Sensor return container and methods for forming the same

Abstract

A return container for a sensor device and methods of forming a sensor device return container are disclosed. The return container may include a container sheet, which has a plurality of panels configured to be folded around the sensor device. The panels, as folded, define at least a first region for maintaining the sensor device, and a separate second region for maintaining an accessory associated with the sensor device. At least one of the panels has a re-sealable closing system that permits repeated access to the sensor device and accessory maintained within the return container. And one of more of the panels defines at least one interface opening that provides access to a limited portion of the sensor device as it is maintained within the first region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A return container for a sensor device, comprising:
 a container sheet of protective material capable of being formed into a multi-sided holder of the sensor device that covers and protects a majority of the exterior surface of the sensor device, the container sheet comprising
 a central panel and 
 a plurality of side panels each of which are connected to the central panel, one of the side panels comprising a flap with multiple fold lines, and another of the side panels comprising a re-sealable closing system that permits repeated access to the sensor device and accessory maintained within the return container; 
   wherein each of the side panels being connected to the central panel, the side panels being respectively disposed along different edges of the central panel;   wherein when the flap is folded along the multiple fold lines, the surfaces of the folded flap and a portion of the central panel define an accessory storage region for maintaining an accessory associated with the sensor device; and   wherein the remaining side panels are configured to be folded about the central panel to define, with the central panel and a portion of the flap, a sensor device region for maintaining the sensor device.   
     
     
         2 . The return container of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the central panel and side panels having at least one interface opening that provides access to a limited portion of the sensor device. 
     
     
         3 . The return container of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the flap includes at least one opening to provide access between the accessory storage region and the sensor device region. 
     
     
         4 . The return container of  claim 1 , wherein flap includes an access system exposed to the exterior of the return container that provides access to the accessory storage region without providing direct access to the sensor device region. 
     
     
         5 . The return container of  claim 1 , wherein the flap further comprises a plurality of perforations and additional fold lines that define a separator extending into the accessory storage region when folded relative to the remainder of the flap, the separator dividing the accessory storage region into a plurality of subregions within the accessory storage region, each of the subregions for maintaining different sensor accessories associated with the sensor device. 
     
     
         6 . The return container of  claim 1 , wherein the re-sealable closing system comprises a closing flap and at least one subpanel proximate the central panel, the closing flap having at least one tab that engages another of the side panels when the panels are folded around the sensor device to form the sensor device region. 
     
     
         7 . A method of forming a sensor device return container having a central panel, two opposing panels, an end flap, and a closing flap having a re-sealable closing system, the end flap being proximate the central panel and having a plurality of fold lines and an attachment portion on an end opposite the central panel, the method comprising:
 folding the end flap relative to the central panel along the plurality of fold lines to form an accessory region within the return container for maintaining at least one accessory associated with the sensor device;   fixing the attachment portion at end of the end flap to an interior location on the central panel;   placing the at least one accessory within the accessory region of the return container;   placing the sensor device proximate to the central panel and proximate to a portion of the folded end flap located next to the attachment portion, the sensor device being aligned with at least one interface opening in at least one of the central panel, the two opposing panels, and the closing flap, the interface opening being at least one from a group comprising a display opening, a control opening, and a sensor interface opening;   folding the two opposing panels to cover at least two opposing surfaces of the sensor device;   folding the closing flap to secure the sensor device within a sensor device region defined by portions of each of the central panel, the two opposing panels, and the portion of the folded end flap located next to the attachment portion;   closing the re-sealable closing system on the closing flap; and   placing a return shipping label directly on the exterior of the return container without blocking the at least one interface opening.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising:
 extending a separator portion of the end flap within the accessory region to define a first subregion and a second subregion; and 
 wherein the placing step comprises placing a first accessory within the first subregion of the accessory region and placing a second accessory within the second subregion of the accessory region. 
 
     
     
         9 . A return container for a sensor device, comprising:
 a container sheet comprising,
 a plurality of panels configured to be folded around the sensor device, the panels as folded defining at least
 a first region for maintaining the sensor device and 
 a separate second region for maintaining an accessory associated with the sensor device, 
 
 wherein at least one of the panels comprises a re-sealable closing system that permits repeated access to the sensor device and accessory maintained within the return container; and 
 wherein one or more of the panels defining at least one interface opening that provides access to a limited portion of the sensor device as it is maintained within the first region. 
   
     
     
         10 . The return container of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of panels comprises a central panel and at least one of the remaining panels proximate the central panel comprises a flap having at least two fold lines that separate the flap into at least three subpanels, wherein the three subpanels and at least a portion of the central panel define the separate second region for maintaining the accessory. 
     
     
         11 . The return container of  claim 10  wherein the flap has three fold lines that separate the flap into at least the three subpanels and an attachment portion of the flap, the attachment portion being attached to a location on the central panel. 
     
     
         12 . The return container of  claim 10 , wherein the one of the three subpanels disposed between the first region and the second region includes at least one opening to provide access between the first region and the second separate region. 
     
     
         13 . The return container of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the three subpanels includes an opening system exposed to the exterior of the return container that provides access to the separate second region without providing direct access to the first region. 
     
     
         14 . The return container of  claim 9 , wherein the folded panels further define a plurality of subregions within the separate second region, each of the subregions for maintaining one of a plurality of accessories associated with the sensor device. 
     
     
         15 . The return container of  claim 9 , wherein the interface opening comprises at least one from the group comprising a display opening, a control opening, and a sensor interface opening. 
     
     
         16 . The return container of  claim 15 , wherein the display opening further comprises an opening aligned with an informational status indicator on the sensor device that displays status information associated with the sensor device. 
     
     
         17 . The return container of  claim 15 , wherein the control opening further comprises an opening aligned with at least one control interface on the sensor device. 
     
     
         18 . The return container of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor interface opening further comprises an opening aligned with at least one sensor on the sensor device to expose the at least one sensor to the exterior of the return container. 
     
     
         19 . The return container of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor interface opening further comprises an opening aligned with a remote sensor interface on the sensor device. 
     
     
         20 . The return container of  claim 17 , wherein the re-sealable closing system is proximate a central one of the plurality of panels, the re-sealable closing system further comprising a closing flap and at least one subpanel proximate the central one of the panels, the closing flap having at least one tab that engages another of the panels when the panels are folded around the sensor device.