Multipurpose adjustable single sheet container

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6279818
  • Patent Number
    6,279,818
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, May 24, 2000
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 28, 2001
    24 years ago
Abstract
A multipurpose adjustable single sheet container for storing and shipping various sizes and shapes of items. The single sheet container is characterized by having end flaps that can be either cut or folded, at the option of the user, for enclosing the ends of the container. The container has vertical fold lines which allow the user of the container to adjust the length and the width of the container for forming different geometric shapes. The container includes a plurality of side panels. Opposite sides of the side panels are divided by vertical fold lines. Opposite ends of the side panels include upper horizontal fold lines and lower horizontal fold lines. The upper horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of upper flaps. The lower horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of lower flaps. Opposite sides of the upper and lower flaps are divided by vertical perforated lines. When a length of the vertical perforated lines is cut, the flaps can be folded inward when enclosing the opposite ends of the container. The upper and lower flaps also include “X” shaped diagonal fold lines. When a length of the diagonal fold lines is folded, the flaps can be folded inward providing an alternate way of enclosing the opposite ends of the container.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




(a) Field of the Invention




This invention relates to adjustable containers and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a multipurpose adjustable container made of a single sheet. The single sheet having a plurality of side panels with vertical fold lines and a plurality of upper and lower end flaps which can be cut or folded for enclosing the container. The vertical fold lines allow the container to be folded into a number of different sizes and geometric shapes for storing and shipping various items.




(b) Discussion of Prior Art




In U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,125,535 to Hoffman, 3,032,253 to Younger, 3,313,467 to Anderskow et al., 3,598,303 to Folz and 3,727,827 to Stice, different types of expandable and variable sized boxes, containers and envelopes are disclosed. Also, in British Patents 371,751 to Montague et al. and 1,029,562 to Hodgkinson two different types of carton blanks are described for making various sizes of containers when folded along slots and perforated fold lines.




The above mentioned prior art patents do not specifically disclose or teach the subject invention having a plurality of side panels for adjusting the length and width of the container along with upper and lower flaps that can be either cut or folded when closing opposite ends of a container of a selected size.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the subject invention to provide a multipurpose adjustable single sheet container. Side panels of the container can be quickly folded along vertical fold lines for forming a plurality of different size containers. The container can be folded to different lengths and widths for holding various size objects.




Another object of the invention is the container includes upper flaps and lower flaps which can be cut along vertical perforated lines for folding the flaps inwardly when enclosing the opposite ends of the container.




Still another object of the invention is the upper flaps and the lower flaps also include “X” shaped diagonal fold lines. When a length of the diagonal fold lines is folded, the flaps can be folded inwardly providing an alternate way of enclosing the opposite ends of the container. The user of the subject container has an option of either cutting the perforated lines of the flaps or folding the diagonal fold lines of the flaps when enclosing the opposite ends of the container.




Yet another object of the invention is the vertical perforated lines in the flaps include a inverted “T” shaped cut therein to act as a stop. The “T” shaped cut helps prevent cutting into a vertical fold line between the panels and prior to folding the flaps inwardly when enclosing the ends of the container.




The container includes a plurality of side panels. Opposite sides of the side panels are divided by vertical fold lines. Opposite ends of the side panels include upper horizontal fold lines and lower horizontal fold lines. The upper horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of upper flaps. The lower horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from a plurality of lower flaps. Opposite sides of the upper and lower flaps are divided by vertical perforated lines. When a length of the vertical perforated lines is cut, the flaps can be folded inward when enclosing the opposite ends of the container. The upper and lower flaps also include “X” shaped diagonal fold lines. When a length of the diagonal fold lines is folded, the flaps can be folded inward providing an alternate way of enclosing the opposite ends of the container.




These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those familiar with the different types of multipurpose container boxes, container blanks and adjustable single sheet containers when reviewing the following detailed description, showing novel construction, combination, and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the claims, it being understood that changes in the embodiments to the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included as coming within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The accompanying drawings illustrate complete preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best modes presently devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:





FIG. 1

is a front view of the single sheet container shown having


8


side panels divided by vertical fold lines. Also, opposite ends of the side panels are shown with upper horizontal fold lines and lower horizontal fold lines. The horizontal fold lines divide the side panels from upper and lower flaps.





FIG. 1A

is a front view of two of the upper flaps and positioned for cutting along a vertical perforated line between the two upper flaps.





FIG. 2

is a perspective view of the container folded into a square configuration with two of the side panels on each side of the container.





FIG. 2A

is a top view of the container shown in

FIG. 2

showing the


8


side panels formed into the square configuration.





FIG. 2B

is a perspective view of the vertical perforated lines between the upper flaps having been cut and positioned for folding inwardly for enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using cut lower flaps.





FIG. 2C

is another perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 2B

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 2D

is a perspective view of “X” shaped diagonal lines in the upper flaps used for folding a portion of the flaps. The folded flaps are shown ready for folding inwardly and enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using folded lower flaps.





FIG. 2E

is another perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 2D

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 3

is a perspective view of the container folded into a rectangular configuration with two and one half of the side panels on opposite sides of the container and one and one half of the side panels on the other two sides of the container.





FIG. 3A

is a top view of the container shown in

FIG. 3

showing the 8 side panels formed into the rectangular shape.





FIG. 3B

is a perspective view of the vertical perforated lines between the upper flaps having been cut and positioned for folding inwardly for enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using cut lower flaps.





FIG. 3C

is another perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 3B

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 4

is a perspective view of the container folded into another rectangular configuration with three of the side panels on opposite sides of the container and one side panel on the other two sides of the container.





FIG. 4A

is a top view of the container shown in

FIG. 4

showing the 8 side panels formed into the rectangular configuration.





FIG. 4B

is a perspective view of the vertical perforated lines between the upper flaps having been cut and positioned for folding inwardly for enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using cut lower flaps.





FIG. 4C

is anther perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 4B

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 4D

is a perspective view of “X” shaped diagonal lines in the upper flaps used for folding a portion of the flaps. The folded flaps are shown ready for folding inwardly and enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using folded lower flaps.





FIG. 4E

is anther perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 4D

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 5

is a perspective view of the container folded into another but smaller rectangular configuration with two of the side panels on each side of the container and with two of the side panels folded next to each other.





FIG. 5A

is a top view of the container shown in

FIG. 5

showing 6 side panels formed into the rectangular shaped configuration.





FIG. 5B

is a perspective view of the vertical perforated lines between the upper flaps having been cut and positioned for folding inwardly for enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using cut lower flaps.





FIG. 5C

is anther perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 5B

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 5D

is a perspective view of “X” shaped diagonal lines in the upper flaps used for folding a portion of the flaps. The folded flaps are shown ready for folding inwardly and enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using folded lower flaps.





FIG. 5E

is another perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 5D

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.





FIG. 6

is a perspective view of the container folded into a smaller square configuration and with two pair of the side panels folded next to each other.





FIG. 6A

is a top view of the container shown in

FIG. 6

showing 4 side panels formed into a square configuration.





FIG. 6B

is a perspective view of the vertical perforated lines between the upper flaps having been cut and positioned for folding inwardly for enclosing the upper end of the container. The bottom end of the container is shown already having been enclosed using cut lower flaps.





FIG. 6C

is anther perspective view of the container shown in

FIG. 6B

with the upper flaps folded on top of the upper end of the container for enclosing the container.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




In

FIG. 1

, a front view of the multipurpose adjustable single sheet container is shown and having general reference numeral


10


. The adjustable single sheet container


10


can be made in various sizes for holding both small and large objects to be stored and/or shipped. Also, the container


10


may be made of cardboard, different grades of paper stock and like box and container materials.




The container


10


, in this drawings includes a first side panel


12


, a second side panel


14


, a third side panel


16


, a fourth side panel


18


, a fifth side panel


20


, a sixth side panel


22


, a seventh side panel


24


and an eighth side panel


26


. The sides panels are of equal size, parallel to each other and divided by a plurality of vertical fold lines


28


. Also, fourth and eighth side panels


18


and


26


include an added fold line


30


for dividing in two the height of these panels. Further, the second and sixth side panels


14


and


22


, while not shown in the drawings, can include the added fold lines


30


. This feature provides for additional folding options as shown in FIG.


3


. Each of the side panels include a height “H” and a width “W”.




An upper end of each side panel includes an upper horizontal fold line


32


. A lower end of each side panel includes lower a lower horizontal fold line


34


. The upper horizontal fold line


32


divides the upper portion of the side panels


12


,


14


,


18


,


20


,


22


,


24


and


28


from a first upper flap


36


, a second upper flap


38


, a third upper flap


40


, a fourth upper flap


42


, a fifth upper flap


44


, a sixth upper flap, a seventh upper flap


48


and an eighth upper flap


50


. The upper flaps are of equal size and parallel to each other.




The lower horizontal fold line


34


divides a lower portion of the side panels


12


,


14


,


16


,


18


,


20


,


22


,


24


and


26


from a first lower flap


52


, a second lower flap


54


, a third lower flap


56


, a fourth lower flap


58


, a fifth lower flap


60


, a sixth lower flap


62


, a seventh lower flap


64


and an eighth lower flap


66


. The lower flaps are of equal size and parallel to each other.




The upper and lower flaps are divided from each other by vertical perforation lines


68


. The perforation lines


68


are used when cutting and folding the flaps when enclosing opposite ends of the container


10


. Also, additional perforation lines


68


are used inconjunction with the additional fold lines


30


when the fold lines


30


are used for forming different container shapes. Also, the upper and lower flaps include “X” shaped diagonal fold lines


70


which are used for folding a portion of each of the flaps. The first side panel


12


is divided by one of the vertical fold lines


28


from a glue panel


72


. When the glue panel


72


is folded, it is attached to a portion of a back side of the eighth side panel


26


as indicated by arrows


74


.




It should be noted that while the drawings disclose the use of eight side panels with upper and lower flaps, the adjustable single sheet container


10


can have four side panels with upper and lower flaps for forming a square shaped container, the single sheet container


10


can also have six side panels and more for forming different rectangular shaped containers. Further, the side panels can include additional added vertical lines


30


and perforated lines


68


for providing even more options for the user to fold the container


10


into various configurations for storing and shipping different size items.




In

FIG. 1A

, a front view of a portion of the upper flaps


36


and


38


are shown. In this drawing, various types of cutting tools or the hand can be used to cut the vertical perforated lines


68


between the two upper flaps. Also the perforated lines can be torn by hand or cut with other types of cutting tools. At the bottom of the perforated line


68


is an inverted “T” shaped cut


78


, which acts a stop to help prevent the knife


76


from cutting into the vertical fold line


28


.




In

FIG. 2

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown folded into a square configuration. In this example, one side of the container includes the first and second side panels


12


and


14


with the opposite side of the container including fifth and sixth side panels


20


and


22


. Fourth and fifth side panels


16


and


18


are disposed opposite the seventh and eighth side panels


24


and


26


. It should be noted that the container


10


now has a length of twice the width “w” of each panel or a total of “2w”. The container


10


also has a width of twice the width “w” of each panel or a total of “2w”. The height “H” shown in

FIG. 1

remains constant. Obviously by adjusting the length and width of the container


10


as shown in the drawings, various sizes and shapes of objects can be placed therein for storage or shipping.




In

FIG. 2A

, a top view of the container


10


is shown. In this view, the length and width of the container can be seen and formed into the square shape configuration.




In

FIG. 2B

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown. In this drawing, four of the vertical perforated lines


68


have been cut so that the upper flaps can be folded for enclosing the top of the container. In this example, the perforated line


68


between the second and third upper flaps


38


and


40


has been cut and the perforated line


68


between the fourth and fifth upper flaps


42


and


44


has been cut. The fourth and fifth upper flaps


42


and


44


are shown folded inwardly to cover a portion of the top of the container


10


. Likewise, the perforated line


68


between the sixth and seventh upper flaps


46


and


48


has been cut and the perforated line been the eighth and first flaps


50


and


36


has been cut. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed by cutting selected vertical perforated lines


68


and folding the lower flaps inwardly.




In

FIG. 2C

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown and similar to FIG.


2


B. In this drawing, the seventh and eighth upper flaps


48


and


50


have been folded inwardly. The first and second upper flaps


36


and


38


and the fifth and sixth upper flaps


44


and


46


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




In

FIG. 2D

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown wherein the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


are used for folding the upper and lower flaps rather than cutting along the vertical perforated lines


68


. In this example, the third and fourth upper flaps


40


and


42


have been folded inwardly with folding occurring along one of the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


on these flaps. Likewise, the seventh and eighth upper flaps


48


and


50


are positioned for folding inwardly with the folding occurring along one of the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


on the these flaps. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed using folded lower flaps.




In

FIG. 2E

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown similar to FIG.


2


D. In this drawing, the seventh and eighth upper flaps


48


and


50


have been folded inwardly using the diagonal fold lines. The first and second upper flaps


36


and


38


and the fifth and sixth upper flaps


44


and


46


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




In

FIG. 3

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown folded into a rectangular configuration. In this example, one side of the container includes the first and second side panels


12


and


14


and one half of eighth panel


26


with the opposite side of the container including the fifth and sixth side panels


20


and


22


and one half of the fourth side panel


18


. The other sides of the container include the third panel


16


and one half of the fourth side panel


18


and the seventh side panel


24


and one half of the eighth side panel


26


. It should be noted that the container


10


now has a length of two and one half of the width “w” of each panel or a total of “2½”. The container


10


also has a width of one and one half the width “w” of each panel or a total of “1½”. As mentioned above, the height “H” shown in

FIG. 1

remains constant.




In

FIG. 3A

, a top view of the container


10


as seen in

FIG. 2

is shown. In this view, the length and width of the container can be seen and formed into the rectangular shaped configuration.




In

FIG. 3B

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown. In this drawing, four of the vertical perforated lines


68


have been cut so that the upper flap can be folded for enclosing the top of the container. In this example, the perforated line


68


between the second and third upper flaps


38


and


40


has been cut and the perforated line


68


dividing the fourth flap


42


in two has been cut. The third upper flaps


40


and one half of the fourth upper flap


42


are shown folded inwardly to cover a portion of the top of the container


10


. Likewise, the perforated line


68


between the sixth and seventh upper flaps


46


and


48


has been cut and the perforated line dividing the eighth flap


50


in two has been cut. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed by cutting selected vertical perforated lines


68


and folding the lower flaps inwardly.




In

FIG. 3C

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown and similar to FIG.


3


B. In this drawing, the seventh upper flap


48


and one half of the eighth upper flap


50


have been folded inwardly. The first and second upper flaps


36


and


38


and one half of the eighth upper flap


50


and the fifth and sixth upper flaps


44


and


46


and one half of the fourth upper flap


42


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


. Since the vertical perforated lines


68


have been used in the divided fourth and eighth upper flaps


42


and


50


and the divided fourth and eighth lower flaps


58


and


66


, the “X” shaped diagonal fold lines


70


are not used for enclosing the container


10


.




In

FIG. 4

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown folded into another rectangular configuration. In this example, one side of the container includes the first and second side panels


12


and


14


and the eighth side panel


26


with the opposite side of the container including fourth, fifth and sixth side panels


18


,


20


and


22


. The third side panel


16


is disposed opposite the seventh side panel


24


. It should be noted that the container


10


now has a length of three times the width “w” of each panel or a total of “3w”. The container


10


now has a width “w”.




In

FIG. 4A

, a top view of the container


10


as seen in

FIG. 4

is shown. In this view, the length and width of the container can be seen and formed into the rectangular shaped configuration.




In

FIG. 4B

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown. In this drawing, four of the vertical perforated lines


68


have been cut so that the upper flaps can be folded for enclosing the top of the container. In this example, the perforated line


68


between the second and third upper flaps


38


and


40


has been cut and the perforated line


68


between the third and fourth upper flaps


40


and


42


has been cut. The third upper flap


40


is shown folded inwardly to cover a portion of the top of the container


10


. Likewise, the perforated line


68


between the sixth and seventh upper flaps


46


and


48


has been cut and the perforated line between the seventh and eighth upper flaps


48


and


50


has been cut. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed by cutting selected vertical perforated lines


68


and folding the lower flaps inwardly.




In

FIG. 4C

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown and similar to FIG.


4


B. In this drawing, the seventh upper flap has been folded inwardly. The first, second and eighth upper flaps


36


,


38


and


50


and the fourth, fifth and sixth upper flaps


42


,


44


and


46


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




In

FIG. 4D

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown wherein the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


are used for folding the upper and lower flaps rather than cutting along the vertical perforated lines


68


. In this example, the third upper flap


40


has been folded inwardly with folding occurring along one of the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


on the second and the fourth upper flaps


38


and


44


. Likewise, the seventh upper flap


48


is positioned for folding inwardly with the folding occurring along one of the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


on the sixth and the eighth upper flaps


46


and


50


. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed using folded lower flaps.




In

FIG. 4E

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown similar to FIG.


4


D. In this drawing, the seventh upper flap


48


has been folded inwardly using the diagonal fold lines on the sixth and eighth upper flaps


46


and


50


. The first, second and eighth upper flaps


36


,


38




50


and the fourth, fifth and sixth upper flaps


42


,


44


and


46


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




In

FIG. 5

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown folded into a smaller rectangular configuration. In this example, one side of the container includes the first and eighth side panels


12


and


26


with the opposite side of the container including the fifth and sixth side panels


20


and


22


. The fourth side panel


18


, in this example, is folded next to third side panel


16


and placed next to the second panel


14


for decreasing the length and width of the container


10


. It should be noted that the container


10


now has a length of twice the width “w” of each panel or a total of “2w”. The container


10


now has a width “w”.




In

FIG. 5A

, a top view of the container


10


is shown. In this view, the length and width of the container can be seen and formed into the smaller rectangular shaped configuration.




In

FIG. 5B

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown. In this drawing, four of the vertical perforated lines


68


have been cut so that the upper flaps can be folded for enclosing the top of the container. In this example, the perforated line


68


between the first and second upper flaps


36


and


38


has been cut, the perforated line


68


between the second and third upper flaps


38


and


40


has been cut and the fourth and fifth upper flaps


42


and


44


and


42


has been cut. The second, third and fourth upper flaps


38


,


40


and


42


are shown folded together and inwardly to cover a portion of the top of the container


10


. Likewise, the perforated line


68


between the sixth and seventh upper flaps


46


and


48


has been cut and the perforated line between the seventh and eighth upper flaps


48


and


50


has been cut. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed by cutting selected vertical perforated lines


68


and folding the lower flaps inwardly.




In

FIG. 5C

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown and similar to FIG.


5


B. In this drawing, the seventh upper flap


48


has been folded inwardly. The first and eighth upper flaps


36


and


50


and the fifth and sixth upper flaps


44


and


46


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




In

FIG. 5D

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown wherein the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


are used for folding the upper and lower flaps rather than cutting along the vertical perforated lines


68


. In this example, the second, third and fourth upper flaps


38


,


40


and


42


have been folded inwardly with folding occurring along one of the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


on the first and the fifth upper flaps


36


and


44


. Likewise, the seventh upper flap


48


is positioned for folding inwardly with the folding occurring along one of the “X” shaped diagonal lines


70


on the sixth and the eighth upper flaps


46


and


50


. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed using folded lower flaps.




In

FIG. 5E

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown similar to FIG.


5


D. In this drawing, the seventh upper flap


48


has been folded inwardly using the diagonal fold lines on the sixth and eighth upper flaps


46


and


50


. The first and eighth upper flaps


36


and


50


and the fifth and sixth upper flaps


44


and


46


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




In

FIG. 6

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown folded into a smaller square configuration. In this example, one side of the container includes the first panel


12


with the opposite side of the container including the fifth panel


20


. The fourth side panel


18


, in this example, is folded next to third side panel


16


and placed against the side of the second panel


14


. Also, the eighth panel


26


is folded next to the seventh panel


24


and placed against the sixth panel


22


. This feature of folding panels against each other as shown provides for further decreasing the length and width of the container


10


. It should be noted that the container


10


now has a length of “w” and a width of “w”.




In

FIG. 6A

, a top view of the container


10


is shown. In this view, the length and width of the container can be seen and formed into the smaller square shaped configuration.




In

FIG. 6B

, a perspective view of the container


10


is shown. In this drawing, four of the vertical perforated lines


68


have been cut so that the upper flaps can be folded for enclosing the top of the container. In this example, the perforated line


68


between the first and second upper flaps


36


and


38


has been cut, the perforated line


68


between the second and third upper flaps


38


and


40


has been cut and between the fourth and fifth upper flaps


42


and


44


and


42


has been cut. The second, third and fourth upper flaps


38


,


40


and


42


are shown folded together and inwardly to cover a portion of the top of the container


10


. Likewise, the perforated line


68


between the fifth and sixth upper flaps


44


and


46


has been cut, the perforated line between the sixth and seventh upper flaps


46


and


48


has been cut and the perforated line


68


between the eighth and the first upper flaps


50


and


36


has been cut. The bottom end of the container


10


is shown already having been enclosed by cutting selected vertical perforated lines


68


and folding the lower flaps inwardly.




In

FIG. 6C

, another perspective view of the container


10


is shown and similar to FIG.


6


B. In this drawing, the sixth, seventh and eighth upper flaps


46


,


48


and


50


has been folded inwardly. The first and the fifth upper flaps


36


and


44


are then folded on top of the other upper flaps completing the enclosing of the top of the container


10


.




While, the folding of the various side panels and the cutting and folding of the upper and lower flaps are shown in the drawings for enclosing the container


10


, it can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are any number of additional geometric configurations that can formed using the various vertical fold lines, the horizontal fold lines, the vertical perforated lines and the “X” shaped diagonal fold lines without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.




While the invention has been shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art.



Claims
  • 1. A multipurpose adjustable single sheet container for folding into various square and rectangular shapes, the container used storing and shipping various sizes and shapes of items, the single sheet container comprising:a plurality of parallel side panels having equal size, opposite sides of said side panels divided by vertical fold lines, upper ends of said side panels having upper horizontal fold lines, lower ends of said side panels having lower horizontal fold lines; a plurality of upper flaps having equal size, said upper flaps divided from said side panels by the upper horizontal fold lines, opposite sides of said upper flaps divided by vertical perforated lines, said upper flaps including “X” shaped diagonal fold lines; and a plurality of lower flaps having equal size, said lower flaps divided from said side panels by the lower horizontal fold lines, said, opposite sides of said lower flaps divided by vertical perforated lines, said lower flaps including “X” shaped diagonal fold lines; whereby, when a length of the vertical perforated lines is cut on said upper and lower flaps, said upper and lower flaps can be folded inwardly when enclosing the opposite ends of the container, whereby when a length of the diagonal fold lines is folded on said upper and lower flaps, said upper and lower flaps can be folded inward providing an alternate way of enclosing the opposite ends of the container.
  • 2. The sheet container as described in claim 1 further including added vertical fold lines dividing two of said side panels, said added vertical fold lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 3. The sheet container as described in claim 1 further including means for securing one side of one of said panels to a side of another panel.
  • 4. The sheet container as described in claim 3 wherein said means for securing is a glue panel attached to one side of one of said panels, said glue panel secured to a back side of another panel.
  • 5. A multipurpose adjustable single sheet container for folding into various square and rectangular shapes, the container used storing and shipping various sizes and shapes of items, the single sheet container comprising:a plurality of parallel side panels having equal size, said side panels include a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel and a fourth side panel, opposite sides of said side panels divided by vertical fold lines, upper ends of said side panels having upper horizontal fold lines, lower ends of said side panels having lower horizontal fold lines; a plurality of upper flaps having equal size; said upper flaps including a first upper flap, a second upper flap, a third upper flap and a fourth upper flap, said upper flaps divided from said side panels by the upper horizontal fold lines, opposite sides of said upper flaps divided by vertical perforated lines, said upper flaps including “X” shaped diagonal fold lines; and a plurality of lower flaps having equal size, said lower flaps including a first lower flap, a second lower flap, a third lower flap and a fourth lower flap, said lower flaps divided from said side panels by the lower horizontal fold lines, said, opposite sides of said lower flaps divided by vertical perforated lines, said lower flaps including “X” shaped diagonal fold lines; whereby, when a length of the vertical perforated lines is cut on said upper and lower flaps, said upper and lower flaps can be folded inwardly when enclosing the opposite ends of the container, whereby when a length of the diagonal fold lines is folded on said upper and lower flaps, said upper and lower flaps can be folded inward providing an alternate way of enclosing the opposite ends of the container.
  • 6. The sheet container as described in claim 5 further including added vertical fold lines dividing said first and third side panels, said added vertical fold lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 7. The sheet container as described in claim 6 further including added vertical perforated lines dividing said first and third upper flaps and said first and third lower flaps, said added perforated lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 8. The sheet container as described in claim 5 further including added vertical fold lines dividing the second and fourth side panels, said added vertical fold lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 9. The sheet container as described in claim 8 further including added vertical perforated lines dividing said second and fourth upper flaps and said second and fourth lower flaps, said added perforated lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 10. The sheet container as described in claim 6 further including a glue panel attached to one side of said first panel, said glue panel secured to a back side of said fourth panel.
  • 11. A multipurpose adjustable single sheet container for folding into various square and rectangular shapes, the container used storing and shipping various sizes and shapes of items, the single sheet container comprising:a plurality of parallel side panels having equal size, said side panels include a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a fifth panel, a sixth panel, a seventh panel and an eighth panel, opposite sides of said side panels divided by vertical fold lines, upper ends of said side panels having upper horizontal fold lines, lower ends of said side panels having lower horizontal fold lines; a plurality of upper flaps having equal size, said upper flaps including a first upper flap, a second upper flap, a third upper flap, a fourth upper flap, a fifth upper flap, a sixth upper flap, a seventh upper flap and an eighth upper flap, said upper flaps divided from said side panels by the upper horizontal fold lines, opposite sides of said upper flaps divided by vertical perforated lines, said upper flaps including “X” shaped diagonal fold lines; and a plurality of lower flaps having equal size, said lower flaps including a first lower flap, a second lower flap, a third lower flap, a fourth lower flap, a fifth lower flap, a sixth lower flap, a seventh lower flap and an eighth lower flap, said lower flaps divided from said side panels by the lower horizontal fold lines, said, opposite sides of said lower flaps divided by vertical perforated lines, said lower flaps including “X” shaped diagonal fold lines; whereby, when a length of the vertical perforated lines is cut on said upper and lower flaps, said upper and lower flaps can be folded inwardly when enclosing the opposite ends of the container, whereby when a length of the diagonal fold lines is folded on said upper and lower flaps, said upper and lower flaps can be folded inward providing an alternate way of enclosing the opposite ends of the container.
  • 12. The sheet container as described in claim 11 further including added vertical fold lines dividing said fourth and eighth side panels, said added vertical fold lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 13. The sheet container as described in claim 12 further including added vertical perforated lines dividing said fourth and eighth upper flaps and said fourth and eighth lower flaps, said added perforated lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 14. The sheet container as described in claim 13 further including added vertical fold lines dividing the second and sixth side panels, said added vertical fold lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 15. The sheet container as described in claim 14 further including added vertical perforated lines dividing said second and sixth upper flaps and said second and sixth lower flaps, said added perforated lines providing for additional folding options when folding the container into various square and rectangular shapes.
  • 16. The sheet container as described in claim 11 further including a glue panel attached to one side of said first panel, said glue panel secured to a back side of said eighth panel.
Parent Case Info

This application is a continuation-in-part application of patent application Ser. No. 09/190,626, filed on Nov. 12, 1998, now U.S Pat. No. 6,138,901, which claims benefit of Ser. No. 60/065,824 filed on Nov. 14, 1997, and claims benefits of Ser. No. 60/070,441 filed on Jan. 5, 1998, and claims benefit of 60/085,583 filed May 15, 1998, by the subject inventors and having a title of “MULTIPURPOSE ADJUSTABLE SINGLE SHEET CONTAINER”.

US Referenced Citations (6)
Number Name Date Kind
2329797 Strack Sep 1943
2801506 Kessler Oct 1957
3032253 Younger May 1962
3672558 Johnson Jun 1972
3727827 Stice Apr 1973
5495727 Strong et al. Mar 1996
Provisional Applications (3)
Number Date Country
60/065824 Nov 1997 US
60/070441 Jan 1998 US
60/085583 May 1998 US
Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/190626 Nov 1998 US
Child 09/576242 US