U.S. patent application number 10/985054 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for box with tamper-proof lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to GI.BI.EFFE S.r.l.. Invention is credited to Lo Duca, Carmelo.
Application Number | 20050116016 10/985054 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34452262 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050116016 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lo Duca, Carmelo |
June 2, 2005 |
Box with tamper-proof lid
Abstract
A box with tamper-proof lid formed from a single peace of
punched and crease-lined cardboard or similar flexible material, of
the type having at least one closure panel of high resistance to
opening with at least one flap positioned below and in contact with
said closure panel when this is closed with a tab projecting
therefrom inserted into the box. The tab is folded from the panel
about a folding line an at its two ends it presents cuts into which
said flaps extend to retain the tab in its closed position.
Inventors: |
Lo Duca, Carmelo; (Milan,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
GI.BI.EFFE S.r.l.
Milan
IT
|
Family ID: |
34452262 |
Appl. No.: |
10/985054 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
229/121 ;
229/102; 229/122; 229/243; 229/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2401/00 20200501;
B65D 5/541 20130101; B65D 5/10 20130101; B65D 5/0254 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/121 ;
229/102; 229/122; 229/243; 229/244 |
International
Class: |
B65D 005/43; B65D
017/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2003 |
IT |
MI2003A002347 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A box with tamper-proof lid, formed from a single piece of
punched and crease-lined cardboard or the like, comprising: four
consecutive main panels and a flap projecting from the fourth main
panel on which the first main panel is superposed and glued, the
main panels and said flap being separated from each other by
longitudinal parallel folding lines, two closure panels for the two
ends of the box and projecting from the ends of at least one of the
main panels, a tab projecting from the ends of at least one of the
main panels consecutive to that from which the closure panel
projects, the closure panels and said tabs being separated from the
main panels by transverse folding lines perpendicular to said
longitudinal folding lines, a lip projecting from each closure
panel and separated from it by a folding line the two ends of which
are both incised by a short cut, the width of each closure panel
between the folding lines which separate it from the adjacent main
panels and from the respective lip being substantially equal to the
width of that main panel adjacent to that from which the closure
panel projects, wherein in the closure panel there is provided a
continuous cut which intersects the folding line and extends with a
succession of separate short cuts and a knurling towards the side
edges of the said closure panel.
2. A box as claimed in claim 1, wherein said continuous cut the
succession of separate short cuts and the knurling provided in the
closure panel extend along a substantially arc-shaped line.
3. A box as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said lips, external to
that portion of the closure panel bounded by the continuous cut,
C-shaped cuts are provided defining appendices projecting from the
adjacent closure panel to leave free a corresponding window in the
lip when this is folded about the respective folding line which
separates it from the closure panel, from the tabs there laterally
projecting a hook-shaped tooth which when the box is closed
projects through the window left free in the lip by the adjacent
appendix to retain this lip inside the box.
4. A box as claimed in claims 2, wherein in said lips, external to
that portion of the closure panel bounded by the continuous cut,
C-shaped cuts are provided defining appendices projecting from the
adjacent closure panel to leave free a corresponding window in the
lip when this is folded about the respective folding line which
separates it from the closure panel, from the tabs there laterally
projecting a hook-shaped tooth which when the box is closed
projects through the window left free in the lip by the adjacent
appendix to retain this lip inside the box.
5. A sheet in the form of a single piece of punched and
crease-lined cardboard or similar flexible material for forming a
box having the characteristics resulting from claims from 1 to 4.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a box with tamper-proof lid
formed from a single piece of punched and crease-lined cardboard or
similar flexible material, of the type having at least one closure
panel of high resistance to opening with at least one flap
positioned below and in contact with said closure panel when this
is closed with a tab projecting therefrom inserted into the box,
said tab being folded from the panel about a folding line, the two
ends of which present cuts into which said flaps extend to retain
the tab in its closed position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,374, EP-B-0709293 and EP-A-1340684 (all
incorporated herein as reference) describe boxes apparently similar
to that of the present invention, these boxes having closure panels
with high resistance to opening, from said panels there projecting
tabs which are inserted into and retained in the respective box
when made up and closed, knurled lines being provided, which are
broken when the closure panels are opened for the first time, to
highlight the fact that the box has already been opened.
[0003] The boxes described in the aforesaid prior patents are very
efficient, but they all present the drawback of being able to be
opened, using considerable care and patience, without breaking the
said knurling, by inserting a thin rigid blade below the closed
panel, releasing the box flaps which engage and retain the tabs
projecting from said closure panel, then rotating the closure panel
(again by means of the thin rigid blade) to open the box lid; this
fraudulent box opening operation is very laborious and delicate,
but it can be done.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The main object of the present invention is to provide a box
similar to those described in the aforesaid prior patents, but
which is effectively tamper-proof, in the sense that it cannot be
opened without tearing a large part of the box lid.
[0005] A further object is to provide a box which is of low
production cost and can be made up and closed in the manner of a
common box of similar type.
[0006] These and further objects are attained by a box with
tamper-proof lid, comprising:
[0007] four consecutive main panels and a flap projecting from the
fourth main panel on which the first main panel is superposed and
glued, the main panels and said flap being separated from each
other by longitudinal parallel folding lines,
[0008] two closure panels for the two ends of the box and
projecting from the ends of at least one of the main panels,
[0009] a tab projecting from the ends of at least one of the main
panels consecutive to that from which the closure panel projects,
the closure panels and said tabs being separated from the main
panels by transverse folding line perpendicular to said
longitudinal folding lines,
[0010] a lip projecting from each closure panel and separated from
it by a folding line the two ends of which are both incised by a
short cut the width of each closure panel between the folding lines
which separate it from the adjacent main panels and from the
respective lip being substantially equal to the width of that main
panel adjacent to that from which the closure panel projects,
wherein in the closure panel there is provided a continuous cut
which intersects the folding line and extends with a succession of
separate short cuts and a knurling towards the side edges of the
said closure panel.
[0011] Preferably, said continuous cut, the succession of short
cuts and the knurling provided in the closure panel extend along a
substantially arc-shaped line.
[0012] Again preferably, in said lips, external to that portion of
the closure panel bounded by the continuous cut C-shaped cuts are
provided defining appendices projecting from the adjacent closure
panel to leave free a corresponding window in the lip when this is
folded about the respective folding line which separates it from
the closure panel, from the tabs there laterally projecting a
hook-shaped tooth which when the box is closed projects through the
window left free in the lip by the adjacent appendix to retain this
lip inside the box.
[0013] The invention also relates to the sheet in the form of a
single piece of punched and crease-lined cardboard or similar
flexible material for forming a box having the aforesaid
characteristics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The structure and characteristics of the box of the
invention will be more apparent from the ensuing description of a
preferred embodiment thereof given by way of non-limiting example
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0015] Figures from 1 to 3 represent a punched and crease-lined
cardboard sheet shown in plan view and in its successive respective
stages of folding to form a box open and lying flat on itself;
[0016] FIG. 4 represents on a considerably enlarged scale one of
the two box closure panels, shown flat and integral as it appears
in Figures from 1 to 3;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a finished and closed box,
with its closure panel integral; and
[0018] FIG. 6 shows, on an enlarged scale and seen from a different
angle, an end portion of the box of FIG. 5, but with its closure
panel tampered with, torn and partially lifted upwards.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Reference will firstly be made to FIG. 1, which shows,
spread out in plan view, a piece of punched, crease-lined and
knurled cardboard comprising four main panels 1-4 and a flap 5
separated from each other by longitudinal parallel folding (crease)
lines 6-9. A closure panel 10 projects from each of the two ends of
the panel 1, a tab 11 projecting from each end of the panels 2 and
4, the closure panels 10 and the tabs 11 being separated from the
respective main panels by transverse folding lines, all indicated
by the reference numeral 12.
[0020] From each panel 10 there projects a lip 13 which is
separated from the panel by a folding line 14 the two ends of which
are both incised by a short cut 15, the width of each panel 10
between the folding lines 12 and 14 relative thereto being
substantially equal to the width of the two main panels 2 and
4.
[0021] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, in each of the two
lips 13 there are provided two C-shaped cuts which define
appendices 19 projecting outwards from the panel 10 when in its
flattened position (FIGS. 1-4). When the lips 13 are folded about
the respective folding lines 14 (which occurs when the two ends or
lids of the made-up box are closed as in FIG. 5), the appendices 19
remain coplanar with the relative panel 10 to leave free within the
lips 3 windows into which hook-shaped teeth 20 (FIGS. 1-3)
projecting laterally one from each tab 11 are inserted and hooked.
When the box is closed, those ends of the tabs 11 close to their
folding lines 12 become inserted into the respective cuts 15
provided at the ends of the folding lines 14, to hence considerably
obstruct the opening of the box lid.
[0022] All the aforedescribed structural and functional
characteristics are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,374,
EP-B-0709293 and EP-A-1340684, incorporated herein for reference:
in particular, FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,374, FIG. 4 of
EP-B-0709293 and FIG. 6 of EP-A-1340684 show how the tabs 11 of the
box can interfere with the lip 13 to oppose opening of the lid of
the box of which they form part.
[0023] In the cardboard sheet shown in the accompanying figures it
can be seen that the panel 1 is provided with a breakable knurling
21 and a semicircular aperture 22 defining an appendix 23 which can
be gripped with two fingers of a hand and pulled outwards to break
the panel 1 along said knurling: in this manner a lateral lid is
obtained, rotatable about the folding line 6.
[0024] It can also be seen that in the flap 5 there is provided a
cut defining an aperture 24 into which the appendix 23 of the
rotatable lateral lid can be inserted and retained after it has
been opened to extract contained articles from the completed
box.
[0025] The presence of the said lateral lid is not however
necessary for implementing the present invention.
[0026] The new and characteristic part of the box according to the
invention regards the structure of its end lids formed by the
closure panel 10 and the lip 13 connected to and projecting from
it.
[0027] As can be seen in particular from the enlarged scale
reproduction of FIG. 4, a continuous arc-shaped elongate cut 16 is
provided in the closure panel 10 to intersect the folding line 14
and extend beyond the line 14 into a portion of the lip 13: the cut
16 is continued beyond its ends by a succession of separate short
cuts 17 terminating with a knurling 18 which reaches the side edges
of the panel 10 (FIG. 4).
[0028] After the box has been made up and closed (FIG. 5), if an
attempt is made to lift the end lid with a finger, an inevitable
traction is exerted upwards on the panel 10 at the cut 16, so
causing the panel to break along the short cuts 17 and the
knurlings 18: the closure panel then assumes the attitude shown in
FIG. 6, immediately highlighting the fact that the box has been
tampered with.
[0029] Even if, with the closure panel unbroken and with the end
lid (of which it forms part) closed (FIG. 5), a rigid blade is
inserted between the panel 10 and the tabs 11 to attempt to
fraudulently open the lid, the closure panel 10 will again be
broken along the short cuts 17 and knurlings 18 given the small
size and the consequent weakness of those points of the panel 10
where the panel is complete (i.e. without short cuts and knurlings)
on its surface (along the arc-shaped line where the cut 16, the
short cuts 17 and the knurlings 18 are provided), while the lip 13
will sufficiently securely retain (even if there were no tab teeth
20 inserted and hooked into the lip apertures left free by the
appendices 19) that portion of the panel 10 to which said lip 13 is
connected along the folding lines 14.
[0030] Again considering FIG. 1, the box is made up by firstly
rotating the panel 4 (and with it the flap 5) about the folding
line 8 to superpose them on the panel 3, then a thin strip of glue
25 is applied to the flap 5 in proximity to the folding line 9
(FIG. 2), after which the panel 1 is rotated about its folding line
6 to superpose it on the flap 5, to which it is then fixed by the
strip of glue 25 (FIG. 3).
[0031] The box manufacturer has thus terminated box production,
piles of flat mutually superposed boxes (FIG. 3) then being
despatched to the user firm which, by means of automatic machines
of known type operating at high speed, shapes each box by firstly
pressing the two opposing folding lines 6 and 9 towards each other
(so that the box cross-section becomes rectangular), then
automatically closes the bottom cover of the box, inserts into it
the products to be contained, and finally closes the top cover.
[0032] The box hence assumes the shape shown in perspective view in
FIG. 5, in which the lip 13 (forming part of the box end lid
visible in FIGS. 5 and 6) is inserted below the panel 3 and
securely retained thereat by the tabs 11 (as already fully
described in the aforesaid prior patents).
[0033] If an attempt is made (possibly using a rigid blade inserted
between the closure panel 10 and the underlying tabs 11) to
fraudulently open or tamper with the box end lid, of which the
panel 10 forms part, the panel will certainly be broken.
* * * * *