Abstract:
A mailing or shipping container, made of corrugated cardboard, is formed from a single scored piece of corrugated cardboard that when folded provides multiple layers of support at the corners of the box providing extra strength for protection against crushing. The container is constructed so as to permit folding in such a way as to be self locking and has pressure sensitive adhesive means applied to interior surfaces for sealing the container when folded. The mailing or shipping container has added layers of cardboard at the rear corners and added layers of cardboard at the front corners to provided increased protection from crushing, depending on the aspect ratio of the final assembled container. All layers are foldably deployed and implemented from a single sheet blank of substantially rectangular corrugated cardboard, by defining suitable scores and cuts in the blank material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates, generally, to the field of shipping and mailing containers and, more particularly, to secure, crush-proof shipping and mailing containers that are easily and efficiently assembled from a unitary, substantially rectangular piece of substrate material.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    There have been a number of pre-formed shipping and mailing containers that have been developed for use and sale in gift shops and/or department stores for packaging gifts. These boxes are typically formed from multiple pieces of rather thin cardboard material and are generally stored and/or provided in a substantially flat configuration. Boxes presented in this condition permit the user to fold variously configured blanks in order to create either the receptacle or cover portion of a gift box.  
           [0003]    The United States Post Office and, more particularly, United Postal Service and Federal Express, have standards that must be met in order that boxes may be used for mailing or shipping. The boxes must be able to withstand certain pressure and drop tests and be fabricated from material having a particular minimum weight. Cardboard gift boxes, of the type typically provided by gift and department stores, do not meet these requirements and must be further packaged in a suitable container.  
           [0004]    Additionally, previously available pre-formed boxes do not have any security means associated with their construction or assembly in order to prevent the boxes from being accessed by unauthorized persons. Typically, such boxes, when used as mailing or shipping containers, must be covered in wrapping paper or otherwise secured by application of adhesive tapes about their circumference. The inconvenience and additional work required to put conventional pre-formed boxes into suitable condition for shipping or mailing makes them particularly unsuitable for use as gift boxes, particularly when it is considered that these conventional gift box sizes do not always fit comfortably within the volumetric requirements of a suitable shipping container. Additional expense and energy is often required to prepare a pre-boxed gift for shipping or mailing. Accordingly, it should be understood that there is a need for a shipping and/or mailing container that is strong enough to meet shipping and mailing drop and crush requirements as well as providing a degree of security in the form of being tamper-evident, if not tamper-proof. Such boxes should be able to support decorative prints on their exterior surface so as to be visually appealing as well as structurally sound.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a robust and secure shipping container that is reliable and more convenient to use than conventional, flimsy two-part containers. It is another object of the present invention to provide a robust and secure shipping container that complies with United States Post Office Regulations for mailing and with the crush, break and size requirements of commercial international shipping concerns.  
           [0006]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a robust and secure shipping container that provides improved protection for products within the box as well as provides added security to the contents from unauthorized access by implementing a tamper-proof and/or tamper-evident adhesive.  
           [0007]    The present invention comprises of a robust and secure shipping container made of corrugated cardboard, formed from a single piece of corrugated cardboard. The robust and secure shipping container is able to be folded such that there are multiple layers of support at the corners of the container to provide extra strength for protection against crushing. The container is constructed to permit folding in such a way as to be self-locking and has adhesive means applied to anterior surfaces for sealing the container when folded. Pressure sensitive adhesive tape is provided on the inside surfaces of the walls of the container so that during assembly it is sealable and protected from unauthorized persons or for use in mailing.  
           [0008]    In the preferred embodiment, the containers of the present invention have graphics for a suitable occasion, such as for Christmas or a Birthday, and a mailing label printed on the appropriate upper portion of the container so that the container itself can be used directly as the mailing or shipping container without the need for additional wrapping paper. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following specification, pended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a material blank suitable for forming a secure shipping container of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a material blank suitable for forming a secure shipping container according to the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a third embodiment of a material blank suitable for forming a secure shipping container according to the present invention.  
         [0013]    FIGS.  4 - 8  are semi-schematic perspective views of the folding operations required to assemble the secure shipping container of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    FIGS.  9 - 14  are semi-perspective views of the folding operations required to assemble the exemplary secure shipping container of FIG. 2; 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, there is depicted a plan view of a material blank indicated generally at  10 , used in formation of an exemplary embodiment of a secure shipping container according to the present invention. The material blank  10  is formed from a corresponding stamping dye that presses against a single, unitary piece of cardboard, and which cuts out the perimeter of the blank and forms the scores, holes, and other geometric forms on the blank in a manner well understood in the art of box making. The scores  14  are depressions in the material blank  10  and are conventionally formed by projections on the dye that press into the corrugated cardboard blank sufficiently to form a score or fold line  14 , but not pressed sufficiently into the blank so as to cut all the way through the material. Rather, a score compresses the material and forms a weakened line, along which the material may be folded. Cuts  15  are formed by sharpened depressions on the dye that cut all the way through the material of the blank. A slit score  17  is formed by sharpened depressions in the dye that cut through only one layer of corrugated cardboard material, but not all the way through.  
         [0016]    In this regard, corrugated cardboard suitably comprises an outer smooth layer of paper, commonly termed the kraft liner, an interior corrugated or wrinkled layer, referred to in the trade as the medium, and a third layer (commonly an outer or exterior layer) also termed a kraft layer or liner. As will be understood by those having skill in the art, the thickness of the interior layer (the corrugated layer) is known as the fluting. Characteristically, the size of the fluting, i.e., its thickness or more appropriately the height of the periodic corrugations can vary depending upon the strength requirements for the final material.  
         [0017]    Returning now to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the material blank  10  suitably comprises two segments, a top segment  16  for forming the top and rear portions of a shipping container and a bottom segment  18  for forming the bottom and front portions of the container. The top segment  16  further comprises a generally rectangular portion  19  including side folds  20  and  22  formed parallel to one another which define rectangular side segments  21  and  23  which, when folded, form side walls  24  and  26  for the top segment. The ends of the rectangular side segments have cuts  27  and  29  and  31  and  33  which, in combination, define end tabs  35  and  37 . End tabs  35  and  37  include folds  39  and  41  which define their plane of rotation.  
         [0018]    The side segments include, at ends opposite from the tabs  35  and  37 , an arcuate cut forming semicircular tabs  44  and  36  and a closure flap  48 . Three parallel and horizontal folds  50 ,  52  and  54  extending along the length of the upper and lower portion of the top segment and which, when folded, form the rear  55 , top  19 , and flap  48  of the completed secure shipping container.  
         [0019]    Side panels  24  and  26  include a slit score  17  formed at a diagonal to and extending from the juncture of semicircular tabs  44  and  46  and flap  48 , respectively.  
         [0020]    The bottom segment  18  similarly includes a pair of parallel folds  60  and  62  along the sides which form, when folded, the side walls  64  and  66 . Extending from the side walls, cuts  68  and  70  are provided which form tabs  72  and  74 . The forming dye cuts out triangular segments  76  and  78  between tabs  72  and  74  and the interior front wall  90  in order to promote ease of assembly and folding.  
         [0021]    The bottom segment  18  further includes three parallel folds  80 ,  82  and  84  which extend transversely from side to side. When folded, these parallel folds define the bottom  86 , front  88  and interior front  90  walls of the completed secure shipping container. The interior front wall  90  is slightly shorter in width than the front wall  88  and includes a pair of extending tabs  92  and  94  that are designed to be press fit into corresponding slots  96  and  98  in the bottom of the container for holding the interior front wall  90  in place without requiring use of adhesives, staples, or other securing device.  
         [0022]    Adhesive strips  100  and  102 , having removable non-adhesive covers, are provided along a side of each of the side walls  24  and  26  of the upper side walls of the container. Adhesive strips  100  and  102  are preferably comprised of a rubberized adhesive material and are positioned so as to cover not only the side walls  24  and  26 , but also the slit scores  17  that allow the container to be easily assembled. The adhesive material is preferably a rubberized adhesive, such that its bonding strength is substantial, particularly to the materials which comprise the kraft liner of the container. The adhesive material must bond with the kraft liner in such a manner that the liner itself will be defaced or destroyed if the side walls  24  and  26  are attempted to be pulled away from their facing side wall components  64  and  66 .  
         [0023]    Utilizing such an adhesive, and positioning the adhesive to cover the slit score  17 , as well as extending substantially to the outer edge of side walls  24  and  26 , ensures that the container is not only strong, but also secure against tampering. Making the container tamper-evident or tamper-proof, in this fashion, allows the container to be used as a primary shipping or mailing container. No further wrapping nor packaging need be done in order to make the article ready for transit.  
         [0024]    Turning now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a second exemplary embodiment of a secure shipping container in accordance with the invention, which is also formed from a single, unitary piece of corrugated cardboard material. The corrugated cardboard material suitably comprises an outer smoother layer of paper, termed the kraft liner, an interior corrugated layer, referred to in the trade as the medium, and a third layer, the exterior layer, also termed the kraft liner. The material blank depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 is suitably formed from a corresponding stamping dye that presses against the unitary piece of cardboard material, cuts out the perimeter of the material and forms the scores, holes and other cuts in the blank as was described above in connection with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.  
         [0025]    The embodiment of FIG. 2 also comprises to segments, a segment that will be used to form the top of the completed container and a second segment that is used to form the bottom, or holder portion of the completed container. The portion forming the bottom or holder of the container suitably comprises generally rectangular surfaces denoted A, A′, B, B′, C, C′, D, E, F, F′, G and H. The surfaces are separated and/or delineated by cuts or scores and define the bottom, front, back and sides of the holder portion of the container as well as closure flaps and reinforcements. The surface D defines the bottom of the container and is separated from the front and back faces (E and H, respectively) by scores or creases  130  and  132 . The side flaps, A, B, C and F, are also delineated from the front, back and bottom surfaces by elongated scores  133  and  134  and are separated from one another by cuts.  
         [0026]    Locking slots  137  and  138  are formed midway along the cut separating surfaces B and C, which function to receive and secure locking tabs  135  and  136  disposed along the top surface of a closure flap A and A′. In this regard, it should be noted that the closure flap A and A′ is separated from side surfaces B and B′ by scores  139  and  140 , as opposed to being separated therefrom by a cut.  
         [0027]    With regard to the portion that forms the top of the container, it suitably comprises a top surface I which is delineated from the back of the container by a score  150 . A closure lip is formed by surfaces M and N, which are delineated from one another and from the container top surface by scores  152  and  154 . The sides of the top are formed by surfaces K and L which, when assembled, define an overhang or lip about the entire periphery of the container cover.  
         [0028]    Suitably, and in accordance with the invention, rubberized adhesive material is applied to the container top side walls K and K′ in a manner that substantially covers the side walls. The adhesive material includes removable non-adhesive covers such that the adhesive material can be exposed after the container is assembled and ready for shipping. The adhesive material is rubberized and has a bonding strength to kraft liner such that once the container top side walls K and K′ are pressed against the outside surface of the bottom portion sides C and C′, the adhesive material forms a tamper-proof or tamper-evident seal between the container top and container bottom.  
         [0029]    It should also be noted that integrity of the assembled container is promoted by providing various locking tabs and the corresponding locking slots in appropriate locations about the container. As wall segments are folded over one another, and it is desired to keep a particular wall segment in place, so as to secure the container folds, a locking tab is press fit into a corresponding locking slot in order to secure that particular surface from further deflection.  
         [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the assembly of the exemplary secure shipping container of FIG. 1, will be described in conjunction with the plan view illustration of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tabs  72 ,  74  are folded along fold lines  116 ,  118  and the side wall panels of the bottom  64 ,  66  are folded along folds or scores  60  and  62  until the side walls  64 ,  66  are perpendicular to the bottom  86 . The tabs  72 ,  74  are folded so that they are perpendicular to both the side walls  64 ,  66  and the bottom  86 . The front wall segment  88  is then folded upwardly until it is also perpendicular to the bottom  86 . The interior front wall  90  is then folded along scores  82 ,  84  so that it overlaps the tabs  72  and  74 . The tabs  92  and  94  engage and fit within slots  96  and  98  in the bottom, thereby holding the front  88 ,  90  and side walls  64 ,  66  securely.  
         [0031]    Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the top side walls  21 ,  23  and the tabs  35  and  37  are then folded along the score lines  20 ,  22  and  39 ,  41  until the side walls  21 ,  23  are perpendicular to the top segment  19 , and the tabs  35 ,  37  are perpendicular to both the sid walls  21 ,  23  and the top  19 . The top segment  19  is then folded along score lines  52  and  54  so that the tabs  35  and  37  are flush along the rear wall  55 . The side walls  21  and  23  of the top  16  are positioned so as to overlap the side walls  64 ,  66  of the bottom  86 . The top flap  48  is then folded along score line  50  and fitted within the bottom  86  so that it is flush against the interior front wall  90 . The folds having been creased, the container defines an interior volume suitable for receiving an object to be shipped. The container is reopened and the object to be shipped is placed within the container.  
         [0032]    Referring now to FIG. 8, once the shipping item is in place, the side walls  21  and  23  are then bent along slit score lines  17  and the ends  44 ,  46  of the side walls  21 ,  23  are folded along slit score lines  17  and folds  120 ,  122  for insertion into the space formed between the front wall  88  and the interior front wall  90  of the bottom  86 . The finger slots  54  and  56  permit the easy opening of the gift box B. By inserting fingers under the finger slots  54 ,  56  the tabs  44  and  46  may be pulled out and the gift box opened.  
         [0033]    With regard to assembly, and with reference to FIGS.  9 - 14 , the assembly of the exemplary embodiment of a shipping container described in connection with FIG. 2 will be described in conjunction with the plan view illustration of FIG. 2. As depicted in the figures, the side surfaces of the bottom portion, A, A′, B, B′, C and C′, are rotated upwardly about 90° along the major scores  133  and  134  so as to be perpendicular to surfaces D, E, G and H. Next, bottom reinforcement surfaces C and C′ are rotated, or bent, an additional 90° such that they align to score  130  between the bottom surface D and the back surface H of the container. The surfaces which form the front of the container, i.e., surfaces D, E, F, F′ and G are folded upwardly approximately 90° along score  130 , such that the interior face of the bottom surface D lies against the exterior faces of the bottom reinforcement surfaces C and C′. To complete the rectangular prism, the container front face E is folded upwardly an additional 90° along score  132  such that it is perpendicular to the bottom surface D.  
         [0034]    Next, and just as the front surface is being rotated, side reinforcement surfaces F and F′ are folded 90° inwardly along scores  133  and  134  such that as surface E becomes parallel to bottom surface D, the outside faces of side reinforcement surfaces F and F′ lay against the inside faces of side portions B and B′, respectively. Side closure surfaces A and A′ now fold downwardly, sweeping through about 180°, such that their inside faces lay against the inside faces of side reinforcement surfaces F and F′, respectively. As this operation is completed, locking tabs  135  and  136  press into lock slots  137  and  138  which are now disposed at the right angle corner between bottom reinforcement surfaces C and C′ and side surfaces B and B′. In so doing, the outer edges of closure surfaces A and A′, adjacent lock slots  135  and  136  press against the crease which is adjacent lock slots  137  and  138  and pin the container together by material pressure.  
         [0035]    The final step in completing the holding portion of the container involve folding lock surface G inward along scores  140  and  141 , approximately 90°, thereby protruding lock tab  142  in an outward direction, away from the direction of the fold, in order to form a projecting tongue which will engage a corresponding locking tab when the box top is secured.  
         [0036]    The top or cover portion of the container is assembled in substantially similar manner, with front reinforcement surfaces L and L′ rotated upwardly along scores  155  and  156 . Side pieces K and K′ are then rotated upwardly along corresponding scores  151  and  153 , thereby positioning the inside edges of front reinforcement surfaces L and L′ (defined by cuts  157  and  158 , respectively, along the major score  152  which separates the container top surface I from the container front surface M. The container front assembly (comprising surfaces M and N) is folded upward along score  152  and the locking surface N is then folded approximately 180° over the reinforcement flaps L and L′ until locking tabs  172  and  173  engage corresponding locking slots  170  and  171  thereby securing the folded material in place.  
         [0037]    In this regard, it should be noted that the front edge of locking surface N is cut in a manner that forms two locking tabs or protrusions  172  and  173  that extend beyond the straight edge of the surface. The cut between locking tabs  172  and  173  is displaced away from the surface&#39;s straight front edge such that as the locking surface is folded over and locking tabs  172  and  173  engage corresponding lock slots  170  and  172 , the displaced edge  177  is also displaced from score  152  in order that a lock slot is defined in the region between lock slots  170  and  171 . As the container cover is closed over the container bottom, locking tab  142  of lock surface G engages the lock slot created by displaced edge  177  of lock surface N, thereby fitting the container together.  
         [0038]    At this time, or just before the container cover is closed over the container bottom, the non-adhesive material is removed from the adhesive strips on the container top side members K and K′ and, after the cover is closed over the bottom, pressure is applied to the outside surfaces of side members K and K′ thereby sealing the container against tampering or entry.  
         [0039]    It should be mentioned that the container top portion need not be assembled after the body portion. Indeed, FIGS.  9 - 12  illustrate the folding operations of the body portion, while FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the folding operations of the top (lid) portion, without regard to sequence. The operations associated with FIGS. 13 and 14 may certainly be carried out prior to the operations associated with FIGS.  9 - 12 .  
         [0040]    It should further be noted that the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 define a shipping or mailing container that has a substantially empty square or rectangular body receptacle. In accordance with practice of principles of the invention, it should be understood that the methodology of container formation and assembly also supports interior detail that is disposed within the receptacle in order to customize the container to hold various articles. This interior detail is also formed from the same unitary piece of cardboard material and is simply manipulated into place by folding the material along predefined scores. An example of such interior detail might be a tray or nest that is configured to hold a certain number of golf ball four-packs, for example. Since the dimension of golf ball four-packs are well understood, and substantially the same from manufacturer to manufacturer, one need only provide a nest or tray with a certain rectangular dimension in order to customize the container as a golf ball gift box, for example.  
         [0041]    In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 23, an exemplary golf ball container is illustrated which is also formed of a corrugated cardboard blank defined by a corresponding stamping dye that presses against a single, unitary piece of cardboard, and cuts out the perimeter of the blank, forming the scores, holes and other cuts, as described above. The corrugated cardboard material suitably comprises a smooth outer kraft liner, an interior corrugated layer or medium, and an inside kraft liner.  
         [0042]    With regard to the third exemplary embodiment, the top or cover portion, indicated generally at  180 , is formed with substantially similar surfaces, scores and cutouts as the top or cover portion of the second exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, corresponding surfaces and scores are indicated with the same reference numerals as those denoted in connection with the second exemplary embodiment. Further, the container bottom surface B 1  is surrounded by side surfaces S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , and S 4 , each of which are separated from the bottom surface by a corresponding fold line or score. The front and back side surfaces S 1  and S 2  terminate to either side by inwardly folding flaps F 1 , F 2 , F 3  and F 4 . As the side surfaces are folded upwardly, the securing flaps are rotated through 90° such that they are perpendicular to their associated side surface and parallel to the next, 90° side surface. Securing tabs T 1  and T 2  are then folded over the flaps and their associated side surfaces S 3  and S 4  until locking tabs  182  and  183  engage lock slots  184  and  185 , thereby securing the bottom of the container.  
         [0043]    An interior nest, indicated generally at  186 , is suitably formed with three extension leg flaps L 1 , L 2  and L 3  disposed along three of the sides of the nest center. The fourth side suitably comprises the front container surface F 2 , with each of the extension legs having substantially the same width as the container front surface F 2 , such that as the extension legs are folded inward and the nest is tucked into the bottom receptacle of the container, extension legs L 1 , L 2  and L 3  lay against the container side walls and their width suspends the nest in the center of the container receptacle.  
         [0044]    The next is stamped or cut-out in order to define an interior dimension suitable to receive whatever article is designed to be placed therein. In the case of a golf ball nest, diagonal side cuts may be made in the nest material such that the side cuts may be folded down as a golf ball four-pack is placed within. The flaps designed by the side cuts exert a slight side pressure against the golf ball four-pack, thereby retaining the pack within the nest against movement.  
         [0045]    If it is desired to have any of the shipping containers secured to prevent unauthorized opening or when used as a mailing box, prior to folding the top over the bottom, the adhesive covering would be removed from the pressure sensitive adhesive tapes and then the remaining steps performed as indicated above. Once assembled, the sides, proximate the tapes, are pressed inwardly, pressing the adhesive against the bottom side walls and creating a secured container. The pressure sensitive adhesive or other suitable gluing means could be positioned at other locations to secure the container, but positioning the adhesive along the side walls is preferred, since this orientation allows for a tamper-evident, or tamper-proof seal to be formed.  
         [0046]    The user would now write in the name and address of the person to whom the container would be mailed on the mailing label provided. There would be no need to wrap the container for mailing or gift giving.  
         [0047]    In the preferred embodiment, the assembled container may be any dimension. Where the completed container is thin (has a low profile or aspect ratio) the side walls may be fabricated with a single folded thickness of material. Conversely, where the aspect ratio or profile is large (a tall container) foldable reinforcement surfaces are deployed to give the container a double-wall construction, thereby strengthening the container for crush resistance. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention, the blank medium is E fluting, 200 pound test, and the kraft liners are provided as 42 kraft. In larger boxes, or containers with a higher aspect ratio, B fluting which is a higher medium could be used instead of E fluting.