An apparatus is provided having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The apparatus includes, while in the closed configuration, a first panel, a second panel, a third panel, a fourth panel, a fifth panel, and a sixth panel that together create a box partially enclosing a void space. The first panel is rotatably coupled to the fifth panel and the sixth panel, the second panel is rotatably coupled to the fourth panel and the sixth panel, and the third panel is rotatably coupled to the fourth panel and the fifth panel. The apparatus opens from the closed configuration to present the contents therein through a single degree-of-freedom mechanism where the first, second, and third panels become perpendicular to the fourth, fifth, and sixth panels while the fourth, fifth, and sixth panels become aligned in a same plane.

A collapsible crate with improved stability and smooth movement includes a top having two opposing top side sections defining top side axes and two opposing top end sections defining top end axes; a bottom having two opposing bottom side edges defining bottom side axes and two opposing bottom end edges defining bottom end axes; first and second opposing end walls, the first and second end walls each being pivotably connected to the top along the corresponding top end sections with interlocking projections; and first and second opposing side walls. The crate includes one or more features which help the crate remain in the erect configuration, for example, a first protrusion protruding from an inner surface of a first side wall, wherein the first protrusion is configured to abut with a portion of a first end wall with an interference fit when the crate is in an erect configuration.

The present application discloses a new method of making, using, and constructing packing boxes that can be used for shipping or storage. In one embodiment, a packing box is constructed from a set of assembly pieces. Each assembly piece comprises a square body with four sides. On each side of the square body, there is either a key or a lock. Two assembly pieces can be connected or locked through insertion of a key of one assembly piece into a lock of another assembly piece. Two locked pieces can be unlocked by pushing on the key via the indentation above the lock of one locked assembly piece that receives the key of another locked pieces. Assembly pieces of different shapes required for constructing a box are disclosed.

A collapsible crate with improved stability and smooth movement includes a top having two opposing top side sections defining top side axes and two opposing top end sections defining top end axes; a bottom having two opposing bottom side edges defining bottom side axes and two opposing bottom end edges defining bottom end axes; first and second opposing end walls, the first and second end walls each being pivotably connected to the top along the corresponding top end sections with interlocking projections; and first and second opposing side walls. The crate includes one or more features which help the crate remain in the erect configuration, for example, a first protrusion protruding from an inner surface of a first side wall, wherein the first protrusion is configured to abut with a portion of a first end wall with an interference fit when the crate is in an erect configuration.

Described herein are embodiments of a yarn-carrying and dispensing apparatus. The embodiments described allow knitters to easily transport, carry and use balls of yarn for knitting and other knitting materials. The embodiments prevent the ball of yarn from rolling away or getting tangled or intertwined. The embodiments also easily and smoothly dispense the yarn, making the knitting more efficient and easier for the knitter. The embodiments provide additional elements to accommodate a knitter: (i) a ruler allowing, for example, to measure a knitting sampler; (ii) a needle gauge and needle openings, allowing, for example, to measure the size of a needle; and (3) an insert allowing, for example, to hold one or more balls of yarn.

A method of forming and assembling a foldable plastic utility enclosure using molds to form sides of the enclosure, preferably using glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. The molds are constructed to form a central hole in hinge members which are formed on ends of the sides. The central hole of the hinge member is molded with two molding parts, wherein one or both of the molding parts have a solid central portion that forms the central hole. The sides are removed from the molds after curing and the sides are assembled to form the utility enclosure while the sides are still hot from the molding process. Hinge pins are inserted into the central holes of the hinge members to form hinges and to prevent the sides from warping during cooling. Assembling the sides and inserting hinge pins to form the utility enclosure is completed within approximately 10 minutes after removing the sides from the molds.

A method of forming and assembling a foldable plastic utility enclosure using molds to form sides of the enclosure, preferably using glass fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite. The molds are constructed to form a central hole in hinge members which are formed on ends of the sides. The central hole of the hinge member is molded with two molding parts, wherein one or both of the molding parts have a solid central portion that forms the central hole. The sides are removed from the molds after curing and the sides are assembled to form the utility enclosure while the sides are still hot from the molding process. Hinge pins are inserted into the central holes of the hinge members to form hinges and to prevent the sides from warping during cooling. Assembling the sides and inserting hinge pins to form the utility enclosure is completed within approximately 10 minutes after removing the sides from the molds.

A collapsible healthcare barrier device may be moveable between collapsed and erected positions. The device may include a left side panel, a front panel, a right side panel, and a top panel. The left side panel is hingedly connected to the left side of the front panel. The right side panel is hingedly connected to the right side of the front panel. The top panel is hingedly connected to the top of the front panel. The front panel includes at least one passageway through which a health care provider may extend his or her hands and arms to render care to a patient. The top panel may include a left lip member and a right lip member. A back flap may be hingedly connected to the rear of the top panel. The back flap may include a left wing member and a right wing member.

A strong, durable, and more portable logistics box is capable of being assembled to form a three-dimensional box shape on rollers to store and transport items and being flattened for storage. The logistics box includes walls and locking devices including a first locking device and a second locking device. The walls include a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls. The sidewalls include a first sidewall, a last sidewall, and at least one middle sidewall rotatably connected between the first sidewall and the last sidewall. The first locking device is disposed between the first sidewall and the last sidewall and detachably connects the first sidewall to the last sidewall. The bottom wall is rotatably connected to one of the sidewalls. The second locking device is disposed between the bottom wall and another one of the sidewalls and detachably connects the bottom wall to the another one of the sidewalls.

A container includes a base and a wall secured to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. The wall including a recess and a pair of pins projecting into the recess. A hinge member is pivotably secured to the pins in the recess in the wall. The hinge member includes a pair of opposed bases connected by a plurality of curved walls. The bases each include an aperture receiving one of the pair of pins in the recess. In one embodiment, the hinge member pivotably secures the wall to the base. In another embodiment, the hinge member pivotably secured the wall to another wall such that the wall can pivot 270 degrees to leave that side of the container completely open.