DESC:TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A Packaging Box

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention generally relates to packaging, more particularly the invention relates to stackable or nestable packaging boxes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Packaging boxes for storing and delivering products are common across industries. While, sturdiness and robustness are basic requirements of such packaging boxes, storability and transportability is also an important aspect.
[003] Generally, packaging boxes have conventional shapes – rectangular, circular or cylindrical shapes, as such shapes allow easy storage and transport of packaging boxes. Any variation from such conventional shapes poses a challenge in terms of storability and transportability of the packaging, which increases logistics costs, and thus is undesirable. Accordingly, to enhance visibility, attractiveness, and uniqueness of the packaging boxes various colors and/or artworks are provided on the packaging boxes while the shape remains conventional. Hence, there is a need in the art for a packaging box which addresses at-least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] In one aspect the present invention provides a packaging box comprising of opposing front panel and rear panel, opposing side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel, wherein at least one panel has at-least one protruding member and the panel opposing the protruding member having a slot corresponding with the protruding member for receiving the protruding member of an adjacent packaging box enabling at-least two packaging boxes to be stored in a stacked or nested configuration. In an aspect of the invention, the protruding member protrudes from/on the top panel and opposing bottom panel has the slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[005] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a packaging box in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the packaging box in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows packaging boxes in a stacked configuration in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[006] The present invention is directed towards packaging boxes which can be stacked atop each other or arranged in a nested configuration in spite of having an unconventional shape, thereby being able to be easily stored and transported.
[007] Figure 1 shows a packaging box 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The packaging box comprises of opposing front panel 110A and rear panel 110B, opposing side panels 120A, 120B, a top panel 130 and a bottom panel 140. As shown in the figure, the opposing front and rear panel, and opposing side panels have a planar surface. Each of these panels may have text, colors, artwork, etc as per requirement. In an embodiment, at least one panel has at-least one protruding member and the panel opposing the protruding member has at least one slot corresponding with the protruding member for receiving the protruding member of an adjacent packaging box enabling at-least two packaging boxes to be stored in a stacked or nested configuration.
[008] In the embodiment shown through the figures, the top panel has a flat surface 132 and a protruding member 134. The protruding member protrudes from/on the top panel. In this regard, the protruding member can be formed on the top panel or can extend from the rear panel of the packaging box. Further, the top panel is a top closure panel allowing access to contents stored in the storage box. The top panel can be hinged with the rear panel to open or close the packaging box or the top panel can be removable to open or close the packaging box as per requirement. In an embodiment, the protruding member has a triangular profile or shape. The protruding member as can be seen from the figure renders an unconventional shape to the packaging box which may pose difficulties in stacking the packaging box.
[009] As shown, the bottom panel has a slot 142 to receive the protruding member to enable stacking of the packaging box. The slot has a shape and size corresponding with the protruding member such that the protruding member can be accommodated in the slot. The slot comprises of an open face with panels extending inwards, the configuration of the panels correspond with configuration of the protruding member. Accordingly, the slot has a triangular profile or shape corresponding with the triangular profile or shape of the protruding member. The triangular profile of the slot or the panels extending inwards creates a barrier for materials stored in the storage box. The profile or shape of protruding member and the slot can be any other shape or profile as long as the protruding member and the slot are configured to engage with each other as discussed hereinbefore.
[010] In an embodiment, the packaging box can be made from rigid materials such as plastic or metal. In case of plastic or metal, the packaging box can be formed or molded with features described hereinbefore. In another embodiment, the packaging box can be formed of flexible material such as cardboard or paperboard with or without protective coating or layers. The packaging box accordingly comprises of opposing front and rear panel, opposing side panels, a top panel with a protruding member, and a bottom panel having a slot, wherein the packaging box is erected from a blank. Accordingly, the opposing front and rear panel and opposing side panels are folded along folding lines and affixed to form the box shown through the figures. In an embodiment, the top panel having the protruding member and the bottom panel having the slot are formed from the rear panel. The protruding member and the top panel extend from the rear panel, whereby the rear panel adjacent to its top end comprises a hinge fold line and a fold line spaced apart from the hinge fold line. The protruding member extends downwards along an incline between the hinge fold line and the fold line, and the top panel extends horizontally from the fold line. The rear panel is folded along the hinge fold line to extend downwards along an incline defining the protruding member, and thereafter folded at the second fold line to extend horizontally defining the top panel. Further, the top panel is a top closure panel with a tuck flap allowing access to contents stored in the storage box. Further, the hinge fold line allows the top panel with the protruding member to pivot about the rear panel to open or close the storage box.
[011] The slot comprises a vertical panel and a diagonal panel extending from the rear panel towards the bottom panel. The rear panel towards its bottom end is folded inwards to form the vertical panel such that the vertical panel is parallel and abuts with the rear panel. The vertical panel has a height corresponding with height of the protruding member. The diagonal panel extends diagonally downwards from the vertical panel towards the bottom panel creating the slot to receive the protruding member. The bottom panel can be an extension of the diagonal panel or a separate panel. The slot formed has good structural rigidity and supports the protruding member received by the slot preventing toppling of the stacked boxes. The diagonal panel also creates a barrier for materials stored in the storage box.
[012] Figure 3 shows packaging boxes in a stacked configuration. As shown a box 100A is placed below a box 100B. Box 100A and box 100B are similar to the packaging box discussed hereinbefore. Accordingly, each box has a protruding member on the top panel and a corresponding slot on the bottom panel. When stacked, the bottom panel of the packaging box on the top receives the protruding member of the packaging box at the bottom allowing the boxes to be stacked one above the other without collapsing. While, through the description and figures it is illustrated that a protruding member is provided on the top panel, and a slot is provided on opposing bottom panel, providing the protruding member and the slot on opposing panels is well within the scope of the invention.
[013] As discussed hereinbefore, packaging boxes with unique or different shapes pose a problem while storing and/or transporting. The present invention obviates the problem of storing and/or transporting despite having an unconventional shape.
[014] Advantageously, the present invention provides a packaging box that is of a desired shape and configuration which can also be stacked/nested while storing, thereby allowing ease of transportation, handling and storage.
[015] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:

1. A packaging box (100) comprising of opposing front panel (110A) and rear panel (110B), opposing side panels (120A, B), a top panel (130) and a bottom panel (140), wherein at least one panel has at-least one protruding member (134) and the panel opposing the protruding member having has at least one slot (142) corresponding with the protruding member for receiving the protruding member of an adjacent packaging box enabling at-least two packaging boxes to be stored in a stacked or nested configuration.

2. The packaging box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protruding member protrudes from/on the top panel and opposing bottom panel has the slot.

3. The packaging box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slot comprises of an open face with panels extending inwards, the configuration of the panels correspond with configuration of the protruding member.

4. The packaging box as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the protruding member and the slot have a triangular profile or shape.

5. The packaging box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging box is formed of rigid material such as plastic, metal, etc.

6. The packaging box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging box is formed of flexible material such as cardboard, paperboard, etc.

7. The packaging box as claimed in claim 6, wherein the protruding member and the top panel extend from the rear panel.

8. The packaging box as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rear panel adjacent to its top end comprises a hinge fold line and a fold line the protruding member extends downwards along an incline between the hinge fold line and the fold line and the top panel extends horizontally from the fold line.

9. The packaging box as claimed in claim 6, wherein the slot comprises a vertical panel and a diagonal panel extending from the rear panel towards the bottom panel.

10. The packaging box as claimed in claim 9, wherein the rear panel towards its bottom end is folded inwards to form the vertical panel, and the diagonal panel extends diagonally from the vertical panel towards the bottom panel creating the slot to receive the protruding member.