WO2021092510A1

WO2021092510A1 - Reinforcing clip and latching handle for securing box during lifting

Info

Publication number: WO2021092510A1
Application number: PCT/US2020/059565
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donn J. COSTANZO
Original assignee: Thatbox Design, Llc
Priority date: 2019-11-06
Filing date: 2020-11-06
Publication date: 2021-05-14

Abstract

A box has a lid with a handle. The handle has at one end thereof a toggle, and a front wall of the box defines a passage through which the toggle of the handle passes for securing the lid in a closed position. Lifting of the box by the handle tensions the handle and secures the front wall to the lid in the closed position. The box further has a clip that is secured onto a front wall of the box, and the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip when the handle is tensioned.

Description

REINFORCING CLIP AND LATCHING HANDLE FOR SECURING BOX DURING LIFTING

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [001] For purposes of the United States, this application is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to, each of: U.S. patent application 62/811,535, filed February 27, 2019; 62/931,794, filed November 6, 2019; and, 62/972,547, filed February 10, 2020, all three of which are incorporated herein by reference. Also, for purposes of the United States this application hereby incorporates herein by reference each of U.S. patent application publication nos. 2012/0234715 and 2019/0047743. For purposes of all other states, the present application claims priority under the Paris Convention to U.S. patent application 62/931,794, filed November 6, 2019, and U.S. patent application 62/972,547, filed February 10, 2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

[002] Any new and original work of authorship in this document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. Reproduction by anyone of this document as it appears in official governmental records is permitted, but otherwise all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] The present invention generally relates to boxes and, in particular, boxes formed from a single sheet of material such as corrugated cardboard. In at least some preferred embodiments, the boxes have a waterproof or water-resistant coating that enables the boxes to be utilized as coolers; in at least some preferred embodiments, the boxes are configured to be collapsed even when in an assembled configuration; and in at least some preferred embodiments, the boxes have lids or tops that are able to be secured in a closed position.

[004] Boxes having a waterproof or water-resistant coating that enable them to be utilized as coolers are known, as are boxes including such coolers that are configurable to be collapsed even when in an assembled configuration. Such boxes are disclosed, for example, in the incorporated patent application publications. Moreover, in at least some of these boxes, the lids or tops thereof are able to be secured in a closed position. While suitable for their intended purposes, it is believed that a needs exists for a way to reinforce or strengthen the securement of the lid. Aspects and features of the present invention relate to a box having a clip that is believed to provide such improvement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of boxes having a waterproof or water- resistant coating that enables the boxes to be utilized as coolers, the invention is equally applicable to boxes utilized in other contexts, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[006] Accordingly, in an aspect of the invention, a box comprises a lid having a handle, wherein the handle comprises at one end thereof a toggle, and wherein a front wall of the box defines a passage through which the toggle of the handle passes for securing the lid in a closed position such that lifting of the box by the handle tensions the handle and secures the front wall to the lid in the closed position, and further wherein the box comprises a clip that is secured onto a front wall of the box, and wherein the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip when the handle is tensioned.

[007] In a feature, the lid of the box comprises one or more panels folded over on one or more other panels to form a two-ply lid for strengthening the lid. The clip preferably is secured onto a top edge of the front wall of the box and the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip in the vicinity of the top edge of the front wall. Pulling upward on the handle preferably results in a force being exerted with a directional vector component of the force acting on the top of the front wall that is opposed by the two-ply lid.

[008] In a feature, the top of the lid is received and retained under a lip of a top of the clip.

[009] In a feature, the clip is tensioned in its engagement with the front wall of the box and is manually removable for recycling of the box.

[010] In a feature, the clip removably attaches to the front wall of the box.

[Oil] In a feature, the box is configured to contain ice without leaking for use of the box as a cooler.

[012] In a feature, the box with clip secured onto the front wall is collapsible and stackable in a generally flattened state ready for expansion and use.

[013] In a feature, the box comprises a single sheet of corrugated material folded and glued to define the lid, the front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall of the box.

[014] In a feature, the toggle extends beyond and on opposite lateral sides of the passage when the handle secures the lid in the closed position.

[015] In a feature, the front wall of the box extends above the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

[016] In another aspect, a box comprises a lid, a front wall having a clip secured thereon, and means for lifting the box while effecting securing of the lid of the box in a closed position. [017] In a feature, the means comprises a handle that latches onto the clip when the handle is tensioned during lifting of the box using the handle.

[018] In another aspect, a clip is configured to be used with a box comprising a lid having a handle, the handle comprising at one end thereof a toggle, and a front wall of the box defining a passage through which the toggle of the handle passes for securing the lid in a closed position such that lifting of the box by the handle tensions the handle and secures the front wall to the lid in the closed position, the clip configured to be secured onto a front wall of the box such that the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip when tensioned during lifting.

[019] Another aspect comprises a box having a handle and a clip as disclosed herein.

[020] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, a box has a lid with a handle. The handle has at one end thereof a toggle, and a front wall of the box defines a passage through which the toggle of the handle passes for securing the lid in a closed position. Lifting of the box by the handle tensions the handle and secures the front wall to the lid in the closed position. The box further has a clip that is secured onto a front wall of the box, and the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip when the handle is tensioned.

[021] In a feature, the box is configured to be collapsed when in an assembled configuration. [022] In a feature, the box comprises a waterproof or water-resistant coating such that the box is usable as a cooler for keeping beverages or other food items on ice.

[023] Another aspect comprises a blank for forming a box, which box is in accordance with an aspect or feature of the present invention.

[024] Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of making a box from a blank by folding the blank into the box, which box is in accordance with an aspect or feature of the present invention. The method preferably comprises providing a handle and a clip the combination of which is configured to secure a lid of the box in a closed position as well as enabling the box to be carried using the handle when the lid is in the closed position.

[025] Another aspect of the invention comprises the combination of a box, a handle, and a clip. The clip is secured onto a front wall of the box and a toggle of the handle is secured to the clip for securing a lid of the box in the closed position.

[026] In a feature, the lid of the box comprises one or more panels folded over on one or more other panels to form a two-ply lid for strengthening the lid. The clip preferably is secured onto a top edge of the front wall of the box and the toggle of the handle latches to the clip in the vicinity of the top edge of the front wall, and pulling upward on the handle exerts a force with a component acting on the top of the front wall that is opposed by the two-ply lid. The top of the front wall also preferably comprises one or more panels folded over on one or more other panels to form at least a two-ply portion of the front wall along the top portion of the front wall to strengthen the top portion of the front wall.

[027] In a feature, the top of the lid is received and retained under a lip of a top of the clip.

[028] In a feature, the lid is tensioned in its engagement with the front wall of the box and is manually removable for recycling of the box. The clip preferably removably attaches to the front wall of the box.

[029] In a feature, the box contains ice and is used as cooler.

[030] In a feature, the box with clip secured onto the front wall is collapsible and stackable in a generally flattened state ready for expansion and use.

[031] In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various logical combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, claims in this or a divisional or continuing patent application or applications may be separately directed to any aspect, feature, or embodiment disclosed herein, or combination thereof, without requiring any other aspect, feature, or embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [032] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.

[033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rear of an embodiment of a box.

[034] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a front of the box of FIG. 1.

[035] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the front of the box of FIG. 1.

[036] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the front of the box of FIG. 1.

[037] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the front of the box of FIG. 1 wherein a toggle of the handle is twisted for passing of the front end of the handle through a slit for unlocking of the lid. [038] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the front of the box of FIG. 1, wherein the front end of the handle has passed through the slit and the lid is no longer in the closed position (the lid is seen slightly opened).

[039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view looking down into the box of FIG. 1 wherein the lid is in a fully open position.

[040] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a toggle of the handle and positioning member of the lid of the box of FIG. 1.

[041] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the toggle of the handle passing through an opening and slit of the positioning member of the lid of the box of FIG. 1; the toggle is passed therethrough when attaching or detaching the front end of the handle to the positioning member of the lid.

[042] FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of another toggle of the handle passing through another opening and slit of the lid of the box of FIG. 1; this second toggle is passed therethrough when attaching or detaching the back end of the handle to the lid.

[043] FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the other toggle after passing through the other opening and slit of the lid of the box when being disconnected from the lid.

[044] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the top of the box of FIG. 1 with the disconnected handle having been laid on the top surface of the lid of the box, wherein the toggles at opposite ends of the handle are perhaps best seen, and wherein the two opening and slit pairs of the lid are perhaps best seen.

[045] FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a blank used to make an embodiment of a box as described with reference to FIGS. 1-12.

[046] FIG. 14 schematically illustrates another blank used to make another embodiment of a box as described with reference to FIGS. 1-12, which is collapsible when in an assembled configuration.

[047] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of a prototype of an embodiment of a box as described with reference to FIGS. 1-12.

[048] FIG. 16 is another partial perspective view of the prototype of FIG. 15.

[049] FIG. 17 is another partial perspective view of the prototype of FIG. 15 showing a manual manipulation of the front end of the handle for inserting through the slit and into the slot of a front wall of the box for securing the lid in a closed or locked position.

[050] FIG. 18 is another partial perspective view of the prototype of FIG. 15, wherein the lid is secured by the handle in the closed position; as seen in FIG. 18, use of the handle results in an indentation in the front wall of the box from repeated use of the handle under tension in securing the lid of the box in the closed position.

[051] FIG. 19 is another partial perspective view of the prototype of FIG. 15 demonstrating the lifting of the box by the handle while the handle secures the lid in the closed position.

[052] FIG. 20 is another partial perspective view from a rear of the box of the prototype of FIG. 15.

[053] FIG. 21 is a rear plan view of a preferred embodiment of a clip in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention; the clip is for use with a box and serves to reinforce and strengthen the box against the tensioned handle.

[054] FIG. 22 is a front plan view of the clip of FIG. 21.

[055] FIG. 23 is a side plan view of the clip of FIG. 21. [056] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 21.

[057] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a box having a handle and clip in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention, wherein the box is in an open position revealing beverages on ice contained therein; in this example, the box preferably is configured for use as a cooler.

[058] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the cooler of FIG. 25 in the closed position with the lid secured by latching an end of the handle to the clip.

[059] FIG. 27 is a close-up perspective view of a front of a prototype clip attached onto a top edge of a front wall of another preferred embodiment of a box in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention.

[060] FIG. 28 is another close-up perspective view of a rear of the clip and box of FIG. 27.

[061] FIG. 29 is a close-up perspective view of the front of the clip and box of FIG. 27, wherein an end of the handle has been secured to the clip for locking of the lid of the box in a closed position.

[062] FIG. 30 is another view similar to that of FIG. 29.

[063] FIG. 31 is a close-up perspective view similar to that of FIG. 30, wherein the lid of the box has been depressed such that extensions of the clip catch the edge of the lid of the box and further retain the lid securely in the closed position.

[064] FIG. 32 is another view of the box, clip, and handle as seen in FIG. 31.

[065] FIG. 33 is still another view of the box, clip, and handle as seen in FIG. 31.

[066] FIG. 34 is another view of the box, clip, and handle as seen in FIG. 31.

[067] FIG. 35 is a close up perspective view of an area of a top portion of a front wall of another preferred embodiment of a box in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention, prior to removable securing a clip onto the top portion of the front wall.

[068] FIG. 36 is generally the view of FIG. 35 wherein a clip has been removable secured onto the top portion of the front wall.

[069] FIG. 37 is another perspective view of the clip secured onto the top portion of the front of the front wall with the lid moving toward the closed position with the toggle end of the handle approaching the clip.

[070] FIG. 38 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 37 when the toggle end of the handle has been latched to the two protuberances (nipple or ridges) of the clip and is retained in engagement therewith and the handle is tensioned by lifting or carrying the cooler.

[071] FIG. 39 is another view of the handle and clip when the toggle end of the handle has been latched to the two protuberances (nipple or ridges) of the clip and is retained in engagement therewith and the handle is tensioned by lifting or carrying the cooler; perhaps best seen here, the front wall of the box extends above the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

[072] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a preferred cooler that includes a box, handle, and clip in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention, wherein the cooler is assembled but in a collapsed condition for storage while awaiting use.

[073] FIG. 41 is a side perspective view of the assembled, collapsed cooler of FIG. 40.

[074] FIG. 42 is the box of FIG. 40 deconstructed to show the blank, wherein areas that were glued when the blank was folded to form the box are evident.

[075] FIG. 43 is a close up of the blank of FIG. 42 showing the openings formed in the blank for receiving the toggle ends of the handle.

[076] FIG. 44 is a close up of the blank of Fig. 42 showing a handle that has been installed on the blank by inserting the toggle ends through the openings in the blank.

[077] FIG. 45 schematically illustrates a blank of the preferred embodiment of the box as described with reference to FIGS. 42-44.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[078] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application.

Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

[079] Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

[080] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

[081] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein — as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term — differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

[082] With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once but not necessarily every time during performance of the claimed method.

[083] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “comprising” is open-ended insofar as that which follows such term is not exclusive. Additionally, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” is the same as “a picnic basket comprising an apple” and “a picnic basket including an apple”, each of which identically describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside an apple. In contrast, “a picnic basket consisting of an apple” has only a single item contained therein, i.e., one apple; the picnic basket contains no other item.

[084] When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers. [085] When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list”. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers”, as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese”; the picnic basket further may contain one or more other items beside cheese and crackers.

[086] The phrase “at least one” followed by a list of items joined by “and” denotes an item of the list but does not require every item of the list. Thus, “at least one of an apple and an orange” encompasses the following mutually exclusive scenarios: there is an apple but no orange; there is an orange but no apple; and there is both an apple and an orange. In these scenarios if there is an apple, there may be more than one apple, and if there is an orange, there may be more than one orange. Moreover, the phrase “one or more” followed by a list of items joined by “and” is the equivalent of “at least one” followed by the list of items joined by “and”.

[087] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described first with reference to boxes over which the invention is believed to be an improvement. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses. [088] As seen in the drawings, a box 100 comprises a bottom; side walls — including a front and rear wall and two end walls; and a lid 101, all of which collectively define an interior space 110 (see FIG. 7) inside of the box for holding one or more items.

[089] The box 100 further comprises a handle 102. The handle 102 enables the lid 101 of the box 100 to be secured in a closed position as seen, for example, in FIGS. 1-4. The handle 102 further enables the box 100 to be carried by the handle 102 when the lid 101 of the box 100 is secured in the closed position. The handle 102 itself preferably is manipulated to secure the box 100 in the closed position as well as to unsecure the box 100 for opening of the lid 101, as perhaps best seen from FIGS. 5-6 and FIGS. 16-19.

[090] The handle 102 preferably is attached to the lid 101 and has a toggle 122 at a front end of the handle 102 that is insertable through an opening 121 in the front wall of the box 100, by which the handle 102 secures the lid 101 of the box 100 in a closed position. The opening 121 preferably is located in a portion of the front wall that extends above a top of the lid 101 of the box 100 when the lid 101 is in the closed position, as perhaps best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[091] Additionally, the lid 101 preferably comprises a flap portion 106 having an opening 125 through which the handle 102 extends for positioning the toggle 122 close to the opening 121 for ease of use in securing the lid 101 in the closed position. [092] The handle 102 further comprises a second toggle 124 located at a rear thereof by which the handle 102 is attached to the lid 101. This is done by inserting the second toggle 124 through a rear opening 131 located in a rear, top portion of the lid 101.

[093] A slit 133 connected to and extending from the opening 131 is provided for facilitating the passing of the second toggle member 124 when attaching the handle 102 to the lid 101 during the forming of the box 100. Similarly, a slit 127 connected to and extending from the opening 125 is provided for facilitating the passing of the front toggle member 122 when attaching the handle 102 to the lid 101 during the forming of the box 100. A slit 123 similarly extends from and is connected to the opening 121 for facilitating the passing of the toggle 122 therethrough when locking and unlocking the lid 101 during use of the box 100.

[094] As will be appreciated, the box 100 is without the reinforcing clip of the invention.

[095] A blank 900 for making the box 100 by folding and gluing is illustrated in FIG. 13. The blank 900 preferably comprises a single sheet of material, such as a corrugated material like cardboard. The blank further preferably comprises a waterproof or water-resistant coating that is applied to one or more surfaces thereof when the blank is to be used to form a cooler.

[096] Another blank 901 is illustrated in FIG. 14 and differs from blank 900 only in the additional fold lines or score lines 991,992,993 which enable the box when assembled from blank 901 to be collapsed. The blanks 900,901 comprise: bottom panels 902 or 902/903; end panel 904 or end subpanels 904/905; end panel 906 or end subpanels 906/907; front wall 908; rear wall 922; comer panels 912,913,914,915,916,917,918,919; top panel 922 forming the lid and including flange or flap 106; and reinforcing lid subpanels 920,924. Preferred areas for adhering via glue also are shown in FIG 13 and include areas A-A, B-B, C-C, D-D, E-E, and F-F.

[097] The preferred clip of the present invention is believed to improve the above described boxes by reinforcing and strengthening these boxes against tensioned handles. Thus, an aspect of the invention comprises the combination of a box, a handle, and a clip. The clip preferably is secured onto a front wall of the box and a toggle of the handle is secured to the clip for securing a lid of the box in the closed position. The toggle preferably latches onto opposed protuberances of the clip on opposite sides of a gap, which protuberances the toggle of the handle engages.

Each protuberance preferably defines a raised bump of nipple against which the toggle is engaged and retained when the handle is used to life and carry the box. Such a preferred embodiment of a box in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 21-45.

[098] In particular, FIG. 21 is a rear plan view of a preferred embodiment of a clip 201 in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention; FIG. 22 is a front plan view of the clip of FIG. 21; FIG. 23 is a side plan view of the clip of FIG. 21; FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the clip of FIG. 21; FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a cooler

202 including a box having a handle 203 and clip 204, wherein the box is in an open position revealing beverages on ice contained therein; FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the cooler 202 of

FIG. 25 in the closed position with the lid secured by latching an end of the handle 203 to the clip

204; FIG. 27 is a close-up perspective view of a front of a preferred prototype clip 205 attached onto a top edge of a front wall of a box; and FIG. 28 is another close-up perspective view of a rear of the clip and box of FIG. 27. Furthermore, FIG. 29 is a close-up perspective view of the front of the clip and box of FIG. 27, wherein an end of the handle has been secured to the clip for locking of the lid of the box in a closed position; FIG. 30 is another view similar to that of FIG.

29; FIG. 31 is a close-up perspective view similar to that of FIG. 30, wherein the lid of the box has been depressed such that extensions of the clip catch the edge of the lid of the box and further retain the lid securely in the closed position; FIG. 32 is another view of the box, clip, and handle as seen in FIG. 31; FIG. 33 is still another view of the box, clip, and handle as seen in FIG. 31; and FIG. 34 is another view of the box, clip, and handle as seen in FIG. 31.

[099] Additional views related to a preferred box in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention that is used as a cooler are seen in FIGS. 35-44.

[0100] In particular, FIG. 35 is a close up perspective view of an area of a top portion of a front wall of another box in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention, prior to removable securing a clip onto the top portion 206 of the front wall; FIG. 36 is generally the view of FIG. 35 wherein a clip 207 has been removable secured onto the top portion of the front wall; FIG. 37 is another perspective view of the clip secured onto the top portion of the front of the front wall with the lid moving toward the closed position with the a toggle end 208 of a handle approaching the clip 207; FIG. 38 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. 37 when the toggle end 208 of the handle has been latched to the two protuberances 209 (nipple or ridges) of the clip 207 and is retained in engagement therewith and the handle is tensioned by lifting or carrying the cooler; and FIG. 39 is another view of the handle and clip when the toggle end of the handle has been latched to the two protuberances (nipple or ridges) of the clip and is retained in engagement therewith and the handle is tensioned by lifting or carrying the cooler. Also as perhaps best seen in FIG. 39, the front wall of the box extends above the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

[0101] FIG. 40 is a perspective view of a preferred cooler 210 that includes a box, handle, and clip in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention, wherein the cooler is assembled but in a collapsed condition for storage while awaiting use; FIG. 41 is a side perspective view of the assembled, collapsed cooler of FIG. 40; FIG. 42 is the box of FIG. 40 deconstructed to show the blank 211, wherein areas that were glued when the blank was folded to form the box are evident; FIG. 43 is a close up of the blank of FIG. 42 showing the openings 212 formed in the blank for receiving the toggle ends of the handle; and FIG. 44 is a close up of the blank of Fig. 42 showing a handle 213 that has been installed on the blank by inserting the toggle ends through the openings in the blank.

[0102] FIG. 45 schematically illustrates a blank 214 for a preferred embodiment of a box. A comparison FIG. 45 with each of FIGS. 13 and 14 reveals a high degree of similarity between these embodiments, with the primary distinction being a slot 215 formed in the front wall of the preferred blank of FIG. 45 for receiving in biased, frictional fit a portion of the clip for retaining the clip on the front wall of the cooler, and a wider passage or gap 216 through which the end of the handle passes when secured to the clip, which wider gaps need not require the handle to be twisted for passing of the handle through the gap.

[0103] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the invention has broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.

[0104] Accordingly, while the invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A box comprising a lid having a handle, wherein the handle comprises at one end thereof a toggle, and wherein a front wall of the box defines a passage through which the toggle of the handle passes for securing the lid in a closed position such that lifting of the box by the handle tensions the handle and secures the front wall to the lid in the closed position, and further wherein the box comprises a clip that is secured onto a front wall of the box, and wherein the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip when the handle is tensioned.

2. The box of claim 1, wherein the lid of the box comprises one or more panels folded over on one or more other panels to form a two-ply lid for strengthening the lid.

3. The box of claim 2, wherein the clip is secured onto a top edge of the front wall of the box and the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip in the vicinity of the top edge of the front wall.

4. The box of claim 3, wherein pulling upward on the handle exerts a force with a component of the force acting on the top of the front wall that is opposed by the two-ply lid.

5. The box of claim 1, wherein the top of the lid is received and retained under a lip of a top of the clip.

6. The box of claim 1, wherein the clip is tensioned in its engagement with the front wall of the box and is manually removable for recycling of the box.

7. The box of claim 1, wherein the clip removably attaches to the front wall of the box.

8. The box of claim 1, wherein the box is configured to contain ice without leaking for use of the box as a cooler.

9. The box of claim 1, wherein the box with clip secured onto the front wall is collapsible and stackable in a generally flattened state ready for expansion and use.

10. The box of claim 1, wherein the box comprises a single sheet of corrugated material folded and glued to define the lid, the front wall, a back wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall of the box.

11. The box of claim 1, wherein the toggle extends beyond and on opposite lateral sides of the passage when the handle secures the lid in the closed position.

12. The box of claim 1, wherein the front wall of the box extends above the lid when the lid is in the closed position.

13. A box comprising a lid, a front wall having a clip secured thereon, and means for lifting the box while effecting securing of the lid of the box in a closed position.

14. The box of claim 13, wherein the means comprises a handle that latches onto the clip when the handle is tensioned during lifting of the box using the handle.

15. A clip configured to be used with a box comprising a lid having a handle, the handle comprising at one end thereof a toggle, and a front wall of the box defining a passage through which the toggle of the handle passes for securing the lid in a closed position such that lifting of the box by the handle tensions the handle and secures the front wall to the lid in the closed position, the clip configured to be secured onto a front wall of the box such that the toggle of the handle latches onto the clip when tensioned during lifting.

16. A box having a handle and a clip as disclosed herein.