PACKAGING CONTAINER AND FOLDING METHODS FOR PACKAGING CONTAINER

Abstract

A packaging container for shipping goods is configured for conversion from a shelf configuration into a first packaging configuration by a first folding method, and from the shelf configuration into a second packaging configuration by a second folding method, wherein in the shelf configuration the packaging container is collapsible such that two opposite faces of the packaging container come in direct con-tact with each other, wherein in the first and second packaging configuration the packaging container is configured such that two opposite faces of the packaging container are attached to each other by a dimensionally stable sidepiece, and wherein a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is different from a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the second packaging configuration.

Claims

1. Packaging container for shipping goods, wherein the packaging container is configured for conversion from a shelf configuration into a first packaging configuration by a first folding method, and from the shelf configuration into a second packaging configuration by a second folding method, wherein in the shelf configuration the packaging container is collapsible such that two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration come in direct contact with each other, wherein in the first and second packaging configuration the packaging container is configured such that two opposite faces of the packaging container in the first or second packaging configuration are attached to each other by a dimensionally stable sidepiece, wherein a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is different from a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the second packaging configuration, and wherein in the first packaging configuration the dimensionally stable sidepiece is formed by first outer face parts of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration and/or wherein in the second packaging configuration the dimensionally stable sidepiece is formed by first outer face parts and middle face parts of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration, and wherein each of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration comprises the dimensionally stable first outer face part, the dimensionally stable middle face part, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part, joint to each other be flexible joints.

2. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the packaging container is configured such that in the first packaging configuration and in the second packaging configuration an extent of the packaging container only differs along one dimension.

3. (canceled)

4. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the packaging container is configured such that in the first and/or second packaging configuration the packaging container has essentially a cuboidal shape and comprises three dimensionally stable faces.

5. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the shelf configuration the two opposite faces are circumferentially attached to each other by a flexible sidewall, and/or wherein in the first packaging configuration and/or in the second packaging configuration the two opposite faces are at least in part attached to each other by a flexible sidewall.

6. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a form of the first outer face part and a form of the middle face part are congruent to each other and/or a form of the first outer face part and a form of the middle face part are such that a joint form of the first outer face part and the middle face part attached to each other by a flexible joint is congruent to a form of a second outer face part and/or a width of a flexible sidewall corresponds to a width of the first outer face part and/or the middle face part.

7. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the first packaging configuration the two opposite faces each comprise two dimensionally stable face parts joint to each other by a flexible joint and/or wherein in the second packaging configuration the two opposite faces each comprises one dimensionally stable face part.

8. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the packaging container in the first and/or second packaging configuration is waterproof and/or splash water protected, and/or wherein the packaging container is reusable and/or wherein the packaging container comprises an opening with a reusable closure.

9. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein the packaging container comprises at least one fastening device configured for fastening the packaging container in the first packaging configuration and/or in the second packaging configuration.

10. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein a first fastening device is at least configured to fasten a common edge of the first outer face part and a middle face part of a first face of the two opposite faces to an outer edge of the first outer face part of a second face of the two opposite faces, and/or wherein a second fastening device is at least configured to fasten a common edge of the middle face part and a second outer face part of a first face of the two opposite faces to a common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part of a second face of the two opposite faces.

11. Packaging container according to claim 9, wherein the fastening device is a zipper, a magnetic fastening device, a hook-and-eye closure, a hook-and-loop fastener, and/or a snap fastener.

12. Packaging container according to claim 1, wherein in the first packaging configuration one of the two opposite faces of the packaging container is free of a fastening device within an area of the one face of the packaging container, and/or wherein in the second packaging configuration both opposite faces of the packaging container are free of a fastening device within an area of the faces of the packaging container.

13. Folding method for folding a packaging container from a shelf configuration into a first packaging configuration, wherein the packaging container is configured according to claim 1, comprising the steps of providing the packaging container in the shelf configuration, wherein in the shelf configuration the packaging container is collapsed such that a lower face and an upper face of two opposite faces of the pack-aging container in the shelf configuration come in direct contact with each other, and wherein the lower and the upper faces each comprise a dimensionally stable first outer face part, a dimensionally stable middle face part, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part, joint to each other by flexible joints, forming a dimensionally stable sidepiece by folding the first outer face part of the upper face; towards the lower face, and folding the first outer face part of the lower face over the folded first outer face part of the upper face, such that the first outer face part of the upper face and the first outer face part of the lower face coincide, such that the dimensionally stable sidepiece of the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is formed by the first outer face parts of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration.

14. Folding method for folding a packaging container from a shelf configuration into a second packaging configuration, wherein the packaging container is configured according to claim 1, comprising the steps of providing the packaging container in the shelf configuration, wherein in the shelf configuration the packaging container is collapsed such that a lower face and an upper face of two opposite faces of the pack-aging container in the shelf configuration come in direct contact with each other, and wherein the lower and the upper faces each comprise a dimensionally stable first outer face part, a dimensionally stable middle face part, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part, joint to each other by flexible joints, forming a dimensionally stable sidepiece by bringing the first outer face part of the upper face into direct contact with the middle face part of the lower face such that the outer face part and the middle face part coincide, and folding the first outer face part of the lower face over the first outer face part of the upper face, such that the first outer face part of the lower face coincides with the first outer face part of the upper face, and folding the first outer face part of the lower face, the first outer face part of the upper face, and the middle face part of the lower face together towards the middle face part of the upper face, such that the dimensionally stable sidepiece of the packaging container in the second packaging configuration is formed by the first outer face parts and the middle face parts of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings by way of preferred embodiments.

[0076] In the drawings:

[0077] FIG. 1 shows schematic illustrations of a packaging container in a shelf configuration from different perspectives, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0078] FIG. 2 shows schematic illustrations of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a first packaging configuration from different perspectives,

[0079] FIG. 3 shows schematic illustrations of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a second packaging configuration from different perspectives,

[0080] FIG. 4 shows schematic illustration of a method for folding a packaging container from a shelf configuration into a first packaging configuration, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and

[0081] FIG. 5 shows schematic illustration of a method for folding a packaging container from a shelf configuration into a second packaging configuration, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of a packaging container 10 in a shelf configuration 12 from different perspectives. The packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12 is collapsible such that two opposite faces 14, 16 of the packaging container 10, 12 come in direct contact with each other. In the collapsed state, as shown in FIG. 1b) the packaging container 10, 12 is flat.

[0083] As is shown in FIG. 1a), which shows the two opposite faces 14, 16 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12, each of the two opposite faces 14, 16 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12 comprises a dimensionally stable first outer face part 18, a dimensionally stable middle face part 20, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part 22. The three face parts 18, 20, 22 are joint to each other by flexible joints 24, 26.

[0084] As is also visible in FIG. 1, the two opposite faces 14, 16 are circumferentially attached to each other by a flexible sidewall 28. The flexible sidewall 28 allows that the packaging container 10 is collapsible in the shelf configuration 12. FIG. 1c) shows the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12, with goods packaged inside the packaging container 10. Thus, the two opposite faces 14, 16 are spaced apart and the flexible sidewall 28 is stretched. As is also visible in FIG. 1 the flexible sidewall 28 of the packaging container 10 comprises an opening 30 with a reusable closure 32, in order to fill the packaging container with the goods. In this embodiment the reusable closure 32 is a zipper 32.

[0085] In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the two opposite faces 14, 16 as well as the three face parts 18, 20, 22 have a rectangular form. Furthermore, the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 are congruent to each other. Also, the form of the joint first outer face part 18 and middle face part 20 is congruent to the form of the second outer face part 22.

[0086] Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the first face 14, the second face 16, and the flexible sidewall 28 of the packaging container 10 are made of a soft piece of material. The first face 14 and the second face 16 are each enforced by three cardboard panels, forming the three face parts 18, 20, 22, while the soft material in between the three face parts 18, 20, 22 forms the flexible joints 24, 26. The cardboard panels for the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 are 9.5 cm32 cm, while the cardboard panel for the second outer face part 22 is 20 cm32 cm. In order that the packaging container 10 can be folded along the flexible joints 24, 26, the width of the cardboard panels for the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 is about 0.5 cm smaller than half of the width of the cardboard panel for the second outer face part 22. Thus, the form of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 joint together by the flexible joint 24 is congruent to the form of the second outer face part 22.

[0087] The packaging container 10 is configured for conversion from the shelf configuration 12 into a first packaging configuration 34 (see FIG. 2) by a first folding method (see FIG. 4), and from the shelf configuration 12 into a second packaging configuration 36 (see FIG. 3) by a second folding method (see FIG. 5). In the first and second packaging configuration 34, 36, the packaging container 10 is not collapsible and has a cuboidal shape.

[0088] In order to fasten the packaging container 10 in the first packaging configuration 34 the packaging container 10 comprises a first fastening device 38. In this preferred embodiment, the first fastening device 38 is a zipper 38, configured to fasten the packaging container 10 in the first packaging configuration 34. The zipper 38 is attached to the packaging container 10, such that a common edge 40 of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 of the first face 14 is fastened to an outer edge 42 of the first outer face part 18 of the second face 16.

[0089] In order to fasten the packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36 the packaging container 10 comprises a second fastening device 44. In this preferred embodiment, the first fastening device 44 is a zipper 44, configured to fasten the packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36. The zipper 44 is attached to the packaging container 10 such that a common edge 46 of the middle face part 20 and the second outer face part 22 of the first face 14 is fastened to a common edge 48 of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 of the second face 16.

[0090] When folding the packaging container 10 from the shelf configuration 12 into the first packaging configuration 34 and/or into the second packaging configuration 36, the face parts 18, 20, 22 are folded along the flexible joints 24, 26, which act as folding edges. Afterwards, the fastening devices 38, 44 are closed.

[0091] When folding the packaging container 10 form the shelf configuration 12 into the first packaging configuration 34 the common edge 40 of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 of the first face 14, i.e. the flexible joint 24 which also acts as folding edge along which the first outer face part 18 and/or middle face part 20 can be folded, is fastened to the outer edge 42 of the first outer face part 18 of the second face 16.

[0092] Furthermore, when folding the packaging container 10 form the shelf configuration 12 into the second packaging configuration 36, the common edge 46 of the middle face part 18 and the second outer face part 20 of the first face 14, i.e. the flexible joint 26 which also acts as folding edge along which the middle face part 20 and/or the second outer face part 22 can be folded, is fastened to the common edge 48 of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20i.e. the flexible joint 24 which also acts as folding edge along which the first outer face part 18 and/or the middle face part 20 can be foldedof the second face 16.

[0093] FIG. 2 shows schematic illustrations of the packaging container 10 of FIG. 1 in the first packaging configuration 34 from different perspectives. In the first packaging configuration 34 the packaging container 10 is configured such that two opposite faces 50, 52 of the packaging container 10 are attached to each other by a dimensionally stable sidepiece 54. The dimensionally stable sidepiece 54 is formed by the first outer face parts 18 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12. The two opposite faces 50, 52 are each formed by the middle face part 20 and second outer face part 22 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12. FIG. 2a) shows the packaging container 10 in the first packaging configuration 34 in an empty state lying on the first face 50, and in a state filled with goods. FIGS. 2b) and 2c) show the packaging container 10 in the first packaging configuration 34, when the packaging container 10 stands on the sidepiece 54. In this situation the opening 30 is on the top of the packaging container 10. As is best seen in FIG. 2a) a width 56 of the flexible sidewall corresponds to a width 58 of the first outer face part 18 and/or a width 60 of the middle face part 20.

[0094] FIG. 3 shows schematic illustrations of the packaging container 10 of FIG. 1 in the second packaging configuration 36 from different perspectives. In the second packaging configuration 36 the packaging container 10 is configured such that two opposite faces 62, 64 of the packaging container 10 are attached to each other by the dimensionally stable sidepiece 54. The dimensionally stable sidepiece 54 is formed by the first outer face parts 18 and the middle face parts 20 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12. The two opposite faces 62, 64 are each formed by the second outer face part 22 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12. Thus, the volume enclosed by the packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36 is lower than the volume enclosed by the packaging container 10 in the first packaging configuration 34. FIG. 3a) shows the empty packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36 lying on the face 64, on the left with an open reusable closure 32 and on the right with a closed reusable closure 32. FIG. 3b) shows the packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36, when filled with goods, while FIG. 3c) shows the packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36, standing on the dimensionally stable sidepiece 54.

[0095] When comparing FIGS. 2b) and 3c) it is clear that the packaging container 10 in the first packaging configuration 34 only differs from the packaging container 10 in the second packaging configuration 36 by an extent along one dimensionin FIGS. 2b) and 3c) the height 66 of the packaging container 10. The extent along the other two dimensions are the same.

[0096] FIG. 4 illustrates the folding method for folding the packaging container 10 from the shelf configuration 12 into the first packaging configuration 34, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0097] In the first step of the method, the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12 is provided, such that the first face 14 of packaging container 10 in shelf configuration 12 is upwards, and forms the upper face 14. The upper face 14 of the packaging container 10 is marked with stripes. For comparison FIG. 4 also shows the lower face 16 of the packaging container 10, which is marked with dots.

[0098] Next, the dimensionally stable sidepiece 54 is formed. This is achieved by folding the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 towards the lower face 16. When folding the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 downwards along the common edge 40 of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20, the flexible sidewall 28 is folded over the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16.

[0099] Afterwards the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 is folded over the folded first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14, such that the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 and the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 coincide. When folding the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 upwards over the downwards folded first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14, the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14, the inwards folded flexible sidewall 28 and the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 coincide.

[0100] In the last step of the method the first fastening device 38 is closed.

[0101] FIG. 5 illustrates the folding method for folding the packaging container 10 from the shelf configuration 12 into the second packaging configuration 36, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0102] In the first step of the method, the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12 is provided, such that the first face 14 of packaging container 10 in shelf configuration 12 is upwards, and forms the upper face 14. The upper face 14 of the packaging container 10 is marked with stripes. For comparison FIG. 5 also shows the lower face 16 of the packaging container 10, which is marked with dots.

[0103] Next, the dimensionally stable sidepiece 54 is formed. This is achieved by bringing the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 into direct contact with the middle face part 20 of the lower face 16 such that the outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 coincide. As can be seen in FIG. 5 this step also involves folding the middle face part 20 of the upper face 14 downwards and the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 upwards. When bringing the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 into direct contact with the middle face part 20 of the lower face 16 such that the outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 coincide, the flexible sidewall 28 is folded over the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16.

[0104] In a next step the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 is folded over the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14, such that the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16 coincides with the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14. This folding leads to the situation that the inward folded flexible sidewall 28 is in between the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 and the downwards folded first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16.

[0105] In a next step the first outer face part 18 of the lower face 16, the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14, and the middle face part 20 of the lower face 16 are together folded towards the middle face part 20 of the upper face 14. In this step also the inward folded flexible sidewall 28 in between the first outer face part 18 of the upper face 14 is folded towards the middle face part 20 of the upper face 14.

[0106] In the last step of the method the second fastening device 44 is closed.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0107] Packaging container 10 [0108] Shelf configuration of packaging container 12 [0109] First face of packaging container in shelf configuration, upper face 14 [0110] Second face of packaging container in shelf configuration, lower face 16 [0111] First outer face part 18 [0112] Middle face part 20 [0113] Second outer face part 22 [0114] Joint between first outer face part and middle face part 24 [0115] Joint between middle face part and second outer face part 26 [0116] Flexible sidewall 28 [0117] Opening 30 [0118] Reusable closure, zipper 32 [0119] First packaging configuration 34 [0120] Second packaging configuration 36 [0121] First fastening device, zipper 38 [0122] Common edge of first outer face part and middle face part of first face 40 [0123] Outer edge of first outer face part of second face 42 [0124] Second fastening device, zipper 44 [0125] Common edge of middle face part and second outer face part of first face 46 [0126] Common edge of first outer face part and middle face part of second face 48 [0127] First face of packaging container in first packaging configuration 50 [0128] Second face of packaging container in first packaging configuration 52 [0129] Dimensionally stable sidepiece 54 [0130] Width of sidewall 56 [0131] Width of first outer face part 58 [0132] Width of middle face part 60 [0133] First face of packaging container in second packaging configuration 62 [0134] Second face of packaging container in second packaging configuration 64 [0135] Height 66