US20010022319A1

US20010022319A1 - Blank of cardboard or like material comprising at least one strip and two tongues all three provided with an adhesive for the setting up of a container with an inviolable closure

Info

Publication number: US20010022319A1
Application number: US09/810,545
Authority: US
Inventors: Pierre Andre Chevalier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-17
Filing date: 2001-03-19
Publication date: 2001-09-20
Also published as: EP1136368B1; DE60126005D1; FR2806379B1; EP1136368A1; FR2806379A1

Abstract

The blank of cardboard or similar material, has cutout lines and score lines within a periphery cutout to a sheet and thus subdivided into elements of which certain ones are if desired glued flat against each other, said blank being adapted to be sold and stored flat, then ultimately to be bent, set up, and held bent thus constituted in a container for objects to be packaged, the setting up of the blank and the insertion of the objects being carried out manually and individually for each blank.

It is characterized in that among the different elements of the blank, there is a strip of a single thickness (7) secured to two tongues also of a single thickness (8 and 9) located in prolongation of the ends of said strip (7), such that after setting up the blank and construction of the container, the strip (7) can be applied against the external surface of a surface (4 b , 44, 2) of said container, and that the two tongues (8 and 9) can be folded down and applied against the external surface of two opposite side walls (5 and 6), adjacent said surface (4 b , 44, 2), either directly, or with the interposition of at least one doubling panel (51-52, 15-16, 151 and 152), the setup container being adapted to hold its shape and to be closed irreversibly, and hence inviolably, by means of adhesive (12) disposed between the strip (7) and its two tongues (8 and 9) on the one hand and the three adjacent surfaces (4 b-44-2, 5 and 6) on the other hand.

Description

The present invention relates to a blank adapted to be transported from a production site to a use site in which it is stored for a more or less long time before being used, which is to say set up and then closed after having received objects to be packaged. It thus concerns a blank adapted to be used by a user who is not a packing professional, then, filled and closed manually for single use, as needed by the particularities or the employees in stores, post offices or parcel services, etc.

As a result, the problem solved by the invention is not that of mechanical handling, in factories or stores where the packaging operations are carried out on a production line, on multi-station automatic machines, connected by transfer devices such as endless conveyors, because the blanks used are designed for automatic treatment from removal one by one from a pile, to closure with quick setting cement, after setting up in shapers, filling and assembling for introduction of a plurality of filled and closed containers on handling pallets or in cardboard containers.

As a result of these circumstances, there is no equivalence between glue and adhesive with long effect, for example, or between the walls to be held by mechanical members in a temporary position and the elements of a blank which must be bent easily and remain in place when the blank is manipulated with the two hands of a private individual.

Containers for mechanical use to which reference will be had are described particularly in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,464,065; 2,995,290 and 4,826,074.

There exist multiple different structures permitting producing manually setup containers from a prefabricated blank, itself made from cardboard or analogous material.

As the case may be, the finished container has a fixed and variable volume or on the contrary has an adjustable periphery, thanks to which the volume of the container is adapted to that of the articles to be packaged. In the first case, it is a box, and in the second case it is an envelope or casing.

No matter what the case, the closure of the container is a problem to be solved which is all the more difficult as it is sought to satisfy simultaneously the qualities of: simplicity of setting up of the container from the blank, robustness, inviolability, reasonable price, ease of use, etc.

In the factory, the mechanical closure of a folded container is obtained by added means, external to the container itself: glue, adhesive strip, strap and other connectors, thermo-weldable plastic sheet and the like.

However, the solution which is far from the best for a manual closure is to integrate the closure means to the cardboard structure itself and there are known various modifications of systems of tongues and slots, but despite numerous improvements in the course of years, the systems with tongues and slots do not give satisfaction by themselves and never constitute an inviolable closure.

There can be cited the solution described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,503,325, which consists in using external closure means, namely adhesive strips, and applying them in advance, along given segments of length, on a carton blank, leaving a fraction of this free length to be detached from the blank and then folded down over an adjacent portion of the setup container.

This solution is very difficult to use, because the emplacement of the adhesive strips must be such that the adhesive strips can carry out their function whilst they are incompatible with the mass production means of the cardboard blanks.

It thus is necessary to provide one or several additional operations, with specific machines, which leads to such industrial complications as the cost being unacceptable in most cases, the more so as the results obtained for final user are not determinative although he may accept a substantial increase in cost.

There are also known numerous variations according to which a long-term adhesive is supplied once for all over certain regions of a blank, so as to ensure closure of the container because by itself it guarantees the inviolability of the closure, this inviolability being characterized not by infinite resistance to any attack, which is impossible, more particularly in the field of articles of corrugated cardboard, but by the fact that any action permitting fraudulently extracting at least a portion of the contents, or even introducing after closure any object, even though it is flat such as a letter in its envelope, is immediately and directly apparent, because of the fact that any attempt is externally apparent.

But so that these containers may be obtained in an economical manner, by industrial means, it is necessary that the adhesive be applied in a simple manner, preferably along a single line and in the machine direction, which is to say parallel to the direction in which the carton blank moves before or during production thereof.

So that the closure of the container will be truly inviolable, it is necessary that the elements not directly connected by adhesive be designed so as to leave no slot and so as to have no weakness as for example panels adapted to be fraudulently removed by unbending and then reinserting slidingly after having disengaged a passage between the interior and the exterior.

This is why such containers are made from blanks having panels, walls, tongues and other elements holding them to each other, which renders more delicate the bending of the blank for setting up the container, the emplacement of the objects to be packaged, then the closing. Moreover, this requires a greater surface of cardboard and/or supplemental operations, all of which raise the cost.

But, here again, certain drawbacks arise if it is sought to use the minimum adhesive, the closure of the container is imperfect, and if a perfect closure is required, one must accept the presence of several zones provided with non-parallel lines of adhesive, which lead to the preceding solution, namely a complication of production and an increase of the cost, to say nothing of the difficulty of handling for the final user.

The present invention differs from the known solutions and permits providing blanks which can be simple and very economical, or more or less elaborate according to the designs chosen, because their production can be limited to cutting out and scoring, creating during their setting up independent walls, not connected to each other.

The containers made by setting up a blank according to the invention are thus more or less complicated and developed but always have a simple and inviolable closure.

To this end, the invention has for its object a blank of cardboard or similar material, having cutout lines and scoring lines in the interior of a perimeter cut from a sheet and thus subdivided into elements of which certain ones are if desired glued flat to each other. Said blank being adapted to be sold and stored flat, then eventually to be bent, set up, and held bent thereby constituting a container for objects to be packaged, the setting up of the blank and the arrangement of the objects being adapted to be performed manually and individually for each blank, characterized in that among the different elements of the blank, there is at least one strip of a single thickness secured to at least one tongue also of a single thickness located in prolongation of an end of said strip, such that after setting up the blank and forming the container, the strip can be applied against the external surface of a wall of said container, and each tongue can be folded down and applied against the external surface of a wall, adjacent to said wall, the set up container being maintained in shape and closed in an irreversible manner, and hence inviolable, by means of an adhesive placed between the strip and its tongue or tongues on the one hand and the adjacent walls on the other hand.

Other characteristics of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of indicated example and not by way of limitation. [0021]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a container set up from a blank according to the invention, the container being shown at the moment of its closing. [0022]
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, after closing. [0023]
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the container, in the same position as in FIG. 1. [0024]
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the container, in the same position as in FIG. 2. [0025]
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, permitting producing the container of FIGS. [0026] 1 to 4.
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 5 after beginning setting up by bending and constituting the preparation of a container. [0027]
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, according to a different embodiment than that of FIGS. [0028] 1-6.
FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 7 after beginning setting up by bending and constituting the preparation of a container. [0029]
FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 8, after straightening its lower portion, the container being in a position to receive objects to be packaged. [0030]
FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of the filled container, ready to be closed. [0031]
FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the final container, filled and closed, ready to be shipped. [0032]
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, according to a different embodiment from that of FIGS. [0033] 1 to 6 and 7 to 11.
FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 12 after the beginning of setting up by bending and constituting the preparation of a container. [0034]
FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 13, after straightening a blocking panel and showing the stability of the lower portion of the container, the latter being in a condition to receive objects to be packaged. [0035]
FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the final container, filled and closed, ready for shipping. [0036]
FIGS. [0037] 16 to 19 are schematic views of a blank according to the invention, according to an embodiment equivalent to that of FIGS. 12 to 15 and in which there is provided two parallel lines of long acting adhesive covered by a protective strip on elements which are to constitute a cover of the container, which permits improved closing.
FIG. 20 is a plan view of a blank according to the invention analogous to that of FIGS. [0038] 16 to 19, the long acting adhesive and its protective strip extending here along the cover and the body of the container.
FIGS. 21 and 22 are schematic views showing the construction of a container from the blank of FIG. 20, according to two different modifications. [0039]
FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the container in the course of closing, obtained with one or the other of the two modifications of FIGS. 21 and 22. [0040]
FIGS. 24 and 25 are schematic views of the closed container respectively according to the modification of FIG. 21 and according to the modification of FIG. 22, and ready for shipping. [0041]
FIG. 26 is a plan view of a blank according to the invention analogous to that of FIGS. [0042] 20 to 25, the long acting adhesive and its protective strip here extending over the cover and a portion only of the body of the container.
FIG. 27 is a schematic view showing the body of the container mounted, after closing, obtained with the blank of FIG. 26. [0043]
FIG. 28 is a view of the container of FIG. 27 in the course of closing. [0044]
FIG. 29 is a schematic view of the closed contained, ready for shipping. [0045]
FIG. 30 is a schematic view of a cutout and explored blank according to the invention. [0046]
FIG. 31 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention, after bending and gluing of certain elements of the blank of FIG. 30. [0047]
FIG. 32 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 31, after partial straightening, so as to constitute a container. [0048]
FIG. 33 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 32, constituting a container adapted to receive objects to be packaged, and ready to be closed. [0049]
FIG. 34 is a schematic view of the final container, filled and closed, ready for shipping. [0050]
FIGS. [0051] 35 to 39 are views analogous to those of FIGS. 30 to 34 but showing another embodiment of the invention according to which the blank has external protective edges.
FIG. 40 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention according to another embodiment. [0052]
FIG. 41 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 40 after straightening and securement of certain of its elements, to form a stable container body adapted to receive objects to be packaged. [0053]
FIG. 42 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 41 in the course of closing. [0054]
FIG. 43 is a schematic view of the final container, filled and closed, ready for shipping. [0055]
FIG. 44 is a schematic view of the blank according to the invention, according to another embodiment. [0056]
FIG. 45 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 44 after straightening and securement of certain of its elements, to form a stable container body adapted to receive objects to be packaged. [0057]
FIG. 46 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 45 in the course of closing. [0058]
FIG. 47 is a schematic view of the completed container, filled and closed, ready for shipping. [0059]
FIG. 48 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention and having elements desired such that after their assembly, they constitute together an automatic bottom of the container. [0060]
FIG. 49 is a schematic view of the blank obtained from the blank of FIG. 48, after assembly of the elements constituting the automatic bottom and after bending and securement of the end panels to form a deformable parallelogram, the blank being then flat, having a double thickness, after bending along two opposite diagonal lines of the parallelogram. [0061]
FIG. 50 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIG. 49 slightly extended, which is to say in an intermediate position between its flat presentation of FIG. 49 and its final position of the parallelepipedal container of FIGS. 52 and 53. [0062]
FIG. 51 is a schematic view in cross section on the line LI-LI of FIG. 50, showing the perimeter closed on itself of the blank of FIG. 50, in an intermediate position. [0063]
FIG. 52 is a schematic perspective view of the blank of FIGS. [0064] 49 to 51 after unfolding and thus during setting up as a parallelepipedal, before emplacement of the objects to be packaged and complete closing
FIG. 53 is a schematic view of the completed container, filled and closed, ready for shipping. [0065]
FIG. 54 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention adapted to constitute a blank which, after setting up, is to form a container of the type known as the “American box” and having elements intended that the container can be entirely mounted, held set up and closed without external members such as glue, staples or strapping. [0066]
FIG. 55 is a schematic view of the blank obtained from the blank of FIG. 54, after bending and securing its end panels to form a deformable parallelogram, the blank then being flat, having a double thickness, after bending along two diagonally opposite lines of the parallelogram. [0067]
FIGS. 56 and 57 are schematic views showing two steps in the setting up of the blank of FIG. 55. [0068]
FIGS. 58 and 59 are schematic views of the finished containers, respectively edgewise and flat. [0069]
FIG. 60 is a schematic view of a blank according to the invention adapted to constitute a blank which, after being set up, is to form a container of the type known as an “American box” and having a bottom of common type, the height of the container being adjustable as a function of the contents. [0070]
FIG. 61 is a schematic view of an American box obtained from a blank (not shown) but analogous to that of FIG. 55, itself made from a blank of FIG. 50, whose bottom is closed and which is being closed at a height below its maximum. [0071]
FIGS. 62 and 63 are schematic views of two American boxes obtained from two blanks of the same dimensions, identical to that from the blank of FIG. 60, and having respectively the maximum height and minimum height possible for the same arrangement of starting blank.[0072]
The blank according to the invention permits, by bending and setting up, to constitute a container adapted to receive objects to be packaged and which has its own inviolable closure means. [0073]
FIGS. [0074] 1 to 4 show the general principle of the invention when a corrugated cardboard blank cut and scored (and if desired printed) has been bent to constitute a set up body of a container 1 and a closure panel 2.
The body [0075] 1 can be of different types, as will be described in several examples later, and in FIG. 1 there has been shown a body 1 without any detail, thereby showing that this body 1 can be of any type, except that it must have a bottom, or base 3, two transverse walls, of which only one is visible at 4, and two sidewalls 5 and 6 adjacent to the transverse wall 4.
It should be understood that in this case that the proviso that the body can be anything except that it must have a bottom, implies that this bottom can itself be anything, as will appear later in the present description. [0076]
The [0077] closure panel 2 is secured to a strip 7 on opposite sides of which are located two tongues 8 and 9 connected to the strip 7 by bend lines 10 and 11.
The internal surface of the [0078] strip 7 and of the tongues 8 and 9 carries a wide line of adhesive 12 shown in dotted lines.
After having set up the body [0079] 1, the closure panel 2 is folded down, then the strip 3 is applied against the external surface of the transverse wall 4 and the tongues 8 and 9 are folded over the external surface of the respective side walls 5 and 6, the adhesive 12 uniting in a single line the three adjacent walls 5, 4 and 6 thereby rendering the container inviolable, except by breaking or tearing, which would be immediately visible and would reveal fraud. An accidental opening is excluded.
To improve the inviolability and to reinforce the [0080] side walls 5 and 6, the tongues 8 and 9 can be longer than those shown and, particularly, have the same surface as the walls 5 and 6 themselves that they thus would totally cover.
In FIG. 5, there is shown an example of a corrugated cardboard blank cut out and scored, which responds to the inviolable closure requirements described above. [0081]
In addition to the elements already described and which bear the same reference numerals, it will be seen that the blank has [0082] panels 15 and 16 connected to the closure panel 2 by bend lines 17 and 18 located in prolongation of the bend lines 10 and 11, as well as flaps 20-21 and 22-23 connected respectively to the side walls 5 and 6 by transverse bend lines 24 and 25.
The [0083] closure panel 2 is connected to a transverse wall 4 a by a transverse bend line 26.
The [0084] transverse wall 4 b carries an end panel 27 which is defined by a double bend line 28 and which carries two tongues 30 and 31, whilst the base 3 is traversed by two slots 32 and 33.
Let it be supposed that the adhesive [0085] 12 is of the long acting type, which is to say that it keeps its adhesive power for a long time so as to be able to be used a long time after it is applied to the strip 7 and the tongues 8 and 9, which requires that it be covered with a protective strip 34, at present made of silicone coated paper or of synthetic material of which at least one surface is of low adherence, so as to permit the user easily to remove this strip when he wants to use the adhesive.
FIG. 6 explains how a user manually sets up a container from the blank of FIG. 5, which itself is sold flat: [0086]
The [0087] side walls 5 and 6 are straightened up along bend lines 35 and 36 located in prolongation of the lines 10-17 and 11-18, and the flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23 are folded inwardly toward each other, then the end panel 27 is set up, which is folded down over the flaps 21 and 23, against their internal surface, until the tongues 30 and 31 are blocked in the slots 32 and 33, which immobilizes the flaps 21 and 23 as well as the walls 5 and 6, rendering the body 1 stable and in particular the base 3.
The user can then manually place objects to be packaged on the [0088] base 3 using his two hands because the body 1 is stable.
The [0089] panels 15 and 16 are then straightened up and closure panel 2 is folded down over the objects disposed on the base 3, by guiding the panels 15 and 16 so that they are disposed against the walls 5 and 6 and outside these latter.
We are then in the same condition as in FIG. 1. [0090]
After having removed the [0091] protective strip 34, the strip 7 can then be pressed and fixed against the transverse wall 4 b and the tongues 8 and 9 against the panels 15 and 16 which, having the same dimensions as the walls 5 and 6, double their thickness, for which reason they are called “doubling panels”.
These doubling [0092] panels 15 and 16 are disposed on the outside but it is also possible to position them within the side walls 5 and 6, although this is a less desirable solution for closing the container, because the objects already disposed on the base 3 can constitute an impediment to internal placement.
Moreover, this arrangement leaves two slots at the upper portion of the container, between each side wall and its internal doubling panel, which slots do not permit access to the interior of the container but which can be the source of snagging and accidents during handling of the container, when it is sent by post or by delivery service, because a thin envelope can slide through. [0093]
The doubling [0094] panels 15 and 16 disposed externally give the container a complete inviolability because there remains no passage between the exterior and the interior, not even a lot, because all the intervals are covered, whilst the elements of the blank are not interconnected (neither by gluing, nor by stapling, nor by dividers folded as a bellows, etc.) other than by the bend lines constituting, after setting up, the ridges of the parallelepipedal container.
FIGS. [0095] 7 to 11 show another embodiment according to which the blank is inscribed in a quadrilateral which creates no waste when cut out.
The blank has, starting at the top of FIG. 7, the [0096] strip 7 and its tongues 8 and 9, a closure panel 41, a transverse wall 42, a bottom 43 and a second transverse wall 44, these elements being secured to each other and separated by transverse bend lines 45, 46, 47 and 48.
The bend lines [0097] 10 and 11 are prolonged over all the length of the blank and determine the security flaps 51 and 52, the doubling panels 53 and 54, the flaps 55 and 56 and the side walls 5 and 6.
To set up the container, the [0098] side walls 5 and 6 are straightened up and the flaps 55 and 56 are bent at a right angle (FIG. 8) then the transverse wall 44 is straightened up after having bent at a right angle the doubling panels 53 and 54, so as to place the latter against the side walls 5 and 6, against their internal surface (FIG. 9).
There is thus obtained a container which can be called “vertical” relative to that of FIGS. [0099] 1 to 6 which is more “horizontal”. Objects to be packaged can thus be inserted from the top of the container of FIG. 9 so that they rest on the bottom 44-55-56, while maintaining the transverse walls 42 and 44 facing each other.
The container is completed by folding down the [0100] closure panel 41 and, laterally, the securement flaps 51 and 52 then, after removing the protective strip 34, emplacing and gluing the strip 7 and the tongues 8 and 9.
The finished container is thus seen in FIG. 11. [0101]
Here again, according to the invention, the only adhesive [0102] 12 applied in a single straight line holds the container set up and closed in an inviolable manner.
It will be noted that the security flaps [0103] 51 and 52 close the slots which remain without them, between the flaps 55-56 and the closure panel 41.
In FIGS. [0104] 12 to 15 there is shown an embodiment analogous to that of FIGS. 1 to 6.
FIG. 14 shows the positioning of the doubling [0105] panels 15 and 16 and their securement by the tongues 8 and 9.
So as to avoid raising and deforming the rear side of the doubling [0106] panels 15 and 16 which remains free, there is here provided the addition of two short adhesive segments 12 and the protective strip 34, on the internal surface of these doubling panels.
After closure, and having first withdrawn the [0107] protective strips 34, the doubling panels 15 and 16 are pressed against the side walls 5 and 6 to which they adhere firmly, such that they cannot be raised.
In FIGS. [0108] 16 to 19, there is shown an embodiment according to which the blank has two parallel strips and not only a single one.
The strips are constituted by doubling [0109] panels 15 and 16 which are secured to the tongues 8 and 9, which are separated from the preceding strip 7, which no longer constitutes but a panel secured to the cover 2.
The [0110] long acting adhesive 12 and its protective strip are disposed longitudinally, adjacent the free edges of the doubling panels 15 and 16, on two single lines.
It may be more preferable to arrange the adhesive [0111] 12 and the protective strip 34 longitudinally rather than transversely and if there are two lines 12-34 instead of a single line, this does not constitute a technical difficulty because they are parallel and can thus be produced at the same time.
The body of the box is mounted in the same manner as that of FIGS. [0112] 12 to 15 but as to the cover, the two protective strips 34 are removed, then the transverse wall 4 a is set up and the cover 2 before the doubling panels 15 and 16, then the panel 7 is folded down against the transverse wall 4 b, then the two doubling panels 15 and 16 are folded down against the lateral walls 5 and 6 to which they are fixed by means of adhesive 12 exposed upon removal of the protective strip 34, and finally the two tongues 8 and 9 are disposed against the panel 7 to which they are also fixed by the adhesive 12.
In FIG. 19, it is seen that the finished container has a front whose central portion is formed by the [0113] panel 7 and two side portions formed by the tongues 8 and 9 superposed on the panel 7.
Here again, there is obtained a closed container in an inviolable manner which leaves no passage between the interior and the exterior. [0114]
In FIGS. [0115] 21 to 24, there is seen a modified embodiment of the preceding, according to which the two adhesive lines 12 and the protective strip 34 are prolonged on the body of the box, which is to say onto the tongues 20-22, on the side walls 5-6 and on the tongues 21-23, which permits omitting the panel 27.
The adhesive [0116] 12 of the flaps 20-21 and 22-23 permits mounting the body of the box and holding it set up before inserting objects to be packaged and, of course, before closing the cover, as is seen in FIGS. 21 and 22.
In FIG. 21, there is shown a modification according to which the protective strip is removed from the four [0117] flaps 21, 22, 23 and 24 and they are all applied to the exterior of the body of the container, namely, to the exterior of the transverse wall 4 a for the flaps 20 and 22, and on the transverse wall 4 b for the flaps 21 and 23.
It will be noted that the adhesive located in the interior of the [0118] walls 5 and 6 is not used, and hence that it is not necessary to remove at this point the protective strip 34.
If despite everything, the user removes this protective strip, the adhesive [0119] 12 which is exposed runs the risk of gluing to the packaged objects, which is not desirable, such that it is necessary to avoid that the withdrawal of the protective strip 34 there, where it is indispensable on the doubling panels 15 and 16 as well as on the tongues 8 and 9, does not automatically give rise to its removal from the walls 5 and 6, which is to say that a transverse cutting of the strip 34 is carried out in prolongation of the transverse bend lines 24 and 25.
This operation is simple to carry out on a machine, automatically, just after applying the [0120] strip 34.
The two possibilities between which it is necessary to choose, are: [0121]
applying adhesive only on the cover (FIG. 16) but keeping a [0122] supplemental panel 27,
applying adhesive on the cover and on the body (FIG. 20) and omitting the [0123] panel 27.
The choice between these two solutions depends on the methods of production, cost and price of the products. [0124]
In FIG. 22, there is shown another modification according to which the [0125] protective strip 34 is not removed, neither from the walls 5 and 6, nor from the flaps 20 and 22, and these latter are bent before setting up the transverse wall 4 a, so that they are located within the volume of the container and not outside it.
With this modification, the body of the container always remains set up before emplacing objects to be packaged in it, without it being necessary to hold it with the hands, but it is during the closing of the container by means of the cover that the body acquires its cohesion and becomes finally stable and undeformable (FIG. 23). [0126]
According to whether it has been chosen to arrange the [0127] flaps 20 and 22 outside the body of the container (FIG. 21) or inside it (FIG. 22), the finished container is closed and shaped as in FIG. 24 or FIG. 25.
In FIG. 24, the [0128] flaps 20 and 22 are visible on the rear wall 4 a of the container whilst they are invisible in FIG. 25.
With the embodiment of FIGS. [0129] 16 to 19, the adhesive 12 and its protective strip 34 are disposed solely on two opposite longitudinal sides of the cover. In the embodiment of FIGS. 20 to 25, this adhesive 12 and its protective cover 24 are disposed on the two opposite longitudinal sides of the cover and of the body of the container.
Referring now to FIGS. [0130] 26 to 29, there is seen an embodiment which constitutes an intermediate between the two preceding embodiments and also permits omission of the flap 27.
Thus, it will be seen in these figures that the adhesive [0131] 12 and its protective strip 34 are disposed, during production in the factory, on the two longitudinal sides of the cover and only on the flaps 21 and 23 of the body.
Thus, the problem mentioned in connection with FIGS. [0132] 20 to 25, concerning the presence of adhesive 12 and its protective strip 34 at places where they are not indispensable, or even useful, is solved.
The setting up of the blank begins with setting up the [0133] side walls 5 and 6 and the transverse wall 4 b, then withdrawing the protective strip 34 from the flaps 21 and 23 and bending these latter to bring them against the external surface of the wall 4 b (FIG. 27) to which they are fixed by the adhesive 12 on these flaps.
The user thus need not hold the body of the container to receive objects to be packaged, because this body is self stable. [0134]
After having emplaced these objects, the user completes the container as has already been explained: withdrawal of the [0135] protective strip 34 from the tongues 8 and 9 as well as from the doubling panels 15 and 16, folding down the cover, gluing the panels 15 and 16 outside the side walls 5 and 6, applying the strip 7 against the external surface of the flaps 21 and 23, and immobilizing the assembly by folding down the two tongues 8 and 9 over the external surface of the strip 7 (FIG. 28).
FIG. 29 shows the completed container, ready for shipping. [0136]
The omission of the [0137] flap 27, which permits the embodiments of FIGS. 20 to 29, is very important, not only for the simplification of the manipulations by the user who supplies adhesive, but also as to the conditions of production and the cost.
Thus, it is clear that the omission of the [0138] flap 27 gives rise to an economy of material, but also avoids the formation of scrap whose surface is equal to that of the panel 27. The cutting tool is simplified, because two adjacent blanks can be formed by cutting out a corrugated cardboard sheet along a single line, and as they all have a simple rectangular shape, their cutting out creates no scrap if the dimensions of the sheet from which a plurality of blanks are cut out, are correctly calculated.
With this embodiment, it is also seen that it is possible to add to the container a so-called “safety” [0139] tongue 75, whose use is described in detail later. It permits immobilizing the strip 7 when it is applied against the glued flaps 21 and 23 and before folding down the tongues 8 and 9, because this tongue 75 is bent and then engaged in a slot (not seen in the drawing) provided at the base of the transverse wall 4 b. But it is evident that if it is desired to profit from all the advantages from omission of the panel 27, it is necessary to avoid the presence of the safety tongue 75, so as to have a perfectly rectangular blank of the type of that shown in FIG. 20: no panel 27, no tongue 75.
FIGS. [0140] 30 to 34 show an embodiment which differs from those have been already described, by the fact that the blank is made from a blank folded on itself, such that the blank is always sold flat but it has a double thickness. In these figures, the same elements bear the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 12 et seq.
On the blank [0141] 01, the bend lines 10 and 11 are continuous from the edge of the strip 7 to the external edges of the flaps 21 and 23 and have no separation cutout for the flaps 20 to 23.
These flaps are each marked with an oblique score line, respectively [0142] 60, 61, 62 and 63, which determines for each flap two triangular portions which one receives glue 7, just before the blank is folded on itself along the lines 10 and 11, such that the flaps 20 and 22 will be rendered secure to the transverse wall 4 a and the flaps 21 and 23 will be rendered secured to the transverse wall 4 b.
In FIG. 31, it is seen how the blank looks after folding the blank and gluing the [0143] flaps 20 to 23. However, so that the blank will occupy less surface during its transport and storage, the tongue 8 and the doubling panel 15 on the one hand, the tongue 9 and the doubling panel 16 on the other hand, can also be folded along the lines 10 and 11, flat on the strip 7 and on the closure panel 2.
The use of such a blank to obtain a setup container, implies that the [0144] side walls 5 and 6 are raised according to the arrows F1 (FIG. 32), which requires the transverse walls 4 a and 4 b to be raised and flaps 20 to 23 to be bent along their oblique bend lines 60, 61, 62 and 63.
When the [0145] transverse wall 4 b is perpendicular to the base 3, the end panel 23 is raised and moved in the direction of the arrow F2 from above the flaps 21 and 23, to perpendicular to the base 3, practically against the transverse wall 4 b (FIG. 33), objects to be packaged can then be positioned on the base 3, after which the protective strip 34 is removed to expose the adhesive 12, and the closure panel 2 is lowered, the doubling panels 15 and 16 are bent laterally outside the side walls 5 and 6, and the strip 7 is applied to the transverse wall 4 b and the tongues 8 and 9 on the doubling panels 15 and 16.
The finished container is shown in FIG. 34 and it will be seen that it is a parallelepiped with flat surfaces. [0146]
The embodiment of FIGS. [0147] 35 to 39 shows an embodiment analogous to that of FIG. 30 to 34 but here the completed container has external protective edges, the same elements bearing the same reference numerals.
To do that, the blank [0148] 02 is marked with four longitudinal score lines 65-66 on the one hand and 67-68 which determine two strips 69 and 70 which receive glue 64 like the flaps 20 to 23 and which extend continuously from the edge of the strip 7 almost to a transverse end line 71 which separates the base 3 from the transverse wall 4 b.
After application of [0149] glue 64 on the flaps 20 to 23, and on the strips 69 and 70, the blank is bent on itself along lines 66 and 68, as shown in FIG. 36.
The glue strips [0150] 69 and 70 create external edges 72 and 73 on the two sides of the container, such that the side walls formed by the superposition of the walls 5-6 and the doubling panels 15-16 are retracted from the external edges of the container. These external edges 72 and 73 constitute an excellent protection for the packaged objects, against shock, friction, compression and falls, which the container can suffer during handling and transport.
It will be noted that here, the [0151] external edges 72 and 73 are formed from four segments and that after bending and closing of the container, they are disposed continuously over all the periphery of the container.
The setting up of the container (FIG. 37) takes place by erecting the [0152] walls 5 and 6 in the direction of the arrows F1, as in the preceding embodiment, but here they bend along the lines 65 and 67 which do not constitute edges of the container, these latter being formed by lines 66 and 68.
The [0153] end panel 27 is folded down to hold the side walls 5 and 6 erected, then the doubling panels 15 and 16 are raised and the tongues 8 and 9 also bent along the lines 65 and 67.
Because of the bending of the blank [0154] 02 to constitute the blank of FIG. 36, and the gluing of the strips 69 and 70, the protective strip 34 is held between two thicknesses of cardboard and to be able nevertheless to expose the adhesive 12, there are provided cutouts 34 a and 34 b (FIG. 35) which constitute three separate segments of protective strip 34A, 34B and 34C, which are individually removed (FIG. 37).
Then the doubling [0155] panels 15 and 16 are applied against the external surface of the side walls 5 and 6 and the container is completed, as already described, by applying the strip 7 against the transverse wall 4 b and the tongues 8 and 9 against the doubling panels 15 and 16 (FIG. 38).
There is here shown a particular case according to which the [0156] strip 7 is secured to a safety tongue 75 adapted to be bent during closure of the container so as to be introduced into a slot 76 provided at the base of the transverse wall 4 b in which it wedges and opposes the spacing of the strip 7 if by accident the latter were forcibly raised.
So as not to hinder the engagement of the [0157] tongue 75 in the slot 76, the end panel 27 is cut out with a wide notch 77.
The finished container is shown in FIG. 39 and it will be seen that it is a parallelepipedal with side faces retracted relative to an external protective edge. [0158]
It will be understood that the [0159] tongue 75 is not indispensable, because the strip 7 is fixed to the transverse partition 4 b by adhesive 12 and this modification has not been shown here other than to show that it is compatible with the invention when it is desired further to increase the security of the closure during handling for storage, sorting, transportation and distribution.
In FIGS. [0160] 40 to 43, there is shown an embodiment of the invention according to which the body 1 of the container is formed entirely by giving to the four walls which surround the base 3 (transverse walls 4 and side walls 5-6) a fixed position without even partially erecting the other elements of the blank.
It will be seen that the blank of FIG. 40 has [0161] flaps 20 and 22 that are longer than those of FIGS. 5 to 15 and cut with notches 20 a and 22 a, whilst the flaps 21 and 23 are unchanged.
The [0162] side walls 5 and 6 have tongues 5 a and 6 a marked by score lines 5 b and 6 b.
The setting up of the container begins in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIGS. [0163] 12 to 15: the side walls 5 and 6 are raised and the flaps 21 and 23 are bent inwardly, then the end panel 27 is raised which folds down over the flaps 21 and 23, against their internal surface.
Here, the [0164] flaps 20 and 22 are also bent inwardly, but thanks to their length, they are crossed by notches 20 a and 22 a which face each other (FIG. 41) and the flexibility of the cardboard is sufficient that the two crossed flaps 20 and 22 be practically parallel and thus form a transverse wall which, symmetrically to the wall 4 b, holds the side walls perfectly well positioned.
Thus, the body of the container is completed and stable, and the user can easily place on the [0165] base 3 the objects to be packaged.
The [0166] tongues 5 a and 6 a are then folded down parallel to the base 3 by bending them along lines 5 b and 6 b (FIG. 42) to guarantee that the closure panel 2, bearing against them, does not undergo the risk of being sunk between the transverse walls 4 and the side walls 5-6.
Closure is completed by applying the [0167] strip 7 on the transverse wall 4 b and the tongues 8 and 9 against the side walls 5 and 6.
The completed container is shown in FIG. 43 and it will be seen that it is a parallelepipedal with flat surfaces. [0168]
In FIGS. [0169] 44 to 47, there is shown an embodiment which permits the tongues 8 and 9 to be applied flat and to be secured both to the lateral surface 5 and 6 and to the doubling panels.
Returning to FIG. 33, it will be seen that the doubling [0170] panels 15 and 16 cover the side walls 5 and 6 and that the tongues 8 and 9 are applied against the doubling panels to which they are secured by adhesive 12.
The solution proposed by the embodiment of FIGS. [0171] 44 to 47 is to limit the surface covered by the doubling panels, to leave exposed a portion of the surface of the side walls 5 and 6, and to arrange that the adhesive 12 in the tongues 8 and 9 are applied both to said side walls 5 and 6 and to the doubling panels without an abrupt increase in thickness between these superposed elements.
To do this, the doubling [0172] panels 151 and 161 are cut obliquely and have a substantially triangular shape and are each incised with two parallel slots which determine the tongues 152 and 162 having a free edge opposite the portion of the cardboard by which they are attached to the blank. The walls 5 and 6 are incised with three slots which also define tongues 501 and 502 having a free edge opposite a cardboard portion.
The complete setting up of the container will not again be described, but it can be mentioned that after folding down the [0173] panels 151 and 161, their tongues 152 and 162 are exactly facing the tongues 501 and 601.
When the container is closed, the [0174] tongues 8 and 9 are applied against the side walls 5 and 6 but given their length, they also face the panels 151 and 161 comprising an extra thickness. Simple pressure of the hand to apply the adhesive 12 exerts a pressure on the tongues 152 and 162 which sink the tongues 501 and 601 toward the interior of the container, without any resistance by reason of the flexibility of the cardboard.
The [0175] tongues 152 and 162 are thus disposed in an inclined plane, such that the tongues 8 and 9 are applied flat over all their length, where they carry adhesive 12 which is located of course facing the tongues 152 and 162.
There are here provided two [0176] tongues 153 and 163 at the base of the panels 151 and 161, adapted to be bent and introduced in the direction of the arrow F3 into the slots 502 and 602 provided at the base of the side walls 5 and 6.
After complete closure of the container, the [0177] tongues 8 and 9 alone are visible and totally hide the tongues 152-501 and 162-601.
The complete container is shown in FIG. 47 and it will be seen that it is a parallelepipedal with flat surfaces, without any irregularities other than the slight obliquity of the [0178] tongues 8 and 9.
In FIGS. [0179] 48 to 53 there is shown an embodiment of the invention for producing a “tall” container, as in FIGS. 10 and 11, but in which we start a blank 03 and a blank which is delivered to the user is folded and glued on itself in a double thickness.
The container is of a type comprising an automatic bottom which is well known per se and which as a result will not be described in detail. It should be remembered only that this bottom is formed by [0180] pre-cutout elements 3 a, 3 b and 3 c and 3 d, secured to the side walls 5 and 6 and to the transverse walls 4 a and 4 b. The elements 3 a and 3 c carry tongues 3 e and 3 f by which are to be glued respectively to the element 3 b and the element 4 b. The element 3 b is a covering panel which is superposed on the assembly of the three other bottom elements 3 a, 3 c and 3 d and which constitutes the base on which the objects to be packaged are disposed, when the completed container is in the erected position and not in the flattened position.
This [0181] panel 3 b is provided with a tongue 3 g which is adapted to wedge in a slot 4 c provided in the base of the transverse wall 4 b when this panel 3 b is lowered by pushing on it from above, so as to prevent the panel 3 b from rising.
To create the blank in a factory from the blank of FIG. 48, the latter is bent in two along the [0182] line 11 which is prolonged to define and separate the walls 3 a and 6 and the tongue 5 c is erected along the bend line 5 d and glue is applied so as to fix the internal surface of the transverse wall 4 b bent upon itself, which closes on itself the periphery of the blank and creates the blank of FIG. 49.
The latter is sold in this form, flat with two superposed thicknesses, and is thus usable by the user to create a setup container. [0183]
To do that, the user deforms the blank into a parallelogram until the regular parallelepipedal shape of FIG. 52 is reached, by passing through all the intermediate orientations shown in an example in FIGS. 50 and 52. [0184]
The arrows F[0185] 4 and FS of FIG. 41 show that the wall 4 a is spaced from the wall 4 b, at the same time that the transverse walls 5 and 6 tend to be disposed parallel to each other, the acute angles 60 opening and the obtuse angles β closing, all to become 90° angles so as to give to the setup container a rectangular cross section (52).
The user inserts one hand in the container to lower the [0186] covering panel 3 b until the tongue 3 g engages in the slot 4 c, then he adds the objects to be packaged.
The user then proceeds to the final closing of the container: [0187]
he removes the [0188] protective strip 34,
he folds down the [0189] tongues 5 a and 6 a,
he folds down the closing panel from above the [0190] tongues 5 a and 6 a,
he folds the [0191] strip 7 on the closure panel 2 to which this strip 7 is fixed by adhesive 12,
he applies the [0192] tongues 8 and 9 to the side walls 5 and 6 to which they are fixed by the adhesive 12.
The complete container is shown in FIG. 53 and it will be seen that it is a parallelepipedal with flat surfaces which can be set up (as shown) or flat. [0193]
Referring now to FIGS. [0194] 54 to 59, there is shown an embodiment of the invention permitting obtaining a container known as an “American box” whose bottom is not of the automatic type, contrary to the preceding embodiment.
Here, it is shown that the invention permits provided a complete container whose bottom is obtained exactly in the same manner as its closure. [0195]
FIGS. [0196] 54 to 56 are analogous to FIGS. 48 to 50, only the elements to form the bottom of the container being different, such that it is not necessary to describe them again.
The elements to form the bottom of the container and which are identical and symmetrical to those to ensure the upper closure, bear the same reference numerals but primed. [0197]
It will be understood that the adhesive [0198] 12, when applied on the surface of the blank 04 which is to be within the blank and hence within the completed container, is necessarily located facing the packaged objects, and it is not desired that this adhesive 12 be able to contact these objects because they will then be fixed to the folded down element which carries this adhesive 12.
It is thus possible, quite simply, not to apply the adhesive on the closure panel [0199] 2-2′, but then this panel folded on the tongues 5 a-5 a′ and 6 a-6 a′ that are folded down and these tongues themselves would be urged upwardly, out of the position they should occupy, because of the “spring” of the corrugated cardboard, and this would hinder the formation and closing of the container because the elements 2-2′, 5 a-5′ and 6 a-6′ would be immobilized only after folding down the strip 7-7′ and the tongues 8-8′ and 9-9′.
The best solution from a practical point of view and for convenience of the user, is to provide the adhesive [0200] 12 on the closure panel 2-2′ in line with the tongues 5 a-5′a and 6 a 6′a and not in the intermediate portion of this panel 2-2′.
The first solution consists in providing the adhesive [0201] 12 and its protective strip 34 by a single linear and continuous application, from one edge to the other of the blank 04, from the free edge of the tongue 8-8′ to the free edge of the closure panel 2-2′ and to create two transverse cuts of the protective strip 34 such that removal of the protective strip 34 will be carried out on opposite sides of the median portion of the closure panel 2-2′ and that on the contrary it will remain in place in this median portion, so as to neutralize the adhesive 12 in line with the packaged objects, whilst it is active in line with the folded down tongues 5 a-5 a′ and 6 a-6 a′ to which it secures the closure panel 2-2′, thereby ensuring the securement of the three elements 2-2′, 5 a-5 a′ and 6 a-6 a′. The user can thus easily fold down the strip 7-7′ and the tongues 8-8′ and 9-9′.
Another solution permitting neutralizing the adhesive [0202] 12 is shown on the blank 04 of FIG. 54, which shows that the adhesive 12 and its protective strip 34 are divided into two unequal segments by an interruption 80-80′ located in the median portion of the transverse wall 4 b, such that when the container is set up (the bottom formed and closed), as will be described later, the closure panels 2 and 2′ do not adhere to the packaged products but only to the tongues 5 a′-6 a′ at first because they take part in the formation of the bottom, and 5 a and 6 a during closure of the completed and filled container.
As in the preceding embodiment, the blank [0203] 04 is folded on itself and the tongue 5 c bent along the fold line 5 d is glued to the internal surface of the transverse wall 4 b folded on itself, which closes on itself the periphery of the blank and creates the blank of FIG. 55.
FIG. 57 permits understanding the mounting and closing of the container: [0204]
As is already described with respect to FIGS. 49 and 50, the blank is set up by unfolding it until its periphery forms a rectangle. After having removed the internal [0205] protective strip 34, the tongues 5 a′ and 6 a′ are first set up, then the lower closure panel 2′ which is fixed by adhesive 12 that it carries, to the tongues 5 a′ and 6 a′, then the panel 7′, which is fixed by adhesive 12 that it carries, to the exterior of the panel 2′. The tongues 8′ and 9′ are thus set up and applied on the external surfaces of the side walls 5 and 6, such that the container is caused to maintain its final shape and has a fixed and stable bottom.
The user can then easily place the objects to be packaged in the container using both hands. [0206]
The closure is obtained as has already been described in connection with the preceding embodiment, namely the [0207] tongues 5 a and 6 a are folded down, then the closure panel 2, then the panel 7 and securement of the tongues 8 and 9 to the outside of the side walls 5 and 6. It will be understood that the lower interruption 80′ and upper interruption 80 are located between the free edges of the tongues 5 a′-6 a′ and 5 a 6 a, in line with the packaged objects such that these latter will not be in contact with the adhesive 12.
[0208] Adhesive 12 is itself provided on the panels 2 and 2′ so that they can fix to the tongues 5 a-6 a and 5 a′-6 a′ by constituting an assembly which cannot be broken down and which thus permits easy manipulation until the final securement of each of these two assemblies {2-5 a-6 a} and {2′-5 a′-6 a′} by the strip 7-7′ and the tongues 8-8′ and 9-9′.
The completed container can thus be on its side, as in FIG. 58, or flat as in FIG. 59. [0209]
This is a container of the “American box” type, held set up and closed only by the adhesive [0210] 12, which is to say without using external glue, staples or strapping.
As was set forth at the beginning of the description, a container according to the invention can have a bottom of any type. Thus, the embodiments of FIGS. [0211] 48 to 53 on the one hand and 54-59 on the other hand, show respectively a container with an automatic bottom and a specific bottom of the invention.
Referring now to FIGS. [0212] 60 to 63, there is seen another embodiment which shows a container according to the invention, of the family of American boxes, having a standard bottom, of the usual type, and typical for the present day American boxes.
The same elements as those described carry the same reference numerals and relate to a container of the same type as those of FIGS. [0213] 48 to 53 and 54 to 59, thus they will not again be described what has already been set forth above.
On the blank [0214] 05 of FIG. 60, it will be seen that the side walls of the container 5, 4 a, 6 and 4 b each comprise a rectangular tongue, respectively 81, 82, 83 and 84, having the same width as the wall to which it is secured and separated by a single end line 85 extending from one edge to the other of the blank 05 and by cutout lines perpendicular to this bend line 85.
To form the bottom, we do what is well known in the art: after having set up the blank by unfolding it until its periphery forms a rectangular, the [0215] tongues 81 and 83 are first bent, then the tongues 82 and 84 from above the preceding, then an adhesive strip 86 of any known type is applied, of which one end is seen in FIGS. 61, 62 and 63, which unites the two free edges face to face of the tongues 82 and 84.
The user thus has an American box with a conventional bottom and can freely position objects to be packaged therein by using both hands because the container is set up and stable. [0216]
After the objects have been introduced into the box, the latter is closed in the same manner as described in connection with FIG. 52: [0217]
he removes the [0218] protective strip 34,
he folds down the [0219] tongues 5 a and 6 a,
he folds down the [0220] closure panel 2 from above the tongues 5 a and 6 a,
he folds down the [0221] strip 7 on the closure panel 2 to which said panel 7 is fixed by adhesive 12,
he applies the [0222] tongues 8 and 9 to the side walls 5 and 6 to which they are fixed by adhesive 12.
The complete container is shown in FIG. 62. [0223]
An American box according to the invention, as has been described, can be made according to two different modifications, namely constant volume or adjustable volume. [0224]
To this end, the blank [0225] 05 has parallel score lines 87 which extend from one edge to the other of the blank 05, so that after construction of the blank (similar to those of FIGS. 49 and 55), these lines 87 will be located on the four internal surfaces of the walls 5, 4 a, 6 and 4 b (FIG. 61).
When the packaged products A extend to a height substantially less than that of the container, as is shown in FIG. 61, the user can use a cutting-out tool B to create slots along the four fold lines which separate the [0226] walls 5, 4 a, 6 and 4 b, to permit these and substantially to the same level as that of the objects A, according to that of lines 87 which is located nearest this level. One begins by folding down the tongues 5 a and 6 a which can be superposed or not, according to the height to which the side walls 5 and 6 are folded. Thus, what is thus folded down is formed by the tongues 5 a and 6 a, and by the upper portion of the walls 5 and 6.
Then the [0227] closure panel 2 is folded down and the upper portion of the wall 4 b, and, so that the folded down length will not be greater than the width of the container, there is given to this panel 2 a minimum width 1, which is to say that it is just necessary for its holding by the strip 7 folded down on it when the format of the American box is as large as possible with a given blank.
Finally, the [0228] strip 7 is folded down from above the panel 2 and this while causing the wall 4 a to bend substantially to the level of the tongues 5 a and 6 a of the panel 2 already folded inwardly of the container, and the free edge of the strip 7 is located beyond the contour of the closed box. As a result, the strip 7 is bent in the shape of an external ridge 88, and is applied against the wall 4 b to which it is fixed by the exposed adhesive 12. The closure of the box is achieved by again folding and securing the tongues 8 and 9 against the walls 5 and 6, as shown in FIG. 63.
The two boxes of FIGS. 62 and 63 are made from the same blank [0229] 05 and their height is different because the box of FIG. 62 is either a fixed height, or of adjustable height but has the maximum possible volume, whilst the box of FIG. 63 is of adjustable height and has the minimum possible volume.
Of course, a container according to the invention can receive a tear-off strip for its opening by tearing along a line and this tear-off strip can be differently located according to the selected embodiment. [0230]
The invention is applicable particularly well to containers adapted for sending by mail or delivery service, because of the fact that the closing of these containers can be carried out in a simple, effective and inviolable manner with means integrated with the container itself (adhesive [0231] 12 and protective strip 34).

Claims

1. Blank of cardboard or similar material, having cutout lines and score lines within a periphery cut out to a sheet and thus subdivided into elements of which certain are eventually to be glued flat against each other, said blank being adapted to be sold and stored flat, then ultimately to be folded, erected, and maintained folded thereby to constitute a container for objects to be shipped, the erection of the blank and the arrangement of the objects to be carried out manually and individually for each blank, characterized in that among the different elements of the blank there is at least one strip of a single thickness (7, 15-16) secured to at least one tongue (8-9) also of a single thickness located in prolongation of an end of said strip (7, 15-16) such that after setting up the blank and instruction of the container, the strip (7, 15-16) can be applied against the external surface of a wall (4 b, 44, 2, 5-6) of said container, and that each tongue (8-9) can be folded down and applied against the external surface of a wall (5-6-7), adjacent said wall (4 b, 44, 2), the setup container being maintained as to shape and closed irreversibly, and hence inviolably, by means of an adhesive (12) disposed between the strip (7, 15-16) and its tongue or tongues (8 and 9) on the one hand and the adjacent walls (4 b-44-2, 5 and 6) on the other hand.

2. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that the strip (7) is secured to two end tongues (8 and 9), and after setting up and construction of the container, the strip (7) is applied against the external surface of a transverse wall (4 b, 44, 2) of said container, and the two tongues (8 and 9) are folded down and applied to the exterior of two side walls (5 and 6) adjacent the transverse wall (4 b, 44, 2).

3. Blank according to

claim 2

, characterized in that so-called “doubling” panels (15 and 16) are interposed between the side walls (5 and 6) and the folded down tongues (8 and 9).

4. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that the container comprises a cover (2) which is secured to two so-called “doubling” panels (15 and 16) each constituting a strip secured to a tongue (8-9), and which are to be bent and applied directly against the external surface of the side walls (5 and 6), the tongues (8 and 9) to be bent and folded down against a same panel (7) secured to said cover (2) and to be placed against a transverse wall (4 b) of the container.

5. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that the adhesive (12) is long acting and is covered, before use, by a removable protective strip (34).

6. Blank according to

claim 5

, characterized in that the long active adhesive (12) is applied to the strip (7) and to the two tongues (8 and 9).

7. Blank according to

claim 5

, characterized in that the long acting adhesive (12) is applied to the adjacent walls (4 b-44-2, 5 and 6).

8. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that at least one element (7, 151-152) is secured to a so-called “safety” tongue (75, 153-163) adapted to be bent and engaged forcibly in a slot (76, 502-602) provided in one of the elements (4 b, 5-6) of the blank.

9. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that the strip (7) is secured to a panel (2) analogous to the bottom, or base (3) and which carries two doubling panels (15 and 16, 151 and 161) adapted to be placed by bending facing side walls (5 and 6) of the container.

10. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that the doubling panels (53 and 54) are to be placed inside the side walls (5 and 6) of the container, the strip (7) is to be applied and fixed against the external surface of a transverse wall (44) of the container adjacent said two lateral walls (5 and 6) and the tongues (8 and 9) are to be applied and fixed against the external surface of said lateral walls (5 and 6).

11. Blank according to

claim 9

, characterized in that the doubling panels (15 and 16, 151 and 161) are to be placed outside the lateral walls (5 and 6) of the container, the strip (7) is to be applied and fixed against the external surface of a transverse wall of the container (4 b) and adjacent said two lateral walls (5 and 6) and the tongues (8 and 9) are to be applied and fixed against the external surface of the doubling panels (15 and 16, 151 and 161).

12. Blank according to

claim 1

, characterized in that the strip (7) is secured to a so-called “safety” tongue (75) adapted to bent and engaged forcibly in a slot (76) provided in one of the elements (4 b) of the blank.

13. Blank according to

claim 1

, having, in a manner known per se, on the one hand elements glued together to close the periphery of said blank bent on itself and flattened by bending, to deform to a parallelogram having four surfaces that constitute four walls of a parallelepipedal container, of which one is secured to a closure panel which is to be in line with a bottom, characterized in that the strip (7) is to be folded down over the closure panel (2), the strip (7) is to be applied and fixed against the external surface of said closure panel (2) and the tongues (8 and 9) are to be folded down and fixed against the external surface of two opposite walls (5 and 6) adjacent the wall (4 b) to which the closure panel (2) is fixed.

14. Blank according to

claim 13

, characterized in that the elements of the blank to constitute the two opposite walls (5 and 6) adjacent to the wall (4 b) to which the closure panel (2) is fixed, each have the tongue (5 a-6 a) defined by a score line.

15. Blank according to

claim 13

, characterized in that the bottom is constituted by several pre-cutout elements (3 a, 3 c and 3 d) secured to walls (4 a, 4 b, 5 and 6) and that are to coact with each other by interpenetration, such that an “automatic” or “semiautomatic” bottom is formed, if desired completed by a covering panel (3 b).

16. Blank according to

claim 13

, characterized in that the bottom is constituted by two opposite tongues (5 a′ and 6 a′) secured to two opposite walls (5 and 6), a panel (2′) secured to a wall (4 b) and a strip (7′) secured to a wall (4 a) and provided with two end tongues (8′ and 9′), said strip (7′) and said end tongues (8′ and 9′) being provided with long acting adhesive (12) covered by a removable protective strip (34).

17. Blank according to

claim 16

, characterized in that the wall (4 b) opposite that to which the strip (7′) is secured has two adhesive lines (12) located adjacent free edges of said wall (4 b) and each comprised by two segments separated by an interruption (80).

18. Blank according to

claim 13

, characterized in that the bottom is constituted by four rectangular tongues (81, 82, 83 and 84) having the same width as the wall to which they are secured, adapted to be bent and held by external securement means, in particular by an adhesive line.

19. Blank according to

claim 13

, characterized in that the internal surface of the four walls (5, 4 a, 6 and 4 b) has parallel score lines (87) and one of these walls can be bent as a function of the height occupied by objects (A) to be packaged before being placed in the container obtained by setting up the blank.