# Patent

## Title
Perforated collapsible box

## Abstract

A method for collapsing a collapsible box can include pressing inward on a first side panel and a second side panel of the collapsible box along a lateral hinge, the collapsible box defining the lateral hinge extending at least partially across a front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and a rear panel of the collapsible box; and pressing a top panel and a bottom panel of the collapsible box together until the collapsible box is substantially flattened, the top panel and the bottom panel being hingedly coupled to the rear panel.

## Background
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/493,474, filed Oct. 4, 2021, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/886,040, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,230,404, filed May 28, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/940,436, filed Nov. 26, 2019, which are each hereby specifically incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.


TECHNICAL FIELD
This disclosure relates to packaging. Specifically, this disclosure relates to collapsible packaging.
BACKGROUND
Consumers are increasingly relying on shipping, rather than in-store purchases, to buy goods. These goods are commonly shipped in containers, such as cardboard boxes. To recycle the cardboard boxes, the boxes are broken down, or collapsed, into substantially flat shapes. For many commonly available box types, the boxes are difficult to break down without first removing or cutting much or all of the tape that holds the box together. Removing and cutting the tape can be difficult or time consuming, so many people do not make the effort to do so, which can impede recycling of these boxes.
SUMMARY
It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.
Disclosed is a collapsible box comprising a top panel; a front panel hingedly attached to the top panel; a first side panel hingedly attached to the top panel and the front panel; a second side panel hingedly attached to the top panel and the front panel; a rear panel hingedly attached to the top panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel; and a bottom panel hingedly attached to the front panel, the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel; and wherein a lateral hinge is defined extending at least partially across the front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and the rear panel, and wherein the lateral hinge is configured to collapse the collapsible box when a user presses inwards on the first side panel and the second side panel along the lateral hinge.
Also disclosed is a blank comprising a front panel defining a lower flap portion and a frame portion coupled together by a front line of weakness; a top subpanel coupled to the lower flap portion by a front hinge; a side panel coupled to the frame portion; and a rear panel coupled to the side panel; and wherein a lateral hinge extends at least partially across the front panel, the side panel, and the rear panel.
Also disclosed is a method for collapsing a collapsible box, the method comprising pressing inward on a first side panel and a second side panel of the collapsible box along a lateral hinge, the collapsible box defining the lateral hinge extending at least partially across a front panel, the first side panel, the second side panel, and a rear panel of the collapsible box; and pressing a top panel and a bottom panel of the collapsible box together until the collapsible box is substantially flattened, the top panel and the bottom panel being hingedly coupled to the rear panel.
Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible box comprising a top panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the front panel of the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the collapsible box of FIG. 1 with an access flap of the collapsible box articulated to reveal an inner cavity within the collapsible box.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the collapsible box of FIG. 1 with the access flap articulated to reveal the inner cavity within the collapsible box.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the collapsible box of FIG. 1 facing the second side panel.
FIG. 6 is a front view into the inner cavity of the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first step in collapsing the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the first step in collapsing the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a second step in collapsing the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the second step in collapsing the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the second step in collapsing the collapsible box of FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a blank in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.
Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.
For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.
As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.
The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.
Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed, that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutations of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.
Disclosed is a collapsible box and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The collapsible box can comprise a top panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a bottom panel. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed collapsible box is described in but a few exemplary aspects among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible box 100 in a closed configuration in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. The collapsible box 100 can comprise a top panel 112, a front panel 114, a rear panel 116, a first side panel 118, a second side panel 120 (shown in FIG. 2), and a bottom panel 122 (shown in FIG. 3). The top panel 112 can comprise a first top subpanel 124a and a second top subpanel 124b. The first top subpanel 124a can be hingedly attached to the front panel 114 by a front hinge 126a. The second top subpanel 124b can be hingedly attached to the rear panel 116 by a rear hinge 126b. 
The first top subpanel 124a can be coupled to the second top subpanel 124b by a top tape strip 132 to form the top panel 112. The first top subpanel 124a can define a top hinge 128 between the top tape strip 132 and the front hinge 126a. The portion of the first top subpanel 124a positioned between the front hinge 126a and the top hinge 128 can define an upper flap portion 130.
The front panel 114, the rear panel 116, the first side panel 118, and the second side panel 120 can together define a pair of lateral hinges 140a,b. The lateral hinges 140a,b can extend at least partially across each of the front panel 114, the rear panel 116, the first side panel 118, and the second side panel 120.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the front panel 114 of the collapsible box 100 of FIG. 1. The front panel 114 can define a lower flap portion 212 and a frame portion 214, as demarcated by a front line of weakness 216. The lower flap portion 212 can be attached to the top panel 112 by the front hinge 126a. The lower flap portion 212 and the upper flap portion 130 (shown in FIG. 1) can together define an access flap 230 of the collapsible box 100.
The frame portion 214 can extend along the intersections with the side panels 118,120 and the bottom panel 122, and the frame portion 214 can be coupled to the side panels 118,120 and the bottom panel 122. The front line of weakness 216 can comprise a pair of side portions 218a,b, a base line portion 220, and a finger cutout portion 222. The side portions 218a,b can extend downwards and inwards from the front hinge 126a to the base line portion 220. The base line portion 220 can extend substantially laterally and substantially parallel to the lateral hinges 140a,b. The finger cutout portion 222 can extend downwards from the base line portion 220 in a shape of a widened “U” or a bathtub shape.
The lower flap portion 212 can define a main portion 226 and a finger portion 224. The main portion 226 can be substantially defined between the front hinge 126a, the side portions 218a,b, and the base line portion 220, and the main portion 226 can define a substantially trapezoidal shape that can taper from the front hinge 126a towards the bottom panel 122. The finger portion 224 can be defined between the main portion 226 and the finger cutout portion 222, as though the base line portion 220 extended unbroken across the lower flap portion 212. The finger portion 224 can define a substantially trapezoidal shape. In some aspects, corners of either or both of the main portion 226 and the finger portion 224 can be rounded, as demonstrated by the trapezoidal shape of the finger portion 224 in the present aspect. In other aspects, either or both of the main portion 226 and the finger portion 224 can define a different shape, such as rectangular for example and without limitation.
In the present aspect, the side portions 218a,b and the base line portion 220 of the front line of weakness 216 can be perforations that are partially cut, but that partially connect the lower flap portion 212 to the frame portion 214. In the present aspect, the finger cutout portion 222 can be a complete cut, or thru-cut, that extends completely through the front panel 114. The complete cut can facilitate a user in pressing the finger portion 224 inwards or pulling the finger portion 224 outwards so that the user can grasp the finger portion 224 and pull upon it to tear the perforations of the side portions 218a,b and the base line portion 220. Such an arrangement can facilitate opening of the collapsible box 100 without cutting the top tape strip 132 or a bottom tape strip 532 (shown in FIG. 5).
Once the perforations are torn, the access flap 230 can then be articulated upwards about the front hinge 126a and the top hinge 128 (shown in FIG. 1) to reveal an inner cavity 300 within the collapsible box 100 in an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the collapsible box 100 of FIG. 1 with the access flap 230 articulated upwards to reveal the inner cavity 300 in the open configuration. The inner cavity 300 can be defined within the collapsible box 100 by the top panel 112, the front panel 114, the rear panel 116, the first side panel 118, and the second side panel 120, and the bottom panel 122. The inner cavity 300 can be enclosed, or concealed, in the closed configuration and exposed, or revealed, in the open configuration.
In the aspect shown, the entire access flap 230 can be folded back about the top hinge 128 to expose the inner cavity 300. Doing so exposes a third top subpanel 324a and a fourth top subpanel 324b of the top panel 112. The third top subpanel 324a can be attached to the first side panel 118, and the fourth top subpanel 324b can be attached to the second side panel 120. The third and fourth top subpanels 324a,b can be positioned beneath the first and second top subpanels 124a,b (shown in FIG. 1). As shown, the third and fourth top subpanels 324a,b can each taper rearward towards the rear panel 116 as each extends inward from the respective side panel 118,120. These tapered edges provide additional access to the inner cavity 300 for removing contents from the collapsible box 100.
Optionally, a user may only fold back the lower flap portion 212 about the front hinge 126a to expose the inner cavity 300. By folding the entire access flap 230 about the top hinge 128, the user is provided greater clearance and access to the inner cavity 300.
As shown, the bottom panel 122 can comprise a first bottom subpanel 312a, a second bottom subpanel 312b, a third bottom subpanel 314a, and a fourth bottom subpanel 314b. The first bottom subpanel 312a can be coupled to the front panel 114. The second bottom subpanel 312b can be coupled to the rear panel 116. The third bottom subpanel 314a and the fourth bottom subpanel 314b can be respectively coupled to the first side panel 118 and the second side panel 120. The third bottom subpanel 314a and the fourth bottom subpanel 314b can be disposed inward from and be covered by the first bottom subpanel 312a and the second bottom subpanel 312b. The first bottom subpanel 312a can be coupled to the second bottom subpanel 312b by the bottom tape strip 532, as shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the collapsible box 100 of FIG. 1 with the access flap 230 folded fully backwards about the top hinge 128.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the collapsible box 100 of FIG. 1 showing the second side panel 120 and the lateral hinges 140a,b, as well as the tape strips 132, 532.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the inner cavity 300 of the collapsible box 100 of FIG. 1. In the present aspect, the rear panel 116 can define a center subpanel 680 disposed at a center of the rear panel 116. The center subpanel 680 can be substantially rectangular in shape, as defined by lines of weakness. The lateral hinges 140a,b can extend between the center subpanel 680 and each side panel 118,120, and the lateral hinges 140a,b can extend across the rear panel 116, with the exception of within the center subpanel 680.
Four corner fold lines 684a-d can extend between the corners of the center subpanel 680 and the nearest respective corners of the rear panel 116. A plurality of V-shaped fold lines 686a-h can extend between the corners of the rear panel 116 and the lateral hinges 140a,b. The V-shaped fold lines 386a-d can extend between the corners of the rear panel 116 formed with the first side panel 118. The V-shaped fold lines 686a-d can be defined between the corner fold lines 684a and 684d. The V-shaped fold lines 686e-h can extend between the corners of the rear panel 116 formed with the second side panel 120. The V-shaped fold lines 686e-h can be defined between the corner fold lines 684b and 684c. The center subpanel 680, the lateral hinges 140a,b, the corner fold lines 684a-d, and the V-shaped fold lines 686a-h can cooperate to collapse the collapsible box 110 and to provide the rear panel 116 with a truncated pyramidal shape when collapsed, as further discussed below with respect to FIGS. 7-11.
The collapsible box 110 can be configured to quickly and easily collapse, such as for disposal or recycling, without having to cut or tear the collapsible box 110 or remove any tape. As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the first step in collapsing the collapsible box 110 can comprise a user 1000 pressing inward on the side panels 118,120 (side panel 118 shown in FIG. 1) along the lateral hinges 140a,b. FIG. 7 demonstrates the user 1000 collapsing the collapsible box 100 towards the chest of the user 1000. FIG. 8 demonstrates the user 1000 collapsing the collapsible box 100 on a ground surface 800.
As the user 1000 presses inwards on the side panels 118,120 along the lateral hinges 140a,b, the side panels 118,120 begin to collapse inwards, and the rear panel 116 begins to take a truncated pyramidal shape with the center subpanel 680 forming the truncated point of the pyramid.
FIGS. 9-11 demonstrate the next step in collapsing the collapsible box 100, which can be for the user to press the top panel 112 (shown in FIG. 1) and the bottom panel 122 together until the collapsible box 100 is substantially flattened. In this state, the side panels 118,120 can be folded substantially in half such that portions of the respective side panel 118,120 on opposite sides of the lateral hinges 140a,b (shown in FIG. 1) can be positioned together in facing engagement. In this state, the rear panel 116 can be substantially in the shape of a truncated rectangular pyramid. FIG. 10 demonstrates the user 1000 pressing the collapsible box 100 upon the ground surface 800 to collapse the collapsible box 100.
As shown, the collapsible box 100 can be manually collapsed without having to remove the tape strips 132,532 (shown in FIG. 5). The collapsible box 100 can also be machine collapsible. The ability to collapse the collapsible box 100 without removing tape strips 132,532 (or any other tape) can facilitate recycling of the collapsible box 100.
FIG. 12 shows a blank 1200 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. The collapsible box 100 of FIG. 1 can be constructed from the blank 1200. The blank 1200 can comprise the front panel 114, the rear panel 116, the first side panel 118, the second side panel 120, the subpanels 124a,b,324a,b of the top panel 112 (shown in FIG. 1), and the subpanels 312a,b,314a,b of the bottom panel 122 (shown in FIG. 3). The blank 1200 can further comprise an end tab 1202, which in the present aspect can be attached to an end of the blank 1200, in this aspect to the rear panel 116 opposite from the second side panel 120. During construction of the collapsible box 100, the end tab 1202 can be coupled to the first side panel 118, such as with an adhesive. In other aspects, a different panel 114,116,118,120 can define the end of the blank 1200, and the end tab 1202 can be attached to one of the panels defining the end of the blank 1200.
Additionally, the lateral hinges 140a,b can extend at least partially across each of the front panel 114, the rear panel 116, the first side panel 118, and the second side panel 120 of the blank 1200 to facilitate collapse of the collapsible box 100 (shown in FIG. 1). Measurements shown on the blank 1200 are for exemplary purposes only, and the measurements are not intended to be limiting. The various panels and subpanels can be larger or smaller than indicated, and the ratios between different measurements can vary.
In the present aspect, the blank 1200 and the collapsible box 100 can comprise corrugated cardboard. In other aspects, the blank 1200 and/or the collapsible box 100 can comprise a different material, such as paperboard, plastic sheeting, or any other suitable material. The various hinges, fold lines, and lines of weakness identified within the specification can be formed by techniques such as scoring, perforation, pre-creasing, cutting, or any other suitable method.
The blank 1200 can be formed through processes such as die-cutting, for example and without limitation. The collapsible box 100 can also be processed with a case erector during construction of the collapsible box 100 form the blank 1200.
One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

## Claims

1. A method for opening and collapsing a box, the method comprising:
opening the box comprising:
tearing a perforation on a front panel; and
folding a flap portion; and

collapsing the box comprising:
pressing a first side panel and a second side panel along a lateral hinge extending at least partially across the front panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel;
pressing a top panel and a bottom panel together, the top panel and the bottom panel hingedly coupled to a rear panel; and

reconfiguring the rear panel from a substantially planar shape to a truncated pyramidal shape.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein collapsing the box comprises folding the first side panel substantially in half.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:
tearing the perforation on the front panel separates a lower flap portion from a frame portion of the front panel; and
folding the flap portion comprises folding the lower flap portion away from the frame portion.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein a lower flap portion is hingedly attached to a first top subpanel of the top panel by a front hinge.

5. A method comprising:
opening a box comprising:
tearing a perforation on a front panel; and
folding the front panel; and

collapsing the box comprising:
pressing a first side panel and a second side panel of the box along a lateral hinge extending at least partially across the front panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel;
pressing a top panel and a bottom panel of the box together until the box is substantially flattened; and
reconfiguring a rear panel from a substantially planar shape to a truncated pyramidal shape.

6. The method of claim 5, closing the box comprises folding the first side panel substantially in half.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein:
tearing the perforation on the front panel separates a lower flap portion from a frame portion of the front panel; and
folding the lower flap portion comprises folding the lower flap portion away from the frame portion.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the lower flap portion is hingedly attached to a first top subpanel of the top panel by a front hinge.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein:
the lower flap portion is hingedly attached to a first top subpanel by a front hinge; and
the top panel comprises the first top subpanel hingedly attached to the lower flap portion.

10. A method for opening and collapsing a box, the method comprising:
opening the box comprising:
tearing a perforation on a front panel and separating a lower flap portion from a frame portion of the front panel; and
folding a flap portion by folding the lower flap portion away from the frame portion; and

collapsing the box comprising:
pressing a first side panel and a second side panel along a lateral hinge extending at least partially across the front panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel; and
pressing a top panel and a bottom panel together, the top panel and the bottom panel hingedly coupled to a rear panel.

11. A method comprising:
opening a box comprising:
tearing a perforation on a front panel to separate a lower flap portion from a frame portion of the front panel;
folding the lower flap portion comprises folding the lower flap portion away from the frame portion; and
folding the front panel; and

collapsing the box comprising:
pressing a first side panel and a second side panel of the box along a lateral hinge extending at least partially across the front panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel; and
pressing a top panel and a bottom panel of the box together until the box is substantially flattened.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the lower flap portion is hingedly attached to a first top subpanel of the top panel by a front hinge.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the lower flap portion is hingedly attached to a first top subpanel by a front hinge; and
the top panel comprises the first top subpanel hingedly attached to the lower flap portion.