Abstract:
Dual handle box designs, blanks for forming boxes by folding, collapsible and non-collapsible boxes formed thereby, and manufacturing methods therefor are disclosed. Preferably each handle is located on an opposite end of the box; is two-ply; defines an elongate hand opening for receiving fingers of a hand; defines an elongate tab opening for receiving a tab of a center handle, and that intersects the hand opening; and defines a recess for receiving and retaining a lid panel of the box. Furthermore, the boxes preferably have a waterproof or water-resistant coating applied and are used as ice coolers for beverages and food items.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/700,107, filed Apr. 29, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,499,294, which ′107 application is a nonprovisional of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application 61/985,830 filed Apr. 29, 2014, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Furthermore, the disclosure of the priority provisional patent application is found in the Appendix attached hereto, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
     All of the material in this patent documents is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to box designs, blanks for forming boxes by folding, collapsible and non-collapsible boxes formed thereby, and manufacturing methods therefor. Preferably boxes of the invention are used as disposable coolers and are formed from cardboard to which is applied a water-resistant or waterproof coating. An exemplary disposable cooler is disclosed, for example, in Costanzo U.S. Pat. No. 8,573,430. Even in view of the foregoing, it is believed that need continues to exist for improvements and variations to such box designs, blanks, and boxes. One or more aspects and features of the present invention are believed to address such need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of disposable ice coolers, the present invention is not limited to only such coolers and applies to other types and uses of boxes, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention comprises a box as shown and described herein. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises an assembled box as shown and described herein. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises an assembled, collapsible box as shown and described herein. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a box in the form of a blank as shown and described herein. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of making any of the foregoing. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of assembling any of the foregoing boxes. 
     Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of collapsing and storing any of the foregoing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a box comprises a center handle for grasping and carrying of the box using a single hand, and further comprises end handles for grasping and carrying of the box by two hands. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a box is formed from folding a single sheet of material having fold lines therein. In this aspect, the assembled box comprises: a bottom panel defined by subpanels; a first end panel defined by subpanels; a second, opposite end panel defined by subpanels; a first side panel; a second, opposite side panel; a first corner panel defined by subpanels; a second corner panel defined by subpanels; a third corner panel defined by subpanels; a fourth corner panel defined by subpanels; a first tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panel defined by subpanels; a second tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panel defined by subpanels; a first lid panel; a second lid panel; and a center handle panel defined by subpanels. 
     In various possible features of this aspect, some of which may or may not be mutually exclusive: the first and the second tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panels collectively define two-ply handles on opposite ends of the box for gripping the box, which handles are provided both when the box is in the open and closed positions; the handles are equally spaced relative to a center of the box for counterbalancing torques that result from supporting the box at two spaced apart locations; the end handles are defined respectively by openings in the subpanels connected directly to—and respectively separated by a fold line from—corner subpanels; handle subpanels define a single, two-ply handle located along the center of the box when the box is in the closed position; handle subpanels define curved tabs which align and define two-ply tabs that are received within openings defined in the end handles when the box is in the closed position, thereby locking the box in the closed position; when the box is assembled and in the open or closed positions, the openings in corner subpanels are elongate and generally extend longitudinally in a direction that is orthogonal to the openings defined therein for receiving the tabs, which openings also are elongate; when the box is assembled and in the open or closed positions, the hand openings defined by the corner subpanels extend generally orthogonally to the tab openings defined by the corner subpanels; the hand openings and the tab openings defined by the corner subpanels intersect and bisect each other. 
     In yet an additional feature, the box is collapsible even though it is in an assembled state by folding the box along an axis bisecting the bottom panel and the opposite end panels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of a box blank in an unassembled, flat condition in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a box that has been assembled by folding the box blank of  FIG. 1 , wherein the assembled box is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a method of gripping and carrying the box using two handles defined on opposite ends of the box of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative method of gripping and carrying the box using a single handle defined at a centered location of the box of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. 
     Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims upon issuance rather than the description set forth herein. 
     Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail. 
     Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112 subsection (f), no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element. 
     Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.” 
     When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.” 
     Referring now to the drawings, a first preferred embodiment of a box in accordance with one or more aspects and features of the invention is represented by a box blank  100  shown in  FIG. 1  in plan view in an unassembled, flat condition. 
     The blank  100  includes fold lines comprising score lines or areas of reduced thickness or weakness that facilitate folding of the blank during assembly of the box. The fold lines in the blank  100  serve to define discrete panels, including: a bottom panel defined by subpanels  102   a , 102   b ; a first end panel defined by subpanels  104   a , 104   b ; a second, opposite end panel defined by subpanels  106   a , 106   b ; a first side panel  108 ; a second, opposite side panel  110 ; a first corner panel defined by subpanels  112   a , 112   b ; a second corner panel defined by subpanels  114   a , 114   b ; a third corner panel defined by subpanels  118   a , 118   b ; a fourth corner panel defined by subpanels  116   a , 116   b ; a first tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panel defined by subpanels  120   a , 120   b ; a second tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panel defined by subpanels  122   a , 122   b ; a first lid panel  124 ; a second lid panel  126 ; and a center handle panel defined by subpanels  128   a , 128   b.    
       FIG. 2  illustrates a box  200  that has been assembled by folding the box blank  100  of  FIG. 1  along fold lines, wherein the box  200  is in a closed configuration. The assembled box  200  preferably includes a waterproof or water-resistant coating on the interior surfaces such that the box may be used for containing ice, beverages, and food within an interior cooler space thereof. 
     As seen in box  200 , the first tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panel defined by subpanels  120   a , 120   b  and the second tab-lock and counterbalancing handle panel defined by subpanels  122   a , 122   b  collectively define two-ply handles on opposite ends of the box  200  for gripping the box  200 . These handles are provided both when the box  200  is in the open and closed positions. The handles are equally spaced relative to a center of the box for counterbalancing torques that result from supporting the box at two spaced apart locations. It will further be appreciated that these handles are defined respectively by openings in the subpanels  120   a , 120   b  connected directly to—and separated by a fold line from—subpanel  112   a , and in the subpanels  122   a , 122   b  connected directly to—and separated by a fold line from—subpanel  114   a.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates a method of gripping and carrying the box  200  using the two handles defined on opposite ends of the box  200 . 
     As further seen in the drawings, subpanels  120   a , 120   b  define notches  130   a , 130   b  that align when these subpanels are folded relative to each other to form a first handle, whereby these notches define a first recess in the first handle for receiving and retaining lid panel  126  when the box  200  is in the closed position. Similarly, subpanels  122   a , 122   b  define notches  132   a , 132   b  that align when these subpanels are folded relative to each other to form a second handle, whereby these notches define a second recess in the second handle for receiving and retaining lid panel  126  when the box  200  is in the closed position. These recesses operate to hold and retain the lid  126  in the closed position of the box  200  with the lid  126  being inserted into the recesses. 
     As further seen in the drawings, subpanels  128   a , 128   b  define a single, two-ply handle located along the center of the box  200  when the box  200  is in the closed position.  FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative method of gripping and carrying the box using this single handle. 
     Additionally, subpanels  128   a , 128   b  further define curved tabs  134   a , 134   b  and  136   a , 136   b  which align and define two-ply tabs that are received within openings defined in the end handles when the box  200  is in the closed position, thereby locking the box  200  in the closed position. When the box  200  is assembled and in the open or closed positions, the openings in subpanels  120   a , 120   b , 122   a , 122   b  are elongate and generally extend longitudinally in a direction that is orthogonal to the openings defined therein for receiving the tabs, which openings also are elongate. In other words, the hand openings preferably extend generally orthogonally to the tab openings. Moreover, the two types of openings preferably intersect each other and, more preferably, bisect each other. 
     It will be appreciated that the blank  100  further is designed to form, when assembled, a box that is collapsible even though it is in an assembled state by folding the box  200  along axis A shown in  FIG. 1 , which axis bisects the bottom panel and the opposite end panels. 
     Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. 
     Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.