Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Including a polygonal – nonrectangular wall
Patent
1998-09-10
2000-10-03
Elkins, Gary E.
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Including a polygonal, nonrectangular wall
22911708, 229145, B65D 520
Patent
active
061260657
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to containers which can be secured in the closed condition without the need for additional fastening means such as an elastic band or adhesive tape. The invention is particularly useful for containers for foodstuffs but is equally applicable to containers for any other type of merchandise.
Conventional containers for merchandise typically consist of straight sided boxes with lids which simply fit over the top of the box. Such boxes must often be secured in a closed condition with additional means such as an elastic band or tape in order to prevent the lids simply slipping off again. Other conventional containers are closed by tabs which tuck into slots or interlock with other tabs. These types of fastening means are often awkward to engage and certain types are not very reliable at keeping the container securely closed. Furthermore, straight sided boxes or clamshell type boxes do not perform wall under compression, for example it stacked one on top of another. In the case of straight sided containers, the sides tend to bow outwardly causing the container to open. With clamshell boxes, compression tends to crush the boxes and break the locking tab.
The present invention provides a container comprising a base member and a lid member co-operable to form a closed box, wherein the base member comprises at least one outwardly tapering wall and the lid member comprises at least one inwardly tapering wall and wherein means is provided to allow either the outwardly tapering wall to flex inwardly or the inwardly tapering wall to flex outwardly so as to enable the inwardly tapering wall to be fitted over the outwardly tapering wall.
Preferably, the means to allow flexing comprises at least one crease line formed in the wall to be flexed.
In a preferred embodiment, the base member comprises at least three outwardly tapering walls and the lid member comprises at least three inwardly tapering walls.
Advantageously, the outwardly tapering wall tapers at an angle in the range of 8 to 15.degree. and most preferably at about 11.degree.. Similarly, the inwardly tapering wall preferably tapers at an angle in the range of 8 to 15.degree. and most preferably at an angle of about 11.degree..
In one aspect of the invention the base member and the lid member are integral with one another, being joined along a hinge line.
In another aspect of the invention, the base member and the lid member are separate from one another.
The depth of the outwardly tapering wall may be substantially equal to the depth of the inwardly tapering wall. Alternatively, the depth of the outwardly tapering wall may be substantially greater than the depth of the inwardly tapering wall.
Preferably, the container is constructed either from stiff paper, cardboard or plastics material. Moreover, the container can be constructed from a laminated material.
In one aspect of the invention, each wall of the base member is formed integrally with the adjacent walls and with a base panel.
Similarly, each wall of the lid member may be formed integrally with the adjacent wall or walls and a lid panel. In this way, no gaps are created at the corners of the container thus ensuring it is leak proof if liquids are contained within it.
Preferably, adjacent walls and the base panel or lid panel are integrally formed by means of a flap which extends therebetween.
In another aspect of the invention, at each corner of the container one wall is formed with a flap which is attachable to the adjacent wall in order to form a joint. This simpler form of joint can be used when the container is not required to be leak proof.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the container is provided with means to allow it to be collapsed into a substantially flat condition for convenient and space efficient storage.
Conveniently, the container is formed with at least one crease line in at least one wall of the lid member and of the base member in order to facilitate collapse into the flat condition.
In a preferred embodiment, a pair of opposed walls of the ba
REFERENCES:
patent: Re33979 (1992-06-01), Cortopassi
patent: 1090559 (1914-03-01), Morrison
patent: 1148219 (1915-07-01), Cornell
patent: 1681940 (1928-08-01), Lander
patent: 1866317 (1932-07-01), Miner
patent: 3377017 (1968-04-01), Rosenfield
patent: 5402930 (1995-04-01), Storms et al.
LandOfFree
Containers does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Containers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Containers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-187183