KR20240046611A - Box with integrated cover closure system - Google Patents

Abstract

The box 5 has a first body panel (100) spaced apart from the second body panel 100 by first and second side panels 78, 134 and connected to the second body panel 15 by a connector strip 25. 60). As the tear strip 24 is removed, the connector strip 25 releases the cover 20 of the first body panel 60 to expose the access opening to the internal storage area. To close the box 5, the lower top flap 106 of the second body 100 is pivoted over the access opening, automatically closing the various flap extensions 82, 87, 141 of the side panels 78, 134. , 146) is folded under the lower upper flap 106. The cover 20 is then pivoted over the lower top flap 106 and the tabs 22 of the cover 20 are positioned in the slot formed at the connection between the lower top flap 106 and the remainder of the second body panel 100. (112) is accepted.

Description

Box with integrated cover closure system

The present invention relates to packaging products in general, and food in particular, in boxes that are not only easy to open at first, but are also convenient and effective throughout the useful life of the box by establishing an automatic cover and closure system upon opening. It relates to a box that allows the box to be opened and closed easily and repeatedly.

In connection with shipping products, such as food, from a manufacturer to a retail store, it is known to package the product in a box, seal the box, and then ship the box for delivery to a designated retailer. A variety of materials can be used to manufacture boxes, but the most commonly employed material is cardboard. Typically, cardboard is supplied in blank form that can be conveniently stored in a flat configuration but can be easily erected through a simple folding operation to establish an open box that can be filled and sealed in a typically automated process. Not only is this box lightweight and very strong, but the cardboard is advantageously recyclable.

In some situations, boxes are designed with a closure system that allows the box to be opened and closed multiple times before the product within the box is depleted. For example, it is widely known to package cereals and other food products in final loading boxes and to provide the boxes with a closure system that operates between the upper and lower flaps of the top portion of the box. Besides final loading boxes, top loading boxes are widely used for food and other products. For example, donuts and other food products are often packaged in top-loading boxes, each box containing a cover that extends across the entire open top of the box, with the cover providing selective and repeated access to the product storage area of the box. It is hinged to make this possible.

Each of these known box types has been employed in connection with the storage and distribution of animal foods. In fact, at least for dry dog and cat food, there is a trend toward box containers away from the large food bags still found in many retail and grocery stores. As an example, it has previously been proposed to provide a box with a reclosable top that can be opened to expose an inner bag in which dry pet food is stored. These storage boxes have many advantages compared to large food bags. In particular, both the internal resealing of the bag and the external closure of the box significantly improve the ability to suppress food odors escaping from the box and effectively deny animal access to food between feedings. Boxes also offer advantageous storage advantages compared to large food bags because the boxes can be easily stacked with similar boxes or other packaging products, whereas large pet food bags do not offer this advantage.

Despite the aforementioned advantages, there are certain disadvantages to the known box designs employed in the industry. For example, the mechanisms employed to open such boxes may be difficult to initiate. By way of example, it is known to provide a tear strip for use in at least partially removing the cover of a box. However, known opening strip arrangements, if not clearly marked, may be overlooked by consumers, resulting in the loss of the resealing feature and the box being opened in a different manner. Additionally, even when tear strips are used, boxes are often damaged to the extent that they limit the ability to properly cover open areas of the box between uses. If the damage includes tears in the larger strips of the box, the handles provided on the side walls of the box for carrying it may be damaged. Furthermore, dry pet food boxes present unique challenges that require a sturdy closure to prevent odors from escaping and pets from accessing the food. Additionally, since bulk distribution of individual dry food pieces can be messy, there is a special need in this sector for boxes that exhibit better product retention. Based on the above, there exists a need in the art, especially in the field of boxes for dry pet food, for a box that includes an easily identifiable tear strip for opening the box and at the same time establishes a cover for the access opening of the box. It is contemplated that the cover includes a robust closure mechanism and the box is specially structured to reduce unintentional loss or spillage of food fragments during dispensing operations.

The invention preferably provides a blank that establishes the first and second body panels and the first and second side panels in an upright position by directly interconnecting the first and second body panels spaced apart by the side panels via connector strips. It relates to a packaging case or box formed by. The connector strip is formed as part of the first body panel and is spaced from the tongue or tab portion of the closure system by a tearing strip having an opposing starter strip portion. Once the upright box is initially sealed, the connector strip is adhesively secured to the second body panel. When the box is initially opened by removing the opening strip, a pivotable cover or lid is established, the tab portion being attached to the cover along the fold lines. The cover, which is part of the first body panel, establishes an upper top flap for the box, and the lower top flap is part of and attached to the face panel portion of the second body panel. A slot is formed at the connection between the lower top flap and the face panel portion. After initially opening, the box can be optionally closed by folding the cover over the lower top flap and inserting the tab portion into the slot.

Since the present invention is specifically designed for use in the storage and dispensing of dry pet (e.g. cat or dog) food, the box preferably also incorporates other improvements. In particular, each of the side panels interconnecting the body parts include extended flaps that automatically fold together when the lower top flap is lowered to further seal the box. Correspondingly, when the cover and lower top flap are opened to expose the inner storage area of the box, the extension flap functions as an extension of the side of the box. When using boxes to store and dispense dry pet food, these extensions can be particularly advantageous for accommodating small fragments. The box may include an inner bag into which the dry pet food is directly stored. The inner bag can be opened along the top seam and wrapped or otherwise sealed closed between uses to further prevent pet food odors from escaping from the box. Additionally, one or more side box handles may be provided to assist in transporting the box, each handle either as a complete cutout or defining a side portion of the box that can be pivoted inward so that the user's fingers can be inserted to lift the box. It is formed by partially perforating.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a box constructed in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a lower perspective view of the box of Fig. 1;
Figure 3 is a plan view of a cardboard blank on which the box of Figures 1 and 2 is erected.
Figure 4 shows the box of the invention during the initial opening stage.
Figure 5 shows the opening strip of the box in a partially torn state.
Figure 6 shows the tear strip completely removed from the rest of the box.
Figure 7 shows the cover of the box pivoting towards the open state.
Figure 8 shows the cover and box in a closed state.
Figure 9 shows the box in a fully open state.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, a box constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated by the number 5. Box 5 has first and second opposing major sides (also referred to as first and second front body portions) 8, 9, a top side 10, a bottom side 12, and opposing sides 14. 15) includes. To assist in transporting the box 5, each of the opposing sides 14, 15 is preferably formed with a cutout, one of which is marked 17 for the side 14 and defines a handle (the other Note that the handle is shown as 18 in Figure 3). As best shown in Figure 1, the top surface 10 is adhesively secured to a second major side 9 and an upper top flap or cover 20 from which a tab 22 connected to a tear strip 24 extends. It includes a connector strip (25). On the other hand, with particular reference to Figure 2, the bottom surface 12 includes folded side flaps 31, 32 as well as interlocking main or bottom flaps 34, 35. As explained in more detail below, main flap 34 includes a lingual member 37 that is received in a concave portion 38 of main flap 35. Circles 42 and 43 designate push areas on the side flaps 31 and 32 to assist in disassembling the box 5 for recycling purposes after complete use. Before leaving Figures 1 and 2, additional details of the tear strip 24 are provided. More specifically, tear strip 24 includes distal starter strip portions 47 and 48 interconnected by a central tear strip portion 50. Each starter strip portion 47, 48 establishes an enlarged gripping tab at the respective distal end of the tear strip 24. As explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 4-6, a selected one of the starter strip portions 47, 48 is initially opened when the box 5 is opened so that the opening strip 45 can be removed. It is intended for the user to grasp. Note that at this point, the use of terms such as top, bottom, interior, exterior, front, rear, side, etc. are for reference purposes only to describe exemplary forms of the invention described herein and illustrated in the drawings. Should be. Therefore, these terms should not be considered limiting with respect to the present invention as a whole.

According to a preferred embodiment, the box 5 is formed from a blank 56 as shown in FIG. 3 . The blank 56 may be made of a variety of materials, particularly cardboard, which is widely known to be used in the food industry to form various types of food cartons. In any case, the blank 56 is stamped from a single sheet to establish a first opposing major side 8 defined by the first body panel 60 . The first body panel 60 includes an upper connecting fold line 66 leading to the cover 20 as well as a lower connecting fold line 68 leading to the interlocking main flap 35 . As shown, main flap 35 includes spaced apart extensions 71 and 72 extending on both sides of concave portion 38. A side 15 forming part of the first side panel 78 is connected to the first body part 8 along a fold line 76 . The first side panel 78 includes an upper connecting fold line 80 leading to the first extended flap 82 . On the other hand, the first extended flap 82 is connected to the second extended flap 87 along a second fold line 85, which has a third fold line 89 associated therewith. . The first side panel 78 also has a side 15 connected to the side flap 32 along a lower fold line 91. In the depicted embodiment, side flaps 32 include a first inwardly extending angled side edge 92 leading to a second outwardly extending angled side edge 93 which collectively establishes interlocking tabs 95. do.

The side 15 is connected to the second body panel 100 defined by the second front body portion 9 in part along a fold line 98 . The second body panel 100 has an associated lower top flap 106 connected to the second front body portion 9 along an upper connecting fold line 109 . Accordingly, the fold line 109 defines the connection between the second front body portion 9 of the second body panel 100 and the lower top flap 106. At this connection, an elongated slot 112 is formed. As shown, lower top flap 106 includes spaced apart ear portions 115, 116 joined by cross body portion 118. One edge of the ear portion 115 and the cross body portion 118 is connected to the second extended flap 87 along a third fold line 89 . The second body panel 100 is also provided with a lower connecting fold line 121 leading to the interlocking main flap 34. The main flap 34 is shown to include inwardly angled, opposing side edges 124, 125 leading to the lingual member 37.

Box 5 also includes a second side panel 134 connected to second body panel 100 along a fold line 136 . The second side panel 134 combines the side 14 with the first extension flap 141, which is connected to the second extension flap 146 along the fold line 144, in a similar manner to the extension flap 82. It has an upper connecting fold line 138. The second extended flap 146 is in turn connected to the lower top flap 106 along the fold line 148 . More specifically, second extension flap 146, similar to second extension flap 87, is attached directly to ear portion 116 and a portion of cross body section 118 of lower top flap 106. The second side panel 134 is also connected to the folded side flap 31 along the lower connection fold line 153. The side flaps 31 are essentially mirror images of the side flaps 32 and thus comprise a first angled side edge 157 leading to a second angled side edge 158 when defining the interlocking tabs 161 . Finally, the blank 56 includes a fold line 167 between the second side panel 134 and the attachment flap 170.

When assembling the blank 56 of Figure 3 into the box 5 of Figures 1 and 2, the various panels are folded along lines 76, 98, 136 and 167 and attachment flaps 170 are glued (not shown). (not) is fixed to the first body panel 60 to form a box with four sides. Thereafter, the folded side flaps 31 and 32 are folded along the lower connection fold line 153 and the lower connection fold line 91, respectively, and the tabs 95 and 161 are interlocked. Then, the main flaps 34, 35 are folded along the lower connecting fold line 121 and the lower connecting fold line 68, respectively, and the lingual member 37 is inserted into the concave portion 38, as shown in FIG. 2 The assembled bottom surface 22 shown in is reached. When closing the remaining part of the box 5, the lower top flap 106 is folded along the fold line 109. Based on the interconnection with the respective second extension flaps 87, 146, the folding of the lower upper flap 106 automatically causes the first and second extension flaps 82, 87 as well as the first and second extensions. The flaps 141 and 146 are folded together under the lower top flap 106. More specifically, when the lower top flap 106 is fully open or extended, each of the first extended flaps 82, 141 and the second extended flaps 87, 146 are substantially perpendicular to the lower top flap 106. arranged, which will be described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 9. In any case, when the lower top flap 106 is fully lowered or pivoted to the closed position about the axis defined by the fold line 109, each of the extended flaps 82, 87, 141, 146 It is automatically oriented substantially parallel to the flap 106. Finally, the cover 20 is folded along the fold line 66 and placed over the lower top flap 106 and the tabs 22, opening strip 24 and connector strip 25 are each attached to the second main side or front side. Pivoted to align with the body part 9, the connector strip 25 is fixed directly to the second major side 9, for example using adhesive (not shown), to reach the arrangement shown in Figure 1. Obviously, at this point, box 5 will already be filled with the item(s) it is intended to store or protect.

Reference will now be made to Figures 4 to 6 to explain how the box 5 is initially opened. Referring first to Figure 4, the user has chosen to employ the starter strip portion 47 when removing the tear strip 24. To this end, the starter strip portion 47 was physically separated from the connector strip 25 (starter strip portion 47 and tabs 22 to facilitate the ability to separate the starter strip portion 47 as shown). Note that there is no direct connection between them). In Figure 5, the starter strip portion 47 has been pulled such that the central tear strip portion 50 of the tear strip 24 extends most of the major side 9. This pulling of the starter strip portion 47 (grip tab) continues as the central tear strip portion 50 is completely removed across the major side 9 as shown in FIG. 6 . Once the tear strip (24) has been completely removed, the adhesively secured connector strip (25) remains attached to the second front body portion (9) and the upper top flap or cover (20) is now at the fold line (66). While being free to pivot about the hinge axis defined by , tab 22 remains angled (generally perpendicular) to the plane of cover 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6 .

Figure 7 shows the cover 20 initially pivoting relative to the remainder of the box 5. Here, slot 112 can be seen. If the box 5 is to be placed in a closed state after initial opening, simply lower the cover 20 while guiding the tabs 22 into the elongated slots 112 . This closed state is shown in Figure 8. On the other hand, if the box continues the cover 20 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 7 to assume the fully open state in Figure 9, the cover 20 is then moved to be completely removed from the inner top flap 106, The cross body section 118 can be grasped from between the ear portions 115 and 116 to lift the inner top flap 106. As referenced above, raising or lowering the inner top flap 106 automatically causes the side extensions 82, 87, 141, 146 to extend or deploy to achieve the open condition shown in Figure 9. That is, the side extensions 82, 87, 141, 146 allow box 5 to move from a substantially parallel orientation below upper top flap 106 when box 5 is in the closed position of Figure 8. It automatically moves to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the upper top flap 106 when in its open position. This arrangement can be seen as quite advantageous. That is, while box 5 can be used to store and access a wide range of products, the most preferred use of box 5 is to package dry pet food, especially for dogs or cats. In one form, the box 5 manufactured according to the invention preferably defines a 10-30 lb box for storing dry pet food that can be distributed for feeding purposes over a long period of time. In this regard, box 5 may include a bag 180 containing pet food, which bag 180 can be rolled up to retain odor with cover 20 closed between feedings. closed or otherwise sealed. The upper top flap (106) and the side extensions (82, 87, 141, 146) are arranged upright at the same time, so there is no risk of spillage when opening the full bag (180), and can be used for dry pet food or other small, hard storage. As in the case of fragments, these upright walls help to accommodate small fragments, especially during dispensing operations.

At this point, it should again be noted that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “posterior,” and “side” are used only with reference to the embodiments shown in the figures to describe the invention. do. Thus, for example, a box may be rotated to make any side of the box “front” or “back” without departing from the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the first front body portion 8 is used for the front of the box as it provides a smooth, soft and unobstructed surface for clearly displaying information such as product labels, logos, etc. In any case, it is readily apparent that the present invention provides a box that is convenient for initial opening, advantageously expands upon opening, and represents a simple and easy-to-use closure system. In any case, although the invention has been disclosed with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be readily apparent that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from its spirit. Instead, the invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the following claims.

Claims (17)

It is a box,
a first body panel including a first front body portion, a first bottom flap, and a cover;
a second body panel including a second front body portion, a second bottom flap and a lower top flap;
first and second side panels connecting the first and second body panels in a spaced apart relationship to establish an interior storage area of the box, the box having an access opening to the interior storage area, the first and second side panels Each of the panels includes a side panel portion and first and second extension flaps, the first extension flap being directly connected to each said side panel portion along a first fold line, and the second extension flap being connected along a second fold line. first and second side panels both directly connected to the first extended flap along and to the lower top flap along a third fold line; and
a closure system for selectively closing the access opening, the closure system comprising a tab formed by a cover and a slot provided in a connection between the lower upper flap and the second front body portion, the tab pivoting the cover over the access opening; A box configured to be received in a slot when made. According to paragraph 1,
Opening strip attached directly to the tab on the cover; and
A box further comprising a connector portion attached to both the tear strip and the second front body portion. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tearing strip comprises spaced apart distal starter strips joined by a connector strip, the starter strip being enlarged relative to the connector strip to improve gripping of a selected one of the starter strips for removal of the tearing strip. become a box. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap includes a concave portion, and the other of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap includes a tongue member, the tongue member comprising a tongue member. A box, received in the concave portion when interlocking one lower flap with a second lower flap. 2. The box of claim 1, wherein the box has a closed position wherein the cover extends over the lower top flap and the tab is received in the slot, and an open position wherein each of the first and second side extensions extend substantially orthogonal to the lower top flap. You can take the box. The box of claim 5, wherein each of the first and second side extensions extends substantially parallel to the lower top flap when the box is in the closed position. 7. The box of claim 6, wherein each of the first and second side extensions is positioned below the lower top flap when the box is in the closed position. The box of claim 1 further comprising handles provided on each of the first and second side panels. The box of claim 1 further comprising a bag in an interior storage area of the box. The box of claim 9 further comprising dry pet food within the bag. A single blank to form a reclosable packaging box,
A first body panel comprising a first front body portion connected to a first bottom flap along a bottom fold line and to a cover along a second fold line, wherein the cover includes a tab portion, the tab portion comprising a tear strip and a first body panel connected to the connecting strip;
A second body panel comprising a second front body portion connected to the second bottom flap along a lower fold line and to the lower top flap along an upper fold line, wherein the second body panel is connected to the second front body portion and the lower top flap. a second body panel comprising a slot at the connection between the flaps; and
comprising first and second side panels, each comprising a side panel portion and first and second extension flaps, the first extension flap being directly connected to each of the side panel portions along a first fold line, and a second extension flap; A single blank, wherein the extension flap is both directly connected to the first extension flap along the second fold line and to the lower top flap along the third fold line. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein one of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap includes a concave portion, and the other of the first bottom flap and the second bottom flap includes a tongue member, and the concave portion includes a tongue member. A single blank configured to receive an upper member. 13. The single blank of claim 12, further comprising a handle provided on a side panel portion of each of the first and second side panels. A method of opening and closing an openable upper portion of a box comprising first and second body panels spaced apart by opposing side body panels and connected together via connector strips, each side body panel having the first and second body panels. 2 comprising an extension flap, the method comprising:
Grasping and removing a tear strip formed as part of the first body panel and attached to the second body panel via a connector strip, removal of the tear strip establishing a cover including a tab portion; pivoting the cover over the access opening of the box; initially opening the box by pivoting a lower top flap of the second body panel to expose an access opening; and
pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel over the access opening, wherein when pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel, the first and second extended flaps are folded together and automatically folded over the access opening; Pivots the cover over the lower top flap; A method comprising closing the openable upper portion by inserting a tab portion of the cover into a slot provided in a connection between the lower top flap and the face panel portion of the second body panel. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second extended flaps are substantially parallel to each other when pivoting the lower top flap of the second body panel over the access opening. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: removing the tab portion from the slot; pivoting the cover over the access opening; The method further comprising reopening the box by pivoting the lower top flap over the access opening while simultaneously unfolding each extended flap. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second extended flaps are substantially perpendicular to the lower top flap when fully pivoting the lower top flap over the access opening.

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