Patent Abstract:
A reversible shipping container contains a plurality of panels which can be alternately folded respective mirror image configurations, to alternately reveal or conceal a commercial logo or other visible marking.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to courier packages with optionally revealed or concealed business logos. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to transport sensitive business documents or medical specimens, there is often a need to conceal the identity of the sender from the general public, such as in crowded public spaces or mass transportation facilities, in order to preserve confidentiality and privacy. Presently, such requirements result in the need for duplicate carton containers: one with a business logo and one with blank fascia. 
   Furthermore, with today&#39;s rapid shipping requirements, there is also a need for quickly assembled cartons from flat cardboard or other substrates. 
   Such foldable containers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,148,219 of Cornell for a folding box, 1,509,383 of Walter for a box, 2,218,360 of Rokol for a foldable market basket, 4,339,069 of Poteet for a knockdown file box, 4,403,729 of Wytko for a file folder box, 5,000,377 of McClure for a corner reinforced carton, 5,007,580 of Morrison for a foldable container, 5,236,122 of Ballard for a lockable container, 5,476,218 of Reisman for a card file box, 5,494,214 of Fleury for a foldable postal mail tray, 5,588,585 also of McClure for a corner-reinforced carton and 5,871,142 of Josephson for a foldable, clasp-closable brief case documents container with indicia, such as company logos or promotional material on an exterior surface thereof. 
   Furthermore, reversible products are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,622,768 of Moreau for a reversible greeting card. U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,698 of Blanks discloses an article of apparel, such as a shirt which is reversible to alternatively reveal different images. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,277 of Sherman discloses a reversible hat with an interchangeable sweatband. 
   However, the prior art fails to disclose a reversible foldable container carton which can be reversed to alternatively reveal or conceal a business logo on an exterior surface thereof. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reversible foldable container carton which can be reversed to conceal or reveal a business logo on an exterior surface thereof. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention discloses a foldable carton container which is mirror-reversible, so that one side of the carton container displays a company logo, but the reverse side is blank, to alternatively hide the logo for confidentiality reasons, such as where secrecy during transport is of paramount importance. 
   The shipping container of the present invention is made of corrugated cardboard or corrugated plastic. Any other substantially flat resilient material which can cut into a pattern for creating a reversible container that is also crush-resistant can be also used; such as flexible metals, alloys, synthetic and natural treated fabrics, paper or paper board stock. 
   In one embodiment, one side of the carton container has visible images, such as logos or writing on one exterior surface, with the reversed side being provided in blank. 
   An optional handle can be provided to carry the carton container. 
   The carton container is made of plurality of scored, connected panels with locking members used to lock the top shut when the locking members are inserted into slots at either side of the panels of the carton container. 
   Creasing is used along fold score lines so that the panels can be easily folded along the crease lines in either reversible direction with ease. The logo and all other images are printed only on one side so that the carton container can be assembled with the markings visible from the exterior, or if the reversible folding leaves the logo and other distinctive markings on the inner surfaces, the container appears blank with no logo on the exterior. 
   In an alternate embodiment, two different logos can be used on the two surfaces to disguise the contents or otherwise show alternative logos on the carton container. 
   To assemble the reversible carton container, the respective panels are folded up, and then the panels are folded in place at 90 degrees. Locking panels are also folded in to secure the container, and locking tabs lock in place in respective slots. 
   Handle tabs are inserted in pairs of holes to support the handle up into an arched position for manual grabbing. To force the flexible handle into an arched position, the distance between the respective holes is less than the length of the handle, thus compelling the handle to arch upward when the tabs at the respective ends of the handle are inserted in the tabs holes in the panel top carton of the container. The container carton is filled, before it is completely closed, in either optional configuration: with or without the logo exposed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can best be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a closed container of this invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a partially opened container as in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the flat die cut container of the present invention, prior to assembly; and 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a flexible handle insert for use with the container of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Although the illustrated material is corrugated cardboard which is commonly used for shipping containers, a more durable container can be built of corrugated plastic. Any substantially flat resilient material amenable to die cutting and die creasing is suitable for this invention. 
     FIG. 1  shows a closed assembled reversible container  1  with visible writing  8  on the surface of top  2  and a visible logo  7  on front panel  3 . Furthermore, the position of the indicia can be on any side panel  4  is visible in FIG.  1 . Handle opening  5  in top panel  2  permits handle  6  to protrude for use. 
     FIG. 2  shows this sturdy container in a different orientation resting on front panel  3  (not visible). The top panel  2  is partially open revealing more construction features. The single layer panel  25  is visible as is the inner side panel  21 . Inner side guidance panels  14  offer more rigidity and support, while locking members  12  are designed to lock top  2  shut when inserted into slots  15  at either side of double inner top panel  10  which also anchors handle  6 . 
   The flat container  1  prior to assembly is shown in FIG.  3 . The outer contour is die cut usually with a steel rule die. Internal features are also cut in the same pass, such as the four lines marked “c c” as well as holes  23  for anchoring handle  6 , and rectangular tab holes  29  and  31 . The creasing is also performed by non-cutting die members in the same pass. 
   To make container  1  reversible, all other lines denote creasing on both top and bottom surfaces such that the panel members  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  10 ,  20 ,  21  and  25  can be easily folded along their respective crease fold lines in either direction with equivalent ease. 
   To permit alternative exposure concealment of logo  7 , and all other markings are printed only on one side so that container  1  may be assembled with the markings visible from the exterior as shown in  FIGS. 1 , and  2 , or if the folding process is such that the logo  7  and other distinctive markings are on the inner surfaces, the container  1  appears blank from the exterior. 
   Alternatively, two completely different markings (not shown) can be used on the two surfaces to disguise the contents or otherwise support alternative use of container  1 . 
     FIG. 4  shows a top view of resilient handle  6 ; made of a material such as plastic or reinforced fabric, Tabs  24  of handle  6  are guided through holes  23  in the double panel formed from panels  22  and  10  to retain handle  6 . The double crease  32  spaces outer side panels  4  from inner panels  21  such as to form slots  15  for accepting locking members  12 . 
   Inner side guidance panels  14  have a different curved outer contour  35  and inner contour  36 . The smoother, larger radius of curvature of contour  35  of inner side guidance panels  14  permits the relief necessary for easy closure of hinged back  20  while the more tighter, smaller radius of curvature of the more abrupt curvature of contour  36  of guidance panel  14  more closely matches the vertical wall, offering more support and crush resistance to the hinged rear panel. 
   Although assembly can progress in different sequences, the first step is to decide whether the logo  7  is to be visible from the exterior of container  1 . If logo  7  is to be visible, then it should be “face down”; otherwise the process starts with logo  7  face up. 
   Panel  10  is then folded up 90 degrees, then panel  22  is folded over such that tabs  28  are locked in holes  29 . Panels  27  are folded in. Panel  25  is folded up, and then panels  26  are folded in. At this point, panels  4  are folded up 90 degrees, then panels  21  are folded in capturing panels  26  and  27  before locking tabs  30  in holes  31 . 
   Tabs  24  are inserted in holes  23 , which have now double material thickness by virtue of panels  22  and  10  being adjacent to each other) from the outside, thereby attaching handle  6  in an arched position. Container  1  is thereby ready to accept its contents before hinged back  20  and top  2  are closed with the orientation of panels  14  and  12  as shown in FIG.  2 . 
   The final step is to lock in top  2  by inserting locking panels  12  in slots  15 , adjacent to the edges between panel  4  and the respective edges of panel  10 , so that top  2  lays over panel  10  in the closed position. 
   It is further noted that other modifications may be made to the present invention, such as different configurations for the foldable panels, so long as the modifications are made within the scope of the present invention, as noted in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1