Abstract:
A collapsible box made of paperboard or foil-laminated paperboard or the like which takes little space when collapsed and stored, and which can be quickly erected by simple operation to form a box.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a collapsible box or carton made of paperboard or foil-laminated paper board or the like which takes little space when collapsed and stored, and which can be quickly erected by simple operation to form a box. Particularly, this invention relates to a box which can be easily erected by pushing both sides of the box inwardly and simultaneously closed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As an improvement on the conventional collapsible boxes, the present invention permits the making of boxes which can be quickly erected by a simple operation. The box of the present invention occupies little space when stored. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 to 3 show a collapsible box according to a first example of the present invention: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the box; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the box which has been glued or adhered but which is folded flat in a storage condition; and 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fully erected and closed box; 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the box according to a second example; 
     FIGS. 5 to 7 show a collapsible box according to a third example of the present invention: 
     FIG. 5 is a plan view of the box; 
     FIG. 6 is a plan view of the box which has been glued or adhered but which is folded flat in a storage condition; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fully erected and closed box; 
     FIGS. 8 to 10 show a collapsible box according to a fourth example: 
     FIG. 8 is a plan view of the box; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fully erected and closed box; and 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the erected box; and 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 a collapsible box according a fifth example: 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of the box; and 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fully erected and closed box. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a collapsible box consisting of front side wall and back side wall which are foldably connected to each other along the bottom and both sides, fold lines having definite length being lengthwise scored from central portions of top edges of the two side walls, fold lines being slopewise scored from the terminal point of said lines to the bottom corner of the box. 
     FIGS. 1 to 3 show a collapsible box according to the first example: FIG. 1 is a plan view of the box. The box includes front side wall 1 and back side wall 2. Fold line 3 is scored between said walls 1 and 2. Back side wall 2 is formed with flap portions 5 and 7 via fold lines 4 and 6. Fold lines 8 and 8 having definite length are lengthwise scored from central portions of top edges of the two side walls 1 and 2. Fold lines 9, 9, 10 and 10 are slopewise scored from terminal points of said lines 8 and 8 to the bottom corners of said side walls 1 and 2. 
     When a collapsible box is to be made, flap portions 5 and 7 are folded on back side wall 2, followed by folding front side wall 1 on back side wall 2 and adhering wall 1 to flap portions 5 and 7. The collapsible box in a flat condition is shown in FIG. 2. When the box in the flat condition is stored and shipped, the box occupies little space. 
     The flat box as shown in FIG. 2 can be erected by pushing the side edges of the box, namely fold lines 3 and 4 of the box inwardly, and simultaneously closed. A fully erected box is shown in FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 4 is a plan view of the box of the second example. The box includes front and back side walls 11 and 12. Fold line 13 is scored between said walls 11 and 12. Front side wall 11 is formed with flap portions 15 and 15 via fold lines 14 and 14. Fold lines 18 and 18 having definite length are scored from center of top edges of the two side walls. Fold lines 19, 19, 20 and 20 are slopewise scored from terminal points of said lines 8 and 8 to bottom corners of said side walls. 
     When a collapsible box is to be made, flap portions 15 and 15 are folded on front side wall 11, followed by folding back side wall 12 on front side wall 11 and gluing or adhering wall 12 to flap portions 15 and 15. The box can be in a flat condition. The erecting operation of the box is the same as that of the box in the first example. 
     FIGS. 5 to 7 show a collapsible box according to the third example. The box according to the third example is the same as the box of the first example except that fold lines 21 and 21 which pass said terminal point of lines 8 are widthwise scored on the front and back side walls. The processes of making and erecting the box are the same as those for the first box of FIGS. 1-3. Such widthwise fold lines may be scored on the second box of FIG. 4. 
     FIGS. 8 to 10 show a collapsible box according to the fourth example. The fourth box is the same as the first box except that the curved fold lines 22 and 22 are scored between the corners 23, 23 and 23. When the fourth box is erected, a curved bottom edge is formed as shown in FIG. 10. It is a matter of course that such curved fold lines may be scored in the second and third boxes. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 show a collapsible box according to the fifth example. The fifth box is the same as the first box except that holes 24 and 24 are punched in the front and back side walls so that two holes overlap when the box is erected. It is easy to carry the erected box by inserting a finger in the hole. Such holes may be punched in the second, third and fourth boxes. 
     The boxes of the present invention may be made of paperboard, aluminum foil-laminated paperboard, rigid plastic sheet or rigid leather. 
     The present box can be erected without using specific parts. The erected box is not easily restored to the flat state. In addition, the box is erected and simultaneously closed. Also, the flat box occupies little space, so shipping and storage of the box is economical. 
     The present box can be used as a shopping bag or basket. The box can be also used as a packaging container, brief case or hand bag.