Delivery box

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to delivery boxes and in one of its aspects to boxes for the delivery of such items as compact disks, digital video disks, video cassettes and other items of a substantially predetermined size and shape.

2. Description of Related Art

Delivery boxes for such items as compact disks in jewel cases, digital video disks in jewel cases or video cassettes have been generally cross-shaped with a back panel, two large side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel. The panels would fold over the item and overlap in the front, where they would have to be held down until tape could be applied. In recent years, specialty boxes have been developed such as the one shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,078,268 and 5,469,965. These boxes are fairly complicated to assemble and add significantly to the size of the item to be delivered. Other delivery boxes, such as the one shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,222 are designed for the shipment of disks that are not in jewel cases.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A delivery box according to the present invention includes a substantially rectangular back panel having a top edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a bottom edge, a substantially rectangular front panel having a top edge, a first side edge substantially aligned with the first side edge of the back panel, a second side edge substantially aligned with the second side edge of the back panel, and a bottom edge, a foldable connection joining the bottom edge of the front panel to the bottom edge of the back panel, a back side flap, a foldable connection joining the back side flap to the first side edge of the back panel, a front side flap and a foldable connection joining front side flap to the second side edge of the front panel.

In a preferred arrangement, the delivery box further includes a top flap and a foldable connection joining the top flap to the top edge of the back panel. A delivery box according to such an arrangement can further include a self sealing strip affixed to the top flap, wherein the top flap will attach to the front panel when the self sealing strip is exposed and the top flap is folded over the top of the front panel.

In another preferred arrangement, the foldable connection joining the bottom edge of the front panel to the bottom edge of the back panel comprises a bottom panel, the foldable connection joining the back side flap to the first side edge of the back panel comprises a first side panel, the foldable connection joining front side flap to the second side edge of the front panel comprises a second side panel and the foldable connection joining the top flap to the top edge of the back panel comprises a top panel.

It can thus be seen that a delivery box according to one arrangement of the present invention includes a substantially rectangular back panel having a top edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a bottom edge, a substantially rectangular front panel having a top edge, a first side edge substantially aligned with the first side edge of the back panel, a second side edge substantially aligned with the second side edge of the back panel, and a bottom edge, a bottom panel joining the bottom edge of the front panel to the bottom edge of the back panel, a back side flap, a first side panel joining the back side flap to the first side edge of the back panel, a front side flap and a second side panel joining front side flap to the second side edge of the front panel, wherein an item to be delivered, when placed into the folded box, holds the box in a substantially closed position if the item is large enough to engage both the back side flap and the front side flap. Such an arrangement can also include a top flap and a top panel joining the top flap to the top edge of the back panel.

These and other objects, advantages and features of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the panels of the present invention in their initial unfolded condition;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the panels of the present invention of FIG. 1 with the side flaps folded;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the panels of the present invention of FIG. 2 with the front and back panels partially folded;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of the present invention with the top flap open;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the present invention of FIG. 4 with a jewel case inside;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention of FIG. 4 with the top flap sealed; and

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view of the panels of an alternative embodiment of the present invention in their initial unfolded condition, wherein like elements are given like numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, a delivery box according to the present invention is referred to generally by reference numeral 10. Delivery box 10 includes a substantially rectangular back panel 12 having a top edge 14, a first side edge 16, a second side edge 18, and a bottom edge 20. A substantially rectangular front panel 22 has a top edge 24, a first side edge 26 substantially aligned with first side edge 16 of the back panel, a second side edge 28 substantially aligned with second side edge 18 of the back panel, and a bottom edge 30. A foldable connection, in a preferred arrangement comprising a bottom panel 32, joins bottom edge 30 of the front panel to bottom edge 20 of the back panel. Delivery box 10 further includes a back side flap 34, a foldable connection, in a preferred arrangement comprising a first side panel 36, joining the back side flap to first side edge 16 of the back panel, a front side flap 38 and a foldable connection, in a preferred arrangement comprising a second side panel 40, joining the front side flap to second side edge 28 of the front panel.

In a preferred arrangement, delivery box 10 further includes a top flap 42 and a foldable connection, in a preferred arrangement comprising a top panel 44, joining the top flap to top edge 14 of the back panel.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 6, side flaps 34 and 38 are folded inward. Then front panel 22 and back panel 12 are folded toward each other. An item to be delivered, such as jewel case 50, is inserted in the direction 48 into delivery box 10. A delivery box according to such an arrangement can further include a self-sealing strip 46 affixed to top flap 42. Normally, self-sealing strip 46 is covered by a non-sticking cover. The top flap will attach to the front panel when the self sealing strip is exposed by removing the cover and the top flap is folded over the top of the front panel.

It can thus be seen that a delivery box according to one arrangement of the present invention includes a substantially rectangular back panel having a top edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a bottom edge, a substantially rectangular front panel having a top edge, a first side edge substantially aligned with the first side edge of the back panel, a second side edge substantially aligned with the second side edge of the back panel, and a bottom edge, a bottom panel joining the bottom edge of the front panel to the bottom edge of the back panel, a back side flap, a first side panel joining the back side flap to the first side edge of the back panel, a front side flap and a second side panel joining front side flap to the second side edge of the front panel. Referring specifically to FIG. 5, an item to be delivered, such as jewel case 50, when placed into the folded box, holds the box in a substantially closed position if the item is large enough to engage both back side flap 34 and front side flap 38. This allows more than one person to work on shipment, with one person folding the boxes and placing the items inside, which hold the boxes together. Someone else can then take the boxes and seal them for delivery. It would also allow the assembly of the box and insertion of the item while waiting for a gift card to be written and inserted, without the box coming apart. This also allows for the assembly of boxes with a single sealing surface, rather than having to tape or glue two or more surfaces.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of a delivery box according to the present invention is referred to generally by reference numeral 60. Delivery box 60 is similar to the prior embodiment, but the first side is on the right and second side is on the left. Delivery box 60 further includes a double perforation strip 62 for ease of opening after the box has been sealed.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is well adapted to attain all of the ends and objectives hereinabove set forth, together with other advantages which are inherent to the apparatus.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.