U.S. patent application number 11/886000 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for box and lid.
Invention is credited to Lars Bjorkholm.
Application Number | 20090008391 11/886000 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36953640 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090008391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bjorkholm; Lars |
January 8, 2009 |
Box and Lid
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention, a box including an
open container and a lid for closing the open container is
disclosed, the box in a closed state comprising two base surfaces,
one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open container and
the other of the top wall of the lid, together with at least one
lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid
side. When the box is in the closed state the container side and
the lid side at least partial overlap one another. An inward
facing, inclined slide surface is furthermore arranged on the
inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the open
container, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct
closing position relative to the container. The slide surface runs
along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to the top
wall and the lid side and is remote from the lid side.
Inventors: |
Bjorkholm; Lars; (Hellerup,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARNESS, DICKEY & PIERCE, P.L.C.
P.O. BOX 8910
RESTON
VA
20195
US
|
Family ID: |
36953640 |
Appl. No.: |
11/886000 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
March 7, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2006/000285 |
371 Date: |
September 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60660469 |
Mar 11, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 23/00 20130101;
B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00101 20130101; B65D 2543/00083
20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
43/16 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101;
B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/0062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/315 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/00 20060101
B65D045/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 11, 2005 |
SE |
0500579-8 |
Claims
1. Box comprising an open container and a lid for closing the open
container, the box in a closed state being defined by two base
surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open
container and the other of the top wall of the lid, together with
at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side
and a lid side, the container side and the lid side at least
partially overlapping one another when the box is in the closed
state, wherein an inward facing, inclined slide surface is arranged
on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when closing the
open containers, to allow displacement of the lid into the correct
closing position relative to the container, the slide surface
running along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle relative to
the top wall and the lid side and being remote from the lid
side.
2. Box according to claim 1, wherein the inclined slide surface is
formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in a
section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent to
the centre of the top wall.
3. Box according to claim 1, wherein a groove is arranged on the
inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the
groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface
is arranged.
4. Box according to claim 1, wherein positively interlocking means
are provided for securing the lid in relation to the open container
when the box is in the closed state.
5. Box according to claim 1, wherein at least one dimension of the
base surfaces is greater than the height of the box in its closed
state.
6. Lid for a box for closing an open container, the box in a closed
state being defined by two base surfaces, one of which consists of
the bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall
of the lid, together with at least one lateral surface, which is
formed by a container side and a lid side, the container side and
the lid side at least partially overlapping one another when the
box is in the closed state, wherein an inward facing, inclined
slide surface is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid
in order, when closing the open container, to allow displacement of
the lid into the correct closing position relative to the
container, the slide surface running along and adjacent to the lid
side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and
being remote from the lid side.
7. Lid according to claim 6, wherein the inclined slide surface is
formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in a
section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent to
the centre of the top wall.
8. Lid according to claim 6, wherein a groove is arranged on the
inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the
groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface
is arranged.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a box according to the
precharacterizing part of claim 1 and to a lid for such a box.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Packagings in the form of boxes for snuff, both loose snuff
and packaged quantities of merchandise, most commonly consists of a
box which is discarded when the contents have been consumed. The
box comprises a lower part, a pot, which is provided with an upper
part, a lid, which allows the box to be opened and re-closed a
number of times, often in the order of 20 to 50 times. Such boxes
are advantageously composed of plastic material. In order to save
space, material and costs, the box material should be as thin as
possible.
[0003] A known box of this type is shown in SE 524025 and has a
basic shape consisting of a straight circular cylinder of low
height, and is often likened to a puck. Proceeding from this basic
shape the box may have rounded edges, a curved lid and a profiled
bottom, for example. Along the outer circumference of the pot there
is often an edge or the like, against which the lid is intended to
bear when the box is closed. This edge can be produced in that the
wall of the pot has a somewhat smaller diameter above the edge than
below it.
[0004] One problem with known boxes is that the lid often shows a
tendency to end up askew on the pot. This problem is often more
awkward and occurs more frequently where the thickness of the
material in the pot and the lid is reduced. A lid that is fitted
askew may mean that the lid immediately falls off or that the box
is not correctly closed. If not correctly closed again, the
contents of the box can fall out of the box or may dry out or
become contaminated, or the quality may be impaired in some other
way.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to produce an improved
box which entirely or partially eliminates the problems inherent in
the prior art.
[0006] The object is wholly or partially achieved by a box and a
lid according to each of the independent claims respectively.
[0007] Embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent
claims, in the following description and in the drawings.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention a box is
produced comprising an open container and a lid for closing the
open container. In a closed state the box is defined by two base
surfaces, one of which consists of the bottom wall of the open
container and the other of the top wall of the lid, and at least
one lateral surface, which is formed by a container side and a lid
side. With the box in the closed state, the container side and the
lid side at least partially overlap one another. A distinguishing
feature of the lid is that an inward facing, inclined slide surface
is arranged on the inside of the top wall of the lid in order, when
closing the open container, to allow displacement of the lid into
the correct closing position relative to the container. The slide
surface runs along and adjacent to the lid side at an angle
relative to the top wall and the lid side and is remote from the
lid side.
[0009] When closing the open container a box having the
aforementioned characteristics allows an incorrectly seating lid to
be easily shifted into the correct closing position in relation to
the open container. This serves to facilitate correct fitting of
the lid and reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.
[0010] According to one embodiment the inclined slide surface can
be formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in
a section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent
to the centre of the top wall.
[0011] Such a lid design produces an inclined slide surface, which
facilitates correct fitting of the lid and reduces the risk of
fitting the lid incorrectly.
[0012] According to one embodiment a groove may be arranged on the
inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the
groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface
is arranged.
[0013] Such a lid design facilitates correct fitting of the lid and
reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.
[0014] According to one embodiment positively interlocking means
may be provided for securing the lid in relation to the open
container when the box is in the closed state.
[0015] Such means produce a secure closure of the container.
[0016] According to one embodiment at least one dimension of the
base surfaces may be greater than the height of the box in its
closed state.
[0017] Such a design produces a box which is suitable for the
packaging of snuff, for example, the box being relatively flat and
therefore easy to handle and store.
[0018] According to a second aspect of the invention a box lid is
produced for closing an open container. In a closed state the box
is defined by two base surfaces, one of which consists of the
bottom wall of the open container and the other of the top wall of
the lid, and at least one lateral surface, which is formed by a
container side and a lid side. With the box in the closed state the
container side and the lid side at least partially overlap one
another. A distinguishing feature of the box is that an inward
facing, inclined slide surface is arranged on the inside of the top
wall of the lid in order, when closing the open container, to allow
displacement of the lid into the correct closing position relative
to the container. The slide surface runs along and adjacent to the
lid side at an angle relative to the top wall and the lid side and
is remote from the lid side.
[0019] When closing the open container a lid having the
aforementioned characteristics allows an incorrectly seating lid to
be easily shifted into the correct closing position in relation to
the open container. This serves to facilitate correct fitting of
the lid and reduces the risk of fitting the lid incorrectly.
[0020] According to one embodiment the inclined slide surface can
be formed in that the top wall has a greater material thickness in
a section adjacent to the lid side than in a section more adjacent
to the centre of the top wall.
[0021] According to one embodiment a groove may be arranged on the
inside of the top wall of the lid adjoining the lid side, the
groove being defined by a low flange inside which the slide surface
is arranged.
[0022] A more detailed description of embodiments will follow,
making reference to the drawings attached.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view which shows a
box.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view which shows the open
container (the pot) for the box according to FIG. 1.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view which shows the lid
for the box according to FIG. 1.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section through the box with lid
fitted.
[0027] FIG. 5 shows an enlargement of a part of FIG. 4.
[0028] FIGS. 6a-e show examples of embodiments of the shape of the
base surfaces, viewed from above.
[0029] FIGS. 7a-c show examples of embodiments of the shape of the
boxes, viewed from the side.
[0030] FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view, partially in
cross-section, of an embodiment of a box having a lid which has an
internal space.
[0031] FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view, partially in
cross-section, of an embodiment of a box having an open container,
which has a raised portion in its bottom wall.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0032] FIGS. 1 to 5 show an embodiment of a box 1, which comprises
an open container 2 and a lid 3 for closing the open container 2.
The lid 3 is free of the open container 2, that is to say the two
parts are not coupled together or joined by hinges or any other
similar arrangement. In the basic form shown in FIG. 1 the box 1
with fitted lid 3 consists of a basically straight, circular
cylinder, the interior space of which is defined by two base
surfaces 4, 5, one of which consists of the bottom wall 4 of the
open container and the other of the top wall 5 of the lid 3,
together with a lateral surface, that is to say the circumferential
surface of the cylinder. The lateral surface is formed by a side 6
of the container, referred to as the container side 6, and a side 7
of the lid, referred to as the lid side 7. Other shapes for boxes 1
that might appear suitable to the person skilled in the art may
also be used, such as a box 1 in the form of a cylinder having
non-circular base surfaces 4, 5, a cube or a rectangular block with
or without rounded edges or corners. FIGS. 6a-e show examples of
embodiments of the shape of the base surfaces 4, 5 viewed from
above. It will be appreciated that if the box 1 has a cube or
rectangular block shape, for example, the interior space of the box
1 is defined by said base surfaces 4, 5 and by four lateral
surfaces, both the container side 6 and the lid side 7 comprising
four side sections. In various embodiments the bottom wall 4 and
the top wall 5 may be plane or arched or may have some other
cross-sectional shape when viewed from the side, which may be
dictated by the function or by considerations of appearance. FIGS.
7a-c show examples of said embodiments of the shape of the boxes 1
viewed from the side. In one embodiment the bottom wall 4 and the
top wall 5 are each externally arched with the same radius of
curvature, inwards and outwards respectively in relation to the box
1, as can be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0033] As stated above and shown in FIG. 2, the open container 2 is
defined by a bottom wall 4 and a circumferential container side 6,
which in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has a basically circular
cross-section when viewed from above. It must again be pointed out
that the box 1 may have other embodiments as mentioned above, the
open container 2 in turn assuming corresponding shapes, such as
cube and rectangular block shapes. With reference to FIGS. 2, 4 and
5, the circumferential container side 6 of the open container 2 may
in turn, like the outside thereof, comprise a straight part 8,
which is situated adjoining the bottom wall 4 and perpendicular to
the plane thereof, and the outside of which constitutes the
circumferential surface of a straight circular cylinder. Arranged
on the outside adjoining this is an edge 9 directed inwards and
upwards, which nearest the straight part 8 may also comprise a
narrow edge at right angles to the latter. A flange 10 is arranged
immediately above the edge 9, directed obliquely inwards, and from
the outer periphery of the flange 10 the upper side 11 of the
flange extends obliquely inwards and upwards. An outer side section
12 is situated above the flange 10, the side section 12 having the
same shape as the straight part 8 but a somewhat smaller diameter.
The inside of the circumferential container side 6 is plane without
any functional parts.
[0034] As stated above and shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lid adjoining
the top wall 5 of the lid 3 is defined by a circumferential lid
side 7, which in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 has a
basically circular cross-section when viewed from above, and which
when the box 1 is closed is basically concentric with the container
side 6 of the open container and situated outside this. At the
bottom of its inside the circumferential lid side 7 may in turn
comprise a means 13, which is designed to positively interlock with
a corresponding means 10 on the container side 6, so as to secure
the lid 3 in relation to the open container 2 when the box 1 is in
the closed state. Such means 10, 13 may consist, for example, of a
snap fastener element 10, 13. Such a snap fastener element 10, 13
is shown in FIG. 5 and in this embodiment consists of a flange 13,
which when the box 1 is closed is adapted to engage with the
corresponding flange 10, described above, of the container side 6,
the flanges 10 and 13 being able to bear against one another. A
number of ridges 14 intended to guide the lid in relation to the
container side 6 may furthermore be provided around the inside of
the lid side 7. The ridges 14 shown in FIG. 3 extend approximately
from the transition between the top wall 5 of the lid 3 and the lid
side 7 downwards along the inside of the lid side 7 to
approximately half the height of the lid side 7. When the box 1 is
closed, these ridges 14 bear against the outer side section 12 of
the container side 6.
[0035] According to one embodiment a groove 15 is arranged on the
inside of the top wall 5 of the lid 3 adjoining the circumferential
lid side 7, the groove 15 being defined by a flange 16, which has a
relatively low height. The groove 15 is wider than the upper edge
17 of the container side 6 of the open container and when the box 1
is closed the upper edge 17 rests against the bottom of the groove
15, or close to this. In one embodiment the upper edge 17 rests
against the bottom of the groove 15 and determines how far the
container side 6 and the lid side 7 overlap one another. The upper
edge 17 may furthermore have a diameter which is adapted so that
when closing it bears against the inside of the lid side 7 and the
outermost section of the lower side of the flange 13, which is
directed obliquely outwards and downwards. Such a design permits
easy closing. In closing, the upper edge 17 is pressed against the
lid side 7, so that the lid side is resiliently pressed basically
outwards at right angles, which markedly facilitates the first
phase in fitting the lid 1. A section 18 having a thickened
cross-section when viewed from the side may be arranged from the
flange 16 inwards towards the centre of the lid. The material
thickness of this section 18 diminishes inwards towards the centre
and terminates a short distance into the top wall 5 of the lid 3. A
surface 19 is thereby formed on the inside of the lid, along which
surface the upper edge 17 of the outer side section 12 of the
container can slide if the lid 3 ends up askew on the open
container 2. It has surprisingly emerged that this embodiment with
a slide surface 19 in the lid 3 eliminates or at least
significantly reduces the problems described above, which are
caused by a lid 3 that is placed askew on the open container 2. A
lid 3 that is placed askew can easily be shifted, the upper edge 17
of the container side 6 sliding on the inclined surface 19, over
the flange 16 and down into the groove 15. Furthermore, the lid
side 7 may
[0036] The top wall 5, as shown in FIG. 8, may also be designed
with a space which is situated on its side remote from the inside
of the box 1 and which is defined by the top wall 5 and an outer
lid 20. This serves to create a smaller, enclosed space which may
be used, for example for temporary storage of used portions of
snuff. An example of a lid comprising such a space is described in
WO 2005016036.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 9, one embodiment of the box 1 may comprise
a bottom wall 2, which is designed with a raised portion 21,
thereby forming a channel 22 around the raised portion and inside
the container side. Such a raised portion is described in SE
524025.
[0038] Without departing from the scope of the idea of the
invention, the design may be varied in various ways in addition to
what has been described here. Besides different embodiments of
individual details such as the snap fastener element 10, 13 and
guide ridges 14, it is also possible, when the box 1 is closed, for
the lid side 7 to be situated on the inside of the container side
6, the functional parts of the lid 3 and the container 2 being
reversed, so that the slide surface 19 in this case is a part of
the container 2. In such a case the functions and designs will
otherwise remain the same. These and other embodiments of the
invention will be obvious to the person skilled in the art.
* * * * *