OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
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The invention, as expressed in the title of this descriptive report, refers to a display packaging box that provides, in relation to its intended function, advantages and characteristics that are described in detail below, which represent an improved alternative to the current state of the art.
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The object of this invention is a packaging box, of a type intended for the incorporation of products displayed at a point of sale, which, being formed from a die-cut sheet, usually of cardboard, fitted with folding lines and flaps, which allow it to be assembled without the need for an adhesive or other additional means of fixing, presents the peculiarity of possessing an improved structural design that facilitates this assembly and ensures that it stays securely in an assembled position, preventing it from unintentionally unfolding.
SCOPE OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION
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The scope of application of this invention falls within the industry sector dedicated to the manufacture of packaging, particularly cardboard packaging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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Multiple types and models of open packaging boxes relevant to this context are known in the state of the art. They are intended for displaying products at a point of sale and are typically made of a die-cut sheet, usually of cardboard, equipped with tabs and folding lines that allow assembly by folding the different parts, without the need to use an adhesive or other additional means of fixing.
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In general, this type of box has a rectangular base, formed by two or more crossing flaps, two side panel, a back panel and a front panel, which is usually shorter. They are folded and secured to each other via a glued flap, fixing them perpendicular to the respective sides of the base, leaving the upper part open so that the exposed products inside can be easily placed, viewed and removed.
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In some models, the box also has two upper flaps that fold parallel to the base as a support surface to allow the stacking of one box on top of another, even when open at the top. For example, in document
GB2567852B , a packaging box is disclosed that includes flaps at the top of the panels defining a continuous edge, which folds inward at the side panels to define the said support surface, and at the rear where it is vertically attached, forming folds at the corners.
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However, this solution has several drawbacks. Firstly, the upper support surface is very small. In addition, the thickness of the corner folds and the folded-rear flap create a bulge in the back and outer part of the box, which can be an obstruction, preventing or hindering the storage of the box. In turn, the rear flap that is folded backward always tends to shift, which can be a discomfort that detracts from the box's appearance and could lead to it unintentionally coming apart.
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The aim of this invention is, therefore, to develop an improved type of display packaging box that offers an enhanced solution for creating a support surface, and that ensures that the panels attach more securely, preventing it from unintentionally coming apart or unfolding. This design avoids the need for any external element that bulges or may hinder the box's storage.
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Moreover, and as a reference to the current state of the art, it should be noted that, at least to the applicant's knowledge, no other display packaging box or similar invention exists that has technical, structural or constitutive characteristics that are equal or similar to those claimed here.
EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
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The display packaging box proposed by the invention serves as an ideal solution to achieve the above objectives, with the distinguishing features that enable this and that set it apart, conveniently outlined in the final claims that accompany this description.
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Specifically, what the invention proposes, as noted above, is a packaging box to display products at a point of sale, which, made from a die-cut cardboard sheet and fitted with folding lines that allow it to be assembled without using extra adhesives or other means of fixing, it stands out for its improved structural design that facilitates its assembly and ensures its remains secure, preventing unintentional unfolding.
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More specifically, the die-cut sheet that, after folding, forms the packaging box that is the object of the invention has a well-known perimeter die-cut shape and multiple folding lines that essentially define a rectangular base. This base is formed by a series of lower flaps that intersect, two rectangular side panels, a rectangular back panel and a cut-out front panel that creates an access opening for the products. In addition, there are upper flaps intended to create a small support surface, in the form of a rim parallel to the top of the box's base, allowing it to be stackable even when opened at the top, so that when placing one box on top of another, they are correctly positioned without the corners of the upper box entering the lower box.
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And, from this already known design, the packaging box that is the object of the invention is essentially distinguished by the fact that the above-mentioned upper flaps, instead of forming a bonded flap that folds inward on the sides and backward on the back-creating only two stretches of upper support surface aligning with the side panels-, are actually three independent flaps. These flaps align with the upper end of the side panels and the rear panel, which all fold toward the centre or interior of the box, defining a continuous upper support surface, parallel to the bottom base and encompassing three sides of the box. A continuous top rim is thus formed on the three adjacent sides, which reinforces the load-bearing capacity of the box for stacking.
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For this purpose, these flaps are equipped with fastening tabs, at least on the side flaps, which have a recess that fits and locks into a corresponding recess on the rear flap. This rear flap locks into these tabs, ensuring that both flaps are securely fixed in a folded position toward the centre of the box and parallel to the bottom base.
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As a result, the box is easily assembled and, once assembled, it has no protruding elements on its exterior that could hinder its storage. In addition, the flaps forming the upper support surface are secured in place with the aforementioned fastening tabs, preventing them from shifting or lifting unintentionally.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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To complement the description and in order to help to better understand the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied by a sheet of drawings, which serves as an integral part of the document and depicts the following in an illustrative and non-restrictive manner:
- Figure 1 - Shows an plan view of an example of the die-cut sheet from which the display packaging box that is the object of the invention is assembled, showing the parts and elements that it comprises;
- Figures 2 to 5 - Show respective views in perspective of the successive stages of assembling the display packaging box that is the object of the invention, according to the example shown in Figure 1; and
- Figure 6 - Shows an expanded view of a breakdown of the box assembly, highlighting the fastening tab used to attach the back panel to the side panels.
PREFERENTIAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION
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The aforementioned figures and the adopted numbering show an example of the nonlimiting implementation of the display packaging box of the invention, which is described in detail below.
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Thus, as shown in these figures, the box (1) of the invention essentially comprises, as shown in Figure 1, a die-cut cardboard sheet (10), equipped with folding lines (2), featuring a rectangular base (3) consisting of a series of overlapping lower flaps (3.1), two rectangular side panels (4), a rectangular back panel (5) and a cut-out front panel (6) to define a front opening (7) for product access. There is also a series of upper flaps (4.1, 5.1) that extend respectively, aligning with the upper end of the side panels (4) and with the upper end of the back panel (5). Once the upper flaps (4.1, 5.1) are folded, they provide a top support surface, parallel to the bottom base (3) of the box (1).
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And, from this already known design, the box (1) is essentially distinguished by the fact that the above-mentioned upper flaps (4.1, 5.1), instead of forming a bonded flap and defining only two sections of the upper support surface aligning with the side panels, comprise three flaps that are separated from each other and all fold 90° toward the centre or interior of the box (1). As such, a support surface is created, parallel to the base (3) in the form of a continuous rim covering three sides of the box, aligning with the side panels (4) and the rear panel (5). To achieve this, the upper flaps (4.1, 5.1) have fastening tabs (8) to secure them together in this position parallel to the base (3).
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Preferably, the box includes such fastening tabs (8) at least on the back of the side upper flaps (4.1), to secure them to the back upper flap (5.1).
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And, preferably, these fastening tabs (8) have a shape approximately resembling an inverted L, such that it defines a recess (8.1) where the upper rear flap fits tightly and is secured on both sides (5.1).
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Optionally, on the sides of this back upper flap (5.1), a lateral box (5.2) is provided that facilitates its folding.
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In addition, preferably, the rear panel (5) will have an adjacent flap (5.3) with a side closure, which has the option of an upper section (5.4). This upper section, attached to it by a folding line, serves to reinforce the connection between the panels of the box and providing additional reinforcement for the back upper flap (5.1).
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Thus, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the assembly of the box (1) from the die-cut sheet shown in Figure 1 essentially comprises the following steps:
- First, the lower flaps (3.1) are folded inward to form the base (3), Figures 2 and 3.
- Next, the upper lateral flaps (4.1) are folded inward 90°,coinciding with the upper part of the side panels (4), Figure 4.
- Then, the back upper flap (5.1) is folded, also inward 90°, matching the upper part of the back panel (5), Figure 5.
- As part of the action above (Then, the back upper flap (5.1) is folded, also inward 90°, matching the upper part of the back panel (5), Figure 5), the side of the upper rear flap (5.1) is fitted into each of the boxes (8.1) of the two fastening tabs (8) provided in the upper lateral flaps (4.1), applying pressure with this rear flap (5.1) against them, such that the passage of the back upper flap (5.1) is blocked in the opposite direction, preventing it from shifting or coming loose, as shown in the detail of Figure 6.
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Having sufficiently described the nature of this invention, as well as how to put it into practice, there is no need to further elaborate on its explanation for any expert in the field to understand its scope and the advantages it offers.