Collapsible-reusable-returnable-recyclable die cut, self locking corrugated carton

Abstract

A collapsible-reusable-returnable-recyclable die cut, self locking corrugated carton is disclosed. An embodiment includes a plurality of side panels attached to each other by way of corrugated folding lines, and a plurality of bottom panels attached to respective side panels by way of another set of corrugated folding lines. In the unfolded state, the side and bottom panels are adapted to lie substantially on the same plane. In the folded state, the side panels area adapted to form sides of the carton, the bottom panels are adapted to form a bottom of the carton, and at least a pair of the bottom panels are adapted to interlock. Any one or more of the panels may include thereon advertisement indicia. Additionally, any one or more of the side panels may include hand holes to facilitate the handling of the carton.

1 . A carton, comprising: 
 a first side panel;    a second side panel attached to said first side panel by way of a first corrugated folding line;    a third side panel attached to said second side panel by way of a second corrugated folding line;    a fourth side panel attached to said third side panel by way of a third corrugated folding line;    a flap attached to said fourth side panel by way of a fourth corrugated folding line;    a first bottom panel attached to said first side panel by way of a firth corrugated folding line;    a second bottom panel attached to said second side panel by way of a sixth corrugated folding line;    a third bottom panel attached to said third side panel by way of a seventh corrugated folding line; and    a fourth bottom panel attached to said fourth side panel by way of an eighth corrugated folding line;    wherein said first, second, third, and fourth side and bottom panels are adapted to lie substantially on a same plane when said carton is in an unfolded state; and    wherein said first and third side panels are adapted to form first opposed sides of said carton, said second and fourth side panels are adapted to form second opposed sides of said carton, said second and fourth panels are adapted to interlock and lie respectively above and below said first and third bottom panels, and said flap is adapted to lie within said carton when said carton is in a folded state.    
   
   
       2 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said flap is adapted to lie next to an inner wall of said first side panel when said carton is in said folded state.  
   
   
       3 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein said flap is adapted to be attached to an inner wall of said first side panel when said carton is in said folded state.  
   
   
       4 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said flap is adapted to be attached to said inner wall of said first side panel by an adhesive.  
   
   
       5 . The carton of  claim 3 , wherein said flap is adapted to be attached to said inner wall of said first side panel by a mechanical device.  
   
   
       6 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said side panels includes an advertisement indicia.  
   
   
       7 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said bottom panels includes an advertisement indicia.  
   
   
       8 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said side panels includes a hand hole.  
   
   
       9 . The carton of  claim 1 , wherein a top portion thereof is open when said carton is in said folded state.  
   
   
       10 . A carton, comprising: 
 a plurality of side panels attached to each other by way of respective folding lines;    a plurality of bottom panels attached to respective side panels by way of another respective folding lines;    wherein said side and bottom panels are adapted to lie substantially on a same plane when said carton is in an unfolded state; and    wherein said side panels area adapted to form sides of said carton, said bottom panels are adapted to form a bottom of said carton, and at least a pair of said bottom panels are adapted to interlock when said carton is in a folded state.    
   
   
       11 . The carton of  claim 10 , further comprising a flap attached to one of said side panels by way of another folding line, wherein said flap is adapted to lie within said carton when said carton is in said folded state.  
   
   
       12 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein said respective folding lines attaching said side panels to each other are corrugated.  
   
   
       13 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein said respective folding lines attaching said bottom panels to said side panels are corrugated.  
   
   
       14 . The carton of  claim 10 , further comprising a flap attached to one of said side panels by way of another folding line, wherein said flap is adapted to lie abut an inner wall of another of said side panels.  
   
   
       15 . The carton of  claim 14 , wherein said flap is adapted to be attached to said inner wall of said another of said side panels.  
   
   
       16 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said side panels includes an advertisement indicia.  
   
   
       17 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said bottom panels includes an advertisement indicia.  
   
   
       18 . The carton of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of said side panels includes a hand hole.  
   
   
       19 . A method of folding a carton in an unfolded state, wherein said carton comprises a plurality of side panels attached to each other by way of a first set of respective folding lines, and a plurality of bottom panels attached to respective side panels by way of a second set of respective folding lines, and wherein said side and bottom panels are adapted to lie substantially on a same plane when said carton is in said unfolded state, the method comprising: 
 folding said side panels along said first set of respective folding lines to form sides of said carton; then    folding said bottom panels along said second set of respective folding lines to form a bottom of said carton; then    interlocking at least two of said bottom panels to secure said bottom of said carton.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 folding a flap attached to one of said side panel along another folding line; and    attaching said flap to an inner wall of one of said side panels.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein folding said bottom panels comprises folding said bottom panels towards an interior of said carton.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein folding said bottom panels comprises: 
 folding a first of said bottom panels along one of said second set of folding lines towards an interior of said; then    folding second and third of said bottom panels along two of said second set of folding lines towards the interior of said carton, wherein said second and third bottom panels are situated on respective sides of said first bottom panel; then    folding a fourth of said bottom panel along one of said second set of folding lines towards the interior of said carton, wherein said fourth bottom panel is situated opposite of said first bottom panel.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein interlocking at least two of said bottom panels to secure said bottom of said carton comprises interlocking said first and fourth bottom panels.  
   
   
       24 . A method of unfolding a carton in a folded state, wherein said carton comprises a plurality of side panels attached to each other by way of a first set of respective folding lines, and a plurality of bottom panels attached to respective side panels by way of a second set of respective folding lines, the method comprising: 
 un-interlocking at least two of said bottom panels to unsecure said bottom of said carton; then    unfolding said bottom panels along said second set of respective folding lines; then    unfolding said side panels along said first set of respective folding lines.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising detaching a flap from an inner wall of one of said side panel.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein unfolding said bottom panels comprises unfolding said bottom panels away from an interior of said carton.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein unfolding said bottom panels comprises: 
 unfolding a first of said bottom panels along one of said second set of folding lines away from an interior of said carton; then    unfolding second and third of said bottom panels along two of said second set of folding lines away from said interior of said carton, wherein said second and third bottom panels are situated on respective sides of said first bottom panel; then    unfolding a fourth of said bottom panel along one of said second set of folding lines away from said interior of said carton, wherein said fourth bottom panel is situated opposite of said first bottom panel.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein un-interlocking at least two of said bottom panels to unsecure said bottom of said carton comprises un-interlocking said first and fourth bottom panels.