US20020121542A1 - Foldable storage container - Google Patents
Foldable storage container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020121542A1 US20020121542A1 US09/798,670 US79867001A US2002121542A1 US 20020121542 A1 US20020121542 A1 US 20020121542A1 US 79867001 A US79867001 A US 79867001A US 2002121542 A1 US2002121542 A1 US 2002121542A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- flaps
- lid
- flap
- container
- male
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/70—Break-in flaps, or members adapted to be torn-off, to provide pouring openings
- B65D5/701—Tearable flaps defined by score-lines or incisions provided in the closure flaps of a tubular container made of a single blank
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/10—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed by inward-folding of self-locking flaps hinged to tubular body
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/02—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body
- B65D5/12—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed separately from tubular body
- B65D5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper by folding or erecting a single blank to form a tubular body with or without subsequent folding operations, or the addition of separate elements, to close the ends of the body with end closures formed separately from tubular body with inset end closures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid containers of polygonal cross-section, e.g. boxes, cartons or trays, formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks made of paper
- B65D5/42—Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
- B65D5/44—Integral, inserted or attached portions forming internal or external fittings
- B65D5/46—Handles
- B65D5/46072—Handles integral with the container
- B65D5/4608—Handgrip holes
Definitions
- Dry materials such as powdered, granulated, or pelletized chemicals are commonly used in many industrial and commercial applications. Such materials are typically shipped to a location for use and stored on-site until needed. The materials are commonly stored and shipped in generally rigid containers made of metal. Metal containers are generally strong and durable to prevent leakage of the materials, but are generally heavy and thus difficult to handle and more costly to ship.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,849 to Vinney discloses a hexagonal, corrugated shipping container comprising six panels folded into a hexagonal shape. Top and bottom closure members have tabs for securing to the panels.
- Foldable containers provide the advantage of being lightweight and generally easier and more efficient to handle and ship, as well as requiring less storage space when in the folded configuration. None of these foldable containers, however, have proven entirely suitable for storing and shipping materials such as powdered chemicals.
- the present invention provides a container having a foldable sheet of material and a lid.
- the sheet has a plurality of panels that are hingedly connected together to permit folding thereof into a polygonal shape.
- eight regular panels and an overlap panel can be provided that are foldable into an octagonal shape.
- the sheet has at least one and preferably two male flaps each hingedly connected to at least one of the panels.
- the male flaps have a head portion and a neck portion.
- the sheet also has at least one and preferably two female flaps each hingedly connected to at least one of the panels.
- the female flaps have ends with at least one and preferably two slots in each of the ends.
- the sheet may further have at least one and preferably four intermediate flaps each hingedly connected to one of the panels interposed between one of the male flaps and one of the female flaps.
- the sheet is folded into the polygonal shape, with the panels thereby forming the sides of the container.
- the intermediate flaps are folded over the open bottom end of the container, then the female flaps are folded over the intermediate flaps.
- the male flaps are then folded over female flaps and extended through the female flap slots, with the male flaps head portions interlocked with the slots.
- At least one and preferably four of the panels have a panel opening, with the portion of the panels between the panel opening and the panel ends forming a panel handle portion.
- the lid has a lid panel and at least one and preferably four lid flaps hingedly connected thereto.
- the lid flaps and the locking tabs are folded up and the lid panel is inserted into the folded sheet so that the panel and lid openings are aligned.
- the second and third sections are then folded over and down the folded sheet, the end section is inserted through the aligned openings, and the locking tabs are unfolded.
- the lid is now securely attached to the folded sheet to form the container.
- the container can be picked up and otherwise handled by using the aligned handle portions and the aligned openings as handles.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present container invention
- FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken at line A-A of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 13 is a cross-section view taken at line A-A of FIG. 12.
- FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the lid of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- the material may be coated, waterproofed impregnated (e.g., with wax), reinforced, laminated, or treated to have desired properties.
- properties may include, but are not limited to, corrosive resistant, flame, heat, moisture and/or acid/alkaline resistant, cut or puncture resistant, high burst strength, or the like.
- the sheet 12 has a plurality of panels that are hingedly connected together to permit folding thereof.
- eight regular panels 18 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 26 , 28 , 30 , and 32 (referred to hereinafter as the “panels 18 - 32 ”) and an overlap panel 16 can be provided that are foldable into an octagonal shape. It will be understood that other numbers of panels can be provided for forming different shaped containers as may be desired in a given application.
- the sheet panels 18 - 32 preferably have a generally rectangular shape, although other regular or irregular shapes may be used.
- the sheet 12 has at least one and preferably two male flaps 34 and 40 each hingedly connected to at least one of the panels 18 - 32 .
- the male flaps 34 and 40 have a head portion 36 and 42 and a neck portion 38 and 44 between the head portion 36 and 42 and the corresponding panel 18 - 32 .
- the head portions 36 and 42 have a width 37 and 43
- the neck portions 38 and 44 have a width 35 and 45 .
- the sheet 12 also has at least one and preferably two female flaps 46 and 52 each hingedly connected to at least one of the panels 18 - 32 .
- the female flaps 46 and 52 have ends 48 and 54 with at least one and preferably two slots 50 and 56 defined in each of the ends 48 and 54 .
- Each of the slots 50 and 56 has a depth that is at least one half of the width 35 and 45 of the male flap neck portions 38 and 44 and no more than one half of a width 37 and 43 of the male flap head portions 36 and 42 .
- the multiple the female flap slots 50 and 56 can all have the same or different widths
- the multiple male flap head portions 36 and 42 can all have the same or different widths
- the multiple male flap neck portions 38 and 44 can all have the same or different widths.
- the female flaps 46 and 52 preferably have a semi-octagonal shape, that is, about one-half of an octagon, although other regular or irregular shapes may be provided.
- the male flaps 34 and 40 and the female flaps 46 and 52 are preferably alternately arranged so that one of the male flaps 34 and 40 is disposed between the two female flaps 46 and 52 . Additionally, the male flaps 34 and 40 and the female flaps 46 and 52 are preferably connected to alternate panels 18 - 32 , so that when the panels 18 - 32 are folded into the octagonal shape then the male flaps 34 and 40 are oppositely arranged from each other and the female flaps 46 and 52 are oppositely arranged from each other.
- the sheet 12 may further have at least one and preferably four intermediate flaps 58 , 60 , 62 , and 64 (referred to hereinafter as the “intermediate flaps 58 - 64 ”) each hingedly connected to one of the panels 18 - 32 .
- Each of the intermediate flaps 58 - 60 is preferably interposed between one of the male flaps 34 and 40 and one of the female flaps 46 and 52 .
- At least one and preferably four of the panels 18 - 32 have a panel opening 70 defined therein.
- the portion of the panels 18 - 32 between the panel opening 70 and the panel ends 74 forms a panel handle portion 73 having a width 72 .
- the panel openings 70 may be provided with foldable panel opening flaps 76 , as may be desired.
- Each of the lid flaps 78 has a second section 88 hingedly connected to the first section 80 , with the second section 88 having a width 90 that is preferably substantially the same as the sheet thickness 77 .
- Each of the lid flaps 78 has a third section 92 hingedly connected to the second section 88 , with the third section 92 having a width 94 that is preferably substantially the same as the width 79 of the lid handle portion 87 .
- Each of the lid flaps 78 has a fourth section 96 hingedly connected to the third section 92 , with the fourth section 96 having a width 98 that is preferably substantially the same as the sheet thickness 77 and the lid thickness 79 combined.
- FIGS. 10 - 12 there are illustrated the steps for folding and assembling the lid 14 onto the folded sheet 12 to form the container 10 .
- the lid flaps 78 and the locking tabs 104 are folded up and the lid panel 75 is inserted into the folded sheet 12 so that the panel openings 70 and the lid openings 82 are aligned.
- the second section 88 and the third section 92 are then folded over and down the folded sheet 12 , the end section is inserted through the aligned openings 70 and 82 , and the locking tabs 104 are unfolded.
- the port 200 can also be more than one port 200 on the lid 14 or the port(s) can be cut in the bottom panel 69 .
- the port 200 can alternatively comprise a single flap with one side being hinged and the remaining sides being cut and/or nicked.
- a notch 210 can be cut and/or nicked in at least one flap to facilitate the user opening the flap 200 with one's fingers or an implement. The user can punch out the notch 210 and lift the flap(s).
- At least one port 200 can be created in one or more of the panels 18 et seq.
- a port 200 can be created in a panel 18 at the bottom so that access to fluids within the container can be obtained. Any number of ports 200 can be created depending on the needs of the user of the container of the present invention.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates generally to storage and shipping containers and, more particularly, to a foldable container formed from one or more foldable panels with foldable flaps.
- Dry materials such as powdered, granulated, or pelletized chemicals are commonly used in many industrial and commercial applications. Such materials are typically shipped to a location for use and stored on-site until needed. The materials are commonly stored and shipped in generally rigid containers made of metal. Metal containers are generally strong and durable to prevent leakage of the materials, but are generally heavy and thus difficult to handle and more costly to ship.
- There are known in the art a number of generally lightweight, foldable containers for general use. U.S. Pat. No. 2,771,851 to Rabby discloses a two-piece container for carrying heavy loads. The container is hexagonal and has a bottom formed by flaps that extend downward from the container sides and are foldable across the open bottom of the container. The container sides have register slots at lower portions thereof through which extensions of the bottom flaps can pass. The extensions can be folded to form saddles to retain the extensions in place.
- U.S. Pat. No. 2,736,485 to Rabby discloses a box with a readily attachable end closure. A hexagonal container has sides forming open lower and upper ends with vertical slots in the sides near the lower and upper ends. A bottom end closure wall and a top end closure wall each have flaps connected thereto, each flap having a height sufficient to fold around one of the container ends and along the outside of the container sides to the slots. Securing tabs extend from the flaps, and locking tabs extend from the securing tabs, with the locking tabs and securing tabs sized to pass through the vertical slots, and the locking tabs lock the flap in place.
- U.S. Pat. No. 518,898 to Schmidt discloses a tubular paper box. The box has two opposing hexagonal flaps extending from and foldable over each box end. Four tetragonal flaps extend from and can be folded over each end, with two of the tetragonal flaps positioned on either side of each hexagonal flap.
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,885 to Negus, Sr. discloses a polygonal bulk container having a polygonal bottom panel that is folded over the open bottom of the container. The polygonal bottom panel is glued to a reinforcing square tab and a web construction having tabs and extensions.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,585,505 to McIndoe discloses a carton comprising a body part with a foldable top end flap extending from an upper portion thereof and a foldable bottom end flap extending from a lower portion thereof. A plurality of projection flaps extend from the body part and the ends such that they can be folded over the ends for reinforcement of the carton.
- U.S. Pat. No. 1,497,671 to Crowell discloses a fiber corrugated board barrel formed from a single piece of corrugated board folded at creases in the board into a hexagonal or octagonal shape. The bottom has edge flanges and connector strips for securing to the barrel.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,849 to Vinney discloses a hexagonal, corrugated shipping container comprising six panels folded into a hexagonal shape. Top and bottom closure members have tabs for securing to the panels.
- Foldable containers provide the advantage of being lightweight and generally easier and more efficient to handle and ship, as well as requiring less storage space when in the folded configuration. None of these foldable containers, however, have proven entirely suitable for storing and shipping materials such as powdered chemicals.
- Accordingly, what is needed but not found in the prior art is a container that is strong and durable to prevent leakage of the materials, yet lightweight for ease and efficiency in handling and shipping, and foldable for requiring less storage space when in the folded configuration.
- Generally described, the present invention provides a container having a foldable sheet of material and a lid. The sheet has a plurality of panels that are hingedly connected together to permit folding thereof into a polygonal shape. In a preferred embodiment, eight regular panels and an overlap panel can be provided that are foldable into an octagonal shape.
- The sheet has at least one and preferably two male flaps each hingedly connected to at least one of the panels. The male flaps have a head portion and a neck portion. The sheet also has at least one and preferably two female flaps each hingedly connected to at least one of the panels. The female flaps have ends with at least one and preferably two slots in each of the ends. The sheet may further have at least one and preferably four intermediate flaps each hingedly connected to one of the panels interposed between one of the male flaps and one of the female flaps.
- To form the container, the sheet is folded into the polygonal shape, with the panels thereby forming the sides of the container. The intermediate flaps are folded over the open bottom end of the container, then the female flaps are folded over the intermediate flaps. The male flaps are then folded over female flaps and extended through the female flap slots, with the male flaps head portions interlocked with the slots.
- Turning now to the top of the container, at least one and preferably four of the panels have a panel opening, with the portion of the panels between the panel opening and the panel ends forming a panel handle portion. The lid has a lid panel and at least one and preferably four lid flaps hingedly connected thereto.
- Each of the lid flaps has a first section hingedly connected to the lid panel, with each first section having a lid opening defined therein and a lid handle portion adjacent the opening. Second, third, and fourth sections can be provided and hingedly connected together. Each of the lid flaps has an end section hingedly connected to the fourth section. Each end section has a main portion and at least one locking tab hingedly connected thereto. The end section can be extended through the aligned panel and lid openings only when the locking tab is folded over the main portion.
- To assemble the lid onto the folded sheet to form the container, the lid flaps and the locking tabs are folded up and the lid panel is inserted into the folded sheet so that the panel and lid openings are aligned. The second and third sections are then folded over and down the folded sheet, the end section is inserted through the aligned openings, and the locking tabs are unfolded. The lid is now securely attached to the folded sheet to form the container. The container can be picked up and otherwise handled by using the aligned handle portions and the aligned openings as handles.
- These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are discussed or apparent in the following detailed description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
- The various features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the attached drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures, and in which:
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present container invention;
- FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sheet of the container in an unfolded configuration;
- FIGS.3-6 are bottom plan views showing the folding assembly of the bottom flaps of the container;
- FIG. 7 is a plan view of a bottom panel of the container;
- FIG. 8 is a detail perspective view of an opening in a panel of the sheet of the container;
- FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the lid of the container;
- FIG. 10 is a detail side view of the lid being assembled on the container;
- FIG. 11 is a cross-section view taken at line A-A of FIG. 10;
- FIG. 12 is a detail side view of the lid fully assembled on the container; and
- FIG. 13 is a cross-section view taken at line A-A of FIG. 12.
- FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the lid of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the lid of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, referred to generally as the
container 10. Thecontainer 10 comprises afoldable sheet 12 of material and alid 14. Thesheet 12 can be folded into a polygonal shape or into a generally flat arrangement. Thesheet 12 andlid 14 are preferably made of a corrugated paperboard, plastic, metal with hinges or portions that can flex, plastic corrugated, paper, or other generally rigid material known in the art, preferably light in weight and having sufficient strength to contain the intended weight of contents. This material choice may change depending on the nature of the contents. By way of illustration, but not limitation, the material may be coated, waterproofed impregnated (e.g., with wax), reinforced, laminated, or treated to have desired properties. Such properties may include, but are not limited to, corrosive resistant, flame, heat, moisture and/or acid/alkaline resistant, cut or puncture resistant, high burst strength, or the like. - Referring now to FIG. 2, the
sheet 12 has a plurality of panels that are hingedly connected together to permit folding thereof. For example, eightregular panels overlap panel 16 can be provided that are foldable into an octagonal shape. It will be understood that other numbers of panels can be provided for forming different shaped containers as may be desired in a given application. The sheet panels 18-32 preferably have a generally rectangular shape, although other regular or irregular shapes may be used. - The
sheet 12 has at least one and preferably twomale flaps head portion neck portion head portion head portions width neck portions width - The
sheet 12 also has at least one and preferably twofemale flaps slots ends slots width flap neck portions width flap head portions female flap slots flap head portions flap neck portions - The male flaps34 and 40 and the
female flaps female flaps female flaps female flaps - The
sheet 12 may further have at least one and preferably fourintermediate flaps female flaps panels first length 66, thepanels male flaps female flaps second length 67, and thefirst length 66 is less than thesecond length 67 by an offsetamount 68 that is substantially the same as athickness 77 of the sheet 12 (see FIG. 8). Thus, the intermediate flaps 58-64 can be folded over to provide additional strength for thecontainer 10, and the male flaps 34 and 40 and thefemale flaps container 10 can be suitably provided without the intermediate flaps 58-64. - Referring now to FIGS.3-6, there are illustrated the steps for folding the
sheet 12 to form thecontainer 10. As shown in FIG. 3, thesheet 12 is folded so that theoverlap panel 16 overlaps with theend panel 32, the panels 18-32 thereby forming the sides of thecontainer 10. Theoverlap flap 16 can be secured to theend panel 32 by glue or another adherent, staples, or other fasteners known in the art. It will be understood that thesheet 12 can be provided without theoverlap panel 16 and the end panels can be fastened together directly, if so desired. - As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate flaps58-64 are folded over the open bottom end of the
container 10. As shown in FIG. 5, thefemale flaps female flaps female flap slots container 10 and themale flap necks container 10. The intermediate flaps 58-64, male flaps 34 and 40, andfemale flaps bottom panel insert 69 may be inserted into thecontainer 10 and disposed above the folded intermediate flaps 58-64, male flaps 34 and 40, andfemale flaps - Turning now to the top of the
container 10, and referring now to FIG. 8, at least one and preferably four of the panels 18-32 have a panel opening 70 defined therein. The portion of the panels 18-32 between the panel opening 70 and the panel ends 74 forms apanel handle portion 73 having a width 72. The panel openings 70 may be provided with foldable panel opening flaps 76, as may be desired. - Referring now to FIG. 9, the
lid 14 has alid panel 75 and at least onelid flap 78 hingedly connected thereto. The number of lid flaps 78 may correspond to the number of panel openings 70, so, for example, fourlid flaps 78 may be provided. Thelid 14 has a thickness 79 (see FIG. 10), and thelid panel 75 is sized and shaped to be received within the foldedsheet 12. Thus, thelid panel 75 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the foldedsheet 12, so, for example, thelid panel 75 may have an octagonal shape. - Each of the lid flaps78 has a first section 80 hingedly connected to the
lid panel 75. Each first section 80 has alid opening 82 defined therein and alid handle portion 87 adjacent theopening 82. Eachlid opening 82 has alength 84 and a width 85. Eachlid handle portion 87 has awidth 86 that is substantially the same as the width 72 of thepanel handle portion 87, wherein the lid opening 70 can be aligned with thepanel opening 82 and thelid handle portion 87 can be aligned with thepanel handle portion 87. - Each of the lid flaps78 has a
second section 88 hingedly connected to the first section 80, with thesecond section 88 having awidth 90 that is preferably substantially the same as thesheet thickness 77. Each of the lid flaps 78 has athird section 92 hingedly connected to thesecond section 88, with thethird section 92 having a width 94 that is preferably substantially the same as thewidth 79 of thelid handle portion 87. Each of the lid flaps 78 has afourth section 96 hingedly connected to thethird section 92, with thefourth section 96 having a width 98 that is preferably substantially the same as thesheet thickness 77 and thelid thickness 79 combined. - Each of the lid flaps78 has an
end section 100 hingedly connected to thefourth section 96. Eachend section 100 has amain portion 102 and at least onelocking tab 104 hingedly connected thereto. Eachmain portion 102 of thelid end section 100 has a length 106 that is substantially the same as or less than thelength 84 of thelid opening 82, and a width 108 that is substantially the same as or less than the width 85 of thelid opening 82, so that theend section 100 can be extended through the panel opening 70 and thelid opening 82 only when thelocking tab 104 is folded over themain portion 102. - Referring now to FIGS.10-12, there are illustrated the steps for folding and assembling the
lid 14 onto the foldedsheet 12 to form thecontainer 10. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the lid flaps 78 and the lockingtabs 104 are folded up and thelid panel 75 is inserted into the foldedsheet 12 so that the panel openings 70 and thelid openings 82 are aligned. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, thesecond section 88 and thethird section 92 are then folded over and down the foldedsheet 12, the end section is inserted through the alignedopenings 70 and 82, and the lockingtabs 104 are unfolded. - The
lid 14 is now securely attached to the foldedsheet 12 to form thecontainer 10. Thecontainer 10 can be picked up and otherwise handled by using the alignedhandle portions openings 70 and 82 as handles. Thecontainer 10 is thereby strong and durable to prevent leakage of the materials, yet lightweight for ease and efficiency in handling and shipping, and foldable for requiring less storage space when in the folded configuration. - It will be understood that the
container 10 can be provided with the bottom 57 described herein and another lid, with thelid 14 described herein and another bottom, or with both thelid 14 and the bottom 57. It will be further understood that thelid 14 arrangement can be used as a bottom, and the bottom arrangement can be used as a lid. - In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 14, there is an
access port 200 in thelid 14 for providing access to the contents without having to remove thelid 14. Theaccess port 200 comprises afirst flap 202 and asecond flap 204.Sides center line 210 is cut and nicked to provide a frangible line that can be broken when access is desired. Alternatively, thesides access port 200 are contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention; for example, the shape of theport 200 can be square, hexagonal, octagonal or other shape. There can also be more than oneport 200 on thelid 14 or the port(s) can be cut in thebottom panel 69. Theport 200 can alternatively comprise a single flap with one side being hinged and the remaining sides being cut and/or nicked. Optionally, anotch 210 can be cut and/or nicked in at least one flap to facilitate the user opening theflap 200 with one's fingers or an implement. The user can punch out thenotch 210 and lift the flap(s). - Alternatively, at least one
port 200 can be created in one or more of thepanels 18 et seq. For example, aport 200 can be created in apanel 18 at the bottom so that access to fluids within the container can be obtained. Any number ofports 200 can be created depending on the needs of the user of the container of the present invention. - Also, a
port 300, as shown in FIG. 15, can comprise more than two flaps, for example, but not by way of limitation, there can be three ormore flaps 302, defined in the lid 14 (or one ormore panels 18 et seq.) with appropriate hingedsides 304 and cut (and/or nicked)portions 306. - The present invention presents several distinct advantages over the prior art. One advantage of the present invention is the lower weight of the container (compared to conventional drums) while maintaining desirable strength properties. The low tare weight translates into lower shipping costs. Fiber drums must be shipped set up. Approximately 320 standard fiber drums can be shipped in a typical truck. Since the container of the present invention can be broken down and stored flat, it takes up far less space than conventional drum containers and therefore permits more units (in the range of about 4,500) to be stored or shipped in a given volume. This translates into far greater transporting efficiency and shipping cost reduction. The container of the present invention is recyclable. Currently available drums are typically of fiber or metal construction, which are hard to dispose of. The shape of the container of the present invention (octagonal in a preferred embodiment) allows a handler to roll it on the floor (typically where the user tips the container at an angle and uses the handles for manipulating it), similar to a fiber drum. The container of the present invention has a geometric axial cross section with sides preferably angled at more than 90°, bulging is reduced when the container is filled.
- While the invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The terms “a,” “an,” and “one” as used herein are not intended to mean only “one,” but may also mean a number greater than “one.” Any patents, applications or publications referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Claims (24)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/798,670 US6446859B1 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2001-03-02 | Foldable storage container |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/798,670 US6446859B1 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2001-03-02 | Foldable storage container |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20020121542A1 true US20020121542A1 (en) | 2002-09-05 |
US6446859B1 US6446859B1 (en) | 2002-09-10 |
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US09/798,670 Expired - Lifetime US6446859B1 (en) | 2001-03-02 | 2001-03-02 | Foldable storage container |
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