Shoebox

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12441506-B2
Application number	US-202217667199-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 8, 2022
Priority date	Feb 8, 2022
Publication date	Oct 14, 2025
Grant date	Oct 14, 2025

Abstract

A shoebox includes a first main panel; a second main panel opposite the first main panel; a first connecting panel extending from the first main panel, the first connecting panel defining a locking slot; a second connecting panel extending between the first main panel and the second main panel opposite the first connecting panel; an overlapping panel extending from the second connecting panel and at least partially overlapping the first connecting panel; and a locking tab extending from the overlapping panel, the locking tab in locking engagement with the locking slot in a closed and locked configuration of the shoebox.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1. A shoebox comprising:
a first main panel;
a second main panel opposite the first main panel;
a first connecting panel extending from the first main panel, the first connecting panel defining a locking slot;
a second connecting panel extending between the first main panel and the second main panel opposite the first connecting panel;
an overlapping panel having a front upper end and a front lower end opposite the front upper end, the front upper end of the overlapping panel being connected to the second main panel, and the overlapping panel extending from the second connecting panel and at least partially overlapping the first connecting panel; and
a locking tab extending from the front lower end of the overlapping panel, the locking tab in locking engagement with the locking slot in a closed and locked configuration of the shoebox,
wherein:
the shoebox comprises a tearaway portion;
the tearaway portion comprising the locking tab;
the tearaway portion is attached to a panel body of the overlapping panel in the closed and locked configuration;
the tearaway portion is detached from the panel body in an unlocked configuration of the shoebox;
the tearaway portion further comprises a tear strip formed with the overlapping panel, the tear strip defined by a tear line formed in the overlapping panel, the locking tab hingedly connected to the tear strip; and
an engagement opening is formed through the tear strip, the engagement opening configured to be manually engaged to pull the tear strip away from the panel body of the overlapping panel to reconfigure the shoebox from the closed and locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

2. The shoebox of claim 1 , wherein:
the locking tab defines at least one locking shoulder;
a width of the locking tab at the locking shoulder is greater than a width of the locking slot; and
the locking slot is configured to catch on a slot edge of the locking slot to prohibit withdrawal of the locking tab from the locking slot.

3. The shoebox of claim 2 , wherein the locking tab defines a first tab end at the overlapping panel and a second tab end distal to the first tab end, and wherein the width of the locking tab tapers generally from the locking shoulder to the second tab end to facilitate engagement of the locking tab with the locking slot.

4. The shoebox of claim 2 , wherein the locking slot is formed through the first connecting panel adjacent to the first main panel.

5. The shoebox of claim 1 , wherein:
the shoebox further comprises a first side wall and a second side wall opposite the first side wall;
each of the first side wall and second side wall extends substantially from the first connecting panel to the second connecting panel;
the first side wall defines a first closure slot and the second side wall defines a second closure slot;
a first closure flap extends from the overlapping panel and engages the first closure slot; and
a second closure flap extends from the overlapping panel and engages the second closure slot.

6. The shoebox of claim 5 , wherein each of the first side wall and the second side wall comprises an inner side panel and an outer side panel, the inner side panel extending from the first main panel, the outer side panel extending from the inner side panel distal to the first main panel and folded relative to the inner side panel about 180°, the outer side panel defining an engagement tab, the engagement tab engaging an engagement slot formed through the first main panel.

7. The shoebox of claim 6 , wherein:
a first connecting flap extends from each of the first connecting panel and the second connecting panel;
a second connecting flap extends from each of the first connecting panel and the second connecting panel;
each of the first connecting flaps are disposed between the inner side panel of the first side wall and the outer side panel of the first side wall; and
each of the second connecting flaps are disposed between the inner side panel of the second side wall and the outer side panel of the second side wall.

8. The shoebox of claim 1 , wherein:
the shoebox defines an interior and a shoebox opening allowing access to the interior;
the second main panel substantially covers the shoebox opening in the closed and locked configuration;
the shoebox further comprises a secondary panel extending from the first connecting panel and substantially covering the shoebox opening in the closed and locked configuration; and
one of the second main panel and the secondary panel overlaps the other of the second main panel and the secondary panel.

9. A shoebox blank comprising:
a first main panel defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
a second main panel defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end;
a first connecting panel extending from and hingedly connected to the first end of the first main panel, the first connecting panel defining a locking slot;
a second connecting panel extending between and hingedly connected to each of the second end of the first main panel and the second end of the second main panel;
an overlapping panel having a front upper end and a front lower end, the overlapping panel extending from and hingedly connected to the first end of the second main panel at the front upper end of the overlapping panel; and
a locking tab extending from the front lower end of the overlapping panel;
wherein:
the shoebox blank comprises a tearaway portion attached to a panel body of the overlapping panel, the tearaway portion comprising the locking tab, the tearaway portion configured to be detached from the panel body;
the tearaway portion further comprises a tear strip formed with the overlapping panel, the tear strip defined by a tear line formed in the overlapping panel, the locking tab hingedly connected to the tear strip at a tab bend line; and
an engagement opening is formed through the tear strip, the engagement opening configured to be manually engaged to pull the tear strip away from the panel body of the overlapping panel.

10. The shoebox blank of claim 9 , wherein the locking tab defines at least one locking shoulder, and wherein width of the locking tab at the locking shoulder is greater than a width of the locking slot.

11. The shoebox blank of claim 10 , wherein the locking tab defines a first tab end at the tab bend line and a second tab end distal to the first tab end, and wherein the width of the locking tab tapers generally from the locking shoulder to the second tab end.

12. The shoebox blank of claim 10 , wherein the locking slot is formed through the first connecting panel proximate to the first main panel.

13. The shoebox blank of claim 9 , further comprising a first closure flap extending from and hingedly connected to a first side of the overlapping panel and a second closure flap extending from and hingedly connected to a second side of the overlapping panel opposite the first side.

14. The shoebox blank of claim 9 , further comprising:
a first inner side panel extending from and hingedly connected to a first side of the first main panel;
a first outer side panel defining a first engagement tab and extending from and hingedly connected to the first inner side panel opposite the first main panel;
a second inner side panel extending from and hingedly connected to a second side of the first main panel opposite the first side; and
a second outer side panel defining a second engagement tab and extending from and hingedly connected to the second inner side panel opposite the first main panel.

15. The shoebox blank of cla

Assignees

• Pratt Corrugated Holdings Inc

Inventors

• Ball Randy

Classifications

• B65D5/2057

  Inter-engaging self-locking flaps (B65D5/4254 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B65D5/6652

  Flaps or tabs provided at the side edges of the lid only · CPC title

• B65D5/546

  the lines of weakness being provided in an extension panel or tab of a hinged closure · CPC title

• B65D5/301 Primary

  the tongue being a part of a lateral extension of a side wall · CPC title

• B65D5/22 Primary

  held erect by extensions of one or more sides being doubled-over to enclose extensions of adjacent sides · CPC title