EP3483082A1

EP3483082A1 - Parallelepiped folding box

Info

Publication number: EP3483082A1
Application number: EP18204402.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mauro MATTIOLI; Marco Rossini
Original assignee: Scatolificio EMAR Srl; Scatolificio E M A R Srl
Current assignee: Scatolificio EMAR Srl; Scatolificio E M A R Srl
Priority date: 2017-11-14
Filing date: 2018-11-05
Publication date: 2019-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2038-11-05
Also published as: PT3483082T; ES2803423T3; EP3483082B1

Abstract

A foldable parallelepiped box (100) comprises a punched piece (1) comprising: a central portion (P1), a front portion (P2) and a back portion (P3); the box (100) comprises: two lateral portions (42, 43) that project from the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1) to act as lateral walls for the box (100), two ending lateral portions (44, 45) connected to the lateral portions (42, 43) and suitable for overlapping to the lateral portions (42, 43), two front lateral tabs and two back lateral tabs (53, 54; 63, 64) that project from the front portion (P2) and the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1); the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) are suitable for being disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the ending lateral portions (44, 45).

Description

The present patent application for industrial invention relates to a foldable parallelepiped box.
Parallelepiped boxes are known on the market, which are obtained from an extended punched piece and which can be advantageously restored to a planar configuration with minimum volume.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a foldable parallelepiped box of the prior art is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 200.
The box (200) comprises a punched piece (1) composed of a single sheet of cardboard or plastic material, comprising a plurality of folding lines, in such a way as to define a plurality of portions. Said portions of the punched piece (1) can be folded in such a way that the box (200) can be in an extended position, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein all the portions of the punched piece (1) are coplanar, and in a developed position, as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the portions of the punched piece (1) are folded in such a way as to form a parallelepiped that defines a compartment (V) suitable for containing objects.
When the box (200) is developed, the box (200) has a parallelepiped shape. When the box (200) is in extended position, the box (200) has a very small height and multiple boxes can be stacked in order to optimize transportation.
When the box (200) is developed, the length of the box (200) is higher than the width. In the following description, the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" refer to the length and to the width of the box, respectively.
With reference to Fig. 1, the punched piece (1) comprises four longitudinal folding lines (L1, L2, L3, L4) in parallel position, which define five rectangular portions (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5). The portions of the punched piece comprise:

a central portion (P1),
a front portion (P2) and a back portion (P3) connected to the central portion (P1) by means of a first and of a second longitudinal folding line (L1, L2);
an upper portion (P4) connected to the back portion (P3) by means of the third longitudinal folding line (L3);
an ending portion (P5) connected to the upper portion (P4) by means of the fourth longitudinal folding line (L4).

With reference to Fig. 3, when the box (200) is developed, the various portions are folded along the folding lines:

the central portion (P1) acts as bottom wall for the box,
the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) are in erected position with respect to the central portion and act as front wall and back wall for the box;
the upper portion (P4) is folded by 90° with respect to the back wall in such a way as to form the lid of the box;
the ending portion (P5) is rotated by 90° with respect to the upper portion in such a way as to be overlapped to the front portion (P2), forming a tubular packaging that is open at the ends.

The front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece have the same dimensions. The central portion (P1) and the upper portion (P4) of the punched piece have the same dimensions.
Two lateral panels (202, 203) are attached to the punched piece (1).
Each lateral panel (202, 203) has a rectangular shape and comprises six portions (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6) defined by five folding lines (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5).
Two longitudinal folding lines (B1, B2) define a central portion (A1) with the same width as the central portion (P1) of the punched piece. The central portions (A1) of the lateral panels act as lateral walls of the box in order to close the box laterally.
Two oblique folding lines (B3, B4) start from the longitudinal folding lines (B1, B2) and are inclined by approximately 45° with respect to the longitudinal folding lines. Each oblique folding line (B3, B4) defines a first triangular tab (A2, A4) and a second triangular tab (A3, A5). The second triangular tabs (A3, A5) are suitable for being glued respectively on the front portion (P2) of the punched piece and on the back portion (P3) of the punched piece. The first triangular tabs (A2, A4) will be respectively glued on the front portion (P2) of the punched piece and on the back portion (P3) of the punched piece only when the box is developed.
With reference to Fig. 2, a transverse folding line (B5) defines a gluing portion (A6) relative to the central portion (A1). The gluing portion (A6) is suitable for being glued on the central portion (P1) of the punched piece.
The central portions (A1) of the lateral panels have the same dimensions.
With reference to Fig. 3, the compartment (V) formed when the box (200) is developed is defined by the central portion (P1), by the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece and by the central portions (A1) of the lateral panels (202, 203). The compartment (V) can be accessed from an upper opening (20). The upper opening (20) is defined by an upper edge and is suitable for being closed with the lid formed by the upper portion (P4) of the punched piece that is stopped against the upper edge of the upper opening of the box.
With reference to Fig. 1, when the box (200) is in extended position, the punched piece (1) is extended and the central portions (A1) of the lateral panels are disposed on the central portion (P1) of the punched piece. The second triangular tabs (A3, A5) are glued to the front portion and to the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece and the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) are disposed on the second triangular tabs (A3, A5).
With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, in order to fold the box (200), the lateral walls of the box formed by the central portions (A1) of the two lateral panels are lifted until they are disposed in perpendicular position with respect to the bottom wall of the box formed by the central portion (P1) of the punched piece. The lifting of the central portions (A1) of the lateral panels determines a movement of the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) in coplanar position. Such a movement of the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) determines a lifting of the front wall and of the back wall of the box formed by the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece, which are disposed in perpendicular position relative to the bottom wall of the box, with the vertical edges in contact with the vertical edges of the central portions (A1) of the lateral panels.
When the box (200) is developed, the first and the second triangular tabs (A2, A3, A4, A5) are in contact with the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece. Portions of bi-adhesive tape (232) are disposed on the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) of the two lateral panels, in such a way as to attach the first triangular tabs to the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece.
The box (200) of the prior art is impaired by several drawbacks.
A first drawback consists in the fact that the box (200) of the prior art is expensive because of the provision of a plurality of portions of bi-adhesive tape for attaching the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) of the two lateral panels to the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece, and also because of the high labor cost that is to be paid to produce the box (200). In fact, the box (200) must be made by hand in order to guarantee that all parts of the box (200) are perfectly matched. The fact that this type of boxes is made by hand requires the use of expensive specialized workers, who are capable of cutting and folding the box correctly.
Moreover, it must be noted that the triangular tabs (A2, A3, A4, A5) of the lateral panels are very complicated to make and assemble because they need to be cut, folded, disposed and glued on the punched piece (1) in a very precise way. Because of the high precision that is required for making and assembling the box (200), the box (200) has a long production time.
A second drawback consists in the fact that the box (200) is not very stable and is not well finished, especially when the dimensions of the box (200) increase. In fact, because of the provision of the bi-adhesive tape only in the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) of the lateral panels, when the box (200) is folded, gaps and clearance are created between the first triangular tabs (A2, A4) and the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece, which impair the stability and the aesthetics of the box.
Moreover, when the box (200) is folded, all the triangular tabs (A2, A3, A4, A5) are visible. It must be noted that said triangular tabs (A2, A3, A4, A5) need to be as large as possible because they are responsible for holding the box in folded position. Evidently, the presence of the triangular tabs (A2, A3, A4, A5) impairs the aesthetics of the box (200).
US2389580 describes a knockdown box made of cardboard, which is obtained with panels connected by folding lines in such a way that the panels can be folded to form the box.
US3157346 describes a stacking lug box, which is suitable for resisting under compression when developed, for example when the boxes are stacked.
The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by disclosing a foldable parallelepiped box that is inexpensive, easy to make and stable.
An additional purpose is to disclose a box that, when developed, it is not provided with gaps that can impair the aesthetics of the box.
These purposes are achieved according to the invention with the characteristics of the appended independent claim 1.
Advantageous embodiments appear from the dependent claims.
The box of the invention is defined by the independent claim 1.
The advantages of the box according to the invention are evident because the manufacturing costs of the box can be reduced without impairing the aesthetics of the box.
Because of the provision of the central sheet, of the front sheet and of the back sheet, the box can be assembled rapidly and easily. Moreover, the box is aesthetically pleasant. In fact, when the box is developed, the edges with sharp cuts are not visible.
For the sake of clarity, the description of the box according to the invention continues with reference to the attached drawings, which have a merely illustrative, not limiting value, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the box of the prior art in extended position;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box of Fig.1 during a folding step;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the box of Fig.1, when developed;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the box according to the invention, when developed;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 4 in extended position;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the box according to the invention in extended position;
Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of folding steps of the box of Fig. 4;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the box of Fig. 4, when developed, with the lid open;
Fig. 10 is a section of a portion of the box according to the invention, along the plane X-X of Fig. 5;
Fig. 11 is the same as Fig. 10, except for it shows the developed box;
Fig. 12 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the box according to the invention in extended position;
Fig. 13 is an axonometric view of the box of Fig.12, when developed.

With reference to Figs. 4 to 9, a foldable parallelepiped box according to the invention is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral (100).
In the following description the parts that are identical or correspond to the parts described above are identified with the same reference numerals, omitting a detailed description.
With reference to Figs. 5 and 10, the box (C) comprises:

a punched piece (1) identical to the one described above;
a central sheet (4) suitable for being disposed on the central portion (P1) of the punched piece;
a front sheet (5) suitable for being disposed on the front portion (P2) of the punched piece; and
a back sheet (6) suitable for being disposed on the back portion (P3) of the punched piece.

The central sheet (4) comprises seven portions (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 41a, 41b) defined by four transverse folding lines (46, 47, 48, 49) in parallel position, and two longitudinal folding line (49a, 49b) in parallel position. The portions (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 41a, 41b) of the central sheet (4) are made in one piece and comprise:

a central portion (41) suitable for being glued on an upper side of the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1);
two lateral portions (42, 43) connected to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) by means of a first and of a second transverse folding line (46, 47) and suitable for projecting outwards relative to the transverse sides of the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1);
two lateral ending portions (44, 45) connected to the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) by means of a third and a fourth transverse folding line (48, 49);
two front and back ending portions (41a, 41b) connected to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) by means of a first and of a second longitudinal folding line (49a, 49b) and suitable for projecting towards the front portion (P2) and the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1).

With reference to Figs. 7 and 11, when the box (100) is developed, the various portions (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 41a, 41b) of the central sheet (4) are folded along the folding lines (46, 47, 48, 49, 49a, 49b):

the central portion (41) of the central sheet remains glued to the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1),
the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet are erected with respect to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) and act as lateral walls for the box (100);
the ending lateral portions (44, 45) are folded by 90° towards the interior of the box (100) with respect to the lateral portions (42, 43) in such a way to be overlapped to the lateral portions (42, 43);
the front and back ending portions (41a, 41b) are rotated by 90° with respect to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) in such a way as to be overlapped to the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1).

The central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) has a rectangular shape and the same dimensions as the central portion (P1) of the punched piece.
The front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) have a trapezoidal shape with a major base connected to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) by means of longitudinal folding lines (49a, 49b) and a free minor base. The major base of the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) has the same length as the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4).
The lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) have a rectangular shape and the same dimensions. When the box (100) is developed, the edges of the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) are disposed in contact with the edges of the front and the back portions (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1), in such a way as to form a closed packaging. It must be noted that the edges of the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) have the same length as the edges of the front and back portions (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1).
With reference to Figs. 5 and 10, the front sheet (5) comprises four portions (51, 52, 53, 54) defined by a longitudinal folding line (55) and two transverse folding lines (56, 57) in parallel position. The portions (51, 52, 53, 54) of the front sheet (5) are made in one piece and comprise:

a central portion (51) suitable for being glued on an upper side of the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1);
a front portion (52) connected to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) by means of the longitudinal folding line (55) and glued to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) in such a way that the front portion (52) is folded by 90° towards the interior of the box (100) with respect to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5);
two front lateral tabs (53, 54) connected to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) by means of a first and a second transverse folding line (56, 57) and suitable for projecting outwards with respect to the transverse sides of the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1).

With reference to Figs. 7 and 11, when the box (100) is developed, the various portions (51, 52, 53, 54) of the front sheet (5) are folded along the folding lines (55, 56, 57):

the central portion (51) remains glued to the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1),
the front portion (52) remains glued to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5),
the front lateral tabs (53, 54) are erected with respect to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) and disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4).

The front portion (52) of the front sheet (5) has a rectangular shape and the same dimensions as the front portion (P2) of the punched piece.
The front lateral tabs (53, 54) of the front sheet (5) have a rectangular shape and the same dimensions. When the box (100) is developed, the front lateral tabs (53, 54) of the front sheet (5) are disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4), in such a way as to connect the front portion (P2) of the punched piece to the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4). It must be noted that the edges of the front lateral tabs (53, 54) of the front sheet (5) have lower dimensions than the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4).
The central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) comprises a housing (58) with trapezoidal shape, which is open towards the central sheet (4) and suitable for slidably receiving the front ending portion (41a) of the central sheet (4) that projects towards the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1). When the box (100) is developed, the front ending portion (41a) of the central sheet (4) that projects towards the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1) is folded by 90° upwards and slides inside the housing (58) of the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) until it is stopped against the edges that define said housing (58).
With reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 10, the back sheet (6) comprises four portions (61, 62, 63, 64) defined by a longitudinal folding line (65) and two transverse folding lines (66, 67) in parallel position. The portions (61, 62, 63, 64) of the back sheet (6) are made in one piece and comprise:

a central portion (61) suitable for being glued on an upper side of the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1);
a back portion (62) connected to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) by means of the longitudinal folding line (65) and glued to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) in such a way that the back portion (62) is folded by 90° towards the interior of the box (100) with respect to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6);
two back lateral tabs (63, 64) connected to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) by means of a first and a second transverse folding line (66, 67) and suitable for projecting outwards with respect to the transverse sides of the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1).

With reference to Figs. 7 and 11, when the box (100) is developed, the various portions (61, 62, 63, 64) of the back sheet (6) are folded along the folding lines (65, 66, 67):

the central portion (61) remains glued to the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1),
the back portion (62) remains glued to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6),
the back lateral tabs (63, 64) are erected with respect to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) and disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4).

The back portion (62) of the back sheet (6) has a rectangular shape and the same dimensions as the back portion (P3) of the punched piece and the front portion (529 of the front sheet (5).
The back lateral tabs (63, 64) of the back sheet (6) have a rectangular shape and the same dimensions. Moreover, the back lateral tabs (63, 64) of the back sheet (6) have the same dimensions as the front lateral tabs (53, 54) of the front sheet (5). When the box (100) is developed, the back lateral tabs (63, 64) of the back sheet (6) are disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4), in such a way as to connect the back portion (P3) to the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4). It must be noted that the edges of the back lateral tabs (63, 64) of the back sheet (6) have lower dimensions than the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4).
The central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) comprises a housing (68) with trapezoidal shape that is open towards the central sheet (4) and suitable for slidably receiving the back ending portion (41a) of the central sheet (4) that projects towards the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1). When the box (100) is developed, the back ending portion (41b) of the central sheet (4) that projects towards the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1) is folded by 90° upwards and slides inside the housing (68) of the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) until it is stopped against the edges that define said housing (68).
When the box (100) is extended, the punched piece (1), the central sheet (4), the front sheet (5) and the back sheet (6) are extended.
With reference to Fig. 7, in order to fold the box (100), the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1) must be rotated upwards by 90° relative to the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1). In view of the above, the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1) and the front sheet and the back sheet (5, 6) are disposed in erected position relative to the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1).
During the rotation, the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) of the central sheet (4) slide inside the housings (58, 68) of the central portions (51, 61) of the front and the back sheet (5, 6) and are stopped against the edges that define said housings (58, 68). In this way, the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) of the central sheet (4) act as stop for the positioning in perpendicular position of the front and the back portions (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1). Moreover, the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) of the central sheet (4) improve the aesthetics of the box (100). In fact, without the provision of said front and back ending portions (41a, 41b) of the central sheet (4), the edges of the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) would remain visible.
The front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheet (5, 6) are rotated by 90° towards the interior of the box (100).
The lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) are rotated upwards by 90° relative to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4), in such a way as to be disposed in contact with the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheet (5, 6).
The lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) are rotated downwards by 90° relative to the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4), in such a way as to be disposed on the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheets (5, 6), which are disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4).
With reference to Fig. 4, advantageously, the front sheet (5) is shorter than the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1), in such a way that, when the box (100) is developed, a tooth (D) is created between the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) and the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1), said tooth (D) preventing the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) from oscillating transversely. In view of the above, the box (100) is has a high stability and a good impact resistance.
Because of the provision of the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) and of the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheets (5, 6), the box (100) is easy and fast to assemble. Moreover, the box (100) is stable and resistant because the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) and the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheet (5, 6) are attached in fit-in coupling mode.
With reference to Figs. 5 and 7, advantageously, attaching means (7) are disposed between the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) and the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheets (5, 6) in order to attach said portions and hold the box (100) in developed position.
The attaching means (7) can be of irreversible type, such as bi-adhesive tape or glue. Alternatively, the attaching means (7) can be of reversible type, such as magnets, buttons or ribbons inserted in orifices obtained on the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) and on the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheets (5, 6). The advantage of the irreversible attaching means is that they are cheaper and easier to use, whereas the advantage of the reversible attaching means is that the box can go back from developed to extended condition.
As shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the attaching means (7) are two straps of bi-adhesive tape disposed on the side of the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4) suitable for being stopped against the front and the back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64) of the front and the back sheets (5, 6).
It must be noted that the attachment means (7) may be omitted. In such a case, advantageously, the ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet can be made in such a way as to be slightly longer than the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4), in such a way as to be fitted between the front and the back portions (52, 62) of the front and the back sheets (5, 6).
With reference to Figs. 12 and 13, a second embodiment of the box according to the invention is disclosed, which is generally indicated with reference numeral 300.
In the following description the parts that are identical or correspond to the parts described above are identified with the same numerals, omitting a detailed description.
The two front lateral tabs (353, 354) of the front sheet (5) of the box (300) comprise a rectangular main portion (353a, 354a) and a tongue (353b, 354b) that projects outwards with respect to the main portion (353a, 354a) when the box is extended. The height of each tongue (353b, 354b) is lower than the height of the main portion (353a, 354a), in such a way that the tongue (353b, 354b) is flush with the main portion (353a, 354a) on the side facing the central sheet (4) and the main portion (353a, 354a) projects frontally with respect to the tongue (353b, 354b). A longitudinal notch (353c, 354c) opened on the front is obtained between the tongue (353b, 354b) and the main portion (353a, 354a).
The two front lateral tabs (363, 364) of the back sheet (6) of the box (300) comprise a rectangular main portion (363a, 364a) and a tongue (363b, 364b) that projects outwards with respect to the main portion (363a, 364a) of the back sheet (6) when the box is extended. The height of each tongue (353b, 364b) of the back lateral tabs is lower than the height of the main portion (363a, 364a) of the back lateral tabs, in such a way that the tongue (353b, 364b) of the back lateral tabs is flush with the main portion (363a, 364a) of the back lateral tabs on the side facing the upper portion (P4) of the punched piece (1) and the main portion (363a, 364a) of the back lateral tabs projects frontally with respect to the tongue (353b, 364b). A longitudinal notch (363c, 364c) opened on the front is obtained between the tongue (363b, 354b) of the back lateral tabs and the main portion (363a, 364a) of the back lateral tabs.
When the box (100) is developed, the front lateral tabs (353, 354) of the front sheet (5) and the back lateral tabs (363, 364) of the back sheet (6) are disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4), in such a way as to connect the front portion (P2) of the punched piece to the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4).
The sum of the length of the front lateral tab and of the back lateral tab disposed on the same side is higher than the length of the lateral ending portion (44, 45). In view of the above, when the box (100) is developed, the tongues of the front lateral tab and of the back lateral tab are overlapped and mutually fitted in the notch.
Advantageously, the central sheet (4) comprises two appendages (342a, 342b) that protrude outwards from the two lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet. The appendages (342a, 342b) are connected to the two lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet by means of longitudinal folding lines (343a, 343b).
Each lateral ending portion (44, 45) of the central sheet comprises two teeth (344a, 345a), each one being disposed along a transverse edge of the lateral ending portion (44, 45) in correspondence of the longitudinal folding line (343a, 343b) that provides connection with the appendage. In view of the above, each lateral ending portion (44, 45) has a higher length in correspondence of said longitudinal folding line (343a, 343b).
The appendages (342a, 342b) have the same length as the lateral ending portion (44, 45) in correspondence of the longitudinal folding line (343a, 343b).
The front portion (52) of the front sheet and the back portion (62) of the back sheet are provided with:

two transverse ending notches (N1) obtained at the ends of a free transverse edge of said front portion (52) and back portion (62);
two longitudinal ending notches (N2), each one of them being obtained in correspondence of one of the two longitudinal edges of the front portion (52) and the back portion (62).

Each transverse ending notch (N1) communicates with one of the longitudinal ending notches (N2), in such a way as to obtain a single "L"-shaped angular notch.
When the box (300) is developed, the transverse ending notches (N1) are disposed in horizontal position and the longitudinal ending notches (N2) are disposed in vertical position.
The lateral ending portions (44, 45) are disposed in vertical position and the appendages (342a, 342b) of the central sheet are disposed in horizontal position on the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4).
The teeth (344a, 345a) of the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet are disposed inside the longitudinal ending notches (N2) and the lateral edges of the appendages (342a, 342b) of the central sheet are disposed inside the transverse ending notches (N1).
In view of the above, the lateral ending portions (44, 45) and the appendages are fitted in place, without the need of using the attaching means.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the figures, the central sheet (4) does not comprise the two appendages and the front portions (52, 62) of the front sheet and of the back sheet do not comprise the two transverse ending notches (N1).
The central sheet (4) ends laterally with the lateral ending portions (44, 45) provided with the two teeth (344a, 345a). The front portion (52) of the front sheet and the back portion (62) of the back sheet are provided with the two longitudinal ending notches (N2), which are suitable for housing the teeth (344a, 345a) of the two lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet when the box is developed. In view of the above, the lateral ending portions (44, 45) are fitted in place, without the need of using the attaching means.
The manufacturing costs of the box of the invention can be reduced compared to the box of the prior art. In fact, the box may be devoid of the attaching means, or may be provided with the attaching means, which comprise in any case a lower amount of bi-adhesive tape compared to the amount of bi-adhesive tape that is needed in the box of the prior art.
Moreover, it must be noted that the front and the back lateral tabs of the front and the back sheet (5, 6) are not visible because they are covered by the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet (4). In view of the above, the box is aesthetically pleasant.
Because of the provision of the central sheet, of the front sheet and of the back sheet (4, 5, 6), the box can be assembled rapidly and easily. Moreover, the box is aesthetically pleasant. In fact, when the box is developed, the upper edge that defines the upper opening (20) that provides access to the compartment (V) is formed by the longitudinal folding line (55) of the front sheet (5), by the longitudinal folding line (65) of the back sheet (6) and by the third and the fourth transverse folding line (48, 49) of the central sheet (4). In view of the above, the upper edge (20) does not have any sharp cuts and is aesthetically pleasant.
Although not shown in the figures, the central sheet (4) may be devoid of the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) and the central portion of the front and the back sheet may be devoid of the housing (58, 68).
Although not shown in the figures, the front and the back sheet (5, 6) may be devoid of the front and the back portion. In such a case, the central sheet (4) is devoid of the front and back ending portions (41a, 41b) and the central portion of the front and the back sheet is devoid of the housing (58, 68).
Although not shown in the figures, the central sheet, the front sheet and the back sheet (4, 5, 6) can be made in one piece. In such a case, the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) is attached to the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1), whereas the front sheet (5) and the back sheet (6) are attached to the front and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece only when the box is developed. In such a case, the central sheet (4) is devoid of the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41b) and the central portions of the front and the back sheet are devoid of the housing (58, 68).
Numerous variations and modifications can be made to the present embodiments of the invention, which are within the reach of an expert of the field, falling in any case within the scope of the invention as disclosed by the appended claims.

Claims

Foldable parallelepiped box (100) comprising a punched piece (1) comprising:
- a central portion (P1) suitable for acting as bottom wall for the box (100);

- a front portion (P2) and a back portion (P3) connected to the central portion (P1) by means of a first and a second longitudinal folding line (L1, L2); said front and back portions (P2, P3) being erected with respect to the central portion (P1) and suitable for acting as front wall and back wall for the box (100) when the box (100) is developed;
said box (100) comprising:
- two rectangular lateral portions (42, 43) that project outwards with respect to transverse sides of the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1) when the box (100; 300) is extended; said lateral portions (42, 43) being suitable for being disposed in erected position with respect to the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1), in such a way as to act as lateral walls for the box (100) when the box (100) is developed;

- two ending lateral portions (44, 45) with rectangular shape connected to the lateral portions (42, 43) and suitable for being folded by 90° towards the interior of the box (100) with respect to the lateral portions (42, 43) in such a way as to be overlapped to the lateral portions (42, 43);

- two front lateral tabs (53, 54; 353, 354) that project outwards with respect to the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1) when the box (100) is extended;

- two back lateral tabs (63, 64; 363, 364) that project outwards with respect to the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1) when the box (100) is extended;
wherein said front and back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64; 353, 354, 363, 364) are suitable for being disposed in erected position with respect to the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1) in such a way as to be disposed between the lateral portions (42, 43) and the ending lateral portions (44, 45) when the box (100) is developed;
characterized in that it comprises:
- a central sheet (4) suitable for being disposed on the central portion (P1) of the punched piece; said central sheet (4) comprising the lateral portions (42, 43) and the ending lateral portions (44, 45);

- a front sheet (5) suitable for being disposed on the front portion (P2) of the punched piece, and comprising the front lateral tabs (53, 54; 353, 354); and

- a back sheet (6) suitable for being disposed on the back portion (P3) of the punched piece, and comprising the back lateral tabs (63, 64; 363, 364).
The box (100; 300) of claim 1, wherein said ending lateral portions (44, 45) are in one piece with the lateral portions (42, 43) and are connected to the lateral portions (42, 43) by means of folding lines (48, 49).
The box (100; 300) of claim 2, wherein said central sheet (4) comprises a central portion (41) suitable for being glued on an upper side of the central portion (P1) of the punched piece (1); said central portion (41) being connected to the lateral portions (42, 43) by means of two folding lines (46, 47); said central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) having a rectangular shape and the same dimensions as the central portion (P1) of the punched piece.
The box (100; 300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front sheet (5) comprises a central portion (51) suitable for being glued on an upper side of the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1); said central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) being connected to the front lateral tabs (53, 54) by means of two folding lines (56, 57).
The box (100; 300) of claim 4, wherein the front sheet (5) comprises a front portion (52) connected to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) by means of a folding line (55) and glued to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5) in such a way that the front portion (52) is folded by 90° towards the interior of the box (100) with respect to the central portion (51) of the front sheet (5); said front portion (52) of the front sheet (5) having the same dimensions as the front portion (P2) of the punched piece.
The box (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the back sheet (6) comprises a central portion (61) suitable for being glued on an upper side of the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1); said central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) being connected to the back lateral tabs (63, 64; 363, 354) by means of two folding lines (66, 67).
The box (100; 300) of claim 6, wherein the back sheet (6) comprises a back portion (62) connected to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) by means of a folding line (65) and glued to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6) in such a way that the back portion (62) is folded by 90° towards the interior of the box (100) with respect to the central portion (61) of the back sheet (6); said back portion (62) of the back sheet (6) having the same dimensions as the back portion (P3) of the punched piece.
The box (100; 300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central sheet (4), the front sheet (5) and the back sheet (6) are made in one piece.
The box (100) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the central sheet (4), the front sheet (5) and the back sheet (6) comprise a central portion (41, 51, 61) glued to the central portion (P1), to the front portion (P2) and to the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1);
said central sheet (4) comprises two front and back ending portions (41a, 41b) connected to the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) by means of two folding lines (46, 47) and suitable for projecting towards the front portion (P2) and the back portion (P3) of the punched piece (1), in such a way as to be overlapped to the front portion and the back portion (P2, P3) of the punched piece (1);
said central portions (51, 61) of the front sheet and the back sheet (5, 6) comprising a housing (58, 68) that is open towards the central sheet (4) and suitable for slidably receiving the front and the back ending portions (41a, 41 b) of the central sheet (4).
The box (100; 300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the front sheet (5) is lower than the length of the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1), in such a way that, when the box (100) is developed, a tooth (D) is created between the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) and the front portion (P2) of the punched piece (1), said tooth (D) preventing the lateral portions (42, 43) of the central sheet (4) from oscillating transversely.
The box (100; 300) of any one of the preceding claims, comprising attaching means (7) disposed between said lateral ending portions (44, 45) and said front and back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64; 353, 354, 363, 364), when the box (100; 300) is developed; said attaching means (7) being irreversible attaching means.
The box (100; 300) of any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising attaching means (7) disposed between said lateral ending portions (44, 45) and said front and back lateral tabs (53, 54, 63, 64; 353, 354, 363, 364), when the box (100; 300) is developed; said attaching means (7) being reversible attaching means.
The box (300) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two front lateral tabs (353, 354) of the front sheet (5) and the two back lateral tabs (363, 364) comprise:
- a main portion (353a, 354a, 363a, 364a);

- a tongue (353b, 354b) that protrudes outwards with respect to the main portion (353a, 354a) when the box is extended;

- a longitudinal notch (353c, 354c, 363c, 364c) between the tongue (353b, 354b) and the main portion (353a, 354a);
wherein the tongues of the front lateral tab and of the back lateral tab disposed on the same side of the box are suitable for overlapping, and each tongue is fitted in the notch of the other tongue when the box (300) is developed.
The box (100) of any one of claims 3 to 13, wherein
each lateral ending portion (44, 45) of the central sheet comprises two teeth (344a, 345a); each tooth (344a, 345a) being disposed along a transverse edge of the lateral ending portion (44, 45) in the longitudinal folding line (343a, 343b) that provides connection with the appendage;
said front sheet (5) comprises a front portion (52) and said back sheet (6) comprises a back portion (62); said front portion (52) of the front sheet and said back portion (62) of the back sheet comprising two longitudinal ending notches (N2), each of them being obtained in a longitudinal edge of the front portion (52) and the back portion (62) and suitable for housing one of the teeth (344a, 345a) of the lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet when the box (300) is developed.
The box (100) of claim 14, wherein the central sheet (4) comprises two appendages (342a, 342b) connected to the two lateral ending portions (44, 45) of the central sheet by means of longitudinal folding lines (343a, 343b) and suitable for being disposed in horizontal position on the central portion (41) of the central sheet (4) when the box (300) is developed;
wherein said appendages (342a, 342b) have the same length as the lateral ending portion (44, 45) in the longitudinal folding line (343a, 343b);
said front portion (52) of the front sheet and said back portion (62) of the back sheet comprising two transverse ending notches (N1) obtained at the ends of a free transverse edge of said front portion (52) and back portion (62) and suitable for housing lateral edges of the appendages (342a, 342b) of the central sheet when the box (300) is developed.