EP1272394A1

EP1272394A1 - Collapsible carton box, method and blank for making same

Info

Publication number: EP1272394A1
Application number: EP01915920A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Henk Van Der Velden; Hubertus Johannes Bernardus Schoeren
Original assignee: Kappa Golfkarton BV
Current assignee: Smurfit Kappa MNL Golfkarton BV
Priority date: 2000-03-13
Filing date: 2001-03-13
Publication date: 2003-01-08
Also published as: WO2001068457A1; NL1014624C2; AU2001242868A1

Abstract

A set-up box, provided with a box-forming part (1) and a cover (2), which set-up box is foldable between a collapsed condition and a set-up condition, wherein the box-forming part comprises at least one polygonal ground panel (3), pivotably connected on one side to a back panel (7) and, on the opposite side, pivotably connected to a front panel (6), and wherein the remaining sides of the ground panel are bounded by side panels, pivotably connected thereto, the cover comprising a cover panel (9) preferably substantially identical in shape to the ground panel and bounded on all sides but one by edge panels (12, 13, 14); which edge panels form an edge standing up from the cover panel (7); wherein the cover, via the side not bounded by an edge panel, is pivotably connected (8, 10, 31) to the back panel (7); wherein, in collapsed condition, the box-forming part is folded substantially within the raised edge against the cover panel while forming a block-shaped packet with a base surface substantially identical in shape to the cover panel; and wherein in set-up condition the box-forming part encloses a storage space, closable by the cover.

Description

Title: COLLAPSIBLE CARTON BOX, METHOD AND BLANK FOR MAKING SAME

The invention relates to a set-up box which is foldable between a collapsed and a set-up position. In particular, the invention relates to boxes which are sold in collapsed position and are set up, for use, by the consumer. Such boxes are generally known and are used, for instance, for the storage of toys, files, magazines and the like.

This known set-up box consists of a box-forming part and a cover. The box-forming part comprises at least one ground panel, bounded on each side by a raised wall panel. This box-forming part can be closed off with a cover, which is pivotably connected with one side to one of the raised wall panels and is bounded on the remaining sides by depending cover edges. The box-forming part and the cover are folded from one sheet (blank). To that end, the blank is provided with incisions, gaps, fold lines, lips and recesses, the arrangement being such that the wall panels created herewith can be folded into and around one another so that a set-up box with a cover is formed which holds together without glue or other fastening means.

The known set-up boxes are sold in collapsed, i.e. flat form. To that end, the blank is partly folded double and packaged in, for instance, a wrapper or shrink film. In this collapsed, flat condition, the boxes take up little space. This is favorable to transport, storage and required display space on the shelves of shops. Additionally, the set-up box in collapsed form runs less risk of suffering damages in the form of tearing ribs or dented wall panels as a result of unforeseen forces during the route from factory to consumer.

The partly folded-double blank has a limited thickness but is large as to the remaining dimensions. Inherently, the entire package is rather weak. As a result, the flatly folded set-up box is difficult to manipulate for a shopkeeper or consumer and is, additionally, susceptible to undesired bending or folding of corners or other projecting parts of the blank. The object of the invention is a set-up box of the type described in the preamble, comprising a box-forming part and a cover, which set-up box can be folded to a collapsed position in which the above-mentioned drawbacks do not occur. To that end, the box-forming part of the set-up bo according to the invention is foldable to a block-shaped packet which lies at least substantially within the raised edges of the cover.

Thus, the cover forms a housing for the box-forming part ofthe set-up box, the edges ofthe cover protecting the plate material against undesired deformations such as the folding of projecting or wall parts with limited rigidity. In their turn, the layers of plate material o the box-forming part, folded onto one another, fill the cover and thus prevent it denting.

The folded packet is compact and firm and has manageable dimensions as a result of which it can be easily taken along by the consumer. Additionally, because of its simple geometrical shape, it is easy to package and can be stacked well, during transport as well as on the shelves of shops. Further, the packet can be transported or displayed on its side or end face.

The invention also simplifies assembly of the set-up box. The consumer no longer has to assemble the cover himself, which cover, due to the relatively small dimensions of the edges, forms a cumbersome part of the set-up box. Further, the cover gives the consumer an indication of the eventual shape and dimension the set-up box will have in set-up condition.

After use, the box-forming part of the set-up box may be folded back into the cover, wherein it will also remain without the covering package. In this manner, the set-up box can be stored for further use in a compact manner whilst being protected by the cover.

In an advantageous embodiment, the set-up box is characterized by the features of claim 3. The set-up box, at least in this design is distinguished from the known boxes by an additional fold line in the ground panel. During folding in of the set-up box, this additional fold line provides the space which is necessary for a number of panels of the set-up box which have been folded onto each other. For the same purpose, an additional fold line is provided in the cover panel.

For the cover panel to fold in an unobstructed manner around the additional fold line, the cover edges do not continue as far as the back surface, but only adjacent to this fold line. For that matter, an embodiment is also possible in which the cover edges do continue as far as the back surface, but wherein the part which extends beyond the fold line is separated from the cover panel by means of an incision.

The dimensions of the set-up box are preferably adjusted to each other such that none of the remaining panels of the set-up box is larger than the cover panel. The height ofthe box, or the distance between the bottom side and the upper side of the set-up box, is therefore smaller than or at most equal to the depth of the cover, i.e. the distance between front and back of the set-up box. The invention further relates to a blank for a set-up box, characterized by the features of claim 12.

Owing to a fold line being provided in the ground panel, parallel to the fold line between the front and ground panel, the part between the fold lines mentioned can be folded to form a raised wall, so that between the front and ground panel a space is created between which other panels of the blank can be folded. The distance between the two fold lines is, preferably, at least twice the thickness of the material of the blank.

In a comparable manner, a fold line in the cover panel, parallel to the fold line with which the cover is hingedly connected to the set-up box, provides the possibility of folding a part of the cover panel to be a raised wall between the cover and back panel.

Additionally, for a good operation of the invention the fold lines can be provided in the back and front panel instead of in the cover and ground panel. As long as the position of the fold lines is such that the panels thus bounded fit within the cover panel. In practice, this often means that the ground panel is, approximately, a copy of the cover panel as to dimension and ^'the position of the additional fold line. Further, the height of the back and front panel will be less than or equal to the depth of the cover.

The two raised walls which can be formed in the cover and ground panel by the additional fold lines have preferably the same height. Further, the sum of their heights is preferably approximately equal to the height of the cover edges. In collapsed condition, this results in a packet where the box- forming part does not project above the edges of the cover.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a blank according to the invention is further characterized by the features of claim 15. The threefold design o the side walls of he set-up box and the double-walled design of the ground panel, on the one hand, form part of the construction with which the set-up box is fixed in the set-up condition and, on the other hand, contribute to the rigidity and durability of the product. In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of a set-up box and blank according to the invention are described.

In the following, the invention will be clarified on the basis of the drawing. In this drawing, identical parts are designated with the same reference numeral. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a set-up box;

Fig. 2 shows a blank, forming the basis of the set-up box of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the partly folded blank of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the set-up box according to Fig. 1 in collapsed position; Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment for a set-up box according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows an alternative folding manner for a blank and set-up box according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the box is provided with a compartmentation and drawers; and Fig. 8 shows an alternative embodiment wherein the cover forms a package for several set-up boxes.

In Fig. 1, a perspective view is shown of a set-up box in set-up condition. The set-up box comprises a box-forming part 1 and a cover 2. The box-forming part 1 has a substantially rectangular ground panel 3, surrounded by four raised walls 6, 7, 15, 16 and can be closed at the upper side by a cover 2. This cover comprises a cover panel 9, being pivotably connected via one of its sides 8 to the back panel 7 ofthe box- forming part 1 and which is provided on the remaining three sides with depending edges 12, 13, 14. Comparable boxes are available in various sizes, laid down, inter alia, in the Fefco list. Although the set-up box shown in the figures has a substantially rectangular ground panel, the invention is not in any way limited to such a shape. Also boxes with, for instance, a polygonal ground panel, or a rectangular ground panel with somewhat beveled corners fall within the field of application of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the blank which is the basis of the storage box from Fig. 1. The blank consists substantially of a rectangular sheet, for instance of cardboard, preferably of recyclable corrugated board. The piece of cardboard can be printed with figures, texts or other types of decorations. In the cardboard, incisions, gaps and fold lines are punched. A slight rounding-off of the corners of the incisions prevents tearing o the material.

The fold lines and incisions mentioned divide the blank in at least a box-forming part 1 and a cover forming part 2. The box-forming part 1 comprises a substantially rectangular ground panel 3 to which on two sides situated opposite each other, a front panel 16, and a back panel 17, respectively, are pivotably connected along a first fold line 4 and a second fold line 5, respectively.

To the back panel 7, on the side opposite the second fold line 5, a cover panel 9 is pivotably connected along a third fold line 8. On the remaining three sides, the cover panel 9 is bounded by cover edge panels 12, 13, 14, which can be folded along a first, second and third cover edge fold line, respectively, to form raised cover edges.

Further, to the back panel 7, on both sides extending at right angles to the second and third fold line 5, 8, a first and second side panel 15, 16, respectively, are pivotably connected along a fourth fold line 17 and a fifth fold line 18, respectively. On a side facing the cover, at right angles to the fourth and fifth fold line 17,18, these side panels are pivotably connected to a first and second inner side panel 19, 20, along, respectively, a sixth fold line 21 and a seventh fold line 22. The opposite side of the first and second side panel 15, 16, facing the front panel 6, is, via an eighth fold line 25 and a ninth fold line 26, respectively, pivotably connected to a first and second ground panel half 23, 24, which, in collapsed condition, together form a second ground panel on the inside of the set-up box.

Further, to the front panel 6, on the sides extending at right angles to the first fold line, a first and second clamping panel 27, 28, respectively, are pivotably connected along a tenth and eleventh fold line 29, 30. respectively.

The cover panel 9 is further provided with a twelfth fold line 10, parallel to the third fold line 8 and at a relatively short distance therefrom. In the embodiment shown, this distance has approximately twice the thickness of the blank material. The reason thereof will be explained later.

The ground panel 3 is provided with a thirteenth fold line 11 comparable to fold line 10, which fold line 11 extends parallel to and at a relatively short distance from the first fold line 4.

The cover edges 12, 13 on both sides of the cover panel 9 are shortened at the twelfth fold line 10, so that the cover panel 9 can fold along the twelfth fold line 10 mentioned without hindrance. This can also be achieved by making an incision between the part of the cover edge extending beyond the fold line and the cover panel, along the first and second cover edge fold line 33, 34. The twelfth and thirteenth fold lines 10, 11 in the ground and cover panel, instead of or in addition to being provided in the panels mentioned, can also be provided in the front and back panel 6, 7, respectively. In that case, the clamping panels 27, 28, in so far as they extend beyond fold line 11, have to be separated from the front panel 6 by means of an incision along the tenth and eleventh fold line 29, 30, respectively.

Further, in the blank, a number of connecting means are provided. The two ground panel halves 23, 24 are designed with a cooperating dovetail construction 39, 40. Furthermore, the edges of the ground panel 3 are equipped with rectangular notches 36 which, in combination with the slit-shaped recesses 37 in the ground panel halves 23, 24 and rectangular lips 38, form a provision on the side of the inner side panels 19 and 20 facing the cover 2, with, which the set-up box can be secured. The operation of these connecting means 36 - 40 will become clear in the discussion of the setting-up of the set-up box.

Further, in the panels which, in set-up condition, form the side walls of the set-up box, i.e. side panels 15, 16, inner side panels 19, 20 and clamping panels 27, 28, recesses 41 are provided, which, in the set-up condition of the set-up box, form grips. Additionally, it is noted that the box-forming part and the cover part can also be folded from two separate blanks, the cutting line being situated at the third fold line 8.

Fig. 4 shows the blank of Fig. 2 folded into the shape in which the product is offered on the market. With its three edges 12, 13, 14, the cover 2 forms a housing in which, consecutively, the back panel 7, ground panel 3 and front panel 6 are folded accordion- wise, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Clearly visible in Fig. 4 are the raised walls 31, 32, obtained by folding the cover panel 9 along fold line 10 and the ground panel 3 along fold line 11. Walls 31, 32 together form the fourth edge 45 of the collapsed packet and also provide the space between, on the one hand, cover and back panel and, on the other, ground and front panel, necessary for the remaining panels of the blank folded between these panels (i.e. the side panels 15, 16, inner side panels 19, 20; groμnd panel halves 23, 24 and clamping panels 27, 28).

A method for setting up a set-up box from the blank of Fig. 2 works as follows. The back panel 7, with contiguous cover part 2, which, at purchase, is already folded so as to form a cover with raised edges, and side panels 15, 16 are folded upwards along second fold line 5. Subsequently, the side panels 15, 16 are folded at right angles to the back panel 7 along the fourth and fifth fold line 17 and 18, respectively, whereby the ground panel halves 23, 24 connected to these side panels 15, 16 pivot inwards over the ground panel 3. The slit-shaped recesses 37 in the ground panel halves 23, 24 will then end up above the notches 36 on both sides of the ground panel 3. In an advantageous embodiment, the ground panel halves 23, 24 can be connected to each other by the dovetail construction 39, 40 mentioned. This connection can take up forces in its plane, so that corresponding displacements of the side panels 15, 16 connected to the ground panels halves 23, 24, are hampered. In this manner, a set-up box is obtained which retains its shape even better. The double-walled design of the base of the set-up box further adds to the firmness, at least the load bearing capacity. Subsequently, the clamping panels 27, 28 are folded upwards along the tenth and eleventh fold line 29, 30, respectively, after which the front panel 6, with the clamping panels 27, 28, is folded in vertical position along the first fold line 4. As a result, the clamping panels 27, 28 slide along the inner side of the side panels 15, 16. Finally, the set-up box is secured by folding the inner side panels 19, 20 inwards along the sixth fold line 21 and the seventh fold line 22, respectively, into the box-forming part, so that clamping panels 27, 28 are enclosed between these inner side panels 19, 20 and side panels 15, 16. The front panel 6 connected to these clamping panels 27, 28 is thus also fixed in the upright position. The inner side panels 19, 20 are fixed in the bottom of the set-up box with the aid of a lip 38, which is inserted through the overlying recesses 37 and 36 in the ground panel halves 23, 24 and the ground panel 3. The closure thus realized can only be unlocked by an upward force which pulls the lip 38 from the sht 37, 36. During normal use, this force will not occur and therefore the set-up box remains in the set-up condition.

The three-layered side walls are particularly firm and suitable for lifting the set-up box with. To that end, as described, grips 42 can be provided in the form of recesses 41. Naturally, these recesses 41 have to be provided in the three constituent layers of the side walls such that, in set-up condition, they are in line.

A method for folding the blank into the packet as shown in Fig. 4. is as follows. Firstly, the inner side panel 19 and the ground panel half 23 are folded inwards onto side panel 15, after which this side panel is folded along the fourth fold line 17 onto the back panel 7. Subsequently, the clamping panel 27 is folded along the tenth fold line 29 onto the front panel 6. In the same manner, the panels 16, 20, 24 and 28, lying symmetrically on the opposite side of the back panel 7 and front panel 6, are folded inwards. Thus, the semi-folded set-up box as shown in Fig. 3 is obtained. Subsequently, the back panel 7, with thereon the six previously inwardly folded panels 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 24 is folded on cover panel 9 along the twelfth and third fold line 10, 8, thereby forming a raised wall 31. Thus, the six panels mentioned come to lie between the cover and back panel 9, 7, surrounded by the three cover edges 12, 13, 14 and the wall 31. The ground panel 3 is subsequently folded backwards along the second fold line 5 onto back panel 7, after which front panel 6, with inwardly folded clamping panels 27, 28 thereon, is folded in the direction of ground panel 3 along thirteenth fold line 11 and first fold line 4, whereby a raised wall 32 is formed.

In Figs. 5 and 6, two alternative embodiments are shown of blanks for use for a set-up box according to the invention. In these Figures, corresponding parts have corresponding reference numerals, raised by 100 in Fig. 5 and by 200 in Fig. 6.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the blank, again, comprises a box-forming part 101 and a cover-forming part 102. Here, the ground panel 103 as well as the cover panel 109, are octagonal. Again, the front panel 106 is connected via a first fold line 104 to the ground panel 103, while, on the opposite side, the back panel 107 is pivotably connected via a second fold line 105 to the ground panel 103 and, on the opposite side, via a third fold line 108, to the cover panel 109. In the back panel 107, an additional fold line 110 is provided for providing space for receiving layers of blank material between the cover panel 109 and the ground panel 103. The distance K between the second fold line 105 and the additional fold line 110 approximately corresponds with the number of layers of blank material to be received between the panels 103, 109. Via fourth folding lines 117, to the diagonally extending sides of the base 103, side panels 115 are pivotably connected, which, on the side facing away from the fifth fold line 117, are connected, via a sixth fold line 121, to an inner side panel 119. Optionally, in the side panel 115, a second additional fold line 11 can be provided, again for providing sufficient space for the layers of cardboard. However, it can also be omitted. On the two opposite, remaining sides, via a fifth fold line 118, a further side panel 116 is connected to the ground panel 103. The further side panels 116 are pivotably connected, via eleventh fold lines 130, to clamping panels 127, 128, which can be received between side panels 115 and inner side panels 119 which are folded together, for mounting the box. The inner side panels 119 are provided with lips 138, which, with the box set-up, can engage in recesses 137 in the ground panel

103. Along the edges o he cover panel 109, once more, cover edge panels 113, 114 with auxiliary clamping panels 160 are provided, with whieh, in a simple manner, a cover edge can be set up.

In Fig. 5 it is indicated with arrows how this blank 101 can be folded up, such that the box-forming part 101 can be fittingly received within a cover edge set up from the cover edge panels 113, 114. Uninterrupted arrows P indicate that a respective panel is to be folded forward from the plane of the drawing, around the respective fold line onto the adjacent panel, while the interrupted arrows R indicate that a respective panel has to be folded backwards from the plane of the drawing against the back of the adjacent panel connected thereto via the respective fold line. This means that, with a box folded from the respective blank, with a cover-forming part 101 folded in the cover, the entire box-forming part, at least the wall parts and the like are received between the cover panel 109 and the ground panel 103. It will be clear that in a comparable manner, blanks, i.e. set-up boxes can be manufactured with differently shaped blanks, in which, for instance, a base surface and cover surface can be used with a differently shaped, polygonal shape.

In Fig. 6, a blank is shown, which approximately corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 2, in which, however, once again with uninterrupted arrows P and interrupted arrows R, a folding manner is indicated which slightly deviates from the one as described on the basis of Fig. 2. As mentioned, corresponding parts such as panels and folding lines are indicated in Fig. 6 with reference numerals corresponding to those of Fig. 2, raised by 200. The different parts will only be named in so far as necessary for a proper understanding of this embodiment.

In a blank according to Fig. 6, the thirteenth fold line 221 is included in the ground panel 203, as is the twelfth fold line 210. Additionally, it is noted that it is also possible to provide the twelfth fold line 201 in the back panel 203 and the thirteenth fold line 211 in the front panel 206. The twelfth fold line 210 en thirteenth fold line 211 are, again, situated at a relatively short distance K from the adjacent fold line. In this embodiment, once more, a cover edge is formed from the cover edge panels 212, 213, 214, within which the box-forming part 201 can be folded. To that end, the back panel 207 is folded forward from the plane of the drawing along the third fold line 208, against the cover panel 209. The inner side panels 219, 220 are, respectively, folded backwards from the plane of the drawing along the sixth and. seventh fold line 221, 222, against the adjacent side panels 215, 216, while the ground panel halves 223, 224 are folded forward from the plane of the drawing along, respectively, the eighth fold line 225 and ninth fold line 226, against the side panels 215, 216. Thereupon the thus folded together parts are folded against the back panel 207, backwards from the plane of the drawing, along, respectively, the fourth fold line 217 and the fifth fold line 218. The wall panel 231, situated between the twelfth fold line 210 and the second fold line 205, is brought into a vertical position by a pivoting movement about the second fold line 205, after which the ground panel 203 is folded against the back panel 207 along the twelfth fold line 210. The clamping panels 227, 228 are folded forward from the plane of the drawing along the tenth fold line 229 and the eleventh fold line 230, respectively, against the front panel 206, after which the thus folded together panels, along the first fold line 204, are folded upwards from the plane of the drawing to a vertical position. Thereupon, the second additional wall surface 232 is folded forward from the plane of the drawing along the thirteenth fold line 211, such that the clamping panels 227, 228 are folded between the front panel 206 and the ground panel 203. In this manner, the box-forming part 201 is folded up as a packet into the cover edge, while the cover surface 209 and the front panel 206 define the outward facing surfaces.

Fig. 7 shows a set-up box wherein the box-forming part 301 is subdivided into compartments with the aid of intermediate panels 350. The set-up box further substantially corresponds to the embodiment described in Figs. 1 - 4 and corresponding parts will for that reason be indicated with corresponding reference numerals, increased by 300. The intermediate panels 350 are provided on both sides with an edge 352 folded at right angles, and have a dimension such that they can be fittingly slid between two opposite walls of the set up box, in the embodiment shown between the clamping panels 327, 328. Further, each inner side panel 319, 320 is divided in strips a-c by means of incisions 353, which extend from the free longitudinal edges of the inner side panels 319, 320, substantially at right angles thereto, as far .as a sixth and seventh fold line 321, 322, respectively. The incisions 353 further have a shape such that therewith, on one of the strips 319, 320a, b, near their longitudinal edges, adjacent the incision 353, a projection 338 is formed. On a side facing the front panel 306, in set-up position, the third strip 319, 320c, is provided with a same projection 338.

The box can be set up in the same manner as is described with reference to the blank of Fig. 2. Prior to the inner side panels 319, 320, at least the strips 319, 320a-c being folded inward along, respectively, the sixth and seventh fold line 321, 322, the intermediate panels 350 are arranged in the box, with the folded edges 352 abutting jfche clamping panels 327, 328. Subsequently, the strips 319,320a-c are folded inwards between and on both sides of the intermediate panels 350, so that each intermediate panel 350 is clamped in between two strips 319,320a-c. The strips 319, 320a-c can be secured with the aid of projections 338, which can engage in the recesses 343 provided to that end in the intermediate panels 350 and the front panel 306, adjacent the boundary with, respectively, the folded edges 352 and the clamping panels 327, 328.

The compartmented box-forming part 301 can be folded into the cover 302 in the same manner as described hereinabove with reference to Fig. 4. The loose intermediate panels 350 can be placed on top of the folded box- forming part 301 or therebetween, in particular between the cover and back panel 309, 307 and/or the ground and front panel 303, 306. Optionally, the distance between the fold lines 308, 310 and 304, 311 can be adjusted to that end, so that sufficient space is created for these additional layers of blank material. The height of the cover edges 312 - 314 can, if necessary, also be adjusted, so that the folded packet situated in the cover 302 does not extend above the edges 312 - 314. It will be clear that many other compartmentations are possible than the variant shown in Fig. 7. For instance, more or fewer intermediate panels 350 can be provided and/or the panels can be slid between the front and back panel 306, substantially at right angles to the intermediate panels 350 shown in Fig. 7. The intermediate panels 350 can also be secured differently, for instance by dimensioning the intermediate panels 350 such that they clamp/secure themselves with the folded edges 352 between two opposite walls of the set-up box.

In an advantageous embodiment, the compartments can be provided with drawers 360, which can be set up from separate blanks 361, as shown in Fig. 7 A. In this Figure, it is indicated with arrows how the blank 361 can be folded onto a drawer 360. The drawers 360 are provided with two different drawer fronts 362, 363. As a result, each drawer 360 can be slid into the set-up box in two manners, so that either drawer front 362 or drawer front 363 is situated in front. In the first case, the access to the drawer 360 is completely closed off in closed condition, while in the second case, the access to the content of the drawer 360 is partly released, in that the drawer front 363 extends, for instance, over only half the height of the drawer 360. The thus obtained opening can, for instance, be used so as to slide paper into the drawer 360 without having to open it. These blanks 361 can also be folded to a small packet fitting within the cover 302 and can be received, together with the intermediate panels 350, within the cover 302, on top of or between the folded panels of the box-forming part 301. The cover 302 and the box-forming 301 part may be manufactured from two separate blanks. This offers the advantage that the cover 302, in set- up condition, can be omitted, if desired.

It is further possible to fold a set of set-up boxes within one cover, so that this set can be offered to the consumer as one manageable packet. The set-up boxes which are folded within the one cover preferably all have dimensions slightly smaller than those of the respective cover and matching box-forming part, so that these set-up boxes can be received in the cover in a completely fitting manner. It is also possible to fold two boxes with identical dimensions within one of their covers. Then, the cover panel of the other cover cannot be received within the cover edges ofthe first cover, but, instead thereof, will rest on these edges, thus closing off the box-forming parts situated in the first cover. To keep the folded packet together in the cover, a wrapper, band, shrink film or other suitable enclosing means can be applied around the packet. Instead of a separate enclosing means, however, the cover 302 can also be enlarged with an additional panel, connected to one of the cover edges along a tear strip and by which the open side of the cover 302, after arrangement of the folded boxes, can be closed off, so that a surrounding package can be obtained. This is represented in an exemplary embodiment in Fig. 8. In this figure, the parts corresponding to previous embodiments are indicated with the same reference numerals increased with 400. There is shown a cover 402, in which several set-up boxes of different sizes can be accommodated in folded condition. To the cover 402, a box-forming part 401 (not shown) belongs, which can be folded within the cover 402 in a corresponding manner as described earlier. A package part 465 is connected to one of the edges 412-414 of the cover 402, via a tear strip 470 or other easily breakable connecting means. With this package part 465 and the cover 402, a closable package 466 can be formed, in which different, folded set-up boxes can be accommodated. In the shown embodiment, the package 466 has the shape of a suitcase. After the suitcase has been opened and the separate boxes have been taken out, the package part 465 can be removed along the tear strip 470, so that the cover 402 remains. The double use ofthe cover 402 saves space and material. As the cover 402 is part of the package 466, less material is needed for realizing the package 466. Further, the cover 402, being an element of the package 466, does not take up any space within the package 466. It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and the drawing. Many variations thereon are possible within the scope of invention as outlined by the claims.

For a blank of a box according to the invention, a material other than cardboard can be chosen, for instance a plastic, while the box as a basic form can have different kinds of shapes. The cover can have a cover edge which is glued together, since, in principle, it does not have to be folded out. The shown embodiments, however, are advantageous as they do not need to be glued. Naturally, a box according to the invention can be designed in many different sizes, depending on the desired use. A box according to the invention can be manufactured from solid cardboard as well as from corrugated cardboard, depending, inter alia, on the desired use.

This and many variations are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as outlined by the claims.

Claims

1. A set-up box, provided with a box-forming part and a cover, which set-up box is foldable between a collapsed position and a set-up position, wherein the box-forming part comprises at least one polygonal ground panel, pivotably connected on one side to a back panel and pivotably connected on an opposite side to a front panel, and wherein the remaining sides of the ground panel are bounded by side panels, pivotably connected thereto; the cover comprises a cover panel being preferably substantially identical in shape to the ground panel, bounded on all sides but at least one by edge panels, which edge panels form a raised edge from the cover panel; the cover is pivotably connected to the back panel via the side not bounded by an edge panel; wherein in the collapsed position, the box-forming part is folded substantially within the raised edge against the cover panel, while forming a block-shaped packet having a base surface whose shape is substantially identical to the cover panel; and in the set-up position, the box-forming part encloses a storage space, closable by the cover.

2. A set-up box according to claim 1, wherein the box-forming part and the cover are folded from one blank.

3. A set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ground panel has a fold line parallel to and at a short distance from the connecting line between the ground panel and the front panel, the cover panel having a fold line parallel to and at a short distance from the connecting line of the cover panel and the back panel.

4. A set-up box according to claim 3, characterized in that the sum of the distance from the fold line in the ground panel to the front panel and the distance from the fold line in the cover panel to the back panel is approximately equal to the height of the raised cover edges.

5. A set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edges on both sides of the cover extend from the front panel close to, preferably not beyond the fold line in the cover panel.

6. A set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in set-up position, the distance between the ground panel and the cover panel is less than or equal to the distance between the front and back panel.

7. A set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box-forming part, in set-up condition, is subdivided into compartments by at least one loose intermediate panel, wherein, in the collapsed condition, the at least one intermediate panel is situated within the raised edge of the cover.

8. A set-up box according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the compartments, in set-up condition, is provided with a drawer folded from a separate blank, wherein the drawer, at least the blank therefor, for the purpose of the collapsed position of the set-up box, is foldable to a packet fitting, together with the box- forming part, within the edge of the cover.

9. A set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the collapsed condition, on the folded box-forming part at least one other set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims lies folded within the edge of the cover.

10. A set-up box according to any one of claims 1 or 3 - 9, wherein the box-forming part and the cover are each folded from a separate blank.

11. A set-up box according to claim 10, wherein a package part is detachably connected to the cover, the cover and the package part together forming a closable package, within which a box-forming part matching the cover and at least one set-up box according to any one of the preceding claims can be received in collapsed condition, the arrangement being such that after the package is opened, the package part can be separated therefrom and the remaining cover can serve as a cover for the box-forming part accommodated within the package.

12. A blank comprising a cover part and a box-forming part, wherein the box-forming part comprises at least one polygonal ground panel, pivotably connected on two opposite sides along a first and second fold line, respectively, to a front panel and a back panel, respectively, and which, on the remaining sides, is provided with side panels, wherein the cover forming part comprises a cover panel substantially identical in shape to the ground panel, which cover panel, on one side, via a third fold line extending parallel to the second fold line, is pivotably connected to the back panel, opposite the ground panel, which cover panel is bounded on at least a number ofthe remaining sides by a cover edge panel, wherein, further, parallel to and at a relatively short distance from the third fold line, a further twelfth fold line is provided in the cover panel or the back panel.

13. A blank according to claim 12, wherein the ground panel is substantially rectangular and has a further thirteenth fold line, the arrangement being such that the distance between the second and third fold line, the distance between the second and thirteenth fold line and the distance between the first fold line and the opposite edge of the front panel is less than or equal to the distance between the twelfth fold line and the opposite cover edge.

14. A blank according to claim 13, wherein the distance between the first and the thirteenth fold line and the distance between the third and the twelfth fold line is at least between 2 and 10 times, more in particular between 2 and 5 times and preferably approximately twice to thrice the thickness of the blank.

15. A blank according to any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein, on the side of the first and second side panel facing the cover panel, respectively a first and second inner side panel are pivotably connected and wherein, on the opposite side of the first and second side panel, a first and second ground panel half are pivotably connected and wherein, further, on both sides of the front panel, at right angles to the first fold line, a first and second clamping panel are pivotably connected.

16. A method for folding the blank according to any one of claims

12 - 15, wherein the side panels are folded onto the back panel, and the back panel, the ground panel and the front panel are folded accordion-wise into the cover along, respectively, the third, second and first fold line.

17. A set-up box, folded from a blank according to any one of claims

12 - 15, wherein the cover with the raised edges forms the housing, within which, on the cover panel, accordion- wise, the back, ground and front panels are folded with, between cover and back panel, at least two side panels and, optionally, two inner side panels, and between ground and front panels, optionally, two clamping panels, wherein the part of the ground panel between the first and the thirteenth fold line and the part of the cover panel between the third and the twelfth fold line form two walls located one above the other above the twelfth fold line, the height of both walls, jointly, being approximately equal to the height of the cover edges.