U.S. patent application number 09/804961 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-02 for unfolding box for pastries and cakes, made form a blank cut out in one single piece.
Invention is credited to Itey, Frederic.
Application Number | 20010010328 09/804961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26232957 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010010328 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Itey, Frederic |
August 2, 2001 |
Unfolding box for pastries and cakes, made form a blank cut out in
one single piece
Abstract
An unfolding box the base of which is quadrilateral in shape,
and its sides are extended by two main flaps and two secondary
flaps, respectively associated with two opposite sides by a folding
line, the flaps have no folds and their width increases from the
base side, their edge being convex, to decrease again towards the
flap ends. The main flaps are extended by a blocking and gripping
strip, the secondary flaps are curved against the edges of the main
flaps bearing against them.
Inventors: |
Itey, Frederic;
(Ris/Orangis, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANDALL J. KNUTH P.C.
3510-A STELLHORN ROAD
FORT WAYNE
IN
46815-4631
US
|
Family ID: |
26232957 |
Appl. No.: |
09/804961 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09804961 |
Mar 13, 2001 |
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09254584 |
May 21, 1999 |
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09254584 |
May 21, 1999 |
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PCT/FR97/01553 |
Sep 3, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.15 ;
229/117.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/46104 20130101;
B65D 5/46136 20130101; B65D 85/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.15 ;
229/117.14 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/46 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 11, 1996 |
FR |
96 11 082 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Unfolding box for pastries, cakes, or the like, enabling such
products to be placed in and removed from the box when the latter
is at least partly unfolded flat, said box comprising: a base; two
main flaps; two secondary flaps; said base bordered on each side by
said flaps which, when joined together, form the peripheral shape
and the upper part of the box while also constituting a gripping
means, the whole box being cut out in one single piece from a
cardboard blank or blank of similar material; said base
quadrilateral in shape; the sides of the base connected to said two
main flaps and said two secondary flaps associated respectively
with two opposite sides of said base by a fold line; said main
flaps extended by a locking and tripping strip joined to said main
flaps by a fold line; said secondary flaps having a longitudinal
slit in their end to receive said strips of said main flaps when
said main flaps are joined by their strips; said main and secondary
flaps having no fold and their width increasing from a respective
side of said base, their flap edge having a convex shape, and then
decreasing towards the flap end; and said secondary flaps curved
against the edges of said main flaps and bear against said main
flaps and engage via said slit with said strips.
2. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of
said base is a parallelogram.
3. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of
said base is a rectangle.
4. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of
said base is a square.
5. A box according to claim 1 in which said strips are provided
with corresponding openings.
6. An unfolding box for pastries, cakes, or the like, enabling such
products to be placed in and removed from the box when the latter
is at least partly unfolded flat, said box comprising a base
bordered on each side by flaps which, when joined together, form
the peripheral shape and the upper part of the box while also
constituting a gripping means, the whole being cut out in one
single piece from a cardboard blank or blank of similar material,
and wherein: the base (1) is quadrilateral in shape; the sides of
the base are extended by two main flaps (2, 3) and two secondary
flaps (4, 5) associated respectively with two opposite sides (6, 7
and 8, 9) of the base (1) by a fold line; the main flaps (2, 3) are
extended by a locking and tripping strip (10, 11) joined to the
flaps (2, 3) by a fold line (12, 13); the secondary flaps (4, 5)
are provided with a longitudinal slit (14, 15) in their end (42,
52) to receive the strips (10, 11) of the main flaps (2, 3) when
the latter are joined by their strips (10, 11), characterized in
that; the flaps (2, 3, 4, 5) have no fold and their width (b, b1)
increases from the side (a, a1, 6, 7, 8, 9) of the base (1), their
edge (21, 31, 41, 51) having a convex shape, to decrease again
towards the end (22, 32, 2, 52); and the secondary flaps (4, 5) are
curved against the edges (41, 51) of the main flaps (4, 5) and bear
against the latter and engage via their slit (14, 15) with the
strips (10, 11).
7. A box according to claim 1 in which the quadrilateral shape of
the base (1) is a parallelogram and, in particular, a rectangle,
and especially a square.
8. A box according to claim 1 in which the stirps (10, 11) are
provided with corresponding openings (17, 18).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an unfolding box for
pastries, cakes or the like, enabling such products to be placed in
and removed from the box when the latter is at least partly
unfolded flat, comprising a base bordered on each side by flaps
which, when joined together, form the peripheral shape and the
upper part of the box, while also constituting a gripping means,
the whole being cut out in one piece from a blank of cardboard or
similar material.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Various types of folding boxes are known, manufactured by
cardboard-makers and folded flat for delivery to the user.
Conventional boxes for pastries are known in particular. These
comprise an integral element formed from a base bordered by three
edges, the rear edge carrying the lid. In order to be folded flat,
the sides of the base and the sides of the lid are folded along
folding lines.
[0005] Such pastry boxes have been used for decades and have the
advantage that they can be folded flat and then unfolded to receive
the products to be packaged at the time of sale. Thanks to their
walls and the fact that the walls of the different sides are joined
to one another in the unfolded state, these boxes are sufficiently
rigid to be able to be tied with a ribbon and carried by holding
the said ribbon.
[0006] However, these boxes have a number of disadvantages, the
most serious of which is the height of the edges or even the
existence of the base edges themselves. In fact, in order to place
the products, in particular fragile products such as pastries, in
such a box, the said products have to be manipulated with tongs and
slid from above into the box since the sides of the latter do not
enable the products to be introduced flat.
[0007] The same difficulty arises when removing the products.
[0008] A box is also known according to French Patent document FR
88 13 968 of Oct. 26, 1988, which describes a box corresponding to
the type specified above and having very interesting features, and
which is to some extent crush-proof.
[0009] However, in many cases it is not absolutely necessary for
the box to be crush-proof as it is only subject to "traction",
since it either rests on a surface (table, service counter, etc.)
or is carried by hand placed underneath its base or held by means
of the gripping strips.
[0010] Since this box should be resistant to compression, its
structure is relatively complicated and its assembly requires a
certain skill on the part of the user.
[0011] Finally, there exists a type of packaging for pastries
called a "pyramid". This comprises a square sheet of cardboard
constituting the base for receiving the pastries and which is
surrounded by a sheet forming a pyramidal cover secured underneath
the base by adhesive tape. The top of this pyramidal arrangement is
closed and then tied with a ribbon for holding the suspended
package. A great deal of skill is required to effect this
packaging. It is also relatively costly on account of the large
amount of paper that is required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The object of the present invention is to remedy these
disadvantages and to provide a box to contain and transport fragile
products such as pastries, cakes or also products for which it is
desirable to be able to open the box or place it flat at the time
when the products are being placed in the box or removed therefrom,
the said box moreover being compact, light and, in particular, very
easy to close and open.
[0013] To this end the invention relates to a box of the type
specified above, characterized in that the base is quadrilateral in
shape, the sides of the base are extended by two main flaps and two
secondary flaps associated respectively with two opposite sides of
the base by a folding line, the flaps have no fold and their width
increases from the side of the base, their edge having a convex
shape, and decreases again towards the end, the main flaps are
extended by a blocking and gripping strip joined to the flap by a
folding line, the secondary flaps are provided with a longitudinal
slit in their end to receive the strips of the main flaps when the
latter are joined by their strips, and the secondary flaps are
curved against the edges of the main flaps, bearing against the
latter and engaging via their slit on the strips.
[0014] The box according to the invention whose base is
quadrilateral in shape, that is to say is in the shape of a lozenge
or parallelogram, in particular a rectangle or square, is of very
simple design and can also be assembled extremely easily. All that
is required is to lift up the two main flaps vertically and hold
them assembled by their strips and then curve one of the secondary
flaps against the edge of the two main flaps; the end of the
secondary flap together with its slit is then passed over the two
strips and the secondary flap is thereby engaged in order to
preserve the shape of the whole arrangement.
[0015] The assembly procedure is completed by closing the other
secondary flap, by bending it naturally against the opposite edge
of the two main flaps and passing its edge together with its slit
in the same way over the two already assembled strips.
[0016] The packaging is then complete and retains its shape, on the
one hand on account of the elasticity of the two main flaps, which
do not comprise a folding line and whose curvature is continuous
and flexible, between the corresponding edge of the base of the box
and the folding line joining the flap to the strip; this line is
located in the plane of assembly.
[0017] Depending on the shape of the quadrilateral constituting the
base of the box and the resulting flap shape, the folding line
between the strip and the flap, which is always situated in the
plane of assembly, may be parallel or inclined with respect to the
folding line joining the flap to the base when the flap is
flat.
[0018] According to the invention, the secondary flaps enclose the
edges of the main flaps when assembled and extend beyond these
edges. On account of the elasticity of the assembled arrangement
the main flaps have a tendency to lift the strips, and the
secondary flaps, engaged on both sides of the two joined strips,
are held together; an optimum shape is established in which the
secondary flaps close almost perfectly, the contour defined by the
main flaps in the assembled position.
[0019] It should be noted that the main flaps operate under
compression with respect to the secondary flaps. Since the main
flaps do not remain flat but form a regular surface which, in the
case of a base in the space of a parallelogram, is a cylindrical
surface whose generatrices are parallel to the folding line between
the flap and the base, this constitutes a rigid spacing or bracing
means on which the secondary flaps may be supported.
[0020] The secondary flaps operate under traction and are held in
their position of minimum length by the effect of elasticity
produced by the main flaps, which have a tendency to lift up the
strips.
[0021] The whole arrangement forms an extremely coherent structure
which remains rigid when the box is in the suspended position,
i.e., held by the strips.
[0022] When the box is placed on a surface, the elasticity of the
main flaps prevents the box collapsing. The engagement of the
secondary flaps on the strips produces a certain squeezing effect
so as to subject the main flaps to tension.
[0023] According to other advantageous characteristics, the
quadrilateral shape of the base is a parallelogram and, in
particular, a rectangle, and more especially a square. Further, the
strips are provided with corresponding openings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of an embodiment of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partly assembled unfolding
box;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows the box of FIG. 1 in the closed position;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cut-out blank for an unfolding
box, in the case where the base is in the shape of a square;
[0028] FIG. 4 shows the folding of the blank of FIG. 3 along a
diagonal of the base;
[0029] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatical view of the first stage
involved in closing the box, i.e., the joining of the two main
flaps;
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatical view of the second stage
involved in closing the box, i.e., the closure of one of the
secondary flaps on the two main flaps;
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatical view of the third stage
involved in closing the box, i.e., the closure of the second
secondary flap on the main flaps and the other secondary flap
already in place; and
[0032] FIG. 8 is a side view of the box of FIG. 7, (seen from the
left).
[0033] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out
herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in
one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] According to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention relates to an
unfolding box intended to contain and transport fragile products
such as pastries, cakes or products requiring similar handling and
precautions.
[0035] This box is designed to be filled when unfolded flat or
partly unfolded and to offer or present the products, on opening
the box, also in an at least a partly unfolded state.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows such a partly unfolded position or position
before complete closure, while FIG. 2 shows the box in the closed
position.
[0037] The box formed by cutting out a blank of flexible cardboard
or similar material comprises a base 1 bordered by two main flaps
2, 3, and two secondary flaps 4, 5.
[0038] In general the base 1 has a quadrilateral shape, such as a
parallelogram. More especially, the base has a rectangular shape
and, in particular, is square.
[0039] The main flaps 2, 3 and secondary flaps 4, 5 are joined to
the base by folding lines 6, 7, 8, 9.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 in the particular case where the base 1
is square shaped, the main flaps and secondary flaps have a shape
that widens starting from the sides 6, 7, 8, 9 of the base to reach
a certain width, and then decrease again in the direction of the
end.
[0041] In FIG. 3 the sides of the quadrilateral of the base 1 have
a length (a) and (a1), and the largest dimension of the flaps
corresponds to (b), (b1).
[0042] The same applies as regards the edges 41 of the flap 4,
which have a convex shape that decreases again towards the end
42.
[0043] The same comments also apply as regards the other flaps 3
and 5.
[0044] Moreover, in general the main flaps 2 and 3 have a shape
that is identical or at least similar, and the same is the case as
regards the secondary flaps 4 and 5. In other case where the base 1
is in the shape of a parallelogram and in particular a rectangle or
square, the main flaps and the secondary flaps are identical in
pairs. In the case of a quadrilateral that is not a parallelogram,
the flaps have similar shapes obtained as it were by squeezing or
"slanting" the shape shown in plan in FIG. 3.
[0045] In the case of a base 1 consisting of a non-rectangular
parallelogram or quadrilateral, the widths b, b1 are always
measured parallel to the folding line 6, 7, 8, 9 between the flaps
2, 3, 4, 5 and the base 1.
[0046] The curvatures 21, 31, 41, 51 of the edges of the flaps are
of convex shape in the part near the base, and terminate towards
the end in a shape that decreases in width (this may also occur
according to a convex curvature).
[0047] The main flaps 2, 3 are terminated by a strip 10, 11 joined
to the main flap 2, 3 by a folding line 12, 13.
[0048] The secondary flaps 4, 5 are provided at their ends 42, 52
with slits 14, 15 respectively in order to engage and receive the
strips 10, 11 in the joined position.
[0049] Finally, the base 1 is preferably provided with a folding
line 16 which enables the cut-out blank to be folded so as to
reduce the space it occupies, as shown in FIG. 4. (FIG. 4 shows
only half of the folded blank, the other part being omitted). This
other part consists of the main flap 2 and the secondary flap
4.
[0050] The folding line 26 divides the base 1 into two triangles
1A, 1B.
[0051] The flaps 10, 11 are each provided with an opening 17, 18
facilitating gripping and capable of receiving a string or label
tag.
[0052] It should be noted that, as will become apparent later, when
the main flaps 2, 3 are reclosed, the strips 10, 11 being applied
against one another, this forms a cylindrical or tubular surface
that thereby imparts rigidity to the base 1, which can then no
longer be folded along the line 16.
[0053] The assembly that will be described in more detail
hereinafter with the aid of FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 is also shown in the
perspective views of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0054] Before closing the packaging, the user generally receives
the blanks folded as shown in FIG. 4. Starting from this position
the blank is unfolded so that it is flat, and after the products
have been placed on the base 1 the strips 10, 11 of the main flaps
2, 3 are then joined by bending the flaps 2, 3 down. By this
movement the flaps 2, 3 are converted from their flat shape to a
bent shape.
[0055] Next, one of the secondary flaps, for example the flap 4, is
taken and is pulled against the edges 21, 31 of the main flaps so
as to side it together with its slit 14 over the strips 10, 11 in
order to bring the edge of the slit 14 behind the opposite end of
the strips 10, 11, which forms a sort of hook 101, 102.
[0056] This positioning is effected by gently squeezing the main
flaps 2, 3 in order to increase their length.
[0057] In this closure position the secondary flap 4 rests against
the edges 21, 31 of the flaps 2, 3, i.e., it extends beyond the
edges 21, 31 by its convex part corresponding to the convex
curvature 41.
[0058] The positioning of the other secondary flap 5 is effected in
the same way, by sliding its slit 15 over the flaps 10, 11 and
engaging this slit behind the other hook 101, 102 of the flaps 10,
11.
[0059] The assembled arrangement is that shown in FIG. 2.
[0060] FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show diagrammatically and in side view the
three assembly faces.
[0061] The right-hand part of FIG. 5 shows the shape of the main
flaps, which are still flat and are simply folded along the folding
lines 6, 7 with the base 1, while the left-hand part shows the main
flaps slightly pressed in (compression) in order to effect bending
and enable the secondary flaps to be inserted in place.
[0062] When the strips are joined they are situated in the plane of
assembly which, in the case of a parallelepiped-shaped base (also
rectangular or square), corresponds to a mid plane passing through
the mid line of the sides of the secondary flaps. This mid line
corresponds to the line X-X in FIG. 1.
[0063] FIG. 6 shows the insertion in place of the secondary flap 4
over the strips 10, 11, with the secondary flap 5 still loose.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows the insertion in place of the secondary flap
5.
[0065] FIG. 8 is a view from the right of the partly open box
according to FIG. 6, at the end of the insertion in place of the
flap 4; flap 5 being omitted from this figure.
[0066] The box is partly closed; the strips 10, 11 are engaged in
the slit 14 at the end 42 of the secondary flap 4. This FIG. 8
shows in particular that the contour of the secondary flap 4
extends beyond the section of the cylinder formed by the main flaps
2, 3 and the base 1, at the end of the operation corresponding to
FIG. 6.
[0067] This figure corresponds, with the exception of some slight
difference, also to that of a transverse section of the finished
packaging, for example according to FIG. 2.
[0068] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *