EP1529737A1 - Hinged lid container - Google Patents

Abstract

The case has lower and upper semi-shells (1, 2) connected by a hinge (3) to fold the semi-shell (2) on the semi-shell (1) to close the case. An outer elastic cover (24) is hooked by lugs (13, 15) to prevent the opening of the case. Blocking plates (18) contact an inner side of the semi-shell (2) to prevent the movement of a lateral wall of the semi-shell (2) towards the inner side under an effect of an external force.

Description

The present invention relates to a hinged box comprising a lower half-shell and an upper half-shell connected by a hinge for folding the upper half-shell on the half-shell lower so as to close the box. This box, which can be about transparent plastic, is intended for example to store products of the type of pastry, pastry or catering products, on shelves big box stores.

In big box stores, for example, products of the type Viennese pastry, bakery or catering products are often stocked packaged in clear plastic boxes with a lower half-shell and an articulated upper half-hull close one on the other. In general, these boxes are closed by through a plurality of pressures disposed at the periphery of each of the half-shells. This type of closure has several disadvantages. First of all, the staff responsible for packaging and who must close the boxes, complains of having sore thumb and forefinger pressures to perform to close the boxes. Moreover, the Closing the boxes by means of pressure interlockings the disadvantage of being able to be opened easily and with discretion, which facilitates shoplifting. Finally, because of the type of closure, both upper and lower hulls lean against each other via of a flat surface in the plane of junction of the two half-shells. It results that the closing of the boxes is not extremely tight, and the dust or other pollutants can easily enter boxes.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a hinged box comprising an upper half-shell and a lower half shell, which can be used for product packaging such as pastries, pastries or caterers intended for in particular to be displayed on shelves of large stores surface, having a closure means easier to implement and leading to a safer and more secure closure than the means of known closure for this type of box.

For this purpose the invention relates to a hinged box comprising a lower half-shell and an upper half-shell connected by a hinge for folding the upper half-shell on the half-shell lower part so as to close the box, each half-shell comprising a peripheral rim, said peripheral rims being conformed to such so that in the closed position of the box, the peripheral edge of the upper half-shell fits into the peripheral edge of the half-shell lower. In this box the peripheral edge of the half-shell upper has an elastic outer skirt oriented in the direction from the bottom of the upper half-shell and having an opening angle to the outside of the box, the peripheral edge of the lower half-shell comprises a locking means and a locking means such as in closing position of the box, the skirt of the peripheral edge of the half upper shell comes hang under the locking means for prevent the opening of the box, and the locking means come to the inside of the upper half-shell so as to prevent the moving a side wall of the upper half-shell inwards under the effect of external thrust. The angle of the skirt of the rim of the half-shell upper can be variable along the perimeter of the half-shell.

The locking means is constituted for example by at least one lug protruding inwards from the box and arranged at the upper part of the peripheral edge of the lower half-shell.

The locking means may consist of at least one protruding stud towards the opening of the lower half-shell, arranged on the lower edge of the edge of the lower half-shell.

The hinged box is for example of generally rectangular with straight sides and rounded corners, and lugs are arranged in the rounded corners and along at least one rectilinear side edges of the lower half-shell, and at least one stud is arranged on the along at least one rectilinear side and at least one stud is arranged at the junction of a rounded corner and a straight side.

Preferably, the opening angle of the skirt is greater in rounded corners only in straight parts.

The locking means may also comprise at least one groove extending to the periphery of the lower half-shell, in which the rim the upper half-shell is embedded in the closed position.

The box can be rectangular or square, and the means of blockage may comprise at least one groove extending along an edge rectilinear of the box.

Preferably, the attachment of the hinge to the lower half-shell is shifted towards the bottom of the lower half-shell and the attachment of the hinge to the upper half-shell is arranged along the lower edge of the skirt the rim of the upper half-shell, to ensure a centering of the upper half-shell compared to the lower half-shell at the time of the closure.

Preferably, in the closed position, the skirt of the rim of the half-shell upper elastically bears laterally against the inner wall the edge of the lower half-shell to ensure the watertightness of the closing.

The edge of the lower half-shell may have in one corner an ear precut to facilitate the opening of the box. In addition, the skirt the outer edge of the upper half-shell may include, at corner of the corner intended to cooperate with the corner of the lower half-shell which has an ear, a pre-cut tongue intended to facilitate the opening of the box in addition to the ear.

The bottoms of the half-shells may have grooves arranged so that the grooves of the bottom of the half-shell bottom of a box can cooperate with the grooves of the bottom of the upper half-shell of another box so as to prevent slippage boxes piled on top of each other.

Preferably, the bottom of at least one half-shell comprises a pad mesh.

The edge of the lower half-shell may also include less a ventilation rib.

The box according to the invention which is said box closure hinge click, has the advantage of closing easily and quickly, and without to ask for particularly embarrassing effort on the part of the staff in charge of close the boxes. This results in time and comfort savings that are also generates a productivity gain.

Because of its closure system, the opening of the box requires tearing of an ear provided for this purpose, it follows that the opening of the box is immediately visible, which discourages flights by indelicate visitors. In addition the closure is such that the seal is improved. As a result, entries of dust, insects or other pollutants, as well as crumbs, are significantly reduced. he This results in a clear improvement of hygiene for the consumer.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une boíte à charnière comprenant une demi-coque inférieure et une demi-coque supérieure reliées par une charnière permettant de rabattre la demi-coque supérieure sur la demi-coque inférieure de façon à fermer la boíte.
• la figure 2 est une vue de profil d'une boíte selon la figure 1.
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon un plan médian longitudinal d'une boíte du type représenté à la figure 1, refermée.
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus d'une boíte du type de la boíte représentée à la figure 1, ouverte.
• les figures 5 A à 5 K représentent des vues en coupe en différents endroits des bords latéraux des demi-coques inférieures et supérieures d'une boíte.
• la figure 6 est une vue de dessus d'une boíte fermée.
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus d'une boíte fermée montrant des moyens d'ouverture.

The invention will now be described in more detail but in a nonlimiting manner with reference to the appended figures in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hinged box comprising a lower half-shell and an upper half-shell connected by a hinge for folding the upper half-shell on the lower half-shell so as to close the box .
• Figure 2 is a side view of a box according to Figure 1.
• Figure 3 is a sectional view along a longitudinal median plane of a box of the type shown in Figure 1, closed.
• Figure 4 is a top view of a box of the type of the box shown in Figure 1, open.
• Figures 5A to 5K show sectional views at different locations of the side edges of the lower and upper half-shells of a box.
• Figure 6 is a top view of a closed box.
• Figure 7 is a top view of a closed box showing opening means.

The box shown in Figure 1, of generally rectangular, has a lower half-shell 1, and a half-shell upper 2, connected by a hinge 3 which allows tilting of the lower half-shell compared to the upper half-shell to close or to open the box. In the following, it is considered that the open box is arranged horizontally, that the plane of closure of the box is horizontal and that, therefore, when it is indicated that a component extends horizontally, this means that it extends parallel to the closure plane of the box, and when we say that it extends vertically, it means that it extends perpendicular to the closure plane of the box.

The lower half-shell 1 comprises a bottom 4 and a side wall 6 extending around the bottom 4, the side wall 6 being delimited by a peripheral edge generally marked by 7. The side wall 6 has reinforcement ribs 8 some of which are extended to form grooves 9 on the bottom 4 of the lower half-shell 1. The bottom 4 comprises a grid block 5 which tends the bottom and improves the rigidity of all.

The peripheral rim 7, of Z-shaped section extending towards the outside of the lower half-shell 1, comprises a horizontal band 10 located at the upper edge of the side wall 6 and extending outwardly of the lower half-shell 1, all the way around of it. This internal horizontal band 10 extends outwards from the box by a vertical band 11 extending around the entire periphery of the half-shell 1. This vertical band 11 is extended outward by a band external horizontal 12. The outer horizontal band 12 extends on 3 sides of the lower half-shell 1, the fourth side consisting of the hinge 3.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the junction between the hinge 3 and the vertical band 11 is shifted towards the bottom of the lower half-shell 1. This particular provision, as will be seen below, ensures a centering of the upper half-shell 2 with respect to the half-shell lower 1 when closing the box.

The peripheral rim 7 of the lower half-shell 1 comprises locking lugs arranged at the top of the peripheral rim 7 of the lower half-shell, and are projecting towards the inside of the box. These lugs are on the one hand lugs 13 arranged in the rounded corners 14 of the lower half-shell 1 (three pins are visible in the figure but the box contains a lug in each corner), on the other hand lugs 15 extending along rectilinear edges 16 and rectilinear edge 17 located opposite the hinge 3 (in the figure only a lug 15 is visible). These pins have the function as will be seen later to ensure the locking the box when the upper half-shell 2 is folded on the lower half-shell 1. In addition, they stiffen the longitudinal edges of the half shell.

The peripheral rim 7 also has on its lower edge, at the junction with the side walls 6 of the half-shell 1, studs 18 in protruding and extending vertically upwards, that is, in the direction of the opening of the half-shell. These pads are intended to ensure a blocking of edge of the upper half-shell 2 when folded over the half-shell lower 1. As can be seen in Figure 1, the pads 18 are distributed on the one hand on the straight edges of the lower half-shell 1 and on the other hand at the junction of rounded corners and straight edges.

The upper half-shell 2 comprises a bottom 20 surrounded by a wall lateral 21 having reinforcing ribs 22. The bottom 20 with grooves 25 projecting outwardly of the box. Wall lateral 21 is delimited by a peripheral rim 23 of section generally U-shaped extending out of the box so as to constitute an outer skirt 24. This peripheral flange 23 of the half-shell lower 2 is dimensioned so that when the half-shell 2 is folded over the half-shell 1, the peripheral flange 23 of the half-shell upper 2 fits into the peripheral rim 7 of the half-shell lower 1. The skirt 24 which extends towards the outside of the box, towards the bottom of the lower half-shell 2, is elastic so as to be able to tighten to pass between the lugs 13 and 15 when the half-shell lower 2 is folded down on the lower half-shell 1, and able to expand so as to lock under these pins 13 and 15. The width of the peripheral rim 23 of the lower half-shell 2 is chosen so that the peripheral rim 23 of the lower half-shell 2 can come to fit between the vertical strip 11 of the peripheral flange 7 of the half-shell lower 1 and the groove studs 18 arranged on the lower edge of the flange 7 of the lower half-shell 1.

With these provisions, when the box is closed, ie when the upper half-shell 2 is folded down on the lower half-shell 1 and that the peripheral rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2 is embedded in the peripheral rim 7 of the lower half-shell 1, the skirt 24 of the rim device 23 of the upper half-shell 2 is locked under the pins 13 and 15 disposed on the upper part of the peripheral rim 7 of the half-hull 1. This lock prevents lifting the half-hull upper 2 relative to the upper half-shell 1 so as to open the box. In addition, the peripheral rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2 is blocked against the studs 18 of the peripheral rim of the half-shell upper 1 and which extend inside the upper half-shell. The studs provide a blocking of the side walls of the half-shell 2, when these side edges are subjected to an external pressure tending to push back inwards. As a result, the peripheral rim 23 of the half-shell upper 2 is blocked on the one hand upwards, on the other hand Laterally, this results in a tamper-proof locking of the box closure.

However, and in order to allow the box to be opened by a user, the outer horizontal strip 12 has, in one of the corners rounded box, an ear 19 prefande intended to be torn for open the box.

In addition, and in order to facilitate the opening, the skirt 24 of the rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2 may have a tongue 19 ', arranged in the vicinity of the angle intended to come into contact with the angle of the lower half-shell which includes the ear 19. The user who wants to open the box, seized with one hand the tongue 19 'and the other ear 19, and pulls on one and the other so as to spread them, which easily unlocks the box in the corresponding corner. It is then easy to open the box completely.

Finally, because of the relative dimensions of the peripheral rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2 and peripheral flange 7 of the half-shell lower 1, and because of the elasticity of the skirt 24 of the peripheral rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2, the skirt 24 of the peripheral rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2 comes in support all around the vertical band 11 of the peripheral flange 7 of the lower half-shell 1. Because of this contact of the skirt 24 and the vertical wall 11, the closure of the box presents a certain tightness very much improved compared to the tightness of boxes known from the prior art. This seal has the advantage to prevent for example the entry of dust or the exit of crumbs.

However, it is desirable that the closure of the box allows controlled ventilation, more or less important depending on the nature of the packaged products, to ensure that products retain their qualities.

In order to ensure this ventilation, the peripheral flange 7 of the half-shell lower 1 has ventilation ribs 30 shaped square angle protruding out of the box so as to form cannals ventilation system inside, with a chicane to prevent the passage of dust.

For example, the box has two ribs on each of the sides not including hinge, and two ribs on the same side are arranged in the vicinity of the two end angles, so as not to weaken the border of the corresponding side. The number and dimensions of ribs, in particular their depth and width, are adapted in depending on the importance of the desired ventilation. The box can also, do not include such ventilation ribs.

The way the hinge 3 comes to connect on the one hand to the rim peripheral 7 of the lower half-shell 1 and on the other side 23 of the upper half-shell 2, is more visible in FIG. where we see that the hinge 3 is connected to the peripheral rim 7 of the lower half-shell 1 at mid-height of this peripheral edge and that it connects to the lower part of the skirt 24 of the peripheral rim 23 of the upper half-shell 2. Because of this arrangement, when the half-shell upper flap on the lower half-shell 1, the upper half-shell 2 is automatically centered with respect to the lower half-shell 1, and on the other hand in the closed position, as seen in Figure 3, the peripheral edge 24 of the upper half-shell 2 is embedded in the peripheral flange 7 of the lower half-shell 1 including along the hinge 3. In this figure 3, we also see how the rim device 24 of the upper half-shell 2 is locked in the peripheral flange 7 of the lower half-shell 1, where the skirt 24 is block under a lug 15 extending towards the inside of the box, and the flange device 24 coming to lock against a stud 18 extending inside of the box.

In order to ensure a good elasticity of the peripheral skirt 24 of the peripheral flange 23 of the upper half-shell 2, the opening angle outwardly of the skirt 24 is not constant. In particular in the parts corresponding to the straight edges of the upper half-shell, the angle the opening of the skirt is relatively small by about 10 °, as see the section shown in Figure 5 J. On the other hand in the parts corresponding to the rounded corners of the box the angle is more important as seen on section HH, and is about 20.17 °. This angle varies regularly to move from the most extreme value corresponding to the HH cut to the lowest value JJ, going through values intermediates as for section II.

As can be seen on cuts AA to DD, spread over the around the half-shells, the sections of the peripheral edges of the lower half-shell 1 and the upper half-shell 2 depend on where the cut is made. Especially on the opposite straight edge at the hinge, corresponding to the AA cut, the peripheral rim 7 of the half-shell 1 comprises on the one hand a lug 15 extending towards the inside of the box and on the other hand a stud 18 extending upwards. In the parts rectilinear sides of the lower half-shell 1, depending on where the cut is performed, the peripheral rim 7 has a lug 15 and a flange 18 as indicated by the section DD, or only a pin 15 such as the shows the cut EE, or even, neither pin nor bocage like this corresponds to the FF cut.

In the corners, at the location corresponding to the BB section, the edge device comprises only a pin 13. At the junction between the corner rounded and the straight part, which correspond to the CC cut, the flange device 7 includes a pin 13 and a start of pad 18 extending vertically. The KK cut shows the shape of the peripheral edges 7 and 23 of each of the half-shells and their connection with the hinge 3.

In Figure 6 which shows a closed box transparent view of above, where we see the bottom of the lower half-shell in transparency to through the upper half-shell, it can be seen that the grooves 25 of the upper half-shell 2 are disposed between the grooves 29 of the lower half-shell 1. Because of this provision, when stacking closed boxes, the grooves of the lower half-shell of a box arranged on another box, are embedded in the grooves of the upper half-shell of the box arranged below. As a result, box on another box is blocked laterally which prevents the sliding of boxes on each other, including when they are presented on an inclined display. The advantage is noticeable both in packing workshop only for shelving.

The box that has just been described is rectangular in shape, but this box can also be of any shape for example round or oval.

In the box described above, the skirt of the peripheral rim of the upper half-shell simply presents two variations of inclinations. But, either when the box is round, or when the box is large dimension, the peripheral skirt may comprise a plurality of variations of the inclination of the skirt, including on a rectilinear part. These variations inclination of the peripheral flange skirt have the effect of increasing the flexibility of the skirt and thus to facilitate its elastic behavior necessary to close the box.

The box that has just been described is for example plastic transparency such as amorphous, or non-transparent APET such as CPET crystallized, and manufactured by thermoforming from a sheet of plastic material. Other plastics can be used. These Boxes are used for example for the storage of pastry products, of pastry or catering in big box stores, but they can be used for other purposes that are food or another nature.

But a box of this type can also be obtained by injection. he it is then possible to make a peripheral edge of the half-shell lower throat. In this case the blocking of the peripheral rim of the upper half-shell fitted into the peripheral edge of the lower half-shell is no longer made by studs but by a rim of the throat. Thus the peripheral rim of the upper half-shell of the box is maintained not in a few points but on the whole periphery of the upper half-shell. This provision improves the inviolability of closing.

It will be noted that the device for blocking the peripheral rim can be constituted by any intermediate solution between a groove and distributed studs on the outskirts. In particular, this means can be constituted by one or several grooves extending along the longitudinal edges of a box square or rectangular possibly complemented by one or more pads arranged in the corners.

Similarly, the locking lugs may be more or less wide important and, for example, extend over a significant part of an edge straight.

Claims (15)

Hinged box comprising a lower half-shell (1) and an upper half-shell (2) connected by a hinge (3) for folding the upper half-shell (2) on the lower half-shell (1) so as to to close the box, each half-shell (1, 2) having a peripheral rim (7, 23), said peripheral rims being shaped such that in the closed position of the box, the peripheral rim (23) of the upper half-shell (2) fits into the peripheral flange (7) of the lower half-shell (1), characterized in that the peripheral flange (7) of the upper half-shell (2) comprises a skirt ( 24) external elastic oriented in the direction of the bottom (20) of the upper half-shell (2) and having an opening angle to the outside of the box and in that the peripheral flange (7) of the half lower shell (1) comprises a locking means (13, 15) and a locking means (18) such as in pos ition closing the box, the skirt (24) of the peripheral rim (23) of the upper half-shell (2) comes hang under the locking means (13, 15) to prevent the opening of the box, and the blocking means (18) comes to the inside (2) of the upper half-shell so as to prevent the displacement of a side wall (21) of the upper half-shell (2) inwards under the effect of external thrust. Hinged box according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of the opening of the skirt (24) of the flange (23) of the upper half-shell (2) is variable along the periphery of the half-shell superior (2). Hinged box according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the locking means comprises at least one lug (13, 15) projecting towards the inside of the box and arranged at the upper part of the peripheral rim (7). ) of the lower half-shell (1). Hinged box according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the locking means comprises at least one stud (18) projecting upwards towards the opening of the half-shell, arranged on the lower edge the flange (7) of the lower half-shell (1). Hinged box according to Claim 4, characterized in that it is of generally rectangular shape with straight sides (16) and rounded corners (14), in that lugs (13) are arranged in the rounded corners and pins (15) are arranged along at least one rectilinear side (16) of the peripheral flange (7) of the lower half-shell (11), and in that at least one stud (18) is arranged along the at least one rectilinear side (16) and at least one pad (18) is disposed at the junction of a rounded corner (14) and a rectilinear side (16). Hinged box according to claim 5, characterized in that the opening angle of the skirt (24) is greater in the rounded corners than in the straight portions. Hinged box according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the locking means comprises at least one groove extending at the periphery of the lower half-shell and in which the rim of the upper half-shell is embedded in the closed position. Hinged box according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is of generally rectangular or square shape and in that the locking means comprises at least one groove extending along a rectilinear side of the box. Hinged box according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hinge (3) is attached to the lower half-shell (1) at the bottom (4) of the lower half-shell. and in that the attachment of the hinge (3) to the upper half-shell (2) and arranged along the lower edge of the skirt of the peripheral flange (23) of said upper half-shell, (2) to ensure a centering of the upper half-shell (2) relative to the lower half-shell (1) at the time of closing. Hinged box according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that , in the closed position, the skirt (24) of the peripheral flange (23) of the upper half-shell (2) bears elastically laterally against the inner wall (11) of the peripheral flange (7) of the lower half-shell (1), in order to seal the closure. Hinged box according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the peripheral flange (7) of the lower half-shell comprises in a corner an ear (19) pre-cut to facilitate the opening of the box. Hinged box according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a pre-cut tongue (19 ') fixed to the skirt (24) of the outer rim (23) of the upper half-shell (2) in the vicinity the corner intended to cooperate with the corner of the lower half-shell (1) which has an ear (19), said tongue (19 ') being intended to facilitate the opening of the box in addition to the ear (19). ). Hinged box according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the bottoms (4, 20) of the half-shells (1, 2) have grooves (9, 25) arranged in such a way that the flutes ( 9) of the bottom (4) of the lower half-shell (1) of a box can cooperate with the grooves of the bottom of the upper half-shell of another box so as to prevent the sliding of boxes stacked one on others. Hinged box according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the bottom (4) of at least one half-shell (1) comprises a grid block (5). Hinged box according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the flange (7) of the lower half-shell (1) comprises at least one ventilation rib (30).

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