WO2006000379A2 - Case for a writing device with a covered joint - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for receiving at least one writing device. The container comprises at least one wall element (W) made of a flat material. When the containers are completed, one side of the wall element (W) forms an inner container side and the other side forms an outer container side, and the wall element (W) comprises a first connecting section (30) on at least one side of the edges thereof, wherein the edge end thereof is offset at an angle in relation to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (30). According to the invention, the wall element (W) comprises a second connecting section (32;34) on at least one part of the edges thereof, said section being congruent in relation to the first connecting section (30) such that the edge end of the first connecting section (30) is covered in relation to the outer side of the container wall when the first connecting section (30) is connected to the second connecting section (32;34) in order to form at least part of the container wall.

Description

 Writing utensil case with concealed connection seam

The present invention relates to a container for receiving at least one writing instrument according to the preamble of claim 1. In particular, this container has at least one made of a flat wall element, wherein one container of the finished wall container one side of the wall element and the other side forms a container outer side and wherein the wall element has on at least a part of its edges a first connecting section, whose peripheral edge is angled relative to the plane of the flat material of the wall element,

At such containers very different, sometimes conflicting requirements are made. So should the container for a low-priced to produce and be filled mechanically. On the other hand, the container, since it serves for the presentation of the recorded therein writing instruments, be aesthetically pleasing and in particular cause no injury to the user of the writing instruments. Just the last point of view is in contradiction to the requirement of low-cost manufacturing. Such containers are often made to reduce costs of one or more wall elements made of a flat material, which is subjected to a deep targeting operation and a punching operation. In particular, the punching process creates sharp edges on the edges of the container that can cause injury to both the staff of the writing instrument manufacturer and the seller, as well as the purchasers or users of the writing instruments, which are often children. In order to meet the requirement "high load capacity" in this container, while the edge of the wall elements is often angled out of the plane of the sheet material to the outside, so that thereby the risk of injury is increased.

German Offenlegungsschrift No. 102 28 316 discloses a container of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which the punched edges are laid in the interior of the container in order to avoid injuries during the manufacture of the container. However, this reliable injury avoiding solution causes a complicated manufacturing process, which contradicts the requirement of a low-cost production of such containers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container of the type mentioned, which can be produced in a cost effective manner and which prevents easy and reliable way injury to the edges of the container.

The above object is solved by the feature of claim 1. In the subsequent claims 2 to 17 are advantageous embodiments of this.

By forming the second connecting portion congruent with the first connecting portion such that, when connecting the first connecting portion to the second connecting portion to form at least a part of the container wall, the peripheral edge of the first connecting portion opposite to the outside of the container wall is covered by the second container portion reliably avoids injury to a person holding the container in the sharp edge created during the punching process or similar process. So that the second connecting portion of the edge of the first connection portion, the second connection portion is not only congruent with the first connection portion, but is also congruently arranged on the one or more wall members which together constitute the container. The cover by the second connecting portion can be made depending on the manner of bending the first connecting portion. For the angling of the first connecting portion, it is preferred that the peripheral edge of the first connecting portion is angled at least approximately at 90 ° with respect to the plane of the flat material of the wall element.

The covering of the peripheral edge of the first connecting portion by the second connecting portion can be done in very different ways. Thus, on the one hand there is the possibility that the second connecting portion forms a Z-shaped gradation from the plane of the flat material whose depth is at least equal to, preferably greater than the height of the angled edge of the first connecting portion, based on the plane of the sheet of the wall element , In other words, the second connecting portion forms on an edge of the wall element a recess which is Z-shaped in cross-section and into which the angled peripheral edge of the first connecting portion can be received when connecting the one or more wall elements. Since the depth of the Z-shaped step of the second connecting portion is sized equal to, but preferably greater than the height of the angling of the first connecting portion, the sharp edge of the first connecting portion can not be touched by the user of the container, so that An injury is reliably avoided.

The last is particularly true when the angled portion of the first connecting portion is received in the step of the second connecting portion such that the first connecting portion abuts the angled peripheral edge in close contact with the Z-shaped step of the second connecting portion. In order that this is possible, it is also advantageous if the free edge portion of the Z-shaped gradation of the second - A -

Connecting portion extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the sheet of the wall element. As a result, that part of the first connecting portion, which is not angled relative to the plane of the flat material, can be accommodated tightly in the second connecting portion.

Furthermore, in order to enable a dense contact of the first connecting portion with the angling in the second connecting portion, it is furthermore advantageous if at least one of the two angles of the Z-shaped graduation is at least approximately 90 °. If both angles of the Z-shaped graduation are formed as a 90 ° angle, then in a first connecting portion having a first leg extending from the plane of the flat material and a second leg angled away from this first leg by 90 °, that in the free end of the corresponding wall portion ends, the first connecting portion are sealed and fully received by 90 ° in the Z-shaped step of the second connecting portion.

Another possibility for avoiding the injury by congruent design of the second connecting portion relative to the first connecting portion is that the second connecting portion has a bulging out to the outside of the wall member whose depth is at least equal to, preferably greater than the height of the angled edge of the first connecting portion, with respect to the plane of the sheet of the wall element. In other words, the bulge lays over the marginal edge of the first connecting portion, thereby protecting the users of the container from injury at this sharp edge.

The bulge or bulge may have different shapes, as long as it is ensured that the leg of the first connecting portion angled at 90 ° is completely excluded in the bulge. It is preferred that the bulge in cross-section has at least approximately the shape of a circle segment.

In principle, the free end of the bulge can stand up on the first connection section or another section of the planar wall element. However, in order to enable a good connection between the first and the second connecting portion, it is further preferred if the bulge extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material at the free edge portion.

The container according to the invention can, as has already been mentioned above, be constructed from a plurality of wall elements. However, it is preferred if the container according to the invention is made of a single wall element. Depending on how then the single wall element is formed to the container, the arrangement of the first and the second connecting portion can take place. For example, if the manufacture of the container in such a way that it is folded in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the first and the second connecting portion, it is advantageous if at an at least first edge of the wall member, the first connecting portion and at one to the first edge opposite second edge of the second connecting portion is provided at least in sections. If, on the other hand, the single wall element is folded in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the first and second connecting sections, it is advantageous that the first connecting section is formed on at least one first edge of the wall element and the second connecting section on a second edge of the wall element adjoining in the longitudinal extension of the wall element at least in sections followed.

In principle, the connection of the first connection section to the second connection section can be effected by any known cohesive connection method. Thus, it is basically conceivable that the first connecting portion with the second connecting portion by a Bonding process is connected. However, it is preferred that when the container is finished the first connecting portion is welded to the second connecting portion.

Different materials can be used for the flat material of the wall element. It is preferred that the one wall element is made of at least one film. Here, the film may be a thermoforming sheet.

It is also possible that the wall element made of plastic, preferably made of a thermoplastic material. In particular, this may be a PET or PVC.

The thickness of the sheet of the wall element can be selected according to the needs of the container for its function. It is preferable that the thickness of the wall member is 200 to 400 μm.

As mentioned above, the container according to the invention can be produced by one or more wall elements. If the container is formed only by a wall element by folding the individual sections of this wall element, then it is advantageous if at least one bending hinge is provided for folding the single wall element. Of course, such bending rubbers can also be provided for a plurality of wall elements which together form a container.

Further advantageous embodiments and exemplary embodiments are explained below with reference to the drawing figures. In this context, it should be noted that the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left", "right", "bottom" and "top" used in the description of the embodiments refer to the drawing figures in their orientation with normally readable figure names and reference numerals. Here is: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a wall element made of flat material for a container according to the invention after a thermoforming and stamping process.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a container according to the invention made from the wall element shown in FIG. 1; FIG.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2 of a second embodiment of the container according to the invention;

4A is a schematic plan view of a made of a flat wall element of a third embodiment of the container according to the invention;

Fig. 4B is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Fig. 4A;

Fig. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention; and

Fig. 5B is an enlarged view of the detail E in Fig. 5A.

In Fig. 1, the sectional view of a wall element W is reproduced in plan view, which serves for the production of a container according to the invention and which is formed from a PET film with a wall thickness of about 250 microns. To produce the wall element W, the PET film is subjected to a deep drawing and stamping process.

The wall element W has a plurality of wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, namely a front wall segment 10, a rear wall segment 12, two side wall segments 14, 16, a bottom segment 18 and a closure tab segment 20. The two side wall segments 14, 16 have in the plan view of Fig. 1, the shape of wings and are the same size or symmetrical to the central axis, not shown, of the wall element W configured. In addition, the side wall segments 14, 16 are curved, as shown in FIG. 2 can be seen. The front wall segment 10 and the rear wall segment 12 each have a rectangular shape with approximately the same width, wherein the width of the horizontal dimension of these wall segments 14, 16 is meant. In contrast, the front wall segment 10 has a length that is smaller in relation to the rear wall segment 12, with length meaning the vertical dimension of these wall segments 14, 16. The bottom segment 18 in turn has an oval, elongated shape, whereas the closure tab segment 20 has the shape of a trapezoid with rounded edges. It should also be noted that the plan view shown in Fig. 1 represents the top view of the inward-facing sides of the wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 when the container is finished.

The two side wall segments 14, 16 are arranged in the width direction of the wall element W respectively left and right of the front wall segment 10, whereas the front wall segment 10 and the rear wall segment 12 are connected via the bottom segment 18. The closure tab segment 20 connects to the upper end of the rear wall segment 12.

To form the container body, ie in particular the container cavity for receiving one or more writing instruments, which are not shown in detail, the individual wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 of the wall element W along bending hinges 22, 24, 26, 28 are folded , The bending hinges 22, 24, 26, 28, which, as can be seen in particular from FIG. 2, are formed by convex bulges in the film of the wall element W towards the inside of the finished container, are between the individual wall segments 10, 12 , 14, 16, 18 of the wall element W and each extending over the full length or width of the respective wall segment 10, 12, 14, 16, 18. As can be seen from Fig. 1, extend the bending hinges 22, 24, 26th , 28 horizontally and vertically to each other, so intersect at a right angle. Along the Bie hinges 22, 24, 26, 28, the individual wall segments 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 are folded or bent relative to each other, so that a container is formed, which in cross-section, as is also apparent from Fig. 2, in Consequence of the bulges of the side walls 14, 16 has an elongated oval shape.

To obtain a permanent closed container, the left edge of the sidewall segment 14 and the right edge of the sidewall segment 16 are formed as a first connecting portion 30. The first connecting portion 30 has a leg 30a emerging from the plane of the sheet material of the wall element W and an angled towards the free end of the respective side wall segment 14, 16 at this leg 30a and angled 90 ° relative to this leg 30a to the outside of the finished container Leg 30b (see Fig. 2). The outwardly facing leg 30b has a relatively sharp peripheral edge as a result of the punching process, with which the wall element W has been punched out of a PET film web material. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the first connecting portion 30 extends in each case over the entire length of the side wall segments 14, 16.

In order to avoid injury to the user of the container at the sharp edges of the outwardly projecting legs 30b of the first connecting portions 30, the rear wall segment 12 has two second connecting portions 32 extending substantially parallel to each other. The second connecting portions 32 are each formed by a bulging in the direction of the outside of the finished container from the plane of the PET film of the wall element W bulge, as shown in FIG. 2 can be removed. The second connecting portions 32 are thus arranged in their position congruent to the position of the first connecting portions 30 on the rear wall segment 12.

The region of the rear wall segment 12 from the actual bulge 32 to its free edge forms a horizontal leg 32a, which serves to fasten the rear wall segment 12 to the side wall segments 14, 16 by means of a welding operation. As is apparent from Fig. 2, the bulge 32 in cross section at least approximately in the shape of a semicircular segment, which is provided with the reference numeral 32b. The semicircular segment 32b has such a depth that the leg 90b of the first connecting portion 30 angled at 90 ° can be enclosed by the bulge 32 of the second connecting portion 32. If the container is assembled, the leg 32a of the second connecting portion 32 running horizontally or parallel to the extent of the flat material of the wall element W rests on the horizontally extending leg 30a of the first connecting portion 30. The horizontal leg 30a of the first connecting portion 30 and the horizontal leg 32a of the second connecting portion 32 are then joined together by welding. Optionally, also the vertically extending or 90 ° angled leg 30b can be fixed within the semicircular segment 32b of the second connecting portion 32 by a welding operation.

FIGS. 3A to 5B show further advantageous embodiments of the present invention. Since these embodiments are constructed similarly to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only the differences from this embodiment will be discussed below.

The second embodiment of the present invention shown in cross-section in Fig. 3 differs from the first embodiment explained in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 in that instead of two first connecting portions 30 respectively to the left and right side wall segments 14, 16 and two thereto congruent second connecting portions 32 on the rear wall segment 12 only the left side wall segment 14 with a first connecting portion 30 and the left edge of the rear wall segment 12 is provided with a second connecting portion 32. Instead of the first connecting portion 30 on the right edge of the side wall segment 16 there is another bending hinge 34, which connects the side wall segment 16 with the rear wall segment 12. In this embodiment, the floor segment 18 may then be provided with at least one first connecting portion 30, whereas the front wall segment 10 and the rear wall segment 12 may then each individually or collectively have a second connecting portion 32, so that in turn except for the upper opening through the Closing tab segment 20 is closed, closed container body is formed.

The sectional view of the third embodiment of a container according to the invention shown in plan view in FIG. 4A is shown in cross section in FIG. 4B. In contrast to the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the third embodiment is provided with only a first and a second connecting portion 30, 32. In this case, the first connection section 30 is constructed identically to the first connection section 30 of the first exemplary embodiment. In contrast, the second connecting portion is formed as a Z-shaped step 34 toward the inside of the container, wherein the letter "Z" is formed in such a way that from the plane of the sheet of the rear wall segment 12, the unspecified the first Leg of the "Z" forms, an angled into the interior of the container by 90 ° and vertically extending leg 34a and an adjoining, also by 90 ° from this leg 34a angled, horizontally extending legs 34b extends to the free end. As can be seen from the detail of FIG. 5B, the depth of the step 34 of the second connecting section is selected so that the vertical leg 30b of the first connecting section 30 is received by the step 34 and abuts against the vertically extending leg 34a of the step 34. In addition, the horizontally extending leg 30a of the first connecting portion 30 abuts the horizontally extending leg 34b of the step 34 and may be fixed thereto by means of a weld. Of course, in addition or alternatively, the two vertically extending legs 30b, 34a of the first connecting portion 30 and the gradation 34 may be welded together. Since the height of the outwardly angled leg 30b of the first connecting portion 30 is smaller than the height of the vertically extending leg 34a of the step 34, also in this third embodiment, an injury to the sharp edge of the leg 30b of the first connecting portion 30 is excluded.

Claims

claims 1. A container for receiving at least one writing instrument, comprising at least one made of a flat wall element (W), wherein in the finished container one side of the wall element (W) forms a container inside and the other side a container outside, wherein the wall element (W) to at least a part of its edges has a first connecting portion (30) whose peripheral edge is angled relative to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W), and wherein the first connecting portion (30) to the second connecting portion (32; 34) welded [cohesively connected] is characterized in that the peripheral edge of the first connecting portion (30) is angled at least approximately 90 ° with respect to the plane of the sheet of the wall element (W) to the outside of the finished container, and that the wall element (W) on at least one other part of its edges second connection portion (32; 34) which is turned off to the first connection portion (30) in such a manner that when connecting the first connection portion (30) to the second connection portion (32; 34) to form at least a part of the container wall Peripheral edge of the first connecting portion (30) opposite the outside of the container wall is covered. 2. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the second connecting portion forms a Z-shaped step (34) from the plane of the sheet whose depth is at least equal to, preferably greater than the height of the angled edge of the first connecting portion (30), with respect to the plane of the sheet of the wall element (W). 3. Container according to claim 2, characterized in that the free edge portion of the Z-shaped step (34) extends at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material of the wall element (W). 4. Container according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the two angles of the Z-shaped step (34) is at least approximately 90 °. 5. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the second connecting portion is a bulge (32) extending towards the outside of the wall element (W), the depth of which is at least equal to, preferably greater than the height of the angling of the marginal edge of the first connecting portion (30) with respect to the plane of Flat material of the wall element (W). 6. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the bulge (32) in cross section has at least approximately the shape of a circle segment. 7. Container according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the bulge (32) extends at its free edge region at least approximately parallel to the plane of the flat material. 8. Container according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that a single wall element (W) is provided for forming the container, wherein on at least a first edge of the wall element (W) of the first connecting portion (30) and at one to the first edge opposite the second connecting portion (32; 34) are provided at least in sections. 9. Container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a single wall element (W) is provided for the formation of the container, wherein at least at a first edge of the wall element (W) of the first connecting portion (30) and at one in the longitudinal extent of the wall element (W) adjoining second edge of the second Connecting portion (32; 34) is provided at least in sections. 10. Container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one wall element (W) is formed by a film. 11. Container according to claim 10, characterized in that the film is a thermoforming sheet. 12. Container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the wall thickness of the wall element (W) is 200 to 400 microns. 13. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the at least one wall element (W) made of plastic, preferably thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic. 14. Container according to claim 13, characterized in that the at least one wall element (W) is made of PET or PVC. 15. Container according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that at least one bending hinge (22, 24, 26, 28) for folding the wall element (W) is provided.