Two-piece packaging box

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention relates to a two-piece packaging box comprising a tray and a cover, and including means for fixing the tray and the cover together and disconnecting the tray and the cover from each other.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Japanese Patent Publication 2002-326623A discloses a two-piece packaging box shown in Fig. 29, which includes a tray 51 in which articles are received, and a cover 52 placed over the tray 51. The tray 51 of this packaging box includes side walls 53 and end walls 54 rising from the bottom surface, with the end walls 54 arranged adjacent to the side walls 53. One of the end walls 54 is higher than the side walls 53. The cover 52 has side walls 55 and end walls 56 arranged adjacent to the side walls 55, the side walls 55 and the end walls 56 forming an outer periphery of the cover 52. The top of the cover 52 is closed by top panels 57 and 58.

[0003] Two horizontally spaced apart elongated holes 59 are formed in the upper portion of the one end wall 54 of the tray 51. The corresponding end wall 56 of the cover 52 is formed with an engaging piece in the shape of the inverted letter T by cutting. The ends of the horizontal bar of the invented T-shaped engaging piece 60 serve as insertion portions 61.

[0004] In order to pack the packaging box with articles, with the lower portion of the end wall 56 of the cover 52 superposed on the outer surface of the upper portion of the end wall 54 of the tray 51, the engaging piece 60 is deflected to insert the insertion portions 61 into the respective elongated holes 59, thereby fixing the cover 52 to the tray 51.

[0005] In order to unpack this packaging box for the display of its contents in a store, the insertion portions 61 of the engaging piece 60 are pulled out of the elongated holes 59 to disconnect the cover 52 from the tray 51. The cover 52 is then removed from the tray 51 to expose the articles in the box.

[0006] EP 0 773 170 A1 discloses a container made of cardboard, corrugated board or similar lightweight foldable sheet material, comprising a container part and a lid part which when the lid is closed respectively define inner and outer walls of an outwardly projecting corner of the container, the said wall of the lid part including a holding portion which extends around said corner and is displaceable inwardly into a complementary aperture in the corresponding corner region of the container part whereby to hold the lid part against opening, said holding portion being at least partially separable from the lid part to permit such opening when desired.

[0007] US 4,304,335 discloses a paperboard carton formed of a tray with a top fitting thereover. The top has tabs formed in opposing side panels preferably by locating spaced tear lines, which tabs can be glued to the tray to hold the top in place. The top is removed from the tray by pulling the tabs outward an upward.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In this conventional two-piece packaging box, during transportation of the box, such as when plural such boxes are stacked one on another, the insertion portions 61 of the engaging piece 60 could suddenly and unexpectedly be pulled out of the elongated holes 59, thus disconnecting the cover 52 from the tray 51.

[0009] In another known two-piece packaging box, the tray and the cover are adhesively bonded together. In order to unpack this packaging box, the tray is severed along cut lines formed in the tray to remove bonded portions, thereby disconnecting the cover from the tray. In this arrangement, the severed edges of the bonded portions of the tray may deteriorate the appearance of the tray when the tray is used as a container of the articles on display.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a two-piece packaging box of which the tray and the cover can be reliably fixed together, and can be easily disconnected from each other without deteriorating the appearance of the tray.

[0011] In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a two-piece packaging box comprising a tray which can store an article therein, and a cover which can cover the tray, wherein the tray and the cover can be fixed together to form the packaging box, and can be disconnected from each other to unpack the packaging box, in which the tray has vertical ridges of which at least one is formed with a window, the cover has vertical ridges of which at least one is formed with a cut defining an engaging portion, and the cover is formed with cut lines, wherein the tray and the cover are configured such that with the tray covered by the cover, when the engaging portion is pushed in, the engaging portion is engaged in the window, thereby fixing the cover to the tray, and the tray and the cover are further configured such that when the cover is cut along the cut lines, the cover becomes collapsible such that the cover is separable from the tray, and wherein the cover comprises an outer periphery comprising side walls and end walls opposed to each other and adjacent to the side walls, and a top wall comprising top flaps integrally connected to a top end of the outer periphery and superposed on and fixed to each other, wherein the cut lines are each formed in each of the end walls to extend from an intermediate portion of a lower end edge of the corresponding end wall to two corresponding_corners of the top wall.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the two-piece packaging box according to the present invention, with the box packed with articles, when the engaging portion is pushed in until the engaging portion is engaged in the window, the tray and the cover are reliably fixed to each other. This prevents unexpected separation of the cover from the tray when the box is handled during transportation, thus protecting the contents.

[0013] Since the tray and the cover are fixed together without the need to adhesively bond together the tray and the cover, it is not necessary to peel off or cutting off the bonded portions when unpacking the box. Thus the unpacked bag maintains a beautiful appearance such that it can be put on display as it is.

[0014] In the arrangement of the present invention, when the tray and the cover are disconnected from each other by severing the cover along the cut lines, the cover simultaneously becomes collapsible and less bulky without the need to peel off the bonded portions. The cover can thus be easily discarded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] 

Fig. 1 shows blanks for a two-piece packaging box according to a first embodiment not forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a tray of the two-piece packaging box of Fig. 1, showing an intermediate stage of assembling;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the completely assembled tray;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the packaging box of Fig. 1, showing an intermediate stage of placing a cover over the trav:

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the completely assembled packaging box of the first embodiment not forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the packaging box, showing an intermediate stage of unpacking the packaging box;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of two trays stacked one on the other to display the contents of the trays;

Fig. 8 shows blanks for a two-piece packaging box according to a second embodiment not forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the completely assembled packaging box of the second embodiment with articles placed therein;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the packaging box of the second embodiment, showing an intermediate stage of unpacking the packaging box;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the tray of the second embodiment, showing how the contents of the tray are on display;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a completely assembled two-piece packaging box of a third embodiment not forming part of the invention with articles placed therein;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a completely assembled two-piece packaging box of a fourth embodiment not forming part of the invention with articles placed therein;

Fig. 14 is a partial perspective view of a two-piece packaging box in which the tray and the cover are joined together in a different manner from the packaging box of any of the first to fourth embodiments;

Fig. 15 shows blanks for a two-piece packaging box according to a fifth embodiment not forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the completely assembled packaging box of the fifth embodiment with the cover placed over the tray and articles placed therein;

Fig. 17 is a partial perspective view of the packaging box of the fifth embodiment, showing a portion where the cover is in engagement with the tray;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the packaging box of the fifth embodiment, showing an intermediate stage of unpacking the packaging box;

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the tray of the fifth embodiment, showing how the contents of the tray are on display;

Fig. 20 shows blanks for a two-piece packaging box according to a sixth embodiment not forming part of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the completely assembled packaging box of the sixth embodiment with the cover placed over the tray and articles placed therein;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the packaging box of the sixth embodiment, showing an intermediate stage of unpacking the packaging box;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the tray of the sixth embodiment, showing how the contents of the tray are on display;

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a completely assembled two-piece packaging box of a seventh embodiment not forming part of the invention with articles placed therein;

Fig. 25 shows blanks for a two-piece packaging box according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the completely assembled packaging box of the invention with the cover placed over the tray and articles placed therein;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the packaging box of the invention, showing an intermediate stage of unpacking the packaging box;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the tray of the invention, showing how the contents of the tray are on display; and

Fig. 29 is a perspective view of a completely assembled conventional two-piece packaging box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Now the two-piece packaging box of the first embodiment is described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.

[0017] This two-piece packaging box is formed from two blanks shown in Fig 1, which are for a tray 1 and a cover 2, respectively. The tray 1 is formed from E-flute corrugated board, which is a relative thin member, while the cover 2 is formed from B-flute corrugated board, which is a relatively thick member. The cover 2 is formed from a thicker member than the tray 1 because the cover 2 mainly supports loads applied to the box from the contents of other boxes stacked thereon during transportation and storage.

[0018] The blank of the tray 1 includes two elongated side walls 11 and two end walls 12 which are integrally connected together with the end walls 12 arranged alternating with the side walls 11. Bottom panels 13 are integrally connected to the bottom sides of the respective side walls 11, while bottom panels 14 are integrally connected to the bottom sides of the respective end walls 12. A joint piece 11a is integrally connected to the outer side of the side wall 11 at one end of the tray. The corrugated board forming the blank of the tray is arranged such that the corrugations of its corrugating medium extend in the vertical direction.

[0019] A pair of upper and lower cut lines 15 extend across each end wall 12 and across the ridges straddling the boundaries with the respective adjacent side walls 11. After filling the assembled box with contents, by pushing the portion defined between each pair of cut lines 15 such that this portion is bent along vertical fold lines 16a and 16b, a partition 16 and a window 17 form simultaneously. One of the two pairs of cut lines 15 partially also extend across the ridge of the joint piece 11a and the corresponding side walls 11 so that the corresponding partition 16 is partially formed by this ridge. Each cut line 15 has a plurality of interruptions so that the box can be assembled smoothly.

[0020] The side walls 11 each have a cut line 18a extending between the lower cut lines 15 and thus between the longitudinal end portions of the side wall 11, and a hand-insertion hole 18b having a bottom edge lying on the intermediate portion of the cut line 18a. The cut line 18a also has a plurality of interruptions.

[0021] Engaging protrusions 19a are formed on the central portions of the top side edges of the respective side walls 11. Additional engaging protrusions 19a are formed on the top side edges of the respective ridges between the adjacent side walls 11 and end walls 12. A plurality of engaging holes 19b are formed across the boundaries between the bottom end portions of the respective side walls 11 and end walls 12 and the corresponding bottom panels 13 and 14, at positions corresponding to the respective engaging protrusions 19a.

[0022] The blank of the cover 2 includes a rectangular top wall 20, side walls 21 integrally connected to the respective opposed longitudinal sides of the top wall 20, end flaps 22 integrally connected to the opposed short sides of the respective side walls 21, and end panels 23 integrally connected to the respective opposed transverse sides of the top wall 20.

[0023] A V-shaped cut line 24 is formed in each end panel 23 to extend from the central portion of the distal end edge of the end panel 23 toward the two corners of the top wall 20. The cut line 24 is a zipper-like line made up of discontinuous hook-shaped cuts. The cutting starting portion 25 of the cut line 24 is provided at the central portion of the distal end portion of the end panel 23.

[0024] Two upper and lower cuts 26 extend across the fold line forming the boundary between each side wall 21 and each of the corresponding two end flaps 22. By pushing in the portion defined between the two cuts 26 such that this portion is bent along fold lines 27a extending between first ends of the respective two cuts 26 and between the opposite second ends of the respective two cuts 26, and a fold line 27b extending between intermediate portions of the respective two cuts 26, an engaging portion 27 is formed.

[0025] The portion between the two cuts 26 are bent along the fold lines 27a and 27b such that the fold lines 27a form convex ridges while the fold line 27b forms a concave ridge, on the surface of the corrugated board. The fold lines 27a and 27b are lead rules each made of portions formed by pressing the corrugated board and cuts alternating with the pressed portions so that any of these fold lines can be bent easily in either direction.

[0026] An engaging protrusion 28a is formed at the central portion of the boundary between each side wall 21 and the top wall 20 by cutting out the top wall 20 in the shape of the uppercase letter U. Cutouts 28b corresponding to the respective engaging protrusions 28a are formed in the central portions of the side edges of the respective side walls 21 opposite from the top wall 20.

[0027] In order to assemble the above-described blanks to form a packaging box, as shown in Fig. 2, the tray 1 is formed into a rectangular solid shape by bending its two side walls 11 and two end walls 12; the joint piece 11a is stuck on the inner surface of the end wall 12 at the other end; and the bottom panels 13 and 14 are bent to horizontal positions and stuck to each other, with the longitudinal bottom panels 13 located inside of the other bottom panels 14 and abutting each other. Thus, in this state, the longitudinal bottom panels 13 form a flat inner bottom surface.

[0028] Then, the partitions 16 are each formed by pushing in the portion between the cut lines 15 while breaking the interruptions of the cut lines 15, and bending this portion along the fold lines 16a and 16b such that the fold lines 16b form concave ridges and the fold lines 16a form convex ridges. From this state, the partitions 16 are further deformed until the portions of the partitions 16 near the fold lines 16a contact the inner surfaces of the respective side walls 11 and the areas near the fold lines 16b become flat, as shown in Fig. 3 so that the interior of the tray 1 divided into plural compartments. In this state, various articles G are placed in the tray 1. By pushing in the portion between each pair of cut lines 15 to form the partition 16, the window 17 is formed, which extends across the ridges between the side walls 11 and the end wall 12 and extends the entire width of the end wall 12.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 4, the cover 2 is placed over the thus assemble tray 1, the side walls 21 of the cover 2 are bent downward along the respective side edges of the top wall 20, and the end flaps 22 connected to each side wall 21 are bent until their distal ends abut the distal ends of the respective end flaps 22 connected to the other side wall 21.

[0030] In this state, each of the engaging portions 27 is pushed in such that the fold lines 27a form convex ridges while the fold line 27b forms a concave ridge until the engaging portions 27 engage the corresponding windows 17, thus making it impossible to pull the cover 2 upwardly out of the tray 1.

[0031] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 5, the end panels 23 connected to the top wall 20 are bent downward, and bonded to the surfaces of the respective end flaps 22 by means of e.g. a hot-melt adhesive at portions outside the cut lines 24. The packaging box is thus complete with the tray 1 and the cover 2 completely fixed together.

[0032] Once the packaging box is complete, the engaging protrusions 28a protrude upwardly from the central portions of the top edges of the respective side walls 21 of the cover 2. When another packaging box is stacked on this packaging box, the protrusions 28a can be engaged in the corresponding engaging holes 19b of the tray 1 of the upper box, which are aligned with the cutouts 28b of the cover 2 of the upper box, thereby preventing a fall of the upper box.

[0033] In order to unpack this packaging box, as shown in Fig. 6, the cutting starting portions 25 are grabbed and pulled up to sever the end panels 23 along the cut lines 24, thereby releasing the restriction of the opposed pairs of end flaps 22 so that the side walls 21 can pivot outwardly about their respective top side edges. By pivoting the side walls 21 outwardly, the engaging portions 27 disengage from the windows 17, so that the tray 1 is disconnected from the cover 2.

[0034] In this state, after removing the cover 2 from the tray 1, hands are inserted into the respective hand-insertion holes 18b and raised to break the interruptions of the cut lines 18a and remove the portion of the tray 1 above the cut lines 18a from the remaining portion of the tray 1. In this state, the articles G of the box, which are now exposed, can be put on display as it is. Or similar trays 1, which each contain various articles G, may be stacked one on another as shown in Fig. 7 to display the articles G.

[0035] When a plurality of trays 1 are stacked one on another, for the trays 1 other than the uppermost one, their portions above the cut lines 18a may be left unremoved so that the engaging protrusions 19a at the top of each of trays 1 are engaged in the engaging holes 19b of the immediately above tray, which extend along the side walls of the tray 1 to its bottom, thereby preventing a fall of the stacked trays.

[0036] With this arrangement, once the engaging portions 27 of this two-piece packaging box are pushed in until they engage in the corresponding windows 17 with articles packed in the box, the engaging portions 27 never abruptly return to the original position, so that the engaging portions 27 are stably kept in engagement with the windows 17, and the tray 1 and the cover 2 are reliably fixed together, when the box is moved during e.g. transportation and storage. The articles G in the box are thus reliably protected.

[0037] Since the tray 1 and the cover 2 are fixed together by pushing in and engaging the engaging portions 27 in the windows 17 and without adhesively bonding together the tray 1 and the cover 2, it is not necessary to peel off or cutting off the bonded portions when unpacking the box. Thus the unpacked bag maintains a beautiful appearance such that it can be put on display as it is.

[0038] In unpacking the box, simply by severing the end panels 23 along the cut lines 24, the tray 1 is separated from the cover 2. In this state, the cover 2 can be collapsed into a flat, less bulky shape, and can be discarded.

[0039] Now the embodiment of the second embodiment is described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11.

[0040] Each of the partitions 16 of the first embodiment is formed by pushing in the portion extending across the ridges between the side walls 11 and one of the end walls 12 and extending the entire width of the end wall 12, and the window 17 is simultaneously formed by pushing in this portion. In the second embodiment, four separate windows 17 are formed in the respective ridges between side walls 11 and end walls 12.

[0041] The tray 1 is formed from a blank shown in Fig. 8, which is made of cardboard. The blank includes a rectangular bottom wall 10. The side walls 11 are integrally connected to the respective opposed longitudinal edges of the bottom wall 10. The end walls 12 are integrally connected to the respective opposed transverse end edges of the bottom wall 10.

[0042] Side flaps 12a are integrally connected to the respective side edges of the respective end walls 12. The windows 17 are formed in the respective ridges straddling the boundaries between the end wall 12 and the side flaps 12a. Cutouts 17a are formed in the respective opposed transverse end edges of the respective side walls 11 so as to correspond to the respective windows 17. A fall-preventive piece 11b having a corrugated edge is provided on the side of each side wall 11 opposite from the bottom wall 10.

[0043] The blank of the cover 2 of this embodiment includes side walls 21 which are higher (when assembled) than the side walls of the first embodiment. The engaging portions 27 are located at lower positions (when assembled) than those of the first embodiment. Otherwise, the blank of the cover 2 of this embodiment is substantially identical to that of the first embodiment.

[0044] To assemble the tray 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, the side walls 11 and the end walls 12 are bent to stand upright from the bottom wall 10, and then the side flaps 12a are bent inwardly and stuck on the inner surfaces of the side walls 11 such that the side flaps 12a practically become portions of the side walls 11. In this state, the windows 17 are located in the respective ridges between the side walls 11 and the end walls 12.

[0045] In this embodiment too, with the cover 2 placed over the tray 1, after bending the end flaps 22 relative to the side walls 21, simply by pushing in the engaging portions 27, the engaging portions 27 are engaged in the respective windows 17, fixing together the tray 1 and the cover 2.

[0046] In order to unpack this packaging box, as shown in Fig. 10, the cutting starting portions 25 are grabbed and pulled up to sever the end panels 23 along the cut lines 24, thereby disengaging the engaging portions 27 from the windows 17, and separating the cover 2 from the tray 1 so that the cover 2 can be removed from the tray 1.

[0047] Since the cover 2 is collapsed into a less bulky flat shape simultaneously when the box is unpacked, the cover 2 can be discarded easily.

[0048] With the cover 2 removed from the tray 1 in this manner, the articles G in the tray 1 are exposed, so that the articles G can be put on display as shown in Fig. 11.

[0049] By bending the fall-preventing pieces 11b inward, their corrugated edges prevent any remaining portion of the contents G from falling forwardly after a portion of the articles G in front rows have been removed from the tray.

[0050] Now the third embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 12.

[0051] The third embodiment is basically identical in structure to the second embodiment, but differs therefrom in that instead of the V-shaped cut line 24, two cut lines 24 are formed in each end panel 23 to extend parallel to each other from the intermediate portion of the distal edge to the proximal edge, of the end panel 23, to define a tear strip 29 between the cut lines 24, and that cut lines 23a in the form of perforation lines extend from the top end of the tear strip 29 to the respected upper corners of the end panel 23. The end panel 23 is stuck on the surfaces of the respective end flaps 22 at portions of the end panel 23 other than the tear strip 29.

[0052] In order to unpack this packaging box, the tear strips 29 are severed from the rest of the end panels 23 along the cut lines 24, and then the end panels 23 are severed from the top wall 20 along the cut lines 23a, thereby disconnecting the respective pairs of end flaps 22 from each other. Then by pivoting the side walls 21 outward, the cover 2 is disconnected from the tray 1.

[0053] Next, the fourth embodiment is described with reference to Fig. 13.

[0054] The fourth embodiment is also basically identical in structure to the second embodiment, but differs therefrom in that the top wall 20 has bent pieces 20a bent downward about the respective end edges of the top wall 20, that the end flaps 22 connected to each side wall 21 are bent so as to be superposed on the respective bent pieces 20a from outside and also superposed on the respective end flaps 22 connected to the other side wall 21, that one of the end flaps 22 superposed on each bent piece 20a is formed with two cut lines 24 extending parallel to each other between the top and bottom edges of the end flap and defining therebetween a tear strip 29, and that the end flap 22 formed with the cut lines 24 is stuck on the opposed end flap 22 at its portion between the distal edge and the tear strip 29.

[0055] In order to unpack this packaging box, the tear strips 29 of the respective end flaps 22 are severed from the rest of the end flaps 22 along the cut lines 24 to disconnect the respective pairs of end flaps 22 from each other. Then by pivoting the side walls 21 outward, the cover 2 is disconnected from the tray 1.

[0056] In any of the above embodiments, the engaging portions 27 are each formed by pushing in the portion defined by the two cuts 26 formed in each of the ridges between the side walls 21 and the end flaps 22 and formed with the fold lines 27a and 27b. But instead, as shown in Fig. 14, each engaging portion 27 may be formed by pushing in a triangular portion defined by a cut 26 extending across the ridge line defining the boundary between a side wall 21 and an end flap 22, and two oblique fold lines 27a extending from the respective ends of the cut 26 to the ridge line. In the below-described sixth to eighth embodiments too, such triangular engaging portions may be used.

[0057] By pushing in these triangular portions, these portions, as the engaging portions 27, are engaged in correspondingly shaped windows 17 formed in the respective ridges between the side walls 11 and the end walls 12 of the tray 1. Thus, with this arrangement too, the tray 1 and the cover 2 can be reliably fixed together.

[0058] The fifth embodiment is now described with reference to Figs. 15 to 19.

[0059] The fifth embodiment of this embodiment is also basically identical in structure to the second embodiment, but differs therefrom in that each engaging portion 27 is a tongue shaped portion defined by a cut 26 comprising two cut lines extending across each of the boundaries between the side walls 21 and the end flaps 22, and another cut line connecting the ends of the two cut lines that are located in the end flap 22 as shown (or in the side wall 21, though this arrangement is not shown). The engaging portions 27 are each formed with a fold line 27c at its proximal portion which is slightly displaced from the ridge line defining the boundary between the side wall 21 and the end flap 22 into the side wall 21. With this arrangement, when the engaging portion 27 is pushed in such that the engaging portion 27 pivots about the fold line 27c, the end edge of the engaging portion 27 engages the corresponding edge of the window 17 because these edges both have a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the material forming the tray and the cover.

[0060] With this arrangement, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17, with the packaging box packed with contents, simply by slightly pushing in the engaging portions 27 into the windows 17, the tray 1 and the cover 2 can be fixed together. Thus no gaps form between the engaging portions and the windows through which the interior of the packaging box is seen. This prevents entry of dust into the packaging box.

[0061] In order to unpack this packaging box, as shown in Fig. 18, the cutting starting portions 25 are grabbed and pulled up to sever the end panels 23 along the cut lines 24, thereby disengaging the engaging portions 27 from the windows 17, and disconnecting the cover 2 from the tray 1. The cover 2 can thus be removed from the tray 1.

[0062]  With the cover 2 removed from the tray 1, the articles G in the tray 1, which are now exposed, can be put on display as it is. A notice board 12b is integrally connected to the end wall 12. By folding the notice board 12b in half so as to protrude from the tray 1, the notice board 12b serves to attract customers' attention to the articles G.

[0063] Next, the sixth embodiment is described with reference to Figs. 20 to 23.

[0064] The two-piece packaging box of this embodiment is formed from two blanks shown in Fig. 20, which are for the tray 1 and the cover 2, respectively. The tray 1 and the cover 2 are made of corrugated board about 2 mm thick.

[0065] The blank of the tray 1 includes two side walls 11 and two end walls 12 which are integrally connected together with the end walls 12 arranged alternating with the side walls 11. Bottom panels 13 are integrally connected to the bottom sides of the respective side walls 11, while bottom panels 14 are integrally connected to the bottom sides of the respective end walls 12. The bottom panels 13 and the bottom panels 14 are shaped such that the bottom panels 13 can mesh with the respective bottom panels 14. A joint piece 12c is integrally connected to the outer side of the side wall 11 at one end of the tray. Windows 17 are formed in the respective ridges between the side walls 11 and the end walls 12.

[0066] The blank of the cover 2 is basically identical in structure to that of the second embodiment. Thus, a V-shaped cut line 24 is formed in each end panel 23 to extend from the central portion of the lower distal end edge of the end panel 23 to the two corners of the top wall 20. But the blank of the cover 2 of this embodiment differs from that of the second embodiment in that insertion pieces 23b are integrally formed on the respective sides of the end panels 23, and insertion holes 22a are formed in the boundaries of the respective end flaps 22 with the side walls 21.

[0067] The insertion pieces 23b have an arc-shaped lower edge so that the insertion pieces 23b can be easily inserted into the respective insertion holes 22a. The insertion pieces 23b also have a neck portion at their proximal portion so that the insertion pieces 23b are less likely to be pulled out of the insertion holes 22a once inserted. The insertion holes 22a have the shape of a bent slit so that the insertion pieces 23b can be smoothly guided into the insertion holes 22a, and so that when the end flaps 22 are bent, the portions defined by the insertion holes 22a are adapted to protrude from the planes of the respective side walls 21.

[0068] In order to assemble the above-described blanks to form a packaging box, as shown in Fig. 21, the tray 1 is formed into a rectangular solid shape by bending its two side walls 11 and two end walls 12; the joint piece 12c is stuck on the inner surface of the end wall 12 at the other end; and the bottom panels 13 and 14 are bent to horizontal positions and meshed with each other to close the bottom of the tray. Articles G are then placed in the tray 1.

[0069] Thereafter, the side walls 21 of the cover 2 are bent downward along the respective side edges of the top wall 20, and the end flaps 22 connected to each side wall 21 are bent until their distal ends abut the distal ends of the respective end flaps 22 connected to the other side wall 21. Then, by downwardly bending the end panels 23 along the respective other opposed pair of side edges of the top wall 20 such that the insertion pieces 23b are inserted into the respective insertion holes 22a, the end flaps 22 are fixed to the corresponding end panels 23 without sticking them together. The cover 2 is now placed over the tray 1, and fixed to the tray by pushing in the engaging portions 27 until the engaging portions 27 are engaged in the windows 17.

[0070] In order to unpack this packaging box, in the same manner as in the second embodiment and as shown in Fig. 22, the cutting starting portions 25 are grabbed and pulled up to sever the end panels 23 along the cut lines 24, thereby disengaging the engaging portions 27 from the windows 17, and disconnecting the cover 2 from the tray 1. Then by removing the cover 2 from the tray 1, the articles G in the tray 1, which are now exposed from the tray 1 as shown in Fig. 23, can be put on display.

[0071] The seventh embodiment is now described with reference to Fig. 24.

[0072] The seventh embodiment is basically identical in structure to the sixth embodiment, but differs therefrom in that instead of forming the V-shaped cut lines 24 in the end panels 23 as in the sixth embodiment, a cut line 24 is formed in the proximal end of each of the insertion pieces 23b, which are formed on both sides of the end panels 23. An arc-shaped cutout as a finger engaging portion 23c is formed in the lower end edge of each end panel 23.

[0073] In order to unpack this packaging box, fingers are engaged in the finger engaging portions 23c and the end panels 23 are raised to sever the insertion pieces 23b along the cut lines 24 to release the restraint of the end flaps 22 by the end panels 23. The cover 2 can thus be removed from the tray 1.

[0074] Next, the invention is described with reference to Figs. 25 to 28.

[0075] The two-piece packaging box of this embodiment is formed from two blanks shown in Fig. 25, which are for the tray 1 and the cover 2, respectively. The tray 1 and the cover 2 are made of corrugated board about 2 mm thick.

[0076] The blank of the tray 1 includes two side walls 11 and two end walls 12 which are integrally connected together with the end walls 12 arranged alternating with the side walls 11. Bottom panels 13 are integrally connected to the bottom sides of the respective side walls 11, while bottom panels 14 are integrally connected to the bottom sides of the respective end walls 12. The bottom panels 13 and the bottom panels 14 are shaped such that the bottom panels 13 can mesh with the respective bottom panels 14. A joint piece 12c is integrally connected to the outer side of the side wall 11 at one end of the tray. Windows 17 are formed in two diagonally opposite ridges between the side walls 11 and the end walls 12.

[0077]  The blank of the cover 2 includes two side walls 21a and two end walls 22b which are integrally connected together with the end walls 22b arranged alternating with the side walls 21a. Top flaps 20b are integrally connected to the respective top sides of the side walls 21a and the end walls 22b. A joint piece 22c is integrally connected to the outer side of the side wall 21a at one end of the cover. Two cut lines 24 are formed in each of the end walls 22b. The cut lines 24 include first portions extending upwardly from the intermediate portion of the lower end edge of the end wall 22b, parallel to each other, and second portions extending obliquely from the top ends of the first portions to the respective two upper corners of the end wall 22 abutting the top flap 20b, forming the letter V. The first portions of the cut lines 24 define a tear strip 29 therebetween. The lower end portion of the tear strip 29 serves as a cutting starting portion 25.

[0078] Two diagonally opposite ones of the four ridges between the side walls 21a and the end walls 22b are each formed with an engaging portion 27 defined by two upper and lower cuts 26 extending across the ridge line defining the boundary between the side wall 21a and the end wall 22b. The engaging portion 27 is formed with fold lines 27a extending between first ends of the respective two cuts 26 and between the opposite second ends of the respective two cuts 26, and a fold line 27b extending between intermediate portions of the respective two cuts 26.

[0079] In order to assemble the above-described blanks to form a packaging box, as shown in Fig. 26, the tray 1 is formed into a rectangular solid shape by bending its two side walls 11 and two end walls 12; the joint piece 12c is stuck on the inner surface of the side wall 11 at the other end; and the bottom panels 13 and 14 are bent to horizontal positions and meshed with each other to close the bottom of the tray. Articles G are then placed in the tray 1.

[0080] The cover 2 is also formed into a rectangular solid shape by bending its two side walls 21a and two end walls 22b; the joint piece 22c is stuck on the outer surface of the side wall 21a at the other end; the top flaps 20b are first bent outwardly to open the top of the cover 2; the tray 1, which now carries articles G, is inserted into the cover 2 from the now open top; the top flaps 20b are bent back so as to be superposed on each other and fixed together by means of an adhesive tape or an adhesive to form a top wall 20. In this state, the cover 2 is fixed to the tray 1 by pushing in the engaging portions 27 until the engaging portions 27 are engaged in the windows 17.

[0081] In order to unpack the packaging box, as shown in Fig. 27, the cutting starting portion 25 of each end wall 22b is grabbed and the tear strip 29 is pulled up to sever the end wall 22b along the cut lines 24. This makes it possible to pivot the side walls 21a outwardly to open the cover. When the side walls 21a are pivoted in this direction, the engaging portions 27 disengage from the windows 17, disconnecting the cover 2 from the tray 1.

[0082] When the cover 2 is removed from the tray 1, as shown in Fig. 28, the articles G are exposed from the tray 1 and thus can be put on display.

[0083] In any of the first to seventh embodiments, the top wall 20 of the cover 2 is a monolithic and seamless rectangular sheet member. But the top wall 20 may be formed from a plurality of top flaps 20b as in the eighth embodiment. For example, the top wall 20 may be formed from two top flaps 20b having extensions bent upward and joined together at the center of the top wall to define a handle.

[0084] In any of the first to seventh embodiments, at every one of the four vertical ridges of the packaging box, the engaging portion 27 is engaged in the corresponding window 17 to fix the cover 2 to the tray 1. But according to the shapes of the tray 1 and the cover 2 and according to how the tray and the cover are fitted together, the tray 1 and the cover 2 may be fixed together at least at one of the four vertical ridges by engaging the engaging portion 27 in the window 17. For example, as in the eighth embodiment, at two diagonally opposite ones of the four vertical ridges, the engaging portions 27 may be engaged in the windows 17.

[0085] In any of the above-described embodiments, the tray 1 and the cover 2 are both rectangular solid-shaped members. But provided the four vertical ridges of the tray 1 overlap the respective four vertical ridges of the cover 2, the tray 1 and the cover 2 may be tapered toward their tops, because with this arrangement too, the engaging portions 27 can be engaged in the windows 17, so that the tray 1 and the cover 2 can be fixed together, and also, by severing the members formed with the cut lines 24 along the cut lines 24, the cover 2 can be disconnected from the tray 1.

Claims

1. A two-piece packaging box comprising a tray (1) which can store an article therein, and a cover (2) which can cover the tray (1), wherein the tray (1) and the cover (2) can be fixed together to form the packaging box, and can be disconnected from each other to unpack the packaging box,
wherein the tray (1) has vertical ridges of which at least one is formed with a window (17), the cover (2) has vertical ridges of which at least one is formed with a cut (26) defining an engaging portion (27), and the cover (2) is formed with cut lines (24), wherein the tray (1) and the cover (2) are configured such that with the tray (1) covered by the cover (2), when the engaging portion (27) is pushed in, the engaging portion (27) is engaged in the window (17), thereby fixing the cover (2) to the tray (1),
characterized in that
the tray (1) and the cover (2) are further configured such that when the cover (2) is cut along the cut lines (24), the cover (2) becomes collapsible such that the cover (2) is separable from the tray (1),
wherein the cover (2) comprises an outer periphery comprising side walls (21 a) and end walls (22b) opposed to each other and adjacent to the side walls (21 a), and a top wall (20) comprising top flaps (20b) integrally connected to a top end of the outer periphery and superposed on and fixed to each other, wherein the cut lines (24) are each formed in each of the end walls (22b) to extend from an intermediate portion of a lower end edge of the corresponding end wall (22b) to two corresponding corners of the top wall (20).

Ansprüche

1. Zweiteilige Verpackungsschachtel, die einen Behälter (1), in dem ein Gegenstand aufbewahrt werden kann, sowie eine Abdeckung (2) umfasst, die den Behälter (1) abdecken kann, wobei der Behälter (1) und die Abdeckung (2) aneinander befestigt werden können und so die Verpackungsschachtel bilden, und voneinander getrennt werden können, um die Verpackungsschachtel auszupacken,
wobei der Behälter (1) vertikale Stege aufweist, von denen wenigstens einer mit einem Ausschnitt (17) versehen ist, die Abdeckung (2) vertikale Stege aufweist, von denen wenigstens einer mit einem Einschnitt (26) versehen ist, der einen Eingriffsabschnitt (27) bildet, und die Abdeckung (2) mit Schnittlinien (24) versehen ist, wobei der Behälter (1) und die Abdeckung (2) so eingerichtet sind, dass, wenn der Behälter (1) mit der Abdeckung (2) abgedeckt ist und der Eingriffsabschnitt (27) eingedrückt wird, der Eingriffsabschnitt (27) mit dem Ausschnitt (17) in Eingriff kommt und so die Abdeckung (2) an dem Behälter (1) fixiert wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der Behälter (1) und die Abdeckung (2) des Weiteren so eingerichtet sind, dass, wenn die Abdeckung (2) entlang der Schnittlinien (24) geschnitten wird, die Abdeckung (2) zusammengeklappt werden kann, so dass die Abdeckung (2) von dem Behälter (1) getrennt werden kann,
wobei die Abdeckung (2) einen Außenumfang umfasst, der Seitenwände (21a) und Stirnwände (22b), die einander gegenüberliegen und an die Seitenwände (21 a) angrenzen, sowie eine obere Wand (20) umfasst, die obere Laschen (20b) umfasst, die integral mit einem oberen Ende des Außenumfangs verbunden sind, einander überdecken und aneinander befestigt sind, und die Schnittlinien (24) jeweils in jeder der Stirnwände (22b) so ausgebildet sind, dass sie sich von einem Zwischenabschnitt einer unteren Abschlusskante der entsprechenden Stirnwand (22b) zu zwei entsprechenden Ecken der oberen Wand (20) erstrecken.

Revendications

1. Boîte d'emballage en deux parties comprenant un plateau (1) pouvant contenir un objet à l'intérieur, et un couvercle (2) pouvant recouvrir le plateau (1), dans lequel le plateau (1) et le couvercle (2) peuvent être fixés ensemble afin de former la boîte d'emballage, et peuvent être désolidarisés l'un de l'autre pour déballer la boîte d'emballage,
dans lequel le plateau (1) comporte des crêtes verticales dont au moins une est munie d'une fenêtre (17), le couvercle (2) comporte des crêtes verticales dont au moins une est munie d'une découpe (26) définissant une partie de prise (27), et le couvercle (2) est muni de lignes de découpe (24), dans laquelle le plateau (1) et le couvercle (2) sont configurés de sorte qu'avec le plateau (1) recouvert par le couvercle (2), lorsque la partie de prise (27) est poussée vers l'intérieur, la partie de prise (27) est en prise dans la fenêtre (17), fixant ainsi le couvercle (2) au plateau (1),
caractérisée en ce que
le plateau (1) et le couvercle (2) sont configurés en outre de sorte que lorsque le couvercle (2) est découpé le long des lignes de découpe (24), le couvercle (2) peut s'affaisser de sorte que le couvercle (2) peut être séparé du plateau (1),
dans lequel le couvercle (2) comprend une périphérie extérieure comprenant des parois latérales (21a) et des parois d'extrémité (22b) opposées entre elles et adjacentes aux parois latérales (21a) et une paroi supérieure (20) comprenant des rabats supérieurs (20b) reliés de manière intégrée à l'extrémité supérieure de la périphérie extérieure et superposés et fixés l'un à l'autre, dans laquelle les lignes de découpe (24) sont formées chacune dans chacune des parois d'extrémité (22b) de façon à s'étendre depuis une partie intermédiaire d'un bord d'extrémité inférieure de la paroi d'extrémité correspondante (22b) jusqu'à deux coins correspondants de la paroi supérieure (20).

Drawing