WO2007011620A2

WO2007011620A2 - Collapsible rigid container

Info

Publication number: WO2007011620A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/027108
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Roessiger
Original assignee: Pak 2000, Inc.
Priority date: 2005-07-18
Filing date: 2006-07-13
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: US20070051785A1; WO2007011620A3

Abstract

Disclosed is a collapsible rigid box comprising a rectangular sleeve of rigid chip board and having an exterior panel hingedly connected to the base of the sleeve and dimensioned to fit snugly within the sleeve. An interior shallow tray has a Hymes bottom and integral and overlapping triangular sections which form the base. The blanks for the Hymes bottom have integrally formed marginal wings which are folded to form a shallow tray. An interior panel is hingedly mounted along one side and interior to the tray. One of th blanks making up the Hymes bottom has an aperture therein. One half of a Velcro connector is secured to each of the interior and exterior panels so as to mate through the aperture on opposed sides of the blank. The box is held together by strong cover paper which connects the sleeve side panels.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE RIGID CONTAINER

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to collapsible rigid containers.

Description of Related Art

Rigid containers are every day articles. It is well known to mass manufacture boxes or

other containers which, at some point hi their manufacture, are comprised of flat members which,

are then assembled such as that disclosed by Oxley hi U.S. Patent No. 2,544, 191. Such containers

come in all shapes and sizes.

Boxes or similar containers which may be constructed of a rigid material, such as

cardboard, plastic, or the like, are well known. When manufacturing a rigid container that may

be shipped flat and then easily assembled by the user, a compromise must be made in the

appearance of the container. Details of the assembly, such as the engaging or interlocking

portions of the container walls are usually visible, thereby detracting from the overall appearance

from the typical preassembled rigid container, such as, a hat box or the like.

Most folding boxes or containers are tubular structures with closures at both ends. A

smaller proportion of existing folding containers form a box from a tray. These usually consist

of a base and a lid or cover. On occasion, the lid may be attached to the tray.

In a typical rigid box, a sheet of paper board is cut and scored to a specific box size.

Depending on the size needed, one or more boxes may be die cut from one sheet of paper board. For example, in manufacture, a sheet of paper board might be sufficiently dimensioned to permit

the arrangement therein of a total of six trays, either six bases or lids or, potentially, three basses

and three lids. The scored sheet is then broken into individual pieces. A tray may be assembled

from one of the blanks and defined by four wings or side panels extending from a rectangle. The

four side panels are bent along score lines to right angles with respect to the tray base and stay

tape is applied to each of the four corners to form the tray. Cover paper (or wrap) is cut to size

from sheets or rolls to the approximate desired size. The cover paper is then miter-cut to be so

dimensioned as to permit a smooth fit about the assembled tray. The wrap paper is coated with

an adhesive. The erected tray is disposed on the wrap at the desired location. The paper is then

wrapped around the paper board tray. The portions of the wrap intended to fold over the edge of

the tray the 'turn-in wrap'-enclose all four edges of the tray, the rigid box is complete.

It is well known for the walls of a container to be held releasably held in place by mating

connectors, including magnets as in U.S. Patent No. 6,688,516 by Ussen. One deficiency of the

prior art is that it uses complex means of assembling containers, making it difficult to provide

efficient means of assembly and disassembly.

It is also believed that the prior art fails to teach a box or other container of relatively rigid

material which may be readily assembled and, upon such assembly, give the appearance of being

a completely rigid container and which may be easily collapsed, if desired. Brief Description of the Invention

It is an object of this invention to provide a container which may be provided in a collapsed

state and assembled to form a rigid appearing container.

It is another object of this invention to provide a container in which the base is formed of

interlocking panels and there is provided hingedly secured covers for pivoting so as to cover the

base to provide the appearance of a rigid container.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a container which may be shipped flat

and erected to present a rigid box.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a lid to a container having top and side

panels and which may be provided flat and so connected at its corners as to form a lid with mating

sides.

It is yet another object of this invention to use magnets to releasably join sides so that a

rigid container may be easily assembled and disassembled.

It is a yet a further object of this invention to provide mating panels of a container which

are held in position against the shearing force set up by objects within the container by not

adhesive engaging tape with a high coefficient of friction therebetween relative to the coefficient

of friction of the materials making up the panels.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention there is provided a rigid collapsible

container which comprises container means. The container means includes flexible base means

and container side panel means. The base means and the container side panel means define therebetween a predetermined configuration open at at least one side and closed at one end by the

base means so as to define the interior volume of the container. The base means comprises at least

a pair of interlocking panels . The exterior base panel means is hingedly connected to the container

means so as to fold over and enclose the base means within the container.

In yet another embodiment there is provided a lid for a container which comprises a cover

panel and side panels. There is also provided wrap cover paper secured to the cover and side

panels to thereby join the panels together to form a lid with extending sides. There is also

provided gusset means for connecting one of the side panels to another of the side panels. The

gusset means comprises closure means for making the connection.

In yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a rigid container of the type of

having a collapsed and an erect state. The container comprises housing means including flexible

bottom means, and container side panel means. The bottom means and the container side panel

means define therebetween a predetermined configuration open at at least one side and closed at

one end by the bottom means so as to define therebetween the interior volume of the container

when the container is erect. The bottom means comprises at least a pair of bottom panels. There

is also provided joining means secured to at least one of said bottom panels and insert panel means

for being removably disposable within the housing and against said bottom. The insert panel

comprises engaging means for being connected with the joining means to thereby releasably hold

the bottom panel together with the container in the erect state. In still another aspect, there is provided a rigid container of the type of being

collapsed and an erect state. The container comprises housing means which includes container side

panel means. There is also bottom means. The container side panel means together with the

bottom means define a predetermined configuration open at at least one side and closed at one end

by the bottom means so as to define the interior volume of the container when the container is

erect. The bottom means comprises at least one bottom panel. The bottom joining means are

secured to the bottom panel. The side joining means are secured to at least one of the side panels

for engaging the bottom joining means such that, upon engagement of the bottom and side joining

means, the container is substantially locked in the erect state.

In another embodiment there is provided a container which comprises a housing. The

housing has an interior volume and side panels. The side panel interior surfaces define

therebetween at least a part of said interior volume. At least one closing panel has surfaces for

removably engaging at least a part of the interior surfaces of the side panels. The side panel

interior surfaces relative to the engaging surfaces of the closing panel having a first coefficient of

friction, first means are provided secured to the interior surfaces of the side panels. Second means

are secured to the engaging surfaces of the closing panel. Upon the closing panel engaging the side

panels, the first and second secured means nonadhesively contact one another and have a second

coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction so as to hold the closing panel

to the side panels fixedly in position. There is further a method of making a rigid collapsible container which comprises the steps

of providing a container with flexible bottom means and container side panel means open at at

least one side and closed at one end by said bottom means to define therebetween the interior

volume of the container; providing at least a pair of interlocking panels to form the bottom means;

providing an exterior bottom panel means; and hingedly connecting the bottom panel means to

the container means so as to fold over and enclose the bottom means within the container.

In another aspect there is provided a method of providing a container having a collapsed

and an erect state, the method comprises providing housing means including bottom means, and

container side panel means which together define a predetermined configuration open at least one

side; closing one end with the bottom means to define therebetween the interior volume of the

container when the container is erect; providing joining means to be secured to the bottom means;

providing closure panel means that is removably positionable within the housing and against the

bottom means; and providing insert panel means which includes engaging means for releasably

connecting with the joining means so that the insert panel means releasably and rigidly holds the

bottom means and the container side panel means such that container is in the erect state.

In yet another embodiment there is provided the method of making a container comprising

providing a housing with an ulterior volume and side panels, the side panel interior surfaces

defining therebetween at least a part of the interior volume; providing at least one closing panel

having surfaces for removably engaging at least a part of the ulterior surfaces of the side panels;

providing the side panel interior surfaces relative to the engaging surfaces of said closing panel with a first coefficient of friction; providing first means secured to the interior surfaces of the side

panels; providing second means secured to the engaging surfaces of the closing panel; and bringing

the first and second secured means into contact upon the closing panel engaging the side panels,

and providing the contacting first and second secured means with a second coefficient of friction

greater than the first coefficient of friction so as to hold the closing panel to the side panels fixedly

in position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIGS. IA and B are plan view of the bottom panels, including a Hymes bottom constructed

in accordance with the teachings of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of an exterior sleeve constructed in accordance with the teachings

of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior tray; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled container; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cover for the container; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of the container of this invention;

and

FIGS. 7A-73 are side views of the panels of the container of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of the box of FIG. 6 in a collapsed or folded state; and FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the side walls of the device

of this invention; and

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of the bottom section of the container of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side view of the device of FIG. 10 in a collapsed state.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Turning to FIGS. IA and B there is shown two interlocking planar members which may

be made out of any suitable material such as relatively flexible cardboard blanks 10 and 12 to form

a bottom 8 (FIG. 3) of the box 11 (FIG. 4). The blanks 10 and 12 are identical mirror images

of one another other and comprise a substantial rectangular portion 14 and 16, respectively. A

marginal longer dimensioned edge 18, 20 of each blank 10, 12, respectively, may define the

interlocking parts 18, 20 of a Hymes bottom. A crease or score line 22, 24, defines the longer

dimensioned side of each rectangular portion 14, 16, respectively, which is opposed to the Hymes

bottom lock 18, 20, respectively. To one side of each rectangular portion 14, 16 may be provided

a triangularly shaped section 26, 28, respectively. The base 30, 32 of each triangle 26, 28 is an

extension of the crease or score line 22, 24. Each triangle 26, 28 may be joined to the rectangular

portion 14, 16 by means of an integrally formed substantially rectangular panel 34, 36. A crease

line 38, 40 in each panel 34, 36, where an apex 42, 44 of the triangular portion 26, 28 contacts

a corner 42, 44 of each respective rectangular portion 14, 16, divides each respective rectangular

panel 34, 36 into two rectangular parts, 34a, 34b, and 36a, 36b. Each rectangular panel 34, 36

has an extending flap 46, 48. (Any other type of known interlocking bottom may be used, such as, a Houghland bottom.) While cardboard, paper board, and chip or white board are referred

to throughout, it will be understood that any material, such as plastic or wood, may be used.

Four chipboard panels 52-58, may be joined together to thereby define a rectangular sleeve

50 (FIG.2) open at the top 60 and bottom 62. The panels 52-58 may be joined or held together

by any convenient means, such as by forming from a continuous panel which may be folded or

scored. Here, the four rectangularly shaped panels 52-58, which may be made of chip or white

board, may be held together by tape, other joining means, including a strong wrap or cover paper

which is turned over as, for example at 64, 66 along the top and bottom defining edges 60, 62.

One extending panel 68 (shown in phantom) of the cover paper is, however, not

folded over its respective side 52. An exterior bottom rigid panel 70, which may be made of the

same material as the side panels 52-58 of the sleeve 50 may be wrapped in the same covering

wrap. The bottom panel 70 is so dimensioned as to fit snugly within the sleeve 50. The panel 68

of the wrap paper may be connected to the exterior bottom panel 70 by adhesive or similar means

(in the same way that the wrap paper is adhered to the side panels 52-58) so as to hingedly connect

the exterior panel 70 to the sleeve 50 so as to present a rigid appearing bottom integral with the

remainder of the container.

One panel 16 of the Hymes bottom lock has an aperture 72 therethrough. An inside panel

74 (FIG. 3) which may be made of cardboard or the like, may be secured to the other part 14 of

the Hymes lock as by, for example, clear tape 76 so that when the Hymes lock is assembled, the

inside panel 74 moves hingedly to cover and thereby hide from view the Hymes bottom. Matching connectors 78 (FIG.3) and 80 (FIG. 2), which may for example be Velcro^®, are secured

respectively to the interior panel 74 and exterior panel 70 by well known means and so positioned

as to mate with one another through the aperture 72 on opposed sides of the Hymes lock bottom panels 16 and 18.

In assembly (FIGS. IA, B, 3, and 4), the rectangular panels 34, 36 are each folded

upwardly along the crease lines 22-30, 32-24 and then along vertical crease lines 38 and 46 and

40 and 48. Placed in Hymes bottom engagement, the upstanding panels 34, 36 form the sidewalls

of a shallow tray 82 (FIG. 3). The extending flaps 46, 48 may be secured, as by glue or the like,

to the respective mating walls 34a and 36a to thereby form the shallow tray 82. Upon engaging

the Hymes bottom lock 16, 18, the triangular part 26, 28 of each blank fold to complete the

bottom 90 (FIG. 4). The shallow tray 82 is so dimensioned as to fit snugly within the bottom 62

of the sleeve 50 (FIG. 4). The shallow tray 82 may be attached to the sleeve 50 by any known

means as by glue or the like.

In operation, with the Hymes bottom engaged and the bottom 90 formed, the inside panel

74 and the exterior panel 70 are each hingedly connected along the same edge defined by the

bottom edge 84 of one side 52 of the sleeve 50 and the crease line 24 of the shallow tray 80. As

indicated, the Velcro connectors 78, 80 mate through opposing sides of the aperture 72 in the

Hymes bottom. When fully assembled, the rigid exterior panel 78 combines with the sleeve 50

to form a rigid box. Opening the exterior panel exposes the aperture 72 in the Hymes bottom.

By pushing through the aperture 78, the inside panel 74 is pivoted upwardly (FIG. 4). The Hymes bottom lock 16, 18 may then be disengaged in a well known manner and the box 86 collapsed by

folding sides 56, 58 upon sides 52, 54 or sides 56, 54 upon sides 52, 58, forming a flat but easily assembled rigid appearing box.

A lid 100 (FIG. 5) may be constructed to also be collapsed. Such a cover may comprise

a top rectangular panel 102 and four side panels 104-110. The side panels 104-110 may be joined

to the top panel 102 as by a wrap paper 112 adhered by an adhesive to the exterior side of the

panels 102-110. A rectangular gusset 114 may be formed at each end 116 of the sides 104-110

of the lid 100. Each gusset may be folded upon itself to define hinged triangular sections 118,

120. One of the triangular sections 120 may have adhered thereto double-sided tape with a piece

of release paper covering it as is well known. The lid may be disposed flat by folding the sides

110-114 flat with the top panel 102. To assemble, the release paper (not visible) is removed and

the triangular sections 118, 120 of each gusset 114 adhered to one another to form the lid 100.

If it is desired to permit the lid 100 to be erected and collapsed, the corners 116 may be connected

by such closure means as Velcro or the like.

While the rigid box herein has been described as comprised of a tray insertable within a

sleeve, it is to be understood that the same device can be constructed in other ways, as by, for

example, the locking bottom being integrally formed with the sleeve sides and made from one or

more appropriately scored blanks.

In another aspect of this invention there may be provided a container 200 (FIGS. 6, 8)

which may comprise four sides 202, 204, 206, 208. This is but one example. However, other shapes are contemplated, such as containers with a square cross section and other symmetrical or

asymmetrical configurations. Containers of different dimensions or having a different number of

sides are contemplated. In the example shown, the container 200 is rectangularly shaped with two

sides 206, 208 being longer than the other two sides 202, 204. Each pair of sides 202, 204 (see

also FIG. 7c) and 206, 208 (see also FIG. 7B) may have identical dimensions for ease of

assembly. The bottom 210 of the container 200 may be comprised of triangularly shaped pieces

212, 214 (see also FIG. 7D) and two identically dimensioned isosceles trapezoids 216, 218 (see

also FIG. 7A). In the shorter dimensioned side 224, 226 of the trapezoids 216, 218, may be an

opening. In the example shown, this opening may be a notch 220, 222. The shape if the opening

220, 222 is one of choice and, in the drawing, is shown as a rectangular cross section.

Thebottom210 (FIGS. 6, 8) may comprise the abutting and mating edges of the triangular

212, 214 and the isosceles trapezoids 216, 218.

The notches 220, 222 in the short side 224, 226, respectively, will, upon assembly mate

to form an opening or aperture in the bottom where the two isosceles trapezoids meet (224, 226).

The opening or aperture defined between abutting sides may have any desired symmetrical or

asymmetrical configuration.

Joined to the bottom side 228 of one of the isosceles trapezoids 216 may be a magnet

receptor 230 which may be of any well known material, such as a ferrous medallion (as shown).

The receptor 230 may have any desired shape, such as circular, as shown. The magnet 230 may

be secured to the exterior bottom wall 228 of the container 200 by any means, such as glue or the like. The receptor 230 may be so positioned such that, when the two edges 224, 226 of the

shorter dimensioned sides 224, 226 of the isosceles trapezoids mate, the receptor 230 covers the meeting notches 220, 222.

A closing panel 234 (FIG. 7E), may be so dimensioned as to fit in the ulterior of the box

and abut the bottom wall 210. In the example shown, the closing wall 234 may be a rectangularly

shaped planar member which is dimensioned to conform to the interior dimensions of the container

200 and abut the interior bottom wall 210. A magnet 238 may be secured to the side 236 of the

bottom wall 210 that abuts or contacts the interior surface 232 of the bottom wall 210. The

magnet 238 may be affixed by any well known means, as by glue or tape. The magnet 238 may

be attached to the closing panel 234 so as to be in registry with the aperture 220, 222 when the

closing panel 234 positioned against the bottom wall 210 of the container 200.

In assembly, the abutting sides 240 of two of the sidewalls 206 and 204 (FIG. 9) may be

joined or attached to one another. In like manner, the abutting sides or edges 242 of the adjacent

two sidewalls 204, 208 may be secured or joined to one another. The remaining side 202 may be

joined at its abutting edge 244 with the sidewall 208 and abutting edge 246 with the wall 206. The

isosceles trapezoids 216, 218 may be secured at their longer-dimensioned parallel abutting edges

248, 250 to the respective bottom edges 248, 250 of the side walls 206, 208. The triangular

sections 212, 214 of the bottom wall 210 may have one side 252, 254 joined to the respective side

walls 204, 206. In this way, the completed blank may be collapsed flat (FIG. 9). When opened,

the bottom wall 210 forms easily. The individual sides 202, 204, 206, 208 may be joined along abutting edges 240, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 252, 254 as by tape or wrapping paper (not shown).

The wrapping paper, when covering all surfaces of the container, gives the appearance of a unitary rigid container.

As indicated above, the shape of the container may be geometrically symmetrical or

asymmetrical. In general, the geometry of the sections making up the bottom wall of the container

will change with the shape of the container. If, for example, the container were to have a square

cross section, the bottom walls may comprise four mating frusto-triangles (not shown) . The apices

of the mating triangles may be defined by the frusto ends thereby defining an aperture. A

magnetic receptor, such as a ferrous medallion of any desired shape may be secured to one of the

triangles and engages the aperture in the same way as the above embodiment. As before, a

removable bottom planar member is insertable within the housing of the container and may have

a magnet in registry with the aperture and the base magnet.

In operation, the attached and folded blank is erected into the shape of the container 200.

The receptor 230 mates with the magnet 238 on opposed sides of the aperture 220, 222 to hold the

container 200 rigidly in position. To collapse the container, all that need be done is to remove the

closing panel 234 to return the container to its folded blank condition. As in the first embodiment,

cardboard, paper board, and chip or white board may be used construct the container. However,

it will be understood that any material, such as plastic or wood, may be used. Wherever a magnet or receptor is described above (and below) it will be understood that

the position of the receptor and magnet are interchangeable or that oppositely poled magnets may be used in place thereof.

In yet another embodiment, a container 300 (FIG. 10) may be formed from individual

planar members. As before, chip or white board is provided in this example, but any material,

as indicated above may be used. In the example shown, the container (shown with the bottom

upper most) may have a square cross section and be formed of four individual planar members

302, 304, 306, 308. (Any desired shape - to form a geometrically symmetrical or asymmetrical

container may be used.) In this example, the four sides 302, 304, 306, 308 may, as with the other

embodiments, present a unitary rigid appearance by the use of wrapping paper 310 placed over

the outer surfaces of the members 302, 304, 306, 308 and secured thereto as by glue. The

wrapping paper 310 may be folded over the marginal edges 312, 314 of the assembled sides 302,

304, 306, 308 with a relatively small skirt 316 to be folded over the marginal edges 312, 314 and

attached by glue or similar means. Prior to gluing, magnets (or magnetic receptors) 318 may be

attached to the interior walls 320, 322, 324, 326 of the sides 302, 304, 306, 308, respectively.

As an example, the magnets 318 may be small disks. The small skirt 316 may be disposed over

the magnets 318 to assist holding them in place. The magnets 318 may be held in place by the

addition of tape, which may be, for example, clear cellophane tape 328. Any other suitable means

of attachment may be used as well . Further , the size and shape of the magnet 318 is one of choice and will be, as will be more apparent from the discussion above and below, a function of the desired strength of the magnet.

A bottom closure lid 330 (FIG. 11) may be in the shape of a typical cover, with a bottom

wall 332 and upstanding sides 334, 336, 338, 340. These may be, again, of ordinary chipboard

or cardboard or other structural material, held together by a wrapping paper. Under the wrapping

papers and attached to the outer surfaces of the sides 334, 336, 338, 340, may be magnets 342

(shown in phantom in FIG. 11). The bottom cover 330 is so dimension to be slidably into the

container 300.

In assembly, the bottom cover 330 is oriented so that its bottom wall 332 will define the

bottom wall of the completed container, with the marginal walls 334, 336, 338, 340 inside the

container. The magnets 342 and 318, when aligned for a strong bond and define the rigid

container. To assist hi moving the bottom cover 330 from the top of the open container downward

until the magnets 318, 342 mate, a strip of material, such as PVC tape (not visible) may be

disposed about the outside of the marginal walls 334, 336, 338, 340. Similar tape may be secured

to the ulterior walls of the container 300 (not visible).

The resulting container 300 is rigid or locked hi position when erected from the collapsed

state. The closure lid 330 may be slid into place from the top of the open container. The engaged

magnets in the closure lid 330 and side walls 302, 304, 306, 309 serve to position the walls with

respect to one another. However, magnetic fields may not be sufficiently strong to overcome the

shearing forces set up when objects are placed hi the container. When the closure lid 330 is in position in the base of the container 300, the PVC tape secured to the interior walls of the side

walls of the container 300 may be in registry with the PVC secured to the outer surface of on the

upstanding walls 334, 336, 338, 340 of the closure lid 330. The mating PVC tape like material

exhibits a higher coefficient of friction than exists between the cardboard or other material making

up the panels. (Of course, any other material exhibiting a mating higher coefficient of friction

than the panels may also be used.) In such circumstances, the mating surfaces of the tape prevents

the closure lid from separating from the container side walls under the shearing forces set up by

objects placed in the container. The mating tape surface form a rigid container which may be

easily disassembled since they are not adhesively joined. Thus, the mating surfaces are not

permanently affixed as by glue or similar substantially permanent joining means.

A top cover or lid of typical construction and well known in the art may be so dimensioned

as to fit over the top 344 of the container. With the top and bottom covers removed, the walls may

be easily folded upon themselves (FIG. 12) for storage or shipment.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are

pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details above,

since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the

forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the

art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

IN THE CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A rigid collapsible container comprising:

a) container means including

I) flexible bottom means, and

ii) container side panel means;

b) said bottom means and said container side panel means defining

therebetween a predetermined configuration open at at least one side and closed at one end by said

bottom means to define therebetween the interior volume of the container;

c) said bottom means comprises at least a pair of interlocking panels; and

d) exterior bottom panel means hingedly connected to said container means so

as to fold over and enclose said bottom means within the container.

2. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 1 wherein said bottom means

further comprises inside panel means hingedly secured to said bottom means for covering said

interlocking panels on the inside of said container.

3. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 2 further comprises closure means

secured to said inside panel and said bottom panel for releasably locking said inside and bottom

panels together when both panels are disposed against opposite sides of said interlocking panels.

4. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 3 wherein said bottom panel means

comprises a tray; said tray comprises said two interlocking panels, each of said interlocking panels comprise foldable side panels so that upon folding said interlocking panels are joined to one another to define said tray.

5. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 4 wherein said tray side panels

being so dimensioned as to fit snugly within said container side panels to thereby form the bottom

of the container.

6. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 5 wherein said container side

panels and said tray are rectangular.

7. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 6 wherein said container side

panels are constructed of chip board.

8. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 7 wherein said interlocking bottom

comprises a Hymes bottom.

9. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 8 wherein said interlocking bottom

further comprises each panel being a mirror image of the other and comprises a triangular panel

section joined to said Hymes bottom such that a complete bottom is formed from said interlocking

panels.

10. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 9 wherein said interior panel is

hingedly connected to said tray along one interior side thereof and said exterior panel is hingedly

connected to said sleeve along the corresponding side of said sleeve.

11. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 10 wherein one of said interlocking

panels having therethrough an aperture; said closure means comprises mating connectors secured respectively to said interior and exterior panels so as to releasably engage one another through said

aperture.

12. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 13 further comprises cover paper

to hold said panels of said container together and having at least one extending paper panel; and

wherein said container side panels and said exterior panels comprises individual rectangular panels

and said exterior bottom panel is hingedly connected to said sleeve by said extending cover paper

panel.

13. A rigid collapsible container as recited in Claim 12 upon pivoting outwardly said

exterior panel and pivoting said interior panel by pushing through said aperture, the container

being collapsible against said side panels.

14. A rigid container of the type of having a collapsed and an erect state, said container

comprising:

a) housing means including

I) bottom means, and

ii) container side panel means;

b) said bottom means and said container side panel means defining

bottom means to define therebetween the interior volume of the container when the container is

erect;

c) joining means secured to said bottom means; d) closure panel means for being removably positionable within said housing

and against said bottom means; and

e) said insert panel means comprising engaging means for releasably

connecting with said joining means so that said insert panel means releasably and rigidly holds said

bottom means and said container side panel means such that container is in the erect state.

15. A rigid container as recited in Claim 14 wherein said joining means comprises at

least a joining magnet or magnet receptor and said bottom engaging means comprises at least an

engaging magnet or magnet receptor.

16. A rigid container as recited in Claim 15 wherein said bottom means comprises a

bottom wall of said container; said bottom wall comprises at least two substantially planar panels

which, together with said container side panel means, define said container in the erect state; said

bottom wall having an aperture therethrough; said engaging magnet or magnet receptor secured

to the outer side of said bottom wall of at least one of said panels; said joining magnet or magnet

receptors magnetically coupling to said engaging magnet or magnet receptor to hold the container

erect.

17. A rigid container as recited in Claim 16 wherein said closure panel means

comprises a substantially planar panel for being insertable into said housing and abutting said bottom wall when the container is erect; said joining magnet or magnetic receptor being joined to

the side of said closure panel that abuts said bottom wall.

18. A rigid container as recited in Claim 17 further comprises tape means for joining said panels and said bottom panels together.

19. A rigid container as recited hi Claim 18 wherein said tape means comprises

adhesive tape.

20. A rigid container as recited hi Claim 18 wherein said tape means comprises

wrapping paper.

21. A rigid container as recited in Claim 18 wherein each of said container side panel

means comprises a multiplicity of substantially planar members, each one of said planar members

foldably connected to at least one adjoining one of said substantially planar members.

22. A rigid container as recited in Claim 21 wherein said container side panel means

comprises four side panels two of which two are square and two are rectangular, said bottom

members comprise two triangular panels and two isosceles trapezoids; the shorter parallel side of

said isosceles trapezoids having therein a notch; said notches mating said bottom aperture; the longer parallel side of each of said isosceles trapezoids being secured to a marginal edge of said

rectangular side panels; one side of each of said triangular panels being secured to a marginal edge

of each one said square side panels.

23. A rigid container as recited in Claim 21 wherein said container side panel means

comprises four equally dimensioned side panels; said bottom means comprising four frusto

triangular members; a side of each triangular members being pivotally secured to a marginal edge

of one of said side panels; upon said triangles contacting one another along adjacent sides, said

bottom being defined; said triangles upon coming together to define said bottom, said frusto ends

defining therebetween an aperture in said bottom wall means; said joining magnet or magnet

receptor being affixed to the outside surface of one of said triangles.

24. A rigid container of the type of having a collapsed and an erect state, said container

comprising:

a) housing means including container side panel means;

b) bottom means; said container side panel means together with said bottom

means defining a predetermined configuration open at at least one side and closed at one end by

said bottom means to define the interior volume of the container when the container is erect;

c) said bottom means comprises at least one bottom panel;

d) bottom joining means secured to said bottom panel; e) side joining means secured to at least one of said side panels for engaging

said bottom joining means such that, upon engagement of said bottom and side joining means, the

container is substantially locked in the erect state.

25. A container as recited in Claim 24 wherein said joining means comprises magnets

or magnetic receptors.

26. A container as recited in Claim 25 wherein said side panel having attached

proximate the end thereof for being joined to said bottom panel having said side wall magnet or

magnet receptor secured to said side panel and said bottom magnet or magnet receptor being

secured to said bottom.

27. A container as recited hi Claim 26 wherein each of said side panels has secured at

least one magnet or magnetic receptors; said bottom comprising a closure lid having upstanding

side walls; said base magnet or magnet receptors being affixed to said upstanding sides and in

registry with each of said side panel magnets or magnet receptors to thereby magnetically lock said

bottom to said sides.

28. A container as recited in Claim 27 further comprises surface adhering means

secured to the interior walls of said housing and adhering means secured to said closure upstanding

walls such that adhering means mating with a higher coefficient of friction

29. A container comprising:

a) a housing having an interior volume and side panels , said side panel interior

surfaces defining therebetween at least a part of said interior volume;

b) at least one closing panel having surfaces for removably engaging at least

a part of said interior surfaces of said side panels;

c) said side panel interior surfaces relative to said engaging surfaces of said

closing panel having a first coefficient of friction;

d) first means secured to interior surfaces of said side panels;

e) second means secured to said engaging surfaces of said closing panel; and

f) upon said closing panel engaging said side panels, said first and second

secured means nonadhesively contacting one another and having a second coefficient of friction

greater than said first coefficient of friction so as to hold said closing panel to said side panels

fixedly in position.

30. The container as recited in Claim 29 further comprises magnetic means secured to

said side panels and said closing panel means, with said first and second secured means in engagement, said magnetic means magnetically engaging one another to position said closing panel with respect to said side walls.

31. The container as recited in Claim 29 wherein said first and second secured means comprises PVC tape.

32. The container as recited in Claim 30 wherein said magnetic means comprises

magnetically coupleable magnets or magnetic receptors in registry with one another in said side

panels and said closing panel.

33. The container as recited in Claim 32 wherein said closing panel comprises a lid

structure with upstanding walls; said upstanding walls contacting said interior surfaces of said side

panels; said magnetic receptors and said magnets comprise disk-like elements adhered respectively

to said interior surface of said side panels and to said closing panel.

34. A method of making a rigid collapsible container comprising:

a) providing a container with flexible bottom means and container side panel

means open at at least one side and closed at one end by said bottom means to define therebetween

the interior volume of the container; b) providing at least a pair of interlocking panels to form the bottom means; and

c) providing an exterior bottom panel means

d) hingedly connecting the bottom panel means to the container means so as

to fold over and enclose the bottom means within the container.

35. The method as recited in Claim 34 wherein the step of providing a bottom panel

comprises providing a tray with two interlocking panels; providing the container with side panels;

fitting the tray and fit snugly within said container side panels to thereby form the bottom of the

container.

36. The method of Claim 35 further comprises providing the interlocking panels with

an aperture; attaching mating connectors secured respectively to said interior and exterior panels

so as to releasably engage one another through either side of the aperture.

37. A method of providing a container having a collapsed and an erect state, the

method comprising:

a) providing housing means including bottom means , and container side panel

means which together define a predetermined configuration open at least one side; b) closing one end with the bottom means to define therebetween the ulterior volume of the container when the container is erect;

c) providing joining means to be secured to the bottom means;

d) providing closure panel means that is removably positionable within the housing and against the bottom means; and

e) providing insert panel means which includes engaging means for releasably

bottom means and the container side panel means such that container is hi the erect state.

38. The method of Claim 37 wherein the step of providing joining means joining means

comprises providing a joining magnet or magnet receptor and the step of providing the bottom

engaging means comprises providing an engaging magnet or magnet receptor; the step of

providing the bottom means comprises providing a bottom wall of the container with at least two

substantially planar panels which, together with the container side panel means, define the

container in the erect state; providing the bottom with an aperture therethrough; securing the

engaging magnet or magnet receptor to the outer side of the bottom wall of at least one of said

panels; providing the closure panel means comprises providing a substantially planar panel

insertable into the housing and abutting the bottom wall when the container is erect; positioning

the joining magnet or magnetic receptor to the side of the closure panel that abuts the bottom wall.

39. The method of making a container comprising:

a) providing a housing with an interior volume and side panels, the side panel

interior surfaces defining therebetween at least a part of the interior volume;

b) providing at least one closing panel having surfaces for removably engaging

at least a part of the interior surfaces of the side panels;

c) providing the side panel interior surfaces relative to the engaging surfaces

of said closing panel with a first coefficient of friction;

d) providing first means secured to the ulterior surfaces of the side panels;

e) providing second means secured to the engaging surfaces of the closing

panel; and

f) bringing the first and second secured means into contact upon the closing

panel engaging the side panels, and providing the contacting first and second secured means with

a second coefficient of friction greater than the first coefficient of friction so as to hold the closing

panel to the side panels fixedly in position.

40. The method as recited in Claim 39 wherein providing PVC tape as the first and

second secured means; providing the closing panel with a lid structure having upstanding walls;

contacting the interior surfaces of the side panels with the lid upstanding walls ; providing magnetic

receptors and magnets adhered respectively to the interior surface of said side panels and to said

closing panel to position the closing panel with respect to the side panels.