num="0036">With regard to the opening, preferably the flexible sidewall comprises the opening. Further preferably the opening and/or the reusable closure is arranged such that it extends parallel to edges of the two opposite faces of the packaging container. Further preferably the reusable closure is a zipper, waterproof and/or splash water protected.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the packaging container comprises at least one fastening device configured for fastening the packaging container in the first packaging configuration and/or in the second packaging configuration. Preferably, the packaging container comprises a first fastening device for fastening the packaging container in the first packaging configuration and a second fastening device for fastening the packaging container in the second packaging configuration. The fastening device has the advantage that the packaging container in the first and/or second packaging configuration is hindered to autonomously unfold into the shelf configuration. Preferably the fastening device is reusable, waterproof and/or splash water protected.

Preferably, when folding the packaging container from the shelf configuration into the second packaging configuration, the first fastening device for fastening the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is folded inside. Further preferably, when the packaging container is folded and fastened in the second packaging configuration the first fastening device is neither visible on the outer side nor visible on the inner side of the packaging container.

As already mentioned, each of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration comprises the dimensionally stable first outer face part, the dimensionally stable middle face part, and the dimensionally stable second outer face part, joint to each other by the flexible joints. In this context and according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first fastening device is at least configured to fasten a common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part of a first face of the two opposite faces to an outer edge of the first outer face part of a second face of the two opposite faces. In other words and preferably, the common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part of one of the two opposite faces, i.e. the flexible joint which also acts as folding edge along which the first outer face part and/or middle face part can be folded, is fastened to the outer edge of the first outer face part of the opposite face.

In addition or alternatively and according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the second fastening device is at least configured to fasten a common edge of the middle face part and the second outer face part of a first face of the two opposite faces to a common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part of a second face of the two opposite faces. In other words and preferably, the common edge of the middle face part and the second outer face part of one of the two opposite faces, i.e. the flexible joint which also acts as folding edge along which the middle face part and/or the second outer face part can be folded, is fastened to the common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part—i.e. the flexible joint which also acts as folding edge along which the first outer face part and/or the middle face part can be folded—of the opposite face.

Different fastening devices can be used. Preferably the fastening device is a reusable fastening device. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention the fastening device is a zipper, a magnetic fastening device, a hook-and-eye closure, a hook-and-loop fastener, and/or a snap fastener.

Preferably the fastening device is a zipper. More preferably, a first zipper is at least placed along the common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part of the first face of the two opposite faces and along the outer edge of the first outer face part of the second face of the two opposite faces. Further preferably a second zipper is at least placed along the common edge of the second outer face part and the middle face part of the first face of the two opposite faces and the common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part of the second face of the two opposite faces. This configuration has the advantage that smooth surfaces of the packaging container in the first and/or second packaging configuration are provided. Thus, friction of the packaging container in the shipping process is reduced.

According to the above and according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, in the first packaging configuration one of the two opposite faces of the packaging container is free of a fastening device within an area of the one face of the packaging container. When using a zipper as fastening device, preferably in the first packaging configuration only one of the four edges of one of the two opposite faces comprises a zipper, while two of the four edges partially comprise a zipper, and one of the four edges is free of a zipper. Hence, since the fastening device is arranged along the edges of one of the two opposite face, the area within the one face of the packaging container is free of a fastening device.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, in the second packaging configuration both opposite faces of the packaging container are free of a fastening device within an area of the faces of the packaging container. Preferably, when using a zipper as fastening device, in the second packaging configuration all edges of one of the two opposite faces are completely free of a fastening device and/or in the second packaging configuration only one of the four edges of one of the two opposite faces comprises a zipper, while the other three edges are free of a zipper. Hence, since on one face the fastening device is arranged along the edge of the one face, the area within the one face of the packaging container is free of a fastening device, while the opposite face does not comprise a fastening device along an edge and/or within the are of the face.

By providing faces and/or edges of the packaging container, which are free of the fastening device, the risk that the packaging container gets stuck on a conveyor or jams the sorting process is reduced.

In summary the packaging container satisfy different packaging needs by being configured to be folded into two different packaging configurations, wherein due to the dimensionally stable sidepiece attached to the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the first and/or second packaging configuration, the packaging container provides more protection to the packaged good and is less problematic in the shipping process. Further features and advantages of the packaging container are directly and unambiguously derived by the person skilled in the art from the description of a first folding method and a second folding method.

As already mentioned, the invention also relates to a first folding method for folding the packaging container from the shelf configuration into the first packaging configuration.

Accordingly, the object is achieved by the folding method for folding the packaging container from the shelf configuration into the first packaging configuration, wherein the packaging container is configured for conversion from the shelf configuration into the first packaging configuration by the folding method, and from the shelf configuration into a second packaging configuration by another folding method,

- wherein in the first and second packaging configuration the packaging container is configured such that two opposite faces of the packaging container in the first or second packaging configuration are attached to each other by a dimensionally stable sidepiece,
- wherein a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is different from a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the second packaging configuration, comprising the steps of
- providing the packaging container in the shelf configuration, wherein in the shelf configuration the packaging container is collapsed such that a lower face and an upper face of two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration come in direct contact with each other, and wherein the lower and the upper faces each comprise a dimensionally stable first outer face part, a dimensionally stable middle face part, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part, joint to each other by flexible joints,
- forming a dimensionally stable sidepiece by
  - folding the first outer face part of the upper face towards the lower face, and
  - folding the first outer face part of the lower face over the folded first outer face part of the upper face, such that the first outer face part of the upper face and the first outer face part of the lower face coincide,
- such that the dimensionally stable sidepiece of the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is formed by the first outer face parts of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration.

Preferably, when folding the first outer face part of the upper face towards the lower face, by folding the first outer face part of the upper face downwards along the common edge of the first outer face part and the middle face part, a preform of the stable sidepiece between a first face of the packaging container and a second face of the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is created. By folding the first outer face part of the lower face upwards over the folded first outer face part of the upper face, this preform is reinforced and the dimensionally stable sidepiece of the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is formed.

Furthermore, preferably in the shelf configuration, the two opposite faces are rectangular and are circumferentially attached to each other by a flexible sidewall. The flexible sidewall has the advantage that when folding the first outer face part of the lower face downwards, the flexible sidewall, is folded over the first outer face part of the lower face. Furthermore, when folding the first outer face part of the lower face upwards over the downwards folded first outer face part of the upper face, the inwards folded flexible sidewall ends up in between the first outer face part of the upper face and the first outer face part of the lower face.

Further preferably, the method comprises the step of closing a first fastening device, wherein the first fastening device is configured for fastening the packaging container in the first packaging configuration. By closing the first fastening device, preferably a zipper, the packaging container is fastened in the first packaging configuration. Preferably in the first packaging configuration, the first fastening device extends along three edges of the dimensionally stable sidepiece.

As already mentioned, the invention also relates to a second folding method for folding the packaging container from the shelf configuration into the second packaging configuration.

Accordingly, the object is achieved by the folding method for folding the packaging container from the shelf configuration into the second packaging configuration, wherein the packaging container is configured for conversion from the shelf configuration into the second packaging configuration by the folding method, and from the shelf configuration into a first packaging configuration by another folding method, wherein in the first and second packaging configuration the packaging container is configured such that two opposite faces of the packaging container in the first or second packaging configuration are attached to each other by a dimensionally stable sidepiece,

- wherein a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the first packaging configuration is different from a volume enclosed by the packaging container in the second packaging configuration, comprising the steps of
  - providing the packaging container in the shelf configuration, wherein in the shelf configuration the packaging container is collapsed such that a lower face and an upper face of two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration come in direct contact with each other, and wherein the lower and the upper faces each comprise a dimensionally stable first outer face part, a dimensionally stable middle face part, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part, joint to each other by flexible joints,
  - forming a dimensionally stable sidepiece by
    - bringing the first outer face part of the upper face into direct contact with the middle face part of the lower face such that the outer face part and the middle face part coincide, and
    - folding the first outer face part of the lower face over the first outer face part of the upper face, such that the first outer face part of the lower face coincides with the first outer face part of the upper face, and
    - folding the first outer face part of the lower face, the first outer face part of the upper face, and the middle face part of the lower face together towards the middle face part of the upper face,
  - such that the dimensionally stable sidepiece of the packaging container in the second packaging configuration is formed by the first outer face parts and the middle face parts of the two opposite faces of the packaging container in the shelf configuration.

Preferably the step of bringing the first outer face part of the upper face into direct contact with the middle face part of the lower face such that the outer face part and the middle face part coincide, comprise bringing the first outer face part of the upper face into direct contact with the middle face part of the lower face such that the middle face part of the upper face is folded downwards and the first outer face part of the lower face is folded upwards.

Furthermore, preferably in the shelf configuration, the two opposite faces are rectangular and are circumferentially attached to each other by the flexible sidewall. The flexible sidewall has the advantage that when bringing the first outer face part of the upper face into direct contact with the middle face part of the lower face such that the outer face part and the middle face part coincide, the flexible sidewall is folded over the first outer face part of the lower face.

Further preferably, the step of folding the first outer face part of the lower face over the first outer face part of the upper face, such that the first outer face part of the lower face coincides with the first outer face part of the upper face, comprises folding the first outer face part of the lower face over the first outer face part of the upper face, such that an inward folded flexible sidewall is in between the first outer face part of the upper face and the downwards folded first outer face part of the lower face.

Further preferably the step of folding the first outer face part of the lower face, the first outer face part of the upper face, and the middle face part of the lower face together towards a middle face part of the upper face, comprises folding the first outer face part of the lower face, the inward folded flexible sidewall, the first outer face part of the upper face, and the middle face part of the lower face together towards the middle face part of the upper face.

Further preferably the method comprises the step of closing a second fastening device, wherein the second fastening device is configured for fastening the packaging container in the second packaging configuration. By closing the second fastening device, preferably a zipper, the packaging container is fastened in the second packaging configuration.

Preferably, in the second packaging configuration, the second fastening device extends along three edges of the dimensionally stable sidepiece. Further preferably, when folding the packaging container from the shelf configuration into the second packaging configuration, the fastening device for fastening the packaging container in the first packaging configuration—i.e. the first fastening device—is folded inside and is not visible anymore, when the packaging container is folded and fastened in the second packaging configuration. Thus, in the second packaging configuration no friction can be provided by the first fastening device and processing of the packaging container during shipping is simplified.

Further features and advantages of the first and/or second method are directly and unambiguously derived by the person skilled in the art from the packaging container as described before.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the attached drawings by way of preferred embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows schematic illustrations of a packaging container in a shelf configuration from different perspectives, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 shows schematic illustrations of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a first packaging configuration from different perspectives,

FIG. 3 shows schematic illustrations of the packaging container of FIG. 1 in a second packaging configuration from different perspectives,

FIG. 4 shows schematic illustration of a method for folding a packaging container from a shelf configuration into a first packaging configuration, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 5 shows schematic illustration of a method for folding a packaging container from a shelf configuration into a second packaging configuration, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of a packaging container 10 in a shelf configuration 12 from different perspectives. The packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12 is collapsible such that two opposite faces 14, 16 of the packaging container 10, 12 come in direct contact with each other. In the collapsed state, as shown in FIG. 1b) the packaging container 10, 12 is flat.

As is shown in FIG. 1a), which shows the two opposite faces 14, 16 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12, each of the two opposite faces 14, 16 of the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12 comprises a dimensionally stable first outer face part 18, a dimensionally stable middle face part 20, and a dimensionally stable second outer face part 22. The three face parts 18, 20, 22 are joint to each other by flexible joints 24, 26.

As is also visible in FIG. 1, the two opposite faces 14, 16 are circumferentially attached to each other by a flexible sidewall 28. The flexible sidewall 28 allows that the packaging container 10 is collapsible in the shelf configuration 12. FIG. 1c) shows the packaging container 10 in the shelf configuration 12, with goods packaged inside the packaging container 10. Thus, the two opposite faces 14, 16 are spaced apart and the flexible sidewall 28 is stretched. As is also visible in FIG. 1 the flexible sidewall 28 of the packaging container 10 comprises an opening 30 with a reusable closure 32, in order to fill the packaging container with the goods. In this embodiment the reusable closure 32 is a zipper 32.

In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the two opposite faces 14, 16 as well as the three face parts 18, 20, 22 have a rectangular form. Furthermore, the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 are congruent to each other. Also, the form of the joint first outer face part 18 and middle face part 20 is congruent to the form of the second outer face part 22.

Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment, the first face 14, the second face 16, and the flexible sidewall 28 of the packaging container 10 are made of a soft piece of material. The first face 14 and the second face 16 are each enforced by three cardboard panels, forming the three face parts 18, 20, 22, while the soft material in between the three face parts 18, 20, 22 forms the flexible joints 24, 26. The cardboard panels for the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 are 9.5 cm×32 cm, while the cardboard panel for the second outer face part 22 is 20 cm×32 cm. In order that the packaging container 10 can be folded along the flexible joints 24, 26, the width of the cardboard panels for the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 is about 0.5 cm smaller than half of the width of the cardboard panel for the second outer face part 22. Thus, the form of the first outer face part 18 and the middle face part 20 joint together by the flexible joint 24 is congruent to the form of the second outer face part 22.

The packaging container 10 is configured for conversion from the shelf configuration 12 into a first packaging configuration 34 (see FIG. 2) by a first folding method (see FIG. 4), and from the shelf configuration 12 into a second packaging configuration 36 (see FIG. 3) by a second folding method (see FIG. 5). In the first and second packaging configuration 34, 36, the packaging container