Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – With closure for an access opening
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-05
2001-10-02
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
With closure for an access opening
C206S807000, C229S102000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06296176
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a box, more particularly to a box of the type comprising a body of square or rectangular section having a front panel and a rear panel interconnected by two side panels, the side panels and the front and rear panels being made by folding a sheet material, the body of the box having at least one opening with an associated closure device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
European patent EP-B1-0 318 750 discloses a box in which the closure device comprises firstly two side flaps extending via folds from each of the side panels, each side flap having a front edge situated adjacent to the front longitudinal panel, and secondly a closure flap comprising a cover-forming portion designed to be folded down onto the side flaps and implemented by extending the rear panel via a fold. The closure flap also has a tongue extending the cover-forming portion via a fold. The cover-forming portion thus has one end connected to the rear panel and another end connected to the tongue. On closure, the tongue is designed to be inserted between the front panel and the front edges of the side flaps.
In order to provide reinforced closure, a slot is formed in the distal end of the cover-forming portion and the side flaps are arranged to lie one on the other prior to the closure flap being put into place, and they have teeth for engaging in the above-mentioned slot when the closure device is in its closed configuration.
Such a reinforced closure device is not entirely satisfactory in terms of appearance because the slot made in the distal end of the cover-forming portion remains visible after the box has been closed. That device is therefore not suitable for closing the top opening of the box since the slot would be easily seen by a consumer when the box is on display on a shelf.
In addition, the slot is liable to act as a tear starter.
There thus exists a need for a reinforced closure device that ensures that the outside appearance of the box is satisfactory.
Such a reinforced closure device should make the box more difficult to open and should serve, for example, to prevent a consumer finding it easy to open the box, try out its contents, and then reclose the box.
Utility model DE-U-29 620 217 discloses a box comprising a body having a front panel and a rear panel interconnected by two side panels, the side panels and the front and rear panels being made by folding a sheet material, the body of the box having at least one opening with an associated closure device, said closure device comprising two side flaps each extending a respective side panel via a respective fold, each side flap having a front edge situated adjacent the front panel, the closure device also comprising a closure flap formed to extend with the rear panel, said closure flap having a cover-forming portion for folding down onto the side flaps and a tongue for inserting between the front panel and the front edges of the side flaps when the closure device is in its closed configuration, the tongue having an inside face situated facing the rear panel when the closure device is in its closed configuration, the tongue including at least one abutment-forming surface beside its inside face and suitable for projecting beneath the side flaps when the closure device is in its closed configuration.
There exists a need to improve a box of that type, in particular in order to make it easier to assemble.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the box of the invention, each side flap has a cutout in its front edge facilitating insertion of the tongue between the front panel and the side flaps.
By means of the cutouts formed in the side flaps, they deform more easily, and where appropriate this makes it easier to put the tongue into place.
Preferably, each cutout defines a first tab in that region of each side flap which is adjacent to its distal edge and to its front edge, beneath which tab the abutment-forming surface is suitable for coming into abutment.
Advantageously, each cutout defines a second tab in that region of each side flap which is adjacent to its proximal end and to its front edge, beneath which tab the abutment-forming surface is suitable for coming into abutment.
Preferably, the tongue includes a cutout in the middle of its distal edge to define on either side thereof outwardly extending portions suitable for engaging in the gaps formed between the cutouts in the side flaps and the front panel.
Thus, the tongue can be partially engaged between the side flaps and the front panel before meeting them, thereby making it easier to put into place.
Advantageously, the side flaps are independent of the closure flap, thereby making the box easier to assemble than that described in utility model DE-U29-620 217 where each of the side flaps is connected via a fold line to the closure flap, and they need to be folded diagonally during assembly of the box.
Advantageously, the side flaps are arranged to fold down into the opening of the body of the box without overlapping each other.
Thus, the abutment-forming surface of the tongue can bear in substantially uniform manner beneath the two side flaps, whereas if the side flaps are superposed, the abutment-forming surface would bear more against one of the side flaps, which is not desirable.
In addition, superposed side flaps give rise to an appearance that is relatively unpleasing since that makes the packaging less harmonious.
Preferably, the distal edges of the side flaps come substantially into contact with each other when the closure device is in its closed configuration.
Preferably, the abutment-forming surface of the tongue extends over substantially the entire width thereof.
Also preferably, the abutment-forming surface of the tongue is situated close to the distal end of the cover-forming portion.
The abutment-forming surface thus bears against the undersides of the side flaps after the tongue has finished being inserted between the front panel and the front edges of the side flaps.
In a particular embodiment, the abutment-forming surface of the tongue is constituted by an extra thickness of the closure flap.
In this particular embodiment, the closure flap can be twice as thick in the tongue as it is in the cover-forming portion.
In another particular embodiment, the abutment-forming surface is constituted by a portion of the tongue that is folded onto itself.
Advantageously, the body of the box has a second opening, said second opening being provided with an associated closure device, optionally identical to the first closure device.
The box is made by cutting out, folding, and sticking together a sheet of optionally-plasticized card, that is preferably at least 2 mm thick.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1986145 (1935-01-01), Goodyear
patent: 2041932 (1936-05-01), Hutchins, Jr.
patent: 2116652 (1938-05-01), Adler
patent: 2986323 (1961-05-01), Wichman
patent: 3194475 (1965-07-01), Ralston
patent: 3578154 (1971-05-01), Martelli
patent: 4890789 (1990-01-01), Lo Duca
patent: 5207374 (1993-05-01), Lo Duca
patent: U1-93 18 993 (1994-02-01), None
patent: U1-296 20 217 (1997-01-01), None
patent: A1-0 318 750 (1989-07-01), None
patent: 289127 (1927-10-01), None
Frenois Chrystel
Renault Philippe
Elkins Gary E.
L'Oreal
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
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