GB2176464A - Boxes - Google Patents

Abstract

A box has a first portion 10 and a second portion 11 of smaller dimensions than the first portion whereby the second portion can be closely accommodated within the first portion. The first portion 10 and the second portion 11 are formed as a continuous blank which is preferably formed into a box about a suitably dimensioned forme. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to boxes This invention relates to boxes.

It iswell-known to produce boxes having a base and associated lid formed from a single blank of cardboard or paperboard. The blank is commonly pro duced with suitable scorel i nes whereby the blank can be folded into a predetermined shape of box. For example, such boxes are commonly used as cake or pastry boxes wherein thin paperboard is formed in a single blank and arranged intotheform of a box by suitablefolding. Such cartons are of thin flexible material and are consequently not strong and are not suitable for containing heavier goods of a relatively high quality such as, for example, glassware.Boxes for such higherqualitygoods require to be ofa more rigid construction and requireto be formed from suit- ably shaped rigid board as a separate base and lid.

A "telescopic" box is the traditional form of box comprising a separate base and a lid, the lid being superimposable over the base due to the factthatthe dimensions of the lid are slightly greaterthan the base. A "slip case" is a box which is enclosed on all faces with the exception ofatleastonesideface which is omitted to permit a sight ofthe box contents.

Such slip cases are frequently used, for example, to display books, the spline of the book being visible through an omitted side face.

Heretofore with such two part rigid boxes wherein one part has a slightly decreased dimension to allow itto be accommodated within another part of the box either as a telescopic box or a slip case, it has been necessary to form the two parts as separate units.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method producing, in a single operation, a rigid box incorporating mutually co-operating portions which haveto be accommodated one within the other.

According to the present invention,there is provided a method of forming a box having a first portion and a second portion ofsmallerdimensionsthanthe first portion whereby the second portion can be closely accommodated within said first portion characte rised in that said fi rst and second portions are formed as a continuous blank, the dimensions of said second portion being lessthan the dimensions ofthefirst portion; and providing integral extensions on said first and second portions capable of being folded into a position to constitute side and/or end faces ofthe box.

The invention also relates to a box produced by the foregoing method.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure lisa perspective view of a telescopic box in accordance with the prior art incorporating a separate base and lid; Figure2 is a plan view of a blankforforming a telescopic box in accordance with the present inven- tion; Figure 3 is a side view (to a slightly enlarged scale) of a boxformedfrom the blankof Figure 2 showing the lid in partially raised position; Figure4is a plan view a blankforforming a slip case in accordance with the invention; Figure 5is a perspective view of a slip case formed from the blank of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a stepped forme for use in producing the telescopic box or slip case of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, a blankforforming a telescopic box of rigid material such as board comprises a first rectangular portion 10 adapted to form the lid ofthe box and a second rectangular portion 11 adapted to form the base ofthe box. Dimensions a and b ofthetopface 13 ofthe lid are slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions c and dofthe lower face 14 of the base. Interconnecting the top face 13 and lowerface 14is an integral strip 15 having a width e corresponding to the dimension dot the lowerface 14.

Extending outwardly from the peripheral edges of the faces 13 and 14 are three wall-forming tabs 16 and 17 respectively adapted when folded about the dotted fold lines to form side and end faces ofthe lid and base portions of the box. It will be noted that the dimension fofthe end tab 17 is slightly less than the dimensiongoftheendtab 16 ofthe lid portion in orderto allow the lid portion to nest entirely overthe base portion.

In the method of forming a telescopic box according to the invention, a rigid blank, as illustrated in Figure 2 is conveyed to a first station wherein a forme 18 (as shown in Figure 6) is superimposed overthe top face 13 and lowerface 14ofthe lid and base portions ofthe box respectively. The dimensions of theforme 18correspond substantiallytothe required dimensions of the lid and base portions of the box.

The tabs 16 and 17 arethen folded upwardly about theforme,theforme preventing inward collapse of the side and end tabs. In this position, adhesivelycoated tape is applied to adjacent side and end tabs in order to create upright corners of both the lid portion and base portion.

The partially formed box is then passed to a second station whereas a piece of glue-coated covering material, prepared to the shape and size necessary to coverthe external surfaces ofthe box is applied to the outer surfaces ofthe lid and base portions 10 and 11 ofthe box.

Finally, at a third station the covering material is passed upwardly over the formed side and end faces ofthe box and turned inwardly overtheirtop edges.

The blank and method offorming a slip case as shown in Figures 4 and 5 is essential Iy similar to that used for the production ofthe telescopic box described above, in that the dimensions of one face portion 20 are slightly greaterthan the dimensions of a second face portion 21 so that the second portion can be accommodated within the first portion, the two portions 20 and 21 being interconnected by an integral connecting strip 22. In the case of the slip case as shown in Figure 4 and 5, end tabs are omitted, then portions 20 and 21 only being provided with integral sidewall-forming tabs 23 and 24 respectively.

As before,the blankshown in Figure4 is located relative to a forme ofthe type illustrated in Figure 6 at a first station wherein the side tabs 23 and 24 respectively are folded upwardly about the forme and "stayed" in position by the application of adhesive strips to form upright corners. As in the first embodiment, an outer covering, appropriately shaped, is applied to those surfaces which will be external in the finished slip case. The first and second portions 20 and 21 are then folded about the fold Fines 25 and 26 respectivelyto permitthe second portion to be accommodated within the first portion as shown in FigureS. If desired, the first portion can be physically secured to the first portion by gluing orthe like.

Itwill be appreciated thatthe above embodiments describe a basic type of telescopic and slip case box.

The invention is equally applicable, however, to boxes ofthe same general type but having more complicated profiles. Far example, the base portion ofthe box could be provided with a foot orfiange as is commonly provided in chocolate boxes. The covering material can be of any suitable material such as printed decorative paper or simulated leather.

Claims (7)

1. A method of forming a box having a first por- tion and a second portion ofsmallerdimensionsthan the first portion whereby the second portion can be closely accommodated within said first portion char acterised in thatsaid firstand second portions are formed as a continuous blank, the dimensions of the second portion being less than the dimensions ofthe first portion; and providing integral extensionson said first and second portions capable of being folded into a position to constitute side and/or end faces of the box.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising folding said side and end faces about a forme having dimensions substantially corresponding to the profile of the combined first and second portions.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising applying a covering material to the exterior surfaces ofthefirstand second portions.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising providing the first and second portions with side and end faces, and folding said portions to form a telescopic box.

5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, comprising providing thefirstand second portions with side faces only, and folding said portions to form a slip case.

6. A method of forming a box, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 or Figures 4 and 5 ofthe accompanying drawing.

7. A box when produced bythe method as claimed in any preceding claim.