Box and blank made from cardboard sheet with convex centring devices

Abstract

A box and a blank or a set of blanks made from corrugated cardboard sheet comprising side walls, a top wall linked to at least two of said opposing side walls by a junction line or a folded edge, and a bottom wall forming the bottom of the box. The top wall comprises at least two convex portions comprising a projecting part, and the bottom comprises at least two perforated surface portions of complementary shape arranged to engage with the projecting parts of the box below. Each convex portion comprises an oblique triangular or substantially triangular panel belonging partly to a side wall or a folded edge.

Claims

1. A box made from corrugated cardboard sheet material having a polygonal section, comprising: side walls; a top wall linked to at least two opposing side walls of said side walls by a junction line or a folded edge linked to the top wall by a junction line; and a bottom wall forming a bottom of the box, the top wall comprising at least two convex portions automatically formed when said junction lines have been folded and comprising a part projecting from a surface of said top wall, and the bottom has a surface comprising at least two perforated portions that complement said projecting parts, are in line with a respective one of said at least two convex portions, and are arranged in order to engage in the projecting parts of a box below, wherein each of said at least two convex portions comprise an oblique, three-sided panel having a triangular or substantially triangular panel surface belonging partly to a respective one of the said side walls or a respective one of said folded edges.

2. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said at least two convex portions has four sides, including first and second sides that are adjacent and third and fourth sides that are adjacent, wherein the first and second sides are free or cut out from the top wall, wherein the third side is linked to the top wall by a first fold line, and wherein the fourth side is linked to the respective one of the side walls or to the respective one of the folded edges by a second fold line that is oblique toward the bottom of the box, and wherein each of the at least two convex portions further comprises a third fold line, that is oblique and has a summit common with the first and second fold lines, in order to form the oblique, triangular or substantially triangular panel surface.

3. The box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third fold line is curved.

4. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oblique, triangular or substantially triangular panel surface forms an angle alpha with the top wall of the box of between 40 and 55 degrees.

5. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the side walls form a belt, and in that the top wall is formed by two flaps linked to the at least two opposing side walls of said side walls by said junction lines.

6. The box as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a rectangular tray, wherein the top wall is formed by a lid provided with said folded edges glued onto external faces of the at least two opposing side walls of said side walls after folding of the edges.

7. The box as claimed in claim 1, in the form of a rectangular tray, wherein the top wall being formed by ledge portions located at four corners of the tray, which are symmetrical relative to a transverse axis of the tray, each ledge portion is formed by a flap having an end part forming the projecting part of one of said at least two convex portions and by a median part linked to a tongue for fastening on a facing one of the side walls adjacent the side wall linked to the ledge portion.

8. The box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top wall is a principal sheet of a wrap belt and the side walls are formed partly by flaps linked to said sheet by said junction lines.

9. A blank or set of blanks made from corrugated cardboard sheet material intended for forming a box with a polygonal section comprising: side walls; a top wall linked to two opposing side walls of said side walls by a junction line; and one or more bottom walls forming a bottom of the box, wherein the top wall is formed by any of a pair of flaps, a pair of ledge portions, a lid with edges, or a wrap sheet and comprises at least two portions each provided with an oblique, three-sided panel having a substantially triangular panel surface belonging partly to a respective one of the side walls or to a respective one of the edges of the lid, straddling the junction line between the top wall and the respective one of the side walls or between the top wall and the respective one of the edges of the lid, and capable of automatically forming at least two convex portions when said junction lines have been folded, each creating a part projecting from a top surface of the box when the box is formed, and the bottom has a surface that comprises at least two perforated portions of the surface that complement said projecting parts when they are formed, are in line with a respective one of the said at least two convex portions when the box is formed and arranged in order to engage in the projecting parts of a box below.

10. The blank or set of blanks as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the at least two portions capable of forming the at least two convex portions has four sides, including first and second sides that are adjacent and third and fourth sides that are adjacent, wherein the first and second sides are free or cut out from the top wall, wherein the third side is linked to the top wall by a first fold line and wherein the fourth side is linked to the respective one of the side walls or to the respective one of the edges of the lid by an oblique second fold line, and further comprises a third fold line that is oblique and has a summit common with the first and second fold lines, in order to form the oblique, triangular or substantially triangular panel surface.

11. The blank as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third fold line is curved.

12. The blank as claimed in claim 10, wherein the third fold line or a tangent to the summit of the third fold line forms an angle beta with the junction line of between 15° and 45°.

13. A box made from corrugated cardboard sheet material having a polygonal section, comprising: side walls; a top wall linked to at least two opposing side walls of said side walls by a junction line or a folded edge; and a bottom wall forming a bottom of the box, the top wall comprising at least two convex portions comprising a part projecting from a surface of said top wall, and the bottom has a surface comprising at least two perforated portions that complement said projecting parts, are in line with a respective one of said at least two convex portions, and are arranged in order to engage in the projecting parts of a box below, wherein each of said at least two convex portions comprise an oblique, three-sided panel having a triangular or substantially triangular panel surface belonging partly to a respective one of the said side walls or a respective one of said folded edges, wherein the oblique, triangular or substantially triangular panel surface forms an angle alpha with the top wall of the box of between 40 and 55 degrees.

Description

(1) The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description of embodiments given below by way of non-limiting examples. The description makes reference to the drawings that accompany it, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box according to a first embodiment of the invention.

(3) FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective front and rear views of a convex centring device of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 1C is a section on Ic-Ic of the convex portion of FIG. 1A.

(5) FIG. 1D is a flattened view of the convex portion before folding of the flap at 90°.

(6) FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing two boxes according to FIG. 1 engaging in one another.

(7) FIG. 3 is a plan view of the blank that makes it possible to obtain the box of FIG. 1.

(8) FIG. 4 shows a graph giving the values of the section dimensions A and B (cf. FIG. 1A) and of the angle α as a function of a fixed height of the convex centring device (in this case, 10 mm) relative to the top face of the top wall.

(9) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a box according to a second embodiment, in the form of a tray with ledge portions.

(10) FIG. 6 is a plan view of the blank that makes it possible to obtain the box of FIG. 5.

(11) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a box according to the invention, in wrap form.

(12) FIG. 8 is a plan view of the blank of the box in FIG. 7.

(13) FIGS. 9A and 9B show plan views of a set of blanks for forming a box with a lid, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

(14) FIG. 1 shows a parallelepipedal box 1 made from corrugated cardboard sheet, for example double-face cardboard sheet that is 3 mm thick.

(15) The box 1 comprises a belt 2 of rectangular side walls 3, 4, 5, 6, a top wall 7 formed by two rectangular flaps 8, 9 contiguous at their ends 10, linked to two corresponding side walls 3, 5 by opposite junction lines 11, 12 and a bottom wall 13 (see FIG. 2) forming the bottom of the box.

(16) The top wall comprises four convex portions 14 (cf., also, FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D) each comprising a part 15 projecting from the external face of the top wall.

(17) The bottom wall 13 is also formed by two opposite flaps 16 and 17, contiguous at their ends and comprising, for each of the flaps, two perforated surface portions 18 arranged so as to engage with the projecting parts 15′ of the box 1′ below (see FIG. 2) and having, in the present case, a trapezium shape, possibly with an angle at the inclined base of a few degrees in the same direction.

(18) Each convex portion 14, 14′ comprises a triangular or substantially triangular panel 19, 19′ belonging partly to an adjacent side wall 3, 3′, 5, 5′.

(19) More precisely, with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D, each convex portion 14 is of generally trapezoidal shape and comprises four sides, namely two adjacent sides 20, 21 cut out in the flap 8 of the top wall, the other two sides 22, 23 being, respectively, linked to the top wall 8 by a first fold line 24 partially perforated in order to allow reverse folding of the projecting part of the centering device, and to the adjacent wall 3 by a second fold line 25 that is oblique toward the bottom (arrow 26) of the box.

(20) The convex portion 14 further comprises a third oblique fold line 27, which is concave and has a summit 28 common with the first and second fold lines 24 and 25 in order to form the diamond-like triangular panel 19.

(21) In this embodiment, the oblique panel 19 forms an angle α with the top face 7 (flap 8) of the box of 60°.

(22) Mechanically, the convex portion will undergo slight twisting at the point P at the time of rising (cf. FIG. 1D).

(23) The point P will then move laterally toward the interior of the surface of the case.

(24) According to the embodiment of the invention more particularly described here, it is assumed here that this point P rises strictly vertically upon folding of the flap, at a distance B from the vertical edge of the case, which allows a simple mathematical equation for determining A and B (thus, A+B, which is the necessary sizing dimension), this being as a function of the angle α sought and of the rise height H.

(25) In this case, there is the following equation: tangent (alpha)=(A+H)/B, which gives excellent sizing, as will be seen precisely below with reference to FIG. 4.

(26) FIG. 3 shows the blank 29 that makes it possible to obtain the box of FIG. 1.

(27) It is formed from the belt 2 comprising the four side walls 3, 4, 5, 6 in the form of rectangular sheets linked by mutually parallel fold lines 30. The belt 2 ends in a gluing tongue 31 in a manner known per se. Advantageously, the box is formed around a mandrel, which allows it to be perfectly square and permits, as a result, faultless alignment and engagement between projecting parts 15 and recesses 18.

(28) Each wall 3 and 5 is linked to the corresponding flaps 8 and 9 (provided with the centering devices), on the one hand, by a junction line 11 and 12, and on the other to the flaps 16, 17 provided with the recesses 18 by fold lines 32.

(29) Flaps 33 are linked on either side to the walls 4 and 6 in a manner known per se in order to form the interior, at least in part, of the top face of the box.

(30) As indicated above, the centering system is formed automatically upon 90° folding of the flaps 8, 9 owing to the diamond shape, the tangent T at the summit 28 of the third fold line 27 being, for example, an angle β of 20′.

(31) With the invention, it will be possible to precisely and adjustably size the height of the projecting part 15 or height of the centering device.

(32) One of the advantages of the system is, moreover, that it makes it possible, as a function of the angle α and of the section parameters A and B, to arrange for the projecting part of the centering device to be more or less distant (distance x=B) from the vertical side wall of the box, which makes it possible to conserve more or less material between the exterior edge of the perforated part receiving the projecting part and said edge, and thereby to avoid the start of tearing.

(33) FIG. 4 shows the values of the dimensions A (abscissa), B (ordinate) and angle α as a function of the centering height H, in this case taken in the example to be 10 mm (cf. FIG. 1A) (cf. curves 34 and 35).

(34) More precisely, for a given height, for example, H=10 mm, and a given section A, the value of B and of the angle alpha on the curves according to the equation defined above result automatically. For manufacturing reasons (difficulty in forming creases that are too close together), a value A+B greater than 6 or 8 mm will be sought.

(35) It will be seen that there is a plurality of possible solutions of (A) and (B) pairs for the same rise height, the angle alpha depending on each of the pairs.

(36) The designer will thus have to select, on the graph, the correct (A) and (B) pair to suit whether he wishes to prioritize an offset (B) that is more or less great or, on the contrary, to prioritize the angle alpha.

(37) In Table I below, for a required height of 10 mm, if the designer desires a solution with an angle alpha close to 40° in order to obtain significant elasticity the only solution is to fix (A) at 5.6 mm and thus (B) will be equal to 19 mm. The leading edge of the centering tab will thus be offset at 19 mm from the vertical edge of the case.

(38) If the designer wishes above all else that the offset (B) should not exceed 15 mm, while the value of the vertical section (A) should be 10 mm and the angle alpha will be 53°, he will thus have less elasticity at the time of vertical crushing of the tab (by a roller closing the tabs by gluing, for example).

(39) Obviously, a person skilled in the art will without difficulty select other heights.

(40) The values of the curves are likewise given by way of example in Table I below, the values of A, B and H being expressed in mm.

(41) Furthermore, and for structural reasons, the following values are chosen advantageously and by way of example:

(42) A+B mini: 8 mm, A mini: 2 mm, α mini=40° and α maxi: 55°.

(43) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I H A B Alpha 10 50.0 11 80° 25.0 12 71° 16.7 13 64° 12.5 14 58° 10.0 15 53° 8.3 16 49° 7.1 17 45° 6.3 18 42° 5.6 19 39° 5.0 20 37° 4.5 21 35° 4.2 22 33° 3.8 23 31° 3.6 24 29° 3.3 25 28° 3.1 26 27° 2.9 27 26° 2.8 28 25° 2.6 29 24° 2.5 30 23° 2.4 31 22° 2.3 32 21° 2.2 33 20° 2.1 34 20° 2.0 35 19°

(44) In the remainder of the description, use will be made of the same reference numbers to denote the same elements or similar elements.

(45) FIGS. 5 and 6 show, respectively, a tray 36 and the blank 37 that makes it possible to obtain the tray.

(46) In this case, the top wall 7 is formed by ledge portions 38 located at the four corners of the tray, which are symmetrical relative to the transverse axis 39 of the tray.

(47) Each portion 38 is formed by a flap 40 having an end part 41 forming the projecting part 15 of the convex part, as described above (triangle 19, etc.) and by a median part 42 linked to a tongue 43 by a fold line 44, for fastening on the side wall 4, 6 adjacent to the wall 3, 5 linked to the ledge portion 38 by the junction line 11, 12.

(48) The tray is, furthermore, formed in a manner known per se with a rectangular sheet forming the bottom 45 provided with recesses 18, respectively located at the distance x=B from the corresponding walls, and determined as described above.

(49) The other two, opposite side walls are formed by the flaps 46 linked to the central sheet 45 by fold lines and by the lateral flaps 47 attached to the walls 3 and 4 and folded down/glued onto the internal face of the flaps 46, in a manner known per se.

(50) FIG. 7 shows a box 50 formed from the wrap 51 of FIG. 8 provided with the convex centering devices 14.

(51) The blank is formed by a belt 52 of sheets 53, 54, 55, 56, the wall 53 comprising the convex centering devices and the wall 55 the recesses 18 located at the distance x=B from the junction line 57 between the sheets 55 and the rectangular flaps 58, in line with said convex elements.

(52) The centering devices or convex elements 14 are, in the meantime, on the sheet 53, straddling the junction lines 12, as described above, with the flaps 59.

(53) FIGS. 9A and 9B, in the meantime, show, in top view, the blank 60 forming a tray in a manner known per se, with a rectangular central sheet 61 and rectangular lateral flaps 62 attached by fold lines 63 to said sheet.

(54) Each flap 62 comprises on either side end flaps 64 arranged in order to be glued onto the external or internal face of the adjacent flap 65, in a known manner.

(55) The recesses 18 are close to the fold lines 63 in the sheet 61.

(56) FIG. 9B shows the lid 66 comprising a central sheet 67 provided with convex centering devices 14 straddling the junction lines 68 between the flaps 69 to be folded down and said sheet 67. The sheet 67 also comprises, on its two opposite sides, edges 70 with end tongues 71 for achieving the lid once folded down.

(57) A description will now be given of the implementation of the process and of the method corresponding to the invention described more particularly, especially with reference to FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B.

(58) On the basis of a specific load, weight per unit area and box size, the desired engagement height H and the acceptable distance x are determined. Then, by means of simple calculation and triangulation, the values A and B and the angle α to be selected are determined, by virtue, in particular, of curves of the type described with reference to FIG. 4.

(59) Next, using a blank made from sheet material of the type described with reference to FIG. 3, said blank is rolled around a packaging mandrel. This packaging will then be filled with a product prior to the flaps being folded over.

(60) In a first stage, the interior flaps 33 are folded down, and then the top flaps 8 and 9 are folded down about their junction lines 11 and 12. When the junction line has been folded, the convex centering devices then automatically stand up owing to the triangular part. The projecting parts of height H located at the distance x from the edges are then formed.

(61) The flaps having had glue applied previously onto their internal face thus make it possible to fully form the top face 7.

(62) Next (cf. FIG. 2), the cases will be stacked, the recesses of the top cases being engaged in the convex centering devices of the bottom cases so as to obtain a stack of boxes that is perfectly square, one in line with the other, and engaged so as to prevent any sliding should the stack be placed at an angle when stresses likely to arise during transportation occur.

(63) As is obvious and also follows from the aforesaid, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments more particularly described. It encompasses, on the contrary, all variants thereof and, in particular, those in which the recesses comprise at least one rounded angle or are of rectangular or square shape.