CH720746A2 - Reusable parcel box and method for folding it - Google Patents

Abstract

Collapsible parcel box, wherein the base, the lateral walls and the lid of the folded parcel box are arranged parallel to one another, wherein lateral folding lines (19, 20, 21) are distributed over the two lateral walls and the front wall such that the lateral walls can be folded onto the base in the folded state without protruding above the base, wherein the lid has an upper folding line (26) arranged parallel to the rear upper edge line (15) which can be folded back such that the lid does not protrude above the base, wherein the lateral walls have folding tabs (23, 24, 25) which can be folded inwards over the upper edge line, and the lateral folding lines (19, 20, 21) extend over the folding tabs (23, 24, 25).

Description

technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a reusable parcel box.

State of the art

[0002] Online trading has multiplied the number of packages sent in recent years. The packages sent are usually made of cardboard and are usually only used once and then thrown away. It has already been suggested that the packages be reused several times. However, the packages are too bulky to be sent back empty. Even if the packages are folded so that all the walls are parallel to each other, i.e. the package is folded into one plane, the flat folded package has several dimensions of the bottom of the package and is therefore very unwieldy and not suitable for returning the flat folded package. Similar problems also occur in all other shipping and transport processes.

[0003] In US11180279B1 a specific folding is proposed with which the package can be folded flat and then returned to the sender or another address. By means of tabs between the four side walls, the two side walls can be folded inwards and thus reduce the external dimensions of the flat folded package. In addition, the flat folded package is still larger than the bottom of the package. A similar disclosure can be found in DE202004000895U1.

[0004] DK180715B1 discloses a similar folding, but which allows the package to be folded so flat that the outer dimensions correspond to the bottom of the package.

[0005] DK178719B1 discloses another possible folding with two folding lines arranged in the side walls, which allow the side walls to be folded inwards without the additional flaps described above. However, due to the folding lines, this parcel box is not dimensionally stable, since the side walls can bend inwards even when opened, and cannot meet the standards for protecting the contents of a parcel.

Brief description of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the invention to solve the problems of the prior art and to find a stable parcel box which can be easily folded up or folded up and returned folded flat in small dimensions.

[0007] The object is achieved by a parcel box according to claim 1.

[0008] The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 12.

[0009] The folding pockets on the upper edge line stabilize/stiffen the lateral walls with the folding lines when the folding flaps are folded over. At the same time, the folding lines in the folding flaps allow the parcel box to continue to be effectively folded inwards and, when folded, is no larger than the base of the parcel.

[0010] Further embodiments of the dependent claims are described below.

[0011] In one embodiment, the lid is folded in the folded state so that the inside of the second area of the lid faces outwards, with the inside facing into the interior of the parcel box in the unfolded state. This allows a return address to be pre-printed or attached to the inside of the second area so that the folded parcel box can be sent directly.

[0012] In one embodiment, the four bottom edge lines comprise a rear bottom edge line connecting the bottom to the rear wall, a front bottom edge line connecting the bottom to the front wall, a left bottom edge line connecting the bottom to the left wall, and a right bottom edge line connecting the bottom to the right wall, wherein the four lateral edge lines comprise a left rear edge line connecting the left wall to the rear wall, a right rear edge line connecting the right wall to the rear wall, a left front edge line connecting the left wall to the front wall, a right front edge line connecting the right wall to the front wall.

[0013] In one embodiment, the lateral fold lines comprise a left fold line in the left wall and a right fold line in the right wall.

[0014] In one embodiment, the left fold line extends from a corner between the left bottom edge line and the left rear edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line and the left rear edge line and the right fold line extends from the corner between the right bottom edge line and the right rear edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line and the right rear edge line.

[0015] In one embodiment, the lateral fold lines comprise a further left fold line in the left wall and a further right fold line in the right wall.

[0016] In one embodiment, the further left fold line extends from the corner between the left bottom edge line and the left front edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line and the left front edge line, and the further right fold line extends from the corner between the right bottom edge line and the right front edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line and the right front edge line.

[0017] In one embodiment, the lateral fold lines comprise a further left fold line in the left wall and a further right fold line in the right wall.

[0018] In one embodiment, the further left fold line extends from a corner between the left bottom edge line and the left front edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line and the left front edge line, and the further right fold line extends from a corner between the right bottom edge line and the right front edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line and the right front edge line.

[0019] In one embodiment, the lateral fold lines comprise a left front fold line in the front wall and a right front fold line in the front wall.

[0020] In one embodiment, the left front fold line extends from a corner between the front bottom edge line and the left front edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the front bottom edge line and the left front edge line, and the right front fold line extends from a corner between the front bottom edge line and the right front edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the front bottom edge line and the right front edge line.

[0021] In one embodiment, the folding tabs have a left folding tab which is connected to the left wall via a left upper edge line, and a right folding tab which is connected to the right wall via a right upper edge line.

[0022] In one embodiment, the left folding tab extends over the entire length of the left upper edge line and the right folding tab extends over the entire length of the right upper edge line.

[0023] In one embodiment, the folding tabs have a front folding tab which is connected to the front wall via a front upper edge line.

[0024] In one embodiment, the front folding tab extends over the entire length of the front edge line.

[0025] Further embodiments are described in the following description. All embodiments described above and below can be used alone or in any possible sub-combination.

drawings

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a parcel box according to the invention in an unfolded state with a closed lid. Fig. 2 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in the unfolded state with a half-open lid. Fig. 3 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in the unfolded state with an open lid. Fig. 4 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in a first transition state. Fig. 5 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in a second transition state. Fig. 6 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in a third transition state. Fig. 7 shows the embodiment from Fig. 1 in a folded state. Fig. 8 shows a method for folding the parcel box.

[0027] In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or analogous features.

Description of an exemplary embodiment

[0028] Fig. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of a parcel box according to the invention.

[0029] The parcel box can be folded between an unfolded state, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and a folded state, as shown in Fig. 7. In other words, a user can convert the parcel box from the unfolded state to the folded state at any time by folding it accordingly, and vice versa.

[0030] In the unfolded state, the parcel box fulfils the function of a parcel box which can be opened via a lid 6 (see Fig. 2 or 3), filled or emptied and closed again (see Fig. 1). The parcel box in the unfolded state is described below.

[0031] The parcel box with closed lid 6 is preferably cuboid-shaped, i.e. has 6 side surfaces or walls arranged at right angles to one another. The walls have a base 1 and four side walls 2, 3, 4, 5, which form a container that can be closed with the lid 6. The unfolded state of the parcel box can be further divided into an unfolded state of the parcel box with an open lid (unfolded open state or briefly open state) and an unfolded state of the parcel box with a closed lid (unfolded closed state or briefly closed state). The four side walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are perpendicular to the base 1. The four side walls 2, 3, 4, 5 have a front wall 2, a rear wall 3 and two side walls 4 and 5. The front wall 2 is arranged opposite the rear wall 3 and/or parallel to it. The two side walls 4, 5 have a left wall 4 and a right wall 5. The left wall 4 is arranged opposite the right wall 5 and/or parallel to it. The front wall 2 is preferably perpendicular to the left wall 4 and/or the right wall 5. The rear wall 3 is preferably perpendicular to the left wall 4 and/or the right wall 5.

[0032] The parcel box has a series of edge lines and fold lines that allow the parcel box to be folded along the corresponding line. This folding along these lines is reversible.

[0033] The edge lines are arranged (in the unfolded state) along the edges of the parcel box. Each edge line is a boundary line between two walls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. An edge defines the boundary lines between two adjacent sides of the parcel box. While an edge on one side of the parcel box can also be open, i.e. without parcel box material (rigid material), an edge line requires material on both sides of the line so that these two materials can be folded towards each other and connected.

[0034] The edge lines have four bottom edge lines 7, 8, 9, 10, which each connect the bottom 1 to one of the four lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5. The bottom 1 is thus delimited by four bottom edge lines 7, 8, 9, 10. The four bottom edge lines 7, 8, 9, 10 have a rear bottom edge line 8, a front bottom edge line 7 and two lateral bottom edge lines 9, 10, namely a left bottom edge line 9 and a right bottom edge line 10. The rear floor edge line 8 connects the floor 1 with the rear wall 3. The front floor edge line 7 connects the floor with the front wall 2. The side floor edge lines 9, 10 connect the floor with the side walls 4, 5. The left floor edge line 9 connects the floor with the left wall 4. The right floor edge line 10 connects the floor with the right wall 5. The four floor edge lines 7, 8, 9, 10 thus extend parallel to the floor 1, i.e. horizontally if the floor 1 is on a horizontal surface.

[0035] The edge lines further comprise four lateral edge lines 11, 12, 13, 14, each of which connects two adjacent ones of the four lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5. The four lateral edge lines 11, 12, 13, 14 comprise a left rear edge line 11, a right rear edge line 12, a left front edge line 13 and a right front edge line 14. The left rear edge line 11 connects the left wall 4 with the rear wall 3. The right rear edge line 12 connects the right wall 5 with the rear wall 3. The left front edge line 13 connects the left wall 4 with the front wall 2. The right front edge line 14 connects the right wall 5 with the front wall 2. The four lateral edge lines 11, 12, 13, 14 are perpendicular to the floor edge lines 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or to the floor 1. The four lateral edge lines 11, 12, 13, 14 extend vertically when the floor 1 is on a horizontal surface.

[0036] The edge lines have at least three upper edge lines.

[0037] The upper edge lines have a rear upper edge line 15 which connects the rear wall 3 to the lid 6. The lid 6 can thus open or close the parcel box by folding along the rear upper edge line 15. The lid 6 is designed such that, when closed, it closes the parcel box or closes the container formed by the base 1 and the four lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5. The lid 6 can thus close the upper opening of this container. When the lid 6 is folded open along the rear upper edge line 15, the parcel box opens. Lid 6 preferably has the same dimensions as the base 1. However, it would also be possible for the lid 1 to be designed larger, for example in order to be bent downwards along another fold line which, when closed, rests against the front upper edge.

[0038] Optionally, the parcel box has a fastening mechanism with which the lid 6 can be held in the closed state. Such a fastening mechanism can, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, be implemented by one or more folding tabs on the lid 6, which can be inserted into one or more corresponding recess(es) in one or more folding tabs 23, 24, 25 or upper edge lines 16, 17, 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown, two folding tabs are arranged on the front edge of the lid 6, which engage in two corresponding recesses in the front upper edge line 18 or in the front folding tab 25. However, many other fastening mechanisms are possible. It is also possible not to provide a fastening mechanism and to close the lid 6 with additional aids such as adhesive tape or a loop or an adhesive label.

[0039] To describe the parcel box, three directions should be defined. A first direction is parallel to the base 1, to the side walls 4, 5, to the side base edge lines 9, 10 and/or to the side upper edge lines 16, 17. The dimension of the parcel box in the first direction is normally defined as length. A second direction is parallel to the front wall 2, to the rear wall 3, to the base 1, to the rear base edge lines 8, to the front base edge line 7, to the rear upper edge line 15 and/or to the front upper edge line 18. The second direction is normally perpendicular to the first direction. The dimension of the parcel box in the second direction is normally defined as width. The first direction and the second direction define a first plane which is parallel to the base 1 and/or, in the closed state, parallel to the lid 6. The third direction is parallel to the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and/or to the lateral edge lines 11, 12, 13, 14. The dimension of the parcel box in the third direction is normally defined as height. The third direction is perpendicular to the first and/or second direction.

[0040] In the embodiment shown, the upper edge lines further comprise a front upper edge line 18, a left upper edge line 16 and a right upper edge line 17. The left upper edge line 16 connects the left wall 4 to a left folding tab 23. The left folding tab 23 is folded along the left upper edge line 16 with respect to the left wall 4. The right upper edge line 17 connects the right wall 5 to a right folding tab 24. The right folding tab 24 is folded along the right upper edge line 17 with respect to the right wall 5. The front upper edge line 18 connects the front wall 2 to a front folding tab 25. The front folding tab 25 is folded along the front upper edge line 18 with respect to the front wall 2. The folding of the folding tab 23, 24 or 25 in relation to the respective wall 4, 5, 2 can be achieved by bending the folding tab 23, 24, 25 by an angle other than 0° in order to achieve stabilization/stiffening of the folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22. Preferably, the folding tab 23, 24, 25 is folded inwards. However, it would also be possible to bend the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 outwards. Preferably, the folding tab 23, 24, 25 is folded inwards by 90° or more so that the lid 6 can rest on the upper edge lines 16, 17, 18 (in the case of 90° folding, can lie flat on the folding tabs 23, 24, 25). It is also possible for the folding tabs to be folded inwards (or outwards) by 180° so that the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 are anti-parallel to the respective walls 4, 5, 2. The left folding tab 23 and/or the left upper edge line 16 extends over the entire left upper edge of the parcel box, i.e. over the entire length of the parcel box. The right folding tab 24 and/or the right upper edge line 17 extends over the entire right upper edge of the parcel box, i.e. over the entire length of the parcel box. The front folding tab 25 and/or the front upper edge line 18 extends over the entire front edge of the parcel box, i.e. over the entire width of the parcel box. However, it is also possible for the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 not to extend over the corresponding entire edge of the parcel box. One or more of the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 can, for example, extend over more than half, preferably more than 70%, preferably more than 80% of the corresponding edge of the parcel box. However, it is also possible to arrange the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 only in the areas in which the folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22 described later meet the folding tabs 23, 24, 25. The front folding tab 25 could thus also be realized with two folding tabs, one for each folding line 21, 22. However, such an implementation would be of little advantage. As described later, the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 should at least be dimensioned and/or arranged in such a way as to stabilize/stiffen the folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22 in the walls 4, 5, 2 when folded over. This means that the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 must be arranged where the folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22 meet the upper edge lines 16, 17, 18.

[0041] The terms top, bottom, bottom, back, rear, left, right, side, etc. are not intended to define the absolute orientation of the parcel box, but only to describe the relative arrangement of its parts to one another in relation to an exemplary reference orientation. The terms all refer to the parcel box in the unfolded state, when the bottom is arranged at the bottom and the wall 3 to which the lid 6 is attached is arranged at the back (reference orientation). However, if the parcel box is placed differently, for example with one of the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 facing downwards, the terms given above and below should continue to apply. These terms are also used when the parcel box is folded or folded up, even if the relative arrangement then no longer corresponds to these terms.

[0042] In the folded state, all lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 and the lid 6 are arranged parallel to the base 1. The folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22, 26 described below make it possible to fold the parcel box in such a way that the folded parcel box does not protrude beyond the base 1. In other words, the projection of all walls 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 onto the base 1 is not larger than the base 1 itself. It is described below using Figs. 4 to 6 how the parcel box can be transferred from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0043] For this purpose, four lateral fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 are preferably distributed over the two lateral walls 4, 5 and the front wall 2. In the embodiment shown, a left fold line 19 is arranged in the left wall 4, a right fold line 20 in the right wall 5 and two front fold lines 21, 22 in the front wall 2. The fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 extend from a lower corner of the parcel box or wall to an upper edge of the parcel box. If the corner of the wall having the fold line is formed by a lateral edge line and a bottom edge line, the fold line is preferably arranged at an angle of between 30° and 60° to the lateral edge line and to the bottom edge line. The fold line thus separates the wall exactly between the lateral edge line and the bottom edge line. Each fold line thus meets the corresponding upper edge line at an angle between 30° and 60° (or 180° minus this angle). In the embodiment, the left fold line 19 extends from the corner between the left bottom edge line 9 and the left rear edge line 11 at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line 9 and the left rear edge line 11. The right fold line 20 extends from the corner between the right bottom edge line 10 and the right rear edge line 12 at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line 10 and the right rear edge line 12. The left front fold line 13 extends from the corner between the front bottom edge line 7 and the left front edge line 13 at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the front bottom edge line 7 and the left front edge line 13. The right front fold line 22 extends from the corner between the front bottom edge line 7 and the right front edge line 14 at a Angles between 30° and 60° to that of the front bottom edge line 7 and the right front edge line 14. The fold lines 19 and 20 are arranged parallel to each other. The fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 extend in a straight line (i.e. without a curve) in the corresponding wall 2, 4, 5.

[0044] The lateral fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 extend from the lateral walls 2, 4, 5 onto/over the corresponding folding tabs 25, 23, 24. The lateral fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 are arranged in the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 such that the fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 are continued in the same direction when the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 are folded parallel to the corresponding wall, in particular when the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 are facing upwards, i.e. pointing away from the bottom. The fold line 19, 20, 21, 22 extends to the opposite end of the folding tab 23, 24, 25. This means that the wall with the folding tab folded upwards (parallel to the wall) can be bent along the fold line, whereas this is not possible if the folding tab is folded inwards (or outwards). The folding tabs 23, 24, 25 thus allow a stabilization/stiffening of the walls 2, 4, 5 with folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22. The left folding line 19 extends to the left folding tab 23 so that the left wall 4 and the left folding tab 23 can be folded along the left folding line 19 when the left folding tab 23 is folded upwards parallel to the left wall 4 (and/or so that the left wall 4 cannot be folded along the left folding line 19 when the left folding tab 23 is folded over). The right fold line 20 extends to the right fold tab 24 so that the right wall 5 and the right fold tab 24 can be folded along the right fold line 20 when the right fold tab 24 is folded upwards parallel to the right wall 5 (and/or so that the right wall 5 cannot be folded along the right fold line 20 when the right fold tab 24 is folded over). The front fold lines 21, 22 extend to the front fold tab 25 so that the front wall 2 and the front fold tab 25 can be folded along the front fold lines 21, 22 when the front fold tab 25 is folded upwards parallel to the front wall 2 (and/or so that the front wall 2 cannot be folded along the front fold lines 21, 22 when the front fold tab 25 is folded over). These lateral fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 allow all lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 to be folded or folded parallel to the bottom (without breaking a connection between the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 or without adding additional tabs between the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5).

[0045] The left fold line 19 divides the left wall 4 into a first region 4.1 (between the left fold line 19 and the rear left edge line 11) and a second region 4.2 (between the left fold line 19 and the left bottom edge line 9). The right fold line 20 divides the right wall 5 into a first region 5.1 (between the right fold line 20 and the rear right edge line 12) and a second region 5.2 (between the right fold line 20 and the right bottom edge line 10). The two front fold lines 21, 22 divide the front wall 2 into a first region 2.1 (between the left front fold line 21 and the left front edge line 13), a second region 2.2 (between the right front fold line 22 and the right front edge line 14) and a third region 2.3 (between the left front fold line 21, the right front fold line 22 and the front bottom edge line 7).

[0046] The folding tabs 23, 24, 25 have corresponding regions. The left folding tab 23 is divided into a first region, which is connected to the first region 4.1 of the left wall 4 and/or which is arranged between the left folding line 19 and the left upper edge line 16 of the first region 4.1 or the rear wall 3, and a second region, which is connected to the second region 4.2 of the left wall 4 and/or which is arranged between the left folding line 19 and the left upper edge line 16 of the second region 4.2 or the front wall 2. The right folding tab 24 is divided into a first region, which is connected to the first region 5.1 of the right wall 5 and/or which is arranged between the right folding line 20 and the right upper edge line 17 of the first region 5.1 or the rear wall 3, and a second region, which is connected to the second region 5.2 of the right wall 5 and/or which is arranged between the right folding line 20 and the right upper edge line 17 of the second region 5.2 or the front wall 2. The front folding tab 25 is divided into a first region which is connected to the first region 2.1 of the front wall 2 and/or which is arranged between the left front folding line 21 and the front upper edge line 18 of the first region 2.1 or the left wall 4, and a second region which is connected to the second region 2.2 of the front wall 2 and/or which is arranged between the front right folding line 22 and the front upper edge line 18 of the second region 2.2 or the right wall 5, and a third region which is connected to the third region 2.3 of the front wall 2 and/or which is arranged between the front right folding line 22, the front left folding line 21 and the front upper edge line 18 of the third region 2.3.

[0047] The lid 6 has an upper fold line 26. The upper fold line 26 is arranged parallel to the second direction or to the rear wall 3 or to the rear upper edge line 15 or to the front upper edge(s) 18. The upper fold line 26 is arranged such that it lies on the front bottom edge line 7 in the folded state. The upper fold line 26 divides the lid 6 into a first region 6.1 between the upper fold line 26 and the rear upper edge line 15 and a second region 6.2 between the upper fold line 26 and an edge of the lid 6 which lies opposite the rear upper edge line 15 and rests on the front upper edge(s) 18 in the unfolded closed state. The inside of the lid 6 is the side of the lid 6 which faces into the interior of the parcel box in the unfolded closed state. The outside of the lid 6 is the side of the lid 6 which, in the opened and closed state, faces outwards or is arranged opposite the inside. The same applies to the inside and outside of the walls 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and their areas. On the inside of the second area 6.2, the lid 6 preferably has a return address. Alternatively, a return address area can be used instead of a return address. A return address area is a marked area which indicates that the return address can be written here. This can be marked, for example, by three or four lines or a square box. The invention is described below only with the return address, without restricting the invention to this.

[0048] In order to convert the unfolded parcel box into the folded state, the following steps must be carried out.

[0049] In step S1, if the parcel box is in the closed state, the lid 6 must be opened as shown in Fig. 3, that is, brought into the open state.

[0050] In step S2, the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 must be folded or folded upwards so that they are arranged basically parallel to the corresponding walls 2, 4, 5 (to which they are connected). Since the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 are now parallel to the walls 4, 5, 2, they act as an extension of the corresponding walls 4, 5, 2. Since the folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22 in this position in the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 form a straight continuation of the lateral folding lines 19, 20, 21, 22 from the walls 4, 5, 2, the folding tabs 19, 20, 21, 22 fold in the same way as the walls 4, 5, 2. This means that the first area of the left folding tab 23 folds in the same way as the first area 4.1 of the left wall 4, the second area of the left folding tab 23 folds in the same way as the second area 4.2 of the left wall 4, the first area of the right folding tab 24 folds in the same way. like the first area 5.1 of the right wall 5, the second area of the right folding tab 24 folds in the same way as the second area 5.2 of the right wall 5, the first area of the front folding tab 25 folds in the same way as the first area 2.1 of the front wall 2, the second area of the front folding tab 25 folds in the same way as the second area 2.2 of the front wall 2 and the third area of the front folding tab 25 folds in the same way as the third area 2.3 of the front wall 2. Below, a description of the folding process (of the areas) of the folding tabs 23, 24, 25 is omitted, since this corresponds to the folding process of the corresponding areas of the walls 4, 5, 2.

[0051] In step S3, the lateral fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 can be pressed inwards so that the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 fold onto the base 1 until the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are arranged parallel to the base.

[0052] Preferably, the third region 2.3 of the front wall 2 is pressed inwards first. This causes the first and second regions 2.1, 2.2 to fold onto the third region 2.3. The inside of the first and second regions 2.1, 2.2 points away from the base 1 (i.e. upwards). By folding down the third region 2.3, the sides of the first and second regions 2.1, 2.2 (i.e. the left and right front edge lines 13, 14) pull the second regions 4.2, 5.2 of the left and right walls 4, 5 downwards and/or inwards around the edge lines 9, 10. The inner sides of the second areas 4.2, 5.2 thus fold onto the inner sides of the first and second areas 2.1, 2.2 of the front wall 2. When the second areas 4.2, 5.2 fold downwards/inwards, the fold lines 19 and 20 pull the first areas 4.1 and 5.1 inwards/downwards. As a result, the first areas 4.1 and 5.1 each fold onto the second areas 4.2, 5.2 of the respective wall 4, 5. As a result, the outer side of the first areas 4.1, 5.1 (pointing downwards) folds onto the outer sides of the second areas 4.2, 5.2 (pointing upwards). Since the first areas 4.1, 5.1 are connected to the rear wall 3 via the rear edge lines 12, the rear wall 3 is also folded inwards/downwards around the rear bottom edge line 8. As a result, the inside of the rear wall 3 folds onto the insides of the first areas 4.1, 5.1. When the rear wall 3 is folded completely downwards, i.e. parallel to the floor 1, all lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are folded/folded parallel to the floor 1 without protruding beyond the floor. This means that the projection of the lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 onto the plane of the floor 1 does not protrude beyond the floor 1. The outside of the rear wall 3 thus points upwards or away from the floor 1. In the folded state, the rear edge lines 11 and 12 lie on the left and right floor edge lines 9, 10. In this exemplary embodiment, in the folded state, the front edge lines 13, 14 lie on the front floor edge line 7.

[0053] In step S4, the first area 6.1 of the lid 6 is now folded down. This usually happens automatically when the rear wall 3 is folded down. As a result, the first area 6.1 is also parallel to the base 1. The first area 6.1 extends in the same direction as the rear wall 3. The inner sides of the rear wall 3 and the first area 6.1 both point downwards towards the base 1. The outer sides of the rear wall 3 and the first area 6.1 both point upwards away from the base 1. The first area 6.1 and the rear wall 3 are thus arranged in the same plane (not one above the other). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the rear wall 3 and the first area 6.1 together have the size of the base 1, so that the upper fold line 26 rests on the front base edge line 7 and/or the front edge lines 13, 14. However, it is also possible for the upper fold line 26 to divide the first and second areas 6.1, 6.2 differently. For example, the rear wall and the first area 6.1 can be smaller than the base 1, so that the upper fold line 26 does not rest on the front edge lines 13, 14 and/or the front base edge line 7.

[0054] In step S5, the second area 6.2 is now folded over so that the second area 6.2 is also parallel to the base 1 without protruding beyond it. This is achieved by folding the second area 6.2 by 180°. The second area 6.2 is preferably folded back so that the outside of the second area 6.2 rests on the outside of the first area 6.1 (and possibly the rear wall 3) and/or the inside of the second area 6.2 faces upwards/outwards. This embodiment has the advantage that the return address is already visible on the outside of the folded parcel box. This means that the folded parcel box can be sent directly without having to remove an old shipping address and add a new return address. However, it would also be possible to fold the second area 6.2 over to the other side so that the inside of the second area 6.2 rests on the floor 1 and thus points inwards.

[0055] The described arrangement of the fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 is only one possible embodiment to ensure that the walls 2, 3, 4, 5 fold onto the base 1 without protruding beyond it. Alternatively, it would also be possible, for example, to provide another left fold line in the left wall 4 and another right fold line in the right wall 5 instead of the two front fold lines 21, 22. In such an embodiment, the four fold lines 19, 20 would be distributed over the two side walls 4, 5. It would therefore not be necessary to arrange a folding tab 25 on the front upper edge line 18. The other (left and right) fold lines are arranged in the opposite corner of the fold lines 19, 20. The further left fold line extends from the corner between the left bottom edge line 9 and the left front edge line 13 at an angle of between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line 9 and the left front edge line 13. The further right fold line extends from the corner between the right bottom edge line 10 and the right front edge line 14 at an angle of between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line 10 and the right front edge line 14. The fold lines in the left and right walls 4, 5 in the alternative embodiment are thus arranged like the front fold lines 21, 22 in the front wall 2. In this alternative embodiment, in step S3, the two lateral third regions (between the left fold line 19 and the further fold line or between the right fold line 20 and the further right fold line) would be pressed inwards so that the first and second regions of the lateral walls 4, 5 fold onto the third regions and thereby the front wall 2 and the rear wall 3 fold onto the first and second regions of the lateral walls 4, 5.

[0056] The parcel box is preferably made of a rigid material. A rigid material is a material that retains its shape. The rigid material has a basically two-dimensional dimension, i.e. a width and length that are significantly greater than the thickness of the material. The parcel box or container with lid 6 is formed by arranging the (two-dimensional) rigid material in different planes in the unfolded state. In the folded state, the rigid material is folded so that it lies parallel to one another and its volume is minimized. The rigid material is preferably cardboard, but other materials can also be used, e.g. plastic boards, wooden boards, composite materials, structural frames covered with textiles, etc. The cardboard can be strengthened, for example, by plasticizing. The fold lines and edge lines are preferably formed by connecting the rigid material or influencing the rigid material so that the rigid material is connected on both sides of the line, but can be moved relative to one another along the line. A connection can be achieved, for example, by means of an adhesive tape. The material can be influenced by perforating it, applying pressure along the line, pre-bending the line, etc.

[0057] The parcel box can, for example, be cut out of a flat or two-dimensional material, for example so that all lateral walls 2, 3, 4, 5 are already integrally connected to the base 1 and the four base edge lines 7, 8, 9, 10 are formed by influencing the material around the base 1. The lid 6 can also be cut out of the same material so that the rear wall 3 is integrally connected to the lid 6 and the rear upper edge line 15 is achieved by influencing the material. The folding tabs 23, 24, 25 can also be cut out of the same material and be integrally connected to the walls 2, 5, 4 along the upper folding lines 16, 17, 18. The lateral edge lines 11, 12, 13, 14 can be achieved by connecting the walls 2, 3, 4, 5, e.g. using adhesive tape. However, this is only one possible method of production. In order to minimize material wear during cutting, the lateral walls 4, 5 can also be subsequently connected to the base 1. It is also possible to manufacture each wall 1 to 6 separately and connect them accordingly, e.g. using textile pockets.

[0058] The described lateral fold lines 19, 20, 21, 22 have an angle between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50°, preferably between 43° and 47°, preferably 45° between the fold line 19, 20, 21, 22 and the corresponding bottom edge line 7, 9, 10 and the corresponding lateral edge line 11, 12, 13, 14. An angle between 30° and 60° to the corresponding bottom edge line 7, 9, 10 and the corresponding lateral edge line means that the lateral fold line 19, 20, 21, 22 has an angle a1 between 30° and 60° to the bottom edge line 7, 9, 10 and a complementary angle a2 between 30° and 60° to the lateral edge line 11, 12, 13, 14. The sum of the complementary angles a1 and a2 gives the angle a3 between the bottom edge line 7, 9, 10 and the lateral edge line 11, 12, 13, 14, normally 90°. For example, if the angle α1 is 43°, then the angle α2=α3-α1=α3-43°, in the case of a3=90° this would then be a2=47°. If the angle a2=a1=a3/2, then the angles α1 and α2 are equal, with a3=90° then α1 and α2 would be 45°.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described, but can be embodied in any variation that falls within the scope of the claims.

Claims (12)

1. Parcel box is designed to be folded between a folded state and an unfolded state, wherein the parcel box in the unfolded state forms a parcel box with a base (1), four lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) and a lid (6), wherein the four lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) have a front wall (2), a rear wall (3), two side walls (4, 5), wherein the two side walls (4, 5) have a left wall (4) and a right wall (5), wherein the base (1) is connected to the four lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) via four base edge lines (7, 8, 9, 10), wherein the four lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) are connected to the four lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) via four lateral edge lines (11, 12, 13, 14) are connected to one another, wherein the parcel box has at least three upper edge lines (15, 16, 17, 18), wherein the at least three upper edge lines (15, 16, 17, 18) have a rear upper edge line (15), wherein the lid (6) is connected to the rear wall (3) via the rear upper edge line (15), wherein the parcel box is folded in the folded state such that the base (1), the lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) and the lid (6) are arranged parallel to one another, wherein lateral fold lines (19, 20, 21, 22) are distributed over the two lateral walls (4, 5) and the front wall (2) such that the lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) can be folded onto the base (1) in the folded state without protruding over the base (1), wherein the lid (6) has an upper fold line (26) which is arranged parallel to the rear upper edge line (15) and divides the lid (6) into a first region (6.1) between the upper fold line (26) and the rear upper edge line (15) and into a second region (6.2), wherein the second region (6.2) of the lid (6) is folded back around the upper fold line (6) in the folded state so that the lid does not protrude beyond the base (1), characterized in that the lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) each have a folding tab (23, 24, 25) at least in the regions in which the lateral fold lines (19, 20, 21, 22) meet one of the upper edge lines (16, 17, 18) of the lateral walls (4, 5, 2), which in the unfolded state extends over the upper edge line (16, 17, 18) is folded over to stiffen the lateral fold line (19, 20, 21, 22), wherein the lateral fold lines (19, 20, 21, 22) also extend over the folding tabs (23, 24, 25). 2. Parcel box according to claim 1, wherein the lid (6) is folded in the folded state such that the inside of the second region (6.2) of the lid (6) faces outwards, wherein the inside faces into the interior of the parcel box in the unfolded state. 3. Parcel box according to claim 2, wherein the lid (6) in the second area (6.2) shows a return address or a return address area on the inside. 4. Parcel box according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the four bottom edge lines (7, 8, 9, 10) form a rear bottom edge line (8) connecting the bottom (1) to the rear wall (3), a front bottom edge line (7) connecting the bottom (1) to the front wall (2), a left bottom edge line (9) connecting the bottom (1) to the left wall (4), and a right bottom edge line (10) connecting the bottom (1) to the right wall (5), wherein the four lateral edge lines (11, 12, 13, 14) form a left rear edge line (11) connecting the left wall (4) to the rear wall (3), a right rear edge line (12) connecting the right wall (5) to the rear wall (3), a left front edge line (13) connecting the left wall (4) to the front wall (2), have a right front edge line (14) which connects the right wall (5) with the front wall (2). 5. Parcel box according to claim 4, wherein the lateral fold lines (19, 20, 21, 22) have a left fold line (19) in the left wall (4) and a right fold line (20) in the right wall (5). 6. Parcel box according to claim 5, wherein the left fold line (19) extends from a corner between the left bottom edge line (9) and the left rear edge line (11) at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line (9) and the left rear edge line (11), and the right fold line (20) extends from a corner between the right bottom edge line (10) and the right rear edge line (12) at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line (10) and the right rear edge line (10). 7. Parcel box according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the lateral fold lines (19, 20) have a further left fold line in the left wall (4) and a further right fold line in the right wall (5). 8. Parcel box according to claim 7, wherein the further left fold line extends from a corner between the left bottom edge line (9) and the left front edge line (13) at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the left bottom edge line (9) and the left front edge line (13), and the further right fold line extends from a corner between the right bottom edge line (10) and the right front edge line (14) at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the right bottom edge line (10) and the right front edge line (14). 9. Parcel box according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the lateral fold lines (19, 20, 21, 22) have a left front fold line (21) in the front wall and a right front fold line (22) in the front wall (2). 10. Parcel box according to claim 9, wherein the left front fold line (21) extends from a corner between the front bottom edge line (7) and the left front edge line (13) at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the front bottom edge line (7) and the left front edge line (13), and the right front fold line (22) extends from a corner between the front bottom edge line (7) and the right front edge line (14) at an angle between 30° and 60° to that of the front bottom edge line (7) and the right front edge line (14). 11. Parcel box according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the folding tabs (23, 24, 25) have a left folding tab (23) which is connected to the left wall (4) via a left upper edge line (16), a right folding tab (24) which is connected to the right wall (5) via a right upper edge line (17), and a front folding tab (25) which is connected to the front wall (2) via a front upper edge line (18), wherein the left folding tab (23) extends over the entire length of the left upper edge line (16), wherein the right folding tab (24) extends over the entire length of the right upper edge line (17), wherein the front folding tab (25) extends over the entire width of the front upper edge line (18). 12. Method for folding a parcel box according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps: Opening the lid (S1); Folding the folding tabs (23, 24, 25) upwards parallel to the walls (2, 4, 5) to which the folding tabs (23, 24, 25) are connected (S2); Pressing the lateral folding lines (19, 20, 21, 22) inwards until the lateral walls (2, 3, 4, 5) lie parallel to the base (1); Folding the first region (6.1) of the lid (6) parallel to the base (1); Folding back the second region (6.2) of the lid (6) so that the second region (6.2) of the lid (6) lies parallel to the base (1) and does not protrude beyond it.