US3451612A - Convertible box - Google Patents

Description

Jux'ie 24, 1969 YOSINORI SINOTO CONVERTIBLE BOX Sheet L of Filed July 12, 1967 INVENTOR. 7557/7014 5/ fo HTTORNEVS June 24, 1969 YOSINORI SINOTO 3,451,612

Filed July 12, 1967 Sheet 2 of 6 FITTORNEYS June 24, 1969 YOSINQRI SINOTO 3 45 CONVERTIBLE BOX Filed July 12, 1967 Sheet 3 of 6 H-Wgh h INVENTOR. 637mm- 5,

W-kO FITTORNEYS June 1969 YOSINORI SINOTO I 3,451,512

CONVERTI BLE BOX Filed July 12, 1967 INVENTOR.

yes/non 5/0 0 f0 #7 TTORNE Y5 June 24, 1969 YOSINORI SINOTO 3,451,612

CONVERTIBLE BOX Filed July 12, 1967 Shet 5' of 6 I INVENTOR. 3/59/7017 5/77070 HTTORNEYS June 24, 1969 YOSINIORI SINOTO I 3,451,612

CONVERTIBLE BOX Filed July 12, 1967 Sheet 6 of s x IQJVENTOR. sinori' $1 0 070 BY M+D Cawu HTTORNEYS United States Patent 3,451,612 CONVERTIBLE BOX Yosinorl Siuoto, 345 W. 58th St., New York, N.Y. 10036 Filed July 12, 1967, Ser. No. 652,904 Int. Cl. B65d /08, 13/00, 25/22, 1/00, 3/00, 5/00 U.S. Cl. 229-38 19 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A convertible container normally having a boxlike configuration and adapted to be converted to an easilycarried, baglike container. Each opposite side of the box is provided with a single interior bending line, score or furrow which extends from a point intermediate the corners of the side at one end thereof for a short distance to a terminus from which divergent bending lines, scores or furrows extend to the corners of the side at the other end thereof. When the top and bottom of the container are brought together at the one end, the sides b'end outwardly along the furrows to form an easily-carried baglike container. Means is provided for holding the thus collapsed one end closed and for facilitating carrying of the container. Two telescoped containers normally forming a box may be first separated and then converted to two baglike containers joined at the collapsed ends and connected at the closed ends to facilitate carrying of the articles originally packaged in the box.

Background of the invention In the prior art many articles normally are packaged in boxes which are relatively easy to store in that they can be stacked on shelves or the like. When the articles of merchandise contained in the box are sold, the box is then packaged to permit the customer to transport the merchandise. For example, the box may be wrapped with paper and string. So wrapped it is relatively difiicult to carry and an auxiliary carrying handle may be necessary to enable the customer to carry the packaged goods with ease. Alternatively, the box may be placed in a separate carrying bag.

I have invented a convertible container having a normally boxlike configuration which is adapted to be converted expeditiously into an easily-carried, baglike container. My container does away with the necessity for separately Wrapping a box containing merchandise to permit a customer to carry the box. My convertible container provides an attractive merchandise carrying case. No separate bag need be used. I so arrange my container as to permit the display of merchandise for sale.

Summary of the invention One object of my invention is to provide a convertible container having a normally boxlike shape and adapted to be converted into a readily-carried, baglike container.

Another object of my invention is to provide a merchandise container which requires no auxiliary wrapping after the articles contained therein have been sold.

A further object of my invention is to provide a merchandise container which is adapted to be convertedinto an attractive carrying case.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a convertible container which facilitates display of merchandise for sale.

Other and further objects of my invention will appear from the following description.

In general my invention contemplates the provision of a convertible container normally having a boxlike configuration and in each of the opposite sides of which I provide score lines or bending furrows which extend from 3,451,612 Patented June 24, 1969 "ice corners at one end of the side and which converge to meet at a terminus a short distance from the other end. A single score line or bending furrow extends from the terminus to the other end. When the top and bottom are brought together and joined at the other end, the sides bend outwardly along the bendingfurrows to form an easily-carried, baglike container. I provide means for holding the other end collapsed and for facilitating carrying of the container. I may form a box from two telescoped boxlike containers and then convert the two into a carrying case comprising the converted baglike containers joined by a carrying means at the collapsed ends and connected at the closed ends.

Brief description of the drawings In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank from which I form a boxlike container comprising the inner element of a telescoped box.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a blank from which I form the outer boxlike element of a telescoped box.

FIGURE 3 is aperspective view illustrating two telescoped boxlike containers in the relationship they occupy when merchandise is being displayed.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end of one of the boxlike containers of a telescoped box illustrating a connecting flap thereof.

FIGURE 5 is an elevation of the carrying case which may be formed from the two boxlike containers illustrated in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the carrying case shown in FIGURE 5 taken along the line 66 of FIG- URE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a bottom plan view of the carrying case of FIGURE 6 taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of a blank from which I form an alternate embodiment of my convertible container.

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the form of my convertible container shown in FIGURE 8 after it has been folded to its normally boxlike shape.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the form of my convertible container shown in FIGURE 9 after it has been converted to its baglike shape.

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the form of my container shown in FIGURE 8 in use as a display stand for an article of merchandise.

FIGURE 12. is a perspective view of yet another form of my convertible container.

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the form of my container shown in FIGURE 12 taken along the line 1313 of FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of a blank from which I form a still further embodiment of my convertible container.

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the normally boxlike container formed from the blank shown in FIG- URE 14.

FIGURE 16 is a perspective view of the purselike container which can be formed from the embodiment of my container illustrated in FIGURE 15.

FIGURE 17 is a fragmentary section-a1 view of the form of my container shown in FIGURE 16 taken along the line 1717 of FIGURE 16.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 7 of the drawings, I have illustrated a form of my container which is especially adapted for use in connection with articles of merchandise such, for example, as pairs of shoes. Such articles normally are sold in boxes comprising a bottom and a lid. In the establishment at which the boxed articles are sold, the boxes customarily are stored in stacked relationship on shelves. When a salesman desires to display a particular pair to a customer he must remove the box from the shelf, take off the lid and display the shoes. These operations must be performed for each pair being demonstrated. After a sale is made, the box must subsequently be wrapped and provided with a carrying handle or at least placed in a separate bag to permit the customer to carry it out of the store. The form of my invention illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 7 eliminates most of the operations just described.

The form of my convertible container illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 7 includes an inner half-forming blank indicated generally by the reference character 10 stamped or cut by a paper cutting die from suitable stock such as a medium weight paperboard or the like to the shape shown in FIGURE 1. FIGURE 1 shows the surface of the blank which corresponds to the interior surface of the boxlike container formed thereby. In the course of the cutting operation, the die provides a plurality of spaced folding lines, scores or furrows 12, 14, 16 and 18 which divide the blank to form opposite sides 20 and 22, a bottom 24 and a top 26, as well as a flange 28 for holding the box assembled in a manner to be described. In the course of the cutting operation there are formed respective side flaps 30 and 32 with folding furrows 34 and 36. I also provide the blank with a top closure flap 38 having a folding line 40. I cut respective slits or slots 42 and 44 having folding lines 46 and 48. I provide the bottom 24 with a locking flap 50 having folding lines 52 and 53 and respective'locking tongues 54 and 56 adapted to be bent along pairs of scores or furrows 58 and 60 for insertion of the tongues 54 and 56 into the slots 42 and 44 in a manner to be described.

In addition to the folding furrows thus far described, I provide the side 20 with respective folding furrows 62 and 64 extending from the ends of the score 34 toward the other end of the blank and converging into a single folding furrow 66 extending to the other end of the blank. I also provide the side 22 with respective folding furrows 68 and 70 extending from the ends of the score 34 toward the other end of the blank and converging into a single furrow or score 72 extending to the other end of the blank. It is to be understood that the folding furrows 62, 64 and 66 are substantially identical with the furrows 68, 70 and 72. By way of illustration, I have shown all of the folding furrows by dot-dash lines in the drawings. Portions of the blank which are actually cut, as in the case of'the slits or slots 42 and 44, are indicated in full lines while portions of the blank to be described which are adapted to be punched out in use of the box are indicated in broken lines. For example, I perforate the bottom 24 to provide a punch-out 74 which forms a hand hole in a manner to be described.

To form the inner telescoped member, indicated generally by the reference character 76, of the telescoped form of my container from the blank shown in FIGURE 1, I first fold the blank along the folding furrows or scores 12, 14, 16 and 18 and bring the underside of the flange 28 as viewed in FIGURE 1 into contact with the upper edge of the side 20 and secure it thereto by any suitable means such, for example, as by an adhesive or the like. I next fold the two side flaps 30 and 32 inwardly and fold the top flap 38 over the side flaps 30 and 32. When this has been done, I fold the bottom fiap over the top flap and insert the tongues 54 and 56 into the slots or slits 42 and 44 by bending the tongues along the furrows 58 and 60 as required. It is to be noted that I so shape the tongues 54 and 56 as to provide a secure closure for one end of the inner member 76.

In order to facilitate display of the goods in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter, I cut a window 78 in the top 26. One end of the window has a cutout notch 80 which facilitates relative movement between the parts of the box as will be described. Instead of cutting out window 78 I may perforate top 26 to form a punch-out similar to punch-out 74.

While I have referred to various portions of the blank 10 and of the boxlike member 76 formed thereby as a top, bottom and sides, it will readily be appreciated that these designations are entirely arbitrary and are for convenience only. In other words, the top could be the bottom and the bottom could be the top. Moreover, as will become apparent, when the container is converted one end of the blank 10 corresponds to the top and the other end corresponds to the bottom.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, I have shown a blank indicated by the reference character 82 cut and furrowed to permit formation of the outer member indicated gen erally by the reference character 84 of the telescoped form of my container, Blank 82 has folding lines 86, 88, and 92 which divide the blank into sides 94 and 96, a top 98 and a bottom 100, as well as an assembling flange 102. I provide the sides 94 and 96 with end closure flaps 104 and 106 having folding lines 108 and 110. The bottom has an end flap 112 provided with a folding line 114 and having slits 116 and 118 provided with folding lines 120 and 122. The top 98 has an end flap 124 provided with folding lines or furrows 126 and 128. I form the end locking flap with locking tongues 130 and 132 adapted to be bent along pairs of scores or furrows 134 and 136 for insertion into the slits 116 and 118. An extension 138 on flap 124 carries a connecting flap 140 provided with folding lines or scores 142 and 144. I form the connecting flap with tongues 146 and 148 having respective pairs of folding lines or furrows 150 and 152.

In addition to the bending furrows or scores described above, I provide the side 94 with folding furrows or scores 154 and 156 extending from the ends of the line 108 toward the left end of the blank 82 as viewed in FIGURE 2. These furrows 154 and 156 converge into a single furrow 158 extending to the left edge of the blank. Similarly I form side 96 with converging scores or furrows 160 and 162 extending from the ends of the line 110 toward the left edge of the blank and merging into a single furrow 164 extending to the left edge. I perforate the top 98 to provide a locking tab 166 adapted to be folded along a line 168 for insertion through the hand hole formed by the punch-out 74 in a manner to be described hereinafter. The top 98 and the bottom 100 have finger notches 170 and 172 out in their lefthand edges to permit the members 76 and 84 to be separated with ease. I cut a window 174 in the bottom 100 to permit the goods to be displayed. Alternatively, I may perforate the bottom 100 to provide a window-forming punch-out.

In assembling the blank 82 to form the member 84 I first fold the blank along the scores or furrows 86, "88, 90 and 92 and bring the underside of the flange 102, as viewed in FIGURE 2, into contact with the surface of side 94 adjacent the upper edge thereof and secure it thereto by any suitable means such, for example, as an adhesive. When that has been done, I bend flaps 104 and 106 along lines 108 and 110, bend the bottom flap 112 over flaps 104 and 106 and then bend the flap 124 along line 126 to close one end of the member =84. I next bend flap 124 along line 128 and bend tongues 130 and 132 along the furrows 134 and 136 as is necessary to insert the tongues 130 and 132 into the slits 116 and 118. I then fold the flap 140 backwardly along lines 142 or into the paper as viewed in FIGURE 4 and bend the flap 140 along furrow 144 and the tongues 146 and 148 along scores 150 and 152 as is necessary to facilitate insertion of tongues 146 and 148 into the slits 116 and 118 over the tongues 130 and 132.

From the structure thus far described, it will be appreciated that I have formed the two telescoping members 76 and 84 which make up this form of my box. Considering by way of example only the use of this form of my container in connection with articles of merchandise such as a pair of shoes, the goods are shipped from the factory in the telescoped members 76 and 84 with the window 78 of the member 76 next to the top 98 of the member 84. Similarly, the window 174 of the member 84 is adjacent the bottom 24 of the member 76. Thus, in this relative position of the members, a completely closed box is formed. When the box arrives at the retail dealers, locking tab 166 is bent inwardly. When the members 76 and 84 are moved out of telescoped relationship, as to show the contents, the locking tab 166 cooperates with the edge of window 78 to prevent the members from being completely separated unintentionally. Alternatively, punchout 74 can be removed, the members 76 and 84 separated and member 84 inverted and slid back over member 76 to bring windows 78 and 174 into registry for display purposes. In this condition the locking tab 166 can cooperate with the hole formed by punch-out 74 to prevent accidental complete separation of the parts.

The operation of separating the members 76 and 84 is of course facilitated by the indentations 170 and 172. Should the salesman wish to display the goods to a customer, he merely removes the container from the shelf and while holding the outer member 84 in one hand, he slides the inner member 76 out. Thus my construction affords the customer a good view of the articles within and at the same time permits the salesman to hold the container with ease. In the course of this operation of moving member 76 out of member 84, the relative movement is limited as the locking tab 166 engages the edge of window 78. Owing to this feature the danger of the members being completely separated so that the goods are dropped is minimized. As the members are moved back into telescoped relationship as, for example, when the salesman wishes to replace the box on the shelf, the notches 80 and 176 in the windows 78 and 174 prevent interference as the member-s are moved into full telescoping relationship.

After the salesman has made a sale and the goods such, for example, as shoes are to be given to the customer, the two members 76 and 84 are converted to make up the carrying case illustrated in FIGURES 5 to 7. First the top 26 and the bottom 24 of the member 76 are brought together adjacent the open end of the member corresponding to the left edge of the blank in FIGURE 1. As this operation is performed, side 20 folds along the lines 62, 64 and 66 and side 22 folds along the lines 68, 70 and 72. .It will readily be appreciated that minor manipulation of the sides may be necessary to produce a bending or folding which will be retained in the sides.

When member 76 has thus been folded, the member 84 is folded in a similar manner by bringing the top 98 and bottom 100 together adjacent the open end and folding sides 94 and 96 along the respective lines, furrows or scores 154, 156 and 158 and 160, 162 and 164. With one shoe of the pair in each of the two members 76 and 84 as folded, the two members are brought into juxtaposed relationship with the windows 78 and 174 facing each other. Then the locking tab 166 is pushed inwardly through both the windows and out through the hand hole formed by the punch-out 74. In this way the upper ends of the two members are locked. Next the tongues 146 and 148 are moved out of the slits 116 and 118 and flap 140 is bent over the face of the member 76 and inserted in the slits 42 and 44 of member 76 over the tongues 54 and 56. In this way the two members are connected at what are now the lower ends thereof and an attractive carrying case is formed. Not only can the purchased articles such as the shoes be conveniently carried without the necessity of auxiliary wrapping or bagging but, also, space is provided for other articles purchased such, for example, as hose or the like.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 to 10, I have shown an alternate form of my convertible container in which a single unit is adapted to be converted from a boxlike structure into a carrying case. This container is formed from a blank indicated generally by the reference character 178 cut from suitable paperboard stock to the configuration shown and concomitantly provided with respective folding furrows or scores 180, 182, 184 and 186 to provide four sides 188, 190, 192 and 194, as well as a flange 195 along the edge of side 188. I form respective end flaps 196, 198, 200 and 202 having folding furrows 204, 206, 208 and 210 at one end of the respective sides 188, 190, 192 and 194. Flap 202 has a tongue 212 adapted to be inserted in the box to hold one end thereof closed. I form respective end flaps 214, 216, 218 and 220 having folding furrows 222, 224, 226 and 228 at the other ends of the sides. Flap 216 has a tongue 230 adapted to be inserted into the box for holding the other end closed.

Respective bending scores 232 and 234 in side extend from the ends of furrow 206 toward flap 216. These scores converge into a single score 236 which extends to furrow 224. A single furrow which may be an extension of score 236 extends outwardly along flap 216 to a pair of diverging scores 238 and 240 going to the end of the tongue 230. For reasons which will be explained more fully hereinafter, if flap 216 and tongue 230 are folded inwardly over the side 190, scores 238 and 240 register with scores 232 and 234. Bending furrows 242 and 244 in side 194 converge from the ends of furrow 210 into a single score 245 which extends across furrow 228 to the edge of flap 220.

I punch respective holes 246 and 248 in the blank at the intersection of scores 236 and 224 and at the intersection of scores 245 and 228 to facilitate the folding operations to be described. A short diagonal groove 250 in flange 195 is adapted to register with a portion of the furrow 244 when the box is assembled. I perforate side 188 to form a punch-out 252 providing a hand hole. I perforate the side 192 to form a locking tab 254 having a fold line 256. Perforations 258 form a retainer 260 adapted to be bent out of side 192 along a folding groove 262.

To form a box indicated generally by the reference character 264 from the blank 178, I fold it along lines 180, 182, 184 and 186 and bring the underside of flange 195 as viewed in FIGURE 8 into engagement with the surface of side 194 adjacent the bottom thereof and secure it thereto by any suitable means such as by an adhesive. Next, flap 198 is folded inwardly so as to lie flat against the surface of side 190. Flaps 196 and 200 are folded over the en dof the box, flap 202 is folded over flaps 196 and 200 and tongue 212 is inserted in the box between the folded-in flap 198 and the edges of flaps 196 and 200. The other end' of the box is closed in a similar manner. Flap 220 is folded in against the surface of side 194, flaps 214 and 218 are folded in over the end of the box, flap 216 is folded over flaps 214 and 218 and tongue 230 is inserted between the flap 220' and the edges of flaps 214 and 218. It is this condition of the box which is illustrated in FIGURE 9.

When it is desired to use the box 264 to display an article such, for example, as a shoe, the flaps 216, 214 and 218 all are folded inwardly so as to lie against the surfaces of their corresponding sides. The left edges of the sides 188 and 192 as viewed in FIGURE 8 are brought together and the other sides 190 and 194 are folded along the groups of scores 232, 234 and 236 and 242, 244 and 245 to the configuration shown in FIGURE 11. Before these operations are performed, punch-out 252 is removed and tongue 254 is folded back through the hand hole formed by the punch-out and under side 188. The retainer 260 is pushed out of the side 192 and there is thus formed a pedestal such as is illustrated in FIG- URE 11 for supporting and displaying an article such as a shoe. The box 264 has the same configuration when used to carry an article in the manner shown in FIG- URE 10.

Referring now to FIGURES 12 and 13, I have shown a form of shopping bag indicated generally by the reference character 266 incorporating my invention. Bag 266 includes a lower or body portion 268 provided with creases so that it normally assumes a generally rectangular shape. An intermediate portion indicated generally by the reference character 270 similarly formed of light material, such as kraft or bag paper, connects the body 268 with an upper portion 272 reinforced with a relatively stiff material such as heavy paperboard. I provide the connection portion with sets of fold lines similar to the converging fold lines in the forms of my invention described hereinabove and provide the reinforced portion with single fold lines similar to those described above leading from the converging lines to the upper edges of the reinforced portion. The bag may be opened so as to form a generally boxlike configuration with the upper end open. After the article or articles have been placed in the bag, the upper edges are closed along a line to cause the intermediate side portions to fold along the converging lines in the manner shown. When that has been achieved, the upper end can be folded over once in the reinforced portion 272 and a locking tab 274 can be passed through a hand hole 276 in the other side of the reinforced portion to provide a windtight seal at the top of the baglike container 266. This is achieved without distorting the body portion 268 of the bag.

Referring now to FIGURES 14 to 17 I have illustrated yet another form of my invention which is a boxlike container adapted to be converted into a purselike carrying case. This container may be formed, for example, from a blank indicated generally by the reference character 278. Blank 278 may be formed from any suitable material such as light paperboard or even paper stock. It is provided with fold lines 280, 282, 284 and 286 which divide the blank into, for example, a bottom 288 having a connecting flange 290 along one edge thereof, a top 292 and sides 294 and 296. I provide one end of the box with a plurality of closure flaps 298, 300, 302 and 304, the flap 302 of which may have a tongue 306. The other end of the blank has closure flaps 308, 310, 312 and 314 with a tongue 316 on flap 312. Each of the sides 294 and 296 has a natural fold line 318 intermediate its edges and extending longitudinally thereof for a predetermined distance. The top 292 is provided with spaced windows 320 and 322 which, if desired, may be covered with a transparent material such as cellophane. I perforate the top 292 along lines 324 and 326 extending around three sides of each of the windows. I provide slots 328 and 330 extending transversely of the top and the bottom adjacent the center thereof.

To make the blank 278 into a box indicated generally by the reference character 332, I first fold the blank along the lines 280, 282, 284 and 286 and seal a flap 290 to the surface of side 296 adjacent the bottom thereof. After having filled the box with the goods to be sold, I then fold the end flaps to close the box. As shown in FIGURE 15, there is thus provided an attractive display box.

After the contents have been removed from the box, in order to fold it into the purse-simulating configuration indicated generally by the reference character 334 in FIGURE 16, I squeeze the top and bottom together in the region of an external fold line 336. In the course of this operation the sides are squeezed outwardly along the lines 318. I break the top 292 along lines of perforations 324 and 326. When the box is squeezed together, openings 328 and 330 register and the handles 338 and 340 formed by the portions of the top outlined by the perforations 324 and 326 are inserted back through the registering slits 328 and 330 and the box assumes the purselike configuration 334. If desired, any suitable means may be employed to hold the lower ends of the two halves together to prevent the contents from escaping through the openings formed by the lines of broken perforations 324 and 326.

In use of the form of my convertible container illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 7, the blanks 10 and 82 first are cut by a suitable paper cutting die to the shapes shown and to provide the various bending or folding lines, scores or furrows, as well as the cuts and perforations shown. When the blanks have thus been formed, they are respectively folded and assembled to the boxlike configurations of members 76 and 84. In this condition, they are ready to receive goods such, for example, as pairs of shoes for shipment. The articles are placed in the member 76 through window 78 and the member 84 is slipped over member 76 with the top 98 thereof covering the window 78 of member 76. When the goods are received at the retail outlet, for display purposes the outer member 84 may he slid off, this operation being facilitated by the notches 172. Member 84 may then be inverted and he slipped back over member 76 so that windows 78 and 174 are in substantial registry.

When the salesman wishes to demonstrate or exhibit various pairs of shoes to a customer, he removes the box from the shelf. It will be appreciated that the locking tab 50, for example, or the underside of the connecting tab may carry a suitable legend indicating the style, size, color and the like of the shoes in the box. To exhibit the goods, the inner member 78 is slid out with one hand while the salesman holds the member 84 with the other hand, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. As has been explained hereinabove, the tab 166 cooperates with the edge of window 78 to prevent the members 76 and 84 from being accidentally completely separated.

When a sale has been made, the locking tab 166 is moved to a position at which the members 76 and 84 can be completely separated. After separation, they are bent along the sets of folding score lines and furrows in the sides to the configurations illustrated in FIGURES 5 to 7. To hold the folded members together at the top, the locking tab or tongue 166 is bent through both windows and through the opening formed by punch-out 74 and then bent upwardly. The bottoms of the two folded members can be connected by inserting the tongues 146 and 148 of the member 84 into the slots 42 and 44 of the member 76 to connect the case-forming members at what is now the bottom to prevent the goods from accidentally falling out of the container. In this relative disposition of the parts, the container may easily be carried.

In use of the form of my convertible container shown in FIGURES 8 to 11, after having been cut, a blank 178 may be folded to the boxlike shape of FIGURE 9 for shipment and storage of goods contained therein. If the goods are, for example, shoes, the container 264 can be bent to the shape shown in FIGURE 11 and the retainer 260 can support the article, such as a shoe, for display. The box 264 is bent to the same configuration to permit the goods to be carried with relative ease as shown in FIGURE 10. The use of the form of my convertible container shown in FIGURES 12 and 13 will readily be apparent from the above description. It is folded in an analogous manner and the reinforced portion 272 at the top thereof provides a windtight closure for the bag.

The form of my container shown in FIGURES 14 to 17 is formed from a blank 278 to the container form 332 so as to contain the goods 'while permitting an effective display thereof. This container is easily folded to the purselike configuration shown in FIGURES 16 and 17.

It will be seen that I have accomplished the objects of my invention. I have invented a convertible container which is rapidly and expeditiously converted into an easily-carried baglike container. It does away with the necessity for separately Wrapping or bagging a box containing articles of merchandise. It also effectively displays the articles contained therein.

I claim:

1. A convertible container including in combination a first member, a second member, each of said members comprising a bottom and four sides assembled into a normally rectangular configuration, the first member being slightly larger than the second member such that the second member is adapted to telescope Within the first member, a first pair of opposed sides of each member comprising means constraining said sides to bend outwardly in response to compressive forces applied to collapse that portion of each member remote the bottom, and means for retaining both the collapsible portions and the bottoms of said members in abutting relationship.

2. A container as in claim 1 in which one side of the second pair of opposed sides of each member is provided with an extended opening.

3. A container as in claim 1 in which said retaining means for the collapsible portions is constructed to limit the extent of telescoping movement of said members.

4. A container as in claim 1 in which said retaining means for the collapsible portions comprises a tab formed in one side of the second pair of opposed sides of one member and a coacting aperture formed in one side of the second pair of opposed sides of the other member.

5. A container as in claim 1 in which the retaining means for the collapsible portions maintains both portions in a collapsed condition.

6. A container as in claim 1 in which said retaining means for the bottoms comprises a flap having a tongue mounted on one member and means forming a slot in the other member for receiving said tongue.

7. A container as in claim 1 in which each bottom comprises a pair of overlapping flaps, means forming a tongue on the outermost flap, and'means forming a slit in the innermost flap for receiving said tongue and in which the retaining means for the bottoms comprises an additional tongue carried by each bottom.

8. A convertible container comprising a bottom and four sides assembled into a normally rectangular configuration, a first pair of opposed sides comprising means constraining said sides to bend outwardly in response to compressive forces applied to collapse a portion of the container remote the bottom, said first pair of opposed sides when collapsed forming tapering portions extending from said bottom to portions of the other pair of said sides contiguous to each other, said contiguous portions extending from said tapered portions to the top of said container, and means for holding said contiguous portions together to retain the collapsible portion in a collapsed condition.

9. A container as in claim 8 in which said retaining means comprises an opening formed in one side of the second pair of opposed sides and a locking tab formed in the other side of said second pair.

10. A container as in claim 8 in which said retaining means includes means for providing a window opening in one side of the second pair of opposed sides.

11. A container as in claim 8 including means forming a pedestal retainer in one side of the second pair of opposed sides intermediate the collapsible portion and the bottom.

-12. A container as in claim 8 including a top secured to one side of the first pair.

13. A container as in claim 8 including a top secured to one side of the first pair and adapted to be folded in abutting relationship with said side and means constraining the top to collapse synchronously with said side when folded in abutting relationship.

14. A convertible container including a bottom and four sides disposed in a normally rectangular configuration, a first pair of opposed sides comprising means constraining said opposed sides to bend outwardly in response to compressive forces applied to collapse a portion of the container remote the bottom, the constraining means for each said side comprising score lines in the shape of a symmetrical inverted V having a base adjacent the bottom and an apex remote the bottom and spaced from the top of said container.

15. A container as in claim 14 in which the base of the inverted V is in a plane above the bottom and wherein all four sides are scored to bend in said plane.

16. A container as in claim 14 wherein each side of said one pair further includes a vertical score line extending upwardly from the apex.

17. A container as in claim 14 wherein all four sides are provided with score lines in a horizontal plane through the apexes.

18. A container as in claim 14 in which the base of the inverted V is in a plane above the bottom and in which the container is formed of a relatively stifi material above said plane and of a relatively flexible material below said plane.

19. A container as in claim 14 wherein all four sides are provided with score lines in a first horizontal plane through the apexes and with score lines in a second horizontal plane above the first plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,420,453 6/ 1922 Shorday. 1,759,613 5/1930 Green 229-8 1,982,962 12/ 1934 McAleer. 2,345,486 3/ 1944 Leebov. 2,400,443 5/ 1946 Stopper. 2,435,355 2/ 1948 Ingram. 2,541,173 2/1951 Moore 229-15 XR 3,044,211 7/1962 Palm. 3,096,012 7/1963 Bryant et al. 3,237,838 3/1966 Elias. 3,360,112 12/ 1967 Johnson.

FOREIGN PATENTS 453,995 1/ 1945 Canada. 431,365 8/ 1967 Switzerland.

DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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