EP1431197B1 - Blank for a folding box - Google Patents

Abstract

The cardboard blank is in several sections and in the transporting position is folded up and held in this state by a retaining component (7). When the blank is unfolded intended break points on the retaining component break to release the sections of the blank. The retaining component is in the form of a roundel punched into the section (2) covered by the outer section (4) of the blank, and by its surface facing the outer section is glued to the inner side of this overlapping section. An Independent claim is included for a collapsible box for mailing purposes constructed from the aforesaid blank.

Description

The invention relates to a blank for a folding box according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such prefabricated blanks are known for folding cartons. In particular, in the case of distribution via the trade, for example, they are folded flat over the surface and packaged with a shrink film or placed on the market in a plastic bag. The transport aids, such as shrink films or plastic bags are required to prevent the blanks unfold during transport, so be bulky and possibly cause damage. In addition, there are the additional costs for such packaging material including the environmental impact of additional packaging. In principle, however, punched and prefabricated blanks have proven useful, from which a carton can be formed quickly. The document EP 1371566 A1 discloses a shipping package made of foldable material, which can be converted from an essentially flat folded delivery state into a folded-up packaging state. The document WO 96/38342 A shows a carton for holding in particular food.

This is where the invention, which is based on the object to provide a one-piece carton or a one-piece blank for this, safely transported in a flat folded state without additional packaging material as a flat unit and also fold easily into a box that then z. B. good for mailing.

This object is achieved by the features contained in the characterizing part of the protection claim 1, wherein expedient developments of the invention are characterized by the features contained in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the blank for a carton is divided into predetermined folding sections by predetermined bending lines such as bottom, side walls, lids and the like., Where the blank folded flat in the transport state is held by an integrated support member in this state, having predetermined breaking points, which break when unfolding the carton and release the folding sections. The holding member is expediently arranged between the fold sections folded over one another in the transport state, as a blank stamped into the folding section covered by the outer folding section, which is formed with lateral webs and glued to the inside of the covered outer folding section with its surface facing the outer folding section. If, in such a connection, the outer folding section is lifted, the lateral webs of the stamped blank are thereby destroyed, thereby tearing out the blank, with the torn-out blank sticking to the underside of the outer folding section, where it does not bother. As a result, no splices are also advantageously visible on the surface of the folded in the transport state central folding section. In contrast to known blanks for cartons, in which the superimposed folding sections are held together only with one or more adhesive dots, when opening the folding layers often the surface adjacent to the adhesive dots surface parts is damaged, ie, torn.

For the punched Ronde an oval shape is suitably chosen, whereby a larger adhesive surface is obtained. Of course, other shapes for the dimensions of the blank are possible.

The blank for a carton also has side walls which are connected in their corners with tabs, which are each divided by predetermined bending lines in two triangular areas and each glued to one of these areas with the adjacent side wall so flat that when unfolding the blank the Side walls occupy a vertical position to the ground. By such a tab connection in the corner regions of the side walls, the corner areas are formed reinforced and on the other hand, the carton forms when erecting the folded blank, so when erecting the individual folding sections, by itself, which quickly a parcel box, for example, for mailing, is obtained ,

Furthermore, it is expedient that the folding section covered in the transport state by the outer folding section is subdivided into three strips by at least three predetermined bending lines running parallel to the floor, of which the strip hinged to the floor forms a side wall which adjoins strips of the same width as the side wall to stabilize the carton in the unfolded state in the carton is formed foldable, and the adjoining third strip of equal or smaller width as the side wall, is arranged flat with the floor and its stiffening at right angles to the side wall folded down.

In this side wall is preferably centrally in the region of the transition to the subsequent strip a known punched flap provided in the closing of the carton a tab inserted and locked irreversibly with this, wherein the tab at the free end of the lid formed in Transport state of the blank outer folding section is located. Such a per se known closure of the carton has the advantage that this is e.g. can be sent as a postal parcel, without additional adhesive tape to secure the closed carton are required. To open the closed carton according to the invention a mark is provided on the closure flap, which runs in alignment with the upper edge of the side walls, along which then the flap only has to be cut open to open the carton.

Finally, it is also expedient that the base area of the folding box located in the flat folded transport state is formed from the floor and the adjoining this side wall, to which the outer covering folding section as a lid. In order for the flat folded transport state of the carton three approximately the same folding layers are guaranteed.

The carton according to the invention can be produced in different sizes, for example 33x25,5x11 cm or even 44x35x15,5 cm, the latter size should be at least two aligned spaced from each other integrated holding members, flaps and in these plug-in tabs should be provided.

Fig. 1

eine Draufsicht auf einen Kartonzuschnitt insgesamt aufgefaltet als Zuschnitt wie dieser ausgestanzt eine Stanze verläßt, mit einer Verschlussklappe,

Fig. 2

eine ähnliche Draufsicht wie in Fig. 1, jedoch mit zwei Verschlussklappen,

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Draufsicht des Kartonzuschnitts nach Fig. 1 im Zustand des Aufklappens der Seitenwandelemente, die mit Laschen bereits verklebt sind,

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Draufsicht des Kartonzuschnitts nach Fig. 1 im Zustand des Einklappens der mit der Verschlussklappe versehenen Seitenwand, und

Fig. 5

a und b einen Ausschnitt aus Fig. 4 im Bereich der Verschlussklappe beim Verschließen der Faltschachtel,

Fig. 6

eine alternative Ausführungsform der Verschlusskappe.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be described below with reference to two embodiments with the accompanying drawings and explained.
Show in it

Fig. 1

a plan view of a carton as a whole unfolded as a blank as this punched leaves a punch, with a flap,

Fig. 2

a similar plan view as in Fig. 1, but with two flaps,

Fig. 3

1 is a perspective top view of the carton blank according to FIG. 1 in the state of unfolding of the side wall elements which are already adhesively bonded to tabs;

Fig. 4

a perspective top view of the carton blank of Figure 1 in the state of folding the provided with the flap side wall, and

Fig. 5

a and b show a detail from FIG. 4 in the region of the closure flap when closing the folding box,

Fig. 6

an alternative embodiment of the closure cap.

The blank shown in Figure 1 in a plan view of cardboard - designated by 1 - is completely folded, that is completely flat, as this leaves a punch, not shown. The blank 1 has three large folding sections 2 to 4, which are divided by the predetermined bending lines 5 and 6. After punching out of the carton, the carton blank 1 is folded over the predetermined bending lines 5 and 6 inwards, the topmost layer, the folding section 4, being glued together with the center layer, the folding section 2, by means of an integrated holding member 7. In this state, one obtains a flat, not shown, and especially for sale in the trade transport unit that can be easily placed on the market, without fear that the blank unfolds. The latter is particularly important because such flat folded carton blanks, for example, offered on store shelves and removed from customers become. It must be ensured that these flat transport units do not rise, otherwise the blank unfold and can be damaged during transport.

It is essential how the flat transport units are held together, which is carried out according to the invention by the holding member, which expediently consists of a punched out in the folding section 2 section, in particular a Ronde, which is held in the unconsumed state by lateral webs as predetermined breaking points in the folding section 2. The Ronde 7, which is oval-shaped in the present case, is glued flat when folding the flat transport unit to the underside of the folded-in outer fold portion 4 at 8.

When using the flat transport unit arises with the tearing of the transport unit, so the high rupture of the uppermost folding section 4, on the middle folding section 2 an opening corresponding to Ronde 7 (oval cutout) wherein the originally in this opening Ronde 7 on the inside of the folding section. 4 sticking at 8, where it does not bother. In fact, when the outer folding section 4 is being torn up, the webs are cut as predetermined breaking points with which the blank 7 is held in the folding section 2, i. destroyed, so that unfolding of the folding sections 2 and 4 is easily possible without tearing of adjacent to the Ronde cardboard areas takes place, which would weaken or at least an ugly appearance of Faltzuschnitte result.

In other words, the holding member 7 is placed as a glue point on a predetermined breaking point and keeps the flat folded transport unit without an additional outer packaging safely in the flat state. Damage or other impairment of the visible outer surface of the folding box is thereby avoided.

The blank 1 further has four side walls 9 to 12, which are connected to one another in their corner regions with tabs 13 to 16, which are each divided by predetermined bending lines 17 in two triangular regions 18 and 19. The lugs 13 to 16 are expediently each with their areas 19 (Fig. 3) with the adjacent side wall 9 and Glued 10 lying flat against such that when unfolding the blank 1, the side walls 11 and 12 a to the bottom -. with 20 - vertical position take.

In the transport state of the outer folding section 4 covered folding section 2 has next to the predetermined bending line 5 two more parallel to the bottom edge running predetermined bending lines 21 and 22, whereby the folding section 2 is divided into three strips 23 to 25. The strip 24 has the same width as the side wall 10. The strip 24 serves to stabilize the carton and is therefore folded into the interior of the carton, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 4 (indicated by the arrow there). The strip 25 following the strip 25, which in the present example has a smaller width than the side wall 24, is folded flat with the bottom 20 and to the stiffening at right angles to the side wall 10 (Fig. 4).

The side wall 10 has centrally in the region of the transition to the adjoining strip 24 a known punched flap 26. The flap 26 is a punched tongue, which at its free end a bendable tab with at the ends in each case in turn kinkable ears 27th and 28 has (Fig.5a).

Corresponding to the closure flap 26 serving as a lid 29 folding section 4 has at its free end a tab 30 which is formed with a U-shaped punched-31 (Figure 1) that the flap 30 when closing the carton vertically (see arrow in Fig.5a) can be plugged into the closure flap 26 and irreversibly locked with this. The latter is done in such a way that the ears 27 and 28 of the web of the closure flap 26 are bent inwardly so that the U-shaped slot 31 a corresponding to this U-shaped bracket is formed, corresponding to the figure in Fig. 5b in the U -shaped slot 31 is inserted. Once this is done, the ears spread 27 and 28 and an irreversible locking of the carton is done.

If you want to open the closed carton again, so this is on the flap 26, a marker 32 is provided along this the flap 26th can be cut again with closed carton, so that the carton can be opened again easily.

It should also be added that the bottom 20 forms a unit with the side surface 9 for transporting the folded folding sections and are provided on the side walls 11 and 12, respectively at the free ends inwardly hinged to further stiffening strips 33 and 34.

The blank 35 shown in Fig. 2 differs in principle from the blank 1 of Fig. 1 only in that each two aligned spaced from each other holding members 7 ', two closure flaps 26' and two plug-in tabs 30 'are provided ,

By the present invention, on the one hand advantageously achieves a flat-lying space-saving delivery of folding carton, the fixation was improved by a constructive execution to that of the prior art that adhesive dots, placed on provided with predetermined breaking points sections are provided which the individual layers of cardboard without keep an additional outer packaging safely lying flat. Furthermore, the carton invention provides easy erection by a "self-righting" floor construction (4-point gluing) and a simple closing means of one or more tabs with an accompanying security counter-locking, in which the counter-locking tab with its umzknickenden by 90 ° ear-like ends 27 and 28 causes after their insertion into the U-shaped slot 31, the folded over by 90 ° ear-like ends 27 and 28 due to their own restoring force in the interior of the carton back to their original position and thus lead to an irreversible lock. This locking has the great advantage that the additional use of adhesive tapes can be omitted. An opening of the locked carton is then only possible by cutting open the flap 26 along the marking 32 and thus the function is given as a tamper-evident closure.

As an alternative to the closure of the folding box shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, FIG. 6 shows the lid 29 of the box with the closure flap 30, which on the inner surface at 41 has a self-adhesive closure 42 which is here designed as a strip-shaped adhesive tape, optionally with a tear-off strip is provided. For use, the tear strip is peeled off or, depending on the design of the self-adhesive closure, the adhesive tape 42 is otherwise made active, so that the flap 30 can be glued to the wall 10 for closing the mail container.

According to a further expedient embodiment, the tab 30 above the adhesive tape 42 has a tear-open thread 43, which is provided on the inside of the tab 30 and is expediently integrated with the tab 30. To open the box thus only the tear thread 43 needs to be removed, which then the lid 29 can be opened. The adhesive seal over the tape 42 is then retained, but does not interfere with the opening of the lid. Another closure is readily possible by applying an adhesive tape from the outside.

For better handling of the tear thread, a tear-off tab 44 formed by a perforation line is expediently provided at one end of the flap 30. This can better grip the tear-off thread and open the box. Alternatively, the location of the tear-off thread can also be identified by an optical marking.

Claims (18)

1. Blank, especially a prefabricated blank for a folding box, especially made of cardboard, which is divided by predetermined crease lines into a plurality of folding sections, such as the base, side walls, lid and the like, the blank being designed as one piece, characterised in that the blank (1; 35), which is folded together flat in the transport state, is held in this state by an integrated retaining member (7; 7') which has predetermined breaking points which break when the blank is folded open to form a folding box and which release the folding sections (2; 4).
2. Blank according to claim 1, characterised in that the retaining member (7; 7') is arranged between the folding sections (2; 4) which are folded over one another in the transport state.
3. Blank according to claim 2, characterised in that the retaining member (7; 7') has a section, especially in the form of a roundel, punched into the folding section (2) covered by the outer folding section (4), said roundel being designed with lateral webs and being glued (8) to the inside of the covering outer folding section (4) via its surface facing the outer folding section (4).
4. Blank according to claim 3, characterised in that the roundel is designed oval.
5. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the side walls (9-12) are connected in their corner regions to tabs (13-16) which are each subdivided by predetermined crease lines (17) into two triangular areas (18; 19) and are each glued flat by one of these areas (19) to the respectively adjacent side wall (9; 10) in such a way that when the blank (1; 35) is folded open, the side walls (9-12) assume a vertical position with respect to the base (20).
6. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the folding section (2) covered by the outer folding section (4) in the transport state is subdivided by predetermined crease lines (5;21;22), which extend parallel to the edge of the base, into three strips (23;25), of which the strip (23) hinged to the base (20) forms a side wall (10), the adjoining strip (24), identical in width to the side wall (10), is designed capable of being flapped into the folding box to stabilise the box in the folded-out state, and the adjoining third strip (25), identical in width to the side wall (10) or smaller, is arranged flat with the base (20) and capable of being folded round at a right angle to the side wall (10) to stiffen said base (20).
7. Blank according to claim 6, characterised in that the strip (23) forming the side wall (10) is preferably provided centrally in the region of the transition to the adjoining strip (24) with a punched-out closing flap (26), known per se.
8. Blank according to claim 7, characterised in that the roundel punched with lateral webs is provided as a retaining member (7;7') over the closing flap (26) in the central strip (24) of folding section (2).
9. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the folding section (4) which is on the outside in the folded transport state, is designed as a lid (29), on the free end of which a tab (30), known per se, is provided in such a way that when the folding box is closed, this tab can be inserted into the closing flap (26) and irreversibly locked to same.
10. Blank according to claim 9, characterised in that the closing flap (26) has a marking (32) along which the closing flap (26) can be cut away when the folding box is closed.
11. Blank according to claim 10, characterised in that the marking extends in alignment with the upper edge of the side surface (10).
12. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surface area of the folding box when in the flat folded transport state is formed from the base (20) and the side wall (9) which adjoins same and is itself adjoined by the outer covering folding section (4) as a lid (29).
13. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that strips (33;34), which may be folded inwards as reinforcement, are provided on the side walls (11;12).
14. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least respectively two retaining members (7'), closing flaps (26') and tabs (30') which may be inserted into same are provided, in each case arranged in alignment at a spacing from each other.
15. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tab (30) is formed by a self-adhesive closure (41, 42), especially in the form of an adhesive tape.
16. Blank according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tab (30) is provided with a tear thread for opening the tab (30) when it is in the closed position.
17. Blank according to claim 16, characterised in that the tear thread is provided on the inner surface of the tab (30), especially integrated into same, and in that the tear thread is preferably distinguished by a visual marking, or a perforated punched zone (44) for pulling up the tear thread is provided on the ends of the tab (30).
18. Folding box, especially for postal use, which is formed by folding open and folding together the blank according to one of the preceding claims.

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