GB1586161A

GB1586161A - Storage and display of boxes

Info

Publication number: GB1586161A
Application number: GB25983/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Garrod and Lofthouse Ltd
Current assignee: Garrod and Lofthouse Ltd
Priority date: 1976-06-22
Filing date: 1976-06-22
Publication date: 1981-03-18
Also published as: ZA773194B

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN AND ELATING TO STORAGE AND DISPLAY OF BOXES (71) We, GARROD & LOFTHOUSE LIMITED, a British Company of 6 Langley Street, London, W.C.2., do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be perfonned, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to devices for the storage and/or display of boxes.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a device for mounting a box for storage and/or display purposes, the box comprising a base, a lid pivoted thereon, a slit defined in the plane of the base and at least one locating stud projecting from the base inwardly of the box, the device comprising a base part and a flap extending from said base part, said flap having at least one opening therein and being dimensioned such that in use a box can be releasably mounted on the device with said flap extending into the box through the slit in the plane of the base thereof to overlie the base of the box and with the or a said locating stud extending through said opening in said flap to retain said flap in the box.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided an assembly of a device as described above and a box mounted thereon, said box comprising a base, a lid pivoted thereon, a slit defined in the plane of said base and at least one locating stud projecting from said base inwardly of said box, said flap of said device extending into said box through said slit and overlying said base with said opening engaging said stud to retain said flap in said box.

Advantageously the slit in the box is defined between the lid and the base and the flap is engaged in the box in such a way as to permit opening of the box by pivoting of the lid.

The invention will be more fully understood from the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a display device according to the invention having a cassette box mounted thereon, the lid of the box being omitted for the sake of clarity; Figure 2 is a section through the device of Figure 1 with the box removed and taken on the line II-II of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a display device; Figure 4 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a device according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a section on the line V-V of Figure 4 but with a cassette box mounted on the device which is folded up round the box, and Figure 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a device according to the present invention.

The device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a planar base part 2, e.g. of sheet material such as cardboard, on which display information in the form of words and/or pictures may be reproduced. A flap 3 is hingedly connected to the base part 2 and is provided with two openings 4, 5 in the form of circular apertures. Preferably, the flap is integral with the base part and is cut out from the base part intermediate the periphery along the three sides of a rectangle, the flap being connected to the base part along the fourth side. The display information is preferably printed over the flap as well as the base part so that when the flap is lying in the plane of the base part, the display information is continuous across the base part and flap.

A cassette box 6, the lid of which has been omitted, is of the type commonly used to package pre-recorded magnetic tape cassettes for sale and includes a generally planar base 7 and upstanding side walls 8, 9 and 10 on three sides of the base. The lid is pivotally mounted on the box and includes the fourth side wall and extends into the plane of the base to define with the base a slit when the lid is closed. Side walls 8 and 10 project beyond the edge of the base to form mounting points for the lid. Two locating studs 11, 12 extend inwardly of the box from the base 7 and are dimensioned to be received in the spindle apertures of a cassette housed within the box, to prevent rotation of the cassette spools during storage.

As can be seen from Figure 1, to mount the box 6 on the device 1, the lid of the box is opened and the base 7 of the box is placed on the base part 2 of the device 1 and the flap 3 is introduced into the box between the lid and the base to extend over the base of the box with the studs 11, 12 extending through the apertures 4, 5. When the lid is closed, the flap thus extends through the slit defined between the lid and the base. A cassette (not shown) is then placed in the box and the box closed or, in the alternative, the box is closed without a cassette. In either event, the box cannot be removed from the card because of the engagement of the studs with the apertures of the flap, but this engagement does not prevent opening of the lid of the box. The box may be removed from the part 2 without damage to the part 2 or flap by the reverse of this procedure.

It will be noted that the device can be used tn three different ways. Firstly, with no cassette box mounted on the flap and the flap located in the plane of the base part, the device may be displayed freely in a shop to give information about cassettes held in stock by the shop, in the same way as record sleeves are commonly displayed. Secondly, the cassette box with a cassette may be mounted on the flap and the device displayed for self selection by customers. Thirdly, the cassette box without the cassette may be mounted on the flap and displayed for self selection by customers but here there is no fear of the cassette being stolen.

It will be noted that the retailer may readily change from one display mode to another. Accordingly, it is envisaged that display devices and cassette boxes will be supplied separately to the retailer to enable him to use the devices as he desires.

The display device may be made with the base part of one or more layers of cardboard. When the base of the display device is formed from two layers of cardboard which are alhered together the flap 3 is preferably only a single layer thick and is cut out of only one of the layers of the base part so that the base part extends continuously behind the flap and the reverse of the base part is uninterrupted.

The display card may be flat, planar, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or may have any other desired configuration. For example, as shown in Figure 3, the device may be formed of a card which is folded to provide a planar base part 2 with a flap 3 and two connected panels 2a, the part 2 and panels 2a forming a triangle so that the device can be stood up. The flap may be located at any desired point on the base part 2.

The device shown in Figures 4 to 6 comprises a planar base part 2 made for example of sheet material, e.g. cardboard, and similar to that described above. As before the base part 2 has a flap 3 hingedly connected thereto intermediate the margin of the base part and provided with two openings 4, 5 here in the form of diamond shaped apertures for engaging over the studs 11, 12 extending from the base of a cassette box.

The flap 3 is so arranged on base part 2 and the base part 2 is so dimensioned that a box mounted on part 2 lies at or within the periphery of the part 2. In this embodiment the base part 2 is hingedly connected with a cover part 13 by a spine part 14 of a width such that a cassette box can be accommodated between the base and cover parts when arranged overlying one another.

The device is made from a cardboard blank which is die cut to define the flap 3 and creased to define the spine part between the base part and cover part. Preferably, as shown, the cover, base and spine parts are each of double thickness so that the outer surface of each is continuous, i.e. is not interrupted by the die cut defining the flap 3 which is formed in the inner thickness of the base part 2. Such a device may be made from a single blank which is die cut to define the flap 3 and creased to provide folds at edges 15, 16 of the cover and base part as well as folds defining the spine part 14. The end edges 17, 18 of the blank are overlapped adjacent one side of the spine and glued together. The two thicknesses of the base and cover parts are glued together at the periphery of each part.

In a modification, the part of the blank providing the inner layer of spine part 14 and the overlapped portion 17 is omitted so that the inner layers of both the cover and base parts end adjacent the spine part 14 which comprises a single layer. One or both of the inner layers of the cover and base parts is not adhered to the corresponding outer layer so that the two layers will open out, pivotting about the fold definmg the outer edge of the part. Thus the inner facing surfaces of both layers of the part are available for printing and can, for example, be printed with information relating to the recording on the cassette contained in the device. This can avoid the need to provide a separate paper insert in the cassette box bearing the same informa tion.

In a further modification, if additional space is required for printed information, additional panels may be integrally connected to the free edge of the inner layer of the cover panel, which additional panels are folded to lie between the cover panel and the cassette box.

If the device is to accommodate a single cassette box, the base and cover parts may be made with dimensions corresponding to those of a cassette box. Alternatively, as shown, the base and cover parts may have dimensions to accommodate two cassette boxes side by side for convenience of storage with other devices which accommodate two or more cassette boxes, as described below.

To accommodate two cassette boxes, the cover part may, as shown, be formed with a flap 3 which is arranged so that when the cover part overlies the base part the two cassettes are arranged side by side. Alternatively a second flap 3 may be provided on the base part, as shown in broken lines in Figure 1. With this arrangement, if the flaps are so arranged that one cassette box has its hinge centrally of the base part, the two cassette boxes must be spaced apart sufficiently to allow the lid of the one cassette box to be pivoted to its open position. Alternatively the flaps may be arranged so that the hinges of the two cassette boxes each lie on an edge of the base part. In a further alternative, two cassette boxes may be accommodated one overlying the other by providing a flap as indicated in broken lines in Figure 1 on the cover part aligned with the flap on the base part. With this arrangement the width of the spine part must be doubled to accommodate the thickness of two cassette boxes between the base and cover parts.

It will be appreciated that a device as described above may be provided with any number of flaps 3 for accommodating any number of cassette boxes, with suitable dimensioning of the cover, base and spine parts, the boxes being arranged side by side, alternately on the base and cover parts or overlying one another on the base and cover parts.

For protection during marketing, the above described device may be provided with a transparent sleeve 19 (Figure 6) which holds the base and cover parts together.

The sleeve may be made of PVC or acetate.

Where cardboard is used in making the above described devices, it may have a thickness of for example .014 or .016 and may be finished with printing and varnishing as required. For convenience the title of the recording on the tape enclosed within the device as described with reference to Figues 4 to 6 may be printed on the spine part so that it is visible when a plurality of such devices are arranged side by side like books in a book case.

While in the above described devices the openings 4, 5 for receiving the studs 11, 12 of a cassette box are provided by cut-outs in the flaps 3, it will be appreciated that these openiogs may have other shapes than those shown in Figures 1 to 6 and may be provided by slits in the flaps 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, which is otherwise identical with the device of Figures 4 to 6, the openings 4, 5 are provided by slits generally in the form of crosses. Other forms of slits may be used.

It will be appreciated that the flaps 3 may take other forms and shapes than that described. For example the flap may have the shape of a T with the upright of the T connected to the base part and the openings provided in the crossbar of the T. Alternatively the single flap 3 may be replaced by two flaps each provided with a single opening.

Aspects of the subject matter of this application are also disclosed in divisional application No. 7 935 293 (Serial Not 1 586 162).

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:- 1. A device for mounting a box for storage and/or display purposes, the box comprising a base, a lid pivoted thereon, a slit defined in the plane of the base and at least one locating stud projecting from the base inwardly of the box, the device comprising a base part and a flap extending from said base part, said flap having at least one opening therein and being dimensioned such that in use a box can be releasably mounted on the device with said flap ex- tending into the box through the slit in the plane of the base thereof to overlie the base of the box and with the or a said locating stud extending through said opening in said flap to retain said flap in the box.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base part is planar and said flap extends therefrom within the periphery of said base part.

3. A device as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said flap is integrally connected to said base part.

4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said base part is formed of sheet material and said flap is cut out of said base part and connected there to by a line by which said flap is integrally connected to said base part.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base part is formed of at least two superimposed layers of sheet material and said flap is cut out of an outer layer thereof.

6. A device as claimed in any one of

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. tion. In a further modification, if additional space is required for printed information, additional panels may be integrally connected to the free edge of the inner layer of the cover panel, which additional panels are folded to lie between the cover panel and the cassette box. If the device is to accommodate a single cassette box, the base and cover parts may be made with dimensions corresponding to those of a cassette box. Alternatively, as shown, the base and cover parts may have dimensions to accommodate two cassette boxes side by side for convenience of storage with other devices which accommodate two or more cassette boxes, as described below. To accommodate two cassette boxes, the cover part may, as shown, be formed with a flap 3 which is arranged so that when the cover part overlies the base part the two cassettes are arranged side by side. Alternatively a second flap 3 may be provided on the base part, as shown in broken lines in Figure 1. With this arrangement, if the flaps are so arranged that one cassette box has its hinge centrally of the base part, the two cassette boxes must be spaced apart sufficiently to allow the lid of the one cassette box to be pivoted to its open position. Alternatively the flaps may be arranged so that the hinges of the two cassette boxes each lie on an edge of the base part. In a further alternative, two cassette boxes may be accommodated one overlying the other by providing a flap as indicated in broken lines in Figure 1 on the cover part aligned with the flap on the base part. With this arrangement the width of the spine part must be doubled to accommodate the thickness of two cassette boxes between the base and cover parts. It will be appreciated that a device as described above may be provided with any number of flaps 3 for accommodating any number of cassette boxes, with suitable dimensioning of the cover, base and spine parts, the boxes being arranged side by side, alternately on the base and cover parts or overlying one another on the base and cover parts. For protection during marketing, the above described device may be provided with a transparent sleeve 19 (Figure 6) which holds the base and cover parts together. The sleeve may be made of PVC or acetate. Where cardboard is used in making the above described devices, it may have a thickness of for example .014 or .016 and may be finished with printing and varnishing as required. For convenience the title of the recording on the tape enclosed within the device as described with reference to Figues 4 to 6 may be printed on the spine part so that it is visible when a plurality of such devices are arranged side by side like books in a book case. While in the above described devices the openings 4, 5 for receiving the studs 11, 12 of a cassette box are provided by cut-outs in the flaps 3, it will be appreciated that these openiogs may have other shapes than those shown in Figures 1 to 6 and may be provided by slits in the flaps 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, which is otherwise identical with the device of Figures 4 to 6, the openings 4, 5 are provided by slits generally in the form of crosses. Other forms of slits may be used. It will be appreciated that the flaps 3 may take other forms and shapes than that described. For example the flap may have the shape of a T with the upright of the T connected to the base part and the openings provided in the crossbar of the T. Alternatively the single flap 3 may be replaced by two flaps each provided with a single opening. Aspects of the subject matter of this application are also disclosed in divisional application No. 7 935 293 (Serial Not 1 586 162). WHAT WE CLAIM IS:-

1. A device for mounting a box for storage and/or display purposes, the box comprising a base, a lid pivoted thereon, a slit defined in the plane of the base and at least one locating stud projecting from the base inwardly of the box, the device comprising a base part and a flap extending from said base part, said flap having at least one opening therein and being dimensioned such that in use a box can be releasably mounted on the device with said flap ex- tending into the box through the slit in the plane of the base thereof to overlie the base of the box and with the or a said locating stud extending through said opening in said flap to retain said flap in the box.

6. A device as claimed in any one of

the preceding claims for a box having two locating studs, wherein two flaps are provided, each being provided with an opening and each for engagement with a respective stud.

7. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 for a box having two locating studs, wherein two openings are provided in said flap for engaging respective studs of the box.

8. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the or each said opening in the or each flap is provided by removmg material from said flap.

9. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or each said opening in the or each flap is provided by at least one slit in said flap.

10. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including a further flap extending from said base part, having at least one opening therein and for releasable mounting of a second box.

11. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including panel means connected to said base part for supporting said base part in an upwardly extending position for display purposes.

12. A device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein said base part is connected to a cover part for overlying said base part and a box when mounted thereon, said cover part being connected to said base part by a spine part of a width sufficient to accommodate a box between said base part and cover parts.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12, wherein said base part and said cover part are each made of two layers of sheet material.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the two layers of said base part and said cover part respectively are integrally connected together along an edge thereof opposite the edge thereof connected to said spine part.

15. A device as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said two layers of said base part are integrally connected together along an edge thereof, said two layers of said cover part are integrally connected together along an edge thereof, and said spine part is made of at least one layer integrally connected by fold lines to the outer layers of said cover part and said base part.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein said spine part is made of two layers, the outer layer being integrally connected to the outer layers of said cover part and said base part and the inner layer being integrally connected to the inner layer of one of said cover part and said base part.

17. A device as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein said cover part has extending therefrom at least one flap for releasable mounting of a second box.

18. A device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 17, including a sleeve for receiving the base and cover parts when in overlying relationship.

19. A device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

21. A device substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.

22. An assembly comprising a device as claimed in any of the preceding claims and a box mounted thereon, said box comprising a base, a lid pivoted thereon, a slit defined in the plane of said base and at least one locating stud ;projecting from said base inwardly of said box, said flap of said device extending into said box through said slit and overlying said base with said opening engaging said stud to retain said flap in said box.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein said slit in said box is defined between said base and said lid and said flap is engaged in said box in a position such as will permit opening of said box by pivoting of said lid.