ASSEMBLY FOR FORMING A BALLOT BOX

Abstract

 An assembly (1) is disclosed that is suitable for forming a ballot box, comprising at least one transparent or semitransparent panel (4) inserted between at least one first side wall (5) of a first box body and at least one second side wall (7) of a second box body contained in the first box body, the two box bodies being made from two blanks with folding lines, the panel being arranged for closing a window giving access to an inner space of the assembly, leaving the possibility of viewing the interior of the assembly from the exterior, the window being defined by two openings at least partially facing one another, a first opening (8) obtained on the first side wall and a second opening (9) obtained on the second side wall.

Description

Background of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly that is suitable for forming a container, in particular a container that is suitable for forming a ballot box for inserting ballot papers.

[0002] Specifically, but not exclusively, the invention can be applied to making a ballot box with at least one transparent or semitransparent wall to enable the inner space of the sealed ballot box to be viewed.

[0003] Various aspects of the prior art relating to ballot boxes are improvable.

[0004] In particular, it is desirable to succeed in making an assembly that is practical and easy for forming a ballot box, with a sufficiently robust structure and with the possibility of achieving secure and reliable sealing of the ballot box, in which the inner space of the ballot box is at least partially visible from the outside even when the ballot box is still sealed.

[0005] Patent publication WO 2008/117153 A1 discloses an embodiment of a foldable ballot box provided with transparent windows to enable the inner space of the ballot box to be viewed.

Summary of the invention

[0006] One object of the invention is to provide an alternative solution to the problem of making a ballot box the inner space of which is at least partially visible from the exterior even when the ballot box is still sealed.

[0007] One advantage is providing a ballot box that can be assembled in a significantly practical and easy manner.

[0008] One advantage is making a ballot box with a tough and sealable structure securely and reliably.

[0009] One advantage is making available a constructionally simple and safe assembly for forming a ballot box.

[0010] One advantage is creating a ballot box the storage and transport of which is obtainable easily and practically.

[0011] These objects and still others are achieved by an assembly according to one or more of the claims set out below.

[0012] In one embodiment, an assembly comprises a first box body, a second box body contained inside the first box body and at least one transparent or semitransparent panel (where semitransparent is defined as any transparency less than 100%) inserted between at least one first side wall of the first box body and at least one second side wall of the second box body, the panel being arranged for closing a window giving access to an inner space of the assembly, leaving the possibility of inspecting the inside of the assembly from the exterior, the window being defined by two openings at least partially facing one another, a first opening being obtained on the first side wall and a second opening being obtained on the second side wall.

Brief description of the drawings

[0013] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, which show some embodiments thereof by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a construction step of an assembly embodiment according to the invention;
• Figures 2 and 3 show in sequence two construction steps of the assembly that are subsequent to the step of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 shows the assembly made and ready to be sealed for the purpose of forming a ballot box.

Detailed description

[0014] With reference to the aforesaid figures, with 1 an assembly has been indicated overall that is usable for forming a ballot box.

[0015] The assembly 1 may comprise, in particular, a first box body 2, a second box body 3 and barrier means 4.

[0016] The first box body 2 may comprise, in particular, first side wall means 5 closed below by at least one bottom 6. The first side wall means 5 may comprise, in particular, side wall means closed to form an annular structure or skirt-shaped structure. The first side wall means 5 may comprise, as in this embodiment, four side walls arranged for forming a right prism with a rectangular base.

[0017] In other embodiments, the first side wall means may make other shapes, for example a polyhedron or a prism with triangular, hexagonal, circular, elliptical, square, polygonal etc shapes.

[0018] The second box body 3 may comprise, in particular, second side wall means 7 arranged inside the first side wall means 5. The second side wall means 7 may comprise, in particular, side wall means closed to form an annular structure or skirt-shaped structure. The second side wall means 7 may comprise, as in this embodiment, four side walls arranged for forming a right prism with a rectangular base.

[0019] In other embodiments, the second side wall means may make other shapes, for example a polyhedron or a prism with triangular, hexagonal, circular, elliptical, square, polygonal etc shapes.

[0020] In particular, it is possible to provide, as in this embodiment, for the shape of the second side wall means being substantially the same as the shape of the first side wall means, with slightly smaller dimensions so as to enable the second side wall means to be inserted inside the first side wall means, for example leaving a thin gap to permit the barrier means 4 to be inserted, as will be explained better further on in the description.

[0021] The first side wall means 5 may be provided with at least one first opening 8 that may comprise, in particular, a through opening obtained on one of the side walls. The first opening 8 may be, in particular, of rectangular shape. The first side wall means 5 may be provided, as in this embodiment, with a plurality of first openings 8. In particular, it is possible to provide, as in this embodiment, a first opening 8 for each side wall.

[0022] In other embodiments that are not illustrated, it is possible to provide a different number of first openings 8, for example one, two or three first openings 8, leaving one or more full side walls, i.e. devoid of openings. In other embodiments that are not illustrated it is possible to provide one or more first openings with different shapes from the shape illustrated.

[0023] The second side wall means 7 may be provided with at least one second opening 9 that may comprise, in particular, a through opening obtained on one of the side walls. The second opening 9 may be, in particular, of rectangular shape. The second side wall means 7 may be provided, as in this embodiment, with a plurality of second openings 9. It is possible to provide, as in this embodiment, a second opening 9 for each side wall.

[0024] In other embodiments that are not illustrated it is possible to provide a different number of second openings 9, for example one, two or three second openings 9, leaving one or more full side walls, i.e. devoid of openings. The number of second openings 9 on the second side wall means 7 may be, in particular, the same as the number of first openings 8 on the first side wall means 5. In other embodiments that are not illustrated, it is possible to provide one or more second openings with different shapes from the shape illustrated.

[0025] The assembly 1 may comprise, in particular, at least one window in which the first opening 8 and the second opening 9 at least partially face one another. The assembly 1 may comprise, in particular, a plurality of windows. Each window is defined by the fact that at least one part of one of the first openings 8 faces at least one part of one of the second openings 9.

[0026] In particular, it is possible to ensure, as in this embodiment, that each second opening 9 has a shape substantially coinciding with and superimposable on the shape of a respective first opening 8, such that each pair formed by a first opening 8 superimposed on a second opening 9 can give rise to a window for viewing the interior of the assembly 1.

[0027] The barrier means 4 may be inserted between the first side wall means 5 and the second side wall means 7. In particular, the barrier means 4 may be arranged at least partially at the window so as to shut off access to an inner space of the assembly 1 through the window.

[0028] The barrier means 4 may be arranged, as in this embodiment, at all the windows so as to shut off access to the inner space of the assembly 1 through all the windows. In particular, the barrier means 4 may be, as in this embodiment, wider and higher than the windows (for example substantially as wide and high as the width and height of the side walls on which the windows are obtained) so as to close the windows by leaving a barrier security frame around each window.

[0029] The barrier means 4 may be at least partially transparent or semitransparent (in any degree of transparency) to enable the aforesaid inner space to be seen at least partially through the window/s.

[0030] The barrier means 4 may comprise, as in this embodiment, a plurality of (transparent or semitransparent) panels inserted between the first side wall means 5 and the second side wall means 7.

[0031] Each panel may be arranged at least partially so as to close one of the aforesaid windows. The barrier means 4 may be made of plastics (transparent or semitransparent of any degree of transparency), in particular made of compact or honeycomb polycarbonate.

[0032] The assembly 1 may comprise cover means 10 to close the first side wall means 5 and/or the second side wall means 7 above. The cover means 10 may be provided with slit means 11 to permit objects (ballot papers) to be inserted into the inner space of the assembly 1.

[0033] The first side wall means 5 may comprise, as in this embodiment, a plurality of walls joined together by hinge lines 12. The bottom 6 may be joined to the first side wall means 5 by at least one hinge line 12.

[0034] In the embodiment shown here, the first side wall means 5 comprises a plurality of walls joined together by creasing lines that define the folding lines 12. In other embodiments that are not illustrated, the first side wall means may comprise a plurality of walls joined together by other joining means, for example adhesive means, mechanical connecting means (clips, metal points, fasteners, hooks, etc) or yet other connecting means. In other embodiments that are not illustrated, the first side wall means may comprise a single wall closed in a loop and joined at the ends by joining means.

[0035] The second side wall means 7 may comprise a plurality of walls joined together by hinge lines 12. The cover means 10 may comprise at least one first wall connected to the first side wall means 5 by a hinge line 12. The cover means 10 may comprise a second wall connected to the second side wall means 7 by a hinge line 12.

[0036] In the embodiment shown here, the second side wall means 7 comprises a plurality of walls defined by creasing lines. In other embodiments that are not illustrated, the second side wall means may comprise a plurality of walls joined together by other joining means, for example adhesive means, mechanical connecting means (clips, metal points, fasteners, hooks, etc) or yet other connecting means. In other embodiments that are not illustrated, the second side wall means may comprise a single wall closed in a loop and joined at the ends by joining means.

[0037] The first box body 2 may be made, in particular, from a blank. The first box body 2 may be made from cardboard, in particular from a cardboard blank, as in this specific embodiment. In other embodiments, the first box body 2 may be made of polymer material (for example in PVC or of honeycomb polypropylene) or of yet other materials.

[0038] The second box body 2 may be made, in particular, from a blank. The second box body 3 may be made from cardboard, in particular from a cardboard blank, as in this specific embodiment. In other embodiments, the second box body 3 may be made of polymer material (for example of PVC or of honeycomb polypropylene) or of yet other materials.

[0039] The second box body 3 may be devoid of a bottom, as in this specific case, or in other embodiments may be provided with a bottom. The second box body 3 may be provided with a cover, as in this specific case, or in other embodiments may be devoid of a cover.

[0040] The slit means 11 may comprise at least one first slit arranged in the first wall of the cover means 10. The slit means 11 may comprise at least one second slit arranged on the second wall of the cover means 10. The second wall of the cover means 10 may be arranged, as in this embodiment, contiguously below the first wall of the cover means 10. The first slit of the slit means 11 is at least in partially superimposed on the second slit of the slit means 11 so as to form a single passage for an object, in particular a flat object (for example a ballot paper).

[0041] The assembly 1 may be made, in particular, by forming the first box body 2, for example from a blank made of cardboard or another material, and also forming the second box body 3, for example from a blank made of cardboard or another material. The first box body 2 is left open above to enable the second box body 3 to be introduced, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. The first openings 8 and the second openings 9 are on top of one another so as to give rise to the various windows that enable the inside of the assembly 1 to be seen from the outside.

[0042] The barrier means 4, in particular the various panels made of transparent material (for example of polycarbonate), are inserted (for example with slight forcing within a gap) between the side walls of the first outer box body 2 and the side walls of the second inner box body 3, so as to close the various windows, to prevent objects being introduced through the windows, but leaving the possibility of viewing the space inside the assembly 1.

[0043] After this, the assembly 1 is closed above by the cover means 10 (see Figure 4), leaving the possibility of access only through the slit means 11. The closed assembly 1 can then be prepared to make a ballot box, by affixing the appropriate seals according to requirements and procedure set by the standards, in a substantially known and non-illustrated manner.

[0044] The assembly 1 is particularly robust and easily sealable in a secure and almost inviolable manner.

[0045] The assembly 1 is moreover easy to construct and simple to make from constructionally simple elements and is easy and practical to store and/or transport.

Claims

1. Assembly (1) suitable for forming a ballot box, said assembly (1) comprising a first box-shaped body (2), a second box-shaped body (3) and barrier means (4), said first box-shaped body (2) comprising first side wall means (5) closed below by at least one bottom (6), said second box-shaped body (3) comprising second side wall means (7) arranged inside said first side wall means (5), said first side wall means (5) being provided with at least one first opening (8), said second side wall means (7) being provided with at least one second opening (9), there being provided at least one window in which said first opening (8) and said second opening (9) are at least partly facing each other, said barrier means (4) being inserted between said first side wall means (5) and said second side wall means (7) and being at least partially arranged at said window so as to close the access to an internal space of the assembly (1) through said window, said barrier means (4) being at least partially transparent or semitransparent to allow at least part of said internal space to be seen through said window, said assembly (1) comprising cover means (10) for closing above said first side wall means (5) and/or said second side wall means (7), said cover means (10) being provided with slit means (11) for the introduction of objects in said interior space.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first side wall means (5) comprises a plurality of walls joined together by hinge lines (12) and/or wherein said bottom (6) is joined to said first side wall means (5) by at least one hinge line (12) and/or wherein said second side wall means (7) comprises a plurality of walls joined together by hinge lines (12).

3. Assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first side wall means (5) is provided with a plurality of first openings (8) and said second side wall means (7) is provided with a plurality of second openings (9), there being provided a plurality of windows in each of which at least one of said first openings (8) and at least one of said second openings (9) are at least partly facing each other.

4. Assembly according to claim 3, wherein said barrier means (4) comprises a plurality of panels inserted between said first side wall means (5) and said second side wall means (7), each of said panels being arranged at least partly in order to close one of these windows.

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cover means (10) comprises a first wall connected to said first side wall means (5) by a hinge line (12), said slot means (11) comprising at least one first slot disposed on said first wall.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cover means (10) comprises a second wall connected to said second side wall means (7) by a hinge line (12), said slot means (11) comprising at least one second slot disposed on said second wall.

7. Assembling according to claims 6 and 5, wherein said second wall is arranged contiguously below said first wall and wherein said first slot is at least partially overlapped with said second slot.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said barrier means (4) comprises one or more panels and/or wherein said barrier means (4) is made of transparent or semitransparent plastic material, in particular in compact or alveolar polycarbonate.

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first box-shaped body (2) is made from a blank with hinge lines (12) by creasing, for example with a cardboard blank, or with a blank of polymeric material, for example in PVC or in alveolar polypropylene.

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second box-shaped body (3) is made from a blank with hinge lines (12) by creasing, for example with a cardboard blank, or with a blank of polymeric material, for example in PVC or in alveolar polypropylene.

Drawing