Method and apparatus for packaging various products

Abstract

A method and apparatus for packaging various products. The present invention provides a collapsible container having a plurality of side walls successively connected at fold lines there between. The side walls have a bottom end, whereby the side walls may fold into a collapsed position, wherein the side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein the side walls form an enclosure. A pair of interconnecting flaps and a bottom flap are integrally connected to the bottom end of at least one of the side walls along a fold line. The interconnecting flaps and bottom flap are foldable between the collapsed position, wherein the interconnecting flaps and bottom flap disengage one another to become substantially flat with the side walls, and the erect position, wherein the interconnecting flaps and bottom flap engage one another to form an enclosed end of the enclosure. Advertisements and promotional materials may be printed on the collapsible container for raising charitable donations.

1 . A collapsible container, comprising: 
 a plurality of side walls successively connected at fold lines there between, and said side walls having a bottom end, whereby said side walls may fold between a collapsed position, wherein said side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein said side walls form an enclosure;    a pair of interconnecting flaps integrally connected to said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said interconnecting flaps foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said interconnecting flaps disengage one another to become substantially flat with said side walls, and said erect position, wherein said interconnecting flaps engage one another to form a closed end of enclosure; and    a bottom flap integrally connected with said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said bottom flap foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said bottom flap is substantially flat with said side walls, and an erect position, wherein said bottom flap overlies said interconnecting flaps to form said closed end of said enclosure.    
   
   
       2 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said fold lines between said side walls being perforated.    
   
   
       3 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an illustrative figure formed on at least one of said side walls.    
   
   
       4 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one of said side walls having an aperture extending therethrough for hanging or grasping said collapsible container.    
   
   
       5 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 1 , wherein said side walls further comprise: 
 a first width side wall and a second width side wall, wherein said second width side wall is wider than said first width side wall, and said first and second width side walls successively alternating about said enclosure.    
   
   
       6 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a side flap integrally connected to a first of said side walls along a fold line, and said side flap overlapping and connected to a second of said side walls to form said enclosure.    
   
   
       7 . A collapsible container, comprising: 
 a plurality of substantially rectangular side walls successively connected at fold lines there between, and said side walls having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said side walls may fold between a collapsed position, wherein said side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein said side walls form an enclosure having an open end at said top end of said side walls;    a pair of interconnecting flaps each integrally connected to said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said interconnecting flaps foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said interconnecting flaps disengage one another to become substantially flat with respect to said side walls, and an erect position, wherein said interconnecting flaps engage and partially overlap one another to form a closed end of said enclosure; and    a bottom flap integrally connected with said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said bottom flap foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said bottom flap is substantially flat with said side walls, and an erect position, wherein said bottom flap overlies said interconnecting flaps to form said closed end of said enclosure.    
   
   
       8 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 said fold lines between said side walls being perforated.    
   
   
       9 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 illustrative figures formed on at least one of said side walls, and said illustrative figures outline by perforated lines to allow for easy removability of said illustrative figures from said at least one of said side walls.    
   
   
       10 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 at least one of said side walls having an aperture extending therethrough for hanging or grasping said collapsible container.    
   
   
       11 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 at least one of said side walls having advertising formed thereon.    
   
   
       12 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 at least one of said side walls having coupons formed thereon.    
   
   
       13 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , wherein said side walls further comprise: 
 four first width side walls and four second width side walls wherein said second width side walls are wider than said first width side walls, and said first and second width side walls successively alternating about said enclosure.    
   
   
       14 . The collapsible container stated in  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a side flap integrally connected to a first of said side walls along a fold line, and said side flap overlapping and connected to a second of said side walls to form said enclosure.    
   
   
       15 . A method for packaging various products, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a collapsible container having a plurality of side walls connected at fold lines and a pair of interconnecting flaps and a bottom flap connected to at least one of said side walls at a fold line to form a bottom of said collapsible container, whereby said collapsible container is foldable between a collapsed position, wherein said collapsible container lies substantially flat for ease of storing and shipping said collapsible container, and an erect position, wherein said collapsible container forms an enclosure for receiving and protecting said various products;    charging advertisers an advertising fee to place advertising on said collapsible container;    utilizing a portion of said fee to pay for the manufacturing of said collapsible containers; and    donating another portion of said advertising fee to charity.    
   
   
       16 . The method stated in  claim 15 , the steps further comprising: 
 paying a portion of said advertising fee to a retailer to distribute said collapsible container.    
   
   
       17 . The method stated in  claim 15 , the steps further comprising: 
 printing illustrative figures and facts of children from various countries and cultures on said collapsible container to enhance awareness of various cultures.    
   
   
       18 . The method stated in  claim 15 , the steps further comprising: 
 charging retailers a promotional fee for printing coupons and/or promotional giveaways on said collapsible containers;    utilizing a portion of said promotional fee to pay for the manufacturing of the collapsible container; and    donating another portion of said promotional fee to charity.