Box Support Device
An apparatus and system are provided for supporting a box. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first portion adapted to be associated with a first side of the box. The apparatus further includes a second portion having a second attachment device that is adapted to attach to a second side of the box. The apparatus further includes a hinge portion that is adapted to correspond to a corner associated with the first side and the second side of the box, and that adjoins the first portion and the second portion.
The present disclosure generally relates to a support system for a box, and more particularly relates to one or more apparatuses for supporting corner portions of a box.
BACKGROUNDBoxes have long been used for packaging and storing of certain elements. For example, a variety of sized boxes may be used to store games, crafting supplies, tools, etc. The box may be made of cardboard or other materials. Over time, a box made of such material may break down. For example, one or more corner portions of the box may break down thus, compromising the overall support of the box.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems for providing support to a box. It is further desirable for providing methods of manufacturing a device and system for providing support to a box. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
SUMMARYAn apparatus and system are provided for supporting a box. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first portion that is adapted to be associated with a first side of the box. The apparatus further includes a second portion having a second attachment device that is adapted to attach to a second side of the box. The apparatus further includes a hinge portion that is adapted to correspond to a corner associated with the first side and the second side of the box, and that adjoins the first portion and the second portion.
The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.
With reference to
As shown in
The second portion 120 of the foldover clip 117 extends substantially downwardly from the first portion 118 to a position 126 that is near but not at the bottom edge 110 of the first body 105. For example, the second portion 120 extends from the top edge 109 to a position 126 that is a distance ‘y’ from the bottom edge 110, where the distance ‘y’ is not equal to zero. The second portion 120 includes an end portion 123 that is rolled under or rolled inwards towards the inner surface 108. The second portion 120 extends substantially downwardly from the first portion 118 at an angle ‘b’ from the inner surface 124 of the first portion 118. The value of the angle ‘b’ corresponds to a general thickness of a box and may vary in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the value of the angle ‘b’ may vary in use of the box support device 100 as the coupling between the first portion 118 and the second portion 120 can be adapted to provide for allowable springback.
As can be appreciated, the foldover clip 117 described herein is merely exemplary, as the first portion 102 of the box support device 100 may include other attachment devices 106 (not shown) in addition to or as an alternative to the foldover clip 106. For example, the attachment device 106 can be implemented as, but not limited to, other pressure devices, an adhesive device, a tack devices, a snap device, etc. and is not limited to the present examples.
Similarly, as shown in
In various embodiments, the attachment device 130 is configured to attach the second portion 104 of the box support device 100 to a side of a box. For example, the attachment device 130 may include a foldover clip 145. The foldover clip 145 is coupled to the top edge 136 of the inner surface 134 of the second body 128. In such examples, the foldover clip 145 includes a first portion 146 and a second portion 148. The first portion 146 generally includes an outer surface 150, and an inner surface 152 that is substantially opposite and substantially similar in shape to the outer surface 150. In various embodiments, the first portion 146 extends along the top edge 136, from a position at or near the outer edge 142 to a position at or near the cutout portion 144. The first portion 146 extends substantially outwardly or transverse a distance ‘c’ from the second body 128. The distance ‘c’ corresponds to a general thickness of a box side and may vary in various embodiments. The outer surface 150 of the first portion 146 may be flat or planar, may be rounded, or may be a combination of flat or planar in part and rounded in part in various embodiments.
The second portion 148 of the foldover clip 145 extends substantially downwardly from the first portion 146 to a position 154 that is near but not at the bottom edge 138 of the second body 128. For example, the second portion 148 extends from the top edge 136 to a position 154 that is a distance ‘z’ from the bottom edge 138, where the distance ‘z’ is not equal to zero. The second portion 148 includes an end portion 149 that is rolled under or rolled inwards towards the inner surface 134. The second portion 148 extends substantially downwardly from the first portion 146 at an angle ‘d’ from the inner surface 152 of the first portion 146. The value of the angle ‘d’ corresponds to a general thickness of a box and may vary in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the value of the angle ‘d’ may vary in use of the box support device 100 as the coupling between the first portion 146 and the second portion 148 can be adapted to provide for allowable springback.
As can be appreciated, the foldover clip 145 described herein is merely exemplary, as the second portion 104 of the box support device 100 may include other attachment devices 130 in addition to or as an alternative to the foldover clip 145. For example, the attachment device 130 can be implemented as, but not limited to, other pressure devices, an adhesive device, a tack devices, a snap device, etc. and is not limited to the present examples.
In various embodiments, as shown in
In operation, as shown in
In various embodiments, a box support system may be provided that includes at least two box support devices 100. The at least two box support devices 100 attach to at least two corners of the box 170. A first corner corresponds to first and second sides and a second corner corresponds to third and fourth sides. As can be appreciated, a box support system of the present disclosure can include more than two box support devices 100, for example, four box support devices 100, one for each corner of a box, or eight box support devices 100, one for each corner of the top and bottom of the boxes, and is not limited to the present examples.
With reference now to
As can be appreciated, the method of manufacture may vary depending on the materials used to manufacture the box support device 100. Materials such as, but not limited to, metals, synthetic polymers (such as plastics or nylon), or any combination thereof may be used to manufacture the box support device 100. As depicted in
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. An apparatus for supporting a box, comprising:
- a first portion adapted to be associated with a first side of the box;
- a second portion having an attachment device that is configured to attach to a second side of the box; and
- a hinge portion including a rigid hinge adapted to correspond to an outside of a corner associated with the first side and the second side of the box, and that adjoins the first portion and the second portion.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes an attachment device that is configured to attach to the first side of the box.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises a first body that couples to the attachment device of the first portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment device of the first portion has a portion that extends from a top edge of the first body to a position that is a distance y from a bottom edge of the first body, where the distance y is not equal to zero.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the portion of the attachment device of the first portion provides a pressure against the first side of the box.
6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second portion comprises a second body that couples to the attachment device of the second portion.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the attachment device of the second portion has a portion that extends from a top edge of the second body to a position that is a distance z from a bottom edge of the second body, where the distance z is not equal to zero.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the portion of the attachment device of the second portion provides a pressure against the second side of the box.
9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the attachment device of the first portion is a foldover clip.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the attachment device of the second portion is a foldover clip.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged at an angle x, where the angle x is substantially ninety degrees.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid hinge allows the first portion and the second portion to bend at an intersection line such that the angle x is formed.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion includes a cutout section that exposes a portion of a box corner.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment device of the second portion includes at least one of a pressure device, an adhesive device, a tack device, and a snap device.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second portion includes a cutout section that exposes a portion of the box corner.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment device of the second portion includes a lip portion that supports stacking of an other box.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the attachment device of the first portion includes a lip portion that supports stacking the other box.
18. A system for providing support to a box, comprising: a first box support devices comprising:
- a first portion having a first attachment device that is adapted to attach to a first side of the box;
- a second portion having a second attachment device that is adapted to attach to a second side of the box; and
- a hinge portion including a rigid hinge adapted to correspond to an outside of a corner associated with the first side and the second side of the box, and that adjoins the first portion and the second portion; and a second box support device comprising:
- a first portion having a first attachment device that is configured to attach to a third side of the box;
- a second portion having a second attachment device that is configured to attach to a fourth side of the box; and
- a hinge portion including a rigid hinge adapted to correspond to an outside of a corner associated with the third side and the fourth side of the box, and that adjoins the first portion and the second portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 10, 2015
Publication Date: May 11, 2017
Inventor: Sandra A. McMillan (Washington, MI)
Application Number: 14/937,050