MXPA00011639A - Locking arrangement for panels - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking arrangement for panels includes a first panel, a locking tab extending from the first panel, a second panel having a main portion (6), and a leading portion (7) connected thereto along a plurality of collinear panel fold lines, and a pair of locking slits defined in the second panel. Each locking slit extends at least from a first point disposed astride one of the panel (60) fold lines, into the leading portion and to a second point disposed on the main portion, and the locking slits defining therebetween a strut panel. The locking tab is received into the slits, and is held between the strut panel and the second panel. A strut fold line (62) may be disposed across the strut panel from the locking slit to the cut edge (58) substantially in parallel to the panel fold line, the strut fold line being disposed in an offset relationship to the panel fold line in a direction toward the leading portion, whereby folding of the leading portion at least partially opens the locking slit for receiving the locking tab thereinto.

Description

LABELING ARRANGEMENT FOR PANELS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to interlocking arrangements for panels, and more particularly to a locking arrangement for panels wherein a locking tab forms a cooperative sliding that locks with a pair of openings in the panel. locked In the packaging of articles, and particularly of one or more items in wrapping cartons, the interlocking arrangements are often used to maintain the binding of the cardboard around the articles. It can be appreciated that such interlocking arrangements must be fixed and reliably coupled, and must remain in such condition until the cardboard is opened. A well-known form of locking arrangement comprises a locking tab and cooperative opening. An example of this type of lock arrangement can be seen in U.S. Patent No. 3,249,284 (Wood). In this example, as is typical, the locking tab includes a head portion attached along a relatively narrow neck in a panel of the board. The tongue includes at least one flange, that is, that portion of the tongue where the head connects to the relatively narrow neck. In an opposite panel of the board, an opening is formed in which the tab can be inserted. Following the insertion, the tongue flange engages the end of the opening and prevents the tongue from being removed, and thereby ensure locking. For latches of this type, it is advantageous to provide means for facilitating unlocking of the opening for receiving the locking tab when it is inserted. On the other hand, the tongue or opening may be damaged during the coupling, or the tongue may lose engagement with the entire opening. In this way, it is known to arrange the opening such that it is bent outwardly as a front portion of the panel in which the opening is formed, the opening is opened. Such an arrangement can be seen, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,600,140, in which the opening includes angled portions to create the opening. However, it is also important to ensure that once inserted, the tongue remains fixedly engaged with the opening. When the front edge panel has been bent outward, the edge panel can not return completely to its original position, thus leaving the opening partially open. One way in which secure retention can be achieved, is to have a portion of the tongue that bends too much in overlap relationship with the main tongue body. After insertion, the bent portion is released and at least partially unfolded, thereby providing additional security for the lock. An example of this method can be seen in the North American Patent No. 4,600,140 referenced in the above. A disadvantage of this method, however, is the additional complexity required in the machinery to form and lock cartons. Meeting the above needs, the present invention provides a locking arrangement for panels including a first panel, and a locking tab extending from the first panel, the locking tab having a main body defining an enlarged flange portion. disposed along at least one side edge of the tongue adjacent to the neck. A second panel has a main portion, and a front portion that is connected thereto along at least one panel fold line. A lock opening is defined in the second panel and extends at least from a first point disposed in the forward portion to a second point disposed in the main portion. A cutting edge is also defined in the second panel and extends at least from a first point disposed in the forward portion to a second point disposed in the main portion. The locking opening and the cutting edge define a support panel between it, and a support bending line is disposed across the support panel from the locking opening to the cutting edge in parallel to the panel bending line, the supporting bending line is disposed in a displacement relationship to the panel fold line in a direction towards the front portion, whereby folding the front portion along the fold line of the panel originates the fold line of support and the support panel forms at least partially open the locking opening to receive the locking tongue thereon. The locking tab can further define a second widened locking flange disposed along an opposite lateral edge of the tongue. The locking tab may further include a neck disposed between the locking flange and the first panel. In such a case, the locking tab can define a locking edge formed along the neck between the locking flange and the first panel, and the first portion of the locking opening can be formed such that, when the locking tab is coupled with the locking opening, the locking edge and the first portion of the locking opening are substantially coincident. A second panel fold line may be provided, the first and second panel fold lines being aligned. The cutting edge can then be defined by a second locking opening formed in the second panel. Also, each of the first and second locking openings can extend from the first points, with each of the first points being disposed traversed to a respective one of the panel fold lines, in the forward portion and in the second arranged points. in the main portion. Each of the locking openings may include a first portion extending from the first point on the front portion and a second portion extending from the front portion on the main portion, and a flange portion disposed within the front portion and connecting to the first and second portions of each of the locking openings. The support bending line may be arranged through the support panel from the first locking opening to the second locking opening, each of the locking openings intersecting between respective ones of the flange portions and the intersection of the opening lock and one of the panel fold lines. The first and second locking openings can substantially mirror each other. The first portion of each of the locking openings may extend beyond the first point and in the main portion of the second panel. The second panel may define a side edge of the panel thereof, and wherein the cut line is defined by a portion of the side edge of the panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a locking arrangement for panels includes a first panel, and a locking tab extending from the first panel, the locking tab having a main body defining a flanged flange portion disposed along at least one side edge of the tongue adjacent to the neck. A second panel has a main portion, and a front portion is connected thereto along a plurality of bent lines of the panel aligned. A pair of locking openings are defined in the second panel, each extending at least from a first point disposed traversed over one of the panel fold lines, at the front portion and at a second point disposed at the main portion. The locking openings define between them a support panel. The distance between the first points is greater than the distance between the second points, so that the locking tab is received in the openings. In this embodiment, the locking tab can further define a second widened locking flange disposed along an opposite lateral edge of the tongue, the locking shoulders engage the locking openings to retain the locking tongue within the openings of locked. The locking tab in this case can define a maximum width therethrough in the locking ridges that are less than or equal to the distance between the first points along the locking openings. The locking tab may further comprise a neck disposed between the locking flange and the first panel. The locking tab may define a locking edge formed along the neck between the locking flange and the first panel, wherein the first portion of the locking opening is formed such that, when the locking tab engages with the locking tab. The locking opening, the locking edge and the first portion of the locking opening are substantially coincident. Each of the locking openings may include a first portion extending from the first point in the forward portion and a second portion extending from the forward portion in the main portion, and a shoulder portion disposed within the forward portion and which is connects to the first and second portions of each of the locking openings. The first and second locking openings can substantially mirror each other. Also, the first portion of each of the locking openings may extend beyond the first point and in the main portion of the second panel. The locking tab may define therein a leading tab edge extending between the locking ridges, and the main body of the tongue may define an alignment notch extending therefrom from the leading edge of the tongue in the tongue. a base of the notch, the alignment notch along the front tab edge has a width greater than the distance between the second points in the locking openings so that the alignment notch cooperates with the support panel to retain laterally the locking tongue inside the locking openings. The alignment notch can further define a greater width along the leading edge of the tongue than at the base of the groove. Other advantages and objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the additional claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view illustration of a cardboard template that includes a locking arrangement for panels according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a plan view illustration showing enlarged portions of a cardboard during forming, including the locking arrangement of Figure 1 placed for coupling.

Figure 3 is a plan view similar to Figure 2, which shows the cardboard portions following the coupling of the locking arrangement. Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figures 2 and 3, respectively, showing an alternative embodiment for the locking arrangement of the present invention. Figures 6 and 7 are views similar to Figures 2 and 3, respectively, showing a further alternative embodiment for the locking arrangement of the present invention. Throughout the drawings the same reference numerals are used to denote the same characteristics. Referring first to Figure 1, a template C of the folding cardboard box is illustrated, which includes an inter-racking arrangement for panels according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the template C is configured to form a folding box of a folding box type wrapper having closure panels 1 and 5, panels 2 and 4 of wall, and panel 3 top. The male locking tabs 20 extend from one of the closure panels 1 while the corresponding locking openings are formed in the other closure panel 5 as generally indicated at 30. The panel of closure is formed from a main panel 6 and a front panel 7 connected along a plurality of aligned fold lines 8.

Although the illustrated embodiment includes a collapsible box to form a relatively simple wrap-around folding box, it will be understood that the interracking arrangement of the present invention is used in any folding box or other application in which the panels of a sheet material will be secured by means of an intertrabado sliding type. The locking arrangement of Figure 1 is shown in greater detail in Figure 2. A portion of the closure panel 1 is shown, whose portion includes one of the locking tabs 20 attached thereto, a portion of the panel is also shown. 5 closure including the main panel 6 and the front panel 5, placed when it should arise during the folding of the template to form the folding box, only before the insertion of the tongue 20 into the corresponding opening arrangement 30 located in the panels 6 and 7. The locking tab 20 includes a main body 40 which is connected to the panels 1 by a relatively narrow neck 42. The transition between the neck 42 and the body 40 defines a locking edge 44, whose edge terminates in a flange portion 46. The body 40 defines a front edge 48 for the tongue, which in this embodiment is generally formed as a circular edge running from flange to flange. Optionally, a fold line (not shown) can be formed transversely through the neck 42, and can be aligned with the front edge of panel 1.

The opening arrangement 30 comprises a pair of openings 50 and 52, formed as an image to the mirror relative to each other. Each opening 50, 52 includes a first portion 54 which extends from fold line 8 at an outer angle in the front edge panel 7. A second portion 56 extends posteriorly in the main panel 6, with the first and second portions 54 and 56 joining a flange 58. In the preferred embodiment, the flange 58 was formed as a curved opening portion 50, 52, although they may use other configurations. The second portions 56 of the openings 50 and 52 form a support panel 60 therebetween. The support panel 60 is connected at one end to the main panel 6, and at an end opposite the front panel 7 adjacent the opening flanges 58. A fold line 62 is formed through the support panel 60, and is arranged parallel to the bend line 8. The fold line 62 is further displaced in a margin condition with respect to the fold line 8, the margin being in the direction of the leading edge of the panel 7. To lock, after the folding box template has been wrapped around of the article or articles to be packaged, the panel 1 is positioned with respect to the panels 6 and 7 as generally shown in Figure 2. The front panel 7 is bent out of the plane of the main panel 6 along the line 8 of bending The forwardly extended portions of the openings 50 and 52 in the vicinity of the flanges 58 provide an opening under the flange areas to allow the tongue 20 to pass under the panel 6 to engage with the openings 50 and 52. It can also be seen that the The fold line margin position 62 will force the support panel 60 out of the plane of the main panel 6, whereby the opening further enters the opening 50 and 52 engaged by the tongue 20. The tab 20 is then inserted under the panel 6, over the support tab 62 and in engagement with the openings 50 and 52. The tab is inserted far enough to cause the locking edges 44 of the tab 20 to first pass through the portions 54 of the openings 50 and 52. At a maximum, the tab 20 can be inserted only at the ends of the openings 50 and 52, so as to prevent the overstrain of the template around the contents of the package, so that it can damage the template of the folding box or its contents. After the tongue 20 has been inserted, the locking edges 44 of the tongue 20 will be captured by portions 54 of the openings 50 and 52, whereby locking will be prevented as the decoupling is transformed. The lock of Figure 2 can be seen in its coupled condition in Figure 3.

An advantage of the locking arrangement of the present invention can be appreciated from the illustration of Figure 3. When in its locked condition, the locking tab 20 is disposed with folding box portions of the receiver panel located above and below the lock. locking tongue. In particular, the adjacent panel portions 5 open portions 56 that are placed against the flange portions 46 of the tongue 20, while on the opposite side of the tongue, the support panel 60 is placed against the central portion of the tongue 20. of locked. This is advantageous because the locking tab is held firmly in position, the head locking edges 44 are held in interlocking engagement with the opening portions 54, thereby increasing the security of the locking arrangement against inadvertent uncoupling. . A further feature of the present invention can be seen by reference to the alternate embodiment for the locking arrangement shown in Figure 4. Panels 5 and 6 define therein an aperture arrangement 130 similar to that used in the embodiment of Figures 1-3. Panel 1 is provided with a locking tab 120, which is generally similar to the locking tab 20 used in the previous embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the locking tab 120 includes a main body 140 in which an aligned slot 170 is formed and extends from the leading edge 148. Along the leading edge 148, the notch 170 is of a width WN that is greater than the wider width Ws of the support panel 160. The notch 170 is further formed having the side edges 172 which preferably taper internally, thereby decreasing the width of the notch 170 near its innermost base portion 174. The notch 170 extends in the main body 140, but in a depth less than the distance from the leading edge 148 to the base of the locking tongue 120 in the panel 1. In use, the tongue 120 is inserted into the array 130. of opening in a manner similar to that used for the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3. During insertion, and as seen from Figure 5, the tab 120 is inserted beyond the innermost portion of the support panel 160. The side edges 172 of the groove 170 interact with the innermost ends of the openings 150, 152 engaged of the support panel 160, whereby they guide the insertion of the tongue 120, with the end of the support panel 160 finally disposed within the notch 170. As a result, the tab 120 is located properly laterally within the opening arrangement, and is retained in such position after locking. The embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 further illustrates an alternative opening arrangement 130. In this embodiment, first the portions 154 of the openings 150, 152 extend from the shoulders 158, arranged in the front edge panel 7, in the main panel 6. Contrary to the embodiment of Figures 1-3, these portions of openings 150, 152 do not terminate in fold lines 8, but rather end within panel 6. However, it will be recognized that because the shoulders 158 are arranged in the front edge panel 7, the panel 7 is bent with response in the opening of the openings 150 and 152 to receive the receiver tab 120. Such an aperture arrangement can be used with the tab illustrated in Figures 1-3, although it will be further recognized that panel 1 will therefore overlap the panel 5 by a greater magnitude. It will be appreciated that additional alternative embodiments of the present invention are still possible. For example, it is not necessary that the openings 50, 52 mirror image each other. In fact, as illustrated in the embodiment of Figures 6-7, only one of the openings can be used to receive the locking tab. In this embodiment, the tongue 220 includes only a single single locking edge 244 and the shoulder 246 defined along one side of the tongue 220. The opening arrangement 230 includes a first opening 250, whose opening is formed similarly to the openings 50 and 150 of the preceding embodiments. The opening 250 includes a first portion 254 connected in a flange 2S8 to the second portion 256 which extends posteriorly in the panel 6 to partially define the support panel 260. A second opening 252 serves only to define the support panel 260, and may be formed by extending from a point on the fold line 262 in the main panel 6. In use, the front edge panel 7 is folded along the fold line 8. The support panel 260 and the bending line 262 cooperate with this bending operation in the opening 250 open to receive the tongue 220. The tongue 220 is inserted into the opening 250, and the innermost point of the opening 250 along of portion 256 cooperates with the lateral edge 276 of the tongue 220 to guide the tongue in the position within the opening 250. Once engaged, the tongue 220 is held by the innermost point of the opening 250 against lateral movement in the tongue. direction of the support panel 262. Preferably, a second tab 220 facing in an opposite position can be provided in the folding box to prevent lateral movement of the locking arrangement in an opposite direction. In the fact that an arrangement is used in accordance with the embodiment of Figures 6-7, it may be possible to eliminate the second opening 252 completely. For example, if the locking arrangement is placed near the side edge of the panels in which it is formed, the side edge of the panel 5 can be used in place of the opening 252. In such a case, the margin fold line 262 will be In this case, the bending line 262 will end at a cutting edge, and will therefore operate to open the opening 250 to receive the tab 220. In each of one of the As described in the foregoing, a fold line 62, 162, 262 is provided through the support panel 60, 160, 260 whose fold line is on the margin from the fold line 8 which is connected to the panel 7 of Front edge with the main 6 panel. Such a margin originates the support panel to further open the openings 50, 52, 150, 152, 250. However, it will be recognized that it is possible to align the fold line 62, 162 with the fold line 8 in the first two and similar modalities. In such a case, only the flange openings 58, 158 serve to open the openings to receive the locking tab. However, the support panel 60, 160 is nonetheless advantageous, in that it facilitates the retention of the tongue in its locked position. It will further be recognized that the neck 42 may vary depending on the relative size of the locking tongue 20, the folding box and the panels comprising the folding box. For example, the neck 42 may be longer or shorter than the one outlined in Figures 1-3, whereby the distance by which the main body 40 of the locking tab 20 is separated from the panel edge 1 changes. In fact, the neck 42 can be formed to have no length at all in which case the flanges 44 will be arranged immediately adjacent the front edge of the panel 1. It is further noted that although the panels 1, 5 and 6 in which the interlocking arrangement elements can be considered as the bottom panels of the folding box shown, the use of the interlocking arrangement 10 with the panels that ultimately serve as a lateral, final top or other panels forming a closure are encompassed by, and within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS 1. A locking arrangement for panels characterized in that it comprises: a first panel; a locking tab extending from the first panel, said locking tab having a main body defining a widened locking flange arranged along at least one side edge of the tongue; a second panel has a main portion, and a front portion connected thereto along at least one panel fold line; a locking opening defined in the second panel, extending at least from a first point disposed in the forward portion at a second point disposed in the main portion; a cutting edge defined in the second panel, extends at least from a first point disposed in a front portion at a second point disposed in the main portion; the locking opening and the cutting edge defined between them a support panel; a support bending line disposed through the support panel from the locking opening to the cutting edge substantially parallel to the panel bending line, the bending support line being disposed in a margin relationship to the line of folding the panel in a direction towards the front portion, so that the front portion doubles along the panel fold line originates the supporting fold line and the support panel at least partially opens the locking aperture for receive the locking tab in it. The locking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking tab further defined defined a second widened locking flange disposed along an opposite side edge of the tongue. The locking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking tab further comprises a neck arranged between the locking flange and the first panel. The locking arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking tab defines a locking edge formed along the neck between the locking flange and the first panel and wherein the first portion of the locking opening it is formed such that, when the locking tab is engaged with the locking opening, the locking edge and the first portion of the locking opening are substantially coincident. 5. The locking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a second panel fold line, the first and second panel fold lines are aligned. The locking arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the cutting edge is defined by a second locking opening formed in the second panel. The locking arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that each of the first and second locking openings extend from the first points, each of the first points are disposed traversed to a respective one of the folding lines of panel, in the front portion and to the second points arranged in the main portion. The locking arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that each of the locking openings includes a first portion extending from the front portion and a second portion extending from the front portion in the main portion, and a The flange portion disposed within the front portion and which connects the first and second portions of each of the locking openings. The locking arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the supporting bending line is disposed through the support panel from the first locking opening to the second locking opening, intersecting each of the locking openings between respective ones of the locking portions and the intersection of the locking opening and one of the panel folding lines. 10. The locking arrangement in accordance with where in claim 8, characterized in that the first and second locking openings are substantially mirror images of each other. The locking arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that the first portion of each of the locking apertures extends away from the first point and into the main portion of the second panel. The locking arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the second panel defines a side panel edge therethrough, and wherein the cutting line is defined by a portion of the panel side edge. 13. A locking arrangement for panels characterized in that it comprises: a first panel; a locking tab extending from the first panel, the locking tab having a main body defining the enlarged locked rim disposed along at least one side edge of the tab; a second panel having a main portion and a forward portion connected thereto along a plurality of aligned panel lines; a pair of locking openings defined in the second panel, each extending at least from a first point disposed across one of the panel fold lines, at the front portion and at a second point disposed at the forward portion; said locking openings defining between them a support panel; the distance between the first points is greater than the distance between the second points, so that the locking tongue is received in the openings. The locking arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking tab further defines a second widened locking flange disposed along an opposite lateral edge of the tongue the locking flanges engage the locking openings to retain the locking tongue inside the locking openings. The locking arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking tongue defines a maximum width through it in the locking flanges which are less than or equal to the distance between the first points along of the locking openings. 16. The locking arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the locking tab further comprises a neck arranged between the locking flange and the first panel. 17. The locking arrangement according to claim 16, characterized in that the locking tongue defines a locking edge formed along the neck between the locking flange and the first panel, and wherein the first portion of the opening The locking member is formed such that, when the locking tab is engaged with the locking opening, the locking edge and the first portion of the locking opening are substantially coincident. The locking arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that each of the locking apertures includes a first portion extending from the first point on the front portion and a second portion extending from the front portion on the front portion. main portion, and a flange portion disposed within the front portion and which connects the first and second portions of each of the locking openings. The locking arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the first and second locking openings are substantially mirror image with respect to each other. The locking arrangement according to claim 18, characterized in that the first portion of each of the locking openings extends away from the first point and into the main portion of the second panel. The locking arrangement according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking tab defines therein a leading tab edge extending between the locking lips, and wherein the main body of the tongue defines a notch. of alignment extending therein from the leading edge of the tongue at a base of the notch, the alignment notch along the edge of the leading tongue having a width greater than the distance between the second points at the openings of the tongue. locked so that the aligned notch cooperates with the support panel in laterally retaining the locking tab within the locking openings. The locking arrangement according to claim 21, characterized in that the alignment notch is further defined because it has a larger width along the leading edge of the tongue than at the base of the groove.