Container suited for an expanded volume or reduced volume configuration

Claim 2

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, arrangeable in an expanded volume configuration and in a reduced volume configuration, comprising: a. a cover subassembly having: a planar top surface structure and depending flaps forming a lid; and reinforcing antitear means for said depending flaps, thereby making said cover subassembly more resistant to rough handling; and b. a bottom subassembly; having: a planar bottom surface structure; upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure said fixed side structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; an additional volume changing structure collapsible during the reduced volume configuration and expandable during the expanded volume configuration to supplement the strength of the volume changing flaps; and reinforcing antitear means for the volume changing flaps thereby making the said bottom subassembly more resistant to rough handling.

Claim 3

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcing antitear means is composed of strips of nylon filaments.

Claim 4

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additional volume changing structure is initially, before receiving a compressive loading force, of greater height than the combined height of one of the volume changing flaps and one of the fixed side structures, to thereby first receive any compression loads to be transmitted between the cover subassembly and the bottom subassembly, substantially eliminating any tendency for the volume changing flaps to bulge outwardly.

Claim 5

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 1, comprising, in addition, tamper proof seal receiving means in both the cover and bottom subassemblies.

Claim 6

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 4, comprising, in addition, loopable tamper proof seals for placement through both of the tamper proof seal receiving means.

Claim 7

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 4, comprising, in addition, completely surrounding tensioned and sealed straps.

Claim 8

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers as claimed in claim 4, comprising, in addition, completely surrounding tensioned and sEaled straps having an effective length less than the circumference of the container assembly when placed at the tamper proof seal receiving means.

Claim 9

A container assembly reusable for many two way shipments and transfers, while security sealed and preferably with a transfer document enclosed within the sealed volume, arrangeable either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, often being used, to transfer goods between department store service centers and respective retail stores, comprising: a. a cover subassembly having: a planar top surface structure and depending flaps forming a lid; tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the depending flaps, thereby making said flaps and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference; and b. a bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; four upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure said fixed side structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; an additional volume changing structure collapsible during the reduced volume configuration and expandable during the expanded volume configuration to supplement the strength of the volume changing flaps; tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the volume changing flaps, thereby making said flaps and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference.

Claim 10

A container assembly reusable for many two way shipments and transfers, while security sealed and preferably with a transfer document enclosed within the sealed volume, arrangeable either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, often being used, to transfer goods between department store service centers and respective retail stores, comprising: a. a cover subassembly having: a planar top surface structure and depending flaps forming a lid; tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the depending flaps, thereby making said flaps and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference; and b. a bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; four upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure said fixed side structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; an additional volume changing structure collapsible during the reduced volume configuration and expandable during the expanded volume configuration to supplement the strength of the volume changing flaps; tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the volume changing flaps, thereby making said flaps and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference.

Claim 11

A container assembly reusable for many two way shipments and transfers, while security sealed, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tamper proof receiving means in both the cover and bottom subassemblies are respective spaced holes.

Claim 12

A container assembly reusable for many two way shipments and transfers, while security sealed, as claimed in claim 9, having, in addition, loopable tamper proof seals for placement through the respective spaced holes.

Claim 13

A container assembly reusable for many two way shipments and transfers, while security sealed, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tamper proof receiving means on both the cover and bottom subassemblies are spaced respective narrow edge cutouts.

Claim 14

A container assembly reusable for many two way shipments and transfers, while security sealed, as claimed in claim 11, having, in addition, completely surrounding tensioned and sealed straps passing around the respective narrow edge cutouts.

Claim 15

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, preferably while security sealed with an accountability transfer document enclosed, and arranged either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, often being transferred between department store service centers and respective retail stores, comprising: a. a corrugated cover subassembly, having: a planar top surface and depending flaps forming a lid; tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the depending flaps, therby, making said flaps and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference; b. a corrugated bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; four upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure said fixed side Structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures: tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the volume changing flaps and the fixed side structures; thereby making said flaps, said sides, and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference; and c. a corrugated inside liner subassembly foldable for inclusion in the reduced volume configuration and expandable for inclusion in the expanded volume configuration alongside the fixed side structures and the volume changing flaps, and having tamper proof seal receiving means.

Claim 16

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, preferably while security sealed with an accountability transfer document enclosed, and arranged either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, often being transferred between department store service centers and respective retail stores, comprising: a. a corrugated cover subassembly, having: a planar top surface and depending flaps forming a lid; tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the depending flaps, therby, making said flaps and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference; b. a corrugated bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; four upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure said fixed side Structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures: tamper proof seal receiving means; and reinforcing antitear means for the volume changing flaps and the fixed side structures; thereby making said flaps, said sides, and said seal receiving means more resistant to rough handling and to attempted security seal interference; and c. a corrugated inside liner subassembly foldable for inclusion in the reduced volume configuration and expandable for inclusion in the expanded volume configuration alongside the fixed side structures and the volume changing flaps, and having tamper proof seal receiving means.

Claim 17

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the corugated inside liner subassembly is of greater height than the combined height of one of the fixed side structures and one of the volume changing flaps to thereby first receive any compression loads to be transmitted between the respective cover and bottom subassemblies, substantially eliminating any tendency for said volume changing flaps to bulge outwardly.

Claim 18

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said tamper proof seal receiving means in both said cover and said bottom subassemblies are respective spaced holes.

Claim 19

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 15, having, in addition, loopable tamper proof seals for placement through the respective spaced holes.

Claim 20

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the tamper proof seal receiving means in both the cover and bottom subassemblies are spaced respective edge cutouts.

Claim 21

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 17, having, in addition, completely surrounding tensioned and sealed straps passing around the respective edge cutouts and being of a resultant length preventing their endwise sliding removal without incurring damage to them and any of the corrugated portions of the container assembly.

Claim 22

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tamper proof seal receiving means in both the cover and bottom subassemblies are spaced respective edge cutouts.

Claim 23

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 19, having in addition completely surrounding tensioned and sealed straps passing around the respective edge cutouts and being of a resultant length preventing their endwise sliding removal without incurring damage to them and any of the corrugated portions of the container assembly.

Claim 24

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said reinforcing antitear means is composed of strips of nylon filaments.

Claim 25

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 21, wherein said strips of nylon filaments, serving as said antitear means, are placed during the container manufacturing process between the interior side of the outside face and the adjacent corrugations of said container assembly.

Claim 26

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 22, wherein said strips of nylon filaments serving as said antitear means are placed to distribute lifting loads and seal tampering forces.

Claim 27

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 13, wherein the corrugated cover subassembly, comprises, in addition, infolded flaps pivotally and integrally made with the depending flaps forming a strOnger corrugated cover subassembly.

Claim 28

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 24, wherein the corrugated cover subassembly includes interfitting respective toe projections and toe holes to removably secure the infolded flaps.

Claim 29

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said volume changing flaps have finger receiving means used to lift said corrugated container assembly.

Claim 30

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 26, wherein said reinforcing antitear means is located to distribute lifting forces applied at said finger receiving means.

Claim 31

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 27, wherein the reinforcing antitear means is a strip of nylon filaments.

Claim 32

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 28, wherein the reinforcing antitear means is located between the interior side of the outside face and the adjacent corrugations.

Claim 33

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the additional volume changing structure is initially, before receiving a compressive loading force, of greater height than the combined height of one of the volume changing flaps and one of the fixed side structures, said volume changing structure thereby first receives any compression loads to be transmitted between the cover subassembly and the bottom subassembly, substantially eliminating any tendency for the volume changing pivotal flaps to buldge outwardly.

Claim 34

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, arrangeable either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, comprising: a. a cover subassembly having a planar top surface structure and depending flaps forming a lid; b. a bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, a fixed side structure, said fixed side structure being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; and c. a liner subassembly, collapsible during the reduced volume configuration and expandable during the expanded volume configuration, which when expanded and before receiving any compressive loading forces is of greater height than the combined height of one of the volume changing flaps and one of the fixed side structures, and which thereby first receives any compression loads to be transmitted between the cover subassembly and the bottom subassembly, substantially eliminating any tendency for the volume changing flaps to bulge outwardly.

Claim 35

A container assembly reusable for many shipments and transfers, arrangeable either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, comprising: a. a cover subassembly having a planar top surface structure and depending flaps forming a lid; b. a bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing each side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, a fixed side structure, said fixed side structure being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; and c. a liner subassembly, collapsible during the reduced volume configuration and expandable during the expanded volume configuration, which when expanded and before receiving any compressive loading forces is of greater height than the combined height of one of the volume changing flaps and one of the fixed side structures, and which thereby first receives any compression loads to be transmitted between the cover subassembly and the bottom subassembly, substantially eliminating any tendency for the volume changing flaps to bulge outwardly.

Claim 36

A corrugated container assembly reusable for mutiple two way shipments and transfers, preferably while security sealed with an accountability transfer document enclosed, and arranged either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, often being transferred between department store service centers and respective retail stores, comprising: a. a corrugated cover subassembly, having: a planar top surface and depending flaps forming a lid; and tamper proof seal receiving means; b. a corrugated bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing eAch side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure, said fixed side structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; and tamper proof seal receiving means; and c. a corrugated inside liner subassembly foldable for inclusion in the reduced volume configuration and expandable for inclusion in the expanded volume configuration alongside the fixed side structures and the volume changing flaps, said liner subassembly being, when expanded and before receiving any compressive loading forces, of greater height than the combined height of one of the volume changing flaps and one of the fixed side structures, so that said liner subassembly first receives any compression loads to be transmitted between the cover subassembly and the bottom subassembly, substantially elminating any tendency for the volume changing flaps to bulge outwardly.

Claim 37

A corrugated container assembly reusable for mutiple two way shipments and transfers, preferably while security sealed with an accountability transfer document enclosed, and arranged either in an expanded volume configuration or in a reduced volume configuration, often being transferred between department store service centers and respective retail stores, comprising: a. a corrugated cover subassembly, having: a planar top surface and depending flaps forming a lid; and tamper proof seal receiving means; b. a corrugated bottom subassembly having: a planar bottom surface structure; upstanding side surface structures whose lower edges join the outer edges of the bottom surface structure; straight line scores, running the full length of each side surface structure, parallel to the bottom surface structure, dividing eAch side surface structure into an upper part, or volume changing flap, and a lower part, or fixed side structure, said fixed side structures being joined together along their lateral edges, and said scores permitting the volume changing flaps to be pivoted with respect to the fixed side structures; and tamper proof seal receiving means; and c. a corrugated inside liner subassembly foldable for inclusion in the reduced volume configuration and expandable for inclusion in the expanded volume configuration alongside the fixed side structures and the volume changing flaps, said liner subassembly being, when expanded and before receiving any compressive loading forces, of greater height than the combined height of one of the volume changing flaps and one of the fixed side structures, so that said liner subassembly first receives any compression loads to be transmitted between the cover subassembly and the bottom subassembly, substantially elminating any tendency for the volume changing flaps to bulge outwardly.

Claim 38

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tamper proof seal receiving means in both the cover and bottom subassemblies are respective spaced holes.

Claim 39

A corrugated container assembly reusable for multiple two way shipments and transfers, as claimed in claim 33, having, in addition, loopable tamper proof seals for placement through the respective spaced holes.