U.S. patent application number 09/988547 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for recloseable, cuboidal folding box.
Invention is credited to Schultz, Gunther.
Application Number | 20020070268 09/988547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7666501 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020070268 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schultz, Gunther |
June 13, 2002 |
Recloseable, cuboidal folding box
Abstract
Recloseable, cuboidal folding box 1 having a front side wall 11,
a rear side wall 12, a right-hand side wall 13, which connects the
front side wall 11 and the rear side wall 12, and a left-hand side
wall 14, having a base closure 20, which is formed, in particular,
by four base closure flaps 21, 22, 23, 24, having a top closure 30,
it being possible for two base closure flaps 21, 22 to be
adhesively bonded to one another, having a tear-open tab 40, which
is integrated in the rear side wall 12, is retained in the rear
side wall 12 by means of a weakening or predetermined tearing line
41, it being the case that articulated on the front side wall 11 is
a top closure flap 31 comprising a) a cover section 311 which is
articulated on the front side wall 11 via a folding line 301, b) a
tab 314 which is articulated on the cover section 311 via a folding
line 302, c) it being the case that, when the folding box 1 has
been completed, the tab 314 engages in the outward direction over
the tear-open tab 40 in the rear side wall 12 and is adhesively
bonded to the tear-open tab 40.
Inventors: |
Schultz, Gunther; (Hamburg,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Wiliam C. Gerstenzang
NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS, P.A.
30th Floor
220 East 42nd Street
New York
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
7666501 |
Appl. No.: |
09/988547 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.14 ;
229/223 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/5425 20130101;
B65D 5/46088 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.14 ;
229/223 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/46; B65D
017/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2000 |
DE |
100 61 402.7 |
Claims
1. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box 1 having a front side wall 11,
a rear side wall 12, a right-hand side wall 13, which connects the
front side wall 11 and the rear side wall 12, and a left-hand side
wall 14, having a base closure 20, which is formed, in particular,
by four base closure flaps 21, 22, 23, 24, having a top closure 30,
it being possible for two base closure flaps 21, 22 to be
adhesively bonded to one another, having a tear-open tab 40, which
is integrated in the rear side wall 12, is retained in the rear
side wall 12 by means of a weakening or predetermined tearing line
41, it being the case that articulated on the front side wall 11 is
a top closure flap 31 comprising a) a cover section 311 which is
articulated on the front side wall 11 via a folding line 301, b) a
tab 314 which is articulated on the cover section 311 via a folding
line 302, c) it being the case that, when the folding box 1 has
been completed, the tab 314 engages in the outward direction over
the tear-open tab 40 in the rear side wall 12 and is adhesively
bonded to the tear-open tab 40.
2. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to claim 1,
characterized in that there are provided in the top closure flap 31
a first hanging tab 312 with a hanging device 35 and a second
hanging tab 313 with a hanging device 36, which are connected to
one another, in particular, via a folding line 306.
3. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to claim 2,
characterized in that the hanging tabs 312, 313 are arranged
between the front side wall 11 and the cover section 311.
4. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to claim 2,
characterized in that the hanging tabs 312, 313 are arranged
between the cover section 311 and the tab 314.
5. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to claim 2,
characterized in that the hanging tabs 312, 313 preferably divide
the cover section 311 in the centre.
6. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the hanging device 35
in the first hanging tab 312 is larger than the hanging device 36
in the second hanging tab 313.
7. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the folding box 1
has been completed, the first hanging tab 312 and the second
hanging tab 313 are adhesively bonded to one another.
8. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the tear-open tab 40
has a further closure tab 32 articulated on it via a folding line
401.
9. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to at least one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab 314 fully
covers the tear-open tab 40 over the entire surface area.
10. Recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to at least one of
the preceding claims, containing at least one flat article, in
particular one or more plasters.
11. Punched blank for producing a recloseable, cuboidal folding box
1 having a front side wall 11, a rear side wall 12, a right-hand
side wall 13, which connects the front side wall 11 and the rear
side wall 12, and a left-hand side wall 14, having a base closure
20, which is formed by four base closure flaps 21, 22, 23, 24,
having a top closure 30, which is formed by three closure flaps 31,
33, 34, it being possible for two base closure flaps 21, 22 to be
adhesively bonded to one another, having a tear-open tab 40 which
is integrated in the rear side wall 12, is retained in the rear
side wall 12, by means of a weakening or predetermined tearing line
41 and, if appropriate, is connected to a closure flap 32 of the
top closure 30 via a folding line 401, and having a tab 16, it
being the case that the folding box 1 comprises a folding blank 10
made of paperboard, cardboard or another suitable material, it
being the case that the rear side wall 12, the right-hand side wall
13, which connects the front side wall 11 and the rear side wall
12, the front side wall 11, the left-hand side wall 14, and the tab
16 are arranged one behind the other in a straight line such that
they are attached to one another in a row via folding lines 101,
102, 103, 104 in each case, it being the case that on the
right-hand side wall 13, which connects the front side wall 11 and
the rear side wall 12, on the one hand a closure flap 33 is
articulated via a folding line 303 and on the other hand, on the
opposite side, a base closure flap 23 is articulated via a folding
line 203, it being the case that on the front side wall 11 on the
one hand a closure flap 31 is articulated via a folding line 301
and on the other hand, on the opposite side, a base closure flap 21
is articulated via a folding line 201, it being the case that the
top closure flap 31 comprises a) a cover section 311 which is
articulated on the front side wall 11 via a folding line 301, b) a
tab 314 which is articulated on the cover section 311 via a folding
line 302, c) it being the case that, when the folding box 1 has
been completed, the tab 314 engages in the outward direction over
the tear-open tab 40 in the rear side wall 12 and is adhesively
bonded to the tear-open tab 40, it being the case that on the
left-hand side wall 14 on the one hand a closure flap 34 is
articulated via a folding line 304 and on the other hand, on the
opposite side, a base closure flap 24 is articulated via a folding
line 204, it being the case that integrated in the rear side wall
12 is a tear-open tab 40 which is retained in the rear side wall 12
by means of a weakening or predetermined tearing line 41 and, if
appropriate, is connected to a closure flap 32 of the top closure
30 via a folding line 401.
Description
DESCRIPTION
[0001] The invention relates to a recloseable, cuboidal folding box
having a front side wall, a rear side wall, a right-hand side wall,
which connects the front side wall and the rear side wall, and a
left-hand side wall, having a base closure, which is formed, in
particular, by four base closure flaps, having a top closure, it
being possible for two base closure flaps to be adhesively bonded
to one another, and having a tear-open tab which is integrated in
the rear side wall, is retained in the rear side wall by means of a
weakening or predetermined tearing line.
[0002] DE 39 32 441 A1 discloses a recloseable folding box which
comprises a front side wall and a rear side wall as well as two
side walls which connect the front side wall and the rear side
wall, a base part and a top closure flap, it being the case that
the closure flap is connected, via a fastening tab, to an insertion
tongue which, for its part, is arranged in the rear side wall or
front side wall via a weakening line and be torn out of said side
wall. This folding box, however, does not provide any possible
means for hanging it on a hook in any way.
[0003] Once said folding box has been filled with the goods which
are to be sold, it has to be displayed to the customer in a manner
which shows it to best effect and which allows it to be handled
easily. A very clearly laid-out display may be provided in sales
racks by means of the generally known self-service hooks, which
make it possible for a plurality of folding boxes to be received
one behind the other.
[0004] In order that the folding box described can be hung on such
a hook, a correspondingly shaped blank with a hanging device has to
be fitted on the folding box in addition. This usually takes place
by this part with the corresponding hanging device being adhesively
bonded on the folding box at a suitable location in an additional
operation. However, the production process of the folding box is
thus made more complicated, inter alia, as a result of the
production of the further blank or the adhesive bonding of the
latter on the finished box, and the greater number of operating
steps increases the amount of time required for the production
process; furthermore, this means a very much higher outlay in terms
of apparatus.
[0005] DE 43 22 555 A1 likewise discloses a recloseable, cuboidal
folding box. This folding box comprises a rear side wall, which is
formed by an outer side-wall part and an inner side-wall part, a
front side wall, two side walls which connect the front side wall
and the rear side wall, a base closure and a top closure, it being
the case that the outer side-wall part has, in its top region, a
hanging tab with a correspondingly shaped hanging device, for
example round holes or slots.
[0006] The hanging tab can be used to position the folding box on a
hook. However, since the hanging tab is merely of single-layer
design and consists of the same material as the rest of the folding
box, problems arise during practical usage of the folding box.
[0007] If, taking into consideration environmental reasons and
reasons of cost, the folding box is produced from thin material,
the hanging tab has insufficient stability. Even if the folding box
is subjected to a slight, unintentional pulling action, the hanging
tab tears off, with the result that the hanging tab loses its
function and it is no longer possible for the box to be hung up as
desired. Furthermore, the appearance of the box is adversely
effected as a result and it is no longer possible for the box to be
displayed to the customer.
[0008] Conversely, producing the folding box from thicker, more
stable material means that, although the hanging tab can be
subjected to tensile loading to a very much greater extent, a large
amount of material is wasted unnecessarily at the same time because
the rest of the wails of the folding box are over-dimensioned.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,344,533 describes a box which has a hanging
means which is made up of two individual hanging tabs.
[0010] However, this box has several disadvantages as far as its
production and use are concerned.
[0011] The blank of the box disclosed in the American patent has a
vertical construction, i.e. the two hanging tabs and the end tab,
which together form the hanging means of the box, are arranged in a
straight line with the four side walls, the individual parts being
connected to one another by a folding line in each case. This type
of folding blank means that, once the body of the box has been
assembled, the box can only be filled from the side and not, as is
generally customary and desired, from above. This makes it
necessary to use cartoning and filling machines which are
specifically designed for this blank and are otherwise rather
unconventional.
[0012] Furthermore, when the box has been completed, there is a
section, in the region of the hanging means, which has a threefold
material thickness, as a result of three walls located one above
the other, and is thus over-dimensioned, which makes the box more
expensive to produce, as a result of increased material
consumption, and at the same time results in the weight of the box
increasing, with the generally known disadvantages. It is only
possible to open the box by first of all a strip of material over
the actual opening being removed in an irreversible manner and thus
ending up as waste, which, from current environmental standpoints,
is undesirable. The box is then torn open at a perforation
line.
[0013] The box can only be reclosed by the hanging means, following
corresponding folding, simultaneously serving as a closure cover
and being pushed into the opening of the box. This rules out the
possibility, once the box has been opened for the first time and
closed again, of the box being hung up again by its actual hanging
means. The hanging means thus loses its original, actual
function.
[0014] Furthermore, it is not possible to rule out the situation,
during closure of the box, where the closure cover, in particular
when the box is no longer completely full, slips, in an
uncontrolled manner, too far into the interior of the box, with the
result that it is no longer possible to grip said closure cover and
the box can then only be opened with very great difficulty.
[0015] Finally, the simultaneous use of the hanging means as a
closure cover for the box means that when the box is still sealed,
in particular when the box is of a large overall depth, a large,
bulky hanging means is produced, and this results, for example, in
the box taking up a very large amount of surface area when it is
hung up in a rack, with the result that the actual capacity of the
rack can only be utilized insufficiently by the boxes
disclosed.
[0016] DE 195 41 904 A1 discloses a similar folding box. The
folding box comprises a front side wall, a rear side wall, a
right-hand side wall, which connects the front side wall and the
rear side wall, and a left-hand side wall. The box has a base
closure, which is formed by four base closure flaps, and a top
closure, which is formed by four closure flaps, two closure flaps
of the top closure and two base closure flaps being adhesively
bonded to one another. Furthermore, integrated in the front side
wall or in the rear side wall is a tear-open tab which is retained
in the front side wall or the rear side wall by means of a
weakening or predetermined tearing line and is connected to a
closure flap of the top closure or to a base closure flap of the
base closure via a folding line. At least one inner rear wall is
provided in the folding box, to be precise if the tear-open tab is
located in the rear side wall. In the case where the tear-open tab
is located in the front side wall, then an intermediate wall and,
adjoining the intermediate wall, an inner front wall are
articulated.
[0017] Articulated on the rear side wall, in the region of the
latter which is free of the tear-open tab, is a first hanging tab,
which is located in the plane formed by the rear side wall and has
a hanging device, such as slots or round holes. At the same time, a
second hanging tab with a hanging device, such as slots or round
holes, is punched out of the same region of the inner rear wall as
in the case of the rear side wall, starting from the folding line
between the inner rear wall and closure flap, it being the case
that the closure flap which is articulated on the inner rear wall
is of a greater width at the folding line than the second hanging
tab.
[0018] DE 195 35 008 A1 has disclosed a recloseable, cuboidal
folding box having a front side wall, a rear side wall, a left-hand
side wall, which connects the front side wall and the rear side
wall, and a right-hand side wall, having a recloseable base,
preferably comprising three base closure flaps articulated on the
side walls, and having three further closure flaps, which are
articulated on the front side wall, on the left-hand side wall,
which connects the front side wall and the rear side wall, and on
the right-hand side wall and which are located opposite the base
closure flaps, and having a fourth closure flap, which is
articulated on the rear side wall and, together with the three
further closure flaps, forms the top closure of the folding box,
this making it possible to have a secure and stable means of
hanging the folding box on the known self-service hooks of sales
racks within shops or pharmacies.
[0019] The fourth closure flap is made up, according to the
invention, of a plurality of sections, to be precise of
[0020] a first hanging tab with a hanging device, which is
articulated on the rear side wall of the folding box via a folding
line, there being articulated on the first hanging tab, via a
folding line,
[0021] a second hanging tab with a hanging device, there being
articulated on the second hanging tab, via a folding line,
[0022] an end tab,
[0023] it being the case that the first hanging tab, the second
hanging tab and the end tab are arranged one behind the other in a
straight line, it being the case that the three further closure
flaps and the fourth closure flap are each articulated on the same
side of the four side walls, and it being the case that, when the
folding box has been completed, the end tab is adhesively bonded to
the closure flap articulated on the front side wall.
[0024] This folding box has a double-layer hanging means, but does
not have a tamperproof seal which is recloseable.
[0025] The disadvantage with all the boxes known from the prior art
is that, in so far as they have the tamperproof seal disclosed by
DE 43 22 555 A1, the hanging means is always provided on that side
of the folding box which is located opposite the tamperproof seal,
i.e. in the base region of the folding box when said folding boxes
are ones with a single-part blank. For the reasons specified above,
the task of adhesively bonding a hanging means on the box
subsequently is always to be avoided.
[0026] It is annoying for the customer if the hanging means of the
folding box and the closure are arranged on opposite sides of the
folding box. Experience has shown that the customer takes the
folding box in his/her hand and opens it at the top, that is to say
in the vicinity of the hanging means, by irreversibly tearing open,
and destroying, the folding box. Subsequent closure of said folding
box is no longer possible.
[0027] The customer who has had a little more experience of such
boxes opens the folding box, as envisaged, at the tamperproof seal,
removes the desired product, for example a plaster, and then closes
the box again. If the latter is then hung on a hook by the hanging
means, the closed closure is located at the bottom. It is thus not
possible to rule out the situation where the folding box comes open
unintentionally and the products located therein drop out.
[0028] A second problem with the folding box known from DE 43 22
555 A1 is that, in order to form the tamperproof seal, it is always
necessary to have a fifth wall, which is located within the folding
box and necessitates the use of additional material.
[0029] This wall results in a relatively complicated blank with a
relatively large amount of waste, and furthermore it increases the
material cost. Finally, the wall increases the folding-box weight
which has to be disposed of.
[0030] The task of the invention is to solve the problems
described.
[0031] The object of the invention is to provide a recloseable,
cuboidal folding box which has a tamperproof seal which has a high
stability, with as little material being used as possible, which
can be produced cost-effectively, with as little material being
used as possible, which can be erected, filled and closed easily
and quickly with the aid of machines, and of which the folding
blank is in a single piece.
[0032] This object, on which the invention is based, is achieved by
the teaching of the main claim. Advantageous configurations are
explained in the subclaims. The invention also comprises a punched
blank of the folding box according to the invention.
[0033] The recloseable, cuboidal folding box according to the
invention thus comprises a front side wall, a rear side wall, a
right-hand side wall, which connects the front side wall and the
rear side wall, and a left-hand side wall. The folding box has a
base closure, which is formed, in particular, by four base closure
flaps, and a top closure, it being possible for two base closure
flaps to be adhesively bonded to one another. Furthermore,
integrated in the rear side wall is a tear-open tab which is
retained in the rear side wall by means of a weakening or
predetermined tearing line. Articulated on the front side wall is a
top closure flap which is made up of
[0034] a) a cover section which is articulated on the front side
wall via a folding line,
[0035] b) a tab which is articulated on the cover section via a
folding line,
[0036] c) it being the case that, when the folding box has been
completed, the tab engages in the outward direction over the
tear-open tab in the rear side wall and is adhesively bonded to the
tear-open tab.
[0037] The construction of the preferred embodiment of the folding
box is similar to a construction known from ECMA Code A 1020 (see
"THE ECMA CODE of FOLDING CARTON STYLES", published by ECMA
(European Carton Makers Association), Reprint January 2000).
[0038] It has been found to be particularly advantageous if there
are provided in the top closure flap a first hanging tab with a
hanging device and a second hanging tab with a hanging device,
which are connected to one another, in particular, via a folding
line.
[0039] It is preferable here for the hanging tabs to be arranged
between the front side wall and the cover section. In this case,
the front side wall and the first hanging tab may be combined to
form a single wall without a separating folding line.
[0040] In an alternative embodiment, the hanging tabs are arranged
between the cover section and the tab. In this case, the second
hanging tab and the tab may be combined to form a single wall
without a separating folding line.
[0041] In a further alternative embodiment, the hanging tabs divide
the cover section into two parts. In order to ensure that the
folding box hangs vertically within a sales rack, the cover section
is particularly preferably divided in the centre by the hanging
tabs.
[0042] In a further preferred embodiment of the folding box, the
dimensions of the first and second hanging tabs correspond, and the
hanging device in the first hanging tab is advantageously of larger
dimensions than the hanging device in the second hanging tab, to be
precise in order to ensure that, despite the unavoidable inaccuracy
during the folding operation of the folding box, the requirements
for the dimensions of the opening, which is formed from the hanging
devices located, possibly not completely, one above the other, are
fulfilled.
[0043] Furthermore, the two hanging tabs may also be adhesively
bonded to one another, in order to increase the stability of the
hanging means of the folding box, which is formed from the two
hanging tabs.
[0044] In order that the first and, if appropriate, second hanging
tabs achieve greater flexibility at the respective folding lines,
be this between the front side wall and the cover section, between
the cover section and the tab or within the cover section, with the
result that the hanging tabs can be bent over more easily, punched
sections in the manner of knife cuts may be provided over the
entire length, or merely in certain areas, of said folding
lines.
[0045] It is likewise possible for the folding line between the
first hanging tab and the second hanging tab to be provided with
punched sections in the manner of knife cuts.
[0046] It is further particularly preferable for the cover section
to cover the tear-open tab fully over the entire surface area.
[0047] Once the folding box has been torn open for the first time,
the tear-open tab thus cannot be seen beneath the cover section,
with the result that the appearance of the folding box is not
adversely affected. Furthermore, this embodiment has the advantage
that the gap which is present in the rear side wall once the
tear-open tab has been removed is completely closed by the cover
section when the latter is guided beneath the rear side wall in
order to close the folding box.
[0048] This reliably prevents the penetration of dust or particles
of dirt.
[0049] In a further preferred embodiment of the folding box, the
tear-open tab does not extend over the entire width of the rear
side wall. Rather, the tear-open tab is of relatively narrow
design, to be precise such that provided alongside the tear-open
tab in the top region of the rear side wall are crosspieces which,
once the tear-open tab has been removed from the rear side wall,
ensure increased stability of the rear side wall and thus of the
folding box as a whole.
[0050] The folding box has a tamperproof seal beneath the visible
tab. This tamperproof seal is provided in that the surface of the
underside of the cover section forms an adhesively bonded unit with
the perforated tear-open tab on the body of the folding box. This
perforated tear-open tab is located beneath the adhesively bonded
insertion tab located on top, and is perforated such that said tabs
are severed from the body of the folding box when the latter is
opened for the first time, by the two adhesively bonded surfaces
located one above the other being pressed in slightly. The folding
box can be reclosed, as is known, by the cover section being
reinserted. Once the folding box has been opened, the product can
be removed.
[0051] The severed surface area in the region of the removal
opening additionally produces an improved, enlarged removal surface
area for the product.
[0052] It is further preferably possible for the tear-open tab to
have a further closure tab articulated on it via a folding line,
said closure tab being located in extension of the rear side
wall.
[0053] When the folding box is adhesively bonded at a later stage,
this increases the stability of the same. The closure tab is swung
over through 90.degree., positioned on the closure flap and
adhesively bonded thereto. This increases the compressive strength
of the folding box such that sagging of the top closure of the
folding box can be ruled out.
[0054] The recloseable, cuboidal folding box can be used
particularly advantageously for packaging flat articles, in
particular one or more plasters.
[0055] The invention also relates to the punched blank for
producing a folding box which is characterized in the claims.
[0056] The advantage of this folding box resides in the fact that
the closure of the folding box and the hanging means formed from
the hanging tabs are fitted on one side of the folding box. There
are also further advantages, for example, when the tamperproof pack
is closed, unauthorized opening of the box can be detected
immediately.
[0057] The folding box is machine-compatible; it is provided with
adhesive when the blank is the flattened-out state, is erected by
the cartoning machine and is transported to the filling station,
the hanging tab having already been formed on the folding box. The
front and rear sides of the folding box provide excellent design
possibilities. Once the folding box has been erected and filled,
simple adhesive bonding of the head region and of the central
region is possible. This adhesive bonding achieves good
dustproofing, this dispensing with the need for the folding box to
be fully wrapped subsequently or provided with additional
packaging.
[0058] The folding box is adhesively bonded, dustproof, provided
with a tamperproof seal and recloseable; it is easy to handle and
can be designed in various ways. Problem-free processing is
possible. Furthermore, the folding box is environmentally friendly
and is produced from a folding blank with minimum material
consumption.
[0059] During assembly of the folding box, a hanging means is
formed on the same, said hanging means being made up of two hanging
tabs--and therefore of two layers of material. This has the
advantage that the hanging means is characterized by high
stability, with the result that it withstands even relatively high
tensile loading without there being any risk of it being torn off.
In particular if the two hanging tabs are adhesively bonded to one
another, the result is a fixed composite arrangement, which may
also be designed in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
[0060] Apart from the hanging means, as far as the folding box is
concerned, the walls, with the exception of envisaged
adhesive-bonding areas, are otherwise of single-layer design in
each case. This means that, overall, a very small amount of
material is used up for designing the folding box, although a
load-bearing hanging means is nevertheless formed.
[0061] The integration of the hanging means in the folding blank of
the folding box allows the folding box to be completed within one
operating step. The subsequent task, thus involving unnecessary
outlay, of adhesively bonding a hanging means on the otherwise
finished box is dispensed with.
[0062] The folding-box design according to the invention reduces
the sources of disruption when the products, in particular
plasters, are introduced into the folding box, because the latter
does not contain in its interior any protruding edge on which the
products may catch.
[0063] A particularly advantageous embodiment of the folding box
along with the punched blank is explained in more detail, without
there being any intention of thereby limiting the invention
unnecessarily, with reference to the figures, which are described
hereinbelow and in which:
[0064] FIG. 1 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of the folding box of particularly advantageous
design,
[0065] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the completed and closed folding box
in the region of the top closure, to be precise, in the former
case, before the folding box has been opened for the first time
and, in the latter case, once the folding box has been opened for
the first time,
[0066] FIG. 4 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a folding box of alternative design,
[0067] FIG. 5 shows the completed and closed folding box according
to FIG. 4 in the region of the top closure, to be precise before
the folding box has been opened for the first time,
[0068] FIG. 6 shows the completed and closed folding box according
to FIG. 4 in the region of the top closure in a slightly different
form,
[0069] FIG. 7 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a further folding box of alternative design,
[0070] FIG. 8 shows the completed and closed folding box according
to FIG. 7 in the region of the top closure, to be precise before
the folding box has been opened for the first time,
[0071] FIG. 9 shows the hanging means of the folding box according
to FIG. 8 in lateral section,
[0072] FIG. 10 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a further folding box of alternative design,
[0073] FIG. 11 shows the completed and closed folding box according
to FIG. 10 in the region of the top closure, to be precise before
the folding box has been opened for the first time,
[0074] FIG. 12 shows the hanging means of the folding box according
to FIG. 11 in lateral section,
[0075] FIG. 13 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a further folding box of alternative design,
and
[0076] FIG. 14 shows the completed and closed folding box according
to FIG. 13 in the region of the top closure, to be precise before
the folding box has been opened for the first time.
[0077] FIG. 1 illustrates the punched blank 10 of the folding box
1. The punched blank 10 may consist of cardboard, paperboard or
another suitable material. The body of the erected folding box 1 is
formed by the front side wall 11, the rear side wall 12, the
right-hand side wall 13, which connects the front side wall 11 and
the rear side wall 12, and the left-hand side wail 14.
[0078] The tear-open tab 40, which is provided for opening the
folding box 1, is retained in the rear side wall 12 by means of a
weakening or predetermined tearing line 41, to be precise in the
region of the top closure 30.
[0079] The rear side wall 12 has articulated on it a tab 16, it
being possible for the tab 16 to be adhesively bonded to the
left-hand side wall 14 for the purpose of non-releasable closure of
the body of the folding box.
[0080] All the side walls 11, 12, 13, 14 are of rectangular shape,
although the front side wall 11 and rear side wall 12, which are
preferably of the same dimensions, are somewhat wider than the
other two side walls 13, 14, which are likewise preferably of
identical dimensions. The tab 16, on the one hand, is of such a
width as to allow reliable adhesive bonding to the left-hand side
wall 14, but, on the other hand, is no wider than the two side
walls 13, 14.
[0081] The individual side walls 11, 12, 13, 14 and the tab 16 are
connected to one another via corresponding folding lines 101, 102,
103, 104.
[0082] The base closure 20 is made up of the four base closure
flaps 21, 22, 23, 24, which are attached to the corresponding side
walls 11, 12, 13, 14 by means of folding lines 201, 202, 203, 204.
The base closure flap 21, which is articulated on the front side
wall 11, and the base closure flap 22, which is articulated on the
rear side wall 12 via the folding line 202, are preferably of
rectangular shape. The length or height of the two closure flaps
21, 22 advantageously corresponds more or less to the width of the
two narrower side walls 13, 14, with the result that, when the
folding box 1 has been erected, the base closure flaps 21, 22,
which are swung inwards at an angle of 90.degree., overlap, and are
advantageously adhesively bonded to one another, this providing the
base closure 20 with increased protection against the penetration
of dust or other particles of dirt.
[0083] Two further base closure flaps 23, 24 are articulated on the
two narrow side walls 13, 14 via the folding lines 203, 204, said
further base closure flaps tapering towards their free end and
being of essentially trapezoidal design.
[0084] The top closure 30 is made up of a top closure flap 31 which
is articulated on the front side wall 11 via the folding line 301,
and of two closure flaps 33, 34, which are correspondingly attached
to the side walls 13, 14 via the folding lines 303, 304.
[0085] The two closure flaps 33, 34 are preferably of the same
shape and dimension as the two base closure flaps 23, 24.
[0086] The top closure flap 31 comprises
[0087] a) a cover section 311 which is articulated on the front
side wall 11 via a folding line 301,
[0088] b) a tab 314 which is articulated on the cover section 311
via a folding line 302,
[0089] c) it being the case that, when the folding box 1 has been
completed, the tab 314 engages in the outward direction over the
tear-open tab 40 in the rear side wall 12 and is adhesively bonded
to the tear-open tab 40.
[0090] The cover section 311, which is articulated on the front
side wall 11, is preferably of rectangular shape. The length and
height of the cover section 311 advantageously correspond more or
less to the dimensions of the base closure flaps 21, 22.
[0091] Two further closure flaps 33, 34 are articulated on the two
narrow side walls 13, 14 via the folding lines 303, 304, said
further closure flaps tapering towards their free end and being of
essentially trapezoidal design. The tab 314, which is articulated
on the cover section 311, extends over the entire width of the
front side wall 11. The tab 314 fully covers the tear-open tab 40
over the entire surface area, with the result that the tear-open
tab 40 is located beneath the tab 314 and cannot be seen there from
the outside.
[0092] The essentially rectangular tear-open tab 40 is provided in
the rear side wall 12, and can easily be torn out of the rear side
wall 12 by a correspondingly provided weakening or predetermined
tearing line 41. In order to open the top closure 30, the tab 314,
which is adhesively bonded to the outside of the tear-open tab 40,
is pulled, with the result that the weakening or predetermined
tearing line 41 is severed and the tear-open tab 40 is removed from
the rear side wall 12 and swung rearwards through, for example,
90.degree. at the folding line 301 together with the tab 314.
[0093] In order to reclose the folding box 1, the tab 314 is
inserted into the folding box 1, to be precise directly beneath the
rear side wall 12.
[0094] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the completed and closed folding box 1 in
the region of the top closure 30, to be precise, in the former
case, before the folding box has been opened for the first time
and, in the latter case, once the folding box has been opened for
the first time.
[0095] The body of the folding box 1 has been erected. The cover
section 311 closes the folding box 1 from above, and the tab 314 is
adhesively bonded to the tear-open tab 40, with the result that the
latter is fully covered. The folding box 1 thus cannot be opened
without being damaged.
[0096] Following opening, in contrast--as FIG. 3 shows--the
weakening or predetermined tearing line 41 has been severed, with
the result that the tear-open tab 40 can be guided upwards together
with the tab 314. In order to render access to the contents of the
folding box 1 easier still, the closure flaps 33, 34 are swung open
upwards.
[0097] FIG. 4 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a folding box 1 of alternative design which is
provided with a hanging means in the region of the top closure
30.
[0098] For this purpose, on the front side wall 11 on the one hand
said closure flap 31 is articulated via a folding line 301 and on
the other hand, on the opposite side, the base closure flap 21 is
articulated via a folding line 201, it being the case that the
closure flap 31 is made up of a first section 3111 of the cover
section 311 which is articulated on the front side wall 11 via a
folding line 301, of a first hanging tab 312 with a hanging device
35, which is articulated on the first section 3111 via a folding
line 305, of a second hanging tab 313 with a hanging device 36,
which is articulated on the first hanging tab 312 via a folding
line 306, of a second cover section 3112, which is articulated on
the second hanging tab 313 via a folding line 307 and of the tab
314, which is articulated on the second cover section 3112 via the
folding line 302.
[0099] The sum of the widths of the two cover sections 3111 and
3112 corresponds approximately to the width of the two base closure
flaps 21, 22. In the case of the preferred embodiment of the
folding box 1 illustrated here, the two cover sections 3111 and
3112 are of the same width.
[0100] In order to assemble the folding box 1, the closure flaps
33, 34 are first of all swung inwards at an angle of 90.degree..
The closure flap 31 is folded, with the result that the two cover
sections 3111 and 3112 are aligned parallel to one another and form
the cover surface of the folding box 1. The first hanging tab 312,
which is essentially of rectangular shape, advantageously has
centrally, in the centre of gravity of its surface area, a hanging
device 35, which preferably displays a combination of slots and
round holes, this resulting in the generally preferred shape for
such recesses, the so-called standard European hole, which allows
secure but at the same time also flexible positioning of the full
folding box 1 in a sales rack with correspondingly provided sales
hooks.
[0101] Articulated on the first hanging tab 312 is the second
hanging tab 313, which is of the same shape and dimensions as the
first hanging tab 312, the only difference being that the hanging
device 36 is somewhat smaller than the hanging device 35 of the
first hanging tab 312, but the second hanging tab is turned at an
angle of 180.degree. in relation to the first hanging tab 312, with
the result that, when the second hanging tab 313 is bent over via
the folding line 306, the two hanging tabs 312, 313 are located one
above the other such that the two hanging devices 35, 36 are
arranged congruently as far as possible. The two hanging tabs 312,
313 may advantageously be adhesively bonded to one another, which
increases the stability.
[0102] For reasons of appearance, it is also possible for the total
of four free corners of the two hanging tabs 312, 313 to be rounded
identically preferably in the form of quarter-circles.
[0103] FIG. 5 discloses the completed and closed folding box 1
according to FIG. 4 in the region of the top closure 30, to be
precise before the folding box 1 has been opened for the first
time.
[0104] In order for the hanging means of the folding box 1 to be
utilized with optimum functioning, it is possible, during the
closure operation (once the folding box has been filled with
products and then adhesively bonded in the cartoning machine), for
a subsequently appearing possible roof inclination to be produced
in the region of the top closure 30 (see FIG. 6, for example for
hanging on the self-service hook), by slight, additional adhesive
bonding 331, 341 of the closure flaps 33, 34 to the two cover
sections 3111 and 3112.
[0105] This adhesive bonding is detached when the folding box 1 is
opened for the first time, with the result that the latter cannot
be adversely affected by the adhesive bonding when it is closed for
the first time.
[0106] FIG. 6 shows the completed and closed folding box 1
according to FIG. 4 in the region of the top closure 30 in a
slightly different form, to be precise a roof inclination in the
region of the top closure 30 is specifically desired here in order
to enhance the appearance of the folding box 1.
[0107] For this purpose, the two cover sections 3111 and 3112 are
designed such that the sum of the widths of the two cover sections
3111 and 3112 far exceeds the width of the two base closure flaps
21, 22.
[0108] FIG. 7 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a folding box 1 of alternative design, which is
provided with a hanging means in the region of the top closure
30.
[0109] The closure flap 31 is made up of the cover section 311, of
the first hanging tab 312 with a hanging device 35, of the second
hanging tab 313 with a hanging device 36 and of the tab 314.
[0110] The second hanging tab 313 with a hanging device 36 and the
tab 314 are combined to form a single wall.
[0111] As can be gathered from FIG. 8, which shows the completed
and closed folding box 1 according to FIG. 7 in the region of the
top closure 30, to be precise before the folding box has been
opened for the first time, this type of design of the closure flap
31 achieves the situation where the hanging means is located in
extension of the rear side wall 12.
[0112] Finally, FIG. 9 shows, in lateral section, how the hanging
means according to FIG. 8 is made up.
[0113] FIG. 10 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a further folding box 1 of alternative design,
which is provided with a hanging means in the region of the top
closure 30.
[0114] The closure flap 31 is made up of the first hanging tab 312
with a hanging device 35, of the second hanging tab 313 with a
hanging device 36, of the cover section 311 and of the tab 314.
[0115] The first hanging tab 312 with a hanging device 35 and the
rear side wall 12 are combined to form a single wall.
[0116] As can be gathered from FIG. 11, which shows the completed
and closed folding box 1 according to FIG. 10 in the region of the
top closure 30, to be precise before the folding box has been
opened for the first time, this type of design of the closure flap
31 achieves the situation where the hanging means is located in
extension of the front side wall 11.
[0117] Finally, FIG. 12 shows, in lateral section, how the hanging
means according to FIG. 11 is made up.
[0118] FIG. 13 shows the flattened-out, non-adhesively-bonded
punched blank of a folding box 1 of alternative design, which is
provided with a hanging means in the region of the top closure
30.
[0119] The closure flap 31 is articulated on the front side wall 11
via a folding line 301, as is known from FIG. 4. The closure flap
31 is made up of a first section 3111 of the cover section 311,
which is articulated on the front side wall 11 via a folding line
301, of the first hanging tab 312 with a hanging device 35, which
is articulated on the first section 3111 via a folding line 305, of
a second hanging tab 313 with a hanging device 36, which is
articulated on the first hanging tab 312 via a folding line 306, of
a second cover section 3112, which is articulated on the second
hanging tab 313 via a folding line 307, and of the tab 314, which
is articulated on the second cover section 3112 via the folding
line 302.
[0120] The sum of the widths of the two cover sections 3111 and
3112 corresponds approximately to the width of the two base closure
flaps 21, 22. In the case of the preferred embodiment of the
folding box 1 illustrated here, the two cover sections 3111 and
3112 are of the same width.
[0121] The tear-open tab 40 has a further closure tab 42
articulated on it via a folding line 401, said closure tab being
located in extension of the rear side wall 11. The closure tab is
of more or less the same dimensions as the base closure flaps 21,
22.
[0122] FIG. 14 shows how the folding box 1 is assembled. The
closure tab 42 is swung over through 90.degree., positioned on the
closure flaps 33, 34 and adhesively bonded thereto.
[0123] The operation of assembling the folding box 1 according to
FIG. 4 takes place in that, in order to erect the folding box 1,
first of all, in the case of the top closure 30, the closure flaps
33, 34, which are located on the narrower side walls 13, 14, are
swung inwards. The closure flap 31 is then made into the desired
form by the hanging tabs 312, 313 being folded such that the two
hanging tabs 312, 313 are located one above the other, so that
adhesive bonding can take place, with the result that the double
material wall renders the hanging means of the folding box 1
extremely stable.
[0124] The two cover sections 3111 and 3112 are aligned parallel to
one another. The tab 314 is adhesively bonded to the tear-open tab
40.
[0125] In the case of the base closure 20, the base closure flaps
23, 24, which are located on the narrower side walls 13, 14, are
swung inwards through 900, the base closure flap 22, which is
located on the rear side wall 12, is folded onto the same, and then
the base closure flap 21, which is located on the front side wall
11, is bent over correspondingly, adhesive bonding of the two base
closure flaps 21, 22 likewise taking place here.
[0126] This means that the top closure 30 and the base closure 20
of the folding box 1 cannot be opened without force being applied
and are thus protected against theft and dustproof.
[0127] By virtue of the hanging means of the folding box 1 being
folded back into the vertical position, the completed and closed
folding box 1 is in the state in which it is supplied to the
customer, who can than hang it in sales racks provided with hooks
and advantageously display it for selling purposes.
* * * * *