PT804369E - AUTOMATIC CLOSED BOXES - Google Patents

Abstract

A box, formed by folding from a flat creased cardboard blank of thin and resilient material, is of generally polyhedral shape and has an edge (the closure line) (25) at which two faces (the closure faces) (17, 18) meet separately; pressing the vertices at the ends of that line together (at 26) splays those faces resiliently apart (at 27) along that line to allow access to the interior of the box. The closure line may be closed by temporary sealing means (e.g., peelable adhesive tape or a tear-off closure strip) (37-39). The closure faces may have an overlap (Figs. 3A-3C) for firmer closure; the overlap may be initially folded in to form a "pillow pack" (Fig. 4). A variety of shapes are possible, preferably having a flat base with the closure line lying above and parallel to the base. One basic shape is a triangular prism lying on its side (Figs. 2A and 2B); another is a rectangular base with, rising from it, four vertical sides with their top ends sloped in zig-zag fashion, and closed by two sloping triangular top faces - the side faces may be trapeziform (Fig. 5) or triangular (Fig. 6). The boxes may be nested together in partially assembled form with open bases. The boxes may be stored flat, with their bases automatically assembling when they are opened out.

Description

The present invention relates to automatic closure boxes, in particular, but not necessarily of cartonboard.

Some snacks, or other foods, cause considerable amounts of dirt in entertainment establishments and others, when discarded without being fully consumed, because the debris can easily spread out of its containers if not properly placed in the crates of trash. Popcorns, for example, pose special problems because they are light and easy to spread, as well as the fact that their sticky caramel easily soils carpets, etc., in establishments such as cinemas. The object of the present invention is to provide an automatic closure box that can minimize these problems.

According to the present invention, there is provided a carton of thin resilient material and generally of polyhedral shape, characterized in that it has an edge forming a closure line, in which the two faces constituting the closure faces meet separately, such that by pressing together the vertices at the ends of that line, move these faces apart resiliently along that line to allow access to the interior of the carton. The carton may conveniently be assembled from a flat, die-cut cardboard blank to create the appropriate shapes.

To provide greater initial safety to the contents of the carton, the two closure faces may initially be secured by temporary securing means along the closure edges (the edges which are along the closure line). A strip of adhesive tape may be used, which may be detached; alternatively, their faces may have extensions intended to be initially fixed to one another. These extensions may be tied together by means of a bandage 2E0 804 369 inserted through matching holes in them. Alternatively, they may be defined by perforated lines so that they can be torn away from the closure faces; in which case they may be formed from a continuous portion of the carton which is folded twice so as to create a tab which protrudes beyond the two closure faces in the closure line, or may be formed separately in the two faces and glued together. An additional option for certain shapes of the carton is a separate lid, having the same shape as the top portion of the carton (i.e., the portion around the closure line) and slightly larger than that portion, to fit well, but removably, over this part of the carton.

The locking edges of the two locking faces may simply abut the locking line. However, in order to provide a firmer closure of the carton, the closure faces must have an overlap. To this end, both locking faces project in the same direction, beyond the geometrically straight line between the two vertices (ends) of the lock line, and separate from the inside to the outside, as the two vertices are pressed together. This construction results in distortion of the two closure faces in slightly concave shapes, resulting in the tension of the tendency of the concavity to retain the closing edges together.

A wide variety of shapes can be used for the carton. Conveniently, the carton has a flat base with the catch line located above and parallel to the base.

A suitable shape is a triangular prism, with a rectangular face forming the base of the carton, the other two rectangular faces (side faces) forming the closure faces (so that the edge along which the edge opposite the base, forms the closing line), and the two triangular faces forming the ends of the carton. The two closure faces may have integral extensions to provide overlapping overlap; alternatively, this shape can be modified by the addition of a moon-shaped element to the top edge of each of the rectangular side faces, to form two sliding faces with sliding overlap. 3 RR 101

EP 0 804 369

This shape can be modified by shortening the lock line so that the two locking faces acquire the trapezoidal shape. This allows the boxes to be fitted together in a stack, partially assembled, with the bases open. The battery can be kept inverted, the filler leaked into the top of the battery box, the base closed and the case removed from the battery. Alternatively, the closure line may be extended such that the two closure faces acquire the trapezoidal shape in the opposing orientation.

A second suitable shape has a rectangular base with, rising therefrom, four vertical sides, the upper ends thereof being inclined in a zigzag pattern, and closed by means of two inclined and triangular upper faces, which form the closing faces, running between the two highest points of the side faces. The side faces may be trapezoidal in shape or may have their top edges inclined directly down to the base so that they are triangular. (By tilting the same more evenly the two "top" faces and the hexagonal base become still trapezoidal). The carton may be such that it can be stored flattened, in partially assembled form. The base may have a construction, which mounts automatically, when such a partially assembled carton is opened.

The various cartons embodying the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a carton blank for a first carton; Figs. 2A and 2B show the first box in the closed and open states, respectively; Figs. 3A to 3E show variants of the first carton; Fig. 4 shows an additional variant of the first carton; 4 86 101 ΕΡ 0 804 369 / ΡΤ Figs. 5 and 5Α, 6 and 6Α, 7 and 7Α, and 8 and 8A show additional boxes and the blanks therefor. Fig. 1 shows a carton blank from which the first carton can be made. The carton should be rigid but resilient, and capable of being folded permanently along fold lines. (Obviously, any thin or sheet material with these properties may be used). The carton is assembled by creasing and folding the blank along dashed lines; all the folds are made in the same direction. The sides of the carton are formed by the two rectangles 17 and 18 and by the two triangles 19 and 20; a tab 21 in the triangle 20 is glued to the edge region 22 of the rectangle 17 to retain the shape of the carton. The base is a rectangle that is assembled by folding together four flaps 10 through 13; the flaps 11 and 13 are folded first and then the flaps 10 and 12, the tab forming part of the flap 10, which is inserted into the aperture 14 of the flap 12.

This results in a carton having the shape shown in Fig. 2A. In this case, the two rectangular faces 17 and 18 form the closing faces. In the normal and closed state of the carton, as shown in Fig. 2A, the top edges 25A, 25B of said closure faces are so as to form a single common closure line 25. If the upper edges of the carton at the ends of this edge 25 are manually pressed together, as shown by the arrows 26 of Fig. 2B, the catch edges 25A, 25B are made to act as springs or spaced from each other, as shown by the arrows 27, thus allowing , access to the inside of the carton. If the pressure exerted on the carton corners is relaxed, the rigidity and resilience of the carton will cause the carton to return to its closed state.

When the carton has been partially assembled by gluing the tab 25 to the region 22 of the side 17, it can be folded over by the sides 19, 20 (together with the base flaps 11 and 13) along the crease lines 30 and 31 for storage. A large number of boxes can then be stored compactly. For this, the base flaps 10 to 13 are left flat, that is, not bent out of the planes of their associated sides 17, 19, 18 and 20, respectively. To complete the assembly of the carton, the sides 5 86 101 ΕΡ 0 804 369 / ΡΤ 19 and 20 (with their associated base flaps 11 and 13) are flattened and the base flaps are then folded together as described above.

Instead of storing the partially assembled boxes in the fully flat state, a slight fold can be provided thereon along the storage crease lines 30 and 31 and engage them together to form a stack. This allows them to have a taper and allows them to be disengaged without obstruction. If the battery is then inverted, the top box of the battery can then be filled (for example with popcorn), the base mounted and the full box removed from the battery, placed in the right position and delivered to the customer. Fig. 3A shows a variant of the shape of the closure face for the carton of Fig. 1. In this variant, the closure face 17 has its top edge 25A curved as shown; the other catch face 18 is similar. The closure line of the carton thus becomes curved upwardly above the geometrically straight line 25 shown in Fig. 2A, the top portions of the closure faces 17 and 18 being coincidently overlapping when the box is closed. The closure faces are forced into a slightly curved shape when the carton is closed, with a positive pressure between its overlapping regions proximate their closure edges. This variant form of the carton, like the other variants, which utilize the closure face shapes of Figs. 3B to 3E may also be desirable because they have a more distinct appearance.

A hole 26 may be provided near the upper end of the face 17 and a corresponding hole in the face 18. A ribbon or thread may then be attached through the two holes so as to form temporary fastening means which may be loosened when it is necessary to have access to the cashier. Fig. 3B shows a variant, which is similar to the variant of Fig. 3A. However, the closure face 17 has a right crease 31 therethrough, which is slightly folded back. The overlapping portions of the closure faces 17 and 18 are then facing each other but without forcing the main portions of those faces out of the flat state. Fig. 3C shows a variant, which is similar to the variant of Fig. 3B. Fig. However, the closure face 17 has a crease 32 therethrough, which is curved as opposed to the top edge 25A. The main use of this is with the form of Fig. 4 below described.

FIGS. 3D and 3E show other variants of the carton of Fig. 1, in which the sides 17 and 18 are trapezoids. This results in the shape of the box which is that of a horizontal triangular prism with inclined ends. If the shape of Fig. 3A is suitably chosen to match the shape of the triangular ends, the blank from which the carton is made may be right (i.e. with the creases between the sides of the carton and the various flaps, which form the base, in a straight line). Fig. 4 shows a further variant of the carton of Fig. 1. In this variant, the closure faces 17 and 18 have the shape shown in Fig. 3C, but the fold 31 is initially made in the same direction as the other folds. The portions 17A and 18A of the faces 17 and 18 are therefore roughly horizontal, forming on these faces overlapping moon shapes facing inwardly. (This also forces the faces 17 and 18 to be slightly curvilinear). The result is a form of "cushion pack" type which retains its content with considerable tenacity; in effect, the moon shapes 17A and 18A form the temporary initial closing means. In order to gain access to the interior of the carton, these portions 17A and 18A have to be drawn out so as to form smooth extensions of the faces 17 and 18. The carton at the top is in effect the carton of the carton 3C. (This variant may of course be combined with the variants of Figs. 3D or 3E). Fig. 5 shows a second carton shape, which is based on a vertical quadrangular prism. This carton has a base 30 and four upright sides 31-34, each of the upright sides having the shape of a rectangle with the top end inclined outwardly to form a trapezoid. The carton is closed by two inclined triangular faces 35 and 36 at the top; these two faces form the closure faces and its common edge 37 forms the closure line of the carton. This carton is assembled from the blank shown in Fig. 5A. All tabs to be glued are shown in Fig. 5A, some are shown by dashed lines in Fig. 5. 7 ΕΡ Ο 804 369 / ΡΤ

It should be noted that the closure line 37 of the carton is shown in Fig. 5, as having a strip 38 above it. 5A, which is a blank for this carton, shows this strip as a double strip, which is attached to the faces 35 and 36 and which has a crease line 39 along its center. When the carton is assembled, the strip 38 is folded twice along the line 39. Its joints to the faces 35 and 36 are defined by perforation lines, as shown at 37, which will form the closure edges of the faces 35 and 36. When the carton is assembled for the first time, it is therefore sealed by the strip 38, which constitutes a temporary seal. In order to gain access to the carton, the strip 38 has to be torn. The carton may then be opened along its closure line 37 by pressing the corners at the ends of this line together and will close again when the pressure is removed. If the carton of Fig. 5 is made without the sealing strip 38, it may then be made from a "right" blank, in which the two major sides 31-34 form a right band.

With this form of carton may be used, alternative temporary initial closure means in the form of a large cap may be utilized having the same shape as the upper portion of the carton and which fit well over the upper portion of the carton. 6 shows a carton whose shape is a variant of the shape shown in Fig. 5, in which the triangular catch faces 35 and 36 extend downwardly to the base 30. As a result, the side faces 31-34 are triangular. (For convenience, the tabs and the temporary sealing strip are omitted in Fig. 6). The shape of this second carton may also vary in other ways, for example, similarly to Figs. 3D and 3E. Fig. 6A shows a blank for this carton. This shape can be partially assembled and stored flat, only by mounting the base for the final assembly. The shape of Fig. 5 can not be treated in the same way, because, when the three faces 31, 32 and 35 are joined, they form a three-dimensional shape, which can not be flattened. However, for the same purposes, it may be acceptable to partly assemble the shape of Fig. 5 as a foldable shape, leaving the junctions between faces 31 and 32 and between 33 and 34 unfinished. 8 86 101 ΕΡ 0 804 369 / ΡΤ It is also possible to use the techniques of Figs. 3A to 3C with the boxes of the type shown in Fig. 5. If this is done, the temporary sealing strip may be formed through a right center crease and curved drilling lines. Alternatively, it may be formed in another way, for example by gluing two portions together, each of which secures another of the closure faces. The technique of Fig. 4 may also be used with the boxes having the shapes shown in Figs. 5 and 6, although this requires omission of the sealing strip, and if desired, a strip of removable adhesive tape may be used to provide a temporary seal to the carton.

For a rectangular box, which is stored flat, a technique is known for forming the base by gluing and folding the flaps upwardly into the carton such that, when the carton is opened, the flaps are pulled down and interlocked automatically, so as to automatically form a substantially rigid base. This technique can be applied to most of the boxes present.

However, a slight modification of this technique is required for some forms of the present carton. The carton of Fig. 7 (which is a carton of the type shown in Fig. 1, modified by the combination of Figs. 3B and 3D) is an example. Fig. 7A is a blank for this carton. This consists of four faces 41-44 with a flap 45, which has to be glued to the outer end of the face 44 plus the base portions 46-53. The base parts consist of two major flaps 46 and 60 with several smaller flaps and portions 47-49 and 51-53. The two portions 47 are glued together and the two portions 51 are glued together.

When the carton has been partially assembled by means of the aforementioned collagens, it can then be stored flat, with folds 180 ° down to the center lines of the end faces 42 and 44 and with all the base flaps collected inside the box. When the housing assembly is completed, it is opened to the outside by pulling sides 41-44 away. This pulls the base flap portions downwardly from the inside of the carton. As a result of this, the lowermost portions of the main flaps 46 and 50 form two tongues, which automatically engage each other (sliding each over the adjacent part of the other flap), to form a firm and secure base. 9 86 101 ΕΡ 0 804 369 / ΡΤ

FIGS. 8 and 8Α show a carton and a blank therefor, in the same general shape as the carton shown in Fig. 5, but which is assembled differently. This carton has sides 55-58, top closure faces 58 and 59 and a base 60. This carton can be stored flattened in partially assembled form, only a tongue and groove coincidence is required to complete its assembly.

Lisbon, FEV. Hbl

By BRIAN RAYMOND EDWARD WOLLEN and LAURA VIRGINIA WOLLEN - THE OFFICIAL AGENT -

Claims (19)

A box of thin resilient material of generally polyhedral shape, characterized in that it has an edge forming a locking line (25), in which the two faces constituting the faces (17, 18) are spaced apart in such a way that by pressing together the vertices at the ends of that line (at 26), these faces are disposed resiliently along (27) of said line to allow access to the inside of the carton. A carton according to claim 1, characterized in that it is assembled from a flat cardboard blank, cut and creased to create the appropriate shapes. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises temporary fastening means fixed to the catch edges (the edges lying along the catch line) of the two catch faces. A box according to claim 3, characterized in that the temporary securing means comprises a detachable adhesive tape. A box according to claim 3, characterized in that the temporary securing means comprise extensions (38), located on the two closure faces (35, 36), which are fixed together and are defined by perforated lines (37). ), so that they can be torn from the closure faces. A carton according to claim 3, characterized in that the temporary securing means comprises a lid having the same shape as the carton in the region of the closure line and which removably engages that portion of the carton. A carton according to claim 5, characterized in that the extensions are formed from a continuous portion of the blank, which is folded twice (at 39), to form a tab (38) which protrudes beyond of the two locking faces, in the locking line. 86 101 ΕΡ Ο 804 369 / ΡΤ 2/3 A carton according to claim 5, characterized in that the extensions are formed separately on the two closure faces and are glued together. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the catch faces have a coincident or sliding overlap. A carton according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carton has a flat base with the closure line located above and parallel to the base. A box according to claim 10, characterized in that the carton is a triangular prism, the rectangular face (10-13) forming the base of the carton and the two other rectangular faces (side faces) (17, 18) forming the faces of closure. A box according to claims 9 and 11, characterized in that the two locking faces have integral extensions to provide overlap. A carton according to claim 12, characterized in that the extensions are initially folded inwardly to overlap and provide a "pillow-like package" form. A box according to claim 10, characterized in that the closure faces are trapezoids. A carton according to claim 10, characterized in that it has a rectangular base with, rising therefrom, four vertical sides, its upper ends being inclined in a zigzag pattern, and closed by means of two inclined top faces and triangular, which form the closing faces. A carton according to claim 15, characterized in that the side faces are trapezoids. 86 101 ΕΡ Ο 804 369 / ΡΤ 3/3 A box according to claim 15, characterized in that the side faces are triangular. A stack of cartons according to any one of the preceding claims, engaged in the partially assembled shape. A carton according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it can be stored flattened, partly assembled and its base mounted automatically, when the partially assembled carton is opened. By BRIAN RAYMOND EDWARD WOLLEN and LAURA VIRGINIA WOLLEN - THE OFFICIAL AGENT - E 'G. ANTÓNIO J0À0 BA CUNHA FERREI RA Ag. Of. Pr. Fnd. Ru · das Flores, 74 - 4. * leoo LISBOA