EASY TO FORM PACKAGE

Abstract

A foldable package includes a box defining a stowage volume, the box having a bottom and a peripheral rim including: a first panel; a second panel opposite to the first panel; a third panel; a fourth panel opposite to the third panel. The box is able to adopt: a stowage configuration in which each panel extends substantially parallel to the bottom; and an operating configuration in which each panel, of the second panel, of the third panel and of the fourth panel extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom. The package further includes a mechanism for returning the first panel and the second panel into the operating position, tending to make them pass from their stowage position to their operating position in the inactive position of the locking mechanism.

Claims

1.-6. (canceled)

7. A foldable package comprising a box defining a stowage volume, the box having a bottom and a peripheral rim comprising: a first panel; a second panel opposite to the first panel; a third panel; a fourth panel opposite to the third panel, the box being able to adopt: a stowage configuration in which each of the first panel, of the second panel, of the third panel and of the fourth panel extends substantially parallel to the bottom; an operating configuration in which each of the first panel, of the second panel, of the third panel and of the fourth panel extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom; wherein, in the stowage configuration: the first panel and the second panel are folded over the bottom of the box; the third panel is folded over the first panel and the second panel; the package comprising means for returning the first panel and the second panel into the operating position, tending to make them pass from their stowage position to their operating position, wherein the package comprises a lid to close the stowage volume of the box, the lid being mounted in rotation on the fourth panel, and wherein, in the stowage configuration of the box, the fourth panel is in the continuation of the bottom of the box and the lid is folded over the fourth panel, the first panel and the second panel, and extends in the continuation of the third panel.

8. The package according to claim 7, wherein the package comprises locking means which can adopt: an active position wherein they hold the third panel in the stowage configuration of the box, an inactive position wherein they leave the third panel free to move.

9. The package according to claim 8, wherein the locking means comprise a first portion rigidly connected to the third panel and a second portion rigidly connected to the bottom of the box.

10. The package according to claim 7, wherein the return means comprise at least one first torsion spring interleaved between the bottom and the first panel of the box, and a second torsion spring interleaved between the bottom and the second panel of the box.

11. The package according to claim 10, wherein each torsion spring comprises a first branch rigidly connected to the bottom of the box, and a second branch rigidly connected to the first panel or to the second panel, the first branch and the second branch being connected to one another by a succession of turns.

12. The package according to claim 7, wherein the bottom, the first panel and the second panel of the box each have a recess for receiving at least partially the return means.

Description

[0087] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly upon reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings, among which:

[0088] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a package according to the invention, in an operating configuration of the box;

[0089] FIG. 2 is a perspective top view of the package according to the invention in a stowage configuration;

[0090] FIG. 3 is a detail section view of the package according to the invention, in its stowage configuration;

[0091] FIG. 4 is a perspective top view showing the package according to the invention during forming into an operating configuration of the box, from its stowage configuration;

[0092] FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective top view of the package according to the invention, comprising a detail inset illustrating means for returning into position the panels of the box;

[0093] FIG. 6 is a perspective top view of the package according to the invention, in a simplified representation, and comprising a detail inset at larger scale;

[0094] FIG. 7 is a perspective top view of a torsion spring forming the return means of the package according to the invention;

[0095] FIG. 8 is a perspective view from above of the package according to the invention, according to one variant embodiment.

[0096] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 and 8, a package 1 according to the invention is shown.

[0097] The package 1 comprises a box 2 and a lid 3.

[0098] The package 1 is foldable. To this end, the box 2 is foldable between an operating configuration and a stowage configuration.

[0099] In the operating configuration, the box 2 defines a stowage volume inside which can be placed one or more objects for the purpose of their routing from a departure point to an arrival point.

[0100] The lid 3 is movable with respect to the box 2 and allows being able to close the box 2 to prevent access to the stowage volume.

[0101] Thus, by placing or removing the lid, it is possible to either prevent access to the stowage volume, or allow access to the stowage volume.

[0102] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 7 in particular, the box 2 has a bottom 21 and a peripheral rim 22.

[0103] More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 4, the peripheral rim 22 comprises: [0104] a first panel 221; [0105] a second panel 222 opposite to the first panel 221; [0106] a third panel 223; [0107] a fourth panel 224 opposite to the third panel 223.

[0108] The box 2 can adopt the stowage configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7 in which each of the first panel 221, of the second panel 222, of the third panel 223 and of the fourth panel 224 extends substantially parallel to the bottom 21.

[0109] In parallel, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6 in particular, the box 2 can adopt the operating configuration in which each of the first 221, of the second panel 222, of the third panel 223 and of the fourth panel 224 extends substantially perpendicular to the bottom 21.

[0110] The lid 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6, is rigidly connected to the peripheral rim 22.

[0111] More precisely, the cover 3 is mounted movable in rotation on one of the panels 221, 222, 223, 224 of the peripheral rim 22.

[0112] Preferably, the lid 3 is mounted in rotation on the fourth panel 224 of the peripheral rim 22.

[0113] With reference to FIG. 2, in the stowage configuration of the box 2: [0114] the first panel 221 and the second panel 222 are folded over the bottom 21 of the box 2; [0115] the third panel 223 is folded over the first panel 221 and the second panel 222; [0116] the fourth panel 224 extends in the continuation of the bottom 21 of the box 2; [0117] the lid 3 is folded over the fourth panel 224, the first panel 221 and the second panel 222, and extends in the continuation of the third panel 223.

[0118] To allow holding in position or in the stowage configuration of the box 2, the package 1 comprises locking means 4 which can adopt an active position in which they hold the third panel 223 in the stowage position of the box 2 and an inactive position in which they leave the third panel 223 free to move.

[0119] More precisely, with reference to FIG. 4, the locking means 4 comprise a first portion 41 rigidly connected to the third panel 223 and a second portion 42 rigidly connected to the bottom 21 of the box 2.

[0120] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the locking means 4 comprise a female member forming the first portion 41 and rigidly connected to the third panel 223 and at least one male member rigidly connected to the bottom 21 of the box 2, and intended to cooperate with the female member.

[0121] Control means 43 are also provided on the third panel 223 to allow controlling the female member between an active state in which the female member holds captive the male member and an inactive state in which the female member leaves free the insertion or the withdrawal of the male member from the female member.

[0122] According to a variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the locking means 4 comprise an elastic strip 44 intended to girdle the box 2 in its stowage configuration.

[0123] More particularly, the elastic strip is intended to be deformed by a user to be positioned around the box 2 and, while tending to recover a shape that is not elastically deformed, girdle and hold, in the stowage configuration of the box 2, the third panel 223 while covering the first panel 221 and the second panel 222.

[0124] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the elastic strip 44 has a width such that it can be mounted on the box 2 so as to partially cover the third panel 223 and the cover 3.

[0125] When it is covering at least the third panel 223, the elastic strip 44 is in its active position, while when it is withdrawn from the box and therefore no longer covers the third panel 223, the elastic strip 44 is in its inactive position.

[0126] This allows facilitating the storage of the package 1, and particularly preventing any undesired deployment of the lid 3 during storage or transport of the unformed package 1.

[0127] To facilitate the forming of the box 2, i.e. its passage from its stowage configuration to its operating configuration, the box 2 comprises means 5 for returning into a position substantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom 21 of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222 of the peripheral rim 22.

[0128] More particularly, the package 1 comprises means 5 for returning the first panel 221 and the second panel 222 into their operating position, tending to make them pass from their stowage position to their operating position.

[0129] This passage of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222 into their operating position is then possible from the moment that the locking means 4 are in their inactive position.

[0130] In fact, when the locking means 4 are in their active position, they ensure the holding of the third panel 223 covering the first panel 221 and the second panel 222, thus preventing their movement.

[0131] More particularly, the return means 5 comprise at least one first torsion spring 51 and a second torsion spring 52.

[0132] The first torsion spring 51 is mounted between the first panel 221 and the bottom 21 of the box 2, and the second torsion spring 52 is mounted between the second panel 222 and the bottom 21 of the box 2, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0133] With reference to FIG. 7, each torsion spring 51, 52 comprises a first branch 5a, a second branch 5b, connected to one another by a succession of turns 5c.

[0134] When it is mounted in the box, each of the first torsion spring 51 and the second torsion spring 52 is integrated into the bottom 21 of the box 2, on the one hand, and into one of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222 on the other hand.

[0135] More precisely, the first branch 5a is intended to be rigidly connected to the bottom 21 of the box 2, and the second branch 5b is intended to be rigidly connected to the first panel 221 or to the second panel 222.

[0136] By setting the turns 5c, i.e. for example their number and their diameter, it is thus possible to determine and to shape the torsion springs 51, 52 to allow positioning of the box 2, and particularly deployment of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222 at a desired speed.

[0137] With reference to the detail inset of FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222, as well as the bottom 21 of the box 2, has a recess 6 for receiving at least partially the return means 5.

[0138] More particularly, the receiving recesses 6 appear in the form of grooves within which are housed one of the first branch 5a and of the second branch 5b of one of the torsion springs 51, 52.

[0139] The turns 5c, as illustrated in the detail insets, are also housed in the bottom 21 off the box 2.

[0140] In operation, to form a package 1 according to the invention, a user seizes the package 1 in its stowage configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0141] In a first step, the user actuates the actuation means 43 or removes the elastic strip 44 to position the locking means 4 in their inactive position, which allows making the third panel 223 movable and possibly the lid 3.

[0142] The user can then position the lid 3 substantially perpendicular to the fourth panel 224, so as to free at least partially the first panel 221 and the second panel 222.

[0143] The user then acts on the third panel 223 to position it substantially perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the box 2.

[0144] As illustrated in FIG. 4, due to the presence of the return means 5, the manipulation of the third panel 223 of the box 2 allows freeing the first panel 221 and the second panel 222, which can then automatically attain their position substantially perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the box 2.

[0145] The user can then manipulate the lid 3 and/or the fourth panel 224 to position the latter substantially perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the box 2, and thus form the peripheral rim 22 and consequently the stowage volume of the box 2.

[0146] When the box 2 is formed, the user can either close the stowage volume by positioning the lid 3 above the peripheral rim 22, or allow access to the stowage volume by leaving the lid 3 substantially in the continuation of the fourth panel 224.

[0147] The package 1 according to the invention, which has just been described, allows being able to form the box 2 rapidly and simply for a user.

[0148] In fact, by the sole manipulation of the locking means 4, then of the third panel 223 and possibly the lid 3, the box 2 is virtually formed and only a folding movement of the fourth panel 224 is necessary for closing the box 2.

[0149] Moreover, the presence of the return means 5, and their positioning in the box 2, i.e. their cooperation with each of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222, allow making the deployment of the box 2, i.e. placing it in its operating configuration, reliable over time.

[0150] In fact, each of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222 automatically attains its positions substantially perpendicular to the bottom 21 of the box 2 automatically.

[0151] The user can thus easily form a box 2, with only one hand if he wishes, without having to hold two opposite panels in their position substantially perpendicular to the bottom 21 in order to be able to manipulate other panels.

[0152] In addition, the box 2 facilitates the integration of the package 1 according to the invention into an automatic packing line.

[0153] In fact, the automatic deployment of each of the first panel 221 and of the second panel 222 allow rapid formation of the box 2, compatible with the high production rates achieved by automatic packing lines.