WO2020234714A1

WO2020234714A1 - Box for containing products

Info

Publication number: WO2020234714A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/054612
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Catelli; Emanuele TRONI
Original assignee: Cft S.P.A.
Priority date: 2019-05-21
Filing date: 2020-05-15
Publication date: 2020-11-26
Also published as: IT201900007054A1

Abstract

A box for containing products comprising a plurality of panels (2); said box assuming: i) a transport configuration, wherein the panels (2): define a body in a single piece; and ii) a display configuration wherein said panels (2) define, in combination a base structure (20) to house the products and a cover (200) removed from said base structure (20) to enable collecting products located in the structure (20), whereby the box (1) comprises a first tear-away line (41) to enable passage from the transport configuration to the display configuration, said first tear-away line (41) being positioned at the top (34) and/or the back (32); and a second tear-away line (42), said second tear-away line (42) being adjacent to and behind a portion of the structure (20) forming a part of the front (31).

Description

BOX FOR CONTAINING PRODUCTS

Technical Field

The object of the present invention is a box for containing products.

Prior Art

Boxes are known which assume a transport configuration in which the box is closed and enables the containing of the products and a display configuration in which an upper portion is removed to enable picking up the contents of the box.

In this configuration the box can be located in sales outlets so as to function also as a display unit. The user can thus serve her or himself by picking up the product of interest.

There exist known solutions in which an upper cover is connected in a tear-away fashion by means of a pre-incision that extends on the back and on the lateral flanks. The cover can then be removed from a base structure which continues to house the products.

The frontal part of the box comprises a first flap that remains solidly constrained to the cover and a second flap that instead is a part of said display structure and is therefore not removed. The two are not connected by a tear-away line to prevent that in the display configuration all the teeth torn by the pre-incision are in view. They are in fact unappealing to the view and are especially to be avoided in the frontal portion. A drawback of this solution is linked to the fact that the front side is the least rigid part of the box.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical task on which the present invention is based is to provide a box that enables having maximum rigidity in a transport configuration and also enables the box to take on a configuration in which it operates as a display unit. The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a box comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims. Brief description of the drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative, and hence non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a box, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figures 1 and 2 show two perspective views of a box according to the present invention, in a transport configuration;

- figures 3-5 respectively show a frontal, lateral, rear view of the box of figures 1 and 2;

- figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the box of figures 1 -5 in a display configuration;

- figures 7-9 respectively show a frontal, lateral and plan view of the box of figure 6;

- figure 10 is a plan extension of the box of figures 1 -5.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the appended figures, reference number 1 denotes a box for containing products. The box 1 comprises a plurality of panels 2. The box 1 is typically made of cardboard.

The box 1 assumes a transport configuration (see figures 1 -5). The transport configuration is used for conveying the box containing the products. In the transport configuration, the panels 2 define a body in a single piece. This body in a single piece is therefore monolithic (and is shown for example in figure 10). It is made of cardboard.

The panels 2 are advantageously connected by fold lines. The fold lines enable distinguishing a panel from the immediately-adjacent one or ones. In the transport configuration panels 2 define a front 31 , a back 32, a lower bottom 33, a top 34, a first and a second lateral flank 35, 36 of the box 1 . They identify at least one internal compartment 37 to house products.

The front 31 and the back 32 are reciprocally opposite. Likewise the lower bottom 33 and the top 34 are reciprocally opposite. Likewise, the first and second lateral flank 35, 36 are reciprocally opposite. In the transport configuration the box 1 is substantially parallelepiped. It might however have different shapes, though with six main faces preferably being identifiable.

The box 1 also assumes a display configuration (see for example figures 6-9). The display configuration enables the user to see the products and pick them up from the box 1. The box 1 , as already mentioned in the foregoing thus becomes a display unit.

In the display configuration the panels 2 define, in combination, a base structure 20 to house the products and a cover 200 which in this configuration is removed from the box 1 (and is therefore separated from said structure 20 to enable collecting products located in the structure 20). In the display configuration the cover 200 can be eliminated as it does not perform a specific function.

In the transport configuration the structure 20 and the cover 200 are complementary to define the box 1.

As more fully explained in the following the cover 200 concerns not only the top 34. Likewise the base structure 20 concerns not only all of the lower bottom 33.

The box 1 comprises a first tear-away line 41 of the cover 200 from the structure 20. The first tear-away line 41 is positioned at the top 34 and/or the back 32. By this is meant that it might also be located at the fold line which separates the top 34 from the back 32. In particular the first tear away line 41 might also coincide with the fold line which separates the top 34 from the back 32.

At said front 31 , a part 230 of the cover 200 is nearby and behind a part 231 of said structure 20 (see for example figure 1 which has a zone removed to better evidence a rear part). The part 230 is thus overlapping/flanking in thickness the part 231. Thus this part 230 of the cover 200, along a direction defined by the thickness thereof, overlaps the structure 20. Further, it is concealed by the structure 20. In fact it is located behind the structure 20 for a user frontally observing the box 1 from outside. This part 230 of the cover 200 is therefore more internal of the box 1 with respect to the first panel 21.

The box 1 advantageously comprises a second tear-away line 42 of the cover 200 from the structure 20. The second tear-away line 42 is located at the front 31. The second tear-away line 42 is behind a portion of the structure 20 forming a part of said front 31. In particular, the second tear away line 42 enables at least partly separating the structure 20 from the part 230 of the cover 200 which is nearby and behind a part 231 of said structure 20.

The second tear-away line 42 is concealed. Consequently a user looking frontally at the box 1 , in the display configuration, will not see the serration caused by the tear along the pre-incision of the second line 42.

Located at the front 31 , said panels 2 comprise a first and a second panel 21 , 22, flanked (overlapping) one another in at least a first gluing zone 221. The second tear-away line 42 crosses the second panel 22. In particular it separates a first part 223 of the second panel 22 glued to the first panel 21 (in said first gluing zone 221 ) from a second part 224 of the second panel 22 that is a part of the cover 200 (or in any case from the part 230 of the cover 200 previously defined). In the display configuration the first part 223 of the second panel 22 and said first panel 21 are part of the structure 20. The second tear-away line 42 is adjacent to and behind with respect to the first panel 21. It is therefore concealed from the first panel 21.

The second panel 22 advantageously comprises an end edge 225. The end edge 225, in the transport configuration, fronts the lower bottom 33. The end edge 225 of the second panel 22 is partly integrated in the second part 224 of the second panel 22 and partly in the first part 223 of the second panel 22.

The second panel 22 comprises a first lateral edge 226 which in the transport configuration extends between the top and the bottom (preferably vertically). The second tear-away line 42 connects the end edge 225 and the first lateral edge 226. The second tear-away line 42 enables separating a corner of the perimeter of the second panel 22 (from remaining parts of the second panel 22). In particular the corner is located low down and by the side of the transport configuration. Typically the second panel 22 extends in a quadrilateral shape, typically a rectangle.

The box 1 advantageously further comprises a third tear-away line 43 which crosses the second panel 22. In the transport configuration, the third tear-away line 43 is adjacent to and behind the first panel 21 (for a user frontally observing the front 31 ).

The third and second tear-away line 43, 42 are advantageously reciprocally symmetrical with respect to an intermediate vertical plane passing through the centre of the box 1. The second panel 22 comprises a third part 227 which is glued to the first panel 21 in a second gluing zone. The third tear-away line 43 separates the third part 227 from the second part 224 of the second panel 22. As indicated in the foregoing, the second part 224 of the second panel is a part of the cover 200. In the display configuration the third part 227 of the second panel 22 is part of the structure 20.

In the transport configuration the first tear-away line 41 is located along the top 34 or the back 32. It crosses the top 34 or the back by connecting two opposite perimeter edges (it develops along the width of the box 1 ). The first tear-away line 41 defines an alternation of pre-incisions and connecting teeth. This generates a serration following the tearing. Each of the connecting teeth of the first tear-away line 41 defines a connecting zone having a length of less than 1 centimetre.

In the preferred solution, the first tear-away line 41 extends only along said back 32. In particular the first tear-away line 41 extends at least at 3 centimetres away from an interface line 5 between said back 32 and said top 34. The first tear-away line 41 advantageously though not necessarily extends parallel to the interface line 5. In the transport configuration the first tear-away line 41 advantageously extends horizontally (by resting the box 1 on a horizontal plane by means of the lower bottom 33).

As shown by way of example in the appended figures, the second tear away line 42 concerns only the second panel 22 without extending onto the first or second lateral flank 35, 36. The second tear-away line 42 advantageously defines an alternation of pre-incisions and connecting teeth. Each of said connecting teeth of the second tear-away line 42 defines a connecting zone having a length of less than 1 centimetre (as can also be repeated for the third tear-away line 43).

The first and said second lateral flank 35, 36 are without an alternation of pre-incisions and connecting teeth that connect the cover 200 and the base 20.

The cover 200, in the transport configuration, preferably concerns entirely said top 34 and partly both said front 31 and the first and the second lateral flank 35, 36. The cover 200 advantageously also partly concerns the back 32.

The base structure 20, in the transport configuration, on the other hand concerns entirely the lower bottom 33 and partly both said front 31 and said first and second lateral flank 35, 36. The structure 20 advantageously at least partly concerns the back 32.

In the transport configuration the panels 2 advantageously comprise two lateral panels 27, 29 that:

- are part of the first lateral flank 35;

- are partly overlapping and reciprocally glued (typically by a glue spot). One of the two lateral panels 27, 29 in the display configuration is part of said cover 200 and the other panel is part of said base 20.

The panels 2 comprise not only the first and second panel 21 , 22 described in the foregoing.

The panels 2 also comprise a third panel 23 which is part of the lower bottom 33.

The panels 2 further comprise a fourth panel 24 defining (preferably alone) the back 32. The panels 2 also comprise a fifth panel 25 defining (preferably alone) the top 34.

The panels 2 also comprise a sixth panel 26. The sixth panel 26 extends from the first panel 21. It extends along the first flank 35.

The panels 2 also comprise a seventh panel 27. It extends from the fourth panel 24. In the transport configuration (but also in the display configuration) it is located along the first flank 35. The sixth panel 26 is advantageously glued to the seventh panel 27. The seventh panel 27 is preferably shaped as a trapezoid rectangle.

The panels 2 further comprise an eighth panel 28. It extends from the seventh panel 27. In the transport configuration (but also in the display configuration) it is glued to the third panel 23 (it extends parallel to the third panel 23 to which it is glued). It contributes therefore to defining the lower bottom 33.

The panels 2 comprise a ninth panel 29. It extends from the fifth panel 25. The ninth panel 29 contributes to defining the first flank 35. In particular it is glued to the seventh panel 27 (for example by a glue spot).

The panels 2 further comprise a tenth and possibly an eleventh panel 210,

211. They extend from the second panel 22. In the transport configuration the tenth and the eleventh panel 210, 21 1 extend along the first flank 35. In particular they are glued to the ninth panel 29 (by means of one or more glue spots). The panels 2 advantageously also comprise a twelfth panel

212, a thirteenth panel 213, a fourteenth panel 214, a fifteenth panel 215, a sixteenth panel 216, possibly a seventeenth panel 217. In the transport configuration they are symmetrically arranged respectively to the sixth panel 26, to the seventh panel 27, to the eighth panel 28, to the ninth panel 29, to the tenth panel 210 and possibly to the eleventh panel 211 with respect to a fictional intermediate plane.

In the display configuration the fifth panel 25, the ninth panel 29, the tenth panel 210, possibly the eleventh panel 211 and portions of the second and fourth panel 22, 24, the fifteenth panel 215, the sixteenth panel 216, possibly the seventeenth panel 217 are removed from the structure 20. In fact they define the cover 200.

Reference is now made to figure 10. A plane extension (in plan view) without overlapping of said panels 2 defines a cardboard unit in which said panels 2 comprise:

i) a first group of said panels 2 extending along a first direction 6 between a first and a second end 61 , 62 and comprising:

- the first panel 21 comprising the first end 61 ;

- the second panel 22 comprising the second end 62;

- the third panel 23 adjacent to the first panel 21 ;

- the fourth panel 24 adjacent to the third panel 23;

- the fifth panel 25 interposed between the fourth 24 and the second panel 22; the first tear-away line 41 involving the fourth panel 24;

ii) a second group of said panels 2 which extend laterally with respect to the first group and comprising:

- the sixth panel 26 extending laterally to the first panel 21 , transversally to the first direction 6; in the transport configuration, the sixth panel 26 advantageously overlaps the seventh panel 27;

- the seventh panel 27 extending laterally to the fourth panel 24, transversally to the first direction 6;

- the eighth panel 28 which projects from the seventh panel 27 towards the sixth panel 26;

- the ninth panel 29 extending laterally to the fifth panel 25, transversally to the first direction 6;

- the tenth and possibly the eleventh panel 210, 211 , which extends laterally to the second panel 22, transversally to the first direction 6.

Said plane extension advantageously further comprises a third group of panels 2 which extend laterally to the first group on the opposite side with respect to the second group. The first group is therefore intermediate between the second and the third group. The panels 2 of the third group comprise: - the twelfth panel 212 which is symmetrical to the sixth panel 26 with respect to the first panel 21 ;

- the thirteenth panel 213 which is symmetrical to the seventh panel 27 with respect to the fourth panel 24;

- the fourteenth panel 214 which is symmetrical to the eighth panel 28 with respect to the third panel 23;

- the fifteenth panel 215 which is symmetrical to the ninth panel 29 with respect to the fifth panel 25;

- the sixteenth and possibly the seventeenth panel 216, 217, which are symmetrical to the tenth and possibly the eleventh panel 210, 21 1 , with respect to the second panel 22.

The present invention achieves important advantages.

It primarily enables realising a box having a maximum level of sturdiness, easily openable, which in a configuration can be used as a display unit, but which at the same time has technical specifications directed at concealing aesthetically-unattractive tear-away lines.

The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterising it. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to requirements.

Claims

1. A box for containing products comprising a plurality of panels (2); said box assuming:

i) a transport configuration, in which the panels (2): define a body in a single piece, are connected by fold lines, define a front (31 ), a back (32), a lower bottom (33), a top (34), a first and a second lateral flank (35, 36) of the box (1 ) and identify at least one internal compartment (37) to house products; and

ii) a display configuration in which said panels (2) define, in combination, a base structure (20) to house the products and a cover (200) removed from said structure (20) to enable collecting products located in the structure (20);

said box (1 ) comprising a first tear-away line (41 ) of the cover (200) from the structure (20) to enable passage from the transport configuration to the display configuration, said first tear-away line (41 ) being positioned at the top (34) and/or the back (32);

characterised in that it comprises a second tear-away line (42) of the cover (200) from the structure (20) to enable passage from the transport configuration to the display configuration; said second tear-away line (42) being adjacent to and behind a portion of the structure (20) forming a part of said front (31 ).

2. The box according to claim 1 , characterised in that, at said front (31 ), said panels (2) comprise a first and a second panel (21 , 22) partly overlapping and connected to one another in at least a first gluing zone (221 ); said second tear-away line (42) crossing the second panel (22) and separating a first part (223) of the second panel (22) from a second part (224) of the second panel (22) that is a part of the cover (200); the first part (223) of the second panel (22) and the second tear-away line (42) being more internal of the box (1 ) with respect to the first panel (21 ); the first part (223) of the second panel (22) being glued to the first panel (21 ) in said first gluing zone (221 ); said first part (223) of the second panel (22) and said first panel (21 ) being part of the structure (20) in said display configuration.

3. The box according to claim 2, characterised in that said second panel (22) comprises an end edge (225) which in the transport configuration fronts said lower bottom (33); said end edge (225) of the second panel (22) being partly integrated in said second part (224) of the second panel (22) and partly in said first part (223) of the second panel (22).

4. The box according to claim 3, characterised in that the second panel (22) comprises a first lateral edge (226) which in the transport configuration extends between the top and the bottom; said second tear away line (42) connecting said end edge (225) and said first lateral edge (226).

5 The box according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that said second tear-away line (42) concerns only the second panel (22) without extending onto the first or second lateral flank (35, 36).

6. The box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first tear-away line (41 ) extends along said back (32) and at least 3 centimetres away from an interface line (5) between said back (32) and said top (34).

7. The box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said cover (200), in the transport configuration, concerns said top (34) and partly both said front (31 ), said back (32), and both the first and the second lateral flank (35, 36); said structure (20), in said transport configuration, concerning said lower bottom (33) and partly both said front (31 ), said back (32), and both the first and the second lateral flank (35, 36).

8. The box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the transport configuration said panels (2) comprise two lateral panels (27, 29) that:

- are part of the first lateral flank (35);

- are partly overlapping and reciprocally glued, one of the two lateral panels (27, 29) in the display configuration being part of said cover (200) and another, in the transport configuration, being part of said base (20).

9. The box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first and said second lateral flank (35, 36) are without an alternation of pre-incisions and connecting teeth that connect the cover (200) and the base (20).

10. The box according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in a plane extension without overlapping, said panels (2) comprise:

- a first group of said panels (2) extending along a first direction (6) between a first and a second end (61 , 62) and comprising: said first panel

(21 ) comprising the first end (61 ), said second panel (22) comprising the second end (62), a third panel (23) adjacent to the first panel (21 ), a fourth panel (24) adjacent to the third panel (23), a fifth panel (25) interposed between the fourth (24) and the second panel (22); said first tear-away line (41 ) involving the fourth panel (24);

- a sixth panel (26) extending laterally to the first panel (21 ), transversally to the first direction (6);

- a seventh panel (27) extending laterally to the fourth panel (24), transversally to the first direction (6); in the transport configuration, said sixth panel (26) overlapping said seventh panel (27);

- an eighth panel (28) which projects from the seventh panel (27) towards the sixth panel (26);

- a ninth panel (29) extending laterally to the fifth panel (25), transversally to the first direction (6);

- at least a tenth panel (210) extending laterally to the second panel (22), transversally to the first direction (6).