Reversible containers

• US 5,344,065 A
• Filed: 09/13/1993
• Issued: 09/06/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles E.C. Moran
• Original Assignee: Charles E.C. Moran
• Inventors: Moran, Charles E. C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): McDonald, Christopher
• Application Number:
  US08/119,839
• Time in Patent Office: 358 Days
• Field of Search: 229/931, 229/103, 229/241, 229/242
• US Class Current: 229/103
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/42 Details of containers or of foldable or erectable container blanks
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/52 External stands or display elements for contents
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/36 adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 229/931 Fold includes slit or aperture

Abstract

A reversible container having opposite first and second surfaces may be formed of a single sheet of material. The first surface is folded outward to provide a container e. g., for the shipping, mailing or packing of various articles; provision is made for the disassembly of the container at its destination and for adhesive closure of the everted container for further use with the second surface facing outward, e. g., as a container for recyclable articles. Hand holds and openings in the hinged lid of the container for ease of insertion of articles therein, are also provided; the perforated areas of the lid may be reinforced during shipping by an underlying second sheet, which second sheet is removable at the time of modification to an everted form. The container is preferably formed of recycled corrugated fiberboard material, but may be formed of a variety of other materials such as non-corrugated cardboard or fiberboard, synthetic sheet material, plastics, etc. The everted second surface also provides for decorative patterns, instructions for use, and/or advertising thereon.

Claims

1. A reversible container having a first surface and an opposite second surface and including means providing for the everting of said reversible container from a first state wherein said first surface comprises the outer surface comprises the outer surface of said reversible container, to an everted second state wherein said second surface comprises said outer surface of said reversible container, comprising:

a front panel and an opposite rear panel connected by first and second side panels, with an adhesive tab extending from said first side panel and securable to said rear panel;

said adhesive tab providing first means for closure of said reversible container in said first state and second means for the everted closure of said reversible container in said second state to form a substantially rectangular structure;

said first and second means for closure of said reversible container respectively comprise a first layer of adhesive material disposed upon said adhesive tab second surface and a second layer of adhesive material disposed upon said adhesive tab second surface and having a release sheet releasably installed thereover, with said second layer of adhesive material being substantially parallel to said first layer of adhesive material; and

top and bottom closure means providing for the complete closure of said reversible container, whereby;

said reversible container is closed with said first surface outward and sealed by said first closure means on said first surface, and then opened and everted to place said second surface outward and resealed by said second closure means on said first surface.

2. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said reversible container is formed of a single sheet of material.

3. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said top closure means comprises an openable lid having a front lid edge and first and second lid side edges;

said lid including means providing for the everting of said lid from said first state of said reversible container to said second state of said reversible container.

4. The reversible container of claim 3 wherein:

said lid is hingedly attached to said rear panel.

5. The reversible container of claim 1 including:

means providing for access openings in said lid and further means providing for hand hold openings in said first and second side panels of said reversible container.

6. The reversible container of claim 5 wherein:

said means providing for access openings comprises an elongated slot and a substantially circular central opening, with said slot and said central opening being mutually concentric.

7. The reversible container of claim 5 wherein:

said access opening means comprises an elongated slot and a separate substantially circular opening.

8. The reversible container of claim 1 including:

means providing for access openings in said;

lid and further means precluding the premature opening of said access openings in said lid, with said means precluding the premature opening of said access openings in said lid comprising;

said front panel having an upper edge with said upper edge having a secondary panel extending therefrom, whereby;

said secondary panel is foldable within said reversible container to lie immediately beneath said lid when said complete closure of said reversible container has been accomplished, thereby precluding premature removal of said means providing for access opening in said lid and the removal of any contents of said reversible container therefrom.

9. The reversible container of claim 1 including:

fold lines formed between at least each of said panels and said top and bottom closure means, with said fold lines including scores and intermittent perforations therealong to provide for ease of folding.

10. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said reversible container is formed of recycled materials.

11. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said reversible container is formed of fiberboard.

12. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said reversible container is formed of corrugate fiberboard.

13. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said reversible container is formed of synthetic sheet materials.

14. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said reversible container is formed of plastic sheet material.

15. The reversible container of claim 1 wherein:

said second surface includes a finish providing for the imprinting of indicia thereon.