GB2283008A

GB2283008A - Insulating box

Info

Publication number: GB2283008A
Application number: GB9320975A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yoshikazu Taniguchi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-12
Filing date: 1993-10-12
Publication date: 1995-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2013-10-12
Also published as: GB9320975D0; GB2283008B

Abstract

An insulating box comprises: a box-shaped body 3 formed by superposing the individual corners 9 of a generally rectangular paper member, which has at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer; an insulating sheet 5 covering at least the bottom board 17 of the body and the inner faces of opposed side boards 21 which have no folded corner superposed; and an inner frame 7 fitted in the body 3 covered with the insulating sheet. Thus, gaps are formed between the body 3 and the inner frame 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION TITLE OF THE INVENTION Insulating Paper Box TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an insulating paper box for insulating and packaging foods or the like.

RELATED BACKGROUND ART An insulated box to be usually used in the prior art for transporting cooled foods is exemplified by a synthetic resin box which is formed of a synthetic resin such as foamed styrol into a box shape.

This synthetic resin box is excellent in the heat insulation but involves problems that it is difficult to reuse as resources and that it cannot be disposed after use.

Specifically, in case the synthetic resin box is to be incinerated, it will possibly damage the incinerator because it is burned at a high temperature so as to suppress emission of the noxious gas. If, on the other hand, the synthetic resin box is incinerated at a low temperature so as to avoid the damage problem, it will produce the noxious gas.

In case the synthetic resin box is disposed by burying it in the land, the resin itself cannot be decomposed or takes a long time to decompose, if possible, so that its disposing efficiency is seriously low.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been conceived to solve the abovespecified defects of the prior art and has an object to provide an insulating paper box which can insulate and package foods efficiently in place of the existing synthetic resin box.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an insulating paper box which can be reused as resources when disposed and which can be easily disposed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insulating paper box comprising: a box-shaped body formed by superposing the individual corners of a generally rectangular paper member, which has at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, in a triangular shape and by raising first and second side boards from a bottom board; an insulating sheet covering at least all over the bottom board of the body and the inner faces of the first or second side boards which have no folded corner superposed; and an inner frame fitted in the body covered with the insulating sheet, whereby gaps are formed between the body and the inner frame and left between the individual corners and the insulating sheet.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insulating paper box comprising: an outer case formed with a first bottom board and first and second side boards facing each Zither by folding back a paper member; a first inner frame fitted in the outer case to face the first side boards and the first bottom board and having first spacers folded back at least doubly to face the first side boards; a second inner frame fitted in the outer case to face the second side boards and the first bottom board and having second spacers folded back at least doubly to face the second side boards; and an inner case fitted in the outer case through the first and second inner frames and formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners of a paper member of a rectangular shape, which has at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, in a triangular shape and by raising third and fourth side boards from a second bottom board, whereby gaps are formed by the first and second inner frames between the outer case and the inner case.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insulating paper box comprising: an outer case made of a paper member and formed by raising first and second side boards from a first bottom board; and an inner case adapted to be fitted in the outer case and formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners of a generally rectangular paper member in a triangular shape and by raising third and fourth side boards from a second bottom board, wherein at least either the first side boards or the second side boards of the outer case or the third side boards or the fourth side boards of the inner case are formed at their upper portions with both foldable top portions extending horizontally and foldable abutment portions for coming into abutment against either the inner face of the outer case or the outer face of the inner case, which is faced thereby, whereby gaps are left by the top portions between the outer case and the inner face.

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an insulating paper box comprising: an outer case formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners of a rectangular member having at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, in a triangular shape and by raising first and second side boards from a bottom board, the outer case being formed at the upper portions of its first or second side boards with both foldable top portions extending horizontally inward and foldable depending portions depending downward from the top portions; and a waterproofing bag having its upper portions fitted on the depending portions of the outer case, whereby gaps are left by the top portions between the outer case and the water-proofing bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an insulating paper box according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Fig. 2 is an overall perspective view showing the insulating paper box; Fig. 3 is an expanded plan showing an outer case of the insulating paper box; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section taken along line A - A of Fig.

2; Fig 5 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment; Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing an insulating paper box according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an overall perspective view showing the insulating paper box of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section taken along line B - B of Fig.7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment; Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment; Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view showing an insulating paper box according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Fig. 12 is an overall perspective view showing the insulating paper box ofFig. 11; Fig. 13 is an expanded plan of an outer case; Fig. 14 is an expanded plan of an inner case; Fig. 15 is a longitudinal section taken along line C - C of Fig.

12; Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified embodiment; Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified embodiment; Fig. 18 is a longitudinal section showing the insulating paper box and taken along line D - D of Fig. 17; Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified embodiment; Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section showing the insulating paper box and taken along line E - E of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 ia an exploded perspective view showing an insulating paper box according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Fig. 22 is an overall perspective view showing the insulating paper box of Fig. 21; Fig. 23 is an expanded plan showing an outer case; and Fig. 24 is a longitudinal section taken along line F - F of Fig.

22.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, an insulating paper box 1 is constructed to include an outer case 3, a cushioning sheet 5 and an inner frame 7. The outer case 3 and the inner frame 7 are formed of paper members of a corrugated board or a paper board. Moreover, the outer case 3 has at least its inner face coated with a synthetic resin layer.

As better seen from Fig. 3, the outer case 3 is formed into the box shape by superposing the individual corners 9 of a generally square paper member in triangular shapes along folding lines 11, and by folding back the upper and lower edges and the righthand and lefthand edges along folding lines 13 and 1 to raise first and second side boards 19 and 21 from a bottom board 17. The individual corners 9 thus superposed are fixed to the inner faces of the end portions of the first side boards 19.

The cushioning sheet 5 acting as an insulating sheet is formed of a synthetic resin sheet which is formed of a number of foams 5a and which is about two times as long as the sum of the width of the second side board 21, the width of the first side board 19 and the height of the outer case 3.

Moreover, the inner frame 7 is fitted in the outer case 3 to which is attached the cushioning sheet 5. The inner frame 7 is shaped by folding back a rectangular paper member having a width equal to the height of the outer case 3 to form third and fourth side boards 23 and 25 facing the first and second side boards 19 and 21, and has its upper and lower faces opened.

Next, the insulating paper box 1 is assembled in the following procedure.

The cushioning sheet 5 is attached to the outer case 3 such that it is positioned on the upper face of the bottom board 17 and the inner face of the second side boards 21. After this, the inner frame 7 is fitted in the outer case 3. At this time, gaps 27 are left by the superposed individual corners 9 between the first side board 19 and the third side boards 23, and air layers 29 of the cushioning sheet 5 are left between the second side board 21 and the fourth side boards 25.

After the foods are fitted in the inner frame 7, they can be packaged and insulated from the ambient air by the gaps 27 and the air layers 29 by folding back the individual end portions of the cushioning sheet 5 onto the inner faces and subsequently by sealing the top of the insulating paper box 1 with a (not- shown) cover to close the opening.

In the structure described above, by using the single cushioning sheet 5, the air layers 29 of the cushioning sheet are left between the second side boards 21, the fourth side boards 25 and the bottom board 17, in which there is no air layer left by the superposed individual corners 9. As shown in Fig. 5, however, another cushioning sheet 31 may be used in addition to the aforementioned cushioning sheet 5 to leave air layers 33 by the added cushioning sheet 31, in addition to the gaps 27 which are left by the superposed individual corners 9.

Embodiment 2 As shown in Figs. 6 to 8, an insulating paper box 41 is constructed to include an outer case 43, first and second inner frames 45 and 47 and an inner case 49, all of which are made of paper members such as a corrugated board or paper board. Moreover, the inner case 49 has its inner face coated with a synthetic resin layer.

The outer case 43 is integrally formed with first and second opposed side edges 53 and 55 which are raised from the individual side edges of a bottom board 51. The outer case 43 is formed into a box shape by adhering the end edges 57 of the first side boards 53 to the correspondir$ end portions of the second side boards 55. Moreover,the individual first and second side ooards 53 and 55 are formed at their upper portion with foldable cover fins 59 and 61.

The inner case 49 is formed into a generally rectangular shape and has a bottom board 63 sized to be fitted in the outer case 43.

This bottom board 63 is formed at their individual side edges with third and fourth side boards 65 and 67 which can be folded. Thus, the insulating paper box 41 is assembled into the box shape by superposing the individual corners 69 of the end portions of the individual third and fourth side boards 65 and 67 generally in a triangle shape along folding lines 71 and subsequently by fixing the triangles to the inner faces of the third side boards 65.

The first inner frame 45 is formed, at the two sides of a second bottom board 73 sized substantially equal to the bottom board 51, with first spacers 75 which are folded back along the inner faces of the first side boards 53. On the other hand, the second inner face 47 is formed, at the two sides of a third bottom board 76 sized substantially equal to the bottom board 51, with second spacers 77 which are folded back along the inner faces of the second side boards 55.

The first inner frame 45 is fitted in the outer case 43 such that its first spacers 75 face the first side boards 53, and the second inner frame 47 is fitted in the first inner frame 45 such that its second spacers 77 face the second side boards 55. Next, the inner case 49 is fitted in the first and second spacers 75 and 77 which are fitted at a right angle in the outer case 43.

At this time, insulating layers are formed by the first and second spacers 75 and 77 between the first and second side boards 63 and 55 and the third and fourth side boards 65 and 67. As a result, after the foods are packaged in the inner case 49, the cover fins 59 and 61 are folded back through an intermediate board, if necessary, to close the top opening of the insulating paper box 41 so that the foods can be packaged while being insulated from the ambient air.

In the description made above, the first and second spacers 75 and 77 of the first and second inner frames 45 and 47 are doubly folded but may be triply folded.

In the foregoing description, moreover, the insulating layers are formed by the doubly folded first and second spacers 75 and 77.

As shown in Fig. 9, however, an inner frame member 81, which is folded to have a rectangular column shape to be fitted in the outer case 43, may be formed at the upper and lower portions of its individual side boards 83 and 85 with horizontal portions 87 and abutment boards 89 which are extended outward with a width equal to a gap to be formed.

The inner frame member 81 thus formed leaves an air layer between itself and the outer case 43 so that it can insulate the foods packaged in the inner case 49, efficiently from the ambient air.

In the foregoing description, still moreover, the first and second inner frames 45 and 47 having the first and second spacers 75 and 77 at their two end portions are fitted at a right angle in the outer case 43. As shown in Fig. 10, however, after the first inner frame 45 is fitted in the outer case 43, folded spacer members 91 may oe individually fitted between the second side boards 55 and the fourth side boards.

The description made above is directed to the structure, in which the first and second side boards 53 and 55 of the outer case 43 are formed at their upper portions with the cover fins 59 and 61. It should, however, be noted that whether or not the cover fins 59 and 61 are provided does not limit the present invention. In other words, the cover fins 59 and 61 need not be integrally formed with the first and second side boards 53 and 55 of the outer case 43, but the outer case 43 having its inner case 49 packaged with the foods may be closed by fitting a box- shaped cover in the top portion of the outer case 43.

Embodiment 3 As shown in Figs. 11 to 15, an insulating paper box 101 is constructed to include an outer case 103 and an inner case 105, which are formed of a paper member such as a corrugated board or paper board. Of the outer and inner cases 103, and 105, at least the inner case 105 has its inner face coated with a synthetic resin layer.

The outer case 103 is formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners 107 having a generally square shape generally in a triangular shape along folding lines 109, by folding back the upper and lower edges and the righthand and lefthand edges along folding lines 111 and 112, and by raising first and second side boards 115 and 117 from a bottom board 113. Incidentally, the individual corners 107 thus superposed are fixed to the inner faces of the second side boards 117.

Each of the second side boards 117 is formed at its upper portion with both a first top board 121, which is extended inward with a width substantially equal to a gap 118 to be formed between the outer case 103 and the inner case 105, and a first abutment board 123 such that these top board 121 and abutment board 123 can be folded.

On the other hand, the inner case 105 is given a structure substantially identical to that of the outer case 103 and is formed into a box shape by superposing its individual corners 125 in a triangular shape along folding lines 127, by folding back the upper and lower edges and the righthand and lefthand edges along folding lines 129 and 130, and by raising third and fourth side boards 133 and 135 from a bottom board 131. Incidentally, the individual corners 125 thus superposed are fixed to the outer faces of the third side boards 133.

Each of the third side boards 133 is formed at its upper portion with both a second top board 139, which is extended outward with a width substantially equal to a gap 137 to be formed between the third side board 133 of the inner case 105 and the first side board 115 of the outer case 103, and a second abutment portion 141 such that these top board 139 and abutment portion 141 can be folded.

When the inner case 105 is fitted in the outer case 103 such that the first abutment boards 123 abut against the outer faces of the facing fourth side bosrds 135 whereas the second abutment portions 141 abut against the inner faces of the facing first side boards 115, then the gaps 137 are formed by the second top boards 121 between the second side boards 117 and the fourth side boards 135, and the gaps 119 are formed by the first top boards 121 between the second side boards 117 and the fourth side boards 135. Incidentally, the corners of the outer case 103 are fixed on the second side boards 117 below the first top boards 121, and the corners 125 of the inner case 105 are fixed on the third side boards 133 below the second top boards 139. Thus, the inner case 105 can be inserted without any obstruction into the outer case 103.

After the foods are packaged in the inner case 105, the top face is sealed by attaching a (not-shown) cover through an intermediate board (although not shown either), if necessary. Then, the foods can be insulated from the ambient air by the air layers which are confined in the gaps 119 and 137.

In the description made above, the second side boards 117 are formed at their upper portions with the first top boards 121 and the first abutment boards 123, and the third side boards 133 are formed at their upper portions with the second top boards 139 and the second abutment portions 141. As shown in Fig. 16, however, the third side boards 133 need not be formed at their upper portions with the second top boards 139 and the second abutment portions 141 by forming the upper portions of the second side boards 117 with the first top boards 121 and the first abutment boards 123. In this modification, spacer members 143 folded to have an inverted U-Shaped section can be inserted into the gaps, which are formed between the first side boards 115 and the third side boards 133, to retain the gaps 137 thereby to achieve the insulating effect.

In the foregoing description, the second side boards 117 are formed at their upper portions with the first top boards 121 and the first abutment boards 123, and the third side boards 133 are formed at their upper portions with the second top boards 139 and the second abutment portions 141. However, the structure may be modified in the following manners.

(1) As shown in Fig. 17, the first and second side boards 115 and 117 are integrally formed at their upper portions with first and second top boards 145 and 147 and first and second abutment boards 149 and 151, respectively. Incidentally, the inner case 105 has its individual corners 125 folded back inward and fixed to the end portions of the third side boards 133. Moreover, the first top boards 145 and the first abutment boards 149 of the first side board 115 have their two end portions cut away to allow insertions of the second top boards 147 and the second abutment boards 151.

When the inner case 105 is fitted in the outer case 103, gaps 153 and 155 are formed by the first and second top boards 145 and 147, as shown in Fig. 18, between the first side boards 115 and the third side boards 133 and between the second side boards 117 and the fourth side boards 135.

(2) As shown in Fig. 19, the third side boards 133 are integrally formed at their upper portions with both third top boards with a first top board 191 with a width equal to that of a gap 193 to 157 extending outward and third abutment boards 159.

As shown in Fig. 17, moreover, the inner case 105 is fitted in the outer case 103 such that the second abutment boards 151 abut against the outer faces of the fourth side boards 135 and such that the first abutment boards 149 and the third abutment boards 159 abut against each other. Then, as shown in Fig. 20, gaps 163 are formed by the first top boards 145 and the third top boards 157 between the first side boards 115 and the third side boards 133, and the gaps 155 are formed between the second side boards 117 and the fourth side boards 135.

As a result, those wide gaps can be formed between the first side boards 115 and the third side boards 133, both of which have large surface areas, to enhance the heat insulating properties.

Embodiment 4 As shown in Figs. 21 to 24, an insulating paper box 171 is constructed to include an outer case 173 and a waterproofing bag 175.

The outer case 173 is formed of a paper member such as a generally rectangular corrugated board or paper board which has its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer. Moreover, the outer case 173 is formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners 177 of the paper board generally in a triangular shape along folding lines 179, and by raising first and second side boards 187 and 189 while folding back the individual side edges of a bottom board 181 along folding lines 183 and 185.

Each of the first side boards 187 is formed at its upper portion be formed between the outer case 173 and the waterproofing bag 175, and the first top board 191 is formed with a depending edge i95 in a foldable manner. And, each first top board 191 is folded back inward into a horizontal plane, and the depending edge 195 is folded back downward to depend from the first top board 191. Incidentally, each of the second side boards 189 is formed at its upper portion with a folded fin 197 in a foldable manner.

The waterproofing bag 175 is made of a synthetic resin or a paper sheet having its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, and is formed into a box shape having faces to face the first and second side boards 187 and 189, respectively, by superposing the individual corners of a rectangular shape in triangular shape, as in the outer case 173. Moreover, the waterproofing bag 175 has its upper portions and its bottom faces adhered to the inner faces of the depending edges 195 and the bottom board 181, respectively.

Incidentally, the bottom board 181 and the second side boards 189 are formed at their center portions with folding lines 199 to allow protrusions in the longitudinal direction of the first side boards 187. Moreover, the second side boards 189 are formed with folding lines 201, which are inclined inward at an angle of about 45 degrees from the individual intersections of the folding lines 183 and 185 until they intersect the folding lines 199.

The insulating paper box 171 thus constructed is folded, while it is unused, into a flat shape having its first side boards 187 close to each other, by folding back the individual second side boards 189 outward along the folding line 199, by folding back the bottom board 181 upward along the folding line 199, and by folding back the lower portions of the second side boards 189 along the folding lines 201.

At this time, the waterproofing bag 175 is likewise folded into a flat shape as the outer case 173 is folded.

When the individual second side boards 189 are folded back from the aforementioned folded state along the folding lines 199 and 201 to restore their flat shapes while separating the individual first side boards 187 from each other, the outer case 173 is rebuilt into the box shape so that the waterproofing bag 175 restores its box shape. At this time, the gaps 193 are formed by the first top boards 1912 between the individual first side boards 187 and the waterproofing bag 175.

After the foods are packaged in the waterproofing bag 175 in the aforementioned state, they are insulated from the ambient air by the air layers confined in the gaps 193 by arranging a (not-shown) cover through an intermediate board (although not shown either), if necessary, on the inward folded fins 197 and the first top boards 191 to seal the upper face.

In the description made above, the waterproofing bag 175 is fitted in the outer case 173 close to the side boards 189, but gaps may be left between them.

In the foregoing description, moreover, the waterproofing bag 175 is fitted in the outer case 173 such that its bottom lies on the bottom board 181. Between the outer case 173 and the waterproofing bag 175, there may be sandwiched either a corrugated or paper board, which is formed at its center with a folding line generally aligned with the folding line 199, or a cushioning sheet of a resin having a number of foams.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As has been described hereinbefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an insulating box which is made of paper but can insulate and package foods efficiently.

The insulating paper box can be reused as resources when disposed, and can be easily disposed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An insulating paper box comprising: a box-shaped body formed by superposing the individual corners of a generally rectangular paper member, which has at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, in a triangular shape and by raising first and second side boards from a bottom board; an insulating sheet covering at least all over the bottom board of said body and the inner faces of the first or second side boards which have no folded corner superposed; and an inner frame fitted in said body covered with said insulating sheet, whereby gaps are formed between said body and said inner frame and left between said individual corners and said insulating sheet.

2. An insulating paper box comprising: an outer case formed with a first bottom board and first and second side boards facing each other by folding back a paper member; a first inner frame fitted in said outer case to face said first side boards and said first bottom board and having first spacers folded back at least doubly to face said first side boards; a second inner frame fitted in said outer case to face said second side boards and said first bottom board and having second spacers folded back at least doubly to face said second side boards; and an inner case fitted in said outer case through said first and second inner frames and formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners of a paper member of a rectangular shape, which has at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, in a triangular shape and by raising third and fourth side boards from a second bottom board, whereby gaps are formed by said first and second inner frames between said outer case and said inner case.

3. An insulating paper box comprising: an outer case made of a paper member and formed by raising first and second side boards from a first bottom board; and an inner case adapted to be fitted in said outer case and formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners of a generally rectangular paper member in a triangular shape and by raising third and fourth side boards from a second bottom board, wherein at least either the first side boards or the second side boards of said outer case or the third side boards or the fourth side boards of said inner case are formed at their upper portions with both foldable top portions extending horizontally and foldable abutment portions for coming into abutment against either the inner face of said outer case or the outer face of said inner case, which is faced thereby, whereby gaps are left by said top portions between said outer case and said inner face.

4. An insulating paper box comprising: an outer case formed into a box shape by superposing the individual corners of a rectangular member having at least its inner face formed with a synthetic resin layer, in a triangular shape and by raising first and second side boards from a bottom board, said outer case being formed at the upper portions of its first or second side boards with both foldable top portions extending horizontally inward and foldable depending portions depending downward from said top portions; and a waterproofing bag having its upper portions-ìtted on the depending portions of said outer case, whereby gaps are left by said top portions between said outer case and said water-proofing bag.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An insulating paper box comprising: an outer case formed with first bottom board and first and second side boards facing each other by folding back a paper member, an inner case fitted in said outer case and formed into a box shape by superposing each corner of a paper member of a rectangular shape in a triangular shape, the paper member having at least its inner face formed with synthetic resin layer, and by raising third and fourth side boards from a second bottom board, and gap retaining members positioned between first and second side boards of said outer case and the third and fourth side boards of said inner case, whereby gaps are left between said outer case and said inner case.

2. An insulating box, according to claim 1, wherein said gap retaining members comprise top boards extending horizontally and abutment boards for coming into abutment against either the inner face of said outer case or the outer face of said inner case which are formed at upper end portions of either the first side boards or the second side boards of said outer case and the third side boards or the fourth side boards of said inner case, whereby gaps are left between said outer case and said inner case.

3. An insulating box, according to claim 1, wherein said gap retaining members comprise first and second top boards formed at the upper end portions of said first and second sided boards of said outer case and which extend horizontally and come into abutment against the outer face of said inner case, and third top board formed at the upper end portion of either the third or fourth side board of said inner case, and which . extends horizontally and comes into abutment against the inner face of said first or second top board, whereby gaps are left between said outer case and said inner case.

4. An insulating box, according to claim 1, wherein said gap retaining members comprising a first inner frame fitted in said outer case to face said first side boards of said outer case and third side boards of inner case, and a second inner frame fitted in said outer case to face said second side boards of said outer case and fourth side boards of inner case, whereby gaps are left between said outer case and said inner case.

5. An insulating box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, 6 and 7, or 8 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.