U.S. patent application number 09/367821 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-28 for folding box with angular bellows.
Invention is credited to CHEVALIER, JACQUES PAUL, CHEVALIER, PATRICK ANDRE MARTIAL, CHEVALIER, PIERRE ANDRE MARC.
Application Number | 20020036230 09/367821 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26233336 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020036230 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHEVALIER, JACQUES PAUL ; et
al. |
March 28, 2002 |
FOLDING BOX WITH ANGULAR BELLOWS
Abstract
The cardboard container is characterized in that it has folding
panels (501 and 502) on substantially the same surface as the
sidewalls (109 and 110), which are adapted to be disposed facing
said sidewalls (109 and 110) parallel to them, and which are
secured on the one hand to the closure panel (140) by one of their
edges and on the other hand either to an adjacent wall
(107-109-110) of the base (106), or to a securement flap (142)
secured to the closure panel (140), or to both of these elements,
by means of a bellows (503) formed from at least two tongues
(504-505-506, 515-516) secured to each other by a bend line.
Inventors: |
CHEVALIER, JACQUES PAUL;
(ROMORANTIN, FR) ; CHEVALIER, PATRICK ANDRE MARTIAL;
(VILLENNES, FR) ; CHEVALIER, PIERRE ANDRE MARC;
(BOULOGNE, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
YOUNG & THOMPSON
745 SOUTH 23RD STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22202
|
Family ID: |
26233336 |
Appl. No.: |
09/367821 |
Filed: |
November 29, 1999 |
PCT Filed: |
July 3, 1997 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR97/01191 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/228 ;
229/145; 229/186 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/6626 20130101;
B65D 5/6664 20130101; B65D 5/6667 20130101; B65D 5/546 20130101;
B65D 5/5455 20130101; B65D 5/241 20130101; B65D 5/2095
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/228 ;
229/145; 229/186 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/24; B65D
017/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 21, 1997 |
FR |
97/02117 |
Mar 21, 1997 |
FR |
97/03499 |
Claims
1. Container of cardboard or the like adapted for packaging
objects, formed from a blank which is constituted from at least one
flat piece and which has when flat different components, a
polygonal flat base adapted to the objects to be packaged,
transverse walls adjacent the base to be set up relative to said
base, in active position, so as to erect the container at least in
part, sidewalls adjacent the base that are to be set up relative to
the base, in active position, so as to form the set-up container at
least in part, means to hold these walls in active position, a
so-called "closure" panel to form the container after emplacement
on the base of the objects to be packaged, means to hold this
closure panel in active position, lateral flanges, characterized in
that the container has foldable panels (501 and 502) substantially
of the same surface as the sidewalls (109 and 110), which are
adapted to be placed facing said sidewalls (109 and 110) parallel
to them, and which are secured on the one hand to the closure panel
(140) by one of their edges and on the other hand either to a wall
(107-109-110) adjacent to the base (106), or to a securement flap
(142) secured to the closure panel (140), or to both of these two
elements, by means of a bellows (503) formed of at least two
tongues (504-505-506, 515-516) interconnected by a bend line.
2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the
flanges (165-166), which are present in the form of strips glued to
the blank and each delimited by two bend lines, when determining an
edge of the blank and the other connecting the strip and one of the
components of the container, the flat blank having four strips (165
and 166), two for the sidewalls (109 and 110) of the container, and
two for the closure panel (140), the folding panels (501 and 502)
being adapted to be applied against the sidewalls (109 and
110).
3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the
folding panels (501 and 502) are adapted to be placed facing the
internal surface of the sidewalls (109 and 110).
4. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the
folding panels (501 and 502) are adapted to be disposed facing the
external surface of the sidewalls (109 and 110).
5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the
flanges (165-166), which are present in the form of strips glued to
the blank and each delimited by two bend lines, one defining one
edge of the blank and the other connecting the strip and one of the
components, the flat blank having two strips (165 and 166) for the
sidewalls (109 and 110) of the container, the folding panels (501
and 502) being applied facing the external surface of the sidewalls
(109 and 110) and at a distance (D) from the latter substantially
equal to the width (L) of a strip (155-156) such that the erected
enclosed container has internal flanges (165-166), not visible from
outside because they are hidden by the folding panels (501 and
502).
6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that it
comprises an opening line (195) which extends transversely from an
external edge of a folding panel (501) to the external edge of the
opposite folding panel (502), over all the width of the closure
panel (140).
7. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that each
folding panel (501-502) is secured to a bellows portion (503)
bordered by an oblique bend line, which extends to the edge of the
blank.
8. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the means
for holding in active position certain at least of the walls
adjacent the base (106), namely in a position perpendicular to said
base (106), are constituted by at least one holding flap (603) at
the summit of a transverse wall (108) and connected thereto by a
bend line (604) and which is to be folded down from above the
tongues (601 and 602) secured to the sidewalls (109 and 110) each
by a bend line.
9. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it
comprises a cover of the cap type, which is to say that the closure
panel (140) is secured to a so-called "securement" panel (142) and
to the folding panels (501 and 502).
10. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the
closure panel (140) and the folding panels (501 and 502) are fixed
by means of glued tongues (607 and 608).
11. Container according to claim 8, characterized in that the
securement panel (142) is secured along its transverse external
edge, by a bend line, to a holding flap (610) to be folded down
from above over the tongues (607 and 608) connected to the folding
panels (501 and 502) each by a bend line so as to constitute a
capping cover formed by the closure panel (140), the securement
flap (142) and the folding panels (501 and 502).
12. Container according to claim 1 characterized in that the means
to hold the closure panel (140) in active position are constituted
by the securement flap (142) associated with supplemental members
adapted to secure it to a transverse wall (108).
13. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the
supplemental members are constituted by adhesive (130) of prolonged
effect.
14. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the
supplemental members are constituted by folding panels (501 and
502) secured to the securement flap (142).
15. Container according to claim 12, characterized in that the
supplemental members are constituted by at least one blocking
tongue (510-220) secured to the securement flap (142) and adapted
to be engaged in a slot (511-221) in the transverse wall (108).
16. Container according to claim 15, characterized in that it
comprises at least one holding flap (603) secured to the summit of
one transverse wall (108) by a bend line (604) and which is to be
folded down from above over the tongues (601 and 602) secured to
the sidewalls (109 and 110) each along a bend line, so as to
maintain in active position said transverse wall (108) and said
sidewalls (109 and 110), the blocking tongue being formed by a
small tongue (220) provided with two opposite teeth (222 and 223)
and adapted to be folded down over the small tongue (220) upon
introduction into the slot (221) of the transverse wall (108), this
transverse wall (108) being maintained spaced from the holding flap
(603) folded down so as to create a space (E) in which the teeth
(222 and 223) of the small tongue (220) can be at least partially
disposed.
17. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that at least
some of the lines along which the separate elements and/or the
components of the container are to be bent, for their securement in
active position, are partially in sized openings (620) to decrease
the force needed for tearing due to the elastic force or "sinew" of
the material from which the blank is created.
18. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it
comprises an opening line (195) which extends transversely to the
closure panel (140) over its internal surface along all the length
of the latter, adjacent a bend line along which the closure panel
(140) is connected to the securement flap (142), which is to say in
registry with a region adapted to receive a postage mark (199).
19. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that it
comprises an opening line (198) and adhesive (130) of prolonged
effect which are located both on a same surface of the blank
adapted to constitute the internal surface of the container after
the latter is set up and closed.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to containers delivered flat
in the form of partially glued blanks, from which it is possible to
obtain a completely set-up box, without using closure and
securement members separate from the blank.
[0002] It is possible to render extremely effective the protection
of the sidewalls of a container, particularly a box for mailing, by
folded panels, which reinforce the rigidity of the box already
provided with lateral protective edges.
[0003] Known containers are generally inconvenient, because their
setting up requires complicated manipulations and the emplacement
of objects is rendered difficult by the fact that the container
itself does not retain a good position to be filled, the user being
obliged to maintain it at the same time that he handles the objects
to be packaged.
[0004] To overcome these drawbacks, there have already been
proposed containers provided with prolonged effect adhesive at
precise positions, such that the user need only expose this
adhesive to connect certain components of the container, which
maintains the container set up, at least in part, the user thereby
gaining the liberty of his hands to package suitably the objects to
be sent.
[0005] However, there exists a demand for containers having all
these qualities of convenience without needing adhesive, because of
the industrial requirements for applying the adhesive.
[0006] The present invention satisfies these requirements, by
providing a container which is very handy, economical and
especially strong, with or without prolonged adhesive effect.
[0007] To these ends, the invention has for its object a container
of cardboard or like material adapted for the packaging of objects,
formed from a blank which is constituted from at least one flat
piece and which has when flat different components, namely:
[0008] a flat polygonal base adapted to the objects to be
packaged,
[0009] sidewalls adjacent the base which can be set up relative to
said base, in active position, so as to form the set-up container,
at least in part,
[0010] sidewalls adjacent the base which can be folded up relative
to said base, in active position, so as to form the bulk of the
container, at least in part,
[0011] means to hold in active position these walls,
[0012] a so-called "closure" panel to close the container after the
emplacement on the base of the objects to be packaged,
[0013] means to hold this closure panel in active position,
[0014] side edges,
[0015] characterized in that the container has foldable panels
substantially of the same surface as the sidewalls, which are
adapted to be placed facing said sidewalls parallel to them, and
which are secured on the one hand to the closure panel by one of
their edges and on the other hand either to the wall adjacent the
base, or to a securement flap secured to the closure panel, or to
both of these two elements, by means of a bellows forming at least
two tongues connected to each other by a bend line.
[0016] According to other characteristics of the invention:
[0017] the edges, which are present in the form of strips glued to
the blank and each delimited by two bend lines, one determining the
edge of the blank and the other connecting the strip and one of the
components of the container, the flat blank having four strips, two
for the sidewalls of the container, and two for the closure panel,
the folding panel being applied against these sidewalls;
[0018] the folding panels are adapted to be placed facing the
interior surface of the sidewalls;
[0019] the folding panels are adapted to be disposed facing the
external surface of the sidewalls;
[0020] the edges, which are present in the form of strips glued to
the blank and each delimited by two bend lines, one determining the
edge of the blank and the other connecting the strip in one of the
components, the flat blank having two strips for the sidewalls of
the container, the folding panels being applied facing the external
surface of the sidewalls and at a distance from these latter
substantially equal to the width of a strip, such that the
container when set up and closed has internal edges, not visible
from the outside because they are hidden by the folding panels;
[0021] the container comprises an opening strip which extends
transversely from one external edge of the folding panel to the
external edge of the opposite folding panel, over all the width of
the closure panel;
[0022] each folding panel is secured to one portion of a bellows
bordered by an oblique bend line, which extends to the edge of the
blank;
[0023] the means for maintaining in active position at least some
of the walls adjacent the base, namely, in a position perpendicular
to the base, are constituted by at least one folding flap connected
to the summit of a transverse wall by a bend line and adapted to be
folded down from above tongues connected to the sidewalls each by a
bend line;
[0024] the container comprises a cover of the hood type, which is
to say that the closure panel is secured to a so-called
"securement" panel and to folding panels;
[0025] the closure panel and the folding panels are fixed by means
of glued tongues;
[0026] the securement panel is secured along its external
transverse edge, by a bend line, to a holding flap which is to be
folded down from above the tongues holding the folding panel each
by a bend line so as to constitute a hood cover formed by the
closure panel, the securement flap and the folding panels;
[0027] the means to hold the closure panel in active position are
constituted by a securement flap associated with complementary
members adapted to render it secured to a transverse wall;
[0028] the complementary members are constituted by adhesive with a
prolonged effect;
[0029] the complementary members are constituted by folding panels
secured to the securement flap;
[0030] the supplemental members are constituted by at least one
blocking tongue secured to the securement flap and adapted to be
engaged in a slot of the transverse wall;
[0031] the container comprising at least one holding flap which is
secured to the top of one transverse wall by a bend line and which
must be folded down over the tongues holding the sidewalls each by
a bend line, so as to hold in active position said transverse wall
and said sidewalls, the blocking tongue is formed by a small tongue
provided with two opposite teeth and adapted to be folded over the
small tongue upon its introduction into the slot of the transverse
wall, said transverse wall is maintained spaced from the
folded-down holding flap so as to create a space in which the teeth
of the small tongue can be at least partially received;
[0032] at least some of the lines along which the separate elements
and/or components of the container are to be bent for their
securement in active position, are partially scored to decrease the
tearing-off force due to resilient force, or "sinew", of the
material from which the blank is made;
[0033] the container comprises an opening line which extends
transversely to the closure panel, on its internal surface and
along all the lengths of the latter, adjacent a bend line according
to which the closure panel is connected to the securement flap,
which is to say perpendicular to a region adapted to receive a
postal stamp;
[0034] the container comprises an opening and adhesive line with
prolonged effect which are both on the same surface of the blank
adapted to constitute the internal surface of the container after
the container is set up and closed.
[0035] The invention will be better understood from the following
detailed description given with reference to the accompanying
drawing. Of course, the description and the drawing are given only
by way of example and are not limiting.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a blank according to one
embodiment of the invention according to which there is used
adhesive with prolonged effect to maintain certain components in
the active position.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a container in the
course of setting up, starting with the blank of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the container of
FIG. 2, during closure, after having filled it with the objects to
be packaged.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the final
container of FIGS. 1 to 3, ready for sending.
[0040] FIGS. 5 to 8 are views similar to the preceding,
corresponding to a modified embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 according to
which the adhesive with prolonged effect is disposed differently
from the preceding case, for production reasons.
[0041] FIG. 9 shows schematically another embodiment of the
invention according to which the container is associated with a
capping cover.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a container in
the course of setting up, obtained with the blank of FIG. 9.
[0043] FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of the container of
FIG. 10, during closure, after having received the objects to be
packaged.
[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the final
container, ready to send.
[0045] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional schematic view,
showing the enclosure of the edges which are provided to the
container by the capping cover.
[0046] FIG. 14 shows a blank according to the invention, permitting
obtaining a cover having folded panels located within the
sidewalls, after closure.
[0047] FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of a container in
the course of setting up, obtained with the blank of FIG. 14.
[0048] FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of the container of
FIG. 15, during closure, after having received the objects to be
packaged.
[0049] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the final
container, ready for shipping.
[0050] FIG. 18 shows a blank according to the invention to obtain a
container without using prolonged effect adhesive.
[0051] FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of a container in
the course of setting up, obtained with the blank of FIG. 18.
[0052] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the
transverse wall of the container opposite that which holds the
cover, and which shows the space existing between this wall and the
holding flap in the active position of this transverse wall and of
the sidewalls.
[0053] FIG. 21 is a view similar to that of FIG. 20, after closure
of the cover and engagement of a blocking tongue in a slot of the
transverse wall.
[0054] FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of the container of
FIG. 19, during closure, after having received the objects to be
packaged.
[0055] FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the final
container, ready to send.
[0056] FIG. 24 shows a blank according to the invention to obtain a
container with a capping cover, after use of adhesive of prolonged
effect for holding it set-up and for its closure.
[0057] FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of a container in
the course of setting up, obtained with the blank of FIG. 24.
[0058] FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of the container of
FIG. 25, during closure, after having received the objects to be
packaged.
[0059] FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective view of the final
container, ready to send.
[0060] FIG. 28 is a fragmentary cross-sectional schematic view
showing the space which exists between a lateral wall and a folded
panel contributing to the formation of capping cover concealing the
side edges.
[0061] FIG. 29 shows a blank according to the invention to obtain a
container with a capping cover, without the use of prolonged effect
adhesive.
[0062] FIG. 30 is a schematic perspective view of a container in
the course of setting up, obtained with the blank of FIG. 29.
[0063] FIG. 31 is a schematic perspective view of the container of
FIG. 30, during closure, after having received the objects to be
packaged.
[0064] FIG. 32 is a schematic perspective view of the final
container, ready to send.
[0065] FIG. 33 shows a blank according to the invention to obtain a
container having an opening line disposed below the closure panel,
perpendicular to a postal stamp.
[0066] FIG. 34 is a schematic perspective view of the container
obtained by setting up the blank of FIG. 33, after closure, ready
to send.
[0067] FIG. 35 shows a blank according to the invention to obtain a
container having an opening line and an adhesive strip of prolonged
effect, both disposed on a same surface of the blank.
[0068] FIG. 36 is a schematic perspective view of the container
obtained by setting up the blank of FIG. 35, after closure, ready
to send.
[0069] The invention relates to a container which is set up only
when it must be filled with objects to be packaged. This container
is effected from a blank delivered flat and obtained from a
suitable cutout blank, marked with bend lines and provided with
glue at certain positions for the securement of certain portions
together.
[0070] As is already known, there is not here shown the preliminary
phase, known to those skilled in the art, for construction of a
blank, such that FIG. 1 shows the blank already prepared for its
collapsed shipment for ultimate use.
[0071] This blank has a base 106 adapted to receive objects to be
packaged, to adjacent transverse walls 107 and 108, as well as to
adjacent sidewalls 109 and 110. The transverse wall 107 is secured
to a closure panel 140, itself secured to a securement flap
142.
[0072] The container also has separate elements 113 and 114, which
belong neither to the base 106 nor the transverse wall 108 nor the
sidewalls 109 and 110. These separate elements are substantially
quadrangular and divided into two triangular tongues 124-125 and
126-127 by pre-bend lines 117 and 118.
[0073] The tongues 125 and 127 are glued to the internal surface of
the transverse wall 108 and the purpose of this structure will be
described later on.
[0074] Moreover, the container has two folding panels 501 and 502
which have substantially the same surface as the sidewalls 109 and
110 and which are each connected to one of these sidewalls 109-110
by a bellows 503 comprising in this case two triangular tongues 504
and 505 on opposite sides of a central trapezoidal tongue 506, all
three being bounded by bend lines.
[0075] Similarly, when the sidewalls 109 and 110 are raised in the
direction of the arrows F4, the setting-up movement is partially
transmitted to the folding panels 501 and 502, which triggers their
raising which will be achieved by the user in the direction of the
arrows F10.
[0076] To set up the blank of FIG. 1, first the protective strip
131 disposed on the prolonged effect adhesive 130 disposed along a
continuous line which extends over all the width of the transverse
end wall 108 and over the separate elements 113 and 114, is
removed.
[0077] Then the sidewalls 109 and 110 are raised in the direction
of the arrows F4, which has the effect of raising the wall 108 in
the direction of the arrow F2, thanks to the gluing of the
triangular tongues 125 and 127 to the wall 108.
[0078] The triangular tongues 124-126 and the wall 108 are firmly
pinched, which has the effect of maintaining erected in active
position the walls 108, 109 and 110. In this case, the active
position is a final position because of the irreversible action of
the adhesive of prolonged effect.
[0079] One can then place the objects to be packaged on the base
106 by using his two hands because it is not necessary to hold the
container, which is itself stable.
[0080] Then the folding panels 501 and 502 are raised in the
direction of the arrows F10, and then the closure panel 140 is
raised and its securement flap 142 and these are moved into the
position of FIG. 3, by guiding the folding panels 501 and 502
outside the sidewalls 109 and 110 against which these panels 501
and 502 are disposed externally.
[0081] These panels 501 and 502 remain disposed against the
sidewalls 109 and 110, from which they cannot be accidentally
spaced thanks to the fact that they are secured on the one hand to
the closure panel 140 and on the other hand to the adjacent
sidewall 109-110 by means of the bellows 503.
[0082] The securement flap 142 is firmly applied against the
transverse wall 108 so that it is strongly fixed to the adhesive
with prolonged effect 130 exposed upon removal of its protective
strip 131.
[0083] The closure is ensured by means of a blocking tongue 510
engaged in a slot 511 provided in the base of the transverse wall
108, which avoids the danger of unglueing of the flap 142 because
the blocking tongue 510 neutralizes the unblocking force due to the
elasticity of the cardboard so that the tongue 510 secured to the
flap 142 is blocked in the slot 511 of the wall 108 and retains the
flap in the position in which it is supplied against the prolonged
effect of the adhesive 130.
[0084] The final container is then as indicated schematically in
FIG. 4 and it will be seen that the sidewalls 109 and 110 are
retracted relative to the side edges 165 and 166, the latter being
seen externally and being able to play directly their protective
role against shocks due to handling during transport of the
container.
[0085] If the container is pre-stamped, it is necessary only to
apply to it a shipping label and to send it, without other gluing,
stamping or tying operations of any cord.
[0086] To open this container, the recipient grasps the two tongues
196 or 197 so as to exert strong traction on an opening line 195
known per se, provided on the internal surface of the flap 142
(FIGS. 1 and 2), and which cuts this latter from side to side,
above the location where it is glued to the wall 108, such that
this flap 142 and the closure panel 140 are freed and give access
to the packaged objects, without the container itself being
disturbed because it remains erected by the retaining effect of the
walls 108, 109 and 110 by means of the prolonged effect adhesive
130.
[0087] Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, there will be seen a modified
embodiment of the preceding, according to which the prolonged
effect adhesive 130 and its protective strip 131 are disposed on
the blank no longer transversely but longitudinally.
[0088] By disposing the prolonged effect adhesive 130 transversely,
as in the case of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, one has the
advantage of using only a single continuous strip which serves both
to maintain erected the walls 108, 109 and 110 and to close the
container by the panel 140 and its flap 142.
[0089] However, this has the drawback that the adhesive 130 and its
strip 131 must be applied to the blank, before forming it as in
FIG. 1, on the surface opposite to that on which is applied the
glue, on the one hand for securement of the separate elements 113
and 114, and on the other hand for the securement, after bending,
of the lateral edges 165 and 166, which are very useful to protect
the container and its contents against damage due to dropping and
to blows received during transportation.
[0090] It will be easily understood that the deposits of glue and
of adhesive on two opposite surfaces constitute a complication that
would be desirable to eliminate.
[0091] In this case, the prolonged effect adhesive 130 and its
protective strip 131 are disposed after formation of the blank of
FIG. 5, along four segments aligned two by two.
[0092] Two segments are disposed on the separate elements 113 and
114 and two others on the securement panel 142.
[0093] To erect the container, first the protective strip 131 is
removed from the two adhesive segments located on the separate
elements 113 and 114, then one proceeds as before, that is to say
the transverse walls 109 and 110 as well as the transverse wall 108
are erected, and then they are held erected thanks to the adhesive
130 which unites the triangular tongues 124-126 (secured to the
walls 109 and 110) against the triangular tongues 125-127 secured
to the wall 108 (FIGS. 6 and 7).
[0094] After placing the objects to be packaged on the base 106,
the protective strip 131 is taken off the two segments adhesive
with prolonged effect disposed on the securement flap 142, the
closure panel 140 and its flap 142 are folded down in the direction
of the arrow F11, whilst guiding the folding panel against the
external surface of the sidewalls 109 and 110 (FIG. 7).
[0095] After the closure panel 140 has been emplaced, the flap 142
is applied against the transverse wall 108 to which it is fixed by
the two adhesive segments 130.
[0096] As before, the closing is ensured by means of the tongue 510
engaged in the slot 511 of the transverse wall 108.
[0097] There are shown here only two adhesive segments 130 on the
securement panel 142, but one could use more, particularly three,
by providing a central segment (not shown) adjacent the tongue
510.
[0098] This reinforces the securement of the flap 142 to the wall
108, which may be necessary when the container is of large
size.
[0099] In FIGS. 9 to 13, there is shown an embodiment according to
which the container has a capping cover formed by subjecting the
folding panels 501 and 502 to the securement flap 142 by tongues
203 and 204 secured to the securement flap 142 and glued inside the
folding panels 501 and 502.
[0100] So that the assembly can be stored flat, according to the
blank of FIG. 9, it is necessary that the securement flap 142 be
bent along two oblique lines at 450 defining two triangular flaps
209 and 210.
[0101] It will be noted that the external protective edges 165 and
166 are present only facing the transverse walls 109 and 110 and
the bellows 503.
[0102] The oblique line which connects the triangular tongues 504
and 506 to each other, as well as the bend line which connects the
folding panels 501 and 502 to the tongues 504, converge and extend
to the edge of the blank, which is to say beyond the external
protective edges 165 and 166.
[0103] This has the result that after folding down the capping
cover 140-142-203-204-501-502 (FIGS. 11 and 12) the folding panels
501 and 502 will again be parallel to the side walls 109 and 110,
outside these latter, but spaced from them by a distance D
substantially equal to the width L of the edges 165 and 166 (FIG.
13).
[0104] The walls 109 and 110 as well as the flanges 165 and 166 are
hidden by the folding panels 501 and 502, which gives to the final
container (FIG. 12) the external appearance of a parallelepipedal
container, having no protective flanges.
[0105] Thus, the protective flanges 165 and 166 are present at the
edge of the transverse walls 107 and 108 as well as facing the
bottom 106, such that the sidewalls 109 and 110 are effectively
protected from shocks and other external forces.
[0106] But furthermore, the folding panels 501 and 502 are secured
to the container along three sides: with transverse wall 107 and
sidewalls 109, 110 (by the bellows 503), with the closure panel 140
to which it is secured during production, and to the securement
flap 142 by the glued tongues 203 and 204. This structure gives
great rigidity and therefore high resistance to intrusion.
[0107] Moreover, the folding panels 501 and 502 disposed outside
the sidewalls 109 and 110 cannot be accidentally raised.
[0108] The protective flanges being separate, they cannot
accidentally catch on things upon handling the container.
[0109] With this embodiment, it will be noted that it is possible
to position the opening line 195 no longer on the internal surface
of the securement flap 142 but along a free edge of the folding
panel 501 to the opposite free edge of the folding flap 502 and
across the closure panel 140 (FIG. 10).
[0110] This opening line 195 can therefore be placed within the
desired region, as for example in alignment with the position for
stamps or other postal marks, such that opening the container by
tearing along the line 195 has the effect of destroying these
stamps or other marks, thereby rendering impossible any fraudulent
re-use of the container.
[0111] Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 17, there will be seen an
embodiment analogous to that of FIGS. 1 to 4 and the same elements
have the same reference numerals.
[0112] In this case, it will be noted that the protective flanges
165a and 166a secured to the folding panels 501 and 502 as well as
the protective flanges 165b and 166b secured to the bellows 503,
are somewhat larger than the protective flanges 165 and 166 secured
to the sidewalls 109 and 110.
[0113] Thus, when the sidewalls 109 and 110 are erected in the
direction of the arrows F4 and when the folding panels 501 and 502
are also erected according to the arrows F10, as is shown in FIG.
15, the folding panels 501 and 502 are offset inwardly of the
container relative to said sidewalls 109 and 110.
[0114] Thus, upon closing the container according to the arrow F11
(FIG. 16), the folding panels still remain parallel to the
sidewalls 109 and 110 and are disposed against them, but within the
latter and no longer externally.
[0115] They are thus completely protected against any external
force which could raise them.
[0116] After complete closure, the container has a parallelepipedal
shape of FIG. 17, with the sidewalls 109 and 110 retracted, the
protective flanges being visible externally.
[0117] The embodiment of FIGS. 18 to 23 is an example of embodiment
of the invention without adhesive of prolonged effect to hold in
active position the components of the container such as the walls
108, 109 and 110.
[0118] In this case, to ensure closure of the container by the
securement flap 142, the latter can be associated with a strip of
adhesive of prolonged effect, as is described with respect to FIGS.
1 to 4.
[0119] In this case, there is selected the "zero adhesive" option
as will now be seen, but this does not relate to the glue which,
upon fabrication, is still necessary for the securement of the
protective flanges 165 and 166. Of course, this glue can be
replaced by any equivalent technique known to those in the art
(clamps for example).
[0120] The sidewalls 109 and 110 are secured to the free tongues
601 and 602 by a bend line.
[0121] The transverse wall 108 is secured to an end panel 603 by a
single or double bend line 604, for a reason which will be apparent
later.
[0122] The end panel 603 is less wide than the flap properly so
called, because its width is equal at the most to about the
distance which separates the two sidewalls 109 and 110 when erected
and hence facing each other.
[0123] To erect the container from the blank of FIG. 18, the
sidewalls 109 and 110 are erected in the direction of arrows F4,
then the free tongues 601 and 602 are bent according to the arrows
F12 (FIG. 19) and the transverse wall 108 is erected, which is
disposed against the tongues 601 and 602. Then the end panel 603 is
folded down by bending it along the line 604 which is a single or
double line according to the thickness of the material selected for
the construction of the container.
[0124] The end panel 603 is lowered until it is disposed against
the internal surface of the transverse wall 108, with interposition
of the free tongues 601 and 602 (FIG. 20).
[0125] Once in place, the end panel 603 is maintained either by
friction resulting from its wedging against the sidewalls 109-110
and against the base 106, or by additional means: adhesive or small
tongues, as is known per se.
[0126] There is thus rendered stable the "body" or "bottom" of the
container: base 106 and walls 108, 109 and 110.
[0127] As has been described above for the other embodiments, the
closure panel 140 is bent down in the direction of arrow F11 while
guiding the folding panels 501 and 502 outside the sidewalls 109
and 110 (FIG. 22), then the small tongue 220 is bent against the
teeth 222 and 223 and this assembly is introduced into the slot 221
of the wall 108.
[0128] Thanks to the space E which remains between the wall 108 and
the panel 603, the teeth 220 and 223 can take a position behind the
wall 108 and also because of the angle that they form with the
tongue 220, they oppose the withdrawal of this latter (FIG. 21),
which creates a foolproof closure because this opening cannot be
obtained without at least partially destroying the small tongue 220
and/or the tongues 222-223.
[0129] The space E which would result from simple interposition of
a single thickness: that of the tongues 601 and 602, might suffice
but this space E could be enlarged by adjusting the spacing between
the two bend lines 604.
[0130] However, these same tongues 601 and 602 could interfere with
the deployment of the teeth 222 and 223, and to avoid this risk,
there are provided notches 605 and 606 which completely free the
space E adjacent the small tongue 220.
[0131] The final container than has the parallelepipedal shape
shown in FIG. 23.
[0132] The folding panels 501 and 502 are outside the sidewalls 109
and 110, the latter appearing retracted relative to the visible
flanges 165 and 166.
[0133] In FIGS. 24 to 28, there is shown an embodiment which
combines the arrangements already described above:
[0134] The body of the container: base 106, walls 108, 109 and 110,
is maintained set-up thanks to the adhesive of prolonged effect
disposed as described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0135] The container comprises a capping cover and the folding
panels 501 and 502 are secured to the transverse wall 107 by
bellows 503 each formed only of two tongues 515 and 516 defined by
an oblique bend line which extends to the edge of the blank such
that the folding panels 501 and 502 are a portion of the capping
cover disposed not only outside the sidewalls 109 and 110 but at a
distance D from the latter (FIG. 28) as was described in connection
with FIGS. 9 to 13.
[0136] The tongue 515 is secured to a folding panel 501, 502 and is
free whilst the other tongue 516 is glued to the transverse wall
107.
[0137] In FIGS. 29 to 32, there is shown another "zero adhesive"
embodiment, because the body of the container 106-108-109-110 is
held in active position by an end panel 603, as was described in
connection with FIGS. 18 to 23 and the capping cover is also
maintained erected by a non-glued panel:
[0138] The sidewalls 109 and 110 are secured to triangular tongues
124 and 126 which themselves are secured to other triangular
tongues 125 and 127 glued to the interior of the transverse wall
108 but in this case there is no adhesive 130 to hold them, this
effect being obtained by folding down the end panel 603 within the
transverse wall 108, with interposition of the triangular tongues
124-125 and 126-127.
[0139] The folding panels 501 and 502 are secured to tongues 607
and 608 similar to tongues 601 and 602 of FIGS. 18 and 19 and which
are to be bent as indicated in FIG. 30.
[0140] The securement flap 142 is secured to a blocking panel 610
which is to be folded down within the capping cover, above the
tongues 607 and 608 where it wedges in the same manner as the end
panel 603, if desired with the addition of known securement
means.
[0141] A blocking tongue 510 analogous to that described above is
cut out from the panel 610 so as to be as described above, despite
the presence of the blocking panel 610, which permits it to behave
exactly in the same way as is already explained (FIG. 31).
[0142] After closure of the container by means of the capping cover
(FIG. 31), the tongue 510 is engaged in a slot 511 provided in the
base of the transverse wall 108 to help hold closed the capping
cover, which can be fixed more strongly, particularly by means of
adhesive of prolonged effect, which is not incompatible with the
notion of "zero adhesive", because this expression applies to the
means for holding the components of the container (body and/or
cover) but not to its closure.
[0143] It will be understood that in this case the space E results
from a double thickness instead of a single thickness. The question
of positioning the teeth 222 and 223 does not arise because in this
case a small tongue like 220 is not provided, but rather a tongue
510.
[0144] Nevertheless, it should be noted that the tongues 124-125
and 126-127 bend obliquely, the medial region of the transverse
wall 108 being completely free.
[0145] On the other hand, as the end panel 603 is to extend to the
immediate vicinity of the base 106, if not into contact therewith,
it is necessary to avoid that it impedes the engagement of the
tongue 510, for which reason there is provided a notch 611 which
completely frees the passage of this tongue 510.
[0146] After folding down the panels 603 and 610, there is provided
a container having two symmetrical portions, the body
106-108-603-109-110 and the cover 107-140-142-610-501-502, which
can be brought together, the capping cover covering the body like a
bell, the panels 501 and 502 freeing the protective flanges 165 and
166.
[0147] Here again, this structure permits use of an opening line
195 disposed below the closure panel 120 and within the panels 501
and 502.
[0148] The use of prolonged effect adhesive 130 to maintain
together the portions of the folded cardboard, is quite
satisfactory but if a very strong material has been chosen, or more
precisely which has a great deal of "sinew", there can result
forces tending to tear loose, which become greater with the passage
of time, such that unglueing may result if not in several minutes
than in several hours, or even several days.
[0149] It is therefore useful to take precautions permitting
increasing the safety of the securement, and hence the integrity of
the closed container.
[0150] To do this, it is possible to overcome or at least greatly
to diminish locally the "sinew" of the material by creating
incisions along bend lines which connect to elements that must be
applied to each other by pivoting about this bend line, which will
then be maintained in final position by the adhesive with prolonged
effect.
[0151] For this use in particular, but also more generally to avoid
drawbacks of resilient characteristics of the material constituting
the container (cardboard and corrugated cardboard), there are
provided such incisions as those shown at 620 in FIG. 14, the
latter being used to render flexible the bellows 503 so that they
bend easily during setting up the transverse wall 107 upon closing
the container.
[0152] Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, there is shown an embodiment
of the invention providing on the one hand prolonged effect
adhesive 130 to hold in position the securement flap 142 and on the
other hand an opening line 198 which are both located on the same
surface of the blank.
[0153] When the blank is of corrugated cardboard, the production of
the latter takes place, as is known per se, by gluing a sheet of
corrugated paper against two sheets of flat paper. These combined
operations are carried out by means of a so-called "corrugating"
machine which performs excellently in terms of hundreds of meters
of cardboard corrugated per minute.
[0154] This very high output is used here by providing adhesive 130
and its protective strip 131 as well as the opening line 198 on the
same surface, because their emplacement can take place on the
corrugator itself, without more.
[0155] Moreover, the surface which receives the adhesive 130 and
its strip 131 as well as the opening line 198 is the upper surface
of the corrugated cardboard when it is produced by the corrugator,
which is the most favorable arrangement for depositing these
elements 130, 131 and 198.
[0156] It will be seen in FIG. 33 that the opening line 198 is
positioned on the closure panel 140, adjacent the bend line 143 by
which it is connected to the securement flap 142.
[0157] In FIG. 34, it will thus be seen that the opening line 198,
disposed on the internal surface of the closure panel 140, is
located overlying the region adapted to receive a postal stamp 199
when the container is erected and closed.
[0158] This stamp can be applied (postage stamps, validation
stickers, seals, etc.) or printed on the container.
[0159] When the addressee opens the container, he grips one of the
two tongues 196 or 197 so as to exert strong traction on the
opening line 198,
[0160] which cuts off from side to side the closure panel 140, such
that the flap 142 remains in place but the closure panel 140 is
freed and gives access to the packaged objects, without the
container itself being opened because it remains erected by the
holding effect of the walls 108, 109 and 110 by means of the panels
603,
[0161] which destroys the franking mark 199, thereby rendering the
container non-reusable, unless by paying new costs for its
transport after having re-closed it by suitable means (strap,
strip, twine, adhesive strip, etc.).
[0162] It will be noted from FIG. 34, that the securement flap 142
is located on the rear surface of the completed container, which is
of no importance because it suffices to provide the position A of
the name and address of the addressee according to an orientation
opposite the usual orientation, which is illustrated by the symbol
Y1 which is visible to the reader of the name and address of the
addressee, in the position A of FIG. 34.
[0163] Referring now to FIG. 35, it will be seen that the blank
here also comprises on the one hand adhesive 130 of prolonged
effect and a protective strip 131, and on the other hand an opening
line 195, both disposed on the same surface of the blank, namely
that which constitutes the internal surface of the container when
the latter is set up.
[0164] The opening line 195 is located no longer on the closure
panel 140 but on the securement flap 142, at approximately midway
between the adhesive 130 and the bend line 143.
[0165] The position of the opening line 195 is thus independent
from that of the postage stamps 199 and the position A is disposed
as usual, which is shown by the symbol Y2 which is visible to the
reader of the name and address of the addressee, in position A of
FIG. 36.
[0166] Upon opening the container by pulling on the line 195, the
flap 142 is cut transversely, which frees the upper portion of the
flap 142 and the panel 140 from each other.
[0167] The addressee then has free access to the contents on the
base 106.
[0168] Having described several embodiments and modifications, it
should be noted that the invention permits combining all manner of
different arrangements which have here been grouped by way of
example: capping cover or not, use of adhesive with prolonged
effect or not, adoption of triangular tongues to constitute
bellows, bellows in two or three portions, etc.
* * * * *