Patent Application
20140305944
With the advent and ubiquity of Internet sales, shipping goods has become a major factor in the economics of Internet sales. Speedy and efficient delivery is critical to assure continued sales. Fortunately, the shipping industry is well-suited to accommodate the increased demand of Internet and mail order sales. However, when issues arise in the course of an Internet sale, often a customer is required to repackage goods for return to a vendor. In some cases, a customer may not have ready access to shipping supplies or may not understand how to properly secure a package for shipping. In other cases, a customer may not wish to store bulky shipping boxes for some later return. As such, resealable boxes are presented herein.
The following presents a simplified summary of sonic embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.
As such, resealable boxes are presented including: a bottom panel foldably attached with a pair of opposing end panels and a pair of opposing side panels, where the pair of opposing end panels each include a pair of opposing corner tucks foldably attached therewith, where the pair of opposing side panels each include a side tuck foldably attached along a side panel edge opposite the bottom panel, where each side tuck includes at least one locking tab disposed along a side tuck edge opposite the side panel edge and configured to engage at least one locking slit positioned along a folded edge of the bottom panel when folded, where the side tucks are configured for capturing the pair of opposing corner tucks when in a folded and locked position a top panel foldably attached with one of the opposing end panels, where the top panel includes a pair of opposing top tucks foldably attached therewith, the pair of opposing top tucks configured for nesting inside the resealable box along the pair of opposing side panels; and a sealing flap foldably attached with the top panel and configured for sealing with the other of the opposing end panels, where the sealing flap includes at least two sealing strips and a zipper strip disposed between and generally parallel with the sealing strips. In some embodiments, each side tuck further includes a finger cutout disposed along the side tuck edge, the finger cutout configured for aiding in disengaging the at least one locking tab from the at least one locking slit. In some embodiments, the finger cutout includes a contact edge having a plurality of semi-arcuate finger grooves In some embodiments, each of the sealing strips include: an adhesive layer formed on an inside surface the sealing flap; and a releasable layer positioned on the adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the zipper strip includes: a pair of tear lines along which the sealing flap is opened after sealing. In sonic embodiments, the zipper strip further includes: a reinforcing ribbon disposed between the tear lines on an inside surface of the sealing flap.
In other embodiments, blanks for forming a resealable box are presented including: a bottom panel foldably attached with a pair of opposing end panels and a pair of opposing side panels, where the pair of opposing end panels each include a pair of opposing corner tucks foldably attached along a first plurality of fold lines, were the pair of opposing corner tucks are positioned along a plurality of cut lines adjacent with the pair of opposing side panels, where the pair of opposing side panels each include a side tuck foldably attached along a side panel edge opposite the bottom panel, where each side tuck includes at least one locking tab disposed along a side tuck edge opposite the side panel edge and configured to engage at least one locking slit positioned along a folded edge of the bottom panel when folded, where the side tucks are configured for capturing the pair of opposing corner tucks when in a folded and locked position of the resealable box; a top panel foldably attached with one of the opposing end panels, where the top panel includes a pair of opposing top tucks foldably attached therewith; and a sealing flap foldably attached with the top panel, where the sealing flap includes at least two sealing strips and a zipper strip disposed between and generally parallel with the sealing strips.
In other embodiments, methods for utilizing a resealable box are presented including: providing the resealable box, the resealable box including, a bottom panel foldable attached with a pair of opposing end panels and a pair of opposing side panels, where the pair of opposing end panels each include a pair of opposing corner tucks foldably attached therewith, where the pair of opposing side panels each include a side tuck foldably attached along a side panel edge opposite the bottom panel, where each side tuck includes at least one locking tab disposed along a side tuck edge opposite the side panel edge and configured to engage at least one locking slit positioned along a folded edge of the bottom panel when folded, where the side tucks are configured for capturing the pair of opposing corner tucks when in a folded and locked position; a top panel foldable attached with one of the opposing end panels, where the top panel includes a pair of opposing top tucks foldable attached therewith, the pair of opposing top tucks configured for nesting inside the resealable box along the pair of opposing side panels; and a sealing flap foldably attached with the top panel and configured for sealing with the other of the opposing end panels, where the sealing flap includes at least two sealing strips and a zipper strip disposed between and generally parallel with the sealing strips; sealing the resealable box utilizing one of the sealing strips; opening the resealable box by tearing along the zipper strip; and resealing the resealable box utilizing another of the sealing strips.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The present invention will now be described in detail With reference to a few embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to riot unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
Further illustrated are opposing side panels 108 and 110 attached along bottom panel 102. Opposing side panel 108 includes side tuck 112 foldably attached along side panel 108 edge opposite bottom panel 102. Likewise, opposing side panel 110 includes side tuck 114 foldably attached along side panel 110 edge opposite bottom panel 102. Each side tuck includes at least one locking tab, for example 116A or 116B or both. Locking tabs are configured for engaging at least one locking slit, such as for example, locking slit 118. In addition, side tucks may be configured for capturing opposing corner tucks when in a folded and locked position. When a user desires to flatten reseal able box embodiments, it is necessary to disengage the locking tabs from the locking slits to unfold the resealable box. In conventional solutions, a user may simply pry the locking tabs out of the locking slits. In illustrated embodiments, each side tuck may include a finger cutout, such as finger cutout 126 disposed along the side tuck 114 edge. Finger cutout embodiments are configured for aiding in disengaging the at least one locking tab from the at least one locking slit. In order to provide a more ergonomic fit, in embodiments, finger cutouts may include a contact edge haying a plurality of semi-arcuate finger grooves.
Further illustrated is top panel 120. Top panel 120 may be foldably attached along end panel 106 along an edge opposite from bottom panel 102. Top panel 120 includes opposing top tucks 122 and 124 that may be foldably attached therewith. It may be seen that opposing top tucks, when folded, may be configured for nesting inside a resealable box along opposing side panels. Opposing top tucks may include an angled edge and rounded corner as shown to aid in closing resealable box embodiments, however the angled edges and rounded corners illustrated should not be construed as limiting. Further illustrated is sealing flap 130 that may be foldably attached with top panel 120 along an edge of top panel 120 opposite from end panel 106. Sealing flap 130 may be configured for sealing with end panel 104 when blank 100 is folded into a resealable box. Sealing flap 130 includes at least two sealing strips 132 and 134. In embodiments, sealing strips mar include an adhesive layer formed on an inside surface of sealing flap 130. Any number of adhesives may be utilized in the art without departing from embodiments provided herein. In addition, sealing strip may further include a releasable layer or tape positioned on the adhesive layer and provided to protect the adhesive layer until sealing. Sealing flap further includes zipper strip 136 disposed between and generally parallel with sealing strips 132 and 134. Zipper strip may include a pair of tear lines 138 along which the sealing flap is opened after sealing. In some embodiments, zipper strips may include reinforcing ribbon 140 disposed between the tear lines on an inside surface of the sealing flap. Reinforcing ribbons provide extra strength to zipper strips to reduce or prevent breakage of the zipper strip.
It may be appreciated that additional sealing strips and zipper strips may be utilized without limitation in embodiments. For example, three sealing strips may be utilized having two zipper strips disposed between and generally parallel with the sealing strips. In such a configuration, resealable boxes may be sealed at least three times. In general, for every N number of sealing strips, N−1 number of zipper strips may be required, where N also equals the number of times a resealable box may be sealed.
Further illustrated is top panel 220. Top panel 220 may be foldably attached along end panel 206 along an edge opposite from bottom panel 202. Top panel 220 includes opposing top tucks 222 and 224 that may be foldably attached therewith. It may be seen that opposing top tucks, when folded, may be configured for nesting inside resealable box 200 along opposing side panels. Opposing top tucks may include an angled edge and rounded corner to aid in closing resealable box embodiments however the angled edges and rounded corners illustrated should not be construed as limiting. Further illustrated is sealing flap 230 that may be foldably attached with top panel 220 along an edge of top panel 220 opposite from end panel 206. Sealing flap 203 may be configured for sealing with end panel 204.
At a position B, when a user desires to open resealable box 300, a user may pull on zipper strip 314 thereby tearing sealing flap 302 along tear lines. As may be appreciated, a portion of sealing flap remains adhered with end panel 304 after tearing. Once zipper strip 314 is removed, resealable box max be opened and either stored in a folded configuration or unfolded by disengaging locking tabs from locking slits. As noted above, in conventional solutions, a user may simply pry the locking tabs out of the locking slits. Finger cutout embodiments provided herein are configured for aiding in disengaging the locking tab from the locking slit. In order to provide a more ergonomic fit, in some embodiments, finger cutouts may include a contact edge having a plurality of semi-arcuate finger grooves as illustrated.
At a position C, resealable box 300 is ready to be resealed. As illustrated, sealing strip 308 may include adhesive layer 316 formed on an inside surface of sealing flap 302. Any number of adhesives may be utilized in the art without departing from embodiments provided herein. In addition, sealing strip 308 may further include a releasable layer 318 or tape positioned on the adhesive layer and provided to protect the adhesive layer until sealing. Prior to sealing reseal able box 300, releasable layer 318 may be removed as indicated, whereupon resealable box 300 may be sealed as illustrated at a position D.
While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. For example, it may be further appreciated that embodiments of sealing flaps and finger cutouts may be utilized in boxes of any size or configuration without departing from embodiments provided herein. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, any method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Further, the Abstract is provided herein for convenience and should not be employed to construe or limit the overall invention, which is expressed in the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61812652 | Apr 2013 | US |
