LU508409B1

LU508409B1 - Collapsible box and method for erecting said box

Info

Publication number: LU508409B1
Application number: LU508409A
Authority: LU
Inventors: Mathilde Gatesoupe
Original assignee: Lpf Groupe
Priority date: 2024-09-30
Filing date: 2024-09-30
Publication date: 2026-03-31

Abstract

The present invention relates a collapsible box 1 which can be delivered flat, has a constant thickness when presented flat and has a curved sealing area 4. The box is sealed at the top, without any intervention such as labelling, gluing or sealing at the time of packaging. Also, the present invention relates to a method for erecting the collapsible box 1.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE BOX AND METHOD FOR ERECTING SAID BOX

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates in general to packaging elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible box which can be delivered flat, has a constant thickness when presented flat and has a curved sealing area. The box 1s sealed at the top, without any intervention such as labelling, gluing or sealing at the time of packaging. Also, the present invention relates to a method for erecting the collapsible box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is known to use collapsible packaging elements in the form of boxes or cases formed from a blank and used to pack products or items inside them. Such boxes or cases are usually made of cardboard. The box has in its erected state side walls and can be unfolded to return to the blank state.

[0003] Usually, folding cases or boxes have a gluing tab that creates extra thickness when the case 1s laid flat. These cases are stacked for storage and delivery. However, the extra thickness generates instability of the pile and forces one to shrink up, reverse the stacks and store the cases in boxes to avoid falls. The packaging machines are loaded in small quantities. This requires over-packaging and increased attention.

[0004] On the other hand, to guarantee the first opening, a first opening witness may be requested. Folding cases require rework, such as the application of a temper-evident label or cellophane. As for the first opening indicator, one adds a temper-evident label, glues the tab, or adds cellophane. But these interventions take time and may require the use of specific tools.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need to overcome the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION LU508409

[0006] In order to effectively solve the above-mentioned problems, according to one aspect, the present invention is directed to a collapsible box having a collapsed state and an erected state, the box being substantially flat in the collapsed state and exhibits a container adapted to be filled with at least one product or item in the erected state, the box being formed from two blank parts provided separate from each other or integral with each other and each comprising a main body section, a curved peripheral connecting section, two inner connecting sections, a first lid section and a second lid section. The main body section is adapted to form a side wall of the box in the erected state and comprises two substantially identical portions connected by a curved portion such that the two substantially equal portions meet at an acute angle. The peripheral connecting section connects to the main body section along a folding line provided along peripheral sides of the two substantially identical portions and a peripheral curved side of the curved portion. The peripheral connecting sections are adapted to be sealed to each other.

Each of the two inner connecting sections connects to the main body section along a corresponding one of two adjacent sides of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section, the two inner connecting sections adapted to connect with each other in inward direction in the erected state. The first lid section connects to a first one of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section along a folding line provided along a side of the one of the two substantially identical portions, which is opposite to the curved portion. The second lid section connects to a second one of the two substantially identical portions along a folding line provided along a side of the second one of the two substantially identical portions, which is opposite to the curved portion. The lid sections are adapted to fold and close an entrance to the box in the erected state.

[0007] In one preferable embodiment, one flap extends, along a folding line, from a free side of the first lid section of the first part, which is opposite to the side of the first lid section connecting to the main body section, and two flaps extend, along a folding line, from two opposite free sides of the first lid section of the second part, which are adjacent to the side of the first lid section connecting to the main body section, and slots are provided along the sides of each of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section, which connect to the lid sections. The slots are adapted to receive the flaps of the lid sections to provide a closed lid in the erected state.

[0008] In another preferable embodiment, each of the two inner connecting sections connects to the main body section along a folding line provided along a corresponding one of the two adjacent sides of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section, the two inner connecting sections adapted to fold inwards along the folding line to connect with each other in the erected state.

[0009] In one preferable embodiment, the two substantially equal portions of the main body section are substantially rectangular, and the peripheral sides of the two rectangular portions are two opposite longer sides of the two rectangular portions, and the adjacent sides of the two rectangular portions are two adjacent longer sides of the two rectangular portions.

[0010] In one preferable embodiment, the curved portion of the main body section is substantially rounded, and the peripheral curved side of the curved portion is rounded.

[0011] In another preferable embodiment, the two rectangular portions meet at an angle of about 60 degrees.

[0012] In another preferable embodiment, the two inner connecting sections are connected with each other by a folding line at a meeting area of the two rectangular portions.

[0013] In another preferable embodiment, the width of each inner connecting section is substantially equal to the width of the peripheral connecting section.

[0014] In another preferable embodiment, the first lid section is substantially square.

[0015] In another preferable embodiment, each side of the first lid section has a length substantially equal to the length of a shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section.

[0016] In another preferable embodiment, the second lid section is substantially rectangular and a longer side of the second lid section preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of a shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section, and more preferably the length of the shorter side of the second lid section is about half equal to the longer side of the second lid section.

[0017] In another preferable embodiment, the two parts are made as a unitary blank and are LU508409 connected along a portion of the peripheral connecting section, preferably along a folding line provided along the portion of the peripheral connecting section, such that the second lid section of the first part is adjacent to the first lid section of the second part.

[0018] In another preferable embodiment, the folding lines are crease or perforated lines.

[0019] In another preferable embodiment, the box is made from paper, cardboard, or plastic.

[0020] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for placing the collapsible box in an erected state, comprising the steps of sealing (preferably, by heat-sealing or gluing) the peripheral connecting sections of the two parts together, folding the main body potion of each part to connect the two substantially identical portions with each other so that the two inner connecting sections are rounded off in inward direction to connect with each other, to form a container adapted to be filled with at least one product or item, folding the second lid sections into place along the folding line in direction to each other, and folding the first lid portions into place along the folding line in direction to each other, inserting the flap of the first lid section of the first part into the slot of the second part, and inserting the flaps of the first lid section of the second part into the slot of the first part to form a closed lid of the box.

[0021] In a preferable embodiment, the method further comprises fixing the folded lid sections by closing or fixing means, preferably by inserting a flap extending along a folding line from a free side of the first lid section of the first part, which is opposite to the side of the first lid section connecting to the main body section, and two flaps extending, along a folding line, from two opposite free sides of the first lid section of the second part, which are adjacent to the side of the first lid section connecting to the main body section, into corresponding slots provided along the sides of each of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section, which connect to the lid sections.

[0022] Known folding boxes or cases have an extra thick gluing tab that alters the stability of the blank stacks. To guarantee the first opening, folding boxes or cases require manual rework for the application of labels, for example, or an automated line passage for gluing or adding cellophane.

[0023] The present invention thus provides an advantageous solution which uses the property LU508409 of curved folds to make flat surfaces change to a developable three-dimensional shape. By assembling two sheets of paper (or a sheet folded in half) in a curved pattern, a packaging element 1s created that goes from the flat position, without any extra thickness, to a volume position, without the need for another element such as a label or glue.

[0024] The assembly of the two sheets, or of the sheet folded in half, can be done by screen printing, pad printing or placing by a robot for example or by welding if the material allows it, such as cardboard coated with a thermo-activatable dry glue or plastic that can be welded by ultrasound.

[0025] Gluing back to back avoids extra thickness and allows the blanks for collapsible boxes to be stacked. Packaging can be carried out without a specific packaging line while guaranteeing the first opening.

[0026] The box can take curved shapes that can fit the shape of the product it contains.

[0027] Thus, there is provided a complex shape that reassembles, like a pop-up book.

[0028] These and other advantages and features of the present invention are described with specificity below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which prominent aspects and features of the invention are illustrated.

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a face of an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible box according to a first aspect of the invention, when in a collapsed state.

[0031] Figure 2 is the perspective view of Figure 1, with dimensions indicated.

[0032] Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of the collapsible box upon erection from the collapsed state to the erected state.

[0033] Figure 4 is a front view of the collapsible box shown in Figure 1, when in an erected state.

[0034] Figure 5 is a back view of the collapsible box shown in Figure 1, when in an erected state.

[0035] Figure 6 is a side view of the collapsible box shown in Figure 1, when in an erected state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In the following discussion that addresses embodiments and applications of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which show the way how the invention may be practiced.

[0037] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a box 1, preferably a cardboard box, formed from a unitary blank which can be provided in a collapsed (flat) state or an erected (folded) state. The box 1 is substantially flat in the collapsed state and exhibits a closed container in the erected state, which is adapted to contain a product.

[0038] The blank comprises two substantially identical parts 2a, 2b, each comprising a main body section 3, and a curved peripheral connecting section 4, two inner connecting sections 5, 6, a first lid section 7 and a second lid section 8, which are connected to the main body section 3.

[0039] The main body section 3 is intended to form a side wall of the box and comprises two substantially equal, preferably rectangular, portions connected by a curved, preferably rounded, portion such that the two rectangular portions meet at an angle a (see Figure 2), preferably of about 60 degrees.

[0040] The peripheral connecting sections 4 of the two parts 2a, 2b are provided to attach to each other, as a sealing area. The peripheral connecting section 4 connects to the main body section 3 along a curved, preferably rounded, folding line 12 continuously provided along opposite longer sides of the two rectangular portions and a curved, preferably rounded side of LU508409 the curved, preferably rounded, portion located between them.

[0041] Fach of the two inner connecting sections 5, 6 connects to the main body section 3 along a corresponding one of two adjacent longer sides of the two rectangular portions, preferably along a folding line 13 provided along the corresponding one of two adjacent longer sides of the two rectangular portions. Preferably, the two inner connecting sections 5, 6 are connected by a folding line 14 at a meeting area of the two rectangular portions. Preferably, the width of each inner connecting section 5, 6 is substantially equal to the width of the peripheral connecting section 4.

[0042] The first lid section 7 is substantially square and connects to a first one of the two rectangular portions of the main body section 3 along a folding line 15 provided along a shorter side of the rectangular portion, which is opposite to the rounded portion. Each side of the first lid section 7 preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of the shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section 3.

[0043] In a preferable embodiment, a flap 9 can be additionally provided along one free side of the first lid section 7 of the first part 2a, whereas two flaps 10, 11 can be additionally provided along the other two, opposite free sides of the first lid section 7 of the second part 2b, with one of the two flaps 10, 11 provided at one of the opposite free sides of the first lid section 7 of the second part 2b. The flap 9 can extend, along a folding line 17, from a free side of the first lid section 7 of the first part 2a, which is opposite to the side connecting to the main body section. The two flaps 10, 11 can extend, along a folding line 18, from corresponding two opposite free sides of the first lid section 7 of the second part 2b, which are adjacent to the side connecting to the main body section 3. In this embodiment, a slot 20 is provided along a folding line 15 along a shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body portion 3, which connects with the first lid portion 7, and a slot 21 is provided along a folding line 16 along a shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body portion 3, which connects with the second lid portion 8. The slots 20, 21 are adapted to receive the flaps 9, 10, 11 of the lid sections 7 to provide a closed lid.

[0044] The second lid section 8 is substantially rectangular and is connected by a longer side to a second one of the two rectangular portions of the main body section 3 along a folding line 16 provided along a shorter side of the rectangular section, which is opposite to the rounded portion. The longer side of the second lid section 8 preferably has a length substantially equal LU508409 to the length of the shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section 3. The length of the shorter side of the second lid section 8 preferably 1s about half equal to the longer side of the second lid section 8.

[0045] Preferably, one or more of the folding lines 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 are crease or perforated lines.

[0046] The two parts 2a, 2b of the unitary blank are preferably connected along a straight side portion 19 of the peripheral connecting section 4 (as shown in Figure 1), such that the second lid section 8 of the first part 2a is adjacent to the first lid section 7 of the second part 2b. In this embodiment, a folding line, preferably a crease or perforated line, can be provided along the straight side portion 19, so as to make easier the process of folding of the parts 2a, 2b relative to each other during assembling.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, the two parts 2a, 2b may be made as two separate blanks.

[0048] With reference to Figure 2, in one particular exemplary embodiment of the unitary blank, the total length a of the unitary blank is about 417.44 mm, the total width b of the unitary blank is about 214.14 mm, the length c of the shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section 3 is 53 mm, and the length d including the length c of the shorter side of the rectangular portion, the width of the peripheral connecting section 4 and the width of the inner connecting section 5, 6 is 78 mm.

[0049] The size and shape of the different sections and portions of the box 1 may be varied in a number of different ways. Meanwhile, preferably, size ratios can be equal to ratios obtained from the sizes a-d indicated above in respect of the one particular exemplary embodiment.

[0050] In Figures 3a and 3b the collapsible carboard box 1 is illustrated when erected from the collapsed state to the erected state. One exemplary method for placing a collapsible box in an erected state will now be described in more detail.

[0051] Initially, the two parts 2a, 2b are folded in direction to each other, and the peripheral connecting sections 4 are attached to each other by gluing or heat-sealing. Thereafter, the two rectangular portions of the main body potion 3 of each part 2a, 2b are connected with each LU508409 other, preferably along the folding lines 13 (and, preferably, the folding line 14), so that the two inner connecting sections 5, 6 are rounded off (or folded along the folding lines 13, 14, if any) in inward direction to connect with each other (Figure 3a). At this stage, the box is ready to be filled, now having an internal room made of side walls formed by the main body sections 3. Thereafter, the second lid sections 8 are folded into place along the folding line 16 in direction to each other (Figure 3b). Finally, the first lid portions 7 are folded into place along the folding line 15 in direction to each other and fixed by fixing or closing means, so as to close the box 1 (as shown in Figures 4-6).

[0052] Advantageously, as better shown in Figure 6, when folded, one part 2a remains flat and the other part 2b adapts to the flat surface of the first part 2a thanks to the sealing (and thus has a re-entrant angle).

[0053] The lid sections can be fixed in the closed state by sealing, for example, by gluing the first lid sections 7 to each other, or by attaching a temper-evident label, such as self-adhesive label to keep the lid sections or at least the upper lid section secured to the walls of the box.

Any other fixing or closing means are also possible.

[0054] In one preferable embodiment, the flaps 9, 10, 11 are provided (as shown in Figure 1) as fixing or closing means to fix the lid sections to the box 1. In this embodiment, the flap 9 of the first lid section 7 of the first part 2a is inserted into a corresponding slot 20 provided in the second part 2b, and the flaps 10, 11 of the first lid section 7 of the second part 2b is inserted into a corresponding slot 21 provided in the first part 2a to form a closed lid of the box and to provide the box 1 in the erected, closed state.

[0055] The peripheral connecting sections 4 of the two parts 2a, 2b can be attached to each other using two alternative methods. The first method is heat-sealing: the material of the area of the peripheral connecting sections 4 is coated on one side with a heat-sensitive coating, the peripheral connecting sections 4 are connected and heated, the glue is activated. The second method is gluing. The glue is applied by screen-printing on the area of the peripheral connecting sections 4 and the peripheral connecting sections 4 are pressed to each other.

[0056] The material of the box 1 can be selected from paper or cardboard, or can be selected LU508409 from any other material sufficiently flexible and shapable by force of hands (for example, thin plastic) to implement the invention.

[0057] The above disclosed subject-matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and serves to provide a better understanding of the present invention set out in the appended set of claims.

Claims

CLAIMS LU508409

1. A collapsible box (1) having a collapsed state and an erected state, the box (1) being substantially flat in the collapsed state and exhibits a container adapted to be filled with at least one product or item in the erected state, the box (1) being formed from two substantially identical blank parts (2a, 2b) provided separate from each other or integral with each other and each comprising a main body section (3), a curved peripheral connecting section (4), a first lid section (7) and a second lid section (8), wherein the main body section (3) 1s adapted to form a side wall of the box (1) in the erected state and comprises two substantially identical portions connected by a curved portion such that the two substantially equal portions meet at an acute angle (a), the peripheral connecting section (4) connects to the main body section (3) along a folding line (12) provided along peripheral sides of the two substantially identical portions and a peripheral curved side of the curved portion, the peripheral connecting sections (4) being adapted to be sealed to each other, the first lid section (7) connects to a first one of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section (3) along a folding line (15) provided along a side of the one of the two substantially identical portions, which is opposite to the curved portion, and the second lid section (8) connects to a second one of the two substantially identical portions along a folding line (16) provided along a side of the second one of the two substantially identical portions, which is opposite to the curved portion, the lid sections (7, 8) adapted to fold and close an entrance to the box (1) in the erected state.

2. The box (1) according to claim 1, wherein a flap (9) extends, along a folding line (17), from a free side of the first lid section (7) of the first part (2a), which is opposite to the side of the first lid section (7) connecting to the main body section (3), and two flaps (10, 11) extend, along a folding line (18), from two opposite free sides of the first lid section (7) of the second part (2b), which are adjacent to the side of the first lid section (7) connecting to the main body section (3), and slots (20, 21) are provided along the sides of each of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section (3), which connect to the lid sections (7, 8), the slots (20, 21) adapted to receive the flaps (9, 10, 11) of the lid sections (7, 8) to provide a closed lid in the erected state.

3. The box (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising two inner connecting sections LU508409 (5, 6), each of the two inner connecting sections (5, 6) connects to the main body section (3) along a corresponding one of two adjacent sides of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section (3), the two inner connecting sections (5, 6) adapted to connect with each other in inward direction in the erected state,

4. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein each of the two inner connecting sections (5, 6) connects to the main body section (3) along a folding line (13) provided along a corresponding one of the two adjacent sides of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section (3), the two inner connecting sections (5, 6) adapted to fold inwards along the folding line (13) to connect with each other in the erected state.

5. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the two substantially equal portions of the main body section (3) are substantially rectangular, and the peripheral sides of the two rectangular portions are two opposite longer sides of the two rectangular portions, and the adjacent sides of the two rectangular portions are two adjacent longer sides of the two rectangular portions, wherein the two rectangular portions preferably meet at an angle (a) of about 60 degrees.

6. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the curved portion of the main body section (3) is substantially rounded, and the peripheral curved side of the curved portion is rounded.

7. The box (1) according to claim 5, wherein the two inner connecting sections (5, 6) are connected with each other by a folding line (14) at a meeting area of the two rectangular portions.

8. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the width of each inner connecting section (5, 6) is substantially equal to the width of the peripheral connecting section

4).

9. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first lid section (7) is substantially square.

10. The box (1) according to claim 5, wherein each side of the first lid section (7) has a LU508409 length substantially equal to the length of a shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section (3).

11. The box (1) according to claim 5 or 10, wherein the second lid section (8) is substantially rectangular and a longer side of the second lid section (8) preferably has a length substantially equal to the length of a shorter side of the rectangular portion of the main body section (3), and more preferably the length of the shorter side of the second lid section (8) is about half equal to the longer side of the second lid section (8).

12. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the two parts (2a, 2b) are made as a unitary blank and are connected along a portion (19) of the peripheral connecting section (4), preferably along a folding line provided along the portion (19) of the peripheral connecting section (4), such that the second lid section (8) of the first part (2a) is adjacent to the first lid section (7) of the second part (2b).

13. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein the folding lines are crease or perforated lines.

14. The box (1) according to any one of claims 1-13, wherein the box 1 is made from paper, cardboard, or plastic.

15. A method for placing a collapsible box (1) according to any one of claims 1-14 in an erected state, comprising the steps of sealing the peripheral connecting sections (4) of the two parts (2a, 2b) together, folding the main body potion (3) of each part (2a, 2b) to connect the two substantially identical portions with each other so that the two inner connecting sections (5, 6) are rounded off in inward direction to connect with each other, to form a container adapted to be filled with at least one product or item, folding the second lid sections (8) into place along the folding line (16) in direction to each other, and folding the first lid portions (7) into place along the folding line (15) in direction to each other.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising fixing the folded lid sections by LU508409 closing or fixing means, preferably by inserting a flap (9) extending along a folding line (17)

from a free side of the first lid section (7) of the first part (2a), which is opposite to the side of the first lid section (7) connecting to the main body section (3), and two flaps (10, 11) extending, along a folding line (18), from two opposite free sides of the first lid section (7) of the second part (2b), which are adjacent to the side of the first lid section (7) connecting to the main body section (3), into corresponding slots (20, 21) provided along the sides of each of the two substantially identical portions of the main body section (3), which connect to the lid sections (7, 8).