COLLAPSING BOX
A package having a top or lid and a coordinating container, which at least partially opens itself to expose an item retained therein. The container is configured to readily change from a first, assembled configuration to a second, at least partially collapsed configuration. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewalls or portions of the sidewalls, collapses, opens, drops, or otherwise changes from the assembled position when the lid is removed from the container. The sidewall or portion of sidewall that collapses is hinged to another portion of the container.
This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 11/321,017, filed Dec. 28, 2005, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure generally relates to packaging, more particularly, to boxes.
BACKGROUNDPackaging boxes exist in all shapes and sizes. One common type is a two-part package, having a container and a removable and replaceable lid. Examples of such packages include shoe boxes, hat boxes, sweater boxes, and many gift boxes. To gain access to the interior of the container retaining the item, the lid is removed, exposing the item through the area exposed by the removed lid.
Boxes such as these have been used for giving gifts for numerous years. A different and more exciting box would be welcomed.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREThe present invention provides a new box that adds spark and excitement to gift giving and receiving. The disclosure of this application is directed to a package, more particularly a box, e.g., a rigid box, that collapses, opens, unfolds, flattens, or otherwise changes from a first configuration to a second configuration to expose at least a portion of its interior volume. In the first configuration, the box has an interior volume for retaining an item therein. In the second configuration, at least a portion of the box has pivoted or collapsed, eliminating at least a portion of the interior volume and preferably exposing at least a portion of any item therein. In an alternate second configuration, the box has pivoted to a generally planar configuration with no interior volume; that is, the box walls have collapsed. In a way, the box opens itself, creating excitement for the receiver of the gift.
In one specific aspect, the invention is a package that includes a container and a lid removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewalls orthogonal to the base wall. The container has a base wall and at least three sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The container could have four sidewalls, where at least a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. It is possible that the entire sidewall is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The pivotal nature can be provided by a hinge, such as a living hinge.
In another specific aspect, the invention is a combination of a lid configured to engage with and be removable from a container, and the container, which has a base wall and at least one sidewall connected to the base wall, at least a portion of which is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The container can have four sidewalls connected to the base wall, with at least a portion of one of the sidewalls being pivotal in relation to the base wall. The entire sidewall could be pivotal, which could be via a living hinge between the base wall and the pivotal sidewall. Each of the four sidewalls could pivotal in relation to the base wall, and the entire sidewalls could be pivotal, such as by a living hinge.
In yet another specific aspect, the invention is to a container that has a base wall and four sidewalls, each connected to the base wall, wherein a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. A living hinge can be positioned between the portion of each of the four sidewalls that is pivotal in relation to the base wall and a portion of the sidewall that is not pivotal in relation to the base wall. The entire sidewall, of each of the four sidewalls, can be pivotal to the base wall. A living hinge can be positioned between the four sidewalls and the base wall.
Methods for using the boxes or containers, and of making the boxes or containers, are described.
These and various other features which characterize the boxes or containers of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims. For a better understanding of the boxes of the disclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention of this disclosure.
The present invention is directed to a package having a top or lid and a coordinating container. The container is configured to be readily changed from a first, assembled position to a second, at least partially collapsed condition. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewalls or portions of the sidewalls, collapses, open, drops, or otherwise changes from the assembled position when the lid is removed from the container. In other words, at least a portion of the container collapses, providing access to the container interior, in addition to the access gained via the removed lid.
The package is particularly suited for use as a gift box, for retaining a gift or present. When the recipient of the gift removes the lid from the container, at least a portion of at least one sidewall collapses, opens, or otherwise changes its position, to preferably reveal at least a portion of the gift inside. In some embodiments, all sidewalls collapse, or, a portion of all sidewalls collapse.
Referring to the drawings, particularly to
Referring to
As best seen in
When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in
Each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 is connected to bottom wall 55 by a hinge 102, 104, 106, 108, respectively. Specifically, bottom edge 52B of sidewall 52 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55A via hinge 102; bottom edge 54B of sidewall 54 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55B via hinge 104; bottom edge 56B of sidewall 56 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55C via hinge 106, and bottom edge 58B of sidewall 58 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55D via hinge 108.
In the preferred embodiment, hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 is a living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118, meaning, that living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118 is a thin section of material that connects two parts to keep them together and allow the part to be opened and closed; the material may be integral with the two hinged parts. Additional details regarding living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 allows pivotal movement between each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55.
Referring now to
Box 1000 includes top 20 (similar to top 20 of box 10) and a container 5000. Top 20 is configured to removably engage with and seat over a portion of container 5000. Container 5000 is a generally rectangular or square structure, having four sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800, connected to and surrounding bottom wall 55. Sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 and bottom wall 55 define an interior 6000 (
Each of sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 has a top edge, an opposite bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, similar to sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58. When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in
Each of sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 differ from sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 in that each of sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 has a bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78, respectively, and a top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88, respectively. Each of bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 has a top edge 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A, an opposite bottom edge 72B, 74B, 76B, 78B, a first side edge 72C, 74C, 76C, 78C, and a second side edge 72D, 74D, 76D, 78D opposite the first side edge 72C, 74C, 76C, 78C. Each of top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88 has a top edge 82A, 84A, 86A, 88A, an opposite bottom edge 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B, a first side edge 82C, 84C, 86C, 88C, and a second side edge 82D, 84D, 86D, 88D opposite the first side edge 82C, 84C, 86C, 88C. Again, the terms “top”, “bottom” and “side” are relative, and, in this discussion, refer to the positioning of wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88 when in an orientation as in
Top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 are pivotally connected to its respective bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 by a hinge 122, 124, 126, 128. Specifically, bottom edges 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B are pivotally connected to the respective top edges 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A. In the preferred embodiment, hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 is a living hinge 132, 134, 136, 138. Additional details regarding living hinge 132, 134, 136, 138 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 allows pivotal movement between each of top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 and bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78.
When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in
Referring now to
As seen in
As best seen in
Each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 is connected to top wall 25 by a hinge 142, 144, 146, 148. In the preferred embodiment, hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 is a living hinge 152, 154, 156, 158. Additional details regarding living hinge 152, 154, 156, 158 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 allows pivotal movement between each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25.
Referring now to
Living hinge 152, 154 is formed by an extension of material connecting sidewall 22, 24 and bottom wall 25, respectively. An example of a suitable extension of material is an adhesive tape or other adhesive backed material, such as paper. In a preferred embodiment, a single piece of adhesive tape is used for all of living hinges 152, 154, 156, 158 and tabs 3200, 3400, 3600, 3800; this material would generally then cover all of top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28. The material forming living hinge 152, 154 (and the others) is sufficiently flexible to allow pivoting of sidewalls 22, 24 in relation to bottom wall 25, preferably repeated pivoting. In particular, living hinges 152, 154 are sufficiently flexible to allow sidewalls 22, 24 to be moved to a position orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to top wall 25. After positioning both sidewalls 22, 24 orthogonal to top wall 25, tab 3200 can be used to adhere edge 22D to edge 24C to form corner 32 (
To facilitate a tight connection between sidewalls 22, 24 and bottom wall 25, the meeting edges are configured for tight abutment. Bottom wall 25 has edge 25A which is a beveled edge 2500A and edge 25B which is a beveled edge 2500B. Sidewall 22 has edge 22B which is a beveled edge 2200B, and likewise sidewall 24 has edge 24B which is a beveled edge 2400B.
Beveled edges 2500A, 2200B meet at living hinge 152 between bottom wall 25 and sidewall 22, and beveled edges 2500B, 2400B meet at living hinge 154 between bottom wall 25 and sidewall 24.
Pairs of meeting beveled edges, such as 2500A and 2200B, and 2500B and 2400B, are preferably configured to abut each other when bottom wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24 are in the desired assembled position, in the embodiment discussed, orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to each other. A pair of beveled edges preferably forms a 90 degree or right angle, or close thereto, for these embodiments. Preferably, each of a pair of beveled edges, such as 2500A and 2200B, and 2500B and 2400B, are about 45 degrees, so that when positioned at a right angle, the edges have a tight connection. It may be desired, in some instances, to have each at about 43-44 degrees, to allow for a little play when brought together. Other angles for beveled edges may also be used, although not as preferable as 45 degrees. For example, one edge of a pair could have a 30 degree bevel and the other edge of the pair could have a 60 degree bevel. The bevel of each edge, along with the edge in combination with its pair, affects the ease with which top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24 can be brought orthogonal to each other, and the rate at which sidewalls of container 50, 5000 fall or collapse. It should be understood that depending on the shape of the box, for example, a tapered or pyramidal container, the edges may be beveled to form an angle other than 90 degrees.
As discussed above, this discussion has been directed to living hinges 152, 153 between sidewalls 22, 24 and top wall 25 and their respective edges. The principles discussed can be adapted to any of living hinges 112, 114, 116, 118, sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55, and living hinges 132, 134, 136, 138, bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, and top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88.
Referring again to
It should be understood that although this discussion has been directed to sidewalls 22, 24 that form corner 32, the beveled edge principles discussed can be adapted to any of the sidewalls that form a corner, such as sidewalls 52, 54 which meet at corner 62.
To use package 10, any item can be placed into interior volume 60 and lid 20 carefully placed on container 50 so as to hold sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 together. It should be understood that any packing material can also be added to volume 60. Assembled package 10 would have the configuration illustrated in
To remove the item from within, lid 20 is raised off of container 50, as illustrated in
To use package 1000, any item can be placed into interior volume 6000 and lid 20 carefully placed on container 5000 so as to hold sidewalls 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800, particularly top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88, together. It should be understood that any packing material can also be added to volume 6000.
To remove the item, lid 20 is raised off of container 5000, as illustrated in
In a preferred embodiment, each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58, 5200, 5400, 5600, 5800 and bottom wall 55 of container 50, 5000 and sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25 of lid 20 are either paperboard or hardboard. Suitable thicknesses include ⅛ inch and 1/16 inch. These materials can be readily formed, e.g., cut, to have beveled edges, if desired. Adhesive tape, such as tab 3200, readily adheres to paperboard or hardboard. Another preferred material for container 50, 5000 and lid 20 is plastic. A plastic sheet can be readily stamped, cut, embossed, or otherwise manipulated to create the walls and beveled edges. Alternately, plastic can be directly molded to form the desired configuration. Living hinge 112, 114, 116, 118 can be readily molded or pressed into plastic.
It should be understood that the package of the present invention could be modified and remain within the scope of the invention. For example, a pentagon-shaped package could be made, with the container and the top each having five sidewalls. Other shapes for the package are also suitable, such as triangular, elongate rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, tapered or pyramidal and the like. For example, a triangular box would have a triangular bottom wall and three rectangular sidewalls. It is not necessary to have a lid; other designs would be suitable. For example, 3-sided pyramidal box could have a triangular bottom wall and three triangular sidewalls that meet and are retained at a peak by a bow. A 4-sided pyramidal box could have a square bottom wall and four triangular sidewalls that meet and are retained by a ribbon. It is not necessary that all of the sidewalls or portions of all of the sidewalls collapse; rather, any number of sidewalls could collapse. For example, for a square container, two sidewalls could be hinged and configured to collapse and the other two sidewalls could be fixed in position. As another example, for a hexagonal package, three adjacent sidewalls could be hinged and configured to collapse. The assembled package could be essentially any size; examples of suitable sizes include 3×3×3 inches, 4×4×4 inches, and 6×6×6 inches. Still further, it should be understood that the package could be made from any suitable material, including wood, metal, cardboard, etc. Any suitable decoration or indicia can be present on the exterior or interior of the box or lid. For example, the decoration or indicia could have a theme related to the item within the box, or could be directed to an occasion, such as a birthday, or a holiday. This decoration or indicia could be placed directly onto the sidewalls or be applied as a laminate or otherwise with a carrier.
The above specification and examples are believed to provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of the invention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope and spirit of the invention reside in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafter.
Claims
1. A package, comprising:
- a container having a base wall and at least three sidewalls wherein each of the sidewalls includes an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein an upper portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall and the lower portion is fixed relative to the base wall, wherein the sidewalls are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other; and
- a lid configured to extend over an upper opening defined by the sidewalls, the lid being removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewalls orthogonal to the base wall;
- wherein the upper portions of the sidewalls are configured to collapse outwardly when the lid is removed from the container.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the container comprises four sidewalls.
3. The package of claim 1, wherein the upper portions of the sidewalls are connected to the lower portions of the sidewalls with a living hinge that enables the upper portions to pivot relative to the lower portions.
4. The package of claim 1, wherein at least two adjacent lower portions of the sidewalls are configured to contact each other and are secured to each other.
5. A method of opening a gift box comprising:
- providing a container including a base wall and at least three sidewalls extending upwardly from the base wall, wherein at least a portion the side edges of the sidewalls are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other;
- providing a lid removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the sidewalls and retain the sidewalls in a generally vertical orientation when the lid is on the container; and
- removing the lid from the container thereby allowing the portion of the side edges of the sidewalls that are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other to fall away from each other.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the walls include an upper portion and a lower portion and the upper portions are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other and the lower portions contact each other and are secured to each other.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the upper portions pivot away from each other when the lid is removed while the lower portions stay connected to each other.
8. The method of claim 5, wherein the walls include an upper portion and a lower portion and both the upper and lower portions are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2010
Publication Date: Dec 16, 2010
Inventor: Mark Robert Steinhauser (Plymouth, MN)
Application Number: 12/862,007
International Classification: B65B 43/00 (20060101); B65D 6/00 (20060101);