US20120228319A1

US20120228319A1 - Portable Carrier

Info

Publication number: US20120228319A1
Application number: US13/043,673
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew R. Cook; Thomas Fu; Kurt M. Wolf
Original assignee: LBP Manufacturing LLC
Current assignee: LBP Manufacturing LLC
Priority date: 2011-03-09
Filing date: 2011-03-09
Publication date: 2012-09-13

Abstract

A unitary blank is configured to be assembled into a portable carrier. The unitary blank includes a bottom panel, a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel, and a top panel connected with one of the side panels. The unitary blank also includes a carrier divider panel connected with one of the side panels. The carrier divider panel includes perforations such that the carrier divider panel is detachable from the side panel and configured to be inserted into an interior of the portable carrier formed by the bottom panel, the plurality of side panels, and the top panel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present description relates generally to a carrier, and more specifically relates to a portable carrier.

BACKGROUND

Storage and/or carrying devices are useful in many circumstances and for many purposes. For example, food or drinks prepared at a first location may need to be stored or transported to a second location, such as by a caterer or by a user picking up a dinner order from a commercial restaurant and returning it home for subsequent consumption. It may be useful to have a storage device or carrier for transporting the food or drinks, as well as any additional items or condiments which may be useful. In other circumstances, other items, such as books, office supplies, pets and/or pet food, toys, games, and/or various other contents, materials, items, containers, and/or cargo may need to be stored and/or transported. It may be useful to have a storage device or carrier capable of storing or carrying these items in an efficient manner.

SUMMARY

A unitary blank is configured to be assembled into a portable carrier. The unitary blank includes a bottom panel, a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel, and a top panel connected with one of the side panels. The unitary blank also includes a carrier divider panel connected with one of the side panels. The carrier divider panel includes perforations such that the carrier divider panel is detachable from the side panel and configured to be inserted into an interior of the portable carrier formed by the bottom panel, the plurality of side panels, and the top panel.
Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the embodiments, and be protected by the following claims and be defined by the following claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The system and/or method may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive descriptions are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating principles. In the figures, like referenced numerals may refer to like parts throughout the different figures unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a blank of a portable carrier.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a blank of a portable carrier.

FIG. 4 a is a top view of a detachable carrier divider panel.

FIG. 4 b is a top view of a detachable carrier divider panel.

FIG. 4 c is a top view of a detachable carrier divider panel.

FIG. 5 is an elevated side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 13 a is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 13 b is side perspective views of a portable carrier.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 15 a is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 15 b is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 17 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 19 is a side view of a portable carrier.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of a portable carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A portable carrier may be useful for transporting contents, materials, items, containers, and/or cargo (hereinafter “cargo” or “containers”). For example, a portable carrier may have an interior that may be used to store cargo such as food or food containers, condiments, napkins, utensils, beverages, other items for eating or drinking or combinations of items. Alternatively, the portable carrier may be partially or completely filled with other cargo such as, for example, books, office supplies, pets and/or pet food, toys, games, and/or various other contents, materials, items, containers, and/or cargo. The portable carrier may be, for example, loaded from the side, which may allow for easy loading of cargo or containers which may be prone to spilling. The portable carrier may have a handle connected to a top of the portable carrier which may be used to carrier the portable carrier. The portable carrier may have detachable carrier divider panels (sometimes referred to as carrier dividers) which may be attached to a panel or portion of a blank used to make the portable carrier, and which may be detached from the panel or portion of the blank upon assembly of the portable carrier and used separately as carrier divider panels inside the assembled portable carrier.
FIG. 1 shows an example of a portable carrier 100. The portable carrier 100 may include a side panel 142, a front panel 140, a top panel 130 with an aperture 115, and a handle 102 with a handle opening 103. The portable carrier 100 may also include a side panel opposite the side panel 142, a back panel opposite the front panel 140, and/or a bottom panel opposite the top panel 130. More or less panels, apertures, handles, and/or handle openings may be included.
The portable carrier 100 may, as shown in FIG. 1, be a cube with square panels 130, 140 and 142. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be various other shapes, such as, for example, a rectangular solid or rectangular prism, a parallelpiped, box-shaped, pyramidal, semi-cylindrical, cylindrical, semi-spherical, or other shapes.
The portable carrier 100 may have various dimensions. For example, the portable carrier 100 may be a cube with a side length of approximately 10-12 inches. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be a cube with side length less than 10 inches or greater than 12 inches. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be a shape other than a cube, such as a parallelpiped, and have dimensions such as a length of 25 inches, a width of 16 inches, and a height of 14 inches. Various other shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions are possible.
The portable carrier 100 may be made of, for example, corrugated cardboard. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be made of various other materials such as, for example, other cardboard, paper, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, metal, glass, insulation or insulating materials, or other materials or combinations of materials.
The portable carrier 100 may or may not include, bound, and/or create a volume, area, and/or space. For example, the portable carrier 100 may or may not include or create an interior space bounded by the side panel 142, the front panel 140, the top panel 130, the bottom panel opposite the top panel 130, the back panel opposite the front panel 140, and the side panel opposite the side panel 142. More or fewer panels or features of the portable carrier 100 may partially or completely include, bound and/or create the volume, area, and/or space. Where the portable carrier is not a cube, other panels or features may partially or completely define a volume, area, and/or space.
The volume, area, and/or space of the portable carrier 100 may be partially or completely filled with or used to store contents, materials, items, containers, and/or cargo (hereinafter “cargo” or “containers”).
Cargo may be placed in the portable carrier 100 from the side of the portable carrier 100. For example, the front panel 140 of the portable carrier 100 may be connected to a bottom panel of the portable carrier 100, such as by a hinged connection whereby a portion or the entire front panel 140 may be moveable relative to the bottom panel. The front panel 140 may be attachable and/or detachable from the top panel 130, such that the side panel 140 may fold down to a position parallel or substantially parallel with the bottom panel of the portable carrier 100. Folding the front panel 140 in this way may create an opening through which a user may access the volume, area, and/or space of the portable carrier 100. In this way, for example, a user may safely insert for transportation cargo which is not intended to be tipped or spilled, and may prevent unnecessary loss, jostling, or disruption of the contents of the inserted cargo. This may be particularly useful for cargo which has an area nearly the same size as, or slightly smaller than, an area of a bottom panel of the portable carrier 100, which if inserted through the top of the carrier would require partially rotating the cargo vertically to fit in the carrier.
The portable carrier 100 may be lifted, transported, and/or carried using a handle 102. The handle 102 may or may not be inserted through an aperture 115 on the top panel 130. The handle 102 may be removably or fixedly attached to the portable carrier 100. In lifting, transporting, and/or carrying the portable carrier 100, a user may, for example, insert a hand or other gripping device or instrument through handle opening 103. The user may then lift the hand or other gripping device, apply pressure to an inner portion of the handle 102 in an upwards direction. The pressure applied may lift the portable carrier 100. As such, cargo inserted through the side of the portable carrier 100 may be lifted, transported, and/or carried without tipping or spilling, or being lost, jostled, or otherwise disrupted.
The portable carrier 100 of FIG. 1 may be useful, for example, for catering and/or carrying containers of food or other solid or non-solid material which should be kept flat, since the containers may be inserted flat through the side of the portable carrier 100 without being tipped, may be carried from the top of the portable carrier 100 using handle 102, and may be removed at the destination again through the side of the portable carrier 100.
The portable carrier 100 of FIG. 1 may be made of, include, and/or be constructed from one or more separate pieces. For example, the portable carrier 100 may be assembled from a single or unitary blank. Alternatively, the portable carrier may be assembled from multiple blanks. Other configurations are possible.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a blank 200 which may be assembled, folded, and/or used as or to create the portable carrier 100. FIG. 3 shows a second example of a blank 600 which may be assembled, folded, and/or used as or to create the portable carrier 100. Though the following descriptions of FIGS. 4-20 may be used to describe components of blank 200, it should be appreciated that the same or similar descriptions, methods, and/or capabilities may equally apply to like components of blank 600.
A blank used for the portable carrier 100, such as blanks 200 or 600, may be made of, for example, corrugated cardboard. Alternatively, the blanks 200 or 600 may be made of various other materials such as, for example, other cardboard, paper, plastic, fiberglass, aluminum, wood, metal, glass, insulation or insulating materials, or other materials or combinations of materials. The blank 200 may be unitary or single-sheet construction, with all of the panels and components being included on one blank. Alternatively, the blanks 200 or 600 may comprise more than one sheet, component, or blank.
The blank 200 may have various dimensions. For example, the blank 200 may have a total length of approximately 47 inches, and may have a total width of approximately 31 inches. However, many other dimensions are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more side panels 142 and 144. Side panels 142 and 144 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, the side panels 142 and 144 may be square and may have a length of approximately 11 inches. Alternatively, the side panels 142 and 144 may be rectangular, with a length that is twice the width. However, other shapes and/or dimensions are possible. In FIG. 2, the side panels 142 and 144 have the same shape and dimensions. In other systems, the side panels 142 and 144 may have different shapes and/or dimensions from each other.
The blank 200 may include one or more front panel 140. Front panel 140 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the front panel 140 may be square, and may have a length of approximately 11 inches. Various other shapes and/or dimensions are possible. The front panel 140 may have the same or similar shape, size, and dimensions as one or both of the side panels 142 and 144, or may be different. The front panel 140 may be or may be referred to as a side panel or a front panel.
The front panel 140 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to a bottom panel 146, such as at or by fold line 338. The front panel 140 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the detachable carrier devices 210 and 212, such as by perforated fold lines, or perforations, 415 and 410 respectively. The front panel 140 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected, attached or fixed to the top flap 295, such as along or by a fold line 342. However, other configurations, positions, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more top panel 130. The top panel 130 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the top panel 130 may be generally square, and may have a length of approximately 11 inches. However, various other shapes and/or dimensions are possible.
The top panel 130 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panel 142, such as at or by the fold line 320. The top panel 130 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the back folding panel 270, such as at or by a fold line 318. The top panel 130 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the securing flap 250, such as at or by a fold line 316. The top panel 130 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the handle flap 290, such as at or by a fold line 310. However, other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more bottom panel 146. The bottom panel 146 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom panel 146 may be square, and may have a length of approximately 11 inches. However, other shapes and/or dimensions are possible. The bottom panel 146 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panels 142 and 144, such as at or by fold line 326 and 330 respectively. The bottom panel 146 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the front panel 140, such as at or by the fold line 338. The bottom panel 146 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the back folding panel 276, such at or by a fold line 328. However, other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280. The back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. One or more of the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may have the same or different shapes, sizes and/or dimensions from one or more other back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280.
For example, back folding panels 270 and 276 may be similar to each other in shape, size, and/or dimension, as shown in FIG. 2, or they may be different. As shown in FIG. 2, back folding panels 270 and 276 may, for example, be shaped similar to a half of a non-rectangular parallelogram, divided or bisected by a line perpendicular to a set of the parallel sides. Stated another way, the back folding panels 270 and 276 in FIG. 2 may be shaped similar to or resemble a boundary of a square and adjacent right triangle sharing a common side. The edges of the back folding panel 270 and 276 may be rounded, as shown in FIG. 2, or may be sharp. Other shapes are possible.
Back folding panels 270 and 276 may have a length similar to the length of the top panel 130 and the bottom panel 146, such as 11 inches, or the length may be different. Back folding panels 270 and 276 may have a width of approximately half of the width of the top panel 130 and the bottom panel 146, such as 5-6 inches, or the width may be various other dimensions. Various dimensions are possible.
Back folding panels 270 and 276 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the top panel 130 and/or the bottom panel 146 respectively, such as, for example, at or by fold lines 318 and 328 respectively. However, other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible.
Back folding panels 272 and 280 may, for example, be similar to each other in shape and dimension, as shown in FIG. 2, or may have different shapes or dimensions. For example, the back folding panels 272 and 280 may be shaped generally like the back folding panels 270 and 276 or may be shaped differently. The back folding panels 272 and 280 may be shaped similar to a half of a non-rectangular parallelogram, divided by a line perpendicular to a set of the parallel sides. As shown in FIG. 2, the back folding panels 272 and 280 may be shaped similar to or resemble a boundary of a square and right triangle sharing a common side. Other shapes are possible.
Back folding panels 272 and 280 may have a length similar to the length of the side panels 142 and 144, such as 11 inches, or the length may be different. Back folding panels 272 and 280 may have a width of approximately half of the width of the side panels 142 and 144, such as 5-6 inches, or the width may be other dimensions. Various dimensions are possible.
Back folding panels 272 and 280 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panels 142 and 144 respectively, such as, for example, at or by fold lines 324 and 334 respectively. However, other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible.
Back folding panels 272 and 280 may or may not each have a notch 490 and 491 respectively. The notches 490 and 491 may or may not be located at or near a corner point of the parallelogram opposing the fold lines 324 and 334 respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. The notches 490 and 491 may or may not be located at a point on an edge where the back folding panels 274 and 278 are adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the back folding panels 272 and 280 respectively.
Back folding panels 274 and 278 may be similar to each other in shape and dimension, as shown in FIG. 2, or may have different shapes or dimensions. Back folding panels 274 and 278 may, for example, be shaped in a generally triangular shape as shown in FIG. 2, or in various other shapes. The back folding panels 274 and 278 may, for example, fill in a portion of the back folding panels 272 and 280 so as to form, in combination with the back folding panels 272 and 280, a nearly rectangular shape with rounded edges. The back folding panels 274 and 278 may have round edges, sharp edges, or various combinations. Other shapes and/or configurations are possible. Back folding panels 274 and 278 may, for example, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed only to the back folding panels 272 and 280 respectively, such as at, by or along fold lines 322 and 332 respectively. Various other configurations are possible.
Each of the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may be configured, placed, shaped, and/or have dimensions similar or the same as each other or any may be different.
The blank 200 may include one or more detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212. FIG. 2 shows two detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212, but more or less detachable carrier divider panels are possible.
The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may have various shapes and/or dimensions. The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may have the same or different shapes and dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may both be rectangular with a first side shorter than a length of the side panels 142 and 144, and a second side longer than a length of the side panels 142 and 144. The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may, for example, be rectangular with a length of 12 inches and a width of 10.5 inches. In some systems, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may have a length and width which are the same as the length and width of the bottom panel 146. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 14, 15 a-b, 19, and 20, a detachable carrier divider panel may have a length the same as the length of a bottom panel 146, and a width that is wider than the bottom panel 146. Various other shapes, sizes, and dimensions are possible.
The detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may, as shown in FIG. 2, be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panels 142 and 144 respectively, such as at or by perforated fold lines, or perforations, 420 and 405 respectively. In addition, the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to opposing sides of the front panel 140, such as by perforated fold lines, or perforations, 415 and 410 respectively. However, various other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible. For example, the front panel 140 may be switched with either of the carrier divider panels 210 and 212, such that the front panel 140 may be adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to either of the side panels 142 or 144, while the carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to the other side panel 142 or 144 and the bottom panel 146. In such a configuration, features like the locking tab 240 may also be moved, such as to the side panel 142 or 144 opposite the side panel 142 or 144 adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to the front panel 140. Various other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible
The blank 200 may include one or more handle panel 290. The handle panel 290 may be one of various shapes and have various dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the handle panel 290 may be rectangular with a first side approximately the same length as the top panel 130, and a second side approximately half of the length of the top panel 130. For example, the handle panel 290 may have a length of 11 inches and a width of 5 inches. Various other shapes, sizes, and dimensions are possible.
The handle panel 290, as shown in FIG. 2, may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the top panel 130, such as, for example, at or by fold line 310. The handle panel 290, as shown in FIG. 2, may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the handle 110, such as, for example, at or by a fold line 110. However, various other configurations, attachments, and/or connections of these or other components are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more handles 110 and 112. Handles 110 and 112 may have various shapes and/or dimensions, and may have the same or different shapes and dimensions. For example, in FIG. 2, handle 110 and 112 may generally be shaped like the rounded portion of the letter “D” or a semi-elliptical. Other shapes, such as rectangular or semi-circular, may be possible. Handles 110 and 112 may generally have a length of approximately 6-8 inches, a height of approximately 2 inches, and a width which may vary from 1 inch in the middle to 2 inches along the sides. Various other shapes and dimensions are possible.
Handle 110 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the handle panel 290, such as, for example, at or by fold line 208. Handle 110 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to handle 112, such as, for example, at or by one or more fold lines 304 and 306. Handle 112 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to a bottom handle feature 114, such as, for example, at or by fold line 302. Handle 110 and handle 112 may have the same shape, but may be positioned so that handle 110 faces a first direction and handle 112 faces a second direction opposite the first direction. Handle 110 and handle 112 may positioned back to back to each other, so that if handle 112 was folded over handle 110 at one or more of the fold lines 304 and 306, handle 110 and handle 112 may align. Other attachments, connections, configurations, and/or positions are possible.
The bottom handle feature 114 may, for example, be rectangular, or may be various other shapes. As shown in FIG. 2, bottom handle feature 114 may have the same length as the handle 112, or the length may be different. For example, in the blank 600 in FIG. 3, the bottom handle feature 614 may be longer than the length of the handle 612. The bottom handle feature 114 may have various widths, such as, for example, 1 inch. Other shapes and dimensions are possible.
The blank 200 may have handle openings 120 and 122. Handle openings 120 and 122 may, for example, be shaped like the letter “D” or semi-elliptical, or may have various other shapes such as rectangular or semi-circular. Handle openings 120 and 122 may be partially or completely defined, for example, by the handles 110 and 112, the handle panel 290, and/or the bottom handle feature 114. For example, a rounded portion of handle opening 120 may be located along an inside edge of the handle 110 and may align with or otherwise mimic the shape of the handle 110. A straight portion of the handle opening 120 may be bounded by an edge of the handle panel 290, as shown in FIG. 2. A rounded portion of handle opening 122 may, for example, be located along an inside edge of the handle 112 and may align with or otherwise mimic the shape of the handle 112. A straight portion of the handle opening 122 may be bounded by an edge of the bottom handle feature 114, as shown in FIG. 2. Handle openings 120 and 122 may have the same size and shape, or may be different. The blank 200 may have more or less handle openings. Other shapes, configurations, alignments and/or positions are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more locking tab 240. The locking tab 240 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the locking tab 240 in FIG. 2 may be approximately square with two rounded corners, and may have a length of approximately 2 inches. Other shapes and sizes are possible.
As shown in FIG. 2, the locking tab 240 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to an interior portion of the top panel 130, such as, for example, by fold line 314. The locking tab 240 may be positioned so as to extend from an interior portion of the top panel 130 to a position beyond the edge of the top panel 130, as shown in FIG. 2. Other configurations, positions, and/or alignments are possible. The locking tab 240 may or may not include a fold line 312. Fold line 312 may bisect or otherwise divide the locking tab 240. Gaps may or may not exist on either side of the locking tab 240, adjacent to the fold line 312. Other configurations, shapes, positions, and dimensions are possible. For example, if the front panel 140 is attached to one of the side panels 142 or 144 instead of the bottom panel 146, the locking tab 240 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to an interior portion of the side panel opposite the side panel 142 or 144 attached to the front panel 140. Other configurations are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more top flap 295. The top flap 295 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the top flap 295 may be generally rectangular with a length similar to the length of the front panel 140, and with a width of approximately 1 inch. In other blanks, such as blank 600 of FIG. 3, the length of the front panel may be less than the front panel 140, and/or may be similar or slightly less than the length of the apertures 615 and 616. The top flap 295 may have sharp or rounded corners. Other shapes and/or dimensions are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more slot creation tab 245. Slot creation tab 245 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, slot creation tab 245 may be rectangular or trapezoidal with a length of approximately two inches and a width of approximately ¼ inch. Other shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions are possible.
The slot creation tab 245 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the front panel 140. The slot creation tab 245 may, for example, be a rectangular protrusion out of the center of one of the sides of the front panel 140. The slot creation tab 245 may extend to and/or into top flap 295. When top flap 295 is folded or bent away from the front panel 140 along fold line 342, the slot creation tab 245 may not bend and/or may remain planar with the front panel 140. In this way, a rectangular slot with dimensions similar to the slot creation tab 245 may be created between the front panel 140 and the top flap 295. Other dimensions, sizes, shapes, and/or configurations are possible.
The slot creation tab 245 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the front panel 140, such as, for example, by, at, or along fold line 342. The edges of the top flap 295 opposite the front panel 140 may be sharp or rounded. Other configurations and/or positions are possible.
The blank may include one or more side flaps 510 and 515. The side flaps 510 and 515 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions, and may have the same or different shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the side flaps 510 and 515 may both be generally rectangular with a length similar to the length of the side panels 142 and 144 respectively, and with a width of approximately 1-2 inches. Other shapes and/or dimensions are possible.
The side flaps 510 and 515 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panels 142 and 144 respectively, such as, for example, at or by fold lines 336 and 340 respectively. The side flaps 510 and 515 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 respectively, such as, for example, by perforated fold lines, or perforations, 420 and 405 respectively. Various other configurations and/or positions are possible. For example, where the front panel 140 and one of the carrier divider panels 210 or 212 are switched, the side flaps 510 and 515 may be adjacent, connected, attached, and/or fixed to the side panel 142 or 144 adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the carrier divider panel 210 or 212 that did not switch with the front panel 140, and to the bottom panel 146. Other configurations and/or positions are possible.
The blank may include a securing flap 250. The securing flap 250 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the securing flap 250 may be generally trapezoidal or rectangular with a length similar to the length of the top panel 130, and with a width of approximately 2-3 inches. Other shapes and/or dimensions are possible. The securing flap 250 may be connected, attached, and/or adjacent to the top panel 130, such as, for example, along fold line 316. In other blanks, such as blank 600 of FIG. 3, the securing flap 750 may be adjacent, connected, attached and/or fixed to the side panel 644, such as, for example, along, at, or by fold line 816. Other configurations and/or positions are possible.
The blank may include an aperture 115. The aperture 115 may have various shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions. For example, the aperture may be generally rectangular with a length similar to or larger than the length of one or more handles 110 and 112, and with a width similar to or greater than twice the thickness of the blank 200. For example, the aperture 115 may be 7¼ inches long and ½ inch wide. Other shapes and/or dimensions are possible. The aperture 115 may be formed in or have a boundary defined by a panel of the blank 200, such as, for example, the top panel 130. In other blanks, such as blank 600 of FIG. 3, an aperture 615 may be formed in or have a boundary defined by the top panel 630, and an aperture 616 may be formed in or defined by the handle panel 790. Other configurations and/or positions are possible.
The blank 200 may include one or more perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 (also referred to as perforations, perforated lines, perforated edges, perforated boundary, perforated interior boundary, line of perforations, and/or perforated attachment). Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be any shape, including a straight or rounded line, a circle, a square, a combination of straight or rounded lines, various other shapes, and/or combinations of various shapes and lines.
Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be or may include one or more of a series of partial or complete apertures, perforations, cuts, grooves, folds, bends, and/or other spaces in the blank.
Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may generally divide one or more portions of the blank 200. For example, perforated fold line 405 may divide the side flap 515 from the detachable carrier divider panel 212. Perforated fold line 410 may divide the front panel 140 from the detachable carrier divider panel 212. Perforated fold line 415 may divide the front panel 140 from the detachable carrier divider panel 210. Perforated fold line 420 may divide the side flap 510 from the detachable carrier divider panel 210. In some systems, the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may, where connected, attached, affixed, and/or adjacent to the blank 200, be divided from the blank 200 by a perforated fold line. Other components may also be partially or completely bounded by perforated fold lines, such as, for example, interior portions of the container holder 981, 982, 983, 984, and 985 of blank 600 in FIG. 3.
While perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may generally divide one or more portions of the blank 200, in some systems perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may not completely separate the blank 200, but may keep the divided portions of the blank 200 partially or completely connected, affixed, in contact with, and/or otherwise attached to each other prior to a force being applied between the divided portions. Any partial or complete apertures, perforations, cuts, grooves, folds, bends, and/or other spaces between two portions of a blank 200 may assist or direct the separation of the two portions of the blank 200 by weakening the connection or attachment of the two portions of the blank 200 along the perforated fold line. Once a force is applied between the two portions or panels of the blank 200, such as by a user's hands as shown in FIG. 7 between the front panel 140 and the detachable carrier divider panel 212 along the perforated fold line 410, the two panels of the blank 200 may be separated from each other. More or less perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be included in the blank 200. Perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be positioned, configured, and/or placed in various other positions on the blank 200.
The blank 200 may include one or more fold lines 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 425, 430, 435, and 440. Fold lines may generally illustrate a division of two portions of a blank 200. Fold lines may or may not actually cut through or otherwise physically pierce the blank 200. Fold lines may be indentations, bends, and/or apertures on a blank 200 that may indicate where a blank 200 may be folded. More or less fold lines may exist. For example, in some systems, no fold lines may be indicated on the blank 200 prior to assembly. In other systems, the fold lines may be indicated by a drawn or otherwise printed line on the blank 200 where the blank 200 is to be folded. In still other systems, the fold lines may be indicated by an indentation, bend, deformation, or other physical indication on the blank 200. Various combinations are possible.
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative example of a blank 600 which may be assembled, folded, and/or used as or to create the portable carrier 100. The blank 600 may be similar to blank 200, and may contain one or more of the same features of blank 200.
The blank 600 may include one or more side panels 640, 642, and 644 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as panels 140, 142, and 144 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more top panel 630 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as top panel 130 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more bottom panel 646 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as bottom panel 146 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more back folding panels 770, 772, 774, 776, 778, and 780 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more one or more side flaps 906 and 907 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as side flaps 510 and 515 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more perforated fold lines 905, 910, 915, and 920 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 of blank 200. The blank 600 may include one or more fold lines 802, 804, 806, 808, 810, 812, 814, 818, 820, 822, 824, 826, 828, 830, 832, 834, 836, 838, 840, 842, 925, 930, 935, and 940 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as fold lines 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 318, 320, 322, 324, 326, 328, 330, 332, 334, 336, 338, 340, 342, 425, 430, 435, and 440 of blank 200 respectively. The blank 600 may include an aperture 615 which may be configured, be manufactured, enable, operate, and/or have similar dimensions as aperture 115 of blank 200.
The blank 600 may differ from blank 200 in one or more ways.
The blank 600 may include one or more handle panel 790 which may be similar in some respects to handle panel 290. However, unlike handle panel 290, the handle panel 790 in FIG. 3 may include an aperture 616. As described below, the aperture 616 may be used with the handles 610 and 612 and aperture 615.
The blank 600 may also differ from the blank 200 in that the blank 600 may also include a slot 741. Slot 741 may extend along and/or between the fold lines 810 and 811 on one or both sides of the locking tab 740. The blank 600 may also include a locking flap 795 which may be shorter than the locking flap 295. The slot 741 may be the same length or slightly larger than the length of the locking flap 795, or may be various other sizes.
Blank 600 may differ from blank 200 in that blank 600 may have detachable carrier divider panels 710 and 712 which may have container holders such as container holders 981-985. Detachable carrier divider panels 710 and 712 may be attached to one or more panels the blank 600 in a manner which is similar to, or differs from, how the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be attached to one or more panels of the blank 200.
Various combinations of detachable carrier divider panels and container holders may be used with a blank for a portable carrier 100, such as blanks 200 or 600.
FIGS. 4 a-c illustrate three types of detachable carrier divider panels 1800, 1900, and 2000. Blank 200 of FIG. 2 is shown with two detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 similar to the detachable carrier divider panel 1800. Blank 600 of FIG. 3 is shown with one detachable carrier divider panel 710 similar to the detachable carrier divider panel 1900 and a second detachable carrier divider panel 712 similar to the detachable carrier divider panel 2000. However, any combination of detachable carrier divider panels are possible.
As shown in FIG. 4 a, detachable carrier divider panel 1800 may include foldable side panels, flaps, or portions 1810 and 1815 (sometimes referred to as “foldable side portions” or “edge portions”). The foldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be rectangular or any other shape. The foldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be the same or different sizes. The foldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be on opposite sides of the detachable carrier divider panel 1800. The foldable side portions 1810 and 1815 may be bounded on one or more sides by one or more edges of the detachable carrier divider panel 1800, and/or may be bounded on one or more sides by fold lines, such as fold lines 1820 and 1825. Fold lines 1820 and 1825 may be similar to fold lines 425 and 430 of the detachable carrier divider panel 212.
As shown in FIG. 4 b, detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may be similar to the detachable carrier divider panel 1800, except that the detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may include a container holder 1930. Detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may include foldable side portions 1910 and 1915, which may be similar to foldable side portions 1810 and 1815. Detachable carrier divider panel 1900 may include fold lines 1920 and 1925, which may be similar to fold lines 1820 and 1825, and/or similar to fold lines 935 and 940 of blank 600.
As shown in FIG. 4 c, detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be similar to the detachable carrier divider panel 1900, except that the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may include four container holders 2050, 2060, 2070, and 2080. Detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may include foldable side portions 2010 and 2015, which may be similar to foldable side portions 1810 and 1815. Detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may include fold lines 2020 and 2025, which may be similar to fold lines 1820 and 1825 and/or similar to fold lines 925 and 930 of blank 600.
Container holders, such as container holder 1930 of FIG. 4 b, may include one or more edges 1980 and 1990. Edges 1980 and 1990 may generally outline a portion or all of a shape. In FIG. 4 b, the edges 1980 and 1990 outline a portion of a circle, but other shapes may be possible.
Edges 1980 and 1990 may be defined by perforations, folds, and/or cuts. For example, edges 1980 and 1990 may be perforated fold lines, or may be cuts made through the entire blank.
The container holder 1930 may also include one or more perforated fold lines 1945 and 1950. The perforated fold lines 1945 and 1950 may connect one or more portions of a blank between the edges 1980 and 1990. A force may be applied on either side of one or more perforated fold lines 1945 and 1950, and that force may rip apart the material from either side of the perforated fold lines 1945 and 1950. In this way, material on either side of the perforated fold lines 1940 and 1950 may be bent or folded, if desired, creating an aperture or opening in the detachable carrier divider panel 1900. For example, material on the right of the perforated fold line 1950 may be bent inward at fold line 1940, and/or material on the left of the perforated fold line 1945 may be bent inward at fold line 1935, creating a void in the detachable carrier divider panel 1900. Other methods and configurations for creating an aperture, opening, or void in the detachable carrier divider panels are possible.
The aperture, opening, or void created may be filled by, for example, a cup, bowl, glass, or other device of similar dimensions as those created by the edges 1980 and 1990 and the fold lines 1935 and 1940. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, where cups 2401 and 2401 fill the aperture in container holders 2060 and 2080. Alternatively, bowls, such as bowls of soup, may fill the container holders 2060 or 2080.
While the shape created by the edges 1980 and 1990 and the fold lines 1935 and 1940 is generally circular, other shapes such as oval, square, rectangular, triangular, or otherwise are possible. In addition, various dimensions are possible. For example, the edges 1980 and 1990 and the fold lines 1935 and 1940 may create a circular shape with a diameter that is equivalent to a diameter of a cup at half of the cup's height. However, various other dimensions are possible.
The portable carrier 100 may be assembled from a blank, such as blank 200 or blank 600, in various ways. The portable carrier 100 may be assembled from blank 200 or blank 600 in one step or multiple steps. For example, the portable carrier 100 may be pre-assembled from blank 200 or blank 600, such as, for example, by a manufacturer, then later fully assembled, such as, for example, by an end user. Alternatively, the portable carrier 100 may be assembled from blank 200 or blank 600 in one step or various other steps as desired. While the assembly may be discussed with respect to blank 200, it will be appreciated that blank 600 may be assembled in a similar manner.
In one system and method of assembling a portable carrier 100, the blank 200 may be folded, such as along fold lines 320, 326, and 330, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the blank 200 may be folded along fold lines 320, 326, and 330 so that the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and bottom panel 146 of the blank 200 may be arranged to form a partially enclosed volume, area, and/or space such as a partially enclosed cube. Panels adjacent to each of the fold lines, such as top panel 130 and side panel 142 adjacent to fold line 320, may be positioned at right angles to each other. Alternatively, panels adjacent to each of the fold lines may be positioned at various other angles.
The blank 200 may be folded along fold line 316. For example, the blank 200 may be folded along fold line 316 so that the securing flap 250 may be positioned at a right angle to top panel 130. In this configuration, the securing flap 250 may be parallel to and/or overlap the side panel 144. The securing flap 250 may be positioned on the inside or outside of the volume, area and/or space formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146. When positioned on the inside of the spaced formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146, an outer surface of the securing panel 250, such as a surface of the securing panel 250 opposing the side panel 142, may overlap a top portion of an inner surface of the side panel 144, such as a surface of the side panel 144 facing the side panel 142. Alternatively, when positioned on the outside of the spaced formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146, an inner surface of the securing panel 250, such as a surface facing the side panel 142, may overlap a top portion of an outer surface of the side panel 144.
The portion of the securing flap 250 that overlaps at least a portion of the side panel 144 may be secured to the side panel 144. For example, an adhesive such as glue may be applied to the interior portion of the securing flap 250 and/or the exterior portion of the side panel 144 when the securing flap 250 is positioned on the inside of the space formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146. Alternatively, an adhesive may be applied to the exterior portion of the securing flap 250 and/or an interior portion of the side panel 144 when the securing flap 250 is positioned on the outside of the spaced formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146. Alternatively, one or more fasteners, snaps, buttons, staples, zippers, Velcro, or other adhesives or fasteners may be applied and/or used to secure and/or bind the securing flap 250 to a portion of the side panel 144. In this configuration, the top panel 130, the bottom panel 146, and the side panels 142 and 144 may form a cube when the blank 200 is expanded.
In blank 600, the securing flap 750 may be used in a manner similar to securing flap 250, except that securing flap 750 may overlap and/or fasten with the top panel 630. Other configurations and/or steps may be implemented.
As shown in FIG. 5, one or more of the back folding panels 270, 272, 276, and 280 may be folded along one or more of the fold lines 318, 324, 428, and 334 respectively. For example, the back folding panels 270, 272, 276, and 280 may be folded along the fold lines 318, 324, 428, and 334 respectively towards an interior of the space formed by the top panel 130, side panels 142 and 144, and the bottom panel 146. Back folding panels 274 and 278 may or may not be folded along fold lines 322 and 332, such as to bend away from back folding panels 272 and 280 respectively. Other configurations, bends, folds, and/or positions may be possible.
Back folding panel 274 may be folded toward back folding panel 272 along fold line 322 so as to overlap with a portion of back folding panel 270. When folded, the fold line 322 may extend toward an interior of the portable carrier 100, as shown in FIG. 5, or may extend away from an interior of the portable carrier 100. An interior surface, or surface facing an interior of the portable carrier 100, of the back folding panel 274 may contact a portion of an exterior surface, or surface facing away from an interior of the portable carrier 100, of the back folding panel 270. Alternatively, an exterior surface of the back folding panel 274 may contact a portion of an interior surface of the back folding panel 270. Other configurations are possible.
The back folding panel 274 may be folded so that back folding panel 274 may lie parallel to back folding panel 270. In some configurations, the back folding panel 274 may be parallel to the back folding panel 270 both when the blank 200 is compressed or lies flat, and when the blank 200 is expanded into the portable carrier 100. Various other configurations are possible.
The back folding panel 274 may or may not be attached to the back folding panel 270. Where attached, the back folding panel 274 may be attached to the back folding panel 270 in various ways, such as, for example, by applying an adhesive such as glue between the back folding panel 274 and the back folding panel 270. For example, an entirety of back folding panel 274 may be covered with an adhesive and applied to the back folding panel 270. Other ways of attaching, securing, and/or binding the back folding panel 274 to the back folding panel 270 are possible.
As shown in FIG. 5, back folding panel 278 may be folded so as to overlap with a portion of back folding panel 276. This may occur in the same or a similar fashion as how back folding panel 274 overlaps with a portion of back folding panel 270. For example, an interior surface of the back folding panel 278 may contact a portion of an exterior surface of the back folding panel 276, or an exterior surface of the back folding panel 278 may contact a portion of an interior surface of the back folding panel 276. Various other configurations are possible.
The back folding panel 278 may be folded so that back folding panel 278 may lie parallel to back folding panel 276. In some configurations, the back folding panel 278 may be parallel to the back folding panel 276 both when the blank 200 is compressed or lies flat, and when the blank 200 is expanded into the portable carrier 100. Various other configurations are possible.
The back folding panel 278 may or may not be attached to the back folding panel 276. Where attached, the back folding panel 278 may be attached to the back folding panel 276 in various ways, such as, for example, by applying an adhesive between the back folding panel 278 and the back folding panel 276. Other ways of attaching, securing, and/or binding the back folding panel 278 to the back folding panel 276 may be possible.
FIG. 5 shows an example of a portable carrier 100 that has been partially assembled from blank 200, with the securing flap 250 secured to a side wall 144, the back folding panel 274 secured to the back folding panel 270, and the back folding panel 278 secured to the back folding panel 276. This may be considered a pre-assembled blank 200, though one may assemble the blank 200 in various other ways, orders, and/or steps.
The portable carrier 100 pre-assembled from blank 200 of FIG. 5 may be folded down into a nearly two-dimensional shape. In a folded or compressed configuration, the side panel 144 and the top panel 130 of blank 200 may be parallel to and/or in continuation of each other. In this configuration, the fold line 316 may not fold, or may be slightly folded, so as to form an angle at or near 180 degrees. In this folded configuration, the side panel 142 and the bottom panel 146 may be parallel to, and/or in continuation of, each other, such that fold line 326 may not fold, or may be slightly folded, so as to form an angle at or near 180 degrees. When folded and when the side panels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and the bottom panel 146 are all the same size, fold lines 316 and 326 may or may not overlap each other.
In a folded or compressed configuration, fold lines 320 and 330 may represent an outermost width of the blank 200, and may be folded so as to form an angle at or near zero degrees. In this configuration, back folding panels 270 and 280 may be folded inward and may be parallel or nearly parallel to each other. Back folding panels 270 and 280 may lay facing back folding panels 272 and 276, which may be parallel or nearly parallel to each other. In this configuration, back folding panel 274 may be attached to back folding panel 270 and may face back folding panel 272, such that the angle formed at folding line 322 may be at or near zero degrees. In addition, back folding panel 278 may be attached to back folding panel 276 and may face back folding panel 280, such that the angle formed at folding line 332 may be at or near zero degrees.
The portable carrier 100 pre-assembled from blank 200 in FIG. 5 may alternatively be folded down into a nearly two-dimensional shape along the opposite axis. For example, in this alternative folded configuration, side panel 144 and bottom panel 146 of blank 200 may be parallel to and/or in continuation of, each other, such that fold line 330 may not fold, or may be slightly folded, so as to form an angle at or near 180 degrees. In this alternative folded configuration, the side panel 142 and the top panel 130 may be parallel to, and/or in continuation of, each other, such that fold line 320 may not fold, or may be slightly folded, so as to form an angle at or near 180 degrees. In this configuration, fold lines 320 and 330 may or may not overlap each other. In this configuration, fold lines 316 and 326 may represent an outermost width of the blank 200, and may be folded so as to form an angle at or near zero degrees.
In systems where the portable carrier 100 is pre-assembled from blank 200, the portable carrier 100 may be assembled to a point where the blank 200 may be partially constructed and/or may lie and/or remain in a flat configuration or position. Folding the pre-assembled portable carrier 100 may enable and/or allow for compact storage of a portable carrier 100. For example, a folded portable carrier 100 pre-assembled from blank 200 may enable and/or allow for multiple folded portable carriers 100 pre-assembled from blanks 200 to be efficiently stacked together. This may be useful, for example, when an expanded portable carrier 100 is not desired, such as prior to or after using the portable carrier 100. Two or more stacked folded pre-assembled portable carriers 100 may be transported and/or stored in a small and efficient space. A pre-assembled blank 200 may be useful, for example, for storage and packaging, since the pre-assembled blank 200 may be packed and shipped in a flat and compact shape and assembled at a final destination by an end user or business prior to use.
In addition, a pre-assembled blank 200 may allow a manufacturer to perform all steps requiring external equipment, adhesives, and/or other devices for creating the portable carrier 100 prior to packaging and/or delivering a compact pre-assembled blank 200 to an end user who may then assemble the blank 200 into the portable carrier 100 without needing any external equipment or otherwise. A pre-assembled portable carrier 100 may be capable of quick and easy three-dimensional construction without the need for or use of any adhesives, additional fasteners, or additional components.
FIG. 5 illustrates how the folded portable carrier 100 pre-assembled from blank 200 may be expanded to form an expanded portable carrier 100. Pressure may be applied, for example, at the folded edges 320 and 330 of the folded blank 200, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 5. Alternatively, portions of the blank 200 may be grasped and pulled apart to expand the blank 200 to create the portable carrier 100. Various other methods of expanding the blank 200 are possible.
As the portable carrier 100 expands, the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may expand from a folded position parallel to the folded panels 130, 142, 144, and 146, to an expanded position perpendicular to the unfolded panels 130, 142, 144, and 146.
Where one or more of the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 are connected and/or attached to each other, the expansion of the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 as the pre-assembled blank 200 is expanded may aid, force, be aided and/or result from the affixation of the back folding panels, such as the affixation, adhesion, or fastening of the back folding panels 274 and 278 to the back folding panels 270 and 276 respectively. As the side panels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and the bottom panel 146 are separated from each other, the angle formed by fold lines 322 and 332 may be expanded from zero or nearly zero, in the folded position, to 180 degrees, or nearly 180 degrees, in a fully expanded position. For example, the back folding panels 272 and 274 may extend away from the side panel 142 as the side panel 142 moves away from the bottom panel 146 and the top panel 130, because the back folding panel 274 may be pulled and/or experience a force in a direction away from the side panel 142 based on the affixation of the back folding panel 274 to the back folding panel 270, attached to the top panel 130 along fold line 318.
The back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may be configured and/or designed so that as the blank 200 is expanded and as the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 move closer to a position where the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 are all parallel to each other, the back folding panels 270, 272, and 274 interlock with the back folding panels 276, 278, and 280. For example, when the back folding panel 274 is attached or otherwise affixed to the back folding panel 270, the combination of the back folding panels 270, 272, and 274 may create a notch 490, or a notch 490 may exist or be defined exclusively in one or more of back folding panels 270, 272, and 274. In addition, when the back folding panel 278 is attached or otherwise affixed to the back folding panel 276, the combination of the back folding panels 276, 278, and 280 may also create a notch 491, or a notch 491 may exist or be defined exclusively in one or more of back folding panels 270, 272, and 274. Accordingly, when the blank 200 is expanded, the notch 490 created by one or more of the back folding panels 270, 272, and 274 may interlock with, attached to, affix with, connect to, secure, and/or fasten to the notch 491 created by one or more of the back folding panels 276, 278, and 280. When the notches 490 and 491 interlock, a portion of the combination of back folding panels 270, 272, and 274 may reside on one side of the combination of back folding panels 276, 278, and 280, while a portion of the back folding panels 270, 272, and 274 may reside on an opposite side of the combination of back folding panels 276, 278, and 280. The interlocking notches 490 and 491 may, for example, prevent the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 from extending beyond an angle perpendicular to one or more of the side panels 142 or 144, the top panel 130, or the bottom panel 146. The back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may interlock in various other ways. The interlocking back folding panels may provide an easy auto lock bottom which may facilitate a quick set up time.
FIG. 6 shows the blank 200 in an expanded configuration, forming a partially assembled portable carrier 100. In this expanded configuration, the back folding panels 270, 272, 274, 276, 278, and 280 may be parallel or nearly parallel to each other and/or may form a back panel 1000, shown in FIGS. 10, 13 a-b, and 14. The back panel 1000 may, for example, be adjacent to the side panels 142 and 144, as well as top panel 130 and bottom panel 146. The back panel 1000 may be perpendicular to one or more of the side panels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and/or the bottom panel 146. The back panel 1000 may oppose the front panel 140 in FIG. 1 when the front panel 140 is attached or otherwise affixed to the top panel 130. Other configurations are possible.
The portable carrier 100 in FIG. 6 may include one or more detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212. Detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be attached to one or more panels of the blank 200 or portable carrier 100 in various ways. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the carrier divider panel 212 may be attached to the front panel 140 along a perforated fold line 410, and to a side panel 144 along a perforated fold line 405. Carrier divider panel 210 may be attached to the front panel 140 on a side opposite the carrier divider panel 210, such as along perforated fold line 415, and along the side panel 142 along perforated fold line 405. Other configurations are possible, such as where the front panel divider lies adjacent to the top panel 130, and where the two carrier divider panels 210 and 212 lie adjacent to each other.
The perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be formed in the blank 200 when the blank 200 is manufactured, as shown in FIG. 2, or may be formed later. The perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may be or may comprise one or more of a series of partial or complete apertures, perforations, cuts, grooves, and/or other spaces between the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 and the panels 140, 142, and 144. The perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and 420 may generally keep the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 connected, affixed, in contact with, and/or otherwise attached to the panels 140, 142, and 144 prior to a force being applied between the front panel 140 and the detachable carrier divider panel 212.
Before or after expanding the blank 200 into a partially assembled portable carrier 200, one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be detached from the portable carrier 100. One procedure for detaching one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 is shown in FIGS. 7-9, though other methods are possible.
As shown by the arrows in FIG. 7, in detaching or removing the detachable carrier divider panel 212 from the portable carrier 100, the detachable carrier divider panel 212 may first be pulled away from the front panel 140 along the perforated fold line 410. Any partial or complete apertures, perforations, cuts, grooves, and/or other spaces between one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 and one or more of the panels 140, 142, and 144 may assist or direct the detachment of one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 from one or more of the panels 140, 142, and 144 by weakening the connection or attachment of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 to the panels 140, 142, and 144 along the perforated fold lines 405, 410, 415, and/or 420. Once a force is applied between one of the panels 140, 142, and 144 and the detachable carrier divider panels 210 or 212, such as by a user's hands as shown in FIG. 7, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 or 212 may be detached from the panel, such as side panel 210, along the perforated fold line, such as perforated fold line 410.
The detachable carrier divider panel 212 may also be detached from the side panel 144 along the perforated fold line 405. Once a force is applied between the side panel 144 and the detachable carrier divider panel 212, the detachable carrier divider panel 212 may be detached from the side panel 144 along the perforated fold line 405 and removed from the portable carrier 100, as shown in FIG. 8. Other methods of detaching the detachable carrier divider panel 212 from the portable carrier 100 are possible.
The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may also be detached from the portable carrier 100. The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be attached to front panel 140 along a perforated fold line 415 which may be similar to perforated fold lines 405 and 410. The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be attached to and detached from the side panel 142 along a perforated fold line 420 in a manner similar to how the detachable carrier divider panel 212 may be attached to and detached from the side panel 144. FIG. 9 shows the detachable carrier divider panel 210 detached from the portable carrier 100. Various other methods of detaching the detachable carrier divider panel 210 from the portable carrier 100 are possible.
Detachable carrier divider panels 710 and 712 may be detached from blank 600 in a similar manner as how detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 may be detached from blank 200, as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 7-9.
FIG. 10 shows a side perspective view of the portable carrier 100 with the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 removed.
The handle 102 of the portable carrier 100 may be assembled and/or folded in various ways. The handle 102 of the portable carrier 100 may be assembled and/or folded before or after the removal of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212 from the portable carrier 100. FIGS. 11-13 b show one example of how a handle 102 may be formed after the removal of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212, though one may assemble the handle 102 before the removable of one or more of the detachable carrier divider panels 210 and 212.
The handle 102 may be constructed of one or more portions or panels of the blank 200 or portable carrier 100. For example, the handle 102 may include one or more handles 110 and 112. In a portable carrier 100 assembled from blank 600, the portable carrier 100 may have a handle 600 assembled from one or more handles 610 and 612. Other configurations are possible.
As shown in FIG. 11, the handle 112 and bottom handle feature 114 may be folded along one or more of the fold lines 304 and 306. The handle 112 and bottom handle feature 114 may be folded so that the handle 112 is flush with and/or in contact with the handle 110. When folded, the handle opening 122 of the handle 112 may align with the handle opening 120 of the handle 110.
The handle 612 and handle stopper 614 may be folded along fold lines 604 and/or 606 in a manner similar to how handle 112 and bottom handle feature 114 of blank 200 are folded in FIG. 11. The handle 612 and handle stopper 614 may be folded so that the handle 612 may be flush with and/or in contact with the handle 610. When folded, the handle opening 622 of the handle 612 may align with the handle opening 620 of the handle 610.
Fold lines 304 and 306 of blank 200 may be separated from each other by a distance. For example, the fold lines 304 and 306 may be separated from each other by a distance between the thickness of the material of the blank 200, and a thickness twice the thickness of the material of the blank 200. Folding along both of the fold lines 304 and 306 may allow larger planer portions of handles 110 and 112 to contact each other.
As shown in FIG. 12, the handle panel 290 may be folded along the fold line 310. The handle panel 290 may or may not be folded toward an interior of the portable carrier 100. Though the handle panel 290 may be folded along the fold line 310, the locking tab 240, which may be attached to the top panel 130, may not bend inward with the handle panel 290.
The handle panel 290 is shown in FIG. 12 as being folded toward an interior of the portable carrier 100 after the handle 112 and bottom handle feature 114 have been folded along the fold lines 304 and/or 306 toward handle 110. However, the handle panel 290 may be folded toward an interior of the portable carrier 100 before the handle 112 and bottom handle feature 114 have been folded along the fold lines 304 and/or 306 toward handle 110/
As shown in FIG. 13 a, the handle panel 290 may fold until the handle panel 290 is flush with and/or in contact with an interior surface of the top panel 130. Where the handle panel 290 has a length of less than half the length of the top panel 130, an edge of the handle panel 290 adjacent to the handle 110 may align with an edge of the aperture 115. In this configuration, for example, fold line 308 may align with, be parallel to, and/or lie along an edge of the aperture 115.
The handles 110 and 112, which may be flush with, in contact with, and/or aligned with each other, may constitute handle 102. The handle 102 may be folded along fold lines 302 and 308. The handle 102 may be folded to a position perpendicular to the handle panel 290. As shown in FIG. 13 a, the handle 102 may be inserted through the aperture 115 on the top panel 130. Once inserted, the handle 102 may be used, for example, to lift the portable carrier 100 upward.
The folding of the handles 110 and 112 along fold lines 302 and 308 may take place prior to, after, or contemporaneous with the folding of the handle panel 290 toward an interior surface of the top panel 130. In some embodiments, the handles 110 and 112 may be folded toward the top panel 130, such as in an upward position, prior to completely folding the handle panel 290 toward the interior surface of the top panel 130. In these embodiments, the folded handles 110 and 112 may be inserted through the aperture 115 as the handle panel 290 is folded flush with and/or in contact with the interior surface of the top panel 130. Other methods and configurations are possible.
FIG. 13 a shows the handle 102 being inserted through the aperture 115. FIG. 13 b shows the handle 102 in a position through the aperture 115 where the handle may be grasped for carrying the portable carrier 110.
The handle and handle panel of blank 600 may be folded, assembled, and/or used in a similar or different manner.
The handle panel 790 of blank 600 may be folded along one or more of the fold lines 810 and 811 toward an interior of the portable carrier 100, in a manner similar to the folding of the handle panel 290 of blank 200 shown in FIG. 12. Though the handle panel 790 may be folded along one or more fold line 810 and 811, the locking tab 740, which may be attached to the top panel 630, may not bend inward with the handle panel 790.
The handle panel 790 may fold all the way so that the handle panel 790 is flush with and/or in contact with an interior surface of the top panel 630. The handle panel 790 of blank 600 may be longer than the handle panel 290 of blank 200. As such, when the handle panel 790 is folded toward the interior surface of the top panel 630, the handle panel 790 may extend beyond the aperture 615 of the top surface 630. The aperture 616 of the handle panel 790 may partially or completely align with the aperture 615.
The handles 610 and 612, which may be folded together, may be folded backwards along fold lines 802 and 990 toward the apertures 615 and 616. This may be done before, after, or contemporaneous with the folding of the handle panel 790. When the handle panel 790 is folded flush with the interior surface of the top panel 630, the handles 610 and 612 may be inserted through one or both of the apertures 615 and 616.
The handles 610 and 612 may not be pulled through the aperture past a point where the end of the handle openings 620 and 622 coincide with the apertures 615 and 616, as the handle stopper 614 and the portion of the handle panel 790 between the fold lines 808 and 990 may be wider and/or larger than one or both of the apertures 615 and 616.
The handles 610 and 612 may be securely fastened to the top panel 630 of the portable carrier and may be prevented from extending out of, or being easily pulled beyond, the top apertures 615 and 616. In addition, the large handle panel 790 may provide additional support for the handles 610 and 612, so that any pressure or force applied during carrying and/or transportation of the portable carrier is spread over a wider portion of the top panel 630 by at least the portion of the handle panel 790 that extends over the aperture 615. The combination of the aperture 615 in the top panel 630 and the aperture 616 in the handle panel 790 connected to, and overlapping with the top panel 630 may create a multi-paneled top or lid portion of the portable carrier surrounding the handles 610 and 612 that may, for example, strengthen the handle and connecting top panel 630 of the portable carrier. This configuration may also provide additional support for the handles 610 and 612, such as, for example, by making the opening through which the handles 610 and 612 are inserted thicker, and helping prevent the handles from folding over the top panel 630.
The interior of the portable carrier 100 may be accessed through the side of the portable carrier 100, as shown in FIGS. 13 b and 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a container 1200 may be placed in the portable carrier 100 through the side of the portable carrier 100. The container 1200 may, for example, contain liquids, syrups, greasy foods, sauces, and/or other ingredients or cargo which, if the container 1200 is tipped or swayed, may escape from the container 1200. The side access to the portable carrier 100 may be useful for loading the container 1200 into the portable carrier 100 without the container 1200 being tipped upon insertion.
The portable carrier 100 may be configured and/or dimensioned so as to hold, store and/or carry one or more containers like container 1200. For example, in FIGS. 15 a and 15 b, the portable carrier 100 is carrying three containers 1200, 1210, and 1220. The portable carrier 100 may carry more or less containers. Containers, like container 1200, may be various sizes and/or dimensions. The portable carrier 100 may also, or alternatively, be configured and/or dimensioned so as to carry a variety of other items, such as foods, sodas, condiments, office supplies, or other items.
A detachable carrier divider panel, such as detachable carrier divider panel 210 of blank 200, may be used with the portable carrier 100. For example, a detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be inserted into the portable carrier 100 as shown in FIG. 14.
The detachable carrier divider panel, such as detachable carrier divider panel 210 in FIGS. 14 and 15 a-b, may be inserted and/or attached to the interior of the portable carrier 100 so that the detachable carrier divider panel 210 lies on top of an inserted container 1200. Alternatively or in addition, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, a detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be placed so that edges of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 lie along a bottom edge of the portable carrier 100.
Where the detachable carrier divider panel 210 has a width wider than the bottom panel 146, as in FIG. 2, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be folded or bent, for example, along the fold lines 435 and 440 as shown. This may aid in, cause, or otherwise allow the detachable carrier divider panel 210 to fit snugly in the portable carrier 100. For example, the edges of the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may lie snugly fit along the side panels 142 and 144, as shown in FIG. 14, or may lie along corner edges between the side panels 142 and 144 and the bottom panel 146, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The bends in the detachable carrier divider panel 210 along the fold lines 435 and 440 may provide a force on the detachable carrier divider panel 210 which may, for example, aid in avoiding crushing a container 1200 with a second container on top of the container 1200, as shown in FIGS. 15 a-b, and/or may cause a main body portion of the detachable carrier divider panel 210 to be raised, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 and described below.
In FIG. 15 a, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be placed between the first container 1200 and the second container 1210. In FIG. 15 b, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be placed between the second container 1210 and the third container 1220. Alternatively, a detachable carrier divider panel 210 may be placed between each container 1200, 1210 and 1220, or may not be included or used with the portable carrier 100.
As shown in FIG. 15 a, the detachable carrier divider panel 210 may provide insulation or an insulating barrier between the containers 1200 and 1210. The detachable carrier divider panel 210 may allow for cargo of different temperatures to be transported and remain isolated from each other. For example, container 1200 may contain cold food, which may remain insulated from containers 1210 and 1220, which may contain hot food, by using the detachable carrier divider panel 210 as shown in FIG. 15 a. In at least this way, the portable carrier 100 may be configured to store and/or transport both hot and cold cargo at the same time.
Alternatively or in addition, the detachable carrier divider panel, like detachable carrier divider panel 2000, may be inserted and/or attached along an inside bottom edge of a portable carrier 100, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. The detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be wider than the width of the portable carrier 100, such that the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be folded at fold lines 2020 and 2025 so as to fit inside the width of the portable carrier 100.
The carrier divider panel 2000 may have a first edge, such as an outer edge parallel to the fold line 2025 and partially bounding the foldable side portion 2015. The carrier divider panel 2000 may also have and a second edge, such as an outer edge parallel to the fold line 2020 and partially bounding the foldable side portion 2010. This second edge may be opposite the first edge. The carrier divider panel 2000 may have a center portion between the foldable side portions 2015 and 2010. As mentioned, the portable carrier 100 may have a first corner edge extending along a junction of the bottom panel 146 and a first side panel 142. The portable carrier 100 may also have a second corner edge extending along a junction of the bottom panel 146 and a second side panel 144, which may be opposite the first side panel 142. The first edge of the carrier divider panel 2000 may be inserted along the first corner edge of the portable carrier 100. The second edge of the carrier divider panel may be inserted along the second corner edge of the portable carrier 100. In this way, the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be bent along the fold lines 2020 and 2025, so that a central portion of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may be parallel, or at a different angle, to the bottom panel 146. A force from the bent detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may push toward the side walls 142 and/or 144 in a manner which may force the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 toward the bottom edge of the portable carrier 100 and/or may secure the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 in the portable carrier 100. In some embodiments, the foldable side portions 2010 and 2015, in conjunction with the fold lines 2020 and 2025, may enable or otherwise facilitate a portable carrier 100 with a raised detachable carrier divider panel 2000 and/or container holder securely fashioned to an inside of the portable carrier 100. The foldable side portions 2010 and 2015 of the carrier divider panel may not parallel to the bottom panel. The foldable side portions 2010 and 2015 of a detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may form an angle with the bottom panel 146.
In some embodiments, when the side panels 142 and 144 are folded relative to the bottom panel 146, the folds along the fold lines 326 and 330 respectively may create a crevice or other depression along the edges. For example, when corrugated cardboard is used for the blank 200, the folded cardboard may have an indentation or depression where the cardboard was folded, such as along fold lines 326 and 330. Accordingly, where a detachable carrier divider panel 2000 is inserted into the bottom of the portable carrier 100, the edges of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 may fit into or along any such crevices. This feature may provide added support for the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 when used with the portable carrier 100.
Where the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 includes one or more container holders such as container holders 2050, 2060, 2070, and 2080, and/or where the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 is wider than the width of the portable carrier 100, a container may be securely inserted and/or fastened to the interior of the portable carrier 100. For example, a container such as container 2401 and 2402 may be inserted and/or otherwise secured in the container holders 2060 and 2080 in an elevated central portion of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000. The elevated central portion of the detachable carrier divider panel 2000, coupled with the force from the fold lines and bends, may help secure the detachable carrier divider panel 2000 in the interior of the portable carrier 100, and also may help secure an inserted container in the interior of the portable carrier 100. Other configurations are possible.
With or without cargo, the portable carrier 100 may be closed in various ways. For example, as shown in FIGS. 16-18, the front panel 140 may be hingedly connected to the bottom panel 146, and/or may close the portable carrier 100 by attaching to the top panel 130. In other configurations, the front panel 140 may be hingedly connected to a side panel, such as side panel 142, and/or may close the portable carrier 100 by attaching to the opposite side panel 144. Other configurations are possible.
As shown by the arrows in FIG. 16, the side flaps 510 and 515 may be folded inward along fold lines 336 and 340. The side flaps 510 and 515 may be rectangular or various other shapes. The side flaps 510 and 515 may be folded so as to be perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to side panels 142 and 144 respectively. The side flaps 510 and 515 may be folded at various steps during the assembly of the portable carrier 100.
The top flap 295 of the front panel 140 may be folded along the fold line 341. The top flap 295 may be folded at approximately a ninety degree angle, or another angle, along the fold line 341. The top flap 295 may or may not be folded toward an interior of the portable carrier 100.
While the top flap 295 may be folded, a tab 245 of the top flap 295 may remain parallel with the front panel 140. As such, a gap may exist between the top flap 195 and the front panel 140 and tab 245. The gap may function as and/or be referred to as a locking slot.
The front panel 140 may be folded upward along fold line 338, as shown in FIG. 17. The front panel 140 may be folded toward the top panel 130. The folded front panel 140 may or may not be perpendicular to the top panel 130, the bottom panel 146, and the side panels 142 and 144. The folded front panel may form a closed volume, area, and/or space in the portable carrier 100. The front panel 140 may be folded after the side flaps 510 and 515 have been folded toward the interior of the portable carrier 100, as shown in FIG. 17, or may occur before. The folded side flaps 510 and 515 may help in sealing shut the portable carrier once the front panel 140 is attached to the top panel 130, and/or may aid in preventing any contents and/or cargo inside the portable carrier 100 from escaping through the sides between the front panel 140 and the side panels 142 and 144. Various other configurations and positions are possible.
Once the front panel 140 is folded upward, the top flap 295 may be inserted in the interior of the portable carrier 100. For example, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the top flap 295 may be inserted in the interior of the portable carrier 100, such as below the top panel 130 and above the top edges of the side flaps 510 and 515. Other configurations are possible.
As shown in FIG. 18, the locking tab 240 attached to the top panel 130 may be folded or bent along one or more fold lines, such as fold lines 312 and 314. The locking tab 240 may be bent away from the top panel 130 and away from the interior of the portable carrier 100 along the fold line 314. A portion of the locking tab may be folded and/or bent in the opposite direction along the fold line 312. Other methods of folding the locking tab 240 are possible.
When the top flap 295 is inserted under the top panel 130 of the portable carrier, the front panel 140 may be positioned perpendicular to the side panels 142 and 144, the top panel 130, and the bottom panel 146, and/or may be aligned with and/or parallel to the back panel 1000. The side flaps 510 and 515 may cover any gaps between the sides of the front panel 140 and the side panels 142 and 144.
The portable carrier 100 may be locked using the locking tab 240 and the locking slot created by the tab 245. For example, the locking tab 240 may be inserted into the locking slot created by the tab 245. When inserted, the locking tab 240 may be pressed down until a portion of the locking tab 240 between the fold lines 312 and 314 is parallel with, in continuation of, and/or aligned with the top panel 130. In this configuration, the fold line 312 may not be, or may partially be folded, and/or may be folded so as to have an angle of, or near, 180 degrees.
In other systems, the portable carrier 100 may be closed and/or secured in other ways. For example, a portable carrier 100 assembled from blank 600 may be closed and/or secured in a similar or different way.
When the handle panel 790 of blank 600 is folded along both the fold lines 810 and 811 as described above, the slot 741 may extend vertically a distance that may be equal to the width between the fold lines 810 and 811. In this way, the slot 741 may be wide enough that a flap, such as locking flap 795, may be slid into the slot 741 and/or lie between the handle panel 790 and the top panel 630 when the side panel 640 is folded upward. This may provide additional security for the portable carrier when the side panel 640 is attached to or otherwise connected to the top panel 630. The locking flap 795 may, alternatively, be inserted below the handle panel 790, similar to the locking flap 295 in used with blank 200. Other configurations are possible.
After inserting the locking flap 795, the locking tab 740 of blank 600 may be folded or bent at the fold lines 812 and 814, like the locking flap 240 was folded or bent at fold lines 212 and 214 with blank 200, and may be inserted into the locking slot created by the tab 745 like the locking flap 240 was inserted into the locking slot created by tab 245 of blank 200. Alternatively, other securing and/or fastening mechanisms may be used.
The portable carrier 100 may not have a locking tab 240 or a locking slot created by the tab 245. For example, the front panel 140 may be secured to the top panel 130 using a fastener, latch, or other securing mechanisms.
The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter.
The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A unitary blank configured to be assembled into a portable carrier, the unitary blank comprising:

a bottom panel;

a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel;

a top panel connected with one of the side panels; and

a carrier divider panel connected with one of the side panels, the carrier divider panel including perforations such that the carrier divider panel is detachable from the side panel and configured to be inserted into an interior of the portable carrier formed by the bottom panel, the plurality of side panels, and the top panel.

2. The unitary blank of claim 1, wherein the carrier divider panel includes an insulating material.

3. The unitary blank of claim 1, wherein the carrier divider panel includes at least one aperture forming a container holder.

4. The unitary blank of claim 3, wherein the detached carrier divider panel includes fold lines and is configured to be folded along the fold lines to position the container holder above the bottom panel when the carrier divider panel is detached from the side panel and inserted into the interior of the portable carrier.

5. The unitary blank of claim 4, wherein the carrier divider panel comprises a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;

wherein the carrier divider panel is detached from the side panel and inserted into the interior of the portable carrier so that the first edge and the second edge of the carrier divider panel are in contact with the bottom panel of the portable carrier.

6. The unitary blank of claim 1, wherein a width of the carrier divider panel is greater than a width of the interior of the portable carrier.

7. A unitary blank configured to be assembled into a portable carrier, the unitary blank comprising:

a bottom panel;

a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel;

a top panel connected with one of the side panels and having a first aperture;

a handle panel connected with the top panel along a fold line, the handle panel having a second aperture;

a handle connected with the handle panel;

wherein the handle panel folds along the fold line and overlaps the top panel; and

wherein the handle is inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture when the handle panel folds along the fold line and overlaps the top panel.

8. The unitary blank of claim 7, wherein the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture when the handle panel folds along the fold line and overlaps the top panel.

9. The unitary blank of claim 7, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture have the same dimensions.

10. The unitary blank of claim 7, wherein the first aperture is rectangular with a length substantially the same as a length of the handle.

11. A portable carrier, comprising:

a bottom panel;

a top panel;

a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel and the top panel; and

a carrier divider panel connected with one of the side panels;

wherein prior to assembly, the portable carrier includes perforations bounding a portion of the carrier divider panel; and

wherein the carrier divider panel is detached from the side panel and inserted between the top panel and the bottom panel.

12. The portable carrier of claim 11, further comprising:

a front panel hingedly attached to the bottom panel and configured to move from a closed position where the front panel is perpendicular to the bottom panel and attached to the top panel, to an open position where the front panel is not perpendicular to the bottom panel and not attached to the top panel;

wherein an interior of the portable carrier is accessible when the front panel is in the open position, and is not accessible when the front panel is in the closed position.

13. The portable carrier of claim 12, wherein the carrier divider panel is inserted between the top panel and the bottom panel when the front panel is in the open position.

14. The portable carrier of claim 11, wherein the carrier divider panel includes an insulating material.

15. The portable carrier of claim 11, wherein the carrier divider panel includes at least one aperture forming a container holder.

16. The portable carrier of claim 11,

wherein the carrier divider panel further comprises:

a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge;

a first edge portion adjacent to the first edge;

a second edge portion adjacent to the second edge;

a center portion between the first edge portion and the second edge portion;

wherein the portable carrier further comprises:

a first corner edge extending along a junction of the bottom panel and a first side panel;

a second corner edge extending along a junction of the bottom panel and a second side panel opposite the first side panel;

wherein the first edge of the carrier divider panel is inserted along the first corner edge of the portable carrier;

wherein the second edge of the carrier divider panel is inserted along the second corner edge of the portable carrier;

wherein the center portion of the carrier divider panel is parallel to the bottom panel; and

wherein the first edge portion and the second edge portion of the carrier divider panel are not parallel to the bottom panel.

17. A portable carrier, comprising:

a bottom panel;

a top panel having a first aperture;

a plurality of side panels connected with the bottom panel and the top panel;

a handle panel connected with the top panel and having a second aperture, the handle panel in an assembled state being folded along a fold line separating the handle panel from the top panel so that the handle panel overlaps the top panel; and

a handle attached to the handle panel and, in the assembled state, inserted through the first aperture and the second aperture.

18. The portable carrier of claim 17, wherein the first aperture is aligned with the second aperture in the assembled state.

19. The portable carrier of claim 17, wherein the first aperture and the second aperture have the same dimensions.

20. The portable carrier of claim 17, wherein the first aperture is substantially rectangular with a length substantially the same as to a length of the handle.