Box

Abstract

The present invention relates to boxes, particularly boxes formed from polymer materials, especially expanded polystyrene (EPS) or other expanded polymer materials. However, the invention is applicable to boxes generally, including those formed from cardboard, board, wood, metal, etc. Boxes formed from EPS or other expanded polymer materials are used in vast numbers for a huge range of purposes. For example, such boxes are used generally as transport containers, for transporting all manner of goods, including raw and processed food, plants, electrical products, chemical products, pharmaceutical products, and biological materials. Boxes formed from such materials have many advantages, including low manufacturing cost, thermal insulation properties, low density, and impact resistance. However, boxes that cannot be collapsed to a flat configuration for transportation when empty suffer from the disadvantage that the cost of their transportation (when empty) is generally significant in comparison to their manufacturing cost. While the use of boxes that can be collapsed flat for transportation when empty can solve this problem in some situations, such collapsible boxes are not suitable for all purposes nor universally adopted, wherever appropriate, in view of the fact that despite collapsible boxes having been available for many years, non-collapsible boxes are still used in vast numbers. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the above problems and provides an improved box with sidewall having gaps to enable boxes to fit together in an overlapping configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to boxes, particularly boxes formed from polymer materials, especially expanded polystyrene (EPS) or other expanded polymer materials. However, the invention is applicable to boxes generally, including those formed from cardboard, board, wood, metal, etc. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Boxes formed from EPS or other expanded polymer materials (e.g. expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyethylene (EPE), etc.) are used in vast numbers for a huge range of purposes. For example, such boxes are used generally as transport containers, for transporting all manner of goods, including (but not limited to) raw and processed food, plants (horticulture), electrical products (including “white” goods), chemical products, pharmaceutical products, and biological materials. Boxes (e.g. transport containers) formed from such materials have many advantages, including low manufacturing cost, thermal insulation properties, low density (...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a box, comprising a base and an upstanding sidewall defining an interior volume of the box, the sidewall including at least one gap extending from a top edge thereof and at least one insert; whereby, in use, each gap is closed by a respective insert to provide a continuous upstanding sidewall; and, in a storage mode, each gap is operable to accept a sidewall of a corresponding mirror-image version of the box such that the sidewall of a box could be received in the gap and a portion of the upstanding wall can be received in a gap defined in a wall of said corresponding mirror-image version of the box, the

Problems solved by technology

However, boxes that cannot be collapsed to a flat configuration for transportation when empty suffer from the disadvantage that the cost of their transportation (when empty) is generally significant in comparison to their manufacturing cost.

Consequently, the transportation cost can significantly increase the “effective” manufacturing cost of the box (i.e. the cost of manufacturing and

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