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, thereby allowing the boxes to fit together in an overlapping configuration.

[0007] The invention has the great advantage that by the provision of one or more gaps in the sidewall of the box and the inserts removed or displaced therefrom, the sidewall of another box may be received in such gap(s), thereby allowing the boxes to fit together in an overlapping configuration (i.e. in which at least portions of the respective sidewalls overlap each other). Consequently, by means of the invention, boxes having upstanding sidewalls may be stacked together in overlapping configurations, therefore taking up less space than they would do so if stacked conventionally in a non-overlapping manner.

[0020] An insert may be a separate member and may be configured to be slideably inserted into the gap from the top edge of the box. For example, an insert may be slidable into a gap in the sidewall of the box by means of at least one protrusion and / or groove of the insert engaging with at least one respective groove and / or protrusion of the sidewall. Such respective sidewall and insert pairs are conveniently configured such that when the insert is inserted into the gap, it is retained in the gap against movement perpendicular to the sidewall. Additionally or alternatively, the sidewall and the insert may be configured such that when the insert is inserted into the gap, it is retained in the gap such that it substantially prevents widening of the gap due to flexing of the sidewall. Consequently, the insert in such a configuration may be securely engaged in the gap.

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 supplying the box).

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.

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