This invention relates to a method for forming a multi-panel container having an enclosed, hollow interior. The invention also encompasses a blank utilized when forming a multi-panel container.
As will be seen below, the present invention encompasses a unitary blank for forming a multi-panel container. A method is also encompassed by the present invention.
Boxes and other containers are commonly formed from unitary or integral blanks and there are literally hundreds if not thousands of containers, boxes, etc. formed from a unitary blank or from a multi-component blank, the nature of the container being adapted for both general and specific uses. These containers range from very simple to complex and from plain to decorative.
The prior art indicated above does not teach or suggest the method and blank disclosed and claimed herein.
The method of this invention relates to formation of a multi-panel container having an enclosed, hollow interior from a unitary blank of sheet material of specialized construction. Utilizing the teachings of the present invention, a wide variety of decorative containers are readily produced following a unique method and while utilizing a unique blank having certain structural features which can be varied and utilized to construct many different container configurations.
The method for forming a multi-panel container having an enclosed, hollow interior of the present invention includes the step of forming a unitary blank of sheet material having four blank outer edges, four blank corners and four blank quadrants, the blank quadrants meeting at a location on the blank spaced inwardly from the four blank sides.
In each blank quadrant, a double-ended, first fold line and a double-ended second fold line are created. According to the method, both ends of the first and second fold lines are interconnected and the first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant are spaced from one another between the connected ends thereof to define a side panel disposed completely within the blank quadrant.
The first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant are disposed on opposed sides of an imaginary diagonal line extending across the blank quadrant between opposed junctures formed by adjoining blank outer edges at the blank quadrant boundary.
The side panels at least partially surround and define a bottom panel, the side panels and the adjoining blank outer edges defining top panels.
The unitary blank is folded along all of the first fold lines located in all four quadrants thereof whereby the side panels extend upwardly from the blank bottom panel. The unitary blank is then folded along all of the second fold lines located in all four quadrants thereof whereby the top panels extend inwardly from the side panels over the bottom panel to enclose the hollow bottom interior.
Other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The first and second fold lines in each blank quadrant are spaced from one another between the connected ends thereof to define a side panel 24 disposed completely within the blank quadrant.
The first and second fold lines 20, 22 in each blank quadrant are disposed on opposed sides of their associated imaginary diagonal line 16. The side panels 24 in this embodiment extend the full lengths of their respective imaginary diagonal lines 16 and meet, as shown. The side panels 24 are of identical configuration and are mirror images of one another in adjoining quadrants. The connecting side panels 24 surround and define a bottom panel 30. The side panels 24 and the adjoining blank outer edges define generally triangular-shaped top panels 32.
Each of the first and second fold lines is curved over a portion of the length thereof and straight over a portion of the length thereof. The first and second fold lines are of the same length and are symmetrically disposed relative to their respective imaginary diagonal lines, being mirror images of one another.
Next, the unitary blank is folded along all of the second fold lines 22 as shown in
Side panels 48 surround and define a bottom panel 50 of cruciform configuration. Top panels 52 are defined by the outer boundaries of the quadrants and second fold lines 46. Folding of the blank as depicted in
The following U.S. patents are known and are considered to be representative of the current state of the art: U.S. Pat. No. D442,862, issued May 29, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. D457,028, issued May 14, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. D459,652, issued Jul. 2, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,819, issued Feb. 22, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,251, issued May 14, 1985, U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,964, issued Jan. 11, 1977, U.S. Pat. No. 3,730,818, issued May 1, 1973, U.S. Pat. No. D303,500, issued Sep. 19, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. D264,184, issued May 4, 1982, U.S. Pat. No. D202,920, issued Nov. 16, 1965, U.S. Pat. No. D438,105, issued Feb. 27, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. D360,824, issued Aug. 1, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,291, issued Apr. 17, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 2,562,261, issued Jul. 31, 1951, U.S. Pat. No. 727,723, issued May 12, 1903 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,640, issued Oct. 14, 1980.