Modular box assembly

• US 10,507,968 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2017
• Issued: 12/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pratt Retail Specialties, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pratt Retail Specialties, LLC
• Inventors: Sollie, Greg, Waltermire, Jamie, Chen, Shifeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Kareen K
• Application Number:
  US15/845,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20190185247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 220666, 220 6, 220 7, 2205922
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/3678 collapsed along median lines of two opposite sides and the central panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/4295 Ventilating arrangements, e.g. openings, space elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46016 Straps used as handles fixed to the container by glueing, stapling, heat-sealing for packages in wrappers B65D75/56
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/46072 integral with the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/48012 combined with inserted partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3858 formed of different materials, e.g. laminated or foam filling between walls; for shock absorbing purposes B65D81/1275
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3862 with a foam formed container located inside a folded box
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2303/0844 above the product
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 3/14 portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally

Abstract

A modular box assembly includes a box having a top end, an opposed bottom end, and side panels extending from the top end to the bottom end. A bottom panel is disposed at the bottom end such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity and the top end defines a box opening. A shoulder is attached to two side panel and extends inward from the side panels into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance. A box top covers the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the top panel engages the shoulders to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box.

Claims

1. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box, and wherein the box top further comprises a pair of opposed side tabs extending away from the top panel, and wherein each side tab has a width that is less than a width of the top panel.

2. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein the box top is formed separate from the box.

3. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the side tabs are configured to be positioned in the box.

4. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein in the closed position, the side tabs are configured to be positioned in the box such that a first side tab contacts the first side panel of the box and a second side tab contacts the third side panel of the box to prevent inadvertent folding of the box.

5. The modular box assembly of claim 1, further comprising a paper handle configured to facilitate carrying of the box, wherein the paper handle comprises a first end coupled to the second side panel with water activated tape, a second end coupled to the second side panel with water activated tape, and a central portion extending away from the second side panel.

6. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein the box is adjustable about and between an expanded configuration in which the box has an expanded volume, and a collapsed configuration in which the box has a collapsed volume that is less than the expanded volume.

7. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein the box is adjustable about and between an expanded configuration in which the box has an expanded volume, and a collapsed configuration in which the box has a collapsed volume that is less than the expanded volume, and wherein the box is adjustable from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration by holding a portion of the bottom end in place and exerting a force upon at least one of the side panels in a direction towards the bottom end.

8. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein the box is an insulated box comprising an insulating liner configured to be positioned in the box cavity.

9. The modular box assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the box, the box top, and the liner is 100% recyclable.

10. The modular box assembly of claim 1, wherein the first shoulder comprises a first sub-shoulder and a second sub-shoulder, and wherein the first sub-shoulder, the second sub-shoulder, and the second side panel define a shoulder channel having a predetermined channel width.

11. The modular box assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first insulating liner configured to engage a second insulating liner, wherein the first and second insulating liners are configured to be positioned in the box cavity and cooperate to form an inner insulated cavity.

12. The modular box assembly of claim 11, wherein the first insulating liner comprises a center panel disposed between a first liner side panel and a second liner side panel, wherein the first liner side panel is configured to substantially cover the box opening, and the second liner side panel is configured to substantially cover the bottom panel of the box.

13. The modular box assembly of claim 12, wherein the side panels of the box are substantially covered by the second liner and the center panel of the first liner.

14. The modular box assembly of claim 1, further comprising an inner box having an inner box cavity, wherein the inner box is configured to be positioned in the box cavity, and wherein the inner box comprises a temperature maintaining material positioned within the inner box cavity.

15. The modular box assembly of claim 14, further comprising an insulating liner positioned in the box cavity, wherein the inner box further comprises a pair of channel tabs extending away from the inner box, and wherein the channel tabs are positioned on a portion of the liner to suspend the inner box within the box cavity.

16. The modular box assembly of claim 14, further comprising an insulating liner positioned in the box cavity, a first portion of the insulated liner covering the inner box and a second portion of the liner contacting the bottom panel of the box.

17. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder spaced from the top end a predetermined distance; and

a paper handle configured to facilitate carrying of the box, the handle comprising a first end coupled to the second side panel with tape, a second end coupled to the second side panel with tape, and a central portion extending away from the second side panel.

18. The modular box assembly of claim 17, further comprising a box top configured to cover the box opening, wherein the box top is selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and wherein in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box.

19. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box being adjustable about and between an expanded configuration in which the box has an expanded volume, and a collapsed configuration in which the box has a collapsed volume that is less than the expanded volume, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity;

a box top comprising a top panel and a pair of opposed side tabs extending away from the top panel, the box top configured to cover the box opening in the expanded configuration, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible; and

an insulating liner positioned in the box cavity and configured to maintain a desired temperature within the box cavity,

wherein in the collapsed and a bundled configuration, the insulating liner is positioned adjacent to the collapsed box and the box top is positioned adjacent to the liner such that the pair of opposed side tabs of the box top wrap around at least a portion of the liner and the collapsed box to contain the liner and the box.

20. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box, wherein the box top further comprises a pair of opposed side tabs extending away from the top panel, and wherein in the closed position, the side tabs are configured to be positioned in the box.

21. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box, wherein the box top further comprises a pair of opposed side tabs extending away from the top panel, and wherein in the closed position, the side tabs are configured to be positioned in the box such that a first side tab contacts the first side panel of the box and a second side tab contacts the third side panel of the box to prevent inadvertent folding of the box.

22. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance;

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box; and

a paper handle configured to facilitate carrying of the box, wherein the paper handle comprises a first end coupled to the second side panel with water activated tape, a second end coupled to the second side panel with water activated tape, and a central portion extending away from the second side panel.

23. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box;

wherein the box is adjustable about and between an expanded configuration in which the box has an expanded volume, and a collapsed configuration in which the box has a collapsed volume that is less than the expanded volume, and wherein the box is adjustable from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration by holding a portion of the bottom end in place and exerting a force upon at least one of the side panels in a direction towards the bottom end.

24. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, the first shoulder comprising a first sub-shoulder and a second sub-shoulder, wherein the first sub-shoulder, the second sub-shoulder, and the second side panel define a shoulder channel having a predetermined channel width;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box.

25. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance;

a first insulating liner configured to engage a second insulating liner, wherein the first and second insulating liners are configured to be positioned in the box cavity and cooperate to form an inner insulated cavity, wherein the first insulating liner comprises a center panel disposed between a first liner side panel and a second liner side panel, wherein the first liner side panel is configured to substantially cover the box opening, and the second liner side panel is configured to substantially cover the bottom panel of the box; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box.

26. The modular box assembly of claim 25, wherein the side panels of the box are substantially covered by the second liner and the center panel of the first liner.

27. A modular box assembly comprising:

a box having a top end and an opposed bottom end, the box comprising;

a first side panel, a third side panel opposed to the first side panel, a second side panel positioned between and coupled to the first side panel and the third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposed to the second side panel, the fourth side panel being positioned between and coupled to the first and third side panels, wherein each of the side panels extends from the top end to the bottom end;

a bottom panel disposed at the bottom end of the box, the bottom panel being coupled to each of the side panels such that the side panels and the bottom panel define a box cavity, and the top end defines a box opening in communication with the box cavity; and

a first shoulder attached to the second side panel, the first shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity;

a second shoulder attached to the fourth side panel, the second shoulder extending inward from the first side panel and the third side panel into the box cavity, wherein each shoulder is spaced from the top end a predetermined distance;

an inner box having an inner box cavity, wherein the inner box is configured to be positioned in the box cavity, and wherein the inner box comprises a temperature maintaining material positioned within the inner box cavity; and

a box top comprising a top panel configured to cover the box opening, the box top being selectively movable about and between a closed position, in which the box top encloses the box cavity, and an open position, in which the box top is spaced from the top end and the box cavity is accessible, wherein in the closed position, a lower surface of the top panel engages the first shoulder and the second shoulder to support the top panel, and in the closed position an upper surface of the top panel is substantially flush with the top end of the box.

28. The modular box assembly of claim 27, further comprising an insulating liner positioned in the box cavity, wherein the inner box further comprises a pair of channel tabs extending away from the inner box, and wherein the channel tabs are positioned on a portion of the liner to suspend the inner box within the box cavity.

29. The modular box assembly of claim 27, further comprising an insulating liner positioned in the box cavity, a first portion of the insulated liner covering the inner box and a second portion of the liner contacting the bottom panel of the box.