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(11) | EP 3 453 634 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION BOX |
| (57) The box is formed from a sheet of corrugated material, said corrugated material defining
a plurality of channels parallel to each other, said box comprising a lid (10), comprising
two inner flaps (2) and two outer flaps (3), two of said flaps of the lid (10) being
engageable with each other; a bottom (11); and four side walls (12, 13), in which
the channels of the corrugated material are vertical or inclined in the use position
of the box; wherein said bottom (11) comprises two inner flaps (4) and two outer flaps
(5), two of said flaps of the bottom (11) being engageable with each other. It permits the box to have a high compressive strength on all sides. |
[0001] The present invention relates to a storage and transportation box, which has a high compressive strength on all sides.
Background of the invention
[0002] There are known boxes which are used for storing and/or transporting objects. These boxes are usually made from cardboard and comprise a hinged lid. Said lid normally is formed by four flaps, two upper flaps and two lower flaps.
[0003] These already known storage boxes are normally formed from a sheet provided with several fold lines, so that by a mounting process the box is obtained, and it is ready for use.
[0004] For stackable storage boxes and for shipping boxes it is usual to use corrugated cardboard for their reinforcement. However, this corrugated cardboard does not effectively reinforce against compression all the faces of the box.
[0005] Examples of boxes formed from a sheet and provided with a hinged lid are disclosed in WO2008139420A1 and WO2012160543A1, of the same holder as the present application.
[0006] WO2008139420A1 discloses a storage and transportation carton whose lid comprises inner flaps and outer flaps, the outer flaps being engageable with each other.
[0007] The box disclosed in this document comprises a bottom formed by four sectors joined together which allow to fold and unfold the bottom automatically upon folding or unfolding the box, but it does not provide resistance to side compression in all directions because of this configuration of the box bottom.
[0008] WO2012160543A1 discloses a storage and transportation and shipping box, comprising a first pair of flaps, the ends of which are substantially in contact with each other, or are overlapping with each other, and a second pair of flaps engageable with each other. Depending on their use, the first flaps and the second flaps can be used as inner flaps. Thus, if the box is used for storage, the first flaps are the inner flaps and the box is closed by the coupling of the second flaps, and if the box is used for shipping, the second engageable flaps are the inner flaps, and the box is closed using an additional closure element, e.g. an adhesive tape, on said first flaps.
[0009] In this document the bottom of the carton is not disclosed, so that it may be a conventional bottom, which does not provide lateral compression resistance precisely in the area around said bottom.
[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reinforced storage and transportation box, in which all the faces of the carton, i.e. the lid, the bottom and the four side walls, are reinforced and have a large resistance to compression, compared to conventional boxes.
Disclosure of the invention
[0011] With the storage and transportation box of the invention said disadvantages are solved, presenting other advantages that will be described below.
[0012] The storage and transportation box according to the present invention is formed from a sheet of corrugated material, said corrugated material defining a plurality of channels parallel to each other, said box comprising:
- a lid on the upper face, comprising two inner flaps and two outer flaps, two of said flaps being engageable to one another;
- a bottom on the lower face; and
- four side walls, in which the channels of the corrugated material are vertical or inclined in the use position of the box;
[0013] Preferably, said engageable flaps are the inner flaps of the bottom and/or of the lid, but they could also be the outer flaps.
[0014] To enable the inner flaps or the outer flaps of the lid to engage, the fold lines separating the lid from the side walls could be aligned with each other.
[0015] Likewise, to enable the inner flaps or the outer flaps of the bottom to engage, the fold lines separating the bottom from the side walls could be aligned with each other.
[0016] It should be noted that in the present description and in the claims the "channels" are understood to mean the channels of the corrugated material, for example, corrugated cardboard or plastic, and these channels extend from the lid to the bottom, and they are preferably orthogonal to the lid and to the bottom, although in some cases they can extend between the lid and the bottom forming an inclined angle with respect to the lid and the bottom. In addition, it should also be noted that as the box is formed from a single sheet, this arrangement of the channels in the side walls also determines the arrangement of the channels in the lid and the bottom.
[0017] Preferably, the coupling of the lid and/or bottom flaps is performed by one or more slots connected to the flap edge, with one end of the slot open in the edge region, and another end closed inwardly of the flap. In some preferred embodiments, the closed inner ends of the oppositely engageable flaps are configured to substantially contact each other in a closed position. This way, it is possible to increase the lateral and vertical compression of the box as a whole.
[0018] Advantageously, in some embodiments of the invention, said outer lid and/or bottom flaps are overlapped with each other. In other embodiments, said flaps are with their edges facing to each other in their closed position.
[0019] Thanks to this feature, the box is very resistant in all its faces, i.e., in the lid, the bottom and the side walls, irrespective of the position in which it travels.
[0020] In addition, it allows a reinforced structure expending the minimum cardboard, avoiding access to the interior of the box because the inner engageable flaps provide greater resistance in the central part.
[0021] On the other hand, the closure of the outer flaps does not damage the engageable inner flaps, being reusable.
[0022] Another advantage obtained with the box of the present invention is that the bottom has greater resistance to the weight of the contents, because the engageable inner flaps define a central zone with double thickness.
[0023] At the lid and the bottom, said channels of the corrugated material of the inner flaps are substantially perpendicular to the channels of the corrugated material of the outer flaps, since the box is formed from a single sheet.
[0024] The side walls, on the other hand, offer a resistance to vertical compression when several boxes are stacked together thanks to the vertical or diagonal arrangement of the channels of the corrugated material. In addition, the side walls also exhibit a resistance to side pressures, since the engageable inner flaps substantially prevent lateral compression and the edges of the inner flaps also contact the inner side of the side walls from which the outer flaps extend.
[0025] In addition, the presence of a double thickness of corrugated material in the lid and the bottom allows a cutting element to be used to open the box when the outer flaps are closed with an adhesive tape without damaging the products inside the box.
[0026] Another advantage of having internal flaps engageable in the lid and the bottom is that the inside of the box cannot be improperly accessed before opening the carton, unlike the conventional boxes, in which the inner tabs are spaced apart to each other.
[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, said inner lid flaps and/or said inner bottom flaps comprise at least one coupling slot, defining at least two flanges. In addition, to facilitate coupling, one of said flanges is longer than the other. In some preferred embodiments, the engageable bottom and lid flaps incorporate 2, 3 and 4 engagement slots, defining 3, 4 and 5 flanges respectively, at least one of which flanges having a length greater than the rest to make the coupling easier and more robust. The incorporation of two or more coupling slots is especially interesting in boxes for storing or transporting elements of a remarkable length (for example, skis, golf clubs, rackets, lamps, curtains, etc.), since the multiple slots allow to distribute and to reinforce the locking mechanism along the entire length of the box.
[0028] In some embodiments, the longer flanges will extend substantially beyond the intermediate closure line in closed configuration for reinforcing by a double layer both the coupling and locking mechanism, as well as the compressive strength on the bottom or lid. In those embodiments in which they include a plurality of slots and flanges, the flanges of greater and smaller length are preferably sequentially alternated along the edge to facilitate and reinforce the coupling mechanism at the same time.
[0029] In some cases, the inner flaps of the bottom and/or the lid are connected with the outer flaps of the bottom and/or the lid by means of joining sectors. For example, said joining sectors are triangular and define a fold line in the inner flaps.
[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, said triangle defined by each joining sector is a right triangle with its sides of equal length.
[0031] In addition, in some embodiments, the outer flaps of the lid and/or the bottom of the box preferably comprise a closure member, for example, a double-sided tape and/or glue, or a flange in the outer flaps which is introduced in a complementary housing of the inner flaps. Said closure element by projection and slot or complementary housing, is also used, in some of the embodiments of the invention, as an engaging element in the engageable flaps.
[0032] In some embodiments of the storage and transportation box according to the present invention, said outer flaps may comprise at least one tearable strip for facilitating the opening of the box.
[0033] For ease of handling, some embodiments of the storage and transportation box according to the present invention comprise two handle-like holes on two opposing side faces.
Brief description of the drawings
[0034] For better understanding of what has been disclosed, some drawings in which, schematically and only by way of a non-limiting example, some embodiments of the present invention are shown.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sheet forming a box according to the present invention, according to a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention with the lid and the bottom opened, according to said first embodiment;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention with the lid open and the bottom half-closed, according to said first embodiment;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention with the lid opened and the bottom closed, according to said first embodiment;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention with the lid half-closed and the bottom closed, according to said first embodiment;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention with the lid and the bottom closed, according to said first embodiment;
Figures 7 to 15 are perspective views of the sheet forming several boxes according to the present invention, according to different embodiments;
Figure 16 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention, in an embodiment comprising a closing member and a tearable strip in the lid, the lid being half-closed;
Figure 17 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention, in the embodiment comprising a closing member and a tearable strip in the lid, the lid being closed and the strip partially torn;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention, in the embodiment in which the inner flaps and the outer flaps are engageable;
Figure 19 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention in which corrugated material channels are shown vertical in the side walls of the box;
Figure 20 is a perspective view of a box according to the present invention in which the corrugated material channels are shown inclined in the side walls of the carton;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the coupling between the inner and outer flaps of the bottom or the lid;
Figure 22 is a plan view of an engageable flap, comprising two slots and three flanges.
Description of preferred embodiments
[0035] Firstly, it is indicated that a box according to the present invention is formed from a single sheet of corrugated material, preferably corrugated cardboard, defining a plurality of channels substantially parallel to each other.
[0036] The box of the present invention may be used for storage and/or transportation of products, i.e., it requires strength characteristics to prevent the products from being damaged during the use of the box, which is also stackable.
[0038] According to this first embodiment, the box is formed from a corrugated cardboard sheet 1 which in its mounting position defines a lid 10, a bottom 11 and four side walls 12, 13.
[0039] The lid 10 is formed by two pairs of flaps, inner flaps 2 and outer flaps 3, which extend hingedly respectively from opposite side walls 12, 13.
[0040] The bottom 11 is also formed by two pairs of flaps, inner flaps 4 and outer flaps 5, which also extend hingedly respectively from opposite side walls 12, 13.
[0041] According to the embodiment shown, said inner flaps 2, 4 of the lid 10 and the bottom 11 are engageable with each other, i.e. they comprise at least one slot 7 defining at least two flanges 8, 9, which in the assembly position are overlapped with each other. To facilitate said coupling, making it more robust both in compression and at the same time more stable in the closed position, one of the flanges 8, 9 may be longer than the other, as can be seen in the figures.
[0042] However, it should be noted that such engageable flaps could also be the outer flaps 3, 5 of the bottom 11 and/or the lid 10.
[0043] To enable the inner flaps or the outer flaps of the lid 10 to engage, the fold lines separating the lid 10 from the side walls 12, 13 could be aligned with each other.
[0044] Likewise, to enable the inner flaps or the outer flaps of the bottom 11 to engage, the fold lines separating the bottom 11 from the side walls 12, 13 could be aligned with each other.
[0045] The inner flaps 4 of the bottom 11 define, in their closed position, a substantially flat surface.
[0046] In some embodiments, the inner flaps 2, 4 are not attached to the outer flaps 3, 5, i.e., they are only attached to the corresponding side wall 12, in the lid 10 and the bottom 11, although in other cases, they are joined by joining sectors 14.
[0047] In the embodiment shown, the inner flaps 4 of the bottom 11 are attached to the outer flaps 5 by said joining sectors 14, and the inner flaps 2 of the lid 10 could also be attached to the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10, although not shown in the figures.
[0048] Moreover, the inner and outer flaps 5 of the bottom 11 could be devoid of said joining sectors 14, as shown for the lid 10 in the figures.
[0049] Said joining sectors 14 are preferably triangular, in particular, defining a right triangle with its sides of equal length.
[0050] It should be noted that two opposing side walls 13 comprise, in some embodiments, handle-like holes 15, for facilitating the handling of the box.
[0051] The orientation of the channels of the corrugated material is vertical in the side walls 12, 13 in their use position, or such channels may be diagonally inclined. Further, since the box is formed from a single sheet, this implies that the channels of corrugated material in the inner flaps 2, 4 of the lid 10 and the bottom 11 are substantially perpendicular to the channels of corrugated material in the flaps 3, 5 of the lid 10 and the bottom 11, reinforcing them.
[0053] Firstly, a fastening flange 16 is attached to the opposite side wall 13 in the carton manufacturing plant itself. In this configuration, the box, in its disassembled position, is completely flat, so that it occupies a reduced space for transportation before filling it with products.
[0054] When it is desired to use the box, it is placed in the position shown in figure 2, with its lid 10 and its bottom 11 open. The closure of the lid 10 and the bottom 11 may be carried out in any order, although the closure of the bottom 11 is first shown in the figures.
[0055] To do this, first the foldable inner flaps 4, as shown in figure 3, are folded towards the inside of the box.
[0056] According to this embodiment, since the outer flaps 5 are attached to the inner flaps 4 by the joining sectors 14, this folding of the inner flaps 4 will also cause the folding of the outer flaps 5.
[0057] During the folding of the inner flaps 4, they engage each other through the slot 7, the flanges 8, 9 being overlapped with each other. It should be noted that the flanges 8, 9 are dimensioned so that the flaps 4 are closed without the necessity of using an additional closing element.
[0058] To close the bottom 11, according to the embodiment shown, an additional closing element is used for the outer flaps 5, such as an adhesive tape or staples. To this end, the outer flaps 5, in their closed position, have their opposite ends substantially in contact with each other, there being a slight separation, separated or totally or partially overlapped, so that it is possible to position said additional closing element.
[0059] The closure of the lid 10 is similarly performed, firstly folding the inner flaps 2, engaging each other in the same manner and then folding the outer flaps 3 for closing them with an additional closing element, for example an adhesive tape or staples.
[0060] As in the case of the outer flaps 5 of the bottom 11, the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10, in their closed position, also have their opposite ends substantially in contact with each other, there being a slight gap, or being totally or partially overlapped, so that it is possible to place said additional closing element.
[0061] As indicated above, a box according to the present invention provides a reinforced box, which has a high strength in the lid, the bottom and the side walls against external forces towards the interior of the box.
[0062] In Figures 7 to 15 different embodiments of a box according to the present invention are shown.
[0063] For simplicity and clarity reasons, the same reference numbers are used to identify the same components of the box in all embodiments. In addition, only the differences with respect to the first embodiment previously disclosed are described for the sake of simplicity.
[0064] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the difference with respect to the first embodiment is the presence of a closing element 17 in the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10. Said closure element 17 is a double-sided tape or glue, or any other suitable element, for example, a projection on the outer flaps which is introduced into a housing complementary to the inner flaps.
[0065] In this embodiment, to facilitate the opening, the outer flaps 3 also comprise a tearable strip 6, which may be formed from a pre-cut strip in the flaps themselves or by an additional strip, for example of plastic material.
[0066] As seen in figure 7, in this embodiment, the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10 are somewhat longer than in the previous embodiment, so that they overlap each other, in this case partially, although it could overlap completely.
[0067] The assembly of the box in this embodiment is the same as that previously described, as can be seen in figure 16. The difference is when the box is closed, as it is performed by said closing element 17, and when the box is opened, which is performed by said tearable strip 6, as can be seen in figure 17.
[0068] It should be noted, however, that, even if the tear strip 6 is used, the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10, after a first opening, may be resealed by an additional closing element, such as an adhesive tape or staples.
[0069] In figure 8 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment of figure 7, the only difference being the presence also of the closing element 17 and the tearable strip 6 in the outer flaps 5 of the bottom 11.
[0071] In figure 9 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. With respect to the first embodiment previously described, the difference is the presence of joining sectors 14 also between the inner flaps 2 and the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10, their function being the same as the joining sectors previously described.
[0072] In figure 10 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. With respect to the above embodiment, the difference is the presence of the closing element 17 and the tearable strip 6 in the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10.
[0073] In figure 11 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. With respect to the previous embodiment, the difference is the presence of the closing element 17 and the tearable strip 6 also in the outer flaps 5 of the bottom 11.
[0074] In figure 12 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. With respect to the first embodiment previously described, the difference is that the joining sectors 14 in the bottom 11 are not present, the inner flaps 4 and outer flaps 5 of the bottom 11 being the same as the inner flaps 2 and outer flaps 3 of the lid 10.
[0075] In figure 13 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. With respect to the above embodiment, the difference is the presence of the closing element 17 and the tearable strip 6 in the outer flaps 3 of the lid 10.
[0076] In figure 14 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. With respect to the previous embodiment, the difference is the presence of the closing element 17 and the tearable strip 6 also in the outer flaps 5 of the bottom 11.
[0077] In figure 15 a further embodiment of the box according to the present invention is shown. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of figure 12, except that the outer flaps 3, 5 of the lid 10 and of the bottom 11 are also engageable, i.e. they comprise at least one slot 7 defining a pair of flanges 8, 9, just like the inner flaps 2, 4.
[0078] In this case, it is not necessary to use a closing element in the outer flaps themselves or an additional closing element, since the outer flaps 3, 5 can also be closed by themselves thanks to the dimensions of the flanges 8, 9. The partial closure of the box of this embodiment is shown in more detail in figure 18, where the inner flaps 2 of the lid 10 can be seen in their closed position and the outer flaps 3 opened.
[0079] In figures 19 and 20 two boxes are shown according to the present invention where different portions of the side walls and the lid have been cut out to show the channels of the corrugated material.
[0080] In figure 19 said channels are vertical in the side walls in the use position, whereas in figure 20 said channels are inclined in the side walls in the use position.
[0081] Figure 21 shows an embodiment of an engaging system between the inner flaps 2 and the outer flaps 3, comprising at least one flange 8 on the outer flap 3 that is housed in a slot 7 complementary to the inner flap 2.
[0082] It should be noted that this coupling system can be used in the lid 10 and/or in the bottom 11 of the box and that, although two flanges 8 and two slots 7 are shown in this figure, the engagement can also be done with a single flange 8 or with more than two flanges 8.
[0083] Figure 22 shows an embodiment of an engageable flap comprising two slots 7 and three flanges 8, 9, which can replace any of the above-described engageable flaps of the lid 10 and/or of the bottom 11.
[0084] Although reference has been made to several specific embodiments of the invention, it is evident for a person skilled in the art that the described storage and transportation box is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, that all the mentioned details can be replaced by other technically equivalent ones, and that the features described in different embodiments may be combined with each other, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.
1. A storage and transportation box formed from a sheet of corrugated material, said
corrugated material defining a plurality of channels parallel to each other, said
box comprising:
- a lid (10), comprising two inner flaps (2) and two outer flaps (3), two of said flaps of the lid (10) being engageable to each other;
- a bottom (11); and
- four side walls (12, 13), in which the channels of the corrugated material are vertical or inclined in the use position of the box;
characterized in that said bottom (11) comprises two inner flaps (4) and two outer flaps (5), two of said flaps of the bottom (11) being engageable with each another.2. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, wherein the engaging flaps
are the inner flaps (2, 4) of the lid (10) and/or of the bottom (11).
3. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, wherein said outer flaps
(3, 5) of the lid (10) and/or of the bottom (11) are overlapped with each other or
with their edges being faced in their closed position.
4. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, wherein said inner flaps
(2) of the lid (10) and/or said inner flaps (4) of the bottom (11) comprise at least
one engaging slot (7), which defines at least two flanges (8, 9).
5. The storage and transportation box according to claim 4, wherein one of said flanges
(8) is longer than the other (9).
6. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, wherein the inner flaps (2,
4) of the bottom (11) and/or of the lid (10) are connected with the outer flaps (3,
5) of the bottom (11) and/or of the lid (10) by means of joining sectors (14).
7. The storage and transportation box according to claim 6, wherein said joining sectors
(14) are triangular and define a fold line in the inner flaps (2, 4).
8. Storage and transportation box according to claim 7, wherein said triangle defined
by each joining sector (14) is a right triangle with its sides of equal length.
9. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, wherein the outer flaps (3,
5) of the lid (10) and/or the bottom (11) comprise a closing element (17).
10. The storage and transportation box according to claim 9, wherein said closing element
(17) is a double-sided tape and/or glue, or a projection on the outer flaps which
is introduced into a housing complementary to the inner flaps.
11. The storage and transportation box according to claim 8, wherein said outer flaps
(3, 5) of the lid (10) and/or of the bottom (11) comprise at least one tearable strip
(6).
12. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, comprising two handle-like
holes (15) on two opposing side faces (13).
13. The storage and transportation box according to claim 1, wherein said outer flaps
(3, 5) of the bottom (10) and/or of the lid (11) are engageable with each other.
14. The storage and transportation box according to claim 13, wherein said outer flaps
(3) of the lid (10) and/or said outer flaps (5) of the bottom (11) comprise at least
one engaging slot (7), which defines at least two flanges (8, 9).
15. The storage and transportation box according to claim 14, wherein one of said flanges
(8) is longer than the other (9).
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description