Display box

A folded paper box is provided which locks in the erected condition and has apertures in the exterior panels through which a label insert sheet is visible and interior panels which cover the apertures and insert sheet when in place.

BACKGROUND 
Many products are identical in configuration, but different in content, as 
for example, pre-recorded video tapes. Such products are capable of being 
packaged in identical boxes, but require a different label for each 
content. Consequently, the packager must inventory stocks of boxes 
differently labeled for each content, but otherwise similar, or must 
himself adhere different labels thereby necessitating the use of an 
inelegant form of label and inviting inaccurate label placement. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a box arranged to receive a unitary label 
insert sheet which is visible through apertures in the exterior panels of 
the box and which automatically is positioned accurately with respect to 
the apertures. Only one type of box need be stocked since it can receive 
different label inserts according to needs. The box is provided with 
several apertures through which appropriate regions of a single sheet 
label insert are visible. The box is erected easily from a partially 
pre-folded blank and when erected is self-locking into a sturdy structure. 
The blank is laid out so that all interior and exterior surfaces of the 
box are the same face of the blank, thereby allowing decoration of only 
that face of the blank. The entire interior of the box is lined to cover 
the label insert completely. The box has a hinged, recloseable lid.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a box 1 according to the present invention 
is shown erected and completed. The box is suitable for packaging a 
variety of goods ranging from picture puzzles to cosmetics, and is herein 
described as a box for pre-recorded video tape. The box 1 is provided with 
a hinged lid 2 having an aperture 4 through which a label insert 5 is 
visible. The spine side 8 of the box is provided with a label aperture 7. 
The back or floor of the box is also provided with a label aperture 9. The 
lid 2 is provided with a closure tongue 3 receivable in an appropriate 
slit for holding the lid closed. 
The lid 2 is formed by a folding of two panels to create an envelope pocket 
to receive the label insert 5. The opposite end portion of the label 
insert 5 which overlies the aperture 9 in the back or floor of the box is 
covered by an interior floor panel 6. The middle portion of the label 
insert which overlies the spine aperture 7 is covered by a flap 11. Thus, 
the interior panels of the box completely cover the label insert 5. A slot 
12 in the interior panel of the lid 2 permits the insertion of a booklet 
or other document such as a libretto, catalog, commentary, or 
instructions. 
FIG. 3 shows the unitary blank, generally designated as 20, from which the 
box is erected. The blank is cut from appropriate paper stock by 
conventional techniques. The blank is laid out to fold up in such a way as 
to present the same primary surface of the blank on all exterior and 
interior surfaces of the box, thereby confining the need for decoration, 
color, coating, or film lamination to the primary face of the paper stock. 
The undecorated secondary face of the blank is seen in FIG. 3. 
The lid 2 is formed by folding flaps 22, 23 along fold lines 25, 26 
respectively and folding panel 28 along fold line 29. Adhesive such as a 
melted thermoplastic is applied in the areas designated 31, 32 to adhere 
panel 28 to flaps 22, 23. Tongue 3 protrudes from the fold line 29 edge of 
the resulting lid. Panel 28 becomes the interior face of the lid 2 and lid 
2 is in the form of a pocket or envelope for receipt of the label insert. 
Fold line 27 constitutes the lid hinge. 
The body of the box is formed by folding interior floor panel 6 and 
interior side panel 44 along fold line 51 and adhering panel 44 to 
exterior side panel 48 with adhesive in the area designated 49. Fold line 
51 includes a slit 53 for receipt of lid closure tongue 3. The side 
exterior panels 42, 46, 8 and 48 are folded upwardly along fold lines 
61-64. Score line 55 separating panels 44 and 6 is provided to ease the 
folding of the double thickness at fold line 62. Corner gusset pieces 72, 
74, 76 and 78 are each provided with a diagonal score line to promote 
inward pleat-folding of these corner reinforcing gussets. Tabs 73, 75 
protuberant from panel 44 fold inwardly with corner pieces 72 and 74. Side 
interior panel flaps 52, 56 are then folded downwardly along fold lines 
65, 66 to overlie pleated corner gussets 72, 74, 76, and 78 and tabs 73 
and 75. Small tongues 82-85 snap between the edges of interior floor panel 
6 and side panels 42 and 46. Similarly, small tongues 86, 87 snap below 
tabs 73, 75. The tongues 82-87 lock the flaps 52, 56 in place and thereby 
secure the four sides of the box in the erected condition. 
A label insert 5 can be slipped into the pocket of lid 2 to be visible 
through lid aperture 4 and spine aperture 7. The insert 5 overlies floor 
aperture 9 and is covered by interior floor panel 6. If desired, a 
transparent sheet can be adhered to the interior face of blank 20 to 
overlie apertures 4, 7 and 9 to form protective windows through which the 
label insert is visible. An appropriate information sheet or booklet can 
be slipped into slot 12 of lid 2. 
The box can be erected by the box manufacturer and shipped erected to the 
packager for label insertion and filling or, as shown in FIG. 4, the blank 
can be folded at fold lines 29, 25, 26 and 51 and glued at areas 31, 32, 
and 49 by the box manufacturer. This results in a partially pre-assembled 
unit which can be shipped flat. The label insert 5 can be placed in the 
pre-assembled unit before the box is erected by the packager. 
The box of the present invention is formed from a single unitary blank 
decorated on but one surface and presents that decorated surface on all 
exterior and interior surfaces of the box. The printing or decorating of 
the box blank and the label are independent to allow the packager to label 
boxes to suit the needs of the packager's market, an ability highly 
desired by those who package video or music tapes and the like. The box of 
the present invention is well suited to packaging of a line of different 
products in identical boxes for uniformity of product line image while 
permitting a different label for each product. Because of the manner in 
which the single sheet label insert is received in the box, the labeling 
cannot be other than straight and properly registered with the apertures, 
thus assuring a neat, inexpensive package suitable even for an expensive 
product. Since the label insert is separate from the box, the cost of 
elegant print work may be confined to that insert rather than borne by the 
entire box.