WO1998010991A1 - Unfolding box for pastries and cakes, made from a blank cut out in one single piece - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an unfolding box the base (1)of which is quadrilateral in shape, and its sides are extended by two main flaps (2, 3) and two secondary flaps (4, 5), respectively associated with two opposite sides (6, 7 and 8, 9) by a folding line, the flaps (2, 3, 4, 5) have no folding and their width increases from the base (1) side (6, 7, 8, 9), their edge (21, 31, 41, 51) being convex, to decrease again towards the end (42), the main flaps (2, 3) are extended by a blocking and gripping strip (10, 11); the secondary flaps (4, 5) are curved against the edges of the main flaps (2, 3) bearing against them.

Description

DEPLOYABLE BOX FOR PASTRY AND CAKES, MADE IN A BLANK CUT INTO ONE PIECE

The present invention relates to a deployable box for pastries, cakes or equivalent products, allowing placement and removal of products in the box in the position at least partially deployed flat, comprising a bottom bordered on each side by flaps which, once united, form the peripheral surround and the top of the box, also constituting a gripping means, the whole being cut from a blank of cardboard or similar material, in one piece. Multiple types of folding boxes are known, manufactured by cardboard makers and laid flat to be supplied to the user. Traditional boxes for pastry are known in particular. These boxes consist of a complete element formed by a bottom bordered by three edges; the rear edge carries the cover. To be laid flat, the sides of the bottom and the sides of the cover are folded along fold lines.

These boxes of pastries, used for decades, have the advantage of being able to lay flat and unfold to receive the products to be packaged at the time of sale. Thanks to their walls and the bonding of the walls on the different sides, to each other, in the deployed state, these boxes are sufficiently rigid to be able to be surrounded by a ribbon and to be transported while holding the ribbon. However, these boxes have a certain number of drawbacks, the most serious of which is the height of the edges or even the existence of the edges of the bottom. Indeed, to introduce the products, in particular the fragile products like pastries, in such a box, it is necessary to take them with pliers and slide them from the top, the sides not allowing the introduction flat.

The same drawback is found when unpacking. Also known is a box according to document FR 88 13 968 of 26.10.88 which describes a very interesting box which corresponds to the type defined above and which resists to a certain extent crushing.

However, in many cases, it is not imperative that the box resist crushing because it does not work that in "traction" since either it rests on a surface (table, counter, etc.) or that it is held by hand placed on its bottom or suspended, taken by the grip tabs. As this box must resist compression, its structure is relatively complicated and its assembly requires a certain education on the part of the users.

Finally, there is a package of pastries called "mounted package". It is a square cardboard plate constituting the bottom receiving the pastries and which is surrounded by a sheet forming a pyramidal envelope fixed under the bottom by adhesive tape. The top of this pyramid shape is capped and then tied with a ribbon to hold the hanging package. The realization of this packaging requires a lot of skill.

It is also relatively expensive because of the large area of paper it requires.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes to create a box for receiving and transporting fragile products such as pastries, cakes or products for which it is desirable to be able to open or lay the box flat. when placing or removing products, and which is space-saving, light and above all very easy to close and open.

To this end, the invention relates to a box of the type defined above, characterized in that:

the bottom is in the form of a quadrilateral, the sides of the bottom are continued by two main flaps and two auxiliary flaps, associated respectively with two opposite sides of the bottom by a fold line,

the flaps are without folding and their width increases from the side of the bottom, their edge having a convex shape, to decrease again towards the end,

- the main flaps are continued by a locking and gripping tab connected to the flap by a fold line, the auxiliary flaps being provided with a longitudinal slot in their end for receiving the tongues of the main flaps when the latter are joined by their tongues,

- the auxiliary flaps curl against the edges of the main flaps, pressing against them and catching by their slot on the tabs.

The box according to the invention, the bottom of which has a quadrilateral shape, that is to say a rhombus or a parallelogram, in particular a rectangle or a square, is presented in a very simple and just as easy to assemble. It suffices to raise the two main flaps and to hold them assembled by their tongues, then to bend one of the auxiliary flaps against the edge of the two main flaps; then the end of the auxiliary flap with its slot is passed over the two tabs and the auxiliary flap is thus hooked so that the assembly retains its shape.

The assembly is completed by closing the other auxiliary flap, bending it naturally against the opposite edge of the two main flaps and passing its end with its slot in the same way over the two tabs already assembled.

The packaging is then finished and it takes on its own, on the one hand because of the elasticity of the two main flaps which do not have a fold line and whose curvature is continuous and flexible, between the edge corresponding from the bottom of the box and the fold line connecting the flap to the tongue; this line is located in the assembly plan.

Depending on the shape of the quadrilateral constituting the bottom of the box and the shape which results therefrom from the flaps, the fold line between the tongue and the flap, which is always located in the assembly plane, can be parallel or inclined by compared to the fold line connecting the flap to the bottom when the flap is flat. According to the invention, the auxiliary flaps surround the edges of the main flaps in the assembled position and project beyond these edges. Due to the elasticity of the assembly, the main flaps tend to raise the tabs and auxiliary flaps, hung on either side of the two tabs together, are stretched; an optimal form is established in which the auxiliary flaps close almost perfectly the contour defined by the main flaps in the assembled position.

It should be noted that the main flaps work on compression vis-à-vis the auxiliary flaps. As the main shutters do not remain flat but form a regulated surface which, in the case of a background in the form of a parallelogram, is a cylindrical surface whose generatrices are parallel to the fold line between the shutter and the bottom; this constitutes a means of spacing or rigid bracing against which the auxiliary flaps can bear. The auxiliary flaps work in traction and they are stretched in their position of minimum length by the elasticity effect created by the main flaps which tend to lift the tabs.

The assembly forms a very coherent construction, which remains rigid when the box is in the suspended position, that is to say held by the tongues.

When the box is placed, the elasticity of the main flaps prevents the box from sagging. The attachment of the auxiliary flaps on the tabs creates a certain crushing effect to tension the main flaps. According to other advantageous characteristics:

- the background quadrilateral is a parallelogram and, in particular, a rectangle and in particular a square, -

- the tabs are provided with corresponding holes. The present invention will be described below in more detail with the aid of the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a deployable box partially assembled, FIG. 2 shows the box of FIG. 1 in the closed position,

- Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank cut out for a deployable box, in the case of a bottom in the form of square,

FIG. 4 shows the folding of the blank of FIG. 3 along a diagonal of the bottom,

FIGS. 5 to 7 diagrammatically show the three stages of closing the box,

FIG. 5 shows the first step in bringing the two main components together,

FIG. 6 shows the closing of one of the auxiliary flaps on the two main flaps, FIG. 7 shows the closing of the second auxiliary flap on the main flaps and the other auxiliary flap already in place,

- Figure 8 is a side view of the box of Figure 7 (left view). According to Figures 1 and 2, the invention relates to a deployable box intended to receive and transport fragile products such as pastries, cakes or products requiring similar treatment and precautions. This box is intended to be filled in the deployed position flat or partially deployed and offer or present the products, at the opening, also in the at least partially deployed position.

Figure 1 shows such a partially deployed position or position before complete closure, while Figure 2 shows the box in the closed position.

The box produced by cutting from a blank of flexible cardboard or a similar material, consists of a bottom 1 bordered by two main flaps 2, 3 and two auxiliary flaps 4, 5.

Generally, the bottom 1 has a quadrilateral shape such as a parallelogram. More particularly, the bottom has the shape of a rectangle and in particular of a square. The main flaps 2, 3 and auxiliary 4, 5, are connected to the bottom by articulation lines 6, 7, 8, 9.

As shown in FIG. 3 in the particular case of a square-shaped bottom 1, the main and auxiliary flaps have a shape which widens from the side 6, 7, 8, 9 from the bottom to reach a certain width then decrease again towards the end.

In FIG. 3, the sides of the bottom quadrilateral 1 have a length (a) and (al) and the largest dimension of the flaps corresponds to (b), (bl).

In other words, the edges 21 of the flap 2 have a convex curvature which decreases again in the direction of the end 22.

The same applies to the edges 41 of the flap 4 which have a convex shape in order to decrease again towards the end 42.

The same remarks apply to the other parts 3 and 5.

Moreover, in general, the main flaps 2, 3 have an identical or at least homologous shape and the same applies to the auxiliary flaps 4 and 5. In the case of a bottom 1 in the form of a parallelogram and in particular rectangle and square, the main shutters and the auxiliary shutters are equal two by two. In the case of a quadrilateral which is not a parallelogram, the flaps have homologous shapes obtained in some way by the crushing or "tilting" of the shape represented in plan in FIG. 3.

In the case of a bottom 1 consisting of a quadrilateral or a non-rectangular parallelogram, the widths b, bl are always measured parallel to the articulation line 6, 7, 8, 9, between the flaps 2, 3, 4, 5 and the bottom 1.

The curvatures 21, 31, - 41, 51 of the edges of the flaps are of convex shape in the part situated on the bottom side, to end towards the end by a shape which decreases (this can also be done according to a convex curve).

The main flaps 2, 3 are terminated by a tongue 10, 11 connected to the main flap 2, 3 by a hinge line 12, 13.

The auxiliary flaps 4, 5 are provided at their end 42, 52, with a slot 14, 15 to come over and receive the tongues 10, II in the assembled position.

Finally, the bottom 1 is preferably provided with a folding line 16 which makes it possible to fold the cut blank to re- duire the size as shown in Figure 4. (Figure 4 shows only half of the folded blank, the other part not being shown). This other part consists of the main flap 2 and the auxiliary flap 4. The fold line 16 subdivides the bottom 1 into two triangles 1A, 1B.

The flaps 10, 11 are each provided with a hole 17, 18 facilitating the gripping and being able to receive a link or the tail of a label. It should be noted that as will appear, when the main flaps 2, 3 are closed, the tabs 10, 11 being applied one against the other, this forms a cylindrical or tubular surface thereby stiffening the bottom 1 which does not can no longer then be folded along line 16. The assembly which will be described in more detail with the aid of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, also appears in the perspective views of FIGS. 1 and 2.

Before closing the packaging, in general the user receives the folded blanks as it appears in FIG. 4. Starting from this position, the assembly is deployed and laid flat, then when the products are placed on the bottom 1 , we start by bringing together the tabs 10, it of the main flaps 2, 3 necessarily bending the flaps 2, 3 by lowering them. By this movement, the flaps 2, 3 are passed from their planar shape to a curved shape.

Then, one takes one of the auxiliary flaps, for example the flap 4 "which is pulled against the edges 21, 31 of the main flaps to slide it with its slot 14 over the tabs 10, 11 to bring the edge of the slot 14 behind the opposite end of the tongues 10, 11 which constitutes a sort of hook 101, 102.

This implementation is done by slightly crushing the main flaps 2, 3, to gain length.

In this closed position, the auxiliary flap 4 bears against the edges 21, 31 of the flaps 2, 3, that is to say that it protrudes from the contours 21, 31 by its convex part corresponding to the curvature convex 41.

The installation of the other auxiliary flap 5 is done in the same way, by sliding its slot 15 over the flaps 10, 11 and by hooking this slot behind the other hook 101, 102 of the flaps 10, 11.

The assembled position is that of Figure 2. Figures 5, 6, 7 show schematically ^ ue and in side view the three assembly faces.

Figure 5 shows in its right part, the shape of the main flaps still planar, simply folded around the fold lines 6, 7 with the bottom 1, while the left part shows the main flaps slightly depressed

(compression) to produce bending and allow the installation of auxiliary flaps.

When the tabs are joined together, they are located in the assembly plane which, in the case of a parallelepipedal bottom (also rectangular or square) corresponds to a median plane, passing through the median of the sides of the auxiliary flaps. This median corresponds to the line X-X in Figure 1.

FIG. 6 shows the positioning of the auxiliary flap 4 over the tabs 10, 11, the auxiliary flap 5 still being undone.

Figure 7 shows the installation of the auxiliary flap 5.

FIG. 8 is a view from the right of the partially open box according to FIG. 6, at the end of the installation of the flap 4, the flap 5 does not appear in this figure.

The box is partially closed; the tongues 10, 11 are engaged in the slot 14 of the end 42 of the auxiliary flap 4. This FIG. 8 shows in particular that the contour of the auxiliary flap 4 extends beyond the section of the cylinder formed by the main flaps 2, 3 and the bottom 1, at the end of the operation of FIG. 6.

This figure corresponds to a few slight deformations, also to that of a cross section of the finished package, for example according to Figure 2.

Claims

 R E V E N D I C A T I O N S 1) Deployable box for pastries, cakes or equivalent products, allowing product placement and removal in the box in an at least partially deployed flat position, comprising a bottom bordered on each side by flaps which, once united, form the peripheral surround and the top of the box, also constituting a gripping means, the whole being cut from a blank of cardboard or similar material, in one piece, characterized in that - the bottom (1) is in the form of a quadrilateral, - the sides of the bottom are continued by two main flaps (2, 3) and two auxiliary flaps (4, 5), associated respectively with two opposite sides (6, 7 and 8, 9) of the bottom (1) by a fold line, - the flaps (2, 3, 4, 5) are without folding and their width (b, bl) increases from the side (a, al, 6, 7, 8, 9) from the bottom (1), their edge (21, 31, 41, 51) having a convex shape, to decrease again towards the end (22, 32, 42, 52), - the main flaps (2, 3) continue with a locking and gripping tab (10, 11) connected to the flaps (2, 3) by a fold line (12, 13), - the auxiliary flaps (4, 5) being provided with a longitudinal slot (14, 15) in their end (42, 52) to receive the tabs (10, 11) of the main flaps (2, 3) when those -these are joined by their tabs (10, 11), - the auxiliary flaps (4, 5) bend against the edges (41, 51) of the main flaps (4, 5) by pressing against them and by hooking by their slot (14, 15) on the tabs (10, 11). 2 °) Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the quadrilateral of the bottom (1) is a parallelogram and, in particular, a rectangle and in particular a square. 3 °) Box according to claim 1, characterized in that the tongues (10, 11) are provided with corresponding holes (17, 18).