Collapsing box

Abstract

A package having a top or lid and a coordinating container, which at least partially opens itself to expose an item retained therein. The container is configured to readily change from a first, assembled configuration to a second, at least partially collapsed configuration. At least one, and preferably all of the sidewalls or portions of the sidewalls, collapses, opens, drops, or otherwise changes from the assembled position when the lid is removed from the container. The sidewall or portion of sidewall that collapses is hinged to another portion of the container.

1 . A package, comprising:
 a container having a base wall and at least three sidewalls wherein each of the sidewalls includes an upper portion and a lower portion and wherein an upper portion of each of the four sidewalls is pivotal in relation to the base wall and the lower portion is fixed relative to the base wall, wherein the sidewalls are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other; and   a lid configured to extend over an upper opening defined by the sidewalls, the lid being removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the container sidewalls and retain the sidewalls orthogonal to the base wall;   wherein the upper portions of the sidewalls are configured to collapse outwardly when the lid is removed from the container.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises four sidewalls. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portions of the sidewalls are connected to the lower portions of the sidewalls with a living hinge that enables the upper portions to pivot relative to the lower portions. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent lower portions of the sidewalls are configured to contact each other and are secured to each other. 
     
     
         5 . A method of opening a gift box comprising:
 providing a container including a base wall and at least three sidewalls extending upwardly from the base wall, wherein at least a portion the side edges of the sidewalls are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other;   providing a lid removable from the container, the lid configured and arranged to engage the sidewalls and retain the sidewalls in a generally vertical orientation when the lid is on the container; and   removing the lid from the container thereby allowing the portion of the side edges of the sidewalls that are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other to fall away from each other.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the walls include an upper portion and a lower portion and the upper portions are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other and the lower portions contact each other and are secured to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the upper portions pivot away from each other when the lid is removed while the lower portions stay connected to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the walls include an upper portion and a lower portion and both the upper and lower portions are configured to contact each other but are not secured to each other.