EA027087B1 - Carton - Google Patents

Abstract

A carton (20) comprising an outer container (1) and at least one inner container (10) wherein the outer container receives the inner container(s) is provided. The outer container (1) comprises a lid (2), a bottom wall (3), a rear wall (4), two side walls (5, 6), a substantially open front section and a closure means. Each inner container (10) comprises a bottom panel (11), a top panel (12), two side panels (13, 14), a front panel (15) and a rear panel (16); wherein a section of the rear panel is openable, so as to provide the inner container with an opening. Each inner container is hingedly attached to the outer container (1) so that each inner container (10) can pivot from a closed position wherein the inner container (10) is located inside the outer container (1) to an open position wherein the inner container (10) is located substantially adjacent to the outer container (1).

Description

The invention relates to a box. In particular, the invention is directed to a box that is easy to open and reseal by the consumer.

State of the art

Already known boxes made of cardboard blanks or several cardboard blanks. For example, in UO 2009/106535 (Ipuet), a resealable box is disclosed, which maintains its integrity when opened by the user and is made to easily open without tearing unwanted areas of the box. However, there is a continuing need for improved boxes. In particular, there is a need for a box that takes up a small amount of storage space (for example, in a cabinet or on a shelf), as well as maximizing access to the contents of the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a box comprising an outer container and at least one inner container, wherein the outer container receives each inner container;

wherein the outer container comprises a lid, a lower wall, a rear wall, two side walls, an essentially open front portion and closures;

wherein each inner container comprises a bottom panel, a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel; the rear panel portion is openable, preferably removable, to provide an opening to the inner container;

wherein each inner container is pivotally attached to the outer container, so that each inner container can be rotated from a closed position in which the inner container is located inside the outer container to an open position in which said inner container is located substantially adjacent to the outer container.

It was found that such a box occupies a small amount of storage space (for example, in a cabinet or on a shelf), and also maximizes access to the contents of the indicated box (for example, tea bags).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, in which FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an outer container according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 1b is a front perspective view of the outer container of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2a-2c are front perspective views of an inner container according to an embodiment of the invention, showing an open inner container;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a box according to an embodiment of the invention in an open position;

FIG. 3b is a front perspective view of the box of FIG. 3 a in the closed position;

FIG. 4a-4c show a series of cross-sectional views of a box according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5a is a rear perspective view of a first possible embodiment of articulation between the inner and outer containers;

FIG. 5b is a front perspective view of a second possible embodiment of the articulation between the inner and outer containers;

FIG. 5c is a rear perspective view in section of a third possible embodiment of internal and external containers;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blank of an external container according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 7 is a plan view of a preform of an inner container according to an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a box according to an embodiment of the invention, said box having two inner containers.

Unless otherwise indicated, terms such as top, bottom, front, rear, side, top, etc., refer to the box in the orientation in which it is usually stored, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3b.

In FIG. 1a and 1b show two different perspective views of the outer container 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The outer container comprises a lid 2, a lower wall 3, a rear wall 4, two side walls 5, 6, and a substantially open front portion. Said outer cover 2 is in a partially open position. Said lid comprises a lid panel 7 and closures. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a and 1b, said lid comprises an edge portion 8 acting as a closure, the lid panel 7 being pivotally attached by a fold line 9 so that the lid can be rotated, thereby allowing easy opening and closing of the outer container.

In FIG. 2 shows a series of perspective views of an example of an inner container 10 of the present invention, wherein the inner container comprises a bottom panel 11, an upper panel 12, two side walls 13, 14, a front panel 15 (not visible in FIG. 2, since it is located on the lower side in the orientation shown) and the rear panel 16. A portion of the rear panel 16 is openable to provide an opening to the inner container 10. The specified tear off area may optionally contain

- 1 027087 one or more tongues 18. The tongue or tongues 18 may be part of a bottom panel 11, a top panel and / or side panels 13, 14. Said opening portion is not necessarily removable, although in a preferred embodiment it is removable. In alternative embodiments, the opening portion may be resealable (for example, by hinging to the bottom panel 11, the top panel 12, or one of the side panels 13, 14).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the rear panel 16 comprises a removable portion 17. In FIG. 2a shows an inner container 10 with a removable portion 17 in place. Said removable portion 17 is shown comprising a tongue 18. Said tongue 18 is made from a portion of the upper panel 12 and is attached to the removable portion 17 along a portion of the edge of both the rear panel 16 and the upper panel 12. Said tongue 18 may be formed by a tear line, preferably a perforated tear-off line. The tongue may additionally or alternatively be made from a portion of the bottom panel 11 and / or one or more side panels 13, 14.

In FIG. 2b, an open rear panel 16 is shown in which the removable portion 17 is partially attached to the inner container 10. Said tab 18 allows the user to conveniently grab the removable section 17 to tear and / or peel it from the inner container 10. To simplify its removal, the removable section 17 is preferably formed tear line.

In FIG. 2c, an inner container 10 is shown in which the removed portion 17 is no longer attached to the inner container 10, while an opening is provided in place of the removed portion 17, thereby allowing access to articles contained in the inner container. The hole must be of a certain size to allow visibility and easy retrieval of the contents of the inner container, as this allows the consumer to select a single product. It is contemplated that the inner container may contain a set of similar products (for example, various types of tea bags), and it is desirable that the inner container simplifies the selection of a suitable product by the consumer when it is in the open position.

In order to avoid unwanted spilling of the contents of the inner container, in certain embodiments, the opening may comprise an edge 19 extending partially or completely around the perimeter of the opening. Such an edge 19 helps to hold the contents in the inner container, especially when the inner container is in a transitional position between the open and closed positions.

In FIG. 3a shows a perspective view of a box 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Said box 20 comprises an outer container 1 and an inner container 10 pivotally attached to each other. The specified box 20 is shown in the open position, while the specified inner container 10 is located essentially adjacent to the outer container 1, while the cover 2 of the outer container is in a partially open position.

In FIG. 3b is a perspective view of the box of FIG. 3a in the closed position, while the inner container 10 is located in the outer container 1. The front panel 15 of the inner container 10 contains the front surface of the box, thus closing the specified box 20. The specified cover 2 of the outer container is shown in the closed position, so that the edge section 8 lid 2 overlaps the upper portion of each side wall 5, 6 of the outer container and the upper portion of the front panel 15 of the inner container. Thus, the specified edge section 8 of the cover 2 acts as a capping means to prevent the rotation of the inner container 10 to the open position.

It should be noted that other closures can be used. For example, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), said lid may include a tongue or valve attached to the lid panel and adapted to engage a locking slot located on the front panel of the inner container. Similarly, such a tongue or valve may be included in addition to the edge portion by attaching it to the cover panel or to the edge portion itself.

In FIG. 4a-4c are a number of cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of a box according to an embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 4a, the box 20 is shown in the closed position in which the inner container 10 is located inside the outer container 1 (but with the lid 2 shown in the open position). The inner container 10 preferably fits tightly into the outer container 1 with a back panel 16 of the inner container 10 adjacent to the rear wall 4 of the outer container 1, and side panels 13, 14 of the inner container 10 adjacent to the side walls 5, 6 of the outer container 1. This structure particularly preferred when the opening portion of the rear panel 16 is a removable portion 17, since the opening of the inner container is adjacent to the rear wall 4 of the outer container 1 and, thus, any products contained in the inner container 10 are securely closed yty when said inner receptacle 10 is in the closed position.

The inner container 10 is pivotally attached to the outer container 1, so that it can be rotated from a closed position to an open position. Said inner container preferably rotates through an angle of 90 ° when moving from a closed position to an open position. Thus, when the inner container 10 is in the open position, the front panel 15 of the inner container 10 and the lower wall 3 of the outer container 1 are located essentially in the same plane.

- 2 027087

The bottom panel 11 of the inner container 10 is pivotally attached to the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1, so that they can rotate around a common axis extending between the two side walls 5, 6 of the outer container 1. In this preferred embodiment, the common axis extends along the front edge of the lower wall 3 outer tanks 1.

In FIG. 4b shows the inner container when moving between the open and closed positions, while the inner container 10 rotates around the hinge 21. This pivotal action is preferably caused by a user gripping the inner container and applying a force to it. Thus, at least one and preferably both side walls 5, 6 of the outer container 1 may optionally comprise a cutout 22. Each cutout 22 is positioned so that the top of the inner container 10 is accessible to the user when the inner container 10 is in the closed position ( see, for example, Fig. 4a).

In FIG. 4c shows the inner container in the open position, while the inner container 10 is located substantially adjacent to the outer container 1. The front panel 15 of the inner container 10 and the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1 are essentially in the same plane.

The specified hinge 21 may be a separate section. However, for ease of production, it is preferable that the hinge 21 is integrally formed as part of the outer vessel 1 or the inner vessel 10.

For example, in FIG. 5a shows an embodiment in which the hinge tab 23 is made from a portion of the bottom panel 11 of the inner container 10. The hinge tongue 23 is attached (for example, by gluing) to the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1 (for clarity, only a portion of the outer container shown is a portion of the bottom wall 3). Thus, the inner container 10 can rotate between open and closed positions around the hinge 21.

In FIG. 5b shows an alternative embodiment in which the hinge valve 24 extends from the bottom wall 3 of the outer container 1. The specified hinge valve 24 is attached (for example, by gluing) to the outer side of the front panel 15 of the inner container 10 (for clarity, only part of the shown inner container is section of the front panel 15). Thus, the inner container 10 can rotate between open and closed positions around the hinge 21.

In FIG. 5c shows a rear perspective view in section of a further possible embodiment, in which the hinge tab 25 is made from a portion of the lower wall 3 of the outer container 1. Said hinge tongue 25 is attached (for example, by gluing) to the bottom panel 11 of the inner container 10, thus that the inner container 10 can rotate between open and closed positions around the hinge 21.

The inner container is rotatable between the open and closed position when the closures are released, with a substantially open front portion of the outer container 1 facilitating this transition. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, said lid 2 comprises an edge portion 8 acting as closures. When said lid 2 is closed (not shown), the front panel 15 of the inner container adjoins the edge portion 8 of the lid 2, and thus, said edge portion 8 holds the inner container 10 in the closed position (i.e., in the outer container). When the closures have been released (for example, by opening the lid), the inner container 10 is no longer held in the closed position and thus can be rotated to the open position.

The specified cover 2 can be made in one piece as part of the outer container 1 or can be made as a separate part. When said lid is formed as a separate part, it can optionally be attached to an outer container (for example, by gluing). Preferably, the lid panel 7 is pivotally attached to the outer container 1 by means of a fold line 9, so that the lid can be rotated, thereby opening the outer container 1.

In FIG. 6 shows a top view of a blank 101 for an external container according to an embodiment of the invention. The specified blank 101 can be stamped or cut out of a sufficiently rigid material, which is preferably cardboard.

Said blank 101 of FIG. 6 is provided for an embodiment of the outer container 1, in which the lid 2 is integrally formed as part of the outer container 1 and in which the lid panel 7 is pivotally attached to the rear wall 4 of the outer container 1 via a fold line 9. It should be noted that in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the cover panel can be pivotally attached to one of the side walls 5, 6 of the outer container 1 instead of the rear wall 4.

In FIG. 6, the rear wall 4 is separated from each of the side walls 5, 6 by fold lines 26, 27. Similarly, the rear wall 4 is separated from the rear wall 3 by a fold line 28. Two valves 29, 30 extend from the rear wall 3, wherein said valves 29, 30 are separated from the lower wall 3 by fold lines 31, 32. When the outer container 1 is assembled, these valves 29, 30 are attached to the lower portions of the side walls 5, 6 (for example, by gluing). Of course, in alternative embodiments (not shown), one or both of the valves 29, 30 can extend from the side walls 5, 6 and can be attached to the bottom wall 3 when assembling the outer container 1. In the embodiment shown, each of the side walls 5, 6 the outer tank 1 contains a cutout 22.

- 3 027087

As indicated above, the cover 2 may include an edge portion 8, which can serve as closures. Preferably, said edge portion comprises three end valves, with each end valve extending partially or completely along the edge of the cover panel 7. Of course, if the specified cover 2 is made as a separate part, it can contain four end valves with a fourth end valve, optionally used to attach the cover 2 to the wall 4, 5, 6 of the outer tank 1.

The blank 101 shown in FIG. 6 relates to an embodiment of an outer container 1 having a lid 2 with an edge portion 8. Said edge portion 8 of the lid 2 is preferably formed of end flaps 33, 34, 35 connected to the lid panel 7 by fold lines 36, 37, 38.

Two edge tabs 39, 40 extend from end valves 33, 35 and are separated from them by fold lines 41, 42. When said cover 2 is assembled, said edge tabs 39, 40 are attached (e.g., glued) to end valve 34. Thus, said end valves 33, 34, 35 form an edge portion 8 of cover 2. Alternative options (not shown) may be provided. in which one or more of the edge tabs 39, 40 extend from the end valve 34, and when assembling the cover 2, are attached (eg, glued) to the end valves 33, 35. The specified edge portion 8 of the cover 2 is preferably adapted such that when the cover 2 completely closed, indicated end valves 33, 34, 35 overlap a portion of the side walls 5, 6 and a substantially open front portion of the outer container 1.

In order to prevent the box from being opened during transportation and / or storage before it reaches the consumer, it is preferable to make the boxes 20 with the lid 2 securely closed. However, it is also desirable that the consumer can easily open the box 20. In embodiments where the lid 2 contains edge section 8, this can be achieved by including one or more tear-off sections 43, 44 attached to the outer container 1 (for example, by gluing) and separated from the edge section 8 along the break lines 45, 46. Preferably, each tear-off portion 43, 44 is attached to a corresponding side wall 5, 6 of the outer container 1.

In FIG. 7 shows a top view of a blank 110 for an inner container according to an embodiment of the invention. Said blank 110 may be stamped or cut from any suitable rigid material, preferably cardboard.

The blank 110 of FIG. 7 relates to an embodiment of the inner container 10, in which the hinge tab 23 is formed from a portion of the bottom panel 11 of the inner container 10 (for example, as shown in FIG. 5a). The deleted portion 17 is shown at the place where it is separated from the rear wall 16 by a tear line 47. The rear panel 16 is separated from the upper panel 12, the lower panel 11 and each of the side panels 13, 14 with fold lines 48, 49, 50, 51. Similarly, the front panel 15 is separated from the rear panel 13 by a fold line 52. The valve 53 extends from the side panel 13 and is separated from it by a fold line 54. When the inner container is assembled, said valve 53 is attached (e.g., glued) to the front panel 15.

Said blank 110 shown in FIG. 7 corresponds to an embodiment in which the removable portion 17 has two tabs 18. One tongue 18 is formed from a portion of the upper panel 12 and is attached to the removable portion 17 along a portion of the fold line 48. Another tongue 18 is formed from a portion of the bottom panel 11 and is attached to the removable portion 17 along a portion of the fold line 49. Both tongues are formed by a section of line 47 separation.

The upper panel 12 comprises a front valve 55 and two side valves 56, 57. These valves are connected to the upper panel 12 by fold lines 58, 59, 60. When the inner container is assembled, the front valve 55 is attached (e.g., glued) to the front panel 15, and the side flaps 56, 57 are attached (e.g., glued) to the side panels 14, 13. The bottom panel 11 similarly comprises a front valve 61 and two side valves 62, 63. These valves are separated from the bottom panel 11 by fold lines 64, 65, 66. In this embodiment, said hinge 21 comprises part of a fold line 64. When the inner container is assembled, the front valve 61 is attached to the front panel 15, and the side valves 62, 63 are attached to the side panels 14, 13.

In FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a box 20 according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein said box 20 has two inner containers 10a, 10b, both of which are pivotally attached to the outer container 1. In the shown embodiment, each of the inner containers 10a, 10b can be rotated from closed position to open position regardless of other internal capacitance. In FIG. 8, the first inner container 10a is shown in a closed position in which said inner container 10a is located essentially inside the outer container 1. The second inner container 10b is shown in an open position in which said second inner container 10b is located substantially adjacent to the outer capacity 1, and in which the front panel 15 of the second inner container 10b and the lower wall 3 of the outer container 1 are located essentially in the same plane. Said outer container lid 2 is shown in a partially open position.

An alternative embodiment (not shown) is also possible in which the two inner containers 10a, 10b cannot rotate independently of each other.

The specified box according to the invention can be used for packaging various products. IN

- 4 027087 in a preferred embodiment, said box contains tea bags.

Claims (9)

CLAIM 1. A box (20) containing an outer container (1) and at least one inner container (10) in which the outer container receives each inner container; wherein said outer container (1) comprises a lid (2), a bottom wall (3), a back wall (4), two side walls (5, 6), a substantially open front section and closures; each inner container (10) contains the bottom panel (11), the top panel (12), two side panels (13, 14), the front panel (15) and the rear panel (16); at the same time the section of the rear panel is openable to supply the inner container with an opening; each inner container is pivotally attached to the outer container (1) to enable each inner container (10) to rotate from the closed position, in which the inner container (10) is located inside the outer container (1), to the open position, in which the inner container (10) is located essentially adjacent to the outer tank (1); wherein the lid comprises a lid panel (7) pivotally attached to the outer container (1) via a fold line (9), so that the lid can be rotated, thus opening the outer container; however, the specified cover (2) contains an edge section (8), forming a closure. 2. Box according to claim 1, in which each inner container (10) is attached to the outer container (1) by means of a hinge (21) formed by the tongue (23), which is a section of the bottom panel (11) of the inner container (10). 3. Box according to claim 1, in which each inner container (10) is attached to the outer container (1) by means of a hinge (21) formed by a hinged valve (24) extending from the bottom wall (3) of the outer container (1). 4. Box according to claim 1, in which each inner container (10) is attached to the outer container (1) by means of a hinge (21) formed by a tongue (25), which is a portion of the lower wall (3) of the outer container (1). 5. A box according to any preceding claim, in which each inner container (10) is able to rotate at an angle of 90 ° when moving from the closed position to the open position. 6. The box according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the opening portion of the rear panel (16) is the removal portion (17). 7. A box according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening of the inner container (10) comprises an edge (19) extending partially or completely around its perimeter. 8. A box according to any preceding claim, in which the lid (2) is integrally formed as part of the outer container (1). 9. A box according to any preceding paragraph containing tea bags.