US20100051506A1

US20100051506A1 - Holder

Info

Publication number: US20100051506A1
Application number: US12/229,826
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry Espiritu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-08-26
Filing date: 2008-08-26
Publication date: 2010-03-04

Abstract

A holder and method formed from a single foldable, stiffened sheet of material without using an adhesive material. The holder includes a rectangular floor panel that has a pair of slots, each slot associated with an aperture. The rectangular floor is bounded on all sides by a first and second pair of walls, one pair of wall panels having fastening arms and the other having tabs at the top portion and at least one slot. The fastening arms are disposed in at least one slot in the other wall panels. The pair of tabs on the top portion of those wall panels are pushed through the pair of slots of the rectangular floor and pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots thereby forming the holder.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application generally relates to a holder for storing items, and, more particularly, to an improved holder made of a flat, stiffened material that can be easily set up and taken apart without using an adhesive.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, organization has become important to increased productivity. Students, drafters, and lawyers often spend a majority of their time working on projects leaving little time for organization. Furthermore, and in particular to automobiles, cars have often become cluttered with air gauges, loose change, and other items. User will often place these items in their cup holders-or arm rests.
Previous ways to overcome this clutter and increase organization integrated stand-alone holders. Accordingly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,657 to Espiritu disclosed a portable beverage container carrier formed from a single sheet of flat, stiffened material to organize items within an automobile. To properly secure the container, adhesives were used such as hook and loop fasteners. Glue attached the adhesives to the stiffened material.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a holder formed by a single sheet of stiff, folded stock without the use of an adhesive is presented. The holder includes a rectangular floor panel bounded on all sides by a first and second pair of creases in the stock. The creases of the first pair are perpendicular to the creases of the second pair. The rectangular floor panel includes a pair of slots each slot having an associated aperture.
The holder also includes a first pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the first pair of creases and a second pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the second pair of creases. Fastening arms extend laterally from the side edges of a wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels.
In addition, the holder includes at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels, the other pair of wall panels also including a tab on a top portion of each wall panel. The wall panels are in a fixed orientation relative to the floor panel with the side edges of the wall panels in the first pair meeting the side edges of the wall panels in the second pair. A holder is defined by the fastening arms that are disposed in the at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels.
The pair of tabs on the top portion of each wall panel is pushed through the pair of slots of the rectangular floor and pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots. The floor panel resides within the confines of the wall panels in an upwardly facing, exposed condition.
In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a method for making a holder formed by a single sheet of stiff, folded stock without using an adhesive is presented. The method includes folding a first and second pair of creases in the stock to form a rectangular floor panel, wherein the creases of the first pair are perpendicular to the creases of the second pair. The rectangular floor panel includes a pair of slots each slot having an associated aperture. The rectangular floor is defined by a first pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the first pair of creases and a second pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the second pair of creases.
The method also includes securing a plurality of fastening arms extending laterally from the side edges of a wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels to at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels to secure the sides of the holder. The other pair of wall panels include a tab on a top portion of each wall panel.
In addition, the method includes pushing the tabs on the top portion of each wall panel of the other pair of wall panels through the pair of slots on the rectangular floor. The tabs are pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots thereby completely securing the holder.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present application, a holder formed from a single foldable, stiffened sheet of material without using an adhesive is presented. The holder includes a rectangular floor panel having a pair of slots each slot having an associated aperture. The holder also includes a front and back panel extending at creases from opposite mutually parallel first and second sides of the floor panel and each including a pair of fastening arms that extend laterally in opposite directions from each other.
In addition, the holder includes a pair of side panels extending at creases from opposite mutually parallel third and fourth sides of the floor panel. The pair of side panels include at least one slot in each side panel. The side panels are each concurrently engagable from opposite sides by separate ones of the fastening arms extending from the front and back panels through the at least one slot in each side panel. The fastening arms hold the front and back panels and the side panels in a rigid orientation relative to the floor panel;
The side panels also include a tab on the top portion of each side panel. The tabs are pushed through the pair of slots of the rectangular floor and pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the application are set forth in the appended claims. In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures may be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The application itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a plan view of an exemplary single sheet of flat, stiffened material from which a holder can be formed in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary holder formed from the sheet of FIG. 1 in use laying on top of the dashboard of an automotive vehicle in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary holder formed from the sheet of FIG. 1 in use suspended from the dashboard of an automotive vehicle in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing an exemplary holder formed from the sheet of FIG. 1 in use on a work table in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a perspective view of the exemplary holder showing one wall panel and flap unfolded in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a perspective view of the exemplary holder with the wall panel folded up in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 5C is an illustration showing a perspective view of an exemplary holder with the flap folded into the holder in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 5D is a diagram showing another exemplary flap on a wall panel folded into the holder in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating an exemplary bottom view of the holder in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 5F is a depiction showing a top perspective view of the exemplary completed holder in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an illustrative hook for fastening the holder in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 6B is an illustration showing an alternative exemplary hook for fastening the holder in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary holder flattened in preparation for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7B illustrates a preliminary step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7C illustrates a further step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7D illustrates a further sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7E illustrates still another sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7F illustrates a further sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7G illustrates another sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7H illustrates a further sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7I illustrates still another sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7J illustrates another sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7K illustrates a further sequential step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application;

FIG. 7L illustrates a further step in folding the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application; and

FIG. 7M is a diagram showing a perspective view of the exemplary holder of FIG. 7A completely folded for storage in accordance with one aspect of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION

Generally described, the present application relates to containers. In particular, the present application relates to an improved container that can be folded from a single sheet of stiff, folded material to form a holder without using an adhesive material. In an illustrative embodiment, the holder includes a rectangular floor panel that has a pair of slots, each slot associated with an aperture. The rectangular floor is bounded on all sides by a first and second pair of walls, one pair of wall panels having fastening arms and the other having tabs at the top portion and at least one slot. The fastening arms are disposed in at least one slot in the other wall panels. The pair of tabs on the top portion of those wall panels are pushed through the pair of slots of the rectangular floor and pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots thereby forming the holder.
Through the provided techniques presented below, the user along with the single sheet of stiff material can form a container without the use of an adhesive material. Consequently, the holder can be set-up and taken apart time after time. Furthermore, the holder will remain intact even when exposed to excessive heat, which causes adhesive materials to decompose and fall apart.
While the terms holder and container are used throughout this application, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that those terms should not be construed as limiting. As such, these terms may be substituted or replaced by other terms including, but not limited to, bin, box, bucket, can, canister, case, crate, hamper, pail, pod, pouch, receptacle, sack, silo, tub, vase, etc. Furthermore, when steps are recited, those steps should not be limited to the written order, but instead should also encompass steps written in a different order, less steps, additional steps, or equivalent steps.
FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram showing a plan view of an exemplary single sheet of flat, stiffened material A from which a holder B can be formed as depicted in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. The single sheet of flat, stiffened material A may be constructed out of stock, cardboard, plastic or similar type of material. Typically, the material A has a thickness of about 2 mm to about 3 mm.
Continuing with FIG. 1, the sheet of material A includes a floor panel p. In typical configurations of the present application, the floor panel p is about 11 cm by 11 cm. The floor panel p includes a first slot 190 associated with a first aperture 194 and a laterally adjacent second slot 192 associated with a second aperture 196. The first and second slots 190 and 192 in the single sheet of material A are about 3 cm in length. Each corresponding aperture 194 and 196 is about 3 cm in diameter and is typically a half circle.
While the floor panel p presented in FIG. 1 and based on the subsequent discussion has a square-shaped structure, the floor panel p can also be a number of different shapes including a rectangle, circle, star, etc. varying in different sizes.
The rectangular floor panel p is bounded by mutually parallel front and back creases 122 and 124 in the single sheet of material A and by mutually parallel side creases 126 and 128 in the sheet of material A. Creases 122 and 124 form a first pair of creases, while creases 126 and 128 form a second pair of creases perpendicular to the first pair.
The sheet of material A has front and back panels f and b, which serve as a first pair of wall panels and side panels e and h, which serve as a second pair of wall panels. The front panel f has linear side edges 102 and 104 extending outwardly from the opposite ends of crease 122. The back panel b has linear side edges 106 and 108 that extend outwardly from opposite ends of crease 124. The sheet of material A also defines a second pair of opposing side wall panels e and h having linear side edges 130, 132 and 134, 136 respectively. Linear side edges 130 and 132 extend outwardly from opposite ends of crease 128, while linear side edges 134 and 136 extend outwardly from the opposite ends of crease 126.
Coupled to the linear edges 102, 104, 106, and 108 are fastening arms. Fastening arms 114 and 116 extend laterally from side edges 106 and 108 of the back panel b, while fastening arms 110 and 112 extend laterally from the side edges 102 and 104 of the front panel f. Fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 are engagable to hold all the wall panels b, f, e, and h in a fixed orientation relative to the floor panel p with side edges 102, 104, 106 and 108 in the first pair of wall panels f and b meeting the side edges 134, 130, 132 and 136, respectively, of the side wall panels h and e in the second pair of wall panels at substantially linear interfaces therebetween.
The side panels e and h are each concurrently engagable from opposite sides by separate ones of the fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 extending from the front and back panels f and b. Specifically, the side panel e is engagable from opposite sides by the fastening arms 112 and 116, while side panel h is engagable from opposite sides by fastening arms 110 and 114. The fastening arms 114, 116 and 110, 112 hold the front and back panels f and b, respectively, and the side panels e and h in a rigid orientation relative to the floor panel, to thereby form the container. When the container B is fully erected, the floor p is bounded by walls f, b, e and h which respectively form a front panel, back panel and side panels.
Noticeably, there is no adhesive connected to the fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 and panels f, b, e and h. This includes hook and loop fasteners, glue, or any other type of material that may couple the fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 to the panels f, b, e and h to fix the orientation of the panels f, b, e and h with respect to the floor panel p. Instead, the fastening arms restrict the orientation of the walls f, b, e and h through a series of slots 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150, fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116, and slots 190 and 192 with their associated apertures 194 and 196, which will be described below.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the side panels e and h include a plurality of slots 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150. To create the container B, the fasteners 110, 112, 114, and 116 are inserted through slots 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150. In preferred configurations, each side panel e and h includes three slots 140, 142, 144 and 146, 148, 150, respectively, to secure the fasteners 110, 112, 114, and 116.
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a perspective view of the exemplary holder B showing panel f unfolded in accordance with one aspect of the present application. To construct the holder B, fastening arm 114 is inserted into slot 144, passing on the outer surface of the side wall panel h to the inside of the side wall panel h through slot 144. Similarly, fastening arm 116 is inserted into slot 150, passing on the outer surface of the side wall panel e to the inside of the side wall panel e through slot 150.
Continuing with FIG. 5B, wall panel f is folded inwardly towards the center of the container B while fastener arm 110 is inserted into slot 140, passing on the outer surface of the side wall panel h to the inside of the side wall panel h through slot 140. In turn, fastener arm 110 is inserted into slot 144, passing on the inner surface of the side wall panel h to the outside of the side wall panel h through slot 144 and over fastener 114.
Likewise, fastener arm 112 is inserted into slot 146, passing on the outer surface of the side wall panel e to the inside of the side wall panel e through slot 146. In turn, the fastener arm 112 is inserted into slot 150, passing on the inner surface of the side wall panel e to the outside of the side wall panel e through slot 150 and over fastener 116.
Slots 142 and 148 on side wall panels h and e may be used to pass fastener arms 110 and 112 through slots 140, 144, and 146, 150 respectively. While in other configurations, slots 142 and 148 can be left out of side wall panels h and e altogether.
Illustrated in FIG. 1, fasteners 114 and 116 on the back wall b can be larger than those fasteners 110 and 112 on the front wall f. When fastener arms 114 and 116 are inserted into slots 144 and 150 respectively, the arms will extend past wall panels h and e. The fastener 114 and 116 extensions are then folded along wall f as depicted in FIG. 5B. The extremities of fasteners 114 and 116 provide more stability for the container B.
The larger fastening arms 114 and 116 may also extend the angle at which the back wall panel b is positioned. To adjust the angle, fastening arm 114 is not completely inserted into slot 144 leaving a gap between edge 106 of the back panel b and edge 136 of side panel h. Similarly, fastening arm 116 is not completely inserted into slot 150 leaving a gap between edge 108 of the back panel b and edge 132 of side panel h. Thus, while still securing the panels b, h, and e, fastening arms 114 and 116 can be used to adjust the angle of the back panel b.
As shown in the previous FIGURES, fasteners 114 and 116 on the back wall b are larger than those fasteners 110 and 112 on the front wall f. Other possible configurations may include fasteners 110, 112, 114, and 116 having equal lengths. Furthermore, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the fasteners 110, 112, 114, and 116 may be located on side panels e and h, instead of the front and back panels f and b. The fasteners 110, 112, 114, and 116 may also be positioned at a lower point than shown in the previous FIGURES.
The front panel f typically includes a reinforcement flap. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the front panel f incorporates a front panel reinforcement extension x delineated along a front panel reinforcement flap crease 166 parallel to and remote from crease 122 at which the front panel f meets the floor panel p.
With reference now to FIG. 5C, flap x is folded into holder B. The front panel reinforcement extension flap x is folded inwardly along the front panel f at crease 166 to bear against front panel f.
Coupled to the top of the extension x on front panel f is a pull tab 47. When the front panel reinforcement extension flap x has been folded to a juxtaposed position against the front panel f, the extension flap x may easily be unfastened using the pull tab 47. The tab 47 typically varies in width and can be 4 cm in height.
In the extended fastener arm 114 and 116 configuration described above, the extension flap x secures the fastener arms 114 and 116 into place. By folding the extension flap x at crease 166 and pressing against flap x until it contacts the interior of wall panel f, the fastener arms 114 and 116 located therein are secured. Through this locking mechanism, the fastener arms 114 and 116 are set into place and not free to move thereby stabilizing the wall panels e, f, b, and h of the container B without the use of an adhesive.
Middle slots 142 and 148 may also be used to secure the perimeter of the container B. To do this, fastening arm 114 of back panel b is inserted into slot 142 of side panel h, passing through the outside to the inside of side wall panel h. The end of fastening arm 114 is folded back toward side edge 136, thereby bringing the fastening arm 114 into juxtaposition against wall panel h.
Similarly, fastening arm 110 of front panel f is also inserted into slot 142 from the opposite side of the side wall panel h starting from an outside position to the inside of side wall panel h. The extremity of the fastening arm 110 is folded back toward side edge 134, thereby bringing the fastening arm 110 in contact with side wall panel h. To secure the fastening arms 114 and 110 of the back and front wall panels b and f, side wall panel h incorporates a reinforcement extension flap s that prevents the fastening arms 114 and 110 from escaping as will be described below.
Middle slot 148 can also be used to secure the perimeter of container B. Similarly, fastening arm 116 of back panel b is inserted into slot 148 of side panel e, passing through the outside to the inside of side wall panel e. The end of fastening arm 116 is folded back toward the side edge 132, thereby bringing the fastening arm 116 into juxtaposition against wall panel e.
Continuing, fastening arm 112 of front panel f is inserted into slot 148 from the opposite side of the side wall panel e starting from an outside position to the inside of side wall panel e. The extremity of the fastening arm 112 is folded back toward side edge 130, thereby bringing the fastening arm 112 in contact with side wall panel e. To secure the fastening arms 116 and 112 of the back and front wall panels b and f, side wall panel e incorporates a reinforcement extension flap r that prevents the fastening arms 116 and 112 from escaping as will be described below.
Both ways for securing the perimeter of the container B can be used to secure wall panels b, f, h, and e. While preferred embodiments consistently use the same method, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that a combination of both methods may be used.
Returning to FIG. 1, each of the side wall panels h and e is provided with a reinforcement extension flap s and r, respectively. Each of the reinforcement extension flaps s and r is delineated along a reinforcement flap crease parallel to and remote from the creases at which the side wall panels h and e meet the floor panel p. Specifically, the extension flap s is delineated along reinforcement flap creases 152 and 168 that are parallel to and remote from crease 126. The reinforcement extension flap r is delineated along a reinforcement flap crease 154 that is parallel to and remote from the crease 128.
Each of the side panel extension flaps s and r extends outwardly to terminate in an extremity edge that is remote from and parallel to the reinforcement flap crease associated therewith. That is, the extension flap s extends outwardly and terminates in an extremity edge 156 that is remote from and parallel to the reinforcement flap crease 152. The extension flap r extends outwardly to terminate in an extremity edge 158 remote from and parallel to the reinforcement flap crease 154.
Each extension flap s and r incorporates a tab 160 and 162 to reinforce the side wall panels h and e along with providing support to the whole container B. The tabs 160 are juxtaposed to the outer rim of the extension flaps s and r and run on opposite ends of each other. In preferred embodiments, the tabs 160 and 162 are half circles with an elongated rectangular base. The tabs 160 and 162 can be about 3 cm in diameter and have a rectangular base of about 2 cm.
As depicted in FIG. 5D, the tabs 160 and 162 are engagable with the floor panel p. By bending creases 152 and 168, extension flap s can be adjacent to the interior of wall panel h. Likewise, extension flap r can be adjacent to the interior of wall panel e when the flap r is folded at crease 154. While single and multiple creases are shown with respect to flaps s and r, one skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that flaps s and r may contain any number of creases. Furthermore, the front and back panels f and b may be interchangeable with side panels e and h.
In order to stabilize and secure the wall panels f, b, e, and h of the container B without using any type of adhesive, the tabs 160 and 162 must be secured. By securing the tabs 160 and 162, the fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 are held into place. FIG. 5E illustrates tab 160 of flap s pushed through slot 190 beginning at the interior side of floor panel p and ending at an exterior portion of floor panel p. The tab 160 is then pulled up through the aperture 194 associated with slot 190 and ending at an interior portion of the floor panel p. Similarly, tab 162 of flap r is pushed through slot 192 beginning at the interior side of floor panel p and ending at an exterior portion of floor panel p.
The tabs 160 and 162 of flaps s and r typically fill the gap made by the apertures 194 and 196. Covering the apertures 194 and 196 prevents any item within the container B from falling out. In other configurations, an additional attachment may be used to connect the ends of the tabs 160 and 162 within the interior of the container B to provide additional support.
To release extension flaps s and r, each of the side wall panels h and e include a flap disengaging opening 170 and 172. Before using the disengaging openings 170 and 172, the user typically removes the fasteners 110, 112, 114, and 116 from the slots 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the disengaging openings 170 and 172 have a circular flap defined therethrough. A user may disengage the extension flaps s and r from the panel walls h and e by pressing a finger from the outside of the container B inwardly through the circular opening 170 and 172 to force the flap extension s and r away from the side wall panels h and e.
The flap extension s can then be rotated upwardly out of the concave receptacle formed by the container B in hinge-like manner about the crease 152. Similarly, a finger pressed inwardly through the circular flap disengaging opening 172 will force the flap extension r inwardly and away from the side wall panel e. The flap extension r can thereby be rotated upwardly in hinge-like fashion about the crease 154.
Between extension flap s and wall panel h, intermediate panel u is delineated by parallel creases 152 and 168. When the fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 are engaged with slots 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150 and fully assembled, intermediate panel u assumes a generally horizontal disposition, as illustrated in FIG. 5F.
In addition, the wall panel h, intermediate panel u, and extension flap s form a triangular prism. A hollow cavity, generally in the shape of a triangular prism, is thereby defined within the confines of the panels h, u and s.
The articulated intermediate panel u has three apertures, 174, 176, and 178 therein which are adapted to receive different implements. For example, the apertures 174, 176, and 178 may be able to hold tire gauges and pens in a car as depicted in FIG. 3. While in FIG. 4, the apertures 174, 176, and 178 can hold paint brushes, pens, and pencils for a drafter.
Continuing with FIG. 1, the back panel b is formed generally in the shape of a pentagon and has a plurality of hanger openings 180, 182, and 184. In a preferred embodiment, openings 180 and 182 are circular. The circular structure allows for the hanger openings 180 and 182 to swing the holder B. Different sizes of circular openings 180 and 182 are provided in order to allow various hooks to be used with the container B.
Below the circular openings 180 and 182, hanger opening 184 includes a set of teeth. The teeth prevent the holder B from sliding back and forth. While several hanger openings 180, 182, and 184 have been presented, container B is not limited to such and those openings 180, 182, and 184 presented are for illustrative purposes.
While the openings 180, 182, and 184 are not used in FIGS. 2 and 4, FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary holder B suspended from the dashboard of an automotive vehicle using a fastening device 602 coupled to the hanger openings 180, 182, and 184 in accordance with one aspect of the present application. FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an illustrative fastening device 602 for fastening the holder B in accordance with one aspect of the present application. The openings 180, 182, and 184 are adapted to receive any suitable hook 604, which may be permanently or semi-permanently secured to the dash panel. In this embodiment, the hook 604 includes a semi-circular shape that prevents the holder B from becoming separated from the fastening device 602.
With reference to FIG. 6B, an alternative exemplary fastening device 602 for fastening the holder B to the dashboard of an automotive vehicle in accordance with one aspect of the present application is presented. Instead of the semi-circular shape hook 604, this embodiment includes a hook 604 positioned at an angle whereby making it improbable that the holder B falls off the hook 604.
A highly advantageous feature of the container B is that it can be readily stored in a very compact manner when not in use. To store the container B, the container B is removed from the fastening device 602, if necessary. Applying pressure from the interior of container B at tabs 160 and 162, which were pulled through apertures 194 and 196, the tabs 160 and 162 are pushed through floor panel p. Pressing inwardly with fingers through side openings 170 and 172, the tabs 160 and 162 are dislodged from slots 190 and 192. The side panel extension flaps s and r are then folded outwardly away from the floor panel p. The front panel extension flap x is pulled upwardly by means of pull tab 164 and is likewise folded outwardly and away from the floor panel p. The fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 are removed from the slots 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150. The container B is thereupon flattened, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, substantially into the same flat sheet of material A from which it was formed.
Important to this application is the capability of setting up and packing the holder B without the use of an adhesive material. As described above, to accomplish this, a plurality of fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 from the front and back panels f and b were inserted into a set of slots 140, 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150. In addition, one pair of fastening arms 114 and 116 extended from one panel b to an opposite panel f. In addition, a set of tabs 160 and 162 secured the fastening arms 110, 112, 114, and 116 through pushing the tabs 160 and 162 into a set of slots 190 and 192 and pulling the tabs 160 and 162 up through a set of apertures 194 and 196 associated with the slots 190 and 192.
To fold the container B, extension flap r is folded over side panel e so that the two panels r and e are adjacent to each other as illustrated in FIG. 7B. Extension flap s is then folded inwardly over intermediate panel u and a portion of side panel h as shown in FIG. 7C.
As illustrated in FIG. 7D, extension arm r is folded behind floor panel p so that side panel e is contacting floor panel p on the bottom side. Side panel h along with intermediate panel u and extension panel s is folded in back of floor panel p as illustrated in FIG. 7E so that side panel h is contacting the back of floor panel p.
Illustrated in FIG. 7F, fastening arm 112 is folded behind reinforcement extension x and front panel f. Extension flap x is then folded under front panel f in FIG. 7G. Fastening arm 110 is folded above front panel f illustrated in FIG. 7H.
As shown in FIG. 7I, front panel f is flipped over. The interior portion of front panel f contacts the interior of floor panel p exposing extension x along with tab 164. In FIG. 7J, back panel b is folded over extension x to expose side panel h and extension flap r. The tab 162 can be inserted into opening 170. Fastening arm 114 is then inserted between floor panel p and front panel f as illustrated in FIG. 7K.
To secure all the members of the container B, fastening arm 116 is inserted into slot 170 as illustrated in FIG. 7L. The collapsed carrier B can thereby be readily stored within a vehicle glove compartment while occupying only a very minimal space within the glove compartment as shown in FIG. 7M.
The foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant art to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A holder formed by a single sheet of stiff, folded stock without the use of an adhesive comprising:

a rectangular floor panel bounded on all sides by first and second pairs of creases in the stock, wherein the creases of the first pair are perpendicular to the creases of the second pair, the rectangular floor panel having a pair of slots each slot having an associated aperture;

a first pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the first pair of creases;

a second pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the second pair of creases;

fastening arms extending laterally from the side edges of a wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels; and

at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels, the other pair of wall panels including a tab on a top portion of each wall panel;

wherein the wall panels are in a fixed orientation relative to the floor panel with the side edges of the wall panels in the first pair meeting the side edges of the wall panels in the second pair, thereby defining a holder in which the fastening arms are disposed in the at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels and the pair of tabs on the top portion of each wall panel is pushed through the pair of slots of the rectangular floor and pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots, whereby the floor panel resides within the confines of the wall panels in an upwardly facing, exposed condition.

2. The holder according to claim 1, wherein one of the wall panels in the first pair is a front panel and the other of the wall panels in the first pair is a back panel.

3. The holder according to claim 2, wherein the back panel includes a plurality of apertures for attaching the holder to a vertical surface.

4. The holder according to claim 3, wherein the apertures include a set of teeth for preventing the holder to slide back and forth.

5. The holder according to claim 1, wherein one pair of fastening arms extends from the at least one slot of the other pair of wall panels to the wall panel of the opposite wall panel in which the fastening arms are extending from.

6. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slot in the other pair of wall panels includes three slots.

7. The holder according to claim 1, wherein one of the pairs of wall panels includes a disengaging opening.

8. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the tab on the top portion of each wall panel is shaped according to the aperture associated with each slot on the rectangular floor.

9. The holder according to claim 1, wherein the stock has a thickness of about 2 mm to about 3 mm.

10. A method for making a holder formed by a single sheet of stiff, folded stock without using an adhesive, the method comprising:

folding a first and second pairs of creases in the stock to form a rectangular floor panel, wherein the creases of the first pair are perpendicular to the creases of the second pair, the rectangular floor panel having a pair of slots each slot having an associated aperture, the rectangular floor defined by a first pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the first pair of creases and a second pair of wall panels having linear side edges extending outwardly from the second pair of creases;

securing a plurality of fastening arms extending laterally from the side edges of a wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels to at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels to secure the sides of the holder, the other pair of wall panels including a tab on a top portion of each wall panel; and

pushing the tabs on the top portion of each wall panel of the other pair of wall panels through the pair of slots on the rectangular floor and pulling the tabs up to close the apertures associated with the slots thereby completely securing the holder.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein folding the first and second pairs of creases in the stock to form the rectangular floor panel comprises bending the first and second pair of wall panels in an upright position.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein securing the plurality of fastening arms extending laterally from the side edges of a wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels to at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels to secure the sides of the holder further comprises bending the plurality of fastening arms against an opposite wall panel from the wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels to secure the holder.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein securing the plurality of fasteners extending laterally from the side edges of the wall panel in one of the pairs of wall panels to at least one slot in each wall of the other pair of wall panels to secure the sides of the holder further comprises waving the plurality of fasteners through three slots.

14. A holder formed from a single foldable, stiffened sheet of material without using an adhesive, the holder comprising:

a rectangular floor panel having a pair of slots each slot having an associated aperture;

a front and back panel extending at creases from opposite mutually parallel first and second sides of the floor panel and each including a pair of fastening arms that extend laterally in opposite directions from each other; and

a pair of side panels extending at creases from opposite mutually parallel third and fourth sides of the floor panel, the pair of side panels comprising:

at least one slot in each side panel, the side panels each concurrently engagable from opposite sides by separate ones of the fastening arms extending from the front and back panels through the at least one slot in each side panel, whereby the fastening arms hold the front and back panels and the side panels in a rigid orientation relative to the floor panel;

a tab on the top portion of each side panel, whereby the tabs are pushed through the pair of slots of the rectangular floor and pulled up to close the apertures associated with the slots.

15. The holder according to claim 14, wherein the sheet of material is made from a plastic composite.

16. The holder according to claim 14, further comprising a tab on the front panel to secure the holder.

17. The holder according to claim 14, further comprising a plurality of slots and holes for inserting items into.

18. The holder according to claim 14, wherein the back panel further comprises a set of slots capable of supporting the weight of the holder.

19. The holder according to claim 18, wherein at least one of the slots includes a set of teeth for preventing the holder to slide back and forth.

20. The holder according to claim 14, wherein the tab on the top portion of each side panel is a semi-circle matching the aperture located in the rectangular floor.