AU2014100271A4 - A box - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A box (1) adapted to transport an object. The box includes a blank having at least three adjacent elongate panels (2 to 5). At least one said panel having a base portion (7), a side wall (8), a flap (9), and a closure (10); said base portion, side wall, flap and closures being operatively associated with at least one other so that in use said blank can be folded into a closed configuration defining a space to receive said object to be carried. The at least one said closure (10) includes locking means adapted in use to lock said at least closure to one or more adjacent closures. --------- o-------o---r Figure 3

Description

1 A BOX Field [0001] The present invention relates to a box and in particular to a box to carry a breakable and/or perishable item such as a vase and/or flowers or food. Background [0002] Various types of boxes, containers or the like are known throughout the world to transport goods. Special types of boxes, containers and the like have been developed to carry breakable items such as vases and/or perishable items such as flowers. If flowers are transported in a box, the box tends to compress the flowers resulting in the flowers breaking or becoming bruised and losing their visual appeal. Also boxes and/or containers which carry glass vases, for example, are typically surrounded with packing material which adds weight and expense to the box. They also come in various shapes and sizes and often fall over in transit or are hard to pack efficiently. If the glass vase is carrying flowers, the packaging material will also bruise the flowers. It should be appreciated that flowers are an awkward product to transport. Further, such boxes, containers and the like take significant time to pack, are complicated and expensive to manufacture and when received by the recipient are not visually appealing or provide a visual impact or "wow" as the recipient needs to struggle with complicated or excessive locks and fasteners and weigh through the packaging material. [0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a new box, container or the like that is easy and cheap to manufacture, easy to assemble and disassemble, provides sufficient protection for a vase and flower arrangement while being transported and can be easily opened by a recipient to provide an instant impact. [0004] There is also a need for a box, container or the like that stops vases falling over in transit and is shaped such that it allows more efficient packing of a vase by a courier or florist whilst protecting the flowers from being broken or damaged in transit.

2 Object [0005] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative. Summary of Invention [0006] There is disclosed herein a box adapted to transport an object, said box including: a blank having at least three adjacent elongate panels, at least one said panel having a base portion, each said panel having a side wall, a flap, and a closure; said base portion, side wall, flap and closures being operatively associated with at least one other so that in use said blank can be folded into a closed configuration defining a space to receive said object to be carried. [0007] Preferably, said blank includes four panels, each panel having a respective base portion, side wall, flap and closure. [0008] Preferably, at least one said closure includes locking means adapted in use to lock said closure to one or more adjacent closures. [0009] Preferably, at least one said locking means includes a hook to be received in an aperture on an adjacent closure. [0010] Preferably, at least one end closure includes a handle portion. [0011] Preferably, upon application of a force to at least one said closure when said box is in said closed configuration, said force unlocks said locking means, urging said closures and thereby said flaps away from each other to display said object to a user and provide access to the object located therein and provide an instant visual impact of the object located therein. [0012] Preferably, each said base portion includes means to lock said base portion with at least one adjacent base portion. [0013] Preferably, said means includes a tongue and groove arrangement.

3 [0014] Preferably, the box includes two hooks spaced apart from each other and adapted to be received in respective apertures on adjacent closures, said closures being located on opposing ends of said box. [0015] Preferably, said box includes an insert to be surrounded in use by said side walls. [0016] Preferably, said insert includes a top plate having an aperture therethrough to receive said object in use and at least two arms extending away from said top plate and foldable in use to position said top plate away from said base portions of said panels in use. [0017] Preferably, said top plate includes flexible segments adjacent said aperture adapted in use to grip said object. [0018] Preferably, said box includes a support panel locatable in use adjacent said base portions of said panels and spaced from said top plate of said insert. [0019] Preferably, in use said side walls are substantially fixed to each other to form a geometric shape of said box. [0020] Preferably, in use said flaps are adapted to move from a closed configuration where said flaps are located adjacent each other to an open configuration where said flaps extend away from each other. [0021] Preferably, said closures extend from said flaps in use. Brief Description of Drawings [0022] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0023] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the box of an embodiment of the present invention shown in a closed configuration; [0024] Figure 2 is a perspective view of Figure 1 in the opened configuration; 4 [0025] Figure 3 is a blank of the box of Figure 1; and [0026] Figure 4 is shows the insert as shown in Figure 2. Description of Embodiments [0027] In the figures there is disclosed a box 1 adapted to transport an object (not shown). In the preferred form, the object would be a vase carrying flowers. However, it should be appreciated that the box 1 could carry any object such as food, toys or the like. As best seen in Figure 3 (which shows a preferred embodiment of the blank for the box 1) the box 1 includes a blank having at least three adjacent elongate panels labeled 2 to 5. Those panels 2 to 5 when folded together form the box 1 shape. It would be appreciated that any number of panels 2 to 5 could be utilized and the shape of the box 1 could be any shape, such as, having a cross section of a square, triangle, rectangle, circle, semi-circle, octagon or the like. Each panel 2 to 5 has a base portion 7, a side wall 8, a flap 9, and a closure 10 as best seen in Figure 3. It should be appreciated that each of these parts 7, 8, 9, 10 could be separate pieces or integrally formed together. In Figure 3, each of the parts 7, 8, 9, 10 are shown forming a single blank and separated by fold lines 12. The base portion 7, side wall 8, flap 9 and closure 10 of each respective panel 2, 3, 4, 5 are operatively associated with at least one other so that in use the blank can be folded into a closed configuration (see Figure 1) defining a space 15 to receive the object to be carried by the box 1. [0028] In a preferred form, the base portions 7 as best seen in Figure 3 include a series of locks or fasteners in the form of tongues 20 and grooves 21 or the like to lock each base portion 7 of respective panels 2, 3, 4, 5 together to form a base of the box 1. The base portions 7 could be of the same shape or different shapes or material and include apertures or the like for the tongues 20 to extend through or could include other fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners or locations for receipt of adhesives, tapes, ties, clips, or the like. [0029] The side walls 8 in a preferred form are foldably attached to the base portions 7 and are operatively associated with each other so that they can be folded about a central axis (not shown) to form a shape. That shape can be any shape as discussed above. In Figure 3 they fold to form a square. The side walls 8 will typically in a closed configuration (see Figure 1) extend perpendicular from the base portions 7. However, they could extend at varying angles providing 5 a different visual appeal. The free ends 24 of the side walls 8 can be connected together by use of an additional flap (not shown) by a tongue and groove movement, an adhesive, tape, clip, tie, or any other typical fastening means. [0030] The flaps 9 in a preferred form are typically foldably attached to the side walls 8 as shown in the figures. Each of the flaps 9 in a closed configuration of the box 1 (see Figure 1) substantially extend in the same plane from the side walls 8. It should however be noted that the flaps 9 could extend from the side walls 8 at an angle or be of varying shapes for different visual appeal. For example, the flaps 9 could be of an arcuate shape or a triangular shape for example forming a bulge or the like around the centre of the box 1. In a closed configuration (see Figure 1) the flaps 9 are positioned substantially adjacent to each other enclosing the space 15. In an opened configuration (see Figure 2) the flaps 9 extend away from each other. In a preferred form, the flaps 9 would be shaped so that when in the opened configuration (see Figure 2) they substantially mirror the shape of a flower. The flaps 9 could be of the same shape or differing shapes. [0031] The closures 10 in a preferred form are foldably extendable from the flaps 9 as best seen in the figures. The closures 10 can include a single part or multiple parts depending upon the location of the closure 10 within the box 1 structure. The closure 10 could also include various shapes to vary the visual appearance and closure mechanisms used for the box 1. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the closure 10 includes two arcuate shapes 30 and two generally rectangular shapes 31. Each of the rectangular closures 31 are shown including a locking means in this embodiment being a hook 40 which is operatively associated and lockingly engageable with an aperture 41 on the arcuate closures 30. The closures 10 could also include a handle 50. It should however be appreciated that various locking arrangements could be utilised on one or more of the closures 10. In a preferred form, the handle 50 would include a visual aid (not shown), sticker, arrow, sign, depression, groove or the like to direct a user to push down on the handle 50 to open the box. [0032] To provide stability for the object to be carried by the box 1, the box 1 further includes an insert 60 as best seen in Figures 2 and 4. In a preferred form, the insert 60 includes a top plate 61 and an aperture 70 located therein. At least two arms 71 extend from the top plate 61 and in use are foldably attached to the top plate 61 and moveable into a substantially perpendicular direction so that the top plate 61 is spaced away from the base portions 7 in use. In the preferred 6 form four arms are used. This can best be seen in Figures 2 and 4. To accommodate the carrying of various sized objects, the top plate 61 can include a plurality of flexible segments 73 located adjacent the aperture 70 and adapted in use to grip the object. The segments 73 could be integrally formed with the insert 60 or be separate pieces added by the user when packing the object in the aperture 70. In Figure 2 they are shown as slits or lines of weakness 74. As a further support, the box 1 can include a support panel 90 locatable in use adjacent the base portions 7 and underneath the arms 71 of the insert 60 to provide additional support and structure to the box 1. The support panel 90 can be of varying shapes and sizes to suit the box 1 shape and object being carried. The insert 60 and support panel 90 can be of the same material as the box 1 or different material. In a preferred form, the box 1 would be made of cardboard. [0033] In use, a blank of the box 1 would be delivered to a location such as a florist in a flat packed arrangement as shown in Figure 3. The box 1 could be a hamper or any other type of delivery device. The panels would be folded along fold lines 12 to secure them together to make the box 1 into a folded configuration (see Figure 1). The support panel 90 would be placed in the space 15 adjacent the bases 7. The insert 60 would then be placed in the space 15 with the arms 71 resting on the panel 90. An object (such as a vase carrying flowers or the like) would be inserted by the florist into the aperture 70 and held in place by the flexible segments 73. The flaps 9 and closures 10 would be closed about the vase and flowers and the locking means 40, 41 would be locked to close the box 1 about the space 15. The box 1 would then be transported to a recipient. Due to the weight created by the flaps 9 and closure member 10 and the shape of each, upon a recipient of the box 1 applying a downward force A to the handle 50, being directed their by the use of the visual aid mentioned above, the locking mechanism 40, 41 would release the flaps 9 and closure members 10 to fall away from each other as shown in Figure 2 providing an instant visual impact (or "wow" factor) as the vase and flowers located within the space 15 are surprisingly revealed to the recipient. In a preferred form, only minimal force would need to be applied in the direction A by the recipient to open the box 1. In this way, the recipient is provided with an instant "wow" factor having an instant visual impact, appeal and surprise when the box 1 instantly opens revealing the flowers especially in the embodiment where the flaps 9 and closures 10 form the shape of a flower.

7 [0034] In alternate embodiments, the flaps 9 could include additional features such as windows, packing materials, graphics, cards, teddy bears, chocolates, images or the like. The box 1 could further include audible or visual mechanisms to play music, sounds, a recorded message, a video clip or the like when the box 1 is opened. [0035] It will be appreciated that the present invention in a preferred embodiment stops vases in transit falling over while being transported. The box 1 can be lined with cotton wool, other fabrics or the like to stop flower petals getting bruised. The box 1 can also enable couriers or the like to carry more items in their delivery vans because the flowers are positioned upright and not laying down. The box 1 is also quick and easy for a florist to put together. In a preferred form, no adhesive would be required to construct the box. The present invention, in a preferred form, therefore not only provides a solution to the transport of flowers for example which are an awkward product to deliver to customers (fresh and undamaged), but also provides a "wow" factor when the recipient of the box 1 opens the box 1, the flaps 9 fall away and the beautiful bouquet of flowers in a glass vase provides an amazing surprise. [0036] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (5)

1. A box adapted to transport an object, said box including: a blank having at least three adjacent elongate panels, at least one said panel having a base portion, each said panel having a side wall, a flap, and a closure; said base portion, side wall, flap and closures being operatively associated with at least one other so that in use said blank can be folded into a closed configuration defining a space to receive said object to be carried; wherein at least one said closure includes locking means adapted in use to lock said at least one closure to one or more adjacent closures.

2. The box according to claim 1, wherein at least one said locking means includes a hook to be received in an aperture on an adjacent closure.

3. The box according to claim 1 or 2, whereby upon application of a force to at least one said closure when said box is in said closed configuration, said force unlocks said locking means, urging said closures and thereby said flaps away from each other to provide access to said object located within said space.

4. The box according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one closure includes a handle portion.

5. A box according to claim 2, including two hooks spaced apart from each other and adapted to be received in respective apertures on adjacent closures, said closures being located on opposing ends of said box. Peter Lynch Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON