Foldable container

Abstract

A container has a first orientation and a second orientation. The container includes a frame assembly and a cover assembly. The frame assembly includes panel sections that have a spaced apart relationship in the first orientation and have a non-spaced apart relationship in the second orientation. The frame assembly further includes a wrap section that helps maintain the panel sections in the spaced apart relationship in the first orientation. The cover assembly is arranged and configured to fit over the frame assembly in the second orientation.

1 . A container having a first orientation and a second orientation, the container comprising: 
 a frame assembly including panel sections having a spaced apart relationship in the first orientation, and having a non-spaced apart relationship in the second orientation, the frame assembly further including a wrap section that helps maintain the panel sections in the spaced apart relationship in the first orientation; and    a cover assembly arranged and configured to fit over the frame assembly in the second orientation.    
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the panel sections include a first panel section, a second panel section, a third panel section, a fourth panel section, and a fifth panel section.  
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the panel sections have a thickness between 0.25 inches and 2 inches.  
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the panel sections have a thickness approximately equal to a spaced apart distance.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the panel sections comprise a polystyrene material.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the wrap section comprises a polymer material.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to  claim 1 , further including a box assembly for reception of the frame assembly and cover assembly.  
     
     
         8 . A container having a first orientation and a second orientation, the container comprising: 
 a frame assembly including a first panel section, a second panel section, a third panel section, a fourth panel section, and a fifth panel section, the second, third, fourth, and fifth panel sections being arranged a spaced apart distance from the first panel section in the first orientation, and at a non-spaced apart relationship in the second orientation, the frame assembly further including a wrap section that helps maintain the panel sections at the spaced apart distance in the first orientation;    a cover assembly arranged and configured to fit over the frame assembly in the second orientation and to enclose the container; and    a box assembly for reception of the frame assembly and cover assembly for shipment.    
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein the panel sections have a thickness between 0.25 inches and 2 inches.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein the panel sections have a thickness approximately equal to the spaced apart distance.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein the panel sections comprise a polystyrene material.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 8  wherein the wrap section comprises a polymer material.  
     
     
         13 . A method of assembling a container, the method comprising: 
 taking a frame assembly having panel sections arranged at a spaced apart distance in a first orientation from a stack of a plurality of frame assemblies; and    folding the frame assembly into a second orientation such that the panel sections are arranged at a non-spaced apart distance;    placing a cover over the frame assembly to enclose the inside of the container.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 placing the frame assembly into a box for shipment.    
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 folding extra material of the frame assembly.