The present invention relates generally to a single piece container blank and a container formed from the blank that is capable of holding a variety of items.
A typical foldable box is formed from a box blank with folding lines formed therein. The folding lines may include perforations, indentations, slits, scoring, cuts, or any other lines that weaken the integrity of the box blank to enable folding at the weakened lines. Such box blanks are usually cut or stamped from a flat sheet of cardboard. The die used to stamp the blank also scores the blank along selected lines to enable folding of the blank along the scores and, as such, enabling the creation of the finished container. Some examples of known foldable containers include a pizza box and a milk carton.
While these conventional boxes are appropriate for storing and protecting an item during transport, these boxes have limited usefulness, being discarded once the item has been removed. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a container that is aesthetically pleasing, may be customized by a user, as well as is capable of storing and displaying items. It would further be desirable to provide a single piece container blank configured to fold into such a container.
The present invention is directed toward a container blank configured to form a storage/display container. The blank includes a single sheet of material with fold lines disposed at selected locations, forming panels that are selectively foldable into a predetermined configuration. Specifically, the blank forms a container having a pedestal, a tower, and a lid hinged to the tower. The container defines a cavity in which items are selectively stored and accessed. The container, moreover, may resemble a trophy such that it functions as an award given to an award recipient at an award occasion. The container may further house items related to the award occasion, and may be decorated in a manner corresponding to the occasion.
Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.
The blank 10 includes a lid section 100, a tower section 200, and a pedestal or base section 300. The lid section 100 is hinged to the tower section 200 via fold/score line A. Similarly, the tower section 100 is hinged to the pedestal section 300 via fold/score line B. The lid section 100 forms the lid of the container and, in particular, the lid of the tower. The lid section 100 includes a central lid panel 105, a first or left lid panel 110A, a second or right lid panel 110B, and a third or front lid panel 110C. Each panel 110A, 110B, 110C is formed of folding panel portions. Specifically, the left panel 110A includes a proximal or side panel portion 120, an intermediate panel portion 125, and a distal or end panel portion 130. The proximal panel portion 120 is coupled to the central panel portion 105 via fold line A1. The proximal panel portion 120, in turn, is connected to the intermediate panel portion 125 via fold/score line C, and the distal panel portion 130 is connected to the intermediate panel portion 125 via fold/score line D. Similarly, the right panel 110B includes a proximal or side panel portion 120, an intermediate panel portion 125, and a distal or end panel portion 130. The panel portions 120, 125, 130 are similarly hinged via fold lines A1, C, and D, respectively.
The proximal panel portions 120 further include a flap 140 hinged thereto via a fold/score line E. The flaps 140 are captured by portions of the front lid panel 110C when folded, securing the left 110A and right 110B lid panels to the front lid panel, as well as reinforcing the front lid panel. The distal panel portions 130 may also include a pressure tab 135 that frictionally engages the center panel 105 when folded, supporting the wall of the lid when formed. As illustrated, the distal panel portions 130 of the left 110A and right 110B panels may be tapered along their upper edges (from the viewpoint of
The front lid panel 110C includes a proximal panel portion 145 connected to the central panel portion 105 via fold/score line A2, which, in turn, is connected to an intermediate panel portion 150 along fold/score line F. An end or distal panel portion 155 is connected to the intermediate panel portion 150 via fold/score line G. The distal panel portion 155 may further include a pressure tab 160 extending distally from the panel portion similar to that described above.
The tower section 200 folds to define a compartment operable to receive one or more items. As shown, the tower section 200 includes a first or rear tower panel 210, a second or left tower panel 220, a third or front tower panel 230, and a fourth or right tower panel 240. The rear tower panel 210 and the left tower panel 220 are hinged along fold/score line H. The left tower panel 220 and the front tower panel 230 are connected along score line I, while the front tower panel and the right tower panel 240 are connected via score/fold line J. The fourth tower panel 240 is further hinged to a tower end flap 250 via fold line K. The tower end flap 250 may include a fastener that, when folded, engages the interior surface of the rear tower panel 210. The fastener may include, but is not limited to, a double sided adhesive strip (seen in
The rear tower panel 210 may be a generally T-shaped structure, with the top of the “T” hinged to the pedestal section 300. The rear tower panel 210 further includes a first slot 260A and a second slot 260B disposed in spaced relation along fold line B. The slots 260A, 260B are aligned and configured to receive tabs 385A 385B of the pedestal section 300 (discussed in greater detail below).
The shape and dimensions of the tower panels 210, 220, 230, 240 are not particularly limited. As illustrated, the rear tower panel 210 and the front tower 230 panels may have similar lengths, possessing a length greater than that of the left 220 and right 240 tower panels, which are also similarly sized. The bottom edge of the front panel 230, moreover, is sized and shaped to mate with a slot 325 formed in the pedestal section 300 (discussed in greater detail below). While generally rectangular panels are shown, it should be understood other shapes (polygons, circles, etc. may form the tower panels 210, 220, 230, 240.
The pedestal section 300 forms a base operable to support the tower section 200 in a generally upright orientation. As shown, the pedestal section 300 includes a central pedestal panel 305, a first or left pedestal panel 310A, a second or right pedestal panel 310B, and a third or top pedestal panel 315. The central pedestal panel 305 includes a first or left notch 320A and second or right notch 320B generally centrally situated and oriented in opposed relation. The central panel 305 further includes an elongated slot 325 having a median groove 330 and a longitudinal groove 335. As noted above, the longitudinal groove 335 is configured to receive the bottom edge of the front tower panel 230.
The left panel 310A includes a proximal panel portion 340 hinged to the central panel 305 via fold/score line L, an intermediate panel portion 345 hinged to the proximal panel portion 340 via fold/score line M, and an end or distal panel portion 350 connected to the intermediate panel portion 345 via fold/score line N. The distal panel portion 350 may further include a left locking tab 355A operable to mate with the first notch 320A formed into the central panel 305. In addition, the proximal panel portion 340 includes a flap 360 foldable along fold/score line P.
Similarly, the right panel 310B includes a proximal panel portion 340 connected to the center panel 305 via fold/score line L, an intermediate panel portion 345 connected to the side panel portion 340 via fold/score line M, and a distal or end panel portion 350 connected to the intermediate panel portion 345 via fold/score line N. The distal panel portion 350 may further include a right locking tab 355B operable to mate with the second notch 320B formed into the central panel 305. In addition, the side panel portion 340 includes a flap 360 hinged along fold/score line P.
The top panel 315 may possess a generally U-shaped structure having a first arm, a medial portion, and a second arm. Specifically, the top wall 315 includes a proximal panel portion 365 hinged to the central panel 305 via fold/score line Q, an intermediate panel portion 370 hinged to the proximal panel portion 365 via fold/score line S, and a distal panel portion 375 hinged to the intermediate panel portion 370 via score line T. The intermediate 370 and distal 375 panel portions include a cut-out area that defines a first arm 380A and a second arm 380B, each having a tab 385A, 385B extending distally therefrom. The tabs 385A, 385B are aligned with and configured to be received by the first slot 260A and the second slot 260B of the rear tower panel 210, respectively (discussed in greater detail below).
The intermediate panel portion 370 further includes a flap 390 foldable via fold/score line V (i.e., the flap 390 is disposed within the well of the “U”). The flap 390 includes a flap tab 395 aligned with and configured to be received by the elongated slot 325 formed into the center wall 305. Specifically, the flap tab 390 is received within the median groove 330 of the elongated slot 325.
Referring to
Next, the pedestal of the container is formed. Referring to
Similarly, the right pedestal panel 310B is folded to form a right pedestal box. That is, the flap 360 is folded along fold line P such that is oriented generally orthogonal to the proximal panel portion 340. The right pedestal panel 310B is pivoted about fold line L, folding the intermediate panel portion 345 and the distal panel portion 350 about along their respective fold lines M, N. The right locking tab 355B extending distally from the distal panel portion 350 is inserted into the second notch 320B, securely positioning the end panel portion 350 adjacent the right panel 240 of the tower and forming a generally rectangular pedestal box.
Referring to
Next, the lid of the container may be formed. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The resulting container 1100 may be utilized to store/display items. In a particular embodiment, the container may be stylized as a trophy presented in honor of an accomplishment or an occasion reached by the recipient. For example, the exterior surface of the container may be coated with metallic paint or ink. The exterior surfaces of the container may be personalized by having photographs, designs, or holograms relevant to the recipient, imprinted or otherwise placed thereon.
The trophy may serve as a container for items to be given to the trophy recipient. The items in the container typically pertain to the recipient's interests or to an accomplishment achieved by the recipient. For example, for a golfer on the occasion of his/her birthday, or in recognition of a tournament win, the container may be filled with golf balls, tees, golf shoes, gift certificates, etc. By way of further example, for a child's birthday party, the items in the container may be toys, games, candy, clothes, etc.
A conventional type of award symbol, such as a cup, figurine, or plaque, with a theme personalized for the user, may be secured at the top of the container (i.e., to the lid) to signify the occasion and serve as a keepsake for the recipient. The symbol would range in size and height as determined by the occasion.
The blank 10 may be a component of a kit including the blank and a set of instructions that instruct a user on how to form the container from the blank. The kit may further include items suitable to decorate the container/blank, including (but not limited to) markers, glitter, paint, crayons, pencils, inkjet printing, decorative paper, wrapping paper, etc.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the blank 10 may possess any number of panels having any shape and dimensions suitable for its described purpose. The blank 10 may be formed of any suitable material, and the container may be printed or decorated utilizing conventional mechanisms. Similarly, the lid section 100, the tower section 200, the pedestal section 300 may possess any suitable shape or dimensions. Each section 100, 200, 300, moreover, may possess any number of panel portions, slots, grooves, and tabs. For example, while the entire front panel 230 of the tower section is shown to extend into longitudinal groove of the elongated slot 325, the front panel may be include a tab extending distally from the panel, with the longitudinal groove being sized accordingly (e.g., shortened in length to be comparable to the size of the tab). The container 1100 may store/display any number and/or type of items.
Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that terms such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “side”, “height”, “length”, “width”, “upper”, “lower”, “interior”, “exterior”, and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/979,462 filed 12 Oct. 2007 and entitled “Trophy Box and Method of Making Same”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3481453 | Beichler et al. | Dec 1969 | A |
3871520 | Hand | Mar 1975 | A |
4055250 | Mayhew | Oct 1977 | A |
4431128 | Dirico | Feb 1984 | A |
4643349 | Sheffer | Feb 1987 | A |
20040124236 | Howard | Jul 2004 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20090095802 A1 | Apr 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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60979462 | Oct 2007 | US |