FR2787419A1 - Stackable tray folded from flat has double-thickness end walls and detachable corner reinforcements - Google Patents

Abstract

The tray, made from a single cut and folded panel of strong cardboard or other suitable material, has a rectangular base (1), side walls (2) and double-thickness end walls (3) with flaps (4) that fold inwards and are attached to the base by tongues (41) engaging with slots (12). The inner flaps (4) also cover flaps on the ends of the side walls and themselves have additional end flaps (5) which fold round onto the side walls. The corners of the assembled tray are fitted with molded plastic reinforcements (6) which have inverted U-shaped channels with lips (63) to clip into slots (42) in the end walls and are shaped to receive another tray stacked on top.

Description

The present invention relates to a stackable and foldable resistance box

  improved. In a growing number of industries, it has become common

  use storage boxes made of light material such as cardboard or polypropylene

  lene. For reasons of profitability, these boxes are asked to be light, stackable, resistant, easy to assemble and, if possible, that they can be assembled without using any means of fixing such as rivets, staples, etc. This last objective is dictated by the wish to be able to quickly assemble and disassemble the body and, if possible, to be able to reuse it later without

  that it was damaged during a first use.

  In practice, it is difficult to reconcile all these characteristics

within the same fund.

  We then have to deal with a box which, for example, turns out to be easy to fold and

  unfold, but is not very resistant to stacking.

  Thus, document WO-A-94/14662 describes a self-locking upper rail handling bin. This bin has a foldable structure. To improve its resistance, corner reinforcements are provided which constitute independent elements of

the very structure of the tank.

  We understand that during periods of non-use of the bin during which it

  is dismantled, the corner reinforcements must always be kept close to the rest of the tank.

  Otherwise, when the tank is "rebuilt", the reinforcements are absent, which alters its resistance. Furthermore, the rail is formed by a frame of large dimensions, which

  requires a large storage space when not in use.

  The present invention adjustment aims to solve these problems by providing a stackable and collapsible box, which can be assembled and disassembled without having

  use any means of attachment which is light and resistant,

  in the corners, especially in the stacked position.

  This box, in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, is of the type which comprises a rectangular bottom bordered longitudinally and transversely by two side walls, the longitudinal walls themselves being framed by two first flaps intended, in the erected position of the box, for s' extend parallel to the transverse walls. It is essentially characterized by the fact that: the transverse walls are extended, in the longitudinal direction, by a second flap of identical dimensions, itself framed by transverse wings, each pair of transverse wall and second flap being intended, in the erected position, to cover the first flaps, while the transverse wings are intended to extend parallel to the longitudinal walls; - And that it includes angles intended to engage in its angles and to snap into force in and / or against complementary arrangements, provided

on this one.

  Furthermore, according to other advantageous but non-limiting characteristics: - said angles include two branches arranged at right angles, with a cross section in the shape of an inverted "U", the inner wing of which is provided with latching means; - Said latching means consists of a projection generally parallel to the base of the "U"; said angles also include means for centering and retaining a second box in stacked position; - Said additional arrangements consist of openings provided in the second flaps and / or in tabs integral with the transverse wings; - Said second flap is provided with at least one tab capable of locking in a corresponding opening provided in said bottom; - Said transverse walls have cutouts in "U" which, once folded back to 180, constitute grips; - It further comprises reinforcing profiles of side walls, able to partially engage in said angles; - when unfolded and laid flat, the partitions of said material

  extend parallel to its longitudinal direction.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on

  detailed reading which will follow of a preferred but nonlimiting embodiment.

  This description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

  - Figure 1 is a top view of the box of the invention, in an unfolded and flat position; - Figure 2 is a simplified perspective view of the box of Figure 1, being erected; - Figures 3 to 5 are partial views, in longitudinal section, of the box of Figures 1 and 2, intended to illustrate the mode of folding and mutual arrangement of the different elements which constitute it; - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cup forming an integral part of the body and a complementary profile; - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a part of the box erected, exterior side, showing one of its transverse walls provided with a grip handle; - Figure 8 is a perspective view of a part of the box erected, internal side, intended to illustrate how the hinge and profile cooperate with the rest of the box; FIG. 9 is a perspective view of part of the box erected,

according to an alternative embodiment.

  The box according to the invention is formed of a blank F of thick cardboard or similar material. By the expression "analogous material" is meant a material of similar weight and structure, such as cellular polypropylene or "honeycomb" by

example.

  The blank is formed by a rectangular bottom 1 whose longitudinal edges and

  transverse, referenced respectively 10 and 11, constitute fold lines.

  Parallel to the edges 11 extend two pairs of elongated rectangular openings 12, each arranged in the vicinity of an angle of the bottom 1. Their function will be explained

later in the description.

  The length and width of the bottom are referenced respectively L and I; It is bordered by a first pair of lateral and longitudinal walls 2, of length L and of width h. This last dimension defines the height of the body

after erection.

  These walls 2 are themselves framed by two identical first flaps 20, of length a and width h. The dimension a corresponds substantially to

half the width !.

  The bottom 1 is also bordered by a second pair of transverse lateral walls 3, of length h and width 1. Once the box is erected, the dimension h will define the height thereof. In these walls are formed "U" cutouts 30, the base of which extends parallel to the fold line 11 and the wings are turned towards the latter. They are placed near a second transverse fold line

  32, parallel to the line 11. The cutouts 30 delimit tongues 31.

  The transverse walls 3 are extended, in the longitudinal direction, by a second flap 4 of substantially identical surface and dimensions. It therefore has a length h and a width 1. It is delimited transversely by a fold line 40 parallel to the line 32. These two lines are separated from each other by a very small interval 44, of

  the order of the thickness of the body material.

  Longitudinally, the flap 4 is delimited by two fold lines 43 which define a "border" between this flap and transverse wings 5 which will be described more

far.

  In the flap 4 are formed two openings 42. They extend parallel to the fold line 40 and are each arranged at an angle. We will explain

further their function.

  Finally, in the free transverse edge of the flap 4 are formed two tabs 41 forming protrusions, which are located strictly in the longitudinal alignment of the

  openings 12 in the bottom 1, and the dimensions of which correspond to those of these openings.

  The transverse wings 5 have a length h. They are provided with a lug 50 directed longitudinally, which extends in the angle formed by the wing 5

wall and the wall 3.

  In the case where the constituent material of the box is a partitioned material such as cellular polypropylene, it is particularly important that the partitions or grooves C extend in the longitudinal direction of the box, in order to improve its

  resistance to crushing in erected position.

  The stackable and foldable box according to the invention also includes angles 6 intended, as will be seen below, to engage in its angles. A

  of them is visible in Figure 6.

  It is a molded plastic angle, which consists of

  two branches 6a and 6b which extend at right angles.

  Its lower part has a cross section in inverted "U", with a base 61 and two wings 60 and 62, respectively external and internal. The outer wing 60 extends beyond the plane of the base 61 to form a protruding rim 64. As will be seen more

  far away, these bases 61 and rim 64 will constitute means for centering and positioning

  ment of a second box in stacked position.

  As can be seen in FIG. 6, the inner wing 62 is provided with latching means 63. These are projections provided on the free end of the wing 62, which extend parallel to the base 61 , in the direction of the outer wing 60. It will be noted that these projections are only present on part of the angle. Indeed, the corner area in

is devoid.

  In a particular embodiment, the body also comprises profiles 7. These are profiles in the shape of an inverted "U", with a base 71 and two parallel wings 70 and 72. The total height of this profile is equal, up close, up to par

  internal v separating the internal faces of the base 61 and of the projection 63 of the angle 6.

  We will now explain, more specifically with reference to Figures 2 to 5, how we fold the cardboard blank of Figure 1 to obtain a case

operational.

  For reasons of simplification, the body as shown in Figure 2, appears without any of the openings or legs visible in Figure 1, which

  equip the bottom as well as the walls and flaps.

  Referring now to this FIG. 2, we begin by folding the first flaps 20 of the side walls 2 along the lines 21 (arrow k), so that

  that they occupy a position substantially perpendicular to the walls 2.

  The longitudinal walls 2 are then folded along the lines 10 and the assembly is brought back, in the direction of the arrow j, towards the bottom 1. The first

  flaps 20 then occupy a vertical position.

  In a subsequent step, we start by folding the tabs 31 delimited by the cutouts 30 of the transverse walls 3 so as to fold them against the latter. They are folded down so as to press against the internal face of the walls 3. This operation is intended to provide handles P in the body, one of which

  is particularly visible in Figure 7.

  A subsequent step consists in folding the second flap 4 along the two lines 32 and 40 and in raising it, in the direction of the arrow m, so as to make it occupy a substantially vertical orientation. The transverse wings 5 are then folded in the direction of the arrow n, so that they occupy an orientation perpendicular to the second

  flap, while being turned away from the transverse wall 3.

  The transverse walls 3 are then noted in the direction of the arrow p of

  so that they come to press against the first flaps 20 of the longitudi-

  nales. We are then in the situation of FIG. 3.

  The following operation consists in folding the assembly formed by the second flaps 4 and the transverse wings 5 against the first flaps 20, in the direction of the arrow

r (see Figures 3 and 4).

  We then end up in the situation in which the transverse wings 5

  extend against and parallel to the longitudinal walls 2 (see Figure 5).

  The assembly formed by a transverse wall 3 and a second flap 4 comes

  therefore style, ie cover the first flaps 20.

  We therefore obtain a box whose angles are particularly reinforced by several thicknesses of material, while being in one and the same piece with the rest

of it.

  In this position, the legs 41 which equip the second flaps 4

  engage in the openings 12 provided for this purpose in the bottom 1 (see Figure 7).

  As is particularly visible in Figure 7, the handles P described above have the advantage of not opening into the body, which

  avoids problems of dirt by accumulation of dust.

  The strength and rigidity of the body thus formed is improved by the implementation

  place angles 6 in each of its angles.

  As they are symmetrically shaped pieces, each of them can be

  engaged indifferently in any angle of the body.

  Beforehand, care will have been taken to fold the tabs 50 which equip the transverse wings 5 towards the inside of the body, against the flap 5 proper (see FIG. 8). Each of the angles is then engaged vertically from top to bottom in such a way that the projections 63 engage for one in the corresponding opening 42 of the

  second flap 4 for the second against the free edge 500 of the tab 50.

  Thus installed, the angles 6 are locked on the body, their removal being possible only if there is a significant pressure on the second

flaps and transverse wings.

  These angles help not only to improve the locking of the body but also to strengthen its angles and to constitute support and

  centering for the installation of a second box by stacking.

  In order to further improve the rigidity of the body, it is possible to set up on its longitudinal and transverse edges profiles such as that bearing the reference 7 in Figure 6. As mentioned above, the size of these profiles is suitable for partially engaging inside the corner angles and thus forming

a recess.

  We are therefore dealing here with a box which can be mounted without any tools or

  fasteners such as rivets, screws, clips or the like.

  In practice, even an inexperienced person comes up

  quickly a case of this kind, within a period of the order of 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  In addition, this box can be stored flat, transport costs

  and storage are greatly reduced.

  It is a particularly economical case because it does not have

  need to be kept in shape using additional fastening means.

  Finally, due to the rigidity obtained by the presence of "candles" in the corners of the body and the angles 6, it is possible, for equal resistance, to reduce the

grammage of the material used.

Claims (9)

  1. Stackable and foldable box in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, which comprises a rectangular bottom (1) bordered longitudinally and transversely by two side walls (2, 3), the longitudinal walls (2) being themselves framed by two first flaps ( 20) intended, in the erected position of the body, to extend parallel to the transverse walls (3), characterized in that: - the transverse walls (3) extend, in the longitudinal direction, by   a second flap (4) of identical dimensions, itself framed by transverse wings   the (5), each pair of transverse wall (3) and second flap (4) being intended, in an erected position, to cover the first flaps (20), while the transverse wings (5) are intended to extend parallel to the longitudinal walls (2); - And that it includes angles (6) intended to engage in its angles and to snap forcibly into and / or against complementary arrangements (42, 50) provided thereon.   2. Box according to claim 1, characterized in that said angles (6) have two branches (6a, 6b) arranged at right angles, cross section in the shape of an inverted "U", including the inner wing (62) is provided with latching means (63). 3. Box according to claim 2, characterized in that said latching means consists of a projection (63) generally parallel to the base (61) of the "U".   4. Box according to one of claims 2 to 3, characterized in that   said angles (6) also include means (64) for centering and retaining   a second box in stacked position.   5. Box according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   said additional arrangements consist of openings (42) provided in   the second flaps (4) and / or in integral lugs (50) of the transverse wings (5).   6. Box according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that   said second flap (4) is provided with at least one tab (41) capable of locking in a   corresponding opening (12) provided in said bottom (1).   7. Box according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that   said transverse walls (3) have "U" cutouts (30) which, once   folded back to 180, constitute grip handles (P).   8. Box according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that   that it further comprises profiles (7) for reinforcing side walls, capable of engaging   partially in said angles (6).   9. Box according to one of claims 1 to 8 formed of a material   partitioned such as cellular polypropylene, characterized in that when it is unfolded and laid flat, the partitions of said material extend parallel to its longitudinal direction.