A box.

FIELD OF INVENTION The invention generally relates to a box. More particularly, but not exclusively the invention relates to a box for transporting plants or other items.

BACKGROUND

Items such as potted plants can be difficult to transport as they can fall over during transit which can result in soil spillage and/or damage to the plant. One known way to package plants for transport is to wrap them in cellophane however this is a time consuming process and it does not fully protect the plant during transit. Another known way to package plants for delivery is using a plant bag or box however these methods also do not sufficiently protect the plant. Furthermore, these known types of packaging plants lack the element of surprise as the plant can be seen by the recipient as soon as it is received.

It is an object of a preferred form of the present invention to go at least some way towards addressing one or both of the above problems. While this is an object of a preferred embodiment, it should not be seen as a limitation on the scope of the invention as claimed. The object of the invention perse is simply to provide the public with a useful choice.

The term “comprising” and derivatives thereof, e.g. “comprises”, if and when used herein in relation to a combination of features should not be taken as excluding the possibility that the combination may have further unspecified features. For example, a statement that an arrangement “comprises” certain parts does not mean that it cannot also, optionally, have additional parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a box for transporting plants or other items having:

• a base; • a plurality of side walls extending up from the base and wherein at least one side wall is a movable side wall, the movable side wall is adapted such that at least a part of the movable side wall can move from a closed configuration to an open configuration; and

• a box opening and closing means (e.g. top closure flaps); the box is arranged such that when in use a user is able to open the box via the box opening means and place at least one plant or item into the box and then close the box via the box closing means and wherein the box is configured such that a user can move the at least one side wall from a closed configuration to an open configuration to provide access to the plant or item in the box.

Preferably the box has at least two perforated edges which enables the movable side wall to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

Preferably the movable side wall which can move from a closed configuration to an open configuration pivots outwardly from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

Preferably the movable side wall which can move from a closed configuration to an open configuration can be detached from the rest of the box.

Preferably the box has at least three perforated edges which enables the movable side wall to be detached from the rest of the box.

Preferably wherein the movable sidewall when detached is adapted such that it may be reattached to the box.

Preferably the movable side wall which can move from a closed configuration to an open configuration can also move from an open configuration back to a closed configuration.

Preferably the box further includes a viewing aperture formed in at least one of the plurality of side walls. Preferably the viewing aperture is formed by detaching a detachable section formed in at least one of the plurality of side walls.

Preferably the viewing aperture is located in the movable side wall.

Preferably the box has a tab, the tab is configured to be pulled down by a user in use resulting in the movable side wall moving from a closed to an open configuration.

Preferably the box has a tab, the tab is configured to be pulled outwardly by a user in use resulting in the movable side wall moving from a closed to an open configuration.

Preferably the means to open and close the box comprises four top closure flaps.

Preferably the box has a carrying handle.

Preferably wherein when in use and when the carrying handle is pulled down by a user this results in the movable side wall moving from a closed to an open configuration.

Preferably wherein when in use and when the carrying handle is pulled outwardly by a user this results in the movable side wall being detached from the rest of the box.

Preferably the box has a locking insert which ensures that any plants or items which are transported within the box are held securely in place.

Preferably the box is made substantially from cardboard.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the entirety of this disclosure, which includes the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dissembled box; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled box;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a box with a viewing aperture in an opposing wall to a movable side wall;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the box shown in figure 3 with a part of a movable side wall in an opened configuration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the assembled box with a plant being placed inside it;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a user carrying the box;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the box with a part of a movable side wall in an opened configuration; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the box with the movable side wall having been moved back to a closed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a box;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view the alternative embodiment of a box with multiple perforation lines; FIG. 11 is a perspective view the alternative embodiment of a box with curved perforation edges;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a box;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the further embodiment of the box with a movable side wall in an opened configuration; FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the further embodiment of the box with part of a side wall fully removed from the rest of the box; and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the box with four closure flaps.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1 and 2 show a box 1 . The box 1 is most preferably used for transporting plants for gifts however it can be used for storing or transporting any suitable item. In figure 1 the box 1 is in a disassembled configuration. The box 1 has a base which consists of four base flaps 2, 3, 4 (only three are visible) which releasably engage with each other to form the base of the box 1 when the box 1 is assembled like shown in figure 2. The flaps 2, 3, 4 can also be fixed to each other by adhesive, tape or the like. The box 1 also has four side walls 5, 6, 7 only three are visible with one wall 7 being visible through a leaf shaped viewing aperture 8 in side wall 5. As shown side wall 5 is a movable side wall 5 in which at least a portion of the movable side wall 5 is configured to move between a closed configuration and open configuration as explained in more detail below. In some embodiments the box 1 includes one or more apertures 8 in one or more walls of the box 1 and in a further embodiment there may be no apertures 8. The aperture 8 may be provided in any wall of the box for example in the movable side wall 5 (as shown) or in other non-movable wall. As seen in figures 3 and 4 the aperture 8 may be in a different wall such as an opposing side wall to the movable side wall 5. In figure 4 the movable wall 5 is on the back of the box which makes pulling down the movable wall 5 easier and also makes it harder to pull it completely off. In an alternative embodiment a portion of one of the side walls 5, 6, 7 can be detached (e.g. via a perforated section) which results in the aperture 8. The box 1 also has two top closure flap handles 9, 10 which releasably engage with two triangular shaped top closure flaps 11 , 12 with slits (only one flap 11 is visible in figure 1) to close the box 1 and form a carrying handle like shown in figure 2. As can be seen the box 1 also has two perforated edges 13, 14 which are joined by a perforation line 15 on the movable side wall 5 which enable a part of the movable side wall 5 to either be fully detached from the rest of the box 1 or alternatively enable part of the movable side wall 5 to be partially removed and still be attached to the box 1 along line 15. The perforation line 15 is shown near to or adjacent the base of the box 1 in the figures but it is to be understood that the position of the perforation line 15 may be provided at different heights from the base of the box 1 and joining to the two perforated edges 13, 14. In some embodiments, there may be a plurality of perforation lines 15 provided across the movable wall 5 with each perforation line 15 joining with the two perforated edges 13, 14. A plurality of perforation lines 15 enables the movable wall 5 to be removed or detached to different levels. Preferably, the perforation line 15 is located across the lower portion of the movable wall 5, i.e. closer to the base of the box 1 than the top.

It is also to be understood that the two perforated edges 13, 14 may be located near or adjacent the edges of the movable wall 5 and/or may be provided as a substantially straight line or have an alternative shape such as a curved or concave shape.

In some forms, the movable side wall 5 may comprise reusable fastener or adhesive, such as sticky gel, nano-glue, reusable tape, engaging flaps with apertures and/or hook and loop fasteners, along at least a portion of the edges 13, 14. The reusable fastener or adhesive enables the removal and reattachment of the movable side to facilitate reuse of the box. In such forms, the edges 13, 14 of the movable side wall 5 may include a flange portion configured to engage with at least a portion of the adjacent side wall. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there can be more than two perforated edges 13, 14 such that more than one side wall 5, 6, 7 can be a movable side wall and be detached from the box 1. In alternative embodiments the perforated edges can 13, 14 extend to the base such that the entire side wall 5 can be removed. It will also be appreciated that instead of perforated or micro-perforated edges other means which result in weaknesses in the edges 13, 14, and walls 5, 6, 7 so they can be detached may be used such as score lines, notches or grooves.

As shown in figure 5 the top closure flaps 9, 10, 11 , 12 of the box 1 have been moved to an open configuration and a plant 16 is being placed by a user inside the box 1 . In figure 6 the top closure flaps 9, 10, 11 , 12 have been moved to a closed configuration to form a carrying handle which is being grasped by a user’s hand 17 who is then able to lift the box 1 with the plant 16 inside it and transport the box 1 securely to another location.

As illustrated in figure 7 the top closure flap 9 and movable side wall 5 have been pulled downwardly by a user which results in part of the side wall 5 detaching from the rest of the box 1 along the perforated edges 13, 14 and this also results in the plant 16 being revealed to the user. When the movable side wall 5 has been pulled down like in this figure the plant 16 (or other item(s)) can be safely removed with no damage to the plant 16. In the embodiment shown the movable side wall 5 has not been fully detached and so the movable side wall 5 can be put back into place and locked with the top closure flaps 9, 10, 11 , 12 such that it can be reused (see figure 8). In some embodiments the movable side wall 5 can be fully detached from the rest of the box 1 by detaching the movable side wall 5 along line 15. In another embodiment a user may detach the movable side wall 5 along one perforated edge 13 or 14 of the movable side wall 5 and perforated line 15 so that the movable side wall 5 opens in a door like action.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of a box 101 . The box 101 has a base (not visible) and four side walls 102, 103, (only two are visible). As shown in this embodiment side wall 102 is a movable side wall in that it includes a portion that is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The box 101 also has four closure flaps 104, 105, 106, 107 and one flap 104 has a tab aperture 108 which a user is able to grip and then pull downwardly on which results in the movable side wall 102 and flap 104 detaching from the box 101 along perforated edges 109, 110. The perforated edges 109, 110 are substantially vertical and provided adjacent the side edges of movable side wall 102 to provide access to the contents of the box 101 . Part of the movable side wall 102 and flap 104 can be fully detached by a user along line 111 or can be partially detached such that the movable side wall 102 is hinged at line 111. The line 111 is provided substantially horizontally adjacent or near the bottom edge of the wall 102. The line 111 may be perforated, scored, notched or grooved to create weakness to allow detachment or folding. In some embodiments like that shown in figure 10 the box 101 may have multiple perforation lines 111 , 111a, 111b provided at different heights from the base across the movable wall 102 of the box 101 joining to the two perforated edges 109, 110. These perforation lines 111 , 111a, 111 b enables the movable wall 102 to be removed or detached to different levels. As can be seen in figure 11 the two perforated edges 109a, 110a may have a curved or concave shape. Like the previous embodiment shown there can be more than two perforated edges 109, 109 a, 110, 110a such that more than one side wall 102, 103 is a movable side wall and can be detached. There can also be one or more perforated section or sections in the walls 102, 103 such that when the section or sections are removed (i.e. by pushing them in etc) they result in a viewing aperture or apertures.

Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of a box 201. The box 201 is similar to the previously described boxes 1 , 101 in that it also has a base (not visible) and four side walls 202, 203 (only two visible). In this embodiment side wall 202 is a movable side wall 202. The box 201 is shown having two closure flaps 204, 205 and one flap 204 has an tab aperture 206 which a user is able to grip and pull downwardly on which results in the movable side wall 202 and flap 204 detaching from the box 201 along perforated edges 207, 208 like shown in figure 8. In some forms the box 201 may include more than two flaps such as four closure flaps or only a single closing flap. At least one of the flaps comprising a tab or aperture (not shown) to allow the user to grip and remove the movable side wall. The movable side wall 202 and flap 204 can be partially detached like shown in figure 13 wherein the movable side wall 202 is hinged at line 209 or can be fully detached like illustrated in figure 14. Figure 15 shows another embodiment of a box 301. The box 301 is similar to the previously described box in figures 12, 13 and 14. The box has a base (not visible) and four side walls 302, 303, 304 and 305. In this embodiment side wall 302 is a movable side wall 302. The box 301 has four closure flaps 306, 307, 308, 309 and one flap 306 has a tab aperture 310 which a user is able to grip and pull downwardly on which results in the movable side wall 302 and flap 306 detaching from the box 301 along perforated edges 311 , 312. The movable side wall 302 and flap 306 can be partially detached like shown wherein the movable side wall 302 is hinged at line 313 or can be fully detached.

The boxes 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 are preferably made from corrugated cardboard (e.g. a standard carton delivery box) however those skilled in the art will appreciate that any suitable material can be used such as plastics, corrugated plastic board, recycled plastics, composites, recycled composites and other such materials. It will also be appreciated that differing base flaps 2, 3, 4, top closure flaps 9, 10, 11 , 12, 104, 105, 106, 107, 204, 205, 306, 307, 308, 309 and box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 closing means may be used. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that perforations 13, 14, 15, 109, 109a, 110, 110a, 111 , 111 a, 111b, 207, 208, 209, 311 , 312, 313 in different directions may be used and other means of creating lines or areas of weakness in the boxes 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 may be used. In other forms (not shown) a tab or aperture may be located along or attached to a perforation line(s) 13, 14, 15, 109, 109a, 110, 110a, 111 , 111a, 111b, 207, 208, 209, 311 , 312, 313 to be able to grip and pull upwardly on or sideways across which results in the movable side wall 5, 102, 202, 302 detaching from the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 along the remaining perforated lines or edges 13, 14, 15, 109, 109a, 110, 110a, 111 , 111 a, 111 b, 207, 208, 209, 311 , 312, 313. In some embodiments the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 has a locking insert which ensures that the plant remains in place during transit. The box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 is most preferably used for transporting plants 16, or flowers or other floral items however it can receive multiple plants and other garden products such as gloves, tools, pots etc as well as any other suitable items.

In use a user would first assemble the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 if the box has not already been assembled. A user would then place an item such as a plant 16 or portion of a plant such as flowers into the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 and then close the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 . The box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 would then be delivered to a recipient user who would then pull down on the handle 9, 10 or tab 108, 206, 310 which results in the movable side wall 5, 102, 202, 302 being partially or fully detached to reveal the contents (e.g. a plant 16) of the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 . The recipient user can also reuse the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 if they have not fully detached the movable side wall 5, 102, 202, 302 by engaging the locking handles 9, 10 or closing the flaps 104, 105, 106, 107, 204, 205, 206, 207, 306, 307, 308, 309. The user can also dismantle the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 to make it easier for storage.

The box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 is shown as being generally rectangular in shape, however, it is to be understood that other shaped boxes may be created including other polygon shaped boxes such as triangular, square, pentagon or other such shapes. It is to be understood that the flaps 2, 3, 4, 104, 105, 106, 107, 204, 205, 206, 207, 306, 307, 308, 309 at the bottom and/or top of the box may vary in shape, such as being in a straight edged or engaging shape form to ensure that they facilitate a closing function for the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 . In addition the number of flaps provided on the bottom or top of the box may vary and may include one, two, three, four or more flaps.

The box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 has a number of advantages and benefits over known ways of transporting plants. Potted plants and flowers are hard to transport from the store/nurseries to the customer’s home or gift recipient and they provide a number of issues when in transit such as soil spillage and breakage and/or damage to the foliage. Another issue is that plants are difficult to present as a gift not only for the customer but are also difficult to wrap in store, are time consuming and they often use environmentally unfriendly products such as cellophane. Plants are fully protected in the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 during transit and there is an element of surprise when a user pulls down the movable side wall 5, 102, 202, 302 to reveal the plant 16 or items contained in the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301. Additionally when the movable side wall 5, 102, 202, 302 is pulled down this allows the plant 16 to be exposed for safe removal ensuring there is no damage to the plant. Furthermore, the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 provides much quicker and easier access to plants 16 than known plant boxes or plants wrapped in cellophane. As the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 can be reused it is also much better for the environment than cellophane. The box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 can also be quickly dismantled and reassembled and is very easy to use which results in reduced staff costs compared to known ways of packing and transporting plants and other items. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and functioning of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail so long as the functioning of the invention is not adversely affected. For example, the particular elements of the box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 may vary dependent on the particular application for which it is used without variation in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, although the preferred embodiments described herein are directed to a box 1 , 101 , 201 , 301 it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.