Flat-folding box covers

Abstract

A flat-folding box cover with magnets near one edge of the side panels that align with magnets of the opposite polarity on flaps of the adjacent side panel to hold the box cover into position is provided. The flat-folding box cover includes a top panel with aperture and four side panels that when assembled fits over the top of a tissue or other box. Advantageously, the box cover may be kept in the flat state or folded into a box shape as needed. The box covers may be sold finished from a seller. In another case, consumers may select from a set of options provided by a seller for the box cover design. In another case, the consumer may supply the seller with custom artifacts such as photos or artwork which the seller would incorporate into the finished box cover. Kits may also be sold allowing the purchaser to customize the box cover themselves.

Claims

1. A flat-folding box cover for primary containers of tissues and other sheet materials comprising: a) a cutout having a cross shape with a top panel and four side panels wherein the top panel and each side panel has an interior surface and an exterior surface; b) an aperture in the top panel; c) a flap extending from one side edge of each side panel with no two flaps adjacent to one another; d) one or more magnets of one polarity secured on each side panel near the side edge without a flap; and e) one or more magnets of opposite polarity secured to each flap; whereby, when the side panels are folded at ninety degrees to the top panel, and the flaps are folded at ninety degrees to the side panels, the magnets on the flaps align and engage with the magnets in the side panels to form an assembled box cover that can, if desired, be unfolded to a flat state.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout is cardstock, leather, fabric, plastic or other material.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout is laminated.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout is coated.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout is scored or creased to facilitate folding.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout has holes, notches, indentations or other adaptation to accommodate attachment of the magnets.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout has one or more decorative elements including, but not limited to: fabric, wood, cardstock, paper, leather, metal, plastic, buttons, trim, moldings, ribbons, stickers, paint, beads, photos, words, images, graphics, logos, printing, stencils or other decorative elements.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein a fastener other than the magnets is used, such as one or more: ribbons, strings, hook and loop material, snaps, tabs, slots, buttons, magnetic strips, magnetic tape, static bond, adhesive or other fastener.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein some side panels have one or more magnets secured near one or more of the side edges.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein an ornamental ring is secured around the aperture in the top panel.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein a lining of paper or other material, is affixed to one or more of the interior surfaces.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein a stiffening piece of cardstock, foamboard or other material, approximately the same size and shape as the top panel, is secured to the interior surface of the top panel.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein a stiffening piece of cardstock, foamboard or other material, approximately the same size and shape as each side panel, is secured to the interior surface of one or more of the side panels.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the stiffening pieces have holes, notches, indentations or other adaptation to accommodate attachment of the magnets.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein one or more magnets are attached near one or more side edges of the stiffening pieces rather than the side panels.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout has a flap extending from one or more edges of one or more of the side panels.

17. The device of claim 16 wherein some flaps may be folded over and secured.

18. The device of claim 16 wherein one or more magnets are secured to some flaps.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein a kit is supplied comprising the flat-folding box cover and various decorative elements.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the cutout is not cross-shaped but is another configuration layout.

Description

DRAWINGSFIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a view of the decorative side of the cardstock cutout with magnets of one polarity on the side panels and magnets of opposite polarity on flaps.

(2) FIG. 2 is a view of the decorative side of the cardstock adding stiffening pieces, magnets of one polarity in the stiffening pieces and tab liners over the flaps with magnets of opposite polarity.

(3) FIG. 3 is a view of the non-decorative side of the cardstock cutout with flaps folded over.

(4) FIG. 4 is a view of the cardstock cutout folded into a box shape.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of how the magnets align when folded into a box shape.

(6) FIG. 6 is a top view of the box cover with its decorative ring.

(7) FIG. 7 is a view of a different embodiment cardstock cutout.

(8) FIG. 8 is a view of combining two pieces of the embodiment of FIG. 7 for production efficiencies.

(9) FIG. 9 is a view of another embodiment of the cardstock cutout.

DRAWINGSREFERENCE NUMBERS

(10) 1. Side panel with decoration 1A. Stiffening pieces for side panels 2. Top panel 2A. Stiffening piece for top panel 3. Aperture 3A. Aperture Ring 4. Magnets of one polarity on one edge of side panels 4A. Magnets of opposite polarity 5. Side flaps with magnets of the opposite polarity 5A. Tab liners 6. Side flaps without magnets 7. Cutline between flaps 8. End flaps

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1 views the basic cardstock cutout from the decorative side with magnets of one polarity on the side panels and magnets of the opposite polarity on the appropriate flaps which is the basic starting point for many of the embodiments. Four side panels 1 with magnets of one polarity 4 and a top panel 2 with aperture 3, side flaps without magnets 6 and side flaps 5 with magnets of the opposite polarity 4A. FIG. 1 also has end flaps 8 which fold over the bottom ends of the side panels for a completed look. (Shown in FIG. 3) The cutline 7 separates the flaps of the side panels.

(12) The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 from the view of the decorative surface of the cover prior to being assembled into a box cover. The top panel 2 has a stiffening piece 2A, an aperture 3 and an aperture ring 3A. The four side panels 1 have stiffening pieces 1A, have magnets of one polarity 4 embedded near one edge of the stiffening pieces. Side flaps 5 with magnets of the opposite polarity 4A are arranged at a 90 degree angle to the side panels where magnets of one polarity 4 are near the edge of the stiffening pieces. Tab liners 5A are placed over the flaps with magnets of the opposite polarity.

(13) FIG. 3 shows the interior of the flat-folding box cover in the flat position. The end flap 8 has been folded over the end of each side stiffening piece 1A. Side flaps without magnets 6 have been folded over the magnets of one polarity 4 near the edge of the side stiffening pieces. The side flaps 5 with magnets of the opposite polarity 4A are turned at a right angle to the side panel. Tab liners 5A are placed over the side flaps 5 with magnets of the opposite polarity 4A.

(14) FIG. 4 shows the flat-folded box cover as assembled. Magnets with one polarity 4 and magnets with the opposite polarity 4A overlap and are shown with two sets of dashes, small dashes for magnets of one polarity 4, that are near the edge of the stiffening pieces 1A and longer dashes for magnets of the opposite polarity 4A that are on the flaps with magnets 5. When the box cover is assembled the two sets of magnets align and hold the box cover together.

(15) FIG. 5 shows how magnets of one polarity 4 near the edge of the side panels 1 align with the magnets of opposite polarity 4A on the side flaps with magnets 5 when the box cover is assembled.

(16) FIG. 6 shows the top panel 2, stiffening piece for top panel 2A with the aperture 3 and aperture ring 3A.

(17) FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the cardstock cutout for the flat-folding box cover which can also be assembled into a box cover.

(18) FIG. 8 shows how two of the embodiments in FIG. 7 could be produced in order to cut waste.

(19) FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the cardstock cutout for the flat-folding box cover.