GB2279939A

GB2279939A - Self-closing box

Info

Publication number: GB2279939A
Application number: GB9413947A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Raymond Edward Wollen; Laura Virginia Wollen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-07-15
Filing date: 1994-07-11
Publication date: 1995-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2014-07-11
Also published as: GB9413947D0; GB2279939B

Abstract

A card box consists of: a base 1 having four edges 2, 3, 4, 5 formed from flaps 6, 7, 8, 9, two rectangular sides 21, 23 and two triangular sides 22, 24. Two upper portions 31, 33 of the rectangular sides 21, 23 terminate in free top edges 32, 34 which neighbour each other in a closure plane defined by bisector lines 36, 38 of the triangular sides 22, 24. Normally, the card of the rectangular sides will be sufficiently stiff that the free edges remain straight and the box remains closed. When manual pressure on the box in the region of the opposite ends of the top edges 32, 34 is applied in the direction of the arrows 41, the latter splay out away from the closure plane in the direction of the arrows 42, opening the box for access to its contents. <IMAGE>

Description

SELF-CLOSING BOX The present invention relates to a self-closing box, particularly though not exclusively of cardboard.

Certain snack and other foods cause a considerable nuisance in entertainment establishments when they are discarded unfinished, because the remains can easily spill from their containers if these are not discarded tidily in refuse bins. Pop corn is a particular problem in being light and readily spilt, and also sticky with caramel, which soils carpets etc. in establishments such as cinemas.

The object of the present invention is to provide a self-closing box which can alleviate such problems.

A box according to the invention comprises: a base having at least four edges, a side upstanding from each edge of the base, and two upwardly extending top portions or extensions of at least two of the sides, the two top portions or extensions terminating in free top edges which neighbour each other in a closure plane, the arrangement being such that manual pressure on the box in the region of the opposite ends of the top edges causes these to splay and open the box for access to contents of the box.

The free top edges may be temporarily secured together for sale of contents of the box to a customer.

Alternatively, where for instance the box is filled in the presence of the customer, the free top edges can be left unsecured.

Whilst it is envisaged that the base could have more than four edges, four is the preferred number of base edges and sides of the box.

In one embodiment, the top portions or extensions are respective parts of single opposite sides. The free top edges can be straight or as is preferred, they are curved and the top extensions extend above the line of intersection of the opposite sides with the closure plane, whereby the stiffness of the sides urges them into contact above the line of intersection and they flex into contact at the closure plane. The sides may be creased or scored with a complementary curve down from the ends of the top edges, whereby the top extensions can be folded down into "pillow pack" form.

The sides of the box other than those having the free top edges, the "end sides", can splay outwardly from the base, whilst tapering to a point at the ends of the free top edges. Alternatively, whilst still tapering, the end sides may be substantially parallel and substantially at right angles to the base. This allows the boxes to be nested, prior to filling. To ease de-nesting, the end sides are preferably creased or scored along a line extending from the middle of their base edges to their points.

In another embodiment, the top portions or extensions are continuations of two adjacent sides, which are set at an angle to each other and to their continuation.

Each top continuation can extend to a point between its two adjacent sides at a corner of the base. Alternatively, an angled joint is provided between a respective one of each pair of adjacent sides and its continuation, a fold is provided between the other one of these sides and its continuation and a fold is provided between the respective sides. In another alternative, folds are provided between the continuations and their respective sides and a joint is provided between the respective sides.

To help understanding of the invention, two specific embodiments and variants thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a card cut for a box of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the box assembled from the cut card of Figure 1, when closed; Figure 3 is a similar view of the box of Figure 2, when open; Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of a variant of the box; Figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 are similar views of another variant of the box, in which Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of the box when closed and in different configurations and Figure 10 is plan view of the box when open; Figures 11, 12 and 13 are views similar to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of a second embodiment of the box according to the invention;; Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 are views similar to Figures 11, 12 and 13 of a variant of the second embodiment of the box, in which Figures 16 and 17 are closed and open plan views of the box; and Figures 18 and 19 are views similar to Figures 14 and 15 of a third variant of the second embodiment.

First Embodiment Turning first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the box thereshown is of card and consists of: a base 1 having four edges 2,3,4,5 which form a rectangle in the erected box. Each edge has a flap 6,7,8,9 which is assembled in a conventional manner to form the base with a tab 10 on flap 6 fitting in a slot 11 in opposite flap 8; four side 21,22,23,24 having the flaps 6,7,8,9 connected to them by folds at the base edges 2,3,4,5 upstanding from each edge of the base. The sides 21,23 are rectangular and the sides 22,24 are triangular. Each is connected to its neighbour by respective folds 25,26,27, except that the triangular side 24 is connected to the rectangular side 21 by a glued tab 28; and two upper portions 31,33 of the rectangular sides 21,23 which terminate in free top edges 32,34 and which neighbour each other in a closure plane 35.The latter is defined by bisector lines 36,38 of the triangular sides 22,24.

Normally, the card of the rectangular sides will be sufficiently stiff that the free edges remain straight and extend in the closure plane between their opposite ends 39,40. Thus the box remains closed. When manual pressure on the box in the region of the opposite ends 39,40 of the top edges 32,34 is applied in the direction of the arrows 41, the upper portions 31,33 and the top edges 32,34 are caudsed to splay out away from the closure plane in the direction of the arrows 42, opening the box for access to its contents - not shown.

A feature of the box is that before the base is assembled, it can be stored flat with the triangular sides folded double along their bisector lines 36,38 and the rectangular sides 21,23 laying against each other, as do the base flaps.

For filling of the box for instance by a pop corn vendor, a plurality of them can be nested in each other upside down, with the triangular sides slightly folded along their bisector lines. This allows them to present a taper and to de-nest without jamming, on filling of the innermost box and closure of the base.

Referring now to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the varied box thereshown is essentially the same as that of Figures 1, 2 and 3, except that the rectangular sides 121,123 have curved edge extensions 1211,1231. These abut at the closure plane 135 and bend generally along a straight line between the opposite ends 139,140 of the curved free edges 132,134 of the extensions 1211,1231. This bending tends to keep the box more firmly closed than that of Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Referring on to Figures 7 to 10, the further varied box of these Figures has trapezium shaped opposite sides 221,223, in place of rectangular sides. This gives the box a longer top than bottom. This box also has curved edge extensions 2211,2231, but in addition has fold lines 2321,2341 which are complementary to the curved free top edges 232,234; that is to say they are the same shape as the free top edges but curved down from the opposite ends 239,240 of the top edges. These fold lines 2321,2341 enable the extensions 2211,2231 to be folded down onto each other as shown in Figure 9 in a so called "pillow pack" configuration. This gives the box considerable additional stiffness and a boat-shaped appearance. Otherwise the box functions in the same manner as the box of Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Second Embodiment Turning first to Figures 11, 12 and 13, the box there shown is also of card and consists of: a base 301 having four edges 302,303,304,305 which form a rectangle in the erected box. Each edge has a flap 306,307,308,309 which is assembled in a conventional manner to form the base with a tab 310 on flap 306 fitting in a slot 311 in opposite flap 308; four side 321,322,323,324 having the flaps 306,307,308,309 connected to them by folds at the base edges 302,303,304,305 upstanding from each edge of the base. The four sides are triangular, with the sides 321,323 being right-handed right-angle triangular and the sides 322,324 being left-handed right angle triangular.One right-hand/left-hand pair 332,323 is connected together at a fold 336 and the other pair is connected by a fold 338 and a glued tab 328; and two upper extensions 331,333 between the respective oppositely handed triangles which terminate in free top edges 332,334 and which neighbour each other in a closure plane 335. The latter is defined by fold/joint lines 336,338 at the right angle sides of the triangles.

Normally, the free edges 332,334 remain straight and extend in the closure plane between their opposite ends 339,340. Thus the box remains closed. When manual pressure on the box in the region of the opposite ends 339,340 of the top edges 332,334 is applied in the direction of the arrows 341, the latter are caused to splay out away from the closure plane in the direction of the arrows 342, opening the box for access to its contents - not shown.

Referring next to the box of Figures 14 to 17, this box has two variations from the previous box. Firstly, the triangular sides 421,422,423,424 have rectangular lower extensions making them trapezoidal in shape. Secondly, since the sides are connected at folds 425,426,427 and joint 428 at the parallel edges of the sides, only one edge 451,453 of each triangular extension 431,433is connected to its side 422,424 whilst the other edge 452,454 is connected by a slot and tab arrangement 455,456.

Either this or the previous box can be provided with a "pillow pack" closure.

Finally the varied box shown in Figures 18 and 19 has all its trapezoidal sides 521,522,523,524 connected by glued tabs 525,526,527,528, whilst the free top edges 532,534 of the upper extensions 531,533 are connected by a strip 561 having perforations 562,563 at both top edges. Initially the strip is folded double along its central fold line 564 and temporarily secures the free top edges together. For opening of the box, the strip is torn off at the perforations leaving the edges to be sprung apart by manual pressure at their opposite ends.

Claims

Claims:

1. A box comprising: a base having at least four edges, a side upstanding from each edge of the base, and two upwardly extending top portions or extensions of at least two of the sides, the two top portions or extensions terminating in free top edges which neighbour each other in a closure plane, the arrangement being such that manual pressure on the box in the region of the opposite ends of the top edges causes these to splay and open the box for access to contents of the box.

2. A box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free top edges are temporarily secured together.

3. A box as claimed in claim 2, wherein the free top edges are temporarily secured together by means of a tab attached to the free top edges at a perforated line.

4. A box as claimed in claim 1, wherein the free top edges are unsecured.

5. A box as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base has four edges and the box has four sides.

6. A box as claimed in claim 5, wherein the top portions or extensions are respective parts of single opposite sides.

7. A box as claimed in claim 6, wherein the free top edges are straight.

8. A box as claimed in claim 6, wherein the free top edges are curved and the top extensions extend above the line of intersection of the opposite sides with the closure plane, whereby the stiffness of the sides urges them into contact above the line of intersection and they flex into contact at the closure plane.

9. A box as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sides are creased or scored with a complementary curve down from the ends of the top edges, whereby the top extensions can be folded down into "pillow pack" form.

10. A box as claimed in any one of claim 5 to 9, wherein the sides of the box other than those having the free op edges, the "end sides", splay outwardly from the base and taper to a point at a espective one of the ends of the free top edges.

11. A box as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the end sides are substantially parallel and substantially at right angles to the base.

12. A box as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the end sides are creased or scored along a line extending from the middle of their base edges to their points.

13. A box as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the box is of cardboard, with a glued joint between two adjacent sides and wherein the base is assembled by tucking.

14. A box as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the top portions or extensions are continuations of two adjacent sides, which latter are set at angle to each other and to their continuation.

15. A box as claimed in claim 14, wherein each top continuation extends to a point between its two adjacent sides at a corner of the base.

16. A box as claimed in claim 14, wherein there is provided an angled joint between a respective one of each pair of adjacent sides and its continuation, a fold between the other one of these sides and its continuation and a fold between the respective sides.

17. A box as claimed in claim 14, wherein folds are provided between the continuations and their respective sides and a joint is provided between the respective sides.

18. A box substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1,2 & 3, or Figures 4,5 & 6 or Figures 7,8,9 & 10 or Figures 11,12 & 13 or Figures 14 to 17 or Figures 18 & 19 of the accompanying drawings.