Collapsible and assemblable container

Abstract

A collapsible and assemblable container for sterilization, including but not limited to UV sterilization, of objects placed in the container. The container includes a movable panel having an electronic circuit board that includes one or more actuation elements, such as UV LEDs. The electronic circuit board also includes a sensor that inhibits the actuation elements from being activated unless the collapsible container is fully and properly deployed, thereby preventing any hazardous exposure to the actuation elements that can cause eye damage, skin cancer, and the like to a user. The electronic circuit board cooperates with a switch element that activates the actuation elements only when the collapsible container is fully and properly deployed.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Utility Patent Application No. 63 / 107,457, filed October 30, 2020, and U.S. Non-Provisional Utility Patent Application No. 17 / 182,163, filed February 22, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a stackable and assemblable container that can be used for sterilization or other functions and has an actuating element that cooperates with two or more switches such that the switches are closed and the actuating element can be operated only when the container is fully assembled, thereby ensuring operational safety. Background Technology

[0004] In the container industry, stackable containers have many known applications. However, most stackable containers have multiple movable panels that may not unfold correctly or only partially, resulting in incomplete formation of the required enclosed container. If the container is not properly formed during UV sterilization, it may emit harmful UV radiation, which can cause eye damage, skin cancer, and other problems.

[0005] Furthermore, once the container is folded into its unfolded configuration, users often need to apply tape, another adhesive, or other mechanical means to hold it in place. Therefore, given the shortcomings of existing stackable containers, this technology requires a stackable container with extremely high safety. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned drawbacks, this invention provides a stackable and assemblable container that solves the problems of poor portability, improper assembly, and safety associated with traditional stackable containers. The stackable container of this invention is lightweight and easily folded flat into a compact shape for storage and transportation.

[0007] According to one aspect, the present invention provides a stackable and assemblable container comprising: a first movable panel having a first sensor element; a second movable panel having an electronic circuit board including one or more actuating elements cooperating with at least three interlocking switching elements, the at least three interlocking switching elements controlling the one or more actuating elements; a third movable panel having a second sensor element in part; and a fourth movable panel having a third sensor element. During container assembly, the third movable panel and the fourth movable panel form an inner shell portion, the first movable panel and the second movable panel being configured as an upper cover of the container, and the first movable panel being positioned above the second movable panel. The second sensor element of the third movable panel interacts with the first of the at least three interlocking switching elements, and the third sensor element of the fourth movable panel interacts with the second of the at least three interlocking switching elements. If the first sensor element of the first movable panel does not interact with the third of the at least three interlocking switching elements, then the electronic circuit board remains disconnected. Otherwise, if the first sensor element of the first movable panel interacts with a third of the at least three interlocking switch elements, then the one or more actuating elements are actuated.

[0008] In one embodiment, the one or more actuating elements include a sterilization element, a heating element, a jetting element, or a laser element.

[0009] In another embodiment, the sterilization element comprises at least three UV LEDs.

[0010] In one embodiment, the at least three interlocking switching elements comprise a reed switch, a magnetically activated switch, an optically activated switch, a mechanically activated switch, or a temperature-activated switch. It should be noted that the present invention does not preclude the use of fewer interlocking switching elements, such as only one interlocking switching element, or two interlocking switching elements.

[0011] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit board further includes power components and connectors, the power components including a rechargeable battery.

[0012] In another embodiment, the connector includes a USB port or a Type-C port.

[0013] In one embodiment, all panels are made of insulating or waterproof materials.

[0014] In one embodiment, the insulation material comprises one or more of glass fiber, silicone resin, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon fiber, aluminum, and stainless steel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the waterproof material comprises one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass fiber, silicone resin, polyurethane (PU), aluminum, stainless steel, and polycarbonate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the sensor element is a magnet, and the magnet is attracted to a mating magnet on an adjacent panel when the container is fully formed; alternatively, mechanical fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners like VELCRO, zippers, ties, or other fasteners, may be used.

[0017] In one embodiment, the electronic circuit board further includes one or more sensors that prevent the activation of the one or more actuating elements unless the stackable container is fully and correctly deployed.

[0018] In one embodiment, the first panel and the second panel are connected by a plurality of intermediate panels.

[0019] In another embodiment, the third and fourth panels are positioned above a plurality of intermediate panels.

[0020] In another embodiment, the plurality of intermediate panels form an outer shell portion that surrounds an inner shell portion formed by the third panel and the fourth panel. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Figure 1 Depict an isometric view of a stackable container at its smallest and most compact stage;

[0023] Figure 2 Depict an isometric view of the stackable container in its first folded stage;

[0024] Figure 3 Depict an isometric view of a completely flat, stackable container;

[0025] Figure 4 Depict an isometric view of the stackable container as it begins to approach the box stage;

[0026] Figure 5 Depicts an isometric view of a stackable container that is formed as a box but opens at the top;

[0027] Figure 6 An isometric view depicting a stackable container that can be magnetically assembled, formed as a box with a closed but not completely sealed top opening;

[0028] Figure 7An isometric view depicting a stackable and magnetically assembleable container formed as a box and completely sealed; and

[0029] Figure 8 A functional layout of an electronic circuit board including a sterilization UV element is depicted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 9 , 10 11 and 11 depict another embodiment of a stackable and assemblable container having two interlocking switches and a removable lid. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following description, depictions of stackable and assemblable containers are presented as preferred examples. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications, including additions and / or substitutions, can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Specific details may be omitted to avoid obscuring the invention; however, this disclosure is prepared to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings herein without undue experimentation.

[0032] This invention solves the problem of radiation leakage from incompletely formed containers. In one aspect, the invention uses an electronic circuit board comprising one or more actuating elements, such as UV LEDs, which cooperate with at least three interlocking switching elements. This allows the actuating elements to be activated only when the formed container is properly closed.

[0033] Collapsible and assemblable containers employ an innovative folding process and can be assembled into boxes or flattened into planar shapes for storage at any time. Collapsible containers offer advantages over non-collapsible containers, at least because they can be folded from a flat configuration to a three-dimensional configuration.

[0034] See below for reference Figures 1 to 8 Embodiments of the stackable and assemblable container of the present invention are described.

[0035] Turn Figure 1 The container includes a first movable panel 1 and a second movable panel 2. Ideally, in... Figure 5 As can be seen, movable panels 1 and 2 will be assembled as covering parts of a shell assembled from stackable panels 3 and 4. Figure 3 The third movable panel 3 and the fourth movable panel 4 are depicted. The third movable panel 3 and the fourth movable panel 4 are assembled as follows: Figure 4 The best-looking portion of the cover. Each of the stackable panels 3 and 4 contains approximately rectangular and triangular segments, where the rectangular segments form the ends of the cover and the triangular segments are assembled together to form the sides of the cover, as shown. Figure 4 and 5 As seen in the text.

[0036] like Figure 3 As seen in the image, foldable containers have evolved from... Figure 1 The first fold configuration opens to a nearly flat opening structure. The foldable container comprises two main folding subassemblies. The first subassembly includes movable panels 1 and 2 interconnected by a plurality of intermediate panels 13, 14, and 15. A third movable panel 3 and a fourth movable panel 4 are positioned on the plurality of intermediate panels 13, 14, and 15, wherein each of panels 3 and 4 comprises two triangular segments interconnected by rectangular segments. The user opens the movable panels 3 and 4, which are then assembled to form... Figure 4 The best view of the inner casing portion. Figure 5 In the assembled container configuration, foldable sections 13, 14 and 15 surround the internal shell portion assembled from the third movable panel 3 and the fourth movable panel 4.

[0037] The first movable panel 1 includes a first sensor element 5A, while the second movable panel 2 includes interlocking switch elements 6A, 6B, and 6C. As used herein, the term "interlock" or "interlocking switch" is used broadly to refer to any mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic element that cooperates with another element to prevent or permit operation of the actuating element (e.g., a sterilization element such as a UV LED) in this invention. In some cases, the interlocking device cooperates with the sensor; in other embodiments, the interlocking device can be any commercially available two-part interlocking device, where the switch is open when the two parts are separated and closed when the two parts are together, thereby permitting operation of the actuating element. The third movable panel 3 includes a second sensor element 5B, while the fourth movable panel 4 includes a third sensor element 5C.

[0038] In one embodiment, the second movable panel 2 includes an electronic circuit board 100 located at... Figure 4 The location indicated in the middle. Figure 8 The circuit board 100 is schematically shown, comprising one or more actuating elements, such as UV LEDs, that cooperate with interlocking switching elements 6A, 6B, and 6C. The interlocking switching elements 6A, 6B, and 6C can cooperate with the circuit board 100 via wired or wireless connections and are responsible for controlling the one or more actuating elements. When the fully assembled container is formed, the second sensor element 5B of the third movable panel 3 interacts with the first of the at least three interlocking switching elements 6B, and the third sensor element 5C of the fourth movable panel 4 interacts with the second of the at least three interlocking switching elements 6C.

[0039] In one scenario, if the first sensor element 5A of the first movable panel 1 does not interact with the third of the at least three interlocking switch elements 6A, then the electronic circuit board 100 remains disconnected.

[0040] In another scenario, if the first sensor element 5A of the first movable panel 1 interacts with a third of the at least three interlocking switch elements 6C, then the one or more actuating elements are actuated.

[0041] See Figure 1 When the collapsible container is folded, sensor elements 5A, 5B, and 5C will not interact with interlocking switch elements 6A, 6B, and 6C connected to the electronic circuit board integrated in the second movable panel 2. Therefore, the electronic circuit board 100 cannot engage and remains disconnected. The foldable container is portable and occupies minimal space.

[0042] See Figure 2 When panels 1, 2, 3, and 4 are unfolded, sensor elements 5A, 5B, and 5C will not interact with interlocking switch elements 6A, 6B, and 6C connected to the electronic circuit board 100 integrated in the second movable panel 2. Therefore, the electronic circuit board 100 cannot engage and remains disconnected.

[0043] See Figures 4 to 5 The container is three-dimensional but not completely sealed. When assembling the container, the third movable panel 3 and the fourth movable panel 4 are pulled outwards to form the inner sealing portion. Figure 4 ), and the first movable panel 1 and the second movable panel 2 serve as the upper cover of the container ( Figure 5 In this situation, sensor elements 5A, 5B, and 5C still do not interact with interlocking switch elements 6A, 6B, and 6C. Therefore, electronic circuit board 100 cannot be engaged and remains disconnected.

[0044] See Figure 6 The container is formed but not completely. A first movable panel 1 and a second movable panel 2 act as the upper cover of the container, with the first movable panel 1 positioned above the second movable panel 2. In this configuration, the second sensor element 5B interacts with an interlock switch element 6B connected to an electronic circuit board 100 integrated in the second movable panel 2, and the third sensor element 5C interacts with an interlock switch element 6C connected to an electronic circuit board 100 integrated in the second movable panel 2. However, at this moment, the first sensor element 5A does not interact with the interlock switch element 6A connected to an electronic circuit board 100 integrated in the second movable panel 2. Because not all sensors are engaged, the electronic circuit board 100 cannot be engaged and remains disconnected.

[0045] like Figure 7As shown, a fully assembled container is illustrated. In the fully formed state, the second sensor element 5B interacts with the interlocking switch element 6B, the third sensor element 5C interacts with the interlocking switch element 6C, and the first sensor element 5A interacts with the interlocking switch element 6A. Since the stackable container is correctly formed into a fully enclosed container, all sensor elements are now engaged, and therefore the electronic circuit board can be engaged and switched on. The one or more actuating elements can only be actuated when the container is correctly assembled and closed.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the one or more actuating elements include, but are not limited to, sterilization elements such as UV LEDs, heating elements, jetting elements, or laser elements. In non-sterilization applications, the actuating elements can be heating elements, optical elements, liquid applicators, or any other actuating elements operating in a closed container environment.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the at least three interlocking switching elements may be reed switches, magnetically activated switches, optically activated switches, mechanically activated switches, or temperature activated switches.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the sensor element is a closed magnet positioned on a panel, and when the container is fully formed, the magnet is attracted to a cooperating magnet on an adjacent panel. These magnets can cooperate with switches, such as reed switches responsive to magnetic fields; reed switches are one type of interlocking switch element used in this embodiment; however, it should be noted that other mechanical, electromechanical, or magnetic switches can also be used as interlocking devices to prevent activation of actuating elements. In this embodiment, the switch includes sensing features because it responds to the magnetic field formed by the closed magnet. In this way, the field formed by the closed magnet activates the reed switch, which in turn activates an actuating element, such as a UV sterilization element, thereby allowing items placed inside the container to be sterilized by a UV lamp. These switches can wirelessly transmit signals to a receiver on the actuating element's circuit board to allow the actuating element to be turned on.

[0049] refer to Figure 8 . Figure 8 This illustration shows the functional interaction between interlocking switching elements for actuating one or more actuating elements. The interlocking switching elements cooperate with an electronic circuit board having one or more actuating elements, such as UV LEDs, positioned thereon or connected thereto. Besides UV LEDs, the actuating elements may also be heating elements, jetting elements, laser elements, or other sterilizing elements or other non-sterilizing actuating elements.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the interlocking switching element includes, but is not limited to, a reed switch, a magnetically activated switch, an optically activated switch, a mechanically activated switch, or a temperature-activated switch.

[0051] According to one embodiment, one or more sensor elements may optionally be located on an electronic circuit board or elsewhere on the container. For example, the sensor element is a magnetic sensor within the switch itself, which may cooperate with an interlock switch to enable activation of an actuator such as a UV LED. Other sensor elements may be used to determine whether the container is fully assembled, such as mechanical, electromechanical, optical, or magnetic sensors. It should be noted that activation of the one or more actuators is prohibited unless the stackable container is fully and correctly assembled, as the interlock or other switches prevent user actuation of the actuators.

[0052] In addition, the electronic circuit board may further include power components, such as rechargeable batteries, or optionally include connectors for receiving external power, such as USB ports or Type-C ports.

[0053] Although described above with reference to UV sterilization, it should be understood that the stackable container of the present invention can also be used for other purposes, including interlocking to prevent activation of functional elements when the container is not properly assembled. For example, heating elements, spraying elements, laser elements, or other actuating elements can be used instead of sterilization elements, allowing the container to function as a self-contained portable heating device, a coating device (e.g., spraying a disinfectant), or other portable functional device. In the case of elements involving heat, the sides of the foldable container can be made of an insulating material. In the case of spraying elements, the sides of the foldable container can be made of a waterproof material.

[0054] In one embodiment, the sides of the foldable container may be made of insulating material, including but not limited to fiberglass, silicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon fiber, aluminum, and stainless steel.

[0055] In another embodiment, the sides of the foldable container may be made of a waterproof material, including but not limited to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fiberglass, silicone, polyurethane (PU), aluminum, stainless steel, and polycarbonate.

[0056] The stackable and assemblable container of the present invention has a dual safety mechanism of "light sensing" and "magnetic sensing". Sterilization can only be performed after the top lid is completely closed and no light leakage is confirmed, so as to ensure that there is no UV leakage during operation.

[0057] Turn Figures 9 to 11 Another embodiment of the invention is depicted, in which two interlocking switches are employed, each switch having two parts. In this embodiment, a removable cap / sealing element is provided. Although a folding container with a specific folding configuration is shown, it should be understood that many other folding containers can be used to form a sterilizer device according to this embodiment of the invention. That is, in this embodiment, any foldable configuration folded into a substantially flat configuration can be used as a container part of the sterilizer device.

[0058] exist Figure 9 In this embodiment, the box element includes folding panels 3 and 4 that create a "pop-out" box configuration. The interlock has two parts: one on the box and one on the lid. Figure 9 As seen, one interlock comprises portions 10A and 10B, and another interlock comprises portions 11A and 11B. For example... Figure 10 and 11 As seen, each of portions 10A and 10B, and 11A and 11B, is brought together only when the container is fully assembled and the cap is correctly positioned. In this way, the actuation can only be performed when the interlocking engagement occurs during container assembly and when the cap is covered (and therefore in...). Figures 9 to 11 The sterilization element is not visible in the middle, thus ensuring user safety. However, each of the corresponding interlocking parts can be on various folding panels and not on the sealing element. It should be noted that in this embodiment, it is possible to use Figure 8 The actuating element, wherein at least one sterilization element, such as a UV LED, is positioned on the capping element or optionally on the base of the box portion.

[0059] The foregoing description of the invention has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0060] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the various embodiments of the invention and the various modifications suitable for the particular intended use.

[0061] definition

[0062] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified herein, variations of the word "comprise" or, for example, "comprises" or "comprising" should be understood to imply inclusion of the stated integers or groups of integers, but not to exclude any other integers or groups of integers. It should also be noted that in this disclosure, and particularly in the claims and / or paragraphs, terms such as "comprise" may have the meaning they are given under U.S. patent law; for example, they allow for the unexpressed listing of elements, but exclude elements that are already present in the prior art or that affect the essential or novel characteristics of the invention.

[0063] Throughout this specification and claims, unless otherwise specified herein, the word “include” or variations thereof, such as “includes” or “including”, shall be construed as implying inclusion of the stated integers or groups of integers, but not excluding any other integers or groups of integers.

[0064] In this specification, references to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but each embodiment may not necessarily include the stated specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it should be understood that, whether explicitly described or not, any influence of this feature, structure, or characteristic on that feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0065] Other definitions of the selected terms used herein are to be considered applicable within and throughout the specific embodiments of the invention. Unless otherwise defined, all other technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

Claims

1. A stackable and assemblable container, characterized in that, include: A first movable panel, wherein the first movable panel includes a first sensor element; A second movable panel includes an electronic circuit board comprising one or more actuating elements cooperating with at least three interlocking switching elements, wherein the at least three interlocking switching elements are disposed on the electronic circuit board and control the one or more actuating elements. A third movable panel, wherein the third movable panel includes a second sensor element; as well as A fourth movable panel, wherein the fourth movable panel includes a third sensor element; During container assembly, the third and fourth movable panels form an inner sealing shell portion, the first and second movable panels are configured as the upper cover of the container, and the first movable panel is positioned above the second movable panel. Furthermore, the second sensor element of the third movable panel interacts with the first of the at least three interlocking switch elements, and the third sensor element of the fourth movable panel interacts with the second of the at least three interlocking switch elements. If the first sensor element of the first movable panel does not interact with a third of the at least three interlocking switch elements, then the electronic circuit board remains disconnected; Otherwise, if the first sensor element of the first movable panel interacts with a third of the at least three interlocking switch elements, then the one or more actuating elements are actuated.

2. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The one or more actuating elements include sterilization elements, heating elements, jetting elements, or laser elements.

3. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sterilization element includes at least three UV LEDs.

4. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least three interlocking switching elements include magnetically activated switches, optical sensor activated switches, mechanically activated switches, or temperature activated switches.

5. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic circuit board also includes power components and connectors, the power components including a rechargeable battery.

6. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 5, characterized in that, The connector includes a USB port or a Type-C port.

7. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, All panels are made of heat-insulating or waterproof materials.

8. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 7, characterized in that, The insulation material includes one or more of glass fiber, silicone resin, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), carbon fiber, aluminum, and stainless steel.

9. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 7, characterized in that, The waterproof material includes one or more of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass fiber, silicone resin, polyurethane (PU), aluminum, stainless steel, and polycarbonate.

10. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sensor element is a magnet, and when the container is fully formed, the magnet is attracted to a mating magnet on an adjacent panel.

11. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic circuit board also includes one or more sensors that prevent the activation of the one or more actuating elements unless the stackable container is fully and correctly deployed.

12. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first movable panel and the second movable panel are connected by a plurality of intermediate panels.

13. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 12, characterized in that, The third and fourth movable panels are positioned above the plurality of intermediate panels.

14. The stackable and assemblable container according to claim 13, characterized in that, The plurality of intermediate panels form an outer shell portion, which surrounds the inner shell portion formed by the third movable panel and the fourth movable panel.

15. A stackable and assemblable sterilization container, characterized in that, include: An electronic circuit board comprising one or more sterilizer elements positioned thereon that cooperate with at least two interlocking switches, wherein the at least two interlocking switch elements control the one or more sterilizer elements; A stackable and assemblable container having multiple folding panels and / or removable panels, wherein the electronic circuit board is mounted on one of the folding panels or one of the removable panels; At least a portion of each of the at least two interlocking switches is respectively positioned on different folding panels, such that the interlocking switch is open when the container is in a collapsed state and closed when the container is in an assembled state. When at least one of the at least two interlocks is in the open state, the sterilizer element cannot be operated; When all the interlock switches are closed, the container is fully assembled and the sterilizer components are operational.

16. The stackable and assemblable sterilization container according to claim 15, characterized in that, The sterilizer element is a light-emitting element.

17. The stackable and assemblable sterilization container according to claim 16, characterized in that, The light-emitting element is a light-emitting diode (LED).

18. The stackable and assemblable sterilization container according to claim 17, characterized in that, The light-emitting diode is an ultraviolet light-emitting diode.

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