CONTAINER

A container is provided that includes a base having a substantially flat top and a substantially flat bottom, and a housing having a first floor flap and a second floor flap. The first floor flap has a first aperture or marking and the second floor flap has a second aperture or marking. A first fastener extends through the first floor flap and into the base, attaching the first floor flap to the base, and a second fastener extends through the second floor flap and into the base, attaching the second floor flap to the base.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/748,490, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers, and more specifically containers used in the storage and transport of narrow items such as televisions.

Transport of a single item or only a few items of a particular product can result in use of a pallet for only the single item or a few items, resulting in wasted space for storage and/or transport. An example of such an item is a flat-screen television. In a situation where one or only a few televisions are to be transported or stored and because of their narrow depth, the televisions are typically laid down across a pallet. Accordingly, an apparatus and/or method by which the television may be made to stand on end, allowing use of a larger portion of the area of a pallet for other items, is preferred.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the container of the present invention generally includes a base having a substantially flat top and a substantially flat bottom, and a housing having a first wall with a first floor flap and a second wall with a second floor flap. The first floor flap has a first aperture therein and the second floor flap has a second aperture therein. A first fastener extends through the first aperture and into the base, attaching the first floor flap to the base, and a second fastener extends through the second aperture and into the base, attaching the second floor flap to the base.

Another embodiment is a one-piece foldable blank for a housing to be attached to a base to create a container, the foldable blank comprising a substantially rectangular front wall panel having a front wall panel length, a front wall panel side edge, and a front wall panel bottom edge. It further comprises a substantially rectangular rear wall panel having a rear wall panel length, a first rear wall panel side edge, a second rear wall panel side edge, and a rear wall panel bottom edge, the rear wall panel length being different from the front wall panel length. A first end panel is hingedly joined to the front wall panel side edge and is hingedly joined to the first rear wall panel side edge, and a second end panel is hingedly joined to the second rear wall panel side edge. A first bottom flap is hingedly joined to the front wall panel bottom edge and has at least one marking thereon or at least one aperture therein for attachment to a base, a second bottom flap is hingedly joined to the rear wall panel bottom edge and has at least one marking thereon or at least one aperture therein for attachment to a base, and a side flap is hingedly joined to the second end panel side edge and is configured for connection to the front wall panel.

Yet another embodiment is a fully-erected container comprising a base having a base thickness and a housing of a foldable material having a thickness less than the base thickness. The housing comprises a floor and substantially rectangular front wall which has a front wall length, a front wall side edge, and a front wall bottom edge. The housing also comprises a substantially rectangular rear wall which has a rear wall length, a first rear wall side edge, a second rear wall side edge, and a rear wall bottom edge. The rear wall length is different from the front wall length. A first side wall is hingedly joined to the front wall side edge and is hingedly joined to the first rear wall side edge, a second side wall is hingedly joined to the second rear wall side edge, a first bottom flap is hingedly joined to the front wall bottom edge and is attached to the base, a second bottom flap is hingedly joined to the rear wall bottom edge and is attached to the base, and a side flap is hingedly joined to the second side wall side edge and is connected to the front wall. The floor of the housing comprises at least the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap.

Other advantages, objects and/or purposes of the invention will be apparent to persons familiar with constructions of this general type upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a base portion of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a one-piece blank made of a foldable material and which forms a part of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan partial view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional elevational view of the container, taken along line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container with a top embodying the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a one-piece blank made of a foldable material and which forms the top of the container of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is an elevational view of a first example of a portion of the wall of the container of FIG. 1, the portion being designated as VIII in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8B is an elevational view of a second example of a portion of the wall of the container in FIG. 1, the portion being designated as VIII in FIG. 5.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the container embodiment as oriented in FIG. 1 with the front of the container being the long wall generally extending out of the page. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following description are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

As shown in FIG. 1, an open-top container 10 includes a base 12 and a housing 14. The housing 14 is preferably connected to the base by use of a plurality of fasteners, which will be discussed in more detail below. The housing 14 may be attached to the base 12 by other means as well, such as by an adhesive.

The base 12 is preferably rectangular in shape and substantially rigid. The base 12 is thick enough and strong enough such that it will hold a substantial amount of weight and create a stable base which will minimize tipping of the container 10, and will provide protection for the contents of the container 10. As an example, the base 12 may be made of a half-inch oriented strand board (OSB), but other materials and thicknesses may be used. The base 12, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a substantially flat top 16, a substantially flat bottom 18, sides 20, and ends 22. In this embodiment, which is useful for the storage and transport of an item such as a television, the length dimension of the base 12 is substantially longer than the width dimension. It is contemplated that other sizes and shapes of the base may be used. For attachment to the housing 14, the base may include one or more predrilled holes 24, 26, 28. The predrilled holes 24, 26, 28 are sized to receive fasteners such as wood screws for attachment of the housing 14 to the base 12. The base 12 preferably has about 10 predrilled holes, positioned for attachment to parts of the housing 14, which is shown as a one-piece blank in FIG. 3 and described in more detail below. The predrilled holes include opposing pairs of end holes 24 adjacent the respective ends 22 of the base 12, two pairs of secondary holes 26 adjacent the end holes 24 but positioned more toward the longitudinal center of the base 12 than the end holes 24, and one pair of center holes 28 which are substantially centrally located along the longitudinal axis of the base 12.

The housing 14 is preferably comprised of a one-piece foldable material created in the form of a “blank” which may be folded and attached to the base 12. The housing 14 includes a first side wall 30 which has a first side edge 32 and a second side edge 34 which is substantially parallel to the first side edge 32. The first side wall 30 also includes a top edge 36 which is substantially perpendicular to the side edges 32 and 34, and a bottom edge 38 which is substantially parallel to the top edge 36. The first side wall 30 has a length dimension denoted as C in FIG. 3.

A first floor flap 40 is hingedly joined to the bottom edge 38 of the first side wall 30 via a fold line formed along a portion of the bottom edge 38. Thus, the first floor flap has a length dimension that is smaller than the dimension C. The first floor flap 40 includes two opposing end edges 42, 44 which are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to bottom edge 38. The first floor flap 40 also includes a lengthwise edge 46 which is substantially parallel to bottom edge 38. The first floor flap 40 preferably includes a plurality of apertures, most preferably three, which are disposed to receive fasteners therethrough for attachment of the housing 14 to the base 12. The first floor flap 40, as shown in FIG. 3, includes three apertures, a first aperture 48 adjacent end edge 42, a second aperture 50 adjacent end edge 44, and a centrally located third aperture 52. The first, second, and third apertures 48, 50, 52 each have the same diameter and are sized to receive a common fastener, such as a wood screw, therethrough.

A first end wall 54 is hingedly attached to the second side edge 34 via a fold line. The first end wall 54 includes a top edge 56 which is substantially parallel with and in the same plane as top edge 36, a bottom edge 58 which is substantially parallel with and in the same plane as bottom edge 38, and a side edge 60 which is parallel with second side edge 34. The first end wall has a width dimension D, as denoted in FIG. 3.

A first end flap 62 is hingedly attached to the bottom edge 58 via a fold line at the bottom edge 58. The first end flap 62 has a length which is smaller than the width of the first end wall 54, and includes a first side edge 64 and a second side edge 66 which is substantially parallel to the first side edge 64, both of which are substantially parallel to the side edges 34 and 60. The first end flap 62 also includes a lengthwise edge 68 which is generally parallel to the edge 58. The first end flap 62 includes two apertures 70, 72 which are spaced from one another and are each sized for receiving a fastener such as a screw therethrough. The aperture 70 is spaced from the first side edge 64 a distance denoted as B in FIG. 3. The aperture 72 is preferably spaced the same distance B away from the second side edge 66. It is contemplated that a different number of apertures and different spacings can be used with regard to the apertures in the first end flap 62. Also, it is preferred that a distance A, which is the distance of the apertures 48, 50, and 52 from the edge 38, be the same as the distance B. Although the matching of distances A and B is not critical, it is preferred since the apertures will be aligned in rows when the housing 14 is folded as intended and ready for attachment to the base 12.

The housing 14 also includes a second side wall 74 which is hingedly attached to first end wall 54 via a fold line along edge 60. In addition to edge 60, second side wall 74 includes a top edge 76, a bottom edge 78, and a second side edge 80. The second side wall 74 is preferably rectangular in shape and has a length dimension E that is slightly larger than the length dimension C.

Attached to the second side wall 74 is a second floor flap 82. The second floor flap 82 is hingedly attached to the second side wall 74 via a fold line along a portion of the edge 78. As with the first floor flap 40 with respect to the side wall 30, the second floor flap 82 has a length dimension that is slightly less than the length dimension E of the second side wall 74 such that a smooth and relatively flush floor is created when the blank for housing 14 is folded as intended. In addition to the edge 78, the second floor flap 82 includes a first end edge 84, a second end edge 86, and a lengthwise edge 88. The second floor flap 82 also includes three apertures 90, 92, 94, with the aperture 90 adjacent the end edge 84, the aperture 92 adjacent the end edge 86, and the aperture 94 centrally located between the apertures 90 and 92. The apertures 90, 92, 94 are preferably the same distance away from the edge 78 as the apertures 48, 50, 52 are from the edge 38, which is a distance denoted as A in FIG. 3.

A second end wall 96 is attached to the side wall 74 via a fold line along the edge 80. In addition to the edge 80, the second end wall 96 includes a top edge 98, a bottom edge 100, and a second side edge 102. The second end wall 96 has a width dimension F, as denoted in FIG. 3.

Attached to the second end wall 96 is a second end flap 104. The second end flap 104 is hingedly attached to the second end wall 96 via a fold line along the bottom edge 100. In addition to the edge 100, the second end flap 104 includes a first side edge 106, a second side edge 108, and an end edge 110. The side edges 106, 108 are preferably substantially parallel to one another and parallel to the edges 80 and 102. The second bottom flap 104 also includes a first aperture 112 which is adjacent to the first side edge 106 and a second aperture 114 which is adjacent to the second side edge 108. The apertures 112, 114 are preferably the same distances from the side edges 106, 108, respectively, as the apertures 70, 72 are from the side edges 64, 66, respectively. Also, the apertures 112, 114 are preferably the same distance from the edge 100 as the apertures 70, 72 are from the edge 58.

Also attached to the second end wall 96 is a connection flap 116. The connection flap 116 is hingedly attached to the second end wall 96 via a fold line along the edge 102. In addition to the edge 102, the connection flap 116 includes a top edge 118, a bottom edge 120 and an end edge 122. At its attachment line (along the edge 102) to the second end wall 96, the connection flap 116 preferably has the same height as all of the first side wall 30, the first end wall 54, the second side wall 74, and the second end wall 96. However, it is also preferred that the bottom edge 120 angle upwardly, as the blank for housing 14 is shown in FIG. 3, such that it will clear a floor made of the flaps 40, 62, 82, and 104 if the connection flap 116 is attached to the inside of the first side wall 30, which is described in more detail below. The connection flap 116 has a width dimension G, as denoted in FIG. 3.

If the connection flap 116 is to be attached on the outside of first side wall 30, then it is preferred that the dimension E of the second side wall 74 be slightly greater than the dimension C of the first side wall 30, and that the dimension F of the second end wall 96 be slightly greater than the dimension D of the first end wall 54. On the other hand, if it is preferred that the connection flap 116 attach on the inside of the first side wall 30, then it is preferred that the dimension E be very slightly larger than the dimension C, and that the dimension F be smaller than the dimension D. The dimension G is preferably between 15% and 40% of the dimension F, depending on the size of the container 10 and the weight load for the item to be stored and/or transported in the container 10.

Alternatively, instead of apertures 48, 50, 52, 70, 72, 90, 92, 94, 112, and 114, the blank of housing 14 may include markings on the surface of the flaps of the blank to show where to use the fasteners to attach the housing 14 to the base 12. The markings are preferably placed in the same locations as the apertures shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 6-7 show an embodiment which includes a top 200, in addition to the housing 14 and base 12 depicted in FIGS. 1-5. The housing 200 is preferably made of a one-piece blank of foldable material, and when erected, may be partially inserted into the interior of housing 14.

The one-piece blank that forms the top 200 is shown in FIG. 7. The top 200 includes a first substantially rectangular side wall 202 which has a first side edge 204 and a second side edge 206 which is substantially parallel to the first side edge 204. The first side wall 202 also includes a top edge 208 which is substantially perpendicular to the side edges 204 and 206, and a bottom edge 210 which is substantially parallel to the top edge 208. The first side wall 202 has a length dimension end denoted as H in FIG. 7.

A first bottom flap 212 (which will ultimately become a portion of the roof of the top 200) is hingedly joined to the bottom edge 210 of the first side wall 202 via a fold line formed along the bottom edge 210. As shown in FIG. 7, the first bottom flap 212 has a length dimension that is slightly smaller than the dimension H. The first bottom flap 212 includes two opposing edges 214, 216 which are substantially parallel to one another and substantially perpendicular to the bottom edge 210. The first bottom flap 212 also includes a lengthwise edge 218 which is substantially parallel to the bottom edge 210.

A first end wall 220 is hingedly attached to the second side edge 206 via a fold line. The first end wall 220 includes a top edge 222 which is substantially parallel to and in the same plane as the top edge 208, a bottom edge 224 which is substantially parallel to and in the same plane as the bottom edge 210, and a side edge 226 which is parallel to the second side edge 206. The first end wall has a width dimension I, as denoted in FIG. 7.

A first end flap 228 is hingedly attached to the bottom edge 224 via a fold line at the bottom edge 224. The first end flap 228 has a width which is slightly smaller than the width I of the first end wall 220, and includes a first side edge 230 and a second side edge 232, both of which are substantially parallel to the edges 206 and 226. The first end flap 228 also includes a lengthwise edge 234 which is generally parallel to the edge 224.

The top 200 also includes a second side wall 236 which is hingedly attached to the first end wall 220 via a fold line along the edge 226. In addition to the edge 226, the second side wall 236 also includes a top edge 238 in substantially the same plane as the edges 208 and 222, a bottom edge 240 in substantially the same plane as the edges 210 and 224, and a second side edge 242 which is substantially parallel to the edge 226. The second side wall 236 is preferably rectangular in shape and has a length dimension J that is slightly larger than the length dimension H.

Attached to the second side wall 236 is a second bottom flap 244. The second bottom flap 244 is hingedly attached to the second side wall 236 via a fold line along a portion of the edge 240. As with the first bottom flap 212 with respect to the first side wall 202, the second bottom flap 244 has a length dimension that is slightly less than the length dimension J of the second side wall 236. In addition to the edge 240, the second bottom flap 244 includes a first end edge 246 and a second end edge 248 which are both substantially parallel to the edges 214, 216, 230, and 232, and a lengthwise edge 250 which is substantially parallel to the edge 240.

A second end wall 252 is attached to the second side wall 236 via a fold line along edge 242. In addition to the edge 242, the second end wall 252 includes a top edge 254 which is substantially parallel to and in the same plane as the edges 208, 222, and 238, a bottom edge 256 which is substantially in the same plane as and parallel to the edges 210, 224, and 240, and a second side edge 258 which is substantially parallel to the edge 242. The second end wall 252 has a width dimension K, as denoted in FIG. 7.

Attached to the second end wall 252 is a second end flap 260. The second end flap 260 is hingedly attached to the second end wall 252 via a fold line along the bottom edge 256. In addition to the edge 256, the second end flap 260 includes a first side edge 262 and a second side edge 264, and an end edge 266 which is substantially parallel to the edge 256. The side edges 262, 264 are preferably substantially parallel to one another and parallel to the edges 242 and 258. The second bottom flap 260 has a width dimension that is slightly less than the width K of the second end wall 252.

Also attached to the second end wall 252 is a connection flap 268. The connection flap 268 is hingedly attached to the second end wall 252 via a fold line along the edge 258. In addition to the edge 258, the connection flap 268 includes a top edge 270 which is substantially parallel to and in the same plane as the edge 254, a bottom edge 272, and an end edge 274 which is preferably substantially parallel to the edge 258. At its attachment line to the second end wall 252 (along the edge 258), the connection flap 268 preferably has the same height as all of the first side wall 202, the first end wall 220, the second side wall 236, and the second end wall 252. However, it is also preferred that the bottom edge 272 angles upwardly toward the right, as the blank for the top 200 is shown in FIG. 7, such that it will clear the flaps 212, 244, and 260 if the connection flap 268 is attached to the inside of the first side wall 202, which is described in more detail below. The connection flap 268 has a width dimension L, as denoted in FIG. 7. If the connection flap 268 is to be attached on the outside of the first side wall 202, then it is preferred that the dimension J of the second side wall 236 be slightly greater than the dimension H of the first side wall 202, and that the dimension K of the second end wall 252 be slightly greater than the dimension I of the first end wall 220. On the other hand, if it is preferred that the connection flap 268 attach on the inside of the first side wall 202, then it is preferred that the dimension J be very slightly larger than the dimension H, and that the dimension K be smaller than the dimension I. Moreover, while it is preferred that the dimensions H, I, J, and K each be slightly smaller than the dimensions C, D, E, and F respectively, such that the top 200 can fit within the housing 14. Alternatively, the top 200 can be sized such that it fits on the outside of the housing 14. In that case, the dimensions H, I, J, and K are preferably each slightly larger than the dimensions C, D, E, and F, respectively.

The walls of the top 200 each have a height dimension that is denoted as M in FIG. 7. Dimension M can be any dimension that is useful for covering the items within the container 10. For the transport and/or storage of a standard television, the distance M is preferably between 2.5 and 3.0 times the height of the housing 14. More preferably, the height M is 2.65 times the height of the housing 14.

The container 10 can be erected in one of two ways. The first way is to first substantially erect the housing 14 by folding the blank at the designated fold lines shown in FIG. 3 and described above. In other words, flaps 40, 62, 82, and 104 are folded inwardly, and the fold lines attaching the walls 30, 54, 74, and 96 to one another are folded to create the rectangular shape of the housing 14. The connection flap 116 is then attached to either the inside or the outside of the first side wall 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 4, respectively). The housing 14, in its erect state, is attached to the base 12 by using fasteners such as washers and wood screws, through the apertures in (or alternatively, markings on) the flaps of the housing 14 and into the predrilled holes 24, 26, 28 of the base 12.

The other method of erection of the container 10 is to begin attachment of the blank of the housing 14 in the unfolded state to base 12, and fold as the attachment progresses. Fasteners are extended through the apertures in the blank of the housing 14 and into the predrilled holes 24, 26, 28 of the base 12, until the attachment is completed. The final step is to attach the connection flap 116 to either the inside or the outside of the first side wall 30 by use of an adhesive or other means.

Using the first method described above, and attaching the connection flap 116 to the outside of first side wall 30 would result in a housing as shown in FIG. 4 from the top view. As shown in FIG. 4, when the housing 14 is in its erect state, the first floor flap 40 and the second floor flap 82 are adjacent one another lengthwise and are substantially perpendicular to the walls 30, 54, 74, and 96. The end edge 110 of the second end flap 104 is adjacent or abuts both the end edge 42 of the first floor flap 40 and the second end edge 86 of the second floor flap 82. The end edge 68 of the first end flap 62 likewise is adjacent or abuts the end edges 44 and 84. FIG. 4 also shows the alignment of the apertures in the flaps of the housing 14. Generally, the apertures 48, 50, 52, 70 and 114 align with each other lengthwise, and the apertures 112, 92, 94, 90, and 72 align with each other lengthwise.

The apertures align with the predrilled holes 24, 26, 28 of the base 12. To attach the housing 14 to the base 12, the apertures of the housing 14 are aligned with the holes of the base. That is, the apertures 112, 114, 70, and 72 align over the holes 24; the apertures 48, 50, 90, and 92 align over the holes 26; and the apertures 52 and 94 align over the holes 28. As shown in FIG. 5, the flaps 40, 62, 82, and 104 of the housing 14 are attached to the base 12 using the apertures and the holes, respectively, by using a fastener system such as a washer 124 and a wood screw 126, which is inserted through the washer 124, an aperture in a flap of the housing 14, and threadingly inserted into one of the holes in the base 12.

The top 200 is erected by folding side walls 202 and 236 toward each other, along the fold lines of the edges 206 and 226, respectively, such that the side walls 202 and 236 are substantially parallel to one another. The second end wall 252 is then moved, by folding along the fold line of edge 242, to be substantially parallel with the first end wall 220. The connection flap 268 is then moved by folding along the fold line of the edge 258 such that the connection flap 268 is substantially parallel with and abuts an inner portion (or alternatively, outer portion) of the first side wall 202. An adhesive or other connection means is used to attach the connection flap 268 to the first side wall 202. The bottom flaps 212 and 244 and the end flaps 228 and 260 are then folded inwardly with one of the bottom flaps 212, 244 overlapping the other to create an upper portion such as shown in FIG. 6. The bottom flaps and the end flaps are preferably attached by an adhesive or other connection means. Once erected, the top 200 may be inserted within the interior of housing 14 and allowed to rest on the floor of the housing 14.

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the walls and flaps of the housing 14 are preferably made of a multi-walled corrugated fiberboard. Most preferred is a triple-walled corrugated (see FIG. 8A) having a flute sequence of CAA. A double-walled corrugated fiberboard may also be used, as shown in FIG. 8B, and may have a flute sequence of BC.

The described container 10 provides a sturdy and stable container for storage and transport of larger and/or lengthy items, while having a relatively low weight. The container is substantially flat in the non-erected state, making shipment of the parts of the container easy and inexpensive.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a base having a substantially flat top and a substantially flat bottom;
a housing having a first wall, a second wall, a first floor flap hingedly joined to the first wall and a second floor flap hingedly joined to the second wall, the first floor flap having a first aperture therein, the second floor flap having a second aperture therein;
a first fastener extending through the first aperture and into the base for attachment of the first floor flap to the base; and
a second fastener extending through the second aperture and into the base for attachment of the second floor flap to the base.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the first floor flap and the second floor flap has a plurality of apertures therein.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a third wall, a fourth wall, a third floor flap hingedly joined to the third wall, and a fourth floor flap hingedly joined to the fourth wall.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein each of the third floor flap and the fourth floor flap has at least one aperture therein, the container further comprising a third fastener extending through the third aperture for attachment of the third floor flap to the base and a fourth fastener extending through the fourth aperture for attachment of the fourth floor flap to the base.

5. The container of claim 1, and further including a top that at least partially resides within the housing.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the base is of a first material and the housing is of a second material, the first material being different from the second material.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the first material has a first thickness and the second material has a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness.

8. A one-piece foldable blank for a housing to be attached to a base to create a container, the foldable blank having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a substantially rectangular front wall panel having a front wall panel length, a front wall panel side edge, and a front wall panel bottom edge;
a substantially rectangular rear wall panel having a rear wall panel length, a first rear wall panel side edge, a second rear wall panel side edge, and a rear wall panel bottom edge, the rear wall panel length being different from the front wall panel length;
a first end panel hingedly joined to the front wall panel side edge and hingedly joined to the first rear wall panel side edge;
a second end panel hingedly joined to the second rear wall panel side edge and having a second end panel side edge;
a first bottom flap hingedly joined to the front wall panel bottom edge and having at least one marking thereon or at least one aperture therein for attachment to a base;
a second bottom flap hingedly joined to the rear wall panel bottom edge and having at least one marking thereon or at least one aperture therein for attachment to a base;
and a side flap hingedly joined to the second end panel side edge and configured for connection to the front wall panel.

9. The one-piece foldable blank of claim 8, and further comprising a third bottom flap hingedly joined to the first end panel and configured for attachment to a base, and a fourth bottom flap hingedly joined to the second end panel and configured for attachment to a base.

10. The one-piece foldable blank of claim 9, wherein the third bottom flap and the fourth bottom flap each have at least one aperture therein.

11. The one-piece foldable blank of claim 8, wherein the side flap is non-rectangular.

12. The one-piece foldable blank of claim 8, wherein the rear wall panel length is greater than the front wall panel length.

13. The one-piece foldable blank of claim 8, wherein the first end panel has a first end panel length and the second end panel has a second end panel length, the second end panel length being greater than the first end panel length.

14. The one-piece foldable blank of claim 8, wherein the first end panel has a first end panel length and the second end panel has a second end panel length, the second end panel length being less than the first end panel length.

15. A fully-erected container comprising:

a base having a base thickness; and
a housing of a foldable material having a thickness less than the base thickness and having a floor, the housing comprising: a substantially rectangular front wall having a front wall length, a front wall side edge, and a front wall bottom edge; a substantially rectangular rear wall having a rear wall length, a first rear wall side edge, a second rear wall side edge, and a rear wall bottom edge, the rear wall length being different from the front wall length; a first side wall hingedly joined to the front wall side edge and hingedly joined to the first rear wall side edge; a second side wall hingedly joined to the second rear wall side edge; a first bottom flap hingedly joined to the front wall bottom edge, the first bottom flap being attached to the base; a second bottom flap hingedly joined to the rear wall bottom edge, the second bottom flap being attached to the base; and a side flap hingedly joined to the second side wall side edge and connected to the front wall, the floor of the housing comprising at least the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap.

16. The container of claim 15, and further comprising a third bottom flap hingedly joined to the first side wall and attached to the base, and a fourth bottom flap hingedly joined to the second side wall and attached to the base.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein the first bottom flap has at least one aperture therein for attachment to the base.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the second bottom flap has at least one aperture therein for attachment to the base.

19. The container of claim 15, wherein the side flap is non-rectangular.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140183191
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 2, 2014
Publication Date: Jul 3, 2014
Inventor: Steven KERR (Kalamazoo, MI)
Application Number: 14/146,299
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Blank (220/62); End Wall Structure (220/600); Sidewall Structure (220/660); Apertured Sidewall (e.g., Hole, Slot, Etc.) (220/676)
International Classification: B65D 1/40 (20060101);