WO2002070356A1

WO2002070356A1 - Box provided with opening means

Info

Publication number: WO2002070356A1
Application number: PCT/NL2002/000130
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubertus Johannes Bernardus Schoeren
Original assignee: Kappa De Zeeuw Golfkarton B.V.
Priority date: 2001-03-02
Filing date: 2002-02-27
Publication date: 2002-09-12
Also published as: EP1373078A1; NL1019648C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a box (1) folded from a blank, with a filling opening which is closable with the aid of dust flaps (6) and closing flaps (8) arranged in pairs around this filling opening, which flaps overlap each other at least partly in a closed position. The flaps mentioned can be secured with fastening means (12), in particular glue or tape, onto each other and optionally onto the surrounding dust flaps. The box is provided with accessing means, in the form of breaking lines (16), incisions and tear strips, with which the fastening means can be simply and rapidly broken, without further aids.

Description

BOX PROVIDED WITH OPENING MEANS

The invention relates to a box folded from a blank, with a filling opening which is closable with the aid of dust flaps and closing flaps arranged in pairs around the filling opening, which flaps in a closed position are folded over each other, thereby forming a substantially flat, practically closed surface, while the closing flaps overlie the dust flaps and the facing longitudinal edges of the closing flaps are disposed practically against each other, and wherein the closing flaps with the aid of fastening means, in particular glue or tape, are fixed onto the dust flaps and/or surrounding box walls. In the packaging industry, boxes where the filling side is closed in the above manner occur frequently, for instance in the so-called American folding carton. This box comprises four sidewalls at right angles to each other, which are each at an upper and bottom side pivotably connected with dust flaps and closing flaps arranged in pairs located opposite each other. Both the bottom side and the top side of the box can be closed with the flaps in the manner described above. An advantage of this known box is that by virtue of its simple construction, it is simple and hence inexpensive to manufacture. Moreover, the box, before and after use, can be stored in a flat form taking up little space by opening the top and bottom side and folding the dust and closing flaps open. A disadvantage of this box, however, is that opening takes relatively much time. When the closing flaps are fixed by glue, it is necessary, to be able to seize the closing flaps and pull them open, to force one and preferably more fingers between the longitudinal edges. That is difficult, since the edges lie close to each other and the passage may further be impeded by products arranged directly under the flaps. When the closing flaps have been fixed by tape, the tape should either be prized off, which is time consuming, or be cut open with separate cutting tools. The use of separate tools is not always desirable and can moreover, when opening the box, lead to damage of the contents or to injury of a user.

The object of the invention is to provide a box in which the disadvantages mentioned above are obviated, while maintaining the advantages thereof. To that end, a box according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 1.

By providing the box with suitable accessing means, in the form of, for instance, breaking lines and/or cut-outs, the fastening means with which the closing flaps have been fixed onto the dust flaps and/or sidewalls, in particular the glue or tape, can be simply broken. In this way, much time can be saved. Moreover, opening does not require any special tool, which removes a potential risk of injury and damage to the contents of the box. In an advantageous embodiment, a box according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 2. What is achieved by providing a cut-out in the longitudinal edge of at least one of the closing flaps is that the longitudinal edges adjacent the or each cut-out can be easily and firmly gripped. In this way, the closing flaps can be simply and forcefully pulled loose. The or each cut-out is preferably situated such that in the closed position of the closing flaps, it is situated above a dust flap. As a result, the box contents remain completely closed off and yet a good engageability of the closing flaps is obtained. What is achieved by providing the or each cut-out at some distance from the corner points of the longitudinal edge is that the closing flaps adjacent the corner points lie against each other by their longitudinal edges. In this way, a part of the dust flap that is exposed as a consequence of the or each cut-out is relatively well protected, against accidental opening of the box, for instance when a second box is placed onto the closing flaps of the present box.

In a further elaboration, a box according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 6 and 7. By providing one or more breaking lines in each closing flap, which each extend from the longitudinal edge or side edges lying at right angles thereto into the closing flap, one or more tearable strips can be formed in the closing flap. By fixing the closing flaps with this tearable strip or strips onto the subjacent dust flaps through fastening means suitable for the purpose, for instance glue, a closure of the box is obtained which is easy to break. By pulling the tear strips partly or wholly loose, the connection between these tear strips and the dust flaps can be broken and the closing flaps, since they were only connected with the dust flaps through these tear strips, can be opened. The tear strips can be provided throughout or just a part of the width of a closing flap. Further, in the longitudinal and/or side edges of the closing flaps a cut-out can be provided, there where the breaking line ends. In this way, the end of the tear strip bounded by the respective breaking line is exposed, and this end, and hence the tear strip, can be seized still more easily.

The dust flaps too can be provided with a breaking line around their points of attachment to the closing flaps. In this way, when pulling loose the tear strips, not the fastening means are broken, but the parts of the dust and closing flaps that are enclosed by said breaking lines and held together by the fastening means, are removed from the box. Through the choice of . the type of breaking line, the force required for breaking the connection can be influenced.

In an alternative embodiment, a box according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 8. By providing a separate breaking line in the closing flaps around each point of attachment to the subjacent dust flaps, the connection between the closing and dust flaps can be broken in a very simple manner, by exerting a force directed towards the interior of the box on the areas surrounded by the breaking lines. In this way, the breaking lines tear and the respective areas, including the fastening means, are separated from the closing flaps. An additional advantage of this embodiment is that the pressed-out parts, by virtue of the fastening means, remain attached to the dust flaps and therefore do not cause any separate packaging waste.

In an advantageous embodiment, a box according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 14.

When the closing flaps have been fixed to the adjacent dust flaps or sidewalls with tape, the detachability of the tape can be increased by providing adjacent the ends thereof a cut or breaking line in the box. The box can be depressed adjacent this cut or breaking line, after breaking the latter, so that the tape end can be seized and the tape can be readily pulled loose.

In a still more advantageous embodiment, the breaking line encloses an area of the box situated around the tape end. After breaking of the breaking line, this area, at least the tape-free part thereof, can be loosened from the box and this part forms an engaging lip for the tape, with which the remaining tape can be simply removed. Optionally, to facilitate engagement and loosening of the engaging lip from the box wall, on or adjacent the breaking line of this lip, a recess can be provided, large enough to pass a full-grown finger. The engaging lip preferably has a width adjacent the tape end that is greater than or equal to the width of the tape. In this way, the tape end can be simply fitted. Moreover, in this way, upon loosening of the engaging lip, the tape end comes completely clear of the sidewall. If the tape is wider than the engaging lip, however, then, when the tape is being cut off, one and preferably several cuts can be provided in the tape, which cuts extend from the end edge of the tape. Through these cuts, when pulling the engaging lip loose, the part of the tape that is connected with this engaging lip can be easily torn loose, while the tape parts situated on opposite sides of the engaging lip on the sidewall remain behind thereon. In an extra advantageous embodiment, a box according to the invention is characterized by the features of claim 21.

By also closing off the bottom side of the box with dust flaps and closing flaps and providing same with accessing means according to the invention, this bottom side, after use of the box, can likewise be rapidly and simply opened, whereafter the box can be brought into a flat form. In this way, when storing the used boxes, much time and space can be saved.

All accessing means are of such a nature that no additional material is needed therefor; only a small adaptation of the blank, for instance an additional recess, cutting or perforated line. These adaptations can in most cases be carried out simultaneously with the existing operations on the blank, and therefore do not require any additional production step or production time.

In the further subclaims, further advantageous embodiments of a box according to the invention are described.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a box provided with fastening and accessing means according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawing. In the drawing:

Figs, la-c show a perspective view of a box according to the invention in opened condition, and in closed condition with the closing flaps fixed by glue and provided with recesses;

Figs. 2a,b show a perspective view of a closed box according to the invention, with the closing flaps fixed by glue and provided with breaking lines around the adhesive points; Fig. 2c shows a perspective view of a box according to the invention in closed, half-open and open condition, with the closing flaps mutually overlapping in closed condition and fixed to each other and provided with similar accessing means as shown in Figs. 2a, b;

Figs. 3a-d show a perspective view of an open and closed box according to the invention, with the closing flaps provided with a tear strip; Figs. 3e-h show alternative embodiments of a box according to the invention, provided with one or more tear strips; and

Figs. 4a-f show a perspective view of a box according to the invention, provided with closing flaps fixed with tape and various embodiments of accessing means.

In this description, the same or corresponding parts have the same or corresponding reference numerals. In the exemplary embodiments shown, the starting point is always an American folding box 1 manufactured from a cardboard blank. This box 1 (see Fig. la) comprises a rectangular bottom 3, surrounded by four sidewalls 4, 5 at right angles to each other. The sidewalls 4, 5, on a side remote from the bottom, are pivotably connected with dust flaps 6 and closing flaps 8, situated in pairs opposite each other, along respective fold lines 7 and 9. To close the box 1, these flaps 6, 8 can be folded inwards through an angle of about 90 degrees, whereby the closing flaps 8 come to lie over the dust flaps 6. The closing flaps 8 have such a dimension that in closed position their longitudinal edges 10 lie practically against each other, thereby forming a substantially closed flat upper side. The bottom 3 of the box 1 can similarly comprise two pairs of inwardly folded dust flaps 6 and closing flaps 8. In Figs, la-c the closing flaps 8 have been fixed to the dust flaps 6 at four points 12 by means of glue, for instance hot melt. It should be noted that the glue, instead of being applied at certain points, can also be applied in strips, surfaces, line or any other shape. To open the box 1, the closing flaps 8 must be pulled up with some force, so that the connection 12 between the dust and closing flaps 6, 8 is broken, either in that the glue comes loose or in that a layer of the cardboard tears loose. It is of importance here that the closing flaps 8 can easily be seized by the longitudinal edges 10. To that end, according to the invention, in one of the closing flaps 8, adjacent the longitudinal edge 10, a cut-out 14 is provided, as represented in Fig. IB. This cut-out, in closed condition, forms a recess via which a user, without any effort, can firmly seize a longitudinal edge 10 of one of the closing flaps 8 and subsequently pull the closing flap 8 loose. In this way, opening the box 1 is facilitated, compared with the known boxes, and the time required therefor is considerably shortened. Naturally, also the second closing flap 8 can be provided with such a cut-out 14, which, in the closed position, can be situated straight opposite the cut-out in the other closing flap 8 or may be displaced relative thereto. Also, the or each cut-out 14 can be provided at some distance from the longitudinal edge 10 in the closing flap 8. Optionally, the cut-outs 14 can be replaced by a breaking fine which, after being broken, results in a similar recess. This provides the advantage that the closing flaps 8 can completely close the box contents up to the moment of opening. This can also be achieved by providing the cutouts 14 in a part of the closing flaps 8 that in closed position is situated above the dust flaps 6. An example of this is illustrated in Fig. lc. This figure shows a box of which each closing flap 8, adjacent its longitudinal edge 10, is provided with two cut-outs, which in closed condition jointly form two recesses 14, situated above the dust flaps 6. In this way, the box remains completely closed off and the contents remain protected, while gripping the closing flaps 8 is yet facilitated considerably compared with the known boxes. It will be clear that the shape, the dimensions, the number and the position of the cut-outs can be varied at will.

Figs. 2a,b show two American folding boxes 1, which in structure correspond substantially to the boxes 1 shown in Fig. 1. Also in this embodiment, the closing flaps 8 are fixed onto the dust flaps 6 at four points 12 by glue. In the box 1 shown in Fig. 2a, these adhesive points 12 are situated adjacent the longitudinal edges 10 of the closing flaps 8, while the adhesive points 12 in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2b are further removed from this longitudinal edge 10, approximately halfway between the longitudinal edge 10 and the fold fine 9. Each closing flap 8 is further provided with accessing means, in the form of breaking or perforated lines 16, which will hereinafter be referred to as perforated lines. These perforated lines 16 are provided such that in the closed position of the closing flaps 8 they each surround a glue point 12 at least partly. By virtue of these perforated lines 16 the closed box 1 can be opened in a particularly simple manner. A user can simply press on the areas 17 surrounded by the perforated lines 16. In this way, the perforated line 16, and hence the connection between these areas 17 and the surrounding closing flap 8 will be broken. Since the adhesive points 12 between the closing and dust flaps 8, 6 are located entirely within these perforated areas 17, the connection between the flaps 8, 6 will be undone through removal of these areas 17. As the areas 17 removed from the closing flaps 8 remain attached to the dust flaps 6, no loose packaging waste is produced, which, of course, is favorable in connection with the clearing of the boxes after use. The accessing means, at least the perforated lines 16, can moreover be easily provided in the blanks underlying the boxes, without this necessitating major changes in the production process.

Optionally, in the dust flaps 6, around an or each area 17, a second perforated line 26 can be provided, as shown for one of the attachment points 12 in Fig. 2b. Such a second perforated line 26 can provide advantages, for instance in boxes which are so filled, for instance with bottles, that, as a result, the dust flaps 6 cannot, or hardly so, be pressed inwards of the box, which may render it more difficult to break the perforated line 16.

Through the use of the second perforated lines 26 as indicated, upon application of force to the areas 17, the second perforated line 26 will be broken, so that not the entire dust flap 6 needs to be pressed inwards, but only a part thereof surrounded by these second perforated lines 26. In this way, in the situations referred to, the box can be opened still more easily. The second perforated lines 26 are preferably not closed in themselves. As a consequence, upon breaking the second perforated fine 26, the dust flap part surrounded by this line will remain partly connected with the dust flap 6 and no loose packaging waste will be produced. It will be clear that the second perforated line 26 can have many shapes. The C-shaped embodiment shown in Fig. 2b should therefore be taken by way of example only.

Fig. 2c shows a variant of the box 1 shown in Figs. 2a and b, again of the American folding box-type, where the closing flaps 8A,B are extended so as to mutually overlap at least partly. The closing flaps 8A,B are fixed onto each other at two points 12, for instance with hot-melt or any other suitable fastening means known from practice. Around each attachment point 12, in the outer closing flap 8A, being the last to be folded inwards, a perforated line 16, closed in itself, is provided, just as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2b. In this way, the box 1 can be opened in the same simple manner as described above, by exerting a force directed inwards of the box on the areas 17 enclosed by the perforated line 16, so that the perforated lines 16 are broken and said areas 17 are loosened from the outer closing flap 8A and remain behind on the inner closing flap 8B. In this way, the two closing flaps 8A,B are no longer mutually connected and the box 1 can be opened, as shown in succession in Fig. 2C. It will be clear that the perforated lines 16 closed in themselves can have any shape. Also, the closing flaps 8A,B can be provided with fewer or more connection points 12 and associated perforated lines 16. Also, the perforated lines 16 may be broken, not by applying a pressure force to the perforated areas 17, but by exerting an outwardly directed pull force on the outer closing flap 8A. To that end, in the longitudinal edge 10 of the outer closing flap 8, a cut-out may be provided, in a similar manner to that shown in Fig. IB, in order to enable the flap 8 to be readily engaged. Further, the perforated lines 16 can be continued into the inner closing flap 8B, so that, when opening the box, the areas 17 enclosed by the perforated lines become detached from the two closing flaps 8A,B. Figs. 3a-h show a number of embodiments in which the connection between the dust and closing flaps 6, 8 can be broken with the aid of a tear strip. Thus, Fig. 3a shows a box 1 in open condition, with a perforated line 16 provided in the dust and closing flaps 6, 8, which perforated line 16 extends throughout the width of the flaps 6, 8, parallel to the longitudinal edges 10 and at a small distance therefrom. The closing flaps 8 in the closed condition are glued onto the dust flaps 6 through a number of adhesive points 12, which are all situated within the strip 18 of the two closing flaps 8, bounded by the perforated lines 16 and longitudinal edges 10. The closure thus obtained can be simply opened by gripping the strips 18 at a corner point and pulling them loose, thereby breaking the glued joints 12. An advantage of this manner of opening is that for this purpose no downward force needs to be exerted on the flaps 6, 8, which is not always allowable or possible in view of products possibly present directly below them. Moreover, the juxtaposed ends of the strips 18 can be simultaneously seized and pulled loose, so that the box can be opened with one hand and in one action. The perforated lines 16 bounding the tear strips 18 can moreover be readily realized in a blank underlying the box. They can, simultaneously with the fold lines 7, 9 between the flaps 6,8 and the sidewalls 4, 5, be rolled in the cardboard, even before the blanks are die-cut therefrom, by arranging suitable perforation rollers at an appropriate distance next to the rolls with which said fold lines are provided in the blank. In this way, also perforated lines 16 will be formed in the dust flaps 6, as represented in Fig. 3a. However, they do not play a role in opening the box 1. Instead of being provided in the closing and dust flaps, the perforated lines 16 can, in the manner described above, be provided in the sidewalls 4, 5 on, or at a short distance from, the fold lines 7, 9. In this way, in set-up condition, one continuous perforated line 16 is obtained, as shown in Fig. 3c, which extends around the box, just below the top surface formed by the dust and closing flaps 6, 8 fixed onto each other. By breaking the perforated line 16, the top surface can be wholly removed or swung open, as represented in Fig. 3C. Preferably, contiguous to the perforated line 16 in one of the sidewalls 4, 5 a recess or engaging lip is provided, enabling the top surface to be readily seized and pulled loose in one operation. Fig. 3d shows a variation on the tear strip from Fig. 3b, where, in the side edges of the closing flaps 8, adjacent the perforated line 16, a notch 20 is provided, so that the ends 21 of the tear strips 18 are isolated from the surrounding closing flap 8, so that these strips 18 can even more easily be seized and pulled loose. These incisions 20 can be die-cut simultaneously with the blank and therefore do not require any additional manufacturing steps. Optionally, the strips 18 can be so designed that they can be pulled loose at one end only and by the other end remain attached to the closing flaps 8, so that upon opening of the box no loose packaging material is produced. This is also true of the embodiment shown in Figs. 3a,b, in which the perforated fines 16 do not need to extend throughout the full width of the closing flaps 8 but may terminate a bit earlier, though in such a manner that all glued joints 12 can be broken by pulling the tear strips 18 loose.

The closure shown in Fig. 3d can further be opened in the same manner as the embodiment shown in Figs. 3a and b. Figs. 3e and f show a box 1 provided with an alternative embodiment of the tear strip 19 according to the invention, in closed and open condition, respectively. The tear strip 19 has been formed by providing a perforated line 16 in both closing flaps 8, parallel to the longitudinal edge 10, at a short distance therefrom. The perforated line 16 terminates on opposite sides in two pointed tooth-shaped notches extending from the longitudinal edge 10. The strips 18 bounded by this perforated line 16 and notches 20 in the closed condition jointly constitute a tear strip 19, whose ends 21, by virtue of the notches 20, are readily engageable. The tear strip 19 is attached by four adhesive points 12 onto the subjacent dust flaps 6, adjacent longitudinal edges 11 thereof. In each dust flap 6 a second perforated line 23 is provided which extends from the longitudinal edge 11 around said adhesive points 12, thereby including a removable part 24. When presently the box 1 is opened by seizing the tear strip 19 at one end 21 and pulling it away in the direction of arrow A (see Fig. 3e), not the glued joints 12 are broken, but the parts 24 of the dust flaps 6 surrounded by the second perforated lines 23 are pulled loose. As a result, the connection between the closing and dust flaps 6, 8 is broken and the box 1 can be opened. Such a design provides the advantage that with the choice of the properties of the second perforated lines 23, as desired, a more or less easily breakable closure can be realized. Naturally, the above described principle can also be applied in combination with the embodiments shown in Figs. 3a,b and d. Further, the tear strips 18, instead of being provided parallel to the longitudinal edges 10 of the closing flaps 8, can also be provided, for instance, approximately at right angles thereto, as shown in Fig. 3g. This provides the advantage that the location of the adhesive points 12 does not need to be adapted compared with the known boxes, that is, does not need to be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal edges of the closing flaps 8. In this way, the glue can be applied with existing production means, without these requiring adaptation. It is true of the embodiments shown in Figs. 3e-f as well that the perforated lines 16 forming the tear strip 19 can also be provided such that the tear strip 19, after breaking of the perforated lines 16, remains partly connected with the box, in particular the dust and/or closing flaps, so that no loose waste is formed.

In Fig. 3h, a second variant of the tear strip is shown, where each closing flap 8 is glued to the dust flaps 6 by two corner points adjacent to the longitudinal edge 10. In the closing flaps 8, in addition to each glued joint 12, there is provided, parallel to the longitudinal edge 10, a perforated line 16 which extends from a side edge of the closing flap 8 to a point at least beyond the glued joint 12. The box can be opened by seizing the closing flaps 8 at said corner points and pulling them up in the direction of arrow B. As a result, the perforated lines 16 will break and the tear strips 18 bounded by these perforated lines 16 and the longitudinal edge 10 can be pulled loose from the dust flap 6, whereby the connection between the closing and dust flaps 8, 6 is broken. To enhance the engageability of the tear strips 18, the ends 21 thereof preferably reach to a point slightly beyond the side edges of the closing flaps 8, as represented in Fig. 3h.

Instead of being fixed with glue, as in the embodiments described above, the closing flaps 8 can also be fixed with tape onto the surrounding box parts. With tape, the boxes can be closed dust-tightly. Figs. 4a-f show a number of examples of boxes closed up with tape. In all of these exemplary embodiments, the tape 25 extends over the longitudinal edges 10 of the closing flaps 8 and the tape 25 is fixed by two ends 27 onto adjacent sidewalls 4. The bottom side of the boxes 1 is closed up with tape 25 in a corresponding manner. The boxes 1 shown are all provided with accessing means, facilitating the removal of the tape 25, in particular the engagement of ends 27 thereof, so that the box 1 can be more readily and rapidly opened.

Thus, Fig. 4a shows a box 1 where in the sidewall 4, adjacent the tape end 27, a perforated line 16, closed in itself, is provided, thereby forming an engaging lip 30 which extends partly under the tape end 27 and partly around it. This engaging lip 30 can, after breaking of the perforated line 16, be easily taken from the sidewall 4, as represented in Fig. 4a, so that the tape end 27 connected with this engaging lip 30, is detached from the sidewall 4. After this, the remaining tape 25 can be simply pulled loose, while the engaging lip 30 provides good grip. To facilitate seizure and removal of the engaging lip 30 from the sidewall 4, optionally, in the sidewall 4, on or adjacent to the breaking line 16, a recess can be provided, via which the engaging lip 30 can be seized or pulled loose with a finger. The engaging lip 30 preferably has a width which at least adjacent the tape end 27 is greater than that of this tape end 27. In this way, when pulling the engaging lip 30 loose, the tape end 27 can be completely isolated from the sidewall 4, without projecting tape edges remaining behind thereon. This facilitates further pulling loose of the tape 25. Moreover, the tape 25, in particular a tape end 27, can be more easily provided in the proper place, that is, within the engaging lip 30, when this engaging lip 30 is wider. It will be clear that the engaging lip 30 shown in Fig. 4a shows only one possible embodiment of an engaging lip and that within the framework of the invention many differently designed engaging lips are possible, for instance circular, rectangular or multiangular.

For the purpose of opening the underside of the box, adjacent a tape end 29 an identical engaging lip 31 can be formed by means of a similar perforated fine 16, as shown in Fig. 4a. In this way, also the underside of the box 1 can be opened easily and fast, so that the box after use can be folded flat and stored or carried off. Optionally, the two engaging lips 30, 31 can be combined to form one engaging lip 33, which extends to a point under the two respective tape ends 27, 29 adjacent the top and bottom side of the box 1. One possible embodiment of such an engaging lip 33 is shown in Fig. 4b. This engaging lip 33 can be realized by means of a single perforated line 16, closed in itself, and is divided into two by means of a recess 34. Via this recess 34, which is large enough to allow at least a finger to pass, the separate halves of the engaging lip 33 can be simply seized and pulled loose, after which the tape 25 connected therewith can be removed from the top and bottom sides. Optionally, adjacent the two ends of the engaging lip 33 bounded by the perforated line 16, two second recesses 34' may be provided, as represented in Fig. 4b in broken lines. These extra recesses 34' can serve as 'spare' recesses, in case only one side of the box is taped up and the tape ends 27 extend to a point beyond the middle of the sidewall 4. As a result, two of the three recesses 34, 34' will be covered by the tape 25, but the engaging lip 33 can yet be easily seized via the third, still exposed recess 34'. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4b, the tape end 27, 29 is wider than the engaging lip 33 at that point. The wider edges of the tape ends 27, 29 located on opposite sides of the breaking line 16, will therefore, upon the engaging lip 33 being pulled loose, remain behind on the sidewall 4, which can make it more difficult to remove the tape 25. To obviate this problem, it is preferred to provide two cuts 35, which is represented on an enlarged scale in Fig. 4c. These cuts 35 extend from the end edge 36 of the tape 25, adjacent the perforated line 16, diverging and terminating adjacent the longitudinal edges 38. These cuts 35 can be provided in the tape at the same time when the tape is cut off. When the engaging lip 33 is now seized via recess 34 and pulled loose, this lip will also pull loose the tape portion between the cuts 35, and the adjacent portions will remain on the sidewall 4.

Fig. 4d shows a still simpler embodiment of an accessing means for the tape 25, formed by a single breaking fine 16 or incision which extends between, and partly under, the two tape ends 27, 29. The box can be pressed inwards adjacent the ends 27, 29 at the breaking line 16 or incision, so that the tape edge 36 can be seized and the tape 25 can subsequently be removed. Fig. 4e shows a variant on the embodiment shown in Fig. 4d, in which in the sidewall 4 on opposite sides of the tape 25, two right angle- shaped breaking lines 16 are provided, of which one leg extends to a point under the tape 25, on or adjacent to the transition from the sidewall 4 to the dust flap 6, and the other leg extends approximately at right angles to the first leg, at a short distance next to the tape end 27. By virtue of these breaking lines 16, the sidewall 4 can be depressed immediately next to the tape end 27, so that the tape 25 adjacent said transition is partly detached and can be simply seized and pulled loose. Naturally, instead of two breaking lines 16 on opposite sides of the tape 25, a single right angle- shaped breaking line on one side of the tape 25 may suffice. Fig. 4f, finally, shows in perspective view, a part of an upper side of a box 1, where the tape ends 27 have been fixed not to the sidewalls 4 but to the dust flaps 6.To that end, on opposite sides of each closing flap 8, a corner 40 has been cut away, so that the underlying dust flaps 6 are partly exposed and the tape end 27 can be secured thereto. As the tape 25 in this embodiment is applied only to the top, and not to the sidewalls 4, much time can be saved. Moreover, the boxes, when being taped up, can be arranged next to each other, side by side, so that they can be sealed one after the other. For the purpose of the simple removal of the tape 25, in the dust flaps 6, similar accessing means, in particular breaking lines 16, engaging lips 30, and recesses 34 can be provided as shown in Figs. 4a-d.

It is noted that in the provisions shown to facilitate the engagement of the tape are not limited to application in the box type shown in the figures, but are applicable in every package where package parts have been fixed to each other. In each case, adjacent a tape end, in a manner as described with reference to Figs. 4a-f, an opening can be provided in the package, in the form of an incision or a perforated line which may or may not be closed in itself, by the breaking of which either direct grip on the tape end can be obtained, as shown in Figs. 4d,e, or a part of said package to which this tape end has been fixed can be separated from the package, as shown in

Figs. 4a,b,c,f. With other packages, one may think, for instance, of a wrap package which is secured onto itself with tape, or a tray with hat or a box with a loose cover, with the hat or the cover secured to the tray and box, respectively, with tape. Naturally, many other types of packages are possible.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the description and the drawings. Many variations thereon are possible within the scope of the invention as outlined by the claims.

Thus, other fastening means than glue can be used to fasten the closing and dust flaps onto each other, for instance staples or double-sided tape. Also, different accessing means, for instance tear strips and cut-outs can be combined within one box. The various accessing means can be arranged asymmetrically relative to the dust and closing flaps. Per box, different fastening means can be used. Thus, for instance, the top side of the box can be fixed by glue whilst the bottom side is secured with tape, or the other way around.

These and many variations are understood to fall within the scope of the invention outlined by the claims.

Claims

1. A box folded from a blank, comprising a bottom, surrounded by upstanding sidewalls (4, 5), which, on a side remote from the bottom (3), are pivotably connected with dust flaps (6) and closing flaps (8) arranged in pairs opposite each other, which dust and closing flaps (6, 8), in a closed position, are folded inwards substantially at right angles to the sidewalls (4, 5), thereby forming a substantially planar, practically closed surface, with the closing flaps (8) overlying the dust flaps (6), and the facing longitudinal edges (10) of the closing flaps (8) lying substantially against each other, while, further, fastening means (12, 25) are provided for securing the closing flaps (8) onto the dust flaps (6) and/or the surrounding sidewalls (4, 5), and accessing means for relatively simply breaking the fastening means (12, 25).

2. A box according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means (12) are arranged between the closing and dust flaps (8, 6), and the accessing means comprise at least one cut-out (14) or breaking line, which is provided in or adjacent a longitudinal edge (10) of at least one of the closing flaps (8).

3. A box according to claim 2, wherein the at least one cut-out (14) is located at a distance from corner points bounding the longitudinal edge.

4. A box according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one cut-out (14) in the closed position is located above a dust flap (6).

5. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accessing means in each closing flap (8) comprise at least one breaking line (16), while the fastening means (12) are located between the closing and dust flaps (8, 6), and each fastening means (12) is at least partly surrounded by one of said breaking lines (16), the arrangement being such that, by breaking the breaking lines (16), the connection between the closing and dust flaps (8, 6) can be undone, by at least partly separating a part of the closing flap (8) that is connected by the fastening means (12) with the dust flaps (6), from the residual closing flap (8).

6. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one breaking line (16) in each closing flap (8) extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal edge (10) of the closing flap (8) and in the closed position of the closing flaps (8) is located at least partly above the dust flaps (6), while the fastening means (12) with which each closing flap (6) is secured onto each dust flap (6) are located between the longitudinal edge (10) and the breaking line (16) of the respective closing flap (8).

7. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the corner points of the closing flaps (8) bounding the longitudinal edge (10) each have been secured by fastening means (12) onto the dust flaps (6) and wherein in each closing flap (8) besides the fastening means (12) a breaking line (16) is provided, which extends from a side edge lying at right angles to the longitudinal edge (10) to a point beyond the respective fastening means (12).

8. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each fastening means (12) between closing flap (8) and dust flap (6) is surrounded by a separate breaking line (16), such that by breaking this breaking line (16), a part (17) of the closing flap (8) comprising the respective fastening means (12) is separated therefrom.

9. A box according to claim 8, wherein the closing flaps (8A,B), in closed position, overlap each other at least partly, and are fixed onto each other with fastening means (12) provided between the overlapping part; wherein the at least one breaking line (16) is provided in the closing flap (8A), which in the closed position is located on the outside of the box and wherein this at least one breaking line (16) surrounds the fastening means (12), such that by breaking the at least one breaking line (16) each part of the outermost closing flap (8A), on which the fastening means (12) engage, can be separated from this closing flap (8A).

10. A box according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the fastening means (12) engage the closing flaps (8A,B) at several points and each point of engagement is surrounded by a separate breaking line (16) closed in itself.

11. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in each dust flap (6) one or more breaking lines (23) are provided, which breaking lines (23) each at least partly surround an area (24) of the dust flap (6) connected with a closing flap (8) by fastening means (12), such that this area (24) can at least partly be separated from the remainder of the dust flap (6) by breaking of the respective breaking lines (23).

12. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sidewalls (4, 5) comprise at least one breaking line (16), which extends continuously in at least three of the four sidewalls (4, 5), at a short distance from or on the fold lines (7, 9) between the sidewalls (4, 5) and respectively the dust flaps (6) and closing flaps (8).

13. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (12) comprise glue, in particular hot-melt adhesive.

14. A box according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprise a strip of tape (25), which mutually connects the adjacent longitudinal edges (10) of the closing flaps (8) and is secured by two ends (27) on the dust flaps (6) and/or the sidewalls (4) connected with these dust flaps (6), while the accessing means comprise at least one breaking line (16) or incision, which is provided adjacent a tape end (27) in the box (1) and which is covered at least partly by this tape end (27), the arrangement being such that through depression of the box (1) at the location of the breaking line (16) or incision, grip on the respective tape end (27) can be obtained.

15. A box according to claim 14, wherein the breaking line (16) has a shape closed in itself and includes an engaging lip (30, 31, 33) removable from the dust flap (6) and/or sidewall (4), on which engaging lip (30, 31, 33) a tape end is fastened, the arrangement being such that after breaking of the breaking line (16) the tape (25) can be pulled loose from the box (1) with the engaging lip (30, 31, 33).

16. A box according to claim 15, wherein the engaging lip (30, 31) adjacent the tape end (27) is wider than this tape end.

17. A box according to claim 15, wherein the engaging lip (33) adjacent the tape end (27) is narrower than this tape end, and this tape end (27) is provided with at least one and preferably several cuts (35) extending from an end edge of the tape.

18. A box according to claim 17, wherein the tape end (27) is provided with two cuts (35), which extend, preferably diverge, from the end edge (36) of the tape (25), adjacent the breaking line (16) of the subjacent engaging lip (33).

19. A box according to any one of claims 14-18, wherein in the dust flap (6) or sidewall (4) at least one recess (34) is provided, on or contiguous to a part of the breaking line (16) free of tape (25).

20. A box according to any one of claims 12-19, wherein corner points of the closing flaps (8) have been removed, such that the tape (25) can be secured on parts of the dust flaps (6) that are thereby uncovered in the closed condition.

21. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box (1) is also provided with dust and closing flaps (6, 8) on a bottom side (3), and further is provided with fastening and accessing means according to any one of the preceding claims for the purpose of closing and opening the bottom side (3).

22. A box according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the box (1) is an American folding carton.

23. A box folded from a blank, the box being closable by at least two flaps (8A,B) which overlap each other at least partly in a closed position and are fastened onto each other with fastening means (12) provided between the overlapping part, while further accessing means are provided for relatively easily breaking the fastening means (12), while the accessing means comprise at least one breaking line (16), which extends at least in the flap (8A), which in the closed position is located on the outside of the box, and wherein the at least one breaking line (16) surrounds the fastening means (12) such that by the breaking thereof each part of the respective flap (8A,B) on which the fastening means (12) engage, can be separated from this flap (8A).

24. A box according to claim 23, wherein the fastening means (12) engage the flaps at several points and each point of engagement is surrounded by a separate breaking line (16) closed in itself.

25. A box according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the at least one breaking line (16) is provided in the flap which in the closed position is located on the outside of the box.

26. A box according to any one of claims 23-25, wherein the box is of the American folding carton type.