METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

FIELD

The present description relates generally to a method for assembling a container in a single motion.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Storage solutions, such as baskets, open-top boxes, and other containers, may be used by businesses and individuals to organize and store products and belongings. Collectively referred to as containers, these may be formed of wood, plastic, metal, and other materials which may be designated as unsustainable. Production of these containers may thus contribute to deforestation, CO2 emissions, and the single use plastic crisis. Additionally, many containers are manufactured and delivered to consumers fully formed (e.g., assembled as a useable container). This may result in additional packaging used to protect and ship containers, as well as further increase in CO2 emissions, so that containers may be delivered to consumers intact.

Thus, a container is desired which reduces packaging requirements (e.g., space and materials), is formed of sustainable materials, and fulfills consumer demand for storage solutions. In one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a container having a flat-pack design which may be unfolded and assembled in a single motion by a consumer. As one example, the container may be formed of plant-derived vegan leather or other sustainable materials. Thus, emissions due to packaging and production may be decreased. Further, the container may be assembled and disassembled in a single motion without additional tools by the consumer, allowing for simplicity and versatility of the container.

In one example, assembling the container in a single motion may include pulling a drawstring through a drawstring channel opening in a first panel of the container, wherein pulling the drawstring folds each side of the container towards an interior of the container to a vertical positon. The drawstring may be secured to hold the container in an assembled configuration. Handles may be added to the container, and dividers and labels may be optionally added to customize the assembled container.

It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1G show schematics of unfolded containers;

FIG. 2A shows a flat-pack and an assembled container;

FIG. 2B shows the flat-pack of FIG. 2A and additional components;

FIGS. 3A-3D show a process for assembling a container in a single motion;

FIGS. 4A-4B show a process for adding handles to a folded container;

FIGS. 5A-5E show an assembled square container;

FIGS. 6A-6E show an assembled rectangular container;

FIG. 7 shows the assembled rectangular container of FIGS. 6A-6E with additional components of FIG. 2B; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a method for assembling the container in a single motion, and incorporating additional components of FIG. 2B into the assembled container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for assembling a container in a single motion. The container may be delivered to a consumer in an unassembled, flat-pack form, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and may including components such as an octagonal base, handles, a divider, and labels. Two embodiments of an octagonal base are shown unfolded in FIGS. 1A-1G, and may be assembled in a single motion, as described in relation to FIGS. 3A-3D and FIG. 8, to give a folded container. Additional components, which may include at least one of handles, the divider, and labels, may be added to the folded container, as described in relation to FIGS. 4A-4B, to give an assembled container, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 5A-5E, 6A-6E, and 7.

FIG. 1A shows a schematic 100 of an unfolded container base. The schematic 100 is used herein to describe parts of the unfolded container base, which may be configured to form a square container or a rectangular container when folded, as described with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D and 8. FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1D show a first perspective view 162, a first top view 164, and a first back view 166, respectively, of a first unfolded container base 160 configured to form the square container. An assembled (e.g., folded) square container is shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 5A-5E. FIGS. 1E, 1F, and 1G show a second perspective view 172, a second top view 174, and a second back view 176, respectively, of a second unfolded container base 170 configured to form the rectangular container. An assembled (e.g., folded) rectangular container is shown in and described with respect to FIGS. 6A-6E. Components of the unfolded container base shown in the schematic 100 which are also present in the first unfolded container base 160 and the second container base 170 may be equivalently numbered. Some components of the unfolded container base shown in the schematic 100 may be excluded from various views of FIGS. 1B-1G, however it should be understood that components described with respect to the schematic 100 are present in the embodiments of FIGS. 1B-1G, unless stated otherwise. Additionally, FIGS. 1B-1G may include additional components which are not described with respect to FIG. 1A and are instead described with respect to FIGS. 2A-2B.

Returning to FIG. 1A, the unfolded container base may be an octagonal base 150 including a first panel 102, a second panel 104, a third panel 106, and a fourth panel 108, each coupled to a base panel 110 along a bottom edge of the respective panel. For example, the first panel 102 is positioned along a first edge, the second panel 104 is positioned along a second edge, the third panel 106 is positioned along a third edge, and the fourth panel 108 is positioned along a fourth edge of the base panel 110. The base panel 110 may have a square shape or a rectangular shape, as further described herein. In some of various embodiments, the octagonal base may be formed of plant-derived vegan leather or other sustainable materials.

The first panel 102 and the third panel 106 may each have a side flap (e.g., a first cover flap 120 and a second cover flap 122, respectively) coupled to the respective panel along a top edge of the panel. The top edge of a panel may be a horizontal edge distal to the base panel 110 and the bottom edge of the panel may be a horizontal edge proximal to the base panel 110.

The first panel 102 is coupled to the second panel 104 by a first triangular panel 112 (e.g., a first triangle piece), the second panel 104 is coupled to the third panel 106 by a second triangular panel (e.g., a second triangle piece) 114, the third panel 106 is coupled to a fourth panel 108 by a third triangular panel (e.g., a third triangle piece) 116, and the fourth panel 108 is coupled to the first panel 102 by a fourth triangular panel (e.g., a fourth triangle piece) 118. Each of the triangular panels includes two triangles within a common covering, such that two triangles are adjacently positioned along an inner edge 111 when the octagonal base 150 is unfolded. The first triangular panel 112 includes a first triangle 112a and a second triangle 112b, the second triangular panel 114 includes a third triangle 114a and a fourth triangle 114b, the third triangular panel 116 includes a fifth triangle 116a and a sixth triangle 116b, and the fourth triangular panel 118 includes a seventh triangle 118a and an eighth triangle 118b.

The common covering for the two triangles of each of the triangular panels allows the triangular panels to fold in an inward direction towards the interior of the octagonal base 150 (e.g., towards the base panel 110) during assembly using a single motion, as is further described in relation to FIGS. 3A-3D, 6. The triangular panels may each fold along the inner edge 111 of the respective two triangles. When the octagonal base 150 is folded (e.g., into a folded container, as further described below), an exterior side (e.g., a back side, shown in FIGS. 1D and 1G) of each of the two triangles may be in a face sharing positon.

Each of the two triangles of the first triangular panel 112, the second triangular panel 114, the third triangular panel 116, and the fourth triangular panel 118 include an eyelet in a top corner of the triangle. For example, the first triangle 112a includes a first eyelet 112c in a top left corner and the second triangle 112b includes a second eyelet 112d in a top right corner. The third triangle 114a includes a third eyelet 114c in a top left corner and the fourth triangle 114b includes a fourth eyelet 114d in a top right corner. The fifth triangle 116a includes a fifth eyelet 116c in a top left corner and the sixth triangle 116b includes a sixth eyelet 116d in a top right corner. The seventh triangle 118a includes a seventh eyelet 118c in a top left corner and the eighth triangle 118b includes an eighth eyelet 118d in a top right corner.

The first eyelet 112c of the first triangle 112a is positioned such that, when the first triangle 112a and the second triangle 112b are in the face sharing positon, the first eyelet 112c and the second eyelet 112d are in face sharing position. Eyelets are similarly positioned for each of the two triangles of the second triangular panel 114, the third triangular panel 116, and the fourth triangular panel 118, such that eyelets of the two triangles within each triangular panel are in face sharing position when the triangular panel is folded along the inner edge 111.

The second panel 104 and the fourth panel 108 may each have a handle positioning hole in a top right and top left corner of the respective panel. For example, the second panel 104 may have a first handle positioning hole 104a and a second handle positioning hole 104b, and the fourth panel 108 may have a third handle positioning hole 108a and a fourth handle positioning hole 108b. Hardware of a first handle may pass through each of the first handle positioning hole 104a and the third handle positioning hole 108a, and hardware of a second handle may pass through each of the second handle positioning hole 104b and the fourth handle positioning hole 108b. Further details regarding handle assembly is described in FIGS. 4A-4B.

The handle positioning holes may be positioned below a drawstring channel 124 with a drawstring 123 positioned therein. The drawstring 123 may include a cord lock 128 positioned thereon, which may be used to cinch the drawstring 123 and thus hold the octagonal base 150 as an assembled container, as further described in FIGS. 3A-3D, 6. The drawstring channel 124 may be included on the first panel 102, the second panel 104, the third panel 106, and the fourth panel 108. As shown in FIGS. 1B-1C and 1F-1G, some embodiments may include a second drawstring 126 which may be equivalent to the drawstring 123 and exit the drawstring channel 124 on the third panel 106. For example, a medium-sized square container may include the second drawstring 126 to be used to assemble the container. Further detail regarding the second drawstring 126 is described with respect to FIG. 3D. On the second panel 104, the third panel 106, and the fourth panel 108, the drawstring channel 124 may have a first height 125, may extend a length of the respective panel, and may be adjacent with the top of the respective panel. On the first panel 102, the drawstring channel 124 may be positioned a distance from the top of the first panel 102. The drawstring channel 124 may further be positioned a second distance from each side (e.g., centered along the length) of the first panel 102.

Each of the first triangular panel 112, the second triangular panel 114, the third triangular panel 116, and the fourth triangular panel 118 may not include the drawstring channel 124. Instead, the drawstring may 123 pass from a preceding panel (e.g., from a right side of the drawstring channel of the first panel 102) through the first eyelet 112c of the first triangle 112a to an exterior (e.g., a back side) of the octagonal base 150. The drawstring 123 may run along a length of the first triangular panel 112, and pass through the second eyelet 112d of the second triangle 112b to an interior (e.g., a front side) of the octagonal base 150. The drawstring 123 enters the drawstring channel 124 of a succeeding panel (e.g., second panel 104). A single drawstring may run around a perimeter of the container through the drawstring channel 124 and exterior of the octagonal base 150 in the second triangular panel 114, the third panel 106, the third triangular panel 116, the fourth panel 108, and the fourth triangular panel 118. The drawstring is similarly arranged in the drawstring channel 124 and along an exterior edge of the panels of the octagonal base 150. The drawstring may enter a left side of the drawstring channel of the first panel 102 from the eighth eyelet 118d.

The drawstring channel 124 on the first panel 102 may include an opening 130 at approximately a center point along the length of the first panel 102. A first end 123a and a second end 123b of the drawstring 123 may extend out of the opening 130. The first panel 102 may further include a first button 132a and a second button 132b, arranged below the drawstring channel 124 on the first panel 102 and equidistant from the opening 130. The first button 132a and the second button 132b may be formed of metal, in one example. Once the drawstring 123 is cinched using the cord lock 128, the first end 123a and the second end 123b of the drawstring 123 may be wound around the first button 132a and the second button 132b.

The octagonal base 150 of FIG. 1A may be included in a flat-pack 202, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B. The octagonal base 150 may be assembled in a single motion, as described in relation to FIGS. 3A-3D and FIG. 8, to given assembled configuration as a folded container. The flat-pack 202 may further include handles, a divider, and labels, which may be added to the folded container to as described in relation to FIGS. 4A-5, to give an assembled container 208, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 4B. For example, each of a first handle 204 and a second handle 206 may have fastening hardware used to attach the respective handle to the folded container. Addition of the first handle 204 and the second handle 206 may form the assembled container 208. The divider may include a first wall 212 and a second wall 214, which may be assembled to form the divider and optionally be inserted into an interior of the assembled container 208. Labels 216 may also be optionally added to the assembled container 208, as further described in relation to FIG. 7.

Briefly returning to FIGS. 1A-1G, a method for assembling the container (e.g., folding the octagonal base 150) in a single motion using the drawstring 123 includes pulling the first end 123a and the second end 123b of the drawstring 123 through the opening 130 of the drawstring channel 124 in the first panel 102 in a first direction indicated by arrow 140. The method is further described with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D.

FIGS. 3A-3D show a process 300 for assembling a container in a single motion. The process 300 is described with respect to components of the flat-pack 202 shown in FIGS. 1-2B. Thus, equivalent components are similarly labeled. In FIG. 3A, a first image 310 shows a perspective view of the octagonal base and a second image 320 shows a view of the first panel, including the drawstring channel with the opening, through which the first end and the second end of the drawstring may be accessed by a user assembling the container. Additionally, the second image 320 shows the first cover flap coupled to the first panel, and the first button and the second button on the first panel.

A third image 330 of FIG. 3B shows a user lifting the first panel off of a surface 335 on which the octagonal base rests, which also lifts the first triangular panel and the fourth triangular panel off of the surface 335. The user may pull the drawstring away from the center of the octagonal base in a direction indicated by an arrow 337 (e.g., towards the user) to begin folding the octagonal base in a single motion.

As shown in a fourth image 340, pulling the drawstring folds the first triangular panel and the fourth triangular panel towards the interior of the octagonal base. As described above, the first triangle and the second triangle of each triangular panel fold inwards such that the exterior side of each of the first triangle and the second triangle are in face sharing contact. Pulling the drawstring further lifts the second panel and the third panel towards the interior of the octagonal base and lifts the second triangular panel and the third triangular panel (e.g., off of the surface 335). A fifth image 350 of FIG. 3C shows the first triangular panel and the fourth triangular panel further folding inward. The second triangular panel and the third triangular panel may be perpendicular to, or approaching perpendicular to, the third panel.

In a sixth image 360, as the drawstring is further pulled, the second triangular panel and the third triangular panel fold inwards, similar to folding of the first triangular panel and the fourth triangular panel. Folding of the second triangular panel and the third triangular panel pulls the third panel off of the surface 335 towards the interior of the octagonal base.

When each of the first triangular panel, the second triangular panel, the third triangular panel, and the fourth triangular are folded such that the respective two triangles of the given triangular panel are in face sharing contact, each of the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel may be in a vertical position (e.g., perpendicular to the base). An interior side of the first triangle of the first triangular panel and an interior side of the eighth triangle of the fourth triangular panel may each be in face sharing contact with an interior side of the first panel. An interior side of the fourth triangle of the second triangular panel and an interior side of the fifth triangle of the third triangular panel may be in face sharing contact with an interior side of the third panel. In this way, the octagonal base may be folded in a single motion using the drawstring.

As shown in a seventh image 370 of FIG. 3D, the cord lock may be used to secure the folded octagonal base as a folded container 395, shown in a ninth image 390. The cord lock may be moved down the drawstring, towards the first panel as shown by arrow 373. The cord lock may thus rest against the opening in the drawstring channel of the first panel. The first end and the second end of the drawstring (e.g., drawstring on a side of the cord lock opposite the drawstring channel) may be wrapped around the first button and the second button of the first panel, as shown in an eighth image 380.

The eighth image 380 further shows folding of the first cover flap towards an interior of the folded container 395, thus covering the drawstring, the first triangular panel and the second triangular panel, and the first metal button and the second metal button. The second cover flap may be folded towards the interior of the assembled container, thus covering the drawstring channel of the third panel. In this way, the folded container 395 is assembled without use of additional tools.

The folded container 395 may have a square (e.g., cube) shape or a rectangular (e.g., rectangular prism) shape. For example, as a cube, the folded container 395 may have a length, a width, and a height which are equal. The cube may have a side lengths equal to 11 inches, 12.5 inches, and so on. When the side length of the cube is greater than or equal to 12.5 inches, a second drawstring may be used to assemble the folded container 395, (e.g., the second drawstring 126, as briefly described with respect to FIGS. 1B -C, 1E-F). For example, a length of the drawstring channel for the cube with a side length of 12.5 inches or more may be greater than a length of the drawstring. Thus, the third panel 106 may have a second drawstring channel opening. The first end 123a of the drawstring 123 may extend out of the drawstring channel opening 130 on the first panel 102, and the second end 123b of the drawstring 123 may extend out of the second drawstring channel opening. Thus the drawstring 123 may extend from the first panel 102, through the drawstring channel on the second panel 104, and into the drawstring channel 124 of the third panel 106. A first end of the second drawstring may extend out of the drawstring channel opening 130 on the first panel 102. Thus the second drawstring may extend through the drawstring channel 124 of the fourth panel 108, into the drawstring channel 124 of the third panel 106, and a second end of the second drawstring may extend out of the second drawstring channel opening on the third panel 106. The cord lock 128 may be positioned on the first end 123a of the drawstring 123 and the first end of the second drawstring. A second cord lock may be positioned on the second end 123b of the drawstring 123 and the second end of the second drawstring. The cord lock 128 and the second cord lock may be move independently, or at the same time, down a length of the drawstring 123 and the second drawstring (e.g., as shown by arrow 373 of FIG. 3D) to pull the drawstring 123 and the second drawstring through the drawstring channel 124, thus assembling the folded container 395. The cord lock 128 and the second cord lock may prevent the drawstring 123 and/or the second drawstring from being pulled out of the drawstring channel 124 via the drawstring channel opening 130 and/or the second drawstring channel.

Alternatively, the folded container 395 may be a rectangular prism with a length which is greater than a width and a height. For example, the rectangular prism may have a length of 11 inches and a height of 9.5 inches. Other dimensions for the folded container 395 as a cube or as a rectangle may be used. Further details regarding a square container and a rectangular container are described with respect to FIGS. 5A-6E, respectively.

Following assembly of the folded container 395 in a single motion using the drawstring, handles may be added to form an assembled container (e.g., the assembled container 208 of FIG. 2A). FIGS. 4A-4B show a process 400 for adding handles to the folded container 395. The process 400 is described with respect to components of the flat-pack and the folded container, as shown in FIGS. 1-3D.

As shown in FIG. 2B and in further detail in a first image 410 of FIG. 4A, the first handle and the second handle may each have a first portion 402, a second portion 404, and a third portion 406, with a seam between each portion, allowing for bend in the handle. A degree of bend may be based on the material which forms the handle. For example, the handles may lay flat, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B as part of the flat-pack, or may be bent, as shown in FIGS. 2A, 4A-4B. Each of the first handle and the second handle may include fastening hardware 408 on either end of a length (e.g., the first portion and the third portion) of the handle. The fastening hardware may include a screw and a connecting mechanism, where the screw is coupled to the handle and the connecting mechanism is detachable from the screw. In one example, the screw and the connecting mechanism may be formed of metal. The connecting mechanism may include threading into which the screw may be screwed to secure the screw to the connecting mechanism. The screw may have a length, allowing the screw to pass through a handle positioning hole (e.g., of the second panel or the fourth panel). The first handle and the second handle may be equivalent in dimensions, form, materials, and so on. The handle may thus be attached to the folded container.

As shown in a second image 420, a third image 430, and a fourth image 440, a first screw of the first handle may pass through the first handle positioning hole of the second panel and be secured in place by a first connecting mechanism. For example, the second image 420, the third image 430, and the fourth image 440 may show different perspective views of the first handle positioning hole of the second panel. A second screw of the first handle, a third screw of the second handle, and a fourth screw of the second handle may be similarly attached to the folded container. For example, the second screw may pass through the third handle positioning hole of the fourth panel and be secured in place by a second connecting mechanism. The third screw may pass through the second handle positioning hole of the second panel and be secured in place by a third connecting mechanism. The fourth screw may pass through the fourth positioning hole of the fourth panel and be secured in placed by a fourth connecting mechanism.

The first handle and the second handle may be attached to the container in such a way that each handle may be independently adjustable to a range of positions between a first position and a second position. As shown in a fifth image 450 of FIG. 4B, the first position may include a handle resting against an exterior of a panel (e.g., the first panel for the first handle and the third panel for the second handle). As shown in a sixth image 460, the second position may include an interior of the second portion of the handle facing the interior of the container. Upon addition of the first handle and the second handle, the container may be considered an assembled container (e.g., the assembled container 208 of FIG. 2A) and may be used for storage and organization.

FIGS. 5A-5E show an assembled square container 500, including handles (e.g., the first handle 204 and the second handle 206, as described with respect to FIGS. 1B-1D, 2A-2B, and 4. The assembled square container 500 may be assembled in a single motion by pulling at least one drawstring of the first unfolded container base 160, as described with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D, and further described with respect to FIG. 8. In one example, the first unfolded container base 160 may have the second drawstring 126 when the side length of the first unfolded container base 160 is greater than or equal to 12.5 inches. An axis system 550 is provided in FIGS. 5A-6E for reference. The y-axis may be a vertical axis (e.g., parallel to a gravitational axis), the x-axis may be a lateral axis (e.g., horizontal axis), and the z-axis may be a longitudinal axis, in one example. However, the axes may have other orientations, in other examples.

FIG. 5A shows a first perspective view 502 of the assembled square container 500. FIG. 5B shows a first side view 504 of the assembled square container 500. For example, the first side view 504 may show the assembled square container 500 from the exterior of the second panel 104 or the fourth panel 108, with respect to FIGS. 1B-1D. FIG. 5C shows a second side view 506 of the assembled square container 500. For example, the second side view 506 may show the assembled square container 500 from the exterior of the first panel 102 or the third panel 106, with respect to FIGS. 1B-1D. FIG. 5D shows a first top-down view 508 of the assembled square container 500, for example, showing the interior of the assembled square container 500. FIG. 5E shows a first bottom-up view 510 of the assembled square container 500, for example, showing the exterior of the base panel 110.

FIGS. 6A-6E show an assembled rectangular container 600, including handles (e.g., the first handle 204 and the second handle 206, as described with respect to FIGS. 1E-1G, 2A-2B, and 4. The assembled rectangular container 600 may be assembled in a single motion by pulling at least one drawstring of the second unfolded container base 170, as described with respect to FIGS. 3A-3D, and further described with respect to FIG. 8. The axis system 550 is provided in FIGS. 6A-6E for reference and comparison among images.

FIG. 6A shows a second perspective view 602 of the assembled rectangular container 600. FIG. 6B shows a third side view 604 of the assembled rectangular container 600. For example, the third side view 604 may show the assembled rectangular container 600 from the exterior of the second panel 104 or the fourth panel 108, with respect to FIGS. 1E-1G. FIG. 6C shows a fourth side view 606 of the assembled rectangular container 600. For example, the fourth side view 606 may show the assembled rectangular container 600 from the exterior of the first panel 102 or the third panel 106, with respect to FIGS. 1E-1G. FIG. 6D shows a second top-down view 608 of the assembled rectangular container 600, for example, showing the interior of the assembled rectangular container 600. FIG. 6E shows a second bottom-up view 610 of the assembled rectangular container 600, for example, showing the exterior of the base panel 110.

The assembled container may be optionally customized with at least one of a divider or a label added to the container. A process 700 for customizing the assembled container is shown in FIG. 7. As described in relation to FIG. 2B, the divider may include the first wall 212 and the second wall 214, which may be assembled to form a divider 702, shown in FIG. 7.

When the assembled container has a square shaped base, the first wall and the second wall of the divider may have the same length, as shown in a first image 710 of FIG. 7. When the assembled container has a rectangular base, the first wall and the second wall may have different lengths, where a first length of the first wall is equal to a first length of the rectangular base. The second wall may have a second length equal to a second length of the rectangular base, as shown in a second image 720 of FIG. 7.

Briefly turning to FIG. 2B, each of the first wall and the second wall may have a slit at a midpoint of the respective length (e.g., the first length or the second length), where the slit may extend a first height of the respective wall. In one embodiment, the first wall and the second wall may have the same height, thus a first slit of the first wall and a second slit of the second wall may be the same length. A height of the first wall and the second wall may be less than a height of the container. For example, the height of the first wall and the second wall may be equal to a distance between the base of the container and a bottom of the drawstring channel (e.g., the drawstring channel on the second panel and the fourth panel.

The first slit of the first wall may be inserted into the second slit of the second wall, such that the first wall and the second wall perpendicularly intersect and form the divider. Returning to FIG. 7, the divider 702 may be placed into the interior of the assembled container, thus dividing the interior of the assembled container into four quadrants as shown in the second image 720. The container may be divided into four equally sized quadrants.

A label 704 (e.g., at least one label of the labels 216 shown in FIG. 2B) may also be optionally added to the assembled container 208, as shown in the second image 720 of FIG. 7. The label 704 may be u-shaped with a writable surface on a first face of the label. Other suitable designs may be used for the label 704, which allow attachment of the label 704 to the assembled container 208. In one example, the label may be formed of metal and the writable surface may be chalkboard. The label may be placed over an edge of the container. For example, the first face of the label and a second face of the label may be coupled by a base. The first face and the second face may extend a first height 706. The base may rest on the top of a panel of the container, such as a fourth panel of the container, such that the second face of label is in face sharing contact with an interior side of the fourth panel and the first face of the label is in face sharing contact with an exterior side of the fourth panel. Additionally or alternatively, the label may be placed vertically on an edge of a panel, such as the first panel of the third panel.

FIG. 8 shows a high-level method 800 for assembling the container, from the flat-pack shown in FIG. 2A to the assembled container with a divider and a label, as shown in FIG. 7. The method 800 may be performed by a human or non-human user capable of pulling the drawstring and other actions described herein.

At a part 802, the method 800 includes unfolding the flat-pack. Unfolding the flat-pack may include removing the folded octagonal base, handles, walls of the divider, and labels from a package in which the flat-pack is delivered. Each of the aforementioned elements may be separately removed, and the folded octagonal base (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B) may be unfolded (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1A-1G).

At a part 804, the method 800 includes pulling the drawstring. The drawstring may be pulled through the opening in the drawstring channel of the first panel, thus folding each of the first triangular panel, the second triangular panel, the third triangular panel, and the fourth triangular panel, and raising the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D. The octagonal base may thus be folded into the assembled configuration of the folded container using the single motion of the drawstring.

At a part 806, the method 800 includes securing the drawstring with the cord lock. As described with reference to the seventh image of FIG. 3D, the cord lock may be moved down the drawstring (e.g., towards the interior of the folded container). A spring in the cord lock may hold the cord lock in place at the opening of the drawstring channel on the first panel, which may prevent the folded container from unfolding. In another embodiment, the drawstring may be secured by a component other than a cord lock with a spring, which may be positioned on the drawstring.

At a part 808, the method 800 includes wrapping the drawstring around the first button and the second button. A length of the drawstring on a side of the cord lock opposite the first panel may be alternatively wrapped around each of the first button and the second button, as shown in an eighth image 380 of FIG. 3D. This may position the length of the drawstring away from the interior of the folded container.

At a part 810, the method 800 includes folding the side panels towards the interior of the folded container. The first side panel may be folded over the drawstring channel of the first panel and the length of the drawstring wrapped around each of the first button and the second button. The second side panel may be folded over the drawstring channel of the third panel.

At a part 812, the method 800 includes attaching handles to the folded container. Fastening hardware of the first handle may be used to secure the first handle to the second panel and the fourth panel, and fastening hardware of the second handle may be used to secure the second handle to the second panel and the fourth panel. Each of the first handle and the second handle may be independently adjustable, as described in relation to FIGS. 4A-4B. Upon attachment of the first handle and the second handle, the folded container may be considered an assembled container.

At a part 814, the method 800 optionally includes attaching the label. The label may have a u-shaped design where the base of the u-shaped design is less than a top width of each of the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel. Additionally or alternatively, the first face and the second face of the u-shaped design may be angled towards each other such that a distance between the first face and the second face decreases moving along the length of the first face and the second face away from the base of the u-shaped design. The label may be attached to the assembled container by sliding the label onto an edge (e.g., a top edge or a side edge) of the panel, such that the first face and the second face of the label are positioned on either side of the respective panel with the panel pinched therebetween.

At a part 816, the method 800 optionally includes assembling and inserting the divider. As described in reference to FIG. 7, the first wall and the second wall may be assembled using the respective slit in each wall to form the divider. The divider may be placed into the interior of the assembled container to divide the interior of the container into four equally sized quadrants. In another embodiment, the divider may have more or less than two walls to divide the assembled container into more or less than four equally sized quadrants.

In this way, a container for storing and/or organizing objects may be assembled in a single motion. The unassembled container, including additional components, may be delivered to a consumer in a flat-pack, thus reducing packaging materials and space used compared to pre-assembled containers. The unassembled container may be assembled in a single motion using the drawstring, thus eliminating additional tools used for container assembly. The container may be formed of plant-derived vegan leather or other sustainable materials, further reducing inclusion of unsustainable materials and emissions in manufacturing of the container.

The disclosure also provides support for a method, comprising: assembling a container in a single motion by: pulling a drawstring through an opening in a drawstring channel in a first panel of the container, wherein pulling the drawstring: folds each of a first triangular panel, a second triangular panel, a third triangular panel and a fourth triangular panel in half towards an interior of the container, lifts each of the first panel, a second panel, a third panel, and a fourth panel towards the interior of the container to a vertical position, and securing the drawstring to hold the container in an assembled configuration. In a first example of the method, the method further comprises: wrapping the drawstring around buttons of the first panel. In a second example of the method, optionally including the first example, the method further comprises: folding a first cover flap over the drawstring at the first panel and folding a second cover flap towards the interior of the container over the third panel. In a third example of the method, optionally including one or both of the first and second examples, the drawstring may be secured by moving a cord lock, positioned on the drawstring, towards the drawstring channel. In a fourth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through third examples, the method further comprises: attaching a first handle and a second handle to the container in the assembled configuration. In a fifth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, attaching the first handle includes passing a first screw of the first handle through a first handle positioning hole of the second panel and passing a second screw of the first handle through a second handle positioning hole of the fourth panel and securing the first screw with a first connecting mechanism and the second screw with a second connecting mechanism, and attaching the second handle includes passing a third screw of the second handle through a third handle positioning hole of the second panel and passing a fourth screw of the second handle through a fourth handle positioning hole of the fourth panel, and securing the third screw with a third connecting mechanism and the fourth screw with a fourth connecting mechanism. In a sixth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fifth examples, the method further comprises: attaching a label to the container in the assembled configuration. In a seventh example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through sixth examples, the method further comprises: inserting a divider in the container in the assembled configuration. In an eighth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through seventh examples, the method further comprises: inserting a first slit of a first wall into a second slit of a second wall, such that the first wall and the second wall perpendicularly intersect and form the divider.

The disclosure also provides support for a method for assembling a container, comprising: pulling a drawstring of a container base, wherein pulling the drawstring: pulls a length of drawstring through an opening on an interior side of a first panel, folds a first triangle piece and a second triangle piece towards a center of the container and simultaneously pulls a second panel and a third panel towards the center of the container base, folds a third triangle piece and a fourth triangle piece towards the center of the container and simultaneously pulls a fourth panel towards the center of the container, securing the drawstring using a cord lock, folding a first side flap and a second side flap into the center of the container, and attaching handles to the container. In a first example of the method, the first triangle piece is coupled to the first panel and the second panel, the second triangle piece is coupled to the second panel and the third panel, the third triangle piece is coupled to the third panel and the fourth panel, the fourth triangle piece is coupled to the fourth panel and the first panel, the first side flap is coupled to the first panel, and the second side flap is coupled to the third panel. In a second example of the method, optionally including the first example, the first panel, the second panel, the third panel, and the fourth panel are each coupled to and positioned along a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a fourth edge, respectively, of a base panel of the container base. In a third example of the method, optionally including one or both of the first and second examples, the method further comprises: attaching a label to the container. In a fourth example of the method, optionally including one or more or each of the first through third examples, the method further comprises: inserting a divider in the container.

The disclosure also provides support for a container, comprising: an octagonal base and a drawstring with a cord lock positioned thereon, wherein the container is assembled in a single motion by pulling and securing the drawstring through a drawstring channel of the octagonal base. In a first example of the system, the drawstring is positioned around a perimeter of the octagonal base. In a second example of the system, optionally including the first example, a first end and a second end of the drawstring extend through an opening in the drawstring channel at a first panel of the octagonal base. In a third example of the system, optionally including one or both of the first and second examples, the drawstring extends through a right side of the drawstring channel of the first panel, through a first eyelet of a first triangular panel to an exterior of the octagonal base, through a second eyelet of the first triangular panel to an interior of the octagonal base, through the drawstring channel of a second panel, through a third eyelet of a second triangular panel to the exterior of the octagonal base, through a fourth eyelet of the second triangular panel to the interior of the octagonal base, through the drawstring channel of a third panel, through a fifth eyelet of a third triangular panel to the exterior of the octagonal base, through a sixth eyelet of the third triangular panel to the interior of the octagonal base, through the drawstring channel of a fourth panel, through a seventh eyelet of a fourth triangular panel to the exterior of the octagonal base, through an eighth eyelet of the fourth triangular panel to the interior of the octagonal base, through a left side of the drawstring channel of the first panel. In a fourth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through third examples, a first handle and a second handle are each attached to the second panel and the fourth panel using fastening hardware. In a fifth example of the system, optionally including one or more or each of the first through fourth examples, at least one of a divider and a label are added to the container.

FIGS. 1-5 show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.

The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

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