Convertible box

Abstract

A type of box comprising at least five walls yet with the capability of having the appearance of a square box, with a convertible corner feature that allows conversion of a diagonal wall to a square corner for carrying extra items, and with sloping side walls that allow multiple blanks to be inverted and mated for material savings. Also disclosed is a method for partially folding and nesting the box for conserving storage space used for set up boxes and a method for expanding and contracting the size of the inner cavity of the box.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to boxes and blanks made of foldable material and, in particular, to boxes for relatively flat food products such as pizza and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In the pizzeria industry, the cost of the box for delivery and carry-out pizza is a substantial part of the total cost of the product and, therefore, a concern of many pizza companies. The main cost component of corrugated pizza boxes is the material consumed in making the blank. To achieve a minimum amount of material consumption during manufacture of blanks, a blank should be capable of inverted mating or nesting during manufacture of multiple blanks. In addition, it should eliminate any unnecessary material, thereby resulting in a blank of shorter end-to-end and side-to-side dimensions.

In addition, many consumers are concerned about wasteful consumption of natural resources. To achieve good relations with environmentally-conscious customers, many pizza companies would benefit from a box that conserves a maximum amount of material and, therefore, natural resources.

Further, a box must meet the performance requirements of pizza companies. Some of those companies want to contain the product on eight sides so as to reduce slice separation during transit. In addition, some also desire to have at least one square corner on a box for accommodating storage of an extra item, such as a small cup of sauce or a packet of spices. To provide a box that includes eight side walls plus a square corner for carrying an occasional extra item, a means is needed whereby a diagonal wall can be converted to a square corner, and vice versa. Further, while an octagon box provides certain performance advantages, some pizza companies prefer the appearance of a square box or, specifically, the looks of a square cover. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a box that has eight side walls yet has a square cover and full-length rectangular front and rear wall panels, thereby giving the box a square appearance.

Further, some companies might like to have a box with eight rigid walls, to provide maximum product containment, and also like to be able to cut the pizza in the box. However, an eight-sided box with rigid walls does not have enough room within the inner cavity of the box to allow in-box cutting. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an eight-sided box that has walls that can be easily moved from an inward position to an outward position, thereby allowing in-box pizza cutting, and then easily moved back to the inward position to contain the product.

Finally, many pizza companies pre-fold, or set up, pizza boxes one or more days ahead of usage. As a result, a typical pizzeria can have hundreds of set up boxes within the store. This consumes considerable storage space. So, it would be beneficial to have a means for reducing the amount of storage space required by set up boxes.

In recent years several octagon-shaped pizza box designs have been invented. In addition, a couple six-sided designs have occurred as well. Examples include Zion et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,534 granted on Aug. 23, 1988, Zion et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,734 granted on Jan. 15, 1991, Deiger U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,374 granted on Mar. 19, 1991, Bradley et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,062 granted on Dec. 10, 1991, Philips U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,039 granted on May 5, 1992, and Patton U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,329 granted on May 18, 1993. However, none of the prior art has adequately solved the above-described problems, but my invention does.

In conclusion, it would be highly desirable to provide an octagon box that overcomes the above-described problems and disadvantages.

OBJECT AND ADVANTAGES

Accordingly, the object of my invention is a type of pizza box that does one or more of the following: (1) can be manufactured using a minimum amount of material per blank (i.e., can be produced in multiple blanks in inverted mating configuration), (2) encloses the product on five or more sides yet has a convertible corner means that can provide space for storing an extra item, (3) has a bottom panel configuration that can provide full-length rectangular front and rear walls and a square cover, (4) has at least one wall that can be easily moved from an inward position to and outward position, and back again, and (5) can be partially folded and nested to conserve storage space.

The advantages of my invention are as follows:

1. Reduced packaging cost for pizza companies.

2. Maximum product containment and reduced slice separation in transit; reduced customer complaints.

3. Space for carrying an extra item in an eight-sided box.

4. A square cover and appearance of a square box.

5. Opportunity to use in-box pizza cutting with an eight-sided box with rigid walls.

6. Less space required to store set up boxes.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, related drawings, and appended claims, all of which form a part of this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a box is created that can incorporate one or more of four unique components, each component solving one or more problems and providing a number of advantages.

The first component is a special configuration of bottom panel that can accommodate five or more walls yet provide full-length front and rear walls and a square cover. This enables a pizza company to have the product containment of a pentagon, hexagon, or octagon box while having the aesthetic advantages of a square box.

The second component is side walls with a top edge that slopes downward toward the front or rear wall of the box. This allows for shorter front and rear walls, thereby reducing the amount of board used to make the box and also enabling multiple blanks to be inverted and mated during manufacture for material savings.

The third component is a convertible corner that enables a diagonal side wall to be converted to a square corner, and vice versa, thereby enabling a pizza company to carry an extra item in an eight-sided box.

The fourth component is a rectangular front or rear wall positioned adjacent to an obliquely angled wall, in which the length of the front or rear wall is equal to the width of the box. This enables a pizza company to have the product containment of a hexagon or octagon box while having more of the aesthetic appearance of a square box.

In addition, I disclose a structure, and a method that can be used with that structure, for partially folding and nesting boxes. Finally, I disclose a structure, and a method that can be used with that structure, for expanding and contracting the size of the inner cavity of a box.

The box is typically used for packaging relatively flat food products such as pizza and the like; however, it can serve other purposes, as well. A complete understanding of the invention can be obtained from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for making the box of the first preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the box formed from the blank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank for making the box of the second preferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box formed from the blank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of two blanks of FIG. 1 shown side-by-side in cutting die arrangement.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of two blanks of FIG. 3 shown side-by-side in cutting die arrangement.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of box 14 partially folded or erected, ready for nesting.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a section of bottom panel showing a curved connector edge.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a section of bottom panel showing another variation of curved connector edge.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a section of bottom panel showing a connector edge comprised of two adjoining straight edges.

FIG. 11 is plan view of a section of bottom panel showing another variation of a connector edge comprised of two adjoining straight edges.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a section of bottom panel showing a connector edge comprised of two adjoining curved edges.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a section of bottom panel showing a connector edge comprised of a straight edge adjoining a curved edge.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of two units of box 14 partially folded and nested together.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Within a drawing, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes. Between drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts.

11 blank of first preferred embodiment 11a first blank 11b second blank 12 box of first preferred embodiment 13 blank of second preferred embodiment 13a first blank 13b second blank 14 box of second preferred embodiment 30 bottom panel 31 front edge 32 rear edge 33 left side edge 34 right side edge 35a folder edge 35b folder edge 35c folder edge 35d folder edge 36a connector edge 36b connector edge 36c connector edge 36d connector edge 37a first diagonal wall edge 37b second diagonal wall edge 39a first set of corner-forming edges 39b second set of corner-forming edges 39c third set of corner-forming edges 39d fourth set of corner-forming edges 40a first hinge panel 40b second hinge panel 40c third hinge panel 40d fourth hinge panel 41a first angular side wall 41b second angular side wall 41c third angular side wall 41d fourth angular side wall 42a bottom edge 42b bottom edge 42c bottom edge 42d bottom edge 43 left side wall 44 right side wall 45 fold line 46 fold line 47 fold line 48 fold line 49a top edge 49b top edge 49c top edge 49d top edge 51 front wall 52 rear wall 53 flap 55 fold line 56 cover interlock slot 60 cover 61 left side flap 62 right side flap 63 fold line 64 fold line 65 front flap 66 fold line 71 fold line 72 fold line 73 folded portion 75 left diagonal flap 76 right diagonal flap 77 fold line 78 fold line 80 front end edge of blank 82 rear end edge of blank 91a first diagonal side wall 91b second diagonal side wall 92a first inner panel 92b second inner panel 93a top edge 93b top edge 94a cover interlock opening 94b cover interlock opening 95 flap 96 flap 97 flap 98 flap 101 fold line 102 fold line

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There are two preferred embodiments and they both involve a box with eight walls consisting of a rear wall, front wall, left and right side walls, and first, second, third, and fourth angular, or diagonal, side walls.

It will be appreciated, as the description proceeds, that I am disclosing three special components: (1) a special configuration of bottom panel that can accommodate eight walls yet provide full-length rectangular front and rear walls and a square cover, (2) mating configuration for multiple blanks with sloping side walls, and (3) a convertible corner that enables an angular side wall to be converted to a square corner, and vice versa. In addition, my invention provides a structure that allows for nesting partially set up boxes, allows for converting a diagonal wall to a square corner, and allows for expanding and contracting the size of the inner cavity of a box. It will also be appreciated that my invention may be realized in different embodiments and may be used in other applications.

There is illustrated a first preferred embodiment of the invention in a one-piece blank 11 made of corrugated paperboard (FIG. 1) and, correspondingly, a box 12 created from the blank (FIG. 2). Following that, a second preferred embodiment is illustrated in a one-piece blank 13 made of corrugated paperboard (FIG. 3) and a box 14 created from the blank (FIG. 4).

Description of the First Embodiment

The following discussion describes blank 11, however, because the blank becomes box 12, by extrapolation the discussion also applies to box 12. To begin, blank 11 and, correspondingly, box 12 has a bottom panel 30. Panel 30 has a front edge 31, opposing rear edge 32, left side edge 33, and right side edge 34. In addition, bottom panel 30 has first, second, third, and fourth sets of corner-forming edges 39a, 39b, 39c, and 39d, respectively. Each set of corner-forming edges comprises a folder edge and a connector edge. Specifically, sets 39a-d comprise folder edges 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d, respectively, along with connector edges 36a, 36b, 36c and 36d, respectively. Each folder edge extends from an end of an adjacent left edge 33 or right edge 34 toward and part way to front edge 31 or rear edge 32. Each connector edge extends from an end of a folder edge to an end of edge 31 or 32.

Left and right side walls 43 and 44, respectively, are hingedly attached to edges 33 and 34, respectively.

A front wall 51 is hingedly attached to edge 31 and a rear wall 52 is hingedly attached to edge 32. A flap 53 is hingedly attached to wall 51 at a fold line 55 and there is a cover interlock slot 56 disposed along fold line 55. A cover 60 is hingedly attached to a top edge of wall 52 at a fold line 54. Left and right side flaps 61 and 62 are hingedly attached to left and right sides of cover 60 at fold lines 63 and 64, respectively. A front flap 65 is hingedly attached to cover 60 at a fold line 66.

First, second, third, and fourth hinge panels 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d, respectively, are hingedly attached to folder edges 35a -d, respectively. It is noted that each of hinge panels 40a-d has three edges: the first edge being defined by folder edges 35a-d, respectively, the second edge being defined by the fold line that connects the panel to walls 41a-d, respectively, and the third edge being defined by connector edges 36a-d, respectively, which are free from attachment.

First, second, third, and fourth angular side walls 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d, respectively, are hingedly attached to panels 40a-d, respectively, at bottom edges 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d, respectively. Angular side walls 41a and 41b are hingedly attached to the rear end of walls 43 and 44, respectively, at fold lines 45 and 46, respectively. Similarly, angular side walls 41c and 41d are hingedly attached to the front end of walls 43 and 44, respectively, at fold lines 47 and 48, respectively. For orientation purposes, it is noted that the front ends of walls 41a and 41b are the ends that are adjacent walls 43 and 44, respectively, and the rear ends are the ends adjacent rear wall 52. Similarly, it is noted that the rear ends of walls 41c and 41d are the ends that are adjacent walls 43 and 44, respectively, and the front ends are the ends adjacent front wall 51. Walls 41a and 41b have top edges 49a and 49b, respectively, which slope downward as they proceed from front to rear. Similarly, walls 41c and 41d have top edges 49c and 49d, respectively, which slope downward as they proceed from rear to front. As such, it is noted that the top and bottom edges of each of walls 41a-d are non-parallel and that there is a lesser distance between the top and bottom edges at the rear ends of walls 41a and 41b than at the front ends and there is a lesser distance at the front ends of walls 41c and 41d than at the rear ends.

A fold line 71 extends from top edge 49a to bottom edge 42a in wall 41a and, similarly, a fold line 72 extends from top edge 49b to bottom edge 42b in wall 41b. It is noted that fold lines 71 and 72 divide walls 41a and 41b into two portions-which, in the claims, are referred to as a body portion and an end portion, the end portion being adjacent rear wall 52.

Blank 11 has front and rear end edges 80 and 82, respectively, which are furthermost extremities of the blank. During manufacture of blanks, edge 80 of one blank is aligned with edge 82 of an adjacent blank.

The procedure for folding or setting up box 12 from blank 11 will now be explained. It will be described as if one person were giving directions to another. Simultaneously fold walls 41a and 41b partially upright and repeat the process with walls 41c and 41d. Simultaneously fold walls 43 and 44 upright and hold them there. This automatically folds walls 41a-d upright as well. While holding walls 43 and 44 upright and with cover 60 position against the body, roll the box over so it bends at fold line 32, until you can grasp flaps 61 and 62 and then tuck them to the inside of walls 43 and 44. Then fold wall 51 upright and fold flap 53 inward and, finally, tuck flap 65 into slot 56. When completed, hinge panels 40a-d overlie a portion of bottom panel 30.

Extra space in the box can be created by converting either of walls 41a or 41b into a square corner. Using wall 41b as an example, this would be accomplished by the following procedure. Starting with a pre-folded box and with the cover open, push wall 41b outward to a coplanar position with wall 44. In doing this, panel 40b would change position from overlying bottom panel 30 to being coplanar with bottom panel 30. Then fold the rear end of wall 41b inward at fold line 72, thereby creating an angled end portion 73 at the rear end of the wall, which is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Then reclose the box, thereby enclosing the end portion inside of the box and positioning it adjacent and parallel to rear wall 52. FIGS. 2 and 4 show boxes 12 and 14, respectively, with a corner formed in wall 41b. However, if no corner were formed, wall 41b would be disposed at an oblique angle to wall 44, similar to the way wall 41a is disposed to wall 43.

Description of the Second Embodiment

The following discussion describes blank 13, however, because the blank becomes box 14, by extrapolation the discussion also applies to box 14.

To begin, blank 13 and, correspondingly, box 14 has a bottom panel 30. Panel 30 has a front edge 31, opposing rear edge 32, left side edge 33, and right side edge 34. It also has first and second diagonal wall edges 37a and 37b, respectively. Finally, bottom panel 30 has first and second sets of corner-forming edges 39a and 39b, respectively. Each set of corner-forming edges comprises a folder edge and a connector edge. Specifically, sets 39a and 39b comprise folder edges 35a and 35b, respectively, along with connector edges 36a and 36b, respectively. Edge 35a extends from a rear end of left edge 33 toward and part way to rear edge 32. Edge 35b extends from a rear end of right edge 34 toward and part way to rear edge 32. Edge 36a extends from an end of edge 35a to the left end of edge 32. Edge 36b extends from an end of edge 35b to the right end of edge 32.

Left and right side walls 43 and 44, respectively, are hingedly attached to edges 33 and 34, respectively. Flaps 95 and 96 are hingedly attached to the front end of walls 43 and 44, respectively, at fold lines 47 and 48, respectively.

A front wall 51 is hingedly attached to edge 31 and a rear wall 52 is hingedly attached to edge 32. Flaps 97 and 98 are hingedly attached to the left and right ends, respectively, of wall 51 at fold lines 101 and 102, respectively. A cover 60 is hingedly attached to a top edge of wall 52 at a fold line 54. Left and right side flaps 61 and 62 are hingedly attached to left and right sides of cover 60 at fold lines 63 and 64, respectively. Left and right diagonal flaps 75 and 76, respectively, are hingedly attached to left and right diagonal edges of cover 60 at fold lines 77 and 78, respectively.

First and second hinge panels 40a and 40b, respectively, are hingedly attached to folder edges 35a and 35b, respectively.

First and second angular side walls 41a and 41b, respectively, are hingedly attached to panels 40a and 40b, respectively, at bottom edges 42a and 42b, respectively. Walls 41a and 41b are hingedly attached to the rear end of walls 43 and 44, respectively, at fold lines 45 and 46, respectively. For orientation purposes, it is noted that the front ends of walls 41a and 41b are the ends that are adjacent walls 43 and 44, respectively, and the rear ends are the ends adjacent wall 52. Walls 41a and 41b have top edges 49a and 49b, respectively, which slope downward as they proceed from front to rear. As such, it is noted that the top and bottom edges of each of walls 41a and 41b are non-parallel and that there is a lesser distance between the top and bottom edges at the rear ends than at the front ends.

A fold line 71 extends from top edge 49a to bottom edge 42a in wall 41a and, similarly, a fold line 72 extends from top edge 49b to bottom edge 42b in wall 42b.

First and second diagonal side walls 91a and 91b are hingedly attached at their bottom edge to edges 37a and 37b, respectively. Therefore, in the drawings, the dashed lines indicated by 37a and 37b also define the location of the bottom edges of walls 91a and 91b, respectively. First and second inner panels 92a and 92b, respectively, are hingedly attached to top edges 93a and 93b, respectively, of walls 91a and 91b, respectively. Contained within walls 91a and 91b are cover interlock openings 94a and 94b, respectively. For orientation purposes, it is noted that the rear ends of walls 91a and 91b are the ends that are adjacent walls 43 and 44, respectively, and the front ends are the ends adjacent wall 51. Top edges 93a and 93b slope downward as they proceed from rear to front. As such, it is noted that the top and bottom edges of each of walls 91a and 91b are non-parallel and that there is a lesser distance between the top and bottom edges at the front ends of walls 91a and 91b than at the rear ends.

Blank 13 has front and rear end edges 80 and 82, respectively, which are furthermost extremities of the blank. During manufacture of blanks, edge 80 of one blank is aligned with edge 82 of an adjacent blank.

The procedure for folding or setting up box 14 from blank 13 will now be explained. It will be described as if one person were giving directions to another. Simultaneously fold walls 41a and 41b partially upright. Fold walls 43, 44, and 51 to an upright position. Fold walls 91a and 91b upright and then fold panels 92a and 92b down until they lock into place thereby creating double-panel diagonal walls which enclose flaps 95 and 96. This automatically holds walls 51, 43, 44, 41a, and 41b upright. Fold the box over until you can grasp flaps 61 and 62 and then tuck them to the inside of walls 43 and 44. Then, while the cover is still partially open, fold flaps 75 and 76 inward and tuck them into openings 94a and 94b, respectively, and finish closing the cover.

Box 14 has a convertible corner on walls 41a and 41b which works the same as described for box 12.

Variations of Connector Edges

The preferred embodiments show a preferred configuration for connector edges 36a-d, which happens to be a straight edge. However, other configurations are possible, including curved, jagged, arcuate, curvilinear, and combinations of adjoining edges such as two adjoining straight edges, two adjoining curved edges, and a straight edge adjoining a curved edge. Examples of some of these configurations are shown in FIGS. 8-13. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a curved connector edge. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a connector edge comprising two adjoining straight edges. FIG. 12 shows a connector edge comprising two adjoining curved edges. FIG. 13 shows a connector edge comprising a straight edge adjoining a curved edge.

Procedure for Expanding and Contracting the Size of the Inner Cavity

As can be seen by comparing box 14 of FIG. 4 to that of FIG. 7, angular side walls 41a and 41b can assume two positions: an inward position and an outward position. Using wall 41a as an example, the inward position, wall 41a is disposed at an oblique angle to wall 43 and hinge panel 40a overlying bottom panel 30. In the outward position, wall 41a is disposed coplanar with wall 43 and panel 40a is coplanar with bottom panel 30. The inward position is shown in FIG. 4 and the outward position is shown in FIG. 7. When moved from the inward position to the outward position, the size of the inner cavity of the box is expanded. Conversely, when moved from the outward position to the inward position, the size of the cavity is contracted.

To allow in-box pizza cutting, a special procedure can be used with box 14. The procedure is as follows. Starting with a folded box and with walls 41a and 41b in the inward position, open the cover of the box. Then move walls 41a and 41b to the outward position by folding hinge panels 40a and 40b to a coplanar position with bottom panel 30. Place the pizza into the box and, if desired, cut it. Finally, to close the box, move walls 41a and 41b back to the inward position by folding panels 40a and 40b to overlie bottom panel 30.

Procedure for Partially Erecting and Nesting Boxes

To conserve space normally allocated to storing folded boxes, a special procedure can be used with box 14, as illustrated with FIGS. 7 and 14. The procedure involves partially erecting the blank into box, then nesting multiple boxes together for storage, and then unnesting them and fully erecting them into boxes when needed for use. The procedure is as follows. Fold walls 43, 44, and 51 to upright position. Fold walls 91a and 91b to upright position and then fold panels 92a and 92b down until they lock into place. Walls 43, 44, 91a, 91b, and 51 will now be locked upright. In addition, walls 41a and 41b will be upright and extending coplanar off the rear ends of walls 43 and 44, respectively, or in the outward position. At this point, the box is now ready for nesting. This configuration is shown in FIG. 7.

To continue, place the partially folded box onto a table. Fold a second blank following the above procedure. Then, to store it, set it on top of the first box and nest the two together. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 14. This is repeated until a stack of nested partially fold boxes is created. They are then stored. When needed for use, a partially folded box is pulled from the stack and, to complete the folding, walls 41a and 41b are simultaneously pushed inward, which will cause hinge panels 40a and 40b to change from a coplanar position with bottom panel 30 to overlying panel 30, and, as a result, will move walls 41a and 41b to the inward position, or at an oblique angle to walls 43 and 44, respectively.

Manufacture of Mating Blanks

As previously noted, blanks 11 and 13 can be manufactured in inverted mating configuration, or with two or more blanks disposed side-by-side and oriented at one hundred eighty degrees from each other and nested together. For maximum savings, the end edges of adjacent blanks must align. FIG. 5 shows first and second blanks 11a and 11b, respectively, (which are copies of blank 11) in inverted mating configuration. Similarly, FIG. 6 shows first and second blanks 13a and 13b, respectively (which are copies of blank 13).

Blanks 11 and 13 have front and rear end edges 80 and 82, respectively, which are the furthermost extremities of the blank. During manufacture of blanks, edge 80 of one blank is aligned with edge 82 of an adjacent blank, thereby reducing material usage to a minimum.

it is noted that in the inverted matin configuration, a rear angular side wall of the first blank is disposed adjacent to the corresponding angular side wall of the second blank. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the corresponding angular side walls happen to be 41b (not marked in FIGS. 5 and 6 but shown in FIGS. 1 and 3). Finally, it is noted that the position of the blanks can be reversed, whereupon the corresponding angular side walls would then be 41a.

Lastly, within the context of this invention, a fold line can be created by a number of means such as, for example, by a crease or score in the board, by a series of aligned spaced short slits in the board, and by a combination of aligned spaced short and long slits. In some cases, when a long slit is bounded on the ends by a series of short slits or a score, the long slit may be slightly offset in alignment from the short slits or score for the purpose of creating a slot along the fold line when the blank is set up into a box. Nonetheless, the entire combination of long and short slits is considered to constitute a single fold line unless otherwise indicated. In addition, to create a fold line where one panel is folded 180.degree. to lay parallel on another panel, the fold line may constitute two narrowly spaced parallel scores or series of aligned slits. In this case, the two narrowly spaced parallel scores or series of aligned slits constitute a single fold line unless otherwise indicated. In conclusion, as referred to herein, a fold line is any line between two points on the blank or box along which the board is intended to be folded when the blank is being erected into a box. The type of fold lines shown in the drawings are presently preferred but it will be appreciated that other methods known to those skilled in the art may be used.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

I have disclosed a type of blank and box that embodies one or more of four unique components: (1) a special configuration of bottom panel that can accommodate five or more walls yet provide full-length rectangular front and rear walls and a square cover, (2) mating configuration for multiple blanks with sloping side walls, (3) a convertible corner that enables a diagonal side wall to be converted to a square corner, and vice versa, for creating extra space in an octagon box and (4) a full-width rectangular front or rear wall positioned adjacent to an obliquely angled wall on a box having five or more walls. In addition, I have disclosed a structure, and a method that can be used with that structure, for partially folding and nesting boxes to conserve storage space. Finally, I have disclosed a structure, and a method that can be used with that structure, for expanding and contracting the size of the inner cavity of the box.

The primary advantages of my invention are reduced packaging cost, better product containment during delivery, opportunity to use an eight-sided box yet have space when needed for carrying extra items, opportunity to have full-length rectangular front and rear walls and a square cover on an eight-sided box, and reduction in storage space needed for set up boxes.

The illustrated number, size, shape, type, and placement of components represent the preferred embodiment; however, many other combinations and configurations are possible within the scope of the invention.

In conclusion, it is understood that my invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A one-piece blank of foldable material cut and scored to define:

a bottom panel having front and rear edges, left and right side edges, a first folder edge, and a first connector edge, said first folder edge extending from an end of one of the left and right side edges toward one of the front and rear edges and said first connector edge extending from an end of the folder edge to an end of one of said front and rear edges,

a first hinge panel hingedly attached to said first folder edge,

a first angular side wall having a top edge, bottom edge, front end, and rear end, and hingedly attached at the bottom edge to said first hinge panel,

left and right side walls hingedly attached to said left and right side edges, respectively, one of said left and right side walls being hingedly attached to said first angular side wall,

a front wall hingedly attached to said front edge of the bottom panel,

a rear wall hingedly attached to said rear edge of the bottom panel.

2. The blank defined in claim 1 wherein:

said connector edge is straight.

3. The blank defined in claim 1 wherein:

said connector edge is curved.

4. The blank defined in claim i wherein:

said connector edge is comprised of at least two adjoining straight edges.

5. The blank defined in claim 1 wherein:

said foldable material is corrugated paperboard,

the first angular side wall has a fold line extending from said top edge to said bottom edge, said fold line dividing the angular side wall into a body portion and an end portion,

the above-described bottom panel, hinge panel, walls, edges, and fold line being of such shape and position that, after said blank is folded into a box, said first angular side wall may be erected at an oblique angle to said one of said left and right side walls by folding said hinge panel to overlie said bottom panel or said first angular side wall may be erected coplanar with said one of said left and right side walls by keeping said hinge panel approximately coplanar with said bottom panel, whereby said first angular side wall and said one of said left and right side walls form a single wall, in effect, and a corner may be formed at an end of said single wall by folding said single wall at said fold line.

6. The blank defined in claim 1:

wherein said foldable material is corrugated paperboard;

said blank further comprising:

a second folder edge and a second connector edge, said second folder edge extending from an end of one of the left and right side edges toward one of the front and rear edges and said second connector edge extending from an end of one of the folder edges to an end of one of said front and rear edges,

a second hinge panel hingedly attached to said second folder edge second,

a second angular side wall hingedly attached at a bottom edge to said second hinge panel,

one of said left and right side walls being hingedly attached to said second angular side wall.

7. The blank defined in claim 6, said blank further comprising:

third and fourth folder edges and third and fourth connector edges, said third and fourth folder edges extending from an end of the left and right side edges, respectively, toward one of the front and rear edges and said third and fourth connector edges extending from an end of said third and fourth folder edges, respectively, to an end of one of said front and rear edges,

third and fourth hinge panels hingedly attached to said third and fourth folder edges, respectively,

third and fourth angular side walls hingedly attached at a bottom edge to said third and fourth hinge panels, respectively.

8. The blank defined in claim 7 wherein:

said front and rear edges have left and right ends, said left and right ends are approximately aligned with said left and right side edges, respectively.

9. The blank defined in claim 6, said blank further comprising:

first and second diagonal wall edges on said bottom panel, said first and second diagonal wall edges extending between one of said front and rear edges and said left and right side edges, respectively,

first and second diagonal side walls hingedly attached to said first and second diagonal edges, respectively, and each having a top edge, bottom edge, front end, and rear end.

10. The blank defined in claim 9 wherein:

said top and bottom edges of said first and second diagonal side walls are non-parallel and the distance between said top and bottom edges at one of said front and rear ends is substantially less than the distance between said top and bottom edges at the other of said front and rear ends.

11. A one-piece blank of foldable material cut and scored to define:

a bottom panel, a plurality of walls, and a cover hingedly attached to one of the walls,

said bottom panel having first and second angularly oriented edges and a third edge extending from an end of the first edge toward and at least part way to the second edge,

said plurality of walls comprising first and second walls hingedly attached to the first and second edges, respectively, the first wall having an end adjacent an end of the second wall,

said plurality of walls further comprising a third wall having an end hingedly attached to said end of the first wall and having a top edge and a bottom edge,

a hinge panel connecting said third wall to said bottom panel, said hinge panel having a first hinge panel edge hingedly attached to the third edge of the bottom panel, a second hinge panel edge hingedly attached to the bottom edge of the third wall, and a third hinge panel edge that is free from attachment and extends from the first hinge panel edge,

a fold line within said third wall and extending from the top edge to the bottom edge,

the above-described bottom panel, hinge panel, walls, edges, and fold line being of such shape and position that, after said blank is folded into a box, said third wall may be erected at an oblique angle to said first wall by folding said hinge panel to overlie said bottom panel or said third wall may be erected coplanar with said first wall by keeping said hinge panel approximately coplanar with said bottom panel, whereby said first and third walls form a single wall, in effect, and a corner may be formed at an end of said single wall by folding said single wall at said fold line.

12. The blank defined in claim 11 wherein:

said foldable material is corrugated paperboard,

said third edge on the bottom panel extends from said end of the first edge and terminates at a first point part way to the second edge,

a fourth edge extends from said first point to an end of said second edge, said end of said second edge is in approximate alignment with said first edge.

13. A box comprising:

a bottom panel and a plurality of walls,

said bottom panel having angularly oriented first and second edges, a folder edge, and a connector edge, said folder edge extending from an end of said first edge toward and part way to said second edge and said connector edge extending from an end of said folder edge to an end of said second edge,

a hinge panel hingedly attached to said folder edge,

said plurality of walls comprising first and second walls hingedly attached to said bottom panel at said first and second edges, respectively,

said plurality of walls further comprising a third wall having a top edge, bottom edge, front end, and rear end, and hingedly attached at the bottom edge to said hinge panel and hingedly attached to an end of said first wall.

14. The box defined in claim 13 wherein:

said third wall has a fold line within it and extending from said top edge to said bottom edge.

15. A box comprising:

a bottom panel having opposing front and rear edges and opposing left and right side edges,

a predetermined width to said bottom panel, said predetermined width extending between said left and right side edges,

front, rear, left side, and right side walls hingedly attached to said front, rear, left side, and right side edges, respectively,

a first angular wall disposed at an oblique angle to one of the left and right side walls, said first angular wall extending from said one of the left and right side walls toward one of the front and rear walls,

a first hinge panel hingedly attached to a bottom edge of said first angular wall and hingedly attached to said bottom panel and overlying said bottom

said one of the front and rear walls being of substantially rectangular shape and having a predetermined length, said predetermined length being substantially equal to said predetermined width of the bottom panel.

16. The box defined in claim 15:

wherein:

said box is made of foldable material,

said front and rear walls are parallel and said left and right side walls are parallel;

said box further comprising:

a second angular wall disposed at an oblique angle to one of the left and right side walls, said second angular wall extending from said one of the left and right side walls toward one of the front and rear walls,

a second hinge panel hingedly attached to a bottom edge of said second angular wall and hingedly attached to said bottom panel and overlying said bottom panel,

a cover hingedly attached to said rear wall,

each of said front and rear walls being of substantially rectangular shape and having a predetermined length, said predetermined length being substantially equal to said predetermined width of the bottom panel.

17. A one-piece blank of foldable material cut and scored to define:

a bottom panel having opposing first and second end edges, opposing left and right side edges, and a first folder edge, said first folder edge being disposed at an oblique angle to one of the left and right side edges and extending from an end of said one of the left and right side edges toward the first end edge,

a predetermined width to said bottom panel, said predetermined width extending between said left and right side edges,

first end, second end, left side, and right side walls hingedly attached to said first end, second end, left side, and right side edges, respectively,

a first angular wall hingedly attached to an end of one of the left and right side walls,

a first hinge panel hingedly attached to said first angular edge and to a bottom edge of said first angular wall,

said first end wall being of approximately rectangular shape and having a predetermined length, said predetermined length being approximately equal to said predetermined width of the bottom panel.

18. The blank defined in claim 17:

wherein:

said foldable material is corrugated paperboard,

said first and second end edges are parallel and said left and right side edges are parallel;

said blank further comprising:

second, third, and fourth folder edges each disposed at an oblique angle to one of the left and right side edges and extending from an end of said one of the left and right side edges toward one of the first and second end edges,

second, third, and fourth angular walls each hingedly attached to an end of one of the left and right side walls,

second, third, and fourth hinge panels hingedly attached to said second, third, and fourth angular edges, respectively, and to a bottom edge of said second, third, and fourth angular walls, respectively,

a cover hingedly attached to said rear wall,

each of said first and second end walls being of approximately rectangular shape and having a predetermined length, said predetermined length being approximately equal to said predetermined width of the bottom panel.

19. In a box made of foldable material, said box comprising a bottom panel having angularly oriented first and second edges, a first wall hingedly attached to said first edge, a second wall hingedly attached to said second edge, an angular wall hingedly attached to an end of said first wall and extending toward said second wall, a hinge panel hingedly attached to a bottom edge of said angular wall and overlying said bottom panel, an improvement comprising:

a plurality of adjoining edges extending between said first and second edges on said bottom panel, said plurality of adjoining edges comprising a folder edge extending from an end of said first edge and a connector edge extending from an end of said second edge, said hinge panel being hingedly attached to said folder edge.

20. A one-piece blank of foldable material cut and scored to define:

a bottom panel, a plurality of walls, and a cover hingedly attached to a top edge of one of the walls,

said bottom panel having left and right side edges and first and second diagonal wall edges extending at an oblique angle from an end of said left and right side edges, respectively,

said plurality of walls comprising:

(a) left and right side walls hingedly attached to said left and right side edges, respectively, and having first and second ends, the second end of the left side wall being disposed adjacent said first diagonal wall edge and the second end of said right side wall being disposed adjacent said second diagonal wall edge,

(b) first and second angular side walls hingedly attached to the first end of said left and right side walls, respectively,

(c) first and second hinge panels hingedly attached to a bottom edge of said first and second angular side walls, respectively,

(d) first and second diagonal side walls hingedly attached to said first and second diagonal wall edges, respectively,

(e) first and second inner panels hingedly attached to a top edge of said first and second diagonal side walls, respectively,

(f) first and second flaps hingedly attached to the second end of said left and right side walls, respectively;

whereby, after said left and right side walls and said first and second diagonal side walls have been erected to upright position, the first and second angular side walls can be moved from an inward position to an outward position and from an outward position to an inward position.

21. The blank of claim 20 wherein at least one of said first and second angular side walls has a fold line disposed between the bottom edge and a top edge.

22. The blank of claim 20 wherein said first and second hinge panels are hingedly attached to said bottom panel.

23. A box comprising a bottom panel, a plurality of walls, and a cover hingedly attached to one of the walls, said plurality of walls comprising:

(a) a first side wall hingedly attached to said bottom panel and having first and second ends,

(b) an angular side wall hingedly attached to the first end of said first side wall and disposed in an obliquely-angled position to said first side wall and a movable hinge panel hingedly attached to a bottom edge of said angular side wall and overlying said bottom panel,

(c) a diagonal side wall hingedly attached to said bottom panel and disposed at an oblique angle to said first side wall,

(d) an inner panel hingedly attached to a top edge of said diagonal side wall and disposed parallel to said diagonal side wall,

(e) a flap hingedly attached to the second end of said first side wall and disposed between said diagonal side wall and said inner panel;

whereby said angular side wall can be moved from said obliquely-angled position to a substantially coplanar position to said first side wall and said first side wall maintains an upright position after said angular side wall has been moved because of said flap being disposed between said diagonal side wall and said inner panel.

24. A box of foldable material, said box comprising:

a bottom panel having opposing front and rear edges, a side edge, and an angular edge extending from said side edge toward and at least part way to one of said front and rear edges;

front and rear walls hingedly attached to said front and rear edges, respectively;

a cover hingedly attached to said rear wall;

a first wall hingedly attached to said side edge and having a first end disposed adjacent said angular edge;

a second wall hingedly attached to the first end of said first wall;

a movable hinge panel hingedly attached to a bottom edge of said second wall and disposed substantially coplanar to said bottom panel.

25. The box of claim 24, wherein said box is partially folded and said front wall and said first and second walls are each disposed in an upright position and said rear wall is disposed substantially coplanar with said bottom panel.

26. The box of claim 24, wherein said movable hinge panel is hingedly attached to said bottom panel.

27. The box of claim 24, wherein said second wall has a fold line extending from a top edge to a bottom edge.

28. The box of claim 24, wherein said second wall is disposed in a substantially coplanar position to said first wall.