EP1136368B1 - Package blank made of carton or the same, to make a package body having a tamper-evident closure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a blank intended to be transported from a place of production to a place of use where it is stored more or less long before being used, that is to say put in volume and then closed after have received items to pack. It is therefore a blank intended to be used by a nonprofessional user of the packaging, folded, filled and closed by hand for a unitary use, as and when the needs met by individuals or by individuals. employees in stores, post offices or courier companies, etc.

Therefore, the problem solved by the invention is not that of mechanical conditioning, in factories or workshops where packaging operations are carried out on the chain, on automatic multi-station machines, connected by transfer devices such as continuous conveyors, because the blanks used are designed for automatic processing from the picking one by one from a pile, until closing with glue immediate setting, after setting volume in shapers, filling and grouping for the introduction of a plurality of full and closed containers on handling pallets or in cardboard boxes.

It follows from these circumstances that there can be no equivalence between glue and long-acting adhesive, for example, or between walls to be held by mechanical parts in a temporary position and the elements of a blank that must fold easily and stay in place when the blank is handled with both hands of a private person.

The aforementioned mechanical processing containers are described in particular in US Pat. No. 2,464,065, US Pat. No. 2,995,290 and US Pat. No. 4,826,074.

There are multiple different structures for hand making containers in volume from a prefabricated blank, itself from a blank cardboard or the like.

Depending on the case, the finished container has a fixed volume, invariable, or on the contrary has an adjustable perimeter through which the volume of the container adapts to that of the items to be packaged. In the first case it is a box and in the second case it is an envelope or case.

Whatever the case, the closure of the container is a problem to be solved all the more difficult as it seeks more simultaneous qualities: simplicity of setting volume of the container from the blank, robustness, inviolability, reasonable price, ease employment, etc.

In the factory, the mechanical closure of a folded container is obtained by means reported, outside the container itself: glue, tape, strip and other links, heat-sealable plastic sheet and the like.

However, the solution that is by far the best for a manual closure is to integrate the closure means to the cardboard structure itself and thus is known different variants of tab systems and slots but despite many improvements over the years, tongue and groove systems do not work by themselves and never constitute an inviolable closure.

We can mention the solution described in US Pat. No. 5,503,325, which consists in using external closure means, namely adhesive tapes, and in applying them in advance, according to segments of given length, to a blank of cardboard. leaving a fraction of this free length to be detached from the blank and then folded on an adjacent portion of the container by volume.

This solution is very difficult to apply because the locations of the adhesive tapes are imperative for these adhesive tapes to perform their function while they are incompatible with the mass production means cardboard blanks.

It is necessary, then to envisage one or more operations in return of work, with specific machines, which leads to such industrial complications that the cost prices are unacceptable in most cases, especially as the results obtained for the end user are not decisive for him to accept a sensitive price supplement.

Numerous variants are also known according to which a long-acting adhesive is applied once and for all to certain areas of a blank, in order to ensure the closure of the container because it alone guarantees the inviolability of the closure, this inviolability being characterized not by an infinite resistance to any aggression, which is impossible particularly in the field of corrugated articles, but by the fact that any action to extract fraudulently at least part of the content, or to to introduce after closure any object, be it very flat like a letter in its envelope, is revealed to the immediate and direct observation, because any attack is externally apparent.

But for these containers to be obtained economically, by industrial means, it is necessary that the adhesive is applied in a simple manner, preferably in a single line and in the "machine direction", that is to say parallel to the direction in which the cardboard blank is moved before or during the manufacture of the blank.

In order for the closure of the container to be truly tamper-proof, the elements not directly joined by the adhesive must be designed so as to leave no slot and have no weakness, for example, signs that may be fraudulently extracted by the adhesive. unfolding and reinserted by sliding after clearing a passage between the inside and the outside.

This is why such containers come from blanks having panels, walls, legs and other elements holding each other, which makes it more difficult folding the blank for the volume of the container, the establishment of objects to pack, then close. In addition, this requires a larger carton area and / or additional shaping, all of which result in high production costs.

But, here again, we perceive certain disadvantages because if we look for the minimum adhesive, the closure of the container is imperfect and if we require a perfect closure, we must accept the presence of several areas with ribbons. non-parallel adhesive, which leads to the previous solution, namely a manufacturing complication and an increase in cost, not to mention the handling difficulties for the end user.

The present invention deviates from known solutions and makes it possible to produce blanks that can be very simple and very economical, or more or less elaborate according to the models chosen, because their manufacture can be limited to cuts and creases, creating during their folding in volume of the independent walls, not joined to each other.

Containers made by volume folding a blank according to the invention are therefore more or less complex and advanced but still have a simple and tamper-proof closure.

To this end, the invention relates to a blank made of cardboard or similar material, having the features included in claim 1.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un contenant mis en volume à partir d'un flan conforme à l'invention, le contenant étant représenté au moment de sa fermeture.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective du contenant de la figure 1, après fermeture.
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique en plan du contenant, dans la même situation que sur la figure 1.
• La figure 4 est une vue schématique en plan du contenant, dans la même situation que sur la figure 2.
• La figure 5 est une vue schématique d'un flan conforme à l'invention, permettant de réaliser le contenant des figures 1 à 4.
• La figure 6 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 5 après un début de mise en volume par pliage et constituant la préparation d'un contenant.
• La figure 7 est une vue schématique d'un flan conforme à l'invention, selon un mode de réalisation différent de celui des figures 1 à 6.
• La figure 8 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 7 après un début de mise en volume par pliage et constituant la préparation d'un contenant.
• La figure 9 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 8, après redressement de sa partie inférieure, le contenant étant en situation de recevoir des objets à emballer.
• La figure 10 est une vue schématique en perspective du contenant rempli, prêt pour sa fermeture.
• La figure 11 est une vue schématique du contenant terminé, rempli et fermé, tel qu'il se présente pour son expédition.
• La figure 12 est une vue schématique d'un flan conforme à l'invention, selon un mode de réalisation différent de celui des figures 1 à 6 et 7 à 11.
• La figure 13 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 12 après un début de mise en volume par pliage et constituant la préparation d'un contenant.
• La figure 14 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 13, après redressement d'un panneau de blocage assurant la stabilité de la partie inférieure du contenant, celui-ci étant en situation de recevoir des objets à emballer.
• La figure 15 est une vue schématique du contenant terminé, rempli et fermé, tel qu'il se présente pour son expédition.
• Les figures 16 à 19 sont des vues schématiques d'un flan conforme à l'invention, selon un mode de réalisation équivalent à celui des figures12 à 15 et avec lequel on prévoit deux lignes parallèles d'adhésif à effet prolongé recouvert d'un ruban de protection sur les éléments devant constituer un couvercle du contenant, ce qui permet une fermeture améliorée.
• La figure 20 est une vue en plan d'un flan conforme à l'invention analogue à celui des figures 16 à 19, l'adhésif à effet prolongé et son ruban de protection s'étendant ici sur le couvercle et sur le corps du contenant.
• Les figures 21 et 22 sont des vues schématiques montrant la constitution d'un contenant à partir du flan de la figure 20, selon deux variantes différentes.
• La figure 23 est une vue schématique du contenant en cours de fermeture, obtenu avec l'une ou l'autre des deux variantes des figures 21 et 22.
• Les figures 24 et 25 sont des vues schématiques du contenant fermé respectivement selon la variante de la figure 21 et selon la variante de la figure 22, et prêt à l'expédition.
• La figure 26 est une vue en plan d'un flan conforme à l'invention analogue à celui des figures 20 à 25, l'adhésif à effet prolongé et son ruban de protection s'étendant ici sur le couvercle et sur une partie seulement du corps du contenant.
• La figure 27 est une vue schématique montrant le corps du contenant monté, avant fermeture, obtenu avec le flan de la figure 26
• La figure 28 est une vue du contenant de la figure 27 en cours de fermeture.
• La figure 29 est une vue schématique du contenant fermé, prêt à l'expédition.
• La figure 30 est une vue schématique d'une ébauche découpée et rainée conformément à l'invention.
• La figure 31 est une vue schématique d'un flan conforme à l'invention, après pliage et collage de certains éléments de l'ébauche de la figure 30.
• La figure 32 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 31, après redressement partiel, en vue de constituer un contenant.
• La figure 33 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 32, constituant un contenant apte à recevoir des objets à emballer, et prêt pour sa fermeture.
• La figure 34 est une vue schématique du contenant terminé, rempli et fermé, tel qu'il se présente pour son expédition.
• Les figures 35 à 39 sont des vues analogues à celles de figures 30 à 34 mais illustrant un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention selon lequel le flan présente des rebords extérieurs de protection.
• La figure 40 est une vue schématique d'un flan conforme à l'invention selon un autre mode de réalisation.
• La figure 41 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 40 après redressement et solidarisation de certains de ses éléments, pour former un corps de contenant stable apte à recevoir des objets à emballer.
• La figure 42 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 41 en cours de fermeture.
• La figure 43 est une vue schématique du contenant terminé, rempli et fermé, tel qu'il se présente pour son expédition.
• La figure 44 est une vue schématique d'un flan conforme à l'invention, selon un autre mode de réalisation.
• La figure 45 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 44 après redressement et solidarisation de certains de ses éléments, pour former un corps de contenant stable apte à recevoir des objets à emballer.
• La figure 46 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 45 en cours de fermeture
• La figure 47 est une vue schématique du contenant terminé, rempli et fermé, tel qu'il se présente pour son expédition.
• La figure 48 est une vue schématique d'une ébauche conforme à l'invention et possédant les éléments voulus pour qu'après leur assemblage, ils constituent ensemble un fond automatique de contenant.
• La figure 49 est une vue schématique du flan obtenu à partir de l'ébauche de la figure 48, après assemblage des éléments constituant le fond automatique et après pliage et solidarisation de ses panneaux extrêmes pour former un parallélogramme déformable, le flan se présentant alors à plat, selon une double épaisseur, après pliage selon deux lignes opposées en diagonale du parallélogramme.
• La figure 50 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan de la figure 49 légèrement déployé, c'est-à-dire dans une position intermédiaire entre sa présentation à plat de la figure 49 et sa position finale de contenant parallélépipédique des figures 52 et 53.
• La figure 51 est une vue schématique en coupe faite selon la ligne LI - LI de la figure 50, montrant le périmètre fermé sur lui-même du flan de la figure 50, en position intermédiaire.
• La figure 52 est une vue schématique en perspective du flan des figures 49 à 51 après dépliage et alors mis en volume selon un parallélépipède, avant mise en place des objets à emballer et fermeture complète.
• La figure 53 est une vue schématique du contenant terminé, rempli et fermé, tel qu'il se présente pour son expédition.
• La figure 54 est une vue schématique d'une ébauche conforme à l'invention destinée à constituer un flan qui, après mise en volume, doit former un contenant du type connu sous le nom de « caisse américaine » et possédant les éléments voulus pour que le contenant puisse être entièrement monté, maintenu en volume et fermé sans organes extérieurs tels que colle, agrafes ou feuillard de cerclage.
• La figure 55 est une vue schématique du flan obtenu à partir de l'ébauche de la figure 54, après pliage et solidarisation de ses panneaux extrêmes pour former un parallélogramme déformable, le flan se présentant alors à plat, selon une double épaisseur, après pliage selon deux lignes opposées en diagonale du parallélogramme.
• Les figures 56 et 57 sont des vues schématiques montrant deux étapes du montage en volume du flan de la figure 55.
• Les figures 58 et 59 sont des vues schématiques du contenant terminé, respectivement de chant et à plat.
• La figure 60 est une vue schématique d'une ébauche conforme à l'invention destinée à constituer un flan qui, après mise en volume, doit former un contenant du type connu sous le nom de « caisse américaine » et possédant un fond de type banal, la hauteur du contenant étant ajustable en fonction du contenu.
• La figure 61 est une vue schématique d'une caisse américaine obtenue à partir d'un flan non représenté mais analogue à celui de la figure 55, lui-même issu de l'ébauche de la figure 50, dont le fond est fermé et qui est en cours de fermeture à une hauteur inférieure à son maximum.
• Les figures 62 et 63 sont des vues schématiques de deux caisses américaines obtenues à partir de deux flans de mêmes dimensions, identiques à celui provenant de l'ébauche de

Other features of the invention will appear in the detailed description hereinafter made with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of indicative and nonlimiting example.

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container set volume from a blank according to the invention, the container being shown at the time of its closure.
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the container of Figure 1, after closure.
• Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the container, in the same situation as in Figure 1.
• Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the container, in the same situation as in Figure 2.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, making it possible to produce the container of FIGS. 1 to 4.
• FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 5 after a beginning of volume folding and constituting the preparation of a container.
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, according to an embodiment different from that of FIGS. 1 to 6.
• Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 7 after a start of volume folding and constituting the preparation of a container.
• Figure 9 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 8, after recovery of its lower part, the container being in a position to receive objects to be packaged.
• Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of the filled container ready for closure.
• Figure 11 is a schematic view of the finished container, filled and closed, as it stands for its shipment.
• Figure 12 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, according to an embodiment different from that of Figures 1 to 6 and 7 to 11.
• Figure 13 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 12 after a start of volume folding and constituting the preparation of a container.
• Figure 14 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 13, after recovery of a locking panel ensuring the stability of the lower part of the container, the latter being in a position to receive objects to be packaged.
• Figure 15 is a schematic view of the container completed, filled and closed, as it stands for its shipment.
• Figures 16 to 19 are schematic views of a blank according to the invention, according to an embodiment equivalent to that of Figures 12 to 15 and with which there are two parallel lines of long-acting adhesive covered with a ribbon protection on the elements to constitute a lid of the container, which allows an improved closure.
• FIG. 20 is a plan view of a blank according to the invention similar to that of FIGS. 16 to 19, the long-acting adhesive and its protective tape extending here on the lid and on the body of the container .
• Figures 21 and 22 are schematic views showing the constitution of a container from the blank of Figure 20, according to two different variants.
• FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the container being closed, obtained with one or the other of the two variants of FIGS. 21 and 22.
• Figures 24 and 25 are schematic views of the closed container respectively according to the variant of Figure 21 and according to the variant of Figure 22, and ready for shipment.
• FIG. 26 is a plan view of a blank according to the invention similar to that of FIGS. 20 to 25, the long-acting adhesive and its protective tape extending here on the cover and on only a portion of the body of the container.
• Figure 27 is a schematic view showing the body of the container mounted, before closing, obtained with the blank of Figure 26
• Figure 28 is a view of the container of Figure 27 being closed.
• Figure 29 is a schematic view of the closed container, ready for shipment.
• Figure 30 is a schematic view of a blank cut and grooved according to the invention.
• FIG. 31 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, after folding and gluing of certain elements of the blank of FIG. 30.
• Figure 32 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 31, after partial recovery, to form a container.
• Figure 33 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 32, constituting a container adapted to receive objects to be packaged, and ready for its closure.
• Figure 34 is a schematic view of the finished container, filled and closed, as it stands for its shipment.
• Figures 35 to 39 are views similar to those of Figures 30 to 34 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention according to which the blank has outer edges of protection.
• Figure 40 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention according to another embodiment.
• Figure 41 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 40 after straightening and securing some of its elements to form a stable container body adapted to receive objects to be packaged.
• Figure 42 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 41 being closed.
• Figure 43 is a schematic view of the container completed, filled and closed, as it stands for its shipment.
• Figure 44 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, according to another embodiment.
• Figure 45 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figure 44 after straightening and securing some of its elements to form a stable container body adapted to receive objects to be packaged.
• FIG. 46 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 45 being closed
• Figure 47 is a schematic view of the container completed, filled and closed, as it stands for its shipment.
• Figure 48 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention and having the desired elements so that after assembly, they together constitute an automatic container bottom.
• FIG. 49 is a schematic view of the blank obtained from the blank of FIG. 48, after assembly of the elements constituting the automatic bottom and after folding and joining of its end panels to form a deformable parallelogram, the blank then presenting itself flat, according to a double thickness, after folding along two diagonally opposite lines of the parallelogram.
• FIG. 50 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 49 slightly deployed, that is to say in an intermediate position between its flat layout of FIG. 49 and its final parallelepipedic container position of FIGS. .
• Figure 51 is a schematic sectional view taken along line LI - LI of Figure 50, showing the perimeter closed on itself of the blank of Figure 50, in the intermediate position.
• Figure 52 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of Figures 49 to 51 after unfolding and then placed in volume according to a parallelepiped, before placing the objects to be packaged and closed completely.
• Figure 53 is a schematic view of the container completed, filled and closed, as it stands for its shipment.
• FIG. 54 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention intended to constitute a blank which, after putting in volume, must form a container of the type known under the name of "American box" and possessing the elements required for the container can be fully assembled, kept in volume and closed without external components such as glue, staples or strapping.
• FIG. 55 is a schematic view of the blank obtained from the blank of FIG. 54, after folding and securing of its end panels to form a deformable parallelogram, the blank then presenting itself flat, in a double thickness, after folding along two diagonally opposite lines of the parallelogram.
• Figures 56 and 57 are schematic views showing two stages of volume mounting of the blank of Figure 55.
• Figures 58 and 59 are schematic views of the finished container, respectively singing and flat.
• FIG. 60 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention intended to constitute a blank which, after putting in volume, must form a container of the type known under the name of "American box" and having a base of ordinary type , the height of the container being adjustable depending on the content.
• FIG. 61 is a schematic view of an American box obtained from a blank not shown but similar to that of FIG. 55, itself derived from the blank of FIG. 50, the bottom of which is closed and which is being closed at a height below its maximum.
• Figures 62 and 63 are schematic views of two American boxes obtained from two blanks of the same dimensions, identical to that from the draft of

Figure 60, and presenting respectively the maximum height and the minimum height possible for the same format of the initial blank.

The blank according to the invention allows by volume folding to form a container adapted to receive objects to be packaged and which carries its own tamper-proof closure means.

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the general principle of the invention when a cut and grooved corrugated cardboard blank (and possibly printed) has been folded to constitute in volume a container body 1 and a closure panel 2.

The body 1 can be of different types, as described a few examples below, and in Figure 1 it is deliberately shown a body 1 without any detail, thereby showing that the body 1 can be any, except that it must have a bottom, or base 3, two transverse walls, only one of which is visible, and two side walls 5 and 6 adjacent to the transverse wall 4.

It must be understood that it is considered here that if the body can be any, except that it must have a background, implies that the bottom itself may be any, as appears later in the present description.

The closure panel 2 is secured to a strip 7 on either side of which there are two tabs 8 and 9 holding the strip 7 by fold lines 10 and 11.

The inner face of the strip 7 and the tabs 8 and 9 carries a wide line of adhesive 12 shown in dashed lines.

After the body 1 has been made to volume, the closing panel 2 is folded down, then the strip 3 is applied against the outside face of the transverse wall 4 and the tabs 8 and 9 are folded onto the outer face of the lateral walls respectively. 5 and 6, the adhesive 12 joining in one line the three adjacent walls 5, 4 and 6 and thus making the container tamper-proof, except by tearing or tearing, which would be immediately visible and reveal fraud. An accidental opening is excluded.

To complete the inviolability and strengthen the side walls 5 and 6, the tabs 8 and 9 may be longer than those shown and, in particular, have the same surface as the walls 5 and 6 themselves that they completely cover then.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a cut and grooved corrugated cardboard blank that meets the inviolable closing requirements described above.

In addition to the elements already described and having the same references, it is seen that the blank has panels 15 and 16 connected to the closure panel 2 by fold lines 17 and 18 located in the extension of the fold lines 10 and 11, and that flaps 20 - 21 and 22 - 23 respectively holding the side walls 5 and 6 by transverse fold lines 24 and 25.

The closure panel 2 is connected to a transverse wall 4 has a transverse fold line 26.

The transverse wall 4 b carries an end panel 27 which is determined by a double fold line 28 and which carries two tongues 30 and 31, while the base 3 is passed through two slots 32 and 33.

It is assumed here that the adhesive 12 is of long-acting type, that is to say that it retains its sticky power for a long time so that it can be used long after it has been applied to the strip 7 and the legs 8 and 9, which requires covering with a protective tape 34, currently made of silicone paper or synthetic material of which at least one side is weakly adherent, to allow the user to easily remove the tape when it wants to use the adhesive.

FIG. 6 explains how a user manually makes a container in volume from the blank of FIG. 5 which is delivered flat:

The side walls 5 and 6 are straightened along folding lines 35 and 36 situated in the extension of lines 10 - 17 and 11 - 18, and the shutters are folded inwards, facing each other. 20, 21, 22 and 23, and then the end panel 27 is straightened and folded over the flaps 21 and 23, against their inner face, until the tongues 30 and 31 lock into the slots 32 and 33, which immobilizes the flaps 21 and 23 and the walls 5 and 6, making the body 1 and, in particular, the base 3 stable.

The user can then manually place the objects to be packaged on the base 3 using both hands since the body 1 is stable.

The panels 15 and 16 are then raised and the closure panel 2 is folded over the objects placed on the base 3, guiding the panels 15 and 16 so that they are placed against the walls 5 and 6 and outside of them.

We are then in the same situation as that of Figure 1.

After removing the protective tape 34, the strip 7 can be pressed and fixed against the transverse wall 4b and the tabs 8 and 9 against the panels 15 and 16 which have the same dimensions as the walls 5 and 6, double their thickness. for which they are called "dubbing panels".

These lining panels 15 and 16 are placed outside but it is also possible to arrange them inside the side walls 5 and 6, although it is a less convenient solution for closing the container. because the objects already arranged on the base 3 may constitute an internally placed gene.

In addition, this provision leaves two slots in the upper part of the container, between each side wall and its inner lining panel, slot that does not allow access to the container interior but which can be the source of attachment and incidents when handling the container, when shipped by mail or courier, because a thin envelope can slip into it.

The dubbing panels 15 and 16 placed on the outside give the container a complete inviolability because it leaves no passage between the outside and the inside, not even a slot since all the intervals are masked, whereas elements of the blank are not not joined together (or by gluing or stapling, or folded folded partitions, etc.) other than by fold lines constituting, after setting volume, the edges of the parallelepiped container.

Figures 7 to 11 illustrate another embodiment according to which the blank is part of a quadrilateral which creates no waste during its cutting.

The blank has, from the top of Figure 7, the strip 7 and its tabs 8 and 9, a closure panel 41, a transverse wall 42, a bottom 43 and a second transverse wall 44, these elements being integral and separate by transverse fold lines 45,46, 47 and 48.

The folding lines 10 and 11 extend over the entire length of the blank and determine safety flaps 51 and 52, lining panels 53 and 54, flaps 55 and 56 and the side walls 5 and 6.

To bring the container in volume, the side walls 5 and 6 are raised and the flaps 55 and 56 are folded at right angles (FIG. 8) and then the transverse wall 44 is rearranged after having bent at right angles to the lining panels 53 and 54, to place these against the side walls 5 and 6, against their inner face (Figure 9).

This gives a container that can be described as "vertical" in comparison with that of Figures 1 to 6 which is rather "horizontal". It is therefore possible to place the objects to be packaged by the top of the container of FIG. 9 so that they rest on the bottom 44-55-56, while keeping the transverse walls 42 and 44 facing one another.

The container is finished by folding the closing panel 41 and, laterally, the security flaps 51 and 52 and, after removal of the protection tape 34, placing and gluing the strip 7 and the tabs 8 and 9.

The finished container is then as in FIG.

Again, according to the invention, the only adhesive 12 applied in a single straight line holds the container in volume and inviolably closed.

It is observed that the security flaps 51 and 52 close off the slits that would remain without them between the flaps 55 and 56 and the closure panel 41.

Figures 12 to 15 show an embodiment similar to that of Figures 1 to 6.

FIG. 14 shows the setting in position of the doubling panels 15 and 16 and their fixing by the tabs 8 and 9.

In order to avoid the possibility of lifting and deforming the rear side of the doubling panels 15 and 16 which remains free, two short segments have been added here.

adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34, on the inner face of these lining panels.

After closing, and having previously removed the protective ribbons 34, the lining panels 15 and 16 are pressed against the side walls 5 and 6 to which they adhere firmly, so that they can no longer be lifted.

In FIGS. 16 to 19, an embodiment is shown in which the blank has two parallel strips and no longer a single strip.

The strips consist of the doubling panels 15 and 16 which are integral with the tabs 8 and 9, which are separated from the previous strip 7, which is no longer a panel integral with the lid 2.

The long-acting adhesive 12 and its protective tape are longitudinally disposed near the free edges of the backing panels 15 and 16 in two single lines.

It may be more favorable to dispose the adhesive 12 and the protection tape 34 longitudinally than transversely and if there are two lines 12-34 instead of one, this is not a technical difficulty since they are parallel and can therefore be performed at the same time.

The can body is assembled in the same manner as that of Figures 12-15 but with respect to the cover, the two protective tapes are removed 34 and then rectifies the transverse wall 4a and the lid 2 before the panels lining 15 and 16, then the panel 7 is folded against the transverse wall 4b, then the two lining panels 15 and 16 are folded against the side walls 5 and 6 to which they are fixed by means of the adhesive 12 unmasked during the removal of the protective tape 34, and finally the two tabs 8 and 9 are brought against the panel 7 to which they are also fixed by the adhesive 12.

In FIG. 19, it can be seen that the finished container has a facade whose central part is formed by the panel 7 and two lateral parts formed by the tabs 8 and 9 superimposed on the panel 7.

Here again, we obtain a closed container inviolably and leaving no passage between the inside and the outside.

In Figures 21 to 24, we see a variant of the previous embodiment according to which the two lines of adhesive 12 and protection tape 34 are extended on the body of the box, that is to say on the legs 20-22, on the side walls 5-6 and on the legs 21-23, which allows to remove the panel 27.

The adhesive 12 of the shutters 20-21 and 22-23 makes it possible to mount the body of the box and to keep it erected before disposing the objects to be packaged and, of course, before closing the lid, as can be seen on Figures 21 and 22.

FIG. 21 shows a variant according to which the protective tape 34 is removed from the four flaps 21, 22, 23 and 24 and is applied all outside the body of the container, namely outside the body. the transverse wall 4 has for the flaps 20 and 22, and the transverse wall 4b for the flaps 21 and 23.

It is observed that the adhesive inside the walls 5 and 6 is unused, and therefore it is not necessary to remove, at this location, the protective tape 34.

If despite all the user removes the protective tape 34, the adhesive 12 unmasked may stick to the packaged objects, which is not desired, so it must be avoided that the removal of the protective tape 34 there where it is essential on the doubling panels 15 and 16 as well as on the tabs 8 and 9 does not automatically lead to its removal from the walls 5 and 6, that is to say that one cuts transversely ribbon 34 in the extension of the transverse fold lines 24 and 25.

This operation is simple to perform on a machine, automatically just after removal of the ribbon 34.

• ■ ne disposer d'adhésif que sur le couvercle (figure 16) mais conserver un panneau supplémentaire 27,
• ■ disposer de l'adhésif sur le couvercle et sur le corps (figure 20) et supprimer le panneau 27.

The two possibilities to choose from are:

• ■ have adhesive only on the cover (figure 16) but keep an additional panel 27,
• ■ place the adhesive on the cover and body (figure 20) and remove the panel 27.

The choice between these two solutions depends on the manufacturing methods, the cost of the labor mobilized and the price of the products.

Figure 22 depicts another variant in which there is removed the tape 34 or on the walls 5 and 6, neither on the shutters 20 and 22 and is folded latter before recovering the transverse wall 4a, so that they are inside the body of the container and not outside.

With this variant, the body of the container always remains erect before placing the objects to be packaged without it being necessary to hold it with the hands but it is when I close the container by means of the lid that the body acquires its cohesion and becomes permanently stable and indeformable (Figure 23).

Depending on whether the flaps 20 and 22 are arranged outside the container body (FIG. 21) or inside (FIG. 22), the finished and closed container is in accordance with FIG. 24 or FIG. figure 25.

In Figure 24 the flaps 20 and 22 are visible on the rear wall 4a of the container while they are invisible in Figure 25.

With the embodiment of Figures 16 to 19, the adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34 are disposed only on two opposite longitudinal sides of the cover. With the embodiment of Figures 20 to 25, this adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34 are disposed on two opposite longitudinal sides of the lid and the container body.

Referring now to FIGS. 26 to 29, there is shown an embodiment which constitutes an intermediate between the two previous embodiments and also allows the flap 27 to be removed.

Indeed, we see in these figures that the adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34 are arranged during manufacture in the factory, on both longitudinal sides of the cover and only on the flaps 21 and 23 of the body.

Thus, it solves the problem mentioned with reference to Figures 20 to 25, concerning the presence of adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34 in places where they are not indispensable, or even useful.

The volume of the blank is made by first constituting the body by straightening the side walls 5 and 6 and the transverse wall 4b, then removing the protective tape 34 of the shutters 21 and 23 and folding them to bring them against the outer face of the wall 4b (Figure 27) where they are fixed thanks to the adhesive 12 of these flaps.

The user does not need to maintain the body of the container to take care of the objects to be packaged because this body is freestanding.

After placing these objects, the user finishes the container as already explained: removal of the protective tape 34 of the tabs 8 and 9 and the doubling panels 15 and 16, folding the lid, gluing the panels 15 and 16 outside the side walls 5 and 6, application of the strip 7 against the outer face of the flaps 21 and 23, and immobilization of the assembly by folding the two tabs 8 and 9 on the outer face of the strip 7 (Figure 28 ).

Figure 29 shows the finished container, ready for shipment.

The removal of the flap 27 that allow the embodiments of Figures 20 to 29 is very important, not only by simplifying the handling of the user that provides the adhesive, but also vis-à-vis the conditions of manufacture and the cost price

Indeed, it is clear that the removal of the flap 27 provides a saving of raw material but it also avoids falls whose surface is added to that of the direct panel 27. The cutting tool is simplified because two neighboring blanks can be determined by the cutting of a corrugated cardboard plate in a single line, and as they all have a simple rectangle contour, their cutting does not create a fall if we correctly calculate the dimensions of the plate in which we cut a plurality of blanks.

With this embodiment, it is also shown that it is possible to add to the container a tab 75 called "security", the use of which is described in detail below. It makes it possible to immobilize the strip 7 when it is applied against the flaps 21 and 23 bonded and before folding the tabs 8 and 9, because this tab 75 is folded and then engaged in a slot (not visible in the drawing) arranged at the base of the transverse wall 4 b .

But it is obvious that if one wishes to enjoy all the benefits from the removal of the panel 27, it is necessary to give up the presence of the safety tab 75, so as to have a perfectly quadrangular blank of the type of that shown in FIG. 20: no panel 27, and no tab 75.

Figures 30 to 34 show an embodiment which differs from those previously described in that the blank comes from a blank folded on itself, so that the blank is always delivered flat but it has a double thickness.

In these figures, the same elements bear the same references as those of FIG. 12 and following.

On the blank 01, the fold lines 10 and 11 are continuous from the edge of the strip 7 to the outer edges of the flaps 21 and 23 and have no separation of the flaps 20 to 23.

These flaps are each marked with an oblique rowing line respectively 60, 61, 62 and 63 which determines for each flap two triangular portions of which one receives glue 64, just before the blank is folded back on itself according to the lines 10 and 11 so that the flaps 20 and 22 are rendered integral with the transverse wall 4a and the flaps 21 and 23 are rendered integral with the transverse wall 4 b.

In Figure 31, we see how the blank is after folding the blank and gluing flaps 20 to 23. However, so that the blank occupies less surface during its transport and storage, the tab 8 and the doubling panel 15 on the one hand, the tab 9 and the doubling panel 16 on the other hand can also be folded along the lines 10 and 11, flat on the strip 7 and on the closure panel 2.

The use of such a blank for a container in volume implies that one raises the side walls 5 and 6 according to the arrows F1 (Figure 32), forcing the transverse walls 4 and 4b to recover and the flaps 20 to 23 to bend along their oblique fold lines 60, 61, 62 and 63.

When the transverse wall 4b is perpendicular to the base 3, the end panel 27 is raised and is brought back along the arrow F2 over the flaps 21 and 23, perpendicular to the base 3, practically against the transverse wall. 4b (Figure 33).

The objects to be packaged can then be placed on the base 3, after which the protective tape 34 is removed in order to unmask the adhesive 12, the closure panel 2 is lowered, and the doubling panels 15 and 16 are folded sideways to the outside the side walls 5 and 6 and the strip 7 is applied on the transverse wall 4b and the legs 8 and 9 of the folding panels 15 and 16.

The finished container is shown in Figure 34 and we see that it is a parallelepiped with flat faces.

The embodiment of Figures 35 to 39 shows an embodiment similar to that of Figures 30 to 34 but here the finished container has outer edges of protection, the same elements bearing the same references.

For this purpose, the blank 02 is marked with four longitudinal rows 65 - 66 of one side and 67 - 68 which determine two strips 69 and 70 which receive glue 64 as the flaps 20 to 23 and which extend continuously from the edge of the strip 7 to practically a transverse fold line 71 which separates the base 3 from the transverse wall 4 b .

After application of the glue 64 on the flaps 20 to 23, and on the strips 69 and 70, the blank is folded on itself along the lines 66 and 68, as shown in FIG.

The bonded strips 69 and 70 create outer edges 72 and 73 on both sides of the container, so that the side walls formed by the superposition of the walls 5 - 6 and the lining panels 15 - 16 are set back from the outer edges. container. These outer edges 72 and 73 provide excellent protection for packaged objects, against shocks, rubbing, compressions and falls that the container may be subjected to during its handling and transport.

It is observed that here the outer edges 72 and 73 are formed of four segments and after folding and closing the container, they are placed continuously over the entire perimeter of the container.

The volume of the container (Figure 37) is obtained by straightening the walls 5 and 6 according to the arrows F1, as with the previous embodiment but here they fold along lines 65 and 67 which do not form the edges of the container, these being formed by lines 66 and 68.

The end panel 27 is folded down to keep the side walls 5 and 6 straightened, then the doubling panels 15 and 16 and the lugs 8 and 9 which also fold along the lines 65 and 67 are raised.

Due to the folding of the blank 02 to form the blank of FIG. 36, and the bonding of the strips 69 and 70, the protective tape 34 is taken between the two thicknesses of cardboard and in order to still be able to unmask the adhesive 12 was formed cutouts 34 a and 34 b (Figure 35) which is three distinct segments of protective tape 34A, 34B and 34C, which are individually removed (Figure 37).

Then one applies the folding panels 15 and 16 against the outer face of the side walls 5 and 6 and is completed container, as already described, by applying the strip 7 against the transverse wall 4 b and the lugs 8 and 9 against the doubling panels 15 and 16 (FIG. 38).

A special case is shown here wherein the strip 7 is integral with a safety tab 75 intended to be folded at the closure of the container to be inserted into a slit 76 arranged at the base of the transverse wall 4 b wherein it gets stuck and opposes the spacing of the strip 7 if accidentally it was raised with force.

In order not to hinder the engagement of the tongue 75 in the slot 76, the end panel 27 is cut with a wide notch 77.

The finished container is shown in Figure 39 and it is seen that it is a parallelepiped with side faces recessed relative to an outer edge of protection.

It is understood that the tongue 75 is not essential since the strip 7 is fixed to the transverse wall 4b by the adhesive 12 and this variant has been presented here only to show that it is compatible with the invention when the we want to further increase the security of the closure during handling storage, sorting, transport and distribution.

FIGS. 40 to 43 show an embodiment of the invention in which the body 1 of the container is entirely formed by giving to the four walls surrounding the base 3 (transverse walls 4 and lateral walls 5-6) a fixed position without even partially correct the other elements of the blank.

It is seen that the blank of Figure 40 has flaps 20 and 22 longer than those of Figures 5 to 15 and notched with notches 20 a and 22 a, while the shutters 21 and 23 are unchanged.

The side walls 5 and 6 carry tabs 5a and 6a marked by creasing lines 5b and 6b.

The volume of the container begins in the same manner as with the embodiment of Figures 12 to 15: it rectifies the side walls 5 and 6 and is folded inwardly the shutters 21 and 23, then rectify the end panel 27 that is folded over the flaps 21 and 23, against their inner face.

Here also folds inwardly the flaps 20 and 22 but due to their length, are crossed by their notches 20a and 22a that face each other (Figure 41) and flexibility of the board is sufficient for the two crossed flaps 20 and 22 are almost parallel and thus form a transverse wall which, symmetrically to the wall 4b , keeps the side walls perfectly erect.

Thus, the body of the container is finished and stable, and the user can easily place on the base 3 the objects to be packaged.

Then flap tabs 5a and 6a parallel to the base 3 by folding along lines 5b and 6b (Figure 42) to ensure that the closure panel 2, based on them, there is no risk of sinking between the transverse walls 4 and lateral 5-6.

Closing is completed by applying the strip 7 on the transverse wall 4b and the tabs 8 and 9 on the side walls 5 and 6.

The finished container is shown in Figure 43 and we see that it is a parallelepiped with flat faces.

In Figures 44 to 47, there is shown an embodiment that allows the tabs 8 and 9 to lie flat and to attach to both the side faces 5 and 6 and on doubling panels.

Returning to FIG. 33, it can be seen that the doubling panels 15 and 16 cover the side walls 5 and 6 and that the tabs 8 and 9 apply to the backing panels to which they are fixed by the adhesive 12.

The solution proposed by the embodiment of FIGS. 44 to 47 is to limit the overlap surface of the doubling panels, to reveal part of the surface of the side walls 5 and 6, and to ensure that the adhesive 12 tabs 8 and 9 apply to both said sidewalls 5 and 6 and to the doubling panels, without jumping of sudden thickness between these superposed elements.

For this, the doubling panels 151 and 161 are cut obliquely and have a substantially triangular shape and are each cut with two parallel slots which determine tabs 152 and 162 having a free edge opposite the cardboard portion by which they hold on to the custard. The walls 5 and 6 are cut with three slots which also determine tabs 501 and 502 having a free edge opposite to a portion of cardboard.

It will not be described again the full volume of the container, but it should be noted that after folding panels 151 and 161, their tongues 152 and 162 are exactly opposite tabs 501 and 601.

When the container is closed, the tabs 8 and 9 are applied on the side walls 5 and 6 but, given their length, they are also opposite panels 151 and 161 located in excess thickness. The simple pressure of the hand to apply the adhesive 12 exerts a pressure on the tongues 152 and 162 which drive the tabs 501 and 601 towards the inside of the container, without any resistance due to the flexibility of the carton.

The tongues 152 and 162 are thus placed in an inclined plane, so that the tabs 8 and 9 are applied flat along their entire length, where they carry the adhesive 12 which is, of course, facing tongues 152 and 162.

Here two tabs 153 and 163 are provided at the base of the panels 151 and 161, intended to be folded and inserted along the arrow F3 in slots 502 and 602 formed at the base of the side walls 5 and 6.

After complete closure of the container, the tabs 8 and 9 are visible only and completely hide the tabs 152 - 501 and 162 - 601.

The finished container is shown in Figure 47 and it is seen that it is a parallelepiped with flat faces, without any irregularities other than the insensitive obliquity of the legs 8 and 9.

FIGS. 48 to 53 show an embodiment of the invention that leads to a container "in height", like that of FIGS. 10 and 11, with the difference that one starts from a blank 03 and that the blank that is delivered to the user is folded and glued on itself in double thickness.

The container is of the type comprising an automatic bottom which is well known per se and which, therefore, will not be described in detail. We only recall that the base is formed by die-cut elements 3 a, 3 b and 3 c and 3 d, integral with the side walls 5 and 6 and of the transverse walls 4 and 4b. The elements 3a and 3c carry legs 3 e and 3 f by which they must be glued respectively to the element 3b and the element 4 b.

The element 3b is a covering panel which is superimposed on all other three bottom elements 3 a, 3 c and 3 d, and which constitutes the basis on which the objects to be packaged are arranged, provided that the container finished remains in an upright position and not in a supine position.

This panel 3 b is provided with a tongue 3g which is intended to get stuck in a slit 4c formed at the base of the transverse wall 4 b is lowered when the panel 3b by pressing it, to prevent the panel 3 b to rise.

To create the blank into plant from the blank of Figure 48, fold it in half along the line 11 which extends to identify and separate the walls 4a and 6 and the tongue is straightened 5 c along the fold line 5 d and glue is applied to it to fix it to the inner face of the transverse wall 4 b folded on it, which closes on itself the perimeter of the blank and creates the blank of Figure 49.

It is delivered in this form, flat in two layers superimposed, and is then usable by a user to create a volume container.

For this purpose, the user deforms the parallelogram blank to the regular parallelepipedal shape of FIG. 52, passing through all the intermediate orientations of which there is shown an example in FIGS. 50 and 51.

The arrows F4 and F5 of FIG. 41 show that the wall 4 has moved away from the wall 4b against which it was, just as the transverse walls 5 and 6 tend to be placed parallel to one another, the acute angles α opening and obtuse angles β closing, to become all equal to 90 ° to give the volume container a rectangular section (Figure 52).

The user engages a hand in the container to lower the cover panel 3b until the tongue 3g engages in the slot 4c , then he places the objects to be packaged.

• il retire le ruban de protection 34,
• il rabat les pattes 5a et 6a,
• il rabat le panneau de fermeture par-dessus les pattes 5a et 6a,
• il rabat le bandeau 7 sur le panneau de fermeture 2 auquel ce bandeau 7 se fixe par l'adhésif 12,
• il applique les pattes 8 et 9 sur les parois latérales 5 et 6 auxquelles elles se fixent par l'adhésif 12.

The user then proceeds to the final closure of the container:

• he removes the protection tape 34,
• he folds the tabs 5a and 6a,
• it flap closure panel over the flaps 5 a and 6 a,
• it folds the strip 7 on the closure panel 2 to which this strip 7 is fixed by the adhesive 12,
• it applies the tabs 8 and 9 on the side walls 5 and 6 to which they are fixed by the adhesive 12.

The finished container is shown in Fig. 53 and it is seen that it is a planar-face parallelepiped that can be both erect (as shown) and recumbent.

Referring now to FIGS. 54 to 59, we can see an embodiment of the invention making it possible to obtain a container known under the name of "American box" whose bottom is not of the automatic type, contrary to the previous realization.

Here, it is shown that the invention makes it possible to produce a complete container whose bottom is obtained in exactly the same way as its closure.

Figures 54 to 56 are similar to Figures 48 to 50, only the elements to form the bottom of the container being different, so it is useless to describe them again

The elements to form the bottom of the container and which are identical and symmetrical to those to ensure the upper closure bear the same references assigned a "'" (prime).

It is understood that the adhesive 12, when it is applied on the face of the blank 04 to be inside the blank and therefore inside the finished container, is necessarily opposite the packaged objects, and it it is disadvised that this adhesive 12 may be in contact with these objects because they would then be attached to the folded element which carries this adhesive 12.

It is therefore possible simply not to apply the adhesive closure panel 2-2 ', but then it folded panel on the legs 5 -5 has a' and 6 a -6 has' folded and the tabs they themselves would be solicited for their uprising, out of the position that should be theirs, because of the "nerve" of corrugated cardboard, and this would be a gene for the formation and closure of the container because these elements 2-2 ' 5 a -5 a 'and 6 a -6 a ' would be immobilized only after folding the strip 7-7 'and tabs 8-8' and 9-9 '.

The best solution from a practical point of view and convenience for the user is to provide the adhesive 12 of the closure panel 2-2 'in vertical alignment with lugs 5 a -5' a and 6 a -6 ' a and not in the middle part of this panel 2-2 '.

A first solution is to provide the adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34 in a single linear and continuous application, from one edge to the other of the blank 04, from the free edge of the tab 8-8 'until at the free edge of the closure panel 2-2 'and to create two transverse cuts of the protective tape 34 so that the removal of the protective tape 34 is made on either side of the middle part of the closure panel 2 2 'and that, on the contrary, it remains in place in this median part, in order to neutralize the adhesive 12 to the right of the packaged articles, while it is active at the right of the folded legs 5 a -5 a ' and 6 a - 6A 'which it fixes the closure panel 2-2', thus ensuring the fixing of these three elements 2-2 ', 5 a -5 a' and 6 a -6 a '. The user can then easily fold the strip 7-7 'and the legs 8-8' and 9-9 '.

Another solution for neutralizing the adhesive 12 is shown on the blank 04 of FIG. 54 which shows that the adhesive 12 and its protective tape 34 are divided into two unequal segments by an interruption 80 80 'situated in the the median part of the transverse wall 4b, so that when setting the container volume (bottom formation and closure), as will be described later, the closure panels 2 and 2 'do not adhere to packaged products but only at the feet 5 a '- 6 a ' first since they participate in the formation of the bottom, and 5 a ' and 6 a when closing the container completed and filled.

As with the previous embodiment, the blank 04 is folded on itself and the tongue 5 c folded along the fold line 5 d is glued to the inner face of the transverse wall 4b folded on it, which close the perimeter of the blank and create the blank of Figure 55.

Figure 57 shows the assembly and closure of the container:

As already described with reference to FIGS. 49 and 50, the blank is placed in volume by unfolding it until its perimeter forms a rectangle. After removing the protective tape 34 below, the legs 5a 'and 6a' is rectified by first and then the lower closure panel 2 'which is fixed by the adhesive 12 that carries the legs 5a 'and 6 a ', then the panel 7 ', which is fixed by the adhesive 12 which it carries outside the panel 2'. The tabs 8 'and 9' are then straightened and applied on the outer faces of the side walls 5 and 6, so that the container is put and maintained in its final form and has a fixed and stable bottom.

The user can then easily place the objects to be packaged in the container using both hands.

The closure is obtained as already described with the previous embodiment, namely that one flap tabs 5a and 6a, then the closure panel 2 and the panel 7 and the fixing legs 8 and 9 outside the side walls 5 and 6.

It is understood that the lower interruptions 80 'and upper 80 are between the free edges of the flaps 5 a' - 6a 'and 5a - 6a, the right objects packaged so that they are not in contact with adhesive 12.

Of the adhesive 12 is still provided on the panels 2 and 2 'so that they attach to the legs 5A - 6 and 5a' - 6a 'constituting an assembly that can not dissociate and allowing therefore easy manipulations until the final fixing of each of these two sets [2 - 5a - 6a] and [2 '- 5a' - 6a '] by the strip 7 - 7' and the tabs 8 - 8 'and 9 - 9 '.

The finished container is either singing, as in Figure 58, or flat as in Figure 59.

It is an "American box" type container held in volume and closed by the only adhesive 12, that is to say without the addition of glue, staples or external adhesive tape.

As stated at the beginning of the description, a container according to the invention may have a bottom of any type. Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. 48 to 53 on the one hand and 54 to 59 on the other hand respectively illustrate a container with an automatic bottom and a bottom specific to the invention.

Referring now to Figures 60-63, there is another embodiment which shows a container according to the invention, the family of American boxes, having a standard background, banal, and typical of the current American boxes.

The same elements as those already described bear the same references and being a container of the same kind as those of Figures 48 to 53 and 54 to 59, we will not describe again what has already been explained above.

On the blank 05 of Figure 60, we see that the side walls of the container 5, 4 a , 6 and 4b each comprise a rectangular tab, respectively 81, 82, 83 and 84 having the same width as the wall of which it is secured and individualized by a single fold line 85 extending from one edge to the other of the blank 05 and by cutting lines perpendicular to this fold line 85.

To form the bottom, it acts as is well known in practice: after putting the blank in volume by unfolding it until its perimeter forms a rectangle, it first folds the legs 81 and 83, then the tabs 82 and 84 over the previous ones, then an adhesive tape of any known type 86, one end of which is seen in FIGS. 61, 62 and 63, which joins the two free edges facing each other of the tabs 82 and 84, is applied. .

The user then has a US fund banal and he can freely dispose of the objects to be packaged using both hands since the container is in volume and stable.

• il retire le ruban de protection 34,
• il rabat les pattes 5a et 6a,
• il rabat le panneau de fermeture 2 par-dessus les pattes 5a et 6a,
• il rabat le bandeau 7 sur le panneau de fermeture 2 auquel ledit panneau 7 se fixe par l'adhésif 12,
• il applique les pattes 8 et 9 sur les parois latérales 5 et 6 auxquelles elles se fixent par l'adhésif 12.

After the objects have been introduced into the crate, it closes the crate in the same manner as that described with reference to Figure 52:

• he removes the protection tape 34,
• he folds the tabs 5a and 6a,
• it flap closure panel 2 over the flaps 5 a and 6 a,
• it folds the strip 7 on the closure panel 2 to which said panel 7 is fixed by the adhesive 12,
• it applies the tabs 8 and 9 on the side walls 5 and 6 to which they are fixed by the adhesive 12.

The finished container is shown in Figure 62.

An American box according to the invention, as just described, can be made in two different variants, namely constant volume or adjustable volume.

To this end, the blank 05 has parallel crease lines 87 which extend from one edge to the other of the blank 05, so that after forming the blank (similar to those of FIGS. 49 and 55 ), these lines 87 are located on the four inner faces of the walls 5, 4a, 6 and 4b (Figure 61).

When packaged products A extend a much lower height than that of the container, as shown in FIG. 61, the user can use a cutting tool B to create slots along the four fold lines that separate the walls 5, 4 a , 6 and 4 b to allow them to bend substantially at the same level as the objects A, according to the lines 87 which is closest to this level.

We begin by folding the tabs 5a and 6a may or may not overlap, depending on the height at which fold the side walls 5 and 6. Indeed, what is thus folded back is formed by the tabs 5a and 6a , and by the upper part of the walls 5 and 6.

Then fold down the closure panel 2 and the upper part of the wall 4b and, so that the folded length is not greater than the width of the container, this panel 2 is given a width ℓ minimum, that is to say the one that is just necessary for its maintenance by the strip 7 folded on him when the format of the American fund is the largest possible with a given blank.

Finally, the flap strip 7 over the panel 2 and thereby the wall 4 is substantially bent at the legs 5a - 6a and the panel 2 already folded inwardly of the container, and the free edge of the strip 7 is beyond the outline of the closed box. As a result, the strip 7 is folded to form an outer edge 88, and is applied against the wall 4b to which it is fixed by the adhesive 12 unmasked. The closure of the box is completed by folding and fixing the tabs 8 and 9 against the walls 5 and 6, as shown in Figure 63.

The two boxes of Figures 62 and 63 are from the same blank from the same blank 05 and their height is different because the box of Figure 62 is either fixed height or adjustable height but here the maximum possible volume, while that the body of Figure 63 is height adjustable and here the minimum possible volume.

Of course, a container according to the invention can receive a tear strip for opening by tearing in line and this tear strip can be differently located according to the chosen embodiment.

The invention is particularly applicable to containers intended for mail or courier shipments, since the closure of these containers can be obtained in a simple, effective and tamper-proof manner with means integrated into the container itself (adhesive 12). and protection tape 34).

Claims (18)

1. Blank of cardboard or similar material, having cutout lines and score lines within a periphery cut out to a sheet and thus subdivided into elements of which certain are eventually to be glued flat against each other, said blank being adapted to be delivered and stored flat, then to be folded later, erected, and maintained folded thereby to constitute a container for objects to be packaged, the erection of the blank and the arrangement of the objects to be carried out manually and individually for each blank, characterized in that among the different elements of the blank there is at least one strip of a single thickness (7) secured to at least one tongue (8 - 9) also of a single thickness located in prolongation of an end of said strip (7), such that after setting up the blank and construction of the container, the strip (7) can be applied against the external surface of a wall (4b, 44, 2, 5 - 6) of said container, and that each tongue (8 - 9) can be folded down and applied against the external surface of a wall (5 - 6 - 7), adjacent said wall (4b, 44, 2), the setup container being maintained as to shape and closed irreversibly, and hence inviolably, by means of a long acting adhesive (12) disposed between the strip along one single continuous line extending on the strip (7) and on its tongue or tongues (8, 9) and being placed between the strip (7) and its tongue or tongues (8 and 9) on the hand one and the adjacent walls (4b-44-2, 5 et 6) on the other hand, the long acting adhesive being covered, before use, by a removable protective strip.
2. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip (7) is secured to two end tongues (8 and 9), and after setting up and construction of the container, the strip (7) is applied against the external surface of a transverse wall (4b, 44, 2) of said container, and the two tongues (8 and 9) are folded down and applied to the exterior of two side walls (5 and 6) adjacent the transverse wall (4b, 44, 2).
3. Blank according to claim 2, characterized in that so-called "doubling" panels (15 and 16) are interposed between the side walls (5 and 6) and the folded down tongues (8 and 9).
4. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the container comprises a cover (2) which is secured to two so-called "doubling" panels (15 and 16) each constituting a strip secured to a tongue (8 - 9), and which are to be bent and applied directly against the external surface of the side walls (5 and 6), the tongues (8 and 9) to be bent and folded down against a same panel (7) secured to said cover (2) and to be placed against a transverse wall (4b) of the container.
5. Blank according to one of preceding claims, characterized in that the long active adhesive (12) is applied to the strip (7) and to the two tongues (8, 9).
6. Blank according to claims 1-4, characterized in that the long acting adhesive (12) is applied to the adjacent walls (4b-44-2, 5 and 6).
7. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one element (7, 151-152) is secured to a so-called "safety" tongue (75, 153-163) adapted to be bent and engaged forcibly in a slot (76, 502-602) provided in one of the elements (4b, 5-6) of the blank.
8. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip (7) is secured to a panel (2) analogous to the bottom, or base (3) and which carries two doubling panels (15 and 16, 151 and 161) adapted to be placed by bending facing side walls (5 and 6) of the container.
9. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the doubling panels (53 and 54) are to be placed inside the side walls (5 and 6) of the container, the strip (7) is to be applied and fixed against the external surface of a transverse wall (44) of the container adjacent said two lateral walls (5 and 6) and the tongues (8 and 9) are to be applied and fixed against the external surface of said lateral walls (5 and 6).
10. Blank according to claim 8, characterized in that the doubling panels (15 and 16, 151 and 161) are to be placed outside the lateral walls (5 and 6) of the container, the strip (7) is to be applied and fixed against the external surface of a transverse wall of the container (4b) and adjacent said two lateral walls (5 and 6) and the tongues (8 and 9) are to be applied and fixed against the external surface of the doubling panels (15 and 16, 151 and 161).
11. Blank according to claim 1, characterized in that the strip (7) is secured to a so-called "safety" tongue (75) adapted to bent and engaged forcibly in a slot (76) provided in one of the elements (4b) of the blank.
12. Blank according to claim 1, having, in a manner known per se, on the one hand elements glued together to close the periphery of said blank bent on itself and flattened by bending, to deform to a parallelogram having four surfaces that constitute four walls of a parallelepipedal container, of which one is secured to a closure panel which is to be in line with a bottom, characterized in that the strip (7) is to be folded down over the closure panel (2), the strip (7) is to be applied and fixed against the external surface of said closure panel (2) and the tongues (8 and 9) are to be folded down and fixed against the external surface of two opposite walls (5 and 6) adjacent the wall (4b) to which the closure panel (2) is fixed.
13. Blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the elements of the blank to constitute the two opposite walls (5 and 6) adjacent to the wall (4b) to which the closure panel (2) is secured, each have the tongue (5a, 6a) defined by a score line.
14. Blank according to claim 13, characterized in that the bottom is constituted by several pre-cutout elements (3a, 3c and 3d) secured to walls (4a, 4b, 5 and 6) and that are to cooperate with each other by interpenetration, such that an "automatic" or "semiautomatic" bottom is formed, if desired completed by a covering panel (3b).
15. Blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the bottom is constituted by two opposite tongues (5a' and 6a') secured to two opposite walls (5 and 6), a panel (2') secured to a wall (4b) and a strip (7') secured to a wall (4a) and provided with two end tongues (8' and 9'), said strip (7') and said end tongues (8' and 9') being provided with long acting adhesive (12) covered by a removable protective strip (34).
16. Blank according to claim 15, characterized in that the wall (4b) opposite that to which the strip (7') is secured has two adhesive lines (12) located adjacent free edges of said wall (4b) and each comprised by two segments separated by an interruption (80).
17. Blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the bottom is constituted by four rectangular tongues (81, 82, 83 and 84) having the same width as the wall to which they are secured, adapted to be bent and held by external securement means, in particular by an adhesive line.
18. Blank according to claim 12, characterized in that the internal surface of the four walls (5, 4a, 6 and 4b) has parallel score lines (87) and one of these walls can be bent as a function of the height occupied by objects (A) to be packaged before being placed in the container obtained by setting up the blank.

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