WO1998057858A1

WO1998057858A1 - Box

Info

Publication number: WO1998057858A1
Application number: PCT/NL1998/000348
Authority: WO
Inventors: George Anthonie Van Collenburg
Original assignee: Hallmark Cards Nederland B.V.
Priority date: 1997-06-16
Filing date: 1998-06-16
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Also published as: DE69812940T2; ES2196570T3; EP0989942A1; AU7941298A; EP0989942B1; DE69812940D1; NL1006327C2; DK0989942T3; ATE236051T1

Abstract

Box consisting of: a) a bottom wall (10), b) a top wall (12) at a distance from and parallel to the bottom wall, c) connecting to each other a front wall (14), a first side wall (16), a rear wall (18) and a second side wall (20), all between the bottom and top wall and at right angles thereto, provided with: d) an elongated fold-over segment (22) connecting to the transition between bottom wall (10) and front wall (14), and in succession divided by fold lines (26, 30) into: d1) a first fold-over wall (24) approximately the size of the front wall (14), d2) a second fold-over wall (21) approximately the size of the top wall (12), d3) a third fold-over wall (32) roximately the size of the bottom wall. A fourth fold-over wall approximately the size of the rear wall may be present between the second and third fold-over walls (78, 44A, 44B, 44C).

Description

Box

The invention relates to a box consisting of: a) a bottom wall, b) a top wall at a distance from and parallel to the bottom wall, c) connecting to each other a front wall, a first side wall, a rear wall and a second side wall, all between the bottom and top wall and at right angles thereto.

Such boxes are known in many different dimensions, shapes and variants and can be used for the most wide-ranging applications. The Applicant has now set out to design a box of this kind in such a way that a number of articles of different shapes can be stored therein, provision being made for storing each of the articles.

This object is fulfilled by the invention by a box of the type described in the first paragraph, which is characterized by: d) an elongated fold-over segment connecting to the transition between bottom wall and front wall, and in succession divided by fold lines into: dl) a first fold-over wall approximately the size of the front wall,

02) a second fold-over wall approximately the size of the top wall, d3) a third fold-over wall approximately the size of the second fold-over wall, the third fold-over wall being provided with insert compartments running substantially parallel to the fold lines.

Papers, leaflets, cards, thin booklets and the like can be inserted into the insert compartments and thereby held in place. The inserted articles are well protected by folding the third fold-over wall over the second fold-over wall. When the box is open, these articles are readily accessible and can be used without impeding access to the actual box.

It is preferable for the fold-over segment between the second and third fold- over wall to be provided with a compensating segment, the width of which at least approximately corresponds to the thickness of the articles to be stored in the insert compartments.

In order to be able to close the box, it is preferable for the second fold-over wall to be provided with closure means consisting of two flaps, each connected by way of a fold line to one of the side edges of the second fold-over wall, and each flap being connected by way of a fold line to a closure tab which has to be inserted into openings designed for the purpose in the bottom wall or in the two side walls.

In a further developed embodiment the fold-over segment between the second and third fold-over wall is provided with: d3) a fourth fold-over wall approximately the size of the rear wall.

Although a closure tab at the end edge of the third fold-over wall can be used for closing the box, it is preferable for the third fold-over wall to be provided with closure means consisting of two flaps, each connected by way of a fold line to one of the side edges of the second fold-over wall, and each flap being connected by way of a fold line to a closure tab which has to be inserted into openings designed for the purpose in the top wall or in the two side walls.

The box according to the invention is particularly suitable for storing various types of data carriers, which can contain, for example, various types of data on the same subject. The actual box can, for example, serve for the storage of a video cassette, and the insert flaps can be used for printed data. In order also to be able to store a compact disc well, it is preferable for a surface of the second fold-over wall to be provided with at least one container for a compact disc.

The box according to the invention will now be explained in greater detail below with reference to the appended figures.

Figures la, lb and lc show a first embodiment of a box according to the invention.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show a second embodiment of a box according to the invention. Figures 3a and 3b show a third embodiment of a box according to the invention.

A further developed embodiment of the box is illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b. The box shown in perspective in Figure la consists of a bottom wall 10, a top wall 12 at a distance from and parallel to the bottom wall 10, connecting to each other a front wall 14, a first side wall 16, a rear wall 18 and a second side wall 20, all between bottom and top wall and at right angles thereto. The box is also provided with an elongated fold-over segment 22, connecting to the transition between the bottom wall 10 and the front wall 14. Said fold-over segment in this embodiment is divided by two fold lines 26 and 30 in succession into a first fold-over wall 24 approximately the size of the front wall 14, a second fold-over wall 28 approximately the size of the top wall 12, and a third fold-over wall 32 also approximately the size of the top wall 12. In this embodiment a holder 50 for a compact disc (CD) 52 is integral in the second fold-over wall. The way in which that can be achieved is assumed to be known to the person skilled in the art.

In addition, closure flaps 54 and 56 are provided on the side edges of the second fold-over wall, each flap being provided with closure tabs 58 and 60 respectively which are marked out by fold lines of the respective closure flaps.

In order to protect the CD 52, the first fold-over wall 32 is folded around the fold line 30 over the second fold-over wall 28. The fold-over wall is then folded around the actual box, with the result that in a sectional side view the situation of Figure lb is obtained. The closure flaps 54 and 56 are then bent against the side walls 16 and 20, and the tabs 58 and 60, bent around the fold lines 55 and 57, are also inserted into two slits 61 and 63 on the bottom of the side walls 16 and 20. The situation then reached is illustrated in side view in Figure lc.

A further developed embodiment of the box is illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b.

The box shown in perspective in Figure 2a again consists of a bottom wall 10, a top wall 12 at a distance from and parallel to the bottom wall 10, connecting to each other a front wall 14, a first side wall 16, a rear wall 18 and a second side wall 20, all between bottom and top wall and at right angles thereto. The box is also provided with an elongated fold-over segment 22, connecting to the transition between bottom wall

10 and the front wall 14. Said fold-over segment in this embodiment is divided by fold lines 26 and 30 in succession into a first fold-over wall 24 approximately the size of the front wall 14, a second fold-over wall 28 approximately the size of the top wall

12, and a third fold-over wall 32 also approximately the size of the top wall 12.

In this embodiment two holders 70, 72, each for a mini-compact disk (mini- CD) 74 and 76 are integral in the second fold-over wall. The way in which that can be achieved is again assumed to be known to the person skilled in the art.

In addition, closure flaps 54 and 56 are provided on ^"the side edges of the second fold-over wall, each flap being provided with closure tabs 58 and 60 respectively which are marked out by fold lines of the respective closure flaps. The third fold-over wall 32 is partially multi-walled, and is provided with an insert slit 78, of which only a small part is visible in Figure 2a. The last page of a brochure 80 or in a corresponding manner the back cover of a book 80, for example, can be inserted into this slit 78. In order to close the box, the third fold-over wall 32 is first folded, together with the booklet 80 inserted therein, by way of the fold line 30 over the second fold- over wall. If the booklet 80 has a substantial thickness, it may be preferable to provide next to the fold line 30, a short distance therefrom, an additional fold line 30' (see Figure 2a) and to adapt the dimensions of the compensating segment 29 achieved therewith, in order to compensate for the thickness of the booklet 80 in this way.

The fold-over wall is then folded around the actual box, so that in sectional side view the situation of Figure 3b is reached. The closing flaps 54 and 56 are subsequently bent against the side walls 16 and 20, and the tabs 58 and 60 are also bent round the fold lines 55 and 57 and inserted into two slits 61 and 63 at the bottom of the side walls 16 and 20. The situation then reached is virtually the same as that illustrated in side view in Figure lc.

An opening 90 is provided in the top wall 12, through which the contents of the box are visible.

The box shown in perspective in Figure 3 a consists of a bottom wall 10, a top wall 12 at a distance from and parallel to the bottom wall 10, connecting to each other a front wall 14, a first side wall 16, a rear wall 18 and a second side wall 20, all between the bottom and top walls and at right angles thereto. The box is also provided with an elongated fold-over segment 22, connecting to the transition between bottom wall 10 and the front wall 14. Said fold-over segment is divided by fold lines 26, 30, 34 into a first fold-over wall 24 approximately the size of the front wall 14, a second fold-over wall 28 approximately the size of the top wall 12, a third fold-over wall 36 approximately the size of the second fold-over wall 28, and a fourth fold-over wall 32 between the second and third fold-over wall and with dimensions approximately equal to those of the rear wall 18. If the fold-over segment 22 is folded around the box formed from the top and bottom wall, the front and rear wall and the two side walls, then a situation arises which is shown diagrammatically in sectional side view in Figure 3b. At the end of the fold-over segment, in particular at the end of the third fold-over wall 36, there is a closure flap 40, which can be moved by way of the hinge line 38. This closing flap 40 is inserted at the end of the fold-over process into the slit 42, which is made specially for that purpose in the bottom wall 12.

Instead of the one closure tab 40, the third fold-over wall 36 can also be provided with lateral closure flaps such as the flaps 54 and 60 in Figure la.

In the embodiment shown the front wall 14 is open and, with suitable dimensioning, the box can be used, for example, for storing a video tape. However, it is also possible to make the front wall 14 of a closed design and to leave the top wall 12 at least partially open, so that articles can be stored in the box by way of this open wall 12.

It is also preferable for the third fold-over wall 28 to be provided with insert compartments, which are indicated in Figure 1 by 44a, 44b and 44c. The number and dimensions of such insert compartments may, of course, be selected as desired. The making of such insert compartments is assumed to be known to a person skilled in the art. Letters, cards, diskettes and other flat objects, for example, can be inserted into these insert compartments. Depending on the specific purpose for which compartments 44 are to be used, the width of the fold-over segment 24 may have to be adapted to provide the necessary space. After the fold-over segment 22 has been folded over, these articles are then wedged between the top wall 12 and the second fold-over wall 28, and are thereby well protected against external influences.

The second fold-over wall can be used again for the integration of a CD holder as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but can also be provided with one or more holders for retaining audio cassettes 80, 82 and 84, as shown diagrammatically in the figure. Combinations of one or more CD holders and one or more audio cassette holders are, of course, also possible.

Claims

1. Box consisting of: a) a bottom wall, b) a top wall at a distance from and parallel to the bottom wall, c) connecting to each other a front wall, a first side wall, a rear wall and a second side wall, all between the bottom and top wall and at right angles thereto, characterized by: d) an elongated fold-over segment connecting to the transition between bottom wall and front wall, and in succession divided by fold lines into: dl) a first fold-over wall approximately the size of the front wall, d2) a second fold-over wall approximately the size of the top wall, d3) a third fold-over wall approximately the size of the second fold-over wall, the third fold-over wall being provided with insert compartments running substantially parallel to the fold lines.

2. Box according to Claim 1, characterized in that the fold-over segment between the second and third fold-over wall is provided with a compensating segment, the width of which at least approximately corresponds to the thickness of the articles to be stored in the insert compartments.

3. Box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second fold-over wall is provided with closure means consisting of two flaps, each connected by way of a fold line to one of the side edges of the second fold-over wall, and each flap being connected by way of a fold line to a closure tab which has to be inserted into openings designed for the purpose in the bottom wall or in the two side walls.

4. Box according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fold-over segment between the second and third fold-over wall is provided with: d3) a fourth fold-over wall approximately the size of the rear wall.

5. Box according to Claim 4, characterized in that the third fold-over wall is provided with closure means consisting of two flaps, each connected by way of a fold line to one of the side edges of the second fold-over wall, and each flap being connected by way of a fold line to a closure tab which has to be^~ inserted into openings designed for the purpose in the top wall or in the two side walls.

6. Box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a surface of the second fold-over wall is provided with at least one container for a compact disc.

7. Box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front wall is open or is provided with an opening.

8. Box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top wall is provided with one or more openings.

9. Box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rear wall is formed by a wall fixed by way of a fold line to the top or bottom wall.