Patent Application
20230257160
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved collapsible box or portions thereof for transporting and storing various products, and more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protection of products.
Collapsible boxes are commonly used to provide a convenient storage option that can be easily and compactly stored away when not in use. Collapsible boxes can be designed with materials that are bendable and allow the sides of the box to fold flat into a compact stored position when no longer in use. However, a collapsible box made of bendable materials does not allow for the storage of heavier items. Furthermore, many collapsible boxes do not include a sliding latch to prevent the box from switching between an assembled and collapsed configuration or to secure a lid of the collapsible box. Creating a durable collapsible box with appropriate sliding latches can ensure a stable box configuration.
Moreover, many collapsible boxes do not include a lid to allow for the box to collapse for storage. Other boxes do not include a lid to allow for the stacking of multiple collapsible boxes. However, securing items in a box without a lid can cause issues during transport. Creating a box that is durable and stable, with secure storing and stacking abilities is a challenge.
These and other problems are addressed by the technology disclosed herein.
Accordingly, the inventors of this disclosure have recognized that there is a need for the following solution. Embodiments of the present disclosure address these concerns as well as other needs that will become apparent upon reading the description below in conjunction with the drawings. Briefly described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved collapsible box for storing or transporting various products, and more particularly, for improving the storage, transport, and protection of products.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a collapsible box and method of use. The collapsible box can include a fixed upper frame and a fixed lower frame. The collapsible box can include a first foldable sidewall. The first foldable sidewall can include a first upper section and a first lower section. The first upper section and the first lower section can hingeably connect to each other. The first upper section of the first foldable sidewall can hingeably connect to the fixed upper frame. The first lower section of the first foldable sidewall can hingeably connect to the fixed lower frame. The collapsible box an include a second foldable sidewall. The second foldable sidewall can include a second upper section and a second lower section. The second upper section and the second lower section can hingeably connect to each other. The second upper section of the second foldable sidewall can hingeably connect to the fixed upper frame. The second lower section of the second foldable sidewall can hingeably connect to the fixed lower frame. The collapsible box can include two end walls. Each end wall can hingeably connect to one of the fixed upper frame or the fixed lower frame. The collapsible box can have an assembled configuration wherein the first upper section and the first lower section are substantially coplanar, and the second upper section and the second lower section are substantially coplanar. In some embodiments, the collapsible box can have a collapsed configuration wherein the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, the second lower section, and the two end walls are substantially parallel.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a collapsible box. The collapsible box can include a fixed upper frame and a bottom. The collapsible box can include a first foldable sidewall. The first foldable sidewall can include a first upper section and a first lower section. The first upper section and the first lower section can hingeably connect to each other at a first hinge. The first upper section can hingeably connect to the fixed upper frame. The first lower section can hingeably connect to the bottom. The collapsible box can include a second foldable sidewall. The second foldable sidewall can include a second upper section and a second lower section. The second upper section and the second lower section can hingeably connect to each other at a second hinge. The second upper section can hingeably connect to the fixed upper frame. The second lower section can hingeably connect to the bottom. The collapsible box can include two end walls, wherein each end wall is hingeably connected to one of the fixed upper frame or the bottom. The collapsible box can have a collapsed configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the first upper section and the first lower section are folded at the first hinge and are substantially adjacent and parallel, and the second upper section and the second lower section are folded at the second hinge and are substantially adjacent and parallel. When the two end walls are attached to the fixed upper frame, the two end walls can be substantially adjacent and parallel and rest in a plane above the first foldable sidewall and the second foldable sidewall; when the two end walls are attached to the bottom, the two end walls can be substantially adjacent and parallel and rest in a plane below the first foldable sidewall and the second foldable sidewall.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of making a collapsible box. The method can include connecting a first upper section of a first foldable sidewall to a first lower section of the first foldable sidewall at a first hinge. The method can include connecting a second upper section of a second foldable sidewall to a second lower section of the second foldable sidewall at a second hinge. The method can include connecting the first lower section to a lower frame via a third hinge. The method can include connecting the first upper section to an upper frame via a fourth hinge. The method can include connecting the second lower section to the lower frame via a fifth hinge. The method can include connecting the second upper section to the upper frame via a sixth hinge. The method can include connecting a first end wall to the upper frame via a seventh hinge. The method can include connecting a second end wall to the upper frame via an eighth hinge.
The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings.
Reference now will be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the examples included herein. Before the exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth therein.
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. But it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.
Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.
Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.
Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are explained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however, intended to be limiting.
The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the disclosed technology, for example.
Reference numbers throughout the figures indicate that a particular feature or object is being referred to.
Embodiments of the disclosed technology include a collapsible box for storing or transporting objects. In various embodiments, a collapsible box can provide improvements to protect the integrity of the objects, as well as features that allow a user to more easily store the objects. A collapsible box according to the present disclosure can be used by companies to store items or transport them in a vehicle or by consumers to store items at home or transport items as well.
In some embodiments, the disclosed techniques may be effective in storing and transporting items of various sizes. For example, and not limitation, the collapsible box can include a fixed upper frame, a fixed lower frame, a first foldable sidewall, a second foldable sidewall, and two end walls of different sizes that allow a user to store objects of different shapes and sizes. It will be understood that the collapsible box described herein can be configured to store a variety of products, such as tools, toys, electronics, or any other product.
Various devices and methods are disclosed for providing and using a collapsible box, and exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.
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The collapsible box 100 can further comprising of a first lid piece 115 and a second lid piece 120. The first lid piece 115 and the second lid piece 120 can include a curved side 125 and a second side 130. The curved side 125 of either the first lid piece 115 or the second lid piece 120 can have one or more curves along a width of the lid pieces. The second side 130 can hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame 105, wherein the curved sides 125 of the first lid piece 115 and the second lid piece 120 can interlock with each other into a closed configuration when the first lid piece 115 and the second lid piece 120 are substantially coplanar, e.g., the first lid piece 115 and the second lid piece 120 form an upper face/plane of the collapsible box 100. In some embodiments, at least a portion of one of the first lid piece 115 or the second lid piece 120 can fit under a portion of the other lid piece to interlock with each other.
The first lower section 141 can be hingeably connected to the fixed lower frame 110 via a third hinge 162. The first upper section 140 can be hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame 105 via a fourth hinge 163. The second lower section 151 can be hingeably connected to the fixed lower frame 110 via a fifth hinge 164. The second upper section 150 can be hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame 105 via a sixth hinge 165. A first end wall 155 of the two end walls 155,156 can be hingeably connected to either the fixed upper frame 105 or the fixed lower frame 110 via a seventh hinge 166. A second end wall 156 of the two end walls 155,156 can be hingeably connected to either the fixed upper frame 105 or the fixed lower frame 110 via an eighth hinge 167. When reference is made herein to the two end walls 155,156, it will be understood that the two end walls 155,156 can include either the first end wall 155 or the second end wall 156.
The collapsible box 100 can have a collapsed configuration wherein the first foldable sidewall 135, the second foldable sidewall 145, and the two end walls 155,156 are folded about their respective hinges such that they rest substantially parallel. As shown in
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Aspects of the invention are also provided by the following numbered clauses:
Clause 1. A collapsible box comprising: a fixed upper frame; a fixed lower frame; a first foldable sidewall, the first foldable sidewall comprising a first upper section and a first lower section hingeably connected to each other, the first upper section of the first foldable sidewall hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame, the first lower section of the first foldable sidewall hingeably connected to the fixed lower frame; a second foldable sidewall, the second foldable sidewall comprising a second upper section and a second lower section hingeably connected to each other, the second upper section of the second foldable sidewall hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame, the second lower section of the second foldable sidewall hingeably connected to the fixed lower frame; two end walls, each end wall hingeably connected to one of the fixed upper frame or the fixed lower frame, wherein the collapsible box has an assembled configuration wherein the first upper section and the first lower section are substantially coplanar, and the second upper section and the second lower section are substantially coplanar, wherein the collapsible box has a collapsed configuration wherein the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, the second lower section, and the two end walls are substantially parallel.
Clause 2. The collapsible box of Clause 1, further comprising a first lid piece and a second lid piece, each lid piece comprising a curved side and a second side, the second side hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame, wherein the curved sides of each of the lid pieces can interlock with each other into a closed configuration when the two lid pieces are substantially planar.
Clause 3. The collapsible box of Clause 2, further comprising a sliding latch disposed on at least one of the first lid piece or the second lid piece, wherein the sliding latch can slide into a side aperture in the fixed upper frame to prevent the first lid piece and the second lid piece from changing position.
Clause 4. The collapsible box of Clause 3, wherein, in the collapsed configuration:
the first upper section of the first foldable sidewall and the first lower section of the first foldable sidewall are folded into a substantially parallel position; the second upper section of the second foldable sidewall and the second lower section of the second foldable sidewall are folded into in a substantially parallel position; the two end walls are parallel to the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, and the second lower section and are disposed above or below the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, and the second lower section; and the sliding latch is engaged with the side aperture in the fixed upper frame to keep the collapsible box in the collapsed configuration.
Clause 5. The collapsible box of Clause 2 or Clause 3, wherein the first lid piece comprises a first upper aperture, wherein the second lid piece comprises a second upper aperture, wherein the fixed upper frame comprises a first upward facing tab and a second upper facing tab, and wherein the apertures on the two lid pieces meet with the upward facing tabs on the fixed upper frame.
Clause 6. The collapsible box of any of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein each of the two end walls comprise four first locking features that are sized and shaped to engage with second locking features disposed on each of the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, and the second lower section, wherein the first locking features are a tab or a notch, and the second locking features are a corresponding notch that can engage with the tab or a corresponding tab that can engage with the notch.
Clause 7. The collapsible box of Clause 6, wherein, in the assembled configuration: the first foldable sidewall is in a substantially planar position; the second foldable sidewall is in a substantially planar position; and the two end walls are engaged with the first foldable sidewall and the second foldable sidewall via the first locking features and the second locking features.
Clause 8. A collapsible box comprising: a fixed upper frame; a bottom; a first foldable sidewall, the first foldable sidewall comprising a first upper section and a first lower section hingeably connected to each other at a first hinge, the first upper section hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame, the first lower section hingeably connected to the bottom; a second foldable sidewall, the second foldable sidewall comprising a second upper section and a second lower section hingeably connected to each other at a second hinge, the second upper section hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame, the second lower section hingeably connected to the bottom; and two end walls, wherein each end wall is hingeably connected to one of the fixed upper frame or the bottom, wherein the collapsible box has a collapsed configuration, wherein: the first upper section and the first lower section are folded at the first hinge and are substantially adjacent and parallel; the second upper section and the second lower section are folded at the second hinge and are substantially adjacent and parallel; when the two end walls are attached to the fixed upper frame, the two end walls are substantially adjacent and parallel and rest in a plane above the first foldable sidewall and the second foldable sidewall; and when the two end walls are attached to the bottom, the two end walls are substantially adjacent and parallel and rest in a plane below the first foldable sidewall and the second foldable sidewall.
Clause 9. The collapsible box of Clause 8, further comprising: two lid pieces, each lid piece comprising a curved side and a second side, the second side hingeably connected to the fixed upper frame, wherein the curved sides of each of the lid pieces can interlock with each other in a closed configuration when the two lid pieces are substantially parallel; and a sliding latch on each lid piece, wherein each sliding latch can slide into a side aperture in the fixed upper frame to prevent the lid pieces from changing position from the closed configuration.
Clause 10. The collapsible box of Clause 9, wherein at least a portion of one of the lid pieces fits under a portion of the other lid piece to interlock with each other.
Clause 11. The collapsible box of Clause 10, wherein the fixed upper frame comprises an upward facing stacking tab, wherein the bottom comprising a stacking aperture, and wherein the upward facing tab is sized and shaped to engage the stacking aperture on the bottom of a second collapsible box.
Clause 12. A method of making a collapsible box, the method comprising: connecting a first upper section of a first foldable sidewall to a first lower section of the first foldable sidewall at a first hinge; connecting a second upper section of a second foldable sidewall to a second lower section of the second foldable sidewall at a second hinge; connecting the first lower section to a lower frame via a third hinge; connecting the first upper section to an upper frame via a fourth hinge; connecting the second lower section to the lower frame via a fifth hinge; connecting the second upper section to the upper frame via a sixth hinge; connecting a first end wall to the upper frame via a seventh hinge; and connecting a second end wall to the upper frame via an eighth hinge.
Clause 13. Clause The method of Clause 12, further comprising: forming upward facing stacking tabs on the upper frame; and forming stacking apertures on the lower frame, wherein the upward facing stacking tabs of a first collapsible box can meet with the stacking apertures of a second collapsible box.
Clause 14. The method of Clause 12 or 13, further comprising: connecting a first lid piece to the upper frame via a ninth hinge, the first lid piece comprising a first curved side opposite the ninth hinge; and connecting a second lid piece to the upper frame via a tenth hinge, the second lid piece comprising a second curved side opposite the tenth hinge, wherein the curved sides of each of the lid pieces can interlock with each other into a closed configuration when the two lid pieces are substantially planar.
Clause 15. The method of Clause 14, further comprising inserting a sliding latch on each lid piece, wherein the sliding latches can slide into corresponding side apertures in the upper frame to prevent the lid pieces from changing position.
Clause 16. The method of Clause 14, wherein each lid piece further comprises an aperture, wherein the upper frame comprises an upward facing tab, and wherein the apertures on the two lid pieces meet with the upward facing tabs on the upper frame.
Clause 17. The method of any of Clauses 12 to 16, further comprising: connecting four first locking features on the first end wall with second locking features disposed on each of the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, and the second lower section; and connecting four third locking features on the second end wall with fourth locking features disposed on each of the first upper section, the first lower section, the second upper section, and the second lower section, wherein the first locking features and third locking features are a tab or a notch, and the second locking features and the fourth locking features are a corresponding notch that can engage with the tab or a corresponding tab that can engage with the notch.
Clause 18. The method of any of Clauses 12 to 17, wherein the first foldable sidewall, the second foldable sidewall, the first end wall, and the second end wall comprise plastic.
Clause 19. The method of any of Clauses 12 to 18, further comprising assembling the box into an assembled configuration wherein: the upper first section and the lower first section are substantially planar; and the upper second section and the lower second section are substantially planar.
Clause 20. The method of any of Clauses 12 to 19, further comprising transitioning the box into a collapsed configuration wherein: the first upper section and the first lower section are folded at the first hinge into a substantially parallel position; and the second upper section and the second lower section are folded at the second hinge into a substantially parallel position.
It is to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. It is also to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.
Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.
