Side loading storage box

Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Including an access opening in a sidewall intended to permit...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C229S122000, C229S149000, C229S915000, C493S056000, C493S070000, C493S080000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06234385

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A conventional storage container top-loading box has one or more vertical sides and a bottom formed into an enclosure with an opening at the top. The container is typically fitted with a lid configured to close the opening at the top. The lid may be hinged to the top of one or more of the vertical sides. Alternatively the lid may be a separate removable piece. Often the container is provided with dividers or inserts that divide up the interior of the box into separate compartments for protection and organization of the articles stored in the container. Although such containers have been used from time immemorial to store articles, they suffer drawbacks. Most notably, if, as is often the case, it is desirable to stack a plurality of such containers for storage, the containers must be un-stacked to gain access to the contents of the containers below the top of the stack. To overcome this, side-loading containers have been developed.
Side-loading boxes have been known in the art of box making for over 100 years. The basic construction of such a side-loading box is similar to that of the more conventional top-loading box laid upon one of its vertical sides such that the opening is at the side rather than the top. However, slightly different construction is necessary for the side opening box in order to provide satisfactory means of closing the open side.
One solution simply provides a conventional top-loading box with one side that folds down. The folding side is often secured in place by a conventional lid. Although side-loading boxes of this type provide satisfactory loading, they suffer from drawbacks. First, the folding side panel weakens the structure of the box limiting the maximum load that can be stored before the box begins to bulge. Second, the weakening of the box limits the maximum height to which such boxes can be stacked. Third, if the lid is of the conventional type, it must be either displaced or removed in order to open the side panel. If the lid is integrally incorporated into the top of the box, it is often necessary to open the box by wedging the fingers of the hand in between the side-opening panel and the top of the box to pry the box open. In addition to the associated discomfort. this method of opening the box eventually weakens either the top or the side-opening panel or both. In some cases a string-and-button type latch secures the side-opening panel. Alternatively, a metal or plastic turn-knob type latch is provided. Unfortunately, both of these latching mechanisms complicate construction and add to the cost of the box.
An additional disadvantage of prior art side-loading and top-loading boxes occurs when the box is constructed of material such as corrugated cardboard. For example, single-wall corrugated boxes require braces, sidewall stiffeners or other structural reinforcement to withstand the weight of multiple stacked loaded boxes. Such stiffeners are typically made from metal, wood, wire or plastic and provide the necessary mechanical strength to withstand heavy loads. For example, conventional side-loading boxes, loaded with 15 to 20 pounds of articles in each box, can be stacked two boxes high without bracing. Beyond that, either the boxes must be less heavily laden or sidewall stiffeners are necessary for at least the lowermost boxes in the stack.
A further disadvantage of prior art boxes of both types lies in the fact that they are often of multi-piece construction. Such boxes are often delivered in pallet loads requiring up to four separate pallets for the boxes, the lids, the stiffeners, and the inserts. The multiple pallet loads necessitate additional manufacturing, warehousing and transportation expenses.
Thus, there is a need in the art, for a side-loading box that can be easily opened and stacked without requiring stiffeners or braces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention of a single-piece side-loading box having triple side-wall construction and a unique latching tab.
The box incorporates walls, a floor, a top, a side-opening panel and latching tab in one unitary piece. In a preferred embodiment, the box is generally made from 250 lb. test corrugated board. The one piece box generally includes a bottom panel, front, side and back panels attached to the bottom panel and a lid attached to the back panel. A latching tab is incorporated into the front panel. The latching tab includes a handle to facilitate opening and closing the box. The front panel can also include side tabs to provide secure closure. The lid includes a lid flap and depending side reinforcements. The lid flap includes a slot sized to receive the latching tab. The side reinforcements fit inside the box adjacent the side walls. The side panels include side-walls, reinforcing side-wings and interlocking back reinforcements. The back reinforcements interlock in front of the back panel to provide additional strength at the back of the box. The side-wings fold back over the side reinforcements to provide additional strength for the side-walls. Tabs on the side-wings fit into cutouts at the juncture of the back reinforcements and the side-walls securing the side-wings and side reinforcements in place. The side-walls, side-wings and side reinforcements thus provide the box with a triple-side-wall construction allowing the box to support a great weight.


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Brochure for Perma-Stor Computer Printout Binder File.
Brochure for Fellows Bankers Box.
Brochure for ACCO Transfer Drawers.

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