Thermally Protected Shipping Container

Abstract

A container for storage and shipping of objects includes a lid assembly having two configurations and an open-top box. In the first configuration the container can be loaded with objects for storage or collection while limiting physical and visual access to the contents of the box and in the second configuration, the container is sealed for shipping. The lid assembly contains side flaps which may be used to stabilize the lid assembly in the first configuration, and in the second configuration, secure the lid assembly to the open-top box. Preferably, the container is formed from one contiguous blank. The blank is preferably made of corrugated cardboard but may be formed from any substantially rigid material. The container is thermally protected with a flame-retardant treatment, such as a thermally protective lining.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 an open-top box having an upper edge and including a top flap attached to the upper edge along a first fold line; and   a lid assembly attached to the upper edge of the open-top box along a second fold line and comprising:
 a back panel; 
 a front panel attached to the back panel and including an opening; and 
 a pair of side flaps attached to at least one of the back panel and the front panel along a pair of fold lines, 
   wherein the lid assembly has a first configuration in which the lid assembly is coupled to the top flap such that the opening in the front panel provides access to an interior of the open-top box with the pair of side flaps folded to form a side closure to the lid assembly; and   wherein the lid assembly has a second configuration in which the pair of side flaps secure the lid assembly to the open-top box such that the container is sealed for shipment, and   wherein at least a portion of the container includes a flame-retardant treatment.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel of the lid assembly further comprises a door configured to substantially close the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel is directly attached to the back panel along a third fold line. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid assembly further comprises a top panel, wherein the front panel is attached to the back panel via the top panel with the top panel being attached the front panel along a third fold line and attached to the back panel along another fourth fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of side flaps are attached to the front panel of the lid assembly along a pair of fold lines. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of side flaps are attached to the back panel of the lid assembly along a pair of fold lines. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the open-top box and lid assembly are formed from one contiguous, foldable sheet of a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the flame-retardant treatment comprises a thermally protective lining. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the thermally protective lining comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         10 . A blank of substantially rigid material comprising:
 a first plurality of contiguous panels joined along a plurality of fold lines and foldable into an open-top box having an upper edge; and   a second plurality of contiguous panels attached to the first plurality of foldable panels along a lid assembly fold line and including a plurality of fold lines such that the second plurality of contiguous panels is foldable into a lid assembly, the second plurality of contiguous panels comprising:
 a back panel; 
 a front panel including an opening; and 
 a pair of side flaps adjacent to at least one of the back panel and the front panel and demarcated by a pair of fold lines; 
   a flame-retardant treatment applied to at least some of the panels of the first plurality of contiguous panels or the second plurality of contiguous panels,   wherein the lid assembly has a first configuration in which the lid assembly is coupled to the top flap such that the opening in the front panel provides access to an interior of the open-top box with the pair of side flaps folded to form a side closure to the lid assembly; and   wherein the lid assembly has a second configuration in which the pair of side flaps secure the lid assembly to the open-top box such that the container is sealed for shipment.   
     
     
         11 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the front panel of the lid assembly further comprises a door configured to substantially close the opening. 
     
     
         12 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the front panel is directly attached to the back panel along a fold line. 
     
     
         13 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the lid assembly further comprises a top panel, wherein the front panel is attached to the back panel via the top panel with the top panel being attached the front panel along a fold line and attached to the back panel along another fold line. 
     
     
         14 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the pair of side flaps are attached to the front panel of the lid assembly along a pair of fold lines. 
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the pair of side flaps are attached to the back panel of the lid assembly along a pair of fold lines. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 10 , wherein the flame-retardant treatment comprises a thermally protective lining. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the thermally protective lining comprises polyethylene terephthalate.