WO1999016675A1

WO1999016675A1 - Improved foldable box

Info

Publication number: WO1999016675A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Kurt Johannsen
Original assignee: Peter Kurt Johannsen
Priority date: 1997-09-29
Filing date: 1998-09-28
Publication date: 1999-04-08
Also published as: AUPO947597A0

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved box which, when fully opened forms a flat board which can function, for example, as a playing surface for a board game. The box (10), when in its box mode of use, comprises a base panel (11), rectangular side panels (12-15) and a top panel (16) formed by four triangular flaps (20-23) which meet at a common centre point on the top of the box to thereby close off the box interior. In its unfolded flat condition, the blank for forming the box is provided with multiple fold lines which delineate the panels (11 and 12 to 15), with the triangular flaps (20-23) being joined along fold lines to the top edges of the side panels (12-15). Triangular joining segments (40-47) integrally connect the side panels (12-15) and fold inwardly so as to project into the interior of the box when the blank is folded from its flat condition to its folded box mode of use.

Description

IMPROVED FOLD ABLE BOX

The present invention relates to box and in particular to box that is openable to form a flat square board which can function, for example, as a playing surface for a board game.

BACKGROUND

Existing collapsible boxes used for packaging or storing various products, typically made from flat cardboard sheets (or blanks), tend to be designed for minimisation of material used, strength when assembled and ease of assembly. The ability of a box to be easily opened out to form a flat sheet is not usually a feature of current box designs.

Many board games utilise a flat board which is capable of being folded into a reduced size for storage. Usually a separate box is provided in which to store playing pieces and/ or cards. Often the box is sized to enable the folded board to also be stored within it.

There are advantages in having a box which is constructed so that it can be opened out into a playing surface. Such a box can be used to store playing pieces in an efficient manner. The inventor is aware of boxes having this characteristic, but none open out to a neat flat polygonal playing board.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved box that is openable to form a flat sheet or board.

The presentation and packaging of products can be of considerable commercial importance in certain markets. This is particularly so in markets in which there are many competing products which are not otherwise readily differentiated. For instance packaging of specialty foods such as chocolates, can have a marked influence on the sales of the product. Many existing forms of packaging for these types of products suffer disadvantages including: high cost of production, time consuming fold procedure from a blank to a closed box, unattractive either in its box form or unfolded form, and/ or poor sealability.

It is therefore another object of the invention to provide an box that is openable to form a flat polygon sheet that overcomes at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages and provides a useful alternative for packaging of products for sale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly according to this invention therefore, there is provided an improved foldable box formed from a one-piece flat blank which comprises a polygonally shaped sheet or board having a plurality of triangular shaped flap forming segments which define free pointed corners spaced around the perimeter of the blank, said blank also having a plurality of fold lines which define base and side panels for the box when folded, and arranged such that the flat blank can be folded into a box shape with the pointed corners of the flap forming segments meeting at a common centre point on the top of the box to thereby form a generally closed box.

Preferably, the blank is formed of cardboard sheet, especially single or double layer corrugated cardboard. The blank may also be constructed of a suitable plastics material and formed by a moulding process.

Preferably, the box shape is parallelepiped.

Preferably, a locking clip or fastener is provided to enable the flap forming segments to be releasably fastened and retained together when the box is in its fully folded condition. More particularly, an improved foldable box according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is formed from a one-piece flat square blank, and comprises: a square base panel; four rectangular side panels each connected along a fold line to a respective perimeter edge of the square base panel, four triangular flaps foldably connected to respective said side panels along edges opposite said perimeter edges, four triangular folding joining segments, each connected along two of their side edges by fold lines to respective ones of the eight remaining sides of the four side panels and wherein each said joining segment has a central fold line extending between an outer edge thereof and a respective corner of the base panel.

Preferably, the improved foldable box serves as a game board when in its opened flat condition.

Preferably, the top and bottom surfaces of the blank are patterned, eg by printing, to thereby allow at least two different board games to be playable.

In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, the folding box comprises a flat hexagonal base panel, six rectangular side panels each connected along a fold line to a respective perimeter edge of the base panel, six triangular flaps foldably connected to respective said side panels along edges opposite said perimeter edges, and six triangular folding joining segments each connected along two of their side edges by fold lines to respective ones of the twelve remaining sides of the six side panels, wherein each said joining segment has a central fold line extending between an outer edge thereof and a respective corner of the base panel.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in some further detail with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures. These embodiments are illustrative, and are not meant to be restrictive of the scope of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying representations in which:

Fig 1 shows a closed box in its fully folded mode of use, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig 2 shows the box of Fig 1 in its unfolded flat condition;

Fig 3 shows the box of Fig 1 partially folded;

Fig 4 shows a fully folded box, according to a second embodiment of the invention, in plan view;

Fig 5 shows the box of Fig 4 in side view;

Fig 6 shows the box of Fig 4 in its unfolded flat condition;

Fig 7 shows, in plan, a box in an unfolded flat condition, according to a third embodiment of the invention; while

Figs 8(a) and (b) are side and plan views respectively of a locking ring for fastening together the free apices of the flaps which come together to close off the top of the box shown in Fig 1.

Referring to Figs 1 to 3 of the drawings, a box 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprises a square base 11, four rectangular side walls 12, 3, 14 and 15, and a square top 16 formed from four triangular corner flaps or segments 20, 21, 22 and 23, all constructed from a one-piece blank of stiff cardboard (any other suitable material such as plastic may be used instead of cardboard). Additionally, triangular joining webs or segments 40-47 integrally connect the four walls 12, 13, 14, 15 of the box and are inwardly foldable to positions projecting into the interior of the box as shown in Fig 3. The square base 11 hingedly joins to the four rectangular side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 by means of fold lines 30-33 which extend around the perimeter of the base 11, while the opposite side edges of the side walls 12-15 hingedly join to respective joining webs 40-47 by means of fold lines 30' -33'. The top edges of the side walls 12-15 are joined to the corner segments 20-23 by fold lines 36-39. Fold lines 34,

35 which extend between the outer edges of the unfolded box and the corners of the base 11, permit the joining webs 40-47 to fold inwardly.

The box is readily unfolded from its box shape shown in Fig 1 to its flat board shape as shown in Fig 2. Fig 3 shows an intermediate position in which the box is partly unfolded.

To fold the blank into its fully folded box mode of use, the triangular portions 40-47 are lifted upwards at the fold lines 34-35 into the intermediate position shown in Fig 3. The triangular flaps 20, 21, 22 and 23 are then rotated over and inwards with respect to box sides 12 to 15 about fold lines 36-39 to form the closed square box top 16 as shown in Fig 1, where the triangular flaps 20-23 come together at their apices.

The box 10 in its unfolded flat condition may be adapted for use as a game board. Optionally a game board pattern may be printed on the top and bottom surfaces or just on one. Playing pieces which may form part of the game and which rest on the flat board surface, will become captive within the box as it is folded up.

When used as a combination board game the foldable box has the advantage that it is very easy to put away. The process of folding the flat board into a box as described above, simultaneously results in all the pieces on the board being contained and stored within the box 10. A further advantage of the foldable box as a combination board game is that it does not require an additional box for storage of the game playing pieces as the board, when folded up, forms the box.

In a variation to the above described embodiment, the open flat board as illustrated in Fig 2 forms a base for a display case. A three dimensional figure or product can be attached to the centre base panel 11. In its folded up position the box forms a protective shell for the now enclosed three dimensional figure or product. An additional feature of the invention is an optional restriction on the f oldability of the various fold lines so that folding can only occur in one direction. In particular, fold lines 34 and 35 can be restricted such that they will only allow inward movement of the joins between triangular segments 40 and 41, 42 and 43, 44 and 45, and 46 and 47, from the unfolded position shown in Fig 2. This ensures that when folding the box from its flat board configuration into its box configuration, the triangular joining segments 40-47 will fold into the box and not fold so as to protrude outwards.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs 4 to 6 of the drawings, a box 100 comprises a hexagon base panel 101, six equally sized rectangular side panels 102,

103, 104, 105, 106 and 107, and a hexagonal top 108 formed from six identical triangular segments or flaps 120, all constructed from a blank of stiff cardboard (any other suitable material such as plastic may be used instead of cardboard).

Additionally, triangular joining segments 140 interconnect the six side panels of the box and are foldable within the box in a similar way to that shown for joining segments 40-47 in Fig. 3 of the first embodiment. The hexagonal base 101 is hingedly joined to the six rectangular side panels 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107, by fold lines extending around the perimeter of the base, while the six triangular flaps 120 respectively connect to the side panels 102-107 by fold lines which extend along the outer sides of the panels. Each triangular joining segment 140 is itself formed as an hinged fold with a centre hinge line 141 extending from its outer edge to a corner of the base panel 101.

The box is readily unfolded from its box shape shown in Figs. 4 and 5 to its flat board shape as shown in Fig. 6.

This second embodiment of the invention is particular suited to gift-wrapping because of its aesthetically pleasing appearance, its well-sealed closure around its bottom and sides and its ability to open out to an attractive flat surface. A third embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig 7 which shows the box 150 in its fully unfolded flat condition, the box 150 comprising a central rectangular base panel

151, pairs of opposite rectangular side panels 152, 153, triangular flaps 154, 155 joined to the side panels 152, 153 respectively, and triangular joining segments 156 hingedly joining adjacent side panels 152, 153, each segment 156 having a centre hinge line which divides the segment into two equal halves. In this embodiment, the flaps 154,

155 are of different sizes, as are the side panels 152, 153.

As shown in Figs 8(a) and (b), a moulded locking ring 160 can be used to releasably fasten together all four flaps 20-23 when the box 10 of Fig 1 is closed. The triangular flaps are designed to snugly fit within sector shaped slots 161 which are formed by an internal cruciform member 165 secured between upper and lower discs 163, 164. The ring 160 can be permanently connected to one of the flaps if desired. The locking ring 160, when fitted, also adds stability to the top panel 16 of the box 10. It will, of course, be appreciated that many different types of fastening devices or clips could be used in order to hold the top panel forming flaps in their closed positions. Fasteners comprising pins or latches mating with holes or indents formed in the flaps near their apices could be easily employed.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments in order to facilitate better understanding of the invention, it should be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications within its scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A foldable box which can be folded between a box folded mode .and an unfolded flat sheet or board mode, said box being formed from a one-piece flat polygonally shaped blank having a plurality of triangular shaped flap forming segments which define free pointed corners spaced around the perimeter of the blank, arranged such that the flat blank can be folded into a box shape with the pointed corners of the flap forming segments meeting at a common centre point on a side of the box to thereby form a generally closed box.

2. A foldable box according to claim 1 wherein the box when in its box folded mode, comprises a base panel, side panels hingedly joined to the base panel and triangular folding joining webs hingedly joining adjacent pairs of said side panels, each said side panel having foldably connected thereto a respective said flap forming segment, said flap forming segments closing off the top of the box.

3. A foldable box according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the box shape is parallelepiped.

4. A foldable box according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the box shape is hexagonal.

5. A foldable box according to anyone of claims 1 to 4 comprising a fastening device for releasably fastening and retaining together the free pointed corners of the flap forming segments when the box is in its fully folded closed condition.

6. A foldable box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the blank is formed of cardboard or plastics sheet.

7. A foldable box formed from a one-piece flat square blank of sheet material, comprising: a square base panel; four rectangular side panels each connected along a fold line to a respective perimeter edge of the square base panel, four triangular flaps foldably connected to respective said side panels along edges opposite said perimeter edges, four triangular folding joining webs, each connected along two of their side edges by fold lines to respective ones of the eight remaining sides of the four side panels and wherein each joining web has a central fold line extending between an outer edge thereof and a corner of the base panel.

8. An improved foldable box formed from a one-piece flat blank of sheet material, comprising: a flat hexagonal base panel, six rectangular side panels each connected along a fold line to a respective perimeter edge of the base panel, six triangular flaps foldably connected to respective said side panels along edges opposite said perimeter edges, and six triangular folding joining webs each connected along two of their side edges by fold lines to respective ones of the twelve remaining sides of the six side panels, wherein each said joining web has a central fold line extending between an outer edge thereof and a corner of the base panel.

9. A foldable box according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the box, when in its unfolded flat condition, functions as a playing surface for a board game.

10. A foldable box according to claim 8 wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the flat blank comprise different board game playing surfaces.

11. A foldable box according to claim 1 wherein the triangular shaped flap forming segments are of identical size and shape.

12. A foldable box substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; 4 to 6; or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.