EP0919484A1 - Collapsible packaging box for transporting and storing of various products - Google Patents

Abstract

The box consists of a base and detachable side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) which form a surround and are hinged so they can be folded flat on the base. The bottom of the box is made from a series of hinged panels deployable so that they press the end walls (5, 6) against stops (17) on the base in the form of angle brackets. The upper end of each stop has a tongue (18) to engage with a slot (19) in an end wall, each end wall having a central hinge (9, 10) for folding. The bottom of the box is fixed to or forms part of a pallet.

Description

The present invention relates to a folding packaging case for the transport and storage of various goods.

It will find its application in the field of packaging and transport. Indeed, in these sectors of activity, it is more and more common to employ packaging or cases that can be used repeatedly. As a result, we also realize more often containers or crates of reusable rigid material such as wood. In addition, these cases or containers must, when empty, occupy the most space limited possible. There is therefore a need for boxes or containers which are reusable and foldable repeatedly.

The folding packaging case according to the invention is part of this scope although it can also constitute a single-use case.

Currently known collapsible containers which are generally consisting of six panels: a bottom, a cover and four side panels.

Folding these containers is often tricky and it is difficult to find a compromise between ease of folding and quality of shaping of the container.

We know for example collapsible containers whose panels side are hinged on the bottom. The container is therefore folded over the surface of the bottom and all of the components of the container are integral.

This type of container has various drawbacks and in particular requires relatively heavy manufacturing. Indeed, this type of container requires assemble all the constituent elements and generally to provide on the bottom a double articulation to facilitate folding.

All of these manufacturing requirements increase the cost price current containers.

Another disadvantage of the containers currently used is that their stability and the quality of their formatting is not optimal.

Thus, the side panels of the containers are often maintained only at the bottom level by very limited means. As a result, it is frequent that the containers are susceptible to deformation or relative play between their constituent elements when mounted.

Obviously, these drawbacks are damaging for the quality of the container and for its mechanical strength.

In addition, the current containers are usually one together. This has the disadvantage of not being able to replace in a practical way and one of the components of the container. For example, replacing the cover or bottom requires disassembly and reattachment operations.

As a result, the costs of maintaining and repairing the containers are important.

The present invention relates to a folding packaging case which in particular aims to overcome the various disadvantages of current containers.

One of the main aims of the invention is to produce a cash register folding packaging.

It has the advantage of having a box with joints or mounting means that allow quick and convenient assembly so that constitute the fund. It also has the advantage of allowing folding and unfolding carried out repeatedly without affecting the quality of the body.

Another object of the invention is to ensure optimal cohesion between the constituent elements of the body.

The invention therefore presents means for adjusting and fixing the constituent elements which make it possible to ensure a good joining of these elements. These means also make it possible to ensure optimal squaring of the body when the latter East in the mounted position.

This good formatting quality is first of all beneficial from the point view of the presentation of the cash register but also makes it possible to strengthen the mechanical strength characteristics of the packaging thus formed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible box, the size is very small when folded.

This case has the advantage of having constituent elements all of which can be folded down completely on the base surface of the body.

Consequently, the volume occupied by the box when it is folded is very reduced, which allows empty transport in an efficient manner.

Another object of the invention is to ensure the maintenance of the elements constituting the box when it is folded. This point is particularly important since it provides practical transport when the box is folded in ensuring that the components of the box will be maintained during transport.

Other objects and advantages will emerge during the description which follows. to follow which is however given only as an indication.

The present invention relates to a folding packaging case for the transport and storage of general merchandise, comprising at least one base and four articulated side panels forming a belt, characterized in that it has a bottom in several articulated sections which can be folded down on the base to cooperate with belt locking means, for the production of a box foldable with good cohesion and whose assembly and disassembly is carried out practical way.

• la figure 1 présentant la caisse selon l'invention en cours de repliage,
• la figure 2 illustrant un exemple de montage de l'invention,
• la figure 3 présentant un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 4 illustrant plus précisément un mode de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the drawing boards located in the annex which include the following figures:

• FIG. 1 showing the box according to the invention during folding,
• FIG. 2 illustrating an example of assembly of the invention,
• FIG. 3 showing another embodiment of the invention,
• Figure 4 illustrating more precisely an embodiment of the invention.

The invention relates to a folding box (1) for packaging. This box can be used for the transport and storage of various goods. For example, these goods will consist of parts or elements mechanical for transporting automobile parts. We can also transport everything type of products such as bulk goods.

The box (1) according to the invention firstly comprises a base (2) and four articulated side panels (3, 4, 5, 6) forming a belt (7).

The base (2) constitutes the seat of the body (1) and will be able to receive on its surface all the other components of the body (1).

Most generally, the box (1) will be of rectangular shape. rectangle and therefore, the base (2) will be substantially rectangular.

It will for example be formed by a rectangular wooden or other materials.

Its thickness and external dimensions will of course be a function of the body to be produced and the mechanical strength required.

The sides of the body (1) consist of four side panels (3, 4, 5, 6). These panels can also be made of various materials and particularly wooden.

We will generally form rectangular panels either identical dimensions to constitute a box (1) of square section or dimensions different to constitute a box (1) of rectangular section.

Figure 2 illustrates for example the formation of side panels (3, 4, 5, 6) comprising two large panels (3, 4) and two small panels (5, 6). The great panels (3, 4) will have a length greater than that of the small panels; the signs of the same dimension being placed in opposite directions, as illustrated by the different figures drawing boards.

The side panels (3, 4, 5, 6) are hinged together so as to form a belt (7). Figure 3 shows an example of articulation of the panels (3, 4, 5, 6).

The belt (7) will be shaped by corner joints (8) for securing the side panels (3, 4, 5 and 6). The joints (8) will be by example of flexible textile bands which can be glued to the edge of the panels lateral (3, 4, 5, 6).

In a first embodiment, the four corners of the body have joints (8) and the folding of the belt (7) is carried out by central joints (9, 10).

These central joints (9, 10) are notably illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. They will be formed on the surface of two opposite side panels and such that illustrated in Figure 3, vertically substantially in the center of two side panels opposites. The central articulations (9, 10) allow the folding of the belt (7) such that illustrated in Figure 1.

According to another embodiment, the box does not include central articulation (9, 10) but only three corner joints (8) are formed. Of this way, the belt can be laid flat and folded by stacking the side panels (3, 4, 5, 6).

In the folded position, the panels (3, 4, 5, 6) will substantially cover the base surface (2). Consequently, their dimensions and in particular their height and their length will be chosen to suit the dimensions of the base (2).

The box (1) also comprises a bottom (11) in several sections (12, 13 and 14) articulated. The bottom (11) participates in the shaping of the body (1) and in the joining of the various constituent elements.

The bottom (11) comprises articulated sections (12, 13, 14) as illustrated in figure 2.

According to a preferred embodiment, one of the panels (12) is integral of the base (2). This joining can be carried out by any means such as screwing or a nailing.

The other panels (13, 14) can be folded down on the base (2).

The sides (12, 13, 14) are articulated, for example by means of bands flexible in textile or by means of hinges.

When folded down, the flaps (13, 14) form a support on the inner periphery of the belt (7).

The bottom (11) can be made of different materials and in particular of wood. Its shapes and dimensions will be adapted to be able to form a support on the periphery of the belt (7). Preferably, the dimensions of the bottom will be chosen so that the overall surface of the bottom can fit into that of the belt (7). Consequently, a bottom will generally be formed, the dimensions of which are substantially more reduced than the section of the belt (7) by a value substantially equivalent to the thickness of the side panels (3, 4, 5, 6) constituting the belt (7).

The box (1) according to the invention also comprises means for locking (15) of the belt (7).

The locking means (15) participate in the assembly of the body (1) and cooperate with the bottom (11).

In a particular embodiment, the blocking means are constituted by one or more brackets (15) integral with the base and able to block the belt (7) by its external walls.

According to this embodiment, squares are formed for example by metallic material having a part capable of being placed on the surface of the base (2) to be fixed there. This fixing can be done by screwing or nailing or by any other common means.

The bracket (15) also includes a substantially oriented upright (17) along the support plane of the side panels (3, 4, 5, 6). The amount ensures a reaction to any thrust applied from the inside of the body to the outside.

The brackets (15) also include a tongue (18) capable of to be introduced during assembly of the body in a slot (19) formed on the belt (7).

As illustrated in Figure 3, the bracket (15) indeed has a tongue (18) oriented towards the internal surface of the base (2). In parallel, a slot (19) is formed on the belt (7) corresponding to the tongue (18). This slot (19) has dimensions and position adapted to the introduction of the tongue (18).

In one embodiment, the box (1) has two brackets (15), each fixed substantially opposite the central articulation (9, 10) of two panels opposite sides (5, 6). These two panels (5, 6) have a cooperating slot (19) with the tongue (18) of the brackets (15).

According to another embodiment, the brackets (15) are positioned at the four corners of the base (2) of the body (1). According to this configuration, the brackets (15) cooperate with slots (19) formed at the corners of the belt (7).

The fixing assembly produced by the tongue (18) and the slot (19) reinforces the joining of the constituent elements of the body (1) and in particular allows good cohesion of the body when it is subjected to vertical stresses.

In another embodiment of the invention, the box (1) comprises stops (20) arranged on the periphery of the base (2).

The stops (20) form a support on the belt (7) which is additional to that of the brackets (15).

An embodiment of the stops (20) is illustrated in Figure 4. Next this example, the stops are placed substantially equivalent to the brackets (15), that is to say by screwing or nailing on the base (2). These stops (20) include also an amount to which one of the side panels (3, 4, 5, 6).

As illustrated in Figure 3, we can for example form a stop in opposite the two side panels (3, 4) to complete the action of the brackets (15) placed opposite the side panels (5, 6).

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a space is provided between the stop (20) and the bottom edge (11). In this way, the thickness of the panel (3, 4, 5, 6) can be entered in this space.

In a particular embodiment, the bottom (11) has at the level of its foldable sides (13, 14), a clearance (22) as illustrated in Figure 4. This clearance may be useful during the shaping of the body (1) so as to allow a gripping terminal for the folding sides (13, 14).

Of course, the box (1) according to the invention may include a cover (23) as illustrated in FIG. 1. The cover (23) may be positioned in the folded position, on the base surface (2). This base (2) can be secured to the surface of a pallet or else be formed by the upper face of the pallet. According to this configuration, the body (1) is easily handled or transportable by any common means such as a forklift. The attached drawing sheets show this form of production.

The body (1) described here has good cohesion and ensures mounting and disassembly being carried out in a practical manner.

In the folded position, all of the components of the body (1) are positioned on the base (2) as illustrated in Figure 1.

We can thus stack successively the bottom (11) folded or not, the belt (7) and the cover (23).

As shown in Figure 1, this folding takes place on the surface of the base (2) and thus limits the size and facilitates the handling of the body (1).

The elements folded in this way are kept in position by the brackets (15) and on the other hand by the stops (20). These provide lateral support for constituent elements of the folded box (1).

The body (1) is assembled very quickly and conveniently.

Initially, the cover is released from the other elements components of the body (1). It is then possible to mount the belt (7) by simple deployment of these panels (3, 4, 5, 6).

During this deployment, the flaps (13, 14) are not folded down, such as illustrated in Figure 3.

The deployment of the belt (7) is carried out above the surface of the base (2) as also shown in Figure 3.

At the end of deployment, the tabs (18) are inserted into the slots (19) as shown in Figure 2.

This positioning of the tabs is particularly practical and rapid when the side panels (5, 6) include central joints (9, 10).

In order to cooperate with the locking means (15), it is then possible to fold down the sides (13, 14) of the bottom (11).

As shown in Figure 2, the flaps (13 and 14) are folded down so that lean on the inner periphery of the belt (7). So we double press on the one hand by the interior of the belt (7) by means of the bottom (11) and on the other hand by the outside by means of the brackets (15) and possibly the stops (20).

If necessary, the cover (23) can be positioned on the body. he will generally have a rim on its periphery in order to cooperate with the periphery upper belt (7).

The formed body is thus securely mounted by blocking means effective of its constituent elements. Furthermore, the presence of a belt (7) resting on the bottom and on the blocking means ensures squaring and shaping of very good quality.

Claims (10)

Foldable packaging box (1) for transport and storage general merchandise, comprising at least one base (2) and four side panels (3, 4, 5, 6) articulated forming a belt (7), characterized in that it comprises a bottom (11) in several sections (12, 13, 14) articulated capable of being folded down on the base (2) to cooperate with locking means (15) of the belt (7), for the production of a collapsible body (1) with good cohesion and whose assembly and disassembly are practical. Collapsible packaging case (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the flaps (12, 13, 14) of the bottom (11), when they are folded down, form a support on the inner periphery of the belt (7). Foldable packaging case (1) according to one of the claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the locking means (15) consist of one or more several brackets (15) integral with the base (2) and capable of locking the belt (7) by its external walls. Collapsible packaging box (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the brackets (15) include an upright (17) to form a support on the side panels (5, 6) and a tongue (18) capable of being inserted during mounting the body (1) in a slot (19) formed on the belt (7), to secure the base (2) and the belt (7). Foldable packaging case (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that two opposite side panels (5, 6) of the belt (7) comprise a central articulation (9, 10) for folding the belt (7). Collapsible packaging box (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that it has two brackets (15), each fixed substantially in look of the central articulation (9, 10) of the two opposite side panels (5, 6) and that said opposite panels (5, 6) have a slot (19) cooperating with the tongue (18) brackets (15). Foldable packaging case (1) according to one of the claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the brackets (15) are positioned at the four corners of the base (2) of the body (1). Foldable packaging case (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that stops (20) are arranged on the periphery of the base (2) to form a support on the belt (7) additional to that of the brackets (15), in order to strengthen the quality of the body shape (1). Foldable packaging case (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the base (2) is fixed or is formed by the upper face a pallet, to allow the palletization of the box (1). Foldable packaging case (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bottom (11) comprises a panel (12) integral with the base (2); the other sections (13, 14) being capable of being folded down substantially over the entire surface of the base (2) inscribed in the interior of the box (1).

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