GB2084963A - Collapsible open-topped box - Google Patents

Abstract

An open-topped box suitable for packing vegetable produce, such as cauliflowers, is formed from a unitary blank of a rigid creasable sheet material, e.g. laminated corrugated cardboard, and has two tensioned supporting straps 2 to assist in stacking the boxes, when filled, along two opposed sides of the open top. The end panels 4 of the box are adapted to permit the box to be knocked down substantially flat with one side panel 3 resting adjacent to the bottom panel, and the other side panel resting adjacent to the panel in which the open top is defined in the erected box. The end panels each comprise four flaps 20, 21 extending from the side, top and bottom panels, secured together in relatively slidable pairs, each pair of flaps being adapted to move inwardly of the box when it is knocked down. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Box This invention relates to any open-topped box formed from rigid creasable sheet material, for example laminated corrugated cardboard, and having tensioned supporting straps along two opposed sides of the open top.

The user of such a box, for example a vegetables grower, generally requires a box which is ready for use without any glueing or stitching operations and required at most only minor erecting work. With transport costs making the supply of erected empty boxes uneconomic, it is clearly necessary to supply boxed "knockeddown" or flattened which can quickly and readily be erected for use.

The present invention provides an open-topped box, preferably formed from a unitary blank of rigid creasable sheet material, and having tensioned supporting straps along two opposed sides of the open top, the end panels of the box being adapted to permit the box to be knocked down substantially flat with one side panel thereof resting adjacent to the bottom panel of the box and the other side panel resting adjacent to the panel in which the open top of the box is defined when the box has been erected.

Each end panel of the box may comprise four flaps extending from the side, top and bottom panels respectively, secured together in relatively slidable pairs, each pair of flaps being adapted to move inwardly of the box when the box is knocked down.

According to one embodiment of the invention, each pair consists of an outer flap and an inner flap, the outer flap having a diagonally creased portion which is folded beneath the flap and secured to the inner flap of the pair, preferably by glueing. The adjacent flaps which are not glued together are preferably integrally formed with a creased flap between them, which flap lies inside the box when erected, against the inner face of the end panel.

In another embodiment of the invention, each pair consists of an outer flap and an inner flap, the outer flap having a diagonal crease extending from the corner of the panel where the inner and outer flaps meet generally towards the centre of the panel, the inner and outer flaps of each pair being secured together only in the region of the outer flap which is to one side of the diagonal crease and wholly overlying the inner flap.

With either arrangement, not only are strong end panels formed, comprising several overlapping flap portions, but the blank can be glued together to form the knocked down box without having to form the box into its erected shape first. This gives considerable advantages in speed of formation of the knocked down boxes.

The open top of the box is preferably formed by cutting two panels each of which can fold inwardly against the inner face of a respective end panel.

It has been found that knocked down boxes in accordance with the invention form more stable stacks for transporting, for example packed on a pallet, each knocked down box being flatter and thinner than boxes of this general type which collapse inwardly about a longitudinal fold. The knocked down box is also rectangular without any projections beyond the rectangle which might be damaged or make stacking difficult. When packed with vegetables, for example cauliflowers, the boxes may be safely stacked to a depth of five or more boxes without risk of collapse of the boxes in the lowermost layer.

Reference is made to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a partial view corresponding to Figure 1 showing the initial stage in knocking the box down flat; Figure 3 is a plan of a blank suitable for forming the box of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a plan of an alternative form of blank; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a box in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 is a partial view corresponding to Figure 5 showing the initial stage in knocl < ing the box down flat; and Figure 7 is a plan of a blank suitable for forming the box of Figures 5 and 6.

Referring first to Figures 1 to 3, the box has an open top 1 with a supporting strap 2 along each side. The side panels 3 and bottom panel are closed, all panels being rectangular. Foldable end panels 4 are formed from flaps extending from the top, side and bottom panels and separated therefrom by creases. Each end panel 4 is formed from two inner flaps 20 which extend from the top and bottom panels respectively, and two outer flaps 21 which extend from the side panels 3.

Each outer flap 21 is joined to one inner flap by a creased inwardly folding connecting web 22, and to the other inner flap 20 by a diagonally creased tab 23 which is folded back inwardly upon the flap 21 and is glued to the face of the inner flap 20. When the box is erected, the connecting web 22 rest against the internal face of the respective outer flaps 21.

The open top of the box is formed by cutting out two equal large flaps 8 to hinge along the top end creases 9 of the box. When the box is erected, these flaps 8 are folded into contact with the inner faces of the end panels. Apertures are cut in the top inner flap of each end panel and in the large flaps 8 to form hand grips 10 when the box is erected. In cutting the large flaps 8, a radius is formed, increasing the width of the straps adjacent to the ends of the box. This widening increases the strength of the straps at this point, reducing the risk of tearing across the straps to the sides of the box.

To knock the box down flat, the large flaps 8 are pulled away from the end panels 4 and the end panels are then pressed inwardly so that hinging occurs about the creases 24 which separate the tabs 23 from the remainder of the outer flaps 21, and the connecting webs 22 are drawn inwardly of the box and open out permitting the corners 25 of the box adjacent to these webs to be moved towards each other until the box forms a flat rectangular shape which may be readily stacked with other such boxes for transport. It will be appreciated that erection follows generally the reverse procedure, with the corners 25 being drawn apart to cause the flaps forming the end panels to move outwards into their upright erected position. The large flaps 8 are then folded against the inner surfaces of the end panels.

Figure 3 shows a unitary blank from which a box of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 may be formed. The various panels and flaps are numbered as in Figures 1 and 2, and reverse creases are indicated by chain-dotted lines.

Formation of the blank into a knocked down box which can readily be erected as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 is accomplished by first folding over the flaps 20, 21, 22, 23 which form the end panels 4 until they rest fiat on the respective side, top and bottom panels 3, 1 and 30. Glue is then applied to the diagonally creased tabs 23 and to a narrow tab 31 extending for the length of the bottom panel 30 along the free edge thereof. The top panel 1 and adjacent side panel 3 are folded over the bottom panel and the other side panel along the central crease 32 and the tab 31 is folded over the adjacent edge of the side panel 3. When the glue has hardened, the box may be simply erected as described hereinbefore.

It will be appreciated that the type of glue used will determine at what stage the glue is applied to each tab.

Figure 4 shows an alternative form of unitary blank from which a box similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 2 can be formed. The blank provides inner flaps 40 and outer flaps 41 which together form the end panel at each end of the box. The blank is formed with, from one end to the other, a side panel 3, the top panel 1, the other side panel 3 and the bottom panel 30. An outer flap 41 a projects from each of the first side panel 3, separated therefrom by a crease 42. A diagonally creased tab 43 extends from one side of each outer flap, separated therefrom by a crease 44.

The opposite side of each outer flap on the first side panel is free, while that on each other flap 41b on the other side panel 3 leads through a connecting web 45, including a reversed crease 46, into the inner flap 47 extending from the top panel 1. The opposite side of the inner flaps 47, and both sides of the inner flaps 48 which extend from the bottom panel 30, are also free and unconnected to the adjacent flaps.

To assemble the blank into a knocked down box, glue is applied for example by spray or pad, to the undersides of the tabs 43 and the long tab 31.

The flaps 41 a, 47, 45, 41h and 48 are then folded over upon the upper surfaces of the respective side panel 3, top panel 1 other side panel 3 and bottom panel 30, the bottom panel 30 is folded onto the adjacent side panel 3 and the first side panel 3 is then folded over on to the top panel 1 and into engagement with the glued long tab 31.

The panels are held pressed together until the glue has set. The box can then be erected simply by pulling apart the two opposed corners 49 and folding down the large flaps 8 against the respective end panels. It will be seen that the tabs 43 are glued to the neighbouring edge portion of the adjacent inner flap 47 or 48 and adopt a similar position to the tabs 23 in the box shown in Figures 1 and 2, when erected. The inwardly folded position of these tabs resists delamination, with consequent loss of strength, in use.

The box shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 has an open top 51 with a supporting strap 52 along each side. The side panels 53 and bottom panel are closed, all panels being rectangular. Foldable end panels 54 are formed from flaps extending from the top, side and bottom panels and separated therefrom by creases. Each end panel 54 is formed from two inner flaps 55 which extend from the side panels 53, and two outer flaps 56 which extend from the top and bottom panels respectively. The outer flaps 56 are generally rectangular in shape, but with one end 56a radiused or cut at an angle. A reverse crease 57 extends diagonally from the opposite top corner of the end panel across the top outer flap and across the other outer flap to the diagonally opposite corner of the end panel.The portion 56b of each outer flap defined between the creases 57 and the end opposite the radiused or angled end 56a is secured to the adjacent inner flap 55 by stitching or glueing. The remainder of each outer flap is left free to slide over the inner flap to which the outer flap is not attached.

The open top of the box is formed by cutting out two equal large flaps 58 to hinge along the top end creases 53 of the box. When the box is erected, these flaps 58 are folded down into contact with the inner faces of the end panels.

Apertures are cut in the top outer flap and the inner flaps of each end panel and in the large flaps 58 to form hand grips 60 when the box is erected.

To knock the box down flat, the large flaps 58 are puiled away from the end panels 54 and the end panels are then pressed inwardly so that the outer flaps 56 fold along the creases 57.

(Figure 6.) This permits the corners of the end faces adjacent to the radiused or angled ends 56a of the outerflaps to move towards each other until the box forms a flat rectangular shape which may be readily stacked with other such boxes for transport.

Figure 7 illustrates a unitary blank for forming a box of the type described with reference to Figure 5 and 6. The various panels and flaps are numbered as in Figures 5 and 6. It will be seen that between a side panel 53 and the bottom panel 70 a join is formed by providing the bottom panel with a narrow tab 71 extending for the length of the panel. This tab 71 is stitched or glued to the corresponding edge of the side panel to which it is to be joined.

As an alternative the bottom panel 70 may be formed from two parts, one part extending from one side panel 53 and the other part extending from the opposite side panel 53 and having a tab along its length for attachment to the first part.

This configuration gives advantages in construction when the tab is to be stitched.

It will be noted that in cutting the large flaps 58 a radius is formed increasing the width of the straps adjacent to the ends of the box. The widening increases the strength of the straps at this point.

Claims (9)

1. An open topped box formed from a rigid creasable sheet material and having tensioned supporting straps along two opposed sides of the open top, the end panels of the box being adapted to permit the box to be knocked down substantially flat with one side panel thereof resting adjacent to the bottom panel of the box and the other side panel resting adjacent to the panel in which the open top of the box is defined when the box has been erected.

2. A box according to Claim 1, formed from a unitary blank.

3. A box according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein each end panel of the box comprises four flaps extending from the side, top and bottom panels respectively, secured together in relatively slidable pairs, each pair of flaps being adapted to move inwardly of the box when the box is knocked down.

4. A box according to Claim 3, wherein each pair consists of an outer flap and an inner flap, the outer flap having a diagonally creased portion which is folded beneath the flap and secured to the inner flap of the pair.

5. A box according to Claim 4, wherein the diagonally creased portion is secured to the inner flap by glue.

6. A box according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the adjacent flaps which are not secured together are integrally formed with a creased flap between them, the creased flap lying inside the box, when erected, against the inner face of the end panel.

7. A box according to Claim 3, wherein each pair consists of an outer flap and an inner flap, the outer flap having a diagonal crease extending generally towards the centre of the panel from the corner of the panel where the inner and outer flaps meet, the inner and outer flaps of each pair being secured together only in that region of the outer flap which is to one side of the diagonal crease and which wholly overlies the inner flap.

8. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein the open top of the box is formed by cutting two panels, each of which can fold inwardly against the inner face of the respective end panel.

9. A box, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 3, Figures 1,2 and 4, or Figures 5,6 and 7 of the drawings.