Box template

Abstract

A foldable template for forming a box includes first, second, third, and fourth segments and a glue tab. Each segment includes a center section and opposing first and second flaps. The flaps of the first segment are separated from the first center section by a cut or cutout. The flaps of each of the second, third, and fourth segments are separated from the corresponding center section by creases. The glue tab extends from the center section of either the first or the fourth segment and is separated therefrom by a crease.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable template for forming a box, comprising:
 a first segment disposed at a first end of said template, the first segment having a first center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps being separated from the first center section by a cut or cutout;   a second segment having a second center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps of the second segment being separated from the second center section by a crease;   a third segment having a third center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps of the third segment being separated from the third center section by a crease;   a fourth segment having a fourth center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps of the fourth segment being separated from the fourth center section by a crease; and   a glue tab extending from either the first center section or the fourth center section, the glue tab being separated from the first center section or the fourth center section by a crease.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable template of  claim 1 , wherein the first center section and the second center section are separated by a crease. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable template of  claim 2 , wherein the first flap of the first segment is separated from the first flap of the second segment by a crease. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable template of  claim 3 , wherein the crease between the first center section and the second center section is offset from the crease between the first flap of the first segment and the first flap of the second segment. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable template of  claim 4 , wherein the offset is equal to about a thickness of the foldable template. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable template of  claim 2 , wherein the second flap of the first segment is separated from the second flap of the second segment by a crease. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable template of  claim 6 , wherein the crease between the first center section and the second center section is offset from the crease between the second flap of the first segment and the second flap of the second segment. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable template of  claim 7 , wherein the offset is equal to about a thickness of the foldable template. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable template of  claim 1 , wherein the creases separating the opposing first and second flaps from the third center section are spaced apart a first distance. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable template of  claim 9 , wherein the creases separating the opposing first and second flaps from the second center section are spaced apart a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable template of  claim 10 , wherein the creases separating the opposing first and second flaps from the fourth center section are spaced apart a third distance, the third distance being greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable template of  claim 11 , wherein a difference between the first distance and the second distance and/or between the second distance and the third distance is equal to about a thickness of the foldable template. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable template of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of:
 the first flap of the second segment is separated from the first flap of the third segment by a cut or cutout;   the first flap of the third segment is separated from the first flap of the fourth segment by a cut or cutout;   the second flap of the second segment is separated from the second flap of the third segment by a cut or cutout; and   the second flap of the third segment is separated from the second flap of the fourth segment by a cut or cutout.   
     
     
         14 . The foldable template of  claim 1 , wherein the first center section comprises a tear-away strip, the tear-away strip comprising one or more of:
 one or more cuts or cutouts formed in an edge of the first center section; and   a strip of plastic secured to a surface thereof.   
     
     
         15 . A foldable template for forming a box, comprising:
 a plurality of identifiable sections that are arranged in first, second, third, fourth, and fifth columns and first, second, and third rows, wherein:
 the first column includes a first flap in the first row, a first center section in the second row, and a second flap in the third row, each of the first and second flaps being separated from the first center section by a cut or cutout; 
 the second column includes a first flap in the first row, a second center section in the second row, and a second flap in the third row, each of the first and second flaps being separated from the second center section by a crease; 
 the third column includes a first flap in the first row, a third center section in the second row, and a second flap in the third row, each of the first and second flaps being separated from the third center section by a crease; 
 the fourth column includes a first flap in the first row, a fourth center section in the second row, and a second flap in the third row, each of the first and second flaps being separated from the fourth center section by a crease; and 
 the fifth column includes a glue flap in the second row. 
   
     
     
         16 . The foldable template of  claim 15 , wherein the first flaps in the first and second columns are separated by a crease. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable template of  claim 16 , wherein the first and second center sections are separated by a crease that is offset from the crease separating the first flaps in the first and second columns. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable template of  claim 17 , wherein the second flaps in the first and second columns are separated by a crease. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable template of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second center sections are separated by a crease that is offset from the crease separating the second flaps in the first and second columns. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable template of  claim 15 , wherein one or more of:
 the first flaps in the second and third columns are separated by a cut or cutout;   the second flaps in the second and third columns are separated by a cut or cutout;   the first flaps in the third and fourth columns are separated by a cut or cutout; and   the second flaps in the third and fourth columns are separated by a cut or cutout.   
     
     
         21 . The foldable template of  claim 15 , wherein the creases separating the first and second flaps from the third center section are spaced apart a first distance. 
     
     
         22 . The foldable template of  claim 21 , wherein the creases separating the first and second flaps from the second center section are spaced apart a second distance, the second distance being greater than the first distance. 
     
     
         23 . The foldable template of  claim 22 , wherein the creases separating the first and second flaps from the fourth center section are spaced apart a third distance, the third distance being greater than the second distance. 
     
     
         24 . The foldable template of  claim 23 , wherein a difference between the first distance and the second distance and/or between the second distance and the third distance is equal to about a thickness of the foldable template. 
     
     
         25 . The foldable template of  claim 15 , wherein the first center section comprises a tear-away strip, the tear-away strip comprising one or more of:
 one or more cuts or cutouts formed in an edge of the first center section; and   a strip of plastic secured to a surface thereof.   
     
     
         26 . A foldable template for forming a box, comprising:
 a first segment disposed at a first end of said template, the first segment having a first center section and opposing first and second flaps;   a second segment having a second center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps of the second segment being separated from the second center section by a crease, the first flap of the second segment being separated from the first flap of the first segment by a crease, and the second flap of the second segment being separated from the second flap of the first segment by a crease;   a third segment having a third center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps of the third segment being separated from the third center section by a crease;   a fourth segment having a fourth center section and opposing first and second flaps, each of the opposing flaps of the fourth segment being separated from the fourth center section by a crease; and   a glue tab extending from either the first center section or the fourth center section, the glue tab being separated from the first center section or the fourth center section by a crease.   
     
     
         27 . The foldable template of  claim 26 , wherein each of the opposing first and second flaps of the first segment is separated from the first center section by a cut or cutout.