Foldable Box

Abstract

A foldable box having a first, substantially flat and unfolded configuration which can be easily and conveniently transformed into a second, three-dimensional configuration capable of retaining one or more items.

Claims

1. A foldable box having a plurality of configurations, the box comprising: a first set of panels including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel, wherein each panel of the first set of panels is irreversibly connected to one or more other panels of the first set of panels; a second set of panels including a first panel and a second panel, wherein at least two panels of the second set of panels are connected to one or more panels of the first set of panels; at least four foldable connectors, each connector irreversibly connecting two panels together; and one or more releasable connection arrangements reversibly connecting two or more panels; wherein each panel of the box is individually formed from a panel material, and the foldable box is reversibly transformable from a first flat configuration to a second three-dimensional configuration.

2. The foldable box of claim 1, wherein the at least four foldable connectors are formed from at least a first liner layer, the first liner layer being formed from a laminate material and covering contiguous portions of at least two or more adjacent panels.

3. The foldable box of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least four foldable connectors permit from about 1 to about 180 of relative rotation between adjacent connected panels.

4. The foldable box of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least four foldable connectors permit from about 1 to about 360 of relative rotation between adjacent connected panels.

5. The foldable box of claim 1, wherein the first panel of the first set of panels is connected to the second panel of the first set of panels along a first foldable connector, and the second panel of the first set of panels is connected to the third panel of the first set of panels along a second foldable connector.

6. The foldable box of claim 5, wherein the first panel of the second set of panels is connected to the second panel of the first set of panels along a third foldable connector, and the second panel of the second set of panels is connected to the second panel of the first set of panels along a fourth foldable connector.

7. The foldable box of claim 6, wherein the second set of panels further includes a first connection panel connected to the first panel of the second set of panels along a fifth foldable connector, a second connection panel connected to the first panel of the second set of panels along a sixth foldable connector, a third connection panel connected to the second panel of the second set of panels along a seventh foldable connector, and a fourth connection panel connected to the second panel of the second set of panels along an eighth foldable connector.

8. The foldable box of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more releasable connection arrangements comprises: at least two snap sockets associated with a first panel; at least two corresponding snap studs associated with a different second panel, the at least two snap studs corresponding to the at least two snap sockets associated with the first panel; wherein the at least two snap sockets reversibly engage the at least two corresponding snap studs when the foldable box is in its second three-dimensional configuration.

10. The foldable box of claim 8, wherein the one or more releasable connection arrangements includes at least four releasable connection arrangements, the first releasable connection arrangement having at least two snap sockets associated with the first connection panel connected to the first panel of the second set of panels and at least two snap studs associated with the first panel of the first set of panels, the second releasable connection arrangement having at least two snap sockets associated with the second connection panel connected to the first panel of the second set of panels and at least two snap studs associated with the third panel of the first set of panels, the third releasable connection arrangement having at least two snap sockets associated with the first connection panel connected to the second panel of the second set of panels and at least two snap studs associated with the first panel of the first set of panels, and the fourth releasable connection arrangement having at least two snap sockets associated with the second connection panel connected to the second panel of the second set of panels and at least two snap studs associated with the third panel of the first set of panels.

11. The foldable box of claim 8, wherein the box further comprises a third set of panels that can be releasably connected to one or more of the panels of the first or second sets of panels, the third set of panels comprising: a first panel; a first connection panel irreversibly connected with the first panel along a thirteenth foldable connector; and a second connection panel irreversibly connected with the first panel along a fourteenth foldable connector; wherein the first set of panels further comprises a first connection panel connected to the first panel of the first set of panels, and a second connection panel connected to the third panel of the first set of panels; wherein the foldable box further comprises at least two additional releasable connection arrangements, the first additional releasable connection arrangement having at least two snap sockets associated with the first connection panel of the third set of panels and at least two corresponding snap studs associated with the first connection panel of the first set of panels, and the second additional releasable connection arrangement having at least two snap sockets associated with the second connection panel of the third set of panels and at least two corresponding snap studs associated with the second connection panel of the first set of panels.

12. The foldable box of claim 1, wherein the box further comprises a lid portion, the lid portion having a top portion and four side portions, wherein the lid portion covers a top portion of the first and second sets of panels when the foldable box is in its second three-dimensional configuration, and wherein the first and second sets of panels can be folded into the lid portion when the foldable box is in its first flat configuration.

13. The foldable box of claim 5, wherein the first set of panels further includes a fourth panel, the third panel of the first set of panels being connected to the fourth panel of the first set of panels along a ninth foldable connector, and the fourth panel of the first set of panels being connected to the first panel of the first set of panels along a tenth foldable connector.

14. The foldable box of claim 13, wherein the first panel of the second set of panels is irreversibly connected to the fourth panel of the first set of panels along an eleventh foldable connector, and the second panel of the second set of panels is irreversibly connected to the second panel of the first set of panels along a twelfth foldable connector.

15. The foldable box of claim 14, wherein the each of the one or more releasable connection arrangements comprises: at least two snap sockets associated with a first panel; at least two corresponding snap studs associated with a different second panel, the at least two snap studs corresponding to the at least two snap sockets associated with the first panel; wherein the at least two snap sockets reversibly engage the at least two corresponding snap studs when the foldable box is in its second three-dimensional configuration.

16. The foldable box of claim 15, wherein a first releasable connection arrangement includes at least two snap sockets associated with the first panel of the second set of panels, and at least two snap studs associated with the second panel of the second set of panels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Reference may now be made to the drawings which illustrate various non-limiting embodiments that the invention may take in physical form and in certain parts and arrangement of parts wherein:

[0047] FIGS. 1-6 are various views of a foldable box in accordance with one non-limiting aspect of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 7 is a partially assembled view of a foldable box in accordance with another non-limiting aspect of the present invention;

[0049] FIGS. 8-11 are various views of a foldable box in accordance with another non-limiting aspect of the present invention; and

[0050] FIGS. 12-14 are various views of a foldable box in accordance with another non-limiting aspect of the present invention.

[0051] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The present invention is directed to a foldable box having one or more interchangeable configurations, and which can be easily and conveniently transformed between such interchangeable configurations, thereby minimizing the time required for assembly and/or disassembly of the foldable box.

[0053] The foldable box has a plurality of interchangeable configurations. In one non-limiting aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foldable box having a first, unfolded configuration in which the foldable box is substantially flat, and a second, folded and/or three-dimensional configuration in which the foldable box is fully assembled. As described below, the first and second configurations of the foldable box are interchangeable. For example, the first configuration (i.e., the flat, unfolded foldable box) can be easily and conveniently transformed into the second configuration (i.e., the folded, three-dimensional foldable box), and, similarly, the second configuration can be easily and conveniently transferred into the first configuration; however, this is not required.

[0054] With reference to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated a foldable box in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the foldable box is shown in a flat and unfolded configuration. The foldable box can comprise two or more sets of panels, each set of panels comprising a plurality of individually formed panels that are foldable in a pre-defined sequence to transform from a first, folded and flat configuration, into a second, three-dimensional and assembled configuration. In particular embodiments, the foldable box may comprise a first set of panels and a second set of panels. As seen in FIG. 1, the first set of panels may comprise a first panel 102, a second panel 104, and a third panel 106, and the second set of panels may include a first panel 108 and a second panel 110. In particular embodiments, the box 100 may have a first configuration, where the panels of the box 100 are folded upon one or more other panels, thereby minimizing the box's physical footprint and maximizing its storability. In the first configuration, the panels 102, 106, 108, and 110 may be folded on top of or underneath panel 104 simultaneously. In some embodiments, the box 100 may include a lid (described below), and the folded box 100 may fit inside of the lid in its first configuration.

[0055] Returning to FIG. 1, the box 100 may include at least four foldable connectors, each connector irreversibly connecting two panels together. In particular embodiments, the first panel 102 can be connected to the second panel 104 along the foldable connector 120, and the second panel 104 can be connected to the third panel 106 along the foldable connector 122.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second set of panels includes at least two panels, and the at least two panels can be connected to one or more panels of the first set of panels. As seen in FIG. 1, the first panel 108 of the second set of panels is connected to the second panel 104 of the first set of panels along the foldable connector 124. Additionally, the second panel 110 of the second set of panels is connected to the second panel 104 of the first set of panels along the foldable connector 126.

[0057] In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the second set of panels may also include one or more connection panels. As seen in FIG. 1, the box 100 includes a first connection panel 112 that is connected to the first panel 108 of the second set of panels along the foldable connector 128, a second connection panel 114 that is connected to the first panel 108 of the second set of panels along the foldable connector 130, a third connection panel 116 that is connected to the second panel 110 of the second set of panels along the foldable connector 132, and a fourth connection panel 118 that is connected to the second panel 110 of the second set of panels along the foldable connector 134.

[0058] The one or more of the foldable connectors 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134 may be formed from a first liner layer, the liner layer made from a laminate or liner material, which covers contiguous portions of at least two or more adjacent panels. That is, one or more of the foldable connectors may be formed by attaching (e.g., adhering or otherwise affixing) a laminate material to the surface of two or more adjacent, individually formed panels, the laminate material extending from one adjacent panel to another. In particular embodiments, the laminate material may be applied to the surface or a portion of the surface of two or more panels such that there is a space of about 0.5-10 millimeters (and all values and ranges therebetween), thereby forming an irreversible foldable connector.

[0059] The foldable box 100 also contains one or more releasable connection arrangements that reversibly connect two or more panels of the foldable box 100. In particular embodiments, at least one of the one or more releasable connection arrangements can be a snap-type connection arrangement, wherein at least two snap sockets are associated with at least one panel and at least two snap studs corresponding to the at least two snap sockets associated with at least one different panel. When the foldable box 100 is folded into its second three-dimensional configuration, the at least two snap sockets associated with the at least one panel reversibly engages the at least two corresponding snap studs to secure and/or connect the corresponding panels.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 2, the foldable box 100 includes four releasable connection arrangements, each having at least two snap sockets associated with a first panel and at least two corresponding snap studs associated with a different panel. In the first releasable connection arrangement, the two snap sockets 136A are embedded into the panel material of connection panel 112, and have two corresponding snap studs 136B embedded in panel 102. In the second releasable connection arrangement, two snap sockets 140A are embedded in panel 116 and have two corresponding snap studs 140B extending from panel 102. Put another way, panel 102 of box 100 contains four snap studs 136B, 140B, involved in the one or more releasable connection arrangements. Similarly, two snap sockets 138A are associated with connection panel 114 and having two corresponding snap studs 138B embedded in panel 106. Finally, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, two snap sockets 148A are associated with the connection panel 118 and have two corresponding snap studs 148B associated with panel 106.

[0061] As the box 100 is folded into its three-dimensional configuration, the panels 102 and 106 are rotated relative to panel 104 into a position that is perpendicular to panel 104. That is, panels 102 and 106 may be rotated into a position that is parallel and in opposition to one another. Then, panels 108 and 110 of the second set of panels are rotated relative to panel 104, also into a position that is perpendicular to 104. Panels 108 and 110 may be parallel and in opposition to one another when the box 100 is in its second configuration. The connection panels 112, 114, 116, 118 may then rotate relative to panels 108 and 110, and thereby engage the snap sockets 136A, 138A, 140A, and 148A with the corresponding snap studs 136B, 138B, 140B, and 148B.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 3, the box 100 is illustrated with the first and second sets of panels in the box's 100 second configuration. The box 100 may further include a lid portion 150. The lid portion 150 can be designed to fit the shape of the container portion 151. As seen in FIG. 3, the lid portion 150 can have a top panel 160 that is connected to four side panels 152, 154, 156, 158. The lid portion 150 may be constructed from a single piece of panel material, and be cut or scored along edges 162, 164, 166, 168 to form the side panels 152, 154, 156, 158. In particular embodiments, one or more liner layers formed from a liner or laminate material can be applied to the panel material of the lid portion 150. In particular embodiments, one or more brackets 174, 176, 178, 180 may be added to the corners of the lid portion 150. Additionally, the lid portion 150 may have a height 170 that, when the first and second sets of panels are folded upon one or more other panels, as is the case when the box 100 is in its first configuration, the flattened box 100 can substantially fit inside the lid portion 150.

[0063] With reference to FIG. 4, the box 100 is illustrated in its second configuration with the lid portion 150 attached (i.e. resting on the assembled container portion 181). In particular embodiments, one or more of the panels of the first and second sets of panels can include additional features, such as handles 182 and/or an identification plate 184. With reference to FIG. 5, the lid portion 150 can be seen covering a region of the panels 102 (shown), 106, 108, 110 (not shown) that is roughly equal to the height 170 of the lid portion. With reference to FIG. 6, the box 100 can be seen from below, and illustrates how the lid portion 150 may have a shape corresponding to the size of the container portion 151.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a foldable box 200 is illustrated in accordance with the present disclosure. The foldable box 200 is similar to the foldable box 100, however, in particular embodiments, each of the one or more reliable connection arrangements includes snap sockets 236A, 238A, 240A, and 242A (not visible) and corresponding snap studs 236B, 238B, 240B, and 242B, rather than just two.

[0065] With reference to FIGS. 8-11, still another aspect of the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, the foldable box 300 of the present disclosure may also include one or more removable sets of panels 328. The foldable box 300 may include a first set of panels having a first panel 302, a second panel 304, and a third panel 306. The foldable box 300 may also include a second set of panels having a first panel 308, a second panel 310, and additional connection panels 312, 314, 316, 318.

[0066] In accordance with this aspect of the disclosure, the foldable box 300 may further comprise at least a third set of panels 328 having at least a first panel 330, a first connection panel 332 connected to the first panel 330 along a foldable connector 324, and a second connection panel 334 connected to the first panel 330 along a foldable connector 326. In such embodiments, the first set of panels further includes connection panels 320 and 322 that correspond to the connection panels 332 and 334 of the third set of panels. In particular embodiments, the one or more releasable connection arrangements includes two releasable connection arrangements per additional set of panels. For example, the box 300 includes one additional set of panels 328, and therefore contains two releasable connection arrangements securing the set of panels 328 inside the box 300. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the box 300 can include at least two snap sockets 336A associated with a first panel, and at least two corresponding snap studs 336B associated with a different panel. The box 300 also includes at least two snap sockets 338A associated with another panel, and at least two snap studs 338B associated with still another panel. In some embodiments, the snap sockets 336A and 338A are associated with the connection panels 332 and 334 of the third set of panels, respectively, whereas the snap studs 336B and 338B are associated with connection panels 320 and 322 of the first set of panels. However, in other embodiments, the snap studs 336B and 338B may be associated with the connection panels 332 and 334 of the third set of panels, while the snap sockets 336A and 338A are associated with the connection panels 320 and 322 of the first set of panels.

[0067] With reference to FIG. 9, as the panels 302, 306, 308, and 310 are rotated relative to panel 304, the releasable connection arrangements associated with the connection panels 212, 314, 316, 318 and the first and third panels of the first set of panels 302, 306 may be engaged. The third set of panels 328 may be engaged prior to, simultaneously, or subsequent to the rotation and engagement of the first and second sets of panels.

[0068] With reference to FIG. 10, the foldable box 300 is illustrated with the third set of panels 328 fully engaged with the first set of panels, and with a lid portion 340 showing in an open position. With reference to FIG. 11, the foldable box 300 similarly illustrated (i.e. the box 300 is in its second configuration), and the lid portion 340 is in a closed position (i.e. is resting on the container portion). Such a configuration creates a divider in the box.

[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. In accordance with this embodiment, a foldable box (i.e., container) 400 is shown. The container 400 has a first flat configuration, as seen in FIG. 12. The container 400 can have a first set of panels including a first panel 402, a second panel 404, and a third panel 406. In this embodiment, the first set of panels further includes a fourth panel 408. Each panel of the first set of panels is irreversibly connected to one or more other panels of the first set of panels. The panel 402 is connected to the panel 404 along the foldable connector 414, the panel 404 is connected to the panel 406 along the foldable connector 416, the panel 418 is connected to the panel 408 along the foldable connector 418, and the panel 404 is connected to the panel 402 along the foldable connector 420.

[0070] With reference to FIG. 13, the container 400 also contains a second set of panels including a first panel 410 and a second panel 412. The first panel 410 may be connected to the panel 408 of the first set of panels along the foldable connector 424. The second panel 412 of the second set of panels may be connected to the panel 404 of the first set of panels along the foldable connector 422.

[0071] The container 400 can also include one or more releasable connection arrangements. In particular embodiments, the container 400 may include at least a first releasable connection arrangement comprising at least two snap sockets 426A that are associated with the first panel 410 of the second set of panels, and at least two snap studs 426B that are associated with the second panel 412 of the second set of panels.

[0072] As the container 400 is assembled from its first configuration, panels 402, 404, 406, and 408 are rotated relative to each other until panels 402 and 406 are parallel with each other, panels 404 and 408 are parallel with each other, and panels 402, 406 are perpendicular with panels 404, 408. As a result, the panels 410, 412 can subsequently be rotated relative to panels 408, 404, respectively, to a position perpendicular to panels 404, 408. By rotating the panels 410 and 412, the releasable connection arrangement portions that are associated with those panels 410, 412 can be engaged to secure the foldable container 400 in its second three-dimensional configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 14.

[0073] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.