Retainer for Box Lid

Abstract

The Retainer presses the flaps of a cardboard box against one another to form a lid. The Retainer engages three flaps of the box at two locations. Slots in devices of the previous state of the art form a lid by constraining only two flaps near the plane of the box top. By engaging more flaps, the closure achieved by the Retainer is stronger than the closure achieved by devices of the previous state of the art. One embodiment of the Retainer is formed by the bending of a single length of wire.

Claims

1. What is claimed is a retainer for holding the flaps of a cardboard box closed comprising a. a foot bearing on the outer surfaces of two side flaps of said cardboard box and urging said side flaps inward against an end flap and b. a prong bearing on the inner surface of said end flap of said cardboard box and urging said end flap outward against two said side flaps and c. a spacer connecting said foot and said prong and holding them in positions to press together said side flaps and said end flap.

2. The retainer of claim 1 wherein the foot, prong, and spacer are formed by bending a single length of wire.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] The drawings show an embodiment using a single bent wire.

[0014] FIG. 1. shows a top view of the Retainer standing alone.

[0015] FIG. 2. Shows a top view with portions of the side flaps.

[0016] FIG. 3. Shows a side view of the Retainer standing alone.

[0017] FIG. 4. Shows a side view of the Retainer grasping the side and end flaps in section.

[0018] FIG. 5. Shows an end view of the Retainer standing alone.

[0019] FIG. 6. Shows an end view of the Retainer grasping the side and end flaps in section.

[0020] FIG. 7. Shows a rectangular cardboard box with flaps.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0021] 1. Foot [0022] 2. Bar [0023] 3. Spacer [0024] 4. Prong [0025] 5. Guide [0026] 6. Side flap of box [0027] 7. Side flap of box [0028] 8. End flap of box. [0029] 9. End flap of box

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The closure is complete when all four of the flaps 6, 7, 8, 9 are constrained to lie at the plane of the box top. The plane of the box top is defined by the top edges of the box sides and ends where the flaps 6, 7, 8, 9 are attached and folded.

When the Retainer is in place FIG. 2, FIG. 4, FIG. 6., the foot 1 bears on the top surface of the side flaps 6, 7 and urges them downward into contact with an end flap 8 or 9. The prong 4 bears on the bottom surface of the end flap 8 or 9 and urges it upward into contact with both side flaps 6, 7. When the bottom surface of the side flaps 6, 7 are held against the top surface of the end flap 8 or 9 at the plane of the box top, the closure is complete. For the most secure closure, two Retainers may be used at the edges of both end flaps 8, 9. The bar 2 holds the spacer 3 in position relative to the foot 1 and sustains the forces and moments that urge said foot 1 and said prong 4 together. The spacer holds the prong 4 in position to bear against the bottom surface of the end flap 8 or 9. During installation, the tip of the guide 5 lies below the edge of the end flap 8 or 9 and makes certain that the edge of the end flap 8 or 9 enters the space between the foot 1 and the prong 4. The space between the foot 1 and the prong 4 is approximately two thicknesses of cardboard.

Installation Procedure

[0031] 1. By hand, fold the end flaps 8 and 9 to the plane of the box top. [0032] 2. By hand, fold then hold the side flaps 6 and 7 to the plane of the box top. [0033] 3. Insert the prong 4 and spacer 3 between the edges of the side flaps 6, 7 bringing the foot 1 and bar 2 into contact with the top surface of the side flaps 6, 7. FIG. 2. [0034] 4. Slide the Retainer toward the end of the box until the spacer touches the edge of the end flap 8 FIG. 4.

Removal Procedure

[0035] Removal is the reverse of installation.

CONCLUSION

[0036] The previous state of the art is exemplified by the commercial offerings of AllenField and Etsy which employ a double-ended clamp to hold the two side flaps near the same plane.

[0037] By holding the two side flaps and an end flap together, the Retainer invention not only uses a different principle but also provides a more robust closure.

[0038] The Retainer may be installed and removed many times without damaging the Retainer or the box flaps.