Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BOX WITH INTEGRAL TOP, AND BLANK THEREFOR
This invention relates generally to foldable boxes for use in packaging, gift-
giving, etc.
S
BACKGROUND OF THIS INVENTION
Many boxes have been designed for carrying gifts and the like, and many of
these are supplied with a lid to enclose the contents. For the most part, box
lids are
separate items from the box, and require a different blank and set-up
procedure.
There is a need for a box design having an incorporated, integral top
structure
which firmly closes the box when desired, in order to protect the contents.
Another desirable feature for boxes of this type is the absence of wasted
material when forming the blank (for example by cutting the blank with a steel
rule
die). Many clever box designs exist, but of these, a large percentage tend to
waste
material. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a blank and a box design
set up
from the blank, in which the amount of wasted material is minimized.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THIS INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a unitary blank for a box
and a
box closure, in which all of the above-named advantageous characteristics are
present.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
blank for a box with an integral top, the blank having two opposed surfaces
and
comprising:
first, second, third and fourth substantially identical, substantially
rectangular side
panels each having two side edges, a bottom edge and a top edge, the side
panels
being connected to form a row of side panels in which each pair of adjacent
panels is
hingedly articulated together at side edges thereof,
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bottom closure means connected to at least some of the side panels adjacent
the
bottom edges thereof,
an end panel for each side panel, each end panel being articulably connected
to the top
edge of its respective side panel, each end panel having two parallel edges
and being
geniculate between said edges, one of said parallel edges coinciding with the
top edge
of the respective side panel ,
a substantially rectangular border panel for each end panel, each border panel
being
articulably connected to the other of the said parallel edges of its
respective end panel,
the border panels being connected to form a row of border panels in which each
pair
of adjacent border panels is hingedly articulated together, and
glue flap means by which to articulably connect together a) the border panels
at
extremities of the row of border panels, and b) the side panels at extremities
of the
row of side panels.
In a particular aspect of the present invention, each end panel has the
general
shape of two substantially identical trapezoids each having two parallel sides
of which
one is shorter than the other, placed so that the shorter parallel sides of
the trapezoids
coincide, said shorter parallel side defining the location of geniculation for
the
respective end panel.
In a further particular aspect of the present invention, each said trapezoid
includes a longer oblique side extending from one end of the shorter parallel
side, and
a shorter oblique side extending from the other end of the shorter parallel
side, and in
which the longer oblique sides subtend at an angle of between about 90 and
about 95
degrees where they meet the shorter parallel side.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided
a
process for making a box with an integral top from a blank, the blank having
first and
second opposed surfaces and comprising:
first, second, third and fourth substantially identical, substantially
rectangular side
panels each having two side edges, a bottom edge and a top edge, the side
panels
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being connected to form a row of side panels in which each pair of adjacent
panels is
hingedly articulated together at side edges thereof,
bottom closure means connected to at least some of the side panels adj scent
the
bottom edges thereof,
S a first, second, third and fourth end panel, one for each side panel, each
end panel
being articulably connected to the top edge of its respective side panel, each
end panel
having two parallel edges and being geniculate between said edges, one of said
parallel edges coinciding with the top edge of the respective, equivalently
numbered
side panel,
a first, second, third and fourth substantially rectangular border panel, one
for each
end panel, each border panel being articulably connected to the other of the
said
parallel edges of its respective, equivalently numbered end panel, the border
panels
being connected to form a row of border panels in which each pair of adjacent
border
panels is hingedly articulated together, and
glue flap means by which to articulably connect together a) remote extremities
of the
first and fourth border panels, and b) remote side edges of the first and
fourth side
panels at extremities of the row of side panels, the glue flap means taking
the form of
flaps projecting outwardly from the free side edge of the first side panel and
from the
first border panel;
the process comprising:
folding all border panels about their articulable connections to the
respective end
panels, so that each border panel lies in overlapping juxtaposition against
said first
surface on a portion of its respective end panel;
folding the first side panel and its corresponding end and border panels about
the edge
common to the first and second side panels, such that the first side panel
lies in
overlapping juxtaposition against said second surface on the second side
panel, and
the first end panel lies in overlapping juxtaposition against said second
surface on the
second end panel, whereby the first border panel and the second border panel
sandwich between them portions of the corresponding end panels; and whereby
the
free side edge of the first side panel substantially coincides with the side
edge
common to the second and third side panels, with the glue flaps accessible;
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applying an adhesive medium to the glue flaps; and
folding the fourth side panel, along with its corresponding end and border
panels,
about the side edge which is common to the third and fourth side panels, such
that the
fourth side panel lies in overlapping juxtaposition against said second
surface on the
third side panel, and the corresponding fourth end panel lies in overlapping
juxtaposition against said second surface on the third end panel, whereby the
third
and fourth border panels sandwich between them portions of the corresponding
end
panels; and whereby the free edge of the fourth side panel substantially
coincides with
the side edge common to the second and third side panel, thus bringing about
contact
between the flaps, on the one hand, and the fourth side panel and fourth
border panel
on the other hand.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment to this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, and in
which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank from which the box of this invention can be
made;
Figure 2 shows the blank of Figure 1, after the first step in the set-up of
the
box has been completed;
Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of one region of the blank, showing how
the bottom flaps are glued together to form a collapsible corner;
Figure 4 shows the remainder of the setting-up of the bottom corner of the
box;
Figure S is a plan view of the blank for the present box, showing the same at
a
further stage of the box set-up;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the completed box, showing the portion
defining the lid at an intermediate position;
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Figure 7 is a side elevation of the box to be disclosed herein, with the top
or
closure in its maximum open configuration;
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, but showing the box top in its closed
position; and
5 Figure 9 is a perspective view of the completed, closed box.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Attention is first directed to Figure l, which illustrates in plan view a
blank for
a box with an integral top.
To help clarify the following discussion, it is convenient to recognize the
two
opposed surfaces of the blank. Accordingly, the hidden side of the blank in
Figure 1
will be identified as the first surface of the blank, and the surface which is
toward the
viewer in Figure 1 will be identified as the second surface.
As can be seen in Figure 1, the blank includes first, second, third and fourth
substantially identical, substantially rectangular side panels 12, 14, 1 fi
and 18,
respectively. Each of the rectangular side panels I 2, 14, 16 and 18 has two
side
edges, a bottom edge and a top edge, the side panels being connected to form a
row of
panels in which each pair of adjacent panels is hingedly articulated together
at the side
edges thereof. For improved clarity, the side panel 12 has been marked to
identify
two side edges 20, a bottom edge 22, and a top edge 24.
In this disclosure we shall explain firstly the structure, setting-up and
operation of the various panels at the upper portion of the blank shown in
Figure 1,
and we shall deal later on with the construction, setting-up and operation of
the
bottom portion.
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Thus, we have a row of panels 12, 14, 16 and 18 which are connected together
to form a row or concatenation of rectangular panels, in which each pair of
adjacent
panels is hingedly articulated together at common side edges thereof.
The blank provides a first, second, third and fourth end panel, respectively
identified as panels 32, 34, 36 and 38, one end panel for each side panel, 12,
14, 16
and 18. Each end panel actually consists of two trapezoidal panels which are
identical
but are mirror images of each other. Each end panel :32, 34, 36, 38 has two
parallel
edges (marked as 40 and 42 in the rightward end panel 32, as pictured in
Figure 1 ).
Furthermore, each end panel exhibits a geniculation between the parallel edges
40, 42.
More specifically, the geniculation in the leftward end panel 32 is
constituted by a
crease line 44. It should be noted that each respective side panel is
contiguously
connected to its respective end panel at one of the two parallel edges 42, 44
of the end
panel.
It should be commented that the geniculation provided by the crease line 44
could be replaced by merely a rounded region (rather than a sharp bend), or
several
crease lines in close proximity to each other.
The blank of Figure 1 further includes a first, second, third and fourth
substantially rectangular border panel 52, 54, 56 and 58, each border panel
being
articulably connected to the other of the parallel edges of its respective,
equivalently
numbered (first, second, etc.) end panel 32, 34, 36, 38. The border panels 52,
54, 56
and 58 are connected to form a row of border panels in which each pair of
adjacent
border panels is hingedly articulated together.
Further provided are glue flap means by which to articulably connect together
(a) the remote extremities of the first and fourth border panels 52 and 58,
and (b) the
furthest remote side edges of the first and fourth side panels (12, 18) at the
extremities
(59, 60) of the row of side panels 12, 14, 16, 18, the glue flap means taking
the form
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of flaps 62 and 64 projecting outwardly from the free side edge of the ~first
side panel
1$, and ~rom the first border panel 58.
Utilizing the construction described in detail above, there follows an
explanation of how the upper portion of the blank shown in Figure 1 creates
the upper
S ~d of a box wixh an integral closure.
The first step in the process, assuming the figure 1 blank has been cut and
creased and is ready for setting..up, is to fold all border panels 52, 54, 56,
58 about
their articulable connections 40 to their respective end panels 32, 34, 36,
3$, so that
each border panel lies in overlapping juxtaposition against the first surface
(the one
remote from tlxe viower)_ The result is that each border panel lies in
overlapping
juxtaposition against the first surface as defined earlier, on at least a
portion of its
respective and panel_ This is shown in Figure 2.
Next, the first side panel 1z and its corresponding end panel 32 and border
panel 52 axe folded shout the edge common to the first and sewnd side panels
12 aztd
14 (as shown in Figure 6), such that the first side panel 12 lies in
overlapping
juxtaposition against the second surface on part of the second side panel 14,
and the
first end panel 32 lies in overlapping juxtaposition against the second
surface on the
second end panel 14, whereby the first border panel 52 and the second border
panel
54 sandwich between them portions of tl~e cozresponding end panels 32, 34.
Also, the
2d free side edge of the first side panel 12 substantially coincides with the
side edge 67
eomxnon to the second and third panels 14, 16, with the glue flaps G2, 64
accessible.
Next, an adhesive medium, is applied to the upward facing surface of the glue
flaps.
Finally, the fourth side panel 18, along with its corresponding end panel 38
and border panel 58, is folded about the side edge which is corximon to tl~e
third and
fourth silo panels 16, 1$, such that the fourth side panel I$ lies in
overlapping
juxtaposition against the second surface on the third side panel l 6, and the
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corresponding fourth end panel 38 lies in overlapping juxtaposition against
the second
surface on the third end panel 36. Also, the free edge of the fourth side
panel 18
substantially coincides with the side edge common to the second and third side
panels
14, 16, thus bringing about contact between the flaps on the one hand, and the
fourth
side panel 18 and fourth border panel 58 on the other hand.
To assist in clarifying this description, attention is directed to Figure 2,
which
shows the Figure 1 blank in its configuration subsequent to the first step
namely the
folding of the border panels 52, 54, 56 and 58 about the horizontal crease
lines 40
where they adjoin the respective end panels 32, 34, 36 and 38.
Figures 3 and 4 relate to the structure at the bottom end of the box, and will
be
dealt with later in this description.
At this stage, a glue or adhesive may be applied to the flaps 62, 64. The
location of the glue is identified by uneven hatch lines found in the
depiction of the
flaps 62 and 64.
Upon setting of the adhesive medium, thus securing the flaps 62, 64 against
the side wall 18 and the border panel 58, respectively, the upper portion of
the box
and integral top is completed.
Attention is now directed to Figure 6, where it can be seen that the somewhat
bent (geniculated) end panels 32, 34, 36 and 38 are holding the "ring" of
border
panels 52, 54, 56 and 58 above the top edges 24 at the top of the side panels
12, 14,
16, 18.
The user can now pull the ring of border panels 52, 54, 56 and 58 further
upwardly away from the box proper, which causes the geniculate end panels 32,
34,
36 and 38 to straighten out to such an extent as not to interfere with
emplacement or
removal of an item or items stored in the box.
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When it is desixed to "close" the box, the user simply pushes down an the ring
of border pazlels 52-58. As the border panels descend, the bi-trapezoidal end
panels
increase in genicuIation, until each one Lies folded in the plane defined by
the upper
exlges of the border panels 5Z to 5$_ The result will be that shown in higure
9.
Attention is also directed to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 shows the completed
box with the border panel ring at its highest level (i.e. with the end panels
pulled to
the side and out of the way of the contents). Figure 8 shows the box after the
ring of
border panels has been pushed downwardly against the box.
In Figure 1 there has been illustrated a series of small pockets or cut-outs
69 at
either end of the upper edge of side panels 14, 16 and 18. These cut-outs
provide for
a certain amount ofresilience or "play", allawing the top ofthe box to easily
fit on to
the main body.
Attention is now directed to Figures 1, 3, and 4, for art explanation of the
bottom structure and the process by which the box is set up.
Looking firstly at Figure 1, it will be seen that, hingedly attached to the
bottom
of the first side panel 12 is a substantially rectangular flap 72 which has an
intermediate recess 74, and a crease line 75 which delimits a pardon 75
adjacent one
comer ofthe flap 72.
Adjacent the bottom edge of the second side panel 14 is a trapezoidal panel
78.
Two further flaps 80 and 82 are provided adjacent the bottom edges ofthe side
panels 16 and 18. The latter two flaps 80 and 82 are identical to the
respective flaps
72 and 7$. For this reason, all that is necessary is to explain the structure,
set-up
CA 02343990 2005-12-20
and operation of the two flaps 72 and 78, it being understood that the
operations
involving the other two flaps 80 and 82 are identical.
F Dawn 3 is a partial view of the blank, at an early stage of the setting-up
of the
flaps 72, 78.
Zn Figure 3, the flap 72 has been lifted somewhat from its coplanar
configuration with respect to the side panel 12, and at the satrze time, the
portion 75
deaimited by the crease line 76 has been folded outwardly. 'this outward
foldinb is
merely to facilitate the application of an adhesive or glue to the visible
surface of the
portion 75.
10 After the adhesive lass bee~z applied the side panels 12, 14 are raised
ixxto a
position in which they extend at 90° from oz~e anothtr (see Figure ~),
and the
adhesivo-applied surface of the portion 75 is glued against the bottom (i.e.
the visible)
surface of the flap '78.
The same gluing operation occurs for the flaps 80, 82, as aforesaid.
So long as the adhesive or glue is applied only to the portion 75 exte lding
from the main flap 72, the bottom flaps will be enabled to swing into the
interior
space of the box after it has been set-up, and they will do so as the main
body of the
box is brought into a parallelepiped configuration.
While one embodiment of this invention lxas been illustrated in the
accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, it will be evident to those
skilled
in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without
departing from
the essence of this invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
