EP0549837B1 - Carton box, blank and machine for its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

- Box in sheet material, such as cardboard (fibreboard) or corrugated cardboard (fibreboard), including square or rectangular lateral faces connected by a folding line, the said folding lines being mutually parallel and the said lateral faces forming a rectangular parallelepiped (pa). - According to the invention, this box is noteworthy in that it includes other lateral faces forming a pyramid (py) coupled via its base to the said parallelepiped. It is obtained from a blank of sheet material including triangular or trapezoidal flaps articulated on rectangular or square flaps. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to boxes of cardboard, corrugated cardboard or similar sheet material, as well as the blanks of such material for the production of said boxes and a machine for producing said boxes from said blanks.

By the patents US-A-4 242 949, DE-A-3 541 821 and FR-A-2 629 012, for example, machines are known by which it is possible to produce a cardboard box or the like by winding 'a blank around a mandrel. In these machines, said mandrel is essentially rectangular parallelepiped, so that the boxes obtained are also rectangular parallelepiped.

Such cases are used to package objects or groups of objects which are introduced therein by the cover which remains open, the closing of said cover being carried out only after introduction of said objects.

It seldom happens, not to say never, that the section of the load constituted by said objects or groups of objects is constant over the entire height of said load and adapts best, along the height of the body in which said load is introduced, in the form of said box, so that at least some projecting corners of said box are empty. As a result, these empty protruding corners of the box, which are exposed to external aggressions, can be easily torn, which is detrimental to the presentation and protection of the packaged products. In addition, the empty corners of the box are a waste of sheet material, since they are unnecessary.

We also know (US-A-2,643,815) a blank according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a blank does not allow mounting around a mandrel.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks. To this end, according to the invention, a blank is proposed according to claim 1. It is also proposed a box obtained with such a blank, according to claim 4.

• on peut adapter au mieux la forme de la caisse à celle de la charge qu'elle doit contenir ;
• on peut supprimer les coins saillants vides et inutiles de la caisse, ce qui permet de réduire les risques de détérioration desdits coins saillants et de faire des économies de matière en feuille.

Thus, thanks to the parallelepipedo-pyramidal shape of the box in accordance with the present invention:

• we can best adapt the shape of the box to that of the load it must contain;
• we can remove the empty and unnecessary projecting corners of the box, which reduces the risk of deterioration of said projecting corners and to save sheet material.

Note that US-A-2,643,815 relates to a box, intended to contain bulk products, comprising trapezoidal flaps connected to each other by triangular gussets intended to form the seal between the trapezoidal flaps when the the bulk product is poured out of the box using the spout formed by the pyramidal part of the box.

The object of US-A-2,643,815 is therefore not, as is the case in the present invention, to adapt to the shape of the objects contained, but on the contrary to serve as a spout.

Furthermore, the gussets, forming an integral part of the flaps, require, during the formation in the box, a specific folding, incompatible with the techniques of industrial production of the boxes.

Preferably, the box according to the invention comprises lateral tabs ensuring sealing along the lateral edges of said pyramid.

Said other lateral faces could be triangular. Advantageously, however, they are given a trapezoidal shape. Thus, one can provide, for said box, a sealing face truncating said pyramid on the side opposite to said parallelepiped.

Advantageously, in order to obtain sealing along the lateral edges of said pyramid, at least some of said second flaps have, along at least one of their inclined edges, a folding triangular tab, connected to said corresponding second flap by a fold line.

Preferably, said second flaps being trapezoidal, the blank comprises a second set of lateral flaps arranged on the side of the small base of said second flaps, connected to these by fourth fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially a sealing face for said box.

• un mandrin, dont la section extérieure correspond à la section intérieure de ladite caisse à obtenir ;
• des moyens pour supporter librement un volet intermédiaire de ladite suite de volets au moins approximativement en regard de la face correspondante dudit mandrin, mais à quelque distance de celle-ci, puis pour rapprocher ledit volet intermédiaire en direction de ladite face correspondante du mandrin, puis presser ledit volet intermédiaire contre ladite face correspondante, après repliement des volets adjacents audit volet intermédiaire jusqu'à ce que lesdits volets adjacents portent contre ledit mandrin ;
• des moyens pour enrouler ladite suite de premier volets autour dudit mandrin ; et
• des moyens pour fixer entre eux les volets extrêmes de ladite suite de premiers volets ainsi enroulée sur ledit mandrin.

In French patent FR-A-2 629 012, a machine is described for the production of a box from a blank of material or sheet comprising a series of first rectangular or square flaps connected to each other by first fold lines parallel to each other and a first set of side flaps arranged on one side of said series of flaps, connected thereto by second fold lines perpendicular to said first fold lines and intended to form at least partially the bottom of said box, said machine comprising:

• a mandrel, the outer section of which corresponds to the inner section of said body to be obtained;
• means for freely supporting an intermediate flap of said series of flaps at least approximately opposite the corresponding face of said mandrel, but at a distance therefrom, then for bringing said intermediate flap towards said corresponding face of the mandrel, then pressing said intermediate flap against said corresponding face, after folding the flaps adjacent to said intermediate flap until said adjacent flaps bear against said mandrel;
• means for winding said series of first flaps around said mandrel; and
• means for fixing between them the end flaps of said series of first flaps thus wound on said mandrel.

Such a machine overcomes the drawbacks inherent in those provided for the production of American boxes. It is therefore advantageous to perfect such a machine for the manufacture of cases according to the invention.

• ledit mandrin présente la forme d'un parallélépipède auquel est accolée, par sa base, une pyramide ;
• lesdits moyens de support, de rapprochement et de pression dudit volet intermédiaire comportent une plaque de pression comprenant deux faces rigidement liées entre elles, la première desdites faces correspondant audit volet intermédiaire et la deuxième à celui desdits seconds volets qui est adjacent audit volet intermédiaire, lesdites première et deuxième faces de la plaque de pression déterminant un dièdre tel que, lorsque ladite première face est appliquée contre la face correspondante de la partie parallélépipèdique du mandrin, ladite seconde face est appliquée contre une face de la partie pyramidale dudit mandrin correspondant audit second volet adjacent, l'arête dudit dièdre étant alors en coïncidence avec l'arête dudit mandrin déterminée par lesdites faces dudit mandrin correspondant respectivement à ladite partie parallélépipèdique et à ladite partie pyramidale ;
• des moyens sont prévus pour appliquer lesdits seconds volets contre une face correspondante de la partie pyramidale dudit mandrin ; et
• des moyens sont prévus pour fixer les uns aux autres lesdits seconds volets ainsi appliqués contre ledit mandrin.

To this end, according to another aspect of the present invention, the machine of the type recalled above is remarkable in that, said blank comprising second triangular or trapezoidal flaps, each of which is connected by its base and of the side opposite to the lateral flaps of said first set, to one of said first flaps along a third fold line perpendicular to said first fold lines:

• said mandrel has the shape of a parallelepiped to which is joined, by its base, a pyramid;
• said support, approximation and pressure means of said intermediate flap comprise a pressure plate comprising two faces rigidly linked together, the first of said faces corresponding to said intermediate flap and the second to that of said second flaps which is adjacent to said intermediate flap, said first and second faces of the pressure plate defining a dihedral such that, when said first face is applied against the corresponding face of the parallelepipedal part of the mandrel, said second face is applied against a face of the pyramidal part of said mandrel corresponding to said second flap adjacent, the edge of said dihedral being then in coincidence with the edge of said mandrel determined by said faces of said mandrel corresponding respectively to said parallelepipedal part and to said pyramidal part;
• means are provided for applying said second flaps against a corresponding face of the pyramidal part of said mandrel; and
• means are provided for fixing to each other said second flaps thus applied against said mandrel.

Thus, a first flap and a second flap of said blank are perfectly positioned relative to the mandrel and held relative to the corresponding faces of the latter during the winding of said blank, so that the box obtained is particularly precise in shape.

In the case where at least some of said second flaps comprise, along at least one of their inclined edges, a folding triangular tab connected to said second corresponding flap by a fold line, it is advantageous that said means for fixing to each other said second flaps comprise means for folding down said triangular tabs and for fixing them to the second flaps which are adjacent to those which carry them.

• des moyens pour relier les rabats dudit second ensemble contre la face d'extrémité de la partie pyramidale dudit mandrin ; et
• des moyens pour fixer les uns aux autres lesdits rabats ainsi repliés.

Furthermore, for a blank in which said second flaps are trapezoidal and which comprises a second set of lateral flaps arranged on the side of the small base of said second flaps, connected to these by fourth fold lines perpendicular to said first fold line and intended to form at least partially a sealing face for said box, the machine according to the invention comprises:

• means for connecting the flaps of said second assembly against the end face of the pyramidal part of said mandrel; and
• means for fixing to each other said flaps thus folded.

Advantageously, said means for winding said series of first flaps around the mandrel comprise a movable assembly comprising tilting arms.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 shows, flat, a blank of sheet material for the manufacture of an exemplary embodiment of a box according to the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 show in perspective the box obtained from the blank of Figure 1, said box being respectively shown open (Figure 2) and closed (Figure 3).

FIG. 4 illustrates, in vertical section, a use of the box of FIGS. 2 and 3.

Figure 5 shows, in perspective, a mandrel and a pressure plate for the production of the box according to the invention.

Figures 6a, 6b, 6c and 7a, 7b, 7c schematically illustrate the process of forming the box of the invention from the blank of Figure 1, Figures 6a, 6b and 6c corresponding to cross sections of the part parallelepiped of the mandrel and Figures 7a, 7b and 7c to longitudinal sections of said mandrel.

Figures 8,11 and 14 are schematic elevational views of a machine for the manufacture of the box of the invention, from the blank of Figure 1, at different stages of this manufacture.

Figures 9,12 and 15 are schematic views from above corresponding respectively to Figures 8,11 and 14.

Figures 10,13 and 16 are partial side views, perpendicular to Figures 8,11 and 14, corresponding respectively to Figures 9,12 and 15.

The blank F of sheet material, for example of cardboard or corrugated cardboard, shown in FIG. 1 comprises a series of four rectangular flaps aligned 1 to 4, two by two connected by preformed and parallel fold lines 5 to 7. Along the free edge of the end flap 4 of said series of flaps is arranged a tongue 8 connected to said end flap 4 by a fold line 9, parallel to the fold lines 5 to 7.

Furthermore, on one side of each flap 1,2,3 and 4 are respectively provided with rectangular flaps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4. Each lateral flap 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 is articulated to the corresponding flap 1,2,3 or 4 by a preformed fold line 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 or 11.4. These fold lines 11.1, 11.2, 11.3 and 11.4 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 5 to 7 and 9. Furthermore, on the side opposite to the flaps 10.1 to 10.4, a trapezoidal flap 12.1 is associated with each flap 1 to 4, 12.2, 12.3 and 12.4. Each flap 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4 is articulated to the corresponding flap 1,2,3,4 by a preformed fold line 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 or 13.4, corresponding to its large base. The fold lines 13.1, 13.2, 13.3 and 13.4 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 5 to 7 and 9.

The rectangular shutters 1 to 4 and the tongue 8 all have the same height h . The two flaps 1 and 3 are identical to each other and have a length L. The two flaps 2 and 4 are identical to each other and have a length l , less than L.

In addition, on the side opposite the flaps 1 to 4, each trapezoidal flap 12.1 to 12.4 is associated with a rectangular flap 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 or 14.4. Each flap 14.1 to 14.4 is articulated to the corresponding flap 12.1 to 12.4 by a preformed fold line 15.1, 15.2, 15.3 or 15.4, corresponding to the small base of said flaps 12.1 to 12.4.

The fold lines 15.1 to 15.4 are aligned and perpendicular to the fold lines 5 to 7 and 9.

Finally, along the two inclined edges of each of the flaps 12.2 and 12.4 are articulated triangular tabs 16, along preformed fold lines 17. The triangular tabs 16 of the flap 12.2 are housed respectively between the latter and the flaps 12.1 and 12.3, while a triangular tongue 16 of the shutter 12.4 and housed between the latter and the shutter 12.3. The other triangular tongue 16 of the flap 12.4 projects outwards, on the side of the tongue 8.

The blank F is intended to form, by winding and securing the flaps 1 to 4 and securing the flaps 12.1 to 12.4 and the flaps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4,14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and 14.4 as described below more in detail with reference to Figures 6 to 16 - the body C shown in Figure 3. The body C has the general appearance of a parallelepiped pa surmounted by a pyramid py . In box C, the large lateral faces of the parallelepiped pa are formed by flaps 1 and 3, while the small lateral faces of the latter are formed by flaps 2 and 4, the flaps 12.1, 12.3 and 12.2, 12.4 respectively forming the large faces and the small faces of the pyramid py . In addition, the bottom of the body C is formed by the flaps 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4, while the cover of said body C is formed by the flaps 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 and 14.4. The tongues 16 are folded against the large faces of the pyramid py and are fixed there, preferably by gluing, to ensure sealing along the lateral edges of said pyramid.

The flaps 10.1 and 10.3 are identical and rectangular. They have a length equal to the length L of flaps 1 and 3. The flaps 10.2 and 10.4 are identical to each other. They have a length equal to the length 1 of the flaps 2 and 4.

In Figure 2, there is shown the box C with its open pyramid, so as to show the relative arrangements of flaps 12.1 to 12.4, flaps 14.1 to 14.4 and the tabs 16. However, as will become apparent from the following, the provision of Figure 2 does not occur during the manufacturing process described below, the box being automatically closed on the side of its pyramid.

In FIG. 4, there is illustrated, in vertical section, an application of the box C to the packaging of bottles B separated by a separation spider S. It can be seen that, thanks to the pyramidal part py of the box c, corresponding to the flaps 12.1 to 12.4, the upper part of the bottles B is joined by the box C. The empty projecting corners 18 (dotted lines) are eliminated and replaced by inclined walls which are not very vulnerable to external aggressions. In addition, at each corner, compared to a known rectangular box, it can be seen that less sheet material is used, the saving for each upper corner being able to amount to approximately 30%.

In FIGS. 8 to 16, a machine is schematically illustrated allowing the manufacture of the body C, with the pyramidal part py closed by the flaps 14.1 to 14.4, but the bottom (formed by the flaps 10.1 to 10.4) open. These figures are, for the sake of clarity, voluntarily partial and simplified and they each include only the elements necessary for understanding the manufacturing phases that they illustrate.

The machine of FIGS. 8 to 16 comprises a mandrel 20 (shown on a larger scale in FIG. 5), the external shape of which corresponds to the internal shape of the box C to be obtained from the blank F. For this purpose, the mandrel 20 comprises a parallelepiped part 21 extended by a pyramidal part 22. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 16, the length of the parallelepiped part 21 of the mandrel 20 may be different from the height h of the side panels of the body C. The mandrel 20 may be solid or only made up of a frame delimiting its edges, as shown in said Figures 6 and 7. In these figures, it has been assumed that said mandrel 20 consisted of profiles 23 (seen in section in FIGS. 6a to 6c and from the front in FIGS. 7a to 7c) defining rectangular lateral support faces 24 to 27 for the flaps 1 to 4 of the blank F, folding edges 28 to 31 corresponding to the folding lines 5 to 9, trapezoidal bearing faces 32 to 35 for the flaps 12.1 to 12.4, junction edges 36 to 39 for the latter and a front bearing face 40 for the flaps 14.1 to 14.4, the contour of said front bearing face 40 forming fold edges corresponding to the fold lines 15.1 to 15.4 of said flaps 14.1 to 14.4.

In FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 7a, 7b, 7c, the process of positioning the blank F relative to the mandrel 20 is illustrated diagrammatically, when it is desired to apply the intermediate flap 3 against the corresponding lower face 24 of the mandrel 20.

By known means, for example those shown in document FR-A-2 629 012, a blank F is brought in the vicinity of the mandrel 20, so that its flap 3 is disposed at least approximately opposite the bearing face. 24. Although the lateral positioning and the longitudinal positioning of said flap 3 relative to said face 24 are sought as precise as possible, it may happen that a lateral shift d1 and a longitudinal shift d2 appear between the flap 3 and the bearing faces 24 and 32 (see Figures 6a and 7a). To avoid untimely folding of the blank F, outside the fold lines 6,7 and 13.3, when the other flaps of the blank F are folded down, it is made sure that, before the folding of said other flaps, the flap 3 is spread of the bearing face 24 (see Figures 6a and 7a). Then, during the drawdown of said flaps 2.1, on the one hand, and of flap 4 and of the tongue 8, on the other hand, flap 3 is brought closer to the bearing face 24 by means of a pressure plate 50 ( see Figure 5), whose profile is concave and which, longitudinally relative to the mandrel 20, has a face 51 superimposed on the rectangular face 24 of said mandrel and a face 52 superimposed on the trapezoidal face 32 of the mandrel 20, the faces 51 and 52 being connected to each other by an edge 53 superimposed on the edge 41 connecting said faces 24 and 32 of said mandrel 20. Thus, during the approximation of the flap 3 of the face 24 (arrow f), the flaps 2.1 on the one hand, and the flap 4 and the tongue 8 on the other hand, are in abutment against the mandrel 20 (see FIG. 6b), which generates a lateral guiding effect and positions the side exactly flap 3 relative to the bearing face 24 (see FIG. 6c). Simultaneously, the trapezoidal faces 32 and 52 exert pressure on the flap 12.3, by folding it around the fold line 13.3 connecting it to the flap 3 and sliding the blank F longitudinally so that this fold line comes to the plumb with edge 41 (see FIG. 7b). When the plate 50 presses the shutter 3 between the bearing face 24 (see FIGS. 6c and 7c), the fold lines 6, 7 and 13.3 are exactly and respectively superimposed on the edges 28, 31 and 41 of the mandrel 20.

Since then the blank F is temporarily made integral with the mandrel 20 by the pressure exerted by the plate 50, the formation of the body C can be continued by winding the flaps 1,2,4 and the tongue 8 around the parallelepipedal part 21 of said mandrel and folding of the flaps 12.1, 12.2 and 12.4 against the trapezoidal faces of the pyramidal part 22 thereof.

Thanks to such a winding and such a folding, the flaps 1,2,4,12.1,12.2 and 12.4 are respectively applied against the faces 26,25,27,34,33 and 35, the tongue 8 being folded down on the face 26 (before or after part 1). It is therefore possible to join respectively, for example by gluing, the tongue 8 and the flap 1, and between them the flaps 12.1 to 12.4, by means of the triangular tongues 16.

Then, the flaps 14.1 to 14.4 are folded around the edges of the front face 40 of the mandrel 20 corresponding respectively to the fold lines 15.1 to 15.4, to come to bear against said front face 40, and they are then secured to each other , for example by gluing. We then obtain the box C shown in Figure 3, fitted on the mandrel 20 and open on the side of the flaps 10.1 to 10.4.

To fill this box C, it is released from the mandrel 20 and it is filled through its open bottom consisting of integral flaps 10.1, to 10.4. After filling, the box C can be closed by folding said flaps 10.1 to 10.4, respectively around the fold lines 11.1 to 11.4, and finally by securing said flaps 10.1 to 10.4, for example by gluing. We then obtain the closed box C shown in FIG. 3.

The operations indicated above can be carried out automatically by means of the machine illustrated diagrammatically and partially in FIGS. 8 to 16. This machine comprises a frame 60 with respect to which the mandrel 20 and the pressure plate 50 are mounted. It furthermore comprises a device (not shown), of any known type, making it possible to remove one by one of the blanks F in a magazine to bring them under the mandrel 20. Glueers 61 to 67, mounted on the frame 60, make it possible to deposit lines of adhesive 68 to 74, respectively on the tongue 8, on the tongues 16 and on the flaps 14.2 and 14.4, during the supply of a blank F under the mandrel 20.

Thus, thanks to the glueers 61 to 67, the blank F is arranged, already glued, under the mandrel 20 in the position shown in FIGS. 6a and 7a, above the pressure plate 50, moved by a jack 75, carried by frame 60.

To wind the flaps 1 to 4 and the tongue 8 around the parallelepipedal part 21 of the mandrel 20, the machine comprises a mechanism comprising a movable element 76 which can be raised or lowered by means of a jack 77, bearing on the frame 60.

The moving element 76 comprises two articulated arms 78 and 79, for example respectively driven by a linkage 80 connected to the frame 60 and by a cam 81 mounted on said frame.

Shareholders 82 to 84, such as jacks for example, are mounted on the frame 60 and can fold down the flaps 12.4, 12.2 and 12.1 and the flaps 14.4, 14.2 and 14.1 respectively. Another actuator 85 can fold the flap 14.3. Pressers 86 and 87, also mounted on the frame 60, are provided for applying the tongue 86 and the flap 1 against the face 26 of the mandrel 20. Other pressers 88 to 91 (mounted on the frame 60) are provided for folding the tongues 16 against the mandrel 20.

A blank F being brought under the mandrel 20 so as to be in the position of FIGS. 6a and 7a (see FIGS. 8 and 9), the jacks 75 and 77 are actuated so that, on the one hand, the pressure plate 50 approaches the mandrel 20 and that, on the other hand, the articulated arms 78 and 79, in response to the rise of the movable assembly 76, fold the flaps 1,2 and 4 of the blank F, respectively arranged on the side and on the other side of the flap 3. The blank F then takes, relative to the mandrel 20, successively the relative positions illustrated by FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c and 7a, 7b, 7c. Then, the rise of the moving assembly 76 continuing, the arms 78 and 79 respectively press the flaps 1,2,4 against the corresponding faces of the mandrel 20 (see FIG. 11).

The actuators 82 to 84 fold the flaps 12.2, 12.1 and 12.4 and the flaps 14.2, 14.1 and 14.4 (Figures 12 and 13), the presser 86 applies the tongue 8 against the face 26 of the mandrel (Figure 11), after which the another presser 87 applies the shutter 1 against the tongue 8 and the face 26 (FIG. 14). Thanks to the lines of adhesive 68, 73 and 74, the flap 1 is therefore secured to the tongue 8 and the flaps 14.1, 14.2 and 14.4 are secured to each other (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

Then, the actuators 85 and 88 to 91 fold the flap 14.3 and the tabs 16, respectively against the front face 40 and the faces 32 and 34 of the mandrel 20 (Figures 15 and 16). Thanks to the lines of adhesive 69 to 72, 73 and 74, the tongues 16 are secured to the flaps 12.1 and 12.3 and the flap 14.3 is secured to the flaps 14.1, 14.2 and 14.4.

Claims (12)

1. Blank of material in sheet form, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, for the production of a box formed by a pyramid (py) or truncated pyramid joined by its base to a parallelepiped, the said blank comprising a set of first rectangular or square panels (1 to 4) connected to each other by first folding lines (5, 6, 7) parallel to each other and a first set of lateral flaps (10.1 to 10.4) located on one side of the said set of panels, connected to the latter by second folding lines (11.1 to 11.4) perpendicular to the said first folding lines and intended to form at least partially the bottom of the said box, and comprising second triangular or trapezoidal panels (12.1 to 12.4), each of which is connected, by its base and on the side opposite the lateral flaps of the said first set, to one of the said first panels (1 to 4) along a third folding line (13.1 to 13.4) perpendicular to the said first folding lines, characterised in that the lateral inclined edges of the said second panels are not connected to each other.
2. Blank according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least some of the said second panels comprise, along at least one of their free inclined edges, a foldable triangular tab (16), connected to the corresponding second panel by a folding line.
3. Blank according to one of Claims 1 or 2, the said second panels being trapezoidal, characterised in that it comprises a second set of lateral flaps (14.1 to 14.4) located on the side of the small base of the said second panels, connected to the latter by fourth folding lines perpendicular to the said first folding lines and intended to form at least partially a face for the closure of the said box.
4. Box of material in sheet form, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, produced from a blank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising square or rectangular lateral faces in pairs connected by a folding line, the said folding lines being parallel to each other and the said lateral faces forming a rectangular parallelepiped (pa), and comprising other lateral faces forming a pyramid (py) or truncated pyramid joined by its base to the said parallelepiped, characterised in that each of the said other faces is formed by a panel having, when in the form of a blank, lateral inclined edges not connected to each other.
5. Box according to Claim 4, characterized in that it comprises lateral tabs (16) providing sealing along the lateral edges of the said pyramid.
6. Box according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the said other lateral faces are triangular.
7. Box according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterised in that the said other lateral faces are trapezoidal.
8. Box according to Claim 7, characterised in that it comprises a face for closure truncating the said pyramid on the side opposite the said parallelepiped.
9. Machine for the production of a box from a blank of material in sheet form comprising a set of first rectangular or square panels connected to each other by first folding lines parallel to each other and a first set of lateral flaps located on one side of the said set of panels and connected to the latter by second folding lines perpendicular to the said first folding lines and intended to form at least partially the bottom of the said box, the said machine comprising:

   - a mandrel (20), whose outer cross-section corresponds to the inner cross-section of the said box to be obtained;

   - means for freely supporting an intermediate panel of the said set of panels at least approximately opposite the corresponding face of the said mandrel, but at some distance from the latter, for then moving the said intermediate panel closer in the direction of the said corresponding face of the mandrel, for then pressing the said intermediate panel against the said corresponding face, after folding the panels adjacent to the said intermediate panel until the said adjacent panels bear against the said mandrel;

   - means (76 to 81) for winding the said set of first panels around the said mandrel; and

   - means for fixing to each other the extreme panels of the said set of first panels thus wound round the said mandrel,

   characterised in that, the said blank comprising the second triangular or trapezoidal panels (12.1 to 12.4), each of which is connected, by its base and on the side opposite the lateral flaps (10.1 to 10.4) of the said first set, to one of the said first panels (1 to 4) along a third folding line perpendicular to the said first folding lines and the lateral inclined edges of the said second panels not being connected to each other:

   - the said mandrel has the shape of a parallelepiped (21) to which is joined, by its base, a pyramid (22);

   - the said means for supporting the said intermediate panel, for moving it closer and for pressing it comprise a pressure plate (50) having two faces (51 and 52) connected rigidly to each other, the first of the said faces corresponding to the said intermediate panel and the second to whichever of the said second panels is adjacent to the said intermediate panel, the said first and second faces of the pressure plate determining a dihedron such that, when the said first face is pressed against the corresponding face of the parallelepiped-shaped part of the mandrel, the said second face is pressed against a face of the pyramidal part of the said mandrel corresponding to the said adjacent second panel, the edge (53) of the said dihedron then coinciding with the edge of the said mandrel determined by the said faces of the said mandrel corresponding respectively to the said parallelepiped-shaped part and the said pyramidal part;

   - means (82 to 84) are provided for pressing the said second panels against a corresponding face of the pyramidal part of the said mandrel; and

   - means are provided for fixing to each other the said second panels pressed in this way against the said mandrel.
10. Machine according to Claim 9, for a blank in which at least some of the said second panels comprise, along at least one of their free inclined edges, a foldable triangular tab (16) connected to the said corresponding second panel by a folding line,
    characterised in that the said means for fixing to each other the said second panels comprise means (88 to 91) for folding the said triangular tabs and for fixing them to the second panels which are adjacent to those carrying them.
11. Machine according to one of Claims 9 or 10, for a blank in which the said second panels are trapezoidal and which comprises a second set of lateral flaps located on the side of the small base of the said second panels, connected to the latter by fourth folding lines perpendicular to the said first folding lines and intended to form at least partially a face for the closure of the said box,
    characterised in that it comprises:

    - means (82 to 85) for folding the flaps of the said second set against the face at the end (40) of the pyramidal part of the said mandrel; and

    - means for fixing to each other the said flaps folded in this way.
12. Machine according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterised in that the said means for winding the said set of first panels around the mandrel comprises a mobile piece of equipment (76) with tilting arms (78, 79).

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