Embodiments described generally relate to shipping boxes or containers having adjustable depths.
Shipping containers come in varying sizes and shapes. Some containers have preformed delineations, such as scores, cuts, slits, or perforations that allow a user to more easily tear away an upper portion of the container that is not needed to accommodate the size of its contents. There is a safety concern with these containers, however, because the user typically cuts along the preformed delineations with a sharp blade or “box cutter” to provide a desired height. Another issue with these types of adjustable containers is that these preformed delineations are a point of weakness. So if not used, the preformed delineations can tear or release during transportation, allowing the contents of the package to spill or otherwise expose the contents within the container.
In at least one specific embodiment, an adjustable container is provided that can include a body having at least two sides forming a corner therebetween. At least one delineation can be disposed on the corner that is oriented in a first direction. At least one delineation can be disposed on the corner that is oriented in a second direction, where the second direction forms an angle of 30° or more relative to the first direction.
In at least one embodiment, a box having an adjustable depth is provided that can include at least four vertically oriented sides, a top panel, and a bottom panel. A vertically oriented corner can be formed between every two adjoining sides. At least two generally vertical delineations can be disposed on each corner. At least one delineation can be oriented at an angle of 30° or more relative to the vertical delineations can be disposed on each corner beneath the at least two generally vertical delineations.
In at least one other embodiment, a panel board for making an adjustable container is provided that can include a paperboard substrate having at least one fold line formed thereon. At least one delineation can be oriented in a first direction and disposed on each fold line. At least one delineation can be oriented in a second direction beneath the at least one delineation oriented in the first linear direction, where the second direction can form an angle of 30° or more relative to the first direction.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The first one or more delineations 120 can be straight or generally linear and run generally parallel to one another within the corner. The one or more second delineations 130 also can be linear or can be curved, including c-shaped or u-shaped. When the second delineation 130 is linear, the second delineation 130 can be oriented in a second direction that is angled relative to the first direction of the first delineation 120. For example, the second delineation 130 can form any acute angle, right angle, or obtuse angle with respect to the first direction of the first delineation 120. In a specific embodiment, the second direction of the second delineation 130 forms an angle 132 that is 30° or more relative to the first direction of the first delineation 120, as depicted in
Each delineation 120, 130 can be formed partially in the body 160 or completely through the body 160 of the container. The depth of each delineation 120, 130 can be the same or the depth of each delineation 120, 130 can vary.
Any suitable number of delineations 120, 130 can be used. The pattern and frequency of the delineations 120, 130 can vary. For example, the adjustable container 100 can have a first section or set 122 of 2 to 5 or more delineations 120 above first delineation 130, and a second section or set 124 can have 2 to 5 or more delineations 120 below a second delineation 130. Any suitable number of sections can be used, depending on the original height/depth of the container. The length of each delineation 120 also can vary in each section, as well as the number of delineations 120 in each section. Further, each delineation 120 within each set or section 122, 124 can be equally spaced or not.
The adjustable container 100 can also include at least one scoreline or folding line (four are shown 172, 174, 176, 178), disposed along the interior and/or exterior of side 142, 144, 152, 154 of the adjustable container 100. The folding line 172, 174, 176, 178 can be positioned and spaced in alignment with the delineations 130 at various depths. The folding lines 172, 174, 176, 178 can create a top flap of appropriate size if folded over.
The adjustable container 100 can include a variety of container styles, including, but not limited to, a partial die-cut container or a multi-depth regular slotted container (RSC). For example, the multi-depth RSC can be a box style container created from a single sheet of corrugated board. The sheet can be scored and slotted to permit folding. Flaps (e.g., 102, 104, 106, and 108) extending from side panels (e.g., 142 and 144) and end panels (e.g., 152 and 154) can form the top and bottom (e.g., 110) of the box. The two outer flaps (e.g., 102 and 104) can be one-half the container's width in order to meet at the center of the box when folded.
Shorter containers may not require much height adjustment so fewer delineations 120, 130 may be used. Conversely, taller boxes may utilize numerous delineations 120, 130 that are spaced about to provide greater selectivity, flexibility, or both.
The delineations 120 provide a point of weakness so the corner 101, 103, 105, 107 of the adjustable container 100 where the delineations 120 are located can be readily torn by hand. The delineations 130 significantly reduce or prevent unintended tearing of the container 100 during use, and can provide a guide to provide two or more containers having a consistent height or depth. The delineations 120 can reduce or eliminate the safety risks of using a box cutter, such as an X-ACTO® knife, or other sharp instrument to adjust the height of the container. Although, for higher strength or thicker boxes, stronger delineating may be desired and optionally a knife or other suitable device may be used. The adjustable container 100 can decrease postal shipping costs by decreasing the size of the container, if a smaller container is more desired. The adjustable container 100 can also decrease or eliminate the need for inner packing to restrict its contents from moving during transit if the container is too large for its contents.
In some examples, the adjustable container 100 can be utilized without decreasing the depth. For example, if the desired depth does not require decreasing the initial depth of the adjustable container 100, the top flaps 102, 104, 106, 108 can be folded, closed, and sealed with a sealing tape or glue to form a first container depth. In some examples, the adjustable container 100 can be assembled into the desired depth by separating or tearing apart at least one set, or an uppermost section, of the delineations 120 down to at least a first delineation 130 to form a second container depth. The depth of the adjustable container 100 can be further decreased by separating at least two uppermost sections, or a second set, of the delineations 120 down to at least a second delineation 130 to form at least a third container depth.
In some examples, the delineations 130 can have a length×width dimension of at least 0.25 inches×0.0625 inches, at least 0.375 inch×0.075 inches, at least 0.50 inch×0.0875 inches, at least 0.625 inches×0.1 inches, at least 0.75 inch×0.1125, at least 1 inch×0.125 inches, at least 1.25 inches×0.1375 inches, at least 1.375 inches×0.150 inches, or at least 1.50 inches×0.1625 inches. In other examples, the delineations 130 can have a length×width dimension of less than 0.25 inches×0.0625 inches. In some examples, the adjustable container 100 can have a set or section of delineations 120 that includes at least 2 delineations, at least 3 delineations, at least 4 delineations, at least 5 delineations, at least 6 delineations, at least 7 delineations, or at least 8 delineations. The size of each delineation 120 can vary and can have a length x width dimension of at least 0.25 inches×0.0625 inches, at least 0.375 inches×0.075 inches, at least 0.50 inches×0.0875 inches, or at least 0.625 inches×0.1 inches. In other examples, the dimensions of each delineation 120 can be less than 0.25 inches×0.0625 inches.
In some examples, the at least one delineation 120 can be oriented in a first linear direction that is substantially vertical, and the at least one delineation 130 can be oriented in a second linear direction that forms an angle of 30° or more relative to the first linear direction. The first delineation 120 can include from at least 2 to at least 10 delineations arranged in series. In some examples, the first delineations 120 can include from at least 2 to at least 10 delineations 120 arranged in series, and the second delineation 130 can be located beneath the lowermost first delineation 120. Each delineations 120, 130 can partially or completely penetrate the thickness of the corner 101, 103, 105, 107, depending on the overall height and thickness of the container.
The adjustable container 100 can have any dimensions. For example, the length, width and/or height of the adjustable container 100 each can range from about 2 inches, 3 inches or 4 inches to about 10, 12, or 25 inches. In certain embodiments, the dimensions (length, width and height) of the container can be about 7 inches×4 inches×3.375 inches; at least 9 inches×6 inches×5.625 inches; at least 11.125 inches×8.125 inches×4 inches; at least 13.125 inches×10.125 inches×6 inches; at least 19 inches×8 inches×4 inches; or at least 21 inches×10 inches×6 inches. The thickness of the adjustable container 100 can range from about 0.05 in to about 5 in. For example, the thickness of the adjustable container 100 can range from a low of about 0.10 in, 0.25 in, or 0.5 in to a high of about 0.6 in, 0.8 in, or 3 in. It should be noted that although the depth of the adjustable container 100 is variable, both the length, L, and the width, W, can be fixed dimensions.
The adjustable container 100 can be made of paperboard, corrugated board, or any other suitable fiberboard or combinations thereof. For example, the adjustable container 100 can be made of cardboard, paperboard, or foam board. The board can be non-corrugated, corrugated, or a combination thereof.
In some examples, the adjustable container 100 can be a six-sided box that can be square, rectangular, non-square, or non-rectangular in shape. For example, the box can include at least four vertically oriented sides (e.g., 142, 144, 152, and 154), a top panel, and a bottom panel (e.g., 110). In some embodiments, the box can be polygonal in shape and can include 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more vertical sides. The adjustable box can further include at least two generally vertical delineations (e.g., 120) disposed on each corner (e.g., 101, 103, 105, and 107), and a least one delineation (e.g., 130) disposed in a second direction underneath any one of the vertical delineations 120 to provide a stop.
The panel board 200 can further include one or more top flaps (four are shown) 212, 216, 232, 224; one or more bottom flaps (four are shown) 214, 218, 222, 226; and side panels (four are shown) 242, 244, 246, 248 that can form the sides of an assembled adjustable container. Each segment, section, side panel, end panel, or panel 242, 244, 246, 248 can be defined by a set of boundaries. For example, a first side boundary 208 and/or a second side boundary 210 can extend between an upper boundary 204 and a lower boundary 206. The first side boundary 208 and/or the second side boundary 210 can extend generally perpendicularly between the upper boundary 204 and the lower boundary 206. In some examples, one or more of the fold lines 234, 236, 238, 240 can extend between the upper boundary 204 and the lower boundary 206. As a result, the fold lines 234, 236, 238, 240 can, at least partially, define the one or more segments, sections, side panels, end panels, or panels 242, 244, 246, 248. For example, a first panel 242 can have an outer boundary defined by the first side boundary 208 and/or a first fold lines 234 and a second fold lines 236. A second panel 244 can have an outer boundary defined by the second fold lines 236 and a third fold lines 238. For example, a third panel 246 can have an outer boundary defined by the third fold lines 238 and a fourth fold lines 240. A fourth panel 248 can have an outer boundary defined by the fourth fold lines 240 and the second side boundary 210.
In some examples, the panel board 200 can include at least two sections or sets 220 of delineations 120 disposed along at least one fold line 234, 236, 238, 240. Each set or section 220 can include any suitable number of delineations 120. The number of delineations 120 can vary in each set 220 or each set 220 can have the same number of delineations 220. The number of delineations 120 in each set 220 can be, for example, 1 to 10 or more. When multiple delineations 120 are used, the delineations 120 can be arranged in series, arranged linearly or arranged at least in a generally straight line. In some embodiments, each delineation 120 can have a generally longitudinal axis oriented in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the upper boundary 204 and the lower boundary 206 of the panel board 200.
As explained above, the second delineation 130 can be located and oriented at an angle beneath each set 220 of first delineations 120. The delineation 230 can be a straight line, curved, u-shaped or c-shaped so as to create a stop or resistance angle beneath the first delineations 120. The panel board 200 can also include at least one tab 250 that can be glued or secured by other means to an opposing side boundary (e.g., 210) to further secure a closed configuration of the adjustable container.
In some examples, the panel board 200 can have a size of at least 7.875 inches×27.75 inches, at least 9.875 inches×29.75 inches, at least 11.875 inches×31.75 inches, at least 12.375 inches×44.25 inches, at least 14.375 inches×46.25 inches, at least 16.375 inches×48.25 inches, at least 12.25 inches×59.75 inches, at least 14.25 inches×61.75 inches, or at least 16.25 inches×63.75 inches. In other examples, the size of the panel board 200 can be less than 7.875 inches×27.75 inches.
The panel board 200 can be made of one or more sheets, layers, or panels, of any suitable material, e.g., a fiberboard including paperboard, corrugated board, or any combination thereof. For example, the panel board 200 can be made of cardboard, paperboard, foam board, or other suitable material. A method for producing the panel board 200 can include cutting the panel board 200 from a larger sheet of material, or the panel board 200 can be assembled from a plurality of sheets of material.
The material for making the panel board 200 can include a single sheet or two or more layered sheets. The sheets can be flat, non-corrugated sheets, corrugated sheets, or a combination thereof. In one or more examples, the panel board 200 can be a corrugated linerboard made of a paperboard material having a first side, a second side, and a thickness determined by a distance between the first and second side. The panel board 200 can be a corrugated panel board that can include at least a first paperboard layer, a second paperboard layer, and a corrugated layer disposed between the first paperboard layer and the second paperboard layer. The corrugated panel board can include a first corrugated linerboard, a second corrugated linerboard, and a corrugated medium disposed therebetween. The corrugated medium can be bonded to the first and/or second linerboards by any suitable methods. For example, an adhesive can be used and located at the tips of the flutes of the corrugated medium to bond the first and/or the second linerboards to the corrugated medium.
In one or more examples, the material of the panel board 200 can have any suitable basis weight. In one or more examples, one or more adhesives can be disposed on the panel board 200 at any suitable location or combination of locations to provide, at least in part, adhesive bonding. For example, an adhesive can be disposed on the tab 250 and can be used to secure the first side boundary 208 to the second side boundary 210.
Embodiments described herein further relate to any one or more of the following paragraphs:
1. An adjustable container comprising: a body having at least two sides forming a corner therebetween; at least one delineation disposed on the corner that is oriented in a first direction; and at least one delineation disposed on the corner that is oriented in a second direction, wherein the second direction forms an angle of 30° or more relative to the first direction.
2. The adjustable container of paragraph 1, wherein the at least one delineation disposed on the corner that is oriented in the first direction is a cut, score, crease, fold, or perforation.
3. The adjustable container of paragraph 1 or 2, wherein the at least one delineation disposed on the corner that is oriented in the second direction is a cut, score, crease fold, or perforation.
4. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-3, wherein each delineation has a length of at least 0.25 inches.
5. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-4, wherein the at least one delineation oriented in the first direction is substantially linear.
6. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-5, wherein the first direction forms an acute angle, right angle, or obtuse angle with respect to the second direction.
7. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-6, wherein 2 to 10 delineations are oriented in the first direction and arranged in series.
8. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-7, wherein 2 to 10 delineations are oriented in the first direction and arranged in series, and the at least one delineation oriented in the second linear direction is located beneath the lowermost delineation oriented in the first direction.
9. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-8, wherein each delineation only partially penetrates the thickness of the corner.
10. The adjustable container of any one of paragraphs 1-9, wherein each delineation penetrates the thickness of the corner.
11. A box having an adjustable depth, comprising: at least four vertically oriented sides; a top panel; a bottom panel; a vertically oriented corner formed between every two adjoining sides; at least two generally vertical delineations disposed on each corner; and at least one delineation oriented at an angle of 30° or more relative to the vertical delineations that is disposed on each corner beneath the at least two generally vertical delineations.
12. The box of paragraph 11, wherein each delineation has a length of at least 0.25 inches.
13. The box of paragraphs 11 or 12, wherein the at least two generally vertical delineations comprise 2 to 10 delineations arranged in series.
14. The box of any one of paragraphs 11-13, wherein at least one of the at least two generally vertical delineations penetrates the thickness of the corner.
15. The box of any one of paragraphs 11-14, wherein the angle of 30° or more relative to the vertical is +30° or more, or −30° or more, relative to the vertical.
16. A panel board for making an adjustable container, comprising: a paperboard substrate having at least one fold line formed thereon; at least one delineation oriented in a first direction and disposed on each fold line; and at least one delineation oriented in a second direction beneath the at least one delineation oriented in the first linear direction, wherein the second direction forms an angle of 30° or more relative to the first direction.
17. The panel board of paragraph 16, wherein each delineation has a length of about 0.25 inches or more.
18. The panel board of paragraphs 16 or 17, wherein the paperboard substrate comprises at least one corrugated layer.
19. The panel board of any one of paragraphs 16-18, wherein the paperboard substrate is made of corrugated cardboard.
20. The panelboard of any one of paragraphs 16-19, wherein the at least one delineation oriented in the first linear direction comprises 2 to 10 delineations that are linearly arranged in series.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.