Collapsible containers

Abstract

A system whereby a collapsible box may be formed in the same way that standard cardboard boxes are made by folding a single sheet of material is provided. Square and rectangular boxes may be constructed which may be collapsed down to compact size and easily popped open. Boxes so constructed remain fully assembled with all seams and edges attached even as they are repeatedly folded and unfolded. The box may be made of corrugated cardboard or plastic and easily folded to a fraction of their open volume. The box may open instantly, and when opened, it becomes structural—that is resistant to applied loads—by “popping” certain points outwards. An element or construction that is comprised of a sheet of material that has been provided with a network of hinges such that when the element is folded its edges maintain a right angle relationship is also provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This application claims priority of Provisional Application No. 60 / 697,420, filed Jul. 8, 2005. [0002] It is often useful to have a container or box that may be collapsed to a small volume when not in use and then expanded when needed. A number of different products have been developed for use in both consumer and industrial markets. [0003] Standard corrugated boxes do, of course, fold down to a flat sheet and are often transported in this folded state. Later, when ready for use, they are unfolded and various flaps are attached in order to make them rigid. The time taken to prepare the box for use, while not extensive, is often not convenient and discourages repeated use of the box. [0004] An alternative collapsible box design is made of rigid perforated panels and resembles a standard milk crate. It is comprised of a top and bottom panel, as well as sides that are articulated allowing it to fold. This type of box is distributed both as a consumer ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] This maintained or invariant angle is a critical innovation of the disclosed invention, allowing for a method whereby square and rectangular boxes may be constructed which may be collapsed down to compact size and easily popped open. Boxes so constructed, according to the present disclosure, remain fully assembled with all seams and edges attached even as they are repeatedly folded and unfolded.

Problems solved by technology

The time taken to prepare the box for use, while not extensive, is often not convenient and discourages repeated use of the box.

The number of parts is relatively large, leading to higher costs.

Another limitation is that it is not possible to seal this type of box due to its perforated sides and the difficulty of sealing hinged panels.

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