WO2000025279A1

WO2000025279A1 - Process for refurbishing a vending box, protective covering for use therein and method of manufacturing same

Info

Publication number: WO2000025279A1
Application number: PCT/CA1999/000983
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Brian Froats
Original assignee: Peter Brian Froats
Priority date: 1998-10-26
Filing date: 1999-10-25
Publication date: 2000-05-04
Also published as: CA2314119A1; AU6322399A

Abstract

A process for refurbishing a vending box comprises the steps of: forming a bottom panel; placing the bottom panel over the bottom of the vending box; forming a main body member having contiguous back, left side and right side panels; placing the main body member in surrounding relation around the vending box; securing the bottom panel to the main body member; forming a top panel; placing the top panel over the top of the vending box; securing the top panel to the main body member; forming a front panel; placing the lower front panel over the front of the vending box, below the door; and, securing the lower front panel to the main body member and the bottom panel. In another aspect, a protective covering for use in refurbishing a vending box comprises a substantially flat bottom panel, and a main body member having substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side panels, and bottom flaps on each of the back, left side, and right side panels, each side flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel. A top panel has a substantially flat central portion, back, left side and right side flaps substantially transverse to the central portion, and a front flap oriented back along and substantially parallel to the central portion with a flange receiving gap therebetween. A lower front panel has a substantially flat central portion and a bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to the top panel.

Description

TITLE: PROCESS FOR REFURBISHING A VENDING BOX, PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR USE THEREIN AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross- section vending box, particularly a newspaper vending box, and also to a protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box and the method of manufacturing the protective covering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most conventional newspaper vending boxes are constructed of metal and are designed to completely enclose the newspapers inside in order to preclude theft, and to preclude damage of newspapers from foul weather. A hinged door spring biased toward closing is typically located on the front to open outwardly and downwardly to permit access to the newspapers in the newspaper vending box. An optional cash box is included, removably secured to the top, side, or front of the newspaper vending box, which cash box permits opening of the hinged door upon insertion of appropriate coinage.

Since metal is typically used for purposes of strength and rigidity, such conventional metal newspaper vending boxes tend to become worn over time and tend to rust, especially in high-traffic urban areas, beside busy roadways, where a significant amount of road salt is used during the winter season. Accordingly, it is common to refurbish such conventional metal newspaper vending boxes every few years, and as frequently as every one and one-half years for newspaper vending boxes in high-traffic urban areas, on an ongoing basis. Such refurbishment is quite costly, typically about several hundred dollars for each newspaper vending box, and is therefore undesirable to do on a regular basis, especially considering that most newspapers vendor own perhaps several hundred or even several thousand newspaper vending boxes. It is therefore highly desirable to maximize the time interval between regular refurbishments due to predictable wear, thus minimizing this on-going business expense.

Further, such metal newspaper vending boxes are often subjected to abuse or vandalism, including physical damage and defacement. It is common to minimize unpredictable periodic refurbishing, due to specific damage such as defacing, since such removal represents an additional unwanted business expense. Presently, it is common for any defacing, such as graffiti, to remain on newspaper vending boxes for lengthy periods of time, which is highly undesirable.

Furthermore, the paint used on metal newspaper vending boxes is subjected to ultra-violet rays from the sun, and accordingly tends to discolour after a year or so of such exposure. Accordingly, it is common for newspaper vending boxes to appear substantially discoloured, and therefore old and neglected, which is highly undesirable, since such newspaper vending boxes are typically in the paint scheme of the company printing and selling the newspapers contained therein.

Presently, in order to refurbish a newspaper vending box, it must typically be wire brushed, sandblasted, and repainted. Such refurbishment is quite costly, and does not solve the problems of subsequent weather damage, purposeful physical exterior damage, defacing, and so on.

One known means of refurbishment suitable for some types of vending machines can be found in United States Patent

4,973,109 (Diedrich) , which patent discloses a front kit for vending machines, specifically electrically operated vending machines that are typically used indoors, or at least in a somewhat protected environment immediately outside a building, that dispense snack food, beverages, and other similar items. More specifically, the Diedrich patent teaches the use of a transparent polycarbonate protective cover for the front panels of vending machines, either in a bank of machines, or for a single stand-alone unit backing against a wall. Two side protective covers are bent at right angles to provide top half-covers for the top of the refurbished vending machine. The two side protective covers and the front protective cover can be mounted to the vending machine by using fasteners, such as screws. A kicker plate can also be removably attached to the legs of the vending machine. The system taught by Diedrich relies upon a multi-layer protective coating having the clear transparent sheet layered over a decorative panel covering the vending machine front. It can readily be seen such a kit as that taught in the Diedrich patent could not be used whatsoever to protect a newspaper vending box. Moreover, Diedrich addresses the problem of protection only, and is not directed to the problem of refurbishment of rusted or otherwise damaged metal vending boxes .

One known alternative to refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes is to construct newspaper vending box from plastics material, such as the vendor box taught in United States Patent 5,356,212 (Okopny) . The disclosed vendor box is for newspapers and the like comprising a plastic cabinet, a metal insert, and a plastic base. The plastic cabinet is preferably formed from polyethylene by means of rotational moulding or like process. The functional hardware of the newspaper vending box is contained in the metal insert, whether insert is held in place in the plastic cabinet by means of co-operating channels formed on the interior front edge of the side panels and the top panel of plastic cabinet. It is not taught whatsoever to refurbish metal newspaper vending boxes, nor could the components disclosed in the Okopny patent be used to refurbish a metal newspaper vending box. Accordingly, complete and outright replacement of metal newspaper vending boxes with the Okopny vending box would be required, which is completely unacceptable for economic reasons. Further, the Okopny vending box is not as strong and rigid as metal newspaper vending boxes, and could easily be cut or melted open, and is therefore unacceptable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for refurbishing metal vending boxes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal vending boxes, and a method of manufacturing the protective covering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective covering.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes, which process precludes metal newspaper vending boxes from rusting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective covering, which protective covering and method preclude metal newspaper vending boxes from rusting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes, which process maximizes the time interval between regular refurbishments . It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective covering, which protective covering and method maximize the time interval between regular refurbishments compared to alternative means of refurbishment known in the art .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective covering, which protective covering is resistant to vandalism and defacing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective covering, which protective covering is resistant to discolouring from ultraviolet rays .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes, which process is less costly and less labour intensive than presently known means of refurbishment .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a protective covering for use in refurbishing metal newspaper vending boxes and a method of manufacturing the protective covering, which protective covering and method are less costly and time consuming to install than presently known means of refurbishment .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box having front, back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a door mounted on the front wall. The process comprises the steps of forming a bottom panel; placing the bottom panel over the bottom of the vending box; forming a main body member having contiguous back, left side and right side panels; placing the main body member in surrounding relation around the vending box; securing the bottom panel to the main body member; forming a top panel; placing the top panel over the top of the vending box; securing the top panel to the main body member; forming a lower front panel; placing the lower front panel over the front of the vending box, below the door; and, securing the lower front panel to the main body member and the bottom panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a method of manufacturing a protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box having front, back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a spring loaded door mounted on the front wall. The method of manufacturing comprising the steps of forming a substantially flat bottom panel; forming a main body member having substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side panels, and bottom flaps on each of the back, left side, and right side panels, each side flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel; forming a top panel having a substantially flat central portion, back, left side and right side flaps substantially transverse to the central portion, and a front flap oriented back along and substantially parallel to the central portion with a flange receiving gap therebetween; and forming a lower front panel having a substantially flat central portion and a bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to the top panel .

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross- section vending box having front, back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a spring loaded door mounted on the front wall. The protective covering comprises a substantially flat bottom panel, and a main body member having substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side panels, and bottom flaps on each of the back, left side, and right side panels, each side flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel. A top panel has a substantially flat central portion, back, left side and right side flaps substantially transverse to the central portion, and a front flap oriented back along and substantially parallel to the central portion with a flange receiving gap therebetween. A lower front panel has a substantially flat central portion and a bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to the top panel.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box, the protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box, of the method of manufacturing the protective covering, according to the present invention, as to the procedure, structure, organization, and use, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a metal newspaper vending box, showing signs of rust and general deterioration;

Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the protective covering for use in refurbishing a vending box, according to the present invention, installed over the metal newspaper vending box of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a flat sheet of material about to be formed into the main body member of the protective covering of Figure 2, with notional fold lines shown in ghost lining;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of material of Figure 3 placed on a support surface, and with a main body member jig beside it;

Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to Figure 4, with the flat sheet of material placed such that a flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element, with the main body member jig placed on the flat sheet of material, and with a spacer bar placed on the main body member jig;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the flat sheet of material, the main body member jig, and the spacer bar, as positioned in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the flat sheet of material, the main body member jig, and the spacer bar of Figure 6, with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded up and over onto the main body member jig and spacer bar to form a side flap;

Figure 8 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5, but with the spacer bar being removed;

Figure 9 is a perspective view the flat sheet of material and the main body member jig, with an edge of the main body member jig disposed over the heating element;

Figure 10 is a perspective view similar to Figure 9, with a portion of the flat sheet of material having being folded upwardly to conform to the main body member jig and form a left side panel;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of material and the main body member jig, with another edge of the main body member jig disposed over the heating element;

Figure 12 is a perspective view similar to Figure 11, with another portion of the panel of material having being folded upwardly to conform to the main body member jig and form a right side panel;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of material and the main body member jig, with the panel of material enveloping the main body member jig and about to be placed such that a flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element, and with a spacer bar placed on the main body member jig;

Figure 14 is a side elevational view of the panel of material, the main body member jig, and the spacer bar, of Figure 13, with a flap to be formed disposed over a heating element; Figure 15 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the panel of material, the main body member jig, and the spacer bar of Figure 13, with a flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main body member j ig and spacer bar to form a side flap;

Figure 16 is a perspective view similar to Figure 12 , but with the spacer bar being removed;

Figure 17 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5, with the panel of material enveloping the main body member jig and about to be placed such that a flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 18 is a side elevational view of the panel of material and the main body member jig, as positioned in Figure 17;

Figure 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view taken along section line 19 - 19 of Figure 17, with a flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main body member jig and spacer bar to form a bottom flap on the back panel;

Figure 20 is a perspective view similar to Figure 17, with the panel of material enveloping the main body member j ig and about to be placed such that another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 21 is a side elevational view of the panel of material and the main body member jig, as positioned in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view taken along section line 22 - 22 of Figure 20, with a flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main body member jig and spacer bar to form a bottom flap on the right side panel;

Figure 23 is a perspective view similar to Figure 17, with the panel of material enveloping the main body member j ig and about to be placed such that yet another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 24 is a side elevational view of the panel of material and the main body member jig, as positioned in Figure 23;

Figure 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view taken along section line 25 - 25 of Figure 23, with a flap of the panel of material folded up and over onto the main body member jig and spacer bar to form a bottom flap on the left side panel;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the fully formed main body member used in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2, formed from the flat sheet of material of Figure 3, oriented on its back and surrounding the main body member jig;

Figure 27 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, with the main body member jig being slid out of the main body member ;

Figure 28 is a perspective view of the fully formed main body member used in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2, formed from the flat sheet of material of Figure 3;

Figure 29 is a top plan view of the bottom panel of Figure 2; Figure 30 is a perspective view of the bottom panel used in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2;

Figure 31 is a top plan view of the top panel used in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2, with notional fold lines shown in ghost lining;

Figure 32 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of material of Figure 31 placed on a support surface, and with a top panel jig beside it;

Figure 33 is a perspective view similar to Figure 32, with the top panel placed such that a flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element, and with the top panel jig placed on the top panel;

Figure 34 is a side elevational view of the top panel and the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 33;

Figure 35 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 34, with a flap of the top panel folded up onto the top panel jig to form a back flap;

Figure 36 is a perspective view similar to Figure 33, with the flat sheet of material placed such that another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 37 is a side elevational view of the top panel and the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 36;

Figure 38 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 37, with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded up onto the top panel jig to form a left side flap; Figure 39 is a perspective view similar to Figure 33, with the flat sheet of material placed such that yet another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 40 is a side elevational view of the top panel and the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 39;

Figure 41 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 40, with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded up onto the top panel jig to form a right side flap;

Figure 42 is a perspective view similar to Figure 33, with the flat sheet of material placed such that yet another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 43 is a side elevational view, partially cut away, of the top panel and the top panel jig, as positioned in Figure 42;

Figure 44 is an enlarged side elevational view, partially cut away, of a portion of the top panel and the top panel jig of Figure 43, with a flap of the flat sheet of material folded up and over onto the top panel jig to form a front flap;

Figure 45 is a perspective view of the fully formed top panel used in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2;

Figure 46 is a perspective view of the fully formed top panel of Figure 45, having been removed from the top panel jig;

Figure 47 is a top plan view of the fully formed top panel of Figure 46; Figure 48 is a perspective view of the flat sheet used to form the front panel of the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2;

Figure 49 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of Figure 48 placed on a support surface, with an upper cross- strip mounted in place as guided by an alignment front panel jig;

Figure 50 is a perspective view similar to Figure 49, with a lower cross-strip mounted in place as guided by a spacing front panel jig;

Figure 51 is a perspective view similar to Figure 48, showing the flat sheet of the front panel with the upper and lower cross-strips mounted in place;

Figure 52 is a top plan view of the flat sheet of Figure 51, used in the preferred embodiment of the protective covering of Figure 2, with notional fold lines shown in ghost lining;

Figure 53 is a perspective view of the flat sheet of Figure 52 placed on a support surface such that a flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 54 is a perspective view similar to Figure 53, with an elongate top panel jig placed on the front panel;

Figure 55 is a side elevational view of the front panel and the top panel jig, being positioned as in Figure 54;

Figure 56 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 55, with a flap of the front panel folded up onto the elongate front panel jig to form a left side flap; Figure 57 is a perspective view similar to Figure 53, with another flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 58 is a perspective view similar to Figure 57, and with the elongate top panel jig placed on the front panel;

Figure 59 is a side elevational view of the front panel and the elongate top panel jig, being positioned as in Figure 58;

Figure 60 is a side elevational view similar to Figure 59, with a flap of the front panel folded up onto the elongate front panel jig to form a right side flap;

Figure 61 is a top plan view of the front panel of material of Figure 62 placed on a support surface such that a bottom flap to be formed is disposed over a heating element;

Figure 62 is a side elevational view of the front panel as positioned in Figure 61;

Figure 63 is a side elevational view similar to Figure

62, but with the bottom flap of the front panel partially folded;

Figure 64 is a side elevational view similar to Figure

63, with the front panel folded up to form a bottom flap;

Figure 65 is a perspective view of the fully formed front panel of Figure 64;

Figure 66 is a top plan view of the fully formed front panel of Figure 65;

Figure 67 is a perspective view of the metal newspaper vending box of Figure 1, oriented upside down, and with the bottom panel of Figure 29 about to be placed in position on the bottom of the newspaper box;

Figure 68 is a perspective view similar to Figure 67, with the bottom panel in position on the bottom of the newspaper box;

Figure 69 is a perspective view similar to Figure 68, with the fully formed main body member of Figure 28 slid part way into position on the newspaper box;

Figure 70 is a perspective view similar to Figure 69, with the main body member slid fully into position on the newspaper box;

Figure 71 is a perspective view similar to Figure 70, with the fully formed front panel of Figure 66 slid part way into position on the newspaper box;

Figure 72 is a perspective view similar to Figure 71, with the front panel slid fully into position on the newspaper box;

Figure 73 is a perspective view similar to Figure 72, with the fully formed top panel of Figure 47 disposed in an initial mounting position on the newspaper box;

Figure 74 is a perspective view similar to Figure 73, with the top panel moved fully into position on the newspaper box;

Figure 75 is a perspective view from the front right of the metal newspaper vending box of Figure 1, surrounded by the protective covering of Figure 2, without the cash box mounted therein; Figure 76 is a perspective view from the back right of the metal newspaper vending box and protective covering of Figure 75; and,

Figure 77 is a perspective view similar to Figure 75, with the cash box having been installed in place and with a sign being mounted on the front panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Figures 1 through 77 of the drawings, there is shown a process for refurbishing a conventional newspaper vending box, as indicated by the general reference numeral 20, specifically a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section newspaper vending box 20, as can be best seen in Figure 1. The newspaper vending box 20 has a front wall 21, a back wall 22, a left side wall 23, a right side wall 24, a top 25, and a bottom 26, vertically disposed forwardly projecting left 27 and right 28 front edge flanges, and a horizontally disposed top front flange 29. A door 30 through which newspapers 31 are accessed is mounted on the front wall 21 by means of a horizontally disposed hinge 32 for movement outward and downward when a handle 33 is pulled.

The door 30 is preferably spring biased to its closed position as shown, as is well known in the art. In the preferred embodiment shown, a cash box 34 of known design is mounted on the top 25 of the newspaper vending box 20, which cash box 34 must be fed the appropriate amount of change in order to unlatch the door 30.

Once the newspaper vending box 20 is refurbished according to the process of the present invention, the newspaper vending box 20 will have surrounding it a protective covering 36, as indicated by the general reference numeral 36, and as can be best seen in Figure 2. The protective covering is preferably constructed from a thermoplastic plastic sheet material, which material can be folded as required herein in a controlled manner, when locally heated. An especially preferred sheet material is a two-layer laminated thermoplastics material comprising an operatively outer layer comprised of an acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate (hereinafter, "ASA") co-polymer [available from BASF Corporation, Mount Olive, New Jersey, U.S.A. under the trademark "LURAN S"] thermally bonded to an operatively inner layer of acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene (hereinafter "ABS") co-polymer [available from GE Plastics , Pittsfield, Maryland, U.S.A. under the trademark "CYCOLAC"] . The ASA outer layer of the laminated sheet material exhibits superior weatherability, impact, scratch and abrasion resistance, colour retention and consistency, resistance to environmental stress cracking, and the inner ABS layer adds strength and rigidity to the composite sheet material. Suitable UV stabilizers are contained within the outer LURAN S™ layer, which is co- extruded with the ABS layer as a heat-bonded laminated sheet. Such laminated sheets, in useful thicknesses of about 0.80" - to about 0.125", are commercially available from Spartech Plastics Division of Spartech Canada Inc., Granby, Quebec, Canada. Accordingly, the present invention also discloses a protective covering 36 for use in refurbishing the substantially rectangular horizontal cross section newspaper vending box 20, and also a method of manufacturing the protective covering 36.

Reference will now be made to Figures 3 through 28, which show a main body member, as indicated by the general reference numeral 40, of the protective covering 36 of the present invention being formed.

As can be best seen in Figure 3, a substantially flat sheet 41 of material is used to form the main body member 40 of the protective covering 36 of the present invention, to provide a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section newspaper vending box 20. The substantially flat sheet of material has a plurality of triangle shaped notches 43 cut in it and a quadrilateral shaped corner notch 44 cut out of each of the two bottom corners to define a left side panel 50, a right side panel 60, and a back panel 70, which panels 50,60,70 are contiguous one with another, and define the bottom flaps 56,66,76 for the left side 50, right side 60, and back 70 panels, respectively, and the upper 52,62 and lower 53,63 side flaps for the left side 50 and right side 60 panels, respectively.

Notional fold lines, as shown in ghost lining, are visualized in one face at a time of said flat sheet of material and are used by a person making a protective covering 36 and refurbishing the newspaper vending box 20 to aid in the folding of the flat sheets of material, which folding forms the various panels and flaps by means of folding, as will be discussed hereinbelow. Notional fold lines 72,73 separate the back panel 70 form the left side panel 50 and the right side panel 60, respectively. Notional fold line 54 separates the left side panel 50 from its upper side flap 52 and lower side flap 53. Notional fold line 64 separates the right side panel 60 from its upper side flap 62 and lower side flap 63. Notional fold lines 55,65,75 separate the left side panel 50, the right side panel 60, and the back panel 70, from their respective bottom flaps 56,66,76.

As can be best seen in Figure 4, the substantially flat sheet 41 of material used to form the main body member 40 is placed on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface 37 presented by a work table 38. Subsequently, and prior to the forming the main body member 40, a main body member jig 42 is placed on a sheet of material 41 used to form the main body member 40, as can be best seen in Figure 5. The sheet of material 41 is positioned on the support surface 37 such that a notional fold line 54 separating the upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps of the left side panel 50 from the left side panel 50 itself, is disposed adjacent an elongate resistance heating element 39 positioned in the work table 38, in recessed relation below the support surface 37, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 54 immediately prior to folding the upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps. The amount of heat required to permit folding of the sheet of material 41 will be dependent upon the type of sheet material used, but can be routinely determined by trial and error for any particular thermoplastic plastic sheet material. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 54. Next, while the sheet of material 41 is still in place as described immediately above, an elongate spacer 48 is placed on the left side panel 50 adjacent the notional fold line 54, as is shown by arrow "A" in Figure 5, and is also can be seen in Figure 6. The upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps of left side panel 50 are then folded over onto the elongate spacer 48, as indicated by arrow "B" of Figure 7, so as to set flange receiving gaps 57 between the upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps and the left side panel 50. The elongate spacer 48 is then removed from between the upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps and the left side panel 50, as indicated by arrow "C" in Figure 8.

As can be best seen in Figure 9, the sheet of material 41 used to form the main body member 40 is then turned one hundred and eighty degrees and moved such that the notional fold line 72 between the left side panel 50 and the back panel 70 is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 72 immediately prior to folding the left side panel 50. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 72. The large portion of the sheet of material 41 extending off the support surface 37 is then folded upwardly onto the main body member jig 42, as indicated by arrow "D" in Figure 10, so as to form the left corner 45 between the left side panel 50 and back panel 70, and thus forming the left side panel 50. The left corner 45 is formed such that the left side panel 50 is substantially transverse to the back panel 70.

As can be best seen in Figure 11, the sheet of material 41 and main body member jig 42 are then flipped downwardly such that the notional fold line 73 between the right side panel 60 and the back panel 70 is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 73 immediately prior to folding the right side panel 60. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 73. Next, the portion of the sheet of material extending off the support surface 37 is folded upwardly onto the main body member jig 42, as indicated by arrow "E" in Figure 12, so as to form the right corner 46 between the right side panel 60 and back panel 70, and thus forming the right side panel 60. The right corner 46 is formed such that the right side panel 60 is substantially transverse to the back panel 70.

As can be best seen in Figure 13, the sheet of material

41 and main body member jig 42 are again flipped ninety degrees and positioned such that the notional fold line 64 between the right side panel 60 and the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps of the right side panel 60, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 64 immediately prior to folding the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps of the right side panel 60. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 64. Arrow "F" of Figure 13 shows the elongate spacer 48 being placed onto the main body member jig

42 adjacent the notional fold line 64, as can be best seen in Figure 14. The upper 62 and lower 62 side flaps of right side panel 60 are then folded over onto the elongate spacer 48, as indicated by arrow "G" of Figure 15, so as to set flange receiving gaps 67 between the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps and the right side panel 60. The elongate spacer 48 is then removed from between the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps and the right side panel 60, as indicated by arrow "H" in Figure 16.

Reference will now be made to Figures 17 through 24 which show the main body member 40 having bottom flaps 56,66,76 formed on the left side 50, right side 60, and back 70 panels, respectively.

As can be best seen in Figures 17 and 18, the substantially flat sheet of material 41 and the main body member jig 42 are placed such that the notional fold line 75 between the bottom flap 76 of the back panel 70 and the back panel 70, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 75 immediately prior to folding the bottom flap 76 of the back panel 70. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 75. As is indicated by arrow "I" in

Figure 19, the bottom flap 76 of the back panel 70 is folded upwardly so as to be substantially transverse to the back panel 70.

The bottom flap 66 of the right side panel 60 is formed in a similar manner with sheet of material 41 used to form the main body member 40 and main body member jig 42 moved such the notional fold line 65 between the bottom flap 66 of the right side panel 60 and the right side panel 60, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can be seen in

Figures 20 and 21, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 65 immediately prior to folding the bottom flap 66 of the right side panel 60. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 65. Arrow "J" in Figure 22 indicates the bottom flap of the right side panel 60 being folded upwardly so as to be substantial transverse to right side panel 60. Also similarly, Figure 23 shows the sheet of material 41 and main body member jig 42 moved such that the notional fold line between the bottom flap 56 of the left side panel 50 and the left side panel 50, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as is also seen in Figure 24, so as to cause localized heating of the sheet of material 41 forming the main body member 40 along the notional fold line 55 immediately prior to folding the bottom flap 56 of the left side panel 50. The main body member jig 42 is placed along the notional fold line 55. Arrow "K" in Figure 25 indicates the bottom flap 56 of the left side panel 50 being folded upwardly so as to be substantially transverse to the left side panel 50.

Figure 26 shows the finished main body member 40 surrounding the main body member jig 42 that has been used to ensure that the main body member 40 is of the correct shape and size within acceptable tolerances, and all of the panels and flaps thereof are also of the correct shape and size. Arrow "L" of Figure 27 shows the main body member jig 42 being slid outwardly from the finished main body member 40. Figure 28 also shows the main body member 40 in an inverted orientation and with two triangular reinforcing elements 49 secured, preferably by means of suitable adhesive, in abridging relation between adjacent bottom flaps 56,66,76 of the left side panel 50, the right side panel 60, and the back panel 70, in order to add structural strength to the overall configuration of the bottom flaps 56,66,76.

Reference will now be made to Figures 29 and 30, which show the bottom panel 78 of the protective covering 36 of the present invention, to provide a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section newspaper vending box 20. The bottom panel 78 is preferably rectangular with no flaps, and fits ultimately within the main body member 40 immediately above (in the orientation of Figures 75 through 77) the three bottom flaps 56, 66 and 76, respectively, of the left side panel 50, the right side panel 60, and the back side panel 70, and is secured to the main body member 40 by frictional restraining contact with the main body member 40, when in place .

Reference will now be made to Figures 31 through 47, which show a top panel, as indicated by the general reference numeral 80, used in the protective covering 36 of the present invention, to provide a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section newspaper vending box 20. Figure 31 shows a flat sheet of material 81 used to form the top panel 80 of the protective covering 36 of the present invention. Notional fold lines 85,87,89,91 used to form the four flaps 84,86,88,90 of the top panel 80 shown in ghost lining. Corner notches 83 that are triangular in shape are cut into the piece of the material at each of the four corners so as to define the front flap 84, the back flap 86, the left side flap 88, and the right side flap 90.

The substantially flat sheet of material 81 forming the top panel 80 is placed on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface 37, as can be best seen in Figure 32. Subsequently, a rectangularly shaped top panel jig 82, as shown on the support surface 37, is placed on the flat sheet of material 81 forming the top panel 80, with an edge of the jig disposed along each of the notional fold lines 85,87,89,91, as can be best seen in Figure 33. The sheet of material 81 and top panel jig 82 are disposed such that the notional fold line 87 between the back flap 86 of the top panel 80 and the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can also be seen in Figure 34, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 81 forming the top panel 80 along the notional fold line 87 immediately prior to folding the back flap 86 of the top panel 80. Arrow "M" in Figure 35 shows the back flap 86 being folded upwardly onto the top panel jig 82, so as to be substantially transverse to the top panel 80, with a slight inward curvature. As can be best seen in Figure 36, the back flap 86 is preferably clamped to the top panel jig 82 by spring biased clamps 94, to ensure that the top panel jig 82 remains properly in place on the top panel 80 and is not skewed during the formation of the remaining three flaps 84,88,90.

The sheet of material 81 used to form the top panel 80 and the top panel jig 82 are moved such that the notional fold line 89 between the left side flap 88 of the top panel 80 and the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as is also shown in Figure 37, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material forming the top panel 80 along the notional fold line 89 immediately prior to folding the left side flap 88 of the top panel 80. Arrow "N" of Figure 38 shows the left side flap 88 being folded upwardly onto the top panel jig 82, so as to be substantially transverse to the top panel 80. As can be best seen in Figure 39, the left side flap 88 is clamped to the top panel jig 82 by spring biased clamps 94, and the sheet of material 81 and top panel jig 82 are moved such that the notional fold line 91 between the right side flap 90 of the top panel 80 and the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can also be seen in Figure 40, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material forming the top panel 80 along the notional fold line 91 immediately prior to folding the right side flap of the top panel 80. Arrow "0" of Figure 41 shows the right side flap 90 being folded upwardly onto the top panel jig 82, so as to be substantially transverse to the top panel 80. As can be best seen in Figure 42, the right side flap 90 is clamped by spring biased clamps 94, and the sheet of material 81 and the top panel jig 82 are moved such that the notional fold line 85 between the front flap 84 of the top panel 80 and the top panel 80, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can also be seen in Figure 43, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 81 forming the top panel 80 along the notional fold line 85 immediately prior to folding the front flap 84 of the top panel 80. Arrow "P" of Figure 44 shows the front flap 84 being folded upwardly and over, with the front flap 84 being oriented along and substantially parallel to the top panel 80, with a flange receiving gap therebetween.

The nearly-finished top panel 80 is shown in Figure 45, where the spring biased clamps 94 have been removed and a plurality of mounting apertures 96 have been formed in the top panel 80, by means of a drill (not shown) . The mounting apertures 96 will subsequently be used to permit attachment of the cash box 34 (seen in Figures 1, 2 and 77) to the refurbished newspaper vending box 20, on top of the top panel 80. The finished top panel 80 is illustrated in Figures 46 and 47.

Reference will now be made to Figures 48 through 66, which show the formation of a front panel, as indicated by the general reference numeral 100, used in the protective covering 36 of the present invention, to provide a process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross- section newspaper vending box 20. Figure 48 shows the substantially flat sheet of material 101 used to form the front panel 100, with a triangle shaped corner notch 102 cut out of each of the two top corners and a quadrilateral shaped corner notch 103 cut out of each of the two bottom corners.

A first product receiving bracket 104 (shown in Figure 48 above the substantially flat sheet of material 101) , is formed by adjoining a first elongate flange member 105 and a first stand-off member 106 along their lengths, and securing them by means of a suitable adhesive. Similarly, a second product receiving bracket 107 is formed by adjoining a second elongate flange member 108 and a second stand-off member 109 along their lengths, and securing them by means of a suitable adhesive. The first 104 and second 107 product receiving brackets are secured, via their respective stand-off members 106,109, onto the front panel 100, in the following manner. An alignment front panel jig 110 is placed atop the front panel 100, as can be best seen in Figure 49, and the first product receiving bracket 104 is placed on the front panel 100, as indicated by arrow "Q", against the alignment front panel jig 110. The first product receiving bracket 104 is then secured to the front panel 100, by means of a suitable adhesive. A spacing front panel jig 111 is then placed on the front panel 100 against the first product receiving bracket 104, as can be best seen in Figure 50, and the second product receiving bracket 107 is placed on the front panel 100 against the spacing front panel jig 111. The second product receiving bracket 107 is then secured to the front panel 100, by means of a suitable adhesive. As such, product receiving gaps 112 are formed between the first 105 and second 108 elongate flange members and the front panel 100, and in spaced apart relation such that the product receiving gaps 112 face each other. Advertising placards can be placed between the first 104 and second 107 product receiving brackets, as will be discussed in greater detail subsequently.

The partially finished front panel 100 is best seen in Figures 51 and 52, with notional fold lines for the left and right side flaps and the bottom flap.

Reference with now be made to Figures 53 through 64, which figures show the flaps of the front panel 100 being formed, and to Figures 65 and 66, which figures show the finished front panel 100. Figure 53 shows the partially finished front panel 100 as in Figures 51 and 52, which partially finished front panel 100 is essentially a substantially flat sheet of material with the first 104 and second 107 product receiving brackets secured thereto. The substantially flat sheet of material 101 is located such that the notional fold line 114 between the left side flap 113 and the front panel 100 is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 101 forming the front panel 100 along the notional fold line 114 immediately prior to folding the left side flap 113 of the front panel 100. Arrows "R" and "S" in Figures 54 and 55, respectively, show an elongate front panel jig 117 being lowered into place along the notional fold line 114, so as to permit straight folding of the left side flap 113. Arrow "T" in Figure 56 shows the left side flap 114 being folded upwardly onto the elongate front panel jig 117, so as to be substantially transverse onto the front panel 100.

The sheet of material 101 is then moved such that the notional fold line 116 between the right side flap 115 of the front panel 100 and the front panel 100, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can be best seen in Figures 57, 58, and 59, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 101 forming the front panel 100 along the notional fold line 116 immediately prior to folding the right side flap

115 of the front panel 100. Arrows "U" and "V" in Figures 58 and 59, respectively, show the elongate front panel jig 117 being lowered into place along the notional fold line 116, so as to permit straight folding of the right side flap 115.

Arrow " " in Figure 60 shows the right side flap 115 being folded upwardly onto the elongate front panel jig 117, so as to be substantially transverse to the front panel 100.

Finally, the substantially flat sheet of material 101 is moved such that the notional fold line 119 between the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100 and the front panel 100, is disposed adjacent the elongate heating element 39, as can be best seen in Figures 61 and 62, so as to cause heating of the sheet of material 101 forming the front panel 100 along the notional fold line 119 immediately prior to folding the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100. Arrow "X" in Figure 63 shows the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100 being folded upwardly part way. Next, the front panel 100 is turned one hundred eighty degrees and rotated upwardly to a position shown in dash lining in Figure 64 whereat the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100 is disposed flat against the support surface 37. The front panel 100 is then folded upwardly as indicated in arrow "Y" in Figure 64 to a substantially vertical position, so as to thereby fold the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100, so as to be substantially transverse to the front panel 100. The finished front panel 100 is shown in Figures 65 and 66.

Figures 3 through 66 illustrate the various components of the protective covering 36 of the present invention. Assembly of the various components so as to form the protective covering 36 in surrounding relation around the newspaper vending box 20, thus also completing the process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross section newspaper vending box 20, will now be discussed with reference to Figures 67 through 77.

As can be best seen in Figure 67, the newspaper vending box 20 is supported in an inverted orientation and the bottom panel 78 is placed over the bottom 26 of the newspaper vending box 20, as indicated by arrow "Z", and is shown in place in Figure 68. Next, as can be seen in Figure 69, the main body member 40 is elevated in an inverted orientation and is slid downwardly onto the upside newspaper vending box 20, as indicated by arrow "AA" , such that the vertically disposed forwardly projecting left front edge flange 27 of the newspaper vending box 20 engages into the flange receiving gap 57 between the upper side flap 52 and the left side panel 50, and the vertically disposed forwardly projecting right front edge flange 28 of the newspaper vending box 20 engages into the flange receiving gap 67 between the upper side flap 62 and the right side panel 60. As the main body member 40 continues to be slid downwardly in the direction of arrow "AA" , to a position as shown in Figure 70, the vertically disposed forwardly projecting left front edge flange 27 engages the flange receiving gap 57 between both the upper side flap 52 and the lower side flap 53 of the left side panel 50, and the vertically disposed forwardly projecting right front edge flange 28 engages the flange receiving gaps 67 between both the upper side flap 62 and the lower side flap 63 of the right side panel 60. The upper 52 and lower 53 side flaps of the left side panel 50 and the upper 62 and lower 63 side flaps of the right side panel 60 surround the vertically disposed forwardly projecting left 27 and right 28 front edge flanges, respectively, of the newspaper vending box 20, thus helping to retain the main body member 40 in place, in the aforesaid surrounding relation around said vending box 20. The bottom panel 78 is secured to the main body member 40 by frictional restraining contact with the bottom flaps 56, 66 and 76 of the main body member 40. A suitable adhesive may also be used to assist in such securement.

As can be best seen in Figure 71, the front panel 100 is next placed over the front of the vending box 20, below the door 30, by orienting the front panel 100 upside down and sliding it downwardly as indicated by arrow "BB", with the left side flap 113 engaging the flange receiving gap 57 between the lower side flap 53 of the left side panel 50, and the right side flap 115 engaging the flange receiving gap 67 between the lower side flap 63 of the right side panel 60. The front panel 100 is then slid downwardly in the direction of arrow "BB" to a position as shown in Figure 72, and is secured to the main body member 40 by means of interference fit between the left side flap 113 and the lower side flap 53 and between the right side flap 115 and the lower side flap 63. Further, the bottom flap 118 of the front panel 100 helps secure the bottom panel 78 by frictional restraining contact. A suitable adhesive may be used, in either case, if desired.

The newspaper vending box 20 is then oriented upright, as is shown in Figure 73, and the door 30 of the newspaper vending box 20 is held opened. Prior to placing the top panel 80 over the top 25 of the newspaper vending box 20, and if appropriate, the cash box 34 is removed from the newspaper vending box 20 and the plurality of mounting apertures 96 is formed in the top panel 80, as previously described. The top panel 80 is then placed over the top 25 of the vending box 20 by hooking the front flap 84 of the top panel 80 onto the horizontally disposed top front flange 29 of the newspaper vending box 20 with the top panel 80 in an angled orientation. The top panel 80 is then rotated downwardly as indicated by arrow "CC" of Figure 73, to a position as shown in Figure 74. The top panel 80 is then secured to the main body member 40 by means of application of a suitable adhesive between the left side flap 88 and the top portion of the left side panel 50, between the right side flap 90 and the top portion of the right side panel 60, and between the back flap 86 and the top portion of the back panel 70, by means of a suitable adhesive. Replacement of the cash box 34 will also serve to secure the top panel 80 in place

As can be seen in Figures 75 through 77, the left side panel 50, right side panel 60, and the back panel 60 of the main body member 40, the top panel 80, the front panel 100, and bottom panel 78 are each positioned, as aforesaid, in substantially juxtaposed relation with said vending box 20.

The essentially completed protective covering 36, without the cash box 34, is shown in Figures 75 and 76. The cash box 34 is optional, and is, of course, used for vending newspapers 31 for retail purposes; otherwise, the cash box 34 can be omitted for vending free newspapers, such as advertising newspapers, real estate newspapers, and so on. The mounting apertures 96 for the cash box 34 are visible in Figures 75 and 76. Also, in Figures 76, chain receiving apertures 98 are shown in the back panel 70 of the main body member 40, which chain receiving apertures 98 permit the newspaper vending box 20 to be chained to a lamp post (not shown) , or the like, for security reasons .

The cash box 34 is then replaced on the newspaper vending box 20, as is best seen in Figure 77, whereat the cash box 34 installed in place on the top panel 80 of the protective covering 36. Conventional mounting lugs (not shown), preferably comprising threaded bolts, depend downwardly from the cash box 34 so as to extend through the mounting apertures 96 of the top panel 80, and through aligned mounted apertures (not shown) in the top 25 of the newspaper vending box 20, to ultimately be secured in place by fasteners (not shown) threadibly engaged on the threaded bolts. Also shown in Figure 77, is an advertising placard 120 being placed on the front panel 100 of the protective covering 36. The advertising placard 120 is bent slightly so as to be inserted into the product receiving gaps 112 of the first 104 and second 107 product receiving brackets, thus being displayed to the public. A clear plastic protective sheet (not shown) may optionally be inserted in a similar manner over the advertising placard 120 to protect it from rain and other foul weather .

In the protective covering 36 of the present invention, the main body member 40, the front panel 100, the top panel 80 and the bottom panel 78 are typically made from a plastics material, and in the preferred embodiment illustrated each panel is made from a two-layer laminated plastics material, with the inner layer being of ABS plastics material (for purposes of strength) , and the outer layer being of LURAN S™ plastics material, (which material is resistant to scratching, cutting, graffiti and ultraviolet light degradation) . This preferred laminated material bends suitably under moderate localized heating, so as to accommodate precise folding during the formation process within acceptable tolerances. The protective covering 36, when made from the preferred two-layer laminated material described, is expected to have a useful life span of about five years before having to be replaced, which is vastly superior to the typical time of one and one half to two years between refurbishments by conventional prior art means, while costing about the same, or less. As is readily apparent from the above description and drawings, variations in the preferred embodiment of the process of refurbishing the newspaper vending box 20, and the method of manufacturing the protective covering 36 for use in refurbishing a newspaper vending box 20, can vary, especially in terms of the order of the steps of the described process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross- section vending box 20 and of manufacturing the protective covering 36 for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box 20, and still be within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the main body member 40, the bottom panel 78, the top panel 80, and the front panel 100 can be manufactured independently one from another, and then can be assembled so as to produce the protective covering 36 on a newspaper vending box 20, thus refurbishing a newspaper vending box 20; or alternatively, one main body member 40, one bottom panel 78, one top panel 80, and one front panel 100, can be manufactured and then be assembled to form the protective covering 36, thus refurbishing a newspaper vending box 20; or alternatively, the bottom panel 78 can be formed and then put in place on the newspaper vending box 20, the main body member 40 can be formed and then put in place on the newspaper vending box 20, and then the front panel 100 can be formed and then put in place on the newspaper vending box 20, and finally the top panel 80 can be formed and then put in place on the newspaper vending box 20. Moreover, while the preferred embodiment uses a bilaminer ASA/ABS plastic sheet material to form the various panels required, other suitable bendable materials, including single layer plastics material may be utilized with the expectation of attaining at least some of the objects of the present invention.

Also, other configurations of the main body member, bottom panel, front panel, and top panel are contemplated with various alternative arrangements of flaps and so on. Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

I CLAIM :

1. A process for refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box having front, back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a door mounted on said front wall, said process comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a bottom panel;

(b) placing said bottom panel over the bottom of said vending box;

(c) forming a main body member having contiguous left side, back, and right side panels;

(d) placing said main body member in surrounding relation around said vending box;

(e) securing said bottom panel to said main body member;

(f) forming a top panel;

(g) placing said top panel over the top of said vending box;

(h) securing said top panel to said main body member;

(i) forming a front panel;

(j) placing said front panel over the front of said vending box, below the door; and,

(k) securing said front panel to said main body member and said bottom panel.

2. The process of claim 1, wherein said back, left side and right side panels of said main body member are each positioned, as aforesaid, in substantially juxtaposed relation with said vending box.

3. The process of claim 2, wherein said top, front, and bottom panels are each positioned, as aforesaid, in substantially juxtaposed relation with said vending box.

4. The process of claim 1, wherein said front panel, said main body member and said top panel are each formed by folding a substantially flat sheet of material.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein said bottom panel is secured to said main body member by frictional restraining contact with said main body member.

6. The process of claim 5, further comprising the step of heating said substantially flat sheets of material along a plurality of notional fold lines in one face at a time of said substantially flat sheets to aid said folding.

7. The process of claim 6, wherein the step of heating said sheets of material along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to said folding.

8. The process of claim 7, further comprising the step of placing each of said substantially flat sheets of material on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a jig on each of said flat sheets of material along said notional fold lines prior to said folding.

9. The process of claim 8, further comprising the step of cutting a plurality of notches in at least one of said substantially flat sheets of material prior to said folding, said notches defining flaps between adjacent notches.

10 The process of claim 9, wherein said notches are triangular in shape .

11. The process of claim 4, wherein the step (c) of forming a main body member comprises the sub-steps of:

(Cj_.) cutting a plurality of notches in a flat sheet of material, to define a bottom flap for each of said back, left side, and right side panels, one flap disposed between adjacent notches, and to define back, left side, and right side panels;

(c₂) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form left and right corners between said back and left side panels, and between said back and right side panels, respectively; and,

(c₃) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said bottom flaps on each of said back, left side, and right side panels, each bottom flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel.

12. The process of claim 11, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (c₂) and (c₃) , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

13. The process of claim 12, wherein the sub-step of heating said sheet of material forming said main body member along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub-steps (c₂) and (c₃) .

14. The process of claim 13, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a main body member jig on said flat sheet of material prior to the folding sub- steps (c₂) and (c₃) .

15. The process of claim 14, wherein, in the step (c₂) of folding said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member to form left and right corners, said flat sheet of material is folded such that said left and right side panels are substantially transverse to said back panel.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein, in the step (c of cutting a plurality of notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member, said notches are triangular in shape.

17. The process of claim 4, wherein said vending box has vertically disposed forwardly projecting left and right front edge flanges, and wherein the step (c) of forming said main body member comprises the sub-steps of:

(c ) cutting a plurality of notches in a flat sheet of material, to define a bottom flap for each of said back, left side, and right side panels, and upper and lower side flaps for each of said left and right side panels, each flap disposed between adjacent notches, and to define back, left side, and right side panels;

(c₂') folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said upper and lower side flaps on each of said left side and right side panels, each side flap being oriented back along and substantially parallel to the respective side panel, with a flange receiving gap therebetween;

(c₃') folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form left and right corners between said back and left side panels, and between said back and right side panels, respectively; and,

(c₄') folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said bottom flaps on each of said back, left side, and right side panels, each of said bottom flaps being substantially transverse to the respective side panel.

18. The process of claim 17, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (c₂') and (c₃') , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

19. The process of claim 18, wherein the step of heating said sheet of material forming said main body member along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub-steps (c₂') and (c₃') .

20. The process of claim 19, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a main body member jig on said flat sheet of material prior to the folding sub- steps (c₂') and (c₃') .

21. The process of claim 20, wherein, in the step (c₃') of folding said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member to form left and right corners, said sheet of material is folded such that said left and right side panels are substantially transverse to said back panel.

22. The process of claim 21, wherein, in the step (c ) of cutting a plurality of notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member, said notches are triangular in shape.

23. The process of claim 22, wherein the step (c ) of folding said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member to form said upper and lower side flaps on each of said left side and right side panels comprises the sub-step of placing an elongate spacer on each side panel prior to folding the respective side flap so as to set said flange receiving gaps.

24. The process of claim 23, wherein the step (f) of forming said top panel comprises the sub-steps of:

(fj_.) cutting a plurality of corner notches in a flat sheet of material to define front, back, left side and right side flaps;

(f₂) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said back, left side and right side flaps, with said back, left side and right side flaps being substantially transverse to said top panel; and,

(f₃) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said front flap, with said front flap being oriented back along and substantially parallel to the top panel, with a flange receiving gap therebetween.

25. The process of claim 24, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (f and (f₂) , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said top panel along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

26. The process of claim 25, wherein the step of heating said sheet of material forming said top panel along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub- steps (f₂) and (f₃) .

27. The process of claim 26, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said top panel on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a top panel jig on said flat sheet of material along said notional fold lines prior to the folding sub-steps (f₂) and (f₃) .

28. The process of claim 27, wherein, in the step (f of cutting a plurality of notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said top panel, said notches are triangular in shape.

29. The process of claim 28, wherein the step (i) of forming said front panel comprises the sub-steps of:

(ij_.) cutting a plurality of corner notches in a flat sheet of material to define left and right side flaps and one bottom flap;

(i₂) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said left and right side flaps, with said side flaps projecting forwardly and being substantially transverse to said top panel; and,

(i₃) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said bottom flap, with said bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to said top panel.

30. The process of claim 29, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (i_x) and (i₂) , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said front panel along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

31. The process of claim 30, wherein the step of heating said sheet of material forming said front panel along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub- steps (i₂) and (i₃) .

32. The process of claim 31, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said front panel on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing an elongate front panel jig on said flat sheet of material prior to the folding sub-steps (i₂) and (i₃) .

33. The process of claim 32, wherein, the step (i of cutting a plurality of corner notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said front panel, comprises the sub-steps

Of:

(ii.i) cutting a triangular shaped notch in each top corner of said substantially flat sheet of material; and,

(iι.₂) cutting a quadrilateral shaped notch in each bottom corner of said substantially flat sheet of material .

34. The process of claim 33, further comprising the sub-steps

Of:

(i₄) forming a first product receiving bracket by adjoining a first elongate flange member and a first stand-off member along their lengths;

(i₅) forming a second product receiving bracket by adjoining a second elongate flange member and a second stand-off member along their lengths,- and,

(i₆) securing said first and second product receiving brackets, via their respective stand-off members, onto said front panel so as to form product receiving gaps between said first and second elongate flange members and said front panel, and in spaced apart relation such that said product receiving gaps face each other.

35. The process of claim 34, wherein the step (i₆) of securing said first and second product receiving brackets onto said front panel comprises the sub-steps of:

(i₆.ι) placing an alignment front panel jig on the said front panel;

(i₆.₂) placing said first product receiving bracket on said front panel against said alignment front panel jig;

(i₆.₃) securing said first product receiving bracket to said front panel;

(i₆.₄) placing a spacing front panel jig on the said front panel against said first product receiving bracket;

(i₆.₅) placing said second product receiving bracket on said front panel against said spacing front panel jig; and,

(i₆.β) securing said second product receiving bracket to said front panel.

36. The process of claim 35, wherein the step (d) of placing said main body member in surrounding relation around said vending box comprises the sub-steps of:

(di) supporting said vending box in an inverted orientation;

(d₂) elevating said main body member in an inverted orientation above said vending box;

(d₃) engaging said vertically disposed forwardly projecting left and right front edge flanges into the respective of said flange receiving gaps; and, (d₄) sliding said main body member downwardly into place in said surrounding relation around said vending box.

37. The process of claim 36, wherein said vending box has a cash box removably mounted on the top thereof by way of mounting lugs, further comprising the sub-steps of:

(i) prior to the step (g) of placing said top panel over the top of said vending box:

(g removing said cash box from said vending machine; and,

(g₂) forming a plurality of mounting apertures in said top panel;

(ii) and, after placing said top panel over the top of said vending box:

(g₃) replacing said cash box on said vending machine, with said mounting lugs disposed through said mounting apertures .

38. A method of manufacturing a protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross- section vending box having front, back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a door mounted on said front wall, said method of manufacturing comprising the steps of:

(a) forming a substantially flat bottom panel;

(b) forming a main body member having substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side panels, and bottom flaps on each of said back, left side, and right side panels, each bottom flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel; (c) forming a top panel having a substantially flat central portion, back, left side and right side flaps substantially transverse to said central portion, and a front flap oriented back along and substantially parallel to said central portion with a flange receiving gap therebetween; and,

(d) forming a front panel having a substantially flat central portion and a bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to said top panel.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the step (b) of forming said main body member comprises the sub-step of:

(b cutting a plurality of notches in a flat sheet of material, to define a bottom flap for each of said back, left side, and right side panels, one flap disposed between adjacent notches, and to define back, left side, and right side panels;

(b₂) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form left and right corners between said back and left side panels, and between said back and right side panels, respectively; and,

(b₃) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said bottom flaps on each of said back, left side, and right side panels, each bottom flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel.

40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (b₂) and (b₃) , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the sub-step of heating said sheet of material forming said main body member along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub-steps (b₂) and (b₃) .

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a main body member jig on said flat sheet of material prior to the folding sub- steps (b₂) and (b₃) .

43. The method of claim 42, wherein, in the step (b₂) of folding said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member to form left and right corners, said flat sheet of material is folded such that said left and right side panels are substantially transverse to said back panel.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein, in the step (b_x) of cutting a plurality of notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said main body member, said notches are triangular in shape.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein said vending box has vertically disposed forwardly projecting left and right front edge flanges, and wherein the step (b) of forming said main body member further comprises the sub-step of forming two side flaps on each of said back and left side panels, each side flap being oriented back along and substantially parallel to the respective side panel, with a flange receiving gap therebetween.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the step (c) of forming said top panel comprises the sub-steps of: (c cutting a plurality of corner notches in a flat sheet of material to define front, back, left side and right side flaps;

(c₂) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said back, left side and right side flaps, with said back, left side and right side flaps being substantially transverse to said top panel; and,

(c₃) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said front flap, with said front flap being oriented back along and substantially parallel to the top panel, with a flange receiving gap therebetween.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (c₂) and (c₃) , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said top panel along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of heating said sheet of material forming said top panel along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub- steps (c₂) and (c₃) .

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said top panel on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a top panel jig on said flat sheet of material along said notional fold lines prior to the folding sub-steps (c₂) and (c₃) .

50. The method of claim 49, wherein, in the step (c_x) of cutting a plurality of notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said top panel, said notches are triangular in shape.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the step (d) of forming said front panel comprises the sub-steps of:

(d cutting a plurality of corner notches in a flat sheet of material to define two side flaps and one bottom flap;

(d₂) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said side flaps, with said side flaps projecting forwardly and being substantially transverse to said top panel; and,

(d₃) folding said substantially flat sheet of material to form said bottom flap, with said bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to said top panel .

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the sub-step of, prior to the folding sub-steps (d and (d₂) , heating said substantially flat sheet of material forming said front panel along a plurality of notional fold lines, said notional fold lines in one face of said flat sheet of material to aid said folding.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the step of heating said sheet of material forming said front panel along said notional fold lines is performed immediately prior to the folding sub- steps (d₂) and (d₃) .

54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of placing said substantially flat sheet of material forming said front panel on a substantially horizontally disposed support surface and subsequently placing a elongate front panel j ig on said flat sheet of material prior to the folding sub-steps (d₂) and (d₃) .

55. The method of claim 54, wherein, the step (d of cutting a plurality of corner notches in said substantially flat sheet of material forming said front panel, comprises the sub-steps

Of:

(d_{l l}) cutting a triangular shaped notch in each top corner of said substantially flat sheet of material; and,

(d_1-2) cutting a quadrilateral shaped notch in each bottom corner of said substantially flat sheet of material .

56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the sub-steps of:

(d₄) forming a first product receiving bracket by adjoining a first elongate flange member and a first stand-off member along their lengths;

(d₅) forming a second product receiving bracket by adjoining a second elongate flange member and a second stand-off member along their lengths; and,

(d₆) securing said first and second product receiving brackets, via their respective stand-off members, onto said front panel so as to form product receiving gaps between said first and second elongate flange members and said front panel, and in spaced apart relation such that said product receiving gaps face each other .

57. The process of claim 56, wherein the step (d₆) of securing said first and second product receiving brackets onto said front panel comprises the sub-steps of:

(d₆._ι) placing an alignment front panel jig on said front panel; (d₆.₂) placing said first product receiving bracket on said front panel against said alignment front panel jig;

(d_6.3) securing said first product receiving bracket to said front panel;

(d_6.4) placing a spacing front panel jig on said front panel against said first product receiving bracket;

(d_6.5) placing said second product receiving bracket on said front panel against said spacing front panel jig; and,

(d_6.6) securing said second product receiving bracket to said front panel .

58. A protective covering for use in refurbishing a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section vending box having front, back, left and right side walls, a top and a bottom, and a door mounted on said front wall, said protective covering comprising:

a substantially flat bottom panel;

a main body member having substantially flat contiguous back, left side and right side panels, and bottom flaps on each of said back, left side, and right side panels, each side flap being substantially transverse to the respective side panel;

a top panel having a substantially flat central portion, back, left side and right side flaps substantially transverse to said central portion, and a front flap oriented back along and substantially parallel to said central portion with a flange receiving gap therebetween; and, a front panel having a substantially flat central portion and a bottom flap projecting rearwardly and being substantially transverse to said top panel.

59. The protective covering of claim 58, wherein said vending box has vertically disposed forwardly projecting left and right front edge flanges, wherein said main body member further comprises two side flaps on each of said back and left side panels, each side flap being oriented back along and substantially parallel to the respective side panel, with a flange receiving gap therebetween.

60. The protective covering of claim 59, wherein said left and right side panels are substantially transverse to said back panel .

61. The protective covering of claim 60, wherein said front panel further comprises two side flaps projecting forwardly, each side flap being substantially transverse to said central portion.

62. The protective covering of claim 61, wherein said front panel further comprises first and second product receiving brackets secured onto said front panel in spaced apart relation.

63. The protective covering of claim 62, wherein said main body member, said front panel, said top panel and said bottom panel are each made from a plastics material.

64. The protective covering of claim 63, wherein said plastics material is a two-layer laminated plastics material.

65. The protective covering of claim 64, wherein the operatively inner layer of said two-layer laminated plastics material is constructed from ABS polymer material, and the operatively outer layer bonded to said inner layer is constructed from an ASA polymer material .