IL286014B - Cardboard basket - Google Patents

Description

CARDBOARD BASKET TECHNICAL FIELD 1. 1. id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1"

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a cardboard basket that easily folds such to be capable of carrying items and easily unfolds to thereby create a surface onto which items may be placed.

BACKGROUND 2. 2. id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2"

[0002] Going on a picnic typically requires carrying a bag or basket with food and drink items, as well as carrying a mat or some kind of blanket that would be spread on the ground and onto which the carried items would be placed, in order to keep them clean and esthetic.

However, a bag and a blanket are space consuming. Sometimes, the basket is quite heavy, especially if it is made of straw. 3. 3. id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3"

[0003] There is a need for a carrying basket that is light weight, consumes minimum space, and avoids the need to carry the addition of a mat or blanket or any other surface of the sort, is cheap and user friendly.

SUMMARY 4. 4. id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4"

[0004] The present disclosure provides a cardboard carrying basket that consumes little space when it is in its unfolded state, is simple to fold to create the basket, is of little weight, and when easily unfolded creates a surface onto which items, e.g., items carried by the cardboard basket, may be placed, instead of being placed directly onto the ground or any other surface separately carried by the user. . . id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5"

[0005] According to some embodiments, a cardboard basket formed from a folded-up cardboard blank may comprise a bottom formed from a central generally rectangular area of the blank, two primary walls formed from two primary flaps folded up from opposite sides of the central generally rectangular area of the blank, and two secondary walls formed from two secondary flaps folded up from two other opposite sides of the central generally rectangular area of the blank. Optionally, each of the two primary flaps comprises a first extension and a second extension. Optionally, one of the second extensions comprises a tab, and the opposing second extension comprises a hole. In some embodiments, the two second - 1 -extensions are folded up towards each other, and the tab is inserted into the hole to form the cardboard basket. 6. 6. id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6"

[0006] Optionally, the secondary flaps are folded by folding the primary flaps. 7. 7. id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7"

[0007] Optionally, in an unfolded state, the cardboard basket is flat. 1. 1. id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1" id="p-1"

[0001] Optionally, the cardboard basket in an unfolded state provides a flat surface configured for placement of items thereon. 2. 2. id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2" id="p-2"

[0002] Optionally, the first extension comprises slits or slots to provide flexibility to the primary flaps, thereby enabling the primary walls to accommodate their shape to items carried by the cardboard basket. 3. 3. id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3" id="p-3"

[0003] Optionally, the first extension comprises slits or slots to resemble the appearance of a straw woven basket. 4. 4. id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4" id="p-4"

[0004] Optionally, the cardboard basket may further comprise slits, slots or holes for ventilating the contents of the basket. . . id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5" id="p-5"

[0005] Optionally, after the tab is inserted into the hole, the tab is pushed towards the top end of the hole, and the tab is folded onto the top end of the opposing second extension comprising the hole, to keep the cardboard basket in a folded state. 6. 6. id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6" id="p-6"

[0006] Optionally, the two primary flaps comprise two diagonal folding lines extending from each vertex of the central generally rectangular area. 7. 7. id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7" id="p-7"

[0007] Optionally, the bottom, primary flaps and secondary flaps are made of a single generally rectangular cardboard blank. 8. 8. id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8" id="p-8"

[0008] Optionally, the shape of each of the first extensions is of an isosceles trapezoid. 9. 9. id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9" id="p-9"

[0009] Optionally, the shape of each of the second extensions is of an isosceles trapezoid. . . id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10" id="p-10"

[0010] Optionally, the cardboard basket is configured to carry weights up to between 5 to Kg. 11. 11. id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11" id="p-11"

[0011] According to some embodiments, a method of producing a cardboard basket is provided. The method may comprise providing a cardboard blank with a central generally rectangular area and flaps extending from the four sides of the central generally rectangular area for forming walls for the basket. Optionally, two opposite flaps serve as primary flaps with first and second extensions to enclose the basket, and two other opposite flaps serve as secondary flaps. Optionally, one of the second extensions comprises a tab, and the opposing second extension comprises a hole. 12. 12. id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12" id="p-12"

[0012] Optionally, the method may further comprise folding up the primary flaps, thereby folding the secondary flaps to form the walls of the basket. - 2 -[0013] Optionally, the method may further comprise inserting the tab into the hole, pushing the tab towards the top end of the hole, and folding the tab onto the top end of the opposing second extension to form the basket. 14. 14. id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14" id="p-14"

[0014] Optionally, the method comprises using no adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS . . id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15" id="p-15"

[0015] Some non-limiting exemplary embodiments or features of the disclosed subject matter are illustrated in the following drawings.

In the drawings: 16. 16. id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16" id="p-16"

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an upper perspective view of a layout cardboard basket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 17. 17. id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17" id="p-17"

[0017] FIGS. 2-4 are schematic illustrations of an upper perspective view of the folding stages of the layout cardboard basket illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 18. 18. id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18" id="p-18"

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an upper-side perspective view of the folded cardboard basket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 19. 19. id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19" id="p-19"

[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for producing a cardboard basket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. . . id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20" id="p-20"

[0020] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the disclosure. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced. 21. 21. id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21" id="p-21"

[0021] Identical or duplicate or equivalent or similar structures, elements, or parts that appear in one or more drawings are generally labeled with the same reference numeral, optionally with an additional letter or letters to distinguish between similar entities or variants of entities and may not be repeatedly labeled and/or described. References to previously presented elements are implied without necessarily further citing the drawing or description in which they appear. 22. 22. id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22" id="p-22"

[0022] Dimensions of components and features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale or true perspective. For convenience or clarity, some elements or structures are not shown or shown only partially and/or with different perspective or from different point of views. - 3 -DETAILED DESCRIPTION 23. 23. id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23" id="p-23"

[0023] Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a corrugated cardboard basket that has two purposes, each corresponding to its two states. The folded state of the cardboard basket, which requires no attachment means such as adhesive, is used for carrying items within it, while the unfolded state of the cardboard basket allows for ease of storage due to its flat configuration, as well as for serving as a surface onto which items may be placed to keep them clean and esthetic. 24. 24. id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24" id="p-24"

[0024] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. . . id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25" id="p-25"

[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a schematic illustration of an upper perspective view of the layout of a cardboard blank 100, e.g., a corrugated cardboard blank, for preparing a cardboard basket according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, blank 100 may comprise a central generally rectangular area 110 with two flaps 104 and two flaps 106 extending from the four sides of central area 110. In some embodiments, each of two flaps 104 extend beyond the extent of area 110. Optionally, area 110 serves as the bottom of the cardboard basket, and flaps 104 and flaps 106 serve to produce the walls of the cardboard basket. 26. 26. id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26" id="p-26"

[0026] In some embodiments, each of two flaps 104 include a first extension 114, and a second extension 124, which extends from first extension 114. In some embodiments, second extensions 124 are folded over area 110 towards one another to form a basket. While second extensions 124 are folded towards one another, first extensions 114 and flaps 104 are folded as well, as are flaps 106. In some embodiments, once folded, flaps 104 produce a pair of primary side walls, and flaps 106 produce a pair of secondary side walls. 27. 27. id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27" id="p-27"

[0027] In some embodiments, each of two flaps 104 may comprise two folding lines 140, each folding line 140 extending from each vertex of the central generally rectangular area 110, e.g., diagonally along each of the ends of flaps 104, such to enable folding of flaps 106 once flaps 104 are folded, whereby the folding of flaps 104 occurs due to the folding of second extensions 124 towards each other. - 4 -[0028] In some embodiments, one of extensions 124 may comprise a hole 134, through which a hand of a user may be inserted to hold the basket once folded, whereas the opposite flap 106 may comprise a foldable tab 144, which may be inserted into hole 134 and folded against the opposing extension 124 (i.e., extension 124 that comprises hole 134), as will be explained with respect to FIG. 4, such to "lock" or maintain the cardboard basket in its folded state. 29. 29. id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29" id="p-29"

[0029] FIGS. 2-4 are schematic illustrations of an upper perspective view of the folding stages of the layout cardboard basket illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. According to FIG. 2, second extensions 124 are brought one towards the other, thereby causing first extensions 114 to come close to one another, and thus causing flaps 104 to fold upwards to form two of the opposing walls of the cardboard basket, e.g., two primary walls of the cardboard basket. Due to presence of folding lines 140, when flaps 104 are folded upwards, flaps 106 are forced to fold upwards as well, thereby forming the secondary opposing walls of the cardboard basket. FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the cardboard basket formed when the second extensions come in contact with one another. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates tab 144 that is attached to one of second extensions 124, as tab 144 is being inserted into hole 134, which is located within an opposing second extension 124. Tab 144 is then pushed towards the top end of hole 134 and tab 144 is finally folded against the upper end of the opposing second extension 124 that includes hole 134. In some embodiments, the folding of tab 144 against or onto the top end of the opposing second extension 124 may "lock" tab 144 in place, thereby causing the cardboard basket to maintain in its folded state. . . id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30" id="p-30"

[0030] In some embodiments, flaps 106 form shorter walls than those formed by flaps 104, since flaps 104 include the addition of first extensions 114 and second extensions 124. In some embodiments, since the walls formed from flaps 106 are shorter than those formed by flaps 104 and extensions 114 and 124, a space 150 may be created between folded flaps 106 and the meeting point 154 of second extensions 124. This space may provide the ability to carry items that may extend outside of the dimensions of the cardboard basket, e.g., the neck of a bottle of wine may protrude outside of space 150 while the bottle may still be safely carried by the cardboard basket. In some embodiments, space 150 may provide ventilation to the cardboard basket and its carried items. 31. 31. id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31" id="p-31"

[0031] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of an upper-side perspective view of the folded cardboard basket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In some embodiments, after - 5 -cardboard blank 100 is folded, as detailed hereinabove, a folded cardboard basket 200 is formed. A user may insert her fingers through hole 134 such to carry basket 200 by the user’s palm. 32. 32. id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32" id="p-32"

[0032] In some embodiments, basket 200 may comprise a plurality of slits or slots 210, e.g., along primary flaps 104, which create the primary walls of basket 200. Slots or slits 210 may have several purposes. One of the purposes may be an esthetic purpose, which is to resemble the appearance of a straw woven basket. Another purpose of slits or slots 210 may be to ventilate basket 200 and its carried contents. In other embodiments, basket 200 may further comprise ventilating holes (not shown) for ventilating basket 200 and its contents. And yet another purpose of slits or slots 210 may be to provide flexibility to primary flaps 104, thereby enabling the primary walls, created by folding of primary flaps 104, to accommodate the shape of the primary walls to items carried by cardboard basket 200. For example, when items 202 and 204 are placed into basket 200, since the height of these items is a bit higher than the height of space 150 created by the inner dimensions of basket 200, items 202 and 204 may be pushed against the primary walls created by the folding of primary flaps 104.

Presence of slits or slots 210 enable items such as items 202 and 204 to be pushed against slits or slots 210 located along flaps 104 and to extend somewhat through slits or slots 210, thereby providing proper space for items 202 and 204 to be positioned therein, e.g., in an upright position. That is, slits or slots 210 provide additional space for bulging items to be carried by basket 200. 33. 33. id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33" id="p-33"

[0033] In some embodiments, cardboard basket is configured to carry weights up to between 5 to 10 Kg. In some embodiments, higher weights may be carried by basket 200, depending on the material, number of layers and/or additional characteristics of blank 100, from which basket 200 may be made of. 34. 34. id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34" id="p-34"

[0034] Once a user has carried basket 200 along with its contents to her destination, she may then unfold basket 200, by unfolding tab 144, taking tab 144 out of hole 134 and flattening basket 200. Thus, basket 200 can easily and quickly change from its folded state to an unfolded state such to provide a flat surface onto which items, such as the contents carried by basket 200, are positioned. That is, basket 200 may provide carrying of items as well as a surface onto which the carried items may be placed as soon as basket 200 is unfolded, thereby excluding the need to carry a separate surface for placing the items thereon, such as a blanket or mat of any kind. - 6 -[0035] FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for producing a cardboard basket, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. According to some embodiments, a method 600 of producing a cardboard basket, e.g., basket 200, may comprise operation 610, which comprises providing a cardboard blank with a central generally rectangular area and flaps extending from the four sides of the central generally rectangular area for forming walls for the basket. In some embodiments, two opposite flaps serve as primary flaps with first and second extensions to enclose the basket, and two other opposite flaps serve as secondary flaps. In some embodiments, one of the second extensions may comprise a tab, and the opposing second extension may comprise a hole. 36. 36. id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36" id="p-36"

[0036] In some embodiments, method 600 may comprise operation 620, which comprises folding up the primary flaps, thereby folding the secondary flaps too, to form the walls of the basket. Optionally, method 600 may comprise operation 630, which may comprise inserting the tab into the hole, pushing the tab towards the top end of the hole, and folding the tab onto the top end of the opposing second extension, to form the basket. 37. 37. id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37" id="p-37"

[0037] Conjugated terms such as, by way of example, 'a thing property' implies a property of the thing, unless otherwise clearly evident from the context thereof. 38. 38. id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38" id="p-38"

[0038] The flowchart and block diagrams illustrate, functionality or an operation of possible implementations of systems, and methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosed subject matter. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, illustrated or described operations may occur in a different order or in combination or as concurrent operations instead of sequential operations to achieve the same or equivalent effect. 39. 39. id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39" id="p-39"

[0039] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprising", "including" and/or "having" and other conjugations of these terms, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. - 7 -[0040] The terminology used herein should not be understood as limiting, unless otherwise specified, and is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosed subject matter. While certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents are not precluded. - 8 -1/62/63/64/65/66/6 600 providing a cardboard blank with a central generally rectangular area and flaps extending from the four sides of the central generally rectangular area for forming walls for the basket, two opposite flaps serve as primary flaps with first and second extensions to enclose the basket, and two other opposite flaps serve as secondary flaps, one of the second extensions may comprise a tab, and the opposing second extension may comprise a hole (610) folding up the primary flaps, thereby folding the secondary flaps to form the walls of the basket (620) inserting the tab into the hole, pushing the tab towards the top end of the hole, and folding the tab onto the top end of the opposing second extension, to form the basket (630) FIG. 6 286014/ 2

Claims (15)

1. A cardboard basket formed from a folded-up cardboard blank, comprising: a bottom formed from a central generally rectangular area of the blank; two primary walls formed from two primary flaps folded up from opposite sides of the central generally rectangular area of the blank; two secondary walls formed from two secondary flaps folded up from two other opposite sides of the central generally rectangular area of the blank; wherein each of said two primary flaps comprises a first extension and a second extension, wherein one of the second extensions comprises a tab, and the opposing second extension comprises a hole, wherein said two second extensions are folded up towards each other, and the tab is inserted into the hole to form the cardboard basket, wherein the primary flaps comprise slits or slots to provide flexibility to the primary flaps, thereby enabling the primary walls to accommodate their shape to items carried by the cardboard basket.

2. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the secondary flaps are folded by folding the primary flaps.

3. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the cardboard basket in an unfolded state provides a flat surface configured for placement of items thereon.

4. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the slits or slots resemble the appearance of a straw woven basket.

5. The cardboard basket of claim 1, further comprising slits, slots or holes for ventilating the contents of the basket.

6. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein after the tab is inserted into the hole, the tab is pushed towards the top end of the hole, and the tab is folded onto the top end of the opposing second extension comprising the hole, to keep the cardboard basket in a folded state. - 9 - 286014/ 2

7. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the two primary flaps comprise two diagonal folding lines extending from each vertex of the central generally rectangular area.

8. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the bottom, primary flaps and secondary flaps are made of a single generally rectangular cardboard blank.

9. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the shape of each of the first extensions is of an isosceles trapezoid.

10. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the shape of each of the second extensions is of an isosceles trapezoid.

11. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein said cardboard basket is configured to carry weights up to between 5 to 10 Kg.

12. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein in its unfolded state, the cardboard basket is flat.

13. The cardboard basket of claim 1, wherein the hole is configured to enable insertion of a hand of a user to hold the cardboard basket.

14. A method of producing a cardboard basket comprising: providing a cardboard blank with a central generally rectangular area and flaps extending from the four sides of the central generally rectangular area for forming walls for the basket, wherein two opposite flaps serve as primary flaps with first and second extensions to enclose the basket, and two other opposite flaps serve as secondary flaps, wherein one of the second extensions comprises a tab, and the opposing second extension comprises a hole; folding up the primary flaps, thereby folding the secondary flaps to form the walls of the basket; inserting the tab into the hole, pushing the tab towards the top end of the hole, and folding the tab onto the top end of the opposing second extension to form the basket, wherein the primary flaps comprise slits or slots to provide flexibility to the primary flaps, thereby enabling the primary flaps to accommodate their shape to items carried by the cardboard basket. - 10 - 286014/ 2

15. The method of producing a cardboard basket of claim 14, wherein the method comprises using no adhesive. - 11 -