Foldable reusable shipping container

Abstract

An embodiment of the subject shipping container comprises a plurality of side panels, a pair of end panels, and a plurality of releasable fasteners securing the end panels 12 to the side panels 11 . A hook and loop fastener such as Velcro™ is used to secure the end panels 12 to the side panels.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reusable shipping container comprising: 
 a plurality of side panels;    an end panel cooperating with the side panels to define an interior space; and    a fastener releasably and reusably securing the end panel to a side panel, each fastener extending through both the end panel and a side panel.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein concentric apertures extend through an end panel and a side panel, and wherein the fastener includes a grommet releasably disposed within the apertures.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein an end panel includes at least one flap extending therefrom, and wherein a fastener is secured to the flap.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the fastener includes a first portion with a distal end secured along an internal surface of a side panel, the first portion extending through the panel wall and a second portion having a distal end secured to an interior surface of the flap, the second portion extending through the flap, and wherein the first and second portion couples along an external surface of the flap.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the fastener includes a first portion with a distal end secured along an internal surface of a side panel and a second portion having a distal end secured onto an interior surface of the flap, the second portion extending through the flap and a side panel to couple with the first portion along an internal surface of a side panel.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each side panel defines a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, and wherein the container is constructed of a one-piece blank comprising a plurality of side panels interconnected along adjacent side edges and wherein each end panel extends from an end edge.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each side panel defines a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, and wherein the container is made from a three-piece blank comprising a plurality of side panels interconnected along adjacent side edges and two separate end panels.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each side panel defines a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, and wherein the container is made from a two-piece blank comprising a plurality of side panels interconnected along adjacent side edges and a single side panel having end panels extending from opposite end edges.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of a corrugated plastic material.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is ultrasonically welded together.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , and further comprising a bar code label attached along an external surface of a side panel, the bar code label containing a UCC ID, a UCC reusable carton ID and a serial number variable.  
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing a reusable shipping container comprising: 
 providing a blank comprising a pair of end panels, each with a flap extending therefrom, and a plurality of side panels;    creating adjacent apertures in a side panel and a flap;    securing a fastener to a side panel and an end panel, the fastener extending through the apertures;    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop fastener.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of securing a fastener includes securing a distal end of a first portion of the fastener along an internal surface of a side panel, the first portion extending through the aperture in the side panel, securing a distal end of a second portion of the fastener to an internal surface of the flap, and extending the second portion through the aperture in the flap.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of securing a fastener includes securing a first portion of the fastener to an internal surface of a side panel, securing a distal end of a second portion of the fastener along an internal surface of the flap, and extending the second portion through the apertures in the side and end panels.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the apertures overlay each other, and wherein the step of securing a fastener includes inserting a grommet through the apertures, and securing a clip on a portion of the grommet intermediate to the side panel and flap.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the blank is a one-piece blank comprising a plurality of side panels interconnected along adjacent side edges, and each end panel extending from an end edge.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the blank is a two-piece blank comprising a plurality of side panels interconnected along and a single side panel having end panels extending from opposite end edges.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the blank is a three-piece blank comprising a plurality of side panels interconnected along adjacent side edges and two separate end panels.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , and further comprising the additional step of erecting the blank, and ultrasonically welding the erected blank together.  
     
     
         22 . A reusable shipping container comprising: 
 a plurality of side panels;    a pair of end panels cooperating with the side panels to define an interior space, the end panel defining an end panel edge and including a flap extending from an end panel edge; and    a hook and loop fastener extending through a flap and side panel.    
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the container is made of a corrugated plastic material.