Reverse tuck lock
OwnerTed E. Wileyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A foldable container moveable between a flat configuration and a three-dimensional configuration is provided. The container includes a first panel having a first engagement feature, a second panel having a second engagement feature, and a third panel having a third engagement feature. The first engagement feature is configured to engage with the second engagement feature so as to secure the container in the three-dimensional configuration. The first engagement feature is also configured to engage with the third engagement feature so as to inhibit the first engagement feature from becoming disengaged from the second engagement feature.
Claims20
A container moveable between a flat configuration and a three-dimensional configuration, the container comprising:
- a plurality of panels, each panel being connected to at least one adjacent panel;
- a first engagement feature having opposed proximal and distal ends, said proximal end of said first engagement feature being hingedly coupled to a first panel of said plurality of panels;
- a second engagement feature associated with a second panel of said plurality of panels, said proximal end of said first engagement feature being configured to engage with said second engagement feature when the container is in the three-dimensional configuration;
- and
- a third engagement feature associated with at least one panel of said plurality of panels, said distal end of said first engagement feature being configured to engage with said third engagement feature when said proximal end of said first engagement feature is engaged with said second engagement feature, thereby moving the container to a locked configuration,
- wherein said first panel and said second panel form at least part of a bottom panel when the container is in the three-dimensional configuration.
A method of forming a container that is moveable between a flat configuration and a three-dimensional configuration, the method comprising:
- forming a plurality of panels, each panel being connected to at least one adjacent panel;
- forming a first engagement feature having opposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the first engagement feature being hingedly coupled to a first panel of the plurality of panels;
- forming a second engagement feature associated with a second panel of the plurality of panels, the proximal end of the first engagement feature being configured to engage with the second engagement feature when the container is in the three-dimensional configuration;
- and
- forming a third engagement feature associated with at least one panel of the plurality of panels, the distal end of the first engagement feature being configured to engage with the third engagement feature when the proximal end of the first engagement feature is engaged with the second engagement feature, thereby moving the container to a locked configuration,
- wherein said first panel and said second panel form at least part of a bottom panel when the container is in the three-dimensional configuration.
A method of assembling a container having a plurality of panels, each panel being connected to at least one adjacent panel such that the container is moveable between a flat configuration and a three-dimensional configuration, the method comprising:
- folding a tab member of a first engagement feature relative to a first panel of the plurality of panels, thereby moving the tab member from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration;
- folding the first panel towards a second panel, thereby causing the tab member to extend into an interior area of the container;
- forming at least part of a bottom panel from said first panel and said second panel;
- engaging a proximal end of the tab member with a second engagement feature, the second engagement feature being associated with a second panel of the plurality of panels;
- and
- engaging a distal end of the tab member with a third engagement feature, thereby moving the container to a locked configuration,
- wherein the second engagement feature is associated with the second panel,
- wherein the third engagement feature is associated with at least one panel of the plurality of panels,
- wherein the proximal end of the tab member is hingedly coupled to the first panel, and
- wherein the tab member is inhibited from moving relative to the second engagement feature when the container is in the locked configuration.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.