Method of opening a box

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12077350-B2
Application number	US-202318233745-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2023
Priority date	Sep 12, 2019
Publication date	Sep 3, 2024
Grant date	Sep 3, 2024

Abstract

A method of opening a box includes providing the box in a closed configuration, the box comprising a first top panel attached to a second top panel, the first top panel comprising a first sealing flap, a second sealing flap, and a middle flap disposed therebetween; removing a first tear strip of the first sealing flap to detach the first sealing flap from the second top panel; and removing a second tear strip of the second sealing flap to detach the second sealing flap from the second top panel and to configure the box in an open configuration.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A method of opening a box comprising:
providing the box in a closed configuration, the box comprising a first top panel attached to a second top panel, the first top panel comprising a first sealing flap, a second sealing flap, and a middle flap disposed therebetween;
removing a first tear strip of the first sealing flap to detach the first sealing flap from the second top panel; and
removing a second tear strip of the second sealing flap to detach the second sealing flap from the second top panel and to configure the box in an open configuration.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the first top panel defines a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge;
the first tear strip extends from the first side edge to the middle flap; and
the second tear strip extends from the second side edge to the middle flap.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first tear strip is substantially colinear with the second tear strip.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
the first top panel defines a free distal edge extending from the first side edge to the second side edge; and
each of the first sealing flap, the second sealing flap, and the middle flap are disposed at the free distal edge of the first top panel.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein each of the first tear strip and the second tear strip are parallel to the free distal edge of the first top panel.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein:
the first sealing flap comprises a first adhesive applied to a distal end of the first sealing flap;
the second sealing flap comprises a second adhesive applied to a distal end of the second sealing flap;
the distal end of the first sealing flap is defined between the free distal edge and the first tear strip and the distal end of the second sealing flap is defined between the free distal edge and the second tear strip; and
each of the first adhesive and the second adhesive are adhered to the second top panel.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein each of the distal end of the first sealing flap and the distal end of the second sealing flap remains adhered to the second top panel in the open configuration.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the middle flap comprises a third adhesive applied thereto, the third adhesive configured to seal the box in a second closed configuration.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first adhesive, the second adhesive, and the third adhesive are formed as a singular adhesive strip extending from the first side edge of the first top panel to the second side edge of the first top panel.

10. The method of claim 4 , wherein a portion of the second top panel extending between the free distal edge of the first top panel and a proximal edge of the second top panel is uncovered by the first top panel.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the box defines an interior cavity;
the second top panel defines an inner surface facing the interior cavity in the closed configuration and an outer surface facing away from the interior cavity in the closed configuration; and
each of the first sealing flap and the second sealing flap are attached to the outer surface of the second top panel in the closed configuration.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the middle flap is connected to the first sealing flap by a first perforated line and connected to the second sealing flap by a second perforated line.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first top panel further comprises a connecting portion, and wherein the middle flap is hingedly connected to the connecting portion by a connecting fold line.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein, in the closed configuration, the middle flap is folded relative to the connecting portion and is tucked under the second top panel to dispose the middle flap within the interior cavity of the box.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the box further comprises a first side panel, a second side panel opposite the first side panel, a third side panel, and a fourth side panel opposite the third side panel, the first top panel is hingedly connected the first side panel, and the second top panel is hingedly connected to the second side panel.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the box defines an interior cavity and an opening allowing access to the interior cavity;
the first top panel and the second top panel cover the opening in the closed configuration; and
the method further comprises folding each of the first top panel and the second to panel outward and away from the interior cavity after removing the first tear strip and the second tear strip.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein:
a supporting subjacent panel is pivotably connected to the third side panel at a first fold line;
a supporting superjacent panel is pivotably connected to the first top panel at a second fold line;
the supporting subjacent panel is pivotably connected to the supporting superjacent panel at a third fold line; and
folding the first top panel outward and away from the interior cavity further comprises unfolding the supporting subjacent panel relative to the third side panel at the first fold line, unfolding the supporting superjacent panel relative to the first top panel at the second fold line, and unfolding the supporting subjacent panel relative to the supporting superjacent panel at the third fold line.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein:
the first top panel further comprises an overlapping portion and a connecting portion extending between the first side panel of the box and the overlapping portion;
the overlapping portion includes the first sealing flap, the second sealing flap, and the middle flap; and
the supporting superjacent panel is pivotably connected to the connecting portion of the first top panel at the second fold line.

Assignees

• Pratt Corrugated Holdings Inc

Inventors

• Sollie Greg
• Chen Shifeng
• Ball Randy

Classifications

• B65D2543/00425

  Lids or covers welded or adhered to the container · CPC title

• B65D5/54

  Lines of weakness to facilitate opening of container or dividing it into separate parts by cutting or tearing ({B65D5/06, B65D5/5233, B65D5/5253 take precedence } ; break-in flaps, or members adapted to be torn-off, to provide pouring openings B65D5/70) · CPC title

• B65D5/4266

  Folding lines, score lines, crease lines · CPC title

• B65D5/541

  the lines of weakness being provided in one or more closure flaps · CPC title

• B65D5/3621

  collapsed along two fold lines of the tubular body · CPC title