Abstract:
A method of forming a carton or container for food or other items having a model vehicle configuration is provided that accurately depicts the contours and dimensions of the vehicle to enhance its appeal. An elongated, cardboard-like sheet is presented that is die cut to fold into a three dimensional model of the vehicle. The sheet&#39;s first end is folded along a first pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present an open cabin, rear deck and tail of the vehicle, whereby the open cabin may provide the container for food and other items. The sheet&#39;s central portion is folded upwardly along a pair of longitudinal fold lines to present the sides of the vehicle, and the second end portion is folded along a second pair of transverse fold lines and secured in position to present the hood and front windshield of the vehicle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of co-pending application Ser. No. 62/000,330, filed on May 19, 2014, entitled VEHICLE REPLICA CARTON AND METHOD OF FORMING THE SAME. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to cartons or trays which are formed from a sheet of cardboard-like material and have a model vehicle configuration for the enjoyment and amusement of the user. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Disposable cardboard trays and cartons for holding food items have been used by restaurants and theaters as a convenience for their customers and in particular, to organize and hold food for children and create additional interest by designs that are displayed on the tray or carton. When intended as a promotional device, it is desirable for a cardboard model to be easily and quickly constructed preferably from a die cut cardboard sheet by folding various panels and tabs along score lines in the material into an assembled shape. Particularly with respect to young children, printed material on the carton adds to the child&#39;s interest. Advantages of a one sheet, i.e., one-piece unit, include factors such as lower cost, easier printing of the model design or artwork on the cardboard, compact shipping, and ease and quickness in construction; however, the one-piece system can also make it very difficult to realistically replicate the contours and features of certain designated objects, such as modern cars. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In an embodiment of the present invention a method of forming a carton having a model vehicle configuration is provided by a cardboard-like sheet having a first end portion that presents the cabin, rear deck and rear of the vehicle, a central portion that presents the bottom and sides of the vehicle and a second end portion that presents the hood and front windshield of the vehicle, with the first end portion including a pair of substantially parallel longitudinal fold lines defining first and second side segments of the vehicle and having a first pair of substantially parallel transverse fold lines between the first end portion and the central portion and a second pair of substantially parallel transverse fold lines between the second end portion and the central portion. The first end portion is folded along the first pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present an open cabin, rear deck and rear of the vehicle, whereby the open cabin may provide the container for food and other items. The central portion is folded upwardly along the pair of longitudinal fold lines to present the sides of the vehicle, and the second end portion is folded along the second pair of transverse fold lines and secured in a position to present the hood and front windshield of the vehicle. 
         [0005]    Other advantages of this carton assembly and method of making the same will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a piece of flat sheet material having fold and perforation lines thereon, from which a carton or tray is formed in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2A-2F  are diagrammatic illustrations of the folding of the flat sheet of  FIG. 1  to form the rectangular configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0008]      FIGS. 3A-3I  are diagrammatic illustrations of the folding of the flat sheet of  FIG. 1  to form an intermediate flat collapsed configuration and the final rectangular configuration shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the sheet material of  FIG. 2F  or  3 I, with a first side folded over and secured to an adhesive tab portion thereof. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is the rear perspective view of  FIG. 4 , with a lower rear flap folded upwardly and an upper rear flap folded downwardly. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is the rear perspective view of  FIG. 5 , with the tabs of the upper rear flap engaging the slots of the lower rear flap enclosing the rear of the vehicle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of  FIG. 6 , with first and second side tabs extending forwardly and a grill panel, upper front hood panel and windshield panel extending forwardly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a partial sequential view of the first and second side tabs of  FIG. 7  being secured together. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 7 , with the first and second side tabs shown secured together and enclosing the front of the vehicle and the first and second lower front hood tabs folded down behind the first and second side tabs. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 9 , with the lower hood panel closed over the front of the vehicle. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 10 , with the grill panel folded upwardly over the first and second side tabs. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 11 , with the upper hood panel folded over the lower front hood panel and upper hood panel tabs engaging lower front hood panel slots to secure the upper hood panel in place. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 12 , with the first and second wing tabs of the windshield engaging tabs in the upper panel to windshield panel in place. 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of piece of flat sheet material having fold and perforation lines thereon, from which a carton or tray is formed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 14  shown with the rear portion assembled, with the lower hood panel closed over the front of the vehicle and a grill panel, upper front hood panel and windshield flap extending forwardly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 15 , with the grill panel folded upwardly over the first and second side tabs. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 16 , with the upper hood panel folded over the lower front hood panel and upper hood panel first and second tabs engaging lower front hood panel slots to secure the upper hood panel in place and the first and second wing tabs of the windshield engaging tabs in the upper panel to windshield panel in place. 
           [0023]      FIG. 18  is the front perspective view of  FIG. 17 , with the hood panel of the upper hood panel raised to expose the upper surface of the lower hood panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
         [0025]    Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “rightwardly,” “leftwardly,” “upper,” “lower,” “forwardly,” “reawardly,” “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “inwardly” and “outwardly,” etc., may refer to an installed position (as shown in the drawings) of the item to which the reference is made, or may refer to directions toward and away from, the geometric center of the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof. Said terminology may include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar import. Similarly, the words “or” and “and” are not limiting and may mean “either,” “one or the other,” or “both.” 
         [0026]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1-13 , a sequence of steps is illustrated and shows a flat piece of sheet material  20  ( FIG. 1 ) which, after the assembly operation is complete, becomes an assembled vehicle  22  ( FIG. 11 ). As shown and described herein, the vehicle  22  takes the form of a modern vehicle car but could take any desired form. The sheet  20  is paperboard or a similar semi-rigid material capable of retaining fold lines and die cut so that tabs and openings are formed upon removal of the cutout portions. A suitable material is 18-point white C1S SBS stock or a thin plastic material capable of retaining fold lines and being folded to a desired configuration. As is evident from  FIG. 1 , in its initially unassembled state, the sheet  20  is planar and flat having a first or front end  24  and a second or rear end  26 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows that the sheet  20  has a number of fold lines and perforation lines therein, the purpose of which will be described below. Additionally, the sheet stock from which the vehicle  22  is formed is die cut to provide the perimeter configuration shown. The sheet  20  includes a first side panel  28 , an upper panel  30 , a second side panel  32 , and a bottom panel  34 . The first side panel  28  includes a first side tab  36  extending forwardly from the first side panel  28  separated by fold line  38 . The first side tab  36  includes an engaging slit  40 . 
         [0028]    The first side panel  28  transitions to upper panel  30  along fold line  42 . Upper panel  30  includes a lower hood panel  44 , an interior portion or cabin  46 , a rear deck panel  48 , and an upper rear flap  50 . The lower hood panel  44  includes first  52  and second  54  lower hood tabs extending forwardly from lower hood panel  44  along fold lines  56  and  58 , respectively, and first and second hood retaining slots  60  and  62 , respectively, which are cut generally parallel to the front  24  of the vehicle  22 . First  64  and second  66  windshield slots are cut generally parallel to the fold line  42  on opposite sides of the upper panel  30  generally at the transition between the lower hood panel  44  and the interior portion  46 . 
         [0029]    The interior portion  46  of upper panel  30  includes first and second cutouts  68  and  70 , a dash panel  72 , which extends from the rear of lower hood panel  44  along fold line  74 . Dash panel  74  includes a console  76  extending rearwardly from the dash panel  72  when the dash panel  72  is not folded, and extending downwardly from the dash panel  72  when the dash panel is folded along fold lines  74  and  75  and separates from lower hood panel along die cut  77  to form the front interior of the vehicle  22 . The dash panel  72  is free from interior panel first  78  and second  80  upper sides along die cuts  82  and  84 . 
         [0030]    An interior portion rear panel  86  extends forwardly from the rear deck panel  48  along fold line  88 , and is free from interior panel first  78  and second  80  upper sides along die cuts  90  and  92 . The interior portion rear panel  86  includes a tab  87  extending forwardly and separated from tab  76  extending rearwardly from the dash panel  76  by die cut  89 . When the dash panel  72  and interior portion rear panel  86  are folded downwardly and inwardly to the interior section, a cabin of the vehicle is presented. 
         [0031]    The upper rear flap  50  extends rearwardly from the rear deck panel  48  along fold line  94 . A first  96  and second  98  tab extends rearwardly from rear flap  50  along fold lines  100  and  102  respectively. First tab  96  is die cut on opposite sides  104  and  106  as is second tab  98  on opposite sides  108  and  110 , which presents wings on opposite sides of the tabs  96  and  98  to help lock the tabs  96  and  98  into their respective engaging slots disclosed herein below. 
         [0032]    The upper panel  30  transitions to the second side panel  32  along fold line  112 . The second side panel  32  includes a second side tab extending forwardly from the second side panel  32  separated by fold line  116 . The second side tab  114  includes an engaging slit  118  for engaging and locking to the engaging slit  40  of the first side tab  36 . 
         [0033]    The second side panel  32  transitions to the bottom panel  34  along fold lines  120 ,  122  and  124 , and die cut second front wheel  126  and second rear wheel  128 . The bottom panel  34  includes a base panel  130  with a first cutout  134  for receiving the tab  87  of interior portion rear panel  86 , which secures the interior portion rear panel  86  is folded along fold line  88  into the interior space and in place. 
         [0034]    The bottom panel  34  includes first  136  and second  138  front tabs, which transition along fold lines  140  and  142 , respectfully from bottom panel  34  at the front end  24 . Second front tab  138  is separated from second side tab  114  along die cut  144 . A grill panel  146  transitions along fold line  148  from base panel  130  to an upper hood panel  150  along fold line  152 . A windshield panel  154  extends from upper hood panel  150  along fold lines  156 ,  158  and  160 , and dies cut lines  162  and  164 , which form first  166  and second  168  hood retention tabs. The windshield panel  154  includes first  170  and second  172  wings which each include a tab  174  and  176 , respectively, for engaging slots  64  and  66 , respectively, to secure the windshield panel  154  in position to the upper panel  30 . The first wing  170  extends from the windshield panel  154  along fold line  178 , and the second wing  172  extends from the windshield panel  154  along fold line  180 . 
         [0035]    A lower rear panel  182  transitions from base panel  130  along fold line  184 . The lower rear panel  182  transitions to a lower rear flap  186  along fold lines  188 ,  190  and  192 , and die cuts  194  and  196  presenting slots for receiving tabs  96  and  98 . An adhesive tab  198  extends from base panel  130  along fold line  200 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2F , a folding sequence is shown to illustrate a method to achieve a rectangular intermediate configuration of the completed vehicle  22 . The panels of sheet  20  are not to scale in thickness or width, and are presented to illustrate the folding method. From the flat sheet  20  configuration ( FIG. 2A ), the adhesive tab  198  is folded along fold line upwardly and inwardly. First side panel  28  is folded along fold line  42  upwardly and inwardly toward adhesive tab  198  ( FIG. 2B ). Next, upper panel  30  is folded along fold line  112  upwardly and inwardly toward adhesive tab  198  as first side panel  28  is continued to be folded inwardly ( FIG. 2C ). Next, second side panel  32  is folded along fold lines  120 ,  122  and  124  and separates from bottom panel  34  along die cuts  126  and  128  ( FIG. 2D ). Next, folding of the second side panel  32  is completed as it is generally perpendicular to the bottom panel  34 , while the upper panel  30  and first side panel  28  are continued to be folded ( FIG. 2E ). Finally, the upper panel  30  is folded generally perpendicular to the second side panel  32  and generally parallel to the bottom panel  34 , while the first side panel  28  is folded generally perpendicular to the upper panel  30  and over the adhesive tab  198  ( FIG. 2F ). An inside surface  202  of the first side panel  28  is secured to an outside surface  204  of the adhesive tab  198  with an adhesive  206  or other fastening method such as double sticky tape, tape, glue, or mechanical fasteners, for example, to complete the rectangular configuration  208  of the vehicle  22 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3I , an alternative folding sequence is shown to illustrate a method to achieve a rectangular intermediate configuration of the completed vehicle  22 . The panels of sheet  20  are not to scale in thickness or width, and are presented to illustrate the folding method. From the flat sheet  20  configuration ( FIG. 2A ), the first side panel  28 , upper panel  30  and second side panel  32  are folded upwardly together along fold lines  120 ,  122  and  124  and with second side panel  32  separating from bottom panel  34  along die cuts  126  and  128  ( FIG. 3A ). Next, first side panel  28 , upper panel  30  and second side panel  32  are continued to be folded along fold lines  120 ,  122  and  124  ( FIG. 3B ) until folded flat over bottom panel  34  and adhesive tab  198  ( FIG. 3C ). Next, first side panel  28  is folded downwardly along fold line  42  ( FIG. 3D ). The first side panel  28  is folded around the edge  210  of the adhesive tab  198  ( FIG. 3E ) until folded flat over the outside surface  204  of the adhesive tab  198  ( FIG. 3F ). The inside surface  202  of the first side panel  28  is secured to the outside surface  204  of the adhesive tab  198  with an adhesive  206  or other fastening method such as double sticky tape, tape, glue, or mechanical fasteners, for example, to present a flat collapsed configuration  212  of the vehicle  22 . Next, the flat collapsed configuration  212  is opened by applying a first force to the fold line  42  and second force opposite the first force to the fold line  122  to open the flat collapsed configuration  212  ( FIGS. 3G and 3H ), until the rectangular configuration  208  of the vehicle  22  is achieved ( FIG. 3I ). 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , assembly of the rear end  26  of the vehicle  22  is illustrated. The upper rear flap  50  is folded downwardly along fold line  94 , the lower rear flap  186  is folded upwardly along fold lines  188 ,  190  and  192 , and lower rear panel  182  is folded upwardly along fold line  184 . Tabs  96  and  98  are inserted into slots  196  and  194  respectively. Wings  214  and  216  lock tab  96  in slot  196 , and wings  218  and  220  lock tab  98  in slot  194  to present a rear end panel  222  enclosing the rear end  26  of the vehicle  22 . The upper portion of rear end panel  222  is generally planar, while lower portion may be planar or have a slight curvature presenting an aesthetically pleasing rear view of the vehicle  22 . 
         [0039]    The interior portion of the vehicle  22  is configured by folding dash panel  72  downwardly into the interior space along fold lines  74  and  75 . Because the fold line  88  is slightly curved, and the length of interior portion rear panel  86  is slightly longer than the depth of the interior space, when the interior portion rear panel  86  is folded along fold line  88  downwardly into the interior space, the rear deck panel  48  is given a slight curvature above the plane of the upper panel  30  presenting an aesthetically pleasing view of the vehicle  22 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-13 , assembly of the front end  24  of the vehicle  22  is illustrated. Front tabs  136  and  138  are folded upwardly along fold lines  140  and  142  into a front opening  224 . Next, the engaging slit  40  of first side tab  36  mates with engaging slit  118  of second side tab  114  to enclose the front opening  224  and are under a slight tension by pulling the first side panel  28  and the second side panel  32  inwardly toward each other to create a first curved front corner  226  and a second curved front corner  228 . Because fold lines  140  and  142  are angled inwardly, the first  36  and second  114  side tabs follow an arcuate curve to present a curved front end panel  230 . Next, the first and second lower hood tabs  52  and  54  are folded along fold lines  56  and  58  respectively and lower hood panel  44  is folded downwardly enclosing the front opening  224 . The first and second lower hood panel tabs  52  and  54  slip behind second side tab  114  and first side tab  36  respectively. An outside edge  232  of first lower hood panel tab  52  engages the inside corner along fold line  116  between second side panel  32  and second side tab  116 . An outside edge  234  of second lower hood panel tab  54  engages the inside corner along fold line  38  between first side panel  28  and first side tab  36 . 
         [0041]    First  236  and second  238  corners of the lower hood panel  44  overlap the upper edges of first and second curved front corners  226  and  228  respectively to prevent the lower hood panel  44  from collapsing into the front opening  224  behind the curved front end panel  230 . The combination of the tension exerted by the first and second side tabs  36  and  114 , the inward curvature of the first and second curved front corners  226  and  228 , the engagement of the outside edges  232  and  234  of first and second lower hood panel tabs  52  and  54  respectively with fold lines  116  and  226 , stabilize the lower hood panel  44  and result in the lower hood panel having a slight curvature toward the front  24  of the vehicle  22 . 
         [0042]    Next, the grill panel  146  is folded upwardly along fold line  148  until it is generally perpendicular to the base panel  130  and seam between the first and second side tabs  36  and  114 . Upper hood panel  150  is folded downwardly over lower hood panel  44  along fold line  152 . Windshield panel  154  is folded along fold lines  156 ,  158  and  160  freeing first and second hood retention tabs  166  and  168  which extend downwardly to engage slots  62  and  60  respectively. First windshield wing  170  is folded along fold line  178  and tab  174  is received by slot  66 . Second windshield wing  172  is folded along fold line  180  and tab  176  is received by slot  64 . Tabs  174  and  176  received in slots  66  and  64  in combination with hood retention tabs  168  and  166  received in slots  60  and  62  create a slight tension in upper hood panel  150  to present a surface curving from the windshield panel  154  to the front end  24  to present an aesthetically pleasing front view of the vehicle  22 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 14-18 , a sequence of steps for an alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and shows a flat piece of sheet material  300  ( FIG. 14 ) which, after the assembly operation is complete, becomes an assembled vehicle  302  ( FIG. 17 ). As shown and described herein, the vehicle  302  takes the form of a modern vehicle car but could take any desired form. The sheet  300  is paperboard or a similar semi-rigid material capable of retaining fold lines and die cuts so that tabs and openings are formed upon removal of the cutout portions. A suitable material is 18-point white C1S SBS stock or a thin plastic material capable of retaining fold lines and being folded to a desired configuration. As is evident from  FIG. 14 , in its initially unassembled state, the sheet  302  is planar and flat having a first or front end  304  and a second or rear end  26 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 14  shows that the sheet  300  has a number of fold lines and perforation lines therein, the purpose of which will be described below. Additionally, the sheet stock from which the vehicle  302  is formed is die cut to provide the perimeter configuration shown. Many of the features described with respect to  FIGS. 1-13  above are substantially the same as the features for  FIGS. 14-18 , and thus the same reference number will be used. The sheet  300  includes a first side panel  28 , an upper panel  30 , a second side panel  32 , and a bottom panel  34 . The first side panel  28  includes a first side tab  36  extending forwardly from the first side panel  28  separated by fold line  38 . The first side tab  36  includes an engaging slit  40 . 
         [0045]    The first side panel  28  transitions to upper panel  30  along fold line  42 . Upper panel  30  includes a lower hood panel  44 , an interior portion  46 , a rear deck panel  48 , and an upper rear flap  50 . The lower hood panel  44  includes first  52  and second  54  lower hood tabs extending forwardly from lower hood panel  44  along fold lines  56  and  58 , respectively, and first and second hood retaining slots  320  and  322 , respectively, which are cut generally parallel to the fold lines  42  and  112 . First  64  and second  66  windshield slots are cut generally parallel to the fold line  42  on opposite sides of the upper panel  30  generally at the transition between the lower hood panel  44  and the interior portion  46 . 
         [0046]    The interior portion  46  of upper panel  30  includes first and second cutouts  68  and  70 , a dash panel  72 , which extends from the rear of lower hood panel  44  along fold line  74 . Dash panel  74  includes a console  76  extending rearwardly from the dash panel  72  when the dash panel  72  is not folded, and extending downwardly from the dash panel  72  when the dash panel is folded along fold lines  74  and  75  and separates from lower hood panel along die cut  77  to form the front interior of the vehicle  22 . The dash panel  72  is free from interior panel first  78  and second  80  upper sides along die cuts  82  and  84 . 
         [0047]    An interior portion rear panel  86  extends forwardly from the rear deck panel  48  along fold line  88 , and is free from interior panel first  78  and second  80  upper sides along die cuts  90  and  92 . The interior portion rear panel  86  includes a tab  87  extending forwardly and separated from tab  76  extending rearwardly from the dash panel  76  by die cut  89 . The upper rear flap  50  extends rearwardly from the rear deck panel  48  along fold line  94 . A first  96  and second  98  tab extends rearwardly from rear flap  50  along fold lines  100  and  102  respectively. First tab  96  is die cut on opposite sides  104  and  106  as is second tab  98  on opposite sides  108  and  110 , which presents wings on opposite sides of the tabs  96  and  98  to help lock the tabs  96  and  98  into their respective engaging slots disclosed herein below. 
         [0048]    The upper panel  30  transitions to the second side panel  32  along fold line  112 . The second side panel  32  includes a second side tab extending forwardly from the second side panel  32  separated by fold line  116 . The second side tab  114  includes an engaging slit  118  for engaging and locking to the engaging slit  40  of the first side tab  36 . 
         [0049]    The second side panel  32  transitions to the bottom panel  34  along fold lines  120 ,  122  and  124 , and die cut second front wheel  126  and second rear wheel  128 . The bottom panel  34  includes a base panel  130  with a first cutout  134  for receiving the tab  87  of interior portion rear panel  86 , which secures the interior portion rear panel  86  in place when folded along fold line  88  into the interior space. The fold line  88  is slightly curved, and the length of interior portion rear panel  86  is slightly longer than the depth of the interior space 
         [0050]    The bottom panel  34  includes first  136  and second  138  front tabs, which transition along fold lines  140  and  142 , respectfully from bottom panel  34  at the front end  24 . Second front tab  138  is separated from second side tab  114  along die cut  144 . A grill panel  146  transitions along fold line  148  from base panel  130  to an upper hood panel  350  along fold line  352 . The upper hood panel  350  includes a first tab  354  extending from a first edge  356  of upper hood panel  350  along fold line  358 . The first tab  354  is die cut on opposite sides  360  and  362 . A second tab  364  extending from a second edge  366  of upper hood panel  350  along fold line  368 . The second tab  364  is die cut on opposite sides  370  and  372 . A raisable hood panel  374  extends from the upper hood panel  350  along fold line  376  and is die cut along edges  378 ,  380 ,  382 ,  384  and  386 . 
         [0051]    A windshield panel  154  extends from upper hood panel  350  along fold line  388 . The windshield panel  154  includes first  170  and second  172  wings which each include a tab  174  and  176 , respectively, for engaging slots  64  and  66 , respectively, to secure the windshield panel  154  in position to the upper panel  30 . The first wing  170  extends from the windshield panel  154  along fold line  178 , and the second wing  172  extends from the windshield panel  154  along fold line  180 . 
         [0052]    A lower rear panel  182  transitions from base panel  130  along fold line  184 . The lower rear panel  182  transitions to a lower rear flap  186  along fold lines  188 ,  190  and  192 , and die cuts  194  and  196  presenting slots for receiving tabs  96  and  98 . An adhesive tab  198  extends from base panel  130  along fold line  200 . 
         [0053]    Assembly of the rear end of the vehicle  302  and interior portion is the same as described above for the vehicle  22 , so it will not be repeated here. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 15-18 , assembly of the front end  304  of the vehicle  302  is illustrated. Assembly of the front end  304  is substantially the same as the assembly of the front end  24  of vehicle  22 , described in detail above and shown in detail in  FIGS. 7-10 , so this description will not be repeated for front end  304 . 
         [0055]    Next, the grill panel  146  is folded upwardly along fold line  148  until it is generally perpendicular to the base panel  130  and seam between the first and second side tabs  36  and  114 . Upper hood panel  350  is folded downwardly over lower hood panel  44  along fold line  352 . First and second tabs  354  and  364  are folded downwardly along fold lines  358  and  368  respectively and received in slots  322  and  320  respectively. Windshield panel  154  is folded forwardly along fold line  388 . First windshield wing  170  is folded along fold line  178  and tab  174  is received by slot  66 . Second windshield wing  172  is folded along fold line  180  and tab  176  is received by slot  64 . Tabs  174  and  176  received in slots  66  and  64  in combination with tabs  354  and  364  received in slots  322  and  322  create a slight tension in upper hood panel  150  to present a surface curving from the windshield panel  154  to the front end  24  to present an aesthetically pleasing front view of the vehicle  22 . The raisable hood panel  374  may be folded upwardly from the upper hood panel  350  along fold line  376  to reveal the upper surface of lower hood panel  44 . 
         [0056]    It is to be understood that while certain now preferred forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims.