Abstract:
A foldable box that includes a bottom panel, four sides panels and connectors with each connectors having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the connector is foldably connected to a side panel and the second connector is adhered to another side panel, these panels being adjacent to each other. The above connector placement allows a user to transform a box from an unfolded first position to a folded second position in one easy step. The box is then secured in this position by means of a holding member, such as, an adhesive, Velcro, magnets or a folding member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/113,437 filed Apr. 22, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a foldable box. More particularly, the present invention relates to a box that is stored flat and folds into a three-dimensional box. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Boxes are used everyday for many purposes. They are used for storage, shipping and even gift-giving. Because of the variety of uses, boxes come in a variety of sizes and shapes. From boxes that hold a small piece of jewelry to ones that hold refrigerators. 
     But when a box is manufactured by a manufacturing company the box is usually shipped in a three-dimensional form. The manufacturing company than must pay for additional shipping cost for empty space within the box. Additionally, the boxes are also more susceptible to damage when shipped in this fashion. 
     To overcome these shipping problems, box designers have made collapsible boxes. These boxes are shipped flat and need to be constructed by the ultimate user of the box. 
     To construct these boxes, the user must unfold the box and place certain folds into certain slots, or in the alternative use glue or tape. These actions are time consuming and labor intensive. Stores must pay for this extra time to construct these boxes. The consumer at the store also has a delay because the boxes will usually be constructed in front of the consumer. This delay results in loss time for all parties involved. 
     Some stores in order not to delay the customer may employ extra personnel to build boxes. This, however, does not alleviate all of the stores problems because now the store must find space to store the boxes in their three-dimensional form. This means there will be less space for the products in which they stock. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problem of the conventional art by constructing a foldable box that is stored in a flat position. In order to fold the box into a three dimensional position, all a user must do is unfold one piece of the box which will in turn construct the whole box. 
     Foldable boxes of this sort comprise a bottom panel, a plurality of sides panels, and at least four connectors having a first portion and a second portion whereby the first portion of each connector is foldably connected to a side panel. The second portion of each connector is then adhered to a second side panel with the first and second side panels being adjacent to one another. 
     Furthermore, all of the side panels have a bottom edge. The bottom edge of the side panels are foldably connected to said bottom panel. 
     The box also has a holding means for holding the foldable box in a constructed form. The holding means can be placed on an inner corner of said side panels. The inner corner being between the adhered connector and the edge of said side panel. The holding means may be a peelable adhesive or Velcro strip or any other device which will serve the same purpose. 
     In another embodiment, the foldable box comprises a bottom panel, a cover, a retaining lip, a plurality of sides panels and at least four connectors with the connectors having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of each connector is foldably connected to a first side panel. The second portion of said each connector is adhered to a second side panels. The first and second side panels being adjacent to one another. 
     The side panels have a bottom edge. The bottom edge of the side panels are foldably connected to said bottom panel. The cover is foldably connected to a top of one of said side panels. A lip is foldably connected to the cover opposite to the side panel foldably connected to the cover. 
     To place the box in a closed constructed position the cover is placed on a top portion of the sides. The lip then falls onto the entire side panel opposite to the side panel foldably connected to the cover and is locked into place. 
     A holding means is then placed on an inner corner of said side panels. The inner corner being between the adhered connector and the edge of said side panel. The holding means can be a peelable adhesive or Velcro strip. 
     The holding means may also be a foldable member located on one of said side panels. 
     In a third embodiment, the foldable box comprises a bottom panel, a plurality of side panels, a first connector, a second connector, a cover and a cover connector. 
     The plurality of side panels consist of a front panel, a back panel, a left panel and a right panel, and each side panel consists of a left portion, a right portion, a top portion and a bottom portion. 
     The connectors each have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the first connector foldably connects to the bottom portion of said left panel and is substantially adhered to the bottom panel. The second portion foldably connects to the bottom of the front panel and the bottom. 
     The first portion of the second connector foldably connects the bottom of the back panel and the bottom of the right panel. The sides are each connected to each other on the right and left portions, respectively. 
     To construct box from a flat position to a working position a user pulls the sides to an upright position and folds the cover on tops of the sides. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in its constructed form; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention in its constructed form; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention in its transition from a flat unfolded box to its constructed form; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention in its flat, unfolded form; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention in its flat, unfolded form; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention in its transition from a flat unfolded box to its constructed form; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention in its constructed form; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the third embodiment of the present invention in its flat, unfolded form; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention in its transition from a flat unfolded box to its constructed form; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention in its constructed form. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the third embodiment of the present invention in its folded state. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of the third embodiment of the present invention in its folded state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Manufactures of boxes often run in to difficulty when shipping boxes because of the way in which they are shipped. To cut down on shipping cost it is more cost efficient to ship boxes in a flat position. However, flat boxes must be assembles to the party it is shipped to. This takes time on the part of the ultimate user. 
     To cut down on this time, a box can be constructed in such a way as to make the assembly time to construct a box minimal. This is accomplished by having foldable connectors attached to certain parts of the box. When the box is flat the connectors are also flat. To construct a box a user must only lift one part of the box. This triggers a chain reaction and as the user pulls the part the connectors in turn pull other parts of the box. The box is then fully three dimensional with minimal work on the part of the user. The user will not have to add any additional glue or tape to the box. 
     The boxes may be constructed out of any material that may be foldably connected such as all types of cardboard and flexible plastics. The material may also be decorated so the box is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This is accomplished by lining the material with certain types of laminate and cloth-like materials. 
       FIG. 1  is one embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 1 , the box  10  is in its three-dimensional form. The box has a cover  11  that is foldably connected to an outside connector  12  at crease  13 . The outside connector is also foldable connected to the bottom of the box (not shown) at crease  22 . 
     The boxes have a right side  14 , a front side  15 , a left side  16  and a rear side  21 . Right side  14  is foldable connected to front side  15  at crease  23 . Front side  15  is foldable connected to left side  16  at crease  26 . Left side  16  is foldable connected to rear side  21  at crease  22 . Rear side  21  is foldably connected to right side  14  at crease  24 . 
     The box also has a front connector  26  having portions  17  and  18  and rear connector having portions  19  and  20 . Portion  18  of the front connector is adhered to the bottom of the box and is foldably connected to the bottom of the left side  16 . Portion  17  is foldable connected to portion  18  and the bottom side of the front side  17 . 
     The rear connector  27  is connected between the bottom of back side  21  and the bottom of right side  14 . The rear connector is folded in two parts at crease  25 . 
       FIG. 1  shows the box in its constructed form with the sides  14 ,  15   16  and  21  in an upright position. The connectors  26  and  27  are on top of the bottom portion not allowing the bottom to visible. 
       FIG. 2  shows the foldable box  10  from a top view in its constructed position. From this view point, the bottom of the box is split into four sections. Sections  17  and  18  represent one connector  26  and sections  19  and  20  represent the second connector  27 . These connectors  26  and  27  when in their unfolded state cover the entire bottom layer of the box. 
     The cover is connected to connector  12  at crease  13 . If a user wanted to close the box  10 . The user will lift the cover  11  and fold the cover over the opening created by sides  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  21 . The connector  12  then rests on side  21 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the box in use as the box is folded from a flat state to a box shape. The sides  14 ,  15 ,  16  and  21  are shown. These sides are all interconnected as discussed above. 
     The connector  18  is adhered to the bottom of the box  30  and is connected to side  15  at crease  31 . The other portion of connector  26  is connected to the bottom of side  14 . 
     Connector  27  is connected to the bottom of side  16  and  21 . The connector  27  while opening forms a triangular shape. 
     The bottom  30 , cover  11  and connector  12  all remain flat while the sides of the box are formed. 
       FIG. 4  shows the box in its flat position. Sides  14  and  15  are visible from the top. While sides  16  and  21  are covered by sides  14  and  15 . 
     Connectors  26  and  27  are also folded so as to form two triangular areas. 
       FIG. 5  is another embodiment of the foldable box. This foldable box  50  has a cover which is separately assembled and is not foldably connected to the box. 
     In this embodiment the box  50  has a bottom  51  and four sides  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55 . The sides  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  are foldably connected to the bottom by four connectors  56 ,  57 ,  58 ,  59  located in the corners of the box. 
       FIG. 6  shows the box in a partially assembled state. Here, sides  52  and  54  are connected to the bottom at crease. Sides  52  and  54  are also connected to the bottom at crease  60  and  61 . 
     Also shown are the four connectors  56 - 59 . These connectors  56 - 59  are foldably attached to the edge of each side. That is, side  52  is attached to side  53  by connector  56 . Side  53  is attached to side  54  by connector  57 . Side  54  is attached to side  55  by connector  58 . Side  55  is attached to side  52  by connector  59 . 
     Also shown on sides  52  and  54  are additional means  64  for ensuring that the sides of the box are tightly in place. This makes sure that when a user folds the box  50 , the box  50  will not inadvertently collapse while in use. 
     The additional means  64  can be an adhesive, tape or Velcro strip. This additional means  64  is already in place when a user assembles the box. The user does not need any additional items to make the box. 
     A securing means (not shown) can also be attached to a side of the box as will be discussed in detail in  FIGS. 8-10 . This securing means adds additional strength to the box when the box is constructed by a user. That is, when the sides are in their upright position the securing means ensures the box will not collapse when the box is in use. 
       FIG. 7  shows the box in its constructed state. The sides  52 - 55  are in their upright position with the bottom face down. The additional securing means  64  are not visible when the box  50  in its constructed state. 
       FIG. 8  shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the sides  81 - 84  and the bottom  92  are constructed as in the second embodiment. However, in this embodiment the cover  89  is integrated into the construction of the box  80 . During shipping, when the box  80  is in its flat state, the cover  89 , lip  90  and securing panel  92  may be turned and stored against the bottom portion of the box  80 , as shown below in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     In this embodiment, sides  81 - 84  are constructed with cover  89  being foldably attached to side  82  at crease  93 . Side  84  has a magnet  102  that is found beneath the surface of side  84 . The magnet  102  is attractive on both sides of side  84 . That is, the attractive side of the magnet  102  is used on the inside of the box and the outside of the box when the box is in its constructed state. 
     Additionally, cover  89  is attached to lip  90 . Lip  90  secures the cover  89  to the constructed box  80  at side  84  when the box is in a constructed state. Under the surface of the lip  90  is a magnet  100 . (Please note, all the magnets  100 ,  102 , and  103  of this embodiment are about one inch in length and about ¼ to one inch in height.) Magnet  100  is secured to magnet  102  when the box is in a constructed state. Therefore, when the box is in a closed position magnet  100  will be attracted to magnet  102 , thereby locking the cover to the box. 
     A securing panel  91  is attached to side  84  at crease  94 . This securing panel  91  adds additional strength to the box when the box  80  is constructed by a user. That is when the sides  81 - 84  are in their upright position the securing panel  91  is placed between sides  81  and  83  and is pressed flush against side  84 . This ensures box  80  will not collapse when the box  80  is in use. The securing panel  91  also has a magnet  103  beneath its surface. The magnet has the same attractive pole as found in magnet  100  and magnet  103  is attracted to magnet  102  when the securing panel is placed in its constructed state. 
     The securing panel  91  also has a ribbon, string or any other material  104  used to pull the securing panel  91  from either its collapse state or constructed state. For example, to unfold the box, a user pulls ribbon  104  thereby lifting securing panel  91  away from side  84 . Once the securing panel is clear of sides  81  and  83 , sides  81  and  83  can be folded inwardly thereby collapsing the box. 
     In another embodiment, the box may also include additional means  95  for ensuring that the sides of the box are tightly in place. The additional means  95  can be an adhesive, tape or Velcro strip. This additional means  95  is already in place when a user assembles the box. The user does not need any additional items to make the box. 
       FIG. 9  shows the third embodiment in a transition state between folded and unfolded. The box  80  as it is being lifted from its unfolded state will raise the sides  81 - 84  of the box  80 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the box  80  with the sides  81 - 84  raised. To fully close the box  80 , the cover  89  is thrown over the open area created by sides  81 - 84 . The cover  80  is then secured by the use of locking means  94  such as the magnets explained above. However, other types of locking means such as snaps may be placed on the lip and the sides to lock the cover  89  in place. 
       FIG. 11  shows the top view of the collapsed box  80 . From this view it is shown that sides  84  and  82  are folded on top of bottom  92 , and sides  81  and  84  folded on top of sides  82  and  84 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the underside of the collapsed box  80 . From this view, the top  89  is folded and pressed against bottom  92  of the box  80 . The lip  90  projects straight out from the cover and also is pressed against bottom  92 . 
     The securing panel  91  is folded so that the securing panel is flush against side  84 . (Crease  94  allows the securing panel 360 degrees of rotation.) The top portion of the securing panel slightly touching the top position of lip  90 . Between the securing panel  91  and lip  90  is ribbon  104 . The ribbon  104  protrudes from the unconstructed box and allows a user to unfold the box by pulling on ribbon  104 . This action raises the securing panel from the collapsed position. Once the securing panel  91  is raised, a user can easily lift the lip  90  and cover  89  away from the bottom  92  thus making the construction the box a simple operation. 
     In this specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. However it is evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative manner rather than a restrictive sense.