GB2223480A - Display box - Google Patents

Abstract

A display box has a base (1) and mutually joined sides (2) at least some of which are formed with creases (5, 6, 7) allowing them to be folded selectively to form either a first configuration in which those sides (2) extend throughout their height substantially perpendicular to the base (1), or a second configuration in which, proceeding from the base (1) the foldable sides (2) extend first substantially perpendicular thereto and then turn inwardly, generally parallel or slightly inclined to the base (1), the second configuration thereby having a reduced depth and an upper opening which is reduced compared with the first configuration. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY BOX The invention concerns a display box for containing articles such as artificial flowers.

A known type of box for the transport of artificial flowers has a lid which is transparent over part of its area so as to form a window. The box is usually used for containing an assortment of flowers of different colours and/or designs, a representative selection of which is held in place in the base, underneath the window in the lid, so as to allow inspection of the contents of the box without opening it. The remainder of the contents may be hidden from view by suitable partitioning inside the box.

A disadvantage of this kind of box is that once the recipient, usually a retail flower seller, has unpacked the contents of the box to make up a flower arrangement, the box itself has served its purpose and is of no further use. This is wasteful of the box.

Further, the retailer, having made a bouquet or other finished arrangement of the flowers, may wish to use a suitable container in which to display it to the potential customer, rather than merely wrap it in The cellophanel. For this purpose either an improvised not altogether suitable container will in practice be used or a further box must be made or bought, adding to the expense.

According to the invention there is provided a display box having a base and mutually joined sides at least some of which are formed with creases allowing them to be folded selectively to form either a first configuration, in which those sides extend throughout their height substantially perpendicular to the base so as to give the box a depth corresponding to the depth of the sides, the free edges of the sides defining an upper opening; or a second configuration in which, proceeding from the base, the foldable sides extend first substantially perpendicular thereto and then turn inwardly, generally parallel or slightly inclined to the base, the second configuration thereby having a reduced depth and an upper opening which is reduced compared with the first configuration.

Such a box can be used not only for the transport of a number of single articles such as artificial flowers, allowing the display of a selection while effectively containing the others, but also for the display of a finished article, such as an assembled bouquet, packaging of the bulk of the articles being done with the box in its second, contracted configuration and display of a finished article being effected with the box folded out into its first, expanded configuration.

Preferably the box, when in its first configuration, has a rectangular base, the junctions between the sides defining four corner edges extending perpendicular to the base, and the creases include a crease extending along each side right round the box in a plane parallel to the base, and two creases at each corner region formed by adjacent sides of the box, the two creases being formed one in each of the adjacent sides and extending from a point of intersection of the corner edge with the said parallel plane in an inclined direction thereto, up to the top edge of the respective one of the sides.The parallel plane then defines the line at which each side of the box turns inward when the box is folded into its contracted configuration, and the two inclined creases associated with each corner edge region define an upper corner portion which folds inward when the box is folded into its contracted configuration.

For flowers, particularly where the heads are much more bulky than the stalks, it would be possible to have only one side at the end of the box, and two triangular sloping edge sides foldable. In this case only two folding corner regions would be provided.

Alternatively, all the sides could be foldable but they need not be the same height all round the box.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the box includes a shelf supported above the base and substantially parallel to it, the shelf having suitable holes or other means for fastening the various articles to be displayed in either configuration of the box.

The box may also include a lid adapted to cover the top of the box in one or both configurations, and the lid may be at least partly transparent so as to allow inspection of the contents without removing the lid.

In this case the shelf would act simultaneously as a background for the display of the articles while obscuring any articles which may be stored under the shelf.

For a better understanding of the invention, an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a box according to the invention, in its expanded configuration, and Figure 2 shows the same box in its contracted configuration.

Figure 3 shows an insert for the box with a bouquet mounted on it.

Figure 1 shows a box suitable for the packaging and display of individual artificial flowers, the box being shown in its expanded configuration for displaying an assembled bouquet. The box consists of a rectangular base 1 and four vertical sides 2 having vertical corner edges 3 and top free edges 4 forming an upper opening corresponding in shape to the base 1. Each side 2 has a horizontal crease 5 and two inclined creases 6, the inclined creases 6 on adjacent sides at each corner region starting at the junction of the horizontal crease 5 with the vertical corner edge 3 at that corner and proceeding at an angle up to the top edge 4 of the respective side. Each of the four sides is creased in a similar way, the box may be of cardboard or any suitable material, as is known in the, art.

The two inclined creases 6 on either side of each corner edge 3, together with the upper part 3a of that corner edge, form a folding corner portion of two congruent triangles 8, which with the general stiffness of the creases and angles between the sides, keep the walls of the box in a stable upright position as shown in Figure 1, but which allows manipulation of the box to its contracted configuration, as shown in Figure 2.

The box as shown in Figure 2 has been folded by turning each corner portion inwardly so that the triangular portions 8 fold towards each other about their common junction line 3a. If the angle of inclination of the creases 6 is so chosen, the upper parts 2a of the sides 2 will lie horizontal when triangular portions 8 come together and the creases 6 of each flap portion meet. In the case of a rectangular box, the angle of inclination should be 45,cm as shown. For a hexagonal box, for instance, the creases should be inclined at 300 to the vertical.

There thus results a shallower box configuration having a height corresponding to the lower part of the sides 2 and having an upper opening defined by the inwardly folded top edges 4 of the sides 2 and having a reduced area upper opening defined by those edges.

Of course, the angles of inclination of the creases 6 to the crease lines 5 may be greater or less than that which would be required to make the flaps 2a horizontal in the contracted configuration. With a greater angle, e.g. larger than 450 for a rectangular box, the upper side flaps 2a would form slightly upwardly sloping faces giving a shallow truncated pyramidal form to the top of the box. With a lesser angle, the flaps 2a could be folded in slightly beyond the horizontal, so sloping down slightly into the box.

Either of these variations could find use for special requirements.

Whatever angles are used, it will be appreciated that in folding the corner portions inwardly from the Figure 1 to the Figure 2 configuration, the initial part of the movement causes the sides 2a to be pushed outwardly, against the slight resistance of the crease lines 5, as the upper, free edges 8a of the two triangles approach a common straight line. Before and beyond that straight line position, the flexure of the sides 2a and stiffness of the crease lines 5 tends to hold the corner portions respectively in their upright and folded-in condition making those two configurations each relatively stable.

Figure 3 shows a shelf 9 formed by an insert designed to rest on the base of the box. The shelf may contain holes, slits or tabs in appropriate locations for fastenings for fixing the contents of the box for display purposes. Thus, when the box is to be used for artificial flowers, rows of small holes may be provided in the shelf used for fixing individual flowers for display when the box is in its contracted configuration, so that the contents of the box may be readily identified, the remainder of the individual articles being packed beneath the shelf so that it serves to obscure the majority of them from view. One or two larger holes may also be provided, through which may be passed a retaining loop, or a handle of a madeup bouquet or arrangement for display in the box in its open configuration.Suitably shaped holes for other items, such as a vase to be displayed with the bouquet, can additionally be provided and, for maximum versatility, the various holes in the insert may be perforated so that they can be punched through as required. Other means of fixing the contents may, however, be provided.

In a further advantageous development the box, in its contracted configuration, may be designed so as to be additionally strengthened by the folded corner portions so that it can be stacked without distortion and possible damage to the contents. This can be understood from Figure 2 from which it will be seen that the inwardly turned corner portions formed by the triangular portions 6 coming right together extend vertically downwards. If the size and shape of the triangular portions 8 are so selected, the lowermost point 12 just touches either the base of the box or the shelf 9 within the base when the corner portions are fully folded in so that those portions form at each corner a vertical leg. However, even if the corner portions do not rest against the base, they afford a certain lateral stiffening to the box.

The top edges 4 of the sides 2a need not be straight but could be curved convexly or concavely so that the opening into the folded condition is not a straight sided polygon; or cut away with straight edges so that the corner regions only are the highest points.

If the box includes a lid, this may be partly transparent, e.g. by having a window, or made completely of transparent material, so that the contents of the box can be inspected with the lid on in either or both configurations of the box. If the box also contains an insert for mounting a selection of articles, the positions of the window and the selection should correspond.

Claims (9)

1. A display box having a base and mutually joined sides at least some of which are formed with creases allowing them to be folded selectively to form either a first configuration, in which those sides extend throughout their height substantially perpendicular to the base so as to give the box a depth corresponding to the depth of the sides, the free edges of these sides defining an upper opening; or a second configuration in which, proceeding from the base, the foldable sides extend first substantially perpendicular thereto and then turn inwardly, generally parallel or slightly inclined to the base, the second configuration thereby having a reduced depth and an upper opening which is reduced compared with the first configuration.

2. A display box as claimed in claim 1, wherein, when in its first configuration, the box has a rectangular base, the junctions between the sides defining four corner edges extending perpendicular to the base and the creases including a crease extending along each side right around the box in a plane parallel to the base, and two creases at each corner region formed by adjacent sides of the box, the two creases being formed one in each of the adjacent sides and extending from a point of intersection of the corner edge, with the parallel plane in an inclined direction thereto, up to the top edge of the repective one of the sides, whereby the parellel plane defines the line at which each side of the box turns inwardly when the box is folded into its second, contracted configuration and the two inclined creases associated with each corner edge region define an upper corner portion which folds inwardly when the base is folded into its second, contracted configuration.

3. A display box as claimed in claim 1 or 2 including only two foldable corner regions, such that one side at an end of the box and two triangular sloping edge sides are foldable into the second, contracted configuration of the box.

4. A dispay box as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3 including a shelf supported above the base and extending substantially parallel thereto, which shelf has means arranged to fasten articles to be displayed in either configuration of the box.

5. A display box as claimed in any preceding claim including a lid arranged to cover the top of the box in either configuration.

6. A display box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lid is at least partially transparent, so as to allow inspection of articles contained in the box without removal of the lid.

7. A display box as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 or 6 when dependent upon claim 4, wherein the shelf is arranged to act as a background for the display of articles thereon, whilst obscuring any articles stored thereunder.

8. A display box substantially as hereinbefore discribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

9. A blank from which a display box according to any preceding claim is erectable.