Display case

Abstract

 A cardboard blank can be folded to make an open topped rectangular container with a floor (2), side walls (7) and a top wall (5,10,24). A series of panels (6,11,15,18) extending from the lower edge of the floor are folded in towards it and the last (18) is passed through a slot (22) to form a base of triangular cross-­section comprising a base wall (6), a front panel (11) and a lower end wall (15) for the container and a rear projection (18) connected to the floor (2) by lateral support panels (20). The side walls (7) have end flaps with portions (29) closing the ends of the base and connecting together within it.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a display case or carton for confectionery or other products and to a blank from which such a case or carton can be made.

[0002] Display cases for such articles as confectionery products perform the double task of presenting the products contained in them to the view of the public in a pleasant and decorative manner and, at the same time, protecting the products against any possible deterioration that may be caused by the surroundings, or due to mechanical reasons.

[0003] According to the present invention, there is provided a blank arranged to be folded from the flat to form a case having a floor and wall means upstanding therefrom, characterised by panel means extending from the lowermost edge of the floor in use, the panel means being foldable to provide a lower end wall, a first panel extending downwardly therefrom , a second panel extending from the first panel towards the floor at an inclination to the lower end wall and to the floor, a third panel extending beyond the floor and support means extending between the third panel and the floor.

[0004] The case made from the blank of the invention may thus comprise a square or rectangular open topped container which can rest without further means of support on a generally horizontal surface with the container floor inclined upwardly and rearwardly at a predetermined angle, thereby exposing the container contents in a way that facilitates viewing and removal of them, whilst the contents are securely retained in place.

[0005] The blank of the invention results when assembled in a case or carton having generally the configuration of an open prism on one of the greater sides of which the contents are revealed, and being supported on one of the smaller sides, which is slanted, to promote a better viewing of the contents.

[0006] The case or carton of the invention may thus be obtained from a single die-stamped sheet of cardboard with appropriate cuts and fold lines, which may be marked or scored, for folding and setting up to the pattern described. It will be evident that a blank or carton embodying the invention has the advantage of being easily set up in situ and of being capable of being constructed of a material as light in weight and economical as cardboard, presenting no problems of disposal, destruction or transformation when it has finished serving its purpose.

[0007] The invention is further described below, by way of illustration, with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a die-stamped sheet capable of being folded and assembled to constitute a case or box in accordance with the invention; and

Figs. 2 and 3 are, respectively, a front and a rear perspective view of a case or box assembled from die-­stamped sheet of Fig. 1.

[0008] It will be appreciated from the drawings that the die-stamped sheet of Fig. 1, which may be of cardboard or the like, is of generally symmetrical configuration with respect to its major axis, with the exception of four uneven flaps on its side walls, and of asymmetrical configuration with respect to its minor axis.

[0009] The sheet is formed with fold lines 1 which define the sides of a rectangular central area 2 which constitutes the floor or bottom wall of the assembled case or carton. Fold lines 3 and 4 perpendicular to the fold lines 1 determine the border lines between the central area 2 and, respectively, two unequal extension or panel portions 5 and 6. The portion 5 constitutes an outer top wall or panel and the portion 6 constitutes an outer inclined supporting lower wall or panel of the assembled case on being folded towards the central area 2 in a manner to be described. In the same way, side extension portions 7 are folded in on the lines 1 along the sides of the central area 2 to constitute side walls of the case.

[0010] However, extension portions 5 and 6 have further portions 10 and 11 respectively beyond them, with further fold lines 8 and 9 parallel to lines 3 and 4 between them and the portions 5 and 6. The further portion 10 on being folded towards the central area 2 constitutes an inner top wall of the case, and the portion 11, on being folded inwardly from the portion 6 forms a front wall of the base, or support foot, of the case, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0011] The portion 10 at the top includes a central semi-­circular cut 12, terminating on a fold line 13 parallel with and close to the fold line 8. The cut 12 makes it possible to provide a conspicuous front panel or flap 14 as shown in Fig. 2 which may be decorative and/or carry information, while the remainder of the portion 10 closes the top internally forming an inner top wall against the portion 5.

[0012] At the lower end, there continues beyond the portion 11 another extension or panel portion 15 of lesser width, delimited from the panel portion 11 by a fold line 16 and by another fold line 17, which like the line 16 is parallel one to the fold line 9, from a final panel portion 18. The panel portion 18 is rectangular and is delimited laterally by fold lines 19 from two side portions 20, one on each side. Each portion 20 is shaped triangularly or as a sector of a circle with a securement flap 21 at its free end.

[0013] The portions 6, 11, 15 & 18, folded towards the floor or central area 2 along the successive fold lines 17, 16, 9 & 4, determine, respectively, the base or bottom wall or panel 6 of the case and front wall or panel portion 11, which may be parallel to the floor 2, and the inner face or lower end wall 15 of the container, because the panel portion 18, with the side portions 20 folded down onto it, is passed through into a slot 22 of appropriate width formed in the vicinity of the fold line. The panel 18 provides a rear support for the standing case and is fixed in position by means of the lateral portions 20 which are anchored by reception of their flaps 21 in respective slots 23 situated on the lateral lines 1 which delimit the central area 2.

[0014] The rectangular lateral extensions have at their upper ends flaps 24 which when folded at right angles along a line 25 can be secured together, if desired, between the portions 5 and 10, by means of hooks 26 formed at their ends, thus holding the side walls 7 in the assembled position.

[0015] The extensions 7 for forming the rectangular side walls have at their opposite, lower, ends other flaps 27 and 28 constituted by triangular portions 29 each of the same shape, and respective trapezoidal parts 30 and 31 which have coupling hooks 32 and 33 which secure them together when folded at right angles along fold lines 34. The parts 30 & 31 then lie jointly on the bottom or base wall panel portion 6, with flanges 35 and 36 folded at right angles to the parts 30 and 31, and applied to the inner face of the front wall portion 11.

[0016] The invention can be embodied in a variety of ways other than as specifically described and illustrated within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A blank arranged to be folded from the flat to form a case having a floor (2) and wall means (5, 7) upstanding therefrom, characterised by panel means extending from the lowermost edge of the floor (2) in use, the panel means being foldable to provide a lower end wall (15), a first panel (11) extending downwardly therefrom, a second panel (6) extending from the first panel towards the floor (2) at an inclination to the lower end wall (15) and to the floor (2), a third panel (18) extending beyond the floor (3) and support means (20) extending between the third panel (18) and the floor (2).

2. A blank as claimed in claim 1 wherein the third panel (18) extends from the lower end wall (15), the lower end wall (15) extends from the first panel (11), the first panel (11) extends from the second panel (6), the second panel (6) extends from the floor (2) and the support means (20) extends laterally from the third panel (18), a slot (22) being formed in the region of the join between the floor (2) and the second panel to receive therethrough the third panel (18) and the support means (20).

3. A blank as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the support means comprises a generally sector or triangular shaped flap (20) extending from each side of the third panel (18).

4. A blank as claimed in claim 3 wherein each flap (20) has a portion receivable in a respective slot (23) in the floor (2).

5. A blank as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the floor (2) has side wall portions (7) adjoining the floor along lines (1) extending at right angles to the lower end wall (15).

6. A blank as claimed in claim 5 having flaps (24) at the upper ends of the side wall portions (7), the flaps being connectable together to form an upper end wall opposite the lower end wall (15).

7. A blank as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein the side wall portions (7) have extensions (29) covering the ends of the space between the end wall (15), the first panel (11) and the second panel (6).

8. A blank as claimed in claim 7 wherein the extensions (29) have flaps (30,31) extending therefrom, the flaps (30,31) having means (32,33) whereby they are connectable together.

9. A blank as claimed in any preceding claim having an upper end wall portion (5) extending from the uppermost edge in use of the floor (2), and a flap (10) extending from the upper end wall portion (5), the flap being formed with an internal flap (14) foldable to extend above the floor (2).

10. A case formed by folding a blank as claimed in any preceding claim.

Drawing