Patent ID: 6648159
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: B65D,Y02W

Abstract:
A collapsible three-dimensional enclosure, comprising: at least one first layout that contains at least one side member; at least one second layout that contains at least two side members interconnected through a foldable connection,said first layout and said second layout each having a substantially rectangular configuration defined by a first pair of parallel edges and a second pair of parallel edges which are substantially perpendicular to said first pair of parallel edges; and locking elements formed in proximity to at least one of said first pair of parallel edges and said second pair of parallel edges, said locking elements being selected from the group consisting of a male locking element and a complementary female locking element with a groove extending in a first direction, each said male locking element being insertable into said groove of each of said complementary female locking element in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction with a snapping action which forms a rigid connection irreversible in said second direction but being slidable in said first direction, said grooves each having at least one open end so that said layouts are assemblable to form the enclosure and disassemblable; said male locking element and said complementary female locking element being made as a one piece with said first layout and said second layout respectively; when either one of said male locking element and said complementary female locking element being made as a one piece with one of said first layout and said second layout, then the other one of said male locking element and said complementary female locking element being made as a one piece with the other one of said first layout and said second layout; wherein at least two of said side members of at least one of said first layout and said second layout are rigid side members and remaining side members are flexible side members, at least two of said side members of said first layout and said second layout being overlapped with one another and each of said first layout and said second layout having on one of said pair of parallel edges said male locking element and on another of said pair of parallel edges said complementary female locking element so that said first layout and said second layout are lockable onto themselves by engaging said male locking element with said complementary female locking element.