Patent Application
20210024247
This disclosure relates to packaging. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a box with a foldable handle.
A box with a handle can be carried with one hand, facilitating its transport by retail customers. However, a handle on a box can interfere with stacking the boxes in a compact way.
It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.
Disclosed is a box comprising: a first pair of opposing side panels; a second pair of opposing side panels connecting the first pair of side panels; a pair of top panels, each top panel joined to one of the side panels of the first pair of opposing side panels; and a handle assembly, the handle assembly comprising: a handle portion, the handle portion attached to one of the pair of top panels, the handle portion comprising a tab at a side end of the handle portion, and a locking panel, the locking panel attached to one of the side panels of the second pair of side panels, the locking panel defining a cut pattern, the cut pattern defining a space therewithin; wherein the space within the cut pattern is configured to receive the tab of the handle portion; and wherein the handle portion is configured to fold from an upright configuration to a folded-down configuration.
Also disclosed is a method of assembling a box, comprising: obtaining a box blank, the box blank comprising: at least four connected side panels; a pair of top panels, the top panels joined to a nonadjacent pair of the side panels; a handle portion, the handle portion attached to one of the top panels, the handle portion comprising a tab at a side end of the handle portion; a locking panel, the locking panel attached to one of the side panels of the pair of side panels, the locking panel defining a cut pattern, the cut pattern defining a space therewithin; folding the blank to form a box cavity defined by the four side panels; folding the top panels toward each other; inserting the tab of the handle portion into the space of the cut pattern of the locking panel; and folding down the handle portion.
A blank for a box comprising: at least two connected side panels comprising a first side panel and a second side panel; a top panel, the top panel joined to the first side panel; a handle portion, the handle portion attached to the top panel, the handle portion comprising a tab at a side end of the handle portion; a locking panel, the locking panel attached to the second side panel, the locking panel defining a cut pattern, the cut pattern defining: a top edge; a corner cut joined to the top edge, the corner cut following a curvilinear slope towards a bottom corner of the locking panel; and a vertical side cut joined to the corner cut, the vertical side cut extending to a fold line between the locking panel and the adjoining side panel.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
The use of the directional terms herein, such as right, left, front, back, top, bottom, and the like can refer to the orientation shown and described in the corresponding figures, but these directional terms should not be considered limiting on the orientation or configuration required by the present disclosure. The use of ordinal terms herein, such as first, second, third, fourth, and the like can refer to elements associated with elements having matching ordinal numbers. For example, a first light bulb can be associated with a first light socket, a second light bulb can be associated with a second light socket, and so on. However, the use of matching ordinal numbers should not be considered limiting on the associations required by the present disclosure.
The box disclosed herein can comprise structure, such as side panels, shoulders, and bottom panels, similar to those described in the following application: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/845,545, filed Dec. 18, 2017, entitled “Modular Box Assembly.” This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Disclosed is a box with a foldable handle and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the box is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom. Terms used in the present disclosure can refer to identical terms in the incorporated references.
The box 101 can comprise a first pair of opposing side panels 112a,b (112b not shown) and a second pair of opposing side panels 122a,b (122a not shown). That is, the box 101 can comprise a first side panel 112a, a second side panel 112b opposed to the first side panel, 112a a third side panel 122a positioned between the first side panel 112a and the second side panel 112b, and a fourth side panel 122b opposed to the third side panel 122a and positioned between the first and second side panels 112a,b. The side panels 112a,b,122a,b can each be a rigid panel. In one aspect, the side panel 112a can be substantially parallel to the side panel 112b, and the side panel 122a can be substantially parallel to the side panel 122b. Each of the first pair of side panels 112a,b can be substantially perpendicular to the second pair of side panels 122a,b. In one aspect, the box 101 can define a rectangular or square cross-sectional shape, as shown in
The second wing 324a can be folded inwards at a hinge 365a and positioned adjacent to an inner side surface 326a of the side panel 122a, and the first wing 312c can be folded at a hinge 370c and positioned adjacent to the second wing 324a. The second wing 324a and the first wing 312c can be secured in position, such as with an adhesive, to form the sub-shoulder 322a. The second wing 324b can be folded inwards at a hinge 365b and positioned adjacent to the inner side surface 326a, and the first wing 312a can be folded at a hinge 370a and positioned adjacent to the second wing 324b. The second wing 324b and the first wing 312a can be secured in position, such as with an adhesive, to form the sub-shoulder 322b.
To form the sub-shoulder 322c of shoulder 222b, the second wing 324c can be folded inward at a hinge 365c and positioned adjacent to an inner side surface 326b of the side panel 122b. The first wing 312d can be folded at a hinge 370d and positioned adjacent to the second wing 324c. The first wing 312d and the second wing 324c can be secured in position, such as with an adhesive, to form the sub-shoulder 322c. To form the sub-shoulder 322d of shoulder 222b, the second wing 324d can be folded inward at a hinge 365d and positioned adjacent to the inner side surface 326b. The first wing 312b can be folded at a hinge 370b and positioned adjacent to the second wing 324d. The first wing 312b and the second wing 324d can be secured in position, such as with an adhesive, to form the sub-shoulder 322d.
The formation of the sub-shoulders 322a-d can also secure each of the first pair of side panels 112a,b to each of the second pair of side panels 122a,b, thereby defining the square or rectangular horizontal cross-section of the box 101. In one aspect, the box 101 can further comprise a bottom panel 306. The bottom panel 306 can be a rigid panel. The bottom panel 306 can be disposed at the bottom end 104 of the box 101, and the bottom panel 306 can be attached to each of the side panels 112a,b,122a,b. The bottom panel 306 can further define the box cavity 206.
In the present aspect, the bottom panel 306 can define a center subpanel 380 disposed substantially at a center of the bottom panel 306. The center subpanel 380 can be substantially rectangular in shape. In the collapsed configuration, the rectangular-shaped center subpanel 380 in one aspect can define a width that matches a thickness of the collapsed box, thereby relieving pressure from the fold lines of the bottom panel 306.
A center fold line 382 such as, for example, a scored crease, can extend between the center subpanel 380 and each side panel 112a,b, and the center fold line 382 can substantially bisect the bottom panel 306, with the exception of within the center subpanel 380. The center fold line 382 can also bisect each side panel 112a,b, as shown and further described with respect to
In one aspect, four corner fold lines 384a-d can extend between the corners of the center subpanel 380 and the hinges 370a-d. For example, a first corner fold line 384a can extend from a first hinge 370a to the center subpanel 380, a second corner fold line 384b can extend from a second hinge 370b to the center subpanel 380, a third corner fold line 384c can extend from a third hinge 370c to the center subpanel 380 and a fourth corner fold line 384d can extend from a fourth hinge 370d to the center subpanel 380.
A plurality of V-shaped fold lines 386a-h can extend between the hinges 370a-d and the center fold line 382. In one aspect, the V-shaped fold lines 386a-d can each extend from the first hinge 370a to the center fold line 382 and then to the second hinge 370b. The V-shaped fold lines 386a-d can be defined between the corner fold lines 384a and 384b. The V-shaped fold lines 386e-h can each extend from the third hinge 370c to the center fold line 382 and then to the fourth hinge 370d. The V-shaped fold lines 386e-h can be defined between the corner fold lines 384c and 384d. In use, the center subpanel 380, the center fold line 382, the corner fold lines 384a-d, and the V-shaped fold lines 386a-h can cooperate to collapse the box 101. Optionally, the center subpanel 380, the center fold line 382, the corner fold lines 384a-d, and the V-shaped fold lines 386a-h can provide the bottom panel with a truncated pyramidal shape when collapsed, as further discussed below with respect to
The second top panel 602b can comprise two securing cuts 610. Each securing cut 610 can define a perimeter 612, the perimeter 612 defined by a fold line 614, a length cut 616 opposite the fold line 618, and two side cuts 620 connecting the length cut 616 and the fold line 614. Each side cut 620 can be curvilinear, such that the side cuts 620 and the fold line 614 form an approximate half circle, wherein the length cut 616 forms a diameter of the half circle. The length cut 616 can be angled with respect to a side edge 622 of the top panel 602b. For example, the length cut 616 and the side edge 622 can form a 45-degree angle.
In one aspect, the box blank 710 can define four corner fold lines 750a-d, such as a scored crease. In other aspects, the box blank 710 can define cuts in place of the corner fold lines 750a-d. A first corner fold line 750a can extend outwards from the bottom panel 306 to separate the first wing 312a from the second wing 324b. A second corner fold line 750b can extend outwards from the bottom panel 306 to separate the first wing 312b from the second wing 324d. A third corner fold line 750c can extend outwards from the bottom panel 306 to separate the first wing 312c from the second wing 324a. A fourth corner fold line 750d can extend outwards from the bottom panel 306 to separate the first wing 312d from the second wing 324c. In the present aspect, the adjacent first wings 312a-d and first wings 324a-d can be hingedly connected by the corner fold lines 750a-d. In other aspects, the corner fold lines 750a-d can be cuts which separate the adjacent first wings 312a-d and second wings 324a-d.
In one aspect, the box blank 710 can further define a first length fold line 712a and a second length fold line 712b extending from the side panel 112a to the side panel 112b. The first length fold line 712a can facilitate folding of the first wing 312a relative to the side panel 112a, the side panel 122a relative to the bottom panel 306, and the first wing 312c relative to the second side panel 112b. The second length fold line 712b can facilitate folding of the first wing 312b relative to the side panel 112a, the side panel 122b relative to the bottom panel 306, and the first wing 312d relative to the side panel 112b.
The box blank 710 can further define a first width fold line 722a and a second width fold line 722b. In one aspect, the width fold lines 722a,b can be substantially perpendicular to the length fold lines 712a,b. The first width fold line 722a can facilitate folding of the second wing 324a relative to the side panel 122a, the side panel 112b relative to the bottom panel 306, and the second wing 324c relative to the side panel 122b. The second width fold line 722b can facilitate folding of the second wing 324b relative to the side panel 122a, the side panel 112a relative to the bottom panel 306, and the second wing 324d relative to the side panel 122b.
The center fold line 382 can extend across and substantially bisect each side panel 112a,b. In one aspect, the center fold line can facilitate each of the side panels 112a,b folding inwards about the center fold line 382 and towards the bottom panel 306 to facilitate collapsing the box 101 as shown in
The handle portion 85a can define a handle cut 726 adjacent to the fold line 604. The handle cut 726 can comprise a top edge 728, two curvilinear top corners 730, and two side edges 732. In some aspects, the handle cut 726 can lack a bottom edge, such as on a first handle cut 726a on the first handle portion 85a of
Approximately halfway down the first side cut 910a, the cut pattern 902 can separate into an inner cut 912 bordering an inner flap 914 and an outer cut 916 outlining a space 918 through which the handle tab 702 (not shown) can be received. Continuing clockwise from a point 920 where the inner cut 912 and the outer cut 916 separate, the inner cut 912 extends horizontally (to the left) along an inner flap bottom cut 922 toward a second side cut 910b. The second side cut 910b can meet a second corner cut 908b, the second corner cut 908b meeting the fold line 906 at a second meeting point 924b opposite a first meeting point 924a where the fold line 906 meets the first corner cut 908a. The inner flap 914 can have reflection symmetry about vertical line 926-926. A segment 928 of the center fold line 382 along line 926-926 can extend from the side panels 112 to the locking panel 84.
Continuing along the outer cut 916 in a clockwise direction (still with respect to
The inner flaps 914 of the locking panels 84 can fold up and inward toward a center 1010 of the box 101. As such, the top hole 904 (shown in
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.
