WO2014039791A1

WO2014039791A1 - Corrugated container box and blank

Info

Publication number: WO2014039791A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/058462
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Mitchell SCOTT
Original assignee: Scott William Mitchell
Priority date: 2012-09-06
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2014-03-13
Also published as: CA2884315A1; CN104837731A; EP2892812A4; EP2892812A1

Abstract

An open-ended container having a pair of opposed sidewalls that are formed from a first sidewall member having a slot and a second sidewall member comprising an extending tab that extends through the slot of the first sidewall member. A blank of a single board that is stamped and folding into a container, and uses less board material by weight than a conventional container box. The open-ended container can have a pair of grip openings in opposed sidewalls for lifting and carrying.

Description

CORRUGATED CONTAINER BOX AND BLANK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to box containers for storage and transportation of documents and other articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Individuals and businesses across many industries use containers to store documents, materials, personal items, memorabilia, and the like. A common container for such use is a box, typically having a lid, typically made of a corrugated paperboard or cardboard, or corrugated plastic. Such file boxes are used in the hundreds of millions to hold and store any and all sorts of items that can fit within them. Typically, these boxes carry up to forty pounds or more of materials within them.

[0003] In such previously known boxes the standard, slit handles or grips found in the container portion are well known. Conventional corrugated paperboard boxes having a handle opening and a lid have seen few changes since the introduction of that style of box over seventy years ago.

[0004] There are numerous circumstances where the user of a container box may want to prevent or deter other persons from accessing the contents of the box, after documents or other articles are placed inside the container box and a lid is placed over the top opening of the container. The contents placed into the box may include documents, articles, devices, or other things, related to a business, medical, personal or legal matter, that are used in businesses, offices, homes, home offices, and file storage facilities, and which may be of a confidential, secret, sensitive, personal, or private nature. In some circumstances, the user might want to have such documents, articles, etc. in a container with a lid that is securely closed and locked so that access by unauthorized persons is prevented, unless the lock or integrity of the box or lid is breached using a tool. However, in many situations, the user may want to deter access by an unauthorized person, or to provide some means of securing the lid in a closed position on the box that indicates tampering or breach of the securing means.

[0005] When a human user lifts and holds a commonly used and known corrugated box with handle or grip openings in the opposed sides, a number of changes immediately occur to that user's body. When the user holds that known box (or other containers similar to it) with her arms extended, the top of the box and/or lid of the box will lie at an angle (from horizontal) against the legs or lower torso of the holder. Because the box is weighted, the human user's center of gravity is shifted from her natural position within her body, to a point outside of her body to compensate for the box's weight. This shift of the user's center of gravity shifts the user's naturally weighted stance from her heels to the front of her feet and along her toes. Such orientation can be painful and is not sustainable over time. This is true because lifting and/or holding a container or box engages muscles in the back, arms, shoulders, torso, core, hips and legs. It also puts the holder in an unbalanced position that can cause slips or falls as a holder holds the box and moves with it. When the holder's center of gravity is shifted, her body operates instantly to counteract such shift and to support the weight pulling upon the front of her body. Such weight pull is compensated by most of the user's major muscle groups and in particular those about her lower back and torso.

[0006] Corrugated paperboard is the primary material used in the manufacture of document boxes. Corrugated material, like many construction materials, continually increases in price, and there remains a need to reduce the amount of material used in a container box, to reduce the amount of wasted material during the manufacture of the box, to reduce the amount of material used in the box, and to reduce the cost for making reduced-material container boxes.

[0007] Another widely-used container is a corrugated plastic tote bin having tapered sidewalls. These containers can be stacked or nested one inside the next to save vertical storage space, compared to a rectangular box These containers are not assembled from a flat blank by the user; rather, once they are manufactured, they are shipped and stored in their three-dimension form until used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a container, including a box or a tote. The container comprising a bottom panel having a front edge, a rear edge, a right edge and a left edge; a first pair of opposed walls extending from the front edge and rear edge of the bottom panel; and a second pair of opposed walls extending from the right edge and left edge of the bottom panel; wherein either the first pair or the second pair of opposed walls each have an inner surface and comprise a first sidewall member having a first securement means and a second sidewall member having a second securement means that cooperates with the first securement means to secure the first sidewall member to the second sidewall member.

[0009] The present invention also provides a container comprising a bottom panel having a front edge, a rear edge, a right edge and a left edge; a first pair of opposed walls comprising a front composite wall disposed along the front edge and a rear composite wall disposed along the rear edge of the bottom panel; a second pair of opposed walls comprising a right wall and a left wall disposed along the right edge and left edge, respectively, of the bottom panel; wherein each of the front composite wall and the rear composite wall comprise a first sidewall member including a first securement and a second sidewall member comprising a second securement that is secured to the first securement of the first sidewall member.

[0010] In a further aspect of the invention, the first and second sidewall members along the front edge are attached along a front side edge of the respective right wall and left wall, and the first and second sidewall members along the rear edge are attached along a rear side edge of the respective right wall and left wall.

[0011] In a further aspect of the invention, the container further includes a front sidewall extending from the front edge of the bottom panel, and a rear sidewall extending from the rear edge of the bottom panel, each of the front sidewall and rear sidewall lie adjacent an inside surface of the respective composite wall and rear composite wall.

[0012] The first securement can include a slot through the first sidewall member, and the second securement can include a tab extending from the second sidewall member, wherein the tab of the second sidewall member extends through slot of the first sidewall member.

[0013] The present invention further provides a container comprising a box. The box comprising a bottom panel having a front edge, a rear edge, a right edge and a left edge; a first pair of opposed walls extending from the front edge and rear edge of the bottom panel; and a second pair of opposed walls extending from the right edge and left edge of the bottom panel; wherein the first pair of opposed walls each have an inner surface and comprise a first sidewall member having a slot and a second sidewall member comprising an extending tab, wherein a portion of the extending tab of the second sidewall member extends through the slot of the first sidewall member to secure the first sidewall member to the second sidewall member. [0014] The container can be a box and the box can include four parallel walls arranged rectilinearly. The container can also be a tote with a bottom and four outwardly tapered walls arranged rectalinearly.

[0015] The first pair of opposed walls can each further comprise a second sidewall consisting of a rectangular panel that forms at least a portion of the inner surface of each of the first pair of opposed walls. Optionally both the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member have a grip opening in registry to form a through-wall grip opening for lifting and handling the box.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a blank formed on a single board for folding into a container. The blank comprising: a bottom panel having front, rear, right side and left side edges defined by corresponding fold lines on the blank; a front wall attached to the front edge of the bottom panel along the front fold line of the bottom panel; a rear wall attached to the rear edge of the bottom panel along the rear fold line of the bottom panel; a right sidewall attached to the bottom panel along the right side fold line of the bottom panel, the right sidewall having a front side edge defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line, and a rear side edge defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line; a left sidewall attached to the bottom panel along the left side fold line of the bottom panel, the left sidewall having a front side edge defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line, and a rear side edge defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line; a first front sidewall member attached to the front side edge fold line of one of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the first front sidewall member being one of a slotted sidewall member having a slot or a tabbed sidewall member including an extending tab; a second front sidewall member attached to the front side edge fold line of the other of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the second front sidewall member being the other of the slotted sidewall member or the tabbed sidewall member, wherein at least a portion of the extending tab of the front tabbed sidewall member is configured to extend through the slot of the front slotted sidewall member in an assembled position; a first rear sidewall member attached to the rear side edge fold line of one of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the first rear sidewall member being one of a slotted sidewall member having a slot or a tabbed sidewall member including an extending tab; and a second rear sidewall member attached to the rear side edge fold line of the other of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the second rear sidewall member being the other of the slotted sidewall member or the tabbed sidewall member, wherein at least a portion of the extending tab of the rear tabbed sidewall member is configured to extend through the slot of the rear slotted sidewall member in an assembled position.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a blank formed on a single board for folding into a container. The blank comprising: a bottom panel having front, rear, right side and left side edges defined by corresponding fold lines on the blank; a front wall attached to the front edge of the bottom panel along the front fold line of the bottom panel; a rear wall attached to the rear edge of the bottom panel along the rear fold line of the bottom panel; a right sidewall attached to the bottom panel along the right side fold line of the bottom panel, the right sidewall having a front side edge defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line, and a rear side edge defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line; a left sidewall attached to the bottom panel along the left side fold line of the bottom panel, the left sidewall having a front side edge defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line, and a rear side edge defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line; a front slotted sidewall member attached to the front side edge fold line of one of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the front slotted sidewall member having a slot; a front tabbed sidewall member including an extending tab attached to the front side edge fold line of the other of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, wherein at least a portion of the extending tab of the front tabbed sidewall member is configured to extend through the slot of the front slotted sidewall member in an assembled position; a rear slotted sidewall member attached to the rear side edge fold line of one of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the rear slotted sidewall member having a slot; and a rear tabbed sidewall member including an extending tab attached to the rear side edge fold line of the other of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, wherein at least a portion of the extending tab of the rear tabbed sidewall member is configured to extend through the slot of the rear slotted sidewall member in an assembled position.

[0018] The blank can optionally include a portion having a grip opening in both of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, typically in the top portion of the right and left sidewall. Alternatively, the front wall and the rear wall can optionally include a top portion have a grip opening, wherein the front composite wall, comprising the front slotted sidewall member and the front tabbed sidewall member, has a grip opening that registers with the grip opening of the front wall when the front wall is assembled, and wherein the rear composite wall, comprising the rear slotted sidewall member and the rear tabbed sidewall member, has a grip opening that registers with the grip opening of the rear wall when the rear wall is assembled. [0019] The blank can optionally include a portion having a grip opening in both of the right sidewall and the left sidewall. Alternatively, the front wall and the rear wall can optionally include a top portion have a grip opening, wherein the front slotted sidewall member and the front tabbed sidewall member have a grip opening that each register with the grip opening of the front wall when the front wall is assembled, and wherein the rear slotted sidewall member and the rear tabbed sidewall member have a grip opening that each register with the grip opening of the rear wall when the rear wall is assembled.

[0020] An aspect of the present invention is a container box or tote that is folded from a blank that is made from a single corrugated sheet of material, without the use of glue or adhesive, or fusion, or other means for attaching together two pieces of material, and that uses at least 10% less material, and up to 25% (or more) less material, compared to conventional container boxes.

[0021] Another aspect of the present invention is a container box that is folded from a blank that is made from a single corrugated sheet of material, which is produced with significantly reduced waste, typically less than 5% waste material, including less than 1% waste material.

[0022] A further aspect of the present invention is a container box having a double- thickness wall that includes a continuous, smooth-surface inner sidewall and a two-piece compound outer sidewall.

[0023] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a container box having a continuous, smooth- surface bottom or floor that provides strength and integrity to the container box around the bottom.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention is a container box that is folded from a blank that is intuitive to assemble, and includes a locking mechanism that prevents easy or spontaneous disassembly.

[0025] Another aspect of the invention is a container box with an integral lid, including at least one pair of opposed composite walls, and having means for locking the hinged lid to the container box that includes one or more openings in the lid opposite the hinge, and an opening through an upper portion of the front wall of the folded container box that registers with at least one of the lid openings. [0026] Another aspect of the invention is a container box that includes a second securement means for holding together and securing at least one pair of opposed composite sidewalls of a box sidewall, having at least one opening, and typically a pair of adjacent openings, formed through an upper portion of the box sidewall. The openings penetrate through the respective composite sidewall members. A cable tie or other fastener laced through and secured can assist holding together the composite sidewall members, and can be used alone or in combination with a pair of slotted and tabbed sidewall members.

[0027] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a container box that can use up to 20% to 25% less material, while providing equivalent stacking strength to that of convention file boxes.

[0028] The containers can be made from a variety of conventional container materials, including cardboard, corrugated paper and plastic, cardboard, and plastic and paperboard sheets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the embodiments set forth herein will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a container box and lid, the container box having opposed composite side walls, showing the lid removed from the top opening of the container box.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 showing the lid covering the container box.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the container box and lid of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG.

1.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of a container box and lid, the container box having opposed composite side walls.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a side view of the container box and lid of FIG. 5, with the lid covering the top opening of the container box.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a side view of the container box and lid of FIG. 5, showing the lid removed from the top opening of the container box. [0037] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container box of FIG. 5, with the container walls partially assembled.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG. 5.

[0039] FIG. 10 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a container box and lid, showing the lid removed from the top opening of the container box.

[0040] FIG. 1 1 is a plan view of a pair of blanks shown in FIG. 9, arranged for production together in a single die.

[0041] FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of the container box of FIG. 5

[0042] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment a container box of the invention with an integral lid.

[0043] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG.

13.

[0044] FIG. 15 shows an embodiment a container box of the invention with sidewalls that outwardly taper.

[0045] FIG. 16 shows a plan view of a blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG. 15.

[0046] FIG. 17 shows a container box having a second slot in the inner sidewall to accept insertion therethrough of the tab of the tabbed sidewall member.

[0047] FIG. 18 shows a plan view of a blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG. 17.

[0048] FIG. 19 shows another container box having a second securement means for holding together and securing the first and second sidewall members after assembly.

[0049] FIG. 20 shows a plan view of a blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG. 19.

[0050] FIG. 21 shows another container box with the second securement means for holding together and securing the first and second sidewall members after assembly.

[0051] FIG. 22 shows a plan view of a blank for folding into the container box and lid of FIG. 21.

[0052] FIG. 23 shows an alternative embodiment of the container box shown in Figure 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] The term "grip" or "ergonomic grip" is defined herein as a fixed or moveable, permanent or temporary handle or grip, observation hole or opening, grip or any other opening or impression that could accommodate one or more figures of a human hand.

[0054] The term "height" is a distance or dimension determined in a direction perpendicular to a surface on which sets the bottom panel of the container, or bottom edge if the container does not have a bottom panel.

[0055] The term "width" is a distance or dimension determined in a lateral direction, perpendicular to the height.

[0056] The terms "front", "rear", "right" and "left" are relational terms for the orientation of the side surfaces of the container, wherein any one side surface of the container is denoted as "front", and the remaining side surfaces are accordingly denoted as "rear", "right" and left", when facing the front surface.

[0057] The term "registration" with respect to openings, port openings, or grip openings, means that a first opening in one panel member with a second opening in another confronting or adjacent panel member have substantial overlap, and can include: wherein substantially all of the second opening is overlapped by the first opening, and their respective peripheries do not substantially overlap or coincide; or wherein the first and second grip openings are substantially the same size and shape, their peripheries substantially overlap or coincide. The first opening can be the same size as or larger than the second opening.

[0058] FIGs. 1 through 4 show a first embodiment of a container 5 that including an open- topped box 6, and an optional lid 7. The box 6 includes four rectangularly-arranged walls, including a front wall 16 and a rear wall 17, and left wall 18 and a right wall 19 disposed respectively between and attached to both the front wall and the rear wall. A bottom 20 has a front edge joined to the bottom edge of the front wall 16, a rear edge joined to the bottom edge of the rear wall 17, a left edge joined to the bottom edge of the left wall 18, and a right edge joined to the bottom edge of the right wall 19. The upper edges of the four walls 16, 17, 18 and 19 define the top opening into the box.

[0059] The front wall 16 and the rear wall 17 form a first pair of opposed walls having substantially the same size and shape. The left wall 18 and the right wall 19 form a second pair of opposed walls, typically of the same size and shape. Left wall 18 consists of left sidewall 23 formed of a continuous, smooth rectangular material integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its left side edge. Right wall 19 consists of right sidewall 24 formed of a continuous, smooth rectangular material integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its right side edge.

[0060] Each of the walls of the first pair of opposed walls, front wall 16 and rear wall 17, have an inner surface and an outer surface, and can include one, two, or more layers of board material. A layer of material can be a continuous, smooth, single piece of board material, or can be formed of a composite of two (or more) pieces of material. Wall 16 has an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 26o, and wall 17 has an inner surface 27i and an outer surface (not shown).

[0061] Each of front wall 16 and rear wall 17 includes a composite wall that comprises a first sidewall member having a first securement means, illustrated as a slotted sidewall member 31 having a slot 32, and a second sidewall member having a second securement means, illustrated as a tabbed sidewall member 35 comprising an extending tab 36. The slotted sidewall member 31 is joined integrally with, and extends laterally from, the left sidewall 23 or right sidewall 24 along a side edge 23a or 24b. The tabbed sidewall member 35 is also joined integrally with, and extends laterally from, the left sidewall 23 or right sidewall 24 along a side edge 23b or 24a. A portion of the extending tab 36 of the tabbed sidewall member 35 extends through the slot 32 of the slotted sidewall member 31, thereby cooperating with the slot to form a securement of the first or slotted sidewall member to the second or tabbed sidewall member. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabbed sidewall member 35 overlaps the outer surface of the slotted sidewall member 31 , with the tab portion 36 extending through the slot 32 and to the inner surface of the slotted sidewall member 31, which contains the edge of the tab 36.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the slot 32 extends through a portion of the height of the slotted sidewall member 31. The slot 32 can be oriented in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, or therebetween, and can be straight, angular, curved or curvilinear. In the illustrated embodiment, the slot 32 is a curve formed substantially vertically in the sidewall 31, from an upper slot end to a lower slot end. The slot 32 is illustrated having a width sufficient to insert the tab 36 therethrough. The width of slot can range from just slightly wider than the thickness of the material of the tab, to a substantially greater width to ease insertion of the tab therethrough. The slot 32 continues from a distance "xl" from the top edge 30 to a distance "x2" from the bottom 20. A tab 36 of the tabbed sidewall member 35 extends horizontally (laterally) through the slot 32, and includes a portion or portions that also extend vertically above the top edge and below the bottom edge of the slot 32, toward the top end or bottom end of the container box, respectively. The tab 36 extends laterally from a neck 37 on the tabbed sidewall member 35, and includes at least one, or both, of an upper lobe 38 and a lower lobe 39. The upper lobe 38 can extend upward to a distance "yl" from the top edge 30. The lower lobe 39 can extend downward to a distance "y2" from the bottom 20.

[0063] The lower lobe 39 through the slot 32 extends a distance below the lower end of the slot 32 (the difference between the distances x2 and y2) that can be nil, or nominal (for example, a small distance, typically 0%-5% of the height of the wall 16,17), or up to a distance that is substantial (typically 15%-25% or more of the height of the wall 16,17), to provide easy assembly while also inhibiting or preventing the tab 36 from being pulled laterally away or pivoting out from the slot 32. Similarly, the upper lobe 38 extends through the slot 32 and extends a distance above the upper end of the slot 32 (the difference between the distances xl and yl) that can be can be nil, or nominal (for example, a small distance, typically 0%-5% of the height of the wall 16,17), or up to a distance that is substantial (typically 15%-25% or more of the height of the wall 16,17), to provide easy assembly while also inhibiting or preventing the tab 36 from being pulled laterally away or pivoting out from the slot 32.

[0064] In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the lower lobe 39 extends below the lower end of the slot 32 (the difference between the distances x2 and y2) a substantial distance, typically 15%-25% of the height of the wall 16,17, and the upper lobe 38 through the slot 32 extends above the upper end of the slot 32 (the difference between the distances xl and yl) a nil or nominal distance.

[0065] In other embodiments of the container, the upper lobe can be substantially the same size and shape as the lower lobe, or can be a different size and shape.

[0066] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 10, lower lobe 39 through the slot 32 extends below the lower end of the slot a nil or nominal distance, while the upper lobe 38 through the slot 32 extends above the upper end of the slot a substantial distance. It can be understood that both the upper lobe and lower lobe can have vertical extension that are substantial distances beyond the edges of the slot toward the top edges 30 and bottom 20. As can be envisioned from the illustration in Figure 8, to aid the insertion of the upper lobe 38 of the tab 36 through the slot 32 in the slotted sidewall member 131L, a portion 89 of the upper lobe 38 can be folded over along a line, preferable a pre-formed score or impression line 88, that extends from near the extension of the lobe 38 from the neck 37. Once the tab 36 with the folded-over portion 89 has been inserted through the slot 32, the folded-over portion 89 of the upper lobe 38 can be unfolded at line 88, back to its original form, to inhibit or prevent the tab 36 from being pulled laterally away or pivoting out from the slot 32 after assembly of the container.

[0067] The width and height of the sidewalls of the container are selected to ensure an overlap of the slotted sidewall member 31 with the tabbed sidewall member 35. The amount of overlap of the compound wall, formed by the slotted sidewall member 31 and the tabbed sidewall member 35, expressed as a percentage of the combined widths of the slotted sidewall member 31 and of the tabbed sidewall member 35, is typically at least 10%, including at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, and at least 35%, and up to 100%), including up to 90%, up to 80%, up to 70%, up to 60%, up to 50%, up to 40%, up to 30% and up to 20%, and therebetween by units of 1%. In the illustrated embodiment wherein the compound wall is disposed over the wider end (wall 16) of the container box, the overlap percentage is about 22%. The percentage overlap of the compound wall when disposed on the narrower end of the container box is typically greater than when disposed on wider end. For example, in another embodiment of the invention wherein the compound wall is disposed over the narrower end of the container (wall 1 18 is Figure 5), the overlap percentage is about 40%.

[0068] Figures 1 and 3 show that first slotted sidewall member 31 is integral with and hinged to right sidewall 24 (right wall 19) along pivot line P_A, and right sidewall 24 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its right side edge that defines a pivot line P_B, while second tabbed sidewall member 35 is integral with and hinged to left sidewall 23 (left wall 18) along pivot line Pc, and left sidewall 23 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its left side edge that defines a pivot line PD. Consequently, in the assembled configuration shown in Figure 3, first slotted sidewall member 1 and second tabbed sidewall member 35 are fixed at and pivot away from one another at respective pivot points PB and P_D, as shown by arrows Pi and P₂. Correspondingly, upper lobe 38 of second tabbed sidewall member 35 pivots into engagement with material of first slotted sidewall member 31 above slot 32, and visa versa, which inhibits the first and second sidewall members 31 ,35 from separating.

[0069] Each of front wall 16 and rear wall 17 also includes a second sidewall that is a continuous, smooth rectangular material. Second front sidewall 21 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its front edge, and second rear sidewall 22 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its rear edge. Second front sidewall 21 defines the inner surface 26i of the front wall 16, while second rear sidewall 22 defines the inner surface 27i of the rear wall 17, each presenting a smooth continuous surface to objects contained within the container box 6. All fold and attachment lines along the four sides of the bottom are continuous and uninterrupted with openings or gaps, presenting a clean interior bottom. The front wall 16 and rear wall 17, attached to and extending from and along the edges of the bottom 20, provide structural support and integrity for the container. While the height of the front wall 16 and rear wall 17 are illustrated as a full height, equal to the height of the left wall 23 and right wall 24, such height can be shorter, and substantially shorter.

[0070] In an alternative embodiment, the compound wall can be disposed on the inner surface of the front wall 16 and rear wall 17.

[0071] An optional lid 7 is configured to fit over and cover the top opening and top edges 30 of the box 6. Lid 7 includes a top panel 41 that has a front edge joined to the top edge of a front panel 46, a rear edge joined to the top edge of a rear panel 47, a left edge joined to the top edge of a left panel 48, and a right edge joined to the top edge of a right panel 49. The opposed front panel 46 and rear panel 47 are disposed between and joined along common side edges to the left panel 48 and right panel 49 to form an inverted box lid, dimensioned so that the panels 46,47,48,49 of the lid 7 cover the top portions of the corresponding walls 16,17,18,19 of the container box 5, as shown in Figure 2.

[0072] The container of the present invention can optionally include a grip or handle opening in the container box, and locking ports for securing the lid to the container box. The grip or handle opening can have a shape that can include rectangular, elliptical and oval. The grip or handle opening can have major access that is horizontal, or angled from horizontal to improve handling. An example of a grip opening and through-lid grip opening is an ergonomically-shaped grip openings, including a grip opening described in International Patent Publication WO/2012/154763, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The illustrated container 5 has a through-lid grip opening 50 and a through-lid locking port 60, as shown in Figure 2. The through-lid grip opening 50 is formed by the registry of a container grip opening 52 in the top portion of left wall 18 of the container box 6, and a lid grip opening 55 in the left panel 48 of the lid 7. The through-lid locking port 60 is formed by the registry of a container locking port 62 in the top portion of left wall 18 of the container box 6, and a lid locking port 65 in the left panel 48 of the lid 7. An opposed through-lid grip opening and through-lid locking port can be formed on the right side of the container 5 in the same manner. A center point of the through-lid grip opening can be positioned at or near the lateral center point of the respective left and right walls, and preferably is positioned closer to the front wall 16 than to the rear wall 17 to provide better ergonomics during lifting and carrying the container.

[0073] The through-lid locking port is disposed proximate the through-lid grip opening, and provides therewith a pair of openings through the attached lid of the container 5 through which a locking means can be inserted and locked, for securing the lid 7 to the container 6. The locking means can include a strap seal or cable tie. As shown in Figure 2, a cable tie 98 is passed through the through-lid grip opening 50 and through-lid locking port 60, and the ends of the cable tie 98 are fastened or secured together. The cable tie 98 can include an elongated strap member having a distal end and a proximal end with an integrated open case having a ratchet. The strap member has a rack of teeth along its length. Pulling the distal end of the cable tie through the case and past the ratchet prevents the strap member from being puiled back out of the case. Typically, the loop of the secured strap member has to be cut to remove the cable tie and unlock the lid from the box. Further details of a locking port for a container box and lid are described in US Provisional Patent Application 61/649,231 , filed May 18, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0074] Figure 4 shows a blank 99 formed in a single board of material for folding into the container. The blank can also include a portion of board for folding into the lid. The portion for folding into the container is substantially square or rectangular, with very little void space (or board material cut away), including along the peripheral region of the blank. The lid portion of the blank is also substantially rectangular and attached to the container portion along one edge thereof. The lid portion is oriented to have a width dimension that is one half of at least one of the length or width of the container portion of the blank, to minimize board waste.

[0075] The blank comprises a bottom panel 20 having front, rear, right side and left side edges defined by corresponding front fold line 20a, rear fold line 20b, left side fold line 20c, and right side fold line 20d on the blank. A front sidewall 21 is attached to the bottom panel 20 along the front fold line 20a of the bottom panel, extending to a distal edge that defines the height of the front sidewall 21, and a rear sidewall 22 is attached to the bottom panel 20 along the rear fold line 20b of the bottom panel, extending to a distal edge that defines the height of the rear sidewall 22, which is typically the height of the front sidewall 21.

[0076] The blank also includes rectangularly-shaped left sidewall 23 attached to the bottom panel along the left side fold line 20c of the bottom panel 20, and extending to a distal edge that defines the height of the left sidewall 23, which is typically the height of the front sidewall 21. The left sidewall 23 has a front side edge, defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line 23a, from which extends frontwardly a front tabbed sidewall member 35f. The left sidewall 23 also has a rear side edge, defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line 23b, from which extends rearwardly a rear slotted sidewall member 31r. The front tabbed sidewall 35f and the rear slotted sidewall 31 r each extend from their respective fold lines a distance that is the same height of the wall members, such as the height of the front sidewall 21.

[0077] The blank also includes rectangularly- shaped right sidewall 24 attached to the bottom panel 20 along the right side fold line 20d of the bottom panel, and extending to a distal edge that defines the height of the right sidewall 24, which is typically the height of the front sidewall 21. The right sidewall 24 has a front side edge, defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line 24a, from which extends frontwardly a front slotted sidewall member 3 If. The right sidewall 24 also has a rear side edge, defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line 24b, from which extends rearwardly a rear tabbed sidewall member 35r. The front slotted sidewall 31 f and the rear tabbed sidewall 35r each extend from their respective fold lines a distance that is the same height of the wall members, such as the height of the front sidewall 21.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the container portion of the blank is formed asymmetrically, such that the tabbed sidewall members 35 are disposed on the left side of the compound walls (front wall 16 and rear wall 17 in Fig. 1) and the slotted sidewall members 31 are disposed on the right side of the compound walls. In Figure 4, the blank would appear identically if rotated in its own plane 180 degrees. It can be understood that the blank can be formed conversely, with the tabbed sidewall members 35 disposed on the right side and slotted sidewall members 31 disposed on the left side, and that the blank, and corresponding container box, can be formed symmetrically about a center axis. For example, both of the tabbed sidewall members 35 could extend forwardly from the corresponding left sidewall 23 and right sidewall 24, and both of the slotted sidewall members 31 could extend rearwardly from the corresponding left sidewall 23 and right sidewall 24, or visa versa.

[0079] The front and rear slotted sidewall members 31 comprise a substantially rectangular-shaped base portion having a curved slot 32 penetrating through a distal end of the base portion. The slot can also be a linear slot. The length of the slot is sized to accommodate a tab, described hereinafter. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the slotted sidewall members can include localized scoring, including scoring line or lines 77 and 78 extending outward from the upper end 32a and the lower end 32b, respectively, of the slot 32, to aid in orienting or facing the opening of the slot 32 toward the extending tab 36, and thus aiding assembly.

[0080] The front and rear tabbed sidewall members 35 comprise a substantially rectangular-shaped base portion that tapers abruptly to a narrowed neck portion 37, and includes a tab 36 extending from the neck portion 37. The tab 36 is configured to pass through the slot and to engage the material of the slotted sidewall members 31 to retain engagement of the tab 36 within the slot 32. The tab 36 includes at least one lobe that extends laterally along the respective front or rear side edge fold line, and preferably includes a pair of lobes 38,39. As shown in Figures 4, the tabbed sidewall members can include localized scoring, including scoring line or lines 79 extending along the neck portion 37, to aid in manipulating the tab 36 through the slot 32, and thus aiding assembly.

[0081] As shown in Figure 4, the blank can also include a portion of the single board for folding into the lid, which can be separated from the container portion of the blank for folding and assembly.

[0082] It can be understood that the embodiment shown in Figure 1 -4 can be described wherein walls 16 and 17 are defined as right and left walls, and walls 18 and 19 are defined as front and real walls.

[0083] FIGs. 5 through 9 show a second embodiment of a container 105 that includes an open-topped box 106 and a lid 7, wherein like reference numerals are used to describe elements described herein above for the first embodiment. The box 106 includes four rectangularly- arranged walls, including a front wall 3 16 and a rear wall 1 17, and left side wall 1 18 and a right side wall 1 19 disposed respectively between and attached to both the front wall and the rear wall. A bottom 20 has a front edge joined to the bottom edge of the front wall 116, a rear edge joined to the bottom edge of the rear wall 1 17, a left edge joined to the bottom edge of the left side wall 1 18, and a right edge joined to the bottom edge of the right side wall 1 19. The upper edges of the four walls 116, 117, 118 and 119 define the top opening into the box.

[0084] The front wall 1 16 and the rear wall 1 17 form a first pair of opposed walls having substantially the same size and shape. The left side wall 1 18 and the right side wall 1 19 form a second pair of opposed walls, typically of the same size and shape. Front wall 1 16 consists of front sidewall 121 formed of a continuous, smooth substantially rectangular material integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its front edge. Rear wall 1 17 consists of rear sidewall 122 formed of a continuous, smooth substantially rectangular material integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its rear edge. The front sidewall 116 and rear sidewall 117 are illustrated as about the width of the side walls 118 and 119. Also within the scope of the invention are front sidewall 1 16 and rear sidewall 117 that are substantially wider than the side walls 118 and 119, including at least twice as wide, at least three times as wide, and at least four times as wide. FIG. 12 illustrates a container box 206 that is similar in design to the container box 106 of FIG. 5, with an elongated bottom 220, elongated front and rear sidewalls 221 and 222, to provide an elongated container box.

[0085] Each of the wails the second pair of opposed walls 1 18 and 1 19 have an inner surface and an outer surface, and can include one, two, or more layers of board material. A layer of material can be a continuous, smooth, single piece of board material, or can be formed of a composite of two (or more) pieces of material in FIG. 5. Left wall 1 18 has an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 126o, and right wall 1 19 has an inner surface 127i and an outer surface (not shown).

[0086] Each of walls 1 18 and 1 19 includes a composite wall that comprises a first slotted sidewall member 131 having a slot 32, and a second sidewall member 135 comprising an extending tab 36. The slotted sidewall member 131 is joined integrally with, and extends laterally from, the rear sidewall 122 along opposite side edges 122L and 122R, while the tabbed sidewall member 135 is joined integrally with, and extends laterally from, the front sidewall 121 along opposite side edges 121 L or 121R. A portion of the extending tab 36 of the second or tabbed sidewall member 135 extends through the slot 32 of the first or slotted sidewall member 131. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabbed sidewall member 135 overlaps the outer surface of the slotted sidewall member 131 , with the tab portion 36 extending through the slot 32 and to the inner surface of the slotted sidewall member 131, which contains the edge of the tab 36. [0087] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the slot 32 extends through a portion of the height of the slotted sidewall member 131, from a distance "xl" from the top edge 30 to a distance "x2" from the bottom 20. The tab 36 extends laterally from a neck 37 on the second sidewall member 135, and includes upper lobe 38 that extends upward to a distance "yl" from the top edge 30, and a lower lobe 39 that extends downward to a distance "y2" from the bottom 20. The lower lobe 39 through the slot 32 extends a distance below the lower end of the slot 32 (the difference between the distances x2 and y2) that is a substantial distance (typically 15%-25%, or more of the height of the wall 1 18,1 19), while upper lobe 38 through the slot 32 extends a distance above the upper end of the slot 32 (the difference between the distances xl and yl) that is nil or only a small distance, typically 0%-5% of the height of the wall 1 18,1 19, to provide easy assembly while inhibiting the second tabbed sidewall member 135 from being pulled laterally away from the first slotted sidewall member 131. As described herein earlier and shown in Figure 10, the upper lobe 38 can be configured to extend higher above the upper end of the slot, to improve the securement for the tabbed sidewall member to the slotted sidewall member.

[0088] Figures 5 - 7 show that first sidewall member 131 is integral with and hinged to rear sidewall 122 (rear wall 2 17) along pivot line PA, and rear wall 1 17 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its rear edge that defines a pivot line PB, while second sidewall member 135 is integral with and hinged to front sidewall 121 (front wall 1 16) along pivot line Pc, and front sidewall 121 (front wall 1 16) is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its front edge that defines a pivot line PD- Consequently, in the assembled configuration shown in Figure 7, first, slotted sidewall member 131 and second, tabbed sidewall member 135 are fixed at and pivot away from one another at and around respective pivot points PB and PD, as shown by arrows Pi and P₂. Correspondingly, upper lobe 38 of tabbed panel member 135 pivots into engagement with material 133 of first slotted sidewall member 131 above slot 32, and visa versa, which inhibits the first and second sidewall members 131 ,135 from separating.

[0089] Each of left wall 118 and right wall 119 also includes a second sidewall that is a continuous, smooth rectangular material. Second left sidewall 123 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its left side edge, and second right sidewall 124 is integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its right side edge. Second left sidewall 123 defines the inner surface of the left wall 1 18, while second right sidewall 124 defines the inner surface 127i of the right wall 1 19, each presenting a smooth continuous surface to objects contained within the container box 106. [0090] In an alternative embodiment, the compound wall can be disposed on the inner surface of the left wall 1 18 and right wall 119.

[0091] An optional lid 7 is configured to fit over and cover the top opening and top edges 30 of the box 106. Lid 7 includes a top panel 41 that has a front edge joined to the top edge of a front panel 46, a rear edge joined to the top edge of a rear panel 47, a left edge joined to the top edge of a left panel 48, and a right edge joined to the top edge of a right panel 49. The opposed front panel 46 and rear panel 47 are disposed between and joined along common side edges to the left panel 48 and right panel 49 to form an inverted box lid, dimensioned so that the panels 46,47,48,49 of the lid 7 cover the top portions of the corresponding walls 1 16,1 17,1 18,1 19 of the container box 105.

[0092] The container 105 has a through-lid grip opening 150 and a through-lid locking port 160, as shown in Figure 6. The through-lid grip opening 150 is formed by the registry of a container grip opening 152 in the top portion of left wall 1 18 of the container box 106, and a lid grip opening 55 in the left panel 48 of the lid 7. The container grip opening 152 in the left wall 1 18 is formed by the registry of grip opening 152a (not shown) in left sidewall 123, and the grip openings 152c and 152b in the slotted sidewall member 131 and the tabbed sidewall member 135, respectively, as shown in Figure 8.

[0093] The through-lid locking port 160 is formed by the registry of a container locking port 162 in the left wall 118 of the container box 106, and a lid locking port 65 in the left panel 48 of the lid 7. The container locking port 162 in the left wall 118 is formed by the registry of locking port 162a (not shown) in left sidewall 123, and the locking ports 162c and 162b in the slotted sidewall member 131 and the tabbed sidewall member 135, respectively, as shown in Figure 8.

[0094] An opposed through-lid grip opening and through-lid locking port can be formed on the right side of the container 105 in the same manner. A center point of the through-lid grip opening is typically positioned at or near the lateral center point of the respective left and right walls. A cable tie 98 or other suitable locking fastener can be passed through the through-lid grip opening 150 and through-lid locking port 160, with the ends of the cable tie 98 are fastened or secured together to secure the lid 7 to the container box 106.

[0095] Figure 9 shows a blank 199 formed in a single board for folding into the container. The blank comprises a bottom panel 20 having front, rear, right side and left side edges defined by corresponding front fold line 20a, rear fold line 20b, left side fold line 20c, and right side fold line 20d on the blank. A front wall 121 is attached to the bottom panel 20 along the front fold line 20a of the bottom panel, extending to a distal edge. The front wall 121 has a left side edge, defined by a corresponding left side edge fold line 121 L, from which extends leftwardly a left tabbed sidewall member 135L. The front wall 121 also has a right side edge, defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line 121R, from which extends rightwardly a right tabbed sidewall member 135R.

[0096] A rear wall 122 is attached to the bottom panel 20 along the rear fold line 20b of the bottom panel, extending to a distal edge. The rear wall 122 has a left side edge, defined by a corresponding left side edge fold line 122L, from which extends leftwardly a left slotted sidewall member 131L. The rear wall 122 also has a right side edge, defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line 122R, from which extends rightwardly a right slotted sidewall member 131R.

[0097] The blank also includes rectangularly-shaped left sidewall 123 attached to the bottom panel along the left side fold line 20c of the bottom panel 20, and extending to a distal edge, and rectangularly- shaped right sidewall 124 attached to the bottom panel 20 along the right side fold line 20d of the bottom panel, and extending to a distal edge.

[0098] The left and right slotted sidewall members 131L and 131R comprise a substantially rectangular-shaped base portion having a curved slot 32 penetrating through a distal end of the base portion. The slot can also be a linear slot. The length of the slot is sized to accommodate a tab, described hereinafter.

[0099] The left and right tabbed sidewall members 135L and 135R comprise a substantially rectangular-shaped base portion that tapers to a narrowed neck portion 37, and includes a tab 36 extending from the neck portion 37. The tab 36 is configured to pass through the slot and to engage the material of the slotted sidewall members 131 to retain engagement of the tab 36 within the slot 32. The tab 36 includes at least one lobe that extends laterally along the respective front or rear side edge fold line, and preferably includes a pair of lobes 38,39.

[00100] As shown in Figure 9, the blank can also include a lid portion for folding into the lid. The lid portion of the blank is substantially rectangular and attached to the container portion along one edge thereof. The lid portion is oriented to have a width dimension that is one half of at least one of the length or width of the container portion of the blank, to minimize board waste. Figure 11 shows orientation of a pair of container-lid blanks, with the two lid blank portions disposed side-by-side and separating the two container blank portions, for producing two container-lids together in a single die and using carton board material efficiently in production.

[00101] An alternative embodiment of the container box of the present invention is a container box as described herein, with a hinged lid. The integral construction can comprise a permanent or semi-permanent attachment of a side panel of a lid to the top portion of the sidewall, such as by adhesive attachment, or can comprise forming both the lid and the sidewall from the same blank of corrugated material. An example of an integral lid having an extending side panel with an inner surface that is attached, typically adhesively, to the outer surface of the top portion of the sidewall is shown in International Patent Publication WO2012/ 154763, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[00102] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of a container box 306 with an integral lid 307, the integral lid 307 extending from rear sidewall 322 of the container body. The integration of the lid 307 with the container body provides a hinged connection 317 so that the lid 307 can be folded back from and over the opening 321 of the container body. Figure 14 illustrates a plan view of a blank 399 for folding into the container box and lid of FIG. 13.

[00103] The embodiment shown in FIG. 13 illustrate the integral hinged lid extending from the second rear sidewall 322, which lies inward of the rear composite wall (not shown), and is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1-4. It would be understood by a person of ordinary skill that an integral lid can be included in the embodiments shown in FIGs. 5-9, wherein the integral hinged lid would extend from the distal edge of the rear wall 117.

[00104] An alternative means for locking the integral hinged lid over the top opening of the container is also shown in Figure 13, and includes an opening 63 through the upper portion of the front wall 16 of the folded container box 306, and openings in the hinged lid 307, opposite the hinge 317. The opening 63 is formed by the registration of the openings in the panels of the blank after folding the blank into the container box. These openings include opening 68 in an upper portion of the second (inner) front sidewall 21, and an opening 67 through an upper portion of the slotted first wall member 31 (panel 3 If in Figure 14) that register to form opening 63. The openings in the hinged lid 307 include an opening 64 in the front panel 347 of the integral lid 307, which registers with the opening 63 in the front wall 16 when the lid 307 is covering the open top of the container box, and a second opening 66 in the top portion 341 of the lid near the front panel 347. After the lid 307 is closed over the top opening of the box 306, a cable tie (not shown) can be laced through the top opening 66, and out through the registered openings 64 in the front panel of the lid, and opening 63 in the container box, and connected to secure the lid closed on the box.

[00105] Figure 14 shows the blank 399 with the openings 64 and 66 in the lid, and openings 67 and 68 in the panels of the front sidewall 21 and the front slotted first wall member 3 If. The openings 64, 66, 67 and 68 are illustrated a circles with a size of about the diameter of a person's index finger, but other shapes and sizes can be selected as convenient to maintain or improve the integrity of the box panels and materials, and to make easier the assembly of the box or improve the securement of the panels together into the container box unit. The adjacent openings in the lid and container box are spaced sufficiently close to allow a cable tie to be laced into one opening and out the adjacent opening, but not so close that the integrity of the panel material between is compromised. Another embodiment of a container box and lid combines the elongated container box 206 described herein and shown in FIG. 12, with an integral lid as described and shown in FIG. 13.

[00106] Figure 14 shows the blank 399 formed in a single board for folding into the container. The blank 399 is similar to the blank 99 of Figure 4, except that the portion of board for folding into a lid includes top panel 341 that extends hingedly from the upper edge 317 of the sidewall 322.

[00107] An alternative embodiment of the container can include two or more through-lid locking ports formed into adjacent corners of the lid along the common edge.

[00108] A further embodiment of the invention is a container box 206 having outwardly tapered sidewalls 216 and 217, and/or front and back walls 218 and 219, providing a top opening

230 that has an open area and dimension larger than those of the bottom 220.

[00109] Another embodiment of the container box of the present invention provides a container tote having sidewalls and endwalls that taper outwardly from the bottom. FIG. 15 shows a container that includes an open-topped box 406 and a lid 7, which is based on the embodiment of the container shown in FIGs. 5-9, wherein like reference numerals are used to describe elements described herein above for the second embodiment.

[00110] The tote 406 includes four trapazoidally-shaped, rectangularly-arranged walls, including a front wall 416 and a rear wall 417, and left side wall 418 and a right side wall 419 disposed respectively between and attached to both the front wall and the rear wall, and a floor 20. The front wall 416 and the rear wall 417 form a first pair of opposed walls having substantially the same size and trapezoidal shape, each having opposed side edges (42117421R, and 422L/422R) that taper outwardly from bottom to top. The left side wall 418 and the right side wall 419 form a second pair of opposed walls, typically of the same size and trapezoidal shape, each also having opposed side edges that are shared with the front wall 416 and rear wall 417, and that taper outwardly from bottom to top. Front wall 416 consists of front sidewall 421 formed of a continuous, smooth substantially rectangular material integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its front edge. Rear wall 417 consists of rear sidewall 422 formed of a continuous, smooth substantially rectangular material integral with and hinged to bottom 20 along its rear edge.

[00111] Each of the walls the second pair of opposed walls 418 and 419 have an inner surface and an outer surface, and can include one, two, or more layers of board material. A layer of material can be a continuous, smooth, single piece of board material, or can be formed of a composite of two (or more) pieces of material. Each of walls 418 and 419 includes a composite wall that comprises a first slotted sidewall member 431 having a slot 32, and a second sidewall member 435 comprising an extending tab 36. The slotted sidewall members 431 are joined integrally with, and extend laterally from, the rear sidewall 422 along the side edges 422L and 422R. The tabbed sidewall members 435 are also joined integrally with, and extend laterally from, the front sidewall 421 along the side edges 421L and 421R. A portion of the extending tab 36 of the second or tabbed sidewall member 435 extends through the slot 32 of the first or slotted sidewall member 431. In the illustrated embodiment, the tabbed sidewall member 435 overlaps the outer surface of the slotted sidewall member 431 , with the tab portion 36 extending through the slot 32 and to the inner surface of the slotted sidewall member 431 , which contains the edge of the tab 36.

[00112] The opposed pairs of sidewalls provide a top opening that is large than the bottom 20, resembling a tote. Once formed, the tote-shaped box 406 can be nested within other similar pre-formed tote-shaped boxes, for efficient temporary storage prior to use.

[00113] FIG. 16 shows a blank 499 for forming the container box and lid of Figure 15.

[00114] It would also be understood that a tote container as described above can be made based upon the container embodiments shown in FIGs. 1-4. [00115] Another embodiment of the container box of the present invention is shown in Figure 17 as a container box 506 having a corresponding slot 132 formed into both of the second front sidewall 121 and the second rear sidewall 122, to accept insertion therethrough of the tab 36 of the tabbed sidewall member 35. The corresponding slots 132 are formed into the second front sidewall 121 and second rear sidewall 122 substantially as described for the slots 32 in the slotted sidewall member 31. The positioning of the corresponding slots 132 in the sidewalls 121 ,122 are disposed slightly out of registry with, and "downstream" of, the slots 32 in the slotted sidewall members 31 to accept entry of the tab 36 after it has exited the slot 32 on the inside surface of the slotted sidewall 31.

[00116] FIG. 18 shows a blank 599 for forming the container box and optional lid of Figure 17, illustrating the additional corresponding slots 132 formed into the second sidewall panels 121 ,122.

[00117] It can be understood that other first and second securement means, and other types or arrangements of slots and tabs, can be employed as are known, for securing the first and second sidewall members of a composite sidewall to inhibit or prevent their separation from one another. Examples of such other securement means include: snap fasteners; a pair of adjacent openings and a cable tie therethrough, as described hereinafter, and including grommeted openings; hooks and loops; latches and catches; mating hook and loop mechanical fasteners, buttons and eyelets, a pair of adjacently-positioned buttons, and yarn or string; and a strap and ratcheting means.

[00118] Another embodiment of the container box of the present invention is shown in Figure 19 as a container box 606 including the front wall 16 and rear wall 17, with the front and rear walls including the composite walls comprising the first sidewall member 31 and the second sidewall member 35, and including a second securement means for holding together and securing the first sidewall member 31 and the second sidewall member 35 after assembly. The second securement means comprises a first pair, at least, of adjacent apertures 70 formed through a upper portion of both the front wall 16 and rear wall 17, and an optional second pair, at least, of adjacent apertures 71 formed through a lower portion of both the front wall 16 and rear wall 17. One of the first pair of upper apertures 70 passes through an upper portion of the first sidewall member 31 , and the other of the first pair of upper apertures 70 passes through an upper portion of the second sidewall member 35. The first pair of upper apertures 70 also pass through an upper portion of the second front sidewall 21. Similarly, one of the second pair of lower apertures 71 passes through a lower portion of the first sidewall member 31 , and the other of the second pair of lower apertures 71 passes through a lower portion of the second sidewall member 35, and the second pair of lower apertures 71 also pass through a lower portion of the second front sidewall 21. The upper apertures 70 and lower apertures 71 are formed in the rear wall 17 is similar manner.

[00119] FIG. 20 shows a blank 699 for forming the container box and lid of Figure 15. The blank 699 includes front and rear slotted panels 73 If and 73 lr that have upper openings 72a and lower openings 72b in their respective distal and proximal edges, and front and rear tabbed panels 735f and 735r that have upper openings 73a and lower openings 73b in their respective distal and proximal edges. The panels forming the second front sidewall 721 and the second rear sidewall 722 each have a pair of upper openings 74a and 75a, and a pair of lower openings 74b and 75b. The openings are positioned in the blank 699 to form the through apertures 70 and 71 when folded into the container box 606.

[00120] Once the container box has been manipulated into its form from the blank 699, pairs of cable ties 98 can be laced through the pairs of upper apertures 70 and lower apertures 71 and secured together. The cable ties improve the integrity and add a degree of permanence to the securement together of the first and second sidewall members. The cable tie can be manipulated to place the ratcheting housing on the inside of the box as shown in the figure, or on the outside.

[00121] In an optional aspect of the embodiment, a complementary pair of apertures can also be formed in the sidewalls 46 and 47 of the lid, to register with the upper apertures 70 when the lid is placed in position over the open top of the container box. In this aspect, the same cable tie, or a second cable tie 98, can be laced through the complementary pair of apertures in the lid and the upper apertures 70 in the box container sidewall to secure the lid in place.

[00122] The second securement means, comprising the pair of upper apertures 70 and the pair of lower apertures 71 in the composite walls, can be employed in combination with the tab- and-slot first securement means, to improve the securement and integrity of the formed container. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 21 , a container box 706 is illustrated with the second securement means alone is employed for holding together and securing a first sidewall member 731 and a second sidewall member 735 after assembly of the container box 706. As illustrated, the first sidewall member 731 and a second sidewall member 735 are not required to be tabbed and slotted, and can have angular or rounded corners and edges.

[00123] FIG. 22 shows a blank 799 for forming the container box 706 and lid of Figure 21.

[00124] Figure 23 shows an alternative embodiment of the container box 306 shown in Figure 13, wherein the front wall 16 has a pair of adjacent openings 63a and 63b through an upper portion, and the front panel 347 of the lid 307 has a pair of openings 64a and 64b therethrough. In the illustrated container box 306, a first cable tie 98 is laced through both of the pair of container box openings 63a,63b and secured. The cable tie provides added securement of the tabbed sidewall member 35 with the slotted sidewall member 31, and prevents the same from being pulled apart (and the box disassembled) without first cutting the cable tie. After the lid 307 is closed, a second cable tie (not shown) can be laced through the openings of the lid (64a and 64b) that are registered with the respective openings in the container box (63a and 63b) to secure the lid closed over the top opening of the container box.

[00125] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A container comprising a box, the box comprising a bottom panel having a front edge, a rear edge, a right edge and a left edge; a first pair of opposed walls extending from the front edge and rear edge of the bottom panel; and a second pair of opposed walls extending from the right edge and left edge of the bottom panel; wherein either the first pair or the second pair of opposed walls each have an inner surface and comprise a first sidewall member having a first securement means and a second sidewall member comprising a second securement means that cooperates with the first securement means to secure the first sidewall member to the second sidewall member.

2. A container comprising a box, the box comprising a bottom panel having a front edge, a rear edge, a right edge and a left edge; a first pair of opposed walls extending from the front edge and rear edge of the bottom panel; and a second pair of opposed walls extending from the right edge and left edge of the bottom panel; wherein the first pair of opposed walls each have an inner surface and an outer surface and comprise a first sidewall member having a slot and a second sidewall member comprising an extending tab, wherein a portion of the extending tab of the second sidewall member extends through the slot of the first sidewall member.

3. The container according to Claim 2, wherein the first pair of opposed walls each further comprises a second sidewall consisting of a rectangular panel.

4. The container according to Claim 3 wherein second sidewall forms the inner surface of each of the first pair of opposed walls.

5. The container according to Claim 2 wherein at least one of the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member includes an upper portion having a grip opening.

6. The container according to Claim 5 wherein both the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member have a grip opening in registry to form a through- wall grip opening.

7. The container according to Claim 2 wherein the second pair of opposed walls each includes an upper portion having a grip opening.

8. The container according to Claim 2 wherein the slot is oriented vertically through a portion of the height of the first sidewall member, and the extending tab includes at least one vertically extending lobe that extends through and vertically beyond the slot.

9. The container according to Claim 2 wherein the first sidewall member and the second sidewall member extend from a side edge of at least one of the first pair of opposed walls.

10. The container according to Claim 2 further including a lid having a top surface that covers the top opening of the box and including side panels that extend downward from the top surface to cover the outer surface of upper portions of the first and second pairs of opposed walls of the container.

1 1. A blank formed on a single board for folding into a container, the blank comprising:

a bottom panel having front, rear, right side and left side edges defined by corresponding fold lines on the blank,

a front wall attached to the front edge of the bottom panel along the front fold line of the bottom panel,

a rear wall attached to the rear edge of the bottom panel along the rear fold line of the bottom panel,

a right sidewall attached to the bottom panel along the right side fold line of the bottom panel, the right sidewall having a front side edge defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line, and a rear side edge defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line,

a left sidewall attached to the bottom panel along the left side fold line of the bottom panel, the left sidewall having a front side edge defined by a corresponding front side edge fold line, and a rear side edge defined by a corresponding rear side edge fold line, a first front sidewall member attached to the front side edge fold line of one of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the first front sidewall member being one of a slotted sidewall member having a slot or a tabbed sidewall member including an extending tab, and a second front sidewall member attached to the front side edge fold line of the other of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the second front sidewall member being the other of the slotted sidewall member or the tabbed sidewall member, wherein at least a portion of the extending tab of the front tabbed sidewall member is configured to extend through the slot of the front slotted sidewall member in an assembled position, and

a first rear sidewall member attached to the rear side edge fold line of one of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the first rear sidewall member being one of a slotted sidewall member having a slot or a tabbed sidewall member including an extending tab, and a second rear sidewall member attached to the rear side edge fold line of the other of the right sidewall and the left sidewall, the second rear sidewall member being the other of the slotted sidewall member or the tabbed sidewall member, wherein at least a portion of the extending tab of the rear tabbed sidewall member is configured to extend through the slot of the rear slotted sidewall member in an assembled position.

12. The blank according to Claim 1 3 wherein both of the right sidewall and the left sidewall include a top portion having a grip opening.

13. The blank according to Claim 1 1 wherein the front wall and the rear wall include a top portion have a grip opening, wherein the front slotted sidewall member and the front tabbed sidewall member have a grip opening that each register with the grip opening of the front wall when the front wall is assembled, and wherein the rear slotted sidewall member and the rear tabbed sidewall member have a grip opening that each register with the grip opening of the rear wall when the rear wall is assembled.

14. The blank according to Claim 1 1 wherein the slots are oriented through a portion of the height of the front and rear slotted sidewall members, and the extending tabs include at least one extending lobe that extends through and beyond the slot.