Flat-Folding Box Covers and Methods of Assembly and Methods of Customizing Images on the Box Cover

Abstract

Variations for flat-folding box covers with four distinct design configurations: one piece; two piece; flat-folding structural frames and clear, rigid box covers with decorative inserts. Construction techniques comprise a variety of methods including use of cutout stock sheet materials; use of stiffening panels; use of structural frame elements; use of lamination; use of clear plastic panels; and the use of coatings. Fastening techniques comprise a variety of methods including; magnets, snaps, structural frames, hinges, and adhesives. The end user may purchase finished box covers or components or select from a set of design options offered by a manufacturer; or supply custom decorative images to a manufacturer to apply to the box cover; or purchase a kit in order to make or embellish a box cover themselves. Some designs allow for the end user to update and reconfigure the design elements of the box cover after it is purchased.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A flat-folding box cover for tissues and other items that provides decorative options comprising:
 a. a flat-sheet cardstock cutout with a top panel and four side panels of proper dimensions and of the proper location for a desired size folded box cover with an aperture in the middle of the top panel;   b. the side panels on the cardstock cutout each having magnets on one edge that will be aligned with magnets of the opposite polarity on flaps of the adjacent side pieces when the box is in the assembled configuration;   c. the top panel to have an aperture cutout;   d. the outer surfaces of the top panel and four side panels will have decorative images.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a the cutout is five piece flat-sheet card stock cutout with the top panel aperture the middle piece, and four side panels extending, one each, from the four edges of the top panel; 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cutout has scored line between the edges of top panel and side panels; 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  with stiffening pieces attached to the side and top panels; 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein magnets are position one edge of the side panels, and the flaps on the edge of the side panels are folded over the magnets and fastened to side panels; 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the flap on the other side of each side panel from the edge with magnets have magnets positioned on them to align with the magnets on the edge of adjacent side panels; 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein an inner lining of material is fastened to interior surface of the cardstock cutout, covering the top panel, side panels and flaps with magnets; 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the decorative image is covered with a coating or a transparent plastic laminate sheet 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein an ornamental oval metal or plastic reinforcing ring, the same dimensions as the aperture in the top panel in the cardboard cutoff, is placed in the aperture opening. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein a transparent laminate sheet is placed over the decorative images. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  where a coating is placed over the decorative images. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  where lamination sheets are applied by the retail purchaser or retail seller after applying their images of their choosing as the decorative image. 
     
     
         13 . A method of constructing a finished box from cardstock cutoff comprised of:
 a. magnets of one polarity are placed onto side panels   b. magnets of the other polarity are placed on to side flaps   c. the flaps holding magnets on the side panels are turned 90 degree inward;   d. the side panels of the cardstock cutoff are folded downward, with the decorative side out, into a box shape;   e. the magnets of opposite polarity on the side flaps are aligned with the magnets of one polarity on the edge of the side panels to create a finished box cover.