Multi-purpose package assembly

• US 6,244,501 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Deokwhan Choi
• Original Assignee: Deokwhan Choi
• Inventors: Choi, Deokwhan
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US09/366,835
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 229/108, 229/116.1, 229/120.01, 229/120.03, 229/120.09, 229/162, 229/120.011, 220/23.2, 220/23.4, 220/23.8, 206/766, D 9/346
• US Class Current: 229/120.01
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 5/009 the container body comprising a set of interconnected cells, e.g. hinged one to another

Abstract

A multi-purpose package assembly includes a plurality of containers each having an inner space for receiving a variety of things, a connecting member for connecting each of the neighboring containers such that the containers can be bi-directionally bent toward each other, and a display member formed at each of the containers to display the things placed on the inner space of the container such that the things can be partially exposed to external viewers. The container is produced at a developed state such that the developed product can be folded up for storing purpose and also unfolded to be made into a box shape to function as the container.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose package assembly comprising:

a plurality of containers, each having an inner space for receiving a variety of things, each container being formed from a blank that is collapsible to a flattened state for storing and erectable to form the container, each container including;

a plurality of interconnected body side sub-portions, each body side sub-portion having a predetermined shape and having side edges, an upper edge and a lower edge, at least two adjacent body side sub-portions having a juncture formed by a crease in the blank along adjacent side edges of said at least two adjacent body side sub-portions, said at least two body side sub-portions being foldable and unfoldable along the crease,

a first top sub-portion extending from the upper edge of one of the body side sub-portions,

a second top sub-portions extending from the upper edge of another of the body side sub-portions,

a first bottom sub-portion extending from the lower edge of one of the body side sub-portions,

a second bottom sub-portion extending from the lower edge of another of the body side sub-portions,

a top fitting member protruding from the first top sub-portion such that the first fitting member can be folded and unfolded, the top fitting member being arranged for connecting said first top sub-portion to one of the body side sub-portions or to the second top sub-portion, and

a bottom fitting member protruding from the first bottom sub-portion such that the first fitting member can be folded and unfolded, the bottom fitting member being arranged for connecting said first bottom sub-portion to one of the body side sub-portions or to the second bottom sub-portion,

and the package assembly further comprising a connecting members for connecting the plurality of containers in an arrangement such that the containers can be bi-directionally bent toward and away from each other.

2. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 1 wherein the connecting member connects the plurality of containers in a serial arrangement.

3. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 1 wherein the connecting member connects the plurality of containers in a zig-zag arrangement.

4. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is a band for binding the containers.

5. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 4 wherein selected body side sub-portions of the containers are provided with slits for receiving the band.

6. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 1 wherein the connecting member is formed by a plurality of extensions from selected body side sub-portions of the containers, each extension being joined to a body side sub-portion of an adjacent container by an adhesive.

7. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 1, and further comprising a display window provided on each of the containers to display the things placed in the inner space of the container such that the things can be partially exposed to external viewers.

8. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 7 wherein the display window receives a closure of a substantially transparent or semitransparent material.

9. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 7 wherein the display window is formed in one or more of the body side sub-portions of the container.

10. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 9 wherein the display window is formed with a shape of a rectangle, a heart, an oval, a polygon or a star.

11. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 7 further comprising a base positioned on the bottom of the container to accommodate the things and more clearly display the things through the display window.

12. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 1 wherein the containers are of polygonal or curved shape in top and bottom plan such that the containers can be bent toward each other into a cluster and when so bent the top and bottom of the cluster have a polygonal or curved shape.

13. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 12 wherein the connecting member is a covering sheet having an lease one crease arranged to coincide with the crease formed at the juncture of the body side sub-portions of at least one container, the covering sheet being folded or unfolded along the crease thereof.

14. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 13 wherein the body side sub-portion of one of the containers is provided with a second fitting member such that when the containers are bent into a cluster, the second fitting member retains the cluster of containers in a fixed state.

15. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 14 wherein the second fitting member is formed at a position of the body side sub-portion such that the second fitting member is fitted into a corresponding receiving portion of the covering sheet or one of the body side sub-portions of another container.

16. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 15 wherein the second fitting member includes a fastener selected from hook and loop, buttons and zippers.

17. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 13 wherein the covering sheet is provided with a second fitting member such that when the containers are bent into a cluster, the second fitting member retains the cluster of containers in a fixed state.

18. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 17 wherein the second fitting member is formed at a position on the covering sheet such that the second fitting member is fitted into a corresponding receiving portion of the covering sheet or a body side sub-portion of one of the containers.

19. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 13 wherein a hand-gripping member protrudes from a body side sub-portion of one of the containers or from the covering sheet such that when the containers are bent to form a cluster, a user can carry the cluster by use of the hand-gripping member.

20. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 19 wherein the hand-gripping member includes an extension from the body side sub-portion of the container or the covering sheet, and an opening formed at a center area of the extension.

21. A multi-purpose package assembly comprising:

a plurality of base members, each having a predetermined shape and being of a relatively smaller size;

a first connecting member for connecting the base members to each other such that the base members can be bi-directionally bent toward and away from each other;

a plurality of containers each having a predetermined shaped and a relatively larger size;

a second connecting member for connecting the containers to each other such that the containers can be bi-directionally bent toward and away from each other; and

a third connecting member for connecting one of the base members to one of the containers in adjacent relation;

wherein when the base members are bent toward each other, they form a cluster having a top and a bottom, each with a predetermined shape;

wherein when the containers are bent toward each other into a cluster, the cluster has a top and a bottom, each with a predetermined shape; and

wherein when the base members and the containers are sequentially and respectively bent toward each other into clusters with the base members inwardly of the containers, the clusters form a united body having a top and a bottom, each with a predetermined shape.

22. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 21 wherein each of the base members has a first pair of adjacent body side sub-portions and a second pair of adjacent body side sub-portions, the sizes of the body side sub-portions of the first pair being different from the sizes of the body side sub-portions of the second pair such that the top and bottom of the cluster of base members have shapes complementary to the inner peripheries of the top and bottom of the cluster of container.

23. The multi-purpose package assembly of claim 21 wherein the top and bottom of each of the containers are of a polygonal shape such that the cluster of base members is completely surrounded by the cluster of containers.