FR2843097A1 - Locking closure for packaging box has T-shaped lugs on edges of closure flap to engage apertures in box sidewalls - Google Patents

Abstract

The locking closure is for a packaging box with sidewalls (1,2) and a small packaging flap (4) on opposing sidewalls. The other sidewalls have folded panel sections (3) with pleated side flaps (5) defining T-shaped lugs (7). The lugs engage apertures (8) in the adjacent sidewalls and expand to their original size after insertion to retain the closure in place.

Description

Closing and locking system for external flaps

  packaging made of semi-rigid material.

  The present invention relates to a system for closing and locking the external flaps of a package made of a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard. The invention also relates to packages made of a semi-rigid material comprising this

Lock system.

  Many corrugated cardboard packages have four side walls hinged together by parallel upsets and arranged perpendicular to each other, and rectangular flaps hinged on these walls by upsets perpendicular to the previous ones, arranged substantially in the same plane at the base and / or at the top of these walls. These flaps are called flaps in the art, because they are intended to be folded perpendicular to the adjoining walls, to then be assembled together to close the packaging at its base, where they constitute the bottom thereof, and / or to its upper part, after

filling the packaging.

  In the closed position, two of these flaps, of small dimensions, adjoining two parallel walls of the packaging, are arranged in the same plane inside the packaging, while two other flaps, of larger dimensions, adjoining the other two walls, are arranged edge to edge outside the packaging, where they cover the small flaps. These external flaps are locked in the folded position by various means known in the art, in particular by gluing or stapling on the internal flaps, or using

  adhesive tapes covering the contiguous edges of the outer flaps.

  The present invention aims to provide a locking system in position of these external flaps, which can be implemented easily, manually or mechanically, without consumption

  increased semi-rigid material used.

  To this end, the subject of the invention is a package made of a semi-rigid material of the type defined above, characterized in that the internal flaps have dimensions such that only an external flap comes into contact with them in the folded position, while the other external flap is not only articulated by a delivery on a wall of the packaging, but is also attached along its lateral edges perpendicular to this delivery to the two adjoining walls by means of a joint forming a bellows, each joint comprising a part articulated by a discharge along a lateral edge of this external flap and which can be brought into the same plane as the contiguous internal flap, and a part articulated by a discharge along the upper part of the contiguous wall and which can also be brought into the same plane as the adjoining internal flap, the two parts of the bellows being hinged together by a discharge making an angle of 450 with the lateral edge of the external flap and with the upper edge of the contiguous wall, so that they can be folded against each other and against the external face of this contiguous wall when this external flap is brought into the folded position perpendicularly to the associated wall, the part of the bellows articulated on the contiguous wall comprising a T-shaped locking tab, which, in the folded position of the bellows against the contiguous wall, is located opposite an opening of this wall, the dimensions of this opening being such that the part of the tab corresponding to the head of the T must be deformed to be introduced therein, to then resume its initial shape by elasticity, to be thus locked in position, by locking

  also the corresponding outer flap in the folded position.

  Preferably, this external flap has dimensions such that in the folded position, it overlaps the other external flap in

  folded position and keeps it locked in this position.

  Advantageously, the T-shaped tab is articulated on the adjoining part of the bellows by a push-back, making it possible to fold this tab against the internal face of the contiguous wall, after introduction into the opening thereof, in order to ensure a better locking of the tab

inside the package.

  The opening intended to receive the locking tab can be a gripping cutout formed in the usual manner in the corresponding wall. A retractable flap, articulated by a discharge on this wall, can be provided to close the opening in which is engaged the

  locking tab to increase the security of this locking.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear

  in the detailed description which follows of implementation forms

  of the invention. In this description, reference will be made to the drawings

  attached diagrams, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an open corrugated cardboard packaging, comprising the locking system according to the invention; Figure 2 shows this package being closed Figure 3 is a perspective view of the closed package Figure 4 is a partial view on a larger scale illustrating the introduction of a locking tab of this package in the wall opening intended to receive it; Figure 5 is a partial view on a larger scale of another wall opening adapted to receive a locking tab of the packaging.

  We will first refer to Figures 1 to 4.

  The bottom of the packaging has not been figured, because it can be absolutely arbitrary (automatic, semi-automatic,

flaps, etc.).

  This packaging comprises four rectangular walls articulated together by parallel upsets, namely two longitudinal walls 1 and two transverse walls 2 perpendicular to the preceding ones, the four walls being perpendicular to the bottom and

  adjoining parts of it.

  Two rectangular flaps 3 are articulated at the upper part of the walls 1 by upsets perpendicular to those by which the

  walls 1 and 2 are hinged together.

  Similarly, two flaps 4 are articulated by upsets

  at the top of the walls 2.

  The flaps 3 and 4 can thus be folded perpendicular to the adjoining walls to close the packaging and, in this position, the flaps 3 are above the flaps 4. This is why the flaps 3 are

  called external flaps and the flaps 4 internal flaps.

  The internal flaps 4 are usually articulated on the walls 2 along the entire length of these walls, but here, for the reasons which will be explained below, they only extend along approximately part of this length and only one external flaps 3 comes to them

contact in the folded position.

  In fact, in accordance with the present invention, the other flap 3 is connected to each contiguous wall 2 by an articulation forming a bellows, which comprises a first part 5, articulated by a discharge along a lateral edge of the flap 3, and a second part 6, articulated on the upper part of the wall 2 contiguous by a delivery arranged in the extension of that by which the internal flap 4 contiguous is articulated on the same wall 2. Parts 5 and 6 are hinged together by a delivery forming an angle of 450 with those by which these parts 5 and 6 are articulated on the flap 3 and on the wall 2. It is thus possible to fold the parts 5 and 6 one against the other and against the external face of the wall 2, while bringing the external flap 3 in

  closed position, folded perpendicular to the wall 1.

  We can therefore consider that the parts 5 and 6 constitute parts cut from the usual internal shutters which extend along the entire upper part of the walls 2, and that the production of the bellows thus does not consume more corrugated cardboard than the shutters

internal of the technique.

  A T-shaped tab 7 is cut in the part 5 of the bellows joint, in a position such that, when the flap 3 is in the folded position, with the bellows folded outside the wall 2, this tab 7 is located opposite an opening 8 formed in position

corresponding in this wall 2.

  As can be seen in FIG. 4, the dimensions of the opening 8 are such that the ends of the bar of the T of the tab 7 must be folded in order to be able to be introduced into the opening, these ends then returning to their initial position , due to the elasticity of the cardboard,

  and thus locking the tab 7 inside the packaging.

  The flap 3 adjoining the bellows is thus locked in the folded position and, as its dimensions are such that, in this position, it covers the contiguous part of the second flap 3, also in position

  folded down, it is also locked in this portion.

  As shown in FIG. 4, push-backs can be provided on the bar of the T of the tabs 7 to facilitate their introduction

in the associated openings 8.

  Advantageously, the tabs 7 are themselves articulated on the part 5 of the bellows by a discharge facilitating their introduction into the openings 8 and making it possible to bring them into contact with the internal face.

  of the corresponding wall 2, to improve the security of the locking.

  The operations of placing the tabs 7 in their housing are obviously very simple and can be carried out manually or mechanically. The openings 8 can be simple gripping cutouts,

  as it already exists on the packaging.

  As shown in Figure 5, each cutout 8 can be closed by a flap 9 of complementary shape, articulated by a delivery io along an edge of the cutout and able to thus retract towards the inside of the packaging to allow passage the locking tab 7, to then return substantially to its initial position and avoid any

  accidental release of this tab outside the packaging.

Claims (6)

  1. Packaging in a semi-rigid material such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard, this packaging comprising one or more bottom parts, four side walls (1, 2) articulated on these bottom parts and perpendicular thereto, these side walls (1, 2) having the same height with respect to the bottom parts and each of them being perpendicular to the adjoining walls, two flaps (4) of small dimensions articulated by upsets at the top of two walls (2 ) parallel and able to be brought into position perpendicular to these walls by forming internal flaps, and two flaps (3) of larger dimensions articulated by upsets at the top of the other two walls (1) and able to be brought in position perpendicular to these walls by forming external flaps, which come into contact with the flaps (2) and cover them, this packaging being characterized in that the internal flaps (4) have such dimensions that only one external flap (3) comes into contact in the folded position, while the other external flap (3) is not only articulated by a discharge on a wall (1) of the packaging, but is also attached according to its lateral edges perpendicular to this delivery to the two contiguous walls (2) by means of a joint forming a bellows, each joint comprising a part (5) articulated by a delivery along a side edge of this external flap (3) and capable of being brought in the same plane as the contiguous internal flap (4), and a part (6) articulated by a displacement along the upper part of the wall (2) contiguous and which can also be brought in the same plane as the contiguous internal flap ( 4), the two parts (5, 6) of the bellows being hinged together by a discharge making an angle of 450 with the lateral edge of the external flap (3) and with the upper edge of the contiguous wall (2), so you can be rep linked against each other and against the external face of this contiguous wall when this external flap is brought into the folded position perpendicular to the associated wall, the part (5) of the bellows articulated on the contiguous wall comprising a locking tab ( 7) T-shaped, which, in the folded position of the bellows against the contiguous wall (2), is located opposite an opening (8) of this wall (2), the dimensions of this opening (8) being such that the part of the tab (7) corresponding to the head of the T must be deformed in order to be introduced therein, to then resume its initial shape by elasticity, so as to be thus locked in position, by locking   also the corresponding external flap (3) in the folded position.   2. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized in that the external flap (3) adjoining the bellows (5, 6) has dimensions such that in the folded position, it partially covers the other flap (3) in   folded position and thus locks it in position.   3. Packaging according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in   that the T-shaped tab (7) is articulated by a discharge on the adjoining part (5) of the bellows.   4. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that   that the ends of the head part of the T of the locking tab (7)   are articulated on this part by upsets.   5. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that   that each opening (8) of the walls (2) intended to receive the tab of   associated lock (7) is a gripping cutout of the packaging.   6. Packaging according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that   that a flap (9) of shape substantially complementary to those of the openings (8) is articulated by a discharge along an edge of this opening.