EP1911680B1

EP1911680B1 - Displaying box

Info

Publication number: EP1911680B1
Application number: EP07114477A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Ghelfi
Original assignee: GHELFI ONDULATI SpA
Current assignee: Ghelfi Ondulati SpA
Priority date: 2006-10-10
Filing date: 2007-08-16
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-16
Also published as: DE602007005196D1; EP1911680A1; ATE460343T1

Abstract

A displaying box presents a front wall (4; 35), a rear wall (5; 36), two side walls (6, 7; 37), a lower wall (3; 34) and an upper wall (2; 33), and is provided with an extraction opening (24; 49) of a product from the displaying box itself; the front wall (4; 35) being defined by a first panel (8; 38) defining at least part of the extraction opening (24; 49) and by a second removable panel (13; 29; 40) superimposed over the first panel (8; 38) to reinforce the first panel (8; 38) itself.

Description

The present invention relates to a displaying box.
Specifically the present invention relates to a displaying box of the type comprising a front wall and a rear wall, substantially vertical and reciprocally parallel; a lower wall and an upper wall, substantially horizontal, reciprocally parallel and orthogonal to the front and rear walls; and two side walls, substantially vertical, reciprocally parallel and orthogonal to the front, rear, lower and upper walls.
Generally, at least the front wall comprises two portions reciprocally separated by a weakening line, e.g. defined by a pre-cut or cutting line.
When the displaying box is opened from an initially closed configuration thereof, the two portions of the front wall are moved away from each other so as to define at least part of an extraction opening of a product contained in the displaying box itself.
The known displaying boxes of the type described above present some drawbacks mainly deriving from the fact that the mentioned weakening lines considerably reduce the vertical compression strength of the front walls and, thus, of the displaying boxes themselves. Consequently, when the displaying boxes are stacked on top of each other in their initial closed configurations, e.g. for storage purposes, the weakening lines may compromise the stability thereof and cause the crushing of the displaying boxes and of the product they contain.
Document GB-A-2419345 relates to a transit and display container comprising internal reinforcing panels which overlie removable wall portions of the container. The panels extend substantially the entire height of the walls and are connected to top flaps which are removed with the removable wall portions of the container when the container is opened.
Document DE-U1-202005003075 relates to a box display for the presentation of hanging mats consisting of a folding box which on the rear side has a top part protruding over the hanging mats. The top part has the same width as the folding box and has a height corresponding to half the depth of the folding box. The top part is folded double, with one half folded forward, whereby both on the transition from the top part to the folding box there is an inner fold and on the front section of the top part another fold connected to a flap which covers the complete height and width of the rear wall of the box.
Document DE-U1-8305558 relates to a box comprising a front wall, a rear wall, a lower wall, an upper wall, two side walls, and an extraction opening of a product from the displaying box itself. The front wall comprises a first panel adapted to define at least part of the extraction opening and a second removable panel superimposed over the first panel to reinforce the first panel itself.
Document FR-A-2792290 relates to a box consisting of a rectangular tray whose sides may be overlapped by the sides of the lid. The ends of the lid may overlap the ends of the trays. The top of the lid maybe formed by folding flaps. A portion of the end wall may be torn away by the user when opening the box. There are pre-cut portions and gluing points on the side walls.
Document GB-A-193042 relates to a box comprising a cover attached to the bottom thereof by a flexible or yielding strip so that it can be raised to slide in and engage a vertical slot in the box and so display advertisements carried by the lower face of the cover. The cover is attached by a strip of fabric or rubber to a rigid piece connected by a similar strip to the bottom of the box.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a displaying box which is free from the above-described drawbacks and which is simple and cost-effective to implement.
According to the present invention there is provided a displaying box as claimed in the appended claims.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a non-limitative embodiment thereof, in which:

figure 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an example of a displaying box shown in an initially closed configuration thereof;
figure 2 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of the displaying box in figure 1 shown in a final open configuration thereof;
figures 3 and 4 are two diagrammatic, perspective views of a partially folded blank used to form the displaying box in figure 1;
figure 5 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a variant of the displaying box in figure 1 shown in an initially closed configuration thereof;
figure 6 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of the displaying box in figure 5 shown in a final open configuration thereof;
figure 7 is a perspective, exploded view of the displaying box in figure 5;
figure 8 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a displaying box of the present invention shown in an initially closed configuration thereof;
figure 9 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of the displaying box in figure 8 shown in an intermediate, partially open configuration thereof;
figure 10 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of the displaying box in figure 8 shown in a final open configuration thereof; and
figure 11 is a plan view of a blank used to form the displaying box in figures from 8 to 10.

With reference to figure 1, numeral 1 indicates as a whole a displaying box comprising, in an initial closed configuration thereof, an upper wall 2 and lower wall 3, horizontal and reciprocally parallel, a front wall 4 and rear wall 5, vertical, reciprocally parallel and orthogonal to the walls 2, 3, and two side walls 6, 7, vertical, reciprocally parallel and orthogonal to the walls 2, 3, 4, and 5.
The front wall 4 comprises an external panel 8, which in turn comprises an upper portion 9 and a lower portion 10 reciprocally separated by a weakening line 11, a pre-cut line in the case in point, and is provided with an end tongue 12, which protrudes from the panel 8, is folded over the wall 6, and is glued onto the wall 6 itself.
As shown in figure 4, the front wall 4 further comprises an internal panel 13, which is superimposed over the panel 8, presents a surface substantially equal to the surface of the panel 8, is connected to the wall 6 along a vertical edge 14, and is adapted to reinforce the panel 8 itself to ensure a relatively high vertical compression strength to the wall 4 and, thus, to the box 1.
With reference to figure 1, upper wall 2 comprises a rear portion 15 connected to the rear wall 5 and a front portion 16 connected to the portion 9 and separated from the portion 15 along a weakening line 17, a pre-cut line in the case in point.
Each side wall 6, 7 comprises an upper portion 18 connected to the portions 9 and 16 and a lower portion 19 connected to the portions 10 and 15 and to the lower wall 3 and the rear wall 5, and separated from the portion 18 along a weakening line 20, a pre-cut line in the case in point.
The tongue 12 comprises an upper portion 21 glued onto the portion 18 and a lower portion 22 glued onto the portion 19 and separated from the portion 21 along a weakening line 23, a pre-cut line in the case in point, superimposed over the line 20.
As regards to the above, it is worth specifying that the edge 14 comprises a lower segment 14a, which extends between the line 20 and the wall 3, and is weakened, pre-cut in the case in point.
As shown in figure 2, the opening of the box 1 beginning from the initial closed configuration thereof is performed by separating the upper portion 9 of the external panel 8 from the lower portion 10, the front portion 16 of the upper wall 2 from the rear portion 15, the upper portion 18 of each side wall 6, 7 from the corresponding lower portion 19, the upper portion 21 of the tongue 12 from the lower portion 22, and the panel 13 from the lower portion 19 of the wall 6, and by removing the whole defined by the portions 9, 16, 18, and 21 and by the panel 13 so as to define an extraction opening 24 of a product (not shown) contained in the box 1.
According to some variants (not shown):

lines 11 and 23 are eliminated and replaced by corresponding cutting lines;
the internal panel 13 and the upper portion 9 of the external panel 8 are glued together; and
line 17 is eliminated and replaced by a hinge adapted to allow the front portion 16 of the upper wall 2 to rotate, with respect to the rear position 15, between a closing position and an opening position of the box 1.

With reference to figures 3 and 4, the box 1 is made from a flat, elongated, substantially rectangular blank 25, the parts of which will be indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers equal to the reference numbers which characterize the corresponding parts of the box 1 itself.
The blank 25 presents two longitudinal folding lines 26 and a plurality of transverse folding lines 27 (five lines 27 in the case in point), which define in sequence, between the lines 26, the panel 13, a panel 6' defining the side wall 6, a panel 5' defining the rear wall 5, a panel 7' defining the side wall 7, the panel 8, and the tongue 12.
Each panel 5', 8 presents two wings 2', 3', which are arranged on opposite sides of the corresponding panel 5', 8, are separated from the corresponding panel 5' , 8 by the longitudinal folding lines 26, and define corresponding internal portions of the upper wall 2 and of the lower wall 3, respectively.
Each panel 6', 7' presents two wings 2", 3", which are arranged on opposite sides of the corresponding panel 6', 7', are separated from the corresponding panel 6', 7' by the longitudinal folding lines 26, and define corresponding external portions of the upper wall 2 and of the lower wall 3, respectively.
As regards the above, it is worth specifying that:

the transverse folding line 27 connecting together the panels 13 and 6' defines the edge 14 and presents a pre-cut segment defining the segment 14a;
each panel 6', 7' is divided by a corresponding pre-cut line 20' defining the line 20 of the corresponding side wall 6, 7 into two portions 18' , 19' defining the portions 18, 19 of the side wall 6, 7 itself;
each wing 2" is divided by a corresponding pre-cut line 17' defining part of the line 17 of the upper wall 2 into two portions 15', 16' defining part of the portions 15, 16 of the upper wall 2 itself;
the panel 8 is divided by a pre-cut line 11' defining the line 11 into two portions 9', 10' defining the portions 9, 10 of the front wall 4; and
the tongue 12 is divided by a pre-cut line 23' defining the line 23 into two portions 21', 22' defining the portions 21, 22 of the tongue 12 itself.

The variant shown in figures from 5 to 7 differs from that shown in the previous figures only in that, therein:

the tongue 12 is eliminated and replaced by a tongue 28 (figure 7), which is connected to the wall 5, is folded either inside or outside the wall 7, and is glued onto the wall 7 itself; and
the panel 13 of the front wall 4 is eliminated and replaced with a reinforcement insert 29, which is made from a flat, elongated, substantially rectangular blank (not shown), comprises a central wall 30 superimposed over the panel 8 and glued to the upper portion 9 of the panel 8 itself, and presents two side walls 31 arranged on opposite sides of the wall 30 orthogonally to the wall 30 itself.

The opening of the box 1 from the initial closed position thereof is performed by separating the upper portion 9 of the external panel 8 from the lower portion 10, the front portion 16 of the upper wall 2 from the rear portion 15, and the upper portion 18 of each side wall 6, 7 from the corresponding lower portion 19 and removing the whole defined by the portions 9, 16, and 18 and the insert 29 so as to define the opening 24.
According to some variants (not shown):

the insert 29 is defined only by the central wall 30; and
the central wall 30 comprises an upper portion glued onto the upper portion 9 of the panel 8 and a lower portion glued onto the lower portion 10 of the panel 8 reciprocally separated by a weakening line, for example a pre-cut line.

The internal panel 13 and the reinforcement insert 29 may be joined to the main body of the box 1 either during the step of production of the box 1 or during a subsequent step.
The variant shown in the figures from 8 to 11 (being in accordance with the invention) relates to a displaying box 32 comprising, in an initial closed configuration thereof, an upper wall 33 and a lower wall 34, horizontal and reciprocally parallel, a front wall 35 and a rear wall 36, vertical, reciprocally parallel and orthogonal to the walls 33, 34, and two side walls 37, vertical, reciprocally parallel and orthogonal to the walls 33, 34, 35, and 36.
As shown in figures 8 and 9, the front wall 35 comprises an external shaped panel 38, which presents a height substantially equal to half the height of a wall 37, and is provided with two tongues 39 arranged on opposite sides of the panel 38 and folded inside the corresponding walls 37 orthogonally to the panel 38 itself, and an internal panel 40, which is superimposed over the panel 38, presents a height substantially equal to the height of a wall 37, and is adapted to reinforce the panel 38 itself to ensure a relatively high vertical compression strength to the wall 35 and, thus, to the box 32.
The panel 40 is provided with two tongues 41, which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 40, are folded inside the tongues 39 orthogonally to the panel 40 itself, and each comprises a corresponding upper portion 42 connected to the panel 40 and a corresponding lower portion 43 separated from the portion 42 by a weakening line 44, a pre-cut line in the case in point. Preferably, the portion 43 is glued to the corresponding tongue 39.
The upper wall 33 is separated from the rear wall 36 by a weakening line 45, a pre-cut line in the case in point, and each side wall 37 comprises an upper portion 46 and a lower portion 47 substantially reciprocally identical and separated from each other by a weakening line 48, a cutting line in the case in point.
As shown in figure 9, the opening of the box 32 beginning from the initial closed position thereof is performed by lifting the upper portion 46 of each side wall 37, separating the upper portion 42 of each tongue 41 from the corresponding lower portion 43, separating the upper wall 33 from the rear wall 36, and removing the whole defined by the upper wall 33, by the upper portions 46 of the side walls 37, by the upper portions 42 of the tongues 41, and by the panel 40 so as to define an extraction opening 49 of a product (not shown) contained in the box 32 (figure 10).
According to a variant (not shown), the line 45 is eliminated and replaced by a hinge adapted to allow the upper wall 2 to rotate, with respect to the rear wall 36, between a closing position and an opening position of the box 32.
With reference to figure 11, the box 32 is made from a flat, elongated, substantially rectangular blank 50, the parts of which are indicated, where possible, with accented reference numbers equal to the reference numbers which characterize the corresponding parts of the box 32 itself.
The blank 50 presents two longitudinal folding lines 51 and a plurality of transverse folding lines 52 (four lines 52 in the case in point), which define in sequence, between the lines 51, the panel 38, a panel 34' defining the lower wall 34, a panel 36' defining the rear wall 36, a panel 33' defining the upper wall 33, and the panel 40.
The panel 38 presents two wings 39', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 38, are separated from the panel 38 by the longitudinal folding lines 51, and define the tongues 39; and the panel 40 presents two wings 41', which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 40, define the tongues 41, and each comprises a corresponding portion 42' defining the portion 42 and separated from the panel 40 by the corresponding longitudinal folding line 51 and a corresponding portion 43' defining the portion 43 and separated from the portion 42' by a pre-cut line 44' defining the line 44.
Each panel 33', 34' presents two wings 46' and 47' respectively, which are arranged on opposite sides of the corresponding panel 33', 34', are separated from the corresponding panel 33', 34' by the longitudinal folding lines 51, and respectively define the upper portion 46 and the lower portion 47 of each side wall 37; and the panel 36' presents two wings 53, which are arranged on opposite sides of the panel 36', and are separated from the panel 36' by the longitudinal folding lines 51.
During the formation of the box 32, each wing 53 is folded by 90° with respect to the panel 36', and is superimposed over and glued onto the corresponding wings 46', 47' to define an internal portion of the corresponding side wall 37.
As regards the above, it is worth specifying that the transverse folding line 52 reciprocally connecting the panels 33' and 36' defines the pre-cut line 45 separating the upper wall 33 from the rear wall 36.
According to a variant (not shown), the line 45 is obtained in an intermediate point either of the panel 33', thus extending also along the wings 46', or of the panel 36', thus also extending along the wings 53.

Claims

A displaying box comprising a front wall (35) and a rear wall (36); a lower wall (34) and an upper wall (33); two side walls (37); and an extraction opening (49) of a product from the displaying box itself; the front wall (35) comprising a first panel (38) adapted to define at least part of the extraction opening (49) and a second removable panel (40) superimposed over the first panel (38) to reinforce the first panel (38) itself; the displaying box being made starting from a single blank (50) defining the side walls (37), the lower wall (34), the upper wall (33), the rear wall (36), the first panel (38), and the second panel (40); and characterised in that the first panel (38) is provided with two first wings (39') and the second panel (40) is provided with second wings (41'), each of which comprises a first and a second portion (42', 43') reciprocally separated at a first weakening line (44'); the first portions (42') being connected to the second panel (40) and the first wings (39') being adapted to be connected to the second portions (43'), specifically by gluing.
A displaying box according to claim 1, wherein the first panel (38) comprises a single shaped portion to define at least part of the extraction opening (49).
A displaying box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second panel (40) is arranged inside the first panel (38).
A displaying box according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper wall (33) comprises a third and a fourth portion reciprocally separated at a second weakening line adapted to allow, in use, the separation of the third portion from the fourth portion so as to define part of the extraction opening (49).
A displaying box according to claim 4, wherein the second weakening line is a pre-cut line.
A displaying box according to any claim from 1 to 3, wherein the upper wall (33) comprises a third and a fourth reciprocally hinged portions to allow the third portion to rotate, with respect to the fourth portion, between a closing position and an opening position of the extraction opening (49).
A displaying box according to any claim from 1 to 3, wherein the upper wall (33) and the rear wall (36) are reciprocally connected at a third weakening line (45) adapted to allow, in use, the separation of the upper wall (33) from the rear wall (36) so as to define part of the extraction opening (49).
A displaying box according to claim 7, wherein the third weakening line (45) is a pre-cut line.
A displaying box according to any claim from 1 to 3, wherein the upper wall (33) and the rear wall (36) are reciprocally hinged to allow the upper wall (33) to rotate, with respect to the rear wall (36), between a closing position and an opening position of the extraction opening (49).
A displaying box according to any preceding claim, wherein each side wall (37) comprises a fifth and a sixth portion (46, 47) reciprocally separated at a fourth weakening line (48) adapted to allow, in use, the separation of the fifth portion (46) from the sixth portion (47) so as to define part of the extraction opening (49).
A displaying box according to claim 10, wherein the fourth weakening line (48) is a cutting line.
A displaying box according to any preceding claim, wherein the rear wall (36) comprises a seventh and an eighth portion reciprocally separated at a fifth weakening line adapted to allow, in use, the separation of the seventh portion from the eighth portion so as to define part of the extraction opening (49).