WO2007079018A1

WO2007079018A1 - Collapsible package, and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2007079018A1
Application number: PCT/US2006/048960
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Robert Steinhauser
Original assignee: Mark Robert Steinhauser
Priority date: 2005-12-28
Filing date: 2006-12-21
Publication date: 2007-07-12
Also published as: CN101365628A; US20100313529A1; US20070145052A1; EP1973786A1; CA2635749A1

Abstract

A package having a top (20) or lid and a coordinating container (50) , which at least partially opens itself to expose an item retained therein. The container is configured to readily change from a first, assembled configuration to a second, at least partially collapsed configuration. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewalls (52, 54 ,56, 58) or portions of the sidewalls, collapses, open, drops, or otherwise changes from the assembled position when the lid is removed from the container. The sidewall or portion of sidewall that collapses is hinged to another portion (55) of the container.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE PACKAGE, AND METHODS

Technical Field

This disclosure generally relates to packaging, more particularly, to boxes.

Background Packaging boxes exist in all shapes and sizes. One common type is a two- part package, having a container and a removable and replaceable lid. Examples of such packages include shoe boxes, hat boxes, sweater boxes, and many gift boxes. To gain access to the interior of the container retaining the item, the lid is removed, exposing the item through the area exposed by the removed lid. Boxes such as these have been used for giving gifts for numerous years. A different and more exciting box would be welcomed.

Summary of the Disclosure

The present invention provides a new box that adds spark and excitement to gift giving and receiving. The disclosure of this application is directed to a package, more particularly a box, e.g., a rigid box, that collapses, opens, unfolds, flattens, or otherwise changes from a first configuration to a second configuration to expose at least a portion of its interior volume. In the first configuration, the box has an interior volume for retaining an item therein. In the second configuration, at least a portion of the box has pivoted or collapsed, eliminating at least a portion of the interior volume and preferably exposing at least a portion of any item therein. In an alternate second configuration, the box has pivoted to a generally planar configuration with no interior volume; that is, the box walls have collapsed. In a way, the box opens itself, creating excitement for the receiver of the gift.

In one specific aspect, the invention is a package that includes a container and a lid removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewalls orthogonal to the base wall. The container has a base wall and at least three sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The container could have four sidewalls, where at least a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. It is possible that the entire sidewall is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The pivotal nature can be provided by a hinge, such as a living hinge.

In another specific aspect, the invention is a combination of a lid configured to engage with and be removable from a container, and the container, which has a base wall and at least one sidewall connected to the base wall, at least a portion of which is pivotal in relation to the base wall. The container can have four sidewalls connected to the base wall, with at least a portion of one of the sidewalls being pivotal in relation to the base wall. The entire sidewall could be pivotal, which could be via a living hinge between the base wall and the pivotal sidewall. Each of the four sidewalls could pivotal in relation to the base wall, and the entire sidewalls could be pivotal, such as by a living hinge.

In yet another specific aspect, the invention is to a container that has a base wall and four sidewalls, each connected to the base wall, wherein a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall. A living hinge can be positioned between the portion of each of the four sidewalls that is pivotal in relation to the base wall and a portion of the sidewall that is not pivotal in relation to the base wall. The entire sidewall, of each of the four sidewalls, can be pivotal to the base wall. A living hinge can be positioned between the four sidewalls and the base wall. Methods for using the boxes or containers, and of making the boxes or containers, are described.

These and various other features which characterize the boxes or containers of this disclosure are pointed out with particularity in the attached claims. For a better understanding of the boxes of the disclosure, their advantages, their use and objectives obtained by their use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which there is illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention of this disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first box plan embodiment in a first, assembled configuration, having a lid thereon, according to the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the box plan of FIG. 1 with the lid lifted off from the box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the box plan of FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the walls of the box plan moving from the first assembled configuration; FIG. 4 is a top view of the box plan in a second, planar configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second box plan embodiment in a first, assembled configuration, with the Hd lifted off from the box;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the box plan of FIG. 5, showing portions of ^' the walls of the box plan moving from the first assembled configuration;

FTG. 7 is a top view of the second box plan in a second, planar configuration;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the lid of FIGS. 1 and 5, illustrated in a planar configuration; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the lid.

Detailed Description

The present invention is directed to a package having a top or lid and a coordinating container. The container is configured to be readily changed from a first, assembled position to a second, at least partially collapsed condition. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewalls or portions of the sidewalls, collapses, open, drops, or otherwise changes from the assembled position when the lid is removed from the container. In other words, at least a portion of the container collapses, providing access to the container interior, in addition to the access gained via the removed lid.

The package is particularly suited for use as a gift box, for retaining a gift or present. When the recipient of the gift removes the Hd from the container, at least a portion of at least one sidewall collapses, opens, or otherwise changes its position, to preferably reveal at least a portion of the gift inside. In some embodiments, all sidewalls collapse, or. a portion of all sidewalls collapse.

Referring to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, a first embodiment of a package according to the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated package is a box 10 having an interior volume for retaining an item therein. Box 10 includes a top 20 and a container 50, with top 20 being configured to removably engage with and seat over a portion of container 50; see FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, and FIGS. 3 and 4 in particular, container 50 is a generally rectangular or square structure, having four sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 connected to and surrounding a bottom wall 55. Sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55 define an interior 60 (FIG. 2) for retaining an item therein. As best seen in FIGS, 2 and 4, each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 has a top edge 52A₅ 54A, 56A, 58A, an opposite bottom edge 52B, 54B, 56B, 58B, a first side edge 52C, 54C, 56C, 58C, and a second side edge 52D, 54D, 56D, 58D opposite the first side edge 52C, 54C, 56C₅ 58C. The terms "top", "bottom" and "side" arc relative, and, in this discussion, refer to the positioning of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 when in an orientation as in FIG. 2. Bottom wall 55 has first edge 55A₅ second edge 55B, third edge 55C and fourth edge 55D.

When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 join at corners 62, 64, 66, 68. Specifically, sidcwall 52 and sidewall 54 form corner 62 where side edge 52D and side edge 54C meet; sidewall 54 and sidewall 56 form a corner 64 where side edge 54D and side edge 56C meet; sidewall 56 and sidewall 58 form a corner (not seen) where side edge 56D and side edge 58C meet; and sidewall 58 and sidewall 52 form comer 68 where side edge 58D and side edge 52C meet. Sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 contact one another at corners 62, 64, 68, but arc not attached or connected. See FIG. 3, which illustrates sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 not contacting one another and forming corners. Additional discussion regarding sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and corners 62, 64, 68 is below.

Each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 is connected to bottom wall 55 by a hinge 102, 104, 106, 108, respectively. Specifically, bottom edge 52B of sidewall 52 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55A via hinge 102; bottom edge 54B of sidewall 54 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55B via hinge 104; bottom edge 56B of sidewall 56 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55C via hinge 106, and bottom edge 58B of sidewall 58 is pivotally connected to bottom wall 55 at edge 55D via hinge 108.

In the preferred embodiment, hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 is a living hinge 1 12, 1 14, 116, 1 18, meaning, that living hinge 1 12, 114, 1 16, 118 is a thin section of material that connects two parts to keep them together and allow the part to be opened and closed; the material may be integral with the two hinged parts. Additional details regarding living hinge 1 12, 1 14, 116, 118 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 allows pivotal movement between each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55. Referring now to FIGS. 5. 6 and 7, a second embodiment of a package according to the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated package is a box 10' having an interior volume for retaining items therein. Elements of box 10' that are the same as elements of box 10 retain the same reference numerals; similar, though not exact elements are designated with a prime (') mark.

Box 10' includes top 20 (similar to top 20 of box 10) and a container 50'. Top 20 is configured to removably engage with and seat over a portion of container 50'. Container 50' is a generally rectangular or square structure, having four sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58' connected to and surrounding bottom wall 55. Sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58' and bottom wall 55 define an interior 60' (FIG. 5) for retaining an item therein.

Each of sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58' has a top edge, an opposite bottom edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge, similar to sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58. When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 5, sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58' join at four corners.

Each of sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58' differ from sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 in that each of sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58' has a bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78, respectively, and a top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88, respectively. Each of bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 has a top edge 72A, 74A, 76A, 78A, an opposite bottom . edge 72B, 74B, 76B, 78B, a first side edge 72C, 74C, 76C, 78C, and a second side edge 72D, 74D, 76D, 78D opposite the first side edge 72C, 74C, 76C, 78C. Each of top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88 has a top edge 82A, 84A, 86A; 88A, an opposite bottom edge 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B, a first side edge 82C, 84C, 86C₅ 88C, and a second side edge 82D, 84D, 86D₃ 88D opposite the first side edge 82C, 84C, 86C, 88C. Again, the terms "top", "bottom" and "side" are relative, and, in this discussion, refer to the positioning of wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, 82, 84, 86, 88 when in an orientation as in FIG. 5. Bottom wall 55 has first edge 55A, second edge 55B, third edge 55C and fourth edge 55D.

Top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 are pivotally connected to its respective bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 by a hinge 122, 124, 126, 128. Specifically, bottom edges 82B, 84B, 86B, 88B are pivotally connected to the respective top edges 72 A, 74A, 76 A, 78A. In the preferred embodiment, hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 is a living hinge 132, 134, 136, 138. Additional details regarding living hinge 132, 134, 136, 138 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 122, 124, 126, 128 allows pivotal movement between each of top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 and bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78.

When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, bottom wall portion 72, 74, 76, 78 join at corners 162, 164, 168. Specifically, wall portion 72 and wall portion 74 form corner 162 where side edge 72D and side edge 74C meet; wall portion 74 and wall portion 76 form a corner 164 where side edge 74D and side edge 76C meet; wall portion 76 and wall portion 78 form a corner (not seen) where side edge 76D and side edge 78C meet; and wall portion 78 and wall portion 72 form corner 168 where side edge 78D and side edge 72C meet. Bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78 contact one another at corners 162, 164, 168, and preferably have a mechanism to attach or connect. In one embodiment, a flexible adhesive tab is used to connect the sidewall edges together. In FIG. 7, extending from wall portion 74 at side edge 74C is a tab 162', which is configured to adhere to wall portion 72 at side edge 72D, to form corner 162. Similarly, extending from wall portion 76 at side edge 76C is a tab 164', which is configured to adhere to wall portion 74 at side edge 74D, to form corner 164; extending from wall portion 78 at side edge 78C is a tab 166', which is configured to adhere to wall portion 76 at side edge 76D, to form the unseen corner; and extending from wall portion 72 at side edge 72C is a tab 168', which is configured to adhere to wall portion 78 at side edge 78D, to form corner 168. A close up of various adhesive tabs is illustrated in and discussed in reference to FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 , 8 and 9, details regarding lid 20 are discussed. In FIGS. 8 and 9, lid 20 is in a planar configuration; that FIGS. 7 and 8 show lid 20 prior to being assembled and oriented for use, as in FIG. 1 ; such a configuration facilitates storage and shipping of lid 20.

As seen in FIG. 1, when assembled, lid 20 is a generally rectangular or square structure, having four sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 connected to and surrounding a top wall 25. Sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25 are configured to provided lid 20 with dimensions to interact with container 50, 50'.

As best seen in FIG. 8, each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 has a bottom edge 22A, 24A, 26A, 28A, an opposite top edge 22B, 24B, 26B, 28B, a first side edge 22C, 24C₃ 26C, 28C, and a second side edge 22D, 24D, 26D, 28D opposite the first side edge 22C, 24C, 26C, 28C. The terms "bottom", "top" and "side" are relative, and, in this discussion, refer to the positioning of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 when in an orientation as in FIG. 1. When in a first, assembled configuration, such as illustrated in FIG. 1, sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 join at corners 32, 34, 38. Specifically, sidewall 22 and sidewall 24 form corner 32 where side edge 22D and side edge 24C meet; sidewall 24 and sidewall 26 form a corner 34 where side edge 24D and side edge 26C meet; sidewall 26 and sidewall 28 form a corner (not seen) where side edge 26D and side edge 28C meet; and sidewall 28 and sidewall 22 form corner 38 where side edge 28D and side edge 22C meet. Sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 contact one another at corners 32, 34, 38, and preferably have a mechanism to attach or connect. In one embodiment, a flexible adhesive tab is used to connect the sidewall edges together. In FIG. 8, extending from sidewall 24 at side edge 24C is a tab 32', which is configured to adhere to sidewall 22 at side edge 22D, to form corner 32. Similarly, extending from sidewall 26 at side edge 26C is a tab 34', which is configured to adhere to sidewall 24 at side edge 24D, to form corner 34; extending from sidewall 28 at side edge 28C is a tab 36', which is configured to adhere to sidewall 26 at side edge 26D, to form the unseen corner; and extending from sidewall 22 at side edge 22C is a tab 38', which is configured to adhere to sidewall 28 at side edge 28D, to form corner 38. FIG. 9 illustrates a close-up of tab 32', with a portion of a release liner 100 removed exposing adhesive tape 101 , which will connect to sidewall 22. Each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 is connected to top wall 25 by a hinge 142,

144, 146, 148. In the preferred embodiment, hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 is a living hinge 152, 154, 156, 158. Additional details regarding living hinge 152, 154, 156, 158 are provided below. It should be understood that hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 could have other suitable configurations. Hinge 142, 144, 146, 148 allows pivotal movement between each of sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25.

Referring now to FIG. 9, living hinge 152, 154 is discussed. It should be understood that this discussion, even though directed to living hinge 152, 154 between top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24, is likewise applicable to living hinges 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18 and 132, 134, 136, 138 and 156, 158. In FIG. 9, top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24 are illustrated; this is analogous to bottom wall 55 with sidewalls 52, 54 and bottom wall 55 with sidewalls 52', 54'.

Living hinge 152, 154 is formed by an extension of material connecting sidewall 22, 24 and bottom wall 25, respectively. An example of a suitable extension of material is an adhesive tape or other adhesive backed material, such as paper. In a preferred embodiment, a single piece of adhesive tape is used for all of living hinges 152, 154, 156, 158 and tabs 32', 34', 36', 38'; this material would generally then cover all of top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28. The material forming living hinge 152, 154 (and the others) is sufficiently flexible to allow pivoting of sidewalls 22, 24 in relation to bottom wall 25, preferably repeated pivoting. In particular, living hinges 152, 154 are sufficiently flexible to allow sidewalls 22, 24 to be moved to a position orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to top wall 25. After positioning both sidewalls 22, 24 orthogonal to top wall 25, tab 32' can be used to adhere edge 22D to edge 24C to form corner 32 (FIG. 1). It is desired to tightly abut edges 22D to edge 24C, in order to form a strong corner 32. It is also desired to obtain a tight connection between sidewall 22 and top wall 25 (i.e., at edges 25A and 22B), and between sidewall 24 and top wall 25 (i.e., at edges 25B and 24B) at the location of living hinges 152, 154. To facilitate a tight connection between sidewalls 22, 24 and bottom wall 25, the meeting edges are configured for tight abutment. Bottom wall 25 has edge 25A which is a beveled edge 25A' and edge 25B which is a beveled edge 25B'. Sidewall 22 has edge 22B which is a beveled edge 22B¹, and likewise sidewall 24 has edge 24B which is a beveled edge 24B'. Beveled edges 25 A', 22B' meet at living hinge 152 between bottom wall 25 and sidewall 22, and beveled edges 25B', 24B' meet at living hinge 154 between bottom wall 25 and sidewall 24.

Pairs of meeting beveled edges, such as 25 A¹ and 22B', and 25B' and 24B\ are preferably configured to abut each other when bottom wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24 are in the desired assembled position, in the embodiment discussed, orthogonal (i.e., 90 degrees) to each other. A pair of beveled edges preferably forms a 90 degree or right angle, or close thereto, for these embodiments. Preferably, each of a pair of beveled edges, such as 25A' and 22B¹, and 25B¹ and 24B¹, are about 45 degrees, so that when positioned at a right angle, the edges have a tight connection. It may be desired, in some instances, to have each at about 43-44 degrees, to allow for a little play when brought together. Other angles for beveled edges may also be used, although not as preferable as 45 degrees. For example, one edge of a pair could have a 30 degree bevel and the other edge of the pair could have a 60 degree bevel. The bevel of each edge, along with the edge in combination with its pair, affects the ease with which top wall 25 and sidewalls 22, 24 can be brought orthogonal to each other, and the rate at which sidewalls of container 50, 50' fall or collapse. It should be understood that depending on the shape of the box, for example, a tapered or pyramidal container, the edges may be beveled to form an angle other than 90 degrees.

As discussed above, this discussion has been directed to living hinges 152, 153 between sidewalls 22, 24 and top wall 25 and their respective edges. The principles discussed can be adapted to any of living hinges 1 12, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18, sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 and bottom wall 55, and living hinges 132, 134, 136, 138, bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, and top wall portion 82, 84, 86, 88.

Referring again to FIG. 9, sidewall 22 has edge 22D which forms corner 32 (FIG. 1) with sidewall 24 at edge 24C. To facilitate a tight connection between sidewalls 22, 24, the meeting edges are configured for tight abutment. Sidewall 22 has edge 22D which is a beveled edge 22D', and likewise sidewall 24 has edge 24C which is a beveled edge 24C. The bevel of each edge, along with the edge in combination with its pair, affects the ease with which sidewalls 22, 24 can be brought together to form corner 32.

It should be understood that although this discussion has been directed to sidewalls 22, 24 that form corner 32, the beveled edge principles discussed can be adapted to any of the sidewalls that form a corner, such as sidewalls 52, 54 which meet at corner 62.

To use package 10, any item can be placed into interior volume 60 and Hd 20 carefully placed on container 50 so as to hold sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 together. It should be understood that any packing material can also be added to volume 60. Assembled package 10 would have the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1.

To remove the item from within, lid 20 is raised off of container 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2. With the containment caused by lid 20 removed, sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 pivot or otherwise fall down, as illustrated in FIG. 3, exposing the item and any packing material. The rate by which sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 fall or collapse depends on hinge 102, 104, 106, 108 (e.g., living hinge 112, 1 14, 1 16, 1 18) and edges 52B, 54B, 56B₅ 58B and 55A, 55B, 55C, 55D, such as whether or not the edges arc beveled and to what degree. A particulate or other packing material having numerous items (e.g., packing peanuts) will have a tendency to spill out. In this embodiment of the package, the item is generally complete exposed, with no portion of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 extending above bottom wall 55.

To use package 10', any item can be placed into interior volume 60' and Hd 20 carefully placed on container 50' so as to hold sidewalls 52', 54', 56', 58', particularly top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88, together. It should be understood that any packing material can also be added to volume 60'.

To remove the item, lid 20 is raised off of container 50', as illustrated in FIG. 5. With the retainment caused by lid 20 removed, top wall portions 82, 84, 86, 88 pivot or otherwise fall down in relation to bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78, as illustrated in FIG. 6, exposing the item. In this embodiment, the item is generally at least partially retained within interior 60' by bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78. Bottom wall portions 72, 74, 76, 78 will also retain some packing material.

In a preferred embodiment, each of sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58, 52', 54', 56', 58 and bottom wall 55 of container 50, 50' and sidewalls 22, 24, 26, 28 and top wall 25 of lid 20 are either paperboard or hardboard. Suitable thicknesses include 1/8 inch and 1/16 inch. These materials can be readily formed, e.g., cut, to have beveled edges, if desired. Adhesive tape, such as tab 32', readily adheres to paperboard or hardboard. Another preferred material for container 50, 50' and lid 20 is plastic. A plastic sheet can be readily stamped, cut, embossed, or otherwise manipulated to create the walls and beveled edges. Alternately, plastic can be directly molded to form the desired configuration. Living hinge 112, 114, 116, 1 18 can be readily molded or pressed into plastic.

It should be understood that the package of the present invention could be modified and remain within the scope of the invention. For example, a pentagon- shaped package could be made, with the container and the top each having five side walls. Other shapes for the package are also suitable, such as triangular, elongate rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, tapered or pyramidal and the like. For example, a triangular box would have a triangular bottom wall and three rectangular sidewalls. It is not necessary to have a lid; other designs would be suitable. For example, 3- sided pyramidal box could have a triangular bottom wall and three triangular sidewalls that meet and are retained at a peak by a bow. A 4-sided pyramidal box could have a square bottom wall and four triangular sidewalls that meet and are retained by a ribbon. It is not necessary that all of the sidewalls or portions of all of the sidewalls collapse; rather, any number of sidewalls could collapse. For example, for a square container, two sidewalls could be hinged and configured to collapse and the other two sidewalls could be fixed in position. As another example, for a hexagonal package, three adjacent sidewalls could be hinged and configured to collapse. The assembled package could be essentially any size; examples of suitable sizes include 3 x 3 x 3 inches, 4 x 4 x 4 inches, and 6 x 6 x 6 inches. Still further, it should be understood that the package could be made from any suitable material, including wood, metal, cardboard, etc. Any suitable decoration or indicia can be present on the exterior or interior of the box or lid. For example, the decoration or indicia could have a theme related to the item within the box, or could be directed to an occasion, such as a birthday, or a holiday. This decoration or indicia could be placed directly onto the sidewalls or be applied as a laminate or otherwise with a carrier. The above specification and examples are believed to provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of particular embodiments of the invention. Because many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the true scope and spirit of the invention reside in the broad meaning of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A package, comprising:

(a) a container having a base wall and at least three sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall; and

(b) a lid removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewalls orthogonal to the base wall.

2. The package of claim 1, wherein the container comprises four sidewalls.

3. The package of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

4. The package of claim 3, wherein each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

5. The package of claim 4, wherein each of the four sidewalls is pivotally connected to the base wall with a living hinge.

6. The package of claim 3, wherein each of the four sidewalls is pivotally connected with a living hinge.

7. The package of claim I₅ wherein the at least a portion of at least one of the sidewalls is pivotally connected with a living hinge.

8. In combination, a lid configured to engage with and be removable from a container, the container comprising:

(a) a base wall;

(b) at least one sidewall connected to the base wall, at least a portion of which is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

. The combination of claim 8, wherein the container comprises four sidewalls connected to the base wall, and at least a portion of one of the sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein one of the sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the container further comprises a living hinge between the base wall and the pivotal sidewall.

12. The combination of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

13. The combination of claim 12, wheTein each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

14. The combination of claim 13, wherein the container further comprises a living hinge between the base wall and each of the four sidewalls.

15. A container comprising:

(a) a base wall;

(b) four sidewalls, each connected to the base wall, wherein a portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall.

16. The container of claim 15, further comprising a living hinge between the portion of each of the four sidewalls that is pivotal in relation to the base wall and a portion of the sidewall that is not pivotal in relation to the base wall.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein each of the four sidewalls is pivotal to the base wall.

18. The container of claim 17, further comprising a living hinge between the four sidewalls and the base wall.