Foldable container

Abstract

Containers are disclosed that may be constructed fully and then shipped in and later stored in a space efficient configuration, such as a low profile or flat configuration. In one embodiment, a container includes multiple walls connected together by various structures including, for example, hinge fold-line(s), and a base which together may be manipulated to reduce the overall profile of the container. The container may further include top flaps by which the container may be closed. The geometry of the hinge-lines can have different shapes and extend between different points of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a base;   four sidewalls, each sidewall being connected to the base;   four webs, each web connecting one of the four sidewalls to another one of the four sidewalls;   four flaps, each flap being connected to an upper edge of one of the four sidewalls by a hinge fold-line;   four triangular fold-lines, each triangular fold-line extending across a portion of the base and across at least one of the four webs;   an end-to-end fold-line extending across two of the four flaps, the base, and two of the four sidewalls, wherein the container is configured to be foldable to a low profile arrangement from a high profile constructed arrangement.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein one of the four flaps comprises a slot, and another one of the four flaps comprises a hook. 
     
     
         3 . A container comprising:
 a base;   at least two webs; and   at least two triangular fold-lines, each triangular fold-line extending across a portion of the base and across at least one of the two webs,   wherein the container is configured to be foldable to a low profile arrangement from a high profile constructed arrangement.   
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  further comprising four sidewalls, each sidewall connected to the base at a fold-line and connected to one of the at least two webs, wherein the at least two triangular fold-lines are disposed at acute angles relative to each of the fold-lines between the four sidewalls and the base. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  further comprising an end-to-end fold-line extending across the base and two of the four sidewalls. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of flaps, each flap being connected to one of the four sidewalls. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein one of the four flaps comprises a slot, and another one of the four flaps comprises a hook. 
     
     
         8 . A folding template for a container comprising:
 a planar member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of fold-lines, each of the plurality of fold-lines being disposed on one of the upper and lower surfaces, the plurality of fold-lines defining a base having a rectangular shape, four sidewalls, four webs, and four flaps, at least two of the sidewalls having a trapezoidal shape, at least one of the plurality of fold-lines extending across a portion of the defined base and across one of the four defined webs, and at least another one of the plurality of fold-lines extending across two of the four defined flaps, the defined base, and two of the four defined sidewalls.   
     
     
         9 . The folding template of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fold-line extending across the portion of the defined base and across one of the four defined webs is disposed at acute angles relative to the fold-lines defining the base. 
     
     
         10 . A container comprising:
 a base;   at least two sidewalls; and   at least two sidewall fold-lines, each sidewall fold-line extending across a portion of one of the sidewalls,   wherein the container is configured to be foldable to a low profile arrangement from a high profile constructed arrangement.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising at least two additional sidewalls, wherein each sidewall is connected to the base at a fold-line, wherein the at least two sidewall fold-lines are disposed at acute angles relative to each of the fold-lines between the sidewalls and the base. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein at least two of the sidewalls have a trapezoidal shape, and wherein the base has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein at least two of the sidewalls have a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 11  further comprising at least two flaps and at least two flap fold-lines, each flap fold-line extending across a portion of one of the flaps. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14  additionally comprising at least two additional flaps. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein each flap is connected to one of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein one of the four flaps comprises a slot, and another one of the four flaps comprises a hook. 
     
     
         18 . A folding template for a container comprising:
 a planar member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of fold-lines, each of the plurality of fold-lines being disposed on one of the upper and lower surfaces, the plurality of fold-lines defining at least a base having a rectangular shape, four sidewalls, four webs, and four flaps, at least two of the sidewalls having a trapezoidal shape, at least one of the plurality of fold-lines extending across a portion of one of the four sidewalls, and at least another one of the plurality of fold-lines extending across a portion of one of the four flaps.   
     
     
         19 . The folding template of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one fold-line extending across the portion of one of the four sidewalls is disposed at an acute angle relative to the one or more fold-lines defining the sidewalls. 
     
     
         20 . The folding template of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one fold-line extending across the portion of one of the four flaps is disposed at an acute angle relative to the one or more fold-lines defining the flap.