A CARDBOARD BOX PARTICULARLY FOR PIZZA

Abstract

 Cardboard box (1), particularly for pizza, comprising an upper face (4) in which a clip (8) is cut out which defines a slot for inserting a leaflet (30), such as for example a coupon or an advertising leaflet, in which the clip (8) is adapted to retain the leaflet (30) against the upper face (4) of the box itself.

Description

Field of application

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cardboard boxes, in particular boxes for pizza. In the following, reference will mainly be made to pizza boxes by way of non-limiting example.

Prior art

[0002] Cardboard pizza boxes are widely used in the sale of take-away pizza. The known types of boxes are generally decorated with generic graphics, for example an illustration of the product, ingredients, or graphics which evoke the mediterranean origin. More rarely there are customised boxes, for example with the name or brand of the store, since a good-quality print obviously increases the cost of the box, also because the print must be suitable for food containers. In any case it should be noted that the cardboard boxes represent a source of cost for the operator, being disposable items that are disposed of just after the use. Similar considerations can be made for other cardboard boxes, intended for other uses.

Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention arises from the observation that cardboard boxes for take-away, and in particular the well-known pizza boxes, are an additional cost for a commercial activity, like e.g. the management of a pizzeria, and the invention aims to reduce this cost.

[0004] The idea behind the invention is to exploit cardboard boxes no longer just as a disposable container, but as a communication means, avoiding the costs associated with quality printing directly on the cardboard.

[0005] This objective is achieved with a cardboard box according to the claims. The box comprises an upper face in which a clip is cut out which defines a slot for inserting a leaflet and wherein the clip is adapted to hold the leaflet against the upper face of the box itself.

[0006] The term leaflet means any medium intended to be delivered to the customer together with the box. The support can be paper, plasticised, etc. It could be a discount coupon for another purchase from the same shop, or an advertisement of a different nature, for example of a business in the neighbourhood, or a postcard for a lottery, etc. In essence, the leaflet can represent any promotional or advertising material. The clip of the invention can also be used for documentation concerning the purchase made, for example for a receipt.

[0007] Thanks to the position on the upper face of the box, the leaflet can be inserted easily and changed periodically, for example every day or every week. Being effectively held by the clip obtained in the box, the leaflet is not lost during transport and constitutes an effective and pleasant means of communication.

[0008] It is therefore understood that the box becomes no longer just a cost, but a resource for the pizzeria which can exploit it to build customer loyalty by distributing discount coupons or as a source of income by advertising for other parties. Furthermore, the invention can be carried out economically and does not increase the cost of the box itself, contrary to the technique of printing directly on the box.

[0009] Pizza boxes are a preferred application; however, the invention is also applicable to cardboard boxes with other intended uses.

Description of the invention

[0010] Some preferred aspects are defined by the dependent claims.

[0011] The clip is preferably realized by making a suitably shaped first cut and second cut on the upper face, said first cut and second cut being extended in a longitudinal direction, and a third transversal cut which joins two intermediate points of said two longitudinal cuts.

[0012] Said clip is obtained for example by die cutting.

[0013] The transversal cut defines the clip on one side, and a tab on the opposite side. The clip and the tab can be offset perpendicularly to the upper face of the box to allow the insertion of the leaflet, which will be held between the clip and the tab by the elasticity of the cardboard, i.e. by the tendency of the clip to return to its original position.

[0014] The upper face of the box can be made of corrugated cardboard. In this case, preferably, said transversal cut extends in a direction perpendicular to the corrugation of the cardboard.

[0015] This configuration of the clip cut transversally to the corrugation is preferred, as corrugated cardboard has different mechanical properties of stiffness when folded in a direction parallel or perpendicular to the corrugation. Cutting the clip perpendicular to the corrugation results in a stiffness and an elastic return effect ("spring effect") of the clip.

[0016] The first and the second longitudinal cuts are preferably shaped so as to define a stem portion and a head portion of the clip, in which the head portion has a width, in the transversal direction, greater than the width of the stem portion. The clip can consequently assume a "mushroom" shape.

[0017] The head of the clip can have a curvilinear edge, for example the edge can be a section of a circle.

[0018] Preferably, the shape of the clip is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median axis.

[0019] The shapes and dimensions may vary according to the specific embodiment. In a preferred version, the longitudinal dimension of the clip, starting from a base line of the stem, is between 30 and 50 mm, preferably 40 mm or 30 to 40 mm. The transversal dimension of the clip's head is preferably between 50 and 100 mm, preferably between 70 and 80 mm, for example 75 mm.

[0020] The clip is preferably located near a side edge of the box. For example, a baseline of the stem is distant 10 to 20 mm from the edge of the box, for example 15 mm. This position facilitates the rapid insertion of the leaflet.

[0021] The invention is now described with reference to a preferred embodiment which is illustrated in the figures, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically shows a portion of an upper face of a cardboard pizza box, where a clip according to the invention is obtained.

Fig. 2 shows a section along the line II-II of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the insertion of a leaflet in the clip of Fig. 1.

[0022] With reference to Fig. 1, a corner portion of a pizza box 1 is shown, the edges 2 and 3 of which are shown. For example, the box 1 can be a corrugated cardboard box with a size of about 30x30 cm.

[0023] Two cuts 5, 6 are made on the upper face 4 of the box 1 (for example with a cutting die). Said cuts extend in an essentially longitudinal direction from a point of origin 51, 61 to a termination point 52, 62.

[0024] In the example, longitudinal direction means a direction parallel to the side 3, and transversal direction means a direction parallel to the side 2.

[0025] Said cuts are suitably shaped, preferably to mirror each other with respect to a longitudinal axis.

[0026] In the example, the cut 5, starting from the origin point 51, has a first section 53 approaching the edge 2 and a second section 54 distancing from the edge. The cut 6 has a similar shape.

[0027] A third cut 7 extends in an essentially transversal direction between two intermediate points 55, 65 of said cuts 5 and 6.

[0028] As a result of the cuts 5, 6 and 7, a clip 8 and a tab 9 are defined on opposite sides of the transversal cut 7. More specifically, due to the curvilinear shaping of the cuts 5 and 6, the clip 8 has a tapered stem 81, near the edge 2, and a wider head 82. The line 10, joining the points of the cuts 5 and 6 closest to the edge 2, represents a base line of the stem 81.

[0029] The clip 8 and the tab 9 can be offset vertically so as to create a slot, coinciding with the line of the cut 7, for the insertion of a leaflet which is to be delivered together with the box. To facilitate the operation, a pressure point 11 may be indicated on the tab 9. By pressing a finger on said pressure point 11, the lifting of the clip 8 is facilitated by slightly bending the stem 81 thereof. The pressure point 11 can be marked with a symbol or the wording "press here", for example.

[0030] The third cut 7 is preferably perpendicular to a corrugation direction of the cardboard, as can be seen in Fig. 2. The sheets 20, 21 of the cardboard and the corrugation 22 are shown in said figure.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows the insertion of an advertising leaflet 30. It can be understood, observing the figure, that by slightly lifting the clip 8 (bending the stem thereof), a slot 12 will be created into which the leaflet 30 is inserted, as indicated by the arrow. Once the clip 8 has been released, the leaflet 30 remains firmly held between the clip 8, the tab 9 and the face 4 of the cardboard box.

Claims

1. A cardboard box (1) comprising an upper face (4) in which a clip (8) is cut out which defines a slot adapted for inserting a leaflet (30) and wherein said clip (8) is adapted to hold said leaflet (30) against the upper face (4) of the box itself.

2. A box (1) according to claim 1 comprising, on the upper face (4), a first cut (5) and a second cut (6) suitably shaped and extended in a longitudinal direction, and a transversal cut (7) which joins two respective intermediate points (55, 65) of said two longitudinal cuts (5-6) so as to define said clip (8).

3. A box (1) according to claim 2, wherein the transversal cut (7) defines the clip (8) on one side of the cut, and a cardboard tab (9) on the opposite side of the cut itself, and wherein said clip (8) and said tab (9) can be offset perpendicularly to the upper face (4) of the box so as to allow the insertion of the leaflet (30).

4. A box (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the upper face (4) of the box is made of corrugated cardboard, comprising at least two sheets (20-21) of cardboard and a corrugation (22) placed between said two sheets (20-21), and said transversal cut (7) extends in a direction perpendicular to said corrugation (22).

5. A box (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first (5) and second (6) longitudinal cut are shaped so as to define a stem portion (81) and a head portion (82) of the clip (8), wherein the head has a width, in the transversal direction, greater than the width of the stem portion.

6. A box (1) according to claim 5, wherein the maximum longitudinal dimension of said clip (8), starting from a baseline (10) of the stem and up to the transversal cut (7), is between 30 and 50 mm, preferably 40 mm.

7. A box (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the transversal dimension of the head of the clip is between 50 and 100 mm, preferably between 70 and 80 mm.

8. A box (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the clip (7) is located near a lateral edge of the box, and a baseline (10) of the stem is located at a distance of 10 to 20 mm from the edge of the box.

9. A box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said clip (8) is obtained by die cutting.

10. A box (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the box is a pizza box.

Drawing