1 wherein one of said overlapping side
bottom members extends substantially the full length and width of
the bottom of the box in its erected configuration.
5. A box according to claim 1 wherein said central top
panel-forming members are of substantially the same width as said
end walls and wherein said side flaps are hingedly connected to
said side top members along diagonal fold lines.
6. A self-erecting box comprising hingedly connected side and end
walls, opposed overlapping side bottom members hingedly connected
to said respective side walls, opposed end bottom members hingedly
connected to said respective end walls, means for connecting one
side bottom member to one end bottom member to form a first
right-angle bottom unit and means for connecting the other side
bottom member to the other end bottom member to form a second
right-angle bottom unit, said first and second right-angle bottom
units being movable into overlapping engagement to form a secure
bottom panel for the erected box, opposed side top members hingedly
connected to said respective side walls, opposed end top members
hingedly connected to said respective end walls, each of said end
top members including a central top panel-forming member and side
flaps, said side flaps being hingedly connected to said central top
panel-forming member and to said side top members along diagonal
score lines, said central top panel-forming members being adapted
to be folded to overlap each other to form a secure top panel when
said box is in its erected configuration and said side flaps being
adapted to engage said side top members to maintain said box in its
erected configuration.
Description
The present invention relates generally to self-erecting boxes and,
in particular, to a self-erecting box which may be automatically
erected from a flat configuration by simply applying a slight
lateral force to the sides of the box and which may be easily
closed by applying a slight inward force to the top panel-forming
members.
Today, in many commercial establishments, when an item is purchased
it must be quickly packaged in a suitable box so that the purchaser
may easily and conveniently carry and transport the purchased item.
Accordingly, such commercial establishments are in need of boxes
which may be stored in a collapsed configuration to minimize
storage space requirements but which may be easily and quickly
erected from such a collapsed configuration into an erected
configuration in which the box is usable to transport and carry the
purchased item. Although collapsible boxes have been generally
known and used in the past, they have not been completely
satisfactory. More particularly, when it is desired to erect the
box from its collapsed configuration, various time-consuming
operational steps must be performed by the packager to form the
side walls and top and bottom panels of the box. Typically, the
bottom panel-forming members are provided with interlocking tabs or
flaps which must be manually connected by the packager to form the
bottom panel. In addition, the bottom panels of such prior art
boxes are not arranged to maintain the box in an erect
configuration while the top of the box is open and is being loaded
with the purchased item. Further, such prior art boxes are not
constructed to provide a secure top panel which may be easily
formed and closed to securely maintain the purchased item within
the box. For example, it is desirable to use such collapsible boxes
in commercial establishments which sell small pet animals. However,
such prior art boxes do not have secure bottom panels which
maintain the box in an open and erect configuration while it is
being loaded and they also do not have secure top panels which may
be quickly closed to maintain the pet animal within the box without
the possibility of the animal opening the top panel.
Accordingly, it is an overall object of the present invention to
provide a self-erecting box which realizes one or more of the
aforesaid objectives. In its collapsed configuration, the box may
be economically transported and stored in a minimum of space yet
may be automatically erected when ready for use. In its commercial
form, the box is of relatively simple construction, is readily
manufactured by mass production techniques at relatively low cost
and includes a number of simple and relatively indestructible
components.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a
self-erecting box which may be formed from a single cardboard blank
and which is automatically erected from its collapsed configuration
by applying a slight lateral force to the side walls of the box so
that the bottom panel-forming members are automatically pivoted
relative to each other into overlapping engagement to form a secure
bottom panel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
self-erecting box in which the bottom panel maintains the box in
its erected configuration while the box is being loaded through the
top thereof and wherein the top panel of the box may be easily and
quickly closed by simply applying a slight inward force to the top
panel-forming members.
In accordance with an illustrative embodiment demonstrating objects
and features of the present invention, there is provided a
self-erecting box which is constructed to be automatically erected
from a collapsed configuration in which it is transported and
stored to an erected configuration in which it is usable to
transport various items, such as small pet animals. The pet box is
constructed from a cardboard blank and includes two side walls and
two end walls hingedly connected along their vertical edges by
vertical score lines with one of the side walls being provided with
a glue flap for adhesively connecting the side wall to an end wall
to form a box-like configuration. The side walls are also hingedly
connected along their bottom edges by horizontal score lines to
respective side bottom members and the end walls are hingedly
connected along their bottom edges by horizontal score lines to
respective end bottom members. To assemble the cardboard blank so
that it is self-erecting, one end bottom member is adhesively
secured to the underside of one of the side bottom members to form
a first right angle bottom unit and the other side bottom member is
adhesively secured to the underside of the other end bottom member
to form a second right angle bottom unit. Advantageously, the first
and second right angle bottom units are each provided with suitable
fold lines so that when the box is collapsed into a flat
configuration, the first and second right angle bottom units are
automatically folded inwardly into coplanar engagement with the
interior of the respective side walls and end walls of the box.
The side walls are also hingedly connected along their top edges by
horizontal score lines to side top members which each include a
base portion and a handle-forming member and, similarly, the end
walls are also hingedly connected along their top edges by
horizontal score lines to end top members which each include a
central top panel-forming member and side flaps hingedly connected
thereto. In addition, each side flap is hingedly connected to a
side top member along a diagonal fold line. Accordingly, after the
box has been automatically erected and the article to be
transported has been placed therein, a slight inward force is
applied to the central top panel-forming members so that they are
folded downwardly into overlapping engagement with each other to
form a secure top panel. Simultaneously, the side flaps are folded
about their respective score lines into coplanar engagement with
the respective base portions of the side top members.
Advantageously, with the side flaps in coplanar engagement with the
base portions of the side top members, the box is maintained in its
erected configuration and it cannot be accidentally collapsed
without lifting the top panel-forming members. In order to prevent
the top panel-forming members from pivoting upwardly and in order
to provide a convenient carrying handle, the handle-forming members
are brought into coplanar engagement with each other. In this
manner, the top panel-forming members are locked in place and
cannot be accidentally pivoted upwardly, such as by the movement of
the pet animal within the box .
The above description as well as further objects, features and
advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood
by reference to the following detailed description of the presently
preferred, but nonetheless illustrative embodiment in accordance
with the present invention, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of the cardboard blank of the present
invention in its completely extended configuration before
assembly;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the formation of the two
right angle bottom units of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the manner in which the
right angle bottom units are folded inwardly into coplanar
engagement with the respective side walls and end walls so that the
box of the present invention may be collapsed into a flat
configuration;
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the self-erecting box of the present
invention in its collapsed configuration;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the right angle bottom
units in an intermediate folding configuration;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the self-erecting box of the
present invention with the side walls, end walls and bottom panel
thereto completely formed and erected;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the box of the present invention in
its erected configuration prior to closing the top thereof;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the box of the present invention in
its erected configuration illustrating the first step in closing
the top thereof;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view, with parts broken away to show the
interior of the box, illustrating the two top panel-forming members
in overlapping engagement with each other to form the top panel of
the box; and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the box of the present invention
in its erected configuration with the top panel thereof closed and
illustrating the formation of the carrying handle.
Referring now specifically to the drawings and in particular to
FIG. 1, there is shown a cardboard blank 10 embodying features of
the present invention which may be formed in any suitable manner,
such as by die stamping. Cardboard blank 10 includes side walls 12,
14 and end walls 16, 18 which are hingedly connected along their
vertical edges by vertical score lines 20, 22 and 24. In addition,
side wall 12 is provided with a glue flap 28 along a vertical score
line 26 for adhesively connecting side wall 12 to end wall 18 to
form a box-like configuration, as will be explained. As may be seen
in FIG. 1, glue flap 28 is provided with dash lines to indicate
that the adhesive is placed on the other side of glue flap 28.
Side walls 12, 14 are hingedly connected along their bottom edges
by horizontal score lines 30, 32 to respective side bottom members
34, 36. Side bottom member 34 includes a scored fold line 34a and a
flap 34b for a purpose to be explained and, as may be seen in FIG.
1, side bottom member 34 is of a length slightly less than that of
side wall 12. In addition, side bottom member 34 is of a width
corresponding to the widths of end walls 16, 18 and thereby covers
the entire bottom of the box in its erected configuration, as will
be explained. Side bottom member 36 includes an attaching glue flap
36a and the dotted representation in FIG. 1 indicates that the glue
or adhesive is on the side of bottom member 36 which is shown. End
walls 16, 18 are hingedly connected along their bottom edges by
horizontal score lines 38, 40 to respective end bottom members 42,
44. End bottom member 42 includes an attaching glue flap 42a and
end bottom member 44 is provided with a scored fold line 44a and a
flap 44b for a purpose to be explained.
Side walls 12, 14 are hingedly connected along their top edges by
horizontal score lines 46, 48 to respective side top members 50, 52
which include respective base portions 50a, 52a and handle forming
members 50b, 52b. End walls 16, 18 are hingedly connected along
their top edges by horizontal score lines 54, 56 to respective end
top members 58, 60. End top member 58 includes a central top
panel-forming member 58a and side flaps 58b, 58c hingedly connected
to central top panel-forming member 58a along respective score
lines 58d, 58e. In addition, side flap 58b is hingedly connected to
the base portion 50a of side top member 50 along a diagonal score
line 62 and, correspondingly, side flap 58c is hingedly connected
to the base portion 52a of side top member 52 along a diagonal
score line 64. Similarly, end top member 60 includes a central top
panel-forming member 60a and side flaps 60b, 60c. Side flap 60b is
also provided with a glue flap 66 along a score line 60d so that
side flap 60b may be adhesively connected to central top
panel-forming member 60a to complete the formation of end top
member 60. Correspondingly, side flap 60c is hingedly connected to
central top panel-forming member 60a along a score line 60e. In
addition, side flap 60b is hingedly connected to the base portion
50a of side top member 50 along a diagonal score line 68 and,
correspondingly, side flap 60c is hingedly connected to the base
portion 52a of side top member 52 along a diagonal score line
70.
Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 6, the constructional details of forming
the bottom panel of the box of the present invention are clearly
illustrated. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, end bottom
member 42 is connected to side bottom member 34 to form a
right-angle shaped bottom unit 72 therewith by adhesively securing
attaching glue flap 42a to the underside of one end of side bottom
member 34. Similarly, side bottom member 36 is connected to end
bottom member 44 by adhesively securing attaching glue flap 36a to
the underside of end bottom member 44 to form a right-angle shaped
bottom unit 74 therewith.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, to assemble the box of the present
invention so that it is self-erecting, end wall 18 and central top
panel-forming member 60a are folded and brought into engagement
with respective glue flaps 28, 66 so that end wall 18 and central
top panel-forming member 60a may be adhesively secured to
respective side wall 12 and side flap 60b to form a box-like
configuration. Simultaneously, right angle bottom unit 74 is
brought into coplanar engagement with the underside of right angle
bottom unit 72 to complete the formation of the bottom panel of the
box. Accordingly, it should be clear that when side walls 12, 14
are at right angles to respective end walls 16, 18, right angle
bottom units 72, 74 are forced into a flat and overlapping
configuration at right angles to side walls 12, 14 and end walls
16, 18 to complete the formation of a flat bottom panel of the box
of the present invention.
Turning now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the manner in which the assembled
box is collapsed into the flat configuration shown in FIG. 4 in
which it is transported and stored until it is ready for use is
most clearly shown. As shown in FIG. 5, when a slight lateral force
is applied to side walls 12, 14 and end walls 18, 16 to bring them
into the coplanar relationship shown in FIG. 4, right angle bottom
units 72, 74 are automatically drawn inwardly utilizing fold lines
34a and 44a. More particularly, as shown most clearly in FIG. 3,
flap 34b is folded into coplanar engagement with side bottom member
34 along fold line 34a. Similarly, flap 44b is folded into coplanar
engagement with end bottom member 44 along fold line 44a. This
allows right angle bottom unit 72 to be drawn inwardly into
coplanar engagement with side wall 12 and end wall 16 and also
allows right angle bottom unit 74 to be drawn inwardly into
coplanar engagement with side wall 14 and end wall 18. In this
manner, as shown in FIG. 4, side wall 12 and end wall 16 are
brought into coplanar engagement with side wall 14 and end wall 18
so that the box is collapsed into its flattened configuration so
that it may be easily transported and stored until it is ready for
use.
Typically, the box of the present invention is stored at its point
of use in the flattened configuration shown in FIG. 4 so that it
will occupy a minimum of space. Advantageously, when the box is
ready for use, it may be easily and quickly erected from its
collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 4 to its erected
configuration shown in FIG. 10 in which it is usable to transport
various items, such as small pet animals. More particularly, to
erect the box from the collapsed configuration shown in FIG. 4, a
slight lateral force is applied to each end of the collapsed box
along opposed vertical hinge lines 22, 26. This will cause the box
to automatically assume the erected configuration shown in FIG. 7
in which side walls 12, 14 and end walls 16, 18 are at right angles
with each other, and right angle bottom units 72, 74 will overlap
and form a secure flat bottom panel with side bottom member 34
extending the complete length and width of the bottom of the box at
its interior (see FIG. 9). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, to form the
top panel and close the top of the box after it has been loaded
with the item to be transported, it is only necessary to apply a
slight inward force to central top panel-forming members 58a, 60a.
When this occurs, central top panel-forming member 60a will be
moved inwardly and downwardly into a parallel relationship with the
bottom panel of the box, while side flaps 60b, 60c will fold along
respective score lines 60d, 60e and diagonal score lines 68, 70
into coplanar engagement with the respective base portions 50a, 52a
of respective upstanding side top members 50, 52, as shown in FIG.
9. Similarly, when a slight inward force is applied to central top
panel-forming member 58a, it will move inwardly and downwardly into
overlapping engagement with central top panel-forming member 60a to
form a secure top panel while side flaps 58b, 58 c will fold about
respective score lines 58d, 58e and diagonal score lines 62, 64 so
that side flaps 58b, 58c are brought into coplanar engagement with
the respective base portions 50a, 52a of respective upstanding side
top members 50, 52. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 9, with side
flaps 58b, 60b in engagement with the base portion 50a of side top
member 50 and with side flaps 58c, 60c in engagement with the base
portion 52a of side top member 52, the box is maintained in its
erected configuration and cannot be collapsed accidentally unless
end top members 58, 60 are lifted upwardly.
To insure that the top panel of the box, formed by central top
panel-forming members 58a, 60a, is secure and cannot be
accidentally lifted upwardly to open the top of the box and to form
a carrying handle, handle-forming members 50b, 52b are brought into
engagement with each other and flap 52c is extended through hole
50c to form a carrying handle 76, as shown in FIG. 10. Accordingly,
the self-erecting box of the present invention is now ready to be
conveniently carried by the user to transport any article or pet
animal contained therein.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there has been
provided in accordance with the present invention a self-erecting
box formed from a single cardboard blank which may be automatically
erected from its collapsed configuration. Advantageously, when the
side and end walls of the box are erected, the right angle bottom
units are automatically pivoted or swung into overlapping
engagement to form a secure bottom panel. Further, the inner side
bottom member is formed to extend the complete width and length of
the bottom of the box so as to provide a solid, flat, one-piece
floor on the interior of the box. In addition, once the box is
erected and the bottom panel is formed, the top of the box is
maintained in an open configuration so that the object to be
carried may be easily and conveniently loaded within the box.
Further, when the side flaps of the top members are closed they
function to maintain the box in its erected configuration and to
insure that the box cannot be accidentally collapsed. Finally, the
engagement of the handle-forming members, in addition to forming a
handle, act as a lock to insure that the top panel cannot be
accidentally lifted upwardly.
A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in
the foregoing disclosure, and in certain instances, some features
of the invention will be used without a corresponding use of other
features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims
be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *